Pinterest Verification In 10 Easy Steps

Pinterest Verification In 10 Easy Steps

Getting verified on Pinterest is a great way to let your followers and viewers know a little more about you. Anyone interested in your services or wanting to know a little more about you or what you do can now click directly on your verified website or blog link. Take the time to verify your site. This lets people know you own your site and that it’s safe to be redirected to your link. Trust is a big deal when dealing with so much spam and viruses. Pinterest must first verify your own or manage the site before it will allow you to display your link for all their users to see and be redirected to.

Once verified, your Pinterest account will display your full website URL and a checkmark next to your URL.

Let’s get verified!

First you need to make sure you can access your website server. You will be required to upload a unique HTML file to your hosting site. For example: GoDaddy.com. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that you have to access your server and upload an HTML file. No need to call your programmer, web guy or expert. You can absolutely do it yourself with the instructions below. Try our steps below and save your money. If you have GoDaddy.com as your website or blog host, this is exactly how you would get verified.

1) Make sure your website is listed on your account under your Settings page.

2) Press the ‘Verify Website’ button. The instructions will appear. See example provided by Pinterest.

3) Press the ‘Download the HTML verification file’ link to download your unique Pinterest verification file.

4) Login to your GoDaddy.com account. Once logged in, click on ‘My Account’ in the upper left corner.

5) Click on ‘Web Hosting’ and then ‘Launch’ next to the website you want to verify with Pinterest.

6) Click on ‘FTP File Manager’ from the top menu.

7) Now click on your root folder, this is the highest-level folder, on the left menu.

            For Example: Our folder is the folder labeled  “html”. See image shown:

8) Click ‘Upload File’ from the top menu.

9) Click ‘Choose File’ button and select the HTML verification file you downloaded from your Pinterest account. Press yellow ‘Ok’ button and logout from your GoDaddy.com account.

10) Complete the verification process by clicking the bold ‘Click here’ link.

Pinterest will now ensure that you uploaded the HTML file. Once the file upload has been verified Pinterest will verify your website.  You should see a success message if everything was done properly and you’ve been verified. Your profile page will now show your website and a checkmark next to it. Now you will appear as verified and a trusted link!

5 EASY TO IMPLEMENT - TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

5 EASY TO IMPLEMENT - TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

Get organized: Take a day to organize yourself. It might seem impossible and a waste of time. However, spending time to organize yourself will save you more time in the future. If you’ve ever lost something in your office and went crazy looking for it, you know what I’m talking about. Organizing your office, your electronic files and your ideas is key to saving time.

Create a To-Do-List: These lists help ensure that all the steps/tasks are completed without using up your time. They free up your mind. No need to remember or worry about each item needed to wrap up a task. Now you are free to focus on being creative and productive towards other projects.

Labeling: Labeling files/e-mails incorrectly is one of the biggest mistakes people make. When writing an email, don’t write something cute or funny on the subject line. Write something relevant to the email you are sending. When searching for emails or documents it is easier to find if you labeled correctly. Everyone has to reference back to emails or documents from the past but when not labeled correctly, your system won’t find it. Now you will have to spend time thinking and searching for the document before finishing your tasks. Save time – label correctly.

Make Decisions: Disorganization and ineffective time management is often the result of failing to decide what to do. Start making decisions and getting things done and off your desk. Over thinking the small things or not wanting to “waste time” on them is actually the biggest waste of time. Try clearing out some of the small tasks by spending 3 minutes to make your decision and moving it off the list. You will find yourself with less clutter, more time and feeling a lot more confident about yourself. Efficiency and time management guides productivity. Knowing you are getting all your tasks completed gives you confidence and positive energy.

Delegate / Outsource: You are one person. While you may think you are the “master of multi-tasking”, your time is still limited. You are great at what you do but you don’t need to do it all yourself. Some tasks can be delegated. There is someone out there that can do it. Virtual Services are a great way to get small tasks done at your convenience and without the high costs. One task, one charge. It’s that simple. The more you work with your virtual professional, the more understanding they will gain about your business. And you can still limit your budget to using them only when you need a task completed.

