Thursday, September 29, 2005

57 Ways to Advertise On and Offline



Keep in mind, many of these options require
specific permission from the places specified.
The last thing you want to do is give your
business a bad name by "illegally" placing your
ads there. Usually if you politely ask, the answer
may be "yes." The worst that can happen is
they'll say "no" and then you can pick another
place.

1. Bumper stickers

2. Flyers

3. Business cards (Self-Made or VistaPrint)

4. PersonalizedT-shirts

5. Message boards

6. Free classifieds

7. Ezines

8. Paid ads

9. Postcards

10. Purchased leads

11. Bookmarks for libraries

12. Co-ops

13. Newsgroups

14. Word of mouth(friends and family)

15. Forwarded emails (Signature Line!)

16. Inexpensive lapel buttons

17. Pens to hand out

18. Welcome baby cards for hospitals

19. Request 5 mins at the beginning of different
mom groups (MOPS, Breastfeeding classes,
Lamaz classes, wherever moms may be that are
interested in what you offer)

20. Create a tri-fold: More info type handout that
briefly explains your business. Attach a mini
sample & your business card.

21. Welcome baskets of samples + business card
to newcomers in the area

22. Community Colleges (lots of moms
w/computers there)

23. Put a business card in all outgoing mail
including anything that has a postage paid
envelope! 24. Visit establishments you do
business with (doctor's office, health food stores,
karate/dance studios,etc) and ask if you can
leave flyers or brochures

25. Car magnets - You can put magnets all over
your car without asking anyone

26. Bookmarks in library books should be cleared
with the librarians first


27. Index cards - leave in restrooms at
restaurants or on cork boards around grocery
stores

28. Get a booth at school events and share what
you offer.

29. Check into an ad in school sponsored
publications (directories, PTA booklets, etc). A
great targeted audience and usually very
affordable.

30. Set up a "free giveaway/free info" box in any
store that will give you permission.

31. Post flyers at apartment complexes if they will
allow it.

32. Under windshield wipers of cars of people
who attend your Church

33. Sending a pamphlet with a business card with
your child to hand out to everyone in his/her
class to take home to mommy and daddy (or to
each teacher)

34. Buy a pre-inked, personalized stamp and put
your ad on it. Stamp the back of all your
envelopes that you mail out. Do you know how
many people look at an envelope before it gets
opened by the mail department? A LOT!

35. Biz cards in the side pockets of diaper bags
while shopping

36. Junk mail with the postage paid envelopes, I
send a flyer back to the company and it's free
postage!

37. On our light poles are clear tubes for the park
owners to put flyers and stuff in

38. Gift basket raffles at Church bazaars, fish
fries at your local community hall, any small town
function (biz card in the basket) and biz cards on
the table next to it

39. Lots of people love raffles -

40. ALSO make gift baskets (if you sell a product
that would work for this) for family, friends,
neighbors, etc. for birthdays, anniversaries,
Christmas, baby showers, bridal showers - you
have to buy a gift anyway - make it a VERY
SPECIAL one!

41. Replying to spam email with own business ad.

42. Give your business cards to friends and
family and ask them to give them out to people
they know that might be interested. But turn
your business card over and put their name on it
and offer an incentive for prospects they send
you.

43. Put up flyers at the local colleges and large
grocery stores

44. Slip biz cards into kids books and toy
packaging

45. Slip pamphlets children's books at the
bookstore

46. In the women's devotional bibles in the
Christian book store I put my card and a pamphlet

47. I left pamphlets by the change machine in the
mall arcade too!

48. Use vinyl letters on the sun visor for your car
to show your site

49. Use the old metal Band-Aid or gum
tins&recover them, put a magnet on the back,
then put your business cards in them. Attach this
to your car when you go into a store

50. If you go to garage sales, ask if you can leave
a few of your flyers there.

51.My husband and I own a Tractor Trailer (18
wheeler Rig) that travels all over the USA. We
have a sign company preparing an ad for the
back of the trailer right now.
If anyone knows any Owner Operators, they
could approach them to ask how much they
would charge for advertising on their trailer!

