Saturday, March 31, 2007

#39 Tip For Success

COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS

There might be various times when you do not have the expertise or the time to get something done right. This is the time when you could collaborate with someone or trade services with another person. Networking can provide you with help, answers to questions, and provide you with the support and advice you might need to keep you going.





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Start a Home Based Used Book Business

If you love books than this is the home based business for you and it is pretty low cost to start. Go to thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets and find great books , new ones and out of print, and then resell them online.

If you are lucky enough to have the room you could open a little shop that you could start out with part-time. If you have an old shed you could use it as a small shop. Find out about any business license you might need or if you only open it several times in the summer ,you might not have to get any license right away because it could be considered a garage sale.

You could also open a store online! The possibilities are endless.
There are even a few direct selling companies out there where you can sell books for them -- Barefoot Books





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Friday, March 30, 2007

On My Way!

I will be away from the internet for a few days and will not be able to post anything new. I will be back by next friday. It is our children's spring break and we are going out of town. While I am away read back through the archives for some great information and ideas. Work on your own goals. I hope that I might be able to access a computer in the next few days so I might pop in and post something. Hope this refreshes my writing and gets my creative juices flowing!







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#38 Tip For Success

SET DAILY GOALS

You need to set daily goals in order to see your accomplishments and to stay encouraged. These goals can be as small as make a follow up call to a customer or some other small thing you need to do. Whatever it is make sure you get it done. In addition to keeping you on track to your ultimate success, it will help you feel like you are making accomplishments. This will push you closer to your goal.



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Network!!

Do you want a new and great way to network ?? You can network online.

This Network is a great way for local businesses to find new customers.

* Create a professional looking online listing for your business with our easy to use tools. Free! - MerchantCircle

* Create your business' web presence or link to your
existing website.
* Advertise to your local community to bring in new
customers.
* Easily create blogs, online coupons, newsletters
and more.
* Manage your online reputation by finding out what
customers are saying about you online.
* Gain potential organic placements on search engine
networks.
* Place local ads on Google Adwords, Yahoo and
other networks.
* Network and share customers with other
complimentary businesses.

Create a web blog and newsletters for your business for free on MerchantCircle.





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Thursday, March 29, 2007

Do You Have A Green Thumb?

If you have the room and are a gardener than you could start a small business for next to nothing. Grow herbs and start a gourmet herb business! You could indulge your passion for gardening by planting an herb garden in your backyard, drying and packaging the herbs you grow and marketing them to a niche market. I would start small and go from there.
You could invest in a small greenhouse or build your own like I did with huge plastic sheets my husband brought home from work and some small wood pieces. I took about 2 days and it is the size of a shed.
You could also sell them online. You could have recipes and herb lore on it. Publish a newsletter that offers tips and advice for using the herbs.
To start out you could go to local farmers markets and flea markets to sell your items. I would also sell some fresh and you could also sell them dried and packaged. You have to put some thought into how you are going to package them and what you will name them. Think up a business name that people will remember ,but is not hard to pronounce, spell, or is so trendy it won't stand the test of time. To start out try to find a low cost way to package them. Use the small brown paper bags and make your own labels or reuse baby food jars. After you grow and start actually making a profit ,you can change your packaging to something else.
Starting a herb business is a great and low cost way to start a business ,although it does take some physical labor to get out and work in your garden, but if you love to garden than it will be a labor of love.
Here is a book that will help you on your way.

Start Your Own Herb and Herbal Products Business


Herbs for Sale: Growing and Marketing Herbs, Herbal Products, and Herbal Know-How (Bootstrap Guide)




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#37 Tip For Success

DO NOT NEGLECT THINGS

Especially when things are small and do not appear to have a major impact on the big picture, you need to follow through and complete your tasks. Those LITTLE things can quickly add up to a huge mess if not taken care of in a timely and efficient manner.



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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

BUSINESS PLAN CHECKLIST

The primary value of your business plan will be to create a written outline that evaluates all aspects of the economic viability of your business venture. It will be valuable in number of ways. Here are some reasons not to skip this valuable tool and roadmap:


It will define and focus your objective, using appropriate information and analysis.
You can use it as a selling tool with lenders, investors, landlords and banks.
Your business plan can uncover omissions and/or weaknesses in your planning process.
You can use the plan to solicit opinions and advice.
Here is a checklist to help you get started:


Write out your basic business concept.
Gather all the data you can on the feasibility and specifics of your business.
Focus and refine your concept.
Outline the specifics using a "what, where, why, how" approach.
Put your plan into a compelling format
Here are suggested topics you can tailor into your plan:

A Vision Statement: This will be a concise outline of your purpose and goal


The People: Focus on how your experiences will be applicable. Prepare a resume of yourself and each of your key people.


Your Business Profile: Describe exactly how you plan to go about your intended business. Stay focused on the specialized market you intend to serve.


Economic Assessment: Provide an assessment of the competition you can expect in your business.


Cash Flow Assessment: Include a one-year cash flow projection that will incorporate all your capital requirements.
























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Get Paid For Your Opinion

Businesses want to hear your opinion.
And they are willing to pay you for it.

Large organizations are looking for feedback on various products/services.
Click HEREnow to start being rewarded for your opinions and feedback! Survey Panel is another program where you get paid for taking online surveys. The African American Voice is a unique online community where African Americans participate in the development of new products and services, influence the direction of consumer research, and GET PAID for taking brief online surveys just for African Americans. To become a member of our African American community. FusionCash pays you cash to try products and services and take online surveys. It's completely FREE to join. Sign up now and get $3 deposited into your account instantly. You've got nothing to lose and FREE cash to gain! Become part of Memolink Today and Get Paid to take Surverys! You will have Access to 300 name-brand merchants, Guaranteed service and satisfaction, Prompt and personal member support, Save time and money with exclusive offers, and Get rewards fast. Tiktikcash the perfect way to earn some additional dollars by Reading E-Mail/Referring Your Friends/Playing Games/Completing Offers and more. SURVEY MOUNTAINHAS over 500 survey companies that will pay you between $5 and $150 to take surveys. We work directly with the survey companies to bring these surveys to you at no cost. Never pay to take surveys. Get started today without any charges. Sign up with Survey Team and get $3.00 sign up bonus! Take surveys for money today! SIGN UP FOR SURVEYCLUB NOW!
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Do you love to shop? Well here is your chance to go on a shopping spree FREE! You can secret shop stores in your area and keep the things you buy!!! What an AWESOME deal! Click NOW to learn more.












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#36 Tip For Success

MAKE THE PROCESS AN ADVENTURE

You should look at every part of your journey to success as an adventure. When you were a child you loved investigating the unknown. Carry this with you as you move towards success. Anticipate the excitement of each accomplishment. Make it a real adventure to reach your success and the learning of something new each and every day.






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Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Writer's - Start Your Engines!!

Freelance writing can be fun and it can be profitable. If you are a stay at home parent it is also a great way to make some extra money. I found some places where you might want to try and submit your writing.

Blue Mountain Arts is looking for greeting card writers. You have to contact them for their guidelines. All of the info is at the link.

Are you a crafter? Do you love DIY!? You could submit your stuff here at Croq Magazine. This is a hip and edgy magazine.

International Living is looking for writers and you can get all of the details there.

Do you know a lot about online auctions? Go here Auction Bytes For details on what they are looking for in a writer.

Worldstart is looking for writers.

This is just a short list ,but I will try to update weekly with some more places for writers to submit their work.

Write with wisdom and careful thought, because in publishing, haste often makes waste.





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Business Cards & Catalogs - Oh My!

Do you have business cards? Are you a consultant and have catalogs? Do you know how to use them to generate traffic? They are a great way to meet new people and to get orders and new recruits. Here are some places that you might be able to leave some of your business cards and catalogs at.


