One thing you can do to brace yourself is to go back to your suppliers—to your telephone provider, landlord, car dealer—and renegotiate.  Go to the people you are paying out to, and renegotiate on the contracts you had made with them.  See if they are willing to pull back at all.  Although they are dealing with the same slow-down as you are, you will find that they are more willing to cut you some slack than lose you as a customer.

I cannot stress enough the need for products you are selling to be presented in more detail.  You must make the clients understand your philosophy and your product. Market better!  Understand where people are coming from: be compassionate with their concerns.  Be willing to work out payment plans for potential clients.

Save money using technology: take advantage of email and video conferencing.  You should email documents rather than sending them via mail.  This will save you in postage and in paper.  Also, instead of driving or flying to meet with a client or vendor, you should videoconference with them.  Both of these will save you time and money.

With today’s adversity constantly pulling on your being, implore as much persistence and fortitude as you can muster.  When you are stuck and everything is working against you, when it seems like you cannot last a second longer, you must persist, for it is at that peak in struggle that you will conquer and turn the tides.

This was a guest post from Robert Tuchman, who is the Founder of TSE Sports & Entertainment, a company he started out of his one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan at the age of 25. TSE has gone on to appear on Inc. 500’s list of America’s Fastest Growing Privately Owned Companies. Tuchman now serves as President of Premiere Corporate Events, a division of Premiere Global Sports. His Book “Young Guns: The Fearless Entrepreneur’s Guide To Chasing Your Dreams and Breakout Out On Your Own” is out now.

The great folks at LogoInn.com are offering a 15% discount on any service ordered through their site. Just use the code “MKT-01″ in the promotion code section and that will help you get an even better deal on their services!

Check them out and let me know what you think!

Chris

Part of redesigning this website was also to get a new logo created. Right about the time I was thinking about working on a theme for Dorm Room Biz, I got an email from someone within the LogoInn.com logo design service. They were offering a free logo design, so I knew I could not pass this opportunity up. This takes us all the way back to March. About 2 months is a very long development time, but most of the delays were on my side of the action and not on the designers side.

So, how was the process you’re wondering? It was good and pretty normal; basically as I suspected it to be. I’ve worked with many web and graphic designers over the years and pretty much new what to expect. I was emailed a small logo design questionairre which had different questions such as the style of logo I like, what colors I wanted the logo to have, etc. So after going back and forth for a few emails, we finaly got the details laid out and were ready to hit the ground running.

The logos that I was first shown were along the lines of what I asked for in realtion to the questionaire that I filled out as well as some different examples I sent to the person I was working with. The nice thing about this process was that they were more than happy to make as many revisions as I needed. Now, I don’t know if that is part of their normal service or not, but it worked great for me. I’m the type of person, like many of you probably are, that likes to have a TON of revisions done to designs to try to make them just right. However, there is a point where you have to realize you will never be able to achieve a perfect logo because you’d never be happy with what you had if you went for perfection. So, I’m very happy with the current logo that the site has, I think it goes very well with the theme and colors and look forward to utilizing it for a while to come.

I’d rate my experience with the guys at LogoInn.com pretty well and would consider going back for future logo work. I know there are a ton of options out there when you are looking for a logo design like running a contest, hiring a firm, or checking out a logo desing company like LogoInn.com. Using this type of internet based service may not be for you, but for this type of project, it was the perfect fit!

Check them out if you are in the market for a new logo design!

However, the story really starts a couple weeks ago when I moved and posted a tweet to Twitter looking to connect with other locals in the area, entrepreneurs, and businesses. One of the companies that followed me was 123Print.com, an online printer similar to OvernightPrints or PrintPlace.

When I went and look at their website, I saw they had 100 business cards for just $3.95, a pretty good deal. Most places would charge you at least $9.95 for 100 cards, or you may not even be able to order that few. So I was happy with the price and wanted to try out the service.

