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Business Articles
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By JoJo Tabares
Everything we do and say in business communicates something about our
company to our customers. Some things are obvious and some things are
ever
so subtle. Small businesses sometimes mistakenly think that they are
exempt
from the more formal trappings of business, but that could be a fatal
mistake. Here are some tips for communication in business:
What do you do?:
The first thing you need to master is the answer to this question.
Here are
some responses that will not illicit interest in your business:
1.. I am a stay at home mom.
2.. I work from home.
3.. I am a work at home mom.
4.. I have a little business that I do part time out of my home.
5.. I stay home with my children and I do (fill in the blank) part
time.
When someone asks you this golden question, have a ready well rehearsed
response prepared. The response should give people the impression that
you
are a professional (fill in the blank). Never say you do it part time!
Even if you do. Especially if you do! Tell them in a one or two
sentence
response exactly what you do in a way that piques their interest. This
is
what I say: I write Christian communication curriculum. I sometimes
add
that I teach classes from one of the studies that I have written or
that I
write articles on communication skills for publication. Take some time
and
come up with something that works for you.
Email:
Email is a fast becoming a vital and important method of communicating
with
our customers. It can be a real blessing because you can dash off an
answer
to a customer at 2am when you have a spare moment in between baby's
feeding
times. You don't have to go anywhere and you have time to sit and
contemplate the best communication to your customer.
While you're contemplating, think on this: Your customer cannot hear
your
voice or see your facial expression and they cannot ask any questions
for
clarification. Be careful that you don't use language (words) that can
be
misconstrued. Be careful of making jokes that may be taken the wrong
way
and put yourself in their shoes before you type. Make sure you are
clear.
Pretend you don't know anything about your business and answer as if
the
customer is from another planet. Nothing says frustration like an
that presupposes that your customer has full knowledge of your
business!
Phone calls:
Make sure to use good phone etiquette. When you call a customer, give
your
name and ask for the person you wish to speak with. Be clear,
confident and
courteous. Most of you know this. However, if you are a woman calling
for
another woman's husband, please -please -PLEASE tell his wife why you
are
calling or where you are calling from!--especially if he is not at
home. I
have received many a phone call from a woman asking to speak with
"Rich" and
refusing to give me her name or the reason she was calling. If I
didn't
know my husband as well as I do, this could cause "Marital Bliss" to
become
"Divorce Court" fodder.
Please do not let your children answer your business phone unless they
are
old enough to understand how to properly use a phone and take a
message.AND
GIVE YOU THE MESSAGE! Many a time I have called a small business only
to
have the phone answered by their adorable 3 year old who said "Yes, my
mommy
is home." And promptly put the phone back down on the receiver. This
is
not so good for repeat business.
Answering machine messages
This reminds me.unless it suits your particular business, do not have
little
Johnny leave the message on the answering machine that you use for your
business. It just doesn't communicate that you area professional.
Words you use--jargon
Be careful of the jargon or slang you use when talking to customers.
They
may not know what a "Phase C Format" is and they don't want to learn!
Just
tell them in plain old Standard English so that they may make an
informed
decision. This is true in your face-to-face communication as well as
any
written letters or emails.
Business Cards
Get some! Carry them with you! Give them out! This communicates an
air
of professionalism and that you are prepared to do business. It
creates
opportunities to do business that you might not otherwise have as well.
Stationary
Most entrepreneurs understand the need for professional looking
business
cards, but some small businesses are still corresponding with their
customers with plain white paper. It is so easy these days to create
even a
simple stationary with your business address and perhaps a logo of some
sort
with your PC.
Appropriate Attire
This one is pretty self explanatory. If you are going to meet with
clients
or customers, you should be dressed for the occasion. Some business
encounters will call for more formal attire and some will be more
casual.
Make sure that your attire suits the occasion as well as the nature of
your
business.
Be prepared and on time
This one is for your peace of mind as well as your communication to
your
customer. If you are running late, you may appear disheveled and you
may
feel pretty darned disorganized. Make sure you bring everything with
you
that you need in a neat and orderly package. Do not run in with books
falling from everywhere and notes scribbled on little pieces of paper
that
stick out from all sides of a worn out folder. This communicates to
your
customer that you don't respect their time, that you are not really
prepared
to do business properly with them or that you have too many
responsibilities
to give your customer the attention he/she requires and deserves.
Keep Your word
If you tell a customer that you will call at 2:30pm, call them at
2:30pm.
If you do not yet have the answers you need for them, call them and let
them
know this. I have had many businesses fail to call me at an appointed
time
because they didn't have the information as yet. Not knowing this, I
was
waiting! This is one of the fastest ways to communicate that your
customer
is not worth your time!
Customer Service/ Complaints/ Returns
This is one of the hardest parts of business. I worked in customer
service
for seven years and no two phone calls were exactly alike. The one
thing
that ties every customer service call together is that the customer is
calling because they are not happy campers. Understand that you will
not be
able to please everybody. Be calm, courteous and listen closely to
what
they are saying-not only to their words, but to their feelings behind
their
words (voice and facial expressions if possible). This will help you
understand what they are really looking for you to do. You would be
amazed
at how many phone calls I received where the customer was upset, but
really
didn't want me to do anything except listen.
Some customers will have a legitimate complaint: the product was
defective;
the service wasn't helpful or didn't work for them. These customers
are
merely looking for you to fix what is wrong. Usually you can diffuse
these
customers and make them satisfied customers by simply apologizing and
rectifying. If you can somehow make good on your product or service,
then
do so. If you cannot, refund their money.
Some customers just have much too high an expectation for your product
or
service. They want it to do something that it was not designed to do.
And
some people are just complainers. Watch out for these customers! You
will
end up bending over backwards for them and they will only become
angrier.
Give them what you feel is fair or even more than fair. Tell them so.
Be
prepared for them to go away mad anyway. You can't please everyone,
but if
you are more than fair, you might be able to persuade these customers
that
you did everything you could have done, even though they didn't get
exactly
what they wanted.
