Work At Home – How To Increase Your Productivity & Success While Working At Home

Author: Brice Mattson
Having a work-at-home business is increasingly become popular. Why? People are seeking ways to supplement their income and get a better work-life balance. People today prefer to be their own ‘boss’, and set their own work hours. If you decide to work home, you will also need to be organized and disciplined so that you get a lot of work done. It is your sole responsibility to keep yourself motivated. It is very easy to be distracted while working at home, therefore it is important for you to have some guideline to follow while you work at home.

1. Have clearly outlined goals to achieve. If you have decided to work at home, you have made a very important decision which has will impact on your future’s financial prospects. You will need to have targets that you will work towards achieving, and this will keep you motivated and focused on your work at home business.
2. Do not treat your home business like your hobby. If you really want to earn money while working at home, then you will need to treat your business like one, and be committed to make it successful.
3. Set out your business’ budget and requirements. A work at home project requires an investment of money, time and effort. It is important that before you start your work at home project, you know what your business will require for it to succeed.
4. In order for you to work properly in your home, be sure that you have the appropriate resources and tools you need to be able to work peacefully. Make sure that your office is fully set up, as this will help you be more productive while you work at home.
5. Have an established daily routine. Set your daily ‘to do list’ and follow it diligently in order for you to achieve your goals. Your daily routine should include all the actions you need to take in order to succeed in your home business. Prioritize your activities and also include some break time to relax or spend some with your family. Taking breaks is very important because when you come back to your work after a break you would be refreshed. The benefits of having a working at home business are that you can set your own hours of working, and you can take time to relax when you need it.
6. Be focused and consistent. A work at home business requires dedicated commitment. Because you are working from home, there will be days where may not be able to achieve your daily goals for one reason or another. It is also possible that you may feel discouraged if your work at home business is taking long to become profitable. You will need to keep being focused and work on your business consistently until you start earning the money you desire.
7. Interact and seek ideas from others. While you work at home, it is very easy to be secluded and have limited opportunities for sharing ideas with other people working at home. It is very important you make an effort to join any relevant forums where you can learn from others who have similar work at home businesses. It is also important to learn from others who have been successful with similar businesses to yours, so that you can shorten your learning curve.

Following these tips will help you to have a successful home based business. Working at home is very appealing, and if you take the necessary measures to make your business succeed, then you can make a lot of profits from it, while having a great lifestyle.

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The MOST Powerful Marketing and Advertising on the Planet!

by Matthew HesserSend Feedback to Matthew HesserMore Details about press release distribution here.
It sounds too simple to be true, but it really is... A well-targeted and timely PRESS RELEASE to the media is the most powerful form of marketing and advertising on the planet! A high quality press release, with the proper targeting and distribution to reach the correct media members, could have many businesses sailing on a sea of new sales and profits. Just one feature or a mention in a popular or targeted business publication has the potential to cause some business's phones to literally be ringing off the hook!
The next big question that arises, "How do you go about writing a quality press release that will grab the attention of the media and your particular audience?” Here are some tips to help you succeed:
Pick a "Newsworthy" Angle. Press releases are not an advertisement. Do not try to sell your product or service. Do not use "hype" in press releases. Instead give the media what they want and they will give you what you want. Now, what the press and media really want is a story! Just provide the Who, What, When, Where and How with regards to the uses of your products and/or services in a story format. Show examples of ways that people have used your products and services to their benefit. If you can include some emotions in your story all the better. Ask yourself: “Would this be something that I might read in a newspaper?“
Get a Good Start. The headline and the first few sentences of the first paragraph are the absolutely most important part of the press release. If you don't catch the reader’s interest here you will lose your audience. The best way to do this is to use your most hard-hitting information FIRST rather than build to a climax. This may be opposite to what you would normally do when writing other material - but it does work! What follows in your press release are the details that SUPPORT your story or theme.
Write to the Media. Remember, a journalist, editor or reporter, not necessarily a client, is reading your press release. It's not your job to sell them your product or service. It IS your job to give them an interesting story or piece of news that they will be happy to share and announce to their audience.
Keep your release short and to the point. It should contain no more than about 500 words and no more than two pages. Include your contact information. Provide full contact name, company name, full address, phone number, email address and Web site URL. The contact name should be someone who is knowledgeable and available to answer any questions by media members such as editors, reporters and journalists.
Targeted press releases to the media have helped thousands of companies succeed. They are the most powerful form of marketing and advertising on the planet! Remember: One article is all it takes!
For more information on how you can get a quality targeted press release written or have your press release distributed to the targeted media contacts in our 600,0000 press and media contact database, please visit our Advanced PR department at Majon International.
Keywords: press release distribution, press release services, write press releases, news release distribution
About the AuthorMatthew Hesser, Los OsosMore Details about press release distribution here. Matthew Hesser is President and CEO of Majon International, one of the most popular internet marketing and advertising companies on the internet located at: http://www.majon.com To get a high quality targeted press release written and/or distributed to the press and media, as well as get GUARANTEED media and press coverage for your business please visit: http://www.advanced-pr.com

You Need To Face Reality Before Starting A Home Based Business

Contributed by Kirk Bannerman
Tuesday, 06 June 2006
A home based business provides many rewards such as working in the comfort of your own home, avoiding a stressful commute, being your own boss, setting your own hours, no dress code, etc., etc., but anyone that is also expecting "instant riches" is sadly mistaken.

