Secretarial Services - Impress your customers

It Only Costs $8 to Impress Your Customers!
by Nancy Gillespie

Recently I bought a piece of furniture from Hunters Attic in Vista, California. The person who waited on me was very knowledgeable about his inventory and took the time to answer all of my questions. That impressed me and made me feel that I mattered. Then he discounted the price of the item (which always impresses me!). Then he delivered the item at exactly the time he had promised. But what really impressed me was that when he arrived to deliver my piece of furniture, he explained that he had inadvertently overcharged me -- he then handed me an $8 refund!! Wow! Such honesty is so unusual nowadays.

This so impressed me that I told several of my friends. Such a small thing, yet it made a big impression on me. See how that works? For $8 Hunters Attic got a little free advertising and a loyal customer.

Customer loyalty is especially important in these times of economic uncertainty. When people are looking for ways to cut expenses, they will be less inclined to "fire" you if you have gained their loyalty.

Here are a few ideas to help you gain loyal customers:

Educate your customers.

Explain what you are doing and why. Give them helpful tips. Tell them about new products. Educating your customers shows you care and may bring you more income from add-on sales.

Make your customers feel important.

Remember their names -- people love the sound of their own name! Keep a stack of postcards and stamps with you -- when a customer mentions it is his birthday, scribble a "happy birthday" message on a postcard while it is fresh in your mind. If your customer is mentioned in a newspaper article, clip and send a copy to your customer (only if the article is positive!).

Give freebies and/or discounts.

People love free stuff! How about a complimentary item (that you got free from one of your vendors). Samples of new products. Or a promotional item imprinted with your business name and phone number -- something that will help them think of your business every time they use it. Give discounts for "VIPs" or for early payment (an incentive for them to pay on time).

Be dependable.

Show up when you say you will (or call to explain that you are running late). Call when you say you will. Return phone calls in a timely manner. Only promise what you can deliver.

Be honest.

Give a refund or credit if you make a billing error. Admit when you screw up (hey, we're all human).

These are just a few suggestions to help you impress your customers. Hopefully, they will get your creative juices flowing and you will come up with even better ideas that will work for you!

Nancy has operated A+ Secretarial and Business Services In Vista California for 9 years. She the author of "14 Surefire Tips to Get the Job of Your Dreams," a concise book to assist job hunters. For more information about her secretarial services or her book, call 760-945-666, email nancyjg5@cox.net, or visit www.aplusnancy.com.

Secretarial Services - 5 Tips for HOT Yellow Pages Ads

5 Tips for HOT Yellow Pages Ads
© 2004 BIG Mike McDaniel - All Rights Reserved

Yellow Pages advertising is one of the most popular forms of advertising in the country today. Almost every home in America (96.9%) and business has at least one copy of "the book".

Almost three out of five (58%) of all adults say they check the Yellow Pages for a phone number and/or address at least once per week, with 77% using the book monthly.

While the Yellow Pages are an excellent reference tool, they fare less well when considered as an advertising medium. People use the Yellow Pages to look for a familiar name. If your other advertising works, then fining you in the Yellow Pages should be a snap.

Remember, once the book is published, you can't change your ad until the next publish date.

Here BIG Mike's 5 Tips to make your Yellow Pages Ad HOT.

1 - Sell the benefits
Put a headline on your ad pushing benefits. Explain how the benefits will help your prospect fulfill their needs.

2 - Forget extra cost color
The only thing color has been proven to do in Yellow Pages advertising is increase the price you pay for the ad.

3 - Ask for the order
Writing "Call us now at xxx xxxx" will get more responses than if you simply listed you phone number.

4 - Write like you talk
Inject your personality into everything you write. No-one wants to read boring and stuffy legal-ease. Use short sentences and words. Use simple language Use the word Œyou¹.

5 - Avoid Bragging
Don't boast "biggest and best". It turns people off, even if it is true. Being number one won't sell any product for you.

Remember, the Yellow Pages is generally a reference tool. People look for a name they recognize (or can't remember) or for a name given by a friend. Your ad should help them remember. The only other use of the Yellow Pages is to look for an emergency services. That's why you see lots of tow truck ads and no ads from Sears. Design your ad accordingly.

BIG Mike McDaniel is a former successful radio station owner and major market TV News anchor and nationally recognized Speaker, Author, and Small Business Consultant. Big Mike has authored four books and hundreds of articles and publishes a sales magazine. He has served as a Director of the International Idea Bank (a marketing think tank). He is the founder of the BIG Ideas Group, a marketing and management facilitator for small business growth through seminars, MasterMind Idea Exchanges, focus groups, distance learning, sales training and operational strategies.

The "Write" Stuff -- Make a Name for Yourself
by Nancy Gillespie

There is an expression in Hollywood -- "there is no such thing as bad press." Publicists know the importance of getting their clients' names in front of people.

Likewise, as a business owner, you also want name recognition -- not only for you but also for you as a business owner. Every time you get your name in front of the public, it increases your name recognition and puts you "top of mind." You know the drill -- business cards, advertis­ing, press releases, etc.

But here's an easier way -- write a letter to the editor! Comment on topics of public interest or a recent news item or share information related to your business. (For example: "As a pool service techni­cian, I was disturbed by your recent news item on the swimming pool drowning. Here are some water safety tips.")

• Determine what the policy of the newspaper is for submitting letters. For instance, the North County Times requires that letters include your full name, address, and daytime phone number. Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks, and letters should be no longer than 200 words.
  
• Refer perhaps to the type of busi­ness you are in, but don't state your business name -- that's just a shameless plug. Commercial com­plaints and endorsements ordinarily are not published.
  
• E-mail the letter. Editors prefer them to letters on paper because e-mailed letters don't have to be retyped. Also, an e-mailed letter costs you nothing -- no paper, no postage.
  
