Increasing Our Resources While Sharing Our Faith!

PREVIOUS ARTICLES

Please click on the title below of the article you would like to read:

Before we get into the previous articles, I want to share the following tidbit with you in order to encourage all of us and help us to have a positive attitude:

YOU Are Valuable!

Have you ever let life, people or circumstances 'make you feel' less valuable?

Here's the cure for that!  Take two one dollar bills - one in each hand.  How much is the one in your left hand worth?  Right!  $1.00.  How much is the one in your right hand worth?  Right!  $1.00.  Take the one in your right hand and say 'You're stupid.  Your worthless.  Who needs you?  Your ugly and I don't want you any more.'  Now, crumple it up and throw it on the ground.

How much is the dollar bill in your left hand worth?  Right!  $1.00.  How much is the crumpled bill on the floor worth?  Right!  $1.00.  You see, now matter what people do to us - harsh words, rejection, physical abuse - anything they can think of - they CANNOT REDUCE THE VALUE GOD PLACED ON US!

Even if you feel 'crumpled' and rejected, know that our loving Father in heaven still values you just as much as the day he created you - and placed that equal value on you as on all other people He has created!  Let His love smooth out those wrinkles and show you how very valuable you are to Him.

Well, let’s take a look at a few considerations.

One of the main issues is, ‘do you have the discipline to commit a certain amount of time each day to your business?’  In spite of some of the ads out there, there really is no such thing as an internet business where you do nothing but collect the dough!  You absolutely must be willing to work!

Do you enjoy spending time at your computer?  Do you have a place in your home that you can dedicate to ‘office space’?

What is your experience level?  You don’t need a lot of experience, but you do need to be able to do a few obvious functions – like type and locate things on the internet.

·        How much time & money will I have to invest?

How much do you want to make?  We reap what we sow.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a good income on the internet, but you will have to spend some.  The amount of time you’re willing to invest will have a significant affect on how much you make.  Especially in the beginning – start up can be very time consuming.  Once you get the ball rolling, you’ll find you have the option of spending considerably less time working and still receive income.

·        What kind of return should I expect?

You can make anywhere from nothing to $4,000 or more per month on the internet!  It will NOT be easy to make the ‘big bucks’ though.  You will have to study and work hard.  You will make some mistakes.  You will probably get discouraged from time to time.  But it absolutely can done!  If you’re serious about making a living on line, make sure your immediate household is behind you.  You will need their support and encouragement.  Also, provide yourself with a network of other entrepreneurs who will share ideas and support your efforts.  (May I be the first?  If you haven’t introduced yourself yet, feel free to do so now… karla@work-at-home-christians.com)

 ·        There are SO many opportunities…

Which one is right for me?

This will require some time and research on your part. If you’re just looking to make a little extra cash then you might have fun surfing for cash, doing paid online surveys or getting paid to read emails.  Each of these options require some time and effort to set up, but they can produce a little “weekly night out money” for you.  A word of warning – NEVER PAY ANYONE TO LET YOU WORK FOR THEM!!  SCAM…SCAM…SCAM!!

I'm guessing that if you’ve taken the time to read all that I’ve written so far, you’re probably interested in something a little more serious than a weekly allowance!

If so, than you could make & sell your own products, obtain, sell, package and deliver someone else's products, or simply sell someone else’s products – let them do the creating, packaging and delivering.  (Good way to start!)  This is called working as an “Affiliate” and is my favorite way to earn money.  You never have to handle products, deal with shipping or even handle my customer’s money!

 ·        Once I’ve decided what I want to do, HOW do I do it?

Well, if you picked “Affiliate” than the company whose products or services you are promoting should provide excellent training for you.  It's in there best interest to help you since they won't make money if you don't!

No matter what you've chosen, you may want to consider using a coach.  There are many out there who are quite good.  However, I am no longer promoting anyone in particular since my focus is to offer general guidelines and help point people towards running their business in a manner that honors God.  If you want to use a coach, I suggest googling the person's name, the name of their business and performing whatever research you need in order to determine their legitimacy.

 

Back To Top

What types of products or services should I Sell?

I tried creating and selling websites, selling “potpourri pies” for a friend, and promoting products for a drop-ship company.  I made two major mistakes with these endeavors and they all failed.  My first mistake with each of these was a serious lack of passion!  Common sense tells us that  we will be much more likely to be successful if we are promoting something we have a passion for.  

