Articles by Richard Harley on ArticleSnatch.com

Tips to Setting Boundaries: Making Your Office Your Own

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:07:09 -0500

One of the great American dreams is being able to quit a 9-to-5 job to start building a work at home business. More and more people are making their dream come true. But before you quit that job and set up your home office, there are a few issues to consider. On the plus side, part of your home and related expenses are tax deductible. It's convenient to work while your kids are in school and then be home for them when they walk through the door in the afternoon, and let's face it, not having a boss to answer to is a major plus. But it's not always the ideal situation. Starting a business from home isn't always easy on families. There are many issues that will affect your family. First and foremost are financial issues. Will you be able to handle the hit to your wallet when you don't have a steady paycheck? If this is an issue, consider working your business part time while holding down a full down job. It takes a very dedicated person to work from home. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

6 Easy Steps to Separating Your Personal Life from your Business

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:30:40 -0500

If you work from home, chances are you already know that you’re really pulling “double duty”. You probably work on your business while doing the laundry, corralling the kids, or fixing dinner... and let’s not forget all the phone calls from family and friends expecting you to run errands or just "go out" for an afternoon of fun. One of the hardest parts of running a home business is separating your work from your family and social life. Here are six proven ways to keep your home life running smoothly while keeping your business on track. 1. First, create a work schedule and stick with it. It may be tempting to answer personal calls during the day or take business calls after-hours, but doing this actually shows that you’re expendable – not dependable – and people will take for granted that you’ll “always be there” for any little things that come up. Even though family comes first, stay true to your business hours and resist the urge to chat with friends or pick up groceries during working hours. 2. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Home Based Business Opportunities

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:20:59 -0500

It seems home based business opportunities are a bit more common in the US than in Europe. However the European marketplace is quickly catching on to the phenomenon of home based business and network marketing. The advantages of a home based business are evident: low cost, flexible working hours and tax benefits, to name but a few. But these advantages have pretty much been there for many years, so why the sudden growth? Why do so many people start their own home based business right now, and why would network marketing be a good thing to consider for so many others? First of all there is worldwide economic uncertainty and many economies are either facing a recession or are in the middle of one. Turn open any newspaper and you can't miss articles on companies downsizing and laying off employees by the thousands. Network marketing offers people the chance to create a part time auxiliary income, right beside their day job. This kind of extra income has proven a great help to many families across the world. Of course many network marketers have made a full time living out of there business. Some of them have made fortunes. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

How Can Joining a Forum Help Your Business?

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:13:06 -0500

Online forums are a fantastic reminder of the influence the internet has had on society. Using forums to connect with your market is a natural progression. Forums are online communities where individuals can discuss topics ranging from fly fishing to breast feeding to internet business. Discussions are conducted by posting notes to the forum. A single discussion is called a 'thread' and most forums have several - even hundreds - of threads going at any time. What is truly remarkable about the use of forums is the personal quality of the discussions. Read some of the posts on forums such as ivillage.com and you'll soon see that the members become more like neighbors (and even friends) than strangers connected only by the keyboard and monitor in front of them. Where brick and mortar businesses used to prosper based on their involvement in the community - online businesses now have a neighborhood all their own - online forums. How can participating in a forum help YOUR business? NETWORKING: Online forums are a fantastic place to connect with others who are knowledgeable about your business. You probably cater to the same audience and share a common interest. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Boost E-Bay Profits with Audio

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:00:44 -0500

Can you boost profits significantly by adding audio to your E-Bay auctions? According to a recent article on a net business site the answer is a definite yes. In fact, one e-book author suggested that adding audio to your auctions could potentially increase bids by as much as 22% over auctions without audio. A recent trend showing up on a lot of websites is the addition of an audio clip. The clip is a personal message by the author or the website owner encouraging you to take advantage of what they offer. The psychology behind this technique is really Marketing 101. It's called personalization. An audio clip added to your Ebay auction allows you to personally tell the potential bidder about the product. Using your own voice allows you to make contact with the bidder on a personal level that written words cannot. Because, that's what your E-Bay auction really is...It's just a long written classified ad asking the bidder to make an offer to purchase your item. Prior to the advent of the telephone the only reliable way to communicate long distance was by writing letters. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Making Your Home Business Work!

