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22 Ways to Earn Extra Money

22 Ways to Earn Extra Money

There are many reasons to take on extra side jobs. Sometimes we need to make extra money because we want to save up for something, or simply have extra spending money. Sometimes it’s just for the pure enjoyment of working on a job we love. And for some, it’s to test the waters and see if we have the entrepreneur “chops.” For many it’s most likely a combination of reasons.

Whatever your reasons, here are some ideas to make extra income:

  1. Pet sitting/walker
  2. Pet grooming
  3. Lawn mowing/ Lawn maintenance
  4. House or Business cleaning
  5. Selling homemade goods on a site like Etsy
  6. Kids party organizer
  7. Childcare
  8. Senior care
  9. Personal baker
  10. Personal cook
  11. Personal spa treatments
  12. Substitute teacher
  13. Tutor
  14. Specialized skill services – like teaching a foreign language, sewing, teaching music, etc.
  15. Local delivery service
  16. Personal car washer/detailer
  17. Sell baked goods
  18. Personal chauffeur
  19. Garage sales
  20. Handy fix-it person
  21. Painter
  22. Direct sales opportunities (this can be part time or full time, depending on how much money you want to make)

You might even want to partner with your older kids. It’s a great life lesson, and a great way to teach finances, goal setting and math in a practical application.

Do you have other ideas to generate extra income? Do you use life experiences to teach your children about finances and math concepts? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments

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Feeling Stuck? Tips to Get Yourself Moving

Feeling Stuck? Tips to Get Yourself Moving

Call to action!

There are times when you just don’t want to do something, or you feel it’s too overwhelming to even begin. Here’s a process that can call you to action!

  1. Write down your goal and post it somewhere you will see it. Include how it will make you feel when you achieve your goal.
  2. Create a simple and easy work mantra – for example “One more step to get ahead!” Saying your mantra as you work will help cancel any negative thoughts as you work through your task.
  3. Ask yourself, what would get you moving? It might be turning on some loud music, posting motivating quotes around your work area, turning on all the lights to make your work area brightly lit, using motivation tapes, setting a loud timer, and/or asking a friend to be your accountability partner.
  4. Break it down to smaller tasks, and if it’s an extremely large goal, break it down by time. For example:
    • 5 minutes to finish the first step
    • 10 minutes to finish the second step
    • 15 minutes to finish the third step
    Consider how you break down the time. Make sure it’s appropriate to complete the task.
  5. Give yourself small rewards in between completing several steps toward your ultimate goal.
  6. Change location. If you can’t work at home, then go to the library or to the park.
  7. Be positive, use positive words and never beat yourself up.
  8. Keep going. If you get off schedule, just dust yourself off and start where you left off.

Life is like a river. Your action is like a boat and paddle. Use it to get to where you want to go, or you may end up going nowhere.

How do you get yourself motivated? How do you get through difficult tasks? Would love to read your tips and advice in the comments.

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How Can Partnerships Grow Your Business?

How Can Partnerships Grow Your Business?

Have you ever considered forming partnerships to grow your business? They can be powerful!

How does entering a partnership help grow your business? Imagine, your local health food store partnering with your local gym, a make-up artist with a wedding dress store, a caterer with a cookware store and an interior decorator with a real estate agency. Imagine the possibilities for your business! And if you’re a new business, what an effective way to promote and build your new business.

Entering partnerships to grow your business

The benefits of partnering with another business:

  • Increase your customer base quickly.
  • Increase word of mouth and exposure in less time.
  • Share business expenses.
  • Provide greater value to your customers.
  • Increase expertise and knowledge.

Here’s your checklist before entering into partnership:

  • Find someone local to partner with.
  • Be completely objective in picking the right partner. (Don’t just pick your friends…be sure it’s a good match for your business.)
  • Find a partner with complementary products or services and not a competitor – for example a shoe store with a clothing store, a vitamin distributor with a health club, or a chocolatier with a wine shop.
  • Know what you want from the partnership, and set goals that you want as outcomes.
  • Write everything down. Clearly state expectations and responsibilities, and consider drawing up a contract.
  • Anticipate and discuss all the challenges and problems before partnering.
  • Start with a single project before doing more together or becoming long term partners.

