BlogDumps Affiliate Program

This would be another great way to make money online!! Put the banners on your blog and watch the money come in!! That is it.


Threadsmith - Custom Embroidery for Small Businesses

Success Start-Up Tips For A Recession

During tough economic times , starting a home based business is a great thing to do. You will be saving money by not spending so much on gas and daycare. Here are a few tips so that you have success with your start-up during a recession:

1. Keep a strict eye on your finances. Be thrifty in all of your spending. Make sure that right at the start you have what you really need for your business. You can always buy extras later when you have more money coming in. Avoid building debt and keep your fixed expenses low. Maintain a positive cash flow.

2. Market your business effectively. Search for where your ideal customers are and market too them! Especially to them that will keep buying. Maybe market yourself more often with low cost advertising and publicity tactics to save money. Encourage word of mouth advertising from your customers by offering them savings or freebies.

3. Partner with other business owners on projects and in advertising.

4. Stick to your mission and build a strong business philosophy that will guide your business's operations successfully through any and all economic fluctuations. If you prepare in advance then when times are rough you will be able to stay afloat.

5. Be alert for potential profitable sidelines of your business services or products that will meet people's specific demands caused by a slow economy. Maybe offer free shipping or delivery so they will not have to drive when gas is so high.

6. Offer the highest quality. Your customers are going to want to highest quality and the best service even during tough economic times.

7. Be flexible and ready to adapt your business to any challenge and economic threat that is thrown your way. Always be planning ahead so that your are prepared for anything that is sent your way. You customers will trust you more when they can see that any challenge that is thrown your way is met with confidence and taken care of!!







Threadsmith - Custom Embroidery for Small Businesses

I have been "sew" busy!!

I have not been writing on this blog in a while now. I have been so busy with sewing. I have been making a ton of things. Lately it is nothing but cloth diapers. You can see some of them on Cloth Diaper Blog and I have a made a few for my son and a ton for my grand daughter.

I will get a break soon to write more on here. Bear with me. I get into these moods where all I want to do is sew and it will pass soon!!

Threadsmith - Custom Embroidery for Small Businesses

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.



Threadsmith - Custom Embroidery for Small Businesses

The Top 7 Overlooked E-bay Success Tips

by: Jamie Sloan



Last year alone, millions of people made a profit on e-bay. Some were just selling odds and ends, while some ran huge businesses exclusively on e-bay. The amount of commerce done on the internet is only expected to increase, making prospects for e-bay users bright. You very well may be one of the people who's discovered the great benefits of making money from e-bay auctions. I myself have been an e-bay user for a little over a year and have had great success with my auctions.

When my friend began her business on e-bay selling high end purses, it started out quite rocky. Her auctions weren't getting the hits she wanted and usually sold off of one bid, instead of creating the bidding frenzy that beautiful bags like she had should have!

So, she called me up knowing I had been successfully using e-bay for almost a year at the time. She gave me her login information (we're best friends- she trusts me!) and asked me to check her her sales and current auctions and see if I noticed where the problem was. When I saw her current auctions, alot became obvious!

So, I compiled a list of things that I had used which had made me successful which I suggested she implement into her own auctions. I even revised the auctions she had active at the time. One of those auctions- a gorgeous brown Coach purse- sold for $546.00. She had listed it for $125.00. It was her biggest sale yet and she was thrilled.

The funny thing is, the methods I use are not some internet guru secrets. They are just things I picked up during my time using e-bay, but seem to be overlooked alot of the time. Here are what I have found to be the top 7 overlooked tips for successful e-bay auctions:

1. The Importance of a Good Title- When you're creating a title for your auction, you've gotta think like a buyer. When I checked my friend's listings, she had a beautiful, brand new brown patchwork Coach purse titled as 'coach purse'. This is way too general! A buyer knows what they want; in your title, include color, any brand name, main keywords that people will search, and condition is possible. I changed her title to "Brown & Beige Patchwork Coach Purse-Brand New". By the next day, it had over 100 new hits. Previously her auctions were hardly even reaching 100 hits throughout the whole 5 days.

