SoKy Local Business or "SoKybiz"

Disaster Prep

Now this is very interesting! I've written about the importance of a solid back up plan for small business networks many times in the past. Admittedly, my back up plan is complicated and frankly, I'm not even sure it would work. This Red Paw looks like a no brainer solution. Apparently, it keeps a constant backup of one or more computers and in the unfortunate case that your computer is lost, it recovers everything from image files to software registration to personal settings.

I've never tried it, but I do believe I'll be getting one of these soon. Here's the catch! Even if I do buy one, I hope to never be able to report if it worked or not. It's one of those things you have to kind of hope you never need. I suppose I could intentionally crash a computer to test it, but who's got time for all of that?

From the website:

$999.00: The Personal BackupBox, with its 2 Terrabyte[sic] capacity, is the Perfect Backup Solution...For The Home Or Office user who needs lots of storage for digital images. Simply plug it into your computer and turn it on.

If or when your computer ever is damaged, corrupted, or stolen, the BackupBox will create an exact replica of your system on new hardware in about an hour. You will have everything back the way it was...your programs, desktop, bookmarks, documents, etc... And, you won't have to reinstall a thing or search for long-lost software licenses!

Best of all, the BackupBox requires zero technical knowledge to install and use. Plug it in, and two clicks later, you have a fully automatic and on-going backup solution that you never need to think about again...until you need it. When you do need it, the included Restoration CD walks you through the recovery with a few clicks -- turning what used to be a complex and time-consuming task into a non-event.

There's another HUGE catch... it doesn't work on a Macintosh. Phooey!

Labels: backup, disaster

This was posted by SoKy : 7:49 AM  0 comments links to this post

I’ve taken some criticism from a few friends and associates about starting a publishing company in 2007. It’s understandable with all of the bad press, declining margins and circulation drops that people would be concerned for me. Overall, it’s not going so bad for my little magazine and we just published our 12 issue which is nearly double the page count and advertisers. I wrote about it briefly on my personal blog http://blog.davidfrancis.org. In short, I’m very pleased and encouraged by the results of our labors, even so much as to have registered a few new domain names today and have started writing another business plan and restructure of my publishing efforts.

My idea was not to become another news source. I felt we have a glut of news on TV, in print and on the internet. My idea was not to copy any other publication at all, but to create a product that I longed for. My motivation was selfish you could say because I created something that I would read. I also felt that if I worked hard to help my community, I would be rewarded through loyalty and pride in the product. I feel it is working.

When I first started blogging in 2005, I made mention about the demise of the newspaper as we know it. I expressed my opinion even more recently that the business model of daily newspapers is flawed or even broken, but I do not suggest it is beyond repair. Far from it actually.

Today, when I was supposed to be working I found myself surfing some blogs and websites I enjoy reading and ran across an interesting new (to me) section of Advertising Age. It’s called, “The Newspaper Death Watch.” In the comments, I found another blog titled the same. It’s interesting that people much smarter and more informed are making the same observations I have. That something is broken and needs to be fixed.

Reference http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=126685  & http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/ 

I’ve had several interesting discussions this week with editors and publishers, not so much about the demise of the newspaper, but some of the flaws or ways to improve or enhance them. I’ve exchanged e-mail with some who want to know what I think the solution is. I play my cards a little closer to the vest these days and don’t share all of my ideas like I used to, but I have listened carefully to what others have said. More importantly, I have also been able to interpret the motivations and passions that ultimately are the root of the issue with many small daily newspapers.

Another interesting development over the past several weeks, I’ve had three different publications contact me for advice. No... I didn’t share any, I’m not stupid. But it does make me feel good that other people see something in my publication that they want for their own.

