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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Do you have a small-business question?

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This blog is going to be a little quiet this week as I'm spending my time on another area of Yahoo! helping people with their questions about small business. So if you'll excuse this mini-advertisement, I'll tell you what it's all about as it's a pretty nifty way to learn about small business and potentially win some valuable stuff.

Are you thinking of starting a small business, but stumped as to any aspect of it? Wondering how to write a business plan? How much money you'll need to start up? Whether it's legal to run your business out of your home?

If so, head over to Yahoo!'s Small Business Answer Center, where Kevin Salwen and I will be answering questions as part of a contest sponsored by Yahoo! and Bank of America. Kevin and I will select and answer 25 questions over the next few days and one of the questions we answer will be chosen as the contest winner. The winning writer will receive a $20,000 Yahoo! marketing credit and a 45-minute telephone consultation. If you have a question, you'll need to submit it by this Wednesday, October 7, at 11:59 PST.

I've learned volumes from reading Kevin's answers in earlier rounds of this contest. Have a look at those as you think about what you'd like to know.

And please spread the word. Thanks.

Related: yahoo!, small business, kevin salwen, entrepreneurs, contests, advice

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From the Community…

Comments 1-5 of 5
  • __A_YAHOO_USER__'s Avatar
    Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Wed Oct 7, 2009 8:26pm PDT

    I'm thinking of beginning my own medical billing and collections consulting firm, but am concerned about personal risk/liability. Will setting myself up for "doing business as" and having clients sign a disclaimer acknowledging that any advice I provide is "as-is" without any implied warranty protect me and my personal assets; or do you suggest going the more costly route of working with a lawyer to LLC my consulting business? Thanks so much for any insight you can provide!

    Report Abuse
  • Marcia's Avatar
    Posted by Marcia Wed Oct 7, 2009 10:57pm PDT

    I've worked as a software trainer for 22 years in three large national law firms and during those years I wrote all the in-house software user manuals (e.g., WordPerfect, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Because of the economy, I was laid off. My job search is turning up empty. To be truthful, at 63 I really don't want another full time job. What I'm seriously considering is approaching local law offices and companies offering my training services which could enhance their staff's software proficienty. However, I do not know what would be a reasonable fee. Any suggestions?

    Report Abuse
  • Marcia's Avatar
    Posted by Marcia Wed Oct 7, 2009 11:06pm PDT

    I've worked as a software trainer for 22 years in three large national law firms and during those years I wrote all the in-house software user manuals (e.g., WordPerfect, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Because of the economy, I was laid off. My job search is turning up empty. To be truthful, at 63 I really don't want another full time job. What I'm seriously considering is approaching local law offices and companies offering my training services which could enhance their staff's software proficienty. However, I do not know what would be a reasonable fee. Any suggestions?

    Report Abuse
  • Marci Alboher, Working the New Economy's Avatar
    Posted by Marci Alboher, Working the New Economy Fri Oct 9, 2009 9:33am PDT

    Immatalian,

    Given that you are starting a business that has some potential risk, it would probably be worthwhile to set up an LLC.

    The Q&A period at Yahoo! Small Business Center ended this morning, but my colleague Kevin Salwen addressed a question about different business structures, which you should take a look at:

    http://smallbusinessanswers.yahoo.com/singleeventquestion?f=index&highlight=answers&qid=20091006113323AARsaFg

    Best of luck with your business. It sounds like a good ideas for a time when healthcare is one of the fastest growing fields.

    -- Marci

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  • Marci Alboher, Working the New Economy's Avatar
    Posted by Marci Alboher, Working the New Economy Fri Oct 9, 2009 9:36am PDT

    Marcia,

    Figuring out fees for a consulting business is always tricky. I've wrote a post here on Shine that should give you some ideas. But the most important thing to do is talk to all your contacts in the field to see if anyone is doing this work as a consultant and what the market rates are.

    See if this gives you any ideas:

    http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/how-to-negotiate-a-salary-without-tipping-your-hand-464658/

    -- Marci

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