Start a Direct Sales Business!

How to Start-Up a Low Home-Based Business Such As a Product Business, Service Business, or Network Marketing Business

By A Distinguished Panel of Direct Sales Experts

In direct sales, you want the products/services you offer and their prices to be relevant to your target market and to be things they can share with their friends and family.

Are you new to direct sales or need a refresher course to boost your current direct sales business? If so, you most likely have some or all of these questions: How do I get started in direct sales? What are the differences between direct sales and network marketing? What must I prepare before starting a direct sales business? How can I succeed in direct sales bookings? How can I use the Internet to market my business? Drawing on their years of experience, a panel of direct sales experts provides the answers to these questions. Their expertise can help you launch or grow a successful low-cost direct sales business such as a product business, service business, or network marketing business. After reading this article, check out the 55+ Direct Sales Opportunities tables in this issue for companies offering direct sales business opportunities.  

Successful Direct Sales 101: Getting Started

By Michael Force

When you want to get involved with a direct sales company, you are joining a process that does take some work for you to make money. In order to do this, you need to properly get started with the direct sales. Here is an introduction to successful direct sales and how to make money.

How the System Works

The first part of successful direct sales involves knowing exactly how the system works. This is where a company manufactures products or services and sells them through external, individual salespeople. These people get a discount on anything that they buy, and they make a commission from the sales that they do achieve. The company doesn’t have to have a store, so their costs are lower, and they can keep a lot of the profits. As a direct salesperson, you will work through the company selling their products and services.

Choosing a Company

To get involved with a direct sales company, you need to first go shopping. Successful direct sales starts with a successful company choice. You need to pick a company that other people will want to buy from on a regular basis to make the most money possible. There are a lot of choices out there, so take your time finding the right company.

When you choose the right company, all you have to do is contact them through a phone number or email to express your interest. You usually don’t have to do a lot to get involved with a direct sales company. You will get a starter kit with books, samples, order forms, and sometimes a few other things as well. This is what you will need to get started.

Marketing and Advertising

When you are ready to start selling, then successful direct sales involves successful marketing and advertising of your business. You need to take advantage of every advertising opportunity that you possibly can to gain as many customers as you can. Place an ad if you can afford it. Of course, this may cost you a little bit. Use your social network to advertise. And of course, you can always tell everyone that you know that you are selling a product or service. Word of mouth is one of the oldest and most successful ways of advertising, after all.

Party Throwing/Booking

After you get your advertising taken care of, another great tip is to throw a party to get some orders and some customers as well. Parties are always a great tool of successful direct sales. You can throw a fun party with samples, games, and even a demonstration of how some of the products or services will work. Of course, you will have to buy some of the products to get a demonstration going, but you get a discount on the products, so whatever you buy will be at a lower price. You can then book additional parties with your customers.

Succeeding in direct sales is not a hard thing to do if you know your way through the process.

Michael Force is a direct sales expert who has averaged over 7-figures a year online for the last 10 years and has trained tens of thousands on how to create profitable online businesses. Learn more about how Michael can help you too at www.MichaelForce.com.

The Differences between Direct Sales and Network Marketing Programs

By Eddie Chase

Direct sales programs and network marketing programs have been in existence in the market for quite some time. What works better is just based on your personal preference. The following are the differences between direct sales programs and network marketing programs:

Direct Sales

In direct sales, you are your own boss. You buy the goods as well as sell them. You can directly quote prices on your goods. This makes people come directly to you for buying goods. In this process, you buy goods directly from the wholesaler or from the branch manager for those products. You quote a higher price on the purchased goods, and you get a commission when people buy goods from you.

A direct sales program doesn’t involve any sponsors. You will earn an amount of money directly as a term of commission, in whatever business you do. You do not have to give any other person a percentage of your earnings. A direct sales program can be beneficial if you start a business of selling some goods. This can be an independent type of business where you are your own boss.

In a direct sales program, you may be asked to hold your accounts. But the companies which offer direct sales opportunities will easily hold the commodities for you. You just have to design your link or webpage in such a manner that people can view the goods they are looking for with just a single question

Network Marketing

Network marketing is somewhat similar to affiliate marketing. The only difference between them is the number of levels from which payments can be achieved. The sponsors can offer the network marketer an equal or a higher level.

Network marketing involves a practical business method, where you will be provided good support and where you can see yourself in a complex way of payment plan. As soon as you tie up with a company, it will provide you with a sponsor who will help you in your work, and will keep you in touch with the company. The sponsor will also provide you with all kinds of support that will be needed by you to start the business. The number of sales you make in the given period of time will be credited as a part to your sponsor. Your sponsor will get a specific percentage of your earnings.

Direct sales programs and network marketing programs are both beneficial in their own way and terms. You have to decide which program will provide you with your desired level of income, and will suit your requirements.

Eddie Chase works online as a writer and as a merchant. A website he recommends for more information is http://www.youraffiliatelifestyle.com

Preparing To Start a Direct Sales Business

By Heather Doering

You can never be too prepared. Before starting a direct sales business, you need to do the following:

Determine Your Target Market

To whom do you intend to offer your products/services?  Your target market is the group of people you’ll be targeting as customers, team members, and hosts (if you select a party plan company).  This could be friends, family, neighbors, people from a particular demographic, people with similar hobbies/interests, busy families, people who live in colder climates.  Without first identifying “who,” it’s hard to select “what.”

Consider Products/Services

As you hone in on your target market, start to think about what products and services are used by them.  Ask a few trusted people in your market their opinions of what you’re considering doing.  Get feedback BEFORE you sign with a company.  You want the products/services you offer and their prices to be relevant to your target market and to be things they can share with their friends and family.

Do Due Diligence

Research direct sales companies before you sign on the dotted line.  Google prospective companies and see what people have to say.  Check with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) to see if a particular company has any complaints issued against it.  Check with the Direct Selling Association (DSA.org) to see if the company you’re exploring has applied for or been approved for membership.  Also visit Directselling411.com for information on every aspect of direct sales, from the benefits of direct selling to industry regulation to avoiding fraudulent schemes. Talk to people already aligned with companies you’re considering.  Go to the corporate website and request information about their business opportunity.

Ask Questions

• How much does it cost to get started?

• What does that cost include?

• What additional items will I need to purchase during my first couple of months, (catalogs, literature, additional products, etc.), and what is the additional cost of these items?

• What is the compensation plan for your company, and when and how will I receive payment from the company?

• How will I be trained?

• Do I get a company website, and what’s the cost of that?

• Does the company send out a monthly newsletter on my behalf, and what’s the cost of that?

• What is the company’s host program (if applicable), and is it company funded?

• Who pays credit card processing fees?

• Are there monthly or quarterly sales requirements?  What are they?

• Is there an annual renewal fee, and how much is it?

• What’s your favorite part of this company?

• What’s the company’s party average?  What’s the party average of the person with whom you’re speaking?

• How often do new catalogs come out?  This question tells you a couple of things:  how frequently you may need to purchase additional catalogs and literature, and how often you may need to invest in additional products to show customers.

• Am I expected to travel for training?  If so, what’s the estimated annual cost to me?

For more info on starting your business, branding and setting goals, subscribe to “Escape from the 9 to 5,”IN3’s free online magazine here: http://www.IN3Network.com.For information on IN3Network’s services and events, visit http://in3network.com/in3-services/ .

 

Success Secrets to Improve Your Direct Sales Bookings

By Barb Girson

One of the most important aspects of running your own direct sales or home-based business is keeping your direct sales bookings up.  With consistent sales appointments and successful home parties booked, your direct sales business will grow. To tackle how to keep your sales up and your calendar full of direct sales bookings, here are four success secrets:

Be Consistent  

While this statement may seem trite, the truth is that many direct sales entrepreneurs need to keep this tenet of sales in the front of both head and heart. With the multitude of obligations that they deal with on a regular basis, a system for juggling competing duties is necessary. The importance of keeping the calendar full is key.  The more gaps you see in your party bookings, the harder it is to regenerate momentum.

Make Daily Contacts 

When you uphold that making daily contacts and connections is vital, you will fill your slots for sales appointments and parties.  Make sure to convey this professional approach to your customers through your actions and words.  They will perceive you as someone who is serious about your business. If you are lax to make daily contacts, you will suffer the stress and financial consequences of inconsistent business. Strive for 5 contacts a day; and watch your direct sales business thrive.

Appreciate Your Client’s Time

When you reach out to invite someone to book a party, keep the contact focused, friendly, and on point.  Pre-plan what you will say, and make some notes about why you are contacting them, what is your compelling offer, and why someone would want to book a home party or schedule a sales presentation with you now.   Make sure that during your conversation, you set the stage for business and mention that you will call later to catch up on personal matters.  Don’t chat too long about topics unrelated to what you initially contacted the prospect to talk about. While this helps to build rapport, it also undermines your effort, product/service, and profit.  Further, it strips professionalism from sales and booking efforts.

