The ultimate goal of every business is to gain more sales and profits. They would want to get ahead of their competitions so people would notice them. They try to create the best products or services to ensure that customers flock to their store. But how can they achieve this without an effective marketing plan? Without a gripping marketing tool, how can they encourage people to patronize their offerings? This is why it is vital that you arm your business with an effective marketing tool to ensure that you achieve your bottom line.

The question now is which marketing tool to use. There are various tool your can use. If baffled, you can always start with envelope printing. A lot of businesses often overlook envelopes. Because they are simple, they are often ignored as an effective way to boost profits. Oftentimes, businesses see them as additional cost, which keeps them away from high return on investment. But you have to understand that when used effectively, envelopes will maximize your profits and ensure you get the most return on investment.

So, do you boost your revenue with envelopes? Here's how:

1 - Create an attention-grabbing design. The first thing you need to do to ensure that your envelopes generate the response you desire is to make sure they have a catchy design. Keep in mind that your material will be competing with dozens of other mails from different companies. If your envelope is plain, it won't likely get noticed first. You don't have a chance to stand out making it extremely hard for you to get the attention of your potential customers. But if you use a brightly colored envelope, you can easily capture attention and greatly increase the chance that your mail will be read first.

2 - Entice with the design. In order to encourage recipients to open your envelope first, you need to put something enticing in the design. For instance, you can put a teaser or introduce your offers in front. This will stir the curiosity of the recipient and decide to read what the letter inside have to say.

3 - Brand the material. It is important that you put your logo, tag line or brand color in the design of the envelope templates. This promotes recognition and builds credibility. People will think that the communication inside is important so they will read it first. What you ensure though is that the letter included inside delivers a compelling sales pitch that will encourage prospects to act at once.

4 - Personalize. Drawing attention is much easier if the design of your envelope is unique. You can create the same personalized design in the envelope as what you have used in your brochure or sales letter. You can even consider handwriting the address to complete the personalization. Keep in mind that the more your customers and prospects feel that you are a trusted business, the greater the chance that they will open your mail.

Although you might consider envelopes as a simple mail carrier, they are effective marketing pieces as well. Why not create your own personalized mail carrier and you can be sure to achieve great return on investment. This will surely establish strong customer relationships and eventually drive profits to your business.

Post production is the process of taking the original cut of your commercial and polishing it to perfection. Like a diamond in the rough, the filmed segments of your commercial have the potential to shine when placed in the ideal sequence - after the commercial goes through several editing processes.

Here's what happens after the director gives the final command to "Cut!" and once post production begins. Once your commercial has been filmed, the "magic" occurs in the hands of several editors. The television production company will put the finishing touches on your commercial to ensure that it has superior quality - audio and visual - to represent your sales message most effectively.

In essence, post film production adds substance to the original content of your commercial. The video will be edited, the soundtrack will be edited, and any special effects or animation will be added to the final product, if necessary. The end result will be a commercial that will get results.

The following is a brief explanation of what happens during the film production editing process:

What happens in post production audio editing?

Audio editing ensures that your commercial has sound that is of exceptional quality. This could mean reducing background noise, amplifying voices, or adding a musical score to your commercial. Audio editing may also include adding sound effects or voice-overs. This is usually accomplished with audio editing software. Many television production companies prefer to "clean up" the audio first before synchronizing it with the video.

What happens in post production video editing?

The purpose of video editing is to cut, splice, and arrange video in a sequenced timeline. The editor will choose the appropriate shots, select the transitions, and create the pace of the story. With video editing, the editor can adjust colors, create visual effects, and enhance the picture quality.

Subtitles or closed captioning may also be added in the video editing process. The goal of the video editing process is to provide continuity to the storyline. This includes close-ups of actors or the product as well as cutting to a scene that advances the story. Ultimately, the goal of video editing is to provide a smooth video transition from start to finish so that the message is believable to the viewer.

What happens in post production special effects and animation editing?

Special effects may be added, for instance, when a blue screen has been used in the filming process. The film editor may add a background, animation, or 3D effect - even lip synching. With special effects and animation editing, "movie magic" can make people fly, show an earthquake swallow an entire city, or add a cartoon character beside a human being. The special effects editing can make viewers believe that something that is ordinarily impossible is real.

Post production is an essential part of the television production process. That's why it is important to contract with a professional film production company that has a track record of success. Before you sign a contract with a commercial production company, do a little advance research. Look at samples of commercials they've produced for other companies so that you may ensure that they are - from start to finish -- the right fit for your needs.

Are you tired of production companies with glitz but little substance?

For a company that can deliver exactly what you've dreamed of in your commercial or music video production, let Revolution Pictures show you the way from the first meeting through post production. We have the award hardware (MTV, CMT, ACM awards) to prove we will provide you with outstanding commercial and music video production. More at www.revolutionpictures.com.

Some say that print communication is dead, yet when you open your mail box every morning it's still teeming with ads and letters from friends and businesses. In fact, there would be times when you yourself write your own letter and send it to friends or family. This only shows that print communication is still thriving.

So if you are a business owner and you need to reach as many customers as you want, you can still use printed marketing materials together with modern techniques. Aside from sending emails and signing up in social networking sites, you can send brochures, sales letters, and other printed ads. Of course, to ensure your materials reach your recipients in good condition, you need to create a sturdy and remarkable envelope. You need to invest in high quality envelope printing to deliver your marketing messages to the right people in the best condition.

It's vital that you create visually appealing envelopes for better recall and first impression. Keep in mind that people are likely to pick first a material that looks exciting and enticing to them. This is they you need to guarantee that the design of your envelope is exceptionally catchy. Here are some tips to help you ensure your envelope is designed to sell:

1- Reflect the brand of your business in the design. This means that you put your business name, logo and tag line in the envelope. This will help you establish your name and your brand in your prints. It would be best if your print your business name in bold fonts to make it memorable and easy to read. Your logo will help visual recall, so you might want to create a good logo. Make sure it is printed well for easy recognition.

2- Go for color printing. Colors attract attention easily. People are visually attracted to materials that are printed in full color. It would be best if your print your logo and business name in full color. Don't worry of your budget. There are plenty of print shops today that offer affordable color printing. You might want to find an online printing company as they are often able to deliver faster and more affordable print job.

3- Look for a high quality printing company. In doing so, it would be easier for you to get the best and most durable envelopes without the hefty price tag. The printer can also give you advice on the best paper stock, color, and printing technique ideal for your envelopes. This will ensure that you create envelopes that will scream "open me, open me" to them.

4- Don't forget to include your complete contact details in your envelope templates. Your complete and correct info is vital to ensure that people get to contact you easily when they need to. Include your mailing address and contact numbers. You can even put your web site and email as well. Be careful with printing your info. Review the information over and over again to ensure that there are no errors in them.

