Promote And Market Your Business
Promoting Your Massachusetts Business
There are many different methods to promote your business in Massachusetts , but the most effective methods are:
Press Releases
Press releases are a great way to promote your brand and are one of the most cost-effective strategies as they:
- Provides publicity
- Establish your brand on the web
- Improve your website’s SEO, driving more customers to your website
- Are a one-time cost in terms of effort and money
- Have long-lasting benefits
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A Facebook page is a great, free way to interact with your customers. But, it does require ongoing effort to be successful.
A Facebook page can be used to:
- Establish your local business presence
- Showcase your business products and services
- Communicate with your customers
How To Start An Llc In Massachusetts
To start an LLC in Massachusetts, youll need to do three things: appoint a registered agent, choose a name for your business, and file a Certificate of Organization with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. You can file the document online or by mail. The certificate costs $500 to file. Once filed with the commonwealth, this document formally creates your Massachusetts LLC.
According to MA Gen L ch 156c § 5 , every Massachusetts LLC must appoint a registered agent . You dont need to hire a registered agent, but if you do, make sure your registered agent will list their address on your filings wherever possible to ensure maximum privacy.
If youre starting a new business, you probably already know what you want to name your LLC. But youll need to know if your preferred name is available. To find out, visit Massachusetts SOC Corporations Search and browse until you find the perfect name for your LLC.
Once you know who your registered agent will be and what your LLC name is, youre ready to file your Massachusetts Certificate of Organization. Follow along with our filing instructions below:
When Should A Sole Proprietorship Become An Llc
It is time to go from a sole proprietorship to an LLC when you are serious about growing your business and earning a profit.
Sole proprietorships are only good for very low-profit/low-risk businesses.
Example: A sole proprietorship is a good way to start out if you are doing business on a small scale or want to try out a low-risk venture to see how successful it will be.
Forming an LLC allows business owners to grow their businesses and take on risk. This is because LLCs provide personal liability protection.
What is personal liability protection? When a business owner has personal liability protection, they cant be held personally responsible if the business suffers a loss. This means personal assets are protected.
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Decide On A Legal Business Entity
The form of business entity you choose will affect many factors going forward. There are 3 main options to decide from:
- Sole proprietorship The name for running a business by yourself. Legally, you and your business are one and the same, with no separate legal entity for your business.
- Partnership It is legally identical to a sole proprietorship, except that it comprises two or more people.
- Corporation A complex legal structure that is a separate entity from the owner and comprises directors, officers, and shareholders.
- LLC AKA Limited Liability Company, this is a hybrid entity between a sole proprietorship and a corporation that possesses advantages of both. An LLCs provides the liability protection of a corporation, yet isnt subject to double taxation as the profits go through your personal tax return.
You may want to consult with an attorney to help decide which entity works best for your business.
How To Start A Sole Proprietorship
Anyone looking to take the leap and become self-employed can start a sole proprietorship in the US. You dont need a massive budget nor any potential business partners to get going. Whether youre in the business of selling or providing a service once you know what you want to do, its easy to become a sole proprietor. An estimated 23 million businesses in the US are sole proprietorships. But its important to understand the requirements, taxation rules and liabilities of a sole proprietorship.
Contents
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Sole Proprietorship California: A Guide For Solopreneurs
There are a few reasons why operating your business as a sole proprietorship in California is a great idea. Affordable and easy to run. You dont have to form a
14 steps1.Pick a memorable name. You can choose to operate your business under your legal name. For example, if Andrea Smith is a freelance photographer, she can work 2.Check that your name is available. You cant use a business name if someone else in your state is also using it. Check with your states database of 3.File for a fictitious business name. Any name that isnt your legal name is a fictitious name, also called a doing business as . You should
They are Sole Proprietorships, General and Limited Partnerships, A Limited Liability Company is the non-corporate form of doing business that
Sole Proprietorships Are Not Separate Taxpayers
The tax treatment of a sole proprietorship is relatively simple. Business income or loss is reported on the owner’s individual income tax return. The owner will most likely be subject to self-employment taxes unless the business is very unsuccessful. If the business will hire employees, a Federal Employer Identification Number will need to be obtained andpayroll taxes will have to be paid.
Application for Employer Identification Number
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Is It Time To Make A Change
If your business is growing, you want to take on partners, or youre looking to protect yourself from risk to your personal assets, it may be time to convert your sole proprietorship to an LLC.
Follow the guidelines for your state on forming an LLC. If you have any questions regarding the process or need help, consult an attorney.
