| sbbuzz: |
Welcome to #sbbuzz, a Tweetchat for the next hour of small biz talking technology on Twitter. Join us! http://sbbuzz.biz/instructions |
| sbbuzz: |
Rules: 1)NO pitching till end 2)Be nice 3)Stay ON TOPIC! 4)Send ?s for group to me w/o hashtag 5)Use #sbbuzz in all messages 6)Have fun! |
| sbbuzz: |
Start off w/an INTRO: 1 message about you and your business and whatever else we need to know. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Good evening, all! I help coaches and other small biz owners write content for newsletters and blogs. Great to be here at #sbbuzz |
| ginabee: |
Good evening, Friends! Gina w/ WriteyTidy.com writing/content creation here. Looking forward to learning about $ tools w/ you! #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Find cool free online tools to help you save time & money. I do the work so you don’t have to! free tools, ideas, tips & reviews #sbbuzz |
| tinafalasca: |
Hi – I’m from Columbus, OH – doing video & internet marketing for local business owners from content creation to posting it all over #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Last week was such a whirlwind, I still haven’t caught my breath! #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
I’m a financial storyteller amongst other things incl. a CMA, ACMA, Toastmaster… #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Hi everyone, Brad here. I focus on helping small businesses with advice and websites designed to work. #sbbuzz |
| scoblitz: |
@sbbuzz Hi everyone! Scott Blitstein here – owner of eSeMBe and one of the Customer Experience superheroes at @batchblue. #sbbuzz |
| pmohara: |
Hi all – Pamela here from @batchblue and the moderator of #sbbuzz. Nice to be back in the bee seat. 🙂 |
| bradfordshimp: |
@finstoryteller I love you already! What a great tagline, “financial storyteller.” #sbbuzz |
| DianaEnnen: |
Hi, I do publicity and marketing and have authored books on becoming a virtual assistant #sbbuzz |
| helpbusinesses: |
Hi it’s Jacqueline: Business Manager helping to manage, run and grow businesses #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
Hello! Steph here! Looking forward to #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
@bradfordshimp thanks 🙂 I should also say I’m in Vancouver, BC and I help orgs tell their story with numbers 😉 (sorry 2 msgs) #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
This is Nikhil Bonthapally, Network Coordinator at MECKids.com (Health and Fitness Program for Tweens). #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
Tonight’s topic is tools for managing your money (invoicing, billing, budgeting). DM me ?s you want discussed with the group #sbbuzz |
| mriggen: |
@sbbuzz Hi all. Michelle from @batchblue. We make software for small businesses. #sbbuzz |
| helpbusinesses: |
Q1: Quickbooks just love the overall program for financial management of any business #sbbuzz |
| rongraham1: |
OK. http://claritystrategic.com/ is my company, helping navigate complexity is my business, and plenty of oxygen reaches my head. 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
@sbbuzz Q1. Freshbooks – I met the founder a while back, he was inspirational for small biz #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Q1 – I use Freshbooks for my new business. Love it because it is very easy, simple. #sbbuzz |
| JulieDAloiso: |
Julie D’Aloiso here from SpiderCat Marketing – I help businesses use Social Media to market themselves – this is my 2nd week here at #sbbuzz |
| helpbusinesses: |
Q1: Quickbooks is easy to use and easy to setup I think. #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
I blogged last week about this very topic my fav is fresh books #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Q1 – Use Quickbooks online pretty regularly for a client. It is much more robust and good for more established businesses. #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
@bradfordshimp I just heard about Freshbooks for the first time last week! #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Q1 I use Freshbooks for invoicing – likes: online invoicing, easy integration w/ PayPal, I can track my hours & subcontractor hours #sbbuzz |
| cpcllerret: |
Hello, its Terrence in the Merchant Services industry helping small businesses get the right merchant account. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@finstoryteller One of the great things about the new web, being able to meet some of these smart business owners. #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
@bradfordshimp What is it that you like about Freshbooks? #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@myscreenshare Nice, have you checked it out yet? #sbbuzz |
| scoblitz: |
@sbbuzz Q1 I use Cashboard – it works like I do and is priced nicely. #sbbuzz |
| mriggen: |
@sbbuzz We use @freshbooks as well. @freshbooks can you hear us? #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@myscreenshare Freshbooks gets you right to what matters, the invoice. You can get one out to a new client quickly, via email / mail #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Q1 Freshbook dislikes: No easy way to handle deposits against future billing, also I’ve had some challenges with GST via PayPal #sbbuzz |
| JoelByronBarker: |
