Essential Basic Tips on How to Start Making Money Online

So you've decided to start an online business. Before you start having those big cash flow dreams, stop and get some tips for having a successful online business!

Here are some basic tips on how to start making money online.

1. It takes time and work to build a business anywhere. If you want to build a business, you will have to be willing to research and be patient. Nothing happens instantly and you have to do some work in order to make money online.

2. Prepare a business plan for your online business and revise that plan periodically. Your business plan should be thought of as a living document. As with any business, you will initially find out what works and what does not work, and change your plan accordingly as you go.

3. Be very careful about buying web space and pre-packaged website templates for your business. You'll find that later on, it will be difficult to change the site. In some cases, it’s better outsourcing the web design with a freelancer and purchasing your own domain and installing the site yourself.

4. Run your online home business like a business. A lot of people make the mistake of treating their internet business merely as a website, which can be very detrimental because running an online business requires an approach that you would have with an offline business.

5. Once you have your site built and online, your next job will be to let the world know you are there. This is the biggest job there is to make money online. It is a never ending task. No one will even know your online business site exists if you don't work on promoting it. Your marketing plan needs to include search engine optimization (SEO). This is important because you want your site to rank in the top 10 of search engine query results. You would be wise to study SEO techniques or hire the services of a SEO consultant.

With Google Adword, Overture and other similar advertising, it is possible to drive targeted traffic to your site by finding keywords that have very low bids. You will be able to measure your conversion ratio of such traffic with sales in real-time. These are the basic things that are needed to make money online. If any of these things are missing there could be inefficiency in how the online business works.

The 3 Core Competencies of a Successful Home-Based Business Owner

Succeeding 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.

Know The Truth About Owning A Home Business

When you say home business or a work-from-home arrangement, people tend to believe that the feasibility of applying it lies on the premise that they will no longer have to work hard as compared to what typical jobs would require them to do.

For many, a work-from home arrangement is somewhat like a programmed working scheme wherein all you have to do is to see things happen. Best of all, they believe that after quite some time of managing their so-called home business, they will be reaping better results without having to sweat out or take a little pain.

Would you go for that? Think again.

Home businesses are another way of earning income, which is true. It is can also be a lucrative way of supplementing your daily needs, which is another truth. But the fact that most people contend it is a “get rich quick” approach, it is exactly a complete nuisance. In fact, there is nothing in this world that would make you instant riches unless you have a fairy godmother, like Cinderella, who can easily wave her wand and snap a finger and bravo! You got yourself sleeping in a bed of roses.

But then again, even Cinderella has to work hard before she was able to reach that peak of success.

So, the bottom line here is that you really have to toil the soil hard if you want your home business to succeed. After all, what difference does home business makes. It is still a business that is vulnerable to losses and bankrupts if taken for granted. The only difference is that it is situated at home instead of having it in offices or some prestigious buildings.

So, if you want to make something out of your home business and you really want to get hold more than the part-time income it promises you, here are some tips you may pursue so as to get the income you truly deserve.

1. Stop looking at the future.

The problem with most people who are engaged into home business is that they keep on visualizing the future. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with being optimistic as long as it serves your purpose. But to use it to count the chickens even before the eggs are hatched is a completely ridiculous.

2. Have a goal.

Think about the things you have accomplished already. Then, mull over the things you still want to accomplish. Provide a time frame. When would you want to start them and complete them?

Have a goal. It’s the first step in making it big with home businesses.

3. Assess your self.

After writing all the things that you want to achieve, ask your self if you can really obtain that goal. If not, then consider the reasons that would hinder you to accomplish your goals.

It is best if you can really have answers for all these questions. It just goes to show that you know what you want in life and you know the problems that go with it. You should be able to have a clear vision of what your life should be after you have attained your goals.

Knowing these things will provide you the motivation that you need in order to work your way out. You have to have some of it , if not all of it, to push you to strive harder. As they say, enough is not enough. There are things in life that you really have to pursue before you reap result.

That is basically what home businesses is all bout. You can never achieve the quality of life that you want after putting up a home business if you will not work on it and pursue your dreams.

After going through all of these assessments, now is the time that you go back to your home business and contemplate on it. Ask your self why you are in that situation in the first place? Is that what you wanted? Do you believe in the home business that you are about to endeavour?

It is exactly the very core of this venture – belief. If you don’t believe in what you are doing, much less in your self, then, you are just wasting your time. Chances are, it isn’t going to work.

Moms, What Will It Take For You To Stay At Home?

With the cost of living constantly on the rise, it's getting harder and harder for moms to say at home with their children. As the price of housing, gas, insurance, and everything else skyrockets, millions of women are having to forego their dream of being a stay-home mom.

Even if you're married, with a spouse who earns a very nice paycheck, staying at home can mean a big change in your lifestyle. You and your kids will have to do without many of the nice things in life, and possibly have to give up some near necessities.

The choice doesn't have to be that stark. Mothers everywhere are discovering that owning their own home-based business can bring in plenty of extra cash, while meshing perfectly with the demands of running a house with kids.

How many moms are doing this? Businesses owned by women have been one of the fastest growing segments of the North American economy in recent years. In fact, women have far outpaced men in new business start-ups for almost 10 years.

Women are exceptionally good at creating strong business relationships, negotiating good customer service, and taking the many details of a business in stride.

But, even more important, here is what a home based business can do to make your life everything you dreamed it could be:

* With your own home based business, you'll be able to work whenever you like. If your small children nap in the afternoon, you'll be able to run your business then. If you have time in the evening when your spouse returns home, you can take care of business duties later in the day. These days, when the Internet is up and running 24/7, it makes no difference what time you choose to work.

* Being your own boss, you can take off whenever you want or need to. You don't have to get permission from a supervisor to stay home with a sick child, meet friends for coffee, or travel to see out-of-town family. Often, you can work your home business from a laptop computer that goes anywhere you do.

* Most importantly, you can earn lots of additional income. A home business can start small, earning you just a few hundred dollars a month. As you build your business, there is no reason why you can't earn $1,000, $10,000, even $30,000 per MONTH! There are countless women who are proving--right now--that making this kind of income from home is truly possible.

* Frequently, you can base your home business around products you already use in your home. Simply by switching your purchases from your local store to the supplier for your business, you can earn a nice monthly income stemming from your own purchases.

So don't feel blue about your prospects of being there for your children. You can take control of your life quickly and effectively with your own home business. This method is working for millions of women all over North America, and is perhaps the most positive factor for our childrens' future to arrive in a long time.

Getting Business for Your Home Business

Home businesses, like other businesses, aren't successful just because they exist. If you want to work at home, you have to learn about marketing a home based business.

Marketing depends in large part on the type of business you have. Marketing on the internet works for most kinds of home business. Even if you plan the bulk of your business from your local area, a website adds professionalism. When sending emails, make sure you include information about your business in your signature file.

Of course, if your home based business is also internet-based, it is essential for you to learn to market on the internet. Techniques for marketing a home based business on the web include pay-per-click advertising, web blogs, and your website. You can also network online through message boards and mailing lists.

An often overlooked tool for marketing a home based business is staying in touch with former clients. You can do this through the phone or through email. Email is often the preferred choice because potential clients look at email when they have time and are not interrupted to do it, as they are on the phone. When emailing former clients, let them know you enjoyed working with them and want them to remember you for future projects.

Look for ways to meet potential customers. Go to trade meetings or conventions. For example, if you are selling pet products, attend dog shows and county fairs.

The major ways to for marketing a home based business are similar to other businesses. Find customers you can serve and find ways to let them know you exist. After they become clients, serve them well and ask for future business. This is how you keep your business running.

Work at Home Income Opportunities

There are a number of reasons people want to work at home. Perhaps they're tired of the nine-to-five business routine and the time - and money - spent commuting to and from the office. Perhaps they're stay at home moms who want to supplement the family's income while still being available to the kids when they come home from school. Maybe they're retired, but are looking for some supplemental income. Whatever the reason one wants to work at home, the Internet is providing exponentially more income opportunities than the more traditional work-at-home choices.

