It’s a fact that everyone has utility bills: Electric, gas, cell phone, TV, Internet, and the list goes on.  And no matter how financially challenged or wealthy someone may be, these essential services are needed and can never be paid off; everyone will have to pay for them for the rest of their lives out of necessity.

So when a global communications company that is open in 23 countries worldwide and endorsed by one of the wealthiest people in the world, who featured this company on his hit primetime reality TV show, says you should find out more, would you want to hear more about it?

What if this same company said they’d pay you generously for helping others get paid when they pay their monthly bills, would you want to know even more?

Shane Douglas did, and it’s paid off in an incredible way for him. It’s been seven years since this Idaho native, coming from a town of 1,500 people, started his home-based business helping people match and surpass their current monthly income, plus get paid every time they pay their own monthly bills.

“I was tired of all the promises from other companies that say you can become wealthy overnight only to find out you have to sell and teach others how to sell products that are either over- priced or only appeal to a small percentage of the population,” says Shane.

“Our company is different: We only offer services that people pay on monthly basis like gas, electricity, TV, internet, cell phones, home security and more. And I don’t sell anything; I just simply show people how to get paid every month for services they were going to use anyway and teach others to do the same.”

Shane explains that recent deregulation of Energy providers around the country has opened up a significant opportunity for more people to choose who they get their service with. “People like to know they have a choice,” Shane says. “This, in turn, creates more opportunity for entrepreneurs to grow their business with our company.”

“In this declining economy, home-based businesses are on the rise. People want to supplement their income and possibly replace their incomes while working from home. So the opportunity to get paid every single month when someone turns on their lights, heats their home, uses their cellphone watches TV, logs onto the Internet or arms their security system is a no-brainer,” he says.

The way Shane has grown to be one of the top income earners and trainers in this business is by following the system the company offers all of its independent business owners (IBOs). He says that he tells people they can get the same services from the same major service providers and get paid. Then, according to Shane, all he does is direct them to his online store, which is included in the company’s start-up business package.

“Our system is 100% automated for you,” he explains. “Simply direct potential customers to your online store that the company sets up for you, and they can sign up for any of these services with many of the major companies that are available in their area. When they sign up on your online store, you receive a residual commission every month when they pay their bills. It’s that simple.”

The key to his success, he says, is that he doesn’t complicate his business; he just goes out and shares the company’s program and his personal story.

“It might not be sexy—it’s utilities after all—but it is simple to share the story. Everyone can relate, because everyone has to pay these bills,” he says.

“I’ve been fortunate to have had major success with this company by taking action and so has my team. We’ve grown to over 200,000 IBOs in our group in the last seven years all by doing the same thing: keeping it simple. There are a lot of proven leaders here ready to help the next new IBOs become successful too.” ♦

To see more information about this company go to www.bthe1.com. Shane and his proven leadership, who started out just like you, are here to answer your questions and help you get started.

Luckily, there are lots of simple strategies to spread the word about your business and start earning an income. There more people know about your business, the more likely they are to contact or refer you to a friend who needs your services.

Get a Website

The most important element for any successful business in today’s marketplace is a website. When people go looking for things—whether it be a product, a service, or an income opportunity—the Internet is the place they start their search. It’s also where they go to find recommendations and reviews before making their decisions. In a nutshell, it’s where you need to be if you want to be found.

There are lots of web-hosting sites out there that let you build your own simple website. You can also hire a professional web designer who will customize your site to your needs and industry. But that doesn’t mean your website has to be expensive or complex. Even a single, tasteful webpage online will help people find and learn about your business.

Tell Your Neighbors

The people in your family and community may be some of the best contacts you’ll ever make. Though they may not do business with you directly, personal recommendations are the most impactful marketing tool out there. By letting the people around you know about your business, you’re potentially connecting with everyone in their social and business circles, too.

But don’t limit yourself to those you already know. Join a business or networking group in your area to meet other business owners, make connections, and see what’s working—and isn’t—for others. It’s also a great idea to get involved in organizations that interest you personally. You may be joining that book club because you love to read, but you’ll also make great connections with even more people who want to see you succeed.

Take Advantage of Online Marketing

Just as in real life, your online friends are the best marketing tools you can get—as long as they know about your business. Luckily, this is a group that can be easily accessed from the comfort of home. In addition to your personal social networking, think about creating a business page on Facebook or sending out biz-related messages via Twitter. This will show people that you are serious about your business, and will allow you to contact them easily about new promotions or business services.

