Wild Streak

Ever excitedly shared your dreams and goals with friends, colleagues or loved ones, only to find your self-confidence rocked when they don’t respond with enthusiasm?

Suddenly the decisions and instincts you were so sure were right for you and just knew were the right way forward don’t look so certain after all.

It’s your dream and your goal; don’t let anyone else take the wind out of your sails!

When clients come to me in self-doubt after allowing the dubious responses of others to take hold of them, I use a simple four-step process to help them lose that wobbly feeling and get back to positivity and self-belief. Do try this at home!

1. Sit in the ‘it’

Whether ‘it’ is self-doubt, annoyance, frustration, anger or something altogether different, allow yourself to ‘sit in it’ for a period of time. Now, that period of time can’t be all day. It can’t even be half a day. At the most, allow yourself to wallow in ‘it’ for 15 minutes. 

That’s enough time for you to process what’s important and what’s not important from the conversation you’ve had. It also gives you enough time to speak with an impartial third party who can help you work through your feelings, and ask you the questions that can help you move forward. 

2. Make a decision

It’s important to decide whether or not the feedback you’ve received is valid. If you feel it is, then that’s it – time to move on. 

If your gut instinct is that your dream is still worth believing in and striving for, then make a decision to move towards it. Be clear on what that decision looks like, and then put together the concrete steps that will help you achieve your goal. 

3. Stay focused

Focus on your outcome, and don’t get caught up in the day-to-day activities you need to take to reach it. 

Maintaining this focus can sometimes feel hard and overwhelming when you’ve got a lot on your plate, but trust that you’re on the right path. 

Give yourself the space to see what you need to do next. 

4. Be persistent!

Being persistent doesn’t necessarily mean you need to push. It means that you need to pull what you need and want towards you by being clear on the decisions you make. 

If you believe your goal is worth achieving than stay true to it, and follow through with whatever actions you need to take to make it happen. 

How do you respond when someone gives you feedback that makes your resolve feel wobbly? Please share your experiences below.

When we staged our first Flying Solo LIVE! in 2008, we were aiming for 100 delegates. Boy, did we get that wrong! 225 of you turned up and we had to restrain ad man Peter from scalping tickets in the car park.

In 2009, after such brilliant community support for the launch event, we were hopeful of getting one or two more bums on seats so were once again blown away when 350 came along.

But fear not, we’re not eyeing off the Entertainment Centre. Frankly, we feel Flying Solo LIVE! is now quite big enough and are determined to keep the personal, upbeat and super friendly feel of the event.

And the feedback gave us all the warm and fuzzies.“Bloody marvellous! Best $195 I've spent on my business to date.” said one 2009 attendee.

So, with September upon us and less than two weeks to go, we’ll be closing the doors soon. Best grab your tickets now; they are still at the 2008 price, just $195 for a full day of learning, networking and all out fun.

So what's in store?

Well if you figure marketing could do with a refresh, we’ve got sessions covering both online and offline – hints, tips and strategies to keep the funnel fed.

If technology is your Achilles heel, fear not, we’ve sessions to get you up to speed or keep you at the front of the pack.

Networking gets a good airing too, both the face-to-face kind and the social online kind. Bring your notepads and iPads.

Talking of iPads, we're giving one away!

Yep, one lucky attendee will be leaving with a shiny, new iPad thanks to a neat little draw we’ll be running on the day. You’ve got to be in it to win it.

Finally, we just added some last minute goodies to all those who secure their place in the next couple of days.

Along with your ticket, scrumptious lunch and some of the coolest exhibitors and sponsors around, you’ll also get the book ‘Sustainable Growth' from Sensis, a free copy of NETT magazine and the option of a FREE 3 month trial subscription.

And if you nab one of the FS crew at the bar at beer ‘o’ clock, we’ll shout you a drink.

Did someone say free beer? What are you waiting for? Get your ticket now. 

PS: Want some exposure for your business. We have just TWO business exhibition spaces left. Here’s the deal.

What's Flying Solo LIVE!?

Flying Solo LIVE! is our annual micro business conference. This is it's third year and it is being held on Wednesday 15 September with registration opening at 8am for an 8.30am start. The final presentation concludes at 5.30pm followed by some casual networking over drinks. 

