3M 17003-VP-3PK Command Adhesive Large Hooks Value Pack

MMM17003VP3PK Utility hook with Command adhesive is quick and easy to put-up and take-down. The separate backing strip adheres firmly to flat surfaces--but will not damage wall when removed. Global Product Type: Hangers/Hooks-Hook; Hanger/Hook Type: Hook; Width: N/A; Depth: N/A.PRODUCT DETAILS: -Hanger/Hook Special Features: Six Adhesive Strips, Three Large Hooks. -Capacity (Weight) : 5 lb. -Hook Material: Plastic. -Hook Color: White. -Hanger/Hook Type: Hook. -Number of Hangers/Hooks: 1. -Global Product Type: Hangers/Hooks-Hook. -Post-Consumer Recycled Content Percent : 0 pct. -Hook Base Material: Plastic. -Mounting: Rubber Resin Adhesive. -Pre-Consumer Recycled Content Percent : 0 pct. -Total Recycled Content Percent : 0 pct. Package: Includes three hooks and six adhesive strips.
Price: $8.76

Click here to buy from Amazon

Grand Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Basket

This premium chocolate assortment is meant for true connoisseurs. The confections in this basket were crafted by the world-famous Ghirardelli, San Francisco's first chocolatier. Chocolate candies in a variety of flavors and sizes, as well as delicious hot cocoa, ensure this gift is a real hit.


Click here to buy from Amazon

Canon CLI-221 4-Color Value Pack (Black/Cyan/Magenta/Yellow) (2946B004)

Genuine Canon Ink for long lasting, beautiful photos and documents. These new inks improve coloring, color gamut and color fastness. FINE (Full Photolithographic Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology for exceptional sharpness and detail.

Price: $47.99 (now marked down!)

Click here to buy from Amazon

Laurel & Hardy: Big Business [VHS]

The plot is simple. Stan and Ollie are trying to sell Christmas trees in sunny California. They knock on the door of the grumpy Finlayson, who is in no mood to be bothered by pesky salesmen. From this modest start, the movie builds perfectly. Small misunderstandings grow to total war.

Click here to buy from Amazon

Duracell Pre-Charged Rechargeable Nimh AAA Batteries, 4-Pack

• Duracell Pre-Charged batteries are charged and ready for use right out of the package
• Duracell Pre-Charged batteries retain power for up to 365 days while not in use
• Can be recharged and reused hundreds of times
• Stays charged longer than RCR and have to be recharged less often
• Contains 4 AAA pre-charged rechargeable batteries

HALF-PRICE!

Click here to buy from Amazon

Don't let fear hold you back

A lot of people never achieve online business success because of 'fear of loss' - loss of money and loss of face.  Take MLM, for example.  The very phrase polarizes people.  For some, it inspires dreams of financial independence and a fulfilling lifestyle.  But others will only think of horror stories involving fraud and failed companies, not to mention what 'they' (family and friends) will think of you when they learn that you have become involved with an MLM program.

There's no glib answer for what to do about fear and worry.  But the truth is that success breeds success.  Once you have the knowledge and experience, the fear begins to slowly ebb away and is replaced by self-confidence and positive outcomes.  And the fact is that the Internet has removed many of the old stigma's surrounding network marketing.  For one thing, online prospecting means that nobody has to bother friends and family and your home-business can be a private matter.  Not only that, more people than ever are taking it seriously due to the permanently changing nature of the world economy.

But the first key to reducing fear is to determine your 'why'.  WHY do you want a home business in the first place?  Establish that 'why', set some goals, get educated and take consistent and persistent action.  One good place to start out is with a program called Global NPN.  This company offers all of the tools and resources that you will need for a measly $11.00 a month.  It also has a very generous affiliate sales plan which makes it a self-contained business.  So if you're only spending $11.00 a month to get started developing an online business, what is there to be afraid of?

Replace fear with the anticipation of success, and don't ever look back!

The 7 ingredients to a home-business recipe

An online home business is the right recipe in the 21st century.  Just make sure it has the correct ingredients.  In my opinion, if you mix these seven concepts together in the right proportions, and give it enough 'cooking time', you'll have yourself a tasty little affiliate business.

1. International expansion:  Going abroad is definitely recommended.  That's why digital affiliate products & programs that use AlertPay (like Global NPN and TrafficWave ) are excellent.  Things like currency & shipping limitations (not to mention various local laws) can reduce your potential marketplace.

2. The compensation plan:  You'll never have a profitable work-from-home business if your affiliate plan doesn't pay. With such a business, you must have a strong earning potential and unlimited growth opportunities.  Whatever you do, don't put all of your energy into promoting a company that doesn't pay you anything.

3. Passive and residual income:  The kind of affiliate plan that you want to promote are the kinds with a recurring monthly charge, even if it's a small one.  That's because your sales efforts should keep paying you over and over again, rather than just one time.

4. Stockpiling or product shipping:  Do you really have the time and space for this?  Online, your products can be digital and so there is no need for you to personally ship or stockpile anything.  So don't do it.  Avoid promoting anything that requires you to warehouse goods or make trips to the post office. 

5. Mobility:  This really ties in with #4 & #1.  Not only do you want the freedom of a world-wide marketplace, you also need the freedom to do your business anywhere!

