Smart Money Choice$

Whether you realize it or not (you probably already do), the Internet is a highly cost-effective way to promote your business… even if you’re a business of one.

But here’s the thing. If you are in any way actively promoting your business, whether with word of mouth, networking or any form of online or offline advertising, everyone is  going to want access to more information about you and your business from your website.

You do have a website, right?

Many prospective customers judge businesses and freelance professionals based on their website. That’s a fact.

So whether you already have your own website (and you should), or you need to get one going, I just found out about a free LIVE webinar coming up this week that you’re going to want to attend.

It’s called, “5 Critical Elements of An Effective Website”
by professional web designer and business marketer Ely Delaney

I’ve known Ely personally for a few years now, and he knows what he’s talking about, both from a technical and a marketing standpoint. He works with local small businesses and runs his own home-based business.

So Ely is right here in the trenches with us.

In the time I’ve known him, Ely has generously passed along some great website tips and tools that were a big help to me in my business. So I’m sure he’ll be giving away fantastic tips and tricks, especially for small businesses like us on this webinar.

It’s all about making our websites work harder for us and pulling in more inquiries and sales 24/7 on autopilot.

So don’t miss a chance to tap into Ely’s real world experience and cut straight to the good stuff by attending his free LIVE training this week.

When:
WEDNESDAY, August 4, 2010 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time
(That’s 6:00 PM Central, 5:00 PM Mountain, and 4:00 PM Pacific)

Register right here:

Click Here ==> Webinar Registration

You’ll discover specifically what needs to be included on your website in this economy to turn it into an effective 24/7 low-cost salesperson for your business.

Reserve your spot now. This webinar is very limited. ONLY 50 people will be able to attend. Procrastinators will literally get locked out. So that’s why I wanted to get this to you now, before it’s completely booked.

Here’s to YOUR success with the Smart Choice of turning your website into a hard working salesperson that works for you 24/7…. and never even takes a coffee break!

Gabrielle

PS – Remember, the webinar is time-sensitive, so if you want to get in on this free professional training, I suggest that  you register now, before the class is full (a total of only 50 spots available).

Here’s the link again:

Click Here ==> Webinar Registration

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I’m sure you’ve heard all the noise about the BIG claims of mega-success by businesses who are using Social Media to promote their businesses. But is it really just that – a lot of NOISE that doesn’t mean a hill of beans in the real world? Or is this  an important trend that small business owners need to pay attention to for the sake of their bottom line?

Cut through the hype and find out what the real deal is with social media. Get straight answers from an expert who’s actually doing it and knows first hand whether it’s really just a big waste of time, or if you can truly use it to market your business profitably.

Join me, Gabrielle Fontaine, and my special guest, marketing expert and social media guru, Ely Delaney as we cut through the hype and finally learn…

* How to use social media to build relationships with prospects, customer and referral sources

* How social media is changing the way we do business

* How to easily get up and running on the three biggest and most strategic social media networks

* How to attract quality “friends” and “followers” without getting caught up in the numbers game

* What free automation tools you can use to maximize your reach and save time in the process

* How to avoid getting sucked in to wasting a ton of time keeping up with your social posting

* What NOT to do so you don’t make enemies, or worse, get banned from the social networking sites

* How networking online is not the same as in-person networking

Find out for yourself why such respected business authorities as Inc. Magazine are now saying that Social Media really is worth your time.

Isn’t it time you found out how to put it to work for YOUR business? Now you can, right after you attend this cut-to-the-chase, FREE, get-action webinar.

Join us Thursday, July 8 at 8:00 PM Eastern Time for this LIVE webinar training.

“Social Media” Online Business Networking Basics”

Grab your seat as our free guest right here:

=> Register Here

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If you are using any version of QuickBooks 2007 (or older), you need to pay attention to this.

Effective May 31, 2010, Intuit (the makers of QuickBooks financial software) will discontinue live telephone support and add-on services for QuickBooks 2007 software (all versions).

Services that will be discontinued:

Assisted Payroll
Basic Payroll
Enhanced Payroll
Standard Payroll
Employee Organizer
Merchant Service
Billing Solution (formerly QuickBooks Online Billing)
QuickBooks Email
Bill Pay
Online Banking
Terminal Download
Technical Support Plans and Services

This is not really surprising news, since according to Intuit’s official Discontinuation Program, they only support “the most current version of QuickBooks, plus the prior two versions.” So that means after May 31st, QuickBooks 2010, as well as all 2009 and 2008 versions, are the only years they will continue to support.