Small businesses, by their very nature, do not have the financial
resources
that big businesses do and so it is imperative that they don't cut
corners
when it comes to communicating with their customers. We just cannot
afford
not to communicate effectively!
Handing out business cards:
I have never been good at just giving out my business cards. I feel
too
pushy. So here's what I do: I make people ask for them.and here's how
I do
it:
1.. If I am in line at a grocery store or a bank, I will make a
comment
that can be overheard by others in line that might spark a
conversation. I
mention something that I need to buy for the business or something I
need to
do for it.
2.. I may ask someone in line about themselves and then about what
they do
for a living. They will invariably ask me.
3.. I may ask someone for some input on my business. If I see
someone who
has a teenager, I may ask their opinion on what they feel is important
to
teach their teen about communication.
4.. Sometimes I notice something unique about another person and
after
talking about what she does, I ask for a business card. Usually she
will
ask for one of mine as well.
After I have opened up a conversation, if they are interested at all, I
can
offer them my card. If they mention that they know someone else who
might
be interested I ask if I can give them two cards.
Every place you go, every phone call you answer can be a potential
customer
so be careful about your communication and be prepared with cards or
answers
to common questions that will spark interest in what you do!
JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication and has over 20
years of
experience in the field. She is the author of the Say What YouMean
series
of studies on effective communication skills. If you would like more
information on how to effectively communicate in small business, please
visit http://www.artofeloquence.com
George Bush's Secret To Successful Internet Marketing
by: Willie Crawford
Former U.S. president, George Bush Senior told the following story during a broadcast back in 1989...
A young boy and an old man were walking along a beach. As they walked, the boy picked up each starfish he passed and threw them back into the sea. Confused, the old man asked him why.
"If I left them here," the boy said, "they would dry up and die. I am saving their lives."
"But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish," the old man said. "How can what you're doing make any difference?"
The boy looked at the starfish in his hand, threw it into the ocean, and answered, "It makes a difference to this one."
How does that relate to Internet marketing?
Our quest into the world of making money online can often be like that walk along the beach. The starfish lying on the sand are the tens of thousands of people who, wanting to start their own business, have bought into some hype, and joined schemes and scams that have absolutely no chance of working for most of them.
These starfish... these people who have bet their lives' dreams, and often life's savings, on a poorly conceived, over-hyped "business opportunity" strike me as starfish stranded on that beach. They are so close to the ocean, - to proven online businesses they can own, and yet they need a little help.
As a consultant, and someone many people come to for solutions, I see too many who have bought into a "packaged deal" that includes everything from a complete turnkey website to guaranteed traffic. In theory, all they need to do is turn it on, and it will spit out dollar bills.
The dream of an instant, foolproof business is simply very, very appealing to some. We all know that if it were THAT easy, everybody would be doing it. Still, we like to believe that it is... just maybe... possible. It's sort of like playing the lottery. We know our chances are one in one hundred million of winning, but maybe... just maybe...
Back to that walk along the beach... You can actually earn a decent living online being that boy walking along the beach. You save these starfish, one at a time by showing them what really does work online. You see people wasting time and money on some business concept that is failing them, and you do the kind-hearted thing. You gently show them the errors of their ways.
Many will still stubbornly hold on to the scam they have bought into, and continue trying to make that work. Their chances of ever making a dime are less than average. They are still looking for the easy, no-effort way, that doesn't exist!
Some will notice that YOU are earning a living online and want to know how you do it. That's your invitation to show them what has actually proven to work for you. That's your green light to throw them back into the "Internet marketing ocean" and give them another chance at success... a much better than average chance because you teach them how not to wash up on the shore again.
One term we see used online frequently is six-figure income. That threshold has a magical effect with many because they have difficulty achieving it. You can easily achieve a six or even seven-figure income online. All you have to do is help others the do the same. They will happily pay you for your help. Help someone to earn $200,000 a year and they won't mind paying you handsomely for that. Teach them the proper way to do it and they will be forever grateful to you.
Now that you know the key, there's only one thing for you to do. That is to get started. If you don't know how, that's simple too... let those already doing what you want to do teach you. One way to do this is to join me at the Internet Marketing How To Workshop for a tremendous start. The workshop is taught by 11 people who "save starfish" all day long. It's April 30th - May 2nd, 2004. Sign up now at: http://InternetMarketingHowToWorkshop.com
Copyright 2004 Willie Crawford
About The Author
Willie Crawford has been teaching others how to build an on-line business since late 1996. Frequently featured in radio, magazine and newspaper articles and interviews, Willie teaches the average guy what the top marketers are doing but seldom talking about. Willie provides detailed how to information in his newsletter, through his personal coaching, and at his annual how to workshop. Learn more at: http://InternetMarketingHowToWorkshop.com
Click here for more cartoons
WAHM.com - The online magazine for Work At Home Moms
Get Rich Quick?
Copyright 2003, Cajun Clark
When the World Wide Web first started, when Internet marketing
was in its infancy, somehow, somewhere folks came along who
saw an opportunity, started writing on the subject, and became
"experts." Right, wrong or indifferent, when you're involved in
something new and unproven, it's easy to become recognized as a
"professional."
This first generation stuck with their marketing; some failed,
but others succeeded. And for those that succeeded, there was
another generation coming along who did what was hoped for but
not expected: they validated the first generation. Whether it
was because they believed in those who had come before for
ideological reasons or financial gain, only they know for sure.
However, now there are two generations purporting to be experts
in subjects pertaining to www marketing. What more credibility
could you ask for?
Now, enough time has passed to be in the third generation. And
what's to be found. For one thing, pyramid schemes have made it
into cyberspace. One so-called expert touted a fantastic program,
guaranteed to make you rich within a matter of months. However,
you had to pay a fee to participate. And like the old snail-mail
chain letter of years gone by, only the ones involved in the top
level succeeded; everyone else down the line lost!
