3 Tips For Every Woman Starting A Home Based Business Challenges To Expect Keys To Succeed

Title: 
3 Tips For Every Woman Starting A Home Based Business - Challenges To Expect, Keys To Succeed

Word Count:
459

Summary:
More and more women today work from home, and even more want to. Some are single moms or widows who need to earn a living. Others just want a little extra income or a sense of independence. Particularly for women, starting a home business presents a unique set of challenges. Lesley Spencer, founder and president of Home Based Working Moms (http://HBWM.com), suggests three steps to help ensure success:

1. Consider Your Options
The first obstacle in starting a business is f...


Keywords:
ecommerce,home based business,home business,ebiz,home ebiz,work at home,estore,online store,internet


Article Body:
More and more women today work from home, and even more want to. Some are single moms or widows who need to earn a living. Others just want a little extra income or a sense of independence. Particularly for women, starting a home business presents a unique set of challenges. Lesley Spencer, founder and president of Home Based Working Moms (http://HBWM.com), suggests three steps to help ensure success:

1. Consider Your Options
The first obstacle in starting a business is figuring out which one�s right for you. Before making any decisions, find out what�s available to you. Almost anything you can do�whether it�s graphic design, sales and marketing, or administration�you can do from the comfort of your home. Before determining a direction, look at all factors involved:

� Your skills and interests. You�re much more likely to persevere and succeed if you enjoy what you�re doing.

� Your personality. If you�re extremely shy, hosting home parties might not be right for you � even if you really like the product you�re selling. Many women fail because they jump into the first thing they see, and it doesn�t work with their disposition.

� Your needs. How many and what hours can you work? How much money do you have to make? How much flexibility do you need in your schedule?

Once you�ve researched your opportunities and analyzed your skill set, you can make an informed, intelligent decision about which career move is right for you.

2. Make a Conscious Effort to Develop Your Customer Base
Many women are good at what they do, but don�t know how to market themselves to reach customers. Spencer advises, �Make a conscious decision to do something to market your business daily, or at least weekly, whether it�s a mail-out, an email campaign, or offering a special.�

Word-of-mouth referrals mean more business, so focus on doing a good job for the clients you have. Always do follow-up � you want to stay in contact and remind people you�re there. Having a web site, an online presence, is another tool you can use to attract new customers.

3. Don�t Be a Lone Ranger � Find a Support Network
You don�t have to feel alone or try to handle everything yourself � there are many online communities that can provide you with support and advice. Http://HBWM.com, and many online groups, offer what�s called a ListServe that lets you post questions that all members of that site can see and respond to. Says Spencer, �You can save hours of research just by asking someone with experience.� Whatever business you�re in, there�s a forum for it. Seek out people that have already succeeded � find a mentor.