Doctor's or dentist's office waiting area

coffee shop

dry cleaners

hair salon ( this is a great place to leave a catalog!! )

nail salon

hospital waiting room

mall washroom

activity centers

bridal shops

bingo halls

autoshop waiting area

laundromats ( some of them have message boards where you can tack business cards )

deli

pizza shop waiting area

take some with you when you are at kid's sports practice or games

real estate offices

dance studio

teacher's lounge

fabric store

bus stop waiting area

consignment store

in your ebay packages you send out

dressing rooms

pool changerooms

tanning salon

in the motel / hotel brochure area



This is just a short list ,but it will get you to thinking of other places that you could leave your mark! The idea is to get your name out there and make it to when someone is looking for something to be done or something to buy for a gift ,than you are the first one they think of. Use your business cards as a way to market your business. Hand them out to others when they inquire about your business. Don't force them upon people. A business card, especially one that is well designed and to-the-point, can be one of your best marketing tools.









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#35 Tip For Success

MAKE THE BEST OF EACH DAY!

Make the most of each and every day and try to accomplish something each day - no matter how small of a thing it is. Even if it is something small , every baby step adds up to your success in the end.







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Monday, March 26, 2007

Red Tax Flags

It is tax time and while most of us have already done our taxes and got them sent in , there are still a few who have not and I writing this for them. I do know several people who are waiting in line at the post office on April 15th to send in their taxes!!
So before you sign them and sending them in ,make sure you are not sending up red flags that will catch the eye of the tax checkers at the IRS.

1) Avoid too much rounding off. Deductions that have too many zeros look improbable. This can suggest that the business owner has not kept good records or worse is making up numbers.

2) Avoid calling expenses "Miscellaneous". Just like when you round off, this can suggest that you have not kept good records.

3) Make sure you keep your business finances and your personal finances SEPARATE! Having these funds commingled will send up HUGE red flags and could end up having your small business being classified as a hobby which will give you serious tax consequences.

4) Take special care if you rent your office or shoppe. Keep careful track and records of rental , fees, etc.

5) Keep deductions in line with your tax bracket and type of business. Mileage and business lunch deductions often will catch the interest of the IRS. They keep a range of normal deductions for each tax bracket and types of businesses. So if you deduct $5000 for business lunches, but the average for you tax bracket is $1,500 , you can expect a call from the IRS.

Maybe you should do like I did and have someone help you.

Estimate your taxes for free online at TaxBrain.com.






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#34 Tip For Success

FOCUS ON THE BIG PICTURE

As you move towards your ultimate goal of success, you will be challenged with big obstacles and small ones. You need to know how to pick your battles wisely. While you need to resolve the small issues, do not dwell on them. You will lose valuable time and energy when you should be focusing on the bigger picture. Do not allow the menial things to clutter your mind and monopolize your time.



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Sunday, March 25, 2007

Archives ~~ A Treasure Trove Of Ideas!!~~

I was looking back through my archive of this blog and I have really wrote a lot of good articles. I have also used some free article when I was busy ,but for the most part I wrote my own stuff. There are a bunch of great ideas for low start up home based businesses that us Stay at home moms (or dads!) can start. I always try to think up ways to start up home based businesses that do not take a lot of money or risks. I am a stay at home mom who does not have a lot of money to be investing in get rich quick programs. I want something that everyone of us wants - SECURITY! And signing up for a program that promises stuff that is too good to be true is not something I want to do. I try to give advice on here and tips that are really going to help someone! I am 35 and have been working out of the home for years now so I hope I have the experience to be able to share with you what I can.

January Archive I started this blog in January and I never thought that I would go this far and be able to share this much.
February Archive(63)Wow! i wrote 63 articles in February! Actually I could write more than that. I love to write , but I do not want to drown everyone with my flood of thoughts and words that always seem to be flowing from my fingertips.
March Archive March is almost over and it will soon be April. Already. It seems like the year just started. I guess when you are having fun time passes much quicker. I really am having fun blogging and sharing my thoughts with all of you.




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#33 Tip For Success

WATCH FOR SCAMS

UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WAITING TO DEFRAUD YOU OUT OF YOUR MONEY.
It seems like home based business ideas is one of the biggest ways to scam people. You have to remember THAT IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - THAN IT IS!!! Always do research on any program or idea you see. If you can check with BBB. Never jump into any opportunity that looks too perfect. A home based business takes a huge amount of work , so if someone is telling you that you can millions in a week and in your sleep it is most likely a scam. If someone becomes too pushy and wants you to make a quick decision about any type of investment, do not walk away ~~~ RUN AWAY!!!




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FRUGAL WAYS TO START A HOME BUSINESS Blog Carnival

This is the my Blog Carnival for this week. I only received 2 submissions this week so this is a small carnival or maybe more like a county fair! Oh well, I hope I get more this week.

Alex Mincinopschi presents Affiliate marketing for bloggers posted at Money Online.

Praveen presents Internet Marketing Lesson - I'll Pay You $2 posted at My Simple Trading System.

If you have written any articles that have to do with frugal ways to start a home business than submit them HERE AT MY BLOG CARNIVAL


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Saturday, March 24, 2007

THE TOP TEN DO'S & DON'TS WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS

THE TOP TEN DO'S WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS

1.Live frugally and begin saving up money for starting your business.
2.Learn your intended business by working for someone else in the same business first.
3.Consider the benefits of starting a moonlight business.
4.Consider the advantages of operating a family business.
5.Objectively measure your skills and training against potential competition.
6.Consider subcontracting to low cost suppliers if you're manufacturing a product.
7.Test market your product or service before starting or expanding.
8.Make "for" and "against" list describing the specific business you are considering.
9.Talk to lots of people in your intended business for advice.
10.Make a comparative analysis of all opportunities you are considering.


THE TOP TEN DON'TS WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS

1.Think about leaving your job before you have completed start-up plans.
2.Consider starting a business in a field you do not enjoy.
3.Risk all the family assets. Limit your liabilities to a predetermined amount.
4.Compete with your employer in a moonlight business.
5.Hurry to select a business. There is no penalty for missed opportunities.
6.Select a business that is too high a risk or hurdle. Go for the two-foot hurdle.
7.Select a business in which you must have the lowest price to succeed.
8.Ignore the negative aspects of an intended business.
9.Permit self-confidence to outweigh careful diligence.
10.Allow the promise of a conceptual high reward deter reality testing first.






















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Get Paid to Blog!

This is a list of some great sites where you can get paid to blog. If you love blogging than why not make a little bit of money from it. All of these that I am listing are ones that you blog on their sites. We all know about Payperpost which you have to have a qualifying blog to be able to write for. These that are listed here are just some that will make you a tiny bit of money while you are waiting to qualify for Payperpost.

Blogit



Blog Chex Blog here and get revenue sharing.

Get $5 Free when You Join Weblo.com. Get Paid Just to Sign-up.


Blogger Party This is my favorite one. You blog on their site ,but you have your Google Adsense account integrated in with your own blog and make money on Google Adsense account!

This last one is not really a blog ,but it is a way to make a few cents for writing. MyLOt. Whenever I get bored I go there and write a few posts and I make a little bit each day. I have made payout already.

Get paid to review blogs. Get Reviewed At ReviewMe!

Another great get paid to blog program that integrates your Google Adsense account-- BlogFeast



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#32 Tip For Success

REWARDS

When children do something great, parents reward them with something special like a kind word or some nice gift. At a out of the home job you get rewarded with raises.
Whenever you surpass a milestone or reach a new goal give yourself rewards. Treat yourself to something nice - that new dress you have had your eye on, whatever you like. Always be sure to give yourself rewards for a job well done.


























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Friday, March 23, 2007

Could You Be Your Own Boss?

Imagine you are at work late on a Friday afternoon. You are getting ready to leave for the weekend and looking forward to the activities you have planned for your time off.

With only minutes to go before quitting time, you learn that a customer has placed a big order they need for first thing Monday morning. To get the order ready you would have to spend all day Saturday and Sunday working on it.

What do you do?

(a) Explain that you can't do it.
(b) Call in your assistant and tell them that they have to do it.
(c) Work over-time and get it finished for Monday.
(d) Tell them your competition has no social life and would likely do it.
(e) Don't know.

