First Test Run with my Square Up card reader and Application

This new device by Square Up is providing me with an easier and more effective way to do business on the go. I have seen these card readers in use at Farmers Markets, Flee Markets, Crafts Shows, and most recently at the Turkey Creek Public Market just outside Knoxville. A vendor was using her card reader plugged into an Ipad. I watched as a customer made a purchase with ease.

I have run several transactions using the Square Up card reader on my LG Vortex smartphone running on Verizon Wireless. I start by launching the Square Up application on the phone. Next, I plug in the card reader jack/dongle into the top headphone jack. The application acknowledges the card reader is connected. I type an amount for the transaction, usually include a description and/or photo about the sale, then slide the card through. I tried sliding the card at different speeds and learned that slightly slower is more effective than faster. After sliding the card, a new screen shows that the card is being authorized and accepted. Square Up then shows a screen that allows for the purchaser to sign their name. Pressing a button below the signature brings up a screen for sending a receipt to myself and the purchaser. This can be an email address or text msg. to a phone number to complete the transaction. I have made successful transactions with VISA, MasterCard, and American Express.
The GPS stamp feature that is included on this application seems to have a learning curve. Each time I ran a transaction the map result sent in the receipt email was progressively more accurate. It has not been completely accurate. Trying to learn if this is an issue with Square Up or my phone.
I like the practice of paying a fee only when running a transaction. The deposits go to my bank account usually within 2 days. No problems at all so far. Yay! Cool!
What kind of business do you use your Square for?

Brandon

Square Up official website.

Costume Ideas and Resources

Here are some of my favorite websites for costumes, performers, and our industry.

Steampunk Costume

Starcostumes - men/women/children/mascots/halloween/theatrical

Coolest-homemade-costumes

Mimicsproductions - custom made mascot and theatrical full costumes for TV, movies, live shows (UK)

Mascotsandcostumes - Custom made costumes for brand recognition - commercial
Abbyshot - tailored custom creations and reproductions of fashions from TV, movies, cartoons, comics and more (UK)

Been A Long Time Since I Rock n Rolled.

Wow! What a year so far. I moved to Knoxville, started a couple of new jobs, made repairs on a house and my Volvo 240, been tilling a garden, fixing lawn mowers, hanging privacy curtains, checking out Knoxville's music scene, practicing scales and chords on my electric guitar, learning some more french language and sign language. Reconnected with some friends from back in the day. Had a girlfriend, then didn't. Been getting chiropractic adjustments with excellent results. Paying down debts. Hoping to get my dental work done this year. YES!

Sing Through the Stress No Matter the Weather

The winter season is especially challenging for anyone who sings in public performances. When going out to do my costumed character act, I must usually prepare to acclimatize my voice. The changes in temperature and humidity from inside my car to the home or office venue can be considerable. I try to work in as much time as possible for the adjustment to be made before beginning my routine. Sometimes even with all the best preparation, surprises still occur. I then work it into the act as well as possible. When playing a chicken or gorilla there is a little more room for improvising. That saves the day in most cases. Preparation helps me reduce the stress that can sometimes accompany a performance.
Have you faced this situation? How did you prepare? What were the results?
Leave a comment.

Singing benefits the mind, body, and soul. It helps melt away stress.

•Reduce stress and improve mood

•Lower blood pressure

•Boost the immune system

•Improve breathing

•Reduce perceived pain

•Improve a sense of rhythm

•Promote learning in children

•Forge comforting memories

•Promote communal bonding

•Provide comfort

•Motivate and empower

Read more at
bellaonline.com

10 easy ways to cut stress
10 practical ways to reduce stress
Managing stress while singing

Overcoming troubles with courage - a poem

This has been a year of stark changes and challenges for me. I reflect back on the lessons I've learned, the promises I made, the friends that helped me through it all. There have been pleasant discoveries and surprising victories. May these upcoming holidays bring opportunities to you for living a courageous life. Turn your stresses into stepping stones towards a higher purpose. Live the life you have dreamed.

