Here’s a message and media op from Rob of Small Business Success:

“I am finalising the writing of a book which I plan to publish in the UK market towards the end of quarter one next year. The book is titled ‘Getting a Small Business Loan: A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Getting the Finance You Need’. As the title suggests the focus of the book is revealing how you can increase your chances of success in getting a small business loan. In the current climate this is something I’m sure many small business owners will be interested in!

The book, which will be published in the ‘real’ world, is an updated version of my popular ebook ‘The Secrets of Getting Your Bank Manager to Say Yes’. A lot has changed in the world of SME finance since I wrote that ebook just over three years ago and with the subject being very topical it is time to give it a makeover and a wider audience.

As a banker, over the years I have dealt with many small business owners who did themselves no favours when presenting applications for loans and overdrafts to their banks. Poorly presented applications and no understanding of what banks look for can often be the difference between success and failure. The aim of the book is to help small business owners to understand what banks need so they are better prepared.

So where do you come in? In the original ebook there are quotes from Small Business Success readers who were kind enough to share their ideas and experiences of dealing with banks. As with the general content, and given that there has been a lot of public interest in how banks deal with SMEs, I am looking to update those tips and ideas as well.

So, if you are a UK-based entrepreneur, here are some examples of what I’m looking for:

• Have you been successful in always obtaining finance? If so, what do you attribute your success to?

• Have you been declined by a bank? Looking back do you think there were things you should have done differently?

• If your finance request was originally declined, but was subsequently agreed after you revised your proposal, what did you do differently the second time around?

• What are your tips on building a relationship with your Bank Manager?

• What do you look for in a Bank or Bank Manager?

• Have you got a story (good or bad) about your dealings with a Bank and what’s the learning point from it?

• Have you successful negotiated interest rates, fees, charges and the level of security need? If so, what tactics did you use?

Your tips can be in the form of simple ‘My Top 5 Tips’ or something a bit more detailed if you wish.

Contributions such as these will help bring the book to life.

So, what’s in it for you?

• The chance to see your name in print! If you agree I will feature your name, business name and any contact details, such as a website, if you wish

• The opportunity to get your name or brand into the market place or to strengthen your already existing brand

• The satisfaction that you may have helped a fellow entrepreneur on the path to securing much needed finance

I may not be able to feature all comments but I will provide you with feedback.

Naturally, if you do make it into the book, I’ll send you a copy when it’s published and you also be recognised on the Small Business Success which will act as a backlink to your website, if you have one.

You can send me an e-mail with your tips, stories or comments to warlow@smallbusinesssuccess.biz