Top Ten Internet Auction Shipping Tips

by J. Stephen Pope

Here are some tips to help you with your Internet auction
shipments.

1. Ship Small, Lightweight Products

The heavier and bulkier the product, the more it will cost
to ship. Pick light items in preference to heavier items.
Of course, downloadable e-books are the lightest product of
all. On the other hand, if your customers want your heavy
and bulky items badly enough, they should be willing to
pay for the extra shipping charges.

2. Ship Nonphysical Products

Having to ship physical products means more work. You need
to pack and label your products, calculate shipping
charges, and arrange for the orders to be shipped. Again,
electronic downloads eliminate the hassles of physical
shipping. However, tangible goods seem to have a higher
perceived value. That being the case, you won't want to
eliminate physical products entirely as they can be real
profit makers for you.

3. Drop Shipping

Another way to avoid some of the hassles of product
fulfillment is drop shipping. There are suppliers who will
ship one item at a time for you. You don`t have to stock
any inventory. You simply pay your dropship supplier out
of the money you receive from your auction sale. They will
ship the product directly to your customer.

4. Recycle

If you receive bubble wrap, styrofoam peanuts, bubble
bags, or appropriate cardboard boxes, you may be able to
reuse them for your shipments.

5. Bulk Buying

If you do a lot of auctions, buy your packaging supplies
in bulk to receive better pricing.

6. Free Shipping Supplies

Your post office or courier company may supply free
shipping cartons for certain shipments.

7. Use Online Automated Tools

You can determine shipping charges from PayPal, the postal
service and courier companies by visiting their websites
and using the online automated shipping calculation tools.
In many cases, you can even create prepaid shipping
labels and then arrange for pickup or dropoff of your
shipments.

8. Avoid Fragile Items

Obviously, fragile items need to be packed with more
care than unbreakable items. Pick durable items in
preference to delicate items to reduce damage claims.

9. Insure Valuable Shipments

If you can't afford the loss of a lost, stolen, or
damaged product, be sure to insure your shipment.
While you're at it, request a delivery confirmation,
preferably with signature required.

10. Prepare Foreign Shipments Properly

Be sure to prepare the proper Customs Declaration for
international shipments. Keep in mind that there are
items you can't legally ship. Even your packing
material should be considered. As an example, items
shipped in a box labelled "liquor" or "munitions"
might be delayed at Customs.


RESOURCE BOX:

J. Stephen Pope, President of Pope Consulting Inc.,
has been helping clients to earn maximum business
profits for over twenty-five years.

For profitable Work at Home Small Business Ideas,
visit http://www.yenommarketinginc.com/

To learn more about Internet auctions, visit
http://www.yenommarketinginc.com/auctions.html

Top 7 Work At Home Small Business Ideas

Here are seven great businesses that you can operate from your
home.

1. Affiliate Marketing

An affiliate or associate program is a method of selling
products on the internet through commission sales. When someone
you refer to a website buys, the company you are an affiliate of
pays you a commission. In many cases, it is also possible to
make money from the efforts of people that you introduce to the
affiliate program. You can expand your product line by joining
and promoting more than one affiliate program. Finally, you can
operate your own affiliate program to promote the sale of your
own products and services.

2. Internet Auctions

Many thousands now make their living or fortune from selling
products and services on eBay and similar auction sites. So can
you!

3. Drop Shipping

Drop shipping is a method of selling products without stocking
inventory yourself. When you make a sale you contact the
manufacturer or authorized distributor who ships it to the
customer with your invoice and shipping label. Advantages
include no warehousing, shipping, or inventory costs.

4. Finder's Fees

Finder's fees are paid for finding money (loans, equipment
leasing, et cetera), equipment (mining, construction, et
cetera), personnel, companies for sale, locations (fast food
franchises, vending machines, et cetera) and just about
anything else that people are willing to pay for.Simply match
sellers with buyers and you can earn finder's fees.

5. Self-Publishing

A self-publisher creates, produces, and sells information
products. Information products may be in the form of books,
booklets, videos, audio cassettes, compact disks (CDs),
electronic books, files, databases, private websites, and other
media. The information products that you create are unique. You
have exclusive control and ownership of your own information
products.

