Once of worse problems of working on the internet is the inevitable distractions, how much time do you waste on things you know you shouldn't but cannot quite help yourself.
It's not difficult to waste a whole day watching tv and video and then the spouse comes home and you reassure them you have of course had a productive day.
And it is very easy to deceive them as well as most of the time what we are doing could be good or could be bad. The trouble is the person you deceive most is yourself because you will have acheived a very expensive nothing!!
Whats to be done can we try and change our habits over night schedule every second, this will make this a job and you might as well go and work the 9-5 with others if you are going to do that.
No you must decide the times which are the most likely to be productive for you, if you feel you can only work hard for an hour or two hours then you must stick to it. Better to work extremely hard for a short period of time than to do nothing for 8 hours.
Luckily I found a free utility which can start addressing some of these issues its called rescuetime at rescuetime.com it monitors all your time on the internet and what you are doing so if like me you just spent 5 hours watching back to back episodes that you could not wait on. Then its there and if your really brave get your spouse to check up on what you did for the day. Maybe you can plan some reward in there.
But whatever you do if you do not get scheduling under control the you will eventually fail and the alternative is you would be better off staying at work.
Mike Bell
Tuesday 19 March 2013
Thursday 14 March 2013
10 Questions to Ask Before Quitting Your Job to Start a Business
Giving
up the security of a full-time job to start your own
business is a risky,
often stressful move. "The biggest reason people don't end up quitting is
the fear of uncertainty. They don't know what might happen and they don't want
to give up the security that they already have," says Sean Ogle, who quit
a job in finance to live in Thailand and run a virtual search engine
optimization and Web consultancy.
How do you know when the time
is right to make the leap? Here are 10 questions to ask before you quit your job
Are you
just miserable in your current job?
Some people who think they want to be entrepreneurs are just unhappy in their current roles, says Pamela Slim, the Mesa, Ariz.-based author of Escape from Cubicle Nation (Penguin, 2010). Developing a thorough business plan can help you avoid any impulsive decisions. "In addition to wanting to quit, you have to have a viable business idea and an effective marketing and operations plan," she says. As you work on your plan, she advises, keep your job and income as long as possible.
Some people who think they want to be entrepreneurs are just unhappy in their current roles, says Pamela Slim, the Mesa, Ariz.-based author of Escape from Cubicle Nation (Penguin, 2010). Developing a thorough business plan can help you avoid any impulsive decisions. "In addition to wanting to quit, you have to have a viable business idea and an effective marketing and operations plan," she says. As you work on your plan, she advises, keep your job and income as long as possible.
What
will your new day-to-day routine be like?
Instant freedom can be dangerous. Ogle recommends developing a daily schedule to follow, just as you did in your 9-to-5 job. "When you now have all of this free time it gets really easy to say, 'Oh, I'll do that later'," he says. The week after quitting his job, Ogle started going to the gym at the same time he would have arrived at his old office each morning. And after the gym, he worked the same hours that he did for his former employer. How will you raise money to keep the business going?
Lack of capital is one of the main hurdles to entrepreneurship. Rather than figuring out cash flow as you go along, it's best to come up with realistic projections as part of your business plan before deciding whether you can afford to leave your job. Your business may not be profitable for three to five years, so it's important to be realistic about how you'll support yourself financially, says Sharon Lechter, author of Three Feet From Gold: Turn Your Obstacles Into Opportunities (Sterling Publishing, 2009) and a financial literacy expert in Phoenix. Anticipating your financial needs "allows you to focus your energy on building your new business rather than worrying how you are going to pay the bills," she says.
Instant freedom can be dangerous. Ogle recommends developing a daily schedule to follow, just as you did in your 9-to-5 job. "When you now have all of this free time it gets really easy to say, 'Oh, I'll do that later'," he says. The week after quitting his job, Ogle started going to the gym at the same time he would have arrived at his old office each morning. And after the gym, he worked the same hours that he did for his former employer. How will you raise money to keep the business going?
Lack of capital is one of the main hurdles to entrepreneurship. Rather than figuring out cash flow as you go along, it's best to come up with realistic projections as part of your business plan before deciding whether you can afford to leave your job. Your business may not be profitable for three to five years, so it's important to be realistic about how you'll support yourself financially, says Sharon Lechter, author of Three Feet From Gold: Turn Your Obstacles Into Opportunities (Sterling Publishing, 2009) and a financial literacy expert in Phoenix. Anticipating your financial needs "allows you to focus your energy on building your new business rather than worrying how you are going to pay the bills," she says.
Have
you factored in possible unforeseen costs?
When Jody Dyer launched Blackbird Tees, an apparel company in Richmond, Va., she was surprised by the many expenses her business plan hadn't anticipated. We spent "thousands of dollars experimenting with different fabric styles and inks, messing up screens, destroying shirts, making the wrong color choices," says Dyer, who sells her products on Etsy. "At the time, those errors were financially crippling." Rather than going out of business, Dyer fell back on freelance copywriting gigs to make ends meet. "Supplementing your income through freelance or part-time work can alleviate some of that strain," she says.
When Jody Dyer launched Blackbird Tees, an apparel company in Richmond, Va., she was surprised by the many expenses her business plan hadn't anticipated. We spent "thousands of dollars experimenting with different fabric styles and inks, messing up screens, destroying shirts, making the wrong color choices," says Dyer, who sells her products on Etsy. "At the time, those errors were financially crippling." Rather than going out of business, Dyer fell back on freelance copywriting gigs to make ends meet. "Supplementing your income through freelance or part-time work can alleviate some of that strain," she says.
Are you
willing to take on multiple roles?
Starting a business means you'll be wearing many hats. "One day you are the tech person, one day you are the salesperson, one day you are the cleaning person," says Shobha Tummala, founder of an eponymous chain of beauty salons in New York City. "You can't have an ego." So before leaving your job, you need to decide if you will be happy performing a variety of functions, from marketing to maintenance.
Starting a business means you'll be wearing many hats. "One day you are the tech person, one day you are the salesperson, one day you are the cleaning person," says Shobha Tummala, founder of an eponymous chain of beauty salons in New York City. "You can't have an ego." So before leaving your job, you need to decide if you will be happy performing a variety of functions, from marketing to maintenance.
What
are your strengths and weaknesses?
As you consider the multiple roles, be honest with yourself about what you're best at and where you need to improve, Tummala advises. Perhaps you need to beef up your programming skills or understanding of finance--or find a partner with a complementary skill set. If you don't have a way to overcome your weaknesses, it may be best to stay in your current role.
