Friday, November 28, 2008

How To Be Productive in Your Home Business

By ralftom

Running a home based business comes with a great deal of freedom. You have no boss to tell you what to do. You are the boss of your own business. While this freedom feels great, be careful. Because you are the boss, you are responsible for your own productivity. If you are new to working at home, then you may not be sure how to raise your productivity.

Here are a few tips to increase your home business productivity.

Goal setting is an important part of any business plan. If you don't know where you are going then you could end up anywhere, but not likely where you really want to be. But goal setting helps to steer you in the right direction. Obviously, your overall goals would include being successful and profitable.

You also need to establish long-term and short-term goals so you can measure your progress toward being a success. Perhaps a long-term goal would be to earn a million dollars, or to sell a million products in the next five years. Your short term goals help to steer you toward your long term goals. You might have a short term goal of finishing a project by the end of the week for a customer.

Without goal setting, then you'll likely end up spinning your wheels and decreasing your productivity.

In order to achieve your goals, you need to manage your time effectively. Flexible hours are a great part of a home business, but if you are not careful, this flexibility can undermine your productivity.

To manage your time effectively, you need to have a schedule. The schedule needs to be set so that enough time can be devoted to meeting your goals.

For example, if you have committed to complete a project for a customer by the end of the week, and you estimate that the project will take eight hours to complete, then you need to schedule the time on your calendar that you need to complete the project on time. If you set a block of eight straight hours, or two blocks of four hours each, or four blocks of two hours each, that is up to you. Be aware of how you work most productively. Perhaps if you sat down and completed the project in one session, it would take you less total time than if you split up the time into multiple sessions.

It can take longer to re-focus on a partially done project after your attention has been on another task for a while. Try to make good notes of your project status, so it will be easier to find out where you left off, and finish a project sooner.

It is important to stick to your schedule as much as possible. Sure, emergencies come up, but they should be rare. Set a particular time of the day for working on your business. All you have to do is devote a certain number of hours every day to your business. This way you can spend the rest of your day with your family or on leisure activities.

Be sure that your family and friends know when your business hours are. Ask them to honor your schedule just as if you had to drive to an office job each day. If you are serious about your business, then your family and friends will be also.

Even with a schedule, you can be distracted, which slows your productivity. If having the television or radio on is slowing your work and making it harder to concentrate, then turn these distractions off.

Devote a specific area of your home for working on your business, preferably an office. Work in your work area until your schedule is fulfilled for the day. This way you will be less likely to be distracted by things happening in other parts of your home.

Set specific times to check your email. Don't be afraid to let some phone calls go to the answering machine, if you are on a time crunch to complete your work for the day.

Try to enjoy your home based business. Your business is the reason why you no longer have to deal with the stresses and negative aspects of working for a boss in an office job. Be positive and persistent, and you will achieve more and more success with your home business.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com
(my own article directory)

Ralf Dooley is a Home Based Business Marketer and helped many people to start their own Home Based Business. Click here to read more on better homebusiness.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Starting a Home Based Business

By Article Specialist

A home based business is very appealing – very low overhead costs, absolutely no travel time and provides greater flexibility in balancing time for work and family.

For decades, home based businesses have continuously played a pivotal role in the economy. It greatly contributes to a household’s purchasing power for people who cannot be employed on a regular schedule for whatever reason. In fact, some of today’s big businesses had their humble beginnings from the home.

Just like any other type of business a home based business requires comprehensive preparation, assessment, start-up proceedings, registration and marketing.

The following basic checklist covers the most important points that you will need to consider and will help you stay focused.

1. Create a Business Plan
It is advisable to create a business plan, which contains your mission statement and targets that you hope to accomplish. It is your road map that will lead you towards success and a concrete yardstick against which you can measure your progress. Moreover, having a business plan ensures you get to where you are going.

2. Set up your Web Site
Majority of home based businesses offset their physical absence by having a virtual presence via the Internet, 24/7. In creating your business plan, you also need to purchase and register a domain name, set up and test your web site. The Internet has spawned a truly global community allowing you to conduct business in all corners of the globe.

3. Establish your Business Entity
One of the most important decisions you will make is to decide if you want to set up your business as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation. Choosing your particular business type depends on several factors like available capital, your ability to do business on your own, and the scope of your business. Some of today’s big business corporations began as sole proprietorships or partnerships.

4. Get your Business License
Register your business name – get a business license and other compliance requirements that may be required by your city or state. Make sure that your type of business is allowed under your local zoning regulations. It is a waste of time to set up a business without registering your business name to find out later that zoning regulations in your area do not allow your particular type of business.

5. Obtain Insurance
If available, obtain and purchase insurance for your business. Find out what the insurance requirements are for your type of business, besides business insurance is one of the requirements of lending banks if you plan to borrow money for startup operations.

6. Purchase Equipment Requirements
Make a list of basic office equipments you will need such as computer, fax, printer, stationary supplies, and business cards. Once you have your list, go ahead, purchase them, and familiarize yourself in using and operating each one of your equipment.

