The Small Business Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed in Your Small Business

An updated and revised edition of the ultimate small business resource

Whether you′re a novice entrepreneur or a seasoned pro, The Small Business Bible offers you everything you need to know to build and grow your dream business. It shows you what really works (and what doesn′t!) and includes scores of tips, insider information, stories, and proven secrets of success. Even if you′ve run your own business for years, this handy guide keeps you up to date on the latest business and tech trends.

Give your small business its best shot by understanding the best and latest small business strategies, especially during this transformative period. This Third Edition includes ten new chapters devoted to e–marketing, social media, mobility, apps, and more, all of which you can use to grow your business right now.

Find a gold mine of cutting–edge business–building strategies and advice on virtually every topic important to today′s small business owner, including:

Developing your idea and writing a winning business plan

Hassle–free hiring, rewarding, and firing of employees

Understanding insurance and legalese

How to use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media tools to engage, generate leads, and forge strategic partnerships

What you need to know about deal–of–the–day websites and group discount buying

What mobile marketing can do for your business

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xiii

SECTION I Starting Your Business

PART I Genesis

CHAPTER 1. In the Beginning 5

CHAPTER 2. Choosing the Right Business 15

CHAPTER 3. Buying an Existing Business 23

CHAPTER 4. Understanding Your Potential Market 31

CHAPTER 5. Calculating Your Start–up Costs 41

CHAPTER 6. Writing a Winning Business Plan 47

CHAPTER 7. Structuring Your Business 57

CHAPTER 8. Get Your Business Funded 67

CHAPTER 9. Getting Help 83

PART I I Opening Up Shop

CHAPTER 10. Location, Location, Location 91

CHAPTER 11. Branding 101 97

CHAPTER 12. Products and Inventory 105

CHAPTER 13. Savvy Pricing Strategies 113

PART I I I Franchises

CHAPTER 14. Selecting the Right Franchise 123

CHAPTER 15. Secrets of Franchise Success 135

PART I V Home–Based Businesses

CHAPTER 16. The Home–Based Business 145

CHAPTER 17. Successful Home–Based Business Strategies 153

PART V Business on a Shoestring

CHAPTER 18. The Shoestring Entrepreneur 163

CHAPTER 19. Marketing on a Shoestring 175

SECTION I I Running Your Business

PART I Small Business in the Twenty–First Century

CHAPTER 20. Our Flat World 191

CHAPTER 21. The Green Business 199

CHAPTER 22. The New Consumer 211

P A R T I I Money

CHAPTER 23. Accounting Ease 219

CHAPTER 24. Making a Profit 227

CHAPTER 25. Insurance 235

CHAPTER 26. Get a Handle on Taxes 243

PART I I I Management

CHAPTER 27. Hiring and Firing 255

CHAPTER 28. Pay and Benefits 265

CHAPTER 29. Training and Motivating Your Staff 277

CHAPTER 30. Exemplary Customer Service 291

CHAPTER 31. Negotiate Like a Lawyer 297

CHAPTER 32. Legal–Ease I 309

CHAPTER 33. Legal–Ease II 319

PART I V Technology

CHAPTER 34. Managing Your Technology 329

CHAPTER 35. Mobility I: Small Office Mobility 341

CHAPTER 36. Mobility II: Mobile Mania 349

CHAPTER 37. Small Business Software 359

SECTION I I I Growing Your Business

PART I Advertising and Marketing

CHAPTER 38. Basic Advertising Strategies 371

CHAPTER 39. Marketing Muscle 383

CHAPTER 40. Advanced Marketing and Advertising 397

PART I I Your Website

CHAPTER 41. Creating Your Website 411

CHAPTER 42. E–Business Essentials 419

CHAPTER 43. Advanced E–Marketing 429

PART I I I Social Media

CHAPTER 44. Social Media Overview 439

CHAPTER 45. Facebook for Business 449

CHAPTER 46. Twitter and You 457

CHAPTER 47. Link in with LinkedIn 467

CHAPTER 48. Videos and YouTube 475

CHAPTER 49. Groupon and Other Deal–of–the–Day Websites 487

PART I V Growth Strategies

CHAPTER 50. Developing New Channels and Multiple Profit Centers 501

CHAPTER 51. Secrets of Sales Superstars 511

CHAPTER 52. Small to Big 521

CHAPTER 53. Exodus 529

PART V Strategies for Small Business Success

CHAPTER 54. Small Business Success Secrets 541

CHAPTER 55. The Visionary Small Business 551

APPENDIX A How I Became an Entrepreneur 557

APPENDIX B Sample Business Plan 561

Index 563

Steven D. Strauss is America′s leading small business expert. An internationally recognized lawyer and columnist, he is also a popular speaker who regularly addresses groups around the world. His syndicated USA Today column, "Ask an Expert," appears weekly and can also be found on dozens of major websites. Steve is a frequent media guest and commentator, a sought–after small business spokesperson, and a serial entrepreneur. Visit him at www.MrAllBiz.com.