6. Effective online marketing that produces results: This is the where the real learning curve is.  Effective list-building, email marketing and SEO techniques take time to learn and implement.  This is where most people hit the wall.  But if you make a study of it, create a plan and follow-through on that plan, you will begin to see some results.

7. Become a leader: Once you have the other six ingredients, this last one becomes a natural.  True MLM style duplication and overall success can't come until you are able to teach others what you have learned and demonstrate expertise.

All of these ingredients are essential for a successful work-from-home business.  Why not start cooking yours up today?

Online business basics

Deciding to have the goal of working from home is an easy decision for most people to make.  That's because (for most of us, anyway) our job pressures are enormous, our jobs don't pay enough, we don't have much family time and we worry about a secure retirement.  A home-based business can provide a second income or it can evolve into a full-time affair that can sustain you and your family for life.  And for those who can't even find a job, it may be the only source of income in the 21st century!

For the most part, just about any online business is going to take the form of 'affiliate marketing' - i.e. selling someone else's products or services.  Many of these sales programs also have MLM-style sales organization structures.  Most people are familiar with companies like Amway, MaryKay or HerbaLife.  But few have heard of well-established online opportunities such as Global NPN or TrafficWave.  And it's programs like those latter two that are becoming very popular in this new century.  Why?  Because they are digital products and the monthly upkeep cost is practically nothing (under $20.00).  By explaining the product or service correctly to others, it is possible to recruit dozens of affiliates in a downline matrix who can duplicate your efforts in a 'snowball effect' that has already created many online millionaires.

The way in which you will accomplish this is essentially two-fold.  First, you will have to have a website.  It can be a .com domain name of your creation or something as simple as a blogger.com site like this one.  By making it content-rich and creating links back to it from other places on the web, you will begin receiving 'search engine traffic'.  The more important that search engine providers such as Google consider your site to be, the more traffic it can receive on a daily basis from around the globe.  And that's an important point.  Online, the entire planet is your customer base!

The second thing you will do will more than likely center around something called 'list-building' and email marketing - two fundamentally crucial skills for online business. List-building will fuel potential customers that you can essentially create an endless supply of. Email marketing is how you communicate with your list and the idea is to automate as much of it as possible. On the other hand, telephone communication skills are still highly valuable and 'mobile marketing' is rapidly becoming a new form of advertising and communication.

So learn all you can about this exciting industry, get the skills and then get going!

Home MLM business success in 3 easy steps

Dying to get started with that new MLM program you just discovered?

I don't blame you!  Lots and lots of wealthy people earned their fortunes with network marketing and many more are doing it every day.  So yes, I urge you to get started.  But I also urge you to slow down just a little bit and know what you're doing so as to avoid being a 'casualty of war.'  That's because your "impulses" can quickly lead you into a financial and emotional pit with a really hard fall... so beware!

Don't follow the path of the disillusioned and the disappointed.  Both you and I know there are a lot of MLM programs out there and a whole lot of people screaming 'me too' at each other.  But there are three basic principles to understand, if you are going to approach this in the right way:

Step 1: Make your business your passion.  No, this is not just general advice.  People will tell you that MLM (or 'pushing lotions and potions') doesn't work.  Ignore them.  MLM still works and the Internet has made it more powerful than ever.  But you have to believe in what you're doing and commit to it with every fiber of your being.  So find your passion and then you can open your heart and persuade others to make it their passion as well.

Step 2: Duplication is more important than recruiting.  You can refer new members all day long but you will never build an MLM downline unless your recruits can can do the same thing that you do.  That's the whole point of MLM!  Far too many good sales people build wide front-lines but NO downlines.  That is why you must have a plan and a system that others can copy.  Trust me, most people are not very creative or energetic and most either cannot or will not think for themselves.  In fact, people actually like being told what to do.  Develop a plan and a system that others can use, by removing the roadblocks for them, and you've got a winning strategy.

Step 3:  Who are your sponsors?  You really have to ask yourself this question.  Who's making money in your upline and what can (or will) they share with you regarding marketing techniques that work?  Look, enthusiasm and motivation are vital to your success.  But those emotions will fade unless you have good advice and a plan.  If your upline won't help you then ditch 'em, because they don't know what they're doing.


The bottom line is that a lot of what you've heard about network marketing is true.  A lot of it isn't.  Learn the truth, get the facts, arm yourself with knowledge and then get down to business.  Separating fact from fantasy and understanding the basics are vitally important when launching your new MLM business. 

Home business scams (located in the 'legitimate work from home' section)

Earning money online has a very strong appeal, especially if it sounds easy.  There are many home business opportunities that can be found today on the Internet, and that's because part time work-from-home ideas are being sought after more than ever.  But be careful.  You know the saying, 'If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'?  Online, it should say, 'If it sounds too good to be true, it definitely is.'

Legitimate home-based businesses require hours (at a bare minimum) of learning new technology, training and systems and will require at least 'some' capital investments, even if it's only $50 a month.  But, yes, you do have to spend a little money in order to earn online.  But more than that, you will also need the proper mindset and marketing knowledge to truly achieve online success - and that doesn't come quickly or easily.  Think about it.  If it were super easy to get rich online (and do it overnight), then everybody would be rich!

