At the end of each month, I feature a round-up of my favorite posts or ones that have captured the attention of my readers.  Here are five for October:

Dr. Jean Murray’s “Swipe” File Tip for Marketing Your Business

Are You “Taking Flight” with Your Home Business

Is Your Home Business Safe on Your Cell Phone?

Pets for Branding Your Business

Fun Promotional Tips from Author Janet Elaine Smith

Dr. Jean Murray, whose “swipe” file tips I published recently, has written a post, Keep Your Small Business Going After Surgery,  at Small Business Boomers that may be of interest.  Jean’s small business actually is a home business, so her suggestions on keeping her business going should prove helpful.

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Many of us will encounter illnesses, disabilities, whether short term or long.  Jean’s was knee replacement surgery, and she’s looking at having the second knee done in November.  She should find her own tips helpful in preparing for this next surgery.

If you’ve encountered illness or surgery, how did you manage your business?

I’ve had a challenge keeping track of my business, as well as personal addresses.  When I need to mail a letter, book or package, I often can’t find where I’ve placed the address.

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My husband has addresses organized on the computer so he also can print off labels and evelopes.  But when the computer goes down for some reason, he doesn’t have the addresses accessible.  He does print off address sheets and file them.

I put out a plea for address organization at My Organized Biz and have received some very helpful comments with the address systems others use.  So, by taking advice from my viewers and my husband, I’m gradually coming up with my lists…one for business and another for friends and family.

How do you organize your addresses so they’re readily available and won’t be lost if a computer or electronic gadget goes down?

Irregularity and uncertainty of income is typical of many home businesses.  You project your income and estimate your future sales. 

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 However, often the reality can be much different when you consider:

• economy of the country or your area
• your production ability
• lack of some materials
• your health
• family emergencies
• competition cropping up

What do you do?

• that customers and markets can be uncertain
• plan with the expectation of emergencies, hoping they don’t occur
• try to have a savings back-up
• investigate other items or types of services you can include when necessary
• realize that emergencies and changes do occur
• have another source of income besides your home business

How do you handle irregularities of income in your home business?

Dr. Jean Murray, a home business owner, business consultant and former blogger here at Home Biz Notes, gives us an idea for developing promotional materials.  Here is Dr. Jean’s tip as a guest post. 

As you start thinking about how you will market your business, consider a “swipe” file.  A swipe file is a collection of marketing materials that you collect and save, because you like the look or think they might be a good way to market your practice.

In other words, you “swipe” these ideas from others. I ‘m not saying you will steal someone’s idea, but you can use the “swipe” materials when you talk to advertising people or artists, to give them an idea of what you want your printed marketing materials to look like.

I “swiped” a couple of direct mail pieces that I received to create the new direct mail postcards I will be sending out after the first of the year. Get into the habit of looking at everything you receive, every ad you read, as a possibility for your “swipe” file.

What ideas have served as springboards for your marketing?

I saw mention somewhere about a business whereby an enterpreneur prints your children’s art onto fabric.  Then she will make it into a quilt or hanging for you.  Or you can.

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This is an interesting idea to expand upon for a home business, especially if you’re familiar with printing on fabric using your computer and printer.   There are many types of family photos and art you can print on fabric.  Either the business owner or the family member can use the fabric creatively for:

• Quilts
• Wall hangings
• Tote bags
• Placemats
• Tablecloths
• Dresser scarves
• Clothing, such as skirts and vests
• Pillows

What ideas do you have for creating this type of home business?

While watching a documentary about artist Georgia O’Keeffe, as I  taught an art class today, I was struck by her determination to find her own way, go her own way.  She mentioned she “took hold of most anything I wanted” and essentially went for it.

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Can’t we apply this philosophy to our home business? 

 I found it interesting that after I wrote yesterday’s blog post, Are You “Taking Flight” with Your Home Business, I watched this documentary in class during my substitute teaching work.  It seemed a continuation of that theme I had addressed.

In a way, Georgia O’Keeffe had a home business.   She sketched and painted from her many abodes.  Even when she was teaching, in the early years, Ms. O’Keeffe was working at her art from her home.

Her philosophy need not apply only to art.  Decide what you want to do and go for it, within the bounds of what is possible at this period of your life.  If you can’t accomplish everything now, don’t give up, but continue in your pursuit, as Georgia O’Keeffe did.

Are you “taking flight” and developing the home business of your dreams?  Have you paid attention to an “inner voice” and decided to pursue a dream into a business? 

Ask yourself:

• Am I accomplishing what I’ve always dreamed of doing?

• What would I really like to do with my life?

• Or how would I further develop a business if I already have one?

Then:

• Free write for 15 minutes about your ideal home business.  Or how you’d further develop yours,
• Look at this and develop a step-by-step plan.
• Then take action!

Sometimes we really need to take a look at what we’re doing midst the busyness of everyday and determine if this is the way we want to go.  Sometimes we have to wait awhile before we’re in the air, but we can start planning NOW.

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Generally we think of making scrapbooks to hold family memories and photos.  We even teach classes to help others develop various types of scrapbooks.

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However, you can utilize scrapbooking techniques for business portfolios.  Also, you can assemble these “portfolios”  online, or scan into your computer, for viewing online (at your blog or web site) by potential customers.  I’ve used these techniques for two of my home businesses.

I transformed a photograph album type of scrapbook into a portfolio when I had a quiltmaking/patchwork business.  In it I placed photos and descriptions of items I had for sale or could make on order.  I also included a history of my quiltmaking, with photos of craft shows and displays.

This was before the current scrapbooking era, so I didn’t have many scrapbooking supplies available to accessorize the pages.  However, album was successful in showcasing my work.

Currently I’m compiling a Party Planning scrapbook portfolio for my virtual party planning venture.  This gives pictures of parties planned, ideas for parties, and resources where the customer and I can find the supplies needed.  This portfolio is in conjunction with my party planning blog.

By utilizing scrapbooking techniques, I find the portfolio is more attractive and eye-catching.  It also gives an idea of my creativity.

Have you ever thought of using your scrapbooking/collaging talents in this way to promote your home business?

When producing a product or providing a service in your home business, take a look at the results.  

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Are you doing an adequate job, enough to get by and keep you ”resting on your laurels?”  Or are you striving for excellence in what you provide?

Laura Spencer has written a thought provoking post on this topic at her blog, Writing Thoughts.  In Are You an Adequate Writer or an Excellent Writer, Laura talks about writing (one type of home business).  However, I realized, as I read the post, Laura’s points could be applied to any business and most anything you attempt in life.

Are you putting your best into what you do or are you simply doing enough for adequate results.  Not bad results, but not your best if you gave it “your all.”  Do you strive to learn more and get better even when you’re doing a great job?    Will you stand out in the crowd?  Will you keep your customers satisfied?  Are you exceptional?

What do you think?  How do you rate yourself?  How would your customers rate you?