So you want to work out of your home?  Be forewarned, it’s not all peaches and cream and definitely not for everyone.  Yes the commute is shorter and you don’t have to deal with the traffic (except that of family members within the house).  Yes the dress code is at your discretion and you can work in your pajamas, naked, or however you wish.  Yes you can make your own hours and Yes you no longer have anyone to report to. 

The comforts of working from home, ahhhh. . .only if . . .  STOP!  Reality check.  You roll out of bed, over to your computer and you’re at work.  So what’s preventing you from getting started and having a totally productive day?  The phone that keeps ringing?  The dirty laundry that needs to be done?   Errands?  Family and friends calling for favors because they really don’t consider you at work?  Or maybe, it’s ”The Boss” - yes that would be YOU! 

Having to deal with an annoying, demanding boss may be a walk in the park compared to having to listen to your own self defeating thoughts.  That little voice inside your head may very well have to be tamed.  You can not afford to fall prey to common home distractions or your business will suffer.  You have to be able to separate family life from work life even though they’re housed under the same roof.   Setting aside limited structured time to give to your family, personal tasks, and others, will help keep you from deviating too far from the work at hand. 

Work at Home habits definitely differ from that of the office and may take time to establish.  Don’t beat yourself up when you deviate from your work.  Once you realize what you’re doing, get back to the task at hand.  If you want it to work, Don’t give up!  It is possible to make money from a home based business. 

“They” being the majority of ads you see for online businesses.  How many times have you seen an ad claiming: make money working minutes a day, make a 6 figure income in days or weeks, how I went from broke to a multi-millionaire, retire tomorrow using this system, and the list goes on - ENOUGH already!

In many ways, I find it an insult to my intelligence.  Although I’m sure I’m not alone when I admit I’ve been scammed.  Anyone who has seriously tried to make money online and succeeded (or not, but seriously tried) knows that it takes time, effort, and some monetary investments.  The amount of time, money and effort you put into your business will ultimately determine it’s success.  Let me stand corrected, the amount of time, money, and effort you “properly” put into your business will ultimately determine it’s success.  There are definite “dos” and “don’ts” in succeeding with an online business and knowing the difference is key to your success.

For starters, DON”T buy into the hype and pipe dream.  DO do your due diligence in researching the opportunity that interests you.  We’ll probably all agree, that money doesn’t fall out of the sky, grow on trees, or automatically get deposited into your Paypal account.  Yet ads advertising such crap get clicked on daily!! 

Do your due dilligence by researching the opportunity, getting in on conferenece calls, ask/post questions, and probably most important, make direct contact with someone from the organization.  In many respects it is like you are “interviewing” for employment – except you are the one hiring!  You need to find an organization you feel comfortable with that also meets all “your” needs. 

If you believe in luck then I got lucky.  The way I see it,  there are NO coincidences and the teacher appeared when I was ready!!  As stated by Alexander Graham Bell, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”  I was not going to allow uncontrollable circumstances blur my vision and prevent me from seeing the door which was opened for me. 

I did my due diligence by following through with research on the internet, conference calls, and making direct contact with the person who is now my sponsor.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I went with who I felt comfortable with and what they had to offer as far as training and support.  An additional selling point for me was that they were straight forward and honest and did not sugar coat how this business opportunity could make you money.

Well guys, here I was writing away (actually on a roll) when I pushed the save button and right in front of me was a message that something was wrong with the servers (probably Matt’s fault) and I had to reload.  Bye Bye to all that good writing.  Darn you Matt!!

Unfortunately I did not save it and really don’t feel like starting over.  It’s getting late, I’m not the best typist, and I have not gotten much sleep the past few days due to my due diligence on making this online business succeed.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.  Actually, I’ve learned a lot in the past few days and am starting to get a feel of what my priorities are with regard to this business.  So much to learn, So much to do, So little time.  What’s a woman to do?    

Phewww, that was close.  I just went to try and publish this little snippet and got the same blame game about Matt.  Luckily Matt, I learn from my mistakes and saved it before it was lost.  Not a lot to say but I did say.

Shortly after the New Year I returned from a relaxing (no business) trip to the West Coast, finished out the holidays with a festive Three Kings Day celebration with close friends (one of my favs) and then wasted no time getting back onto the training calls and continuing my business and marketing education (always something to learn).

While I haven’t been in the business very long (approximately 2 months), I was pleasantly surprised last week when I wrote to my sponsor giving him an update on my efforts and lack of results.  What he responded to me with was the wonderful news that I had actually made a sale and was now just one sale away from being qualified to make 100% commisions.  What an incentive for me to keep on putting forth any and all efforts.  Even when I’m not producing, the business is working for me!  Just when I was getting a little frustrated with the lack of results from my efforts. . .

I was reminded of a most important lesson – Never give up!  Quitters never win and Winners NEVER Quit!

I could have sat on a pity pot and felt sorry for myself, questioned my decision to make this business work, and bought into the mindset that I don’t have what it takes.  WRONG!  Instead I jumped right back into educating myself about the business, the internet, online marketing, and such.  I am here to utilize the internet to my advantage and make money while doing so.  Stick around and you’ll see me get to the top!

While it has been a little over a month since my last (first) entry, I have made a personal comittment to myself that I will use this blog to both my advantage and yours.  It is my purpose here to make new friends, establish new relationships and exchange ideas, thoughts and strategies to improve upon all aspects of our lives. 

I’ve spent more time away then I would have liked to but as a total newbie in the online marketing world, I’ve immersed myself in learning all I can about all aspects.  Needless to say, there’s lots to learn!  During this process, I’ve learned quite a bit and rather proud of myself for some of these accomplishments.   One biggy is that I designed and published a simple capture page with software that I purchased.  I’d love it if you checked it out and told me what you thought.  Keep in mind I said “simple.”  Also, I opted not to put in any audio because this particular page was being placed on a campaign that did not allow audio.  My next project will definitely include audio.

The Buzz About My Biz will obviously focus on business opportunities, online marketing strategies, marketing resources, and such.  However, all aspects of my life are a work in progress and I am always open to whatever it is that will help me become a better me and ultimately, the world a better place.