Traditional network marketing or multilevel marketing involves direct sales of products. That means networking with friends and acquaintances and convincing them to open their homes - and their address books - in order for you to sell your products. Because most of these gatherings occur in the evening, direct sales can work at cross-purposes for those who want to work at home in order to spend more time with their families. Plus, to generate a significant income in direct sales, you not only have to sell product but you also have to sell the opportunity. In other words, you have to sign up others to become direct sellers.

The new economy - that is, the Internet economy - gives those who want to work at home income opportunities that allow them to spend as much or as little time on their computers as they wish and still generate revenue. Through Internet marketing and website promotion, people can generate a significant revenue stream very quickly. This can take the form of affiliate programs, self-replicating websites, online advertising, and web marketing.

Some of those who have started up an Internet business - not to sell a product or service, but simply to generate revenue from others' businesses and Internet advertising - have found that they have created an automatic money machine. They can work at home, marketing and advertising their own websites to others, and collect commissions in the process.

For those who want to work at home in an Internet business, it's important to affiliate with reputable companies. Look for a proven track record, and be wary of those that require a significant investment in order to take advantage of the income opportunities. It's helpful to look at all of the business opportunities that are available and talk to others who have tried them. When you find those that have provided a good return on the investment of time and money, and can verify their legitimacy, your dream of being able to work at home may very well come true.

Setting Up Your Home Office

Whether you are currently working at home or are seriously considering the possibility, setting up & properly maintaining your home office should be part of your overall plan. Don't make the mistake of overlooking the importance of a home-business friendly environment. It may even determine your level of success.

The following list constitutes some items that are of the utmost importance when setting up your home office. Many people often overlooked these when starting a home business.

LOCATION: Where you set up your home office will depend on your particular situation, but if at all possible use a spare room. Your best bet will be to set yourself off from the rest of the house in order to afford you some privacy. If this isn't an option in your home, try to find the next best place where this could be accomplished. You need not be totally secluded from all intrusions, but you'll want the option to be able to keep distractions to a minimum when necessary.

LIGHTING: If your office has a window you'll receive natural lighting during the day. But if you plan to work in the evening or you don't have the option of using a window, you will want to provide good artificial light that's friendly to the eyes. Special light fixtures and bulbs made just for reading are readily available and could make a world of difference for a few extra dollars. Whether you choose overhead fluorescent lights, desk lamps or another type of fixture, be sure your office has plenty of good lighting.

DESK: The best scenario here would be to have a nice, professional-type desk. That's not always possible, nor affordable, for many who are just starting out. If your work area will not permit it, or it's just not in the budget at the moment, do whatever you can with what you have available. In time you'll want to invest in a good desk with plenty of work and drawer space for your PC, files, supplies, etc. You don't have to spend a small fortune to upgrade. I've found a few solid models at second-hand shops that needed only minor touching up. Check with your local Salvation Army Thrift Shop or on Yahoo Groups Recycle lists for your area, as people often donate desks they no longer have a need for in their homes/offices.

CHAIR: It may not sound like a major thing, but if you sit at a desk for long periods of time (and you shouldn't do that anyway - take a five minute break every hour!) you'll want to invest in a good chair with support for your lower back. Once again, you can find some really good deals if you keep your eyes open for them. Also, be sure to replace your chair when the padding is worn or you may start experiencing increasing back pain over time.

SUPPLIES: Know beforehand what you are going to need to run your business smoothly and then always try to have them readily available. It is inevitable that at some point you are going to run out of that thing you forgot to pick up at the store at just the wrong time. Nothing defeats productivity more than having to stop mid-stream, go pick up supplies and then try to get started back on your project again.

ORGANIZATION: I know that no matter how well-organized an office starts out being, there are some people that are just not going to let it stay that way. They aren't, and never have been, organized themselves. With that said, do your best when setting up your office to keep organization in mind. Have the things you use often close by. Try to keep your files in the same location so that when you need to locate one, it's where its' supposed to be and you won't find yourself running all over the house looking for it.

As for filing, this can be the worst and most-dreaded (but necessary) part of office work. My best advice: keep up with it. Set aside one time-slot each week to do the filing, or any other type of paperwork drudgery that's necessary to keep it from piling up around you. Your job will be must easier in the long run.

PHONES: Depending on the type of business you have, the phone system you choose may not be a major issue. If you rely heavily on your telephone, find one with the functions you need. Likewise, if the phone is merely a source of interruption to you, then invest in a phone that offers a built-in messaging system. For many home business owners, a standard cordless phone is sufficient for their office also. A word to the wise: keep an "old-fashioned" corded phone on hand to use during power outages.

COMPUTER: If you rely on your computer for your home business, get the best one you can afford. It need not be expensive, but it MUST be reliable. If all that you can afford right now is a PC that's considered to be outdated & slow, so be it-as long as it won't cost you more money and time in repairs than you cannot afford while you're just starting your business. Old & slow is fine for the interim, but beaten & broken is not. You don't need major technical problems rearing their ugly heads while you're in the middle of a project. When you can work it into your budget, upgrade to something a little more current, but don't settle for something in the meantime that isn't reliable.

IN CONCLUSION: Most everything you have in your office, from your chair to the lights, will affect your productivity in some way. While staying within your budget, try to get good equipment and furniture. Keep in mind that many of these items can be purchased second-hand. Along that line, eBay is another option to keep in mind. (Tip: always check a seller's feedback rating before making a purchase online from someone you don't personally know to be reputable.)

Your office space should be user-friendly, comfortable and private. Whatever you do with the space you have set aside for your office, keep these things in mind and you'll be more productive over the long-term.

Starting a Home Business - Finding the Right One for You!

OK, you've made the decision to start your home business. Great idea ! But..... what do you do now ? I hope that this article will be of great help to you.

1. Find the right business.
One that will be in demand in the years to come. You want a product or service that is honest, consumeable, and offers great value. You may think that your idea for your home-based business is unique. But unless you do some market research, you won't know whether or not your market is already saturated, or whether there is even a strong demand for it.

2. Create a dedicated, quiet office area.
You can't run a business from your kitchen table. A successful business requires a fully equipped home office. If you have an extra bedroom, consider converting it into office space. If you do not have an extra room in your home, try setting up a partition to create an office area. Keep in mind that this area will be tax deductible as well. Also this area should be free of distractions that will keep you from working your business as you should.

3. Develop and maintain an aura of professionalism.
One of the perks of running a business from home is having the option of working in your pajamas, but your customers should not be able to tell that you just rolled out of bed. Maintain normal office hours and a professional demeanor when answering your phone or dealing with customers.

4. The old saying " what happens when you don't advertise?
Nothing ! " is very true in a home based business. Just because you build it doesn't necessarily mean they will come. To be successful, you will need to advertise your new business. Advertising and marketing don't have to be expensive, but they have to be done. I can show you ways to advertise your business at little or no cost.

5. Consider the amazing tax advantages of your home based business.
Almost everything you purchase in relation to your business is deductible. Driving to meet a prospect ? Deduct your gasoline. Take a prospect to lunch ? It's deductible. All of your advertising, all of your office supplies, your cell phone...... and so on. I can show you how to reduce your tax bill substantially every year.

6. Set a schedule and keep it.
The allure of working from home is powerful -- but so is the appeal of spending more time with your family or taking a nap in the middle of the day. Setting a schedule for your workday and sticking to it is critical.

7. Develop a business plan.
Where do you want your business to be in six months? How about in five years? Many small business owners mistakenly think that a business plan is only necessary if they are going to have investors. But businesses of all sizes can use a business plan as a roadmap to success.

8. Use the Internet.
The Internet is the single best way for a home-based business to reach out to prospective customers. If you aren't a Webmaster, look for a business with a professionally built website that can function as an online brochure for your company.

9. Look for an honest product or service that people truly need.
One where you will find the satisfaction of helping others, while also seeing success in your business. An area that I have focused on recently is the health care industry. This industry is in a state of total chaos in this country. Companies and corporations are going bankrupt due to overwhelming health care costs. This industry is changing to consumer driven benefits plans that people can afford. I suggest you take a moment to look at these, as they are the future in health care. 70 % of Americans, for example, have no Dental care.