7. Plan your Schedule
Your clients are not aware of the physical location of your business; however, make sure that they can get in touch with you, and more importantly, that you can get in touch with them. Make a regular schedule of when to open your e-mail and reply to your clients.

8. Organize your Work Area
Even if you work under the stairs, in the attic or the basement, make sure that everything is in its proper place. Make sure that your home office is well-organized. It is easier to work when everything you need is just at arm’s reach away.

9. Organize your Inventory
If your type of business requires you to stock merchandise in your home, make sure your floor stocking is well-organized based on FIFO (first in, first out); establish a reorder quantity so that you are continually able to supply clients’ requirements with no lead time lag. Make sure your merchandise is easily accessible and free from dirt and debris. Have all your shipping materials such as packing cartons, tape, address labels and bubble wrap ready nearby.

10. Ready, Set, Go!
As soon as you have everything ironed out, permits and licenses taken cared of, website up and running – you are now ready to open your business to the public.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Getting the Right Ideas for Your Own Business

By Article Specialist

Are you seriously considering putting up a home-based business? Have you decided on what your business will be? There are several factors to take into account when putting up a home based business, one of which is what are you going to do? One of the most straightforward types of home-based business to set up is to provide service.

Skills, which we have learned and gained from experience such as education, practice of profession, leisure pursuit, are saleable and marketable. There are people who are willing to pay for your specific skills.

One of the advantages of starting a home-based business by selling your skills is the low start up cost since you already have the most important equipment – yourself.

What you may consider as just a hobby may just be your most marketable asset. Every individual has a skill (sometimes more) that others are prepared to pay for. Never underestimate the value of your skill and experience.

Anyone and everyone can sell a service. Everybody is qualified because of our skills, knowledge or experience others are willing to pay for in the form of a service; or they are willing to pay you to teach them your specific skill or knowledge. The beauty of selling a particular type of service is it does not recognize boundaries.

Capitalize on What You Already Have - Your Skills

Do not let the lack of business skills hold you back from setting up your own business.

These are all skills that can be learned by attending seminars and training sessions at local chambers of commerce, city/state business bureaus and other government agencies that assist individuals in setting up their own businesses.

What you should ask yourself is, “What skills do I have that I can sell as a form of service to others?” Skills are by far your most marketable asset. If you know how to sing, play the piano or the violin, write, landscape – there are people out there who are willing to pay for them.

You Can Sell Your Skills and Services Part Time, Full Time or Seasonally

There are three ways to sell your skills/services – part time, full time or seasonally. Selling part time or seasonally, allows you to test the market by limiting your investment in terms of time and money. Doing so also allows you to maintain the income you have from your current job as well as all the related benefits.

The first option is to start selling your services on a part-time basis, which is a good idea because it enables you to eliminate risk by limiting your financial investment. It allows you to test the waters to make sure that being self-employed is something you enjoy and want to pursue. If you find out that you’re not the type of person who’s comfortable being the boss, you’ve risked little and still have the security of your job.

Selling seasonally may be either part time or full time. If your skills/service is seasonal, then engaging full time on a seasonal basis may be the best way to generate more revenues by capitalizing on the season. However, if your interest is only to generate money over a period of time, then part time and seasonal business would be the perfect ticket.

Going into business on your own full time may seem risky but if you have the time to research the business, study the market, develop a realistic business and marketing plan, and have the necessary financial resources to start the business and pay your salary until it becomes profitable, then go for it!

The potential of making more money by going into business yourself is limitless. You have full control over all the operation and you can set your goals and objectives. You can devote the necessary time and effort to make your business a success.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Do You Have the Right Work at Home Attitude?

By Ben Needles

I’ve known people who were thinking about quitting their real world job and wanting to start their own online business on their home computers say, I just can’t wait to work just when I feel like working! Or, I really can’t wait until I am my own boss. Or even, It will be great when I don’t have to punch a time clock.

While it is true. You really can work your own set hours when you have a work at home job and not have to punch a time clock, the working only when you feel like it part is not a very good idea. I guess though how often you felt like working, and how long the feeling lasted I think would be the big question.

Here are some things you should think about when considering working at home:

1. When working out in the brick-and-mortar world you most likely worked at least 8 hours a day and 5 days a week, if you had a full time job. When you work from home you may work 10 hours a day or more in the beginning, and maybe even more than 5 days a week. If you expect to work less, you should keep your day job and work part time at home until your home business gets rolling and can supply you with good income.

2. While you really can set your own hours, it is a very good idea to set your work hours just as if you were punching a clock. Then you must have the discipline to really work those hours every day you set to work.

3. When you worked for a boss, you probably got a paycheck whether your actually accomplished anything or not. Working from a computer at home, if you don’t produce, you don’t get paid. It’s just that simple.

So you see working from home is not like a summer vacation from high school. You really can’t just do what you feel like when you feel like. That is, of course what you want to do is sit in front of your computer and work.

After, your business gets rolling you will then be able to cut back your hours and have the freedom you longed for when you quit your day job. And, believe me it is worth all the long hours you put in getting to the top of the hill and start riding the fun wave on the other side.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

About the Author

Darryl Harris offers you at no cost, the step-by-step way to make $100 a day or more online at abenaday.com if you are serious about making a living online.

