Business Discussions

Hey Community! Today I want to talk about an article I read shared on the QuickBooks Blog. This particular post discusses ways to fund your business without relying solely on your own pockets. Here are a few examples:   Fundraising is a skillAs a business owner, it's pretty safe to say you have a large skillset. One of those skills can actually be fundraising. This comes with practicing your pitch, taking advice on how to better convey your message, and creating documents to back up your statement. "Fundraising, like any skill, is one that can be learned, one that can be improved, and one that can be perfected over time."   Learning from "no""You either win or you learn. There's no such thing as losing." This is what the writer had to say about receiving the answer "no" when requesting money. Using no as an opportunity to learn and better perfect your approach.   People invest in people, not companiesBuilding your network and relationships is key to business ownersh

Hello,Our customers pay us monthly using "Zelle Quickpay", which is convenient for us and them. There is no invoicing or any other method. They just pay their monthly subscription fees using Zelle.  When I sync with my bank feed, these transactions show up as Transfers. So I have to manually add them as "Monthly Subscription Fees" income from a customer. Here are my two issues I would like your help with 1) These transactions are not showing up as "Sales". So this means that they are not recorded as sales under that customer name. How can I change it that these get recorded as Sales and show up both in dashboard and under customer name.2) How can I make Quickbooks record these transactions automatically as "Sales" instead of "Transfers" Thank you for your advice. 

Hey there! It's time for some small business knowledge and tips. Today I'm sharing a few pointers that are helpful at any point of your business ownership, but will come especially in handy your first year.     Befriend Your Fears Doing anything outside of your comfort zone, like starting a business, can produce fear. Our natural response is to get rid of that fear. But fear is a natural part of expanding your comfort zone! In fact, the more you take action that scares you, the more you’ll recognize fear as a good sign that you’re on the right track.   Take Imperfect ActionThe fastest way to succeed is to take messy, imperfect action. Start where you are, and seek out experience and progress instead of perfection.   Naysayers Gonna NaysayThose who don’t see your vision usually have limiting beliefs of their own, and a constrained idea of what is possible. Let them worry if they need to, or even comment, but don’t let it stop you from taking action!   Make Self

Good afternoon my Community peeps! What's up! For our new business owner, being an entrepreneur has many pros and cons. Luckily, our Resource Center shared some, and here is what they had to say:     Pros: FreedomYou can have full access to do what you want without anyone telling you what to do. But do practice active listening, though.   FlexibilityYou can make your own schedules and choose where you want to be.   Profits As your business grows, you have the opportunity to grow your pockets as well!   Cons:   RiskYou are fully responsible for all the risks associated with your venture. Three key factors that would be affected are your savings, time, and effort.   WorkloadYes, you may have the opportunity to work when and where you want, but you would be responsible for most of the work and managing the stages of your business.   ResponsibilityOne word that can be used here to sum everything up is sacrifice. Be prepared to make many of those, bu

Hello Community friends! We often share posts about what to do but today I want to share one about what not to do. I found an article from entrepreneur.com that outlines a few mistake to avoid when it comes to branding for your business.   Being inconsistentBeing consistent with your messaging, visuals, and values creates a clear and memorable image of your brand for your audience and potential customers. If your branding and marketing is all over the road you're risk confusing your viewers.   Not engaging with your audienceIgnoring comments, feedback, and questions can be perceived as you're uninterested in what your followers have to say. Engaging with your audience helps to build relationships and shows that you care about the person and not just the sale.   Not being authenticEveryone wants authenticity. If your viewers determine otherwise you come across as untrustworthy; which is the last thing you want in business. Keep it real!   Check ou

Let this be a gentle reminder to keep pushing with your goals, whether it be healthwise, businesswise, etc. And if you're struggling a little bit, here is how you can set yourself up to keep the goals you want in life.   RealisticMany of you may hear the saying, "shoot for the stars", in a sense, it's a great expectation to have, but you dont want it to be so out of reach that it becomes discouraging when trying to achieve your goals. Choose goals that you feel confident about and that you can meet. Theodore Roosevelt said it best "Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground."   SpecificThe key point here is to "Make sure you're clear on the how and not only the "what." Your goals should be centered around how you get there. For example, should I cut costs in this area depending on the situation? upgrade my equipment? and so forth.   ConsistentDedicate time to focus on your goals, w