As you consider the multiple roles, be honest with yourself about what you're best at and where you need to improve, Tummala advises. Perhaps you need to beef up your programming skills or understanding of finance--or find a partner with a complementary skill set. If you don't have a way to overcome your weaknesses, it may be best to stay in your current role.
Who are
your future customers--and competitors?While you may not be
able to thoroughly test the market potential for your business concept, you
should at least understand who your likely customers are and what kind of
competition you would face. If you're not quite sure, consider pursuing your
idea part-time, suggests Ellen Rohr, president of Bare Bones Biz, a
small-business consultancy in Rogersville, Mo. "You can test your plan and
adjust it in a soft launch before you sink too much into an unprofitable
venture."
Is your support network on board?
To help ease the transition, you should share your entrepreneurial plans with family members and see if they support the tradeoffs involved in starting a business. Be quite explicit about the risks, Slim says. "When one person goes into business, everyone in the family unit is affected." If your partner and other members of your support network are reluctant to back your idea, you may want to rethink quitting your current job.
To help ease the transition, you should share your entrepreneurial plans with family members and see if they support the tradeoffs involved in starting a business. Be quite explicit about the risks, Slim says. "When one person goes into business, everyone in the family unit is affected." If your partner and other members of your support network are reluctant to back your idea, you may want to rethink quitting your current job.
Do you
have a backup option?
Developing a plan B before going off on your own will help you avoid getting blindsided. Is there something you can do part-time if you need to temporarily bring in money, or will you need to seek new full-time employment and put your plans on hold? To keep your options open, stay in contact with recruiters, previous employers and other networking contacts.
Developing a plan B before going off on your own will help you avoid getting blindsided. Is there something you can do part-time if you need to temporarily bring in money, or will you need to seek new full-time employment and put your plans on hold? To keep your options open, stay in contact with recruiters, previous employers and other networking contacts.
How
will you avoid burning bridges?
If you decide to quit, remember that your employer could be helpful to you as you launch your new venture. Rather than resign abruptly, figure out a way to leave in good standing. Give plenty of notice to help your employer handle the transition. And be open about your future entrepreneurial plans, Ogle says. "Usually [companies] will understand it, and even offer to help out however they can." Employers can assist by giving you flexible time off or retaining your services as a consultant.
If you decide to quit, remember that your employer could be helpful to you as you launch your new venture. Rather than resign abruptly, figure out a way to leave in good standing. Give plenty of notice to help your employer handle the transition. And be open about your future entrepreneurial plans, Ogle says. "Usually [companies] will understand it, and even offer to help out however they can." Employers can assist by giving you flexible time off or retaining your services as a consultant.
Saturday 9 March 2013
5 Year Goal Setting Why its crucial
People commonly overestimate how far they can get in a year, but grossly underestimate how far they can get in 5 years.
If you actually want results, make a 5-year commitment to a particular path, like building an online business, developing your social skills, becoming a world traveler, etc. A lesser commitment is largely pointless.
When I began blogging in 2004, I expected I’d still be blogging in 2009. If I didn’t have that expectation, I wouldn’t have started blogging.
Many other bloggers quit within their first year, which is largely a waste of effort. If they were going to quit within such a short period of time, they were never serious about it to begin it. The best results come well after the first year. If you can’t make it at least 5 years, why bother with it at all?
Sure there’s some experiential value to be gained from dabbling, but there won’t be much value in terms of results. If you just want to rack up a bunch of short-term experiences for the fun of it, then by all means feel free to dabble. That’s fine. It’s not a mistake to do that if that’s your intention.
But if your intention is to actually generate some meaningful results, like strong new relationships, a commercially competitive skill set, a fulfilling career path, or some significant income streams, then forget about dabbling.
If you notice that you keep starting over every 6 months or so, you’re being way too noncommittal. As soon as you reach the point when you’re just about to transition into moderate results territory and get into the long run of nice results, you’re pulling the plug and erasing your progress.
In the first year, a new website will just begin to get some links, search engine placement, social networking recognition, and some moderate traffic. The seed has grown to a sapling. Then the owners look at the sapling with disappointment because they wanted a full-grown tree by that point, so they yank it out of the ground and start another project from scratch. This is nonsensical. After five years of this pattern, they have little to show for their efforts.
After a single year on a new path, it may look like you’re barely getting anywhere. Transformation often looks that way at first. But fast forward five years and look back, and the total transformation can be profound.
In 2004 I also joined Toastmasters to build up my speaking skills and experience. After a year of membership, I had switched to a stronger club, but I was still doing mostly 5-7 minute speeches and just beginning to do occasional 20-minute talks. I had done a few speech contests too. To prep for a 20-minute talk would take me a full day. I was gaining skills, but results-wise I didn’t have much to show for my efforts.
However, after I’d been in Toastmasters for 4 years, I was doing my first paid speeches, earning $3000 for 90 minutes on stage, and they paid for travel and hotel expenses. That’s a result.
And a little over 5 years after joining Toastmasters, I was doing my first public workshop, for which I earned over $50,000 for 3 days of speaking. That’s a result.
Now I can do weekend workshops whenever I desire and earn tens of thousands of dollars for each one. I’ve done 9 of these so far. Every workshop I’ve done has earned more money that I earned in my entire first year of blogging. That’s a result.
It used to take me a month to prepare a new workshop from scratch. Now I can do it in about a week. Today I can also prepare a new one-hour talk in about 15-30 minutes, and the delivery is better than when I used to prep for a full day just for a 20-minute talk.
This isn’t the result of luck. It’s the result of practice and commitment. Not a 6 month commitment. Not a year. But 5+ years.
I only left Toastmasters in 2010 when I felt I was well beyond the point of needing it anymore. Over a period of several years, I went from doing 5-7 minute speeches for free to doing my own 3-day public seminars and earning tens of thousands of dollars for each one. Again, that’s a meaningful and measurable result, not just a learning experience.
And this was my commitment all along. I knew I’d make it to this point if I stuck with it. If I didn’t expect to be in Toastmasters for at least 5 years, I probably wouldn’t have joined in the first place.
The first year of any new commitment is invariably the most awkward. Your skills are weakest then. You don’t know what you’re doing. You make a lot of mistakes.
That first year is also the time when you learn the fastest. However, that 5th year of 5 is typically when you enjoy the best results.
Deep down we love shortcuts. If one happens to come your way, take advantage of it. But don’t enter into a serious line of personal growth if you aren’t willing to make at least a 5-year commitment — assuming you’re interested in gaining some actual results.
Don’t force yourself to commit to something random for the next 5 years. But do put some thought into decisions that can rack up long-term results if you stick with them. This requires a degree of self-awareness, i.e. knowing what you’ll stick with and what you won’t. If you know you won’t still be into something 5 years from now, don’t bother putting 6 months into it.
