Home-based businesses are the trend of the future. An increasing number of men and women are now opting to work at the comfort of their homes. Many of them are tired of office politics and being forced to give up their weekend for the good of the company. They are rediscovering the benefits of working at home. A home-based business is a great chance for many people, especially parents of growing kids, to strike a balance between career and family. An apparent advantage that a home-based business has over a traditional job is the freedom from the daily commute to office.
Moreover, technological innovations in the past decades have created an unprecedented environment for home-based businesses. Transactions are being made over the Internet everyday, with huge profits and hundreds of thousands of niches to be tapped into. Working from home is now viewed by many as their ticket to realizing their full potentials. The amount of money you could earn online is proportional to your own performance, without waiting for the boss to give you a raise or promotion. Whether your home-based business provides you with the sole means of support or just generates another income stream, its earning potential relies on your self-motivation and dedication to build momentum for it.
The financial benefits of working at home seem to be very attractive. However, starting a home-based business is not for everyone. If creating a successful home business is easy, everybody would be doing it. Before you jump at the chance of starting your business, ask yourself if you're willing to make the sacrifices to make your dream come true. To be more specific, ask yourself if you're the right type of person for a home-based business.
Having a home-based business means you're the boss. You're totally responsible for the success or failure of your own business. Are you able to work independently? Do you have the patience and perseverance with which you can overcome hardship and lead your business to full bloom? Are you excited about learning new things everyday? You need to equip yourself with necessary skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the competition. An important factor that determines the fate of any home-based business is consistent promotion. Do you have the drive to push yourself to make marketing plans and follow them on a daily basis? If your answers to these questions are positive, then congratulations and welcome on board.
I used to get negative comments from people when I shared with them my own business. They often labeled what I'm doing as a scam. The fear factor always holds people back and prevents them from starting a home-based business. They are so afraid of failure that they're reluctant to give it a try. To some extent, they envy those people who took action and have a home-based business. This is something they dream of but can't achieve. I'm sure you'll get derogatory remarks from time to time like I did. And my view is: follow your heart and do what’s interesting to you. You'll find a business that suits your needs because there are unlimited opportunities out there. Stay focused with whatever you're doing. Your success is the best revenge for their cutting words.
Why Work At Home? Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting A Home-Based Business
5 Start-up Ideas for Your Home-Based Business
So you've decided to start a home-based business? That's great, but where do you start? If you're online quite a bit, then there's no reason you can't start a business right from your own home on the Web. There are so many resources available online today that you can benefit tremendously from the research of others while building your own business. And, there are many companies that will do lots of the work for you when you join with them.
Here are five easy start-up ideas for your home-based business to save you time and money.
1. Choose Your Hours
Decide how much time you will be able to invest in your home-based business. To be honest, there are many new business owners who never make it because they're not willing to invest their time. If you work a full-time job and plan to keep it while your home-based business builds, then you should determine how many free hours you can spend working. Can you invest a few hours per day, or week perhaps?
Once you choose your hours, stick with them on a consistent basis. Treat the home business just as you would a store with operating hours. If you open a store from 9 to 5, then someone must be there during those hours. So, if you plan to work on your new business from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. five nights per week, then let this be your "operating hours!"
2. Choose a Business
Even if you plan to start a business selling products of your own, you might find it useful to join with a company to sell their products to build extra income at first. You can even do both if you can invest enough time and effort into both businesses. Choose a product or service that you enjoy selling. No business is fun if you dislike it. The more you enjoy it, the more likely you are to be successful.
With the Internet, MLM businesses are building down lines like crazy. This is the perfect opportunity for you to earn some extra cash or even a substantial income. The reason MLM businesses are so profitable online is because it is so easy to contact people by email and through your own website. Some MLM companies even do most of the work and contacts for you to save you time and money. Communication is very easy online even if you're not really a "salesperson."
If you plan to join an MLM group, be sure to choose a reputable company that has been in business for at least several years. Ask to speak with others who have worked with the company a while. Check with the Better Business Bureau Online to be sure there have been no (or very few) complaints. There are many scams online today, so sign on with a well-established MLM company to be safe!
3. Prepare Your Home-Based Business Work Area
Before you start a home-based business, be sure your home office is up to par. Upgrade your computer to a fast one with a super-fast Internet connection so your work will not be hindered by outside factors. Also, get a very comfortable desk chair with plenty of back and arm support. Choose a keyboard and mouse that you're comfortable with, and organize your desk. Working in a well-organized environment clears your thinking so you can work and promote without distraction.
4. Investing Your Money
Before you invest a dime, be certain it's the right business for you. When selling products for others, you might be asked to invest money before getting started for inventory, membership, a website, and so forth. If so, study every aspect of the business before doing so. Any business start-up will require some monetary investment, but you need to think before you invest.
Once you've chosen a business to invest in, set up a budget solely for your business. Having a business account at your local bank will help. Also, set up an account with an online payment processor if possible. PayPal and StormPay are two of the most popular ones online right now. If signing on with an MLM company, find out how they issue their payments first.
5. Use Your Talents and Skills
Whether you sign on with an MLM company or start a business selling your own products and services, remember to use all your talents and skills. Maybe you're a great typist or a very savvy Internet user. Perhaps you know how to design websites, printed flyers, or promote online. Use your talents to maximize your home-based business profits.
Don't just sit at home and dream of owning your own business. Use these five start-up tips to get your home-based business moving today!
Why Marketing and Advertising are Key to Home-Based Business Success
If you are looking for a way to earn extra income or even quit your job and work part-time to bring in a full-time income, the chances are that you've encountered any number of home-based business opportunities. Some home-based business opportunities fall into the category of traditional networking marketing, where you sign up with a company to sell products and the opportunity to your network of contacts. Typically, this involves house parties or a variation of house parties, and exhausting your friends, neighbors, and family members with requests to host parties or to give you the contact information of their friends and colleagues.
Increasingly, however, home-based business opportunities are Internet-based. The lure is seductive, in that the idea of building a home-based business with a computer, keyboard, and mouse is extremely appealing. And there is definitely money to be made and many legitimate Web-based opportunities. How, though, do you separate the fly-by-night operations from those that are credible? In two words, it's marketing and advertising.
