Monday, September 30, 2019
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
How to Make Money Online
You don't need a brick-and-mortar location to start a successful business. In fact, some of the most successful businesses can be run entirely online. Keeping your business digital can save you thousands of dollars in rent and expenses, and it can help you reach a wider base of clients because you're not limited to one local area.
Ready to start a business this year? Here are 15 online business ideas to inspire you.
1. SEO consultant – Do you know the ins and outs of search engines and have skills in platforms like Google Analytics? A lot of smaller companies don't realize how much of an impact search engine optimization (SEO) can have on their business. You can start an online business to help other companies make their websites more SEO friendly by teaching business owners how to read and use their analytics data the right way, and how to properly use keywords and structure content to get more traffic.
2. Business coaching –If you have a lot of business knowledge and experience, why not start a business that helps other aspiring entrepreneurs find success? You can use your skills to help new business owners get off to a good start and help experienced entrepreneurs keep up with demand. You can also write articles about business on platforms like LinkedIn, to show off your knowledge and skills and bring in clients.
3. Specialized retailer – An online store lets you reach customers all over that world and that means you can afford to specialize. Whether it's dollhouse furniture or organic dog food, there's an audience for everything. Using a web hosting service with an integrated shopping cart or e-commerce sofware, your business will be operational in no time. Many vendors will even ship products to customers on your behalf, which means you don't need to own a lot of inventory.
4. Social media consultant – Larger firms can hire an agency or full-time staff member to run their Facebook and Twitter accounts, but small businesses often have to handle their own social media marketing. With so many other responsibilities, business owners are often too busy or overwhelmed to spend time developing and implementing a great social media strategy. As a consultant, you can help them determine the best tactics, posting schedules and content for their target audience. As their follower count grows, so will your business.
5. Web design – Have you ever been turned off by a business’s generic-looking website layout? If you know some HTML and have a good eye for design, you can launch a service to create attractive, easy-to-use websites for small businesses. You can put your skills to good use for business owners who want to take their online presence to the next level. Build up a portfolio of work with smaller freelance jobs, then create your own website to show it off and bring in a steady stream of clients.
6. Resume/cover letter writing – It's a tough truth to swallow, but a standout resume and cover letter can make all the difference when applying jobs. While listing career accomplishments might seem like an easy task, the fine art of “humble bragging” eludes some of us. Get hired to help others get hired by writing stellar resumes. Capitalize on the increasingly important social media branding bandwagon and offer to fix LinkedIn profiles as well.
7. Professional freelancer – You might not think of freelancing as a business, but with more and more companies turning to part-time contract workers to fill their skill gaps, it's not hard to imagine making a living providing businesses with a variety of freelance services. Depending on your skill sets, you could work for multiple companies in a variety of fields, offering flexibility and a refreshing change of pace. According to the freelance job listing website Freelancer.com, tech services, content creation and web design are popular fields for contract work.
8. Affiliate marketing – If you're a person that loves leaving customer reviews on sites like Amazon, stop doing it for free. Word-of-mouth advertising is still a huge lead generator for many companies, and a lot of businesses are willing to share a portion of their profits with persuasive individuals who will promote their products to the public. If you have a personal website with a large following, this might be easier to accomplish (PR reps are always seeking out brand advocates they can send free samples to). Smart Passive Income breaks down three types of affiliate marketing and explains which one is most profitable.
9. Health/nutrition coach – When it comes to nutrition, Americans seem to have a mental block. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 70 percent of the adult population is overweight or obese, and many people that want to lose weight and eat better simply don't know where to start. You don't necessarily need to be a registered dietitian (RD) to offer meal plans and diet counseling to your client base, either. With the right combination of personal support and nutrition and exercise knowledge, you could be helping people get healthier through your online service.
10. eBook author – Have a ton of knowledge on a particular subject that you want to share with the public? With e-readers now a staple in most households, self-publication has become a reality for many writers who might never get picked up by publishing companies. With the right marketing tools, you can successfully publish your own books on anything from cooking and weight loss to real estate. Inbound Pro’s advice from successful e-Book authors offers tips for writing content that sells.
