Finance

Case Study: Tax Relief Professional

Case Study: Tax Relief Professional

Brass Ring conducted thorough market research, examining industry standards, top competitors, and expert insights. This enabled us to create content that resonates with visitors and ranks well, driving organic traffic.

We delivered a visually striking website with a bold new logo, backed by persuasive testimonials, Yelp reviews, and strategic calls to action. To enhance the client’s professional image, we designed branded business cards featuring an attention-grabbing “billboard” on the back for networking events.

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Brass Ring Joins the REC Innovation Lab Startup Team!

Brass Ring Joins the REC Innovation Lab Startup Team!

Exciting news from Brass Ring! I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve joined the REC Innovation Lab (Regional Entrepreneur Center) as a web design and digital marketing mentor and coach. In this new role, I’ll be working with the student entrepreneurs of this dynamic startup incubator to help them present themselves effectively online…

The REC Innovation Lab is much more than just an incubator. It’s a thriving community that fosters collaboration ..(Read on…)

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Personal Finance Tasks That Feel Like Groundhog Day

Personal Finance Tasks That Feel Like Groundhog Day

Everyday financial tasks often resemble the repetitive cycle experienced by Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. These routine personal finance tasks can feel like an endless repetition of the same day. From paying rent to rebuilding emergency funds, the monotony can be overwhelming. This article delves into these Groundhog Day financial moments, providing practical insights and strategies to transform the mundane into opportunities for financial growth.
(Read on…)

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Affiliate Marketing For Small Business: Pass Or Play?

Affiliate Marketing For Small Business: Pass Or Play?

There isn’t one right way to do marketing. The more I’ve dabbled in marketing, the more I’ve realized it’s a bottomless pit of possibilities. I also noticed the value of affiliate marketing, something 80% of brands use. There’s a reason it’s so popular.

TikTok, Instagram, and similar social media platforms have become gospel for consumers. Whatever they’re selling, we want it. “TikTok made me buy it!” isn’t just a cutesy phrase. It’s the truth. As consumers, we want what we’re reading about in …(Read on…)

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How To Make New Year’s Financial Resolutions That Stick

How To Make New Year’s Financial Resolutions That Stick

Improving finances is a common resolution for the New Year. In 2023, 53% of Americans who set resolutions wanted to prioritize getting their finances in order. While that figure has dropped to 38% for 2024, it is still the second-most popular resolution after improving fitness.

Unfortunately, most resolutions are abandoned before February rolls around. In fact, studies have found that only 9% of Americans who make resolutions actually complete them. (Read on…)

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10 Key Financial Metrics Every Small Business Should Track

10 Key Financial Metrics Every Small Business Should Track

To uncover the key financial metrics pivotal for small business success, we’ve gathered insights from ten industry leaders, including COOs and a content writer. From the importance of monitoring Net Revenue Retention to focusing on profit margins for success, these executives shed light on the numbers that truly matter.

(Read on…)

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Debt Relief Guide: What To Know

Debt Relief Guide: What To Know

Key Takeaways:
Using a debt consolidation loan to combine your existing debt can help you streamline your monthly payments and save on interest.

Other debt relief strategies like debt settlement and bankruptcy should only be used as a last resort since they can cause serious harm to your credit profile.

A credit counselor can create a debt management plan for you (DMP) — this plan can help you pay off debt within… (Read on…)

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Small Businesses File Brief Against California’s Unconstitutional Shutdowns

Small Businesses File Brief Against California’s Unconstitutional Shutdowns

FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2023) – NFIB filed an amicus brief in the case Ghost Golf Inc. et al. v. Gavin Newsom at the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District. The case concerns Governor Newsom’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the government shutdown of businesses ordered during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the separation of powers. (Read on…)

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Small Business Funding – How To Get A Cash Boost For Your Business

Small Business Funding – How To Get A Cash Boost For Your Business

If you’re an up-and-coming entrepreneur, you’re going to face the challenge of getting investment for your small business.

Start-up funding can seem hard to come by, and indeed the funding landscape is not as favourable as it was a few years ago. However, this doesn’t mean that money isn’t available. Great ideas still get funded, but you need to think carefully about the kind of investment you’re going to take, and the terms on which you’ll take it. (Read on…)

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How to Scale Your Small Business in 8 Steps

How to Scale Your Small Business in 8 Steps

There are always smaller competitors waiting to take your market share, and it’s only a matter of time before you transition from the hunter into the hunted. So you need to think of scaling not just in terms of company growth, but also as a way to build all the elements that make up your value proposition, so that you’re as competitive as possible.

