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Author: Jake Snelson

This post is part of the popular Business of Blogging series. If you’re looking to start a business online, or if you’re looking to grow your business with a blog, the information provided here is a good place to start.

 

 

More and more of today’s business is being done over the internet. Shopping, consulting, taking classes, even ordering food can be done by the swipe or tap on your smartphone. Despite the fact that convenience is one of the internet’s greatest gifts, it also gives us a host of knowledge right at our finger tips.

Blogging is no longer family pictures and a digital way to preserve or share memories. Today, blogging is a key way to provide expert information about your product or service and many online entrepreneurs are financially successful just by providing expert-level information alone.

So how does one turn a blog into a business? We’re glad you asked.

Despite the fact that anyone can start a blog, very few are successfully run businesses. And even though the idea of online businesses is still fairly new, the way to create a successful business is not. In this series, we discuss the details of business as it pertains to blogging, and our goal is to help you turn a profit from providing your knowledge, product, or service on your own little piece of the internet.

It’s all good to DIY things, but there comes a time in your business where things get busy and it’s time to hire an expert rather than continue to do it yourself. If you’re not sure when that might be, you’re in luck. We cover the basics and more in this post of the series.

Read more here…

This post is part of the popular Business of Blogging series. If you’re looking to start a business online, or if you’re looking to grow your business with a blog, the information provided here is a good place to start.

Business of Blogging Part 9 - Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes | Tax & Accounting for Bloggers | Turn Your Blog into a Business | Mazuma USA

More and more of today’s business is being done over the internet. Shopping, consulting, taking classes, even ordering food can be done by the swipe or tap on your smartphone. Despite the fact that convenience is one of the internet’s greatest gifts, it also gives us a host of knowledge right at our finger tips.

Blogging is no longer family pictures and a digital way to preserve or share memories. Today, blogging is a key way to provide expert information about your product or service and many online entrepreneurs are financially successful just by providing expert-level information alone.

So how does one turn a blog into a business? We’re glad you asked.

Despite the fact that anyone can start a blog, very few are successfully run businesses. And even though the idea of online businesses is still fairly new, the way to create a successful business is not. In this series, we discuss the details of business as it pertains to blogging, and our goal is to help you turn a profit from providing your knowledge, product, or service on your own little piece of the internet.

Now that you’ve taken the steps to establish a financial plan, it’s time to get prepped for paying taxes. Even if you’re not hiring an accountant or bookkeeper you can stay on top of your finances and be a pro come tax time. Today we’re talking about Quarterly Estimated Taxes.

Read more here…

Business of Blogging Part 9 - Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes | Tax & Accounting for Bloggers | Turn Your Blog into a Business | Mazuma USA

This post is part of the popular Business of Blogging series. If you’re looking to start a business online, or if you’re looking to grow your business with a blog, the information provided here is a good place to start.

Business of Blogging Part 8 - Invest in Your Blogging Business | Tax & Accounting for Bloggers | Turn your blog into a business | Mazuma USA

More and more of today’s business is being done over the internet. Shopping, consulting, taking classes, even ordering food can be done by the swipe or tap on your smartphone. Despite the fact that convenience is one of the internet’s greatest gifts, it also gives us a host of knowledge right at our finger tips.

Blogging is no longer family pictures and a digital way to preserve or share memories. Today, blogging is a key way to provide expert information about your product or service and many online entrepreneurs are financially successful just by providing expert-level information alone.

So how does one turn a blog into a business? We’re glad you asked.

Despite the fact that anyone can start a blog, very few are successfully run businesses. And even though the idea of online businesses is still fairly new, the way to create a successful business is not. In this series, we discuss the details of business as it pertains to blogging, and our goal is to help you turn a profit from providing your knowledge, product, or service on your own little piece of the internet.

You’ve got some money stashed away so you can cover your blogging expenses. You’ve got an established budget so you know what money you need and where you’re spending your hard earned cash. Now it’s time to start talking about investing in your blogging business.