11. Remote technical support – Many small businesses don't have room in their budget for a full-time IT employee, so when their systems go on the fritz, they'll usually call a computer whiz friend or family member. If you have experience working on computers and networks, you can eliminate their need to call in a favor and offer immediate remote technical assistance.
12. Virtual consignment store – Bargain hunters and thrift store enthusiasts can turn a nice profit reselling their vintage clothing finds. Brand yourself by setting up an independent website as your virtual storefront, but use a managed service like Google Checkout to handle transactions. High-resolution images and catchy copy for your products will make you stand out in the sea of Internet users trying to sell their used items..
13. Handmade craft seller – Online sites like Etsy and ArtFire are platforms that make it extremely easy for crafters who can produce a steady supply of quality handmade items, like crocheted blankets or unique painted glassware. Startup costs are extremely low if you purchase your materials in bulk from a craft supplier, and if you can turn orders around quickly, you’ll be making a profit in no time at all. It’s even possible to turn your store into a full-time gig.
14. Teaching online courses – You don’t need a degree in education to teach people how to do something you know inside and out. You can help others enrich their lives by offering classes in an area you’re passionate about, like yoga or baking. Create instructional packets and videos for download from a website, or schedule real-time Skype lessons with clients.
15. App development – Mobile applications are more popular than ever, and people are willing to pay good money for ways to manage their lives from their smartphones. If you have a great idea and happen to know coding, you can run with it and create your app yourself. If you just have an idea and don't know the ins and outs of how to turn it into a reality, there are plenty of software developers looking to collaborate with people on app creation. source
Ready to start a business this year? Here are 15 online business ideas to inspire you.
1. SEO consultant – Do you know the ins and outs of search engines and have skills in platforms like Google Analytics? A lot of smaller companies don't realize how much of an impact search engine optimization (SEO) can have on their business. You can start an online business to help other companies make their websites more SEO friendly by teaching business owners how to read and use their analytics data the right way, and how to properly use keywords and structure content to get more traffic.
2. Business coaching –If you have a lot of business knowledge and experience, why not start a business that helps other aspiring entrepreneurs find success? You can use your skills to help new business owners get off to a good start and help experienced entrepreneurs keep up with demand. You can also write articles about business on platforms like LinkedIn, to show off your knowledge and skills and bring in clients.
3. Specialized retailer – An online store lets you reach customers all over that world and that means you can afford to specialize. Whether it's dollhouse furniture or organic dog food, there's an audience for everything. Using a web hosting service with an integrated shopping cart or e-commerce sofware, your business will be operational in no time. Many vendors will even ship products to customers on your behalf, which means you don't need to own a lot of inventory.
4. Social media consultant – Larger firms can hire an agency or full-time staff member to run their Facebook and Twitter accounts, but small businesses often have to handle their own social media marketing. With so many other responsibilities, business owners are often too busy or overwhelmed to spend time developing and implementing a great social media strategy. As a consultant, you can help them determine the best tactics, posting schedules and content for their target audience. As their follower count grows, so will your business.
5. Web design – Have you ever been turned off by a business’s generic-looking website layout? If you know some HTML and have a good eye for design, you can launch a service to create attractive, easy-to-use websites for small businesses. You can put your skills to good use for business owners who want to take their online presence to the next level. Build up a portfolio of work with smaller freelance jobs, then create your own website to show it off and bring in a steady stream of clients.
6. Resume/cover letter writing – It's a tough truth to swallow, but a standout resume and cover letter can make all the difference when applying jobs. While listing career accomplishments might seem like an easy task, the fine art of “humble bragging” eludes some of us. Get hired to help others get hired by writing stellar resumes. Capitalize on the increasingly important social media branding bandwagon and offer to fix LinkedIn profiles as well.
7. Professional freelancer – You might not think of freelancing as a business, but with more and more companies turning to part-time contract workers to fill their skill gaps, it's not hard to imagine making a living providing businesses with a variety of freelance services. Depending on your skill sets, you could work for multiple companies in a variety of fields, offering flexibility and a refreshing change of pace. According to the freelance job listing website Freelancer.com, tech services, content creation and web design are popular fields for contract work.
