What is the difference between a small business that makes it and one that does not? Most likely, the one that was successful engaged in some effective marketing. Wise marketing is critical for owners of home-based businesses for a number of reasons:

1. Marketing keeps you ahead of the competition 2. Marketing brings you a steady stream of revenue 3. Marketing provides leads for future sales 4. Marketing helps increase awareness about your business

Marketing is not something you just jump into, however. It requires careful examination and evaluation. Not every method, after all, will lead to the benefits mentioned above.

When it comes to selecting the methods you use with your business, remember to keep in mind your target audience and your budget, then start narrowing the list of possibilities. You may also want to try a few of these marketing methods which have been proven effective for other home-based businesses:

Affiliate Programs

Almost all home-based businesses can work with an affiliate program. With this type of program, you recruit other people to sell your products/services and reward them with a percentage of the revenue (usually 3 to 10%).

The mechanics of these programs works like a restaurant franchise. Because your recruits are now associated with your company's name, you want to be sure that they are maintaining your standards of quality and professionalism, so many affiliate programs include ready-made web sites, sales materials, and more.

These recruits then attempt to make sales on your behalf. The benefit is that all of their marketing efforts (beyond what you provide) are not part of your business's expenses, and they have the potential to reach new segments of potential clients and customers.

Giveaways

This type of marketing is one of the most popular with all businesses and can be handled in at least two ways: free gifts with a purchase and/or contests.

You have probably come across ads or web sites that sell e-books or other products and offer a number of free gifts with the purchase of the product. The lure of freebies helps people make the decision to purchase. You can do the same thing with your product or service. Keep in mind that whatever you offer as a free gift should be inexpensive to produce so that you don't lose money on the deal.

Contests can also be quite effective if done creatively. For example, if your business was selling

e-books, you could hold a contest with the grand prize being a free copy of one of your top-selling e-books.

But what about second place? Many people don't realize that there's no rule or law against giving a prize to every person who enters your contest so why not reward all of the other people who entered with a significant discount on the price of that same e-book? Many of those second place winners will take the discount and make a purchase.

Search Engine Optimization

If you do any business online, an important part of your marketing efforts should be search engine optimization or SEO. SEO essentially means that you tweak your site so that it appears near the top of search engine results for certain keywords.

Generally this involves repeating those keywords frequently and placing keywords in headlines, meta tags, and introductory paragraphs. While it may sound easy, most businesses turn their SEO efforts over to professionals. If bringing an expert in fits your marketing budget, you may want to enlist their assistance.

Referral Reward Programs

Another type of program aimed at bringing people to your site is a type of referral reward program. During the Internet boom, many sites had these type of programs which paid a few cents for each person who visited a site from a link listed at your site or through some other means.

Now, however, they simply are not as popular, but they can still be beneficial. Instead of offering a cash reward, allow your customers to earn your products/services by referring new business to you.

For example, you may want to offer a free e-book to customers who refer five new customers to your site. These new customers may have to make a purchase, join the referral reward program, become a member, or sign up for the newsletter. People will do a great deal if the reward is right.

Whether you elect to use one of these marketing methods or choose one of your own, the key is to test its effectiveness. Try it out for awhile and see if the results are satisfactory. If not, return to the drawing board. If so, then implement it on a larger scale. With careful planning and testing, your business will experience the benefits of marketing firsthand. Vishal P. Rao is the owner of http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com - One of Internet's leading website dedicated to starting, managing and marketing a home based business.

Recommend: http://earn-2.com/

I want to work at home and earn online. What is there to learn?

This is what beginners must be wondering about… “What is there to learn?” All the websites out there are talking about making money online,
from comforts of one’s home: http://earn-2.com/ They also mention that anybody can do it. A housewife, a retired, senior citizen, new mother, student anybody - and everyone has an equal to survive and succeed. “What is there to learn after all?”

The websites also say, you don’t need money, experience or qualification to start a home business. All you need is a computer at home and internet access. Okay, I have a computer and access to internet. Now, what does it take? What do I need to learn?

Well, one step at a time. There are many kinds of jobs or business’ you can do from home. You can join a program that will send you surveys and you will be paid to answer each one of these. See? It fits the bill. To take online surveys all you need is a computer and internet access. And everyone has an equal chance to survive and succeed.

