IMU Social Media -Apex NC provides fresh content, marketing and strategy for small and micro business on Facebook, Twitter …
The post IMUSM and Your Small Business appeared first on IMU Social Media.
Proper Use Of QR Codes for Small Business
February 23, 2013 by
Am I supposed to drive with my knees so I can scan this QR Code at 65 mph?
Just putting a QR code on printed material may look cool but sometimes is not very useful.
Several key things I recommend with QR codes are:
-First, make sure the place you are sending them is well worth them taking their smartphone out, finding their barcode scanner or QR codes app, then lining up their phone to scan the code and trusting you will take them to a useful place.
- Next, make sure you are telling them where they will be taken on their phone or tablet when they scan the code.
- Last, make sure the place you are sending them is mobile friendly. That means you don’t have to expand the page to see it. What’s nice with YouTube, if it’s set up right, is that it’s mobile-ready for all platforms.
Below is an example of a nice flyer but the QR code does not tell me where I am going or why I should scan the code. Next you will see how the QR code took me to a not mobile-friendly site. It is a very nice website but not easy to use on my smart phone.
I don’t know where the QR code is taking me? It goes to a website that is hard to read on my smart phone, see next picture.
Nice website but hard to see on my smart phone. This is where the QR code took me.
Learn more about Martin Brossman the author at: http://ProNetworkingOnLine.com and sign up for once a month business tips at http://bit.ly/martinsemaillist.
Also connect to Martin on Facebook at: http://facebook.com/martinwbrossman – (919) 847-4757
Read More http://pronetworkingonline.com/proper-use-of-qr-codes-for-small-business/
Professional Business Networking On and Off the Web
QR Codes for Small Business
November 17, 2012 by
Just putting a QR code on printed material may look cool but sometimes is not very useful.
Several key things I recommend with QR codes are:
-First, make sure the place you are sending them is well worth them taking their smartphone out, finding their barcode scanner or QR codes app, then lining up their phone to scan the code and trusting you will take them to a useful place.
- Next, make sure you are telling them where they will be taken on their phone or tablet when they scan the code.
- Last, make sure the place you are sending them is mobile friendly. That means you don’t have to expand the page to see it. What’s nice with YouTube, if it’s set up right, is that it’s mobile-ready for all platforms.
Below is an example of a nice flyer but the QR code does not tell me where I am going or why I should scan the code. Next you will see how the QR code took me to a not mobile-friendly site. It is a very nice website but not easy to use on my smart phone.
Learn more about Martin Brossman the author at: http://ProNetworkingOnLine.com and sign up for the once-a-month business tips at http://bit.ly/martinsemaillist.
Also connect to Martin on Facebook at: http://facebook.com/martinwbrossman – (919) 847-4757
6 Stats on Why Small Business Owners Need Paycheck Protection AKA Disability Insurance
November 14, 2012 by
As a health, life, and disability insurance agent covering Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding areas, I meet regularly with small business owners. Many of these small business owners do not own disability insurance. Here are some stats from the Council of Disability Awareness:
1. Over 36 million Americans are classified as disabled; about 12% of the total population. More than 50% of those disabled Americans are in their working years, from 18-64.
2. The average long-term disability claim duration is 31.2 months.
3. One in eight workers will be disabled for five years or more during their working careers.
4. Medical problems contributed to 62% of all personal bankruptcies filed in the U.S. in 2007, a 49.6% increase over results from a similar 2001 study.
5. The average SSDI monthly benefit payment was $ 1,190 for males, and $ 928 for females.
6. Less than 5% of disabling accidents and illnesses are work related. The other 95% are not, meaning Workers’ Compensation doesn’t cover them.
To my small business owner friends: Can you afford to go 31.2 months without a paycheck? Can you support yourself and your family on about $ 1000 a month? If the answer is no to either of these questions, please talk to me about disability insurance. Its not as expensive as you might think and there’s even a disability plan which will refund all your premiums if you don’t use it. Your ability to earn an income is your largest asset – make sure its insured.
Please call me at 919-943-5577, e-mail me at nancy@healthinsuranceraleighnc.com, or visit my site at www.healthinsuranceraleighnc.com.
Health Care Reform – What Will It Mean to Small Business Owners?
