Working at Home – It’s Just Easier That Way

By Bill Schnarr

We’ve all been stretched to our limits at one time or another, whether our jobs take us to the factory, the office, and even those who work at home. Today’s working parents are under more pressure than ever to work longer, earn more money, and provide a stable environment for their children. At the same time, those same activities that are supposed to be enjoyable – spending time with family, taking the kids to soccer practice, and remembering to phone Aunt Martha on her birthday can easily become part of a hectic, stressful work week that leaves you exhausted and desperate for a break.

With all the stress and hassle of today’s modern life, it’s no wonder that more and more people are turning to alternative sources to generate income and ease the burden of day to day living. For many of those people, working at home on their computers for a few hours a week has become that stress relieving second income. And these people are beginning to see that a home based business can be an alternative to a soul-sucking job that leaves you exhausted and praying for the weekend.

There are a lot of good reasons why you should consider a home based business if you are searching for a way to improve the quality of your life. For example, working at home provides you with the ability to schedule your work around the important things that come up in everyday life, as opposed to waiting for a day off to take the kids to the dentist or missing a birthday dinner because you were stuck in traffic.

In fact, missing anything because of traffic would be a thing of the past, unless you count the line ups at the supermarket or the Doctor’s office. And here’s a little tip: there are no line ups at the supermarket when everyone is at work. It would just be you and a couple little old ladies in a foot race for the two bored cashiers waiting to serve you. Take my advice – a good hip check goes a long way to eliminating the competition, if you catch my drift.
But there are some really important things to consider if you are going to look for a way to work at home and make money on a home based business. For one thing, something like an internet based business can lead to all kinds of goodies. Things like residual incomes and streaming money. Royalties! Yes, your home based internet business will make money for you even while you’re sleeping in or spending the weekend on a romantic getaway with your significant other. Does your job at the toothpaste factory pay you to sleep? (Don’t answer that!)

Working at home on computer can afford you other luxuries as well. You may not have realized this, but an internet based business can be accessed and maintained from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a reliable internet connection and access to your email accounts. That means that you can spend an hour or two on your computer in the morning taking care of loose ends while your family prepares for a day at the beach…in Mexico!

You can work from your time share condo in Florida, your parent’s house in Wisconsin, or even that little two bedroom tree house in the Amazon Rain Forest you’ve always dreamed about…providing you can convince the local monkeys to provide you with some form of internet service.


The opportunity for additional income and freedom from the grind of daily living is sitting in your living room. Working at home is a trend being picked up by men and women every day; professionals, college students, and retirees are all working from home on computers and making money to improve their lives.

If your still considering it, no worries. Hopefully this article will give you something to think about next time your stuck in traffic, sucking on petrol fumes and wishing that monkeys were serving you Pina Colada’s in your little grass hut out in the middle of nowhere.

For more information, see http://www.work-at-home-net-guides.com

About The Author

Bill Schnarr is a single parent and freelance writer who works from his home in Calgary, Alberta. As well as writing about the various ways to start a home business and having dozens of online and print publishing credits, you can also look for him in the latest "Chicken Soup for the Single Parents Soul" which was published in February 2005.

Webmasters: Getting To The Top Of Google (And other Search Engines) Just Got Easier

James Martell, The Undisputed Natural Search Expert, Shows Students How To Climb The Elusive Search Engine Ladder, Becoming More Visible To Target Audiences And Increasing Revenues

Webmasters from every corner of the worldwide web are learning how to catapult their sites to the top of Google and other search engines, applying the latest techniques used by natural search expert James Martell and detailed in his "2006" Affiliate Marketer’s Handbook (THIRD EDITION).

A true compass for navigating any website to new heights of online success, Martell’s handbook is accomplishing what no other like handbook or guide has been able to do.

This “refreshed” edition dives headfirst into the sea of changes that have recently taken place at Google and other search engines and provides the most up-to-date information needed to ensure Webmasters can guide their websites to the top - and keep them there.

As the natural search expert, Martell has created quite a following – both online and off. His commitment to providing downloadable home study guides that leave no stone unturned sets him apart from other successful affiliate marketers and speaks to sell-out crowds at industry events and at his popular Affiliate Marketers BootCamp (http://www.affiliate-marketers-bootcamp.com/).

For years, Martell has taught countless students the finer (and too-often overlooked) tips and techniques for gaining free traffic through natural search at Google. And, because Google has recently undergone major changes, Martell stepped back up to the plate and swung again, this time delivering an out-of-the-park homerun with his "2006" Affiliate Marketers Handbook (THIRD EDITION).

And as customers flock to the net in record numbers, shopping online more than ever before, positioning your website at the top is absolutely paramount to your online success.
Rest assured, if you’re not applying Martell’s latest techniques, your competition will, catapulting their website over yours and to the top where online shoppers will be directed to make their purchases.

As a Webmaster in the know, you undoubtedly realize how rare "third edition" e-books are. And, you probably already know that Martell is uniquely committed to his student’s success and since the release of his first edition, has provided free updates with every search engine change to students through an “Updates” page on his website.

