The power of postcards

Imagine the attention and power your message can convey with a billboard advertisement, in a high traffic area. Now, imagine the effect of thousands of billboards, directly targeting your audience, that they can take home with them. Utilized effectively, a postcard or flyer can be just that: a mini billboard, suitable for pinning to a fridge with a magnet, kept in a car’s sun visor for later use as a coupon, and even as artwork in some contexts.

 A flyer or postcard has the advantage of mobility over a billboard, however many of the same principles can be applied to both methods of advertisement. A post card or bill board is not meant to close sales, but develop interest, and leads. Your design should grab attention, have a strong graphic presence, and clearly convey your message and how to contact you.

Postcards, utilized in a timely fashion, and distributed properly, can serve a variety of functions and call attention to: appointment reminders, coupons, new product releases, store grand openings, event access and tickets. Keep in mind, postcards are generally not meant to explain your whole life story. When adding text, think “newspaper sale ad” and not “War and Peace”. 

Utilize both sides effectively as well. One side should be to grab attention, with big bold lettering and graphics. The more poster like and pleasant to look at this side is, the more likely someone will care enough to read the other side. The other side should be used to convey information, such as contact details, locations, sales or any other promotion you are offering. 

The most effective word you can use with this, and many forms of advertising is “FREE”.   If you’re clever, and creatively inclined, you could even devise a way to utilize the word “FREE” to grab attention, without actually giving away anything more than the postcard. Jimmy John’s, a sandwich shop franchise’s “FREE smells” campaign, is a perfect example of this tactic.

A post card or flyer is not the time to go cheap on printing. The difference between getting tossed with the recycling, or on the floor even, will be made in the quality. If I’m invited to attend a conference, and the invitation looks like a Xeroxed garage sale flyer, it will be used as mulch and little else. 

Know and target your audience. A postcard or flyer can work a thousand times better than a TV or Radio ad that indiscriminately targets everyone. Appeal to the aesthetic sensibilities of your audience and keep your design in harmony with your product, service or offer. If you’re not the creative type, by all means you should definitely hire a professional graphic designer to create your postcards image and proof.

You should also utilize professionals to distribute your post cards as well. The United States postal service offers what’s known as “EDDM” service, an acronym for “ Every Door Direct Mail”, which allows you to target whole zip codes without the need for an address list.

Professional street teams should be utilized to distribute your flyers at events your target audience tend to frequent, to drop off at stores, cafes, and other places with space for print and other literature and announcements, and to post bills in public places as allowed by law.

Years ago, I worked in a small bookstore that was suffering for business. As a new hire (that also got a small commission on each sale) I immediately thought to utilize print to increase traffic. Taking a postcard, and a small complimentary button we gave away free, I taped the buttons to the postcards and had my coworker hold down the fort for an hour. I then went two blocks away and started giving away the postcards with the buttons attached, which a few people actually pinned on their jacket or bag in front of me. 

Upon returning to our rather small retail space, I was overwhelmed by the number of people in the store! My co-worker informed me I arrived not a moment too soon, stating “I don’t know what you did, but thanks for all this commission!”

Put the power of print to work for your business today, and watch as your small initial investment helps your business grow larger than you thought it could!

http://www.YouInk.com offers a variety of sizes and styles of postcards, and allows you to choose the printer and price that works best for you. Browse through a variety of professionally designed templates, or upload your own design.

Our simple to use design wizard is a powerful and flexible tool to create or modify your own design on the fly, too.

Is your business card classier than you? Five tips on business card etiquette

A business card is perhaps the most valuable resource you have at networking events. If you have a great card, but push them on people like a used car salesman trying to get rid of a lemon, you’re likely to leave a bitter taste in people’s mouth. The following are five tips on business card etiquette, gleaned from countless conferences and events. 

1.) Don’t leave home without them! You don’t want to be the person who has to make excuses and explains why they don’t have a business card. Saying “they haven’t shipped yet” is like asking for advice “for a friend”. We all know the truth.

2.) Keep your cards fresh and clean. A business card holder, or wallet with card pockets, are good choices. Crumpled, torn, folded, or dirty business cards give a bad impression. 

3.) Make a comment or compliment about someone’s card when you receive one. Logo’s, location, and business name are all good to remark upon.

4.) Make sure your card is up to date. Nothing screams unprofessional more than an old phone number or email crossed out, with a new one penciled in.

