Are your goals too lofty?

I was reading a post in a mom's community group on blogging. It was from a new blogger. She is making out a schedule of what subject to write about for each day of the week.

I left a comment and told her I thought committing to a post a day was a huge undertaking for a new blogger, especially if you have kids. If she fails to create a post everyday, she will experience a feeling of failure.

I suggested committing to 3 days a week, then if she squeezes in 4 or 5 posts a week she's left with a feeling of accomplishment.

The same goes for a new home business. I cringe when I hear someone say they want to make $2,000 their first month. In most cases, this isn't a reality.

Perhaps these individuals should consider making smaller goals- you know... eat the elephant one bite at a time.
How you can jump start your new home business, one bite at a time:

Do your training! In my opinion, the first 6 weeks should be training.....about the company, product and Internet marketing.

Perhaps goal one would be to ACTUALLY do the company training. I can't tell you how many people start selling before they even know what they are selling!

Make sure you get some training in online marketing like the Attraction Marketing program - this will reduce your learning curve by months or even YEARS! You can actually do this training even BEFORE you start a home business- then when you start your new businesss you go in with everything you need to successfully market your business and coach a team.

When you hear of people making glamorous amounts of income in a home business, ask them how long they have been with the company before you set a goal for yourself. You will find most have put in a few years of work to get to that level.

Make sure you read some great books, like The Slight Edge and How To Select A Network Marketing Company.

Although training takes time, it will reduce the amount of time it actually takes to travel the road to success!

Have a great, prosperous week!


Blogging 100 Success Secrets - 100 Most Asked Questions on Building, O

Pray for money!!!

I was doing a blog post the other day on my mommy blog about "Monkey" a baby that is in need of some prayers. You can read the story HERE.

What struck me as funny was when I went to publish it, I noticed that instead of  putting "Pray for MONKEY" for a title,  I had accidentely typed  "Pray for MONEY" .

I kind of laughed because it brought to mind how some of us are in the beginning of out Internet careers......

We start a venture, then fall to our knees and pray...............

Pray that customers will miraculously find us amongst the 17 zillion websites and blogs out there...

Pray for prospects to be lining the streets, all wanting to join your opportunity- NOW!

Pray your family and friends will give you a pat on the back and congratulate you on your "new venture"............

I have some news for you.........................

God may answer prayer, but when it comes to business, he isn't going to hand you the bills on  a silver platter...

To have a successful Internet business, one needs to take ACTION..... getting the word out there day in and day out, studying Internet marketing techniques, reading books..........

I have nothing against praying, but let's get out there and help ourselves!

Ask your "higher being" for guidance, then take action!

Can you use this? I can !

What is the small difference that makes all the difference? What is the difference between high achievers and low achievers? What are the fundamentals that guarantee a happy and fulfilling life? What is the number one asset inside any organization that determines its success?

All these questions and more answered here:

Secret of the Slight Edge: How to Get Out of Your Own Way Secret of the Slight Edge: How to Get Out of Your Own Way

Blogging 4 you! And a time consuming mistake...

Blogging4you.info

Because I see what blogging has done for me and where it is headed, I was excited to help other's start one.

I started a new website to do just that.

http://www.blogging4you.info/

There is some great information on how to get started, how to find visitors and how to keep them coming back.

You can also learn how to hire me to help you get your blog off the ground if you are totally confused!

Blogging classes are coming soon.

Check it out....

http://www.blogging4you.info/

Time Waster #1

I really made a mistake that cost me time and maybe even a sale!

I was on a major moms social networking site, advertising Blogging 4 You. What I didn't realize (until I placed an ad in about 30 groups) is that I had the url wrong!

It was just slightly different, but it led to a competitors site!

I had to go back and correct all those links!

Moral of the story:

If you are going to copy & paste an ad, make sure you have the correct url. CHECK IT after your 1st ad!

Have a great day!

DO NOT mark my words!!!

Ok, I don't mean to hollar, but I wanted to make my point.

Please, please do not hold me to my word- at least as far as goals, hopes and dreams.

Because dreams and goals can change. Think back to your high school days.

What did you want to do with your life?

Are you doing it now?

Believe it or not, at one time I wanted to be an Archeologist. And a school teacher. And a writer!

So I did work in a daycare center for several years, and did home daycare for about 10 years. Even worked in an elementary school as a resource person.

Did I choose to do this forever?

NOT!

I write, and have been published a few times in a local magazine. But do I write full time?

NO!

Am I an Archeologist?

NO!

At one time, I dreamed of having a houseboat and floating the waters of the world. Ron wanted an RV.

Since I started homeschooling, I want an RV. I want to explore the US, go to historical sites.

Funny how I hated that stuff in school! Now I yearn for it.

Many people get frustrated when they set goals, and fail to achieve them in the time frame that they set.

