Work At Home Business Options

Archive for the ‘Business Tips’ Category

For the past year I have been seeing a slew of advertising online from various direct selling companies and direct sales consultants all “touting” their company or business opportunity as “Recession Proof” and when I see that…it really irks me!!!

My post today is a big OLD VENT on those who run around “touting” their direct sales or network marketing business as “Recession Proof” which is a big old FAT lie!!! Nothing in life…no business large or small, home business, retail store business…whatever…is Recession Proof!!!

It really “irks me off” when I see people and companies throwing around the “Recession Proof” like it’s no big deal and it is!!! People and companies should not be “tricking” people into thinking that the company and/or it’s business plan is recession proof when NO business is 100% recession proof. Goodness people…wake up and quit “touting” that around!

I have seen 30+ year old direct sales companies who were profitting and stable before the recession hit totally fold and go under once we got into the current recession so it doesn’t matter if the company is new, old, big or small…nothing in life is “recession proof” and those who “tout” around that slogan in their advertising should be ashamed of themselves because most of us are not stupid people and we know there are no guarantees in life.

So there you have it…my vent today dealing with folks who “tout” around their “Recession Proof” slogan to try to entice people to join their teams or their companies business program. That is a terrible slogan and should not be used in any form of advertising.

Do You Need More Bookings? If so, check out this site!

Work Life Balance: Help for Busy Moms by Aurelia M. Williams

As a mom you probably go through times in your life when you think you can’t possibly manage work and taking proper care of your family. In fact, there are probably times when you feel you’re not doing a good job at one or the other or maybe even both. Don’t despair! There is help for you whether you work from home or outside of the home, your family is large or small or you have other commitments like volunteer work.

Time Management – Knowing where and how you spend your time is key to balancing your life. Start by keeping a calendar of all your activities. You can do this online, on a paper calendar or in a journal. Track everything from showering, exercise, meal preparation, driving time, and so on. You will probably see areas where you can cut some time out by doing certain activities while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store or riding in the car. There are lots of useful ways to spend idle time and you can figure those out as you fill out your calendar or journal.

Set Priorities – As women we often have a hard time saying “no” because it is in our nature to help others and want to be useful. However, you must know when to say “no” to those activities that don’t help you reach your family, personal or business goals. And even if the activity does in some way help you reach your goals, you will need to prioritize the activity according to its value or importance.

Don’t be Afraid to ask for Help – Another trap women tend to fall into is the “I can do it all” syndrome. For some reason society has taught women that they have to be “Super Mom” otherwise you’ll be seen as lazy or a bad mother. That is a lie! When you are feeling overwhelmed by work, family and kids, have a friend, relative or neighbor give you a hand by helping you clean your house, or taking the kids away for a couple of hours while you get some work done. Whatever the situation may be, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

These are just a few of the suggestions you’ll find in my report, Real Life Guidance to Balancing Work and Family. The “Real Life Guidance to Balancing Work and Family” report shows you how you can find a balance between work and family, without letting any of those balls you are juggling fall on the floor. This report gives you real life solutions, and the best part is that you can get started right now.

Not only are there tips for everyday life, but inside The “Real Life Guidance to Balancing Work and Family” contains valuable insight for work at home moms and moms who work outside of the home.

In addition, I also show you how to get started and then keep the momentum! So don’t wait another second. Stop doing the juggling act and get your life in balance now with the Real Life Guidance to Balancing Work and Family report.

Looking for tips to get your life in balance now. Get ‘em right now… 24/7! Real Life Guidancetoolkits are available for easy and instant download to your computer.

Article Source: WAHM Articles

4 Great Reasons to Really Get to Know Your Customers by Rhonda White

Do you ever wonder about the lives of your customers? I remember how thrilled I was to get my very first customer. It was a delightful moment that I shall never forget – I’ve got a Sale! Wow! I’ve got Money!! I have to admit to you that I didn’t really go on thinking much about the life of that customer, nor do I even remember her name. But, over the years, since that day long ago, I’ve learned the real value of getting to know your own customers.

