Re-Evaluating Your Website Presentation

It’s amazing what things you read make you take notice of you or your business. Some times I feel the article is talking directly to me, but that’s probably due to my paranoia and it’s really not a bad thing, but a helpful thing.

People interpret others in different ways through different things.

- How you are viewed by your website
- How you are viewed by your online behaviour
- How you are viewed by your articles
- How you are viewed by how you network and communicate with others

While these are all legitimate views, they are not always necessarily a true reflection of a person. Thank goodness for that!

A website can tell a lot about you.

If you have a spammy-jammy-scammy looking website, you’re either a scammer, a poor website designer or you have poor taste. Think about it for a moment. Remember the last scam website you looked at? What did it look like and I’m sure you can imagine what kind a person a scammer would look like.

How about a traditional, private person? Their website looks conservative and simple using a monochromatic scheme with a hint of colour. A person who’s not detail-oriented or organized may have a website that looks thrown together without much thought.

Your website is a store front. It either welcomes people or pushes them away. It does say a lot about you, your business or your work ethics or maybe it doesn’t say enough.

But does it say what you want it to say about you?

~Sophia

4 Reasons To Use Website Trackers

A website tracker is a very important tool for any webmaster even if you don’t have your own domain name or pay for hosting.

There are four main reasons using a website tracker is imperative even if you’re not promoting anything online.

1. Many people who own their own domain name and use pay hosting will often have a stat tracker included. Depending on your hosting company, many who uses cPanel will show you stats.

These statistics show where your visitors are coming from (search engine including what keyword phrase they used to find you, from another website etc.), track pageviews, show the most popular pages, top referring sites, top search engines, top search phrases and much more. Basically it shows what your visitors are doing or clicking on your website.

You will also see computer specifications such as IP address, country, browser types, resolutions etc.

2. Website trackers will also benefit you in your ad campaigns. It will track unique and returning visitors. How many times your ad was clicked, sales and so forth.

3. Website trackers displays top keyword or keyword phrases that can help you in your article marketing and ad campaigns. Use these keywords or keyword phrases in your articles.

4. What I really like about site trackers is not just the great website information you get, but it also alerts you in finding people who have plagiarised, scraped or stolen content from you. Too many times I have found my content stolen from viewing my statistics.

Here are some website trackers you can look into to add to your websites or use your favourite search engine to find what you need.

- Google Analytics
- Add Free Stats
- Stat Counter
- Site Meter

~Sophia

Home Business: It’s All In The Presentation

Whether it’s a Direct Sales business, other work at home business or you work in a brick and mortar office when it comes to presenting a service or product it has to be top-notched or you’re not going to be able to make the sale.

I sat in on a presentation when I was on holidays in Hawaii this past June and it was a very impressive presentation that had me alert, listening and participating.

Don’t bore people to death with a monotonous voice. Here are 10 tips I think a good presenter should follow.

1. Look relaxed. It’s understandable if you’re nervous, but put those nerves aside. Stand straight, feel confident and be confident.

2. Be passionate and excited about what you’re presenting, but not to the point that you’re force selling. Show enthusiasm and energy and speak from your heart.

3. Be competent in your deliverance. Loud enough voice that everyone can hear you, use different tones in your voice, facial expressions, gestures and so on as these all make up how people will perceive you.

4. Know your facts. This should be easy and a no-brainer.

5. Be engaging with people. Get people to respond to you verbally. Get people to help you demonstrate.

6. Be prepared as during a presentation anything can happen out of the blue. Don’t get rattled. Expect the unexpected.

7. Have eye contact with your audience. Avoid focusing in on just the middle. If your audience surrounds the room, pan your eyes from one side of the room to the other.

8. Be aware of your surroundings by listening to the little chatter in the background. This is a good way to nip the uncertainty or question in the bud. It shows you’re listening and involved with your audience and not just your audience involved with you.

9. Add humour and share stories. People relate to other people when they know someone else has walked in their shoes.

10. Smile.

To your success,
~Sophia

Qualities Of A True Business Leader

When it comes to finding a leader in the same business niche as you, what do you look for? I’m sure the common traits to look for from many people would be honesty, trust, straight-talker-no-bull attitude, knowledgeable, authenticity, professionalism and so on.

As you journey through your own personal and business growth you will come across three types of leaders.

A. The real experts in their niches
B. The “leader” in sheep’s clothing
C. The “leader” who rides the success coattails of others

How do you know the real deal from the fakes? There are some clear signs and these are what you should be looking out for.

1. Articles are fantastic sources of information about specific topics, but it’s also the written work and words from a knowledgeable business person. How does it read? Is it understandable and does it drive the point home for you? Some people can be great writers, yet they hold back on their knowledge like they are afraid to share their most successful secrets. They will only provide common sense knowledge which really is not sharing information at all in my humble opinion.

If they rehash or regurgitate a lot of their old material for newer articles then it’s a sign they aren’t expanding their knowledge.

Subscribe to their article feed or new article alerts. This way you can keep up with all the new articles they have written. In time you will be able to see if what they are writing is really content worthy.

