Everyone makes mistakes. But, what if you could be given a “heads up” about those mistakes before they happen? While I can’t stand in your office and hold up a sign warning of impending doom, I do have some help this week. My guest in this episode is Nathaniel Stevens, President and Founder of online local lead generator Yodle. His company has compiled what it says are the top five local marketing mistakes that small businesses make. He runs through them one by one for us.

In this week’s BizCast Brief, I have stories about fraud accusations against the SBA, the cost of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and help during the holiday rush.

Also this week … listener feedback!

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:

Listener feedback hotline: (206) 984-0860

Startup BizCast is produced by EndGame PR Podcast Production. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, visit the podcast production page on the EndGame PR website.

Startup BizCastâ€s theme music is “Dangerous Toys” by George Fletcherâ€s Bourbon Renewal. The full version of the song, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Get each episode as itâ€s published: RSS – iTunes – Blubrry – Podcast Alley

SHOW NOTES:

Podcasting, blogging, and social networks are just a few of many new ways to promote your small business that just a few years ago didn’t exist. This week on Startup BizCast I go without a net and without an interview, to discuss small business podcasting. Creating a podcast can be a great way to promote yourself as an expert in your field, and potentially generate links back to your website … one of the main goals of search engine optimization.

In this week’s BizCast Brief, I have stories about a four month drop in small business confidence, Yahoo drops the ball on Cyber Monday, and Intuit expanding its small business offerings.

Don’t forget, I want to hear how YOU are motivating your workers during this time of year when, letâ€s face it, weâ€d all rather be spending time with our families or doing our holiday shopping. Leave me a voice mail and Iâ€ll use it in a December episode! The listener feedback hotline number is (206) 984-0860.

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:

Thanks for listening!

Startup BizCastâ€s theme music is “Dangerous Toys” by George Fletcherâ€s Bourbon Renewal. The full version, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Get each episode as itâ€s published: RSS – iTunes – Blubrry – Podcast Pickle

SHOW NOTES:

Small business owners, myself included, have a bad habit of getting so busy doing the actual work that pays the bills, that we don’t plan for the future. Having a clear business plan is a definite plus for anyone because it gives you a sense of what you’re working toward. My guest this week is Gary Harpst. Gary is the CEO of a business called Six Disciplines, which works with companies to help them develop good fundamental business practices. He’s also written a book called “Six Disciplines for Excellence: Building Small Businesses that Learn, Lead, and Last.” One of those six disciplines is planning, and we’ll talk with him in episode 24 about how to develop a great business plan for your small business.

In BizCast Brief, I have stories about the Fed’s lack of concern about small business loans, the best state for small businesses, and what companies are doing to keep their employees focused during the holidays.

Speaking of that keeping employees focused during the holidays — as I mention in the podcast, I want to hear how YOU are motivating your workers during this time of year when, let’s face it, we’d all rather be spending time with our families or doing our holiday shopping. Leave me a voice mail and I’ll use it in a December episode! The listener feedback hotline number is (206) 984-0860.

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:

Startup BizCast is produced by EndGame PR Podcast Production. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, visit the podcast production page on the EndGame PR website.

Startup BizCastâ€s theme music is “Dangerous Toys” by George Fletcherâ€s Bourbon Renewal. The full version, along with other

Get each episode as itâ€s published: RSS – iTunes – Blubrry – Podcast Pickle

SHOW NOTES:

What’s going to happen to your small business if all of your computer files go “POOF”? With computer storing nearly all of our information these days, it’s more important than ever to have a way to back up your data. On this week’s Startup BizCast, the small business advice podcast that’s shorter than your coffee break, I interview David Friend from Carbonite, a company that provides online data backup solutions. David and I talk about what makes a good backup plan.

On BizCast Brief, I have stories about the NFIB lobbying for healthcare reform, the impact of the Hollywood writer’s strike on small businesses, and new small business offerings from Wachovia.

Links mentioned during this week’s episode:

Listener feedback hotline: (206) 984-0860

Startup BizCast is produced by EndGame PR Podcast Production. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, visit the podcast production page on the EndGame PR website.

Startup BizCastâ€s theme music is “Dangerous Toys” by George Fletcherâ€s Bourbon Renewal. The full version, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Get each episode as itâ€s published: RSS – iTunes – Blubrry – Podcast Alley

SHOW NOTES:

There are a dizzying array of telephone options for small business owners these days, particularly compared to just a few years ago. From traditional phone service, to individual cell phones, to Skype and Voice over IP, it can get confusing. This week on Startup BizCast, the small business advice podcast that’s shorter than your coffee break, we talk about Voice over IP, or VoIP. My guest is Bruce Chatterley, CEO of Speakeasy, a company that’s offering VoIP services for small businesses.

In this week’s BizCast Brief, I have stories about the top home based businesses, concern among small business owners about fraud, and tax help from the IRS for small business owners.

