Here are some excellent businesses that you can start, operate and grow from your home. All these work at home businesses have the following desirable features:
**Low Startup Costs
**Ease of Entry
**High Income Potential
**Home Based and Operated
**Worldwide Sales Potential
**Residual, Recurring and/or Passive Income Potential
1. Consulting
A consultant is someone expert in a field who, for a fee, advises businesses or individuals on various matters of concern.
Many times we tend to feel that our knowledge, skills or abilities are nothing unique. However, many lack those same assets and would gladly pay us for our knowledge and services.
Although it is possible to make a living from consulting with individuals, the big money is in performing services for businesses.
Do you have knowledge of bookkeeping, accounting, tax or similar business matters? Some have made excellent money specializing in small business consulting.
Are you a computer hobbyist with business or internet experience? You could make money in web design, internet marketing, search engine optimization, or some other specialty.
Some lawyers have combined their legal experience with their love of the Internet and specialized in intellectual property and computer law.
2. Finding
A finder is someone who, for a fee, finds something needed by a business or individual. A finder`s fee is the amount paid to the finder for locating what was required.
Finder`s fees are paid for finding money (loans, equipment leasing, et cetera), equipment (mining, construction, et cetera), personnel, companies for sale, locations (fast food franchises, vending machines, et cetera) and just about anything else that people are willing to pay for.
Simply match sellers with buyers and you can earn finder`s fees.
3. Auctions
An auction is an event where items are sold to the highest bidders. An internet auction, online auction or e-auction is an auction where you can buy and sell items on the Internet.
Many thousands now make their living or fortune from selling products and services on eBay and similar auction sites. So can you!
4. Drop Shipping
Drop shipping is a method of selling products without stocking inventory yourself. When you make a sale you contact the manufacturer or authorized distributor who ships it to the customer with your invoice and shipping label. Advantages include no warehousing, shipping, or inventory costs.
5. Affiliate Programs
An affiliate or associate program is a method of selling products on the internet through commission sales. When someone you refer to a website buys, the company you are an associate of (or affiliated with) pays you a commission.
In many cases, it is also possible to make money from the efforts of people that you introduce to the affiliate program. You can also expand your product line by joining and promoting more than one affiliate program.
6. Webmastering
A webmaster is a an internet specialist reponsible for all aspects of web sites.
Areas where businesses need assistance include web site design, logo, banner or graphic design, web hosting, e-commerce, internet marketing, web programming, scripts, security, web site maintenance, copy writing, mailing list management, and many other areas.
7. Self-publishing
A self-publisher creates, produces, and sells information products. Information products may be in the form of books, booklets, videos, audio cassettes, compact disks (CDs), electronic books, files, databases, private websites, and other media.
The information products that you create are unique. You have exclusive control and ownership of your own products.
8. Instant Publishing
An instant publisher sells information products produced by someone else who grants them reprint (or resale) rights. Often self-publishers will sell such products to complement their own information products.
9. International Trade
International trade involves importing and exporting. Importing involves buying goods and services from suppliers in another country. Exporting involves selling goods and services to customers in another country.
10. Mail Order
Mail order is a method of conducting business through the mail. Goods and services can be sold through direct mail (and also via catalogues, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, web sites, and other media). Customers can order by mail or by other means (fax, telephone, internet, et cetera). Delivery of orders can be made by mail or alternative means (such as by courier for physical goods or by fax, e-mail, telephone, or electronic files for information).
Work At Home Business Ideas
Using SWOT Analysis To Improve Your Business
Analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of a business is a well-established tool that is widely used by academics, consultants, and advisors. Although it is a simple concept, business owners often struggle when trying to use it because it is so broad. It is difficult to determine where to start, what questions to ask, and where to focus. The obvious problems get attention while many other important issues get overlooked. SWOT analysis is a great tool, but its effective use requires additional structure.
