The following is a guest post by Sally Shaws. If you would like to write for this blog, please check out the guidelines here.

No business is ever instant. If you want to make a living at something other than being employed by someone else, you have to carve out your own success. This takes time and hard work. But you knew that already.

It’s a fundamental truism of working for yourself that you never put all your eggs in one basket. Keeping this rule can be difficult when ideas prove to be bigger than you first thought, or if your point of entry into your chosen market place is low and you find yourself competing for low-paid gigs.

There will inevitably be times when work is scarce, so how do you plug gaps between payments?

A Second Job

Having a second job adds some stability to the situation. Just knowing you can pay your rent no matter how your primary business performs can really free you up to go for quality business.

Having a second job can sometimes bring more problems than it solves. Dividing your brain between two situations – even if your secondary situation is fairly menial – can reduce your productivity, causing your primary business to suffer.

When I was a student, I met many artists who were waiting tables to supplement their incomes. Agreements with management were always loose, and while they might have agreed to work 25 hours a week, they would often find themselves working 40, or 50 hours, leaving themselves no time or energy to work on their primary business. They got distracted and fell into the trap of making their secondary job their primary income. How? By not considering the next point.

Discipline

If you take a second job, be disciplined. Divide your working week into three sections:

Time for your primary job – this should take up a significant amount of your week.

Time for your secondary job – this should bring in enough money without taking time away from your primary job; your future.

Time for yourself – this is extremely important. Don’t neglect yourself and your family, if you have one. You need some time off to recuperate, even if it’s only one day a week. Making sure you have one designated day off brings structure to your week.

Plan Ahead

If you can only work for twenty hours a week, state that from day one. When I was building up my writing business, I made sure my part time employer knew that I would only be available for 24 hours a week and never on a Sunday. This allowed me to keep my week structured, my income steady and stop me going in to melt down during busy periods. It also made sure I didn’t starve when there were dry patches.

Other Options

If there are no second jobs available in your locale, or what is available simply doesn’t suit your needs, you might consider participating in paid medical trials like those run by GSK. A friend of mine did this to earn extra money to travel. It’s certainly not for all, but he got to travel to around south-east Asia for several months.

Why Might this Be a Good Idea?

Simply because you can make up to 2,000 pounds, dollars, or Euros (depending on your location), for lying in bed for two weeks and swallowing a couple of pills when told. Volunteers can participate in up to four trials a year – that’s eight grand for eight weeks of your working year. Consider that most low-paid part time jobs will pay you around that amount for part-time hours across about 50 weeks a year and occupy much more of your time.

How Does It Work?

Drug companies have to put every new drug they create through rigorous testing to prove its safety and effectiveness before bringing it to market. Certain drug trials require healthy participants and they will pay for your time.

If you are accepted as a volunteer, you’ll be sent a list of trials that you’re eligible to participate. You simply choose the ones that suit your schedule and return the form. For each trial, there is a consent talk in which you a doctor will run through the trial and what it’s testing for. You’ll learn about the protocols – what you have to do – and you’ll learn about the risks. Of course you can ask questions and its worthwhile preparing questions before you attend. If you wish to continue, you’ll be obliged to give consent. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to go.

Is It Safe?

Clinical trials in Europe and the U.S. are governed by laws and if you choose to participate, you should sign up with one of the larger companies. Why? Because they are more prominent and therefore can’t afford to be conducting their drugs trials outside legislated protocols.

There is the potential for unexpected side effects, however, if you do experience any consider that you’re in the best place to receive treatment for those side-effects. And you can leave at any time.

The Road to Success

It’s absolutely possible to take a business of any kind from nothing to “successful”. How you define success is up to you. Some roads may be longer than others, but the most important thing is that you keep your goal central. However you decide to supplement your income, remember that those part-time jobs are never forever.

About the Author:

Sally Shaws is a freelance writer who also regularly blogs about ways to boost your income and earning extra money online. She writes about all sorts of things including flogging your stuff on eBay, earning cash through volunteering for medical trials and renting out your car to other drivers for income.

The following is a guest post by Chi Norris. If you would like to write for this blog, please check out the guidelines here.

Often a mobile application will offer pared-down features, allowing the user to access necessary information without navigating a company’s entire website. No matter the applicant, from a student pursuing an online degree to a recent college graduate seeking that first professional position, having a bevy of employment search applications at one’s fingertips can help make the necessary connections to find a job and get hired.