Keep up with their blogs and blog comments. Again this will reveal whether they are truly knowledgeable in their business niche. Do they add value to what’s already being said by a blogger? Do they offer a different perspective? Or are they readily agreeable most times and reiterate what is already being written even when misinformation is presented?

2. Social networking sites can tell a lot about leaders. Niche forums are so wide-opened all you need to do is visit them daily and focus in on two leaders in same niche for comparison.

A leader you want to follow openly engages in all discussions from business related chat or informal chit chat. Not only does it show them as a leader, but it shows them as a real person someone can identify with. Leaders aren’t afraid of controversy nor do they stay away from business discussions. Ask them anything and they are willing to share and talk; they aren’t vague in their responses.

Many leaders also work on personal development. They are always learning and striving to be better all the time. They motivate and inspire, they have clear goals and they think outside the box. They are creative and original.

Fittingly so eventually you want to be business leader A. You want to be able to stand on your own two feet. No riding on someone else’s successes or pretending to be someone you’re not.

Follow your leaders’ footsteps as a guide. Always strive to learn more today than you knew yesterday and be true to yourself.

To your success,
Sophia

10 Suggestions To Kill Work At Home Distractions

Anyone and everyone who works at home will at least face some type of distraction every so often. Working on the computer offers a lot of distractions…surfing the net, engaging in social network sites, instant messaging and email are the main factors why people get off track.

Here are some ways you can keep yourself on track.

10 Suggestions To Kill Work At Home Distractions

Working at home and being there for your children is a luxury. Who wouldn’t want to be in my shoes? The downside, there are many challenges and distractions.

As a business owner, I can be more flexible than your telecommuter who has a virtual boss hundreds of miles away, but sometimes that flexibility is more of a disadvantage than an advantage.

Here are 10 suggestions to put an end to these work at home distractions.

1. Phone
Let your voice mail pick up your phone calls. If you’re not expecting an important call, turn down the volume so you can’t hear who’s leaving a message.

2. Television and Radio
Television and radio are the worse offenders of background noise. Some music can influence your mood and put you in a non-working frame of mind.

3. Email, Instant Messaging, Social Network Sites
Don’t keep your email programs, instant messaging, or social network sites minimized or opened. Enough said.

4. Children
They are one of the many reasons we choose to work at home, but they are pure distraction. Babysitters, daycares, play dates are all good options, but they may not be viable options all the time. Scheduling is very important. Set aside block times for work and for your children. Work doesn’t have to be 8 hour days.

5. Food
Stock your pantry and fridge with fruits and veggies for quick and easy healthy lunches and snacks. Avoid drinking alcohol. Always have water at your desk as dehydration causes fatigue, headaches, irritability and more.

6. Procrastination
We avoid it because it difficult to do or we don’t enjoy doing it. You have two choices:

A. Perform the task at your peak performance time when you’re really alert and work focused or

B. Completely scrap the task if it’s not important. Don’t hang on to the task or save it for another day.

7. Weather
I find it harder to work when it’s sunny and warm. I know I’m not alone. Know when to stop and don’t overwork. Distraction is not always a negative thing.

8. Work Attire
Many people have admitted to wearing their pajamas while working at home. Is it productive? I don’t think so. Get up, shower, get dressed, eat breakfast and start your day. These things get you moving and your blood circulating and it puts your mind in a work focused mode.

9. Work Schedule
I know when I oversleep I’m more tired and unmotivated throughout the day. Getting up early for me is the best. We’re all different in what works well. Find the time when you’re the most energetic and do your difficult tasks at that time.

10. Housework
There’s nothing wrong with a messy house; a dirty one is a different story. If you keep your house clean and neat then clean up is a snap. Laundry, dishwashing and other chores can be done in between your breaks. It’s all about utilizing your time in the most efficient way.

Working at home really requires a lot of self-discipline, careful planning and knowing what works for you. If you can do all that, then work at home distractions can be kept to a minimum or at the very least, none at all.

S McIntyre is the founder of WorkAtHomeSpace.com a free work at home resource focusing on work at home companies, daily telecommuting job leads, articles, business resources, networking forum and other work at home related topics.

Working Your Work At Home Forums

Quality work at home forums require a lot of work from the forum owner. Being visible and engaging with your members is of the utmost importance. Last week I asked to be removed as a moderator as I felt I couldn’t support the forum owner if s/he wasn’t going to be present. After all, it doesn’t seem fair to me when I’m making the effort to visit the forum daily, deleting spam, interacting with other members and the forum owner doesn’t. It’s also unfair to hold a moderator title and do nothing on the forum either.

I’ve seen too many good work at home forums go to waste. The math is very simple. If a forum owner can’t commit to maintaining and building their forums daily and/or being present, then it’s time to close its doors.

Here are two articles I think you will find helpful if you’re looking to build a work at home forum.

Three Key Elements You Should Know Before Starting A Forum
3 Key Components In Running A Successful Forum

To your success,
Sophia

Who’s Working Your Business When You’re Not?

