Womens Business Success Blog

Please Visit Our Many Archived Articles

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 20:02:05 -0700

This blog has faithfully shared women's business articles for over a year now. We currently have some newer technology that will make it even easier to read and share your articles, so we will be sharing these with you through our other site blog, the Women's Home Business Blog. Our article archive will remain here on this page so you can access the many fine articles shared here!

Are Introverts More Successful with Home-based Businesses?

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 08:47:36 -0700

I recently took one of those online personality quizzes - the one that tests you to see if you are an introvert or an extrovert. Knowing what the outcome would likely be, I proceeded to obediently answer questions like #18 If by some cruel twist of fate you had to choose between blindness and deafness, which would you rather be? (I chose deafness.)

After the inquiry, the "experts" determined that I was an introvert…that I prefer "your own company or that of your partner's. You don't have many friends, but the ones you do are the kind that are loyal. You're always misunderstood as being grumpy, but often it's that you simply don't care to talk. Ideally, you'd prefer to be in a vocation where you can work alone." (The description continued and included a notable comment that I'm mature for my age.)

Being an introvert and working from home, I think that it is easier for me to stay motivated, be energized and enjoy my work in general. I went back to the quiz and answered all questions opposite to my initial answers. The extrovert profile that came back said, "As an extrovert, you thrive on the company of others and often talk about anything that takes your fancy. You hate being alone and wouldn't cope well living by yourself. Chances are, you don't live on your computer, but may send too many useless 'forwarded' emails." (On a positive note, for the extrovert readers, it said "you embrace change a lot better than your extremely introverted counterpart.")

My point being that the often talked about problems of working from home like 'home office isolation' may not be much of a problem at all for introverts. In fact, the introverts among us who have home-based businesses can even "pretend" to be more extroverted through the use of things like email and blogs…communicating more of what we think more clearly to more people.

I'm thankful that I am an introvert. That's something not often heard in our extroverted society. I'm thankful because as someone who works from home, it helps me. It helps me in that I stay motivated and energized a little easier. And I don't get down for being without the social outlets like the daily water cooler chats. The area around my water cooler is a quiet place…inciting conversation only with my dog when she's thirsty.

Julie Chandler is the Executive Director of the Progressive Group for Independent Business Women and the Founder of WomensPages.ca. She can be contacted at (403) 720-2143 or visit her websites at www.pgibw.ca and www.womenspages.ca.

Another Great Free Online Marketing Tool for your Business

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:39:38 -0700

Since the internet has matured, many formerly free online marketing tools now cost money. However even today, there are some wonderful new opportunities to connect with people, and share your products or services.

In just a few short years, blogging and social networking have changed the way people use the internet. These services allow people to connect and share their thoughts, feelings, and similar interests with each other. Not only is this a fantastic way to meet new friends, but these services can also help you build and market your business.

Yahoo 360 is a site that combines blogging with social networking in a very simple to use format. Even if you have zero technical knowlege, it is simple to create a blog and a social network using this site. If you feel intimidated by the HTML and CSS found on other social networking sites, Yahoo 360 will be a MUCH easier way for you to get started!

Honestly, I find Yahoos ads rather annoying, and I don't like that they require your birthday as personal information. Despite these limitations, Yahoo 360 offers many benefits especially for those who are new to the world of the internet.

When you create a Yahoo 360 account, you set up a page that shares something about yourself. Although this is no substitute for an actual business website, it is a fantastic opportunity for you to meet people and naturally network. By 'naturally', I mean that you won't push your business on others, but rather get to know people.

Creating your Yahoo 360 page is quite simple. There are quite a few templates to choose from, and you also have the option of creating your own custom theme. If you use Yahoo Messenger and already have an avatar, you can use this as your 360 picture or you can upload a regular photograph of yourself.

Once you have created the layout of your page, you can start adding information. The Yahoo site allows you to create a blog, create lists of items you recommend, add reviews, and many other creative options.

