One of the most difficult lessons for entrepreneurs is that the strategies they used to start their businesses are drastically different from the strategies they need to use to maintain their successful businesses. Here are 6 mistakes frequently made by entrepreneurs and how to avoid them.

Too-High Expectations. There’s a big difference between setting goals that will require you to stretch yourself and goals that are simply unobtainable. While it is certainly noble and honorable to set lofty goals, expectations that are too high mean that you have set yourself up to fail. Additionally, if you set expectations for your business that are too high, you will spend far too much money in the process of reaching…

Let’s face it, there’s a lot going on out there. Our economy is on the fritz and every news story tells us that one more multimillion dollar company needs a government bailout. Foreclosures are happening right and left. We have troops in harm’s way, and Christmas is only a few short weeks away. And that’s just the big picture! We haven’t even mentioned your business and all the things that you need to keep up with on a daily basis. Here are 15 ways to keep yourself focused amid all the distraction. See what works for you!

1. Plan for Each Day. Take a few minutes every evening and plan the following day. Outline 3-5 things that you want to accomplish and stick to it.
2. Plan for Each Week. Take a few minutes on…

It is an unfortunate fact that young entrepreneurs and others in the process of starting home-based business may find themselves needing to make money in a hurry. The first reaction to finding oneself in this situation is to panic, rendering it nearly impossible to think clearly and creatively about alternative money-making options. Keep these 6 tips in mind and you’ll be on your way to making some extra cash before the panic even sets in.

1. Sell Stuff. Chances are that you’re surrounded by stuff you simply don’t need anymore. Dig through your clutter, your attic, and the piles off stuff you haven’t looked through in awhile and determine what you can part with. Then hold a garage sale, either alone or with some neighbors. Put up signs around your neighborhood and put an ad in the newspaper.

Likewise, consider…

Every entrepreneur dreams of making it big! Here are 8 keys to making it happen.

1. Don’t Do It if You Don’t Love it. You’re only going to succeed if you love what you’re doing. Your love for your business is what keeps you going even when things look bleak or, worse yet, boring. Your passion it what gets you out of bed everyday to face what it sometimes thankless work. If you don’t really love what you’re doing then you’re not going to see it through to the finish. Never make money your primary goal. Your primary goal should be to have fun doing what you love.

2. Be Relentless. Persistence is often the only difference between wild success and abysmal failure. If you’re challenged, stand up to the challenge, whether it’s another person or a business setback. If you back down, you’re going to lose respect for yourself and doubt your ability to make your business succeed. If you truly believe in what you’re doing, then…

You can’t go anywhere right now without hearing about the economy. Food and gas prices are increasing, and although most of us aren’t running huge banks or trying to balance the federal budget, the stress of the current economic downturn is certainly trickling down to the point that we can feel it. But one of the last things that we want to do in the middle of a rotten economy is slam on the brakes of our own businesses, you know, just in case things get worse. Instead, one of the best things we can do, for our business, for our own sanity, and for the economy, is to step on the gas. Continue your inbound marketing efforts, publish articles that others will find relevant and helpful, and keep networking. Here are 6 reasons why you shouldn’t let the current economy keep you from focusing on your inbound marketing efforts.

1. Time Over Money. The good thing about inbound marketing is that it requires you to invest far more time than money. So take the time to…

Times are tight in the US economy, and no one is more aware of this fact than small business owners. But don’t despair! Here are 9 expert-tested ways to keep the cash flowing even in an economic downturn.

1. Raise Prices. This is a no-brainer, right? If you need more money then just charge more for your product or service. The ideal result of an increase in prices is that nothing happens. Your customers keep purchasing what you have to offer and you don’t hear anything about it. The less ideal scenario is that some customers may go elsewhere, but don’t let that stop you. Increasing your prices by 5% or 10% provides more profit and an increase in cash flow.

2. Find Old Customers and Invite them Back. Once you’ve gotten contact information on your customers, contact them regularly. Invite them to do business with you again, and give them…

Given the rise in popularity of internet marketing, wouldn’t it be great to know exactly what it takes to be successful at such an endeavor? Here are 5 traits of successful internet marketers. How do you measure up?

1. Broad Knowledge Base. A successful internet marketer should be, at the very least, a well-rounded person. He should have a wide base of general knowledge and be able to use that knowledge to his advantage by drawing on it to come up with new and innovative ideas. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are a must since…

It’s no secret that our economy is in bad place, and it’s quite possible that no on is feeling the strain as much as small business owners. After all, is there any group that needs access to financing more than business owners? How are entrepreneurs going to be affected, and what can you do to keep your business successful in the midst of this economic downturn?

The primary piece of advice from most experts is keep pursuing your business goals rather than sitting on your hands and waiting for the crisis to blow over. Though the conventional wisdom might be that it’s impossible to…