So…the next thing to do is contemplate and pray about what you can ENJOY doing while creating an income for yourself.  Do you love horseback riding?  How about cooking?  Are you one of those ‘fitness folks’?  Or maybe you are an expert gardener.  There are affiliate products for nearly every interest you can think of!  So first realize your passion and then make your pleasure your profit!

Ok…ready for more?  Good for you! 

Now that you know what your passion is, you need to determine if there is a “market” for it.  Go to google.com and do a search for websites with similar interests.  Are there tons and tons of them?  You may need to narrow your subject matter in order to find a ‘niche’ that will be a little more unique and have less competition.  Are there NO other websites on your subject matter?  Well … perhaps there simply isn’t enough interest out there on that subject to generate an income.  It’s a matter of balance. 

Back To Top

Three Ways To Sell...

There are three main ways to begin making money as an affiliate.

1.  No website – just ads.

I tried this.  I signed up as an affiliate for several companies whose product(s) I wanted to sell.  They always give you a specially coded URL (website address) that will send whoever clicks on it to them, but give you credit for their purchase.  You get a commission when the visitor to the site buys.

To work as an affiliate without a website, you can take out classified ads online.  Or you can place ads on other people's websites (almost always for a fee).  You can also take out ads in area newspapers directing people to the URL provided to you by the company you are affiliating with.

You can also pay for Google Ad-clicks, Overture Pay-Per-Click, WebCactus.com pay-per-click and others.  Pay per click means that you register a keyword and you’re website address along with the text you would like to appear in your ad and whenever someone clicks on your ad, you are charged by the provider for that click.  Experiment slowly with this method!  You can burn through an awful lot of money without getting results if your ad isn’t powerful or if you are competing for a keyword that is in very high demand.  It can be a great way to get visitors to your affiliate URL when done correctly.

2.  Pre-Supplied Website

Many of the affiliate programs will provide you with a website that you don’t have to do anything at all to, or that you have the option to personalize to your liking.  This is a GREAT option for the web-design phobics who want their own web presence, but who don’t have the resources to design their own – or hire someone to do it for them.  You will still have to promote your site just as much as you would with the method mentioned above, and the method I’m about to share with you.  Having a website does not generate income!  You can have the most beautiful website in existence, but if no one ever finds it, you won’t sell a thing!  I’ll be sharing information about website promotion – getting hits/traffic to your site- shortly.

3.  Your Own Informational – Content-based Website (like this one!)

This is the way I most strongly recommend you go.  There are some “easy-to-build” website options that are available online.  (I currently create my own websites using Front Page, but then I studied the 1,200 page manual and I don’t recommend that to anyone who isn’t just a little too geeky like me!)

The biggest advantage to creating your own website – and this is a big one – is that you can create it so that the search engines like it and will list it near the top of their lists.  

Another major factor is that you will be able to ask your visitors for their email addresses.  This is a critical function if you want to maintain a relationship with your visitors and generate repeat business.  A strong customer base is a little difficult to obtain and VERY valuable.

The other advantage to this method is that you are free to share your faith while recommending the products that you are confident will be good for your website visitors.  You have so much more freedom when you design your own website.  The other fun part of this is that you get to pick your very own domain name!

Domain Names – How do you get one?

Google 'domain name registration' and then research the companies that come up.  The one I use includes free email with an autoresponder – which is something you will certainly make use of when you really get going.  You can register a domain name for abour $8.00 and then host it for about $12.00/month.  With some companies, you can add website statistics – a necessary tool for monitoring your marketing efforts for a small monthly fee.  (NOTE:  Do not let your hosting company register your website with search engines.  It is MUCH better to do this yourself.  I’ll explain why a bit later.)

When you choose a domain name, try to pick something that has your main “keyword” (the word or words people will type into the search engines when they are looking for sites like yours) right in the domain name.  My main keyword is ‘work at home’.  I have included dashes because you cannot have blank spaces in your domain name and because the dashes make the domain name easier to read.  The search engines don’t see the dashes, but your visitors do.  I have seen in one of the marketing manuals that if use that if you’re domain name starts with the letter “A”, it will be listed higher in some search engines.  Honestly, I intend to investigate this a little further, but I don’t see evidence of this in the major search engines that I use.  I drove myself nuts at one point trying to think of appropriate “A-words” to start my domain name with, and then noticed that none of the top listings in the search engines I was using started with ‘A’!  (I’m willing to eat my words if it will help anyone.  If anyone has evidence that any of the significant search engines care about the letter ‘A’, by all means, please let me know!)  