Many people that decide to start a home based business are destined to fail because their motivation and expectations arecompletely unrealistic.Over the years I have helped thousands of people start up their own home based businesses on the the Internet and I have come to recognize two of the most important factors for identifying people that should NOT attempt to start a home based business. If a prospective entrepreneur says something like..."I'm broke and need to make some money...fast!"or,"I want to start a home business, but I don't want to spend anything on it until after I start earning some money."...it is certain that they need a "reality check" and should not attempt to start a home business under either of those conditions. I refer to these two comments as the "death sentences" for starting a home based business.Almost equally important is the need to have realistic economic expectations when undertaking a home based business. There is magic here, folks. A home based business provides many rewards such as working in the comfort of your own home, avoiding a stressful commute, being your own boss, setting your own hours, no dress code, etc., etc., but anyone that is also expecting "instant riches" is sadly mistaken.There are a tremendous number of home business and work at home opportunities offered on the Internet. Many of these are all hype and try to convince you that it doesn't take any effort and that you will be making huge amounts of money in very little time (you know, stuff like..."you will be making $5,000 per week, and more, in just a few weeks!"). You should avoid these so called "opportunities" like the plague...if they were for real everyone would be doing it.Study the opportunities carefully and select the home business opportunity that seems to fit your own particular style or talents. What is a good choice for one person may be a very poor fit for someone else. The common thread that applies to everyone is that you must be "for real" (as indicated above) and the business opportunity itself must be "for real".----------------------------------------------------------------Kirk Bannerman operates a successful home based business and coaches others seeking to start their own home based business. Visit his website at Legitimate Home Based Business for more details. ----------------------------------------------------------------

7 Ways to Make Money With Content Online

Posted: 26-06-2006 Views: 2 Word Count: 239
By: Vita Vee


Over the last 6-7 years that I’ve made my living online I’ve discovered, as a writer, that there are huge opportunities for writers online.
Here are the 7 ways that I’ve made money by writing online:
1> Writing articles and selling the rights to other webmasters who want to re-produce the articles on their websites
2> Writing articles and reports available only to those who have paid to access my “collection”
3> Writing informative newsletters and selling ads in them
4> Writing about products and services I like, have purchased and found useful. Then I create a ‘link’ to the website that sells the product …if any of my subscribers buy, I get a commission
5> I create programs that allow others to resell my written content and charge a fee for them to do so
6> I write other people’s ezines for a fee
7> I create simple websites, add some articles or other content and sell them. I made as much as $8,875 on one simple website I created and sold
The Internet is a goldmine for writers like me and you and the possibilities are endless.
If you can’t write, there are services you can use to get other people to do the writing for you. Just makes sure if they do, you hire them on a “Work for Hire” basis, which means that you receive the exclusive copyright for the article they produced for you. If they do not agree to that, don’t hire them.

Article Tags:Money By Writing Online, Writing Articles, Make Money With Content Online
I hope you have enjoyed this Article.
Get Marketing Lessons for FREE by Installing The Online Wealth Chips & Tips Messenger.+ Get a FREE Bonus Video showing exactly How You Can Make Money Right Now!Vita Vee @ Internet-Marketing-Springboard.com
Article Source: www.ArticlesBase.com

Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

by Karri FlatlaSend Feedback to Karri FlatlaMore Details about small business marketing tips here.

When business people converse, the terms “small business owner” and “entrepreneur” are used interchangeably as if they mean the same thing. Yet I discern two very different connotations. Is this a matter of semantics? Or is there an important distinction to be made?
According to government statistics, “small businesses” comprise the vast majority of enterprises across North America, most of which close their doors before their fifth anniversary. What is more interesting to me is that I have never seen a government study that discusses the flailing “entrepreneur.” Then again, perhaps the only people who write about entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs.
I have an admission to make. I expect less from a small business owner than I do from a self-proclaimed entrepreneur. Think about it this way: if you were just introduced to someone at a local networking event, and he asked what you do, which of the following answers are you most likely to give?
“Hi. My name is Joe. I’m a small business owner.”
OR
“Hi. My name is Joe. I’m an entrepreneur.”
The first statement feels a bit more comfortable, doesn’t it? The second one, however, conveys a forthrightness that seems to presuppose a certain level of professional achievement. It is too bad that so many “small business” people are reluctant to admit as much to themselves or to their colleagues.
Yet the presupposition of success—to know precisely what “success” looks like and then to act as if you have already arrived—is precisely what separates the boys from the men. While everyone around them is obsessing over interest rates; while their cohorts are fumbling over new legislation; while the competition is cutting prices hoping to win back customers; and while the world stands agog, entrepreneurs forge ahead as if such matters are but trite inconveniences. They can afford to do so because their professional endeavors were never predicated on the status quo in the first place.
I think there is an important lesson to be learned here. If you operate a “small business,” you must eventually decide who you are going to be as you walk in the world, as you sleep at night, as you transact with clients, and as you talk about what you do with your friends and family. For the world will reflect back to you whatever you expect it to. When you expect the status quo, you can do nothing but plan for and allocate resources to facilitate the status quo. You will become the quintessential, anonymous small business owner who eventually shuts his doors after discovering that the status quo generates about as much ROI as his last nine-to-five job.
So, who do you want to be when you grow up?
Keywords: entrepreneurship,small business entrepreneur,entrepreneurial success,about entrepreneurs,entrepreneurial skills,small business marketing
About the AuthorKarri Flatla, LethbridgeMore Details about small business marketing tips here. Karri Flatla is a business graduate of the University of Lethbridge and principal of snap! virtual assistance inc., a small business consulting firm providing online marketing services to the progressive entrepreneur. Karri also produces Outsmart, a small business newsletter full of practical tips and fresh insights. Visit http://www.snap-va.com for more information.

Are Traffic Exchanges Really Worth Your Time?

by Rick CarboneSend Feedback to Rick CarboneMore Details about Site traffic evaluation here.