But if you are willing to learn and refuse to quit, you truly can build a home-based business with very little expense.  With persistent effort, and only part-time hours, you can learn the marketing skills that have the potential to transform your life!  If you're just starting out, I wish you well on your new Internet Marketing adventure.  But before you waste thousands of dollars and lots and lots of time, get started with a REAL business opportunity that is cheap and just happens to include all of the tools that you will need to further your online career.  For this, I recommend Global NPN.  They already have built-in marketing systems and your sponsor should be able to offer additional help and advice to share with you.  So don't get scammed and don't get suckered in by all the hype.  Get involved with something real and then you've got a legitimate shot at online success.

The keys to home business success

Working from home is one of the most rewarding careers that you can dream of.  However, home business success can be elusive and very, very frustrating for the uninitiated.  True success basically boils down to three basic things:  Attitude, practical knowledge and perseverance.  However, there are sub-categories to these three that are worth noting.

1.) Never stop learning

If you are going to work from home (especially online), you must commit to a lifetime of learning.  The Internet is constantly changing and you will NEVER know it all.

2.) Manage time more efficiently

Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential to success.  And that includes knowing when to say NO to friends and family.  In addition, you don't necessarily have to work 'faster', but you do need to learn how to take fewer steps in order to maximize your precious time.

3.) Never, never quit

Online business success will not happen as quickly as you want/wish it to (or imagine that it should).  It will only come in response to your consistent & persistent actions.  How 'long' it will take to begin earning is something that cannot be predicted.  However, what IS predictable is that most people will give up and quit far too soon.  Don't be one of them.

4.) Get help

Being your own boss involves enormous amounts of time and dedication.  It's easy to 'close yourself off' from the world when you become immersed in it.  This goes back to #1, but please never stop learning - and have the humility to accept advice on strategy and tactics from people who have been doing this longer than you have... especially if they are a proven success.  If you can get to them, most successful people are happy to help you if you will listen to what they say.


With regard to all of this, I recommend reading and/or listening to anything that the late Napoleon Hill has to say.  He's been a wonderful inspiration to millions... including this author.

Home Office Tax Deductions

Working from home sounds great, doesn't it?  Get up in the morning and walk to your home-office space with a cup of coffee and get to work. Approximately 60 million people regularly do this very thing!  But did you know that only a tiny fraction of these entrepreneurs claim all of the deductions that are allowed on the federal income tax returns?  I HATE the IRS as much as you do.  And believe me, they are out to punish those who dare to start their own business.  But it's a game, and the trick is to beat them at their own game... by using their rules.

Your home-office space and tools are at the core of your allowable deductions, and you need to keep good, tight records to back it all up.  But if you work exclusively at home, then a whole lot of other stuff factors in as well - especially if you are incorporated.  It doesn't matter what the nature of your business is.  Network marketers, MLM'ers, consultants, free lance writers, etc., can qualify for these tax credits.  You just have to study up, get good tax advice and take advantage of it.  For example, did you know that a home-repair can be a tax deduction for your home-based business?  Depending on the exact circumstances, it certainly can be!  What about your phone and Internet bill?  You betcha'... and that's just the beginning.

For those of us who work from home and love the lifestyle, squeezing the maximum benefit from the IRS tax code is simply a must.  You MUST understand how to do it, since it figures into your income!

The Best Home Business

I've been involved with Internet marketing for nearly 5 years.  But a question that a lot of newbies ask is, "What exactly is Internet Marketing?"  My answer to that question confuses some, because I always say that, "I market to other marketers."  To me, that's the best home business that there is because the potential customer base is so gigantic and hungry for products and services!  By a 'product or service', as it relates to home-business opportunity seekers, I means such things as web-hosting, email marketing tools, pre-made marketing systems and so on.  Remember that most online marketers are looking for affiliate marketing programs, direct sales ideas, network marketing and MLM opportunities.

So what program do I recommend?  Global NPN.

Look, there are thousands of Web-based business opportunities and I have seemingly tried them all.  And I've had the full range of success and failure that you would expect.  With MLM-style affiliate programs, retention (and duplication) is just as important as recruiting, if not more so.  But the universal problem people have is that their downline members will jump ship when they see a new program that promises to make them rich in two months, hoping that this one finally "works".  It's quite common for business-opportunity seekers to try multiple programs and fail every time. There is definitely a high attrition rate in this business! Typically, people will 'program hop' until they have spent a ton of money and their husband or wife is getting very angry... and even lonely.  With nothing to show for all the time and money, they finally give up this dream of online business and get a 'real job'.

So what's the answer?  See over-hyped sales copy for what it is. Having unreasonable expectations is your first mistake.  Get with a proven, legitimate system that has been around for a while, and concentrate upon it and only it.  Give yourself a year (at a minimum) before expecting any meaningful income from it and you won't feel let down.

Are most home-based business opportunities scams?

Yeah, there's a lost of dishonesty out there.  That's especially true online where it's so easy to be anonymous and impossible to contact.  But a lot of people set themselves up to get ripped-off by seeking out mindless 'dream jobs' like envelope-stuffing or getting paid to read emails.  What happens a lot is that people will hurl the 'scam' accusation at legitimate businesses because they failed to earn any money with them.  But true scam artists will prey on the unsuspecting by targeting the Seven Deadly Sins - wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.  We've all been lied to and we've all probably had something stolen from us at one time or another.  If you're online looking for 'something for nothing', then you'll fall for a scam sooner or later.

