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Direct-Sales Businesses Boom as Economy Lags By ALLISON BOURG, Staff Writer

2011-08-25T05:05:00.000-07:00

Direct-sales businesses boom as economy lags
By ALLISON BOURG, Staff Writer
Published 08/21/11

When Cristina Prince's husband was laid off from his IT job last fall, the Pasadena woman turned to Tupperware.
Joshua McKerrow - The Capital Cristina Prince, a Severna Park Elementary School teacher and a Tupperware consultant, shows off some of her merchandise. Prince started selling the kitchen accessories to compensate for some of her husband's lost income, but has continued with Tupperware since her husband's return to work.
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The Severna Park Elementary teacher held her own Tupperware party and was initially motivated by the promise of free merchandise for party hostesses. Then Prince started thinking that maybe she could start selling the kitchen accessories and compensate for some of her husband's lost income.

"I wanted to pick up the pieces from his not having a full-time job," she said.

She said she spent about $100 for a startup kit, which included product samples, and started booking parties with her friends and family members. Her husband landed a new job in January, but Prince kept on going with Tupperware. She sells the merchandise at about three parties each month and said the extra cash funds her daughter's tuition at the Community United Methodist Church's preschool in Pasadena.

Tupperware and businesses like it attract a lot of people who are seeing wages at their day jobs remain stagnant, Prince said.

"People aren't getting their raises anymore, but things are getting more expensive," Prince said.

As the economy remains soft, people like Prince are turning to an alternative line of work - home-based direct sales, which allows them to earn extra cash while making their own hours. There are dozens of these types of sales businesses out there, hawking everything from jewelry and beauty products to kitchenware and home accessories. Most follow a similar business model.

Sales consultants, often women, mainly sell their products through demos at home parties. They can increase their commission by recruiting others to sell the items, building a team of consultants.

It's relatively easy to start a home-based sales business, which has made them popular, said Amy Robinson, chief marketing officer for the national Direct Sales Association. About 200 companies belong to the organization.

"You don't need a lot of overhead," Robinson said. "All you need is to go out and start selling the product."

Such businesses have also fared well during the recession. In 2009, retail sales fell around 9 percent, according to DSA's statistics; direct sales fell as well, but only by 4 percent. In 2010, direct sales actually rose slightly, from $28.33 billion to $28.56 billion.

"During a recession, people are spending money, but they're spending it a little bit differently," Robinson said. "A woman who maybe buys a $200 suit every season may decide to buy a $25 necklace to accessorize what she already has."

People are also looking to stay home and socialize there, rather than going out and spending more money.

"We like to say (direct sales) is the original social network," Robinson said.

From 2008 to 2009, the number of direct sellers jumped from 15.1 million to 16.1 million, before falling slightly to 15.8 million sellers last year.

"That was still an increase right at the height of the recession," Robinson said.

Angela Nassar of Annapolis, who has been selling Tupperware for 23 years, got Prince hooked on the company.

Nassar, a legacy executive director with Tupperware - she helms a team of 140 sales consultants and sales managers - said the company "is definitely an opportunity for people in this economy."

"We are always hiring," she said.

Start-up kits for the business can range from $85 to $125, but anyone who wants to sell can purchase a kit for as little as $5 down, then make payments, Nassar said.

Nassar got into the business when she was a stay-at-home mother looking to make money, but work flexible hours. She ended up loving it, and making a good living, too.

"I put four kids through Catholic school and paid for five sets of braces," she said.

With home-based sales, you can make your business as big or as small as you want, Nassar said.

"Its's not for everyone, but it's for everyone to try," she said.

Rachel Frentsos of Annapolis became a consultant for Arbonne International, a line of all-natural skincare products, about two years ago. She and her husband are both Realtors for Long and Foster Companies, and they wanted to diversify their income, Frentsos said.

"With real estate, your business can go up and down," Frentsos said. "Our real estate business has been fine, but we wanted to be able to have two different income streams."

That's attracted a lot of people to Arbonne and other direct sales businesses, she said.

"A lot of women, their husbands work, and they want a Plan B," Frentsos said. "If you work for someone else, there's no guarantee that you'll have a job the next day."

Krystle Castro, a stay-at-home mother of two from West River, started selling Silpada jewelry a little over a year ago. Her husband travels a lot for work, and she felt her employment options were limited if she wanted to stay home with her children.

"But I wanted to do something," Castro said.

She uses her Silpada income to pay for extras for the family that they might not otherwise be able to afford, including a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge water park and a vacation to Disney World next year.

"A lot of people do it because they're stay-at-home moms, and they're husbands aren't getting raises," Castro said. "These days, it's important to have those two incomes."

Angela Brill of Severna Park became a Silpada consultant about four months ago. Like Castro, the mother of three uses her income to help buy little luxuries for the family.

"It's a huge help," Brill said. "With things being rough out there, a lot of people have to cut out the small things, like getting your hair done or your nails done or taking day trips. This enables us to do those things."
Copyright © Capital Gazette Communications LLC, 2011.

Looking for Articles

2011-08-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

Im currently looking for work at home articles/resources.If anyone has anything rto offer I will list your business on my site here for free and do a small article on you and your business.Email me at wrkathomemomma@gmail.com

Cleaning Up!

2011-08-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

I know that I have been away..I had an unexpected early delivery of my twins so I am just now getting back in the swing of things....if you have your business listed on my site and you are no longer in business let me know.Any dead links will be deleted.If you have a new web address for your business and you are a paid subscriber you need to email me as soon as you can.I am updating this blog with some new content as I get chunks of time.Most likely a few hours a week.Email me with any questions at wrkathomemomma@gmail.com

Im back...again!

2011-02-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

Im so sorry,I have been offline well over 6 months...my computer was sick and I just really enjoyed the summer with my family and we were quite busy.Alot of things has changed since I was on last.My husband and I discovered in Decemeber that we are expecting twins,so things are a bit crazy around here.I am hoping to get some more content on this site soon,I promise!You can email me at wrkathomemomma@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Home Business Marketing: Effective and Free Strategies By: Laurie Neumann

2010-03-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

Home business marketing does not have to cost you lots of money. In fact, most of it can be done for free. I hardly ever pay anything to market my home business. "Well, don't you advertise?" you may ask. I do, but not in the ways that you are probably used to.

I have learned that effective marketing strategies are ones that fit my personality. They are ones that let me appear confident and happy. Otherwise, if I come across as nervous or stressed, why would that attract someone to my business? And that is exactly how I would seem if I were taking part in home business marketing methods that went against who I am.

I have also found that the most effective methods are free. Just throwing an ad up somewhere doesn't help people to get to know you. Before people become your customers, they need to know something about you and how you think. It makes sense. I like to buy from people I know something about and respect. Then I can feel good about supporting them.

I have found an effective (and free) marketing method to be writing articles, just like this one. As you read this, you have a glimpse into how I feel about marketing, right? You may be able to relate to what I am saying. That helps build trust. That is what you want to do with your business. You want to present it in a way that lets people get to know something about you and how you think. You want them to trust you.

Another great home business marketing tip is to do some guest blogging. Find other blog owners in your niche who would welcome you doing a guest blog post or you can even swap blog posts. That puts you in front of a new group of people that you wouldn't have access to otherwise. Of course, make sure your target markets are the same. Again, it's a free and effective way to market your business.

There are all kinds of marketing strategies that you can pursue for free and that will be effective. They may take a little time, but it will be worth it in the end.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Want to find out more about marketing your home business effectively? Sign up for Laurie's marketing course that is designed to guide you through creating a marketing plan that will fit your personality. See details at Home Business Marketing

This article may be reprinted for free so long as the author's resource box is kept intact and all links remain live and clickable. The Article Source must also be included. All rights are reserved by the author.

Been away for too long!

2010-02-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

I have really been away for quite sometime and will be getting this blog back up and running soon!So much has happened in a few months time and will be updating on that soon.I will also be adding new content very soon as well.Anything you want to see,just let me know.You can email at fitnessmom9603@gmail.com with anything you would like to see.

8 Ways To Advertise Your New Direct Sales Business Online

2009-11-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

8 Ways To Advertise Your New Direct Sales Business Online
By: Shelly Hill

When it comes to starting a new Direct Sales home business, there are many things you can do immediately to start promoting your business online.

Here are a few ideas that you can start today that don't cost a lot of money.

1. Set up signature tags in your email program. Make sure every outgoing piece of email has your new web site link attached to the bottom of it.

2. If you belong to any online forum boards or networking groups, update your forum profiles to include your new business link and update your forum signature tags.

3. Find a few online web sites that have similar content to yours. Contact those site owners about doing a link exchange. It is very important to only exchange links with similar web sites.

4. Start a free business blog. There are many sites online that offer free blogs, Blogger and Wordpress are two of the most popular blogging platforms online. It important for your blog to provide valuable information that you think your customers or blog visitors will want to read.

5. If you are not already networking on the popular networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, LinkedIn or Ning, I suggest you pick one or two of those sites and set up a profile page. You will want to include your personal and business information on your profile and then get busy posting and making some new business contacts.

6. Get your business listed in a few online business directories. You can go to any online search engine and do a keyword search to find directories that appeal to you and your needs. Some of these directories will charge a small fee to get listed and some will require a link exchange.

7. If you enjoy writing, you can try your hand at article marketing. You don't need to be a professional writer, you just need good spelling and grammar skills. For article marketing to work, you need to write quality articles within your business niche. Once you have completed a few articles, submit them to a few article directories.

8. Contest sponsoring is another great way to get your business name and products out onto the world wide web. To find them, go to your favorite search engine and do a keyword search for contests, sweepstakes and blog contests. You don't need to donate a big expensive prize, a lot of the web sites looking for sponsors, usually except a prize donation of less than $25.00 retail cost.

When it comes to advertising your new Direct Sales home business online, it is important to educate yourself on what works and doesn't work. You can find numerous online web sites with Direct Sales articles and business tips to help guide you on a successful advertising path.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. Shelly Co-Owns a work at home business resource site with her business partner Sophia at www.workathomebusinessoptions.com for additional articles and home business tips. You can also contact Shelly at my.tupperware.com/Ravish30
This article may be reprinted for free so long as the author's resource box is kept intact and all links remain live and clickable. The Article Source must also be included. All rights are reserved by the author.

Are You Ready To Start A Business?

2009-10-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

Are You Ready To Start A Business?
By: Leah Grant

Are you ready to start your own business? A lot of people feel they are, but they haven't considered what running their own business will really entail. They are interested in setting their own work hours, not having a boss and having unlimited income potential. These items are the rose-colored glasses of owning your own business.

I'm going to share with you the five reality check questions I ask my fledgling entrepreneur clients.

Moolah

The first question is about money. Yes, it is kind of true that you need to have money to make money, but you don't need millions. Do you have six months or more of living expenses in a liquid account? Or do you not need your wages to contribute to the household income?

If you answered, "Yes", congratulations. If you answered no, how long would it take for you to accumulate that reserve?

One thing to consider is your current lifestyle. Are there expenses you could eliminate or scale back on which would allow you to save additional money, plus, if you've eliminated the expense, it means you'll need less to live on in the future.

Tick Tock

The second question is about time. Do you have a minimum of 30 uninterrupted hours per week to devote to your business? By uninterrupted, I mean time that you aren't watching a child, doing laundry, running errands or telecommuting to a job.

A lot of people quickly answer yes to this question without really thinking about it, so I recommend that you take a calendar and map out an average week. Be sure to put in everyday things you might take for granted, such as picking up the kids from school, doing household chores and exercising.

These items take up physical space instead of mental space because they're repetitious and so they give you the perception that you have more time than you actually do. Now, how many hours of uninterrupted time do you have?

When does that time fall? If it's between 9 pm and 1 am, you could start an Internet business, but if you're offering a service to people or companies, they will want to do business during standard business hours.

If you find that you have less 30 hours per week, it might not be the right time for you to start a business. A new venture takes a lot of upfront time and energy and it will take longer to build a solid client base if you don't have the time to devote to it.

On the flipside of that, if you're transitioning out of a full time job or know that you will soon have more than 30 hours, set yourself up for success by expecting your business to get started and grow at much slower than the average pace.

La La Land

The third question often surprises people. Does your personal life run relatively smoothly? You are the center of your business. If you are also the center of emotional mayhem in your personal life, it's going to show in your ability to start and run your business. If you're in the middle of a nasty divorce, adopting your first child, moving to another country or have some other intensely emotional taxing event happening in your life, adding the stress of starting a new business could send you straight to the funny farm, and if not there, to business failure.

Get your personal affairs in order then open your business. I coach many of my clients for six months to a year on getting their personal and financial life cleaned up before they get down to opening their business.

One-Ring Circus

The fourth question is: Do you work well by yourself? Not everyone is cut out for working from home alone. If you currently work in an office, ask your boss if you can work from home for a week. See if you like working without outside stimulation or the environment of an office. A day isn't enough. You need to be home for a solid week to see how it feels to be isolated and solely responsible for each minute of your day.

If you find this isn't for you, you can still open a business with a partner or even several or you can rent office space in an executive suite.

A lot of people love working by themselves from home but they determine that they aren't as productive when others aren't around or someone else is setting the deadline. Your level of self-management will impact this element.

Juggling

The final question is do you manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously without getting overwhelmed? If you answered yes, that's great, because that's exactly what you're going to need to do daily. You are the provider of the service, the customer service department, the accounting department, the hr department, the marketing department, the administrative department, the technologist-EVERYTHING (unless you have a good amount of startup capital and can hire help right away).

If you answered no to this question, you might be a tradesman or woman who desires autonomy in your work, but who really isn't an entrepreneur. The distinction is that a tradesman or woman wants to do their specialty, such as massage, process improvement, executive coaching, but they don't want to punch a clock or be responsible for all the ancillary duties of owing a business.

If you fall into this category, I recommend one of two things. Buy Michael Gerber's book "The E-Myth Revisited" and see if you want to stretch into the areas necessary to run a successful business or find a company or business that has put the structure in place and pays you as an independent contractor. This arrangement allows you to control when and how much you work without managing the day-to-day.

If you answered yes to all of the questions, then you are ready to go!

(c) 2009 Leah Grant Enterprises LLC.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR ON YOUR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this entire blurb with it: New Business Mentor Leah Grant publishes Startup Success, a weekly enewsletter. If you're thinking about starting a new business or are in the early phases of entrepreneurship, get your FR.EE New Business Startup Kit including the Secrets of Successful Business Owners audio at www.leahgrant.com
This article may be reprinted for free so long as the author's resource box is kept intact and all links remain live and clickable. The Article Source must also be included. All rights are reserved by the author.

How to Stay Clear-Sighted, Even in today’s Economic Turmoil

2009-10-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

How to Stay Clear-Sighted, Even in today’s Economic Turmoil
By: Lisa Alexander-Wolfe

Simple Answer: Goal Setting

If your company doesn’t have a set of strategic goals, the only motivation you have is survival. Working out of desperation will kill your business, nine times out of ten.

It’s important to develop a systematic set of controlled goals, even each week. Weather those are new targets, revisions or just a healthy check-up on them.

Those goals must be divided amongst your key players and each person must have a solid grip in understanding their part in moving forward.

Even employees or independent contractors who aren’t the main decision makers in your company should have definitive goal sets, as they are in the process of running your business too! The more information your employees or independent contractors have, the more their efforts are truly going to help the organization, hence the more committed they become to you.

Goal setting shouldn’t be a difficult project, but one much needed, especially today. As a CEO, working sporadically on everything, not dealing with issues of redistribution of what needs to be delegated out, will surely put you in a very bumpy and confusing spot.

Start with the KISS theory (Keep it Simple Stupid)! You know what needs to be done, so get it out to those who can achieve those goals swiftly and accurately, while you focus on other important issues.

Goal setting is the first step – but follow through is the key that will help you become a more organized company and a successful one at that.

To Staying Focused and Productive!

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Co-Founder of TaskTroop.com, Lisa Alexander-Wolfe, an Internet visionary with many talents of over 10 years experience in Internet Marketing, PR, Operations Management, Customer Service, and Telecommunications, makes big impacts on businesses with her hard-working, energetic, results-oriented work ethics and expects nothing short from her entire team. TaskTroop is a full service, outsourced (North America) Business Development Company and the leader in low price, superior quality for live chat services, sales support, lead generation, appointment setting, telephone customer service and telemarketing. Visit tasktroop.com for more information.
This article may be reprinted for free so long as the author's resource box is kept intact and all links remain live and clickable. The Article Source must also be included. All rights are reserved by the author.

Work At Home Forums Putting Forth A Professional Business Impression

2009-10-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

Work At Home Forums - Putting Forth A Professional Business Impression
By: Shelly Hill

When it comes to online business networking and spending your time on social networking sites like work at home mom forums, what type of business impression are you sending out to the members of that community?

Way to often I see new members signing up for every work at home community that they can find online. They join and if we are lucky, they will post a two sentence introduction to the group. However, 8 out of 10 times...they just immediately head to the advertising folder and spam a business advertisement.

For those that practice this type of behavior on forums, you are really leaving a bad taste in the mouth of professional network marketers. Those of us who have been on these type of social networking groups for years...will absolutely tell you that we won't do any type of business with what we call "hit and run spammers."

As a forum owner myself, I personally will not tolerate bad professionalism on my own message boards and I can state for a fact, that members and forum owners do indeed talk with one another about the slew of online spammers that we see running around from message board to message board and slyly spamming their business ads.

If you are looking to network your business online, you really need to become a valuable member of the work at home communities. You need to participate in general chit chat and business discussions and keep the advertisements to a minimum. You should never post your personal "dirty laundry" on any work at home business forum. I also recommend that you don't bad mouth your Direct Sales company, your manager or your teammates as this would be considered to be unprofessional.

When it comes to networking online, it is important to set forth a professional business impression to those who read your postings. If you want others to do business with you and to take you seriously, you need to act and post appropriately on the work at home forums.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. Shelly has been running her own online home business networking community since 2003. You can visit her community at www.classybusinesswomenforums.com/index.php or her business website at www.workathomebusinessoptions.com

Use Affiliate Marketing To Increase Your Work At Home Income Stream

2009-09-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

Use Affiliate Marketing To Increase Your Work At Home Income Stream
By: S McIntyre

Affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to diversify and supplement your income source when you work from home. Whether you work for a virtual employer or have your own home based business, adding affiliate programs can help bring in extra residual income each month.

What is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is promoting a merchant's service or product. You are paid a commission when you make a sale. You may also earn on pay-per-click or pay-per-lead, but pay-per-sale is the most common way of earning when it comes to affiliate programs.

How easy is it to earn with affiliate programs?
It's largely due to how well you know about the different types of marketing methods you can work with. If you're well-versed and know your way around the web, then you have an advantage over someone who is not so business savvy.

There is a learning curve, but it can be mastered if you're willing to learn and absorb all the free information out there. Remember though, top affiliate marketers who make a lot of money didn't make it by chance or luck. They invested hours of time and they invested in their learning of how to become a successful marketer.

How To Choose Affiliate Programs
Choose products or services that are geared towards your interests, but also think if there's a demand for that product. You don't want to have to compete with thousands of people who are selling the same thing you are so look for something that is unique, but is popular and is wanted by the masses.

Look for a merchant that offers more than one product. A product can lose its appeal which then leads to discontinuation. A plus side to this, if people like what the merchant is offering, they are more likely to come back and see what other products you have.

The higher the commission, the better it is for you. Would you rather receive a commission of $10 or $50? In addition, if you have a revenue goal each month, you can reach it a lot quicker. Also look for affiliate programs that offer affiliate support and offer the most marketing tools.

All in all many people continue to look for more ways to earn an income online. Affiliate marketing is that choice because anyone can do it. With the right affiliate programs and with all the learning tools under your belt, affiliate marketing is the sure-fire way to have a continuous stream of income lining your wallet each and every month.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Go now to download your free copy of "5 Simple Steps to Start Making Money with Affiliate Programs" at www.workathomespace.com/affiliateprograms.php
This article may be reprinted for free so long as the author's resource box is kept intact and all links remain live and clickable. The Article Source must also be included. All rights are reserved by the author.

Daily Routines for Work at Home Business Success

2009-09-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Daily Routines For Work At Home Business Success
By: Shelly Hill

I have been successfully working from home for over 20 years. During that time, I had to quickly learn how to multi-task and manage my time. A common question I am often asked is... "Shelly, how do you find the time to work on your home business and still get your household chores done?"

What I have found is if I stick to a routine and a schedule, I can get my business work, household cleaning chores and cooking done. What has worked for me, might not work for you...but here is how I accomplish my tasks.

Morning Routine - When I get up in the morning, I make and feed my family breakfast and get them ready for school and work. Once they are out the door, I turn on my computer and head to the shower. After I get myself cleaned up for the day, I start a load of wash and unload/load my dishwasher.

I then sit down to have my breakfast while reading and responding to email inquiries. Once that task is completed, I will unload my wash and place it into the dryer...if necessary, start another wash load.

I will spend the next hour working on my business tasks. After one hour, I will do some cleaning up around the house and spend an hour completing those tasks.

Lunchtime/Afternoon Routine - I will prepare lunch and feed my family or myself, and clean up the lunch dishes. I then schedule in another 90 minutes of working time. Once that time is up, I will do another hour of household tasks before doing another 60 to 90 minutes of business tasks.

Evening Routine - I will start dinner and while dinner is cooking, do any household tasks that I didn't get completed during the day. I will then serve dinner to my family and clean up the dinner dishes. I schedule in 2 hours of family time (homework help, spending time with spouse, etc.)

Night Time Routine - Once I have the children in bed and my spouse is relaxing for the evening, I will spend another 30 to 40 minutes finishing up any business tasks for the day.

As you can see, I have a routine.

You need to sit down and come up with a business game plan and set it into action. Try to stick to your plan as much as possible. Once you have a routine in place, you will find that you can take care of your business, your household and yes...your family.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Shelly Hill has been successfully working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. Shelly believes that having a daily working and home life routine is essential for business success. You can visit Shelly online at www.workathomebusinessoptions.com for free business tips and information or at my.tupperware.com/Ravish30

This article may be reprinted for free so long as the author's resource box is kept intact and all links remain live and clickable. The Article Source must also be included. All rights are reserved by the author.

Easy Work At Home: Dream Or Reality?

2009-08-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

Easy Work At Home: Dream Or Reality?
By Tammy Embrich

Working at home is becoming more of a reality for many. Several years ago I sure didn't think it was even feasibly possible. I used to sit and dream of the whole work at home scenario. Imagining myself working with ease and everyday abundantly prosperous.

After having experienced a few successful years of working at home, I've come to realize that there are lots of cons that go along with all the pros. Everyday isn't always organized, filled with an abundance of motivation, and inspiration. Us work at homers have to work at this daily. We have to be realistic about our particular situation and needs and make the best of our work at home environment, whatever the case may be. We've all become accustomed to the many ups and downs of our home jobs, just like any other 9 to 5 brick and mortar job. There will be days when we'll have disappointment, distractions, and even some unproductive days. It all comes with the territory.

So if you're thinking of working at home and dreaming of the perfect, happily ever after, day after day, think again! Working at home involves work, and there is no legitimate "get rich quick" or "easy work" formula out there that puts you on easy street, as the old saying goes.

If you want to telecommute from home, you will have to work hard. If you want to start a home business, you will have to work hard, and everyday will not be perfect or easy.

Below are four important tips for people just starting on a home job journey

1. Set a work schedule and do your best to stick with it. I've learned through trial and error that having a daily routine helps me tremendously. It helps keep me on track. Now, that's not to say that things won't arise unexpectedly and you won't be taken away from your schedule. Naturally there will be unexpected distractions. Life situations happen. But what better reason to be at home in order to deal with those situations? Work up a schedule that you can realistically stick with on a daily basis. Have it in front of you at all times and consistently check off tasks that you complete.

2. Make your work area your own, wether it be a complete home office or a corner in your spare bedroom. The idea is to separate your work from your home. This is so very important. If you start mixing the two, it will most likely cause conflict. So make your work area your very own and explain to your family members, this is your space.

