You know that cool feeling of reaching into the pocket of your jacket and finding a $20 bill you forgot about? We all like to find money we forgot we had. Whenever you need some “extra” money for something—whether that might be paying an unexpected bill, buying something for your business, or just splurging to reward yourself—here are some ways you can find the cash you need.

These won’t all work for you, but chances are at least a few can put some extra cash in your pocket when you need it most. Maybe $20 or so, but more likely hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Give this a try and see how much money you can find!
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In order to be creative and work at your peak energy level, you need an office environment that energizes and inspires you. Tired of looking at the same four walls and the same old clutter? It’s time to make changes and revitalize your office and yourself! Here are several ideas on simple changes that make a big difference.

Brighten it up with light. Working in a dark dungeon isn’t good for your energy levels, mood or productivity. Let in the sunshine for an immediate pick-up. If you don’t have a lot of natural light in your home office, add some. You can add lamps and light fixtures in key locations. Instead of harsh light, use natural spectrum light bulbs that simulate sunlight.
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For several years, I have chosen a theme word to keep me focused on what I am trying to achieve. For example, one year the word was “Product,” when I was focused on creating lots of new products. That single word keeps me on the right track, and working toward my goals.

Your theme should be one or two words that relate to your most important goals for the year. Examples of themes might be Organization, Focus, Influence, Visibility, Service, Revenue, Involvement, Delegate, etc. Here is how you can choose your theme and use it to help you achieve more in the new year. [Read more →]

It took me a while to get used to the idea of  using photos with my blog posts. I think in words, not pictures. However, most people (even me) respond to visuals and will be more interested in your blog when you include complementary photos.

In a recent post I told you about some of my favorite sources for stock photos. Today I will give you some tips on how to choose the right photos to go with your posts. [Read more →]

Whenever you hear anyone (including yourself) complain about something, ask yourself, “What opportunity is hidden within this complaint?”

1.More often than not when anyone complains about anything there’s an opportunity wrapped up in the complaint.
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Now you’ve done it. You really messed up this time, and the customer is mad. Or maybe it wasn’t even your fault, but something did not turn out the way it should have. Maybe the customer isn’t angry, but you know that you did not deliver the results you should have.
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One of the questions I get a lot goes something like this, “How do I get customers for my business? I don’t have an email list, a popular web site or any other way to reach an audience. How can I start making money without those things?”

Here’s how… [Read more →]

Most of us take using credit cards for granted. We use them to pay for gas, lunch, travel, office supplies and other routine expenses. What many people forget is that a business credit card can also be a financial management tool. Having a business credit card, which you use only for business expenses, helps differentiate between personal and business expenses.

Many cards provide year end reports that group types of expenses together, making it easy to see where your money went over the course of the year. Those little expenses add up–it can be a shock to discover that you spent $1000 on ink and toner, for example. But that kind of knowledge is helpful when you are looking for ways to cut expenses and use your money more effectively.
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Several readers have asked me where and how I find the photos I use with posts on this blog, so I thought I would share some tips and resources to help you find great images for your blog posts. In this post, we are going to talk about where to find photos and other images you can legally use. An upcoming post will discuss how to choose interesting images.

You should never just grab an image from someone else’s website or from a Google image search. Most of the images you discover that way are covered by copyright, and using them without permission is illegal (not to mention unethical).

What images may you legally use? There are many sources for images, including: [Read more →]

In Greek mythology, the Muses were goddesses who served to inspire those in the arts and sciences. I often find myself wishing for a Muse who could inspire greatness in marketing. Unfortunately, being mythological, they aren’t easy to find.

You can get by without a Muse by finding ways to inspire yourself. Instead of sitting at your computer, waiting for inspiration to strike, try one or more of these: [Read more →]