Canadian Small Business Women

Connection, Synergy, Community

Network and Thrive

Even though it’s 2018 and much progress has been made, it’s no secret that professional women are still at a disadvantage in the workplace. The same is true of entrepreneurs.

 

The glass ceiling is holding strong

While progress has been made over the last decades and even more over the past few years, the glass ceiling is still stubbornly holding strong.

This is why networking, an important component of any professional’s career, is even more important when it comes to women – whether they want to climb the ladder to the C-suite or start their own business.

Networking is the most influential and efficient way to raise your profile in the business and corporate world. However, networking will only help you if done strategically.

At this point in history, men entrepreneurs (on average) are more successful than women entrepreneurs (on average) at growing their businesses. To be as successful as the men, you do have to do something you can do but that many women don’t: Build a strategic network

 

Top 8 networking tips for women

 

  1. Be Yourself: If you are guarded, people will not get a sense of who you really are and it will be difficult to connect with you. Bring your smartness and uniqueness to light.
  2. Be passionate about what you do: if your personal values don’t line up with the product or service that your company sells, you need to leave the organization or to do something else. How can you passionately talk about your business when networking if you are not excited about it. If you are not enthusiastic about what you offer, others won’t be interested in what you stand for.
  3. Take it one step at a time:You won’t amass a huge network of contacts overnight. Researches have found that just ten minutes a day is all it takes to make a big impact on the size and quality of your network.
  4. Do your research:The internet is a mine of information, and finding you have something in common with people you’re about to meet is gold. A quick online search can tell you that you went to the same university or have a connection in common.
  5. Don’t avoid men: Many women have a tendency to go to functions that only other women will attend, which limits the benefits of networking. You need to think strategically and make as many valuable connections as possible to further your success. And the best way to do so is with women and men.
  6. Help them to help you:It’s as important to be found as to find others. Having an up-to-date LinkedIn profile (including a professional headshot) makes you much more likely to be approached by new connections.
  7. End as you mean to go on:You may only have one chance to make a good first impression, but you can undo all your good work if you make a bad exit. Say a proper “goodbye” and follow up the next day to make sure your new contact remembers you for the right reasons.
  8. Follow-up: We know that the follow-up is key to cashing in on your networking efforts, but this is one of the greatest areas of missed opportunity because people don’t make time for it and then wonder why they didn’t get the deal.

Don’t just limit yourself to local, in-person networking gatherings if you want to see the best options and most opportunities in the field you’re playing in. Consider newer, more effective alternatives to networking that can take you and your business to unprecedented territories.

 

Women’s rights advocate and gender equality specialist, Darine BenAmara has dedicated her career to supporting other women. She is an international speaker, writer and advocate. Darine has significant international experience advancing women in leadership, leading global diversity and inclusion programs and advocating for women at work. Inspired by the many women she met, she designed “The Smart Woman”, an initiative helping women to overcome the challenges of networking and learn how to create smart connections to fulfill their career goals.

Connect with Darine on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Visit The Smart Woman website.

The Cost of Hiring an Amateur

Understandably as a business owner there are A LOT of expenses to start and run your business. A common area entrepreneurs try to save a little is by doing their own bookkeeping. However bookkeeping is a vital process for a business and doing this wrong can be financially devastating! If you are going to be a DIYselfer avoid the following mistakes!

  • Keep track of your personal contributions into the business! The money you invest becomes part of your cost base and one day you will need to know what this cost when you sell the business or die. Keeping track of your personal contributions into the business will also have an immediate tax impact when you want to withdraw money from the business.
  • Missing eligible deductions! You don’t know what you don’t know and that could result in you missing eligible deductions or not maximizing the expenses you are claiming. So what? That means more taxes paid (or not enough loss recorded!). This is a hard one to learn on your own and some accountants or business development centers do offer courses on exactly this.
  • Not preparing financial statements! If you are just using an excel spreadsheet and putting your expenses under the right column heading; unfortunately this is not going to be helpful. Yes you have a grand total at the end of the month, and you can use this to make an income statement, but what you are lacking is the ability to make a balance sheet. This will be of greater consequence if you ever need to ask for a bank loan, investors or want to sell the business – they will want to see a complete set of financial statements.
  • Mixing personal and business finances. If you don’t separate the activities of the business from your personal activities it will be virtually impossible for you to truly understand how your business is doing. Did you spend that money investing back into the business… or did you spend it on personal activities? Plus if everything is combined the CRA then will access everything if they are auditing you. Treat the business – mentally and physically – as a separate entity and keep a proper paper trail of activities between business You and personal You.

