So you have this great idea for a business, you’re a little new to business so where do you start and how do you find customers? What good is an idea if you can’t market it? This article gives step by step instructions on how to develop a plan for your new start-up business, refine your product, build value and create loyalty with your customers.

Have a plan – Might sound like a no brainer but some people try to sell their business with no thought out strategy. You must have a plan of what you want to accomplish. Set this as your goal then develop a strategy to achieve those goals. In the process of developing your strategy you will begin to notice challenges and identify limitations of your strategy. For example, let’s say your goal is to sell 1,000 widgets and your strategy was to make these widgets at home. Now analyze your strategy and think about your challenges and limitations. A few questions that might pop in your head are will I have the capacity to make 1,000 widgets at home? Where will I store them? How will I get these widgets to my customers? So now maybe you will need to get a commercial location to make and sell your widgets. Now you must consider rent expense into your business plan. You see what I mean? As you create your plan it will help mold your strategy.

Focus on the product – When you are starting a new business, you need to put plenty of focus on the product or service you are selling. Focus on quality and creating value. Your product should be good enough to sell itself. I hear of people focusing on the expenses they will be able to write off from their new business or how they will just have sales people selling their product for them. That approach is wrong. As a new business, you should focus on how your product solves problems. If your product cannot solve a legitimate problem and have its valued easily identified your business will not sell.

Benefits over features – As you focus on your product, consider the benefits that your product provides for your customers. The fact that your product comes in 5 different colors is just a feature. Stuff your product full of benefits and you can add a few features. Some people waste their time trying to convince their customers that a feature is a benefit. A benefit communicates to the customer’s emotions and has more lasting effects than features.

Keep them coming – Now you’ve developed your strategy and packed your product full of benefits but you must not forget the true definition of marketing which is to build and maintain profitable customer relationships. See first you build then you must retain them. Think about Microsoft and the computer industry, how are they able to get customers to keep buying computers. It’s because they give you a product but as they are selling you this first one, they’re already in the process of making a better one and a better one. They will continue to do this and the customer continues to buy because each new product has better benefits and features as the previous one. Once you’ve created a great product you can’t stop there, continue to look for ways to reinvent your product and add more value to it. As you do this, you will create loyalty for your product and you will begin to build your brand. As long as each new product continues to exceed expectations, you will be in business for a very long time. Good luck!

Author:  www.jobbullet.com/taxman

It’s early November and businesses are scrambling to fill temporary positions to meet their holiday rush. Though it had been months since some applicants applied, they rush through hundreds of resumes to find those applicants that are still in need of a job. Now the hiring manager gets desperate to fill the vacancies so they hire the first few people that respond to their phone call. Can this process be easier and not such a pain?

 The answer is yes!, introducing JobBullet.com which helps you find all types of ideal professionals to complete side or temp jobs and projects. JobBullet provides a fast searchable platform for the hiring manager. Instead of wasting time looking through piles of resumes, with JobBullet, they can search resumes digitally, welcome to the 21st century. Each profile has all the necessary information contained in a resume plus more.  We help the manager quickly discern between applicants by attaching certain images to the applicant’s profile so in just a few seconds, a manager could look at ten applicants simultaneously and determine which applicant has the higher credentials. Profiles also contain graded prior work reviews, recommendations, and a list of their professional network. By sorting through applicants very quickly and locate several qualified ones all while each party’s information is kept away from the party is quite genious! Is this all possible? Yes it is and you won’t find this high quality of service from monster, craigslist, or Elance.

 For the holiday season, JobBullet will be looking for people to install Christmas lights, help build and assemble furniture for IKEA, Home Depot and Lowes. It is a side job worth having for the holidays!

Your complete guide to side jobs. This guide will answer what is a side job? where to find side jobs? and how to find side jobs?

What is a side job? It is a second job or something that you do on the side. It is not meant to be your primary source of income but rather to supplement your income. Side jobs are increasingly becoming popular because it can provide a financial cushion.  You can use your income from side jobs to pay off student loans, try a new hobby, or go on vacation. 