Other's find themselves half-heartedly trying to achieve goals that they no longer really want to achieve. But they feel as if once a goal is set, it must be met.

Nothing will keep a person "stuck in a rut" and "underachieveing"  more than working for something we don't even desire.

So sit down and take a second look at your long term hopes, dreams and goals.

Have they changed?

Write new ones!

Are they the same, but you just need more time? Change your goal date.

Find something you truly desire and see if you don't find yourself jumping out of bed every morning eager to get to work and fulfill that dream!

Until next time......

See you at the top!

I'm here, where are you?

January was a busy month here. Trying to catch up after Christmas, starting a new homeschooling blog and preparing (I hope) to go on the road in the fall, expanding my business and "roadschooling" my daughter. I've been looking for a trailer to travel in.

Homeschooling and Roadschooling are some of the cool advantages that can come as a result of working at home. Your time is pretty much your own. Barring our medical appointments, what is really stopping me from traveling the US? Not much!

Even if you "dry camp" on "boondock" , which usually means free camping ( usually on state land) without hook-ups for elect. and water, you can still work. Free Internet cafe's, satellite dishes for Internet, cell phone cards, etc...all provide Internet. Cell phones provide the phone, and you can get solar panels to keep your batteries charged so you have electric.

Working at home also gives you the freedom to be a scout leader, a sports coach, youth group leader and more. Your children will be positively effected by hanging with you more..........

You also receive some GREAT home office deductions, and save on a babysitter and gas. And the time you save because you are no longer commuting to work....

What's stopping you?

If you are looking to take that big step, and you're not sure where to begin, feel free to read all the advice here in the archives.

If you are interested in a home-based business with AmeriPlan, go to: http://www.findfreedomathome.biz/

If you are seeking to take your present business to the next level, email me at: home4ever@hotmail.com.

New Years Day Home Biz Chats and list of home biz opportunities

Ambit Energy

AmeriPlan- Start for just $25.00 in December!

Avon

Barefoot Books

Discovery Toys

it Works!

Let's Do Tea

For the ladies...Stop by CafeMom tomorrow and participate in the chats going on. Home business ownrs will be on hand to answer questions about the company they represent. Just go to CafeMom, become a member if you are not already. Join the groups and check the schedules.

The Groups are:

Work At Home In Your Jammies And Love It

And

I Want To Make Money

Inexpensive Advertising Opportunity for Central New York area

I am assisting an aquaintance of mine with a new newspaper in CNY for kids called:

Kids Standard

It is almost completely written for kids by kids. Schools have been requesting copies for the students. These students are bringing them home to their parents.

They offer inexpensive advertising for your business ads. Must be kid or family orientated (or home business for parent, etc...). There is a 30% discount in month one, with a 10% discount every month thereafter, as long as there is no break in advertising.

For more information, email me (Carolee) at:

advertising@kidsstandard.com

What radio station is your prospect listening to?

Your prospect is listening to radio station:

KIA-Am

"Keep It All About Me"

Residual Income- What is it?

In my  Examiner column today, I listed my 6th reason to be thankful you work from home. My reason today was Residual Income. It is by far one of my favorite subjects, as I have experienced the power it has to build a great income. And to provide an income when you are unable to work, as I was .Notice the word "BUILD".

I got to thinking there's a slim chance (very slim:-) that not everyone reads this blog AND my Examiner column, so I give some information in both spots.

In a nut shell, residual income is income you receive over and over, sometimes even years after writing that initial piece of business.

All companies do things a little different, but I can speak for the company I work with. I hear there are several that are similar.

Say in  month one-  I enroll 10 people into a dental or health plan. I get paid on each of them within a few days of enrollment.

Month two, I enrolled 10 more: I get paid on 20 people (assuming here that all my 1st month people are still members)

10 people from last month, and 10 new people

Month three- I enrolled 10 more: I get paid on 30 people (assuming here that all my previous people members are still on the books)


20 people from months one and two, and 10 people from this month

Month four- A lot has been going on in my life. I really didn't get a chance to work much. I will get paid on 30 people. I didn't have any new business but I still get a check.

The same goes for recruiting new business owners into your company. Some companys will give residual pay on your downline, some give bonuses based on your downlines performance. Some offer both.

Cool, huh?

Sometimes a company will give advance pay. You get several months advance pay (we'll use 3 months here) on new customers, then your monthly residuals start on month 4. Some companys charge paybacks if a member quits, some don't.

That is my experience with residual income. So far, I have had great experiences with it.

I hope that helped to clear the air for those wondering.

Have a Prosperous Day!

See You At The Top!

What's on your wall?

What's on your wall? I don't mean your FaceBook wall, I mean your office/workspace wall?

Are you surrounding yourself with things that keep you motivated?