The truth is that these latest search engine changes prompted something more.
Realizing this, Martell recently spent three months restructuring and updating the information in his already in-demand handbook, expertly articulating everything now needed to set your website apart from a growing sea of look-alikes, and maintain (and grow) your affiliate marketing income.

Given that major players such asAmerican Express, Apple, Wal-Mart, and National Geographic now recognize the benefits of affiliate partnerships and are spending their time and dollars on this pay-for-performance advertising, the timing for the release of this important information couldn’t be better.

The bottom-line is this: These big businesses are paying for results and Martell shows you how to fine-tune your websites to ensure you deliver the results they want, with every visitor to your website.

Given that Martell has earned an enviable full-time income as an affiliate marketer since 1999 and has been training successful affiliates since 2001, no one knows better than him what it takes to achieve and maintain top billing in search engine results.

What’s more, Martell has survived and adjusted to numerous Google and other search engine changes and continued to flourish as a successful affiliate publisher. Now, relying on the 8-steps outlined in his "2006" Affiliate Marketers Handbook, the new screenshots and video tutorials, Webmasters of every level of expertise and success can learn what it takes to survive the inevitable ups and downs of search engines.

What’s more, applying Martell’s expert techniques, you and your websites will thrive through natural searches, while others are sure to get lost on the third and forth pages of a search return.

But if you’re still not sure this refreshed "2006" Affiliate Marketers Handbook is for you, Martell is going to eliminate any questions or doubts you may have by allowing you to take a FREE test-drive.

That’s right.

He is so confident that you will find the information in this THIRD EDITION version you (and your websites) need to stay in front of your target audience, he offers a 100% no questions asked money back guarantee. Yes, you can actually implement his strategies until convinced – or otherwise – that THIS is for you!

For more information, visit; http://www.work-at-home-net-guides.com/.

About the Author
Kellie Fowler is an award-winning freelance writer who spends her winters in the U.S. and her summers in Canada, where she enjoys her 6 rescue pets, kayaking, fly-fishing, reading and writing about successful home based business opportunities. She is the owner of Write Solutions, a full-service writing company. Kellie currently freelances for several international groups and Fortune 500 companies, as well as well-known national magazines and newspapers.

Earning Extra Income With Affiliate Marketing – Having Your Cake and Eating it Too!

By Bill Schnarr

Affiliate marketing is the single fastest growth industry on the Internet. Yet many people go into it without a solid recipe for success. Indeed, many look to earn extra income with affiliate marketing with no real plan, and that can severely hamper their efforts at becoming successful at it.

Make no mistake, although affiliate marketing can be an easy and fun way to earn additional income, it is work, and just like any other job, requires effort, perseverance, and above all, a clear line of sight from start to finish line.

Things like setting up your home office properly, getting some know-how, setting realistic goals, making connections, and investing in your business will not only ensure that you have a leg-up on your competition, but it will also ensure you are firmly standing head and shoulders above them.

Setting Up Your Home Base
Perhaps the most important first step you can take to becoming a professional affiliate marketer is to set up your home base – that little home office you’ve always dreamed about!

There are many good articles on the internet about ergonomic design, and with good reason. Anyone who is going to be spending a large amount of time on their computers needs a space that promotes good posture, positive environments, and takes care of safety issues revolving around the office workspace.

The best place to start might be to head down to your local Home Depot and touch base with a professional sales representative. They are trained to show you how to set up a first-rate ergonomic office while saving you some serious cash.
Ergonomics is the science behind preventing office workplace injuries, and office designers now make tables, chairs, and desktop accessories that reduce stress on your back, limbs, wrists, and tendons, and reduce stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome which can occur from long hours of doing small repetitive tasks.

You’ll want to start with an ergonomically designed desk that puts everything within easy reach, a good computer with a screen that won’t hurt your eyes, non-glaring lamps placed far enough away that your eyes won’t be soaking in light while you are trying to work on the computer screen, and a chair that is comfortable and promotes circulation to your legs and rest of your body.

Of course, having the greatest home office in the world won’t matter if you don’t take the next step to becoming a successful affiliate marketer: getting some good, professional training.
Learning the Trade

Nobody goes onto a worksite cold. You can’t walk into a restaurant and expect to become the head chef just because you dressed like one that morning. And no construction company in the world is going to put you in charge just because you want the extra money but lack any real training.

The trick, then, is getting some professional training and learning how to become a professional affiliate marketer.

The first step in this road to success is to find a professional affiliate marketer and see what they can do to help you get on your feet and get moving. Thankfully, there are a few affiliate marketing pros out there who supplement their income by fulfilling another dream for many of them: being able to teach their trade to other enthusiastic marketers and passing their collective knowledge on to others.

In fact, simply typing “Affiliate Marketing Training” (in quotation marks) into www.yahoo.com, www.google.com or some other search engine will find dozens and dozens of sites promoting quality affiliate marketing conferences that you can attend.

