Work For Yourself Now

The Customer Is Always Right - Are They Really?

2011-01-15T13:13:00.000-08:00

Is the customer always right? Usually, the answer is yes. However, there are three important exceptions to this rule. Some customers are not worth pursuing, and are best sent to your competition:

1. Customers who want something illegal, unethical, or immoral

These customers might seem appealing to a business owner going through tough times. However, the problems they can cause far outweigh any temporary benefits which they might provide. Certainly, you might be able to help such customers a few times, but once other people find out that your company breaks the rules, you will acquire a reputation which is difficult to overcome, not to mention any penalties which may be imposed against you and your business. It is much better to never have to deal with such problems in the first place. Just pass on customers who want you to go against your better judgment.

2. Customers who make life miserable

Some customers have difficulty engaging in transactions which are honest, fair exchanges of goods and services for monetary remuneration. Instead, these people may be abusive to you, your... Read more...
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How To Increase Your Business Credit Status

2011-01-10T13:10:00.000-08:00

It is a fantasy of millions of workers to set up their own business and say goodbye to their boss once and for all. You can see just how popular this concept is, by looking at the number of 'business opportunities' there are on line with titles like 'Fire Your Boss'. They sell well, so I am led to believe, but I would not touch them with a barge pole.

Of these millions of would-be business people, lots of people do all the hard work of researching their business and doing their arithmetic, but fall at the last fence, for lots of people it is the highest fence of all, the funding of their business. Some people cannot set up adequate credit and others are frightened of losing their own money...Read More... Read more »

Top 10 Reasons Home Based Businesses Fail!

2011-01-05T12:48:00.000-08:00

Something For Nothing Syndrome

Let me be perfectly honest with you, there is no such thing as something for nothing, but you already knew that didn’t you. Then why are there so many home based business and success programs being sold by way of TV info-commercials, ads in magazines, newspapers, and the especially the Internet? I personally think that we would all like to think that there is a shortcut to success but deep inside we all know that is success is earned. Success would not be success if you could simply purchase a home based business system for $49.95 that is completely automated and all you do is collect the money, yet I have personally seen thousands of internet sites and info commercials claiming they have a fully automated system, plug in and you will be wealthy by just paying your $49.95, presto you’re an instant success, no real efforts required, they even guarantee it. People are purchasing these programs every day and they are disappointed everyday. I will even admit to you that I have purchased these programs and had them piled up in my drawer (anybody else?).

I am not saying that you must work your life away, but I am saying that focused and leveraged efforts are “key” to success. Let’s compare a home based business with a weight loss program... Read more
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Your New Business - What Should It Be?

2011-01-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

Oh, the joy of being self-employed! The yearning to be self-employed and in control of one's own life comes from deep within. Yet, what type of business can one start that will be truly successful on every level - a business that does more than make money and give you and your family a life of luxury, but a business that fulfills the need to create, the need to express, the need to use one's mind in a way that will make life better for others? Because this new business has not yet been created, it usually has not been clearly defined.

We've all heard the phrase 'follow your passion and the money will come' or' build it and they will come' and we've all watched many of our friends follow this philosophy and not ending up successful. While we advocate following one's passion, one's strengths and likes, we also strongly believe that a little bit of planning and common sense can go a long way in fulfilling one's dreams. Read More...
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Building Customer Relationships

2010-12-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

Building strong relationships with your customers can have many benefits for the business owner, aside from simple profits. Here are three other benefits which your customers can provide, which are also valuable:

1. Customers can also provide leads and referrals

Your existing base of customers can often be the best source of providing new sales leads, as well as referrals who can also benefit from your products and services. The best part is that you simply have to get into the habit of asking every customer for these. Sometimes, it may take some careful questioning: Has the customer met any people who are new to the area? Do some of the people they know share characteristics which are common to your current base of customers? Maybe your customers even know of people who would be ideal for a new product or service you are planning. However, you will never find out about these people, unless you ask... Read more
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The Top 10 Franchises for 2010

2010-12-25T16:19:00.000-08:00

According to Entrepreneur magazine, these were the top 10 Franchises of 2010.

