When the 4fabmoms started on their internet quest, we tried to find inexpensive options for website hosting. We began with 1&1 and have built a quality site with the free software provided by the company. We did a few extras like create our own header, but other than that, it was a point and click operation, much like writing in a word processor. It is also affordable. Check out our work at home mom site we built with 1&1.
The downfall of 1&1 is that it does not teach you how to optimize your site. You can but together a great looking site that may not get any traffic. We then looked into SBI, Site Build It. Even though it was a higher up front cost, 4fabmoms Rebekah already has over 70 visitors per day to her preschool activities site that is only a few months old. That is quite impressive. SBI teaches you how to brainstorm a profitable topic, place your keywords, and monetize your site. You cannot go wrong when they offer a second site for $100/year. Do not be bothered by the cost per year from SBI... take it from the 4fabmoms and do it first. You site will have great optimization and get great traffic.
To make money online, choose a quality web hosting company. Do not go with a free hosting service. Invest the money in your business that needs to be invested. You need traffic to convert to sales. SBI can teach you to create a quality site that gets traffic.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Selling on eBay: My Story
Perhaps I am one of the remaining few who have never sold an item on eBay, however, I feel I am not alone! For months my husband has been encouraging me to sell some "junk" around the house and I have simply put it off. To be honest, eBay was a foreign language to me. Something that would require time and energy to learn and I wasn't ready for one more thing on my plate!
But then...my partners sent out a challenge for everyone to clear out their closets and sell things on eBay. The reward wasn't big ($15 gift card to Starbucks!) but it was enough of an incentive to get me going! I have been selling for a mere two weeks and already during that time I have learned a lot! Following are some of my thoughts and tips for anyone thinking about selling on eBay!
1. You may be surprised what will sell! My first items up for auction were some real estate trainings cassettes. Although it was great material, I simply didn't have use for it anymore and was planning to through them away until I checked eBay. My potential roadside heap turned into nearly $450 worth of sales! Not to shabby!
2. eBay takes time, but it's not hard. I have found the process to be fairly easy, but just a little time consuming. I am the type that wants to get everything right...the wording, the price, the picture, etc. So, I have to admit that I have spent some time researching sales and current listings. The only other time consuming task is putting in the information. Other than that, it's been a breeze.
3. If you have a PayPal account (and you should have an account...it's free!) you can actually purchase and print a label with stamp included right from your PayPal account! And you can order for the package to be picked up from your doorstep...online! Within in a matter of minutes I have been able to print labels and schedule a pick-up which is so convenient. And the other nice part is that the USPS even offers free Priority Mail and Flat Rate Mail eBay boxes. You can order these online as well and they are delivered to you, making the process even easier!
4. One of the major things I have learned is to weigh your packages and determine shipping prior to listing. Some of my auctions have been very close on the shipping price and personally, it's a little too close for comfort. I am selling to come out ahead and so I have learned to be extra careful on this aspect!
If you are looking for ways to make money at home, eBay is truly a wonderful option! The best part is that you can start by cleaning out your house, which has been a very rewarding process for me...in more ways than one!
RESOURCES:
In addition to checking closed auctions on eBay, trying www.terapeak.com This site was recommended to me because it gives more information about the sale trends of an item.
Also, if you're looking for support in selling and would like to network with other friendly and helpful women, visit http://ebaycoach.freeforums.org
This is an excellent forum where you can ask questions and get helpful and quick responses!
To your success!
But then...my partners sent out a challenge for everyone to clear out their closets and sell things on eBay. The reward wasn't big ($15 gift card to Starbucks!) but it was enough of an incentive to get me going! I have been selling for a mere two weeks and already during that time I have learned a lot! Following are some of my thoughts and tips for anyone thinking about selling on eBay!
1. You may be surprised what will sell! My first items up for auction were some real estate trainings cassettes. Although it was great material, I simply didn't have use for it anymore and was planning to through them away until I checked eBay. My potential roadside heap turned into nearly $450 worth of sales! Not to shabby!
2. eBay takes time, but it's not hard. I have found the process to be fairly easy, but just a little time consuming. I am the type that wants to get everything right...the wording, the price, the picture, etc. So, I have to admit that I have spent some time researching sales and current listings. The only other time consuming task is putting in the information. Other than that, it's been a breeze.