3. Be good to yourself and take breaks as you need them. This includes weekends. You need time away from work to rejuvenate and recharge those batteries. What about vacations? Take them! While you're away, you may come back with new ideas, motivation, and inspiration. Every business needs this. Also it's a good idea to take breaks often during the day. Maybe go have coffee or lunch with a family member or friend. Take a walk, or maybe read for awhile from your favorite book. Not taking breaks can cause overload and burnout, it's just not healthy. So, be nice to yourself, refresh, and take time off when you need to.

4. Be realistic. Be prepared to work. Realize that a work at home job is a "real job" that involves real work. Simply put, you will have to work hard to succeed and earn money. Earning a steady income will not come easy. This in itself is the biggest realization that home job searchers will have to come to terms with and take action.

Working at home is a wonderful luxury for me, but it does have it's peaks and valleys. I work at what I do consistently everyday and I've come to really enjoy it. It's been a long journey getting here and I have had to put forth a lot of effort, and still do, but it's worth every moment. I love what I do and I wouldn't change anything.

Article Written By Tammy Embrich

Tammy offers free telecommute work at home job leads, work at home articles, business tips, and more at Work At Home Jobs

Stop by Tammy's Work At Home Forums where you can find more free job leads and other work at home professionals to socialize and network with.

Starting A Business in Today’s Economy

2009-08-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

Starting A Business in Today’s Economy
By: Laurie Neumann

Everyone has heard of how bad the economy is right now. So, what do you do about starting a business? Is it wise? I believe if we take the steps that we should take whenever we start a business, we will be fine.

You need to always do your research – trying times or good times. Check out to ensure there is a market out there looking for what you want to offer. Is it a market willing to pay for things, or is it a “freebie seeking” market? These are things you will want to know before you start up a business.

It may be more challenging to start a business in times like we’re in. However, with persistence and patience, you can see it through, and then, you will be ready when the economy picks up. If you experience some slow times, use that time to educate yourself on your market and sharpen your entrepreneurial skills. Read and learn new things. You’ll be in a much better position when things are better to move your business forward.

If you’re working outside the home now, I recommend staying at your job and building up your business on the side. This will give you a chance to gain some experience and “test the waters” without taking a big risk.

That said, you will need to commit to spending consistent time on your new business to grow it. Sometimes, when it's a "sideline", we can let it sit there and then decide it didn't work. You will have to take it seriously and commit a certain amount of time each week - serious time that you are actually working at your business (not browsing the internet).

Even when times are tight, there are areas that people always spend money on. The categories below seem to be “timeless” in their appeal.

• Fitness/Weight loss
• Relationships – how to improve them
• How to make money
• Personal growth and development
• Entertainment/hobbies/crafts
• Parenting

Try building a business around one of the above topics. These are general topics, but there are many “sub-niches” within them to capitalize on. For example, take the first category. You could write an information product on weight training. Or you could become a distributor with a nutrition supplement company. Or you could sell affiliate products in the fitness/nutrition field.

Remember to research and make sure you are venturing into an area that people are looking for information on and willing to pay for it.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Laurie Neumann offers personal coaching and information on how to create an online business at www.homebusinessbeginners.com. She also owns www.christianhomebusinessconnection.com and offers many legitimate ways to start your own home based business..
This article may be reprinted for free so long as the author's resource box is kept intact and all links remain live and clickable. The Article Source must also be included. All rights are reserved by the author.

Writing Jobs - A Profitable Work At Home Money Maker By: S McIntyre

2009-08-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

Writing Jobs - A Profitable Work At Home Money Maker
By: S McIntyre

Through my search for daily work at home job leads, I've come across many writing jobs. Some require writing degrees, but many don't. Writing is an ideal work at home job for people who are looking for a non-phone job and who don't really have a lot of experience that are required from other positions.

You can be employed to write for a company or individual or freelance by submitting articles to various sites for pay.

Many have the idea that you have to be a professional guru or be a professional writer. That is not the case at all. You do have to have some basic skills if you want to become a good writer and being a good writer often means higher paying writing jobs.

You don't have to have a degree unless you want to become a journalist. If you can compose a sentence that other people can understand, you have good use and understanding of the English language, punctuation and grammar and so on, then it's a great start.

Often people want to know what to write about. First of all if you're employed by a company, you will have topics or categories to choose from. That's easy. If you're not writing for a company, but writing articles to submit to paid sites then write articles on what you know. Do you have a passion for a cause or a topic? Do you like to teach and educate people through your writing? It's easier to write about something you know and are familiar with.

Another question people have is how do you know if your writing is good enough? You will never know if you don't start writing and receive constructive criticism from your family or friends. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself after you have written an article:

*Is it easy to read, follow and understand?
*Did I stick to the topic?
*Did I provide enough valuable information?
*Was it helpful?

You can greatly improve your writing skills if you take it one step at a time. You can start off by submitting them to free article directories and/or paid article sites. By submitting them to paid sites like Textbroker.com or Bukisa.com, you will have writing experience to put on your resume. This is good if you don't have prior job experience from any other online job.

It also gives you the chance to experiment with your writing and find out what your writing style is. The more you write, the more comfortable and confident you will become. In time you will find the more experience you have under your belt, the more paid writing jobs there are for you.

Paid writing jobs are abundant and it's a profitable way to earn an income from home.

You can find free listing of work at home writing companies at www.workathomespace.com/writing.php

S McIntyre also co-owns Work At Home Business Options, a comprehensive direct selling and telecommuting work at home business resource that includes business tips, exclusive business articles, direct sales and telecommute company listings, home living and much more.

5 Creative Ways to Promote Your Affiliate Website By: Rhonda White

2009-07-31T12:42:00.000-07:00

5 Creative Ways to Promote Your Affiliate Website
By: Rhonda White

5 Creative Ways to Promote your Affiliate Website.

1. Get Obsessive with Local Marketing

Local advertising is not the most popular way to promote your affiliate programs, but yet it's still a productive means of getting the word out. First of all, buy a short, memorable domain name related to the topic of your affiliate site. Use this domain name for local marketing on your vehicle, business cards, return address labels, with your handwritten signature, etc. Get a little creative and place it on wearable items too. Visit Zazzle.com and start creating your own apron, tshirts, bumper stickers, keychains, mousepads and more.

2. Use the Products and Services Wholeheartedly

If your spending alot of time promoting for one particular company that offers tangible products, get a few of the products to show off. Use the products and brag about what qualities that you like best. Many of us are natural sales people. We often buy products or use services from particular companies because a friend or relative made a wonderful recommendation. There are many companies that should pay my husband commission. And they probably would if they only knew how much he talks and brags about their products! By the way, your kids can get in on the action too. They make great little sales people. Their enthusiasm shines through and their honesty about their likes and dislikes is often admirable.

3. Write a Fictomercial

WordSpy.com defines Fictomercial as "a work of fiction in which a company pays the writer to incorporate the company's products into the story." It's a new trend that's gaining popularity. If you have a knack for writing fictional stories, you may want to try your hand at creating a few interesting stories to draw attention to your products or services that you're promoting. The movie industry has already gained momentum on this sort of advertising. I can already think of numerous movies that have included some "dot com" promotions. Of course, the trick is going to be a matter of integrating your promotion delicately as possible without seeming like a big commercial interruption in the middle of your story. If you have a gift for writing, you might want to take a shot at optimizing this new trend.

4. Use that Answering Machine

These nice little inventions really don't get used quite enough. "Please leave a message right after the beep" could really use some creativity and much improvement. Most of us seem to enjoy the funny messages we hear on message machines, in fact, we remember them for quite awhile and even chat to our friends about it. If you have a great sense of humor, why not come up with a really quirky message that will entertain and make a lasting impression...and sneak in a little free advertising too. Don't forget to take advantage of your voicemail message,too. We pay enough for those cell phones, we might as well get some extra advertising out of them.

5. Donate Some Old Books

This is a promotion you may have not heard stated before. But, I like the idea, so I'm going to share it. Do you have some books that you need to get rid of? Take some book labels with your domain name and a short catchy quote written on them and stick them inside the covers. Donate these to your local thrift stores. Even if people do not buy a book, they often browse through them. I've often seen business cards stuck in books at the library, but book labels stuck inside used books might be there to stay for quite awhile.

People often like to buy used magazines at cheaper rates as well. Create or buy some address labels with just your business information on them and stick them over the address labels on your old magazines. Now, if you can just get them to your local donation center before they're too old be news, they'll be sure to find new homes!

As a final word, don't try to reinvent the wheel. By all means, use popular marketing methods that have been tested and that statistically work best, but don't be afraid to get a little creative and come up with some new ways to promote as well. It will certainly help you escape boredom and keep your mind sharp...and who knows, perhaps you will create a new advertising trend afterall.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Rhonda White Get your Free Affiliate Marketing Ecourse at mommyaffiliates.com Don't Miss Out on More Revenue Options, visit mommyrevenue.com

Strawberry Dip

2009-07-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Dip

8 oz. cream cheese - softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. Watkins Vanilla Extract
2 tsp. Watkins Strawberry Extract
4 Tablsp. sour cream
2 drops Watkins Food Coloring

Blend all ingredients together.
Chill and serve with fresh fruit

The sour cream gives it a softer consistency - great as a bagel spread - even a good cake or cupcake frosting and great served with Granny Smith apples. Take one slice and then cut that slice in 4 bite size pieces and put toothpicks in each piece and dip and ENJOY!!!!

~*Darlene*~
Independent Watkins Associate
http://www.watkinsonline.com/ddemell

One Thing Not to do When Creating Ads for Your Direct Sales Business

2009-07-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

One Thing Not to do When Creating Ads for Your Direct Sales Business
By: Chris Carroll

There have been many trends over the years that I have seen regarding ads written expressly for recruiting on the internet as well as off line for Direct Sales downlines. The verbiage in the ads that concerns me is the one that uses the word “Hiring”.

This to me is a very dangerous tactic and has many implications to the job seeker. Most importantly, it is implying that a person that is looking for a job would actually be paid by the business owner of the said Direct Sales Company or Multi Level Company.

Now, most of us know that this is not the case. Hiring is a state of employment where you as an employee collect a check, may get benefits and work specific hours per week. In Direct Sales, this is most certainly not the case. We pay to start our business, either by buying into a business in a box or creating our own business with the sweat of our brow. We are not employees of any Direct Sales company and using recruiting methods that imply that we are “hiring” you to start a business is very misleading.

The results of “hiring” someone to start their business in your team will be that your new team mate may not take their business seriously. They may expect to be fed leads and to continue to be fed. They will be missing the entrepreneurial spirit and a few additional things may happen. They may end up not being with your team very long or just not be the best partner in the long run. Will that really be their fault? Maybe yes, maybe no. I guess it will depend on the leadership and training that they receive.

I think it is safe to say one should avoid using the term’ “hiring” in any direct sales ads. You could be opening yourself up to issues that you don’t need and I am pretty sure that the Home Company involved wouldn’t care for it either. It opens them up to a host of issues and you could be dropped and lose your own business. Keep your ads clean, simple and honest and you will not run into any gray areas that could, in fact, cause you to be misleading and perceived improperly.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Copyright Chris Carroll All Rights Reserved Chris Carroll is a sales professional that has made direct sales her business of choice and enjoys sharing with others. You can sign up for tips on managing and increasing your business at her site DirectSalesTalk.com .You can also find her at her business site ShopOnYourSeat.com . If you would like to use this article for your newsletters or website, all links must be live and clickable.

Ways to Succeed in Affiliate Marketing

2009-07-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

Ways to Succeed in Affiliate Marketing
By: Nancy Kraska

Having someone else decide your future does not appeal to people who like to decide their own future. These are the type of people who want to steer their own course for the future; being able to take the path any way they want. They want to follow their dreams not someone else’s and are ready to take an adventure that will last a lifetime.

This very mindset is the reason why more people are joining one of the most popular online businesses-affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing affords the individual an opportunity to decide their own future while helping others decide theirs. There are no time schedules, no commutes, and no one to tell you about the work that has to be done. The be an independent affiliate marketer you only need a desire to succeed in this type of business and you will achieve all you have dreamed about. Desire and time is all that is needed to follow your dreams.

So other than desire and dreams is there anything else you need to succeed in affiliate marketing? What do you need to do in order to be successful in this industry? First of all you need to be aware that there is a lot of competition, so you need to find your niche and strive to be above the herd.

Through my own experience I have broken it down to 5 essentials tools to achieve the satisfaction that only comes when you achieve your goals. These 5 tools are a must for anyone to have if they are going to stand out from the rest of the crowd.

1. Learn and be trained: For those who have never done anything like this before you will be in unfamiliar territory and it can be scary if you are not properly trained; you could get lost in the herd of affiliate marketers online. You will need to learn the tricks of the trade for every aspect of the marketing game. You will also need a to understand that knowledge will give you an advantage over others in this business.

2. Willingness to invest time and effort even if you don’t see results. Many times people give up too soon and the results are just around the corner. It might be several months before you will even see that first results in the form of profit. Patience and perseverance are important. It is those qualities that will stop someone from giving up after investing a lot of there selves into the business.

3. Self-determination. You have set the goal of success in affiliate marketing therefore you must have the ability to keep pushing yourself. Never having to say quit is a quality each and every affiliate marketer should possess, and the ability to motivate oneself into reaching new goals is an ability that would actually take an affiliate marketer to their set goals.

4. Discipline. Teach yourself to work each and every day with all the enthusiasm you can gather, then you are close to achieving what you have set your heart to having in the first place.

5. Optimism. Negative attitudes and hearsays have no place in an affiliate marketer life and in making that life better for himself and for everyone concerned. Never allow outside influences your attitude toward the business; because once you start a business, you must be the head of the company and the leader of all it entails.

The components to success in any online business such as affiliate marketing are varied, but the most important thing one needs to be able to make it big lies in the individual. It is the individual who has the ability to do everything that will ultimately lead to prospects, and the desire, which feeds his drive, is the fuel that will keep the affiliate marketer going.

Affiliate marketing is all about putting one’s destiny into one’s own hands. The right attitude is the key to being able succeed in an unfamiliar territory where peace of mind will be found.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Nancy has been marketing online for 10 years. Visit her website at hmewrk4u.com or website.ws/nkraska

Oatmeal Cream Fruit Dessert

2009-07-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Oatmeal Cream Fruit Dessert

Ingredients

2 cups sliced peaches
2 cups blueberries
2 cups sliced apples
4 tbs sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup coconut
whipped cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 F

Combine fruits and sugar in mixing bowl and pour into a 2-quart square baking dish.

For topping: Combine oats, flour, and cinnamon in mixing bowl. Add butter and coconut, mix well. Mixture will resemble coarse crumbs. Pour topping over fruit mixture.

Bake for 35 minutes or until fruit is tender and topping is golden brown. Cool and add whipped cream if desired.

Enjoy!

More recipes can be found here Free Recipes-Cooking At Home

Strawberry Nut Bread

2009-07-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Nut Bread

2 (10 ounce) pkg. frozen sliced strawberries, thawed
4 eggs
1 c. vegetable oil
2 c. granulated sugar
3 c. flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. chopped nuts

Beat eggs in a bowl until fluffy. Add oil, sugar and strawberries. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add the strawberry mixture and blend until well mixed. Stir in the chopped nuts. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done. Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool.

http://www.my.tupperware.com/Ravish30
www.wahmshelly.blogspot.com

Deception Is Not The Answer In Direct Sales Recruiting

2009-07-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

Deception Is Not The Answer In Direct Sales Recruiting

As a Direct Sales professional, I often see other business people using deception as a way to sponsor new teammates. Does this type of tactic work? In my opinion, it does not.

Using deception to sponsor or recruit is not only unprofessional, it can be illegal.

Let's take a look at a few examples.

1. Insinuating that the product sells itself. You don't have to work hard, the money just comes to you.

2. Misrepresenting your position within the company.

3. Misleading potential leads by stating that you have a large successful downline, when in fact you have very few teammates.

4. Lying about the commission payment structure, or not fully explaining how it works.

5. Concealing the truth about ongoing business costs and quota requirements.

Why doesn't this work?

Yes, you might be able to recruit several new Direct Sales consultants by using these deceptive business practices, but these new teammates will not be with the business for the long haul. Often times, they will file company complaints against you for misleading them. You will risk your own position within the company that you are representing. The online work at home community, is a small world. People will hear about deceptive practices and that can hurt your business as well.

When it comes to having a successful business, you need to grow a strong team. You will want your team to recruit and build their own downlines. Misleading consultants to sign with you will only cause a ripple effect and that as a whole will not be good for you, your team or your company. So keep your recruiting methods on the up and up. Keep your business and your company strong. Your good name is the key to marketing yourself, growing your team, and your business.

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. You can contact Shelly at:
Web: Classy Chic n' Elite Business Women
Web: http://my.tupperware.com/Ravish30
Blog: Shakin & Bakin Recipe Blog

6 Sticky Ideas To Help You Stand Out In Direct Sales

2009-07-28T07:27:00.000-07:00

6 Sticky Ideas To Help You Stand Out In Direct Sales
By: Barb Girson

I am reading Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Dan and Chip Heath identify 6 principles (highlighed below) that make an idea stick. I have expanded upon these principles in an entrepreneurial, direct selling context. This information makes a concise checklist when launching a new product, creating a marketing campaign, offering an incentive or communicating a vision.

Six Principles of Sticky Ideas

PRINCIPLE 1: SIMPLICITY
Keep your ideas simple. Distill your key points to a few bullet points. I have seen many direct sellers 'throw up' with too much information when talking about their product or business opportunity. Show up; don't throw up.

PRINCIPLE 2: UNEXPECTEDNESS
To spark interest, include an element of surprise. Be reliable and yet unpredictable. Think outside of the box. Add your own personality.

PRINCIPLE 3: CONCRETENESS
Clarity and concreteness in your communications make you more memorable. Make sure what you talk about is clear, concise and concrete. Help your customer paint a picture in their mind as you speak. Use descriptive words and colorful analagies to get your points across.

PRINCIPLE 4: CREDIBILITY
Statistics, testimonials, and outside endorsements help you to establish credibility. Collect testimonials from your satisfied customers. Share them with prospects. Keep your customer testimonials in a scrap book and pass those out at your presentations.

PRINCIPLE 5: EMOTIONS
Connect with people on an emotional level. When you talk mom to mom, you make a powerful connection.

PRINCIPLE 6: STORIES
People listen to and respond to stories. Call your customers back to find out how your products or services are being used. These conversations often give you rich stories to tell.

These principles make a lot of sense. As an observer pointsed out to the authors, the first letter forms a useful acronym for "creating a sticky idea: a Simple Unexpected Concrete Credentialed Emotional Story", which spells succes. By applying these six principles you will find your messages become sticky and you will stand out.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Barb Girson, International Direct Selling Industry expert, trainer and coach, is a highly interactive, creative speaker and author offering professional skill development programs for workshops, leader retreats, annual conventions and teleconference training programs. Barb helps companies, teams & home-based entrepreneurs... Gain Confidence. Get Into Action. Grow Sales. TO CONTACT BARB: Call 614.855.0446 or to sign up for her next FREE sales training teleclass/Strategies That Stick (TM) Ezine go to www.MySalesTactics.com Permission to reprint entire articles as it is with no changes, inclusion of full resource box and source credit with active link. Article Source: wahm-articles.com/Barb_Girson

Affiliate Marketing: One Dozen Tips Closer To Making The Sale

2009-07-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Affiliate Marketing: One Dozen Tips Closer To Making The Sale
By: Tammy Embrich

Many of the big shot affiliate marketing gurus will tell you they make thousands upon thousands of dollars every single day. You will find tons of sites generously strewed across the net that promise you these kind of profits. Yes, I'm talking about the "Get Rich Quick" schemes. The million dollar question, do any of them work?

Let me just flat out tell you, No! They do not. Now I do believe that a lot of marketers make thousands in a month, maybe even within a week. But, there is no such thing as "get rich quick." If the famous quote of the day rang true, wouldn't we all be rich by now? Need I say more? However, you can earn a decent income with affiliate marketing, but not without time, patience, and hard work. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

When you join an affiliate program, you automatically have access to banners, buttons, and other tools to work with to earn your commissions. Many affiliates think that all you have to do is simply place these graphics on a site and sit back and watch the profits roll in.

Now, any successful marketer will tell you that's a lazy man's way of marketing and also relatively unprofitable. There is a considerable amount of time and hard work that goes along with success. You have to put your whole self into it to get something out of it.

It's a simple equation: Patience + Hard Work = Success

Let's explore with the following one dozen tips

* Don't put all your affiliate eggs into one basket. Work with various different networks, not just one.

* Write rich content articles that tactfully lead to a call to action with a well-written resource box.

* Promote your affiliate products along with your websites on forums, newsletters, ezines, article directories, blogs, and other social networks.

* In nearly every case, text link ads are much more effective than buttons or banners.

* Be consistent with your marketing efforts. Remain motivated, challenged, and always ready to tackle a full day of hard work.

* Be patient and don't expect success overnight. Remember, most forms of advertising takes time to be successful.

* Take the time to interact with other successful affiliates on message forums and exchange strategies, ideas, and tips. The idea is to consistently increase your networking connections, and thus establishing a professional business rapport with potential buyers.

* Don't join affiliate networks that require a fee. Most of those are scams. There are plenty of free ones out there. Always do your research to weed out scams.

* Promote products and services that you truly endorse. If you really enjoy and like what you're marketing, you'll be more inclined to succeed.

* Keep a careful track record of where your affiliate traffic is coming from. There are many free web stat programs and ad trackers available for your use. Once you see where sales and traffic are coming from, keep up the momentum.

* Start a blog and write reviews and articles about the products you're selling. Then start participating and commenting on other blogs in your same niche.

* Build yourself a search engine friendly website as an anchor for all your text links, graphics, and articles. If you need help with this, find a good web designer, it will be well worth it. Now you certainly don't need a website to succeed at affiliate marketing. But a website aids immensely in branding yourself in the affiliate industry. And the end result is more profits for you.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Article Written By Tammy Embrich

You can find more articles, work at home job leads, and other business resources at Work At Home Jobs.

Also visit Tammy on her Work At Home Forums where you will find more job leads, work at home articles, home business ideas, and more. A place to get to know others and network.

How To Solve The Phone Phobia Problem In Direct Sales

2009-07-24T20:12:00.000-07:00

How To Solve The Phone Phobia Problem In Direct Sales
By: Shelly Hill

As a Direct Sales Team Leader, I often hear consultants say that they have a Phone Phobia. These consultants will avoid making or receiving telephone calls in regards to their home business.

When it comes to making business calls, consultants often fear the following:

1. Fear of not conveying their message correctly.

2. Fear of not getting the results they hope to achieve.

3. Fear of rejection or getting no's.

4. Fear of not being liked by the person to whom they are calling.

When a person has a genuine case of phone phobia, they will avoid the telephone like it was their worst enemy. In fact, in Direct Sales, the telephone can be a valuable business asset.

Here are a few tips on how you can overcome this problem.

1. Write 3 business related scripts. You will need one for: party hosts, customers and for pitching your home business opportunity. If you are not comfortable with drafting up a telephone script, ask your team leader or sponsor for assistance.

2. Role Play with a fellow consultant or with your team leader. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will get when the time comes to make your business calls.

3. Tag Team with a fellow consultant or with your team leader. When you need to make business calls, see if your team leader will do a three-way call with you and the person you need to call.

Making and receiving business phone calls is an important part of having a Direct Sales home business. Sit down and make a list of why you are avoiding the telephone. Once you have your reasons, try solving the problem with one of the above tips.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. Shelly has helped several consultants overcome their fear of making business calls. You can contact Shelly at: Web: www.classybusinesswomen.com Web: my.tupperware.com/Ravish30

Oven-Baked Chicken with Dijon Cream Sauce

2009-07-23T20:32:00.000-07:00

Oven-Baked Chicken with Dijon Cream Sauce

This recipe is by Tyson.

