System To Manage Email

If you are in business and working from home it is essential that you have an email management system. As a work at home professional I am often amazed at how long it takes to hear back from some business consultants.

Check Email Every Day

The first step in managing your email is checking it every day if not 3-4 times daily. Part of the reason most people cannot manage their email is that they only check it weekly and then have so many messages to download that it is impossible to deal with. The absolute minimum should be once a day!

Home Office Email System

I get 300-500 emails a day and only about 50 are action-based with maybe another 50 that need read and that is it.  Keeping the home office inbox clean and all pending action emails visible in one window is a system that is key to managing your inbox.

This simple system will help make your home office email management a breeze:

• Open and check your email daily.
• After they all download click and hold the ctrl button found on the the bottom left of your keyboard.
• Highlight one email at a time that you want to delete (skip the ones you want to keep) by using your mouse and clicking on the subject line while still holding down the ctrl button.
• When you have a column of emails highlighted just push delete and they all go away.

Just like that! ZIP! The only thing left are the ones that you want to deal with. Automatically delete anything that has been forwarded more than once, obvious spam, etc.

You can take this one further step and if you have a few emails in a row that you plan to delete just follow the above procedure of clicking and holding the ctrl button. Then with the mouse click the first one that you want to delete. Keeping the ctrl button down and also push the shift button with the same hand and then click the last email in the column that you want deleted and you will highlight every email in between.

Email Management

Email management is simple when you do not let your email manage you. It is currently 2:30 PM and at this writing I have received 194 emails with only 22 being response required. I checked my email at 8:00 AM and again at 2:00.

I deleted most of them, made a few quick responses and am headed to get a haircut. The ones left in my inbox will be dealt with when I get back. This email management system, along with a spam filter that you can “train” by setting rules, will allow you to make more money working from home.

Keep your email clean and timely and y0ur home office will run more smoothly. If you are not checking your email daily then chances are you are losing business as a result.

All successful businesses have a schedule of operation. It is important for home based business consultants to write their schedule for several reasons.

Invest In Your Home Based Business

When you put time into writing a schedule it is an investment that makes you more proactive in business. Working a home-based business always involves an investment. The time it takes you to think about and write a schedule for yourself is an investment in time but also creates an emotional investment that makes you more proactive in business.

Work At Home Consultants MUST Work To Get Paid

We all joined the work at home (WAH) business model for a reason, and for many that was better control over time. You still must go to work in order to get paid.

For some this self motivation is difficult. A WAH consultant who thinks and plans ahead for each week just as if you had to “go to work” will get a lot more done. One of the fallacies of working at home is that you can fit it in between other tasks. A schedule will prioritize your business and ensure that you actually create a paycheck.

Home Based Consultants Need A Day Off

Some consultants working from home have the opposite problem. They never take a day off. Having a work at home schedule will help to give you a break. When you take a real day off and not work 24/7 you will be more productive when you are in the office.

In addition, your work schedule will help to keep the lines clear. Are you working and doing laundry? If so, one or the other is not being done correctly and most likely it is your business efforts that are suffering. Multitasking is OK but studies have shown that contrary to what most people think, we are not doing as good a  job on either task.

When you schedule your personal and business time, you will create better quality time in both areas.

WAH Family Knows You Actually Work

Have you ever been told by the family member who “goes to work” to: mop the floor, do the laundry and get some groceries while he/she is away?

Often times it is difficult for people with “real jobs” to understand that you are actually working too while they are away. A written schedule that goes a step further and is even posted for the whole family to see will give your work at home time more respect.

When the kids and spouse see your schedule they will realize the importance of your home business.

How Much Time Should You Schedule?

When you write your schedule it is important to be realistic about how much time it takes to generate the cash flow that you desire. How much time does it REALLY take to do your home business and generate the income you are looking for?

One way to think about it is this:

• Do you want a full time pay check? Then, schedule a full time commitment of time, maybe 34-40 hours per week.
• Do you want a part time pay check? Then, schedule part time hours of about 16-30 hours per week.

Another way to think about it if you are in party plan is:

• If you want your business to stay exactly the same as it is now then schedule about 6 hours a week for each desired show that you want to do per week. That would be four hours out of the house per show and 2 hours office time per show.
• If you want your business to grow then schedule 8 hours per show. 4 hours for each show out of the house and 4 hours office time or lead generation time.

Write Your Schedule & Post It

A schedule that is written and “posted” is an effective tool and a path to your profit goals.  Post it in a variety of ways:

• On the fridge for the whole family to see
• In your computer/phone for your personal reference
• On a physical calendar to show at the home party (looking busy will help with bookings)
• Put your scheduled office hours on your answering machine and guests will know what to expect

When you have a “real job” and work the schedule someone else gives you, if you call off or are sick, then chances are you do not get paid unless you make up that time. The same applies to your home business. One of the benefits of working from home is we can work our own schedule and change it at will. Remember if you don’t go to work on a scheduled day, give your business the priority it deserves and make up that time on another day.

Is It OK To Sign Up With Two Direct Sales Businesses At Once?

Question Received Last Week In My Inbox:

I am looking into 2 different direct sales businesses: Dove Chocolate Discoveries and Scensty. I expect to get the reorders from Scensty, and Dove Chocolate: how could you resist?!

Do you recommend people trying to work 2 different business or choose just one? Kim - Wannabe Direct Sales Professional

Start 2 Sales Businesses, Deb’s Answer:

Hi Kim, I think that it may be difficult to focus on 2 sales businesses at once although people do it all the time.

What Are Your Sales Goals?

