(Editor’s note: You don’t have to be an “Apple” junkie to appreciate this wonderful column compliments of Therese Skelly.  I receive her newsletter and just had to pass this along.  Enjoy and do register for her complimentary special report.  Bonnie

Building Your Business and Making Sales the Steve Jobs Way

Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”~Steve Jobs

Don’t you love that quote? This is why I’m so passionate about working with and empowering entrepreneurs to get out of their own way and break free from limitations that hold them back from being the change. Those of us who have heard the call and said yes to its whisper are the ones courageous enough to leave our jobs, step away from the perception of security, risk falling and failing, and ultimately undergo huge personal transformation….all in service of that deep dream that lives inside.

But it takes courage to play at this level. Courage to keep going when those around you chide you for being so ‘crazy’ as to wanting to do it on your own. And more courage yet to stay strong when the cash flow is weak and you might be swimming in fear and doubt, or can’t find the way to take your business to the next level. And it often takes even bigger amounts of courage to step up and sell your services and ask for rates that you really deserve.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” ~Steve Jobs

Let me clarify what I mean by entrepreneurial courage. I define it as your ability to BOLDY express who you are in your business, sell your services, make decisions based on your strengths and gifts, and the willingness to go against the grain – to stand out and listen to your own inner voice and vision versus following along with what everyone else is doing.

And that takes guts, let me tell ya! If you are to be a successful business owner you must be a leader! This is where the courage comes in. As an employee, it is very likely that you were given work or told what to do. But when it’s your own business, you are responsible for creating all of it. While you may have a team, ultimately, the success or failure you experience is on your shoulders.

That’s why this entrepreneurial journey is not for the faint of heart!

If you talk with anyone who has been on the path for a while, they’ll likely share with you the steps they took and what they bumped into to finally own their brilliance and build a business around it. You’ve likely heard my story….I had a master’s degree in counseling, practiced for 25 years, yet felt that was a liability as a business coach! I had coaching training and certification and coached and trained with some of the industries finest to integrate the business building, marketing, sales, branding, copywriting that I know today, but because I had been a therapist I still felt like it wasn’t enough, so I had a really hard time selling my services.

The journey for me to really decide to build my brand and my business on the fact that I am an expert in this mindset and inner game area was a painful one to be sure. Why? Because as I often say….“Your Brilliance Lives In Your Blind Spot.” So in my case all my mentors and business girlfriends could clearly see where my business positioning needed to be, but I, 1) didn’t value it, 2) couldn’t figure out how to market it, and 3) had no idea how to weave it through my business model. And that experience has lead me to the path I am on today, and formed the foundation for the Serving Without Selling program and all the work I do with clients.

The craziest part? Just as in life, very often the thing we struggle with the most is where our gifts are and what we are actually here to teach. So guess what I’m teaching now? Yeah! How to get that brilliance out of your blind spot and own your value! How to have the courage to let YOU show up in your business, and how to make money doing what you love, and are good at.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.” ~Steve Jobs

But how do you get courage? How do you risk putting yourself out there when it’s new or it’s scary? The #1 thing – get support! Truly. The issue lies in that you can’t see what you can’t see.

That’s why it’s my theory that your brilliance lives in your blind spot. Here’s what happens when it’s living there:

• · You can’t believe anyone would pay for it, so you can’t sell your services
• · You can’t charge appropriately for it because it “comes so easy” to you
• · You think everyone has it or can do it, so why do they need you?
• · You can’t figure out how to make it a business that makes money

I have worked with loads of business owners who were not loving their businesses because they weren’t marketing and selling the thing they should have been. They were listening to what someone else told them they should do, ‘selling out’ on their dream or chickening out and just taking the easy money.

And there’s nothing wrong with doing things to get some cash in the door! But is it costing you? If you are working with people that are costing you energy, it’s not worth it! Sometime we just have to make choices based on revenue, but if you are to have a satisfying and fulfilling business, it has to weave YOU in it.

But what kind of support do you want? Not just someone who rubber stamps your ideas. No, find someone who will challenge you to show up BIGGER than you are currently comfortable with. Find someone who will call you on your ‘stuff’ when you start backing down, and someone who takes the time with you to discover what you should be marketing and selling based on your unique gifts and talents and values.