Ask yourself what interests and goals of yours are still likely to be very important to you 5 years from now. If you’re reading this in 2012, then what will you still care about in 2017? Look to your past. What were you interested in 5 years ago that you’re still into today? What goals and aspirations keep resurfacing year after year? Can you expect these pattern to continue? These long-term interests will give you a hint about where to double down and commit bigger.
When I committed to blogging, I’d already been writing free articles for 5 years prior (from 1999 to 2004), so I could reasonably expect I’d continue this pattern. I just hadn’t committed to it in a big way yet.
When I committed to speaking, I’d already been speaking for free at software and game developer conferences for several years prior, so again, I had established a pattern there.
Even if you’re in your 20s or younger, you have patterns that you’ve established. What are the threads that you keep weaving into your life? How far could you get if you actually got serious about these threads and made a genuine 5-year commitment to generating some real results?
The 5 Biggest Twitter Marketing Fails of 2012 and how it can help you.
Social marketing media can be difficult to do but when done right, it can strengthen your brand value and ideally even your bottom line. When done wrong, it can alienate consumers and thrash your reputation.
Here's a look at five of the worst corporate mistakesover Twitter this year, and what other business owners can learn from them:
January 18: McDonald's hashtag gone wrong.McDonald's (@McDonald's) created the #McDstories hashtag on Twitter to inspire customers to share personal stories about their favorite McDonald's moments. What McDonald's didn't bargain for was that customers would share both good and bad stories. And share they did -- everything from allegedly crunching on fingernail clippings in Big Macs to getting food poisoning. The fast food mammoth yanked the #McDstories campaign only two hours after launching it, but a quick search on Twitter shows that the hijacked hashtag still goes on strong.
Lesson: You can't control what consumers will say using your hashtag, and they can be hijacked by negative comments that can never be taken back.
Related: What to Do When Customers Get Mean on Social Media
Related: What to Do When Customers Get Mean on Social Media
January 27: Snickers gets caught paying for celebrity tweets. Marketers from Snickers' U.K. branch (@SnickersUK) were hungry for retweets when they hired British model and reality TV start Jordon (aka Katie Price) to tweet about topics she likely would never normally tweet about, including Eurozone debt and China's gross domestic product. Jordan followed up her rash of out-of-character tweets with a message about feeling like herself again thanks to Snickers. The stunt left many of Jordan's followers reeling for thinking her Twitter account had been hacked.
Lesson: Pranking consumers in clever ways can draw attention to your brand, but usually not the right kind.
February 5: Toyota Camry drives away potential drivers. The Japanese car giant created nine Twitter accounts to get the word out about the new Camry during the Super Bowl. Toyota (@Toyota) then tweeted -- in this case, spammed -- unsolicited messages about a Camry giveaway contest to anyone using a Super Bowl-related hashtag. The ensuing consumer backlash prompted Toyota to close all its "The Camry Effect" promotional Twitter accounts and issue an apology.
Lesson: Impersonal mass marketing tweets can alienate customers. Stick to unique, personalized messages that engage consumers one-on-one.
Related: 5 Tips for Talking About Politics on Social Media
Related: 5 Tips for Talking About Politics on Social Media
October 3: KitchenAid cooks up a half-baked political tweet. On this day, KitchenAid's Twitter feed (@KitchenAidUSA) wasn't about cooking with the company's famous kitchen appliances. It was about politics. After Barack Obama mentioned his late grandmother during a presidential debate earlier that evening, the person running KitchenAid's Twitter feed tweeted an insensitive comment about her and his campaign. The individual responsible for the inappropriate tweet was relieved of his duties and the company was forced to clean up the mess.
Lesson: Your social media manager should adopt a tone that reflects your company's image and keep his or her personal (and political) opinions out of your social media marketing.
October 29: Retailers' Hurricane Sandy sale slip-ups. During the storm, Urban Outfitters (@UrbanOutfitters) tweeted: "This storm blows (but free shipping doesn't)! Today only...bit.ly/S8fADV #frankenstorm #ALLSOGGY" An email promoting the sale included an image of Frankenstein with the word "Frankenstorm" on it. American Apparel, The Gap and Sears got in on the Sandy storm sale action on Facebook and Twitter, too. Angry reactions to these inappropriate sales still continue on Twitter.
Lesson: Attempting to make money on and exploit others' suffering in times of crisis can cause serious backlash. Just don't do it.
Friday 8 March 2013
How to Pick and Trade Penny Stocks
Penny stocks are loosely categorized companies with share prices of below $5 and with market caps of under $200 million.[1] They are sometimes referred to as "the slot machines of the equity market"[2] because of the risks involved. There may be a good place for penny stocks in the portfolio of an experienced, advanced investor, however, if you follow these steps.
- 1Invest within your Means. Penny stocks are as risky as larger stocks if not traded wisely. Set aside sufficient savings to last three months in case the investment goes wrong.
- 2Understand why penny stocks are considered a dangerous investment. Penny stocks are among the most volatile and most manipulated form of investment in the stock market. The companies usually have no track record of solid financial performance.[3] In addition, the stocks are often manipulated by scam artists.[3][4]
- 3Get at least one year's experience with mid- and large-cap stocks first. You should become adept at reading a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement during this time.[1]
- 4Learn more about the specific aspects of penny stocks that make them both potentially lucrative and dangerous to your portfolio. Understand the mechanics behind money flow, market capitalization, and share structure. Also understand the purpose of a public company and the commonality of scams, dilution, and loss of investment value associated with penny stocks.
- 5Know which stocks to reject off the bat:[1]
- stocks that aren't traded on one of the major U.S. exchanges (aka bulletin board or over-the-counter [OTC] stocks)
- companies that have less than $10 million in revenue annually
- any company recommended in e-mails about penny stock trading (promoters are often paid to create hype so that the shares will sell)
- companies in industries that you don't like or understand well (based on your experience)
- stocks that aren't traded on one of the major U.S. exchanges (aka bulletin board or over-the-counter [OTC] stocks)
- 6Look for "Red Flags" - Common attributes of companies running a scam or operating for the sole purpose of raising money via stock dilution.[5]
- 7Look for companies that have consistently generated cash and are growing their free cash flow over time.[1] Avoid companies with a heavy debt load.[2]
- 8Instead of share prices, compare price per share against book value per share (assets minus liabilities).[2]
- 9Buy companies at a very low multiple on their cash flow (ideally under six times).[1]
- 10Limit any tiny stock to no more than 5% of your portfolio.[1]
- 11Trading is not a hobby, its a business. That means understanding and managing your profit and loss. Once this thought pattern is established, it makes the whole process so much easier. Simply ask, "Will this investment / trade / software / subscription make or lose me money?" Once an answer has been established, a clear course of action will present itself.