52.Leave a business card with your tip for your
waiter/waitress.

53.Put brochures/flyers on car windshields at
your kids sporting events.

54.I really like the idea of purchasing cheap seed
packets (WAL-MART for $.10/each) and putting a
cute tag on them with my pertinent info on it as
well as a saying such as "I'm in the business of
helping people grow".

55.If you offer applicable products, pass out
sample sizes at school events packaged cleverly
with your business card

56.Business cards with a magnetic back really
"stick" in people's minds as well as on their
refrigerator!

57.Call all the malls and hospitals in your area to
see when they are having a baby expo...when
they are I go and walk around and pass out
business cards and/ or brochures

NOTE: This list was taken from a post by "Karie"
on the biz-whiz work from home community forum.
The post is at:
http://biz-whiz.com/PNphpBB2-viewtopic-t-3957--.html

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Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Home-Based Business Success - Six Essential Elements



The Home-based, network marketing industry is huge. Network marketing accounts for over $23 billion in direct sales of goods and services in the United States alone, according to a recently published New York Times best seller. 15% the US workforce is self employed and this number is increasing exponentially as more and more employees become disillusioned with long commutes, schedule inflexibility, office politics and other ills of corporate America. A recent survey listed schedule flexibility as the single most important benefit an employer could offer.

While schedule flexibility and lifestyle go hand-in-hand with network marketing, financial success is not assured unless the network marketer had a firm grasp on the six elements of success. Pay close attention to what I am about to share with you, it can save you weeks, months and in some cases years of struggle as you build your home-based network marketing company.

Essential Elements of Success

1. INTEGRITY

There are over 1,000 different already existing home based network marketing businesses. Take the time to find one that works for you. Do you believe in the product? Do you personally use it? Do you trust the organization? If you answered no or are uncertain- then GET OUT - if you do not trust in what you are doing/selling - your prospects will not trust you. No opportunity is worth compromising your integrity over - you will only end up the looser.

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. ~ William James


2. MEANINGFUL GOALS

Know your why. What are the goals you are seeking to achieve? Set short, medium and long term goals. Create a vision of already having achieved your goal and focus on it for at least 5 minutes twice daily. Create wallet cards with your three goals pictured or listed. Take out and use like a credit card to charge your goal achievement vision. Set an "achieve by" date for each of your goals. Be sure to set your goals high enough so that you are truly required to stretch for achievement. What do you truly desire? A new home, a vacation with your family, a specific material object? The important thing to remember is this: the number one reason why people do not get what they want is because they do not know what they want.

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. ~ Zig Ziglar


3. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Focus on your personal growth and development. If you desire permanent improvements in your personal and financial life you must improve and grow from the inside out. Turn off the negative bombardment of television, newspapers and toxic talk radio. Read powerful, uplifting biographies of leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Lee Iacocca. Seek your own personal inspirational and spiritual leaders. Read actively from authors such as Andy Andrews, Norman Vincent Peale, Napoleon Hill, Deepak Chopra. Keep a journal daily of your insights, thoughts and feelings, obstacles. You will be amazed at your progress in just a short few days. Get moving - physical exercise is vital for personal growth. Do what you can and push your limits a bit more each day.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ~ Ancient Chinese proverb


4. SEEK WISDOM

If you expect to achieve success you must surround yourself with success. Seek the wisdom and counsel of people who are achieving results you desire. Mastermind with them frequently. Successful people know that their success is more fully assured when they assist others. Be a sponge for knowledge. Offer to assist in any way you can. And above all, remove yourself from the presence of negative whiners. Success hides for whiners. Only those individuals who seek success, spend time with successful people and have the sincere expectation of success will find it.