Likewise you can buy a domain name, build a site of your own, (like I do) sell various products on it. When people buy from your site, you get your commissions. In this kind of home business you need to learn the techniques to move your website up the search engine. The techniques are available online. Free of cost. Techniques such as having tightly themed, relevant content on your site, optimizing, exchanging links, writing articles, attending and contributing in forums, placing press-releases.. and so on. They are simple step

by step techniques that you pick up as you move ahead.
The home business website takes time to pick up. It also takes a while for you to get a proper hang of things. The learning is an ongoing process. Everyday something is upgraded. Every visit of google leaves footprints behind. You may have a question that needs immediate answering and you can get it answered right away.. You just have to know which word to type in the search engine to get what you want. And your query will be answered right there.

If you have understood what I mean then, I can make it simpler for you. See, you have a website about home business and someone is looking for home business. When he/she types home business in the search engine, your site has to show within the first 5-10 options. This means you are high up in the search engine. And to reach here, is the name of the game! This is what is there to learn. How to position your site high up in the search engines for particular keywords (e.g make money online, work at home, home business etc).

Once your site reaches here, you have to put in efforts to stay there. Even Julia Roberts and Tom Cruise have to make an effort to stay at the top, who are we?
About the Author
The author is Purva Mewar
webmaster of Work at Home Based Business websites, www.yesearnfromhome.com and www.work-at-home-earn-extra-income.com

The Empowerment of Owning Your Own Home

Purchasing a home is one of the most powerful and terrifying events of a person’s life. It is a challenge, but once this challenge is met with strategic planning, knowledge and excitement it becomes an investment. One that will change your financial future and bring more return than you ever imagined. The first step is finding a real estate agent with integrity and experience. The perfect agent will be one who fosters trust, believes in buyer education and offers emotional support. Over time seasoned buyers come to view these agents as partners in locating and analyzing the best investments available.

Don’t Be Afraid of Cold Feet

A first time buyer should expect to feel an initial wave of buyer’s remorse. There is always a moment of panic or doubt right after the first offer is made. Don’t hesitate to ask your real estate agent questions and to communicate your fears. The agent is there to explain each step of the transaction and to interpret local and state laws. Remember that buying a home is a long-term investment. Most properties increase in value and if the purchase is planned well you will have more money in the end. Let the real estate agent know your plans for the future. Is there a chance you will rent the property later? Do you plan to live in the house for less than five years or more than ten? Think clearly and consider all the possibilities. If you are buying an older home be realistic. Prepare for repairs and hard work. Expect to make changes and improvements that will increase the return on your investment.

Building a Foundation For a Better Life

The benefits of ownership can change the financial profitability and personal outlook of one’s life. The power of purchasing property creates a refreshed sense of security and freedom. The tangible pay

off of seeing your money in action creates confidence and pride. Renting takes only the present moment into account, buying allows you to invest in your own future. Unlike unpredictable rental fees, mortgage payments are stable or increase gradually. A mortgage payment increases your credit score and opens doors to other investment opportunities. A successful purchase allows you to personalize your living space, which gives you the motivation to stay on top of your investments. Take a look at your neighborhood and become more inspired, more proactive. Build the perfect atmosphere and home and look forward to an even more exciting return on your investment.

Tax Incentives Make Buying The Better Choice

Buying a home allows you to build equity and have huge tax breaks. Mortgage interest and annual local and state property taxes are deductible. Since the first few years of mortgage payments are mainly interest, and therefore deductible, the savings is amazing. Up to $100, 000 interest on home equity loans can also be deducted. Loans and interest on loans used to improve a home with the intention of renting can be deducted, as well as, mortgage interest on second homes if you rent them. Capital improvements made to increase the value of a home can be recorded and reduce the capital gains. To explore all of the tax advantages of purchasing and owning a home remember to consult a professional in your area. The joy and accomplishment of ownership are waiting for you!

About the Author
Elaine VonCannon is a REALTOR with RE/Max Capital in Williamsburg, Virginia, and she manages investment property as part of her business. Elaine is also an Accredited Buyer's Representative as well as a Senior Real Estate Specialist. She has helped numerous clients invest in and make money on property in Southeastern Virginia.