Eliminate Emotion from Rejection

If you do not track aspects of your business, you will measure your successes by feeling rather than performance.  This leads to an emotional sales roller coaster.  When sales are up, you feel great.  When you get more than a few “no” responses to asking for a direct sales booking, you feel down.  However, if you establish a system for measuring your contacts and results, you will identify a base sales closing ratio. Knowing your closing ratio allows you to chart your growth, and identify areas for improvement.

©2012 Original Work. Barb Girson, International Direct Selling Industry expert, trainer and coach, is a highly interactive, creative speaker & author offering professional skill development programs for workshops, leader retreats, annual conventions & teleclass training programs.  To sign up for her next FREE sales training teleclass / join her free email list, visit http://www.MySalesTactics.com to learn more. Need a speaker for an event? Contact Barb: 614.855.0446.

Using the Internet to Market Direct Sales Business

By Deb Bixler

How can direct sales business distributors take advantage of the Internet, a virtually free technology that is present in almost every home in America? There are a few different options.

Social Networking

Utilize social network sites such as MySpace, Twitter, or Facebook. Facebook is a favorite of many as it is so easy to use. Registering for an account is free, and when you register, it allows you to connect with friends, coworkers, old school friends, and many other people. Facebook also respects your privacy and will not allow anyone you do not approve to view your information. Once you set up your account, you are ready to start networking.

Direct Sales Fan Page

It is important to remember that on Facebook, your profile is for real friends and your Fan page is for business. So take the time to set up a direct sales fan page for marketing your direct sales business products, opportunity, and services. You will have to visit other fan pages and groups so that you can comment and develop curiosity for others to visit your fan page. It also helps to send an invitation to your profile friends and invite them to your Fan page. This way, you are marketing to those who have an interest and not to those who are just personal friends. Post information about your product/service on your Fan page wall. Keep your fans updated by posting specials and open dates for consultations. It is even possible to post pictures and upload videos to your wall.

Email Marketing

Another Internet avenue you can use to generate direct sales leads and increase your revenue is email marketing. Email accounts are free and again, easy to set up. When you are at a party/consultation, make sure to gather the email addresses of the attendants, and then you can create a database of potential customers.

Direct Sales Newsletters

Many direct sales consultants make the mistakes of creating their data bases in their own computers. It is important to work online in a newsletter service so you do not get blocked as a spammer. Our everyday computers are not meant to send out 30-100 emails at a time, let alone thousands. Get a quality online service like MyNewsletterBuilder or one of the many other contact management newsletter services.

Add the email addresses of friends and family to your list. Now you can send an email to notify your customers when you get new product, when you are hosting a large event and want to invite them, or when you want to say thanks for their business. It is free, easy and a convenient way to keep in touch.

Again, most everyone has an email account and most check their email on a regular basis. You can even send an email or update your Facebook account from most smart phones, so don’t drag your feet when it comes to leveraging technology in your direct selling business.

Direct sales business consultants who take advantage of the many creative booking opportunities will have a solid business and will never worry about where to find business again. Learn more direct sales booking tips at: http://www.CreateACashFlowShow.com. For more information, email Deb@DebBixler.com or visit www.DebBixler.com.

Getting Started in Direct Sales

By Chris Benoit

If you want to get into direct sales and get financial freedom, there are some simple tips that you can follow:

– Make a List of Contacts

Before any sales can be made, you need to have a list of people to sell to.

– Advertise

Word of mouth is great, but posting signs in places like grocery stores gets attention too. Offer discounts to a person who will host a party.

– Network

Share information with people who are also doing direct sales. Others might know of leads interested in different products/services.

– Be Visible

Getting a booth at fairs, local outdoor markets and other events let people get information about the product/service and the salesperson. Advertise on the Internet.

– Get a Team

Get a team of people working underneath you. The sales that those people make give them a percentage as well as give you, the recruiter, a percentage. Plus, the more people that you find to work below you, the more money you get from the direct sales company.

Christopher Benoit is involved in an online home based business. Visit his Blog @ http://chrisgbenoit.wordpress.com to obtain the knowledge and tools to prosper in the new Economy. Also visit http://www.WorkWithChrisBenoit.com.

Tips for Direct Sales Success

By Meghann and Ryan Clements, Independent SuperStar Directors with the Scentsy

#1: Take total responsibility for your business. .Whether you succeed or fail is up to you.  .

#2: Decide exactly what you want. It is critical that you specify your goals.

 #3: Develop a burning desire for your goals. If you have a burning desire to achieve your direct sales goals you will achieve your goals.

 #4: Have total faith that you will achieve your goals. Use the strength of your team to believe in yourself.  Build and grow together.

#5: Make a written plan, model those who have already attained your desired level of success. Chart your course for success.

#6: Take massive consistent action. Once you have a plan and have found a mentor to model.  Duplicate their success by taking consistent, and persistent, action toward your goal.  

#7: Pursue your goal with passion and enthusiasm. You need to have passion and enthusiasm in what you do in order to succeed. 

#8: Push passed your fears. Believe in yourself and your product/service and in so doing you have nothing to fear.  

#9: Embrace failure and rejection as education.  Each step, or failure, is just another step in the educational process of you attaining your goal. 

#10:  Never give up.  Persist until you succeed. You have to be willing to commit until you achieve.  

Meghann and Ryan Clements are Independent SuperStar Directors with the Scentsy, Inc., a wickless candle company which is currently one of the fastest growing companies in the MLM industry. For more information on business opportunities through Scentsy, Inc. please visit their current website www.flamelesscandlescanada.ca and also their blog: www.toinspirewithin.com

Get Selling!

Direct selling may be just the right industry for you to start and operate a home-based business in.   The information provided in this article by these direct sales experts can help can improve your sales and build your direct sales bookings. Implement the strategies suggested by these experts in your own direct sales business. Also check out the 55+ Direct Sales Opportunities tables in this issue for companies offering direct sales business opportunities. If you find one that’s right for you, then get started, get selling, and good luck. HBM

For additional information, visit www.articlesbase.com.

The post Start a Direct Sales Business! appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Millionaires In Your Neighborhood

Home-Based Entrepreneurs Share Their Tips For Surviving And Thriving In These Economic Times

Home-based millionaires began modest ventures from garages, tiny home offices, or kitchens that not only survived, but thrived far beyond their financial expectations.

By Priscilla Y. Huff

Despite a slowly-recovering economy, the number of U. S. millionaires is increasing. Entrepreneurs have begun modest ventures from garages, tiny home offices, or kitchens that have not only survived, but thrived far beyond their financial expectations. They may live beside you or just down the street. Here are some of their inspiring profiles. Their ventures fall under the following categories: Brand Marketing, Inventing, Management, Personal Services, Product Sales, Writing, Direct Sales, Business Coaching, and Social Media.

BRAND MARKETING

MILLIONAIRE # 1

Jay Leopardi, Visionary Marketer; Lifestyle, Pop Culture Branding Expert

Jay Leopardi, a devoted father and husband, was often labeled the “Bad Boy,” by big names in entertainment businesses in which he had been involved since he was thirteen. So he started “Bad Boy Branding” — branding, developing, and producing web designs for companies’ products like Touch Markers, Fuse Science, ChaCha’s new “Social Reactor; automotive industry moguls; and personalities like “Cedric the Entertainer.” He emphasizes the importance of relations like his tight-knit bond with “The Shark,” Daymond John, of the television show “Shark Tank,” and many of the entrepreneurs launched from that show, like the owner of “Liquid Money Cologne,” and others.

“Bad Boy Branding” grew rapidly from clients’ referrals, networking contacts, and his own productions. Leopardi still works from home, and from offices in Miami and New York City. He adds, “I’m also often in Los Angeles helping celebrities market new clothing lines, technology, or movies.”

Leopardi offers clients parts of, or combinations of his “In the Tank” consulting services of video, film and television commercial productions; Internet marketing services, and web development. “I tell clients, just one mistake can ‘kill’ their businesses, so they often hire us for the entire branding-marketing process.”

He advises entrepreneurs to find good lawyers and offer them a revenue percentage in exchange for legal services that he says will actually save entrepreneurs money, and give them more time to grow their businesses. Leopardi adds, “If you are going to fail, fail fast! Otherwise, it will take you and your house down. The more times you are broke, the more successful you will be financially; that is IF you have LEARNED from your mistakes.”

“Keep the words ‘greed’ and ‘money’ out of your vocabulary and statements like, “what’s in it for me,” he says. “Be passionate about your work, but be willing to share success tips with others, because it will always come back to you in the end.” For more information, visit Jayleopardi.com; Badboybranding.com; Whosbig.com.

INVENTING

MILLIONAIRE # 2

Linda Collinson, founder, LaCrista, Inc.