November 10, 2012 by
As a health, life, and disability insurance agent in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina, I am often asked about different components of health care reform and its impact. Its a complicated subject. Some of the components of health care reform have already been implemented, such as well care covered at 100% and covering preexisting conditions for children (both of these items resulted in higher insurance premiums). A good deal of the more controversial components are slated to begin January, 2014.
A few of the big changes to begin in 2014 include covering preexisting conditions for adults with the premiums the same as that of “healthy” adults, lower deductibles, and standardizing the health plans. Carriers will have a Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze plan. Notice that the names are all expensive precious metals…. Most of the people I have spoken with in the insurance industry are of the opinion that this will drive the cost of insurance premiums up as their names would suggest.
Many small business owners have recognized the cost savings of having a higher deductible plan such as an HSA – those high deductibles will be eliminated. In my opinion, that alone will have a large impact on the pricing of premiums. We already saw a significant increase in premiums with the implemented changes.
A fear is that this will end up reversing the desired effect – many small business owners and individuals will be priced out of the health insurance market. Yes, there will be subsidies for those that are near the poverty level. However, millions of self employed and micro business owners that are successfully able to support their families and don’t need government assistance may find it difficult to afford their new monthly premiums come January 2014.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has done a great job putting together information on health care reform that you can visit. From there you can also go to links to government sites on health care reform.
www.nchealthreform.com
If you would like information on health, life, or disability insurance please call me at 919-943-5577, e-mail me at nancy@healthinsuranceraleighnc.com, or visit my website at www.healthinsuranceraleighnc.com.
Small Business Insight of the Triangle – Article of the Week
February 7, 2012 by
Each week I like to feature one of the articles in Small Business Insight of the Triangle. It is an opportunity for us as micro-business owners to learn from the small business owners featured in the magazine.
This week, the featured article is “Going Small to Better Serve Clients”. The articles shares how Frank DeGeorge, the President of the Maven Group pursued the success his company currently enjoys.
Feel free to read any and all of the other articles in Small Business Insights of the Triangle. They share the collective experience and wisdom of many of the successful small business owners in the Triangle area.
____
Small Business Insight of the Triangle is a regularly published online magazine focused on celebrating the success and impact of small businesses on our community. If you would like to receive copies of the new articles via email as they are published, you can Subscribe at the Small Business Insight of the Triangle website.
Bill Davis’s Posts – The 919 Business Network – Local Business Networking
Forbes: Raleigh 1 Small Business for Every 49 Residents
January 12, 2012 by
I saw this article this morning from Forbes Magazine and was encouraged by additional recognition of the amazing assets that Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill area offer people of all ages, in this article, specifically Young Adults.
Interestingly, one of the statistics that I found interesting that there is 1 Small Business for Every 49 residents in Raleigh. That is A LOT of small businesses!
I have personally seen an increase in real estate activity in the past few months and this articles shares some of the reasons why.
Forbes Magazine – Raleigh #2 City Young Adults
2. Raleigh, N.C.
- M.S.A.: Raleigh-Cary, N.C. Average Annual Job Growth (2010-2012):
- 2% Median salary: $ 51,500
- Cost-of-living index (U.S. average is 100): 104.4
- Percent of pop. with college degrees: 42.2%
- 1 small business for every 49 residents
- 1 large business for every 770 residents
- Unemployment rate: 7.9%
- The college town has one of the best job growth projections of any city we assessed and the 16th best average salary for young professionals, exceeded only by markedly more expensive cities.
What are your thoughts? Do you think the Raleigh area should have been rated this high? I do, and am very pleased with the opportunities it offers to Buyers , Sellers and small business owners.
Small Business Insight of the Triangle – Newest Issue Now Available!!!
January 11, 2012 by
The newest issue of Small Business Insight of the Triangle is now available. Take a few minutes and read some the the articles on the small businesses providing leadership in the Triangle.
Feature Articles
- Growing From One Generation to the Next
- Research & Development with Some Out of the Box Thinking
- A More Efficient Marketplace for Learning
- Going Small to Better Serve Clients
- Filling a Great Public Need with a Private Practice Model
- Focusing on the “Best People” to Create a Great Company
Bill Davis’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals
