http://blog.intuit.com We're talking about small business success. Fri, 25 May 2012 17:26:02 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en IntuitBloghttp://feedburner.google.com Tory Johnson’s career trajectory should provide ample inspiration for anyone with an entrepreneurial dream. After being fired unexpectedly from a steady job 14 years ago, Johnson had next-to-nothing going for &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/M6lV2fAsfQA" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/M6lV2fAsfQA/ http://blog.intuit.com/trends/spark-hustles-tory-johnson-on-her-entrepreneurial-success/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spark-hustles-tory-johnson-on-her-entrepreneurial-success Getting high-profile bloggers to write about your product or service is a great way to boost your company’s credibility and SEO rankings. And, although you may think you need to &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/TGlkfN8f1Rk" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/TGlkfN8f1Rk/ http://blog.intuit.com/marketing/3-tips-for-creating-an-effective-blogger-outreach-campaign/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=3-tips-for-creating-an-effective-blogger-outreach-campaign It’s generally not a good business practice to work for free. But if you offer your services gratis through a formal pro bono program, you’re likely to meet people who &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/373wQtWDHVM" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/373wQtWDHVM/ http://blog.intuit.com/employees/how-to-set-up-a-pro-bono-or-volunteer-program/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-set-up-a-pro-bono-or-volunteer-program In the past, small-business owners seeking public-relations opportunities had two choices: Hire a professional or agency, or act as an ad hoc PR manager amid other entrepreneurial tasks. Both avenues &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/8-41TgIWSsk" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/8-41TgIWSsk/ http://blog.intuit.com/marketing/4-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-pursuing-a-pr-opportunity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-pursuing-a-pr-opportunity Your business can’t do much without money, but your financial health hinges upon far more than just making the cash register ring. Given the abundance of advice, stats, and other &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/PrBlobwMJlQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/PrBlobwMJlQ/ http://blog.intuit.com/money/4-money-trends-to-watch-and-2-you-can-ignore/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-money-trends-to-watch-and-2-you-can-ignore You’ve been blogging on your company website for awhile now, which is helping to build your brand and boost your site’s search rankings. Now that your name is out there, &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/yw3X76Ube6o" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/yw3X76Ube6o/ http://blog.intuit.com/marketing/how-guest-blogging-can-help-you-grow-your-business/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-guest-blogging-can-help-you-grow-your-business Small businesses fail for many reasons, including some beyond the owner’s immediate control. It’s a reality of entrepreneurship: Not every new business will succeed, and sometimes even long-standing companies hit &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/xrXpNulLdSA" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/xrXpNulLdSA/ http://blog.intuit.com/money/when-is-bankruptcy-the-right-choice-for-a-small-business/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=when-is-bankruptcy-the-right-choice-for-a-small-business By now you’re probably familiar with my struggles to navigate a mess of rules in order to be ready to hire employees, but I haven’t said much about benefits. Then &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/ThOU1hKehJQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/ThOU1hKehJQ/ http://blog.intuit.com/employees/in-the-trenches-benefits/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-the-trenches-benefits As a small-business owner, you’re the public face of your company. That means you’ll probably need to participate in promotional activities, such as presentations, seminars, or lectures, in order to &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/ndizqwS6prg" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/ndizqwS6prg/ http://blog.intuit.com/marketing/can-toastmasters-help-you-improve-your-business/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-toastmasters-help-you-improve-your-business Crowdfunding is a hot topic of late, in part because the JOBS Act promises to bring significant changes to the way it works. Among other things, the new legislation may &#8230;<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~4/k_jU1N-IHfs" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntuitBlog/~3/k_jU1N-IHfs/ http://blog.intuit.com/money/new-crowdfunding-considerations-for-small-businesses/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-crowdfunding-considerations-for-small-businesses