These mistakes are by no means the full list of common mistakes. But each of these has a significant tax impact and business impact for you often immediately and in the future.

 

 

 

“Behind Every Great Business is a Great Accountant”

For more information on how to keep your business tax efficient, or to get a consultation on whether you are making all the right tax choices for your business, contact Dharna CPA. www.dharnacpa.ca. Info@dharnacpa.ca

Perfectly Precise

Sheralyn

Precision.  It is such an important word and embodies a world of meaning. Depending on your industry, precision could be a technical term that relates to accuracy or, for your business purposes, might simply mean choosing the best words possible for your website content or next marketing campaign. Typically, we associate precision with the accounting industry more so than we might when thinking of those whose primary “tools” are words. Today however, I take this opportunity to remind you that being precise when it comes to words is not only nice, it’s necessary.

Our friends at Merriam-Webster define precision as this: “the quality or state of being precise: exactness or accuracy.” For my husband, as a Tool and Die Maker, exactness means working to tolerances that represent less than the width of a human hair, on molds that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. If he makes a mistake, it could have huge and expensive ramifications. Given that one little piece of metal he once worked on is now actually orbiting in outer space, you can imagine how important precision is to his business. Any firm who has undergone an accounting audit will also be able to describe the importance of precise, accurate records.

Words, and the precision with which you choose them, may not make space exploration history but they are still critically important to your mission – that of making your business a success. When you go to a paint store, you don’t ask for “green” paint, you state the specific shade of green you seek. You ensure accuracy by being precise.  There is a world of difference between “forest” green and “lime” green and being precise will help ensure you only have to paint the room once!

What can be frustrating about the English language is that occasionally there are several appropriate words to choose from. How do you choose the best one?  For newcomers in particular this can be challenging. Simply deciphering the “their,” “there” and “they’re” conundrum can be frustrating. However, the very fact that there might be two or even three great words to select from simply highlights that you both CAN and SHOULD choose the best word possible. Clarity is the goal. Consider using a dictionary or a thesaurus when writing, ask a friend to review your content or poll your customers to ask what about your website attracted them and whether any particular word, logo, slogan or marketing material grabbed their attention. Ask a professional to create or edit content for you because statistics consistently show that you only have between 10 – 30 seconds to make a favourable impression on your website.  That’s not much time. If you want your message to resonate, attract customers and turn a website search into an actual sale, it’s imperative you make every word count.

As Owner and Principal partner of “Writing Right For You” Sheralyn is a Communications Strategist – working together with entrepreneurs to maximize profit through effective use of the written word. Looking for web content that works, blog articles that engage or communications strategies that help you get noticed?  Contact Sheralyn today. Sheralyn is also the mother of two children now entering the “terrible and terrific teens” and spends her free time volunteering for several non-profit organizations.

Sheralyn Roman B.A., B.Ed.

Writing Right For You

Communications Strategies that help you GET TO THE POINT!

416-420-9415 Cell/Business

writingrightforyou@gmail.com

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Aviary Photo_130605261112039905

As an entrepreneur, ‘collaborating’ and ‘delegating’ are important functions to help your business flourish. By establishing reliable and compatible relationships with professional individuals – and eliminating the need to micromanage – it will be easier for you to push your business to the next level. However, when working outside of your own area of expertise, collaborations and partnerships can sometimes prove challenging.  By clearly establishing rules with your potential consultant or project, you can save yourself many headaches and financial grief.