Common Problem For New Business Owners: Not Enough Time!

Common Problem For New Business Owners: Not Enough Time!

When starting your own business you tend to make cost effective decisions, not because it’s a savvy business move but because it’s the necessary thing to do. Many new business owners and entrepreneurs use their own money or a limited budget to get started. Doing the majority of the tasks yourself is key to saving money because hiring an employee isn’t in the budget at the beginning. Besides you don’t really need a full time or part time employee but could definitely use a hand once in a while during the week.

Luckily, new business owners can tap into a new way of doing business by hiring Virtual Administrative Support. Hiring a virtual assistant will not break your bank and will clear the small tasks off your list. The tasks that are cluttering you and holding you back from moving your business to the next level. As a new owner you may be reluctant to trust anyone to handle your business tasks but you can start small and work up the relationship.

Remember, A Virtual Assistant is a consultant. You don’t need to supervise, hire, or provide them with an office. They can assist you remotely from their office. Delegating tasks will provide you with time to focus on your business productivity.

There’s no need to feel anxiety or stress over the possibility that the task won’t be done correctly. As with any new business partner, you must build on your business relationship with your new Virtual Assistant. They will learn about your business and get to know you and your business style. Try to remember that they are professionals that have been working in the field and are there to provide you with much needed support. You don’t need to multi-task and hinder your creative juices no longer. A Virtual Assistant can be that helping hand you need, at an affordable rate.

What can I start with? What can I hire a virtual assistant to help me with?

Your time is valuable and you don’t want to spend it checking off small tasks off your to-do-list. While these tasks are necessary and must be completed, you don’t have to be the one doing them. Start with some small but necessary tasks:

• E-mail management (new inquiries or requests for information/appointments)
• Thank you notes (Follow up with clients/networking associates)
• Scheduling & Reminders (Maintain your calendar & never miss an appointment)
• Database Entries (Enter all your new contacts & never lose a client)
• Transcribe minutes (Transcribe your recorded notes)
• Track expenses (Keep the IRS happy and record properly)
• Billing (Send out invoices/reminders & get paid)

Why hire a Virtual Assistant instead of a part-time employee that can work in my office?

Your virtual assistant will be an independent contractor and not an employee. With that comes a few perks like:

• They will pay their own taxes to the IRS, State and other government agencies.
• Vacation and sick leave pay does not apply to them.
• Hiring process is much easier.
• No need to budget for expenses like: Office space, desks, office supplies or equipment.
• You pick your package and purchase only what you need. Spend more if you need it or Call us back when you need more help. No hard feelings.

Increasing your productivity and growing your business just got easier. Don’t make the common new owner mistake of trying to do it all yourself. Make your life much easier and delegate. Arm yourself with administrative support and you will be on your way to a success business path!

2012 Florida Annual Report

Don't forget to file your - 2012 FLORIDA ANNUAL REPORT NOTICE

Deadline: May 1, 2012

The State will not be sending you a reminder via U.S. Postal Mail. If your email address is on file, check your email for a notice from them.

Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships, & Limited Liability Companies in the state of Florida must file.

Filing Fees are:

Not for Profit Corporations                            $   61.25
Limited Liability Company                             $ 138.75
For Profit Corporations                                  $ 150.00
Limited Partnership                                        $ 500.00
Limited Liability Limited Partnership              $ 500.00

Certificate of Status: (Added to Filing Fee)   $     8.75

Penalty for Late Filing                                   $ 400.00 
(Does not Apply to Not for Profit Corporations)

To file your Annual Report or make a payment, please visit:  www.sunbiz.org

If you have any questions please contact us: info@mcvirtualprofessionals.com

"Providing Affordable Virtual Services to Businesses all over"

Branding: It’s Your Identity

By definition branding is the promoting of a product or service by identifying it with a particular brand. Your company may chose to brand itself via a name, term, sign, symbol, design or maybe even a combination of these. Before choosing one of these, you must first understand the needs of your customers. Your “statement” or “logo” should connect them to your product or services. Find something that speaks to them or conveys a message. Remember this will be your face/identity. Your brand may very well be the key to your business’ success. This is how your customers will identify you and perceive your company. Make sure your company’s logo and/or brand looks professional and that it has a clear message for anyone that comes in contact with it. Ask for ideas or suggestions from those you trust and gather different opinions - these may help you tap into a larger customer base. Don’t forget you can’t make everyone happy. However a good brand/Logo can go a long way.