Where to find side jobs? You can find side jobs pretty much anywhere. Most side jobs will be with individuals and small businesses. The reason is the large corporations have limitations on the type of vendors they can hire so they might shy away from a side job seeker. The best places to find side jobs are in your neighborhood, church, peer groups, recreational center, social clubs etc

How to find side jobs? It can be challenging to find the right side job so it is important for the job seeker to know where to find the best side jobs.  You can find side jobs on several websites like www.jobbullet.com, www.craigslist.com, www.elance.com  The best approach to finding a side job is through word of mouth and knowing your capabilities. It makes no sense to seek a lawn mowing job if you don’t have a lawn mower. Once you know what you can handle spread the word about your business and offer referral benefits. You will be surprised at who might need your service.

138 different types of side jobs listed by category:

AUTO

1. Auto repair
2. Auto washing
3. Auto detailer
4. Auto flipping (buying and selling of cars for profit)
5. Brake repair
6. Body work
7. Auto part distributor
8. Auto towing
9. Stereo installer
10. Audio video installer

BUSINESS

1. Tax filer
2. Bookkeeper
3. Business consultant
4. Administrative assistant
5. Office and clerical
6. Payroll preparer
7. Answer inbound calls
8. Make outbound calls
9. Phone sales and surveys

COMPUTER

1. Computer repair
2. Web designer
3. Graphics designer
4. Web administrator
5. Software analyst
6. Computer parts distributor
7. Computer game tester
8. Computer programmer
9. Peripheral repair such as printers, monitors etc
10. Desktop publisher

TRADES AND CONSTRUCTION

1. Architectural designer
2. General contractor
3. Handyman
4. Tool renter
5. Window installer and repair
6. Electrician
7. Plumber
8. HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and  air conditioning)
9. Duct cleaner
10. Appliance repair
11. Locksmith
12. Concrete finisher
13. Carpet installer
14. Gutter maintenance
15. Insulation
16. Framer
17. Counter tops
18. Drywall
19. Flooring
20. Garage door installer
21. Carpenter
22. Welder
23. Motorcycle repair
24. Bicycle repair
25. Painter
26. Window washer
27. Roofing
28. Siding
29. Phone and Cable installer

MEDICAL

1. Chiropractor
2. Acupuncturist
3. Nurse assistants
4. Hospice and home health provider

REAL ESTATE

1. Realtor
2. Appraiser
3. Mortgage and loan originator
4. Title research

ARTS

1. Arts and crafts
2. Drawing
3. Painting
4. Scrapbooking
5. Photography
6. Psychic
7. Writer
8. Editor
9. Blooger
10. Model
11. Quilter
12. Sewing and alterations
13. Translator
14. Interior designer
15. Music teacher

RESTAURANT

1. Food preparer
2. Food sales
3. Caterer
4. Baker

EDUCATION

1. Tutor

ENTERTAINMENT

1. Live entertainer
2. Actor
3. Musician
4. Dancer
5. Comedian
6. Video recorder
7. Stage and theatre

HEALTH AND FITNESS

1. Personal trainer
2. Sports coach
3. Massage therapist
4. Diet and weight loss expert
5. Physical therapist
6. Lifeguard

NON PROFIT

1. Pastor
2. Choir singer

OTHERS

1. General labor
2. Mover
3. Miscellaneous repair such as antiques

OUTDOOR

1. Fisherman
2. Landscaper
3. Snow removal
4. Christmas lights installer
5. Florist
6. Sprinkler and irrigation
7. Lawn and garden
8. Pest control
9. Tree cutter

PERSONAL

1. House sitter
2. Pet sitter
3. Cleaner
4. Counselor
5. Hair dresser
6. Nail technician
7. Make-up artist
8. Tattoo and piercer
9. Wedding planner
10. Child care
11. Pet trainer
12. Dry cleaner
13. Golf pro
14. Body guard
15. Self defense instructor
16. Martial arts instructor
17. Party planner
18. Security officer

TRANSPORTATION

1. Cab driver
2. Tour guide
3. Delivery driver
4. Limousine service
5. Bar tender
6. Errand runner
7. Personal assistant

This list gives you plenty of ideas of different things you can do for side jobs.