For one value-packed day, you’ll be surrounded by the tips, tools, knowledge, contacts, community and inspiration you need to build a business you love. Download the full program here.

Tickets are just $195 (inc GST) and include a choice of sessions, morning and afternoon refreshments, a networking lunch and the chance to mingle with sponsors and exhibitors.

If you have any questions about the event or registration, please use this contact form or call Fiona Toy and our team of wonderful organisers on 02 4340 8897.

 

Attending, speaking at and hosting events are all valuable opportunities for public relations. Here’s how to make them work for your business.

Attend them

Events, and their associated networking, are fabulous opportunities for you to not only promote your business but to also prove your personal public relations (PR).

My mantra is that PR encompasses what you say, what you do and what you are – and that includes how you conduct yourself at events.

Remember, these are not card-sharking opportunities. Focus on the person you’re talking to, create a relationship, and learn about them. Like any other form of PR, it takes time, but the relationships you build through networking can support you in years to come.

Speak at them

Speaking at events provides credibility and a profile boost. I regularly speak on PR and publicity topics at events that attract my ideal prospects, and it’s been a great way to meet people and share my message about how accessible PR can be for small business.

You may not receive payment to begin with, but event organisers will often offer other benefits, including running your articles in their newsletters, and allowing you a short promotion time at the end of your presentation.

If this idea appeals to you, you’ll be interested in this article by Peter Chaly, which is packed with tips for getting invited to speak at conferences.

Host them

Hosting your own event, seminar or workshop is another great way of reaching out to prospects and customers, and potentially attracting a revenue windfall.

For example, a nursery owner and a landscape gardener could run a free talk together on the ‘Sex life of plants’ and jointly promote it to their target market. It’s a great way of adding pre-qualified people to your database and could also be promoted in the local paper.

Or you could opt to share your expertise and train other people who pay to attend your workshop or seminar.

If you do decide to run a workshop, don’t get caught out paying non-refundable venue deposits or minimum catering numbers in case you don’t get the registrations you hope for. Simply promote your workshop and ask those who register to nominate their preferred geographical venues. Then as your registrations rise, book venues in the appropriate areas.

Events don’t need to be expensive, lavish affairs. They can be run online or over the phone so participants can enjoy them from the comfort of their computer chairs while wearing their pyjamas! These are great for soloists in the education, training and coaching spheres.

Another advantage of running workshops is that once you’ve prepared the content, it’s easy to re-run them throughout the year or record them as educational products to sell on your website.

Getting started

If you’re thinking about adding events to your PR and marketing mix, start by asking yourself the following questions:

• What topics could I speak on?
• What groups that include my target market and referral sources would be interested in those topics?
• What types of seminars and workshops might be of interest to my target market and referral sources?
• What other types of events would appeal to my target market and referral sources? (These might include fundraisers, sponsorships and parties).

Have you had PR success with events? We’d love to hear your tips, so please share them below.

It’s fair to say that ‘getting out there’ and networking – online or offline – is not something that comes naturally to me.

Truth be told, if left up to me I’d slouch alone in my home office all day listening to folksy music with headphones on and ignoring the telephone.

So I was obviously euphoric when Robert informed me we were off to mingle with 1000+ business owners at last week’s launch event of Energise Enterprise, Victoria’s small business festival.

I know the drill. Robert swans off to be Mr Big Shot presenter, while I’m left manning the stand.

However, the funny thing is that as much as I dodge them, I always love these events when I get there. It was great to chat with a constant stream of wonderful business owners and entrepreneurs. And the massive business benefits in terms of contacts and promotion are obvious.

For me, the challenge is simply turning up. I’ve found that once you get there, the conversations and connections just seem to happen by themselves.

It’s the same thing with networking online. Before getting involved in Flying Solo, I’d never commented on an article. And before we started the forums a few years ago, I’d never made a post on any forums, let alone helped look after one.

I’m far from alone in this. Our surveys and feedback consistently reveal an aversion to (okay, fear of) networking amongst small business owners. In fact, generally more than 95% of readers online – affectionately known as lurkers – don’t actively join in the conversation, preferring to listen and learn. Which is, of course, totally fine.