6. International Trade

You can import products for resale from foreign manufacturers,
distributors, and other suppliers. You can also extend your
reach worldwide to customers by means of exporting, mail order
and Internet marketing. As an Export Management Agent, you
could earn commissionsarranging for other domestic companies to
sell their products to foreign corporations.

7. Consulting

Consultants charge large fees for their knowledge, expertise,
skills, connections, experience, and other assets. This
business can be operated from home with little more than
standard office equipment and supplies.


About The Author: J. Stephen Pope, President of Pope Consulting
Inc., has been helping clients to earn maximum business profits
for over twenty-five years. For profitable Work at Home Small
Business Ideas, visit http://www.yenommarketinginc.com/

The Benefits Of A Home Based Business
by heidi chartier


Taking advantage of a home-based business opportunity can afford you many benefits. There are not only the monetary benefits, but lifestyle benefits as well. Whether lifestyle or monetary, these benefits can be far greater than the benefits you receive working for an employer.

If you are already working in your own home-based business or just entertaining the idea, be sure to evaluate your options and consider the value of the benefits you will receive. Home-based business opportunities can provide you with independence and financial freedom if you make smart decisions.

It is not always money that motivates people to start a home-based business. Sometimes the intangible benefits are more important factors when considering home-based business opportunities. One of the more powerful draws to working from home is the sense of freedom you gain. You can set your own schedule, work the hours that are most convenient for you, and have time available for family obligations and leisure activities.

Parents with children in school often think about what home-based business opportunities may be available to them. Teacher conferences, after school activities and the ability to be home when the children are out of school are strong motivators in making the decision to start a home-based business. Working from home gives you the benefit of flexible hours and the freedom to adjust your schedule according to the needs of your family.

Stress reduction is another benefit of operating a home-based business. Any business will likely produce its own kind of stress, but certain stressful factors can be avoided when you take advantage of the more promising home business opportunities that are available to you. You will have no daily commute, you will save money on gas and automobile expenses, and you will have the extra time in the morning and evening to relax and interact with your family instead of spending that time getting to and from work. If you plan properly and budget your time wisely, being your own boss can reduce the stress you feel due to constant demands and co-worker interruptions.

A home-based business opportunity cannot only give you the benefit of earning money while working from your home it can give you many other benefits as well. A home-based business is the perfect chance for you to attain financial and personal freedom. There are numerous home-based business opportunities available to you. Research each one carefully and make sure you are willing to put forth the effort that will be required in order to succeed.


About the Author
Heidi Chartier creates ebooks and has her own website, which has listed great home based job opportunities, that are guaranteed. For the edge on owning a online business and to claim some valuable bonuses, you can subscribe to her popular newsletter at: http://www.makingmaximumwealth.com

Creative Marketing Ideas for a Work From Home Business
by Michael Law

Being able to work from home is a major bonus in most people's
eyes, but marketing a home business can be an ongoing challenge.
Newspaper ads and special sales are tried and true, but they
grow stale after a while. Looking for something a little out
of the ordinary to give your work from home business a little
extra advertising boost? Here are a few ways to get your name,
and your business, a little extra attention and a lot of added
business.

1. Magnetic Car Tags

Your business may be too small to invest in a company car,
but there's nothing preventing you from making it look like
you have one. Contact a local sign company and have them
design a set of magnetic door signs for your family car
with your company logo and contact information. It's a
great way to advertise your work from home company while
you run around town on errands and deliveries.

2. Networking Exchanges

'Networking' has nearly acquired 'joke' status in some
circles, but the idea of getting together with other
professionals to exchange information and build a circle
of contacts is still an excellent marketing tactic.
Especially when you work from home, you don't have the
same opportunities to make day-to-day business contacts.
Instead, make your own opportunities. Join community
and professional organizations, and keep an eye on the
community calendar for Chamber of Commerce sponsored
networking breakfasts and lunches. Personal contact
is still one of the most potent advertising mediums
around. A friend of a friend of a friend could be
your next big customer.

3. Give to Charity

One of the best ways to get good publicity for your
work from home business is to link it to a charity.
Contact a local non-profit and make arrangements to
do a fund-raising party for them, or contribute a
percentage of your profits for the month. Be creative
about it - choose a product that 'goes' with the
charity, for instance, and contribute 10% of all
profits from that product. Post the information on
your web site, and send out a press release in
conjunction with the organization. It's a feel-good
promotional marketing tool for everyone - the
charity gets contributions, your customers get to
feel pleased at making a difference, and you get
the benefits of giving - and receiving.