The Top 10 Franchises of 2010
Company Start Up Costs
#1 Subway $84,300 - $258,300
#2 McDonald's $995,900 - 1,842,700
#3 7-Eleven Inc. $40,500 - 775,300
#4 Hampton Hotels $3,716,000 - 13,148,800
#5 Supercuts $111,000 - 239,700
#6 H & R Block $26,427 - 84,094
#7 Dunkin' Donuts $537,750 - 1,765,300
#8 Jani-King Cleaning $11,400 - 35,050
#9 Servpro $102,250 - 161,150
#10 AmPm Mini Market $1,835,823 - 7,615,065

With its new breakfast menu and the aggressively marketed "Five Dollar Foot Long" campaign, it's no surprise whatsoever to find Subway restaurants at the top of this illustrious list.

5 Things You Must Do Every Day to Build Your Business

2010-12-22T17:36:00.000-08:00

If you are an entrepreneur there are a few critical tasks that you need to turn into a daily habit in order for your business to keep moving in a positive direction and to make you money. Read on to find out those key items and how you can add them to your daily routine.

Entrepreneurs have to wear many hats when a business is just starting. Many things need to be delegated to others in order for the business to run smoothly and there are a few things that you must do yourself. If you can create a habit of performing these 5 things every day, some for just a few minutes, then you will see your business grow right alongside your dreams:

1. Plan for the future a few minutes each day. Assume that your product has stopped selling all of a sudden. What direction will you take your company next? What new income stream can you add? This is a time for day dreaming and recording notes in preparation for the future. You don't necessarily have to take action on these items, but you need to think about them daily in order to bring out the golden ideas. Read more...
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Market Research - Build Your Business On a Foundation of Facts

2010-12-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

Market Research is the key to developing both a sales and marketing strategy and an overall business strategy for your small business. It ensures you have examined both the market, including an assessment of your competitors, and your potential customers. Building your business based on hard facts and realistic analysis ensures a strong foundation on which to build your business. Let's take a look at the questions you need to address.

A Description of Your Product or Service
Is it a product or service or do you offer both? Is it manufacturing, retail or wholesale or a combination of these?

The Nature of the Market for Your Product or Service
Is it a domestic or export market or a combination of both? Is it a niche or seasonal product? Is it an emerging market based on customer demand?

Identify the Target Market Segments
You need to undertake research to determine who will buy your products Read more...Read more »

Entrepreneurial Mindset - Inside Out Approach to Business Success

2009-11-02T17:38:00.000-08:00

Whether you want to start a business or be successful in the business called Life. Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset may be the key to hidden potential lying dormant within you. So here is the key to opening the vaults and letting the flood of potential success flow in your life with abundance.

The key is to develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset. What do you know about it? What do you think of it?

Ownership. Being the owner of your life.
The key ingredient in developing an entrepreneurial mindset and climbing the ladder of success is taking full charge of the situation. The ultimate level of Ownership is to won the situation. To operate from the context that the situation is the way it is and it is not because of me. Entrepreneurs own their business and every aspect of it - every success and every failure.

Vision. Developing a vision of the future.
Dream big dreams. Most successful entrepreneurs are visionaries. They don't worry about how things are but rather dwell in - how things can be. They are always creating a palpable vivid image of the future for themselves and for people around them.Read more... Read more »

Creating a Time Schedule for Your Business

2009-10-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

As you venture into starting a self owned business, the truth of the matter is that you probably are still working somewhere outside your home for someone else. Depending on how many hours a week this job takes from you, not to mention the time spent commuting back and forth to work, you can be left with very few hours to devote to your own business venture, much less the energy.
That's where some solid time management skills will have to come in.
You will need to find the little pockets of time left over amongst the duties of your busy life in order to sufficiently attend to the duties that come along with having a home business. One way to do this is by creating a daily and weekly schedule of tasks for both your daily life's tasks and your business, and sticking to it.
Here are some things you need to consider when creating your schedule. Read more...
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Successful Entrepreneur - 5 Key Elements to Become One

2009-10-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

Ever thought of what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur? Ever wondered of starting your own business but didn't know where to start? Now you can start by building a solid foundation by using the 5 key elements presented below. Starting on a solid foundation is the key to any business success. Spending time to build a solid foundation is time well spent. The more time you spend setting the basics in place the more chances you have to be successful.

