Business Success

Start early planning your business for success in 2012!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

What tricks and treats are you providing to let your customers know how much you care? Share your ideas with others here on how you plan to make the holiday season a financial success.

Sally Petersen Interview Part 2

Part two of the interview with author and entrepreneur Sally Petersen is now available. Part 1 can be found on my June 7th post.

6. Has writing this book changed your life in anyway, and if so how?
Yes. Anyone who actually finishes writing a book knows what a monumental task that is. Just to finish is a victory; to see it published and helping people is wonderful. I am grateful to people like Swannee who caught the confidence of Dream and want to share it to help others.

7. What advice would you have for up and coming entrepreneurs?
If you have one, keep your day job while doing the start up work on your business, if it's not a conflict of interest. Start slow, create small successes and you'll learn safely. When it's time to cut loose, you'll know.

8. What is the hardest part about running your own business?
Finding time to do everything. I tell my readers, if you can't manage your time, you won't make it. Other than that, everyone has a "hardest part." For me, it's marketing, for some it’s the financial details; others have trouble closing a sale.

9. Tell us about your new literary work and where the idea came from?
I view life as a series of little episodes or stories, and I've wanted to tell them. I have a quirky view of work, kids, what I see when I travel, people. Tea Pie, Love and Reality is a collection of very short pieces—some funny, some thoughtful—about life. Many readers relate to them.

10. How is your new literary work different from what you have done in the past?
It's more personal. I'm a private person and have written for newspapers, magazines and businesses, not about myself and my take on life. Tea Pie was a stretch.

11. What are your future plans?
My next writing will be memoir. I grew up in the Midwest and have watched decades of change in our world. I have changed also during that time. I want to write about a life many women will relate to, just as many people relate to the stories in Tea Pie and the idea of your own business in Dream. Stay tuned.

12. How do you define success?
Success for me means developing and maintaining a secure financial base so I can follow my dream of fulfilling work, travel, and using whatever skills I possess to help those who cross my path.

Sally's books are available on Amazon.com and through her website, PetersenPublications.com. She and her husband, also a writer, send a periodic newsletter. If you would like to receive it, sign up on the website in the Media/Resources room or send your email address to sally@PetersenPublications.com.

5 Rules for Effective Business Marketing

To effectively promote your business, you must remember to give it the necessary attention required daily to ensure it succeeds. Here, you will find five rules to keep your business on track:

You must continue to experiment. Successful businesses were not built overnight. They became successful through trial and error, so if an action isn't proving to be beneficial to your business, make a small change to see if you can improve things. Never stray from the path of making your business the best it can be.

Know the right Customer for your business-to be successful in your business, you must know who your target audience is. Are you marketing to the correct individuals? Often businesses do not keep their clientele lists current, survey potential prospects enough...and instead end up wasting time by targeting the wrong potential clientele. Review often to ensure you are taking the proper actions to reach the intended targets.

Daily marketing is a must-this doesn't have to be a lengthy process, but it does need to be a consistent one. Starting today, allow at least twenty minutes to work towards promoting your business. Often people start a business and fail to continue to promote it, then when their revenue is short or their customers are lacking they wonder why? or end their business out of frustration. When is the last time you marketed your business? If you cannot answer today, then it has been too long.

Why are you special? Of course you are special to your parents, but what makes your business special? Whatever type of business communication you send to customers, never miss an opportunity to repeat the message about your special offerings. Remember to repeat generates heat. Turn up the flame on what your business offers today.


First impressions last a life time. No matter what you do or how many opportunities you get to do it, people will always remember the way you were the first time they encountered you, so make that a positive experience. If you run a business keep your clothing appropriate, and never allow an opportunity to promote yourself to pass by. You can easily do this by being prepared. This doesn't mean shouting to the crowds "look at me." But, when there is an opportunity to distribute a business card, or make your services known if the situation presents itself, do that. I have noticed in my local area restaurants are holding drawings to see who can win a free meal. This is done by placing your business card in a container placed on the front counter. Cards are drawn on particular dates, and the winning names are posted. Why not have your business card handy and toss it in the container. You never know who might need your services, or see your card and pass it along to a friend, family member, or business acquaintance. Seize all opportunities, and make things happen.

