Best Affiliate Program For The Newbie: Identifying An Affiliate Program That Matches Your USP

Keywords: Internet Business

When a newbie begins an online business, the temptation can be high to join most any affiliate program they see in the hopes of making extra money. Given the amount of products and services that newbies get presented with, and since newbies have a burning desire to make money fast, it is easy to see how the online newbie can get lured into joining a lot of affiliate programs without knowing if they should join them or not.

For the newbie, the danger in joining lots of affiliate programs is multi-faceted. Joining affiliate programs takes time, time the newbie could be using defining their USP, learning about getting targeted traffic, or learning other Internet marketing skills that will actually generate revenue for them. In addition, the newbie who joins lots of affiliate programs in the hopes of making instant profits, is at risk of being disappointed when they don't make money by joining the latest affiliate program and that leads to yet further "unproductivity" and poor use of time.

So, what steps do newbies take to identify the best affiliate program(s) that matches their USP?

It Won't Happen Today

Keywords: Online Business

I guess we all want a successful online business. A business that will provide for ourselves and our families for the foreseeable future.

We all want the "work at the kitchen table, dressed in only your shorts, for just a few hours a day" dream business. We all want to work just when we want, taking time off for family and recreation whenever we feel the need.

Sound like a dream? Well, you can make it come true, but the one quality you will definitely need is an ample supply of patience. It is not going to happen overnight. Sorry, but whatever you were told when you bought the very latest ebook or software, building a business takes time, effort and dedication.

Improve Performance Without Compromising Quality

Keywords: Efficiency

Henry Ford taught us that to simplify the manufacture of automobiles, that the best way to do so was to install the assembly line. That one change revolutionized the auto manufacturing industry permitting the industry to build cars at a cost whereas the average person could afford to buy one.

The lesson we should take from this is that having the ability to improve the process of getting the job quicker and cheaper, without compromising the quality of the job being done, will help catapult the person who simplified the process to the top of his/her field.

Pennies saved in your home business can turn into dollars at the end of the day, and dollars can quickly multiply into hundreds or thousands of dollars over time.

How to Start Your Own Business When Franchising is Cost-Prohibitive

Keywords: Starting a Business

When some folks begin to think about a business of their own, they know in that very moment what kind they are going to start.

Then, there are the rest of us...

Knowing that we want to have a business of our own is not enough. Many of us have struggled with the important question of what type of enterprise we would like to start.

Franchises offer a simple pre-packaged money making idea, but the cost of a franchise often makes it a prohibitive option to most folks who contemplate going out on their own.

For those who do not have a million dollars to buy a McDonalds franchise, we must look to other ideas for our own business.

Resources for Starting an Online Business

Keywords: Online Business

Anyone trying to start an Online business needs to have a number of resources before it is possible to build and promote a successful website. The following are essential tools that I have found very valuable.

1) Wordtracker

Before you build a website you must target the correct keywords, otherwise you will not have the necessary traffic to run a business. You may have a good niche but if you optimise your pages for the wrong keywords, you will attract little traffic.

And without traffic on the Net, you have no business! Wordtracker is an excellent tool that evaluates keywords for their profitability. A free trial version is available.

http://www.wordtracker.com

Overcoming the Uncertainties Inherent in the Move to Self-Employment

Keywords: Motivation

Every morning as people wake up and make the commute to work, many dream of the day when they will finally work for themselves. Every time the boss lets someone know that they must give up their weekend plans for the good of the company, people contemplate the benefits of being the owner of their own business.

Are you one of these people?

If you are, it is important to ask yourself some very important questions before you make the uncertain leap into self-employment.

Many dream of the benefits of home business ownership, but few take into account the sacrifices that must be made to bring the dream to fruition. Please don't make this mistake yourself.

You must approach home business ownership with your eyes wide open. Ask yourself the important questions, and more importantly, answer your own questions openly and honestly.

Brief Experiences on How I Started Making Money Online

Keywords: Online Business

I started selling different products as a mail order business in 1996, however, a month later, after buying a computer and discovering the Internet I decided to open an online store. Very soon I found out that selling books and information online in general was a hit and also a very convenient way for an extra income home business, considering that my personal life had very little money, little space, a lot of work and a family to support. Therefore I registered a domain name, I sign up for an Internet connection and then finally opened my bookstore named QualityBooks.com.

Setting up the store at the beginning was very hard, I had to design my own pages, plan and put in action my own marketing strategy, take orders, ship the books, and do by myself whatever else came up.

Working at Home - The One Thing You MUST Know

Keywords: Motivation

You will spend more time, effort, money, and headaches in the beginning of starting a home business than with practically anything else in your life. However, when it all comes together, the hard times will seem like a distant memory because it will all have been worth it.