It is simple and fun to market your business with these tools. For example, you can create a list of products you have reviewed! Be sure to include your affiliate links, and display links to your business website or websites. If you have a business related blog, you can add the RSS feed to your 360 page. If you have created your own products, you can display pictures of your products.

You can also invite other 360 users to become your “friend”, which is a great way to begin networking. Using this aspect of the service, you can meet other people and begin establishing relationships. Some of these people may end up becoming friends, customers, future business partners, or colleages.

There are many ways you can find people. It is possible to by location as well as interests. The location feature is very helpful if you plan to promote yourself locally. Searching by interest will allow you to find people in your target market who may be interested in your business.

Using these types of social networking sites can be fun and help you to spread the word about your business. You will still need to continue using your other forms of marketing. Not everyone in your target market will have a Yahoo 360 account. You can create other profiles on business networking sites like Ryze.com or AOL.com. Your Yahoo 360 page can be an excellent, fun and free online marketing tool for your business, but it shouldn’t be the only one.

Inspiration or Desperation? Five Tips to Keep Your Creativity Flowing

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:05:30 -0700

Creative inspiration can reveal itself at the most mundane of moments ... you may be standing in line at the grocery store, driving your children to school, taking a shower, or even in the middle of a conversation! Suddenly an idea comes to you, like a spark of lightening or a ray of sunshine. You know when this happens that you better write it down so you don't forget it!

Desperation on the other hand, usually creeps up on you like a weed, growing way too easily! You'll find it rearing its ugly head after you have been sitting in front of the computer for hours, racking your brain and finding not even one small crumb of new material! If your business relies on creativity and inspiration, you may feel constantly jerked around by the seemingly elusive nature of the creative process.

Here are a few tips to help you tap into the light of inspiration and avoid the weeds of frustration and desperation!

To increase your ability to tap into your creative flow, you must begin to learn what works for you. Some people do their best work when they are alone; others get great ideas while riding on the bus or taking a walk in the hustle and bustle of the city. Does the noise of people and chatter help to stimulate your creativity or do you find this distracting? Do you do your best work in the morning, or do your creative juices start flowing after midnight? Do you enjoy sitting near a window where you can see what's going on outside, or do you find that distracting? Discover what works best for you, and keep doing it!
If you have been trying to find your creative inspiration and are still coming up short, try stepping away from your project and focusing on something else. Better yet, do something fun that requires no mental effort on your part. When you go back to your work, you will be looking at it with fresh eyes and may think of something you wouldn't have thought of before!
You can avoid the pangs of desperation by asking for support, and by not waiting till the last moment when you're ready to throw your computer out the window! Ask a mentor, friend, partner or spouse to help you by giving you feedback on what you have been working on, and see if they can offer any suggestions. Once you start talking to another person about your project, you'll be able to connect with the inspirational flow, and you might even find some whole new angles that you just didn't see before.
Working in a different environment may also help you to get some fresh new ideas. If you are stuck on a writing project and you usually work on your computer, try going outside with a pen and paper, or even a tape recorder! If you normally sit at your desk, change the scenery by working at the kitchen table. You can also print out the work you have completed so far and head to the couch. Even the process of seeing your work printed out on paper may give you some different ideas!
If you are STILL at a dead end and have tried everything you can think of, then it's time to take a break! Set your project aside for a while. Give it a rest! Have you ever heard the saying "a watched pot never boils"? Sometimes applying the 'heat' just doesn't work to move things forward. So, let your dead end project simmer for a while, and then move onto something else. While you're busy with something new, your stalled project may just get new lease on life!

Target Market Analysis - How to Discover What Your Target Markets Needs

Wed, 5 Sep 2007 16:29:58 -0700

Even the smallest home based business needs target market analysis. Why is this so crucial to your longtermbusiness success? Many women's business newcomers believe that a successful business is based around how much marketing or advertising you do, or how many clients and customers you can acquire, or how well you handle customer service. Though these are all important aspects of owning a successful business, you may be surprised to discover that creating a profitable business really boils down to determining what your target market wants and what their needs are!