• Once your letter gets printed in the newspaper, photocopy it. En­close copies with your billings and correspondence. Put a framed copy on your wall. This lets people know you are a business owner with credibility -- you are a published writer!
  
• Don't stop there. There is power in numbers. Send another letter when you have something else to say about your crusade or cause. This is where the name recognition really kicks in.
  

Nancy has operated A+ Secretarial and Business Services In Vista California for 9 years. She the author of "14 Surefire Tips to Get the Job of Your Dreams," a concise book to assist job hunters. For more information about her secretarial services or her book, call 760-945-666, email nancyjg5@cox.net, or visit www.aplusnancy.com.

Secretarial services - free publicity

The "Write" Stuff -- Make a Name for Yourself
by Nancy Gillespie

There is an expression in Hollywood -- "there is no such thing as bad press." Publicists know the importance of getting their clients' names in front of people.

Likewise, as a business owner, you also want name recognition -- not only for you but also for you as a business owner. Every time you get your name in front of the public, it increases your name recognition and puts you "top of mind." You know the drill -- business cards, advertis­ing, press releases, etc.

But here's an easier way -- write a letter to the editor! Comment on topics of public interest or a recent news item or share information related to your business. (For example: "As a pool service techni­cian, I was disturbed by your recent news item on the swimming pool drowning. Here are some water safety tips.")

• Determine what the policy of the newspaper is for submitting letters. For instance, the North County Times requires that letters include your full name, address, and daytime phone number. Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks, and letters should be no longer than 200 words.
  
• Refer perhaps to the type of busi­ness you are in, but don't state your business name -- that's just a shameless plug. Commercial com­plaints and endorsements ordinarily are not published.
  
• E-mail the letter. Editors prefer them to letters on paper because e-mailed letters don't have to be retyped. Also, an e-mailed letter costs you nothing -- no paper, no postage.
  
• Once your letter gets printed in the newspaper, photocopy it. En­close copies with your billings and correspondence. Put a framed copy on your wall. This lets people know you are a business owner with credibility -- you are a published writer!
  
• Don't stop there. There is power in numbers. Send another letter when you have something else to say about your crusade or cause. This is where the name recognition really kicks in.
  

Nancy has operated A+ Secretarial and Business Services In Vista California for 9 years. She the author of "14 Surefire Tips to Get the Job of Your Dreams," a concise book to assist job hunters. For more information about her secretarial services or her book, call 760-945-666, email nancyjg5@cox.net, or visit www.aplusnancy.com.

Secretarial Services - What To Do With Your Business Cards

Without a plan to distribute your cards, there's no need to print them in the first place.

Many fall into the trap of thinking all the thinking about business cards is over once the order is placed. Wrong! The average person has more than half of business cards still in the box at any given time.

• Make a plan to empty your box of cards in 3 months or less, after all, those little cards are your most powerful marekting tool.
• Always carry cards with you. Always have them handy. "Let's see, I've got one here somewhere, no, that's a card I got yesterday, no, that's my kid's picture, here it is, no, that's not it either.."
• Always keep them fresh and flat. If they look worn or dirty, pitch 'em. You should be able to quick draw your card faster than Gunsmoke's Matt Dillon. If somebody gives you their business card, you should give them yours in return, face up.
• Think of your card as a print ad for you. Leave it everywhere. More ad exposure leads to more business. If you designed your card well, your home address is not on it so you can leave it anywhere without fear a burglar will come visiting.
• Many stores, banks and restaurants have bulletin boards. Keep a few push pins in your car.
• Always drop your card in the fishbowls offering a prize.
• Enclose a card with every check you send to pay bills.
• Leave one on the table with your tip (as long as the tip is not embarrassing).
• Give one to friends "Do you have my new card?"
• Keep a supply in a cardholder on your desk or at the front counter.
• Ask your spouse to always carry your cards, ready to deliver should they meet someone who might be interested in your product or service.
• Keep spare cards everywhere so you never have to grope for one, or worse yet, not find one and end up scribbling your name on the back of someone else's card.
• Put the info on your card in a sig file that automatically appears at the bottom of all your eMail. Get my article that show you how, step by step. MailTo:SIGFile@BigIdeasgroup.com.
• If anything on your card changes, bite the bullet, eat the expense, and pitch 'em.

Your business card is more than a reference tool. It can be your biggest marketing advantage for people to remember you and forget your competition.

©2004 BIG Mike McDaniel, Professional Speaker and Former Major Market TV News Anchor. The BIG Ideas Group helps small business grow with mastermind groups, seminars and sales training. MailTo:Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com. http://BIGIdeasGroup.com. Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter MailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net

Secretarial Services - What does your business card say?

What Does Your Business Card Say?
Copyright 2004 BIG Mike McDaniel - All Rights Reserved

More about advertising by BIG Mike McDaniel

Business cards are the most underutilized and misunderstood marketing tool in business. Many people spend the bucks for cards and don't make an effort to get them into the hands of those who can hire them or buy from them.

Everyday people throw away stacks of undelivered business cards. Money down the dumper.

Your goal is to design and use a memorable card and get so many delivered you have to re-order. Forget about those clever articles about what to do with stacks of leftover cards.The only time you should have cards still in the box is when something on the card becomes outdated or obsolete.

If you designed your cards as a marketing tool and planned your distribution, tossing unused cards in the trash should become the exception rather than the rule. If one item on your card changes the cards are obsolete and should be pitched.

Car dealers are famous for finding ways to save money on business card expense. With the revolving door turnover of salespeople, many dealers stopped ordering individual cards for new hires. They print a master card with color dealer logo and phone numbers and leave a big space in the middle for the new salesperson's name to be penciled in. That way, when the would-be fast talking, glad handing flannel mouth doesn't work out, no new cards need be printed.