Correction, a forth publication contacted me from Biloxi MS, an automotive weekly classified. She honored me through her words and said that she picked up a copy of SOKY Happenings at the Corvette Museum while passing through from up north. She said she picks up everything she can for good ideas and in her words, “Your magazine is the best one I found, so great in fact that I wanted to call and tell you. I also want to know how you do it.” I told her everything from software to technical details and even provided a potential source for printing that would increase her quality and lower her cost. I’m not stingy, just careful. (grin)

My point is that I did not set out to create another newspaper. That would be stupid! I set out to create something I felt the community would enjoy and be an effective method of advertising for our sponsors. I didn’t copy what anyone else was doing, I did something different. The difference shows in our publication, so much so that other publishers want me to share my secrets.

Note: I have a 3x5 card near my monitor that reads; “If you want things to be different, you have to be willing to do different things.” The same goes for this product; I wanted something different and created it.

On a more useful note: (grin)
Another key to the level of success we have achieve is my willingness to do whatever it takes. Also that of my wife, her commitment has been amazing. I have not tried to do things that I cannot accomplish myself or that would cost more than I could afford. I stayed within my personal skill set so I didn’t have to rely on anyone. Sure, I had to learn many new skills and make some investment, but the bottom line (which I have written about many times) is that I needed to keep my overhead low and only attempt what I could accomplish myself. Fortunately, willing contributors came forward and I received invaluable help with graphics, illustration, layout and technical advice from people I never even knew before I got into this business. I was willing to open my mind and learn new ways of doing things and that my friends is what has allowed us to achieve what we have in only 1 year.

Now I admit, my skill set is a little more diverse than the average Joe, but I really had no idea how to publish a monthly magazine when I set out to do it. I just did what had to be done and it all came together. Today, the software and hardware I use is different, my daily routine is different, even the language I use is different because I was willing and able to learn it. There is much more I will have to learn, but I have been going at a pace that I can keep up without having to depend on others.

I hope you find some encouragement in my words and that my journey might inspire you to keep up the good fight and go for your dream. I am and it feels great. Sure, I’ve failed a number of times, but like Nemo, I just keep swimming.

Thanks for reading.
~ David Francis

Labels: personal, print publishing, small business, Soky Happenings

This was posted by SoKy : 2:48 PM  0 comments links to this post

Monday April 14^th is kind of the last minute to be thinking of options for paying taxes. I just read an article that may offer some comfort, or at least some options for those who owe more than they can afford. http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/104810/Bill-Busters   

Overwhelming tax debt got you worried? First file, then consider options

"The IRS isn't going to go away. If you owe them, they'll hound you until after you're dead," said Cindy Hockenberry, a tax information analyst with the National Association of Tax Professionals, in Appleton, Wis. (And she's not joking: If the executor of your estate doesn't pay your tax bill and distributes your assets to your beneficiaries, the IRS will go after the executor.)

If you don't file a return, you'll pay 5% a month, up to 25% of your total bill, until you do. But the failure-to-pay penalty is much less, just one-half of 1% per month, up to 25% of the total due.

I am fortunate to have a great tax guy at Professional Tax Service in Bowling Green. Visit their website (http://www.1040.com/ProTax) and ask for Mike Buser. Tell him David Francis sent you. Mike offers more than just comfort; he asks many questions and offers great advice not only for this tax year, but in the year to come. (No, this is not an advertisement for Professional Tax Service nor am I compensated in any way for mentioning it.)

Sure, I have accounting software and keep my records, receipts and notes. But having a counselor who’s focus and expertise is income tax provides more than spreadsheets and printable forms; it provides a warm fuzzy and knowledge that I have paid the proper taxes, but not too much.

Mike also offers strategic advice for the coming year. His advice for me was, “You may want to come in around September and we will look at the any possible tax advantages of incorporating your companies.”

But back to the point! Even if you feel you owe more tax than you can afford to pay, read the linked article and file accordingly! In this case, it is not a time you want to ask forgiveness instead of permission.