Another mistake people often make is writing things like 'The best wristwatch ever!!!!" Even if you do believe you're selling the best wristwatch ever, is this really what a buyer is searching for? Of course not. Use a more descriptive, detailed title like 'Gold Armani Wrist Watch w/ Leather Band-New".

One more thing when it comes to titles: make sure keywords are included. For example, whatever the item you're selling actually IS, include that in the title. On e-bay, I mostly sell high end women's heels. I always make sure to include in my title 'Womens Shoes" because this is a common keyword. An example of a title I would use is:

"Brown Marc Jacobs Womens Silver Stud Pumps Shoes"- I know that 'pumps shoes' sounds awkward, but many women will search for "marc jacobs womens shoes", and I want to be sure my item shows up in the results. Use these tips when creating your title and you'll be sure to see increased traffic to your auction.

2. Give honest descriptions- Sure, that stain, tear, or other defect may be sooo small that it's almost impossible to notice. Still, mention it in your auction. If you send an item out and a buyer realizes that the item has a defect that you didn't mention in the auction description, they will be disappointed and very possibly leave you negative feedback. Anyone familiar with e-bay knows that feedback is everything. It is what makes people feel comfortable buying from you and proves that you are a trustworthy, reliable buyer.

It's best to provide a photo of any defects so potential buyers can see what they're getting. And believe me, if you say that there's a defect but don't show a picture, people will e-mail you asking for some. I have sometimes had a defect so tiny on a shoe that I couldn't even get it to show up in a picture. If that's the case, say it! Provide a picture of the area where the defect is and also explain in your listing that it's so miniscule that you can't get it to show up in the picture. Buyers will trust you much more and be way more willing to buy from you in the future. You also won't have to deal with an unsatisfied customer who can damage your feedback rating and make future potential buyers hesitant or even completely dissaude them from buying from you.

3. Offer International Shipping- So often I see sellers who are providing great products but don't offer international shipping. Let me tell you- about 30% of my sales are to international buyers, and very often international buyers will pay more for products. I never understood why people are restraining their own sales potential by not offering international shipping.

Remember, the buyer is the one who pays the shipping, not you!! Even though international shipping is expensive, you are not paying it! And don't be discouraged thinking sending things internationally is difficult- it's super simple and not much different then sending things within the country. If you use USPS (the method I find most efficient for prices and service), you may have to fill out a short customs sheet that takes no more than a minute. Don't be lazy! Offer international shipping and see your sales soar!

4. Send a Thank You card with your purchase- You can get packs of black decorative cards from any general store, WalMart, or even discount chains like TJ Maxx. Buy a couple packs and with people's packages, send a nice thank you card.

You don't have to write a dialog, just a simple "Name of Buyer, Thanks so much for your bid! Enjoy your purchase, and I hope to do business with you in the future! Your Name or Business Name" If you want to really go all out and rake in some super feedback, include a small free gift. When I sell a pair of shoes I usually include a free headband or pair of earrings. If you'd like to try this out, try to find something that compliments whatever it is that you're selling. You could also include a little bag of candy or some tea light candles (go to the dollar store for great knick knacks and free gift ideas). Use your imagination to make your customers satisfied and loyal!

5. Offer combined shipping Buyers love combined shipping. If you offer a good combined shipping deal, and have more than one item they're interested in, they're ten times more likely to buy both items. Some people choose to determine combined shipping depending upon the two items the buyer is interested in, while others have set shipping rules. A good example is to charge $_.__ for the first item and offer to send the second item free, or for $1.00-$2.00 more. Usually the additional weight of the package isn't much so it's possible to offer combined shipping without losing any profit at all. Determine your own rates depending on the weight of the items you sell and the shipping service you use.

6.Keep communication with Buyers open and offer more pictures upon request. Of course in your listing you must include good pictures to attract buyers. Most people include 2-4 pictures per listing, depending on the size of the items and any special details you've got to show. I always include at least 3 pictures, and more if I feel the item needs more pictures of some detail it has that is unique.