Success in business often starts with the first contact. Make sure that you establish good image and visual identity at first contact. Print your envelopes effectively and attractively to promote brand identity and your business as a whole to customers and prospects.

Internet has indeed become a platform that facilitates us as an individual and organization in whatever respect we intend to use it. The greater you are able to convert it into your own advantage; the greater are the chances of your success in making the most out of available services. You can enjoy banking, ticketing, booking, consultancy, stock trading and even educational services on the web. The information flow on the web has now become information overflow, which may be a source of irritation for some people.

Print media is indeed a great source of information for the public and a great source of brand and business development for the business. Hence, the print mode of advertisement has always been a great source of marketing for the businesses. You can see car window stickers and other printed materials around you that are aimed at creating awareness, and portraying the intended idea, product or service of the printer. With the increasing virtualization of the businesses, the online printing services have also become a great source of relief for the people and businesses, who want easily accessible services for printing.

There are various types of printing services in the world. You can divide them on various criteria and standards. Some are die cut printing modules that product die cut sticker etc. for the sake of marketing. While, the other are custom printing that produce custom products like custom envelopes, stickers and banners. There is slight difference in these two as in the die cut, the customer can only decide about the size of the die and the product. Conversely, in the custom printing, he can decide about each and everything of the product.

This simply means that the customer will have the liberty to decide about the color, content, graphics, size and shape of his ordered items. So custom printed envelopes and other items are purely as per the customers' specifications. There are various aspects of both kids of services as both are available online as well as offline. People have their own biases and preferences with regards to printing services. So when someone wants to print static cling stickers online, there are certain utilities that may ignite him to do so. Professional business and printing consultants may help you out in this regard.

These utilities are the possible competitive advantages of online printing. You indeed can enjoy 24 hours accessibility of the services as there is no close up time in online business. Furthermore, you can enjoy custom as well as die-cut printing services for every type of your product. So whether you intend to print stained glass window clings or simple stickers, your every order will be entertained as per your aspirations. Additionally, you will be rewarded some free services like shipment, quality assurance, lamination etc. for your orders. However, you must make sure that the online printer has a good repute and is considered reliable service provider.

Tahir Akbar is a researcher, content development professional, and a business consultant. He regularly blogs on various business issues, particularly management related topics. http://management4success.wordpress.com/

Magazines are everywhere and in almost any book store; at times it even has its own shop that caters to everything magazines. Making one your self may seem like a daunting task but in reality when you find yourself a good magazine printing service you won't have to worry about anything much.

1) Sticky Magazine Name
You probably have several magazines that you know by heart because it stuck with you. You need to find a magazine name that does the same and lets people easily remember it. This will also help them look for it when they remember or even say the right name and share a particular article they liked in your magazine. Make it very memorable but still connected with the main genre of your magazine.

2) Exciting features
Have some exciting stuff going on in your magazine so people would want to enjoy or read up more on. Try puzzles or give - a - ways.

3) Find contributors or writers
Yes, you may identify yourself as a good writer but you can't just be the only person writing the contents for the entire magazine. It must have different perspective from various minds. Choose people who are good with creative writing or people who are professionals on a certain field you would want to focus on.

4) Find people who would want to advertise in your magazine
Look for advertisers that would like to join your venture. It is wise to tap companies that are connected to your specific subject like if you are into dogs look for sponsors who are also connected with canines. Avoid as much as possible companies that have very strong adult content, violence or vices.

5) Interesting pictures
Make sure pictures are connected with your articles or if you want to highlight a particular picture make sure it has captions underneath. Pictures are worth a thousand words so make sure you have the right pictures.

6) Create a Layout
Make a draft layout. Place the pictures and text you want to include in the places you think it would work. It is best though to get a designer and let him or her polish your draft layout.

7) Choose colors
Know more about color psychology and how it affects the psyche or the person. Try to pick colors that go well with the type of personalities your targets may prefer.

8) Put them all together with Binding
However you want to bind them is entirely up to you but the choices will be coming from your printers. They should be able to show you the best forms of biding appropriate for your binding. There are various ways to bind some are sewn, stapled or glued together. Pick the best that works with your budget and need.

9) Papers
Papers are everything. They highlight all your works and make your printing exceptional so try not to pick the cheap papers over the midrange or the thicker ones. The thicker the paper the sturdier it is for your magazine, remember your magazines are all papers with no boards.

10) Protect them
The only way to protect them is with gloss or what is also called as lamination. Make sure all your pages especially your covers are covered with gloss. It will protect the entire media without anyone easily tearing the pages accidentally.

You finally did it, magazine printing is now finished and all you have to do is distribute those magazines! Enjoy!

Becoming a commercial printer will entail a huge initial investment and you have to be prepared for it. This is what you should do if you want to have a printing business.

Here are the four main areas that will take up a big chunk, perhaps 90%, of your capitalization expense.

• Printing Equipment and Machineries - First you have to decide on whether you will go digital or offset. In the past, digital printers cost higher than offset machines because of the novelty of the technology. Now that prices are leveling off, many people found that it is better for them to go digital so that they can also open their services to the online market and they have been successful in this endeavor. You do not really need to start with a high-end printer if you cannot afford it. Some sophisticated units can cost more than a million dollars. If you want, you can purchase printing equipment starting from $12,000. You really have to be careful when choosing your printing equipment. Although these would become the lifeline of your operations, such will not be the ones you will be spending much investment on.

• Office Space Rental - Running a commercial printing business requires a huge area because of the setup, the sizes of the machines, as well as the stockroom. Calculating the expense for office space varies depending on the area you need. The location of the space also matters greatly. If you want to open your business in the main commercial district, that could get expensive. The Costar Group reveals that office space rental averages at $17.83 per square foot in 2008. You have to multiply this number to the size of the space, such as 4,025 square feet x $17.83.

• Initial Operational Cost - Your new business will require operational costs at the onset that will have to come from your pocket because you do not have income yet. Estimate your operational costs per month, such as salaries, utility bills, and supplies. You must have a budget to allocate for that for the first quarter of operations, even if you are still not earning yet.

• Budget for Marketing - Advertising your new business is very important in getting clients. Failing to tell people effectively about your new venture and services could result to failure before it can even get started. You just make the most of advertising venues in order to make media mileage but you have to get the word out. Neglecting marketing is just plain crazy because you spent so much money in your capitalization but if you fail to inform the people of your new business, nobody will come to you. Just imagine spending so much on your capitalization and still not getting enough business after six months of operation.

