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     To "A Wearer of Many Hats"

​           By Danielle Manibog

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10 Common Online Business Blunders

7/25/2020

 
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Work at Home Enthusiasts
​
10 Common Online Business Blunders By Terri Seymour 
Because of the internet we all have the opportunity to make our own success and live the life of our dreams. 
But this does 
not mean that building a thriving internet business is easy or a way to “get rich quick”.

Starting and building an established online business takes commitment, persistence, hard work, and the drive to make it succeed.  Unfortunately many people are led to believe it is as simple as putting up a website, placing a few ads and watching the money pour in.

That is exactly what I thought over 16 years ago when I first started online. I learned fast that building an online business would be much more than I ever imagined. While teaching myself how to make my business successful I made many mistakes.
But I persisted and worked very hard.  Then a very exciting thing happened.  I started experiencing the benefits of success – both financially and personally.  I find this work to be very rewarding in many ways and would recommend to anyone to stick with it and make it happen for yourself!

Mistakes are a very valuable part of building a business if you learn from them.  Use your mistakes to your advantage.  Below are some of the most common mistakes we can make when developing an online business.

1. Not Choosing Your Passion – In order to build a successful business you have to do something you are passionate about.  It is hard to work 16 hours a day on something in which you are not interested.  What do you love?  What can you see yourself doing that you would not consider a “job”?  I have always been a lover of books and wanted to own my own bookstore.  The internet allowed me the opportunity to make this dream come true!

2. Unrealistic Expectations – As I mentioned earlier, so many people are misguided into believing that making money online is quick and easy.  Please do not fall into this trap!  Make sure you are ready and able to put the time and effort into your business.  Be prepared to work months or even years before reaping the benefits of success.  Expecting unrealistic success is one of the main reasons people give up too quickly.

3. Too Much Preparing, Not Enough Doing – It is a good idea to plan for your business but at some point you actually have to start doing something to get your business going.  I know one lady who spent years going to seminars, paying money for complete business packages, buying books, etc.  In all this learning, listening and paying out money, she never did start a business.  This is also an easy trap to fall into.  Yes, you do need to do research and learn but don’t make that your business.

4. Too Much Flash – A business website should be clean, sharp, easy to navigate and professional.  Don’t buy into the idea that you need music, flashing lights, or excessive clutter on your site.  If you do offer music or a video give people the choice to listen or watch.  Don’t have it automatically play when a visitor arrives.  Don’t put too many banners, ads or flashy graphics on your site either.  This will only result in slow loading time and losing visitors.

5. Being Too Personal – Although a small personal touch added to your business is a good thing, don’t fill your site with pictures of friends, family vacations, or your life in general.  Don’t overdo on telling of family stories, get-togethers, etc. Business and personal life must maintain a degree of separation.  Create a personal bond with your customers but don’t overload them with your own personal life.

6. No Online Support – Don’t try to go it alone.  Contact other online  entrepreneurs.  Join groups.  Network and obtain support from business associates.  When I first started I knew a lady online who encouraged me to start my own newsletter.  I had many doubts but she convinced me I could do it and that was a big step towards my success.  I will never forget her or the help she gave me when I needed it.  You can find many more experienced online business owners who will gladly help beginners and other business owners.
 
7. Treating Your Business Like a Hobby – I have seen this so many times.
People mistakenly start an online business thinking they can work it when they have the time.  They say their family comes first and will get to it when they can.  This is definitely not true.  Your business needs your full attention and you must give it the time it needs to flourish.  Yes, my family came first as well which is exactly why I started online.  You cannot treat your business as a, “I’ll get to it when I can” project.
 
8. Doing Too Much – Another unfortunate trap I have seen many people get caught in is signing up for multiple business opportunities and thinking they can make them all work.  I have seen people trying to run as many as five different businesses.  Spreading yourself too thin will accomplish nothing.  You should decide on one business at which you will work your hardest and focus your complete attention on making it a success.
 
9. Not Keeping Up to Date – Running a business is an ongoing process.  You
need to always be learning, studying new marketing techniques, watching your
competitors, etc.  Don’t fall into the “if it works, don’t fix it” routine.  Just because
your methods are working now, doesn’t mean they always will.  You have to keep on top of things!
 