- 12Get some great investment management software. These days, a speedy internet connection and good money management and investment software costs virtually nothing. Why spend the time and effort trying to figure out the best ways to do things when solutions already exist. Ideally, look to purchase two types of software. One will be for personal money management. This can be used for profit and loss and keeping track of the costs of subscriptions, stockbrokers and the like. The other will be used for tracking stock and fund prices, storing company news, technical and fundamental analysis and more.
- 13Get an education. Warren Buffett has suggested in the past that every investor should be able to understand basic accountancy principles, an annual report and stock market history. You probably do not need to become an accountant, but being able to understand the scoring system of the game can only help.
- 14Learn about money management. Every investor will have the occasional (at best) loser and it is vital that no individual trade can wipe out a portfolio. Understanding asset allocation is vital.
- 15Read widely. Getting a wide-ranging education in personal finance, corporate finance, taxation, economics and investment theories will help. However, finding areas of the world or business in which you can become relatively expert can help in the process of finding good trades.
- 16Find a good penny stock service to subscribe to. Many of the suggestions above can now be covered by joining a trade advisory service. These services now aim to pick stocks, offer trading and portfolio management software and educational services too. If things go well, then by investing in the stock market picks, the service can be paid for with profits. Though these services are often not 'cheap' they are generally very valuable and can help to make an investor or trader profitable whilst learning the ropes. This is a great way to learn or experience the stock market for beginners.
- 17Know when to Quit. Setting a time to sell your stocks is important because it can change the course of your investments. Capping at 50% profits is already a good margin. Getting greedy and expecting further profits can make stocks wipe out the investments.
- http://www.wikihow.com/Pick-and-Trade-Penny-Stocks
25 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
Do you have what it takes to get through hard times? Here are the traits that help home-based business owners thrive.
This article has been excerpted from the Ultimate Home Based Business Handbook, by James Stephenson, available from Entrepreneur Press.
Regardless of your definition of success, there are, oddly enough, a great number of common characteristics that are shared by successful businesspeople. You can place a check beside each characteristic that you feel that you possess. This way, you can see how you stack up. Even if you don't have all of these characteristics, don't fret. Most can be learned with practice and by developing a winning attitude, especially if you set goals and apply yourself, through strategic planning, to reach those goals in incremental and measurable stages.
Regardless of your definition of success, there are, oddly enough, a great number of common characteristics that are shared by successful businesspeople. You can place a check beside each characteristic that you feel that you possess. This way, you can see how you stack up. Even if you don't have all of these characteristics, don't fret. Most can be learned with practice and by developing a winning attitude, especially if you set goals and apply yourself, through strategic planning, to reach those goals in incremental and measurable stages.
The Home Business Musts
Like any activity you pursue, there are certain musts that are required to be successful in a chosen activity. To legally operate a vehicle on public roadways, one must have a driver's license; to excel in sports, one must train and practice; to retire comfortably, one must become an informed investor and actively invest for retirement. If your goal is success in business, then the formula is no different. There are certain musts that have to be fully developed, implemented and managed for your business to succeed. There are many business musts, but this article contains I believe to be some of the more important musts that are required to start, operate and grow a profitable home business.
Like any activity you pursue, there are certain musts that are required to be successful in a chosen activity. To legally operate a vehicle on public roadways, one must have a driver's license; to excel in sports, one must train and practice; to retire comfortably, one must become an informed investor and actively invest for retirement. If your goal is success in business, then the formula is no different. There are certain musts that have to be fully developed, implemented and managed for your business to succeed. There are many business musts, but this article contains I believe to be some of the more important musts that are required to start, operate and grow a profitable home business.
1. Do what you enjoy.
What you get out of your business in the form of personal satisfaction, financial gain, stability and enjoyment will be the sum of what you put into your business. So if you don't enjoy what you're doing, in all likelihood it's safe to assume that will be reflected in the success of your business--or subsequent lack of success. In fact, if you don't enjoy what you're doing, chances are you won't succeed.
What you get out of your business in the form of personal satisfaction, financial gain, stability and enjoyment will be the sum of what you put into your business. So if you don't enjoy what you're doing, in all likelihood it's safe to assume that will be reflected in the success of your business--or subsequent lack of success. In fact, if you don't enjoy what you're doing, chances are you won't succeed.
2. Take what you do seriously.
You cannot expect to be effective and successful in business unless you truly believe in your business and in the goods and services that you sell. Far too many home business owners fail to take their own businesses seriously enough, getting easily sidetracked and not staying motivated and keeping their noses to the grindstone. They also fall prey to naysayers who don't take them seriously because they don't work from an office building, office park, storefront, or factory. Little do these skeptics, who rain on the home business owner's parade, know is that the number of people working from home, and making very good annual incomes, has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.
3. Plan everything.
Planning every aspect of your home business is not only a must, but also builds habits that every home business owner should develop, implement, and maintain. The act of business planning is so important because it requires you to analyze each business situation, research and compile data, and make conclusions based mainly on the facts as revealed through the research. Business planning also serves a second function, which is having your goals and how you will achieve them, on paper. You can use the plan that you create both as map to take you from point A to Z and as a yardstick to measure the success of each individual plan or segment within the plan.
You cannot expect to be effective and successful in business unless you truly believe in your business and in the goods and services that you sell. Far too many home business owners fail to take their own businesses seriously enough, getting easily sidetracked and not staying motivated and keeping their noses to the grindstone. They also fall prey to naysayers who don't take them seriously because they don't work from an office building, office park, storefront, or factory. Little do these skeptics, who rain on the home business owner's parade, know is that the number of people working from home, and making very good annual incomes, has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.
3. Plan everything.
Planning every aspect of your home business is not only a must, but also builds habits that every home business owner should develop, implement, and maintain. The act of business planning is so important because it requires you to analyze each business situation, research and compile data, and make conclusions based mainly on the facts as revealed through the research. Business planning also serves a second function, which is having your goals and how you will achieve them, on paper. You can use the plan that you create both as map to take you from point A to Z and as a yardstick to measure the success of each individual plan or segment within the plan.
4. Manage money wisely.
The lifeblood of any business enterprise is cash flow. You need it to buy inventory, pay for services, promote and market your business, repair and replace tools and equipment, and pay yourself so that you can continue to work. Therefore, all home business owners must become wise money managers to ensure that the cash keeps flowing and the bills get paid. There are two aspects to wise money management.
The lifeblood of any business enterprise is cash flow. You need it to buy inventory, pay for services, promote and market your business, repair and replace tools and equipment, and pay yourself so that you can continue to work. Therefore, all home business owners must become wise money managers to ensure that the cash keeps flowing and the bills get paid. There are two aspects to wise money management.
