Starting A New Year with New Ideas and New Awesome Reads

The best thing to start a new year with is treat to yourself, and it's life long gift if you treat your mind with useful stuff. I started my new year with some highly valuable reads and I am so sure that you would like these too.. Here goes the list:

• An update on SEO, i.e. how Google search is changing.... http://www.businessinsider.com/google-search-engines-weaken-amazon-hold-on-product-search-2017-12
• If you are serious about your career, you cannot and should not ignore social media... https://www.forbes.com/sites/shelcyvjoseph/2017/12/26/if-youre-serious-about-your-career-you-cannot-ignore-social-media/#39fa2b3b7ceb
• These Instagram hacks are weird useful https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/6-instagram-stories-hacks/
• And, you must use these awesome Twitter features if you have not explored them earlier... https://maximizesocialbusiness.com/5-awesome-twitter-features-should-use-now-27497/
• If you are a student, this is the time you should start your own business to become your own boss http://www.smallbusinessclan.com/6-steps-for-students-to-start-their-own-business/
• And if you are a lady entrepreneur, do check these resources to raise capital for your business... http://www.laudablebits.com/small-business-loan-tips-resources-for-female-entrepreneurs/
• And last but not least, a quick yet thoughtful tip on making money while doing what you love...http://www.businesstrend.us/small-business/how-to-make-money-by-baking-at-home.html

Do share with your network if you like these.....

5 Signs that Show You Should Start Your Own Business in 2017

You may be very excited to start your own company right in 2017 but the fact that launching a company can be an intimidating process is causing serious anxiety to you.

Well, yes, it requires tons of hard work, and you must be 100% sure that you actually want to do this. Maybe you're just unhappy with your current position. Perhaps you've always dreamed of opening your own shop or consulting firm. Or maybe you just need a drastic change in your life.

Here’re few ways to know whether or not to start your own business.

1- You may have heard that entrepreneurs are born and not made, but you disagree and are ready to prove yourself!

2- You’re always thinking about solving problems.

3- You’re passionate to make your dream come true.

4- You’re independent and can take your decisions on right time.

5- You’re self-motivated and don’t always need something or someone to get you moving.

So if you fit well in entrepreneurship, why not to start it today. Here’re 10 steps for new entrepreneurs to start.

You might also want to explore some highly valuable business ideas, so here’s a list of 1000+ small business ideas that you can start with little or no money.

A Handwritten Thank You Note Will Wow Customers

Thanking your customers is a great way to build brand loyalty. You may be thinking on various options to say thanks, i.e. by offering some additional discount, free shipping, and loyalty program and so on. But let me tell you the most cost effective way!

Yes, it can a simple thanking note written by your CEO. “One simple way to ‘wow’ customers is thank-you cards — a handwritten note, a thank-you card saying ‘thank you for buying from me’.” – (Starts at 8:09) Ramon Ray, Technology Evangelist, SmallBizTechnology.com

Well, I never found much literature on this in any small business resources, but I feel that in digital world of ecommerce it may not be possible, so what you can do alternatively is to send them a personalized mail from CEO!

10 Valuable Resources for Wannabe Entrepreneurs on Budget

Almost every entrepreneur requires business consultants at one stage; let it be hiring the best talent or improving conversions, only an expert opinion can help you take right decision.

The main cause of failure for wannabe and new entrepreneurs is the fact that their budget doesn't allow hiring a consultant. Well in that case, you can always trust some good blogs. Read expert opinions on various situations and take a timely decision.

Here are some of the best blogs I'd recommend for all new entrepreneurs to follow!

1. All You Need Is A Good Idea!
2. Alan Lewis Accountants - BLOG
3. StartupsBuzz.com
4. Tweak Your Biz
5. SmallBusinessClan.com
6. CareersLinked.com
7. Sheet metal fabrication and Engineering news
8. Custom Software
9. Internet Marketing Professional and Data Security Consultant for Small Businesses
10. Behind the Scenes at Taylor Studios, Inc.

Dairy Farming is Still a Big Hotspot for Entrepreneurs Focused in Rural Areas

If you are a rural youth who is enthusiastic about starting your own business, you must be proud of having the opportunity to be there in the rural areas. A good number of enthusiastic youth leaves villages and rural areas to find big opportunities, but those who stay behind find the biggest ones.

So, if you have lately been looking for small business ideas for rural areas, you must have found that opportunities are boundless. All you need to do is to take the risk and do your best!