8 fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 egg
2 tbsp. Dijon style mustard, divided
1/2 cup garlic and herb seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup flour
2 tbsp. half and half (we used milk)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl, blend egg, 1 tablespoon mustard together. Place flour in a reclosable plastic bag. Place bread crumbs in a second bag. Place chicken in flour, shake to coat. Dip chicken in egg mixture, then place in bread crumbs and shake to coat. Place chicken in baking dish.

Bake chicken at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until internal juices run clear. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, blend remaining 1 tablespoon mustard, half and half and sugar. Drizzle mustard sauce over chicken. Top with parsley.
http://www.my.tupperware.com/Ravish30

Why You Need A Work Schedule For Business Success

2009-07-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

Why You Need A Work Schedule For Business Success
By: Shelly Hill

As a Direct Sales business owner, I am often asked, "How do you find the time to work on your business?" My answer is always the same, "You need to have a work schedule."

When we work out of our homes, we often get distracted. There are soccer games, cheerleading practices, grocery shopping, meal planning, school functions and so forth. Don't get me wrong, these things are important, but so is your home business.

A common mistake I see in network marketing is that people 'think' they can work their business around family time or other things. This type of schedule rarely works. If you worked outside your home in a corporate job, you would be working a minimum of 40 hours per week and have a set schedule.

I recommend that you sit down and come up with a business plan. Figure out how many hours you can spend working on your home business, then split those hours up into 4-5 working days. Another thing to consider is...what time of the day will work better for you? (morning, afternoon or evening hours.)

Example: Let's say you want to spend 20 hours a week working on your business. You could work 5 hours per day for 4 days or 4 hours per day for 5 days.

Your next task should be scheduling in specific blocks of time that you want to work on advertising, marketing and networking your business. I recommend that 1/2 of your working time be spent on those 3 business tasks. (half of 20 hours would be 10 hours per week) If you are working a 4 day work week, 2 1/2 hours of your day should be focused on achieving those tasks.

The other 1/2 of your working time should be spent on: taking customer calls, filing paperwork, submitting customer orders, registering new team members, mailing out catalogs, demonstrating home parties and assisting your teammates.

Once you come up with a business schedule that 'fits' into your lifestyle, you will find that you will become more consistent with working your home business. The more hours you put into working your business, the more successful it will be.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a manager with Tupperware. You can contact Shelly at: Web: www.classybusinesswomen.com Web: my.tupperware.com/Ravish30

Updates

2009-06-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that our move has begun..it has been crazy moving and trying to get everything together.I am unsure if the message board will stay.I am preoccupied with moving and am also considering college/going back to work.So needless to say things are changing for me.I plan to start working from home(with a business)in a few months after summer.Definetly something that deals with weight loss/fitness as that is clearly my passion.If anyone has any articles they would like to send,please email them to me and I will get them up as soon as I can.I will try and get some photos uploaded on my weight loss success as well as some pics of my family,that includes my daughter's graduation.I will update again as soon as I can.I also want to thank all of you that have stuck it out with me,as I have gone through so many life changes over this year.Anyways I will see you all back after summer.

How to be your own boss…If your heart isn't in it, QUIT! By: Roger Moody

2009-04-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

How to be your own boss…If your heart isn't in it, QUIT!
By: Roger Moody

Every single day people decide to be their own boss and join a home based business, and every day thousands of people fail in home based businesses. Being your own boss has terrific advantages. In this article I want to get inside your head a little and find out if you becoming your own boss is really a good idea for you.

If you are one of the many thousands interested in being your own boss, you need to understand that it's a total lifestyle shift. Being your own boss can be the most rewarding change in your life. Being your own boss can also be the most daunting of tasks. When you become your own boss you will literally have to change the way you think about yourself and your role as both your own boss and your own employee.

Of the thousands that fail in the home based business industry very few will ever admit that the reason for their failure was because they could not handle being their own boss (but that's really what it breaks down to). And of course what those people won't admit to themselves is that those of us that do succeed are just better employees of the home based business. There are lots of people making good money and loving life because of their business. So what's the deal? Why do so many people fail in MLM while others succeed?

Just like many other things in life, being your own boss will require a special skill set that we're not born with so we must learn and practice. If you want success working from home you're going to have to put in some good solid effort. There isn't a business out there that will allow you to become your own boss and build any kind of substantial income from home without hard work. No matter how great the product is or how "simple" the system is it will never happen for you if you're not willing to work hard and with consistency.

If your heart isn't in your business you might as well get out now. Seriously, it's like to famous saying: "whether you think you can or think you can't, your right". If you don't think you can be a good boss to yourself then this industry is not right for you.

If your heart is truly in the game then you can win at being your own boss. A home based business will ever even come close to succeeding unless you "sell-out" to the notion that you have now become your own boss and by default also your own employee.. Signing up and paying the monthly fee, even buying a ton of product will never allow you to win big in MLM if you're not truly dedicated, passionate and excited about what you're doing.

Dreaming about being your own boss and joining a company half heartedly doesn't just hurt you either. It also doesn't help matters for the other people in the business. It just creates more stories of people who have joined the company and failed even though what nobody wants to say is that the failure really has nothing to do with the company but the individual themselves.

So when you get ready to be your own boss and possibly join a home based business ask yourself these questions:

Do I really have the time to devote to being my own boss?

Will I be a loyal employee to myself?

How long am I willing to stick it out before calling it quits? - Almost every business will take you between 1 - 4 years to see the big checks come in!

Do I know what "be your own boss" really entails?

If you still have a passion and a drive to be your own boss then by all means go do it! There is nothing like the freedom a home based business will create for you. Once you become your own boss you can live a lifestyle others can only dream about!!

However, if you're not sure you want to put in the hard work and effort it takes you might as well never get started.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

If you are one of the many thousands interested in being your own boss, you need to understand that it's a total lifestyle shift. Being your own boss can be the most rewarding change in your life. Being your own boss can a ChristianFaithBusiness.com

Sorry Been MIA,Updates

2009-04-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that I have been mia for so long.Life has been a bit hectic.As most of you know,our message board that we had for well over a year was eliminated(not by my doing)the people that own the servers,had some problems and as they were doing an upgrade,they lost all data including all of the forums that they had on there servers.You will be happy to know that I am re-starting one.(I am having some technical difficulties with our forum so I will post everything when it is ready)

It is still be worked on and probably wont be officially ready for a month or so.I am working on subforums,designs etc.Onto more news,I will be doing some work outside the home in addition to working at home so I will be equally busy.I will do my best over the next few months to add new articles to my blog,so please stay subscribed as I will be adding new content in the coming months.Summertime will be very busy.My daughter graduates from preschool and we will be busy with vacations and work,so I will be online at least a few times a week.I just wanted to update so you all know what is going on.

Customer Service Reps-Work At Home

2009-03-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

As North America’s largest provider of wireless roadside assistance services and wireless handset insurance programs, Asurion is the company people call when they’re in a jam. And while enjoying a fun and comfortable, first-class work environment, you’ll be there to:

Answer incoming calls for Handset Protection and/or Road Assistance service
Provide assistance in a prompt, courteous and efficient manner
Escalate calls as necessary
Utilize call center technology to input, track and report customer issues
Click the Apply button now!
http://www.asurionforce.com/

Requirements
Qualified candidates must be well-spoken, with good phone etiquette and excellent listening skills. H.S. diploma/GED required along with computer literacy, 25-35 WPM typing ability and data entry skills. Previous customer service or call center experience is preferred.

Asurion is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and proud to contribute to a wide variety of community service organizations.

Click the APPLY NOW button to get started right now!
Asurion is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and proud to contribute to a wide variety of community service organizations.

http://www.asurionforce.com/

2009-02-23T12:16:00.000-08:00

Forum Marketing Is A Complete Waste Of Time?
By Tammy Embrich

Forum marketing has some tough competition now that social marketing such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace (just to name a few) is on a steady rise on the social networks.

I see so many promising networking possibilities on Twitter as I log in each day as much as time will allow me to. I also see my friends and forum owners state that the other social media...Facebook and MySpace are quite effective as well.

So...what is this doing to forum marketing?

Message board posting has resulted in some amazing success in the past and continues to do so. But I have seen first hand that some of the forums have indeed experienced a slow decline in activity. I also have seen forum members that have actually made the statement that the social networks are slowly taking over.

I personally feel that forum networking will continue to be an effective way to market your business but...it will take some hard work and consistency. And it is true...as a forum owner myself and from personal experience, the social networks are proving to be some controversial competition these days.

However, networking on forums will certainly NOT be effective if the member participates in the following manner.

* Sign up on a forum and immediately start making posts without making an introduction post

* Spam the boards with ads and leave

* Spam the members with ads via private message

* Don't participate in discussions and get to know the other members

* Continually answer numerous posts with just one word or two and not contribute any good-quality information. For example: Great post or I agree.

* Includes their website or affiliate links in their posts when not allowed to

* Ignore all community rules

* Make posts with foul language or posts with offensive content

I just don't get how some people believe that the above examples will yield them sales or website traffic. In fact...doing these very things in most cases, will get their account deleted and banned. Do they not realize this?

I do believe in not putting all your eggs into just one basket...meaning don't just use one form of advertising. Using the many promotion resources given to you and utilizing them properly will give you the desired results.

I was just reading on one of the forums and found this quote: "The forum market is pretty much over-saturated." I know this topic will and can be controversial...people have distinct opinions and they are entitled to have them.

So what is your opinion? Do you think forum marketing is on it's way out? Do you think it's a waste of time?

You be the judge.

Article Written By Tammy Embrich

You can find more articles written by Tammy at Work At Home Articles.
Tammy also offers free work at home job leads, business tips, and other work at home resources at Work At Home Jobs

Taco Bake

2009-02-03T14:33:00.000-08:00

Taco Bake
1 lb. ground beef
1 16 oz. jar of chunky salsa
1 ½ cups shredded cheese
1 tube crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook beef and drain, add salsa and simmer on low. While meat is cooking, pat crescent rolls into an 11 x 7 baking pan. Cover bottom and about ½ inch up sides of pan, prick dough with fork and bake about 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven, top with cooked meat mixture and layer shredded cheese on top. Return to oven until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.

Serve with your favorite taco toppings, such as chopped tomatoes, onions, lettuce and sour cream.

www.cottage-scents.com

Direct Sales~Talking to Strangers~

2009-02-02T06:16:00.000-08:00

A woman came to me the other day petrified of talking to strangers. Her upline was suggesting she hand out catalogs in line at the grocery store, to other moms at school and in several other places this woman visited.

If talking to strangers is not comfortable to you, then handing out catalogs to strangers is going to be even more petrifying.

My suggestion is to put the catalogs away for right now and instead get comfortable just speaking with strangers.

Step one - Make it a goal to say hello to ten strangers per day. Nothing more, just looking at someone and saying hello. You might say hello to another mom picking up her child at school. You might say hello to someone else pumping gas while you’re at the station. You might say hello to the person behind you in line at the pharmacy. Wherever you are, make it a point to say hello to ten people per day.

Step two - Start a conversation with ten strangers per day. At this point, you should be ok just saying hello to strangers. Now the goal is to start a conversation. You might comment on the weather. You might comment on something the other person is wearing. You might comment on the price of something. What you say is going to depend on where you are and who you’re speaking to. At this point, all you’re doing is starting the conversation. If the person doesn’t answer, that’s fine because your only goal is to start the conversation.

Step three - You should now feel a bit more comfortable speaking to strangers. It’s now time to offer something from your business to the stranger. You can offer a catalog or a free sample. What I do is reach my arm out and say, “I’d like to give you ______.” Human instinct is to reach out and accept whatever is being offered to you. At this point, all you’re doing is giving someone a catalog, a flyer or a sample. You’re not asking questions, you’re just giving a stranger something.

Step four - You have now said hello, started a conversation and given a catalog to strangers. Now it’s time to engage in conversation. If you sell a nationally known brand ask the question, “Have you ever used such and such products before?” Their answer might let you know that you’ve got a potential customer standing right in front of you. If they tell me yes, I ask if I can call them for an order later in the week, then I get their name and phone number or email address. If they tell me no, I might say “I hope you’ll take a look at the catalog.” Depending on their reaction I may or may not ask for contact information on them.

Talking to strangers does not come naturally for everyone. If it’s not natural for you, use these four steps to go from being petrified to comfortable with the strangers you encounter each day.

Audrey :)
http://mytupperware.com/audreyoka

Data Entry Ninjas-Work From Home(Unresearched)

2009-01-30T09:43:00.000-08:00

Unresearched....

Obsessable.com provides resources and news to folks who make personal technology and social media part of their lifestyles, sans techier-than-thou attitude.

We're bringing on news editors, feature writers, and product page curators to work from home. These are paid, freelance positions. Regardless of the role, we're looking for people who can focus on the fun and personal aspects of latest gadgets, not just the technical details. If you think you can distill this stuff to its easy-to-understand, fun-to-read elements then we want you!

You don't need reams of experience or volumes of bylines, but you must be a reliable and diligent writer (or data entry ninja) with a comprehensive understanding of the world of personal technology, a fun voice, and a talent for weeding out the geekspeak and arcane technical stuff to get to the heart of the matter. Read on for available contracts and instructions for applying. Applications without the requested info and samples won't be considered.

News Writers

We're looking for a weekend editor responsible for the minute-to-minute content on the site on Saturdays and Sundays, and we're also looking for a couple other part timers to help us stay on top of things all through the week.

To apply, e-mail us with a brief background on your experience in technology and writing for the web, your availability and contact information, and three sample articles in the Obsessable style.

Curators

We keep a large database of product pages to help our readers make informed buying decisions or satisfy their curiosity. These pages don't create themselves! We need more people to write descriptions of products, and more still to research gadgets and accurately record all their technical specifications.

To apply, e-mail us with a brief background on your experience in technology and writing for the web, and your availability and contact information. Description writers: include three sample product descriptions in the Obsessable style. Please specify whether you're applying to become a description writer or a specs guru.

Feature Writers

We're looking for regular feature writers in a number of areas:

Mobile, including cell phones and portable media players
Digital living room (IPTV, home theater, HTPC, wireless, etc.)
Windows computing
Digital imaging and video
Software tips and tricks
Hardware tips and tricks
Web 2.0 and social media

To apply, send an email with a brief background on your experience in technology and writing for the web, your availability and contact information, and 10 sample feature topics relating to personal technology (if you're pitching us a specific regularly running column, those topics should be unified within your chosen theme). Contact Method:
apply (at) obsessable.com

http://www.real-wah-jobs.com

Unresearched Customer Service/Admin Position - NY/NJ

2009-01-27T06:44:00.000-08:00

Unresearched

Customer Service/Admin Position - NY/NJ

Unique Customer Service/Admin Position for Music Lesson Company
Work from home for the fastest growing Home Music Lesson service in the US. We are looking for someone to answer our teacher's phone calls and emails, input data, and keep close contact with our Teacher Coordinators and our Business Manager. Must be friendly and energetic.

Candidate must have a professional phone presence and personality, be extremely reliable and dependable, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Previous experience with Music Lessons or Music Instruments helpful, but not necessary. Intelligent, warm personality. Excellent phone etiquette displaying a courteous and professional manner at all times. Good computer skills (excel, word, etc.) a plus.

Please send your resume, along with a brief cover letter explaining why you would be a good addition to our team: donna (at) musichousecalls.com

$10 per hour.

http://wwww.workathomespace.com

Old Fashion Potato Soup

2009-01-23T11:48:00.000-08:00

Old Fashion Potato Soup

Ingredients

2 lbs potatoes
5 slices bacon, crumbled-Optional
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (Optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter
2 cups milk
1 Tbsp heavy cream
2 Tbsp chives
3 cloves minced garlic

Directions

Wash, peel and dice potatoes into chunks. In a saucepan cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt to water and reduce heat to a simmer, continuing to cook until tender (about 20 minutes).

Drain and return potatoes to saucepan, add butter and garlic. When the butter melts, stir in the sour cream. Pour in the cream and milk; add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chopped chives, and optional cheese and bacon, if desired.

Enjoy!

More recipes can be found Here

_________________

A Holiday Break Does A Work At Home Business Good

2009-01-23T10:32:00.000-08:00

A Holiday Break Does A Work At Home Business Good
By Tammy Embrich

If you work at home, you know all to well that it's not always a bed of roses. Working a business is definitely not predictable. We have good days and unfortunately bad days. It goes with the territory. But remember...working from home has some huge benefits.

The important reasons why you work from home

* You have the freedom to call your own shots
* You get to spend quality time with your family
* You come and go as you please

Well this also should include taking time off whenever you need to. Whether it be for holidays, sickness, or just to take a breather and capitalize on new energy and strength. When the holidays arrived, I was ready for a break...and I took full advantage of it. I enjoyed a stress-free Holiday Season with my family and didn't worry about my business. I made the necessary arrangements and made the announcement on my sites and my forum that I wouldn't be available during this time.

I did have a lot of work and emails waiting for me after the holidays were over...but I didn't let it overwhelm me. I thoroughly enjoyed my time off and as a result, I was able to forge ahead with my business with a new perspective and with new motivation. And along with that came new goals for the new year.

If you work your business relentlessly without any breaks...you run the risk of burnout and losing your enthusiasm and passion, and you will most likely fail without it. That's why it is so vital to your business to take a break from your daily work at home agenda and rejuvenate. You need to realize that YOU deserve a vacation from your work from time to time. You work hard, therefore a break is certainly well deserved. Also, allowing yourself time away from your business will result in more productivity and success.

Below are some helpful break tips for your work at home schedule

* Take one hour out of your day just for you
* Go out to eat for lunch with a friend
* Read a paragraph or two in your favorite book
* Take a brisk walk
* Take a leisurely drive before picking up the kids from school
* Watch a favorite television program
* Relish in the aroma of a cup of your favorite tea

The idea is to take time out for yourself, and come back with renewed vigor. It's crucial for your business growth.

Article Written By Tammy Embrich

Tammy owns and operates two work at home websites, a work at home forum, a recipe site and three blogs.
She offers free work at home job leads for the job seeker, business work at home articles, tips, and more. You can visit Tammy at Work At Home Jobs and Work At Home Articles.

A Work At Home Business With Family Support Is Important

2009-01-20T16:56:00.000-08:00

A Work At Home Business With Family Support Is Important
By: S McIntyre

Just because you have a work at home business it doesn't mean it's not important and it's not a real job. Whether you work at home for an employer or have your own home business, getting the family support you need is important to your success.

You tend to get more family support and cooperation when you work for an employer, but on the other hand it seems to be more complicated when you have a work at home business. Why? It could very well be they don't understand what you're doing and what your home business is about.

You know a work at home business will always take time to grow, build and flourish. It won't happen overnight and you know you won't get a direct deposit after two weeks of work. You know that, but do your family?

They may not be ready to accept the changes so it's important to sit down and discuss it openly with the family.

You may or may not have discussed with your family the reason you decided on a work at home business. Now it's the time to explain why. Don't be surprise if at first they don't approve because it may seem like you're abandoning them, you won't have time for them etc. Stand your ground and let them know their support for you is important.

It's also important for them to understand you have to work your home business like a job. You have to let them know when you're on the phone all day, it's not for personal reasons and when you network online, you're not just chatting, but you're connecting and building business relationships that are vital to your home business. Even though your hard work won't pay off now, assure them it will in the long run.

No one wants to be left out and if you're consumed in your own business, the family unit will feel neglected and possibly resentful. Involve them in your business. Share your goals and give updates on how your business is growing, ask for feedback or have them help you brainstorm a marketing strategy. This will give them the chance to learn more about your work at home business and appreciate what you do.

Don't be afraid to ask for help around the house. Everyone pitches in because a family is not held together by one person wearing many hats. Be thankful to your family and let them know how much their support means to you.

A family that works together also works to support each other.

--
S McIntyre owns www.WorkAtHomeSpace.com, a free work at home resource offering home businesses, work at home companies, articles, business resources and other work at home related topics.

Don't Ever Give It Up! Give It Time!

2009-01-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

Copyright © 2002 by Sue Seward. All Rights Reserved. Revised 2009

Network Marketing takes time and effort. It's not always a cake walk and there’s no easy button!

It doesn't happen overnight and you do not get rich in a few short months. As professionals we have got to stop this insane hype because it can be detrimental to our profession!

Maybe this happens for a few. You know all the ones you read about in magazines who say they got a check for a bil-zillion dollars in a few short months! Then these few go out and flaunt their riches and make everyone think it's so easy!

This just isn't the reality of the industry. We've got to get realistic here. Until people start developing realistic goals, they will continue to frustrate themselves and most will quit.

With most of these stories we really never hear the behind the scenes true story of how these people got to the top so quickly do we? Trust me, there’s more to the story than we ever hear in the lime light of the stage.

It took me a lot of years to get to understand what to do and to learn the business. Developing into a leader has taken time. Before you can help other people it’s important to develop yourself. I had no business background, no corporate business background, no degrees, no contacts, and no credibility when I started. I was a stay at home mom and still am a tennis mom to this day.

Now I call myself a CEO MOM. It's a better feeling when you start to have people coming to you.

It's not been easy. I've stumbled and mumbled and made many mistakes but the one thing I have NOT done is GIVE UP.

It’s a constant learning and growing process too! I have gotten checks while learning, not huge insane money, but still a very nice four figure a month passive residual income that flows in month after month for working at HOME. I always realized that I would be underpaid in the beginning and I now know what the future holds for me as I stay on the course and continue building a solid foundation.

I've been able to stay home with my kids and take them and pick them up from school and taxi them to their activities. I haven't worked for someone else in over 17 years.

Ask people who say they quit their jobs in 6 months or a year to do Network Marketing full time really how many hours did they have to spend in the beginning to make that kind of money so quickly. More importantly, what sort of sacrifices did they have to make?

It might be a lot easier for a single guy named Joe ON THE GO with no wife, no kids, no house or yard to care for, to concentrate 16 to 18 hours a day on their Network Marketing business with no one to answer to, no kids to take to ball games, no diapers to change, babies to feed, no dinner to cook, no house to clean, no homework to help with, no groceries to shop for, no spouse to give attention to, etc.

This busy list of life goes on and on especially for women!

Because women are usually the caretakers and have not only the responsibility of building a multi-million dollar business but also the responsibility of caring for our families and sometimes that may include our own aging parents.

This is not’t meant to be an excuse. Everyone’s life situation is different. Many people must start in Network Marketing part-time because it’s necessary for them to work it around their job or around their full-time LIFE.

Most people have a full time job and many other obligations in their lives. Even with all this anyone can still build a Network Marketing business if they really take the little precious time they do have and be patient as their business grows in time AND most of all never never never give up. Then what happens is you develop leverage which gives you the ultimate and that’s FREEDOM. Just remember success always comes with a price.

Some people are just as happy with a part-time income from Network Marketing. Just remember to be realistic about the time frame involved according to your own particular situation and make sure you are sensitive to this fact in other people's lives.

When you decide that you want to change your career and start your own business and choose Network Marketing decide right then and there that you've got to give it at least 30 months of intent focus. Even if it’s only ONE hour a day make that one hour count.

Just think how long people stay in traditional jobs to retirement? 20, 25, 30 years? Then what do they have? If you do start a traditional business it will most likely take you at least 2 to 3 years to break even or maybe even longer. My husband and I had this discussion. He told me how long it would take him to start making a profit if he were to start his own Land Surveying business.

He said at least 4 years and he would have to spend a ton of money to even start his business. And if the economy goes so does his business. There's a lot more risk involved.

You also have a tremendous amount of overhead in a traditional business usually, depending on what sort of business you start. Start up cost are usually much higher than in starting a Network Marketing business.

In traditional business you still have to work hard, give it daily consistent effort, contact many many people, focus and commit, have desire, develop a PLAN, be organized, manage your time wisely....etc....the same thing we do in Network Marketing.

