As you know, I’m making the transition from being a stay at home mom to being a work at home mom. The transition hasn’t always been easy as I’m also trying to figure out what the base of my work will be. Sure, it may seem simple enough- brainstorm a list of ideas for working at home and then go from there.
But that’s in theory and sometimes theory is a lot easier than putting everything into action.
I’ve had many business ideas in the past, most of which never came to fruition. And that was all for lack of taking action. So if there’s anyone to blame for my non-business success? It’s me.
So why is it different now? Why do I still feel compelled to pursue working at home and making it a viable option? I have nothing against working moms or moms who work outside of the home. But I know that it’s just not for me. While I may have wanted to pursue my degree in psychology, my career goals and aspirations have changed.
If I do pursue my bachelor’s degree, it would be in communications. In fact, I have my whole higher education plan mapped out. Not as my alternative to what I’m doing now, but as a supplement.
But what else can I do? What else can I add in that won’t take away from blogging? As I was brainstorming options, network marketing came to mind. But is networking marketing a good fit for moms who want to work at home? And can I really make this work without taking too much time away from my blog?
Many people that think operating a business from home is glamorous, exciting, and filled with freedoms that you can never experience if you work for someone else. Without the obligations that come from reporting to an employer everyday and they then think the money is easily acquired. This article will look at both the positives and negatives of owning a home-based business.
An important part of working from home is letting others know you have a business and this is done through networking.
Network marketing is not always easy for everyone. There are individuals who are very natural at talking with others and find it quite easy to be in a room full of strangers and talk about what they have to offer. Then there are those terrified of the idea of network marketing and would prefer to stay home and pay someone else to do this portion of the business for them.
Network marketing does not have to be a horrible experience for you and you do not have to have a panic attack at the thought of attending one. When you prepare for network marketing and do not go in with your eyes closed, you will find that it will make an enormous difference in the productivity of your business.
Network marketing can be beneficial in building a plethora of resources and contacts that you can have at your fingertips to propel your business forward.
Decide in advance how many people you want to talk to and do just that. If it is your first time, you may only want to talk to three people. Although once you are there, you will probably find yourself relaxing and notice that you came home with more than three contacts.
Do not forget the business cards of the people you meet. In the excitement, you may forget their names. It is a good idea to jot down some relevant information on the back of the card to help you remember why or why not you like that particular contact.
In order for your home business to be successful, you have to make your presence known.
You can do this through advertising and word-of-mouth. However, staying inside your protective home and never letting anyone know whom you are will not generate many clients or bring an increase in your profits.
Go out, have coffee, and talk to others about your services. Walk into businesses that you think will profit from your services and let them know what you have to offer. If you have children in school, you can offer your services to the PTA or other groups that your child may be involved. Do not discount your sphere of influences because it is from this circle that your business will grow.
If you are a mom looking for an at-home business, you might be tempted by a multi-level marketing opportunity, like selling Avon or Pampered Chef. But there are literally hundreds of products you could sell and as many companies you could work for selling those products. How do you choose the one that’s right for you?
Let’s look at some criteria to help.
Product quality
Most WAHMs who sell a product through one of these companies discover the product when they attend a home party where the product is being sold. They might find that they like the flavor of the food, or the ease of makeup application or how they feel after drinking the drink.
That means, then, that there’s a belief in the product’s quality before signing up with the company. But if you decide to sell something that you have never tried before yourself, you have to do a bit more digging. Make sure that the product has good reviews, that it does what it promises and that the company itself is a good one that stands behind its products.
Investment
How much will it cost you to get started in your business? While you should never have to pay in general to work for a company, there’s always a start-up investment when dealing with a MLM. You will buy a kit, or supplies, or a starter supply of something. Much depends on the company as to what you need to buy and how much it will cost.
Can you afford the initial investment it takes to get your business started? Many MLM companies will let you start with either a basic, bare bones kit, or you can purchase a kit that includes samples, sales orders and the like. In addition to whatever kit you choose, however, you will also need to purchase business cards, perhaps a website, and other office and business supplies.
Support
What kind of support does the company offer its consultants? Can you call someone during your start-up period for advice? Is it free? What kind of support might you get from the others who work for the company? Will your upline provide any support? Is there any training efforts that will help you as you establish your business?
One of the best aspects of signing up to sell a MLM product is the built-in support that most companies offer; though not all companies do offer that support mechanism, the best ones will. Be sure to ask the right questions before you sign up.
Time involved
Does the time requirement for working your business work for you? If you decide to sell food or kitchen products, for example, you might need to prepare food in advance of each party. Do you have time for that? If you sell scrapbooking products, you might need to make an album full of sample pages with the company’s products. Can you add that into your already busy schedule?
If you don’t have a lot of time to give to these kinds of endeavors, you might want to think about that before you sign up with a company. Other products, like makeup or skincare, might not require as much preparation.
Potential for earnings
Carefully examine the company’s compensation package. How much will you make from a sale? How much can you make from a party? Will you make enough to cover your expenses and bring you a nice profit? Sometimes it can be hard to turn a good profit from MLM companies. Many moms report losing money, likely because they don’t do the research ahead of time that you will do.
Your market
Do you have a good base of potential customers now? When you first start your business, your initial customers will likely be friends and family. If you have a tiny family and few friends, your potential for getting that business off the ground quickly and easily will be shaky.
Carefully consider the market that you have. Will they buy products from you? Not everyone will be willing to hear your presentation and might even feel put on the spot by your desire to sell the products. Make sure you have a comfortable base of potential customers to begin with.
Doing a bit of research before you jump into a new earning opportunity can be the difference between a successful endeavor and a failure. Make sure you do everything you can to achieve the former.
Network marketing, or MLM if you prefer, is not for everyone. Be sure to weigh both the pros and cons before making the decision. And if you’re in need of companies to consider, check out the Direct Selling Association.
Kori
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