Strengths and weaknesses relate to internal factors, while opportunities and threats cover external ones. The internal factors can be divided into five categories: management, workforce, sales and marketing, operations, and financial. The external factors are also divided into five categories: threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of customers, threat of rivalry from competitors, and threat of substitution.
To approach the analysis in a structured way, prepare a checklist using the categories mentioned above. Identify factors within each category that are important to your business. Under management for example, a major weakness for virtually every small business is relying too heavily on the owner. What would happen to the business if something happened to the owner? In the workforce category a factor could be employee turnover and the availability of new hires. The threat of new entrants might include the possibility of a big box retailer opening near your business. The bargaining power of suppliers and customers categories should consider the possibility of losing a major supplier or customer. Come up with several factors for each category to complete the checklist. It is important that you do not try to rate or solve each issue as you identify them. If you do, you will get bogged down on each factor and never complete the analysis.
Once the checklist is complete, you should rate each factor based on its importance to your business. Use an alphabetical scale from A to E, where A = very important, B = important, C = some importance, D = little importance, and E = not important. Next rate each factor based on proficiency (internal) or vulnerability (external). Use a numerical scale from 1 to 5, where 1 = very proficient or not vulnerable, 2 = proficient or little vulnerability, 3 = average proficiency or some vulnerability, 4 = poor proficiency or vulnerable, and 5 = deficient or very vulnerable.
The factors with the lowest letter and highest number (A5) are the biggest weaknesses or threats. The ones with the lowest letter and lowest number (A1) are the biggest strengths or opportunities.
Using this structured approach makes a SWOT analysis possible and practical for any small business. To make this process worthwhile you must use this information to take action. Work to fix the worst problems first, prepare for the biggest risks, take advantage of the best opportunities, and build your secondary strengths.
7 Reasons You Need To Blog For Your Business
If you are not blogging for your business then you should be. While many people simply dismiss blogging because of its description as a web diary they are missing a lot of traffic and revenue generating opportunities every day. Are you one of those missing out?
In truth blogs are much more than a simple web diary. They are actually a content management system and/or an easy web site template. Blogging software allows you to begin posting your content to the Internet in minutes and when you harness that ability with an RSS feed you have a powerful traffic magnet.
I have come up with 7 reasons why every business should have a blog and RSS feed.
1. Publishing a regularly updated blog helps you keep in touch with your existing audience and/or customer base. You can publish updates, news, or thoughts in your blog as well as answer questions.
2. A blog can help you attract new customers. Your blog entries (posts or articles) will become fodder for the search engines and will attract new visitors. If your blog answers the visitors question or attracts their interest you have just found another qualified lead.
3. Blogs and RSS feeds often rank higher in search engines than traditional web sites. Search engines love blogs and RSS feeds. If you design your blog properly then every time you update it the search engines are notified. Even if you don't regularly ping most search engines will revisit blogs more frequently. Plus the very organization of a blog lends itself to spidering and good search engine ranking.
4. Blogs can help you establish or build your reputation in a particular field. As your blog grows you will demonstrate your knowledge in your chosen niche.
5. Blogs and RSS feeds are good revenue streams. You can add pay-per-click ads, affiliate ads, or sell ad space on your blogs. In fact, many PPC companies also provide the ability to add PPC to your RSS feeds.
6. Blogs are great ways to generate leads. Even if you don't want to put any advertising on your blog you can use it to promote or capture leads for your own programs. These are great leads as the fact that they came from your blog means they are already interested in your topic and predisposed to your individual message.
7. Creating your own blog is the easiest way to establish a presence on the Internet and creating an RSS feed is even easier. In fact, it is also the cheapest way to get started on the Internet as there are a number of free blogging sites out there. I started out with http://blogger.com and usually recommend them but have heard others point to several other top blogging sites as well. The blogging software that I now use is WordPress and also happens to be free. In fact, most web hosts now offer WordPress (or other free blogging software) as a free site add-on through Fantastico. Installing WordPress from scratch is quick and easy but Fantastico makes it even easier. Blogs created at Blogger have an RSS feed created for them and WordPress also creates feeds in several variations automatically.