10. Make a commitment of 2 - 4 years.
Once you have found the business that is right for you, you must stay focused. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your business be.

Don't get discouraged. Many businesses fail simply because their owners got discouraged after a disappointing trial period. You will have to show grit and determination to make your business succeed. Hang in there and do all that you can to make your business the success you know it can be.

If you continue to plant the seeds of your business, you will eventually see them harvested. Most likely it won't happen over night. Build your business for the long haul. It will pay off. One thing to keep in mind through everything is this , it's YOUR BUSINESS ! Don't treat it like a hobby or childs play. It can be wildly profitable for you.

Running Your Own Home Business

Everyone dreams of independence and the ability to spend more time with their family. For many this remains just a dream due to financial obligations that send one or both parents to work full time. For single parents, it can be even more difficult or unrealistic to dream about spending more time at home with their children.

Thousands of people do own their own home business, so it must be possible, but can I do it? That’s the question. How do I get started?

First of all, don’t let anyone tell you that you can just jump up right now and quit your day job. Unless you have a nice nest egg put away, you will probably have to continue working your normal job until you are making enough on your home business to move to it full time.

Anything that is worthwhile takes a lot of sacrifice. There are no free lunches. To keep working and start your home business, you will be spending even more time working than you do right now. Your goal is to become independent, but until you are, your workload will increase.

You have to decide how much “sweat equity” you are going to invest in your new home business. That means that you have to invest time in your business. The more time you can invest, the quicker your home business can support you.

You may have to work your eight-hour day at your day job, then put in another 2-4 hours on your home business. It’s like taking a second job. It’s hard, but the rewards are great in the long run. Better than a second job, though, your home business will eventually pay you enough so you can be your own boss full time.

But the whole reason I want to work at home is so I can be with my family. I hear that from people all the time. We all want things right away, but we know the truth is that we have to work a long time to get what we really want.

Once your home business is able to support you and you can quit your day job, you will have more time with your family. Until then sacrifices have to be made. That’s the reality of things.

Now, if you can somehow involve your family in your home business, you have the best of both worlds. With small children that is very difficult to do, however, if your children are old enough they can help you achieve the goals you set together for your home business.

If you have teenagers, they can answer emails, help you make or package up the products you sell, and maybe even help you run your website. Use your imagination for ways you can involve members of your family and not only will you be able to spend more time with them, your home business will succeed even faster than going it alone.

A new home business is not the only way you can work from home. Look for jobs that allow you to work from your home computer. See if your boss has work that you can do from home. You may find that you actually have more money working part-time at home than working full-time at your job.

When you take into consideration auto maintenance, parking, gasoline, buying lunch, and all the other expenses directly related to your job, you may be surprised at how much of your paycheck goes into continuing to work at your current job.

Only you can decide if working at home or starting your own home business is for you. If you are not a person who is truly self-motivated and self-disciplined, you won’t succeed without that boss to push you. If you do have those qualities and truly desire to have more freedom and want to work at home where your family is, then working at home will be a great adventure for you.

You have to be willing to make the sacrifices and do whatever it takes to make your new home business a success, but in the long run, when you are your own boss and your business is a success, you will look back and say it was all worth it.

Choosing A Home Based Business Opportunity

Have you recently been giving serious consideration to starting a home business? Well join the club. Thousands of individuals just like yourself are starting home based businesses every month.

The market is wide open and the demand for working from home is getting more and more popular. With many people suddenly finding themselves unemployed because of changes in their work place, many more are also looking at the idea of working from home. This article will offer some suggestions in choosing a home based business opportunity.

Here are five things that will help you decide.

Write Down Some Ideas

Here is where you can be wild and creative. Make three separate lists. First, think about (and write down) everything you ever wanted to do, from home, as your own business. Now list everything that you know you have both interests and talents in. Make a third list of the talents that you have that others might have a need for (marketable).

Do Some Research

After you have that list, go to the internet, and begin to look up various sites that deal with home based businesses. Some of these sites will give you lists of many ideas. Find some of them, and then, using the list that you already made, get more ideas to either add to it, or refine some of your ideas into more specific categories. For instance, say that you have a desire to write. You will find a number of ideas for writers that are home based. You may find resume writer, copywriter, content writer for web articles, and maybe copyediting. You might add in some similar things that you will also see, like website design, or virtual assistant.

Select One Or Two Possibilities

From this list you should now be able to reduce your ideas to one or two that stand out and spark your interests. Do a little more research to do two things: get some ideas about what it will take to get started in that type of business; and, find out how much you might expect to realistically make from that kind of business.

Determine Your Budget

This will help you to see whether or not you should pursue that kind of business, and also what you have to work with for a budget. Some money should be kept aside in the event that things do not go as expected. Plainly speaking, not every home based business is a success.

Get Ready To "Open The Doors"

Once your business is selected, and you know what is needed, then preparation needs to be started. Of course you want to do it right, so, with your budget in mind, start getting ready to open those doors for business. Don't forget your website, and also the advertising.

Enjoying Your Home Business

There are many reasons why many people want to work at home, but the most common reason that home-based business owners cite as the influencing factor in their decision to work at home is the chance to set their own time at their own pace. The odd thing about this is that most people who have worked at home often began their home business with high hopes, and then later forgot what drove them to start a home business in the first place. It would seem they were misguided by their own excitability and fantasy of controlling their time for work and for their personal activities.

It is an undeniable fact that the home-based business industry is a growing industry and it is spreading in scope every year. One must not forget, however, that working at home doesn’t mean you have to stay at home all the time.

Some home-based business owners have been known as workaholics. In many cases, this is due mainly to the fact that they are at home, and so they appear to be working whenever they’re home. These home workers would be well-advised to remember a few important values to work by:

•Don’t get sluggish simply because you control your own time. Do not get imprisoned by your good intentions.

•Don’t be a slave to your business. Remember that you are the boss and being the boss, you have the full power and authority to mold your schedule around your interests.

•Don’t allow yourself to become stagnant, get outdoors and expand. Your home-based business should not be limited to your home. The world is waiting outside for you.

Becoming a successful entrepreneur doesn’t mean that you have to work on your business twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Find some time for your self. Close the door to your office, and remove your shoes. Lay back and relax. Refresh yourself with a cup of your favorite drink and listen to good music. Or read a book and fire up your imagination.

Remember that you still have your personal life to tend to and that your personal life is the fuel that drives your work life. Being the boss of your home business will certainly require you to expect more of yourself than anyone else ever could, but do not be pressured to achieve so many things in a short time that you never stop to enjoy the journey. Be reminded that the world outside is a beautiful place if you just look out of your windows. Put aside all those stressful concerns and enjoy the benefits of running a home-based business.

How To Be Effective In Home Business

There is no doubt that many of us want and dream of having our own home-based business. For most parents, a home business may seem to be the answer to their long-time prayers simply because they can now have adequate time for their kids and greater flexibility as well.

For most individuals, they don’t seem to expect that having a home-based business bears a lot of unexpected distractions. Your children, your spouse, your neighbors or even your dog could cause delays and diversions against your work. No matter how you concentrate on your work, you just don’t seem able to take them out of your mind. They make a lot of loud noises, sometimes ask for your help, or even interrupt you to ask a quick question and just long enough that you have lost your concentration. I have learned a lot about this at the home business site at http://www.homebusinessite.com/.

It’s inevitable that sometimes family and friends won’t understand that you are working at home. Despite your hectic schedule, they still expect you to handle household chores as if you are doing nothing and your business does not seem to exist in their eyes. Sometimes it is very tempting--especially when you see your laundry piling up—to just borrow a little of your working time just to attend the mess.

One of the most effective ways of getting away from this dilemma is to set clear boundaries of space, time and responsibility. You have to remember that your home-based business is a business in nature and you have to treat it with weight. If your family expects you to still run the same household chores that your used to, then try holding a meeting to explain the new order of things to them. This kind of communication will help ensure that you and your family will be able to obtain harmony together.