If you chose answer (c) you may have what it takes to start your own business according to Canada Business, a Government of Canada website.

While researching our book Dream Careers, we found that the hottest businesses right now include providing personal services (e.g. party planning, personal shopping, professional organizing) or starting a retail business (e.g. boutique, bookstore, coffee house).

If you are dreaming of starting your own business, you are in good company. An opinion poll released on the Labour Day weekend by E-Myth Worldwide, a California-based company that provides education and coaching for entrepreneurs, found that 7.8% of employed and unemployed adults 18 years of age and older plan to start their own business within the next year.

Other major findings of the poll include:

* The most popular reasons people gave for wanting to start a business are: to make more money (30%), be their own boss (18%), and fulfill a dream or hobby (15%).

* The desire to start a new business spans all age groups and income levels, but is significantly higher for people age 45-54, who are getting serious about their retirement plans.

* While the statistics show that more men than women hope to start their own business, 45% of currently unemployed women see starting their own business as a way to achieve financial independence.

* By a margin of 50% to 34%, men are more confident of their potential business success than women.

* The biggest challenges people said they face in starting a business are lack of knowledge and confidence (44%), raising money (44%), and the economic and competitive climates (39%).

According to William Schlegel, CEO of E-Myth Worldwide, "Some factors influencing the likelihood of success, such as the state of the economy, are beyond an individual's control."

"However, the good news is that the knowledge entrepreneurs need to be successful can be quickly gained by learning the skills essential to the success of small businesses. Increased knowledge builds confidence and greater confidence enhances the chances for success."

The Canada Business website at www.cbsc.org offers a free Online Small Business Workshop. The site also includes a fun quiz called the Entrepreneurial Evaluation to help you test whether starting a business is right for you. One of the questions is:

Why would you want to start your own business?

(a) I want to make lots of money

(b) I hate working for other people

(c) To gain a sense of accomplishment

(d) I have no skills and no one will hire me

(e) Don't know

The survey says the correct answer is (c), however, we think almost any reason you want to start a business is a good one if it motivates you to take action to make it happen. In fact, starting your own business is one solution if there's a job you want to do but you can't find a company to hire you to do that job on a full-time basis.

If your dream career involves starting your own business, why not spend some of your spare time learning more about how to get started.

Tag and Catherine Goulet are authors of Dream Careers and founders of FabJob Inc. Visit Fab Jobs to discover how to break into the career of your dreams.






















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#31 Tip For Success

KEEP A JOURNAL

Start a journal and keep track of everything that you have done to work towards your success. Regardless of what you consider to be success, You need to be able to see your successes. Write down all of your accomplishments and whenever you feel discouraged or down go back and read through your journal and see what you have actually achieved. This will give you a boost and rejuvenate you. It will make you work even harder. You will be able to see that you are closer to reaching your goal than you had been thinking. It will seem easier to reach if you write down all of your little success that take you down the road to the ultimate goal!






















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Thursday, March 22, 2007

Write For Us !

Are you a freelance writer who is looking for new opportunities to write?? Are you or have you ever been an online auction user? You could write for Auction Bytes. This would be a great opportunity. ON their website they say they are looking for :
How-to articles (i.e., chat forum etiquette, displaying your auction item, etc.)
Reviews of software, sites, services and more
Information about reference and research sources (books, Web sites, etc.)
Tips and tricks
Experiences with online auctions
Profiles of successful online users/auctioners
Issues affecting online users (i.e., policies and fees of online auction sites)
News about collectibles and online auction sites
Articles should be 100–500 words in length.

and they are also looking for articles for their Collector's Corner.
You do get paid for your articles and you get a detailed byline that can include your web address if you have one.
This might be something for you to check out.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/pages/write/

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#30 Tip For Success

BE THANKFUL

You need to thankful for all of your accomplishments. Having a grateful attitude is very important. It will help you to stay humble and will help you to continue thriving for the ultimate in success. Be thankful for your failures also, as they are a great learning experience.






















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Gourmet To Go - Book Review

I got this book yesterday and have started reading it and can see already that I am going to learn alot. It is a book about starting your own specialty foods business. There is a lot of info about writing a business plan, promoting, and more. It is a huge book and worth the money. This is an invaluable book for anyone wanting to start their own business. Here is what they say about the book --
Book Description
"In this book we will communicate just how competitive and serious the business of specialty food retailing is today. We will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the industry, the market today, tools to [enable you] to make a commitment to go ahead, a thorough outline for your business plan, checklists for the most important planning stages, anecdotes and recommendations from the top players in the industry, and tips and insights into the intangibles of what makes good businesses good. You will have a better chance of success by being well armed and taking all the right precautions through careful preopening research and development. And you will see that, for success, it is not just information and organization but ample funding that will give your new business a fighting chance to ripen, develop, and succeed. Guided by this text and the accumulated wisdom of sage retailers who've paved the way, and fueled by your own enterprising spirit and imagination, dream big, plan carefully, and proceed with confidence to success." — From the Preface of Gourmet to Go

It begins with a dream, a longing for the independence, self-reliance, and creative freedom of running your own specialty take-out food store. But if you want that dream to become a reality, you can't rely solely on your expertise as a chef, manager, or owner of a previous business — you'll need to develop all of those skills and more. You need a comprehensive, reliable information source that shows you what to expect and prepares you to deal with the unexpected. You need to learn from the successes and failures of others how to envision, plan, finance, establish, and run a successful gourmet retail operation. You need Gourmet to Go.

This full-spectrum guide offers solid direction on every aspect of the retail specialty food industry. Making liberal use of case studies, Robert Wemischner and Karen Karp lead you step by step through each phase of the development and operation of a take-out gourmet store. They help you find the concept that's right for you, write a business plan, and secure the financing you'll need. Next, you'll discover what to look for in choosing your location; how to communicate with designers, builders, and contractors; and the ins and outs of legal structure and complying with government regulations. You'll learn how to select graphic designs, purchase and price merchandise, hire and train employees, set store policies, and manage your cash. Each of these issues is presented in a clear, forthright style that enables you to understand your options and make informed choices. You'll also learn how to:

* Market and promote your store and build a steady clientele
* Exceed your customers' expectations for quality and service
* Use in-store signage and irresistible merchandise displays to increase sales
* Expand or convert an existing business
* Fine-tune your business to promote growth

Whether you're a foodservice professional yearning for independence or a retailer looking to expand or transform your current business; whether you're a caterer wanting to offer your creations to a broader public or a successful manager in search of a great business opportunity, Gourmet to Go helps you start strong and guides you every step of the way, until your dream comes true.


Gourmet to Go



You can also get more work at home and home based business books HERE AT MY WAHM BOOKSTORE
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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Write a Business Plan for Your Home Based Business

One of the best things you can do for yourself before you start your business is to sit down and write your business plan.

Many people who want to start a home business ask if they really NEED a business plan, to which I ask if they really NEED to start a home business.

Writing a business plan for your home based business should be considered essential for many reasons, the most obvious of which is that a business plan is required if you are going to seek funding.

A business plan will also help you gain focus and think through each aspect of your business. It will also help you remain focused when you get discouraged or feel overwhelmed. You can figure out how to deal with possible problems before they occur.

Business plans will vary widely, depending upon what type of business you have, so what may work well for one business may not be suitable for another.

Your business plan doesn't have to be very long, but does have to present you and your business, goals - both short and long term, intentions, and detailed information about your business, in the very best possible light.

Elements of a Business Plan Include:

Your purpose. What exactly do you want to accomplish? What are your goals for your business?

Describe your business. What is your legal structure? When was it formed? Who owns and operates it?

Define your market. What are you going to sell? A product or service? Or both? You'll want to describe exactly what is going to be sold. Is there a need for your product or service? Who are you selling to? Why will your business have a competitive edge over other businesses?

Explain how you intend to meet those needs. How will you produce the product/service? How will your customers receive your goods?

