Business Marketing Online - Control Your Own Website

Having your own WordPress website provides you a platform to actively showcase yourself so your current and potential clients have the opportunity to get to know you. A WordPress website can also be used as an interactive platform that gives you the opportunity to get to know your current and prospective clients better. How cool is that! Let me explain what happened recently.

I was presenting at an event giving some examples on how to get your customers to interact with you by creating interesting things to do on your website. I suggested creating a page with make your own quiz or possibly a puzzle or even a quick contest - making sure all topics were relevant to the industry of your business. I watched the faces of the participants as I was talking and some looked puzzled - so I stopped and asked if there were any questions. I was a bit surprised when the first question (actually statement) was - "I can't create my own pages on my website and I'm sure not going to pay my web person to create these kind of pages."

When I saw a lot of the others nodding I asked how many other people felt they couldn't create their own pages on their website. Almost every hand went up. I then asked how many used WordPress for their website - three hands went up.

ONLY three - WOW! I knew having a WordPress site was great but I hadn't realized (or remembered) until then how much NOT having a WordPress site restricts you growing your business. You can't even do your own marketing with your site. You are at the mercy of whoever created your site to make changes for you and they need to understand what you want and know how to give it to you.

I always suggest my clients have a WordPress.org website even if they already have a really great business site and especially if they only have a corporate site to send people to. It's fine to send people to your corporate site to purchase what you sell but you usually aren't allowed to make changes to that site so you can't add your own personality which is what you need to attract clients.

People need to know who you are as well as knowing how good your products or services are. In the past, it was enough to create a business site just like a brick and mortar storefront. You show what you are offering and wait for people to come by, see it and buy it. That just doesn't work anymore - not for brick and mortar businesses and it definitely doesn't work for any type of work from home or virtual business.

It's not really very difficult to create your own WordPress website. I learned how to do it and if I can do it - so can you. I know that may seem like just words but it really isn't. I recently ran a Virtual class where I taught how to do just that. We started at 9AM and by 4PM that same day, everyone had their own website up and running and are using it today for their business.

Post Source: EzineArticles

Take the Career Change Challenge and See if You're Ready to Start Your Own Business

Everyone gets stuck in a rut professionally at one time or another. Sometimes it's just a temporary state of mind, which passes quickly and you soon find yourself back on track after a weekend off or a holiday break. But what happens when that feeling inside does not pass? You start to realize that you are unhappy more than you are happy. The job you once loved, just doesn't excite you anymore. You get up in the morning dreading going to work and once you get there, you just can't concentrate. You find yourself becoming what you thought you'd never would when you took that job, a 9-5 clock-watcher.

Well, buckle your seatbelt. It's time to take the Career Change Challenge and see if you need a career change boost. Simple make your own quiz below and see how many apply to you.

The Top 10 Signs it's Time for a Career Change:

1) You no longer feel excited about going to work.

2) You find yourself daydreaming during meetings.

3) You leave a bit early or sneak in a bit late.

4) You aren't as thorough as you once were when it comes to completing projects or meeting deadlines.

5) You aren't feeling challenged anymore - your workday is just a routine.

6) You call in sick more often.

7) You haven't come up with a new idea or procedure in months.

8) You go through the motions at work and put in minimum effort.

9) You surf the Internet looking at other opportunities when you should be working.

10) You make more personal calls on company time just to make the day go faster.

If you saw yourself in more of these than you'd like to admit, perhaps it's time to consider making that change and finding that passion again. It's time to decide if the right move for you is pulling out the classifieds and finding a new position in your field or perhaps finally taking the plunge you've always dreamed of and starting your own business. Entrepreneurship, being your own boss, financial independence, it sounds too good to be true. But it's not.

For those wanting to start their business, it is important to find the right home-based business. You need to match your skills and experience with the business that will leave you the most satisfied and also one that will give you the greatest profits. One option that many career-minded individuals are turning to is starting a business in the lucrative educational industry. With the right skills and tools, you could become a home-based tutor broker and match qualified tutors with students in your area.

One of the reasons this is such a good business opportunity is the demand for qualified tutors is at an all time high. Nationwide, parents spent $5 billion to $7 billion on tutoring sessions last year, an 18 percent increase from 2005 according to the Education Industry Association. Five years ago there were approximately 800,000 tutors nationwide, today there are approximately 2 million tutors according to the National Tutoring Association. As you can see, now would be the perfect time to start your own business in this thriving Industry.

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Private Family Foundations - Are You Ready to Create Your Own Foundation? A Quiz

Would you like to create a private family foundation? It can be the most rewarding thing you'll ever do -- or not. Take this make your own quiz to find out if you're ready.

To find out if creating a foundation is right for you, mark the following statements as either true or false.

