The Suddenly Rocky Ride in Recession Retirement: Consider Some Smoother Ways to Go

Tammy Roussin earns $100,000 a year as a petsitter and dog walker, according to Parade magazine’s annual feature “What People Earn.” I don’t know what that means as far as the number of canines around her feet every time she’s out walking them, but I’ll be she’s very healthy with all that exercise!

But, you say, if you also read that article, Tammy is only 37. What’s a senior like me supposed to do now that my quarterly retirement fund report keeps showing lots of minuses and no pluses? Or, I want to earn more money, but after years of a boring, paper-shuffling job, I’d like to do something more meaningful. More than ever I want to make a difference in this world, to contribute, maybe even just by creating a smile on someone’s face. Or, my husband worked long hard hours for long hard years doing manual labor on the shop floor. His pension is fixed and it produces less and less purchasing power every year. And his health is not up to looking for even part-time work outside our home.

Help!

Have you always longed to be your own boss? Own your own business? Be an entrepreneur? And now that you have retired, you're ready to go for it?

“Well great, but wait!” says Joan Riley, who earns extra retirement income by writing a “Work for Seniors” column for Senior Wire News Service. “Don't rush into anything hastily. Now is not the time to risk your life savings in a hastily conceived enterprise. Ownership has its downside, too. It’s true you won't have a boss looking over your shoulder eight hours a day, but when you substitute a business for a boss – you could end up working 12 hours. You can't call in sick either, and you've no guaranteed minimum wage. But if this is your dream, there are many sources of assistance out there for the would-be entrepreneur. Go for them!”

One of the most helpful: the government’s Small Business Development Centers located in every state in the country (www.sba.gov) which offer a number of training courses, advice, counseling and other valuable resources.

Finding Expanding Income in a Declining Economy

House/petsitting on the senior scale. I looked up an article by Joan Riley after reading about Tammy the petsitter. “I remember Alice,” Riley wrote, “a well-know citizen in our small town, who was often booked solid for housesitting up to two years in advance, and had some steady customers for years. She retained her own modest apartment to return to between assignments. But more than half her time was spent ‘living it up’ as she put it, enjoying the hot tubs, big screen TVs, swimming pools and other amenities of her clients’ homes. Often there was a pet dog or cat to look after, but she loved animals. She only retired when, shortly after celebrating her 90th birthday, she remarried and moved to Florida.

Trash to treasure. Having lived this many years, seniors are most likely to have the most accumulated stuff (downside), but (upside) a lot of it – including all those once-cherished wedding presents – which may already be considered antique or at least nostalgic. (Was it that many years ago?) You may well realize substantial savings in downsizing to a smaller home, but you can certainly look for some extra income as well in the process. Sell that stuff!

Many communities will limit how many yard sales you can hold to make sure you’re not running an outdoor junk shop, but in recent years eBay auctions have proven profitable for many people. If you think you would like to try that method to supplement your retirement income, you would have a lot of company. But is it for you?

Are you comfortable with a computer? Are you a well-organized person, an accurate record keeper, good at details and math? Do you have the time to invest in “learning the ropes” through study and practice? Do you have the patience to start slowly, learn through trial and error, and persist, while resisting the lures to “invest” in money-making schemes guaranteed to make money for those who want to show you how to?

Working with people while staying at home. Remember Mary Kay Cosmetics and Amway, both organizations now almost 50 years old -- and the grandmother of them all – Avon, now over 100 years old? You likely know someone who was, or still is, earning substantial income with one of these companies. You may have used many of the products over the years, enjoying the personal relationship with your representative far more than purchasing them in an anonymous retail environment.

Also known as network marketing or multilevel marketing (MLM) companies, these venerable giants of the industry have proven track records for supporting individuals in making a comfortable, if not highly successful income from their home-based, entrepreneurial efforts selling the products. But are there pitfalls?

While checking out the possibilities, ask yourself: Many MLM companies require you to maintain an inventory of their products. Would you have room if you live in a small home or apartment? Do you have the facilities or transportation you’d need to hold product demonstration parties or meet with clients in person? Does the company compete with distributors by also selling products online? Do the products offer real value to the buyers?