Why You Should Get to Know Your Customers:

1. It builds a lasting relationship and loyalty to your company.

Building relationships all start with getting to know someone first. Rarely does it happen overnight. It takes time. Did you get that? Yes, it takes time — sometimes a few weeks, some times even longer, and it’s a continual process establishing a good relationship. It also takes “your” time “personally”. We’re all busy with our business, but your customers are the foundation that makes your business thrive. Take time to ask questions, chat with them, offer help and make yourself available. Be sincere when you’re establishing relationships and you will reap the golden rewards of loyal customers.

2. It builds your business and brings in new customers

Let’s face it. People like to talk. We communicate about what makes us sad, mad, happy or overwhelmed, just about anything. Your customers will talk about you too, if they’ve established a good relationship with you and have received good service and products. They’ll happily refer you, their friend, to other friends they have. Reward your customers for their referrals by offering a small gift or discount as a “Thank You”. They’ll be even more eager to please you with some more referrals for your business.

3. It makes you approachable

When you take time to get to know your customers, they’ll feel a common bond with you as a real person on their level. Have you ever been anywhere to purchase something and you didn’t get what you really wanted because you felt intimidated by the sales person behind the counter or desk. Some businesses like to have that effect of “sophistication”, but you’re placing your customer’s needs to the side if you don’t get down with them on their level and make them feel “safe” with you. They need to feel that no question is too silly where you’re concerned. You really care about them and you’re there to help them. You are at their service, ready to please.

4. It will make your business better

Getting to really know your customer will help you see their needs better. It will help you focus on what they like and what they don’t. If you take time to ask for feedback you’ll get a better prospective on what your customers really want. Don’t assume you know what they want from your point of view. Many business owners have been extremely surprised to find out that their customers really preferred green instead of blue, or wished that they offered an easier way to order refills, etc. And you can be sure, that as soon as some other business comes by their way with the perfect product or solution that they’ve been looking for…they’ll be tempted to wander their way. You can keep you customers longer by keeping them satisfied and staying on top of what their real needs are. Many business owners glean ideas for expanding their business from their customers. Business owners do not become successful by guessing what people want. They find out themselves by asking their customers and acting upon it.

There are numerous reasons to get to know your customers, but you can’t place a price tag on the value of a real friendship and good relationship. You will be a “happy” business owner when you get to really know your customers…we all need friends and your customers are are only a phone call (or email) away.

Rhonda White
Home Business Internet Marketing

Article Source: WAHM Articles

When it comes to having a home business it is very important that you don’t over-charge your customers when it comes to shipping and handling fees as it will drive those potential customers to do business with retail stores instead of you!

What do I mean? Well, I contacted a rep with one of the cosmetic companies as I wanted to order a mascara and I asked her what my total would be if I ordered the mascara through her. (after all, I like to support work at home moms/dads).

This rep emails me back and tells me that it will be $9.50 for my mascara and $8.25 for shipping & handling. Are you kidding me? I will not pay $8.25 to have a light-weight mascara shipped to me and I am sure that most customers will not pay an outrageous shipping & handling fee like that on a light-weight item.

A few days later I emailed a crafter online to inquire about ordering a personalized toddler-sized pillowcase that she was selling for $10.00 and asked her what the shipping charge would be. This person emails me back stating that it would cost $8.68 to mail it to me. What? We are talking about a light-weight toddler-size pillowcase that is 1/2 the size of a standard pillowcase!

My point is this…if you are a home business owner…whether it be a crafter, Direct Sales Rep, whatever…you have got to bring the shipping & handling fees down as customers are savvy shoppers in this economy and they won’t pay ridiculous prices for shipping & handling, especially when the items are small (like jewelry) or light-weight. I understand shipping rates are up…but surely it doesn’t cost $8.25 to mail a mascara 2 states away or a toddler-sized pillowcase within the same state as the seller. By over charging customers on shipping & handling you are LOSING business which means you are NOT making as much money!

