I get really nice professional looking emails like this every day…so I finally checked into it - and here’s what I found:

For $39.95, I received a book about AFFILIATE MARKETING! I know, I know,  I can hear you asking what affiliate marketing has to do with processing rebates……..and in reality…….it’s a very creative concept and in fact is one used by a number of very successful affiliate marketers - BUT the way it’s being marketed is pretty deceptive as far as I am concerned.

Here’s how it works: you sign up for an affiliate program, and advertise the product through the usual methods (pay per click, article marketing, forums etc) and offer the buyer a ‘rebate’ - out of your commission - if they buy the product through your affiliate link. You just tell them to send you their receipt and you will send the ‘rebate’ to their PayPal address.

Now the truth is - this IS a very effective marketing tool, but you also have to be very careful. You want to make sure that if you rebate any money, that you only do so AFTER the refund period has passed - otherwise you could actually wind up losing money.

And of course, you need to know something about affiliate marketing.

So, while this is very deceptive advertising - the actual method is used by many, many successful affiliate marketers - and in fact, COULD make you a decent income - but it does require more knowledge and more effort than the ads would lead you to believe……but then that is pretty much the case with just about any worthwhile business venture!

1) Do you have a hobby or special interest? If you are a crafter - could you write directions for a special project, maybe related to a specific season, event or holiday? A guide to getting started in a specific area of interest or tips to find more information on the particular topic?

2) Family recipes that everyone raves about? How about putting them together in a simple format - maybe with some pics of the finished product if you have a digital camera? 

3) There are real, legitimate sites on line that will pay you for your content! The best one to check out is AssociatedContent.com. Do NOT pay to join any site that claims they will pay you for your articles - because they won’t! Associated Content is a real, legitimate buyer of quality content

4) Start a blog - and monetize it with Pay Per Click ad options, such as Adsense or Yahoo ads. Spend some time getting the word out through the social networking sites, and watch the traffic come in - along with the revenue! But the key here is blogging on a regular basis!

5) Article marketing - this is a whole topic unto itself, which I will cover deeper in additional posts, but essentially it is the ‘art’ of using articles submitted to various sites known as ‘article directories’ to sell products. Usually, the products are Clickbank or affiliate programs, but they could also be your MLM products or your EBay items or even your own products on your own websites. Article marketing has become a very valuable and cost effective way to make money online. 

6) Good at doing research? Spend some time in forums, look at the headlines in all of those checkout counter magazines at the grocery stores - and then spend a little time online doing some research into the hot topics. People will pay well for short to the point reports on topics that can help them with their issues, problems or concerns. Again - you don’t need to be a great novelist - you just need to be able to do the research and put it all together in one brief, easy to read and (usually) inexpensive report.

So, as you can see, you DON’T need to be a world reknown author to make money as a writer online. There are lots of ways to use your skill with words or research to build your online income!

According to Melody Wigdahl, the 53 year old founder, “WomensnetOnline is a Facebook or MySpace for the self-employed woman, who is typically more concerned with making business contacts rather than building a huge ‘friends’ list. Our priorities are a bit different - and we want something that is more targeted, where we can maximize our time online with useful networking rather than filtering out the biz opp spam.”

WomensnetOnline launched in early February, and has seen the membership blossom to almost 500 members, mostly by word of mouth. The site is entirely free and offers the ability to search for potential business contacts among the membership, a variety of marketing opportunities and will be offering a wide range of free training, via teleconferences, webinars, and online video, in everything from Search Engine Optimization to Pay Per Click advertising.

“The web is a truly amazing environment in which to build a business”, says Wigdahl, “and there are so many resources available that make owning your own business a reality even if you have very limited time and funds. Our goal is to teach others where to find  these resources, and how to use them effectively, and cheaply, to build a successful business - and ultimately, a better life for themselves.”

WomensNet.Net, the core of the Womensnet Network, was founded in 1998, and is best known online for it’s Amber Grants for Women Entrepreneurs. The Amber Grants are usually awarded once a quarter. The current grant period closes March 31, 2008, and is open to any woman-owned venture, profit or non-profit.

