How do Business Cards Elevate Your Success?

Buying new business cards gets me very excited about the possibilities for making new connections.

My goal, when placing an order, is to distribute my cards to a minimum of 10 new contacts each week. That's what I've been achieving since I ordered new cards due to an update in the SoloBusinessMarketing site's logo and mailing address.

Business card creation and distribution tips are found on the Solo Business Marketing Web site, and on the site's Facebook fan page, a healthy discussion is underway about business card blunders.

I encourage you to read the article and become a SoloBusinessMarketing.com fan so you can join the lively discussions.

At the rate of distribution, my current business cards are set to be re-printed by year's end, and the rate of return in business is estimated to be 15 percent over last year's sales.

What's your goal when ordering new business cards to promote your products and services?

Get Help, Even if You Cannot Afford It

You can view the words business growth as a phrase or as an integral part of your plan to succeed beyond your current agenda.

It's okay not to grow, to stay small and compact, with your hands on the controls at all times. I've seen and heard business experts say that growth is crucial for every firm, but I believe that some entrepreneurs are truly comfortable with their success and are best left to stay the size that works for them.

There was a point in my business where finding outside help was vital. I found myself wishing and hoping to start projects my clients desperately wanted. Who was I to keep such material on hold? That's when I decided it was time to hire help.

A review of my finances made me a bit nervous. There was money, but how much would I need to hire an assistant? Would the person work in my office or be virtual? What type of work would they do, and what was the going rate for support personnel?

I had a lot of work to do and didn't know where to turn. Thankfully, a good friend was working with an assistant who still had time in her schedule to work with me. Telling my friend about my need simplified the search, but you may not have the same easy time locating someone.

Here are three tips to find help and stay within your budget, even if your budget is zero.

1. Do like me, and ask friends if they are working with someone or know of a reliable person who's local and willing to perform several hours of support work each week.

2. Ask a relative (mom, child, aunt, etc.) to lend a hand with easy tasks, such as postcard labeling, sorting, or computer input. In exchange for money, cook the helper a special dinner, take them to a movie, or choose another fun activity they prefer. You'll get experience in becoming a good boss, and the helper will get something nice in return.

3. Find help through a freelance help Web site. You describe the project, the contracted length of time, and set the budget. I bet you'll get lots of bids from people interested in providing support.

Stay small in business, or grow as large as you want with in-office help or virtual support. In either case, move forward in the direction that makes you happy.

Why Vacations Benefit Your Work and Life

We entrepreneurs work ourselves to the bone.

Think about it: you awake every morning to a full agenda of completing this and overseeing that, finishing your mission (and maybe missing some objectives) hours after the sun sets.

You rarely leave the office, except for food and bathroom breaks, and you even treat those two essentials as though they strain your workday.

Does that scenario seem vaguely familiar? It once did for me, too, until I decided to change my daily routine, adding numerous vacations to my schedule every year without fail.

Taking time away from the office increases your physical health and clears your mind so that you can capitalize on opportunities you may not have considered in the past.

Vacations are easily added to your regimen. Think on these terms:

• Three days off, including the weekend
• Afternoon relaxation periods
• An entire day at a spa
• Extended holiday breaks (Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day)
• Make something up (employees do this every day, and unlike you, they have a boss)
  

Look at your summer calendar. Does it include vacations? If not, begin to map out your getaway plans.

You'll realize, by year's end, the positive difference down time makes in your business.