Government officials in San Francisco, California, are trying to help small- and medium-sized businesses flourish within the city. To start, Mayor Edwin Lee recently announced the creation of a new lending program that will help owners access necessary capital. According to the California Economic Summit, the initiative was unveiled during San Francisco Small Business Week, which took place in May. 

"The Emerging Business Loan Fund will allow entrepreneurs and small businesses to secure the capital they need to innovate, grow their business and succeed," said Lee. 

The source explains that qualifying SMBs can take loans for amounts between $50,000 and $1 million. The funding is supposed to go toward necessary procedures like hiring, purchasing new hardware and covering overhead expenses. 

The new lending program should ease some financial concerns for SMB owners. What's more, the funds will also help San Francisco improve its reputation among entrepreneurs. In its 2013 Small Business Survey, Thumbtack found that respondents gave the city a C grade. Regulations, tax codes and licensing procedures all contributed to the overall ranking. 

The Emerging Business Loan Fund is a great resource that will be beneficial to San Francisco's SMB owners moving forward. Entrepreneurs will be able to access necessary capital to improve their companies thanks to the program. 

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While many small- and medium-sized business owners focus on digital marketing efforts, direct mail remains one of the more effective options available. As email advertisements start clogging up inboxes and social media updates fill feeds, consumers have begun to tune out online promotional content. As a result, an analog channel can be a great way for entrepreneurs to connect with both loyal customers and potential clients.

That said, SMB owners can simply create and send sponsored postcards to leads. The advertisements must be highly personalized and feature attention-grabbing headlines to pique consumers' interests.

According to Direct Marketing News, Patrick Donahoe, the Postmaster General and CEO of the United States Postal Service, said that creating relevant mailers is a key to marketing success. Specifically, he stated at the National Postal Forum that advertisements should include personal information.

"Your mail should know you as well as your spouse does," he said.

Indeed, personalized content can make a world of difference for a direct mail campaign. Many consumers will dismiss advertisements that don't offer specific or relevant details. All mailers should include data that entices recipients to look into a business by researching new products or services. Donahoe pointed out at the National Postal Forum that social networks present a veritable wealth of customer information that businesses can use to improve their marketing efforts.

However, personalized advertisements likely won't be effective if they don't include engaging headlines. Under30CEO explains that captivating headers can ensure that recipients read mailers instead of dismissing them as junk mail. This tactic is successfully used by newspapers and tabloids, so SMB owners should learn from these publications to improve their promotional postcards. 

Direct mail may be an analog tool in a digital world, but it can still help an independent company bolster sales by establishing strong connections with customers and consumers. 

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Foursquare occupies an odd spot for marketing small- and medium-sized businesses. The service links to social networks and allows consumers to announce where they are. For instance, a user who is at his or her favorite restaurant can log in and then post the establishment's name directly to Facebook. Companies could gain exposure through Foursquare, but they were entirely reliant on users. The website is now trying to help entrepreneurs advertise without the help of clients. 

According to Advertising Age, Foursquare recently launched a pilot program in New York City that allows SMB owners to create promotional content. Through the mobile app, a select group of entrepreneurs is able to target Foursquare users who are in the local area. The advertisements appear in the recommendation and search sections when customers open the app. 

The new feature isn't entirely free, but also won't put SMB owners in a financial hole. The news source reports that companies are only charged when consumers select promotional content, so entrepreneurs aren't paying just to post advertisements. 

Marketing Land points out that this is a serious step forward for Foursquare, as it usually only lets companies advertise through discounts and unique offers. 

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One of the most difficult parts of running a small- or medium-sized business is securing necessary funding. Whether you're just starting out or need capital to finance your expansion plans, you'll likely need to apply for loans from traditional financial institutions. However, if you don't understand the lending process, your loan will probably be denied. 

Perhaps the most important factor to consider is your business' credit. If you're unaware that your company has a credit score, you're not alone - Jeff Stibel, CEO of the Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp., told The Associated Press that many owners don't know about business credit. 

"We talk to over 20,000 businesses a week, and a huge percentage of them don't even know they have a business credit file. They think that all they have is a personal credit file," said Stibel. 