5.) Only offer your business card when asked for it. If someone is interested in contacting you in the future, they’ll be sure to ask for a way to keep in touch. Alternatively, you could ask for their information, and exchange cards after they hand theirs to you. 

With these common sense tips in hand, we hope you make as good an impression at your next event as your card does!

Designing the right business card for you

A business card serves as a visual symbol for your business, and conveys not only your vital information, but also serves as a touchstone for the memory of the past interaction you have had with the person you handed the card to.

It is recommended to choose a unique design that stands out from the crowd, yet still conveys the general idea of the product or service you offer. A travel agent may not want to use a card with an all black background to encourage people to go on vacation, whereas a bar might find a black background conveys the notion of nightlife.

Here are some design choices to consider:

-Don’t use text on top of pictures, it can be difficult to read.

-Don’t go cheap. A flimsy, poor quality card stock says you don’t care enough to invest in quality for your business. 

-If your company logo uses highly stylized fonts, thats fine. You don’t, however, want to use a hard to read font for your contact information. Stick with Helvetica or Times New Roman if in doubt.

Card Colors

Colors can be used to enhance the emotional impact and visual appeal of your card. Below are some ideas you can use to get your message across with creative use of color.

White: White is standard, and safe. It’s a good choice for a traditional business or anyone who wants to be conservative and not rock the boat. 

White is also a blank canvas, you can get wildly creative if you like, too.

Black: Black is striking and stands out, and can convey not only elegance and sophistication, but power and mystery as well. Depending on the color you use for the lettering, you can drive a range of sentiment. Black and gold can say “high end couture”, while black and red might be used for an exciting profession such as a stuntman.

Gray: Gray is an excellent background color as it doesn’t stand out, yet conveys stability. Ash Gray, combined with brighter colors such as blue, red, or green can be used to impart a “high tech feel” to your design.

Blue: Blue shouts reliability, safety, and authority.

Red: Red is attention getting and exciting, and demands you take notice of it’s presence in any composition.

Green: Suggests eco friendly, nature, compassion, and currency.

Yellow: Yellow is refreshing to look at, both bright and mood enhancing. It implies a light, carefree, and playful spirit.

Pictures

Photographs, illustrations, and other images can be used in your design to powerful effect. And by all means, if you have a logo for your business, use it on your card! It serves as a visual cue for your business and functions as an instantly recognizable hieroglyph for your business name without having to spell it out.

Ideas to consider:

- If you're going to use a photograph for a background, make sure there is some blank space in the image to add any text, if necessary.  

-If including a picture of yourself on your card, make sure your image isn't fuzzy, and you have a blank or muted background behind your face. No bathroom selfies folks! Highly unprofessional.

-If you're using an illustration, leave room for any necessary text without being too cramped. Illustrations and text will blend together to become unreadable without some breathing room.

If this is your first time designing a business card, have a look at some of the awesome templates available at http://youink.com/Creative/Start , you can start with something basic, or elaborate, add your own images, and customize your design with a variety of fonts all online, no Photoshop necessary.

Post your card design in the comments if you like, and be featured on this post and on our social platforms.

Happy designing!  

Principles of design

There is no right or wrong way to create art or design, as aesthetic appeal is largely a matter of opinion. There is, however, universal appreciation of harmony, balance, and symmetry in design, and we'll explore some simple concepts below to keep in mind the next time you need to create a business card, flyer, or logo.

Harmony

Harmony can be achieved by calling attention to your main idea with a design element emphasis, and a balance of the other elements of the design. Every element should balance the rest, and have a purpose in your overall design.

Spacing

Harmony in design should also allow enough space between elements, so as not to distract from the overall design. If you use a patterned background, you may not want to use an overly elaborate font. You may also want to allow distinct space for each element in order to draw attention to different information in order of importance. 

Arrangement 

The difference between a zen garden, and the contemplation it offers, and a chaotic undergrowth is arrangement. 

Similarly, if you’d like to invite contemplation of your design, and the information it conveys, it pays to arrange the elements of your design in a harmonious manner.

We hope with these principles in mind, you're better able to design the perfect graphic for your needs.

