Latest dNeero Conversation

I received the latest dNeero conversation and I just thought I would pass it along. It's all about the presidential campaign and celebrities.

When It Rains It Pours

As I have been waiting and working at getting my contact list built and appointments made for Prepaid Legal I have been swamped with calls from my mystery shopping companies. This choice I have made is really starting to pay off. I was at the movie theater all weekend doing an open check. Which involves counting the customers, compiling prices and recording shows. I can't believe that I am getting paid for this!!

This week I have three shops to do and this coming weekend I am back at the theater doing another open check. I love it. Not exactly "work at home", more like "work from home" but still is flexible and pays me to do things that are interesting and the perks are great, ie: free movies, free products and free food. When it rains it pours but I am lovin it.

It's So Easy To Distract Yourself

When using social networking sites as a means of advertising, I have realized early on that this can be a MAJOR distraction. While your profile page is important and it should be personalized so its appealing to others its easy to get distracted by all the bells and whistles. There's a myriad of extras you can add to your site to enhance it like music videos, guestbooks, backgrounds, pictures and the list goes on. But the main focus should be kept with the end in mind. To gain exposure for your business.

Another distraction I have encountered with social/business networking sites such as Adland Pro, Direct Matches and Yuwie is the people themselves. There are so many wonderful people out there just waiting to be met and I have spent literally "hours" just chatting and getting to know wonderful "contacts" from all over the world. One could look at this as a drawback or like me who has let herself be distracted as one of the "perks" of online marketing and building your business! So get out there and enjoy yourselves by making new online friends!

There's More Than Just Facebook Out There!!!

Now, don't get me wrong I love facebook. It allows me to check in with all my friends to participate in fun applications and even to locate people I have lost contact with. I love facebook!

But did you know that their are a myriad of other social networks out there. I have begun to search and feel that I have only touched the tip of the iceburg. I have been creating profiles all over the world wide web. Some to just make friends with others who have common interests and others to make business contacts and gain possible leads.

My first post on this blog was about how wonderful the internet was and now all this social interaction I have found just confirms my point. So whether you want friends or contacts for your business or new business opportunities you are in the right place.

I will now share with you my search results of the past few days.

CafeMom
Business Entrepreneur Network
Wowzza
Konnects
Cre8buzz
A.P. Sense

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!

I never thought I would hear these words come out of my mouth but today "I am tired of shopping!" I had five shopping assignments to complete today and they have left me weary for the worn.

But honestly, I can not think of a more satisfying way to earn money. Doing what I love to do, browse all day and then stop in somewhere for a bite to eat and all this on someone else's tab and spending money to boot! This new "independent contractor" title has a nice ring to it too. Free shopping and a high falutin', important sounding title too! Now, all kidding aside if you ever want to earn some extra money and have a lot of fun, the kind that makes you both satisfied and tired -- you have to give mystery shopping a try.

http://www.serviceintelligence.com
http://www.gapbuster.com
http://www.sensorsqualitymanagement.com

Work at Home Mom Bloggers: Welcome to Work at home mom Bloggers

Work at Home Mom Bloggers: Welcome to Work at home mom Bloggers

Don't Let Minor Setbacks Get You Down

My first real lesson in the school of hard knocks was learned today. My first solid lead, who was interested, ready to sign on the dotted line called me tonight and said " Sorry, you have a good product but we've changed our minds. We'll keep you in mind for the future".

In other words, thanks, but no thanks.

I realize even now, as I choke back my disappointment that I have other fish to fry, and other prospective leads to pursue and that is what is so wonderful about all the support I have with my partner, my friend -- whom I shall call Sarah. I know when I call her tomorrow with my tail between my legs she will encourage me, she will strengthen me and will tell me, and show me how to get right back on the proverbial horse. And she's right. No reason to fear because no fight is worth the win without even a small amount of struggle.

I never even dreamed that I would make it this far. I am out there, I am becoming more than just wife and mother I am in the process of becoming a successful business owner and I have picked up along the way a new hobby that I love -- this blog!

What is This Blog For Anyways?

I know this is kind of off topic and probably has nothing to do with why I began this blog in the first place -- to share my journey of finding "work at home". But, strangely enough I find myself being drawn to this blog. I feel like its my first baby. I wake up early in the morning to check on it and sometimes can't fall asleep at night before I "put it to bed", so to speak. This seems crazy but I love blogging! I love writing and even though this has nothing to do with work from home opportunities I want to talk about it.

Thinking now, I guess I can include it in the earning from home category because I do have "the opportunity" to profit from this blog. I place ads you clik and I earn money. Wonderful concept! And I thank you...each and every one of you for your help in making my dream come true and that is to "Work From Home"

Stay tuned... for more exciting installments from "What is This Blog For Anyways?"

Great New Survey Site

I stumbled upon a great new survey site. It's a new and different concept. You complete short fun questionnaires and post them to your blog. You will get paid directly into you paypal account.

New Survey Site

Good news. I found a new survey sight. It's totally different than anything I have ever seen. It pays you to complete simple surveys and then post the answers on your favorite social site ie: facebook, my space or your blog.

http://www.dneero.com/indexjsp OR
DNeero.com

Do I Have An Addiction?

Originally, I began this blog, "Earn Money And Have Fun" as a medium to share a few fun ways in which I had discovered to earn extra income from home. I still believe, with all my heart that paid surveys, mystery shopping and small home business opportunities are the way to go if you want to have a flexible schedule.

