Work At Home Business Options

Archive for June, 2011

Effective Ways to Boost Your Business Exposure by Kaye Z. Marks

Who would not want to get good business exposure? Who would not want the chance to draw in lots of customers? No one, right?

Every business, large or small, would grab every opportunity to boost sales through good marketing. If given the chance to have a marketing material that draws in customers in a steady flow, any business owner will do everything to maintain that good fortune. However, achieving all these do not happen in one sitting. Through careful planning and use of marketing material can only a business, enjoy good sale and profit.

So, if you intend to do brochure or postcard printing in order to produce marketing tools that will advertise your business, how do you make sure people know about you? Here are simple tips to help you get started in your marketing campaign:

Establish your reputation in the market

If you want to increase your sale and draw in lots of profitable customers, you need to establish a good reputation in the market. You want your customers to think that they only get the best products or services in your store. So, show them you are the business to beat. How do you do this? Join organizations and start interacting with your customers. Create also write-ups and send it to your local newspaper. A good write-up would be an informative copy that people can use or get information regarding issues affecting your customers. This will show your customers to care for them, thus, building your reputation as a reliable business in your area.

Make a good first impression

In business or in personal life, you only got one chance to make a good first impression. You blew that chance and you might spend the rest of your life making up for your slip-up. This is why you need to make sure your brochure, postcard, or poster is designed carefully to easily catch the attention of the market and make a good impression. However, you need not use overly creative brochures or postcard templates. Just stick with simple images, colors, and font to clearly deliver your message across. Be careful with your design choice as a poorly designed material can easily discourage customers. They will take your material as an indication that your business is not doing well.

Collaborate with other businesses

One good way to be noticed is to collaborate with other business in your area. For instance, if a business is sponsoring a big event, consider hosting the event with them, like a run for a cause event with half the proceeds going to charity. By doing this, you get access to other forms of promotion that you have not been able to reach before such as the news media. This is also a good way for your target customers to see that you care about the community.

Smile

This may sound outlandish, but a nice smile can go a long way. It can gain you new customers, turn a onetime customer into a regular one, and even make the day better for someone. If people see that you are happy, they are likely to come to your store and be encouraged to make a purchase. After all, no one would like to make a deal with a rude person. So, keep a nice smile with you and you are sure to make your customers and your business happy.

Kaye Z. Marks is an avid writer and follower of the developments in postcard templates and postcard printing industry that help businesses in their marketing and advertising campaigns.

Article Source: WAHM Articles

For this particular game it is easier if you write up your 10 questions and print them out on paper to take to your home parties with you. You can use the 10 questions listed below or come up with 10 questions all on your own.

During the party you will ask the guests to answer the 10 questions on the sheet about the party hostess. Once they are done you will read the questions out loud and have each guest state their answer for everyone to hear. If they guess the correct answer about the host they get a point and the guest with the most points at the end of the game..wins and gets a prize!

A quick, easy and super fun game to see how well they know their party host!

1. How old is your party host? _______________
2. In what city was your party host born? _______________
3. What color is your party host’s favorite color? _______________
4. What is your party host’s favorite dessert? _______________
5. When it comes to bedroom attire what does your party host like to sleep in? ______________
6. What movie is your party host’s favorite movie? ______________
7. Who is your party host’s favorite singer or music group? ___________
8. When it comes to professional sport’s teams which team is your party host’s favorite team? _____________
9. What is your party host’s favorite beverage? ____________
10. What day of the week is your party host’s favorite day? ____________

In the event there is a tie, here is our tie breaker question:

Where is your party host’s favorite place to vacation at? _______________________________________________________

Now let’s see how well everyone knows their party host!

Partner With Your Hostess for Higher Sales at Your Direct Selling Home Parties

By Karen Phelps

OK, so you’ve booked a few parties…now what do you do? Do you find yourself screening your phone calls? Are you afraid to have contact with your Hostesses for fear they may cancel or postpone their party? What can you do to insure a good party so both you and your Hostess will benefit? Booking parties is easy but in order to make it a fun and profitable party for both you and the Hostess there are basic techniques that will help guarantee success. In this article you will learn what to do to increase your party consistency, sales average and booking ratio.

First, arrive at the party with at least six Hostess packets. I found the easiest way to put my Hostess packets together was to make about twenty at a time. I got everything I needed out, put a label with my name, address and phone number on everything that was going to go into the Hostess packet and sat down for a few minutes and got everything ready. Every Hostess packet should include these items.

At least one catalog or brochure if your company has a supplement make sure to include one of those also.

Company Hostess Award Brochure or a list of everything the Hostess can earn

Guest List with a self-addressed and stamped envelope (New triplicate guest list can be ordered here) Order Guest List

Hostess Wish List or a bright paper for Hostess to write down the items she would like to earn at her party.

