7 Ways to Take Your Business from Blah to Booming!

Starting your own business can be a great way to earn some extra income.  And many home-based entrepreneurs are very content with that.  But if you want more - if you want to one day replace the income from you job - then it's time to step it up! 


Here are some suggestions to help your business grow!


1.  Get online!  By now, most business, even home-based businesses, have some sort of online presence.  It may be a website complete with shopping cart or other order mechanism.  Or it may be a simple blog.  So I almost feel like I shouldn't have to say it.  But for the few holdouts, here we go.  Get ONLINE!  Ecommerce is the wave of the future.  Quit stalling and just do it!


2.  Build a mailing list.  Preferably an email list.  You have surely heard it said that the money is in the list.  Truth!  If you aren't doing this already, start capturing the contact information of all your customers and prospects.  Then send a newsletter to your list a few times a month (at least) or even every day.  Use it to announce new products or services, provide company news, share helpful information about your niche and just connect with your customers and prospects to build that know-like-trust factor.  The mailing list is one of the most potent tools a business can have.  It can make the difference between just getting by and a six-figure income. 


3.  Get in front of your prospects.  With all of the technology available today, there is no excuse for not connecting on a more personal level with them.  Live streaming, video, and webinars are all great ways to get that connection with your market.  It enables them to put a face with the business and create that personal bond with you. Give presentations on your area of expertise wherever you can.  Marketing whiz? Teach social media marketing at a local  college.  Health and wellness expert?  Give a presentation on staying healthy as you age at your local senior center.  No matter what your area of interest is, someone somewhere wants to hear it.


4.  Attend networking events.  Not to hand out business cards.  95% of people you give your card to won't follow up.  But you are not part of the 95%,.  You DO follow up!  And so you go to networking events to collect business cards.  Get as many as you can.  Make notes on them so you remember what you discussed and any points of common interest you may have.  Wait 48 hours and then follow up with a short email or phone call.  Remind them where you met and then use the information from your notes start a conversation.  Do not discuss business on this first contact unless they specifically expressed interest earlier.  The goal is to schedule a face-to-face meeting, even if it's just for coffee.


5. Social media advertising.  Yes, you can now pay to advertise on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and a host of other social media platforms.  Learn how to do so effectively and then advertise!


6.  Referrals.  Ask your existing customers for referrals and reward them if you get new business from someone they referred.


7.  Article marketing.  Write articles for local newspapers, magazines, other websites and online article directories.  You should write about what you know and establish yourself as an expert in your field.


To learn more about ecommerce, creating an e-mail list, and other strategies that will bring you more customers and bigger profits, join the Tecademics Internet Marketing College.  It costs absolutely NOTHING and the training is invaluable!  Click here to register!

Ultimately It's All About Persistance

When opportunity knocks, how many times will you answer? 



We've all answered the knocking on our door.  Only to find it wasn't for us. Wrong job.  Wrong person.  Wrong business.  It's enough to make you want to give up.  Opportunity may be knocking, but it obviously isn't looking for us.  Right?



Wrong!  Disappointment is part of life.  Failure is part of success.  Success is all about persistence.  You must keep on "keepin' on" if you crave it.  You must press on, even on those days you feel like quitting. 



Patience and persistence pay off.  All the experts will tell you that.  And they are absolutely correct. You should listen to them.  Wrong job?  Stick with it until you find something better.  Use it as an opportunity to learn some new skills, get more experience, and pad that resume!  Your perfect job is waiting.  It might even be waiting right where you are.



Wrong business?  Okay.  So what?  Did you learn something from the experience?  Good!  Do you want to know how many things I tried before I found what I was good at?  And I even failed at that a few times before I finally figured it out.  And I'm not alone.  Google Sir Richard Branson and see how many businesses he's tried that have failed.  Or check out Bill Gates.  Yes, he's had a failure or two also.
   

Wrong person?  You'll have to figure that out on your own.  I'm a business success coach, not Dear Abby!



Babe Ruth said, "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up."  We all fail.  But what separates those who go on to win from those who go on to quit is one thing - persistence.  No one has enjoyed great achievement without it.



Do you have dreams?  Do you have the persistence, perseverance, patience, and discipline to realize them?  Yes? T hen the power to change your life is in your hands
.

So...when opportunity knocks, how many times will you answer?  The correct response is, "As many times as it takes!"