In the choice between growth and scaling, one option isn’t better than the other. You have to decide what works (Read on…)

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Top Tips for a Great Small Business Marketing Plan (INFOGRAPHIC)

Top Tips for a Great Small Business Marketing Plan (INFOGRAPHIC)

A small business’ marketing plan plays a critical role in the success of the business. Small businesses that have a clear marketing plan continue to grow and meet their objectives, while those with a poor marketing plan get stuck in survival mode wondering why they are not seeing much momentum.

If you are not seeing much progress in your small business, and or you want to increase your small business’ profitability, then you need to improve your marketing plan. (Read on…)

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How To Financially Prepare For A Layoff

How To Financially Prepare For A Layoff

Over the past 18 months, our firm has seen not just an increase in clients who have been laid off but more meetings than ever with those concerned about the increasingly unstable job market and whether they may lose their job next.

Being financially prepared for unexpected setbacks, such as a layoff, is important. While losing a job can be distressing, having a solid financial plan can help alleviate stress and uncertainty. Here are some key strategies to ensure you are financially prepared if you face a layoff. (Read on…)

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Small Businesses Can Make More Money in 2023 by Using This Secret Weapon

Small Businesses Can Make More Money in 2023 by Using This Secret Weapon

As a small business owner, you’re always searching for ways to attract new customers to increase your revenue and grow the company. Chances are that you’ve spent a significant amount of money on various marketing strategies to promote your business. It can be challenging to decide which type of marketing channel you should invest in, since there are many ways to reach new potential customers.

The good news is that there’s a secret weapon that you can use: inbound marketing…. (Read on…)

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Financial Planning for Small Business Owners

Financial Planning for Small Business Owners

There are many different kinds of small business owners in all stages of their business. Some have just started putting their ideas into action in a startup, while others are in the growth stage or even planning an exit strategy.

No matter which stage your business is in and whether you’re a dreamer or more of a pragmatist, there is one thing you can’t afford not to do. You need a holistic financial plan that takes into account where your business is now and what the plan is for the future. (Read on…)

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Where to Get Free Money to Start a Small Business in 2023

Where to Get Free Money to Start a Small Business in 2023

Small business owners don’t always have access to enough resources to meet their goals. Luckily, there are many business grants and other funding programs available to help. Here’s a guide to several ways to fund projects for your small business.

How Do You Get Free Money to Start a Business?
Free money to start a business usually comes in the form of grants. These can come in many forms, from federal small business grants to those offered by local nonprofits. The process usually includes an application where you outline your need and how you’d use the funds. (Read on…)

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Best Business Books of All Time

Best Business Books of All Time

Reading great business books is one of the most cost-effective methods to become a whip-smart business person. As business book editors, we read a lot of books — and this curated book list is to bring you the best choices.

Indeed, reading top-notch business books is a smart investment of time and money. As business book editors, we’ve navigated the sea of literature to distill the most potent wisdom and strategies for you. This list will guide you towards making the right choices in the business landscape. (Read on…)

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Small Businesses to Congress: Prioritize Passing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act this Congress

Small Businesses to Congress: Prioritize Passing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act this Congress

“Passing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act would stop an enormous tax increase currently scheduled to strike small businesses at the end of 2025,” said Brad Close, NFIB President. “The 20% Small Business Deduction is set to expire in 2025, and without it, small businesses will have to limit their plans to grow, invest, and hire. By making the deduction permanent, small business owners will have the tax certainty they need to make business decisions about their future. We are encouraged that this important legislation has been introduced in both the House and the Senate and urge Congress to consider it.” (Read on…)

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Experts Say This Is the Key to Marketing a Mom and Pop Business

Experts Say This Is the Key to Marketing a Mom and Pop Business

Marketing opportunities are endless, but marketing budgets are finite. Is it better for a mom-and-pop business to put money into online and social media marketing, or to invest in real-life sponsorships and events?

As with many things in business, you can only find out through trial and error, says Rus Graham, cofounder of New England-based Rushton Gregory Communications.

“The difficulty with marketing programs is that everyone is unique,” Graham says. “There isn’t a cookie-cutter approach.” (Read on….)

