Nolo's Small Business Legal Blog

More and more businesses are using Facebook to market and promote their business. As reported in a recent New York Times article "How to Market Your Business With Facebook," there are 300 million people on Facebook--a vast audience of potential consumers. By creating a Facebook Page, small businesses can build their own online communities of fans and customers through targeted marketing that reaches those most likely to be interested in their product or services.

Clara Shih, author of "The Facebook Era" (Pearson Education, 2009) recommends that businesses start small and have a clear objective in mind--for example, getting more customers in the door. Then create a strategy to accomplish that goal. The owner of a cupcake bakery called Sprinkles increased its fan base and store traffic by posting a password on its Facebook page every day that could be used to redeem a free cupcake at the store. A simple, focused, and effective strategy.

Some other basic rules from the experts: Don't use Facebook just to market and push your product or services. Create a site that is inviting to users, reflects personality, and is interactive. Liven it up with news, useful information, and promotions--and keep it current. Also, be sure to listen to your users so you can see how you are doing and what changes you may want to consider based on the feedback you get from your online fans.

Having good business credit is essential for any small business trying to obtain financing, especially in today's tightened financial climate. There are steps that small business owners can take to improve their credit profile and put themselves in a better position with lenders. Businesses also need to establish their own separate credit history as opposed to relying on the personal credit history of the business owners as frequently happens with new or small businesses.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the three most effective credit building strategies for small businesses are:
1. Keep good books and records. Get an accountant to review your finances. This adds credibility to your business and finances for lenders. Think about forming a business entity if you're a sole proprietor. Keep your business licenses up-to-date.
2. Build your business credit through your vendors. Do business exclusively with companies that can report your credit to credit-reporting agencies like Dun & Bradstreet. Register with these commercial credit agencies and check your credit report each year.
3. Be fiscally responsible. Always pay your bills on time. When you go to borrow money, do it for revenue generating items, like essential equipment and staff, not less essential or nonrevenue producing items.

After first appearing on the scene last spring, the H1N1 virus--also know as swine flu--is back. Small businesses are scrambling to figure out how to cope with what promises to be a challenging fall and winter. Aside from employee absences and staffing issues, concerns about a flu epidemic raise a host of other issues for small businesses, like maintaining employees' health privacy and creating effective sick policy rules. A recent Wall Street Journal article provides advice and resources for businesses trying to figure out how to best prepare for this year's flu season.

The article discusses some preventive measures businesses can take, such as offering flu shots or time off so employees can get flu shots. Another is to keep the workplace more sanitary by frequently cleaning surfaces and having hand sanitizers available. Businesses may need to review their sick policies or create new ones, possibly adding more sick time so employees don't come to work sick. And businesses may want to cross-train employees or offer telecommuting as on option for employees who are home with a sick family member.
For more information, see Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza: A Preparedness Guide for Small Business. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has information for businesses on its website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business/toolkit/.