WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM JOHN DAVIN:

Welcome to your Business Startup Guide and congratulations on starting a new business or deciding to tune up organize your existing business!

Your newbusiness guide is actually a checklist that will give you the steps and goals for starting your business, take you to the web pages of tools and services you need to set up any business, and keep track of your important business information and assets. Included are hundreds of additional links to powerful business tools, resources, forms and software - much of it free!

But the business startup guide is much more than just a checklist. Sure it takes you to the web sites for the tools you need to start any business, but it also gives a place to store (and quickly retrieve) your business information. As I explain below, if you follow this system, it will change the way you work and your chances for success in your new business.

Because I keep adding more information daily, I recommend that you visit the web site download updates of this document regularly to be on top of your business.

For now, start by:

1. Saving this document to your desktop so it's always there whenever you need it.
2. Open open the document whenever you need to find tools and resources on the Internet to run your business.
3. Be sure to print out the entire document, and place the document in a 3 ring binder.
4. Then every time you accomplish a task for your business, write down all of the details about that task in the book. Then the information is in front of you at all times, easily within reach.

Won't that be nice for a change?

I know a change of pace was great for me. For the first few years after I first started my retail computer store in 1981, it seemed like I was always looking in different places for all my important information for my business. I was wasting lots of valuable time that could be better used at work or play.

Over the years, I was looking in one place for the phone numbers for my vendors, another place for my account number or the phone number of the newspaper company to call to run an add, and another place to find my federal ID or state sales tax number, bank account number, passwords for my checking account or web site host, etc.

But now it's all in one place. The business startup guide has created a new, organized and efficient me. You will want to organize and automate the things you do during your day too.

Have you heard the saying that most businesses go out of business because of a lack of capital? Well, if I've said it once, I've said it at least a thousand times. I don't believe the majority of businesses go out of business because they have lack of capital alone. I think they go out of business because they have a lack of capital because they did not start their business on the right foot, with a business plan and way to keep track of all of the information about their business.

So they spent a large part of their time either wondering what to do next for marketing for example, or looking for passwords, phone numbers, account numbers, domain name registration dates and contacts and the hundreds of other bits of information about their business. Such as sales data. Including accounts receivable and sales tax totals, etc. Then they missed a golden opportunity for a sale or other business need. Then they they find they short on capital and blame it on not having enough capital.

But you can avoid this pitfall. Start keeping track of this information about your business from day one and it will be right at your fingertips when you need it. It could be the difference between being in business and out of business.

I've also added external reports and forms to the book to make your business life more organized and profitable.

Here are just a few examples of the external reports I include.

1. Contact Managers:

Keep track of who you talked to, when you talked to them, when you need to contact them again, what you need to say when you call them, and their phone number or e-mail address to do so!
Click here to learn the basics of Contact Managers

2. How to get the best quote for new computer:

What to know, how to get the best quote, then how to keep track of the details and serial numbers for your computer once you have it.

Click here to learn the basics of how to buy a new computer.

Note that I also include notes on where to puchase the items and services you need for your busines.

Here are just a few examples of forms that we've included that you can use to keep track of your business information by clicking on the links in the book.

1. Forms for tracking passwords.
2. Forms for tracking serial numbers.

I have included forms for tracking passwords, vendors, phone numbers, software serial numbers, web site related information and many other needs.

Of course there are ways to do all of this with specialized software packages, and I also list software packages to do this in the checklist. But you get the idea from the examples.

In summary, this business guide is actually a checklist that gives you the steps and goals for starting your business, takes you to the web pages of tool and services you need to set up any business, and keep track of your important business information and assets. Included are hundreds of additional links to powerful business tools, resources, forms and software - much of it free!

A MUST FOR ANY BUSINESS!

My best business ideas to you,

John Davin
- Business and Organization Coach

My best business ideas to you.

TESTIMONIALS:

John Davin owned and operated a retail computer store in Iowa City, Iowa for nearly 20 years and has been consulting with businesses on how to implement technology into any business for nearly that many years. He has written 7 books on computing and assisting small business startups.

Read more about John Davin and his interests here.

Now here are a few testimonials from people who believe that listening to John Davin is sound advice.