The next step to get more courage is to create an empowering environment. Reading Steve Jobs quotes are inspiring and stimulating. Reading the Enquirer not so much! Listen to fellow entrepreneurs who have blazed the trail to show you that it’s possible. You must keep as much positivity in your environment as you can as you make the transition from just having a business to being the kind of business owner who’s making a difference in the world. It’s a big shift, so set yourself up for success by having an environment that pulls you forward. This is where vision boards and inspiring books, goal setting or affirmations, and coaching work well.

And once you make the commitment to have a business you love, based on your gift and unique talents, it’s a whole lot more rewarding.

“Almost everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” ~Steve Jobs

I couldn’t have said it better. Thanks Steve and thank YOU my readers for showing up and doing the great work you do in the world.

Therese Skelly is a business catalyst and mindset mentor, helping service based entrepreneurs create businesses they will love.  Visit her site at www.HappyinBusiness.com, and for a free special report on how to get your brilliance out of your blindspot and into your profit spot, go to www.Happyinbusiness.com/Innermarketingebook

Who is she? She is empowered, enlightened and enterprising. She exudes energy, enthusiasm and confidence. She has embarked on a journey and created a mission only she can fulfill. She’s a risk taker. She connects. She collaborates. She gives back. The entrepreneurial woman will not be denied. She deserves success and takes pride in her accomplishments. She sets the standard of excellence in all that she does and in all that she is. She endures.

The entrepreneurial woman is unstoppable. She does it all. She creates. She markets. She promotes. She shares resources. She supports other like minded individuals with her ideas, her time, and her talent. It requires courage to be an entrepreneurial woman in today’s marketplace. There’s no fall back. No pay check. No employee benefits. No paid vacations. It’s you, your products and/or services, vying for consumers in an already established economic environment. It’s possessing the fortitude to differentiate yourself from everyone else by finding a unique way to be memorable.

In the early 80′s after completing my 12th year in the teaching profession I left to pursue my entrepreneurial dream and purchased a franchise. Everyone thought I was crazy. A typical comment was, “How can you give up your career, vacations, benefits, etc. to owning a retail business? You’ll have to work at year round including weekends!” No one and nothing could persuade me. I was ready. I was determined. I was tired of someone else directing my life. I wanted control even if that meant long hours, hard work, and facing the unknown. Twelve years later I owned 6 franchises and became the Regional Director with responsibility to oversee 22 other stores.

I look back on those years with huge satisfaction. I went from school teacher to entrepreneur. I went from a single pay check to multiple streams of income. I proved to myself and those who doubted my determination that I could meet the challenges and survive. I know what it takes first hand to break away and go out on your own. I know the amount of faith it requires. I also know the rewards that come from doing what you really want to do even if it means following unfamiliar roads to travel an uncertain journey.

The entrepreneurial woman in the marketplace is doing better than surviving. She’s thriving. She’s unique. She’s a gift. She’s a person who endures. It serves us all when we pay attention to and support the entrepreneurial woman economically. She takes her tasks seriously, often over delivers, and shows us what is possible by her example. If you are an entrepreneurial woman, congratulations! If you are considering “stepping out on your own”, go for it! I for one am eager to support you, your talent and ideas. I believe others will, too.

You’re looking for a business opportunity to be your own boss and earn unlimited income, however you’re not yet in the financial position to leave behind the steady paycheck and health benefits you’re day job offers. How long should you wait before you take charge and start your own business?

By participating in network marketing (also known as multi-level marketing or MLM), you can begin today — and still keep your day job! The low initial investment (ranging from $25-$1,000, depending on the company) and the freedom to work out of your home and set your own schedule make network marketing the ideal vehicle for starting a business part-time.

The challenge, however, is knowing how to build your MLM venture to a level at which you can leave your salaried position to devote yourself full-time to pursue your entrepreneurial dream. When the bulk of your day is spent on working for someone else and fighting rush-hour traffic, where do you find the time and energy to grow your business? What can you do right now — while working a regular job — to take your MLM business to a full-time level?

SEEING THE OPPORTUNITY

Begin by cultivating a success. Winston Churchill once said, “An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.” The problem is that many aspiring entrepreneurs view having to work for someone else as a “calamity.” They dread going to work, thinking, “I can’t wait till I leave this place and be free!” Unfortunately, because of negative attitudes, individuals overlook the very opportunities and resources available to them in the workplace which would allow them to achieve their goals faster.