Material about joining your company preferably marketing material that will spark interest and curiosity.

Order forms (at least 4-6) or outside order sheet

Large Envelope to hold everything (if your company does not provide. Bright colored envelopes can be purchased at most office supply stores)

Now that you have your Hostess packets put together make sure you pack your case with at least 6 for every party. Once you begin to play the envelope game (from my It’s a Party Out There program) at your parties you will be booking more parties than you ever thought possible. Also have your “Open Date Card” (also from the program) ready so the new people booking parties can select one of “your available dates”.

After you have played the envelope game and secured your bookings hand the “Open Date Card” and a Hostess Packet to the first person who booked and ask her to write her name in the space next to the date she would like. Then hand the card to the next person to have her select a date and so on until all of the guests have selected a date for their party. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PERSON WHO IS BOOKING SELECTS A DATE THAT NIGHT! Remember, it’s not a booking until you have a date. Don’t waste your time trying to call later, if she is hesitant and wants to check her schedule say, “Let’s pick a tentative date right now and you can check your calendar when you get home. If you need to change it you can call me first thing tomorrow so you will still qualify for the bonus gift for selecting a date on my open date card.” I found that 9 out of 10 times the original date we agreed on was the date the Hostess was going to keep.

After each person has selected a date bring them aside and go through the entire contents of the Hostess Packet with them. Here is exactly what I would say. “Judy, I’m excited you are going to be having a party. Let’s go over everything in your packet. First, this is your guest list that you will need to fill out and return to me in three days so that I can mail your invitations out for you. Your Hostess will also be able to receive the credit for your booking when I have received your list. There is room for 24 names on each list and I have given you two. Try to fill out one complete list and use the other one if you need to. Please press hard as you are making three copies and the top copy will be the label that goes on the invitation.

You will have a place to write the phone numbers on this list so you can have a call list to call and remind everyone to come and bring a friend. Please keep your catalog with you all the time and if someone cannot come you can share the catalog and ask if they would like to order or book a party. There are order forms in the packet for you to use for these orders. Also, please take this Hostess Wish List and list all the items you would like to earn at your party and return the Wish List to me with your Guest List. I will figure out what you will need to do to earn all the items on your list. I have added some information about our company so you can browse through it. Have you ever thought of doing something like this? No, well, I think you’d be great! Read through the information and I can call you tomorrow at 3:00 or 5:00 and answer any questions. Which time would be best to call? Great, I’ll call you at 5:00. Here’s your packet and I look forward to helping you earn all the products you would like. Don’t forget to have your guest list to me in 3 days. Thanks.”

During this time you have went through all of the contents of the packet while you were reviewing it with her. You have her working on her guest list and wish list and you have planted the seed about her joining you in the business. Hostess Coaching is an art and you can master it when you practice it over and over and over. When you implement these techniques I guarantee that you will have less cancellations and postponements and more enthusiastic Hostesses which should result in higher sales and more bookings. So “partner with your Hostess” to help her get everything she wants and you will get everything you want! As Zig Ziglar always says, “You can get everything in life you want when you help enough other people get what they want.”

Want to know the fastest way to get more bookings and build your Direct Selling business? Head over to http://www.karenphelps.com for Direct Selling strategies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Phelps
http://EzineArticles.com/?Partner-With-Your-Hostess-for-Higher-Sales-at-Your-Direct-Selling-Home-Parties&id=678536

A few days ago I posted here on my blog about some inappropriate behavior I saw going on over on Twitter with some so-called business professionals. Well today…I would like to address some mistakes I see professionals making on their business blogs.

In today’s world…blogging is hot! You will find current event blogs, personal blogs, hobby blogs, business blogs…just about a blog on any topic that you could ever imagine.

When it comes to personal blogs…by all means, post whatever you want, as often as you want and use any type of language you want to use. However…if you have a business blog…you really need to watch what you are posting on it as posting the “wrong” thing can indeed reflect poorly on you and your business.

You do not want to trash talk other business and/or blogs on your business blog and you certainly don’t want to use foul or offensive language. I think for most of us that is common sense but apparently there are those out there that feel that it’s their blog and they can post what they want to post. While that is true (it is their blog) if it’s a business blog…your postings can and do relfect on you as a business professional.

I know when I visit business related blogs I don’t want to read about your “partying experiences”, posts about your naughty neighbors, fights you have going on with fellow consultants/competition, inappropriate language and other nonsense. I feel if you want to post those type of topics you should make a PERSONAL blog and post them there.

I have unfollowed many blogs the past month due to inappropriate postings on their business blogs. Yes..this is my personal opinion but I do know that it’s also a popular opinion with those who visit & read business blogs.