Compatible Work Style

When working with someone new, make sure that they are able to achieve your project outcomes, while simultaneously complementing your personal workstyle. Don’t just decide to work with someone by solely looking at their past work. Discuss their personal workstyle, weekly availability, and professional charges for cost overrun. It is important for you to take time to learn about the person you are working with, make sure you understand how they work, and ensure there is synergy in how you can carry forth projects.

Transparent Communication

The terms of any work relationship should always have to be made clear from the start. Nobody wants to work with someone who backtracks on their promise. That’s why outlining the scope of your project in a clearly written agreement, contract, or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), having it signed by both parties, can save you a lot of grief. By having your work relationship written out on paper, you and the person you are working with will have a better understanding of what working together really looks like, thereby avoiding any unnecessary guess work and professional conflict. Also, it doesn’t matter whether the person you are working is a family member or a friend – write out the terms of the work relationship anyways. There is nothing worse, than getting into an argument with someone you truly care about, simply because there was disagreement on how you were going to work together.

Clear Resolution Process

Disputes are not always negative experiences, especially when you look at them as opportunities of growth and reflection. However, they become negative when it is clear that no real resolution process has been outlined to determine what should happen next. Disagreements can quickly exacerbate when parties start to react emotionally to one another, instead of responding calmly and in a respectful manner to each other. That’s why, prior to starting a partnership, it is important to sit down with your prospective partner and draft up clear resolution practices. Pre-established rules signed off by both parties will smoothen the resolution process, and provide clear guidance on how to quickly and constructively resolve conflict.

Written by Marisol and Silvia Fornoni, Founders of JDC.

JDC supports socially conscious organizations with finding sustainable ways to tell their stories using visual design, engaging content and non-traditional media. We help you with anything from organizing fundraising campaigns to web design and social media management.

http://www.joint-development.com

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Five Essentials for Successful Sales & Marketing Initiatives

Praveeni

The business world is governed by transactions. Everyone is either selling or buying a product or service. As entrepreneurs we’re constantly tying to grow our businesses by increasing our clientele. We tend to spend a lot of time and money on sales and marketing but do we really know what we’re doing and just how much do we know about marketing anyway? Here are five things you need to know in order to run successful sales and marketing initiatives :

  1. Your product

Just what are you selling? Many entrepreneurs think they have a great idea, whether it be in the form of a tangible product like clothing or furniture or a service such as printing, advertising or consulting. In order to sell your business effectively you need to know your product inside out – what can it do, what are its limitations, is it customizable and how much are you willing to change it to suit your potential client.

  1. Your Target Market

Who can benefit from your product? Knowing your customer is as essential to running a successful business as knowing your product. Many times entrepreneurs try to sell to everyone all at once – this is a huge mistake.  Sales initiatives work when you have a clearly defined market segment that you want to target. In other words your product may not be appropriate for all segments of the market. A streamlined, focused sales strategy is always better than a blanket strategy.

  1. Your Competition

As an entrepreneur you need to be aware that yours may not be the only product of its kind out there. Never assume your product is the best. It’s always good to know what you’re up against. The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is ignoring the competition; mainly because they’re threatened by it. A true sales person always keeps abreast of the competition and seeks to better their product. Instead of criticizing other products, seek to highlight the benefits and advantages of your own product.

  1. The Stats

As an entrepreneur you need to be aware of the statistics surrounding your product or service. A few key statistics you must know are the demand for your product, market size and your own market capitalization. Statistics may sound boring but they are useful when you’re defending your product against skeptical buyers.

  1. Your own strengths and weaknesses

Knowing yourself is extremely important as an entrepreneur. It’s essential to know what you can and cannot do, what you’re good at  and what you need to improve on. Being aware of your strengths and weaknesses as a sales person will in turn help you set reasonable and attainable sales targets. Achieving these targets will keep you motivated to set higher goals.

Praveeni Perera is the CEO and co-founder of Professional Edge Consulting a corporate training company based in Ottawa offering training and coaching services to clients around the world.  She can be reached via Website, Twitter, Facebook or her Blog.