One that offers genuine, desirable products for direct sale to consumers, for a concrete example, is an online greeting card system that makes it easy to send real printed cards in the mail in just a few minutes on the computer. Such a company can be a natural fit for anyone who likes to bring cheer into other people’s lives, or express their own creativity with personalized greetings, photos, artwork, etc. if they choose. Would the company and its product line you’re considering fit your lifestyle and values?

An MLM can be a good fit for retirees who want to work from home, are motivated to help others while earning extra income, are computer savvy, and willing to expand their horizons.

Beware, however, of the thousands of MLM opportunities advertised -- many are thinly disguised pyramid schemes, that while not technically illegal, skirt the fine line of scams. Just look through that endless cascade of junk email you get each day. Overpriced products (particularly “health” related), eBay starter kits, “type from home” schemes and other way-too-good-to-be-true offers are best left right where they are -- unopened in the junk mail folder.

There are lots of resources to check on the business practices of MLMs. One of the best is www.mlmwatch.org

Retirement can still offer some of the best years of your life. Use those skills you’ve built up through experience to enhance those years – your resourcefulness, strong work ethic, a will to succeed, a desire to give back. Even a recession need not stand in your way to personal and financial fulfillment.

Interested in more income, personal satisfaction, expanding your horizons, or making a positive difference in other people’s lives? Karen Saunders has built a successful home-based business that is truly “ageless.” If you’d like to learn more about how she’s accomplished that and useful tips to meet your goals, call toll-free 888-796-7300 or visit Law of Attraction Career

When Staying at Home Means Business

By: Karen Saunders
Tammy Roussin earns $100,000 a year as a petsitter and dog walker, according to Parade magazine’s annual feature “What People Earn.” I don’t know what that means as far as the number of canines around her feet every time she’s out walking them, but I’ll bet she’s very healthy with all that exercise!

I also don’t know if Tammy is a stay-at-home mom – or SAHM as they say these days in instant messages and tweets -- like you, but you still do have lots of opportunities open to you whether it involves pets or products or people.

A recent Gallup poll found 61 percent of Americans have a preference to be their own boss. Have you always longed to be your own boss? Own your own business? Be an entrepreneur? And now you're ready to go for it?

If so, I think you’re in an enviable position – being able to enjoy and care for your children at home, avoiding the rat-race of daily commuting while still having a fulfilling career – and creating additional income for your family!

But wait a minute, a lot of moms I’ve coached have important questions and concerns. Aren’t a lot of work-at-home schemes really scams? What about my time? I need to be able to choose how many hours I can devote to a business and still stay flexible. My children come first. Would I need lots of office equipment? Where would I get the money to start up with the current lousy economy? Would I make enough income to make my time worthwhile? What could I do to make a real difference in other people’s lives, which is really important to me. I truly want to contribute to others outside my family circle.

All excellent questions. Let’s look at some possibilities.

Finding Expanding Income in a Declining Economy

Day care: Loving, capable day care is a constant need for working families and single parents, and in fact, is a growing need as the recession often means both parents have to work. Since you are already tuned in to the needs of children, their developmental stages, and especially parents’ concerns, expanding your expertise to other children might make sense. You probably already have some of the special furniture – crib(s), changing tables, child-sized furniture, and so forth that you’d need. Perhaps you’re not ready for all-day caretaking, but could help parents who need someone for just a few hours while they are in class, or volunteering, or for after-school hours.

Special considerations: Check into your community’s licensing requirements for health, safety, and other issues such as size of home, play equipment, food storage and preparation, and so forth. Are your own children likely to enjoy having others around to play with or will they be jealous that they no longer have Mom’s full attention? What will the costs be to accommodate whatever modifications you might have to make to your home or to purchase necessary items?

Home crafts: It seems every week I discover an enterprising, creative mom who has built her special talents for cooking, or crafting, or her curiosity for how to make life easier for moms and kids into a thriving business. For example, a hands-free carrier to snuggle babies close to your body while still having your arms free to do your work. With the current emphasis on “green” living as well as the scares of hazardous materials recently found in children’s toys, many moms – and dads – are designing and selling healthy, safe, environmentally sound toys, clothing and other children’s products. Or perhaps you cook your own organic children’s food and treats – or for adults too. Your friends always enjoy receiving it – why not build a business on it?