The ability to market and advertise a networking marketing plan is key to its growth and success. After all, there's an enormous amount of competition out there, and the company that has marketing and advertising expertise will always come out on top. So, when you're looking at home-based business opportunities, the first things to consider are who does the marketing and advertising, and who assumes the cost of marketing and advertising.
When you think about it, it all comes down to synergy. In simple terms, it means that two or more entities come together, and that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In the real world of home-based business opportunities, it means that two or three companies enter into an agreement and form a network marketing company. In the best possible scenario, each of the companies has a specialty. One company might specialize in, for example, wellness products, while another's expertise might be in helping people build businesses. The third company might be a marketing company that has knowledge and experience in Internet marketing. While each of the three companies has an area of expertise, together they can achieve much more than any of them could separately.
Of the three companies, it can be argued that the marketing company plays the most pivotal role. And, increasingly, Internet marketing companies are partnering with product and business companies to profit from the network marketing opportunity. What does that mean if you're looking for a good home-based business? It means that you don't have to do the marketing and advertising yourself. That is a huge plus for any opportunity. After all, you're probably not a whiz at Internet marketing, so an opportunity that does the marketing and advertising for you will ultimately add to your bottom line. You don't have to spend a fortune in marketing costs, yet you reap the benefits from their efforts.
Of course, the other two companies involved are also important. Again, if you're not experienced in setting up and running a business, having a company that specializes in helping people like you create their own businesses is invaluable. Likewise, a company with a desirable product and a sterling reputation will also help you succeed. But when you're begin reviewing home-based business opportunities, always look at the ways in which the company will promote the product and the opportunity. In doing so, you'll always come out ahead.
7 Ways to Manage Breaks As A Home-Based Business Owner
This week during a coaching session, one of my clients shared her ongoing struggle with managing "breaks" throughout the day. Whenever she felt the need to get up from her desk and stretch her legs, she found herself in the kitchen.
As a result of this habit, she is now 20 pounds heavier, very uncomfortable and extremely unhappy with herself.
Unfortunately this phenomenon is all too common among entrepreneurs who transition from the outside work world to working from home.
Home business presents challenges not normally experienced while working in the corporate or "outside" world and managing breaks is a big one.
When you work outside of the home, a break might be spent by a water cooler, in a lunchroom, or outside on a bench chatting with a co-worker. When you do spend your break in the company lunchroom, you seldom find a fully stocked fridge and cupboards chock full of food at your disposal.
When you work from home, your break locations aren't quite as extensive and because it's very unlikely you would spend this time sitting in a bedroom or talking to yourself in the bathroom mirror, the kitchen is the most logical destination.
How you spend your breaks at home requires a little creativity and A LOT of discipline. By giving yourself options, setting limits, and creating healthy habits, it won't take long for you to re-direct yourself when you find yourself drifting towards the kitchen.
Here are 7 simple options to get you started:
1. Grab your remote telephone, head outside for a lawn chair and call a friend. This not only addresses the "break" issue but also combats the feelings of isolation that often affect home-based business owners. The important thing to remember here is set limits for yourself. Institute a 15-minute break rule and enforce it, otherwise you can lose an entire afternoon.
2. Pick up your mail. Whether the mailbox is at the end of your driveway or just down the street, this is the perfect opportunity for you to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
3. Play your favorite CD and listen to song that takes your mind completely off your work. Enjoy a cool class of juice or a tasty cup of tea while you immerse yourself in the music. If you're feeling a little sluggish, pop a lively tune into your boom box and kick up your heels! There's no better energy boost than a good boogie!
4. Take a walk around the block. Take your puppy with you and light two candles with one flame. Get to know your neighbors, keep your pet healthy, and enjoy the great outdoors.
5. Meditate. There's nothing like a midday meditation to free your mind and relax the body. The benefits are immense and impact all areas of your life and business.
6. Set kitchen hours. Establish certain times throughout the day when the kitchen is off limits and stick to them.
7. Sweep the entryway or vacuum the living room. It may not be exciting but it will give your mind the break it needs, and will save you time elsewhere so you can spend it with family and friends. A few little cleaning breaks throughout the day really add up.
What other ideas come to mind for you?
Your success and wellness all boil down to discipline, creative thinking, and being gentle with yourself. Don't beat yourself up if you've created habits that are counterproductive. Instead, seek solutions and take appropriate action.
It's all about developing structures and processes and when you realize you have the power to design your own activities, you will create amazing results for yourself.
2006 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source
The 3 Core Competencies of a Successful Home-Based Business Owner
Success at home-based business is dependent on many factors including:
- specific skills
- specialized knowledge
- an efficient and functional work space
- structures and processes
- ongoing learning
- a strong support team and mastermind group
- a genuine interest and love for helping people
- a vision and a plan
All of these elements and many others play an integral role in your success, however, if you don't have the following three core competencies, the above elements alone will not guarantee long-term success and fulfillment from your business.
The three core competencies you must possess are:
1. discipline
2. desire
3. belief
The absence of any one of these three competencies will create struggle, overwhelm, confusion, frustration, fear, procrastination and eventual failure in your quest to build a profitable, reputable, enduring home-based business.
Discipline – The ultimate test of this competency is created when you transition from the corporate or "outside" work world to operating independently from the comfort of your own home.
The exhilarating rush of freedom and permission to make your own decisions on your own terms can so easily consume you that you don't initially realize you're allowing yourself to become distracted and deterred by the activities of daily life.
Accepting personal phone calls and visits during work hours, taking extended breaks, accepting invitations to go shopping or for lunch may be regarded as rewards or treats to yourself for your accomplishments, however, it's important to maintain strict rules of conduct, business hours and a professional mindset as you build your business.
Working from home creates an automatic feeling of comfort that can easily overlap into your business performance by nurturing a laissez-faire attitude. Working from home might also provide you with a continuous reminder of the laundry sitting in the hamper, the dust on the bookshelf and the dirty dishes by the sink.
If you're contemplating starting a home-based business, honestly assess your level of self-discipline. Even if you regard yourself as highly disciplined, you will be put to the test on a daily basis, especially during your first couple of years.