You have decided to use one of the many traffic exchanges to get traffic to your site and still no sales. A traffic exchange program simply is not the most effective way to get quality traffic to your website. It's not my intention to knock the traffic exchange business but to point out to new web entrants that there should be other areas of concentration.
The basis of a traffic exchange program is simple: your site is shown to someone else (another network member) each time you view another site or two other sites. Some exchanges work on a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio; that is, for every three sites you view they will show your site once on their network. All of this is free because you are participating in viewing other member's sites as part of the program. The criteria for getting page views of your own site is that you must stay on each site you view for a specified time, say 15-20 seconds in order to get your viewing credit. Each time you do this, you receive a credit. Remember, though, that you are viewing sites in a network and that those credits you are accumulating are being viewed by members just like you who are in just as much of a rush to get to the next site as you are.
What's the problem with this you may ask? Simply that the page views that you are working so hard to get are not being viewed by potential buyers of your products but by other members whose sole interest, like you, is to accumulate as many credits as possible. Not an especially great use of your time unless you consider getting high traffic to your site is your only concern. It could very well be that your only consideration is to have a high ranking in the traffic ranking sites. Then utilizing a click exchange will get you there with a lot of hard effort on your part. Some may argue that a percentage of the network members will buy your product or service when viewing your site on the exchange. This is true but it is a very small percentage.
The point I am attempting to make is that traffic exchanges are not the best venue for getting quality views and potential buyers to your site. Spend your time instead on developing your keywords and META tags for the search engines, as they will be your best bet in getting the appropriate traffic to your site. There are some great books and sites available to help you get better rankings on the search engine sites.
Keywords: home business, site traffic, promotion, home business opportunities
About the AuthorRick Carbone, East Setauket NY United Statesrcarbone@homebusinessresearch.comMore Details about Site traffic evaluation here. Rick Carbone is the owner of several home business sites. In particular http://HomeBusinessResearch.com has been on the Internet since 1998 helping many who wish to start their own home based business. Home Business Research provides resources, information, software and digital download programs for starting a home business.

Secrets of Successful Networking: Set Your Business on Fire!

by Stephanie ChandlerSend Feedback to Stephanie ChandlerMore Details about business networking here.