What are the warning signs?  Usually, they're pretty easy to spot - though looks can be deceiving!  Ads with reams of fake testimonials, pictures of fake checks and fake bank accounts, huge earnings claims and promises of riches 'within 30 days' should generally be red flags.  The most obvious come-ons of all are the ones that promise money with no effort on your part.  For example, if online MLM interests you, there are plenty of good, solid companies that have been around for years and have genuinely useful web-based products to market.  TrafficWave and Global NPN are two excellent examples.

So is there anything else you can do to avoid fraud online?  Just remember the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."  But remember also, the reason that most Internet Marketers fail isn't because they've been 'scammed'.  99% of the time, it's because they wouldn't think for themselves and they got tired and gave up way to quickly.

Don't get scammed, but don't give up either.  Don't not it happen to you.  Don't give up, never!

How to get started with an online business

For various reasons, more and more people are warming to the idea of an Internet-based home business. Job stress (including traffic), losing a job and having a miserable or poor-paying job can be big motivators.  So what types of things can you do online to earn extra money, and where do you even start? 

Here's a few suggestions:

1. Offer freelance work or consulting on a topic that you are very knowledgeable about or skilled at.  You can create an information product to market, or even to give away as a reward for those who subscribe to your mailing list.

2. Selling affiliate products is a great way to start.  Often times people can do well online without a product of their own.  Selling other people's products and services for commission fees is a great business model.  These can be virtually anything under the sun - from pet supplies to car parts.  Or they can be 'virtual' products such as audio/video items, software, PDF's, etc.

3. Network marketing is HUGE online.  You don't need to bother your family and friends anymore like you did in the 20th century.  With virtual/software products, you don't have to stock your garage with cartons of juice from the South Pacific either.  You can get started with super cheap programs like 3x6surf or more elaborate, scalable ones like Global NPN.  The possibilities are endless!

Like any business, all of the above requires a plan, hard work and real dedication.  However, your new online career has the potential to reward you with the freedom, flexibility and extra income that makes it all worthwhile.  Good luck!

Are you setting up your home-based business yet?

Anytime of the day, you can surf the Internet and find home-business opportunities.  In fact, in the 21st century, it's a booming industry!  The Internet is changing everything, and it's doing it very quickly - perhaps 'too' quickly.  That's both good and bad.  But the fact remains that we are STILL in the very early days of what will one-day be the history of Internet business.  Those who establish themselves now, and start getting set-up today, will be tomorrow's leaders.

With a successful online business, you don't have to worry about the 'job market' or what politicians or giant corporations are going to do next.  Better still, you can do it from anywhere in the world!  The old idea of getting an education, getting a job and then retiring with a pension is dying and will be completely dead in the not-so-distant future. 

So how would an online business help you?  Well, it won't help you at all if you don't know what you're doing or if you don't both commit to it and make time for it.  You need some basic tools and an understanding of what Internet Marketing is and isn't.  But if you've got all that, then an online business can be enormously helpful with regard to your economic future.  And with a home-based business that's online, the possibilities are truly endless.  You can buy and sell on ebay, promote affiliate sales programs, offer professional services or create information sites that link to useful products.  If you have money to invest up-front, you can even purchase an established  "turn-key" site, much like the standard franchise model.

Just be careful, do your homework and get educated before diving in with any kind of big investment.  But if you have the brains and will to see it through, you should be setting up a home business in the coming decade.

Re-thinking MLM in the 21st Century

Joining the new MLM business opportunity in your life can be a very exciting time. If you're like most new online-business people, you can't wait to get started with your new home MLM business opportunity.  That's the way it should be!  And the Internet has made this classic business model far more attractive than it's been in the past.  That's a fact.  However, the beginning phase of this new career is an important time, and for you to succeed, it's important to lay a solid foundation.  By 'foundation', I mean learning the core-basics of Internet Marketing, learning them thoroughly and then actually putting them into practice.  In addition to that (like in any business), you have to keep your costs down, Down, DOWN.

For example, there are some essential tools that you are going to need in order to establish and sustain an online MLM business.  I recommend getting them all in one place because it is cheaper and easier.  What's even better is if the source of these tools has a respected MLM-style affiliate plan of its own.  That's why I recommend Global NPN as your one-stop source for the essential things that you will need to get started in this often confusing and frustrating industry.

Look, less than 1-out-of -20 succeed with online business.  You know why?  It's because there are rules (i.e. basic fundamentals) to doing business on the Internet.  Everyone imagines that there are all kinds of shortcuts to success 'online', but they don't exist.  There aren't any new fundamentals.  Online business is a learning and development process that can pay huge rewards for those who will commit to learning what they need to learn and then putting in both the time and effort.  For example, the reason that most people FAIL with online business is because they give up far too early, and then move on to a 'better' opportunity - over and over again.  That's like trying to be a great baseball player by moving from one team to the next without truly learning how to pitch, catch and bat!

Your new MLM business begins immediately after writing down your commitment.  But like losing weight, raising a family or learning a new skill or trade, you must pay the price.   But when it's done right, it's well worth the price!

