Selling Tips, Organization Tips, & More

In this week's issue of Mommy's Helper - Mom's Market Ezine:
( Can be read at: http://www.momsezine.com/issue-68.html )

~ Notes from Anita and Kara

~ Business Article - People DO NOT Buy From Websites...
Of course the title of this article IS NOT complete as $1,000,000s in sales are made every day by online entrepreneurs. What it should have read to be more accurate was "People DO NOT buy from websites....they buy from other people".

~ Latest Message Board Topics

~ Childcare Article - Writing Time, Family Time and More Writing: The Balancing Act
Ok. So here I am again, lying in bed, awake at 2 am trying to come up with a logical, but successful plan on juggling motherhood and work. Another dead end. My brain just isn’t working. My sweat glands are though, as my skin feels clammy, my mind is racing and my tired eyes are wide open as if I have toothpicks holding them open-Ugh! What’s a mom to do?

~ Humor Article - Pink Slips for the Kids
No one has to tell you that the economy is dreadful right now. Gasoline prices are rising faster than my blood pressure. There’s no such thing as a cheap lunch for our family of six anywhere within a hundred mile radius of my house, even when using coupons. So, drastic times require drastic measures. We might have to lay off one of the kids.

~ Recipe - Banana Cream Cheesecake

Read this week's issue at: http://www.momsezine.com/issue-68.html

Enjoy!

The WAHM Project - Almost Finished!

Even though I was sick last week and out for a few days, I'm happy to say the project is getting close to being done. We might still be 2 weeks or so away, but the end IS in sight! There's just a few more details that need worked out and then we can say it's FINISHED, however the fun part of promotion is still to come. I'm glad we at least started on the promotion part, contacting a few website owners and getting a few lists started. Will make our job a lot easier when the main project is done, and won't take nearly as long to get everything in place for the grand opening.

I just took a look at the first post we made about this big project, and realised we started this at the begining of January! I know we have been trying to cover every angle and do things RIGHT, but had no idea it's been over 6 weeks since we started putting things into motion. I do know most of our time has been devoted to this, not counting the sick days and family emergency days.

On the other hand, 6 weeks seems like a short time to have gathered all the information we did from all the fantastic successful helpers we had. No way we could have gotten this far without them! Even though Anita and I have been in business for several years now, there's ideas we've forgotten, ways to promote we weren't aware of, and challenges not figured in. We've also been able to bounce ideas off of them, and they've given us a lot to add to this big project. Without them I don't think we could have had the quality we do right now, nor had the motivation to keep on moving and adding more benefits. It's not just Anita and I working on this project - it's a lot of successful women in business!

I'm glad we did plan this out the way we did, and got all our ideas out before we started or we might have been less organized (and believe me, we've had our days where we felt as though nothing was in order!). Making the plan of what needed to be done and how made all the difference, and giving eachother certain tasks to do made things go much smoother.

That's about all for now. Like I mentioned we are still a few weeks away but getting close to the big grand opening! We should have a release date here shortly, most likely in the next week or two.

Stay tuned!

Someone is Pretending to be ME!

Thanks to having Google Alerts I was able to find someone who apparently is pretending to be me! This post is to make as many people aware of the situation as possible. If you have been contacted or contacted this person yourself please email me at anita@mommyshelperonline.com

Here is the post that I came across http://www.ozemedia.com/cgi-bin/webbbs/webbbs_config.pl?read=26503 (The first post you see is my response)

I'm not completely sure what the benefit to this other poster is. This person is obviously sending visitors to my website but offering a bogus email address. I do not and have never had a Gmail account from Google. So, no this isn't just someone who happens to have the same name as me ... this person is saying they are the owner of MommysHelperOnline.com!

I have emailed the administrator of this particular board and Kara has graciously emailed on of the moderators. I noticed when I made my response to the post that the IP addresses are tracked. I'll also be contacting google about the bogus email address. My plan is to completely and totally expose this person. This is illegal and I won't stop until this person is stopped.