Evaluate this competency in depth before quitting your job or investing serious time and money into a new business. No level of specialized expertise or creative genius will compensate for lack of discipline if you want to achieve business success.
Desire – How strong is your desire to not only run your own home-based business, but to work in the specialized niche you have chosen? If you're in it for the money, this is rarely enough to carry you through the hard times, challenges and setbacks that are a natural part of business life.
Desire fuels your energy and keeps you going when everything else around you seems to come to a grinding halt. Desire keeps your spirits up and keeps you motivated and willing to be and act in ways that may at first seem uncomfortable or unnatural.
Desire will give you strength and persistence when naysayers try to sabotage your efforts or undermine your actions. It will also help you seek out creative solutions to unusual challenges, give you courage when situations warrant, and an unwavering determination as you travel through areas of discomfort and unfamiliarity.
Without this core competency, it will be very difficult to get through the hard times with a positive outlook and the resolve to press on. Make sure you have a strong desire to succeed at the particular business and niche you have chosen. At times it may be the one thing that keeps you going.
Belief – How strongly do you believe in yourself, your business and your right to succeed, enjoy wealth, have beautiful things and be happy? Your mind is your most powerful asset, yet can be your most powerful adversary.
Your beliefs alone can make or break your success in life and business, and you would be amazed by how many intelligent, gifted, creative, dynamic people fail because they don't believe in themselves.
Self-limiting beliefs and negative self-talk can be the poison that kills your dream, so it's important to look inward and take an inventory of your beliefs in the areas of your personal rights (what you're entitled to), money, relationships, your role as a mother, father, son, daughter, life partner, human being, entrepreneur, etc.
Many home-based business owners fail because they are continuously measuring themselves against others, focusing on their personal limitations, kicking themselves for not having all the answers or for not being perfect.
Some have a subconscious belief they don't deserve success or put a limit on what they think they're entitled to, so they unknowingly sabotage their own efforts keeping success at arm's length.
Can you see how no amount of specialized skill; the perfect workspace, structures or processes will be enough if you don't have the discipline, desire or belief to support the entire process?
As you contemplate starting your own business or if you're having difficulty bringing your business to the next phase of growth, assess your levels in these three core competencies and determine their impact on your decisions and actions.
Are you willing to make a shift where needed to produce the results you seek?
Might a lower level in or non-existence of one of the competencies indicate the need to perhaps change direction or look at alternate options?
A lower level doesn't indicate a deficiency on your part, but may provide a clue that you need to look in a different direction or to open yourself to options you may have never considered.
Conduct this self-evaluation not to judge yourself, but to provide a benchmark or a compass that will guide your decisions in a direction that will give you real happiness and genuine success.
2006 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source
The Power of Testimonials for the Home-Based Business Owner
Including testimonials on your web site and in your marketing material is a great way to establish trust with your potential customers and boost your credibility.
Giving a testimonial to someone else is also a good way of building your business, and getting visitors to your site.
When a potential buyer is considering whether or not to buy from you, testimonials may reassure her. Use testimonials on the back of your business card, in your brochures, web site, letters, e-mail, and so on.
Include the name of the person providing the testimonial, otherwise people might think you just made it up. Also, print the provider's full name, company name, and city, state/province, country, etc.
Provide links to their web sites and if you can get a picture of them, even better.
Testimonials like the one below will do very little to add credibility or believability to your business ...
"Thanks to your help in getting clear on my goals, I am moving forward much quicker than I was before we started working together. - J.S., New Zealand"
Not only is the testimonial void of any significant content, it's very difficult to accept the provider as being real. There's no way for us to confirm he or she even exists.
Here's a testimonial I received a week after promoting a new book. Notice how it is detailed and provides full info on the provider so you can verify that yes, she is a real live person and a trustworthy source. (Personalization has been removed for the purposes of this article.)
"I've been a subscriber to your ezine for over a year and love the information and ideas you provide.
I wanted to thank you for sharing special products and offers and to let you know that as a result of a promotion you sent out, I won an 8-month coaching certification program valued at $6,000! - What an incredible gift!
I'm already a Professional Certified Coach and run a full-time business from home, and I'm the first to acknowledge there's so much in the world of coaching to learn. I am thrilled at this opportunity and thank you for creating it for me!
Writer's Name, Occupation, Country
Company name
Company website address
Picture of writer "
I posted the complete testimonial on the newsletter sign up page of my web site. Do you see how this will add credibility to the benefits this ezine provides?
If you're just starting out and don't have any professional testimonials under your belt, get personal ones.
When I first began as a Life Strategy Coach, I asked friends and acquaintances for testimonials. What their testimonials did was add to my likeability and trust factor, and helped portray who I am as a person.
When a prospective client is looking for a coach, one of the first things they're looking for is someone they can connect to, someone they're attracted to through certain characteristics, energy, etc.
Even though I since transitioned to coaching entrepreneurs to build thriving home-based businesses, the forming of our relationship isn't only about results. It still boils down to chemistry, how well we connect, trust and likeability.
Achieving results is paramount, but as a client or customer, you need to feel closeness and trust with the person you hire. The personal testimonials I collected helped create that trust in the beginning, then the professional testimonials I collected in the years following, provided the additional credibility.
As you begin to promote yourself, start asking friends, acquaintances, co-workers, whomever you can think of who can provide a testimonial that will portray your strengths, skills and character.
Ask their permission to provide their full name, town, state/province and a picture for added integrity.
As your business grows and you gain satisfied customers, ask every single one of them for testimonials and include them in your marketing materials.
This one practice alone will pack a powerful punch in your business building efforts.
2006 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source
Turn Your Love Of Golf Into A Career With A Home-Based Business
If you were sitting on your deathbed, having been just told you have one single hour to live, how much would a second hour of life be worth to you? $100? $1000? Every cent you have? Chances are, at that point in your life, nothing would be worth more than another hour to spend with your friends, family, loved ones, or even just sitting under a tree, listening to the birds sing. Or maybe you would ask for just enough time for a quick nine rounds of golf on the public course?