Read more here…

Business of Blogging Part 8 - Invest in Your Blogging Business | Tax & Accounting for Bloggers | Turn your blog into a business | Mazuma USA

In our opinion there is nothing better than the feeling of a job well done. Starting a small business provides that feeling on a daily basis and we’re even more impressed when we see budding entrepreneurs start businesses before they even graduate. Today we’re sharing some simple tips that will help make your small biz a success, keep you focused on the goals you’ve set, and help you be successful with your business before you even graduate.

 

Make a Business Plan

Creating a business plan is essential for success. It doesn’t matter what your plan looks like – there’s no need for a slide presentation, a bunch of fancy financials, or even a passing grade in a  entrepreneur class. Putting pen to paper and outlining the specifics of your business is all that it takes to get the job done. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you write your business plan:

  • your product or service
  • what you need to produce or provide it
  • who will want to buy it or pay for your services – the more you know about your potential client the better so write down all the details
  • tools/materials you need to produce your product or provide your service and their costs
  • business location
  • how will you market your business and get your product/service to market
  • how much money you will invest back into the business & how much you’ll pay yourself or your employees (percentages of your monthly gross is just fine)
  • timeline on when you plan to open your doors for business

Starting small is just fine and planning to grow as your business expands is the best way to fund a start up venture. Even simple ideas can turn into big business so don’t discredit any of your ideas as you’re brainstorming what type of business to start.

Manage Your Time

Time management is a much needed skill these days, probably even more so if you’re juggling classes, getting your degree, and running a business. Make sure you’re realistic about how many hours you can spend on running your business. Sacrificing sleep, health, a social life, and your grades isn’t a feasible solution to growing your business, so consider bringing on a partner (this could be another college student) or employing other students to help you get the work done.

Manage Your Overhead

Overhead costs include the money you’ll need to get your business up and going as well as the money needed to keep it running. Never consider taking out additional student loans or using money from the ones you already have for funding your business. That money is for education and living expenditures while you get your education. If you need a loan, carefully review terms and know what you’re getting into – excessive debt while you’re in school is just one more stress that won’t help you meet your end goal. If the cost is too great, consider going back to your brainstorm list of business ideas – what other ideas do you have that might cost less to launch?

Manage Your Money 

Starting a side hustle is a great way to help pay your way through college and keep the amount of student loans you rack up to a minimum. Managing the money you have coming in from that side hustle is vital for a healthy business. Make sure you put money back into the business every month, no matter what. Even if the amount is small, keeping your business viable and debt free is best. If you’re finding that you can’t seem to take home even a small cut each month, it might be time to see if you can cut costs or decide to close your doors at least temporarily.

Manage Your Expectations

This is true for every entrepreneur, at every age, and education level. The odds of you growing your business exponentially overnight aren’t good, especially if you’re having to divide your time and resources between school and your biz. Unruly expectations can add more stress and pressure to your already busy life. Tempering your expectations and setting goals that are both manageable and attainable is what will help you have consistent growth. Recognizing how far you’ve come and not being too hard on yourself when you don’t hit your goals is also a great way to control the stress as your business grows.

So tell us about your business ideas!

Manage Your Expectations

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is creating a business plan important for starting a business before you graduate?

A business plan outlines your product or service, target market, costs, and strategies for marketing and growth. It serves as a roadmap to guide your decisions, ensuring that you stay focused on your goals and make informed choices about your business.

How can I effectively manage my time while running a business and attending college?

Effective time management involves realistically assessing how many hours you can dedicate to your business without sacrificing your health, social life, or academic performance. Consider bringing on a partner or employing other students to share the workload, allowing you to balance your responsibilities more effectively.

What are some tips for managing overhead costs when starting a business as a student?

Avoid using student loans for business expenses. Carefully review loan terms if you need external funding, and consider lower-cost business ideas if initial overhead is too high. Managing overhead costs helps prevent excessive debt and financial stress while you’re in school.

How should I manage the money coming in from my side hustle?

Ensure you reinvest a portion of your earnings back into the business each month, no matter how small the amount. This keeps your business sustainable and debt-free. If you struggle to take home any profits, consider cutting costs or temporarily pausing operations to reassess your strategy.

What are realistic expectations for a student-run business?