As you can see there are several benefits to starting your own blog and RSS feed. If you can count that many benefits from an Internet marketing technique that is also free and easy then you are foolish not to begin using it for yourself.
Top 10 Secrets Of Outrageously Successful Business Owners
Are you struggling to make a profit? Are you challenged in reaching your next success level? Would just like to reach your desired business goals faster?
Then “THE TOP 10 SECRETS OF OUTRAGEOUSLY SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISES” is a *must* for you. These business secrets are the *BEST OF THE BEST.* These secrets were not gotten from a book or seminar. Rather they represent the wisdom I gained from coaching & consulting hundreds of businesses over the last 21 years ... from the soloist entrepreneur to multi-billion dollar companies.
I GUARANTEE if you apply any one of these top 10 secrets with conviction and commitment, you will experience quantum leaps in your business.
MINDSET SECRETS
1. *EXPECT* TO WIN... *EXPECT* TO SUCCEED
While we all experience highs and lows in our business, outrageously successful enterprises EXPECT to succeed over the long run. For such enterprises,
Success is the ONLY option.
To what extent do you EXPECT to succeed in your business? What less empowering expectations currently undermine your success? Make a *decision* today to succeed. “Cut the cord” on all other possible outcomes.
2. LIVE AND BREATHE YOUR MISSION STATEMENT
While most businesses have crafted a mission statement, it is not enough just to have one. Outrageously successful enterprises live and breathe their missiion statement ... in every goal, every strategy and every project of their business. It is the life force and the reason for everything they do.
Do you have a compelling mission statement for your business? Do you communicate it - both in words and actions - to every client, every prospect, every employee? If you asked any one of these stakeholders what is your mission, would they know what to say?
Post and read your mission statement daily. Include it in all your collateral materials. Live and breathe your mission statement in every goal, decision and action. This one principle will make your business a compelling magnet for greater and greater levels of success.
3. ALWAYS ASK THE MILLION $$ QUESTION:
***** “Where is the opportunity in this situation?” *******
Within *every business challenge,* there is an extraordinary opportunity for a HUGE breakthrough. Even with the most difficult challenges, outrageously successful enterprises never see challenges. They ONLY see opportunities. They constantly ask: “Where is the opportunity in this situation?”
Where is your focus right now in your business - on the challenge or the opporunity? Make it a habit with every challenge to ask: “Where is the opportunity in this situation?” that one question will blow open the doors to new solutions, new strategies and new possibilities to take your business to the next level.
4. BECOME THE ULTIMATE BUSINESS “ROMANTICIST”
Outrageously successful enterprises are constantly “IN LOVE.” Yes, that’s right. They LOVE their customers. They LOVE their employees and vendors. They LOVE their visions. They LOVE everything about their business.
This priniciple is not something you get from a book. It comes from the very heart and soul of why you are in business. When you are “in love,” it shines forth in every client interaction, every exchange with a prospect, every dealing with a peer or vendor. Remember the old cliche, “People don’t care what you know; they want to know that you care.”
Are you “IN LOVE” wiith your clients and prospects? Are you “IN LOVE” with the benefits you offer? Are you “IN LOVE” with every aspect of your business? If not, why not? What do you need to change about your attitude, beliefs or actions to become the “Ultimate Business Romanticist.”
STRATEGY SECRETS
5. LOOK AT MARKETING AS A *CONTINUUM*, NOT AN EVENT.
Contrary to conventional business thinking, marketing does not end with a sale. Outrageously successful enterprises know that marketing is a perpetual process. And, contrary to most business practices, these enterprises focus more than 50% of their marketing efforts **after the sale** -- such as ‘post sale” follow-up, repeat business incentives, backend selling, referral marketing, etc. They know that the greatest revenues are generated *after the sale.”
