The dismal economic times have been clear in every aspect of life lately. A Sesame Street Special stated that in today’s economy, two out of three middle class families are at high risk of losing their financial security. Moreover, increases in job loss and income cuts have made families struggle with basic costs like housing, medical care, transportation, food, clothing, and child care. Too often, parents have to make difficult decisions that affect their child’s well-being.All the negative events in the recent years are not in the control of the average family but what most over look is that this is the best time to take control and create the desired financial freedom, through the on-line home based business industry. Now more than ever, the internet is the means to helping families have the time together that they want and deserve.Though businesses are closing down in the United States, the internet continues to expand quickly. As families face the current economic down turn, people are using the computer and the internet to create financial relief and security. Each and every day, all types of people (parents, doctors, teachers, etc.), from all over the world, are deciding to launch an internet-based business. Consider the following 3 Simple Reasons:1) Flexible for Busy Parents-Making money online with a home based business is flexible. Busy parents can work on their business around current commitments; like a full-time or part-time job, etc. Starting an internet business, isn’t an enormous undertaking, it could be part-time business, a weekend business or do on your spare time business. Depending on your personal needs or income goals, you decide how fast or slow you build your business.2) More Web Resources & No Need To Be Tech SavvyThere are many low-cost and free resources now available to new on-line entrepreneurs. Best of all, for busy parents, most of the training or webinars are online, which is accessible in the comfort of home, while the children are playing or tucked in bed at night. The information is often recorded and accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Also, you don’t need any prior business experience or advanced computer skills. If you can use e-mail and surf the web, then you have the skills to get started. A laptop or a computer and an internet access is all that you need. There are simple step by step systems to follow, which minimizes newbie mistakes and creates a higher success rate. This is crucial for parents who have no time for guess-work or errors.3) Diversify income streamsA mistake that many families make is to only rely on one source of income, like a full-time job. A sudden job layoff could jeopardize a family’s financial security. However, those that make money online help get around these unexpected occurrences because they have created multiple income streams. To put it simply, there are many ways an on-line business can help bring in capital to a family household. It can only get better from here. In the coming years, the internet will offer more resources, more places to connect with colleagues, and most importantly, more ways to create monthly income.Timing is everything! Now is the time to start earning multiple streams of income with an internet home based business. In addition, there are simple, accessible, trainings and support systems for new on-line business owners to use around a limited time schedule. Lastly, starting an on-line home based business certainly has its benefits and can change the path of a family’s financial future.
Five Tips for Selling at Live Auctions
Ah, the old-fashioned country auction! The idea of a country auction conjures up certain images for people. The image of a fast-talking auctioneer offering up an antique table or chair is a popular example.
People who are buying household goods or collectibles are looking to get their items at the lowest price possible. However, the people who are selling their items at auction are hoping for the highest price!
Unless a person is in the business of buying and selling antiques or other items, not a lot of thought goes into how goods are prepared for sale via the auction process. However, if you are one of the growing number of people using auction venues to sell your collectibles or other inventory, there are a few things to learn first about how to sell at auction before you bring a truckload of stuff over to the next event.
Tip 1: Make sure the things you want to sell are a good “fit” for the auction house you’ll be using.
Never bring a load to an auction house without actually having been to one of the previous auctions. It’s important to get a feel for the type of goods that the house sells. For example, at one very rural country auction it was common for the owners to sell live chickens, pots and pans, car parts, and farm equipment.
After close investigation, this would not be the right venue for selling your daughter’s “Hello Kitty” collection. On the other hand, the spare John Deere parts that you bought at last week’s yard sale might be just the right thing for the buying crowd at this auction.
Tip 2: Be sure you clearly understand the terms and policies of the auction house.
Visit with the auctioneer ahead of time. Call to find out what the best days and times are to visit. One of the worst possible times to drop in for an informational visit with an auctioneer is the day of the auction. Call ahead and ask. While you’re at it, find out what are the best days and times to drop your stuff off.
Once you have a little time with the auctioneer, you’ll be able to find out what type of commission he or she takes from consigners (which is you), and what type of paperwork might be needed. Some auction houses send out Form 1099 tax forms at the end of the year. An auctioneer may need to see your identification and have you fill out a W-9. Be prepared.
Find out what happens to your items if they don’t sell. For example, some auctioneers may have a minimum starting bid. If, for some reason, one of your items does not sell, it may be grouped with another one of your pieces. Know the auctioneer’s strategy beforehand so that you aren’t surprised on pay day.
Tip 3: Make sure the auctioneer knows what you’re selling.
It might be perfectly obvious to you that the signed print you are consigning is a rare and valuable piece of art. However, the auctioneer may not know this particular artist. Make a note of anything particularly special about your items, and leave the note with the piece. Be sure to tell the auctioneer about it as well. He or she might determine that this is something to highlight on the company website or in the newspaper listing.
Tip 4: Present your items neatly.
No one likes to have to dig through a box full of grimy and greasy car parts to see what treasures might be in there. Separate the parts and lay them out on a flat, or use more than one box to de-clutter the lot.
