If you self-publish your work, you’re an entrepreneur whether you want to be or not. Once it’s between covers and in your hand, or an e-reader, your book is a product.   That means you’re in business. You’re an entrepreneur.   Me, too. I self-published my first book, God’s Thunderbolt: The Vigilantes of Montana, in 2008 and discovered I was in the publishing business. Then I published the sequel, Gold Under Ice, in 2010, and in December 2011, The Devil in the Bottle.   After nearly four years of being a self-publisher, what do I think about it? As with any small business, it’s incredibly hard work, but I love it. I’ve written journalism, academic papers, software manuals, and books and articles about horticulture and horticultural history, but writing fiction is what I was born to do. Although I’m not a best-selling author, I’m building an admittedly late-blooming career as a novelist.   To make more money from my books, I keep up with trends in publishing. I study book marketing and promotion. To save you some time, and perhaps save you from making the mistakes I’ve made, I pass on new mistakes and information to you, the readers of mtbusiness.com. I also teach “Successful Self-Publishing” at Flathead Valley Community College, and I write a sporadic newsletter on “Successful Self-Publishing.” (Leave a comment if you’d like to receive it.)   My mission statement as a writer is “Celebrating courage, faith, and hope in stories of people who made tough choices to survive in the West.”   I hope you find the information in this blog helpful. Good luck with the business of self-publishing!   DRM & Intellectual Property Do you believe in the unintentional coalescence of ideas? Have you ever found yourself thinking of someone, only to have that person call you or bump into you on the street?  

Helena - The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is offering two scholarships for MSGA member students. For graduating high school seniors, MSGA is offering the Swede Schlesinger Scholarship worth $2,500. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be graduating from a Montana high school this year, be a member of MSGA, or have at least one parent who is a member, and demonstrate a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. Applicants must complete the application form, include a copy of their current high school transcript, include three sealed letters of recommendation, and answer a series of essay questions. Applications are due March 15.   For current college students, the MSGA Educational Heritage Scholarship of $1,000 is available. To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled in college and have completed at least one semester in college, be a member of MSGA, or have at least one parent who is a member, and demonstrate a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants must complete the application form, include a copy of their current transcript, write a 500-word essay discussing their educational pursuits and what they hope to do with their education, and include two letters of recommendation. Applications are due April 15.  

Thursday, February 16, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to Noon, MST   WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s February web chat will offer business start-up advice for entrepreneurs.  If you are considering starting a business in 2012, SBA can be valuable resource to help you find a mentor, improve your business skills and get training to help boost your ideas.   WHO:                   Janice Washington, state director of the Arizona Small Business Development Center Network, will host the February web chat on “New Year, New Business: How to Start it Right.”  An experienced business consultant and former business owner, Washington will answer questions about the early steps to take when starting a business, and the tools and resources that can help to get a small business idea off the ground.    WHAT:                SBA’s web chat series provides small business owners with an opportunity to discuss relevant business issues online with experts, industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs.  Chat participants have direct, real-time access to the web chats via questions they submit online in advance, and during the live session.  Participants will learn how to start a new small business.  

University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) Montana Economic Minute for February 7 {enclose Feb7.mp3}

 

(Chris Syme) Blackberry (RIM) became the second major brand to experience a thrashtag this week as the result of an ill-conceived Twitter campaign. The online anomaly, or "bashtag" as Mashable is calling it, is causing PR professionals and community managers to re-think the idea of fan engagement on Twitter. The 140-character giant has become a bullhorn of customer experience, both good and bad. But, the backfire is a result of mistaken concepts by PR and new media folks, and could have been avoided. Two reality checks before you launch a Twitter campaign:   1.      Are our products high quality in the eyes of the public or do our strengths lie elsewhere? Both McDonald's and Blackberry have had their share of customer troubles recently. McDonald's woes hearken back to the release of Super Size Me and Fast Food Nation. Even though we're still lovin' it, we know that the rich taste in those fries is the product of a chemical made in New Jersey. If you ask people on Twitter to recall a fond memory of McDonalds, chances are they won't be glowing. A fast food joint is not a touchy-feely place despite what their commercials portray. 2.       Have we had a recent public customer service crisis?  Blackberry's recent failures would seem to dictate that a feel good campaign about Blackberry is not appropriate yet. Just ask BP. If you answer yes to this question, you should table the Twitter feel-good campaign.  