Labels: Accounting, bookkeeping, small business

This was posted by SoKy : 7:49 AM  0 comments links to this post

Some would think me crazy for getting into publishing business, especially one that relies completely on advertising revenue when we continue to read news and blogs about the financial tragedy facing many newspapers. Perhaps that is why I didn't start a newspaper. (grin) Sure, my original concept was to start a newspaper but I wanted something more, something different and frankly, something that had a chance of success without investing millions of dollars. I have a million ideas how to make a newspaper work, but then I keep reading stories about how subscriptions are down and advertiser dollars are evaporating.

Stories like:

Newspapers' ad spending off 10% in fourth quarter

Improved outlays for online ads can't compensate for weak classified

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Advertising expenditures at newspapers and their online editions fell 10% in the fourth quarter despite a sharp increase in online ad buys, suggesting that the industry remains troubled by a shift away from print readership and a sputtering U.S. economy.

Ad spending at newspapers and their Web sites totaled $12.6 billion in the December quarter, compared with $14 billion in the final three months of 2006, the Newspaper Association of America said Friday.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/newspapers-ad-spending-down-10/story.aspx?guid=%7B48909E0F-6C4E-4C8B-B610-1059DD6AF9D4%7D

I've always suspected that the Achilles heel of newspapers was the classifieds. I could count the words, inches and number of paid ads and see that it is a huge base of revenue for a newspaper. Display ads are important, but I've always thought that the daily classifieds are what keep the lights on. I've watched sites like www.craigslist.org offer free classified and wondered how it was affecting the bottom line of newspapers.

I also read blogs about the newspaper business and one called Reflections of a Newsosaur is on my short list of favorites. His most recent post (at the time of this one), suggests that the trials facing daily newspapers will continue into the next year and beyond.

Newspaper revenue crisis mounts

After suffering the worst sales decline in nearly 60 years in 2007, American newspapers could be heading to an even deeper drop in 2008, based on the industry's performance in the early months of this year.

If sales continue deteriorating at the same dismaying rate for the balance of the year, the resulting revenue crisis will threaten the economic viability of the financially weakest and most debt-ridden newspapers – and the journalistic mission of nearly all of them.

Slammed by the unprecedented collapse of every major advertising category, American newspapers in 2007 recorded their worst sales decline in modern history, as print revenues fell 9.4% to $42.2 billion (vs. a forecast here last fall of $42.7 billion).

http://newsosaur.blogspot.com/2008/03/newspaper-revenue-crisis-mounts.html

When I considered getting into the publishing business, I read anything I could get my hands on about the business. I came to a number of conclusions; but without revealing too much, let me just say that I knew that I had to do things differently if I wanted to experience any amount of success. I am fortunate in that the publishing business is new to me and I am not entrenched in old methods or ways of doing things. I created my own model based on what I felt would be interesting to me, and others.

I have a billion ideas about how to "fix" a newspaper. I have written many of them down and then thrown them away because there is little chance I would ever be in a situation where I could implement them. In my opinion, the standard newspaper business model is broken. In order to reverse the trends, I believe that the newspaper business model needs to be reinvented from the ground up. It would mean changes that the "old dogs" would refuse to make and because of that, I believe you will see a different kind of model emerge, overtake and replace what we call a newspaper today.

The newspaper is not going anywhere for a long time! There will be a need for a daily newspaper for at least as long as I live. The question is, what will it look like in 50 years when my time is through? Look at a newspaper printed 50 years ago, then look at one printed today. They are very similar. And that is exactly my point.

For the locals who may be reading... I am not writing about any particular newspaper! I am writing about the newspaper business in general. For first time readers, I publish a monthly events guide and have nothing to do with the newspaper business per se. It is of interest, but not anything I am involved in.

This was posted by SoKy : 1:00 PM  0 comments links to this post

Now as they return home the old job may not have the same appeal.  Or they may simply be ready to transition to civilian life and the next stage of their careers. 

The SBA, through nearly 800 lending institutions across the country, has developed a program to encourage and support our service men and women in their entrepreneurial dreams.

http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2008/03/100-million-loaned-to-us-veteran-entrepreneurs.html/

This was posted by SoKy : 7:48 AM  0 comments links to this post

I received a call the other day from a graphics designer. She wanted to know, in a nut shell, how come my websites come up higher on search engine results than hers. I said, “well that’s complicated.”

