Some Tax Tips You Should Do Now

Taxes are not something most of us want to think about at all, much less months before the April 15 deadline. But with a bit of planning, you could end of saving on your tax bill.

In "Tax planning is Crucial for Startups," the author lists several ways small businesses--and home-based businesses--can get a jumpstart on getting a handle on their taxes. For example, startup costs can be tax deductible and cover advertising and market research, among other things. Keep all your receipts relating to your business in one file to make it easier to find come tax time. Remember that income taxes are pay-as-you-go, meaning you'll need to estimate quarterly taxes to keep in good standing with the IRS.

The article also lists some webinars and other online resources for tax newbies.

Until next time,

Sarah

Keeping the Email Monster Under Control

I receive between thirty and fifty emails a day and sometimes more, mostly related to my freelance writing business. Checking email can become a time-consuming process. CNN posted "Don't let email run your work life" about how to take back control over your email.

The article quoted from a new study that found the amount of email doesn't matter so much as what you do with that email. By using filtering technology and fighting off the pressure to respond quickly, email can become less of a stress and more of a helpful part of your work life.

Until next time,

Sarah

Working Away From Home

If you've ever needed a place to work away from home, you now have another option besides the local Starbucks or Panera Bread. A new service called DeskNear.Me provides locations where you can rent a desk for between $10 and $20 a day--not a bad price, considering the "cost" of free WiFi often requires the purchase of food or drink to occupy a table for any length of time. DeskNear.Me has a searchable database with companies that offer desk space.

Until next time,


Sarah

Twitter Tips

If you use Twitter to market your business or company, "Tips for an Effective Twitter Profile" in Practical e-Commerce can help.

The author recommends spending some time developing your Twitter profile with information and photos. Keep your bio short and sweet, with appropriate links to your website and other online information relating to your business.

Also make sure your username is something easily recognizable and not too obscure. But with only 15 characters, you might have to get creative.

Keep your background simple but striking. Don't forget to include ways visitors can contact you and other company data.

Twitter can be one more tool in your marketing arsenal. Having a good profile can boost your following.

Until next time,

Sarah

Tricks for Handling Email

Most of us have way too much in our email inbox to tackle some days. Sometimes, we pus aside those emails that don't need immediate attention and then forget all about them.

Since technology's the one burying us in work, it seems fitting that technology came up with a solution: a company that will resend the email back to you at a specified time. You simply forward those emails that need responses in the future and pick when you want to tackle them.

Check out "Get Reminders About Email You Don't Have Time to Answer" for more details. And take back your email!

Until next time,

Sarah