Finding Your Home-Business Niche

When some folks begin to think about a business of their own, they know in that very moment what kind they are going to start. Then, there are the rest of us...

Knowing that we want to have a business of our own is not enough. Many of us have struggled with the important question of what type of enterprise we would like to start.

Franchises offer a simple pre-packaged money making idea, but the cost of a franchise often makes it a prohibitive option to most folks who contemplate going out on their own.

For those who do not have a million dollars to buy a McDonalds franchise, we must look to other ideas for our own business.

There are literally hundreds of lucrative home business ideas for you to choose from, which will suit every type of personality and all levels of financing. From selling information on the Internet as a infopreneur, to growing delicious gourmet mushrooms for sale to restaurants and catering companies; there is a pile of money to be made by filling a need, for these and a host of other necessary services.

Of course, actually liking what you do, will have a lot to do with the success of your new venture, so be sure to pick a home business that you'll enjoy running and that will keep you motivated.

For example, if you're a math whiz, an accounting or income tax service might be the ideal home business for you to start. Perhaps writing is your forte and you'd like to start your own home based copywriting service or advertising agency. Each of
these businesses can be run successfully--and profitably from the comfort of your own home.

Academia might not be your cup of tea, but maybe you are good with your hands --- having a creative genius where crafts are concerned. Craft items are red-hot sellers at swap meets, country fairs and world wide over the Internet, and they can provide you with solid profits. If crafts don't interest you, then why not start a laundry service with pick-up and delivery, or a shopping service for shut-in's--even a companion service or granny sitter or a doctor shuttle service; any of which, could be much in demand, in and around your neighborhood or community.

When brainstorming new ideas for your future home business, keep in mind the soul of any successful endeavor is providing a product or service that others will actually purchase in quantities. Satisfy the needs of your target market, and your
target market will keep you and your home based business healthy, happy and profitable.

Below are some suggestions for home business ideas that might help you decide on a suitable venture in which to invest.

Multi-level-marketing (mlm), floral/plant service for offices and hospitals, pooper-scooper service, dog walking service, answering service, vending machine service, gift basket service, homemade soap maker, mobile windshield repair service, mobile
tire repair service, income tax specialist, researcher, freelance writer, business card and letterhead designer, courier, shut-in/shuttle service, landscaping service, tree
trimming service, wood crafter, carpenter, crafts and crafting supplies, pool cleaning service, plants/nursery starts, growing herbs, growing mushrooms, garage sale and swap meet vendor, proofreader, private investigator, typing service, interior decorator/designer, website design, wedding consultant, hot lunch/snack vendor at local courthouses, pet sitting service, pet grooming service, Internet entrepreneur, paralegal, gourmet catering service, new media production, mobile cosmetic technician, mobile nail technician, mobile hair stylist, aerobics instructor, personal fitness trainer, advertising consultant, companion service, small printing service.

Ideas, ideas; hopefully the above ideas will give you some fresh ideas of your own to mull over. A spring board if you will, on which to dive into your own chosen home business.

When you work from home, any business you start has the potential to explode into a perpetual gold mine! It just depends on how much your home business is in demand around your community or on the Internet. Your home business might start slow and steady, regularly picking up clients as you become more established. On the other hand, your chosen home business may take off like wildfire, quickly becoming too hot for you to handle by yourself (well done!). This is the time to enlist the help of willing family members to help you out in your time of need, which will make your business into a friendly, family concern. This will also help family members better understand your business and get a grasp on the mechanics of profit.

Good luck in all your decisions and have fun with your home business, which ever one you choose, and don't forget to enjoy your newfound freedom!

Designing Your Home Office

So you have finally decided to work from home and set up your home office? Setting up your home office is one of the best parts of working from home. For the first time in your life, YOU get to choose your desk and where it goes. YOU get to choose the equipment and the supplies. YOU get to choose the chairs and the lamps. This is going to be fun for you. This article will explore the essentials of designing your home office … everything from finding the space to buying the right supplies. You will be spending a lot of time in your office, lets make sure that you design it right.

Finding The Room
Sometimes it is hard to find the right room to place your home office. After all, when you bought your house you probably didn't know that you would be working from home. Look for a room in your house that has the following elements:

1. Separate from household members and distractions
2. Enough room for a desk, chair, equipment, office supplies, and space to think and move around.
3. Enough electrical outlets and power for all of your equipment
4. Phone line (s) available
5. Enough heating and cooling
6. (opt) Windows for sunlight and fresh air
7. (opt) An air vent for good ventilation


In an ideal situation, all of the above elements will be present.

If you choose a room completely separate from other rooms, "defined work space used exclusively for your business" (IRS Tax Code), you can deduct your home office. So it would be better for your pockets to choose an enclosed space of your house that isn't used for family life.


Can't find an open space for your house? Try to use your imagination before you call an architect to renovate or add on to your house. Are there any walk-in closets in your house? How about your basement? You can clean up your garage and park cars on the street. Maybe separating another room with bookshelves might do the trick. If you still can't figure out a way to make space for your home office, maybe you should consider hiring an architect or general contractor to add on to your house or to build an office in your basement or other room. This might be an easy job … just adding a wall to make one room into two. Or you might land up spending quite a bit of money. I recommend not getting carried away until your business is running smoothly for at least 6 months.

Layout Plan
It isn't time to go shopping yet; rather it is time to get out the graph paper, rulers, and pencils. Before we buy furniture and equipment we will need to map out our office, in other words make a layout plans. Have a family member help you measure the length and width of the room and the height and width of the doorway. On your piece of graph paper draw the room in the right proportion. Then consider all of the equipment and supplies that you will need to run your business. Here are my suggestions:

1. Chair
2. Desk
3. Filing Cabinet
4. Bookshelves
5. Telephone(s)
6. Computer
7. Fax Machine / Copier / Scanner
8. Storage Bins
9. Pens / Pencils
10. Paper
11. Binders
12. Folders
13. Staples, Binder Clips, Paper Clips
14. Envelopes
15. Media Storage Devices (Zip Disks, Floppy Discs, CDs, etc)


Think ahead, is there anything else that you might need? Now, map out on the graph paper where you want to place each of these items … design away! Remember, you will be spending much of your time in your office, try to make it a place that you will enjoy visiting or you might dread working. For this reason, the way that you design your home office can make or break your freelance business.


Keep the following in mind when designing your home office.

1. Only paint with neutral colors, or the paint will overpower your furniture and you will become distracted
2. Don't jam tons of furniture and equipment into your office unless totally necessary. Having too much clutter is one reason you might not want to visit your office.
3. If you are easily distracted, don't put your desk in front of a window.
4. Place your bookshelf, filing cabinet, and telephone at arms reach
5. Place your desk near the electrical supply and phone lines
6. Get personal and add your personal touch to everything. This will create a more inviting atmosphere for you.
7. If there is enough room, add a love seat or reading chair for you when you need a change of scene.


Go Shopping
Now the fun part … shopping! Whether you decide to shop online or in a conventional store, don't forget your items list and layout plan. As you shop for items, take their measurements and draw them on your plan to make sure that they fit. A few online stores that you can look at are:

OfficeSupplies.com
OnlineOfficeSupplies.com
TotalOfficeSupply.com
Staples.com
FurnitureFind.com


What To Look For In Each Item
1. Desk / Workstation - Since the invent of the computer, one small desk is no longer enough. A workstation is a more appropriate term now. Depending on what your profession is, you will need desk space for your computer, and then more desk space for administrative work. Think about what type of equipment you will need are where it will go. How much room do you have for a desk? Usually your best option is to get an "L" desk. What I mean by this is choose your favorite desk, and then choose a smaller desk that can be placed perpendicular to the main desk. The big desk is perfect for your computer equipment, and the smaller desk can be kept clear for your writing surface.

Make sure that you choose a sturdy desk that you can keep for a long time. It is better to dish out a few more bucks now then to have to replace your desk in a year. Also, find a desk that is at a height that is comfortable for you.