What Are The Requirements For Your Online Business?

Many people have found that working from home can provide an attractive source to earn an income apart from the traditional work place. This trend has become more common place in recent years, but with the volume of business opportunities out there, how do you know what is a real opportunity and what is a waste of time and money?

Online business opportunities are available every where! If you are a member of social media pages such as Facebook, Twitter and My Space you will notice that there seems to be an ever abundance of offers to create your own online business empire. So how do you work out the good from the bad?

Research is the best way to figure out what is right for you. You should endeavor to find out as much information about a business opportunity as you can prior to making a decision. As with any good decision, it must be based on education and available fact. For instance, if you were going out to purchase an item or a new car, you would look around, compare products, and seek advice prior to making a decision. Buying in any online business is no different. The key is finding people you can trust, with a good reputation.

The setting of goals is more important, so that you have a course to pursue exactly what you want to achieve. Goals need to be achievable and must have a time frame. Sit down and write out what your personal and business goals are. Without goals, it is easy to lose concentration. Put your goals up where you can see them every day. It reminds you of what you are working towards.

Training is of great importance when starting a new business. If you have no experience in your newly chosen career, you are going to need the support and assistance of people who do. If you don't have pre-knowledge, then making a success out of your new venture will take a considerable amount of time longer than if you work with a team of people who already know what works and what doesn't!

Remember, the key to success in any online business is to be dedicated and always ready to learn! As with any business whether it is online or traditional, you need to devote time every day to growing and managing your business. This can be tricky, particularly if you have other responsibilities in your home that can disturb you from working effectively. You need to set time aside every day when you will be able to work without interruption. Ensure you have a space dedicated to your new business and keep it organized and be focused.

Working from home can be an extremely rewarding experience. With planning and commitment it is an achievable alternative which can offer you greater freedom in comparison to the traditional work place. You can suit your work hours around your life style allowing you more time to do the things you love!

For more clues and guidance on doing business on line and other successes go to http://successbuz-olalekan.blogspot.com


Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1356493_80.html
Author: olalekan

The Princess/Frog-Let's Get it Hoppin in 2010!

This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing the new Disney animated film The Princess and the Frog. I will not get off in to many specifics of the film considering it was opening weekend (and I wouldn't dare spoil a moment of it for those that plan to attend.) However, I will say several elements presented in the movie apply to life, and the adventure many of you will begin in the new year. Three that jump off the screen are: hard work pays off if you stay on the path of consistency, love makes us triumphant, and it doesn't matter if anyone else can see your vision-as long as you can. Previously we talked about beginning the employment adventure and where to look. Thank you to those that took the time to express what you wanted to hear about. Some wanted to get a quick jump start on where to look for jobs, considering the recession has hit hard. For those that are just looking for the facts I have asked my fellow brothers and sisters out in cyber land what has worked for them while looking for work and this is what they have offered as places to check. Many offer positions with local employers, as well as telecommuting-so remember to review everything carefully because you may sometimes have to weed your way through the pile to reach the gem. But, I have been told-they are there.

• http://www.careerbuilder.com/
• www.wahm.com/jobs.html
• http://www.craigslist.com/
• http://www.indeed.com/
• http://www.simplyhired.com/
• http://www.monster.com/
• http://www.hotjobs.yahoo.com/
• http://www.alljobsearch.com/
• http://www.twitterjobsearch.com/
• http://www.localjobhq.com/
• http://www.jobster.com/

Some urls highly recommended for telecommuting opportunities from readers were:

• http://www.flexjobs.com/
• http://www.freelanceswitch.com/
• http://www.mediabistro.com/
• http://www.flipdog.com/
• http://www.sologig.com/
• http://www.beyond.com/

Individuals with Disabilities looking for Telecommuting opportunities:

• http://www.nticentral.org/

An excellent way to connect with others in the business world, and network...

• http://www.linkedin.com/

Looking for the hidden jobs?

• http://www.linkup.com/

Now there is no reason not to get the job you so desire or start the business you want. You can make it happen.

Remember to email and share your successes, failures, and new discoveries.

Happy Hunting

Swannee