Online Home-Business Starter Guide

America (and the whole world!) is suffering economically in the early part of the 21st century.  That's got many millions of people, all over the planet, wanting to find an alternative source of income... and most of them are turning to the Internet.  Believe it or not, the Internet is still in its infancy and almost anyone can establish a presence right now and begin laying the foundations for a long-term business!

But before you get started online with your own website, product, ad campaign, etc., you need some basic tools - tools like a web-host, an autoresponder and lead-generation mechanisms.  And if you can get all that in one place (for a low price!), so much the better.  Well, there is such a place.  And what's even better about it is the fact that it also has a dynamite affiliate sales plan, which means that your source for basic, online tools is a business in itself!  Folks, it just doesn't get any better than that.

 Check it out, before you launch your online home-business:  Global NPN

Considering a home business?

We all know about the home-business boom, though many of us have heard the hype but never truly explored it.  In fact, most people think that starting & running a home business is just more than they can handle.  At least that's the way it used to be.  The current state of affairs in the American economy is causing an awful lot of people to take another look at the idea of a home business.  In fact, since anyone's job may be gone tomorrow (and with great difficulty in replacing it!), many home-business entrepreneurs are involving the entire family, so as to secure the future for everyone in the household - well into the next generation!

Being your own boss, working with family members (or alone!) and having truly flexible work hours has a very strong appeal.   When you run a successful home business, you get to enjoy life in a way that few others do.  However, there is a lot to learn before you can expect to quit your job.  And it is simply impossible to create success overnight.  Unfortunately, that's what far too many uneducated and ill-informed 'newbies' expect, and so they fail within two years - usually far, far sooner.  In fact, most human beings overestimate what they can achieve in the short term (1-2 years) and under-estimate what they can do in the long run (i.e. 5 + years).  An appropriate home-business model is the realistic kind in which you commit, up front, to at least five years.  Think of it like going back to college for a degree.  Because in many ways, that's exactly what it is. 

Working from home has some huge advantages and potential rewards. But please do your research before you undertake any business venture.  Don't go into it on a shoestring and a prayer.  Set realistic goals and have a genuine plan.  And probably the most important step of all to take before beginning is to assess yourself  - your strengths and weaknesses, personality type, level of self-disciple, etc..  Because, while the rewards can last a life-time, the trials and tribulations of getting a home-business off the ground can and will increase your stress level, strain relations and test you in many ways.  For it to really and truly work out, you have to be ready... in every conceivable way.

How to choose a home-based business

There are an infinite number of very tempting offers online for home-based business opportunities.  But if it sounds too good to be true, then guess what... it is.  Right now, in the first decade of this new century, online entrepreneurship is like the old wild west - it's every man for himself and, sometimes, there isn't any law to help you when the bandits attack.  In fact, your home-based business doesn't even have to be online to be a big success, but (more and more) it's definitely trending that way.

On the other hand, the Internet is the new home to every scam that you can possibly imagine.  In fact, it's easier to rip people off on the Internet than it's ever been to do it in any other way.  But with all legitimate programs, your ultimate success depends on how hard & how well you work it.  You also want to watch how much you're spending.  Yes, it takes money to make money but you still need to be very frugal.  For example, if your home-based business is going to be the online variety (which is recommended), then there are some essential tools that you will definitely need and you will save money if you get them all in one place.  That is why Global NPN is the favorite 'home program' of so many.  All the tools are there and it even has an exciting affiliate program, which is a business in itself.

Also, don't be scared off by the idea of MLM.  Some of the very best business models out there are network marketing companies.  That industry has come a long way and a lot of the products that you see now are web-based, such as hosting, ad-credits, lead-generation tools and other useful pieces of software.  But whatever business you choose to pursue, your hard-work has the potential to be rewarded with extra income, more flexible hours, more free time and offers a relaxed lifestyle that most people around the world can only dream about. 

A (former) single dad who now works from home

For five years, I was a single father with two children in my care.  It doesn't matter if you're a single dad or a single mom.  Either way, it's TOUGH.  My family members helped when they could because, time wise, my brutal work schedule was without mercy and kids shouldn't be raised (or even left!) alone.  I tried to make the school plays, teacher meetings and other important stuff like that, but I still missed a lot.  By 2006, I was remarried, and my finances and time allowed me to reduce some of the burden (thanks to her income and energy!), but I still needed extra help with bills.  For example, even after the wedding, we couldn't buy a proper home.  And after a few months, baby #3 was on the way.

Before you know it, where I was right back where I was over the past 5 years: over-worked, under-paid and even deeper in debt.  That's when we started taking a genuine and fresh new look at MLM.  In fact, we were (and still are!) very, very serious about it.  But it wasn't 'just' MLM, it was (and remains) the online variety, because the Internet actually makes MLM possible in a way that it was never really possible before.  Since we committed to this, we've been able to arrange our work-from-home schedule around the time that we need to spend with the kids.  In fact, the older ones are already starting to learn the business.  As time passes, I think that this is probably the greatest thing that a parent could give to a child - i.e. the foundational knowledge to establish and maintain an online business.  In our case, one thing that helped was finding all the right tools in one very cheap, yet effective place.