Brainstorm ways that your present job can actually benefit your MLM business. For example, when you arrive at work, be observant!. Each person you work with is potentially a customer — or even “business builder” — for you. Imagine! You have the opportunity, on a daily basis, to develop relationships with these “prospects.” Then realize the number of people each of your fellow employees know. (Experts say that every person you meet knows at least 250 other people.) Talk about an ideal starting point from which to build a lucrative client base! Opportunities abound, when you’re looking for them.

SETTING GOALS

Once you’ve committed to turning on an “opportunity” mentality, your next step is to write down your goals and design a strategy for achieving them. How much income do you require from your new business to be comfortable replacing your current salary? Write that number down. Next, determine a deadline as to when you want to accomplish that goal. With your target in sight, outline the action steps you need to take in order to “hit the mark” within your time frame.

After you’ve set your goals, share them with people who trust you, believe in you, and want you to be successful. This can include the person who sponsored you, colleagues, your spouse, or friends. Ask them to help you by holding you accountable for achieving your goals and remind you, when frustrations and disappointments occur, of the ultimate freedom you’ll gain by building a successful business.

MAXIMIZING YOUR TIME

Even though you’re spending much of your day working for someone else, you still have opportunities to grow your business. The key is leveraging that time to achieve your goals. Here are five tips to help you make the most of your time:

1. Determine what time-management system works best for you, and use it. Don’t leave your business growth to chance. If you’re going to succeed, you need to plan and be proactive.
2. Plan on a weekly basis. How many hours this week do you intend to devote to your business? Do you need to get up early, stay up later, or both?
3. Use your lunch time and other scheduled breaks to build your MLM business. Meet prospects for lunch, write follow-up notes, or study your company materials — any activity that will help you take your venture to the next level.
4. Stay positive. Negative thoughts waste time and blind you to the business-building opportunities around you. Focus on your goals, not your setbacks.
5. Keep a daily record of how you’re using your time each day. This will show you where you can improve on your time-management.

Remember, your time is limited, however, that’s no excuse for failure. You have the time you need to make your business succeed, so make the most of it!

LEARNING THE BUSINESS

As in any business endeavor, ignorance is NOT bliss. What you don’t know CAN hurt you. Therefore, invest time to learn all you can about the network marketing industry and about company. Read your particular books like Leonard W. Clement’s Inside Network Marketing (Prima Publishing, $14.00), Richard Poe’s Wave 3: The New Era in Network Marketing (Prima Publishing, $14.95), The Greatest Networker in the World (Prima Publishing, $12.00) by John Milton Fogg, the founder and chairman of Upline Magazine, and How to Make Big Money in Multi-Level Marketing (Prentice Hall, $14.95) by David Roller. Listen to tapes and attend training meetings. Call your sponsor to get your questions answered.

Don’t waste time and energy trying to figure out the business on your own. By studying what the experts have to say, you’ll shorten your learning curve — and the time it will take for you to go full-time in MLM.

MAKING THE TRANSITION

How can you tell when you’re ready to “cut loose” from your day job? The first key is patience. Wait at least until your business income is close to or on track to replacing your current salary. Not having sufficient income will put an unnecessary strain on what could be a successful business in the future.

Secondly, make sure you have at least three committed, income-producing leaders in your organization. This way, you know that you have assurance that your business will continue to grow.

And finally, trust your intuition. You’ll know when you’re ready. Your commitment to success and your work ethic will be so strong that you’ll feel momentum driving your business to a “full-time” level.

FULFILLING YOUR DREAM

While working 9 to 5, plus long commutes, leaves limited time to devote to your business, don’t let that hold you back from a better future! Set your MLM business goals today and outline the steps you need to take to achieve them. Then GO FOR IT! When you commit to do whatever it takes to succeed, you’ll fulfill your dream of having a lifestyle of time and financial freedom. Begin today for a better tomorrow.

“What’s Holding You Back?”

One of the keys to taking your MLM venture from a part-time activity to a full-time business is to identify the obstacles that could keep you from fulfilling your dream. Here are seven to beware of and what you can do to avoid them:

1. Unclear vision. Define EXACTLY what you want and outline the steps that will take you there.
2. No business plan. Remember, despite the extremely low initial investment, it is a bona fide business. Therefore, don’t treat it like a hobby. Design and implement a business plan that will keep you on course toward your goals.
3. Half-hearted commitment. If you take a “try-and-see” approach, you may abandon ship too soon, — just as you were about to reach your goal. Resolve to “stay on board” for the long-haul. You’ll arrive at your destination in due time.
4. Focusing on busy work instead of profitable activity. Establish your priorities and make all your decisions in light of them.