So if your business is slowing down or needs an injection of new mojo, a partnership might be in your horizon. Follow these tips and make your new partnership a success!

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The Power of a Plan and 30 Days

The Power of a Plan and 30 Days

There are shelves and shelves of books written to help people succeed. Countless speakers from every persuasion that will show you the “secret to success” and coaches will make sure you get there! Many of them are legitimate. But even with all the help, you will have to do the work yourself to make it happen.

So are you ready to get started? Here are some basic steps, without the bells and whistles, to reaching your goal, along with a plan to help you reach a goal in 30 days.

Step 1 – What do you want or don’t want? Answering this question establishes your goal, either to achieve something or to avoid something. Write it down!

Step 2 – Identify and write down the joy you will feel when you achieve what you want, and identify the pain of not achieving it. This is your why and purpose. Make your why statement part of your business mission.

Step 3 – Take a break and watch this video clip about the possibilities in 30 days!

Matt Cutts: Try something new for 30 days – http://ow.ly/6nRw1

Step 4 – Start today. Break down your goal into 30 days. Write down at least one step necessary to achieving your goal every day. If your plan requires more than 30 days to accomplish it, then start with the first 30 days, and then keep going until you achieve your goal. Give yourself from 5am until midnight (or whatever your schedule is) to accomplish your task(s) every day. This is your plan.

Step 5 – Include time to savor your journey and think about your experiences.

This simple process will create change and help you build momentum! You can do it! Remind yourself why every day.

How do you create the discipline necessary to achieve your goals? What would you add to this list? We’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

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Tips for Maintaining Work Life Balance

Tips for Maintaining Work Life Balance

Small business owners typically work a lot. It seems there is never enough time or hands to get everything done, and as the owner of your empire, it’s up to you to make sure things get accomplished.

Yet part of the reason a lot of people go into business for themselves is so they can have more time to focus on the things that are important to them…things like family, travel, and other lifestyle choices that make life meaningful.

Can you have both? Can you enjoy a fulfilling business while also focusing on what’s important? Sure you can! But it takes both planning and mindset to successfully achieve your business goals while enjoying the life balance you strive for.

Here are some tips for making it happen.

  1. Write your goals down. Make sure that all the tasks you’re working on are helping you reach those goals. If not, re-evaluate the task. Is it worth the time, or would you be better served doing something else?
  2. Make sure your goals are realistic. You probably won’t earn a million dollars in a month. Take a look at what others with similar businesses have earned, and set similar goals. It will help you stay on track, without getting discouraged.
  3. Your planner is your best friend. Put in the things you want to do for your family, as well as your work priorities. This way you won’t waste time trying to figure out what to do next. Everything is scheduled, and you’ll get things done while also giving yourself time to focus on all the priorities in your life.
  4. Have work hours. Your family life will run a lot more smoothly if there is a routine built in. So have regular office hours when everyone understands you’ll be working, as well as times when you’re “off the clock” and are free to give your full attention to other things.
  5. Realize that there will be times you’ll need to change your plans. Yes, your schedule is the ideal, but of course emergencies happen. So do your best to stick to your schedule, but also have enough flexibility to change direction when necessary. (And build some cushion into your schedule so that you can redirect when necessary.)
  6. Forgive yourself. If you miss a concert or a ball game, there will be others. You’ll waste a lot of time and energy beating yourself up over something you can’t control. Better just to get what you need to done, and then give 100% of yourself the next time you can be there. Your child won’t be scarred forever if you miss something, and neither will you.
  7. Involve your family. Make sure your kids understand that your work is important, and how the money you’re earning affects what they want to do. Also invite them to participate in your business where they can. They can file, help you load the car, and plan the schedule. By involving them, they get a better idea of all you have to do, and you’ll also teach important life lessons about working hard and achieving your goals.
  8. Plan time away. Sure, work is important. But so is family, and it’s important to give yourself some distance as well, so you can come back refreshed. So plan times when you DON’T work. Even if it’s just a staycation. Just make sure there are blocks of time when you focus on priorities besides work. It will do wonders for you.

By planning ahead, you will be much better able to balance work with the rest of your life, and enjoy every part of your life more.

What tips would you give for helping people achieve work and life balance? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments!

