How Do I Sell Other People's Ebooks From My Ebay About Me Page? By: Tim-Knox | - Q: My question is in two parts. I am a self-taught PC user and small business owner, who would love for it to grow. I read everything I can get my hands on to make that happen. Recently, I came across an article that said, "If you put this ebook on your eBay About Me page you can make some money that way!"
How Do I Let Customers Download My Ebook After They Purchase? By: Tim-Knox | - Q: Hi Tim, I have an idea for an ebook that I think would sell very well. The problem is that I do not know how to electronically deliver an ebook. In other words, I want to give the purchaser instant access once the purchase is complete. Can you tell me a place to start? Submitted by Garry D.
A: Garry, the best way to deliver an ebook is to convert the master ebook file to portable document format (PDF) so your customers can download the file from a web server and read it on PC a ... Tags:eBook, Customers, Download, software, web server, Tim Knox, Small business
Boy, What Were You Thinking? By: Tim-Knox | - When I was a kid there were five words I heard more than all others combined. Usually coming from my father, they were, "Boy, what were you thinking?"
Those words would typically come after he caught me doing something I shouldnt be or more often, after talking my younger brother into doing something really stupid that could have - but never did - end in his demise.
Be Careful What You Wish For By: Tim-Knox | - Well, my friends, like the Terminator, politicians named Clinton, the ghosts from the movie Poltergeist, and that corn on the side of your big toe: Im back. There are just some things that wont go away. Sorry.
Im sure many of you have been wondering why Ive been absent from these hallowed pages for a number of months, just as Im sure many of you are now reading this and thinking, "Who is this idiot and what have they done with Harvey MacKay?"
Like Books, Entrepreneurs Are Always Judged By Their Covers By: Tim-Knox | - Raise your hand if you've heard these snippets of wisdom before: you should always dress for success; you only get one chance to make a first impression; and of course the ever-popular: you can't judge a book by its cover.
These old analogies came to mind recently when Megan Williams, North Alabama Director of Business Network International (BNI) was a guest on my radio show and shared the story of how she made the successful transition from worker bee to entrepreneur (you can hea ... Tags:credibility, enterpreneurs, professional, judgmental world, small business, Tim Knox
Are You Willing To Do Whatever It Takes To Succeed In Business? By: Tim-Knox | - Ladies and gentleman, meet Mo, Larry, and Curly Entrepreneur. These fine fellows are here today to help answer the age old question: Why do some entrepreneurs achieve stellar success while others achieve only moderate success while still others fail in business miserably?
To level the playing field let's pretend that each of our wily entrepreneurs all started their businesses on the exact same day, selling the exact same product at the exact same price. Let's also pretend that t ... Tags:business, small business, patience, entrepreneurs, success, day job, hard work, Tim Knox
Without Market Research You Could Find Yourself Fishing In An Empty Pond By: Tim-Knox | - I've never been much of a fisherman. Sitting in a small boat for hours watching a red and white bobber float atop the water holds about as much interest for me as watching paint dry. My old man, on the other hand, would have rather fished than breathe. In fact, his favorite Bible quote was: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll sit in the boat and drink beer with you for life. Needless to say, my old man wasn't much of a Bible scholar, but he was one h ... Tags:Small business, entrepreneurs, customer needs, product, service, market research, Tim Knox, success
Operator Error Is Why Most Businesses Fail By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I am thinking about starting my own business, but statistics show that most new businesses fail. Why do you think most businesses fail?
A: This is the column that probably gets me kicked out of the entrepreneurial chapter of the Priory of Scion. I look silly in those long robes anyway, so here goes.
A thousand apologies to my entrepreneurial brothers and sisters, but. I think the more important question is: do businesses fail or does the entrepreneur in charge ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
The Business Failed, But Did You? By: Tim-Knox | - Q: After years of dreaming about starting my own business, I finally took the plunge a little over a year ago. To say the least, my dream quickly became a nightmare. The business didn't do nearly as well as I had hoped. I ran out of money within six months and had to take out a second mortgage on my house just to keep things going. I have now closed the business and am left with a pile of bills that will probably put me in personal bankruptcy. I don't mean to take it out on you, but instead of t ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
Swot Analysis Is No Magic 8 Ball By: Tim-Knox | - Q: A key investor in my business has suggested that I hire a consultant to do a SWOT Analysis to help plan for the future. I try not to argue with my investors, but I'm not so sure I need to have this done. What do you think?