A swell image: handwritten business cards. It would be interesting to run the numbers on how much money was saved at the printers versus how much business went somewhere where the salespeople appeared more professional. With car dealer margins, one sale would buy a lot of business cards.Worse is using a business card with a black or blue marker blotting out a line of type and a new name, address or phone number written (or typed) above the black line. Ugh!

Some people painstakingly cut itty bitty strips of computer labels printed with the new information and stick them over the old just to save a few bucks. Calculate what your time is worth and the savings turn into an expense, not to mention what the "corrected" card does to future business.

Dig out that stack of business cards you have been collecting for years and flip through them, you will see at least one with a correction.If you are in any business and venture outside your cubby-hole for any reason, you should carry business cards at all times. You should be able to "whip one out" without digging out your wallet and digging thru pics of the kids, or plunging to the bottom of your purse past the hair spray.

You card says a lot about you. And you say even more about you when you offer your card. Say it in business-like, professional style.

BIG Mike McDaniel is a former successful radio station owner and major market TV News anchor and nationally recognized Speaker, Author, and Small Business Consultant. Big Mike has authored four books and hundreds of articles and publishes a sales magazine. He has served as a Director of the International Idea Bank (a marketing think tank). He is the founder of the BIG Ideas Group, a marketing and management facilitator for small business growth through seminars, MasterMind Idea Exchanges, focus groups, distance learning, sales training and operational strategies. http://BigIdeasGroup.com. Be sure to subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter with tips, ideas, concepts for people in business.MailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net. You can reach BIG Mike by using his direct eMail address MailTo:Mike@BigIdeasGroup.com

Secretarial Services - Tax savings

Home-business use can produce valuable tax savings

A few years ago, I was audited by the IRS on my home-business tax deductions. The IRS sent out a field auditor to inspect my residence. Later, I learned when the IRS sends a field auditor, that means they think they can squeeze lots more money from the taxpayer.

As the auditor looked around my home, he noticed my home office occupied several rooms for my real estate rental and writing activities.

After about two hours of going over my business deductions at my dining room table, he said, "Your deductions are less than you should be claiming." Then he showed me several deductions I had overlooked. A few weeks later, I received a "no change" letter from the IRS, which is one of several I now have framed on my office wall.

How to deduct part of your home expenses. If you are one of the estimated 30 million taxpayers who use your home or rented residence for partial business use, you are entitled to deduct as "ordinary and necessary" business expenses a portion of the costs of operating your home.

For example, I recently paid my $1,218 annual homeowner's insurance premium. Based on IRS criteria for home-business deductions, I can deduct part of that normally personal, non-deductible expense as a business operating expense.

Whether you are employed and working at home for the convenience of your employer, such as a telephone sales representative, or you are self-employed, you may be entitled to home business tax deductions.

However, if you just bring work home from the office because you prefer working at home, then you aren't entitled to any deductions unless your employer doesn't provide suitable workspace.

To illustrate, suppose you are a schoolteacher. If your employer provides facilities to grade papers and other non-teaching work, you can't deduct home-business deductions just because you like to do that work at home. However, if you are told to leave the school after teaching hours, as are many city schoolteachers, then you may qualify for home-business tax deductions.

Special test for employees. If you are employed, such as an outside salesperson or service person expected to work from your home, the IRS imposes a special test.

Called the "convenience of the employer" test, it means your employer doesn't provide suitable workspace so you have no choice but to work from home. However, if you have an arrangement where your employer rents part of your home for your workspace, that won't qualify. In fact, you will then owe tax on the rental income.

Primary business location test for self-employees. If you operate a full- or part-time business from your residence, you can probably qualify for home business tax deductions as allowed by Internal Revenue Code 280A.
To qualify, you must be able to prove your residence is used either (1) to meet or deal with patients, clients or customers, or (2) you have no other fixed business location and your home is used for administrative activity.

A classic example is the 1993 U.S. Supreme Court decision involving Dr. Nader Soliman (113 Sup.Ct. 701). Dr. Soliman, an anesthesiologist, deducted part of his condominium home-office expenses because he spent many hours there handling administrative work and reading professional medical journals. However, most of his working hours were spent at several hospitals administering anesthesia to patients.

Although Dr. Soliman spent many business hours working at his home, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled he was not entitled to deduct his home-business office expenses because he spent most of his work time at the hospitals. In response to this decision, in 1999 Congress changed the tax law to allow self-employed taxpayers to deduct home-business expenses when their residence is their "primary business location."

The result is even if you don't meet business patients, clients, or customers at your home, you can deduct your home-business expenses if your residence is your principal business location even if you spend most of your time working elsewhere.

"Exclusive business area" is required. If you passed either the employee "convenience of the employer" or self-employed principal business location test, the next test requires having an "exclusive business area." It need not be a full room.

Part of a room can qualify if that area is where you have your business equipment and supplies. But it cannot be shared use. If you occasionally entertain business clients at home, that clearly won't qualify. Neither will use of your kitchen table to do your bookkeeping meet the test if you also eat family meals there.
Part-time home-business use can qualify. If you operate a part-time business from your home, such as selling Amway, Mary Kay or Avon products, you may qualify for the home-business tax break if you meet the exclusive-business-area test, such as for the area where you store inventory.

The leading U.S. Tax Court decision is Dr. Edwin Curphey (73 T.C. 61). He was a full-time dermatologist at a hospital. But he also managed his rental properties part-time from his home office. Dr. Curphey's exclusive home-business area met the residence-business deduction test although his property management work was part-time.
But part-time use of your home for investments won't qualify. The leading decision in the case of Joseph Moller (553 Fed.2d 1071) illustrates. Moller earned 98 percent of his income investing in stocks and bonds from his home. But the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled his home business was a passive, long-term investment rather than as an active "day trader" with frequent transactions.

Square footage determines home-business deductions. Whether you are a home business use "convenience of the employer" employee or a self-employed taxpayer using an exclusive home-business area, the amount of your deduction depends on the business square footage of your residence. IRS Form 8829 (Expenses for Business Use of Your Home) is the place to calculate your square footage and percent of home-business deductions. The former room count method is no longer available.

