I just joined ClixSense today and from what I can see, it looks like a pretty neat program. You join free and earn money for viewing ads or websites for 30 seconds. You won’t get rich from this program but I can see making an extra check each month that might put some gas in your car.

I joined and completed all the ads that were there. I looked and there was about 35 ads for me to view. They have an option to upgrade for $10.00 per year. If I was an upgraded member, there is a total of 525 ads you can view. I am considering upgrading since it is only $10.00. They are having a promotion now that if you refer anyone who upgrades you will earn an extra $5.00. You will also earn 10% of your referral’s earnings.

If you have something to advertise you can purchase ads or convert your money you earned watching ads to advertise something as well. Below is the link if you are interested in joining:

http://www.clixsense.com/?2145358

Until Next Time
Stefani Partin

Having at least one parent stay at home is very important to many families, especially when the children are young. And most often it is the mother who chooses to stay at home, although stay at home dads are becoming more and more common. No matter which stays home, it requires planning to make the adjustment for everyone easier.

The one thing that immediately leaps to mind is that the family will have to do its best to live on a single income. This is true in most cases, although sometimes a stay at home mom or dad can earn enough from home to make the difference minimal… or even improve matters.

Financial matters can be tough. It is possible for a family to live on a single income in many cases, but it almost always requires significant sacrifice. No grand vacations. No keeping up with the latest tech toys. No shopping on a whim.

These may be replaced by coupon clipping, eating at home, and simple vacations. If you’re going to have to make big lifestyle changes, it is best to start the financial ones before one parent starts staying at home. This gives the family the chance to understand some of the implications right away.

But stay at home moms and dads also have to deal with tremendous social isolation. It is incredibly difficult to find friends when you’re at home. No more casual office gossip. Lunch out with friends becomes a rarity. It’s tough.

Expectations must also be managed. Is a perfectly kept home expected? What will the balance of responsibilities be when both parents are at home? What about time off for each?

All of these factors are things which must be considered and discussed beforehand. Disagreeing about responsibilities once things get going can only add to the tensions.

One thing you can try that can help with expectations is to have the parent who will not be staying home with the kids try it for a day. The stay at home parent can go do something else for the day, while the other does something outside of the house for a day. While it’s still not the same as doing the job seven days a week, it can help to give insight into how the day really goes for a stay at home parent.

Being a stay at home mom or dad is not for everyone or every family. Quite a bit depends on family dynamics and family income. But for those who can do it and enjoy it, few experiences are quite so rewarding on so many levels.

Stephanie Foster blogs at http://www.homewiththekids.com/blog/ about being a stay at home mom. She offers more tips for stay at home moms at http://www.homewiththekids.com/lifestyle.php

This has always been a hot topic, so it’s worth mentioning time and time again. There IS a right and wrong way to recruit on message boards, which goes far beyond just following spam rules.

Scenario 1

A new mother has signed up to a message board you visit often. Her first post may sound something like this:

“I’m looking for a way to work at home, can anyone help me?”

Take a look at what you know about her. If she hasn’t said anything but “I’m looking”, then all you know is she is a mother in need of an income. That’s it. So to reply with a plug for your business is not only rude, but also does not help you or the person posting the question.

Get to know this person first. Find out what her interests are. Signing someone up that’s not interested in your product is a waste of your time and theirs. By showing interest in this new person, you are not only proving yourself worth of friendship, but also laying the ground work for future recruits from those lurking. If they see you give a general interest in the person, and spot your signature line, they are going to much more likely to join should your business be what they are looking for.

Also another point that needs to be made – never email or send private messages unless that person has specifically asked for this information. Word of mouth travels far, and people remember those that “spam” them.

Remember: Quality Over Quantity!

Scenario 2

A new mother has signed up to a message board you visit often. Her first post may sound something like this:

“I’m looking for a way to work at home, can anyone help me? I might be interested in selling Candles or Children’s Toys. Any suggestions?”

First and foremost, DO NOT reply with your Gourmet Food business or any other business that does not have anything to do with Candles or Children’s Toys. She’s already mentioned that she’s interested in these types of products. Replying with anything other than what was requested can actually make you one look like a fool and two makes you look like you’re not interested in anything else BUT recruiting. You didn’t even take the time to see what she wanted in the first place. That doesn’t seem like you care much about their wants/needs.

Scenario 3

Message Board Post:

“Hi, I’m interested in the Mary Kay business opportunity. Can someone please post a little more information?”

As mentioned above, do not reply with …

You’ve got mail! OR I’ve PMed you! First of all it makes the business look “sneaky” like there’s something secretive about the business. Secondly, she didn’t request to be bombarded with emails or PMs. She asked that the information be posted there. Need I mention spam laws?

Lurkers…

There are way more lurkers on message boards versus actual posters. Some people just prefer to lurk and don’t ever post. If you post the information right there, lurkers will see the information and also see the link in your signature line. If you send the original poster and email or pm; the lurker is most likely going to search elsewhere for the information. Potential recruit lost.