Here are 10 applications to consider…

1. LinkedIn

A great place to network and make or renew professional contacts, LinkedIn is arguably the best resource for job preparation. Persons seeking a new job or a new career can upload a resume, make some connections, and sign up for timely updates from persons with whom they network. Staying in touch while out and about allows applicants to seize a professional opportunity while it’s still hot.

2-5. CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed, Exact Hire

Invaluable for their mobile search options, applicants utilizing CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed, and Exact Hire can find available positions according to geographic region, save their preferred postings as favorites, and apply for jobs online. Logging in to find jobs selected based on one’s search parameters can take some of the stress out of changing careers or hitting the ground running for the first time.

6. Twitter

Never underestimate what can be said in 140 characters. The power of tweets – from the job seeker, the people and organizations that the applicant is following, or a timely retweet – can lead to a position the candidate never knew existed. Tweeting a link to one’s online portfolio can help companies in the search for future personnel too, especially if they’re farming social media channels looking for applicants.

7. Facebook

With the ability to post status updates announcing a new or renewed job search, share items that contacts have posted (such as job announcements), and link to companies with their own Facebook pages, the best-known social media application in the world can be a formidable force when seeking new employment. Just be careful to keep the professional and the personal separate. A job search could easily be hampered by those vacation photos from Cabo.

8. Gigwalk

For those looking for more casual employment opportunities, Gigwalk offers the chance to find and complete a short job, e.g., reporting back about a store’s hours of operations, and get paid via Paypal. This search option is especially handy for those whose employment needs aren’t necessarily tied to business suits and boardrooms.

9. Craigster

The wealth of information on Craigslist is distilled in their mobile app, giving job seekers the chance to act on the numerous professional opportunities posted to the site on a daily basis. The app is especially helpful for candidates from out of state. Marry an employment search with a glance at available apartments and a visit to the jobs discussion forum, all from a mobile phone.

10. The Local Newspaper

For those who once looked for jobs in the classifieds and came away with newsprint-covered fingers, searching jobs using a mobile app is a welcome and mess-free option. Users can search for job postings, catch up on their business news, and see the latest headlines all at once. It’s an excellent resource for searching within one’s community, especially for companies who might only be seeking local applicants.

These ten applications are but a suggestion. With a world of opportunities online and a smart-phone in nearly every person’s hand, information gathering on the go is more than convenient – it’s the norm.

About the Author

Chi Norris is a writer and visual artist who likes painting, poetry, and reading memoirs. She writes for www.professionalintern.com.

The following is a guest post by Matt Kraustrunk. If you would like to write for this blog, please check out the guidelines here.

Okay, so the economy isn’t supplying jobs. We get it. If you have been out of a job or even working on your own schedule from home, it’s tough to stay motivated. Some of the biggest failures in life are not putting yourself out there to showcase your skills.

We all know that working from home is difficult, especially if you are an at home mom. Science proves it, according to Scott Schieman, “While women have increasingly taken on a central role as economic providers in today’s dual-earner households, strong cultural norms may still shape ideas about family responsibilities. These forces may lead some women to question or negatively evaluate their family role performance when they’re trying to navigate work issues at home.” So for those of you sitting on your couch, watching Dr. Phil help other people; why don’t you help yourself?

Job Market

Despite all of the reports on the job market improving, it is still difficult to get a “foot in.” According to Market Research, “Job Security Index decreased by 5.7% or 1.5 points in February 2011 when compared to January 2011.”

Freelancing

Getting hired for a few freelance gigs is the best way to stay afloat while you are looking for a job. Freelance jobs help bolster your resume’ and make you look motivated to employers. Having gaps in employment on your resume’ doesn’t bode well in these times.

To get started with your freelancing career, first determine your strengths. If you have written content professionally, go with that. Assemble your portfolio of work and upload it to your user accounts on Freelancer, Elance and Guru. On these sites you will work to bid on projects and expose yourself for contract work. This is a great way to create partnerships with businesses.

According to Rockable Press, the average going rate for a writer is $44 an hour, and 49.7% of people believe that they work less as a freelancer, averaging around 39 hours a week.