So there's no question we'd value our time more when we know we have only a little left, but why does it take us so long to get to that mindset? We know we'll all die eventually, we know our time on this earth is limited, so why do we trade hours of our existence for minimum wage? Why do we slave at a job we hate for just $12 an hour, or $15 an hour, or even $30 an hour? Why don't we enjoy our time, rather than sell it off at rock bottom prices?
The answer to that is simple - we need cash. But rather than take the time to set up a situation where we make money for doing nothing, we do it the old fashioned, short-term thinking way - we go to work. We let someone else play golf, while we sit in a cubicle and help pay his or her mortgage off.
So why not make the change? Why not take the plunge and start a home-based business? Why not be the guy who strolls around a golf course working on his chip shot while others work for us, or while customers send you bags of money for maybe an hour of work each day?
Why not indeed.
Today's online world offers a litany of home-based business opportunities, from mail order businesses to consignment programs, to affiliate systems, to sub-contracting opportunities, and even the age-old multi-level marketing routine.
The first question to ask yourself is 'what do you want to do for a living?'
If you're a golf freak, you might say you want to be out on the course, so why not start there? The world of golf holds many possibilities, from selling golf products and accessories online, to creating a golf web portal with dozens of affiliate program ads hanging off it, to selling ebooks on how to improve your swing.
But those are just the home-based business ideas that everyone else is working on - in order to really set yourself apart and make ongoing passive income for minimal effort in return, you need to think outside the box, and make effort early to set things up so they can earn more and more over time.
There's no such thing as a 'get rich quick' home based business that pays you tens of thousands right away. Well, okay, maybe it exists somewhere, but systems that pay out large sums quickly invariably fall on their ear soon after. To really establish a business that pays you every week for eternity, you need to plan, work smart, invest a small amount of money and a large amount of time.
Is A Home-Based Business Right For Me?
Almost everyone is talking about a Home-based Business, and some giving it a try. You’ve probaly heard numerous success stories of people earning more than they used to, from the comfort of their own homes. You’re almost tempted to leave your job, and embark on the home-based business venture yourself. But you’re not sure you’ve got what it takes...
First thing is, a home-based business is not for everyone. Many have succeeded in it, but there are just as many who fail. They either ventured into their home-based business too quickly, and unprepared. Or they just could not handle its demands. In the end, the promise of the rewards of a home-based business was nowhere in sight.
You don’t have to make the same mistake! Here are some questions you can ask yourself, to help you find out if you got what it takes, to start your own home-based business.
Do you think you can mind your own home-based business, and make it successful?
Once you have started your own home-based business, you will have to give the business the attention it needs for it to be successful. You will probably be working alone, which means there will be no more lively conversations with your officemates around the water cooler, and no more chatting about last night’s TV shows over lunch. So If you are the kind of person who like to thrive in such kinds of social interaction, chances are, you may find that working on your own home-based business, might become boring.
With your home-based business, you will be trading your office interaction with family interaction. If you would rather spend time with your kids and your spouse, than with co-workers, then a home-based business might just be right for you.
Do you need someone else to motivate you to reach your goals?
Do you find yourself playing the role of “follower” instead of “leader” more often? Are you happy with such a situation? If so, you might not be cut out to start a home-based business of your own. Your home-based business needs a leader... Being your own boss means you’re going to have to motivate yourself to reach your business goals. So if you are more comfortable taking orders from someone else, instead of you doing the ordering around yourself, it’s best you stick to your day job.
Are you happy and comfortable with your current job?
As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. If your current job is able to pay for the bills, allow you enough time for yourself, and your family, allow you to take your family on vacations etc. then there’s probably no need for you to start out from scratch, by putting up a business of your own.
In the end, only you and you alone,can determine if you got what it takes to start a home-based business.
Your Own Home-Based Business: It's All in the Family
Balancing work life with family sure can be challenging in this day and age. Most of us are working harder and longer just trying to keep up with the bills and the overall cost of living. The cost of everything keeps going up: food, utilities, gasoline, insurance, and day care, just to name a few. It's hard to keep up and still spend quality time with your children. As a result, more and more people are choosing to start their own home based businesses.
While it's true that working from home can keep you closer to your family, it also requires a well-organized and consistent approach in order to meet the needs of both your business and family life. To be successful, you must find ways to put in the hours necessary to start and grow your business without being detoured by family matters. You will need to manage your tasks and optimize your time. If you or your spouse hold a regular job, then conscientious time management will be even more crucial. By establishing boundaries and through careful planning, you can manage your time and priorities so that your family can be an asset to your business rather than a distraction.
First, think about how you could divide business specific tasks between you and your spouse. Plan your work, then work your plan. For example, while one spouse is at the workplace holding down a conventional job, the other can stay at home and spend time working the business by writing and posting ads, doing research, ordering product, and so forth. In the evenings when the spouse returns home from the office, that person can take over duties such as answering emails and making phone calls for training and prospecting purposes, while the other attends to the children and household tasks.
Also, consider recruiting your children into your home business. They may be able to help with certain tasks. Perhaps your oldest child can babysit the younger siblings during certain times of the day or evening. Children may also be able to help by preparing items for mailing, cleaning your office, and organizing and filing paperwork (don't be shocked, however, when you get asked to raise their allowance!).
Talk with your family and come to some agreements about the importance of your home business. Make them aware of the demands it places on each member as well as yourself. Gain their understanding and cooperation. Restrict personal use of the telephone to specific times so that your line will not be tied up during your business hours (or better yet, consider having a second phone line installed to be used just for business). Lay down the law that family must stay out of your office area during working hours. To make it easier for them to adhere to your rules, try to coordinate your work schedule with family activities, and schedule some non-business time during crucial times of the day, such as when the kids get home from school and at mealtimes. Be sure to discuss your business schedule with extended family members and friends. Inform them of your working hours and ask them not to drop by or call you during those times when you are working on your business.
Work hard and fast to build your home business, and keep going! Make the whole family aware of what you are doing and what you need from them. You'll probably find that they are all willing to help however they can. The rewards will be worthwhile, and you and your family can reap the benefits for years to come.
Permission is granted to publish this article free of charge either electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included.
What Home-Based Business Is Right For You?