Find what many other people want and need. Become passionate about what you’re doing. Use the products yourself so you will become passionate and enthusiastic about what you’re sharing with others and WHY it’s important to you. Other people will see you walking your talk.

Be patient and stick with it. Be coach-able......find a good sponsor and experienced support team to work WITH you, not build it FOR you. Stayed focused and constantly stay involved in the loop. That means be on company and team conference calls to stay plugged in.

Constantly strive to be a leader. Be around successful people, watch them, do what they do, read what they read, go where they go.

Just DO IT and believe that you CAN!

Read everything you can about your company, the industry, constantly developing yourself and talk consistently about the industry to your business partners and other colleagues in the industry and of course to people in general that you meet. Don't forget to listen a lot too.

Attend every company function you can possibly get to! Attend leadership training seminars. Read books on leadership and business. Robert Kiyosaki, Richard Branson, Donald Trump are some of my business mentors. Some of the other mentors I've grown from the Women's tapes from Upline, Dani Johnson, Kim Klaver, Rod Nichols, Doug Firebaugh, Jim Rohn, John C. Maxwell, Mark Gorman, Brian Tracy, Todd Falcone, Susan Sly, Brian Tracy, Ali Brown, Art Jonak, Michael Clouse, John C. Maxwell, the upline mentors in my company, and so many many others that I have met and learned from over the years. Google their names and you'll find their training, coaching and resources. See who you click with that fits your values. Go with YOUR hot button!

There is a list of coaches, and Masters training audios at - http://www.eCommerceHomeBiz.com and more training articles and resources on my blog at http://www.SuccessfulMLMer.com

Alien yourself with positive like minded people who also have the desire to succeed. Join organizations like the DSWA Direct Selling Women’s Alliance http://www.mydswa.org -

http://www.networkmarketingmagazine.com , http://www.passionfire.com, http://www.mlmteleclasses.com, http://www.facebook.com , and other training areas, networking or social communities online to feed and grow your mindset.

Look for successful business minded people in your community. Learn all you can from them and bring them into your business. If this is not for them then ask for referrals. This is what I've done in the last nine years. I've associated myself with very successful positive people and I'm sticking with them like glue! Here I am a little ole stay at home mommy working closely with people who are self-made millionaires and teaching me how to become one too.

Can you do this business alone? Yes you could, but it could be much tougher. That would be similar to being in a traditional business wouldn't it?

Remember to always think of the other person first, and ask them questions....take an interest in other people and sincerely try to help them. Building relationships is so important in this business. Whether you're online or offline always build the relationship first.

When you do people will gravitate towards you!

Jim Rohn says "Success Is Not To Be Pursued, It Is To Be Attracted By The Person You Become."

There are a few things that are absolutely crucial to your success in this business:

*Being consistent on a daily basis with your contacting and filling your pipeline. This one is one of the MOST crucial of all.

Make sure you are consistent! Do something every single day for your business! No matter what! Even if all you have is ONE hour a day do something for your business! It's important not to go one day without doing something to grow your business another step up because I can almost bet you the farm that if you go one day it will turn into two, then three, then four then a week, a month goes by and you have not done anything for your business. You could become discouraged, frustrated, and guess what happens?

YOU’LL QUIT! DO SOMETHING EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR YOUR BUSINESS! Even if it’s answering ONE email, calling ONE person, taking your products, listening to a conference call, etc. Do whatever you can to make that commitment to do something everyday for your business.

Stay plugged into the loop with your company, your team, your upline, your organization and your profession.

*Follow up in a timely manner

*and NEVER Give Up!

How successful you are really depends on how many contacts you are making on a daily basis -

Jim Rohn also says "What You Lack In Skill You Make Up In Numbers".

You will get rejected too so just be ready for it! It's really a good thing. I've been there too. The ones that can handle the most rejection WIN because they will grow the most, become leaders and leaders are paid more.

Remember -

Following up is where most people drop the ball! I've seen it so many times with people and admit I have also been guilty of not following up when new to the business.

I was so afraid of the rejection. Now it’s a welcome advantage. If someone says no that's ok! When you build your mindset it just stops bothering you as much when people say no thanks. Just means no thanks this isn't for me. It doesn't mean it's not for YOU!

Taking it personally will only take your focus off achieving your own plans and dreams.

If you are not able to follow up in a timely manner ask one of your business partners to follow up with your contact because not following up because of fear or because you've lost your focus puts your business at risk for going stagnant.

Can you imagine being a 22 year old and discovering Network Marketing as your niche, finding the right mentor, and giving it 36 months of consistent, focused efforts with the right company and only ONE company, product, timing and experienced mentors? These young people could be set for life.

Could you also imagine leaving a million dollars in cash sitting on the table and getting up and walking away?!! That's what you're doing when you QUIT your Network Marketing business.

Well no matter how young or old you are you can still benefit from Network Marketing today.

It’s been a pleasure to have found Network Marketing when I did. Deciding to learn and grow through ALL the experiences, good AND bad, but most of all, never giving up no matter what, has created LEVERAGE and that my friends is an ultimate benefit in Network Marketing.

This is a photo below of our son James who just turned 16 in December. James was born almost 2 1/2 months early in December of 1992. He was supposed to come into this world in March but decided it was time to come early! He was only 3 lbs which was really big as the doctors expected he would be about a lb and half. It was a struggle for him to breath so he was on oxygen, but only for 15 hours. He was a fighter!

He had to stay in the hospital for two months before we could bring him home which was one of the most joyous occasions of our life even though he had to be on a monitor for over a month. We quickly discovered that he was not going to stay in that situation long as he fought to free himself from those lead wires that were holding him down! haha!

He's now 6' tall! James started playing tennis when he was ten giving up soccer and baseball for the love of the match. So the summer before he started ninth grade we decided to move him to Austin because he was accepted to play level 1 tennis for the Austin Tennis Academy. This was made possible because of the career I had built over the years in Network Marketing.

Last summer the head coach chose James, one of the most quiet young men they had ever met, to do the end of year speech. James had to write the speech himself. He had never even taken speech in school or done anything like this!

Being a part of this academy has given him leadership skills that make him stretch so he accepted the challenge and we were so proud of him. They said that James had started as a heavy mediocre tennis player and was the player to develop the most that previous year including losing over 30 lbs!

He is still fighting his way to champs so it's been a marathon and not a sprint. James is determined to never give up!

Don’t ever give up! Decide To Believe that you CAN!

http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html

Sue Seward

Sue is an entrepreneur and top income earner in the Network Marketing industry, who has been networking and making connections from home online since 1996. She encourages self-growth and shows people how to develop valuable connections online and turn them into lasting relationships for long term passive residual income. She also enjoys public speaking and is a published author of numerous print and electronic articles as well as coauthor of the book 'Build It Big: 101 Insider Secrets From Top Direct Selling Experts'. To subscribe to her Online Marketing Networking 101-eCourse visit: http://www.MLM-Online-Marketing-Coach.com

"Keep on doing good, and in proper season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Work At Home /Customer Care/ Tech Support

2009-01-19T12:02:00.000-08:00

Sutherland Global Services is currently hiring

Customer Service/technical support Work At Home Agents
Sutherland Global Services is a leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company with more than two decades of experience in the customer management space. Since 1986, some of the world's most respected companies have depended on Sutherland to manage various aspects of their customer operations. Sutherland Global Services is a privately-held company with headquarters in the United States.
Sutherland@Home is currently recruiting for top-performing associates to work from home!
What makes us different from the competition? That is easy! You will be working from the comfort and convenience of your own home as an employee, NOT an independent contractor! This is an opportunity to work from home for an professionally recognized global organization .
Please visit our websites at http://www.suth.com/ and http://www.sutherlandathome.com/.

If you have any questions about the WFH jobs with Sutherland Global Services please follow this link to get your answers
http://www.sutherlandathome.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.asp
Customer Care/Technical Support Associate

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Technical Support Associate is responsible for handling technical support calls representing our clients’ customers and providing Level 1 technical assistance. The position requires a professional friendly demeanor with a strong desire to deliver the best possible customer service. They would also interact with customers via inbound calls for the purpose of providing assistance to customers that are setting up home networks and accessing the Internet.
Hours of Availability: Flexible to work shifts between the hours of 7am to 11pm Monday – Sunday-
Pay: up to $10 per hour

job Requirements
SPECIFIC JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Basic technical and troubleshooting skills
Excellent problem diagnosis and problem solving skills
Strong communication skills
Must be well organized and be able to handle multiple tasks to document issues
Must be a positive team player and be able to work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to continuously learn and keep update with new technologies
Ability to guide a customer through appropriate solutions, including sales
Training: Sutherland Global Services pays its employees for initial training and offers basic and extended training options for career-minded individuals.
Sutherland@Home requires that the home user own adequate PC hardware and Broadband internet access. For details, click on this link to view the hardware requirements:

Hardware Requirements
You will need a PC that meets the following minimum requirements:
2 GHz or higher Intel Pentium 4 or AMD 64 processor
2 GB of System Ram for Windows XP or 1.5 GB for Vista
20 GB of available hard drive space
DVD drive
Sound Card

In addition, you will need a high speed Internet connection that meets Sutherland's minimum bandwidth requirements and an analog noise-canceling multimedia Headset
If your computer meets the minimum requirements above, follow the link below to apply! Once you click to apply, you will complete Sutherland Global Services employment application. Once you have completed the employment application, be sure to watch your e-mail. Within a few minutes, you should receive an e-mail response to your application acknowledging receipt and further instructions for continuing assessment portion of the hiring process. It is imperative you are on the computer you plan to work from at this time!

To apply use this link: http://recruit.suth.com

http://www.real-wah-jobs.com

Your Work from Home Office - A Mompreneurs's Guide to Creating Space to Work from Home

2009-01-18T11:14:00.000-08:00

Your Work from Home Office - A Mompreneurs's Guide to Creating Space to Work from Home
By: Denise Willms

When you first decided to work from home, you might have started out like many other moms and turned your kitchen table into your work area. From this nexus point, you can easily keep an eye on the kids, plus easily manage all the household activities like phone calls and listening for the load of laundry to be done, while working on your own projects.

Or can you?

When I began working from home four years ago, my kitchen table seemed the logical place for me to work. But after several months, when I evaluated my goals and my lack of progress, I began to wonder if my kitchen table "office" was part of the problem. Since then, I've found creative ways to carve out my own "work from home" space, even in the midst of never-ending activity.

If you're having trouble finding space to work from home, you might find some of these suggestions helpful.

A Work from Home Space to Call Your Own

One of the problems with using a kitchen table, is that your work space can feel "borrowed." If your family is like mine, you can only use it until it's needed for something else, like the kids' lunches or a friend coming over for tea. Then you have to pack up your business and put it away somewhere else.

If you're serious about achieving your home business goals, it's important to treat your business seriously. If you're constantly moving it out of the way, you might be subconsciously telling yourself your business isn't is as important as the other things you do.

When you can't have a designated office space in your home, look into creating a portable office for yourself, that you can move around as needed. Purchase boxes and files where you can organize your work and store it safely, without being in anyone's way.

Staying Safe When You Work from Home

Did you know that working at the kitchen table can be dangerous for your health? If you work at a keyboard, your kitchen table is probably not an ergonomically correct set up. If you're bending over to create crafts or scrapbooks, you could be unnecessarily hard on your back. .

When you set up your work from home space, consider the ergonomics of your particular activities. You don't want to develop tendinitis or carpal tunnel because of your work. Not only are these conditions painful, they can also keep you from being productive and reaching your goals

Lights, Camera, Action! Or Not...

Good lighting is another consideration when you set up your work from home space. Bright kitchen lights may not be the best choice for you to work under. Continually working under bad lighting can cause headaches and migraines for some moms. Even if you don't get headaches, you may tire more easily because of eye strain.

Do some research to determine the best type of lighting for your needs, then plan a space that can accommodate that. If the kitchen table is still your best option, see if you can change the lighting in there.

When you create a home office space that suits your own business needs, you can feel more confident about your business. Creating an effective working space is an important for step for achieving your work from home dreams.

Denise Willms helps busy work at home moms balance successful businesses with happy families. Visit www.WAHM-Articles.com to read more articles about how moms can create profitable work at home businesses.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Apple Honey Walnut Salad

2009-01-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

Apple Honey Walnut Salad

Ingredients

Serves 6

5 apples, cut into cubes
1 cup half-and-half
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
1 1/2 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions

Combine half-and-half, lemon juice, honey, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in bowl. Beat with a fork.

Add apples and walnuts. Stir to coat with dressing.

Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon before serving.

Enjoy!

More recipes can be found Here

(Unresearched) Childrens Writer

2009-01-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

Unresearched

The Current Events, a national newspaper for students, has openings for permanent, part-time writers. Excellent pay, tele-commute. Please review our web site: www.thecurrentevents.com Attach relevant, published samples of your writing and your resume. In cover email, list reading levels with which you are familiar.

Deadline information: Must be able to receive assignment Monday afternoon and submit your quality final draft by Tuesday, noon. Teaching experience a plus.

Only experienced children's writers considered for these positions. Send cover email, writing samples, and resume to: tcewriter (at) gmail.com

www.workathomespace.com

Early Childhood Environment Assessor-Work At Home

2009-01-06T10:40:00.000-08:00

WestEd, a nonprofit research, development, and service agency, works with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. While WestEd serves the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah as one of the nation's Regional Educational Laboratories, our agency's work extends throughout the United States and abroad. WestEd has 16 offices nationwide, from Washington and Boston to Arizona, Southern California, and its headquarters in San Francisco.

Position Description

Qualifications

* Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in early childhood education, early intervention, educational psychology, developmental psychology or related field.
* Experience conducting observations and/or assessments; experience using the Early Childhood Environmental Ratings Scales-Revised (ECERS-R), Family Day Care Rating Scales (FDCRS) and/or Family Child Care Environment Rating Scales – Revised (FCCERS-R); demonstrated reliability on these instruments is preferred.
* Bilingual in English and Spanish, preferred.
* Experience working with staff at child care programs, social service agencies, or schools, preferred.
* Ability to work well both independently and under direction.
* Knowledge of early childhood education, infant/toddler care and child development.
* Must have transportation and be able to travel throughout Los Angeles County, including west LA.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Application Process

We invite you to apply online at www.WestEd.org/jobs or you may send your resume, a letter of interest (specify Job No. 2790) and a list of three references to:

Human Resources
WestEd
730 Harrison Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
FAX: 415-565-3012
http://www.WestEd.org

WestEd is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Positions are open until filled.

http://www.Real-WAH-Jobs.com

Beef Brisket with Lemon Marmalade

2009-01-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

Beef Brisket with Lemon Marmalade

Ingredients

1 beef brisket (approx 8 lbs.)
2 onions, minced
2 large lemons, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons mixed herbs (optional - rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme)
4 cloves garlic, chopped coarsely
1-1/2 teaspoonful coarsely ground pepper

Directions

Trim excess fat from brisket. In a roasting pan, place onion slices, lemon slices and garlic. Lay brisket on top of vegetables.

Mix together brown sugar, and herbs; stir until sugar dissolves, then pour evenly over brisket. Sprinkle brisket with pepper and cover roasting pan tightly with foil. Bake in a 300:F oven until brisket is very tender when pierced, about four hours.

When brisket is tender, uncover pan and return it to the oven (raise temperature to 450:F to brown the meat slightly, about 20 minutes. Remove brisket from pan.

Skim off fat from pan juices and put in sauce pan. Boil juices and vegetables, uncovered, stirring often. As mixture thickens, reduce heat to medium and stir constantly; cook until thick and shiny, and reduced to about 1-3/4 cups (20-30 minutes). Add salt to taste.

To serve, slice across the grain. Spoon marmalade over brisket. Garnish with lemon "bows" and chopped parsley if desired. Serves 10-12.

Enjoy!

More recipes can be found Here

Seamstress, Fairfax, VA - Unresearched

2009-01-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

Unresearched

Make bean bag chair covers at your home! I supply the fabric, zippers, patterns. You supply sewing machine and overlock/serger (industrial/ commercial machines preferred). You cut (it takes 2 pieces to make each cover - I give you fabric on a roll or bolt).

$10 per cover, no benefits, contractor-basis (you pay your taxes as 1099 contractor). You can make at least 1 cover per hour, up to 3 per hour depending on your speed! Quarterly and/or annual performance bonus(es)!

Prior seamstress experience absolutely necessary (my current seamstresses worked for pillow manufacturers before). Must be able to straight stitch and do zippers. Must speak English. Must be able to carry & transport large rolls of fabric or have someone to help you (average 50 yard/50 pound/60 inch wide rolls).

Start as soon as possible, part-time or full-time. Flexible delivery deadlines! If you are 15 minutes from Fairfax City, we can pickup/drop off. If you are more than 15 minutes from Fairfax City, you pickup/drop off.

$10 per piece, you can make up to $30 per hour! Quarterly and/or annual bonus(es).

Email NOW for application: ahhprods (at) gmail.com, or call 703-298-7516! We are easy-going and easy to work for!

http://www.ahhprods.com/home
www.workathomespace.com/forum

Internet Judge - Quality Rater

2009-01-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

Position Description
* Relevance measurement is the foundation of all search engines, without it no one can tell whether a change has made the system better or worse. As a quality rater you will be a key participant in helping determine the relevance of search engines. We are looking for quality raters who would work from home and review and rate websites based on an objective set of guidelines. Candidates must be avid internet enthusiasts. If you love browsing the web and have thoughts on which websites are good and which are poor and why, then we want to hear from you.

This position is regular work and candidate should be able to commit to 20 hours a week (depending on availability of work) working between the hours of 7am to 9pm (flexible).

Key Responsibilities
* Advise, mentor and serve as escalation point for both operational teams and clients.
* Rate websites based on detailed written instructions
* Provide feedback when required

Qualifications
* Three years or more experience using the Internet
* Excellent e-mail communication, ability to escalate issues providing details
* Proficient with Microsoft Office applications
* Able to function independently with detailed written instructions
* Ability to use their best judgment or instinct to make decisions quickly
* Excellent time management skills
* Ability to work quickly and accurately
* Be able to focus on repetitive task without losing focus.

Requirements
* High-speed Internet connection (DSL or cable)
* Secure access to personal computer running a recent version of Windows (Vista or XP)
* Adobe reader and WinZip required
* Personal computer must have at least 512 MB of memory and 1.5 Ghz.

Education/Certification Required
Bachelor’s Degree

Contact
Candidates interested in this position can apply on line at http://lionbridge.apply2jobs.com and reference position number GDT719.

www.workathomespace.com/forum

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T09:02:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!I hope you are all enjoying your day.Anyone have any goals they have set for themselves?It doesnt matter if its for your business or personal.I know for me I plan on working harder this year on my business as well as setting some goals for my own personal life.Have a great day everyone!

(Unresearched)EXPERIENCED Fashion/Online shoppingBlogger

2008-12-30T07:56:00.000-08:00

Unresearched

We're looking for an EXPERIENCED fashion/online shopping blogger to write for several of our popular blogs.

Requirements
- Experience writing for blogs
- Understanding of basic HTML and content management systems
- be able to produce 2 to 3 quality posts a week
- excellent command of the english language and ability to self edit.

Send a 250-500 word posts on your favorite online shopping sites and a minimum of three (3) links to recent blog posts you've written to blogs (at) simplygoodmedia.com. Please note that this is just the first step in the application process. Men are encouraged to apply.
www.workathomespace.com/forum
_________________

Why Your Internet Business is Like The Stock Market

2008-12-30T07:18:00.000-08:00

Why Your Internet Business is Like The Stock Market
By: Patty Gale

As savvy stock market investors know, chasing after the one "hot stock" with the possibility of bringing instant riches is not a wise idea. You know the old saying, "Don't put your eggs in one basket". This type of thinking carries a high risk. If your stock goes up and you are smart enough to sell, then you've made money. However, if your stock falls, you just don't know when (or if) it will ever make a comeback.

With this idea of chasing after the "hot stock of the day", you might as well buy a lottery ticket. Diversifying your investment portfolio for long-term growth and stability is the wiser of the strategy. You invest your money over any number of stocks in different industries, thereby spreading your risk across the group.

The same principle should be applied to your internet business. Many of us first arrived online with the notion of building a really great website to reach the masses in hopes of making a lot of money. We later found out that the "build it and they will come" theory is just that, a theory. Oh sure, there are a few who have managed to create a nice income from just one or perhaps two websites, but even Amazon didn't turn a profit until 2001.

Unfortunately, most of us do not have unlimited financial resources. Many have given up, only to go back to either a corporate job or some other type of work in order to support their family. What they did not realize is that their internet business really should be treated like their investment portfolio.

Why do many of us still try to squeeze every single penny out of one website until it's bone dry? It's like wringing out the washcloth until there's no water left to drip. Why bank all of our risk in just one site?

There is a better way and it's called diversification and leverage. How? Instead of building one website and beating it to death in trying to get every last penny until it screams " no more!"... build more sites. In the past, building websites by hand took days and weeks, if not months. Today, there are tools to make this process much simpler and faster and in some cases, you don't even have to know any code at all.

Why diversify and leverage your business across a variety of websites? To reduce your risk and to leverage your efforts. Individually, they may not make a lot of money, but collectively, you could create a nice little internet empire of your very own. It will be well worth your time in creating a long-term internet "investment" portfolio.

Patty Gale is a successful entrepreneur who exchanged her suits, hose and heels to work from home “in her jammies.” www.PattyGale.com

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

How was your Christmas?

2008-12-26T08:43:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas was wonderful!We spent all day together eating,watching dd open up gifts and enjoying ourselves.We also reflected on the past year and how things have changed for us.Yes I work at home and I am blessed to be able to do that,however I often think about how lucky I am to have that option.In todays economy most people dont have the ability to work at home and have to go work outside the home to provide for there families.I also think of all the blessings that have happened to my family over the past year and I really am thankful.We recently decided t o go back to church and I am really glad that we did.WE had been searching for a church to attend and I was so worried about finding one that we would be accepted at.We havent decided to join the church yet,but are seriously thinking about it.Things have changed for us in the past few weeks that I cant explain,but it definetly is a good thing.So all in all we had a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to an even better New Year!

3 Quick Tips to Boost Online Business

2008-12-23T13:24:00.000-08:00

3 Quick Tips to Boost Online Business
By: Kara Kelso

There are so many ways to increase your business online. The following are just a few ideas for direct sales reps to get the most out of their time online.

1. Create a Personal Site
So much can be done with your own website, it's an absolute must for even direct sales reps. If you rep for several businesses, a personal website is even more important. Some of the ways a personal site can increase your business:

- You'll only have one link to promote instead of several
- You can exchange links with other sites
- Be included in more directories
- Easier to remember web address
- More professional looking links
- Ability to get more personal
- Ability to put on more information about your business
- Feature your favorite products
- Many more!

If you need help getting started with your own website, we recommend "Step By Step Guide to Starting Your First Website". This ebook free with Direct Sales Success Kit, but can be purchased alone. More information at:
http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com

2. Product reviews
Show off your best products on a popular website! Showing your customers how great your products really are by having someone that isn't getting paid tell them. Mom's Market offers reviews at:
http://www.momsmarketonline.com/product-reviews.html

3. Write Your Own Articles
Yes, direct sales reps CAN write articles! You are an expert in your field, and no one knows your products better. What makes them great? Why should we buy? Those questions can be answered in an article that doesn't need to sound like an ad. Lay down some facts about your ingredients or why your product does what it does. Get creative and show off your knowledge!

When you are finished with your article, there are tons of places online that will accept it. There's just too many to list here, so be sure to stop by your favorite networking place to ask for a list. The response will most likely be good.

These are just a few ways to quickly increase your business online. More ways listed in the Direct Sales Success Kit - see our website for details.

--------------------------- About the Authors: Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank are two busy wahms, and the owners of Direct Sales Helpers. For more Direct Sales Success Tips, visit: www.directsaleshelpers.com/newsletter.html

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Finding A Work At Home Job Is Not A Lonely Journey

2008-12-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

Finding A Work At Home Job Is Not A Lonely Journey
By: S McIntyre

Whoever said finding a work at home job was not easy was absolutely right. It doesn't matter if the economy is failing or not. Plainly telecommuting jobs don't fall from the sky.