Understand that rapid growth is unlikely, especially when balancing school and business. Set manageable and attainable goals to maintain consistent progress. Celebrate your achievements and don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t meet every target, reducing stress and maintaining motivation.

This post is part of the popular Business of Blogging series. If you’re looking to start a business online, or if you’re looking to grow your business with a blog, the information provided here is a good place to start.

create a budget for your blog

More and more of today’s business is being done over the internet. Shopping, consulting, taking classes, even ordering food can be done by the swipe or tap on your smartphone. Despite the fact that convenience is one of the internet’s greatest gifts, it also gives us a host of knowledge right at our finger tips.

Blogging is no longer family pictures and a digital way to preserve or share memories. Today, blogging is a key way to provide expert information about your product or service and many online entrepreneurs are financially successful just by providing expert-level information alone.

So how does one turn a blog into a business? We’re glad you asked.

Despite the fact that anyone can start a blog, very few are successfully run businesses. And even though the idea of online businesses is still fairly new, the way to create a successful business is not. In this series, we discuss the details of business as it pertains to blogging, and our goal is to help you turn a profit from providing your knowledge, product, or service on your own little piece of the internet.

Making money is good, but it’s not enough. To run a truly successful blog turned business you need to have and stick to a budget. Budgets can provide a lot of security for a small business and today we’re talking why having a budget for your blog is one of the best ways to guarantee your success.

Read more here…

It can be hard to stay motivated during the holidays.  There is so much to do with end of year reports due, Christmas parties, never-ending projects, and last minute gift buyers.  Don’t let those dissuade you from good business practices. Here are some realistic tips for how to keep your business running smoothly during the holidays:

 

Go With the Flow

Have popular items ready in large quantities and back off on your specialties, even if you like to be different.  You don’t have time for new ideas right now. This is the time to relax and save time by automating what works well and then saving new ideas for the new year.

Take Pride in What You Do

If you specialize in whole, natural ingredients, amazing customer service, etc, let people know what makes you special. Then focus on becoming the BEST at it and you’ll get noticed.  During my recent trip to Italy, I got to know the Italian way of doing business. They really take one small piece of the market, make it theirs, hone their craft, and make it better and better every year.  When you care about your product, your customers will too. This will help you become more creative and help customers get to know you better.

Work Parties are Important

Get to know your people better.  Use this time to genuinely show you care about your co-workers and get to know them better. Think of this as time dedicated to being personable and don’t let work get in the way. See how your teams click and get to know each other in a new environment.  This is where true collaboration and skills are matched.

Don’t be Afraid to Try Something New

Get creative by trying something in a unique and fancy way!-If you have an upcoming event, don’t be afraid to be unique.  Keep things simple to avoid more holiday stress, but don’t be afraid to add unforgettable flair. If you have the right setting and confidence, your unique style will be the thing that sets you apart from other events and companies

Be Consistent

Because they are made consistently and throughout time, even precarious rock structures are there to stay.  Businesses can be much the same. If the business owner takes the time to be consistent in messaging, expanding their thinking, and continually searching for new ways to be creative, they’ll have a business that stands the test of time. Take 30 mins to go over an outline for the next year.  Include events/products/timing that worked well. Changing things just to try out a new idea can be beneficial, however the main foundation of your year should start to become familiar in order to help the new ideas grow.

Make Memories with Your Loved Ones

Remember the good times and work hard so that there will be more.  Take a vacation!! Last year, I visited New Zealand around this time of year.  It always takes a great deal of planning and organizing to get out of dodge for any amount of time. This trip was no exception.  When we got there, we had so much fun. Seeing amazing landscapes, spending time with family and friends, eating new food, experiencing new adventures, and even getting new business ideas! It took alot of hard work to get there in order to have those fun experiences.  Sometimes you just have to plan to take a vacation and let whatever happens, happen. It is always good to come back refreshed, and allow ourselves to break away from the daily grind. My advice is this: Work hard, but also plan and don’t forget to play hard.

When times are crazy, remember to keep breathing, stay true to your message and company, but also have fun and make memories!  Great job all you hard working business owners! Happy Holidays!