But that's not the end of this sad scenario. Consider this:
Get rich schemes are nothing new. For all we know they may have
even been around since humans walked the earth! Can you hear
that sales pitch now? Fire starting made easy. Learn the secrets
of fire starting, for the low price of one mastodon roast.
You know there would always be a certain number of susceptible
people, or perhaps gullible is more apt, who buy into this hype.
Problem was, there were only a few ways to build a fire, and
they all required that certain basics be performed.
If we advance in time several hundred thousand years and
consider a slightly less fictional example of recent history
I give you the medicine wagon show promoters. Every one of
them--east, west, north or south--had an elixir guaranteed to
cure gout, croup, aches, pains, and every thing else under the
sun. Wrong! However, what these cure-alls would do for you is
produce intoxication and addiction.
Ten to twenty years ago, the same claim to fame was being made.
But no longer was the message being made from the back of a
wagon. Now the "secrets of success" came in the form of records,
cassette tapes and books. Several that immediately come to mind
are: Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich." Norman Vincent
Peale's "The Power of Positive Thinking." Robert Ringer's
"Winning Through Intimidation" and "Looking Out For Number
One" are a couple more from that time.
Don't misunderstand me, these books and others, had several
things in common. They were good "reads." They caused you to
think. They gave you ideas that you may or may not have thought
about before. But what they did NOT contain was the plan or
road map on how to get rich quick!
What they encouraged was to always keep learning. So that you
would not only be able to recognize an opportunity when it
presented itself, but to also be able to take advantage of that
opportunity. Hard work was, and is always required. Because
the harder you work, the luckier you get. Enough said, the old
ways have been explored, now it's...
Cyberspace, The Internet, World Wide Web, call it what you
will; Get Rich Schemes abound. You read right, Get Rich Schemes
abound. "Pssst. Hey, over here, I've got the secret."
What's the secret? How to get your web site ranked number one;
How to add 10,000 names to your mailing list in 10 days; How
to...How to...and on, and on. All you have to do is fork over
X amount of dollars, and you'll be in on the secret. Many times,
if you sign up for their newsletter-- oops, sorry, guess that
should be ezine--you'll be given the secret for free. Right.
But every time you receive an email with whatever you signed
up for, there'll be at least one sales pitch, usually more.
One important fact is, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Now granted, there are many Internet marketers that provide
valuable products and/or services at a fair price. But they're
hard to find. However, when you do, stick to that individual
like super glue. Develop a one-on-one, mutually beneficial
relationship with him or her. Share what you learn, be thankful
for the opportunity.
Finally, whether you realize it or not, when it comes to web
site statistics--the books are cooked. Yes, just like some of
the corporations that have been in the news. For instance, you
have a web site with 10 graphics on the first page, a visitor
clicks on your site for one-nanosecond and you're credited with
10 hits. Huh? How's that again? If you have three graphics on
your front page, a visitor visits for 10 minutes; you're
credited with three hits. Interesting concept; don't you agree?
Oh well, just remember...There's no silver bullet. There's no
such thing as magic dust. There's no alternative to learning,
being ready for when the opportunity presents itself, and
implementing the basics day-after-day-after-day. There's no
other way.
Cajun Clark has written a monster best selling 659-page eCookbook, with 1,160+ recipes: http://www.cajunclarks.com You're welcome to try a sampling of his recipes at no charge as a token of appreciation: http://www.cajunclarks.com/selected_freebies.html Be sure to also check out our eCookbook affiliate program.
The 10 Commandments of a Successful Online Entrepreneur
Copyright 2003, Merle
Anyone can start an online business, but making it
profitable is a whole other ball game. If you were to
ask a group of web entrepreneurs what the secret is
to their success, you'd get many different responses,
but you would find a common thread running through their
answers --comprising these simple online "commandments":
1) Thou shalt make sure your site gets submitted and
listed with all the major Search Engines.
Some are still free and some will cost you a few bucks.
Before you submit, it's important that you make your
pages "search engine friendly" and optimize them for
your most important key phrase. Do include key phrases
in your title tags and in the first 250 words of text
on the page. You'll find a nice submission list here
....http://tinyurl.com/c4pb
2) Thy Website Design must be clean.
OK, this is important; first impressions do count...
especially online. If you can't create a good looking
and professional website, please outsource it to
someone who can. Nothing will kill your sales faster
than a site that looks like it was put together by a
ten-year-old. Check out these great articles for
pointers:
http://tinyurl.com/c4ph
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9605.html
http://www.websitetips.com/design/
3) Thou shalt write compelling Website Copy.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone
say, "my site gets traffic, but no one is buying."
Converting browsers to buyers is tied to your ability
to write good ad copy that pulls a reader in and
makes him or her take the action you want. You can
read a few good books and take a stab at it yourself,
or source it out to an expert like Michael Fortin of
http://SuccessDoctor.com . At the very least, sign
up for his newsletter -- it's good stuff.
4) Thou may need to Pay Per Click.
The search engine game has changed much over the last
five years, since the advent of the PPC's. Today
they are an important part of any website search
engine strategy. The basic two you need to use are
Overture and Google Ad Words. There are other smaller
ones, but these two major players will give you more
bang for your buck, as they have relationships with
almost all the other search engines to supply sponsored
listings. For more information check out:
http://PayPerClickSearchEngines.com
5) Thou must Advertise thy presence.
Do nothing and you'll get nothing. You need to
advertise online and off to bring in the traffic
your website needs. Participate in Forums, buy
ezine ads, create and send out press releases, swap
links with other related sites. If you don't get
your URL out there,no one else will. For ideas
check out:
http://www.promotionworld.com/
6) Thou shalt take Electronic Payments.
If you're selling a product or service online you
need to be able to take payments electronically.
At the minimum, you should have a PayPal account
: http://PayPal.com . If you need to take credit
cards you'll need a merchant account or an account
with http://Clickbank.com . People like payment
options; give them as many as you can and you'll
enjoy enjoy increased sales.