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

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How to Promote Your Business Through Word of Mouth

How to Promote Your Business Through Word of Mouth

The best and most effective way to promote your business is through word of mouth. Isn’t it good to know that the best way to promote your business is also the least expensive?

Here are some tips for promoting your business by word of mouth

  1. Join a local event, get your business in the local media and get people talking positively about your business.
  2. Use social networks to connect with your customers, engage in conversations, use it to provide better customer service, and build relationships and buzz.
  3. Make each interaction with your business a memorable one, and you’ll make your business memorable. Follow up with a thank you call or card. Offer a free branded gift and other memorable services.
  4. Offer your customers an opportunity to comment, or take a poll and act upon their suggestions to create buzz.
  5. Ask loyal customers and local influencers to refer your business to others and give them a reward for it.
  6. Treat your customers like VIPs and share their testimonials wherever you can.
  7. Offer customized/personalized customer service to create a buzz.
  8. Ask for reviews from loyal customers and local influencers.
  9. Once in a while, surprise your customers with extras and tell them to share it with others. Give them a discount that they can share with another to help bring new customers.
  10. Start a campaign to help others in your community and create an online forum to encourage conversation and positive word of mouth.
  11. Become the town “know it all.” Post and host on your site interesting facts about your town and residents to encourage conversations.
  12. Offer contests, start trends and other promotions to generate buzz and build brand recognition.

Be creative and have fun with this. Word of mouth news will spread if it’s fun and helpful!

How are you generating word of mouth for your business? Start here! In the comments, share with us what makes your business unique and great!

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Tips for Building Your Local Market

Tips for Building Your Local Market

In a down economy your local market becomes critical to your business success. Your local market is where most of your loyal customers come from, and establishing a strong local market foundation allows your business to grow outwards.

Here are some tips to build your local market:

  1. Join your local chambers of commerce and every community group you can to network.
  2. Reach out to your local newspaper and local media outlet and offer story ideas.
  3. Become your town’s know it all and resource person. (One local business person used this idea to create a spreadsheet that got mailed around with everyone’s teacher assignments in town.)
  4. Create referral and loyalty incentive programs.
  5. Use cause related marketing and sponsor local events and causes for exposure.
  6. Offer to be a speaker or teach a class related to your business. For example, if you sell home decorating products, offer to speak about home decorating.
  7. Partner with other local businesses to promote each other’s businesses.
  8. Create a Facebook page and post current events, coupons, and information about other businesses in your town as a free community service site.
  9. Connect and network with people who live locally on social networks.
  10. Get testimonials from locals and use them to become your “celebrity” spokespeople.
  11. Make sure your business comes up on local search engines and directories.
  12. Make each interaction memorable. Turn your car into a moving billboard, give out magnetic business cards with a free branded pen, distribute T-shirts with your business name and logo, and most importantly become known for incredible customer service that generates praise.

Using these tips will help you create a sustainable business relying on a whole town of loyal customers that will weather any economic storm.

So how are you connecting to your local market?

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How to Keep Your Team Motivated

How to Keep Your Team Motivated

While many businesses these days are focused on sales and cutbacks, smart business owners know that without good people, you’re not going to make your sales goals or run efficiently. Attracting and retaining quality team members takes work, and the most successful businesses spend time focusing on this.

So how do you do it? Here are some ways to keep your team focused and motivated, and bring out their best:

  1. Develop relationships with your team. Find out what they care about and what motivates them by spending time talking to each team member individually.
  2. Let your team know that their input, feedback, and suggestions are important to you, and put a system in place for exchanging ideas.
  3. Schedule formal meetings as well as social interactions like in a book club or bowling team, or just have coffee together.
  4. Connect on social networks and have a team group online to improve communication.
  5. Recognize and praise positive actions and excellences publicly. Have your team develop a excellence chart and display it publicly.
  6. Develop team incentives and rewards. Money is not always a motivator, and that’s why it’s important to learn what motivates each team member. Consider team incentives that everyone achieves as a group, as well as individual incentives.
  7. Promote personal and business development. Organize and implement ongoing training, motivational products, and highlight great team members and improvements.
  8. Be a coach, be proactive, be the first to lend a helping hand, praise, give advice and most of all be supportive.
  9. Lead and model what you preach.