There is no need to buy fancy display boxes. It’s easy enough to go to the local convenience store or supermarket and ask if you can have the emptied boxes or flats that they are discarding.
While it’s good to present clean items, take care not to ruin the value of anything by over cleaning. For example, if you find some old cast iron cookware, clean the obvious dirt and grime, but don’t scrub it to its original finish. For many people, this ruins the value of the item. So, clean and tidy and organized is the key here.
Tip 5: Don’t complain to the auctioneer if your stuff doesn’t sell for as much as you’d like.
The phrase to remember here is, “You win some; you lose some.” That’s just the way it is. There are some days where an auction house is loaded with people who all seem to want what you’re selling. There will be other days where the crowd is sparse, and the bidding is simply not competitive.
Remember that it’s in the auctioneer’s best interest to sell your things for the highest possible hammer price. But sometimes, it’s just not going to be a stellar sale. The auctioneer is only human, and is also disappointed if a sale doesn’t go as well as planned.
If you notice that every time you bring a bunch of goods to sell that you’re not realizing as much as you think you honestly should, try another auction venue and compare apples to apples. That is, bring the same types of items to the new auctioneer and compare the results.
Unless the auctioneer is particularly disagreeable or inconsiderate to you or buyers, there is no reason to confront him or her about a sale. If you find you just don’t care for an auctioneer’s style or methods, find another one. Believe me, there are plenty of them out there!
The primary thing to remember as you learn how to sell at auction is that the business is unpredictable at best. You will have good days, some not-so-good days, some great days. The more you sell, the more experience you will gain, and the more enjoyable the business will be.
Don’t Choose a Home Based Business Until You Know the Top 7 Keys For Success
It is one thing to have a home based business but it is quite a different thing to have a SUCCESSFUL or PROFITABLE home based network marketing business.This article discusses the top seven Keys for Success in choosing a multi-level marketing home business.Key to Success #1: Research Home Based MLM Business Opportunities in General Before You Commit To Any Specific One–Get a Good idea of What Network Marketing Is and What It Isn’tBe open ended in your research. Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad fame did an inexpensive little book and CD on network marketing. He calls it the Business (Model) of the 21st Century and says if he had to do it over again, he would use network marketing to build his business empire. Why? Because marketing through networks has proven to be efficient, global, incredibly lucrative, personally fulfilling and is open to anyone to share in its wealth, without regard to race, religion, sex, education and so on. These are some of the reasons why successful entrepreneurs like Donald Trump and Warren Buffett have become network marketers. Include research that is critical of network marketing but decide for yourself.Key to Success #2: Compare Apples to Apples and Oranges to OrangesTop MLM/network marketing businesses have some characteristics in common so do comparisons. (It is wise to compare before you join.) Look for positive answers to the following questions:Is the organization in a growing market? Examples of some growing markets are the Green Movement, Health and Wellness and Internet ShoppingIs the organization promoting products, information or services that should be purchased over and over?Is the organization promoting products, information or services that cannot be found just anywhere, at any time or at lower cost?Is the organization generous in its leverage rules? How much residual or passive income can you earn from the income and recruitment activities of your downline and how far down do you override? In short, can you benefit from profitable home based businesses you help develop?Key to Success #3: Know the Basic Approaches to Network MarketingThere are roughly three ways to go about building an MLM business, but specific businesses may be combinations of the approaches. Some stress recruitment or network building while some focus on selling particular products. These two approaches are often combined but you should determine what has top billing. The third approach is more personal and can be used with either of the other two. In this approach, you develop your “brand” or expertise that helps develop people and businesses in your network and community.Key to Success #4: Specific Business Opportunities Must Appeal to YouThis is not a one size fits all opportunity. Consider your strengths and weaknesses (write them down). I once heard a very prominent and wealthy network marketer say that he was surprised at his great success because he didn’t like people. It took me a while to figure out he meant he wasn’t comfortable in “working a room” but he was an incredibly effective writer and seminar participant. He picked businesses that showcased his talents. There are opportunities for everyone, but be mindful of your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes. Of course if an organization appeals to you, consider it no matter what. Personal development is an integral part of network marketing and being a successful home based entrepreneur.Key to Success #5: Comprehensive and Continual Training Must Be AvailableDoes the opportunity provide comprehensive and regular training at no or moderate cost? Is the program easy enough for you to duplicate and make available to people you recruit? How successful is the training and how is it made available? Is it online? And what assistance do higher ups (the upline) offer?Key for Success #6: The MLM Opportunity Must Have an Effective Online Marketing SystemAny work from home business that does not use or encourage online marketing in a credible format cannot successfully compete in this day and information age. While you may not be internet savvy at this point, require your MLM opportunity to be. Its marketing system should help you sell product(s) AND attract recruits.Key for Success #7: The Gut Instinct TestThis is my favorite key for success: no matter how good the opportunity looks or how many of your friends and family have joined or how fast, if it doesn’t feel right to you, step back. I’m a firm believer in instinct and while you may not be able to put your finger on it, trust your gut and keep your money in your pocket until you are comfortable with a decision.