7) Thou shalt engage in Email Marketing.
Email is the #1 means of communicating online and
a great way to market your site. You can reach
thousands of potential customers by advertising
in targeted newsletters for pennies on the dollar.
Just make sure you are dealing with a reputable
ezine publisher and not some guy "selling lists"
from the inside pocket of his jacket. Good
resources are:
http://Doubleclick.com
http://DirectoryofEzines.com
http://tinyurl.com/4obh
8) Thy Online Education is a Continuing Process.
The online world is a constantly changing environment,
and what works for you today may not do so tomorrow.
Make sure you read relevant publications and keep up
with what's new and "hot" in your industry. If you
can't keep up with technology, it'll leave you in
the dust. Read..Read...Read....and you'll be surprised
at what you'll learn.
9) Thou Shalt Network.
This is important to any business, online or off. As
much as the Internet has grown, there is still a close
sense of community with established players. Make sure
you make friends with other entrepreneurs every chance
you get. Find out who they are, you'll learn a lot from
watching their moves. Be helpful and courteous when you
can and someday they'll return the favor. One of the best
forums online for finding out who the "experts" are is
http://www.ablake.net/forum/
10) Thou Shalt Answer Your Email.
I know this sounds like a "no-brainer," but I'm afraid
it's not. If someone sends you an email, do your
best to reply to it within 24 hours. Nothing will
turn potential customers off faster than a lack of
response to their needs and questions. Take care of
your business promptly and people will love you for
it. Use autoresponders where you can for automatic
sending of ezine samples, ad rates, FAQ's and more.
A good free one is http://www.getresponse.com/
By following these 10 commandments you'll shine online
and you'll become the type of entrepreneur that others
will want to do business with. These unwritten rules
are there for a reason, follow them and you too will
be successful online!
Merle http://www.EzineAdAuction.com "Where some of the BEST Deals in Ezine Advertising are Made" Buy & Sell Ezine Ads in a live auction setting! Publishers sell off your excess inventory and Buyers pick up some Fantastic bargains. Free E-book on how to write "glowing" ezine ads.....Download Now at http://www.ezineadauction.com/ebooks/greatezineads.pdf
How Honest Are You?
© Copyright 2001, By Jan Wallen
http://www.StraightPaths.com/
Honesty in business is talked about in many businesses and at
all levels of business, from the mom-and-pop neighborhood store
to large corporations. It sounds good: "We conduct an honest
and ethical business."
It's a great PR statement and one that we hear constantly from
all types of businesses. What many of them are really saying is
that we should do business with them because they are honest and
we can trust what they are telling us in their sales materials
and advertising. All too often, this statement of honesty is
merely part of the business' marketing strategy used in an
attempt to create credibility with the largest number of
potential customers.
At the root of the problem is the fact that civil and legislative
authorities, which govern the conduct of business in our society,
establish the codes, regulations and laws. These rules of law
are based on practical economic and legal ethical standards and
have nothing to do with the application of Christian or moral
standards. You can operate completely within the law and still
cheat, mislead and otherwise perform dishonest acts.
But what does this really mean? For example a Christian views
honesty and ethical behavior as a foundation of the Christian
life. In other words, Christians try to live the example
through observing and applying God's Commandments. This means
complete truth in all things. It also incorporates the idea of
treating others as you want them to treat you.
For Christian business people, these truths are not just some
nice sounding words, but are to be lived out in our daily
behavior and actions. Do all Christians set this example in
their business life? Sadly, many do not. They become lost in
the lure of achieving success in their business while losing
sight of the true meaning of honesty in business dealings.
Honesty is more than something we talk about on Sunday when
we are in church but is a reality that must be lived out in
our daily life regardless of where we are.
Most have good intentions; they do not set out to cheat or lie
in order to gain an economic advantage. As long as they stay
within the bounds of the legal limits, many feel they are being
honest. It is okay to exaggerate or mislead if you do not
actually lie. It is ok to hide consumer information in fine
print that no one reads.
But this is the standard set by the world and our society. Honesty
in business dealings means exactly that. When a person reads
sales materials, the expectation should be that the claims are
truthful, not exaggerated and that the business will provide the
promised product or service just as described. A Christian
businessperson aspires to higher standards. He knows that he has
a responsibility to his customers to treat them fairly and as he
himself would expect to be treated. Anything less is dishonesty
by Christ's standards.
A Christian's word is his bond. As a Christian businessperson,
your word is your bond. Sales materials and all advertising
claims are a direct and concrete form of your word. As an honest
businessperson, you cannot ignore true honest behavior in any
aspect of your daily and business life. There is no substitute
for the truth, and there is never a justification for bending the
truth or for "little white lies." Remember that hiding the truth
through omission is the same as a direct lie. Little white lies
do not stay "little" very long and can lead to disaster in your
personal or business life.
Honest dealings in business include many things such as offering
a good product or service at a fair price. You must strive to
offer value to the customer for their hard earned money. You have
an obligation beyond what the law requires to care for and pay
your employees in a fair manner. You must always put the customer
first.
Is this always easy, or the least expensive way to conduct
business? No, but as a Christian, this is the "only" way to
do business.
As Paul wrote in his letter to the churches in Galatia:
Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or
am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please
men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
So what is the honest way to conduct business? It is really quite
simple:
* Apply sound and proven Christian principles in your
relationships with customers and your employees.
* Give value for money spent
* Meet all promised warranties and guarantees
* Be truthful in advertising and promotions
* Always tell the truth
* Treat others as you would like to be treated
Will this assure business success and earning a fortune? No, not
by themselves. But being a Christian and living as a Christian
is the true path to success in life or business, As a true
Christian, this is your only option.
