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

August 31st, 2007

Building vs Buying Home Business Traffic

Home business owners, whether online or offline, need customers/clients.  How does one get them?  In general the methods vary depending on which type of business you’re operating.  However, with more businesses having some type of online presence, online methods are of great interest.

Online business owners often get caught up with buying lists of guaranteed visitors to their site.  Cynthia Minnaar, in an article in American Chronicle, How to Drive Targeted Website Traffic to Your Internet Home Business, differentiates between building versus buying home business traffic.  Even though buying traffic may seem to be the quicker way, it doesn’t work, Ms Minnaar maintains.

“Building [traffic] takes time, perseverence, persistence and dedication.  You can’t cut corners and expect to build your internet home business in a week or month and generate massive targeted traffic and create online income in a short space of time.”

Then she goes on the describe some free ways to build your business traffic.

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

June 3rd, 2007

Networking for Your Home Business - Online

More and more networking for home businesses and other business occurs online nowadays.  This seems to be the growing trend even if your business isn’t an online one.  Business owners begin to find the Internet and e-mail a great way to communicate with customers and to promote their products and services. 

As Mark Allen said in the interview about his online home business, “The great thing about an online business is that the world is your market.”  Likewise, the great aspect about online networking and promotion is that the world is your audience.  You can meet and work with people around the globe.

What are some ways to network online?

*Join an online group that specializes in like interests or businesses.  Here you often can find advice, support, and encouragement.

*Visit other web sites and blogs and leave comments, thus introducing yourself and becoming a familiar name.

*Write articles for web sites and become a guest on blogs that have a similar interest.  (You’ll often learn about these opportunities through discussions on online groups.)

*If it seems practical, become associated with an online marketing site like Mark has with CafePress.

*Introduce yourself to others who write columns or have blogs.  I receive e-mails from people who either want suggestions or have a book or product they want me to review.  When you do this, be sincere and friendly, not pushy and commercial. 

Are there ways of networking online that have worked very successfully for you?

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments