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Do You Know Your Target Market? Here's a Story of What Happens When You Don't

Let's roll back in time to May 2009.

At that time, I was selling a line of gourmet candles that easily retailed for about $20. I knew I had a 'great product', and my current customers loved the candles.

I decided I'd give it a whirl and sell them at one the largest and well-known, two day, flea markets in the New York tri-state area: The Stormville Flea Market.

When I told people that I knew what I was going to do, I was advised to bring a lot of inventory, because I'd sell A LOT since I had a 'great product'. I'd be really busy the whole weekend, and I would do really well.

Well, with future dollar signs in my eyes, I ordered at least $500 in inventory.

(You can see where this story is leading, right?)

So, off to the flea market I went with a truck bed full of candles. The weather was gorgeous, and the flea market was busy.

The result?

I'll cut to the chase and tell you I never did so much people watching in one weekend as that one.

On Saturday, I sold 3 candles to people who were already familiar with the product, one specialty candle that looked like a pie, and one soap.

On Sunday morning, my husband, who so graciously accompanied me for the weekend without complaint, suggested we put out the votives and try to move them since they could be sold for much less than the candles.

It sounded like a great idea.

Not one sale on Sunday.

Then it hit me....and it it me hard.

I didn't know who I was trying to sell to.

I never in my life went to that particular flea market, so I didn't see what vendors were selling, I didn't see what the prices were, nor did I have a 'feel' for the market.

I went in blind, and it showed.

My 'great product' wasn't something the flea market people wanted. Sure they liked to look and smell, but they didn't want to buy.

These people wanted deals and low prices.

Meanwhile, there I was with a high end product just sitting there. It didn't matter if the product was the 'best in it's class'. It didn't matter if it was really worth the money. It didn't matter that I cut the price down to almost cost to move some of it.

It was the wrong product for the flea market, plain and simple.

My story is the classic case of having the 'great product' that supposedly everyone would want, but nobody buys.

The flea market people were not my target market for the product.

So remember, it all boils down to this: You've got to know what your customer wants and what makes them want to buy. You need to know where they 'hang out' and what makes them tick. Without some brainstorming, some thinking, and some research, you'll waste valuable time and money like I did.

Donna Zuna is a founding member at the Home and Small Business Network. Not only can she give you guidance in marketing your business, she offers practical business financial management advice. You can find her at [http://donnazuna.com]http://donnazuna.com.

For more help in defining your target market and marketing your business from real people with no hype, stop on by [http://homeandsmallbusinessnetwork.com]http://homeandsmallbusinessnetwork.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-You-Know-Your-Target-Market?-Heres-a-Story-of-What-Happens-When-You-Dont&id=5869477] Do You Know Your Target Market? Here's a Story of What Happens When You Don't

How Mothers Can Make Extra Money On The Weekend

Ways for mothers to make money on the weekend

Baby sitter - As a mom everybody needs a day off from their kids and from all the stresses of life and that is exactly why you can cash in on other mothers wanting time to themselves. Don't think for a second that you are along because you aren't. There are many mothers out there that can't stand their kids and if that is the case you can be just who they are looking for.

eBay seller - Another great business for mothers to get into that doesn't involve children is selling items on eBay. The way that you can get this started is by scouring yard sales and looking for cheap items that you can resell on eBay. The best part about this is you start Saturday morning and list your items Saturday afternoon and then you do it again on Sunday and finally Monday and the rest of the week you will ship out all the items that sold. It is that easy.

Sell dinner - This may require a permit of some king but that isn't a huge deal. Every mom knows that the weekend is supposed to be her time off from cooking and in that case all you need to do is prepare the meals for the families you have lined up and deliver the food. On a typical weekend you could see a few hundred dollars in just profit and the best part is you never had to leave your home other than the delivering part.

As you can see these are a few ways that mothers can make a decent living by only working on the weekends. What most people don't understand about a weekend business is it doesn't have to stop there, always try to expand your business to a point where you will never have to work another 9-5 job again. If you still aren't sure about these ways to make money then click here and see more great rel=nofollow [http://www.dormroomcash.com]ideas to make money both online and offline.