There are no business or geographical restrictions. To apply, visit WomensNet.Net for the Amber Grant guidelines and application.

                                                          # # # # # # # 

About The WomensNet Network:

Founded in 1998, The WomensNet Network (WNN) launched with one site, WomensNet.Net. Today it encompasses more than two dozen sites, all focused on teaching people to create their own lifestyle through home based online businesses:

TheWorkAtHomeCouple.com, WorkAtHomeIdeasForWomen.com,  DadsConnect.com and many more! 

The Amber Grants for Women Entrepreneurs are awarded several times a year to deserving women entrepreneurs in loving memory of Amber Wigdahl, who died in 1981 at the young age of 19.

This is made possible with the help of drop shippers.

Drop shippers send merchandise to the customers of business owners. If you have an EBay business, you are a business owner. This will allow you to offer a wide variety of stock in your EBay store, without having the need to fill up a warehouse with all of those products!All you have to do is set up your auction, and sell the product.

You then pass the customer's information on to the drop shipping company. The drop shipper does the rest, and they will even use your company information, as well as your company logo if you have provided it to them.

When the product arrives at your customer's home, they will have no idea that your company didn't send it. The drop shipper will package, label, and ship the products that you sell, allowing you more time to set up even more auctions, for greater profits.

You must establish a relationship with several drop shipping companies in order to become successful.

In the beginning, most companies will require you to pay for the items that your customers order before they are shipped. You need to fill orders in a timely manner, so you should pay for the items with a credit card for speedy service.

Eventually, you will be able to have the drop shipper fill your orders, and then bill you for them later.

When you set up your EBay auctions, make sure that your reserve price is set higher than the price that the drop shipper will be charging you for the item. The idea, of course, is to earn a profit!

Depending on the item you are selling, a markup of about 10% to 15% should be about right, but you should do some research to see if the item is selling for a lower price in another EBay auction, or through other online sources.

A WORD OF CAUTION: Make sure you add in all of your expenses before setting your price! EBay (or any auction site for that matter) will charge you a variety of fees for listing and selling, and your dropshipper will also add on a fee above the cost of the product and shipping for the dropshipping service)

By starting an EBay business using the drop shipping method, there is essentially no financial risk involved. The product will be sold before you pay the drop shipper for the item.

This is one of the few businesses where you can actually turn a profit before you have expenditures!

The cost can vary greatly depending on the product line from under $100 to several hundred.

BUT any legitimate company should tell you - in writing - what’s involved in the program they are selling,including the upfront costs and compensation plan, in clear language, and give you time to make an educated, informed clear decision!

Here are some questions you might ask the company or it’s representative:

• What tasks will I have to perform? (Ask for a list for every step of the job.)

• Will I be paid a salary or will my pay be based on commission?

• Who will pay me?

• When will I get my first paycheck?

• What is the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and    membership fees?

• What will I get for my money?

• If this is not the right business for me - what is the return policy for supplies, products or    sales materials?

  • Is there any monthly purchase requirement?

The answers to these questions may help you determine whether a work-at-home program is appropriate for your circumstances, and whether it is legitimate.

You also might want to check out the company with your local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau, not only where the company is located, but also where you live. These organizations can tell you whether they have received complaints about the work-at-home program that interests you.

But be wary: the absence of complaints doesn’t necessarily mean the company is legitimate. Unscrupulous companies may settle complaints, change their names or even move to avoid detection.

November 3rd, 2007 · No Comments

Working from home can be the most rewarding way of earning a living that you can possibly imagine. There are few things better than being able to choose what to do and when to do it, and what time to start and what time to quit, and no one will ever get me back into a suit, panty hose and heels 60 hours a week after working in jeans, shorts and yeah….even sometimes my pjs, for the past 10 years!  