If you don't have enough money to buy a new desk, try visiting the Salvation Army or a used furniture store to save money. You might also try building a desk from items you already have or need. You can use a door on top of filing cabinets, bookcases, milk crates, or another item.

2. Chair - You chair is one of the most important items in your office. If you purchase a cheap chair, you could hurt yourself or hate working in your office. Choosing a good chair reduces fatigue and other pains that occur when posture is bad for long periods of time. Buy an adjustable chair (height, armrests, back angle, and lumbar support) so you can enjoy your office and avoid pain and injuries.

3. Bookshelf - How big your bookshelf needs to be depends on how much room you have left in your office after your workstation and chair are in place. My suggestion is to install your bookshelf right behind and above your desk. This way books are always at arms reach and you saved yourself a lot of room. Purchase as big of a bookshelf as you can. You will be surprised how fast it fills up.

4. Filing Cabinets - You will want to purchase at least a four-drawer filing cabinet. It is crucial that your filing system is organized and easily available.

5. Telephone - It is important to get a telephone that has a hold and speaker button. It is a good idea to get a separate line for the telephone and fax / modem.

6. Computer - The computer will most often be the most expensive piece of equipment you purchase for your office. Because of the large amount of variables involved we have devoted a whole separate articles just on this topic. Briefly, however, here are a few suggestions. These are broad strokes, read the full article for specifics.


Your first decision is going to be the operating system for the computer. Unless you have a reason to choose otherwise, you are going to be looking at a Mac or a Windows machine. If you have experience on one platform you should stick with it. When you are working on your own without any kind of system support you want to use a computer you are comfortable with. All things being equal, if you are a graphic designer or desktop publisher use a Mac, anything else get a PC.

The second decision is who to buy the machine from. Keywords here are reliable, reliable, reliable. If you are buying a Mac purchase straight from Apple. If you are buying a PC make your purchase from Dell. You may be tempted to buy from a no-name or even somewhere with a good reputation because the price is mouth watering. It's your eyes that will be watering when your computer stops working at one A.M. with a looming deadline. You want good support; Dell is rated as the best over and over by all the publications that count.

Since we are on the topic of support … buy the service contract. If you are buying a Mac, that support is three years of "Applecare". If you don't buy straight from Apple your reseller may try to convince you their private support is as good, or even better. To keep it short, THEY ARE WRONG! I am yet to find third party support that beats Apple's. I have always found it to be worth the money. As for Dell, purchase the three years of onsite support. If you can afford to be without your computer for a few days you can save a bit by using their mail in service, but who can afford to lose those days.

Finally we are left with the computer's configuration. This was probably your first question, but for most of you it is probably the least important. For the most part computer power is far superior to the software that can run on it right now. Since new systems are constantly brought to the fore we can't give specific numbers. The best buy for the money is usually going to be a based on the company's mid-level offering. The cheapest way to increase power in your system is by adding RAM, make sure the computer you purchase has at least 128 mb. If you are a designer that minimum is 256 mb.

I hope this article has helped you plan out and design your office. Once you have purchased all necessary items, move them on in and start your freelance business. Good Luck.

15 Rules for Success in Your Home Business

Someone sent me an email a couple of years ago. Supposedly Colin Powell's Rules For Success. Now, I don't know whether they really are or not, but as I read them, I thought they really should be called "15 Rules For Success In Your Home Business".
So, here they are:

Rule 1 - It Ain't As Bad As You Think, It Will Look Better In The Morning

If there's one experience universal to ALL home-business owners, particularly those running a business on the Internet, it's the occasional feeling that you're just spinning your wheels, and not getting anywhere. The number of people who give up on their businesses just as they approach the brink of success is staggering. So hang in there and remind yourself, when things look bleak, that tomorrow is another day, things really aren't as bad as they seem and things really WILL look better in the morning.

Rule 2 - Get Mad, Then Get Over It

OK, I concede this is more general advice than home-business advice but it applies in your home business just as it does anywhere else. Resentment and unexpressed anger really don't hurt anyone but the person feeling resentful and angry. Have you ever noticed how completely unproductive you are when burdened by resentment and anger? So feel it, express it (constructively) and then move on. As the man said, "get over it".

Rule 3 - Avoid Having Your Ego So Close To Your Position That When Your Position Falls Your Ego Goes With It

Over the course of my career I have, from time to time, met people whose identity and sense of self-worth is so enmeshed in what they do for a living that they literally don't have an identity outside of their work. Because they rely on an external source for their self-esteem and confidence, they find it necessary to continually and relentlessly bolster their personal positions, often at the expense of others, often resorting to political maneuvring in the workplace to maintain and improve their supposed 'status'.

These people are the 'empire builders' you sometimes find in organizations. They jealously guard their power base all the while gathering unto themselves more and more responsibility, beyond the point of being able to do everything they take on.

Because their identity and sense of self-worth depends upon their position within their organization, what happens when their position disappears, such as in a corporate downsizing? It freefalls.

Don't let this happen to you. Remember that you are something separate and distinct from your business. Sure, you can be proud and pleased with your accomplishments but don't define yourself through them. Your self-worth is something that comes from inside your human self, not your business.

Ironically, keeping a professional detachment is more likely to secure the ultimate success of your business. Detachment brings perspective, objectivity and clarity, which helps you make better quality decisions.

Rule 4 - It Can Be Done

Don't allow self-imposed limitations to restrict what you can and will do. You can do anything if you set your mind to it. Well, of course, it must be something that is within your power - you can't just set your mind on growing a third arm, for example. But for anything that is within human power and capability, the saying "where there's a will is a way" is so true.

Get into the discipline of planning your life and where you want it to go. By setting goals and planning the steps that will help you reach them, you can achieve literally anything your heart desires.

Rule 5 - Be Careful What You Choose, You May Get It

Following on from this, it should go without saying that what you set for your goals is something you truly want because if you do practice the discipline of goal setting you will surely get it.

Rule 6 - Don't Let Adverse Facts Stand In The Way Of A Good Decision

Keep your eye on the prize and don't be distracted by what's happening on the sidelines. Sure, you may not have entered the marathon had you known there were going to be 1,000 other runners but does that mean entering the marathon was a bad idea? No.

Make your decisions based on quality information and what's in the best interests of your business. If someone else comes along who represents competition for your business, don't be put off your game. Just run your own race. There's ALWAYS a way to distinguish yourself from your competition.

Rule 7 - You Can't Make Someone Else's Choices



You shouldn't let someone else make yours IGNORE your mother when she tells you you're crazy for chucking in your nice SAFE secure little job to start your own business. Follow your dream, no-one else's.

Rule 8 - Check Small Things

Like the fine print in contracts. Like the URL in that sales letter you've just put the finishing touches on. Like your spelling and punctuation. In other words, pay attention to detail.

Rule 9 - Share Credit

You've heard the saying, "no man is an island". No woman is either. Remember and acknowledge the people who have helped and continue to help you get where you want to go. Acknowledge the achievements of others.

Rule 10 - Remain Calm, Be Careful

Frenzy and recklessness are hardly the prescription for long-term success in your business. In the face of unexpected challenges, unexplained downturns in business or failure to achieve the results expected, recognize that these are just part of the thrust and parry of business life and use a calm, methodical approach to the problem.

Don't just react blindly or chuck away all your hard work and try something completely different unless a thorough, calm and careful investigation convinces you that you are completely off-beam.

Calmly analyze your situation and use your intelligence to correct the situation. Sometimes a one degree turn of the wheel is all that is required to get back on course, not a completely new rudder.

Rule 11 - Have A Vision, Be Demanding

This rule goes hand in hand with rules 4 and 5. In order to set goals and plan ways to achieve them you must first set your vision. Think big, be brave. There is nothing you can't achieve so make sure your efforts are going to be for something truly worthwhile.

Rule 12 - Don't Take Counsel Of Your Fears Or Naysayers

All of us have moments of self-doubt or even fear when embarking on a journey to an unknown destination. If what you have planned for yourself brings with it feelings of anxiety, nervousness, even fear, pay attention to them but don't take their counsel.

