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” …read more

For years, author Janet Elaine Smith, has promoted her writing business from home due to her late husband’s illness.  Now her time is more flexible, yet she still does a marvelous job of promotion within about a 75-mile radius of her home in a northern Wisconsin small town. 
Janet does some book signings, teaches a few workshops, and gives talks.  Much  of the promotion of her many books consists of getting on her computer and phone.  She has become a well known name in her field of writing mysteries, historical novels, humor and books based on family research.
I was particularly intrigued by a description of one of …read more

Do I have to charge sales tax in my home based business?
The answer is… yes!, says Dr. Jean Murray, former blogger here at Home Biz Notes, who now offers information and advice at Dr. Jean Means Business.  She has given an answer to a question posed by a Home Biz Notes reader concerning whether she needs to collect sales tax when selling items from her home business.
Dr. Jean:  If the products or services you are selling are taxable in your state, you must:
(a) Register as a Seller
(b) Collect the correct amount of sales tax
(c) Report on sales taxes collected, …read more

Questions keep arising concerning sales taxes and home businesses:
Who has to pay them?
Who has to collect them?
How does one pay them?
Where do you find more information about this topic?
Must home businesses become involved in sales tax?
Dr. Jean Murray, former blogger here at Home Biz Notes has written a guest post that will appear, tomorrow, September 11.  Jean has a business and web site, Dr. Jean Means Business, where you might find the answers to some more of your questions.  She also writes about Tax and Business at About.com.
Check tomorrow for Jean’s guest post here at Home Biz Notes.
(Image: sxc.hu)

We have a guest post today from Jean Murray, a former blogger at Home Biz Notes and currently the Small Business blogger at Bizzia.  Jean also has a home business and shares an office with her husband. 
Working with Your Spouse
How would you like to work with your spouse, in the same room?  Every day?  Could you do it? Could you do it at home?
 My husband retired from his job of 27 years last June and he immediately started to work for a small company where he is now able to work much of the time from home.  I semi-retired …read more

Today’s guest post is from Sheryl Schuff, a CPA and home business success coach.  Sheryl writes about making your business with productivity tools. Her post today is about EverNote, which sounds so cool, I’m going to leave you to read this while I go to the Evernote website to try it….
I’m Sure I Wrote That Down…Somewhere. If you’re like most of us, you write yourself notes to remind you of things.  Things to do.  Things to buy.  Things to tell other people.  Things you see on the Internet.  You write these messages on sticky notes and scratch paper.  Maybe you …read more

Today please welcome Kathy Hendershot-Hurd.  Kathy is the owner of VirtualImpax, a marketing and consulting firm, and she’s the author of Beyond the Niche: Essential Tools You Need to Create Marketing Messages that Deliver Results. I recommend Kathy’s book to all my students as the one local marketing book they should need.  Kathy is going to talk today about why you should consider setting up a blog for your home business.
Here’s a thought provoking question for any home based business owner: Why do you want a blog (or a website) for your business?
You’ll notice, I use the terms …read more

Virtual Blog Tours – Moving Beyond Books
Guest Post By Nikki Leigh (Author and Publicist)
Part 2
In Part 1, Nikki began her discussion about virtual blog tours that one can organize for more than books.  Many businesses are beginning to use them.  Nikki also coordinates tours, so has first hand knowledge about this.  [See Part 1 here]
Targeted Approach to Virtual Blog Tours
With this targeted approach, any product or service, can be promoted on the internet and can be promoted through a virtual blog tour. Ask yourself these questions:

Do you use a website, a blog, social networks or any other online option …read more

Virtual Blog Tours -Moving Beyond Books
Guest Post By Nikki Leigh (Author and Publicist)
Part 1
Virtual book tours are gaining popularity with authors who want an alternative to traveling to promote their books.  However, virtual tours are not just for authors. Virtual tours are becoming very prevalent in the real estate industry and offer great ways to show off properties for sale.  [Other businesses use them, too.]
In these tough economic times, people want to find more economical ways to get the word out to the masses about their products and services. More people are using the internet to search and to shop …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Here is the complete roundup of Debbie Yost’s informative 8 part series on running an in home daycare business over the past year.
This is a fabulous resource for any home daycare business startup or beginner.
Read Part 1: It’s Not Just Babysitting – Intro To Running An In Home Daycare Business
Read Part 2: In Home Daycare Business Series – You’re The Boss Of The Parents Too
Read Part 3: In Home Daycare Business Series – Appearances Do Matter
Read Part 4: In Home Daycare Business Series – Find Your Own Niche
Read Part 5: Home Daycare Business Owner Recommends Resources for Home Daycare …read more