1. Money allows a business to thrive.

Must have a personal financial plan. Determine how much you have to invest, how much you’re willing to risk, and how much you will need to live on during your expansion phase. Consult with a CPA, financial advisor or anyone that helps you w/finances. Be really clear about your commitment and the effort involved.

2. Develop and implement clear systems so you remain consistent in all transactions.

Have a plan for everything. Clear, concise directions in written form for how the business operates is imperative for 1. when you are not in the business (away) and 2. so that anyone can step in to any store and handle what needs to be done. Consider this to be a roadmap to be followed at every turn. Eliminate confusion by creating specific guidelines.

3. Balance business and family life.

As women we think we can do it all. Let’s get real. We need to ask for support, understanding, etc. Choose between burnout and lasting relationships. Be prepared AND prepare your family for long hours, sacrifice, and conflict. Set aside family time. Take time for you as well.

4. Be enthusiastic and positive — speak well of your staff, customers, and colleagues.

It’s a safe bet that the success of any business is linked to the level of enthusiasm individuals bring to the job. Enthusiasm is contagious. It brings a level of excitement and energy to the business everyone can feel including your customers. It motivates staff by making your location a better place to work.

5. Hire the best employees.

Good help is hard to find; great help is essential. It’s one thing to hire. It’s another to retain. Tips on keeping employees: rotate responsibility, cooperate in developing schedules, work with split schedules if necessary, treat employees like gold “which they are”, change conditions that are unfavorable. Keep employees informed of new marketing and other promotions. Get input. Use rewards, incentives to retain valuable help.

6. Provide proper training and allow opportunities for leaders to develop.

Dissatisfied employees can ruin a business. Implement an employee handbook, job descriptions, and training. Regularly train and retrain employees. Hold refresher and advanced classes periodically. Go over procedures. Do reviews. Give opportunities for employees to be challenged, to grow professionally, and to assume more responsibility. Empower seasoned employees with decision making capability.

7. Always give outstanding service to customers.

You are NOT in business to make money. You ARE in business to acquire and maintain customers. Your employees are the front line. Happy employees make for happy customers. Unhappy employees will significantly impact the success or lack of success with your business. Demand excellence. Expect excellence. Your employees are a reflection of you. Customers know when their business is appreciated. (Candy, surprises to customers now and then, decorations, etc . . . . . . anything that speaks “Glad you’re here!”)

8. Get involved in your community.

Membership in a local chamber of commerce is an absolute. People shop businesses that support their community. Provide door prizes or contributions when asked. Be seen as a businesswoman who is committed to her community. This is not an arena in which to be cheap. Participation both physically and monetarily will be returned to you. You can count on it. It’s time and effort well spent to build & sustain good will.

Sponsor a team, participate in a civic group, set aside a day to give a portion of proceeds to charity, offer discounts, etc.

9. Solicit ideas from colleagues. Offer ideas as well.

Network with other business women. Attend seminars, conferences, etc. to gain fresh ideas, to see what other businesses are doing to promote, to sustain employees, to market their products and services. Ask for help. Offer assistance. Be known for being generous with your ideas. Build and sustain professional relationships. 10.Stay focused on your main business.

Minimize costs and maximize sales. Be diligent and observant of how your business operates day to day. Watch out for shrinkage. Shrinkage is merchandise that is missing and unaccounted for due to employee theft, customer theft, vendor theft, or maybe simple bad management, inventory, and ordering procedures. Keep a watchful eye on shipment deliveries, storage, product handling, and store theft. Consider “secret shoppers” once or twice/yearly to analyze customer service and transactions.

10. Plan your labor. Look at your business. Some days are busier than others and some hours during the day are busier than others. Learn how to schedule to meet your need.

The success of your business ultimately rests with you. Pay attention. Becoming and staying successful in business is much more than opening your door. If it is your intention to expand or if you have already consider what you can do to improve your bottom line. Efficiency is key. Focus is key. Your time and effort will pay off IF you choose and act wisely as you build your long term goals.

Contributing Author: Charles Curle

You may ask yourself the question, “My business is ticking over nicely, why should I pay for a well designed website?”

