Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Top Level Domains

 A lot of people believe that having a top level domain is the best way to go as far as search engines are concerned.  This has sent me off on quite an adventure.  When I first started using blogger and gave it some thought I was told it couldn't be done with blogger but you could do it with wordpress.  I tried Wordpress and didn't like the fact that I had no way to manipulate the templates (not that I could find anyway).  I got frustrated and went back to Blogger and decided I really didn't need a top level domain anyway. 
Well here I am again looking into it.  Come to find out you can do it with Blogger.  You just have to use the FTP function.. Well duh, how easy is that?   It actually looks easy enough but when it comes right down to it, I am losing my mind! 

I use Homestead for a host and although it is simple to use when you are building a website I have found out that there file system is not quite like the rest.  For instance I don't have a /public.html/ file.. Don't know what that is?  Me either but I need it to FTP or at least need to know what Homesteads version is. 

So anyway.. this is what I am working on these days.   A whole new world of learning but I think learning is a good thing.   Have a great day!

 

 

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Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Advertising

Once you have your business up and running you will need to advertise of course!  Without some form of advertising no one will ever know your business even exists.  There are lots of different ways to advertise both offline and online.  You have options of free advertising or paying for advertising.  There is a great thread at wahm that is all about places you can advertise.  Scroll through and see what fits your needs and price: http://www.wahm.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8618&PN=1

 

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Monday, July 24, 2006

Four Tips For Managing Your Life

Four Tips For Managing Your Life
 by Abraham Carter
 
 
 Good news: from getting organized to maximizing your time, there are some easy ways to stay focused and achieve your goals.
• What Areas Need the Most Work? Watching a reality TV show may be more entertaining than cleaning the green film off the shower stall but it won't keep your home from becoming a biohazard. Establishing and sticking to priorities will help you spend less time worrying about what needs to be done and more time accomplishing your goals. Consider using Sunday evenings, when you normally mourn the end of the weekend, to go over weekly goals and priorities. This is a great way to stay focused on what you want to accomplish without getting ahead of yourself.
• Cut Out the Junk. If you're like many Americans, you keep possessions well beyond their usefulness. When neighbors begin mistaking your garage for abstract art, you have a problem. Consider selling old appliances, clothing and furniture that add clutter to your life; to avoid the hassle of a yard sale, use Web sites such as eBay and Craigslist to sell secondhand goods. One day you may even be able to park your car in the garage.
• Get the Right Equipment. Sometimes you just need the right tools to maximize your results. A good option is Microsoft Works Suite 2006, with something for everyone in the family. Works Suite includes six of Microsoft's most popular home software programs. You can keep a detailed list of your priorities in Microsoft Word 2002; organize upcoming projects and stay on schedule with Microsoft Works 8; and create, manage and track your budget using Microsoft Money 2006 Standard. In addition, the program includes Digital Image Standard 2006, software to help you organize, enhance and share digital photos. Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2006 comes in handy for research; and Streets & Trips Essentials 2006 helps plan, chart and navigate that road trip you always said you would take. Visit http://www.microsoft.com/works for more information.
• Give Someone Else a Spot. Pledging to be more active in your community is an important goal. Instead of shying away from volunteer opportunities, make a point to reserve one day a month for charities or functions. Nonprofit organizations are flexible when it comes to working with volunteers.
None of these tips will take effect if you don't implement them into your daily routine. It only takes a couple days of procrastination before you're smothered by daily tasks and confused about what to do next. You will change your habits only by being proactive and setting constant reminders. Remember, Rome was not built in a day. By being patient with your progress and approaching your goals sooner than later, you may have some great accomplishments to celebrate.
 
 
 
 

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Thursday, July 20, 2006

Make money scrapbooking

A fantastic way to earn money from home and one in which I wish I could spend the time to do is to make scrapbooks.  You can make scrapbooks with all the great little details, add stickers, borders, embellishments all the fun stuff but leave room for some pictures and journaling.  You would be amazed how many people will pay for these books! 