DO NOT GIVE UP! DO NOT GIVE UP! DO NOT GIVE UP!

I could repeat that phrase 1,000,000 times and it wouldn't be enough!

Remember, there is a very sharp curve when it comes to internet marketing. Your income stays the same for what seems like an eternity, and then slowly rises for a while. Before you know it your income suddenly skyrockets seemingly out of nowhere and continues to grow.

5 Essential Ingredients To Success With Your Own Business

Keywords: Success

Many people dream of starting their own business. Fewer actually do it. Fewer still make a success of it.

Why?

What are the essential ingredients if you want to succeed with your own business?

1.Desire If you look at any successful businessman, from the sole trader to the billionaire entrepreneur, you find that the one element that is always present is burning desire to do what they are doing and to succeed at it. It is not a vague wish, it is not a hope or a dream. It is a deep felt, motivating desire. It is what takes him through the difficulties and the set backs and the failures along the way. Do you have this desire?

6 Ways Small Businesses Can Survive In A Crazy Economy

Keywords: Success

Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy economy by taking some proactive steps.

1. Provide spectacular customer service -- every time. Have a friend or colleague visit your business and provide feedback from a customer's perspective. This person should be unknown by your staff and willing to provide a candid assessment.

2. Make sure your front and back office work like a well-oiled machine. Are the front line and the back office telling your customers the same thing?

You Don't Need to Be A Genius to Make More Money

Keywords: Increasing Cash Flow

If you dream of making more money or starting your own business, please continue reading, I am fairly certain you will really enjoy this article. I recently read an ebook on different ways to make money and not only found it informative but it caused me to really brainstorm on different money making ideas. The author of the ebook is Wayne Yeager and titled "1000 Ways to Make Money". With over 200+ pages of different money making ideas, I found most of the ideas are practical and easy ways to earn money but there are also several ideas that are a little more complex and risky. There is something for everyone here from the beginning entrepreneur to the crafty veteran business owner and everyone in between.

The only minor critique about his book I can make is some of the ideas are not really applicable to everyone. In fairness, Mr. Yeager discusses this exact critique in the opening page. Fortunately, with 1000 ideas, there are bound to be numerous ideas and opportunities applicable to every reader.

Make Your Entrepreneurial Dreams Come True

Keywords: Online Marketing

Are you an online marketer? Or do you simply promote affiliate programs? Marketing is truly the most misunderstood word in use today on the Internet. Let me see if I can clarify this issue just a bit.

In Marketing 101 at your local university, marketing is actually the process of Product, Place, Price and Promotion.

PRODUCT

No business can exist without a product or service to sell.

In a nutshell, entrepreneurs are the people who believe in a product, service or idea, so much that they are willing to invest their lives into the development of their dream.

Women's Small Business Expo, Palms Springs

Keywords: Female Entrepreneurship

I didn't really know what to expect other than what I had read on the Women's Small Business Expo web site http://www.womenssmallbusinessexpo.com and what Linda Hollander, the founder, had conveyed to me during my first women networking event in Beverly Hills about two months ago. In short, it was phenomenal! I'm glad I attended the 3-day seminar in Palms Springs, CA at the end of April 2004. First, I really didn't think I was going to go given the fact that most of my time and money were dedicated to my company, which I officially registered about 4 months ago. In fact, because my business was just born, it actually made sense for me to attend.

It was my first business seminar ever. So far, I've mainly seen and heard from my husband how he thinks business should be done, but I have a complete different view. Consequently, you really can't discuss your visions with someone who doesn't share your approach on how to do business. As a result you start doubting yourself after a while, right? You start doubting yourself because you don't know any more than what lies within the barriers of your daily environment. You can't really know anything different unless you get to taste a glimpse what lies beyond those barriers. No one is going to break those barriers for you. You have to do it yourself. So I did.

Starting An Online Business: Things to Learn and Remember

Keywords: Online Business

Since 96% of all online businesses fail, you should be careful, driven, smart, and adventurous when starting an online business. Obviously when starting an online business, avoiding mistakes is key to your success because online mistakes cost serious money and waste lots of valuable time. Unfortunately you don't have a time machine to use to go back and "undo" the mistakes that you might make.

In the online world, mistakes are simply "business killers" and sadly, most people who start an online business never recover from those mistakes.

Here's some facts that may factor into your decision if you're thinking of starting an online business:

Networking for Work At Home Mothers

Keywords: Work at Home Moms

There is a myth that in order to be an entrepreneur you have to grow up in a family of entrepreneurs that guided and shaped you. You have to have gone to the best schools and rubbed elbows with movers and shakers.