8. Affiliate marketing – If you're a person that loves leaving customer reviews on sites like Amazon, stop doing it for free. Word-of-mouth advertising is still a huge lead generator for many companies, and a lot of businesses are willing to share a portion of their profits with persuasive individuals who will promote their products to the public. If you have a personal website with a large following, this might be easier to accomplish (PR reps are always seeking out brand advocates they can send free samples to). Smart Passive Income breaks down three types of affiliate marketing and explains which one is most profitable.
9. Health/nutrition coach – When it comes to nutrition, Americans seem to have a mental block. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 70 percent of the adult population is overweight or obese, and many people that want to lose weight and eat better simply don't know where to start. You don't necessarily need to be a registered dietitian (RD) to offer meal plans and diet counseling to your client base, either. With the right combination of personal support and nutrition and exercise knowledge, you could be helping people get healthier through your online service.
10. eBook author – Have a ton of knowledge on a particular subject that you want to share with the public? With e-readers now a staple in most households, self-publication has become a reality for many writers who might never get picked up by publishing companies. With the right marketing tools, you can successfully publish your own books on anything from cooking and weight loss to real estate. Inbound Pro’s advice from successful e-Book authors offers tips for writing content that sells.
11. Remote technical support – Many small businesses don't have room in their budget for a full-time IT employee, so when their systems go on the fritz, they'll usually call a computer whiz friend or family member. If you have experience working on computers and networks, you can eliminate their need to call in a favor and offer immediate remote technical assistance.
12. Virtual consignment store – Bargain hunters and thrift store enthusiasts can turn a nice profit reselling their vintage clothing finds. Brand yourself by setting up an independent website as your virtual storefront, but use a managed service like Google Checkout to handle transactions. High-resolution images and catchy copy for your products will make you stand out in the sea of Internet users trying to sell their used items..
13. Handmade craft seller – Online sites like Etsy and ArtFire are platforms that make it extremely easy for crafters who can produce a steady supply of quality handmade items, like crocheted blankets or unique painted glassware. Startup costs are extremely low if you purchase your materials in bulk from a craft supplier, and if you can turn orders around quickly, you’ll be making a profit in no time at all. It’s even possible to turn your store into a full-time gig.
14. Teaching online courses – You don’t need a degree in education to teach people how to do something you know inside and out. You can help others enrich their lives by offering classes in an area you’re passionate about, like yoga or baking. Create instructional packets and videos for download from a website, or schedule real-time Skype lessons with clients.
15. App development – Mobile applications are more popular than ever, and people are willing to pay good money for ways to manage their lives from their smartphones. If you have a great idea and happen to know coding, you can run with it and create your app yourself. If you just have an idea and don't know the ins and outs of how to turn it into a reality, there are plenty of software developers looking to collaborate with people on app creation. source
How to Start Your Own Food Cart Business
Starting a food cart business is an ideal start up venture for young entrepreneurs because it doesn’t require a big capital. However, in order for your food cart business to be successful you need to have a good product that people will always want, a good location and you have to market it well.
1. You should have a good concept. Sanz says the concept should always match the product you are selling. So, if the product is Italian, everything should be consistently Italian themed. If the product is Filipino, the concept should match.
2. Focus on the product first. “Even if the concept is good, but the product is bad, people will just avail at the start to try it out but they will not be coming back,” Sanz said. Making sure that you have a consistently good product will ensure the long term viability of the business.
3. Get a good starting location. This is one of the single most important factors of a food cart business. Make sure that the site is very visible with very high foot traffic. “Do your research, try to gauge the amount of people passing through a particular location, and also make sure that these people suit your target market for your product,” Sanz advises.
4. Come up with a good stall design to attract customers. As a marketing tool, having a good storefront is critical for any startup. “Ask yourself, how will I differentiate myself from competitors? To do this, you will probably need to hire a good designer and architect or visit other countries to get a good idea. Trade books and magazines could also help you decide what design will work for your line of business,” Sanz said.