RESOURCE BOX:
Jan Wallen is the owner of http://www.StraightPaths.com/ , a site dedicated to helping Christian business people conduct their businesses based on Christian principles. Her free bi-monthly newsletter, the Straight Paths Ezine, is filled with sensible, practical advice to help you in the work place. Subscriptions are available by visiting her website or you may send a blank e-mail to straightpaths@aweber.com
Do-It-Yourself Web Design for Home-Based Businesses
© 2003 Vishal P. Rao
Home-based businesses need a strong web presence to combat the inflated advertising and marketing budgets of their larger competitors, but establishing that presence through a professionally designed and developed web site may not be an affordable option. In many cases, the only cost-effective way to get the web site you want for your business is to do it yourself.
Even if you are not experienced in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), you can find helpful programs which will assist you in your design efforts. Trust me, it is not as difficult as it may seem to be.
Here are a few tips for finding software to meet your small or home-based business's needs.
1) Know Your Options
When it comes to web site creation software, there are three types to choose from: text editors, HTML editors, and WYSIWYG editors.
Text editors, which are basically any word processing program such as Word or Notepad, require extensive HTML knowledge.
NoteTab Light (Freeware)
http://www.notetab.com/download.htm
HTML editors are much like text editors except they include additional features to aid inexperienced users, such as color-coded tags and pre-prepared CGI and Java scripts. If you have little or no experience with HTML, WYSIWYG editor is a better choice.
HTML Kit (Freeware)
http://www.chami.com/html-kit/download/
Web-O-Rama (Donationware)
http://www.kevingunn.com/weborama.htm
WYSIWYG, which stands for What You See is What You Get, programs like FrontPage or DreamWeaver allow you to design the pages' appearance without writing code. You pick what
you want and the program automatically generates the code.
Macromedia Dreamweaver ($399) (Recommended)
http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/download/
NetObjects Fusion ($149.95)
http://www.netobjects.com/products/html/download.html
2) Look for the Features You Need
When you start browsing for web site software, you'll want to look for a few key features, such as ready-made templates, wizards (they make many tasks easier and quicker), auto-backup, and pre-built code.
Remember to also keep in mind your own level of HTML experience. If you are inexperienced, then you will want plenty of templates and wizards to help you along. Likewise, if you feel comfortable working with code, then you may want to choose programs without all of the bells, whistles, and help since they will cost you less.
3) Do Some Research
Never buy a program, especially not one for business, without trying it out first. Most of these programs have demos or free trials available on their manufacturers' web sites. You can also check with sites such as CNET.com or Epinions to get an idea of which programs are being recommended by users. Check with popular computer magazines for their experts' input as well.
All of this research will give you a good idea of which programs to explore and which to avoid when you are making your final buying decision.
4) Keep in Mind Your Budget
Depending on which type of web design program you choose, your costs will vary dramatically. Text editors, for example, are often already on your computer. Notepad, a feature of Windows, makes a very usable text editor and will cost you nothing extra.
HTML editors, on the other hand, can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 while WYSIWYGs are priced between $70 to $500 and up.
Well-known brands, such as Adobe and MacroMedia, will cost more but the quality of their programs and the stability of their company make them a better choice than the inexpensive software from unknown vendors.
Also, be sure to look for programs that offer free or reduced price upgrades so you continue to get the most from your software without paying full price again every two or three years.
With these tips, you should have no trouble finding an HTML program that fits your needs and your experience level so you can create your own professional-looking web site without draining your business's budget.
-----SIDE BAR-----
No matter which software you use, a good knowledge of HTML
will always be helpful. Here are some links that have helped
me tremendously in building my HTML and web designing
skills:
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/teachingtool/html.html
http://www.davesite.com/webstation/html/
http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp
-----SIDE BAR-----
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vishal P. Rao is the editor of Home Based Business Opportunities - A website dedicated to opportunities, ideas and resources to help you start a home based business. Visit him at:
Ideal Marketing Methods for Home-Based Businessess
© 2003 Vishal P. Rao
What is the difference between a small business that makes it and one that does not? Most likely, the one that was successful engaged in some effective marketing. Wise marketing is critical for owners of home-based businesses for a number of reasons:
1. Marketing keeps you ahead of the competition
2. Marketing brings you a steady stream of revenue
3. Marketing provides leads for future sales
4. Marketing helps increase awareness about your business
Marketing is not something you just jump into, however. It requires careful examination and evaluation. Not every method, after all, will lead to the benefits mentioned above.
When it comes to selecting the methods you use with your business, remember to keep in mind your target audience and your budget, then start narrowing the list of possibilities. You may also want to try a few of these marketing methods which have been proven effective for other home-based businesses:
Affiliate Programs
Almost all home-based businesses can work with an affiliate program. With this type of program, you recruit other people to sell your products/services and reward them with a percentage of the revenue (usually 3 to 10%).
The mechanics of these programs works like a restaurant franchise. Because your recruits are now associated with your company's name, you want to be sure that they are maintaining your standards of quality and professionalism, so many affiliate programs include ready-made web sites, sales materials, and more.
These recruits then attempt to make sales on your behalf. The benefit is that all of their marketing efforts (beyond what you provide) are not part of your business's expenses, and they have the potential to reach new segments of potential clients and customers.
Giveaways
This type of marketing is one of the most popular with all businesses and can be handled in at least two ways: free gifts with a purchase and/or contests.
You have probably come across ads or web sites that sell e-books or other products and offer a number of free gifts with the purchase of the product. The lure of freebies helps people make the decision to purchase. You can do the same thing with your product or service. Keep in mind that whatever you offer as a free gift should be inexpensive to produce so that you don't lose money on the deal.
Contests can also be quite effective if done creatively. For example, if your business was selling e-books, you could hold a contest with the grand prize being a free copy of one of your top-selling e-books.
But what about second place? Many people don't realize that there's no rule or law against giving a prize to every person who enters your contest so why not reward all of the other people who entered with a significant discount on the price of that same e-book? Many of those second place winners will take the discount and make a purchase.
