Go ahead, give it a try:  Transfer your domain name with GoDaddy

If you have any questions, you can contact me here.

When you first visit GoDaddy’s website, you’re presented with a littany of choices.  In this case, we just want to register a new domain name.  So, type your desired choice in the box indicated below:

Choose your domain name

For this example, let’s assume you’re looking for your name as a domain name.  So, for me, I would type: scottreynolds.com    Let’s see what happens:

In this case, my name is already taken, but they have numerous suggestions below.  For this example, I’m going to take the .info domain name.  If you don’t like any of the suggestions, try to come up with something else that you like.  Eventually you’ll find a good domain name.

The next step is trying to navigate through all the other stuff that GoDaddy will try to sell you before actually allowing you to make a purchase.  Always look for the ‘Next’ or ‘Continue’ or ‘No Thanks’ buttons on the bottom of the screen.  I don’t recommend purchasing any of their extra services unless you REALLY need them.

They’re going to try to get you again and again.  If you don’t already have a GoDaddy account, this is going to be the time to create one.  They need a bunch of information from you so that you can properly register your domain name.  Don’t worry, they keep your information safe and secure.

Once you’re logged in (or have created an account) you’ll eventually get to this screen:

This is FINALLY checkout.  On the bottom half of this screen, you’re going to enter your payment info and complete the checkout process.

Congratulations, you have a new domain name!

Click Here to give GoDaddy a try.

More:

Happy Employees Make Thriving Companies – Entrepreneur.com .

Special Invitation
June/2/2009
For Questions Contact:
Allison Reynolds
Pasadena Symphony Association
626-793-7172 ext.13
areynolds@PasadenaSymphony-Pops.org

***MEDIA ALERT***

HEADLINE HERE
Pasadena Symphony Association Unveils Plan For Sustainable Future
Pasadena’s Mayor and Team of Experts Endorse Strategic Plan

What: Pasadena Symphony Association’s (PSA) CEO Paul Jan Zdunek will be announcing his post-integration recovery plan designed to sustain the organization financially and to enable the PSA to grow in the future.  Working with a team of outside experts and with full support of the Board of Directors, Zdunek has developed a plan that will restore confidence in the venerable Pasadena institution and ensure its long-term, sustainable growth.  The PSA administers the Pasadena Symphony, Pasadena POPS, Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra and a full Education & Community Engagement program.   Questions will be entertained following the recovery plan announcement.

Who: The Honorable Bill Bogaard, Mayor, City of Pasadena
Paul Jan Zdunek, CEO, Pasadena Symphony Association
Harvey Knell, Executive VP, Pasadena Symphony Association Board of Directors
Jorge Mester, Music Director, Pasadena Symphony
Rachael Worby, Music Director, Pasadena POPS
Jack Taylor, Music Director, Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra

Time: Thursday, June 4, 2009  12 NOON

Location: Pasadena Civic Auditorium
300 E Green Street Pasadena, CA 91105

***RSVP required – invitation and contact information below***

Contact: Allison Reynolds, Marketing & Public Relations Associate
Pasadena Symphony Association
Phone Here
email address here

About the PSA: The Pasadena Symphony Association was founded in 1928 by Conductor Reginald Bland. The annual operating budget was a mere $3,500, which was funded entirely by the City of Pasadena. Because of the tremendous support it has continually received from the local community, The PSA grew into a nationally recognized, fully professional orchestra.
In February 2008, following its acquisition of the Pasadena POPS in 2007, the Pasadena Symphony Association now supports: the Pasadena Symphony, the Pasadena POPS and the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra.

The continuing goal of the Pasadena Symphony Association is to make music available to everyone, offering low-cost tickets for children, students and seniors and implements music education programs in 14 public elementary schools and four middle schools. In total, the Pasadena Symphony Association presents more than 100 community concerts annually by the Pasadena Symphony and the Pasadena POPS, along with the free music series Musical Circus for families, Clásica – las raíces de la música (the roots of music) and Clazzical Notes. It is estimated that the Pasadena Symphony Association serves more than 45,000 individuals.