One thing I have been doing for a couple years now is including in all the packages I send out for eBay or Amazon sales is including a business card that basically says ‘Thank You for buying from us’ and asks the buyer to leave positive feedback for us. I had been printing them on just regular business card stock that you get from your local office supply store. Yet the last batch of paper that I bought I was not happy with and just printed the cards anyway – the perferations for where the cards pull apart is not that good and would always tear. But, putting a half assed business card with torn edges was not a good representation of my business – nor should it be one of yours.

So I quickly uploaded the design to the 123Print.com website and within 5 minutes had my order placed. Well, the cards came and they turned out great. The service was incredibly easy to use and fast. The shipping time was decent (the shipping price was high – $7 for a very small and light box), but the cards turned out nicely.

If you are looking to pick up some cards for yourself and get just a small number of them, then 123Print.com is definitely a great place to check out. You can’t beat the price and with hundreds of templates online, you can easily make your own design.

Here is a couple pictures of the box and cards!

Business cards in the box from @123print

Cards with discounts on them

The actual cards that I got printed

One of the things that entrepreneurs don’t like is sending out bills. Whether it makes you feel greedy, like an asshole for trying to get paid, or just bad for charging what you’re charging, it’s usually not fun. However, on the other end of it, getting paid is great. The catch is this: without invoicing a client or customer, you can’t get paid.

Now, we look for a solution. Enter – GreenerBilling.com. You’ve seen them advertising here on Dorm Room Biz for the past couple months. They have recently released an updated website and features, so now it’s time to share more about their service with you all.

GreenerBilling.com’s main philosophy is to meet the needs of an accountant but from the eyes of an entrepreneur. The site and service are built that way, focusing on what fits your needs as an entrepreneur when you need to bill someone.

GreenerBilling.com allows you to:

• Create Estimates & Invoices
• Track Your Payments
• Schedule Automatic Invoices
• Manage Client Profiles
• Allow Unlimited Users
• Customize All Settings.

Now, I know many of you have probably tried services like FreshBooks and all the similar ones, I know I have, but I have to say that I like GreenerBilling.com the best and am extremely happy to have come across it.

With the release of their consumption based plan, they are even more affordable to use then some of the other services. This pay as you go model allows you to sign up for free, get a couple free invoices sent to test the system, and then pay just $0.50 for additional invoices.  You can also manage an unlimited number of clients within “Dirt” plan…as in Dirt Cheap. Get it? If you find yourself needing more flexibility, sending more invoices, and really utilizing the service, then upgrading to the Seedling plan for $15.00 is definitely worth it. Many other services start at that price for just the beginner package!!!

Even More Features To Come

Over the rest of the year, there are another 20+ updates and additions to GreenerBilling to come. Here are just 5 of those to wet your whistle.

• Message Center – This will allow you to customize all of your message templates to fit your business, logo, and colors.
• Statements – Lets users send statements to their clients showing a summary of their previous invoices, what’s paid and what’s due, etc. A great benefit on the side of the client to see an outline of what’s been paid and what’s owed.
• Client Access – this is what I’m most excited for. This will allow your clients to access their account online, see their invoices, see any estimates, or bills that need to be paid, and even PAY THEM ONLINE. On top of that, if your client uses more than one provider that utilizes GreenerBilling, then they can see all of their invoices (from multiple suppliers) in one portal area. Sounds pretty cool huh?
• Time and Mileage Tracking - Sure you can invoice your clients for 5 hours of work at a rate of $50 but why not have that be more precise to 5.15 hours rather than your rough estimate? With this feature you’ll be able to utilize a time clock type feature for accurate billing. Plus, you’ll be able to easily invoice your clients for mileage traveled.
• Data Export to QuickBooks – While GreenerBilling will handle your online and on the go billing needs, maybe small businesses still use QuickBooks or similar software to take care of the rest of their accounting needs. Soon, you’ll be able to export directly from the GreenerBilling website and into QuickBooks to have everything synchronized.

GreenerBilling is utilized by subscribers in over 50 countries and 45 industries. Are you ready to get on board?

