Before we talk about the laws behind intellectual property, we should probably talk about what intellectual property is.  Intellectual property is anything that comes out of your head, whether it be an idea, writing, art, or a picture.

Just because someone can reproduce what you make doesn’t mean it’s legal for them to do so.  Intellectual property can usually be divided into four categories: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

While you’re likely heard all these terms, here’s a quick breakdown of exactly what they mean.

* Copyright. This protects items that are produced by the imagination, but are tangible, like books and songs.  To be protected, you must apply for a copyright, which requires you to fill out forms, pay a fee, and provide a copy.

A current copyright lasts 78 years after the author’s death.  This is how families still make money off of their relatives after they pass away.  Courts can impose severe financial penalties if a copyright is violated.

* Trademark.  This protects names and logos that identify a specific brand.  They keep people from getting confused between two products.  While many things can be trademarked, general terms and images cannot.  You can apply for local trademark protection through your state, but you can get better protection federally.

* Patent.  These are used to protect inventions and processes that someone creates.  The idea is that they reveal how to make the product, and the government prevents other people from making it in exchange.  A patent lasts generally 20 years, but can also take a long time to get one.  The application process is more extensive than the others and should include a detailed description of how to make the item.  A patent also gives you the ability to sell the right to produce the item you’ve patented.

* Trade Secrets.  These are things a business uses that it needs to keep secret in order to succeed.  It might be a secret recipe or how a product is made.  Whether or not something can be protected as a trade secret is decided in court and is based on a variety of factors, but most importantly, whether something is public knowledge or not.  There isn’t a time limit to this kind of protection, but it can be voided if information is revealed to others.

Just because something fits into one category, doesn’t mean it can’t fit into another.  They often overlap, which can make it more difficult to protect yourself.

Just because a  law exists, doesn’t mean that there won’t be people out there who will not break them.  Unfortunately, the lines can get even more blurred when your business is online.  Knowing your rights is the first step and then taking appropriate measures to protect your content will lead you in the right direction.

The Big Picture

When you’re starting a business, seeing the “big” picture is important. Many entrepreneurs have stated that had they looked at the small details in their business they may not have started the business in the first place. This is because many of us get bogged down by all the small details and often it can put us off starting something new.

If you’re starting a new venture, here are a few tips to help you stay focused on the “big” picture:

#1 – Don’t Worry. It’s easy to worry about the fine details of starting a business. But it’s important not to get stuck on these. Keep in mind that whatever you don’t know how to do, you can learn or get help with. In business, there are services and experts for just about anything you can imagine. You can always turn to them for help when the time comes. But as the old saying goes – “I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”

#2 – Concentrate on your big goals. Instead of worrying about all the small details, write down your big goals. If you’d like to launchyour new product in two months’ time, aim for that. If you’d like to start offering a new service, aim for that. Once you have your big goal in place, all the small details will fall into place.

#3 – Make sure it will work. Saying “don’t worry about the small details” doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t thoroughly research your venture. It just means that you’ll put your efforts into researching your market to ensure that your new venture stands a good chance of being profitable. There are certain big things like target market, product approach and finding customers that warrant your attention.

Other smaller issues like how to set up a product in a shopping cart or what payment processor to use can be worked out in due time.

#4 – Just do it. In business, speed often pays off. If you have a great idea, research it quickly and put the necessary steps in place to take action on that idea. Good business insight often means being open and receptive to the opportunities and ideas that are all around us. Had many successful entrepreneurs sat on the fence for too long, we may not have such wonderful innovations today.

Seeing the big picture in business is a skill which can really lead to success. And even if you’re a “small details” type of person, by following these steps you’ll stand a better chance of adapting to a “big picture” mentality.

Negative Customer Feedback

If you are a business owner, you’re eventually going to get some negative feedback from your customers or other people you work with or for.  While your initial reaction is probably to get mad or upset, negative feedback is actually a good thing.  It means that your customers are giving you an opportunity to improve your business.

The most important thing to remember when getting negative feedback is to not get mad.  Sure, getting mad may give you an energy burst to be more effective and get more things done, but it’s more likely going to get you worked up over nothing and make you waste time.

There are two things you can do instead of getting angry or upset, and which one you choose depends on what kind of negative feedback you got. Negative feedback can pretty much be divided into two categories: useful and mean spirited.

If someone sends you feedback that simply says they disagree with you and says nothing more than that, your next step is simple – ignore it.  There’s nothing you can do to change their opinion and acknowledging them is simply going to waste both your times.  Just forget about it and move on.

Just because feedback is negative doesn’t mean it’s bad.  Negative feedback should be looked on as an opportunity for improvement.  And while this person may have been upset and not have been the nicest person in sending their feedback, the first thing to do is thank them.

It doesn’t have to be big, just a quick email letting them know that you value their opinion and will look into the issue.  If you already know, you can let them know how you’re going to fix the issue at hand.  This will not only help you keep a customer (and possibly make more by referrals), it will also encourage them to send more feedback so you can make further improvements in the future.

