Home-based businesses are estimated to be a $427 billion-a-year industry. In recent studies it was found that as many as 105 million people in North America alone were working at home. Considering this information, it is obvious that home-based businesses can be successful—and authors Jill Hart and Diana Ennen will help you succeed with your own business with their new book, So You Want to Be A Work-At-Home Mom.
So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom details all the basics of starting a business in a spiritual, motivational, and comprehensive manner. From deciding what type of business to start to keeping your family and faith first, this helpful tool details every aspect of establishing a business. With proven success tips utilized by the authors and others who own work-at-home businesses, this inspirational approach will provide you with the resources you need to start your own home-based business.
So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom includes: detailed information on types of businesses to start; ideas for setting up your workspace; assistance in starting and operating your business, definitions and descriptions of work-at-home terminology and processes; help for developing your website, explanations of the business “nuts and bolts,” including bookkeeping, taxes, and more “how to” for marketing your business.
The authors have over 30 years of working at home combined. Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. She graduated from Grace University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development/Family Studies and Bible. Hart has worked from home since 2000 and started her own home-based business to assist other Christians who desire to work from home while maintaining a godly life. Jill and her husband Allen reside in Nebraska with their two children.
Diana Ennen has been a leader and mentor in the work-at-home industry since starting her business in 1985. She is the President of Virtual Word Publishing, VirtualWordPublishing.com and the author of numerous books, including Virtual Assistant the Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA. She resides in Margate, Florida with her husband Greg and three children.
Recent TV engagements include an appearance on Homekeepers Christian TV (see video on our site) and The Harvest Show” on the LeSea Broadcasting Network. Also, Hart and Ennen are set to appear on Cornerstone Television on November 4th.
Order your copy of So You Want to Be a Work at Home Mom today from the Publisher Beacon Hill. It’s also available from Amazon and other leading bookstores as well as the author’s websites and the book’s website at SoYouWantToBeAWahm.com. Hart and Ennen also welcome media interviews. Contact Publicist Barry Russell at ber@nph.com 816-412-8311
Thought you’d enjoy this fabulous article. It really makes you think about what you can be doing to upsell more in your business. This shows how easy it can be. Would love your comments!
If You’re Not Upselling, You’re Leaving Money on the Table
———————————————————
A while back, my hubby and I were on our way back from one of my
speaking engagements, and decided to pick up dinner to go. So we
called one of our favorite teriyaki joints (Seattle’s Best, on 1st
Ave S), to place an order.
Since it’s a little out of the way for us normally, we hadn’t eaten
there in a while. So we were rather excited to have it conveniently
located on our route home.
Then life got even better…
The woman who took my husband’s order asked if we’d like brown rice
instead of white!
Now I don’t each much white rice. But I love brown rice! In fact I’ll
order it every time if given the option. So this was a very pleasant
surprise.
My husband said yes right away even though it cost a bit more. And
boy was it good! This place has the yummiest teriyaki sauce, and it
is divine on rice (white or brown).
I can say for sure we’ll now be going out of our way to eat there
more …And I bet we’re not alone.
My husband and I were very impressed from a sales and marketing
standpoint too. Because they’re clearly paying attention to changes
in people’s eating habits, and changing their menu to suit. And
they’re maki ng sure customers know about this new option…They
actually asked for the upsell!
—–
Upselling doesn’t have to be hard or uncomfortable
—–
With the simple act of asking if we’d like their newest menu item as
a substitute, Seattle’s Best made $1.90 more. And now we’ll be there
more often, and spending more money each time to get that fine brown
rice.
All they had to do was let us know this option is now available, and
boom, they grew their business. Best of all, I’m thrilled to have
spent the extra money.
This was upselling at its finest. And it’s most simple.
What’s interesting is that big companies and chains often train their
employees to ask if you want to make it a combo, add fries with that,
try their new dessert, etc. Yet it’s rare to see this done in small
restaurants (or any small busines s).
Which is silly. Because it’s one of the easiest things to do. And
almost any business can do it (not just restaurants!).
When I worked in my parent’s animal hospital, we boarded pets. And we
always asked if clients wanted their pets bathed before going home.
More than 50% said yes.
Added convenience for them, more revenue for us!