Enjoy this poem.

As you travel through life
There are always those times
When decisions have to be made,
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.

There are some situations where all you can do
Is simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.

So pack up your troubles and take a step forward
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead
If you have courage enough!

There might be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend,
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend!

Perhaps you'll find friendships
That spring from new things
As you challenge your status quo,
And learn there are so many options in life,
And so many ways you can grow!

Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things that you've never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
And wonderful spots in between!

Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring
And somebody special who's there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.

Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do,
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.

So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
and taking your life day by day...
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road
Don't look back! You're not going that way!

Amazing Unshavings - Mustaches/Moustaches, Beards - Celebrate Facial Hair

Movemeber.com

Moustaches at Squidoo

Handlebar Moustache Club UK

Beard Community and Moustaches

Why do people wear such things on their faces? This lens is committed to raising the issue of the moustache as a window on the soul, and as a device for expressing personal identity.

Since the first humans had a choice between having hair on their upper lip, or cutting their upper lip off with a flint, the way they have worn their 'hair up there' has helped to define who they are. Famous individuals, groups and societies, cultures and social movements have used the moustache to announce their intention to not be ignored, to stand up and say 'Yes, I look silly, but dammit, at least I look silly the way I want to.' They do not allow their detractors to choose a weak point in their physical appearance, they hand it to them on a plate - "I have a ludicrous moustache - please mock me for it". It is only the truly strong of character who can offer such opportunities to their enemies.

This guy is one of my inspirations for performance arts. Enjoy the dangerously funny videos by Remi GAILLARD

Name:GAILLARD
Channel Views:14,966,203
Total Upload Views:510,532,624
Style:Clown
Age:35
Joined:July 03, 2007
Last Visit Date:15 hours ago
Subscribers:426,980
Website
This channel contains dangerously funny videos created and produced by Remi GAILLARD.
A french hidden camera show which differs from most other in the aspect that gags are surreal and very visual.
You don't need to learn french to understand, so get ready to laugh hard !

"C'est en faisant n'importe quoi qu'on devient n'importe qui"
It's by doing whatever that one becomes whoever...

Funny and Clever Answering Machine/Voice Mail messages I've Collected

After the tone, leave your name, number, and tell where you left the money. I'll get back to you as soon as it's safe for you to come out of hiding.

Concatenation of events preclude our coming to the phone. Please speak freely, with magniloquence upon occasion of the tone.

Greetings, you have reached the Sixth Sense Detective Agency. We know who you are and what you want, so at the sound of the tone, please hang up.

Hello, and welcome to Answering Machines of the Rich and Famous! Sam can't come to the phone right now because he's spending the week in his beautiful summer home on the French Riviera.

Hello, this is Ron's toaster. Ron's new answering machine is in the shop for repairs, so please leave your message when the toast is done... (Cachunk!)

BEEP Hello, this is WVKE, you're on the air.

Hello, you've reached 555-1552, the Apartment at the End of the Universe. Please leave your message, name and number at the sound of the tone. Keep your hands, feet, extremities, and obscenities inside the car at all times. Enjoy your ride.

Hello, you've reached Jim and Sonya. We can't pick up the phone right now, because we're doing something we really enjoy. Sonya likes doing it up and down, and I like doing it left to right... real slowly. So leave a message, and when we're done brushing our teeth we'll get back to you.

Hello. I'm not at home right now because I'm out making changes in my life so leave a message and if I don't call you back, you're probably one of those changes. (BEEP)

Hi, this is Ed. I'm secretly replacing Jane and Bob with dark sparkling Folger's Crystals. Leave your name, number, and a brief message and they'll call you back when they're nice and percolated. See if you can tell the difference.

Hi, this is Jim. Thanks for calling during my pledge drive. A basic membership is only $30, and a $60 pledge gets you an "I love Jim Shea" T-shirt. Please wait for the tone, and thank you for your pledge.