It can be a daunting task to find the work at home job on your own. Here are three ways to seek help and make your journey into working at home a success and as stress-free as possible.

1. Seek the help of others either through networking online or offline. The more people who know you're looking for a work at home job, the better. If they know, they may also pass the information along to someone else who may be looking for someone.

If you're networking offline always have resumes handy.

2. Use other online outlets like work at home forums. Community forums are one of the best tools to use to find a work at home job. You're reaching out to a lot of people in different parts of the world and you're increasing your chances that much more.

The important part of using forums is providing as much information about you as possible without giving out personal information. In order to get the most and use your time wisely is be forthcoming about what you're looking for, what skills and experience you have, what you don't want to do, but are open to. Even though you may have certain needs to be met, keep in mind you don't want to limit yourself and become inflexible.

Going back to the forum is important as well. I have seen a job offered made to a job seeker on the forum, but unfortunately she never came back to see if anyone responded to her post. If you don't have the time to keep checking, you can subscribe to your own topic to receive notification via email when someone replies.

3. Use a recruiting agency. Yes it requires payment and some agencies may offer these services:

* Help you create a proper work at home resume
* Offer educational resources
* Offer work at home resources such as articles, resume and interviewing tips
* Match your skills and experience with a virtual company
* Find researched home based, freelance and telecommuting job leads
* Offer a work at home discussion forum and more

Even though you will work remotely from home, it doesn't mean you have to be alone when you're seeking a work at home job. Use these three suggestions today to find your telecommuting job.

--
S McIntyre owns WorkAtHomeSpace.com a free work at home resource focusing on telecommuting companies, daily telecommute job leads, articles, business resources and other work at home related topics. Join our http://www.workathomespace.com/forum for work at home discussions, networking, support and more.

How NOT to Promote Your Website on Forums

2008-12-19T17:39:00.000-08:00

How NOT to Promote Your Website on Forums
By: Lori Redfield

Internet entrepreneurs, work at home moms, network marketers... you're all fed the same hype about how to promote your website, get leads, recruit members or what have you.One of the first things you will be told is to post your ads on forums. Lots.

This article is a guide to proper forum etiquette so that you don't waste your own and many other people's time.

The first thing you need to know is that forum owners deal with a ton of spam. I could easily spend an hour a day cleaning up spammy posts in the forum and deleting and banning members that don't abide by forum rules. It's unnerving to have to waste my time doing that rather then engaging in conversations on the forum and providing my members with useful information.

So from the forum owner perspective, spam is a very bad thing. On the other hand, to help out forum participants and to try to deter them from spamming every forum in the message boards, most forum owners will provide an advertising forum of some sort where you can post an ad.

If all you are planning to do is post ads on forums, then look for this particular section of a message board. Especially don't post an ad in the introduction section of a forum.

But here is the thing about ads. Nobody really reads them. Your time would be far better spent actually engaging in conversations on the forums you frequent. You will gain the trust and loyalty of the forum population if they get to know you. They will much more likely decide to sign up for a biz op under someone that they talk with in a trusted forum then from some fly by night forum spammers post. Doesn't that make sense?

You will be taught that posting your website link on many forums will help to build your websites backlink popularity which will in turn increase your websites ranking in the search engine results. The truth is, your post is most likely going to be deleted as soon as the forum owner or moderators find it. All you really will have done is wasted your time.

How you can be certain that you will build your backlinks by forum posting is by putting your website link in your signature on a forum and including your signature in your quality posts. The website owner will be happy to have you posting and in turn will be happy to allow you a small advertisement in your signature when posting.

Another trick you might not know is this. If there is a keyword phrase that you would like to rank well for in the search engines, use this as the 'anchor text' in your website link. That means if you want to rank well for a term such as 'ameriplan business opportunity' - then you would type that into your signature and have that link to your website.

Keep a folder of forums in your favorites folder on your browser and spend some time every day going to each of the forums. Make it a goal to leave at least one quality post and a few welcome posts to new members.

Informative and engaging comments, coupled with a well optimized signature will win you far more traffic and prospects in the long run. And you might even pick up a thing or two through your engagement on the forum!

Lori Redfield is a Freelancer and Internet Entrepreneur. Visit her website, FreelanceMom.com for more business ideas.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Editors to Proofread Titles

2008-12-18T05:04:00.000-08:00

If are detailed oriented, have exceptional grammar skills, and can spot a spelling mistake – we want you to join our freelance community as a Title Proofer.

We are a content production company, producing massive amounts of computer generated article and video titles. However, we still need to ensure that the titles make sense. That is where Title Proofing comes in. As a title proofer, you main job is to check titles for grammar, spelling, capitalization and phrasing. You will also be responsible for categorizing each title.

This is a work at your own pace freelance position. All of the tools needed to perform the job will be made available to you, including titling guidelines and best practices.

You will be paid a flat rate based on the number of titles reviewed, regardless of acceptance or rejection rates, and we issue payments weekly via PayPal.

To apply, please send us an email with your resume and any other information pertaining to your qualifications. Include the job title (Editors to Proofread Titles) in the subject line.

Applicants with editorial experience or English degrees are preferred, however not required if you demonstrate the necessary skills.

$8-$15 per hour

Email: titlingteam@demandstudios.com
www.workathomespace.com/forum

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-17T17:06:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let you all know that I will be busy from Friday until after the new year.I will be adding as much content as I can to this site during this time,to keep it fresh and updated.With Christmas approaching,I wanted to wish you all Happy Holidays!If you have an article that you would like to see posted and it is related to working at home(telecommuting,direct sales,working at home etc)or you have accomplished something major in your business,please email me at wrkathomemomma@gmail.com.

Work at Home Options

2008-12-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

Work at Home Options
By: Audrey Okaneko

If you want to work at home, step one is understanding the options available to you.

Let's start with some basics. There are only TWO things you can do at home, yes, only TWO.

You can telecommute or you can run a business. That's it, TWO.

Telecommuting - This means you have been hired by an employer, and that employer is open to having you work at home anywhere from a few hours a week, to full time. Some folks will work mornings in office, afternoons at home. Afternoons at home, allows them to pick up their kids, start dinner etc, all while working also. Some folks work every other day in office. This allows them bring work in, drop work off, be available for meetings etc.
You are an employee. You are either paid per hour or per week.

The sentence I see most often posted is "I want to work at home, so I have more time with my kids". Find some folks who do telecommute. Their kids are in daycare, as they need to work. They also end up putting in more than 40 hours per week as they want to make sure they put in their 40 hours and make up for those trips to the store, the trips to pick kids up etc.

Telecommute positions are very tough to find. Most employers are not willing to have employees working unsupervised. Reason is, just look in office. Truly, how many employees give a job their all? How many work hard even when the boss is away? How many come in a few minutes early and leave a few minutes late on a consistent basis? Now let's compare that to how many make personal calls? How many take a few extra minutes on their lunch? How many stand around the water machine chatting? How many day dream and don't produce as much as they can/should? So, most employers are not willing to allow employees to work at home.

Again, speak to some folks who work at home. Ask them point blank what they did to get this job. Most will tell you that they had worked for a long time prior to this arrangement. They will tell you that they know their job inside out. They will tell you that they work over 40 hours per week. They will tell you that they do get "lonely" working all alone. And they'll tell you they do go into the office frequently.

There is no book of companies that allow telecommuting. I've seen many many ads for folks to buy a book that is supposed to contain the names of companies that allow telecommuting. Those employers who have allowed telecommuting, have done so with an existing employee. My sister telecommutes for HP. But she had her degree in computer science. She has had tons of company training and she worked there 10 years. So putting HP down in a book and telling you that they hire telecommuters is misleading at best, an out and out lie at worst. And you have to pay for that book.

A business - To start there are only TWO things you can sell. You can sell a product or you can sell a service. Look around YOUR town. What do the businesses in YOUR town sell? They all sell either a product or a service. A home business will be no different, you'll sell a product or a service. If you want to sell a service, look within. What are your skills? Are you proficient with a word processor? If so, you can consider selling your word processing skills. Remember, proficient means near perfect. I can use MS Word, but I could not sell it as a service.

Have you done bookkeeping or billing before? If so, this again, is something you can sell as a service. Are your kids older, in school all day? Consider an errand service. Heck, there are many days I feel I live in my car LOL. I always have books with me as I'm forever waiting for someone or something. Do a web search for errand services and view what others are offering and at what fees.

Are you an expert with a sewing machine? If so, offer tailoring and mending as a service. I am only 5'2" and both my kids are 5'. We need everything altered. I would love to bring it to someone's home versus having to go to the dry cleaner, change in their icky little bathroom etc.

Prefer to sell a product? You have a few choices, yes, only a few. You can make the product yourself. You can purchase from a wholesaler, or you can purchase from a direct sales company. That's it, only those few choices.

If you wish to make the products, again, look within. What hobbies do you have? What crafts can you make? Some folks sell hand sewn or hand crocheted items. Some sell homemade soaps and lotions. Some sell homemade jewelry. Are you able to do this?

You can contract with a wholesaler. Look up ________ wholesaler in a search engine. The blank is for whatever product you want to sell. There are wholesalers for just about everything imaginable. Want to contract with a direct sales company? Go to www.dsa.org They have a large database of their members. Their members range from cosmetic companies, to toy companies, to clothing companies and everything in between. You don't need to pay to access this database.

Now for some scams. Home assembly is a scam. There are exceptions. Occasionally a factory that makes items will advertise for local employees. You'll go to the factory, fill out the application, meet with them, and get hired. There will NOT be a fee. You'll drop off and pick up finished products. Assembly at home jobs found on the internet are SCAMS. Don't believe me? Find me just two people who do this and make money. Just two. From anywhere in the US. Just two ;)

Transcribing and medical billing are the next areas where the scam artists prey. These are both legitimate professions, however in order to be hired you must have education. The courses offered online may or may not be legitimate. What I can tell is they DO NOT find you jobs. What they do is send you listings from the yellow pages of your city, with doctors names and phone numbers for you to call. If you have a personal doctor, contact him/her. Ask for a consultation. Even if it's $100 for the consultation, that's $500 less than the software you might be considering buying. Ask your doctor about his/her medical billing. Do they use someone at home? Would they hire someone who had never worked in office before? See what YOUR doctor tells you. If this is a career you want to pursue, contact your local junior college, local trade college or local business college.

The final scams I want to mention are the process orders, and data entry at home. All those ads for mail from home, order process from home etc are all a variation of the same scam. You pay money. You get directions to place ads like the one you answered. You then receive a percent each time you scam the next person. You TYPE or PROCESS their ORDER. Nice play on words huh? If in fact, typing at home, assembly at home, processing orders at home were legitimate, don't you think we'd read more about folks doing this successfully?

So, while you do have many options of what to offer to others, there are also many scams out there waiting to take your money.

Audrey Okaneko has worked at home since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.scrapping-made-simple.com

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Direct Sales – Do You Communicate Consistently?

2008-12-17T16:55:00.000-08:00

Direct Sales – Do You Communicate Consistently?
By: Audrey Okaneko

I read something today about not investing time with those who “don’t do anything.” I always shake my head in bewilderment when I see thing or hear things like this.

I believe communication with your downline is mandatory until such time that they are no longer a company representative.

When you discover someone has joined your team, contact them immediately. Introduce yourself if you do not yet know them. Let them know how they can reach you. Provide a phone number, an email address and any other contact information you’d like them to have. If they don’t respond, so what? They are a part of your team. Contact them again. This time let them know you’ll continue to contact them regularly. If they still don’t respond, so what? I would never stop contacting or communicating with a team member just because they haven’t responded to other communications.

If after a few weeks, your new distributor has not yet placed a first order, contact them and ask how you can help them. In fact, send them instructions on how to place their first order. Ask how you can help them get their first order submitted. If they don’t respond, so what? As I keep saying, they are still one of your team members.

I’ve been in direct sales since 1983. Over that time, I’ve had team members who went three months without submitting an order, then all of a sudden came to me with a question and were on their way. What if I had stopped communicating after 3 attempts?

If you have regular training by phone, by meeting or by email, make sure you always include all of your team members, even those who have never responded before. You never know when they might wish to take advantage of your training.

Think of things you’ve done over the years. Have you ever bought something and not used it? Maybe you’ve even re-bought the same thing a few years later. Perhaps you’ve taken out a newspaper or magazine subscription and then not read the information? The paper or magazine does not quit sending you information just because you don’t read it. If you don’t renew your subscription, they’ll continue to send you notices in the hope you might come back.

I believe you can do the same thing in direct sales. You can continue to communicate and the team member just might click with something you’ve said or done and go on to build their own successful business.

Don’t ever stop communicating with team members regardless of how much or how little they are doing. Communication is the key to a lasting and successful business.

Audrey Okaneko has been in direct sales since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or you can Become a Tupperware Consultant

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Get a Home-Based Job Without Getting Scammed

2008-12-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

Get a Home-Based Job Without Getting Scammed
By: Jill Hart

Although it can be hard to tell fact from fiction, it is possible. Many excellent work-at-home opportunities are available. And, it’s well worth the time to explore them so you can start your own business and enjoy the many benefits it provides. Following are several tips to avoid work-at-home scams.

When researching companies that hire home-based workers, the best place to start is the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which can provide information on disputes or other problems involving a potential employer.

You’ll want to look for a pattern of “unresolved” or “unanswered” disputes, which will be an indication that there is a problem with the company in question. By the way, complaints can be filed against a company whether it’s a member of the BBB or not.

Next, perform an Internet search on the company you’re checking out to see what others are saying. If you see a pattern of negative comments, often that’s an indication that you may need to explore the company in more detail.

There also are Web sites such as BBBonline.com that will tell you some of the common scams around, including the “work-from-home typing” scam.

Operators of scams often lure job seekers with promotions such as the ability to earn $35,000 a year, or a promise to provide a list of companies that will hire them.

Diana Ennen, author of Virtual Assistant: The Series has been a home-based word processor more than 20 years. Ennen states, “Working at home as a typist is an excellent opportunity that often only requires excellent secretarial skills. However, be cautious of offers guaranteeing a list of companies that will hire you. The truth of the matter is that most of these companies aren’t even aware they are on this list. There’s so much information available online today that there is no need to fall for this scam.”

It’s also important to know the difference between paying for information about working from home and actually investing in a home-based business. Most home-based businesses, such as direct sales companies, are valid ways to make an income. However, because you need to make an initial investment many people are confused and believe these to be scams as well.

Think about home-based businesses in terms of your local fast-food chain. A fast-food restaurant will pay you if it hires you as an employee. However, in order to start your own franchise of that same restaurant, you would need to make a monetary investment.

The same holds true when you begin a home-based business. You must make an investment, but in return you receive the means to begin your own business—generally the paperwork needed, marketing materials, and product for display.

Still, you must do your research when considering a home-based business. It’s important to know things like the history of the company, its reputation, how many representatives are in your area, and what quotas must be met.

Whether considering a telecommuting position or a home-based business, speak to others who have worked with the company you are contemplating. Ask for references of other employees/business owners in your area.

There are many legitimate ways to work from home, but when seeking a work-at-home opportunity, it’s important to take your time and do your research.

Unfortunately, there are people who make it their primary goal to take money from the unsuspecting. If you are thorough in your examination, you will not become one of their victims. Remember the ages-old saying that still holds true today: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Hart is also the co-author of the upcoming book, Home Based Blessings, due out in early 2007 for Christian moms who want to work at home. Hart and her husband, Allen of CWAHD.com (Christian Work at Home Dads) reside in Nebraska with their two children.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Recruiting on Message Boards

2008-12-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

Recruiting on Message Boards
By: Kara Kelso

This has always been a hot topic, so it's worth mentioning time and time again. There IS a right and wrong way to recruit on message boards, which goes far beyond just following spam rules.

Scenario 1

A new mother has signed up to a message board you visit often. Her first post may sound something like this:

"I'm looking for a way to work at home, can anyone help me?"

Take a look at what you know about her. If she hasn't said anything but "I'm looking", then all you know is she is a mother in need of an income. That's it. So to reply with a plug for your business is not only rude, but also does not help you or the person posting the question.

Get to know this person first. Find out what her interests are. Signing someone up that's not interested in your product is a waste of your time and theirs. By showing interest in this new person, you are not only proving yourself worth of friendship, but also laying the ground work for future recruits from those lurking. If they see you give a general interest in the person, and spot your signature line, they are going to much more likely to join should your business be what they are looking for.

Also another point that needs to be made - never email or send private messages unless that person has specifically asked for this information. Word of mouth travels far, and people remember those that "spam" them.

Remember: Quality Over Quantity!

Scenario 2

A new mother has signed up to a message board you visit often. Her first post may sound something like this:

"I'm looking for a way to work at home, can anyone help me? I might be interested in selling Candles or Children's Toys. Any suggestions?"

First and foremost, DO NOT reply with your Gourmet Food business or any other business that does not have anything to do with Candles or Children's Toys. She's already mentioned that she's interested in these types of products. Replying with anything other than what was requested can actually make you one look like a fool and two makes you look like you're not interested in anything else BUT recruiting. You didn't even take the time to see what she wanted in the first place. That doesn't seem like you care much about their wants/needs.

Scenario 3

Message Board Post:

"Hi, I'm interested in the Mary Kay business opportunity. Can someone please post a little more information?"

As mentioned above, do not reply with ...

You've got mail! OR I've PMed you! First of all it makes the business look "sneaky" like there's something secretive about the business. Secondly, she didn't request to be bombarded with emails or PMs. She asked that the information be posted there. Need I mention spam laws?

Lurkers...

There are way more lurkers on message boards versus actual posters. Some people just prefer to lurk and don't ever post. If you post the information right there, lurkers will see the information and also see the link in your signature line. If you send the original poster and email or pm; the lurker is most likely going to search elsewhere for the information. Potential recruit lost.

Scenario 4

Message Board Post:

"Hi, I'm interested in the Discovery Toys business opportunity. Can someone please post a little more information?"

After the original post you see one or two posts. Maybe someone answered her question and they've been posting back and forth about it. Or maybe a couple of different reps have answered a couple of different ways. Do NOT jump in and say the same thing that's already been posted. Do NOT jump in and say something different and say ... visit my website or send me an email. This is just plain rude. If you can't say something different than what has already been said or nothing more than contact me ... don't bother posting. Another thing that is rude is to contact the original poster privately when it's more than apparent that she's working with someone else.

Remember what your mother taught you. Play nice and don't do something that you wouldn't want done to you!

About the Authors: Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank are two busy wahms, and the owners of Direct Sales Helpers. For more Direct Sales Success Tips, visit: www.directsaleshelpers.com/newsletter.html

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

You Can Not Work a Direct Sales Business In One Hour Per Day

2008-12-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

You Can Not Work a Direct Sales Business In One Hour Per Day
By: Audrey Okaneko

I recently read an article claiming that direct sales businesses could be built in just one hour per day.

I strongly disagree with this. The most I can agree with is that there are occasional days you can get by with just one hour of time investment per day but if all you have is five hours per week, you can not build a business.

Consider yourself the customer. If you email someone or call someone and don’t get a return call for twenty-four hours, how happy are you? Do you call someone else? Do you take your business elsewhere? We live in an instant gratification world today. Very few people are willing to wait until your one hour of work time tomorrow for an answer.

Today’s cell phones accept incoming phone calls and incoming email. People invest in these phones as they know those contacting them do not want to wait for an answer.

I work a full time job. I absolutely understand the demands of working a full time job and running a network marketing business. I use my breaks and lunch time to return calls and respond to emails. I do not make those contacting me wait until tomorrow.

Each of us begins with the same twenty-four hours each and every day. If you work a full time job, you’re already investing about nine hours per day into creating an income. If you sleep seven hours per day, you’re now up to spending sixteen of your twenty-four hours.

This leaves you eight hours per day that is flexible time. You can watch television. You can visit with your kids. You can spend time with your spouse. You can spend time doing household chores and you can spend time building your business. Eight hours is a heck of a lot of time. Those eight hours can be fragmented into many small chunks allowing you to be a parent, a spouse and a network marketing business owner.

When your time is limited, planning and scheduling is essential. You should know each and every day how you’ll be investing into your business for that particular day. Always set aside time for emails and phone calls. Then split your remaining working time between marketing and follow up. Follow up might be contacting potential customers, it might be following up on an old lead or it might be sending a thank you note to someone who has placed an order.

Use your twenty-four hours each day to the fullest. You really can be all things to all people with a little bit of planning.

Audrey Okaneko has been in direct sales since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or you can Become a Tupperware Consultant

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

7 Steps to Starting Your Business

2008-12-15T05:24:00.000-08:00

7 Steps to Starting Your Business
By: Cristina Favreau

'I've finally decided to start my business. Now, WHERE THE HECK DO I START?'

Sound familiar?

This question comes up a lot and I'm always surprised by the "words of wisdom" seasoned entrepreneurs give. Things like "make a website," "get your business license," "buy this software," "read this book," "write a business plan" or "open a business bank account."

This is great advice if (1) time is not of essence and (2) money is no object. Don't get me wrong, those answers are correct. But I find they often miss the point by adding unnecessary burdens like anxiety and expenses to someone who's just starting off. Most people I speak with don't have the luxury of time or money. They want to get their business up and running quickly and start attracting clients so they can start making money to care for their families.

If you fit the latter description, don't despair. I've come up with 7 steps to help you get up and running in no time.

Specify what you do. This is probably THE most important step. You can't start marketing yourself without being absolutely clear on what services you offer. Split your list in two -- services you DO offer and services you DON'T offer. Keep this list handy; you'll find as time goes on, this list will narrow down to what you really love doing and everything else. This first step will help you define your specialty.

Determine who you do it for. You'll often hear people (especially coaches) say you "must" choose a target market, or niche, if you want to succeed in business. It's true that narrowly defining a target market IS important. But when you're starting off, you can't know who you like doing business with until you've had a few contracts. Start the process by listing the types of people or companies you like to work with. Remember, you want to be more specific than saying something general like "stay at home moms," "small business owners," "lawyers" or "baby boomers." This second step will get you closer to identifying your target market.

Decide on your fee. Just because you're starting up a business doesn't mean you have to low-ball your fees. Base your decision on these 3 factors: (1) What is your competition charging? (2) How much are your potential clients willing to pay? and (3) Can you have financial freedom asking for this fee? Your decision may be mostly based on intuition or experience. Remember to ask for what you think you're worth and don't accept anything less.

Get business cards. And I don't mean cards printed on your friend's "really good printer." These days, you can get professionally printed business cards for cheap. Don't worry if you haven't yet chosen a company name; just use your name to start with. Once you've decided on a company name, a logo and have started getting clients, you can order more cards.

Design your 30-second intro. You must be able to answer the "So, what do you do?" question in 30 seconds or less. Remember, your audience is tuned in to the WIIFM channel ("What's in it for me?"). If something in your pitch doesn't pass the "so what?" test, it's best to leave it out (like "Hello, my name is Cristina Favreau and I'm a Certified Coach." Really! Who cares?). Make it compelling. Talk about the benefits of doing business with you. Identify what makes you different from your competition. Get help to brainstorming ideas. Practice it, until it comes naturally to you.

Network. Once you've complete these 5 steps, you need to get out there and start networking. It'll be difficult and scary at first, especially if your pipeline is empty, but the more you do it, the easier it gets and the more your pipeline fills up with contacts. Great places to start are local chambers and business networking groups. You may also want to join a few online groups where the people you identified in step 2 hang out.

Market your business each day. Marketing is telling people what you do over and over again. You have a limited budget, so stick to inexpensive strategies: give a referral, give away a free report, write a newsletter and blog, offer a free introductory session, give a presentation at your local networking venue or anything else you can think of that will get people to start seeing you as an expert in your field, even if you're just starting off.

