Entries Tagged 'Start a Business' ↓

Do you have an interest in earning more income as an online tutor?

Online tutors are in great demand.  In some locations (such as small towns), it can be difficult to find tutors on certain subjects.  Being able to utilize resources online gives students and their parents an abundance of options.  Still, some people hesitate at hiring online tutors because they feel that they can’t provide the same level of service as they could if they were there in person.

Some students also learn better by hearing information rather than just reading text on a screen.  So how can online tutors overcome these obstacles?  By using a simple tool called video conferencing.

Video conferencing is the next best thing to being there and can increase income potential for online tutors. 

* Video conferencing allows tutors to utilize visual demonstrations to illustrate their points.  This is a huge benefit in almost any subject.  Science tutors can conduct experiments for students to watch and learn from.  Math tutors can show math students how to solve equations step by step, instead of trying to put it all in written form.  And English teachers can easily show students how to diagram sentences.

* The audio component of video conferencing is great for those who retain information better when they hear it than when they see it.  Studies have shown that there are a great many students who fall into this category.  Even students who do better with information presented visually can benefit from the reinforcement provided by hearing it as well.

* If the student has a webcam as well, the tutor can benefit from a higher level of interactivity with him.  It is often easier for people to express themselves when they can be both seen and heard, as opposed to just sending text messages through chat or instant messaging.  As a result, the tutor can better address the student’s individual needs.

* Online tutors can usually record their sessions with students.  They can then make them available for the student to use in the future.  The opportunity for repetition of a lesson is a great benefit to students.  The capability to record sessions easily also benefits the tutor by giving her the opportunity to post sample sessions for prospective clients to watch.  It is advisable; however, to obtain the parent’s permission (or the student’s if he is an adult), especially if you’re including any audio, video, or text from the student’s end.

Offering video tutoring can give you an edge in the competitive tutoring market.  The equipment you need can be purchased at a low price, and you can easily recover the money spent in just a few sessions.

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Top 10 of the Most Popular Direct Sales Companies

Interested in starting your own home business through a direct sales company? Historically, a direct sales associate was expected to demonstrate their products at home parties.  Today, we have many direct sales companies to choose from with a wide range of options to fulfill any interests such as jewlery, makeup, toys, cooking, scrapbooking and more.

What are the most popular direct sales companies today? 

1.  Tupperware was created in 1945.  A year later Tupperware was born as a direct sales company.  They are credited with pioneering the party plan currently used in direct marketing.  There are approximately 1.9 million consultants in almost 100 countries.

2.  Avon began as the California Perfume Company in 1886.  By 1928 the company had changed its name to Avon.  Today, Avon is one of the best known direct sales companies in the world.  There are 4.9 million representatives selling products in 143 countries.

3.  Mary Kay Ash founded the Mary Kay Inc. in 1963, hoping to give women an opportunity to change their lives for the better.  There are approximately 1.6 million associates vying for the many company incentives.

4.  Discovery Toys Inc. has been developing and selling quality educational toys since 1978.  Their belief is that a child’s work is play.  Discovery Toys uses the party plan method and is currently available only in the United States and Canada.

5.  Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc. celebrates 50 years in 2008.  There are currently over 100,000 associates.  They use party plan and face-to-face meetings to market their products.

6.  Pampered Chef, one of the more recent additions to direct sales companies, was started in 1980.  There are currently over 60,000 Pampered Chef consultants around the world.  They use the party plan, or “Kitchen Shows” to market their products.

7.  Arbonne International uses person-to-person marketing rather than the party plan.  A relatively new company, Arbonne International was started in 1980.  They offer quality skin care products around the world.

8.  Usborne Books, which was started by Peter Usborne in 1973, offers quality children’s books to customers.  They use both the party plan and person-to-person marketing strategies.

9.  Creative Memories has been selling scrapbooking books and supplies since 1987.  They use the party plan marketing strategy and have “tens of thousands” of consultants around the world.

10.  Melaleuca, Inc. began selling “green” products long before they were so popular.  Founded in 1985, the company sells personal, skin, and home care products containing tea tree oil.  They use person-to-person marketing and have consultants all over the world.  They are said to be the “fastest growing” direct sales company in the United States.

These ten direct sales companies are but a few of the many companies to choose from. Do some research on any direct sales company that you might consider joining.  Make sure you’re enthusiastic about their products or services before deciding to promote them yourself.

A few questions to ask: 1. What is their compensation plan?  2.  What type of marketing strategy they use (and whether or not you can use online marketing)? 3.  Is their corporate goals compatible with yours?  After you have checked each company out thoroughly, you will be able to make an educated decision about which is the right one for you.

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Become a Full-time Wahm

Get exclusive access into the minds of 16 moms who are earning a full time living with their online businesses. Picture unveiling the strategies and techniques they’ve used to make good money and even great money… and imagine yourself starting to apply these same strategies and finally making money with your business. Now wouldn’t that make a big difference to your life? Click here!

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9 Important Questions to Ask Before Joining Any Direct Sales Company

There are direct sales companies that specialize in home parties and obviously provide you an excellent opportunity to earn extra income from home, but how do you decide which company will make the perfect home business for you?  

First,  decide if the direct sales company meets the following three basic criterias: 

• It doesn’t require more time than you have to spend
• It doesn’t require more money than you have to invest
• It will help you meet your financial goals.   

Next, use these 9 important questions to evaluate a direct sales company as a potential home business:

Questions to consider about the products you would be selling:

•  Will the products you’d be selling make people’s lives better?  Try the product for yourself before deciding to join any direct sales company.  If you have used the product and are impressed with the results, you know how well it works and will feel good about selling it to others.

• Are the products priced so people can afford them?  Are they exclusive to the party plan company?  If the products are exclusive to the company, make sure they are effective and competitively priced so your customer can purchase more in the future.

• Will the product bring repeat sales?  Will the initial sale be the only one because the product isn’t consumable?  If the product you sell is worth the money, provides great results, and is consumable, it is likely you’ll have a customer for a long time.

• Is there a money back guarantee on the products?  With the problems that have been reported recently, it’s important to find a company that will offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  People will be more willing to make the initial purchase if they feel the company will fix any problem they might have with a product.

Questions to consider about the business opportunity:

• Will you have to maintain a minimum stock inventory or monthly purchase requirements?  Maintaining a small amount of stock isn’t out of the ordinary.  However, if you are required to purchase a minimum amount each month, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.

• Are there business tools that the company provides or will you have to purchase all training materials?  Does the company have websites for associates?  Are these materials reasonably priced?

• Are there other marketing options besides just the home party system?  If the party plan is only one way to sell the product, the potential is less than a company that allows multiple marketing avenues.
 
• Is the compensation plan easy to understand?  Can you explain it to others if they are interested in the opportunity?  Look for a plan that isn’t geared only for the seasoned consultant.  If a new recruit isn’t able to earn an income, they won’t remain for long.

• Does the company value the same things that you value?  If you can’t stand behind what the company believes in, it might not be the right one for you.

These are just a few of the questions you might want to consider when comparing party plan home businesses. Of course, there are other possible questions you’ll want to ask, but these will give you enough information to help you make an educated decision whether a company is right for you or not.  Remember to do your research before choosing any direct sales home business, especially before signing the contract.

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