-- Laurie B.
A: Laurie, before you call in the SWOT team to deal with this investor (sorry, couldn't resist that one), let me tell you exactly what a SWOT Analysis is and how it can not only help you plan for the future, but get a gauge of how your bus ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
Beware Of Spam Withdrawals By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I am so sick of all the spam that is sent to my business email address. I spend an hour every morning just trying to sort out the good email from the bad. I know I could just delete it all, but I'm afraid I'll accidentally delete email that might be important to my business. Short of unplugging my computer, what's the best solution for dealing with spam?
Choosing A Business That's Right For You By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I really want to start my own business, but I have no idea what business would be best suited for me. I'm also eager to get started, but I don't want to pick the wrong business just because I'm impatient. How should I go about deciding what business would be best for me?
-- Samuel J.
A: Before I answer your question, Samuel, I want you to reach around and pat yourself on the back for not letting your eagerness push you into making a wrong decision. All too often we entr ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
Business Lessons Learned At The Mall By: Tim-Knox | - Normally in this column I dispense highly-intelligent small business advice in response to thought-provoking questions submitted by future and fellow entrepreneurs. This week, however, I have a couple of questions for myself, one of which makes me wonder how truly intelligent I really am.
Q: Dear Me, I recently took my teenage daughter shopping at the mall. The experience raised two questions. (1) What business lessons might be learned from such a foray into teen commerce; and (2) ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
Achievements Outweigh Education And Experience By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I started my business about a year ago and everything is going fine. We're growing and making a profit, but the stress of running the business is really starting to get to me. I spend more time worrying than working. Sometimes the pressure is almost more than I can take. I'm starting to think that I'm not cut out to run my own business. Do you have any advice that might help me decide what to do?
-- Steven S.
If It Was Easy Everybody Would Do It By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I started my business about a year ago and everything is going fine. We're growing and making a profit, but the stress of running the business is really starting to get to me. I spend more time worrying than working. Sometimes the pressure is almost more than I can take. I'm starting to think that I'm not cut out to run my own business. Do you have any advice that might help me decide what to do?
-- Steven S.
Sba's 8(a) Program Can Help Some Companies Compete By: Tim-Knox | - Q: A friend told me that as a woman of Native American descent I might be eligible for a special SBA program that will help me start a small business. He said I could compete for government contracts through this program. Can you tell me what SBA program he's referring to?
-- Clara P.
A: Your friend is probably referring to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program. The 8(a) Program (named after the section of the Small Business Act fr ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
Starting Your Business By The Book By: Tim-Knox | - I've gotten several questions recently about the legalities of starting a business. So, this week I thought I would address a few of the more common legal issues most new businesses face. But first, let's get the mandatory legal disclaimer out of the way: the advice dispensed by this columnist is probably no better or worse than the advice dispensed by other columnists. Do not take the following advice as gospel or bet the future of your business on any advice given herein by said columnist. Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
The Joy And Hazards Of Finding Your First Office By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I have outgrown my home office and need to find office space for me and two part time employees. I am really excited about opening my first official office, but never having rented commercial space before I don't know anything about how this process works. What are some things I should consider before signing a lease? I'm really eager to get started!
-- Jay P.
Writing The Book On Great Customer Service By: Tim-Knox | - Q: One of the big chain bookstores recently opened up near my small book store. Already I can see my business starting to decline. Is there anything I can do to compete with the bigger store or should I just accept the inevitable?
-- Peter Q.
A: A wise man once said, "The inevitable is never a sure thing."
Is Selling On Ebay Just A Hobby Or A Real Business? By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I made extra money selling things on eBay last year. These were items I picked up at yardsales mostly. My husband says I am responsible for paying income tax on the money I made, but I disagree. This is just my hobby, not a business. What do you think?
-- Gladys A.