Chose Your Method!

I am currently using all three of the methods mentioned above.  Choose one or all, based on your skills and preferences.

PHEW…We’ve been busy!  And we’re in the home-stretch!  Speaking of stretching…let’s take a break for a stretch and a prayer!  Aaahhhh…..Thank you Lord, for being with us each step of the way.  Thank you for being our strength and encouragement.  Thank you for being our source for all that is good and right.  Please Lord, help us to be a blessing to you!  Help us to share your light with everyone we encounter and to praise your name continually!  AMEN.

Back To Top

Ok, let’s take a look at what we’ve done so far We…

• picked a subject we're passionate about

• discovered our keywords

• found our market niche

• picked products to promote

• registered with affiliate companies

• created or obtained a website (in most cases)

• advertised via ads and pay-per-clicks

What’s left? 

Remember what I said before about having the most beautiful website in the world with the best products/services and prices and not making a cent?  If no one finds your website, no one will buy anything!  You will want to start by registering with the search engines.  If you created your own site, than hopefully you have designed it in such a way that the search engines will find it eventually and list it well for you.  But don’t count on it!  This could take months and there is no guarantee.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee and get ready to get to work!  

If you register your site with each of the following search engines, you will not need to sign up for any of those companies out there who offer to “register your site with 400 search engines”.  These are the main players and the little guys partner with them to share their listings, so listing with some of the little guys separately would actually be redundant!  Go to each of the following URL’s and CAREFULLY register your site. (Note - since we wrote this article some of the major search engines have "temporarily suspended" their free submission.  Keep checking back with them.)   Make absolutely sure you are registering your site in the most appropriate category for each.  This is one of the reasons we never let our web hosting company, or anyone else register our sites for us.  Once this is done incorrectly, it is VERY difficult to fix!  Read each search engines rules before you submit.  Ready?  Here we go…

Lycos: http://www.lycos.com/addasite.html

Fast: http://www.alltheweb.com/add_url.php

Google: http://www.google.com/addurl.html

AltaVista: http://www.altavista.com/addurl/default

It  will take some time for the search engines to register you – some of them take as long as six to eight weeks.  But you should begin to see some results within two to three weeks from some of them.  

Once you have been registered, if you created your own site, you can make adjustments to it in order to get listed higher.

But wait...there's more!  (I've always wanted to say that.)

You are on your way to receiving an income provided you have done all of your homework and followed the advice given.  But this is only the beginning.  You will need to promote your site.  The more you promote, the more visitors you will have, and if your product or service is valuable and priced right, the more sales you will have.

Our next series of articles will be devoted to the various methods of promoting our websites.  We will discuss "PPC - pay per click", classified advertising, forums, ezines and more.  Please keep coming back to learn what really works and how to spend your advertising dollars effectively.

A FINAL NOTE:

In spite of all the work-at-home schemes out there that tell you you never have to do anything to earn income, this is an ongoing business for us.  It is a business!  A REAL business!  It needs to be nurtured and tended to.  Remember a few weeks ago when I said I made “TWO” major mistakes with my early businesses?  The first was to work without passion.  The second was that I simply didn’t put enough effort into marketing!  Sign up for marketing ezines (not so many that you will become overwhelmed, but enough so you can keep an eye on current trends).  Bookmark some good marketing websites and visit them once every week or two.  Watch what other people who are successful are doing.  Learn, promote, learn, promote, EARN!

Back To Top

Love your customers...ALL of them!

You want me to love ALL my customers?  Even that lady who sent me the angry email about not having "chartreuse headbands" on my website???

Well, why don't you tell me what her email said and well discuss this one!

OK, here it is - - - Dear Sir - I have a friend who needs chartreuse headbands to go with her bridesmaids dresses and I told her I could get them for her because I remembered your ad that promises "The Largest Selection on the Web of Hair & Beauty Products".  Well, how can you possibly make that promise when you don't even carry chartreuse headbands?  You obviously are not keeping up with the fashion trends if you don't know that chartreuse is THE color for weddings this year, or you just don't bother stocking what people will want.  You assume they'll settle for something else because they're already at your website.  You should stop making promises you don't keep.  I'm taking my business elsewhere.

Wow - she's angry!  Did you send her a reply?

