Leah's Biz Talk posts

Want a grant for $5,000 to $50,000?

Here is another great contest for all you business owners out there. Inc. is offering several grants of $5,000- $50,000 this year. It is free, but hurry you must apply before August 14th!

http://www.inc.com/newpreneur/index.html

More grants are available on Investing In Women, http://iiwomen.com/Grants/index.htm

Good Luck!

You can also enter the Start Up Nation Home Based Business contest. While you check it out, vote for Investing In Women. http://www.startupnation.com/homebased100/contestant/6744/index.php

Leah Oviedo Investing In Women http://iiwomen.com

Have you entered the 2009 Start Up Contest?

This is a contest for the top 100 StartUps of 2009 and any business can enter.

I entered Investing In Women, free business resources and micro-grants for women.

If you haven't entered your business, there is still time. The contest goes to September 30th!

I'd appreciate a vote for my business before you sign up! http://www.startupnation.com/homebased100/contestant/6744/index.php

Even if you don't win, it's still great PR!!

Good Luck!

Do you offer a Teleclass or Webinar for businesses?

Do you have a Teleclass or Webinar for entrepreneurs?

Investing In Women is looking for classes to promote on our website, http://iiwomen.com

Classes should be offered on a regular basis, weekly, monthly or available for purchase online. The topic of any teleclass or webinar must be business related. One time classes will not be posted.

If you are interested, we ask for a reciprocal link on your site or a post about the Investing In Women Micro-Grant on your blog.

Thank you, Leah Oviedo

A New Business Grant for Women

Investing In Women is proud to announce the first ever IIW Micro Grant Program for Women in the USA!

Women business owners who reside in the USA and own a new or existing business are eligible for the grant of $500. The lucky winner will be awarded November 1, 2009! http://iiwomen.com/Grants/index.htm

Investing In Women offers Micro-Grants because even a small amount of cash can help a business owner by giving them a chance to purchase advertising, products, or much needed office supplies.

We encourage you to share this site with your network, so we can continue to offer more micro-grants each year.A

Article: Advertising to Women in a Down Economya

Advertising to Women in a Down Economy Do you need to reach women consumers, or more specifically women who are in control of their finances? Advertising is still an important way to get people to buy from you. Many websites have lowered their rates and now is the time to lock into some great deals on advertising

I have compiled a list of popular sites that allows you to advertise to thousands of women across the US for low prices.

All of these sites cost less than $200 a year to advertise your business. When you advertise on the following sites your business will be in front of women who regularly use these sites to network and grow their business.

We'll start with Investing In Women, a business resource site geared to women entrepreneurs. They have 2000+ visitors each month. Mention this article and get 3 banner ads for $89 a year. http://iiwomen.com/Sponsor/index.htm

Beauties on the Go, a womens inspirational resource network. They have over 350 members. Mention this article and receive a 160 X 130 network site banner & 325x245 main site banner for only =$75/6 months. http://www.beautiesonthego.com/advertise.html

Online Shopping Mall, the ultimate gathering place for shoppers and merchants. They have over 300 members and offer button ads for just $3 a month. http://onlineshoppingmall.ning.com/page/advertise-1

Katy Did Designs Newsletter, business & marketing tips geared towards artists and crafters. They have 675 subscribers and charge $25 for a 3 month ad. http://katydid-designs.com/Newsletter.html

Advertising on these sites has the added benefit of showing that you care about and support women business owners.

Need more resources for growing a business?

Check out Investing In Women, http://iiwomen.com. The site has no fees or registration needed to use.

You will find resources on Grants, Networking, Finance, Social Media, Marketing, and Collaboration.

YOU can submit, articles and resources in exchange for advertising on the site. Visit the FAQ page to learn more,

http://iiwomen.com/FAQ/index.htm

Want to Trade for a free Banner Ad on Investing In Women, a free business resource site?