Your website is open 24/7

A website allows your business to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are millions of people, from all over the world, online at any time of the day. Many of them are looking to source products or services. If you run a conventional brick and mortar business, you can only attract the people who walk or drive past your shop, in any one day. Having a website designed for you allows you to attract new customers that would otherwise never find you – and they can do so when your shop is closed! A well designed web site also gives them a reason to revisit the site in the future.

Websites increase customer confidence

A professional, well designed website, with the right content, easy navigation and quickly accessible contact details, greatly increases customer confidence in your company. A well designed website shows people that you are forward thinking and customer focused, much in the way a well designed business card did in the past, which is an important factor in any buying decision that they have to make.

Websites increase customer referrals

What is easier to remember, mysite.com or 01215501528?
A website address is much easier to remember than a telephone number, so it stands to reason that having a website increases the likelihood of referrals – and let’s face it, referrals are one of the most important sources of new business.

A website address increases the ROI when advertising

Including your website address on all of your adverts, business cards, letterheads, invoices, etc allows people to take action straight away, when they view an advert, or hear about your product or service. Visiting your website is so much easier than driving to your store, telephoning or writing a letter to you. When online, a potential customer can take their time and enjoy finding out about your products or services without the pressure of having a salesman floating about in the background.

Website sales

Your website is one of the most impressive sales presentations that you will ever have. Allowing your customers to buy your products or services online is a wonderful and inexpensive way to expand your business. Spending thousands on advertising, for an ad that is featured in one mag, for one month simply doesn’t compare to investing in a long term sales marketing solution – or a well designed website as we like to call them!

Even if you do not offer a product or service that can easily be purchased over the internet, a website still acts as an impressive first contact, convincing the potential customer that they need what you are offering and inviting them to contact you, via telephone, email or contact form on your website.

Websites promote future business

When a potential customer comes into your shop and leaves without making a purchase and without speaking to anyone, they are basically a dead prospect. When someone views your well designed website and doesn’t make a purchase straight away, they can easily revisit anytime to make the purchase in the future. On top of that, you can use your website to collect the email addresses of visitors and send them periodical promotional emails, newsletters or updates on your product or service. So although they may not buy first time around, you have more than one opportunity to close the sale!

So there you go, what are you waiting for?
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Charles Curle Design was created in 2000 and offers simple to complex web design services. We are currently located in Cumming, GA. Our business provides web design services, web development solutions, and web marketing strategies. We specialize in creating feature-rich, custom web applications, and search engine optimization packages to suit your business needs.

Our many years of experience include developing large scale websites (hundreds of dynamic pages) down to small, one page brochure websites. Our work has helped lift non-existent sites from obscurity to the top of their field. You can count on our experience and expertise to provide your business with what will and will not work on the web, ensuring you have a website that will benefit your company and help your business grow.

How often have you asked someone for a reference? How often has someone else asked you for a recommendation? Being resourceful and top of mind to others who recognize that you have the gift of giving is a valuable asset to have, especially in the business world. Call to mind individuals that are reliable and resourceful. Hopefully, others see you in that same positive light.

So, what are some of the specific ways you can be a “go to” person? What are some of the behaviors you can implement immediately to set you apart and to further enhance your credibility?

1. Consider sending invites to events to individuals with whom you wish to stay connected.
2. Offer to make introductions to people you meet that can benefit from meeting people you know.
3. If you read about something that can be of value to someone, share the information.
4. Maintain a dynamite rolodex of contacts and what they offer. Let others know that when they have a need for a product or service, you’d love to help them connect with the right person. Start now.
5. Being resourceful is a strong quality to have. Individuals you help will often want to help you in return. People love to help others.
6. It’s easy to “cash in on a favor” when you’ve helped someone else.
7. Do the unexpected!

There will always be an endless number of people clamoring for business, attention and their share of the marketplace. Developing the proper skills will reap huge rewards over time. No doubt you can make sales and establish lasting relationships without going through the ideas I’ve suggested. Every now and then business will “fall in your lap.”

The reality is that to ensure your long term goals and to foster your sustainability in a competitive arena, it certainly is worth taking time to network differently. One of the most effective ways to be remembered by the individuals you meet through any networking arena is to be resourceful. Look for specific ways to stay connected to specific associates you meet by noting what you can do in the future that will give others a reason to stay connected to you. Go for what you want and remember, people will do business with people they like and with people they trust. In any competitive arena, being recognized as a resourceful business person will undoubtedly differentiate you from others who offer similar products/services. Implement these simple steps and reap substantial rewards for doing so. What have you got to lose? What might you gain? Test the waters. Apply what works for you. Start now.