# # # #
Calendar Listings:
June 7th, 2009 Music Under The Stars – A free concert for the community
Presented by PARSONS and Target on the steps of City Hall
Pre-Concert fun at 5:30 | Concert Begins 7:30pm
Link to Flyer here
June 19th & 20th, 2009 – Grand Opening Concert weekend for the Pasadena POPS 2009 Season at Descanso Gardens. Concert begins at 7:30pm.
Link to Pops Schedule and Brochure

June 23rd, 2009 – John Moran Art Auction at the Pasadena Civic. Preview at 1:30pm, Auction starts at 6:00pm. Download Brochure Link

Address Here: Pasadena Symphony Pasadena Pops | 117 E. Colorado Blvd. | Suite 200 | Pasadena | CA | 91105

Starting A Business

in Los Angeles, the slightly longer than it needs to be version:

Step 1

So many people have ideas that end up going nowhere simply because the concept of starting a business seems to be overwhelming. It’s actually really easy and I aim to show you how.

There are a couple of things you need to know about your own business before you get started. First, unless you go the route of incorporation (such as an LLC or C-Corp which I’ll explain later), a small business

is just you with a different name.

In the next few posts, I’ll walk you through all of the steps it takes. In fact, if you start on this path first thing in the morning, you can have your own business by the end of the day.

Step 2

So here I am continuing my work on this series, and my friend Greg calls me yesterday to tell me that he needs to open a bank account for his design business. PERFECT! We’ll use Greg as a case study.

First thing… What are you going to call yourself. If you go with something that incorporates your name, such as Flower by Greg or Greg Productions you actually don’t really need to do much. Most banks will accept checks made out to companies with your name in it. But that’s not why we’re here.

Greg needs to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement which he can do via mail, or by visiting the Los Angeles County Registrar. They chose the URL www.lavote.net, presumably because someone else had stolen the other good names and made them into adult sites. Or it could just be that the most commonly known service provided by the Registrar is voting records and counting. On the front page, you’ll see a nice little picture of the current Registrar:

Isn’t that nice? You’ll also find a lot of information about marriage licenses, voting, death certificates, etc. That’s not why we’re here. Where you really want to be is here. The Registrar (which is also the County Clerk) did a really terrible job with this web page, and it becomes a major stumbling block for people who want to name their business. There are big blocks of text, randomly placed links and stern warnings in RED that don’t really mean much. I aim to sort this out for you.

Ok, so we know Greg needs a name for his new venture and that he also needs to file aFictitious Business Name Statement.

Before you move forward, you’re going to want to make sure no one else is using your business name. The Registrar website has a link to an Internet Search of Names. Here is where you find out if your new business name (that you spent all night coming up with) is taken or available.

When I type in just the name Greg, here are a few selected gems that pop out:

Greg A Carlson Enterprises
Greg and Jim’s Meat Co
Greg Fabuloux Enterprises
Greg Frost Mediation
Greg The Great Productions
Gregarious

And the list goes on and on and on. If you type in Greg’s Awesome Avatars… Guess what boys and girls? We’ve found a winner! Now, while you’re jumping around with glee that in LA County, no one has taken your name, you need to think of a few more things first.

Fictitious Business Name Statements aren’t the only means of getting yourself a business name. If you want to go the long complicated route, you can Incorporate. You Incorporate with the State of California and the Secretary of State has a listing of corporate entities that you can search. You’ll want to visit the California Business Portal(which incidentally is very well organized and lots of info on starting and maintaining a business) to conduct your search of corporations.

The California Business Search page lets you search for both Corporations and Limited Partnerships (LPs) and Limited Liability Companies (LLC). Be sure you search both categories! While technically you can have your own company in a county that shares a name with an LLC or Corporation, it’s not a good practice, so don’t do it.

Ok. Assuming you’ve come up with the name, and that you’ve searched high and low and found that you still have a bit of creativity left in you, you can go to the next step, Running the Gauntlet at the County Building.

Step 3

So if you’re this far, you have a name for your business that is unique only to you. You’re ready to fill out the paperwork!

First off, download the Application here.

One thing I should note at this point is that a Fictitious Business Name is also known as a DBA (Doing Business As). I’ll use the term interchangeably. The form is straightforward, and since it’s just you setting this up, you don’t need all sorts of complicated signatures. Those boxes are for a whole other day.

You’ll also notice multiple Section Four spaces. Unless you’re setting up a partnership, you don’t need to fill these out.

You can file 3 FBNs with the above form, and then attach additional forms if necessary. You pay $18 for the first name and $4 for each additional name. You’ll pay this fee when you get to the window.