Networking isn’t just for Realtors; it’s a valuable tool for every savvy business leader. Meeting people in a variety of industries can lead to all kinds of alliances. Think about the people you know. How have those relationships enhanced your business?
No matter what kind of business you operate, whether you’re an independent contractor, store owner, infopreneur, professional speaker or consultant, networking can cause your business soar to new heights.
Advantages of Networking
*Meet Potential Clients. No matter where you go, you have the chance to meet people who could become clients for your business.
*Create Strategic Alliances. As you get to know someone new, you may find that you have common interests or goals. If so, suggest a way to work together.
*Increased Word of Mouth. Some of the best advertising that money cannot buy is word of mouth. The more people who learn about you and your business, the more chance you have to spread the word about your offerings.
*Develop Six Degrees of Separation. You never know where a new alliance can lead. I’ve had friendly business contacts refer me to speaking engagements (which then led to other speaking engagements), media exposure (which led to a slew of new clients), new business opportunities (that generated exposure and income), and marketing campaigns (spreading my reach with little cost or effort). Your new client could introduce you to another associate, and that person could introduce you to yet another person, and so on.
*Learn Something New. Savvy business leaders know that in order to stay at the top of their game, they need to continually learn more about their industry. You have the opportunity to learn something from each person you meet. You could discover a new business process, a useful technology, an industry trend or a creative marketing strategy.
*Challenge Yourself. When you meet someone whose level of success is higher than your own, challenge yourself to take your business to the next level. Let that person’s success inspire you to achieve more.
Twenty-five Steps to Successful Networking
1. Evaluate Your Handshake. This may seem like a no-brainer, but unfortunately a lot of people miss the ball on this one. Your handshake should be firm and confident without breaking bones. This is true for both women and men.
2. Watch Your Body Language. Nothing is more subtle than body language. Watch a roomful of people to see how each looks different. Confident people stand up tall, hold their heads high, and often talk with their hands. People who are shy or uncomfortable cross their arms in front of them, hang their heads low, and look disinterested. Who would you rather approach? Someone who looks miserable and closed off or someone who is confident and relaxed? Watch yourself in a mirror. See how much better you look when your posture is strong and your arms are at your side.
3. Maximize the Value of Your Business Card. Make sure the information on your card is up to date and accurate. There is nothing worse than someone who hands you a card and says, “Oh, but my phone number has changed. Let me write it in there for you.” Even if you have new cards on order, you can purchase blank card stock at the office supply store and print some temporary cards so you always portray a professional image. You can also add value to your card by print something on the back side such as a calendar or a list of resources.
4. Prepare an Elevator Pitch. You should have a 30-second sound byte that you can give whenever you meet someone new. Your pitch should explain who you are and what you do and should be succinct and compelling.
5. Define Your Purpose. Attending networking events won’t have much value if you don’t know why you are there. Are you interested in finding clients? Locating new business partners? Define your goals clearly so you can make the most of your efforts.
6. Say Cheese. Smiling at someone instantly puts them at ease and it is human nature to “mirror” the other person. Notice how when you smile at someone, he/she automatically smiles back. The added benefit is that the act of smiling has a magical power to cause a person feel better. So if you encounter someone who is having a bad day, you smile and make them smile, you have subconsciously given reason for him/her to like you!
7. Crack ‘em Up. Humor is a wonderful ice breaker. Avoid inappropriate jokes or comments, but do try to inject some humor into your conversations. People who are funny are naturally magnetic to others. You can still be a serious business person with a good sense of humor.
8. Use Small Talk. When meeting or introducing yourself to a new contact, start with small talk. Ask the contact what he/she does, where they live, how far they traveled to get to the event or what brought them to the event. Develop a standard list of questions you will use to start and maintain small talk with new people.
9. Keep Moving. Don’t hold up the wall or stay in one place for too long. Make the most of your networking time by moving often and ending conversations that have reached their maximum value. If you want to move on from the person you are talking to, you could say, “It’s been a pleasure talking with you. I have some other people I need to meet so I hope we can keep in touch.”
10. Offer Your Business Card. The best time to exchange business cards is typically near the end of your conversation. Handing the contact your card will usually prompt him to give you his in exchange. If this doesn’t happen automatically, simply ask.
11. Remember to Offer Value. Networking should be a two-way street. If you want someone to help you, you should offer something that helps them. Offer up interesting contacts or resources and keep the relationship reciprocal.
12. Never Monopolize a Conversation. There is nothing more unappealing than someone who does nothing but talk about himself. Make sure your interactions always go two ways.
13. Ask Questions. People love to talk about themselves. Ask questions that evoke more than a Yes or No answer. By asking questions and showing genuine interest in the answers, you automatically build a rapport with the person you are talking to. They will most likely leave the conversation remembering that they liked you.
14. Drop a Line. Send an email or better yet, a hand-written note, to let the person know that you enjoyed meeting them. Try to point out something specific that you talked about to jog their memory in case they met a lot of people and can’t remember exactly who you are. For example, you could say, “It was a pleasure meeting you at the cocktail reception. I enjoyed our conversation about Minnesota. I hope we can keep in touch and find a way to work together in the future.”
15. Follow Through. If you offered to send something, like an article or referral, make sure to follow through on your promises. Send any materials within a week of meeting.
16. Organize Your Contacts. New people you meet may not fill an immediate need in your networking strategy, but could be a good resource down the line. File every person you meet in a contacts database with a note about when and where you met and what your conversation was about.
17. Remember Details. I once had a Dentist that I actually enjoyed seeing because I always found it remarkable that he remembered details about me even if I hadn’t seen him in two years. He would say, “How is your job going? The last time I saw you, you had just gotten promoted.” I eventually realized that he made notes in my file after each visit, but even knowing this, I still appreciated that he personalized our interactions. You will meet a lot of people in your business life and aren’t likely to remember all the details. Be sure to makes notes in your contacts database even if the items seem trivial. For example, for Joe Schmoe you could note: “Going to Hawaii in December, has two teenage daughters, Raider fan, likes vodka tonics.” Check his card prior to your next meeting so you have a few conversation starters ready.
18. Refer Your Contacts. If someone mentions they are building a website, offer up the contact information for a great website designer that you know. If someone mentions that they are going on vacation, recommend your pet sitter. No matter how insignificant this may seem, it can earn you loyalty with both those you refer and the people you refer them to. Eventually this good karma will come back around.
19. Let Them Know. If you see one of your contacts mentioned in the media or notice a new glossy ad in a trade magazine, drop an e-mail and let them know. You could say, “Hey, I saw the article about you in Business Today magazine. Congratulations!”
20. Offer an Invitation to Lunch or Coffee. Though we all have busy schedules, we also have to take time out to eat. If you want to spend some extended time with your new contact, offer to buy lunch or coffee. Most people appreciate a free meal and a chance to interact with someone who is engaging.
21. Keep it Light. If you make plans to meet a business contact for a meal, avoid launching right into a business discussion. It’s best to keep the conversation light and informal at least until the food arrives. Start by developing a rapport and talking about personal topics (not too personal!) and then work your way into a business discussion.
22. Hold a Networking Event. If you want to increase your business contacts on your own terms, host your own networking event. Invite local trade organizations, peers, clients, and business associates. Offer basic refreshments like coffee and inexpensive cookies or step it up a notch and cater in some food. Encourage people to mingle and trade business cards. This can be a wonderful way to showcase your business.
23. Join the Chamber of Commerce. Networking opportunities abound and you can make some great connections by getting in touch with your local business community. Make sure to attend events and participate in all chamber-sponsored programs.
24. Join Local Trade Organizations. Many organizations hold regular meetings and free seminars, providing you with another opportunity to make valuable contacts.
25. Join Everything. Even the PTA (Parent/Teacher’s Association) can be a great place to network. Join book clubs, writer’s groups, or any groups of interest to you, even if they don’t directly relate to your business. Get known by everyone. They will associate you with your business as soon as they get to know you, your mere presence at functions could serve as a reminder and cause members to want to do business with you. Before long you will have an excellent database of contacts and will begin to weave a web of opportunities.
It takes time to develop a network of business alliances so the sooner you get started, the sooner you can reap the rewards. Treat every event that you attend as a chance to meet new and interesting people. Set a personal goal to attend at least two events each month and soon your business will flourish in new and wonderful ways.
Keywords: business networking, networking, sales
About the AuthorStephanie Chandler, Sacramento, CAStephanie@BusinessInfoGuide.comMore Details about business networking here. Stephanie Chandler is the author of “The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide” (Aventine) and “From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money With Books, E-books and Other Information Products” (Wiley, coming Fall 2006). Visit http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs.

When It Comes to Traffic, Are You Organic?

by Rick CarboneSend Feedback to Rick CarboneMore Details about Generating site traffic here.