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:

Listener feedback hotline: (206) 984-0860

Startup BizCast is produced by EndGame PR Podcast Production. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, visit the podcast production page on the EndGame PR website.

Startup BizCastâ€s theme music is “Dangerous Toys” by George Fletcherâ€s Bourbon Renewal. The full version, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Get each episode as itâ€s published: RSS – iTunes – Blubrry – Podcast Alley

SHOW NOTES:

First off … Happy Halloween!!!

As you formulate plans to promote your small business, you may consider advertising. Unfortunately the advertising landscape is overcrowded and, sometimes, too expensive. If you’re coming to these conclusions, you might look into alternative forms of advertising. My guest this week is Mike Brown. He founded Handvertising USA, a company with an extremely novel way of advertising. He’s found a way to get people to voluntarily have advertisements stamped on their bodies! Mike and I talk about his company, as well as other forms of alternative advertising and why they are an important consideration for your small business.

In this week’s BizCast Brief, I have stories about the impact of the San Diego wildfires on small businesses, a survey for Britain’s Small Business Week, and a small business guide from Black Enterprise Magazine.

Links mentioned during this week’s episode:

Startup BizCast is produced by EndGame PR Podcast Production. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, visit the podcast production page on the EndGame PR website.

Startup BizCastâ€s theme music is “Dangerous Toys” by George Fletcherâ€s Bourbon Renewal. The full version, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Get each episode as itâ€s published: RSS – iTunes – Blubrry – Podcast Alley

SHOW NOTES:

When you meet someone new and try to describe your small business, do you fumble around? Do you feel like you’re not really impressing them? What you need is a pre-prepared elevator speech. An elevator speech is a short description of your job and/or business. The elevator speech gets its name because it’s so short it could be delivered during an elevator ride. My guest this week, Jan Wallen, is a business mentor and author. She’s written an e-book called “Promote yourself without bragging! Your elevator speech and what to say next…” Jan gives us advice on how elevator speeches can be effective, and how to develop your own.

In this week’s BizCast Brief, I have stories about a survey of rural small business owners, what makes a small business owner tick, and the most profitable small business in Italy!

Also in this episode … listener feedback!

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:

Startup BizCast is produced by EndGame PR Podcast Production. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, visit the podcast production page on the EndGame PR website.

Startup BizCastâ€s theme music is “Dangerous Toys” by George Fletcherâ€s Bourbon Renewal. The full version, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Get each episode as itâ€s published: RSS – iTunes – Blubrry – Podcast Alley

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, we’re talking graphics. A first impression is important in business, and when you have a small business it’s absolutely critical. A great business logo can let people know you have a professional operation. My guest this week is Rob Marsh from Logoworks by HP, a Utah-based graphic design firm that specializes in corporate logos. Rob discusses his company’s affordable system for providing corporate logos to small businesses, how important logos are for small businesses, and how you can use your logo once you have it.

In this week’s BizCast Brief, I have stories about continued problems with an SBA women’s business center program, Intuit’s small business campaign, and FOX Business.

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:

Startup BizCast is produced by EndGame PR Podcast Production. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, visit the podcast production page on the EndGame PR website.

Startup BizCastâ€s theme music is “Dangerous Toys” by George Fletcherâ€s Bourbon Renewal. The full version, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

In this episode of Startup BizCast, the small business advice podcast that’s shorter than your coffee break, it’s time to discuss when you SHOULDN’T start a small business. I give my top five reasons for not making the big leap. Hopefully no one will take this as me being negative. Small business ownership is wonderful … I just don’t think it’s for everyone!

In this week’s BizCast Brief, I have stories on a the latest small business survey, a business uprising in Michigan over a tax increase, and Women in Small Business Month.

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:

Startup BizCast is produced by EndGame PR Podcast Production. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, visit the podcast production page on the EndGame PR website.

Get each episode as itâ€s published: RSS – iTunes – Blubrry – Podcast Alley

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode of the small business podcast that’s shorter than your coffee break, we talk about etiquette. It’s not how to use your silverware or hold a teacup, but rather EMAIL etiquette. With email being used as a primary business communications vehicle, it’s important to know the rules. Ignoring or not knowing those rules can be a big negative, and could lead to loss of potential business.

My interview is with Judith Kallos, who runs the email etiquette website Netmanners.com. She’s also the author of several books, including the e-book “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Business Email Etiquette.” We talk about email etiquette rules and “dos and don’ts” for business email.

In this week’s BizCast Brief, a review of business news from the previous week, I have an update on the quarrel between Congress and the SBA over funding for women’s centers, plus news about a guilty plea in a federal small business loan fraud case and a survey pointing out that small business hiring is down.

Try GotoMyPC free for 30 days! For this special offer, go to www.gotomypc.com/podcast.

Other links mentioned in this week’s episode:

Startup BizCastâ€s theme music is “Dangerous Toys” by George Fletcherâ€s Bourbon Renewal. The full version, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.