The Biggest Mistake Made When Networking!

 yvonne

A few months ago I attended a networking event where someone walked up to me, and the first thing they did was give me a business card, spoke barely a few words and walked away, and I noticed they did the same with others, distributing their business card. I was at another networking and business event, where someone brings out a BIG bundle of business cards to give me one, and this left me speechless, but with a strong desire to revisit the art of networking.

Considering the amount of information out there on effective networking, one could be forgiven for assuming the art of networking would be common knowledge. The biggest mistake that unfortunately is still happening is when people see networking as an opportunity to ‘sell’, ‘promote’ or ‘get’ as much possible to their benefit.

Networking can be described as the process of interacting or engaging in communication with others for mutual assistance or support. Note the word ‘mutual’? When networking is done properly, its benefits can be endless, and includes making business contacts, establishing new friendships or relationships, or seeking advice and information.

Networking is not a race to distribute as many business cards or get as many cards as possible. Yes networking is effective for building your professional career or business, and I can testify to having great results from networking, but this happened when I was being present in the moment, being authentic, and interested in the other person.

From my own experience, trainings attended and reading done, one key point that cannot be overemphasised is that ‘Networking is about building Relationships’. Only in getting to know someone and vice versa can a need be met effectively. We need to change our mindset from focusing on not just what we can get, but to also what we can give. The law of nature and reciprocity has proven that in giving we are bound to receive.

 How to Network Effectively

  1. Prepare beforehand by having a positive attitude and think of what you would like to achieve from attending i.e. meet two new people today. However, keep an open mind at the event, which could open you to receiving more than you expected.
  2. Have your elevator pitch/speech ready on how to introduce yourself effectively; short, to the point and effective.
  3. If you feel lost, nervous or struggle to join a group that is already in conversation, find someone on their own and introduce yourself.
  4. Develop the art of small talk; start a topic in relation to the event you are presently at, a related current affairs topic or admire something about the person you want to start the conversation with. Some simple conversation starters include ‘great event…’, ‘Is this your first time here…’
  5. Listen and focus your attention on who you are talking with, imagine how you would feel if you were talking with someone and they are constantly looking around or at their cell phone.
  6. Use open-ended questions that will help keep the conversation flowing, as opposed to closed-ended questions that solicit a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.
  7. When you receive a business card. Write a note on it to help jog your memory for the next time you look at the card.
  8. Make sure you follow up after events; it could be call to say hello or how well you enjoyed meeting them. This helps to create a connection that you can work towards building.
  9. Networking does not start and end with formal events, you can also network effectively at social events and online on social media.

We are constantly faced with opportunities to network in the many facets of our lives, and what you do with your opportunity has the capability to positively and significantly impact your life or not.

Share some of your networking stories or tips with us below. What do you think of Networking?

To learn about Yvonne’s latest book on Changing your Mindset for greater results, visit http://www.oliveblue.com/changeyourmindset/

Yvonne is an Author, Speaker, Change Consultant & John Maxwell Leadership Coach who is passionate about working with Individuals, Entrepreneurs and Organisations to help implement change they want and achieve their goals.   

She can be reached at: www.oliveblue.com . www.facebook.com/oliveblueinc . www.twitter.com/oliveblueinc.www.youtube.com/ChangeYouWantTV

Why Blogging Is Important To Every Business Owner?

Malene Jorgensen

 

 

You may have heard that you need to have a blog on your professional business website as a marketing tool. But once you have created the blog, you may not have any blogging ideas that would match your company mission. This is one of the common struggles of having a business blog.

However, there are three major reasons why blogging is crucial, especially if you are a small business owner, trying to gain credibility in the massive market place. You need to create a trustworthy brand, and that can be challenging if you are hiding behind a website. In addition, a blog opens a gateway between yourself and your customers, and lastly, there are technical benefits of business blogging.

 

CREATING AN OPEN DOOR

When you think about blogging, you may be thinking about individual blogs, where people write about their favourite foods, their feelings and their thoughts. Of course, you should not use this kind inspiration for your business blog. But you should use the structure for your website.

A company can create a gateway of communication with customers by having a blog. The blog should answer common questions in a way that does not come across as a sales pitch. For example, if you are selling insurance, you want to write articles about why insurance is important. You can share case studies, address common myths, and answer questions from potential customers.