I used to use #zoho for invoicing, but have recently switched to #freshbooks and really like it #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
@bradfordshimp agreed. One day maybe @mriggen will make it over to the West. Be good to see @batchblue in YVR #sbbuzz |
| pmohara: |
Q1 We started with Quickbooks, but found it too confusing. Now use Freshbooks- easy & automated recurring billing. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Freshbooks is just one of those companies that get it, like Mailchimp and our own dear leader’s Batchbook. #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
@bradfordshimp I have not checked it out, you know how it takes 3-4 exposures… LOL #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@lindadessau Right, if you want to get into detailed books, I suggest Qbooks. Much more in depth. #sbbuzz |
| DianaEnnen: |
I use quickbooks too. For my billing I use cellcharge so I can process credit cards via phone. #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Q1: I compared Freshbooks to AMX new tool AcceptPay discovered you get more with free Paypal than AcceptPay #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
After reading about #freshbooks , I think we will give it a try for sure. #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
@DianaEnnen Ooohh, Cellcharge, great tip! #sbbuzz |
| scoblitz: |
@sbbuzz Q1 I used to use Freshbooks but it got to be too much deleting clients to fit my plan limits. #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
I would suggest Clarity Accounting instead of quickbooks – I think @dobesv works for them #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@myscreenshare It is so true. This chat should count for all of them though. You can set up a few free clients to give it a test run #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
@bradfordshimp Can you explain more about Mailchimp? #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Q1 My bookkeeper keeps my books in QuickBooks. I keep my personal records in http://www.youneedabudget.com from @jessemecham #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
I love free tools and Freshbooks’ free version is not limited in features #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
Q2 What do you use to handle bill paying? Online or offline tools? Why? #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@DianaEnnen Do you use that because you are often in different locations when you want to accept payment? #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
@myscreenshare MailChimp is a email marketing service. I heard really good reviews about it though. #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
RT @RisingStarIdeas: I love free tools and Freshbooks free version is not limited in features #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@scoblitz What did you switch to? #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
@sbbuzz Q2. Every effort made to pay electronically, i.e. paypal. If a big corporate send them a check, buys a couple of days 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
@MECKids Is mailchimp something like constant contacts? #sbbuzz |
| tinafalasca: |
RT @RisingStarIdeas: I love free tools and Freshbooks free version is not limited in features #sbbuzz |
| DianaEnnen: |
@bradfordshimp I do. I do a lot of speaking too and sell my books while I’m doing it. It allows me to accept credit cards. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@myscreenshare Ha, you are getting me on my soapbox! Mailchimp is the company you must use for your email newsletter. #sbbuzz |
| marinel: |
RT @sbbuzz: Q2 What do you use to handle bill paying? Online or offline tools? Why? #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
@myscreenshare Yes. But with more features. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@lindadessau Do you use Qbooks online? That way you would have easy access to your records if someone else keeps them for you. #sbbuzz |
| DianaEnnen: |
@bradfordshimp I use it back at the office too. #sbbuzz |
| tinafalasca: |
@bradfordshimp – how is Mailchimp better or different than Aweber? #sbbuzz |
| BeckyMcCray: |
@sbbuzz Q2 My local small town banks actually offer great online bill pay. Huge time saver! #sbbuzz |
| pmohara: |
Q2 I do all bill paying through our online banking. Have also tried Bill.com and liked it, but haven’t made the full switch, yet. #sbbuzz |
| scoblitz: |
@bradfordshimp I use @cashboard now – http://www.getcashboard.com/ #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@bradfordshimp Yes, we have that set up. It’s helpful (though not foolproof – a couple of times I couldn’t get in) #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Q2 – I pay online when I can and if it is easy to do so. However, I still like paper bills (so I can remember to pay them). #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Q2: Paypal cause what good is a digital invoice if the client can pay upon receipt!? Most small biz need to keep the cash flowing #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Q2 Most services I use do recurring billing via credit card or PayPal. Otherwise I pay bills online through my bank. #sbbuzz |
| marinel: |
