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A how-to blog for Chicago business
Is PR Right for Your Business?
Sometimes I feel like a doctor. It never fails that whenever someone asks what I do and they hear “public relations,” they suddenly say “I want to be on TV." “Really? What’s your story?” They give me a quizzical... Read »
Why Startups Shouldn't Have a VC Mentality
Some friends in college invented a beer tap. It poured beer faster with less foam. If your business involves pouring beer, you'd make more money using this device. They won $10,000 in an inventor contest,... Read »
Why Entrepreneurs Don't Need to Go it Alone
To state the obvious, most business owners are really good at what they know. If they love wine they can tell you anything about wine, if they are chef they will cook you an incredible meal, if they own an... Read »
How to be Funny in Your Marketing
This comes from a different stretch of the world than most Inc. Well readers might be well-versed in, but the lessons are still pretty valid: This comes from a site called Gamasutra, which is an industry insider... Read »
Do Startups Really Need PR?
Last week a story came out that gave reasons why you shouldn't hire a PR company for your startup. Now I am pretty open about my industry and do agree with a number of the reasons on this list, but, to be... Read »
Go to There: Next Door's Email Marketing Strategy Workshop
Come May 21, if your email marketing could use a little spit-shinin', Scott Winterroth, the founder of Front and Social will be at the free co-working space Next Door on Diversey. According to the literature for... Read »
Raising Seed Money: Lessons Learned from the Middle-School Cafeteria
Forget everything you’ve heard about raising a seed round of capital. The stories you read on TechCrunch where ideas not as cool as yours got funded? Ignore them. Lessons your professors taught you in... 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 1871 Has Changed Chicago’s Startup World
There was a time when it seemed like Groupon and daily deals were Chicago and the startup world’s future. That has changed radically, certainly within the last year. As Groupon’s star has been waning, the notion... 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
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- Spotlight: Guaranteed Rate
- How Social Media Impacts Your Search Rankings
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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