Read more here: http://wahmscam.blogspot.com/2006/07/make-money-scrapbooking.html

 

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Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Freelance Jobs

So Im borrowing from Gayla again... I know, why can't I be original?   If I wanted to be honest I should probably be directing you to her article on avoiding summer death of a blog.  Summer is definately a time when I can find all kinds of reasons to be out in the sun, at the park, in the garden, anywhere but at the computer working!
However I noticed that she has also written a great article about a place that is helping freelance workers find jobs!  So I will let you sit in front of the computer and work, Im going out to the garden.. yeah.. sure I am.. :)
 

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Monday, July 17, 2006

Be Ready

Just like in the outside workplace, working at home can be filled with surprises.  Have you ever been in a position of working outside the home and you make a new contact, start talking and suddenly find yourself with a new opportunity?  This just happened to me as a work from home parent!  This weekend I was talking to an aquaintance who has started some websites in the past few months.  After talking for awhile about website building he offered me a partnership.  He likes to write the material but he doesn't have time for the website marketing and maintenance.  This is a great opportunity.  I wanted more websites but haven't had time to build them.  It is almost the end of July and I am one short of my goal!  Turns out that is okay.  By working on this new project I will still be able to make money and grow my business.  Be Ready for surprises and new opportunities everywhere you turn!   Read my blog at www.reviewtheweb.blogspot.com to see the website I will be marketing.  It's a whole new venue and Im pretty excited about it!
 

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Friday, July 14, 2006

MLM's what are they?

 
It's been awhile and there are always new people looking to work from home.  I wanted to take a moment to revisit the post on the difference between MLM's and Pyramid schemes.  It is really important for anyone looking into a business to understand.  So here we go!
 
 

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Thursday, July 13, 2006

Internet Marketing Voodoo

 
Once you have your business started whether it is online or offline you are now going to have to get the word out.  How do you do that?  Internet Marketing Voodoo is a website that can definately help you!  I remember when I first started my website I kept hearing over and over about Viral Marketing.  Now being online anything with "virus" connotations sounds pretty darn evil.  However, I found out is actually a great thing and this website explains all the steps you need to take to make it work for you. 
Internet Marking Voodoo has information on all kinds of different marketing techniques.  You can take all of the marketing techniques they offer and gear them towards making your own products or business standout.   This is definately a website to visit, they can help you learn everything about marketing online, offline and tell you why you need to be doing it.  What I like best is the "Guest Spots" there are some very well known and talented people who are telling you their strategies and sharing what worked for them.  Set aside a day to visit and learn all you can learn!
 
 
 
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Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Stress

 
Stress is something we all have to deal with and sometimes on a daily basis.  When you are starting your own work from home business venture you will probably feel a great deal of stress.  This will be an ongoing thing.  Don't think it won't!  You will have ups and downs and they will affect your stress level.  There will be times you want to throw in the towel even.  Here is a great article on how to deal with stress when those moments hit you!
 
The Key To Personal Development And Stress Reduction (And Maybe Even World Peace)
 by Tracy Carreon -
 