There is no question that a family like that can make it easier to have a business mind set and self-confidence, but it is not mandatory. Many successful business women did not grow up learning the structure of business. Regardless of your upbringing, you always have the option in adulthood to seek out guides of your own.

Attracting the right guide makes your journey smoother. A guide is someone who sees you for who you are and helps you to find your way. Guides can be teachers, parents, relatives, mentors, coaches, friends, colleagues, organizations, communities, support groups, spiritual teachings, works of art, plays, movies, books, radio and television broadcasts, Internet information or chat sessions or any other encounter with wisdom.

Fixin' to Get Ready: Getting Past "GO"

Keywords: Motivation

Here in Kentucky we spend a lot of time "fixin' to get ready."

For those of you not familiar with the phrase, let me give you some context:

Picture a southern man, sitting on couch, watching NASCAR. His wife comes into the room. "Honey, are you going to fix that loose porch step today?"

"Sure hon'", he replies, "I'm fixin' to get ready."

Then he goes back to the race.

A few weeks (or months) later, he finally fixes the step (usually after his mother comes to visit and complains about it!)

One of the hardest parts of starting a web business is actually getting started. Taking the actions. Sticking to a plan.

Here are some ways you can "get past go" in your own web business:

Online Mentorship Programs: Cash in on Your Expertise

Keywords: Online Mentorship

Whether you're a former retail store owner known for your creativity, a championship bridge player, or a psychotherapist with a long current waiting list for openings, if you possess expertise that makes colleagues and aficionados want your pearls of wisdom, you can create a new income stream with an online mentorship program.

Such a program charges a fee for people to sit at your feet and learn from you. The program would have a special focus (not for everyone) and offer information, resources, advice, insider tips and problem solving. While a mentorship program could take place in the "real world," it is especially easy to set it up, promote and run it online.

The Biggest Temptation When Working At A Home-Based Business

Keywords: Motivation

From what I have seen and experienced, to quit is the greatest temptation during the first year of working at a home-based business. If smoking was like working at a home-based business, the occurence of lung would be dramatically reduced.

It is a known fact that a majority of the people that undertake a work at home business do not achieve real success. There are several reasons for this, but one of the primary reasons is that these people get frustrated and do not allow themselves enough time to succeed.

In the early going, one of the most difficult things about developing a new home based business is dealing with the emotional roller coaster that can result from the highs (successes) and lows (temporary setbacks) you are almost certain to experience. Once you have done the research and decided on a particular home based business opportunity, you really need to focus on persistence and realize that any real business will not just automatically become successful in a matter of days or weeks. You should be prepared to give it your best sustained effort for at least 6 to 12 months in order to begin to build a solid business base and begin to see some good income.

Starting Your Own Business!

Keywords: Success Tips

The American Dream is, and always will be, to come up with an idea, start a business and become rich from your own efforts.

This report will enlighten you, and give you a few suggestions you can use to better guarantee your chances for success.

However, this report is written with the warning that any and every business venture contains certain inherent risks. We do not espouse that any one way is the right way or that our suggestions are the only way.

Just about the first thing you should consider before deciding to start or purchase a business is the legal form you'll be operating under.

There are basically four choices: sole proprietorship partnership, limited partnership, and/or corporation. Each has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Tips for Dealing with Children in your Home Office

Keywords: Children

Operating a home business is seldom easy and interruptions come in all shapes, sizes and forms.

Between the family, friends and neighbors who call or come by, and the telemarketers who insist on ringing your number off the hook, getting through the workday can be a real challenge.

When you introduce children into the home office environment, your productivity and patience can be seriously tested.

For example, right now my three-year old daughter is pulling on my shirt and begging me to read her a story. Clearly, Im in the middle of something important here, but how can I say no to those eyes? Ill be right back...

How to Start a Business on the Internet

Keywords: Internet Business

So you want to start a business? Good for you. Really, I mean that sincerely. I think about the millions of people that let the thought pass briefly through their minds on he way to work everyday.

The vast majority of people merely toy with the idea at points in their lives when they hate their bosses or their pay or their lack of vacation time. You, on the other hand, are investigating what it takes o start a business. At least you are going to find the answers here and stop wasting time wondering "what if."

It is very easy to start a business if you do it on the internet. You have little overhead involved, no rent, not even products to stock (if you sell electronic goods)!

