In a down economy, the average consumer is always looking for a way to get the same high-quality goods and services they are used to but at lower, more affordable price. Coupons and discounts are things that have been around since the first small business was created. Now with the help of technology, coupons are gaining ever-increasing popularity. So much so, that a few entrepreneurs have found a way to profit by offering amazing deals on the world wide web. I have recently pondered the ways my own small business can profit from these online coupons and stumbled upon a popular site called Groupon. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, Groupon works like this: (1) Businesses all over create fabulous deals and post a “coupon” on the site (2) The businesses set a minimum number of people that must purchase the coupon in order for the deal to exist (most of the time the number of people is easily surpassed and the coupons are valid) as well as a time limit to buy the coupons (3) Groupon only shows a limited amount of coupons everyday to businesses in the area the consumer outlines (using zip code or city name) and the deals and businesses change everyday to offer the most variety to the consumer. It is easy to see why this is such a unique and helpful tool for any company. The only problem is having the knowledge and skill to make the best coupon for your business. You ultimately want to create an offer that will generate a buzz about your company, bring in lots of new customers and not hurt you, but reward you financially. So where do you go to know what works best and what does not work at all? Inc. Magazine featured an article on their website that conveniently outlines all the DOs and DO NOTs for coupon-making on the Groupon site. The article explains how Groupon can benefit your site as well as how to think about your desired end results in the coupon making process. Take a look for yourself before jumping into the world of online coupons and learn how to generate a buzz for your company while remaining true to your brand and profit goals.

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One of the most important parts of owning a successful business is making a profit. The only way to do this is to ensure that you are getting the money you earned through the sale of your good/service. The old ways of taking money from consumers are quickly going “out of style” and are being replaced by newer and faster methods. Recently, making and receiving payments has been as easy as picking up a smartphone. This may sound like a great option for those of you who have businesses that can benefit from an “on-the-go” method of financial transactions. But how do you know which methods and companies are the best to use? Inc. magazine recently published an article on this very subject. They list the top mobile payment methods to use in situations that warrant such transactions. Almost all American consumers say they would be more than happy to pay you using their mobile devices. Why deny them? They pay you with little hassle and you receive your money safely and quickly. Win-win.

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Why Online Legal Solutions are Not Good Enough for Your Business

            With the advanced technology of the Internet, more and more business services are being offered online. This includes legal document preparation. For many new business owners this sounds like a dream come true.

However, online services are not as helpful as they may seem. Although online legal document assembly companies like Legalzoom.com and Rocketlawyer.com are preeminent in marketing their products online, they advise you in their legal terms and conditions that they are not substitutes for the advice of an attorney. Online legal sites are not law firms. They cannot offer all the services that a real attorney can provide.  They are document preparation services only.

For a modest fee, these online sites can assemble the basic documents to incorporate your business and some can file initial documents with the state that are required of your company upon incorporation. However, their work stops there. Once you receive your documents, these online sites leave it to you to decide which forms should be used and to interpret those documents, along with other online forms and software that is included with most packages. You may think you are getting some legal help from these sites but you are really only paying for self-help legal services. You are on your own.

            What you many new entrepreneurs do not realize is that these sites only do part of the work. Since these sites are not  permitted to engage in the practice of law, they  are prohibited from providing any kind of advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendation to a consumer about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies that are the foundation of getting any business started right. If you think you are going to get any answers to any legal questions you may have in the future, think again. If you choose any of these online solutions you will be representing yourself in any legal matter you undertake through these online document assembly programs.

            Corporate lawyers know that our clients’ businesses are unique. Each corporation has its own requirements and personalities. Corporate lawyers create personal attorney-client relationships and encourage questions and discussions regarding all legal matters of the business. The differences between an online service and a lawyer are evident right from the start. Instead of dealing with an online questionnaire to be reviewed who knows where, by who knows who, an attorney will have a personal interview to discuss the  needs of the business to guide the start up in the right direction from the beginning.

During this process you will review not only the current aspects of your company, but also your goals for the future of the business. Without this basic knowledge, it is impossible to determine what the best type of business entity is for your specific enterprise. Only after understanding the nature of the business are your legal documents prepared to suit the needs of your particular company. Your corporate records are tailored to you and your company. Once the company is incorporated, business owners will have an ongoing relationship with their lawyer to help them avoid the potential legal pitfalls of carrying out their business enterprise.

Every year, the corporation is required to update its corporate records. A thorough corporate attorney will have your corporation on an annual tickler system. Every year you should be notified that your company records are in need of review and updates. Another meeting will be scheduled with your attorney to review the meeting agenda. Corporate records are from that point, updated correctly with the State in which your business resides and the internal formalities are maintained.

Only corporate attorneys who have a thorough knowledge of business law can make such a process easy, efficient and worry-free for you. Think about it this way. If you were going to jump out of an airplane, would you select the parachute packed by someone other than a professional? My guess is not. So why would you place the responsibility of selecting and assembling the most important documents regarding your corporation on any other shoulders than those of a trained, legal professional? Skip the headaches and worry which will surely come. Contact a corporate attorney from the start.

Andrew Gale

Corporate Records Attorney

www.corporaterecordsprogram.com

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Thank you for visiting my blog. You can also follow me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/California-Corporate-Attorney/190111604334276?ref=sgm&v=wall and Twitter http://twitter.com/AndrewGaleLaw. Also, check out some of my other sites @ www.galeandvallance.com and www.corporaterecords.com

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