Every year thousands of men and women across America sign on with
direct selling firm-Tupperware, Amway, or a cosmetic
company-hoping to make money enough for new draperies, a new
davenport, or some new clothes. They sell a little merchandise to
a few relatives and close friends. Then they are through. They
quit before they give themselves a chance to learn the basics of
success in sales. “I am simply not a born salesperson,” they
often say.

No one is born a salesperson, any more than one is born a doctor
or born a lawyer. Sales is a profession. To be successful in any
profession one must learn not only the basic techniques, but also
how to apply those techniques. Success in sales makes use of all
the abilities one is born with, plus all those acquired through
education and experience.

If you are looking for a career opportunity or “extra income” to
help with the family budget, direct selling offers you
dream-fulfilling possibilities. However, you must give yourself
time to learn the techniques of sales. Ask yourself. “How long
does a doctor to be study? A lawyer to be study?”

WHAT IS DIRECT SELLING?

Direct selling is marketing a product directly to the consumer
with no middleman involved. Most reliable firms are members of
the National Association of Direct Selling
Companies. They bring to the public fine products that are
modestly priced in order to insure mass consumption.

Most direct selling companies furnish their representatives with
a starter kit and essential supplies below-cost prices. In many
instances the investment is under $100.

There is an old adage which says “Give a man a fish and you feed
him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a
lifetime.”

Many of them were able to change their lives for the better. They
took their families on nice vacations. They purchased a piano or
an organ and provided music lessons for their children. They
saved money for college education. They redecorated their homes,
bought needed furniture. One highly successful saleslady built a
new home.

The rewards of direct selling are many

1. You can be your own boss.
2. You can set your own hours.
3. You can own your own businesses with little or no investment.
4. You can pay yourself more than any boss would ever pay you.
5. You can give yourself regular raises as your business grows.

It is only fair to tell you that there are failures, too. There
are people who will not work for themselves. When working for a
boss, they rise early, are well-groomed, and get to the office on
time. However, when they are their own boss, they are still in a
bathrobe, drinking one more cup of coffee at 11:00 A.M.

If you can be your own boss and discipline yourself to do what
has to be done when it has to be done, direct selling offers a
most unusual earning opportunity.

THE TEN STEPS

Here are ten steps that will assure your success:

1. BE A GOAL SETTER. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want
to save for college education for your children? A new car? A
new home? You can have whatever you want, but you must want it
enough to do the things that have to be done to get it. Whatever
your goal, write it down and set a target date for reaching it.
Divide the time period into blocks of achievement that are
reachable. Work consistently toward accomplishing each day, each
week, each month what you set out to do. Goal-setting is a must
in every area of life. Little is ever accomplished without
definite goals.

2. BE A LIST MAKER. Each evening list all the things you want to
get done the following day. That gives you an organized approach
to each day. As each task is finished, mark it off your list. It
is amazing how much gets done when one works with a
“things-to-do” list. Also, have a notebook listing appointments,
potential clients, repeat clients, and referrals, and keep it
with you at all times. You will be adding to it constantly.

3. BE ENTHUSIASTIC. Enthusiasm is the high-octane “fuel” that
salespeople run on. Enthusiasm generates its own energy. Energy
and good health are synonymous with busy, happy people, people
who are achieving.

4. RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAGIC WORD IN SALES IS “ASK.” In direct
sales we don’t have to wait for business to come to us. We create
our own business by asking for it. Ask for appointments, then you
can do business. Ask for business, then you will close sales. Ask
for referrals, then you always have a full list of potential
clients. Be quietly, yet firmly aggressive.

5. EXPECT NO’S. Realize that no’s are not personal. In sales, as
perhaps nowhere else, the law of averages works. Every no gets
you closer to a yes. Keep track of your ratio. It will help
improve your techniques. Are you getting ten no’s to one yes? Is
your ratio five to one? Remember, the yes’s are your income. Also
remember that “no” does not necessarily mean “no.” Often a “no”
is simply a stall for more time to think. It may be a request for
more information about your product or your service. What your
client is actually buying is assurance. Assure here by your
helpful attitude and your complete honesty, that you want what is
best for her. She will most likely respect you and do business
with you.

