Online Video Marketing – Nothing Works Better…And Here’s How!
Anyone that’s a member or reads the blog knows that I occassionally have a spirt of tech play and create a video to show a process or method that I use to promote, build or start a home business.
These videos are pretty bad, I admit it, but they’re only there as a ‘how to’, simply to inform, they don’t need to look good.
However, if you’re trying to sell a product or service via online video Andy Jenkins just released a new “Video Series” TODAY – and it’s going to melt your brain and ignite your imagination – and tickle other unmentionable areas…
Can’t see the home business wood for the scamming trees
I have several ‘google alerts’ set up (if you don’t know what these are…uh…google it) that keep me abreast of every aspect of what could be called ‘the flexible world’. As part of that daily research I have an alert that brings me all the ‘home business’ news from around the world, from newspaper articles to blogs, and quite frankly I’m getting real tired of the crap that is tarnishing this growing corner of commerce.
You must experience the same. Every website and ‘mom’ blog is full of MLM, turnkey, don’t have to work, retire on a beach, send the kids to Harvard business models that just ‘can’t lose’. They set you up with a ready to go website, that looks like the website they gave a 1000 other people, and tell you to put your paypal address in and wait for the currency flood. Listen to me! The only person making money is the guy/gal selling you this bullshit notion that an online business is easy money. I’m actually quite insulted.
Home Business v’s Home Job
Image by Kaptain Kobold via Flickr
You have to make a change – you know this. Kid number 4 has come along or the commute is killing you, whatever, you want to work from home but what the hell do you do about it.
There are 2 broad camps, as inferred by the title – start a home business or work from home on someone else’s business.
Now for some of you the choice is simple, that little entrepreneur synap starts firing and you’ve been working for the ‘man’ for 20 years already – time to go-it alone. For others the thought of going out there without a safety net and a steady paycheck is a little too much to consider.
Promoting A Home Business
Image by Ed Yourdon via Flickr
So you’ve decided to make the giant leap and start a home business, slowly at first – for God’s sake don’t quit your job – and then work on the goal of making it a full time income replacer. Through various hmp members I’ve seen that choosing a business to start and doing the day-to-day is often the easy part. You may have the sweetest product in the world but if no-one knows about it you’re going to fail, period. With cash in short supply there are still some great methods of promoting a home business but they do need work and lots of it. Take a look at the options below and look out for my new course launching for free in the members area soon – a full idiots guide to building a website you have complete control over and how to drive targeted (very important) traffic to it.
The first thing that you will want to do when you are promoting your home business is to write up a plan, this is sometimes referred to as a marketing plan. In this plan you will want to outline everything you intend to do as far as promotion is concerned. By doing this before you even get started, you will ensure yourself of having a guide to help you through the different stages of marketing. Many people overlook this step because they think that they can simply promote as they go along. This is true, but by having a promotional plan in place you will be much more successful.
One of the best ways of promoting your home business is through the use of a website. By having a website, you will be able to promote your business to people from all over the world. There was a time when this option was not available, but those days have come and gone. If you want your home business to be successful, you will need to have a top notch website that you can rely on.
In addition to promoting your home business with a website, there are other ways that you can do this online as well. Placing ads in ezines has been proven as a successful promotion method. The main advantage of doing this is that you can reach a target audience that is interested in what you have to offer. This is much better than simply placing an ad in a publication that does not even correspond with your company. Of course the hot topic at the moment is social marketing with the likes of facebook or twitter, but so many people (99%+) just don’t get it. Again, look out for the free course in the members area soon.
Of course, promoting your home business can also be done in more traditional ways as well. Many people feel that direct mail is still a great way to promote their business. This can be done by obtaining a mailing list, and then sending out some materials that will intrigue people to contact you. Even though this method is a bit outdated, and can still be very successful if done correctly.
Promoting your home business is the only way that you are going to be able to grow. By starting out with a plan you will be able to ensure yourself of guidance along the way. Remember, there are hundreds of promotional tactics available. Find a couple that work for you and stick with them. You will be seeing results in no time at all!
Related Promoting A Home Business Article…
Social Marketing – A Powerful Form Of Promoting Your Home Based …
Social marketing is becoming more and more popular for internet entrepreneurs to promote their home based business online. Of course you should use several.
Related articles…
- 5 Things To Consider When Publishing A Newsletter (webmanmarketing.com)
- Pitching to investors: how much information is too much (startups.com)
- Beth Harte: Planning for 2010? Don’t Forget To Include Measurement & ROI! (mpdailyfix.com)
- My US Network Brings Jobs, Internships and Affordable Multi Media Advertising (prweb.com)
6 Work Life Balance Tips for Chronically Overwhelmed Parents
If you’re working from home, you’re probably accustomed to the steady stream of interruptions and emergencies from your family. Here are 6 work life balance tips for chronically overwhelmed parents.
1. Schedule Uninterrupted Work Time
Set aside hours when the kids know that you’re working, and they can only interrupt if it’s a real emergency. You may have to explain to them exactly what constitutes a “real” emergency. If the house is on fire: emergency. If Timmy won’t share his toys: not an emergency.
2. Explain the Importance of the Family Business
If you launch your home-based business and you’re off and running, you suddenly have less time for the children. If you don’t take the time to tell them why the business is important and why it takes so much of your time, they’re bound to interrupt a lot. Sit them down and explain the many benefits of the family business, and how they can help by minimizing interruptions. With that said, being a parent is a higher priority and the most important job you have.
3. Take Turns
If you and your husband are working together in the business, you may have to take turns giving your children the needed and desired attention they require. Work in shifts and take turns managing and playing with the kids, while the other one is working on the business.
4. Involve Your Children
Even if you have very young children, they can still be involved in the family business. Young children can learn to stuff envelopes or help clean the office. Older children can learn simple bookkeeping tasks and even answer the phone for you. Pay your children for the work they do, and it will help them to learn to appreciate the family business (and understand the importance of it all). You can also assign household chores as part of the “business” tasks that they complete. Every dish that’s washed and put away is time that helps you work and contributes to more family time together at the end of the day.
5. Set Up a Rewards System
If you meet all your business goals for the week, take the family out for some special time together. Let the children know that they can help earn these treats for the whole family by being responsible, completing all their chores on time and minimizing interruptions while you’re working.
6. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule
Your schedule doesn’t have to be set in stone. In fact, it can’t be since you’re working from home. However, having an overall schedule for the whole family can help balance work and life issues. Post the schedule in an area where everyone can see it. Have a set routine for each day of the week, and include times for each child. It can list everything from independent coloring time to chores and more. No matter what subjects go into the schedule, setting a routine for the kids will help teach them responsibility, and it will keep them occupied.
Remember, you’re running a home based business for the benefit of your entire family, not just yourself. Keep this in mind and remember that there has to be a degree of flexibility when you implement these work life balance tips. If there’s a short-term family crisis, be prepared to lose a little sleep if you have to in order to continue meeting your business goals.
Love this post, originally written by Daphne Mallory at wahm.com