10. Grammar and Spelling – This is an oldie but a goodie!   Over the years I have seen some grievous errors in spelling and grammar.  Please be sure to proofread and correct any mistakes made.  If necessary, have someone else proofread for you. Fresh eyes can catch mistakes you may have missed.  I have made some of these mistakes as well so I regularly have someone proofread my work.  If you are not sure of the spelling of a word or proper use of grammar, look it up.  Your business and your reputation are certainly worth the extra effort!
 
I have made several of these errors and have definitely learned from them. Developing an online business can certainly be overwhelming and frustrating at times but if we commit to it, we can do it.  Do not give up!  Make your dream come  true!
 
About the Author:
Terri Seymour was part of the internet marketing experience and has helped many people start their own businesses. Visit Seymour Products for free articles, resources, eBook business opportunities and more. 
​
​I welcome any questions, sharing or comments you may have.

By Danielle Manibog

"It's all about the small things in life 'tidbits' that make us who we are"
​Be the Change and Follow your Road.
​
​© Copyright 2012-2020 Danielle Manibog. All rights reserved.

Save a Minute, Gain Hours

5/18/2020

 
​Work at Home Hat

Work at Home Enthusiasts

Save a Minute, Gain Hours by Maria Gracia
​Here are a few ideas that can each help you save a minute a day.  Add them up, and that's a lot of time saved each day!
​

1. USE ADDRESS LABELS - Stop writing out your return address. Get a set of pre-addressed labels, and use them when sending out cards, bills, letters, etc.  In addition, keep some with you at all times.  There are going to be occasions when you're in a store and are asked to fill out your name and address on something.  Just pull out a sticker and you're done in seconds.

2. STOP SHARING INEXPENSIVE TOOLS - If you're sharing your scissors, or three-hole punch, with someone in your office, then you're wasting precious minutes walking back and forth borrowing it, and returning it.  Save time, and buy one of your own.

3. TYPE OUT DIRECTIONS -ONCE! If you find yourself wasting time constantly writing out directions to your home or office, type out the directions once, coming from north, south, east and west. Print it out and make copies. Keep them filed in your filing cabinet. Next time someone asks, your directions are ready to mail or fax. They can also be e-mailed if you saved the computer file.

4. MAKE CHECKLISTS - Make quick checklists for things you, or others, have to remember, and keep these checklists visible.  For example, keep voice mail instructions right on the telephone. Use a magnet and affix a checklist for the babysitter to the refrigerator.  You won’t have to waste time explaining what needs to be done.

“Organize Your Home. Organize Your Office. Organize Your Life. Beat the Clutter and Find More Time for the Things You Love. “By Maria Gracia at the Get Organized Now! 
Maria Gracia's site http://www.getorganizednow.com/ is free to join and is the Home of clutter tips, time management tips and thousands of ways to get organized quickly and easily!

​I welcome any questions, sharing or comments you may have.

By Danielle Manibog

"It's all about the small things in life 'tidbits' that make us who we are"
​Be the Change and Follow your Road.
​
​© Copyright 2012-2020 Danielle Manibog. All rights reserved.

How to Make Money with Affiliate Programs

3/19/2020

 
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Work at Home Enthusiasts

How to Make Money with Affiliate Programs
Affiliate marketing programs are great for both affiliate marketers and the merchants who offer them.  If you've never tried affiliate marketing because it seems like just one more scam, you should know that it's a valid method of making money, it's very legal, not a pyramid scheme, and many people make extra money to help subsidize their regular income or even to the point of being their main income.

Unlike some "programs' you'll find online, you don't have to pay anyone or company to sign up and get started.  You won't be expected to recruit others into the program and your commissions are only dependent on your own efforts.


Affiliate Marketing Programs have several advantages over other ways to make money online:
Minor expenses for a website or online store
No inventory to keep or ship 
No credit card processing to apply

Your affiliate merchants will take care of all these details.  All you have to do is promote their website and/or products.  Once someone clicks your link to the merchant's site, you've done your job.  You then start benefiting from that particular website's salesmanship.  They already have tactics and techniques to help convince someone to buy their product or service.  Once a purchase is made you will start earning your affiliate commission.

Try to build your website around a niche that is interesting to you. You don't have to be a writer to convey your ideas or products to your site visitors, you just need an affiliate marketer that you feel comfortable working with and enjoy their products.


Here are two of my favorites and I have worked with both for several years:
Amazon - Is of course one of the biggest Affiliate Marketer with almost unlimited products to pick from.
ShareASale - Is an Affiliate Marketer that represents several different companies.  Depending on your web status, some of the companies may refuse you as an affiliate but that still leaves a lot of other companies to work with, it all depends on your niche. 