QUICK TOOLS: 800# Directory Area Codes Atlas Calculators Encyclopedias Mail - check online Maps/driving directions Newspapers People/Businesses Shipping solutions Stocks Weather Zip Codes Business tools in alphabetical order! Business Tools Business cards Business logos Calendars Cell Phones Checking accounts Conferencing (web) Conferencing (phone) Contact Managers Credit cards e-mail-Company wide Fax software for PC Fax via Internet Instant Messaging Internet Access Letterhead on pc Long Distance Merchant accounts Label printing software Point of sale solutions Shared Documents Telephones Clients: Contact Managers Contact List Form Leads - see leads Follow up - see follow up Computers Buying a new pc Hardware Insurance Software Accounting - Personal - Business Adobe Acrobat Bundled Software Compression (zip) Contact Managers Database Desktop Publishing Fax software Free software PDF-Adobe Acrobat Presentations Remote Communic. Tax Preparation -Business -Personal Spreadsheet Virus Protection Word Processing Passwords-tracking POS Registering Software Security Serial Numbers Spam - get rid of Spyware - protect your pc Warranties Working From Home Credit History Your Customer Your History Your Vendors Savings Accounts Background checks

E-commerce Merchant Account Website Design/Host Employment Applications Tax Forms IRS Invoices Labels Payroll Social Security Info How to outsource your HR Exporting Statistics/How to Follow Up Contact Managers Thank You Cards Forms Accounting Checks Contracts Fundraising Fundraising-nonprofits Glossaries Varied Glossaries Insurance Building Business Computer Errors and omissions Fire Flood Vehicle Marketing: -Advertising to groups: All contacts City Newspapers College Newspapers Penny Shoppers Trade Journals Banner Exchanges e-mail Responders Marketing -e-zines Advertising In Publishing an e-zine Internet Marketing Marketing -Forecasts Forecasts (economy) Marketing -Generating leads Banners CPA - Cost/Action Government Contracts Networking Groups -Start your own -BNI -Chamber of Commerce Newsgroups Newsletters Opt In Lists Press Releases Public Speaking Sales Letters Search Engines -KeyWords -Metatags Signs -Car signs Trade Journals Web Rings Web sites Writing Articles

Legal Concerns Copyrights Employees Patents Trademarks Passwords-Tracking Printable form Software Plans- Business Score SBA Posters Labor Laws Safety Laws Workplace Policies Many more! Research Trademarks Copyrights Patents Competition Vendors Shipping Solutions Shipping companies Self Help Section Free Reports/News Software Please see computers Templates Web sites Business Forms Training Sources of training Vendors Vendor list form Background Checks Credit Applications Web sites Banners Chat lines Domain Names -Appraisals -Registering -Forums (Discussions) -Graphics/Images -Guest Books -Hit counters -Hosting For Site -Search Engine submittals "How to design, build and market your web site," by. J.D. Davin

[ ] Investigate business trends, statistics and future forecasts.
[ ] Investigate possible business contacts, vendors and associates.

(4) THE FORMAL BUSINESS PLAN STARTUP PHASE:

[ ] Develop a formal business plan for your new business. Skip if already completed.

(5) BE PREPARED AND PROTECT YOUR ASSETS:

[ ] Purchase the necessary insurance for your business.
[ ] Protect trademarks, intellectual property, etc.

(6) LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, FORMS, POSTERS

[ ] Follow all government regulations and requirements.
[ ] Purchase necessary posters for your business.
[ ] Download necessary forms for your business.

(7) ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS:

[ ] Write down all passwords from day one.
[ ] Track payments to major vendors, suppliers and service providers.
[ ] Set up your personal (or shared) online daily "To do" list.
[ ] Set up your personal (or shared) online calendar.
[ ] Plan for growth and possible employees.

(8) FINANCING, BANKING, CREDIT CARDS:

[ ] Verify your credit.
[ ] Monitor your credit.
[ ] Prevent identity theft.
[ ] Contact a bank, the SBA or other source of financing.
[ ] Open a checking account for business.
[ ] Order your business checks and forms.
[ ] Open up a business savings account.
[ ] Apply for credit cards for your business.

(9) SET UP TEAMS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND TOOLS TO COLLABORATE:

[ ] Set up tasks, who is responsible.
[ ] Set up a shared files directory on the Internet.
[ ] Set up your communications tools - collaborate through the Internet.

(10)ACCOUNTING NEEDS, INVENTORY CONTROL, ETC.

[ ] Find an accountant for your business.
[ ] Set up a POS system for inventory control.
[ ] Purchase a personal tax program. Download a free package here.

(11)ACCEPTING MONEY: MERCHANT ACCOUNT SOLUTIONS AND MORE:

[ ] Set up your merchant account for accepting credit cards.
[ ] Set up an account with Clickbank to sell e-books, manuals etc.
[ ] Set up an account with Paypal to sell items, subscriptions and for auctions.