Special considerations: Because of all the recent food and toy contamination scares, new regulations are cropping up daily to regulate these items. While totally commendable and necessary, a lot of the rules will force small businesses to close because the legal requirements for registration and regulations are formidable and expensive.

Working with people while staying at home. You’ve grown up hearing about Mary Kay Cosmetics and Amway, both organizations now almost 50 years old -- and the grandmother of them all – Avon, now over 100 years old. You may know someone who is, earning substantial income with one of these companies. You may have used some of the products, enjoying the personal relationship with your representative far more than purchasing them in an anonymous retail environment.

Also known as network marketing or multilevel marketing (MLM) companies, these giants of the industry have proven track records for supporting individuals in making a comfortable, if not highly successful income from their home-based, entrepreneurial efforts selling the products. But are there pitfalls?

While checking out the possibilities, ask yourself: Many MLM companies require you to maintain an inventory of their products. Would you have room if you live in a small home or apartment? Do you have the facilities or transportation – and time -- you’d need to hold product demonstration parties or meet with clients in person? Does the company compete with distributors by also selling products online? Do the products offer real value to the buyers?

One that offers genuine, desirable products for direct sale to consumers, for a concrete example, is an online greeting card system that makes it easy to send real printed cards in the mail in just a few minutes on the computer. Such a company can be a natural fit for anyone who likes to bring cheer into other people’s lives, or express their own creativity with personalized greetings, photos, artwork, etc. if they choose. (What a great way to show off those beautiful children and your lovely family!) Would the company and its product line you’re considering fit your lifestyle and values?

An MLM can be a great fit for moms who want to work from home, are motivated to help others while earning extra income, are computer savvy, and willing to expand their horizons.
Beware, however, of the thousands of MLM opportunities advertised -- many are thinly disguised pyramid schemes, that while not technically illegal, skirt the fine line of scams. Just look through that endless cascade of junk email you get each day. Overpriced products (particularly “health” related), eBay starter kits, “type from home” schemes and other way-too-good-to-be-true offers are best left right where they are -- unopened in your junk mail folder.

There are lots of resources to check on the business practices of MLMs. One of the best is www.mlmwatch.org

Your personal satisfaction and ability to earn income for your family didn’t need to stop when that first baby came into your life. Explore your options; build for your future; fulfill your potential – and appreciate the opportunity to have the life you love.

Interested in more income, personal satisfaction, expanding your horizons, or making a positive difference in other people’s lives? Karen Saunders has built a successful home based business that is particularly suited to those who don’t want to sacrifice time with their families. If you’d like to learn more about how she’s accomplished that and useful tips to meet your goals, call toll-free 888-796-7300 or visit Law of Attraction Career

How to brand your business and launch your brand online . . .

. . . without losing your money or your mind

By Karen Saunders

A great idea can hit you anywhere. It can wake you at 2:00 a.m., so compelling that you jump out of bed, put on a pot of coffee, and begin outlining your business plan.

Remember, though, in the heady rush of dreaming up the business, to build a launching pad for it. In other words, a presence on the Internet. Because in today’s buzzword search-engine climate, a website is the most powerful marketing and sales tool available to any company, large or small, cottage industry or inspired solopreneur.

You don’t need to be a cyber-genius to go online and get results. But unless you have a clear business objective and message, you could waste a lot of time and money without accomplishing much. Here are seven steps to guide you in developing your website. Use this system as a clear roadmap, so you don’t find yourself wandering in circles. Don’t lose your mind — just grab a grande latte, sit down and think things through; ask yourself questions you probably already know the answers to.

Step 1: Strategize

Talk strategy with your website designer — clarify how your business goals and objectives translate to a website. You can’t create an effective website design if you don’t know what you want the website to do for you.

