The first steps to creating success in your home business

Starting a home business is a big step and a defining moment. So beginning the right way is certainly important. It can be overwhelming and it can be a little scary. But having a plan in place right from the beginning can help you create success from early on. These steps can be applied to any new home business or one that you started years ago. Sometimes its important to go back to the basics and reevaluate.

1. Decide how you want to build your business. My home business gives you different options on how to build your business. Retailing, fundraising and team building are different ways to make money. You don't have to work all three areas. You can work one area or a combination of two or three. It's up to you. Ask yourself - How do I see myself having fun in this business. For me, I love retailing and team building. Retailing is fast and it's instant cash. And can be very profitable. Team building is my passion. I love helping others, coaching and training and building a team with like minded people.

2. Ask yourself - Why am I starting this business? Maybe it's because of your family, your children. Maybe you want to contribute to your household income or you want to stay connected with the professional world while having the flexibility. Whatever the reason is, remember that and keep it in your mind at all times. And remember as time goes on, your reasons may change.

3. Work on your mindset. Know that there will be challenges and obstacles. Ask your sponsor/team partner for a reading list. There are so many books and DVD's that will help you become the person who will attract others. Commit to personal development and mindset development for 30 minutes each day. Mindset is one of the "secrets" to success.

4. Set your financial goals. What do you want to make your first 30 days? Your first 3 months? Your first 6 months? 1 year? Write these goals down and then get with your sponsor and put together an action plan to accomplish these goals. Make a plan, and then work that plan.

5. Get Connected and Stay Connected. Sign up for company calls, webinars, and conference calls. Attend company trainings. Most companies offer a variety of training. Get on those calls and stay connected. You can learn so much from others in your company.

6. Be your best customer. Be a product of the product. Know the features and benefits of your products. Be a source of information about your products.


In the beginning and as you move forward with your business, it's important to "design" your business. Having a plan in place will help you move forward and create success. Stay connected with your mentor and your team. And celebrate your success along the way.

BELIEVE Success!


Lisa Willard

Personal Development is Key

One of the main keys to a successful home business is YOU. Yes, believe it or not, it's YOU and the person you are becoming.

You attract who you are. Actively engaging in a personal development program is key to your success.

Become the person you want to be. So, how do you do this? Spend some time reading each day. Read within your industry. Michael Clouse has some great suggestions at nexera.com. Some of my favorites are Seven Prospecting Secrets as well as the Fifth Principle.

Spend some time reading outside of your industry too. How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Go-Giver, and Think and Grow Rich are a few of my recommendations.

Spend some time "listening" each day. Grab an audio. Jim Rohn, Randy Gage, and Suze Orman are just a few suggestions. It's important to focus on your life skills as well as the fundamental of your business. This includes, family, career, financial, spiritual, and health.

Ask yourself...where do I want to improve? Is it leadership, prospecting, dulication, or presentation? Whatever your answer is, find an audio or a book that will help you improve in that area. Apply what you learn month after month and then move on to the next area.

Commit to a personal development program and realize your success does depend on it.

BELIEVE Success!


Lisa Willard

Faking it until making it

When I first began to build a team of distributors I had a mental block. I wanted to help others succeed, but I hadn't yet succeeded myself. Did you feel the same way? Or maybe you are feeling "the feeling" right now.


You must realize that we all start somewhere and our profession isn't any different. Lawyers, doctors, teachers all spend years in college preparing. Home Business Owners aren't any different.

So, my advice is to don't let this stop you. Realize the most successful people and MLMers started at point A too. Rely on your sponsor, your mentor and your team in the beginning.


Focus on the activities that you haven't completely mastered. If there is something you just don't get,work on it, study it, and know it will become second nature eventually.

Study those and follow those who you want to be like. And know it's okay to go outside your organization to do that. I still study and follow all kinds of MLMers.

And know that success is different to different people. Small success leads to big success. Success might be contacing 5 friends or family members. Maybe it's selling $100 of retail or maybe it's completing your first blog post. These steps are all a huge part of your long term success. So, don't sell yourself short.

Helping others is a huge part of succeeding in this business. If you are genuinely interested in doing just that, your team will grow.

BELIEVE Success!


Lisa Willard

Direct Sales, MLM and Social Media

Most of you know, that when I began my "at home" business I focused more on the MLM/Network Marketing side of things vs.Direct Selling.

Growing a team, training, coaching has always been my passion. I really never considered myself a "party planner." But here lately, my company has really been focusing more on the "Direct Selling" side of things. And so far, I really like what I see. I mean let's face it. A large percentage of the people that I sponsor have an interest in retailing and making money right away.