The wall directly in front of my laptop is full of stuff- odd things that help me out in my biz or keep me motivated:

A pic of a home on a lake- something I think I may want some day! My 2nd home, except for my cruise boat!

"I have the power"- I believe I obtained this little "thought provoking" quote at a convention for hemophiliacs that used to be held every year. My brother was a hemophiliac bleeder as were some uncles and a great uncle. We used to attend a convention every year for families with hemophiliacs. Great time. Anyway, picked up the quote there!

"Love, Love, Love those Texas Buns" is a postcard I got while we were at one of the AmeriPlan conventions in Dallas, TX. It reminds me of the great times there, how much I love my team and why I love working at home. I mean, would a boss have let me go to Texas to check out a little "Texan Buns?" NOT!

A few of my fave qoutes and my Energy Sucker poem.

Ok, my bulletin board on the left is slightly out of control! It has biz cards, receipts and other stuff to be filed and a few other things :-) Hey, I manage!

To the right of that, on the make-shift wall that separtates me from everything we need to store...is my inspirational word and phrase pic. Words cut out of magazines, like " Peace", "gift", "Beauty", "deliver" and more....

My AmeriPlan "cheat sheet" a little outdated. Updating it IS on my list of stuff to do!

I know to a perfectionist this may seem like a lot of useless, messy stuff. But hey, it keeps me motivated.

You should try it sometime- it really does work!

Are you chasing potential prospects away?

Why is that some people start "selling" you on their product or service before the word "hello" has even been uttered?

In the past week, I have had 1 person trying to sell me on their product through a chat, and several trying to set up one on one time with me to "Talk."

Hello, I don't know you and you don't know me.

I do not profess to be an expert in how you should to build your home business, but over the past two years, I've become quite a professional on what NOT to do!

And one thing I have learned is don't talk business right away. If someone asks, that's different. Tell them you work at home for (fill in the blank) and we sell (fill in the blank). If they want more information, supply it. If not, shut up!  If they need your product, they will let you know.

Another thing that just doesn't really work for me is purchased leads. Most peoples names have been sold to so many people, that by the time you call, they are feeling harrassed. The last thing they want is to talk to you. Yes, sometimes we get lucky, but most often not. It could take 100's of dials off the lead list to produce one or two results. And usually they are short lived.

So I have turned to a great marketing system I have discovered. By following this sytem, prospects are actually looking for you! By the time they find you, they are prequalified and ready to get to work. They are the 10% that want to get to work and will be successful.

If you are tired of home meetings, endless "socializing " online, and posting 50-100 ads a day on Craigslist, backpage.com and other sites, you need to see this!

It makes so much sense, you'll wonder why you marketed any other way.

If you are ready to take your marketing to a whole new level, check it out HERE- grab some of the FREE information and apply it to your business. See if this isn't the system that will turn your business around!

And..prospects will run TOWARD you, not AWAY!

Sometimes you just need to say good-bye!

Have you ever had one of those calls where the other person was so negative, you wanted to slam the phone down in their ear? In fact, they are so negative, you are surprised they didn't hang up on you!

I had that happen the other day, only it was in a chat. I was on a social networking site. I heard a "bloop" and realized that someone wanted to chat with me.

She started out asking me what I do from home. She needed to make money and it needed to be at home.

I started telling her what was involved with my biz- run ads, answer calls, enter information onto the computer. She said that type of thing wasn't for her

I asked her if she was a writer. Nope, not interested.

I asked if she had a blog. Nope.

Was she crafty? No!

How about home daycare? No, she already had enough kids.

Finally I realized I was spending a lot of time on someone that is so negative, nothing would have appealed to her.

And I had a long list of people I needed to call that DID want to work and make money at home.

I really wanted to get out of this conversation.

I am too nice. I couldn't say, "You are so negative I don't even feel good talking with you."

Thank goodness the phone rang and I told her I'd be back after my call, which I wasn't....

If you get a negative person on the phone, your best bet is to end the call A.S.A.P!

You don't want negativity dragging you down.

So get out of any negative conversations, and call the people that do want to make a positive change in their life. Their enthusiasm will bring you back to where you need to be...positive and enthusiastic.

And being positive and enthusiastic is what brings in the dollars.

Have a happy and prosperous day!

Missing in Action; Where's my downline?

I remember when I first started my home business. I had a day where I recruited 3 people in a couple of hours. I was hot!

Or so I thought. The fact of the matter is I talked to one of the ladies the next day, and never heard from her again! I tried to call her several times to no avail. I still don’t know to this day if she’s even living.

The next one stayed on board for a month or so, but never did much. Then she quit. Two months later she called, all excited. Some of those people she had sent postcards to months before were starting to call her. She wanted back in.

I got her back in, only to have her do nothing, and quit again.

The next one stayed a few months, also doing nothing. Then they quit, but stayed on as a health member for about a year.