Some expenses are fully deductible. But 100 percent of some home-business expenses are deductible. All of your business-phone costs are deductible if you have a separate personal phone line. Computer broadband or DSL costs are also fully deductible for your business computer.

If you improve the exclusive business area, such as painting or renovating your home office area, the full cost is deductible as a business expense. Business insurance premiums are also fully deductible.
Depreciate your home. Homeowners can claim a depreciation deduction for the "exclusive business area" of their residences. For example, if your exclusive home-business area occupies 33 percent of your residence, then you can depreciate 33 percent of your home's purchase price (not including non-depreciable land value) on the 39-year commercial property straight-time depreciation schedule.

But when you sell your home at a profit, the 25 percent federal tax rate for depreciation recapture will apply. However, IRS Regulation 2002-142 says when selling your principal residence, even its "business area" can qualify for the $250,000 or $500,000 home sale tax exemption of Internal Revenue Code 121.

Home-business deductions can't create a tax loss. If your home-business tax deductions, when subtracted from the income of your home business, create a tax loss, that loss can't shelter your other income, such as interest and dividends.

Conclusion. Home-business use, whether full-time or part-time, can produce valuable tax savings. Both employees and self-employed taxpayers can qualify if they meet the tests. For full details, please consult your tax adviser.
Robert J. Bruss may be reached at 251 Park Road, Burlingame, CA 94010 or online at www.bobbruss.com.

Secretarial Services - How To Make Your Resource Box Sell

How To Make Your Resource Box Sell
by Michael Southon

Ezine Articles - they're everywhere!

And little wonder. They're one of the fastest
ways of building traffic to your website.

But what many people overlook is the Resource Box.
It's almost as important as your Article. After all,
your traffic comes to you through your Resource Box.

Writing your Resource Box is an art in itself. You
have very little space (5 or 6 lines) and you want to
make the most of it. Here are four key elements your
Resource Box should contain.


1) Your Name

Remember, one of the reasons Ezine Articles are such a
powerful promotion tool is that brand your name, they
establish your reputation as a an expert.

So the first line of your Resource Box should be a
short sentence that gives your name and tells the
reader what you do on the Internet.


2) Your website URL

This is pretty straightforward - you want people to
visit your website. But there's another reason for
including your website URL.

As well as being published in Ezines, your Articles
will also be published on websites, often with a live
link to your website URL.

And that's going to do wonders for your
link-popularity. Remember, the major Search Engines
are making link-popularity one of the key factors in
ranking their search results.


3) Your Newsletter subscribe address

A given reader may not purchase your product, they may
not even click through to your website, but why not at
least capture their email address?

Remember that the average person has to see your
message seven times before they buy your product.


4) Something FREE!

Your Resource Box is probably one of a dozen other Ads
in the same Ezine, all clamoring for attention. Offer
something free and you'll vastly increase the chances
of a reader clicking through to your website.

------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Southon has been writing for the Internet for over
3 years. He has shown hundreds of webmasters how to use
this simple technique to build a successful online business.
Click here to find out more:
------------------------------------------------------------

Secretarial services - Better Business Cards

10 Nifty Tips for Better Business Cards
BIG Mike McDaniel

Not having a business card is as bad as using an email address that ends in AOL.com. It's just not professional.

With domain names costing less that 9 bucks a year, there's no excuse for anyone in business to have an AOL.com address. With business cards costing less than 9 bucks at the big box store, there's no excuse for anyone in business not to pass them about.

Here are BIG Mike's 10 Nifty Tips for Better Business Cards

Don't Do It At Home
For what you spend on blank microperf cards and the time to get it right, you could pay to have them look professional instead of home baked.

Get your Own Logo
No logo at all looks better than a logo from a clip art book. Same with cards with bars of color or circles. Your card should be you, not something from a can.

Put YOU in the Middle
Your name is the most important part of the card put it in the middle and big enough to see without granny glasses.

Forget the Beeper Number
No need to list cell phones and beeper numbers. If you want a customer to have them, it is far more impressive for you to hand write it on the card ("I'm giving you my private cell phone number...")

Throw 'em Away When ANYTHING Changes
Don't be a cheapskate. Spend the bucks for new cards rather than penciling in corrections. Be professional.

Keep it Simple
One phone number and one eMail is enough. Be sure to put your website on the card, too.Some cards work great without a street address. Do you need it on your card? Why?

Use Both Sides
The back of the card can be used to reinforce your selling proposition. Think of your card as a little newspaper ad. Use both sides.

Stick with White
White, glossy, shiny cards say "Business". Pastels and swirls say "Avon Lady".

Never Leave Home Without OneAlways carry a supply of cards. You never know. And keep them handy in a ready pocket, not tucked away at the bottom of a bag, so you can present one with a flourish on demand. Keep a backup stack in the car.

Present It With A FLAIR
Practice offering your card with BOTH hands. It makes a BIG impact. You goal is to get people to remember you and save your card. Do that by using both hands.

For more on business cards, get my article "What Does Your Business Card Say." Click the link to send a blank message BizCardSay@BigIdeasGroup.com

BIG Mike McDaniel, Professional Speaker and Former Major Market TV News Anchor. The BIG Ideas Group helps small business grow with mastermind groups, seminars and sales training. Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com - http://bigideasgroup.com/. Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter : subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net

Business Card Resources

• Get free business cards at Vista Print. Click here for more information.
  
• Shop Office Depot for Customized Business Cards, Stationery, and More!

Secretarial Service - Customer service

Win Your Customer Over with Simple Courtesies
By Kit Lum

Walk into any store any day and there's probably a lesson in customer service waiting for you. You could learn a great deal about how to treat your customer just by observing how you are treated as the customer!