• Commercial printing can eat up a lot of capital because the initial investments are big. It is worth it if you market it properly and your presses are full every day starting on your second month. Of course, there would be lean months in the life of a commercial printer. There would be days when the presses will run 24 hours a day and people will have to work in shifts. That is part of running the business. The important thing is that the machines should be able to run every day just so that the business will continue to survive.

Get Your Logo in Front of Customers with a Backpack

When you hear the word backpack, innovation and attention-getting may not be the first traits that come to your mind. But, it is time to give the backpack a little more credit. In the promotional world, a backpack is an effective item to put your logo on for high visibility. Backpacks have always been an essential back-to-school product, but their use goes far beyond the classroom. From the corporate traveler to the extreme hiker to the gym frequenter, the multi-functionality of a backpack makes it the perfect item for almost any promotion.

Consider putting your logo on a backpack and use it for your next giveaway. It is a great alternative to the tote, t-shirt, or other promotional item. Backpacks are durable, can be found at multiple price points, are great for both men and women, and have a variety of functions. There is sure to be a backpack that will accentuate your message and resonate with your target audience.

A Backpack for Any Audience

When making your backpack buying decisions, think of your audience first. Make sure to choose a style that your recipient will relate to. Some styles include:

•Traditional Backpacks. Simple designs with color pop and budget-friendly details make the traditional backpack a favorite for mass corporate giveaways. Think of it as an alternative to the tradeshow tote, or fold it flat and use it for your next direct mail promotion.

•Sport Packs. When you are looking for a product to appeal to an active audience, the sport pack is the way to go. Padded shoulder straps, multiple pockets for water bottles and gear, and suspension systems are often seen in sport packs, as these are for those who are really on the move. Retail brands are also important when looking for a sport pack. Quality and durability is key with this audience, and associating your brand with a recognizable retail brand will continue to build your brand image and credibility.

•Cinches. Lightweight and ultra-portable, the cinch is a great option for fitness programs, sports markets, or as a creative way to package a new product or hand out information. The cinch is typically a lower cost item with a high ROI.

•Slings. If you are looking to grab a more fashion-forward market, the sling is the bag for you. They have a more trendy shape than the traditional backpack with one strap, and are typically smaller in size, so they can be used every day.

•Compu-Backpacks. From the young professional to the seasoned executive, a compu-backpack is an everyday staple that goes to and from the office and is seen by multiple eyes a day. It is the perfect choice for recruiting, orientation, or as a gift with purchase for any tech-related product or service.

Recent Trends

As with all retail products, fashion and social trends are important in helping to evolve the design and function of backpacks. Show your customers or employees that you are forward thinking by searching for backpacks with trendy features. Below are the top three backpack trends this year.

•Electronics Compatibility and Protection - As the use of iPods, iPads and SmartPhones increases, the number of backpacks that have compatible features also increases. Headphone ports, padded compartments specifically designed to protect these items, and integrated quick-access pockets are just a few of the new features you will see that will excite any techy audience.

•TSA-Compliant - Going through security at the airport has just gotten easier. TSA-compliant backpacks allow you to go through security without taking your laptop out of your bag. Simply unzip your bag and lay it flat on the conveyor belt. It is a must for any frequent traveler.

•Eco-Friendly - Backpacks haven't taken a back seat to the eco movement either. Green materials such as recycled PET, jute and non-woven polypropylene help ensure there are backpacks to appeal to the earth-conscious consumer as well.

If you are still not convinced that the backpack is the right product for your next promotion, re-read this article or get a sample from your promotional products company to touch and feel. Best Promotions has a great variety of backpacks at any price point. View their selection and order a sample today.

http://www.bestpromotions.com/products/browsecategory/317/

Custom calendars can be done in a jiffy; follow these easy steps and remember to pick the right printer and expect to get good calendar printing service.

1. Think of your target market
Carefully pick out the people you want to see using the calendars. Create a calendar that you believe that target market will need and like and accord everything from the design to the calendar type to your future user's preference.

2. Choose your type of calendar
There are many choices for calendars, some just differ on how printers call them but here are a few types of the common calendars:

• Desk calendars - calendars used on top of their desks usually looks like a place mat

• Wall calendars - divided per month or two months and have pictures for every page, called wall calendars because they are hung on walls.

• Poster calendars - looks very much like a poster, one sheet only and place on the walls too.

• Planner calendars - days are usually divided into boxes or spaces allowing you to write notes per day and still mostly divided per month or per week.

• Note card calendars - small calendars cut depending on your request, a very handy calendar

• Booklet calendars - made into a small book and usually divided per day or month with ample space to write down notes.

• Desktop tent calendars - looks like a tent and divided into months and flipped. Normally showcases pictures on the other side or squeezed together with the month.

• Fridge magnet calendars - small magnetized calendars, great if you are targeting homeowners, chef or restaurants.

3. Estimate your number of prints
Depending on your budget and your target, you need to estimate your prints. Try to add a little extra to your estimate.

4. Are you sure you have the right calendar year? Double check.

5. Pick beautiful pictures
Find pictures that are panoramic, majestic, professional or moving. Remember that what you pick will greatly affect how people will perceive you and your company so choose wisely.

6. Choose your colors
Your colors should be professional and pleasing to the eye. Pick colors that you think your future user's will prefer. Your goal is for them to use your calendars so make sure it looks nice.

7. Papers and boards
For most calendars, you will be using a combination of papers and boards to create your perfect calendar. Boards will be used if you want it to sturdy and standing like that for the tent calendars. Try to choose a good type of paper that will go well with prints specially pictures. Remember the entire calendar will reflect you and your company so if people see a cheap almost onionskin paper then that just might how they will view you.

8. Do you need calendar protection?
If you have beautiful pictures like that for the desktops tents or the wall type then yes you need to protect it with gloss or lamination. So it can last the whole year make sure gloss is coated well but if you will be using desk calendars or booklet calendars do your future calendar users a favor and do not gloss it! They will be using it for taking down notes and reminders so make it ballpoint friendly.

9. Extras (moon phases and other months in smaller fonts, area for notes)
Since you are customizing your calendar you can basically just add anything you wish. Are you or your users in tune with the moon? Add the phases of the moon to the calendar. Are your users, professionals or assistants to professionals that require noting down reminders? Then add a small area for taking down notes.

What is AdMob?

Admob is a mobile advertising platform founded by Omar Hamouri in 2006, offering advertising solution to Android, iOS, webOS, Flash Lite, Windows Phone 7 and all standard mobile web browser. Google has acquired Admob on November 2009 and today Admob is the world's largest mobile advertising platform serving more than 700 billion worth of impression since its launch.

What is a Admob House Ad?

An Admob House Ad is your own advertisement that you could embed on your own app for free. It is a great avenue for you to generate extra revenue from your free app and also to encourage your users to upgrade to the paid app. Admob's seamless UI also make the creation of your house ad a breeze. A house ad could be set within a couple of clicks and you can also easily setup targeting options like geographical location, demographic profile and devices version. This ensures that your advertisements reach to your intended audience.