Not yet, but here's the draft of what I'd like to send her:

Dear Madam - We DO have the largest selection on the web of hair and beauty products.  No one could possibly stock everything anyone would possibly want - some of those products might not even exist!  We DO assume that you will find something you like on our site - that's why we offer so many products.  We're doing the best we can.  If you can't find what you want here, you are welcome to shop elsewhere.  We have a large following of customers who are quite happy with what we offer.  Yours truly.

Ok friend - hit the delete key on that one!  Let's take a deep breath and try again.  Remember the theme of First Corinthians 13 - Love is kind, love is patient, it is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs.  After spending a few minutes in loving prayer, we realize that this woman is frustrated and concerned that she cannot keep her promise to her friend about the headbands.  And who knows what else might be going on in her life to cause her to be so easily angered.  We can pray that God will touch and bless her, and we can see how we might be a blessing to her.  Perhaps we can lift her up and encourage her with a loving response to her plight!  

Consider this:

Dear Friend - We are very sorry we were not able to meet your need for chartreuse headbands.  What a beautiful color to use for a wedding!  We will be checking with our distributor to see if this is something that can be made available to us so we can offer them to our customers.  When is the wedding?  Perhaps we can come up with something in time to help you.  If there isn't time, then we can at least take your wonderful advice and consider offering these to anyone who needs them at a later date.  Please consider using the attached discount coupon for 15% off your next purchase from our website as a token of appreciation for your suggestion that we increase our product offerings and to help make up for the inconvenience you experienced by not finding what you wanted.  We hope to have a long term friendship with you and appreciate your suggestions.  Yours truly,

Phew - that looks a little different than what I wrote!  But you know, those headbands would only bring in a very small profit if I were to offer them.  And if I promise to check with my distributor, then I have to do it!  Is this really worth all the effort?

Absolutely!!  If you had used the draft of the email you wanted to send her, she would be telling all her friends, both in person and in chat rooms & forums how terrible you and your website are.  If you take a few minutes to contact your distributor, you may discover that it would benefit you to add this product to your line, or you may decide it isn't.  Either way, you've kept your promise to her to check into it and now she is telling her friends what a GREAT company you have!  How much would you be willing to pay for that kind of advertising?  If you're smart (and I know that you are!) then you realize that we're not talking about a few cents per headband here.  We're talking about free positive advertising and potential new lifetime customers!

And let's not forget the absolute most important part of this little experience.  By handling this with prayer and then obedience to God's word, you have honored Him and can feel very good.  You'll sleep better and smile more when you know you are "Doing Business God's Way!".

If you haven't read our Seven Biblical Principles For Success yet, sign up now to learn how He honors and blesses us for honoring Him in all that we do.  We've put this series together to bless and encourage you and pray you will enjoy it.

Back To Top

Making the Most of Your Advertising Dollars

In the beginning - DON'T SPEND ANY DOLLARS!!  Yup.  You heard me!  If you're just starting out, take my advice and take advantage of some of the FREE advertising that's available to us.  Once you put out some advertising and track it, you'll know what works and what doesn't for your particular website.  Then you'll know which types of campaigns to spend your money on!

My business mentor introduced me to a fun free way to advertise my website.  I have found some good Christian forums that allow you to put your website address underneath your name automatically in all your posts.  I try to spend some time each day posting messages, and responding to messages.  I don't talk about my website, unless it's completely appropriate to do so in the forum I'm in.  I simply hang out with folks and share my thoughts with them about whatever subject is being discussed.  People have gotten to know me and curiosity sets in about that website address under my name.  They click - and 'wala' - a new visitor to my website.  

Another form of FREE advertising is the many free classified ad websites on the internet.  I used to search for them on Google, and then hand-type an ad that met the specifications of each publisher.  Then I found a company that allows you to type six versions of your ad one time to set it up.  Then, once each month you can click on a few buttons and sit back while it blasts my ad out to literally thousands of classified ad websites.  Word of warning though, if you're going to use this, set up a separate email account so all the confirmations from the publishers don't wind up in your regular email.  It's not fun to select and delete 2000+ confirmations!

And lastly, for today, is the ever important 'link-swapping'.  Search for sites that compliment (not compete with) your product or service.  Send emails to the owners of the sites asking them if they would be interested in listing your site somewhere on their site in trade for a link on your site.  It's a good idea to either provide them with a link to your banner ad, or give them the text and url you would like them to post.  Make it as easy for them as possible!

Back To Top

How Was Your Day?