Just the other day, I went to a food court at a shopping mall for lunch. Food courts are a popular self-service concept in Asia of food cubicles arranged usually in circular fashion with tables in the middle where you can sit and eat your choice selection.

As I was checking out the vast selection of lunchtime fare, I noticed the servers behind the counters were all stone-faced. Maybe it's been a long day. Maybe Asians take their business seriously and seldom volunteer idle chit-chat with their customers.

But as I was walking past the Chicken Rice counter, the kindly smile of a middle-aged man lit up the stone wall. Chicken rice, a delicious one-dish Asian meal of fragrant rice served with roast or steamed chicken, is my favorite but I think it was that friendly smile that did the trick this time.

Lesson #1: A simple five-letter word that should really be at the top of your business to-do list. Smile. Not a likely business lesson that you'll come across very often. But it's one I trust will take you far.

Smile in person. Smile on the phone. Smile in your emails. It doesn't hurt, I promise, I do it all the time when I 'talk' to my customers. It's pretty amazing really. When you smile, people lighten up and warm up to you. You instantly connect. It builds a bridge to a business relationship.

On another afternoon, I went there again for lunch. Got my tray and walked away without noticing that one of Mr Kindly's assistants had given me the wrong order. She'd given me the barbecued pork instead of roast chicken.
Until a few years ago, many businesses in Asia practised the no-exchange no-return policy, and many still do. This means when the transaction is completed, you're stuck with your purchase, no matter what. If it was the the wrong order, the wrong size or defective, you couldn't return or exchange it.

These days, businesses are gradually becoming more customer-friendly. So I decided to try my luck with Mr Kindly. Well, guess what? He apologized profusely, took my plate and heaped the roast chicken on top of the barbecued pork, and charged me not one cent more. I was bowled over by his exceptional customer service.

Lesson #2: Surely the lesson to be learnt here is to acknowledge when a mistake has been made. We're all human. It's okay to make mistakes. What's important is that you accept responsibility for it and try not to let it happen again.
Acknowledge the mistake, fix it and go the extra mile to make up for it. Give them a discount for their next purchase. Or offer them something on the house. In other words, leave your customer with a sweet aftertaste in spite of the little mess-up and they will be back!

I thanked Mr Kindly. I was impressed at how he'd chosen to handle the situation. Just before I was jostled out of the way by a long line of impatient customers who'd formed behind me, he smilingly told me he appreciates my business and hopes to see me again soon.

Lesson #3: Find the time to thank your customer and tell them how much you appreciate them, no matter how busy you are. Make each one feel like they are the most important person in the world. People like to know they're appreciated. It makes them feel especially good to know they've made the right decision to do business with you.
The Chicken Rice Man sets himself apart from the competition by using some good old-fashioned honest-to-goodness business tactics. You come across other entrepreneurs and you can't help but wish they were all like him. Indeed, we can all be like him. These simple courtesies are not that hard to do. They just take a bit of practice. Go get started now.

Copyright 2005 Kit Lum. Kit Lum brings five years of online business experience into Go Get Global and its two ezines - helping small/home businesses profit from growing globally with quality advertising and business services, and business and cultural resources. Get more FREE tips like these at http://www.Go-GetGlobal.com

Secretarial Services - business cards - the back

15 Ways to Use the Back of Your Business Card
by Tom Letourneau

The back of your business card is valuable space that should be used. Well over 85% of the cards I've been given have nothing on the back. What a waste!

Just think, you can double the effectiveness of your card by simply printing a valuable tidbit on the back. Here are some ideas:

1 - your business philosophy
2 - a list (or partial list) of your products
3 - directions to your office or place of business
4 - your guarantee
5 - an affirmation or favorite saying
6 - three benefits of doing business with you
7 - your picture or caricature
8 - trivia about your business or niche industry
9 - a mini-notepad with lines to make notes
10 - a short joke
11 - your recipe for success
12 - a calendar of upcoming events
13 - tips on how your products or services can save money or make money
14 - your rates
15 - third party testimonials

Thanks to Tom Letourneau who helps people out-market and out-sell their competition. (800) 945-7553. TomSpeaks@aol.com

Business Card Resources

• Get free business cards at Vista Print. Click here for more information.
  
• Shop Office Depot for Customized Business Cards, Stationery, and More!

Secretarial Services - Better Yellow Pages ads - 15 tips

15 Tips for Better Ads in the Yellow Pages
Copyright 2004 BIG Mike McDaniel - All Rights Reserved

Yellow Pages advertising is one of the most popular forms of advertising in the country today. Almost every home in America (96.9%) and business has at least one copy of "the book." Almost three out of five (58%) of all adults say they check the Yellow Pages for a phone number and/or address at least once per week, with 77% using the book monthly. While the Yellow Pages are an excellent reference tool, they fare less well when considered as an advertising medium.

Here are 15 ways to make their yellow pages more effective.

1 - People looking in the Yellow Pages are ready to buy right now. So the challenge is to make the prospect see your ad first.

2 - Don¹t sell them your type of product or service, but sell them on the benefits of your business.

3 - Sell them why they should call you and nobody else.

4 - You don¹t need thick borders or extra cost color, the yellow pages people offer that to everyone. Look how many are on every page.

5 - The key to a sizzling Yellow Pages ad is to sell your services in print. It's about standing out by offering the solution to their problem in a way that your competitors can¹t match. The key is the headline.

6 - Put a headline on your ad that sells your benefits and assures the prospect will read your ad. If you have a hard hitting headline that projects a strong benefit and relates to the needs of your prospect, half the work is done. Some headlines that help you do that include:

"How to xxxxx"

"6 reasons why ..."
"Before you xxxxx here are 6 vital factors to consider"
The rest of your ad should expand on the benefits you've presented in your headline and show specific ways you¹ll help your prospect fulfill their needs.

