homebiznotes.com

November 7th, 2007

Home Biz Suggests You Check Out Contests at b5’s Sports Channel

If you like to participate in contests, check out three at b5media’s Sports Cannel, in other words, Play and Win at the Sports Channel.

 Three of the blogs are participating, Rackets and Balls, Hockey Beat, and World Poker Tour.  Each has a different set of rules.  Prizes include teddy bears and other great stuff.

It becoming more and more common for business to offer some kind of contest or prize drawing to encourage customers to stop by, whether it’s a walk-in business or an online one. 

*Leaving your business card in a fish bowl for a monthly drawing of free meal, free parking, free car wash, free quilting tool…or whatever is associated with your business…has become quite common.

*Leaving comments on a blog post for a drawing has gained in popularity.

*Writing a slogan for a product or promotion interests some.

*Naming a new product, animal, picture, etc. is another.

*Guessing the number of jelly beans, candy corn, candy hearts or something similar in a jar has been used, too.

What can you come up with to promote interest in your business and create fun at the same time?

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By Mary Emma -- 5 comments

November 5th, 2007

“Making Your Vote Count” at the Business Channel & Home Biz Notes

A round-up of posts by b5media Business Channel bloggers appears at Making Your Vote Count.  CE Kelly Erb emphasizes the importance of voting and mentions, “at the business channel we understand the interplay between politics and real life.”

The post I contributed, Politics and Your Home Business , asks the question, “How much should be inject politics into our home business?”

Check out the round-up and see what others business bloggers think about elections and politics  in the United States and Canada.

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

October 13th, 2007

Celebrate Spekked - Win A 4GB iPod Nano With Video

Spekked is b5 media’s brand new entertainment portal. It highlights gossip, spoilers, videos, news from over 28 popular b5 entertainment blogs.

Spekked is a destination for the latest information about television shows, from 24 to VH1, and other entertainment and movie news. Spekked consolidates the content from dozens of individual communities from b5media’s Entertainment Channel into one easy-to-navigate destination.

Celebrate the launch of Spekked by entering the competition. First prize is a 4GB iPod Nano With video.

CEO of b5media, Jeremy Wright, says of the Spekked launch,

Spekked is a fantastic look into b5media’s amazing Entertainment blogs, featuring the best content from across the network, showcasing daily blogs and bloggers and bringing together great content from around the web for the benefit of our readers.

Check out the Spekked site, read the press release and enter the competition. Entries close October 19th, at 2.00 p.m. EST.

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By Yvonne Russell -- 0 comments

October 10th, 2007

Does an Eating Disorder Interfere with Your Home Business?

 Eating disorders can affect anyone, male and female and almost every age.  Often these conditions interfere with one’s ability to work well at their business, their craft, their profession.  These disorders generally range from eating too much and of the wrong type of food to eating too little.  Any of these can play havoc with your health, lead to other situations and cause you to be less productive.  (I know…I’ve been there…read below.) 

New Eating Disorder Blog 

 If you’re experiencing any of these situations and desire to learn more about eating disorders or find someone who understands what you’re going through, visit the new b5media blog, Breaking the Mirror by Julia Anna.  She is a recovering anorexic and shares her story, as well as provides resources.   Julia Anna also discusses the overeating that affects people on the other side of the eating disorder spectrum.

Personal Experience with Anorexia

I’ve lived with anorexia since I was 20 years old. (I’m a grandmother now!)  That was before the doctors labeled it and really knew much about the condition.  I’ve learned to control it, but must constantly be on guard that anorexia doesn’t control me again.  I’m  finding Julie Anna’s blog very informative and am learning to understand myself better.

What about you?   

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By Mary Emma -- 4 comments

October 8th, 2007

b5 Business Channel Features FEAR for Theme Day

The b5media Business Channel focused on FEAR as the topic for their October Theme Day, with all the participants presenting it in their unique ways.  Jim Norton of the Small Business Boomers blog hosted Theme Day with a round-up from Business Channel members, b5 business bloggers muse on FEAR.

Yvonne Russell wrote a very creative post on this topic for Home Biz Notes, using a FEAR ancronym for FEAR in Home Business - Find Every Available Resource.  You’ll want to check out Yvonne’s post, as well as the other bloggers who contributed to Theme Day.