3. If you have a PayPal account (and you should have an account...it's free!) you can actually purchase and print a label with stamp included right from your PayPal account! And you can order for the package to be picked up from your doorstep...online! Within in a matter of minutes I have been able to print labels and schedule a pick-up which is so convenient. And the other nice part is that the USPS even offers free Priority Mail and Flat Rate Mail eBay boxes. You can order these online as well and they are delivered to you, making the process even easier!
4. One of the major things I have learned is to weigh your packages and determine shipping prior to listing. Some of my auctions have been very close on the shipping price and personally, it's a little too close for comfort. I am selling to come out ahead and so I have learned to be extra careful on this aspect!
If you are looking for ways to make money at home, eBay is truly a wonderful option! The best part is that you can start by cleaning out your house, which has been a very rewarding process for me...in more ways than one!
RESOURCES:
In addition to checking closed auctions on eBay, trying www.terapeak.com This site was recommended to me because it gives more information about the sale trends of an item.
Also, if you're looking for support in selling and would like to network with other friendly and helpful women, visit http://ebaycoach.freeforums.org
This is an excellent forum where you can ask questions and get helpful and quick responses!
To your success!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Selling On eBay – Where do I start?
Today I have a guest blogger, the eBay Selling Coach, Suzanne Wells. I have asked Suzanne to share some insights about selling and making money with eBay.
As an eBay Consultant, one question I get from a lot of people is, "How do I even start on eBay?"
First of all, start small. Set up an eBay account and buy a few things to learn the process and get a feel for how eBay works. eBay and working at home is not for everyone. And it is ok if it isn’t right for you. Sell some of your own things before you invest any money in other products to sell. Understand that eBay is more than taking pictures and working on the computer – you need to be familiar with how to edit photos, shipping, customer service, and Paypal. Take your time and learn about these things before you jump in and go for it full-time.
You can look for items to sell at thrift stores, garage sales, off-price stores like TJ Maxx and Ross, member’s clubs like Sam’s and Costco, salvage stores, flea markets, and consignment stores. To find out what an item sells for on eBay, do an advanced search for completed items matching the key words of your item. You will get a list of all the listings that have ended with those key words in the last 30 days. You can use that information to make educated decisions about pricing or if you even want to pursue selling a particular item.
Once you are comfortable with the whole process, don’t be afraid to take a risk every now and then. I am often asked, “But what if you buy an item and it doesn’t sell?” Well, that’s ok. You can always relist it. You can mark it down and sell it for what you paid for it and move on. You don’t want to buy a truckload of 1,000 items without having tested them out first, but you do want to experiment with different products – you may find something profitable to sell on a regular basis.
Make small investments and try new products to test them out and see what kind of results you’ll get. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new products and try new things. eBay is constantly evolving and no trend will last forever. Experience is the best teacher.
Read blogs, article sites, and eBooks on eBay selling. Be careful not to get duped into buying "Get Rich on eBay" kits. As a power seller with over 4 years experience, and 13,000 sales, I am here to tell you that you aren't going to get rich selling on eBay, very few actually do. I will tell you that eBay selling is fun, profitable, and a convenient way to make money from home. eBay is just like any other entrepreneurial adventure - it takes time, patience, dedication, and hard work.
Suzanne Wells is an eBay Power Seller, author of "The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide to Successful eBay Selling," eBay Consultant, and mom of 2 in Atlanta, GA. You can visit her blog at http://www.ebaysellingcoach.blogspot.com/ for more eBay selling resources and tips, and join her free eBay discussion forum at http://ebaycoach.freeforums.org/
As an eBay Consultant, one question I get from a lot of people is, "How do I even start on eBay?"
First of all, start small. Set up an eBay account and buy a few things to learn the process and get a feel for how eBay works. eBay and working at home is not for everyone. And it is ok if it isn’t right for you. Sell some of your own things before you invest any money in other products to sell. Understand that eBay is more than taking pictures and working on the computer – you need to be familiar with how to edit photos, shipping, customer service, and Paypal. Take your time and learn about these things before you jump in and go for it full-time.
You can look for items to sell at thrift stores, garage sales, off-price stores like TJ Maxx and Ross, member’s clubs like Sam’s and Costco, salvage stores, flea markets, and consignment stores. To find out what an item sells for on eBay, do an advanced search for completed items matching the key words of your item. You will get a list of all the listings that have ended with those key words in the last 30 days. You can use that information to make educated decisions about pricing or if you even want to pursue selling a particular item.