Knowing your company's credit score is a massive component of qualifying for a loan. Lenders want to know that your SMB is financially solvent and can pay off its debts in a reasonable time frame. Perform a credit check before applying for loans to help avoid rejections. If the score is low, you can try to raise it or find an alternative lender like a credit union. 

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The recent ADP National Employment Report discovered that small businesses added around 58,000 jobs in May 2013, and this is great news for the recovering economy in the United States. Many experts believe that the surge will continue in the second half of 2013 as consumer and business confidence grows.

This trend is especially prevalent in major cities like Los Angeles, where a Bank of America report surveyed small business owners about their expectations for the future. Nearly half responded that they intended to hire additional employees in the immediate future.

"Small businesses in Los Angeles were more optimistic than they were in the fall of 2012," said Emily Shanks, a regional executive, according to the source. "We're finding that the economy is starting to turn around and small businesses are feeling it."

As more workers are brought on board, small companies will need to communicate their brand identity more efficiently and enable new employees to do the same. This includes everything from business cards to email signatures. Organization is the key to growth, and without a steady approach, hiring could spark more problems than assistance.

Small-business marketing news brought to you by 123Print.com, provider of affordable business cards, custom business identity products, printed marketing products and office organization items.

Government officials in San Francisco, California, are trying to help small- and medium-sized businesses flourish within the city. To start, Mayor Edwin Lee recently announced the creation of a new lending program that will help owners access necessary capital. According to the California Economic Summit, the initiative was unveiled during San Francisco Small Business Week, which took place in May. 

"The Emerging Business Loan Fund will allow entrepreneurs and small businesses to secure the capital they need to innovate, grow their business and succeed," said Lee. 

The source explains that qualifying SMBs can take loans for amounts between $50,000 and $1 million. The funding is supposed to go toward necessary procedures like hiring, purchasing new hardware and covering overhead expenses. 

The new lending program should ease some financial concerns for SMB owners. What's more, the funds will also help San Francisco improve its reputation among entrepreneurs. In its 2013 Small Business Survey, Thumbtack found that respondents gave the city a C grade. Regulations, tax codes and licensing procedures all contributed to the overall ranking. 

The Emerging Business Loan Fund is a great resource that will be beneficial to San Francisco's SMB owners moving forward. Entrepreneurs will be able to access necessary capital to improve their companies thanks to the program. 

Small-business marketing news brought to you by 123Print.com, provider of affordable business cards, custom business identity products, printed marketing products and office organization items.

The recent ADP National Employment Report discovered that small businesses added around 58,000 jobs in May 2013, and this is great news for the recovering economy in the United States. Many experts believe that the surge will continue in the second half of 2013 as consumer and business confidence grows.

This trend is especially prevalent in major cities like Los Angeles, where a Bank of America report surveyed small business owners about their expectations for the future. Nearly half responded that they intended to hire additional employees in the immediate future.

"Small businesses in Los Angeles were more optimistic than they were in the fall of 2012," said Emily Shanks, a regional executive, according to the source. "We're finding that the economy is starting to turn around and small businesses are feeling it."

As more workers are brought on board, small companies will need to communicate their brand identity more efficiently and enable new employees to do the same. This includes everything from business cards to email signatures. Organization is the key to growth, and without a steady approach, hiring could spark more problems than assistance.

Small-business marketing news brought to you by 123Print.com, provider of affordable business cards, custom business identity products, printed marketing products and office organization items.

A few small- and medium-sized business owners in New York recently filed a lawsuit to fight against a law that prevents them from charging customers more for using credit cards. Bloomberg reports that five establishments, including a hair salon and an ice cream parlor, entered the complaint to have the regulation declared unconstitutional.

The heart of the matter is that SMBs are charged for accepting credit payments and lose money from the transactions. Some merchants try to avoid this problem by passing the charges onto customers who don't want to use cash or checks. The plaintiffs also believe that the law prevents "consumers from understanding the costs of swipe fees."

New York's mandate does allow SMB owners to develop unique incentives to compel customers to use other currency instead of credit cards. For instance, discounts can be offered to patrons who pay in cash, while card users have to pay the full price. However, this strategy isn't necessarily the best solution because the merchant is still responsible for the fees and is taking in less paper money than usual. 

