Friday, June 18, 2010

How To Start Your Own Success Information Marketing Business


Information marketing business is one of the most profitable home-based business idea, and even better, you can start your business with little out of pocket money. People all over the world are making extra-ordinary income every month with information marketing. And if you are already thinking of starting your own information marketing business, or looking for the perfect home-based business ideas, this write up is for you. READ ON...



What is Information Marketing?
This may sound foreign to most people, but simply put ...Information marketing is the marketing of information. I know you were probably expecting some long drawn out definition, but really it's not that complicated.
There are numerous products to consider when discussing the Information Industry that many people may not know about or maybe even forgotten like audio programs, videos or DVD's made available through a catalog or online, traditional books, newsletters, magazines, membership sites, home-study courses, e-books, webinars, tele-seminars, tele-coaching, seminars and conferences in some form or another.
As you can see from the large list above, information marketing covers lot arenas.
You may be like me, and prefer to have something tangible (i.e. in hand) when learning new information or you may prefer to view this information via the Internet or attend seminars. Really, the possibilities with information marketing are endless because everyone has their own preference, and therefore your audience/target market will vary depending on the medium you decide to choose to get your information distributed.

Benefits
Starting an information marketing business has several benefits, including low start-up and operation costs, minimal business experience requirements and of course, you can operate this type of business right from your home. You do not have to keep lots of inventory on hand, and you can run your business on a very flexible work schedule – ideal for people who have day jobs, stay-at-home moms or other commitments that they need to work around.

How to Get Started:
Running an information marketing business does require work, so it is essential to focus on an information niche that interests you, and one in which have knowledge or experience. Think about activities or hobbies that you do in your spare time (that you enjoy doing without getting paid for). By focusing on an area that you enjoy, this will make your work more fun and interesting. Generally, entrepreneurs who like their work are more successful.
When people are searching for information on the internet, they are usually looking for answers or solutions. Therefore, you want to think about how you can offer a solution in your particular information niche, such as “how to” information.

Format:
You then want to decide which format you will use. Will you offer your customers an e-book? An audio MP3 file? A video course? A PDF report? A membership website? All of these formats are surprising easy to produce these days – with inexpensive tools you can find online. You can find “fill-in-the-blank” style software programs that virtually create products for you – with the information you provide. The production process is quick and low-cost – it is no wonder so many entrepreneurs are attracted to information marketing.

Content & Competition:
Before you start, see what kinds of information products are already available in your market. You do not usually want to enter an over-saturated market, and by seeing what your competition is offering, you can prepare a better product. A better product would be one that provides a greater amount of information, more specific information or a more convenient format. Also think about doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing. Many start-up businesses have found success using this strategy.
Many new entrepreneurs think they can win over an entire market simply by offering a low price. This does not always work, nor is it a profitable solution. Customers are looking more for value than price. Even if your product is priced higher – but you offer a greater value – you are likely to win the attention of your prospect.

Marketing Your Product:
You have lots of advertising options online, many of which are free and take minimal effort. However, you want to spend your time and effort on methods that reach a very specific audience that will be interested in the information you provide. Do not try to advertise to everyone. Use multiple advertising methods to increase your reach, such as submitting free press releases, using social media tools, search engine advertising and website linking.
Even though you have several opportunities to make money online with information products, do not forget the offline market. You can sell exclusively by mail, or you can contact prospects by mail and send them to your website. Either way, targeted mailing lists can be an effective way of reaching an offline market that your competitors have forgotten.






Success!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Tips to Help You Succeed With Your Home-Based Business

Starting a home-based business is never easy. From advertising to zoning, there is always something that will require your attention. Here are ten tips to keep you focused on your quest to make your home-based business a success.



1. Set a schedule and stick to it. The allure of working from home is powerful -- but so is the appeal of spending more time with your family or of taking a nap in the middle of the day. Setting and maintaining a schedule for your workday is critical.
2. Set up a dedicated office area. You can't run a business from your kitchen table. A successful business requires a fully equipped home office. If you have an extra bedroom, consider converting it into office space. If you do not have an extra room in your home, try setting up a partition to create an office area.
3. Be professional. One of the perks of running a business from home is having the option of working in your pajamas, but your customers should not be able to tell that you just rolled out of bed. Maintain normal office hours and a professional demeanor when answering your phone or dealing with customers.
4. Advertise. Just because you build it doesn't necessarily mean they will come. To succeed, you will need to advertise your new business. Advertising and marketing don't have to be expensive, but they have to be done.
5. Familiarize yourself with the applicable tax laws. You are about to enter a whole new world of taxation. To avoid ending up frazzled on April 15th, take the time now to discuss your options with your accountant or with another qualified professional who can advise you about your tax situation.
6. Check with your zoning commission. Make sure there are no zoning laws that will prevent you from running
7. Formulate a business plan. Where do you want your business to be in six months? How about in five years? Many small business owners mistakenly think that a business plan is only necessary if they are going to have investors. But businesses of all sizes can use a business plan as a roadmap to success.
8. Get on the Web. The Internet is the single best way for a home-based businesses to reach out to prospective customers. Even if your business isn't "e-" anything, you need a Web site that can function as an online brochure for your company.



9. Do your research. You may think that your idea for your home-based business is unique. But unless you do some market research, you won't know whether or not your market is already saturated. Market research can help you find a special angle for your product or service, giving you an edge over your competitors.
10. Don't get discouraged. Many businesses fail simply because their owners became discouraged after a disappointing trial period. You will have to show grit and determination to make your business succeed. Hang in there and do all that you can to make your business the success you know it can be.

I created this post from an article I read sometime ago at allbusiness.com. Hope you like it.

Success!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Why You May Need A Mentor

Tammy's blog is one of the several blogs that I follow. She blogs on home-based business ideas and has great content on her blog. Here is one of her writing that will help you in deciding whether you will need a mentor as you start out on your home-based business idea.

Do you think you need one?

If you have just started out with a home business and are not that web savvy, you can greatly benefit from a work at home mentor.

How much does having a mentor cost?

Well, sometimes you get lucky enough to get help from a mentor for free, especially if you are good friends with them. But the price of a good business mentor varies depending on what type of advice you are seeking.

Where can you find a good home based business mentor?

Mentors are literally all over the place on the Internet for the work at home industry. You can find them on all the popular social media networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, message forums, and etc...

What should you look for in a business mentor?

A mentor should definitely have more experience than you and are more marketing savvy. It makes sense, you are new to the work at home industry and you need guidance with marketing, creating a good online presence, and making money.

Can a mentor be a family member?

Yes definitely! As long as they have the knowledge and experience that you are looking for to benefit you the most. Also you may get their services for free since they are relatives.

What types of business mentors are available?

All types! You can find strictly marketing mentors, affiliate sales, website sales, telecommuting, MLM, direct sales, and the list goes on.

You can also have buddy mentors. They don't specifically have to have more experience than you do however. This type of mentoring could also be labeled as "The Buddy System." Having a home business buddy can be great for your business. You could swap ideas and run over marketing techniques with each other. Even a business partnership can grow from having an online buddy to share things with online.

Mentors are also excellent for keeping you motivated and focused.

Goog piece, right?

Success!