But, if you work from home, chances are you already know that you're really pulling 'double duty'?. You probably work on your business while doing the laundry, corralling the kids, or fixing dinner… and let's not forget all the phone calls from family and friends expecting you to run errands or just "go out" for an afternoon of fun.  One of the hardest parts of running a home business is separating your work from your family and social life. 

Here are six proven ways to keep your home life running smoothly while keeping your business on track.  

 1. First, create a work schedule and stick with it. It may be tempting to answer personal calls during the day or take business calls after-hours, but doing this actually shows that you're expendable - not dependable - and people will take for granted that you'll "always be there"? for any little things that come up. Even though family comes first, stay true to your business hours and resist the urge to chat with friends or pick up groceries during working hours.  

2. Your friends may consider working from home an invitation to chat during the day or just go out for coffee or shopping for an afternoon. Make it clear that your business hours are just that-for business. Leave personal calls for after-hours, and you'll find that your friends will gradually accept your schedule without feeling slighted.  

 3. Just because you have to set up a work schedule, doesn't mean that you have to keep the same hours as everyone else. One of the benefits of working for yourself is setting your own hours to fit your most productive times. Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, you'll find that you'll get much more done when you're attuned to your body's own natural rhythms. Some people work in the morning, take a break in the afternoon when the kids are home from school, and work again in the evening. Schedule your work time when you feel the most productive and you'll find that things get done easier, faster and better than when you were dragging along during those same rigid work hours that everyone else has.  

 4. If getting after-hours business calls or work day personal calls is a problem, it helps to have a separate business phone line, or at least an answering machine or voice mail, to take the incoming calls. This also gives your business a more professional appearance to clients than if you and your family make and receive calls from the same phone line.  

 5. If at all possible, try to separate your home office? from the rest of your home. If you don't have the luxury of a separate room, a room partition or screen can be just as helpful. This also serves as a visual cue to family that you're working and shouldn't be bothered.  

 6. Dress and act professionally while working. Some people find it helpful to dress in casual business attire during their working hours. This reinforces that just because you're working from home doesn't make you any less of a professional. Answer the phone with your name, or business name, and keep your children off the phone during business hours. Also, spend money investing in the tools you need to do your job right. A cell phone, fax machine or even a budget computer can help turn your home office into a true workspace.  

 If you follow all of these tips and stick with them, chances are you'll find a routine that not only makes you feel productive and active in your business, but also projects the message that you mean business - literally! 

1. Vision. This is more than just having a dream….this is having the strength and courage to believe in your dream….the willingness to make it a reality, and the ability to hang onto the vision even when it seems very far away

2. A burning desire to succeed. Successful networkers are like any successful entrepreneur - they know that success is not going to be easy but that doesn’t matter nearly as much as the end result - and that’s a better future for yourself and your loved ones. 

3. A businesslike attitude. Most network marketing opportunities typically have low start-up costs. Unfortunately, this often translates into a weak commitment on the start-up marketer's part. Your start-up cost is only the tip of the iceberg - the real commitment is the emotional and physical one that you personally make to succeed. Prepare a written business plan — and follow it. Review your plan at least once a month. When you treat your network marketing venture as a genuine business — as opposed to something you do when you find a few spare minutes – you'll succeed.

4. Do you believe in this product or service? Do you use it yourself? Are you happy and enthusiastic about the results you get with the product or service? In other words - can you be a walking, talking testimonial for the company? It is much easier to sell when you believe!

5. Are you looking for a paycheck next week - or an income for the next ten years? I don’t care what you may be told - there are no free rides to success in MLM, online or offline. Success in MLM, as in any type of business, takes time. Define the necessary steps and commit to doing them–even when you don't see tangible results right away. In fact, it is actually illegal for a company to make any claims regarding income or returns on your investment.

Those grandiose claims to build your downline and get you thousands of dollars back in a week -are not just lies - they are illegal. Don't fall for them!