Q2: I’m not a #smallbiz owner, but am planning in the future..somewhere down the line. I am an advocate for online payments. #sbbuzz |
| DianaEnnen: |
I pay most of my bills online. Can’t remember the last time I wrote a check. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@DianaEnnen That makes a lot of sense. I bought a book from a speaker and had to write down my info. Not keen on that. #sbbuzz |
| scoblitz: |
@sbbuzz My bank offers great online bill pay but most services I use are recurring credit card things. #sbbuzz |
| pmohara: |
Q2 Advantage of electronic bill paying is being able to assign categories at time of payment & reconcile budget instantly #sbbuzz |
| tinafalasca: |
Q2. Use Paytrust.com for most online billpaying needs. Keeps copies of all my bills for me. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@tinafalasca Well, there is the name, for starters. Haven’t used Aweber, but MailChimp is just plain fun and easy. #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
BIG advocate of online bill pay… can’t imagine life without it! #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
For those interested in free, Mailchimp has a great free, full-feature package to get you started. One of my favorite vendors. #sbbuzz |
| scoblitz: |
@pmohara I get categorization and such through @outright / @expensify #sbbuzz |
| DianaEnnen: |
@bradfordshimp Exactly! Also, I get to know if the transaction goes though. It’s amazing how many times it’s denied. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@pmohara Where are you tracking your categories? #sbbuzz |
| blueskylocal: |
Q2, Most of our bills are paid online via reoccuring subscriptions… plan to try out Noca Pay in the future tho to pay team members #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@myscreenshare No, I just love talking about my favorite companies. I’m a fan of them like some people are of Lost. #sbbuzz |
| mriggen: |
@sbbuzz Q2 (kind of) Anyone tried Square? https://squareup.com/ #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
Being a network coordinator doesn’t help to talk when finances come in place. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@bradfordshimp You’re what they call a customer evangelist 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| DianaEnnen: |
Plus with online bill pay, it goes through so much quicker for those months you need a little extra time. #sbbuzz |
| pmohara: |
@lindadessau it’s part of our bank’s online system. I can create categories with the invoice and it remembers them #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
@mriggen square looks cool but it freaks me out. Still don’t trust people not to store my info for later use #sbbuzz |
| scoblitz: |
@mriggen I love the concept but only a small % is from credit cards. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@pmohara That’s great – I do that with http://www.youneedabudget.com and of course for my biz in Quickbooks. #sbbuzz |
| blueskylocal: |
Q2 we also just use standard online bill paying from our bank, really simple, love it #sbbuzz |
| mriggen: |
@RisingStarIdeas @scoblitz I think it’s one of those people will be slow to adopt it things. Super userful but scary for folks. #sbbuzz |
| eastofprov: |
@mriggen I’ve been trying to get on the beta for use over at @visualpost #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
Q3 What do you use to manage your budget? Why? #sbbuzz |
| cjservia: |
I have a hard time using Quickbooks. Maybe I just don’t understand it #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
@lindadessau I was using Qbooks but it was just too much. I will check out http://www.youneedabudget.com do they have a free version #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
@RisingStarIdeas Free trial for 7 days. #youneedabudget.com #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@RisingStarIdeas YNAB has a lot of free resources but there is a one-time cost for the actual tool. Not very much, though. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@cjservia I had an expert explain a few things to me, and it opened up a lot of Qbooks potential. #sbbuzz |
| mriggen: |
@eastofprov Put @tsondermann on the case! That guy has betas for everything. He’s the alpha of betas. #sbbuzz |
| blueskylocal: |
Anyone use Mint.com for tracking spending / budgeting in their business?? #sbbuzz |
| pmohara: |
@scoblitz Hey – I’ve heard of them. Funny, you forget to look in your own backweb sometimes. #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
@sbbuzz Q3: A lot of the time a spreadsheet is a good tool for budgeting – lots of flexibility, besides budgeting is a behaivour … #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Q3 Whoops, jumped the gun. To manage my budget (personal) I use http://www.youneedabudget.com #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Q3 – Right now, my checkbook. At various times I have used spreadsheets and online tools. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@MECKids Thanks, didn’t remember that! I loved the idea so much when I 1st discovered it, I bought right away! #sbbuzz |
| sueyoungmedia: |
I find the best way to run my biz: Do what I enjoy & am good at (not Quickbks!) & delegate the rest. #sbbuzz #GIFB |
| marinel: |