7 - Finish by spelling out your instructions. Writing "Call us now on xxx xxxx" you¹ll get more responses than you would if you simply listed a phone number.

8 - Write like you talk Inject your personality into everything you write. No-one wants to read boring and stuffy legal-ease.

9 - Use short sentences and words. Use simple language.

10 - Use the word "you."

11 - Avoid Bragging - Don¹t boast "biggest and the best." It turns people off, even if it is true.

12 - If you have a guarantee, spell it out. A guarantee will make your credibility skyrocket.

13 - Find a way to make the prospect an enticing offer. Including an offer in your telephone directory ad will dramatically boost responses. It gives your prospect a reason to call you ahead of anyone else.

14 - Remember that every business (with a business telephone) will be in the yellow pages, free, in the listings.

15 - The only thing color has been proven to do in Yellow Pages advertising is increase the price you pay for the ad.
Remember, the Yellow Pages is generally a reference tool. Design your ad accordingly.

You can reach BIG Mike at McD@BIGMikeOnline.com. Major Market TV News Anchor and Successful Radio Station Owner is a Business Consultant who works full time to help people in business with sales, advertising and promotion ideas that REALLY work!

Secretarial services - Interview with Nancy Gillespie about starting and operating a secretarial service - part 2

Here's part 2 of the interview with Nancy Gillespie, owner of A+ Business Services in Vista, California. If you haven't read part 1, click here.

Leva: What experience or skills does someone need to run a secretarial service?

Nancy: The industry standard is two to three years experience in office support, keyboarding speed of 70 wpm, and good English and grammar skills. When I was hired for my first secretarial job, my typing speed was only about 45 wpm. Over the years, it has more than doubled.

But typing speed is only part of it. I have a college background (although that's not really necessary), have taken additional courses over the years, and have worked in a variety of industries. Now that I have my own business, I find that all of those bits of knowledge I picked up over the years help me to do a better job now. Because I have such a variety of clients, I find it helpful to know a little bit about a lot of things. So I would have to say that knowledge and continuing education are helpful.

Leva: What was your previous experience? Did you have any experience with transcription?

Nancy: I have over 20 years experience in office support, as a secretary and then eventually executive secretary. I typed correspondence and statistical reports, edited and helped prepare a monthly field publication, took minutes, transcribed, and did light bookkeeping.

Leva: How did you get started? How did you get your first clients? What's the best way to attract customers? How do you market your business?

Nancy: I left my job with the plan of starting my own office support business. I enrolled in college classes to become a certified medical transcriptionist. I created some sad-looking business cards and flyers on my computer. My first paying customer got my phone number from one of my flyers on campus -- I made a whopping $10!

I was confident of my office skills but quickly realized I was pretty much clueless as to how to get this business off the ground.

But I had vowed to make this business work. I wrote a business plan to get me focused. I gave my business card to everyone I met. I joined the Chamber of Commerce and other networking groups. I stepped outside my comfort zone by going door to door in office buildings and introducing myself. I put an ad in the Yellow Pages.

At the beginning, most of my business came from the Yellow Pages ad, with a few referrals from friends. Now that I've been in business a while, most of it is repeat business or referrals, with an occasional call from someone who saw me in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet.

It was when I met Leva that things began to really come together. She had seen my name somewhere and invited me to attend a meeting of a local group, AOSP, Association of Office Support Professionals. Members of AOSP -- but mostly -- Leva advised me on pricing, referred work to me, and answered my many questions. I can say with absolute assurance that if I had not met Leva, I could not have made my business work.

That's why I think her product, "Secretarial Business-in-a-Box", is brilliant. You get to pick the brain of someone who has been successfully operating this business for years. I wish this product had been around when I first got started!

Leva: What's the biggest challenges?

Nancy: If you work from home, one challenge is getting friends and family to take you seriously and understand that you are working, even though you are at home.

Another challenge was getting used to all the "business stuff" involved in running a business -- getting a deposit before starting a project, asking clients to sign an agreement, and asking for payment.

Leva: What are the biggest mistakes a secretary or word processor can make?

Nancy: Sloppy, inaccurate work, typos, not meeting deadlines. It gives the rest of us a bad name.

Not treating this as a serious business. If you respect yourself and your skills, respect from others will follow.

Knowing how to price your services. Get it clear in your mind that you offer professional services, and you should be reimbursed fairly for that. Like I said before, Leva helped me immensely in that area.

Leva: Do you have any recommendations for someone just starting a secretarial business?

Nancy: Don't reinvent the wheel. Instead, pick the brains of more experienced people like Leva.

Nancy has operated A+ Secretarial and Business Services In Vista California for 9 years. She the author of "14 Surefire Tips to Get the Job of Your Dreams," a concise book to assist job hunters. For more information about her secretarial services or her book, call 760-945-666, email nancyjg5@cox.net, or visit www.aplusnancy.com.

Secretarial services - Interview with Nancy Gillespie about starting and operating a secretarial service

Can you make money typing from home?

After visiting http://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com and reading the information about the Secretarial Business-In-A-Box, I often get emails and phone calls from people asking me "Is this a legitimate business? Can I really make money typing from home?"

To give people some insight in what's involved in operating a secretarial business and providing word processing services, I've interviewed Nancy Gillespie, owner of A+ Business Services in Vista, California. Nancy has been operating her secretarial service since 1996 in Vista, California.

Leva: Nancy, what's your answer to the question "Is this a real business?"

Nancy: It sure is! But it's really up to the owner of the business. If you project a professional image, you will get the respect you deserve. Otherwise, you'll be perceived as "the girl who types."

I've been in business nine years now and know dozens of other men and women who do the same type of work.

Leva: Have you been able to support yourself with your secretarial business? What kind of money can people expect to make?

Nancy: I am single and have been supporting myself with my secretarial business for some time now. To give you an idea of the kind of money you can make, around the San Diego area where I live, the hourly rate runs from around $15 per hour to $35 per hour, with people I am in contact with in the Vista area charging around $25 per hour. I charge $25 per hour. Monthly income varies. My highest month was over $5,000.