One of the great things about Twitter is that you can find all kinds of people on the site from all kinds of different industries. As students head home for the summer or stay at school, majority of them are looking for jobs or working somewhere.

If they are working PLUS starting a business, it can be extremely difficult to maintain a hard effort and push for a long time. So, instead of wearing yourself out completely when trying to build your business, consider getting an assistant. A virtual assistant is someone who helps you our with your work in order to expedite the process and free up your time. I use one and you should too – it’s not as extreme as completely outsourcing your work to another country, but yet getting the assistance that you need, when you need it.

So without further ado, I present to you 60 Virtual Assistants That Are Utilizing Twitter for Business.

The list is formatted with Twitter name linked to their profile page as well as their short bio next to it.

1. EsteDiaVA – God, LovingWife, SuperMom, DomesticDiva, Girl Scout Leader, Salvation Army Bball Coach, College Student, $$$ & Time Saver, Virtual Assistant Extraordinaire
2. AprilTara – A li’l of this, a li’l of that – blog designer, writer, social media and PR junkie, blogger, Mom, rebel
3. sundi_moz – Bringing sanity and calm to entrepreneurial speakers, coaches and trainers everywhere!
4. TracyCollinsCVA- Confidential Virtual Assistant, family history buff, mother, wife, many things to many people.
5. walkerva – Business owner, entrepreneur, virtual assistant – provides professional office support to small businesses on as-needed basis.
6. InnovativeVA – Creative virtual assistant, neat freak and mom w/a sense of humor. Background in advertising and PR. I provide practical solutions for modern business.
7. moniqueterrell – Owner and New Media Expert of Sparkle Internet Image Solutions.
8. merrickmgt – Eco-Friendly/Mac Virtual Assistant. I assist earth conscious persons and Mac entrepreneurs.
9. maryhruth – Virtual Assistant specializing in writing/editing, small business administration, and social media marketing.
10. eshorebizgal – Bilingual Virtual Assistant and lifetime learner
11. KathyCrofoot – Dedicated to assisting business owners follow their Vision by freeing their time from boring Admin tasks.
12. telemill – Virtual Assistant, Author/Writer, Ebay Seller, Social Media Enthusiast, Student of Wealth, who took the dare at the worst.
    