6. SCHEDULE TIME WISELY. A schedule is the roadmap by which
salespeople travel. It takes the frustration out of the day. It
assures that the necessary things get done and get done on time.
Plan your work then work your plan.

7. BE POSITIVE IN YOUR ATTITUDE. Success in sales, as in all
areas of life is 90 percent attitude and 10 percent aptitude. All
of us must work at developing habits of constructive thinking. I
am proud to be a salesperson. Sales make the wheels of our
economy turn. Bernard Baruch, advisor to several presidents, is
quoted as saying, “If every salesperson sat down and took no
orders for twenty-four hours, it would bankrupt our country!”
Every company that manufactures any kind of product depends upon
salespeople to move that product. Without salespeople business
would be paralyzed.

Remember, sales is one of the highest paid of all professions.
Statistics show that good salespeople enjoy incomes far above the
average.

8. HAVE AN OFFICE AREA. Most direct salespeople work from their
own homes, but it is essential to have a place where you can work
in a organized and efficient manner. An office plus a strict
working schedule gives you dignity. Both are absolutely essential
for efficient operation and accurate record keeping, so important
to the success of any business.

9. BE INVOLVED. Most sales organization offer contests to
stimulate production. Include winning contests as part of your
business goals. Contests make your business fun as well as adding
considerable dollar value to your income.

10. LEARN TO HANDLE MONEY INTELLIGENTLY. A regular nine-to-five
job usually means a paycheck at the end of the second week.
Direct sales “reps” handle money constantly. Direct sales is
instant income and constant income. Therefore. it is absolutely
necessary to become an efficient money manager.

Deposit every penny collected from
clients into a checking account set up especially for its
business. Since bank statements show an exact record of all
monies collected, and business expenses can be verified by
canceled checks, record keeping becomes simple and accurate.
Everything except a few “petty cash” transactions can be directly
taken from bank statements.

Money saved regularly and put at interest, soon develops a second
income in addition to earned income. A long-term goal, which is
realistic in direct sales, is to be able to live in retirement
off the interest earned on savings.

Would financial security mean a lot to you? If so, ask yourself
these questions:

* Am I honest?
* Do I really like people?
* Am I willing to learn?
* Am I willing to work?
* Am I capable of being my own boss?

If your answers are yes, to find a good product
for the direct sales market, one that you like, one that fills
the need of a lot of people, and go to work for yourself! .You
can turn dreams into reality.

First and foremost, DON’T FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE EMAIL!  If you think there might be a problem, access the account in question as you normally do on your PC and not with the link supplied in the phony email.

I’ve had some very authentic looking email supposedly from banks, that even went so far as to copy the colors of the bank logo and stationery style.  But, don’t fall for the scam.  In fact, don’t even open the email, because many are just set to loose a virus program on your computer by being opened.  Simply forward the suspicious email to the “spoof email” address supplied by your bank, or credit card company.

Nearly 10 million Americans fell prey to identity theft last year, costing businesses and individuals billions of dollars.  Here are some other tips to help you:

Understand debit card dangers:  Greater liability than credit cards.  When it comes to fraud, debit cards carry much greater personal liability than credit cards, depending on how quickly you report the loss of the card.  If you fail to report unauthorized use within 60 days of receiving your bank statements, you could lose all the money in the account and be held responsible for the amount of money that has been tapped from your line of credit.
Rethink check writing:  That little slip of paper has way too much information. Some experts advise against check writing because it gives away your address, bank account number, signature and license number to complete strangers.  On top of that, there’s no federal legislation to limit your liability for forged checks (each state has its own set of rules).  Experts advise that you look into automating your bill paying.
Secure your mail:  Your mailbox is a goldmine of information.  Between bank statement, bills, and all those pre-approved credit card offers, your mailbox is loaded with personal data which identity thieves can use to easily apply for a credit card in your name.  Unless you diligently check your credit report, you may never even know about it.  One way to avoid this is to have your mailbox under lock and key, but most of us in Santa Clarita have our mailboxes at the curb in front of our house and the postman frowns on carrying dozens and dozens of keys around.  The other solution is to have a rented mailbox, or to foil “dumpster-diving” thieves by buying a shredder and destroy documents before discarding.
Go virtual:  For shopping online, there are “virtual” card numbers.  These are randomly generated credit card numbers that are disposable and that on-line shoppers use once and throw away.  It’s linked directly to your real credit card account so purchases show up on your monthly bill.  The service is easy to use – and it’s FREE!  All you need to do is register with companies offering the virtual card, and they are MBNA, Discover, and Citigroup.
Create an emergency identity kit:  Would you know how to contact your credit card company in an emergency?  Create an emergency kit that contains: your account number, expiration date, issuing company name, and emergency contact number for each card you own.  While you’re at it, make copies of your driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate and passport and store them in a locked box or file cabinet, or a safe deposit box.  I like the safe deposit box best, because this gives you protection in the event of a catastrophe such as fire, earthquake, etc.