Tired of problems caused by her sensitive skin, Linda Collinson researched and literally in her kitchen sink mixed a combination of pure ingredients, creating chemically-free lotions, soaps, and moisturizers. Noticing her beautiful skin, friends asked Collinson for samples, so she bottled her skin care formulations and began selling them under the company name, LaCrista, (“the best” in Latin).

Collinson found a laboratory to bottle her first product, a natural moisturizer, but no retailers would carry them without a UPC label. She says. “I had no manufacturing background, but I just did it!” After repeatedly calling Izzy Cohen, founder of Giant Food stores, he met with her and market-tested her products. They sold well enough to be sold in both Giant, and then Safeway stores. Wal-Mart sold them, too, after Collinson made a sales presentation to 4,000 people and David Glass, head of Sam’s Club at the time, who was there for a ‘Made in America,’ program.

Television appearances, talks, and newspaper coverage, including a Washington Post feature, were Collinson’s best marketing tactics.

“Operating the business from home with two small children was hard work,” she says, “so after a lucrative offer, I sold LaCrista.” With recent trends for natural products, though, Collinson may revive LaCrista. In the meantime, Collinson’s son, Budge, has hired her to help him in his business, selling “Youth Infusion,” a vitamin-mineral drink with no preservatives, no sugar, or artificial flavors.

“Start your business from even a little cubbyhole in your home. If it succeeds, then you can move elsewhere,” says Collinson. “I started LaCrista out of need. I was educating and helping people because I went through a terrible time, and I was just fortunate it worked out.” For more information, visit www.lacrista.com/; www.drinkyouthinfusion.com.

MILLIONAIRES # 3, #4, and #5

Vincent Porpiglia, Founder, David Lekach, Co-Founder, Joseph Lekach- Executive VP of Sales – Dream Water

One sleepless night while in college, Vincent Porpiglia, a lifetime sufferer of sleeping problems, came up with the concept of a natural, effective liquid that would help him and countless others relax and sleep. “I was not satisfied with the current market place sleep aids, and the associated side effects, so the idea for Dream Water was ‘born,” said Porgpiglia, one of the company’s founders. “Dream Water is a natural, liquid shot with no-preservatives or calories, helping users relax, fall sleep, and improve their quality of sleep.”

Since its inception in 2009, Dream Water has established a nationwide presence in some 35,000 stores, including Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Target and CVS, and also in over 1,000 airports. Joseph Lekach, Executive Vice President of Sales, discovered a unique distribution method into stores to compliment what they were already doing directly with the retailers. “Now we’ve been able to secure great chain-wide deals and programs at many major retailers,” he says.

David Lekach, Co-Founder, and CEO, is proud he and his partners created and developed the first mainstream sleep aid that has helped so many get much-needed rest. Sampling to potential customers so they can experience the positive benefits of Dream Water first hand is their best marketing tactic. This method typically results in referrals to the users’ friends and family network, thus creating additional buzz. Joseph says, “With sleep issues being so prevalent now days, everyone like me (in my mid-twenties) to my grandmother can use Dream Water as a natural and healthier alternative to those other products on the market.”

At the start, all three worked from home, liking the savings and the flexibility it gave them. Even with a Miami office, they still do catch-up and concentrated work from their homes. Porpiglia advises to set boundaries when working from home: “Create a designated work space, so everyone, including yourself, knows that when you are sitting in that chair, you mean business.”

Having more and more people try Dream Water is the company’s goal. “We know if we are helping more people sleep, our business is growing…,” says Porpiglia, and “to come up with an idea one night and see it grow quickly into a multi-million dollar company leaves me speechless all the time.” For more information, visit www.DrinkDreamWater.com.

MANAGEMENT

MILLIONAIRE # 6

Robert D. Smith, “THE [ROBERT] D”

Thirty years ago, when Robert D. Smith (aka, “The Robert D”) started First Image, an artist management company, his friend, Andy Andrews, an aspiring comedian, asked Smith to be his manager. “I wanted to start a business, so I said I’d help him out until he found someone else to direct his career. Thirty years later, I’m still his manager, and he’s now a New York Times best-selling author.” Until Smith recently released his own book, 20,000 Days and Counting, he says Andrews was the only author or speaker he had ever managed!

Smith says their best promotional method is giving away his and Andy’s books. He believes Andrews’ first book, The Traveler’s Gift, made the New York Times’ bestseller list for seventeen straight weeks, because Smith sent out hundreds of personalized books and letters. “Eventually, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts read a copy…and they had just started a book club. Guess what the second book they picked was?”

Going into a “work” mode without even having to leave his home, is what Smith likes about being home-based. He says his best customers are those who have decided that they no longer want life to just be something that happens to them. “They are ready to step up, take control, and create the lives they want to live.”

After being rejected 51 times, Smith is proud he got Andy Andrews’ book, The Traveler’s Gift, published and on the best seller list. He concludes with an excerpt from his article, “7 Things Every New Entrepreneur Must Know.” “Never lose sight of what makes every business successful — people. You are now officially in the people business. Congratulations!!!” For more information, visit TheRobertD.com; AndyAndrews.com.

PERSONAL SERVICES

MILLIONAIRE # 7

Robin Wilson, CEO, Robin Wilson Home

After realizing a financial windfall, Robin Wilson left her corporate job and fulfilled her dream of getting a Master’s degree in real estate finance. She learned early on growing up in Texas and suffering with allergies and asthma, how interior toxins affected one’s health. Acquiring design concepts from her grandfather who was in the real estate profession, “It became easy to apply those experiences and the desire to express my creativity in a design and construction business.”

Begun as a project manager in 2000 for construction projects, Wilson’s firm transitioned into a multi-service company serving residential and commercial clients and with developer projects. “We are a lifestyle brand that handles a few interior design projects annually. We license our brand name to retail products; market our brand to consumers; and educate consumers about the eco-friendly options for their homes and lifestyles.”

Social media and speaking engagements are Wilson’s most effective marketing tactics, and word-of-mouth brings her best customers: “those who are concerned about their homes’ aesthetic beauty and their families’ health.” With a virtual home office setup, she likes balancing motherhood and work. “I’m still able to consult with team members in various locations.”

Wilson is understandably proud of her company’s progress: how her company’s rebranding enabled it to break even in five years; mentoring young interns; and starting a webisode series featuring her CEO to CEO/Mommy transition.

With future plans to license to new product lines with her Robin Wilson Home brand, she would also like to speak to more organizations interested in women’s leadership, wellness, and work-life balance issues.

Her advice for entrepreneurial success: “Work smarter, not harder,” and “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? For more information, visit www.RobinWilsonHome.com.

PRODUCT SALES

MILLIONAIRES # 8 and # 9

Riley Goodman and Jake Director, Co-Founders, Strideline ™

Riley Goodman and Jake Director really have been lifelong partners. Being born in the same hospital, playing together in sports, and attending the same schools, these University of Washington seniors are co-founders of a growing business, Strideline™. Combining their high school graduation gift monies to fund Strideline ™, they produce and sell crew sports socks with colorful designs of different cities’ skylines to young, “fashion-forward” athletes.

Riley says, “We found a manufacturer online and drew our first design on a sock with permanent marker and sent it to an overseas mill.” In 2012, they raised $250,000 in investment capital, and also hired a designer, accountant, and a national sales team. They also won The Arthur W. Buerk Center of Entrepreneurship Milestone Award at the UW — receiving a $25,000 grant and a team of mentors to lend support. Strideline has always been home-based: from the partners’ childhood bedrooms, to a college fraternity house, to the house they now share with eleven other guys.

Their “market manager program,” a grassroots approach of selling from booths at sports tournaments in featured cities, is their most effective marketing method. Having well-known personalities and sports stars such as “Snoop Dog,” and Marshawn Terrell Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks wear their socks has also helped increase national sales.

Strideline socks are available on their website and at small and larger retail outlets like LIDS® stores, Nordstrom stores. These enterprising friends-partners say, “If we accomplish this year’s goal to roll-out our sales program across the U.S in time for the holiday buying season, we should have no problem hitting our sales goal of $2.5 million for 2013.”  For more information, visit www.strideline.com.

 

WRITING

MILLIONAIRE # 10

Michael Levin, Author and CEO, BusinessGhost, Inc.

Michael Levin, CEO of BusinessGhost, Inc., was a broke, “starving writer,” even after Simon & Schuster published three of his acclaimed novels. When a mentor suggested he teach writing classes to make money, he says, “People also hired me as a consultant, often asking me to write books for them…and from there, BusinessGhost began and has evolved.”