Be Knowledgeable

If you are deciding to start a business, there’s a good chance you know something—about something. Figure what your special area of knowledge is, even if it doesn’t directly pertain to your business, and make yourself available for sharing that information with others. This will allow you to both showcase your strengths and become a recognizable name to a larger group of people.

Consider leading a workshop or seminar on your area of expertise at the library or with your local chamber of commerce. You can also look into opportunities to teach at small colleges or other academic institutions in your area. If you’re more comfortable behind the scenes or at the computer, starting a blog with short articles about your topic is also a great marketing tool.  The important thing is to present yourself as a valuable, honest authority on whichever topic you choose.

At Home Business Connection, we often hear from readers who want to escape their corporate careers or are in a financial bind where they need extra money each month. These are everyday folks who are eager to make a change in their lives, but are unsure of where to begin.

That’s why we’ve consulted Robin Firestone, an expert in direct sales and the home business industries and known for her direct, yet caring approach as she motivates and trains home business owners to reach new heights in their business.

We shared one of the most-asked questions we get with Robin, who has earned the distinction as The Home Business DIVA, and is a consistent top income earner, international trainer and best-selling author. If there’s anyone who knows exactly what it takes to get extraordinary results in a home business, it’s The Home Business DIVA.

Q: I really want to earn money from home, but I can’t afford to quit my job. How do people find time between work, kids, and chores to run a home business?

A: The good news is you’re not alone. It’s really all about dividing the time, so you can do it all. A typical home business might involved 4-5 hours a day on a full-time basis, but you can start by carving out an hour a day, and you can always increase it as your schedule changes.

And really, it’s ok to still work! There are people who start a home business that are single parents and still go to a job. Their main reason for starting is so they eventually won’t have to leave their kids behind; however, some people choose to work up to that. Understand that there is a time sacrifice involved in the beginning—so get up a little early, go to bed later, do some training on your lunch hour but realize that with every sacrifice comes a benefit.

With the right mind-set and approach to starting your new home business, you’ll get business results and not “hobby” results. If you’re not willing to create the necessary time and commitment, then you should think twice about starting a business. Consider the people who say they have no time to go to a gym when all they have to do is get up an hour earlier. It’s simple: if you want it badly enough, you’ll make it happen. It takes consistency and persistency to run a business, and you must be willing to find 1-2 hours 4-5 days a week in your schedule to create a different future for yourself as the owner of a home business.

Read more about The Home Business DIVA(tm) and how to join her team of successful entrepreneurs in our digital edition of Home Business Connection magazine.

cover photo credit: (c) Paul Nurnberg

One of the first steps for every entrepreneur is to choose a name for his/her new business, but deciding on the right name can be tricky. Your company’s name needs to be memorable, and it also needs to convey what type of service or product you’ll provide to your prospective customers. Not to mention that there are also several legal issues to consider.

Some business owners believe that the best names are the most creative ones while others think that a company name should be descriptive and informative. In my experience, both types can be effective if the name is backed by the appropriate marketing strategy and partnered with a descriptive tagline and logo.

For example, when I launched my Homeowner Referral Network (HRN), my husband and I created a list of potential names for my new business until we finally hit upon the name “Home Remedies”. I loved the name instantly; however, I knew that it would be a challenge to let homeowners know that I wasn’t in the business of selling homeopathic medicine. In order to explain my services more clearly, I worked on developing a descriptive tagline that would always appear with my business name along with a logo that incorporated the shape of a house or tools.

If you’re launching a new business and are trying to choose a good name, your first step should be to decide what you want to communicate. The more your name tells customers, the less effort for you to explain what type of service or product you provide.

Next, try to define the qualities that you want your business to be identified with. For example, do you want your business to convey a local, hometown feel or do you want a more corporate image? The typeface, in conjunction with your business name, will define your business image. You can brainstorm by looking for words in dictionaries, newspapers and magazine ads to generate ideas. Once you have a list of your top choices, share them with family, friends and industry-related professionals to get their input.

And finally, keep in mind is that your name shouldn’t be too long. It should be easy to pronounce. If people can easily pronounce your name or understand it when it’s spoken, they’ll be more likely to say it. ♦

Debra Cohen is President of Home Remedies® of NY, Inc.­—a Homeowner Referral Network (HRN that serves residents of Nassau County, NY). Ms. Cohen is also author of a business manual entitled The Complete Guide To Owning And Operating A Successful Homeowner Referral Network. To date, Ms. Cohen has assisted more than 400 other entrepreneurs launch successful HRN’s nationwide. For more information about starting an HRN in your area, visit the HRN website at http://ReferralNetworkBiz.com.

Start your own business making novelty cards, CDs, and more!