But today, I invite you to take the plunge. If you’ve never or rarely posted anything online, take the first step towards online networking and leave a comment on this article.

To make it nice and easy, simply tell us what you enjoy most about running your own ship and if there's one thing you're looking for that will make your life easier, tell us that too and let's see what the community can do to assist. If you’re a regular commenter, then by all means hop in and show us how it’s done.

Plug warning: If you want to conquer your fear once and for all, grab one of the remaining tickets to Flying Solo LIVE! in Sydney on September 15, and work one of the friendliest rooms ever.

So, tell me something I don’t know. I’ll start.

Many online merchants have been tempted at some stage or another to post positive reviews about themselves around the web while posing as a customer. It’s not just unethical, it’s illegal. A public relations agency hired by video game developers has been rapped on the knuckles by the FTC, who claimed it engaged in deceptive advertising [...]

Tough financial times impact overall spending and consumer sentiment, hurting many businesses and families. Hoping that circumstances will change is not enough.

In order to survive we must be realistic as well as optimistic. 

In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins talks about a principle he calls the Stockdale Paradox (named after the highest-ranking American prisoner of war in Hanoi, Vietnam). In summary, the Stockdale Paradox states that we should be realistic about our current circumstances, and yet optimistic about the future. 

During his years of imprisonment, General Stockdale reportedly came to believe that optimism could in fact be a liability, noticing that prisoners who were eternal optimists constantly set themselves up for disappointment, depleting their resilience and fortitude along the way. 

Conversely, prisoners who looked at the painful day-to-day reality they were in and channelled their energies to the right places survived by maintaining an unwavering faith in the end game and making a commitment to themselves that they would survive whatever brutality and horror they faced. 

Here’s how Stockdale put it: “I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.” 

How many of us would look back on seven years of detention and torture as an experience we wouldn’t trade? 

Do you regard the greatest obstacle in your life as the challenge that shaped who you are, or do you use it as an excuse for not having achieved more? 

This distinction between optimism and realism can apply to both business and life. 

Is there an aspect of life in which you’re ignoring reality in favour of being optimistic? Doing so might mean you’re also missing a crucial opportunity to take action. 

For example, one of my clients has an employee who doesn’t take responsibility for her actions, doesn’t pay attention to detail and is often reluctant to take direction and feedback. This employee and the drama that surrounds her affect the entire business, and yet my client procrastinates about firing her, hoping in vain that things will somehow change without any decisive action being needed. 

Take a moment today to examine your relationship with optimism, pessimism and realism. The key is knowing when to accept reality and take appropriate action, and never losing faith in the end of the story. 

If you can walk the delicate line between balance and responsibility, you increase your odds of making good decisions, and ultimately, of achieving success and breakthrough results.

We all experience setbacks, disappointments, loss and challenges. What separates successful people from the rest is the way they deal with those inevitable lessons from the School of Hard Knocks. 

Always keep sight of your final goals, and have faith that you’ll prevail in the end. But maintain the discipline to confront the brutal facts and reality of your current situation too. 

Do you consider yourself an optimist, a pessimist or a realist? What impact does your outlook have on your business?

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Have you thought about what business success has cost you lately? If you don’t consider yourself successful just yet, what would you be prepared to pay for your dreams?

We tend to think of success in terms of what it gives us. Money, fancy toys, freedom, fame, respect and similar desires spring to mind immediately.

But what are you prepared to miss out on in return?

One day when I was 13 years old, my dad came to watch me play football. This was a rare event because my dad was always very busy being “successful”. I played the best game of my life that day. I scored three times, and every time, I turned to my dad to gauge his response. It was just the best!

My teammate Patrick’s dad was also a businessman in our hometown and like my own father, had a lot on his plate. Both men had plenty of reasons not to come and watch high school football on a Wednesday afternoon.

Pat’s dad Bill was a big man with thick bushy eyebrows and hairy ears, but his greatest attribute was his booming voice. Whenever Pat got the ball, Bill would yell out “GO SON!” and everyone would hear it.