5. Ask for the sale.
A home business entrepreneur must always remember that marketing, advertising, or promotional activities are completely worthless, regardless of how clever, expensive, or perfectly targeted they are, unless one simple thing is accomplished--ask for the sale. This is not to say that being a great salesperson, advertising copywriting whiz or a public relations specialist isn't a tremendous asset to your business. However, all of these skills will be for naught if you do not actively ask people to buy what you are selling.
A home business entrepreneur must always remember that marketing, advertising, or promotional activities are completely worthless, regardless of how clever, expensive, or perfectly targeted they are, unless one simple thing is accomplished--ask for the sale. This is not to say that being a great salesperson, advertising copywriting whiz or a public relations specialist isn't a tremendous asset to your business. However, all of these skills will be for naught if you do not actively ask people to buy what you are selling.
6. Remember it's all about the customer.
Your home business is not about the products or services that you sell. Your home business is not about the prices that you charge for your goods and services. Your home business is not about your competition and how to beat them. Your business is all about your customers, or clients, period. After all, your customers are the people that will ultimately decide if your business goes boom or bust. Everything you do in business must be customer focused, including your policies, warranties, payment options, operating hours, presentations, advertising and promotional campaigns and website. In addition, you must know who your customers are inside out and upside down.
Your home business is not about the products or services that you sell. Your home business is not about the prices that you charge for your goods and services. Your home business is not about your competition and how to beat them. Your business is all about your customers, or clients, period. After all, your customers are the people that will ultimately decide if your business goes boom or bust. Everything you do in business must be customer focused, including your policies, warranties, payment options, operating hours, presentations, advertising and promotional campaigns and website. In addition, you must know who your customers are inside out and upside down.
7. Become a shameless self-promoter (without becoming obnoxious).
One of the greatest myths about personal or business success is that eventually your business, personal abilities, products or services will get discovered and be embraced by the masses that will beat a path to your door to buy what you are selling. But how can this happen if no one knows who you are, what you sell and why they should be buying?
One of the greatest myths about personal or business success is that eventually your business, personal abilities, products or services will get discovered and be embraced by the masses that will beat a path to your door to buy what you are selling. But how can this happen if no one knows who you are, what you sell and why they should be buying?
Self-promotion is one of the most beneficial, yet most underutilized, marketing tools that the majority of home business owners have at their immediate disposal.
8. Project a positive business image.
You have but a passing moment to make a positive and memorable impression on people with whom you intend to do business. Home business owners must go out of their way and make a conscious effort to always project the most professional business image possible. The majority of home business owners do not have the advantage of elaborate offices or elegant storefronts and showrooms to wow prospects and impress customers. Instead, they must rely on imagination, creativity and attention to the smallest detail when creating and maintaining a professional image for their home business.
You have but a passing moment to make a positive and memorable impression on people with whom you intend to do business. Home business owners must go out of their way and make a conscious effort to always project the most professional business image possible. The majority of home business owners do not have the advantage of elaborate offices or elegant storefronts and showrooms to wow prospects and impress customers. Instead, they must rely on imagination, creativity and attention to the smallest detail when creating and maintaining a professional image for their home business.
9. Get to know your customers.
One of the biggest features and often the most significant competitive edge the home based entrepreneur has over the larger competitors is the he can offer personalized attention. Call it high-tech backlash if you will, but customers are sick and tired of hearing that their information is somewhere in the computer and must be retrieved, or told to push a dozen digits to finally get to the right department only to end up with voice mail--from which they never receive a return phone call.
One of the biggest features and often the most significant competitive edge the home based entrepreneur has over the larger competitors is the he can offer personalized attention. Call it high-tech backlash if you will, but customers are sick and tired of hearing that their information is somewhere in the computer and must be retrieved, or told to push a dozen digits to finally get to the right department only to end up with voice mail--from which they never receive a return phone call.
The home business owner can actually answer phone calls, get to know customers, provide personal attention and win over repeat business by doing so. It's a researched fact that most business (80 percent) will come from repeat customers rather than new customers. Therefore, along with trying to draw newcomers, the more you can do to woo your regular customers, the better off you will be in the long run and personalized attention is very much appreciated and remembered in the modern high tech world.
10. Level the playing field with technology.
You should avoid getting overly caught up in the high-tech world, but you should also know how to take advantage of using it. One of the most amazing aspects of the internet is that a one or two person business operating from a basement can have a superior website to a $50 million company, and nobody knows the difference. Make sure you're keeping up with the high-tech world as it suits your needs.. The best technology is that which helps you, not that which impresses your neighbors.
You should avoid getting overly caught up in the high-tech world, but you should also know how to take advantage of using it. One of the most amazing aspects of the internet is that a one or two person business operating from a basement can have a superior website to a $50 million company, and nobody knows the difference. Make sure you're keeping up with the high-tech world as it suits your needs.. The best technology is that which helps you, not that which impresses your neighbors.
11. Build a top-notch business team.
No one person can build a successful business alone. It's a task that requires a team that is as committed as you to the business and its success. Your business team may include family members, friends, suppliers, business alliances, employees, sub-contractors, industry and business associations, local government and the community. Of course the most important team members will be your customers or clients. Any or all may have a say in how your business will function and a stake in your business future.
12. Become known as an expert.
When you have a problem that needs to be solved, do you seek just anyone's advice or do you seek an expert in the field to help solve your particular problem? Obviously, you want the most accurate information and assistance that you can get. You naturally seek an expert to help solve your problem. You call a plumber when the hot water tank leaks, a real estate agent when it's time to sell your home or a dentist when you have a toothache. Therefore, it only stands to reason that the more you become known for your expertise in your business, the more people will seek you out to tap into your expertise, creating more selling and referral opportunities. In effect, becoming known as an expert is another style of prospecting for new business, just in reverse. Instead of finding new and qualified people to sell to, these people seek you out for your expertise.
13. Create a competitive advantage.
A home business must have a clearly defined unique selling proposition. This is nothing more than a fancy way of asking the vital question, "Why will people choose to do business with you or purchase your product or service instead of doing business with a competitor and buying his product or service?" In other words, what one aspect or combination of aspects is going to separate your business from your competition? Will it be better service, a longer warranty, better selection, longer business hours, more flexible payment options, lowest price, personalized service, better customer service, better return and exchange policies or a combination of several of these?
No one person can build a successful business alone. It's a task that requires a team that is as committed as you to the business and its success. Your business team may include family members, friends, suppliers, business alliances, employees, sub-contractors, industry and business associations, local government and the community. Of course the most important team members will be your customers or clients. Any or all may have a say in how your business will function and a stake in your business future.