If anyone has any information on this person please email me THE REAL ANITA DEFRANK at anita@mommyshelperonline.com

Office Depot & Nascar Contest

Okay, so I admit it. I'm somewhat of a Nascar Racing fan and have been for quite some time now. I remember as a little girl watching each Sunday race with my father who passed away 7 years ago. That tradition has stuck with me a little as I follow the races each Sunday. I at least tune in for the bigger part of each race. But, if there is a race that I watch to the fullest extent each year it's the Daytona 500. I describe it as the Super Bowl of racing except its the first race of the season instead of the last game.

Well, yesterday was the Daytona 500 and boy am I glad I was watching! Office Depot and Nascar have teamed up to create a contest that I'm pretty sure a lot of you may be interested in too...race fan or not. You can enter to become the "Official Small Business of Nascar". Now how cool is that? Not only do you only get to 'carry the name' but the prize package also includes:

"The business owner named on the winning entrant’s entry will receive a VIP Race Experience to the May 8, 2005 NASCAR race in Darlington, SC consisting of round-trip coach air transportation for two (2) from major airport nearest to winner’s primary residence in the U.S., standard double-occupancy hotel accommodations for (3) nights, ground transfers to/from the airport/hotel/race while in Darlington, SC, grand stand tickets for winner and guest, a VIP track tour for winner and guest, $250 worth of NASCAR-licensed memorabilia selected by Sponsor (for winner only) and a $1,000 Office Depot shopping spree (for winner only). In addition, business owner’s company name or logo will be identified on the Office Depot race car for the May 8, 2005 race (identification will only appear in this race and will be in a location and in a size and prominence determined by Sponsor). Plus business owner will receive a check in the amount of $6,000, an assortment of stationary supplies selected by Sponsor and access to pre-approved "Official Small Business of NASCAR" marks for letterhead, business cards, fax cover sheet, press release, name plates, counter cards, window decal, and in-store signage."
(Excerpt from Office Depot website)

Race Fan or not. I'm sure each of us could use that kind of publicity! Oh, yeah...and going to the race in Darlington would be pretty darn awesome too...again race fan or not. I've already submited my entry and I encourage each of you to do so also.

Theres two ways to enter. Online at http://www.officedepot.com/racing or you can go to an Office Depot store near you to enter.

Let me know if you enter! Oh and if you happen to be the lucky winner...I want to hear about it too! Good Luck!

Offline Marketing Tips & More

In this week's issue of Mommy's Helper - Mom's Market Ezine:
( Can be read at: http://www.momsezine.com/issue-67.html )

~ Notes from Anita and Kara

~ Question of The Week

~ Business Article - Importance of Offline Marketing
The internet is a wonderful source of information and millions of people that could be your customer. Although we need to keep in mind that there are millions of others just like you fighting for that business. This is why it's important to tap into the offline world - people that you would never meet online. Starting with your local community, let's talk about a few things that you could do to market offline.

~ Latest Message Board Topics

~ Childcare Article - Keep Your Kids Busy on Wintery Days
"Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow nor gloom of night can stay these swift couriers from.," well, they don't have to cope with bored kids on rainy days underfoot. As a parent at home, you do.

~ Humor Article - Mommy Mediator
I am a brave woman. Let’s not forget strong, too. Not only have I carried and delivered four boys, but over the years, I have lived in the same house with these four boys. Yes, I am their mother and most days I am proud to announce this to the world. Then there are the days I would like to get into my car (ALONE), wave bye-bye and not look back.

~ Recipe - Bacon Cheese Dip

Read this week's issue at: http://www.momsezine.com/issue-67.html

Enjoy!

New WAHM Owned Consultant Opportunity

First of all I'd like to Congratulate Patty Gale of Patty's Pretty Paper on her Grand Re-Opening! This has been a long time a coming and it's finally ready! Patty is a really great friend and great to work with. She deserves the absolute best!

