Biz Tips for Mom

But did you know that all autoresponders start out without a list?  The list doesn’t exist until your autoresponder mailing list starts filling up with names and email addresses!

The easiest and fastest way to build up an email list is to give things away for free. Some marketers will tell you that this is a waste of time.  If you already have a list of one hundred thousand people that you can market to, then it probably is. But for those who do not already have a mailing list, this is the way to go to build that list.

On your website or blog give away an ezine, free reports, free ebooks, a free e-course, or anything else that you can think of. But in order for people to receive that freebie they have to agree to receive email from you every so often in the future.  This is the opt-in part. The person gets a freebie and you receive their name and email address along with permission to email them in the future.

This is also where you use an auto-responder such as Aweber

Autoresponders are one of the most important marketing tools that you can have if you are doing online business. Using your preferred software it is set up to automatically respond to your new subscriber. It can tell them where to access their free report or let them know about new articles on your website.  Autoresponders can ensure each customer email is acknowledged in a timely manner. You decide.

Also the freebie that you give away should also be used to promote your products or services. Even if it just has affiliate links for products or services that are related to the topic of the freebie, it is a way to generate extra revenue. Then, when you send another email in the future, you can again promote your products or services. But don’t abuse these email privileges. Don’t over solicit and be sure to include valuable information in the email as well, or you will have people dropping off of your autoresponder mailing list like flies!

With an autoresponder you are sending information to someone who is interest in hearing more from you. These are potential future customers. Put it all in automatic mode with the use of an autoresponder. Aweber

Have a special skill that you think others can benefit from? If you do, becoming an online service provider might be the perfect business model for you.

What is an Online Service Provider?

Just like it sounds a service provider is someone who provides a service. When you work online that means the service you provide is over the internet.

This the perfect business model for:

* Writers

* Graphic designers

* Administrative assistants

* Technology experts

* Business consultants

* Marketing, advertising and PR experts

* Even health and nutrition experts

As an online service provider you can offer your service in any number of ways. Such as via email. A writer might communicate with their clients via email and deliver their projects as an email attachment.

Technology has made it so easy to provide a service over the internet. You can also provide your service via:

Telephone

Email

Chat room/forum

Content management system

Instant messaging

And much more. A nutritionist for example, might offer counseling via video chat or instant messaging. It all depends on the service you provide and how you want to structure your business.

Here is another example to consider:

You could have a graphic design business and offer your services for a fee. A lot of  women do this in the form of website design, even digital scrapbooking. You post your prices and services on your website. Deliver your completed projects in email messages or with a file transfer service. You can also offer design services for ebook and book covers and graphics for their products.

As you can see, there is no end to how you might structure your service business.

Benefits and Drawbacks to Being a Service Provider

And Online Service business is not a good business model if you don’t like working closely with your customers. Also, you only make money when you’re providing a service. That means when you’re on vacation so is your income.

But, if you enjoy working with other people then it is a very fulfilling business model. It also doesn’t eliminate you from profiting in other ways. For example you can create information products, affiliate income or revenue from selling ad space on your website.

If you’ve ever wanted to sell products and become a retailer you may be interested in ecommerce. Ecommerce is the selling of products online with a website or online store.

As I’m sure you know many businesses now have not only brick and mortar stores but also online stores. It’s almost the given that if you have a storefront you also have an online presence. But you can also achieve great success without an online business alone. A website by itself can bring you the retailer success you desire.

Using a Website to Build a Retail Business

With an ecommerce site you can sell anything from your own crafts and homemade goods to high end computers and electronics. You can even create your own website to sell your products on and include a product catalog and shopping cart.

Or if you feel a bit squeemish about setting up your own online store you can use one of the store based system like such as etsy or eBay. Your ecommerce decisions will vary depending on what you’re selling, who your audience is and where you want your business to grow. But remember, even if you try one system and it doesn’t work, you can also move on and try another.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Ecommerce

There are a lot of benefits of selling products online. Such as…

* The profits you can make from selling products online.

* It’s rewarding to be in control of your financial future and helping people.

* You can cater the business to meet your financial, time and personal needs.

* You can automate much of the process so that your work happens on your peak time not someone elses.

