Soon to Come!

I just recently started my business back up, and as all of you know, our world has been changing rapidly, particularly since Covid-19 hit. Keep in mind that many of my blogs are outdated, so take them with a grain of salt. Some of the small businesses no longer exist, and some of my timely advice concerning social media and SEO is no longer as current or relevant as it was when I originally wrote it.

With all of that in mind, expect new material very soon. I am going to update the portfolio and Idahoswamprat a bit first, and then new blogs will follow.

I thank you for your support in my business endeavor. Should you need any assistance with editing or writing, do not hesitate to call me at (208) 391-5065, and, in the meantime, enjoy the new material as it comes out.

Have a Website, or Thinking About One?

When first starting out, businesses have a lot to consider, and a big one is whether or not to have a business website. These days, the answer, more than not, is a resounding YES. How else is your business going to make it to #1 on Google? It’s not without professional SEO web writing. If that is true in your case, the next question is how to go about it. When it comes to building a website, there are so many options that it’ll make your head spin.

Money is a major concern to most businesses when they are first starting out, so should you go with a free, build-it-yourself website, or should you hire a trained web master to help you create a professional website? What are the differences, you might ask.

There are many places you can get a free website, but I’ll mention just two: Weebly and Wix. And what is wrong with a free website? For beginners, their name is on your URL. So instead of socialwrites.com it would be something like socialwrites.weebly.com. Not cool. Also, are you professionally trained to do all the work to make your site look professional? I’m not saying you couldn’t do it, but will you have the time with all of the other things you’re trying to do to start a new business? There is an option on these sites to get your site without their name attached to it, but it will cost you, and you’ll still need to do all the work to put your site together yourself.

The best option is to hire a professional webmaster to put your site together for you. Yes, it will cost some money, but they will put together a professional website in a fraction of the time, and you will own the site. Your name and only your name will appear at the top. Some webmasters will write the contents of the pages for you for an extra fee while others will expect for you to come up with material yourself. That is where a web writer comes in. Need help with writing the contents of your website? Give me a call! (208) 546-9257

So, You Want To Be an Author, Part II

So you’ve been practicing your writing and are ready for the next step? Let’s get started.

This section focuses on things to do before you even start your book project.

Do you already have an idea for your book? Yes, did you say? Before you decide that it is definitely what you want, do some research. How many books are the same as your idea? Different? In what ways? Figure this out now regardless of whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. It’ll be one of the first questions a traditional publisher asks, and if you’re publishing yourself, you need to highlight this to potential readers if you hope to stand out and sell your book..

You don’t really have an idea? Okay, let’s get some ideas. Write a list

• Of everything you’re Interested in.
• Experienced with.
• Has happened in your life or in the life of someone close to you.
• Of sports, crafts or extracurricular activities you have or have had.
• Conflicts, both past and present.

Nonfiction that hits an area not commonly discussed usually fares better than fiction. Some areas of nonfiction are totally filled, but there are lots of others barely touched. The next time you journey to a library or book store, look around. What are 3/4 of the books? NONFICTION! Do you have experience in one of these areas? Do you know enough or can gather enough for a book? (if not, it might be a great magazine or blog article…for another time) If you do, you’re set! Write a brief outline before you start. You need to make sure you hit everything important. Can the outline be changed? Absolutely, but it gives you a starting point and a road map. When you travel, you sometimes see a place to stop, or you figure out a better path. The same goes here, but you have to have a starting point and a path to return to and your outline will serve as that. Your outline is your always-changing course of action.

Fiction is more your forte’? Nothing wrong with that, but you do need something that sticks out a little to the reader. Ever look at the science fiction part of a library? You’ll see thousands of books in the same genre. What will make yours stick out?