Even though you have already provided your buyers with good pictures, it's helpful to write in your listing "Contact me with any questions or for more pictures. (with your contact info)" This is another method that makes buyers instantly trust you more and feel more comfortable placing bids. They feel that the communication lines are open and that they can get more info on the item if needed. And don't be discouraged thinking that you'll spend the whole day responding to e-mails requesting more photos; If you've already included good pictures, most people won't bother asking for more. Of over 50 listings where I've written this, only one person ever asked me for additional pictures. Check your e-mail though at least once a day to see if you've got any questions, people love quick responses and will reward you with good feedback for your effective communication.

7. Always use Delivery Confirmation- This is a biggie! Make sure that when you post your shipping costs, delivery confirmation costs are included so buyers aren't questioning the extrra expense when they receive their invoice. Delivery confirmation is a cheap effective way to ensure both your own and the buyer's investment.

First of all, you do not want to get scammed. What? Scammed? Yes, it happens. I know that most of the scamming referred to on e-bay is about sellers who scam their buyers, but don't be naive; we sellers are also at risk. Although the majority of the e-bay community is good people who are just trying to conduct legitimate transactions, there are those rotten apples which make it hard for all of us.

The usefulness of delivery confirmation was brought to my attention my an acquaintence of mine who does some selling on e-bay. He sold some very high quality digital remote for around $250.00. He shipped the item using delivery confirmation, and after about a week told me he received an e-mail from the buyer saing she'd never received the product. She filed a whole complaint with e-bay and made a big fuss about it. GOOD THING he had the delivery confirmation number and was able to prove that the product had been shipped to her address. Don't let one of these scammers get a chance to cheat you out of your money.

Making delivery confirmation a requirement is also something that will make serious bidders trust you more and see that you're a legitimate business person who wants to secure shipment. Think about it; if someone requests NOT to use delivery confirmation, you can guess where their intentions are. The extra .75 is not breaking anyone's piggy bank, so don't feel bad about it.

There you have it! Use these highly useful yet highly overlooked tips to generate more traffic to your auctions and enjoy higher sale prices. To e-bay success!

Check out http://www.freelancemommystudio.com for more e-bay and work at home tips and programs!

Threadsmith - Custom Embroidery for Small Businesses

Make Money Selling Essential Oils, Incense, ETC

This is a proven home based business that will make you some great extra money and could even turn into a full-time business. You can get a free wholesale catslog that is full of "grade A" perfume, essential oils, incense, lotions, and more. All that you have to do is go HERE the Scentsational Shoppe, and find all of the information that you need to start this home based business. Now is the best time to get into this with the holidays coming up!!



Threadsmith - Custom Embroidery for Small Businesses

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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WAHM Time

How do you squeeze enough time into your already busy day to work??

Start by figuring out how much time you can give your business and how much time is needed. Actually create a work schedule.

You need to set some ground rules with your family and friends! Let them know when you will be working and that your answering machine will be on for that time.

Set your hours. Find out when you are most productive and set that as your time to work. When you are working you need to be able to turn your back on other demands for that time.

Do not start cleaning the house ,etc, Go to your workspace and actually WORK!!!!

When you are planning your work schedule take some things into account.
1. When you are most productive
2. When their are the least distractions. (Like for me , I do most of my work at about 3 OClock in the morning after my hubby leaves for work and the kids are all still asleep.
3. Remember to allow yourself time for rest and relaxing.

Be realistic with your time. If you only have 3 hours a day to work ,than make the most of your time. and if you want more work time - you might cut back on other things , like for example - cut back on t.v. time. Do you really need to watch that show?

When you do find time to work - STICK TO IT. This is an actual job , you are just working at home. You have to treat it like a job and let your family know that it is your job and that you have to work.

Remember that you are the only one that can work towards your own success.

Get Support

If you are a work at home mom or dad than you already know that the number one thing that you need is support from your family and friends. You need someone that backs you in all that you do and will give you honest advice and feedback. You are doing something that in not very traditional. So you will need all of the support you can get for your working at home endeavor to succeed.
To make sure you get all of the support you need , involve your family and friends as much as you can. Let them know your plans and goals. If they are involved, even a tiny bit, they will feel more likely to support you at your work at home business.
Let them know what you are doing with your home based business. Let them know what your planning in achieving with it and how long you think it will take to accomplish. Tell them all there is to know about the business you are going to be involved in and how may hours a week you will need to devote to it to make it succeed.
Make sure you take your business seriously so that others will. Set hours and let friends and family know when they can and cannot contact you. Make sure you let them know how you are doing with your goals and even celebrate successes with them.
Stay true to your goal and share with your family and friends all of the highs and lows of your trek. Do not let yourself be down if someone does not support you in the beginning. They might become your biggest supporter after they see that you can and will succeed.