 
 Wherever you are right now, stop everything (this is important). Take just a moment and sit back in your seat. Now, put your hands on your abdomen with you fingertips barely touching. On your next inhale separate your fingertips by breathing deeply and slowly into your belly, allowing your breath to push them apart. Then exhale slowly so that your fingertips come back together. When you’ve finished, try it again.
There. That’s it…THE key to unlocking the door to your own growth and evolvement, to managing and actually reducing the stress in your life, and to setting in motion a small but resounding ripple in the betterment of the world.
Sound ridiculous? Are you wondering how one deep breath can claim to accomplish so much? The answer lies not in the biological functioning of the breath, but in its ability to focus attention, to bring mind and body into sync and release the present from concerns over the past or future. And when this happens time and space is created for deepening self-knowledge and awareness, which in turn leads to more purposeful, engaged and inspired living.
Sitting quietly for five, ten, twenty minutes a day, following your breath, is a good way to begin creating a personal practice of what is called “mindfulness.” In today’s speed-of-light world, it’s common to feel scattered…for the mind to be thinking about one thing, while the heart reaches toward another and the body hangs out in the space-time continuum. Mindfulness is about bringing all these aspects of the self together. It’s about becoming fully and deeply present, aware of each passing moment. And the simplest, easiest and best place to begin is the breath.
Though it won’t stop there. When you become intentional in the practice of being mindful a deeper process will be triggered. The ability to focus on your own inner experience and to become fully present will begin to flow into every aspect of your life…into your words, and thoughts and actions…into your relationships and work and personal endeavors. You will wake and realize that you are, maybe for the first time, actually experiencing the moments of your existence.
But how does that transfer to saving the world?
Peace, and all roads that lead to it and from it, begin with the individual. Peaceful individuals create peaceful homes, create peaceful communities, create peaceful nations, create a peaceful world.
To truly make progress in your own growth and development…to make the deepest impact possible on the state of the planet, begin with your self. Learn the art of mindfulness. Devote 2…5…10…30 minutes a day to practicing presence. Take time each day to show up fully. Get to know yourself. Create your own personal practice. It can include anything that stills the mind, quiets the heart, calms the spirit, inspires the soul…breathing, meditation, walking, prayer, dance, art, journaling …the purpose is to take time to be in this world of doing, to bring peace to your self so that when you venture into the world you carry it with you like a lantern you pass on to others.
So take another moment, another breath. But this time, breathe like you mean it. It is the key to your own growth, and just may be the key to the healing of the world.

Tracy Carreon MA, is a writer and life coach with a background in education and counseling. Through her website, http://www.writetogrow.com she offers information, products and services designed to inspire creativity, reduce stress and support personal and spiritual growth
 
 

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Monday, July 10, 2006

Key points

 
Once you have decided what you want to do whether it be a website or something in direct sales or your own idea turned into a business there are a few things you will want to keep in mind.
 
Check your spelling.  This is probably one of easiest things you can do.  If you are a poor speller you probably know it.  Take the time to check your spelling in a dictionary or at least spellcheck.  Keep in mind that spellcheck will give you numerous different spellings for words that sound alike but you still have to pick the right one.  If you have a spelling error most people can overlook it but if your website or brochures are loaded with bad spelling, your customers will have a hard time taking you seriously.
 
Customer Service:  Build a relationship.  It is great when someone buys something from you or comes to you for a service but it is up to you to keep them coming back.  If they have a problem and take the time to bring it to you, fix it.  Fix it with kindness and graciously.  Don't be defensive and don't show anger even if you feel they are wrong. This is a tough one to do but very important.  Remember, bad word of mouth advertising spreads faster than good word of mouth advertising. 
 
Be humble.  Yes you should be the expert in your field but you don't have to come across that way.  You will get much farther by being humble.  If a customer wants to tell you about when they did the same thing and everything they learned, spend some time listening.  Things may have changed in the field but you might still learn something.  Know one likes a know-it-all or arrogance. 
 

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Friday, July 07, 2006

Would you keep working?

 
What would you do if you won the Lottery?  There is a new show out called Windfall (http://www.nbc.com/Windfall/money_tracker/) about a group of people who win the Lottery and how it changes their lives.  Personally, I have thought about this a lot as I'm sure most of us do.  It is the ultimate dream come true for most people. 
If I won the Lottery I would keep working at home.  Now you are probably thinking "Yeah right!" but it's true.  I get a lot of personal satisfaction from the fact that I have been able to work from home and be successful at it.  Now of course I would not put in as much time because it wouldn't be such a big deal if I had a bad week or even a bad month.  I would spend more time taking the kids on vacations and spending time together to just have fun and build memories.  I often think I would buy a home, pay off the van, get hubby a new car and pay off the credit cards and I would do all those things but those aren't the most important things I think about.  I try to remind myself every night that when all is said and done all we have is our memories.   Winning the Lottery would give me the resources to just have fun with my family and that is what I would want to spend most of my time doing.   What would you do?  Would you keep working or quit your job?  Would you buy everything you wanted or still live conservatively?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Thursday, July 06, 2006