A: With so many people selling on eBay these days this is a question I get all the time. To many eBay sellers the thought of running an actual business is about as appealing as getting negative feedback, so t ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
Does Your Website Induce Seizures? By: Tim-Knox | - Q: We promote our web site in all our ad campaigns, but according to my website statistics program, we are getting very few visitors who click past the first page. The site has a cool Flash intro page that the designer said would impress visitors, but it doesn't seem to be working. What can we do to get people to spend more time on the site?
-- Christopher O.
Investing In Son's Business Could Cause A Real Family Feud By: Tim-Knox | - Q: My youngest son wants to borrow $5,000 to start his own business. My wife is afraid to tell him no. She thinks we should just give him the money and not expect anything in return. I disagree. He doesn't have a very good track record with money, so I'm a little worried that my investment will be lost. Should I loan him the money and hope for the best or just tell him no and hope he doesn't get too upset?
Perceived Value Is In The Eye Of The Beholder By: Tim-Knox | - Q: My partner and I are having a hard time coming up with what we feel is the perfect price for our new product. We know what competing products sell for, but we don't know if it's better to price our product cheaper than theirs or charge more based on what we think is a superior product. What is the best way to determine the perfect price and what is the rule of thumb for raising prices later on?
-- Jennifer L.
The Business Autopsy: A Fact Of Life By: Tim-Knox | - Last week we discussed the importance of performing an autopsy on a dead business. No, I haven't been watching too many of those wonderfully graphic, TV forensic investigation shows. The reason I recommend you do a business autopsy is to uncover the exact reasons why the business died. This is valuable information that can not only heal feelings of personal failure, but also better prepare you for the pitfalls of business should you ever take the plunge again.
A: Shame on you, Norris. There is no such thing as a dumb business question. OK, that's not exactly true. There are dumb business questions and I do get quite a few of them. Not through this column, of course. People intelligent enough to actually use a computer and surf the World Wide Web would never submit dumb questions now, would they. OK, that's a lie, too. I've gotten a few head ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
When It Comes To An Office Lease, It's All Fine Print By: Tim-Knox | - Last week we looked at a few of the things you should consider before leasing that first office or storefront for your business. To recap, you should not only consider the old standard "location, location, location," but also consider things like sufficient parking, the number of employees who will be working onsite, and future growth projections. I stressed that it was important not to get caught up in the moment. You should take your time to find the space best suited for your business for the ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
How To Handle Customer Billing Snafus By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I just discovered that for the past six months I have been billing a client half of what I should have been. Should I just include the total of the past due balance on his next bill or contact him first to let him know that it's coming? This client has been difficult in the past, so I'd rather not deal with him until I absolutely have to. My partner, on the other hand, thinks we should call the client and let him know what's going on before sending the bill. What do you think?
-- Louis ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
The Secrets Of Starting A Successful Ebay Business By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I hear so much about people who started selling on eBay and eventually turned it into their full time business. Is it really possible to build a profitable business just selling junk on eBay?
-- Alex K.
A: If Fred Sanford were alive today, Alex, I'm sure he'd be earning his ripple money by selling quality junk on eBay. While it's also true that one man's junk is another man's treasure (I have a garage full of treasure to prove this point), your chances of building a pro ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
An E-course is the modern day equivalent of the old correspondence course concept. The difference is that instead of taking the course by mail, you do it online or by email.
E-courses are one of the best ways to continue your education, especially if you are interested in making money online.
Credit Cards, Merchant Accounts, And Your Bottomline By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I'm opening a gift shop and want to be able to accept credit cards. I talked to the branch manager at my bank, but he didn't seem to know much about how it all worked. He did say that I would need something called "a merchant account" and something else called "a credit card processor." Beyond that he seemed as clueless as I am. I'm thinking about going to another bank. Can you explain how that all works?
-- Mary Ann G.
Do You Pay Taxes On Ebay Income? By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I read your last column about paying income tax on eBay sales if you are doing it as a business, but as someone who only sells on eBay occasionally I'm still confused if the IRS rules apply to me. Can you tell me more?
-- Norman L.