And now to the title of this post. When you arrive at the County Clerk building, there will be tables, tents, chairs and lots of well dressed people out front milling about with clipboards. These people want to take advantage of you. Not in the good way either. They’re trying to be your best friend in order to have your FBN published in their paper. I should probably explain that part to you.

All new FBNs have to be filed in a ‘Newspaper of General Circulation’. Theoretically, this means that the public can check up on people filing those scary sounding Fictitious names. No one really checks. In fact, if you look at the list maintained by the County, you’ll see that you’ve never heard of most of these papers. I would guess that 90% of them exist solely for the purpose of publishing FBNs. That isn’t to say that they’re bad papers… They get the job done for you legally. But every penny that these ’sales people’ squeeze out of you is basically pure profit. I’ll come back to them in a minute.

So you’re walking in. Ignore these people. If they ask you why you came today, tell them it’s to get the death certificate of your brother/sister/parent/relative. That’ll shut ‘em up. Step inside of the poorly lit badly designed building and enjoy the smell of your Government at work. Look around for signs directing you to FBN filings. I’ve been there four times and it has been in a different office every time. If you get lost, ask for help. But do not ask anyone who you saw outside or who has even a remotely non-bureaucratic air about them – they will screw you. Once you find the office, step inside and be quiet.

The people who work behind the bullet proof glass now in front of you hate their jobs. I actually think the glass is to protect you, not them. First thing you’ll probably notice is the cornucopia of society that you are now part of, if only for a few minutes. Then you’ll see the giant hand written signs telling you that under no circumstances can you borrow a pen. Remember to bring a pen with you and don’t share it. That sign is there for a reason. I should probably also mention that it’s a good idea to print three copies of your completed application and to bring a blank one along. One of the few highlights of these employees’ day is when they point out an error in your application. Then you have to start over. They like that.

Once the paperwork is in order, and you’ve waited in line three times, it’s your turn to hand over your money. The employee will inspect your paperwork, give you a total and you pay them. They don’t really say anything, and most people simply leave. What you should do is step to the next window to pick up your copy of the filed documents. They will have placed a purple stamp in the upper right hand corner with today’s date. That means you’re gold. According to the county, you now have a Fictitious Business Name. Despite your dreams of financial freedom and Dom Perignon, there are a few steps left to the process.

Congratulations! You now have a stamped copy of your FBN statement. Now it needs to be published. And now would be the time to talk to these eager young sales people out front.

I warned you before not to talk to them. If you start up a conversation early, they “help” you by hand carrying your paperwork for you, and they even supply pens! They act like your friend the whole time and pretend that they’re volunteers or just like to help. But then, when it comes time to pay them to publish your FBN statement in their paper, they give you some ridiculous price.

Never pay more than $30.00 to have your FBN published. They usually start at $50 and go down from there. Tell them you’ll talk to someone else. Remind them that you were smart enough to get the purple stamp on your own and you’re certainly smart enough to find the best deal. One thing I will say – it does make sense to have these people publish your FBN, because it’s one less step for you to worry about later. Just don’t pay more than you absolutely have to.

After this little transaction, you’ll have two very important pieces of information. The first is your purple stamped FBN filing and the other is your receipt for publication. All you need now is to convince your bank that when you present a check to them made out to Greg’s Awesome Avatars, that they’ll actually give you the money.

Off to the bank!

Step 4

At this point, you’ve saved over $100 by doing this yourself. You’re at the last step and you can just see those million dollar checks coming your way. But if you don’t have a bank account setup, those checks might as well be kindling.

Setting up a new bank account shouldn’t be that big of a hassle, especially if you already have a banking relationship with said bank. Go to the bank in the mid morning or mid afternoon. Chances are you’ll be seen by a new account rep much quicker.

It should take about an hour and when you’re done, you’ll have your very own bank account!

Congratulations! You own your own business and you’re on the road to profit!

Retirement Contributions – The IRS has very specific rules regarding how much money you’re allowed to contribute to IRA’s or 401(k)’s each year. Keep an eye on those rules and any contributions you’ve been planning to make as the end of the year approaches.

Flexible Spending Accounts – If you’ve used a flexible spending account to save for medical or childcare expenses, you’ll want to make sure that you’re on track to using those dollars before the end of the year. Schedule your purchases to ensure that you use your account’s balance in the allotted time. In many cases, if you don’t use your money, you will lose it.