If you are looking for a home based business or any other way to make money working at home, then you have probably been overwhelmed with the information available online. You can’t search for “work at home” on the internet without being bombarded by a million and one ads – all of which claim to be the BEST work at home opportunity.
So how do you know which one really is the best? Well, there are a lot of factors, but I’ve tried my best to highlight some of the items to consider before jumping into a new business venture.
My first recommendation is to answer the following questions as honestly as you can:
*How much time are you willing to invest in a job/business?
*Do you want to work 100% from home or would you be able to work outside the home a set number of hours per week?
*How much money are you comfortable with spending to start a business?
*How much money do you expect to make from your business?
*Do you enjoy working with people (in person, over the phone, online)?
*Do you enjoy sales?
*Do you prefer to work alone or with a group of people?
Once you have the answers to these questions, you are better equipped to tackle the mounds of advertisements for work at home opportunities. The next step is to see how well your needs/wants/likes fit into the businesses available to you. Before agreeing to any type of business, find someone who is already doing the business and ask them the following questions:
*How much time do you work each week?
*What does your average daily business activities consist of? (This will give you a better idea of what type of work is involved and whether or not it is for you.
*What costs are involved in start-op? Ongoing operational expenses?
*Do I need employees?
*What is the product or service you sell?
*How much money can I REALISTICALLY expect to make working “x” number of hours per week? (x being the number of hours you are willing to work)
Now that you have your answers, go ahead and write down the top 3 business opportunities that appeal to you. Then think it over for a while. Starting a new business should never be a spontaneous decision – especially if there is a large financial investment. Take some time – at least a couple weeks! – and sincerely think about and compare each opportunity until you feel confident with the one you’ve chosen.
In closing, I do have a couple warnings for you when searching for that “golden” opportunity.
*If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
*You should NEVER...I repeat NEVER have to pay someone just to receive information about a job or business opportunity
*If an advertisement seems incredibly vague, it is most definitely intentional. A good number of “too good to be true” offers don’t give you all the details up front because they know if they do, no one would be interested.
Most importantly, be well informed. Do not give ANYONE your hard-earned money until you have the answers to your questions and the confidence in making the right financial decision.
Startup Costs For Homebased Business
Just about everyone jumps on the web with a web site without realizing all that is involved. It's the horse and the cart. Recently, we tested a new way of solving the primary reason people, especially homebased business or work from home moms and dads, look to the Internet as a fast and easy way to generate income.
Traditionally, the first thing you think you need is a web site. But if you look at sites such as Ebay, Amazon and Yahoo!, you realize that a person doesn't need a website to make money on the Web! Savvy sellers take advantage of auction and direct sales sites to sell their wares with little to no cost. These smart marketers have the right idea! Marketing is first.
For others, how to make money on the Internet and what to do first is a mystery. So they follow the pack and search for a web designer. Unfortunately, some are left with little funds to attract buyers to their shiny new website. And so goes the tale of a million sites on the Internet that don't work, don't pay for themselves, and certainly don't generate the income a work at home mom hopes for.
One of the biggest obstacles is the copy on a web site page. Both search engine optimization and persuasive sales copy require additional funding in addition to web design and development. Nearly all novice web owners who we come in contact with don't realize that they have to provide the content for their web pages. It's usually an unpleasant surprise to find out that web designers don't write copy although someone on the company staff may provide this service. It calls for an extra fee.
Our solution to this conundrum is to start with your marketing objective and then develop the pieces that deliver the objective. For example, when you want to sell teddy bears, look for a domain name that includes teddy bears in the URL. Next, discover who wants your teddy bears and how you're going to let these buyers know about your bears. Then, make a list of why your buyer would want to own your teddy bear more than your competitor's teddy that looks a lot like yours. Once you have this basic information, consider all the parts you need to invest in to bring your offers to market on the Internet.
Here are some rough numbers: Your domain name from Network Solutions is $35 per year. If you're well funded, you might want to start with a web plan, about $1500. Copywriting is next and for a 12-page web site, you are looking at $2-300 per page, that's an average of $3060. A quality 12-page business HTML web site, including web design and development runs about $1500. All this expense and you have not sold your first teddy bear yet. Opt for a good web host, not those cheapy hosting services. In fact, it is a good idea to go with the hosting service your web designer prefers. Not all servers work the same, and you reduce the development and maintenance time and avoid paying your developer for more time when she is intimately familiar with the server tools. A reliable web hosting service costs $20-30 a month depending on the server space your site needs and the bandwidth used from all your web traffic.
If you are like most new web owners, you had no clue that all this was needed. There are still a few more steps to consider. One is the number of pages associated with your website. Twelve pages is a healthy number for most small business people to start with, but that can hardly support all the keywords you have to generate free web traffic. Plan on adding more keyword web pages as time goes on. Consider a competitor site with 100 search engine optimized web pages all devoted to selling teddy bears. Your site will struggle getting a top ranking against this big guy.
Two, is the big enchilada. Internet marketing. And this is where most of your funds go, and it's where most new web owners fall down. Even cutting all the corners, there is usually little left for marketing. And a lot of the time, new web owners are shocked and dismayed with the outpouring of money up to this point and dig their heals in at spending any more, especially when Internet marketing is a mystery for many.
Internet marketing involves several options. The most widely recognized is search engine marketing. You have probably heard the term. Another common marketing practice is CPC or PPC. Cost Per Click or Pay Per Click can be tricky and can drain your credit card quickly. It looks easy, but trust me on this, there is nothing easy about direct response copywriting and that's what placing ad copy on a search engine such as Google or Yahoo! requires. There is a method to determining how much to invest in a CPC bid. So don't rush in, write a few ads, and wait for visitors without knowing what you are doing.
It's a wonder so many people jump on the Web without finding out about all these costs, but they do. I guess it looks easy, but if you have invested hundreds, even thousands, and have yet to recover your investment, you know it is not easy. You don't know why. You only know, you keep trying different things, and you continue to wait for the big return. All you have to do is the smart thing upfront to save a lot of money and get good results in a decent amount of time. Hire a good Internet marketing company who can help you get the outcome you want. You will save a lot of time, frustration and money overall.
Home-Based Business – The Eeyore Factor
Have you ever considered how much your attitude reflects your ability to succeed?