Word-of-mouth referrals bring Levin the most clients; in addition to people he identifies as “Aggregators,” those who recommend him to a large number of potential clients. “Let us write a mini-book for you, so that you can stand out from the pack…” describes how Levin’s ghostwriting services “create preeminence and distinctiveness” for business people, financial advisors, top athletes, broadcasters, celebrities, and others. Levin says these professionals and industry leaders are his best customers as they know what marketing costs to expect to create their marketing materials.

Starting BusinessGhost from his home, and where he did most of his early writing, Levin says, “I do have an office now, but it’s a mile from my house so I can still go home, work there, eat lunch, or even take a nap.”

In addition to being a New York Times best-selling author, Levin edited Zig Ziglar’s last book; wrote books with Dave Winfield, Michael Gerber, and the late Pat Summerall; played an extra in a Disney movie based on one of his novels; and was interviewed by worldwide media and, happy, too, that BusinessGhost has continued to thrive and expand for nineteen years!

“Never give up,” Levin tells entrepreneurs. “Most businesses fail not because the business model was poor, but because the owner quit instead of fighting through a problem. Don’t expect things to be easy. Above all, bust your butt!” For more information, visit BusinessGhost.com.

 

DIRECT SALES

MILLIONAIRE # 11

Kimberly Cornwell, CEO, Celadon Road, Inc.

In 2007, Kimberly Cornwell, a former attorney for a biotechnology company, worried about her co-workers’ futures when a third of the workforce was laid off. “I knew I had to do something to provide people money-making opportunities to support themselves and their loved ones,” she says. Cornwell, a young mother, was learning more about toxic chemicals in skincare and baby products; so she considered starting venture offering healthier products. “It wasn’t until I attended a friend’s home party that I figured the right business model for me and started Celadon Road.”

Celadon Road, is an organic, direct selling (party plan) company that markets and sells its eco-friendly and organic products through its independent consultants. “Each of our consultants has her/his own business and chooses to market it through home parties, vendor events, and-or Facebook accounts,” says Cornwell. “My best customers are women, especially mothers, as they care about the environment and want to avoid their families’ exposure to toxins in skin care and cleaning products.”

Cornwell likes that working from home enables her to pick her kids up at school and have her children hear her conference calls, she says. “They are ‘sponges’ learning all about business.”

Celadon Road’s operations are also “green.” The company uses recycled packaging and refillable bottles; has an online catalog; and uses a green web hosting company and servers, powered by wind power. Cornwell’s rapidly-growing company has over 335 consultants in 48 states and is experiencing 450% growth in over a year.

Her quest to help others achieve financial stability, while caring for the Earth, is summed up on her web site: “We strongly believe if we all make small changes toward a greener lifestyle, collectively we can have a profound impact on our world.”

For more information, visit www.celadonroad.com.

 

BUSINESS COACHING

MILLIONAIRE # 12

Dr. Denis Burke, “The Doctor of Wisdom”

Dr. Denis Burke says he was entrepreneurial since the age of eleven. Coming to New York City from Ireland in the eighties, he continued his entrepreneurial ventures in sales and other enterprises. Dr. Burke, “The Doctor of Wisdom,” provides coaching and consulting services to small- medium-sized businesses. “Many entrepreneurs have not aligned their businesses’ missions and goals with their personal missions, and you need both to succeed,” he says. Burke guides clients with step-by-step processes in programs like, ‘Thinking into Results’ to create models for their lives and business so they have a clear-cut understanding where they are going in their lives.

Dr. Burke reaches potential clients through online social media and his websites like MindDestiny.com, that feature his offerings and webinars. He also launched a “Success Mastermind Program,” that he presents in public venues across the country. Dr. Burke says based on his own life and business experiences he has developed, “…a ‘Blueprint for Financial Freedom,’ a 12-step process to become financially independent, that anyone could follow and be successful.”

What Burke likes best about being home-based, is that he does not have to show up at any particular office, and he can continue to run his businesses doing on- and off-line tasks. “Entrepreneurs can achieve success through multiple streams of income, especially if they automate parts of their business through the Internet,” he says.

Dr. Burke plans to have more speaking engagements; launch a radio show in the fall; and finish his new book, “144 Keys for a Better Life.” He advises: “Create a ‘Master Plan,’ for the next fifteen years or so of your life, so you can follow that pattern to your greatest success.” For more information, visit http://drdenisburke.com/; www.MindDestiny.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA

MILLIONAIRE # 13

Brian Solis, Founder, FutureWorks

Brian Solis says, “My story is one of timing, place, and perseverance.” In 1999, he started FutureWorks, a creative media lab focusing on the future of digital marketing.

“I was inspired by the stark reality that everything I learned in school and through experience would prevent me from finding success in this new frontier. I would literally have to invent as I go…and invent I did.” With the rise of Web2.0, Solis decided to share what he knew and was learning. He started with blogging and evolved to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube; and eventually books, speaking, and investing/advising startups and Fortune 500 companies.

Working at the Altimer Group, and from home, Solis is a principal analyst studying disruptive technology’s impact on businesses and on society. “This allows me to find bridges between the two; and my nights and weekends are spent writing and creating content to help people learn,” he says. Solis reaches his market with blogging; creating a video series, “Revolution;” writing books, (his latest, What’s the Future of Business (WTF)); and contributing to business publications like the Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, and others.

One of the first to recognize the rise of social media, Solis wrote the original “Social Media Manifesto;” and from years spent studying the social media landscape as a form of digital ethnography, he released “The Conversation Prism.” His customers are business executives, top Fortune 100 companies, celebrities, and what he calls, “…some very cool startups. They are change agents looking for ways to turn social media strategies into business drives.”

Though Solis writes from home, his “home” can be traveling anywhere in the world speaking about this global phenomenon of the evolution of technology and consumer behavior.

While there are no shortage of social media and emerging technology experts, Solis says, “I still to this day, fight for my place among them. At this blinding pace of acceleration, striving to become an expert is done so by remaining a student of evolution.”

Solis says, “You have to follow what I call 3D: dream. do. deserve. The distance between who you are and who you want to be is separated only by your aspirations and actions.” For more information, visit www.BrianSolis.com; Facebook.com/BrianSolis; Twitter.com/BrianSolis.

Business startups create many new jobs, but becoming a successful seven-figure entrepreneur is not for the “faint-hearted.” Joseph Lekach of Dream Water says, “Take a risk. Bet on yourself. Work your hardest so you can never say, ‘If I had only done more.’ There is no better bet than believing in yourself.”  What is holding you back from launching your own potential million-dollar, home-based business? HBM

 

Millionaire’s Success Tip for These Economic Times

– “Don’t be afraid to get on the phone and ask questions.” – Linda Collinson, LaCrista

–  “The key to business success is to ensure you have these foundation blocks in place: advisors, attorneys and accountants.” – RobinWilson.Home

– “You’re only as good and you can only push yourself as much as your friends and family network allows you; make sure those around you know you appreciate them. – David Lekach, Dream Water

– “Start your business today and transition out of your day job so you do not fail due to lack of funds.” – Kimberly Cornwell, Celadon Road

– “This is a jobless recovery, so you must be entrepreneurial.” – Michael Levin, BusinessGhost

–  “Try to unravel your idea, find every hole in it, see how competitors could squash you, then rewrite your business and marketing plan and pursue it.” – Brian Solis, FutureWorks

A Millionaire’s Business-Building Idea

– “Finance your startup yourself. Find that one idea to make more money now…” – Robert D. Smith, (TheRobertD.com)

– “Hire partners not people. You will need people who are as passionate as you are about the idea.” – Vincent Porpiglia, Dream Water

–  “You have to be available. If you think you are too big to be available, you have issues. Answer your phone. Money never sleeps.” – Jay Leopardi

– “Create automated, scalable systems within your business.” – Riley Goodman, Jake Director, Strideline.com

– “When I followed the money, I failed; but when I followed my love and passion, I achieved unbelievable success.” – Dr. Denis Burke

Priscilla Y. Huff (www.PYHuff.com) is a freelance writer and author of business books, including Make Your Business Survive and Thrive! 100+ Proven Marketing Methods to Help You Beat the Odds & Build a Successful Small or Home-Based Enterprise (Wiley).

The post Millionaires In Your Neighborhood appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Reaching Full Potential

Psychotherapist Helps Clients Achieve Happiness and Fulfillment Through His Life Coaching Business

Psychotherapist Jim Hjort is the founder of Right Life Project, an agency that helps people achieve happy and more fulfilled lives.

Psychotherapist Jim Hjort, LCSW, was just 10 years old and homeless when he thought of the idea for Right Life Project, an agency that helps people achieve the richest and most fulfilling lives possible. His interest in starting this life coaching business later gained momentum when he wrestled with depression throughout his early adulthood, despite having built a successful career in business. After decades of researching all manner of theories for fulfillment in life, Jim set out and launched his successful home-based life coaching business in 2013.

