About.com Entrepreneurs

New Contest for PHP Coders

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:22:41 +0000

You can do a lot with PHP and a database, which even most cheap hosting plans include.� According to Elance, PHP is the number one skill in demand through their website, which matches freelancers with clients.

If you love PHP, you could be one of ten winners who will receive $250 in cash and one year of premium membership on Elance, valued at $120.

To enter, just take Elance's new PHP Skill Test before November 30, 2009 and demonstrate your code-writing skills.� Elance plans to add more Code Tests in the future but to celebrate the launch of their new "Skills Test" program, Elance is inviting coders to test their skills.� Winners will be chosen from the "best, fastest, and most efficient coders."

Winners announced here on the Elance blog on December 1, 2009.� Complete Contest Information

Articles Related to Website Development

New Contest for PHP Coders originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 11:22:41.

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House of Reps Passes Health Care Bill

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:26:02 +0000

The House of Representatives passed a sweeping health care bill by a vote of 220-215, last night, Saturday, November 8, 2009.

According to CNN, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act has taken a step forward, but, "the Senate will vote on a version of the health care legislation debated in that chamber. If the Senate passes its bill, the House and Senate bills would have to be reconciled into one document and voted on again."

Read the House-Approved Bill (.pdf format - 1,990 pages)

House of Reps Passes Health Care Bill originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 14:26:02.

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Are You Networking Enough?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:53:37 +0000

Are your networking enough? If you answer, "yes" chances are you do not understand the value of business networking.� No one can networking enough because the more you connect with others, the easier it will be to grow your business.

Does online networking count? Yes! But it does not take the place of good ol' fashioned face-to-face networking.

If you do not know of any biz networks in your area, start by trying BusinessNetwork.MeetUp.com, a free online service that allows you to start a networking group, or locate existing networks in your area.

If you need more convincing as to why you should get out there and mingle, or some great ideas on how to maxmize your networking experience:

Are You Networking Enough? originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 09:53:37.

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SCORE Offers Quick Start Business Plan Tool

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:56:39 +0000

SCORE just announced a new "Quick Start Business Plan" tool online.� And it is FREE!� In addition to helping you understand how to write a business plan, SCORE offers free templates to help you assess how financially viable your idea is, including:

Quick start business plan action plan
An Excel cashflow template
Break-even calculator
Chargeable hours template
Business plan template
A Market Research Questionnaire

To access this free lesson and their template tools, visit SCORE.

You can also take advantage of Entrepreneur's articles for creating a Step-By-Step Business Plan Outline.

SCORE Offers Quick Start Business Plan Tool originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 11:56:39.

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Business Advice for Military Personnel

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:07:28 +0000

Entrepreneur's gives a thumbs up to SCORE for recognizing and filling a need to provide seasoned business mentors for our military personnel!

I just received a notice from SCORE promoting an exciting program called, "Veterans: Succeeding in Business." To connect with a fellow vet in business visit SCORE's online counseling system and select, "Veteran Owned Businesses," for advice from a mentor with prior military experience.� You can also visit SCORE's page exclusively for Veteran, National Guard & Reservist Small Biz Owners.

Related Articles:

Business Advice for Military Personnel originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 12:07:28.

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How to Grow Your Business Through Knowledge Acquisition

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:22:33 +0000

The entrepreneur who thinks they have all the answers is an entrepreneur doomed to fail.� No one has all the answers.� Not to get religious on you, but even the Bible repeatedly states there is "wisdom" and "safety"and even "victory" in a multitude of counselors" in regards to waging war.

Well, business is a lot like war.

There are many ways to learn new business tricks, philosophies, and strategies.� This can be done through networking and exchanging ideas with other business professionals.� But it can also be done while you work or even putter by listening to online webinars and seminars.

If you are interested in opening up your mind to other business approaches, here are three resources to get you started:

GlobalTeleClass.com offers free online professional (and personal) development seminars.
101 iTunes Feeds to Boost Your Business Savvy:� The list includes everything business from ethics and law to management and financial matters. Listen to business lectures from Yale, Cambridge, Duke, Standford, UCLA, and other top-notch educational facilities.
Free Google Training and Information Seminars: Register to take a variety of Google's free business courses and online presentations in their "Do More With Less" series.