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The Impact of Technology On Personal Finances

The Impact of Technology On Personal Finances

Technology has transformed how we interact, work, and even handle money. From mobile banking applications to digital budgeting tools, technology has changed the financial landscape, giving customers unparalleled power and convenience over their money. This post will examine how technology has influenced personal economics and how individuals may utilise these advancements to make better financial decisions. Technology integration has opened up new avenues for financial management, whether budgeting, sensible investment, or long-term planning. (Read on…)

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For Many Small-Business Owners, a Necessary Shift to Digital Payments

For Many Small-Business Owners, a Necessary Shift to Digital Payments

The number of Americans who say they are “cashless” has jumped in the last five years. Forty-one percent of Americans said they did not use cash for their purchases in a typical week in 2022, up from 29 percent in 2018, according to a Pew Research Center survey released last October.

Small-business owners increasingly are making the switch to cashless payments for several reasons, including rising consumer demand, faster checkout, lower labor costs and increased security. Those who wait risk losing revenue, experts say.

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6 Types of Insurance for Small Businesses

6 Types of Insurance for Small Businesses

Small businesses can face many risks. Learn about different types of insurance that can protect your company from unexpected circumstances.

Small businesses face a variety of risks, ranging from natural disasters to cyberattacks. Different types of insurance can help protect your business from various adverse — and often costly — circumstances. Here are a few of the insurance options available to help protect your small business.

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5 Tips For Effective PPC Bidding On A Budget

5 Tips For Effective PPC Bidding On A Budget

PPC advertising can be a game-changing tool for small businesses looking to kickstart sales or increase brand awareness. Unfortunately, it’s also extremely easy to overspend if you aren’t careful. 

When your budget is tight, it’s crucial that you set yourself up for success when creating a PPC account.

Just a couple of bad months of PPC spending can be the difference between growing or shutting your doors forever.

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Small-Business Financing Options

Small-Business Financing Options

When you need cash to finance your business’s growth or ongoing operations, there are many small business finance options to choose from. Financing options range from business credit cards and microloans to multi-million dollar SBA loans and crowdfunding.

Read on to learn more about different ways you can finance your small business and which one may be right for you.

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Small Businesses, Big Opportunities

Small Businesses, Big Opportunities

More than 70% of business owners want to originate digitally, and often the only easy way to do that is with a personal account, as banks have lagged on digital originations for businesses with multiple complexities, including the upcoming CFPB Section 1071 rules that will require banking institutions to collect and report data on lending to small businesses, defined as enterprises with gross revenue under $5 million.

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5 Principles To Follow When Allocating Your Marketing Budget In An Uncertain Economy

5 Principles To Follow When Allocating Your Marketing Budget In An Uncertain Economy

Even with the threat of a recession in the next year, companies should prioritize marketing to stay ahead of competitors. In fact, marketing spending is on the rise—now is not the time to back down. Cost-cutting shouldn’t be the strategy driving your annual marketing budget—you won’t meet growth goals this way. Instead of crafting marketing initiatives based on cost, focus on proven effectiveness.

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Run A Small business? Follow This End-of-the-Year Checklist Before 2022 Ends

Run A Small business? Follow This End-of-the-Year Checklist Before 2022 Ends

Make sure you don’t forget anything important with this small business checklist. We put together some of the most important steps you should take before the year ends. Now is the time to tie up loose ends, take an inventory of your business and sniff out any weak spots holding you back. It’s important to take some time at the end of each year to do a thorough review of your company.

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4 Personal Finance Secrets of Successful, Wealthy People

4 Personal Finance Secrets of Successful, Wealthy People

Wealth creation is an extremely popular topic of discussion.

In a world where everyone wants to spend their money and has an eagerness to enjoy material possession, some people work day and night to make money.

The goal is not to become a money monger, but you can live a tension-free life if you have enough money in your pocket.

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Small Businesses Face Economic Strain Even With Loyal Patrons

Small Businesses Face Economic Strain Even With Loyal Patrons

Brand loyalty is one thing, but when that loyalty is directed at a small business, it stands to benefit an entire community…The relationship between a small business and its customers is unique — rarely is it purely transactional. In fact, 37% of Americans say they purchase from small businesses to receive a more personal experience. Also, 30% of them are willing to pay more and 30% are willing to wait longer at small businesses versus major retailers or chain stores

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