Your blog skills could put food on the table!

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I am really excited about a new program my friend Kelly McCausey has created. It’s called Blog Evangelists and it teaches people how to create an income out of teaching businesses in their local community about the power of blogging.

If you are familiar with blogs, you’ll know that they can be very powerful marketing tools, but many business owners don’t understand that.

Those that are unfamiliar with the blogging world also do not realize that Wordpress is an open source software and that they can install it on a website for free. There are thousands of pre-designed templates available for free. as well. Tweaking a template to change the colors, add a  customized header, background, etc is fairly easy.

This makes Wordpress a VERY affordable option for a small business. Many graphic design companies charge upwards of $5,000 to begin working on a site, but YOU could easily earn a couple hundred dollars per job, installing and tweaking wordpress themes.

Learn more about how to get started in this type of business by visiting Blog Evangelists

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July 7, 2008 | Filed Under Blogging, Business Ideas | Leave a Comment 

Ask Crissy: How Do I Take A Direct Sales Approach With My Business?

A reader recently asked me the following question:

“I am a jewelry business start up at the moment. I live in a neighborhood where there are two bead stores. Due to this, pre-made jewelry is already being offered for sale, as well as classes on how to make jewelry.

I would like to offer the direct sales approach of “making your own” jewelry at home but I run into a few concerns. 1. I am terrified of dogs I don’t know, 2. I live at home with my family for financial reasons and 3. well… my competition 4. I don’t work “yet” and don’t have time to rent a place for that reason of #2!”

I have a lot of ideas for this reader. But before I get to the “good stuff” I do have to stress that it is important to do some market research before starting any business. It is not going to be easy to compete with these bead stores, especially if they are selling at lower prices, etc. It can be easy to start a business, invest a bunch of money and hope for the best. However, that doesn’t make much business sense. You have to look at the bottom line and there are some businesses that just won’t make money.

That being said, it is possible to do very well in a “saturated market” so to speak. Look at companies like Avon or Tupperware - there are already tons of consultants but new people are joining every day and some of them are going to be extremely successful. It’s all in how you market yourself.

Now, the reader says she wants to try the “make your own jewelry at home” approach and I think it can work out GREAT. The first step is to hold your own jewelry party. Limit the jewelry to 1 easy piece - when people get together, they want to talk and ooh and ahh over what each other are making. Simple is best. This will also help with the time factor - people like the get-together aspect of home parties but they still have other things to do with their life. Try to keep the whole thing to around an hour to an hour and a half tops.

Invite all your friends, serve some easy snacks and beverages (veggies and fruit with a couple types of dip and some iced tea mixed with lemon-aide or wine spritzers, for instance), and have some jewelry making fun. Now, I understand that you say you live at home but will your family let you have one party? If not, find a cheap space and have it there. Some restaurants will let you use their meeting room / private dining room for free. You may have to order a round of appetizers and drinks but you’ll save on the clean-up … Check around, you might be surprised at how many affordable options there really are.

You may want to charge a fee for the jewelry and if so, I suggest you collect that money BEFORE the party. If you spend a bunch of time and money putting together kits and then several people are no-shows, you’re wasting your resources. Get RSVPS and money ahead of time.

Once everyone has put together their jewelry, you can take orders for more jewelry that you will create for them OR you can put together kits that your guests can order and put together themselves.
Create some type of incentive to entice your guests to throw their own parties where they will invite their friends to their home and repeat the situation.

If you are scared of dogs, simply ask your hostesses to kennel up their pooches before you get there. Besides, if you’re having a party, who wants a puppy running around and getting in the way of the festivities anyway? It is only polite for the hostess to prepare for this ahead of time. I have a bulldog and he thinks that he should be the center of attention for all guests, and since he is big enough to knock over kids and timid people, it is not uncommon for us to kennel him up when guests come over. Your hostess should understand that this is a part of being a dog-owner.

Now, you can also expand your potential party hostess pool by talking to EVERY person within a three foot range of yourself. Get some business cards and start going up to people and asking if they would like to hold a get together.

If you find an affordable place to hold your own parties or if your family doesn’t mind you having them, schedule at least one per month and carry invitations with you everywhere and start inviting everyone you meet.

Yes, you’re going to be stepping out of your comfort zone but if you really want to do this and make money then you have to make that trade off. Eventually, it will get easier.

And don’t forget about lunch time parties at offices, activities for moms groups, church groups, birthday parties for teen & tween girls, bridal parties (f your jewelry is wedding-like, the bride and bridesmaids can all get together and create the jewelry that the bridesmaids will wear at the wedding)…. You can even put together some really easy kits and approach day cares about holding the “party” as a craft class - the kids can make something special for mom or grandma! The possibilities are endless.

Just keep thinking of new ways to market yourself and keep expanding your business. Good Luck!

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May 5, 2008 | Filed Under Advertising, Business Ideas, Managing Your Biz, Marketing, direct sales | 2 Comments 

Free Friday - Blogging Ideas

I’ve got one word for you - “blog.” What are you thinking? If you like to write, you’re probably thinking happy thoughts.

A blog can be a great business tool. It helps you connect and communicate with your customers and can help you establish solid relationships with them.  People want to do business with people they like - and by reading your blog, your customers get to know you, and therefore, like you. Your blog readers will become solid customers!

Unfortunately, the word “blog” can strike fear in some people. If you have a hard time thinking of new blog topics, you’re not alone!

Today’s freebie fixes that problem! My friends Lynette Chandler & Alice Seba created this 5 page guide that is full of ideas for blog topics! Click Here To Download It

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February 22, 2008 | Filed Under Blogging, Business Ideas, Freebie, Resources & Tools, how to | 4 Comments 

Did you know you could make money with your blog?

Did you realize the income potential your blog holds? I don’t think a lot of people realize just how much they can make with their blogs. And so, to help people realize the potential sitting in front of them, I came up with this ecourse. It’s free (and you could start earning some extra dough by taking a few moments to sign up for it). Check it out here: http://indiebizchicks.com/wp/make-money-blogging-ecourse/

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November 15, 2007 | Filed Under Blogging, Business Ideas | Leave a Comment 

Forming an idea is only half of it….

Starting a new business is never easy (and anyone who tells you it is lying). First, you have to decide what type of business to start, and then you have to find the money to make it happen.

Some people will need more $$ than others, that all depends on the type of business you start.  Someone who is starting a service based business such as web design, and already has all the software they need can just  plop down $9 for a domain and $9 for hosting and they’re ready to set up their site and be in business…Other people aren’t so lucky…

If you’re in that 2nd boat and need to start generating some extra cash, check out this article I put up today: Generating Start Up Cash.

Also, don’t forget that all of the people on my newsletter list get a free copy of my new report “25 Ways To Earn Extra Cash Before The Holidays.” You don’t have to spend the $$ on holiday presents… you can totally take whatever money you earn and put that into your business!

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October 8, 2007 | Filed Under Business Ideas | Leave a Comment 

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