  Hello Community! Today I want to chat about an episode of Mind The Business from the QuickBooks Blog. In this episode, hosts Austin Hankwitz and Jannese Torres-Rodriguez, and guest, Andrea Casanova, share their online marketing strategies. You can listen to the full episode here but for now, let’s dive into the 3 key takeaways that are covered in this episode when it comes to successfully marketing your small business online:   Know where your traffic comes from: The first mistake that business owners make is assuming that all traffic comes from social media. “I had to learn that followers [do] not equal dollars,” says Jannese, who came to better understand SEO in her journey as a blogger. “I realize now that 90% of my traffic comes from SEO,” she explains. “It doesn't come from social media.   Create a brand archetype: It is important that your customers understand your brand. Andrea recommends that business owners create a brand archetype. She

Do you struggle with networking? Fear not! Our article by Inc.com shares ten effective strategies to build meaningful connections without the discomfort often associated with the process. Here is what they had to say:   Identify Shared Interests: Focus on genuine connections by seeking out individuals who share your hobbies or interests. Leverage Existing Relationships: Start with people you know well and gradually extend your network through their connections. Attend Small Events: Opt for intimate gatherings where deeper conversations are possible, making it easier to establish rapport. Volunteer: Engage in community or industry-related volunteering opportunities to meet like-minded individuals. Online Networking: Utilize social media platforms and professional networks to connect with people globally and maintain relationships virtually. Focus on Listening: Practice active listening to show genuine interest in others, leading to more authentic int

Hey there! Welcome back to the Business Discussion board. I've shared a couple "Back to Basics" posts and I have another one for you today. This article was posted on the QuickBooks Blog and covers bookkeeping basics every small business owner needs to know and use. Let's go over a few...   Accounting equationThe accounting equation is the relationship between a business's assets, liabilities, and equity. The equation is Equity = Total assets - total liabilities. The writer goes on to say, if your assets are greater than your liabilities, your business is financially stable. Good info to know!   Accounting ledgerAn accounting ledger is a book or system you use for recording and classifying financial transactions. Your accounting ledger serves as the hub for all your financial information. With accounting software, like QuickBooks, it will manage your ledger for you.   Double-entry bookkeepingDouble-entry bookkeeping is a system where each transaction

Did you know Google Cloud Platform can make your life easier regarding projects and websites in your business? Today, we have an exciting read from Read Write, where they shared several reasons. Here are the top 3 reasons:   Scalability and Flexibility: Google Cloud allows businesses to scale their resources up or down based on their needs. This flexibility will enable you to adapt to changing demands and optimize costs by paying only for the help you use. Security and Compliance: Google Cloud prioritizes the safety and privacy of customer data. With robust security measures, including encryption and access controls, businesses can trust Google Cloud to protect sensitive information. Additionally, Google Cloud complies with various industry regulations, making it suitable for companies operating in highly regulated sectors. Collaboration and Productivity: Google Cloud offers a suite of collaborative tools, such as Google Workspace, that enable teams to work together seamless

  Happy Wednesday! Have you ever found yourself chatting with a coworker or business owner about how to best leverage new AI tools and figure out which one is right for your business? If so, then you’re not alone. I came across a post by Mailchimp the other day on my LinkedIn on the impact that these tools can have on your business.   According to Mailchimp, having the right AI tools under your belt can increase business productivity by 40%! They have outlined a few ways AI can help you in your day-to-day, so I wanted to go ahead these with you. AI tools can help you: Brainstorm ideas Overcome writer’s block Optimize for SEO Improve grammar and readability Finish your sentences Write for different languages   Do you know what AI tool is right for you?? Feel free to let us know in the comment section below! See you next time.