FAQs

1. How can I stay motivated during the holidays when there’s so much to do?
Staying motivated during the holidays requires focus. Stick to what’s working, automate tasks, and save new ideas for the new year. Focus on what matters most and manage your time wisely.

2. What should I prioritize in my business during the holiday season?
Focus on popular items and streamline your processes. This is not the time for new ideas. Stick to what works well and keep things simple to save time and energy for the new year.

3. How can work parties help with business success?
Work parties provide an opportunity to build relationships with your team and foster collaboration. Use this time to bond, show appreciation, and enhance teamwork outside of the usual work setting.

4. Is it okay to try new ideas during the holidays?
Yes, but keep it simple. You can add a unique touch to events or projects, but avoid overwhelming yourself with complex changes. Focus on what works while adding a bit of flair to stand out.

5. How can I balance work with personal time during the holidays?
Plan ahead to ensure you get the time off you need. Work hard, but also make space to relax, travel, and create memories with loved ones. This balance will help you come back refreshed and more

This post is part of the popular Business of Blogging series. If you’re looking to start a business online, or if you’re looking to grow your business with a blog, the information provided here is a good place to start.

More and more of today’s business is being done over the internet. Shopping, consulting, taking classes, even ordering food can be done by the swipe or tap on your smartphone. Despite the fact that convenience is one of the internet’s greatest gifts, it also gives us a host of knowledge right at our finger tips.

Blogging is no longer family pictures and a digital way to preserve or share memories. Today, blogging is a key way to provide expert information about your product or service and many online entrepreneurs are financially successful just by providing expert-level information alone.

So how does one turn a blog into a business? We’re glad you asked.

Despite the fact that anyone can start a blog, very few are successfully run businesses. And even though the idea of online businesses is still fairly new, the way to create a successful business is not. In this series, we discuss the details of business as it pertains to blogging, and our goal is to help you turn a profit from providing your knowledge, product, or service on your own little piece of the internet.

You probably know that business expenses can be used as tax write offs. But do you know how to track your expenses so that you don’t run into issues when you claim them come tax time? Maybe you’re even worried about claiming some expenses because the thought of being audited by the IRS is your worst nightmare? We’re sharing our expert tips on how to track your expenses the right way so that you can rest easy and get back to running your business.

Read more here…

This post is part of the popular Business of Blogging series. If you’re looking to start a business online, or if you’re looking to grow your business with a blog, the information provided here is a good place to start.

More and more of today’s business is being done over the internet. Shopping, consulting, taking classes, even ordering food can be done by the swipe or tap on your smartphone. Despite the fact that convenience is one of the internet’s greatest gifts, it also gives us a host of knowledge right at our finger tips.

popular Business of Blogging series

Blogging is no longer family pictures and a digital way to preserve or share memories. Today, blogging is a key way to provide expert information about your product or service and many online entrepreneurs are financially successful just by providing expert-level information alone.

So how does one turn a blog into a business? We’re glad you asked.

Despite the fact that anyone can start a blog, very few are successfully run businesses. And even though the idea of online businesses is still fairly new, the way to create a successful business is not. In this series, we discuss the details of business as it pertains to blogging, and our goal is to help you turn a profit from providing your knowledge, product, or service on your own little piece of the internet.

When it comes to business, the only real way to tell that it’s successful is through its books. You’d be surprised at how many small business owners and bloggers we talk to that admit that their books are less than stellar – they’re not even sure they’re truly making money. Today we’re talking how to create an maintain an organized bookkeeping system and we think you’ll be surprised that it’s a lot less overwhelming than you may think.

Read more here…

We’ll get right to it. Whether you’ve been a small business owner for sometime or you’re fairly new – customer problems are the norm. We’d like to say that once you get into the groove and have worked out the kinks of your business or new venture, customer issues went away, but it just isn’t true. Studies show that 59% of customers have experienced problems in the past six months. But that number isn’t what should be concerning – the fact that most organization’s resolution processes are seriously missing the mark should be.

So how do you go about vetting your current customer problem resolution process? And how do you make changes to improve? Here’s what we’ve found.