Sally & Suzie were identical twins.  They even had identical days.  Here’s what Sally said when asked about her day:

It was LOUSY!  I got a flat on the way to the gym.  I had to wait in line to get to the equipment once I got to the gym.  The grocery store was out of my favorite soup.  I got home and went to work on my home business.  I checked my email and there were NO new signups for my ezine.  I’m about ready to just give this stuff up!

When Suzie was asked about her day, her response was as follows:

It was GREAT!  I had a flat tire this morning on the way to the gym right next to this beautiful little pond I’ve driven by a hundred times and never noticed.  While I was waiting for roadside assistance, I got to watch the little ducklings swim around chasing after their mom.  Too cute!  Then when I got to the gym, there was a line for the equipment I needed to use.  I met this great woman full of encouraging words about our walks with the Lord.  On my way home, I stopped at the grocery store and they were out of my favorite soup.  Well, now I have a NEW favorite!  I got bold and tried that new chicken dumpling soup they just came out with.  It’s yummy!  When I got home and checked my business mail, I was a disappointed that there were no new signups for my ezine, but God had that covered.  There was a beautiful email from a man who said he found exactly what he had been looking for on my website and that he had been blessed to find it just in time to give as a birthday gift to his wife.  He was a Christian too!  He signed his email – “Blessings in Jesus”.  And he was right – I AM blessed in Jesus!

...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Philippians 4:11-12

Abe Lincoln said “We are only as happy or unhappy as we chose to be.”

We can choose to have a positive attitude, and when we do it will be reflected in everything we do.  Sally got so negative that she considered quitting her business!  Suzie chose to be content, even happy in her circumstances and to accept and receive her blessings.  She’ll go far!  And I pray you will too!

Back To Top

Let's Be Smart!

Research Saves Us Time & Money...

Proverbs 15:22

Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.

This is actually the purpose of this website -  to provide ‘counsel’ to my Christian family so you can learn from my experiences.  Now, don’t think I know it all!  Far be it.  I also seek counsel from many sources.  This article shares a common pitfall that I’m hoping to help you avoid.

I realized one day that I had been taking much more time off than any other boss would ever allow.  It was time to take a look at why I was doing this.  It’s ok as long as your business is in no way suffering, but if you’re simply avoiding the business because you’re discouraged – it’s time to get back in the saddle! 

I decided it was time to find something about my business to get excited about and do it!  Perhaps a new advertising campaign would boost my excitement level.  Here’s where Proverbs 15:22 would have been helpful.  I came across an ad that ‘guaranteed 20,000 hits’.  I whipped out the old VISA card and signed up.  If I had sought counsel from someone with experience with this particular company and method of advertising, I would have left my VISA card in my wallet!

Seeking counsel can be as simple as jumping onto Google and doing a search for the company we’re researching.  We can often find comments from people who have experience with them.  Or, asking our ‘message board acquaintances’ about their experiences can be enlightening. 

To stay informed and to continue learning, sign up for ezine’s about marketing or whatever you are researching.  Do searches on the internet.  Look at other websites that market something similar to your product or service for ideas.  If you are considering becoming an affiliate to another business, contact them.  Make sure you can get a live person on the phone and see how fast they respond to your requests for information.  Ask around on the internet for information about that particular opportunity.

If we want our business to stay alive and vibrant, we must continually learn and adapt.  Seek wisdom!  Seek council!

Well my friends, until next week - Be Blessed In Jesus!

Back To Top

A Gift From God - A Gift To God

It is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot.  Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God.  He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

We work hard.  We’re good stewards of our time.  We’re smart! 

Who allows us to stay healthy so we can work hard?  Who gives us the time to be good stewards of?  Who gave us quick minds?  Sometimes we become pretty proud of all we’ve accomplished.  Look out – pride comes before a fall!  Today I would like to remind us all to give glory and honor to the one who enables us to accomplish much. 

Notice the scripture above says ‘when God gives’, not ‘when man earns’.  It is He who has given us the health, time and abilities to achieve our goals.  Praise Him! 

The scripture even shows us that it is God who enables us to enjoy these things.  We couldn’t enjoy them without God!  Glory!

He gives and gives and gives to us.  He even gave us His Son!  Let’s give back to Him.  I would like to suggest that we each give Him a little more than we have been giving Him.  If we’ve been praying for half an hour each day, let’s up it to 45 minutes.  Or maybe we can donate a little more of our time in service to Him in a ministry.  At the very least, we can give Him praise more often than we have been.   