Define your staff, or suppliers, if any.

Make a time table. Do you expect to reach a certain goal in a specific amount of time?

Calculate and Clearly State Your Financial Requirements.
How much capital will it cost you to get the materials you need to start-up? Give detailed information about how the capital will be spent.
Licenses or fees?
Advertising?
Operate your business until you see a profit?
Deliver your product or service?
Subcontractors?
Pay staff?

If you make a mistake in this area, by all means count on needing more than you actually will. Many terrific home businesses have ground to a screeching halt because they ran out of operating money too soon.























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#29 Tip For Success

HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

Putting yourself in the right attitude for success should be top on your list. Staying positive and surrounding yourself with people that are also positive will help you succeed. Do not allow negative thoughts to creep into your mind. Find ways to enjoy life. A good attitude will allow you to turn a bad situation into a learning experience. You have heard the saying " The glass is either half empty or it is half full." You need to adopt the attitude that it is always half full. You will feel better , have more energy , and have a much higher success rate.






















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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Monetize Your Videos!!

Register for your FREE Flixya account. Our revenue share model is completely 100% free. Do it at home, school, spare time. We made it easy to monetize and make money with online videos. We built this system for you! You will need a Google Adsense account to participate in the Revenue Share Program. Start sharing your videos from Revver, Youtube, Google Video, Daily Motion, and other video sharing sites. Our revenue share program is split 50-50. You will make 50% of the Google Adsense revenue generated by the videos you submit. The more traffic your video drives, the more ads will be displayed, and the more money you will make. If you refer a friend using your referral link you will get an additional 20% from their video ads.Flixya is the only site that
pays you 50% revenue for sharing videos.

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#28 Tip For Success

MAKE OPPORTUNITIES

Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to you , go out and find them. This might be looking out for ways to turn your talent into an entrepreneurial opportunities, looking for a building for your business, and more. Others who have reached success and financial independence will tell you that they went out and seized opportunity by the tail , they did not sit and wait for it to come knocking on their door!!






















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Monday, March 19, 2007

Start a Flea Market Business

This is one that you can be getting ready for because it will soon be warm enough for outside flea markets or you might be lucky enough to know of some indoor flea markets close to you.

For many years before the internet, the place to pawn off old or unused merchandise was the local flea market. Flea marketers would typically be the type of person that was a collector of unique items that would not really sell well in the mall or just carried too small of a margin for most store owners to really care about. The flea market was great, you never knew what you would find, and at times, a bargain was most definitely just around the corner. There even was the odd or better than odd chance that you could be ripped off, so a degree of caution had to be taken with each purchase.

Today we have the internet, and the flea market has taken a backseat to the likes of eBay and other auction sites that have popped up all over the world allowing peddlers of this and that to connect up with willing consumers. So with all the attention taken away from the flea market, is there really still an opportunity for you to start a part-time business as a flea marketer? I think the answer is most certainly a resounding yes, if you have the patience and love for finding and reselling one of a kind items, out of date or out of style merchandise and maybe even a little piece of treasure. So will you become incredibly wealthy being an entrepreneur of the flea market business? The answer is just as resounding as before, but this time it will be no.

So why get into this business if you are not going to be wealthy? Well for starters, you will not have to invest a great deal into the business. On weekdays while you are at home, you could be travel around finding your inventory and then on weekends you can sell you items. If you are married and you are in a situation where you husband works during the week while you stay at home with the children then on weekends you will have the time to sell your goods at the local flea market while he takes care of the children.

If you are interested in getting started in the flea market business you will need to get some startup cash. You will need money for some inventory to start the business, unless you can make something to sell. Some people make jam, pies and cakes. You will also need money to reserve your table at the market. You will need a table for displaying your merchandise, an umbrella to protect you from the sun or even the rain and a chair to sit in while your customers are walking around. Also, make sure that you have a calculator to ensure that you give your customers the correct change, you neither want to shortchange them or yourself.

Before starting out, do some more research about flea markets. You can probably still find a good book at the local bookstore or even the library. Try to be prepared so that you will have a successful business and try to have a little fun.

This article has been written as a resource for stay at home moms who desire to start a work at home business while in the midst of raising their children. You can get more great work at home ideas through researching other websites, visiting the library, buying industry specific magazines or talking to others in your neighborhood who have already started businesses out of their homes.
Author: Peter Engelbrecht





















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#27 Tip For Success

GOOD TIME AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Being successful means being able to keep a schedule. You also need to know when too much is too much and you do not get overloaded. You need to ensure that you use your time wisely and that you do not keep adding third portions to a plate that is still overflowing with 2nd portions.

























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Sunday, March 18, 2007

A Freelance Career

An Investment That Paid Off


Karyn Martin was
cautious about launching her freelance career online, but she soon
got results:


"I
remember the days when I dreamed of being a freelancer,she says.
The word seemed magical to me somehow. Romantic, almost. Now, after
having actually been a freelancer for a while, the scales have been
lifted from my eyes and I have seen the light. You pay for being able
to manipulate your time. You pay by working more, working harder, and
- hopefully - working smarter. But what you get in return is
priceless. Now I can call the shots about when I work, for whom I
work, and how much I make."
One day, Karyn decided she was no longer willing to commute in
smog-laden traffic to sit in a cubicle for eight hours, come home,
eat, sleep, wake up, and then do it all over again. Going through the
same routine, day after day, week after week , only to wake up one day
old and tired - wondering how life might have been if she'd had the
guts to go it alone.

So she decided to become a freelancer - but how would she find work? She
had spent endless hours surfing the 'net, signing up with one
freelance site after another. Yet there was an incredible amount of
competition. She never seemed to win any bids, and was adamant about
not lowering her hourly rate.

"Then I discovered Freelance Work Exchange," she says. "I had heard
don't pay to work! repeatedly, and I was too poor to risk getting
scammed, but I took a chance one day when I was flush and sent twenty
bucks to gain access to the Freelance Work Exchange Professional
Edition."
"Since then, I've edited a sales letter, a follow-up letter, an
11-page Web site, and a brochure. I'm 'on call' to do pinch-hit
proofreading for a medical newsletter editor in Florida while he's on
vacation, sick, etc. And I've landed a gig editing a new Canadian
magazine coming out this fall. All this from taking a $2.95 chance on
Freelance Work Exchange."

Of course, it helped to send prospects a few previous work samples
she'd had the presence of mind to scan and save on disk. Also, since
she has been 'in the business' for more than five years, she has a
fairly good résumé with some experience to back up the claims, along
with a strong list of references.

"For every one of you out there feeling a little discouraged, and
especially for those of you on the verge of throwing in the towel, I'm
here to tell you this. There may not be a Santa Claus, but there is a
place to find work without paying some ridiculous "transaction fee"or
never knowing whether or not the projects are 'fresh' - and even the
name is easy to remember - Freelance Work Exchange."

Be the next work-at-home success story. Click here to get instant access to hundreds of freelance jobs.
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#26 Tip For Success

PATIENCE

It takes alot of hard work and time to reach success. Any goal worth setting will take time to achieve. Be patient with yourself ,others around you, and with the process it takes to become successful. Pay your dues by working and learning your way up the ladder of success. When you do all of the hard work yourself and actually reach your goal, you will feel better about your self and your success. You will be more likely to stay at it and keep successful. Your business will keep growing if you keep working at it, keep your patience about your goals, and keep learning.

























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Frugal WAHM Business Ideas Blog Carnival

This is the third edition of my Blog Carnival and it is a great one. We have 4 submissions this time. Each week we get one more than the last.

Vahid Chaychi presents The First Step to Start an Online Work at Home Business posted at Internet and Search Engine Marketing. There are many who love to start an online business that can be done from home. There problem is they don't know "how" and "from where". The most important thing in starting a new business is making a serious decision. Without a serious decision, no business will be started.

Vishal Srivastava presents Small Business and Globalization posted at New venture outsourcing blog.

Matthew Paulson presents Quixtar as a Warehouse Club posted at Getting Green.

