Are you Starting Up or Starting Over?

This past week, I received quite a few emails from women wanting to start their business up or over; interested in my advice. When I get these requests, I like to bring them to your attention (just in case you were also in the same boat). They generally have reviewed my videos and/or my extensive eBook library and are looking to learn how to better market their businesses online.

As a matter of fact, I just got this email a few days ago:

Hi LaShanda,

I was wondering , I have an on-line biz for a while now. I did well then i hit a dry spell. I was thinking of doing your start up sista 30 day $79 or do you think I should do the other bundle discount that you for 15+ Ebooks and 30 video tutorials for $97.00? I might be better to start all over again reinvent myself and my business and get my customers back. – R.R.

While I did decide last year, to take the bulk of my eBooks and combine them into the Black Business Starter Kit, I decided to take it up a notch for 2010. In addition to my 15+ Marketing eBooks, the Starter Kit now includes 3 eCourses: Startup Sista (starting your business online), Selling On Social Networks (social media marketing for beginners), and How to Find Customers Online (the name says it all). I also decided to add my latest three eBooks in the How to Make Money Online Series: How to Make Your First $1000, How to Make Money MLM and Network Marketing as well as How to Make Money Coaching. I really wanted to make sure that if you are in my circle and you wanted to start up or start over, I gave you a well rounded collection of eBooks and online video tutorials that explained exactly what I did to market, build, and profit from my business online.

The new Starter Kit is $197, but for the next few days I am offering it to my sistasense readers and BBWO members for $99. Click here for details. Offer expires after first 50 downloads or 3/12/10, whichever one comes first.

Would you like $3,000 a month?

@sistasense: Your 1st $1000 Online, MLM Money, Coaching Sells – 3 eBooks on How to Make Money Online for $10. Promo Code: MAKEIT10 http://short.to/17olz

If your online business was making you $3,000 a month in sales would that change your world? I know we all would love a fat $50,000 check at the end of the month, but seriously (no hype or crazy get rich nonsense) wouldn’t it be great to make a real and steady income online?

If you want to start making those dollars you have to first make sense of your money goals and stick to internet marketing strategies that actually work. I meet so many people who want to make money, but don’t do one very simple thing: set a monthly money marker. How much money do you want to make next month? Then create a marketing plan: How do you plan on marketing your business to reach your profit goals?

I like to go around telling folks I’m a work at home mom so they know (and you know) it is possible to work at home, on your computer, for yourself. When I made my first $500 online (selling my stuff) I was untouchable because at that point I knew I could make more. Then I set my goal to make double what I made working a 9 to 5 job and I reached that goal (thank God!). My next goal was to reach the $3,000 mark and believe it or not, when I got to that point I didn’t even realize it (lol).

Now I’m working towards $10,000 a month just in online sales. I can’t wait to reach my goal, are you ready to set yours? I’m sure you are, but I understand if you are confused about how all this stuff works. There are way too many people trying to pass off their hyped up crap (excuse my potty mouth) as valuable information about how to make money online.

Here are 3 eBooks that I’ve written explaining how to get started, what sells well online, and how you get people to notice your business. If you want them, you can have them. Here is a discount code to get these 3 eBooks for $10 | code: MAKEIT10 | this code will work for the first 50 people who use it | http://short.to/17olz

How to Make Money eBooks Series
1. The Easiest Way to Make Your First $1000
2. How to Really Make Money Coaching Online
3. How to Really Make Money Selling MLM and Network Marketing Products Online (this one is especially great if you are into selling products like Avon, Mary Kay, Ardyss, etc.)

Click here to download these eBooks | Discount Code: MAKEIT10

Good luck with your business. Let me know what you are doing right now to reach your goals (post a comment).  To your first $3000 and beyond! | LaShanda Henry | @sistasense

Related sistasense.com posts and resources:
Learn How to Set Money Markers (video)
How to Sell Online + How to Sell Your Services Online (video)
Target Marketing Secrets Revealed (video)

5 Tips to Getting Your Small Business Finances under Control

Guest post by Tanai Coleman | Featured in my free eBook Get Your Business Straight

As a business owner you are continually marketing, networking, blogging and doing everything you can to get more and more paying customers. That’s great! I love to see small businesses growing. I just have one question to ask you. Do you know where all the money is going? Do you know what’s in your business checking and business saving accounts? Do you have a way to track revenue and expenses? Or is the money flying out as fast, or faster, than it’s coming in?

In order to succeed in anything, you need to know what you’re working with. Your business is no exception. You need to know what you sold, who you sold it to and how many you sold this week, month or year, depending on what your business goals are. You need to know what’s not selling. You need to know what’s working and what’s not in order to be sure that you are spending your working capital in the right places.

Don’t feel bad. Being passionate about your business is a great thing. It is crucial for success. However in order to be financially successful in your business, you must count the pennies.

1. Don’t avoid them
Knowing is half the battle. Whether you just sold your first widget or you are on your way to becoming a Fortune 500 company, you still need to be well versed in what your business is earning and what you are spending. You could be earning (and spending) more money than you think.

2. Create a simple system
Software can be great if you know how to use it. However an excel spreadsheet or even paper and pencil will get you started. The important thing is that you start tracking your businesses finances.

3. Be consistent
You’ve just made a sale, now what? Develop a habit of recording revenue and expenses as they occur on a daily basis. Don’t wait. As a business owner you know that there is always another seemingly more important task lurking around the corner.

4. Review your activity weekly, monthly and annually
One of the ways we improve is by looking at what we’ve just completed and saying, “Great! Now how can I do better?” That’s why reviewing is so important. Which of your products are your best sellers? Which clients continue to buy from you time and time again? Which widgets never sell? Reviewing your financial records will help you answer these questions.

5. Get Professional Help
Staff your weakness. Your business is your specialty and your passion. If you are just not good at handling the money, find someone reputable who can. A bookkeeper or an accountant can help you get it all under control so you can focus more on doing what you love. Just remember, they may be the expert, but it’s your money and you still need to know where it’s going.

In your business you are the leader. Successful leaders excel at the tasks they love and the tasks they loathe. Remember, take care of your business and your business will take care of you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanai M. Coleman is a financial expert and creator of TMC Financial Consulting. Tanai’s motto is “Your Money Is a Tool. Are You Using It Wisely?” Visit http://www.tmcfc.com for more financial advice and small business support.

SUBMIT A SMALL BUSINESS ARTICLE
Are you an expert in your industry? Would you like to promote your business? Add your best small business article to my freely distributed eBook, “Get Your Business Straight: Small Business Advice from Black Business Women.” Click here for more details. This eBook is distributed on my social network, Black Business Women Online, over 7,000 members and counting!

The Right Way to Generate Multiple Streams of Income

This is a video blog post, if you can not see this video click here.