In a nut shell?
There is no way I could explain how to optimize a website in a few minutes. The fact is, I learned through trial and error over the past 13 years. Basically however, it comes down to hard work, attention to detail and integrity.

People have tried many different ways to “trick” the search engines into ranking their sites higher. People have used everything from hidden text to repeated words in the source. The search engines all work a little differently and they are vastly different than in 1995 when I started, but they also work in many of the same old ways.

I have found that if I create my client sites to effectively communicate the message they are trying to convey, that my sites do better on search engines. Basic rules apply such as appropriate page titles, headers and text, as well as the name of the folders and pages themselves.

If you look at the source code of my client websites, you’ll see many “meta tags.” These are used to help other computers digest the web pages and the entire site. I also use special ones for my own site maintenance and internal features. Everything from page level descriptions to GPS coordinates can be found in my meta tags. Does it help? Probably not so much, but it doesn’t hurt either.

The secret?
Create websites to comply with section 508 of US Code (www.section508.gov). I was “forced” to learn how to develop websites for people with disabilities when I was creating and managing military websites in the 90’s. Basically, I create web pages to be read by screen reading software for people who cannot see well. I have found that if screen readers can read the pages, so can the search engines.

There are many more tips and tricks I use, but they all are applicable to fast loading pages, content that is in context, and with an eye toward valid HTML and 508 compliance.

And now you know how this old dog reaches a little higher on the search engines than most.

Labels: 508, search engines, web development

This was posted by SoKy : 10:15 AM  0 comments links to this post

My good friend and Kung Fu Sifu came to visit me in my office yesterday to discuss his new website, which he designed himself because as he said, “I knew you were so busy.” We discussed the particulars and then our conversation turned to; “so how’s it going?”

Sifu Sam mentioned that he would like to see me in class again and wondered when I expected to return. I explained that this new business of mine has taken a huge toll on me this past year. I explained that I could count the number of days off on one hand, and that I have slept at my office more often than at home since starting the magazine. He said, “That’s not good.” I agreed to a point, but then I came into this knowing it would be difficult.

He explained to me how busy he has been learning new techniques and expanding his business. He has made many changes in his techniques and methods and even his own diet. He has been working very hard to master his new skills and make his business better. We talked about the need for balance in life, not only in business, but also in fitness and diet. It was a nice talk and led right into the question; “What are going to do to find balance?”

Ah... balance.

Truth be told, I’m so out of balance these days that even my own wife recently accused me of being a “work-a-holic.”  I explained to her that if I were a work-a-holic, I would not have had the drive and determination to work 24/7/365. I know, it sounds like a contradiction but it’s true.

I am determined to build a business that allow me the freedoms I long for. I am working so hard to earn the freedom and resource to travel, to take up new hobbies, to see and do many new things. I have always known that building this or any new business would take a huge investment in time and effort, especially when trying to build it on limited resource as we have.

I had another encounter yesterday that assured me that my investment has been well placed. Our new salesperson (our 5^th) had a great (best) week selling ads and we had a very encouraging discussion about the short term and long term expectations for the company. We all feel that this magazine has crossed a threshold from obscurity to necessity. Our customers have come to know and trust the company and are now more willing to join us in our journey so to speak.

While the goal is still somewhat out of reach, it is in sight and things are happening now that would not have been possible without the thousands of hours, sleepless nights or the willingness to learn and master new skills.

It’s almost a year to the day that we decided to create this new business and it’s been a long and difficult road. We have learned many things about the business and people in the community. We have discovered who we can trust, and unfortunately, who we cannot trust. Though there are many challenges ahead and there is still much to do, the time continues to be invested to reach our goals and dreams.

