Month: May 2020

What do Your Visitors See?

When a visitor lands on your Facebook page, How Long do you think it takes for them to form an opinion of you?

According to Missouri University of Science and Technology, it takes less than two-tenths of a second for a visitor to form that first opinion. And just another 2.6 seconds for that viewer’s eyes to concentrate in a way that reinforces that first impression.

In less than 3 seconds your online visitor has decided whether they are going to click away or stay to look further.

Your primary pages are your Web site Landing Page, your Facebook Business Page and your Linkedin page.

Many times you don’t have much control on your Web site so for now we’ll talk about Facebook and Linkedin. On both of these there are two (2) key elements that you should have.

1) Your profile picture.

On LinkedIn, since this is Your personal page and not the company you’ll want a good quality headshot. On facebook it should be a good quality photo, but the photo depends on how the page is used for your business. You may want to use the company logo, or a team photo. If you are the face of the company then you’ll want that same type of quality headshot that you used on your LinkedIn page. You will want to use a more businesslike headshot on your LinkedIn page, but the one on Facebook can be a bit more casual.

2) Your cover picture

On both Facebook and LinkedIn you’ll want a quality branded picture or a picture with a short defining statement. It should clearly communicate what your service or product and should resonate with your visitors right away.

On Facebook you’ll want to include these as well.

– Call to Action Button

This is the button on the Right side of the page under the cover picture. This is the action you want them to do when leaving your page. It can be “Call now”, “Learn More”, “Contact Us”, “Send message”, “Visit group”. There are others as well.

– Your business description and contact information

Your “About” name will appear just under your profile picture). Make sure that everything is up-to-date and specifies the area you serve.

There are many things you’ll want to make sure you have on your LinkedIn page. Two of the most important are your Headline and Your Services.

Your services are controlled by LinkedIn and may not have your exact services and have to pick a few.

The Headline is one of the fields LinkedIn uses for searches and you will want to be more specific. Example: if you are a photographer that specializes in destination Weddings, you’ll want to not just say Photographer.

Maryland’s Comptroller Urges Businesses To Use TeleFile To Report Zero Taxes Due


Automated 24/7 access will satisfy filing requirements

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Businesses temporarily closed due to COVID-19 are encouraged to take advantage of the Comptroller of Maryland’s Business TeleFile system. This automated system is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week and streamlines the filing of sales and use tax, as well as withholding taxes when no taxes are owed for a filing period.

One phone call, placed at the convenience of the filer, prevents unnecessary delinquent notices and keeps them focused on operations and sales.

“Businesses have been hit hard by this pandemic and they don’t need any undue burden placed upon them,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Business TeleFile is the fastest, easiest way to meet filing requirements, while allowing owners to focus on re-opening their businesses and keep Maryland’s economy going.”

The process is straightforward. Businesses simply need their 8-digit Maryland central registration number when they call 410-260-7225 to file zero tax due employer withholding or sales and use tax reports by telephone.

For more information contact us at taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov or visit our website:
https://www.marylandtaxes.gov/business/income/filing-information.php

Maryland Department of Commerce Back to Business Site

The Maryland Department of Commerce is sharing guidance and best practices for Maryland’s companies at: open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness.

Leaders across Maryland’s business community have assisted in developing these best practices to help companies across the state as we enter this new era. The Back to Business page provides general and industry-specific best practices, and a Maryland Strong: Back to Business Pledge that we are encouraging all Maryland business owners to print and display.

An Update on What’s Happening – May 15, 2020

I haven’t been posting much on the Web site, however the Facebook Group has been active.

New members are arriving and participating.

Each Thursday at Noon I am hosting a Virtual Networking Event via Zoom. While the attendance has been on the small size, it’s been steady with attendees coming from various parts of the region. This past Thursday we had business leaders from the Western Shore, Delaware and on the Eastern Shore from Chestertown to Salisbury.

To get a notification of the weekly Networking event and others throughout the region, sign-up on the email list. Presently there is only one email a week, and that’s on Monday Afternoon.

Restrictions are easing. Maryland has announced that Phase 1 of the Recovery Plan goes into effect at 5PM, Friday May 15, 2020. I have not heard of any of the Eastern Shore counties are putting on any restriction to that plan, such as the counties on the 95 Corridor. Although I haven’t seen anything from Wicomico County.

Ocean City now is allowing rental property to open, and the beach and boardwalk are open and following the Maryland Plan.

Delaware has not lifted their 14 Day self-quarantine for those entering the State, but the beaches are open to residents.

The govenor of Virgina while lifting restrictions in some areas of the State still has Accomack County as restricted from opening. Chincoteague is still closed for business.

May 15, 2020 – 1pm EDT