You already know these are tough economic times don’t you? You’ve probably already toyed with the idea of starting a business at home to provide some extra cash and a little security in case your full time job goes away. But you’ve also probably seen all the get rich quick obvious scams which leave you wondering if there actually is a legitimate home based business that you could get involved in.Well the short answer is yes there is. Nearly 50 million North Americans are running home based businesses either part time to provide a little extra money each month or full time. When you think home based business you almost automatically think internet, and that’s not a bad place to start, but there are other avenues that may be better suited to you as well. The business that has the best chance of success for you depends greatly on what you expect from the business and what you can afford in terms of time and money to invest in it.Think about that for a moment. Why do you want the business? Is it just a stop gap measure to get through a tough time or do you want to start and build a regular income stream? If you’re working today, how much time will you be able to devote to the business when you get home from your day job. Do you have any background in running a business? Do you have a particular skill that you think is valuable? Every legitimate home based business has costs. What’s your budget for this venture?The answers to these questions will determine what kind of home based business that is best suited for you. Let’s take a look at two of these opportunities. 1. Internet MarketingWithout question this is the most popular route that many people take. The idea that you can make money simply using your computer is very attractive. It is also the favorite target of scammers who have taken the old scams of stuffing envelopes and assembling parts at home and given them a new spin. The message is the same however. No skill involved, lots of money, and work from home. Avoid these like the plague.Internet marketing has an extremely low financial threshold. You can get into it for nothing or next to nothing. However, in the beginning you should also expect nothing to next to nothing in revenue. There is a learning curve in internet marketing and that’s where most people make mistakes, spend a bunch of money, and simply quit too soon.On the flip side, for those who persevere there can be really huge financial rewards.2. FreelancingIf you have a skill that people will pay money for, then there is probably a demand as a freelancer. If you have a technical skill, writing skills or administrative skills there are sites that are dedicated to matching up freelancers with companies looking to hire. This is another viable legitimate home business that can bring in some extra money with your spare time.The competition is stiff and you have to learn how to market yourself with compelling proposals, but if you can land a recurring deal you’ll have a nice steady source of income. Freelancing is great for people who are uncomfortable with all the complexities of being an entrepreneur. The downside is it is common for freelance jobs to be paid less than what you might think is the going rate.There are several other legitimate home based business opportunities but this should give you an idea of what to look for. Just know this; every business requires some skill level and actual time on the job. Successful home based businesses are the result of solid, smart work.

Fundraising Auction Tip: You should always provide potential bidders with a printed Auction Listing of both your Live and Silent Auction items at any Fundraising Auction. A printed Auction Listing is vital for several reasons:

An Auction Listing informs bidders of the order of sale, and what is coming up next. If you keep your bidders guessing, they will simply not bid.

If bidders are not 100% certain of what they are bidding on, they will not bid. A printed Auction Listing should answer any and all questions about what is being sold in order to encourage bidders to bid as much as possible.

Bidders often need time to plan their bidding strategies, especially on multiple and/or larger value items. A printed Auction Listing helps them to do that.

Couples often need time to consult with each other about what they are willing to spend on something. A printed Auction Listing helps them to do that.

Potential bidders need to know the specifics, the benefits, and the restrictions on any item they are going to bid on, especially on travel and/or other higher value items. A printed Auction Listing should answer all of their questions, in writing.

After bidders see that they have lost an item to another bidder, a printed Auction Listing makes it easier for them to re-strategize on what else they can bid on.
Printed Auction Listings generally come in 3 forms:

Printed in the Event Program or Auction Catalog.

Printed on loose sheets of paper and hand-inserted into the Event Program or Auction Catalog.

Printed on loose sheets of paper and hand-delivered to all attendees, or left on each dinner table in the room.
Auction Listings cost practically nothing to produce and they can make the difference between the success and failure of a Live and Silent Auction. You should never conduct a Fundraising Auction without one.

A Case Study

Let me share a real-life experience with you. Once I was hired to conduct a Fundraising Auction for a nationally renowned organization. The event was held in a major hotel, in one of the country’s largest cities, with several hundred “black tie” participants attending. It was an extremely professional event, with the music, singing, lighting, speeches, and awards all perfectly timed and choreographed. Everything was done to perfection… exception the Fundraising Auction.

Although I had signed an agreement to serve as their Auctioneer nearly one year in advance of the event, no one bothered to contact me for any advice or help. Approximately one week prior to the Auction date, I contacted the group to see if they had replaced me with another Auctioneer. But they said that I was still their man.

Upon arriving at the event I asked for a copy of the Auction Listing. I was told that there were none. I’m not sure whether they felt that the Auction Listing wasn’t necessary, or whether someone forgot to have them printed. This was never made clear. When I asked what I was to use at the podium, I was told to copy the list of Live Auction items from a committee member’s computer. It took me about 30 minutes to copy three pages of hand-written notes in order to prepare for my role as their Auctioneer.