Your logo will take your business everywhere. You can include your logo on just about anything and sell it or use it as a promotional item.  This is a great way of getting the word out. Letting people know you are here. Consider it free advertising in the long run. When used wisely, these can be very valuable marketing tools. It’s an easy way to get others promoting your business. 

For Example:

• T-Shirts
• Water Bottles
• Flash Drives
• Sweat Shirts
• Mugs
• Thermal Mugs
• Hats
• Pens
• Note Pads

Try things that will work for your customers and items they are more likely to use. Sponsor an event or Fundraiser and target that select group with items they can visibly use while promoting your business.

Follow proper registration procedures to avoid infringement / Copyright violations.

Employers:

Steps To Hiring Employees

Once your business starts to grow you will need help in making sure you manage all aspects of it. The worse thing to encounter as a client is a disorganized business. In order for everything to function and fall in its proper place; you must organize yourself and your business. Sometimes this means hiring an extra set of hands.  When hiring employees you must keep in mind that there are Federal and State regulations that must be followed.  Your business should always remain in compliance with these regulations in order to avoid costly penalties.

Here is a quick list of some of the things you will need to know.

1. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN); Employer Tax ID provided by the Internal Revenue Service.  Before requesting your Employer Identification Number, you must already have determined what type of legal structure you are establishing (Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Corporations, Limited Liability Company, Estate or Trust) You can:

• Apply Online
• Call 1-800-829-4933

2. Set up your system for record keeping. According to the IRS you must keep at least 4 years of employment tax records after filing your 4th quarter for the year. The IRS may audit these and you should have the following readily available.

• Your employer identification number.
• Amounts and dates of all wage, annuity, and pension payments.
• Amounts of tips reported.
• The fair market value of in-kind wages paid.
• Names, addresses, social security numbers, and occupations of employees and recipients.
• Any employee copies of Form W-2 that were returned to you as undeliverable.
• Dates of employment.
• Periods for which employees and recipients were paid while absent due to sickness or injury and the amount and weekly rate of payments you or third-party payers made to them.
• Copies of employees' and recipients' income tax withholding allowance certificates (Forms W-4, W-4P, W-4S, and W-4V).
• Dates and amounts of tax deposits you made.
• Copies of returns filed.
• Records of allocated tips.
• Records of fringe benefits provided, including substantiation.

3. Keep the latest IRS forms available. Some of the forms you will need are:

• Form I-9: Federal law requires employers to verify an employee's eligibility to work in the United States. Employers must carefully examine all acceptable documentation provided to confirm the employee’s citizenship or eligibility to work in the United States. Be sure not to ask for any identification that isn’t listed on the I-9. Employers that request any other type of Identification may be at risk of a discrimination lawsuit. These forms are not filed but you are required to keep for no less than 3 years after the hire date or 1 year after the employee is no longer with the company.
• Form W-4: You must have one for every employee. This is a withholding exemption certificate that tells the employer what tax bracket to use for the employee.
• Form W-2: This is the Wage and Tax Statement. Employers must complete and report to the federal government all wages, salaries or other type of compensation paid and taxes withheld for every employee they had. Employees W2 should be issued to every employee by January 31st of the year following the reporting period.

4. Worker’s Compensation Insurance: All businesses are required to carry this insurance coverage.

5. Post Notices: By State and Federal Law, Businesses are required to post notices that inform their employees of their rights and responsibilities under labor laws. Information on workplace posters is available by state.

6. Unemployment Insurance: If your business is required to pay unemployment insurance taxes, find your State’s Workforce Agency and register your business.

7. Hiring Reporting Requirements: The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 requires all employers to report newly hired and re-hired employees to a state directory within 20 days of their hire or rehire date. You can also use E-Verify to avoid mismatched names and social security numbers.