Scenario 4

Message Board Post:

“Hi, I’m interested in the Discovery Toys business opportunity. Can someone please post a little more information?”

After the original post you see one or two posts. Maybe someone answered her question and they’ve been posting back and forth about it. Or maybe a couple of different reps have answered a couple of different ways. Do NOT jump in and say the same thing that’s already been posted. Do NOT jump in and say something different and say … visit my website or send me an email. This is just plain rude. If you can’t say something different than what has already been said or nothing more than contact me … don’t bother posting. Another thing that is rude is to contact the original poster privately when it’s more than apparent that she’s working with someone else.

Remember what your mother taught you. Play nice and don’t do something that you wouldn’t want done to you!

About the Authors: Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank are two busy wahms, and the owners of Direct Sales Helpers. For more Direct Sales Success Tips, visit: www.directsaleshelpers.com/newsletter.html

A few weeks ago we asked several work at home moms a fun question – Would you do something illegal, even if you probably wouldn’t be caught?

Of course, everyone said “absolutely not!”. This is the response you would expect from most anyone in the work at home mom community. We have to set an example for our children, of course.

However, it amazes me how often I see others involved in illegal activities or not taking responsibility for their business. No matter if it’s using excuses to not deliver products on time or running a business without proper licenses – it’s unethical, irresponsible, and sometimes illegal.

As they say, ignorance of the law is no excuse. It’s true even online, and you could be subject to fines or even lose your business. The following are some examples of illegal or unethical practices you may be faced with, and how to handle them.

- Running raffles or illegal contests
Every state has different laws, and in most states it’s very illegal to run a raffle without a permit. In some states, raffles are considered gambling and you may not hold a raffle unless it’s for charity. There are many raffle groups online, but that doesn’t mean they are legal. Avoid!

- Selling food without a licence
Did you know in some states it’s illegal to sell food without a licence? This applies to those who rep for food companies like Watkins, Gabby Goodies, Homemade Gourmet, and many others. It should also be especially noted that even if you don’t sell the food itself you may need a license. For example, let’s say you’re selling food choppers. Let’s say you’re demonstrating your food chopper and you let people sample the food … you need a license to do this also. Check your state laws before selling anything related to food.
(Thanks to Kerri Knack of Homemade Gourmet and http://DirectSalesNetworkGroup.com/ for this piece of information)

- Spamming, or sending advertisements without consent
Obviously, spamming is a big no-no. There are strict spamming laws that everyone should know before doing any kind of email marketing. Do NOT send advertisements to those who didn’t answer it. You can be fined and loose your email address.

- Copying ideas, websites, or ads
While it may not be illegal to copy an idea, it’s extremely unethical and not well received. Many have had ideas stolen from them, and do not like it in the least. Copying ads and websites on the other hand is illegal. It’s called copyright infringement, and can get your website shut down. Hosting companies won’t think twice about pulling the plug on your website hosting if there is a complaint.

- Using excuses for poor service
Not illegal, but definitely unethical. Everyone should have a back up plan for emergencies. Customers will usually understand if you have a serious emergency, but not always. Word of mouth travels far – remember that.

There’s many other unethical and illegal business practices out there, but this is just a few. Let us say this again – ignorance of the law is no excuse! Check with your local government if you are unsure of anything, or ask on a message board or group at the very least.

About the Authors: Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank are two busy wahms, and the owners of Direct Sales Helpers. For free direct sales tips, visit: www.DirectSalesHelpers.com/newsletter.html

Some E-books combine very well with an affiliate program. When the affiliate receives some extra benefit from promoting the viral message, like being able to brand your E-book with his affiliate links, the affiliate makes a sale when a reader buys through a branded link. You benefit from increased traffic on your website because the affiliate is willing to promote the E-books for you.

Be absolutely certain that your message includes a clear call to action. There shouldn’t be any doubt whatsoever about what you intend recipients to do. Make sure that the instructions are perfectly clear so that recipients know HOW to act. The action that you require should be simple and obvious as well. Don’t make things complicated or it will confuse the reader, such as by adding numerous links.

Remember the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Simple Stupid! The incentive should be clear to those you want to take an action. Readers will look at your offering for about seven seconds before they move on. If it takes longer than that for them to figure out what it is you want them to do, they will move on. Don’t make your message vague or difficult to comprehend. If you do, chances are you will lose them. You must respect your readers enough to express your message clearly.

Once you are sure you have an E-book that will be of value to an affiliate program, approach them with your idea and be able to show that it will be mutually beneficial.

Viral Marketing using E-books is one of many techniques that all together have a cumulative effect in attracting customers and subscribers to your business and in attracting targeted visitors to your website. You will very soon find out that this is an excellent way of increasing sales, subscribers and referrals.

About The Author: Looking to sell Ebooks and start your own affilate program Visit Work at Home Parent Ebooks to get resale right books.