A house ad is a great source of backlink for your website(if your app have one) as it will generate more traffic to your website and give more information to your audience where the mobile screen could not deliver.

If so happens that your app do not have a website, the house ad could double up as an advertisement medium where you could earn extra revenue from it. There are 2 options for it, look for a potential advertiser who is willing to pay to advertise on your app or simply use the generated advertisement from AdMob.

How do I sell my ad space

Say if you are looking to generate some advertising revenue from your mobile app. There are a couple of ways:

1. Use Ad Network (i.e AdMob)

Once you have embedded a AdMob SDK into your App, AdMob will automatically run whatever ads they have and share the revenue with you.

2. Sell your own ads

a. Sometimes for premium publishers, you might not want to run ads from anywhere because you might not know what ads will show up.

b. You might also want to position your ad space as premium in line with the content that your app is providing.

c. In this case, you can sell your own ads directly either through a sales person who already exist in your organisation and who is probably already selling ads for your website.

d. You can also list on your website that you are open to having advertisers for your app and people can contact you for your advertising rates.

e. You can even create a house ad to promote that you have space available for sale!

How do I add Admob House Ad into my App?

1) The very first step of building your House Ad is of course to have an account with Ad Mob, but not to worry, you could tie your Google account with Ad Mob so that you will not have to re-enter your credentials again. After having your account in place, the next important step is to place the downloaded AdMob SDK into your application to ensure that advertisements could be pushed in to your application successfully.

This is done in many ways and it differs according to the mobile OS you are building. Check out AdMob's documentation here: http://code.google.com/mobile/ads/docs/

AdMob SDK and code being embedded in a iPhone App via XCode

2) The next step is to create the content of the advertisement where you could choose a text ad or a banner ad. Choose whichever deem correct to you and click Finish.

Choose the creative type for the house ad banner

3) Next, you will have to choose which platform you wish to publish your advertisement to. Additional options such as Target Country and Device Version is also available.

Targetting options for your house ads

4) The last step is to create an action when users click on your advertisement.

Defining the post tap action. Landing site or App download

This is usually either a App Download if you are promoting another mobile application or a URL to a website. We highly recommended that your URL is mobile optimized. Mobile users are picky and will not navigate the website if it is not mobile optimised.

In fact AdMob has found that campaigns with mobile optimised pages increased signifcantly the average length of visit.. Designers use a visual drag and drop interface to design the microsite allowing them to design a mobile microsite up to 5 times faster and with no development knowledge.

If you have a great creative you can even charge more for your ads because users who see the ads are more engaged and advertisers are willing to pay for the extra effort in making a great ad.

5) Viola, you are done and the advertisement will be pushed to your application soon.

how it looks like on an app

Conclusion

Being an AdSense user for years, I definitely think it is worthy enough to call AdMob his little brother and I will believe that AdMob will continue to be the benchmark of mobile advertising platform for years to come. Other than the simple-to-use and intuitive interface that attracted me, the clear and concise reporting system is also a plus point for AdMob. The verdict for AdMob is simple, give it a try.

-- Wenhan http://mobdis.com - design rich media m-sites You can easily design and launch mobile websites via a MobDis ( http://mobdis.com ) which empowers designers and advertisers to design, launch and share engaging rich media mobile ads and sites. Designers use a visual drag and drop interface to design the microsite allowing them to design a mobile microsite up to 5 times faster and with no development knowledge.

In this modern generation, classifieds especially in advertising has become a growing industry around the world. Classifieds come into action when we need to advertise our products or services through newspapers, online or other media services. Advertisements in a newspaper are short, as they are charged for every line, in this case classified advertisements are useful since they are much cheaper than larger display advertisements, and are mostly used by individuals who have single items to sell or buy. The advertisements are arranged into classes or categories like for sale- automobiles, wanted-clothing, all these classification are covered under the classifieds. Classified advertising has its own separate section of publication and has its own nominal charges. It is responsible for a major portion of the publisher's revenue and rates are based on the amount of space and the length of time the ad will run. The longer the ad runs, the cheaper the rate will be.

You might be surprised why people today have turned to classifieds. The reason is very simple; you have seen online a lot of free classifieds posting websites. With these websites, you could advertise and sell your product free of charge. This is done either by automated submission and manual submission without charging any fee to reach thousands of users. These websites provide a submission team which analyses ads posted by you. The submission team will then submit your classified ads in priority with the aim of your viewers by category. Classifieds can be viewed on the any site for free of cost or for a limited amount of fee. You can also advertise your ads through newspaper, magazines and many more but the best is internet since many people today use internet, there is no limit on posting the number of ads. You can also post your ads in different categories depending on your requirement.

Classified can also be a useful tool for finding a suitable career for you. They are beneficial for both the buyer and seller. If you need to buy something but do not want to waste time, energy and money in travelling, then classified ads is the best option. On the other hand if you're a seller then through classified advertising you can reach all potential customers. Today online classified ads are earning much more income than newspaper classifieds. If you need your products and services to be advertised online for free then free classifieds is the best options for you.

Are you interested in getting your name out in to the community? Do you have the type of business that would benefit from people getting to know who you are? Realtors, salesmen and business owners need to have their name or service be the first thing someone thinks of. Seeing your name over and over can be very helpful.

Years ago it was popular to hand out pens, note pads and pencils at the county fair. Everyone enjoys getting something for free, Sometimes the pens ran out of ink or dried up very quickly. That was not very good advertising. It is not a way to win customers.

Times have changed. There are new ways of advertising. Newspapers and mailings no longer bring in the needed results. But promotional items are still working and businesses who use them have great results. It is no longer, just pens and pencils, all kinds of items can have your name added.. The cost is minimal and the results are great. Years from now, you might be at the goodwill or a garage sale and see something with your name on it. Do not be offended. It is just your advertising dollars still working for you

Promotional items also make good thank you gifts for your employees. When it is time to say thank you, a gift with your name and logo can be perfect. Make sure the gift is something of quality. The gift item represents you and your company or business. It does not have to be expensive. A shopping bag could make a great gift. Every time it gets carried into the mall, it is advertising for you. Most employees are happy to have clothing with the company logo on it. They enjoy wearing the shirt or sweater and again your name is catching people's eye.

Make sure you order things that the general population would enjoy. Ordering chop sticks to represent a pizza business is poor planning. It is easy to do and fun, once you get the hang of it.

Remember your name and reputation say a lot about who you are. People want to be able to trust you and believe you are there to help them. Remind them daily with fun, inexpensive items of who you are. Times are changing and you need to spend your advertising dollar wisely. It will all comes back to you. Companies have therefore found that a good everyday use bag of some sort tackles all of these advertising requirements as a promotional item.