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:47:59 -0500

Running your own home based internet business is a piece of cake. Right? You've probably heard how easy it is to rake in tens of thousands of dollars practically over night, and how you can have all kinds of "free time" and extra cash for traveling and shopping at your favorite store... Just throw up a web site, add a few affiliate links, post to some forums and presto - you're in the money! But the reality is this. If you want to succeed in your own home based internet business, whether it's affiliate marketing or selling your own products, you will have to work at making it successful. You have to make it your job to succeed. You must treat it as your job, not as your hobby. It's great to think that with just a few easy strokes you'll be running on auto-pilot, bringing in loads of cash and then on to the next venture. But without some simple planning and consistent effort you're setting yourself up for failure. Here are a few tips to help you get started. STAY ORGANIZED Set up folders in your email client. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

The eBay Blacklist

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:57:33 -0500

The eBay business can be most likened to an online flea market. But, as with most flea markets, there is always the possibility that questionable hawkers lurk around the corners. Therefore, there must be rules in place to insure that the auctions and transactions formed through eBay are safe and legal. Only then can a market – online or not – flourish. Certain types of items are prohibited or regulated on eBay. eBay reserves the right to terminate auctions that violate its specifications for allowed items on listings. In the case of a violation, eBay emails the bidder and the seller to notify them of the violation and to explain the need to terminate the auction. There are many eBay guidelines in-place that describe items that may not be posted for auction. They fall under three main categories: Prohibited, Questionable and Potentially Infringing. Prohibited This describes items that are not permitted on eBay. This list includes alcohol, tobacco, drugs, animals, human parts or remains, government properties, lottery tickets, and others. eBay contains a complete list of such in their policy statement. Questionable Items listed as questionable can be posted provided they follow certain conditions. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Spotting Fakes and Frauds on eBay

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:05:38 -0500

Fake items abound on eBay, and it takes much effort not to be duped by scammers who peddle these wares. There have been many painful stories relating how a seemingly legitimate item turned out to be either fake or defective. It is possible, however, to avoid these scams if one is careful and vigilant. Buyers should be wary of any purchase over eBay, and should take steps to ensure the authenticity of the item and to make sure the item is in reasonable condition. Be Vigilant Buyers should take the initiative by doing plenty of background research. They must learn as much as possible about the products before bidding on them. If the seller provides pictures of an item, they should not be taken at face value. Comparison of these pictures with the real item helps in this regard. Many sellers will use pictures from manufacturers that do not represent the item they are actually selling; buyers should ask the seller for actual pictures of the item. If the seller balks, buyers should refrain from bidding. Collector’s items, autographed memorabilia, and historical artifacts are common items that are misrepresented on eBay. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

The Sellerâs Dilemma on eBay

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 10:56:37 -0500

It’s obvious that eBay provides internet users with an online flea market where buyers and sellers from around the world meet to conduct trade. However, like most traders who are faced with an innovation of this sort, the first question will always be: It is safe? The answer is yes, but devious scammers seem to be plotting daily to forward their dastardly schemes and take advantage of eBay’s power. So, what is the user’s recourse? The users of eBay must learn to gather information and take meticulous care in dealing on eBay. Only then can they be less gullible to scammers. A common consensus is that bidders are often scammed by sellers. But it is possible for things to be the other way around. Here is a list of the common problems sellers encounter and the means to handle them. Fake Escrow Services A winning bidder may request that an escrow service be used to assure both parties of a fair transaction. Unfortunately, the seller is sometimes duped into using a fake escrow system. To avoid this situation, the seller must always verify the authenticity of an escrow service. eBay recommends the use of escrow.com. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Create A Marketing "Swipe" File

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:29:59 -0500

Direct marketing's a tough way to make a living but if you can master certain skills it can be extremely lucrative. It takes on many different forms, some of which are easily translatable to the web. Although the term may bring to mind door to door salesmen pushing their wares to housewives in robes and curlers, it also has roots in print ads such as classifieds and space ads and direct mail. The internet has created a massive opportunity for the skilled direct marketer to thrive without doing the customary legwork and engaging in personal contact with their prospects, basically expanding on the concept of direct mail. So what skills do you need to hone in order to succeed at direct marketing? The top priority of anyone interested in making money on the internet should be their copywriting skills. This is simply putting your sales message into words. Since the face to face encounter has been eliminated you need to be able to convey your pitch through the words on the pages that your prospects are reading. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