13. IVAProfessional – Virtual Assistant Guru-Admin, secretarial, data entry, doc prep & more at IVAP
14. dcvirtualoffice – An Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant who has a passion to assist small business owners, efficiently manage their online marketing needs.
15. vipvirtualsols – Virtual Assistant who loves connecting with people that constantly challenge themselves and the world! Keeping it real in real time. Carpe diem!
16. heatherbachman – Publicity Strategist looking for new contacts and clients
17. londonva – I’m a cool mum,blogger wordpress website & blog designer and social media coordinator
18. thevenotk – Providing virtual administrative support to entrepreneurs, speakers, coaches…..
19. KarieD – Your Dependable VA
20. pdost – I’m a Virtual Assistant working with other Virtual Assistants and Small Business Owners.
21. vanetworking – The VA EXPERT – VA MotiVAtor! – Founder of the Social Network for Virtual Assistants to connect, share, discuss and promote virtual assistance. Hire a VA today!
22. virtualkathyh – Virtual Assistant to Coaches and Solopreneurs, Travel Agent & World Wanderer, and Dog Lover
23. lauraleesparks – EVP/COO- Family Wealth Planning Institute; Online Success Manager Extraordinaire, Queen of The Simple Solution, Legal Marketing Maven, Paralegal
24. kim_m – Here to help you be more productive (and to chat)! Together we’ll be Partners in Productivity. Watch for tips, quotes and other good stuff.
25. DediKatedVA – Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant who is passionate about helping people–loves dogs, beaches and country living!
26. awesomeassistan – I am the Awesome Assistant, a Virtual Office Administrator, helping you grow your business w/online marketing
27. TargetStars – A savvy entrepreneur that owns a consulting firm that specializes in providing marketing and virtual assistant services to small companies. www.targetstars.com
28. bradhassett – Web Fanatic. Entrepreneur.
29. AdayVA – Executive Virtual Administrative and Marketing Assistant ♦ Online Business / Office Manager to Busy Entrepreneurs and Professionals
30. VAgirlfriday – Virtual Assistant, Social Media, Blogger, Internet Marketing, Tastefully Simple Consultant
31. yoursavvyva – AKA @Missbookkeeping, Savvy Virtual Assistant, Awesome Bookkeeper, Small Business Owner, A Mom, Love 2 Help Others, Computer Geekette, Luv My Dogs (3)
32. rbuscemi – Owner of Virtual Assistant with Creative Virtual Office, WAHM of 2 kiddos, Creative Memories Consultant, Police Officers Wife, Crafty Girl, Avid Reader
33. vickieturley – A VA enhancing extraordinary consultants and mentoring peers
34. raj_bokdia – Founder: Cubesquare (VA service), Blogger, Positivity personified, Optimist, Believer and avid Twitterer
35. redboxva – Chief Organizer, Virtual Assistant and destresser of your in box, admin and social media
36. qpms – Certified Social Marketing Specialist, Internet Marketing VA, Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, PTO Mom, Wife, Virtual Assistant, Dog Lover, Dallas Cowboys Fan
37. vsolution – A Queensland-based group offering remote business support to companies and individuals. We provide creative, marketing, virtual assistant, IT assistance.
38. tunes2901 - Virtual Assistant,Translator,avid reader, passionate singer, good sense of humor, good listener, goal oriented, fun loving
39. virtuallygerry – Virtually Gerry provides virtual administration to businesses to suit their needs and timescales on either long-term projects or on an ad hoc basis.
40. RealEstateVAs – Real Estate Virtual Assistant specializing in Online Marketing, Social Networking, Listing Coordination, Lead Management and more. Home based business owner.
41. AndreaKalli – Certified Internet/Social Marketing Virtual Assistant, Podcast/Audio/Teleseminar editing, Outlook / SharePoint Training. Lover of gardening.
42. Denise3010 – Virtual Assistant, Web Designer, Online Researcher
43. DLMVirtual – http://www.dlmvirtualsolutions.com/
    
44. nhbs – Virtual Assistant specialization in Events and Travel
45. ckpa – Virtual Assistant, Serial Entrepreneur, Author, VA Trainer, Athena Regional Director and busy mum
46. hermedia -Blog/Community Management and Business Development for Internet Entrepreneurs
47. backcountrygirl – Virtual Assistant with passion for the outdoors and social media
48. margiemiguel – oDesk freelancer (virtual assistant, transcriptionist), small business owner wannabe, short-term missions volunteer, and lifelong learner. I love JESUS!
49. kirsty_wilson – Business Support Services/Virtual Assistant. Here to partner and assist small businesses and the busy entrepreneur. Traveller, Gardener, Wine lover.
50. thedetailqueen – Virtual Assistant- I take care of the details so you can build your business!
51. susanmccool – An experienced Virtual Assistant, Web & Graphic Designer and Marketer – single mom of 2 (one autistic), proud learn-a-holic and blushing twitterholic
52. MarketersVA – Marketing/Social Media Virtual Assistant to Internet Marketers, Coaches and Entrepreneurs. “Maybe you’re the same as me. We see things they’ll never see.” Oasis
53. virtualfastlane – Owner of Rescue Desk Virtual Assistant Services, co-founder of the Wisconsin VA Network, small-business blogger, and general fan of anything fabulous
54. grittyva – Virtual Assistant guru and leading expert on Virtual Assistant business success. Founder, VACOC: http://twurl.cc/e11
55. KenaRoth – Virtual Assistant, Wife, Mom. Lively, Creative, Knowledgeable & a little Sassy. Interested in Social Media and Marketing.
56. Krislegalista – Freelance Paralegal, law student, ex-ballerina, literature snob
57. TheLegalVADana – Dana Fortier, owner of Fortier Business Solutions The Academy for Legal Virtual Assistance. A virtual legal assistant & trainer/mentor.
58. RainShadowVA – PREVA, Virtual Assistant, Copywriter, Blogger, Resume Writer, Mentor, Wife, Mom, A Very Young Grandma, Your Friend in Cyberspace
59. VirtualSharon – Virtual Assistant – Your Virtual Solution – Creative Outsourcing for your Administrative, Editing, Desktop Publishing, Real Estate, and other needs!
60. DianaEnnen – Virtual Assistant Industry Leader and Co-Author of VA the Series. Niche – Publicity