Praveen presents My Simple Trading System: How Much Money From PayPerPost posted at My Simple Trading System.

If you have any blog articles you want to submit go to Blog Carnival for all of the details and submission form.

























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Saturday, March 17, 2007

Direct Sales Success

You've waited long enough
The wait is over!

Finally, specific help for mothers in direct sales. I know direct sales can be very difficult at times, and these women have found a way to help. Don't waste another penny or any of your precious time before you read this...

We all know how high the failure rate is. But one of the biggest reason for failure is not knowing what to do after you join, right? Up lines can be helpful, but not always the answer to all your questions.

The answer? The Direct Sales Success Kit.

Let's face it:
You want to be serious about your business and you want to make serious money. Don't be ashamed or feel 'money-hungry' because you want to make money. You went into business because you want to be home for your children when they need you, while also being able to bring in an income.

With the Direct Sales Success Kit you won't have to ask yourself, "Now what?" You'll be able to use this kit to make your plans and goals. You'll know exactly what you need to do each and every day to succeed in your home business.

With this kit you will learn to:
- Overcome your fear of selling
- Stay ahead of your competition and gain the sales you deserve
- Set and reach goals, so you earn more money
- Save time and money in research by learning from experts

This isn't just another downloadable file. This is an actual package with forms you can customize, print out and really use.

Don't let this opportunity to succeed slip by - one sale lost could lead to many, so don't waste another second!

For more information, visit:
The Direct Sales Success Kit

SEARCH FOR MORE DIRECT SALES PLANS BELOW (POWERED BY GOOGLE)>>>>>
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LULU

Are you a freelance writer who wants to get published. Than why not self-publish?? I found this site where you can self-publish your own writing.
Here is what it says on their website :LuLu.com

Publish and sell easily within minutes.
No set-up fees. No minimum order.
Keep control of the rights.
Set your own price.
Each product is printed as it is ordered.
No excess inventory.

I have not tried it yet ,but thought I would share it here. I am thinking of this for some of my poetry. Maybe make a few for gifts as starters and see the reaction.

























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#25 Tip For Success

GET PAST FEAR OF FAILURE

Being afraid of failing is a normal emotion for everyone. How you get past that fear is the determining factor in whether you fail or succeed. You can get over that fear by setting realistic goals. Examine those goals every so often and see if there are any readjustments you need to make. The most important thing to remember , Is to believe in yourself.

























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Friday, March 16, 2007

Five Low Cost Ways To Cook Up A Home Based Business

One of the reasons people don't start their own home-based business is the misconception that every business requires a substantial amount of start-up capital. Many stay-at-home moms struggle to make ends meet when they actually have one skill that they can turn into a money-making home based business - COOKING. Every Mom knows how to cook at least ONE dish that's simply to-die-for, so here are five home based food business ideas that require zero to very little capital to start.

Home Catering

This is a daily catering service where you cook (one or two meals) daily for your customers. This is a much needed service for busy people who are too tired to cook when they get home but still want a wholesome home-cooked meal. Customers who need your services will pay you in advance for the month. That's the beauty of this business. You realize your profit even before you do anything. What comes after that? Well, at first it will be like cooking for an extra couple of family members. These "family members" will pop by in the evenings and pick up their meal. Things start to get hectic when your customer base reaches twenty. Then, it's like cooking for a small army everyday!

Bake to Order

Everybody knows there's nothing like home-baked apple pie, cookies and fruit cake. If you're really good at baking, then you could spread the word that you bake anything to order. Your customers will need to order in advance (time frame would be up to you) so that you can prepare and time your baking to your customers' agreed pick-up appointment.

Party Catering

Catering for small parties is a simple yet profitable money maker you can do part-time. You do need a more comprehensive menu for this, but you'll find most people tend to stick to favorites like fried chicken, sandwiches, salads and the like. Catering for children's parties is even easier - burgers, hot-dogs and fries will always be favorites but you'll need to be flexible to meet your customer's budget. To market your business, you could place your calling cards on the buffet tables for guests to pick up. Since most of your business will probably be during the weekends, you could get your family to pitch in and help out with the preparation. Most caterers request a fifty percent payment upon confirmation of order and the other fifty upon delivery of the food, so you don't need to fork out any of your own funds to cover your costs.

Specialty Baker

This is a good money making idea for the expert baker who knows how to bake cakes of different shapes and designs - anything from racing cars to Pokemon to rockets. There are lots of books that teach you the basics of specialty baking. The best way to learn though, is by practice. For a start, you could always take on simple jobs from friends and family and once you feel confident, you could market your skills on a wider scale. Not everyone can be a specialty baker. There's a fair amount of artistic ability involved but if you've got the flair and skills, there's a money making niche waiting for you.

Home-made Food

Everything that you can make at home, can be made to sell - jams, preserves, cookies, sauces, pasta, candy - the list goes on and on. What you want to do is find THE one recipe that you can cook really well and concentrate on it. Give free samples to your friends and family and let them know that you're taking orders if they'd like to buy some. If you're ready move on to a bigger scale, then you might want to consider supplying your home-made food to your local grocery stores or even setting up a stall at your local market place.

Are These Really Low Cost Ideas?

When we first started our home catering business we just used whatever we had in our kitchen with a healthy dose of ingenuity! We DID spend about fifty dollars on flyers but that was it. However, when your business starts to grow and your profits start to roll in, you WILL need to invest in equipment to increase efficiency and productivity. Before our home based catering business, we were a one-refrigerator family. Six months down the road, we were a 2 refrigerator, 3-freezer family - and we haven't even begun to include fryers, ovens and stoves. And yes... we now buy stuff like sauces, eggs and flour by the crates!

The secret to making money with these ideas

The secret to finding success with these ideas is simple - persistence and quality. You need to keep working at it. Just as there are all sorts of people on this planet, there will always be different taste preferences. There will ALWAYS be people who like your cooking some who don't. Be encouraged by the compliments, but don't let the criticisms get to you. Keep at it long enough and your customer base WILL grow. Of course, being persistent means nothing if you don't maintain a high standard of quality. Nothing will kill your reputation faster than inferior quality or dirty food. Everybody needs to eat and a home based food business will always make you a nice sum of money!

Don't be afraid to give these ideas a try. You don't need to know a thousand ways to make money with your cooking. You just need ONE good recipe... cheers!
Author: Andrew Shim

























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Attention Wahms - Please Read


Are you a Proud Wahm?

Then shout it to the world with your new Proud Wahm Band!



The Purple Wahm Bands are a tool to raise awareness about work at home moms. They are fashioned after the popular Livestrong Bands produced by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to raise money for cancer research. Ever since these bands have been popular for every kind of group. Wear your Wahm Band to let the world know you're Proud to be a Work at Home Mom!



Wahm Bands are great conversation starters! One look at your band and people will be asking you what you do! Promotion at its finest!



Be one of the first to order your Purple Wahm Bands now.

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So, let's keep up the trend, wear your Purple Wahm Bands, and raise some awareness!



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#24 Tip For Success

NO EXCUSES

Many successful and famous people have had to overcome special challenges ranging from physical disabilities to learning disabilities. Take Beethoven for example. He was born deaf ,but went on to be one of the world's greatest composers. If you are faced with your own special challenge , while you may have to adjust things from time to time ,do not use excuses. If you want something bad enough , you will find a way to accomplish it. Remember ~~~~ THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY!!!

























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Thursday, March 15, 2007

How To Start Your Own Successful Crafts Business

Are you intrigued by the idea of starting a profitable business, doing what you love to do? Perhaps you've had the idea that you can make crafts and sell them for profits.

As you may know the crafts industry is growing at an astronomical rate. Many people all over the world are earning great income by selling crafts that they make. You too can turn your crafts into a full time or supplemental income.

A large number of people are constantly searching for new, imaginative and decorative items for their homes and offices. Many people travel to remote places in search of interesting and unique craft items. This can be a unique opportunity for you to start your own crafts business.