Would you like a free a banner ad to run for 6 months free? (One sidebar ad 250x250 px. on any page except the home page). http://iiwomen.com

You don't have to sell to anyone. Just refer someone to me along with their name, business and email address. I will send them the below message. If they buy an ad I will add your banner ad to the site. All the best, Leah Oviedo

Message for potential advertisers: Do you want to lock into a great deal on advertising? Visitors to Investing In Women increases by 40% every month. In May we expect 1400 visitors, that's up from 335 in February when we opened. Through May 31, you can buy 2 banner ads for a whole year at only $89! http://iiwomen.com/Sponsor/index.htm You can also team up with another business and each get 1 ad for $44.50 a piece. This is a great chance to have entrepreneurs learn about your wonderful service or product and have a whole year of advertising paid for!

Real Business Grants - No fees for these!

Tired of all those ads claiming free government grants for women or minorities? Me too, most of them just sell you information or are complete scams!!

I have compiled a free listing if 11 grants here:

http://iiwomen.com/Grants/index.htm

You don't have to pay or sign up to apply for these grants. All information on Investing In Women is FREE!

*Remember if a grant deadline has passes, you can bookmark the site for next time!

Investing In Women is looking for Advertisers

Are you interested in reaching thousands of women entrepreneurs looking for resources to grow their business? Advertise on a Investing In Women, a free business resources site. http://iiwomen.com

Investing In Women is set up as a collaborative community with resources and articles submitted by successful business owners for start ups and entrepreneurs. Who is using IIW? Women Business Owners looking for the latest information on grants, finance, networking and business opportunities. We advertise on Linked- In, Facebook, Beauties on the Go, Woman Owned, Better Networker, Connected Women, Downtown Women's Club, Red Wire and Cut Out and Keep. As of April, we have 50+ incoming links. Our Investing In Women Linked In Group has 34 members and receives 2-5 new members each week. Women are already making Investing In Women their home page, bookmarking it and sending the link to business associates and friends.

Here is the link for advertising prices, http://iiwomen.com/Sponsor/index.htm Prices start at $30!

Respectfully yours, Leah Oviedo

Need advice and resources to go green in business!

Do you have any great advice or resources for creating a eco-conscious business? In exchange you can have a free link to your site on Investing In Women's green business page. http://iiwomen.com/greenbiz/index.htm

Submit your advice/ resource with your website URL, and your name(Not required) here or to qsm@mail.org

*example: Your Advice/Resource.../ your URL.../ Your Name

Anyone ever sponsor a Business Resource/ Grant Program for Women Entrepreneurs in the USA??

Hello Biznik Friends.

Do you know anyone who wants to sponsor a grant program/ business resource site, for women entrepreneurs??? If so please pass along the following. Or just keep me in mind.

For the past year I have been working on a free business resource site for women entrepreneurs. Investing In Women, http://iiwomen.com

Currently the site offers free resources and articles for women business owners.

It is a collaborative effort with other women who have contributed to the site. At this point I am looking for sponsors to grow the site and to start a micro-grant program in the US.

Check it out:

Sponsor Page for IIW

I'd also love feedback on how to approach businesses, during a recession. So far I have been relying on word of mouth to get the word out. I know there are some clever Biznikers here that can help me out. Leah Oviedo

Fundraisers, Raffles, Donating a percentage of sales- anyone else doing this?

Even though we are in a recession and some of us struggle to keep our businesses afloat, we can still help organizations that are important to us.

So many non-profits have had reduced funding due to the recession and the evil Bernie Maddoff. Below are some samples of ways to raise money personally or through your business.

*Host a dinner party and charge a cover with all proceeds going to your charity.

*Have an art exhibition for charity.

• Start a drive for clothing, toiletries and other essential items for your local shelter.

*Support a cause that is important to you through your business or website.

*If you own a business you can have a Charity Shopping Event, where one day or weekend a month a percentage of sales go to a charity.