Discount Promo gifts are one cost effective way to get business attention. There are tons of excellent Custom printed gifts to choose from.

Madison Avenue understands how important first impressions are. Advertising agencies use every tried-and-true technique and tool in their arsenal to craft opinion about a given product or service. They even tap in to the collective experiences of average people to make their point. Consider the commercials that feature the social outcast with dandruff (wearing obligatory black) striking out with the ladies at the local watering hole until he changes shampoo. Or the anxious young man in tuxedo waiting for his prom date, hopeless to impress her father without wearing a specific brand of deodorant. And what about those before and after tooth whitening commercials featuring a frumpy, lonely woman transformed in to a flirty vixen with a winning smile and date on her arm,...

It has been widely stated that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Clearly this adage applies to affairs of the heart, but have you taken in to account how the right first impression affects your business? Consider the first impression created by contractor who pulls up to a potential client's home in a late model pick-up with magnetic signs clinging to the doors and cut lettering (with curled edges) on the back window. His competition arrives in a similar truck that has been completely wrapped in vinyl with full-color digital graphics. Without saying a word, this contractor has told his prospective employer that he is fully-invested in his business, a qualified professional who is successful, serious about his trade and, most importantly, trustworthy. Who would you spend your hard-earned money with?

Nothing gives your business instant credibility like a well-designed vehicle wrap or graphic.

When you consider how much time is spent on the road, using your company vehicle as a virtual "moving billboard" is a powerful way to get your business noticed and remembered, and it lasts for years! Vehicle wraps work 24/7 creating top-of-mind awareness for your business while making that all important first impression. In our present economy, it has never been more important to spend our advertising budgets wisely. Dollar for dollar, there is no more cost effective form of outdoor advertising than a vehicle wrap. Make sure to pick the right company to do the right job, you know that saying "you get what you pay for", well this saying holds strong even with vehicle wraps so choosing the right company should be your top priority.

Laurie Malmberg invites you explore the vast amount of cost effective advertising services at WrapsForLess.com. Vehicle Wraps & Graphics provide the lowest cost and highest Return on Investment of any advertising media.

A business wouldn't be possible without funds. A business without funds is like a tree without its roots. If you need money for your business, business asset finance would be a good source of money.

Financial institutions like banks are providing business asset funding for those who would like to get funds for their business. Due to the numerous lending firms in the business market, the market itself becomes a competition among these lenders, leading to better offers. Lenders would offer low and competitive rates and you can choose which one is best for you and your business.

There are many uses for business funding. It can be used to start new business, expand your existing business, purchase business equipment, and even consolidating debts.

Business asset funds is similar to regular loans. It is also available in two forms, the secured and unsecured.

For secured funding for business, the individual needs to place an asset as collateral against the loan amount. The collateral can be a residential property, a car, valuable bank papers, and many more. If the equity is huge, you have greater chances of getting large amount of funds. However, when you are availing loans, you need to make sure that you will repay it in a timely manner.

For unsecured funding for business, you don't need collateral. Rather than submitting collateral, you are required to submit proofs and documents. However, you should realize that only low rates are offered for unsecured business asset finance. The rates are relatively lower compared to those offered in the secured business asset finance.

The interest rate for this type of business loan would vary from one individual to another. Usually, business asset finance carries low interest rates in the competitive market. The lender would be the one to determine the rate of interest but it is often influenced by several factors such as the flow of income, the credit record, financial status, and the equity in collateral, especially in the secured business asset finance.

Funding a business is essential. However, proper information is also important. You need to know the process to get funds first before applying for one.

Applying for business asset finance can seem very complicated but once you get to know the process, you'll find it less complicated. Consulting the advice of an expert will be able to help you to understand this further. You will also be able to determine financial institutions that offer the best offers that provide low and competitive interest rates.

If you do job or project costing, then it's important to use the Estimate feature in QuickBooks. But that feature is often underutilized for a few reasons. Could be lack of understanding how to work with the estimate template in QuickBooks. Could be that a spreadsheet or other software is used to actually determine the estimate, so why bother entering it in QuickBooks? Isn't that an unnecessary step? No.

If your estimating is fairly simple, then usually the regular estimate form in QuickBooks works. You can enter your anticipated costs for the various items, mark it up and arrive at a number you want to charge your customer.

I will admit that there are many times when the estimate form in QuickBooks can be inadequate so a spreadsheet or other estimating software often works better. But that estimate does belong in QuickBooks.

If you just give your customer a fixed price, your costs still belong in an estimate in QuickBooks.

The estimate is the budget for the job and if entered in QuickBooks, it's easy to review. More importantly, you can run estimated versus actual reports. Doing that elsewhere can be very time consuming and double work. The costs are already being entered into QuickBooks, so with an estimate in there, too, it's real easy to click on a report and see your numbers. You can also drill down for more detail if you want. If all your costs show as "No Item" instead of different services and materials, then your costs are being entered incorrectly.

If your customer wants to make changes along the way, as so frequently happens, QuickBooks will let you do a change order and can keep track of the changes for you. And, you can easily invoice off the estimate, order materials or even enter orders for work you will sub out, so once the estimate is in, the other pieces can be simple clicks.

There are several ways to enter an estimate and some can be fairly quick.

* Entering as you would an invoice.
* Use Item Groups for faster entry.
* If you use the same format and items, consider memorizing an estimate so next time you just pop in the numbers.
* If this job is similar to another you've done, you can duplicate the estimate from that other job, change the customer name, and edit the numbers and items accordingly.
* Depending on how the spreadsheet is setup, sometimes you can use an import utility to move the estimate into QuickBooks.
* And, if this is a 3rd party estimating software, frequently there is a way to export that estimate and then import it into QuickBooks.

So let me know if you use the estimate feature in QuickBooks, what you like about it or what problems you are having.

Muir & Associates helps businesses use their Intuit products more efficiently and more effectively so businesses can focus on their business and make more informed decisions. We provide sales and support services. Monica Mitchell Muir has been helping businesses with their QuickBooks products since 1996. http://www.muirassoc.com

The computer has revolutionized the way we do things. It has proven to be a more efficient tool for almost every necessary activity. Sure, it has its limitations, and the idea of computers eventually replacing humans is remote, or even preposterous. However, when it comes to operating within certain parameters or implementing a program, computers have the consistency and reliability that is unaffected by human error.

Our lives are mainly shaped by routine. For most of these routines, companies are using computers for consistency, economy and accuracy. Computers don't have sick days, no need for vacation and do not require health insurance.