The trick to these 7 steps is to keep it simple. Just because you have limited cash flow doesn't mean you can't be successful. Your strategies at the beginning should be to get your name out there and to get clients.

Obviously, these 7 steps are not the end-all-be-all of starting a business. There's still more to do. But going through these steps will give you a solid foundation to build on. In a following article, I'll share with you the next steps to take, once you have these ones in place.

Cristina Favreau is Mom to 2 kids under 2 years old. As a Certified Coach and Get Clients Now! Licensed Facilitator, she helps service professionals make marketing & self-promotion easy to understand & implement, starting at your level. Within 3 hours, she’ll help you identify where you’re stuck in the marketing process & come up with an action plan of immediate strategies to gain momentum. Visit www.cristinafavreau.com or blog.cristinafavreau.com

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Get More Clients by Choosing a Target Market

2008-12-12T07:58:00.000-08:00

Get More Clients by Choosing a Target Market
By: Cristina Favreau

The most common complaint I hear when coaching service professionals is they aren’t getting enough (or any) clients. That’s when I ask "Who is your Target Market?" I’ll often hear something like "small business owners," "entrepreneurs," "homeowners," "women," or some other general group. In the most extreme cases, some have said "Everyone!" or "Anyone with the money who needs my services!" The truth is, you can't be all things to all people... and if you really take the time to think about it, you don’t want everyone to be your client -- even if they can afford you.

Many entrepreneurs, especially those just starting out, hesitate choosing a target market, because they’re afraid to take the plunge -- they feel they’re leaving valuable business behind, or they think it means refusing business to those who don’t fit their target market. In fact, nothing could be farther from reality.

Let's start off by defining what a target market is. Your target market is a group of potential clients who share common characteristics, making them most receptive to the services you offer.

At this point you can pick any target market, just for the sake of choosing one (a dart board works well). But here are some criteria to first consider:

1) Are there enough people/businesses to sustain me in this target market?
2) Do I know and understand this target market on all levels?
3) Does this target group really need what I have to offer? Do I offer solutions specific to their needs, challenges, issues, problems?
4) Can they afford my fee?
5) Do I easily have access to this target?
6) Do I LIKE servicing this group?

How does choosing a target market help you get more clients? Simply put, if you specialize and concentrate your efforts on helping a specific group of people, they will assume you're better at what you do and will think of you first. By narrowing down your audience, you'll now be focusing and directing your attention, energy, time, money, and marketing on prospects most LIKELY to use your services.

Some argue that choosing a target market is too limiting. And, yes it's true, you may be leaving some business behind. My question is "Is that such a bad thing?" There's enough business to go around for everyone. It really is a choice. Do you want to spend all your time, energy and money on marketing to everyone, or would you rather streamline your efforts to get the greatest response possible? Choosing a target market helps you be more efficient so you're actually attracting more clients than you would with the shotgun approach (point, shoot, and hope you hit something).

There are many ways you can use to choose, identify or discover your target market (I've come up with at least 5 ways, but I'm sure you can find more). The importance is that you do so as soon as you can, so you can start getting more clients and establish yourself as an expert in your specific field.

Copyright. Cristina Favreau. All rights reserved.

Cristina Favreau is Mom to 17-month old Zachary and is expecting a girl in 2 weeks. As a small business coach and licensed Get Clients Now! facilitator, she helps service professionals make marketing & self-promotion easy to understand & implement, starting at your level. Within 3 hours, she’ll help you identify where you’re stuck in the marketing process & come up with an action plan of immediate strategies to gain momentum. Visit www.cristinafavreau.com or blog.cristinafavreau.com.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

ABCs for the Work at Home Mom - Part 2

2008-12-11T13:19:00.000-08:00

ABCs for the Work at Home Mom - Part 2
By: Jill Hart

Work-at-home moms face many different challenges. From learning to accept help when needed, to building confidence in ourselves, to remembering the reasons why we chose to work from home. Below is the second in the series of tips to help work-at-home moms in the simplest of ways - the ABC's.

N = No - Work at Home Moms need to be able to say "No" when the situation calls for it. Don't be afraid to stand up for your business or to choose NOT to work with a customer who is more trouble than it's worth.

O = Office - As Work at Home Moms, we usually put ourselves last on the list. However, when we're in business it's important to have some room (even a corner) that is set aside strictly for business.

P = Priorities - It's hard to keep your priorities straight when raising a family and building a business. Take some time each week/month to sit down and evaluate your priorities and cut out things in your schedule that don't fit in.

Q = Quiet Time - It may seem impossible to find a time to sit, relax and be quiet when you have so many demands on your time. However, it's more important than ever that you take a little time for yourself to rejuvenate and renew when you grow weary.

R = Respect - Like the golden rule says, it's important to treat others as we'd like to be treated. This is so true for work at home moms - we must show the utmost in professionalism and treat even the most difficult clients with respect.

S = Significant Other - As work at home moms it's easy to get wrapped up with our business, our kids, ourselves. Don't forget to take the time to appreciate your husbands!

T = Time - As work-home-moms time is the ultimate enemy. :) Learn to prioritize and delegate whenever possible. Take time out for your kids each day - you'll be glad you did!

U = Unique - Your business needs to be unique to stand out from the crowd. Even if your product isn't unique you can always find a unique way to approach marketing, customer service, etc. Get creative and stand out from the rest!

V = Vision - It's so important to have a clear vision of where you want your business to go. Sit down and make a list of where you'd like to be in 5 years, in 10 years, etc. Without goals you won't get anywhere.

W = Wisdom - It's important to seek wisdom when running your own business. You won't always know the answer, so you need to find others that you trust that you can turn to when these things arise.

X = eXcitement - Celebrate each success! Keep yourself motivated and excited about your business. Try to share your business with someone new each day. Just telling someone about what you do can bring back that "spark" of excitement about your career!

Y = Yes - Yes! You CAN do it! Each of us started with a dream, a vision and the faith that we could make it happen. It takes hard work, determination and a "Yes!" attitude, but it CAN be done!

Z = Zoo - Yes, life as a work at home mom really is a zoo, but it's worth it! Being at home to see your child's first step, hear their first word - it just doesn't get better than that.

Working from home can be difficult, but it is well worth the effort. By keeping things in perspective we can reduce the stress that we put on ourselves. Remember these ABC's and you'll go far in your work-at-home career.

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Hart is also the co-author of the upcoming book, Home Based Blessings, due out in November 2006 for Christian moms who want to work at home. Hart and her husband, Allen of CWAHD.com (Christian Work at Home Dads) reside in Nebraska with their two children.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

ABCs for the Work at Home Mom - Part 1

2008-12-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

ABCs for the Work at Home Mom - Part 1
By: Jill Hart

Work-at-home moms face many different challenges. From learning to accept help when needed, to building confidence in ourselves, to remembering the reasons why we chose to work from home. Below is the first in a series of tips to help work-at-home moms in the simplest of ways – the ABC’s.

A = Adjustments. A work at home mom must expect the unexpected. She must be prepared to adjust her schedule at any given moment for any number of reasons - a sick child, a backed up drain, or an upset client. A mom who learns to welcome these moments as a chance to show love to her family and concern for her clients will be ahead of the game in the end. Approach these "interruptions" with a great attitude and see what a difference it makes.

B = Better. Works at Home Moms have to be on top of their game. To run a business as well as manage a household takes determination and scheduling. You may not feel like you have a schedule, but take a look at your day/week and see how you are spending your time. Next, think about what you can do better, what you can delegate and what would be better off removed from your schedule to allow you to spend your time in a better manner.

C = Confidence. You wouldn't be a work at home mom without it. Take time to celebrate each success no matter how minute it may seem. Each success will help grow your confidence and turn you into a savvier businesswoman.

D = Dry - Don't let things dry up. Keep content fresh, offer new products and services whenever possible. This will keep you motivated and keep customer returning.

E = Effort - Don't kid yourself. It takes a TON of effort to make a home-based business successful. Don't give up with thing get rough. Keep plugging away - it will pay off

F = Feisty - Every work at home mom has to be at least a tad bit feisty. :) Stand up for your business when need be - don't be afraid to say no when necessary.

G = Generosity - When I fist began my business I sought advice from many successful work-at-home moms. One of the best pieces of advice I received was that what I gave to others would come back tenfold. I've found that to be very true. Helping others is as much a blessing to me as it is to others.

H = Help - There will come a time that you’ll need help. You must be willing to accept it, to allow others to do for you what you cannot. In turn, try to be a help to other when they are in need.

I = If - If you don’t do it, who will? Mothering is such an important role that gets overlooked so often these days. Always remember that being there for your children is the BEST gift you can ever give them.

J = “Just for you” - Take a little time to do something just for you each day. Even 5 minutes of doing something you enjoy can revive a tired mommy.

K = Keep - Keep your chin up. It will get better. Don’t let a lag in business growth get you down. Find some creative ways to get the ball rolling again.

L = Laugh - Take time to laugh with you kids each day. And don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself when need be.

M = Mommy - Remember, the reason you do all that you do is for those little ones who call you "Mommy."

Working from home can be difficult, but it is well worth the effort. By keeping things in perspective we can reduce the stress that we put on ourselves. Remember these ABC’s and you’ll go far in your work-at-home career.

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Hart is also the co-author of the upcoming book, Home Based Blessings, due out in November 2006 for Christian moms who want to work at home. Hart and her husband, Allen of CWAHD.com (Christian Work at Home Dads) reside in Nebraska with their two children.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Selecting a Direct Sales Sponsor

2008-12-10T05:38:00.000-08:00

It’s interesting to watch the ambulance chasing that occurs on the forums when someone pipes up and says, “I’m thinking about joining.” Immediately the grand scramble begins. It’s actually quite pathetic to see the vultures come out.

Just because someone PMs you first or happens to be a lead that corporate gave you does not mean that you have to sign with that person. Also just because someone has emailed and/or snail mailed you some information does not mean you are committed to joining under that person.

Take some time, do your due diligence and find the right sponsor for you. I would strongly discourage you from looking for the best offer. It won’t take you any time at all to find offers for free this or that if you join this team or that team. Or you can even find someone who will provide a way for you to join her team for free.

Consider this, if the company you are considering joining has a quality product and a compensation plan you can live with, then the only other element missing is finding support from a strong up line. Those who offer deals are essentially saying that they do not believe in the company offering or in her abilities to recruit and therefore feels the need to bribe you to join.

Company sponsored forums are chock full of consultants begging for help and asking the most basic questions in a public forum because they do not have the training and support required to be successful from their own sponsors. Yet these same people clamoring for help, are the ones who jumped on board with the person who offered the best deal. Go figure.

You as the potential recruit get to ask the questions. You are the interviewer. Ask some hard questions, such as:

· How long have you been with this company?
· What rank are you? Where is that in relation to the total structure?
· How long have you been in direct sales?
· Why did you choose this company?
· Are there days or hours that you are not generally available?
· What training is available from you and/or corporate?
· How did you receive your training?
· Do you attend seminars and convention?
· Have you won any awards from the company?
· How would you describe your personality style?
· What’s the worst thing you have to say about the company?

If you receive weak answers to these questions and yet still choose to sign with that person, all I can say is buyer beware. Would you rather go to a doctor fresh out of medical school, or one who is a veteran at his specialty? Would you use a financial broker who merely paid to get her license through a correspondence school? Or one who has a proven track record of producing results?

What good is a special offer if it is not backed by a strong warranty? Remember who is in the driver’s seat when it comes to selecting a sponsor for your direct sales business: You!

Source: http://thrivingcandlebusiness.com/articles/2008/12/selecting-a-direct-sales-sponsor/

About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan. She started her first home business in 1988. As a single parent, Laurie has supported her family by working at home as an Independent Consultant and Star Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles. She enjoys helping others start a candle business. You can find Laurie at www.IncomeWax.com

Holiday Pecan Pie

2008-12-09T06:24:00.000-08:00

Holiday Pecan Pie

Ingredients

2/3 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Dark syrup
3 Eggs
3 tbsp Butter, melted
1/8 tbsp Salt
2 cup Pecans, chopped
2 Pie shells, unbaked, 8"

Directions

Preheat oven to 400'F.
Beat eggs until blended, add sugar, syrup, salt, and beat thoroughly. Stir in butter.

Put 1 cup of pecans in each pie shell. Pour liquid mixture equally over each. Place pies on a cookie sheet on middle rack of oven, bake for 10 minutes, then lower temperature to 300°F.

Continue to bake until filling is firm, about 30 minutes

Enjoy!

More recipes can be found at www.cookin-at-home.com

Easy Chicken and Stuffing

2008-12-09T06:22:00.000-08:00

Easy Chicken and Stuffing

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 box (6 ounces) stuffing mix
1 tablespoon butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ cup milk
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a frying pan, heat the butter. Add the chicken and cook for 15 minutes. Remove chicken. In the same frying pan, prepare the stuffing according to box directions.

Return the chicken to the frying pan. Mix together the soup and mil and pour the mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook over medium heat until chicken done.
_________________
Audrey
http://mytupperware.com/audreyoka
http://www.recipe-barn.com

2008-12-09T06:17:00.000-08:00

Unresearched

http://www.TrustedOpinion.com is looking for a stellar, part-time Online Community Manager who will focus on creating a great user experience for our fast-growing site. The Online Community Manager must have a love for movies and television, and a passion for social networking sites. We're looking for someone intimately familiar with using sites like Facebook or MySpace on a daily basis. The Online Community Manager position is a great position for people who want to work on their own schedule, 10-20 hours / week.

The Online Community Manager requirements are:

* Great email communication skills (must be fluent in English, and have a fun and friendly writing style).
* Have some data entry and/or Excel experience (you will need to use online tools to manage large amounts of data on the site)
* Have strong computer & online literacy (MS Office, Browsers, embed pics and videos on your profile page, sharing photos online, etc.)
* Work from home (must have broadband Internet connection and a PC or Mac!) with only occasional in-person meetings (in San Francisco)

Your responsibilities include:

* Keeping movie ratings and trailers up-to-date on the site
* Review site email and answer user questions
* Proactively energize community through online outreach to "power users"
* Monitor site for inappropriate content
* Provide weekly reports about site activity and Community Manager achievements

This is a fun role, but requires an organized self-starter who can handle lots of tasks without a manager standing over your shoulder. Previous full-time work experience is required, and we do check references. Because this is a contractor, part-time role, we understand that the applicant may also have another job. However, you must be able to commit 10-20 hours each week and be able to balance other work obligations appropriately.

Compensation: $12/hr.

If you're interested, please send an email to careers (at) trustedopinion.com, and please state your favorite flavor of ice cream in the first sentence of your email.

http://www.workathomespace.com/forum

2008-12-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

Unresearched

Job Summary: Large service company looking to outsource, by department, administrative support functions. This position support a department of approx 6 business professionals

Job Description/Duties:
Act as administrative support for department. Daily activty includes using Microsoft products with a high degree of competency including Outlook meeting planning, appointment scheduling,Word and PowerPoint.

Qualifications - Required Skills:
Typing speed, minimum 40 words per minute. Skills testing required to demonstrate Microsoft proficiency. Must have direct experience using Outlook meeting planner feature in a business/Network setting. Excellent Grammer and professional telephone and email correspondence skills.

Qualifications - Preferred Skills:
* Minimum 3 yrs similar experience would demonstrate ability to juggle multiple tasks and work under pressure.
* Please see our PIN website for more information on our hiring goals.
* Full time position - hours likely 8-5 PM
* Pay based on hours worked ($12 - 13.50 per hour based on experience)
* Must have ability to take skills test - access computer equipment with Microsoft products

Apply Here: http://www.pearlinter.org/pin8001.html

http://www.workathomespace.com/forum

F/T, P/T Transcription, Proofreader

2008-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Full-time and part-time transcription and proofreading positions are available either on-site, in our Harvard Square office, or on a freelance contractual basis from your home.

To be considered, we would like to see:

* A typing speed of 75 wpm
* Excellent grammar and language skills
* Experience in transcription and word processing
* A minimum of 2 years experience

http://www.mulberrystudio.com/jobs.htm

www.workathomespace.com/forum

4 Steps Closer to Landing a Telecommuting Job

2008-12-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

4 Steps Closer To Landing A Telecommuting Job
By: S McIntyre

You made the decision to telecommute from an home office. Now what? How do you get started?

Follow these four important steps and be prepared for what lies ahead in finding a telecommuting job.

1. Resume
A telecommuting resume is different than your regular type resume. Your resume is your "second" impression; it's your ticket to getting a job so make it stand out and get noticed!

It is important to include a job objective because this is the first thing a telecommuting employer will see and read. This is a simple paragraph summarizing what you want in a job and what you can offer to the company. Again, add some pizzazz to it.

Highlight your independence, skills and work experience. Volunteer work also counts, so include these as well. If you've done telecommuting before, let them know! This will show them you are experienced and it will give them a sense of comfort. Let them know of your accomplishments and special skills. These attributes can be the deciding factor between you and someone else.

Make sure your resume looks professional, uncluttered and only contain pertinent information pertaining to the job you're applying for. Sloppiness, incomplete and missing information directly reflects who you are. Take the time to proofread or have someone proofread your resume and cover letter for spelling errors, grammar, clarity and so forth.

2. Cover Letter
A telecommuting cover letter is just as important as a resume and it should be customized to each job you're applying for. Generic cover letters don't work and will never be seen by the employer.

A quality cover letter is your gateway; your first impression. Stress why you are perfect for the position and how you would be an asset to their company. You can use a particular experience related to the position you're applying for to market yourself. If you have a stellar cover letter and is backed by a stellar resume, your chance of gaining a telecommuting job has just increased.

3. Research
Researching a company is important in deciding whether it's a company you would like to work for. The Internet is a free research portal; as with many various work at home blogs and forums where specific companies legitimate and non-legitimate companies are sometimes discussed at great lengths.

4. Consistence, Persistence and Perseverance
Consistency, persistency and perseverance are key contributing factors in finding a telecommuting job. It won't be easy and it will take a lot of hard work and effort.

Apply, apply, apply and then do follow ups if you haven't received any response within two weeks or so. Pursue and research every un-researched job lead you're interested in and don't get discouraged. Re-evaluate your job search if you haven't found employment within a reasonable time, but also give it time.

These four steps are crucial to your telecommuting job search so be sure to follow them to ensure the best possible outcome.

--
S McIntyre owns www.WorkAtHomeSpace.com, a free work at home resource focusing on telecommuting companies, daily telecommute job leads, articles, business resources and other work at home related topics.
_________________

5 Holiday Ideas To Advertise and Give Back To Your Customers

2008-11-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

5 Holiday Ideas To Advertise and Give Back To Your Customers
By: S McIntyre

Customers are vital to your business. If you have none then you don't have a business. How you treat your customers will partly depend on whether they will become returning customers.

Although it's ideal to show your appreciation now and then, the holidays seem to be the perfect time of year to give back to your customers and it can be done in these five ways.

1. Holiday Cards
Sending a holiday card through snail mail or an e-card is a personal, yet simple, thoughtful gesture of saying, "Thank you and I appreciate you". In the card attach a time sensitive gift certificate allowing them to get in during the holidays. It shows how much you care about them and their business.

2. Freebies
Freebies can be in a form of sharing marketing/advertising tips, e-books, small gift bags, service or products that you think will help your customers during the holidays. It's just another way of expressing your appreciation and who doesn't like freebies?

3. Share the Gift
Looking for new customers with your existing customers? This is a great way to achieve this. You can offer your customer a free gift if they refer someone to you. To make it more enticing, you can offer a discount or a buy now save later discount etc. to your new customer. Just come up with your own unique ideas as to what you think your customer would like to receive.

4. Network
Networking with your customers benefits everyone around. If you're offering a contest or online party, ask for a prize donation for your holiday event. In return you give them something free or a gift certificate. You can also donate a gift of your own for their holiday party.

On another note, have an online party for your customers with guest speakers, door prizes etc.

5. Customer Appreciation Day
You can have a theme based customer appreciation day. Bundle up on some advertising deals and offer them as stocking stuffers for under $20, offer free shipping, and involve other businesses who would like to give away promotional samples. This would also be a great time to introduce and showcase your new products or services to your loyal customer base. It's like giving them first dibs on the goods. If possible, offer free samples or discounts.

Use these five ideas to give back to your customers and promote your business this holiday season. Don't just make it this season, make it every season.

"Thank you" is a powerful word, but appreciation goes a long way and sometimes action just speaks louder than words.

--
S McIntyre owns www.WorkAtHomeSpace.com a free work at home resource focusing on telecommuting companies, daily job leads, articles, business resources, tips, ideas and more.

Stop Being The Work At Home Scam Victim

2008-11-27T14:20:00.000-08:00

Stop Being The Work At Home Scam Victim
By: S McIntyre

The holidays are around the corner and the con artists are working full-time. More than ever there will be more work at home jobs or opportunities popping up on the Internet. It is crucial to stay one step ahead of the scammers and keep your guard up to avoid getting involved in an unfortunate and some times unpleasant situation.

Many are the same ol' work at home scams that have been around a long time. Some times they will change the wording so it may seem like something new, but basically it's the same scam worded differently.

Here are five common work at home scams that should be avoided in all circumstances.

1. Envelope stuffing is still and always will be a scam. It doesn't matter how the con artists change it up. There is no such thing as a legitimate envelope stuffing job. The only legitimate envelope stuffing job is you stuffing your Christmas cards.

2. Chain letters are illegal and they are certainly not endorse by Oprah nor was it ever discussed on the TV show 20/20. Oprah didn't make her millions by sending off $6 to six friends. She made it by working hard...like the rest of us. Some chain letters are fun especially if they don't involve exchange of money of any kind. I'm thinking more on the lines of recipe exchanging.

3. Payment processing has been around a long time and I have to reiterate, no one sends you money for no reason. Never accept jobs that require you to cash cheques, receive or ship packages, or transfer money from your account to another account. It's not worth the risk or the legal implication that can come with it.

4. Email processing/Ad typing scams always require upfront training material fees. The magic number per email processed is $25 and the magic number to earn per week for both email processing and ad typing is $300-$500. Whenever you see unrealistic numbers like these or higher, it's time to run for the hills and fast. Ad typing is often mislabeled as data entry jobs. Keep in mind, data entry jobs are very hard to find.

5. Phishing scams pronounced the same way as fishing are fishers (scammers) who are looking to steal your personal information. You will find phishing emails from eBay, PayPal and banks. Phishing emails most times will address you in forms of, "Dear Member", "Dear PayPal/eBay/Bank name and your name" or "Dear Cardholder". They will send bogus emails about an inactive or someone trying to hack into your account or there was a limit on your account. Whatever you do, never click on the link they provide in the email. I can't stress enough, always log into your account from the original company's website.

The holiday is the time of year the scam artists will prey on the unsuspecting and the vulnerable; the ones desperately seeking a work at home income. Don't be that person, but instead be vigilant, ask yourself some questions, use common sense and go with your gut when it comes to finding a work at home job.

To find a listing of work at home companies, visit www.WorkAtHomeSpace.com. We never ask for any fees! Looking for work at home support? Join us at our community forum www.WorkAtHomeSpace.com/forum where we also offer daily work at home job leads, articles, resources and more.

Is a Free Home Based Business Really Free?

2008-09-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

Is a free home based business really free?
Copyright ? 2007 Bibi Liew

Is a "free" home based business really free? Many times each week, I hear from folks on my team dealing with the subject of spending and investing money online. Many of them have claim that they do not have any extra money to invest in their online businesses. They want to do everything for free and wish to earn a nice full time income from home! I am amazed that some people even say that they don't have time and wish to sign up for a free opportunity that can earn Money without investing and spending time on it!

When these folks saw an advertisement for a free home based business opportunity, they believe that 'free' means it will cost them nothing to run their business from home without investing anything. When it comes to spending money to run their businesses, they tend to be disappointed and feel that they have been cheated. You might even want to say that spending money online is a scam. There are people who are concern about the risk of investing in something that they weren't sure about.