To build a strong foundation follow these 5 key elements and nothing will stand in your way to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Envision the Future: Contrary to the way people plan, the first step in any planning is that you start by defining the future. Exactly like when you want to reach a particular destination, you start with the address and then start planning the best route to get there, so that you can avoid traffic, or find a shorter route to reach there on time. You need to first define the future. Create it. Create a powerful, compelling vision of the future that inspires you. At this stage don't worry about how you are going to reach there. Just be creative. The difference between a dream and a Vision is that the Vision is concrete, measurable and has a date by when it shall come to pass. Ask yourself, does it inspire you to take action - NOW!Read more »

Learning to Survive Without Your Paycheck

2009-10-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

Although we all hope it never happens to us, unfortunately, getting fired or layed off can happen to just about anybody these days. The corporate and industrial structure is changing, and even in a good economy companies are relying more and more on technology and far less on manpower. Downsizing and outsourcing have caused many a loyal, hard worker to have to face the dreaded pink slip. The question is, what is one to do if and when this happens? How are you going to pay your bills? How are you going to survive?
For those without a family or spouse to fall fack on for support, this can be a critical problem so suddenly be faced with. It can mean the end of all security and life as you know it. Any funds that you've managed to build up over time can now quickly be depleted, if not used wisely. It can mean the end of all security and life as you know it. It can mean the roof being taken from right over your head.
A quick descent into poverty has been the tragic outcome for many an unlucky hard worker. You know that expression "living from paycheck to paycheck"? Well, for the millions of people out there who do, this possibility is a distinct reality.
So, how do you keep yourself from ending up as one of the poor, suddenly devoid of income masses?Read more »

Leads -- (Work at Home Opportunities)

2009-09-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

Here you will find work at home opportunities. Some are verified, and others are not, but there are no spam links here, guaranteed. All opportunities are legitimate job postings from various sources on the web. At no time should you expect to spend any money whatsoever to procure a work at home job.

Leads of the week

FACEBOOK FANPAGE EXPERT (NYC)
Date: 2010-01-06, 7:01PM EST
Reply to: job-rsfax-1540737297@craigslist.org

We are looking for someone who can trouble shoot and help w applications on a Facebook Fan page-
we are looking for someone in the US that we can speak to on the phone who knows the ins and outs of FB.

please only respond if you can do this. and what your fees are.

thanks.

* Location: NYC
* Compensation: TBD
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
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Creative Book Editor with Golf and Project Management Experience (Ha!)
Date: 2009-12-10

IIL Publishing, New York (www.iil.com/publishing) needs a creative book editor with both golf and project management experience (should know the vocabulary and application of both). Book is relatively short, with a fictitious plot line, but one that will drive home real world application of principles and effectiveness of project management. Editor must take good story line and make it into best seller material. Book editor must have edited at least three books. Please submit cover letter with resume and links to descriptions of books you have edited (with published credits) to judy.umlas@iil.com.

Job is project-based and should be completed in one to two months of receipt of manuscript. Author available to consult with editor. If this project is successful, there is the possibility of other projects to follow.

* Compensation: $1500 - $2500 based on experience
* Telecommuting is ok.
* This is a part-time job.
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Freelance Conference-Content Writers (Work from Home)
Date: 2009-12-09
Reply to: info@iglobalforum.com

We are a growing conference company that specializes in the finance industry. We are looking for Content Writers for our programs preferably someone with a strong knowledge of the finance industry and the current trends. This will include detailed research on a particular topic and producing a program that will outline the most pressing issues in the industry. Some primary research and phone interviewing of leading experts may be needed. For more information, on our company please visit www.iglobalforum.com.

Please, email us with your resume at info@iglobalforum.com.
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b5Media is seeking a daytime talk show blogger. You must be able to post at least 8 posts a week and sometimes 2 to 3 updates per day. You must have experience with Wordpress and SEO. Interviewing experience is a plus. Knowledge of image editing (resizing, etc) and basic HTML editing is a requirement.