Being an entrepreneur in today’s economy is a wonderful opportunity to share your talents IF you have what it takes to be successful! What is it about the successful entrepreneur that is integral to that success? Do women entrepreneurs have common traits that help with success? Is it luck? Is it their product/service? Or, is it something characteristic about her that means she would likely be successful at anything she attempted?

The woman entrepreneur will likely need some luck, but it is her drive, faith, energy and vision that will propel her to reach her goal(s). Here are a few common traits of the successful female entrepreneur. And while there are likely others, possessing these are certainly indicators that your chance of success is significantly increased.

1. Drive. Failure is not an option for the committed entrepreneur. Bumps in the road will not set her back, but will steel her resolve. She is on a mission and knows she will get to her goal.

2. Vision. The female entrepreneur is a big-picture person. She can see her successful business, what it looks like with all of its components. She can see her product on the shelves, her services in action. She is not only not afraid to dream big, but views her daydreams as achievable.

3. Autonomy. This woman likes to be in control and isn’t afraid to make decisions by herself. She is comfortable with being alone and has confidence in her intelligence. She is a take-charge person. This woman doesn’t wait for someone else to act and doesn’t second guess her choices.

4. Intuitive. The woman entrepreneur trusts her instincts about her product or service, the market and her business management skills. She uses her instinct as well as her research and her knowledge to guide her business decisions. She knows that her instincts will be what sets her apart from her competitors and will ultimately lead to her success.

5. Distinctive. People remember this woman. She is distinctive. Her product or service is distinctive and her company is a stand alone. There is nothing ordinary here.

6. Planner. This woman not only devises and puts down on paper her business plan, she follows it. She doesn’t lose sight of her goals or methods for reaching her goals. When she reaches a fork in the road, she might explore the alternate route and add it to her business plan. However, she never forgets her vision. Her business plan is the written version of the vision she sees in her mind.

7. Risk-taker. Starting a business isn’t the first time this woman has thrown the dice. She isn’t afraid to bet everything on herself. She has been known to jump before.

Grounded entrepreneurs are a rare breed. Those men and women who can truly create and lead their own original business are a combination of visionary and realist. For the true female entrepreneur, the stakes may be high and the odds may be long, but there is no other option for her.

To piggyback on Bonnie’s fantastic post about “Is This Your Year?”, I wanted to share a couple of things with you.

First and foremost, I’m offering a SWEET deal until January 5th (that’s Monday).

One of the services I offer is a Website Review. You can see more of what that means here:

http://www.carrielauth.com/hire-carrie.htm

It can be extremely valuable to have another pair of eyes looking at your site. If you’re determined to make 2009 stand out in your mind as the year you earned a full time living from your website, this would be a wise investment.

It includes an hour long coaching/strategy session with me, an audio I record with tips on how you can improve your website for more sales and traffic, and ongoing email support for an entire week!

Check it out again here:

http://www.carrielauth.com/hire-carrie.htm

Until the 5th only, I’m offering this service (normally $100) for only $75. Email me at clauth@gmail.com and we’ll set up a time and I’ll give you further instructions.

This month only you’ll also have access to a special report (normally sold for $13.97) all about building incoming links to your site – links are what make your site important in the eyes of Google so this one is not to be missed!

Secondly, after sharing a mistake I made last year that cost me dearly in the last couple of months, I explained how I’m turning the situation around. Perhaps this will help you if you have had a similar experience.

http://carrielauth.com/blog/how-to-resurrect-a-dead-site

MAKE it a Great Year!

More than ever, women are choosing to start their own online businesses. This is especially true right now during the tough economic times we’re living in. Do you have the recommended 6 months’ living expenses tucked away in savings in preparation for lay offs, rightsizing, downsizing, outsourcing and whatever else they’re calling it these days?

Statistics show many of us do not. This is all the more reason for women to look for ways to make money online before the disaster strikes. If you already are in business, make this the year you market it using the internet.

Starting an online business has a number of advantages. These include:

* Start-up costs can be kept low. Starting an online business is usually within reach with small adjustments to the budget. Setting up a website means acquiring a domain name and hosting space – and with tools like WordPress (the tool this blog is built on) available at no cost, you can literally be up and running for around $20. You will also want to invest in some education, such as through an online networking, education and mentoring group like Mom Masterminds. Learning the basics of how to market your website online are not difficult, but be careful where you get your information.