This may all seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but if you’re ever the victim of identity theft – even just once – you’ll realize that it’s well worth the effort.

Many of us forget that were it not for what we carry in our wallets or in our purses, we’re all John and Jane Doe’s if we can’t speak due to injury or are unaccompanied by someone who knows us.  How much less stressful is it to know that in a bank box, no matter where you are, there are items that can verify your identity.  Better to be safe, than sorry!

Once you’ve decided what you are going to sell on the internet and how, you venture online to search for profitable home based business opportunities that appeal to you.  If you have finally decided to start your Internet home based business and have done all your home work, the key to making your home office conducive, as a working environment is organization.  Also, start a business that you enjoy, you have to be motivated to wake up in the morning ready to start the day with your home based business, you are your own boss. After you’ve done your research on how to start your own home based business, you should be ready to be a home based business owner.

An internet home based business can either offer a service that another person may need (like web design or programming) or can offer a service that brings the “have’s” and the “have not’s” together.  After you decide which direction you want to focus your internet home based business the next best step is to start learning how others are making a profit.

1. Importing: Retail store owners can find additional products to sell from foreign manufacturers, distributors, and other suppliers. You may even decide to go exclusively into the import business and become a wholesale distributor.

2. Exporting: Manufacturers can find new customers for their products in foreign countries. You could also become an Export Management Agent. Arrange for other domestic companies to sell their products to foreign corporations and earn a commission.

3. Licensing: Consider becoming a licensing agent. Earn royalties by arranging for foreign corporations to manufacture and sell the products of domestic companies.

4. Finder`s Fees: You can earn fees from domestic companies for finding foreign buyers (or for finding suitable imports from foreign suppliers). You can also earn fees from foreign companies for finding domestic corporations that will buy their products (or for finding suitable suppliers and products from domestic corporations).

5. Drop Shipping: Visualize receiving an order from a customer based in a foreign country and not having to be bothered with shipping and handling the product. No customs declarations or brokers are required by you. This is because your drop ship supplier is handling those details.

6. Mail Order: Add a mail order service to your existing business operation. Manufacturers, retail stores, and other businesses can increase their sales by using this additional method of selling that is very conducive to international trade.

7. Internet Marketing: You can also extend your reach to worldwide customers by means of the Internet. Methods of obtaining foreign business include affiliate marketing, online auctions, online  stores, and websites.

The first advice is take a minute to consider some factors that will help you get the most out of your purchase. The main factors to consider are overall quality, size and load capacity.

1- Quality: This is an obvious one, but still important to keep in mind. Besides taking you to the heights, a ladder must be dependable. After all, it will hold you several feet away from the ground, so your physical integrity is at stake. In other words, don’t either go for the cheapest thing you can find at the hardware store or a used old ladder at the thrift store. Always look for known brand names, especially those offering long or better, lifetime warranty.

2- Size: No ladder is good if it is too short or too long. Make sure you get the right size by considering your needs. If the maximum height you need to reach is less than 20’ you’ll be better off with a standard stepladder. Choose a stepladder that is about 4 feet lower than your desired maximum reach. For example, choose a 10-foot stepladder if you’ll need to reach 14 feet. For higher heights you’ll need an extension ladder. As a rule of thumb, buy an extension ladder that is 2 feet HIGHER than the maximum height you need to reach.

3- Load capacity: Load capacity is important for a right choice. The total load capacity must include your own weight plus the weight of tools and materials you are carrying. Up to 250lbs. is usually referred to as Type 1, and is appropriate for common household chores, such as wall and ceiling painting, small fixes and the like. Up to 300 lbs. is Type 1A, is good for heavier duties, general contracting and building maintenance. Finally, Type 1AA holds up to 375 lbs., and is usually reserved for extra heavy duty of commercial or industrial nature.

