5 Steps To Build A Successful Business At Home

With the increasing number of people looking to create a steady income from home, it\’s hard not to feel intimidated and overwhelmed by the prospect. It can be difficult enough trying to find your footing as an entrepreneur in today\’s competitive marketplace, but when you\’re also tasked with juggling children or maintaining a long commute into work every day? Suddenly starting that business at home seems like an impossible task. But don\’t worry! There are plenty of ways for you to take control over your career – even if you\’re working from the comfort of your own living room.

In this article we will discuss five simple steps that will help get you started creating a successful business from home. And who knows? You just might end up making more money.

Step 1: Collect Leads

There are many ways to get leads. You can buy leads, place ads in papers and on the net, use ad words, submit your site to search engines, mail postcards, etc. There are literally 100\’s of ways to advertise. The trick is to do it in a way that best suits your business.

One of the easiest ways to get leads is by using Google Adwords – this will allow you to place advertisements on results pages and also use keywords associated with what you want people searching for so they can find your site or product right away.

The initial investment can be high, but once all set up it\’s one of the most effective and low-cost methods there are. I highly recommend checking into this method if you\’re looking for quick success!

So now we\’ve got some leads coming in… What next? Let\’s keep going!

Step 2: Call Leads

This is the step that most people have reservations about. If you want to be successful in any home business, you must pick up the phone. This does not mean \”cold\” calling people. I never call anybody that has not asked to hear about my home business.

I will call a lead and introduce myself, tell them what I do for work, offer to answer any questions they may have concerning my business or products.

The key word here is \”ask\”. You need to ask your leads if they are willing to hear more from you on the phone about your home-based business. If not, that\’s totally cool! Just let them know that it was nice speaking with them and wish them well in their search for a new program.

But…if they say yes? That\’s where things get fun!

Step 3: Email

If people respond to your email or phone call, you can automatically follow up with a pre-written email. My autoresponder sends messages every few days to keep me fresh in my prospects mind. Autoresponders are a must have for any business. They allow you to stay in contact for long periods of time while doing virtually no work. They also increase the amount of times your prospect is exposed to you and your business. Remember this, on average a prospect must see your message 5 to 12 times before joining you.

Step 4: Direct Mail Information Packet

Direct mail ads are making a comeback in today’s world of spammers, email filters, and spam. Having one method of communication can make your potential client fall out of touch with you and ignore your next message. Try different direct mail types to keep them engaged.

I must state that I do not mail information packets to everybody. Only those that I have talked with and that have expressed interest. Mailing the packets can become expensive if you mail them to everyone. That said, putting the pack together is very easy. I used the ad copy on my website to develop the packet. Then I throw in a business card or flyer and send it on its way. This also makes sure that people actually see the content of your site. Many have seen so many websites that they just browse. They are more apt to sit down and read printed text than to sit at their computer and read through your website.

Step 5: Direct Mail Packet

Postcards are an affordable way to reach prospects. You can send them quickly and easily, but they\’re less expensive than direct mail packets. I send a postcard to all of my leads. People love getting postcards. They don\’t have the junk mail stigma and if designed well, they can give a personal touch to your business. I actually send a postcard campaign that sends multiple postcards over a period of 45 – 60 days to my prospects. I use a service that does this automatically and even personalizes each card for me.

Always remember this, it takes on average 5 to 12 exposures to get somebody into your business. My 5-step process actually includes multiple exposures within each step. For example, my emails include phone numbers to live calls and links to movies to watch. One email can get me three or more exposures. The key to any business is to have a formula or process to follow. Knowing what you are going to do each day keeps you focused and allows you to track how your business is doing and what may or may not be working.

That\’s it! Those 5 simple steps can help you earn a steady income from home and will definitely increase your sign up rate. If you want to learn more strategies to help you find success with your home business, join my LIVE daily group coaching program.