And another thing: there is no 'recession' on the Internet.  And politicians, wars, big-city strife and all the other BS doesn't really interfere with you at all.   Your computer and your Internet connection puts you on an even footing with anyone, anywhere on earth as far as 'difficulty factor' is concerned.  So why am I telling you all this?  Because I did something for me, my kids and my new wife that's actually working out.  We all pretty much (you and I) have the same goals, but life is going to lead us down different paths. 

I'm not here to sell you the latest miracle juice from the South Pacific, I'm just here to tell you that the FUTURE of business is the Internet.  For your sake, and for your childrens' sake, embrace it and learn it.

Your work-at-home business needs a genuine business plan

Today, I'd like for you to think about your business and marketing plan.  You do have one, right?  Your business and marketing plan should define what it is you're selling (and why), who exactly you're selling it to and how you plan to sell it.  Business is business, and even a home-based enterprise needs to have a well-conceived business plan that includes each of those elements.  Do you have a plan that could entice an investor, or show others the benefit of being affiliates for the products and/or services?

A common mistake that most people make with Internet Marketing fail is that they work backwards!  First they find something to sell. Then they try to figure out how to sell it.  When that fails, they try something else.  That backward approach leads to frustration and empty pockets, every time.  The problem is that they have a buyer's mindset and they're searching for something out there on the information super-highway that holds the “secret” key to others buying it too.  And 95% of the people out there are buying it... from someone with a plan to sell it to them!  Understand?  Those with a business mindset are selling to the other 95%.

Now here’s something that will take you from the 95% group and put you into the top 5% almost instantly. Drop the “buyer” mindset.  Stop thinking about what it is that you want (you already bought it) and start thinking about what your target audience wants and needs.  It's about them and what they want.  That's the mindset you need to earn money online.  But first... you need a plan!

On the web, home-business opportunities are endless

Nowadays you can get access to plenty of easy-to-learn strategies that make money online. It actually is really easy to make money online, if you are able to make a plan and stick to it.  In fact, quite a bit of what you can do offline, you can do online just as effectively, if not more so - and with practically no overhead costs!  You can buy and sell on ebay, do contract work, publish your writing, do consulting, provide web design services, or even do good-old MLM, just to name a few of the countless possibilities.

Blogs, forums, social networking, ebay and Craigslist are just a few of the ways in which you can let the online public know about your business or service.  Of course, the greatest challenge online is getting visitors to your website.  But that's compensated for by the fact the your marketplace is world-wide, 24/7!  For example, if you own a lighting fixture store in Houston, Texas, how many people from around the world will have any way to visit it?  But if that same shop is an online store, you can sell lamps in Finland, Fuji or Frankfurt!  There's a lot to learn, such as email marketing, SEO optimization, finding niche markets, website creation & hosting, etc., but it's all worth it once you have a functioning business that will keep growing for years to come.

Needless to say, much of what you need can be hired out.  Web designers, content writers, ad/ebook-cover designers and SEO services are all available, depending upon your start-up budget.  But if running a business isn't your thing, you can still get plenty of work-from-home ideas at websites like genuinejobs.  Just watch out for sites that want you to pay a fee in order to scan job listings or contact the sources of the listings.  Those are rip-offs.  In fact, there are plenty of scam-artists out there who are after the money of unsuspecting newbies.  Be careful, study-up on what you'd like to do and accept the fact that there's a learning curve and some dues that have to be paid before you can genuinely begin earning regular monthly income.  But that's with anything in life, right?

If all of this sounds too 'difficult', think about it the next time you are fighting traffic to and from work, your boss is looking over your shoulder, that obnoxious office gossip involves you again, there are new rumors of layoffs, you're thinking about money for retirement, etc..  They're all great motivators and should help propel you forward to the online success that you've been dreaming about.

Clear Laminating Pouches, 3mm, 9 x 11-1/2, 100/box

Item #: UNV84622. Clear Laminating Pouches (Letter Size9 x 11-1/2). 100 Pouches per

087547846223

Price: $18.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Can you really profit with an online eBay store?

In an effort to find a way to work from home, and actually generate some income with a home-based business, I decided to try my hand at an eBay store.  I'd like to share my experiences as a newbie at eBay and show you what I have learned along the way so far.  I decided to try my hand at eBay when I had just about given up on everything else.  I was working in Direct Sales Marketing and had just about spent every dime I owned trying to get my website out to the masses and I could still not sell a thing. I did not like making about 500 phone calls every day trying to reach someone in order to get them to listen to a presentation - and then being hung up on because they did not remember opting into my website.  That just grinds away your spirit.

I also resorted to going back to MLM and thought maybe I could peddle a great Vitamin Juice product but that did NOT work.  (Though there are some good and inexpensive online MLM systems out there, just so you know).  I then tried my hand at travel memberships but soon found out not everyone has a passion for travel like I do and they would rather spend more money on one vacation then have a great membership that gives great prices on several trips. I guess I'm one of the few, rare, people that likes to travel several times a year.  I also tried some affiliate sales and hoped to make a small commission here & there by marketing someone else's already established business and/or products.  That wasn't bad (and I still do it).  But when I ran into financial difficulties, and I wasn't sure how I was going to pay for my business expenses, I started looking at other options... and along came eBay.  When I started seriously considering the possibility of selling something with an online store, I realized that I do have a lot of junk around my house that I could probably sell for a good price.  Well, I 'used' to have a lot anyway (wink).