  Happy Tuesday QuickBooks community! Whether this is your first time running payroll or you just want to make sure you’re taking all the right steps, the key to running a successful payroll is staying organized. This will help streamline the process and make sure your employees are getting paid quickly and efficiently. Today, I wanted to share 9 steps from this guide in the QuickBooks Blog that may be helpful for you. To run payroll like a pro, it's important that you:   Gather Tax information Collect employee withholdings certificate Determine Payroll Schedule Calculate gross pay and withholding deductions Process payroll deductions Determine net pay and run payroll Correct payroll mistakes and pay taxes File and report payroll taxes Maintain complete and organized payroll records   If you are using payroll software, that will alleviate a few of the above steps. An additional advantage of these bookkeeping programs is that they automatically withhold and s

qb sees deposits as sales, but in fact my deposits are in fact real deposits with outstanding balances that need to be paid before the transactions are to be marked complete as sales, and then taxable. How do I set up my company like that? Thanks, Helena

Good afternoon QuickBooks Community! Quick question, are face-to-face meetings important in this Digital Age? Today, I have an interesting read from our QuickBooks Blog, which explores the challenges and benefits of in-person meetings in an increasingly digital world. Here are some of the challenges and advantages they mentioned:     Challenges of Interactions: Distractions in Virtual Meetings: Virtual meetings can be prone to distractions, such as multitasking or interruptions from external factors, which can hinder effective communication and engagement.   Limited Non-Verbal Cues: Digital interactions often lack the full range of non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, making it more challenging to interpret nuances and emotions accurately.   Reduced Personal Engagement: Virtual meetings may sometimes feel impersonal or detached, as they lack the physical presence and connection that in-person interactions provide.   Advantages o

Trying to improve your online presence in 2023? Well, stick around and find out. Happy Friday, and welcome back to our Discussion Page! For sustainable growth, a business must maintain a robust online presence. Our article today from ReadWrite addresses a few ways to accomplish it. Here is what they mentioned:     Develop a User-Friendly Website Create a Visual Aspect That Leaves a Lasting Impression Design an Eye-Catching Logo Implement Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Strategies Create High-Quality and Engaging Content Build a Strong Social Media Presence Harness the Potential of Email Marketing   The article goes into much more detail, and I encourage you to check it out! If any one of these stands out to you, let me know. I will love to hear your feedback. Enjoy your weekend!

 

Are you looking for some creative ideas to advertise your business? Today I have a few that could assist you in reaching your target audience! Some may be common or possible ideas you already practice, and some may be new to you. Here are some creative ideas:     Guerrilla Marketing: Execute unconventional and attention-grabbing marketing tactics in public spaces. This could include flash mobs, interactive installations, or cleverly placed street art. Make sure it aligns with your brand identity and follows local regulations. Creative Packaging: Design eye-catching packaging that stands out on store shelves or when delivered to customers. Street Teams: Hire a team of energetic individuals to promote your business in high-traffic areas. They can distribute samples, coupons, or promotional materials, engaging with potential customers and creating buzz. Podcast Sponsorships: Identify popular podcasts that align with your target audience and explore sponsorship opportunities. I

Happy Tuesday! Today we’re going to chat about a topic that many small businesses deal with...hiring interns. I’m here today to share some tips from this article in Firm of the Future, that goes over how you can make your intern process better as well as feel better equipped in helping to prepare the next generation of business owners and professionals. So let’s dive into these 6 tips!   Leverage your network to find the right interns for your needs. Interview potential interns just like any other member of your team. Provide a clear mandate for what your intern should accomplish. Establish effective two-way communication. Encourage feedback and adjust your expectations accordingly. Keep in contact with successful interns.   If you put in the work and time to recruit the right interns, it will pay off. Not only will an intern help take off the load with some tasks that your team may not be able to get to, but they may also add value to your business in the future