They are symptoms of grand thinking, of stretching beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone. As the book says, feel the fear and do it anyway.

Rule 13 - Perpetual Optimism Is A Force Multiplier

This rule is closely related to rule 1. Believe that things will work out, that they will look better in the morning, that everything's going to be OK. Repeat the words to yourself as a mantra if you must but instill a spirit of indomitable optimism in your outlook and you will attract success into your life.

Rule 14 - Sometimes Being Responsible Means Pissing People Off

You can't please all of the people all of the time so don't waste your time or energy even trying. You have a responsibility to the ultimate success of your business and to your own personal success. If that means you occasionally have to say no to people to stay true to your objectives, do it. If it means you have to alienate some people because they don't personally agree with what you are doing, that's their problem.

In other words, stay focused on your plan. If others don't like it or agree with it, too bad.

Rule 15 - You Never Know What You Can Get Away With Unless You Try

If you don't ask you don't get. And if you don't take you don't get. Leave nothing on the table. If an opportunity comes along, take it. It may not come again. And remember, in chaos there is opportunity. While everyone else is running around like chooks with their heads cut off, you just bring up the rear and clean up on all the opportunities that are just lying there for the taking among the chicken scratch.

Hindsight truly is 20/20, no doubt about it. Perhaps, you're thinking that if you'd known then what you know now, you would have gone a lot further a lot faster. But as with any form of progress, it's the journey, not the destination, that provides the education and creates the experience and, through it, wisdom. And that's something no book can teach you and money can't buy.

Branding Your Business

If you think only big corporate names need to think about things like brand names, think again. Your brand says a lot about you and your business, and that's as true for a one person home-based operation as it is for a multinational conglomerate. In this article we look at how creating a strong brand for your business can help you set yourself apart from the pack and lay the right
foundation for the future growth of your business.

What Is A Brand?

Your brand is more than just the logo on your letterhead and business cards or your business name. It is your corporate identity. An effective brand tells the world who you are, what you do and how you do it, while at the same time establishing your relevance to and credibility with your prospective customers.

Your brand is also something more ethereal. It is how your business is perceived by its customers. If your brand has a high perceived value, you enjoy many advantages over your competition, especially when it comes to pricing. Why do you think people are prepared to pay stupid money for items of clothing with the initials "CK" on them? Perceived value. Perceived value as a result of very effective brand promotion resulting in very high brand awareness.

Now, I'm not saying we all need to rush out and start creating brands that are going to be recognized the world over. Most of us simply don't have the time or other resources necessary. What I am suggesting, however, is that it is possible for your brand to dominate your niche.

Why Do I Need To Create My Own Brand?

=> Differentiation

We touched on this in the previous section when we looked at what a brand is and how it can be used to increase the perceived value of your products and services. The main reason for creating your own brand is to differentiate yourself from your competition. New websites are a dime a dozen. So are home-based
businesses. You need to constantly be looking for ways to set yourself apart from your competition. Your brand can do that for you.

=> More Effective, Efficient Marketing

Another good reason for creating your own brand is to make your sales force (even if that's a sales force of one - you) more effective and efficient.

Imagine if you didn't have to spend the first 50% of your time with a new prospect explaining who you are, what you do and how you do it. What if your brand had already communicated that for you? You can spend 100% of your time focusing on sales rather than educating your prospects about your business

Another benefit of branding is that the efforts you expend increasing your brand awareness through promoting and marketing your brand to your target market automatically transfers to your products and services. So, even when you're advertising your brand, you're indirectly also marketing your products and services.


How Do I Create My Own Brand?

OK, so you're convinced you need to create your own brand. Where on earth do you start?

We saw earlier that your brand needs to say who you are, what you do and how you do it. It needs to do all these things at the same time as establishing your relevance to and building credibility with your prospective customers. Needless to say, it is absolutely essential, if you are to build your own brand, that *you yourself* have a firm grasp of who you are, what you do and how you do it. If not, you're going to have the devil's own time getting that message across to anyone else, let alone establishing your relevance and credibility.

=> Write A Mission Statement

So, let's start by creating a mission statement. What is the mission of your business? Obviously you're in business to make a profit. But making a profit is a byproduct of a successful business. Focus instead on how you choose to achieve that profit. What are your core values?

A good place to begin thinking about your mission is to put yourself in the shoes of your customers. Put yourself in their target market. Let's say your business is web hosting. If you're in the market for a web host, what things are important to you? Different people will be looking for different benefits but you can bet that they want their website to be accessible to site visitors so reliability will be high on their list. Price is also likely to be high on the list as is 24/7 technical support. What about add-on features such as unlimited email aliases, cgi support and what-not? These things will be highly important to some and less important
to others. So focus on the benefits that are likely to be highly relevant to the majority of your target market. Let's settle for our purposes on reliability, price and technical support.

Your mission statement might read something like this: I strive to earn a fair return on my investment of time and money by providing affordable webhosting with guaranteed 99% uptime and 24/7 telephone technical support". That's a pretty general statement and if you decide to focus on a particular niche of the
webhosting market, such as small business, you may want to more narrowly focus on that group in your mission statement.

Now that you've written your mission statement, you can begin thinking about creating a brand that reinforces and supports your mission. So, getting back to the fundamental questions of who you are, what you do and how you do it, you can now begin to think of your business in these terms. You're a webhosting
provider, you host websites of small businesses and you do that by offering cost-effective webhosting solutions, guaranteed 99% uptime and 24/7 telephone technical support.

When you create your brand, you need to keep the who, what and how firmly in mind but also use the brand to establish your relevance to your target market and build credibility with that market.

Let's turn now to the nuts and bolts of creating your brand.

=> Describe What You Are Branding

List out your business's key features and characteristics, your competitive advantages and anything else that sets you apart from your competition.

Using our webhosting example, you'll focus primarily on the objectives from your mission statement namely, reliable, cost-effective webhosting solutions supported by 24/7 technical support.

=> Identify and Describe Your Target Market

Decide whether you want to target lthe entire webhosting community or only a segment of it such as small business websites. Describe your market.

=> List Names that Suggest the Key Elements from Your
Mission Statement

The key elements from your mission statement were reliability, cost-effectiveness and customer service. List names that are suggestive of these elements. Let's use Reliable Webhosting for our example. (I don't claim to be a creative genius.)

Don't limit yourself to real words, though. A coined name with no obvious meaning is a perfectly legitimate name provided it conveys something about your business. You will find coined names easier to trademark and secure domain names for too - a definite plus!

=> List Tag Lines that Reinforce Your Mission Statement

We'll use: "Outstanding reliability and technical support at a price your small business can afford". I know, I know. You can do much better, I'm sure.

How should use my brandOW SHOULD I USE MY BRAND?

=> Create a Logo for Your Brand

Your logo is NOT your brand but your logo should allow your brand to be instantly recognized by those familiar with it. To this extent, your logo helps create and reinforce brand awareness.

The logo you create should be able to be used consistently in a variety of different media. It should be suitable for corporate letterhead and business cards, as well as for your website and corporate signage (if any). You do NOT want a confusing mishmash of logos and banners and heaven knows what else. Everything you produce needs to use the same, consistent style of logo so that, over time, your logo becomes synonymous with your brand. Instant recognition is what you're going for here, so don't dilute it by using several different logos for different purposes.

=> Consistent Usage of Company Name, Logo and Tag Line

Going back to our webhosting example, putting the brand name and tagline together, the physical manifestation of your brand will be:

RELIABLE WEBHOSTING
Outstanding reliability and technical support at a price
your small business can afford.

To establish brand awareness, this branding needs to be used consistently and frequently in everything your produce, whether that be letters to clients, business cards, brochures, quotations, invoices, advertising, promotion, on your website, on the front door of your principal place of business and on your products. And don't forget to be consistent in your use of color schemes. These can be powerful brand reinforcers.