From 2002 to 2006 real estate was such a lucrative business with the generous availability of loans and so much speculation that home prices would trend up forever. In today’s market, they buying frenzy is long gone and real estate became a very tricky business, made so mostly because of the high transaction costs and how long it takes to sell a home. But never despair, you may be losing out on a great opportunity by sitting on the sidelines. There is always money to be made in real estate, even in a recession. You just have to avoid making these common mistakes:

1. Have a Plan – Are you flipping or planning on renting out the property? These are very different investing styles and the type of property you buy depends on what you are planning to do with it. For example, I have found that for tenants, the number of rooms is very important. The more the merrier. However, for home buyers, quality is much more important. For example, you should have quality materials especially in the kitchen, focus on the overall look and feel of the home, and be sure to have the amenities like a master bath, a spacious backyard, central air, and a backyard deck. If you are looking to make a quick flip, you have to get a phenomenal deal on your home to make any decent profit. Don’t even bother looking at the mls. You have to use unconventional methods to find a killer deal. Search for homeowners who are at risk of having their home foreclosed, find out how much they owe on their home, and negotiate a deal that will benefit you both. A good website that lists homes with defaulted loans is foreclosure.com.
2. Thoroughly Analyze the Property and Its Neighborhood – Look at how the home compares to similar homes in the same neighborhood before you even think of placing an offer. Your realtor should bring up a list of recently sold comps so you can find out how much you can expect to sell it for. If you want to become a landlord, look up your local classifieds listing for similar homes for rent in the same neighborhood to see how much you can charge for monthly rent. You can also research your neighborhood rents on craigslist.org and rentometer.com. Always make sure that you can rent out your home for more than your monthly mortgage payment.
3. Do An Inspection – It costs $300 but you can avoid some very costly mistakes by having an expert look at your home, especially if the home you are buying is older than 20 years. There are so many things that could be wrong with the house and you won’t even discover them until you begin remodeling. For example, if you discover extensive dry rot damage, that could cost tens of thousands of dollars to replace. You are better off spending the $300 and not getting involved with the property at all.
4. Create a Realistic Timeline – This could be the most challenging step in creating a plan to fix up and flip a home. We are always optimistic about how fast we can perform certain tasks and don’t account for unforseen circumstances. When creating a schedule, give yourself plenty of time to finish the task. Then when you are done planning, you can expect it to take about 50% longer than you anticipated. No matter how hard we try, something will always happen to put us behind schedule. It’s a fact of life so plan accordingly.
5. Budget Yourself Generously – Just like the timeline, there will always be hidden expenses that are unforseeable when planning your flip. You want to have a sufficient emergency fund just in case. Keep in mind that every time you buy a house there will be closing costs (3%-4% of the value of the home) and when you sell you pay your realtor’s commission (6% of the sale price). And don’t forget your carrying costs, which are your mortgage payment, warranty, and insurance. The longer  you hold your property, the more you pay in carrying costs. You can never anticipate how long it will take to sell or rent your home so pretend that you will end up holding your property at least 3 months longer than you originally planned.
6. Know the Limits of Your Ability – Most newbie flippers try to save money by doing everything themselves. You may be able to get away with it if all you need to do is clean up, paint, and patch up small holes in your drywall. However, if you have no experience framing a room, plumbing, or stretching carpet, it’s best to leave the heavy lifting to the pros. Otherwise you might end up wasting a lot of time trying to do it yourself and then having to hire an expert to fix what you’ve done. It’s a good idea to get to know a handyman you can depend on. Use Job Bullet to find a contractor to do the work you need.
7. Have a Backup Plan in Case Things Go Wrong – If this is your first time flipping, do not quit your day job. You must have something to fall back on if for some reason your flip fails. If it’s winter and the real estate market is in the dumps, then consider getting month-to-month tenants to help you with the carrying costs until you find a buyer. Or if you can put off selling your home for a few years, get a permanent tenant to move in so you can wait out the hard times and get top dollar for your property.
8. Don’t Abandon the Property – Whether you are selling or renting, it is always important to maintain the home and make it look like someone is living there. If it’s in your budget, get a staging company to come in and spruce up the appearance of your home. It will attract more offers from buyers because they can actually picture themselves living in that home. This is not as important for rental units, but it will help you find good tenants if you don’t let your property go.
9. Don’t Be Too Aggressive With Your Ask Price – A good rule of thumb when selling your home is to list the asking price 5% below the fair market value of the property and your realtor can determine that for you. That will get many more eyes on your home and you will receive multiple offers faster. With a competitive bidding process in place, you have a better chance of receiving an offer that is at or above what you initially wanted for the property. It is also a good idea to accept any offer that is reasonably close to what you want for your home. If you decline an offer simply because it is a few thousand dollars lower than you want, you are running the risk of holding out for less money. Carrying costs will eat away at your profits every month and in this economy you have to take what you can get.
10. Get Help From a Realtor – Trying to save money by not using a realtor is a big mistake. Over 90% of home buyers use the mls in their home search. So if you are not using a real estate agency, you are missing out on a lot of exposure. Your first priority when selling an investment property is selling it fast because of high carrying costs. Talk to your friends who have successfully sold a home and find out who their realtor was.