It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you guys enjoyed your 4th of July holiday and looking forward to the weekend! Before signing out today, do you have plans to start a side business or possibly expand your brand?  Well, I have a great article from Forbes about prioritizing tasks to accomplish this. Here we go:   Building an online presenceThis includes producing content such as videos, pictures, and social media posts to build that presence.   Prioritizing content creationBy producing more content as soon as you can, it would aid in increasing your search engine rankings over some time.   Focus on tasks that will have the biggest impactSince there is limited time, it is crucial to do tasks that are worth more which helps in the business's success later.     They mention many others, such as improving the quality of your products, developing a schedule, and other examples. Definitely take a look at the link because it has a lot of good information. Until nex

Want to know how to use your website to retain your clients? In this digital age, a well-designed website can be a powerful tool for client retention. Our article from Firms of the Future today shared three tips on how to do so! Here is what they had to say:   Enhance User Experience. An example of this could be to optimize page loading speed. Slow-loading pages can frustrate users and lead to higher bounce rates. You can improve your website's performance by optimizing images, minimizing code, and leveraging caching techniques. Engage Through Valuable Content. This can be done by regularly updating your blog. Sharing informative articles, industry insights, and relevant news through a blog can assist with that. This positions you as an authority in your field and encourages visitors to return for fresh content. Personalize Communication. Requesting feedback and reviews is a great idea. This encourages clients to share their feedback and experiences through t

Hello Community! Thanks for tuning in for another topic here in the Business Discussion space. Have you ever thought about making a YouTube channel for your business? If not, now may be the time and I've got the perfect post for you that was shared on wpbeginner.com.   As one of the most popular video-sharing social media platforms in the world, YouTube has great potential for new customers. Here are a few ways a channel can help your business:   Increased brand recognition. Increased sales. Increased website traffic. Promote products/services. Build a loyal following. Adds an extra source of revenue.   Sounds great, right? Now, how do you get started? As mentioned in the article, starting a YouTube channel takes a lot of commitment. But, as listed above, can yield a lot of benefits. Being consistent and successful means coming up with a content strategy and sticking to it. This article is really helpful in this situation as it provides a ton of info, such as: &nb

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you guys are doing well! Quick question, is your website user-friendly? You may think it's doable at the time, but it could not be. I have some questions to ask yourself:     Is important information like contact information easy to find? Does the layout make sense, and so forth?   Here are a few tips Special Events shared to make your website more user-friendly:   Plain LanguageYou may be an expert in your field, but some of your customers aren't. Know your target audience and use simple and plain language so it is easier for everyone.   ScannabilityGenerally, users want information at their fingertips, and they want to save time hunting for information. Therefore, it is essential to present your data effectively, if you don't mind. If it's hard to find the information, this can discourage them and click out of your site.   OrderHow have you grouped information so that it is simple to navigate? This makes it easy for users

 

Happy Tuesday Community! When it comes to having a positive brick-and-mortar storefront experience, there are several things to keep in mind in order to make an excellent first impression on your customers. It’s vital that your storefront feels and looks inviting, therefore, making sure that there is appropriate lighting and a good HVAC system is crucial. Today, I will touch on a few easy ways to make energy-efficient upgrades to your storefront according to this article in the QuickBooks Blog. Here are a few:    Update your lighting Maximize your lighting Protect your windows Make your HVAC system more efficient Install ceiling fans Seal doors and windows Power down at the end of the day Partner with nearby businesses Commit to tackling climate change   Unfortunately, keeping your store cozy and cool does come with a cost. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to lower energy usage/cost while keeping your store comfortable. For the in-depth steps, make

Good afternoon, folks. I hope everyone is doing great. Today I'm stopping by to share a post from the QuickBooks Blog. This post shares info about NOPAT - what it is and how to calculate it. Let's dive in...   NOPATNOPAT stands for Net Operating Profit After Tax. This formula is used to measure a business’s theoretical income after all taxes, interest, and expenses have been withheld. It's an important figure to know because it shows how much a company could make if it didn’t have any debt, or unlevered free cash flow. Additionally, it is a great indicator of how well a company uses assets to generate profits for core operations.   Operating ProfitOperating profit accounts for all gross profits earned through business operations before interest and taxes are deducted. Or to put it more simply, the amount left over after operating expenses get deducted from a business’s gross revenue.   FormulasThere are two formulas to choose from when calculating NOPAT for your bus