| In Part One, I discussed 5 of the 15 steps to starting a | | | | offers lots of free materials including business cards |
| business. They were: Get a business name; web site | | | | and logos. If you do a web search for business cards, |
| (domain) name availability; get a web host; get a | | | | you are bound to find it! |
| business license; and get a mailing address. Here are | | | | 6. Look into starting blogs (Your web host may offer |
| the other 10: | | | | this service as part of the package). There are many |
| 1. File a Fictitious Business Name form through the | | | | sites that offer free blogs. You will want to get your |
| County Recorder's Office of the county your business | | | | business name out there and blogging helps you to talk |
| is in within 40 days from the date you start your | | | | about what kind of business you have and what you |
| business. Some counties allow you to do it online! The | | | | offer. |
| filing fee is around $23.00 (in South Orange County, | | | | 7. Write articles and publish them. If you're starting a |
| CA). | | | | business, chances are you have a thing or two you |
| 2. Publish the information in a newspaper publication for | | | | can tell others about your area of expertise (your |
| 4 weeks after you receive the d.b.a. statement. The | | | | business). |
| range is $20 and up. Then file an Affidavit of | | | | 8. Get your web site listed in as many directories as |
| Publication within 30 days after the last publication date. | | | | possible. Some are free, others charge. |
| Some newspapers do that for you after they have | | | | 9. Put ads in your web site. Sign up with affiliate |
| published your d.b.a. for four weeks. By the way, after | | | | programs too. They pay you every time someone |
| you file your d.b.a., you will receive several flyers in the | | | | clicks or buys through your web site. Again, depending |
| mail from the local newspapers advertising their rates | | | | on what type of business you're in, you want to be |
| for publishing your d.b.a. | | | | careful how many ads you place in your site. Don't |
| 3. You will need to apply for a Seller's Permit from | | | | overdo it, otherwise it will distract from what you're |
| your local State Board of Equalization office. You have | | | | really trying to sell, which is your products or services. |
| to give an estimate of how much you think you will | | | | 10. If any questions, do web searches. There are a |
| make as a profit and pay a portion up front. Needless | | | | few web sites out there that offer a ton of free |
| to say, you should report a low figure since it may be | | | | advice on different subjects. You can also find web |
| difficult to determine that kind of information. | | | | sites that offer free business webinars. |
| 4. Get a business phone line if needed. There are | | | | Please keep in mind the above information is based on |
| ways for people to talk via the computer by using | | | | my starting a business in South Orange County, CA. |
| certain programs and/or services that are available for | | | | I'm sure it's not the same in every county or state. This |
| free or for a fee. All you need is a headset with a | | | | list is just meant to give you a starting point as you go |
| microphone. | | | | through the process of starting a business. It's better |
| 5. Get business cards and marketing/promotional | | | | than not having any direction at all! |
| materials. There's a great web site out there that | | | | |