De-Stress Your Home Office With Four Feng Shui Elements

The notion that clutter can distract us from our work and generally cause us to lose focus is not new. There are countless articles and books about how to de-clutter our surroundings to create a more productive work space. This is all very helpful. However, there are other elements to our environment that go beyond piles of clutter.

Feng Shui is a complicated system of spatial orientation used to create a favorable flow of energy. People who understand and arrange their homes and offices using these principles claim improvement in their overall well-being and productivity.

Now, I don't claim to be a Feng Shui expert. As mentioned, this is a complicated system, if one chooses to follow the ancient principles of Feng Shui to the letter. What I do know, I have learned from reading and research. However, there are elements that we can take from Feng Shui to easily and simply improve our surroundings.  Will these elements increase wealth and improve health? Maybe, maybe not. But, one thing is sure; implementing these four elements into your home and home office will make your working environment more pleasant!

Let's take a look at these four elements of Feng Shui and see how we can use them in our home office.

Wind

You may think of this element more easily as 'air.' As an essential element for life, we definitely want to incorporate air into our home office as much as possible.

Big windows open to a balmy breeze would be ideal, right?  An open window is certainly a wonderful way to bring in the element of fresh air. However, many of us don't have home offices in the most ideal location for this method.

Fresh air can be produced in other ways. An open door and/or a fan can be used to move air around in your office. If you have a small office that tends to get stuffy, consider installing an ionic air purifier. There are also small portable air conditioner units available to handle a larger office space.

Even the sound of wind can improve your mood and lower stress. There are many sound machines, either physical or computer programs, that produce soothing wind sounds. Make sure your office has fresh air to breathe and the sound of wind through the trees, real or recorded, and feel this Feng Shui element do its magic.

Water

Again, the trickle of a stream or the gentle ocean surf outside our office window would be ideal, but many of us are limited by our location to have these water sources available. Thankfully, it is fairly easy to duplicate this Feng Shui element.

There are many simple tabletop water features you can install in your office to create the sound and sight of water. Choose a bubbling fountain or tiny waterfall to add the water element to even the smallest office. Just make sure it is placed well away from your work surface and computer or other hardware.

Another option is to re-create the sound of water using a sound machine or computer program. Most will give several options from which to choose; a waterfall, surf, babbling brook, rain, etc. You can even combine several elements with most programs, allowing you to choose, for instance, wind and water together.

The sight and sound of water is only a part of this element, however. You should also include a water source in your office from which to drink. A pretty pitcher filled with fresh water is essential. Put the pitcher on a tray with sparkling clean glasses and you have a water element that would please the most ardent Feng Shui practitioner.

Light

If you are lucky enough to have a window in your office, take full advantage of all the light you can get from it. Pull back the drapes, pull up the blinds, and let the light pour in.

Of course, you will need to position your desk and computer so the light doesn't fall on the monitor. Facing the window or having your back to the window are not good solutions, since both cause glare on the monitor. Place your desk and computer monitor perpendicular to the window, keeping the light from the window on your left or right side. That way you can enjoy the light and the view while keeping your monitor out of the glare.

Unfortunately, home offices are often tucked away in a forgotten corner of the house, spare room, basement, or even a closet. When it comes to light in these situations, the choices may be limited.

If you have even one small window, make sure you utilize every bit of light coming from it by keeping the window clear of drapes and blinds. If you must hang something, choose a sheer panel. Even diffused light is better than none. Use mirrors throughout the space to reflect the light that comes in through the window, creating faux-windows on the other window-less walls. 

If you must use lamps for your only light source, be sure you light up all corners of your office. One lamp on the desk may be adequate, but those dark corners are not helping create a proper environment. You may also want to check into installing full-spectrum light bulbs which produce a light similar to natural sunlight. Again, installing mirrors to reflect any light you have will help lighten up your space, and your mood.

Beauty

This is an element that is open to interpretation. What is beautiful to you is not necessarily beautiful to others. You will need to decide how to introduce this element to your home office.

Many of the de-cluttering articles we read suggest the elimination of family pictures and other personal items from the home office. However, as an element of beauty, those personal items may be just the ticket. No, you don't want to have so much of this stuff that it becomes clutter, but a few family pictures and your child's artwork may be the beauty that is needed in your office.

Other people find beauty in fresh flowers and potted plants. Still others see classic sculpture, paintings, or photography as the element of beauty they seek. Perhaps the beauty of music is what your home office needs.

