MacStartup

While startup entrepreneurs keep costs low, there is the problem of stealing someones work without their permission. Take a look at this quick story.

So, this gentleman got lots of fame, but lost a fortune, because of fraud.

But what if this was YOU?

Related articles

• Should copyright owners have to “opt out” or “opt in” for Google online search? (billhubbell.wordpress.com)
• Fair Use For the Win in Righthaven Case (eff.org)
• 5 Mistakes Big Copyright Holders Constantly Make (plagiarismtoday.com)
• Copyright troll Righthaven achieves spectacular “fair use” loss (arstechnica.com)

Image via CrunchBase

I have another interview with BlogTalkRadio, this time with Donna Amos on her BlogTalkRadio/SoloTalk show about things which I like to talk about, Macs and entrepreneurs. Here’s Donna’s pitch:

Helping solopreneurs grow their businesses with tips and resources from the experiences of our successful solopreneur guests. Learn, grow and laugh with us. The show is sponsored by the International Association of Solopreneurs http://www.solopreneurs.org

It’s at 12 Noon EST for 30 minutes, so plan on listening in on the recording.

As an entrepreneur, you consider everything regarding your product and service. In doing your marketing, have you considered the colors your choose?

In this web article How Color Affects Our Purchases [infographic] you’ll see how colors affect our purchases, which should hopefully affect how you intend to sell your product or service. This includes the color schemes of your brochures, web site, book cover, etc.

Oh, and what about small little icons? Here’s a neat little treat about Apple’s icons in this article Apple icon secrets: Hidden meaning hiding in plain sight, oh, and the level of detail that is used.

Hope this helps you with your business marketing.

Here’s a good solution for those that want to send good looking emails to their business clients, check out Equinux Business Templates. As the web site promotes its product, “Add over 200 new templates to Mail with Stationery Pack Business Edition. With 12 new templates and 17 different ways of using each design, you can tailor emails to your audience. Drop in your photos, company logo and signature for professional looking emails.”

If you don’t want to purchase it, at least it’ll give you some great ideas for your iWork Pages documents and brochures.

Are you having an awesome day? Take a look at the TED.com talk Neil Pasricha: The 3 A’s of awesome does.

I have a short section on my book How to Start a Business: Mac Version about seeing things right about failures.

Enjoy the talk and have an awesome life.

Startup entrepreneurs look for opportunities to make some money, but what you do not want to miss is the talent that is around you. As I write this on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 at 1:15PM MST this YouTube video about homeless radio announcer Ted Williams has gone viral with over 5.4 MILLION views in less than 2 days!!

Getting laser focused as an entrepreneur means you concentrate on what’s important to your goals. But too often our laser focus means we miss out on things that are happening in the periphery. You’ve heard of the saying, “Stop and smell the roses” haven’t you? Well, stop and look around to what’s happening around you. You just might catch an opportunity to make a new customer or find a new talent that can help you in your business.

From my Jewish and Christian friends, here’s the idea about Ted Williams. Read Leviticus 19: 9-10:

9 ‘Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God.”

What it states here is to leave some of your harvest for the needy. But notice that it does not say GIVE them the food, but allow them to WORK for it, allowing them to have some self respect and to overcome their struggle. Giving them a hand out  might help them for the moment, but it’s important for their self respect and motivation to earn their keep. It’s up to us to give them that opportunity, however small. It is NOT for you to take advantage of someone’s plight and abuse their situation either.

Ted Williams is a human being, treat him as such.

Never give up and never stop looking. And most of all, never count out someone who is willing to help themselves and is looking to fish for themselves if just given a fishing pole. Seems like Ted Williams has gotten a job within 48 hours of this video.

Good for him and Godspeed in his journey.

When entrepreneurs get together we talk business and life, both hot topics for just about anyone, but entrepreneurs have a noticeably different take on these subjects. Startup entrepreneurs think long term but have short term actions: what do I do today that gets me closer to my goals tomorrow?

One of the marketing issues is about a company’s branding. The issue I have seen lately is to take out all “offensive” ideas, icons, issues from your discussions and vocabulary so you can achieve the maximum business exposure with least amount of turmoil. Like expunging your web site and marketing material of all references to religion, whether Christian, Jew, Muslim or even any references to God. Why? So you won’t offend anyone or give the wrong impression. How about if you’re making comments about your favorite sports team on your blog site, both good and bad? Charity? Non-profit? How about a cause you believe in? Do you take those out, too?

Does your business become a homogenous business because branding gurus tell us to?

I say, be yourself and be a business character. While you can “hide your true self” to earn income and may not be a bad idea, but it is a double edged sword when dealing with your customers. Have you ever noticed Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” show? He travels across the US looking for some of the best food places that are NOT homogenized, national chain restaurants. These indie restaurants are the backbone of our nation.

Is the food on there healthy? Don’t know, but it’s good food for sure and most customers don’t care if it’s healthy or not, they can’t pass it up because it just tastes soooo goooooood. These restaurants have character not only in the place they’re in, but also in the food they offer compared with the national chains and their food character creates their brand.

So, be a character, offer something different to customers, and let that will be your brand.

Go all of you independent Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!!

And the same to all of you business characters.

Make a name for yourself based on your character.