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Form Your Business With The State Of Massachusetts
Once you have selected your business structure and name, you will need to file your formation documents with the state, which will register your business with the State of Massachusetts.
To register your Massachusetts LLC, you’ll need to file the Certificate of Organization with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. You can apply online or by mail. Read our Form an LLC in Massachusetts guide for details.
Or use a professional service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to form your LLC for you.
To register your Massachusetts corporation, youll need to file the Articles of Organization with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Read our Form a Massachusetts Corporation guide to learn more.
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Do You Have To Register Your Business If You Are A Sole Proprietor
Unlike corporations or limited liability companies, sole proprietorships are among the easiest types of businesses to start. You do not have to register with the state like corporations and limited liability companies. As a business owner, however, you must obtain the required permits and licenses to operate legally, and you are personally responsible for any debts, lawsuits, or taxes incurred by the business.
How Sole Proprietorship Business Works
What you must first understand is the responsibility of the proprietor in a business. This particular business is not a separate legal entity from the owner, and hence you will be responsible for signing the checks, drawing the lease agreements, filing taxes, and other documents with your name on them. In fact, if your business is receiving any kind of payment, the document will have your name on it.
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How Serious Are You About Your Business
If youre taking your business venture seriously, as all entrepreneurs should, we dont think starting a sole proprietorship is a good idea. This entitys lack of personal asset protection is a non-starter, even if it seems like your business shouldnt have much liability. All it takes is one successful lawsuit against your business to wipe out your personal savings and put your other assets on the line. It simply isnt worth the risk, especially considering how few concrete advantages the sole proprietorship has over formal business entities.
Register Your Massachusetts Business
Once youve chosen your business structure, the next step is to form your business. No matter what formal business structure you choose, there are a few common steps, including:
- Naming your business
- Choosing a resident agent: an individual or business entity that accepts tax and legal documents on behalf of your business.
- Getting an Employer Identification Number : a number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to help identify businesses for tax purposes.
- Filing formation documents.
In addition to these steps, each business structure has its own requirements that are unique to that business structure.
Here are the steps you need to take to register your business:
Form an LLC in Massachusetts
LLCs are the simplest formal business structure to form and maintain. With less paperwork than other business structures, you can easily form an LLC in five easy steps.
To file a Certificate of Organization for an LLC in Massachusetts, you must submit formation documents to the Secretary of the Commonwealth online, by mail, by fax, or in person, along with the $500 filing fee.
Read our full guide on How to Form an LLC in Massachusetts or have a professional service form an LLC for you.
Start a Corporation in Massachusetts
Read our full guide on How to Start a Corporation in Massachusetts.
Form a Nonprofit in Massachusetts
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To Start A Business In Massachusetts Follow These Steps
Are you ready to start your own business?
Creating a Massachusetts business of your own can be challenging. You will need adequate funding, time, personal support, and professional support in order to move forward successfully with your entrepreneurial dreams.
To see if you’re prepared to take the leap, check out our Entrepreneurship Quiz.
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Business Select Your Business Name And State Of Oregon
Business Organization and Registration · By yourself sole proprietorship. · With another person general partnership. · As a separate legal entity corporation,
If a sole proprietor wishes to register its business name, a trade name application should be filed. For a complete listing of forms,
Alabama Sole Proprietorship · Form LAT-1: Application to Register Trademark, Service Mark, or Trade Name in Alabama · IRS Form SS-4: Obtain an EIN
Most sole proprietorships need to register with Registry of Joint Stock Companies to operate in Nova Scotia. Use the Sole Proprietor Registration Form to
Choosing a type of Business Entity for your business . Sole Proprietorship owned and operated by one individual. Partnership the
If you form a sole proprietorship or a general partnership, you do not need to register your business entity with the state. However, there may be state,
as a sole proprietorship, you must complete and file a Certificate of Conducting Business Under An Assumed Name for an Individual form.
Wisconsin Statutes do not require registration for a sole proprietorship. You may voluntarily register with the County Registrar of Deeds and the Wisconsin
All businesses need to register with a unique business name. General Partnerships and Sole Proprietorships do not register with the RI Department of
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What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Sole Proprietorship
Under certain circumstances, sole proprietorships offer small advantages and benefits over formal business structures .
Example: A sole proprietorship can be a good way to start out if you are doing business on a small scale or want to try out a low-risk venture to see how successful it will be.