I also have a goal of moving out to the country some day and, when I do, I knew I was going to have to get rid of a lot of the extra junk that I've kept all these years.  So I figured, why not start unloading it now?  It is amazing what excitement it created when I started thinking about 'the more stuff I sold, the easier my move to out of the city will be.'  In my case, that really helped motivate me!  At first, I wasn't sure what would sell but I started doing some research using a really valuable eBay tool called "Terapeak."  Terapeak lets you research what sells and what does not sell on eBay and it gives you some general information about the most successful techniques used to sell something.  For example, say I wanted to sell an old, antique Queen Anne chair.  I could research Terapeak with search words "Antique Queen Anne Chair" and see how it did over a specific time frame (30 days, 90 days, etc).  Once the search results come back, it will show me what the average price for the item was, what the average shipping cost was, the days it sold best, the time it sold best, and even the best way to sell it using either Auction, Fixed Price, or Store.  That's good information.

Anyway, I got started by looking around my home for those things I had tucked away and really had no need for any longer.  Old board games, an old Atari game system, books I'll never read again, some musical instruments... basically just all kinds of things.  Finally, it was time to start listing my stuff on eBay.  eBay has a great system of listing items and it will walk you step-by-step in listing what you want to sell. What I did not know was the fact that there are cheaper ways to list items in eBay to avoid some of the "listing fees" you will pay, which is a big, BIG deal! A friend of mind had told me she avoided eBay because it was too expensive with fees to bother trying to sell anything, but I didn't really pay much attention to what she had said until I started paying those fees myself.  They will eat you alive! 

One of my first experiences in selling on eBay was paying those fees.  It can be mind blowing when you list 3 items and suddenly your see your eBay balance is $10.  eBay charges you a listing fee depending on how much you list your item for in your auction (fees vary a little for fixed price and store inventory listings).  If you decide to add a bunch of pictures to your listing, eBay will charge you about $.15 for each photo, after the first one which is free. You can save a little by paying for the Image Gallery and so forth, though.  If you choose to list your item in more than one category, you will pay for that also.  You will also pay if you decide to add a subtitle, which does sometime help you sell better (depending on what your Terapeak research has shown you).  You can try something called Auctiva to see how you can save on fees.  I found this accidentally when observing another sellers' listings and being very impressed with how it looked.  Auctiva can help you set up some very professional listings.  Additional fees you will encounter are "final value fees" when your item sells.  When you use PayPal, you will be paying a small fee there also.  But I soon found out why it is so important to become a Powerseller on eBay - your fees will not be so much when you reach powerseller status.  And then there's shipping.  That was a struggle at first.

I had no idea what the difference was between USPS Parcel Post, Priority Mail or Flat Rate Box and Envelope.  Luckily, eBay has all kinds of information to help you learn the best and most cost effective ways to ship your items.  Definitely take the time to learn this one. There is a lot to take into account when shipping Internationally so take your time here and, if you are new at it, consider waiting a little while before offering to ship overseas.  Most of the time, you won't need to, anyway.  But back to those fees...

You really have to take into account all of your fees when you list an item and decide on a price.  You can list something for $.99 to avoid high listing fees, get peoples attention, and get bids, but if only one person bids on it and it sells for $.99, you need to make sure your fees are covered.  Remember - there will be a final value fee, a PayPal fee and perhaps other fees as well - and that doesn't even take into account what you might have paid for the item. Then you have shipping to contend with.  If you offer Free Shipping on an item, it will get you ranked higher in the searches but that means you are paying for the shipping.  Depending on what it is you are selling, that can be expensive!  So if you sold an item for $.99, and offered Free shipping, chances are you are actually in the negative loss margin instead of the profit margin. It only takes one time of going into the negative profit on an item to learn not to do this again.

Be be sure you don't make your shipping charges too high either.  It is a violation of eBay policy to charge crazy outrageous shipping charges to make up for the cost of your item.  Luckily, eBay does have a shipping  calculator which allows you to get an idea of what it will cost to ship something.  You also have the option of offering flat rate shipping (or calculated) which is what I used in the beginning until I got a better idea of how the shipping thing works.  Calculated shipping lets a buyer see what shipping charges would be based on where they are in the US, Canada or Internationally.  It also gives them some options on what they are willing to spend to get the item to their house slow via USPS Parcel Post or Priority Mail. Be forewarned though, some buyers will mark you down when they leave feedback because they don't like the shipping costs as compared to those that offer Free Shipping.  This is going to be something you'll have to experiment with to find out what works for you.

You've heard the saying,  "a picture paints a thousands words" well this isn't always the case on eBay.  You need to take great pictures, make sure they are your own pictures, and offer lots of different views and detail when you do.  Since people cannot put their hands on the item you offer, they really need to see as much detail as possible and this will help sell your item quicker too. Also, be very honest about any problems, damage, etc with the items you sell.  You want to be sure that what your customer gets is what you advertised.  Negative reviews are BAD!