The Perfect Home Based Business and How to Start

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:38:41 -0500

Day by day people scour the internet looking for a home based business to set them financially free. What happens more often than not is that people end in worse shape than when they started. Why you ask? The answer is not so simple. The key to finding a home based business starts with knowing yourself. That means knowing what you are good at and what you do not do well. You must also be honest with yourself when doing this. We would all love to be perfect in every aspect of life but the truth is we are not and we have to accept this fact. This is important because picking a business in which most of the tasks that need to be done are your strengths will increase your chances of success.For example let's say you are not much of a talker. You do not talk much to people who you do not know and you keep to yourself usually. You are however extremely organized and love to write. It would most likely be in your best interest to be an article writer or ghost writer. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Faster Home Business Profits

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:21:27 -0500

Way too many people believe the Internet is a place to get rich quick with no effort or sweat needed. You just publish a web site and poof you have a home business. Please do not hold your breath waiting on results from an Internet business started with that thought process. Home business owners turning blue or choking are signs that they did not read this article. The good news is starting an online home business is worth every second it takes to do it right. Imagine being your own boss for incentive, then use your brain and motivation to make it work. The lack of time will always be a factor in creating your business, given the fact we all have jobs, kids, family or some other distraction. To add more time to your business day use the proven techniques and strategies not shortcuts! Imagine being able to sit down at your computer and find your home business already built in a box just waiting for you. By using content sites and article sites, you can easily find ready to go ebooks, software, products and even complete web sites, ready to build a business with. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Keys to Targeting Your Internet Advertising

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:55:00 -0500

So you got your website up and running. You hired an excellent web designer to craft a perfect home page and satellite pages that will really draw in the visitors and inspire them to buy. You have a beautiful catalog of products with detailed descriptions. You have a section dedicated to the services you provide with praises from past customers. And you have the best online shopping cart service out there so that you customers can buy from you with no hassles and next day shipping. That's great! Now where are your customers? Driving traffic to your website is a much discussed and much misunderstood venture. There are a million theories out there that claim to drive tons of new visitors to your site daily. There are services that say they will increase your traffic by an enormous percentage if you will only pay them their small fee over a period of fifty years. There are so-called experts who will place your pages on all the best search engines on the net. They claim that with this kind of blanket exposure, your traffic numbers will explode within days. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Affiliate Marketing - Does it Really Pay?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:07:51 -0500

Affiliate marketing's been a staple of the internet marketing scene for many years now. It's highly touted as a money maker for newbies and experienced marketers alike. But does it really pay to be an affiliate marketer? Let's take a look to learn more... Basically affiliate marketing's an agreement between a web site owner and a merchant. The web site owner's actually an advertiser for the merchant or product creator. The agreement is a contract between the two parties that stipulates that the site owner can use various methods including the space on his site to promote the merchants goods. The merchant meanwhile agrees to pay a percentage of each sale generated through the affiliates personalized link. This benefits both sides because the product creator spends nothing to advertise their goods and the affiliate pays nothing to research and develop new products. This creates a win-win situation. The product creator wins by saving money on advertising, which is one of the most costly aspects of doing business, by passing this cost on to affiliates. Basically it's a pay-per-performance deal because the merchant doesn't accrue any costs until the sale's made and the merchant pays the specified commission. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

How to Cope with the Stress of Self-Employment

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:10:14 -0500

We've all heard the freelancer boast, "I went to work in my pajamas today" or "Since I started working from home, I'm able to spend more time with my family." Just as these are all wonderful and true, there are plenty of reasons for the self-employed entrepreneur to encounter terrific amounts of stress. Sometimes more than if they worked for a high-powered company. Aside from the stress of having to find new clients and new jobs, freelances often experience stress because jobs come in crazy, sporadic bursts. One day your schedule is almost empty, and the next day it seems like you can barely keep up. Deadlines can be overwhelming, and when one is overwhelmed, productivity plummets. The brain is no longer focused on creativity and action, but is scattered and reacting (not acting.) When deadlines stack up, here's what to do. First, reduce stress by... Stopping. Sounds a bit radical, and it's really hard to do. But just stop. Listen to a great song. Go outside. Do anything that clears your mind for ten minutes. Then Examine The Situation. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Network Marketing - The Ultimate People's Business