4. Community Involvement

Be a part of your community. Get involved in local
organizations, and take an active part. People like
to do business with people that they know. Don't
stop there, though. Make sure that your business
is listed on community and Chamber of Commerce web
sites, and hold events that can be advertised in
your newspaper's community calendar. Join the
Chamber of Commerce and other local professional
organizations. Remember, you're no less professional
just because you work from home.

Think outside the box when looking at ways to
publicize and market your business. When you
work from home, you don't have the benefit of
a storefront or business offices to front for
you - but you have flexibility and reach that
'real' companies can't match. Use it well,
and your home business will fly.


About the Author
Michael Law is editor at 1steliteworkfromhome.com ( http://1steliteworkfromhome.com ), a Work From Home Directory Resource.

1steliteworkfromhome.com is a resource for anyone
looking to find work from home job information and
discover ways to work at home.

Focus - A Big Internet Marketing Success Secret

Copyright 2005 by Willie Crawford

On a recent "how to" teleseminar, where I was the guest speaker,
I was asked how I manage to do so many different things. You
see, I have hundreds of websites in different niches. From these
websites I sell dozens of my own products, plus affiliate
products. The answer to that question, that the entire panel of
experts agreed upon, was that FOCUS is the key!

Far too many Internet marketers try to do too many projects
at once. They eventually begin to feel overwhelmed, and then
never finish most of them. The feeling of overwhelm actually
makes you less efficient...TIRED, and less motivated.

It's critical that you develop the ability to operate almost as
if you're wearing "blinders" that don't allow you to see off to
the side. You need to not even think about unrelated things
while working on a project. I do this well partly because I was
trained to “compartmentalize” as a military aviator. At times
I had to block everything out of my mind except the task at
hand… perhaps navigating through very hazardous terrain. There
are times when if you’re not successful at the task at hand,
other things that follow won’t matter as much!

Many of us operate in information overload. Everyday we get
emails, FedEx packages, and phone calls about some product that
we just can't miss. You need to learn to say, "Yes - I can miss
it! Until I finish this current project, I simply don't need
to take on another."

You need to also acknowledge that if you miss some new course,
or tool, that's being really hyped-up, there WILL be another one
along tomorrow. As fast as things change in Internet marketing,
that tool that's being hyped-up today is somewhat likely to be
outdated in a few months anyway.

Focus is a habit anyone can develop through practice. You start
a project, and pay little attention to things unrelated to
that project until it's done. Now, you get the reward of having
finished that project. That reward could be another income
stream on autopilot, or it could be just the joy of crossing it
off of your "to do" list. Each time you get one of these rewards,
it reinforces the habit patterns that made the reward possible.
Eventually, you develop the ability to really focus, and really
get more done, without it being a struggle.

Back to your “to do” list. If having a LONG list just makes you
feel more overwhelmed, work from several lists. Have a master
list, and then each day pick one or two “must do items” and
focus on those. It will make your task ahead seem much less
daunting.

Another habit that will aid you in focusing, is learning to
delegate and form partnerships. Since a big part of focusing is
getting projects completed, learn to only do those things that
your are most suited for. It's often cheaper to hire someone
else to do things that you don't know how to do well. Having
partners adds an accountability factor. Knowing that someone is
depending upon you to finish your part of a project will make
you stop procrastinating and get it done!

Just as effective as delegating, and often cheaper, is using
software to do routine or repetitive tasks. For your email
marketing, use autoresponders for example. Use software that
automates some parts of building or updating your websites.
An example of a piece of software I use to build webpages for
selling Clickbank products can be seen here:
http://TheRealSecrets.com/unfair/ This software allows me to set
up pages for over 3400 products in the Clickbank Marketplace in
minutes. Tools like this free up vital time for YOU to do things
that software really can’t do... like marketing.

