Content For Facebook – Fast!

This month I wanted to talk about the advantages of using an RSS (Rich Site Summary) Feed Reader.

We’re all busy, and Facebook can become a chore.  If you frequently visit the same sites for content for your Facebook reposts, or if you sign up for their newsletters which then clogs up your inbox, STOP!

If the site or blog that you frequent offers RSS feeds, use them to consolidate all new articles into a single Reader site.   This way, you just log into one site and pull off all the content you need in seconds versus minutes.   You will know it’s fresh (no more posting 3 day old articles) and you won’t get sidetracked.  It’s easy to get lost once you hit a trade website, clicking on other articles that have nothing to do with what you want to post.

You can categorize the feeding sources, so if you post about banking and, more specifically about lending, you can create separate categories.  You can also create personal categories to stay up-to-date with your interests/hobbies.   Then just find the right article, open it, copy the URL and post to your page – easy peasy!

A friendly reminder that if you use posted content for your blog, plagiarism is a no-no!   We all know that it takes quite a while and focused-thought to create a blog post.  If you repost someone else’s content, you need to give them full credit as well as linking back to the original article. You can though, use the feeds to find news trends and then write about that subject from your own perspective.  Don’t forget to activate RSS feeds on your own site as well to gain more traffic and exposure.

If you’re already familiar with RSS feeds, then you undoubtedly know that Google is pulling the plug on it’s Reader.   If you haven’t already migrated from Google, you need to do so before July 1st.

A great, free Reader is Feedly. This is feed site only.  You can also migrate your Google feeds to Feedly.   For directions, click here.   Again, make sure you move them somewhere before July 1st.  There are a lot more Readers out there, so look around and find one that best suits your needs.

If you were an iGoogle user, I found an article listing other alternatives that you might want to check out.  I might blog about one of these later.   I am so disappointed that they are doing away with the feeds – I used iGoogle to keep all my information on one page (my feeds, Gmail, Google Calendar, Facebook, etc.).

Still don’t think you have the time?   Call Southeastern Admin to manage your Facebook and Blog posts.

Lora Zibman

http://www.SoutheasternAdmin.com | 770-609-0904

Creating an LLC in Georgia

So, you have this great idea and want to start your own business here in Georgia?   You might want to consider setting up a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC).

For a complete listing of corporation types, you can view them on the IRS’s website.  Limited liability companies provide the most flexible way of doing business.  With an LLC, you get both the informality and tax benefits of a partnership, plus personal protection from business debts provided to corporations.

FULL DISCLOSURE:  I am not an attorney or tax advisor.   You may want to consult with an attorney both before setting up your own LLC, and you definitely want to speak with your accountant to understand the tax implications and filing requirements.

The steps, though, are pretty simple to create your own LLC here in Georgia.

Step One A:   Secure your Company Name with the State.  Potential company names should to be checked for availability by searching the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division business name database.

Be thorough with your initial search.   You may be denied if there is another name that is similar to the one that you want.  The name reservation fee is $25.  Once you have secured your name, you then have 30 days to complete the registration with the State.

Step One B:   Check the availability of Your Domain Name.  You really should do these first two steps in conjunction with one another.  Don’t purchase the domain name for your website until you have secured the desired Company Name.    Similarly, if you were able to get the Company Name that you wanted, but can’t secure the domain name you want, you might want to rethink the Company Name choice.

Step Two:  Create an Articles of Organization document for the State and Complete a Transmittal Information Form.  Once you have your name secured, you need to complete your Articles of Organization with the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division Corporations.  The articles must include the LLC’s name and, the names and addresses of the LLC’s managers (that would be you).  You need to use a real address, not a USPS or UPS post box.

Step Three:   A completed Transmittal Information Georgia Limited Liability form must be filed with the articles. The form must include: the LLC’s name and address (again not a post box address); the name and address of the person filing the articles; all the organizers’ names and addresses; and the LLC’s registered agent’s name and address.  The filing fee is $100. The articles and transmittal form must be filed by mail.  Don’t forget that you will also have to renew your LLC each year.  The cost to renew is $50, and you can do it online.

Step Four:  Prepare an Operating Agreement (not required).   An LLC operating agreement is not required in Georgia, but is advisable.  An operating agreement will help you guard your limited liability status, head off financial and management misunderstandings, and make sure your business is governed by your own rules — not default rules created by your state.

Step Five:  Apply for your EIN.  You will need a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your business.  There is no filing fee with the IRS.   DO NOT use any other link than the official IRS link.   To make sure, type in “www.irs.gov” in your browser and then find the application link within their site.   There are MANY phishing sites out there that would love to have your personal information.

Step Six:   Business Licenses.  Depending on the type of business you operate and where it is located, your LLC may need to obtain other local and state business licenses.   Call your County to make sure that you are in compliance.

These instructions and much more information can be found on the GA Secretary of State’s site:

• http://sos.ga.gov/corporations/acrobat/applications/Filing%20Procedure%20-%20Limited%20Liability%20Company.pdf
• http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/?section=corporations
• http://sos.ga.gov/admin/files/First_stop_business_guide.pdf