Creative Ways to “Get In”

Freelancing is a great way to live, but not necessarily if you are supporting a family. If you rely on your freelancing checks consistently, you may be at risk. Freelancing jobs can run dry faster than the dry season in the Savannah.

Keep your eye out for similar job openings in your area. If you are applying to a job, here are some creative ways to showcase your self.

1. Make A Phone Call. Employers can never put you down for Perseverance. In such a digital world, it’s highly unlikely that your competition is making phone calls. I would even go as far to assume that only 5% of perspective employees follow up with a phone call. It is such a simple thing to do, but could potentially make you stick out in the sea of applicants
2. Be Human on Social Networking Sites. If you don’t already have a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, set them up. Employers appreciate someone who is well versed in the social realm, regardless of your profession. If you have a Twitter, humanize yourself. You don’t have to keep it professional, explain in your bio “Stay at home mom. Freelance graphic designer. Looking for a Career in _____” People with similar interests will begin following you, and it is likely that you will gain exposure in that niche.
3. Create a PPC advertisement that targets the keyword of your name. Link it to your LinkedIn account. Make sure that you have your LinkedIn account updated and that your Google Adwords campaigns is setup for an exact match. Ex: “YOUR NAME”

If you aren’t working from home, get off your butt! Start freelancing to build your professional portfolio. It will give you exposure, keep you motivated and potentially get you a foot in the door.

About the Author

Matt Kraustrunk is an expert writer on credit card processing based in San Diego, California. He writes extensively for an online resource that provides expert advice on purchasing and outsourcing decisions for small business owners and entrepreneurs such as online marketing at Resource Nation.

The following is a guest post by Bailey Harris. If you would like to write for this blog, please check out the guidelines here.

If you are a freelance writer or editor, or would like to be, you can find many places online that post new job opportunities every day. With a little bit of time and a few clicks of your mouse, you may find just what you are looking for. Here are 10 great sites that regularly post freelance writing and editing jobs.

Freelance Switch – Although it costs nothing to browse job listings here, for $7.00 a month, subscribers to Freelance Switch can apply to any of the jobs they are interested in. Freelancers are welcome to view forums, read blogs, and have access to a comprehensive resource directory for free.

Freelance Writing – Since 1997, this free user-friendly website has assisted many freelancers in finding successful writing and editing jobs. This site also features current workshops and events, writing contests, discussion forums, and more.

Freelanced.com – Here job seekers can search writing and editing jobs and even post a profile so they can be sought out by potential employers. Before browsing, writers and editors can view featured freelance jobs. Each of the featured posts indicates how much the job pays as well as the number of people that have already applied. This information can be seen without even clicking on the job, making it easier to decide if it’s something worth checking out.

FreelancerCareers.com – Membership at FreelancerCareers.com is free, and it allows freelancers to browse a large database of jobs. Here members can choose projects that best fit what they are looking for.

GoFreelance – At GoFreelance, writers and editors can browse jobs by choosing a specific category or by doing a simple keyword search. Freelancers also have the option of signing up for “The Secrets of Freelance Success.” This feature is free and includes daily updates on job postings via email, a report entitled “How to Find Freelance Work,” and a free course on successful freelance writing.

iHirePublishing – By signing up for a free membership, freelance editors can search over 2,000 job postings. Job searches can be done by keying in a job title or zip code.

Online Writing Jobs.com – This site allows freelance writers to view thousands of job opening ads. Quick searches can be done by clicking on a category–categories include Freelance Writing Jobs, Freelance Magazine Writing Jobs, Blogging Jobs, Website Writing, and more.

PoeWar – This easy-to-use site features “job lists” to help the browser narrow down job searches. Searches can also be done by category or month. Being able to search by month makes it simple to find the most up-to-date postings.

Simply Hired – Here freelancers can view writing and editing jobs by location or keyword search, or simply by browsing posted ads. By signing up for a free account, members are able to save job searches, and can even receive email alerts when new jobs are listed.

Sunoasis Jobs – Becoming a subscriber to Sunoasis is free, and it allows freelance writers and editors to search job postings and job links. By signing up, new job posts and links can be sent directly to the member’s email.

Long gone are the days of daunting job searches. With today’s technology, freelance writers and editors can find work online without even stepping outside the home or office. It’s quick and simple, and most of the sites are free to use. By taking some time to browse for freelance writing and editing jobs online, finding a job that fits your needs and qualifications might be easier than you think.

