Newsletter #148 - How to get press coverage for your business, 10 tips to improve the efficiency of your business, Bootstrapping your way to success, Top tips to manage bad debts and increase cash flow, Business insurance for the self-employed

In this week's Business121:

1. How to get press coverage for your business
2. 10 tips to improve the efficiency of your business
3. Bootstrapping your way to success
4. Top tips to manage bad debts and increase cash flow
5. Tax considerations of letting out your home
6. Business Insurance for the Self-Employed

Small Business News

7. Tax exemption for company Christmas party
8. Businesses hope to benefit from dramatic BoE interest rate cut
9. Dragons' Den panellists - how would they do at Top Trumps?
10. Accountants urge businesses to look out for insolvency warning signs

How to get press coverage for your business

Most small businesses would like to get lots of free publicity for their business through the press. But it's not as easy to achieve as many think.

One of the first things to understand is that journalists are paid to write articles that are genuinely newsworthy and of interest and value to their readers. So before you send a press release to a journalist, ask yourself whether the release provides information that can help them to produce such a piece.

It can take a long time to cultivate a good working relationship with journalists and to do this you need to make sure that you are sending genuinely relevant press releases. If you don't, the journalist will soon start to bin your release without giving it a second thought.

Journalists receive dozens of press releases every day, so you need to make sure your release stands out from the crowd. To do this you need an attention-grabbing headline, which is followed by a strong opening paragraph.

The rest of the release should be crisp and to the point and avoid the use of any jargon. You can put any background or supporting information in 'Notes to Editors' at the end of the release.

It might take a while before you get press coverage but if you follow these rules, you'll be on the right track. For more help and tips on getting free publicity for your business try these guides;

• How to write an eye-catching press release
• 7 Ways to check your story idea is newsworthy

COMPARE, CHOOSE AND BUY SMALL BUSINESS INSURANCE WITH COVERZONES...

Coverzones is an online comparison site specifically designed to cater to the needs of UK small and medium sized businesses. Users of the service can compare quotes from the UK's leading insurance providers.

Coverzones is more than just an online comparison service. Coverzones is a true one stop shop for you to source, purchase and manage your business insurance in one place.

At Coverzones, we do all the legwork, leaving you more time to focus on your business. Try our free online comparison service today - http://snipurl.com/Coverzones
*****************************************************************

10 tips to improve the efficiency of your business
We are told that businesses will sink faster than the Titanic in the recession. However, with a few simple steps, you can easily make your business more efficient - boosting your productivity and potentially making the difference between boom or bust. Here are 10 steps you can take to improve your all-important bottom line.

Bootstrapping your way to success
This article shows you how you can bootstrap your way to business success. Find out what bootstrapping means in practise, and the benefits a bootstrapping mentality brings to running a business.

Top tips to manage bad debts and increase cash flow
Small companies, who are more vulnerable than their larger rivals to the banking credit squeeze, can take some simple measures to reduce cash flow problems and to cut out the risk of bad debts. Here are ten top tips to help you avoid bad debts and improve cash flow.

Tax considerations of letting out your home
Many small business people will, at some time, consider letting part or all of their homes. This article sets out a number of the tax considerations you will need to aware of when deciding whether to do so.

Business Insurance for the Self-Employed
If you're not too sure about what insurance policies you should take out to cover you and your business, this guide will help you.

************************* Advertisement *************************

WHY YOUR BUSINESS IS BETTER OFF INSURED WITH HISCOX

As a leading specialist insurer we provide the most comprehensive business insurance available online.

You can tailor your policy with industry specific professional indemnity cover (£25K up to £2M), 'all-risks' contents and computers cover, portable equipment, public liability, employers' liability, legal expenses, business interruption & buildings.

Why not get a quote now? Hiscox allows you to buy online in minutes and download your policy documents immediately. Click here to find out more - http://snipurl.com/_Hiscox_Insurance
*****************************************************************

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Tax exemption for company Christmas party
Providing certain criteria are met, the company Christmas party can be exempt from tax. Here are the rules, laid down by HMRC, that you need to comply with to ensure your festive celebration qualifies for the tax exemption.

Businesses hope to benefit from dramatic BoE interest rate cut
The Bank of England surprised even the optimists by slashing interest rates by 1.5 percentage points. The base rate now stands at 3%, the lowest for over fifty years, raising hopes that small businesses may receive some much needed relief.

Dragons' Den panellists - how would they do at Top Trumps?
Viewers of the Dragons' Den will have strong views about the panellists who dish out advice to would-be entrepreneurs. In the spirit of fun, here are the biographies of the Dragons - done in the style of Top Trumps.

Accountants urge businesses to look out for insolvency warning signs
There are some classic warning signs that can flag up a company's potential insolvency. Be aware of these danger signs to help avoid bad debts with your customers.

** For the latest Small Business News, visit http://www.Bytestart.co.uk **

===========
CLASSIFIEDS
===========

FREE DAY-TO-DAY BUSINESS BANKING FOREVER
With Abbey you can enjoy free day-to-day business banking forever. Call us today on 0800 085 3099 to find out more.

TURN YOUR UNPAID INVOICES INTO CASH
Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance factoring and invoice finance products can give you a 90% cash advance on your invoices, which means you can instantly turn your invoices into cash. Get an Instant Quote to find out how we can help you to quickly raise cash for your business.

WANT YOUR BANK TO REPAY YOU ALL THOSE UNFAIR FEES AND CHARGES?
Did you know that you can now claim back unfair bank charges going back 6 years. One or two unfair overdraft fees each month adds up to thousands of pounds. How much can you reclaim in unlawful bank charges? Find out NOW; http://snipurl.com/Reclaim_Bank_Charges

30-DAY FREE TRIAL FRANKING MACHINES
With £20 Free Postage, plus a free personalised logo so you can advertise your business on every piece of mail you post. All details here; http://snipurl.com/_Free_No_Ties_Trial

SEE YOUR AD HERE
Business121 is read by over 11,000 small business owners every week. Advertise in our newsletter from just £60+vat per issue. Please email Classified@Business121.co.uk for details.

(c) Business121.co.uk 2008