The investment of time has been very expensive. I have missed many opportunities, passed up many offers, and even allowed my own health and fitness levels deteriorate to a point that it will take months to correct. There have been many sacrifices in building this business and the fact is, like many investments, there has always been the risk that the time and effort could possibly return very little should the company fail.

There is a term in the investment world, “The higher the risk, the higher the gain.” That term has inspired many people to take a chance on an investment only to lose everything.  That term has also inspired people to take a chance on something and reap huge rewards. That is how I entered this year, I knew it was going to be difficult and I knew there was a chance I would fail. But I also knew that “if” I could make this work, it would be a great thing for me, my family and even my community.

It’s happening!

Interesting mile post; I’ll be getting my truck back this week and it serves as a significant mark in my year long struggle to remake myself. Briefly, I was involved in a head on collision about a year ago right after some significant losses in my business. The truck is one of those things I’ve neglected and not had repaired until now. Heck, I didn’t need it since I was at my desk all of the time anyway. Well, it’s fixed and I should receive it this week. It will grant me some freedom since I don’t have to borrow a ride from someone else. It also marks a turning point in my life from slave to my new company to leader of the new empire. (grin)

I have decided that regaining personal transportation will be my point of resolution to take a few hours for myself each day. Those hours will be in the gym or at the martial arts school. I will go home more often and will do some things that I want to do instead of have to do.

Yes, this past year has been the ultimate investment of time I’ve ever made. I am proud to say that it was a good investment. While it is only the first part of the plan, it is the most significant part as it will allow me the resources to continue the plan.

I can’t get back the year I’ve invested. I can’t rewind time and time is one thing that once spent is gone forever. Had I failed, I think I would have been happy in the effort. Fortunately, I’m not faced with time lost, I am being rewarded for the investment in many ways and it feels good. I have much to do still, and it will require more time; I am willing to make that ultimate investment.

Labels: changes, planning, small business

This was posted by SoKy : 8:32 AM  0 comments links to this post

This is going to seem like a very strange post from me considering my experience and success as a web developer, but it has to be said!

When people look to the internet to market their business, it seems that many times they abandon everything they’ve ever learned about marketing, branding and quantifying results. A business who has invested thousands of dollars in branding and marketing their business in traditional methods of advertising will sometimes forget the hard learned lessons because the internet is something new and special.

A buddy of mine owns a local telephone directory / yellow pages, we engage in some very heated arguments about the usefulness of the internet and local directories. I must admit that his product, as a whole, is better than online directories because people use the print version. (period)

The internet has its place and should not be overlooked when considering the overall strategy, but please do not abandon what has worked for you in the past.

My yellow page buddy sent me a link to a great website about yellow page advertising. It’s www.ypcommando.com. There is a blog there that I MUST quote from today.

Advertiser expectation and patience for results from online advertising are difficult to meet because the Internet does not bypass human nature of procrastinating, building trust, qualifying, deciding and taking action.

It’s important for traditional advertisers to NOT abandon their terrestrial publications, rather embrace change as a restaurant owner embraces trends.

read it all

The bottom line in my opinion is that people should consider the internet as a possible way to enhance their “terrestrial publications.” You will never be more disappointed than when you shift all of your marketing dollars from methods that have worked to the internet only to see sales fall.

My Advice? Mix the internet in with other methods that have been working for you. Use the lessons of product, price, placement and promotions that are the foundations of your marketing plan and then find ways to integrate them into online use. Stay consistent with your corporate branding and identity online and find ways that will bring all of the efforts under one plan, hopefully a plan that works.

I realize that some may find this strange advice from someone who has made his living building and hosting websites for more than 10 years. Truth be known, I have never suggested that the internet is the end all – be all of marketing and advertising. I would even argue with my own clients who would make such a suggestion. There are many ways to leverage the power of the internet to increase sales, loyalty and market reach, but those should be used in concert with traditional marketing and advertising efforts.