There isn't an easy answer when it comes to the use of credit cards in your establishment. If you accept the cards, you're subject to fees. On the other hand, if you only take cash or checks, you'll likely alienate customers who prefer plastic. 

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Small- and medium-sized business owners have been lacking confidence in recent months because outside forces have negatively affected their companies, but a new report shows that optimism is trending upward. The National Federation of Independent Business' Index of Small Business Optimism increased by 2.3 points in May to reach 94.4 for the month's total. This is the second-highest rating since December 2007 when the recession began. Bill Dunkelberg pointed out that this might not be indicative of sweeping confidence. 

"It's nice to see confidence not shrinking, but there isn't much to hang your hat on in this report. We are back to where we were in May 2012. Two good months don't make a trend, but we can't have a trend without them, so it's a start," said Dunkelberg. 

Moreover, there were some concerning statistics in the NFIB's latest index. The Huntsville Times reports that job creation remained "flat after five months of increases," showing that some SMB owners are struggling to expand. 

Overall, the index shows that entrepreneurs believe conditions are improving for independent companies. If the upward trend remains stable for the next few months, it might indicate that SMB owners are confident that the economy has recovered. 

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Government officials in Texas have taken steps to help small- and medium-sized business owners improve their fiscal situations. First, local Fox affiliate KFDX-3 recently reported that Governor Rick Perry recently signed a bill that will keep healthcare costs at the same levels for the next two years.

The initiative is designed to prevent companies from being negatively impacted by impending insurance regulations. Kelly Fristoe, president of the Texas Association of Health Underwriters, believes that cutting prices now will allow SMBs to adapt to the new healthcare regulations without cutting overhead expenses.

Additionally, Texas state legislators are considering tax cuts for both SMBs and private citizens. According to Reuters, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst stated that a new proposal will slash the tax rate for over 800,000 companies in the Lone Star State. As a result, entrepreneurs would benefit from reduced overhead and improved financial stability.

Overall, these government initiatives show that Texas is committed to the welfare of its SMBs. Owners in the state already enjoy some of the friendliest conditions in the United States, and the new regulations would further the Lone Star State's reputation as a premier location for independent companies.

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In some cases, the most difficult part of owning a small- and medium-sized business is getting it off the ground. Many entrepreneurs struggle to finance their organizations and maintain their personal fiscal footing. As a result, some SMB owners work other jobs during their companies' early stages. Carol Humphreys, executive director for the Muskingum County Business Incubator, told the Zanesville Times Recorder that two thirds of her clients follow this tactic. 

"I think that is a very typical way for them to be able to get started," Humphreys said. 

Humphreys also noted that many SMB owners are stressed by this plan. Balancing a full-time job with other responsibilities can be daunting, especially when someone is trying to open a company. Depending on the SMB and the other job, the situation can overwhelm an entrepreneur. 

Owners who split time between their establishments and another position should manage their time wisely. YSF Magazine points out that entrepreneurs should never work on their new ventures while working in someone else's office because it may affect the employment agreement. SMB owners should schedule their responsibilities so that no two tasks overlap. Having a clear calendar and to-do list can help entrepreneurs ensure that their work and new businesses aren't suffering. 

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Developing a small-business marketing plan can be overwhelming for first-time small-business owners. Some of the most successful small businesses practice the following habits in order to keep the company on track, keep their sanity and find balance between work and life outside of the business.

• Take the time to develop a business plan. José Rivera, founder and president of Rivera, Sierra and Company told Business USA that small-business owners who are just starting out need to take at least six months to plan a corporate infrastructure. This includes getting business finances in order, establishing bylaws, meetings and tracking minutes, stated Rivera. It's important to always make the business infrastructure a priority. The longer entrepreneurs practice these business development plans, the easier it will be to maintain them.

• If and when a business is stable enough to bring on additional employees, make sure to look for workers who can contribute to the marketing goals, administration tasks, and is someone who knows about financing, added Rivera. These skills, he said, are imperative to making a small business successful.

• Successful small-business owners lead by example. It's important to be able to make decisions about daily operations to meet business goals and objectives, reported Forbes. Good leaders know when to streamline businesses contacts and make the most of available resources, added the source.