The key here is…We were trained to ask.
All too often small business owners (or their employees) just don’t
ask. Maybe because they aren’t comfortable selling.
Or they feel like they don’t have time to train employees in this
much detail.
Or don’t know how to get the employees to do it.
Or, even worse, they think the employees are asking, when in reality
it’s not happening (When was the last time you had a “secret shopper”
call in to see what employee s really say when they answer the
phone???).
In the last case, the poor business owner is usually left thinking
the promotion isn’t working. Or the new product or service is a dud.
When in reality clients don’t know it exists!
The bottom line is, you have to let people know about other options,
or you probably won’t sell very many. Thankfully, you don’t even have
to be there in person to do an effective upsell.
—–
5 Easy Ways to Upsell Your Products and Services
—–
1) If you sell and ship products, put an ad or coupon for a related
product or an upgrade in the box.
2) Send new clients a thank you card with a promotion for or mention
of one of your other services.
3) Put a sign up in your store or office announcing a new offering or
special deal. Just make sure it doesn’t get lost in the clutter. And
ideal ly train your staff to point it out.
4) Send targeted follow-up emails to clients or customers offering
them a related product or service (you can do this automatically with
a good email autoresponder and shopping cart)
5) On your Website, offer an added discount for buying two products
or services together (Amazon does a great job of this by always
offering a second book on the same subject below your main selection).
Remember, upselling is really just a matter of offering something
else your customer is likely to want, based on what they’re buying
now. Simple as that.
You’re doing your clients a HUGE disservice if you don’t tell them
you have something else they may want or need. And you’re leaving
money on the table in your own business.
**********************************************
ON THE BLOG
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Get useful tips and interesting marketing info on my blog at
http://www.marketing-junkie.com.
Tawk to me!! I created this blog to be a 2-way street so we can chat
about marketing together. I’d love to know what you think of the
articles and ideas I’m posting.
This week on http://www.marketing-junkie.com:
+ “12 Proven Ways to Power up Your Next Sales Letter”
+ “Make Every Minute Count by Donna Amos”
Visit http://www.marketing-junkie.com, read, and leave a comment.
Or at least it’s now set up for businesses to more easily market
their products and services on the site thanks to the new fan pages,
and the ability to get your own custom URL once yo u have 25 fans.
For example, I now have http://www.facebook.com/unchainedentrepreneur
as the fan page for TheUnchainedEntrepreneur.com. Easy, memorable and
a perfect place to communicate all things business separate from my
personal Facebook page.
Just make sure you create the personal page first, then a separate
fan page for your business. Otherwise you’ll run into problems down
the road. Once you’re on there, start a conversation, join other
conversations and offer info of value. Before you know you’ll be
building your own online community of fans.
Practical Marketing Expert Stacy Karacostas specializes in taking the
stress, struggle and confusion out of growing your business. Get tons
of marketing tips and ideas, plus grab a copy of her info-packed FREE
REPORT “The 7 Deadliest Small Business Marketing Sins…Are You
Guilty?” at http://www.success-stream.com
Social Media is quickly growing into one of the most-used marketing tools for work-at-home moms. One of the largest social media websites, Twitter.com, can be an effective way to spread the word about your business and learn from other top representatives in your business niche. However, it can take a lot of time to determine the best ways to use Twitter effectively for business. Below are ten tips to help shorten that learning curve.
1. Choose a Meaningful User name
If possible, grab your business name as well as your own name for use on Twitter. Having an easy-to-find and easy-to-remember username is essential.
2. Brand your Twitter page
Don’t leave your Twitter page boring and plain – spice it up. Make sure you add your logo, contact information and any other inform ation that will be helpful for customers and visitors to your page. You can use a website such as TwitBacks.com to create a free or very low-cost background to bring life to your page.
3. Learn the Lingo
Twitter can be very useful, but it can also be very frustrating … especially if you have no idea what all those little symbols mean that fly across the screen. Take the time to research the meanings of the tags most often used on Twitter. One great place to do so is right on Twitter itself: http://help.twitter.com/portal
4. Follow industry leaders
Veteran entrepreneur Diana Ennen shares this tip: “I love to follow industry experts on Twitter and gain all their business insight. It’s almost like being right there in their office and getting in on their trade secrets. Not only do they post tips and how to information, but often share their business successes and mistakes and that allows me to learn from them. It ‘s so worth it!”