Instead of simply focusing on sales numbers, find out what motivates your team. You’ll find that your sales numbers will go up because you’re surrounded by people who are invested in your business success!

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Tips for Maximizing your Warm Market List

Tips for Maximizing your Warm Market List

Any kind of business requires relationship building. Those who have great social and communication skills are a step ahead. But for most of us it’s trial and error before we develop those skills. Here are a few tips to make it easier.

  • Once you’ve made your warm market list and written down everyone you know, create another list of people you think are using the type of products/services you will be selling. Then compile a final and most likely list. These are all the people you think will purchase from you immediately and support your new business.
  • Invite the people on your “mostly likely” list to a small party or BBQ. At the gathering, announce your new business. Make it social…don’t try to sell anything yet. Just ask to make appointments to meet with them individually to talk about the new business.
  • Once you begin to follow up on your appointments from your mostly likely list, seek people who are most excited about your new business and are willing to support you. These people are those most likely to do business with you, and send you their referrals.
  • Provide your most excited people with excellent customer service consistently and they will likely be your loyal customers and repeat customers.
  • Start to connect with all the people on your warm market list on Facebook or other social networks to begin the process of building relationships.
  • Meanwhile, also call the rest of your list and ask to meet with people for coffee or breakfast to discuss your new venture.
  • Always keep your appointments social, friendly and pressure free. Ask about them first, and discover needs that your products/services may meet. Then share how your products/services help people solve their problems. So even if they aren’t interested for themselves they will see the benefits and may still give you a referral or two. Ask them to put in a good word for you to their referrals.
  • As you build your social network online, offer solutions with your products/services that solve the problems of your friends. Share tips/useable information related to your products/services without selling online. Think of social network as a subtle way to introduce your new products/services and NOT e-commerce.
  • Start going to family, friend and other social gatherings. Be social and don’t sell, but if they ask about your new business, offer to make an appointment to meet. Always have your appointment book with you, offer dates you are available and don’t leave any request for information open-ended.
  • Start getting involved with your warm market’s organizations and causes, and genuinely participate. Being with them at these events can imply you can be trusted and may help you generate face to face referrals.
  • Use the principle of quantity and many numbers. At this point you want to connect with as many people as you can through your warm market. These people are more likely to be converted because they trust you and/or your warm market referrals. Don’t rely on your salesmanship skills, rely on the numbers. This way if you get a few no’s you won’t be discouraged, because there are still a lot of people to talk to.
  • At some point you will encounter no’s from your warm market and that’s to be expected. But keep them updated with your progress. You never know why they said no in the first place: maybe wanted to see you do it first or maybe it was poor timing.

Take it a step at a time. Connect socially, develop relationships, ask for an appointment, and then ask for the sale. After the sale, follow up to make sure they’re happy with their purchase. The key to success is to go through the process, learn from your mistakes and stick with it for a while. In the end it will help you build your business skills and lead to more opportunities for success.

How do you work with your warm market? What tips would you give to someone new to this? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments!

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

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How to Grow your Small Business in a Down Economy

How to Grow your Small Business in a Down Economy

Don’t let the constant drumming bad news of our anemic economy get you down. You can still grow your business in a slow economy. While big businesses are cutting back and figuring ways to save money by sacrificing customer service, your small business can pick up their dissatisfied customers. Here are some tips to grow your small business in a down economy.

  1. Maintain a positive and growth attitude
  2. Revise your business plan for the new reality
  3. Be more proactive and flexible
  4. Become more organized and disciplined
  5. Focus on your local market, but think globally for growth
  6. Be more involved in your community to take advantage of the increased exposure
  7. Get social – use social media to promote your business by word of mouth and provide even better customer service
  8. Provide solutions – don’t just focus on selling products/services…use your products/services to provide solutions for your customers and potential customers
  9. Lead with innovations – market your business by promoting new incentives and products/services
  10. Focus on your loyal customers and keep them happy
  11. Provide a easy way for customers to provide feedback, and then act on it!

The key to growing your business in a down economy is satisfying your customer’s needs, providing great customer service, developing and growing a strong loyal customer base.

How are you growing your business? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments!

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