No matter what kind of business you get yourself into, you are going to have to make some kind of investment to get ANYWHERE! There's an old saying in the business world, and it applies to all of us! "You gotta spend Money to make Money!" You have to invest something to receive something.... There is no free lunch in this world.

Sure you have to invest a few dollars each month for your home based business. Internet service, phone calls, utility bills, advertising cost, business advice resources and tools. You will soon realize that the cost of running a free home based business online is far less than the cost of running an online business.

The investment you decide to make for your online home based business does not have to break your budget. It can be reasonable and affordable. For example, to start a brick and mortar business, a bakery, a book shop or a boutique and etc... How much investment do you think you are going to need? $10,000? $20,000 or $100,000? These types of businesses typically require a lot in start up investment! The worse is, before you can see any profits coming in, you will have to pay out for your services, premises, wages, stocks, loans, advertising cost and probably insurance.

But with an online home based business, you can launch your own profitable home based business online with less then $100 a month. We all spend Money on restaurant, movies, clubs, Nike, Prada... which can cost more then $100. If you could save this money and invest in your home based business, you could be earning a great fortune online!

You don't have to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars into your home based business. You call the shots and make little investment you can afford. But don't get me wrong. I'm not saying there's no free marketing method for your business. There are tons of free advertising methods online and offline. But if you are going to do nothing but free advertising, you are going to have to work a lot harder, spend more time than someone else who invests money to post better advertisement and be more patient while you wait for the results. The more you spend (I must clarified, spend in the right places), the more Money you will make. It definitely generates much quicker results. The less you spend, the less you make. It definitely needs a lot of hard work and time.

For me, what happen was creating a successful, self-running home based business. It wouldn't happen without effort. It wouldn't happen without some initial investment. Take the leap of faith, invest a few bucks each month and watch your business take off! The beauty of investing on your home based business is, it's all tax write off!

About The Author:
----------------------
Bibi Liew, editor and consultant helps people to achieve
their goal of starting a home based business. For an
affordable home business you can believe in, visit her
Home Based Business Directory at:
http://www.ebusiness-insights.com

Updates

2008-09-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

I just wanted you all to know I am back online after our power was knocked out for a week.I will be posting more articles in the next few days!If you have any questions feel free to comment or contact me at wahmspace@yahoo.com Also make sure that you visit our forums

www.wahmspace.forumarena.com
www.MomBizCentral.info

2008-09-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

Small businesses always seem to be short of cash for advertising, marketing and promotions. I don't think that will ever change. If it doesn't then there's a reason for this website. Here are a seven things you can do to keep the name out there without breaking the bank.

1. Write about your business. That's what I did, first the book idea and then the website. Good information is at a premium in today's marketplace. Can you provide a column for your local newspaper or shoppers guide? Are there local magazines who are looking for regular contributors? Can't write? See if you can make a series of note cards about your industry that cover the important parts and the news writer will write the actual story.

2. Teach a class. People who know all about your business don't take classes. Although some should. I teach classes on marketing, business cards and brochure design, website marketing, sales and customer service. They bring me customers and they provide a service to the community.

3. Hold Contests. Have slow times in your business. Pump up the sales traffic with a contest. If you're a florist, have floral design contests. Biggest flower. Ugliest flower. Tailor the contest to your business or a local event. Kids love contests and often get the parents (another name for them is Customers) involved.

4. Try low-cost ads. Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can advertise at all. Rather than running a single ad in the local paper, try several smaller ads in shoppers papers. Also use the classifieds. These can sometimes give you more exposure for the buck than one large single ad.

5. Don't just be one of the crowd. Find creative ways of calling attention to your business. Take samples door to door if you have a restaurant or food service. Have unusual sales or giveaways at odd times. I've mentioned Yellowstone Harley-Davidson in Belgrade, Montana, a town of about 6,000. They have a billboard on the interstate proclaiming themselves, "The Largest Harley-Davidson Dealer In Belgrade." Forget the fact they are the only Harley-Davidson Dealer in Belgrade and the only one for over 100 miles in any direction. They call attention to themselves in an outrageous way without offending anyone.

6. Have a great business card and carry them with you. Such a simple thing but most businesses never capitalize on it. If you ever have the opportunity to send me a bill, I guarantee you'll receive a check and my business card. I don't care where you are in the world you'll get my card. Water bill, electric bill, credit cards, magazine subscription, and all insurance bills. I give cards out in grocery stores and gas stations. I don't walk up to people and say, "Here take my card." I find a reason to talk to them ask a few questions, they eventually ask me, "Well, what do you do." Bingo, here's my card. They're in the glove compartment of both cars, my wallet, and a card case I try and carry with me. My wife has my cards and when she's asked, "What does your husband do?" she passes out my card.

7. Say "Thank You." Again such a simple thing. The bigger the ticket item the more a thank you is in order. Let customers know that you appreciate them spending their hard earned money on your products or service. Customers who truly feel special will send you referrals of their friends and neighbors. Write a letter (not some obvious form letter) or at the very least, make a phone call.
Remember, advertising and marketing doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Be smart, be creative, and do some of the things that your competition isn't.

This article may be reproduced for your non-group or organization provided it is not altered in any way and the following is attached:
©1998-2002 Eagle Marketing PO Box 271 Bozeman, MT 59771-0271
http://www.smalltownmarketing.com -

How To Generate Traffic With E-Courses

2008-09-06T17:21:00.000-07:00

HOW TO GENERATE TRAFFIC WITH E-COURSES
A great way to generate traffic to your site is through offering e-course. An e-course is a series of emails set up to go out automatically over a period of time. They will usually consist of a series of lessons or specific “how-to’s” to cover any topic you choose. For example, if your topic is working at home, you can create an e-course titled “10 Steps on How to Start a Home Business”. Then, you would set up your emails so the subscribers would get one a day, for 10 days. You would then write the emails, or lessons as follow, Step #1 Finding the Right Home Business, Step #2 Writing a Business Plan, Step #3 etc., etc., just for example.

Your subscribers will remain on your mailing list even after the 10 days (or whatever it is that you set up the e-course for), so you can continue to send out follow-ups and updates. Of course the subscriber will have the option to unsubscribe, but most often they do not, as long as you don’t abuse the follow-ups. Every email you send out is another opportunity to bring your subscriber back to your site. You already know they are interested in the information or service you provide because they signed up for your e-course.

The great thing about an e-course is that once you set up the email series, it runs by itself. Of course you can always go in and make any necessary changes. As long as you keep your e-course up to date, it will continue to bring you traffic for years to come.

Creating an e-course is easy. All you need is a topic and an auto-responder. Two of the more popular auto-responders are Get Response (which is what I use) and Aweber. You will definitely want to choose a well known and respected auto-responder. Your e-course is no good without a reliable auto-responder. Keep in mind that you want to use an auto-responder that uses a double opt-in subscription method. This will protect you from SPAM complaints because the subscriber will have to confirm they want to subscribe to your e-course before any emails are sent to them.

Once you get your email series in order and set up, you will want to “capture subscribers”. Your auto-responder company will provide you a code to place on your site. This will then put a box on your site for subscribers to put their names and emails to be added to your mailing list.

That’s all there is to it. Your e-course is set up, running on autopilot and you are free to work on other things. A professionally written, up to date, e-course can continue to bring you traffic for an indefinite period of time.

Lori Gorman
http://myebizplace.blogspot.com/

Unresearched

2008-09-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

Unresearched

We are in need of a skilled data entry professional to enter company profiles into our proprietary database. For examples of what we need, see ProspectsDaily.com.

The work can be done from your home and on your schedule. Pay is $10 per hour. Speed and accuracy are very important – your work will be checked by a staff editor. Please apply only if you are available to work at least 20 hours per week.

To apply, please email Karen (at) givemore.com
_________________
Daily WAH Job Leads
Work At Home Job List
$5/Year Rep Listing

Things To Avoid When Emailing Your Opt In List

2008-09-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

Things To Avoid When Emailing Your Opt In List

When you decide to build an opt-in list, it is not just a matter of sending your subscribers your latest specials or affiliate links. There are many things to consider it avoid many complications that could incur. While there are so many ways you can make people subscribe to your list, there are also some things you must do to avoid subscribers from wanting to unsubscribe from your list.

Besides making your subscribers mad, you also want to try to avoid any problems with the law and your internet service provider. Since spam is so common and such a problem, there are many laws and rules in effect that are applied to help protect the privacy of the internet users from spamming and unwanted mails. With the popularity of email because of the low cost, many companies have used this as an opportunity and have flooded many internet users with tons of unwanted promotional emails.

But, with an opt-in list, you avoid this annoyance because people subscribe to the list. They want to receive the newsletters and promotional materials you will be sending them.
In most situations, they have subscribed and also confirmed by email they want information from you. It is a good idea to keep your list clean and manageable.

Below are a few tips to remember:

1) Take notice of the unsuccessful emails or broadcasts that are sent. These would be the e-mails that bounce.

2) Always provide a way to unsubscribe in your mails. When someone in your list files a request to be unsubscribed, always take that request seriously. If you don’t take them off your list and keep sending them your e-mails, you are now sending them spam mail. You do not want to be reported as a spammer. Most of the mailing list service providers like Aweber and Getresponse will handle this for you. If you use a list that does not support the removal of users requesting to be removed, make sure that you remove them. It just isn’t worth keeping them.

3) Do not provide adult material or content in your emails. Since it can be hard to determine the age of the email recipient, many complaints may arise from these types of emails. Stay away from controversial issues too!

Article By Stefani Partin, a full time work at home mom of four. Stefani owns a network of
websites and blogs geared towards moms. Stefani dedicates her time to helping moms find ways to stay at home with their children. Visit http://www.MommyEnterprises.com

Customer Service Representatives

2008-09-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

Entertainment Co. is in search of reliable and dependable individuals to process and verify credit card information from our clientle, answer calls, and assist in preparing mail that is sent out daily. Full-time, all shifts available.

For more info. call 800.211.3152 or email: pso (at) blvdent.com
_________________
Daily WAH Job Leads
Work At Home Job List
$5/Year Rep Listing
Healthy Perspectives

Create a Vision Board For Your Network Marketing Business

2008-09-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

Create a Vision Board For Your Network Marketing Business

I’m a strong believer in vision boards. I believe that what you see and what you believe can become a reality.

A vision board is a collage of photos and pictures that represent what you want in your life.

Most people use poster board to create their vision boards. The number of items you want on your board will determine the size of the poster board you need.

One of my favorite vision board activities for those in network marketing is to take your company magazine and cut out the pages of those people the company is recognizing. Now add your photo to that page.

If you company creates a list of names of high achievers, add your name to that list. These items need to be close to your work space. Your vision board should be on the wall behind your work space so that you are constantly reminded of where you want your photo and your name.

Is there a trip you’d like to take? Perhaps you’d like to visit a state or country you’ve never been to before. Get some photos and maps of the area and put them on your vision board. Perhaps you’d like to visit family you’ve not seen for a while. Get photos of them and add those photos to your vision board.

What does your car look like? Is there a different car you’d rather drive? Get a photo of that car on your vision board. Better yet, visit the local dealer and get a photo of you right next to that car. Tell the dealer you are working on a business and you are working toward buying the car and you’d like the photo. Those I know who have done this, have never been turned down for the photo.

What about your home? What would you like to be different? Get photos of what you want on your vision board.

Do you have favorite quotes? I know one girl whose entire vision board is filled with meaningful quotes. Those quotes help her to be the person she wants to be. If you have favorite quotes, type them out, get them in color and attach them to your vision board.

Are there people that you really admire? Get some photos of these people and add them to your vision board.

Vision boards can be very powerful in reminding you daily what is it you want and who it is you want to be.

~ ~

Audrey Okaneko has been in direct sales since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or you can Become a Tupperware Consultant

Zucchini Pineapple Bread

2008-09-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

Zucchini Pineapple Bread

With the addition of crushed pineapple to this recipe, your bread will come out super moist!

3 eggs
1 c. vegetable oil
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. shredded zucchini
1 ( 8 1/4 oz ) crushed pineapple, drained
3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt

Beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl until thick. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour. Makes 2 loaves.

I just made this on Sunday and its delicious!

Shelly
http://my.tupperware.com/Ravish30
http://www.classybusinesswomen.com
http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com

My Interview with Nancy Sutherland

2008-09-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

1. What made you decide that Mary Kay was the company you wanted to be in?
I had been using Mary Kay products since I was 20 years old. I started as a cosmetologist, and then became a beauty salon manager while I was in college. I then spent time as a Cosmetology Teacher in vo-tech. So I had gone as far as my chosen career path could take me, but I wanted more. None of those positions gave me the flexibility that I needed as a mom. Since I loved making women look good and grow personally, the business end of Mary Kay really appealed to me. Although I had been using the products for quite a while after staying at home for several years (I had 3 boys in 5 years) my confidence had really dropped. Spending time with my family was most important, but I was looking for a way to make extra money on MY terms, not whenever I was told to work.

2. Did you have any obstacles in your way while building your business?
Yes, I probably experienced just about every obstacle that you can experience in the business. To start with, I didn’t have a large network of family and friends living nearby. I loved 300 miles away from my family and most of the friends that I had at that time were also stay at home moms with not much disposable income.
Several years into my business I suddenly found myself as a single mom, with no other income than my Mary Kay business. I struggled to keep the family home and went through a bitter divorce with long legal battles.
While I was still single again, I was involved in a serious car accident with a tractor trailer. I had a compressed sciatic nerve along with other long term injuries. (Ultimately I had neurosurgery to correct the problem.)
After I married my “prince” Alex, I once again spent time alone when he was deployed overseas. The added responsibility of maintaining a house and a business on my own was quite a challenge. These were just a few of the many obstacles that I have overcome in my business.

3. How have you managed working from home with young children?
I tried bringing my children with me on appointments in the beginning, but that proved to be quite chaotic. So I organized a babysitting co-op in my neighborhood so we could schedule time away from the children without the extra cost of finding sitters. I also learned to hold appointments in my home after the children were asleep. Theoretically that should work fine, but they often came out of bed and interrupted, so we were always working on a reward system for staying in bed. As they grew older, we would reward good behavior while mom was working with cash that they could use as they wanted. (The more I made, the more that they made)

4. In your own opinion, what makes Mary Kay the company of choice, and what sets it apart from other companies?
In my opinion, the reorder business is what set Mary Kay apart from other Direct Sales Companies. The skin care is the best in the industry and each night my customers watch it go down the drain! That reorder business from my loyal customers was a huge factor in my achieving Queen of Personal Sales in 2005 and then first runner up in 2007 for the entire country! I have trained my unit of Beauty Consultants who to sell the product and good customer service, so they stay in business for decades. (This is something that I am very proud of) Mary Kay Corporate offers extensive training and support through Sales Directors like me. So finding a mentor who leads by example makes a big difference in the outcome.

5. What advice would you give to other women that are looking to work at home, but are hesitant?
You’ll never know if you don’t try. I have taught women from every walk of life how to build a successful business. It’s better to try and fail than to fail to try. Mary Kay guarantees the product and the career as well. If a consultant tries the business and it isn’t for her then she can return her unused inventory for 90%, eliminating a huge risk.

6. What is your favorite part about your business?
My favorite part of the business is the relationships that I have developed and the person that I have become in the process. My customers and consultants are very loyal to me because I go the extra mile to make sure that they are treated special. I have second and third generation customers, and over half of my unit of beauty consultants have been with me over a decade!

7. How long have you been in Mary Kay?
I started my business January 1986 and became a Sales Director in March of 1988.

8. What type of training do you offer new members of your team?
I provide local training, conference call training, workshops, a website of ideas and motivation for growing their business. I also do private coaching with consultants who have big goals and need that extra accountability.

9.When you first started your business with Mary Kay, were you working another job,or was this your sole source of income?
I have never worked another job since I started my Mary Kay business.

10.What is your favorite product that Mary Kay offers?
The patented Timewise products are my favorite! There are 10 of them providing anti-aging benefits that can’t be purchased anywhere else and really work!

For MK Career Information: www.tinyurl.com/5dgclv
CALL MY BUSINESS INFORMATION LINE 24/7 ( powerful 17 minute message recorded by me!)
641-715-3900 ext 2560290# Don't forget to leave me a message at the end!
http://www.directsalesmarketingqueen.com

Multiple Streams of Income

2008-09-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

Work From Home--Multiple Streams Of Income
By: Tammy Embrich

For most people it is not an easy task to earn a steady income from home. It involves commitment, perseverance, and hard work.

There are so many homewokers who concentrate on earning money from just one source of income. But who's to say you can't earn more? If you're in it for the long haul, you would like to make as much money as possible, correct?

Well, of course you would!

Below are six tips to earning an income from various sources:

1. Steady Traffic To Your Website
If you have good traffic coming to your website, that automatically opens the door to making money from more than just one source. Include text links and/or banners on your existing website to different types of affiliate programs you have joined. Join programs you are confident that you can realistically make money with.

All it takes is getting the desired traffic to your website. The more traffic you get to your site...the more traffic your affiliate links will get. This creates a domino effect and you end up with the most profitable results.

2. Blog About What You Offer Or Sell
Blogs are being created everyday. They are easy to create and easy to promote. Start by creating one at blogger.com or wordpress.org and keep your blog updated with written entries about your website, your services, and/or any products you sell. Include those same text links on your blog that you are making money with that are on your website.

Stay consistent with your blog. Posting daily entries would be ideal. But even two posts per week would be a good goal to shoot for.

Exchange links with other bloggers. Network with your fellow bloggers and comment on their blogs. This in itself may get you a sale or a recruit and also will help your blog ranking at the same time.

3. Blogging For Pay
Blogging for pay is getting more popular among bloggers. Many bloggers simply do not have the time and they are willing to consider outsourcing (paying someone to write on their blog). If you enjoy writing and blogging...give this some thought. It could be something you would enjoy and also get paid for.

4. Write Articles For Pay
If you like to write...and especially if you're already involved in article marketing, why not get paid for writing them? There are a few sites that will pay you for the articles you write.

Here are two of them...

associatedcontent.com
ehow.com

Important Note: Only members of the US can be paid for articles submitted to the sites above.

Try it and see what comes of it. You never know unless you try.

5. Google Adsense
If you haven't done so already, create a Google Adsense account and place your Adsense code on your websites and blogs. There is no charge for this...absolutely free. The ads that will appear on your sites and blogs will depend on the content you have on them. If you have a work at home site, there will be work at home Google ads on your site. If you have a parenting site, there will be Google ads associated with parenting. Go to google.com/adsense/ to read how you make money. This will be yet another good source of income for you.

6. Telecommuting
You can also make money working for various telecommuting companies. However, for most of these companies, you do need some experience. There are real online companies that hire and many people are making a nice income from these companies. Some people are working for just one, and some are working for various different ones.

The truth is...you CAN make money at home from many, many different sources. You don't have to stick with just one way of earning an income. It's really up to you. The Internet is chock-full of opportunities. Use it to your advantage.

Article written By: Tammy Embrich

Tammy owns and operates two work at home websites, a work at home forum, a recipe site and three blogs.

She offers free work at home job leads for the job seeker, business work at home articles, tips, and more. You can visit Tammy at Work At Home Jobs and Real Work At Home Jobs.
_________________

Shrimp Louis Salad

2008-09-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

Shrimp Louis Salad

4 cups shredded Chinese cabbage
1 pound shelled deveined cooked large shrimp
½ cup bacon bits/bacon pieces
½ cup chopped red bell pepper
1 avocado, sliced
1 cup Thousand Island dressing

Arrange salad ingredients on plate. Lightly pour salad dressing on top and serve chilled.

Audrey
Become a Tupperware Consultant
http://my.tupperware.com/audreyoka
http://audreyshomebiz.blogspot.com/

Have a Great Labor Day Weekend!

2008-08-30T12:15:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!I know that school resumes on Tuesday and I know for me that means back to work..what has everyone been up to this summer?Feel free to drop me a line sometime!Also if you were wanting to add your link to my blog it only costs 10.00 for a lifetime listing,so email me at wrkathomemomma@gmail.com to see if your company is available!(all listings are exclusive)

Top Work at Home Challenges...Tips and Options

2008-08-15T15:54:00.001-07:00

Top Work At Home Challenges...Tips and Options
By: Tammy Embrich

You've found the perfect work at home job. You will at last...save big on fuel prices, be at home for your children, and come and go as you please.

The above are just a few benefits of working from home. But, have you thought about the challenges? Hmm...are there really challenges? You bet! Listed below are the top three.

Keeping Your Office and House Space Separate

One of the biggest and most important challenges of working at home is keeping your office space and home space separate. You will still have laundry to do, meals to prepare, and beds to make. It's so very important to map out a workable schedule for your work at home duties and your household chores.

It's important to create your own office space...wether it be a whole room or a portion of a room. Create this area specifically for doing your work at home duties. Make sure your family knows this is YOUR work space and make them understand they should treat it as such. Make up a schedule for when you will be doing your work at home tasks and when you will be doing your household duties.

If you have children that are old enough to share in running the household...this would be a great help. Get them involved around the home. They will benefit much by learning from it.

Children and Family Time

Of course one of the biggest reasons for deciding to work from home in the first place is spending more time with your children and family. But, sometimes that can be much easier said than done...especially if you have young children at home with you during the day. Homeworkers that have school-age children have an advantage. They are able to get quite a bit accomplished while the children are at school. While homeworkers that have young children under-foot...arrangements and or schedules have to be made that will work for them.

If you have young children at home and they take naps during the day...this would be an ideal time for you to get some of your work completed. If your children are the type that constantly needs entertaining or needs to be looked after, you can also choose to do most of your work after they are in bed for the night. Of course, this would depend on your particular work situation.

One option that some homeworkers choose is hiring a nanny to come to the home. Some homeworkers are lucky enough to have a spouse that would be available during work time, or perhaps an older sibling.

Family time can also be a challenge. Working out a daily or weekly schedule just for family time is very important. If it's feasible for meal time to be on the schedule...if you have the option to have everyone together at this time, that would be some good quality family time. Get the whole family involved in the meal planning and preparation. However, in some cases, older siblings are not always available during meal time due to other activities.

Schedule your work at home business around your family. Try and schedule weekends off from your home business for more family time. You can also reserve a special night of the week just for family activities.

Taking You Seriously

This has been a big challenge for me with my business. There's just something about the phrase "work at home" that makes some people frown. They think that if you don't work outside the home...then it's not a "real job."

Here is one example:

I've heard my brother call my job a "nice cushiony work at home job." Those were his exact words. We were discussing finding time to take care of some things for my Father and he stated that he and my sister didn't have time because they both work. Well...of course I spoke up and said, "I work too." He replied, "Yes, but you have a nice cushiony work at home job" and laughed.

Personally, I'd have to say..."not taking me serious" has been my biggest challenge. It has gotten easier, but in the past...there have been some mighty heated debates.

If it is your desire to work at home...remember, it's not always an ideal situation. Although there are truly many benefits, but there are always important things to consider and plan for.

Article written By: Tammy Embrich

Tammy owns and operates two work at home websites, a work at home forum, a recipe site and three blogs.
She offers free work at home job leads for the job seeker, business work at home articles, tips, and more. You can visit Tammy at Work At Home Jobs and Real Work At Home Jobs.

Chicken, Rice and Fruit Casserole

2008-08-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

Chicken, Rice and Fruit Casserole

1 medium onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped celery
2 cups cooked, chopped chicken or turkey
2 tablespoons butter
1 ½ cups uncooked instant rice
1 – 8 ounce package dried fruit, cut into fourths
2 tablespoons raisins
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon thyme
1/8 teaspoons pepper
14/ cup chopped pecans

In a microwave safe casserole dish, combine the onion, celery and butter. Microwave 2-3 minutes. Onion should be tender. Stir in everything else but the pecans. Cover and microwave 10-12 minutes, stirring once, halfway thorough. Water should be absorbed. Stir in pecans and serve.
_________________
Audrey

http://www.recipe-barn.com/tupperware-consultant.html
http://my.tupperware.com/audreyoka
http://audreyshomebiz.blogspot.com/

Network Marketing is like Insurance

2008-07-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

by: Lisa Willard

When I started my network marketing career, I viewed it very much like buying an insurance policy. It was insurance against pay cuts; downsizing; pension cuts; and anyone else controlling my financial destiny.