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:40:35 -0500

If you've ever heard of Network Marketing, you've probably heard it said that it is essentially a people's business. Some have also labelled it a people's franchise because of the similarities between the business models of network marketing and franchising. Advocates of the industry name it as the ultimate people's business and say there is nothing quite like it. Of course people that are in network marketing will immediately respond positively to this whereas those that are not familiar with the industry, or have had some bad experiences might be strongly opposed to this idea. One of the unique characteristics of this type of business is that every individual distributor is in business for themselves but never by themselves. They will always be part of a larger organization and the compensation models are designed in such a way that every person can count on some form of support from their upline. It is no secret that fortunes can be made in this type of business and many have done just that. Of course this is not the majority of network marketers, but every individual distributor does have the same chances. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

What Is Affiliate Marketing?

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:19:25 -0500

Affiliate marketing is defined as a widespread method of promotion in which an affiliate (or associate) is rewarded for every view, sale, and/or registration produced through the affiliate's effort. It's similar to collecting a finder's-fee or the commissions typical of retail store clerks. The more one sells... the more one gets paid. Compensation calculations vary and could be based on any of the following: PPC (pay-per-click) a specific amount is paid for each visit PPL (pay-per-lead) where registration or sign-up counts PPS (pay-per-sale) a specific commission per sale is paid If your goal is to generate your total income online, you can drive traffic from your subscriber lists to affiliate links just as easily as to your own product links. What About Product Sales and Marketing? You'll want to watch for great products and services with the potential to benefit your niche and your mailing lists. To build trust and income, it's best to recommend only those products that will be of specific interest to them. It's a win-win situation for everyone that way. When an affiliate is marketing any product, the cost of advertising the product is absorbed by the affiliate. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

How You Can Make Residual Income from Home

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:19:59 -0500

Would you like to make money even when you don't go to work? The secret is to have your work continue to pay you even when you stop. A machine that once started continues to operate even when you aren't there. It's called residual income, and you can make it too. Residual income means that once you have set the wheels in motion you can continue to collect money - possibly forever! Who wouldn't want to have a business that puts money in your pocket day or night, whether you are working or not? Is residual income only a dream? For many enterprising individuals it is not just a dream - it's a reality. The concept is simple - Do the hard work first and collect on it indefinitely. By understanding the business models that this principle applies to you can also start making residual income. CREATE A PRODUCT FOR OTHERS TO SELL Writing a book tops the list for one of the most popular methods of creating residual income, but you can also create other products such as software programs or even a physical product. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Is Network Marketing the "Perfect" Business?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:12:14 -0500

It is often said that network marketing is the perfect business. It seems logical that many people in the business say this, since a statement like that could draw new people into the business. "This really is the perfect business!" could be just what your prospect needs to get the courage to make the decision and join your network marketing company. But is that all it is? Just a great statement to be used in an attempt to close people, or is there actually any truth to it? Of course not everybody shares this positive image of the industry. Many people think quite the opposite of network marketing. Busloads of people would laugh when someone would refer to it as 'the perfect business' because they don't even consider it a business in the first place. They might still have the picture of a bunch of housewives gathering around the kitchen table to sell each other plastic cups and lingerie as a hobby. Obviously not everybody evaluates a business by the same criteria but with global revenues exceeding 100 billion dollars it just doesn't fit the description of a hobby anymore. It's serious business. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Why Did My Prospect Not Join?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:18:15 -0500

Have you ever had a prospect, who you thought was ready to become a member of your team, only to find out they changed their mind or worse yet, joined with someone else? Nothing can be more disheartening than to have a prospect you thought was ready to join your organization turn cold. Why did the prospect turn cold? Simply, you did not understand what motivated your prospect. A good network marketer understands that there are several reasons that motivate prospects. Think back to when you got into the business. What was your motivation? How did that marketer find out what your "hot points" were? We all know that building a rapport is a basic prospecting principle. However, until you master the skills of how to approach and involve your prospect to learn what motivates them, you will continue to have trouble keeping a prospect "hot". What is the prospects motivation? It is important to understand when approaching a prospect - "Prospects will make a decision based on their reasons and NOT yours! **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Affiliate Marketing - A Good Place to Start