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

October 4th, 2007

What’s Sport Got To Do With It? Sports Terms in Home Business

There are a lot of parallels between business and sport, and it’s interesting that a lot of the terminology we use in everyday business are sports terms.

• Hit a home run
• Carry the ball
• Slam dunk
• Always on the ball
• Game plan
• King hit
• Three strikes
• Run with it
• Play hardball
• Call the shots
• Team player

Can you think of any others sports terms used in everyday business? I’d love you to add your suggestions in the comments.

Sports Channel Celebrations Competition - Prizes Galore

I am a keen basketball follower, having played myself. I’ve coached teams, and clapped my hands till they hurt when cheering for my son’s team. So I was thrilled to see that b5 has now expanded the Sports Channel to add some new blogs, including Ladies Court, a women’s basketball blog.

To celebrate the launch of the Sports Channel’s new blogs, there’s a competition with 7 prize packages. Hope you hit a home run with your entry. ;)

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By Yvonne Russell -- 3 comments

September 10th, 2007

Home Biz Notes Participates in Back-to-School Theme Day

“Back-to-School” is the selected topic for the b5media Business Channel Theme Day hosted by Miranda Marquit at Yielding Wealth.   Home Biz Notes participated with a post, 5 Ways Back-to-School Affects Your Home Business. 

Now that youngsters are back in school, parents who operate home businesses, as well as those who shop, will find some changes in their lives and businesses.  I share five ways you might be affected.

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

September 7th, 2007

5 Ways “Back to School” Affects Your Home Business

Most youngsters are back to school and you may find this affects your home business, either because you’re a parent or your customers are.  Have you noticed any changes in your business?

 *You can keep on a stricter schedule, working at your business while your children are at school.  Or if your business depends on customers stopping in, you’ll probably find more of them do so during school hours.

*You may have visits from youngsters on fund raising projects.  For instance, our granddaughter joined the year book committee at her school and has the task of visiting ten businesses to see if they will purchase an ad.  Other students are selling fund raising coupon booklets.  If you haven’t advertised in these booklets, you may be solicited about purchasing them.  (And Mom and Dad are usually asked first!)

*Plan promotions that reflect “back to school” themes, focusing on items that youngsters use in school.   You also can provide information that might be helpful to parents at this time. 

*See if there are any fund raisers that you, as a business, can participate.  Often PTA representatives are looking either for items for fundraisers or someone to help with them.  You may be called to help, if you have youngsters at school, so you may be able to tie these to your business.  (I often donate a copy of one of my books when items are needed.)

*Coordinate your schedule around sports that your youngsters are participating in.  Perhaps there are  games you want to attend, so you must arrange help or adjust your hours. 

How has “back to school” affected your business?  How have you arranged your schedule?  Do you produce any different products.  Do you schedule promotions around this theme?

Related Back to School post:

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By Mary Emma -- 2 comments

September 6th, 2007

If You’re a Fabric Fanatic, You Can Develop a Home Business

         A love of fabric often leads to a home business.  For Laurie Maier, her enjoyment of vintage fabrics resulted in Blue Indigo, her tote bag (cloth handbag) business.  This isn’t a full time business for Laurie, but is an interesting one that takes her to upscale craft fairs during the fall months.  She also makes these bags on commission.  After purchasing a tote bag several years ago, and discovering it wasn’t well made, Laurie decided to create one herself.   She began making them for family and friends.  Before long, her business, Blue Indigo, was launched.  (Don’t you love the name?) This story, Fabrics Are Her Bag, by Carole LaMond, in the Lincoln (MA) Journal, provides very interesting insight into Laurie’s business and where a love of fabric can take you. Use your ingenuity and creativity, and you may find yourself evolving into a home business, too.  Also, keep in mind, if you’re just starting out, or considering turning an interest into a home business, that you may want to enter the Jump Start Your Business contest here at the b5media Business Channel.

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

September 3rd, 2007

“Jump Start Your Business” Contest at b5media’s Business Channel

Check out the details for this Business Channel contest open to those considering starting a small business or who have just begun one.  Details are available at Jump Start Your Business at b5media’s Business Channel.

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By Mary Emma -- 3 comments