So many of us small, online businesses need help. Virtual assistants, project managers, graphic designers, event coordinators, bookkeepers, videographers … all kinds of professionals we bring in to provide expertise or just another body to help us grow and get more done. For years now, the fashionable thing has been to hire these workers as [...]
Should You Run Your One-Person Business as a Sole Proprietorship?
The first question I get from my one-person business owner clients is usually about business entity. Can they keep running their business as a sole proprietorship, or do they need to form an LLC or S-Corporation? So here’s an infographic I just created (using Piktochart), if you’re thinking about staying a sole proprietor, to give [...]
No Opt-In Required: 5 Reasons to Give Away Your Best Stuff
Over the years, I’ve created tons of free stuff (53+ different classes, videos, audio interviews, and pdf’s) where you get them only after you sign up for my email newsletter. It’s a classic internet marketing strategy to build a list, and I’ve used it to get thousands of people. And yep, I’m still using it [...]
Is it more “spiritual” to shake hands, than to sign a contract?
Recently I read a blog post about someone who doesn’t sign any contracts – with business partners, joint venture partners, employees, or contractors. They just “shake hands” – as if that is somehow more spiritual or honorable than drafting a (scary? icky? overly-formal? long? non-soulful?) contract. This is a *huge* pet peeve for me. But [...]
Can You Get Sued for Sharing that Viral Photo on Facebook?
On the EPW Small Business Law PC Facebook Page, Liz asked: “What about posting/using all those snazzy quotes with images that you see shared by friend on Facebook? Some will have an originating website (and I wonder if they own the images, many use quotes and attribute the quote author but not the image creator) [...]
On Trolls, Unsolicited Criticism, and Being “Unprofessional”
On LinkedIn today I received a message about my profile picture. Someone I didn’t know stated that since I was going back to practicing law, I should get a more formal, professional profile picture. Just sayin’ After considering the source (aka checking out his “web 2.0 expert” profile), snarking to my BFF, and asking Facebook [...]
Do You Sell Products or Services in Another Country? Welcome to the Legal Morass of International Business
Now that we all have email, websites, Paypal, Skype and e-books, it’s easy to find yourself selling your products and services outside not only your local state/province, but also outside your country. Not only does this make it logistically more complicated (merchant accounts tend to freak out) – but there are major legal complexities you [...]
Who Owns Your Content? What You Give Away When You Post Your Stuff Online.
It’s going around again. Those chain-mail Facebook posts about how you lose rights to your content unless you post some alleged disclosure warning to the government, citing a random UCC section (btw, those crappy Facebook privacy notices are a total myth). But it raises an important point. Who owns your content when you post it [...]
EveryDay41: A good week, and "passive" revenue is a bunch of crap.
This week was a turning point – letting stuff go, and focusing more on what is my work, moving forward. Also, I go on a rant about the b.s. of “passive” revenue and the benefits of leaving money on the table.
Is Your Virtual Assistant an Independent Contractor, or an Employee? Status: It’s Complicated.
Yes, I know, you and your virtual assistant (V.A.) have a contract stating that they are an independent contractor. They gave you an EIN number. They have a website and a business card. They even showed you a document saying that they have a d/b/a (“doing business as”) registration. Sorry, dude, but that V.A. could [...]
I'm Elizabeth Potts Weinstein, an attorney, mom, writer, and explorer.