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:28:08 -0500

A lot of people are getting involved in online business to help supplement their income or to find a way to get out of a dead-end job that they do not like doing. These are both very valid reasons for starting an online business. A good place to start an online business is by becoming an affiliate marketer because it is relatively quick and easy to start and requires very little, or no investment, in order to start making money online. With an online business you can contact just about anybody with an Internet connection which means you have an extremely wide marketing area at your convenience. By being an affiliate marketer you do not have to create your own products or services in order to get started making money online. The owners, or merchants as they are sometimes called, give you the rights to market their products for free in most cases. Affiliate marketing has become one of the most popular methods for making money online today because the products or services have already been created for you. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

10 Myths About Starting Your Own Business

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:39:25 -0500

Many solo entrepreneurs believe certain things about starting their own business that are just not true. Continuing to believe in these myths can lead you down the path to destruction. Here are some of them: •Since I’m just working for me, there is no need for a business plan. Would you go on a trip without a plan? Would you get married without a plan? Plans are good. They will help you get focused and stay that way. A good business plan will help you to think through all the aspects of your business and see you on your way to success. •I’ll have to invest in expensive software to get a good business plan. Nope. Software may help, but you don’t need it. How do you think all those businessmen succeeded before the invention of the computer? •Then I’ll need to hire a consultant to write my business plan for me. You are the one who knows what you are going to do. If not, then all the consultants in the world can’t help you. Try a coach or mentor to guide you, rather than do things for you. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

How to Get Your E-mail Marketing Letter Read

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:23:52 -0500

More and more people are using e-mail marketing in their business as a way to instantly contact hundreds if not thousands of prospects. However, few people fail to realize that there is a lot more to e-mail marketing than that. E-mail marketing is no different than any other type of marketing, the same type rules apply. It is important to understand that e-mail marketing is just a tool and like any tool you must learn how to use it. Your goal should not be to make the sale, but to get the prospect to request additional information. Most e-mail marketing is doomed from the start, in that over 90% of e-mails sent will never be read. Why is that? 1. Poor subject line - screw this up and the rest of your message is irrelevant. Your subject line announces your e-mail and tells the reader if the message is important to them or not. Your subject line should do one thing and one only - get your reader to open the message and read the first sentence. Simply stating "You can make $20,000 in the next 30 days" just won’t cut it. **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

8 Tips to Promote Your Online Craft Store

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:27:26 -0500

You created a pretty web site displaying the crafts that are your pride and joy, now what? There are many tricks you can use to promote your new business and show the world your crafts. - Build a mailing list! It's one of the best ways to get new AND return customers when you deal online. Give the option on your site, when they make a purchase, on your flyers at craft fairs... the possibilities are endless. Once you have a customer list, you can send reminders, rebates, exclusive products and more. Just don't overdo it or people will come to see your mailings as spam. - Use search engine optimization techniques to improve your search engine rankings. A higher ranking means a better exposure, so you'll get more traffic and sales. A full explanation on this is beyond the scope of this article, but there are many good articles on this if you search on Google. - Crafts malls like Etsy are a good way to promote your own website. You get exposure, credibility, and a sale or two if you're lucky! **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.

Learn the Secrets Guru's Use to Create Low Cost Products

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:20:54 -0500

So, after much research, you have figured out what niche market you want to target with your home based business. Now, you aren't sure what product you want to sell. The truth is, the answer is easier to arrive at, and much less expensive to implement than you would imagine. Let's learn the secrets gurus use when creating a product. In case you are wracking your brain trying to figure this out, relax. In fact, you probably have already guessed it. It's the dreaded ebook! The moaning and groaning is beginning now, but ebooks really aren't that bad! Ebooks have been around for years, but most people in your niche likely will have had only limited experience with them. Why ebooks? They continue to be cool, and are viewed as cutting edge. They also are easy to create, inexpensive, can be developed quickly, and can be bought while you sleep. It doesn't get much better than that! Now, the real secret to ebooks is . . . . Drum roll please! DON’T CREATE THEM! Now, if you are a professional writer or just love to write, then this article isn't for you. The rest of you, hang in here! **End Summary** Topics: business opportunity]]> home based business]]> online business]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have farmed most of my life, worked for a John Deere dealer as a mechanic, drove semi trucks for 30 years, worked in a factory, been working on the Internet for 18 years, I love helping others make money on the Internet. I like traveling, camping, good movies, being with good friends and family.