If you’re looking for an affordable way to get some work done or need some assistance with administrative tasks, definitely consider bringing on a virtual assistant to help you out. For the service and price, it is definitely worth it to your business!

More updates and posts coming soon!

Now, here are a couple quick updates with more to follow on them shortly.

First and most importantly, Courtney and I have moved. We moved into our first townhouse together and things have been nuts for the last week unpacking, hanging pictures, setting stuff up, etc. A full video tour, pictures and more to come soon. This has taken a large chunk of my time and has not let me do as much blogging as I would have liked.

This is my busy week at work – with the position I am currently in at work, this week (the first full week of the month) is the most busy as we work to close out the previous month and prepare a lot of different financial reports. Since I usually do most of my blog post writting while at my cubicle job, I haven’t had the time to do so. This will all change again next week when things slow down a little.

eBay sales have gone crazy! I had someone contact me through my HowardCountyeBay.com website about selling a lot of paintball and similar military gear for them on eBay. Over the last week we’ve sold about $500 worth of items with much more to still go, inclduing multiple paintball and airsoft guns. Taking pictures, writing descriptions and doing everything else related to auctions is time consuming. I hope to move most of the inventory within the next couple weeks. I guess that all told it should bring in over $1000 for the owner. If that sounds sweet to you, contact me and find out how you can clean out your closets and basements to make money!

And that’s about it. I’ve been getting up early, around 5:30 AM, to get ready and head to work since we moved further out west away from my job so it’s about that time to go to bed! Leave a comment and follow me on twitter to keep up and chat!

Oh, and last but not least, if you missed the $47 rate for 3DayMoney, it’s currently going for $67 rather than the full price of $97. Now is the time to buy it if you can. Read my post here at about the 3DayMoney program from David Risley.

This is your chance to get a great product at an even better price. 3DayMoney is a site created by David Risley of DavidRisley.com and PCMech.com. He’s a ProBlogger bringing in thousands and thousands of dollars a month from the internet and his websites. Over the last 11 years he’s spent every day perfecting his approach to making money from the internet. Now, he’s packed it into 2.5 hours of video content for you to go through and learn from.

The course is designed to be done over three days (hence the name) but you can obviously work it at any pace you’d like. Now, like I said, I don’t like to spend a ton of money on these kinds of courses. Yet, David’s course is normally priced at $97 which is totally worth the investment.

HOWEVER! He’s out of town until Tuesday and decided to run a special until he returns at 9 AM Eastern Time. From now until Tuesday April 28th at 9 AM, you can get the 3DayMoney course for ONLY $47.

I couldn’t pass it up. I signed up and have started the videos. David has some great tips and information about finding untapped markets that you can promote affiliate offers for, how to create your own products, and building lists that you can market to. Plus there is a ton of extra bonus content and downloads for you to check out to help you grow your business.

If you’ve been looking for some help with growing your business and finding ways to make money from the internet, then this is a course I’d highly recommend you take a look out. Remember – the half price deal only lasts a couple more days, so get at it now.

3DayMoney is a course I’ll be promoting for a while even after the price goes back up, but now is your chance to get it at a great rate. If you hesitate to spend $47 to invest in your business and future, you might as well stop trying to grow your business and go work for someone else. This is worth it.