I am who my friends are. If I associate with chickens I will learn to scratch at the ground and squabble over crumbs. If I associate with eagles I will learn to fly. ~Andy Andrews


5. CREATE A WORKABLE DAILY METHOD OF OPERATION

Write a daily schedule and plan otherwise known as Daily Method of Operation (DMO). Choose the number of hours each week that are required for success in your home -based business. Most opportunities require 4 hours a day 4-5 days per week. Once you have regularly applied Success Element #5 you will clearly understand the time required to duplicate the success of leaders in your organization.. Be sure to create your daily plan with your own unique scheduling requirements in mind. For example - I specifically schedule time for my daily run, volunteer work at my son's school and carpooling to hockey practice into my DMO as well as time for specific business activities such as lead generation, prospecting, follow-up and marketing. The key here is to have a routine and stick to it despite any daily challenges or temporary obstacles.

The challenge is not to manage time, but to manage ourselves. ~ Steven Covey


6. DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

Cultivate the expectation of leadership in yourself and in others. You went into business for yourself to provide both a substantial income as well as a fulfilling lifestyle. This is the dream and desire of 97% of the American workforce. You are now living their dream; allow your leadership to be a beacon of hope for others who do not yet posses the courage you have shown. This is the essence of leadership.

A leader is a dealer in hope. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet. ~ Theodore M. Hesburgh

Practice these six Essential Elements of Success on a daily basis and I guarantee you that your business, as well as your personal life will flourish!

About the Author:

Karen Peake is a successful network marketing business owner who specializes is helping others achieve their income and lifestyles goals. Her previous careers have included real estate broker, corporate executive, and most recently a middle school English teacher. Karen lives with her husband Jim and son Christopher in Marblehead, Massachusetts. When not working with her associates and prospects Karen loves to race her yacht, ski, and travel with her family throughout the world. For more information on her network marketing business visit http://work-at-home-now.us. Copyright 2005 Karen Peake of Peake Associates. This article may be freely distributed of this resource box remains attached.

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Friday, September 23, 2005

Can You Really "Strike Gold" Online?



I guess human nature leads us to this about every 30 - 50
years.

As a history major, I studied the gold rush of 1849, the
19th century oil booms, the stock market hustles of the late
1920's, the get rich-quick mail order schemes of the 1950's
and 60's and now the "Internet" gold rush of the late 1990's
and early 21st century.

When people perceive someone else getting rich with little
or no effort, they jump on the band wagon seeking fame and
fortune.

In reality, in any "gold rush," the ones who really get rich
represent the exception.

Unfortunately, people perceive those "exceptions" as the
rule, rather than the special cases they actually represent.

But, if you're bound and determined that you can be one of
the "chosen few" who get rich online, the following tips
will save you years of frustration.

** Little Oil Wells **

Don't try to get rich online with one gold
or oil "strike!"

Most people I know who do very well online
operate multiple websites targeting multiple niche markets.

They sell many products and make their money by creating
multiple streams of income rather than depending on a single
website to stake their claim for online riches.

** Solve Problems **

People go online to solve problems.

Whether they need to improve their job interview skills or
find a winter coat and hat for their Chihuahua, they want to
find products or knowledge they don't currently possess.

The more pressing the problem, the easier and faster these
people will buy.

The easiest way to make a fortune online involves finding
the most severe problems you can and charging for the
solutions.

** Sweat, Not Money **

Most people want to throw money at a problem and hope that
will get them what they desire.

This fact keeps the "get-rich-quick" schemers in business.

However, the best way to make money online involves getting
your hands dirty, learning a market inside and out,
discovering what they want to buy and why, and then selling
it to them.

Contrary to popular belief, throwing money at a problem
often won't solve it.

** Don't Compete **

The fastest way to make a fortune online involves persuading
other people to sell your product or service for you as an
affiliate.

However, nobody sells a product or service for someone they
perceive as "competition."

You must position your product or service in such a way that
others will eagerly promote it for you because they see you
as someone who complements what they already offer.