Establishing your own E-commerce site is not what it used to be. There are thousands of competitors that are competing for a bigger share of the market. Every method you can find to augment your sales will be beneficial.
Let's face facts; we are in this for the money. Altruism is not the primary motivation to put a website on the Internet to provide information for the world. Albeit there are some that provide information for the sake of providing free information to others. I have just started to provide free information sites on a variety of topics that are near and dear to me, just for the sake of providing information to others. There is no monetary gain. For the most part the majority of my websites are commercial in nature and are profitable. The majority of sites, though, are out there to turn a profit. I don't think that profit is a dirty word either.
It is common knowledge that without traffic we have no business. Like any business, without any customers you will not have any sales. No sales, no money and no site. Traffic represents all the people that get a chance to see what you have to offer. The more people who see your products, the more people there are to buy them.
No one puts up an E-commerce site and doesn’t expect a profit. We have startup capital that needs to be recouped. With consistent traffic, we at least have a fighting chance to achieve that probability. Monetizing your traffic would optimize your chances of making the best out of it.
Traffic Types
The Internet has proven to be a very reliable source in finding what was deemed to be non-existent. The Internet has made the world a smaller place; you can advertise a product from Asia and find a buyer from North America in an instant. This has made the Internet the most desirable place to do business, in my opinion.
Generating traffic, however, is not an easy task on the Internet. You have to contend with a great number of sites to generate decent traffic flow. However, if done successfully, this opens up a plethora of possibilities. Of course, one of those benefits is monetizing your traffic flow.
Therefore, to get to the core of it, the creating of more traffic, you need to understand the types of traffic available.
I break down traffic into two basic categories: Organic and Paid.
Organic traffic is homegrown so to speak. It's the traffic that comes from non-paid sources. This is search engine traffic or link traffic from sites to which you have reciprocal links. Search engine traffic, although free, is a time consuming process for the patient and assiduous. Link traffic is an arduous task as well, but quite rewarding.
The best method of obtaining a good and constant flow of traffic is the organic method. The only issue is that it does take time to accomplish, but the rewards are great and, of course, inexpensive. The traffic itself is free; however, the time and energy expended and perhaps software used may cost something. There are many different sources of organic traffic:
Search engine listings
Reciprocal links
Writing and submitting articles
Free classified ads
Self promotion
All of these sources take time but can be implemented for free.
Paid traffic comes in many forms. Pay per click being the most popular today, due to its instant results. Advertising takes on many forms and probably the best and most widely used is banner advertising. There are many that argue that banner advertising is a waste of time and money, as you will either pay for impressions (the number of times the banner is shown) or for clicks (the number of times someone clicks on your banner.)
Honestly, unless you have a good bankroll, don't jump into advertising as a first method of getting traffic to your site and product.
The argument for pay per click advertising is you will find out quickly if your product has a market; and if it does, pay per click can be very rewarding. Do the math ahead of time by estimating your cost and the number of clicks on your ad and how many convert to sales. This is very important, as you may have a very decent click through rate but a poor conversion to sales rate. This equates to losing money over the long run.
The argument for organic traffic is strong but not instantly rewarding. It's your call as how you will proceed.
Keywords: home business, site traffic, marketing
About the AuthorRick Carbone, East Setauket NY United Statesrcarbone@homebusinessresearch.comMore Details about Generating site traffic here. Rick Carbone is the owner of several home business sites. In particular http://HomeBusinessResearch.com has been on the Internet since 1998 helping many who wish to start their own home based business. Home Business Research provides resources, information, software and digital download programs for starting a home business.

7 Power Skills that Build Strong Relationships

by Steve BrunkhorstSend Feedback to Steve BrunkhorstMore Details about relationships and relationship building here.

A strong, healthy relationship is one in which the partners show respect and kindness toward each other. The relationship forms a rewarding and enduring bond of trust and support. Here are seven power skills that will help you form stronger alliances and bring more closeness, authenticity and trust to your relationships.

1. Relax Optimistically
If you are comfortable around others, they will feel comfortable around you. If you appear nervous, others will sense it and withdraw. If you are meeting someone for the first time, brighten up as if you've rediscovered a long-lost friend. A smile will always be the most powerful builder of rapport. Communicating with relaxed optimism, energy and enthusiasm will provide a strong foundation for lasting relationships.

2. Listen Deeply
Powerful listening goes beyond hearing words and messages; it connects us emotionally with our communication partner. Listen to what the person is not saying as well as to what he or she is saying. Focus intently and listen to the messages conveyed behind and between words.
Listen also with your eyes and heart. Notice facial expressions and body postures, but see beneath the surface of visible behaviors. Feel the range of emotions conveyed by tone of voice and rhythm of speech. Discern what the person wants you to hear and also what they want you to feel.

3. Feel Empathetically
Empathy is the foundation of good two-way communication. Being empathetic is seeing from another person's perspective regardless of your opinion or belief. Treat their mistakes as you would want them to treat your mistakes. Let the individual know that you are concerned with the mistake, and that you still respect them as a person. Share their excitement in times of victory, and offer encouragement in times of difficulty. Genuine feelings of empathy will strengthen the bond of trust.

4. Respond Carefully
Choose emotions and words wisely. Measure your emotions according to the person's moods and needs. Words can build or destroy trust. They differ in shades of meaning, intensity, and impact. What did you learn when listening deeply to the other individual? Reflect your interpretation of the person's message back to them. Validate your understanding of their message.
Compliment the person for the wisdom and insights they've shared with you. This shows appreciation and encourages further dialogs with the individual. A response can be encouraging or discouraging. If you consider in advance the impact of your emotions and words, you will create a positive impact on your relationships.

5. Synchronize Cooperatively
When people synchronize their watches, they insure that their individual actions will occur on time to produce an intended outcome. Relationships require ongoing cooperative action to survive and thrive.
As relationships mature, the needs and values of the individuals and relationship will change. Career relationships will require the flexibility to meet changing schedules and new project goals. Cooperative actions provide synchrony and build trusting alliances. They are part of the give and take that empowers strong, enduring relationships.

6. Act Authentically
Acting authentically means acting with integrity. It means living in harmony with your values. Be yourself when you are with someone else. Drop acts that create false appearances and false security.
When you act authentically, you are honest with yourself and others. You say what you will do, and do what you say. Ask for what you want in all areas of your relationships. Be clear about what you will tolerate. Find out what your relationship partners want also. Being authentic creates mutual trust and respect.

7. Acknowledge Generously
Look for and accentuate the positive qualities in others. Humbly acknowledge the difference that people make to your life. Validate them by expressing your appreciation for their life and their contributions. If you let someone know that they are valuable and special, they will not forget you. Showing gratitude and encouragement by words and actions will strengthen the bonds of any relationship.