Let's take a step back now. What's a target market? Your target market is the group of people that have a need that YOU and your business can fill. These are the people you will be marketing your products and services to. Your business isn't going to be "all things to all people". Not everyone will want or need your product or service. People have different preferences, tastes, needs and desires.

To create a successful business, you will need a target market analysis to determine what your target market wants and needs. Once you educate yourself about what people need, then you can provide it for them. If you happen to be a part of your target market, you have a great opportunity to discover what your target market needs from the inside! Start thinking about the things you want and need.

If you are not directly a part of your target market, start by putting yourself in their shoes. The more you can "walk a mile in their moccasins", the better you will be able to meet their needs. Imagine yourself living a day in their life. What kinds of products or services would make their lives easier?

Another excellent method for target market analysis is to study your competition. Look at other products that are aimed at your target market and compare your products or services. What unique features and benefits can you offer your potential clients or customers?

Go online and look for websites that are dedicated to your target market. You can learn a lot about what people want and need by Visiting the websites forums or discussion boards. You can also simply ask your target market what they want! Create a form on your website that asks some basic questions about their needs and what they would like to see in the type of product or service you offer. Offer a free gift as an incentive.

Once you have completed your target market analysis, you can create a product or service to fill their needs. If you already have their names and email addresses from the form they filled out, you can email them and let them know when the new product is ready. This will be a great way to jump start your sales!

Six Tips for Keeping Your Business Going When Your Kids are Home from School

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:42:43 -0700

One of the biggest challenges a work at home mother faces is how to keep your business going during the summertime or school breaks when your children are on vacation from school. Your business can quickly lose ground if you don't have a plan in place to keep working when your kids are at home. These tips will give you some great ideas on how to work around your children's summer schedule.

If there are other families in your neighborhood with children of a similar age, try organizing a babysitting swap in the summertime! Get together with other parents and create a schedule for yourselves. In a babysitting swap, each family takes turns being the designated sitter. The other parents who need to run errands, work, etc., can drop their children off at the sitter's house that day. This works great if you can find three or more families to participate together, which gives each family several days "off" without the kids.
Investigate your local area and see if they offer summer day camps for children. These places are a lot of fun for children and will give you a needed break as well. Drop your children off in the morning and pick them up in the evening, and your children will enjoy various learning activities such as art, music, and drama. These activities will keep your children's minds fresh during the summer, you will be able to get in a few hours of work each day.
Your place of worship may also have some summer activities planned. When I was a child my parents sent us to "Vacation Bible School" which was great fun for us. I still remember the crafts projects we worked on, the yummy snacks and the fun we had. Or there may be a "Mom's Day-Out Program" that allows parents to drop off their children for a few hours several days a week. Volunteers in the congregation may teach the children crafts, read stories to them, or simply play with them!
Another great way to make time for work in the summertime is to hire a young teenager to come over and play with your children while you work in your office. This is a lot of fun for the children, and will free up time for you. Since you are still in the house, you will feel safe knowing you are there in case of an emergency. A young teen who may not have as much babysitting experience will also charge less than an older teen.
Here's another great idea to solve the WAHM challenge of keeping your business going when your kids are home from school. While school is still in session, call your local high school or college and let them know you are looking for an intern. This would be someone majoring in early childhood education who would be happy to watch your children. You also could consider hiring a student interested in business and marketing! They will help you with your business tasks which will free up some time where you can enjoy your children. Generally you do not pay an intern. They work in exchange for the valuable experience they gain.
Another wonderful and important way to keep your business going when your kids are home, is to get your children involved with your business! Depending on your children's age, you can assign them various business tasks that are within their capacity to complete successfully. This can be great fun for kids and will help give them an understanding of business and increase their self esteem. One of my fond childhood memories is going along with my father to help him in his part time landscaping business. I learned a lot and got to be with my Dad! This will enable you to spend time together as a family and still be productive, and the side benefit will be the learning both you and your children receive from working together.