Every catered occasion can be a new experience to meet different kinds of people from all lifestyles. It is important that you have the stamina and the ability to work under pressure because of the demanding work that awaits you. You may need the help of some friends first before you may hire employees who are experienced in this kind of field.

It is a requirement for a catering business to have a license to operate like those permits that are issued to food establishments that have also catering services as well. Catering services are inspected by the Board of Health to see if they have the right materials and the capacity to prepare and handle food that is safe to the public.

You may get your license at the local Health Department. You have to apply first before you obtain the permit to operate a business catering service. An inspection will be needed to check if you will pass the food sanitation requirements. After you have acquired your license, there will be regular check-up routines to ensure that you will sustain cleanliness and sanitation of your catering service.

There are states that require a catering service must have a separate area for the food operation and the kitchen facility of the house. This is important because they will not issue a license if you have a set up wherein they may see food sanitation is not your priority. If you want to remodel the set up, you must pass the plans and remodeled features to the Health Department for confirmation that you are following the required construction to your home facilities and to your food operation area.

It is important to target your market in this business if you are given the permit to operate already. Know your competition and be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. If you are stable with your finances, you may hire applicants that are experienced in this kind of business.

But the truth is I have been involved with network marketing for years, and I have been very successful with it. The other truth is that my success as not always been IN network marketing but rather from the very core that drives the entire concept - and that is residual income.  

But I hid this secret carefully because I lived in area overrun with well-educated professionals that looked down on "MLMers". Unfortunately, as most of you know, public perception of network marketing has been created by promoters who promise the "miracle product" and a "killer pay plan" for "anyone who can fog a mirror". 

It's been given a bad name by the guy with the soap leaflets that kidnaps you from your cousin's wedding for a "brief" 2 hr presentation at the local 24 hour coffee shop.  The bad part of selling the business as something that everyone can do is that it is simply not true. 

While network marketing has made business and financial success accessible to the "little guy", it is not easy, nor can just anyone be successful at it. You cannot simply sign up, sit back and wait for the moola to arrive. It's like any other business, - effort, persistence and resources yield results.  

But, here is the real power of network marketing: there are very few businesses that can offer what networking marketing does - and that is the possibility of real lifetime earnings from every sale you make - Residual Income. 

Understanding the true meaning of this concept is the difference between simply making a few extra dollars every month - or being able to take control of your life!  You see, once you begin to truly understand the power of residual income, you look at every product or service you are thinking about selling differently - and for someone that has been a sales professional her entire life - this was a profound lesson to learn!  

I owned a mortgage company for many years - and worked 80 hour weeks on a regular basis. As soon as one deal closed - I had to get another one. I also ran a very successful real estate magazine for 3 years - and as soon as one issue went out the door, I had to start selling the next one.  

And as soon as I stopped selling….I stopped making money. The perpetual loop of frustration!  When I first learned that there were actually products that would pay you not just for the sale of the product but (in essence) for acquisition of the customer….my life changed. 

Now if that sounds pretty dramatic - I meant it that way, because it has had that profound an impact on my life.  

Over the next several years, I completely changed the way I evaluated any new opportunity or product presented to me - and my first criteria, now, is ALWAYS …..residual income!  Has it paid off? Yes, in a big way. I have a good life, and a happy one. Has it been without it's challenges? No - some of the companies and ventures I tried did not work as I had hoped, some were simply just not "right" for me, since I really only want to work with companies and products that I like and can personally recommend.  

Further - I don't want to spend every evening coercing people into signing up, I refuse to "sell" to my "warm circle", I can't stand conference calls & I HATE "recruiting"…..gee, I really sound like the ideal MLM candidate don't I?  

The point is - if I can be successful in MLM - so can just about anyone that takes the time to find a great product and a good company. And with all of the online tools and resources available today - you really can build both a customer base and a downline without losing your family and friends!  

So, to those of you that have been afraid to try network marketing, please understand that it CAN be done without the hype & arm twisting - you can be successful without ever selling a single bottle of vitamins to your mom or your next door neighbor.  MLM is a great business for women!