If you’re enthusiastic, driven to succeed, and energetic, you have what it takes to make it in the home-based and franchise novelties industry. Whether it’s selling candles, personalized books, or gift baskets, there’s something out there for anyone who wants to make money while working for themselves, setting their own hours, and providing a product to be proud of.
Although many products offered in the novelties industry are unique and creative, being a creative person is not a requirement for success, says Katie Zwain, marketing manager for Charmyn Group LLC, who handles OccasionOgraphy. OccasionOgraphy specializes in personalized products, including candy-bar wrappers, “mintbooks,” bottled water labels, and cards.
“To succeed with OccasionOgraphy, you need to have the desire to help people commemorate their special events,” she says. “You don’t need to be creative at all. OccasionOgraphy has over 400 pre-printed products, so all you do is add your client’s message or photo using the software from your start-up package and a laser printer.”
Tim Runner, president of Awesome Specialties International, a company that markets personalized CDs, agrees with Zwain.
“The only creativity you need is finding places you can set up and offer the product,” he says. And although you are selling products, you don’t need to be a “salesperson” or even have extensive sales experience to find success.
“The music sells itself,” says Runner. “All you have to do is get a child’s name and then play the music for the prospect—parents, relatives, grandparents. Once they hear it, they want it. If the child is with them, it’s almost an automatic sale because the child will become very interested and want to listen to the songs with their names being sung in them.”
Andy Concilio of PhotoThrow, which features personalized photo products, says tapping into a business that specializes in personalization is especially lucrative.
“Who doesn’t like an image of their children on various products such as coffee mugs or T-shirts?” he says.
Personalization is one of today’s hottest industries, Zwain says, because people are interested in products they feel connected to. And now’s the perfect time of year to consider the business,
“The best time to start is now, so you’re prepared for the holiday season,” Concilio explains.
Runner agrees, adding, “The holiday season is always the best, but this is truly a year-round business.”
If you’re not sure you can work a home-based business by yourself, don’t worry. With the novelties industry, you get plenty of support and training. OccasionOgraphy, for example, offers phone support, live chat, e-mail contacts, and an online Consultant Resource Center, which features training videos, audio, a newsletter archive, and a frequently-asked-questions section.
Like OccasionOgraphy, most novelty businesses offer a wealth of training that comes with your start-up kit and continues after you begin your business. Conwin Inc., which specializes in balloon decorating opportunities, and Delightful Bouquet, which provides candy bouquets, offer support ranging from newsletters to meetings, Internet chats, sales leads, and phone support.
Runner explains that businesses in the novelties industry don’t need to offer much training material to business owners beyond phone or e-mail support. “Little support is needed because our clients are using standard programs built into their computers to [make samples] and burn CDs,” he says. “There’s no special software to learn or to have fail.”
Think the novelty business might be right for you? Opportunities can range from hundreds of dollars to hundreds of thousands. On the low end, you can get started with PhotoThrow for less than $400. For personalized CDs through Awesome Specialties International, it costs $1,900 for a license to one music library and $2,900 for a license to both of the company’s libraries. OccasionOgraphy’s start-up kit costs $449.
Regardless of the start-up costs, the experts recommend doing your homework when considering an opportunity in the novelty industry.
“Ask yourself, How reputable is the firm you’re looking into?” Concilio suggests. “Are the products guaranteed and can you earn your investment back?”
Runner agrees pointing out that it’s important to consider the business model and profit margin as well.
“You need large markups and low prices to succeed,” he says.
“Before considering any home-business opportunity, you should consider the initial cost, the ongoing cost, the support offered, and the return policy,” Zwain adds.
Once you’ve found an opportunity you want to pursue, go for it—just be sure to dedicate the time and energy it takes to succeed. Even the best company won’t help you get far unless you love what you do.
“Find something you are interested in and understand,” Runner says. “It’s very important that you love the product.”♦

Q. I really want to earn money from home, but how do I find time between work, kids, and chores to run a home business?

A. The good news is you’re not alone. It’s really all about dividing your time, so you can do it all. You’re a lot more capable than you think! A typical home business might involve four to five hours a day on a full-time basis; begin by carving out an hour or two a day, as you can always increase it as your schedule changes. Remember, you’ll create the hours that are best for you around your schedule.
And really, it’s ok to still work! There are people who start a home business who are single parents and still go to their J-O-B. Their main reason for starting is so they eventually won’t have to leave their kids behind. Understand that there is a time sacrifice involved in the beginning—you could get up a little early, go to bed later, even do some work on your lunch hour, but realize that with every sacrifice comes a great benefit in time.
With the right mindset and approach to starting your new home business, you’ll get business results and not “hobby” results. If you’re willing to create the necessary time and commitment, then starting a home business is a perfect solution. It’s simple: if you want it badly enough, you’ll make it happen. It takes consistency and persistency to run a business, and you must be willing to put in the time to create a different future for yourself as the owner of a home business. ♦