BOZEMAN - Montana State University Extension and Montana Small Business Administration (SBA) will sponsor the webinar "Small Business Financing: Financing Your Business in a Booming Economy" on Wednesday, February 22 from noon to 1 p.m. Information on financing a start-up or expansion of a business during an oil boom will be included.   The webinar will feature Gregg Gluekert, a commercial lender at a community bank in Billings, and the owner of several businesses in Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota. In addition, George Haynes, Extension Economist at MSU, will present an overview of small business lending concerns during the recent recession; and John Klaman, Senior Area Manager for the SBA in Billings, will discuss lending products available from the SBA. Lorene Hintz, a Small Business Development Center Director and owner/operator of a retail store, will provide information on opportunities for training funds and resources available to assist small businesses; Martin DeWitt, ex-Director, Great Northern Development Corporation, will discuss the benefits of their Revolving Loan Program, and Micro Business Loan Programs for businesses.  

WASHINGTON – The nation’s top entrepreneurs will be honored at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week events May 20-22 in Washington, D.C.  A series of award ceremonies, small business events and educational forums will mark the 59th anniversary of the agency and the 49th annual proclamation of National Small Business Week.   National Small Business Week is cosponsored by the SCORE Association as well as numerous corporate and trade sponsors to be announced.   More than 100 outstanding small business owners from across the country will receive awards while gathering for three days at the city’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel.  They will meet with top administration officials, congressional representatives and national business leaders.  The highlight of the celebration will be the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year.    

University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) Montana Economic Minute for February 6 {enclose Feb6.mp3}

‘Work horse’ aircraft to maintain job strength in Great Falls   (GREAT FALLS) – Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester will join forces in Great Falls to announce a new flying mission for the Montana Air National Guard.   After years of top-level meetings and advocacy, Baucus and Tester will announce that they have secured an Air Force C-130H mission for MANG. The announcement comes after the Pentagon announced $259 billion in program cuts that will result in a significant loss of aircraft and jobs at other Air Guard units across the country. Both Senators pushed the Air Force and the National Guard Bureau to ensure that Great Falls would retain a manned flying mission.   "This mission is a victory for MANG, Great Falls and Montana -- and it was no accident. The C-130s are on their way to Gore Hill because of a lot of hard work by a lot of good people, including our Montana airmen who've earned National recognition for their exceptional service," Baucus said. "I'm proud to see our hard work pay off with a strong flying mission and all the jobs that come with it."   Tester called the announcement a result of "the world-class reputation of MANG and its men and women."  

The fifth annual Missoula BarCamp will begin on Friday, April 13 with the first ever evening pre-barcamp party and networking event followed by the main event at 9:00a.m.on Saturday, April 14 at the beautiful Payne Family Native American Center at The University of Montana. More information and details on the pre-barcamp party and networking event will be provided soon. 

Registration for Missoula BarCamp 2012 will be opening soon.  

Davidson Named Chairman Emeritus of Regional Financial Services Firm   GREAT FALLS--Davidson Companies, the regional financial services firm, announced that Bill Johnstone, CEO, has been elected Chairman of the Board. He succeeds Ian B. Davidson, longtime Chairman of Davidson Companies, who has been named Chairman Emeritus and will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors and executive committee.   Jim Kerr has been elected President of Davidson Companies. Kerr has served as President of D.A. Davidson & Co.’s Individual Investor Group since 2007. He will continue to oversee that portion of the multi-faceted business as well.   “With Bill’s and Jim’s excellent leadership, and the bench strength behind each of them, this company will continue to prosper and continue to attract and retain high-quality, motivated people in the years ahead,” Davidson said.  

Davidson Named Chairman Emeritus of Regional Financial Services Firm   GREAT FALLS--Davidson Companies, the regional financial services firm, announced that Bill Johnstone, CEO, has been elected Chairman of the Board. He succeeds Ian B. Davidson, longtime Chairman of Davidson Companies, who has been named Chairman Emeritus and will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors and executive committee.   Jim Kerr has been elected President of Davidson Companies. Kerr has served as President of D.A. Davidson & Co.’s Individual Investor Group since 2007. He will continue to oversee that portion of the multi-faceted business as well.   “With Bill’s and Jim’s excellent leadership, and the bench strength behind each of them, this company will continue to prosper and continue to attract and retain high-quality, motivated people in the years ahead,” Davidson said.  

