New Years Tips for Business Building

The New Year is the perfect time to set new goals that will help take your business to the next level. Whether you’re just starting out or if you’ve been in business for a decade, you can always improve on what you’re doing. At CWAHM, we work together to help one another grow our businesses. Every day I receive emails from moms sharing tips that they’ve used to find success in business.

Bridget Grant – GoGreenGoCleen.com
“Make a work schedule and stick to it!

Flexibility is one of the best "perks" when working from home.
It's very easy to let certain tasks slide, especially if your child is crying or needs you.

Make a schedule each day/week IN ADVANCE of your working hours. If you have an appointment, schedule it into your working day. Treat your home business like a regular job; show up when you're scheduled to and if you miss work, make it up.

Treating your home business as a regular job versus a hobby will yield much better results.”

Louise Uithoven - Handpicked 4 U (http://stores.ebay.com/Handpicked4U?refid=store)

“Customer service is key for my business. A happy customer – is hopefully – a repeat customer! I ship when I say I will and package my items so they arrive in the same condition they left my house - I think it is an important way to show how much I value them (my customer). I answer emails promptly, and offer solutions when there is a problem – if we can work something out it benefits both of us. For multiple items purchased I offer shipping discounts or combined shipping to help them save some money. I love what I do and I want to pass that passion on to my customers.”

Nicole - Herbalife Independent Distributor (http://www.herbal-nutrition.net/all-wayshealth)

“You should definitely join some type of organization. That could be your local chamber or some kind of local group that interests you ( reading group, fitness group, walking group, singles group, and the list goes on....). You can also join online. There is the DSWA ( direct selling women's alliance ) if you are in a direct selling company.

You can also get involved with online networking groups. I did not do this in the beginning of my business, however, I have started now and it is a lot of fun to meet other people in home based businesses. There are online vendor parties.....just type those words into your search engine and it will bring up the sites that offer this.

I just recently purchased a card caddie ( this is place to keep your business cards on the outside of your car without getting damaged by rain etc...). If you type in your search engine: card caddie, it will bring you to the "official site" and I have found that you will get a better deal finding them on ebay.”

Kim Hudson - kimhudson.myphotomax.com

“One great way to increase business is give away something for free, if possible. If you are involved in a party plan business, have guests earn raffle tickets for bringing a friend, or ordering a certain dollar amount; then give a free gift for the raffle winner. Or just give a free gift for bringing a friend! Give coupons for future orders. Give anything you can think of! My company offers free photo prints for opening a free account, which has really helped increase customers! Plus, it just makes you feel good to give something of value to someone!”

Yvette Mason - www.beyondthecandle.com

“Be excited about the product or services you are marketing and don't be afraid to share that excitement with others. When you believe in what you're selling, it shines through! For example, just today I had gone to the bank to make a deposit. The cashier commented on how good my checks smelled! That was the perfect opportunity for me to share one of my business cards with a scent sample attached. As I drove away from the drive thru, I could see her enjoying the scent I had just given her! I had seized the opportunity to share my excitement about my product!”

Working together and learning from one another is a tremendous benefit of being a work from home mom. Being a part of an online community or a local networking group can help you to think outside of your usual methods and develop unique ways of building your business. Find the time to connect with other work-at-home moms and work together to achieve success.