About the Author

Bailey Harris is a freelance writer. Bailey writes on many topics, including Auto Insurance Quotes for www.carinsurancequotes.net.

The following is a guest post by Sebastian Brown. If you would like to guest post for this blog, please visit the Write For Us page to view the guidelines.

With unemployment rates reaching an all time high and many workers finding their old jobs obsolete, the need for a position in a recession proof industry is critical. When the economy is bad, even jobs that were lucrative at one point can become negatively impacted when consumers spend less money. However, there are several industries which are not effected by a downturn in the economy because the services that they provide are always needed.

Even in a bad economy, people will still become sick or injured and require care, which makes the medical industry virtually unaffected by a recession. While it is common knowledge that doctors and nurses make a steady income, many fail to realize there are many other positions available within the medical community that don’t require years of schooling. Obtaining a position as a medical billing specialist is one easy way to make good money in a bad economy as there is a high demand for these types of jobs.

Why Medical Billing is a Good Job for a Bad Economy

There are several good reasons to get into the medical billing field when the economy is bad. For one, it is an easy way to work in the medical field without having to go to medical school to become a doctor or nurse. While a career in medicine can be lucrative, it will take years of study and thousands of dollars in tuition. Instead, working in medical billing will require only an MBA, which is easy and affordable to obtain. You can sign up for distance learning programs and obtain your MBA online in the comfort of your own home.

Obtaining a Certificate of Completion in Medical Billing and Coding will help you to better comprehend the medical terms that doctors and nurses use so that you can relay this information to patients in a way that is easy to understand. In addition, you will learn valuable computer skills as understanding the latest billing technology is crucial to keeping up with an ever-changing work environment.

Working for Yourself

Medical billing experts can also forgo working in an office altogether and can choose to perform freelance services for a variety of clients. This makes it an ideal career choice for stay at home parents or individuals who prefer to be their own boss. As a freelance medical billing expert, you are the owner of your own small business, which can give you a new-found sense of independence. You get to set your own schedule and pick which clients you wish to work with. Freelance services can also be performed as a side job to supplement your existing income which is always helpful in a bad economy.

However, if you’d rather work in an office, medical billing is a flexible career path which gives you several options. You can work at a private practice or a hospital if you prefer to work in a smaller office that is closer to the medical field. Insurance companies also hire medical billing experts and are a good choice for people who prefer a larger office setting. You can expect to work either part-time or full-time in these types of office settings, with the opportunity for overtime by working nights and weekends.

As the medical industry continues to grow and reach new innovations, the demand for medical billing specialists will continue to rise, making it a good job choice for a bad economy. There is an unlimited amount of opportunity in medical billing with a variety of jobs to suit your economic needs and your personal working habits. Best of all, the career path is easy to get started with, and obtaining your certification will take a short time. Until doctors find a way to make it so patients no longer become sick or injured, there will always be a surplus of medical billing positions available.

About the Author: Sebastian Brown helps run and maintain Medicalbillingandcoding.org. Medical Billing is a quickly growing home-based career that offers stability and a lucrative income.

The following is a guest post by Kyle Simpson. If you would like to Guest Post on this blog, please contact me.

Some people just seem to have a better grasp of the English language than others.  Whether they know grammar, spelling, and punctuation like the back of their hands or they have a proven ability to turn a phrase, they can inform, influence, and inspire with their work.  And yet, a strong background in poetry, prose, or even technical writing does not necessarily ensure the ability to make a living with your craft.

So, here are 5 simple tips to help you get it together and adapt your writing style in such a way as to provide for a viable occupation.