Creating crafts is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be turned into a profitable business.

Craft items are in high demand. There is a huge and hungry market for the craftsman. Crafts include such items as quilted comforters, pottery, gift items, ceramic sculptures, toys, jewelry, lovable dolls, stained glass, etc.

You need a business name. The name you give to your business can make the difference between success and failure. It is better to select a name that will tell people something about you or your business. Jane's Dolls, Jane's Decorative Crafts, Creations by Jane, are all good examples of names that tie in with what you make. Potential customers will know exactly what you are selling by just seeing your business name.

Once you have registered your business name and obtained your business license, if it is required in your area, you'll need a business checking account. It is essential that you do not use your personal checking account in your business transactions. Use your business checking accounts to make payments in your business.

You need good looking business cards. Your business cards act as your introduction to potential customers, and will serve as their connection back to you.

Before you start selling, visit several crafts shops and shows, in order to gain insights on how a crafts business is operated, how and where to place signs, how to decorate the location, and merchandise display. Talk to the people running the business. Find out how they set their prices. Then price your own merchandise accordingly.

There are numerous outlets for crafts. These include swap meets, home parties, craft shows, wholesalers, mail order, department stores and online marketing.

In order to sell your products, you have to advertise. Your prospects will never know that you have available, craft items that they want. So you need to advertise.

You can advertise in newspapers and magazines. This type of advertising is essential because people who buy craft items read newspapers and magazines to locate them. Another effective way to reach your potential customers, is word-of-mouth advertising. Also, putting notices on bulletin boards will attract and direct people to your business location.

Keeping accurate, easy-to-understand records is very essential for tax purposes, and it tells you how your business is doing.

The crafts business is a lucrative business. Shouldn't you be getting your share of the fortune?

Be sure to check the laws to know which, if any, apply to you, and what your responsibilities are. Contact the appropriate office in your area to find out if any laws will affect you.
Author: Conleth Onu |

























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The Secret


Have you heard of this? It is the most lucrative affiliate program on the internet. Visit Official Secret Seminar for more information. It is based on the smash hit movie "The Secret" and it teaches you how to get rich. This program has been mentioned on such television shows as Oprah and Ellen. Newsweek puts its DVD sales are now at 1.5 million sold and Amazon has the book as its top seller.
Some of the top teachers from the movie are on this DVD, including - Chicken Soup for The Soul auther, Jack Canfield; Positive thinking expert, Bob Proctor and Spiritual leader, Michael Beckwith. They teach you how to get rich. What better program can there be??
The Official Secret Seminar helps people improve their life by focusing on the positive. It also teaches about laws of attraction. Attracting only great and positive things into your life.
There must be something about Official Secret Seminar because millions upon millions of people are getting into this and joining in. This might be the one thing that helps you realize your goals and get you the success that you have always dreamed about. It is the most comprehensive wealth building program to come along in a long while. This is truly a unique wealth education and wealth building program designed to empower any individual with the resources to get rich. It is a program whose time has come. All you need to do is go to Official Secret Seminar to find out more about it.

"This is a Sponsored Review"


























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What's In A Name??

Naming a business is alot like naming a child. It is not a step to be taken lightly. You do not want to name it something that is too hard to pronounce or spell. It is not a good idea to name it something that the customers will have too much trouble with and will soon forget. It is best to pick a name that is easy to spell, pronounce, remember, and is easy to recognize.
Does the name fit the overall image you want for your business? Often new entrepreneurs come up with hip and trendy names for their stores or businesses. That makes it memorable and targets a particular market, but what do they do when the trend fades and the target market gets older? Look for a name that will stand the test of time.
Is the name too generic? Is it too much like a competitor's name? Write down some of the names of your competitor's and see how you compare. Make your name distinctive. Let your name set the image you want to set forth and signify the items you sell or the service you do.
If you already have a name and see that it is not working ,do you have enough money and resources to change it?? It does not come cheap. It involves changing your signs, business cards, ads, marketing materials, logos, and stationery. Plus you have to figure in the legal fees. Tally up the cost for the name change and see if it worth it. If your old name is well known and you have a great customer base than it might not be a good idea to change your business name, but if you are a new business it might bring new enthusiasm to your business.
If you develop a name that suits you and your business than you will gain recognition and a business that customers will remember! Think long and hard before naming your business.


























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#23 Tip For Success

DON'T SETTLE

If you have a goal of one thing and end up working at something else in the meantime, do not settle for that. Do not lose sight of your goal and just think of this as a learning experience. You might want to be a chef in your own restaurant that you own one day, but are working as a short order cook at the local cafe. Do not get stuck there, just remember this is a good training ground and do not lose sight of your ultimate goal.

























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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Cajun Country Candies

I want to share with you an exciting Home Based Business Opportunity that is currently earning an steady monthly income for thousands of affiliates.



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You don't ever worry about:



- Collecting the money
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- Customer service



... or anything else for that matter! You just do the promotion and collect your commission from the resulting sales!



So if you'd like to learn how you can join the CCC Affiliate Program today -- at absolutely no cost, with absolutely no risk -- and start profiting from products that are earning current affiliates thousands of dollars every month, then I highly recommend visiting...


GET MORE INFORMATION HERE

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Lessons a Toddler Taught Me About Running a Business

I’m always amazed as how much my son teaches me about life -- that is, when I take the time to remark that what he’s doing can teach me something valuable… I watched him play on our porch one sunny day, and asked myself, “What can I learn about myself and the way I run my business?” Here are a few lessons I’ve learned:

Growth & Learning:

- growth is gradual -- you don’t grow up in one day, one week, one month, or even in one year

- learn new skills by watching the big kids

- be curious; explore everything

- just take one step at a time

- never refuse help if it’s offered

- don’t worry about getting your hands dirty

Success:

- take risks

- if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again

- don’t be afraid to play with the big kids

Social Life, Relationships:

- have those 1 or 2 people that will comfort you when you fall

- have your “cheering squad” who will celebrate your small accomplishments

- say ‘hi’ or smile to everyone you meet

Creativity, Self:

- find creative ways to get around obstacles

- say “no”

- see how high/far you can reach/climb

- if you don’t like something the first time you try it, try it at least 2 more times before deciding you don’t like it

- have fun

- be in the moment

This is a reminder to take each opportunity you have to notice the simpler aspects of your surroundings, to learn something new about yourself, and to lean back and take a breath every once in a while. The success of your business could depend on it.

Copyright. Cristina Favreau. All rights reserved.

























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#22 Tip For Success

BE PASSIONATE

Fall in love with your success. This might sound funny ,but you need to have an intimate passion with your interest. You can do this regardless of what your goal is. By having passion for what you are doing and driving towards, You will put more effort into it. Passion is a great thing , just do not let it become an obsession.

























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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Get Web Content! SEO

This is one of the best content sites I have found ! Get Web Content is a web content site that only offers the best ,high quality content around. They are
Dedicated to giving you access to original ,interesting , and search engine optimized web content that is written just for your site and budget. The type of content they offer can raise your website traffic, search engine ranking and even your sales.
Get Web Content has professional writers and once one is assigned to you they will provide you with fresh content that is written just for your site ,blog, newsletters, and more. Their writers have written thousands of pages of web copy for some major companies. Such as Wired News and CNET. They are all experienced and will give you fresh content no matter how small or large the job is.
Get Web Content is one of the few full service, copy creation agencies on the web. They optimize their content to search engine guidelines. You will even get suggestions on meta tagging page titles to increase your web site’s search engine visibility.
So if you are on the look out for great content that will get you traffic and higher search engine rank than you need to get over to Get Web Content . You will get dynamic content that will be original and informative. You will get copy that sells.
Google gives a few suggestions for ( SEO ) search engine rank :
Create a useful, information-rich site, and write pages that clearly and accurately describe your content.
Think about the words users would type to find your pages, and make sure that your site actually includes those words within it.
Try to use text instead of images to display important names, content, or links. The Google crawler doesn't recognize text contained in images.
If you choose to use Get Web Content you will get 100% satisfaction guaranteed. You will also be partnered with a professional copywriter. This is an easy and economical way to get more traffic and a higher page rank to your site or blog.



