@blueskylocal Q3 I tried to use Mint.com personally, but didn’t keep up w/ it..although i did get alerts when funds were low =) #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
@marinel Thanks! They should increase that to at least 30 days. Geez you need time to play around w/things b4 u can tell u like it #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@sueyoungmedia Sound advice. #sbbuzz |
| pmohara: |
@RisingStarIdeas I agree on Quickbooks. I like handling the ins & outs online, then use a simple spreadsheet to see net results. #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
@sueyoungmedia AGREE but I need to get better at delegating. Sometimes its hard to let go. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Moneytrackin.com. That is one site I have used on and off to stay on top of my budget. Easy to set up and use. #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
I think Qbooks is complex unless you have more stuff to keep track of. #sbbuzz |
| philfree: |
@sbbuzz Q1 http://ofuz.com, because its simple, remind me the past due, online payment (I work for them). It will be open source. #sbbuzz |
| MHBoys: |
Q3 we do all our finances, including budgets, with QuickBooks #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Q3 My bookkeeper keeps me in line and informed about my business budget (thank you, Lanel! http://snipr.com/ulu59) #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
Or put another way, budgeting should be used to help drive your business not just track it 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| pmohara: |
Watching the budget is crucial. Whatever makes it easy to quickly see where projections are right/wrong is best. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@MECKids Qbooks is a tool of choice for accountants. Should tell you something. But it really is a good tool. #sbbuzz |
| sueyoungmedia: |
@RisingStarIdeas Oh yes. It’s been 10 yrs for me in biz & delegating is a huge step, but also a huge relief! #sbbuzz |
| blueskylocal: |
Q3 Intuit supposedly acquired Mint.com for its #smb application. I also tried Mint, didn’t work out tho : ) @marinel #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Q3: I use a simple spreadsheet. I have two easy to use templates from Google docs an events budget and the other a budget planner #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
Q3 just because it should be said, whichever bookkeeping software you use, your going to hate it. Everybody always does. #sbbuzz |
| canarymegan: |
@sueyoungmedia Agreed. Our cash flow improved immediately once we hired a freelance bookkeeper & accountant. I couldn’t keep up. #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
Q3 and the one to choose has to be the one that works simplest with the bank that has your checking account. Nothing more important. #sbbuzz |
| MHBoys: |
@bradfordshimp let’s be kind to our bean counters… #sbbuzz |
| foodtree: |
@finstoryteller That is great ‘connotation’ advice, sir! #sbbuzz |
| marinel: |
@RisingStarIdeas Oooh! I’ll have to check out those Google doc templates. thnx #sbbuzz |
| MHBoys: |
for a 1-2 person business a spreadsheet is probably good. we like QB cause we can get all of our accounting without an accountant #sbbuzz |
| CASUDI: |
@sueyoungmedia I’m mentoring an entrepreneur & delegating IS a major step ~never realized how much ~(it’s easy 4 me) #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@finstoryteller Q3 My budget is also a barometer of what’s important to me, of what I value (or at least it should be). #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
In my experience the biggest challenges with budgeting in business have nothing to do with the tools used or not used #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
budget templates on Google Docs https://docs.google.com/templates?q=budget+planner&sort=hottest&view=public #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@MHBoys LOL. Not trying to be mean to accountants. A good accountant can do a whole lot of good for a small business. #sbbuzz |
| mriggen: |
@Timberry Ha! Everyone was in love with @mint for a while there 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
I never heard of google docs templates. What are they? #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
Q4 What do you use for tax filings? Do you do it yourself? #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@MHBoys You’re brave. I have QB but still need an accountant AND a bookkeeper! #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
@bradfordshimp just about every accountant and/or bookkeeper I’ve ever worked with always hate the software. Never good enough. #sbbuzz |
| blueskylocal: |
“for a 1-2 person business a spreadsheet is probably good. ” RT @MHBoys – agreed, keep it simple #KISS #sbbuzz |
| JoelByronBarker: |
@ofuz My motivation was originally the organization of their free version, but I find it easier to use for me and my clients. #sbbuzz |
| MHBoys: |
without some kind of budget how do you know how much you can spend on sales/marketing? #sbbuzz |
| tinafalasca: |
@RisingStarIdeas I Love Google Docs – but never saw the templates. Can’t wait to check it out! #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