This is a paid telecommute position. If interested in this telecommute opportunity, please apply with two short writing samples (related to the topic of daytime talk shows) and links to any online work. Contact email: arieanna@b5media.com. Please include a brief cover letter (no resumes, please) detailing your qualifications.
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CPA firm seeks tax preparers with experience in preparing corporate and partnership Federal tax returns and multi-state returns. Experience with Lacerte is a +. This is a part-time contract position. It is a telecommute opportunity.

Please fax a letter of interest with relevant tax preparation experience and pay rate needed to 425-671-0610.
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Marketing Enthusiasts that enjoy taking Pictures and Video Wanted (Greater Dallas or Surrounding Areas)
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mar/1489727136.html
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Freelance Writers Wanted
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=1112224
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Needed: a native German speaker to help translate course materials from English to German, from your home. Some business and/or teaching background is a plus. Good computer skills necessary. Compensation is $25 to $35 per hour.

Send your resume and description of your past translation works to: job-ctchy-1487987175@craigslist.org.
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We update this list almost daily, so check back. We post 'em as they come in!

Small Business Advice, Resources and Articles

2009-09-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

Here is compiled a list of pages you absolutely must read, bookmark and refer to as you work on getting your business up and running:

The Case for the $100 Business
An insightful and enlightening article that shows how you can get it all started for less than you think.

Small Business Finance Tips
Detailed checklist and info on what you need to know to start and run your business right.

Entrepreneur.com Finance Index
Tips, advice and pertinent links from Entrepreneur.com.

Business.gov Financial Help
A how to on getting the money you need for your business.

WSJ Online Small Business and Finance Tips
A rich resource of links, information and small business advice.

Work For Yourself Now Articles and Advice:

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

5 Things You Must Do Everyday to Build Your Business

5 Key Elements of a Successful Entrepreneur

Why Work For Yourself?

Small Business Financing

2009-09-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Here are a few legitimate sources that you can use to get some financing for your business.

Business Finance

CDC Loans

Whitehouse.gov Small Business Financing Forum

Women's Grants

Business Workshops

2009-09-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some sources of business workshops both on and offline:

IRS.gov Small Business and Tax Workshops

SBA Training

SCORE Workshops and Seminars

VISA Business Workshops

TD Bank Small Business Workshops

SCORE Offline Workshop Locator

This list will be updated and added to periodically.

Why Work for Yourself?

2009-04-16T18:39:00.001-07:00

Who doesn't want to work for themself? In this new, uncertain economy, having more control over your income, net worth and resources for money is key.
Thousands of people around the world are now venturing into work at home and self starter businesses. Some succeed, but many fail. What will be the difference between whether or not YOUR business becomes one of the success stories? Well, first of all, having a clear vision of the type of business that will be profitable according to what people want and need, the type of business that you know you will work hard and relentlessly at, and most importantly, something that you can enjoy and have a passion for.
If you just try to jump on some get rich quick scheme, or something that you heard works for someone else, but does not really fit your personal habits and working style, then you will be doomed to fail.
This is the point where you really need to look deep within and allow who you are to define the entrepreneur you can become.
Here, at Work For Yourself Now, we will not only provide scores of work at home opportunities, start up info and niche business ideas, but will also keep you informed on how to start it, maintain it and keep on top of all the little details and habits necessary to make your business successful, profitable and thus, change your life.
Bookmark us, and check back for our weekly informative articles, home job opportunity links, and leads on resources for financing and entrepreneur mentorship.
We all want to succeed and be our own boss. Here, we will aid you in doing just that!


	The Top 10 Franchises of 2010

	Company	Start Up Costs

	#1 Subway	$84,300 - $258,300
	#2 McDonald's	$995,900 - 1,842,700
	#3 7-Eleven Inc.	$40,500 - 775,300
	#4 Hampton Hotels	$3,716,000 - 13,148,800
	#5 Supercuts	$111,000 - 239,700
	#6 H & R Block	$26,427 - 84,094
	#7 Dunkin' Donuts	$537,750 - 1,765,300
	#8 Jani-King Cleaning	$11,400 - 35,050
	#9 Servpro	$102,250 - 161,150
	#10 AmPm Mini Market	$1,835,823 - 7,615,065