The Diva’s Top 5 Recommended Reading List

1. The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews
2. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
3. The Law Of Attraction by Michael Losier
4. The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles
5. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD

Read more advice from the Home Business Diva in this month’s Home Business Connection magazine

Working the Room: 3 tips for getting the most out of a home-business expo

To get the most out of a home-based business expo, you should have a plan and know what to look for. We asked Derek Romo — Work at Home Business Expo’s general manager—for tips and strategies for getting the most out of the event.

Find your connection:

There’s an endless supply of home-based businesses opportunities, and attending an expo offers a glimpse at which ones best suit your skills. “There used to be a barrier of entry into the marketplace. Now there are so many different avenues. At these events, you have a chance to evaluate a wide array of options and determine which businesses and which people you’d like to work with,” Romo said.

Get your network on:

Romo, himself, is a home-based business operator. All of the planning and organization he does for expos is done months in advance, in his home office. And the majority of those he employs—sign-makers and marketers, for instance—are people he’s met at events. So don’t be afraid to talk to other attendees — you’ll likely find that you’ll need to work with some eventually.

Ask the right questions:

Find out standard information on each company’s operations and whether their business suits your personality and strengths. Always ask for specific success stories and find out how those people thrived. “We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Romo said. “You can use someone as a model and duplicate their success.”  ♦

Upcoming Events

Work at Home Business Expo

www.WaHBexpo.com

What are your dreams? More personal time for friends and family? A new car? Private school for your children? It’s not always easy, but if you are determined, you can achieve your dreams with your own home business. There is no better way to take control of your own life, time, and future. So why should you consider a home-based business?

1. You like $4 Lattes…Every Day!

Ever wish you could have just a little extra cash? Just enough that you wouldn’t feel guilty going through the coffee-shop drive-thru for the third time this week? With a home-based business, you can set a goal to earn an extra $30 a week, $120 a month…and those lattes? Paid for! And if you meet a customer or client there, those lattes might even be tax-deductible!

2. Your Boss Doesn’t Understand your Schedule.

“I can work 35 hours a week. I can be in by 8:30 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but not until 9:30 on Tuesday because I volunteer that day.” Or, “I can be in by 8:00 every morning, but have to leave at 4:00 for pick-up. I can also work on Saturday or Sunday after soccer practice and church but before piano…” Sound familiar? When you act as your own boss, you can schedule work around your needs, no explanations required.

3. Recognition is a Wonderful Thing.

With your own business, you have many people rooting for your success. Your children love that you are home with them for school events and in the evenings for bedtime stories. Your team cheers wildly as you walk across stage at the convention. Your partner looks at you with new respect when you travel together on a company-paid cruise, especially when other teammates on the trip tell great stories about your success…

4. You Want to be Passionate About What You Do.

Let’s face it—doing what you love is just more fun! It doesn’t feel like work when you can pick a product and a company you love that will love you right back. As you grow your business, you will create new friendships with team members, customers, and a new social network. It’s suddenly much easier to get up in the morning when you are making money by mixing your hobbies and passions with stimulating people. Others will notice how happy you are and be attracted to that energy, and without even trying, you will be building your business just by living the life you’ve always wanted.

5. Flexibility. Freedom. Finances. You Get What You Give.

Did I already mention flexibility? Your business is there for you when you want it to be. It’s best to “schedule” it into your calendar just as you would any other obligation. You can work your business around other commitments knowing it gives you the freedom to prioritize your life, your way. If you need some extra cash this month, just give your business some extra time. Do an additional party or show, call some people that have been on your list, or follow up with a few of those leads you’ve been hanging on to. The beauty is that your business is there for you when you have the time to give to it. ♦

FACT: 15.2 Million Americans are in Direct Sales

Source: Direct Selling Association 2006

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About the Author: Sue Bradley is a highly-regarded executive and consultant to the Direct Sales industry with over 20 years of successful experience. Sue is a featured speaker and editorial contributor on group selling, party plans and incentive development for various organizations and publications. She has recently formed KTP (Keep the People) consulting to provide strategic programs specifically designed to attract, retain and grow corporate staff and field leadership for the Direct Selling industry. You may contact her at sue@ktpconsulting.com or visit her blog and website at www.ktpconsulting.com.