But let me add a caveat. When I first started, I thought, hmm, $25 per hour times eight hours per day times about 20 working days per month -- wow, $4,000 a month! Well, not exactly. I used to wonder why I averaged only five to six billable hours per day -- until I realized that the rest of the time was taken up by general "office stuff" -- phones, filing, checking e-mail. And there's no way that I can think of to eliminate the office stuff -- it's just a fact of life.

At first I felt guilty charging what seemed to be a lot -- until I put it into perspective. The man I paid $20 for 20 minutes work to weed whack my yard was making $60 an hour! And the only equipment he needed was a weed whacker.

Leva: What motivated you to start your own secretarial service?

Nancy: Several things. I think I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit but was afraid to give up the security of a steady paycheck and paid medical, paid vacations, and a retirement fund. But my last job working for someone else was the job from hell. I used to curse the alarm clock every morning.

Finally I said to myself, "Enough of this nonsense!" I took a leap of faith and quit my job, and two weeks later my blood pressure was down 30 points! Best move I ever made. I was immediately happier, and I even looked better. In fact, my neighbor asked me if I had had a facelift. I replied, "No!! My beauty secret is that I quit my job from hell!"

Leva: What do you like about operating a secretarial service?

Nancy: I joke that I have the best boss in the world -- ME!

But seriously, here are just a few things: no alarm clock, no commute, no office politics, no being glared at all day long by the boss from hell.

I can set my own hours, work in my bathing suit, take a coffee break whenever I want, step outside for some fresh air whenever I want, choose not to work with certain clients. In fact, I have "fired" a few clients, and, oh, I can't even describe the feeling of empowerment it gave me!

I love feeling in control of my life. When I worked for others, I received the same paycheck month after month, no matter how hard I worked or how much initiative I used. Raises were based on longevity, not necessarily merit. Now that I own my own business, I feel like my hard work is rewarded.

In addition, I like the variety. My clients have a diverse range of industries and interests --aviation, insurance, medicine, yoga, even a presentation on the eating habits of koala bears -- so the work is never monotonous, and I learn new things in the process.

Leva: What kind of services do you provide?

Nancy: The services I provide include word processing, transcription, editing, resume writing, minutes. Most of my clients still call it "typing" although I hardly ever use a typewriter anymore.

Leva: I don't have a typewriter anymore. Do you?

Nancy: Yes. I bought it second hand and use it to type applications or make minor changes on documents that are not in electronic form.

Leva: What kind of projects do you work on?

Nancy: I write and distribute newsletters, keyboard and edit books. I transcribe seminars, interviews, and presentations. I write and type résumés. I create and maintain databases.

Leva: What software do you use?

Nancy: I use Microsoft Word for word processing and transcription. I have Excel and MS Works for databases. I occasionally use WordPerfect, as well as a program for digital transcription.

Leva: What equipment do you have?

Nancy: Celeron computer, Canon multi-function (printer, copier, scanner) printer, Panasonic transcription machine for micro-cassettes and Sanyo transcription machine for regular cassettes, Canon facsimile machine, IBM Selectric typewriter, and Sony digital camera for taking pictures for newsletters and press releases. To get started in this business, really, all one needs are a computer and printer. You can add equipment as the need arises.

In fact, when I first started, I didn't even have a proper computer desk with keyboard tray. I placed my computer on my roll-top desk and the keyboard on an ironing board because it was adjustable. What a sight that was!

Don't miss part 2 of the interview with Nancy Gillespie, owner of A+ Business Services in Vista, California.

Nancy has operated A+ Secretarial and Business Services In Vista California for 9 years. She the author of "14 Surefire Tips to Get the Job of Your Dreams," a concise book to assist job hunters. For more information about her secretarial services or her book, call 760-945-666, email nancyjg5@cox.net, or visit www.aplusnancy.com.

Secretarial Services - Easy to read sales materials

Make Your Sales Materials Easy to Read

Easy-to-read, professionally-designed sales materials can maximize your sales. Your promotional materials can include business cards, flyers, postcards, letterhead, sales letters, and web site.

Follow these tips to make your sales materials user friendly and increase sales.

DESIGN

• Use color and spacing to make your brochures and flyers easy to read.
• Dark text on a light background is easy to read.
• Avoid text on dark and busy backgrounds.

WRITING

• Use short paragraphs.
• Break up your sales copy into short, easy-to-read sections and use subheadings to highlight benefits.
• Provide the most important information such as your benefits and USP immediately.
  

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Make it easy to contact you.
• Provide your phone number, email address, and URL (web address).

Make your sales documents easy to read. If you want your prospects to read your sales materials, you have to make them easy to read.

Secretarial Services - Medical billing - is it a scam? part 2

Is medical billing a scam? Part 2.

Medical Billing From Home Is Hot

As long as there are physicians that are not getting fully reimbursed, spending thousands on employees, whose overhead continues to sky-rocket yearly, is having problems recovering their payments from patients or are just starting out and need help setting-up their practices, there will always be a need for an at home medical billing business owner.

It's been that way for years and will continue to be a viable and lucrative field for those that are really interested in this industry, educated about what it takes to be in this field, and are skilled enough to get the job done in a timely and professional fashion.

So before you get started, EDUCATE YOURSELF and you to will be able to reap the rewards of owning a medical/dental billing business from the comforts of your home.

Paul G. Hackett is the President of Stelo Medical Management, Inc. and is dedicated to assisting those interested in the proper ways of getting started, setting up and operating a successful medical billing company from home. His book, "Medical Billing Beginners Book" is the beginner's first line of defense from the scams and misguided advice you find online and off line. You can contact him at stelopm@aol.com for more information. Click here to purchase his book.