Working around your children's' summer vacation can definitely be one of the bigger WAHM challenges you will face in your career as a work at home mother, but these tips will help you get a handle on the situation and even begin to enjoy the summertime with your kids!

Where to Find Marketing Inspiration for Your Home Business

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 19:28:18 -0700

If you own a small to medium sized home based business, you may find yourself running short on marketing inspiration. This is one of the most common complaints I hear from women home business owners. You wear several hats in your business ... web designer, writer, internet marketer, customer service agent, business analyst... and more! With so much on your business plate each day (not to mention what is happening in the rest of your life!) it can be a challenge to come up with new and fresh marketing inspirations. Where can you get some new ideas?

Guess what? It's as simple as turning on your radio or TV, or surfing the internet. This is a fun, quick and free way to learn new marketing techniques and strategies. There's no shortage of advertising in the world, so you won't need to work too hard! Did you know that by the age of 65, the average American will have seen over 2 million television commercials? Yikes!! That's not even counting the ads we see in newspapers, magazines, on billboards, on the internet, or on the radio.

You'll notice that some companies choose to use catchy jingles and slogans. When I was a kid (now that was a while ago!) I remembered the "Alka-Seltzer" commercials. Who can forget "I can't believe I ate the WHOLE thing!!!" Other use music that is so catchy that you might even find yourself humming the tune. Other ads tug at our heartstrings to establish an emotional connection (remember those AT&T commercials?), and some even purposely annoy us! Watch these commercials and learn ... think about how you can apply these to your business. Marketing inspiration is just a click away!

Once you've spent some time ad watching, you'll notice some patterns and common themes. These basic marketing techniques and strategies will help you t build a winning marketing campaign.

Keep it simple. One great example of this is Nike's slogan "Just Do It". Create a simple, catchy, and easy to remember slogan can set your product or service apart from the competition.
Capture your target market's emotions and they will become your loyal customers. Remember the days before people had unlimited long distance? Phone companies created commercials featuring a depressed, lonely older woman who brightened up and became happy when her daughter called her from across the country. The phone companies knew that people considered long distance a luxury item, so they pulled at their customers heartstrings. People were moved by the ad and immediately thought of their own mothers and how they could instantly brighten her day by calling her.
Be memorable - annoy your customers! People remember feelings and any strong feeling can cause people to remember your product. Have you seen the product Head On!? Their annoying commercials featured people with headaches, saying, "Head On" over and over again. Yikes!! The people who saw the commercials may have found them annoying, but they remembered the product and some of them became customers.
Be funny. If you have a sense of humor, this can be one of the BEST marketing techniques! People love to be entertained. One of the best example's I've ever seen of this are the TV commercials for the Mac ... they're hilarious! There are two guys, one says "I'm a Mac (he looks like the artistic type) and the other guy (who looks like Bill Gates) says "I'm a PC". They engage in all kinds of hilarious antics, all designed to point out the Mac's benefits while making the PC look rather silly. Another one - very funny!!.
LI>Cater to moms. More and more marketers are discovering that moms are the ones who make purchasing decisions for their families. Major companies are learning that if they want to sell more products, they need to make it more appealing to moms.

These are just a few of the strategies that top marketers use to promote their products and services. The next time you need some marketing inspiration, have some fun by turning on the TV or picking up a magazine. Keep an idea file, full of ads you have seen that you particularly liked. The next time you are trying to come up with a marketing campaign, look through your idea folder for marketing inspiration and adapt one of your clippings to your own product or service. Then, release your marketing campaign and see what happens!