As kids, we used to make fun of Bill’s antics, but now I see it in a whole different light. Firstly, Bill was there every week, while my dad seldom was. Secondly, Pat knew Bill was there every time he got the ball. And most importantly, the whole world knew that Pat was Bill’s son and that he was a very proud dad indeed.

Both these fathers were successful. They ran profitable businesses, and were well regarded in our local community. However, one paid a much bigger price for success. Which parent (and which small business owner) would you rather be?

So, what have you missed out on? What will your kids remember about their childhoods? Are your clients more important that your kids because they pay the bills?

I struggled to find balance in my life for years, and often felt torn between trying to get ahead and enjoying the ride. Now I’ve realised that without balance, results do not equate to success.

As a small business owner you’ll be very familiar with attributes like passion, enthusiasm, drive, energy, vision and focus, all of which work together to bring success your way.

But if you want your success to be meaningful, permanent and lasting, it’s important to add balance to the list of attributes you foster in yourself. Without it, you may burn out. Worse still, your family may burn out while you’re off being busy and successful.

What has your business success cost you? Or perhaps you became a soloist because it freed you up to spend your time meaningfully? Please share your stories below.

Working with a good tax accountant can be critical to the success of your business. So how do you find the one that’s right for you?

Once you’ve established a relationship with a tax accountant you’ll typically be very reluctant to switch to another, even if you’re not satisfied. There are numerous hurdles involved, including manoeuvring around the tax calendar and having your new accountant contact the old one to request all the information relevant to your business.

Changing accountants is not a decision you’ll want to make very often, so it’s best to make sure your decision is an informed one.

Why bother with an accountant?

If you run a small business, you’re not legally required to work with a tax accountant. Even as a Pty Ltd company, you can deal directly with ASIC and the ATO if you so choose.

Wisely, that’s a burden many small business owners prefer to avoid. Given that the fees are fully tax deductible, there’s little downside to working with an accountant – especially if you choose the best person for the job.

What will your accountant do for your business?

Your accountant should form an integral part of your business advisory board.

When you’re in start-up mode they’ll advise on the optimal structure for your business and assist in setting it up in the way that best suits your requirements and goals.

As your business develops, your accountant can also:

• Develop tax minimisation strategies
• Keep you abreast of any changes to financial legislation that affect your business
• Help you identify business goals, and the targets, budgets and cash flow forecasts to achieve those goals.

In addition, many accounting practices offer assistance in setting up accounting software and record-keeping systems.

How do you find an accountant?

Good accountants are in high demand, so they can afford to be fussy about their clients. Many accountants have closed books, and only take on new clients based on qualified referrals, so if you network with people whose businesses are similar to your own, it’s worth asking around for recommendations and introductions.

Accounting and Tax Associations can provide lists of accountants that work in your area. Alternatively you can head to the Flying Solo directory for more financial experts.

Check their credentials

Visit your prospective accountant’s website, or ask for their company material to be sent to you.

How long have they been established? What are their qualifications? Do they meet your needs? Read their client testimonials to determine whether their existing clients are in a similar position to you.

Does the accountant have experience and understanding of your industry or field? If you’re involved in import, export, e-commerce, gambling or any other unique category, check whether the accountant is familiar with the idiosyncrasies of that world. If not, keep hunting until you find one who is fully aware of the opportunities and potential pitfalls your business faces.

Make sure you feel comfortable

Accountants whose books are open to new clients will usually offer a free initial meeting, which gives you the opportunity to gauge whether you’ll feel comfortable working with them.

Go to the meeting prepared to ask lots of questions. What are their fees? What services does this price include? How will they communicate with you? What software do they use?

Time invested in finding the right accountant can have enormous benefits to your business. Although I’m renowned for encouraging soloists to think very carefully about their business expenditure, this is one area where professional advice can deliver a very healthy return on investment!

Are you an accountant addict, or do you prefer the DIY approach? We’ll be interested in your comments.

G’day all. Sam here. I’ve been charged with writing the next “Come-to-Flying-Solo-LIVE!-on-Wednesday-15-September” advertorial thingy.