Summer just hit a few days ago and the kids are out of school starting their summer vacation. For some people this means they are joining their kids in playing and enjoying the summer so they are only working their business part-time. Many also have laptops where they can take their work with them wherever they go, but there are also others who haven’t for one reason or another have the option to take their business with them. Or maybe they don’t want to. Is it still consider a holiday if you bring your laptop with you?

Depending on your business each of us work our business differently. In my business, I can set my autoresponder, take down my advertising page and let my moderators run my forum.

If you can’t be that flexible, you have options.

If you have a partner, they can look after certain things or all things for you.

If you have a virtual assistant, you can delegate as much or as little responsibilities to them.

If you don’t have anyone, then it’s time to invest in a laptop.

Here are additional information you may find helpful:

- Leave a contact number with your business partner or virtual assistant where you can be contacted in case of an emergency

- Let your partner or VA know when you will be leaving and when you’re returning

- Make sure your partner or VA know their responsibilities and what’s expected from them

If you’re ready to hit the road and enjoy summer then make sure you know who’s working your business when you’re not.

To your success,
Sophia

Proper Business Etiquette When Making Customer Phone Calls

When working from home, you need to realize that there will be times that you will need to make and receive business calls. When you are on the phone with a customer, they deserve your undivided attention.

Here are some great tips for you to utilize when making and receiving business phone calls.

1. Introduction. You should always introduce yourself when calling a customer. Let them know right at the beginning of the conversation, who you are and the reason for your phone call.

2. Don’t Eat Food. There is nothing more annoying than hearing someone chewing their food.

3. Gum Chewing and Bubble Blowing. You think this would be common sense, but sadly, I often get phone calls and have to listen to the other person chew gum and blow bubbles.

4. Vulgar Language. When making business calls, there is no need to use vulgar and abusive language. If you are in a bad mood, hold off on making your phone call.

5. Screaming Kids. Try to make your business calls when children are napping, in school or when your spouse is home to entertain them.

6. Multi-Tasking. Usually multi-tasking is a ‘good thing’, but in the case of making business calls, your customers and clients deserve your undivided attention.

They don’t need to hear you loading your dishwasher, running the vacuum or even going to the bathroom.

7. Know What Time It Is. I don’t appreciate getting phone calls after 10:00 pm, so I don’t make phone calls late at night. Educate yourself about the different time zones. Try to keep the majority of your business phone calls during normal business hours.

8. Weekends. You need to realize that most people don’t want to do business on weekends. If at all possible, make your business phone calls during the weekdays or weekday evenings. If you need to make business calls during the weekend, try to make them on Saturdays. A lot of people will reserve Sunday’s for family time.

9. Mobile Phone Calls. You should never conduct business calls while driving, this is an accident waiting to happen.

10. Keep Your Phone Calls Strictly Business. Your customers and clients don’t want to hear about your family issues, health problems or if you are having a bad day. Talking about what is going wrong in your personal life, is unprofessional.

11. Time. Allow enough time to spend with your customers on the phone. If you only have 5 minutes, but feel the phone call will take longer, then make your phone call at another time. Your customers should never feel ‘rushed’ when you are answering their questions or assisting them with an order.

12. Be Prepared. You should have everything that you need in front of you when making the phone call.

example: product catalogs, order forms, calculator, computer (if necessary), tax charts, pen and other essential business items.

It’s very frustrating for a customer to be put on hold while you search for the information or to grab business and order taking supplies.

When it comes to making business phone calls to customers, I feel these are 12 important tips to remember.

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. You can contact Shelly at:
Web: Classy Home Business Women
Web: Shelly’s Tupperware Home Business

How To Destroy Your Online Business Reputation

When it comes to doing business online, your online business reputation is everything. It is important to remember this when you are networking on forum boards and in business networking groups.

When people ‘feel’ they have been ‘wronged’ by a business or business person, they are not afraid to post about their experience. All it takes is one ‘bad act’ and the entire Internet work at home community will know about it.

Here are a few ways on how you can ruin your online business reputation by networking on forum boards.

1. Join forum boards and only post spam ads.

2. Join business boards and post nonsense every day topics.

3. Steal another person’s business ad content and then post it as your own.

4. Steal another person’s business article and then post it as your own.

5. Always respond to other members posts with redundant one-liner replies. Members want ‘real’ input, advice and answers, so if you want to ruin your online business reputation, keep on replying with everyday one-liners.

6. If someone decides to do business with you, take their money and run.

7. Disrespect other people for their thoughts and ideas. Remember, your opinion is the only one that counts.

8. Make all of your message board postings all about yourself. We all love hearing from a bragger 24/7.

9. Consistently make typos and grammar mistakes in your message board posts.

10. Use vulgar and derogatory language in your postings.

11. Consistently lie. These days, you can find out just about anything about any person with a little online research.

12. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. So, after you have picked a few fights, riled up an entire message board community, its now time to move on to the next community and do it all over again.

If you want to build a professional online business reputation, you will want to avoid all of these common mistakes.

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. You can contact Shelly at:
Web: Classy Home Business Women
Web: Shelly’s Tupperware Home Business