(The designs seen here can be viewed at:

 http://youink.com/Creative/Draw/13533//1/1 & 

http://youink.com/Creative/Draw/6252//1/1 )

The power of asking

In a recent meeting, we spoke about growing our base via social, and doing it by asking social media influencers for their support and opinions.  As we spoke, I realized that not everyone just asks for support even though it seems so simple to me.  The social media game can be a difficult one to play. 

There are countless people working to get their brand seen in a sea of online content who would like to be noticed by an influencer.  Many people put content out and just hope it gets found but in the end they just don't ask directly for support .  

My training from years of sales and working at fortune 500 companies quickly kicked in. The idea is simple, anybody can implement it and grow their social influence quickly.  It's a rarity when there is viral organic reach where a blog or a person is just discovered by the public and develops millions of followers quickly.  That’s an ideal model of growth, but the majority of the time you have to work hard at gaining influence and you almost always have to have help. 

Eventually if you like enough of a social influencers photos, they may recognize you and lend their support; although, it's more likely that media influencer has thousands, or maybe even millions, of followers, so you may never get noticed .  They might respond to flattery with a thank you, but the point is, if you don’t directly ask for support, they are unlikely to spontaneously give it.  They most likely won't know you need it or want it.

The more help you get the easier it will be for you to grow your social influence.   Reach out to influencers doing things similar to you and simply ask for support.  Knowing your target is a key element about how to approach.  Whether your approach is soft or direct always ask for support.  It creates a call to action for the influencer, and the clearer you can be in asking for what you need, the easier it is to get that support.  

So simply ask for it.  Get comfortable with saying the words "will you support us?".  Or you just may disappear in a sea of endless content.

Direct mail, even more important in the age of digital?

Direct mail marketing campaigns remain a standard practice for many entrepreneurs. Its effectiveness and proven track record are evidenced by its long, widespread usage and the encouraging results. 

It's an attractive option to small businesses, as a direct mail campaign offers reliable returns and convenient tracking via coupons.

Print offers a tangible product delivered to your customers’ front door. You're guaranteed to have eyes on your message, and there are different types you can use to avoid monotony - postcards, letters, brochures, or even, depending on your budget and business type, product samples, coupon books, and promotional items. 

If you're on a tight budget, post cards are an effective advertising tactic and cost less to mail than larger print items. 

Even in a digital age, some still do not own a computer, and a significant portion of the population only uses them in the course of employment or business. Not everyone surfs Facebook or Yelp. A direct mail advertising campaign can engage those who may never see a digital ad. With a mailing list, you are directly targeting your customers, without having to buy ad space from Google or pay for SEO. 

Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of marketing at The UPS Store, says this about direct mail marketing: “The results are trackable, and both our franchisees and their small business customers who have used it have seen results—new customers and repeat business.” She continues, “A direct mail piece stands out. It gets noticed, it gets read, and its offers and coupons get used.”

You're more likely to drive traffic to your business if your customers have a coupon in hand. You can time your sales and promotions to coincide with major events and holidays, when people are more apt to spend money.

What's more, print can include, and help you drive, your digital presence. Be sure to include your website, email, Facebook page, Twitter handle, Instagram profile, and any other platforms your business is present on. You can include a QR code with your contact details to make it easier for potential customers to store your contact information digitally.

Mail is familiar. The postal service is a long-standing institution in most countries. Some people may be skeptical about email messages or other digital advertising, and would be more receptive to direct mail, which they're more comfortable with. 

Ideally, combine traditional print media with digital advertising and marketing to get actual eyes on your message, instill confidence in your product, and drive your customer base.

You'll not only see an increase in customers, but word of mouth becomes a factor when your target demographic uses your service or product and begins to share their feedback. Use print to grow your initial base and drive your digital campaign. The results will speak for themselves. 

Less is More: Simple Business Cards that Pack a Punch

Being the business pro that you are, you’ve got your company set up, your financials on point, your goods and services perfected. Check, check, check. You’ve had to become a master of a lot of things, so how hard could designing a business card be?

Turns out, there are an infinite number of ways your creativity can go, and it can be frustrating trying to come up with the perfect design that embodies everything that your company does and represents.

Keep it simple. Sometimes, the more you try to cram, the less you get your message across. People respond to uncomplicated images and symbols that succinctly communicate an idea. And simple, clean designs have the added appeal of not needing too much time or effort to look world-class.

If you’re still banging your head trying to find a design for your business card, consider these beautiful no-brainer designs.