The emergence of the internet has made the computers a necessity. The transfer of vital information and the immediate exchange of ideas are the most glaring benefits of the internet. The combination of the computer and internet has changed the way of living. People now live 'online lives.' The doors of the world have opened up and global access has made inefficiency and ignorance a crime or a deficiency that no one can blame on but themselves.

As such, the new challenge is to put the internet to good use. Anyone can gain internet access, but what you do with it is another matter. This is where the human factor of creativity and adaptability comes in.

Online accounting is a new field in businesses, a practice that is swiftly changing the game. This adheres to the same principles that were mentioned. Accounting requires consistency, accuracy and an adherence to a system -all of which the computer offers.

There are many practical benefits of online accounting. From a company standpoint, it is truly a practical breakthrough. On an individual's standpoint, the benefits would be similar to writing your novel on your computer as opposed to writing it on an email account. Basically, you can access your email on any computer in the world with an internet connection whereas you have to be physically proximate to your computer to write your novel if you do not write it online. For company accounting, the implications stretch much further.

Online accounting can allow multi-user collaborative access. It can employ the adage "two heads are better than one." Teams of accountants can access online simultaneously, and even have online conferences. This will reduce the time spent on individual updates that will then be discussed in company meetings that take too much time or even constantly postponed due to uncoordinated schedules. This shows that online solutions can even adapt to human issues.

The benefits of online accounting still outweigh their perceived disadvantages. The security measures of most online software are adequately equipped. They are formulated with the understanding that sensitive and vital financial data will be coursed through their software. Passwords and other user specific safeguards are employed, so just like social networking sites, the responsibility falls on the user.

Online accounting software has easy to use interface that even non-accountants can understand. It can make accounting a collaborative effort and efficient. On the extreme side, there are rumors of a possible iPhone application of online accounting. This is not meant to trivialize the profession, but it will, in fact, give normal people an appreciation of the process.

Learn more about host quickbooks at Cloud9RealTime.Com.

A new trend in business is accounting hosting. It involves the uses of accounting software so that the data gathered can be accessible on the internet, yet protected with security measures. This is similar to outsourcing, and has proven to be more efficient and economical than maintaining your own in-house accounting servers.

There are many recognizable benefits of accounting hosting. From a company standpoint, it is truly a practical breakthrough. On an individual's standpoint, the benefits would be similar to writing your novel on your computer as opposed to writing it on an email account. Basically, you can access your email on any computer in the world with an internet connection whereas you have to be physically proximate to your computer to write your novel if you do not write it online. For company accounting, the implications stretch much further.

Aside from the online access, accounting hosting also offers more efficiency. Online accounting can allow multi-user collaborative access. It can employ the adage "two heads are better than one." Teams of accountants can access online simultaneously, and even have online conferences. This will reduce the time spent on individual updates that will then be discussed in company meetings that take too much time or even constantly postponed due to uncoordinated schedules.

There is also the economical side. The physical hardware needed to maintain accounting servers, from the mainframe to the computers in the network, can result in an astronomical figure. Aside from this, the personnel needed to maintain this, IT experts whom you would have to keep on call (if not on 24 hour shifts, which will require you to hire an entire team) also demand higher fees. These measures are taken for the sole reason of preventing a computer crash, which could result in the disastrous situation of losing precious data.

An online accounting host may not be immune to computer crashes, but the data will always be retrievable. Also, accounting hosts already have counter measures ready. They have gained prior expertise in the field, since they have specialized in it for years. The time and money saved from computer maintenance can translate to a huge amount. When you add on the relieved stress and the actual physical space, accounting hosting is almost a no=brainer.

There are now many companies that offer third party accounting hosting. The competition, just like in any industry, works in favor of the consumer. It is now the consumer's duty to look for the best accounting host. There are various factors to consider.

Since accounting hosting has been heralded as a money-saving option, choosing a company with a reasonable price has to be a priority. Otherwise, the benefits would be negated. Also, the integrity of the company should be unquestionable, since they are hosting sensitive and vital data. After integrity has been established, the host company should be recognized as specialists. If the company offers training programs apart from their credentials, that usually translates into being specialists.

Now that the benefits of accounting hosting have been established, the ball is now in the court of businesses making that practical decision.

Learn more about quickbooks online at Cloud9RealTime.Com.

The debate over tax reform and changes in the tax code continues to be on the minds of consumers as local accounting practitioners report that almost 64% of their income is derived from the preparation and filing of tax compliance, planning and problem resolution.

Looking at tax preparation and planning exclusively, slightly under 55% of the practitioners reported specializing in tax planning and associated financial planning as the primary source of revenue and the focus of their practice marketing and development.

While almost 45% of the local practitioners claim financial statement preparation to be their primary source of income, further investigation reveals that on average 20% of their annual revenues are derived from year end tax compliance for their business clients. Removing tax compliance income from the financial statement preparation income revealed that small business financial statement preparation can be considered the main source of revenue for less than 36% of small local practitioners.

While most local accountants do not perform audits or get involved in special consulting projects, another group of less than 1% of practitioners reported that their main source of revenue was actually from audits and special projects. Interviews with this group of practitioners revealed a tendency to specialize in one industry or specialty, such as automobile dealerships or small governmental entities.

This tendency to specialize revealed a need for industry specific skills and a knowledge of niche practices. Examples cited included the small local "Buy here, pay here" auto dealerships and the financing of large brand name auto dealerships. Other examples were the specialized audits of the Asset Based Loan (ABL) and Commercial Finance or Factoring industries.

One of the main deterrents to the production of audit income as a major source was the staffing requirement that accompanies the performance of audits for a public company. Since most local practitioners are either small or sole practitioners, any large audit work requires the involvement of several firms in a joint venture with the originator possibly losing the lead position. Fee splitting and revenue sharing problems also are a deterrent to joint venture efforts and public company audits.

This trend to specialize was reflected in the specialties of the practitioners who reported a concentration in tax preparation services. Practitioner respondents were evenly split among those who concentrated on tax planning, financial planning and problem resolution for troubled taxpayers.

Interviews with tax and financial planning specialist revealed that fees from tax and financial planning clients were on average at least ten times the average fees for year end tax preparation. And, while this disparity would seemingly encourage a shift from year end tax preparation, planners universally agreed that year end tax preparation was the primary source of new tax and financial planning clients.

The other group of practitioners who reported that the majority of their income was derived from tax preparation issues were those who specialized in tax preparation. These practitioners indicated that only a small portion of their income was from current year-end tax preparation, rather their primary source was split evenly between the preparation of delinquent tax returns and the correction of erroneous tax filings, with problem resolution and taxpayer representation.

Bookkeeping is a time and effort consuming task and most business keep themselves distant from it unless the tax filings are around the corner. The last minute tax preparations often result in inaccurate accounting. To save yourself from such troubles, you should outsource bookkeeper who not only keeps track of your accounts but provides many other services as well.