Once you have helpful negative feedback, the first step is to analyze whether or not it matters.  Just because a suggestion gives a good idea, doesn’t mean it’s worth the time and money you have to put in to it.  If a problem is difficult to fix but only affects a few of your customers, it’s probably not worth it to spend your resources making it better.

After you’ve decided you need to take action, it’s time to brainstorm what action to take.  This could take a few minutes, or even a few weeks.  If you are getting stuck, you can even ask customers (or the person who gave you the feedback) what they think would be a good fix.

For each possible action, also go back and weigh it based on how much the negative effect matters.   While you may agree that the problem needs fixing, you may not agree that you need to make a substantial investment to fix it and opt to go for a cheaper, but less effective fix.  Once you have all your options laid out, it should be much easier to choose a solution.

Once all this is done, you can finally implement your solution, but don’t forget to let your customers know about the changes – particularly the one who inspired the changes in the first place.

Good Business Ethics

Honesty in business is important. In the small business world, news quickly gets around about business owners who value their customers and conduct themselves in an ethical way – the same holds true for businesses that are not so ethical.

In a competitive world where small businesses need to stand out in order to survive, honesty is even more important. Here are a few tips for running an ethical and honest business:

# Treat people with respect – You’ve probably been taught to treat people how you’d like to be treated. The same holds true in business. Customers will notice when they are being treated fairly and respectfully. If a customer has an issue or is upset, it’s even more important that we listen to them and ensure they are properly taken care of. Your customer’s reaction is simply a sign that they are frustrated and angry.

# Honesty is the best policy – Whether it comes down to a testimonial for your website or deciding what fee to charge for your service, it pays to be honest and fair in all you do. Misuse of information or a testimonial can come back and bite you, and it’s just not worth the hassle in the first instance.

You can always start out with testimonials from family members or friends which are still honest. When it comes to fees for services, it’s not to say you should undercharge for your services or necessarily use other businesses as a guide, but do think about your customers and whether or not you feel your fees are truly fair all around.

# Don’t cut corners – If a customer is paying good money for a set service then they will expect to receive that service to a high level. It’s important to maintain a high standard and not cut corners – whether it’s in regards to products or services. Taking shortcuts can lead to business disaster and a not so positive reputation.

# Give back – Not everyone will agree that all businesses inherently have a responsibility to their communities and those less fortunate, but wouldn’t the world be a better place if perhaps they did? Not every person can manage to start a profitable business or work at a high-paying job. Giving back to the community, even in the smallest of ways, can make a difference to all involved.

And you don’t have to be a large business to give back; a little goes a long way. Donating to a book fund at your local school or helping to build a community garden, giving back can take ways in many forms and is beneficial to everyone. If financially it’s not viable for you to give back, how about offering an entrepreneurship to a local teen who would like to start a business? With a little thought, it’s easy to find a way to make a difference.

# Stick to your word – This is a fundamental part of good business ethics. Whether it’s meeting your deadlines or following through with a venture you agreed to, sticking to your word is always the best policy. People will come to respect you for your dependability and honesty. Customers are more likely to want to do business with someone they know they can rely on and you’ll feel better for accomplishing something that is often not easy for many.

Sometimes things happen and it’s difficult for us to follow through but wherever possibly try your best. It will pay dividends in the long run. Not to mention it simply being the right thing to do.

Earn What You Are Worth

In today’s economy, everyone is looking to make more money if possible, and many businesses need to cut prices to get business.  But, are you making what you should be making?

To find out what you’re worth, you can start by shopping around to other people who do the same things.  There are lots of sites that people can use to hire businesses, and often they let you see competitor’s prices.  You may also speak to potential clients and ask for what they normally pay, though many will be tempted to give you a lower rate to get a better price.

Remember, just because someone does the same job as you, doesn’t mean you should charge the same as them.  A writer who is a native English speaker is generally much more valuable than one who isn’t.  Someone with twenty years experience often makes more than someone with two (but not always), and someone with proven results can make more than someone who is just starting out.

Just because you know what you’re worth doesn’t mean you can necessarily make that.  When it comes to making what you’re worth, good marketing is key.  There will always be people who can charge lower rates than you so it’s important that you don’t compete on price alone.

Let potential clients know what makes you different and why you’re worth more.  The key is letting people know how good you are and convincing them that paying more for your services is going to help them make more money in the end.

Here are a few things to help you make your case:

* Samples – Samples of your work will help potential clients know that you’re good at what you do.

* Customer testimonials. This is one of the best ways to let potential clients know that your services are worth what you’re charging.  If other previous clients have good things to say about you and your services, it will really vouch for you.

Charging what you’re worth can be scary, particularly during difficult times. However, with a little thought and planning there’s no reason why you can’t stand out from the competition – even with higher rates.