Want to write fiction but are clueless as to what? Just a thought: keep a dream journal. I have cool dreams, and a nightmares almost every night, but within an hour of waking up, they are out the window, forever lost. Keep a journal near your bedside, and as soon as you awaken, write down whatever you remember. After a few weeks, a month or so, look back at them. Do some sound like a movie or a great book! Yes? Then you are on your way! Again, write an outline. As characters come about, write them down too. Your mind can’t be relied on. A notebook or computer will help. Do this, and you’re on your way.

So, you want to be an author, Part I

Knowing it’s what you want to be is a good first step, but ask yourself, what does an author DO? That’s right…they write. A LOT. Writing is something that gets better the more you practice, so get busy.

Now, what are you going to write? If you have a journal or diary, that’s a good starting place. You can go on many sites and Facebook pages for writing prompts, and those are good as well. Write, write and then write some more. Correct errors as they arise, but the important thing is to just WRITE.

After you’ve been writing a bit, have someone read your writing. Yes, this part is intimidating. What if they don’t like it? But how are you going to become an author if no one is allowed to read it? Don’t let them tear your writing apart or judge you. You’re still new; your writing won’t be a work of art.

Ask  your reader one question. What are the 3-5 major errors I make?. Everyone makes them. James Patterson and Stephen King make errors, but, you see, writers, particularly new writers, tend to make the same errors… over and over. Maybe it’s thinking “a lot” is “alot”, or you’ve got this “thing” for commas and use many incorrectly.

Once those errors are pointed out, keep writing, but now watch for those errors. Wait until you’re done writing for the day and read through your writing specifically for those errors. Correcting common errors will do two things: you’ll pay less proofreader bills when the time comes, and you’ll end up feeling better about yourself. Maybe not instantly, but when you’re no longer making them constantly, you can give yourself a major pat on the back.

What if you have one or two words, even if they are “simple” words, that you spell wrong over and over? This is what I suggest: write the word over and over, correctly, until it starts feeling right. You’ve programmed your head to spell it wrong and now you’re changing the programming. It may take a while, but you can do it!

The ideas expressed here are strictly my ideas. You’ll find lots of people with other ideas for sure. The next entry will be on beginning the process of book writing itself.

Darlene’s Printing

Darlene’s Printing and Promotions is located in downtown Nampa, Idaho.  There are many excellent printing centers, but Darlene’s colorful logo and unique location…..and the fact I drive by it almost daily, drew me in.  The staff is very friendly and will drop anything to assist customers.  I haven’t met the owner, Darlene Johnson, but I have met Chelsea Johnson, the Customer Relations person, and she is as nice as can be as well as accomodating and helpful.

Darlene’s offers everything from flyers and business cards to promotional items. If you want to create custom pens, cups, or t-shirts or put your logo or special cause on just about anything, Darlene’s can make it happen or will direct you to someone who can.  Darlene’s made me a custom business nametag, and I hope to soon get a large business window decal for the back window of my car.

You can find Darlene’s in downtown Nampa at 1224 2nd Street South.  In addition, they have a website at www.darlenesprinting.com as well as a Facebook business page.  If you know what you want or have questions, you can also inquire online at orders@darlenesprinting.com or call them at (208) 465-6155.  Check them out!

Fridays with Frank

I officially launched Socialwrites the first week of January, 2014.  As part of the process, I started heavily networking through Facebook.  I didn’t know anyone in the area and reached out with no idea what I might find.

One of the first events I encountered was Fridays with Frank.  Frank White held the events at Lucky Perk.  The write up on Facebook said to come and listen to Frank and to network with other small business owners.  It seemed a great opportunity.  It was the end of January.  I was very nervous. It was really my first time out for my business’s sake, and after being reclusive for a year and a half, I had no idea what to expect.

Frank made me feel welcome and is a great motivational speaker.  If you haven’t seen him in action, it’s a must.  As it turned out, Frank outgrew the seating at Lucky Perk not long after I started attending, and moved to the AEN Playhouse.

Friday’s with Frank is at 11:30a.m. each Friday  at the AEN Playhouse at 8001 Fairview Avenue.  You can check out Frank and his Friday event by visiting his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/frankwhiteinternational.

