Small Business Success Strategies

For Busy Professionals: 10 EASY Time Management Tips

Stephanie Chandler, our official Small Business Growth Expert

If you feel like your life moves faster than a Nascar race, you’re not alone. We are living in a time where dual income families and single parent homes are the norm, a sharp contrast to the happy sitcom families we grew up watching on TV.

So how do you get everything accomplished when there are only 24 hours in a day? The first step is to reprioritize. Does it really matter if you’re house is immaculate? Does your family really need a 7-course meal on the table every night? Instead of spending time preparing an elaborate meal, wouldn’t you rather use that time with your family or to catch up on some R&R for yourself?

Regardless of how your priorities are defined, we could all use some extra time in the day. The following are some time management ideas that can help increase your productivity and improve the quality of your life. Try incorporating just a few of these ideas and see how it affects your life. You will be glad you did!

1. Turn your email off. It may be hard to break away from your constant communication with the world, but if you check email twice per day instead, you will be amazed by how much time you save. Specify specific time frames during the day that you will devote to email and stick to your schedule.

One Silicon Valley company recently implemented a No Email rule on Fridays. If you need a question answered, you have to pick up the phone or walk over to the person with the answer. While this may not always be the most productive solution, it drives home the point that we rely too heavily on email for our communication. When you stop letting it rule your life, your productivity will ultimately increase.

Read Stephanie's entire article 10 Easy Time Management Tips for Busy Professionals

How to Turn Your Ideas into Cash

Do you have an idea spinning inside your brain, but wonder if it could ever really make any money? You're not alone.

Thousands of folks have done it - really turned their ideas into cash.  But it's kind of a miracle, right?  I mean, these folks just got lucky breaks.  Surely.

Trust Your Heart: Transform Your Ideas into Income, the new book from IdeaMarketers.com showcases 19 very different individuals who once sat in the same spot you are.  Wanting to develop an idea and market it, but just wondering how.

This hot-off-the-press book reveals the stories behind real internet successes and shares how these individuals made their dreams come true.  I personally know and have worked alongside these contributors. They're the REAL DEAL. You'll also find my story included as well.

After reading, I guarantee you'll be inspired to get moving forward on your idea.  The truth is, anyone with the right formula can make their dreams reality.  Take a look at the blueprints these folks used to do just that.

Here's where you can get a copy of Trust Your Heart: Transform Your Ideas into Income on launch day (May 18, 2011). Right now you can get audio interviews from the contributors and find out how you can get your idea promoted to all the Trust Your Heart: Transform Your Ideas Into Income readers when you purchase the book on launch day! 

Promotion Strategies to Crank Up Sales in a Slow Economy

In a time with so much economic uncertainly, consumers are on the hunt for bargains. And consumers aren't the only ones tightening up their belts; businesses large and small are scrutinizing purchases more than ever.

Whether your company sells to consumers or business, creative promotion strategies can give sales a much-needed boost to revenues in a difficult economy. To generate ideas, take a look at the big retailers. While the economy is slow, the big box stores are pulling out all the stops to bring customers in the door (and to their websites).

Following is a list of promotion strategies from the real world. Use these to inspire ideas for generating creative promotions for your business. Though many of these are used in retail sales, they can easily be replicated for all kinds of businesses.

Read Stephanie's entire article Promotion Strategies to Crank Up Sales in a Slow Economy

Stephanie Chandler, our official Entrepreneurial Expert

Work at Home Moms: Let Go of the Guilt

Many people who work from home know what it's like to get lost in "the zone" creating new things for their businesses. They also know what it's like to come out of this flow state and discover their homes transformed into what my mother refers to as a "pig sty."

Many view the chaotic wake left behind a flow state and berate themselves for neglecting their family or other responsibilities. Especially work at home moms tend to feel incredible guilt that they're bad mothers and that their businesses are robbing their family time. 

Still others become frustated when they can't always be "on." They'll have times when ideas and productivity are flowing, but then other times, they can't bring themselves to think of a single new idea or do what's necessary in their businesses. The following video outlines the stages of the creative process that every entrepreneur should know. Please know that the self-doubts and guilt-trips are rarely deserved! They are just part of the process – part of the natural ebb and flow.

In an upcoming course, I'll be teaching entrepreneurs how to minimize the chaotic wake and work with this cycle for a maximum business harvest. I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments and experiences about this cycle! Please leave your comments below.

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Start an Easy Home Business: Become an EBay Trading Assistant

EBay’s online auctions have created business opportunities for thousands of people. Now the Trading Assistant program is making it easier than ever to start a business from home.