Right Life Project helps people understand how to handle the psychological, social, physical, and vocational dimensions of their lives in ways that enable them to be happier and more fulfilled, and to reach their full potential. “I provide people with the framework, guidance, and support to meet and exercise their deepest, unique needs and capacities in these areas,” Jim says.

Prior to founding Right Life Project, Jim worked as a psychiatric social worker, providing psychotherapy and case management services to people with severe mental illness. Before that, he worked in the private equity field, making high-yield debt investments in large hotel portfolios. Now, Jim manages Right Life Project from his home-based office. According to Jim, not having to commute, go to the cleaners, and prepare work meals is the greatest advantage of working from home. “The elimination of time ‘overhead’ is great, as it frees up several hours per week to pursue my mission,” Jim says.

Jim’s primary customers are people with an underlying dissatisfaction with their interpersonal relationships or career, as well as those who suffer from the sense that they lack direction or purpose. “We work with anyone who could use help in removing obstacles to the meeting and exercising of their unique constellation of human needs,” Jim says.

Jim promotes Right Life Project via his blog and podcast, authoring content for print and online publications, strategic use of social media, and in-person marketing via lectures, workshops, and classes in academic, commercial, and public settings. His greatest business achievement is “whenever a coaching (or psychotherapy) client, reader, or listener tells him he’s helped them make positive change.” In three years, Jim hopes to see Right Life Project with an improved (national) name recognition, a more robust corporate, executive, and creative-industry clientele, and new forms of service delivery. www.rightlifeproject.com

The post Reaching Full Potential appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Network Marketing Riches!

Expert Network Marketers Reveal The Keys To Achieving Network Marketing Success

By a Distinguished Panel of Online Experts

This issue of Home Business Magazine® covers network marketing — a hot and popular type of business within the home-based business industry. When we think of network marketing, companies such as Amway and Herbalife come to mind. Besides these two, there are also many other long-lasting reputable network marketing companies that home business owners can consider working with. A network marketing company recruits teams of sales people (distributors) to promote its products and services. These distributors in turn recruit their own teams of distributors and so on and so on, which creates a network of people that both use and promote the products or services of that network marketing company. The distributors are compensated not only for the sales they generate, but also for the sales of the distributors that they recruit. Each recruited team of distributors is referred to as a downline, and a downline can provide multiple levels of compensation. Besides the attractive compensation, people get involved in network marketing businesses for other advantages:

A network marketing business can be worked part-time or full-time with flexible hours;

A person can typically get involved with network marketing with little or no experience and for very low start-up costs; and

Training is typically provided by the network marketing company.

This story shares the advice and tips from network marketing experts on how to achieve network marketing success in 2015. You will discover how to: lay the foundation for network marketing success; take your network marketing strategy online; be successful in dealing with prospects and distributors; communicate with your network marketing team; turn knowledge and research into network marketing success; build your network marketing business on Twitter; blog and enhance your website for your network marketing business; create valuable content to sell network marketing; and be an effective network marketing leader. The advice and tips shared by these network marketing experts can help you grow and succeed in a network marketing business this year and onward.

Lay the Foundation for Network Marketing Success

By Gerard Cassagnol

You may have the passion, drive, and investment money to get a network marketing business started. You may also have the money to sustain yourself and your family while you build your network marketing business. You are ready. You have researched a number of network marketing companies that peak your business interest. And now it’s time to put them to the test. Here are eleven questions you must ask before going into business with a network marketing company that will assist you in laying the foundation for real success:

1. Is the company solid — financially and ethically?
2. Is there a real need in the marketplace for its services or products?
3. Do the products or services support themselves without offering the business opportunity?
4. Does the company have a real Internet presence?
5. Can you recruit online?
6. After the initial investment, how much can you expect to spend before you see a check?
7. How fast and how often does the company pay commissions?
8. Are checks direct deposited?
9. Is there a real potential for override income?
10. Is there potential for real residual income?
11. Is there real training?

If a company provides good, concrete answers to these questions, then it’s a good bet that going into business with that network marketing company will be a successful endeavor. HBM

Gerard Cassagnol is a professional writer and marketer of legal plans and identity theft plans for individuals, families, and small businesses. He has subscribed to a legal plan for more than 15 years and has been an advocate of affordable legal representation and legal coverage in the USA and Canada. Visit http://www.legalbizpro.com.

Take Your Network Marketing Strategy Online

By Dave O’Neill

You need the right strategy to have success in network marketing. Taking your network marketing strategies online is a wise move. It is the only way to truly fast-track and succeed in your business. A successful online strategy in network marketing is comprised of 3 fundamental things:

1. Building a list of prospects.

A universal truth is that every single top 1% earner in this industry has one thing in common: A HUGE LIST …whether that’s from their warm market, other people’s warm market, or building their list using the Internet. A great online strategy to do this is to create a “sales funnel” and to use it to capture leads for your network marketing business. The fastest way to do this is with a well-designed lead capture page and Solo Ad marketing. They are all simply designed to do one thing: build your list. A good sales funnel will help you to promote your network marketing opportunity and automate the relationship building process, thus freeing up your time to continue attracting more leads for your network marketing business. Use an autoresponder to automate your email follow up and drip market information about your business to your prospect.

2. Building a relationship with those prospects.

Here is a simple fact: People buy you, not your network marketing opportunity. So the next step is to build a powerful relationship with your list. Never lead with your network marketing opportunity first! Do not frequently post about your network marketing opportunity on social media, email, or blog posts. Provide your target market with value, and spend time building a relationship with them. They will be more likely to join you in your network marketing opportunity when they’ve gotten to know you better and have grown to trust you.

3. Marketing your goods and services to those prospects.

Once your prospects have gotten to know you better and have grown to trust you, they are more likely to buy whatever you are marketing. When you share a quality product or service with them that really helps them, they’ll love you for it! And they’ll be even more eager to buy something the next time you make a recommendation. It is exponentially easier to get a previous customer to buy from you again than it is to go get a new customer. Your list allows you to create a following of people that will buy from you again and again.

A final note on marketing — consistency. There’s really no such thing as emailing your list too much — as long as you are providing value. You’re building a long-term pipeline. Just because someone doesn’t buy from you or join your downline in the first few months doesn’t mean that they’re not going to. We all have circumstances — but they change over time. You never know when someone’s circumstances or situation has changed and are now open to your network marketing opportunity. HBM

After 10 plus years in network marketing, Dave O’Neill has discovered some simple but very effective methods to attract an endless stream of “ready to buy” and “ready to join” prospects to your business on autopilot! He shares five more exclusive insider training secrets in a must have blueprint to recruiting that you can get on his network marketing blog. Visit http://workwithdavenow.com.

 

Be Successful in Dealing with Prospects and Distributors

By Dennis Hampton

The following are five tips on how to be successful in dealing with prospects and distributors in your network marketing business:

Tip #1: Network marketing can be a game where you fight to sign up the most people. This is not the best way to look at what you’re doing, because you could end up hurting people and having a bad reputation, thus ending your career. Instead, think of how the work you do could help people, and work from there on your road to success.

Tip #2: Stay involved with your new network marketing distributors and help them through the process. Be there to help them call their lists and learn how to handle objections and close deals. Work with their strengths to set up strategies for them to succeed in your network marketing business. The personal touch will help you build strong relationships with your distributors.

Tip #3: Never inflate prices when network marketing unless you want to lose your network completely. There may be times when you’re not making as much as you want, but avoid raising the prices of anything above market value. People joining your network aren’t stupid; they’ll go elsewhere.

Tip #4: Keep the network marketing information you present to bite-sized levels. Dumping a ton of information onto prospects all at once is a huge turn off. People will think that there is too much involved for them to be able to succeed. You always have to keep people knowing that they too can achieve the level of success that you have. If you make it seem too difficult, you’ve taken that belief away.

Tip #5: Be careful with just how much information you give to your new prospects. Your goal is to build excitement and energy in the product. You want to give prospects information that gets them from being prospects to becoming members of your downline. Don’t try to sugar coat anything in your network marketing business, but you don’t need to spend time on a million details. HBM

Discover a blogging platform and marketing system that will take you from being a beginner to being a pro, and that will teach you everything you need to know while totally all the technical aspects of your marketing, and get you endless leads to promote all of your businesses starting today while earning 100% commissions. Visit http://dennishampton.com.

 

Communicate Closely with Your Network Marketing Team

By Lynne Mongell

To be successful in network marketing, it is important that you meet up with your team on a regular basis. If you want your team to work together, meet regularly, and devise a plan to help your team work towards their goals. Meetings are beneficial for each individual and for the team as a whole.

Your down line needs to be communicative and productive. Are they confused and overwhelmed? Offer to help them with their network marketing plans. Open up the channels of communication with your team and encourage them to see you as a valuable resource. Introduce your members to each other to encourage a broad base of interaction and support within your entire group. You need your group to be top-notch, and to be so it’s crucial to foster community.

