Thursday, July 29, 2010

Family Matters

What is summer without a sleepover?  Boring according to some children in my neighborhood!  Ok, some parents may be naturals at hosting slumber parties and some of us may need a few pointers to help our kids have a great time (and hopefully keep too many tears from falling).  Here are some tips to help (Thanks to the Miller Messenger and Lori-Spriesters-bach for passing these along):

Kids Sleepover Tips

  1. The ideal age for kids and slumber parties (according to child development experts) is approximately 8 to 14, but every child is different.
  2. Use your child's age to determine the maximum number of guests to invite.  For example, if he or she is 8, invite no more than 8 children.  An even number is best to keep someone from feeling left out.
  3. Post a list of house rules where children can see them.  Let children know that anyone who doesn't follow the rules will be sent home. (No one wants to go home--they will obey them...LOL)
  4. Set up an outdoor campsite inside with tents, sleeping bags, twinkle lights around the room, and glow-in-dark stars on the ceiling.
  5. Kids love to make their own food.  For snack time, set up a popcorn station with a selection of toppings like powdered cheese,ground cinnamon, chocolate sprinkles, etc.  Or for breakfast have a pancake or waffle station, complete with fruit, chocolate morsels, and syrups...(No spill lids)
  6. As fun favor, give each guest a new pillowcase. (Dollar Store's are great for low cost) Let each child sign the pillowcases with a permanent marker as a reminder of the over night fun they had with your child. (This is called relationship building!)
  7. Provide imaginative and educational books for them to read before going to sleep, provide flashlights for them to read by, they think it's fun.
Books are available at your local library to provide further information on safety and creative ideas.  For Imaginative and Educational Interactive Books stop by my Barefoot Books page at: http://www.marilyn-fisher.barefootbooks.com/ feel free to shop or join us in this Barefoot Journey!

A couple of library suggestions are:  Slumber Parties: 25 Fun-filled Party Themes, by Penny Warner, Meadowbrook, 2000.
Slumber Parties: What Do I Do? by Wilhelminia Ripple and Kathryn Totten, Oakbrook Publishing House, 2002.

Have fun and enjoy!
Until next time, Remember enjoy today as if there were no tomorrow!
Marilyn Fisher

Friday, July 23, 2010

Home - Based Business's You Have To Market Your Product! Part 3

Find your Niche

In an earlier post we talked about our competition, today I want to talk about what we are going to market and how we are going to market it.  There is an old saying: "To lead, find out where people want to go and then hustle yourself around in front of them." 

The top companies such as McDonald's and the woman who founded Mary Kay Cosmetics did this, and we know how they have done.  You can do this, too.  But you have to keep your eyes and ears open, and when you see an opportunity that fits your style take it, and a little luck now and then doesn't hurt.

In marketing their products, managers in the corporate world realize one important truth--to get the edge on the competition, one must have a product that is perceived as different from all the others and one that fulfills the wants and needs of customers better than any other product.  Okay, this is for the ladies out there:  You like wearing Makeup right?  Which would you much rather buy from?  Uncle Vinnies 1967 corner drugstore that still sells the same compact powder, that he has sold forever, or would you rather go to the Independent Distributor who sells the  New Mineral Based Makeup, that doesn't clog your pores, and is safer for your skin?  You see where I'm going with this?

This is called product differentiation.  If you build a better mousetrap, the consumer or prospect will beat a path to your door.  But if you build the same one that everyone else does, you'll have so much competition that you'll be in a non-productive battle over customers and prospects.  You must give customers and prospects a reason to come to you over any others.  You have to find ways to make them as enthusiastic about the product or service as you are.

Stay tuned for more on this same subject:  Niche's are not just your product...?

Enjoy!
Marilyn

Monday, July 19, 2010

Back to Who I Am, for a moment!

Today I had to do something that I don't like having to do often.  I made some mistakes this past couple of months, that could have hurt me financially had I not taken some of my own advice that I give to people I Coach and Train.  You know when you open your emails, you get all these pitches for this e-book and that webinar to help you get to the Top in search engines.  Well, being in business for myself I know that this is important, so I researched the people who wrote some of the e-books and decided to purchase some of them.  To the tune of over $160.00 in the past few months.