When we’re working very hard and time becomes precious to us, it is even more important to give time to the Lord.  When I give some of that precious time back to Him in service to the homeless population, I receive from Him a wonderful sense of peace and satisfaction in helping others.  An interesting side to this is that when I DO get back to work, I’m refreshed, happy and more creative!

Back To Top

What's Hiding Your Light?

Luke 11:33

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

I've been going through some very difficult times of late.  And my light has been fading at a frightening pace.  Actually, I don't think it's fading - I think it's being hidden.  Have you ever wondered what that "bowl", or "bushel" that we are told not to hide our light under is?  I believe that, at times, it is the burdens that we are carrying - unnecessarily.

When you are heavily burdened, loaded down with cares and troubles, does your light become harder for others to see?  Or does it somehow shine brighter?  I wish I could say that mine shines brighter, but I've come to the realization that I have been letting my burdens hide my light.  It must be time to get back to the basics!

Jesus said in Matthew 11:

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

So then, why am I carrying around all these burdens?  Why aren't I trusting Jesus to give me the rest He has promised?  For many of us, the part of our nature that makes us good 'entrepreneurs' is the desire to 'be in charge' and make sure things are working properly.  However, that little trait can cause us big trouble when we begin to think that we should 'be in charge' of all that happens in our lives.  We need do what we can, and then TRUST JESUS!  By doing so, we have laid our burdens at the feet of the cross, and are then free to let His light shine through us - reaching a tired and frustrated world.

So, let’s lay those burdens at the foot of the Cross and Praise God!

Back To Top

Dear Karla, Can You Help?

I occasionally receive emails from people who would like me to check out an opportunity they have discovered and help them determine if it is #1 Godly, and #2 Legitimate.  I always enjoy doing this, as time permits, because it helps me learn about opportunities that I may be able to share with all my readers.

Today, I want to share the text of a response I sent to a 'friend' who wrote and wanted to know what I thought of a particular business opportunity where he would be a broker for people who wanted to 'sell' their annuities, trusts, lottery winnings, etc. in order to receive a one time lump payment instead of smaller payments over a long period of time.

Here is my response:

Dear 'Friend',

I will be happy to give you my ideas regarding the business opportunity you mentioned.  First though, even before looking at the website, I have two suggestions.

1.  PRAY!  Ask God to give you wisdom and to help you properly research this opportunity.  Ask Him to close the door to this if He knows it is not what He wants you to do.  Ask Him to open doors if this is His plan for you.

2.  TAKE YOUR TIME!  Do lots of research.  Search the internet for any comments people have posted about this company.  Go to ezboard.com and search for comments there.  (Look in the 'work-at-home' message boards.)  If you can't find many comments, post a question on a couple of the message boards - ask people if they've heard of it and if so, what have they heard?  Has anyone tried it?  Also, don't put too much stock in the 'testimonies' listed on their own website.  If they're listed in the NYSE, see how they're doing.

After looking at the website, these are my 'first reactions'.

I've heard of these organizations but never researched them.  My reaction is that this could be a wonderful service to certain people in certain circumstances.  However, I really worry about 'usery' type practices.  I am concerned that these companies may 'prey' on some people who are desperate, or uneducated and take advantage of them by giving them just 'pennies on the dollar'.  This is why it is especially important to pray and research this opportunity and company.  If it's REALLY legitimate, honest and helpful, it could be a real blessing to some people.

Secondly, I notice they do reimburse for the training materials.  This is a good thing!  More and more legitimate opportunities are offering to return the full price of 'training materials' once you have proven you are sincere and have made a certain number of 'sales'.  (They have to charge something initially or they would lose their shirts on sending materials to people who simply aren't really serious about the opportunity.)

I'm tempted to disregard their recommendation that you check them out with the Houston Better Business Bureau.  I've heard from many sources that ANYONE can get listed in the BBB if they're willing to pay for the service.  Instead, find out what real people are saying about the company.

Another important point is this:  How will YOU feel about being a part of this company?  Can you bless people while working?  Will you be able to share your faith?  So much of our time is dedicated to our work-time.  It's an incredible blessing when we can mix our 'work' with our faith and the source of our joy.  You may want to consider looking into a few more opportunities that are clearly Christian.  

Well 'friend', I hope this helps!  Pray, go slowly and research, research, research!

Back To Top

It's ALL Good!