Now, I know it’s going to be another cracker this year. But I would say that, wouldn’t I? I always bang on about the power of testimonials, so am handing over the job of encouraging you to come…to you.

Here’s some feedback, spontaneously received from folks who came along in 2008 and 2009.

“Bloody marvellous! Best $195 I've spent on my business to date. Will be one of the first to register next year!”

“I loved the buzz and the excited atmosphere through the whole conference - there is something about a community of like minded souls getting together”

“Thanks for such an inspiring event that I feel so much richer for attending.”

“Can’t wait to attend again next year! It was great to trade ideas and war stories with fellow soloists. And I picked up some valuable information and inspiration.”

“The speakers and the engagement with the audience was palpable. I enjoyed every session and look forward to next year’s event.”

”What a jam packed day it was… I thoroughly enjoyed it and my creativity has been flowing ever since.”

“It was inspiring, beautifully planned and idea-generating. It provided an excellent environment for networking and I met many people I am looking forward to doing business with.”

“There was an enormous degree of optimism and excitement from all who attended. The sense of new possibilities that us soloists could fly at last to those places we had only dreamed of, in not only our business, but also our personal lives.”

Not bad, huh? Then there’s the feedback we received during each event: the average rating given to sessions was 8.8 out of 10

So are we hiding anything? Well, you did tell us one of the rooms was too cold (I know! I was shivering in my chiffon top) and the screen was too small in another. So we’ll be fixing both of those things up.

The Flying Solo community is all about you, and the LIVE! event is no different. And the tax deductible, micro price of $195 is a small price to pay for an engaging, inspiring and exciting day.

It seems past attendees think so, anyway.

Here’s the one pager of what’s going on. Or bite the bullet and book now.

See you in four weeks! * 

Love your work!

 

 

 

 

*Four weeks? I’ve got four weeks to lose four kilos? AAARGH!

PS: If you’re an attention seeker, we’ve got just a couple of business exhibition spaces left. Here’s the deal.

PPS: If you have any questions about the event or registration, please use this contact form or call Fiona Toy and our team of wonderful organisers on 02 4340 8897.

 

Er, what's Flying Solo LIVE!?

Flying Solo LIVE! is our annual micro business conference. This is it's third year and it is being held on Wednesday 15 September with registration opening at 8am for an 8.30am start. The final presentation concludes at 5.30pm followed by some casual networking over drinks. 

For one value-packed day, you’ll be surrounded by the tips, tools, knowledge, contacts, community and inspiration you need to build a business you love. Download the full program here.

Tickets are just $195 (inc GST) and include a choice of sessions, morning and afternoon refreshments, a networking lunch and the chance to mingle with sponsors and exhibitors.

Recently I saw a cafe with a logo that looked like a biohazard symbol. Is that really the imagery they want people seeing when thinking about where to buy their lunch?

You have to wonder how much thought they put into their logo selection, don’t you? 

I cannot stress highly enough the importance of getting correct feedback before implementing new design work in your business, especially when it comes to your logo. 

I’ve often seen soloists rush through this process, get very confused and end up picking a logo they don’t really like just because they haven’t thought things through properly. 

When choosing your new logo design, starting with these practical tips makes your decision as easy as 123. 

1. First response – your own gut instinct

After briefing your designer and receiving their initial concepts, make a quick note of the ones that have most impact on you at first glance. It’s very easy to stare at the designs until your senses are deadened, and then forget what your initial response was. 

For better viewing, print out the designs, stick them on the wall and then stand back to look at them all at once. 

Which ones look the strongest and appeal to you most from the other side of the room? 

2. Second opinion – close confidantes

Once you’ve selected your favourites, send them to two or three trusted sources and ask for their responses. Ideally, choose three people with differing insights into your business – perhaps a colleague, a client and a close friend. 

Be careful not to get too many opinions though, as it could end up making your decision more difficult. 

3. Third party feedback – the wider community

When you’ve made a choice on a final design, you can then get a broader opinion on it if need be. 

A good way to do this is send the design out to more people in your network for comment. If you’re keen for an even more objective view, request a Community Review from the Flying Solo forum. The feedback you receive will give you great insight into how professional people who aren’t familiar with your business respond to your logo at first glance. They won’t be afraid of being honest either! 