The Last Piece of Chocolate Ever - Business Tips for the Silver Set

Keywords: Motivation

INTRODUCTION

Right now I am playing a game that I have played ever since I was a kid. (I just took another drink of milk). When I got a box of chocolates as a gift, I would grab a whole container of milk and run into my room with the box. I would then try to make the milk last for the entire box, trying hard not to run out of milk before the last piece of chocolate, or run out of chocolate before the last bit of milk. To this day I wonder if I had more fun playing the balancing game than I did actually eating the chocolate. I do know one thing. Sometimes the game distracted me from the delicious taste of the chocolate and I do regret that.

What does any of this have to do with being in business or becoming an entrepreneur? Plenty, so bear with me a few paragraphs more.

All Successful Entrepreneurs Do This

Keywords: Online Businesses

Everyone wants to make money! Some want to make money by owning their own business. All successful entrepreneurs have the self discipline to build their business. Most of us have heard the saying "you need money to make money". Basically what this means is you must invest money in your business if it's to make money. Some 24% of all startup small businesses fail within two years. That's because the life of your business depends on you during these early years. If you must depend on the business it will probably fail. The first years of a business rarely show profit, because you are re-investing your money back in it. Most of us spend money on entertainment, whether it's eating out at nice restaurants, movies, cars, bikes, games, big toys, etc..... Some of us can come up with cash for our online business by not eating out one time a month! That should not be so hard to do, as lots of us are spending more and more money on weight loss products!

Home Business Writing Made Simple

Keywords: Effective Writing

Have you ever written a letter to a friend? Ever written an
outline for any project you were about to start? What about a
shopping list? If you have, and I imagine most have, you then
can write focused, brief, content articles for your online home
business.

Why write? Well, of course you can spend lots of money to drive
traffic to your site with absolutely no guarantee that you will
obtain a single sale. Moreover, most of the traffic, although
targeted, may leave your site and forget it ever existed. Writing
puts you personally, your site, and your products/services within
the same framework as a well-honed opt-in list of subscribers.
People remember you, learn to trust you, eventually purchase from
you, and most importantly return to purchase again and again, as
long as you continue to offer what they need.

"So how can I simplify what seems to be the arduous task of
writing", you ask?

Freedom! The Battle Cry of the Business Owner

Keywords: Home Business

"I wanted freedom from a boss so I started my own business. Now I need freedom from my business because it's running my life." Sound like you?

Here are three tips to help you find that freedom.

1. Put your stake in the ground. Where are you headed with your business? Can't answer because you're too busy working on yesterday's problems? Stop and do it now. Much of your freedom is being eaten up by activities that won't get you where you want to go. Define where that is and work toward it.

Three Myths about Small Business Planning

Keywords: Small Business Planning

Are you -- like 70% of business owners -- working without a plan? Here are three myths that need to be dispelled about strategic planning for small business.

1. It has to be formal -- Not so. The value of a strategic plan for your small business is in putting the ideas on paper, creating action steps that will get you where you want to go and implementing those action steps.

How Entrepreneurship & Ecology Together Can Protect and Improve Your Bottom Line

Keywords: Ecology

Now our business decisions determine not just our profit but the survival of our businesses, our communities, and our world. Three bottom lines not one determine a successful business:

Profit. Environmental Benefit. Social Benefit.

How can we:

Diversify but not lose our focus Broaden our economic base Increase our income, and Provide Benefit to the environment and to society.

Question: Who needs to pay attention to the combining of entrepreneurship and ecology?

How To Think Like an Entrepreneur

Keywords: Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs don't think like regular employees. The first step in starting your own business is starting to think like an entrepreneur.

Too many people are trying to start their home businesses with an ordinary employee's way of thinking. This has become a common reason why not long after sitting down and giving it a fair look into even the most lucrative business opportunity they bump into, they put it away and decide not to take any chances.

What has happened here is that the most lucrative business opportunity has been looked into by an ordinary 9-to-5-worker, who appears NOT to be business-minded.

If you are like most people, you have probably considered starting your own business yourself. But above all, you have to understand that to make into a successful Business Entrepreneur, one has to change their way of thinking first.

Approach Home Business Ownership with your Eyes Wide Open

Keywords: Home Business

Every morning as people wake up and make the commute to work, many dream of the day when they will finally work for themselves. Every time the boss lets someone know that they must give up their weekend plans for the good of the company, people contemplate the benefits of being the owner of their own business.

Are you one of these people?

If you are, it is important to ask yourself some very important questions before you make the uncertain leap into self-employment.

Many dream of the benefits of home business ownership, but few take into account the sacrifices that must be made to bring the dream to fruition. Please don't make this mistake yourself.

Work At Home Solutions for Stay At Home Moms

Keywords: Business For Stay At Home Moms

It's 2004 and as the years go by, it's getting increasingly difficult for a family to survive on just one income.