Sole Proprietorship Advantages:
The only advantage to starting a sole proprietorship vs. an LLC is having to spend no money or energy upfront to form a business. This advantage may seem attractive, but it can be costly in the long run.
Sole Proprietorship Disadvantages:
- No Personal Liability Protection. Your personal assets are at risk in the event your business is sued or if it defaults on a debt.
- No Tax Benefits. Sole proprietors pay taxes on their profits and also pay full FICA taxes . When your business becomes profitable, taxes will be expensive.
- Limited Growth Potential. When a business becomes more profitable, risk increases. When risk and profit increase, so does the need for a legal formal business structure.
- Less Credibility and Branding Opportunities. A sole proprietor must invoice, receive payment, open a bank account, and market with their surname unless their state allows them to register and maintain a doing business as name.
To avoid these issues, you can form a limited liability company . An LLC offers many of the same advantages of a sole proprietorship, while also providing asset protection.
You can also use an LLC formation service to register your LLC for you.
Determine Your Business Costs
Business costs are overwhelmingly dependent on your industry. A freelance graphic designer can get started for little more than a computer and tablet price, but a retail store needs to cover rent, inventory, and wages for new hires.
To get a clear picture, add up your fixed expenses with variable costs . Also, make sure to include one-time fees such as equipment purchases and keep a six-month cushion of operating expenses in case of an emergency.
Once you understand how much your business will cost, you can explore your funding options through the Small Business Administration . Their website has information on loans, grants, and investment capital. The Attorney Generals Office also has grant opportunities.
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Write An Llc Operating Agreement
Operating agreements put into writing how your business actually operateshow much each member invested, how profits and losses will be allocated, how voting works, and what happens if theres a dispute or if the whole business falls apart.
For more on Massachusetts operating agreements , see our Massachusetts LLC Operating Agreement resource.
When Does A Sole Proprietor Need An Ein
Jun 25, 2021 HOW TO GET A FREE EIN FOR YOUR SOLE PrOPRIETORSHIP The quickest and simplest way for taxpayers to get a free EIN is to apply online on the IRS
Sole proprietorships are the most common and simple form of business organization. They are formed by persons who own all or most of the business property
Set Up Your Sole Proprietorship Licensing & Documentation. The easiest business type when starting a business, but it offers no personal asset protection.
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Get A Business License
For certain business types, you may need to register for an operational license or a permit to operate. For example, if your business is within construction, childcare or law, you must get an operational license. If you sell restricted items such as alcohol, firearms or tobacco products, you must also register for a federal license. In certain cases, where youre using land to grow crops, you need a permit. The sale of food and health items also requires you to register for a permit.
Open Business Banking And Credit Accounts
Opening a bank account for your business is crucial because it allows you to separate company assets from your personal assets, and makes filing taxes a lot easier. This is a recommended step, even if you are operating a sole proprietorship.
Its also a wise idea to obtain a credit card for your business because it will help you isolate business expenses and build up credit for your company, which may help in securing investment in later stages.
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What Is A Foreign Massachusetts Llc
A foreign Massachusetts LLC is any LLC formed outside of Massachusetts but registered to do business in the commonwealth. For example, if you formed an LLC in New York but wanted to conduct business in Massachusetts as well, you would register as a foreign LLC in Massachusetts by filing a Foreign Limited Liability Company Application for Registration with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Like domestic LLCs, foreign LLCs in the Massachusetts have to file annual Massachusetts annual reports. Northwest can register your foreign Massachusetts LLC for you today!
What Is A Sole Proprietorship
Sole Proprietorship Definition: A sole proprietorship is an informal, unincorporated business entity that isnt legally separated from its owner. Profit and losses are reported on the individuals tax return and the business owner is personally liable for all debt and risk.
Sole proprietorships are best for small businesses with the following characteristics:
- They MUST be low-profit and low-risk .
- They have a smaller customer base often friends, family, and neighbors.
- They sometimes start as hobbies like photography, blogging, or video streaming.
Sole Proprietorship Examples
Any low-profit/low-risk business that could be operated by one person could be a sole proprietorship.
For example, artists, counselors, freelancers, independent contractors, tutors, and musicians are all professions that could potentially be ran as sole proprietorships.
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Can Any Other Name Be Used For Legal Works In Sole Proprietorship
Yes, it is possible for a proprietor to use a fictitious name for representing this particular form of business in legal terms. For this, you need to register yourself with another name under the rule of DBA or to do business as. Once your filing is accepted, you will be able to work with another identity rather than your own. However, even with the DBA, the personal tax return will be the same.