Problems Aren’t Just Problems…

Changing perspective is probably the best way to change resolution processes outcome. We’re not just talking about spinning a story or agreeing that the customer is always right – we’re talking about seeing the real problem as something more than just a problem.  With today’s technology, an unhappy customer can easily take their unsatisfying experience to the internet, making it known to the masses. Although something like this can be damaging to your bottom line and ultimately your brand, it doesn’t have to be. As the boss or owner, you can see this as a chance to show your authenticity and willingness to make things right – you’re simply changing your perspective on the situation and with that comes a change in attitude. Instead of feeling frustrated when you approach the problem and the unhappy customer that goes with it, you go into the situation with the upper hand – you know there’s an issue and you’re looking to find a win for everyone involved. This approach makes you the effective leader rather than low man on the totem pole that gets all the dirty work.

You might also be surprised that your new perspective easily rubs off on others.

How to Make a Negative a Positive

Once you’ve changed your perspective, you’re ready to face the problem head on. The very same study that said over half of a customer base would have a problem over a 6 month time span also shows that customers who are engaged in the resolution process are a lot happier than if they’re not included. In fact, 73% of customers repurchase after a problem resolution experience with only 13% remain dissatisfied. So how do you help the customer be a part of the process? We’ve made a short list with a few tried-and-true ideas:

  • show gratitude – tell them you’re glad they spoke up and that you want to make it right. Letting them know that you value them as a customer AND that you value their feedback goes a long way.
  • ask them what would be the biggest help – you can’t just give away free services or product to everyone, but you can ask customers what might be the biggest help to them seeing that they’ve been inconvenienced in some way. Our recommendation is that you only provide this option to customers who are looking for a positive outcome – some just want to complain  or walk away with as much as they can get – we’re fairly certain you’ve run into both types and can tell the difference between those that are looking to resolve things and those that are just wanting to fuel the fire.
  • give clear expectations and a timeline – how many times have you been promised something but then didn’t know the particulars of how it would come about or when it might happen? We’ve been there too. Communicating clear expectations and reasonable timelines helps you build trust with a client who’s questioning if you can help them based on their prior experience. No matter what, don’t promise more than you’re able to give – we recommend building in a buffer when it comes to time so you’re able to go above and beyond expectations rather than disappoint a second time.
  • check-in, follow-up, and express more gratitude – once your resolution plan has been put into process or has been completed its time to follow up. Don’t just send a generic survey or boilerplate email. Instead, leave a voicemail, send a text, or shoot them a brief email you wrote yourself checking up on what’s been happening and making sure things are working out in their favor. Again, more gratitude for their patience or expressing that they’re a valued customer will go a long way.

Now It’s Time to Change The Story

As far as the customer is concerned, the story ends with their happy ending – but for you, it’s the key piece to what happens next. Take a look at the different complaints you’ve been resolving. Are there similarities between them? Can you pinpoint where the problem actually lies? If so, it’s time to get to work and see if you can’t change your story so that the issues don’t occur again.

Although the best case scenario would be to eliminate the problem entirely, it’s not always possible. If that’s the case, look for ways that you can combat the problem at hand so you can at least cut down the number of poor consumer experiences you’re compiling. Not only will this help boost consumer perception, but it will build your employee morale because they’re effecting serious change. You might find that new products or services can help combat the issues that are happening and you don’t have to come up with all the answers yourself- encourage employees to help brainstorm solutions so that everyone is apart of satisfying the customer.

So what problems are you experiencing and how are you turning them into opportunities?

Case study: I recently returned from a business trip to Italy where the group I was with had the privilege to meet in small conferences with the CEO’s of Boeing, Reggiani Lighting, Mapai chemicals, Impact Hub, and about 5 other well-known Italian companies.  What I noticed was an amazing similarity. Italian successful business owners are incredibly genuine, so gracious, and always speak kindly about their competitors. If there are faults in their company or of their competitors, the CEO’s would be very open about those shortcomings, but immediately follow the comment up quickly with the faults and difficulties of doing business in that particular industry.  They are genuine people, and genuine business owners, and genuine leaders.