Did you know that you can boost you your eBay Traffic using Social Networking and Attraction Marketing?Until you start gaining some sales volume in your store, chances are you won't be getting the same kind of visibility as the Power Sellers and people that have been around awhile.  If you don't offer Free Shipping, you won't be placed very high in the keyword search findings on the site either, so it can be very challenging getting people to see your stuff if you are on page 25 of all the travel suitcases.  This is where experience and knowledge about Social Networking sites and Attraction Marketing can really benefit you.  Another tip for you, when you put your eBay store URL in blogs and Social Networking sites, be sure you add "?refid=store" at the end. Basically what this does is help you get store referral credits when you refer someone to your store through a promotion of some sort and they buy from you.  You'll actually earn up to 75% credit on your Final Value Fees when you send people to your store from somewhere outside of eBay.  (blogs, website, facebook page, etc)

So does any of this interest you?  I can assure you that, if you make a study of it and apply yourself, you can do well.  If you are new to selling on eBay, you may want to go to eBay.com and create an account for yourself.  You can follow the step by step guides and tutorials and get to the point where you begin listing items for sale on eBay.  Start small with that new pair of shoes you never wore, or those old golf clubs you thought you would use more than once.  Search around eBay to get an idea of how other people listed items like yours and get some ideas on how to proceed.  Be sure you create your own unique listing - do not copy or take pictures from other peoples listings - this can get you in to trouble.

For the more advanced seller on eBay, consider trying Terapeak to research your items prior to listing if you are not doing that already.  You might be surprised at how much valuable insight you can gain that will only benefit your listing.  Overall, if you take into account some of the things I've mentioned here, you really can make a nice profit on eBay.  When you find the perfect thing to sell, and it is something in demand, and you can get it at a great price (wholesale, dropship, etc),  you will start making a profit.  As with all good things, it does take some time, work and effort, but it will happen.  Be sure to do your homework and research what you want to sell to see if it is worth the time, effort, and fees, and to get some great ideas on how to promote the item.  Minimize your fees as much as you possibly can, and until you get a higher ranking on eBay and the search engines, consider using a Blog, Article, Squidoo Lens, or Social Networking Site to drive traffic to your eBay Store. Remember to put a Referral Credit link on your eBay store URL to save up to 75% on Final Value fees, and be sure you list an item at a good, reasonable price and do not go crazy on the shipping fees to make up for the price.

Finally, you can also be active in the forums, and other eBay communities to find out how to build a very successful eBay Business.  There are many gracious PowerSellers who will share with you how they became so successful.

Why email Marketing is such a powerful 21st Century Tool

Email is considered one of the most powerful tools in 21st century marketing.  It is especially so, now that people are largely integrating almost everything about their businesses with the Internet.  According to marketing experts, email marketing can produce outstanding results, even though little time and money is allotted to it; and they are right. Even small businesses are finding this marketing strategy to be one of the most effective ways to relay information and promotions to large groups of people without involving the post office. This is true even without considering the numerous benefits it brings to different types of businesses.

So what makes email marketing one of the most efficient marketing tools? Here are the most common reasons:

1. It is inexpensive.

Unlike the postal messaging system, this form of advertising and communication is a lot cheaper to use. Most email servers today offer their services for free, so obtaining email accounts are definitely inexpensive . Its maintenance and usage is also inexpensive if not totally free. This is why even small businesses are able to communicate online even without having any allotted budget, when using this strategy for their marketing campaigns. All it needs is a juicy and enticing content and the tool that works on autopilot - the autoresponder.

2. It is fast.

This type of marketing strategy is a lot faster than the conventional postal messaging. Though regular email messages generally take about 24-36 hours based on the server's capabilities, most of them today arrive almost in real time. This only means that almost all email messages today are sent with just a few minutes delay; and this reliable timeliness makes it even more certain that promotions, information and updates are sent out to customers in a timely manner.  And the best part is that it can be automated and combined with social media, such as Facebook!

3. It is effective.

Most businesses today have included this type of marketing utility in their campaigns because of its effectiveness. As a matter fact, building and managing email contact lists is already included by experts as one of the most important tools that most businesses should have in their priority lists.

The use of email in marketing is an effective strategy because it proactively communicates with the company's existing clients. It is highly effective when persuading current clients to go back to the site for new promotions and getting customers to respond to surveys, see the latest updates, product changes, rceive dscount coupons, etc.

4. It is easy.

Using email as a marketing tool is definitely more convenient the old post office bulk-mail of last century. It does not even need an envelope, a piece of paper or even a postage stamp before it can be sent to customers. There are already lots of free, convenient tools available online for small business owners.  And if it's not 100% free, it's probably not all that expensive, either. Almost all email providers are very user-friendly and easily incorporate other marketing needs of the business like HTML formatting, email trackers, linking to videos, Power Point, receipt reports or anything else!

Plus, email marketing is also a lot easier to manage than the conventional ways. Grouping customers according to product purchases, locations and marketing preferences is simple with the right software and autoresponder service.

Home Business in the 21st century means Freedom!

Most of us who have a home business or work from home full-time have the freedom to live just about anywhere we choose to live.  All that you really need is your computer, electricity and a good Internet connection.  In fact, freedom is one of the greatest benefits of working from home 100% of the time.  But the appeal of online business isn't merely the freedom of location.  It's also the freedom of time, freedom from traffic, freedom from office politics and (most important of all) freedom from the limits that others place upon you.  This blog is designed to give you the practical knowledge that will inspire your imagination, as you dream of the freedom that your own successful home business will bring - and work towards achieving it!

May you have much success and happiness as you pursue and achieve your dreams...