Text & LinkedIn

15/15

• Able to send a text message to many phones from the internet, email, and API (not sure what that is.)
• Text messages are not guaranteed to get delivered. Up to 5% are not delivered.
• There are costs that go into sending mass text messages to subscribers. It doesn’t seem like a lot but thinking about paying the fee every month seems like it could add up quickly.
• LinkedIn has a special feature to endorse companies. It adds credibility and shows expertise for a business.
• It can help with relationships because you endorse a business, then they endorse you. It builds connections and gets the businesses name out there.
• I love that these are both good ways to get the business name out there.
• I love that LinkedIn is free and seems like it helps build relationships with followers.
• I loved that sending text messages is relatively easy. 
• I don’t love the price of the text messages (although, I understand they cannot be free.)
• I don’t think I will use either of these things for my business. They don’t seem like they would do me any good for my business.  Text messages would just cost me extra money I don’t feel is necessary.

You Tube & Google+

15/15

• A simple point and shoot video can reach a wide range of audience. It can get a name or business out there quickly if it goes viral. 
• You Tube is the second largest search engine and it is free to use. 
• Ads can be created through You Tube. 
• No real down side. The worst that could happen is no one watches the video created.
• The video should be useful and entertaining.
• Google+ allows the user to share publicly and build followers as people discover and re-share the businesses posts with others around the world. 
• I love that both are free (excepts ads).
• I love the option of live video feed.
• I love that both social networking sites get many, many hits a day. Therefore, having access to tons of people.
• The things I read and watched will help me create interaction with the people following my business. 

Twitter

15/15

• The user does not have to tweet at all to get access to all the information out there. 
• Twitter has the ability to connect businesses with customers in real time.
• Businesses can use Twitter to quickly share information with people interested in their products and services, get feedback, and build relationships with customers.
• Twitter is used by nearly every country in the world so the audience the business can reach is huge. 
• It is easily accessible with the use of smart phones. 
• Users are now able to post a header/picture at the top of their page. It helps people understand what your business is all about. 
• When customers choose to follow certain businesses, the business can use it as an opportunity to "inform, educate, and endear."
• Twitter says that it has become a place for people to complain about products and businesses. They say if that business isn't available to reply back, it can really hurt that business. 
• Mark Schaefer says it is not a good idea sell, sell, sell. People will tune you out. His advice is to be patient and be consistent in building an engaged audience that’s interested in you. So when you have an event, they won’t be surprised and will support you. If you naturally interact and inform, then people will be attracted to you.
• I love that it seems really easy to use. 
• I love that you don't have to tweet yourself to stay connected with those who interest you.
• I love that it is easily accessible on my iphone. 
• This will help business because if people get to know me as the business owner and have a genuine interest in what is going on with the business and with my life, they will want to support my business. 

Instagram

15/15

- The video talked about how there are over 40 million instagram users world wide. 

- Instagram can help support a business by showing followers your products, showing how your product is made, going behind the scene and making followers feel included and important, show what your products can do, give sneak peeks of future products or exciting news, show them personal office space so again they feel like they know you as a business owner on a more personal level, and introduce employees, etc. 

- Instagram is now on the web so it doesn't require a smart phone to access. Which makes it more available. 

- Instagram can help the business reach a new audience, get the followers to care and engaged in your business, in return for following you can reward them with promo codes and deals which makes them want to come back for more, and create more interest in your business. 

- I love that there is an endless amount of people the business can try to connect with. 

- I love that it is free. It is free advertisement and interaction with customers/followers.  

- I love that it is accessible on the web rather than just smart phones. 

- I love that it is simple and easy to use. 

I already have a personal instagram and never really thought this would be a good thing for a business but these websites have given really good new ideas on how to use instagram for a business. I plan on setting one up for my business.      

 

 

Social Media Engagement – Facebook

15/15

• It is important to make the Facebook page have a nice presence with regular updates.
• It is important to create fan engagement. Regular comments from readers a good indicator of a successful page.
• It is important to get personal with your followers (family photos, etc).
• It is important to involve fans and value their opinions and input.  
• It is a good idea to be very visual. The website said to always post a photo with each status update.  
• It is always a good idea to measure results of how many sales are coming from each social media site so that you as the owner know what to focus on and work on.
• To keep readers interested, keep status updates short (about 100 words max.).
• Post at ideal times for readers (data shows between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm is best).
• It is a good idea to ask followers questions to get to know them and understand what they are interested in most.

I loved the data that shows the best time for status updates.
I loved idea of posting personal photos and (some) info. so that readers can learn more about you. (It seemed scary to me to post that kind of info.)

• These websites gave really good information that seem like they will help create a successful business facebook page.   

Forms, Fee's & Applications

15/15

I completed the business wizard as best I could. It told me that for my business the only things required would be a sales tax permit and that I should check with local authorities to see if I need a local license or permit. I then looked on the sales tax website and since I don't have an actual physical address, I should not be required to collect sales tax for sales in that state (Idaho). 

1. I loved that I only have one application to fill out. 

2. I loved that as far as I saw, there was no fee's needing to be paid.

3. I love that it seems like creating my business will be simple. And that's exactly how I want it. 

These things I read and filled out will of course help in making sure this business is created legally. Since I have my dad to talk to I should pretty well have my bases covered but these websites are really helpful.  

Legal Structure & DBAs

15/15

I looked through the assigned website then decided to ask my dad (who is an attorney) which structure he thought would be best for my business. Since I have just decided to open a small design business, he told me it would be best to do a sole proprietorship. He thought it would be best because I don't/won't have a partner, and there isn't anything I could get sued for. Although a sole proprietorship is simple, I think it is all I need for my simple business. 

- I loved that there is no paperwork to fill out with a sole proprietorship. 
- I loved that I will be a sole owner and can make all the decisions in regard to the business. 
- I loved that I wont have to file separate taxes. (This will be a good thing until/if my business grows.) 

This assignment has helped because now I know what is best for my business. I know now that I don't have to fill out paperwork, pay fees, etc. 
I also realize how convient it is to have an attorney for a dad. I feel like the advice he can give me is better than anything I could ever read.