Along with the re-opening she's got a secret that she's just been dying to get out. She also offers a consultant oppotunity now. As Patty would say...she's helping others commute in their jammies ;-)

Patty has created a unique consultant opportunity that allows others sell exclusive stationary and notecards created personally by Patty herself and other artists she has partnered with exclusively. Patty's Pretty Paper offers affordable products that can be used as gifts, personal writing, thank you notes or greeting cards. Another great benefit of her consultant opportunity is that consultants don't have to wait on commission checks. They recieve their payment immediately with every sale. (Nice touch Patty!)

Click Here for More Consultant Info

Congratulations Patty! We wish you TONS of Success!

Mom Resources

Isn’t it funny how one website can lead you into many?

I had come across an awesome website BlueSuitMom.com co-founded by author of Marketing to Moms: Getting Your Share of the Trillion-Dollar Market and host of Mom Talk Radio, Maria Bailey. This site is just packed full of resources to help you balance your life. Now, BlueSuitMom.com does seem to focus on the busy life of a mother who works outside the home but a lot of this info can be adjusted to your needs because we’re still busy … it’s just that we’re at home. While you’re there you can even pick up a complimentary issue of Today’s Blue Suit Momprint magazine.

Author Maria Bailey also owns SmartMomSolutions.com. Now this I found ironic because this is a site that I’ve been wanting to check out for quite some time now. I had received a gift over the holidays from an online friend. The gift had included 2 Smart Mom Message Pads, 2 Babysitter Notes and 2 Smart Mom School Notepads. I just adore the Smart Mom Message Pads. It makes it much easier to send notes to school when you’re trying to rush out the door! LOL! And my daughter’s teacher loves them too. I’m about all out and I’ll be ordering some more soon!

But, as I was searching around Maria Bailey has some really great resources I think we can all use and I thought I’d share ;)

Hope you enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today might be one of those days where it's hard to focus on anything else because you may be thinking of tonight's plans. Or you might be one of those that could really care less what today is. Either is fine with me, and feel free to throw your schedule out for just one day. Hey if we don't have to work on other holidays then this one should be no different right?

I actually CAN'T do that today, because we are a tad behind on the big project. We were hoping to release it tomorrow but we aren't even finished with the content let alone the formatting and website building. :/ Most impotantly I need to work so I have something to talk about on the blog other than "we're still working on it" haha. I suppose I could ramble on about specials or parties that have to do with my Soy Wax Candles website, but well I should save that for the advertising groups. (Oh ok just one - there's a second chance drawing for some candles and other prizes up right now, just go here).

Keeping with the holiday spirit, I decided to start some converstation over at a work at home mom community. Title of the topic is .... What does Valentine's Day mean to you? Might get some interesting responses. ;)

A Little Secret That Produces BIG Results

In this week's issue of Mommy's Helper - Mom's Market Ezine:
( Can be read at: http://www.momsezine.com/issue-66.html )

~ Notes from Anita and Kara

~ Question of The Week

~ Featured Mom of the Week
Stephanie Knecht

~ Business Article - A Little Secret That Produces BIG Results
What if I told you that with each passing day, you are losing dozens of subscribers to your newsletter? As you read this, you are probably losing potential customers, and taking money right out of your own pocket. Don't panic, I have a secret I want to share with you.

~ Latest Message Board Topics

~ Childcare Article - Hands Up if You are a Good Parent
Hands up if you are a good parent. For those of you with your hands up - how do you know? Please tell? If only I could do a degree on parenting, then if I pass with honours, I know I’m doing it right. Surely if I get a tick in all the right boxes I must be a good parent. But what are the right boxes?

~ Humor Article - Quick and Easy Housecleaning Tips Recently, I was chatting with a fellow mom and she said that she lacked the motivation to clean her house. I was shocked! "What, your house isn't clean? Gee, and I thought that all we did was sit around smiling at our precious youngsters, filing our nails, and sipping café lattes!"

~ Recipe - Fruit Dressing

Read this week's issue at: http://www.momsezine.com/issue-66.html

Enjoy!

"The WAHM Project" - Direct Sales Helpers

So now that we've released some of the project and what we've been working on all this time, the response has been WONDERFUL! It was a quick decision to let it out so soon while we are still working on the main project (yet to be released), but I'm glad we did.