=> Marketing and Promotion of Your Brand

Once you've created your brand, you need to market and promote it, in addition to your products and services. This is how you establish your credibility and relevance to your target market. You can hopefully see why your brand needs to be suggestive of your mission statement. If, at the same time as you're selling your products and services you also push your brand, your brand becomes synonymous with your products and services. And vice versa.

A properly descriptive brand and high brand awareness amongst your target market will allow you to more easily introduce a wider range of products and services when they're developed without having to start by again selling who you are, what you do and how you do it first. Your brand has already presold YOU. Your job then is to sell your products and services.

The Top 10 Reasons It's Great To Be A Work-At-Home Mom

1. Yellow crayons make great highlighters.

2. You can amaze your friends and family with the fact that you can type 63 WPM while nursing your baby and taking an order from your newest client. (Okay, maybe THEY won't be impressed, but YOU will be!)

3. You'll have the most entrepreneurial kids in the neighborhood. Forget about lemonade stands - they'll be CEO's of their own jewelry making business - paying other kids commissions on sales and getting written up in the local papers.

4. No matter how indifferent they may seem, your teenagers LOVE the fact that you are there when they get home.

5. Finger painting unleashes your creativity.

6. In time you will honestly smile from your heart and not have to bite your tongue when people call you a "lady of leisure". If they only knew.

7. Your little ones don't care what you wear to work. (Or even if you've brushed your hair!) In fact, the goofier you look, the better you look in their eyes!

8. When your daughter looks at you with her big baby blues and pleads "Mommy, please don't go to work today." You can instantly answer "Okay!" without asking your boss for permission.

9. Hugging and kissing at work won't get you in trouble with your husband. (With your kids, of course - Come on now!)

And the best reason for being a work-at-home mom ...

10. People will ask you "How do you do it all?" And you'll just give them your best Mona Lisa smile and wonder that very same thing to yourself, but know with all your heart and soul that however you manage it all, it's worth it!

Practical Tips For Online Success

In order to be successful in setting up your Internet business you can follow a 10-step plan:

1. Find a product that sells online
Develop ideas to find a product, do market research on the ideas that sound good and test to see if there is an online market for the product.


2. Determine the Business Model
Determine the best business model for your intended business, whether it is product-, service- or information-based. The business model has to give you good profit margins, with minimum problem and cost incurred in delivery.


3. Identify your target market
Identify an easily targeted niche market for your business.


4. Grab a good domain name
An appropriate domain name is essential for search engine ranking purposes as well as your image, branding and marketing.


5. Develop a simple but professional Website
You need to set up a Website that will establish your credibility and ensure repeat visits.


6. Create USP for Your Product/Service
You need to create a unique selling proposition for your business in order to differentiate it from others. This is not unlike all businesses.


7. Create compelling copy writing
You need to be creative in your copy writing to make it unique and attractive enough to catch the attention of potential customers.


8. Get An Online Payment
One of the prime advantages of Internet businesses is the ease of purchase. Having a simple and secure online payment system would further enhance the attraction of your site/business. There are many third party online payment systems which you could leverage on without incurring high costs. In Malaysia, companies offering online payment systems include EoneNet (http://www.eoneNet.com/), Shinjiru Webpage Centre (http://www.shinjiru.com/Internet/hosting/gateway.htm) and Emerge Systems (http://www.emerge.com.my/E_Comm.htm) among others.


9. Get massive traffic for your Website
You need traffic to get sales for an online business. You will therefore need to learn the basics of how you can attract or draw traffic to your site. A variety of methods can be employed for this ranging like listing in appropriate search engines, affiliation with related sites and advertising in other forms of media. EOneNet has a mentorship program which coaches new users on methods they could employ to ensure adequate traffic to their site and also other areas of concern.


10. Track Sales and Visitors to Measure
You need to track and monitor not only the traffic to your site but also the number of sales that results from this. This is a maintenance measure you will need to do regularly to determine how effective your strategies have been and what you can do to redress any problems that occurs. You may need to rework on the first seven steps to remedy any shortcomings in your strategy. There is a variety of software available, which you could use to facilitate this. Check http://www.thecounter.com which offers users free counters which can be incorporated in your site.



Success on the Internet is a combination of various things. It may be a result of offering good quality, establishing a good position in the marketplace, finding the right market, establishing strategic alliances with other Internet businesses, and continuing to take advantage of technological changes. You will need to continuously monitor your progress and strategise and restrategise your business in order to keep up with the ever changing markets you cater to. Success can only be achieved as a result of the commitment to never-ending improvement and keeping a step ahead of your competition.

How To Succeed Online

There are many home-based business sites on the Internet that have been quietly making profits despite the slowing global economy. They may not be heralded by the press as great successes but they do generate consistent revenue. We too can learn to profit on the Net by following a few basic guidelines:
1. Find a suitable and promising niche. Niche marketing entails offering unique products or services to a few concentrated markets. Whether on or off the Internet, this is a less risky strategy and provides the best opportunities for small businesses in any marketplace. Make sure, however, that you acquire the necessary expertise to excel in your chosen niche market.

2. Be conscious of your budget. To be a successful Internet entrepreneur, you must be frugal. Avoid unnecessary expenses in the beginning, particularly if you are operating on a shoestring budget. The key to success on the Internet is to treat it just like any old-fashioned business: minimize costs and maximize profits.

3. Expand slowly. Entrepreneurs working on smaller niche markets and tighter budgets have no choice but to grow slowly. Be content with the business growing steadily if not rapidly. Don't compromise on quality - the personal care that you give to every customer is what can make your business successful. Give your customers a unique personal experience and create customer loyalty.

4. Avoid keeping inventory. As part of the strategy to keep the costs down, one of the things a start-up Internet entrepreneur must avoid is keeping a huge stock of inventory. While in its infancy, an Internet site is still struggling to find its audience. Keeping a huge inventory at this point may mean that a lot of money is tied up unnecessarily.

To get around this problem, you can employ two approaches: order as you need or purchase small quantities at a time. Ordering as you need is where you download orders off the Internet, and convert them into purchase orders to the manufacturer. Alternatively, buy smaller quantities. Establish relations with small manufacturers. Start small. Paying very small money and paying things upfront eases your cash flow and establishes good rapport with your suppliers. You can steadily increase your stock as your customer base grows.

At http://www.malaysiancraft.com/ for example, arts and crafts from different vendors are featured. The company does not have to stock up on the products and only needs to inform the respective vendors of orders as and when received. It saves both parties the cost of production as well as keeping stock.

5. Provide excellent customer service. Good online businesses rely on customer relationships built upon mutual advantage and trust.

It is much more difficult to give the personal touch when there are 50 or 100 orders a day, than it is when there were 10 or 12 but try and see to it that all inquires are promptly attended to. The personal touch always works. The old fashioned idea of being kind, courteous, and respectful, and treating your customers just as you would like to be treated will win you more customers. Spending millions of dollars to get everybody to your site is not the answer. It is more important to take exceptional care of the customers that do come.

Aside from personal touches, prompt delivery and fast response time to customer inquiries, you can use promotions designed to keep the customers that you have. For example, award loyalty points to regular customers and show them that you appreciate their repeat business.

6. Maintain quality. Competition on the Internet is tough. Your customers can simply leave your site and find your competitor at the click of a mouse. It is therefore imperative that you ensure the quality and consistency of your products or service. You do not have to have the best-looking Web site in your category, but make it a point to give the best value to your customers. Subang Grocer.com which has extended its services from delivering groceries to tying up with laundry and housekeeping services or even Nestlé, who gives value added information to its users on its website, are good models to emulate.

7. Diversify to different revenue streams. The Web gives you the ability to diversify your company’s offerings, allowing you to earn money from various sources. A good example is Yahoo!, for instance, which now earns from a variety of means like­ banner advertising, directory listing, Yahoo! stores, auctions and even website hosting.

Home-based online businesses, particularly start-up businesses, may not have the ability to implement different revenue models simultaneously. However, those of you who have gained an understanding of your markets can begin to expand your offering to several niche products that have great market potential.