Small sized or large, the idea of having an accounts department dreads all business owners for two reasons, finances to establish the department and extra time to manage it. Moreover, as a businessperson, you must be aware of the burden that pops up with having to manage your accounts yourself. Rather than being overburdened with the bookkeeping, you can go outsourcing options. This will help you keep precise and up-to-date accounts without the need of wasting your hours.

Benefits of Outsourced Bookkeeping

In recent times, outsourced bookkeeping services have gained popularity due to the benefits like better work quality, reduced cost of labor, reduced overhead rates and more flexibility. In addition to that, the expert assistance of professional bookkeepers gets you more precise accounts and less headaches at the end of the year when taxes preparations are around the corner. Tapping into the resources, specialization and experience of outsourcing companies will free up some of your time which can be further utilized to concentrate on making business strategies to get ahead from the rest in the marketplace.

Other Benefits of Outsourced Bookkeeping

Outsourcing your bookkeeping has other benefits as well. During the tax filings, there is no last minute rush as everything you need is already organized. This saves in-house employees from doing over-time. Monthly outsourcing reduces the issues related to pending work and keep your accounts ledger ready at all times. You have the guarantee of presentation without delays on report submissions. Outsourcing companies have a competitive edge to maintain their position in the business world, so you can be assured that they will perform so much better than the in-house bookkeepers.

Besides The Regular Benefits...

Several bookkeeping companies provide additional services along with the regular bookkeeping. They use QuickBooks software to manage company's income statement. From invoicing, billings and payrolls to tax planning, projection and bank account reconciliations, you get all your financial paper work well- organized.

In your financial report, there will be details of the balance sheet, income statement and reconciled general ledger. On the other hand, your management report comprises check register, cash receipts journals, accounts receivable and payable aging and cash flow reports. To top that, your bookkeeping companies review your organization and assist you in finding out the areas where you can improve operations to become a more profitable organization.

What To Look For?

When it comes to employing a company, you should take an account of the previous works of the company, services provided, their costs, easy access to your ledger and customer support. All these are the main factors in determining the credibility and efficiency of the company. Make sure that the company gives you the flexibility to access your accounts whenever and wherever you want to. You should also check with the company whether they provide round the clock customer support or not as you may need help at any hour.

Managing your accounting details using outsourced bookkeeping is the most cost effective way to keep your data up to date. In addition to saving a substantial amount of money, you end up saving your time that adds to making new policies and strategies to take your business a level up.

Entrepreneurs who have just started their own business are often wondering how they would be able to earn income for themselves through the business. True enough, starting a business would require a lot of money and you can't get back that money immediately unless your business is really a hit.

When it comes to earning income from your business, it is a critical process. Business owners are often faced with challenges as soon as the business is already launched.

Usually, business owners can write a check for themselves from the business. However, the characterization must be identified properly. Sole proprietors enjoy this benefit. They can actually withdraw funds by writing checks anytime. However, if the business is made out of partnership, there are some considerations to make.

Starting a business is not generally that easy. You need to know information about your chosen business and you need to know how to properly manage it. Aside from that, you should also have good budgeting skills because managing a business would involve budgeting.

Earning income from your business might take some time depending on the success of the business itself. If it is doing well, then you might earn immediately but if it doesn't, then you need to budget. You need to cut down the expenses and make sure that there is still enough money to fund the business.

Budgeting is a needed skill for entrepreneurs. The cash flow should be balanced and debts should not accumulate. If you feel that you don't have enough skills, consider hiring the services of a finance expert to guide you and help you in making the right decisions for your business.

When it comes to money allocation, you need to be aware of the requirements of your business. These requirements can include the rent, stocks, utilities, advertising and payroll. It is important to stick to the budget so that debt will not accumulate. A good budget should also be able to accommodate emergency funds. Emergency funds are important in one's business especially if the market is suddenly not good.

Emergency funds can also ensure that your business still runs smoothly despite troubled times. This is a common practice of entrepreneurs who are serious about earning money. Emergency funds will give a sense of security to owners.

Also, it is important to include tax to the overall budget. Consulting an expert would be very helpful especially if you are not that familiar with money managing strategies for your business.

Billing is the most essential and substantial part of a business. Without this process your business is unlikely to survive a long time. The billing process moves the money in your firm, hopefully more in than out. This is why it is very important to come across very professional in this situation.

There are many ways to handle the invoice process. There are many billing softwares out there. Some of the are free and with limited functions and others cost a lot of money but have all the tools you need to run a small business integrated.

When running a small company it is not always necessary to have a whole IT infrastructure in place. To get across professionally sometimes all you need are some good business form templates. The most important one is the invoice template.

There are many different ways this template can look. The most important thing is that it has all the necessary data on the form and can be filled out fast and easy. Most of the time these invoice templates are simple excel files that add all the billed positions together and show the amount of taxes that are included in the total due payment. Most of the time you can make a very simple invoice template yourself, but these forms look unprofessional and cheap. There are several free resources available on the internet where you can choose from a wide range of templates designed especially for your business niche. These professionally designed templates that carter all the special needs in your niche will make you come across much more professional and will therefore give you much more repeat customers if they are satisfied with your service.

Another way to get these pre-made invoice templates is to hire a professional to design a template especially for your firm. In some cases this is a valid way to get a template that really stands out in regards to others. In most cases this is not necessary as every small business needs to look after his costs and simply buying a professionally looking pre-made template is much cheaper that designing one especially for your business.

All in all you need to ask yourself what your firm should represent to the outside world. If you wish to get ahead with that business and scale up your operation it is essential that you make a relatively small investment now, which will help you expand your business in the future. It is not enough to show professionalism when completing you orders but also in what manners you handle the transaction. With a business form like this you will show professionalism and can show that you care about you business and customer.

If you are looking for free invoice templates you should check out my site. There you can choose and download many different templates for various business niches. Besides that there are billing software reviews and other tips on how to handle your small business. Come and get your invoice template today!

If you have already spent a little time trying to choose which version of MYOB is right for your business, you already know that this is a confusing and overwhelming decision. It doesn't have to be that hard though, this guide will help you make the right decision.

When you begin your small business adventure, you will find yourself in a lot of meetings, talking with many important people who will all play their special role such as a lawyer, accountant, business coach, etc. Why do so many people neglect to speak with a bookkeeper? After all, this person plays a crucial role in your business so why not talk to your bookkeeper from the very beginning? It only makes sense, right?

While you may assume accountants are more important, it is the bookkeeper who will be up close and personal with your MYOB program, entering all data pertaining to your business. Studies suggest that accountants will often persuade new business owners to purchase the most inexpensive MYOB program to reduce start up costs. In theory this may look like an attractive decision however, it can actually have quite an adverse effect on the success of your business.