5. Have an efficient operating system. Sanz said it is very important to install a good operating system in your business, especially if you’re a startup with limited resources. “Here is where the stall operation will revolve. This is important because in cart business, there is limited space. You should be able to store your product and prepare them with that limited space,” he said.
6. Don’t bank on credit to bankroll your business. Obtaining the needed capital for your business is a necessary step, but Sanz counsels it would be wise to use your own money, so in case the business doesn’t do well, no creditor will go after you. “The rule is “you only invest what you are prepared to lose,” he said.
7. Be a stickler for service. A food business is very dependent on a good reputation for success, maintaining a good service level, efficient systems, and clean products and workstations will go a long way in helping your longevity and increase help you build credibility.
8. Pay your suppliers, employees, and lessor (rent) on time to ensure continuity of operations. There’s nothing more annoying than having to stop operations for lack of supplies, place of business, or both. To avoid this, Sanz says entrepreneurs should set up an active payment system that is both efficient and timely. “Suppliers are the lifeblood of your company, and if they stop because of non payment, you will lose a lot money. Also, make sure to pay the right wages and give mandatory benefits to your employees, because a happy worker is a productive worker,” he said.
9. Secure all necessary permits before starting operations. Before the first day of operations, make sure to register your business with DTI, IPO, BIR, and get the necessary business permits in the barangay and municipal/city hall (mayor’s permit). Doing so will save you the hassle of processing it while your business is already under way.
10. Choose the right franchise. If you opt to get a franchise instead of starting your own business, make sure that the franchisor is a member of good standing with any (or both) of the two franchise associations in the Philippines, AFFI (Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc) and PFA (Philippine Franchise Association). Do background checks, talk with franchisees, and consult a lawyer before signing the franchise agreement.
“People should be very careful before getting a franchise for food carts because there are already fly-by-night franchisers that are taking advantage of this to enrich themselves illegally. This is why the membership with the Affi and PFA is important because these two groups screen their members properly,” Sanz said.
1. You should have a good concept. Sanz says the concept should always match the product you are selling. So, if the product is Italian, everything should be consistently Italian themed. If the product is Filipino, the concept should match.
2. Focus on the product first. “Even if the concept is good, but the product is bad, people will just avail at the start to try it out but they will not be coming back,” Sanz said. Making sure that you have a consistently good product will ensure the long term viability of the business.
3. Get a good starting location. This is one of the single most important factors of a food cart business. Make sure that the site is very visible with very high foot traffic. “Do your research, try to gauge the amount of people passing through a particular location, and also make sure that these people suit your target market for your product,” Sanz advises.
4. Come up with a good stall design to attract customers. As a marketing tool, having a good storefront is critical for any startup. “Ask yourself, how will I differentiate myself from competitors? To do this, you will probably need to hire a good designer and architect or visit other countries to get a good idea. Trade books and magazines could also help you decide what design will work for your line of business,” Sanz said.
5. Have an efficient operating system. Sanz said it is very important to install a good operating system in your business, especially if you’re a startup with limited resources. “Here is where the stall operation will revolve. This is important because in cart business, there is limited space. You should be able to store your product and prepare them with that limited space,” he said.
6. Don’t bank on credit to bankroll your business. Obtaining the needed capital for your business is a necessary step, but Sanz counsels it would be wise to use your own money, so in case the business doesn’t do well, no creditor will go after you. “The rule is “you only invest what you are prepared to lose,” he said.
7. Be a stickler for service. A food business is very dependent on a good reputation for success, maintaining a good service level, efficient systems, and clean products and workstations will go a long way in helping your longevity and increase help you build credibility.
8. Pay your suppliers, employees, and lessor (rent) on time to ensure continuity of operations. There’s nothing more annoying than having to stop operations for lack of supplies, place of business, or both. To avoid this, Sanz says entrepreneurs should set up an active payment system that is both efficient and timely. “Suppliers are the lifeblood of your company, and if they stop because of non payment, you will lose a lot money. Also, make sure to pay the right wages and give mandatory benefits to your employees, because a happy worker is a productive worker,” he said.