Use your network, and get help from the other employees of your company. Do not hold off until the last minute before asking for help. Do not hide your issues; instead, act to resolve them quickly. To your success! HBM

Lynne Mongell has been a Health and Wellness Specialist for over 15 years. Lynne’s expertise is in a revolutionary way to help people lose weight naturally and easily, gain natural energy while optimizing one’s health for peak performance on a daily bases. Visit http://MyBodyMyHealthMyWay.bodybyvi.com or http://MyBodyMyHealthMyWay.myvi.net or email ljmconnect2@gmail.com.

Knowledge and Research = Network Marketing Success

By Jens Holvoet

If you implement these six tips into your network marketing business, you are sure to become successful.

Tip #1: If you have an idol within the network marketing industry, someone whose ethics and leadership skills you truly admire, mirror the way they operate. By emulating these role models, you can enhance your ability to act and think the way that they do, thereby increasing your successfulness.

Tip #2: Join and participate in online forums for succeeding with network marketing. You can find answers to questions, share tips of your own, or even find a mentor to help you one-on-one. Regularly visit a forum of your choice, and dedicate time to learning something new from your fellow members.

Tip #3: Find out about who people know. The way that you sell your products and recruit for your network should be designed to build enthusiasm and make people want to share the information you give them with friends. Only talk to those you know are serious about making a purchase or who have a very large network.

Tip #4: Give products a trial run prior to kicking off any marketing initiatives. You’ll be able to gain an advanced knowledge of the product which will allow you to sell it better. If the product is not very good, you may need to reassess why you are involved in trying to sell it.

Tip #5: Get a white board and write your goals on it as a constant reminder of what you are working for and of your long term strategy. What are your business goals? Envision what represents success for you — a new home, performance car, or anything else that represents achievement.

Tip #6: Stay on top of learning new network marketing techniques and strategies. In order to succeed, you should spend a significant amount of time reading books about social media, network marketing, and other outlets. Attending webinars hosted by successful network marketers can provide a plethora of useful information. If you’re more educated on the matter, you can be a great resource to others. HBM

Jens Holvoet is a multilingual (English, Dutch, French and German) entrepreneur who has built several successful online marketing businesses. His knowledge of online marketing strategies has definitely helped many people to achieve the lifestyle they were dreaming of. Being a College Graduate in the field of Psychology, Jens has always had the strong desire to help other people. Visit http://jensholvoet.com.

 

Build Your Network Marketing Business on Twitter

By Merv Stevens

Anything imaginable can be found online. The Internet provides us with the means to network with people of backgrounds and interests. If you’re seeking maximum online exposure, you should use social media to do so. While many marketing techniques require some training, you may already know how to execute some profitable strategies.

If you’re familiar with popular social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube, you’re halfway there. By becoming active within these online communities, you can attract significant attention to your network marketing opportunity.

Take a moment to consider the high volume of user traffic these websites experience daily. Marketing your network marketing business via social media can help you build a steady stream of highly targeted leads. HBM

Merv Stevens works in Internet and network marketing. He’s based in London, England. He is of the opinion that marketing online provides the potential for ordinary people to create a substantial income for themselves and to live a life filled with freedom and flexibility. Visit http://wealthsuccessventures.com.

Blogging and Website Tips for Your Network Marketing Business

By Charles Bewry

Get a team together to accomplish your network marketing tasks. You can have an in-house writing team, or you can outsource the work. Have them increase your web presence by writing blogs, creating photos and videos, and posting informative articles. You will soon see results in your network marketing business with the right team and a solid game-plan.

Post your photo on your network marketing website to add to your credibility. I’d highly recommend having a professional shot taken, but don’t make it look too serious or too friendly. A moving shot of you laughing could make you seem unreliable and goofy, but a shot of you without a smile will make you look rigid and cold. Try to get a photo that makes you look approachable and trustworthy.

A cost-effective, and simple, solution to your network marketing needs is to start your own blog. You can easily acquire a following, and generate more traffic to your products and services. Keep your posts interesting, and relevant to your network marketing business. You can then easily drum-up interest and success in your network marketing business without expense. HBM

Charles Bewry is a writer who specializes in home business and Internet marketing. You can check out his amazing site at http://www.BestNetworkMarketingSystem.com where he provides excellent reviews and buying advice for a wide range of affiliate products.

Creating Valuable Content to Sell Network Marketing

By Barbara Harrington

It is not necessary for you to approach people face-to-face in order to be successful with network marketing. By using the Internet, you can generate leads for your network marketing business around the clock and even while you sleep. If you are creating valuable content and distributing it on the Internet through your blog and social media channels, you will find it easy to generate a steady flow of leads.

Some people know how to sell network marketing using the Internet, but they approach it in the wrong way. One of the most common mistakes they make is to try and sell their products immediately or promote their network marketing business as a get rich quick scheme. This approach is very ineffective and can lead you to getting banned from many of the popular social media websites. Instead, you should be focused on creating helpful and useful content for your network marketing prospects.

For example, if you are in a network marketing business in the weight loss industry, you might create content which explains what foods are most likely to lead to an expanding waistline. You might create a video which explains the top foods which are filling but that have a low amount of calories. You could create a slideshow presentation which details the biggest traps for dieters. This is useful content that people will be interested in and will share with their own friends and family. It also attracts qualified network marketing prospects that are likely to be interested in the solution that you are going to offer them. When you create valuable content, network marketing prospects start to view you as an expert — a source of information which will help them to solve their problems and achieve their goals. They are also much more likely subscribe to your email marketing lists and to provide you with permission to get in contact with them. HBM

Barbara Harrington is a well respected network marketer and has grown several different home-based businesses using the same revolutionary techniques that she shares in her free report entitled, “The No-Nonsense Facts To Making A Six Figure Income In Less Than 12 Months.” For a copy, visit http://barbh.leadingmlmresource.com.

Effective Leadership is Essential for Network Marketing Success

By Dr. Joe Rubino

Effective network marketing leaders execute bold action plans that move their businesses and lives in a forward manner. Their visions as successful network marketing leaders will encompass every aspect of their businesses and lives. Leaders take responsibility for manifesting their visions by formulating specific, detailed and grounded action plans that will bring them about. They continually evaluate whether their actions are sufficient in quantity and effective enough in quality to make their visions come true.

Network marketing leaders are well served to evaluate the efficacy of their actions on a weekly basis and make the adjustments necessary to realize their goals. They realize that in order to inspire others and generate results, their actions must be consistent over time and persistent in frequency to insure the results desired. Successful network marketing leaders know their enrollment ratios; that is, they know how many prospects they will need to speak with, on average, in order to identify and develop an on-fire, do-whatever-it-takes leader. They execute a long-term daily action commit to speak with a minimum number of prospects about their business every day so that, based upon their success ratios, they will bring about the number of new leaders necessary to build a business dynasty.

Effective network marketing leaders instill belief in the network marketing concept, their company, products, income opportunity, and their own leadership abilities as well as those of their partners. HBM

Dr. Joe Rubino is an internationally acclaimed network marketing and personal development trainer, a life-changing success coach, an accomplished Internet marketer, and the best-selling author of 12 books and 2 CD sets on topics ranging from how to achieve network marketing success, and personal and leadership development, to restoring self-esteem and maximizing business productivity. Visit http://www.CenterForPersonalReinvention.com or http://www.SelfEsteemSystem.com, call 888-821-3135, or email drjoe@drjoerubino.com.

Steps to Success in Network Marketing and in Life

By Merv Stevens

1. Provide quality products and services.
2. Offer great value.
3. Use proven marketing strategies.
4. Have a winning mindset.
5. Treat people with respect.
6. Act ethically and with integrity.

If you consistently do these six steps, you can definitely be successful in your network marketing business and in all areas of your life. HBM

Visit http://wealthsuccessventures.com.

Buying Appropriate Network Marketing Software

By Ventaforce

When buying network marketing software, ensure that it is a reputable brand and that the makers do have prior experience in the similar domain.

The network marketing software should be versatile enough to adapt to any future needs of the business and should be robust enough to maintain innumerable records as well as generate reports at the click of a button.

This, in turn, would take care of all of the paperwork, leaving you free to pursue other tasks of your network marketing business. HBM

Use our assistance in getting back in the network marketing business. Contact us at sales@ventaforce.com/ or by visiting www.ventaforce.com.

Network Marketing Success

Network marketing can offer you the products, services, compensation, flexibility, affordability, and training that you’ve been looking for in a home-based business. Check out the table of network marketing companies in this issue. Do the necessary research on the companies that interest you. Whether you are planning to get started in network marketing or you are currently involved with a network marketing company, follow the advice and tips suggested by the panel of network marketing experts in this article. By taking action, you can achieve network marketing success. For additional information on network marketing, visit http://expo.homebusinessmag.com/ or http://www.articlesbase.com/. HBM

 

The post Network Marketing Riches! appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Recession-Busters

Ten Ways to Keep Your Business Strong During Economic Turmoil

By Steven Strauss

There is no doubt that this is a tough time to own and run a home-based business. Credit is tight, the economy is tighter, and the light at the end of the tunnel seems a bit far off. So what is the home-based entrepreneur to do?