How do you see and practice marketing in your business -- as an event or a continuum? What *post sales* and prospect follow-up activities can you incorporate as the focus of your marketing efforts? This one shift n your marketing focus alone can increase your revenues 100%, 200%, even 500% ... more than any marketing action you take in your business.
6. CONSTANTLY “MARKET UP”
Within every target market, there is a high end and a low end market and everything in between. Million $$ enterprises constantly stretch their marketing sights and target prospects that most businesses would think impossible to acquire as clients. They constantly “market up” to high end prospects ... a strategy that catalyzes their business to a much bigger game.
What specific prospects ... or kinds of prospects ... would you love to have a clients or customers but think it is impossible? Think out side the box and think BIG. It could be celebrities, politicians, admired companies or CEOs, leaders in your community, rolemodels, etc.
Pick one high end prospect to start. Build a marketing campaign to reach that person or company. This strategy requires persisitence, yet is well worth it. From my own first hand experience, ”marketing up” can skyrocket your reveneues and business exposure instantly and multiply your profits for years to come .
7. MAKE “ADDING MORE VALUE” YOUR #1 CRUSADE.
Outrageously successful enterprises are in the business of creating value. They have a stgrong conviction to contribute to more and more richness to their cleints’ lives and businesses.
In everything they say and do. they let clients know “you matter. Your well-being and success is important to us.” They focus on “what do I have to give?” ... NOT “what do I have to do to get a sale?”
Where is your focus right now --- on adding value, or making the sale? Make a list of at least 10 ways yo can increase the value of your products and services. Implement the easiest one ideas ... starting now. Make “adding value” a routine business priorty. When you do, your products and services will sell themselves.
PERFORMANCE SECRETS
8. OPTIMIZE, OPTIMIZE, OPTIMIZE
Outrageously successful enterprises are masters at achieving the greatest return at the lowest possible risk. They constantly look for ways to reduce the amount of time, money and energy to achieve their ultimate goals.
They take what works and see if they can make it better, faster, cheaper. They know the “what if” implications of every new strategy, goal, product or service. They are pros at maximizing performance tradeoffs.
Do your know the profitabilty of each product or service you offered? Do you know what clients are the most expensive, demanding or time-consuming to serve? If you doubled your client base, do you know the implications on costs, revenues and the operations of your business?
To optimize your business results, think highest and best use of your time, energy and money. ALWAYS THINK HIGHEST AND BEST!!
9. MULTIPLY PROFITS THROUGH THE POWER OF LEVERAGE.
Most businesses build their enterprises in a haphazard way. Outrageously successful businesses grow their businesses from a place of leverge. They look for new ways to convert their current assets, strengths and opportunities into new revenue streams. They constantly take inventory and seek ways to profit from untapped capabilities and underutilized resources. They integrate marketing activities into a single business strategy to maximize results.
How can you leverage
*** your current assets (eg., your client base, employees),
*** your current strengths (eg., your knowledge base, processes),
*** your current resources (eg., your business network, capital),
to quickly grow your business?
How can you revamp your marketing activities so that your products and services sell each other? Leverage is one of the most under-utilized principles for multiplying profits in business.
10. DEVELOP A BIAS TOWARD ACTION
Outrageously successful enteprises understand that, in today’s economy, windows of oportunity are often measured in months ... not years and decades. They know they cannot wait for the perfect strategy, the perfect solution to capitalize on these opportunities. They must act quickly if they want to thrive in these highly changing times.
What new projects, strategies or opporatunites are you stalling in order to achieve perfoection? What new practices, support structures or habits will accelerate your bias toward action?
What is the importance of Business loan?
To run a success business depends upon a lot of things. A planned business strategy plays an important role. Second and foremost important thing is the finance. Without a good financial backup, you will not be able to get success in your business. Business finance loan may help you in running the business successfully.