** Wants vs. Needs **

Circus and publicity guru, P.T. Barnum, expressed it best,
"People will spend their last nickel to have fun!"

People always find a way to buy what they want, but often
avoid spending on what they need.

** The Underwear Myth **

The "make money in your underwear at the kitchen table
working only 1 or 2 hours a day" represents the biggest
crock of !@#$% ever foisted on the public.

Anyone I know who makes a lot of money at anything, busts
their buns to get their projects off the ground.

Once they get a business up and running, it might only take
a couple of hours a day or week to keep it running, but they
worked their fingers to the bone to get things rolling.

And the real secret to their success: they repeat the
process over and over again!

About the author:

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the
creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-
step and click-by-click how to finally create your own
money-making mini-sites...


"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up
Your OWN Moneymaking 'Mini' Websites... Without Being a
Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying
Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!"

Click Here => http://www.MiniSiteCreator.com

© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com

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Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Tips From and For a Home Business Entrepreneur

Welcome back wonderful readers! Today's home business tip is actually an article with some great tips for entrepreneurs who work at home or have their own home based business. It's a very good read. Enjoy!

===============================================

Tips From and For a Home Business Entrepreneur

"Don't under-estimate the future of home business" "is the First Tip. Its little wonder that its gaining such phenominal popularity across the globe. International Telework Association & Council (ITAC), Telecommuting or Home-Based Telework by U.S. Employees has grown by more than 40 Percent since 2001.

Home business can be done in two ways. Either the office you work in (your regular 9-5 job) gives you work that you can do from home (at least some part of it) or you start your own home business side by side that can go along with your regular job which you will work on in your spare time. After office or during weekends or both.

This article will concentrate on "how to start one's own home business." First of all it is not necessary to have your own product to sell. I would rather advise that one join an affiliate program that will help a newbie to learn the ropes better. Affiliate programs are also a guide to how to go about setting up a successful home business. By becoming an affiliate you learn while you earn. A good and legitimate affiliate program will teach you strategies and techniques to succeed in your home business. Also it's free to join an affiliate program.

"Home business will not give you immediate returns." When you are in a sudden need of cash or immediate liquidity, you should join a salaried job, since you start earning as soon as you have taken up the job. Home business is a good idea when you want to see yourself in a better finanical position 1 and a half or 2 years from now. If you make up your mind and about it, believe me, (touch wood) you'd be in a kind of position, you couln't have imagined for yourself. Life absolutely secure, in contro and finanically sound. Quick and fast buck is not what you should aim at in home business. If that is what you are looking for, I'd like to say it without sounding rude, please look elsewhere. At the same time, let me assure you once money starts pouring, it can double every month if efforts are consistent and appropriate.

Home business offers flexible working hours. When I had a regular job going, I worked early in the mornings and during the weekends. It offers conveniences such as not having to dress up for office or commute in traffic. There is" no getting away from hard work "though. Being your own boss hardly means "nobody's looking". It means "nobody other than yourself writes your pay check for you"! To give yourself a big paycheck, you are required to put in big efforts.

Home business is a synonym for "secure your future by adding another stream of income" to your kitty. Most people start working at home part time and end up quitting their regular job so make home business their full time occupation. "Do I know anybody firsthand who does home business and makes money online? " Yes. ME. My Down Line. Believe me, my up line is very rich and influential.

I started working at home because I was fed up of meeting deadlines, mood swings and expectations of some 15 people I was reporting to at different times. I couldn't have lived like this for the rest of my life. So I explored the possibility of starting a home business, which I could do with my regular job going. I found one. A great team leader came free with it. I launched a website of my own. Learnt the strategies to build and grow my home business. slowly I started generating income. I was becoming comfortable and aware of this new world and was beginning to enjoy it. Launched my 2nd website. I am happy and financially much better off. I am confident everybody can be successful in home business. it just requires determination. Forget experience, I had no exposure to computer or internet beyond emailing. So don't worry about "how will you do it". Worry about this attitude! Re-arrange it! You CAN.