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#21 Tip For Success

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

While being determined is important, do not be so hard on yourself that you become critical of every move you make. Give yourself some room to make mistakes and be flexible with yourself. That does not mean you can miss some of your goals, but if you do find out how it happened and and how to keep it from happening again. Then get back to business!!

























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Scary Reasons Not To Start A Home Based Business

Thinking of starting a home based business can be a scary affair. After the thrill of getting that brilliant idea, it's usually in that first battle with the mind that people lose and give up. Our minds are terribly good at looking at the down side of things. Here are SEVEN SCARY reasons why people shy away from starting their own home based business and SEVEN SIMPLE steps to help you overcome those fears.

Fear of failure and making mistakes.
Nobody like's making mistakes and failing, especially if it concerns something major like starting a home based business. That's why many people take the easy way out and quit. After all, if you don't try, then you won't fail.

Fear of change.
Running a home based business (any business for that matter) often forces you to change and improve your attitude, working style, personal preferences and bad habits. Unfortunately, most of us would rather accept the problems we DO know than the possibilities we DON'T. We're often caught in a comfort zone - and it cripples our dreams and limits our potential!

Fear of commitment and responsibility
In many ways, it's easier to work for someone else. You needn't worry about the thousands of details that your boss has to consider. A home based business is a guaranteed crash course in commitment and responsibility! There is NO running away from the boss, NO hiding from the customers and NO switching off your mind after work!

Fear of hard work.
When we first started our home catering business, I had LOTS of problems adapting. I went from being a web developer in long sleeves and tie in a nice comfy office to an apron in a hot, stuffy kitchen, cleaning and chopping chicken, meat, fish and veggie, scrubbing the kitchen, pot, pans and stove, taking out tons of garbage and well... you get the idea... Yes, there were days when I was tempted to give all this hard work!

Fear of success.
I've got to be honest - one of the major reasons I shied away from starting my own home based business for so long was the fear of success! It seemed so much easier to just be my old self, holding on to my old goals. Mediocrity is a whole lot easier to achieve than success. I feared having to face ALL the seven scary reasons listed here!

Fear of competition.
You may be worried about competitors but the truth is that when you're a newbie, the big boys probably won't notice you. It's when you've been around for a while and maybe when some of their customers have made their way to you that they begin noticing. The good thing is that by then, you should have gained sufficient experience and be savvy enough to stand your own ground.

Fear of uncertainty.
No doubt about it. Running a home based business WILL mean lots of uncertainties, but isn't it be better knowing YOU were in control of these uncertainties instead of your boss or someone you don't even know?

Okay... that was pretty nasty medicine. Reality always is. Now that we've faced seven scary reasons not to start a home based business, here are seven simple steps to overcome them...

Reality check!
Know yourself - what you're good at and what you're not. Know what drives you and what you're passionate about. Starting a home based business around what you do best is the easiest way to start.

Do your homework
Find out everything you can about the business you want to start. Visit the library. Scour the Internet. Ask people who are already doing it or have done it. Mind you, make sure they've been successful at it, otherwise they're going to lead you in the wrong direction.

Don't walk with turkeys
You can't fly with eagles when you keep walking with turkeys! Every negative word you hear (from turkeys) will scribble its way into your subconscious. If you keep company with turkeys, your hopes and dreams are probably going to end up burnt to a crisp and served on the thanksgiving table.

Fly with eagles
Keep company with eagles - positive people who know what it takes to make dreams come true! Keep your heart and mind fixed on your goal. If you're sure your home based business is workable, then find ways to work it! Seek guidance and support from the eagles in your life. Never be afraid to ask questions and seek help.

Make your dreams real
The best way to do this is to write down every dream or idea you have. Writing them down makes your dreams something tangible you can see and work on. Vocalize your dream. Visualize yourself reaching your goal. Make sure you jealously guard your dreams against negative thoughts and words.

Small steps
When you think of how BIG a problem or task is, you give yourself BIG worries! Break every problem into smaller tasks and solve them one by one. Remember... to move a mountain, you do it one stone at a time, one rock at a time, one boulder at a time.

Persistence and patience
If a dream is worth dreaming, it's worth struggling for. Problems WILL arise but remember that every problem is an opportunity for you to learn to become stronger, smarter and more resilient. Take every problem in stride and keep your eyes fixed on your goal.

There you have it folks - SEVEN SCARY REASONS that may be preventing you from becoming a successful home based business owner and SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS to help you overcome them! Success comes one step at a time - cheers!
Author: Andrew Shim

























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Monday, March 12, 2007

7 Top Tips for Starting Your Own Home Based Business

So, you've decided to start a home based business. Congratulations! and welcome to the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship. While there is a lot to learn, your effort will be worth it. The thrill of growing your business, the freedom and flexibility to set your own hours, and the possibilities of ever-increasing financial rewards are all wonderful reasons to start your home based business.

Now that you've decided to start your business, you might be wondering "How can I get it off to the strongest possible start?" These seven tips will help:

1) Set up a separate working space in your home. It doesn't matter if this is a small bedroom, one part of the garage, or a corner of the living room. The important thing is to have some space that you can designate as your working area. This will give you the space and room you need to craft your dream.

2) Stock your working space with materials. This sounds basic, perhaps, but one underlying element of success is that you have easy access to the tools, materials, and other resources you need. Gathering everything close by also keeps you from wasting time searching for it, so this step can be considered a time management strategy, too.

3) Speaking of time management, your third step is to define the parameters of your business. What days and hours will you work? When will you market? When will you provide services or products to clients? How will you keep all of this straight?

4) Balance action with planning. One of the most common pitfalls to successful entrepreneurship is getting too caught up in action without enough planning. Stated another way, this means that you confuse "being busy" with "working on important projects." The best approach is to plan your next couple of goals and then work backwards to create step by step action plans to reach them. Once you have the plan, then it's time to take the action.

5) Network like crazy. One of the fastest ways to grow any business is to make connections with other people. Be sure to share your passion and enthusiasm with others at every opportunity. Let people know who you are and what you offer. Remember, people can't buy if they don't know you're selling.

6) Present a professional image. If you want to be treated professionally, present a professional image. Set up a separate bank account for your business. Install a separate phone and fax line. Create professional marketing materials. Be courteous and pleasant in all your customer facing interactions. Basically, be someone people want to do business with.

7) Automate your business as much as possible. Granted, you are just one person (right now) and might have a lot of extra time to take care of all the details. This might work for now, but won't work into the future as you get busier and busier. It's best to set up automatic systems and processes right from the start to free up your time to concentrate on the most profitable activities.

These seven tips will get your home business started (and growing) in the right direction.
Author: Sami Fab |


























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Get Inspired!! (Featured WAHM)

Do you want to start your own home business?? Are you too scared to try or do not think that you can do it?
Working at home is something that a lot of us are wanting to do and most of us will try. I just hope that we are all as successful as this Work at home mom! She took an idea and something that she loves doing and went from there. Prontip & Co is the website of a work at home mom who just started out looking for a way to stay at home with her children AND have a business. She had been sewing for more than 20 years. This seemed like the best thing to do. Sharing her artistic gift seemed like the natural thing to do. All of her designs are one of a kind sewn by her. Most of them are one of a kind. She even will do custom orders.
Here is a quote by Protip & Co "I thank the Lord for my artistic gift. This dream would not be possible without the grace of God and the loving support of my family and friends. " This is something that we all need to remember. God has given each of us some kind of gift and we need to learn how to use it and put it to its best use. Maybe you have a gift for sewing like Prontip & Co does or you might have a gift with baking, animals, or something else that you could make into something. If you have a dream to work at home and you want to stay home with your children, Than shoot for that dream. You will never know if you can do it ,until you try. Prontip & Co. was sitting right where you are at one time and jumped in with her dream and has made something of it. She took her love and knowledge of sewing and created something that is beautiful and something that can be an inspiration to all of us who are wanting to work at home.
(Find out more about this WAHM at her Life in the Fast Lane Blog)

























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#20 Tip For Success

STAY MOTIVATED.