Don't forget to acknowledge your most important relationship: the relationship with yourself. Acknowledge your own qualities, and put those qualities into action. You cannot form a stronger relationship with others than you have with yourself. You will attract the qualities in others that are already within you.
Ask yourself: What thoughts and behaviors will attract the kind of relationships I desire? What is one action I could take today that would empower my current relationships?
Write down all the qualities or behaviors that you desire for your relationships. Select the power skills that will attract those qualities. Keep a journal of the actions you take and the progress you make. By turning these skills into lifelong habits, you will build relationships that are healthy, strong and mutually rewarding.

Keywords: relationships,relationship,relationship building,trust,authenticity,listening,empathy,emotions,respect
About the AuthorSteve Brunkhorst, AlmaMore Details about relationships and relationship building here. (C) Copyright 2006 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular ezine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com

Make Sure You’re Holding The Right Cards

by Debbie AllenSend Feedback to Debbie AllenMore Details about business card tips here.

Does your business card reflect a positive image for your business? Does it clearly define what your business is all about at a glance? If not, you may be making some big mistakes in your marketing and need to take another look at the message you are putting out there.
Why? Because if a prospective customer views your business image as unprofessional or confusing, they will simply do business with someone else. You can’t afford to let that happen to you. Are you holding the right cards?
While presenting marketing seminars to thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs, Debbie Allen (sales and marketing expert) discovered a shocking reality. Many of the business cards presented a poor and unprofessional image of the business at first glance. Very few business cards or marketing materials had an effective message that described the business clearly.
Most lacked a strong visual logo that defined the business and had no branded image or catch praise that set them apart from their competition.
With this newfound discovery, Debbie began to ask members of the audience to stay after her presentation to receive a free business card evaluation. This intrigued attendees, and many waited for up to an hour to have a chance to talk with her in person and to get feedback on how to improve their marketing message.
Another discovery! Many owners and managers are so close to their businesses that they don't see the most obvious mistakes. The reason for this is that they don't look at their business through their customers' eyes. They view it from a very narrow focus, their own eyesight. This can be disastrous for a company's professional image.
Just as people judge individuals at first glance, so they judge a business image the same way. If prospective customers view the business image as unprofessional or confusing, they will simply walk away. Prospective customers will be lost to competitors who do a better job at marketing their company's image, brand and uniqueness.
The goal of an organization should be to create a strong, immediate message that clearly defines its business. The message must connect an emotional bond with the customers, both verbally and visually. This same image and message must be coherent on all marketing materials ranging from a company's business card, advertising, packaging and signage to its website.
Once organizations recognize the need to improve their business image on their marketing materials, it can be easy to make the changes needed to update and improve. The solution is often a small investment in a graphic artist and a marketing consultant.
Where do you start? A great place to start is to take a close look at your business card as if you were a prospective customer. First compare it with the list of top 10 mistakes below then take the business card ranking quiz online at http://www.debbieallen.com/
The 10 Most Common Business Card Mistakes
Scrambles messages with inconsistent design elements.
Does not clearly define your business services and/or products.
Does not make you memorable (in a good way).
Indicates unflattering things about your business.
Does not generate additional business.
Creates a cluttered impression.
Omits essential information, or is filled with non-essential information.
Looks out of date, or information no longer applies.
Is hard to read or confusing to the eye.
Lacks a point of interest, image or theme. Word count: 583
Debbie Allen is an international business speaker and author of five books on sales and marketing. She has presented before thousands of people in nine countries around the world. Debbie is the founder of ‘International Business Image Improvement Month (May)’ which was created to help people improve their marketing materials and present a more professional business image to attract more customers. Take her free online business card quiz to see if you’re holding the right cards at http://www.debbieallen.com/
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated - send to: info@DebbieAllen.com
Keywords: business card tips,better business cards,
About the AuthorDebbie Allen, Scottsdale, AZ USAinfo@DebbieAllen.comMore Details about business card tips here. Debbie Allen is an international business speaker who has presented before thousands in ten countries around the world. She is the author of five books on sales, marketing and personal development including Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters and Skyrocketing Sales. To learn more about our special guest expert view her website at http://www.DebbieAllen.com.

Increase Your Chances of Being Published

by IdeaMarketers StaffSend Feedback to IdeaMarketers StaffMore Details about http://www.ideamarketers.com here.
You go to a lot of work to write an article. You submit it to IdeaMarketers.com in hopes of the exposure you'll receive if it is requested by webmasters, ezine publishers and print publishers. Would you like to know how to increase your chances of your articles being used? We recently polled some of our Publisher's Toolbox subscribers as well as other high-traffic webmasters who use our site to find content. Here's what they told us they look for in articles they request:
Format Your Article Properly
Don't duplicate. Don't put the title of the article and your name inside the article text field (entry box). Our system automatically handles attaching your title and name in the appropriate spot. Webmasters who use our system to automatically build their ezine or Web sites often bypass articles that unprofessionally duplicate this information.
Don't use strings of characters like ----- or ***** in your article to set information apart. This can throw the formatting off on your article and make it look odd or even extend outside the boundaries of the page and be unreadable on some browsers.
Be sure to press the Enter or Return key twice between paragraphs so that your article isn't one long paragraph.
Bullet properly. When using bulleted lists either put a at the end of each line or learn to use HTML bullet codes.
Don't use all CAPS. Using all capital letters in your title or within the body of your article is seen as unprofessional and will deter publishers who use our automated system from selecting your article.
Be consistent. Use consistent formatting and headline styles throughout your article.
Avoid font codes. Don't use HTML font codes within your article or your article title. They can throw off the formatting of our system and cause your article to display improperly.
Be conscious of word count. Most people using IdeaMarketers to find articles are looking for Web content. Keep your articles short. 500-1,000 words is optimal. A feature article can be as long as 1,500 words, but do not extend beyond that.
Properly Use the ''About the Author'' Section
Keep your bio or About the Author information brief. Limit it to 4-6 lines in length and mention any URL's you'd like the article to link to when it is used. By giving publishers a perfect ''About the Author'' bio, you'll increase the chances of them using your article. Some have complained that the author's bio in many cases is actually longer than the article!
Write it in third person. Third person bios are more professional and more likely to be used.
Think twice before including your resource box at the end of your article. Our system automatically puts your standard bio from your writer profile at the bottom of your articles. There is no need to put an additional one at the bottom of the article text – unless you need a special different ''about the author'' section to be used with that specific article.
Use Correct Grammar and Spelling
Use a program like Microsoft Word or some other program with a grammar and spell checker to check your article before uploading it to our system. Remember that words like your and you're, then and than, their and there are not always caught by spell checkers. So make sure you read over your article carefully before submitting it. If you have a friend with a good eye for spelling and grammar, have them read it first.