Why Didn't I Come Up With This??

How many times have I seen something that I thought was such a unique idea and that I could have come up with it. Like this "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" handbag! How ingenious is that! That is such a cool idea and such a unique item that the waiting list just to be notified of its release is a mile long.


Makes me remember the "Pet Rock"! How wild was that? The dumbest idea and it was a best seller. The person who came up with that idea became an millionaire over night.

Just goes to show you that if you do come up with a unique idea that you think is great and would make you some money ,than you need to go with it. Do not just keep the idea in your head. Try and figure out how to make it real. Try to make the item and market it. My husband has come up with some great ideas and not done them and we know they would have made some huge money. Some of them have since came out. The people who made them have become rich and we are still sitting here going paycheck to paycheck.
So the moral of this story is that : IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR SOMETHING DO NOT TELL ANYONE ELSE JUST GO OUT ON YOUR OWN AND TRY TO MAKE THE IDEA REAL!

Saving Time While Working At Home

One of the best ways to get organized and save time is to make
a “to-do” list.
Try not to leave anything out. List everything from the most
Important to the least important.
When you get finished writing out your list do not feel overwhelmed.
Go over the list and select the most important things that need to be
Done. Like calling important customers, ordering supplies, etc.
Make sure you write down next to these when you need to have them
Done. Is there anything on the list that you could delegate to
Someone else to do for you?
When you business prospers you might have to hire employees to
Do the work that you no longer have the time to do. Many small
Business people think that they are the only ones that can do stuff.
That could be your downfall.
Over time you might find that the items on your list are not as
Important. They can be put off until another time.
You do need to be able to decide when something is a priority.
Like going to talk to an important client about a problem.
Put your list somewhere that you are sure not to miss it or get
Lost in your paper work.
If you follow your “to-do” list than you should save a lot of time
Because you are getting everything done . When stuff gets put
Off than it will slow you down trying to catch up.

Wordless Wednesday - What I have been working in lately!!

I love being able to work at home in my pj's!!

Start A Craft Based Business

I have been crafting for years and just recently started selling some of my home mades in my booth. I do not really consider it a business though. Some of you out there would love to start a home based craft business. You might make quilts, doggie clothes and accessories, jewelry, baby items, and the list goes on and on!! The possibilities are absolutely endless when it comes to crafting.
I think the hardest part is deciding how much to price the items for. You have to figure in the cost for supplies, your hours, and more.
You can get some great information and advice in books that I am currently reading or have read recently. (I love our library!)

There are many more great books out there. But these are ones that I have read recently and loved.



There is alot of stuff you have to think about if you are going to sell home made items. Like how you will price them, package them, etc. I make home made doggie treats and I package them in jars that I have left from spaghetti sauces, etc! It is a great recycling thing and it looks really high end. I paint the lids black and I make labels for the side. They sell pretty good. With reusing the glass jars that I get I am basically spending nothing on the packaging. Just the time it takes to paint the lids and clean them. If you look around your house ,you can come up with tons of great ideas for packaging items , like soaps, that will not cost anything.

If you sell unique home made items than you will be starting a great home based business. Try to make a niche with your home mades. Make something that is totally different and stands out. Your booth at the local craft fair will stand out and be the most popular.


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Start A Cloth Diaper Business

This is one thing that really seems to be making a comeback - Parents are choosing to use cloth diapers. I have even used them and I make them. You can start a great home based business by sewing cloth diapers, the fitted ones are the best, and selling them online. You can sell them on ebay or create your own online store. This is a home based business that does not take a lot of up front cost or time. You could easily start this in a weekend. Make a few from the free patterns that are scattered all over the internet and start an ebay account to sell them. You could even add to your inventory and sell other baby items.



This banner below takes you to a huge information filled site that has a list of FREE patterns.


SOME MORE FREE CLOTH DIAPER PATTERNS