When moving toward your goals ,it is critical to stay motivated. Listen to motivational tapes or read books. Whenever you start to feel down and doubt creeps listen or read one. Remember what you are working for and keep striving towards that.

























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Sunday, March 11, 2007

How to Start a Freelance Career

How to Start a Freelance Career


Work at Home and Earn an Excellent Income


Imagine being able to work from your own home, doing a job you love, and
getting paid handsomely for doing it. Wouldn't that be great?



Well, the good news is that this is not just a fantasy. It is a prospect that is
well within your reach. Today, millions of people worldwide have established
highly-successful careers as freelance professionals. Writers, designers,
programmers and many other home-based consultants have discovered that
freelancing offers the perfect combination of freedom, creativity, flexibility
and profitability.



So do you need years of experience and fantastic qualifications to join these
lucky people? Not at all. You just need a skill that you can offer to potential
clients, and the willingness to learn how to run a home-based business.



Of course, the biggest challenge for new freelancers is finding enough work to
justify giving up a day job. How can you be sure that you will keep yourself
busy with lucrative work? This used to be a concern, but thanks to the advent of
the Internet, things are now much easier.



Now there are a number of job sites dedicated to helping freelancers find work
and stay busy. Freelance Work Exchange, for example, brings you hundreds of
fresh freelance jobs like these:



Write for Discussion Boards: $1200 per week, plus bonus

A writer is needed for an ongoing writing project. You will need to write copy
to stimulate others into joining the discussion board. The writer needs to
actively encourage regular and meaningful debate on the relevant discussion
board, with some moderating of the content. You must have solid writing skills
and good ideas.



Administer a Web Business from Home: $4000 per month

A successful e-commerce venture is seeking a part-time virtual assistant to act
as a home-based office manager. You will deal with email correspondence, update
site content and deal with general admin issues. You should have your own
computer and Internet access.



Transcribe Author's Notes: $80 per hour, flexible working

A publishing company is seeking a freelance with an eye for detail to
transcribe authors' notes and recordings for a range of ongoing projects. You
must have a good grasp of English, be able to edit content into readable form,
and be able to submit work from home by email.



You can sign up for a trial subscription for just $2.95, and get instant
access to all the projects in the jobs database. So if you would like to get
started on the road to freelance success right now, click here to sign up
today
.



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Blog Carnival ~~ 2nd Edition~~

Wow! I got some really great articles added to my Blog Carnival this week. Thy are all frugal ideas and tips to work at home.

Nat JM presents Selling personalized coasters on eBay - an idea for a work-from-home business posted at Food for your mind. A sound idea for making a part-time income from home. Little investment necessary. This is NOT a get-rich-quick scheme but a genuine business idea.

Alan presents Starting your own business posted at Made to Be Great.

Barbra Sundquist presents Lawyer, Accountant, Candlestick Maker: Does Your Small Business Really Need Them? posted at HomeBusinessWiz.

If you have any articles you have written on your own blog about starting a home based business with no or very little money than post it at my Blog Carnival.
Deadline is Saturday of each week!
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SEARCH FOR MORE BLOG CARNIVALS AT GOOGLE BELOW>>>>>>>>>>


























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#19 Tip For Success

BE PROACTIVE

It might take time to learn how to avoid obstacles , get into the habit of tackling problems before they arise. This will help you to avoid wasting time on your road to success.

























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Saturday, March 10, 2007

Start A Scrapbook Home Business

If you love scrapbooking, you've probably thought about staring a home scrapbook business. Are you the kind of person that finds just the right colors, papers and accessories to make memories last, and do you love to share with others? Are you passionate about scrapbooking, and want to see if you can make income from something you love?

The power of the internet can make your dream come true. You can start an online home based scrapbook business by providing a number of goods or services online. To make money with a home based scrapbook business, you can offer services, such as advisory services, idea newsletters, sale alerts and send these out periodically to your subscribers. Include tips and tricks, offer free how-to publications on scrapbooking, or critique and advice columns. You can even set up your mailings as part of a paid-membership site. If you're creative and can show others how to do what you do, there is no limit to what you can offer your readers and subscribers. You could also offer to make scrapbooks for others, or help other scrapbook hobbyists enhance their memory books. Display samples of your work online to show your style and product.

If you want to sell scrapbook products, you can either locate a distributor to sell the to you directly, or you can go the easy route and set up an affiliate account to allow you to sell scrapbook products provided by another merchant. For example, you can join an affiliate program for a variety of craft stores carrying scrapbook products. Using their affiliate tools, you can list scrapbook products for sale on your website or in your emails and newsletters. When one of your visitors or members purchase from your craft store merchant, you get a percentage of the sale for he referral. No need for inventory, a storefront or the costs of opening a store - and your market can be world wide!

If you build up to a full website, you might consider offering your own hard goods sold direct, as you find wonderful items to bring to your site visitors. With a website, you can even add demonstration video, audio files such as interviews, discussion groups your members can join and much more. Making a site valuable and content-rich means you'll build a large and loyal following of people who share your love of scrapbooking.

The best part is that you can start for little or no money. You can join affiliate programs with just an email address, and build a website later when it becomes useful. By posting in scrapbook forums and including a good signature file on your emails, people come to know and visit your site, and buy from you. From there, you can build a mailing list that becomes more valuable as your members grow and know and trust your advice and ideas.

One of the best ways to make cash with a home scrapbooking business is to write an eBook with ideas and how-to tips for readers to purchase from you. Information is a big seller on the Web, and by writing your own eBook, you can sell it from your own website or newsletter, as well as offer it to other internet marketers looking for eBooks to promote. For example, a site such as ClickBank offers a variety of eBooks and other digital information that resellers can promote. You pay them a percentage of the sale and they do all the marketing. It’s perfect for craft business owners who are seeking ways to extend their income while doing something they love.

Today even video and audio files can sell - how-to videos both sold online or in DVD form are big sellers across the Web. As a scrapbook enthusiast, you can sell patterns and other information online too. Is there information you can deliver to others that would make their scrapbook experience better or more fun? Why not publish your own information.

Today there are plenty of Internet based tools to help you put your information, newsletter or even website up online in short order. Building a home based scrapbook business is a perfect topic for a profitable website.

When you build a website based on something you love, it shows. Combining enthusiasm for your work- your passion about it - and offering great ideas and good products to visitors who share your passion and interest can be a lucrative combination that can help you make a home scrapbook business profitable and fun.

























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Keep Your Customers Coming Back

Getting customers to come to you is one thing ,but keeping them is another. If you can keep them coming back than your business will grow. You will secure your future and not have to work as hard. You also need to keep searching for new customers. If your old customers start to leave than you are in trouble. You need to follow these tips to be sure those customers are repeat customers.
Stay in touch with your customers. Do not forget about them after they have handed you their money. Keep a customer file with addresses , phone numbers, and emails. After they bought from you contact them after a few days to see if they are happy with their item. Be prepared to answer questions. If you provide a service that ought to be done regularly send cards out to your customers reminding them it is close to time for service to be redone.
Show your customers your appreciation. A small gift after a sale or giving a hostess a small gift after a party doesn't hurt. They will remember you better.
Don't let your customers forget you. Make sure you put business card with your info in each package.
Reward loyal customers. If your customers are repeat customers than give them rewards. You could give them discounts. Give them rewards when they send you new customers,too.
Make sure you keep track of your customers growing needs. Did they switch jobs, move, have a new baby, etc.
Diversify your product line. Always be adding new items to your product line. Stay with something that is related to your original line. If you sell greeting cards, maybe you could add wrapping paper or stationery to your product line.
The great thing about repeat customers is that they will bring new customers to you. Word of mouth is the best promotion. So make sure your current customers are happy.




























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