How to Find Ideas for Writing Articles

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:44:00 -0700

Writing articles every couple of weeks or so is a great idea for your online business but it can sometimes be hard to find good subject matter for your article. You write article after article and finally you just seem to draw a blank on what to write about. I am sure that has happened to all of us at one time or another.

When it happens to me there are a few things that I can do to find fresh ideas. These tips will work for you as well. Below are some good places to find interesting and fresh article content.

*Blogs - Blogs are a great place to find ideas for your article as many different things are discussed on blogs. People share their opinions, ideas, experiences and questions.

*Message Boards - Message boards are a good source of information as well. Follow the discussions and see what things people are interested in and need to know more about. I have written many articles from information I read on the boards.

*Email Discussion Groups - Again, get involved in the discussions. Find out what information people are looking for. Not only can you get ideas for your articles, but you can learn a lot as well and make some new contacts. Just go to Yahoo and do a search for the appropriate type of group for your business.

*Internet News Sites - Keeping up with Internet marketing news is very important for your business. Not only for writing articles but for keeping abreast of new developments, ideas, technology, etc. Research and write your articles to keep your readers informed as well.

*Read through your email - Take note of what people are asking you about and what they are most concerned with. Keep a file on hand and record all questions that can be used to create a powerful article.

*Subscribe to ezines - Ezines can be a goldmine of information and ideas. They allow you to keep up to date on the latest products, programs, biz opps, etc. Some of this information can make great articles.

*Do a survey - Write a two or three question survey and send it out to associates or discussion group members or better yet, your subscribers. Give your readers the information and news they are looking for.

For example: What questions do you have about Internet marketing? What resources do you need that you cannot find? Questions like this could give you some innovative article ideas.

*Read other articles - By reading other articles, you can come up with an unusual twist or angle for an overused idea. It sometimes helps to get different views and insights on the same old idea. NOTE: Never copy information or content from an article, ezine, or website.

*What would YOU like to know more about - Pick a topic you need to learn about, do some research and turn it into a resourceful article. This is a great way to learn while promoting your online business.

Always keep an open mind and eye out for article ideas. After awhile you will begin to se ideas automatically all over the net. Keep a notebook handy and when you think of an idea write it down in your notebook. I tend to think of ideas while lying awake in the middle of the night. I learned right away that if I don't write them down, they are totally gone by morning.

And remember, people want and need basic, straight forward, helpful information. They do not want or need college words, fancy storylines or over-dramatized articles.

Also, do not be afraid to give your articles a little personality, humor and best of all, heart. Write as if you were talking to the reader and doing your best to help them.

Articles are one of the most powerful marketing methods online. Don't let a little doubt stop you from making this big step towards success!

Terri Seymour has several years online experience and has helped many people start their own business. Visit her site at http://www.seymourproducts.com for resources, $1 resell ebooks & software, free tutorials, affiliate programs, and a free ezine with bonus report: 77 Ways to Get Traffic! subscribe@seymourproducts.com

Doing Business With Heart -- A New Way to Create Business Success

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:22:34 -0700

Business with heart, are you crazy? Those are two words that don't seem to go together in today's business environment! And yet, business with heart is growing especially on the internet today, as more people awaken to the importance of doing business with integrity. We each have a profound effect on the world, and more and more people are realizing that they can make the world a better place by doing business with heart. This is an approach to doing business that is almost completely opposite from the traditional business models of competition and winning at any cost, and many business owners are discovering that this approach really works!

Here are a few beginning steps to doing business with heart. I encourage you to be courageous and take risks, and see what happens as you put into practice these simple principles.

