You know you need to start marketing your factoring business online but where do you start? The time, cost, and sheer volume of information can be overwhelming – paralyzing even! Don’t despair, here’s your... Ten Step Online Marketing Plan for Factoring Companies Step 1 - Build A Factoring Business Website In the U.S. alone there are over 250 million people or 80% of the population using the Internet (Source: Internet Live Stats) and the first place they go to check something out is an online search. In 2014, websites are the new storefronts! The good news is a website is much cheaper than retail or office space, with great web design options available for under $500. And let's not forget mobile users! A website should be … [Read more...]
Archives for 2014
Fighting An Uphill Battle In The Factoring Industry
Have you ever heard the saying that perception is reality? Although I’ve written tons of articles, spoken at numerous SBA and financing workshops while preaching the benefits of invoice factoring, I’m still amazed about how our industry is perceived in the finance industry. Those of you in the factoring industry know what I’m talking about. It’s the negative stigma associated with invoice factoring. So often I’ll be attending a networking event where a CPA will tell me that he consistently advises his clients to stay away from factoring and that they should only use it as a last resort if they need cash. Then there are the small business owners who don’t even know what invoice factoring is or how it can benefit their cash flow. Invoice … [Read more...]
“Show Me the Money”: How Do Your Factoring Partners Pay Commissions?
You’ve begun working with a factoring company that handles your leads well. They keep you updated, follow up on a regular basis, and they have successfully closed a deal. Now, you say, it’s time to show me the money…but just how much money will you get? We are not lawyers, and we don’t play them on TV, but we can’t stress enough the importance of thoroughly reading your broker agreement. The agreement should clearly define every question you might have about if, when, and how you are to be paid for your referred leads. Below are just some of the commission questions that you should have answered before you send any leads. Do you get paid for your leads? What are the circumstances under which you get paid? More importantly, are there … [Read more...]
Invoice Factors and Banks
One of the most common slogans you’ll see on any factoring company’s website is how they are better than most banks in getting businesses working capital. Conventional thinking is that banks qualify prospective clients based on the financial stability of the company whereas invoice factoring companies focus more on the credit worthiness of client’s customers. Therefore a prospect with little or no credit or one that has been in business for a short period of time can qualify for a factoring line assuming they have strong customers. For example, many banks will ask for several years of tax returns, financial statements and sufficient collateral to offset the loan. When dealing with the SBA, new companies will have to submit a business … [Read more...]
Are Factoring Companies Prepared to Handle Your Leads?
The factoring world is changing – can your funding sources keep up? Your success as a broker hinges on your ability to place prospects with factoring companies that will close the deal. It is critical, then, that you focus you energy on working with funders that are prepared on every level to accept leads from brokers. So, are factoring companies prepared to effectively handle your leads? Below are some important things to consider before sending leads to any factoring company. Have a conversation with each funder before referring deals in which you learn their expectations of you, establish your expectations of them and make sure you are comfortable with their ability to meet your requirements. If their system doesn’t measure up, you … [Read more...]
The Balancing Act of Factoring Invoices
In past articles I have addressed the need for understanding your client’s business as well as having a consistent set of policies and procedures to ensure you effectively manage the risk of factoring invoices. However, what happens when you run across those out of the box deals that do not fit nicely into your company’s comfort zone? Instead of immediately throwing these deals away you might want to consider some adjustments you can make to mitigate the risk. Although we all like to fund deals that are in our sweet spot in terms of size and industry, I have found that some of our best success stories were with clients in industries that we never would have imagined funding. Some past examples include speech therapists, a startup … [Read more...]
Factoring Business on the Go: 10 Essential Apps for Factoring Professionals
Savvy factoring professionals understand the shifting landscape of business. Customers use mobile technology to engage with your company at all hours of the day and night, from all over the world. Since these tools are readily available, it’s important to use them to your advantage. Below are ten essential mobile applications for staying connected to the most important parts of your business. Add them to your arsenal to take your factoring company to the next level. Stay in touch with clients and contacts. Communication is the key to building a factoring business and serving your clients, so use these apps to follow up even when your desk is 1,000 miles away. • Salesforce1: Salesforce’s comprehensive app puts your lead and customer … [Read more...]
IFA Announces New Factoring Training Classes
The International Factoring Association has just announced NEW training courses and meetings,giving you more options for continuing education and networking! Learn Invoice Factoring With IFA Mark your calendars for these upcoming training courses and events: Digital Marketing May 1 - Webinar The Law and Business of Factoring June 23 - 24 - Planet Hollywood - Las Vegas, NV Account Executive / Loan Officer Training Course June 26 - 27 - Planet Hollywood - Las Vegas, NV Meeting for Women in Commercial Finance July 14 - 15 - Paris Hotel - Las Vegas, NV Transportation Factoring Meeting September 11 - 12 - Omni Nashville - Nashville, TN Portfolio Operations and Monitoring October 13 - 14 - Planet Hollywood - Las Vegas, NV Credit, … [Read more...]
Should Factoring Intermediaries Double-Broker Deals?
The subject of double-brokering opportunities has been a hotly debated topic since I joined the industry, over a decade ago. The gist of the argument is as follows: factoring companies believe that brokers should not “shop” opportunities and place them with multiple factoring companies. On the other hand, many (but not all) brokers want to be able to place deals with two or more factors. Let’s look at both side of the argument. Summary: The factoring company point of view For several reasons, most factoring companies don’t like brokers placing the same lead with multiple factors. First and foremost, it increases their competition. It’s natural and understandable that companies don’t like the fact that they have to compete against other … [Read more...]
Marketing The Right Way For Factoring Business
New clients, we all want them and we try everything in our power to find them. The internet along with social media has made it possible for almost anyone to get their message out to the masses at an extremely low cost. With an internet connection and a very small marketing budget you can create a web page, post content on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and a variety of other outlets depending on your specific need or preference. Our position in the factoring business has always been to keep a lot of irons in the fire when it comes to marketing on the internet. As important it is to have a great website, it is just as important to create useful content to educate our audience about what we do and how our services can benefit their … [Read more...]