Business finance loan is especially designed to fit all the business requirements. People from small, medium and big businesses can obtain business finance loan. On the other hand, people with bad credit suffering from CCJ's, bankruptcy, defaults, arrears, etc. can also look for such loans.
Whether you are starting a business, expanding your present business or for any other business purposes, business finance loan could help you in all possible way.
Main benefits of business finance loan are its flexibility. Business profits are not fixed, it changes almost all the time so, it is a great help for the borrowers to manage their repayment period. Flexible business finance loan makes it more convenient for the borrowers in repaying the loan.
To get an easy loan approval, you need to show your business plans, projects and profit statements. You also need to shop around for getting the loans at competitive rates of interest. Browse different financial websites and search for different loan offers. Consider you financial requirements and choose one of the best loan deals.
Apply for Business finance loan now through online process and raise funds for your business. Implement your plans and strive for excellence.
Pegasus Opera II Business Accounting Software
Standing as the fastest selling accounting software, with over 50 enhancements and a polished, professional new interface, Pegasus Opera II Business Accounting Software has gained a massive 20,000 users in the last two years.
Pegasus is committed to excellence and has risen to become an industry expert with well over 20 years of experience. Pegasus is award wining in customer service and accredited by the Inland Revenue.
So what can Pegasus do for you? It has been redeveloped as a 32-bit product, making it a powerful Microsoft Windows compatible product, delivering a 32-bit solution. It integrates fully with your other Microsoft Office products and provides clear data that is up-to-date, meaning tracking stock, searching for BACS payments and browsing purchase history is just a click away.
The alerting and scheduling tools that you get with Pegasus Opera II Business Accounting Software allow you to improve the productivity of your business through tact and strategy when it comes to planning.
Pegasus Opera II keeps you on pace with your competition and the market, allowing you to take advantage of the opportunities as they arise.
Its advanced modular design means that you can add modules and expand functionality as your business needs grow. Pegasus Opera II offers your business more than just Accounting, it gives you; Financial and business management, eCommerce, Payroll and HR as well as Manufacturing.
Pegasus helps you to run your business more effectively and also more profitably. While you are busy being productive, Pegasus will be keeping an eye on the everyday running of your business, with management information at your fingertips.
Despite of the size of your company, it is possible to adapt Pegasus Opera II to fit the precise needs of your business. It gives you increased flexibility and wider access to management information as well as saving you time.
Since Pegasus Opera II is internet and email enabled it means that reports, sales and purchase documents, etc can be emailed to customers and suppliers. Other features of Pegasus Opera II are; cash management facilities, sales history, VAT 100 reporting, price lists, discount matrix, stock traceability, purchase invoice register, budgeting, real time updates, Electronic Payments/BACS, advanced POP, management reports and nominal consolidation.
Since 1982, Pegasus Software has been developing market leading financial management software, with Opera II being the focus of a significant amount of development. Building on its already strong foundations, it is clearly focused on the needs of businesses and delivers the market leading SME product.
By adding Pegasus Opera II to your organisation it will give you the ability you need and match the requirements you have. It is the most flexible and adaptable accounting and business solutions you can buy.
Pegasus Opera II is designed to grow with your business. It has an open architecture, allowing more information to be processed concurrently, creating a greater utilisation of hardware and operating systems.
Its flexible reporting and analysis functions put you in control of your business. It ensures your organisation operates as efficiently as possible through being a financial and business management solution.
Pegasus Opera II demonstrates a real competitive edge. It meets more business requirements than any other accounting system, helping customers manage their business to their full potential.
What is the Information Marketing Business?
Do you have an area or areas of expertise? Have you ever thought of turning your skills and experience into a training program based on your expertise? You can be an entrepreneur and make money on the information and skills that you already posses by entering the “Information Marketing Business”.
In the information marketing business, the right information is your ticket to success. Information is so crucial that if you don’t have the correct information then you can end up falling behind your competitors. Lack of information occurs often as most people learn by trial and error. However, there is a marketing formula that you can use. This marketing formula is the secret of many Internet guru millionaires. Anyone can use this formula to achieve success.