1. Try everything.  You won’t really know what you’re capable of until you try, so get your hands on all kinds of work.  Write for publications and blogs with all different subjects, try your hand at marketing or advertising, create an e-zine, or pen some technical service manuals.  The ability to diversify will only make you more marketable (and it will help you figure out what you excel at and what you might want to avoid).
2. Join a service.  As a freelance writer, you will spend a lot of time hustling for jobs and fielding rejections.  This can be extremely disheartening.  To avoid some of the hassle, join a free website like Elance or ODesk that allows you to create a profile (that companies seeking service can peruse) and apply for jobs posted by their patrons.  If you get good reviews and offer a variety of samples, you may soon notice that you receive enough offers to keep you busy indefinitely.
3. Keep learning.  The best writers hone their style through both research and practice, so don’t be too hasty to rest on your laurels.  Just because blogging is big right now doesn’t mean it will keep you employed for the next ten years, so make sure you learn the ins and outs of different types of writing so that you have something to fall back on if the bottom of your bread-and-butter workload suddenly drops out.
4. Be professional.  This means you deliver what the client wants and exercise due diligence to ensure that your submissions meet their standards.  For example, an informative article written for a celebrity blog (think TMZ) is probably not suitable as a press release (even if they contain the same basic information).  And if you can’t tell the difference in style, you are going to be hard pressed to expand your business.  So put in the time to learn various formats so the client isn’t forced to explain your job to you (or give you the send-off).
5. Own it.  Your skill with language and proactive attitude will help you land jobs.  But it’s the personal flair you add to your work that will interest people in hiring you again and again.  Putting your personal stamp on your writing is what makes it desirable, so don’t be afraid to own it.  All famous writers are recognizable in their way.  For example, you wouldn’t confuse Stephen King with Edgar Allan Poe, or Jane Austen with J.K. Rowling.  In the long run, a signature style will get you a lot further than dotting the “i”s and crossing the “t”s.

About the Author: Kyle Simpson writes for Medical Coding Certification where you can find more information about a career and training in the medical field.

With the economy still way below normal and jobless rates not seeing a high increase, people are still looking for new job opportunities, both offline and online.

When I lost my job in 2008, I decided to start building an online presence and get a proofreading portfolio together. I wanted to provide a valuable service to others and build up a clientele. At the same time I hammered down on my online business and tried to learn as much as I could about internet marketing. I knew there was money to be made online, and there still is.

That’s why I truly believe that affiliate marketing is the new job on the market. Trillions of dollars are being spent online, and as an affiliate, you can claim your share.

Affiliate marketing is by far the easiest and most lucrative business model, so it’s no wonder why you see so many new affiliates these days. I imagine that there are many people looking for something different, just like I was when I lost my job.

I wanted this post to be a little different, so instead of me rambling on about stuff you may or may not already know, I thought I’d make it extremely easy for you to find all of my posts related to affiliate marketing.

So, simply click the link below:

http://www.replaceyoursalary.com/work-from-home-blog/category/affiliate-marketing

and you’ll have every post I tagged with affiliate marketing at your fingertips. This will surely give you enough information to read up on for the next day or two until I get a new post up. Hopefully you’ll find some informative information as well as some inspiration if you’re thinking about getting into affiliate marketing.

Have any thoughts? Share them below…

Freelance work from home isn’t a new concept by any means. There are many freelancers that enjoy spending the day at home doing various work for different clients. The internet has made this possibility even more of a reality for many people.

Basically, if you have  a specific skill or skill set, there’s no reason why you can’t find freelance work from home. If you have a particular interest or are very knowledgeable in a specific area, chances are that you can get paid to render your services in that area.

You might be saying you don’t have any skills or aren’t qualified in any specific area, so finding freelance work from home is out of the question. Well, the fact that you’re reading this proves that theory wrong. Even if you have basic computer skills, which I’m assuming you do, you may just find someone that is need of your knowledge.

Even so, there’s quick ways to learn and get the knowledge necessary to render services for others in a specific area. You could take an online course for an area of interest and get certified. This is what I did after I lost my job over a year ago. It has paid off very well and is well worth it.

One website where you can get such training and take an online course is UniversalClass.com. Here they offer classes for just about any subject, and after completion, you’ll be certified and have the knowledge necessary. The next step after that will be to get some experience.

To get your feet wet and eventually do freelance work from home full-time, you’ll need to find a constant stream of work. This can be a bit challenging to say the least. Fortunately, there are websites that connect freelance service providers with people looking for freelancers.

List of freelance sites to check out:

• GetAFeelancer.com
• IFreelance.com
• ODesk.com
• Elance.com
• RentaCoder.com

This isn’t an all-inclusive list of feelance sites, but this will give you a good start to find freelance work. I’m a member of a few, but I’ll be honest, I have yet to get any work through these sites. I get most of my work through forums.

Forums can be a great place to find freelance work from home. It might be a little unorthodox or different than what you’re used to, but this is how I get all of my freelance work. There are many benefits to this avenue.

