Are you thinking about starting a home business? Following are some things to think about:
1. Get over your fear of selling - You will be selling something to somebody whether it is through your own business or for someone else in a retail store or office. Direct sales is a great option to start a business with little investment. You can determine how much or how little you sell. If you use a product at home and you really enjoy it you don't hesitate to tell your friends about it. So get into a business where you enjoy the products and telling us will seem more like giving them a gift instead of trying to sell them on a product.
2. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is - If you see ads that say you don't have to do anything and you will make money, be very cautious! You will likely be spending a lot of time making very little money...if any money at all. Those ads are selling the business to you and you will likely have to SELL the business to others. Nobody is going to come to you and offer you money to do nothing.
3. Don't put a big bulls eye on your forehead - Here is how you put a bulls eye on your forehead, "I want to work from home but I don't want to do any selling I just want to do typing or something on my computer all day." You just opened yourself up as a target for scammers or people who will make their opportunity sound so great and "easy" that you will likely waste your time trying it. Or, even worse, you will will spend money and then come back to the web and say you have tried several things and they all turned out to be scams. Not surprising. If THAT job were out there we would all already be doing it. Now if you have a skill that is in demand you may find what you are looking for. If you are a good writer you may be able to find some freelance work.
4. It takes WORK - There is no easy money out there (legally or morally). Anything you do is going to take effort and time on your part. Building a business takes time. You need to build a customer base just like any regular business. Don't give up if you don't have overnight success. Give your business a chance to grow. Ask for help from your resources. You can do it but you can only do it if you actually START. So get started and if you fail get back up and start again. Work it. You can do it!
5. Choose the right business for you - Do you like the products and would you be happy or excited to show the products to others? Are the prices reasonable for the product and can your local market afford to pay the prices? Are you able to be upfront with people about what you have to offer? What expenses will you have? Every business has expenses. Find out how much supplies are going to cost you and if there are any other fees charged by the company. Is the shipping cost and time reasonable?
6. Don't be fooled by high upfront commission - You need to determine what the company is going to take away from your commission. Do you have to pay for credit card processing? Do you have to pay hostess benefits? Is there an annual renewal fee? Do you have to buy an inventory upfront? Do you have to file sales tax? What other fees and/or expenses are going to take away from your commission? Look beyond the upfront commission and do your research. You may have to take on some of these fees and that's okay if you determine that it is worth the investment.
7. Do your research - When you find a company you are interested in do your research. Search the company on search engines like Google, Yahoo, etc. and read what people are saying. Ask questions in forums and other areas where you can get a variety of opinions. Keep in mind that just because someone wasn't successful with a business does not mean it is a scam.
8 You can make money right away in Direct Sales - If you make the right choice when choosing a company you will make your initial investment back very quickly. Create a plan to determine what you need to do to earn back your initial investment. Ask your sponsor or the company to help you if you are unsure of how to create a plan. Will you need to reinvest? Yes, as you need supplies, so include that in your plan. Every business owner needs to invest time and money into their business.
9 Choose a good sponsor - When you find a company you will have many questions. When you start asking questions of someone already with the company they will likely become your sponsor. A sponsor should be able to answer your questions promptly and help you get started in the business. Your sponsor should also help you while you are in the business. Beyond the sponsor the company should provide some great training and assistance. Get involved with your sponsor and the company. However, always remember that it is your business and you can do what it takes to succeed.
10 Don't be afraid to start - Don't be afraid to start a business. It will be your business and you will have control (within company guidelines). If you decide that the business is not right for you than you can "quit" the business. You are not signing a lifetime contract. Don't be held back by fears of what you don't know. A good company will have a support network of people who are helping each other and providing advice on how to succeed. You don't have to be in business alone. You can make many friends in a new business. You have to start in order to succeed. Doing nothing results in having nothing. You can do it!
Good luck with your search. I hope everyone can find something that is fun and profitable.
Enjoy!
I would like to start a business that takes care of the handicap in their own home. But the state makes you the payee to make sure the persons bills , health, and grocery get paid. Basically you care for the person but allow them some indePENDENT in their own home instead of a nursing home or group home. H ave anyone heard of this type of home care
I have heard of franchises similar to what you have described. Some of the names are Comfort Keepers, Visiting Angels, and Home Helpers. If you're not interested in a franchise, you may want to read up on these anyway to see how they are doing business.
Loretta
Scentsy Independent Director
http://www.SaferScents.com
Home Business Consultants Wanted
Visit my friend Lisa to learn more about starting an At Home America business - http://www.athome.com/lisab
Awesome Tips Loretta!!!
To Your Success,
Group Owner:
Work At Home Moms Community & MOMpreneurs Community
JennKMay.com
"Inspiration, Personal Growth and Internet Marketing"
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Full Time MOMpreneur And Work At Home Mom!
Love the Tips in here...Thx 4 sharin. And, from experience, I would like to say: Be clear on what it is u want, there is a big difference between, an at home business, a sub-contractor(for a company), and an employee. I have a great 'at home job, and run a successful business at home. It did take me 5 yrs to research places b4 I knew what was legit, and what job i wanted to take.
Wow, you have it nailed down.
I wish you were one of my partners in business. You obviously have much experience and knowledge in the business world.
Thank you for such great advice. I wish everyone I worked with was as confident as you.
Nathalie
How or where can I find out about how to price my items appropriately? My mom and I make a lot of purses and quilted home decor items. We're wanting to go to a Christmas craft bizarre and have no idea where to start when it comes to figuring out a right price. Oh and we're in Indianapolis, IN.
Where to begine? start with what you know how to do best.. making money online is like having fun if you know what you are doing. it doest take much from you like offline job where you have to wake up every morning and hurry up to work.. start with what you know best. train yourself for a particular purpose...
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Best of Luck!
23 Ways to Earn Money Offline When You Need Extra Cash
- bizlady
on Mar. 10, 2009 at 5:36 PM