1.)   Say Something

Make your business card the start or follow up of a conversation. All you need is a pop of color and friendly text, and voila, you have a business card.

2.)    Shorthand Symbols

Most people are visual learners, and the brain processes images and symbols a lot faster than it processes letters and words. The card below is very clear about what the business is about without having to explain anything.

3.)  Smart Use of Color

It’s funny how one bold color can elicit an immediate reaction from the viewer. And that’s what you want to do – grab their attention. The judicial use of a very few colors in your design, especially if you can tie it in to the actual work you do like the design below, is both simple to achieve and bold to behold.

4.)   Take a Picture

There is a reason people say a picture is worth a thousand words. You can stand out from the crowd of the oh-so-hot minimalist designs by using one stunning, visually interesting photograph, like this template from www.youink.com. Not only is the image both interesting and arresting, it can add a personal touch as well.

How to Promote Your Business with Postcards

Although digital marketing is the hot trend for advertising businesses, direct-mail marketing remains a powerful promotional tool that can actually reap a greater response when targeted at the right people. Online advertising just can’t quite replace the personal touch and hard-to-dismiss presence of the marketing postcard in the mailbox.

Want to drive up sales and increase your business’ visibility and likability factor? Consider employing one of the following ways the businesses can use postcards to attract more customers.

Offer Discounts and Coupon Codes

We get plenty of promotional offers in our e-mail inboxes, but most of them are seen as junk or spam that we click away in mild irritation. Out of sight, out of mind. But postcard marketing can target people who are interested in your product and services and more local. Make sure to put your company website with your special coupon code, which you can also track and see what people respond to.

Event Invites

A cute or striking invite in the mail will always flatter the recipient. People like feeling like VIPs, and you should treat them as such if they are particularly loyal customers of your business. In-store special events that is only open to a select group of your clientele is a great way to introduce new products and services to the subsect of your customers with a high chance of taking you up on your offers. It’s also great for word-of-mouth marketing and free social media exposure, as people will likely share their VIP experience.

Appointment Reminders

Do you provide services that your clients should be doing regularly (such as physical check-ups, cleanings, etc.)? A gentle, thoughtful reminder from your business can work highly in your favor. Upon receiving your postcard reminder, people will be more inclined to call your office and make an appointment. You’ll also come off as a business that cares about its customers and keeps track of their visits.

Birthday Wishes and Gifts

If you’re company collects private information like birthdates, you can use that information to send lovely birthday card wishes via postcard with an accompanying gift or discount at little cost to you. Seeming like a friend as opposed to a money-hungry entity will go a long way in inspiring customer loyalty and boosting your company image.

Thank You Cards

Another way to encourage repeat business is sending the occasional, ever gracious thank you card. Always show your clients that you appreciate their business, because their patronage keeps your doors open and your employees available to serve. You can also include coupon codes as a token of your gratitude.

Updates and Newsletters

Going back to the original purpose of postcards – giving people updates on where you’ve been and what you’ve been up to. The purpose of the newsletter style of the postcard is to purely keep your business in the public consciousness and establish yourself as the go-to business in your industry, a company that’s always on the move and striving to improve itself for the benefit of its customers.

Postcard marketing can be a powerful, cost-effective call to action that will attract people to your business. Businesses large and small still rely on them to keep in touch with customers in a meaningful and noteworthy way. Postcards function more than a method of advertising. When incorporated as part of your business routine, recipients will appreciate them as your communication style – thoughtful, pleasant, and personal in the best of ways.

Youink.com

http://www.youink.com is a new company for entrepreneurs and businesses to get business cards, flyers, and other print they need to be successful.

We've got better quality at better prices than the other online printers you've used, with a simple and easy to use, yet powerful design creator. Or just choose your favorite from our 100's of templates and personalize it to your needs.

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Communication is Key to Your Success

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw

Whether we’re talking about contact between managers and employees or about marketing to current and prospective consumers, effective communication will determine whether the relationship thrives or flounders.

A frequent and important problem I’ve observed in communication is that the messenger thinks they’ve communicated to the recipient the importance of the message, but in reality, the messaged lacked clarity, specificity, or succinctness, all of which are powerful attributes of an effective message.

People spend their whole college careers majoring in communication, but the majority of us don’t have the luxury of time to become accredited experts. I’m going to boil this article down to a handful of helpful communication guidelines most useful and pertinent to entrepreneurs and leaders alike.