@lindadessau barometer is cool – but how well does it relate to your long term strategy for your business #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
Q4 one of the dumbest things I ever did was doing my own taxes, assisted by software, instead of a CPA. Penny wise, pound foolish. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Q4 My accountant files my taxes online but I don’t know how (there are some things I just don’t want to know too much about) #sbbuzz |
| CASUDI: |
@Timberry agree most start-ups try to get way to complex w accounting ~ check book/bank simple =works #sbbuzz |
| tinafalasca: |
Q4. Last year did Turbo Tax online – awful! Going back to their out of the box software this year for lack of anything better. #sbbuzz |
| BeckyMcCray: |
@sbbuzz Q4 For 1099’s I used FileTaxes.com this year and last year. Quick, easy, useful. For tax returns, I use my tax professional! #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
@myscreenshare Google docs has a ton of cool templates #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Q4 – Every year I tell myself I am going to have a professional do my taxes, and then I just end up using TurboTax. #sbbuzz |
| sueyoungmedia: |
That silly economic theory of trickle down economics and cash flow –connect that to the budgeting software…#sbbuzz #GIFB |
| DaleLittle: |
A marvelous accountant / investment advisor! #sbbuzz |
| jpwint: |
Q4 For taxes, I use TurboTax small business. Works fairly well, although I would prefer someone else handle it entirely 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@finstoryteller Maybe not always that well! Still going one year at a time right – not yet doing much long-term forecasting. #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
Despite being an accountant (ssshh!) – I use an accountant to file taxes. For the cost, the saving in time and returns are great #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@Timberry Yeah, I can see your point. #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Q4 I use a tax preparer. I can fax or drop my docs then pic them up when they are ready. i’m really good at delegating that task #sbbuzz |
| tinafalasca: |
Q4 – Feel like getting the receipts together is the hard part and I have to do that with or w/o an accountant! #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
Q4 LOL @bradfordshimp that strategy cost me $43K in the 1980s when it was still a lot of money. (altho not Turbo tax, a precursor) #sbbuzz |
| canarymegan: |
@finstoryteller Good point. We mapped out our year & what we really need to bring in monthly. Good to know what to shoot for. #sbbuzz |
| CASUDI: |
@bradfordshimp U have no idea how much a pro might save you 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| smallbiztrends: |
Q4 I keep my books using QuickBooks. Armed with accurate records I use a CPA to prepare the return. #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
With 1-2 people and business in the house, the tax accountant will gobble up the job and let you stay focused on YOUR business 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@canarymegan Yes, I also make sure I know what I need to bring in – how else can I set my rates and goals? #sbbuzz |
| blueskylocal: |
Q4 ❤ TurboTax / expedient tax prep software #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Q4 another trick I use is to pay everything with AMX. They pay me for paying bills plus they create an annual itemized report . EASY #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
In Canada the tax guys tend to be CGAs, mine http://www.sscga.ca have been really good #sbbuzz |
| CASUDI: |
@RisingStarIdeas YES Credit Card (if U PAY by month) can be Xcellent way of keeping records #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
@RisingStarIdeas to clarify AMX pays me with points, so I get points for paying bills. Use the points for rewards, gifts, trips, etc #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@Timberry Still alot of money? Heck that is still alot today. Ouch! Guess I need to change. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@CASUDI Debit card will also give you a paper trail. Maybe not as detailed as @RisingStarIdeas itemized report from AMX. #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
Q5 If you accept credit cards, how did you decide who handles merchant services? Did you compare rates? #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
@bradfordshimp well I’ve never done my own since. Sort of a baby and bathwater problem, though. Too late. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Q5 I accept payments online through PayPal. I used to have a merchant account but I like this much better – simpler, etc. #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
Q5 we’ve switched banks handling our credit cards several times. Not just rates, but reporting, policies, etc. #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
@sbbuzz Q5. where it applied I simply used paypal … better the devil you know on this ocassion #sbbuzz |
| sueyoungmedia: |
I look at a lot of these “expenses” as investments in my biz & growth, not as “I can’t afford it, draining my budget” mentality. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Q5 I’ve had a couple of challenges with PayPal, e.g., that pesky GST thing (Canadian tax). #sbbuzz |
