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A how-to blog for Chicago business
How to Survive a Conference
My eyes are bloodshot, pain shoots down my legs and chances are I’ve gained at least five pounds in the last week -- these are the perils of attending conferences. So how do you minimize the damage you'll... Read »
Social Media Strategies in the Aftermath of Disasters
Following tragic events like the Boston bombings, Newtown shooting, or Aurora massacre, it’s imperative to be mindful and cautious about how to react on your business’ social media accounts. But what is the most... Read »
How Social Media Can Boost Your SEO
Maybe I'm just behind the curve on this, but it wasn't until recently that I learned about how SEO and social media can work together. I'm not speaking so much to the actual practice of SEO, but I'm speaking... Read »
How to Understand What Your Logo Needs
If you are like me and your drawing ability extends to a haggard road map of confusion, then you will likely turn to the experts to design your business logo. Having been through this process multiple times,... Read »
How Big Should I Be?: The Question Most Entrepreneurs Forget to Ask
At the beginning of any entrepreneur's journey are countless questions. Will I bootstrap or pursue funding? Will I hire staff or remain a solopreneur? Will I work from home or invest in office space? There is... Read »
Why Google Alerts Could be Edged Out by Competing Services
I have a million things going on all the times. If you saw my Internet search history you’d be terribly disappointed; it mostly consists of different wordings of “startup statistics for 2012.” (You would... Read »
Defining Marketing's Golden Rule
It's hard to get excited sometimes about new marketing ideas. And bear in mind, I'm as much of a marketing nerd as all of y'all. I love a clever commercial or social campaign. I hate a hastily conceived ploy... Read »
Why You Need an Accountability Partner Right Now
Entrepreneurs are often great at making lists. We have grand plans to expand, conquer and define our territory. So why do certain items keep getting pushed down that to-do list and never actually get done? Read »
Why You Should Manage Your Reputation, Not Your Relationships
As the co-inventor of ACT!, the product credited as the catalyst for the customer relationship management industry, I’m surprisingly not a champion of the concept of “managing relationships." I don’t think... Read »
How to File a Trademark
Ever wondered where to start with trademarking your logo or name of your product? A registered trademark is considered a business asset and could help establish your brand. Read »
About
NBC Chicago's "How-To" start up blog aims to help your entrepreneurial idea germinate and grow into a fully functioning business. Lean on our experts, ask questions and find out best practices to take your passion project professional.
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Photos & Videos
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Spotlight: Guaranteed Rate
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CEO Spotlight: Enova's David Fisher
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Rahm Lauds Tech Incubator 1871
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Spring Clean Your Career
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Spotlight: Redbox Instant's Amy Gibby
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Ask an Owner: Work on Business, Not in Business
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Ask an Owner: Keep an Eye on the Money
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Ask an Owner: Have a Clear Branding, Marketing Strategy
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Ask an Owner: Why You Need to Delegate Tasks
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Ask An Owner: The Biggest Lesson Learned
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Ask an Owner: Share Your Idea
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Just One Drink: Chef Stephanie Izard
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Spotlight: Baird Capital Venture Partners
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Spotlight: Discover Card's Mike Boush
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CEO Spotlight: Threadless Founder Jake Nickell
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CEO Spotlight: kCura's Andrew Sieja
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Spotlight: Sertifi's John and Nick Stojka
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Just One Drink: Chef Fabio Viviani
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'Salsa Truck' Gets City's First License for Onboard Cooking
What We Cover
See more What We Cover
Pets
Some officials have estimated the City of Chicago's dog population to be somewhere around 500,000. Add in all the cats, fish and birds and you've got yourself an industry just begging -- and barking -- to be...
Fashion
There are plenty of questions for a fledgling fashionista to answer. Never fear: We've got the goods.
Marketing
Good luck making a dent in the public conscience if you don't have marketing and branding plan to get your message out.
Food Business
Experts say 90 percent of new restaurants fail in their first year of operation. You want to be the 10 percent that makes it. But how?
Most Popular
- Why You Should Use QR Codes (Really)
- Spotlight: Guaranteed Rate
- How to Optimize for the App Store
- Marketing: How to Grow by Who You Know
- GrubHub, Seamless to Join Foodie Forces in Merger
Authors
David Wolinsky
David Wolinsky is a freelance writer, lifelong Chicagoan, and reasonably handsome business-study scion.
Kim Vatis
Kim Vatis joined NBC5 News in 1997. She currently Anchors the weekend morning newscasts, is general assignment reporter and special projects reporter for the 10 PM newscasts.
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