Adam Snyder is also the designer and creator of a new [http://www.small-coffee-tables.com]small coffee table.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Mothers-Can-Make-Extra-Money-On-The-Weekend&id=...] How Mothers Can Make Extra Money On The Weekend

Can I Work AND Look After My Young Children?

Others had a quite different experience and managed to survive the experience for a few years before finally realising that the weight of the mill stone around their neck was simply too great and it just wasn't worth dragging the kids to school every day, just to receive the standard telephone call every week or so saying that dear little Kevin was about to be sent home for the day because he had thrown a chair at a pupil in class. To make things worse, Kevin would be spending only mornings at school for the next week as punishment (???). Of course this sort of thing doesn't affect a working mum or dad at all because he or she can simply take unpaid leave and then return to work with absolutely no consequence.

This is of course until two weeks later a mystery bug decides to attack the whole family, rendering each person incapable of doing anything but moan and watch telly for a couple of days. No problem, you might say, but the thing with mystery bugs is that they don't attack everyone at once and get the job done quickly. Instead, they go for the systematic approach in which only one member of the family is afflicted at any one time. However, mystery bugs aren't all doom and gloom as they do allow a period of 48 hours between people. This just gives you enough time to go back to work, only to then have to spend the following weekend mopping up bodily fluids and doing without sleep, only to have to go back to work after the weekend as if nothing as ever happened.

There then is a period of reflection. It usually involves the back of a fag packet and a calculator and involves working out how much you actually have left from your wages after the tax man and your child minder have had their share. This is the point at which everything becomes clear! After having worked out that at the end of the week you have exactly �5 left, which wouldn't have been available if you hadn't worked, you decide to go to your local and purchase a couple of pints of beer. Working and having kids IS worth it after all.

An alternative to going through all this heartache and fuss could be to employ a nanny. Our jobs site advertises [http://www.nannytalent.com]london nanny jobs completely FREE of charge to help you on the way.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-I-Work-AND-Look-After-My-Young-Children?&id=5692925] Can I Work AND Look After My Young Children?

Home Based Business: Start Your Own Weekend Business For Exactly Nothing

So what can you do?

We Americans don't appreciate what we have - so much freedom, and so much STUFF! We're going to share with you two cool ways you can start making money without money!

Way One:

What is a slightly used $5,000 treadmill worth? About 1,800 on eBay. How much would you pay for it? About $600. How would you find it? Place Free "Wanted" ads on Craigslist, and on Upillar.com.

How will be sure of the value? Check completed items on eBay before you go look at it. You need to know you'll make money before you burn gas!

Drag it home, put it on eBay and collect your profit! Does this really work? YES! It works with anything you want to deal in. You can even buy and sell guns on uPillar.com.

How do you start this without cash?

When you go see the treadmill (or whatever) and let's say you agree on a sales price of $600...offer to pay $200 more if you can just photograph it, sell it, and have the people pick it up there. Is this hard to do? No. Just write a little contract and have them sign it. You only have to do this a couple of times, and you'll have your own money.

Way Two:

Provide the above as a Service to the person with the treadmill. In other words, offer and provide the service of selling it for the person in exchange for say, 20% of the proceeds. Now you don't have to move the big treadmill! But remember, you can work with anything you want - it could be Barbie Dolls, or diamonds!

If you flip a treadmill, a Barbie Collection, a Swiss Watch, or a small farm tractor a week, will you be making $50,000 a year "just like that". YEP! Does it all sound like work? It is! Maybe it's easier to just go grab a $50K a year job right now. Why not learn the basics without paying for it? Then make a Major Effort, and reap the sweet rewards of success! Make $30-$50k per month if want to (I'm not kidding).

Could it be you?

Look, maybe you just need a job. In that case, do you really know the secrets to writing an effective Cover Letter and Resume? Please find out what the secrets are BEFORE you spend a lot of time looking for a job.

What should you do next in our opinion?