Remember that design is very subjective. You’ll always get a number of differing opinions on any design. After assessing all the feedback, the most important opinion of all is your own. 

You get to make the final decision, so choose the logo you like the most and that you think is going to be the best representation for your business. 

How did you choose your logo? Are you pleased with your decision?

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Writing articles and getting published is a powerful way to promote your expertise, and your business. Here’s some advice on making your read a good one.

1. Have ideas to expand on. This beats staring at a blank screen with a blank head. Be ready to scribble down dot points when inspiration strikes. The germ of some of my best work can be traced to the back of soggy beer mats.
2. Don’t worry too much about structure at the start. This can come later. Just focus on getting it out of your head and onto the screen, or indeed the paper.
3. An alternate theme may emerge in the course of writing. Go with it. I’ve lost count of the number of unedited articles I’ve read that have a headline almost totally unrelated to the content.
4. Write the headline and intro last to overcome the above problem. What you’ve actually written will inform you of the appropriate headline and introduction. Always.
5. Use your voice. If you’re a humorous person, write with wit.
6. Don’t underestimate your audience. There’s a school of thought that says you should use the simplest word available. I disagree. You should use the most fitting word. Still you should avoid plundering the Thesaurus just for the sake of it.
7. Revisit, reread, edit and proofread. While we’ve lots of tips for self-editing on Flying Solo, my main advice is to remember that subtraction is iteration, too.
8. When editing, cut from the start. A majority of the articles I’ve edited require most of their edits early on. Try to ensure your article doesn’t take too long to get going.

To illustrate the importance of point number 3, this article was originally going to focus on a Flying Solo milestone. Lovely for the ego, not so great reader relevance wise.

But since you’ve come this far I can humbly share that we’ve just passed the 1,000 article mark. That’s a little over half a million words.

As Editor I’ve overseen each article from submission to publication and while I’m the first to admit I don’t know much, I reckon when it comes to understanding what makes a good short read, I know my potatoes.

Which brings me to my final point.

       9.    Know your potatoes.

It’d be very fine indeed if you shared your thoughts on what makes a good article.

Here’s to the next 1,000!

If you try to organise your whole business, whole office or whole life all at once you’ll only end up feeling overwhelmed. Here I’ll help you prioritise your organising efforts.

Know why it’s worth it

If you haven’t already, spend some time reflecting on why you want to get more organised. If your motivation to make changes is high, your success rate will be too! 

Everyone has different reasons for getting organised, and although neatness and tidiness are welcome by-products of the process, they don’t tend to be the main motivators. 

Choose your battles wisely

Do you know where your business needs to be more organised? 

When you’re working frantically every day just to stay on top of your to do list, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chanting that old mantra “Gotta get more organised” without taking the simple step of determining where that will have the most impact. 

Step back from that treadmill you’ve been running on, and take the time to clarify what you want and exactly how better organisation will help you get there. 

• If you need to streamline your systems, which one is most critical to tackle first?
• Do you simply need to organise your desk and office once and for all, rather than just tidy up?
• Could you be better organised in the way you handle paperwork, email or meetings?
• Could you be more punctual and consistent with customer follow up? 

Audit your time

Before setting your organising priority list in stone, try this simple but incredibly revealing exercise. 

Make a list of how you think you spend each hour of your day. If it doesn’t add up to 24 hours, you’ve made an error somewhere, and you need to re-visit it.

Verify your instincts by spending a day or two actually recording what you do on an hourly basis. (You can set your mobile phone or computer alarm to remind you to do it every hour that you’re awake if you’ll be inclined to forget). Add in the time you spend asleep, and if your list now adds up to 24 hours, you’ve got an accurate representation of where your time is going. 

Now, ask yourself honestly. Is this how you want to spend your time? How many of these tasks could be streamlined or outsourced to free you up for more profitable activities or fun with family and friends? 

Make it bite-sized

Now that you’re clear on exactly what needs to be more organised, make your priority list more manageable and less intimidating by dividing each task into bite-sized chunks that you can tackle one at a time. 