If you missed the announcement, we are working on something special (and needed from what we can see) just for those in direct sales. There's lots of general marketing information out there, but not much specifically for those in direct sales. We decided it was time there WAS special information specifically for this group. But we aren't stopping at just a newsletter - in fact that's a very very small part of the full project we are working on. Visit
www.DirectSalesHelper.com to see a little of what we are working on. Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter, we are planning to start giving away some tips in just a few days! Plus if you are in direct sales, you won't want to miss the BIG announcement and release of the main project. ;)

Traffic Secrets, Reaching Customers & More

In this week's issue of Mommy's Helper - Mom's Market Ezine:
( Can be read at: http://www.momsezine.com/issue-65.html )

~ Notes from Anita and Kara

~ Question of The Week
The best way to reach potential recruits and customers?

~ Featured Mom of the Week
Michele Murray

~ Business Article - The Web's Best-Kept Traffic Secret
Did you realize that thousands of website operators use a simple technique to generate targeted visitors to their websites without paying a dime in advertising? It's true. In fact, the technique works so well that many of them don't want you to discover how they get those thousands of website visitors and make so many sales on virtual "auto- pilot." Their method?

~ Latest Message Board Topics

~ Childcare Article - The Power of Reading
Reading to your child at a young age is one of the most effective tools for expanding his mind and instilling a lifelong love of learning. Reading a good book allows your child to travel to places she has never been, to meet people she has never met, and to develop an understanding of how to deal with a variety of physical and emotional situations.

~ Humor Article - Cupid's Arrow: Bent Not Broken
Valentine’s Day is a touchy subject with me. It is not that my husband forgets to honor our love on that day. In fact, he is better at remembering Valentine’s Day than he is at remembering our anniversary. Perhaps I should consider making our anniversary a National Hallmark holiday with lots of billboards and other advertising to help the poor guy recall the day we became husband and wife. No matter. We have Cupid’s celebration for which he can ramp up his adoration for me.

~ Recipe - Reeses Cups

Read this week's issue at:
http://www.momsezine.com/issue-65.html

Enjoy!

Reaching Potential Recruits & Customers?

Question of the Week (QOTW)
Each week we will personally answer your burning home business questions.

Question:
The best way to reach potential recruits and customers?

Submitted by: Beverly Schweigert
Good Books & Company
http://www.gloryinthecross.com

Our Answers:
Kara's Answer:
Networking has got to be the best in my book. Not only do you get to know people that could be potential recruits and customers, you are also meeting others that could help you advance in your business. Sometimes while networking you'll be invited to certain events, see opportunities for free advertising, be refered by others who have seen you in certain communities, and so on. While networking you also gain newsletter subscribers, visitors to your website, and get ideas for more ways to promote. Really it's all about getting your name out there and being active with certain groups. Don't forget to help others! That's what a community and networking is all about - helping eachother. Also the networking doesn't stop at message boards and communities, get involved in events as well.

Anita's Answer:
When I think of the best way to reach potential recruits and customers I think about benefits. Focusing on the benefits is very important because everyone is in the WIIFM (whats in it for me) mindset. For example: To focus on the benefits to potential recruits you need to let them know why they need/want to own their own business. Great Commissions, work for yourself ect. To focus on the benefits to potential customers you need to let them know why they want/need your products. Don't focus on the features...focus on the benefits.

To submit your questions and recieve a free gift go to:
http://www.momsezine.com/questions.html

DS Reps - A Moment of Your Time?

Weeeell, as most of you know we're still working on our new project and as it's been announced...we're focusing more on the Direct Sales side of Home Businesses (since thats what most work at home moms seem to be involved in anyway, lol!) Now, we need to get into the minds of Direct Sales Moms. We need to know what you're thinking and what makes you click! (Scary, huh? LOL!) Anyway...we've created a little survey that should only take a few moments of your time to complete. (And if you do, you'll get a free gift afterwards) Soooo, if you would be as so kind to give us a quick helping hand...we'd greatly appreciate it!

http://www.home-business-specialists.com/survey.html