The Natural Mom Business Guide is one solid source of information on launching a website, specifically for anyone in the “natural living” niche. It includes an ebook with detailed information about researching your target market, the various ways to make money with a website, and how to get the traffic you need to earn income. It even has video and audio tutorials as well as printable “cheat sheets” you can keep by your computer to remind you of the essential steps you need to take in your business to build traffic and make more income.

* Doing business online doesn’t require one to keep certain hours. You can work early in the morning before your kids get up or before you go to a day job, or late at night when everyone is in bed. If you’re a mom, you can work while the kids are napping, with a babysitter or at school. And with the automation that the Internet has to offer, orders can be processed and virtual products delivered while you are doing other things.

* You can get some work done with family right by your side. Older children may even be able to help you with simple tasks. Did you know that the IRS allows you to deduct wages (up to a certain amount) paid to a child who is age seven or older to work in your home business from your taxes? I have even trained my oldest son to add articles to my websites. He earns a nice wage for doing so, far more than an allowance, and is providing a valuable service to me.

There are all sorts of online businesses that are great for women. You could sell your crafts or start a recipe website, or you could start a podcast. You might offer services such as writing, transcription, web design or virtual assistance to customers around the world. Or you could create and sell information products. Even blogging offers impressive money-making potential. The possibilities are many, and there’s sure to be something out there that’s just right for any mom.

Moms make up a large portion of the people who are making money online. This allows them to take a hands-on approach to raising their children while still making money to support the household. They don’t have to count on a sitter to take care of their children’s needs, and they don’t have to make a commute part of their daily routine. It’s no wonder that the number of moms starting online businesses is growing in leaps and bounds.

If you need some assistance choosing a niche, help with the technical aspects of getting your site up and running, or any other aspect of marketing yourself on the internet, get some coaching from an experienced online marketer.

Take the leap – you’ll be glad you did!

It is time for the Entrepreneurial World to wake up.

Entrepreneurship is something that was always considered to be for someone else. In a lot of ways it often still is. Many parents will tell their children that they should find a nice steady job, with good pay and great benefits. Well, guess what, the world has changed a lot from those days that you were able to join a company at 20 and leave them at 65.

Joining a company no longer offers the security that many people still look for. Ofcourse, we do need people that want to be employees, or we would never be able to build OUR businesses, but I seriously believe that we should stop telling the next generation that this well trodden path is the only one there is.

In fact – let’s look at the facts. Many people do go straight into working for a (big) company when they finish their education. So they make some nice money, they start spending it on a nice car, and when they are a few years older, they may think of buying their first home. Along comes Love – so now there’s two incomes and so let’s buy a bigger home – because we can all afford it right? And maybe, tiny family member number three is on the way so more space is needed.
Pause right there and take a long look at this picture and think about what could be wrong here. After all, both parents have had a few promotions in the company and are well on their career path, making more money with each step they take.

Except …. there is no freedom in having a big mortgage, or an expensive lifestyle. You are always dependent on someone paying you a big enough salary to cover it, and whilst you may be living in a nice house – it is actually paid for with someone else’s money. Next – a recession hits the world – like it is doing right now and those parents may loose their jobs or have to face longer hours/less pay – and the banks still want their money. And of course, with all the growing and promoting and career planning going on, they may not have saved as much as they originally set out.

This is what happens today. In our current lives – you will very likely have a number of periods between 20 and 65 where no-one is looking to employ you and give you the security you might think you’d gain by being employed. So this is a GREAT time to start thinking about all the things that you have to offer and dedicate those skills to building something much more secure than what any other company can give you: your own company!!

Running your own company is by no means any easier then working for someone else – in fact, it’ll prove much harder and you’ll definitely have times you wish you never had (mind you, I never looked back – it’s been the best thing I’ve done in my life!). But you are able if you do it well – to build up capital instead of debts, and to invest that capital in the one investment that you should always trust in – YOU! Added benefits are that you control your own pension, and of course – you are always in control of your own time and money.  Now is definitely the right time to start – despite the fact that the financial institutions may not lend you any money. There are enough people in your direct environment that are looking for a better place to invest their money then in the stock markets… and you may just be that which they feel they can trust.

If you are still not sure whether you have what it takes, take the great new test on efactor.com: the Entrepreneur’s Mind Challenge® (efactor.com/p/emchallenge) and find out exactly how good you would be as an Entrepreneur!

by Marion Freijsen