This article is the second in a series outlining the secrets to getting and staying organised. In the next article I’ll give you some tips to spur you into action. 

Have you tried auditing your time yet? What did you learn, and how has it inspired you to change your ways?

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I’ve been seeing the name “Groupon” increasingly popping up in various publications – it appears to be doing big things in the world of coupon marketing. Here’s how it works. Groupon’s not quite 2 years old – it was launched in November of 2008. It’s really a coupon/buyer’s group hybrid approach.The service offers daily deals through [...]

Once you’ve edited your blog, newsletter or web content so you’re happy with how it reads, you need to proofread it for surface errors such as spelling, grammar and punctuation.

You may have already touched on this in your editing process, but a final check is critical in producing a professional piece of written communication. 

Most people devote only a few minutes to proofreading in the hope of catching a glaring error. But only having a quick read after you've worked so hard to get the right words means you could very well miss a mistake that makes you cringe later. 

How many times have you spotted a typo or a mistake in a magazine? It's so easily done, but so hard to rectify! The proofreading process for a quality magazine involves up to seven writing experts meticulously making their way through every word of each article – and that's after it’s been thoroughly edited by at least three people. 

To be fair to yourself – and your brand – devote time to the proofread, searching systematically for errors. It takes a little extra time, but it definitely pays off. 

Refresh

Take a break before starting. If your eyes are tired or your content is too familiar, you could easily skip over an error. 

Clear your head or, if you can, give it to someone else to read. Choose someone with fresh eyes, whose grammatical and spelling skills you trust. (If that’s not an option, refresh your own grammatical know-how with these handy articles on the correct use of commas and apostrophes). 

Where?

Which medium allows you to proofread most carefully? You may like to work on the computer or you might prefer to sit back in the beanbag with a printed copy that you can mark up with a pen as you read. 

Either way, do your proofreading at a time and place that allows you to concentrate and avoid distractions. 

Using spell check

The spell check function in Microsoft Word can be useful, but it won’t catch a misspelling that forms another valid word. Examples that are often missed include 'your' instead of 'you're', 'to' instead of 'too', and 'complementary' instead of 'complimentary'. 

The grammar check function can present similar issues, so make sure you question and evaluate the feedback it provides. 

Be systematic

Like so many other facets of your business, it can be helpful to develop a system that you follow every time you proofread. 

For instance, since it's easier to catch grammatical errors if you’re not checking punctuation and spelling at the same time, you might decide to proofread for each of these types of errors individually. 

Read slowly, and read every word. You could read aloud so you can hear how the words sound together. 

You could circle every punctuation mark to ensure you look at and question each one. 

The proofreading process becomes more efficient as you develop and practice. With time, you'll start to become familiar with specific areas of your writing that need more attention. 

Knowing you have a sound method for finding errors will also help you focus more on developing your ideas while you draft the piece of communication. 

Only a fool fails to proofread before publishing. Have you spotted any foolish errors lately?

Importing from China could save you thousands of dollars, but can also be daunting and risky. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

China presents massive opportunities for your business, regardless of whether you’ve been established for a while or are in start-up mode.

But to be successful in your attempts to do business in China, you need to find the right supplier. This is extremely important considering there are potentially thousands of suppliers vying to make your product.

The main factors to consider when deciding who to deal with are the levels of risk you’re prepared to accept and the amount of time and cost involved.

Using sourcing websites

Suppliers in China can be sourced directly through websites like madeinchina.com and alibaba.com.

Sourcing products yourself can save you money and give you total control over the process, but also brings with it higher risk than other alternatives, as most websites don’t have strong mechanisms for verifying suppliers.

If you decide to go down this route, be aware that it can take a large amount of time, and if you’re unable to find a legitimate supplier it may actually cost you more money in the long-term.

Using an overseas trading company

Trading companies that act as a middleman on your behalf and source your products from China come with advantages and disadvantages.

For example, they’ll usually speak the language and understand Chinese business and culture, which helps with effective communication. They’ll have established relationships with certain factories too, so you may be able to order smaller quantities of stock.

On the other hand, many trading companies are paid commissions by suppliers, so the factories they recommend may not be the ones best suited to your needs. Furthermore, using a trading company inflates costs, as the trading company makes their margin on top of the factory price.