"Nobody tells me. Nobody keeps me informed. I make it 17 days come Friday since anybody spoke to me." Eeyore
I remember watching cartoons with my kids and watching the ragged little Eeyore on Winnie the Pooh. His house would fall or his tail would come off or he landed unexpectedly in the river and Eeyore, in a deep monotone voice would say, “"When stuck in the river, it is best to dive and swim to the bank yourself before someone drops a large stone on your chest in an attempt to hoosh you there."
Eeyore always expected something bad to happen – and it usually did. We often laughed at his misery either because we find it profoundly funny or ironic. Sometimes art really does imitate life.
Charlie Brown, Sad Sack and Ziggy were also among the ranks of cartoon’s great pessimists. And if they weren’t altogether pessimistic then they were at least bereft of the proverbial ‘break’ that would grant them success.
We all watch these cartoons and we laugh because we have been where they are. Perhaps we are really laughing at ourselves because we can identify with the feelings of failure.
If you are seeking to start a home-based business you need to know that by choosing your attitude you can dramatically alter how you respond to the difficulties that come up.
Take this little quiz.
1. Do disappointments make you feel like a failure or do you look at the disappointment as a new opportunity?
2. When you hit a roadblock are you more inclined to stop dead in your tracks or look for a new route to success?
3. Do you go into a business idea with the underlying belief that you will probably fail or do you ultimately believe you will succeed?
4. Are you exited about your home-based business or do you feel slightly apathetic to the notion of owning a home-based business?
The answers to these very simple questions can help you understand if your view of home-based businesses is bound up in pessimism or if you are more optimistic in your outlook on life and business.
"No Give and Take. No Exchange of Thought. It gets you nowhere, particularly if the other person's tail is only just in sight for the second half of the conversation." – Eeyore
Sometimes I wonder what the statistics might be on home-based businesses that failed simply because the owner had given up before they ever really got started? Honestly, don’t you wish there was a way to track that information. It would likely have a profound impact on our own business outlook.
We all like to be around people who have a positive attitude and a good idea about where they want to go with their life and business. A positive outlook is attractive to others, yet it seems fewer and fewer individuals possess something they can ultimately choose, but opt for rejection instead.
If you’ve been acting a bit like Eeyore maybe it’s time for an attitude adjustment? Your home-based business may just depend on it.
How To Build A Home-Based Business
Building a home business has innumerable advantages for those who cannot do a regular nine-to-five job for various personal or professional reasons. One can work and also look after his or her family at the same time, while building a business which can be operated from home.
This will also enable you to be the master of your own time and space. No longer would you need to face the supervision of boss, or other hazards of an office atmosphere like the hassles of the employers’ union. The profit you gain is totally yours and you get to save the conveyance expenses as well.
Before starting the home built business one should go for a thorough research as to which business should suit him or her best. There are several profitable online businesses that one can pursue:
- #1 Free work at home option - Online marketing:
This is one of the most promising home-based businesses. This is operated and offered on the World Wide Web. Becoming an associate with a business group can be a lucrative venture, as it virtually needs no start up money. But those who are interested in this kind of business should have a clear knowledge regarding computers and website building. A better website attracts more traffic which in turn generates quite a good sale.
- #2 Free work at home option - Selling products online:
In this business one does not need much money to start up. No cost of storefront is also needed. You can simply market anything (which is not illegal) over the net. With a shipping charge and the profit on the product, you can earn quite a handsome amount. The requirement for this business is just a computer and Internet connection.
- #3 Free work at home option - Representative of companies:
You can also start a home-based business by being the representative of a company. Most of these companies do not need any investment from the representative to start with. The companies will offer you a commission on the products that you will sell. You can do all these from the comfort your own house.
Not only online businesses, there are several others forms of businesses that one can start with a little amount of money. But the most interesting part of work at home business is that one can work as well as can spend his or her time with family.
But one should also remember that starting a home-based business is not that easy. It requires preparation and a proper planning. Depending on the availability of the resources and the amount of money one can invest, one must consider various options before starting the business. Certain factors also play a very important role as location, networking, money, expertise etc.
It is true that the will to have a flourishing home business is not enough and one can face much difficulty. But you just need a strong mind and determination to start free work at home jobs.
Five Reasons Podcasting Might Be Right For Your Home-based Business
Podcasting has been called the wave of the future. The truth, however, is that podcasting is the here-and-now and is rapidly gaining momentum across the world. There are podcasts available for just about any topic you can think of from cooking to video games to religion. As of February 2006, a Google search for the term “podcast” returns over 205,000,000 results. The amazing reality of this is that it is still, in effect, an untapped market that will continue its growth in the years to come.
Podcasting can have many uses for the home-based business owner. It can be useful not only advertise, but to also communicate your business message. Below are 5 tips on how to use podcasts to benefit your business:
1. Reach your niche market – Depending on your product, podcasting can be the perfect way to reach new groups of people in your market. Believe it or not, there are people out there looking for the product you provide and this enables them to easily find them.
Podcasts are quickly becoming a new advertising venue as well. A podcast that is listed in podcasting directories such as iTunes can reach thousands, even millions of listeners. This can be a very inexpensive method for advertisers on a budget.
The popularity of podcasts is a steadily growing trend. Many people who are just beginning to learn about podcasts will search for topics of there interest. This is a great way to reach customers that you would not have been able to reach before the advent of podcasting.
2. Share your passion – Podcasting is a great way to share what you love. If you are excited about a topic or product, chances are that others out there are, too. A podcast on the topic you are passionate about is a great way to connect with others who also share that same passion.
People can hear your excitement over the “airwaves.” I always enjoy listening to a program when the speaker is obviously energized about whatever it is he’s speaking on. So, when recording your podcast, keep a smile on your face and allow your excitement to show.
3. Share information – Many home-based businesses have begun because they are filling a need. A podcast can help this information reach the people that it will benefit. For example, CWAHM.com was created to help women be at home with their children while still contributing to their families financially. Many of the sites’ visitors are buys moms who may not have the time to scour the hundreds of pages the site contains. Our podcast, Christian Work at Home Moment, airs once a week and is 24 minutes long. It’s an easy way for moms to learn more about working from home without spending hours on their computer.
