Twitter is a micro-blogging platform and it’s a little different from any other online or social media tool. When people first begin using it, it can seem overwhelming and confusing. How can you really type anything of substance in 140 characters or less?

The first thing I usually advise is that you take some time getting familiar with how it all works. Put up a picture of yourself, find some others to follow, and “tweet” some updates. It may seem a little like you are talking to yourself to do this especially if you are not being followed by anyone else. But it helps to see activity when someone comes upon your page and is making a decision whether to follow you or not.

Once you have observed and participated a little, there are a few things you can do to help you build relationships. Why is that so important? It all goes back to establishing that know, like and trust factor. People like to do business with those they know, like and trust, right? Here are some of the ways to use Twitter to create rapport and get more visibility for your business:

1) Give value. Share links, offer advice and answer questions. I usually suggest a balance of 85% non-promotional tweets to 15% promotional tweets. When you are sharing interesting tidbits, they do not (and should not) be all about your services and offerings. On Twitter, people are looking to learn more about you the person, not just you the business owner. Of course, once they feel that they know you better, they are more willing to eventually buy from you!

2) Engage others. Ask questions, use the @ function to spark conversations and re-tweet others’ messages. This helps people get to know you, but it is also a chance for you to demonstrate your expertise. You don’t need to outright sell in order for others to see that you have something of value to offer them. Before you know it, others will be re-tweeting (sharing) your helpful information with others, leading to more visibility for you.

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by Patrick Gunning

Can a Home Business really make money and Survive a Recession? That’s a question that many people are asking right now, as their bills are piling up and their savings accounts are shrinking.

A lot of people have had the idea of a starting Home Business in the back of their mind for a while, but never acted on it. …And many Experts agree that this is the best time to get into a home business. Not only are the opportunities greater, but so are the benefits.

Now that fears of a Recession or even another Great Depression are on everyone’s mind it might just be an idea worth looking at. Let’s face it, the polls show that most people realize that the government doesn’t have the solution for their concerns about the recession. Their trust in Government and those big corporations is being tested.

The reality is, while the government is busy giving aide to the very companies that got us into this mess, you need answers to the problems you’re facing at home… problems like paying your bills and reducing your debt.

You want to know:

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Ladies and gentleman, meet Mo, Larry, and Curly Entrepreneur. These fine fellows are here today to help answer the age old question: Why do some entrepreneurs achieve stellar success while others achieve only moderate success while still others fail in business miserably?

To level the playing field let’s pretend that each of our wily entrepreneurs all started their businesses on the exact same day, selling the exact same product at the exact same price. Let’s also pretend that they started their businesses from identical locations, with the exact same resources and funding, and with the exact same opportunities and odds for success.
Even when starting from the same place at the same point in time with the same resources and same opportunities, the results vary widely; some entrepreneurs succeed in an amazing way and others do not.

Why then does one entrepreneur, in this case Curly because he is my favorite Stooge, reach the stars while most Stooges never make it off the ground? Why does Curly get to give the crowd a “Woop, woop, woop!” while accepting the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award while Mo and Larry have to work as waiters at the event to help pay their bills?

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After recent Google search with keywords small business, we discovered this great Google video on small business on how to get a business going without to spend a lot of money. Watching this profound and insightful video we couldn’t wait to share it with you.

In the video Justis Chase talks how it’s possible to use what he calls the three “S’s”. To create successful small business that do what you want them to do, which is to make you money and give you freedom rather than taking money and time away from you. This 38 minute video program is a great primer on how to start any business and make it a success.

Justis explains the three “S’s” are structure, self-sufficiency and scalability. To use the S’s you can turn any idea or home based business into a thriving supportive opportunity. Justis also goes on to expound about the two deadly myths that stop most people from starting a successful business.

Watch Justis Chase, the Home Business Whisperer as he addresses a group on his three “S`s” techniques for starting small business without the need of large investments.

After you have enjoyed watching the movie we would love to read your comments and thoughts. Can the three “S`s” be applied to your business? Do you consider there are two deadly myths in any business no matter if it is a home base business, internet or network marketing business?