If the idea of a blog doesn’t work with your business, you could sell it as a column instead. This may work better if you are using yourself as a brand or business image.

 

ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS

A blog isn’t about you. It really is about your customers. It is about what you can offer them. And this should be a two-way street. Often, people will disable the comments section on the blog, so people cannot respond to the article. And this is a big mistake.

People want answers when they find your article, and they will often look for a comments section to ask that question. This is your chance to impress your potential customer and reel them in. Don’t disable comments and miss this great opportunity. Use your blog to establish strong relationships with people who are genuinely interested in your products or services.

 

MORE EXPOSURE

Lastly, having a blog on your business’ domain helps you in technical ways as well. Every time you publish an article, you are increasing the amount of individual pages you have on the Internet about your business. Other pages include your “about” page, your “contact” page and your “home” page.

Now, in the grand scheme of things, you may not think that a single page will do much for your exposure, but you are not competing with every other page on the Internet. You are only dealing with those pages that are offering the exactly same thing as you. So, with a healthy keyword density and valuable articles, you are well on your way to a successful business blog.

Malene Jorgensen is an entrepreneur, author and speaker. Jorgensen is passionate about online content, blogging, online business development and e-commerce. She owns an international media publishing company and a design studio. Jorgensen has written several books that are sold in over 50 countries. She is also obsessed with coffee and Twitter. You can reach Malene Jorgensen at Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram 

Relationships, Reciprocity and Referrals

Sheralyn

I was having a great chat the other day with the founder of Canadian Small Business Women.  I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing this story.  The chat meandered from topic to topic but was memorable because as I thanked her taking time from her busy schedule to meet with me we both commented on the value of investing in developing relationships, even those that appear to have no immediate benefit.  Dwania and I met at an event I covered for the local paper but I instantly recognized in her a passion for what she does and knew I wanted to get to know her better. Lucky for me she agreed and we’ve been developing our connection ever since.  In doing so, the mutual benefits are becoming more evident each time we meet.  I also shared with her my experiences with forward thinking coach and mentor Tammy Elliott, who continually reminds her Forum participants to reach out and build relationships with others.  Throw into the mix my personal mantra of reciprocity and the theory of the “Three R’s” began to take shape. Recently, I wrote about another set of “R’s” but this conversation prompted me to blog about “R’s” again only this time they are:  “Relationships, Reciprocity and Referrals.”  We’re all familiar with the business cycle but the “Three R’s” are a business circle, one that can only benefit and enhance your bottom line.

Why practice the “Three R’s” in your business? Well, in any relationship whether personal or professional, I would suggest building relationships is equally challenging and important.  Choosing to invest your time, energy and (in business, often your hard earned cash) with a particular business and the people who run it can be a decision fraught with anxiety.  You’re relying on this relationship to provide a service for you, whether its supplying you with a website, tiling your kitchen floor or providing all the accounting services for your rapidly growing new business.  Whatever the case is, the relationship you develop with the provider is crucial.  Are they open, friendly and responsive to your needs?  Are they respectful, consistent and reliable? More importantly would you want to do business with them again? If you wish to be the recipient of this kind of service you have to govern your own actions accordingly and work hard to develop relationships where such expectations are mutual. If this is your guiding mantra, relationships will develop naturally and referrals and reciprocity will certainly follow.  Even if you met at a networking group and your businesses seem disparate and unrelated I would urge you to take the time to build a relationship. It’s amazing when you work at a conversation how small the world becomes and how often (think 6 degrees of separation) you will discover mutual connections.  Building one relationship often in turn has far reaching effects on existing ones.  Before you know it you have a circle of connections from which everyone potentially benefits.

Building solid relationships in turn leads to the “Second R” – Reciprocity.  Reciprocity simply means returning a favour.  It could mean trading services, providing something either in value or in kind.  All major world religions cover the concept of reciprocity in one form or another – it’s basically the “do unto others as you would have done to you” scenario.  If, as previously stated, you’ve developed great relationships and nurtured them along the way, reciprocity too becomes second nature and a part of your overall best business practices.