If you have been in your business for a while, this most likely rings a bell. If you’re new, you need to know this is normal.

Not everyone you recruit is going to stay. Not even those gung ho “winners” you’ve got. In fact, the majority won’t. Period.

So what’s going on then? They say they want the freedom of no boss, freedom to go on vacations, to spend time with their kids.

Why aren’t they working like you are to achieve those goals?

One reason people disappear is they realize that a home business is REAL WORK. It takes time to build a business and they aren’t willing to put in the time. These are usually the people that claim that they don’t want a get rich quick scheme. Hello? What DO they want?

Your down line may have also been possessed by a Dream Stealer. We’ve all run into them!

If you have someone that is Missing In Action but they haven’t quit yet, here are a few things you can do.

1. Send a nice card expressing concern for their well being
2. Keep sending any informational emails to them- they may actually be reading them!
3. Bless and Release them. They will either come around at a later point, or end up quitting.

If they have quit, bless and release them.

The fact is, you can’t make a person work. All you can do is keep on working your business, while looking for people that are willing to do what it takes to make it to the top. Just like you!

What are your prospects dreams?

As discussed on Friday, there are 3 reasons why people don’t buy from you.

Today we will discuss the prospect that DOES have money, but they aren’t telling you.

The burning question is why they aren’t biting….

There is one very logical answer to that. They really don’t want or need what you are offering. They have checked out your product, and looked at the business opportunity. They just can’t envision themselves using the product, much less selling it. Remember, you need to believe in and be excited about your product.

Another reason someone is not entering into a business relationship with you may be that you haven’t gotten them “dreaming”. They like your product. They have heard your opportunity, but just don’t see what’s in it for them.

Sometimes we get caught up in our presentations when talking to prospects. We give the company information, pay scale, start-up fee’s and training. But one vital ingredient is missing…

The Dream!

Everyone has a dream or a “why”. Something they want to achieve in life, or maybe something they would like to own. They may desire a certain lifestyle.

Our job as recruiters is to pull those dreams from people. Help them to see that with persistence, faith and a little elbow grease, they can have what they desire.

Here are a few questions I like to ask right in the beginning:

1. Why do they want to work from home?
Really listen for buzzwords that identify their needs. Some may be “stay home with kids”, “ be my own boss”, or “take care of an aging parent”. These are surface needs. But what about their dreams?

2. Can you tell me more about that?
People love to talk about themselves. If all you talk about is YOURSELF, they will feel you don’t care about them and their needs. It’s ok to give a brief summary of your experience with the company, but keep it to a minimum. People want to know how this opportunity can help THEM.

3. (One of my personal favorites) If you had all the money you needed to pay your bills and live comfortably, what would you do with your time?
This really stumps a lot of people and gets them thinking. I heard this on a training call…I want to say Jeffrey Combs, but I could be wrong. Listen to him anyway, he’s good!

So now you’ve got them dreaming…you’re taking notes. They are interested. You are interested in them as well.

Go for the close. Ask them if they can see how this opportunity could help them________ (fill in the blank with their dreams and desires)

If they say yes, get the application started.

If they still aren’t sure, ask them if you can add them to your address book so you can alert them to any product changes or promotions with in your company.

Remember to offer your actual product or service. They may end up joining your business after being a customer for a while.

If you have presented your opportunity in a clear manner, and started your prospects back on the road to dreaming again, then all is not lost. A seed has been planted.

Expect to hear back from these people in the near future!

Good luck & don’t forget to dream!

You can market for FREE or almost free!

Note: I know I promised to go furthur into why people say they have no money....but I had some unexpected company pop up over the weekend, so I'm not quite done with that. But I thought this info would be helpful in the meantime.

One of the problems facing new business owners is getting their information  in front of people. Many start out with very little or no advertising budget. How are they supposed to make money if no one is looking at their website?

Here are a few things to try. As you can see, I use them as well!
FREE web traffic  You will need to look at 6 websites, get the code placed on top, and put it where specified. Then, your site will be added onto the top.

Here are a couple of List Building Sites I like. They enable you to blast emails to thousands of people at once.








Most list building sites are free, although they may have an upgrade option if you would like to email to more people or even make money with them.

Did you know, you can get FREE or reduced business cards, postcards, sign and more? Check it out here

And finally, there's free online advertising. Just Google the words "free online advertising" and you'll get enough sites to last you a life time.

You can find out some important information about a web site by going to Alexa.com

You can check out a websites traffic,what country(s) most of the traffic comes from, daily rankings and more.

Every ad site is a little different, but with most you are basically filling out an online form to create your ad. They vary in the information you can provide. Some will not allow links, others charge for graphics.

Your best bet is to start with two or three sites, learn the ropes, and then start branching out to others.

These are just a few ways to get your information out to a lot of people in a short amount of time. But the key is to remember to be doing these actions every day! Consistency is key!