Posts Tagged ‘small business resources’

Healthcare.gov

If you’re confused about the new Health Care Act, you’re not alone. What does it mean for your business and employees? In an effort to clear up much of the misunderstanding, the White House has created a website dedicated to explaining the ins and outs of the Act and provide updates on its progress. For example, starting in 2011, many preventive service exams, such as annual wellness visits, are free. The site also provides a timeline of when new provisions will be enacted and an interactive tool to find healthcare providers in your area. Sign up to get e-mail updates and you won’t miss a thing.

Helpareporter.com

You’ve got a great business you’re just itching to let people know about, but how do you grab some free publicity without hiring a PR agent? Visit Help a Reporter Out (or HARO for short) and get your business known about in minutes. Here’s how it works: Reporters need subjects and experts to interview for their stories; you need to get the word out about your business and your expertise. Once you sign up, HARO lets you view listings of what reporters are looking for and pitch them on your business’s story. Got a pitch to make about your business or your industry? You can submit those online, too, for reporters to view and consider.

DesksNear.me

If you’re a frequent business traveler and you’re always searching for a desk to call your own when you’re out of town, check out DesksNear.me—there just might be an empty desk with your name on it. Plenty of big companies have empty desks in their offices (with coffee, restrooms, copiers, wireless, etc.) that are sitting empty just taking up space. DesksNear.me lists desks all over the world you can rent for a day if you need more than the local Starbucks. You don’t have to be traveling to use DesksNear.me, either. If you’re a home-based entrepreneur sick of the four walls of your house, working at a desk in an office once in a while might sound pretty inviting.

SethGodin.typepad.com

Everyone can use a little inspiration now and then. Why not let bestselling author and renowned speaker Seth Godin give you his thoughts on a daily basis…for free? Godin, an entrepreneur who’s started dozens of companies, has been called “America’s Greatest Marketer” so he’s got a lot to teach—and a lot to say. Sign up for his daily blog and in a two-minute read you either learn something new or at the very least have something thought-provoking to mull over for the rest of your day. Learn things like why alienating 2 percent of your customers is okay and what exactly the “new laziness” says about your work style.

Lulu.com

If people have told you, “You should write a book about that,” now it’s easier than ever to get it published. Maybe you want to tell the story of how your business got started, or you are somewhat of an expert in your industry. A published book—something tangible you can sell or give away—is a great marketing tool and gives you credibility in your field. Lulu.com makes the process easy and offers you a variety of formats to get the job done. E-books, printed books or even photo books can be made with little effort and Lulu offers bulk pricing if you’re ordering between 250 and 2,500 copies. And if you want to sell your book, Lulu can help with that process, too.