15 Tips to Start a Business Selling Firewood by Next ...

15 Tips to Start a Business Selling Firewood by Next Weekend > Split S... ...

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10/25/2016 0 comments (h p://splitsecondlogspli /Educa on/Blog/Ar cle/95/15-Tips-to-Start-a-Business-Selling- Firewood-by-Next-Weekend) Building Your Log Spli ng Business (h p://splitsecondlogspli Educa on/Blog/Building- Your-Log-Spli ng-Business?Category=5)

You've thought about star ng your own firewood business, but can't decide how to begin. First, get up and get busy. No one ever got anywhere just thinking. Take ac on. While you may be ready to get out and cut your wood, the business part may take a bit more effort, which is why I have compiled these ps to get you started with a secure founda on. All you have to do is follow these ps and make it happen.

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Thinking of a catchy, original name for your business may not seem like an important step, but having a name that not only defines your business but is also unique, catchy and easy to remember is one of the most important things you can do to get your business off to a running start.

Easy steps:

1. Ask your friends or family to help. The old adage two heads are be er than one is so true here, especially if crea ve thinking isn't your strong suit.

2. Grab pencils, pens and paper for everyone. Everyone needs them. Even doodling helps your brain shi gears into the crea ve thinking mode needed to discover your business name.

3. Write down every idea. Even if you don't think you will select the sugges on, write it down. Having all the possible names wri en down can help you come up with more business names and allows you to compare the sugges ons, helping the good ones stand out. If you don't feel you have been able to come up with a great name, sleep on it and try again the next day. Just don't give up.

4. Narrow down your choices to a few op ons. Once you feel have plenty of ideas wri en down, start narrowing down your list. Listen to your friends and family, and really think about their input. Weigh the pros and cons of each name. If you can't narrow it down to two or three, narrow it down as far as you can. If you and your helpers are able to select THE name, then do step six. If not, do step five.

5. Write down each name from the narrowed list onto a strip of paper. Fold them up, drop them in a hat and draw. If the one you select just doesn't make you light up with the "That's it!" feeling, then discard and draw again. If none of the names strike you as the right one, then go back to brainstorming and repeat the steps un l you come up with a name that does.

6. Google it. A er you find your name, run a search to see if anyone in your area is using it. If not, then you have found your name. Congratula ons!

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Registering your business with the state helps prevent problems. You will get a tax number so you can pay state sales tax which will prevent state audits and also allow you to keep track of your sales for your federal return. Not only does this make your business official, it also ensures the name you have chosen isn't already in use. While this sounds scary, it's really a simple process and will only take a short amount of me to complete. The fines and penal es for not registering can be steep, so save yourself some trouble and get registered.

Easy steps:

1. Grab a pen or pencil and notepad. To find out how to register your business, the Small Business Administra on will help you find out what you need to do in your area. Although many municipali es and states offer online registra on, you may need to write down informa on needed to process your applica on, so be prepared.

2. Visit the Small Business Administra on online. Not only will the Small Business Administra on (h ps://star ng- business/choose-register-your-business) be able to provide you informa on about how to register your business, they have step by step instruc ons and sugges ons to make star ng your business a breeze.

Now you have your name and have officially entered the business realm, you need to get your name no ced and start ge ng clients. This sounds like a giant undertaking, but it is important if you want to get clients. Even if you already provide wood to some loyal buyers, to build your business it is cri cal to get no ced. There are a number of ways you can do this, and most of them are pre y simple.

Easy steps:

1. Order business cards. This is the most basic and me honored way of introducing your business. You can order them online or from a local print shop. Online providers o en have fantas c rates and a

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plethora of designs to choose from. You are sure to find one that represents you.

2. Purchase a card holder. Business cards are only effec ve if you give them out so purchase a card holder and keep it with you.

3. Hand out your cards. Give cards to family and friends to get used to the process. When you are out and about, strike up conversa ons with prospec ve clients. If you see someone buying an expensive bundle of wood at the store, approach them and give them your card. Tell them how much money they will save buying their wood from you and thank them for taking your card.

4. Create online profiles for your business. Never underes mate the power of social media (h p://2016/05/popular- social-media-sites.html). If you aren't familiar with Facebook, Twi er and LinkedIn, do your research. An online presence allows you to reach more people at a rapid pace. But don't make the mistake of crea ng your Facebook page and le ng sit in cyberspace.

5. Make regular posts.

6. Invite friends to like your page and ask them to share it.

7. Post pictures of happy clients. Showing them with their delivery neatly stacked to show your poten al clients how great your service is and how you can benefit them.

8. Check for messages and respond quickly to maximize its effec veness.

Deciding what type of wood (h p:// /homesteading-and-livestock/home-business-selling-firewood- zmaz76soztak.aspx)your business is going to sell will determine your clientele. Are you going to sell logs or split wood? Are you going to sell certain types of hardwoods or so woods? Maybe you want to sell all of these op ons. Whatever you decide will determine who you are going to target with your adver sing. This decision may also impact where you acquire your wood.

Easy steps:

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1. To sell split wood, use hardwoods. Split logs will most likely be burned in a fireplace or woodstove. Cut the wood to correct length before spli ng. Avoid so woods that will coat a chimney in creosote, increasing the risk of fire.

2. To sell logs, stock both hard and so wood. Before delivering the wood, make sure you know how your customer will be using it. For outdoor burns, so woods like pine are good as they burn hot and fast. For customers burning in a fireplace, cut the wood into the appropriate length and discourage burning so wood.

Perhaps you already have an endless supply of wood (h p://firewood-business.html), but if you don't, you need to find a reliable supply. There are many different op ons available to procure your supply. The following steps will aid in you in your quest to find the wood to keep your customers warm from fall through spring. Remember, your clients may not order during the summer, but you will s ll be working to keep your product in stock and ready for delivery.

Easy steps:

1. Purchase wooded acreage. If you already have land, then obviously this is where you will find your wood. If not, consider purchasing wooded lots. Owning wooded acreage ensures you have a steady supply of wood for your customers and as you cut, you can plant new trees. Today's buyers will pay a premium for "green" wood. Not green as in not cured, but green as in sustainable.

2. Rent wooded acreage. If you aren't in a posi on to purchase your own wooded lot, look into finding one you can rent for the wood. By replan ng what you cut, you assure the owner the value of the lot will remain.

One man's trash is another man's treasure and so it is with discarded tree waste. Tree services, ci es and individuals are always discarding

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