Keep your shipping & handling in-check so that you are not losing sales to offline retail establishments. Customers will indeed go elsewhere to purchase the items they want & need if they feel you are being ridiculous with your shipping & handling fees.

If you are thinking about joining one of the Direct Sales companies it is very important to check out the leader of your team to make sure that he or she is the perfect leader for your business needs.

What do I mean? Well…is most cases (not all) you will want to choose a leader that displays certain business qualities so that they can help you to succeed in your business. A good strong Direct Sales team leader will have certain qualities that you need to look for before signing up and joining a particular team.

Today let’s take a look at a few qualities that I feel are important.

1. Leads By Example: Does this leader go out and book & hold parties? Do they attend company sponsored meetings, conventions and training events? Are they out there working the business in a professional manner?

A good team leader will be out there booking parties, recruiting new team members, attending company sponsored training events and they will have a good strong business that they are actively working.

A bad team leader will be one who sits at home and pushes their team members to do all the “work” while they sit at home and reap the rewards.

2. Longevity: A good leader will have been in the business for several years and most of these leaders intend on working their business as a full-time career. The more time a leader has worked in Direct Sales the stronger their “training skills” will be and this in turn can help you to be a successful consultant.  

3. Leaders Availability: A good leader will make him or herself available to you as often as possible when you need help with your business. Don’t get me wrong, they won’t be available 24/7 as that is unrealistic and you shouldn’t expect that from them…but they will make themselves available several times a week to assist you.

4. Professionalism: A good leader will behave and act like a professional when they are around their team members, party hosts, customers and while attending business events.

If your potential leader has a bad reputation in not assisting his or her team members in a timely manner, pulling out of party bookings often, canceling team meetings often or other things that one “might” consider to be unprofessional…you might want to “join” another team.

I want to give you a personal example of professionalism that I encountered about 12 years ago when I was considering joining a particular team. I called up the team leader to “interview” her as I wanted to make sure I would be on a good stable team. During this phone call she whined & complained to me that her current team members were lazy and not applying themselves and even mentioned a few by name. This was my very first time speaking with her and that immediately set off “alarm bells” with me as NO team leader should be gossiping or putting down the members on their team to other people. I quickly decided to join a different team after that 30 minute phone conversation. I do highly recommend that you “interview” your potential upline’s team leader before signing on the dotted line as many Direct Sales Companies do not allow you to switch teams once you have joined.

There are many qualities a good strong team leader should have but the four I outlined here in this post I feel are the top four you should be considering before joining anyone’s team with any of the direct sales companies.

What are your thoughts? What do you look for in a good quality team leader?

Are you marketing a Direct Sales or MLM business on the social media networking site called Twitter? If so, There is a right and a wrong way to do it.

Every day I get home business owners sending tweets to me and I don’t even follow them on Twitter. These tweets are considered SPAM if they contain your home business information and/or links in them and if I didn’t ask you directly for the information it is indeed spam!

Just recently I had a consultant with a Direct Sales company who I am not following over on Twitter send me 2 Tweets and BOTH of them contained her business information. The Tweets were:

@Ravish30 I heard you were looking for a job. Did you know our company (company name) is hiring?

First of all…I am not looking for a job, not sure where she got that information. Second of all, I am not following her nor is she following me. She simply sits on Twitter and looks for certain keywords and then spams out her message to hundreds of people who are NOT following her. (I checked her Tweet Stream…all of her tweets are @ mention business spam).

So, I tweeted back and called her out on this spam. She replies back that it’s not spam to give people info that her Candle Company is hiring. Sadly, a lot of consultants believe this and it simply is not true.

Any time you send your business info via email, tweets, private messages, etc. and the person receiving the info from you did not specifically ask you for the information it is indeed considered spam! Spamming folks over on Twitter is not the way to grow your Direct Sales business. Matter of fact, people are tired of Twitter spam and have been reporting people left & right for this practice.

My suggestion…Stop spamming folks on Twitter immediately! Networking is about you trying to make a connection with another person and it is about you acting like a professional while networking. Obviously sending spam tweets is not accomplishing either of those 2 purposes.

Shelly