One of affiliate marketing’s brightest stars and biggest success stories is James Martell, and chances are pretty good that if you’ve looked into affiliate marketing at all you’ve seen his name pop up more than once. His downloadable home-study course and twice monthly audio newsletter for students of his program make him the good place to start looking for a great course and learning the inner workings of affiliate marketing.

Become a student of the business. Start by setting some realistic income goals and working to achieve them.

Setting Reachable Goals
One problem with some affiliate marketers is that many tend to overshoot both their skills and their plans by setting unrealistic income goals and becoming disenchanted when they are unable to attain them.

Certainly a goal of $5,000 a month is attainable, but the first time affiliate marketer is most likely not going to make that kind of money when they step into the ring for the first time.
Make no mistake; $5,000 dollars a month is a goal that can be achieved through affiliate marketing, but beginners should look for something more modest. Start small. Start with, “I’m going to earn an extra $50-$100 a day, by learning how to create my own great looking websites, that get free traffic from the search engines, by taking the time to learn how to do it, from someone who already does the same thing.”

As an income goal, it’s certainly achievable, and you would be doing yourself a favour by setting aside the extra time you will need to learn how to do things right, the first time. Like any skill, it takes time and experience before you really get good at what you are doing.

Set goals and get used to setting them often. Set up daily goals for little things. Set up weekly and monthly goals to work toward even larger goals. Get used to writing your wants and needs on paper, and then actively working toward those goals. You’ll be glad you did, and you’ll be amazed at how much something as simple as a “to do” list can help you focus your energy and become better at your craft.

There’s a great book out about goal setting called “Goals: Setting and Achieving Them on Schedule” by Zig Ziglar. Take a look at it if you feel you could use some extra help in this department. In fact, set a goal to purchase the book and read it if you have to!
Another important goal for you to set: if you are really looking to augment your earnings with affiliate programs, or plan on becoming a full-time marketer, you have to get out there and make connections.

Making Connections to Your Future
By all accounts, the professional affiliate marketing community is a tight-knit group of people who are constantly in contact with one another.

There is a large amount of information sharing, helping one another as a support group, and a general belief that by pitching in and helping out everyone can be successful in their new role as an affiliate marketer and learn from each others mistakes.

It would be extremely shallow to suggest getting out there and making friends simply to help your business along, and people tend to not look kindly upon those who do (and we all know someone like that, don’t we?). Instead, get out there and introduce yourself. Start by seeing where you can help others with their business, and in return people will be more inclined to help you when you need it.

Get out there and enjoy yourself, and get to know these people personally. You won’t only be better off from a business standpoint, but your life will be far richer for making good friends who can relate to the trials and tribulations of your business woes and successes.

Just being able to relate to like-minded people will relieve tons of work stress. You will always be able to discuss your new career and problems you are facing with people who understand what you’re talking bout and don’t simply see your job as “foolin’ around on the ‘puter”.

Of course, they’ll have no choice but to take you a little more seriously when you invest a little money and a lot of effort in your own affiliate marketing business and really make your image shine.

Investing in Your Business is Believing in Yourself!
It’s a well known truism that states, “It takes money to make money.” These words couldn’t be truer in the world of affiliate marketing.

Although affiliate marketing is relatively cheap to set up as a home business, there are still some costs involved in getting up and running smoothly. Things like home office accessories (remember that trip to Home Depot?) Can set you back large sums of money depending on how far you are willing to go at once.

There are also costs involved within the industry itself. For example, finding affordable web space ($8-$15 per month) and registering your own domain names ($10-15 per year) does add up.

You will also need to look at web site template options if you hope to save time by having your websites “pre-planned”. Low-cost website templates, such as those found at www.affiliate-marketing-templates.com can greatly affect the way others view your site. Is it professional? Is it clean? A good web development company selling FrontPage website templates will be able to accomplish all of this and more.

You are also going to want to invest both time and effort into setting yourself up with quality content. Writing for the web is a skill that takes practice and patience, like any other, and must be clean and easy to read while still fulfilling the needs of your affiliate site.
You can always go out and find professional writers to do this for you, but remember that they can be costly and deserve to be well-paid for their services. After all, they are going to make or break your web site!

Investing in your affiliate marketing business is more than just covering costs, though. It is really about you stepping up to the plate and making a commitment to become a success. It is an investment in your own success, as well as an investment in your future.
Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas about the direction you need to take in order to earn extra income as a successful affiliate marketer. Remember that it takes time to become succeed at anything. Rome wasn’t built in a day. You’re affiliate marketing business isn’t going to be built in a day either.

Just keep at it, and before long you’ll have people coming to you for advice on how to get started.

For more information, see www.work-at-home-net-guides.com.

About The Author
Bill Schnarr is a single parent and freelance writer who works from his home in Calgary, Alberta. As well as writing about how to start a home based business and having dozens of online and print publishing credits, you can also look for him in the recently released "Chicken Soup for the Single Parents Soul".