Your thoughts? Is it okay to post things like I described above on a business blog?

When you are on social media networking sites like Facebook and Twitter and you are on those sites to help promote your business it is very important that you conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times.

For most of us that is common sense but for others…well…I am not really sure what kind of sense they have!

A few days ago I was over on Twitter and I was following a girl who has been in direct sales for several years now. The majority of this girls Tweets on Twitter were professional and I enjoyed those tweets. With that said…for the past few weeks I have noticed a change in her and she has been tweeting out offensive language several times a week. I am not sure what is going on in her life (if anything) but if you are using these sites for business you can not use curse words or offensive language in your posts/tweets. While some of your followers are not going to be offended by that type of language, I assure you that others (like myself) will be.

In addition…I have seen a lot of people the past few months sit on Twitter and bash other people and sling mud. Again, that is not appropriate behavior for a person who is on Twitter to network and promote their business.

So today…my post is just a friendly reminder that it is important that you remain a professional on social media networking sites and keep the potty mouth to yourself. Nothing says you are unprofessional more than you using offensive language and it is a quick way to lose followers which means you are losing potential business!

Shelly

10 Ways to Enhance Your LinkedIn Profile by Terri Seymour

Social media sites are more popular than ever and with over 100 million users LinkedIn is in the top five most popular. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network and is an extremely resourceful tool for job hunters, recruiters, business owners, etc. Once you sign up for a LinkedIn account, you must create your professional profile. The more effective your profile, the more professionals can find you and connect with you.

Below are ten things you can do to enhance your profile so it is the most effective it can be in building your network of connections.

1. Complete the Profile – This is very important in that you do not want a half-done, unprofessional profile. This will not accomplish much in the way of building your network of connections. Complete each section, completely and professionally to make the most of your online professional identity. According to LinkedIn, you are 40% more likely to be found in a LinkedIn search with a 100% completed profile as opposed to one that is not completely finished.

2. Always Use a Photo – There are many people who do not want to use photos for various reasons but you need to post a photo on your LinkedIn profile to get more results. You do not have to have a professionally taken photo but you do want it to look professional. People will be more likely to remember your profile if you present a photo of yourself. Photos can also increase the chances of people trusting you.

3. Use a Persuasive Headline – Don’t just plaster your name and title as your profile headline. Add a short slogan or benefit you provide. Compare the two headlines below and decide which one would capture your interest more.

Jane Doe

Virtual Assistant

Jane Doe

Virtual Assistant – I will free up your time and grow your business.

You don’t even have to have your title, you can just stress the benefits you provide or the skills you possess. Use something that makes you the one to choose.

4. List Your Websites – Be sure to add your URL and/or blog to your profile. You can add up to three urls. Customize the tiles of your links as opposed to My Site, My Blog, etc. You can do this by choosing the “Other” category in the Edit Profile section.

5. Get Recommendations – Having people give you recommendations will increase your chances of being found as well as give people more reason to choose you and/or your business or connect with you. You can ask people who have worked with you or past customers for recommendations. If they like your work/service, they will be glad to give a testimonial. You can also trade with people you would recommend but always remember, your reputation is on the line every time you recommend someone so don’t ask random people to trade recommendations.

6. Video Presentation – Add a video presentation to your profile highlighting your skills, services, products, etc. You can do this by going to Google Presentations under “More” in the toolbar at the top of your profile page. Click on More Applications….. then scroll down to Google Presentations. Add the Application and follow the directions on creating your presentation. Be sure to check out the other apps as well for a more productive profile.

7. Experience and Skills – Be sure to list all your experience and skills using relevant keywords. Be thorough, precise and complete when describing your skills and your experience. Be sure to be grammatically correct and proofread every sentence.

8. Professional Summary and Specialties – When writing your summary, let people know what you are about and what you can do for them. Use short precise paragraphs. Get to the point and be convincing. List your Specialties so they are much easier to read and capture attention quicker.

9. Keep Active – Do NOT fill out your profile and never come back. You need to keep updating regularly and be active on your profile. Get involved with LinkedIn and become a participant. Nobody wants to connect with a dead page!

10. Join Relevant Groups – Joining groups is one way to stay active and become involved with other LinkedIn users and professionals. Participate in the discussions and offer help, advice, support whenever you can.

When joining networking sites such as LinkedIn, you have to take the time to create productive profiles and pages. Put the time and effort into all the above enhancements and your LinkedIn profile will be much more effective.

Terri Seymour has over twelve years of online experience and has helped many people start their own business. Visit her site for resources, $1 and $2 resell ebooks & software, informative articles, and affiliate programs. Sign up for the RSS Feed for a free business ebook with MRR. http://www.SeymourProducts.com

Article Source: WAHM Articles