If your education interests are geared towards more traditional learning, you can also try MIT (yes, the MIT) for free.� MIT offers a huge array of open courseware.� Take actual MIT classes (you won't get credit), get book lists and study notes and even take tests online - for free.� Free College Courses From MIT

How to Grow Your Business Through Knowledge Acquisition originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 10:22:33.

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How to Create a Great Business Name

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:12:00 +0000

Question: What do these three things all have in common?

A thesaurus;
A writing pad and pen;
Friends for feedback.

Answer: They are all valuable tools to help you decide on a name for your business.

Your company name is a critical part of your overall corporate identity. It should reflect something important about who you are, or what you do. The name of your business will appear on your letterhead, your promotional materials, and website. Choosing the right name is an important factor in communicating the right message about you and your business.

With new businesses being launched at near record highs I thought it would be a great time to offer advice on how to name your business:

How to Create a Great Business Name originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 12:12:00.

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How to Get Free PR Leads by Subscribing to HARO

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:36:31 +0000

If you follow HARO (Help a Reporter Out) you may have recently read a listing for an opening for a senior PR account manager at Boston company (due to HARO rules I cannot tell you the name of the company or risk getting booted off HARO's list myself.)

The listing queried for prospects with flair: "You must have sick consumer experience, consider yourself a social media junkie and kick-butt at getting media coverage (traditional and social). "Company Name Removed" has a culture that rocks the house -- from Sam Adams on tap in the office (for after hours) to "Bring Your Parents To Work Day" to smart, fun and accountable employees, they got it all goin' on. Their hip new crib overlooks Bostons sky-line, harbor and airport..."

A little unconventional?� Yes.� Effective?� Only "Company Name Removed" can tell you for certain.� But if you are not already using HARO you should.� It is free to join and to use.� Advertising for "sick PR media junkies" does cost, but you can reach tens of thousands of people via HARO much cheaper than other advertising sources.

But HARO is more than a possible advertising venue for your business...

What is HARO?

HARO is a free email subscription for reporters and others seeking articles and contacts. This list is not for posting calls for clients, but it can help you connect with reporters to get your business some positive publicity. You can also use this list to call for content and list your own interview opps with others to build articles for your website or publications.

Peter Shankman, owner of HARO, sends out off-beat and humorous emails two to three times each day with dozens of leads.� He opens each post with a sponsored advertisement.� All ads are peppered with fun and off-beat pitches by Shankman to make them more appealing (unconventional) and more likely to be read.

How to Get Free PR Leads by Subscribing to HARO originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 09:36:31.

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What You Need to Know About Open Enrollment For Health Insurance

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:54:40 +0000

It's open enrollment season for choosing a health insurance plan for next year.� Because the cost of health insurance premiums continue to rise, and insurance companies are working harder to find ways to exclude coverage for you, it is important to compare your options before changing health insurance.� But reading insurance policies can be tricky so attorney, Jeffrey I. Ehrlich, an insurance appellate specialist, offers consumer-friendly advice on how to read an insurance policy.

If you need to develop a basic understanding of the health insurance system, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a free, downloadable .pdf document that answers common questions about health insurance.� Included in the document is an insurance glossary and information about network-based plans, non-network based coverage, and consumer-directed health plans.

For more in-depth information about open enrollment and health insurance options, I recommend:

What You Need to Know About Open Enrollment For Health Insurance originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 23:54:40.

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How to Get Started on Twitter

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:03:47 +0000

If you are not using Twitter for your business yet, ask yourself why not?� Lack of time (Twitter is fast and can be mastered in minutes)?� You think it's silly (it is, but it works)?� You have not heard of Twitter (hard to believe)?

In 2008, Twitter only had about 6 million active users (per month) and it has a high user drop out rate (60% of people abandon Twitter accounts after one month). But Mashable projects by year-end 2009, 18 million people will be using Twitter each month and further projects that 26 million people will be Tweeting in 2010.� See the mass-marketing potential now?� Plus, presently, Twitter remains free to users.

Here are some great articles to help you decide if Twitter is right for your business, what Twitter is, and how to get started.

How to Get Started on Twitter originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 15:03:47.

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