If you’ve been around anyone lately, you’ve probably heard the expression, “It’s All Good”.  Maybe it’s an expression that you use often.   At first, I thought it was just another new, overused expression…the latest ‘fad’ in oral communication.  Then I heard my sister use the expression, and I realized that she REALLY meant it!  No matter what happens to her, even things that ‘look bad’, she believes in her heart that ‘it’s GOOD’.  Wow, what peace!  I pondered this for a while and discovered that this is actually a modern, abbreviated version of scripture when spoken by those who love the Lord and His word.  Take a second – see if you can figure out which scripture this is… Ok, I’ll tell.  Romans 8:28  “And we know in ALL things God works for the GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  If we love Him and are called according to His purpose (and we are), then it IS all good!

When something ‘bad’ happens with your business, or in any area of your life, try to remember that it is actually ‘good’.  God will make good come from it.  He also makes beauty from ashes!  When these ‘bad things’ happen to me, I am usually able to pray, “Ok Lord, I know your plans are to prosper me and I trust you.  Please show me how to come out on the other side of this ‘bad thing’ a better person who has learned something of value.  I will listen to you and follow your guidance so this can become ‘good’ instead of bad, beauty instead of ashes."

I once heard a story about a new executive at a large corporation who made a million dollar mistake.  On hearing that he had lost the company a million dollars, someone asked the CEO if he was going to fire the man.  The CEO said, “Are you kidding?  I just spent a million dollars on his training!”  If we can look at our business mistakes that way, and seek the Lord for guidance, then It IS all good!  

Back To Top

Whose Business Is It, Anyways?

Proverbs 16:3

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.  (NIV)

Is your business ‘successful’?  It’s funny, when I first began planning for this website, I was very concerned with how it would generate an income.  Who should I affiliate with?  What’s the best way to get people’s attention?  How many ads should I put on each page to make a ‘good’ profit?  Well, by the time I got to the step of writing the Seven Biblical Principles that many of you have signed up for, I began to slow down a little and listen more.  I knew in my spirit that God was telling me “Make it spiritual.  Bless people.  Encourage people.  Don’t worry about generating income.  I’ll take care of that.”

This IS a successful website.  How do you define success?  I am so blessed by the prayer requests I receive from this site.  I am amazed that God would give me the privilege an honor of responding to people’s needs and concerns with heartfelt prayer.  The complimentary emails I receive from people thanking me for doing this ministry overwhelm me!  Their response to this endeavor humbles me – I know that I can do nothing without my Lord.  It’s humbling to have GOD touch people through me!

I really can’t put a dollar value on this kind of success…..it’s worth more than gold!

And, by the way, God IS providing.  The site is generating income AND He recently encouraged someone to send a $100 check to my PO Box!

So, whose website is this?  Not mine….it’s committed to God daily.

Back To Top

But I Don't Waaant To!

You know those little projects you just HAVE to do in order to keep your business affairs up to date, but that you really don’t like to do?  We come up with every excuse in the book!  I’ll do it later, after I get all these other things out of the way.  Then I can really focus on that project!  Now is a good time to reflect on A. A. Milne's story of a sailor his grandfather knew:

He had so many things which he wanted to do, that whenever he thought it was time to begin, he couldn't because of the state he was in.

I don’t know about you, but I tend to get overwhelmed sometimes.  It’s at those times that those ‘little projects’ begin to look absolutely huge and unmanageable.  May I suggest…make every effort to keep up-to-date on those projects!  If we put them off, they grow and grow and grow until they really ARE unmanageable.

Oh Brother, am I being convicted!  OK folks, I really really will try to get to my bookkeeping SOON.  Not good enough?  What?  You think I should give myself a deadline?  Yikes…real commitment.  OK, I’ll get them done in time to file my taxes next year.  What?  Then it will be totally out of control and unmanageable?  Well, I guess you’re right.  Ok folks – hold me to this…send me emails and ask me if I’ve completed this task by August 27^th  October 31,  ok?

Back To Top

A Modern Day Parable

As I was driving to the beach a couple of weeks ago to preach at our weekly 'Bonfire Church Service', the Lord gave me a wonderful, modern-day parable that I would like to share with you.

When the doorbell rang, Sarah opened the door, in robe and slippers to find her best friend standing before her looking rather excited.  Her friend said, "You're invited to a trip to New York City!  We're going for a picnic in Central Park, site-seeing at Ellis Island, and ending the day with a formal banquet at Times Square.

Sarah responded enthusiastically with, "Great!!  Let me get my comfy shoes for the park, my camera for site-seeing and....Oh NO....my formal gown is at the cleaners!!  Do we have time to stop and get it?"