Medical Insurance – Deductibles for medical insurance re-sets for most insurance carriers on January 1. If you’ve already met your deductible for this year, you should try to fit any other planned procedures into this year to avoid having to meet another deductible next year. This could be as simple as scheduling your next appointment at the end of December rather than at the beginning of January. The same principle applies to dental insurance, too.

Setting up a working filing system is the best way to keeping your records organized. With well-labeled files and a neat place to hold them all together you will be on your way to a streamlined method of accounting for your finances. You won’t have to dread looking for the receipt and warranty paperwork from a major purchase because you’ll know exactly where it is.

Six easy steps are all it takes to get a working filing system up and running:

Step 1: Sort the papers you have now. Make piles of similar types of records (one pile for electric bills, another pile for your 401(k) statements, etc.) and discard anything you don’t need.

Step 2: Make folders for your categories. I tend to lean toward the idea of making a lot of folders. It’s easier to find things if I can narrow down the number of things that go into that folder. You should, however, choose a system that works for you. Maybe you don’t mind having the all of the utility bills in one folder.

Step 3: Use color to segregate your categories. This can be as easy as sticking blue stickers on the tab of one category’s folders and red stickers on another. Or you could go the extra mile and get different-colored folders for each category. The important part of this step is to find a way to differentiate your varying types of records. You might use green for assets, your bank statements and retirement account statements. You might use yellow for warranty information. Red might be good for expenses like your credit card statements or mortgage statement.

Step 4: Group your folders together by category. This is where the color comes in handy. Once you start putting your folders away, you’ll be able to quickly tell when something is in the wrong place. One lonely blue folder stuck in a sea of red folders is sure to catch your eye.

Step 5: Store your folders. If you have access to a filing cabinet, use that. But if you don’t, there are a couple of other options. You can buy one of those metal systems that allow you to convert a regular drawer into a filing space. (Pay close attention to the dimensions of your drawer as you select one of these systems.) Another option is to buy one of those mobile filing systems. Unfortunately, these don’t always hold a lot of files, so you could need another one pretty quickly.

Step 6: Use your system. Avoid the temptation to keep piling papers on your desk or table; now that you have your files set up, you can easily drop each statement or invoice away as soon as it has been reviewed or paid. By taking an extra minute to put things away the first time you handle them you can avoid having a mountain of filing at your desk.

“Personalized emails boost open rates”, according to a MailerMailer study. “The email service provider found that personalized subject lines in particular increased the number of times recipients opened their mailings.”  Now, I myself have often found that some pretty clever spammers somehow found my name and use it regularly to try to get me to open their “special offer” emails – so I’m leery of using names in subject lines. However, I have found that having a meaty subject line that is specific and clear and not “salesy” can lead to more emails being opened and read – and responded to…

Advantages to Using Direct Mail:

• By targeting a very specific group and taking your message directly to them, you have the ability to have complete control over who receives your advertising message, and who doesn’t. For example, if you are targeting opportunity seekers, a quality mailing list can let you focus on that specific group.
• A well-planned direct mail campaign can result in the most consistent and predictable method of customer generation, and it provides great flexibility in message presentation. ·
• Direct mail makes couponing and sampling practical. It can help isolate advertising response to a single segment, and compare returns in one area with those of another.
• Each letter campaign gives you the ability to precisely track your return on investment (ROI This way you know to the penny whether or not your marketing plan is working.
• You can test a promotion on a small scale before committing a huge budget.
• You can develop a distinctive personality for your business. It can be used to enhance your image, give your customers or clients information, and persuade them to place an order.

Disadvantages of Direct Mail:

• Direct mail is often considered to be junk mail. Seldom does a one-shot mailing have the desired result. You must have a long term, well thought out marketing plan.
• Your piece is competing with dozens of other pieces for attention. If you don’t know what you are doing, it is easy to waste a lot of money.
• There is a relatively high cost per contact.
• It may be difficult to obtain updated, accurate mailing lists.

Define Your Target Market

Determine who you want to reach before you develop your direct mail program. This allows you to specifically target your message to fit specific needs. It is the best advertising medium for customizing your appeal. With improved database resources and demographics, you can effectively precisely target the prospect you are aiming at.

The task of deciding your mailing package content, its design, and its message is up to you. However, remember to attract the reader’s interest, it must be clear, concise and easy to respond to. Coordinate your mailing with other advertising methods to significantly increase your return. Also, presenting one specific offer instead of a variety of options is usually more effective.

Diligently test and track your campaigns, and direct mail can become a profitable piece of your marketing mix!