With credit card debt, (which if you're in an average American household you owe about $8000 on all credit cards), the under-saving on 401k plans, and living paycheck to paycheck - parents are recognizing the need for an extra income.

What does this mean for you all who want to be a stay at home moms or dads?

Simple, it means that you will need to create that much needed second income by finding work at home at home solutions in order to be stay at home moms or dads.

If you are in this position there are many work at home solutions out there for you. Here are just three for you to consider. Please note that the following suggestions involve you starting your own home business by learning a financially valuable skill.

Staying on Track even with Home Business Distractions

Keywords: Life Balance

When you are the owner of a home business, you will find hundreds of distractions that vie for your time, energy and focus.

Common distractions include: children, family, friends, neighbors, pets, phone calls, mail, household chores, video games, television, neighborhood children, visitors, and so many more.

As an owner of a home based business, you must always remember your purpose in bringing your profession home. What was your reason for wanting to own a home business? Was your goal to work from home so that you can share in the lives of your children? Was your goal to be out from under the rule of a tyrannical boss? Was your goal to have the freedom to work when it is convenient for you? Was your goal to make tons of money working for yourself?

Here's a few good tips that will help you stay focused on your home business:

Away Time – Critical to Your Business

Keywords: Life Balance

Many of us start new projects, news jobs, or implement changes in the spring. The season gives us the "new beginning" feeling. In business (after we deal with the tax man) we are ready to pursue new challenges. It's the time many take their first steps into the business world as the owner/manager of a new venture.

These first steps can be exciting, challenging, scary, rewarding and sometimes bring forth completely unexpected events! The question is "Will you, the entrepreneur, be in control of your new endeavor or will it control you?" The answer to this question will be a MAJOR factor in determining the outcome of your business venture.

Most new business owners have planned for the "how to's" and "what for's" and "what if's" but many fail to account for time away from the business. That "away" time is critical to the outcome of the venture. Sure at startup, regardless of how well you have planned, the unexpected happens - the parts don't come in, the contractor don't finish on time, the whatever doesn't work right and the list goes on. Startup is a time-devouring monster. It demands 40 hours everyday it seems and rightfully so. You will have to give it that extra time if you are to be successful. BUT after the startup phase - and that will vary depending on the size and complexity of the business - plan for "away" time!

Internet Yellow Page Ads – Are They Worth a Try?

Keywords: Online Advertising

Most small businesses do not yet advertise on the internet. But with the undeniable growth in internet traffic, it's only a matter of time before many businesses will need to consider online advertising.

Everyone is familiar with the traditional Yellow Pages phone book. Less familiar is the internet extension of the print book – the hodgepodge of advertising options that can loosely be termed Internet Yellow Pages (IYP). A range of companies are jumping on the IYP bandwagon, all chasing the elusive, and thus far unmaterialized, local advertising dollars. Companies like Verizon, with their SuperPages directory, or like Yahoo!, with their Yahoo! "Get Local" directory, and assorted publishers of print telephone directories, are all players in the IYP field. Basically, they all offer variations on a basic theme: the structured, directory-like indexing of information on the internet, with added features unknown in the print books, such as mapping, keyword searching, and website links.

The most compelling reason for a website owner to advertise on IYP is the increasing consumer usage of the internet for finding local products and services.

Searching for Home Business Ideas Beyond the Franchise

Keywords: Entreprenuers

When some folks begin to think about a business of their own, they know in that very moment what kind they are going to start. Then, there are the rest of us...

Knowing that we want to have a business of our own is not enough. Many of us have struggled with the important question of what type of enterprise we would like to start.

Franchises offer a simple pre-packaged money making idea, but the cost of a franchise often makes it a prohibitive option to most folks who contemplate going out on their own.

For those who do not have a million dollars to buy a McDonalds franchise, we must look to other ideas for our own business.

How to Start Your Own Business When Franchising is Cost-Prohibitive

Keywords:

Franchising seems to be a good solution with many advantages for small business people. Unfortunately, franchising typically costs far more than most people have. Here are some tips to use when franchising simply isn't affordable.

How to Start Your Own Business When Franchising is Cost-Prohibitive

When some folks begin to think about a business of their own, they know in that very moment what kind they are going to start.

Then, there are the rest of us...

Knowing that we want to have a business of our own is not enough. Many of us have struggled with the important question of what type of enterprise we would like to start.

Franchises offer a simple pre-packaged money making idea, but the cost of a franchise often makes it a prohibitive option to most folks who contemplate going out on their own.

For those who do not have a million dollars to buy a McDonalds franchise, we must look to other ideas for our own business.