Insurance is one of those things you must buy BEFORE you need it. Building your network marketing business is the same.

You don't want to wait until you need it to begin thinking about it.

Because we are a "volunteer business" it can be very tempting to procrastinate taking the action steps necessary to create a true business and income. When you begin your business, it is a lot of time for very little pay. This is normal and the same is true for everyone who starts a business of this type.

Some people will take massive action (meaning lots of time and activity put into their business) and it will create a faster growing business and a faster growing paycheck. Others will take the slow route.

Whatever your situation is, I would encourage you to MAKE time (you'll never find it) to take action in your business every day. Squeeze in that quick conversation about our products and our business as many times a day as you can. Get committed and go through your calendar and carve out pieces of time to work your business. If you work full time, "life style" your business as you take breaks; go to lunch, etc.

Taking those steady, consistent action steps will begin to pad that insurance policy that you are building. Your business and income will grow, and you'll begin to find more time to put into your business.

You never know when you are going to need to cash in on that insurance policy, so it's best to have it ready and available for when you need it.

Today, those efforts have produced a business (insurance policy) that I can cash in on. The income it produces is solid, steady and at this point, requires very little of my time to produce.

Take out that insurance policy NOW, before you need it. Decide what it is going to take for you to have the income from your business that will give you the freedom of peace of mind. Determine what action steps you will take daily to make that a reality in your life. Get committed and do it!

Money can't buy happiness, but lack of it can certainly create unhappiness. You'll never regret having that insurance policy when you need it.

About the Author

Lisa Willard is a mom, life time learner and entrepreneur. Lisa has worked from home for many years, coaching and training others on how to be successful in a home business. Contact her at http://www.OnlineCandleTeam.com

Source: WAHArticles.com

Go with the grain and add some flavorful fiber to your meals!

2008-07-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

By: Robyn Webb

Go with the grain and add some flavorful fiber to your meals!

From http://allrecipes.com/

Move over potatoes. Make way, pasta. Wild rice, brown rice, couscous, bulgur wheat, quinoa (keen-wa) and barley are rolling into town! When you are looking for a side dish with a twist, look no further than the versatility of grain. Grains are an excellent source of protein, vitamins, iron and dietary fiber. In addition, each type of grain has its own distinctive flavor, making them as tasty as they are nutritious.

Barley

Barley is a mild-flavored kernel-shaped grain known for its success at adding thickness to stews and soups. Barley is also a great addition to casseroles containing winter vegetables such as carrots, root veggies, and onions. The two most often used (for cooking) types of barely are pearled barley and hulled barley. Pearled barley is barley that has been milled. Because of this, it takes only 40 minutes to cook. Hulled barley--barley with its outer layer removed--is more nutritious than pearled but takes a full 90 minutes to cook.

Bulgur Wheat

If you want a grain that's a snap to prepare, you've found it in bulgur wheat. Bulgur wheat's latest and greatest claim to fame is tabbouleh salad, a Middle Eastern wheat and vegetable salad that has become wildly popular in the U.S. Bulgur wheat cooks by rehydration: in other words, pour twice the amount of boiling water or broth over dry bulgur and let it stand for 45 minutes. Bulgur wheat is often used as a ground beef substitute in vegetarian cuisine. When cooked in vegetarian chili, for example, the bulgur texture becomes very similar to ground beef--but lends more fiber and far less fat!

Couscous

Okay, we admit it: couscous is not a grain. It is a tiny pasta made from fine semolina wheat. Couscous is like a very light grain, making it ideal for those who are just beginning to experiment with specialty grains. Like bulgur, couscous is a breeze to prepare. The same method of rehydration (two cups of water or broth to 1 cup of couscous) is used, except that couscous will absorb the liquid much quicker than bulgur will. Couscous will be ready in a quick 5 minutes! Couscous makes a fluffy bed for chicken or fish kebabs.

Quinoa

Quinoa is not a new grain to South Americans. In fact, it's been growing in their fields for years (the Incans loved quinoa so much they called it "the mother grain"). Quinoa has a wonderful nutty taste and aroma, which explains why it is commonly used in salads, soups, pilafs and side dishes. Like couscous, quinoa is an ideal grain to try if you are new to the world of grains or are one for instant gratification. In a saucepan filled with a ratio of 2 cups water to 1 cup quinoa, the grain will cook in 15 minutes. More and more supermarkets are stocking this "ancient" grain on its shelves, so don't let its funny name scare you off!

Wild Rice

Wild rice is not really rice at all: it is the seed of a grass grown in Minnesota and Canada. Wild rice has an assertive flavor, so you may want to combine it with other grains before serving it straight. (It is also very expensive, since it's hand-harvested.) Many people are more willing to consume wild rice than they are brown rice, so consider serving wild rice at your next dinner party or family meal. Wild rice is delicious in soups and great paired with split peas. It is one of the longer-cooking grains, using three to four times the amount of water or broth versus grain. The rice must simmer for a full 45 minutes to 1 hour before serving. The results are worth it!

Brown Rice

Brown rice is probably the most familiar of all these grains. Try to substitute brown rice for white rice when you can because brown rice is more nutritious--it contains more fiber. If you are in a hurry, quick-cooking brown rice will suffice. But whenever possible, cook up a batch of brown rice and store it in a container in the refrigerator for future days when you don't have time to let it cook slowly. Brown rice cooks in double the amount of water or broth and it needs to simmer for a full 45 minutes.

Telecommuting: Where Are The Non-Phone Jobs?

2008-07-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

Telecommuting: Where Are The Non-Phone Jobs?
By: S McIntyre

I've had many people who have emailed me and private message me on my forum asking me where the non-phone jobs are. I have read on numerous work at home forums people asking for non-phone jobs mainly because they have babies, young children or because phone work is simply not their cup of tea. Add to this mix, some even state they have no experience.

Even to someone who has no experience, you have options.

One, you can choose to take a course online in a particular subject or choose to brush up on your skills such as your typing speed, learn Word or Excel. You can find a tutorial online or you can go to your local library and borrow a DVD.

Two, your other option we are going to discuss six telecommuting job options for people who have no experience and who prefers non-phone work.

1. Writing - Almost everyone can write and compose a sentence. You don't have to be a professional writer to get paid. I'm not talking about companies who require their applicants to have a journalism degree or writing degree. AssociatedContent.com requires you to write well with proper grammar and spelling. They have a variety of categories you can write about. It's a good entry-level start to get paid for writing which may open you to other writing jobs whether it's ghostwriting or freelancing jobs.

2. Blogging - I'm sure you often wonder how you can make money blogging. It's really quite simple. Blogging, in my opinion, is a great outlet to practice and to hone your writing skills.

Once you have started a blog, you can bring in revenue by monetizing your blog in several ways. You can add Google AdSense ads, Text Link ads, sell ad space, and promote affiliate programs or business opportunities. Another way is to get involved with "Get Paid To Blog".

What is "Get Paid To Blog"?
Get paid to blog are companies who have advertisers who would like bloggers to write about their products or services. Pay varies from company to company.

Or there are many blogging companies who will pay you to write blog articles for their blogs.

3. Texting - Texting is not for everyone. You use your computer to chat with a person of the opposite gender. Usually the conversations are adult-oriented.

4. General or Legal Transcription - While general or legal transcription doesn't require specialized training, it does require a good ear, speed and accuracy. There are some companies who will hire without prior experience, but you are required to meet their standards.

5. Virtual Assistant - You can market yourself as a Virtual Assistant. There are many basic tasks you can perform if you're not an experienced administrative assistant. There are people who look to outsource easy clerical tasks such as article submitting, promoting or partial maintenance of their websites like link checking, answer general inquiries, advertising etc. Oftentimes, people are looking for ghostwriters because either they aren't good writers or they don't have time to write. It's a good idea to brush up on all of your skills or become more knowledgeable in areas where you are lacking so you can be more marketable and versatile.

6. Forum Posting - You're certainly not going to get rich doing this, but you will make some money.

What is forum posting?
Forum posting is boosting forum activity for forum owners. You create topics or reply to topics of interest. Depending on the specifications, you are either paid by post, length of post, number of posts etc.

With all jobs there is a learning curve and each of these options will require learning in progress, but there is tons of free information on the web that will help you along the way. The best way is hands on experience, trial and error and learning from others.

If you're determined to work at home, have little or no previous experience, prefer non-phone jobs and a willingness to learn, these six options are a good starting point to gain some valuable experience. Although the income may be on the low end at the beginning, it is something to be expected, but as you gain more experience, you will also see an increase in your pay scale. This will also open doors to better and higher paying telecommuting jobs and positions in the future.

--
S McIntyre owns Work At Home Space http://www.workathomespace.com a free work at home resource focusing on telecommuting companies including non-phone jobs, daily telecommute job leads, articles, business resources and other work at home related topics. You can also visit her blog Healthy Perspectives http://healthyperspectives.blogspot.com featuring an array of health topics, nutrition, recipes and fitness for maintaining a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.

Gaining Customers By Bartering in Direct Sales

2008-07-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

Gaining Customers By Bartering in Direct Sales

If you are in direct sales, you should not be making purchases without first checking to see if there is anyone who might want to barter with you.

For example, if I want to purchase makeup, instead of ordering through a direct sales representative’s website, I’ll first see if there is a makeup distributor out there who needs/wants what I sell. This allows a few things to happen. It gives me additional sales in my own direct sales business. I am ordering products from my business but with money that I was going to have spent somewhere else. In addition, I’ve found a new customer. I’ve found someone who I know needs/wants my products.

There are other examples of bartering in direct sales. Who cuts your hair? Is it someone who might use your products? Ask about an exchange. If the hair cut is $30, is the stylist willing to trade the haircut for $30 worth of your products? Remember, you were going to spend the $30 anyway. Now you’ll spend it on your own business. Keep in mind that $30 worth of products will cost you less than the $30 once you apply your discount. So, that $30 haircut could end up costing you $20 in products. The stylist is happy because she got her products without any out of pocket expense.

What about getting a massage a couple of times a year? If you sell products that the masseuse uses you might be able to barter products for a massage.

There are a couple of “rules” you might want to consider before bartering:

1. Are the products equal in value? If you want to barter again, both parties must be happy with the value. I’m very supportive of trading dollar for dollar, $50 worth of products for $50 worth of products or services.

2. Make sure to keep receipts and records. When I mail something, I invest the money to require a signature so that I know the person on the other end has received what I sent.

3. Make sure both parties understand what they will be receiving. Bartering can be a wonderful long lasting means of doing business as long as both parties feel they got exactly what they had expected and feel that they received the value they believe they sent.

The possibilities of what you can barter for are endless. Think of the places you are already spending money and then see if you can spend that same money on products from your own business, trading those products for the product or services being offered by the other person. Enjoy the benefits of bartering while building your own customer base and business.

~ ~ ~

Audrey Okaneko has been in direct sales since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at http://mytupperware.com/audreyoka

Is Working at Home Right for You?

2008-07-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

If you've just begun your search for a work at home job, you probably have a beautiful concept of what working from home is like. You probably imagine yourself waking up whenever you want, sliding your feet into fuzzy slippers and shuffling to the kitchen to get some coffee, then shuffling along to your office to put in another wonderful day at work, then later going to the mailbox to pick up your weekly paycheck of several thousand dollars. I hate to burst your bubble, but it doesn't work that way. Actually, let me clarify that and say it doesn't always work that way.

The truth is, working at home is usually a lot harder than working in an office somewhere. Scammers and hyped-up business opportunity ads have given us the belief that working at home is oh-so-easy. We just relax on a tropical beach, then go collect our paychecks. I'm sure you've seen ads like that. Those of us who already work at home know better!

Here are some things you should consider before jumping into a work at home job:

*
How much do you want to earn? - If you want to work for an employer as a telecommuter, be prepared to earn less than you would at a job outside the home. A job that pays $11.00 an hour in the regular workforce might pay $7 or $8 an hour at home. There are exceptions of course. Some jobs, like virtual assisting, web design and graphics, medical transcription and coding and other professional jobs will probably pay more than a simple data entry or customer service job. Many work at home jobs don't pay hourly either. For data entry work, you might get paid per piece, and for telephone jobs you might get paid per "talk minute" (only those minutes you are actually on the phone with a customer.)

*
Do you need benefits? - The majority of work at home jobs do not provide benefits like health insurance or life insurance. Again, there are exceptions.

*
Taxes - There are companies that will hire you as an actual "employee" and they will take taxes out of your pay. But some will only hire you as an "independent contractor," and you are responsible for paying your own taxes.

*
Work availability - If you are hired as an independent contractor, it's important to understand that your employer is not obligated to provide any work for you. Most companies have busy seasons and slow seasons. During a busy season, you might be working 40-50 hours a week, and then the slow season arrives and suddenly you're fighting to get even 10 hours of work per week. If your income is especially important to your household, definitely keep that in mind. However, many people choose to work more than one job at a time. If one slows down, they simply start working more for the other.

*
How motivated are you? - If you are the type of person who usually needs a kick in the rear to get moving, working at home will be very hard on you. You have to be extremely disciplined to sit down at the computer, log in and actually WORK each day. There are so many distractions in the home that will pull you away from work if you let them. You have to be very focused and set a schedule for yourself, just like you would at a job outside the home.

*
Do you mind solitude? - Working at home can be lonely. If you thrive on social interaction, working alone can be difficult to adjust to. However, you can ease this by spending time with friends frequently, or joining some online groups to chat with like minded people.

*
Flexibility - Some employers require you to work a specific set schedule, while others might be more flexible, allowing you to choose your own hours. Give some thought to which type of schedule would work best for you. When I first decided to work at home, I made the mistake of choosing a job that had a rigid schedule, and I hated it! I had forgotten that that was one of the things I disliked about working outside the home - living by someone else's schedule. Think about how you work best, and choose accordingly.

*
Childcare - So many mothers want to work at home so they can raise their own children, rather than sending them to a daycare. However, working at home with small children underfoot is no easy task! It's not impossible, and it depends greatly on the ages of your children and what type of work you are doing at home. If you work a telephone job, most employers will require a very quiet background, which is impossible if you have small children. You also can't stop working every few minutes to entertain the kids, unless you want to put in a very long day at the computer to make up for all the interruptions. There are certainly things you can do to make it easier, like have a neighborhood teenager come in for a few hours to watch your children while you work, or work only when your spouse is home and can keep an eye on the kids.

*
Choosing work that fulfills you - This is SO important! Right now you're probably thinking, "I don't care what type of work I do, as long as it brings in a paycheck." I guarantee that attitude won't last long. Like I said, you will need to be extremely self-motivated and self-disciplined to work at home, and your job will be a lot easier if you actually like what you do! Think about the type of person you are, and the type of work that suits you best. Are you creative and free-spirited, or nose-to-the-grindstone efficient? Give some thought to your "vision" of working at home, and try to find a job (or business) that will complement that.

*
Do you even want a "job?" - When some people decide they want to "work at home," they don't want a regular J-O-B at all. What they want is the freedom to set their own schedule and do work they love. It's certainly possible to find those qualities in a job, but it can be difficult. If this describes you, consider starting your own business instead, focusing on your existing talents and abilities. I think many people shy away from this idea because it seems so overwhelming. But people do this every day! It's not hard at all. If you don't know much about business but have an interest, start learning! There are so many great resources on the internet today. If you're still not sure what type of work at home is best for you, get out a pad of paper and a pen. Write this sentence along the top of the page: I want to work at home because . . . and then write down as many endings to that sentence as you can think of. If most of your answers have to do with freedom and passionate, fulfilling work, a "job" might not be the best thing for you.

Regardless of what type of work you decide on, understand that working at home can be difficult and challenging. But for most of us who do it, it is also wonderful. Personally, I wouldn't trade it for anything! And once you find the right job or business, you will probably feel the same.

If this article has given you the impression that working at home might not be for you, remember that you can change if you want it badly enough. If you're not very motivated, work on that. Give yourself little challenges every day and strengthen your level of self-discipline. If you need health benefits, keep searching for a job that provides them, or research other possibilities like affordable health insurance for the self-employed. If your resolve is strong enough, you can make it happen! Never give up on your dreams.

About the Author:
Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer, web designer and owner of http://www.CreativeWorkAtHome.com, a resource center for home business owners and telecommuters. Visit today for information on how to make your work at home experience successful.

Im A Work at Home Mom,Do I Need A Virtual Assistant?

2008-07-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

I'm a Work at Home Mom; Do I Need a Virtual Assistant?
By: Debra Nail

The term “Virtual Assistant” is becoming more and more common every day. Small businesses utilize VAs for administrative tasks such as data entry, research and many other related tasks.

But, you might say, I’m a work at home mom, how can a virtual assistant help me? I’m glad you asked!

First, for a definition---a virtual assistant is someone who works from their own home-based office to perform tasks pertaining to their client’s business. The VA pays their own insurance, taxes and social security, saving the client’s company money. A virtual assistant is a business owner and works hard every day to build their practice.

There are many ways a virtual assistant can help the work at home mom community. For those just starting out, it could be creating a business image with logos, business cards and forms, etc, all done through desktop publishing by a virtual assistant.

Once your business is off and running, you need customers. The best way to get customers—advertising. Online or offline, your VA can put together a marketing package tailored to your specifications such as banner creation and placement, advertising through classifieds, etc.

Even after customers have committed to doing business with you, there are lots of other tasks your va can perform from sending out direct mailings of specials and promotions to ghostwriting and submitting articles pertaining to your target customer.

A virtual assistant can be your right-hand person to make your business succeed.

About the author: Debra Nail is the owner of WAHM Virtual Helper, a virtual assistance service for work at home moms. You can visit her website at www.wahmvirtualhelper.com

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Offline Advertising Tips

2008-07-03T15:39:00.001-07:00

Offline Advertising Tips
By: Anita DeFrank

Since most of us are always online and our business is online, we often forget the importance of advertising our business offline. Print advertising can be one of the best forms of advertising for your buck. Why? Well, with print advertising it's in the form of hard copy and is always in view of your potential customers. Thats just one small example. Think about your daily newspaper...try hiding that in your email box! The following are just a few hints and ideas for you to consider before you place an offline advertising campaign.

Expiration Dates
You want to be sure to include an expiration date so that the possible customer sees that there is a limited time BUT don't make the date to end too soon. Why? You want to give an "extended expiration date" on printed material especially because for one thing printed material has a chance to "lie around" longer, it may not be the "right time" for the possible customer OR they may know of someone else that may be interested in what you're offering. Give them time to pass it on or "come back later".

Track your ads
If you have anyway of tracking your ads, use it.

A couple of ways you can do this is:
1) Have the customer email/call/mail their orders to you.
2) Have a special code they need to use to receive the special. Use a different code for each advertising campaign you use. If you don't have the ability to use coupon codes you might want to check out http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/paycodes.html which is a new service developed by PayPal to help you in this situation.

Types of Ads to Generate Interest

Freebies! Everyone loves freebies!
1) Offer the prospective customer a free gift with their purchase.
2) Have them email/call/mail for a free sample.
3) When you send them their free sample, send them a card for another free sample to give to a friend.
4) Have the ad offer free shipping and handling.
5) Offer a "Buy One Get One Free" Promotion.
6) Have them contact you for a free catalog.

Discounts
1) Offer a discount (ex. 10%, 15%, 20% off) for their first purchase.
2) Offer one product at full price and the second ½ off.

Drawings/Contests
1) Have them email/call/mail you for an entry to a free contest. Use your products as the prize. (Be sure to offer an additional discount for the winner.)

You've gain interest, now what?
Once you've had someone contact you with some interest in your business/products be sure to keep in contact back.

- > First of all reply to them in a timely manner and be sure to thank them for their interest.

- > Next, offer them yet another form of a discount.

- > If they are requesting a free sample, free catalog, entry into a contest or any other form of interest offer them a discount of 10% off their next order.

- > If you have a newsletter/ezine make sure you ask them if you can add them to your mailing list to receive announcements of discounts/specials/contests first hand.

- > When you've sent off their free sample/free catalog/order/prize be sure to contact them again in a few days. Let them know that you wanted to make sure they received it and that everything was okay. Ask them for any thoughts/questions about it. Let them know that they can contact you for anything.

Anita DeFrank is a busy work at home mom who specializes in helping others become successful home business owners. Visit her site www.MommysHelperOnline.com for additional help to become a successful work at home mom.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

2008-06-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Are You In the Right Business?
Often times we see of people struggling with their online businesses, and while normally it's marketing related problems, the real problem may be you are in the wrong business.

There's thousands of articles on how to promote your business, and other related materials, but very little on how to choose your business. The normal response to a request for information on starting a business is glowing recommendations from current reps and how fabulous their opportunities is. The problem is, while they may be in the perfect business for them it may not be the perfect business for you. Thus causing problems later on.

You may have been given advice before you started on how to choose your business. You may have heard "go with your passion, you need to love the products!". Some may not have heard this at all, but joined your business because of the compensation plan. While both of these points are important, they aren't the only thing you should look at when joining a company.

Some may want to promote only online, but the company prevents this. Some companies deal mostly online while you want to take your business offline. Being in this situation can hold you back, and there are just too many options for direct sales companies to settle on one that restricts you.

If you feel you are struggling due to being in the wrong type of business, take a step back. Act as though you have no business, and are looking for the first time. What are you looking for in a business? What type of products do you like? You can download our free ebook, Choosing Your Direct Sales Business for help with questions to ask yourself: http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com/free-ebook.html

After you have answered some of the most important questions and realized exactly what type of business you should be in, compare it to your current business. Does it match up, or is the company you are in the cause of your major problems? Now it's not to say this company is BAD - it's just not the right fit for you. For example, if you are with a company that deals mostly online, this company would be perfect for those that do not like to promote offline, but of course not good for those that do.

There are literally hundreds of direct sales companies and more opening every day. You can find just about any product with direct sales - from candles, to food, to greeting cards, and even decorative bags! Succeeding with one is just a matter of finding the one that matches you and your needs.

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Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank, owners of DirectSalesHelpers.com strive to help women succeed in direct sales. For additional help with your direct sales business, visit http://www.directsaleshelpers.com/newsletter.html
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All Work At Home and No Play Make Jack a Dull Boy

2008-06-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

All Work At Home and No Play Make Jack a Dull Boy

We've all done it!

We sit for hours in front of our PCs searching, submitting and scrutinizing, while the very freedom we are building a home business to achieve, dwindles to stolen moments in between search engine submissions.

I can be almost certain that from the very moment you got your first check in the mail that you became hooked on the idea of working entirely from home. So much so that everything else in your life has had to take a back seat while you build your dream.

Having a dream and pursuing it is a very noble concept but when our home and family life suffers because of it then it can become a big problem.

It doesn't have to be this way.

Here are a number of points that may help you in keeping a balance.

1.Discipline yourself - When it comes to the amount of time you spend building and running your online enterprise. Set a time limit and don't stray over it.

2.Don't drop or cut down on family activities because of your business. For instance don't stop taking your kids swimming because you want to learn how to build a website.

3.Help in the house chores when they need to be done. The last thing you want to do is alienate your husband/wife when they are probably already very sceptical of your new found enthusiasm in all things cyber.

4.Get the family involved where possible. Show them what exactly it is you are doing and explain to them that your ultimate goal is to earn enough money working at home to be able to spend more time with them.

5.Don't forget to splash out on the family when you eventually start to earn some cash from your online ventures. My wife soon became a believer when she saw some extra money on the table. Well who wouldn't:-)?

In closing I'm hopeful you have gotten the gist of this article, get your priorities right and ensure that everyone is as happy and enthusiastic in your striving for financial freedom as you are.

I wish you every success in your business dealings.

---------------------------------------------
Mal Keenan - Publisher of Home Business Tips Newsletter
To subscribe and get more FANTASTIC tips on running a successful online business click here

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