University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) Montana Economic Minute for February 3 {enclose Feb3.mp3}

University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) Montana Economic Minute for February 3 {enclose Feb3.mp3}

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HELENA, Mont. -- The Montana Department of Agriculture is seeking proposals for Fiscal Year 2012 grant projects in cooperation with the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service's Specialty Crop Block Grant program.   Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture. Legume crops such as dry peas, beans and lentils are among the vegetable crops that qualify under the program.   Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and qualify in one or more of the following areas: increasing nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; improving efficiency and reducing distribution costs; investing in specialty crop research; enhancing food safety; developing new and improved varieties and specialty crops; pest and disease control; and development of organic and sustainable production practices.   Projects also may assist entities in developing "Good Agricultural Practices,"  "Good Handling Practices" and "Good Manufacturing Practices," including cost-share arrangements for audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors.  

Helena, MT - Registration is now open for the ServeMontana Symposium on February 23 and 24 at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel in Helena, MT.  This affordable conference, offered by the Governor's Office of Community Service, focuses on providing training and resources for national service programs, nonprofits, and organizations who use and support volunteers.     "The ServeMontana Symposium is an excellent training opportunity for nonprofits, community organizations, and volunteers," said Jan Lombardi, Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Community Service. "We know communities are looking for resources and tools that help them to better recruit and manage volunteers."   What:                    ServeMontana Symposium: Growing Montana Communities When:                  February 23-24, 2012 Where:                 Red Lion Colonial Hotel, Helena, MT Who:                     Nonprofits, community organizations, national service members and volunteers Cost:                       $100 before 2/10/12 or $125 after 2/10/12 Register:               Registration available online  

Seeks to Expand Investor Awareness and Develop World-Class Communications Infrastructure as Company Executes Aggressive Growth Strategy   BELGRADE – Montana bio-tech Bacterin International Holdings, Inc., a leader in the development of revolutionary bone graft material and antimicrobial coatings for medical applications, has engaged Hayden IR, a 15-year-old, highly recognized, national investor relations firm, to develop and implement a strategic investor relations program and raise its visibility and strengthen its relationships with the investment community.   "Over the last eight quarters, Bacterin has delivered record revenue by manufacturing and marketing superior bone graft material, biological scaffolds and related medical devices while developing bioactive anti-microbial coatings for implantable devices," commented Guy Cook, CEO of Bacterin. "We expect our outstanding growth to continue, compounded and complemented by key drivers, including our expanded direct sales force, increased product lines, accelerated use among surgeons, augmented geographic footprint which adds international markets, broadened core technology that we are leveraging into additional revolutionary products, scientific peer reviewed studies to be published and fortified strategic relationships and distribution partnerships. Accordingly, we believe it is an ideal time to retain a national investor relations firm to help us target an expanding investor audience and ensure we are communicating effectively with current and potential shareholders. We look forward to working with the team of professionals at Hayden IR to execute this important goal."  

University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) Montana Economic Minute for February 2 {enclose Feb2.mp3}

Small business leaders, experts to join Senator Tester in Missoula   (U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester is pulling together an impressive group of presenters for his next Small Business Opportunity workshop that will focus on helping Montana women get a jump-start on opening their own small business and creating jobs.   Tester announced that University of Montana marketing professor Jakki Mohr will join Karen Mills, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, in addressing the February 21 event.  Mohr will focus on the key elements needed to successfully market a small business.   Tester also announced that Dave Glaser, President of the Montana Community Development Corporation, and Liz Marchi with Frontier Angel Fund, will headline the workshop’s Access to Capital panel.  Panelists will highlight avenues women can take to get their business up-and-running.   Missoula’s Aimee McQuilkin of Betty’s Divine and Christine Littig of Bernice’s Bakery will kick off Tester’s second panel, Made in Montana Success Stories, by recounting how they turned their business ideas into growing companies.