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Ebooks Meeting the Demand

By Ben Needles

Do you have a hobby? Have you learned how to master a particular program or video game? Can you put together a step-by-step guide to help others gain similar understanding of the process?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions you might have the beginnings of a home-based business.

People are consistently looking for ways to make money using a variety of software products or through an understanding of online auction houses. Dozens of ebooks have been developed to attempt to address a variety of topics that have found a connection with online consumers.

Perhaps the success of ebooks as a home-based business has to do with the immediacy of information acquisition or possibly the low cost associated with ebook downloads. Maybe the success is linked to the portability of the product through hand-held PC devices or it might simply be the desire for new information.

Traditional publishing houses might never consider publishing a book on subjects like online safety specifically at Christmas time or how to breed tropical fish, but these subjects are addressed in ebook form and they have sold very well.

A traditional publisher can take up to a year or more to get your book to market while a completed ebook can be ready to go in a matter of minutes in some cases.

Today’s online consumer is used to locating information that answers their questions immediately. If they can locate it online at a cost that is less than a bookstore and without the hassle of trying to get to the bookstore in hopes that they actually have what they want, then you become the hero of the day when you provide an ebook on the subject they are looking for.

Many ebook authors have utilized a multi-pronged approach to distribution. Some sell product exclusively on their website, but many have also (or in lieu of) used an ebook reseller to push their product onto the larger stage of mass consumption.

However, when a home-based business owner determines to make their ebook available the end result is a long-term revenue stream in residual income through payments for downloads of the ebook. The concept is similar to traditional book publishing, but leaves the control of the book in the hands of the owner of the work. You’ll notice I say owner because increasingly freelance writers are being used to develop the idea with ownership remanded to the one requesting the material.

Ebooks are a growing product of consumer demand. How are you meeting the demand?

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

About the Author

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. Make your own website in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites at: http://www.highpowersites.com or Build A Website at: http://www.buildagreatsite.com. Start your own ebook business with BooksWealth at: http://www.bookswealth.com

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Monday, November 3, 2008

5 Mistakes Work at Home Affiliate Business Opportunity To Avoid

By Jeff Casmer

Work at Home Affiliate Business Opportunities is still the number one money making method on the internet for beginners. No one really knows who deserves credit for coming up with such an elaborate money making technique that connects the globes merchants with selling enthusiasts, but were thankful they came up with it. But to be truly successful with affiliate marketing you have to get off on the right foot. Use this article as quick guide to help you get started as an affiliate marketer.

1. Avoid the number one mistake made by work at home affiliate business marketers. Most affiliates choose a product before they have carefully considered a solid, profitable niche. Before you can even begin to sign up for work at home affiliate business opportunities you must determine your niche. This can be in a sector that you have a lot of knowledge about or are very passionate about. Knowing what your niche is, and who is in your market, will help you to pick an appropriate product that meets a need in your niche.

2. Pick one product you believe in. Once you have drawn up a plan indicating which niche market you would like to serve, you can begin looking for a product that will help those within your niche. I want to stress the fact that at this stage you should only be looking for one affiliate product. Choosing more than one is a classic affiliate marketing mistake. Offering too many products will only confuse your prospective customers. It is better to use directories like Commission Junction, Assocciate Programs or Clickbank to find a product that you feel is worthy of selling.

How do you know if the product is worth your time? Test it. You can purchase the product or, in some cases, you can ask the merchant to lend you the product. A number of merchants don’t mind giving their product to serious affiliates. Also, be sure to look at your commission base when making your decision.

3. Write a benefit filled ad copy. Even if the merchant provides you with marketing material, you still want to go out of your way to write your own. This is why testing the product is so important; you can add your own experience thus giving your copy some personality. When writing your advertising copy, make sure you highlight the benefits of owning the product. A common mistake made by a number of affiliate marketers is to simply state the features. Avoid this by clearly defining why and how the product helps the customer.

4. Automate some of your marketing campaigns. The most successful work at home affiliate business opportunity marketers direct traffic to a lead capture page, rather than the merchants site. The benefit of this is now you have a list of people whom you can remind of your affiliate product as often as you like, and sell future products to. This is made even easier by subscribing to an autoresponder and writing a series of messages to send to your list. An autoresponder is one of the best ways to run an efficient affiliate marketing business. And because the average person needs to see a pitch about 7 times before they buy, sending out emails will increase your chance of a sale.

5. Drive traffic to your site. Your niche market needs to see your marketing message in order to build your list and make sales. To do this try to master one form of traffic generation before you move onto another. There is article marketing, social networking, link exchange and PPC to name a few. All of which are effective ways to bring people over to your site.

Work at Home Affiliate Business Opportunities is ranked highly on the list of online money making methods. Use the tips above to help you get started as an affiliate marketer.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Jeff Casmer is a leading legitimate work at home expert and is a work from home business owner. His "Top Ranked" Work at Home Affiliate Business Opportunity Directory gives you all the information you need to Work at Home in the 21st century.



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