5. Interact
Don’t be shy! Take a few minutes each day to comments on what others are discussing or to throw out a question or idea. You never know when a topic is going to spark a response and help you build relationships with customers and your fellow Twitter users.
6. Don’t make it all business news – be YOU
It’s great to share about the things going on in your business and you certainly will want to share specials, discounts and other items of interest to your customers. However, as a small business owner you have the unique ability to put a personal face on your business. Let your customers and readers get to know a little about you as well as your business.
7. Run Contests
Twitter is a great fast-paced way to a run a contest. By having a great prize you can create a viral network of “tweets” about your company and the giveaway you’re holding. Sit down beforehand and plan out some great 140 character tweets that you can use throughout the giveaway time – whether that be minutes, hours or even days.
8. Share
Make your Twitter feed a worthwhile read for your customers. Share tips that apply to your target market, links to articles and other informational tidbits. Create a #hashtag for your business or topic (see #3 above) so that you can track re-tweets and mentions of your posts.
9. Be Thankful
A great way to make friends and build contacts is to thank others who re-tweet (RT) your posts. Send a shout-out saying thanks or feature them at special times like FriendFriday (#FF). They’ll know that you’re grateful and you’ll build a community that supports you – and each other.
10. Promote Others
Contrary to popular belief it IS in your best interest to work together with other entrepreneurs and to help spread the word about great things that they may be doing. Not only will people be drawn to your Twitter feed for great information, but they will see that you’re willing to share about more than your own interests. Another great benefit is that those you help promote will one day be there to help promote you as well.
Twitter is a great marketing tool for work-at-home moms. It can help drive traffic to your website as well as aid you in building relationships with your target market. Use the tips above to help guide you in how to best use social media to benefit your business and your customers.
–
Jill Hart is the founder of the popular Christian work-at-home website CWAHM.com. Jill is also the co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom (Beacon Hill Press) with Diana Ennen. Hart and Ennen are also hosting monthly teleseminars to help entrepreneurs http://tinyurl.com/2c9vlo9. Article is free to be reprinted as long as bio remains.
Three Tips To Get You Started Blogging for Business
Over the last several years blogging has become the foundation for social media campaigns of businesses big and small. Where Facebook and Twitter help keep companies in the limelight, spreading the word about special events, discounts and newsworthy items, blogs are the place where companies build their reputation and make sales.
As popular as blogging has become, I often hear from home-based business owners who are trying to figure out exactly what a blog consists of and how they can use one to benefit their business. Below are three tips that can help maximize the impact of your business blog.
1. It’s All In The Name
Be sure to choose a name for your blog that is both descriptive and easy to remember. Try to stick to either your business name or the name of your star product/service. If none of these are available consider using your name or business tagline. Also, consider possibly adding in your keywords … such as Publicity Virtual Assistant.
2. Use Keywords Effectively
When you write posts for your business blog be conscious of the words that you choose. Pepper your posts with keywords relating to your business, products, services and brand. These keywords will trigger Search Engine results and help you reach the top of the results for your keywords. Be careful not to overuse keywords, though, because readers will get frustrated and the Search Engines consider that against the rules. Also, consider keyword phrases – often called long tail keyword phrases (why, I’m not sure!). Long tail keywords are simply a sting of words that make up a phrase that represent your keywords. Think, what would people type in Google to find me. Examples, “how to start a business.” Think … how can I define my blog more (or this particular post). I wrote this blog post on … (fill in the blank), now what keywords do I need to put in so others can find me?
3. Quality Information (No Fluff!) & Fresh, Regular Content
Another thing to consider when writing business blog posts is to keep your posts informational. The more quality content you offer to readers, the more often they will visit your blog. Also, by posting regularly your readers will get to know the schedule and tend to visit your blog on a regular basis because of it. You know your audience best. What do they want to hear? Need to hear? Solve that problem that you’ve been having and you know others are having too. Consider adding in reviews, recommendations, etc. Your blog can be so much more than you talking about your business. What fun thing can you add? Contest, giveaways, etc.