9. Secure all necessary permits before starting operations. Before the first day of operations, make sure to register your business with DTI, IPO, BIR, and get the necessary business permits in the barangay and municipal/city hall (mayor’s permit). Doing so will save you the hassle of processing it while your business is already under way.
10. Choose the right franchise. If you opt to get a franchise instead of starting your own business, make sure that the franchisor is a member of good standing with any (or both) of the two franchise associations in the Philippines, AFFI (Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc) and PFA (Philippine Franchise Association). Do background checks, talk with franchisees, and consult a lawyer before signing the franchise agreement.
“People should be very careful before getting a franchise for food carts because there are already fly-by-night franchisers that are taking advantage of this to enrich themselves illegally. This is why the membership with the Affi and PFA is important because these two groups screen their members properly,” Sanz said.
Monday, August 24, 2015
How To Earn Money Without A Website
I will tell you right here and now you do not need to have a website to be successful in internet marketing.
There are some essential tools you will need, but a website needn't be one of them.
Ok, a website is useful, even more so if you sell your own products. But if you are an affiliate salesperson, you don't need your own site.
For affiliate marketing, there is in truth only one tool you need and that is an autoresponder. You need a great autoresponder that will allow you broadcast messages to the contact list that you will build. I have found that the free autoresponder programs will not let you do this, so you need to invest about $15 per month in a good autoresponder. Believe me this will be one of the best investments you ever make in your online business. And, since autoresponder programs are affiliate programs themselves, you can promote your autoresponder program and sooner or later have it pay for itself.
This is a straightforward marketing system that will promote your affiliate program without your own website:
1. The marketing system is to establish yourself as an expert on the products you are promoting. You wil do this by creating content: first, by posting in related content forums and submitting articles to article directories, secondly, by starting your own ezine or newsletter, and thirdly, by personally contacting ezine owners and offering your article for publication in their ezine. For a free list of article directories I submit to, send a blank email to mailto:directories@homebasedbusinesstraining.com
2. You MUST promote your affiliate product or program in the resource box at the end of your article. Write a brief description of who you are, what you do, and how readers can learn more. For more detail, see my resource box at the end of this article.
3. The secret to promoting your affiliate product is to promote it via your autoresponder. Since you have written an article about what you are selling, you will have the prospect looking for more information. If you wrote an article on dog training, write something like, "For more free tips on training your dog, send a blank email to info@yourautoresponderaddress.com"
4. In your autoresponder, write a series of short emails with a few tips in each email and most importantly a sentence that refers your readers to your sales product or affiliate program.
5. So, Not only have you been promoted your product for a very very low cost, the cost of your autoresponder, but you have been collecting names that you can offer more related products to again and again. The names also become your list for your newsletter and joint marketing ventures with other marketers.
6. Try to write a brand new article every week or at least every 2 weeks, and continue sending it to your list and article directories, and continue posting in forums. In no time you will have a nice list built. And this is all without your own website!
This is a straightforward marketing system that will promote your affiliate program without your own website:
1. The marketing system is to establish yourself as an expert on the products you are promoting. You wil do this by creating content: first, by posting in related content forums and submitting articles to article directories, secondly, by starting your own ezine or newsletter, and thirdly, by personally contacting ezine owners and offering your article for publication in their ezine. For a free list of article directories I submit to, send a blank email to mailto:directories@homebasedbusinesstraining.com
2. You MUST promote your affiliate product or program in the resource box at the end of your article. Write a brief description of who you are, what you do, and how readers can learn more. For more detail, see my resource box at the end of this article.
3. The secret to promoting your affiliate product is to promote it via your autoresponder. Since you have written an article about what you are selling, you will have the prospect looking for more information. If you wrote an article on dog training, write something like, "For more free tips on training your dog, send a blank email to info@yourautoresponderaddress.com"
4. In your autoresponder, write a series of short emails with a few tips in each email and most importantly a sentence that refers your readers to your sales product or affiliate program.
5. So, Not only have you been promoted your product for a very very low cost, the cost of your autoresponder, but you have been collecting names that you can offer more related products to again and again. The names also become your list for your newsletter and joint marketing ventures with other marketers.