About the author:

The author is Purva Mewar, webmaster of two Work at Home Business websites http://www.yesearnfromhome.com and http://www.work-at-home-earn-extra-income.com You are welcome to send her your queries related to home business.

===============================================

Alrighty. That's all for today!

Until next time... Have Fun, Be Safe, and Get Rich!

Dedicated to your home business success,
Trent Brownrigg

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Tuesday, September 13, 2005

3 Essential Elements of Operating a Successful Business

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live your dream? A good place to start would be to recognize that there are three elements, and only three elements, that separate success from failure. If you exercise one of the elements, you might just be successful. Two and you will probably succeed. Three, and you can practically guarantee your success.

What are they? They are deceptively simple, and deep down inside you know what they are. But to purposefully write them down and use them as guides in selecting your dream business will make all the difference in the world. As you go through this exercise, you will dramatically build on your chances of success. Nowhere will it count more than right here, deciding how many of the three essential elements will qualify you to realize your dream.

1. Find a need!

Is there a market niche for your particular product or service? Does the world, or even your community, need what you have to offer? Only by sampling and testing will you be able to determine this with any degree of certainty, but we will be covering this as we go along in greater detail. The most important aspect would be to determine a Unique Selling Proposition for your product or service. Too many business owners are just trying to be me-too companies. You cannot be just like the next guy and expect to prosper in this volatile economy.

One of the most important things I learned from my Dad was, there are really only two things to consider, and next to them everything else is minor. Those two things are: (1) What do you really want? And just as, and perhaps even more important, (2) Are you willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it?

What do you really, really want from this endeavor? What is your ultimate goal? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this goal? Instead of looking for a business based on how much money you can earn up-front, select a business based on your love for that endeavor. The most successful and fulfilled people are individuals who are following a dream or vision of their own. They are not just out trying to make a buck.

What opportunities can you act upon? Woolworth saw a need for small inexpensive items and opened the chain of stores that grossed billions. Wrigley started giving gum away as a bonus, and seized the chance to expand worldwide.

You must create a uniqueness to your product or service. What can you offer that no one else can offer? Is it a better warranty, improved customer service, more technical support, faster shipping, or lower price? Think of something that will set you apart from your competitors and describe in detail exactly what it is.

2. Be good at what you do.

Are you as good as, or better than, the next guy when it comes to producing/marketing your product or service? This element requires an honest self-assessment. "What are my abilities?" To determine your abilities you must take an honest inventory of yourself. Examine every possibility and be sure to include strengths and weaknesses. Will your strong points be able to let you overcome your deficits?

3. Have true passion for the business.

If there is one element you absolutely cannot do without, it is passion. Passion is an irresistible attitudinal energy that generates power. Do you have a passion for working with your particular product or service? Notice, I didn't say "do you like what you want to do?" There are too many competitors out there who are ready, willing and able to "eat your lunch" when it comes to competing with you. They may have found the same niche that you have found. They may like what they do as much as you do. But what separates the winners from the losers is passion.

What are you really passionate about? If your answer is, "I'm passionate about making a lot of money." That is not the right answer. Making a lot of money is consequence of engaging in a successful activity where you remain motivated long enough to be successful. The key to creating passion is to find and do what it is that you truly love. Passion is the laser-like focusing of our creative life force. We do not create passion. (Don't confuse passion with being a workaholic. Workaholism devours while passion amplifies.)

So there they are, the three key elements to having a successful small business.

About the author:

Michael (Mike) Brassil is author of "The Only Business Start-Up Guide Your Will Ever Need." Download two chapters -- Starting a New Business and The Home Working Revolution -- at: http://www.ImpactGuide.com

===========================================

Who Esle Wants to be Financially Free With Our Turnkey Internet Business?
This Truly is an Amazing New Home Based Business Opportunity!
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Thursday, September 08, 2005

How To Profit From HOT Niche Markets - Every Time!