There are many ways to use a blog for business use. If used correctly, a blog can be a terrific tool to inform potential customers of your business. Be sure to update your blog regularly so that the content remains fresh and people coming back for more great information.
*Tips from Jill Hart of Cwahm.com and Diana Ennen of VirtualWordPublishing.com. These tips can be used if you include this short bio.
JOIN JILL AND I THIS FRIDAY FOR OUR TELESEMINAR ON BLOGGING.
Get More PR Now – The Publicity Virtual Assistant Success Series Continues
Have you ever read a great press release and wondered how it is done? Or perhaps you’ve seen an author comment on how their books started selling and thought, what did they do to achieve that success? The answer is simple. They teamed up with a publicity virtual assistant who is handling all their PR Marketing needs. That’s right! A publicity virtual assistant is the one who is helping them get more PR by writing and sending out all those press releases, taking over their social media campaign, setting up and maintaining book blog tours, and pitching the media. I bet you wish you had one right now!
Fortunately Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com is proud to offer the Publicity Virtual Assistant Summer Success Series. The series is intended to help virtual assistants master their publicity skills so they can offer that niche to clients, but it’s also a great resource for those that want to learn how to get more publicity on their own. The series will cover how to write articles, press releases and blogs, how to pitch to the media, master social networking for your marketing campaign, and so much more. The program will also offer insights into how a publicity virtual assistant can be a valuable and affordable addition to your business.
The classes will be held for the next 5 Tuesdays at 2:00 P.M. EST and all classes are recorded so you can download and listen at your convenience. As a bonus you can now receive the audio to the free call that discussed 5 ways to get more PR, 3 secrets to pitching the media and mistakes often made in getting PR. Simply contact Diana Ennen at Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com for that recording. All of this and more for just $99.00. (Early bird special for $69.00 ends June 20th.)
Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing, will be teaching the classes. Ennen specializes in publicity and marketing and has appeared or gotten her clients in such major media as USA Today, Woman’s World, Fox News, CNN Radio, Reader’s Digest, Entrepreneur, Forbes, and so many more. Ennen is also available to handle your PR campaigns if you’d prefer to let a pro take over.
If you need help with your PR Campaign and want to learn how to write killer press releases, articles, and blogs, then sign up now. For more information contact Ennen at Virtual Word Publishing http://tinyurl.com/23h48nror email her at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com.
Here’s an interview that appeared on Virtual Assistant Forums. I got the opportunity to discuss how I started my virtual assistant business, some of the tips I use today, how I get clients when I need, etc. I hope you enjoy.
We’d love your comments as well. How did you start your business and what tips do you have.
Ø The most important thing in pitching to the media is to make sure you are doing it right. You want to build relationships and not do more damage than good by annoying those you pitch.
Ø Personalize your pitches whenever possible. Think how good you feel when you get an email that’s directed to you and also you can tell that they’ve done their homework and know something about you.
Ø Plan results. Don’t waste your time. Know who you want to target and why you feel it’s a good match.
Ø Keep organized in your pitching so it’s easy to locate those who work with your products/services, etc. You don’t want to constantly be looking for email addresses/contacts, etc. Your database is true gold so take good care of it.
Ø Think angles & hooks and be ready to tell why your story is not only relevant butnewsworthy.
Ø Watch the news constantly, what relates. It’s amazing in PR how every week something else tops the news. It just shows the potential to getting your product or services out there connected to a news event.
Ø Make sure to give reporters something they don’t already have. You can report on a story that’s in the news now, but don’t just reiterate what’s been said before over and over again. What do you have that’s new and can add more to the story? Again goes back to the angle, what angle do you have that’s new and informative.
Ø When pitching, lead with that pitch. It’s your most important point and the reason they need to hear what you have to say. Too many make the mistake of taking too long to get to the main point.
Ø Visualize your pitch and be able to visualize your story as well. When you get the opportunity to talk to journalist, you can even say, “I can see an interview with (person) and we would discuss (topic).