Hi, you have reached Jerry McGuire. Show me the message! Show me the message!

Hi. Do you ever feel, like, your head is full of sand, not your regular loose sand mind you, but compacted sand, and there were like, I dunno, bugs or something jumping up and down on the compacted sand? Well, sometimes I do. Bye.

Hi. Now you say something.

I can't come to the phone right now because I'm down in the basement printing up a fresh new batch of 20 dollar bills. If you need any money, or if you just want to check out my handiwork, please leave your name, number, and how much cash you need after the tone. If you're from the Department of the Treasury, please ignore this message.

I know you're out there. I know that you're afraid. You're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don’t know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end, I came here to tell you how it’s going to begin. I'm going to hang up this phone, and then I'm going to show these people what you don’t want them to see. I'm going to show them a world, without you. A world without rules and controls. Without borders or boundaries. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there, is a choice I leave to you.

Thank you for calling Soviet Embassy. No KG... Er, no diplomats are able to answer phone, so at sound of capitalist tone, leave name, telephone number, and short description of secrets you wish to sell.

These words are lovely dark and deep, but I've got promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep, so leave a message at the beep.

This is not an answering machine -- this is a telepathic thought-recording device. After the tone, think about your name, your reason for calling, and a number where I can reach you, and I'll think about returning your call.

Vancouver Coast Guard, may I help you. (Caller thinks they dialed long distance.)

We're not in cause we're out LOOTING! Leave a message and we'll call you back and tell you what we got.

We're sorry. You have reached an imaginary number. Please rotate your phone 90 degrees and try again.

(Theme from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in the background:) You've reached the residence of Jill and Tom. We can't come to the phone right now, because we're cleaning the refrigerator. Please leave your name and number, and we'll get back to you.

Guides for manly style, skill, shaving and image.

A Man’s Guide to the Trench Coat


How to Smell Like a Barbershop


A Man’s Guide to Sweaters


How to Buy and Restore Vintage Shaving Gear


A Man’s Guide to Style Transition: 6 Steps to Start Dressing Like the Man You Know Yourself to Be


How to Build Your Wardrobe: Part III-Men’s Hats, Watches, and Other Accessories


More great reading at Art of Manliness.
100 Must Read Books: The Man's Essential Library

How to Shave Like Your Grandpa

100 Must See Movies: The Essential Men's Movie Library

How to Tie a Tie

9 Ways to Start a Fire Without Matches

Bringing Back the Hat

Stop Hanging Out With Women and Start Dating Them

10 Worst Products For Men Ever Created

Do More Than One Stinking Pull-up

Rediscovering the Barbershop


Find your best Shaving Gear for the perfect shave everytime.
I like these three and the Art of Manliness. If you have a good experience and rapport with others, please comment.

Amazing Shaving
Shave Blog
Lees Razors

Find your voice with professional training and coaching programs.

In my search for the best schools and programs for voice training, I found this excellent team of coaches and production experts. If you want to raise your performances to their very best, maybe this is for you.

Industry Leading Voice Over Training
Introductory Classes, Demo Development and Production, and Voice Evaluation from the industry experts at Voice Coaches.

All Voice Over Training programs are one-on-one, all-inclusive, and presented by our exceptional team of industry professionals. With experts in broadcasting, voice acting, film, communications, speech language pathology, audio production, and marketing, our Training and Production Team delivers tremendous individualized industry preparation coupled with personalized, long-term support to provide confidence, fun, and continued industry success.

See feature videos of voice over talent at the voice coaches blog:
VoiceCoaches.com Blog

Steampunk Reviews: Episode 20

Here's a fun makeup review by Steampunk Aristocrat - Victoria

Performance

Yet another brilliant animated short by Grickle, Graham A.
Very fitting for Halloween. Enjoy.