Attending trade fairs in China

Another means of finding suppliers is to attend trade fairs in China such as the Canton Fair.

Meeting suppliers face-to-face allows you to establish a relationship with them (a vital aspect of successful business dealings in Asia) and may help you determine the legitimacy of the business. You may be able to place your order on the spot, and might even be able to visit and inspect the factory.

However, attending trade fairs can be very costly and quite overwhelming. Without experience and understanding of the language and culture, there’s no guarantee you’ll find the right supplier.

Using an Australian professional sourcing company

One of the safest and best value-for-money options is to use a professional sourcing company that’s based in Australia. Most are thoroughly experienced in international trade and many are passionate about growing your business and making it a success.

This approach is likely to have a higher cost than managing the process yourself, as some professional sourcing companies charge service fees and a percentage of your order value.  But as you’ll be dealing with an Australian-owned and operated business, with experienced teams on the ground in China and inherent cultural and linguistic knowledge, communication with Chinese suppliers will be simple and effective, giving your importing project an excellent chance of success.

Do your research

As you’ll have worked out from the issues raised above, although sourcing products in China offers some huge opportunities, they do come with significant risk. It is vital to conduct the relevant research because choosing the incorrect option for your business could cost you both money and time.  When in doubt, consult others who’ve travelled this path before you, or seek professional advice.

Do you import products from China? Please share your experiences below.

Importing from China could save you thousands of dollars, but can also be daunting and risky. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

China presents massive opportunities for your business, regardless of whether you’ve been established for a while or are in start-up mode.

But to be successful in your attempts to do business in China, you need to find the right supplier. This is extremely important considering there are potentially thousands of suppliers vying to make your product.

The main factors to consider when deciding who to deal with are the levels of risk you’re prepared to accept and the amount of time and cost involved.

Using sourcing websites

Suppliers in China can be sourced directly through websites like madeinchina.com and alibaba.com.

Sourcing products yourself can save you money and give you total control over the process, but also brings with it higher risk than other alternatives, as most websites don’t have strong mechanisms for verifying suppliers.

If you decide to go down this route, be aware that it can take a large amount of time, and if you’re unable to find a legitimate supplier it may actually cost you more money in the long-term.

Using an overseas trading company

Trading companies that act as a middleman on your behalf and source your products from China come with advantages and disadvantages.

For example, they’ll usually speak the language and understand Chinese business and culture, which helps with effective communication. They’ll have established relationships with certain factories too, so you may be able to order smaller quantities of stock.

On the other hand, many trading companies are paid commissions by suppliers, so the factories they recommend may not be the ones best suited to your needs. Furthermore, using a trading company inflates costs, as the trading company makes their margin on top of the factory price.

Attending trade fairs in China

Another means of finding suppliers is to attend trade fairs in China such as the Canton Fair.

Meeting suppliers face-to-face allows you to establish a relationship with them (a vital aspect of successful business dealings in Asia) and may help you determine the legitimacy of the business. You may be able to place your order on the spot, and might even be able to visit and inspect the factory.

However, attending trade fairs can be very costly and quite overwhelming. Without experience and understanding of the language and culture, there’s no guarantee you’ll find the right supplier.

Using an Australian professional sourcing company

One of the safest and best value-for-money options is to use a professional sourcing company that’s based in Australia. Most are thoroughly experienced in international trade and many are passionate about growing your business and making it a success.

This approach is likely to have a higher cost than managing the process yourself, as some professional sourcing companies charge service fees and a percentage of your order value.  But as you’ll be dealing with an Australian-owned and operated business, with experienced teams on the ground in China and inherent cultural and linguistic knowledge, communication with Chinese suppliers will be simple and effective, giving your importing project an excellent chance of success.

Do your research

As you’ll have worked out from the issues raised above, although sourcing products in China offers some huge opportunities, they do come with significant risk. It is vital to conduct the relevant research because choosing the incorrect option for your business could cost you both money and time.  When in doubt, consult others who’ve travelled this path before you, or seek professional advice.

Do you import products from China? Please share your experiences below.

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