Write Factually and Document
Although there is a time and a place for editorial and opinion and our publishers use many articles of this kind, there is a good market for factual articles. Consider writing articles that do not use the words "I" or "me" in them.
Do your homework. Use books, online newspapers and magazines to find supportive research to back up your theories or ideas. Quote from these properly by including either a link to the full article or a footnote at the bottom of your article.

Use quotes. Interview people who know about the topic on which you are writing. Get permission to quote them in your article and give them proper credit for the quote. Read articles in magazines and notice how often magazine articles quote experts to support the information being delivered.
Read and study writing styles. For whatever topics you write about, read print magazines that cover those topics and get a feel for the type of writing style professional writers use. Watch their techniques, their use of quotations, etc, and learn to integrate these tools into your writing style.

The point is, make it easy for people to use your articles. Don't make them have to spell check, correct your grammar, or edit your biographical information. Give them factual, accurate information in a friendly format, and your chances of being published will increase dramatically.
For information on our Writer's Promotion Package which includes promoting your articles to high traffic Webmasters and through our syndication service along with proofreading services, Click here.

Keywords: writing articles, freelance writing, getting published, writing guidelines, writer guidelines

About the AuthorIdeaMarketers Staff, Ringgold GA USAwebmaster@ideamarketers.comMore Details about http://www.ideamarketers.com here. IdeaMarketers is a media matching service that unites writers and publishers online. Writers receive free showcase accounts for displaying samples of their work. Publishers receive free listing for their publications and a free newsletter builder called the Publisher's Toolbox.

Advertising Your Home Business On A Budget

by Stone EvansSend Feedback to Stone EvansMore Details about advertising your home business here.

When you are starting out in a new home business and no one knows who you are, one of the greatest challenges you will face is how to drum up new business.
If there were not people in your community or marketplace that you knew who needed your products or services, you probably would not have started your business to begin with. But, once you have talked to those who you personally knew who needed your what you offer, then your next task is to find others who will help keep your doors open.
Many people know that they must turn to advertising at some point in the future, but they hope that day will be long down the road. For some, this utopian concept will come to fruition. But for the rest of us in the real world, we must come up with creative solutions for meeting our home business advertising needs while working within our budget.
Most people have a misconception about having to spend lots of money in order to advertise their home business. When you start out, you honestly will not have much money available for advertising, and if you do, you should still spend it wisely.
Before you jump headfirst into the world of advertising, let me share some of the lessons I have learned concerning this most important topic.
LESSON 1
It does not have to cost an arm and a leg to advertise your home business, unless you fail to plan and fail to test.
As much as is possible, you should always test your advertising. If you jump in and start dumping tons of money in to advertising without first testing your advertising, you might find yourself broke and without sales at the end of the road. Most people who commit this error write off their failure on the home business they chose or the economy or any of a hundred other excuses. But, if they are unwilling to take responsibility for their mistake, they will never learn from their mistake. Don't let this be you.
LESSON 2
All testing should be done in blocks. If you begin to advertise simultaneously in newspapers, radio and television, how will you know which advertising is bringing people to your cash register? You won't. All you will know that something might be working, but you will not know what is actually doing the trick.
Even if you tell people in your advertising to tell you how they found you, my experience shows that fewer than 10% of the people ever will tell you anything --- and those people who do may not even get the facts straight! You cannot rely on your customers to tell you what advertising is working for your home business. You must put in the extra effort to know for yourself.
LESSON 3
Only when you have a proven and solid advertising portfolio should you venture to drop big bucks in an advertising campaign. Even then, you should be careful to keep further measurements to determine how much the maximum advantage of an ad would be. Sometimes you might be able to reach ten times as many people, but depending on the kind of media and other factors, the additional exposure will only generate twice as many sales. Keep your eye attuned to situations like this to get the most from your advertising dollars.
LESSON 4
As Lesson 3 illustrates, sometimes your best advertising investment may actually cost you less money. When you are first starting out, whether you are running a home business or a business outside of your home, you need to be able to get people talking and thinking about your business.
If you are busy testing ads in media's such as the newspaper, magazines, radio, and television, you need to learn ways of promoting your business that do not require large cash expenditures. A few examples are:
Word of Mouth
Business Cards
Press Releases
Non-Primetime Ads on Radio and Television Here is more information about each type of low-cost advertising:
WORD OF MOUTH
This of course is the cheapest kind of advertising on the planet --- it does not cost you anything. Ask your customers if they know anyone who could also use your products or services. When they are happy with your offerings and service, they will be willing to tell you whom you can contact, and they will pass the word for you.
BUSINESS CARDS
You can usually pick up 500 business cards for about $20. When you do, hand them out. Do not give more than a couple of cards to each person. If they need more cards from you, they will ask.
Some people are known to network with others on a regular basis. Some of these people are also known to be always looking for an extra few bucks. With these people, you can suggest to them that if they write their name on the back of one of your business cards and the card is presented to you, then you will pay a referral fee to them. You do not have to offer much --- sometimes one dollar is enough. Look at your home business and your offerings and decide how much would be a good referral fee.
PRESS RELEASES
Press Releases are a good source for generating news about your home business. The business editor at your local newspaper is always on the lookout for a good business story to fill the business news section of the newspaper.
Of course, the business editor understands the economics of running a paper and is more inclined to run your story if you buy advertising in his/her publication, but will still print stories for special events and openings.
The important thing to remember about Press Releases is that it must be constructed in the form of a news story. Even if you are a sole proprietorship, quotes from you should be written in a third person format: John Doe said, "Your quote here."
A Press Release should pack the most important information at the beginning of the copy, and leave extra details towards the end.
You should always provide the reporter who gets the task a simple and easy way for him/her to contact you directly. Often the reporter will want to contact you to get details that will enhance their take on your story.
NON-PRIMETIME ADS ON RADIO AND TELEVISION
Believe it or not, some of the best rates for radio and television are on the overnight and non-primetime venues. These target times are not a total waste as they can easily keep the infomercial people in business.
These off-hours are just less populated than the primetime hours.
Don't be afraid to check your local radio and television rates for non-primetime hours to see what bargains may exist. With television, primetime is 7pm to 10pm. With radio, primetime is 8am to 5pm. This sure leaves a whole lot of hours available to advertise your home business at discount rates!
IN CONCLUSION
When it comes down to it, there is a lot to understand about advertising, but when you have the basic knowledge down pat, everything will fall into place and bring more dollars to your bank account.
Keywords: advertising, promotion, marketing, home business
About the AuthorStone Evans, Dallas, TX, USAarticles@home-business.comMore Details about advertising your home business here. Stone Evans, The Home Biz Guy is an Internet home business authority who has helped thousands of people launch a successful Internet home business. To learn more about Stone Evans and find an Internet home business that is right for you visit http://www.Home-Business.com