While software can't do everything, and I've never seen a
business on full-autopilot, software can allow you to do a
repetitive job in 1/100th of the time. Then you can use your
remaining work time to really focus on a task you must get done.
Do this, and you'll not only find yourself able to get a LOT
more done, you'll find yourself with more free time on your
hands. Try not to use that free time to take on too many new
tasks. Get proper rest and recreation too. It will make you
more efficient and make it even easier to focus because your
mind will be clearer.

--------------------

Willie Crawford has taught PROVEN Internet marketing
techniques to thousands of successful Internet entrepreneurs
since late-1996. Subscribe to his free weekly ezine, which
helps you cut through the clutter and time-wasting hype.
Subscribe now by visiting: http://WillieCrawford.com

Home Based Business vs. Family Time
Copyright 2005 Ron LeBlanc

Ironically, most of us got into the home based business
world because we wanted to have more time with family. So
how is it that we sometimes have less time? Let’s take a
look and see what can be done about it.

The promise of having more time with family is one of the
major attractions for a home based business, but time has
to be carefully managed and guarded. If you are in a
regular job working at least 40 hours per week, it can be
tough. One thing that must be communicated to your family
is that there has to be a short term pain for a long term
gain.

You have a finite amount of hours available to you, but
here are some suggestions. If you have children at home
and it becomes chaos as soon as you get home, then one
possible strategy is to stay at work an extra hour later.
You can return quite a few phone calls in an hour and it
would probably be uninterrupted. A home based business can
have a remote office!

Another strategy is to take mass transit if you normally
drive. It may allow you an extra 30-60 minutes per day to
organize contacts, return phone calls, or listen to
training materials with your mp3 player. If your company
has training or motivational phone calls that are at a bad
time for you, it is possible to record them (check with
local laws on it).

I have recorded many calls to a $39 digital voice recorder
with a $15 connector that goes from my phone to the
recorder (available from Radio Shack). You are then free
to listen to the calls on your time.

I make it a priority to spend time with my kids when they
come home from school. I work from home full time, so I
take a break mid-afternoon to see how their school day was
and enjoy a snack together. I then head back to my home
office until dinner time.

I also have less need for sleep than the rest of my family
so I frequently take an hour or two at night or early
morning. This can be extremely productive time for a home
based business, but unfortunately does not usually allow
you to return phone calls. I used my lunch time at my old
workplace for that using a cell phone – my investment in
the large minute plan was worth it.

The exact solution for you has to be determined by you for
your particular home based business. However, my advice is
to plan ahead and block out the family time. Make sure you
clearly communicate with all family members about what time
you are blocking out for your business activity. As long
as you communicate well, you should be able to spend
anxiety-free time on your business.

With some good planning, you can be successful in being
good to your family and your home based business.


About the Author:

Ron LeBlanc, PE spent 20+ years in science and engineering
when woke up to his true potential and began working from
home. He lives in Boulder, CO and works out of his home.
He enjoys helping other people learn to do home based
businesses. Get his tip-filled newsletter and some special
offers at http://www.be-do-have.com

Work At Home Jobs And Opportunities - How To
Make A Legitimate Income From Home


Millions of people worldwide are enticed by the opportunity to
work at home. A job from home allows individuals considerably
more flexibility, extra time with family and generally
alleviates the immense stress which may result from an active
career. At home jobs are also desirable for individuals who
wish to make an extra income in addition to their day job,
college students, disabled persons, at home mothers and senior
citizens.

Thousands of people search the internet everyday in hopes of
finding financial freedom from the comfort of their own home.
Unfortunately, the internet is plagued with work at home scams.
There are hundreds of companies which promote 'get rich quick
schemes' or 'guaranteed' opportunities to make a living from
home. Scams include, but are not limited to, envelope stuffing,
mail order, pyramid schemes, medical billing, typist jobs and
numerous other ways to make money. The FTC has already charged
several individuals involved in managing and promoting
fraudulent work at home opportunities. “The dream of owning a
business is as American as apple pie, but business opportunity
scammers spoil the recipe for success,” said FTC Chairman
Deborah Platt Majoras. According to the Better Business Bureau,
consumers may lose amounts ranging from $10 up to $70,000 or
more in their search to make money from home. So how do you
know which opportunities are legitimate and which are not?

Fortunately, there are actually legitimate money making
opportunities available on the internet. A large number of
individuals actually do earn a good living on the internet.
There are people who make millions on the internet and are
living the life all of us would like to live. Many more,
however, earn an income comparable to their salary or, in many
cases, higher.