Becoming an expert in the information business has several advantages from being able to set your own schedule to becoming your own boss. You will also use the instincts that you have garnered from previous experience in your area of expertise. Instincts are very powerful. Many professionals in various occupations build an instinct. This instinct is the result of years of experience. This same type of instinct applies to marketing plans and ventures.
Another benefit of becoming an expert is that you will attract customers. You can make a name for yourself in a specific market or industry. This reputation will have customers seeking YOU out for help thus cutting down on marketing costs.
How do you profit from your expertise? You create your intellectual property. Intellectual property can be in the form of e-books, teleseminars, online training, etc. You can send out your information via CDs, DVD’s, and through email. The options are virtually endless.
Remember, it is the information that customers seek, not whether you have a pretty box or fancy graphics. The information should be at the heart of your intellectual property, not the packaging.
What if you don’t have a strong area of expertise? Find another individual that has an expertise they have not marketed very well. Create a partnership with this expert and help them market their intellectual property. This partnership will benefit you both by giving the expert exposure and giving you access to a guru on a subject. Plus, you can both swim in the loads of money you will earn together.
The business of becoming an entrepreneur expert can be profitable, fun, and give you a steady income. You can work from home or travel the world. Take a dive into the information marketing business and benefit from your own expertise.
Don’t Let Passions Rule When Buying A Business
For many, the American dream of owning a business is in queue right behind owning a home. I was a teenager when I owned my first business. Since then I have bought or started many businesses and helped others do the same. Here are some common mistakes I have witnessed or committed myself.
Paying too much
This results from the combination of all other mistakes. Many new business owners set themselves up for failure by paying too much, which results in higher loan payments, lower operating funds, and reduced borrowing capacity.
Letting your emotions rule
If you have always dreamed of owning a business, it is very easy to get caught up in the strong emotions invoked by seeing those dreams coming true. To counteract your emotions, take your time, do your homework, and enlist the help of objective advisors.
Paying for potential
You should only pay for the business as it stands at the date of purchase, not what it could be in the future. You will have to spend time, effort, and money to develop its potential. The seller chose not to invest these things, so he does not deserve to be paid for them.
Not evaluating yourself
Do you have what it takes to run this business? Try to match your strengths to the important duties you will be required to perform. Running a small business requires the owner to do many things. No one can be good at them all, so make provisions for those areas in which you are the weakest. Some tasks like payroll and bookkeeping can easily be contracted to outside vendors. Possibly your spouse, other family member, or a partner could do things that you cannot or do not want to do.
Not building a team of experts
At a bare minimum, you should enlist the aid of an attorney and a CPA. The attorney can prepare and review documents, help structure the deal, and make you aware of legal and liability issues. The CPA can provide a financial analysis of the business, and advise you about tax and accounting matters. You should consider adding a business valuation professional. His valuation report can be used to determine the reasonableness of the asking price, negotiate a lower price, and provide valuable information about the business, the industry, the competition, and the economic conditions.
Relying on bad information
You should verify all important information about the business. Your CPA can check financial information like receivables, payables, and inventory. Your attorney can review loan documents, leases, and contracts. Your business valuation professional can analyze the competition, the industry, and the economic conditions. Use independent appraisers to value real estate and equipment. Get a credit report on the business through your CPA or banker. You can do some of the investigating yourself to save money, but do not cut too many corners – it may cost you in the long run.
Changing too much, too fast
Once you own the business, you will be tempted to start making wholesale changes from day one. You risk alienating long-time employees and customers. Unless the business is in bad financial condition and needs immediate action, its better to take some time to get to know the business, your employees, and your customers before making changes. This is a perfect time to solicit suggestions from employees and customers.