Frequent and Regular

Depending on the position, people involved, or depending on the need, communication could be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly. If you work closely with a team, you should probably have daily touches and weekly in-depth meetings where you discuss happenings and expectations. If you’re running, say, a social media campaign, you could probably increase engagement by posting more than once a day on several different platforms and make the conversation seem more organic as opposed to another item on your task list.

Clear and Specific

When communicating to your audience, give details that are extensive but relevant to the topic. Anticipate questions and common scenarios or concerns. However, don’t give so much information that your message gets lost in translation. Try to “cut the fat” when you talk. Get to the heart of the matter, and only give context with context is necessary. Avoid Information Overload.

Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes said it best when trying to describe the limits of the brain: “I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose.”)

Controlled

Any decent PR firm will tell you that you need to control the conversation in order to get the results you desire. How do you do that? First, make sure you are the Source – don’t confuse your audience with multiple voices or outside third parties who aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of your business. At the same time, you need to establish authority. People will trust you if they perceive you as the expert on a given topic. Lastly, make sure your messages are unified companywide – Make sure management and executives reach consensus before letting information trickle down. You never want something to dissolve into he-said-she-said-he said shenanigans

Reliable

Great people understand that their word their your bond. Hold yourself accountable for the things you say and the promises you make.  In addition, it is in your best interest l to check that any facts and any information you share is correct. If you don’t know the answer to a question or problem, tell your team or your questioner “I’ll find out/I’ll get back to you” and take the time to find the right answers. Don’t just blurt something out for the sake of talking – it’s better to be right the first time instead of having to correct faulty information.

Especially with regard to customer service and employees, don’t let requests or queries fall to the side. Follow up and find ways to get back to items. People will perceive that you care, that you are serious about their concerns.

Adaptable

Different people respond to different methods of communication. You should never assume that one way of talking or one form of communication works for everyone.

Some people need visual aids. Others learn through hands on experience. Then there is the group that responds when there emotional buttons are pushed. Test out different methods and see the changes in feedback and response time.

Relatable

Let your values come through in your communication. Often, executives will opt for the sanitized “corporate voice” instead of their own, but it’s more important to be real than eloquent. People trust and gravitate toward genuine feelings.

Reciprocal

Stop, look and listen. Remember that effective communication is a two-way street. Good leaders and good marketers know how to ask good questions and then listen with both their eyes and ears. Listen and hear what is coming back at you. Look for the nonverbal cues with people or search out shares and reviews for online activities. Also, let communication be open – be receptive to the opinions, praises, and criticisms of your audience, as they will only help you focus and improve.

5 ways to use to print to your advantage

Getting eyes on your brand and message is hard in a saturated marketplace. Here are five ways you can use print to your advantage and gain exposure.

1.) Distribute print at trade shows and meetings of professional organizations.

It is important to have a business card at a trade show, it is, in fact the most important piece of print, but you can still add fire power. A 3x5 or 4x6 flyer or postcard for a handout can act as a "resume" for your brand or company, provide more detailed information about products and services, and serve as a vehicle for eye catching visuals, distinguishing you from the crowd. You'll be more than just a name and a logo to your audience.

2.) Place posters and flyers at local businesses.

Many businesses, from grocery stores to coffee shops, have a cork board or rack for notices, upcoming shows, and other print. Ask local businesses if it would be O.K. to post or leave some print in their designated area. This is an effective way of direct advertising, in essence a miniature billboard.

3.) Distribute print at events

For instance, if you're an artist or musician, have flyers with the date and location of your next show. Business cards with your contact information, and printed CD covers for your album go far to build your fan base. Hand these out to everyone. You can bet the crowd there is interested in future events and other artists with a similar aesthetic.

4.) Carry your business cards in your day to day life.

You've chosen the local pub for a happy hour where others in your industry congregate for a pint, and you've got a pocket full of business cards to help make it a networking event for you. Have a sip to be sociable, and start talking with those around you. People are a lot more approachable in such a relaxed environment, and it's a great location to bring up your company and what you do.

5.) Have print in and around your business!

If you don't have business cards, informational flyers, banners, and posters in and around your businesses' location, you're losing potential customers, it's that simple. Customers want reference material about your products and services, contact information and locations. Sales flyers can give your business a huge boost in foot traffic. You want as many eyes on your business as possible, and a sign on top of your location can only goe so far for exposure.