Do I HAVE to upgrade?

That depends on how you use the software.

If you are currently using an older version of QuickBooks and do not need any technical support or add-on services, you can continue to use the software as you have in the past. It will keep working just fine.

However, if you need to use add-on programs and support for services such as payroll or merchant services,  you will need to install and register a supported version of the QuickBooks software by May 31, 2010.

But what if I don’t know which version of QuickBooks I’ve got?

That’s easy. If you don’t see which version you have on the “splash” screen when you are opening QuickBooks, then from within the program simply press Ctrl+1 (from the keyboard, not the number pad) and you will get all the information about your current QuickBooks program, including which version you’re using.

An important reason to upgrade if you’re still using QuickBooks 2007 (or older) is because even though Intuit promises to help you out if you lose your keycodes or have licensing issues, their terms and conditions say they will do so only “if that data is available.” In other words, there’s no guarantee they can help you if you are still using an old unsupported version, and you lose your password, have data recovery issues, or need a replacement software CD.

This is significant.

If you are locked out of your data file because you’ve lost your administrator’s password, or you can’t get into your program because of a registration issue, you’re dead. Not being able to access your financial records could literally cripple your business.

But if you are determined to stick with an outdated version of QuickBooks and you do happen to lose your password, you can use the Automated Password Reset Tool available for free on the QuickBooks website. But of course, there’s no guarantees there either. You are still on your own.

If, however, you are ready to give in and upgrade, here are my best suggestions.

Your Upgrade Options

You can, of course, upgrade directly through the Quickbooks website and get a $40 discount (as of this writing, the upgrade price is $159.95)

But you quite likely can get a better price by shopping around a bit. Generally you’ll find QuickBooks at all the major office supply stores locally and online. Amazon is currently selling QuickBooks Pro 2010 for $123.

Some other places you could check out are:

www.staples.com
www.officedepot.com
www.officemax.com
www.bestbuy.com
www.costco.com
www.samsclub.com

And if you are a real bargain hunter, you might be able to find a legal copy of a supported version (QuickBooks 2008 or 2009) on eBay. But realize that you’ll be in the same pinch in another year or two.

So my best suggestion is to just bite the bullet and upgrade to 2010 and be done with it (for three years anyway). There are some great new, truly helpful features you’ve been missing out on in the years you’ve fallen behind.

Getting Up To Date Using QuickBooks

For quick and free mini-lessons in QuickBooks, make sure you get in on my QB QuickTips video series.

And if QuickBooks has always been a struggle for you, why not go all out and get some proper training on using the program more easily and efficiently? I’ll teach you all the must-know functions in QuickBooks in my QuickBooks Core Training course. (The next class starts this coming Monday, May 24th.)

If you are upgrading from QuickBooks 2005 or older, training is especially recommended for you, since QuickBooks is practically a whole new program since that far back. it won’t be an easy transition without some assistance.

We are already one-third of the way through the year. Have your revenue numbers been improving?

I came across some revealing stats recently that are quite eye-opening about what’s really going on with A LOT of small businesses. I made a quick video to show what the numbers are really telling us about what we need to be doing to turn it all around.

Click above to start video

This is important stuff for so many entrepreneurs. If you know someone who could benefit from this new information, by all means, go ahead and let them know about this video. They’ll appreciate it, and so will I!

www.CashFlowMasteryCourse.com

As an entrepreneur, what does this “new economy” mean for you and your business?

Do you have a plan? How are you doing so far with this year’s goals?

If you’re still trying to navigate in the right direction, that’s great! Even if the revenue numbers aren’t quite where you’d like them to be (yet), here’s a short video that I think you’ll enjoy. It helps to put things in the right perspective…

While this is definitely one of my favorite “feel good” videos, there are some key lessons here:

1. The greatest innovation and success happens when our back is against the wall and we are forced to find new ways for doing things.  And entrepreneurs are usually the ones blazing the trails to success

2. There are opportunities to seize (lots of them) by focusing on the positive vision of what your business could be. And the rewards belong to the thinkers and the doers (that’s YOU!) and not those with privilege or resources.

The new economy really means it’s our time to shine.

So what could you do TODAY to move one step closer to your vision for yourself and your business?