Search Engine Optimization
If you do any business online, an important part of your marketing efforts should be search engine optimization or SEO. SEO essentially means that you tweak your site so that it appears near the top of search engine results for certain keywords.
Generally this involves repeating those keywords frequently and placing keywords in headlines, meta tags, and introductory paragraphs. While it may sound easy, most businesses turn their SEO efforts over to professionals. If bringing an expert in fits your marketing budget, you may want to enlist their assistance.
Referral Reward Programs
Another type of program aimed at bringing people to your site is a type of referral reward program. During the Internet boom, many sites had these type of programs which paid a few cents for each person who visited a site from a link listed at your site or through some other means.
Now, however, they simply are not as popular, but they can still be beneficial. Instead of offering a cash reward, allow your customers to earn your products/services by referring new business to you.
For example, you may want to offer a free e-book to customers who refer five new customers to your site. These new customers may have to make a purchase, join the referral reward program, become a member, or sign up for the newsletter. People will do a great deal if the reward is right.
Whether you elect to use one of these marketing methods or choose one of your own, the key is to test its effectiveness. Try it out for awhile and see if the results are satisfactory. If not, return to the drawing board. If so, then implement it on a larger scale. With careful planning and testing, your business will experience the benefits of marketing firsthand.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vishal P. Rao is the editor of Home Based Business Opportunities - A website dedicated to opportunities, ideas and resources to make money from home. Visit him at: http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com
Writing Right for Your Website
Back to basics. Forget funky design, good writing is the key to a clear and intuitive website.
By Glenn Murray*
Are you losing business because of your website? More and more customers are logging on to the Web to decide where to spend their money because it is quick and convenient, and they can jump from site to site instead of walking from store to store.
Web savvy customers don't need to be patient, studies have shown that you need to engage a potential customer very quickly by giving them easy, fast access to the information they need. Otherwise they will simply move on to the next site.
Appealing design and speedy functionality are important but they don't ensure that your site is well structured (intuitive) or well written (clear). If clear and intuitive is what you want, there are two golden rules:
* Write first, build later.
* Be brief and clear.
Write First
The real message on most websites is in the writing, and so it makes sense that the writing should determine the structure. Unfortunately, this is not the usual case. Most businesses choose the structure and design of their site first and then try and fit the writing around that structure. This flies in the face of commonsense. When you speak to someone, you structure your speech around your message, you don't decide on a structure then change the message to suit. So you need to plan what you want to say before you create the site. Maybe even write the whole thing first and then use the message to determine the structure.
When deciding what to write, think about what your customer wants to know rather than what you want to say. It's a subtle difference, but it is the key to engaging a potential customer.
Most customers will want to know the basics:
* What do you do?
* What benefit can you offer them?
* Why should they choose your service or product?
* What does it cost?
* How can they contact you?
* Where are you located?
Brevity & Clarity
Your website has to communicate a lot of information and to make matters worse, you are going to have limited space. Ideally, your customer won't have to scroll on any page (all your information will fit in a single window) and that single view will need to contain more than just words. The design and navigation elements take up about a third of a window, and you should leave a bit of room for white space (you don't want to overwhelm the customer). As a rule of thumb you should expect to have about half the window free for text.
How you are going to fit all your information in such a confined space? This is where writing skills come in - choose your words very carefully.
Websites can be an extremely powerful piece of marketing collateral. You can reach millions of potential customers for as little as a few hundred dollars. Unfortunately, your competitors are all doing the same thing - it's a level playing field but there are a lot of players.
It is important that your message is structured and well thought out, otherwise your site will be a mess and no-one will bother to read about your business. If your message is clear, your site will be simple and easy to use. It's all in the words.
* Glenn Murray heads copywriting agency Divine Write. He can be contacted on (02)43346222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit www.divinewrite.com for
further details.
Balancing Home & Work:
The Challenge of the Home-Based Business
© 2002 Vishal P. Rao
With the holidays around the corner, you may find yourself struggling to keep your home-based business and your home life separate and running smoothly. And you're not alone.
Operating a home-based business has many benefits as you already know, but its main drawback is that it often causes the line between your work and your personal life to become permanently blurred. Unlike those individuals who work outside the home and who know their day at the office ends when they get in their car and start the commute home, home business operators do not usually have a definite end to their day.
The reverse situation is also possible: they may not have a definite start to their day either. If you have a hard time breaking free of your work responsibilities or if you sometimes have trouble settling in to tackle them, these tips will help you bring both aspects of your life into equilibrium.
Separate Your Office From Your Home
If your work computer is in the living room where everyone in the family congregates, chances are you are being bombarded by distractions. Plus, when it is time for you to relax, you may find it difficult with the computer right there as a constant reminder of all the work you still need to finish and all of the communications you still need to respond to.
The answer is to set aside an area of your home just for work. If you have an office or an extra bedroom where you can set up your space, then you can block out the distractions simply by shutting the door. Also avoid putting anything in your home office that might prevent you from
getting your work done, such as a television.
If you don't have an entire room to dedicate to your office, move your computer and materials into a room that is rarely used or that is normally unoccupied when you need to be working, such as a bedroom. Once you have separated your home from your office, you will find it easier to stay
focused on your work but also to leave your work in its space so you can relax and enjoy the remainder of your home.
Create Specific Working Hours
One of the best things about running a home-based business is undoubtedly the flexible schedule, but it can also have negative consequences. On the one hand, your schedule may be so flexible that you only work 30 minutes a day or so hectic that you find yourself working at all hours of the
day without taking a break.
The answer is to set your own office hours. Creating your own schedule still has benefits. For one, you can decide what time of the day you start, so if you're not a morning person, you don't have to get up at the break of dawn. Also, if you prefer to stop working when your children come home
from school, you can consider that when you decide when to stop for the day.
Another benefit is that you provide clients and customers with a specific times when you are available to work with them. The most important thing to remember, however, is to set hours for yourself that you can live with. Once you decide on a schedule, you need to stick with it long-term,
so be realistic about how long you can work without taking a break and how much time you'll need to accomplish everything that needs to get done.