Fear not! That’s what. There are ways to not only survive these lean times, but thrive. Here are 10 tried and true ways to keep your business strong during tough times:

1. Apply 80-20 to Customers and Products

The 80-20 Rule states that 80 percent of your business comes from 20 percent of your customers (or, similarly, products.) The 80-20 rule is now more important than ever. Remember who your most important customers are, your vital 20 percent that create 80 percent of your income, and take extra special good care of them. Offer them more, for less, and give them exceptional service.

And while you are at it, work at targeting customers similar to your best ones. Think about how you landed your best customers and recreate that effort, wooing other potentially great customers. You will need them.

2. Hustle, Then Hustle Some More

However it is that you get customers, do it, and then do more of it. And then keep doing it. If it’s an advertising campaign, keep it going, and even consider expanding it. If it’s cold calling, call more. If you network, join more networks and get out there even more.

The sad truth is that some of the people who buy from you now are going to stop buying from you in the next six months to a year. Either they will have gone out of business, or they will find your goods or services cheaper elsewhere, or they will be tightening their belt and will cut back on whatever it is you offer. Whatever the reason, expect to lose some important customers. As such, you have to start replenishing the coffers now.

3. Lower Your Prices

In the coming months, everyone will be looking for a bargain, so consider giving them one. Have a sale. Lower some prices. Give away some time.

4. Get The Credit You Deserve

With many large banks now partially owned by the government and with the credit crunch not nearly uncrunched, you may find that getting the credit you need to either grow or even just keep things afloat may be hard to get; big banks are not the friends to small business that they once were. That said, small banks still are our friend, and that’s where to go now.

Community banks are still making loans, are still offering lines of credit, and still say yes. Why? There are a couple of reasons. Small regional banks have always been run conservatively, so few have bad loans on the books. Many are local institutions, with deep roots and significant assets. Similarly, credit unions may also be a good place to go for a loan right now. Like local banks, credit unions are not exposed to the same risks that big banks are. As such, local credit unions have seen their portfolio of small business loans increase.

>> FREE Business-Building Information. Subscribe to the E-NEWSLETTER from Home Business Magazine. Generate More Income!

5. Try New, Inexpensive Marketing

When times get tough, you have three options for keeping things afloat: You can cut back, borrow (good luck!), or make more.

Increasing your sales need not be overly expensive. There are all sorts of inexpensive shoestring marketing methods available. The important thing is that you try out some new, affordable marketing methods so as to keep the old cash spigot open.

6. Keep Your Overhead Low

One of the true advantages of running a business from home is that you are really keeping your overhead low. You don’t pay rent or commuting costs, and that is a big deal. Bravo! But you have to keep that mindset going if you are to survive and thrive in this economic environment. Can you reduce insurance costs? What about turning an employee into an independent contractor? Can you find your products cheaper elsewhere?

But remember this too: Whatever cost-cutting measures you employ, just be sure not to cut back in those areas that get you business, especially your advertising and marketing.

7. Get Some Corporate Clients

Corporations have bigger budgets than small businesses or consumers, and they also tend to be pretty loyal. They can help keep you going in lean economic times. Here’s how you can get some of that corporate money:

Locate some companies that need what you sell: Look local, consider businesses you buy from, do some online research. Make a list of possible targets. Identify the people in charge: Find out who the manager is who may need what it is you sell and introduce yourself, either by e-mail, a letter, or better — in person.

Remember, you have to be able to solve a problem they have: You need to show the company in question generally, and the manager to whom you are pitching specifically, that you have a product or service they need and that by buying from you, you will be solving a problem they have. So before ever even making that first phone call, educate yourself about the company. Find their pain points and be ready to explain how you can alleviate them.

Know with whom you are dealing: Corporate managers are busy people who have to justify the decisions they make to higher-ups. You will need a dynamic presentation and need to follow up, and then follow up some more. Show them that you are the best choice for this expenditure such that they can explain it to their manager (and their manager’s manager.) A proven track record helps, as do testimonials from other companies with whom you have worked.

Appreciate budgets: Every department and every manager has a budget. When they buy from you it means they will not be spending their money elsewhere, so you really need to be able to show them that this expenditure is the best use of their limited budgetary dollars.

Have a dynamite proposal and presentation: A good business proposal explains your idea, simply and logically. It will be easy to read and understand. It will explain to the reader, who may know nothing about your idea, what the proposition is and how it will work. It will also avoid jargon and hyperbole.

Follow up: We’re all busy these days, and no news is not necessarily bad news.

>> Visit the HBM EXPO! Hundred’s of Home-Based Businesses, Franchises & Opportunities to Choose From!

8. Use Some E-Tools

We are living in a brave, new digital age. Hop on the bus, or it will pass you by. There is a plethora of exciting, new options are available today to help you succeed in business. I have a pal whose e-newsletter is vital to his business, and his business has to do with cars. One colleague uses free e-books to generate 60 percent of his new business. So, whether it is your web site, your e-newsletter, a viral video, or whatever, all of these tools can work together to create a multitude of new ways to attract new customers, sell more, and market better — inexpensively and powerfully.

9. Start A Blog

When blogging first made its way into our consciousness a few years ago, I was as skeptical as they come. Was I really heard to remark, “It’s the CB radio of our time!” Yes, I was. But, hallelujah! I see the light! I’ve become a convert. How much so? Yes, I have just launched my own blog, Business as Unusual (www.MrAllBiz.com/blog).

What I get now about blogging is that it is a great — inexpensive — way to communicate with the world in ways that were unheard of only a few years ago. It is a chance to create a more personal, interactive, human communication with your customers, vendors, employees, and other people. Prior to blogging, there were really very few ways to create that personal bond, especially with customers. Blogs allow you to get, as they say, up close and personal. That creates rapport, and rapport leads to business.

Blogs can also:

– Build a sense of community: By sharing your expertise in a blog, you connect with a lot more people. And as they respond to your posts, a community is created.

– Allow you to gently plug products and services: But importantly, you are not doing so in an abrasive way. Using the conversational style that is the hallmark of a good blog allows you to share business products in a friendly way.

– Boost your search engine optimization (SEO): By their very nature, blogs incorporate the hallmarks of good SEO: Keywords and links. And, as people respond to your blog, more keywords show up.

– Help make you an authority: I can tell you that being published, even if it’s only your own blog, gives you gravitas.

– Give you valuable feedback: By seeing what customers say about your posts, your blog offers valuable feedback.

The key to a good blog is to be frank, conversational, interesting, and insightful.

10. Do Something Better Than Anyone Else

Finally, there really is no substitute for the basics. People hire you because you do something well. In this tough economy especially, it is vital that you do your core function better than ever.

The best, most successful, most “popular” home-based businesses do their main job exceptionally well. These folks know that, while there are all sorts of things that go into the small business success equation — having sufficient capital, great employees, customer service, and so on — the most important thing is that they are great at doing that thing they are hired to do.

Here’s a simple, but significant, example: We have a housekeeper that we love. Now, that is no small thing. My sweet wife is a bit of a clean freak and over the past few years we have had a hard time finding someone worth keeping around. Then we met Nona. You can tell when Nona has been to the house — it’s sparkling clean, and every nook and cranny has been mopped or scrubbed, shined, or cleaned. It’s no wonder then that we have recommended her to several of our friends. It’s also not surprising that Nona’s dance card is full. Nona is a reminder that people patronize your business because you can perform a service they cannot or do not want to do, or you offer a product they want or need.

If you do that adequately, they may come back, but probably not. If you are good at it, they will likely become your customers. But if you are great at it, they will become your cheerleaders and you will get that all-important buzz. You get people to come back time and again, and give you that much desired word-of-mouth-advertising, when you do what it is you are supposed to do exceptionally well.

The good news in a bad economy is this: Over the past 10 years, there have been several times where we all felt that the economic sky was falling: in 2000 when the dotcom bubble burst, in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, and now. We made it through during those tough times, and we can make it again. The important thing is to continue to be smart businesspersons. Take calculated smart risks. Be wise with your money, and don’t forget to have some fun and be a good boss to yourself. HBM

Steve Strauss is often called “America’s Small Business Expert.” You can sign up for his free newsletter “Small Business Success Secrets!” at his website – the all new www.MrAllBiz.com. V16-6 Add: 04/10 HP: 11/15/10  CAR: 5/15/11

The post Recession-Busters appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

50+ Business Start-Ups in a Recession

Looking at Home-Based Business Ideas for Tought Times.