You will know what your particular element of beauty is when you feel it. Try placing a vase of flowers in your office, then place a picture of your family or friends over your desk, then hang a favorite painting, then play some music. The right combination will come to you in time. Add and subtract; subtract and add; until you feel the beauty.

Most of us have heard about Feng Shui and been intrigued by the principles. But, for many of us, studying and understanding the intricate details of this system is way beyond our needs. Using just these four elements is the simplest way to incorporate the Feng Shui method of spatial arrangement into our surroundings to help de-stress our home office environment - and ourselves!

How to Choose a Network Marketing Opportunity

Lots of network marketers will tell you that the company doesn't matter.  If you are a "good" marketer or a "true" network marketer, you can be successful anywhere.  I disagree.  I am not saying that there are only certain companies that are good.  But I am saying that success can only occur if you choose the network marketing company that is right for YOU.

Network marketing companies come and go.  It seems like a new one is launched every week!  Ok, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration.  But there are certainly more opportunities to choose from today than ever before.

The internet has made it possible to keep an eye out on these new network marketing opportunities easily. Although it is going to take you some time to judge these new opportunities, you must take some time to make sure you are making the best choice. Network marketing has been in existence for many years, and it's a good marketing model that works, if it's done correctly.

This is a speedily changing marketplace and you will have to have the confidence the company you select will last.  A product that might have been popular 10 years ago may not be so desirable now, so you should make sure that the products the company offers are good quality and something people will always need to purchase or that the company is regularly adding new or improved products to keep pace with the market.

Lots of New Network Marketing Programs Appear Suddenly and Vanish Just As Quickly

Dozens of new network marketing programs come into the world each month, so you've got to select carefully. The internet does make it easier. When you have whittled your choice down to one or two companies, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on these companies' websites and also monitor what folks are saying online. Watch how these companies are advertising. Are they using print advertising television advertising, online advertising, or promoting through email marketing? Usually, the more the company spends on advertising the better it is for you. But be aware that many firms spend way too much of their primary budget on advertising, and therefore fail.

You will have to learn how to judge blog comments too.

Frequently you will get network marketing experts whining on blogs they are not making any cash and you've got to see why.

Take some time to pose questions on these blogs. You may find out that these "experts" have failed because they spend more time complaining on blogs than getting out there and working!

Also be wary of  "review" sites with bad reviews.  These are frequently written by reps from other network marketing companies as a way to discourage competition.

The Dangers of New Network Marketing Programs

Once you have made your choice, you're going to require some help and that's another minefield too.  There's a ton of shady characters on the internet trying to earn money from you, selling all their "secrets" and "latest" systems of earning money with network marketing. Be exceedingly careful.

If they offer you a course for, say $37 dollars that sounds reasonable. But when you click through they may tell you they want a monthly membership. That $37 magic course may end up costing a bunch of cash!

Don't get suckered in to all that and do not believe all of the hype. There isn't any magic pill or secret formula available so you can be an immediate success at network marketing.

If you are not a risk taker, find a network marketing company that has been successfully doing business for no less than 5 years. Avoid brand-new network marketing companies. These frequently promise huge wealth but do not deliver. The truth is hundreds of network marketing companies fail inside their first 3 years. So that would imply you fail too.

If you do not understand how to market and promote your business, you had better find out . While you don't necessarily need a large amount of money to promote your business, You ought to have set aside at least some money as a marketing budget. You need to also put aside a considerable amount of time if you would like to be successful. 

If you do not know how to build an website and steer traffic to it that is something else you should know. Some companies do provide you with a replicated website.  The only problem with that is that it looks just like every other reps website.  So you really have to understand how to drive traffic to your site.  After all, the backbone of a network marketing business is leads. You need to learn how to get those leads. I will tell you is that the best investment you can make is a lead generation system, which can get you and your business off the ground swiftly with minimal quantity of advertising cost.

Do I use one?  You betcha!  And you can check it out here!

4 X 4 Is Our Path to Success

If you don't know where you're going, how will you know when you get there?  You need a goal and then a plan to get there.


If your goal is to succeed in network marketing, then part of your plan is building a team.  But how many team members do you need to recruit before you are making REAL money?  10?  15?  30?  100?  In some "opportunities", that could be the case.