(12)LINE UP VENDORS (SUPPLIERS TO PROVIDE MATERIALS OR PRODUCTS):

[ ] Locate materials, products and services needed to manufacture products.
[ ] Investigate possible providers of material, products and services.
[ ] Request credit with your vendors.

(13) SETTING UP THE TOOLS NEEDED FOR ANY BUSINESS:

[ ] Set up accounts with shipping companies.
[ ] An Internet provider (ISP) to access the net.
[ ] Set up your communications center.(Phones)
[ ] Order a personal cell phone.
[ ] Create your own professional logo.
[ ] Order your professional business cards.
[ ] Create your own letterhead or purchase it.
[ ] Create e-mail accounts for employees.
[ ] Promotional items - open your own on-line promotional items store.

(14) COMPUTERS - HOW AND WHAT TO PURCHASE, FIRST STEPS.

[ ] Purchasing a new computer system.
[ ] Find an Internet provider (ISP) to access the Internet.
[ ] Send in computer serial numbers for insurance purposes.
[ ] Register your software for future upgrades and enhancements.
[ ] Arrange for computer training to maximize your investment and potential.

(15) COMPUTERS - FREE SOFTWARE FOR YOUR BUSINESS:

[ ] Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
[ ] Download a free file compression utility program.
[ ] Find more free software and Internet services here.

(16) TIME SAVING TOOLS:

[ ] Print stamps directly from your computer.
[ ] Download a label printing software package.
[ ] Access your computer from home or anywhere.
[ ] Set up to send/receive faxes via the Internet.
[ ] Set up an instant messaging Internet identity.
[ ] Set up conferencing services via the Internet.

(17) COMPUTERS - SOFTWARE FOR YOUR BUSINESS:

[ ] Purchase a complete office package.
[ ] Purchase a word processor (if not in your office suite).
[ ] Purchase a spreadsheet (if not included in your office suite).
[ ] Purchase a database (if not included in your office suite.
[ ] Purchase a contact manager (if not included in your office suite).
[ ] Purchase a personal tax program.
[ ] Purchase a desktop publishing program.
[ ] Set up to send/receive faxes via your computer.
[ ] Purchase a presentation program.
[ ] Use the Internet for conferences and meetings-sales or training!

(18) COMPUTER SECURITY, BACKUPS, PROTECTION:

[ ] Buy computer warranties/service contracts.
[ ] Arrange for 24/7 Technical support for your computer.
[ ] Protect your computer from viruses.
[ ] Protect your computer from hackers.
[ ] Protect your computer from e-mail spammers.
[ ] Protect your computer from spyware or malware
[ ] Plan regular backups of your computer data.
[ ] Set up your pc for access to your computer from home or anywhere...

(19) WEBSITES - CREATING YOUR PRESENCE - THE BASICS:

[ ] Items you need to create your Internet web site(s).
[ ] How to choose your right domain name for your web site.
[ ] How and where to register your domain name.
[ ] Get an appraisal of your domain name.
[ ] Finding the right server (host) for your site.
[ ] Saving time and money by using an existing template for your web site.

(20) WEBSITES - TOOLS TO USE IN YOUR WEB SITE:

[ ] Locate graphics for your web site.
[ ] Create a chat line to build a sense of community.
[ ] Create a discussion to build interaction and trust.
[ ] Create a guest book to capture names for follow up.
[ ] Set up forms in your web site top get information from visitors.
[ ] Automate your marketing campaign with an e-mail responder.
[ ] Track visitors to your site to measure success of marketing tools.

(21) INTERNET MARKETING TOOLS:

[ ] Get traffic to your site - submit to the search engines.
[ ] Bring more traffic to your site-pay for key words on search engines.
[ ] Get traffic to your site... advertise in e-zines.
[ ] Get more traffic to your site... with banner exchanges.
[ ] Purchase pre qualified leads for your business.
[ ] Utilize opt in-lists to get more traffic to your site.
[ ] Get traffic to your site... join a web ring.
[ ] Get traffic to your site... promote in newsgroups.

(22) CONTACT MANAGEMENT AND FOLLOW UP TOOLS:

[ ] Contact managers to track clients, meetings, more.
[ ] Make a list of your prospects to contact.
[ ] Creating sales letters that sell your products effectively.

(23) ADVERTISING - OFF THE INTERNET:

[ ] Advertise in related trade publicati