8. Taxes: The type of business you operate determines what taxes you must pay and how to pay them. Each quarter employers who pay wages that are subject to income tax withholding, social security, and Medicare taxes must file this information to the IRS. Here are some of the forms used, again, your business structure determines how and what taxes you pay.

• Form 941: Employer's Quarterly Tax Return.
• Form 944: Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return (instead of Form 940)
• Form 940: Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return

Useful Links for New Employers or Current Employers

                       

New Hire Reporting Requirements - By State

IRS' Employer's Tax Guide

E-Verify: Ensure accuracy of wage & tax reporting.

Apply for an EIN Online

                       

Workplace Posters

State Taxes - Tax filing requirements for Employers by State.

Questions, feel free to contact us at:

info@mcvirtualprofessionals.com  or leave us a comment below...

How to Start a Business:

10 Simple Steps To Get Started

1.    What is your business? Do some research on the type of business you want to start. This is very important since you will need to become an expert in this field or product.

2.    Create a Business Plan. Business plans are essential when applying for a banking loan or asking investor to invest in your business. Your business plan should detail your business in detail and include a mission and your goals. This plan will show how your business goals will be achieved and how you plan to develop your business, making it a success.

3.    Register your business. Before you can move forward you need to determine the legal structure of your business. The type of business you chose will determine the amount of regulatory paperwork you have to file to start the business, your personal liability in the business, and the taxes you have to pay. Decide whether you are going to form a sole proprietorship, Partnership, LLC, or a Corporation.

a.    Sole proprietor - someone who owns an unincorporated business by himself or herself. Taxes are filed with the individuals personal taxes and liability is the sole responsibility of the sole proprietor.

b.    Partnership - relationship existing between two or more persons who join to carry on a business or trade. Each individual contributes money, property, labor or skill. All parties involved share in the profits and losses of the business.

c.    Limited Liability Company - a business structure allowed by state statute. Similar to a corporation, owners have limited personal liability for the debts and actions of the Limited Liability Company.

d.    Corporation - association of individuals, created by law or under authority of law, having a continuous existence independent of the existences of its members, and powers and liabilities distinct from those of its members.

4.    Fictitious Name? Most businesses register under a fictitious name. This is an assumed name, trade name or DBA name. DBA is short for “Doing Business As”. For Example, If Anthony Smith is a sole proprietor of a dog training studio. Anthony Smith may not want to use his legal business name, Anthony Smith. He files for a fictitious name and runs his business under the name “K-9 Academy”.

5.    Getting a Tax Identification Number. This is also referred to as a Federal Identification Number (FEI).  All businesses are required to pay taxes (Federal, State, and in some cases, Local Taxes). Most businesses need to register with the IRS and receive a tax ID number. Your Tax ID can be used to open a business bank account.

6.    Business Licenses / Tax Receipt / Permits. You will have to find out what types of business permits, tax licenses and permits you will need for your state, county and in some cases, your city.  Regulations vary by industry, state and locality. It’s very important to understand the licensing regulations where your business is located. Not complying with licensing and permitting regulations can lead to expensive fines and put you out of business or sink your finances.

7.    Open a Bank Account. Your business needs a bank account. An account that can track your company’s finances independently of your personal finances. Banks usually require your ID, Social Security or Federal Identification Number (FEI), State Registration and local registration (Business Tax Receipt).

8.    Employees. If your company will have employees you must learn the legal steps that you will need to take in order to hire employees. This is very important because it involves Federal and State regulations.

9.    Build a Website. If you’re just starting out and don’t think you want or need a website, start small. MC Virtual Professionals will build a website for you at a very affordable cost to you. Websites give you an opportunity to tell your clients more than just a few words on a business card. You can tell your client all about your services, samples, and offer them a way to contact you for comments or questions.

10.  Advertising. Start now! Virtual companies like MC Virtual Professionals can help you design your logo or add it to just about anything. They will find the most affordable rates and explain everything to you in detail. They run around and get things done while you work on the other aspects of your business.

WWW.MCVIRTUALPROFESSIONALS.COM

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