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January 3, 2013 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF Share | Sign up | Archive | Advertise Problem. Solved.  How much equity should you offer to keep your business going? Jacqui Rosshandler created a breath-freshening product called Eatwhatever, but revenue has so far remained modest. Running out of options for raising money to keep the company going, she began interviewing for jobs. However, investor Arthur Shorin made an offer that would provide an infusion of $250,000 in exchange for 75% of the business. Experts are split on whether taking the deal would be a mistake or shrewd business move. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/You're the Boss blog (1/2), The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/2)       Marketing  Marketing metrics you should be monitoring If you want to expand your business, you should pay attention to metrics such as the cost of acquiring new customers and how much business you are getting through referrals, John Jantsch writes. "You can always do more to get more referrals, but if you're not even getting accidental referrals there are some other things that might need fixing first," he notes. Duct Tape Marketing (1/2)       How to ensure your customers will find your content on search engines It's important to make sure search engines are able to find the content you have created to market your business, Monika Jansen writes. You can do this in several ways such as by including keywords in titles and in the file names and alt texts of images, she writes. NetworkSolutions.com (1/2)       Management  You can grow without a cash infusion Even if you don't have a lot of money available to dedicate to your business, you can promote growth by ensuring the resources you do have are used wisely, Karl Stark and Bill Stewart of Avondale write. It's also important to make sure the prices you charge and the products you offer are aligned with what customers need and are willing to pay. Inc. online (free registration)/Herding Gazelles blog (12/31)       10 tips for boosting your business this year You can improve your business in 2013 by listening to employees' ideas, identifying new ways to generate income and focusing on the aspects of running your company that you are passionate about, experts say. "If you don't love what you're doing, you're never going to work hard enough to be one of the best," said Ken Blanchard, co-author of "The One Minute Manager." Entrepreneur online (1/2)       Money  Business tax breaks that will live on after the "fiscal cliff" Several tax provisions that are popular with small businesses have been extended. For example, tax credits for hiring veterans and for research and development will continue through 2013. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/You're the Boss blog (1/2)       Cost isn't the only consideration when shopping for business insurance Cost shouldn't be the only consideration when purchasing insurance for your business, according to Derek Hoch of Leverity Insurance Group. "Business insurance is a partnership," he said. "Your insurance partner should be a trusted adviser who helps you leverage your risk." Smart Business online (1/1)       Tips & Tools  New website helps businesses, individuals use less paper A number of companies have collaborated to create Paperless2013.org, which allows users to receive monthly tips for reducing the amount of paper they use. Using less paper could have a significant impact because paper accounts for a large percentage of all recyclables in the U.S. Mashable (1/2)       6 tips for guarding your personal information One way to protect yourself from crooks who want to steal your personal information is to avoid clicking on links in e-mails that claim to lead to your banking website, Dave Johnson writes. It's also important to use different passwords for all of your online accounts and to use passwords or PINs to lock your electronic devices. CBS MoneyWatch (1/2)       Entrepreneurs' advice for enhancing your company's website The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model)/Young Entrepreneur Council (1/2)       Just for Fun  Gorilla develops tightrope-walking talent Kidogo, a gorilla who was recently sent to a German zoo, apparently has a talent for walking on a tightrope. The 12-year-old male gorilla was acquired because a previous gorilla was infertile. The Telegraph (London) (tiered subscription model) (12/31)       SmartQuote  By staying focused, using the resources you do have, and pulling the right strategic levers, you can overcome the shortage of investment dollars." --Karl Stark and Bill Stewart, writing at Inc. online's Herding Gazelles blog       SmartBrief delivers need-to-know news in over 100 targeted email newsletters to over 3 million readers. All our industry briefings are FREE and open to everyone—sign up today! Accounting Advertising Automotive Aviation & Aerospace Biotechnology Business Chemicals Construction & Real Estate Consumer Packaged Goods Distribution Education Energy Finance Food Service Health Care Insurance Legal Manufacturing Media & Entertainment Nonprofit Retail Technology Telecommunications Travel & Hospitality     John Jantsch, Editor at Large John Jantsch is author of "Duct Tape Marketing: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide" and "The Referral Engine: Teaching Your Business to Market Itself." John is a marketing and digital technology coach and creator of the Duct Tape Marketing small-business marketing system.   Subscriber Tools SIGNUP   SEND FEEDBACK   E-MAIL THIS BRIEF Today's Brief - Permalink | Print friendly format | Web version | Privacy policy Advertise Sales Director:  Tom O'Brien (212) 450-1679 Download Media Kit   SmartBrief Community: Most Clicked Facebook Twitter Publish your Press Release LinkedIn Get this RSS Feed Search Archive About Download a SmartBrief Mobile app today     Recent SmartBrief on Small Business Issues: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 Monday, December 31, 2012 Friday, December 28, 2012 Thursday, December 27, 2012 Wednesday, December 26, 2012     Lead Editor:  Brooke Howell Editor at Large: John Jantsch       Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004     © 1999-2013 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information