Truth be told, startups and freelancers have a lot in common. By all rights you should have a great working relationship together, given your shared “entrepreneurial spirit” and that common bond of going mile-a-minute and juggling multiple balls simultaneously. However, it’s exactly this crazy environment that can often drive a great client-freelancer relationship right down […]

Although the Internet has drastically changed the face of marketing, savvy business owners can still reach prospects and generate sales through direct mail marketing. In many cases, we’re seeing direct mail marketing as more effective than email or banner ad marketing because there is less competition. Instead of competing with a hundred other emails or […]

When it comes to small businesses, it’s all about wants versus needs. For most, branding tends to be an afterthought, a “nice-to-have” or an “add-on”— like icing on the cake. It’s usually a placeholder, and 9 times out of 10 it is easily forgotten. Definitely not perceived as a need. However, the opportunity it presents […]

Winning a prospect over to your way of thinking can make the difference between earning their business or not. The question is, how to do it without telling them they’re wrong and sending them running. Early in my career I came across a principle that helps me through these difficult situations. Years ago, I met […]

Finding talented interns with the skills to shine at your startup is tough to accomplish and, yet, it’s integral to the success of your company. Do not hire interns strictly in an attempt to obtain free labor — if you are not careful doing so can easily spiral out of control and cause a lot more […]

Our friends at the YEC asked 12 entrepreneurs to share what they look for in a potential advisory board member. Here’s what they shared: Coaching Ability “The best advisors don’t just tell you the answer. They know that they don’t know the answer, and the best way to help is to ask powerful questions that get a […]