1. The main reason for creating a foundation should be the resulting tax savings. 
2. Setting up a foundation is similar to setting up a corporation. 
3. A private family foundation would make a terrific Christmas present for my family. 
4. If I don't like my foundation anymore, I just close up shop. 
5. Done correctly, a foundation can be very rewarding and bring the family closer together. 
6. It's important to focus on political correctness when picking a purpose for the foundation, whether I like the activities involved or not. 
7. A private foundation is private, so there are few if any reporting requirements and administrative hassles.

Answers

1. False. Tax savings may be one of the benefits, but you should focus first and foremost on what you're passionate about and make that the mission of your foundation. To make your foundation work rewarding, you need to find a way to integrate it with your own passions and your life. Many of the tax savings actually come from your being able to pursue your passions on pretax dollars.

2. True. Setting up a foundation is very much like setting up a corporation. In fact, a foundation is generally set up as a corporation. There's also a significant amount of legal and administrative work that must be done on an ongoing basis.

3. False. A foundation is a huge commitment. Unless your family has been closely involved in the decision making process, and is deeply committed to the foundation, it won't work. "Surprising" your family with a foundation is a very bad idea.

4. False. A foundation, like a corporation, is a long-term commitment. It becomes an entity of its own. You can't just start and shut them down at will.

5. True. If your foundation is truly built around your passions and those of your family, and is well integrated into your life plan, it will likely be very rewarding. And working together on a shared passion is bound to result in a closer relationship between you and your family.

6. False. Absolutely not. You must create your foundation around your own passions, not around what you perceive to be the politically correct issue of the moment. If you don't, you will lose interest very quickly, and your foundation will become a chore, and maybe a nightmare.

7. False. The name notwithstanding, a private foundation is subject to numerous requirements. For example, there are reporting requirements, legal and administrative requirements, as well as requirements about disbursing funds to charities or for charitable activities.

Post Source: EzineArticles

Work From Home Job Or Start Your Own Online Business - Which One For You?

This is the definitive guide to understanding whether working at home for a company or owning your own online business is right for you.

Many people are on the search for real work from home businesses and the exact how to steps to get to work from home. It actually has two components. Some people want to work from home but work for someone else. Other people want to work from home but start their own company. Let's explore both career paths to help you decide which one is right for you.

People who want to work at home but work for a company are looking more for an assured paycheck or set income. They find that they are not ready to take on the risk of starting their own company and feel better at knowing that once they start working they will instantly be making money. The opportunities range from working in customer service to light assembly or manufacturing work.

People who want to start their own work at home business are looking to break free from working for someone else. You would be striving to build a constant monthly income source where you call the shots and at the end of the day the company is your own. You would have to be comfortable with risk and understand that your positive cash flow from your business will not be overnight.

Take this quick quiz below to see which setting is right for you.

1. Can you wait to make money or do you need immediate cash flow?

2. What is your tolerance to business risk?

3. How much money do you have saved to start a company or can wait before it has to make money?

4. Do you prefer to work for someone else or do you want to start your own company?

5. What do you like to do?

6. Do you have any obligations that could prevent you from starting your company?

7. Are the people around you with you in starting a company or against it? Would they prefer you to work for someone else?

8. Do you need a steady paycheck or amount per hour that must count on?

Being honest with the make your own quiz will let you know which work at home situation fits you best. There are many business opportunities and jobs that you can do that are home based. After you have decided which one works for you then you are on your way to uncovering the best suitable work at home career. Starting an online business is easier than one thinks. It is for anyone that has an internet connection and can write at least an email. It doesn't take a technical background to make good residual income from a home based business.

Starting a company can be very stressful but then so is working for someone else. Just know that the pressures and stresses are different but very real. Be honest with your answers and you will know whether you should work for someone or start your own work from home business.

Post Source: EzineArticles

So You Want To Be Your Own Boss?

Dear Fred and Lyna,

For the past 20 years, I have worked as an account executive for a major soft drink company and frankly I am sick of it. I have been looking into owning my own business and have run across several franchise opportunities. Do you think a franchise is the way to go or should I start out on my own?

Fred: More and more people, from college age to baby boomers, are attracted to owning their own business and being their own boss. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you make the right decisions about starting a business.

Lyna: The first question I would ask myself is not should I buy a franchise or start from scratch, but do I have the ability to be a successful entrepreneur.

Fred: Good point, Fred. I have a friend who spent a lot of time and money training to be a color consultant and she's good at helping people find the best look they can achieve using the colors that are best suited to them. Yet, a year after she set up her studio, she gave up. Her reason was she couldn't get enough clients. What I saw was that she had no drive to market herself or to get help to do so. Instead she hung her shingle up and expected everyone to come knocking on her door.

Lyna: What is she doing now?

Fred: Actually, she is working the dressing room of a dress boutique and helps women choose clothes that look best on them. Although she is working for someone else, she is now happy to do so.