A: Last week's column on whether you were required to report income earned from eBay sales to the IRS sparked a number of additional questions and comments from eBay sellers who were hoping that I could somehow validate that their eBay activi ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
Is Your Website Credit Card Friendly? By: Tim-Knox | - In my last column I discussed the process of credit card enabling your brick-and-mortar business. I pointed out that research has shown that accepting credit cards can help increase revenue and enhance cash flow. I also pointed out that you may have to look beyond your local bank for help in getting things set up. This week we will look at setting up an online payment system for your business website. If you think hooking up a brick-and-mortar location with a credit card system stymies most bank ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
Build A High Profit Business With Online Affiliate Programs By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I am considering starting an ebusiness using affiliate programs, but there is so much hype out there I can't figure out which programs would work best for me. Everybody claims their program is best. I'd really appreciate some guidance here.
A: Affiliate programs can be an excellent way to start an ebusiness. Before we dive into the specifics, let me explain how an affiliate program works.
Cut Start-up Costs By Using A Dropshipper By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I'm starting an online specialty shop that sells gifts and home accessories. I want to be able to have items dropshipped to customers through my site. I already have a Web site and a domain reserved, but I don't have a lot of money to get this going. Can you offer any insight?
A: Setting up relationships with companies who will ship merchandise directly to your customers for you-- dropshippers, as they're called
--are an excellent way to start your e-business and, if d ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
Veteran Entrepreneurs Are Growing In Ranks By: Tim-Knox | - Q: I own a small decorating business and I'll be the first to admit that I don't know anything about taxes or retirement plans. I'd like to set up a 401(k) or an IRA or some other kind of retirement plan for me and my three employees. What are the various retirement plan options available for a small business owner and in your opinion, which would work best for me?
-- Wanda S.
An Entrepreneur And A Life To Be Remembered By: Tim-Knox | - I was reminded of my own mortality today. I guess you can say I had a near death experience, though the death I experienced was not my own.
No, I was never in any danger, nor was my life ever threatened. In fact, I was sitting in the air conditioned comfort of my home office sipping a nice cup of coffee and watching the dogs run around the yard when the moment came.
The sun was shining. The birds were chirping. Life was going along just fine.
How To Boost Your Bottom Line With Just Two Little Words By: Tim-Knox | - I hate to sound like one of those cheesy get-rich-quick commercials, but this week I am going to let you in on a little secret that is so powerful that it will immediately change the way you do business.
In fact, this little secret is so powerful that you will be amazed at its immediate effect on you, your employees, and your bottom line. This little secret is guaranteed to improve your relationship with current customers and if used wisely, can get you lots of new customers with ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
What Makes A Good Leader? Ask Uncle Sam By: Tim-Knox | - What do the major generals who are leading the war efforts in Iraq have in common with executives and entrepreneurs who are conducting business back home? When it comes to eadership, the answer is probably a lot more than you think.
In a recent study conducted by the Army War College, subordinates of the major generals who are leading the war efforts in Iraq were asked to rate the performance of their superiors.
Phishing has a much more sinister connotation. The official Webopedia definition of "phishing" is as follows: The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to vi ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
The 8 Things You Must Know To Build A Great Website By: Tim-Knox | - Last week we talked about how a bad website can do your business more harm than good. That column brought several emails asking what is the key to building an effective business website. I replied with the same answer I always give: building an effective business website is a simple matter of definition.
Before the first graphic is drawn or the first line of code is written, you must define the website's budget, purpose, target audience, design, navigation, and content. And when ... Tags:success, hardwork, small business, experience, business, email, e-mail, policy, professional, impression, contract, money, Tim Knox
What's Your Company's Email Policy? By: Tim-Knox | - Does your company have an email policy? Did you even know there was such a thing? Well, there is, and if your company doesn't have one you are not only risking the professional image of your firm, but also risking potential liability issues that may arise from the misuse of your company email system.
Having a published email policy accomplishes three objectives.