| tinafalasca: |
Q5 – Paypal for now. #sbbuzz |
| DianaEnnen: |
Me too. I use Quickbooks and then use an accountant. He saves me a lot by finding things I can claim that I would have missed. #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Q5 I use to have a merchant account they want blookd just for the app. I had to pay if I didn’t process payments that month #sbbuzz |
| JulieDAloiso: |
Q5 For credit card processing I use EMS – they are local in the area, offer a chamber of commerce discount and good rate! #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
@lindadessau What’s the difference between Online payments through Paypal and a merchant acct? #sbbuzz |
| BeckyMcCray: |
@sbbuzz credit cards! grrr! Like @timberry, I’ve switched services. But it’s such a complex mess, that I’m never happy. #sbbuzz |
| DaleLittle: |
@marinel You’ve got to compare rates on everything. It constantly changes. If you don’t watch it, no one else will. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Q5 – Not really, on comparing rates. Used the built in system on Quickbooks and Paypal for quick hits (expensive, though). #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
Q5 as with bookkeeping software, in credit card accounts, compatibility with your systems (e.g. verisign, netsuite) very important. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@sueyoungmedia Absolutely! Business expenses are our tools that enable us to serve our clients. I like being a customer and a vendor #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Q5 the merchant account nickeled and dimed to much. Paypal made it easy only pay if you use it. Plus they give you a volume discount #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@mriggen This is why we have a big garden. Haven’t had to resort to Ramen or Spam … yet. #sbbuzz |
| JulieDAloiso: |
Paypal has higher rates per transaction but no monthly fees #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@myscreenshare With PayPal I don’t pay a monthly fee, they take a percentage of each charge (which the merchant account does too) #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
Q5 speaking of grrr, there’s that tendency in banks and such to let the loyal longterm merchant clients pay more than newbies. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@Timberry My wife keeps saying. And really, its not that much more expensive to have them done for you. I really must this year. #sbbuzz |
| CASUDI: |
@lindadessau Bank Bill Pay can print categories for a year ~ sometimes I use that to track #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@RisingStarIdeas Yes, exactly! @myscreenshare, what SHE said! #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
Q5 our sales order processing people have lots of problems with paypal. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@DaleLittle Sweet! Keeping busy here, mostly on a marketing push. #sbbuzz |
| MHBoys: |
don’t do much CC but need it as a service to customers – we compared rates and minimum monthly costs and we’re never happy with cost #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
@bradfordshimp seriously your wife is right. You’re worth much more per hour than what you’d pay the CPA. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@Timberry What are the issues that come up most for you with PayPal? #sbbuzz |
| DaleLittle: |
@bradfordshimp Name of the game. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@sueyoungmedia That is a great mindset, viewing them as investments. #sbbuzz |
| smallbiztrends: |
For Q5: Here are some tips on comparing rates of accepting credit card payments: http://bit.ly/aD5ZfV #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
@lindadessau I don’t actually do that job, (and hooray for that, because it’s annoying) so I just hear the grumbling. #sbbuzz |
| canarymegan: |
#sbbuzz Curious about this of you who are service businesses. Did accepting credit cards help your cash flow? We still don’t take them. |
| sbbuzz: |
And now it is what we affectionately call Pitch Time. Please tell us a little about your business. #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@Timberry LOL, I was just curious. #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
@lindadessau although I think it has to do with downtime. Often. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@Timberry Yeah, that is a big grrr! Which is why I was surprised when my bank called me to offer lower rates. Go Keybank. #sbbuzz |
| cjservia: |
Business continuity management services. You’re great at running your business, let us be great at protecting your business. #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
No pitching from me other than to say check out my new site at http://flavors.me/stewart 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Content Creation Capsule starts this Thursday – sneak peek video and details at http://snipr.com/ccc-enroll (pitch time on #sbbuzz |
| Timberry: |
Pitchtime? Several star bloggers are here tonight. I’d love some reviews of my latest book, Sales Forecasting for Entrepreneurs. #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
Thanks all for the great discussion! I think we made a money management discussion fun! #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