This reminds me of Halloween. Creepy but funny. Enjoy.

I can see myself doing shows like this in my own costumed character creation.

Here is another talented person that I draw inspiration from.
I can see myself doing shows like this in my own costumed character creation. Read on, enjoy, and check this guy out. You'll dig him.


All content © 2004 Jason Ringenberg / Courageous Chicken Music
FARMER JASON
BECAUSE THERE IS A LITTLE FARMER IN ALL OF US

When internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Jason Ringenberg created his family music character FARMER JASON in 2003, he had no idea he was launching what would prove to be the most commercially successful creation of his storied career. With JASON AND THE SCORCHERS, he pioneered the fusion of punk rock and country that turned the music world on its ear in the mid-1980s. Their first record, LOST AND FOUND, still shows up on critics’ “best of the 1980s” lists, and there is an exhibit of them in the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME. When Jason went solo in 1999, the LONDON TIMES called him “one of the most dynamic live performers of his generation.” In 2008 the AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION awarded the band their LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. Jason could rest easily, assured that his place in rock ‘n’ roll history was secure.

However, with two sweet, beautiful, preschool daughters missing Daddy Jason during his 200 dates a year touring schedule, Jason wanted to make a cd that his kids could listen to while he was out globetrotting. Since they lived on a small farm near Bon Aqua, Tennessee, and Jason grew up on an Illinois hog farm, he reckoned that a roots oriented record about farming and farm animals was just the ticket. Hence the first Farmer Jason cd, A DAY AT THE FARM WITH FARMER JASON, was born. He released it “purely for fun” in the fall of 2003, delighted to hear his daughters singing along. That was the peak of his ambition for it.

To his surprise, soon lots of other daughters and little sons were singing along as well. Disney’s magazine FAMILY FUN called it “one of the Top 5 Family CDs of 2003.” Farmer Jason, Jason Ringenberg’s “twin brother” (wink wink), was soon doing concerts from inner city schools in Brooklyn to country fairs in rural Norway. In 2006 he released ROCKIN’ IN THE FOREST WITH FARMER JASON. With its stick in your head hooks and subtle lessons about ecology and nature appreciation, the record earned rave reviews, including the PARENTS CHOICE GOLD AWARD. Its success generated even heavier touring around the world, including many major European and US festivals. At the huge STAGECOACH festival USA TODAY called the Farmer Jason show “one of the most memorable of the festival.”

In Tennessee, Nashville Public Television took notice of this new sensation in their back yard, and produced an educational interstitial video series starring Farmer Jason based on songs from the two cds called IT’S A FARMER JASON! To everyone’s delight and surprise, the program won an EMMY AWARD for BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAM MID SOUTH REGION in 2009. Using those videos and more new footage, Farmer Jason released the IT’S A…FARMER JASON! DVD in May of 2009. One reviewer for DADNABBIT called it “…instantly memorable fun… everything you would want in entertainment for your young ones.”

What started out as a simple side project to entertain his own daughters has grown into a worldwide band wagon pulled by a tractor and a singing farmer. You can bet the tractor will keep on rolling. Climb aboard and grab a pitchfork…or a guitar…

Dress like the Blues Brothers with authentic style.

From Wikipedia:

The Blues Brothers are an American blues and soul revivalist band founded in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. Belushi and Aykroyd, respectively in character as lead vocalist "Joliet" Jake Blues and harmonica player/vocalist Elwood Blues, fronted the band, which was composed of well-known and respected musicians. The band made its debut as the musical guest on the April 22, 1978, episode of Saturday Night Live.

The band began to take on a life beyond the confines of the television screen, releasing an album, Briefcase Full of Blues, in 1978, and then having a Hollywood film, The Blues Brothers, created around its characters in 1980.