How To Profit From HOT Niche Markets - Every Time!

Copyright (c) 2005, Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian http://www.InstantNicheNews.com


Do you want to learn two proven niche marketing business models that are virtually guaranteed to succeed - in all niches? So do hundreds of my clients. They ask me every day. Beg me to share them. Demand that I reveal them.

So I did. In a short article. This one. I'm sharing it with you, so you can benefit from this powerful insight too.

There are TWO approaches to niche marketing:

* Following your PASSION
* Following the MONEY

Both can lead to wild success - if the finer points are managed correctly. Let's talk about them.

--> FOLLOW YOUR PASSION

This route is popular among beginners and experts alike - because it's easy! You already are (or can quickly become) an expert. And as you love what you do, you'll be good at it.

Here's a niche marketing model you can adopt to succeed using this approach... Building your 'Content Site'.

Your niche website will be chockfull of valuable content. Articles, special reports, ecourses, audio tutorials, video presentations, information products - anything your audience will find useful.

Your revenue models will include:

* ADVERTISING - Relevant, high quality content sites are an advertiser's delight.

* DIRECT SALES - In-context selling of related products and services is easy on a niche content site

* MEMBERSHIP SITES - Your content itself can be your product, and you can sell access to it... one-time, or on an ongoing basis as a subscription.

* LICENSING DEALS - You can license your content to other users for a fee. The drawback to this approach is that you'll first need to invest a lot of time, effort and money to build your content site - even if you have fun doing it!

--> FOLLOW THE MONEY

Your field of interest - even passion - may not be lucrative. While it's fun, you won't get rich!

So some prefer the alternative approach of going where the money trail leads... even if it doesn't excite you, the financial rewards are greater.

If you're considering this route, remember - the approach is different too. Here's what you'll need to do:

* Research hot niches which are highly in demand.
* Find what keywords prospects are using to search for information.
* Design websites optimized to rank high on search engines.
* Put up as many web pages as possible on related keywords so you reach as large an audience as possible in this niche.

Your revenue model will include:

* TRAFFIC BROKERING - Direct the traffic hitting your site to others who want this audience - and are willing to pay you for it.

* PAY PER CLICK ADVERTISING - Display ads that earn you money each time a visitor clicks on them.

* LIST BUILDING - You can later offer list members relevant products and services - your own, or as an affiliate.

* DIRECT SELLING - You could sell on the website itself, though the results may not be as good as on a content site.

The major drawback to going this route is the need for expertise in niche research, search engine optimization and the ability to create multiple web pages quickly. Some products offer a ready-made, off- the-shelf solution to speed up the process.

Whichever path you choose to your niche marketing success, one thing is abundantly clear.

There's money in niches. BIG money. Grab your share of it - TODAY!

All success

Dr.Mani


About the Author:

Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian offers niche content collections at http://www.InstantNicheNews.com Get 7 New Custom-Created Articles Every Week To Use Any Way You Like... Use them on blogs, in ecourses, as websites, even PDFs.

* FREE details: http://www.InstantNicheNews.com/inc.htm * FREE email course: mailto:info@quicknicheprofits.com?SUBJECT=Art

******************

WAIT!


Can't Think of a Niche?


Hey, it's not always as easy as it sounds.


Why not tap into two of the hottest niche markets in the world right now?!?!



What are they?


** Self Improvement / Success Training**

and

** Work at Home / Home Based Business **

With Success University you get the best of both niches. You get a membership site packed full of information, training, and resources from over 50 of the most amazing minds on the planet...

...AND you get the chance to build a full time income, working from home, by promoting the success university program!!! What could be better?

Check out success university now - Click Here


Dedicated to your success,
Trent Brownrigg
Biz Tips Blog Publisher / Home Business Mentor

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