To get started for free with any of the 41 Home Based Businesses in my Free ebook, just visit my website http://FreeHelpFast.com. OR if you want Resume and Cover Letter help to land a conventional job, many secrets are revealed in my FREE ebook! So do it now! Go get:
"HOW TO FIND OR MAKE YOUR JOB IN AN ECONOMIC TWISTER!" At: http://FreeHelpFast.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Based-Business:-Start-Your-Own-Weekend-Business-For-Exactly-Nothing&id=5327547] Home Based Business: Start Your Own Weekend Business For Exactly Nothing

Internet Weekend Jobs - Wanted - Top Cash For The Right People

Is there a workable solution? Can you work smarter and save your weekend for you, family and friends? Yes here are some valid money making ways to do that for you. The online jobs listed are completely flexible for your schedule; you set the hours how you will work. You work from the comfort of your own home no travel, make as much as you like. Listed below is some of the top legitimate online work for that extra income.

Online surveys & freebie sites
There are hundreds of websites offering pay for filling out surveys. It's not difficult work. When you register at the website, you'll be asked to fill out a questionnaire listing your interests and consumer preferences. Once this is done, you'll be asked to wait until you're contacted for a suitable survey. You will either get cash or points when you complete their survey. Freebie trading is where a person signs up to a site, tries free trials or low cost trials, and then you need to get so many referrals to do the same as you. Once you get the needed referrals, you get a prize or cash reward. You can make a good income from either doing surveys or freebie trading by avoiding scams and choosing legitimate proven sites. There is very big list of cash weekend jobs here.

MLM or Multilevel Marketing Business programs
Also known as Network Marketing is an online business that allows a multi-level marketing company to promote and sell products directly to customers thru referrals and direct selling. It is an easy way of distributing and selling products since it renders its services through a succession of independent distributors, rather than going to conventional retail outlets. The central corporation provides a line of products which are marketed through members of a network. Maybe you can become one of their top independent sellers.

Affiliate programs
You promote by affiliate links on your website or blog. You receive a certain percentage of every product or service someone buys or signup for through your affiliate link. Every product or services you can think of have there is an affiliate program out there. There are many ways to promote your links and make a good income. The fastest way is through PPC advertising you can start making money today.

Blog writing
You can create and write about your hobbies, likes or anything that you are passionate about and turn it into a money maker for you. The key to success is to create useful content that readers can use. You do not have to be great writers just write like you are having a conversation without using big word.

Online auctions
Sell your products on auction sites like eBay. Start off by selling all your unwanted items around the house. Find things to sell on Craigslist, yard sales or estate auctions. There are many ways to get hot items to sell. You can work this on the weekend or fulltime.

Start your own online business
You need to know your niche target market, know your competition, attract funding, secure good resources, build consumer loyalty - especially blogger coverage - Preparation and research are key. You can sell your own products or others. Create YouTube videos about your services or products. Write articles promoting your business. Pass out your business cards and flyers. These are just a few of the ways to build your business. There are many people making $10k to $100K a month you can to with a little hard work.

So lets get started today for free with any of the above mentioned Weekend Jobs just visit my website http://www.freebietradingnow.com/ to get an online income started now. The benefits of these Weekend jobs don't get any better than these!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Internet-Weekend-Jobs---Wanted---Top-Cash-For-The-R...] Internet Weekend Jobs - Wanted - Top Cash For The Right People

Working From Home - Deciding to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Home Based Business

Then I would be so tired I would go home and go to bed right after supper. On Saturday morning I would finally have some free time, but most of the people I knew were not available to go anywhere or do anything because they were living their lives in the same way. I would usually just talk with then on the phone, and then go to the movies by myself. I also worked a second job during this time, so the most I could take off was the Saturday, and then I had more work to do for the remainder of the weekend.

This seems like such a sad story, but it is the way many people continue to live their day to day lives. They work many hours at jobs they do not enjoy, just so they can have a day or two off once in awhile. When they do have some time off, there is little money to do anything more than what they could do when they were young adults.

It does not have to be this way. You can decide to live a different kind of life and enjoy your free time in a much more exciting way. My choice was to start my own business and work from home on my computer. The first year was extremely difficult, but I knew it would be worth it in the long run. Take a look at what you are currently doing each day. If you no longer enjoy it and do not make enough money to have some fun when you have time off, maybe a change in career is right for you.

Remember that the reason to start an Internet business is to give you the time and money to live the life you choose. Download a Free Report on '10 Steps To Starting Your Online Business at [http://10stepstostartingyouronlinebusiness.com]Get Started Online and get started right away.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Working-From-Home---Deciding-to-Quit-Your-Job-and-S...] Working From Home - Deciding to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Home Based Business