And, no matter how much you may be tempted to keep working, you need to stop when you say you are going to stop. Taking a break allows you to come back refreshed and more alert, so
you can be more productive. An overworked, overly stressed person simply is not an effective worker at home or in an office.
Draw the Line Between Home and Work Communications
Has this ever happened to you? You and your family have just sat down for a dinner around the table when a client calls to talk about your current project or a customer phones with questions about a recent purchase.
The easiest way to prevent work from interfering with your family is to keep communications separate. Start by having a second phone line dedicated to your work and attaching an answering machine or voice mail to the line.
When your work day ends, you can turn on the machine and let it handle any after-hour calls. An extra phone line also allows you to maintain professionalism. Imagine the embarrassment of having your young child answer the phone when an important customer calls.
You may also want to set up a post office box for all of your business-related mail. Not only will this prevent your important mail from accidentally getting thrown away with the junk, but it will also offer you and your family a level of privacy.
After all, you do not want to make your home address available to everyone; it's just not safe. If you use email or instant messaging as part of your business communications, you'll also want to establish separate accounts for those as well.
The key to running a home-based business is balance. While it may be difficult to stop working on that important project or to concentrate on work while your preparing for the holidays, striking that balance is essential for your well-being, your family's security, and your business's success.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vishal P. Rao is the editor of Home Based Business Opportunities - A website dedicated to opportunities, ideas and resources to make money from home. Visit him at: http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com Do-It-Yourself Web Design for Home-Based Businesses
© 2003 Vishal P. Rao
Home-based businesses need a strong web presence to combat the inflated advertising and marketing budgets of their larger competitors, but establishing that presence through a professionally designed and developed web site may not be an affordable option. In many cases, the only cost-effective way to get the web site you want for your business is to do it yourself.
Even if you are not experienced in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), you can find helpful programs which will assist you in your design efforts. Trust me, it is not as difficult as it may seem to be.
Here are a few tips for finding software to meet your small or home-based business's needs.
1) Know Your Options
When it comes to web site creation software, there are three types to choose from: text editors, HTML editors, and WYSIWYG editors.
Text editors, which are basically any word processing program such as Word or Notepad, require extensive HTML knowledge.
NoteTab Light (Freeware)
http://www.notetab.com/download.htm
HTML editors are much like text editors except they include additional features to aid inexperienced users, such as color-coded tags and pre-prepared CGI and Java scripts. If you have little or no experience with HTML, WYSIWYG editor is a better choice.
HTML Kit (Freeware)
http://www.chami.com/html-kit/download/
Web-O-Rama (Donationware)
http://www.kevingunn.com/weborama.htm
WYSIWYG, which stands for What You See is What You Get, programs like FrontPage or DreamWeaver allow you to design the pages' appearance without writing code. You pick what
you want and the program automatically generates the code.
Macromedia Dreamweaver ($399) (Recommended)
http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/download/
NetObjects Fusion ($149.95)
http://www.netobjects.com/products/html/download.html
2) Look for the Features You Need
When you start browsing for web site software, you'll want to look for a few key features, such as ready-made templates, wizards (they make many tasks easier and quicker), auto-backup, and pre-built code.
Remember to also keep in mind your own level of HTML experience. If you are inexperienced, then you will want plenty of templates and wizards to help you along. Likewise, if you feel comfortable working with code, then you may want to choose programs without all of the bells, whistles, and help since they will cost you less.
3) Do Some Research
Never buy a program, especially not one for business, without trying it out first. Most of these programs have demos or free trials available on their manufacturers' web sites. You can also check with sites such as CNET.com or Epinions to get an idea of which programs are being recommended by users. Check with popular computer magazines for their experts' input as well.
All of this research will give you a good idea of which programs to explore and which to avoid when you are making your final buying decision.
4) Keep in Mind Your Budget
Depending on which type of web design program you choose, your costs will vary dramatically. Text editors, for example, are often already on your computer. Notepad, a feature of Windows, makes a very usable text editor and will cost you nothing extra.
HTML editors, on the other hand, can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 while WYSIWYGs are priced between $70 to $500 and up.
Well-known brands, such as Adobe and MacroMedia, will cost more but the quality of their programs and the stability of their company make them a better choice than the inexpensive software from unknown vendors.
Also, be sure to look for programs that offer free or reduced price upgrades so you continue to get the most from your software without paying full price again every two or three years.
With these tips, you should have no trouble finding an HTML program that fits your needs and your experience level so you can create your own professional-looking web site without draining your business's budget.
-----SIDE BAR-----
No matter which software you use, a good knowledge of HTML
will always be helpful. Here are some links that have helped
me tremendously in building my HTML and web designing
skills:
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/teachingtool/html.html
http://www.davesite.com/webstation/html/
http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp
-----SIDE BAR-----
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vishal P. Rao is the editor of Home Based Business Opportunities - A website dedicated to opportunities, ideas and resources to help you start a home based business. Visit him at: http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com
Five Ideas for Unique (and Cheap) Marketing
© 2003 Vishal P. Rao
Home-based businesses generally lack the large marketing budgets of bigger companies, but a smaller budget doesn't have to stop you from engaging in clever and effective campaigns.
When marketing on a budget, you need to "think outside the box" and go beyond the obvious marketing approaches. Direct mail and banner ads, for example, are one way to go, but if your competition is using similar methods, you need to differentiate yourself.
Below you will find a few unique ways to boost the exposure of your home-based business and generate more sales without depleting your budget.
Idea #1 Offer Something for Nothing
One of the biggest ways to draw a crowd off- and on-line is by offering something for free. In particular, something that will be of interest to your target audience.
For example, if you sell arts and crafts, you might offer a free guide to craft shows in North America. If you sell collectibles, you might offer a free newsletter of tips and news relevant to collectors. If you sell marketing books, you might offer free articles about marketing.
