Learn from my mistakes - Starting your Home Business

A lot of women start a home business in the hopes of making some extra money and replacing their previous income. However, they soon become discouraged when they find they don't have enough time and aren't seeing the profits they expected. 2.5months ago we started our dream of owning a home business. I was a very successful computer trainer for 6 years and knew I would be very successful marketing my business online - or at least I thought. I was going to take over the world and be one of the fastest to grow my home business. After my first month, I was so disappointed. How come no one is joining me? What am I doing wrong? What is taking so long? I felt like I was spinning my wheels. I wanted to see the money come pouring in right away and wasted a lot of time & money. My first tip is to get yourself organized! No one can be over-organized no matter how "anal" they are.

For those of us who work at home, it is even harder to stay organized. My Momswin buddy Lucia actually thinks I am so organized. If she only knew what my house looks like. In between baby toys, bottles, coffee cups, diapers and everything else it's a wonder I can find anything. And on top of that, I am a "clutterbrain" too - but that is another story.

Since most of my business is generated by advertising on the internet, I need to be very organized so that I don't waste all of my time and money. This first article will focus on organizing your desk & work area. These are things you can do before your Welcome kit comes to prepare yourself for your new venture.

1. Make sure you get yourself a corner in the house specifically for you home business. My work is mostly done on the internet, so the computer is my domain. He is invited to use it before 7:30am and after 5:00.
2. clear everything out of that area and clean it.
3. Get a binder for your business plan or business kit. In here, have your goals for each week/month, list of prospects, clients & addresses, documents & blank forms etc.
4. Get any other office supplies you may need.
5. Set your computer up too. Make a folder for your business & maybe subfolders for correspondence, customers/prospects, advertising etc. Maybe setup a separate folder in your email program too. I myself also have a computer organizer called Goldmine (Outlook, Act or Maximizer are pretty much the same). It keeps track of my appointments, todo lists, emails and all kinds of things.
6.You are probably so excited and have a lot of ideas. Write them down in a notebook so that you never forget them. When you have time you can explore each of these ideas.
7. Make a list of your potential customers. Then when you are ready you can contact them and you won't forget anyone.
8. Set yourself work hours. I found myself working all of the time because I was excited. But I was doing this so that I could spend more time with my family.

About the Author

Jennifer Whaling

Jennifer is a WAHM who loves being able to be at home for my family while making an honest income with a reputable Christian business. Helping MomsWIN!

babycorner@sympatico.ca
http://www.momswin.com/babycorner