Speak with other businesses nearby as well, and ask if they'd let you display some of your print material. It can help to offer to display some of theirs in exchange.

IF people know you exist, you will stay in business, and print can help build a solid customer base. Building your customer base is the first step to word of mouth recommendations, and household name status.

Use print; gain business.

The Power of Print

Is your marketing primarily, or only digital? While a digital presence is essential in business today, the power of printing can play a vital role in the survival and growth of a business. 

Think about the weekly sales circular you get from the local market. Maybe it's a little farther out than the big box store, maybe it has less selection, but chicken is on sale for half the price of the big box! 

You'll go out of your way to take advantage of the sale, and print was the driving factor in that decision. 

The following is a true story related by one of our team members:

"A few years ago, we had a team that did marketing and promotions for local businesses, concerts and events. We did graphic design and other digital media, had a street team for flyer distribution and posting large print in prominent locations throughout the city.

There was a new club that opened on the very outskirts of the West Loop in Chicago, a popular area for nightlife. It had great decor and a nice atmosphere, but was struggling to stay open. Being a bit further out than the other venues, it didn't have great visibility or foot traffic. 

One of our team members stopped in for a drink and started a conversation with what turned out to be the club owner. He suggested they get some flyers printed and distributed to grow the location.

After some negotiation, and a bit of skepticism, they struck a deal for 2,000 flyers, distributed, for next Saturday's party.

The owner was skeptical, as he had a good fan base on his Facebook business page, with well over 5,000 likes. He would often have hundreds of people at a time say they'd be attending an event, but the real number was closer to 50 who would actually show up. He wasn't sure flyers would have much impact.

Fast forward to next Saturday night. Friday, our street team fanned out to various hot spots around the city and distributed all the flyers. We went to check out the crowd, and the club was packed! 

Beyond capacity, there was a nice line halfway down the sidewalk. The owner was more than pleased, of course, and from that point had a weekly order of 5,000 flyers to distribute, every weekend. 

He went from struggling with one club, to opening a second one, as well as a sports bar.

He's now quite successful, and the turning point was print. At the time he wasn't doing so well, he was contemplating going back to work for his former finance company.

If you'd like to be a successful entrepreneur, I'd suggest recognizing the power of print to drive your business growth. "

Throughout history, print has shaped and influenced the world, and been responsible for the growth of civilizations and empires. 

It can certainly grow your business, as well!

Work/Life Balance: Six tips for entrepreneurs

So, you thought becoming an entrepreneur and starting your own business was going to be all about making your own hours and having more time with loved ones, right? This is rarely the case.

Oftentimes, having poured blood, sweat, and tears into an endeavor, it's common for a small business owner to be the hardest working member of the team.

Wake up at work, coffee fueled nights, and groggy mornings. This causes a buildup of stress that isn't good for your health, outlook, or effectiveness to running your business.

How can you achieve a work/life balance that will leave you happier and a better business person? Here are some tips:

1.) Hire people that are good at the things you're terrible at- and then trust them:

Micromanaging something you don't fully understand can not only be frustrating for an employee, but result in a substandard product at the finish.

Save on stress by allowing employees the creativity to flow. You can always give the final ok on the finished product.

2.) Work your best schedule:

If you can't stay awake after 9:00 P.M., you shouldn't be doing your bookkeeping at midnight. Get some rest, wake up fresh, and complete your most important projects when your energy is high and you're feeling your best.

Likewise, if you're a night owl, code that website @ 3:00 AM instead of bright and early. You'll get your work done distraction free.

3.) Document your workflow:

This will help you prioritize your own time and if you ever need assistance on a complex project, the notes may prove to be a valuable resource for anyone helping you out.

4.) If possible, separate duties:

While this largely depends on the size of your business, it's generally a good idea to leave the sales to the sales people, and the marketing to marketing people.

5.) Hire the right people for the job:

Hire qualified individuals who'll pick up new skills quickly. They'll be better equipped to handle the inevitable hurdles that every business will face.

6.) Morale is important

Happy employees and coworkers can be the difference between a "Winning" attitude vs. an "Quitting" attitude when faced with exceptionally difficult tasks, customer interaction, and going the extra mile.

As a team of serial entrepreneurs, we hope our advice can help lead you to a happier, more fulfilling, less stressful life!