12. Become known as an expert.
When you have a problem that needs to be solved, do you seek just anyone's advice or do you seek an expert in the field to help solve your particular problem? Obviously, you want the most accurate information and assistance that you can get. You naturally seek an expert to help solve your problem. You call a plumber when the hot water tank leaks, a real estate agent when it's time to sell your home or a dentist when you have a toothache. Therefore, it only stands to reason that the more you become known for your expertise in your business, the more people will seek you out to tap into your expertise, creating more selling and referral opportunities. In effect, becoming known as an expert is another style of prospecting for new business, just in reverse. Instead of finding new and qualified people to sell to, these people seek you out for your expertise.
13. Create a competitive advantage.
A home business must have a clearly defined unique selling proposition. This is nothing more than a fancy way of asking the vital question, "Why will people choose to do business with you or purchase your product or service instead of doing business with a competitor and buying his product or service?" In other words, what one aspect or combination of aspects is going to separate your business from your competition? Will it be better service, a longer warranty, better selection, longer business hours, more flexible payment options, lowest price, personalized service, better customer service, better return and exchange policies or a combination of several of these?
14. Invest in yourself.Top entrepreneurs buy and read business and marketing books, magazines, reports, journals, newsletters, websites and industry publications, knowing that these resources will improve their understanding of business and marketing functions and skills. They join business associations and clubs, and they network with other skilled business people to learn their secrets of success and help define their own goals and objectives. Top entrepreneurs attend business and marketing seminars, workshops and training courses, even if they have already mastered the subject matter of the event. They do this because they know that education is an ongoing process. There are usually ways to do things better, in less time, with less effort. In short, top entrepreneurs never stop investing in the most powerful, effective and best business and marketing tool at their immediate disposal--themselves.
15. Be accessible.
We're living in a time when we all expect our fast food lunch at the drive-thru window to be ready in mere minutes, our dry cleaning to be ready for pick-up on the same day, our money to be available at the cash machine and our pizza delivered in 30 minutes or it's free. You see the pattern developing--you must make it as easy as you can for people to do business with you, regardless of the home business you operate.
We're living in a time when we all expect our fast food lunch at the drive-thru window to be ready in mere minutes, our dry cleaning to be ready for pick-up on the same day, our money to be available at the cash machine and our pizza delivered in 30 minutes or it's free. You see the pattern developing--you must make it as easy as you can for people to do business with you, regardless of the home business you operate.
You must remain cognizant of the fact that few people will work hard, go out of their way, or be inconvenienced just for the privilege of giving you their hard-earned money. The shoe is always on the other foot. Making it easy for people to do business with you means that you must be accessible and knowledgeable about your products and services. You must be able to provide customers with what they want, when they want it.
16. Build a rock-solid reputation.
A good reputation is unquestionably one of the home business owner's most tangible and marketable assets. You can't simply buy a good reputation; it's something that you earn by honoring your promises. If you promise to have the merchandise in the customer's hands by Wednesday, you have no excuse not to have it there. If you offer to repair something, you need to make good on your offer. Consistency in what you offer is the other key factor. If you cannot come through with the same level of service (and products) for clients on a regular basis, they have no reason to trust you . . . and without trust, you won't have a good reputation.
17. Sell benefits.
Pushing product features is for inexperienced or wannabe entrepreneurs. Selling the benefits associated with owning and using the products and services you carry is what sales professionals worldwide focus on to create buying excitement and to sell, sell more, and sell more frequently to their customers. Your advertising, sales presentations, printed marketing materials, product packaging, website, newsletters, trade show exhibit and signage are vital. Every time and every medium used to communicate with your target audience must always be selling the benefits associated with owning your product or using your service.
A good reputation is unquestionably one of the home business owner's most tangible and marketable assets. You can't simply buy a good reputation; it's something that you earn by honoring your promises. If you promise to have the merchandise in the customer's hands by Wednesday, you have no excuse not to have it there. If you offer to repair something, you need to make good on your offer. Consistency in what you offer is the other key factor. If you cannot come through with the same level of service (and products) for clients on a regular basis, they have no reason to trust you . . . and without trust, you won't have a good reputation.
17. Sell benefits.
Pushing product features is for inexperienced or wannabe entrepreneurs. Selling the benefits associated with owning and using the products and services you carry is what sales professionals worldwide focus on to create buying excitement and to sell, sell more, and sell more frequently to their customers. Your advertising, sales presentations, printed marketing materials, product packaging, website, newsletters, trade show exhibit and signage are vital. Every time and every medium used to communicate with your target audience must always be selling the benefits associated with owning your product or using your service.
18. Get involved.Always go out of your way to get involved in the community that supports your business. You can do this in many ways, such as pitching in to help local charities or the food bank, becoming involved in organizing community events, and getting involved in local politics. You can join associations and clubs that concentrate on programs and policies designed to improve the local community. It's a fact that people like to do business with people they know, like and respect, and with people who do things to help them as members of the community.
19. Grab attention.
Small-business owners cannot waste time, money and energy on promotional activities aimed at building awareness solely through long-term, repeated exposure. If you do, chances are you will go broke long before this goal is accomplished. Instead, every promotional activity you engage in, must put money back in your pocket so that you can continue to grab more attention and grow your business.
20. Master the art of negotiations.
The ability to negotiate effectively is unquestionably a skill that every home business owner must make every effort to master. It's perhaps second in importance only to asking for the sale in terms of home business musts. In business, negotiation skills are used daily. Always remember that mastering the art of negotiation means that your skills are so finely tuned that you can always orchestrate a win-win situation. These win-win arrangements mean that everyone involved feels they have won, which is really the basis for building long-term and profitable business relationships.
Small-business owners cannot waste time, money and energy on promotional activities aimed at building awareness solely through long-term, repeated exposure. If you do, chances are you will go broke long before this goal is accomplished. Instead, every promotional activity you engage in, must put money back in your pocket so that you can continue to grab more attention and grow your business.
20. Master the art of negotiations.
The ability to negotiate effectively is unquestionably a skill that every home business owner must make every effort to master. It's perhaps second in importance only to asking for the sale in terms of home business musts. In business, negotiation skills are used daily. Always remember that mastering the art of negotiation means that your skills are so finely tuned that you can always orchestrate a win-win situation. These win-win arrangements mean that everyone involved feels they have won, which is really the basis for building long-term and profitable business relationships.