Which brings us to referrals.  Why is this the “Third R?”  Again, it comes back to this:  when you are building relationships and engaging in the spirit and practice of reciprocity, then the next natural outcome would be for you (and those you do business with) to act as a mutual referral source for one another.  Getting to know another individual, understanding their business and how they conduct themselves increases the likelihood that even if you can’t utilize the service they provide, you are comfortable acting as a referral source for them and their business.  You may not be their ideal customer but perhaps you know someone who is and because you have taken the time to foster a relationship you are confidant referring others and they in turn are comfortable referring you.  Perhaps it seems counter-intuitive but in helping others to succeed so too will you.  In practicing the “Three R’s” theory you are nurturing and developing a business circle based on trust, understanding and mutual support that will only enhance the bottom line of your business. (Did you notice that?  This blog also has come full circle!)

As Owner and Principal partner of “Writing Right For You” Sheralyn is a Communications Strategist – working together with entrepreneurs to maximize profit through effective use of the written word. Looking for web content that works, blog articles that engage or communications strategies that help you get noticed?  Contact Sheralyn today. Sheralyn is also the mother of two children now entering the “terrible and terrific teens” and spends her free time volunteering for several non-profit organizations.

Sheralyn Roman B.A., B.Ed.

Writing Right For You

Communications Strategies that help you GET TO THE POINT!

416-420-9415 Cell/Business

writingrightforyou@gmail.com

LinkedIn / Facebook / www.writingrightforyou.weebly.com

Is time to step up and go pro!

Uchechi

Have you recently had an idea for a great new project, or possibly recently launched one? Maybe you’ve already set up a business, but sometimes find yourself not stepping up and making the commitment you need to get the results you want.

I see this so many times with people. I get into a conversation with someone who passionately wants to build and grow their business. They are blessed with amazing gifts that they one day hope to cultivate further, and become more successful; however they do not take ownership of their gifts. They stay stagnant and remain stuck or dabbling in it and not fully committing to it, and sometimes treating their business like a hobby.

The key to unlocking your potential and building the business you crave is to stop being an amateur and going pro. This is something I’ve learnt from Marie Forleo and Steven Pressfield, who are strong advocates of the need to stop living our lives as amateurs.

I recently read that “in every moment of your life, you’re either operating like an amateur or a professional. An amateur does things half-assed, is late for meetings, doesn’t give 100% of themselves and let’s their negative attitude and self-limiting beliefs {i.e.: “I can’t do it. It’s too hard. I don’t have the money”, etc.} run the show. In contrast, a professional gets up every morning, practices extreme self-care, is on time, doesn’t let their mind-chatter run the show and is in it, to win it.” How honest and direct is that?!

If you do not have the level of success you want in your business, it’s time to take inventory and see in what ways you’ve been operating like an amateur. Where have you not stepped up and committed to growing your business? If you want more clients, but don’t make offers and network with potential clients. Or, you have an idea of great new product that can help grow your sales, but find yourself constantly procrastinating and never getting started. How many times have you stopped and quit at the first sign of opposition, or complained, gotten frustrated and angry because things are not working out as you’ve plan and you’ve yet to reach your ideal goal?

Going pro means being fully committed and not just being interested in achieving your goals. When you are just interested you do what is convenient versus being committed which means doing whatever it take.  When you are committed, you will not make any excuses. You focus on how you can and will.

This is not an easy task, but it starts with making a firm decision and going after your goals, regardless of the inner critic voicing its concerns. You keep going and working towards your dreams. It also means doing the things you don’t feel like doing, and facing possible rejection and criticism.

Think about how the greatest athletes practice their craft. Yes, they have a passion that fuels them, but they’re also disciplined and committed to being the best they could be. This is something each and every one of us is able to do in our own lives and in our business. This will lead us to the desired results we all crave. But it starts with a decision to stop being an amateur and going pro.

So I ask you, in what ways are you ready to turn it up and go pro? Let me know in the comments below.