Be truthful. In today's internet business environment, there are tons of slick websites that make big promises, only to disappoint their customers and clients. Honesty really stands out like a shining beacon in today's world. Be honest with your potential customers by letting them know exactly what you have to offer. Don't over-promise, rather, under-promise and over-deliver!
Pay it forward. This is an expression that has become more popular as we have come to understand that what we put out into the world comes back to us. When you are just starting out in business, you will be asking a lot of questions and needing help to get started. You can "pay it forward" and show your gratitude to those that help you by letting them know you appreciate their kindness. If possible, try paying that kindness back by helping that person with something they need assistance with, or by generously helping another person in kind.
If someone asks you a question and you know the answer to it, tell them! Unless the answer to their question happens to be a top secret project you are working on, sharing information isn’t going to hurt your business, and could help in the long run. Who knows? The person you are helping may one day become wildly successful and recommend your products or services to all of their customers!
Connect with others. Building relationships and networking is essential for your business success, whether you're working locally or on the internet. Focus on building real relationships with those that you meet. Though it is natural to think about how you may benefit from connections with people, this approach will not grow your business! You need to let go of a self absorbed perspective, and think about ways you can help others! All successful businesses solve problems for people. think about how you can help!
Focus on the positive. Some people will take your help and not give you anything in return. That is fine, as it not always possible to reciprocate 100%. Don't expect this from people you are helping. Instead, understand that the universe gives back, not always in the ways you expect ... no good deed goes unnoticed. There will be many people who will respond to your generosity and kindness by helping you in some way. For example, if you meet a person who would be a great business partner for another one of your friends, introduce them! Their joint venture could be a success, and they may find a way to repay you.

When you respect people and treat them with courtesy, they will respect you. They will want to do business with you and will feel good about recommending your products and services to people they know. Doing business with heart creates a network of positive energy that grows and expands, which also expands your business and your personal success. In today's world, doing business with heart may seem crazy, but it really does work!

Relationship Marketing -- The Key to a Truly Successful Long Term Business

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:24:27 -0700

What is relationship marketing? You probably know all about it from experience, even if you've never used the term before. Think of your experiences as a customer! If you had the choice between paying your insurance bill at an office where you are greeted with a friendly hello, where the staff remember you and call you by name, or an office where the staff ignore you and act as if accepting your payment is a waste of their time? Ah, you can see it's not a difficult choice!

We all prefer to do business with people we like, and people that make us feel comfortable. If a person feels that they are treated with kindness, that you are their friend and trusted advisor, they will begin to feel that they have a relationship with you.

Relationship marketing is an attitude of respect and caring towards your customers and business associates. Relationship marketing is central to doing business with heart, and is key to creating a successful long term business. When you take the time to establish a relationship with your customer, they develop a connection with you and become loyal to you. They begin to trust you and wouldn’t think about doing business with anyone else.

Relationship marketing is not a 'get rich quick" technique. Establishing relationships with people takes time and energy, and requires authentic participation on your part. Here are a few tips on creating relationships with your customers and clients.

Focus on helping your customers. They are coming to you for a reason, they have a need for your product or service. Be grateful that they are trusting you with their business! If you act like you are doing them a favor by providing your product or service, they will go elsewhere!
Give first, then receive. Instead of thinking about all the things you will get for helping your clients, think about the positive things that they can accomplish in their lives with your help. If someone is just looking for advice, give them the answers they need. They may come back to you when they're ready to buy!
Be a real person. Yes, it is important to present a professional image in your business, but you also don’t want to be so professional that you intimidate your customers. Let them know that you are a fellow human being. Like everyone else, you occasionally have a bad day or the kids are sick and everything seems to go wrong. If people can see that you are “one of them”, they are more likely to feel a connection with you and to be willing to do business with you.
Communicate clearly. A key component of any relationship is communication. Nowadays there are many creative and fun ways to Keep your customers updated. You can create a blog or updates on your website, or maintain a mailing list, as long as you have their permission. If someone has recently purchased something from you and has a question or needs assistance, answer their email or phone call promptly.

By incorporating solid relationship marketing practices into your business, you will find that your customers feel appreciated and valued. Happy customers are much more likely to send you referrals, and as you continue to share positive energy with people in your business, it will expand and come back to bless you many times over!