Julie Rains's blog

7 Genuine Ways to Generate Click-Throughs

Even if the intended (message recipient) loves your company, adores your products, and admires your ethics, she needs a reason for clicking through. Here are seven ways to get

How to Examine Your Healthcare Plan and Save

I’ve been examining healthcare plans for a couple of decades. I’ve been covered under employer-based plans and private individual plans. As a result, I've learned mu

How Much for Healthcare?

Navigating the healthcare system takes effort but the time spent can yield a big payoff in terms of cost savings. An affordable plan with good benefits can also positively imp

Job-Search Scams that Target High Performers

Scams aren’t just for the unsophisticated. Even a reasonable job-seeker with an ounce of urgency might be convinced by polished, persistent schemers who are pros

How to Staff Customer Service for an Ecommerce Business

What should trigger the decision to hire (or designate) an employee dedicated to customer service? If you're running an ecommerce business, your company can benefit from the

Costs of Adding Ecommerce to Brick-and-Mortar Retailing

As your business grows, you’ll find that expanding via the web will be less expensive for certain P&L line items but require extra spending in other categories.

19 Things to Take Off Mom’s To-Do List

It's Mother’s Day. Forget breakfast in bed. Instead, take some things off of mom’s ever-growing, never-ending to-do list.

Principal Forgiveness: The New BofA Mortgage Deal

Starting next month (May 2010) or as soon as its ready, Bank of America may reduce principal balances on certain mortgages of deeply underwater loans. What's up with that?

11 Free Ways to Generate Referrals

What to generate referrals without spending money? Here are ways to elicit, not solicit, referrals.

11 Small Ways to Save Big on Ink

Printers are cheap but printer ink is pricey. One-time and day-to-day adjustments can help prevent waste and save money.

Save on Last Year's Taxes Right Now

You can still save on last year's taxes right now, if you still haven't filed your income tax return yet.

12 Straightforward Ways to Say "No"

Are you pressed for time right now? Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll have more time in the future. Learn to say "no."

How to Make Collection Calls that Keep Customer Relationships

Adopt a relationship-building mindset prior to making a call to collect on past due balances.

How to Save Without Goals

Basic plans for saving and investing that don't require use of a formal financial plan with specific goals.

How to Measure Credit Performance

There are many ways to evaluate credit performance: traditional methods, company-specific measurements, and more.

How to Design Credit Policies

Design credit policies to support your company’s goals.

How to Package and Sell Services Online

How can you package and sell services online in a way that leverages the precious resource of time but offers tremendous value to customers and doesn’t compromise service qualit

4 Employee Benefits at Little (or Zero) Cost

Want to offer big-time benefits on a small budget? Consider the advantages of flexible hours, employee discounts, corporate memberships, and higher education for your employees

6 Ways to Differentiate Your eCommerce Website

There are as many ways to differentiate an eCommerce website. Here are 6 techniques focused on trust-building, reliability, and consistency.

How to Succeed as an Online Student

If you’re considering online studies, don’t underestimate the workload, discipline, and communication skills needed to succeed. Here are tips on excelling as an online student.