My company is a "hybrid" mix of Retail/Direct sales with a MLM play plan that leads to long term residual income. Most party plan companies have monthly quotas, we do not. And our product line does create a 30-50% profit on retail sales. This is also a unique characteristic. And it's perfect retailers as well as someone who wants to build a passive, residual income.


So, how does Direct Sales, MLM and Social Media all tie together? It's simple. It must be used properly. And if it isn't, our industry is going to take a black eye. The MLM industry is already a little bruised. It just seems when you talk about MLM, Network Marketing you see the "get rick quick schemes" more and more.

Well, whether we consider ourselves MLMers or Direct Salers (I consider myself both), we must learn to use Social Media in the right way.

Social Media isn't going away. It is going to get bigger and bigger. So, start your education process today. Starting learning about relationship building, content sharing, and how to bring value to your audience. It's not about blasting your opportunity, your product or company. It's about relationships and bringing value!

I challege you to start today!

BELIEVE Success!


Lisa Willard

Leadership

"True leaders don’t develop people’s belief in the leader; they develop a belief in the follower." by Randy Gage.

I read this quote by Randy Gage a few days ago. And it's so true. Leaders of course must develop a belief in themselves. And sometimes this is the hardest step. Some will step up and take on leadership roles instantly and some won't.

Ask yourself this question. What if your business leader/mentor left today? Would you leave too or are you prepared to carry on without him or her. You would have two choices - Either step up and take responsibility and decide to move forward or do nothing.

I urge you to take at look at yourself and your business. Are you the leader you want to be? If not, why is that? Start taking actions today to develop your leadership skills. Your success is up to you!

BELIEVE Success!


Lisa Willard

Home Business Challenges - be prepared for them

In any home business, challenges and obstacles are going to arise. It’s just part of the journey and if we are prepared, it will be a bump in the road and nothing more.

So, let’s talk about those challenges so we are prepared when they come.

1. Distractions. Yes, they happen. It might be the phone ringing, the kids, or all the stuff in life that just happens. It’s true that life happens and can derail us from our actions. But think about the things that you can control. Have a specific plan each day and prioritize your daily goals. And commit to getting each one day, not matter what.

2. Disappointment. Sure, disappointment is going to happen from time to time. It might be a prospect that was excited to join and then didn’t. Or maybe you expected 15 people at a home party and only 2 showed up. Whatever the disappointment is, reflect on it for a few and then let it go. Don’t focus on it. Release it and move forward!

3. Delays. There are going to be delays in your business. You will set goals and you will come up short once in a while. Realize that is okay. And know that if you took the action steps necessary and you came up short, that goal is just around the corner. We are human and we are going to make mistakes. And sometimes things just don’t go the way they are planned. But it’s okay. If you plan to get it done today, then get it done. Don’t wait until tomorrow.


Remember, challenges and obstacles don’t mold us or our business. How we handle them does.


BELIEVE Success!


Lisa Willard

Master the Secrets of Success

Master the Secret of Success

When you operate a home business, there are some keys to creating success. Success just doesn’t happen. You don’t’ just find it, you don’t luck into it, and it certainly doesn’t happen overnight. Success is created and as a home business owner, you must define what success is to you.

So, what are the Secrets to Success?

1. The first one is being Consistent. Your actions have to remain consistent. You have to be willing to do what most won’t. Make a plan and then work your plan. And celebrate your results. I like to put a plan of action in place for 90 days. And at the end of 90 days, look at your results. What worked and what didn’t and then revise your plan from there.


2. The second one is being Persistent. Commit to your action plan and follow through with it no matter what. Keep your focus and don’t let anyone or anything get between you and your action steps. Yes, life will get in the way. There will be obstacles and challenges. But a set back is the first step to a comeback. If you get off track, get right back on and keep those blinders on.


3. Perform the RIGHT Actions. What I mean by this is checking email all day isn’t exactly productive. You must be completing action steps that are going to move you to your goal. Yes, email needs to be checked and answered, but make sure more time is spent on actions that will get you results. How many customer contacts are you going to make? How many new prospects are you going to call this week? How many follow up phone calls need to be made? How much time are you going to spend networking online this week? These are action steps that will help you design your business and move you closer to your goals.

I use this statement a great deal and I think it really sums it up.

“If you continue to do what you have always done, you will continue to get what you have always gotten.”

BELIEVE Success!


Lisa Willard