Before you decide, think about your sales goals in starting a new business. Will this be a hobby or are you planning on creating a viable income? Many companies have policies that prohibit you from doing 2 at once and others say it is OK as long as you do not move up the ladder to a leadership level.

Do your research and make sure it matches your sales goals.  I guess candles and chocolate could go well together.

Are you generally a multitasker? If so, then maybe the answer is yes…

At a show there are certain benefits that go along with hosting. Each guest only has a certain amount of money (and time).  If you are conducting a Scentsy show and pushing Chocolate shows then you could be stealing benefits from your host and vice versa.  Could every show be both? Maybe…

Consider Your Business Start-Up Options

Those are the kinds of questions you need to consider when starting a new business and especially when considering doing two at once. Consider all your options and do your company research carefully.  Don’t be surprised later when you have 2 businesses booming and one asks you to step down or quit the other due to a policy that you were not aware of.

You must ask the questions that give you the answers you want.  This article has more information about business start up and what questions to ask when starting a direct sales business.

What Is Your Opinion On Starting Two Direct Sales Businesses?

Please comment below and tell us your opinion on starting two businesses at once.

• Are you running 2 direct sales businesses?
• What challenges are there for you?
• What is your advice to the wannabe direct seller?

Home Based Business Save Money With Open Source

I recently got a new computer and decided to use all open source software. This means that I did not have to buy my software programs. Open source software stems from the philosophy that if a concept or a technology is open for everyone to use or build on, that it will get better through the collaborative efforts of many. The other aspect of open source is that you do not have to pay a licensing fee to use it like you do non-open source. Open source software can save a good bit of money in your home business.

WordPress Is Open Source

WordPress is an example of open source. The founder of WordPress built his software on top of a previous open source software. He allows others to change it, use it, add plug-ins and theme to WordPress and enhance its capabilities. Basically anyone with a WordPress website is customizing the open source to meet their needs.

There are probably millions of people improving on WordPress every year through the addition of plug-ins, features and themes.My guess is that every time an update for WordPress comes out, he is expanding WordPress features, based on the successful efforts of web designers and techies all over the world.

Home Office Business Software

Open source software for your business is free. If you are getting a new computer for your home office, not one “off the shelf” you will most likely have to buy the Microsoft Office Suite. This licensing of software can cost you a pretty penny. In addition, if you are somewhat creative, you may need some extras like Photoshop or a file zip and others.

This is the open source software I now use on my home-based business computer:

OpenOffice.org: This is a suite of office software programs that replaces the Microsoft paid programs. At first I was reluctant and unsure about making the switch in my office as I did not want my clients to have trouble opening my documents. I have found it to be a non-event in that everything is business as usual. OpenOffice opens all files including: Word documents, Excel spread sheets, .csv files, PowerPoint and more. The new files that it creates are compatible on everyone’s computer, and no one is the wiser of my new software. (I am having a bit of trouble with the label program though.)

Gimp: Gimp is the photo editing software that I have installed. It is not quite all of what Photoshop offers, so a real artist would probably not be happy with it. For an average graphic creator like me, it is perfect and intuitive to use.

7 Zip: This is to make zip files and replaces WinZip or ZipRar. I have found it to be the same, only free.

Thunderbird: I am using this to replace my Outlook and I am in love with Thunderbird. The transition was somewhat baffling and after being patient for a couple of days I am realizing that it is so much more than Outlook. I am now using the calendar function and reminder features. I love the sort capabilities that can find a lost email for you and it even tells you if you forgot to add an attachment!! (“You said attachment; did you forget to add your attachment?”)

Home Business Save Money With Open Source

When you upgrade your computer and do not feel like investing your entire home business budget into software, you can really save some money with open source software. A full suite of Photoshop for the first time buyer is over $1000!!

I am pleasantly surprised that the quality is the same and in most cases better than the controlled, paid-for software licensing required by Microsoft and others. If you have any questions about open source software and how it may apply to your home business, just give me a call 717-751-2793.

What Open Source Have You Used In Your Home Office?

Please tell us about the open source software that you have used in your home office.  Make a comment below and we will send you the $7.00 talking e-book, “Explode Expo Results”.   Let’s save some money and spread the word about how to break the chains connecting us to Microsoft!!

Direct Sales Business Profits, Belinda Fuchs

Your direct sales business profits depend on your ability to differentiate your profit from your expenses.  Belinda Fuchs, president of OwnYourMoney.com brought the Speakers In The Park callers 3 money tips that when incorporated into your business will bring you greater success.

Belinda’s 3 Big Money  Tips  For Direct Selling Success

• Track your income and expenses.  Not tracking or poor tracking of your income and expenses in your sales business make it very difficult to achieve success.

When you commingle your business and personal expenses it is difficult see any possible profits or losses.  All successful businesses track their income and expenses so that they can determine their profits. In addition it is difficult to justify your home office deductions. The IRS is looking for records and documentation of your expenses when they are doing an audit.

• Focus on your sales revenue and profit

Most direct sellers do not focus on profit.  Frequently we look at show averages, sales per month or number of shows.  We are in business to generate a profit.  Without a good understanding of profit which is what is left after the expenses, it is impossible to have a success focused business.

Quick Tips: Negotiate credit card rates. Minimize free product give-aways. Making good use of the home office deduction.

• Do not increase your lifestyle too fast when your income increases

Successful direct sellers have a tendency to spend more money disproportionately as their income increases.  When you make more money, don’t spend more money too quickly.   Frequently the additional income is immediately used to increase quality of life without any thought to paying off expenses or whether the long term income will be stable.

Direct Sales Marketing Training

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