With forums, you don’t have to spend time bidding on projects that appeal to you. This can be time-consuming, and with a hundred other competitors all bidding on the same project, the chances of winning the project aren’t very good.

If you already have the experience then being seen as an expert in your field won’t be difficult. Just back up your claims with real testimonials from satisfied customers/clients. Notice I said “real” testimonials… that’s very important. You never want to fake testimonials for any reason.

Forums usually have an area to advertise for a product or service. Use this to your advantage to get your name out there. If you have to, do some work for free in exchange for some testimonials. You may just gain a regular client from it in the process.

Adding a link in your forum signature to a web page that describes what you do and the services you offer is another benefit to take advantage of. This can get you good exposure, and anyone interested will click on the link and may just become a new client.

For me, the services I offer are appealing to the members of the various forums I’m a member of. So for me, this strategy is very advantageous.

Regardless of how you find freelance work from home, online or offline, just know that it’s a great way to earn money and work from home.

What are some ways you go about finding freelance work, whether it’s online or offline?

Income generating alternatives to the ‘nine-to-five job’ are becoming increasingly important in our unstable globalized economy. Many people have successfully diversified their incomes through network marketing.

Why Network Marketing?

Many members of the local community have found that a secure job or career is a thing of the past.

The career and financial uncertainties arising from corporate downsizing has coined terms such as McJob and permatemp. A McJob is a low-paying, low-prestige position requiring few skills and offering little opportunity for advancement. Permatemps are temporary workers who are expected to do the same work as permanent employees but without the benefits or prospect of career advancement.

Network marketing offers individuals an alternative to job insecurity.

Entrepreneurs looking for financial freedom and a better way of life have turned to network marketing. There are many reasons why network marketing offers a viable alternative to working in the corporate world.

First, a direct marketing business can be developed in your spare time while you continue working. Often wives build successful network marketing organizations while their husbands continue to work in the corporate world. Over time, the network marketing business grows large enough to support the whole family. In the meantime, it offers an additional income stream and decreases the risks associated with corporate downsizing.

Second, most direct marketing businesses require little start-up capital. For many organizations, this is less than $300. Starting your own business or buying a franchise can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. (And there’s no guarantee that the business will generate sufficient income to repay the money borrowed). If you’re looking for a company to get started with for less than $30 a month, check out SFI.

Third, direct marketing generates an ongoing stream of residual income. This is especially true for organizations marketing a product that gets used up and needs to be purchased regularly.

Residual Income is the Key to Financial Freedom.

Residual income (also called passive income) is one of the greatest benefits offered by network marketing . This is why Robert Kiyosaki, best-selling author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad and many other publications, highly recommends network marketing in his books.

Kiyosaki writes about ways to develop residual income streams. They include:

• networking marketing
• royalties from patents and copyrighted works
• sales commissions in some industries, e.g. insurance
• rental income from property investment
• dividends from shares

With the exception of network marketing, most of these methods require large amounts of capital, time, or both to generate long-term results.

With a small investment and dedication, network marketing has helped many families take control of their financial destinies by generating a residual income. They have found a solution to corporate downsizing in the form of network marketing.

More importantly, residual income from network marketing can lay the foundation for your future wealth and financial freedom.
Besides the financial benefits, people have found one of the greatest benefits of network marketing is that it can be operated as a home-based business.

Learn More About the Latest Direct Marketing Opportunity?

If you’re interested in creating Financial Freedom, I would like to discuss this ground floor network marketing opportunity with you. You can leverage your time by working with your friends, family and associates to build a successful network marketing business. Time is of the essence. Contact me now to learn more.

Email: 3822292@usana.com
Website: http://www.ideallifestyle.usana.com

Access practical hints in the topic of website traffic – welcome to your personal knowledge base.

If there’s one thing you need in order to succeed with MLM/Network Marketing, it’s leads. Without leads, you’ll never make much money regardless of your company, the pay plan, your upline or anything else. You’re also going to need a lot of prospects since there’s no way you’ll sign everyone to be an agent. How many you’ll need depends on several factors such as your skill and your business. Not to mention, if you have a lot of leads, you won’t have to feel like you have to sign everyone.