Lyna: If your friend had done her homework before hand, she probably would have realized that she doesn't have the characteristics of an entrepreneur. When you own a business you have to do what it takes to make it successful, no matter what it takes financially, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Fred: Monster.com has a self assessment quiz to see if you have what it takes to own your own business. What an excellent eye opener! It touches on things like your communication skills, your attitude toward financing your venture, if you're willing to work long hours, and how you handle chaos. 
. 
Lyna: That is definitely a must-do for anyone thinking of starting their first business endeavor. So, let's say you've taken the entrepreneur make your own quiz and find you do have what it takes. The next thing you might think about is what type of business would you want to invest in?

Fred: Wow -- that could be tough! My first thought would be to look at things you are passionate about. For example, your love for dogs is at the top of your list. How about a service that offers dog sitting, dog walking and dog grooming? Could you enjoy doing this full time? Or better yet, would you do this for free if you didn't need to worry about money? If the answer is yes, this might be a good option for you.

Lyna: You can also look at your talent and skills, even ask friends and family what they could see you doing. My friend Bill never thought of starting a catering business until his wife pointed out how often he cooked gourmet meals for social get-togethers. And now he's very successfully doing something he loves.

Fred: The other factor in choosing a business is whether or not you would need employees. Remember -- you'd be responsible not only for their salary, but also for health benefits and holiday pay.

Post Source: EzineArticles

Indian Soft Drinks Company Offers Quiz Contest to Win Prizes

Sometimes advertising and other media promotions are not enough to create the desired effect of a brand on the consumer. Marketing companies have to therefore resort to other innovative ways of staying ahead of the competition. This is exactly what Pepsi has done with the launch of its latest online contest.

A unique idea

Pepsi's latest media gimmick has effectively killed two birds with one stone. It has launched a new advertising campaign guaranteed to keep the viewer's attention for a while. However this new ad campaign is much more. It is also the new online contest from Pepsi. The combination of the two is what has probably made this new commercial so popular. What starts out as an engaging film ends up being the beginning of a series of online games. The film has most users so hooked on to it that by the end of it most of them will participate in the contest.

A game simple enough for anyone to play

The latest Pepsi quiz is a very simple one. All one has to do is answer a few riddles and a brain teaser at the end of every level. The first 35000 people to get all answers right stand to win Rs. 50/- worth of talk time. In addition to this they also get a chance to participate in the final contest for the grand prize of Rs. 50 Lac. Other prizes for this contest include free song downloads etc.

Other quizzes and contests

The latest Pepsi quiz maybe one of a kind but it is not a new concept for a food or beverage company to launch contests and make your own quiz to get the consumers interested in their products. Some companies launch contests that require you to buy a product while others launch contests that merely promote the brand. Whichever kind of contest it is, it achieves the end result - to get the consumer interested in the brand enough for him or her to try it.

Soft drink campaigns are a favourite

The Indian soft drinks market is a highly competitive one. It is because of this that brands are constantly devising new ways and means to keep their sales figures up and ahead of the competition. This is the reason that you will find that almost every soft drink in the market has had a contest associated with it at one point or another.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4510245

Take This Make Money at Home Personality Quiz

You have probably toyed with the idea of being your own boss and working at home. Come on, who doesn't want to make money at home? I think everyone has thought about it deep down.

It is believed that in order to make money at home, you need to have certain personality characteristics such has self discipline and being innovative. You probably already are thinking of some of your strong points right now as you read this, but if you are seriously thinking of working at home to earn money, then you should take this quick quiz.

This quiz can possibly help those that are on the fence about whether or not to make money at home and will help inspire those that are perhaps already working from home.

Directions to take the quiz

In this make your own quiz you will be taking a personal inventory of your personality and characteristics. Try to be as brutally honest with yourself. There is no wrong or right answer and no one is going to pass judgment on you. Circle one answer. Circle "A" if you agree with the statement, "D" if you disagree and "N" for not sure.

I can take responsibility. A D N 
I want to be my own boss. A D N 
I can readily make decisions. A D N 
I can plan ahead. A D N 
I'm a leader. A D N 
I like competition. A D N 
I'm organized. A D N 
I'm a hard worker. A D N 
I'm physically able to work long hours. A D N 
I can handle stress. A D N 
I'm prepared to make financial sacrifices. A D N 
I have the know-how to run a business. A D N 
I'm a fast learner A D N 
I have the education to run this business. A D N 
I know how to sell my product or service. A D N 
I'm a good communicator. A D N 
I work well with people. A D N

Now that you have finished taking the quiz, add up the answers you circled for A. the more of these you circled, the better your chances of success to make money at home successfully. There is no magic number or correct number, but this gives you an opportunity to be honest with yourself.

Post Source: EzineArticles