Buying a business because you like to do what the business does
One reason restaurants have a high failure rate is people buy or start them because they like to cook. Very few restaurant owners spend time cooking. Their time is spent managing staff, ordering supplies, doing paperwork, and handling daily crises. A small business owner must wear many hats – including that of manager.
Not being interested in the business’s product or service
I made the mistake of thinking that because I am a CPA and smart that I could own and operate any business. I bought a business that sold high-performance auto parts to young men who drove jacked-up, four-wheel drive pickup trucks and went to the drag races every weekend. I did not do either and never understood why anyone would. I could not relate to my customers and went out of business in about a year.
Conclusion
Buying a business is a complicated, emotional process. By avoiding these costly mistakes, you can prevent turning your dream into a nightmare.
People Do Business With People They Know, Like, And Trust
One of the most important activities in growing a business is growing relationships. Many people think they can go out to networking events, hand their cards out and the business will come flowing in. It may happen like that, but not likely. It takes time, energy and effort to build a network. Through building that network you build relationships with people who know you, trust you and will do business with you.
I was at a networking event where I witnessed two men that had no clue what networking was all about. The first gentleman walked up to me, introduced himself, asked my name and proceeded to tell me what he did and how it could help me. He then left to talk to someone else and a second gentleman came up, introduced himself, didn't bother to get my name, gave me promotional information about what he was selling and then went off to talk to someone else. Neither of these men would remember me if I called them, and I have no idea if they are people I like or trust, so there isn't a chance I will do business with them. Networking like this is a waste of time. Unless you're willing to build your network, get to know the people, and perhaps see how you can help them, you might as well stay home.
Networking isn't just for people who run their own businesses. All of us have a network of people we depend on. We might use their services, get referrals from them and ask for assistance when seeking a job. I call this cross-pollinating, and we all do it. It is vitally important that we build relationships with the people in our network so that we can obtain good tips and advice. If you neglect your network you might find yourself without resources or references when you most need them.
Networks are important to your success. To have a useful network you must build and nurture the relationships and focus on how you can help your network before you consider taking from it. Zig Ziggler advises that the best way to build your business is to help someone else build hers. Givers get. You don't just take from your network; you also give to it. The secret is the more you give to your network the more you will get back.
Using Squidoo To Skyrocket Your Direct Sales Business
New and seasoned direct sellers need to stand apart from their competition particularly if you're with a direct sales company that offers cookie cutter websites. If you're looking to build online business specifically, you need to find a way to show your potential customers and recruits that YOU are the expert in your field.
You could spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a marketing plan specifically designed for you and your company. You could spend another large amount on advertising and PR. But what I if I told you there was a way to set yourself apart on the internet - and also told you that it's free? Would you stop and take notice?
I hope so because there's a wonderful tool on the Internet that's just perfect for direct sellers to strut their stuff and establish themselves as the expert in their field and it doesn't cost a penny - and even the time element is minimal. You set this up in about 5 minutes and it's easy. It's called Squidoo!
Squid-what? Squidoo - I like to call it a blog on steroids. Squidoo doesn't call them blogs though; they're called "lenses" because each lens helps you to focus in on specific information on one area.
What can you do on a squidoo site that will help you maximize your position as the direct sales expert for your company?
1. Have a web identity separate from your company sponsored replicated website. It's great to have a company site, but having a squidoo lens will help people find YOU and not just your company.
2. Confirm your expert status. You can give details about your products and how customers can use them in real life. You can go beyond the product descriptions and really help your customers see the benefits of the lifestyle that your company's products promotes.
3. Links to your company site. Within the squidoo lens you can link to your company website too. It's a great lead generator for you.
4. Video and tutorials - show your customers how to sign up by displaying an online video of the process right on your lens (some special software may be required for this part). Even if you don't do video you can type out a step by step tutorial on your sign up process so the shy ones feel better about jumping in.
5. Book and resource recommendations - recommend books and other resources so your customers can become educated. Just another service to help set you apart from the crowd. This option allows you to also earn a little side income for yourself. Not bad!