Starting your own dairy business can be one of the most profitable small business ideas in rural areas, because it’s not just about making your profits, but also empowering your fellow villagers to upgrade their standard of living!

If you have an investment, you can set up your own dairy farm by purchasing the livestock, but alternatively, you can gather the people who already own one or more animals and buy milk from them and sell it to the factories, i.e. become a middle man.

If you can arrange a bit more of investment in setting up your own packaging, you can introduce a new brand that sells healthy dairy products on comparatively lower prices!

Here are some links that can help you explore the idea more and start a successful dairy business:

Dairy farming for beginners.

An overview of capital and land requirements for dairy farming.

Dairy farming; the rural cash cow.

Who Can Make Money with Blogging in Chicago

The best part of life in big city is the enormous opportunities that it brings. Well, living in a big city like Chicago is certainly full of opportunities, but not everything is for everyone!

If you are a new mommy who just decided to keep family on priority and leave the job, or you are the one who has been stay at home mommy for years and now it’s too much to stay bored that way. I am sure, you might have explored all the lists of small business ideas for Chicago, published online, by now, but most of the businesses may seem to be difficult doing!

In that case, consider blogging! It's very much economical to start; you don’t need to invest a penny. It’s flexible enough to adjust according to your family's requirements. And above all, it has a great potential for you to grow as a pro blogger in your preferred niche!

To start blogging from scratch, the best places to get advice include:

Problogger

Copy Blogger

Blogging is though one of the best business ideas for women in Chicago anf every big city, if you’re starting from scratch, it will require you some time to get settled. Keep up your enthusiasm and don’t get down on small failures. 

If you think you must have some alternate to make money till your blog gets settled, do check these innovative ways to rent your property in Chicago, suggested by one of my friends!

What to Do With Not in Use Residential Property in New York City

Well, there are times when you have a a residential unit in a big city like New York city, but due to any reasons, you are unable to make better use of it.

If you do not wish to rent it on long term, because it doesn't work for you, you may want to turn it into Bed & Breakfast with a little tweak and some investment!

If you happen to explore small business ideas for New York City, you will find hundreds that you can do with your residential property, but not all can work well for you!

Bed & Breakfast is best, because it's easy to do, works faster and you will find the ROI in less time! Here's a very useful article on starting bed & breakfast business.

 Alternatively, you may also think of turning it into a Elder Center or a Day Care. If that's the case, check out this post on starting a babysitting or elderly care business in New York.

Top 3 Small Business Ideas for Pune & Mumbai

Pune and Mumbai are fastest growing cities of India and so the new business opportunities with low or no investment are always there. I lately happened to be the part of a team to develop micro and small business ideas for Pune and Mumbai, but those are extensive lists that discuss small business ideas for Mumbai and small business ideas for Pune.

Here I will be brief with my own picks and according to my opinion, following three should be the top three small business ideas that do not require any investment, but can be highly rewarding if you do the right effort on tight time.  

1- Recruitment Firm: There’s always a big prospect in a big city with so many people looking for job or else most of the working class is always looking to change job. Starting this small business would require very low investment, i.e. the running expenses but of course lot of effort.  

2- Real Estate Service: The growing population triggers the demand on real estate properties and in big cities like Mumbai and Pune, it is on rise. Starting a real estate consultant business would be a good option. Starts with a low commission on the property value which is finalized with the customer and still you can earn a handsome income.  

3- Groceries Delivery Service: Well, you have nothing to invest, but just the pamphlet to distribute in a locality, take orders on phone, get the groceries from local store and deliver. You can get some commission from the store as well as the delivery fee from customer!

Also check my post on: Top 3 Home Based Business Ideas for Mumbai & Pune

To Do Business in South Africa You Must Know Your Customers Brand Loyalty Considerations

There’s no doubt on South Africa’s being the best place in Africa to do business, however, the best places to do business are not easy to do business as well.

 Setting things up, licencing and other requirements may go without any hassle if you chose the right methods, but the biggest challenge is to develop a loyal customer base.

If your business idea is something that is delivering some value to the population, developing a loyal customer base is comparatively easier. Do check if your idea matches something in this list of best small business ideas for South Africa and if it is so, it must be able to attract the attention of masses.

South African customers’ loyalty for their favourite brands is very high; did you do a quick research on the loyalty factor with the food and beverage and banking sectors in South Africa?

Just go through the facts and you will know your way to success!

Related Reading: South Africa is the Ticket to Africa for Your Business