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Blitz Ezine # 188 November 11, 2002
How to Thank your customers - Business start guide Business basics

Note: This is an archived issue. Some links and/or content may be outdated

The Blitz-Promotions News Letter.
Issue no. 188, Nov. 11, 2002

************ In This Issue **************
Comments
Food for thought
Articles
The Classifieds
Next Issues
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Blitz Comments
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This past weekend we took a trip to Lexington for the weekend. We had a great time. Also lots of storms around here last night, thankfully none too severe.

Some of the best things in life are still f r e e. Five ebooks to get your creative juices flowing or put some power back into your business.

http://freetrial.sitesell.com/blitzpromotions.html

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Food for thought
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Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. As to methods there may be a million and then some, but the principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Thanking your Customers Part 2
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Some nice things to send with your Thank - You's

One plug I want to mention here is that last year we bought some gift baskets as part of our package from Gift Basket Gallery - the folks we sent them to were very pleased and so was I.

http://www.giftbasketgallery.com

When thinking of gifts to add with your cards, think of things that your customers will use and/or see often. Below is a partial list of some things you can include - as always you can use your imagaination.

Calendars
Calendar cards
Paper weights
Note pads
Post it notes
Desk pads
Pencils
Pens
Planners (pocket or desk)
Reference books
Clip boards
Folders
Binders
Mouse pads
Can openers
Hot pads

The best gift would be something that relates to your business and is useful. Example - if you have a cooking site, then hot pads would be a great choice.

Finding your items.

Searching google for personalized hot pads, there are tons of places you can buy them. Search for the one that fits your needs and budget and then buy... remember to buy early.

Additional things.

Don't forget to add in your business cards, and a coupon.

A good example of this happened last week. My wife is an avid QVC shopper. She got a thank you card in the mail. A nice card that all the hosts had signed. Enclosed with the card was a coupon with a recipe on the back. No one throws a recipe away.

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Newbie Guide Part 8
Some Business Basics
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License your business -

Find out from your local chamber of commerce / city government if you need any license to do business where you live.

Set up your tax information -

Now is the time to figure out how you want your business to work for tax purposes ( single prop., incorporate, etc.). I highly recommend that you go to the IRS site on Starting a Business and read it all. Especially the Checklist for starting a business.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99336,00.html

The Small Business administration also has an excellent checklist for starting your business (this is a pdf file) and more information can be found from their staring a business page.

http://www.sba.gov/starting/

Open a business checking account -

This may sound like a no brainer - starting a checking account helps you keep track of your business income and expenses. Make sure you do the steps above before opening one, so you'll know what information to use when you open the account.

Keeping good records -

Make sure to save your receipts, invoices, etc. When we started I used one of those folding / expandable files. Use some type of software program too (we use quicken, but again there are many different programs) - the best thing is to enter stuff as it happens, that way when tax time comes around you'll be three steps ahead of the game.

Next week we'll be talking about finding a web host.

If you missed out on the first seven lessons - you can find them at the links below.

http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz181.htm - Part 1
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz182.htm - Part 2
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz183.htm - Part 3
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz184.htm - Part 4
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz185.htm - Part 5
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz186.htm - Part 6
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz187.htm - Part 7