• Another aspect of being a successful business owner is knowing when it's time to put work aside and leave it alone. Small-business owners who spend too much time at work or focused on a single aspect instead of the big picture can be easily dragged down. It's important for business leaders to know and understand when it's time to put something aside and give their brain a break, reported the source. This also means business owners need to broaden their interests and make time for friends, family and activities outside of work in order to find a good work-life balance.

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The recession has impacted small businesses more than large companies, which is highly unusual when the economy heads south, Ralph Ross, district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Kentucky district office, told Business First. The decline in small businesses is greatly attributed to the banking crisis driven by the recession that started in 2008, Ross added. According to the SBA, there 5.89 million fewer small-business loans in 2008 than in 2011, cited Forbes.

Due to the U.S. banking system being severely affected by the recession, lenders have had to tighten up their systems regarding credit supervision and stricter lending rules, added Ross. The fact that banks had stricter regulations for small-business loans made it more difficult for startups and struggling small establishments to get the financial help they needed in order to sustain themselves.

The new bank merger between Oklahoma-based MidFirst Bank and Presidential Financial could mean a brighter future for small-business lending, reported Forbes. The merger is predicted to blend traditional lending and new small-business trends to offer more options for the small-business market, stated Forbes. 

Small-business owners should stay on top of banking news to see what trends the market will try and adapt to stay ahead of competitors. The fact that there are non-traditional lenders out there puts the power back in the hand of small-business owners - if they don't like what the traditional banking system has to say, they have other options and can walk away, reported Forbes.

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It's important for small-business owners to instill workplace rules and enforce best practices. As new workers come into the establishment, it's important to keep the following managerial tips in mind to keep business running smoothly:

• Take the time to properly train employees. Hiring someone based on their work experience or skill set doesn't mean he or she will know how to do the job the way you want to see it done. Save yourself from frustration and set an integration time to get employees up to speed and familiar with the business.

• Teach workers to not need a manager. Give employees the opportunity to grow and gain empowerment. Don't let "busy" workers fool you into thinking they aren't capable of managing projects or handling customers. It's in the best interest of the business if the employees can take on tasks and solve problems in case you aren't there when an issue arises.

• Foster an employer culture that encourages open communication. New hires are likely to make mistakes while learning on the job. This is a great opportunity for them to ask questions and get feedback on performance and skills in order to learn and grow. It's important to make sure workers know they can come to you if a problem arises or they have questions. An open-door policy is the best policy to keep the work environment healthy.

• Hire job applicants who are eager to learn, and let them know if they start to slack off. The last thing a startup company needs is lazy workers. If an employee isn't staying on task or is goofing off when there is a lot of work to be done, bring it to his or her attention. Don't let the employee get away with excuses or allow him or her to try and force your hand or rat-hole you by changing the subject. It's important to be open, but still maintain the mindset that you're the boss and the employee is there to help better the business, not bring it down. 

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Public resources are springing up all over the country in an effort to promote small businesses and provide startup companies with assistance they need to grow and prosper. These places range from long-established public libraries to new resource centers that help entrepreneurs get started.

The Meridian Asset Resource Center (MARC) was officially opened in Okemos, Michigan, on February 11. MARC was built with the intention to offer business support, including knowledgeable resources and training. The center is available to residents in Okemos Township as well as the larger Lansing area, stated The Lansing State Journal. Startup businesses and emerging and established organizations are encouraged to use the MARC programs to help better their companies. MARC offers office spaces, private conference rooms and meeting areas for rent. The larger meeting rooms will be used to host workshops, seminars and small exhibitions for local entrepreneurs to attend, added the source.

Likewise, public libraries across the nation have seen an increased demand to provide unemployed and underemployed job-hunters with career reference materials and resources and make up for the skill shortage among workers, stated Smart Planet. In addition to providing increased internet resources, technical information, career search centers and training development, some libraries are taking development a step further, added the source.

The Arizona State University Library is planning to offer a network for entrepreneurs and small-business startups to connect and come together within incubators found in Scottsdale's downtown Civic Center Library, reported the source. Arizona State University also plans to offer residents formal classes and informal mentor programs, which are aided by the university startup resources. The university is also investing in training library staff to deliver material and help guide entrepreneurs to resources that can provide them the answers they are looking for.