Read more of this article here

If you want to dress like the real deal, visit bluesbrotherscentral.com

Their fan site has a 12 point checklist with all the details for every element of the outfit. They even include info on
Band Members, Albums, Songs/Lyrics, The Speeches, Movie Locations, Movie Cars, Band/Actor Profiles, Gig Guide, and Stores to buy all the accessories for the costume. There is a great message board and chat forum.

Hope to get my car looking this good in the next 6 months.

Any of you have a car project you are working on or planning over the fall and winter?

Enjoy fun and informative articles at my other blog too.

Wake Up and Seize the Day!
hotcrowd.wordpress.com/

Thanks!

Startup Do’s and Don’ts to Help Your Business Succeed

Startup Do’s and Don’ts


By Paige Arnof-Fenn,

Posted: 2006-11-15 13:25:15

Wish you had a ‘to do’ list for starting your biz? These seven key do’s — and don’ts — will keep you on track.

Wouldn’t it be great if someone could give you a “to do” list when you were ready to start your company that would guarantee your success? Even better, what about a “to don’t” list of things to avoid at all costs?

Through experience, I’ve found there are no shortcuts to launching a business–you have to do your homework to understand your customers, competitors, market conditions and risks. But there are some principles I’ve found to be very effective for growing both my company and my clients’ businesses whether they are startups or Fortune 500 corporations, whether they sell consumer products, professional services or technology products.

Even though we are all start from different places, these seven lessons have certainly served me well over the years:

1. Stop selling and start sharing. People are much more interested in what you have to say when you’re sharing your knowledge, your passion and your experience to help them solve their problems. Focus on being interested in them, and don’t worry so much about being interesting. It’s amazing how interesting you are when you’re paying attention to your customers’ needs. People buy from those they like, trust and identify with. Building rapport creates that trust and credibility. Just remember, it’s about the relationship, not the sale. Nobody likes to be sold, but everyone likes to buy.

Do: Listen to what your prospects and customers say with their words and body language.

Don’t: Pull out a brochure or sales sheet unless they ask for it.

2. Differentiate or die. What makes you unique vs. the others in the market? Make sure there’s something special about your product or service other than the price. Own something important in your customers’ hearts and minds. Being good is no longer good enough–you have to find something where you’re great. Use your imagination and creativity to set yourself apart from the crowd. I once worked with a business owner who always wears red. She works in a male-dominated field where everyone has basically the same credentials so at least she’s easy to spot at events. “The lady in red” gets most of her work by referral, which is a great way to build a business.

Do: Talk to real customers and ask them for a report card

Don’t: Chase last week’s/quarter’s/year’s trend

3. Solve problems people will pay for. Revenue is validation. Are customers voting with their wallets? Are your products or services the “nice to have” thing or the “have to have” thing? Be very important to your most important customers–they should think of you first for any needs in your category. Also, make sure you have more than just a “one off” good idea. Although great businesses start with great ideas, not all ideas are company-worthy. Many of the dotcoms forgot that the business model must actually work, that cash flow matters and that it’s not just about building awareness but about making the sale. Janet Jackson got plenty of attention for her wardrobe malfunction in last year’s Super Bowl, but did that sell more of her products?

Do: Test, tweak and try again.

Don’t: Ask your friends or family and call it “research.”

4. Leverage the evangelists. There are people out there using your product or service who would be glad to tell others about your business. If you can make them happy, they’ll help you spread the word to other like-minded customers. And here’s something to keep in mind: They may be using your product or service for purposes other than the ones you initially intended, so make sure you really understand what they like and dislike about your business and, more important, why. And remember, it’s not about pedigree or job title–your champions can come from anywhere. At one of the startups I worked for, a hair stylist made a key introduction for our company. Friend-raising can, in fact, lead to fundraising, so make friends before you need them.

Do: Make it easy for your evangelists to try your product or service.

Don’t: Discount the negatives. There may be an important insight buried within.