Many legitimate telecommuting jobs from qualified employers
exist. A significant number of them do require some type of
skill, but that does not mean you need a college degree to earn
a living on the internet. The World Wide Web is full of
opportunities, and all types of persons from all over the world
are making their dreams come true by working at home.


About The Author: Ross Belgrave is the owner of
http://www.legitonlinejobs.com, a website providing information
on legitimate work at home jobs and opportunities for
individuals worldwide.

How to Organize an Efficient Home Office
Copyright © 2005 Jean Hanson, VA Office Solution (TM)
http://www.vaofficesolution.com


I run my business out of my home office, as do my clients and
many of my Ezine readers. When I set up my first home office I
discovered that it's not as easy as plopping my computer on a
makeshift table and buying a few file cabinets. Setting up a
comfortable, functional home office is important to the success
of your business. Many of us spend more time in our office than
we do in other areas of our home (at least I do!), and it can
quickly become frustrating and uncomfortable without the proper
organization and ergonomic tools.

So what can you do to make your office more organized and
efficient?

1. Invest in a comfortable, ergonomic chair. If you spend all day
in your office chair like I do, you've probably already
discovered that after just a couple short hours, your back starts
to ache if you don't have a great chair. Go ahead, spend the
money...your back will thank you!

2. Make efficient use of the space you have. I don't have a very
big office -- it's a 9' x10' spare bedroom. But I've learned to
use all the space I have. The closet, which houses all my office
supplies, is filled with shelves from floor to ceiling. I have an
L-shaped workstation that fills up most of the office, but
everything I need is within close reach.

I have one large file cabinet plus two lateral files for all my
hanging files. Next to my work area on either side are 6 drawers
(3 on each side). These drawers hold everything I need to have
nearby - client files, stapler, pens, and all the all the little
stuff I like to hide in a drawer.

My immediate work area has just what I need to have within easy
reach - computer, printer, calculator, notepad, and phone. I can
reach up above my workspace to grab an envelope or paper to fill
the printer. Reference manuals and my client's books are on the
shelves just above my workspace. To the left are shelves for 3-
ring binders, which hold business files and reports.

3. Stop working in the dark! My office used to have a pathetic
little fixture with two 60 watt soft lights. I do have a bright
light over my computer screen and I even have a window next to my
desk, but it just wasn't enough. I wanted more light! So I
finally found some terrific lights at my local hardware store
that made a HUGE difference. Check out the new "Daylight" energy
saving bulbs. The Daylight bulbs actually simulate natural light
and are much brighter than the regular soft light bulbs.

I also invested in a ceiling fan, which helps with air
circulation in my little office. Not to mention I can fit 4 of
those amazing new bulbs in the light fixture. I'm in bright light
heaven

4. Organize your files. There are many ways to organize your
files, so you need to decide which method works best for you.
Most VA's I've talked to use a color-coded file system, which is
what I do. It's so much easier to find things when they're color-
coded, rather than having a sea of plain green hanging files.

If you have piles of paper on your desk awaiting action, or just
waiting to be filed, then set aside one day (or half-day) a week
to focus on filing and organizing your office. As you go through
your piles, sort into three piles: Toss It - File It - Do It.
Guess what you do with the "Toss It" pile? If the papers have
been there long enough, chances are some of them are no longer
needed. Take the "File It" pile and file the papers in the proper
place. And finally, work your way through the "Do It" pile by
taking action on those items.

Once you're all caught up, you either need to deal with the paper
immediately or continue to schedule time each week so you can
tackle the paper.

Setting up an efficient home office may seem daunting at first,
but you can take it just one step at a time. Before you know it
you'll be prepared for new opportunities that come your way and
ready to meet any challenges head on.



---------------------------------------------------------------------
Jean Hanson is a virtual assistant and online business manager
for coaches, speakers, and authors. She is also the author of
the eBook, Virtualize Your Business: Secrets to Simplifying,
Automating, and Organizing Your Virtual Business. For more tips
on learning how to virtualize your business and a Free Report, go
to http://www.virtualizeyourbiz.com. To learn more about virtual
assistance, visit Jean at http://www.vaofficesolution.com.