Make it a point to research your topic and find all of the interesting and little known facets of passion. Keep your listeners interested and they will want to hear more!
4. Become an “Expert” in your field – Creating a podcast can help to establish you as an “expert” in the area your broadcast covers. You must be willing to take the time, do the research and share information that is valuable and useful to your listeners.
Just as authors become experts by researching and writing on specific topics, podcasters become experts by sharing the information they find with their listening audience. There is a big market for podcasts in a multitude of areas – the next expert could be YOU!
5. It’s easy - A podcast can be started with virtually no cost or investment. In most cases, there is no need to be “tech savvy” to be a podcast creator. It can be as simple as using a phone to record your podcast through a service like Odeo.com. There are, of course, more complicated set-ups, but to begin you truly just need a topic, a phone and a quiet spot to record.
Podcasting is easy for listeners as well. A podcast can be listened to directly from a website or downloaded from iTunes and put directly on an MP3 device.
There are many reasons that a podcast can benefit small and home-based businesses. This growing market is an entirely new way to communicate information to the world. When it comes to podcasting, the sky’s the limit. So take your business to new levels and start podcasting today.
Find Success In Your Homebased Business
As with any business, a homebased business needs to be nurtured in order for it to be successful. It is not going to take care of itself, and it is not enough just to submit it to search engines to allow potential customers to find it, and hope it is going to do the trick.No matter what you may have been told, the truth is that you need to do some work before any business will make you any money.Yes, you have probably heard about residual income in network marketing, but that income is based upon hours, months, and possibly years of very hard work advertising,learning, promoting, and training in a continuous cycle until you have reached the level in the organization where you can sit back, just relax and let the business work for you.
How does all of that tie in to the keys of success for a home business? You just have to work hard in order to be successful. A typical mistake that many people make with a homebased business is that they fail to see it as a real business.Their business comes second in line after doing all of the other things they want to do. Even though you are not working in an office, you have a business that needs your undivided attention, you need to devote time to doing just that, and nothing else. That means if your best friend calls and wants you to go shopping, you have to make sure she understands that you still have a job, even though you are working at home. Are you neglecting friends and family? No, but you have to set aside certain hours to work on your business just as you would if you were going to work each day. You don´t need to work 8-5 every day, but you do need to put in the amount of hours necessary in order to do the things that are required, so your business grows and you can reach your goals.
You must also put aside time for your business promotion. You can do this by email, website promotion, passing out business cards in your local area, making up fliers to send out, or any number of other ways. It is important to have an organized method networking, in order to make your business successful. In summary, the key points are (1) You must treat your business as if you were going to work each day; (2) Have an organized criteria for what you need to do daily; and (3) Build your business with the knowledge that you will always have to be involved in order to maintain success.
Dealing With Pressure For The Home-Based Business Entrepreneur
What is the most effective way to deal with the anxiety that a home-based business entrepreneur experiences? The quick answer is to realize that this is part of being a business owner and to learn to live with it. The anxiety will not go away over night and you may be experiencing it for many years as you look at the profit/loss margins that occur with starting a business and moving to a place where it is stable and successful.
Many people are drawn to the idea of being self-employed,and not having to work for a boss and also because they think that there are many freedoms with this type of business. They soon find out; however, that this is not the case and they will actually be working long, hard hours for a few years as they try to get their business on its feet. The difference in being self-employed is that everything rests on your shoulders. When you were working for someone else, you had to deal with things you probably did not want to but the entire weight of the financial success of the company was not your concern – now it is. You are now concerned if there will be enough profit to pay your employees, your vendors, and your bills.
Remember that simply because you are feeling pressure does not mean your business is going to fail. It simply means you are now in business for yourself and are facing the same pressures that all business owners experience at some time or another. Anxiety is a great motivator. You may wake up and not want to do any work, you would prefer to make an early round of golf, instead you realize that if you choose this option you will only be making it more difficult for yourself and you will lose money as opposed to making money. I would actually be concerned if you started a new business and had absolutely no fears at all, that is being arrogant and has a great chance of leading to failure.
There is a difference in being confident about your business venture and arrogant. Arrogant is thinking nothing will go wrong and you do not have to make an effort or sweat over the financial affairs of your new business. So how do you deal with the pressure? Make sure you have a financial plan. Talk to those who are involved in your business and make sure everyone knows their goals. Talk about the risks and whether-or-not, they are worth taking. Do not stick your head in the sand and pretend they do not exist – they do and you need to face them head on and when you do,you will be successful and your anxiety will lessen and will eventually go away.
Home-Based Business – Avoiding The Ice Storm
Steve is a radio engineer. When the station goes off the air Steve is called out to fix the problem. One of the radio transmitters Steve works on has a tower that is 1,000 feet tall and he’s been known to work in any kind of weather condition to keep his station on the air.
This brave engineer is used to crawling on top of grain bins to work on smaller antennas and he is used to being called out in the middle of the night.
Steve’s co-worker, Mike has helped Steve from time to time and he recalls one chilly morning following a rather intense ice storm, “Steve and I headed out to the transmitter site. When we got there I thought the trip over the icy roads had been a waste of our time. The sun had come out and large pieces of ice were breaking away from the tower and striking the ground. The sound was eerie. I’ll never forget Steve telling me to keep an eye on the ice and holler if one was falling toward him.”
Mike describes some of the ice chunks as being about the size of a refrigerator. Mike watched spellbound as Steve simply walked up the building with ice falling all around him, worked on the transmitter to get the radio station back on the air, and then walk out through falling ice without ever looking up – and without ever getting hit.
Some might call Steve’s actions insane, but in some sense Steve responded to a problem in the same way many home-based business owners do; identify the problem and then do whatever it takes to fix the problem in spite of the risks that may be involved.
It is a fallacy to believe that there are no risks in home-based businesses. If risk bothers you then you might avoid developing your own business. There are no guarantees in life and certainly none in the ownership of your own business. Coincidentally you will not even find a guarantee in accepting a job as an employee of a large firm.