To finish, a word about our preferred ladder, the Little Giant Ladder System. This is multi-purpose, rugged and well-built ladder. Easy to set up and store, the Little Giant is becoming the leader of the market and offers lifetime warranty for guaranteed satisfaction.

Expect to Work

Legitimate business opportunities require work to succeed. If a home business opportunity promises that you simply have to open your virtual doors with your own URL in order for the money to start rolling in, don’t believe it. Any type of true financial success requires work.

That’s not to say, however, that you have to work 40, 50, or even 60 hours a week. Legitimate business models can harness the power of the Internet so that you can make an executive-level salary working four or five hours a day. If you choose to work longer hours, your earning potential certainly increases. But the bottom line is that you do need to work.

Find Mentoring and Support

Unfortunately, too many Internet business opportunities sign you up and cut you loose. They may have a bare bones virtual back office and they might even have a webinar or two, but all too often they give you little direction or guidance. A legitimate business opportunity will provide you with training and mentoring, as well as ongoing support – ideally from people who have already achieved their financial goals from the same business model.

So, when you’re considering an Internet-based home business, look for transparency. This means that the website should have a phone number, and that you should be able to speak directly to someone in a position of authority within the company. It should also have an email address for an individual, rather than for a general department, such as “sales” or “support.”

Expect to Invest in Your Business

Fly-by-night Internet business opportunities might promise that you won’t have to lay out any money, but don’t believe it. Ask any entrepreneur, and he or she will tell you that start-up money is required. A legitimate business opportunity will tell you this up front.

However, keep in mind that Internet-based home businesses do have two start-up advantages over traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. First, you don’t have to rent an office or storefront, hire staff, or invest in a tremendous amount of overhead. Second, you should be able to recoup your start-up investment very quickly – often in a matter of days.

Examine the Compensation Model

Most Internet business opportunities are based on network marketing and sales. This isn’t a bad thing, but you do need to review the compensation model for each business you consider. Legitimate business opportunities provide for immediate cash flow to cover your initial expenses, as well as ongoing compensation so that you can consistently see a profit that is aligned with the time and effort you put into your business.

Working from home in a legitimate business is a wonderful way to achieve your financial dreams. In fact, it can change the course of your life and the lives of your children. Just keep in mind that, like any business owner, you need to invest in and work at your business in order to succeed.

1. Determine your business. What are you selling?

This question isn’t as easy to answer as you may think. For example, Nike is in the sportswear business, but the truth is that when you buy a pair of Nike shoes and a t-shirt at the mall you’re buying a lot more than sportswear — you’re buying an image, a feeling. You’re buying the Nike brand. Richard Thalheimer, the former CEO of The Sharper Image and the founder of RichardSolo.com, has worked in specialty retail for more than 30 years. When asked what business he’s in, he’ll tell you “convenience” or “innovation” before he specifies any particular industry, and he’s built one of the most powerful brands in America. Keep in mind, there’s more to a product than, well, the product. Your brand is what sets your product apart from your competitor’s.

2. Select your market. Who are you selling to?

This step is a bit less interpretive as the first, though equally important. Who are you selling to? or more importantly, what do you know about this person? Understanding your consumer is a key to success. What do they do? Where do they hang out? What do they watch on television? These are just a few of the questions that you should be able to answer about your consumer. Knowing the answers to these questions can answer a lot of questions of your own when it comes to a devising a marketing strategy. Richard Thalheimer understood his market for The Sharper Image, probably as well as they understood themselves. From an article in the LA Times, Tracy Wan, who was president and chief operating officer under Thalheimer says “Richard has the amazing ability to figure out the things that people want to have.” This ability to perceive your consumer’s desire can only be a result of knowing them like your neighbor.

3. Create a marketing strategy. How do you speak to these people?

This is a culmination of understanding your brand and your consumer. As mentioned in number two, understanding your consumer can answer a lot of questions concerning your marketing strategy: Where should you advertise? What’s the voice of your brand? What kind of prices are reasonable for this demographic? In order to engage your consumer, a.k.a. sell your product to them, you must know where your advertisements will be noticed, how to speak to them, and how much they will be able to spend, among many of things. Really, this step should have been combined with the last because who your market is dictates your marketing strategy entirely.