6. Try to write a brand new article every week or at least every 2 weeks, and continue sending it to your list and article directories, and continue posting in forums. In no time you will have a nice list built. And this is all without your own website!
Thursday, August 20, 2015
How Do You Know Your Clients Can't Pay More?
"My clients can't afford higher rates."
When more than 330 business owners and self-employed professionals checked off reasons why their income was not going through the roof, this statement was chosen
more often than any other.
If you're tempted to agree that what clients can afford limits you, let me first ask: are you certain of that? You can't make a leap from what people say about this to whether or not they can find the money if sufficiently convinced that it's important. Years ago, someone starting up a new business called me for a consultation and told me he could pay no more than such and such. It turned out that the most convenient place for our meeting was his house, which I could not help noticing had the size and glitziness of a small mansion, with a market value of at least three-quarters of a million dollars. What he named as his paltry budget reflected what he felt advice on this matter was worth, not what he had to spend. By pointing out how much getting his business onto a sound footing was worth to him and how much in wasted expenditures I could save him, I'd have been able to reshape his thinking on what it was reasonable to spend.
Another time a client launching a catchy new product wanted to know what kind of publicity services I could offer her for a couple of hundred dollars. I didn't hear from her again for quite a while, at which time she told me she'd hired a traditional PR firm, paying a retainer and fees of more than a thousand dollars a month. I'd gotten the impression that she didn't have that kind of money to invest, and I was very wrong. At the other end of the spectrum, more than once I've been startled to learn that a client who paid relatively high rates without complaint was having trouble scraping money together for rent.
In truth, until you confidently raise your rates, it's impossible to know who will go along and who will not. This is particularly so when you do great work and educate clients on the value they receive. Remember too that when you raise your rates, you can lose some clients and still make higher profits overall from those you retain. In addition, you can earn more from each customer without raising your rates by selling them additional products and services. In this situation, they're paying you more but don't feel they are.
Finally, if you're in one of those rare situations where clients truly don't have money, consider whether this is the audience you most enjoy serving or whether you think you're only worthy of working with them. In the former case, it's still often possible to find outside entities, such as corporate sponsors, to support your work. Sometimes what feels like an absolute limit to your earnings only means you have not yet enjoyed a freewheeling, creative brainstorming session!
If you're tempted to agree that what clients can afford limits you, let me first ask: are you certain of that? You can't make a leap from what people say about this to whether or not they can find the money if sufficiently convinced that it's important. Years ago, someone starting up a new business called me for a consultation and told me he could pay no more than such and such. It turned out that the most convenient place for our meeting was his house, which I could not help noticing had the size and glitziness of a small mansion, with a market value of at least three-quarters of a million dollars. What he named as his paltry budget reflected what he felt advice on this matter was worth, not what he had to spend. By pointing out how much getting his business onto a sound footing was worth to him and how much in wasted expenditures I could save him, I'd have been able to reshape his thinking on what it was reasonable to spend.
Another time a client launching a catchy new product wanted to know what kind of publicity services I could offer her for a couple of hundred dollars. I didn't hear from her again for quite a while, at which time she told me she'd hired a traditional PR firm, paying a retainer and fees of more than a thousand dollars a month. I'd gotten the impression that she didn't have that kind of money to invest, and I was very wrong. At the other end of the spectrum, more than once I've been startled to learn that a client who paid relatively high rates without complaint was having trouble scraping money together for rent.
In truth, until you confidently raise your rates, it's impossible to know who will go along and who will not. This is particularly so when you do great work and educate clients on the value they receive. Remember too that when you raise your rates, you can lose some clients and still make higher profits overall from those you retain. In addition, you can earn more from each customer without raising your rates by selling them additional products and services. In this situation, they're paying you more but don't feel they are.
Finally, if you're in one of those rare situations where clients truly don't have money, consider whether this is the audience you most enjoy serving or whether you think you're only worthy of working with them. In the former case, it's still often possible to find outside entities, such as corporate sponsors, to support your work. Sometimes what feels like an absolute limit to your earnings only means you have not yet enjoyed a freewheeling, creative brainstorming session!
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