On our team the goal is easy and the plan is already written.  4 team members, preferably in 8 weeks.  But if you take a bit longer, that's ok.  4 team members!  That's all it takes.  Don't believe me?  Check out the Ariix Compensation Plan and you'll see.  I'm serious!


The patent-pending ARIIX ACTIV8 Compensation Plan is literally the highest paying compensation plan in the industry. You have the opportunity to be paid on infinite width and infinite depth.  So it really does only take 4 personally sponsored reps to begin earning a good income.  Help your 4 get 4 of their own and now we're talking REAL money.  And if you can keep teaching this - each rep gets 4 who gets 4 who gets 4 - well, now you're looking at unlimited income potential.


I know exactly where I'm going.  4 X 4.  That's our path to success.  Who's in?  Contact me here.  Or leave a comment.  Or message me.  But don't miss out.

De-Stressing Begins With De-Cluttering

How many times have you walked into your home office only to cringe, turn around, and walk out? If you spend more time thinking up reasons to avoid your office than actually working in it, you may be suffering from 'mess related stress.'

 

I've been participating in a "Clear the Clutter" challenge this month.  And it truly has made me realize how much junk the average person collects that just isn't necessary.  I have cleared a lot of space in my home - and my life - since beginning this challenge.

 

The fact is, clutter is more than a time and space waster. Clutter causes stress. Let's take a look at the typical home office hot-spots and learn a few tricks for clearing the clutter to create more calm.

Desk

Whether you have a huge antique roll top desk, a modern massive executive desk, or a tiny computer cart, your desk is going to be the repository for a lot of stuff.

Much like a closet, the bigger the desk, the bigger the mess. Purchasing a larger desk will not solve the clutter problem. However, organizing the space you have available on your desk will definitely help.

Start de-cluttering your desk by making a clean sweep of the top, cubbies, and drawers. All that should remain is the hardware, such as the computer, printer, etc. Once you can see your desk's surfaces, the mess that should jump out at you first is the tangle of cords. Even though electrical and computer cords don't exactly infringe on your workspace, the visual impact most certainly will stress your brain. Clear this mess by corralling those cords in simple cardboard or foam tubes and get them out of sight.

Now that you have a clear surface and neatly tucked away cords, set up a few containers for those items that you always need. You'll probably want small bins or cups to hold pens, pencils, and notepads. However, your needs may include paper-clips, staplers, tape, rulers, and calculators. The idea is to only have on your desk what you need to work, and to have those items stored in handy containers.

You will want a nice big clear area on your desk to actually work on the project you have at the moment. Therefore, rather than pile your desk high with an entire week's worth of work, choose another area close by to hold the papers, books, journals, or other bulky items you'll need later.

That brings us to the most common home office clutter monster - papers. This includes projects, notes, mail, and all that paperwork we just can't seem to get rid of. There are, however, ways to tame even this monster.

Papers

As mentioned, you want to remove the pile of papers from your immediate work area, most likely your desk. In order to have a good work space available on your desk, the paper has to go somewhere else. But, there's more to de-cluttering than just moving papers around.

We all have paper to handle every day. We take notes, we get mail, we save receipts - the list is endless, just like the paper. If you tend to toss every piece of paper into the In-Box in your office, perhaps it's time to stop treating all paperwork equally.

To set up a system for paperwork that doesn't just become another pile, you will need to divide your office's In-Box into categories. For example, set up three boxes and title them "Immediate," "Tomorrow," and "File."  Anything you have to handle before you move onto another task goes into the "Immediate" box. Something that is not as time-sensitive, but needs to be checked again tomorrow, obviously goes into the "Tomorrow" box, and things that don't need any further consideration can simply go into the "File" box to be stored when you have time. Of course, you will really have a fourth box – the trash can – to complete your paperwork system.

If you use this method, remember to keep the papers moving daily, and clean out the filed papers on a routine basis, which brings us to the next area where clutter often reigns - the file.

File

Even the best file cabinet or closet fills up when left unattended. You may think "out of sight, out of mind" when it comes to this clutter, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Knowing you have mountains of clutter lurking behind closed doors is enough to cause 'mess stress.'  You don't have to see it every minute of every day to feel that stress gnawing at you.

Start clearing the stored stuff out of your files, shelves, and closets by first finding out what you actually need to keep. There are good lists available on many websites, including the IRS. Use these guidelines to begin purging documents that are no longer needed for tax or estate purposes.

