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A how-to blog for Chicago business
Why You Should Use QR Codes (Really)
There is no more put-down technology than the QR code. The red-headed stepchild of web marketers, the QR code is an easy go-to punchline, like this Tumblr filled with people scanning QR codes. Read »
Chicago Developer Takes on Facebook's Gift Culture
Facebook has been catching a lot of flak lately for its attempts to monetize a service it promised would always be free. Besides charging one dollar to message somebody off your friends list (don’t even get... Read »
How Social Media Impacts Your Search Rankings
Social media websites like Facebook and LinkedIn always rank well for businesses. The content you are posting on your social media networks also has an impact on your overall ranking strategy. Your individual... 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 to Court Viral Hits
“Yeah, we’d like to hire you to make a viral video,” the client tells you. “We’d like for it to be funny, cool, and unpretentious.” Read »
Are Social Fans Better Customers?
Ecommerce sites find customers all over the place. From organic search engine traffic to paid ads and good old fashioned word of mouth, your business can grow at an incredible rate these days, but one of the... Read »
How to be More Responsive on Social Media
Social media’s a funny, fickle thing. I used to hate it, and now I love it and am very opinionated about which platforms are the best and how to best use them. But like it or loathe it, it’s not going... Read »
Where are LinkedIn’s Endorsements Now?
Less than a year has passed since the introduction of Linkedin’s “endorsements” and they are still coming under fire from most online experts. The truth is no one seems to know what the hell you use them for. Read »
How to Market for Small Business on the Cheap - Part 1
Small businesses are founded in Chicago every day. They’re each built on different principles, have different goals, and meet different needs, but one thing every small business owner must consider is how to... Read »
Spring Cleaning Your Marketing Campaign
Like going to the gym and doing laundry, spring cleaning your marketing program is a necessary activity that you know will make you feel better once it’s finally done. But how do you spring clean your marketing... 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
- Marketing: How to Grow by Who You Know
- Andrew Mason’s Manifest Destiny Strikes Silicon Valley
- How to Achieve Inventive Branding Success the DavidsTea Way
- Why You Should Use QR Codes (Really)
- 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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