Step 2: Define Your Target Market and Niche

What overall customer base do you serve? — that’s your target market. Who are they? Any particular field or industry? What characteristics, interests, or needs do they have in common? Within that customer base, find a smaller group that’s a more specific fit for your product or service, and which may not be served by your competitors; or both — that’s your niche. If your target market is people in job search, for instance, your niche might be people in job search, over 50, who don’t just want to change jobs, they want to change careers.

Why do you need to define your target market and niche? Because: (1) you can’t be all things to all people; (2) you and your customer base need to find one another; and (3) the more specific you get, the more your niche will feel you understand them and can serve their specific needs.

Step 3: Position Yourself

If you’ve done your homework, then you’ve researched the competition. Who are they? What sets you apart in terms of customer base, quality, service, and other aspects? What makes you unique? Look for gaps in the market that aren’t being served – those gaps will help you position yourself and define your niche. Plus, it’ll help you hone your offerings, making you the expert who is sought out for your know-how.

Step 4: Describe “What” and “How”

Whether you’re selling a product or a service, what you’re offering has to solve something or offer something for your customers. How it does that is key to making them choose you — delivering the goods. If you can’t describe the “what” element, your customers won’t know you have a product or service that might benefit them. If you can’t describe the “how” element, your customers won’t be clear that it is doable, usable, and of value. The “how” element also gives, in precise terms, the ways in which the product or service will provide the results customers want. It is a descriptive roadmap from Point A (their need or want) to Point B (the results or benefits).

Step 5: Brand Yourself

Let’s say you’ve already named your business. Now you need images, words, feelings, to make it distinctive. To make it a brand. Branding involves several elements:

· Perception — How do you want your customers/clients to think about your business? How would your customers describe you and your business? What value do your products/services provide, and how do you want the world to perceive that value?

· Logo — Clarify your message based upon the perception you want your customers to have about your business, your niche, and how you want to position yourself. Distill that into an image that will be the visual representation of your company: your logo.

· Tagline — Then translate that into a powerful, compelling tagline. Keep it brief (3-7 words). Make it memorable. Be sure it fits your business. The best taglines are evocative, meaning they conjure images, thoughts, and feelings.

· Graphics — Choose visuals that best express and integrate with your logo and tagline. Support your message with every visible aspect: colors, typeface, styles, and other graphic elements.

Step 6: Create Your Website

The nature of your business will drive and designate your website by topic — e.g., content, features, directions, contact info, blogs, links, biography, photos, itineraries. Then start writing your copy, making sure its tone fits the website design. State the key benefits clients will receive, the key values you deliver, the key concerns you share.

What topics your does website needs to cover? — use that list to create your website pages. For example, a lecturer or public speaker may need a:

* Home page

* About page

* Who We Serve page

* Presentations/Keynotes page

* Workshops, Classes, and/or Retreats page

* Products (books, CDs, DVDs) page; Shopping Cart

* Meeting Planners page; Contact page

* Blog page; Resources page; E-zine; Special Reports

* Media page/Press room

Design and develop your site using your visual branding elements (logo, color). Review and test it before going live, to make sure everything works, error-free. Offer a free report or e-zine that provides value to website visitors, while building your list at the same time.

Subscribe to an auto-responder program, to make it easy to follow up with prospects and send out broadcasts to your clients. Then go live and do a final testing to ensure accuracy on all platforms.

Step 7: Optimize, Market, and Network

First, identify your search engine optimization (SEO) goals and your return on investment targets. Hire a specialist to do foundational search engine optimization with meta-tags and images. With your specialist, set up monthly, robust search engine optimization strategies, driven by your specific goals.

Next, establish search engine marketing (SEM). Set up pages on and participate in social networking sites. Post comments on blogs that relate to your business, customer base, and overall market. Write and publish articles offline and online for inbound links.

These seven steps aren’t simple, and they take work, but they generate results and this year you just might watch your business take off. With a powerful brand, backed up by a website that delivers.

Are YOU ready to create a powerful brand and produce a website that delivers? Karen Saunders leads an outstanding team of professionals who can lead you through her integrated 7-step branding and website launch system. Visit her website to receive a FREE 60-minute audio “Put the Bling Into Your Brand” and to learn more about her extraordinary branding, graphics, and website design services: www.BrandingAndWebsiteDesign.com