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A how-to blog for Chicago business
Avoid the Pitfalls of AdWords: Tips for a First-Time User
If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve received a Google AdWords coupon for “free” advertising. Google makes it very easy to get started, but many of the default settings are disadvantageous and... 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 »
How Entrepreneurs Fool Themselves Everyday about Content Strategy
We are told “less is more” so often, but I feel like so few people actually put this maxim into practice in their daily lives or in their professional endeavors. Part of that is cultural: We’re a country... Read »
How URLs Impact SEO
If networks of links are the road map that search engines use to crawl the web, URLs are the street names that give that map meaning and consistency. As such, URLs affect search engine optimization in a... Read »
Why We Should Stop Caring About Homepages
The web is a numbers game and we’re all losing. Everyone is obsessed with metrics that don’t matter, and most folks don’t even realize it. Like I tell my students, a million hits on YouTube on a video or having... Read »
How to Create a Successful Online Marketing Strategy
With so many tools and techniques available for online marketing, it’s tough to know where to start. And that's the thing: In the rush to get going with online marketing, people often skip over many of the steps... Read »
Go to There: Intro to SEO (Not Exactly)
This one’s coming up fast and hard (that’s what she said, am I right folks?), on March 20, but it is perfect if you’re looking for a full-day crash course on SEO. That day, at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce... Read »
Why You Can't Fight Search-Engine Results
Searchers ultimately control what a search phrase “means” and what types of content are relevant for a search query. A business selling furniture pads might be 100 percent certain that they sell “protective... Read »
SEO Conversion Challenges: When Every Page is a Landing Page
Searchers aren’t like your other online customers. As a result, converting searchers to customers requires a different way of thinking. Read »
6 Reasons Why You Need Google Webmaster Tools
Along with their web analytics, the first account I ask my SEO clients for access to is Google Webmaster Tools. It’s an invaluable source of insight into your organic search performance for the following six... 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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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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