Here is our non-profit page, if anyone would like to start a similar page, or if you have suggestions to add to the FUNdraising ideas section. http://www.mercadodelmundo.org/NonProfit/index.html

-Leah

Website Design and Internet Marketing for Advertising

I will design a site for you for free in exchange for having my banner ad on the site. I have 3 years of website experience, but have just started building other sites this year.

You can email me directly at qsm@mail.org

Leah Oviedo Stylin Sites Website Design and Internet Marketing

Good Article on Strategic Networking

Here is an article by Alba Henderson on Strategic Networking.

Strategic Networking

Anyone set up a Grant Program before?

I have a business resource site geared to Women Entrepreneurs. I want to offer a micro-grant program next year, but am not sure how to go about this.

What do I need to do, to start it?

I would like to sell Ad Space as a way to create funds for the site. Businesses would be sponsors for the grant program. The grants will be small, $500 each. and I would like to award 3-6 per grants per year.

http://iiwomen.com

Thank you, Leah Oviedo qsm@mail.org

Eco-conscious Articles for Free Advertising

Hello I would like to offer/trade Banner Ads of Your Businesss in exchange for Articles concerning Green products and current issues about the environment.

http://www.findagreenstore.com/articles.htm

Submit an Article and we will add your Banner or Text Link at the end of the article.

*The site gets over a thousand visitors each month.

• There are over 130 businesses listed.

• A Videos page of environmental issues across the globe. http://www.findagreenstore.com/apps/videos/

*A MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/findagreenstore

• A Featured Products page for advertisers to post pictures and links of their products. http://www.findagreenstore.com/newproducts.htm

-Leah

Website Design and Internet Marketing

Hello! I design websites and I love my job!!

What sets me apart from other webmasters?
I include internet marketing and hosting in each package.

I have a background in design and have always been creative while at the same time very interested in the technical side of things.

You get stellar service and a stellar website when you hire me.

http://stylinsites.com -Leah Oviedo

Collaborating with Business Owners

Collaborating on marketing and advertising with local and relevant businesses gives you more exposure and saves money. Below are some ways to collaborate in business and to move past reciprocal links.

1)Share Marketing Space- Split the cost of an AD by creating one that showcases both businesses.

2)Share a Sales Lead List or Business Resources Membership. If you need information that must be paid for, consider buying the information together.

3)Need Office Supplies? Share a CostCo membership. Save money on paper, tissues, electronics without paying full price on a annual membership.

4)Collaborate on a Fundraiser for a local hospital or non-profit. Find enough Business Owners willing to volunteer time, supplies, and money. The costs will be low, you will all get some much needed advertising, and the community will benefit.

5)If you have a brick and Mortar Store, set up a bulletin board with cards from other local businesses. Each business will have a board in their store for customers to use as a resource.

6)Sponsor a Community Event. Being an event sponsor comes with a heavy price tag. Host a concert or educational series in your community with other business owners. A Local networking meeting is a great place to talk this over. Book Signings, Local Musicians, Art Exhibits, Speakers, etc.

Have some more Ideas for Collaboration??

Use the Local Groups on Linked In

Gaining customer trust can be difficult in the digital age when you can meet people from across the globe, they won't automatically trust you.. Meeting local customers is the BEST way to spread word of mouth.

Linked In has several Local groups. In San Diego there are already a dozen.

If you don't use the group discussions, then it's basically like pinning your business card on a crowded bulletin board.

If you find a local group that doesn't meet in person, then initiate a networking event, it doesn't have to be huge at first, but if it goes well more people will come and you can find some ways to collaborate with them.

• LOCAL NETWORKING GROUPS ON LINKED IN!

Any Unique Advertising or Promotion Ideas?

Anybody have some fresh ideas they'd like to share?

I feel like the advertising the same way every year is becoming a bore. The old ways still work, but I'd love some fresh ideas. Even some fresh takes on past ideas would be great!

-Leah