When you provide these types of freebies, people will flock to your site. Some may only be interested in your free stuff, but others will take the next step and become full-fledged customers.
Remember that whatever you give away has a high perceived value, but costs little to produce.
Idea #2 Join On-line Discussion Groups
No matter what you are selling, chances are there's a discussion group on the Internet patronized by your target audience. The key is to find the right ones and become a member.
Once you find that group, start visiting the forums and message boards and responding to questions regarding your area of expertise. You should create a subtle signature file to post along with your responses. This file should direct people to your web site for further information.
Does this method work? One person who used it earned $6000 just from efforts involving discussion groups.
Idea #3 Consider the Charitable Angle
People enjoy making a contribution to worthy causes and doing business with companies that try to make a difference in the world. Consider setting aside a portion of all sales as donations to a specific charity. Make sure to select a charity with a wide appeal and a good reputation. Don't forget that these donations also make appropriate topics for press releases which could bring you even more attention and sales.
Idea #4 Repackage Products
After a product has been available for awhile, sales naturally decline. You could lower the price or even discontinue the product altogether as solutions, but a better way to boost slow sales is to repackage those old products and sell them in a whole new way.
Consider bundling multiple products together for one price or offer the older product as a free gift to new customers. You may also want to try it out on a totally new target audience. Simply taking the time to revamp an old product, perhaps with the addition of a new chapter or special feature, can allow it to be sold as an all-new version.
Repackaging can help you boost sales and extend the profitable life of your products.
Idea #5 Sell Yourself as an Expert
No matter what you sell, you are proclaiming yourself to be knowledgeable and experienced in that industry. People want to believe that you are an expert who they can trust with their hard-earned cash. You want to convince people that you are an expert who has products that deliver what you promise.
One of the best ways to do both of these things is to become a speaker on topics related to your industry and to home-based business in general. Speakers are needed at a variety of functions, including trade shows, chamber of commerce functions, high school/college career festivals, and more.
Another way to position yourself as an expert is to become a part-time teacher in a college or community center where you share your knowledge of business and your industry with others. Or consider becoming an author. You could write an e-book related to your business which could gain you considerable recognition as well as revenue.
Any of these methods will help you market yourself as an experienced professional worthy of potential customers' attention.
With these five ideas and a little creativity, you can take steps to set your business, your product, and your marketing apart from your competition.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vishal P. Rao is the editor of Home Based Business Opportunities - A website dedicated to opportunities, ideas and resources to help you start a home based business. Visit him at: http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com
Keeping Your Business's Finances on Track
© 2003 Vishal P. Rao
One of the biggest benefits of operating a home-based business is that it doesn't require any formal training or experience. After all, some of the most successful individuals never attended a single business-related class or workshop.
The only drawback to having a lack of experience and/or business education is that it can make tracking your company's finances difficult. Even accountants who spend their lives working with numbers often find bookkeeping a tedious chore.
But no matter how mundane keeping track of your company's revenue and expenses may be, it is also necessary for several reasons:
1) You need to know at a glance if your business is spending more than it is earning.
2) You need to have all of this information documented for tax time.
3) You can use this data to help you establish your budgets and to adjust your spending.
Of course, just knowing it's important doesn't make it easier to accomplish. In fact, you really have two options if you want to reduce your accounting stress:
A) Hire a professional to help you or
B) Invest in a helpful accounting software program.
While hiring a professional would be the easiest route, it's also more costly. For most home-based businesses, the most effective choice is to use an accounting software program.
Before you spend a dime, however, there are a few things you need to know.
1) Know What You Need The Program To Do
The accounting programs currently available can handle a wide array of business related tasks, such as tracking expenses, creating invoices, handling payroll, and printing checks. The more of these tasks a program can do, the more expensive it will be.
For that reason, you should know exactly what you are going to use it for. That way you can get a program that meets your needs without paying for features you'll never use.
2) Know The Details Of Your Computer
Before you buy any software, you need to know your computer's current statistics, such as what operating system you use, how much hard drive is available, and how much RAM your system contains.
If you buy a program that won't work on your system, you won't be able to return it and get your money back once it's been opened. Checking in advance will protect you from getting stuck with software you can't use.
3) Do Your Homework
Any type of business-related purchase requires careful consideration, so be sure to investigate before you buy. Explore all of the software programs available and find out what other people are saying about them. Sites like Epinions.com and CNET.com can provide you with product feedback from both consumers and reviewers.
Pay attention to mentions of difficulty levels since you want a program that is easy for you to learn and to use. Also, take advantage of software demos. Nothing beats a hands-on preview. You should do some research into the companies' technical support and customer service as well. If you ever need help, you want to know it's readily available.
4) Be Aware Of Costs
Another thing you need to know is how much you can afford to spend on the program. The costs for accounting software run from $30 to $600 or more depending on the features included.
Knowing what you need and can afford in advance will prevent you from paying too much. Shopping around for a particular program won't do much good, however. Whether you buy a program online, from an electronics store, or from a retail outlet, you'll pay about the same price. Watch for rebates or special offers, however, because they can cut your costs considerably.
Here are a few suggestions if you find it difficult to identify the right accounting software program for you:
* Peachtree Accounting 2003
Peachtree is one of the most recognized names in business accounting. This program allows you to manage your accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, payroll, job costing, fixed assets, even general ledger. Other valuable features perfect for small or home-based businesses, such as Internet postage, credit card service, direct deposit, and contact management are also included.
This version costs $199.95, but others are also available. You can learn more about Peachtree's line of accounting software at http://www.peachtree.com
* Quicken Home & Business
At $89.95, Quicken Home & Business is one of the most budget-friendly accounting programs on the market. Even though its price is low, its packed with features, such as creating custom estimates and invoices, generating business reports, setting up a Merchant Account, managing taxes and expenses, and keeping track of your cash flow.
You can also use the program to download your transactions and pay your bills online. Other versions of Quicken are also available through
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