But ecommerce isn’t for everyone. There are also some potential drawbacks. Such as…

* Customer service. People may have more questions. Need more information or get an update on something they ordered.

* Shipping and fulfillment. If you’re selling a tangible product as opposed to a digital one you will have to get that item out. Know if you have it in stock and provide storage somewhere for your goods.

* Returns. What is your return policy? If you know what you’re selling is good this isn’t much of a worry. Sure there may be some but if you have a good product there will be very few.

* Peak seasons and subsequent low seasons – Inconsistent income. If this is you only income this could be a concern.

If ecommerce appeals to you as a business model then by all means go for it. There are many service and technology advances to help you succeed.

A theme based website is a great way to enter the world of online business. But what exactly is a theme based website..?

A theme based website is a website built around a one basic theme or topic. Such as a homemaking site. It’s all about the care of the home. Enjoy chocolate? Create a website about chocolate. Chocolate recipes, how chocolate is made, places to get chocolate. Etc. A theme based website can be built around any niche topic.

But How Do You Make Money on a Theme Based Website?

The key to a successful theme based website is to find a niche topic that is in demand. That means that people are looking for information on this particular opic. But you want to make sure that you don’t have a lot of competition for this topic. Think supply and demand when you research.

Once you have a great topic to expand on you can make money in a variety of ways.

Such as:

* Selling advertising space on your website or blog

* Publishing PPC ads on your site (and earn money each time they’re clicked on.) This from places such as ValueClick

* Affiliate marketing. Find products to promote in your niche.

* Information marketing.

* Even membership marketing or selling your own niche products or services

The great thing about a theme based website is that it can and will grow as you grow. If you start by simply earning income on ads and PPC you can later add affiliate links and information products.

There is no downside to creating a theme based website. You will need to create content to drive traffic and have repeat visitors. But that is the case with just about any online business. Your visitors want to see new content to know that the site is still active.

A theme based website is an online business that can grow and change with you.

You need year round planning to take advantage of your deductions in tax season This means you need to keep the upcoming tax season in mind at all times. And constantly look for ways to decrease your bottom line while also making your company more profitable.

Start-Up Expenses

One of the most commonly overlooked expenses for a small businesses is the expense of going into business. Capital expenses. This means the money used to pay for marketing, overhead and other related expenses. These must be deducted over the first five years you are in business. And keep in mind that these write-offs cannot be deducted before your doors are open and cash is beginning to flow through your business.

Continuing Education And Training

Do you attend conferences, continuing education classes, or another type of course related to your current busines? Any education related to your current business, can be deducted. For instance, a veterinarian specializing in equine medicine can deduct the costs of attending a conference on new cancer treatments in horses. Because this course is related to the veterinarian’s field, the seminar is deductible from yearly taxes.  However, if the veterinarian specialized in small and domestic animals, the conference would not be deductible. There are strict rules to follow about which types of classes actually qualify for deductions. So ask your tax professional to be sure.

Professional Service Fees

The fees charged by your accountant to do your taxes, are actually tax deductible. Yaayy! Because sometimes these can really add up. The only rule for this deduction is that if the work being done relates to future years, the deduction must be taken over the complete term of the benefit.  An example of this would be hiring an architect to help design a building that will take two years to construct. The fees for the architect must be spread over the two years in which the building is actually being constructed.

Bad Debts

If you are in the business of selling goods, and a customer doesnít pay you for the goods you sold them, that debt is deductible.  However, businesses that provide services instead of goods cannot take this type of deduction because it would be difficult for the IRS to prove a bill was not ìinflatedî for services provided in order to claim larger deductions for the bad debts.

Other Deductible Expenses

There may be other expenses that are tax deductible in your business.  You can start by referring to the IRC ß 162, which outlines different trade and business expenses. This section of the Internal Revenue Code is the basis for determining whether or not a taxable expense is deductible. If the wording is confusing, take the code to your tax accountant along with the expenses you are questioning. Your tax accountant will be able to point you in the right direction and clear up any confusion.

Don’t guess about your small business deductions.  Ask your tax accountant to be sure you’re handling every deductible properly on your small business tax return.