When I got to the beach, I had a little time to myself before the service was to start.  I walked down to the water and received the rest of the parable.  It came in the form of the following conversation between Jesus and I:

I said, "Jesus, the beach and waves are beautiful.  But you've promised me a glassy sea.  Won't you take me there now?"

"The sunset is pretty, but you've promised me a home where your light is all I need.  Can't we go NOW?"

I turned around and saw the city behind me.  I said, "Yes Lord, San Francisco IS a beautiful city.  But you've promised me a city with streets of gold.  Please, can we go there NOW??"

I heard Jesus say, "Karla, you're gown is still at the cleaners!".

Isn't it great that Jesus allows us the time we need to 'have our gowns cleaned"?  To learn from Him and become more like Him?  To allow Him to wash us clean?  We may get impatient sometimes (I know I do!), but He will bring each of us home when He knows we are ready and the time is right.  While I'm waiting, I want to store up treasures in heaven.  I want to become more familiar with His voice.  I want to be familiar with and comfortable in His presence.  I want to become more like Him. 

Until then, let's enjoy the sunsets, the waves and the beautiful cities He has blessed us with.  And, if we can invite others along the way to go with us, well then, Praise God!! 

 

Back To Top

Hello Family,

Today, I want to share something with you that many internet consultants hold closely to their chests.  However, even though my consultant TRIED to tell me, I just didn't get it until now.

After trying a million ways to get a million hits, I finally found something worth more than those hits.  A few VALUABLE contacts are worth their weight in gold!  Here are a couple of ways to start these business relationships:

1.  Give something away free from your website.  People will sign up to receive it and on the signup form, you include a notation that you will continue to contact them, but they may easily unsubscribe at any time.  (See the sign-up form to the right of this article for an example.)

When people write to you about whatever you've given them, RESPOND - personally!  I've developed so many wonderful business relationships this way.  

2.  Spend some time on message boards whose topics relate to the content of your website.  Don't blatantly promote your website, but do include your URL under your name when you sign your posts.  People will get to know you and become curious about that URL.  They'll visit and probably contact you about it since they 'already know you' from the message board.  Great contacts can be made in this way.

3.  Contact other website owners who may be interested in partnering with you.  Due to previous contact I've had with a particular Christian website as a customer of theirs, I now have an affiliation that is going to skyrocket my Disciple's Cross business.  This website owner is going to put a link to my cross sales page on his very highly visited website.  For each sale made through this link, I'll give him a commission and I'll make a decent profit.  We're both VERY happy about this arrangement!

I could have 'blasted out emails' to 10,000 people and not gotten the number of sales I expect to get from this one affiliation that started with a couple of courteous, business emails.

So there you have it, one of the little 'secrets' that I've finally come to understand.  I pray you will be blessed by this advice and will prosper greatly in whatever endeavors you put your hands to.

Back To Top

TAXES?  Yikes!

Self Employed Individuals & Independent Contractors

I've received several requests from some of our faithful readers for information about taxes for the self employed.  My first reaction was, "Wow, now that's a scary topic...isn't it?"  As it turns out, it's not nearly as frightening as I thought it would be.   The IRS has put up a wonderful website to help the 'average person' like most of us learn what we need to know without being intimidated or overwhelmed.

Rather than try to teach on a subject that I'm not an expert on, I decided to introduce you to this valuable resource.  Here, you'll find the information you need straight from 'the horse's mouth'.  Below is a copy of the homepage for the IRS website that will help you learn what you need to know.  Each of the headings contains a live link to the IRS page(s) for that topic.

Who is Self-Employed?
If you are in business for yourself, carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor or an independent contractor, you generally would consider yourself as a self-employed individual. You are an independent contractor if the person for whom you perform services for has only the right to control or direct the result of your work, not what will be done, or how it will be done.

Licenses or Permits Needed to Operate Your Business
Although the IRS does not require you to have any licenses, permits or sales tax numbers to operate your business, they may be required by your state or local jurisdiction.

Do I Need an Identification Number?
You must have a taxpayer identification number to operate your business. This is generally your social security number, or an individual taxpayer number. However if you have employees, and in some other circumstances, you will need an Employer Identification Number.

Filing Requirements for the Self-Employed
As a self-employed individual, you may be responsible for completing multiple tax forms, depending on your type of business.

IRS e-file for Business and the Self-Employed
Electronic filing and payment