I can’t believe the time weny by so fast #sbbuzz |
| DaleLittle: |
@sbbuzz I help businesses save money & raise income hence higher profits I don’t believe in big expenditures Free 30 min wrk session #sbbuzz |
| scoblitz: |
@sbbuzz Pitch: eSeMBe helps micro business choose & implement tech that allows them to work more efficiently. http://esembe.com #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@Timberry If you have any review copies after you send them to the stars, let me know. Maybe a podcast interview as well? #sbbuzz |
| BeckyMcCray: |
Hey! @Timberry has a new book out called “Sales Forecasting for Entrepreneurs” – Sounds like something we all need! #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@sbbuzz Indeed, that was fun. #sbbuzz |
| rongraham1: |
My company will be handling social media for @AkronHomes starting tomorrow and @DevotionalChef in a couple months. Who’s next? LOL #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Check out 101freetools.com Your Small Business toolbox I do all the work so you don’t have to #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
If you’d like a once-a-week e-mail reminder of #sbbuzz (including the topic) sign up at http://sbbuzz.net #sbbuzz |
| smallbiztrends: |
@canarymegan For serv businesses (web designers,etc), invoice with Blinksale; embed “Pay by PayPal” button. Voila – fast payment! #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
@Timberry I don’t know if I qualify 😉 But I’d love to have a look! #sbbuzz |
| DaleLittle: |
Great discussion! Thanks for the invite @bradfordshimp #sbbuzz |
| canarymegan: |
#sbbuzz We’re a PR, marketing & design firm-specialize in Drupal Theming for web, focus on arts, culture, nonprofit & mission-driven co’s. |
| CASUDI: |
Sorry I missed 1/2 #sbbuzz~ I was Building Bridges Between People ~Designing Success >Nu Start Up. |
| bradfordshimp: |
Pitcheroo: I blog business advice http://allbizanswers.com and build websites that work for small biz http://broadrivercreative.com #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
We’re launching soon! Audio/Video Streaming, Desktop Share, Lucrative Affiliate Program, more Spread the Word http://www.myscreenshare.com #sbbuzz |
| RisingStarIdeas: |
Also check out my article 3 tools to help your small business get paid faster http://101freetools.com/articles #sbbuzz |
| BeckyMcCray: |
Pitch: If you’re coming to SXSW, consider catching @lizstrauss and me: “How did this happen? I’m in business!” http://bit.ly/9LzuK5 #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
For those of you in NYC area (or who want to be), we’ll be having an #sbbuzz tweet-up after @smallbizsummit 3/16/2010 |
| MHBoys: |
helping businesses move to the cloud to save money on better technology – let me know if you have questions about cloud computing #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
@rongraham1 Cool on the AkronHomes gig. Real Estate social media sounds so much fun (and I am not joking). #sbbuzz |
| rongraham1: |
@Timberry, I really wish I were a star blogger now. <sigh> But I DO blog and have other ways to spread the word… 🙂 #sbbuzz |
| smallbiztrends: |
@Timberry Send us your book, Tim. We’ll gladly review it. Sounds like a worthwhile topic! #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
AND for those heading down to SXSW this year, join our SXSBW party http://thesmallbusinessweb.com/sxsbw/ #sbbuzz |
| myscreenshare: |
Thanks for the great tweetchat tonight! #sbbuzz |
| mriggen: |
@sbbuzz I’m Michelle with @batchblue & also one of the spiders at thesmallbusinessweb.com http://thesmallbusinessweb.com/sxsbw/ #sbbuzz |
| DianaEnnen: |
I offer publicity and marketing / social networking services for small businesses. #sbbuzz |
| pmohara: |
Is it too late to pitch? I’m Pamela with @batchblue – the company behind #sbbuzz and small biz party planning machine! #sbbuzz |
| lindadessau: |
Fantastic chat everyone, thank you! #sbbuzz |
| Patrysha: |
@sbbuzz Patrysha, specializing in small businesses who market to a local community = love cooperative efforts http://bit.ly/3RABwJ #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
It was good information here. Thanks everyone. #sbbuzz |
| bradfordshimp: |
Good night all, except you West Coasters, too early for bed over there. Had a great time talking and meeting some new folks. #sbbuzz |
| JulieDAloiso: |
pitch: I teach businesses how to use #twitter #fb #linkedin and especially #blogging – because we were not born knowing this stuff #sbbuzz |
| MECKids: |
I sure will be going over the chat history tomorrow. #sbbuzz |
| finstoryteller: |
The Small Biz Buzz discussion was fun tonight, tune in every week! #sbbuzz |
| sueyoungmedia: |
@bradfordshimp Thanks for your feedback. Nice to chat #sbbuzz #GIFB |
| rongraham1: |
There’s a lot of new people here since last I was in. It’s really cool! But <sigh> I miss @DesireeScales. #sbbuzz |
| JulieDAloiso: |
@bubbalooch This is small business chat – every Tuesday night they chat about certain small business topics #sbbuzz – put it on your calndr |
| DianaEnnen: |
@rongraham1 Thanks! #sbbuzz |
| sbbuzz: |
#sbbuzz is a small business Twitter chat hosted each Tuesday night by the folks from @batchblue Come again soon! |
) & this podcast too 
@sbbuzz 