5. Be visible. Wasn’t it Woody Allen who said that 80 percent of success is just showing up? Invisibility is not a good business strategy–if people don’t know you exist, then guess what? You don’t. You don’t have to run a Super Bowl ad to get noticed, but you do have to be active in the communities you cater to so people know where and how to find you. Whether you have a technology business, a consumer products company or a professional services firm, you’re in the relationship business. If there are businesses that target your same customer base, then find creative ways you can each leverage your contacts and databases to multiply your outreach. Best-kept secrets are just that: secrets.

Do: Put your mouth where your money is, too.

Don’t: Hide in your office or behind your computer online.

6. Create extraordinary experiences. The relationships you have with your customers are based on the cumulative experiences they have with your employees, product, service and business. If your brochure or website makes one claim but the reality is very different, it’s the firsthand knowledge that will be remembered by your customers, so make sure you deliver on the promises you make every time you connect with your customers. Is it such a surprise that most of the airlines are going bankrupt while Jet Blue and Southwest are profitable?

Do: Consistently reinforce your key messages in everything you do.

Don’t: Forget that every employee, partner and affiliate is an ambassador, too.

7. Put passion above all else. Customers are savvy–they know when something is genuine or if you’re just going through the motions. So do your employees, partners and affiliates. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing, find something else to do! It’s hard to compete with someone who gets up feeling excited every day and who’s full of ideas about their business. To them, what they do doesn’t feel like work. Enthusiasm is contagious, so determine what it is you enjoy doing and then share your gift with others whose talents may lie somewhere else. When everyone plays to their strengths, the results are superior.

Do: Work you love and believe is important.

Don’t: Waste time. It’s your most precious commodity.

Paige Arnof-Fenn is Entrepreneur.com’s “Startup Basics” columnist and the founder and CEO of Mavens & Moguls, a strategic-marketing consulting firm whose clients include Fortune 500 companies as well as early stage and emerging businesses.

30 Press Release Ideas Turn Business Event into Newsworthy Publicity

30 Press Release Ideas


By Al Lautenslager

Check this idea list for ways to turn any biz event into newsworthy info that will catch an editor's eye.


It's a well-known fact that a company's visibility will increase with powerful publicity. After all, publicity aims to bring the news of your company to the world. The basic weapons you'll need to do this include a press kit, a company background piece, press releases, story ideas and articles or columns about your business. The most important of all, though, is the press release.

If you're wondering what exactly should be covered in a press release, think along the lines of "newsy" and interesting topics. Examples include: your online presence; important information and tools regarding a change in management or the business components you offer; special information that can be obtained online; any proprietary product or methodology that you offer through your consulting services; the announcement of articles, events and appearances; relevant worksheets, tips and techniques; and so on.

A publicity campaign that uses press releases should begin with a master plan. The more newsworthy you make your company, the more coverage you'll get. And coverage is important because it earns the kind of credibility that advertising just can't buy. When writing a press release, your goals should be uniqueness, timeliness and top-of-the-mind awareness. Once you achieve publicity and visibility, both your company profile and your client and prospect levels will rise. One successful story about your company resulting in free publicity is advertising worth hundreds and thousands of dollars.

There is definitely a knack to writing a "newsworthy" press release, even though the ultimate goals are usually awareness and promotion. Editors don't like promotion, though, so crafting a press release to appeal to an editor is key. If you provide reporters with news that appeals to their readers, you'll gain instant credibility and be on your way to forming a valuable promotional relationship. This can be very powerful from a marketing point of view.

There's no guarantee that any press release will ever be published, but by taking a consistent, professional and newsworthy approach with the reputable editors of respected publications, the probability is good that you'll get some coverage. Press releases are also great vehicles for communicating with clients and prospects. Putting them on your Web site is a very effective means of promoting to your captive markets. It also further substantiates your marketing efforts, as well as your credibility.

