nlike Hangouts, business owners and experts who use Helpouts

For entrepreneurs who want to go beyond YouTube to provide a service and get additional exposure for their companies, Google has a new product called Helpouts that aims to do just that. Somewhat like Google Hangouts where you can host or attend live video discussions, Helpouts connects users with topic experts who can provide one-on-one, real-time advice.

"The goal behind Helpouts is simple: help people help each other," a Google spokesperson tells Entrepreneur.com. "We believe that no matter who you are, where you are, or what time it is, you should be able to talk with a knowledgeable person and get help."

Say you're a plumber and you’re looking to make some extra cash, you could use Helpouts to connect with people over live video and help them solve their issues, like fixing a toilet that overflowed or a leaky sink. First, of course, you'll want to create a Helpout listing that describes your services. You'll also have to designate the times and dates you’re available.

Unlike Hangouts, business owners and experts who use Helpouts will be able to set and charge a fee for each video session. Google says it will apply a fee of 20 percent to paid Helpouts. Providers and customers will need to use Google Wallet for the payment.

Helpouts isn't open to the public yet, but Google is inviting people with expertise across a number of topics to be able to offer Helpouts when the service eventually goes live. People who are interested can go to the Helpouts website and submit their contact information. Google will be sending invitations to those it deems a "good fit" for the service, the spokesperson says.

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The basic registration fee includes score reports for up to four college choices, if you list valid codes when you register.

The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in:

English     Mathematics     Reading     Science

The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests plus a 30-minute Writing Test.

ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S.

The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete, including a short break (or just over four hours if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the ACT Plus Writing).

The ACT is administered on six test dates within the United States, U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada—September, October, December, February, April, and June. In other locations, the ACT is administered on all of the above dates except September, and the ACT Plus Writing is not available on the February test date.

The basic registration fee includes score reports for up to four college choices, if you list valid codes when you register.

The ACT tests are prepared according to the:

    Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on Measurement in Education (1999).

    Code of Professional Responsibilities in Educational Measurement, National Council on Measurement in Education (1995).

    Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education, Joint Committee on Testing Practices (2004).

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Internet Marketing and Home Business

Internet Marketing and Home Business

Of all of the components of Internet marketing, prospective customers and clients expect a business to have a website. In fact, not having one could raise a red flag to a prospect. Online usage has become so pervasive today, many prospects might easily choose to do business with a company that they can get up-to-date information on 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Even a business that only has very local customers, such as a single location restaurant or shoe store can benefit from having a website and engaging in online marketing. And, those businesses whose customers are not restricted to a geographical area might have a difficult time finding an alternate method of attracting customers that offers the reasonably low expense and worldwide reach of a Web presence.

Because of the "virtual" nature of most home businesses, websites, if not an absolute necessity, can certainly provide benefits to a home business operator. Since most home-based businesses don't have a physical location, a website provides an inexpensive means for prospects to get to know what you do or what you sell and can even be a "storefront" for selling goods and services directly.

The Internet has greatly enabled home businesses to prosper because of the reasonably low cost to start and maintain a web presence. Therefore, Internet marketing should be part of your business plan and your marketing strategy.

Next page: Strategic Internet Marketing - Developing Internet Marketing Strategies

Online Marketing Guide

This article on Internet marketing is just one in a collection of articles available in the Online Marketing Guide.

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