When Great Minds Meet By: Tim-Knox | - As a native son, I know that it doesn't take much to get the average Alabamian excited. Double coupon day at Kroger will do it; the opening of a Super Wal-Mart; an Elvis sighting; a batch of Georgia lottery tickets smuggled in by a coworker and sold at cost. But I was amazed at the reception Microsoft CEO Bill Gates got when he came to Alabama last week. You'd have thought Oprah was on trial here for badmouthing grits, the way people were carrying on. One particularly- impressed fellow gushed, " ... Tags:Microsoft, Bill Gates, public libraries, humor, Tim Knox, southern humor, family humor
What's My Mama Gonna Say? By: Tim-Knox | - I know you're going to find this hard to believe, but I, Tim Knox, noted humanitarian, former Eagle Scout, and lover of mankind the world over, am a sexist pig.
Sorry, mama. I had no idea.
I came to this startling realization after an angry female reader sent an equally angry email complaining that my recent column on the Miss America Pageant had missed the politically correct bull's eye by about a mile and a half.
The Unsinkable Tim Knox By: Tim-Knox | - Anyone out there old enough to remember 'The Omega Man,' the 1971 film starring Charlton Heston as Colonel Robert Neville, the last "normal" man on earth? You remember, everyone else on the planet had been turned into deranged albino-mutants by some kind of deadly moon radiation. It was based on a true story, I think.
Anyway, the deranged albino-mutants were always chasing Col. Neville because he refused to conform to their ways. They made his life a living heck (as if being the ... Tags:Titanic, movie, Oscars, humor, Tim Knox, southern humor, family humor
The Tax Man Cometh By: Tim-Knox | - Someone once said that there are only two things in life that are certain: death and taxes. I would argue that death and taxes are really one and the same, the only difference being that death can only claim you once, while taxes can kill you every year.
I die a slow death every April 15th. I'd rather go on a one-way tour of the wreckage of the Titanic in a minisub that has a slow leak than do my taxes. Even if my mother-in-law was at the wheel and my rear end was on fire, I'd st ... Tags:tax, cheating, IRA, humor, Tim Knox, southern humor, family humor
The Smarter White Meat By: Tim-Knox | - I know you're probably going to find this hard to believe, especially those of you who write in every week seeking my advice on life's really tough problems (Note to Marvin in Mobile: Yes, no, ask your doctor, I think that's illegal in ALL 50 states, and no, not with a ten-foot pole), but I, Tim Knox, never went to college. To those of you who write in every week complaining that my frequent use of words like "y'all, yonder and ain't," is an affront to the English language and that I give southe ... Tags:college, school, invention, graduate, humor, Tim Knox, southern humor, family humor
Show Me The Money By: Tim-Knox | - As the stock market was experiencing its biggest one day drop ever last week, and as many investors watched their portfolios shrivel, I realized two very important things. One, there's nothing sadder than a shriveling portfolio, and two, the stock market could crash like a circus fat lady falling over a lawn chair and it wouldn't affect me in the least. I own no stocks. All my money's tied up in bills. You know, electric bill, phone bill, Visa bill, etc.
I Love You, You Love Me By: Tim-Knox | - Why is it that every time I go to the grocery store I get in line behind this rather large woman with four small kids and two buggies of groceries and a clenched fistful of coupons? And why is it that half of the things she's buying require a price check? This happens to me all the time and I swear it's always the same woman. I just thank God that the grocery store had the foresight to put all the tabloids there for me to read while I'm waiting. I guess I should thank that woman, too. If it wasn ... Tags:Barney, trash, suing, humor, Tim Knox, southern humor, family humor
Beanie Babies Anonymous By: Tim-Knox | - A wise man once said, "If you ignore something long enough, eventually it will go away." Actually, he said it several times, but nobody listened so he left.
That old saw is one reason I've never done a column on Beanie Babies. I thought that if I could just resist the urge to poke fun and ignore their existence long enough, they would eventually go the way of Cabbage Patch Dolls and Tickle Me Elmos. Of course, ignoring them didn't work and I should have known better. I've been ig ... Tags:Beanie Babies, humor, Tim Knox, Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, southern humor, family humor
6 Ways To Fund Your New Business By: Tim Knox | - Im often asked: what is the best way to finance a new business venture. This question is usually followed by "So, do you ever invest in new business ventures?"
The answers, respectively, are: 1. there is no "best" way to fund a new business; and 2. I do invest in new business ventures, but darn it I cant today because I left my checkbook in my other suit.
