Work from Home:The Case for Working from Home

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One of the great advantages of being an Internet marketer is that you can work from virtually any location around the world.  You may work for an employer in a towering office building or for yourself in the comfort of your own home. I came across a thought-provoking article about the reasons people give for wanting to work from home and decided to share it with our readers. If you are thinking about asking your employer to let you work remotely from home, this article by Sylvie Fortin offers insight into how to present your case.

Great versus Lousy Reasons to Work from Home

By: Sylvie Fortin

Did you know that many people have lousy reasons for wanting to work from home? Believe it or not, these same people are often the ones who fail as telecommuters. If you want to work from home, have you assessed whether your reasons are lousy or great? If not, take a few moments to see some of the most typical Lousy versus Great Reasons for Working from Home and then decide if you’re on the right track or not.

Lousy Reason #1: I want to stay home with my children.

Great Reason #1: I want to be able to be more reliable and work harder for my employer. I have children, so I am realistic enough to realize that working from home late at night, on weekends, and during holidays will make me a more efficient worker than if I had to miss work because of my children. By staying at home to work, I can make up for lost productivity by working off-shifts.

Lousy Reason #2: I don’t like to commute.

Great Reason #2: I would rather spend an extra 1-2 hours a day working, rather than waste time in traffic. During a typical commute to work, a lot of quality work time gets wasted sitting in traffic, when my time would be better spent doing extra work and meeting tight deadlines.

Lousy Reason #3: I want to make my own hours and work when I feel like it.

Great Reason #3: Standard office hours tend to restrict me. My skills are best utilized outside of the ordinary workday and I am most efficient and focused when I have the freedom to work longer hours than the standard office setting allows.

Lousy Reason #4: I hate working with other people.

Great Reason #4: My personal preference when working is to focus on the task at hand. I find the office setting to be too inefficient for me to truly work to my employer’s advantage.

When co-workers spend time chatting and socializing, it interferes with my ability to concentrate and work to my best ability. Although I enjoy socializing, I would prefer to choose my own social situations and leave my friendships outside of the work environment. This, to me, is the best situation for the employers whom I work with, as I am only billing for time spent physically working on tasks, rather than being paid for time spent around the office.

Lousy Reason #5: I want to make a lot of money.

Great Reason #5: I prefer to be compensated for the value of the work I do, rather than restricted to working an 8-hour day. In order for me to truly explore all my talents and expand my financial status, I recognize that I will need to work on many different projects and work with many different clients. This is my best possible opportunity to expand my skills and explore all the different career paths I would like to pursue.

Lousy Reason #6: I don’t want to work for a dumb boss.

Great Reason #6: In today’s tough economy, working for a single employer is not as secure as it once was believed. Providing my specialized skills to a number of clients at a time allows me to enjoy greater financial stability, because I am less concerned about losing any one particular job.

I do recognize, however, that each of my clients are my bosses. I simply choose to work for many bosses, rather than just one.

Although I have my own business and can choose my clients, I recognize the importance of treating each of my clients with the utmost professionalism and courtesy. This is critical to my success as an independent contractor. Once you have taken a look at your reasons for becoming a telecommuter, you can better determine whether you’re in it for the right reasons. Some people just aren’t made for working from home. There’s no shame in that reality, but it’s best to find that out before you cause yourself all kinds of anguish and heartache. Good luck in whatever you choose to do from wherever you choose to do it!

This article is excerpted from “You Can Work in Your PJs”, a real world guide to telecommuting.

To learn about a legitimate work-from-home business, visit http://imtcva.org/about/.

Making Products For The Web – Self Publishing Your Book

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No matter what kind of business you have, or whether you haven't started a business before, writing a how-to book based on something you know can make a good income for you or your family. How-to books are easy to write and very much in demand. And contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be signed to a major publishing firm to print and sell books. Self publishing is a the rage. For a very small investment you can have a service such as CreateSpace (owned by Amazon) print your book for you. You can order as little as 1 copy to as many as 10,000. Even if you don't have a website of your own, CreateSpace can advertise your book for you, process the order and even ship the book to your customer… you don't have to do a think. They will send you a check when you sell a book.

This can be great for extra money for you and your family. Or it can elevate you to an expert in your field if you work in a professional atmosphere. A book is a tremendous boost to your life and career. Here at the IMTC, we can show you everything you need to know to market your how-to book for success, or teach you to show others how to do it.

Do You Know About “Toe-full”?

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Have you ever heard of TOEFL? Pronounced “toe-full”, TOEFL is the acronym for “Test of English as a Foreign Language.” If English is not your native language and you are planning to attend school in the U.S., it’s important that you know about TOEFL. It is frequently required for admission into American institutes of higher education, and is, in fact, a requirement for entrance into IMTC for non-native English speakers.