Now you can begin digging into those items that are no longer relevant. You may find old manuals for equipment you don't have, or receipts for items way past the point of return. Many of these items have simply been forgotten. You may even find boxes and packing materials for items you have no intention of ever shipping anywhere. It's time to discard those "some day we may need these" items.

Discarding old paycheck stubs, receipts, and empty boxes is pretty painless. But, the next step can be a bit more difficult. This is the area you dread most - the emotional things.

Projects

These are the crafts you started, magazines you saved, and other items you kept because you loved something about them. Maybe it's a book or magazine with decorating ideas or recipes you wanted to try. It may be a story you saved to read later. Perhaps there are pictures to be framed or cards to be stamped. The point is, there are projects lost in a pile and it's a difficult thing to deal with.

The easiest method for clearing the stuff you are emotionally attached to is to get rid of the extras. For example, take pictures or scan those craft ideas and recipes and download them to files on your computer, then toss the magazines. Go through all your projects and purge items you no longer need or want. Any school or daycare would be happy to take your extra ribbon, fabric paint, glitter, card stock, stamps, and other leftovers.

If after clearing out the extras you are still faced with piles of projects, consider making a small investment in some inexpensive shelving to neatly house your projects. This simple storage solution can go a long way to de-cluttering, and de-stressing.

 

Now that you have your desk cleaned off, your paperwork moving smoothly from start to finish, your filed items purged, and your projects reduced and neatly arranged, it's time to sit down and get some work done. What a relief to finally be rid of that creeping clutter. Enjoy your 'mess-less stress-less' home office!

 

Not Even a Thank You

Tracy had worked hard all day.  She was days away from the launch of her next book.  Plus she was completely revamping her website in preparation for a major shift in her business.  The two projects were linked so they both had to be done simultaneously.  She probably should have outsourced some of the work (but that's a lesson for another blog post!).


Tracy noticed she'd received a phone call while she had been working.  She had muted her cell phone to minimize distractions and hadn't noticed until just then.  She checked the number and was pleased to see that it was from a fellow entrepreneur that she had been working with.  The young lady was new to the online business world and had been struggling.  She and Tracy had met at an event and immediately made a connection.  Tracy took her under her wing and began coaching and instructing her on building her business.  And even though this began to take more and more of her time, she never charged for her services.  After all, she was helping a friend and what were friends for if not to help each other?  She quickly returned the call, expecting a thank you for some work she had recently done.


But when her friend answered the phone, it wasn't to say thanks. First, she complained because she wasn't quite satisfied with the way the project had turned out.  And when Tracy gently stated that it was exactly what she had asked for, her friend became angrier, shouting that it was Tracy's responsibility to make sure everything was done correctly.  That was her JOB!  At which point, Tracy lost control of her own temper, and reminded her friend that people get paid for jobs and so far she hadn't received a dime.


Yes, this is a true story.  And yes, the names have been changed to protect the innocent.  I was witness to this exchange and when I slipped out of Tracy's office, both ladies were basically screaming at each other.


Now, I know most of you are thinking that Tracy's friend was dead wrong.  She owed Tracy a thank you.  But was Tracy wrong for losing her temper?  After all, she had willingly done many things for her friend with no compensation and apparently, no gratitude.  If it was beginning to become an issue for her, as evidenced by the explosion of anger, shouldn't she have said something?  So were they both wrong?  If so, who was more wrong?


I have my own opinions on this of course.  But I think the two most valuable lessons here are these.


1.  Why can't we be more grateful?  If someone has done you a favor, it's important to show gratitude.  And Tracy had done many favors for her friend in helping her build a viable business.  It's just plain rude and selfish to not express your thanks.


2.  At some point, when friends begin to take advantage of you, it's okay to say something.  And that something is four little words.  "I charge for that."  I had to learn that lesson myself from my dear friend Wendy Y. Bailey!  You can give a discount if you want, or do a bit of extra work.  But nothing says you have to work for free if you are working for a friend.  I am friends with my doctor and yet I pay him for office visits.  I am friends with my hairdresser and I pay her - and tip her probably better than I would a stranger because we are friends!  So why would it be acceptable and even expected that coaches and trainers provide their services for free?


Just a little something to think about!  What are your thoughts?  Do you remember to thank your friends for their help?  Do you charge your friends for work done for them?  Share your thoughts in the comments!