Wahm Forum - Your "Work-at-Home Moms" Support Group

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:03 pm

For our upcoming September ezine issue:

What would I do differently if I could do it all over again?

We all know that starting a new business is really tough. We learn alot along the way. We all make those little mistakes that we wish we hadn't or found a much easier way to accomplish something after much labor.

If I were to start all over again, I would definitely educate myself more. My first business adventure, I paid a lot of money hosting my site for all the "wonderful technology" it offered. What if I had took time to educate myself about how to install my own programs on an affordable hosting company? I could have literally saved tons of money.

Another thing I've learned is to do your research before launching any advertising campaign. With my first business adventure I paid for an expensive listing in our local yellow pages. One month later, I indeed decided to do some research. Statistics were stated that only certain types of businesses actually prosper from yellow pages. (I imagine Hotels and Motels are among the successful ones) I read through the types of businesses listed. Unfortunately, my type of business was not on the list. In fact, it was not recommended for yellow page advertising at all. Hmm. I realized that more than likely I had just lost money. Well, the year passed by and I didn't make one red cent from that listing.

The good thing about mistakes is that you learn from them, and you usually learn well enough that you do not make the same mistake twice.

Another good thing about mistakes is that you can "share" them and help others avoid the same mistakes.

So, I'm asking our members to pitch in and share their mistakes. This is a great way to "network in reverse" so-to-speak. What "not" to do will surely help some of us avoid some heart-wrenching errors.

Your turn.....

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:09 pm

I wouldn't spend so much money buying "the gurus" ideas. Most of them were beyond my understanding starting out.
Finding a forum like this and networking is a much smarter way of finding out what works and doesn't.

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:48 pm

I have not been doing my home business for long, but I have figured out that buying leads is a wast of money. I would buy $6.00 leads to $2.00 leads that are "Guaranteed a sign up" NOT!!! It's a waste of money. I do advertising on the back window of my truck and I get a call at least one a day! I found that works much much better then spending money on leads!

Tammy

http://tammyhomefree.momexecs.com
http://myhomebiz.healthyhometour.com

Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 6 $$ Wahm Bucks 0.00

I worked several home based businesses when I was very young and very naive and let myself get talked into signing up by very aggressive sponsors. I think I just didn't know how to say no to them! I would find myself in a home business I really wasn't passionate about AND with a sponsor who was very unsupportive.

I have since learned you need to:

1. thoroughly research the business you get into to, find out as much as you can about the product/service and the company;
2. make sure you get a supportive sponsor - you need to let your sponsor know that you expect their support but don't want to be pushed;
3. always be a customer first before being a rep. If you have a personal passion for the product or service your passion will come through to others.

Cathie G.
Miessence Certified Organics
http://www.healthyoptions.mionegroup.com
Free healthy newsletter at http://www.healthyoptions.com

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:44 pm

What would i do differently if i could start all over?
Well when i first started with a work at home business.......i hardly advertised at all. Basically i was depending on just word of mouth to get me going. And well that works but only for a short while.
So if i could start ALL OVER again..........I WOULD ADVERTISE LIKE CRAZY!!!! LOL Kind of like i am now!
Tracy

http://www.crazy4candles.scent-team.com/home.php
http://www.digitalmomteam.com/tracy

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:29 pm

Really good question. I would choose my clients more selectively and have more patience in seeing the fruits of my labors paying off. I'd have started online networking from day one as well as local networking more. Take care and God bless.

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:59 pm

What i would do is realize i can not help everyone "at the same time" right from the beginning. When i first started out it seamed as though everyone needed help all at once. I felt bad to say no because i could see that they were in need. This led to a very hectic schedule and I had lots of deadlines. It seamed as though i was working 7/24. I learned that if my schedule is full it is full and i can not help everyone at once.

Since i learned to say "no" and "maybe later" I noticed that people are ok with that. What seamed like an emergency before turned into projects for later dates. Best of all, I not only gained clients but friends.

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:57 am

The biggest thing I would have done differently was join Send Out Cards when I was first introduced. I was working Melaleuca at the time and I was determined to make it work. I knew Send Out Cards was a great product, but didn't open my eyes long enough to see the power in this business. I was focused and while focus is much needed, it hurt me here. I had a gold mine under my nose and kept putting it off.

After 4 years, I will echo what others have said. You MUST have a great sponsor. Interview sponsors. Ask yourself, "Do I want to work the rest of my life with this person?" Or at least long term. What if my sponsor is not available? Do they have a strong team? Are there other team members available to help me?

You want a product/service that is logical and unique. My first business was telecommunications. I thought this was great since everyone used their phones. WRONG! There is too much competition. I learned alot, but made no money. Then health/nutrition. This just had to be it. WRONG! Everyone has a health product and their's is the best. Just ask them. This confuses the consumer.

Send Out Cards has been perfect for me. No competition, most people have never heard of, so they are curious, we are set up to let people try for FREE and the greeting card industry is an 8 billion dollar industry.

I agree with Carla about being a customer first. Although I wasted lots of valuable time saying no to Send Out Cards, I was a customer. I loved it and therefore became a business builder. You want a product that attracts more than just business builders!

God Bless,
Joey

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:12 am

The thing that I would have done differently was learn not to be quite so shy so that I would have been able to build my business offline as well as online. There are alot of businesses that you can just work the internet but it is great to work them on and offline.

Jo
Send a greeting today!

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:12 pm

Education! I would educate myself before joining any business oppty because people don't realize that you do indeed need to work the business, advertise and market the business and really dedicate yourself to making your business work.

Leads, I got ripped off biggie time in the beginning. I do NOT recommend it nor will I ever do that again!

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:21 pm

Leads are very difficult to work! Even for those that feel very comfortable talking to cold contacts, they are difficult. Once again, it's a numbers game. If you call enough leads, sooner or later, you'll get someone. But, I don't recommend it. You can spend lots of money very fast and get discouraged really fast.

My pet peave with leads is getting someone that says they are looking to invest $750 or more in a business. Then when you call them, they can't afford $30. That amazes me.

God Bless,
Joey

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:07 am

Yes, leads! I would not spend a dime on leads. It is a numbers game and many have to be bought in order to obtain substantial results. All my time spent calling and following up with leads could have been spent doing other things.

I also should've spent more time on learning how to advertise effectively without breaking the bank especially free advertising methods.

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 1:28 am

I would of educated my self more. Learning everything on my own has been tough. I would of taken more classes and possibley avoided the mistakes I have made in the past. But, I have learned from my mistakes, so that can be a good thing.

I would of started the online business sooner as well. I regret not starting earlier.

Take care,
Amy Quintana Very Happy

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 4:50 am

Like Amy, I would have started working online earlier also. But, there's nothing we can do about the past. Winners don't carry excess baggage.

We are what we are, so what are we going to do today to help us achieve our goals? Or what HAVE you done today to help achieve your goals?

God Bless,
Joey

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:37 pm

I've thought about this question all month and the thoughts have finally melded into an answer.

What would I do differently? I'd find someone wise to tell me that "Build it and they will come" is not an effective long-term marketing strategy, and that marketing is hard work. Then I'd have found myself a very supportive group of like-minded people to lift me up and give supportive advice when I asked, and sometimes when I needed it and didn't ask, and with whom I would be willing to do the same.

Glad you guys and gals are here!