With so many great bargains left over from the real estate collapse now is the safest time to invest in real estate. Since banks have tightened their lending standards, the rental market is unbelievable. You can fill a vacancy in just one week! It’s a sure win strategy to buy a rental now, hold it for 5 years, and sell at the next real estate boom.

If you are a freelance developer, chances are that you’ve come across a difficult client at some point in your career. Let me share my experience and hopefully you can avoid the pitfalls of negotiation that will have you working BELOW MINIMUM WAGE.

I work for a company that outsources website projects to freelancers from all over the country and we get paid by the project (red flag here). And it’s all formal, they fill out a contract with project specifications and I talk to the client and fulfill the specs that are in the contract. So a project goes by and I’m not too thrilled about my earnings per hour, which came down to about $13/hour. So I thought, well what the heck, I’ll pick up experience and I’ll be able to do the projects faster so I stuck with it. So I start my next project and about 3 weeks later I got to a point where I completed the project to the client’s satisfaction. Then the real fun begins. It’s a pretty complicated project so there were many little things that “sort of” fit into the original specs, but were really stretching it. The client is a nice guy so I threw in some freebies to keep him happy. I don’t want to scare you off from a potential freelancing gig, but when you’re dealing with nice people, usually they only stay nice as long as you do everything they tell you and they get everything that they want. It quickly became apparent that my client did not have a clear picture of exactly what he wants done with his website, but was forming his ideas as I coded up his site. But with a complex project as that, who could blame him? So I modified things back and forth until we completely exhausted the original spec and that’s where I drew the line. I made a list of all the “essential” features that he just could not live without and gave him an ultimatum: either I’m done with the project or I bill him $1200 for the extra features he wants to add. So of course he flips out, contacts my manager, and after a lot of huff and puff, he is forced to cough up the cash. I even tried to calm him down by giving him a low estimate for the work. That was my second mistake. After doing several enhancement projects for this guy, I realized I should be giving him a fair estimate quote and then doubling it, if not tripling. So much for trying to be nice. You have to realize that there are many adjustments and customizations that have to be made to appease the client that you just can not predict when estimating a quote. SO ALWAYS GIVE A HIGH ESTIMATE NO MATTER HOW EASY THE PROJECT SEEMS. The client will always find ways to stretch the specs far into the grey area where you can’t really charge extra for the work and keep your dignity at the same time all because it “sort of” fits the spec.

So 10 months and 5 enhancement projects later, here I am about to bill the client for yet another enhancement which I hope it will be my last because I don’t get paid until I completely finish the project. Bottom line is, the bill-per-project system does not work when you are creating a website for somebody. Just avoid all the headaches and whenever possible, CHARGE THE CLIENT AN HOURLY RATE. It’s also a good idea to set regular checkpoints when you get paid, like every 20 hours or less if you’re paranoid.

So I hope you found this article informative, if not entertaining. If you are freelancing, try not to make the same mistakes I made. You almost have to be a hard-ass if you are to survive in this business. Never sacrifice yourself for the benefit of your client. It can dictate whether you make your next mortgage payment or  renew your car’s registration, as it did for me. Aside from that, happy coding!

-Guest