Hopefully the risk involved in your home-based business is financial and not physical, but the picture of Steve walking through falling ice is a powerful reminder that there are risks involved in whatever we do and we have to be aware of the risks and be willing to fight for what we believe in – to work for what we want to achieve.
It takes a special type of individual to see the challenge and possibility in home-based business and determine the risk is worth the ultimate reward and the sacrifice is worth the potential satisfaction.
The key role in any home-based business is to pay attention to the one step in front of you without either spending too much time looking back or concentrating too much on what may be ahead. If you can learn to take problems one at a time, and in order, the process may not seem as daunting as you go through it.
So the next time you have something difficult to work through in your business, think of Steve. Comparatively speaking your problems should never be quite as bad.
Ecommerce Explodes For Home-based Business Entrepreneurs
In recent years, we’ve seen a figurative explosion of home based business websites online. When once we only dreamed of having so many options available in order to individuals to make their own hours and work at home, the dream became a reality.
Ecommerce has allowed people from all walks of life to meet the needs of their target market audience and offer them the sorts of products that they really want.
However, this can be tricky when it comes to home based business options, since many online entrepreneurs want the opportunity to offer something that their competitors can’t.
In some cases, this is as simple as using autoresponders and various email marketing strategies that are not used by other individuals involved in the same field.
As a result, more buyers’ trend toward buying from the vendor that appears more internet savvy and who uses different marketing tools in order to make the experience more convenient for the customer.
When people began to realize that there was an abundance of information available both free and paid, to help them with their businesses, many were skeptical at first. They wondered if it was really possible that marketing techniques and software such as ecommerce shopping cart and other types of online ecommerce software could really impact their online sales that much.
The simple answer was they yes; they absolutely could, and do. Ecommerce businesses are more popular than ever before, and this is not just because we have the technology to make buying online easier.
The truth of the matter is that ecommerce shopping is often so much easier and so much more convenient that individuals are appreciative of the fact that they no longer have to drive around from store to store looking for whatever product it is that they feel they need.
Instead, they can just log on a multitude of different online stores and buy the products that they want in just minutes. As more and more people see the benefits of ecommerce shopping, the demand for more individuals increases to sell into the smaller market niches and supply the items that the public desires.
When individuals have their own business, and there is no reason for them to be working in an office, they have the freedom locate their business anywhere they like.
For example, if the business is selling product in the electronic market online, there is no reason for the entrepreneur to have anything other than a home based business, since this allows them flexibility and convenience while at the same time allowing them to generate a profitable income from home.
These are just some of the reasons that ecommerce home based businesses have become so popular. There are so many commercials and advertisements that talk about how simple and easy it is to have a work at home, home based business. It really is so much easier than many people think. The boom is a natural response to the convenience and efficiency that the “online store model” offers the home based entrepreneur.
How To Sell Your Home-Based Business
Home based businesses are rarely successes immediately. It takes time, money and dedication to get your business up and running. There are several ways to help enhance your customer clientele and help your company grow. Word of mouth is a great way to expand your customer base. Your friends and family may know many potential customers that are in need of your products or services and don’t know it. Placing ads on bulletin boards at businesses or organizations that are closely associated with the type of business that you run, may help to bring in clients. By having your ads in places that it will be noticed, will help potential customers to remember your company, when they are looking for your product or service.
Placing fliers on doors can also draw in new customers. One of the least expensive ways to advertise your home based business is to order door magnets for your car. As you drive around town, potential clients will see that you offer a type of product or service that they made need now or in the future, with a phone number to contact you by. Place ads in the local newspaper and phone books. Often if your ad is larger than others on the page, a customer’s eyes will be drawn to it immediately. Do not make the ads too elaborate, and be sure to include all of the necessary information that a customer would need when considering your company.
Bright colors may help to draw attention to your ads, also. Advertising online can also be a great way to increase business for your home based business. Adding your site to the list on a search engine or two can help to bring in traffic to your web site. Having the option to order and pay for the products from your company online, can speed along the process of buying, which is always a hit with clients.
A great way to increase your clientele is to make yourself available when your potential clients attempt to contact you. If you set aside business hours to be from 8am to 5 pm, and you receive a call at 7 pm regarding your company, do not ask the person if you can call them back tomorrow, go ahead and answer any questions that they have. It will show them that you are interested in obtaining their business, if you take the time to speak with them when they contact you. This is also true if you meet them in person, whether in the grocery store or in a restaurant, if they show an interest in your company, make them feel that you are interested in helping them as quickly as possible with their problems. Increasing your clients will help to increase word of mouth regarding your company, which will immediately increase your sales.
Home-Based Business – Getting Started
Many home-based businesses are either sole proprietor or a general partnership. These are simplified methods of developing a business and can often allow the greatest flexibility in startup and business termination.
With a sole proprietor business you are the single business owner paying all taxes at years end. You will likely be required to obtain a business license and applicable permits.
With a general partnership a partnership agreement is generally developed. The partnership is dissolved when one party wishes to end their stake in the business. This type of business is developed when either two friends wish to start a business together or two family members. There are also limited partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies that can be developed, but for the sake of this article we will key in on the simplest forms of business ownership.
With most online business that operates as a home-based business there is not the need for an in-home showroom or customer visitation. In fact, many municipalities and or covenant communities do not allow the sale of items through a more traditional home-based business where items are actually sold out of the home to visiting customers.
Should your home-based business receive in-home business you would likely need to look at purchasing business insurance. Most homeowner policies will not cover loss if it is determined the loss was actually related to a business visit or transaction.
The income produced from a home-based online business is considered taxable under self-employment standards in the United States. This means that you will be responsible to manage the tax liability on your income. As mentioned above this can be managed when your yearly taxes are prepared. If you have a net income that exceeds $400, self-employment taxes will need to be paid. You should also know that the Internal Revenue Service pays particular attention to home office deductions so be sure you follow all guidelines if you claim your home office as a deduction in your home-based business because some things are deductible while others are not.
You should also make sure to keep very good records of all profit and loss. You can work with an accountant to discover the specific deductions you can claim on the business you have chosen to operate.
Tax time will be a bit more stressful with additional forms to fill out and information to have on hand, but this is a small price to pay for using your skills in the development of a home-based business.