How to Keep Accounting Records Secure

Logo creation, blog version updating, and technical writing are three projects I’ve outsourced with great results. But one internal job that I’d like to farm out, but cannot due to my own paranoia, is my accounting.

I have a feeling that most solo marketers keep their accounting records in-house. However, I’m sure some have outsourced keeping the records to a reliable source.

Others may not have great memories of giving this task away, even in-house. The person who may come to or work in your office and have access to your records may not be as trustworthy as you think.

An article about keeping track of your accounting records while in another person’s hands arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Here are four tips from it that will keep you from becoming a victim of accounting fraud.

You’ve probably heard of and practice these tips; it’s good to have this as a refresher.

From the 2006 Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners:

1. Lock up all signature equipment.

2. Sign all checks rather than give this task solely to another person.

3. Ensure all statements arrive at your office and that you’re first to open the statement, or have a duplicate statement arrive at your home.

4. Account for every check once it’s returned.

This two-part article will help you choose the right accounting software, a product that statistics say many of us do not purchase.

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July 4, 2008 | Filed Under Recent Entries | Leave a Comment

U.S. Gas Crisis Pumps Up Local Marketing

There’s lots of talk throughout the U.S. about how families are staying closer to home due to the high price of vehicle gas and other price increases.

This situation may be beneficial for your firm. Here’s a list of questions to ask yourself to capitalize on marketing to stay-close-to-home families.

1. What local groups are planning special events?
2. Which organizations will hold their annual gathering here rather than away?
3. Where will adults, seniors, or children get together?

For example, if a bike ride or race will occur, are there sponsorship possibilities? Can a banner with your company’s name and Web address be included on stage when the winners collect their trophies?

Stay focused on the potential to market to the local community this summer. I bet there’s lots of business in your backyard.

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July 2, 2008 | Filed Under Recent Entries | Leave a Comment

How to Maximize Your Interviews for Marketing Success

Telephone calls and Emails from newspaper and magazine editors can be feast or famine for a solo marketer.

You either get a healthy number of media connections because of consistent marketing, or you get very few due to a lack of self promotion.

When your marketing starts paying off with interview requests, you may think that you have no control over time or content. That’s far from the truth. Writers and editors sometimes command lots of your time, which makes you think that you’ll see a full-page spread about your company.

When you see only one or two lines from an hour-long interview, you think, “Why did the reporter talk to me all that time?” The answer: because you didn’t take control the moment he contacted you.

The bottom line is that you do have control when interview requests arrive, and a few preliminary questions to the reporter will guide you as to how much or little time you give them, as well as how you can capitalize on being in print far beyond quotes.

Here are five questions to ask to prepare for free publicity.

1. “What’s the main topic for this story?”
You may be so happy to finally get an interview that you neglect to understand the article’s central idea. Such a briefing allows you to form answers that not only educate but also sell more products or services.

2. “How many people do you plan to interview?”
Will your competitors be contacted? What about buyers/end users, which may turn this seemingly-positive article into a negative rant? You have the right to ask who else will be featured. Reporters always tell me.

So far they’ve seen no reason not to. If the writer is still looking for others to interview (ask about this, too), recommend industry allies who will remember you for reciprocal interviews. Read more

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June 30, 2008 | Filed Under Media Tips | Leave a Comment

Are Surveys Part of Your Marketing?

Yesterday, I received an inpatient survey by mail from the medical facility that performed my emergency surgery, which I talked about briefly in this post.

The procedure took place just one week ago, so the facility obviously has their survey process down to a science, sending it before patients forget about their stay.

The four-page survey asks me to fill in one of five circles, rating the center on a very poor to very good scale, on admission, the room, meals, physician, speed of discharge, and eight more areas.

A self-addressed, stamped envelope is included, and the accompanying letter says that by returning the survey, I’ll be entered into a weekly drawing to win a $25 American Express gift certificate.

The survey cannot be completed online, but I won’t hold that against them. Overall, this is an exceptional procedure that all of us can learn from.

In what capacity can a survey work for your firm?

After the sale is completed

When a client chooses a competing firm

A year after the initial sale

When it’s time to purge your mailing list

After you’re awarded the contract but before the work starts

The hardest part is the actual survey development. However, if you begin collecting surveys from correspondence received by mail or surveys received online, you’ll have several blueprints from which to begin creating your own.

There’s more information on creating surveys in this article.

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