Sales Tax….or not?

Being new to Idaho, I didn’t understand Idaho Sales/Usage Tax.  The first place I looked was Idaho Small Business Solutions (http://www.idahobizhelp.org/).  They have a cool checklist that covers many types of businesses.  At the end, they give you an idea of licenses you will need and taxes you will need to pay.  Problem for many of us: they are behind the times and they have NOTHING on computer-based service businesses (creating websites, blogs, socal media, etc.).  I assumed, since my business model was not listed as an exception, I would liable for sales tax.

I started having my doubts after networking with other businesses who didn’t pay sales tax.  I thought they might be skirting the system, but I investigated.  I emailed the state at taxrep@tax.idaho.gov. They couldn’t reply right away!  They said my business was in a nebulous grey area and they’d have to get back with me.  I ended up having to talk with them, and even then they had to “get back with me”.  It was decreed that my business doesn’t have to pay sales tax at the moment, but should I start selling tangible copies of anything I’m doing, that could change.

DBA

One thing I learned from Atty. Richard Murray at the City of Nampa Economic Development was I needed to apply for an Assumed Business Name (ABN), also known as a DBA (Doing Business As).  If doing business as your name, all is cool and you don’t need to do anything, but if you are creating a business name or adding or changing to your name, it has to be filed through the Idaho State Department in Boise.  The reason: if complaints are waged against your business, the state and others can link the business with the owner. Should a person know one name but not both, they have an easy way of putting the two together.  By applying for a DBA, one can also put the business name on a bank account and accept checks in the name of the business.

Applying for a DBA is easy.  The application is on the Department of State’s website, http://www.sos.idaho.gov/corp/ABNform.htm .  Print the completed application and mail it with a check for $25.00.  Right now, there isn’t  a way to pay on-line. The state will return the application within a week, approving the name, and you’re all set; your business name is legal!

Last Business Model – Inc.

During my workshop at the City of Nampa Economic Office that focused on business models, the last one and the one least discussed was the corporation.  Reason?  It’s the one that most of us will never reach in our business endeavors as it is used primarily for larger companies.

Like the LLC, the corporation stands on it’s own two feet.  It is its own entity and when sued or considered liable, individuals within the corporation are safe from losing personal assets.  The biggest difference between the corporation and the LLC is that the corporation is publically traded.  Therefore, a corporation has the ability to generate vast amounts of money by offering more pieces of the pie, more stock, but it is beholden and accountable to it’s shareholders who will lose or gain money through depending on the profitability of the corporation.

A corporation must write up an operating agreement, hold regular meetings with documented minutes, and must have officers who hold specific jobs within the company who are often elected by the owners, the shareholders.

LLC – Limited Liability Company

The third business model we discussed was the LLC, Limited Liability Company.  It is the preferred business model for most small businesses.

An LLC runs differently than the sole proprietorship or partnership.  An LLC is set up to run on its own accord; it is considered its own separate entity.  Therefore, a person applies for loans and grants, not in their name, but in the name of the business.  Also, with an LLC, one can sell business memberships for extra revenue, and the members are not required to be actively involved with the business, unlike the two business models previously discussed.  Memberships are allowed, but the business cannot be publicly traded.

The best thing about an LLC is that an individual cannot be held directly liable for the company.  If the company is sued, the individual’s personal assets are safe……provided the LLC is being run properly.  This means that the company’s money and an individual’s money must be kept separate at all times.  If one spends personal money on the LLC, he needs to write an expense report and reimburse himself.  If a suing entity discovers that the line between the business and the individual is “fuzzy”…exchanges were made from one to the other without the proper paper trail, for all intents and purposes, the LLC is in title only and the individuals who own it are financially liable as well.  Also, with an LLC, it is important to have an operating agreement on file so everyone knows exactly how the business is being run.

In the state of Idaho, one can file for an LLC through the Secretary of State’s office, and the cost is $100.