Many business owners wonder, what is the best way to get noticed, make a difference, and grow a great company?  Some say that it’s Mission, vision, follow up, a drive for sales, knowledge, social media influencers, great financial backers, etc.  Those may all be true, however, the truly great business owners and entrepreneurs cannot ever have a truly great product or company without being genuine.  If you want a product to be successful, you need to approach each step of the customer life cycle AND the product life cycle with genuine care. Here are 3 steps to make your business the best genuine business it can be:

Step #1-Show Gratitude

Expressing gratitude not only sounds good to everyone that hears it, but it reminds your team and your customers that you care. Celebrate the wins your team and company have as well as letting them in on your own wins and defeats.

Case study: I worked with a client a few years ago in an industry I didn’t love.  I worked with their company for 5 years (much longer than other clients) because the business owner always treated me with kindness, appreciated my hard work, sent emails, texts, and hand written cards out of the blue stating how my work was truly making a difference to his company, with specific examples.  When there was a mistake or an adjustment to be made, he was very professional about how it was handled. He called me personally, mentioned how grateful he was for all I was doing, and then brought up the change that needed to be made, in a way that showed me he felt like it was something anyone would do, and wasn’t a big deal.  He then closed the conversation with the knowledge he was counting on me and knew I could handle it my own way. .

Step #2-Forgive and Forget

See the world through the eyes of those with which you come in contact.  Many times things won’t seem fair.  Especially in the competitive small business versus big business entrepreneurial world. Take some time to think about why someone controversial would position themselves the way they are.  Don’t rush to make a decision. Take a break and come back to it later. This helps you cool off, see their side/point, and create a plan that works for both. After you have moved on, don’t hold anything against them.  Use negotiative tactics to create a win-win strategy showing the other side that you understand where they are coming from but you need a solution as well. Creative business plans have often come about from collaborating and being open to new ideas while still holding strong to what needs to be done.

Building A Successful Company

Step #3-Give Back

When you have a good year, as hard as it may be, set a bonus aside for those who have worked hard alongside you, even your clients or customers.  Remember that you wouldn’t be where you are without them. Even if you have a bad year, the widow’s mite can go a long way. Use kindness as a motivator and become involved in your community, college, help our your business mentors, send a note and a gift to your collaborators.  Go big here. Big hearts are remembered much more than big sales people. Pay people what they are worth, not necessarily what you have. Honor the conversations you’ve had in the past about giving out raises, even if it’s not as much as you had initially promised.

Team members and customers love gratitude, being noticed, and having a say in the future of the company.  Entrepreneurship can be lonely. Many times we think “woe is me, no one is [giving us kudos, giving back to us, forgiving my struggling company] so why should I do the same for others?” This is not logical, or emotionally sound thinking.  A religious leader, James E. Faust has said:

“As with all commandments, gratitude is a description of a successful mode of living. The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us.”

Building A Successful Company

When we start showing gratitude for what others around us are doing, we start noticing all the good that we are accomplishing.  Sunny dispositions and cheerful attitudes are NOT overrated. They are professional, they create strong leaders and dynamic businesses that people LOVE to follow, work hard for, and be a part of.  So, that being said, “Have a great day!, even if it didn’t start out that way!”

FAQs

1. How can gratitude improve my business?
Expressing gratitude shows your team and customers that you care. Acknowledging their efforts helps build stronger relationships and fosters loyalty, which can lead to better business results.

2. Why is forgiveness important in business?
Forgiveness allows you to see things from others’ perspectives, leading to more constructive solutions. It helps create a positive environment, even in competitive or challenging situations, promoting collaboration and growth.

3. How does giving back benefit a business?
Giving back, whether through bonuses or community involvement, shows appreciation for your team and customers. It builds goodwill, strengthens relationships, and encourages continued support, fostering long-term success.

4. What makes genuine business leadership stand out?
Genuine leaders are kind, open about their challenges, and always consider the needs of others. They build trust, promote teamwork, and create a positive culture that inspires others to work hard and support the company.

5. How can I apply the principles of gratitude, forgiveness, and giving back in my business?
Start by recognizing your team’s and customers’ contributions, handle conflicts with understanding, and set aside resources to reward hard work. Be proactive in showing kindness, and create a company culture that values these principles.