I knew that they had created a PowerPoint program showing the various Live Auction items. When I asked whether the PowerPoint slide order corresponded to the order of sale I had copied from the committee member’s computer, I was met with a blank stare. The committee member left to check the slide order, and returned to let me know that the slide order did not correspond my notes, and he provided me with the correct slide order… hand-written on a paper napkin. This forced me to re-arrange my three pages of hand-written notes before taking the podium.

There was a Live Auction Table with descriptions of the Live Auction items that were to be sold, but the table was not clearly marked, and it received significantly less attention than the Silent Auction Tables, which were clearly identified. Since the Live Auction Table was located adjacent to the “Raffle Table”, it appeared that most people thought it was part of the raffle and therefore paid very little attention to it.

According to the event program (which did not include an Auction Listing), I knew approximately when I was to begin the Live Auction. At the designated time the Master of Ceremonies announced the start of the Live Auction to the several hundred people in attendance, and introduced me as Auctioneer. As I approached the podium I realized that photographs of award winners were still being taken… directly in front of the podium where I was to stand… which required me to stand aside for several minutes until the photographers were done. Can we say “awkward moment”?

As the photographers cleared, I approached the podium and began my Live Auction introduction. Approximately one minute into my introduction, the “Raffle Committee” approached the podium and stopped my Live Auction Introduction in order to pull the 8 or 9 Raffle Winners. These drawings lasted about 5 minutes. Upon it’s conclusion I was allowed to resume the start of the Live Auction.

When standing at the podium two intense and extremely bright spotlights were pointed directly at the podium. The lights were so bright that I literally could not see the center 1/3 of the room. I could see the tables on the right, and on the left, but was totally blinded when looking straight ahead. It took perhaps five minutes before the spotlights were turned off.

While at the podium and describing Lot #1, I had to ask someone to start the Lot #1 PowerPoint Slide… because apparently no one was assigned that job.

So with only the Auctioneer’s verbal description, and a PowerPoint slide, it appeared that few people in the room had any idea about what we were selling… or when we were selling it… until it was announced by the Auctioneer. As a result, bidding was extremely light and the final results fell several thousands of dollars short of where they should have been
The learning experience is this:

The Live Auction is where you place your better items, and where the real money should be made at any Fundraising Auction. Let bidders know as far in advance as possible what you will be selling, and the order of sale, so they can get excited about the Auction, and plan their bidding strategy accordingly.

Auction Listings are absolutely vital to the success of both Live & Silent Auctions. In my opinion, revenues at this Auction fell thousands of dollars short of where they should have been, because no Auction Listing was provided to the guests.

If bidders are not perfectly clear on what is being sold, including both the item’s specifics, benefits, and restrictions, they will not bid.

When you have a committee of volunteers, especially volunteers having full time jobs and/or very busy schedules, the services of a professional Fundraising Auctioneer can help to keep the committee on track.

And once you retain the services of a professional Fundraising Auctioneer… use the services that you are paying for.

“Why should I advertise?” This is a question many business owners find themselves asking. Advertising is essential for any business because it reminds your customers about your brand name and serves as a constant reminder. If people don’t know your company name, then how are they going to enter your door?

Being consistent with your advertising efforts is the key – you’re setting your business up for both short and long term success. The following 8 tips are powerful reasons why advertising is a must.

You Have To Advertise To Reach Your New Customers

The market is constantly changing. New families moving into the area potentially mean a new customer base for your business – or even your competitions. Consumers’ income levels are always changing, which results in changes in needs, lifestyles, and buying habits.

You Must Advertise Continuously

Customers do not convey the same store loyalty they once had. Cars have allowed shoppers with more freedom and flexibility. Brick-and-mortar stores suffer from this the most. A quote that sums this all up; “mobility and non-loyalty are rampant. Stores must promote to get former customers to return and to attract new ones.”

Advertising Influences Shoppers Throughout The Buying Cycle

People often compare prices, service, and quality from store-to-store. They want the best deal and are looking for value. By advertising, you reach them consistently through the entire decision-making process. Take this example; the average new car purchase is a 13-week cycle. You must keep your name fresh in the consumers’ mind and constantly remind them that you are there. Consistency is key.

Advertising Pays Off In The Long Run

By advertising today, you are essentially planting a seed in the mind of customers whose buying decision may be weeks or months away. Advertising gives you a long-term advantage over your competitors who scale down or stop their advertising efforts.

Advertising Generates More Store Traffic

What would be the point if nobody had a reason to come into your store? Continuous store traffic is the first step to increase in sales and expanding your customer base. A general rule of thumb is that for every 100 items shoppers plan to buy, they make at least 30 unanticipated “in-store” purchases. This is where point of purchase displays are extremely powerful.

You Have To Advertise To Generate More Sales

Advertising does work. Successful businesses are almost always persistent, strong advertisers. Look around – you will find the most aggressive and persistent advertisers are almost always the most successful.

There Is Always Business To Generate

As long as you are in business, you have overhead costs to meet and new clients to target. Advertising generates customers now, and for the future. You are essentially planting a seed. Even the slowest days produce some kind of sales.