Had I not took my own advice and checked on All of my Business Ventures, I would never have known that I already Own and have for over a year, all of those e-books and alot more!  So remember don't do what I did, check on all of your ventures at least once weekly.  Auto-pilot is a great tool, but don't rely on it 100% of the time, human intervention is needed from time to time!  The same as Customer Service, if you don't interact with your Customers on a regular basis you will forget their name, or their favorite product.  The same is true with your website ventures, just like I had forgot what products I had placed in my own store.
Imagine what kind of sales I would have lost, if I had started suggesting to my customer to go and buy from someone else.

So I've chastised myself enough for one day, always remember: Experience is the best teacher!  I learn my lessons well and will be sure to apply them.

Until next time: Enjoy life to the fullest, as you only have 1 earthly life!

Marilyn Fisher

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Home Based Business'--You have to Market your Product! Part 2

Review The Competition

Competition is critical to Marketing.  Competition is defined as any other product or brand that a customer may buy instead of the one you are selling.  One of the products that I market are Gourmet Candles, Competition for Candles is high.  I did my research though when I was putting together my Business Plan, and found that there are at least 7 different companies and over 73 consultants or distributors in my area alone.  So, when I chose to market locally I had to come up with unique ways to market my own product.

Understanding and knowing what other products are on the market can help you to develop a more effective position for your product.  By analyzing the competition, you can gain valuable tips on the characteristics of products that will sell in your area, you will also find out what the appropriate price level and what stratagies to use for marketing in your area.  Sometimes, I go through the Ads to find out what the competitions current promotions are, and then I adjust mine, always keeping in mind, "That Mine Are High Quality Gourmet Candles".  I will not give it away just to make a sale.

You must view you competition as not only a force to be overcome but as an Aid in Marketing your product!

Next week we will deal with finding your Own Niche!

My next post will be coming Monday, and it will not be the follow up to this series, so check back often for more tidbits....enjoy!

Of course if you click on the Follow Button you'll know fast when I post!

Marilyn

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Home Based Business's --You Have To Market Your Product!

Okay now I have started this Business, now what do I do? I'm not a techi person, HELP!!!

I not only hear this alot, I have said it myself when I first started and there are still times that I have to call on others for help.  To be successfull in a home-based business, you not only have to be good at what you do, and Believe in your product, but you have to be good at letting others know how good you are at what you do. You will have to come up with a plan to get your product or service in the market placeYes, you have to have a Marketing Plan!

A marketing plan involves two parts:
  •    You have to figure out who the market is
  •    You have to make the product or servive known to that market.  These two work together.
              Define your market
It is a very rare case in marketing when a product has a special appeal to everyone regardless of sex, age, income level or special interests.  The more typical case is that a product will appeal to a limited group of people who are willing to put down their hard-earned dollars to buy what you have to sell.

The basic question to keep in mind as you develop your marketing plan is: Who would want to buy the type of product or service that I sell or provide and how can I develop it to be saleable to these special people?  Once you define your market, you often have to modify your product to fit the market.

I have had to modify my product display many times, I have become very creative in this aspect.  For instance I did an Event for Senior Citizens a couple of month ago, and since I knew that the majority of them lived in Retirement Centers that do not allow open flames in the residence I marketed Scent Simmer Pots and Gift Baskets with the Eco-Friendly wax melts in the Baskets. It was a success!

Sometimes the answer to this question is clear and logical.  Often, however, a business person has to do alot of research and experimentation to find the right answers for their products and services.  Many a business has failed because people didn't consider this obvious but critical question: Who is the Market!

Our next segment will be on: Reviewing The Competition!

Check back often for updates!  Don't forget to follow me, I follow back!  And you can also subscribe!
Be Blessed and always Keep ethical and honest practices and you will be a Success!  Check out the links above for more information on what I do on a daily basis...enjoy!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Are You Suffering For Nothing!

Today Question is: Do you realize that suffering is part of everyone's life?

In this world, all of us experience a certain amount of suffering.  We suffer not only from accidents and disease but also from emotional pain, which we generally refer to as anxiety or tension. We also suffer from financial pains, which we tend to blame on the economy.  No one likes to suffer, but suffering can actually work for our good.  If it doesn't work for good, then we suffer for nothing.
In my life, there have been many, many times that I suffered from stress related tension--this eventually led to added pain and suffering in my physical body. Upon reflection, I found that I didn't react to God--I had reacted to the circumstances.  Needless to say, the result was not spiritual growth--it was physical and financial pain.  Suffering or pain is a warning!