MYOB AccountRight Plus

The main reason why it is recommended that all business owners purchase MYOB AccountRight Plus is because it includes payroll. This is very helpful for the small business that quickly expands to staffing a few employees. Rather than having to deal with new software, you already have access to a payroll feature.

This is also a recommended program because you should get in the habit of paying yourself a wage. This forces a quarterly PAYG payment and it makes you pay superannuation. The reality is, if you can't squeeze in at least an annual salary of $54,000 for yourself, perhaps you should rethink your business plans.

Not to mention, many newer business owners find themselves struggling to pay their taxes. If you have paid yourself a salary all year and at least put some of that money away, you are in a better position to pay your tax obligations.

MYOB AccountRight Premier

If you have a larger business that requires multiple accounts staff, MYOB AccountRight Premier is probably the best option for you. The platform not only allows multiple users to access the programs simultaneously, it allows multiple currencies to be used as well.

MYOB AccountRight Enterprise

If you lead a large enterprise and need remote access to inventory that may be housed at various sties, you want MYOB AccountRight Enterprises. This platform really will require you to spend a significant amount of time evaluating your business structure and procedures.

Training

An MYOB training session is recommended for anyone considering purchasing this software. This will ensure that you really get the most out of the program. Many small businesses rush right in without understanding that their decisions have consequences.

By Quinlan Murray

Reports, tax planning, financial plans, analyzing where the company is going, finance-wise, are all critical to the health of a business. Poorly maintained account books, or those in which figures do not add up, or shoddily made reports can come in the way of getting clarity into the financial state of the business. With your numerous activities in running a business, you surely find it difficult to keep a watchful eye on the accounts aspect as well. This is where the services of a professional accountant are useful.

There are a host of services that you get when you hire an accountancy firm for your business. Whether you want bookkeeping services, or payroll management services, or detailed preparation of financial reports, or help with tax planning, a good accountant can help you. With proper qualifications and training in any accounts-related issue, a professional can be your best guide in maintaining the financial health of your company.

You can get the accountancy firm to perform these services, no matter what the size of your enterprise. You may be a small start-up, or a large established business, the first thing that a professional accountant does is to get a thorough understanding of your business. The main aim is to set up a long-term relationship with you and provide value-added services that you will benefit from. This is why, a good accountancy firm goes beyond the regular services related to accounts. Your business can also enjoy the benefit of the experience and expertise of the firm in handling accounts for a wide range of corporate clients. Consultancy services are one of the key value-added services that a good accountancy firm provides. If you need help related to taxes, or want to get ideas on how to optimize the savings in keeping with the financial goals of your business, get in touch with a good accountant.

The best part about opting for a renowned accountant is reliability. You can trust them to provide competent services, whatever your need. A good accountant also knows the best ways to optimize resources, whatever the scale of your business. You can opt for support with litigation, and find out ways in which new technologies and techniques can help streamline your business. If you need help with ideas on optimizing your resources, a good accountant can be your guide.

If you are looking for an accountant, Puyallup WA has many professionals with extensive experience in handling accounts for clients.

In another article here at EzineArticles, I talked about "Target Market Segments." If you read that article, then by now you should have developed a list of the target markets you serve, and those you think you can effectively serve. This list should be a list of categories of clients for whom you are effectively creating value, or providing services.

It does not necessarily have to be a long list. It can be as few as one category if that is all that you are serving, can serve, or wish to serve. This is a case of no matter what you may think, size does not matter, accuracy of definition does. What you are trying to do is define you current or desired business model, not come up with something to brag about.

Today, you should be working to define what problems you are solving for you target market segments.

There is no reason for a client to retain you unless you are going to solve some problem for them. It may be a problem defined by analytical means, or it may be a problem defined by emotional needs. Either is valid.

A "Value Proposition" is the service, or bundle of services, that you provide to a particular market segment. It is what the client values enough to pay you for.

The "Value Proposition" you provide to your clients may be generic, or standard, or they may be new and innovative. They may have added features and benefits, or they may have reduced features and benefits. You may be duplicating a product or service that is already on the market, or providing one that you have developed specifically for your target segment.

You can define your value proposition by answering the following questions:

What value do your clients or customers receive from your product or service?
Which of your clients problems are you solving with your products or services?
What bundles of products and services are you offering to each target segment?

Your solutions may include the basic tax compliance and financial reporting requirements commonly referred to as "client writeup," where value is created for your client by solving their compliance requirements. Or, you may be extending this basic service and providing analytical solutions that answer questions about business operations through reporting of exceptions and measuring of objectives.

Another solution may be the solving of some special need, such as a tax resolution service that you provide to troubled taxpayers. The taxpayer client may see value in your ability to reduce their liability or prevent seizure and sale of assets.

In some cases, you may be providing custom solutions to unique problems that a client is facing. Your value proposition may include an audit of business operations and you may be providing solutions in the form of recommendations from your operational audit or engineering survey.

In each of these cases, your value proposition encompasses the entire set of client solution attributes, including price, the time frame in which the solution is provided, and client relations. The complete list of features in your value proposition is limited only by your imagination. You greatest task will be to refine your list of features to those that are material to solving your target segments needs and ignoring those which offer minimal value.

For example, your clients may value the fact that your services are delivered in hours instead of days, or days instead of weeks. Your clients may receive value from your timely updates and regular communication. Or, your clients may value that you are non-intrusive and do not bother them with excessive data and reports.

You may find that some clients value an association with you and your "brand," or they may value your independence and lack of branding.

Each factor in the design and structure of your service delivery is a part of your value proposition. Your task is to define what you deliver as a solution, and possibly want you want to deliver as a solution. What you are delivering as a solution to each of your target market segments helps define your current business model. What you want to deliver in the way of solutions will help define what your proposed business model is. What your desired target market segment seeks in the way of solutions is what your business model should be.

As you read this, some of it may have caused you to reach into the "duh" part of your vocabulary, but that's okay. It should be commonsense, and you should be able to understand it.

Business models are logical, and your business model should be logical to you. But, without a good intellectual understanding of the subject, what is obvious after reading about it, was unknown and might not have been a part of your vocabulary before.

Your task today is to write down your understanding of what you are delivering in the way of solutions to your clients in each target market segment. Don't spend a lot of time on the particular products or services as you start your breakdown. Instead, make a list of what solutions you are providing by answering the question, "Why did your clients hire you rather than another practitioner?"

A good understanding of why they hired you is essential to defining the value proposition you are providing.

You can continue to learn about starting your own accounting practice by visiting http://secrets-of-marketing-accounting-services.com/