The whole idea is to place affiliate links on your site to bring in more income.
I welcome any questions, sharing or comments you may have.

By Danielle Manibog

"It's all about the small things in life 'tidbits' that make us who we are"
​Be the Change and Follow your Road.
​
​© Copyright 2012-2019 Danielle Manibog. All rights reserved.
​"I have been impressed with the urgency of doing.
Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Being willing is not enough; we must do.”~ Leonardo da Vinci

Turning Ideas into Actionable Plans

1/20/2020

 
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Work at Home Enthusiasts
​
Turning Ideas into Actionable Plans​
Ideas are all around us, and nothing feels more exciting than coming up with a fantastic idea that you know will absolutely work. The difficult part for most, however, is taking these ideas and turning them into an actionable plan.
Here are 3 tips to help you get started:

1 - You have an idea - fantastic! 
Now start writing an action plan to bring your idea into shape.
First write your main idea down and how this idea will work.
Then expand your plan with very small steps that you will need to take.
Having a very detailed action plan to follow makes the achieving process much easier. 


2 - Ditch "fear."  
So many people have wonderful ideas that never come into fruition because of fear.  Fear can really be a dirty word for many of us.  It can stop us from following our dreams and acting on our ideas.  Don’t let fear of failure stop you from making your ideas a success.

  Remind yourself that in the big scheme of things you really don’t have a lot to lose.  What is the worst that could happen?  Don’t worry about the fear of what people will say because people may always have something to say. 
Take pride in the fact that you have the strength to follow through on your dreams.  The reality is you get bonus points for even trying in the first place, so you really can’t go wrong.


3 - Take small steps.
There is nothing more frightening than looking into all the little niggling details of a business idea. So much to be done!  

  This isn’t to say you shouldn’t plan or research your idea, but be careful not to get hung up on all the small details.  You can research all the information you need when the time comes.  And anything you can’t do, you can hire others to do.

  The trick here is to proceed with small steps.  Take each part of your business plan and take a few small action steps daily.  Don’t get too hung up on the big picture but simply keep moving forwards one step at a time.
  Turning ideas into action can be difficult and even scary for some, but the rewards can be immense. 
Start slowly and work your way up and you’ll soon be on your way to making your ideas into your dreams.


**********************************************************************************
Reading Suggestion
​
Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies
​by 
Rhonda Abrams 
​**********************************************************************************
The number one business plan guide of all time. This essential step-by-step guide for anyone launching or expanding a business has been used by over two million entrepreneurs. It includes expert help, worksheets to jump-start the process and a sample business plan.
Used in over 1000 business schools worldwide and loved by entrepreneurs, this guide covers every aspect of a successful business plan.​

​I welcome any questions, sharing or 
comments you may have.

By Danielle Manibog

"It's all about the small things in life 'tidbits' that make us who we are"
​Be the Change and Follow your Road.
​
​© Copyright 2012-2019 Danielle Manibog. All rights reserved.
​
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
​~Author, Robert Collier

The Daily Entrepreneur

11/19/2019

 
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Work at Home Hat

Work at Home Enthusiasts

​The Daily Entrepreneur
33 Success Habits for Small Business Owners, Freelancers and Aspiring 9-to-5 Escape Artists
Book Review
This book was written by S. J. Scott and Rebecca Livermore to help you become a Daily Entrepreneur.
Steve Scott writes his books in a manner that is informative and simple to understand and apply.

The Daily Entrepreneur discusses:

Ways to achieve professional goals
Identify hidden opportunities
How to get things done
Reduce mindless consumption
Focus on your strengths
Maximize "Dead Time"
Keep your promises
Dealing with stress and burnout
How to believe in yourself
and many more entrepreneurial topics and solutions.


You may also want to check out by the same author:
S.M.A.R.T. Goals Made Simple - 10 Steps to Master Your Personal
and Career Goals
 and

Internet Lifestyle Productivity: Master Time. Increase Profits. Enjoy Life!
​
Several of Steve Scott's Books are great business building tools but he also writes about daily action plans for every area of your life: health, fitness, work and personal relationships.  Great reading!
​

I welcome any questions, sharing or comments you may have.

By Danielle Manibog

"It's all about the small things in life 'tidbits' that make us who we are"
​Be the Change and Follow your Road.
​
​© Copyright 2012-2019 Danielle Manibog. All rights reserved.
​
“Where there is an open mind there will always be a frontier.”
~ Charles F. Kettering

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