Ø Provide complete stories. Often times you can have other experts that can help your story making their job so much easier. For example, I once was on a segment for CBS4 News and they were interviewing me on being a virtual assistant and how that can be a great idea for those unemployed. They wanted to also interview a company that was utilizing a virtual assistant. BAMM, I was able to use one of my local clients and bingo, we had an awesome story.
Ø Also, think trends in business. This is so ever changing, but exciting.
Ø Be aware of the PR Calendar and when to submit news. Magazine times are different than newspaper times. You need to plan ahead when to submit.
Ø Pitch human-interest stories. What inspires those in your community? What have you done that helps those in your community?
Ø If you are pitching on a problem that’s current, don’t only mention the problem, pitch the solution too. For example, unemployment is at an all time high, start a business to succeed.
Ø Be aware when a topic has reached its due date. You know when it’s just been in the news so much that no one can bear to hear it again. It’s time to change it up.
Ø Be honest and truthful. Often times when a reporter asks additional background questions it can be easy to just say “yes, to questions that are maybe not 100% truthful. It’s okay to let them know the truth. Try, “Well I’ve never done that actually before, but I have done … and emphasize a related strength.”
THE ART OF PITCHING
Ø Know the media outlets you want to pitch dependent on what and who you are pitching (is your target audience moms, CEO’s, baby boomers. That makes a big difference.)
Ø Decide what methods will give you the best results. Some pitches are made for radio, other newspapers, etc.
Ø Make sure that the magazine, radio, TV, etc. you are pitching to would be interested in your topic. Why waste both of your time by submitting a sports topic to a business website.
Ø If you are pitching for a radio segment, provide some insights on what you could discuss as well as your bio.
Ø When pitching, don’t just say go to my blog or website and see for yourself. Take the time to write why you are a good fit.
Ø Think outside the box. Whatever makes you unique in your business can help to make you unique in your pitch as well
Ø Know how to pitch that particular person. Do they want emails sent to them, a form filled out on their site, comments to their blog, etc. When you pitch the right way, you better your chances of success. .
Ø When pitching via emails write a brief introduction. Just a sentence or two that tells why the story you are submitting is news to them and worth reading further. Also, tell why you are the person who should be reporting on this.
Ø Subject line counts BIG Time! Don’t just rehash the title. Provide something that grabs their interest.
Ø Never send an attachment unless requested to.
Ø NEVER EVER do multiple email to numerous reporters so they can see it! (CC everyone. YIKES!!! It scares me even thinking about it.)
Ø When you do get mentioned in a publication, make sure you follow-up and thank them.
WHO TO PITCH TO
Ø Send your press to reporters who regularly write on your industry. Be sure to build your credibility, show your qualifications and provide great insight into that topic.
Ø You can find reporters by Google Alerts, reading newspapers, magazines, etc.
Ø Set up Twitter searches and utilize Twitter. Media is absolutely utilizing social networking today. Follow them on Twitter. Join their Facebook Page. Go to PR Twitter Chats. (Look for PR related hastags to find them.)
Ø Find out if the reporter you are interested in targeting has a blog. Familiarize yourself with that blog. Add comments, building relationship. I agree with you. I love your “specific comment. Would like to see more …
Ø You can purchase media lists. But however you get your lists, keep it current and updated and treat it like GOLD. (These gold in them there lists.)
SIGN UP FOR THESE TO FIND JOURNALISTS LOOKING FOR EXPERTS
I will be talking on parenting issues. Motivating your kids, handling stress, leading by example, etc. I hope you can join me. If you have any tips you’d like to share, please post away. I’d love to add them tomorrow.
Thanks!
We are thrilled to be invited to appear on CNN Radio Wednesday at 1:00 EST.
For those in Dallas / Fort Worth you can listen live.
You can also listen elsewhere here – CNN Radio
Topic: My idea to help Blockbuster survive as they face enormous competition from NetFlix and Redbox. I suggested they add books to their stores that correspond with the titles as well as titles of interest in the same topic. Also, recommended that they open it up to local authors where they could showcase their books and perhaps even do local book signings. As a author myself, I know the importance of local connections and how good this could be both for the author and also for those customers of Blockbuster. That’s the aspect that I am asked to speak on, bringing books into the store.
Wish me luck! If you have any ideas for the segment email me in advance: diana@virtualwordpublishing.com