Labels: Advertising, branding, marketing, small business

This was posted by SoKy : 12:40 PM  0 comments links to this post

I recently read that any well organized person is a person obsessed with lists. It makes sense and I do my fair share of listing, though my lists are not very well thought out. A list is great if you know where to find it... ya think?

As I enter into the first full week of the year, I find myself overwhelmed with the number of things I need to get done. From writing letters to making sales calls, the next two weeks are going to be very busy. Throw in a couple of websites and getting my truck back from the body shop, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.

A lesson I learned many years ago was to write down a complete list of everything that needs to be done as you think of it and in no particular order. Once you have the master list, take a sheet of paper and draw a big plus sign from top to bottom and side to side. The top left box is for those items that must be done now and above all else, this is the important and urgent box. The box below this one is the urgent not important. Then on the right top, list those items that are important but not urgent, and yes, you guessed that the bottom right box is for items that are not urgent and not important.

Note: At 5:00 A.M. on Sunday morning, writing a blog is not urgent and not important but something I just want to do.  This brings up another good point, this method of organizing priorities can also be broken into “roles and goals.” It tends to complicate the process but basically, there are personal, business and other categories that can be created and items can be listed there.

Oh; I do recall that the Urgent/Important concept came from Franklin Planner training (yes I went to a class) and the Roles and Goals concept came from 7 Habits training (yes I went to a class) that I received many years ago.

I have a plan to reach several hundred businesses in the next two weeks, with that in mind, I must prepare to be organized or I will lose control of the information streaming in. Taking time (making time) to consider the day before it starts as well as the day as it ends will help me keep track of all of the new items that will invade my to-do grid.

Another tool that I like to use is a “contact card.” It is something that I have used in the past and it works for me quite well. Basically, I take a stack of 4x6 index cards and run them through my printer. Simple lines for date, time, names, places and a block to staple a business card is all I need. The main areas are for notes and follow ups.

Using the contact cards allow me to physically sort the contacts that need attention, or to put them in follow up piles for later reference. It provides me some assurance that I won’t forget a contact while allowing me to forget them for now so I can concentrate on the urgent/important and new items on my list.

As an experienced application developer, I have been working on a contact manager that would accomplish much of the same tasks but having the pile of cards seems to be more manageable than an obscure database of information.

No matter how you decide to organize your priorities or required tasks, discovering a method that works for you that will allow you be more productive and can bring you more peace, more time and more money.

Labels: planning, small business, tips and tricks

This was posted by SoKy : 6:11 AM  0 comments links to this post

So far so good for the year; I’ve posted one blog per week. Okay, it’s only the first week and time will tell if I live up to my commitment but I have received more incentive to blog more frequently. I received an invitation to join the Forbes Business and Financial Blog Network from the membership manager herself.

I must admit, I was highly skeptical and replied to the invitations twice to make sure it was for real. I also searched her name and phone number just to get a “warm fuzzy.” Forbes was patient and replied to me both times assuring me that it was on the up and up. So here I am! I filled out the paperwork and am waiting for marching orders.

So what’s next? This new membership plus my own commitment to the small business community puts my plan to upgrade this blog in overdrive. I will be importing the old blogs and categorizing them in a new custom solution. This may take some time and I will do my best not to break the existing pages, but it will allow me to read each post, choose to revise it, remove it or include it with some categorization and keyword tagging.

I’m shooting for a minimum of one blog per week to be published on Mondays though I’ve had several ideas for blogs since I posted this week. The third week of the month will be the most difficult because that is when I go to press with my print magazine.

The plan: Move this domain to a new server and change the blog engine I use to post. I will put all current pages on the new server and redirect as each is moved to the ASP.NET system. What’s most difficult about this process is the changed page names (from .asp to .aspx). This is all very technical but it underscores my opinion that when moving an existing website to a different system, every effort should be made to keep from breaking links. It’s very similar to filing an address change form when moving to another office. This is not the technology blog so I won’t bore you with the details.

Labels: blogging, personal

This was posted by SoKy : 4:26 AM  0 comments links to this post