Starting a Home Based Business

Starting A Home Based Business - When The Going gets Tough!
by Abigail Franks
 
 Starting any business is rich with excitement and anxiety.  This is especially true when stepping into a home based business.  All the questions about doing everything right and if I'll be successful are in every business owners mind when first starting up.  The big difference between a home based business startup and a regular or more "formal" business startup is the comfort level in your own home can work against you getting anything actually done.
Going into a store or an office focuses attention on the things that need done that day.  Many typically have those "to-do" lists that outline the goals and objectives of the day.  In a home based business however, it's easy to fall into the trap of not separating the business or work part of your life and the home and family part.  The sofa or chair where you watch television is right in the other room, almost calling for you to take yet another break.  Then there's the refrigerator and snack cabinet. 
Running a home based business, especially a startup one demands a certain discipline that works best if you compartmentalize your day.  Work during times when you've decided to work and be "home" when you've decided to be home. If you set up a schedule that has you working in your home office from 8 am to noon, be at your desk working during those hours. 
Don't fall into the temptation to visit with the family or walk the dog during business or work time.  Stay focused.  One of the biggest problems with any home based business or working from home is having the flexibility to make changes in your work schedule.  When first starting out in your own home business, stay as formal as possible.  Keep business hours, or at least stay as close to the schedule you've set as possible.  The reason for this is to set pattens in your own personal behavior that allow for the maximum potential for the business success.  Later, you can relax a bit and add a little flexibility to the schedule. 
The key to a successful business no matter if it's a retail store, a technology related business, home based or office / retail based, is always the same.  WORK!  Home based businesses don't mean that there's less work.  It means the business can be operated out of your home.  The WORK part still is critical to your success.  We're almost all seen how the corporate world wastes time in endless meetings.  In a small business, we too can fall into patterns that keep us from doing the most important thing to assure success, and that's work. 
In any home based business, stay focused, develop a schedule, and stay on track to a bright future in your own business!
 
Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects such as home, family, and health.  For more information on Home Based Business go to
http://www.home-biz.primo-living.com
 

 
 
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Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Wah goals

The question of the week at Wahm Blogger Network is about goals.  This is good timing because just today I was thinking again about goals and blogging.  I have read numerous times that it is important to write more than once a day in your blogs and update them.  I know I can't do that seven days a week but I really do want to start updating at least twice a day on the days I do write.  My goal is to post once in the morning and once in the afternoon or even more if the mood strikes or a topic comes up.  I am off to a good start with this being my second post of the day on this blog already! 
 
 
 
 
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They are all scams?

Okay, I just have to laugh.  Recently on a message board someone once again asked the age old question.  "Are there any legitimate work from home jobs?".  Now on this message board awhile back one of the moderators posed a challenge.  List all the legitimate work from home jobs you can.  He had some rules which meant that direct sales type of opportunities were out.  Things like autosurf and all that other type of stuff were out as well.  So of course the list conists of things like starting an in home daycare, starting a backyard mechanic service, making and selling gift baskets, ebay, amazon, dog walking, etc. etc.  All legitimate businesses you can start at home. 
So I directed the poster to that challenge folder.  Guess what happened?  He/she came back and said there was nothing good in there. obviously his/her first impressions were right and everything is a scam!!!!   I am just stunned!  I am also laughing my head off.   I really think that there are some people who just don't get it!  You have to work to make money.  There is no magic bullet.  I know I have shared this type of thing before but this one was so funny I had to share again!
 
 

 

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