Once you are comfortable with the whole process, don’t be afraid to take a risk every now and then. I am often asked, “But what if you buy an item and it doesn’t sell?” Well, that’s ok. You can always relist it. You can mark it down and sell it for what you paid for it and move on. You don’t want to buy a truckload of 1,000 items without having tested them out first, but you do want to experiment with different products – you may find something profitable to sell on a regular basis.
Make small investments and try new products to test them out and see what kind of results you’ll get. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new products and try new things. eBay is constantly evolving and no trend will last forever. Experience is the best teacher.
Read blogs, article sites, and eBooks on eBay selling. Be careful not to get duped into buying "Get Rich on eBay" kits. As a power seller with over 4 years experience, and 13,000 sales, I am here to tell you that you aren't going to get rich selling on eBay, very few actually do. I will tell you that eBay selling is fun, profitable, and a convenient way to make money from home. eBay is just like any other entrepreneurial adventure - it takes time, patience, dedication, and hard work.
Suzanne Wells is an eBay Power Seller, author of "The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide to Successful eBay Selling," eBay Consultant, and mom of 2 in Atlanta, GA. You can visit her blog at http://www.ebaysellingcoach.blogspot.com/ for more eBay selling resources and tips, and join her free eBay discussion forum at http://ebaycoach.freeforums.org/
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Get A Blog
One of the easiest ways to start making money from home is to start a blog. Before March, I did not have any idea about blogs- I had not even read anybody's blog. Now I regularly write on many blogs, including the 4fabmoms, and read many others.
You do not have to have a business to have a blog. You do not have to have a business to make money from a blog. Using Google Adsense (a free service by google) and getting a free blog from Blogger (like this one, from Goggle) you can set up an online weblog about anything. You can also add in affiliate marketing ideas and make even more money. A blog can be one more stream of income. And best of all, it is free!
Here are some great ideas from some of the blogs I read often:
A Mom Blog
A Child's Blog
A Dog Blog
A Homeschooling Mom Blog
A Preschool Activity Blog
The easiest way to start your blog is to jump right in. It may feel weird, but it becomes addictive and fun. If you are considering other home based business ideas, you should still have a blog. The owner of the Preschool Activities Blog, Rebekah, started her blog as she was working on her website. Now she has readers of her blog that also go to her website. And traffic is the key!
For more helpful tips, listen to the Smart Moms Professional Series on blogging by Suzanne Wells. You will be inspired and willing to jump in to a blogger's world!
You do not have to have a business to have a blog. You do not have to have a business to make money from a blog. Using Google Adsense (a free service by google) and getting a free blog from Blogger (like this one, from Goggle) you can set up an online weblog about anything. You can also add in affiliate marketing ideas and make even more money. A blog can be one more stream of income. And best of all, it is free!
Here are some great ideas from some of the blogs I read often:
A Mom Blog
A Child's Blog
A Dog Blog
A Homeschooling Mom Blog
A Preschool Activity Blog
The easiest way to start your blog is to jump right in. It may feel weird, but it becomes addictive and fun. If you are considering other home based business ideas, you should still have a blog. The owner of the Preschool Activities Blog, Rebekah, started her blog as she was working on her website. Now she has readers of her blog that also go to her website. And traffic is the key!
For more helpful tips, listen to the Smart Moms Professional Series on blogging by Suzanne Wells. You will be inspired and willing to jump in to a blogger's world!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Affiliate Marketing
Have you ever visited a blog or a personal website and noticed the owner recommending a particular product or gadget? If you have clicked on the link, more than likely it takes you to another site where you have an opportunity to purchase said product.
What you may not realize is that if you purchase, more than likely, the owner of the site has an affiliate account with that company. Meaning, every time someone buys the product, the site owner makes a small commission. And when I say small, it is typically a % based on the sale item.
Affiliate marketing has caught on like wildfire and tons of companies have taken notice and now offer affiliate programs. If you visit some of your favorite stores online, look for their affiliate link. And if you have a blog or website, spend some time investigating various affiliate programs. If you use a product and really like it, why not feature it on your site and make money if someone buys it?
Note sure what to feature, try out these affiliates!
What you may not realize is that if you purchase, more than likely, the owner of the site has an affiliate account with that company. Meaning, every time someone buys the product, the site owner makes a small commission. And when I say small, it is typically a % based on the sale item.