Ideas are everywhere. Your imagination and dreams can carry you into a most successful home-based business, in spite of the current tough economic times. We will look at some home-based business ideas, which almost anyone can do with ease, and with little start up cash.

The idea with having your own home-based business is to use what you know how to do, incorporate it into your own series of ideas, and then create a business plan that will work for you. Your home-based business may be simple or it may be complex, but the key to success is doing what you do best and enjoying it. If you enjoy doing the work, you will be far more likely to work hard to make it work for you. You will experience the joy of being your own boss and creating the image you want to portray of your business.

Think about how you can draw the following 50+ home-based business ideas into your plans, and use one or more of them to create your own home-based business. Let’s get started.

1. Online Auctions – One of the simplest ways to make money online is by selling items at online auctions. Many home-based entrepreneurs have joined wholesaler’s networks and have found supply sources to get items at a reasonable rate and sell them at a much higher rate than purchased. There are several ways to work this moneymaking method, including buying items at garage sales, auctions, and estate sales, and then reselling them. Some of the hottest selling items are replica jerseys, autographed merchandise, computer items, and cameras. Develop a plan to maintain a watch over the items you are selling, and keep track of the sale of the item. Set the item aside when it is sold, so that when you get the money for it you are ready to mail it.

2. Collectibles Dealer – Here’s one way to work this home-based business. As a collectibles dealer, look in your local newspaper and on bulletin boards in stores, and wherever you shop for estate or auction sales. Read the list to get an idea of what is being sold and determine whether or not you want to attend this sale.

Sought after items include vintage dolls. Many adults have an impressive collection of dolls. Some of these dolls are handmade, while others are made in factories. Still others may wish to purchase porcelain dolls, clay dolls, wooden dolls, dolls of historical figures. This opportunity can be a true moneymaker.

3. Computer Training/Program Installation Service – You can make a good income by providing private lessons to persons with new computers. Many persons simply have no knowledge of how to use the basic programs on a computer. If you are patient, caring, and want to help people, there are a number of places for you to do business.

Many people purchase computers knowing nothing about adding programs, updating programs, and installation of programs. In this simple to do business, you can either work out your own location or work on site where the computer is located. The customer calls you and has either bought or wants you to buy a computer program for their computer. You take a little time to show them how to start the program and get them up and running. In the price that you have included is the option for them to call you for the next several days and ask questions.

4. Computer Upgrade Service – There are any numbers of ways to work this home-based business. First, visit the computer store selling software and upgrades, and ask to place your business cards on the counter. Talk to the sales persons and the manager, and explain to them the benefit of having you work on an on call basis. You may either go to the person’s home or pick up the computer and take it to your place.

5. Word Processing – This home-based business can be done online as well as locally and nationally. There are any numbers of sites on the Internet where you can “bid” on jobs.

6. Vacation Rentals – This home-based business will take some legwork and some advertising, but the best way to operate this business is to look around for persons who may wish to rent or sublease their vacation homes when they are not living in them. This is a big business for persons living in any popular vacation site. One of the hottest spots to locate persons to sublet property is in areas where family vacations are most welcome. Places such as Branson, MO, Eureka Springs, AR, and Hot Springs, AR are places where families can get together in a family style setting and have fun while they relax.

7. Dollhouse Maker – There is a huge market, yet unexplored, for dollhouse making. Throughout the USA and Canada, there are persons who make and collect miniature furniture and figures for dollhouses. They buy these figures and furniture, often theme or collections, to display as part of their hobby. These people may look for years to find the right handmade dollhouse for their figures.

8. Novelty Items – These fun items are everywhere and sold almost anywhere. They can be theme items, or just fun items. Some novelty items to consider making are ID tags for animals and their friends. The ideas for making ID tags are practically endless, as you carve names on tags for human and animals alike. Market them in gift shops, specialty shops, pet stores, etc.

Other novelty items to consider making are key chains. You can cut wood or metal, add figures with paint, carving, wood-burning, beads, etc. to design any number of different shapes and styles of key chains. These novelty items can be made and sold quite easily. You can set them up in a place with heavy traffic, foot and automobile, or in a shop. People are always looking for something new and different. Try setting up a site at a “tail gate” party or at a swap meet, and watch what happens.

9. Organizing/Decorating Children’s Rooms – Children’s rooms are often a living nightmare for parents. You can help solve this dilemma for them with your organization and decorating service. An ad in the local paper, or on bulletin boards, and word of mouth will get you stared.

Here’s how this works: You make an appointment with the person needing your help and make an evaluation of the child’s room. This is done under an agreement of a non-refundable fee per hour for consultation. You take your camera along with you and snap pictures, making notes of location of windows, doors closets, etc. Measure closets, etc. Talk with the client to determine whether they have a theme idea or any ideas what they would like done to the child’s room. You may suggest items such as wooden clothes racks in animal shapes, etc. Find out from the client what spending limits they have in mind to organize the room, and then work up a plan to fit his or her needs. If your ideas surpass your customer’s budget, present him or her with a basic plan with add-on options. The basic plan can be used over and over again, adding options and expanding the work the customer wants done.

10. Photographer – If you have an eye for photography, then you will be an instant hit. In many areas, you can work as a freelance photographer and make a good income. You can work this business in several ways, depending upon your own needs. Take pictures and sell them, photographing children, babies, weddings, celebrations, and parties.

11. Publicist – Many groups or organizations cannot afford a full-time publicist to handle press releases, new product information, and other pertinent information about the products they sell. You work with the company to supply information and press releases using materials provided to you by the group, and you get paid for it. This is an easy-to-do business, and home-based entrepreneurs can charge $25–$50+ per hour for the work they do.

12. Printer – Design and print your own line of greeting cards which include birthday, wedding, graduation, get well, thinking of you, encouragement, and sympathy cards. Create new and original messages in your cards, and sell them in packets of 10.

13. Storyteller – If you have a good imagination and a flair for telling stories, then you can create a home-based story-telling business. Just think of the different ways you can work a business like this one. Let your imagination soar as you prepare to tell the stories to adults, children, senior adults, family gatherings, historical events, etc.

14. Yard Decorations – This is another home-based business idea for people who work with their hands. You can use metal or plywood to create your designs. It all depends upon you. Have you ever driven down the road and seen a duck, cow, cat, bear, cowboy, or horse, cut out in anyone’s yard? Did you ever wonder where they got these decorations? From people like you or from garden stores is the most likely source. If you have a jigsaw or can wield a paintbrush, then you can give life to these creatures. Seasonal themes are especially popular. When you find out how much these items sell for, making and selling them gets more interesting than ever.

15 – 37. Writing – There are any number of home-based business ideas for persons who enjoy writing. Because we are limited in space, we will list a few of the types of services you can offer as a writer, realizing you already know how to make these services work.

15.  Letter writing
16.  Poetry
17.  Medical reports
18.  Business reports
19. Proofreading
20. Editorial services
21. Research
22. Copywriting
23. Play writer
24. Non-fiction writer
25. Technical writer
26. Term paper writer
27. Genealogy/family histories
28. Fiction writer
29. Puzzle maker
30. Trivia writer
31. Ad writer
32. Ghostwriter
33. Proposal writer
34.  Newsletter writer
35. Course writer
36. Booklet writer
37. “How to” information books

38 – 59. Secretarial Services – Yet another area where most people can fit in and make money is through having their own type of secretarial service. You can work as a “temp,” or you can work “freelance” providing any type and number of services for your clients. Here are some of the types of services you may offer:

38. Mailing service
39. Faxing service
40. Resume writer
41. Business reports
42. Term papers
43. Screenplays
44. Programs
45. Bulletins
46. Newsletters
47. Invoices
48. Financial reports
49. Business letters
50. Collection letters
51. Legal documents
52. Scripts for television
53. Dissertations
54. Manuscript typing
55. Editing
56. Filing
57. Mailing lists
58. Medical reports
59. Legal documents 

Who says coming up with a home-based business in tough economic times is difficult? It isn’t! All you need to do is to learn how to do your business, how to promote it, and how to get started. Most home-based businesses speak for themselves. When you produce quality services and products, people will want to come back and do business with you again. Just look around you to see what is needed. Where can you fit into supplying a need or solving a problem? What ideas can you generate which will make someone’s life a little better?

A home-based business gives you a chance to set your sites on unlimited growth and money making potential when you learn how to create and run your business using the right strategy. With your own home-based business, you aren’t threatened by layoffs and down-sizing in these tough economic times, like the big corporations are.  More than likely, you already know what you can do but haven’t set a plan into action. Now is the time to get started and to make money from home. HBM 

V17-4 Add: 4/11 HP: ? CAR: 9/19/11 EXPO: ?

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The post 50+ Business Start-Ups in a Recession appeared first on Home Business Magazine.