Trading assistants act as brokers, selling merchandise for others and keeping a percentage of the profits. The profit potential can be great, especially when selling high-value items.

Though there are millions of registered users on eBay, many people still don’t know how to sell goods themselves. A trading assistant fills a need in the marketplace, allowing you to make a profit while helping others unload their stuff. Almost everyone has a box of items in their garage or closet that they would like to sell.

Read Stephanie's entire article Start an Easy Home Business: Become an EBay Trading Assistant

Stephanie Chandler, our official Entrepreneurial Expert

How to Successfully Self-Publish Your Book: Avoid New Author Pitfalls by Preparing for Your Journey

Self-publishing provides a wonderful opportunity for any author who wants to take control over the publishing process and get their words into print. But because self-publishing is so easy to accomplish with a few bucks and some typed pages, many authors make mistakes along the way.

As a former bookstore owner, I have seen it all. A steady stream of authors used to parade through the store with their books and I could instantly tell when a book was self-published on a budget. From low-quality cover design and lack of editing to unreasonable pricing and an absent marketing plan, at least 90 percent of the authors I encountered made some major mistakes.

You can avoid new author pitfalls by preparing to be successful. Following are some guidelines to get you started on your journey.

Read Stephanie's entire article How to Successfully Self-Publish Your Book: Avoid New Author Pitfalls by Preparing for Your Journey

Stephanie Chandler, our official Entrepreneurial Expert

Quit Your Day Job: 10 Steps to Venturing Out on Your Own

If you’re one of the 58% of Americans who have considered starting a business but don’t know how to proceed, help is at hand. The following steps will show you how to transform your dream of business ownership into reality.

1. Figure out what you want to do. You’re not alone if you know that you want to work for yourself but aren’t yet sure what exactly you want to do. Start by making a list of your interests, talents, and skills. Talk to your family and friends and begin brainstorming ideas. The sooner you begin your quest, the sooner you will find the answers.

2. Start saving now. It is wise to have at least one year’s worth of living expenses in the bank before you quit your day job. It will take time to make a new business profitable, and it could take longer than you expect. Start saving now so you can be prepared for the worst while you hope for the best.

Read Stephanie's entire article Quit Your Day Job: 10 Steps to Venturing Out on Your Own

Stephanie Chandler, our official Entrepreneurial Expert

Ten Ways to Start a Business on a Budget

If you’ve been thinking about starting a business, but are held back due to cash-flow issues, there are plenty of ways you can get your plans off the ground. Though your vision may be to own a big store, restaurant, warehouse, or office, consider starting on a smaller scale.

Every business must start somewhere. In fact, the founder of Kinkos started with one copy machine and some spiral notebooks for sale in a tiny rented space near a college. With a little ingenuity and some perseverance, you can make your business dreams come true. Here are ten ideas to get you started:

1. Start part-time and reinvest the profits into your ultimate business goal. If you really want to make your business dreams come true, carve some extra time out of your day by skipping the evening news and bad sitcoms.

Read Stephanie's entire article Ten Ways to Start a Business on a Budget

Stephanie Chandler, our official Entrepreneurial Expert

How to Write Your Non-Fiction Book in 60 Days: 8 Steps to Get it Out of Your Head and on to Paper

Studies show that up to 80 percent of people have considered writing a book. If you aspire to become an author and need some help getting started, here are eight key strategies to finally get your book written. It might just be easier than you think.

1. Decide on a Topic

Start by identifying your target audience. Who do you want your book to reach? Are you writing for your clients, single mothers, consultants, teenagers, retired baby boomers? Knowing your audience will help you make important decisions when building your content. You should always keep your audience in mind as you develop your book.

Read Stephanie's entire article How to Write Your Non-Fiction Book in 60 Days: 8 Steps to Get it Out of Your Head and on to Paper

Stephanie Chandler, our official Entrepreneurial Expert

How to Start and Run Your Own Mastermind Group

Some of the most successful people in history have leveraged the power of mastermind groups, a concept that was introduced in Napoleon Hill's best-selling book "Think and Grow Rich." The purpose of a mastermind group is to exchange and refine ideas, while assisting each other in reaching goals. From experience I can tell you that the right group can create spectacular results.

While you can seek out an existing group, a more powerful option is to start and manage your own group. This will give you the opportunity to cultivate a group with the right level of experience and synergy. Following are some suggestions for getting started.

Read Stephanie's entire article How to Start and Run Your Own Mastermind Group

Stephanie Chandler, our official Entrepreneurial Expert