There are hundreds of small business words and phrases that are important for all small business owners -- new and seasoned -- to know and understand. I have started to create a small business glossary on this site that will serve as an introduction to and reminder of the most important small business terms.

To kick us off, here are the first three of many phrases I'm including in the small business glossary:

• Bootstrapping
• Market Research
• SWOT Analysis

Stay tuned for more small business terms defined over the coming months. And leave a comment if there is a specific phrase you'd like to see included.

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I'm a big fan of step-by-step tutorials that teach you how to do something in a straightforward and easy-to-follow way. How to's are one of the most efficient ways to learn something new and apply it immediately.

I compiled 10 of the most popular tutorials on this site, related to starting a small business. Many readers have used these tutorials to get their businesses off the ground, and I hope you can, too!

Feature Article: 
10 Powerful Small Business How-To's You Need to Follow

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Staples is giving away a total of $250,000 worth of free television advertising to five U.S. small businesses as part of their "Give Your Small Business the Push It Needs" contest. The five winners will each receive $50,000.00 worth of broadcast TV advertising in their local TV market.

How to Enter

Small business owners must submit a 15-second video stating the name, description and location of your business; and a statement about what makes your business unique on Staples' Facebook page.

Entry Deadline

March 14, 2012

Get Video Help

New to video recording? Here are a few articles that will help you make sure you give your business the best chance possible to win:

• 7 Tips for Better Audio Recording
• Record Webcam Videos That Look and Sound Great
• Make Great Videos With Your Phone

Image © Staples

Many readers contact me every week, asking for help with their business planning and marketing processes. I get regular requests for marketing plan samples, business plan templates and other "cheat-sheet" documents. I understand what it's like to be strapped for time and overwhelmed by the process, so I always try to help. Plus, business plans and marketing plans may be two of the most powerful documents you will ever prepare for your business, so I certainly understand why they are hot topics.

The problem with sample documents or pre-filled templates, though, is that they aren't universal. Sure, you could modify some of the information, but unless you're willing to do the research and the legwork to really make those sample plans relevant for your business, they are very limited in their usefulness. They may even hurt your planning process and contribute to you missing key information.

That's why I created a marketing plan tutorial and a streamlined (and less stressful) business plan tutorial. These step-by-step guides will help you create your own plans, based on the information that is most important to your business. These are the kinds of documents that will grow with your business and become your most important tools that you use on a daily basis.

So, I urge you to ditch the marketing plan samples and business plan templates, and put some time into these tutorials. I streamlined and broke down the process into easy-to-follow steps so you can create your own documents that will become blueprints for your small business.

Business Planning and Marketing Tutorials:

• How to Write a Small Business Marketing Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Write a Simple Business Plan

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A few weeks ago, I shared a list of 47 small business ideas. I received such great feedback on the list, that I decided to expand it into 101 small business ideas. I made sure that I included a mix of home-based businesses, retail businesses, personal services, online businesses, and a little of almost everything in between.

So if you are thinking of starting a new business, but haven't decided on one opportunity yet, this list is a must-read. You are sure to be inspired!

Feature Article:
101 Small Business Ideas

More Business Startup Resources

• The Basics: How to Start a Business
• 10 of the Most Common Small Business Startup Mistakes
• Business Plan Help for the Overwhelmed Small Business Owner

Photo © kristja

If you are just starting a business, you are probably thinking about business names. And if you're thinking about business names, you should also be thinking about domain names.

Whether it's for online marketing purposes, or simply to protect your brand, every small business owner should take some time to explore the options when it comes to domain names.

Today's feature article walks you through the seven steps in the domain name registration process, and provides tips for helping you choose the right domain name, right from the start.

Feature Article:
How to Register a Domain Name for Your Small Business

More on Domain Names:

• What To Do When Your Perfect Domain Name Is Taken
• 7 Free Business Name Generators
• Domain Name Search Tools

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A new small business grant program, awarding a total of $25,000, was just launched by Brother and StartupNation. The grant program will provide five $5,000 grants to ambitious entrepreneurs who submit the most original and creative business plan. Winners can use the money to start their own business or initiate a new project in their current small business.

Spruce Up Your Business Plan

Before you enter, you will need a business plan. Keep in mind that your business plan will be judged based on originality, vision, creativity and ability to solve/address a problem or issue.

These resources will help you make sure your business plan is ready to make an impact:

• Start with a Unique Selling Proposition
• How to Write a Simple Business Plan
• Traditional Business Plan Outline

Grant Application

To apply for the grant, go to the StartupNation site and complete the application form.

The deadline to enter is Friday, March 2, 2012. Winners will be announced on Monday, March 26.

Good luck!

Image © Brother/StartupNation

Do you really need an accountant? I don't know about your specific situation, but I do know that many small business owners can benefit from having an accountant on their team. Why? For a number of reasons:

1. If you don't know what you're doing, you can mangle your books and make a mess of your business finances.
2. You are a small business owner, so you are busy. Bringing in help with your accounting processes is a great way to delegate and free up some time.
3. There are a lot of checks and balances that a good accountant does that can not only streamline your business, but also protect you from an audit by the IRS.

Accountants for Small Business

Still not sure if you need to hire an accountant? The feature article today provides a long list of specific tasks an accountant can do for a small business owner. Read it through carefully, then you should be able to decide if an accountant is a good investment for your business.

Feature Article:
Do I Need an Accountant?

Poll: Do You Have an Accountant?

So what do you think about a small business owner's need for an accountant? Do you have an accountant for your business (either as an employee or as external resource)? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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If you recently spent some time setting business goals, I am sure you're ready to dig into your action lists and get started. The problem is, even if you adjusted your priorities to reflect your new goals, you won't automatically have the extra time you need. You may find that you're having difficulty juggling your new tasks with your existing responsibilities, or figuring out where to start.

If this sounds familiar, you may need to make some adjustments to your time management technique in order to maximize your time so you can focus on your goals and priorities. The feature article today shares some of my favorite ways to boost productivity and zero-in on what's most important.

Feature Article:
7 Tips for More Effective Time Management

More Time Management Tips:

• 7 Email Management Tips for Improved Productivity
• How to Beat Procrastination Right Now
• How to Delegate and Grow Your Small Business

Photo © Col6085

Over the past few days, I've blogged about getting started with goal setting, SMART goals and backward goal setting to ease you into the idea of setting goals for your business in 2012.

There are so many options and resources because goal setting can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be, and it's a very individual process. The point is, something is always better than nothing when it comes to goals and planning.

If you are ready to jump in with both feet (and now is the perfect time!), the guide featured today is the perfect starting place. It includes all of the topics I listed above, plus worksheets and tools, goal setting software, and tips for staying motivated. It's the ultimate goal setting resource for small business owners, and is sure to help you kick off 2012 with a plan for success.

Happy New Year!

Feature Article:
A Guide to Small Business Goal Setting

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