Here’s what you need to know about TOEFL

  • TOEFL is a test that measures a student's ability to understand and use the English language in a classroom environment.
  • The test is administered worldwide by Educational Testing Services (ETS).
  • The exam is Internet-based (iBT), though paper-based tests (PBT) are used in some remote areas. IMTC requires that non-native English speaking students take the Internet-based (iBT) version.
  • The test cannot be taken more than once a week.

The test consists of four sections

  • Reading
  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing

How to register for the test

  1. Download a copy of the TOEFL Information Bulletin from the TOELF website. http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about/bulletin/
  2. Consult the bulletin to determine the closest testing location and when the test will be given.
  3. Carefully follow the instructions for completing and submitting the registration form as outlined in the TOEFL Information Bulletin.

If you are required to take TOELF for admittance into IMTC, register for the test as early as possible. This will help you avoid delays in the admittance process and allow you to begin your Internet marketing training as soon as you are ready.

To download a free career brochure, go to  http://imtcva.org/.

Future For 2011

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Let’s make this a good year, It can be yours!  You don’t want to be one of the unemployed people in the U.S. you need to think about the future.  The unemployment rate is 6.5% with 10.1 million people jobless, with the total U.S. population being about 301 million people.  You can avoid that, have open opportunities to make yourself valuable in every which way possible.

If you have something that you might be selling/managing locally or maybe it is something you might be thinking of starting to do.  Make it Nationwide and at least double your profits or more.  With alittle knowledge and education at the Internet Marketing Training Center, will help you never forget 2011!

Internet Marketing: Who Will Hire You?

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You’ve decided to enter the field of Internet marketing. Who will hire you? The possibilities are endless. Take a look at the myriad of ways businesses are using the Internet today and think about where you might fit in, then find appropriate training to prepare for your new career.

Advertising
Today’s businesses are using advertisements to inform and educate visitors to their sites. You may even see advertisements disguised as brochures, technical specifications or lists of suppliers, as well as giveaways to encourage repeat visits to their site.

Communicating
We have become so accustomed to email that we rarely think about how it actually benefits companies. Used in conjunction with automated mailing lists, email can help businesses create interest and raise awareness of both their company and products. In addition to email, business owners can use the Internet to establish their own virtual community of customers or suppliers.

Informing
Selling your knowledge is one of the primary ways to profit from the Internet. Both businesses and individuals establish their credibility and then sell services, products and technology online.

Publishing
Both newspapers and magazines are now publishing online versions of their publications and attracting digital advertising from manufacturers and suppliers of goods and services.

Recruiting
If you have searched for a job within the last ten years, you are aware of the many job sites and recruiters, as well as large corporations, using the Internet for hiring.

Researching
Google it! Companies use the Internet to conduct research, turning to it to find financial results, technologies, solutions, suppliers and experts, as well as new product areas and markets.

Selling
Shoppers seem to love shopping online, offering business owners the opportunity to sell their products directly to the consumer.

Technical Support
Where new products used to come packaged with a user’s manual, most manufacturers now direct the consumer to their website to download digital version. In addition, software companies provide online technical support to their users and invite you to try upgrades.

Training
More and more businesses are offering interactive training and long distance learning on the Internet. For stay-at-home parents and people with disabilities seeking training, this is a invaluable.

Have questions about your career in Internet marketing? Visit http://imtcva.org/ to download a free career brochure.

For Internet Marketers, a First-Rate Electronic Shopping Cart Is a Must

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What comes to mind when you think of becoming an Internet marketer? Making lots of money? Selling your own products? Distributing your e-zine to thousands of subscribers? For each of these activities, a first-rate electronic shopping cart is a must and choosing one that makes it easy for your customer to do business with you is imperative.

What should you look for when choosing a shopping cart?
Think about what you want it to do. Here are some questions to get you started.

  • Will it calculate tax and shipping costs?
  • Can it handle both physical products and downloadable products?
  • Will it alert you when your product inventory is getting low?
  • Will it suggest related products to the shopper based on what they have already bought?

There is much more to evaluate when deciding which shopping cart to use. The subject of shopping carts  is covered in detail in IMTC's Internet Marketing 101 & 101-OL courses. To learn more, see http://imtcva.org/program/curriculum/

CD and Product Creation Myths De-Bunked

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Myth 1: You have to go to a studio and pay big hourly fees to create a decent CD

Tom's Response: I have only done one CD project in a studio. It worked out just fine and wasn't really that expensive in the long run. I think it cost about $40.00 per hour for a digital studio in someone's basement. If you practice before you get there you can save lots of time and money.

