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
• 8 Tips to Naming Your Business
• 10 Commandments of a Great Business Name
• Doing Business As (DBA) A Fictitious Name
• Four Steps to Legally Establish the Name of 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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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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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:

• Expert Advice on Reviewing Your Health Care Options During Open Enrollment
• High Deductible Health Plans and a Health Savings Account
• What is a Health Savings Account?
• All About Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• What is a High Deductible Health Plan?
• Drop the High Cost Health Insurance – Choose a High Deductible Health Plan
• Self-Employed Health Insurance Options

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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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.

• Why Your Business Should Use Twitter
• Should I Use Twitter to Promote My Business?
• 4 Twitter Tips to Consider Before You Use Twitter for Your Business
• How to Use Twitter
• Twitter Glossary
• Twitter Marketing Strategies
• Twitter for Entrepreneurs – Part 1

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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GlobalTeleClass.com offers free online professional (and personal) development seminars. This month, you can attend online to learn more about teleseminars, social networking, prospect building, and tax issues.

Another free upcoming event you should consider attending is being sponsored by TechSoup.org. On Ocober 15, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, business expert Kami Griffiths will be interviewing Manny Hernandez, social entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, and author of Ning for Dummies.  Sign up to learn how to create powerful social networks to build your business fast. You can find out more about this upcoming event or register at TechSoup.org Talks.

If you have an upcoming business seminar you’d like to share, post the information in the Entrepreneur’s forums.  The more we know, the more we grow!

Grow Your Business by Attending Free Business Seminars originally appeared on About.com Entrepreneurs on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 12:46:47.

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