It’s a lot easier to say no to having someone that doesn’t match what you’re looking for if you have 20-30 people waiting on your call. There are other factors involved in succeeding, but if you have leads and use them, that’s a big hurdle passed. Call everyone you know and ask for referrals. Tell them about the great business you have and how they can benefit from either being a customer or agent. If you’ve chosen wisely and believe in your company, you won’t see a problem with this. If you aren’t sure you have a great business, maybe you should keep looking.

A great way to decide if you have a good company is to ask yourself if you’d sign up your best friend or valued member of your family. Or, ask yourself if you’d use the product if there was no pay plan involved. If the answer is No, maybe you should keep looking. Build lead capture pages and get them listed high on search engines. This will generate leads that are interested in your company. However, anyone who has worked at getting a site listed high will tell you this is time consuming and far from easy, and it’s not an overnight job either.

You could spend a lot of time working on your site and never break the top 100. You can advertise your lead capture page on Pay Per Click (PPC) search engines. The largest sites are Google and Yahoo. These are the ads that show up at the top or on the right when you search. This is the quickest way and depending on the key words you’re bidding on could be cheap or very expensive (some keywords cost over 100 bucks) and there’s no guarantee you’ll get a single lead. It only guarantees that someone will see your page.

If you’re going to go this route, do yourself a favor and either get trained on how to do it or start slow or both. You can easily blow hundreds or thousands of dollars before you know it. You can print flyers and post them on bulletin boards around town and put them on doors and cars. If you figure a 1-2% success rate, you’ll get 1-2 leads per hundred flyers and then depending on your closing rate, you can figure out how many flyers you’ll need to hand out consistently to reach your goals.

Also figure in printing costs. Even if you’re printing these at home, you’ll have to pay for ink/toner and the wear and tear on your printer, not to mention the time and gas it takes to drive around and post the flyers. You should also get permission from property managers if you’re going to put them on doors or cars since some people will throw them on the ground. One other thing to be wary about is car alarms.

You can spam the world with one of those “e-mail 16 million people for 29.95″ spam messages you get every day. Do us both a favor and forget about that. The best you can hope for is to not get blacklisted or in trouble with the feds. The odds are that you’ll be visited by the feds and/or have your ISP shut you down. The way these are collected is by sending a little robot spider to crawl the web and collect e-mail addresses from forums, news groups, blogs, web sites and anywhere else they can find them.

These are just bad news and may get you kicked out of your company since they could be black listed because you didn’t follow this advice. An easy way to tell if they are real leads or harvested is the price. If they’re unbelievably cheap or don’t include i.p. address, they are probably harvested.

Cold Calling – This is just as it sounds. You pick up the phone book and start calling. This is the cheapest way to generate leads and if you have a thick skin may work for you. The thing to remember is that those people may be on the Do Not Call List and it may get you in trouble. The best thing to do is research the legal requirements before attempting this.

You can buy leads from a company that generates leads for you. But even these aren’t created equal. Some companies sell the same lead to 5, 10 or more people; even people in the same company as you and sell them for weeks, months or longer. You could end up with a lead that is 5 months old and been called by 10 or more people and is just plain tired of talking to people or has already joined a company and is quite happy with it.

Some are also overpriced and use shady tactics to get people to sign up such as contest sites. Or you could join a lead Co-Op that only sells the lead to you and generates it after you order meaning they are about 1-3 days old and only sold once. You want to make sure the company is reputable, been around for awhile and truly cares about their customers/members. They should offer multiple lead packages, training on how to effectively contact those leads, multiple autoresponders to make contacting them for follow-up (the fortune is in the follow-up) and training them easier and a presentation to explain what network marketing/MLM actually is in case the person has never heard of the concept or your company doesn’t offer a recruiting site.

It would also help if the company has a pay plan so that as you refer your new downline to the great leads you use, you can create an extra income stream (or at least get them for free) and so can your downline.

The thing to remember is that regardless of how the prospect was generated these people asked for information on starting a home based business and you should make it your responsibility to get them the information as soon as possible. Unless you didn’t take my advice and used a spam CD; then you’re on your own. Another thing to think about when choosing a method is will it be duplicatable to your downline and get consistent results? But that’s a subject covered in a previous article.

Read more about leads on line for free and free ways to generate leads to increase your income.

Access realistic information about website traffic – welcome to your own guide.