21. Design Your workspace for success.
Carefully plan and design your home office workspace to ensure maximum personal performance and productivity and, if necessary, to project professionalism for visiting clients. If at all possible, resist the temptation to turn a corner of the living room or your bedroom into your office. Ideally, you'll want a separate room with a door that closes to keep business activities in and family members out, at least during prime business and revenue generating hours of the day. A den, spare bedroom, basement or converted garage are all ideal candidates for your new home office. If this is not possible, you'll have to find a means of converting a room with a partition or simply find hours to do the bulk of your work when nobody else is home.
Carefully plan and design your home office workspace to ensure maximum personal performance and productivity and, if necessary, to project professionalism for visiting clients. If at all possible, resist the temptation to turn a corner of the living room or your bedroom into your office. Ideally, you'll want a separate room with a door that closes to keep business activities in and family members out, at least during prime business and revenue generating hours of the day. A den, spare bedroom, basement or converted garage are all ideal candidates for your new home office. If this is not possible, you'll have to find a means of converting a room with a partition or simply find hours to do the bulk of your work when nobody else is home.
22. Get and stay organized.
The key to staying organized is not about which type of file you have or whether you keep a stack or two of papers on your desk, but it's about managing your business. It's about having systems in place to do things. Therefore, you wan to establish a routine by which you can accomplish as much as possible in a given workday, whether that's three hours for a part-time business or seven or nine hours as a full-timer. In fact, you should develop systems and routines for just about every single business activity. Small things such as creating a to-do list at the end of each business day, or for the week, will help keep you on top of important tasks to tackle. Creating a single calendar to work from, not multiple sets for individual tasks or jobs, will also ensure that jobs are completed on schedule and appointments kept. Incorporating family and personal activities into your work calendar is also critical so that you work and plan from a single calendar.
The key to staying organized is not about which type of file you have or whether you keep a stack or two of papers on your desk, but it's about managing your business. It's about having systems in place to do things. Therefore, you wan to establish a routine by which you can accomplish as much as possible in a given workday, whether that's three hours for a part-time business or seven or nine hours as a full-timer. In fact, you should develop systems and routines for just about every single business activity. Small things such as creating a to-do list at the end of each business day, or for the week, will help keep you on top of important tasks to tackle. Creating a single calendar to work from, not multiple sets for individual tasks or jobs, will also ensure that jobs are completed on schedule and appointments kept. Incorporating family and personal activities into your work calendar is also critical so that you work and plan from a single calendar.
23. Take time off.
The temptation to work around the clock is very real for some home business owners. After all, you don't have a manager telling you it's time to go home because they can't afford the overtime pay. Every person working from home must take time to establish a regular work schedule that includes time to stretch your legs and take lunch breaks, plus some days off and scheduled vacations. Create the schedule as soon as you have made the commitment to start a home business. Of course, your schedule will have to be flexible. You should, therefore, not fill every possible hour in the day. Give yourself a backup hour or two. All work and no play makes you burn out very fast and grumpy customer service is not what people want.
The temptation to work around the clock is very real for some home business owners. After all, you don't have a manager telling you it's time to go home because they can't afford the overtime pay. Every person working from home must take time to establish a regular work schedule that includes time to stretch your legs and take lunch breaks, plus some days off and scheduled vacations. Create the schedule as soon as you have made the commitment to start a home business. Of course, your schedule will have to be flexible. You should, therefore, not fill every possible hour in the day. Give yourself a backup hour or two. All work and no play makes you burn out very fast and grumpy customer service is not what people want.
24. Limit the number of hats you wear.
It's difficult for most business owners not to take a hands-on approach. They try to do as much as possible and tackle as many tasks as possible in their business. The ability to multitask, in fact, is a common trait shared by successful entrepreneurs. However, once in a while you have to stand back and look beyond today to determine what's in the best interest of your business and yourself over the long run. Most highly successful entrepreneurs will tell you that from the time they started out, they knew what they were good at and what tasks to delegate to others.
It's difficult for most business owners not to take a hands-on approach. They try to do as much as possible and tackle as many tasks as possible in their business. The ability to multitask, in fact, is a common trait shared by successful entrepreneurs. However, once in a while you have to stand back and look beyond today to determine what's in the best interest of your business and yourself over the long run. Most highly successful entrepreneurs will tell you that from the time they started out, they knew what they were good at and what tasks to delegate to others.
25. Follow-up constantly.
Constant contact, follow-up, and follow-through with customers, prospects, and business alliances should be the mantra of every home business owner, new or established. Constant and consistent follow-up enables you to turn prospects into customers, increase the value of each sale and buying frequency from existing customers, and build stronger business relationships with suppliers and your core business team. Follow-up is especially important with your existing customer base, as the real work begins after the sale. It's easy to sell one product or service, but it takes work to retain customers and keep them coming back.
Constant contact, follow-up, and follow-through with customers, prospects, and business alliances should be the mantra of every home business owner, new or established. Constant and consistent follow-up enables you to turn prospects into customers, increase the value of each sale and buying frequency from existing customers, and build stronger business relationships with suppliers and your core business team. Follow-up is especially important with your existing customer base, as the real work begins after the sale. It's easy to sell one product or service, but it takes work to retain customers and keep them coming back.
Tuesday 5 March 2013
Laptop Billions?
Laptop Billions?
Your Laptop is perhaps the greatest business tool you could conceive of its possible to start generating an income extremely quickly,
and with far less money and fewer complications than starting a traditional bricks and mortar shop.
and with far less money and fewer complications than starting a traditional bricks and mortar shop.
If you have had just a brief foray into home based business territory then you will know there is a massive amount of
information out there, the key to success however is in finding the right way foreward for you.
information out there, the key to success however is in finding the right way foreward for you.
What is good about this business is you do not need the latest super duper computer with all the bells, that can come later
a good basic computer with an internet connection is more than enough to get you up and running.
a good basic computer with an internet connection is more than enough to get you up and running.
My website is called Laptop Billions the reality is that around the world trillions is being made, and the timing for anyone
starting out today could not be better, many others have already blazed the trail. You do not need to start from scratch you can hang
onto the shirt tails of others and replicate their success.
starting out today could not be better, many others have already blazed the trail. You do not need to start from scratch you can hang
onto the shirt tails of others and replicate their success.
The opportunity to make money online is real and growing and we are going to show you how. You can get that home-based business up and running and
the key as already mentioned is to find the right niche for you.
the key as already mentioned is to find the right niche for you.
What is the first step? firstly its always a good idea to start from a place you already know, make a list of things that you
like doing if you are enjoying the process then results will come easier for you.
like doing if you are enjoying the process then results will come easier for you.
As with any business those who take it seriously will stand a better chance of success make sure you set aside time to learn and understand, and handle all
tasks quickly and efficiently it will stand you in good stead. When you have the money outsource everything, but for now keep it
simple.
tasks quickly and efficiently it will stand you in good stead. When you have the money outsource everything, but for now keep it
simple.