If you're not sure about what you should cover in a press release, consider these ideas to see if any apply to your business:

1. Starting a new business

2. Introducing a new product

3. Celebrating an anniversary

4. Announcing a restructuring of the company

5. Offering an article series for publishing

6. Opening up branch or satellite offices

7. Receiving an award

8. Receiving an appointment

9. Participating in a philanthropic event

10. Introducing a unique strategy/approach

11. Announcing a partnership

12. Changing the company or product name

13. Earning recognition of the company, product or executives by a publication

14. Announcing that you're available to speak on particular subjects of interest

15. Issuing a statement of position regarding a local, regional or national issue

16. Announcing a public appearance on television, radio or in person

17. Launching a website

18. Announcing free information available

19. Announcing that you've reached a major milestone

20. Obtaining a new, significant customer

21. Expanding or renovating the business

22. Establishing a unique vendor agreement

23. Meeting some kind of unusual challenge or rising above adversity

24. Restructuring your business or its business model

25. Setting up a customer advisory group

26. Announcing the results of research or surveys you have conducted

27. Announcing that an individual in your business has been named to serve in a leadership position in a community, professional or charitable organization

28. Sponsoring a workshop or seminar

29. Making public statements on future business trends or conditions

30. Forming a new strategic partnership or alliance

Of course, these are just a few ideas to get you started. Just remember this: If a press release is well-written, almost any event can be turned into news.

Alfred J. Lautenslager is an award-winning marketing and PR consultant, direct-mail promotion specialist, principle of marketing consulting firm Marketing Now, and president and owner of The Ink Well, a commercial printing and mailing company in Wheaton, Illinois. Visit his Web sites at www.market-for-profits.com and www.1-800-inkwell.com, or e-mail him at al@market-for-profits.com.

7 Tips for Improving Your Cash Flow

7 Tips for Improving Your Cash Flow


By Pam Newman

They say cash is king. Find out how to give yours the royal treatment.

There's a golden rule in business you'd be smart to learn now: No matter how much you sell, if you don't collect the money, you're going to go out of business. As business owners, we often get so wrapped up in selling our products and services that we forget to take the time to ensure we're managing our cash flow and receiving the money for those sales. But when it comes to your bottom line, you'd be wrong to simply focus on total sales dollars: You also need to focus on the cash collection of those sales.

To help get that money in the door, here are seven tips for improving your cash flow:

1. Require a down payment on projects so that your customers fund the project, not you.

2. Set your terms to be payment in full upon completion. Don't extend out 30 or 60 days after you've completed your work. You don't get to use your hard-earned cash until payment is received from your clients, so get it as soon as you can.

3. Negotiate terms with your vendors for 30 days or more so you have an opportunity to complete the work, bill your customers and receive payments prior to paying your vendor.

4. Have a collection process in place, and follow through. When your customers delay payments, they're using your cash. You need to ensure that you're being diligent in collecting from your customers.

5. Set up a line of credit at your bank that you can use in case of emergency. Often, lenders rates will be less than the late fees your vendors will charge. This line of credit will help you cover a lapse in cash flow for short periods of time.

6. Factoring of your receivables allows you to sell your receivables and get cash now instead of waiting 30 or 60 days. There's a fee for using a factoring service, so you need to ensure that the benefits of getting cash today exceeds the cost you'll pay for that expedience.

7. Minimize the amount of draws you take personally from your business. Each dollar you take from your company reduces the amount of cash flow you'll have available for the business to grow.

Not all these options will work for every business--you have to consider which of these will work for your specific needs.

Here's one last tip: Don't ever think you're too busy making sales and working in your business to worry about your cash flow. This mindset is the very thing that can put a business out of business when there's no cash to pay the bills. So take the time to analyze your business's cash flow to locate--and make--some small changes that will have a big impact on your cash flow.

Remember, your cash flow is not the same as your profits. You can have a profitable business, but a negative cash flow. Prepare a monthly cash flow statement to ensure that you don't get caught unexpectedly without enough cash to handle your day-to-day operations.