4. Learn by example. Seek advice from those who have done it.

There are many books written by professionals who have already started their own business and have been successful in doing so. One that comes to mind immediately, as we’ve already mentioned him a couple of times, is Richard Thalheimer. “Creating Your Own Sharper Image” shares the story of how he grew his tiny office supply company, The Sharper Image, into the thriving enterprise that it has become today.

Remember, building a successful business in not all about the dollars and cents. Equally as valuable is you brand equity and your ability to engage your consumer, which is only attainable by understanding them. Assuming there is a demand for your product, and you can compete with the other brands, following these four steps shall guide you in the right direction.

While conventional bank loans can take weeks for processing the payday loan can be obtained in less than 2 hours or within the same day. In addition, the documents and papers for the process be required payday loan is very limited and simple. You do not go to collect all your checks and bank statements.

Payday lenders are no longer sitting in a dusty cash control booths. In fact, they are not less technologically advanced large banks and large enterprises to finance. The entire process, from the first contact and applications on citations, legal agreements, this appropriation for payment to be completely online. Information technology, used by most lenders payday eliminated a lot of trouble and speed up the process because there is no reason to travel to a local loan office or fax to make copies of ID and paystubs. In addition, a growing number of online services enables appropriate lender borrower quotes from various lenders and choose the best.
Instead of using tedious and time-consuming procedure, you can get your money in less than 24 hours. It is easier and faster process when you do online. So if you are looking for ways to manage between the checks to all you have to do is to pay, apply for our payday loans. You will be able to at least part of the financial problems that face to treat you immediately.

•Being Small Thinking Big. While you simply use your online business in cyberspace, where millions of companies in operation, the only way of actual delivery real as a threat and take a chance at success is to start yourself “How can you compete with your competitors? After a small business gives you the advantage of flexibility to respond quickly and with a personal service. Be sure to fully utilize these strengths.

• Planning for success. Every entrepreneur who is on long under a life with their business planning understands the power of planning. A great plan will increase your chances of success and helps to define your business. It gives you an idea and how to get there.

• Work Smarter Not Harder. As a business owner, you can refer to a set of tasks that you may not know how to do that, or just not worth your time, but maybe someone else. Use what you have. Ask the people around you with a certain capacity, small tedious task while focusing on important tasks. Take advantage of your social networks and provide services and potential customers. It’s not about working harder, how well you with what you have to work.

Whether you are a small business or large business, these three factors that differentiate the business fail or succeed,  these rules apply to everyone.

1) Be honest, trustworthy and professional in all business transactions. Small Business your reputation is very important. These customers are either thinking of you and to spread the word, or think badly of you and your company’s garbage – What do you want?

2) Finding as many customers and potential customers as possible. working on all marketing efforts, because that is what is crucial for the success or failure of your business premise that you are starting a viable business.

3) Business Research. Ideally, run almost all the important part of your company through Google to see what everyone is present in the same situation in their company. As a pilot your own small business, you need an expert in everything from a quick time in which you learn all you need to know. Join business groups in your niche can be a great help. want online forums related to your niche is also a great place for free information from people who help when they probably are not in direct competition to do with you.

4) Follow passions.This is perhaps the most important factor in whether your business is successful or not. If you love what you do you’re more likely put the effort and make it a winner, because it is the ideal company for you!

5) Do not go alone. You and any small business owner I have met – including myself, needs help.   Get help. You need it. We all do.

6) Business plans are not optional. They are necessary, or do not go to a lender for money or not. You need to accompany your business and bring on board other. Your business plan is the reality in your face that you need to have to start dreaming confronted with as many companies. The business plan helps guide you to the place where dreams and reality mesh.

7) outsourcing of all tasks and projects that do not want you and that you are not competent to do so. Store your trivial tasks take time. Your time should be spent developing an eye on product development, sales and marketing, and management of customer service.

8 ) Search for more financial resources than you think you need. Did some backups that you use if you have a place where you do not get no more money can continue.
9) Find a good accountant, lawyer and business consultant. Stay on tax and other legal issues that could sink your business. Lawyers are good for advice on certain things and consultants are like the Small Business Administration for the general good advice.