Take stock of your skills if you like food maybe something to do with food, if your a bit of a gambler look at the gambling market the
internet is so massive already with billions of prospects whatever niche you choose there will be people clamouring for information
internet is so massive already with billions of prospects whatever niche you choose there will be people clamouring for information
Become an expert in your field, decide on the hours you want to work, decide how much you want to earn, the plan to get where you want
to go. When you decide what you want to focus on then find out exactly what skills you will need.
to go. When you decide what you want to focus on then find out exactly what skills you will need.
You need a vision and a plan and we will help you get there.
Affiliate Marketing A Simple Summary
Affiliate Marketing a Simple Summary
Affiliate marketing is a great way to get started, and with just a few skill sets you can quickly get
started, it is one of the best ways of selling products or services and to get paid for it without the initial
problems of creating or buying in your own product.Its a great way to make a start on the internet and sell while you learn.
Affiliate marketing is a great way to get started, and with just a few skill sets you can quickly get
started, it is one of the best ways of selling products or services and to get paid for it without the initial
problems of creating or buying in your own product.Its a great way to make a start on the internet and sell while you learn.
Affiliate marketing is without doubt one of the biggest and best opportunities around, with the company you are selling for handling the payments shipping the merchandise and handling any complaints. You simply provide
the necessary marketing after which if you have done your job you get paid.
the necessary marketing after which if you have done your job you get paid.
If for instance you owned a website promoting Forex Trading or Products, you could simply put links on your website relating to that area. When one of your visitors click on that link they are taken to the sales pages of that product and if they purchase you make a commission. At the same time you are providing a valuable service
You can find affiliate programs for pretty much anything, whatever your interest, go to google or your favourite search engine research your area of interest. Take a look at other websites selling similar products that will give you a good idea of how to start putting together something similar without of course doing an outright copy just use them as a template.
To find the right sort of products to sell take a look at Clickbank or Commission Junction sign up you will be spoilt for choice for products to sell.Check out your favourite websites and see if they have an affiliate link or program in operation.
You can find affiliate programs for pretty much anything, whatever your interest, go to google or your favourite search engine research your area of interest. Take a look at other websites selling similar products that will give you a good idea of how to start putting together something similar without of course doing an outright copy just use them as a template.
To find the right sort of products to sell take a look at Clickbank or Commission Junction sign up you will be spoilt for choice for products to sell.Check out your favourite websites and see if they have an affiliate link or program in operation.
Then it is just a matter of your customer clicking on the link which will contain your own ID which will allow the program to track you and your sales and the commission are then paid out on a particular day or when you reach a certain level of sales.
Become An Online Casino Affiliate Marketer: Cashing In On A Hot Trend
This is one of many areas, you can make money on and if you are going to consider affiliate marketing start with an area which has plenty of potential.
One of the most generous areas you can make commission on is of course online gambling, obviously if you have a moral aversion to this area its not going to be for you, however with gambling sites being advertised
almost constantly on the net and on telly it is an area which is very much part of the consciousness of most people and hence an easier area to get business on.
One of the most generous areas you can make commission on is of course online gambling, obviously if you have a moral aversion to this area its not going to be for you, however with gambling sites being advertised
almost constantly on the net and on telly it is an area which is very much part of the consciousness of most people and hence an easier area to get business on.
There is of course huge competition out there for customers but there are more and more people going onto the internet all the time the possible client base is almost inexhaustable. New generations of 18 year olds are coming on stream all the time. Whether you agree with online gambling or not it is clearly
serving a ready market which see no slowing down, and you are simply encouraging people to one site as apposed to another.
They offer large sign up bonuses to players and as an affiliate they are equally generous, because without that constant flow of new customers being fed to them by amongst other things the affiliates they would soon lose out to their competition.
serving a ready market which see no slowing down, and you are simply encouraging people to one site as apposed to another.
They offer large sign up bonuses to players and as an affiliate they are equally generous, because without that constant flow of new customers being fed to them by amongst other things the affiliates they would soon lose out to their competition.
These links to these sites can be just an additional area you focus on or they can become the centre of a majorpush with links to all of the major sites rather like a moneysuper market style website, but I will detail
other areas in future reports and there can be no doubt that picking hot area will greatly add to your success.
other areas in future reports and there can be no doubt that picking hot area will greatly add to your success.
Look for areas that are hot rather than areas that are starting to diminish when you look for new areas to promote it will make your life so much easier if you start off with an area that has a larger upside to it.
Just type in affiliate and casino or gambling or something similar and you will soon find many hundreds of links to affiliate programs all promising you untold wealth!! Have a look through them all and use the ones that appeal or set up a site promoting all of them, its upto you.
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Affiliate marketing truly is a revolutionary form of advertising it offers every person on the Internet a cut of the action. But best of all in casino affiliate programs a website owner can earn a percentage of all that money. All this for no up front investment and little or no effort, it really is a simple and successful way to make money.
Simple Thoughts on Generating Non Stop Traffic
Traffic is the life blood of any online enterprise without the traffic there is no online business it does not matter how good your website is if no one is looking at it.
And not just traffic you want as much targeted traffic as possible, otherwise you have no chance of converting that traffic to your online fortune. Most website when they are just starting go to the major search engines to get themselves noticed and of course this is a great place to start, as the last
thing you want to do is spend to much money on any form of advertising.
thing you want to do is spend to much money on any form of advertising.
Advertising can be extremely expensive and you may still not get the results you are looking for and statistics say that anywhere from 20%
to 80% of your customers will find you via a search engine.
to 80% of your customers will find you via a search engine.
However competition for the top spots in search engines is getting tough, you can no longer guarantee that anything you do will get you ranked in the top or first pages. This is why targeted traffic is becoming so much more important than ever before.
However this does not mean that you should not try and get your website ranked as highly as possible.What do search engines look for when they are ranking websites, some factors determining include Link Popularity,
Building a well thought our link generation strategy is a powerful way to attract large volumes of highly targeted traffic. By putting your website on every major web intersection where your target audience meets, will aid in ensuring you get a steady and unique flow of qualified and interested customers. Links in a way are the way other sites give recommendations and most people prefer to be referred by a friend in this case their favourite website.
This of course means that you have much more credibility which in turn increase your opportunities of making money so a truly virtuous cycle.
Doing these things is going to take time, it will take anywhere from two weeks to six months to achieve this virtuous cycle depending on what you are selling the amount of time you have to build your followers and develop a good linking strategy.But once done those links will often remain in place for years as many websites are hardly ever updated which gives you a massive advantage once that link has been established.
Perserverence plus hard work will pay massive dividends.
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