Most of the posts at Tradeshow Startup will focus specifically on the business of tradeshows. But along the way, I’m sure I’ll feel compelled to comment on business in general, like I do now.

In the past week, I’ve contacted four websites about advertising on their pages. In each case, I’ve either filled out their online form on the “Advertise Here” or “Contact Us” page or sent an email to: advertise@ourwebsite.com type address they have listed for inquiries. I’ve called two of the sites.

My email or voicemail has always been something to the effect of: “Hello, I’d like to advertise on your website. Can you tell me how much it costs? I am ready to start right away.”

Out of the four sites I contacted, I’ve received a phone call from…….just one. Unbelievable. I have my checkbook in hand asking to pay them and they don’t reply. The Small Business Administration says 4 out of 5 businesses fail in the first 5 years. Most people are shocked at this. I’m shocked it’s not more.

Business rule number one: Don’t make your customers ask twice to send you money.

P.S. I’ve sent an email to Seth Godin, probably one of the busier guys on the planet, three times now - he has replied all three times within a few hours. This is a nationally known, successful author and marketing expert who probably gets more email in a day than I get in a month (and I get a lot of email). If he has time to reply, so do you.