Medical Billing Resources

Medical billing beginners book. Paul runs a successful, legitimate medical billing business. He shows how to avoid medical billing scams and educates people about the who, what, where and why of this profitable industry. He shows step-by-step how to start a successful medical billing business from home. This is the only medical billing book I recommend! You must read this before buying software or other products about medical billing. Click here

Medical Billing Certification Program . Comprehensive, affordable online home study. Software and support included.

Click here.

To learn more about the Medical Billing Industry before taking a course, read the Medical Billing Beginners Book below. Click here.

Medical billing home study course. Click here.

Secretarial Service - Increase sales with action words

Use action words in all your marketing materials. A call to action such as "call now," "order now," and "click here" can dramatically increase your sales. Motivate readers to do what you want them to do with action verbs. Give precise instructions. Tell them exactly what to do. Give them a direct order. Add an incentive or benefit to your order.

Here are examples of action words.

Examples of Call to Action

- Pick up your phone right now and call our toll-free number at 1-800-444-1234.
- Order NOW before all copies of this limited edition are taken! 1-800-444-1234.
- Click here to instantly order this course.
- Ten ways to increase your Web sales immediately. Sign up now to get this $29 value free!
- Increase your Web site traffic by 300 percent! Click here to find out how!
- Browse our recommended Web design resources! Click here.
- Recommend this site to your friends!

A "Call to Action" is one of many strategies successful copywriters use. This proven copywriting technique can substantially increase your sales ... so start using action verbs in all your promotional materials!

Secretarial Services - Attract buyers with power words

Power words elicit emotions and create visual pictures in your readers' mind. Here are twenty of the most important words that have proven to attract attention, motivate prospects to buy, and increase sales. Use them in your headlines and copy of your sales materials and web site.

FREE
Free trial offer.
How to generate free online traffic.

YOU
Do you want to get out of the rat race?
Do you want to make serious money?

NEW
New material never before shared in public.

DISCOVER
In this article, you'll discover resources that will help you generate more profits.

AMAZING
Find out how you can start in this amazing home business today!

BREAKTHROUGH
Find out the hottest new Internet marketing breakthroughs.

LATEST
Get the latest techniques to developing your web site.

PROVEN
Three proven ways to get people to open your email.
A proven technique that will generate sales and profits for your web site automatically.

GUARANTEE
Guarantee yourself a top ranking on Google.
Marketing expert reveals powerful marketing strategies guaranteed to increase your profits.
Our system is backed by a 100 percent zero risk guarantee.

MONEY
Seven distinct ways to make money online.
Four key ways to make money with an ezine.

TOP
Top 10 ways to develop a successful web site.
10 top ways to make your web site more effective immediately.

SECRET
10 inside secrets of profitable home businesses.

ACT NOW
If you want to get in on this rare home business opportunity, you need to act now!

CALL NOW / CALL TODAY
Pick up your phone and call now! Go on ... do it right now!

SAVE
The techniques you'll discover in this report can save you a small fortune.
22 ways to save time promoting your web site.

HOW TO
How to attract buyers' attention with compelling headlines.
How to write compelling copy to attract more people to your web site.

EASY
4 easy ways to order.You get an easy-to-follow marketing guide.
7 easy ways to increase sales -- fast.

REVEAL
Free report reveals how to boost traffic and increase your sales on the Internet.
Master marketer reveals seven top ways to make money with your web site.

INSIDER
An insider's guide to top search engine ranking.Insider secrets to your own million dollar Internet business.

SUCCESS
10 marketing tips for online success.A blueprint for your online success.Secrets on how to design a web site for success!

Use these power words when writing headlines and content for your sales materials and web site. They will attract attention and convert more prospects into buyers.

Secretarial Services - Is it easy to buy from you?

If it's not easy for prospects to buy from you, they won't. Use this checklist to find obstacles in your sales materials that will cost sales.

Do you have your contact information on all your sales documents? Is your contact information easy to find?

Do you provide the information your customers need to buy your products or services? This may include:

· Product information.
· Pricelist. (You may not always mention your price. You want to give your prospects a reason to call you)
· What your services can do.
· Who your services are useful to.
· How customers use your services.
· Tips for buying your services (to help prospects make an informed decision).
· Testimonials and customer list.
· Money-back guarantee.
· Answers to frequently-asked questions.

Are you using action words? Are you telling prospect to call you? See our article " Increase Sales with Action Words."

Are you using power words? See our article "Attract Buyers with Power Words."

Payment and Ordering Methods

· Do you provide several payment options?
· Do you accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover?
· Can customers pay by check or money order?

Make it easier to buy from you and you will boost your sales immediately.

Secretarial Services - Marketing

The articles below will help you market a secretarial service or other home business.

• Secretarial Services - Plan your business for profits
  
• Secretarial Services - Show your business cards
  
• Secretarial Services - More about business cards
  
• Secretarial Service - It's your home business
  
• Secretarial Services - Creating readable documents.
  
• Secretarial Services - Stand out from your competition
  
• Secretarial Services - You can start a home-based business
  

Resources

• Freelance work: freelance writing, photography, and more.
  
• If you want freelance work, check out elance.

* * * * * * * *

Michelle has helped many people start their own medical transcription business. She can help you too. Click here for details.

Secretarial Services - Articles

These articles will help you start a secretarial service or other home business.

• Business start-up cost to start a secretarial service business.
  
• Business start-up checklist for secretarial services.
• Equipment needed to run a secretarial service business.
  
• How to choose a name for your secretarial service.
  
• Register your fictitious business name.
  
• Secretarial Services - Plan your business for profits
  
• Secretarial Services - Show your business cards
  
• Secretarial Services - More about business cards
  
• Secretarial Services - Services you can provide.
  
• Secretarial Services - Additional services you can provide
  
• Secretarial Services - Specialized services you can provide
  
• Secretarial services - A little-known market for transcription Work