8. Use many distribution channels. The Internet can go hand-in-hand with other distribution channels. Savvy net entrepreneurs understand the power of cross-distributing products. Customers’ overall loyalty increases if they can shop in more than one channel. For example, you can also combine the power of the Web with direct mail catalogs. This can lead to more Internet traffic and orders. The Web and catalog complement each other because many customers who receive catalogs are also Web users. Even if they get your catalog, they may order on the Web, thanks to the convenience it offers.

9. Watch out for fraud. Credit card fraud can cause great losses to an online business. Chargebacks can be costly and businesses can suffer massive losses as a result of credit card fraud. You must devise ways to protect yourself and your business against unscrupulous Web customers. Using reputable online payment gateway companies may be a possible solution to this problem.

The other way to get around this problem, as done by many local companies, is to accept cash on delivery for all orders. Some also accept payments by cheque. This may not be the wisest approach for all sales but may be considered for customers who are reliable and make repeat orders. Trial and error and a combination of different methods may be required to determine what works best for your own unique line of business.

10. Implement effective marketing campaigns. No matter what type of business you operate, how, why and where you advertise will play a role in your overall success. It would be wrong to assume that with so many people online at agiven time, they would somehow come across or stumble on your site. This will not happen with no effort from you. It takes a long time and considerable effort, but once you put in a lot of hard work, it pays off. An online entrepreneur with a limited budget must learn to identify the marketing strategies that will yield the best results for the business.

11. Network. Partnerships can be a boon in e-business. The right partner can help an online business achieve its marketing and technological objectives.

From designing and developing your site to marketing your products, others can lend a valuable helping hand and provide a strong support system for your business. Cross promotions with other e-businesses who have online businesses with the same target market is a good marketing strategy to adopt.

Network as much you can with fellow e-preneurs. Your neighbors, family and friends may not be able to give you the valuable insights and feedback that your e-colleagues can.

Making Use Of The Web For Your Home-Based Business

The Web is an inviting medium for starting a business for many first-time business owners. This option has opened many doors and opportunities for the small entrepreneur. The lower overhead costs, the ability to reach a wide audience and the marketing potential of the Web are attractive. The idea of "earn even while sleeping," is particularly inviting.
Generally, small and home-based businesses can use the Web in three different ways:

The Starting Point

While it is true that there are many benefits to conducting a small business online, the fact is, it takes more than a web presence to earn on the Internet. The normal rules of running a business offline also apply to running a business on the Web.

You need to create compelling reasons for customers to patronize your business and buy your products or services. You need to possess good customer service, listen to what your customers want and work twice as hard as your offline counterparts to interest and hold your customers. Surfers and shoppers on the Web seem to have shorter attention spans and can easily move from one site to the next. How to keep them in your site is something you need to work at.

Take for example the Nestlé site. It not only has information on the company and its products but also gives the viewers additional information they can use such as nutrition tips, information on childcare, pet care and even recipes! These additional features keep bringing viewers back to the site and will give you an idea of what you could incorporate within your site to increase its ‘stickiness’ or attractiveness.

A local example would be a site on garden fertilizers. With additional information like the gardening tips provided, viewers are tempted to explore the site. Therefore, home business owners with specialized products can similarly leverage on their own area of specialization by giving viewers extra benefits on the site, be it information or advice.

Business Extension

Many small and home-based businesses operating in the real world find that they need to jump into the Web bandwagon to stay competitive.

While your offline business may be operating successfully, you can use the Web to increase your revenue stream and attract new clientele for your business. You can use your site as a showcase for your products and your offline stores. In addition, you can create provide additional services such as an educational forum or an advice column for your existing and potential customers. Here again Garden Fertilisers gives you an idea of how this can be done.

However, it is important to point out that it takes more to successfully expand a business on the Web than merely putting your catalog or brochure online. Small and home-based businesses need to change their mindset to learn how Internet buyers shop and what they expect from online retailers. A more personalized customer service is one of the common strengths of the smaller businesses. For example, the online grocery vendor at Subang (http://subanggrocer.com) also incorporates online ordering, online payments and even home delivery services. They are now trying to incorporate other online facilities such as laundry services with pick up and delivery services included.

Business Support

Small and home-based businesses may not necessarily use the Internet to sell. You may simply want a Web presence to support your existing operations. Your site can be designed to provide an overview of your business or service, serve as a contact point for existing and potential customers, and be a vehicle for reaching new markets.

You can continue to do the bulk of your business offline, but still use the many benefits a Web presence can create for your business. You can use your site to inform clients of new products, provide greater product or service explanations, and provide a forum to interact with them. The site becomes an extension of your customer service strategy, offering an easy access to customers.

You can also use your Web site as an interactive marketing brochure (without the costly reprinting charges of a printed brochure). Whether your clientele are local or global, the Web provides an excellent place for telling potential customers everything they need to know about your business. Many small and home-based businesses are finding out that the Web can be a great venue for showing samples of your products, price listings, and even to display customer testimonials, with the hope of winning more customers.

A good local example showcasing these features would be the site, flowerdrum bags and accessories, the site of a home-based business specializing in custom-made bags. The site is used to showcase products and to inform potential customers about its services, providing contact details. The bulk of the activities for this business is still done offline.

Home Businesses And The Internet

Internet Technology and Home Businesses? Most people assume that it’s not exactly the stuff dreams are made of, especially if you are technologically challenged! Perhaps it is time for a rethink.



The Internet revolution has made so many inroads into the world of business that you can no longer afford to ignore it. It is now as essential a tool as the phone, fax or even your old handy typewriter. It has also spawned a whole new way of conducting businesses, which may be a boon to those of us who wish to work from home. It is an enabler that has opened the doors to Aladdin’s cave of treasures as far as businesses opportunities are concerned. It may be the very tool you need to succeed in your home-based business!

Today, many small businesses thrive on the Internet. They may not be huge e-commerce success stories but many small and home-based businesses are finding a wealth of opportunities on the Web. These small businesses may not have mass recognition nor the sophisticated technologies of their deep-pocketed counterparts, but they thrive, and many, rather profitably.

Their secret is simple; they have discovered that ‘niche’ rules on the Internet. The Web is known as a great place to reach very specialized markets and this has greatly benefited small companies. On the Internet, customers find it easy to locate specialized products and services that are difficult to find elsewhere. Many small and home-based businesses have found that they can make the Internet a profitable venue for finding customers and selling them their own unique brand of products and services.

With their more limited resources, smaller companies find that focusing and specializing on a specific product line online brings them great dividends. Take for example the following: Sanders Handcrafted Toys - a site focusing solely on handcrafted wooden toys; Trains4Tots - an online store that focuses on toy trains but also offers other toys and other sites in Malaysia such as Ryzan Design which sells Malaysian traditional design vases or Craft-World.net, a site that aims to be a virtual one-stop craft shop. In Malaysia, even though print and other media have not been totally supplanted by the Internet, there is a definite trend towards the increased use of the Internet as an alternate medium for marketing and selling.

General Benefits Of Doing Business Online

Generally, most potential home business owners are attracted to the extensive market available via the Internet. This is by no means the be all and end all of the benefits of doing business over the Internet. Other basic benefits you can take advantage of when you decide to use the Internet for your business includes:



Low start up costs – It reduces the need for a physical set-up and all the associated costs.
Access to new channels for sales and marketing and advertising - Both local and global markets are easily accessible online.
Cost and time savings – Online brochures are relatively fuss-free and online sales are quick, efficient and cost-effective.
Longer business hours (24/7) - The Internet never goes to sleep.
Generation of leads – The Internet gives you access to databases which you can exploit to your advantage.
Meet customer’s expectations – You have better communication with your customers with the choice of both online and offline interaction.
Market research opportunities – You can use online tools such as online surveys and polls and even test markets.
Despite these advantages, it is still essential that you learn the basics of doing business on the Internet and how you can exploit these advantages to your benefit in order to succeed. The fastest route would be to learn from those who are successful, exchanging ideas with or getting new ideas from top marketers in the business and finally, applying and testing your ideas in the real world by investing time and money.