Business 101: Passion before Planning

Contrary to what myriad Internet sites would have you believe, there is much more to small business planning than a good marketing mix and solid financials. Whether you want to sell the next big thing or you simply want to rev up sales and profits for an existing operation, no business plan template will adequately address the complex psychology of being an entrepreneur, especially a successful one.To illustrate what I mean, let's pretend you aspire to be the next coffee shop ingénue. You have articulated a comprehensive business plan; you have chosen your product lineup, location, promotion plan, and pricing strategy; and you have snagged some decent financing to keep you running for at least a year. On paper, you are a coffee empire in the making. "Great!" you think to yourself. "Let's get started!"
You proceed to sign the lease, shell out some bucks to a lawyer and an accountant, order a few gazillion pounds of coffee beans in anticipation of your success, and open for business.
About six months and a few hundred lattes later, you realize that you do not possess high tolerance levels for the teen angst, high turnover, and sleep deprived yet incredibly nitpicky about extra-hot-no-whip-non-fat-double-mocha-latte-now-or-I’ll-go-postal cranky clientele that have suddenly become an intimate part of your life. You despise this situation but also realize that it will probably be your reality for many years to come, or at least until you can make enough margin to take a day off and enjoy a five-dollar coffee poured for you across the street at Starbuck’s.
Perhaps this all too common scenario points to one explanation for the alarmingly high failure rate of small business start-ups in North America. The Business 101 textbook explanation of this phenomenon would state that failure to plan is the root cause of most small business shutdowns. Indeed, without some kind of road map, inspiration can quickly turn to chaos if not complete financial ruin. But even the most well crafted business plan cannot cement the road to success, and an entirely fabulous product is no guarantee either.
Work-at-home business gurus, Paul and Sarah Edwards, cite two independent studies involving a number of successful entrepreneurs. Both studies concluded that business plans are overdone in many cases and their importance even overemphasized. What is needed, the Edwards say, is a succinct plan that uncovers key aspects of the market you wish to pursue and a simple roadmap for pursuing them (www.workingfromhome.com/pages/faq.htm). Of course, in approaching the planning process this way, you are more apt to make strategic changes when necessary because you will be less "invested" in the document itself and more interested in doing whatever it takes to succeed.
Failure to plan is a symptom, not a root cause, of small business collapse. The true “illness” lies within the heart of western entrepreneurship and the bizarre twists and turns it has taken in the information age. Get-rich-quick schemes abound in magazines and on the Internet, yet the only ones getting rich from these programs are the passionate individuals who envisioned the intricate pyramid of wealth in the first place. However, one need not take such an unethical path of deception toward financial independence. My overpriced but thankfully small “l” liberal education taught me something I have not seen in any business textbook: Determine the correct questions before seeking answers. In saying this, I am not at all trying to sound literary, highfalutin or Stephen Covey-esque (loved 7 Habits by the way). I write only what I know from observation and experience, and it would seem to me that you cannot derive health, happiness, or wealth from something that does not reflect your personality, your vision of your best self, or your basic code for living.
Money in the hands of an entrepreneur who does not know himself might as well be lumps of coal. And a business plan written by such a person is not worth much more. No bank loan or angel moneys can replace the value of introspection. Some questions you must ask yourself:
• What are my reasons for pursuing this venture?
• Will those reasons be enough if I don't turn a profit in the first five years?
• What will I have lost if the business fails? What will I have gained?
• Does this venture reflect who I am? Or am I only trying to be someone I think I “should” be?
Such questions should be fleshed out long before you begin typing up that business plan. How you honestly answer those questions should subsequently color every element of your marketing mix. Passion must precede planning. This authenticity will shine through in everything you do and say thereafter, and—in this day—there is nothing so irresistible to your prospects as authenticity.

Keywords: small business planning, entrepreneur, small office home office, soho, work at home, marketing mix, smarter marketing, small business ideas About the AuthorKarri Flatla, LethbridgeLearn more about small business planningKarri Flatla is a business graduate of the University of Lethbridge and principal of snap! virtual assistance inc., a small business consulting firm providing online marketing services to the progressive entrepreneur. Karri also produces Outsmart, a small business newsletter full of practical tips and fresh insights. Visit http://www.snap-va.com for more information.