The rest of my CDs have been recorded in my office using my own equipment, or by the company providing the phone service when I was doing a telephone seminar. When necessary, I edited the recordings right on my personal computer with inexpensive software.

Myth 2: You must have music on the tape and make it sound like Nightingale Conant to be successful with CDs.

Tom's Response: For years my audio tapes and CDs did not have music on them. They were completely informational and sold around the world with virtually zero returns. Now, it's so easy to put music on I go ahead and do it just to increase the production value.

Myth 3: You need four-color packaging and lots of expensive graphics so the product looks professional.

Tom's Response: I make my packaging look as good as I can, but I never spend big money on graphics. About the most I've ever spent is $85.00 for an artist to draw a color picture for me which I scanned and used both on the web as an advertisement for the product and on the cover of the product.

Get more information on how to make your own CD products!

Online Classes

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You have a website, you are trying to sell your online products…what now?

IMTC can train you to make money online!  You will need the knowledge on how to market your site and products if you want to be successful.  We will teach you everything you need to know and much more.

Call to get information for our online classes, 757-687-5191.

That is correct, online classes.  No rushing around to get ready in the morning and no freezing out in the snow to get to class.  Stay in the comfort of your home in your pajamas!

Twas the night before Christmas in Cyberspace

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I found this updated version of the Christmas classic floating around the Internet.  Hope it adds a little merriment to your day.

Twas the night before Christmas, and in a cyberspace “House”
Many souls stirred, now clicking their mouse.

Warm messages were sent, through the lines with care,
as merry yuletide greetings sang in the air.

The people now met, from all through the land
In “Mucks” and “IRC's” and chat rooms to hand

These festive wishes which left no doubt
Of the peace and happiness the season was about.

And me in my nightclothes now seeing it quite late
Prepared to log off, to rest for the date

That now was only some hours away,
For all too soon, it would be Christmas day.

My finger hovered over the exiting key
When what to my wondering eyes did I see!

A small moving icon did appear on the screen
And for a moment I thought, “this *must* be a dream”.

Nine reindeer now flew, one with a red nose,
Pulling a sleigh and up they all rose,

As a jolly old driver now called them by name
And I stared in wonderment as I knew of their fame.

Prancing in the air, to the top of my page,
They landed quite deftly, setting the stage,

For the one called Saint Nick as he smiled at me
Letting me know I had no reason to flee.

Seeing this I relaxed, and sighed with relief,
For I knew that this vision would cause me no grief.

No figment was he, no vision brought on,
By an addled brain that was too far gone

Or a “virus” of some sort, to lead me to think
That my entire system was now on the blink.

He spoke not a word but went straight to work,
And leaping from the sleigh, turned with a jerk.

To the icon of my mailbox I watched him now stride
And opening the cover, he slipped quickly inside,

A wrapped gift taken from the sack on his sleigh,
And raising the “flag” was then on his way.

Leaping to his sleigh to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down on a thistle

But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all! And to all a good night!”

Social Networking – Buttons To Make Marketing Easier

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What kind of buttons? These are the buttons you see all the time on people's websites saying “Digg This”, “Follow me on Twitter” and “Join Me On Facebook.”

Where do people get these buttons? How can they help your online business?

On most social networks, social bookmarking sites and microblogging sites like Twitter, you can find a link that will say “Tools and widgets.” On these pages the website provides the codes that you simply copy and paste into your website or blog. They will give you a number of options on what kind of graphics or button styles to choose from. These are direct links to your particular accounts that your friends and followers can visit in one click.

A widget is even better. It will show your tweets, facebook friends and updates and even your published articles on Ezinearticles.com in real time. As your social sites are updated, they refresh automatically. And they are not complicated to install. It is simply a code to copy and paste that the site provides for you.

If you want to get really fancy, you can create a graphic in Photoshop with your company logo, and just embed a link to your profile in the image. This is a lot easier than it sounds and helps with branding, especially with Facebook Fan Pages.

How can this help your business? Easy.

These widgets and buttons help drive traffic to your accounts. Your visitors can stay updated on all of your tweets, articles and videos in one glance. The Digg.com button helps you get valuable “diggs” on submitted websites. Your friends may not even be aware that you have an account at a particular service and now they can network with you further by clicking straight out to your profile and becoming friends. You can build up Twitter followers with your “follow me” button without having to search and follow other people first. These buttons are meant to make your social networking easier. Time is valuable. Use these fun applications to network with others without being online all the time.

Click on these to see how they work!