You may feel that your suffering has nothing to do with God. You may feel that you are a victim of circumstances and that you hurt only because of what other people do, God says that he will make the circumstances work for our good IF we Love and Obey Him.  This is what the Bible says: "Behold I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: the blessing if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you this day, and the curse if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you this day" (Duet. 11:26-28)

After making the decision to obey and apply his commandments into my daily life, my health and prosperity have turned around for the good.  I don't eat the things that I know will hurt me today, I don't hold grudges today, I have been diligent in applying the Forgiveness commandment and also in the Sowing Commandment. In sowing that is not limited to spreading the Word, but also with my Finances.  My finances have increased through my business.

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

1. Do I realize that suffering is something that is "common to man", --that God will not allow more than we can endure (1st Cor. 10:13)?

2. Do I realize that God will work my suffering into a blessing if I love and obey Him? (Rom. 8:28)

3. Am I close enough to my Lord to have the knowledge and guidance about His plan for my life?

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Something else will be coming in another day or two!  Next time look for a Business Growth Tip! 

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Enjoy your day, as it will pass and you can not go back in time!

Friday, July 9, 2010

If I Can Do It--You Can Do It!

I went out today to do the things that I enjoy doing! While out I came across a lady sitting in a wheelchair holding a sign begging for money, I talked with her for awhile leading her to places to get help.  After awhile I just asked her if she had ever thought of owning her own business? Her first response was "I can't do that!", don't you see I am disabled?
I looked at her and said, If I can do it, You can do it! Her next set of words were all reasons why she thinks she can't do anything.  So, I said have a Blessed Day and went about my day, making deliveries and sales!

Over the past Year and a half, I have done alot of studying about my business, which is Network Marketing/Direct Sales and Coaching others, one of the main things that I have learned is that you can only plant the seed for someone, they have to have the Desire to Want More out of life, in order for it to work for them.  I like what Dale Clavert says, "If you have to close them into your business, you will have to sell them to do anything after they join."  I am sorry folks but I just don't have time for that!  My life is to full of running my business and Coaching those on my team that do want something more out of life!

If you are reading this and you are one of those Who Do, Want More out of life, and your not afraid to do some work for the next year, to be able to Have That More in your Life! Then start your journey by asking yourself "Why" do I want to quit this job? "Why" do I put up with being behind on my bills?  When you decide that you have had enough then head over to a site that has a great team that is willing to teach you step by step how to be your own BOSS! 

Come over to:  http://www.simplysensecents.com/ and look everything over and don't forget that I will send you a free e-book and I will get back to you with-in 24 hrs.  Just remember that you do have to fill out the form or I won't know how to contact you!

Oh and while your still here why not scroll up and hit the follow button on the right, that way you can keep up with me, and when I start into teaching mode you will get some good information!  You see, I've been trained by a Fantastic Group of people that make the Big $$$'s doing this....Enjoy your life to the fullest, as you only have One!  Till next time.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Yes it's Marilyn!  I'm the one on the phone!
The question of the day is just who is Marilyn? I am a Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister and Child. I am a person just like you! Now you might be saying so what! All I am saying is that I was no different than anyone else when I started doing the things that I do on a daily basis.

So what do I do?  Today, I talked to some ladies about helping them with a fundraiser for Children with Heart Defects.  I wheeled down to a customers place of business to deliver her Plug-in Scent Warmer. I talked to another Minister who needed some guidience.  Oh did I forget to mention I am also a Business Owner and Coach.

I am 62 years young, I am someone who enjoys talking to people and helping them find out, if doing what I do on a daily basis is right for them. Oh yes I am Wheelchair Bound, although that may seem a henderence to some people, to me it was my WHY to become a business owner and not have to try to find jobs that would be able to accommodate me!  I have over 10 years experience in retail sales, 4 years as an Office Manager and I have been an Ordained Minister for 11 years.  I only tell you these things to let you know that I have been there and done the JOB thing!  Today, I have fun in my life, I don't have to worry about meeting quotas, or if I'm going to get that dreaded Pink Slip, because I am the BOSS!

Want to see just some of the things that I do, look up top and you will see a List of Pages click on them and see what kinds of stuff I do for fun!  Oh by the way--use your Back button on your browser to come back to this page, so you can view the other pages also!

I will also be posting Free Training Tips here also in the future and you might even get to see my puppy if I can get him to slow down enough for a picture!

If you decide that you would like to get more tips and business building information feel free to subscribe and don't forget to post a comment and I will reply to you!

Email me: SimplySenseCents@gmail.com

Phone me: 405-708-5625 leave a message if I don't answer chances are I am out doing the things I enjoy doing.