Affiliate marketing has caught on like wildfire and tons of companies have taken notice and now offer affiliate programs. If you visit some of your favorite stores online, look for their affiliate link. And if you have a blog or website, spend some time investigating various affiliate programs. If you use a product and really like it, why not feature it on your site and make money if someone buys it?
Note sure what to feature, try out these affiliates!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Host Your Own Talk Show
My friend and Smart Mom Rebekah and I have started hosting our own "talk show." We are using Talk Shoe to host a weekly call on Jack Canfield's The Success Principles.
First, we love The Success Principles. We began reading it in the fall and jumped right into doing the activities and exercises Canfield recommends. He gives real life examples and real life application to the principles that lead him to his success.
Second, we love to talk. And why not talk and get paid for it. It will not make us millions to begin with, but it is a small amount of money to do something that could only bring more traffic to your website.
Talk Shoe is a free hosting company for audio recordings. You only need a phone and a computer. We set up the free broadcast, call in on our scheduled time, and talk. People can call in, listen from their computer, or listen to the recorded call. Our recorded calls are right here on this site- every time someone listens, you make a little more money.
Talk Shoe is also an affiliate- anyone who signs up through our link also earns us a little money. It continues with each show you broadcast and each person you refer to Talk Shoe.
A simple way to make money from home, host your own talk show and any topic, have it available from your website or blog, and refer others to this great free service.
First, we love The Success Principles. We began reading it in the fall and jumped right into doing the activities and exercises Canfield recommends. He gives real life examples and real life application to the principles that lead him to his success.
Second, we love to talk. And why not talk and get paid for it. It will not make us millions to begin with, but it is a small amount of money to do something that could only bring more traffic to your website.
Talk Shoe is a free hosting company for audio recordings. You only need a phone and a computer. We set up the free broadcast, call in on our scheduled time, and talk. People can call in, listen from their computer, or listen to the recorded call. Our recorded calls are right here on this site- every time someone listens, you make a little more money.
Talk Shoe is also an affiliate- anyone who signs up through our link also earns us a little money. It continues with each show you broadcast and each person you refer to Talk Shoe.
A simple way to make money from home, host your own talk show and any topic, have it available from your website or blog, and refer others to this great free service.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Blog Tipping
I was blog tipped by the 4FabMoms and I am excited to join in on blog tipping!
Blog tipping Definition: Blog tipping is where you publish a blog post in which you link to three unsuspecting blogs and offer three compliments and/or one helpful tip to each blogger. (Or adapt those numbers to your own preferences; the principle of selflessness is what matters most here.) Blog tipping is a refreshing and useful surprise that can start a blogger’s month with a huge smile!
Here are my 3 pics for August! Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have!
The Amazing Shrinking Mom ~ I found this blog to be very inspirational, witty and helpful. Since I am also on a (two year) weight loss journey, I could identify with most of her posts, plus it's nice knowing I am not alone on my journey! Way to go Amazing Shrinking Mom!
Fast Times @ Homeschool High (http://fasttimes.clubmom.com/) ~ I was eager to read this blog since I am a former homeschool student and a fellow Floridian! In reading Denise's posts, it's evident of her dedication and love for her daughter! It's great to know that homeschooling is thriving!
Trish the Dish ~ I really enjoyed reading this blog. I could really relate to Trish's entries about being a stay at home mom. Some of her posts made me smile and others made me laugh! I also enjoyed viewing the beautiful pics of her girls!
Blog tipping Definition: Blog tipping is where you publish a blog post in which you link to three unsuspecting blogs and offer three compliments and/or one helpful tip to each blogger. (Or adapt those numbers to your own preferences; the principle of selflessness is what matters most here.) Blog tipping is a refreshing and useful surprise that can start a blogger’s month with a huge smile!
Here are my 3 pics for August! Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have!
The Amazing Shrinking Mom ~ I found this blog to be very inspirational, witty and helpful. Since I am also on a (two year) weight loss journey, I could identify with most of her posts, plus it's nice knowing I am not alone on my journey! Way to go Amazing Shrinking Mom!
Fast Times @ Homeschool High (http://fasttimes.clubmom.com/) ~ I was eager to read this blog since I am a former homeschool student and a fellow Floridian! In reading Denise's posts, it's evident of her dedication and love for her daughter! It's great to know that homeschooling is thriving!
Trish the Dish ~ I really enjoyed reading this blog. I could really relate to Trish's entries about being a stay at home mom. Some of her posts made me smile and others made me laugh! I also enjoyed viewing the beautiful pics of her girls!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