Uchechi Ezurike-Bosse is a Business & Lifestyle Strategist, Speaker and Writer, but most importantly, a proud Mother and Wife. Uchechi is Co-Founder of Elite Wellness Services Inc. (www.elitewellness.ca) and Founder of My Empowered Living (www.myempoweredliving.com) a website aimed at helping women change negative and disempowering mindset and live their passion! Whether it’s starting and building their dream business, or helping them create a lifestyle they crave, Uchechi is the modern woman’s secret to success! Visit Uchechi at www.myempoweredliving.com to get your FREE copy of 5 Simple Steps to Create a Life you’re Crazy About! A 15-page workbook!

The Ins and Outs of Email

Laura Bungarz

We all know that email is critical to our businesses.  Most of us would be lost without it.  But there is more to email then simply keeping in contact with others.  Let’s look at some of the basics of email.

  1. Free email is great!  But not for business!  If you have a website you can have what is often called domain email.  It’s email with your domain name after the @ symbol.  I could set up an email for this website that was laura@nontechforwomen.com.  This is by far the most professional way to go.  So how do you get domain email?  Talk to your host provider!  GoDaddy and Hostgator both provide email as part of their hosting packages.  It’s easy to setup from the Control Panel.  Already established with a free provider?  That’s what forwarding is for.  Setup Hotmail or Gmail to forward to your domain email and start replying to email from the new address.  Over time everybody you come in contact with, will be using the new address.
  2. Keep personal and professional separate!  Free email is awesome for personal use.  Give your friends and family that email address and use your work email for work.  There is nothing worse than getting distracted by your friend’s silly emails in the middle of your work day.  It also helps reduce the clutter in your inbox.  A top tip here is to have what I call a slush email.  If you surf the web like I do you’ll often sign up for things, freebies, newsletters, etc.  Not all of it is business and some of it you probably aren’t even sure about.  I have a free email that I use just for those times.  It’s great for those websites you just know will be sending you 10 emails a day.
  3. Outlook is just software.  Outlook is not email, it’s not an email provider.  It is software that you setup or configure to retrieve your email from whatever email account or accounts you want, whether it’s free or paid for.  For me personally, it’s not something I would ever use and here’s why.  It’s local to your computer!  You are downloading all of the email onto your computer.  Wondering where all your hard drive space went?  Email takes up tons of space!
    Also what tends to happen is that because you’re using Outlook you forget your password or in some cases don’t even know how to check your email without using Outlook.  So if you don’t have your computer with you, you can’t check!  My strong suggestion is to leave email on other people’s servers.  It’s safer, it takes up less space and it’s more convenient because it can be accessed from anywhere.
  4. I get it.  Accessing your domain email from your host provider is about as convenient as a root canal.  Set up Google Apps for Business and run your business email through there.  Then it’s as convenient as checking your Gmail account.  Access it from anywhere at any time.  It integrates beautifully into the Gmail apps on most smartphones.  Plus you have all the benefits of using Google with other apps like Google Drive.  You can setup your virtual assistant with an account through Google Apps for Business and it’s almost as if she’s a member of your staff with an email that carries your domain name and access to shared files through Google Drive.
  5. Now, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t remind you about safety.  Don’t open email and in particular email attachments, from people you don’t know.  Those files often contain viruses.  Make sure that you have your anti-virus software setup and running.  Some of the more expensive anti-virus software will have email scanner options right in them.  Norton and McAfee are two that come to mind.  Many of them, if you are an Outlook user, will integrate right into Outlook.  It is important, if you are using Outlook and downloading all of your email onto your computer, that you use a big full featured anti-virus program like Norton because it will provide additional protection for your email.

So what’s the moral of the story?  Spend some time thinking about your email, how you access it and what type of email you use.  It has to be convenient, professional and safe.  Look at getting a domain email for your business and save the Hotmail addresses for personal use!

If youhavequestionsfeelfree to contactmeusing the informationbelow.
LauraBungarzComputerTraining
212-207Fort Street
Winnipeg, MBR3C1E2
Laura@Laurabungarz.ca
www.LauraBungarz.ca

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