I fear, however this "blogging" business has a mind of its own. It has taken me over and I find myself using every spare moment checking my stats, improving my page layout and finding new search engines in which to submit my url. Not to mention the times I have caught myself dreaming of, not what I was going to make for supper or what my kids were going to put in their lunches but on what the subject of my next post would be!!! I worry about my social life as I find this not only to be a worthwhile way of promoting what I love but a hobby that has become, for me more than slightly addictive.

Stay tuned.....there definitely will be more on this subject.

A New Language

After all these years of Barney, Dora the Explorer and the Backyardigans I find myself stepping into new and unfamiliar territory. I am bewildered, confused and very excited all at the same time for I am learning (or teaching myself) a totally new language. HTML, SEO and RSS feed are all the rage now and on most days I flip from feeling totally overwhelmed at the enormity of the task I have undertaken to pleasantly surprised that I am actually picking this stuff up, slowly but surely.




I have read many e-books and perused countless blogs and forums all in the hopes that I might find a simpler language for a forty-something mother of four, but alas to no avail. I have stepped into the world of the future and there's no turning back now. I have begun on a journey that may never end , given the leaps and bounds at which technology seems to be progressing. I pray the my patience holds tight and that my readers bear with me as I learn and apply this new language to the "cyber" world, as well as to the "real-time world".

Job or Career?

Job or Career? I used to think that only one or the other was possible. Now after much search on the greatest technological advancement known to modern man -- the world wide web I realize that both are possible and simultaneously. I have discovered that this is a great world we live in, in which one can hold down a pretty decent job while at the same time building a career that could provide income for potentially the rest of his/her life. It's so exciting for me that I want to shout from the rooftops and share all that I have discovered with the world.




With just a couple (or more like a couple thousand) of clicks I have opened up a world of possibilities. I have now lists of potential jobs and also access to many (although I have only chosen one) wonderful careers. With my discovery of sites like http://www.ratracerebellion.com and http://www.guru.com the job possibilities are endless and with my accidental stumbling upon sites such as http://www.prepaidlegal.com I realize that I have opened up a whole new world in career options.




So, as I sit here tapping away I can barely contain my excitement in sharing this with you, yes you and every other person that reads this post.

Too Many Offers???

Six months ago when I first googled the words "Work From Home" I never would have expected the results that I am having now. After trial and error, lots of research and wading through the murkey waters of scamville central I am happy and surprised to report that I am actually turning away job offers.

At least every other day now I get a phone calls and e-mails asking if I would be interested in taking on a certain project. I am receiving calls and e-mails for many mystery shopping jobs, career opportunities in internet marketing, merchandising projects and many many surveys. I am proud that all my hard work was not in vain and surprised that I am now in the position to not only choose what best suits my schedule but also to pass along my knowledge, through this blog to help others get started. I now have the satisfaction of knowing that if the effort I have put in can work for me it can work for anyone.

So, in a nutshell, my advice is go for it!!! Sign up to as many offers and job sites as you have the time for and before you know it you will have too many offers and be in the position to be choosy.

Is it Possible?

As I sit here blogging away on my laptop one question keeps coming back to me. Is it possible?

With all these passing years of me being at home and constantly available to my 4 kids will they get used to the idea that even though I am in the next room I am working, unavailable for their every need and whim. Even as I type (and try to think fo the right words) my four year old wants a snack, my seven year old wants a bath and my thirteen year old is resisting all attempts that I have made for her assistance.

Oh, I can see that things will get worse around here before they get better. That I will have alot of adjustments to make before they take me seriously and that its going to indeed be a "balancing" act between work and family.

But... in the end I have a gut feeling, call it womens intuition that it will all be wort it in the end. I need my independence and they need to be more independent of me. It will be a struggle...but ahh, in the future we will all look back and be better and stronger for the journey.

Back, to reality -- I have to keep that "balance" in check and give baths hand snacks and provide lectures for growing young minds. LOL. Life is good.

Marketing: Can You Shake the Stigma

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) is a very controversial subject. One person might say that all MLM's are complete and utter scams. Yet, in anothers eyes it might be the greatest opportunity for financial freedom that a person can stumble upon. One will vehemently exclaim " I don't trust any MLM company, they are all shady characters just out for your money" and others will say, " I gained my financial independence while greatly improving my lifestyle through the involvement in an MLM company"

To be honest, this is the way I see it. My little truth behind the curtain of Multi Level Marketing....

MLM, and the theories that come with it are not in themselves defined as a "scam". It is a tremendously legitimate and lucrative way to do business. Some of the top Universities teach it in their very curriculum. In fact every business has some involvement in this type of marketing, whether they are aware of it or not.

The stigma attached to MLM's is that you are involved in some kind of miracle business that does not require any effort The trouble with the get rich quick mentality behind this thinking is that it is simply not based on fact. And when the people involved do not succeed they tend to label all MLM's as scams and are quick to share their opinion with anyone who is willing to listen.

The reality is that no business, MLM or not just "sells itself" If the naysayers had put as much effort into building their MLM business as they did bashing it because they didn't give it enough time or effort to succeed they probably would have been, not only more satisfied with the outcome but would have produced alot more income for themselves and their families.

It is sad that in this day and age so many have a negative attitude towards Multi Level Marketing simply because they do not take the time to understand it or give it a chance to do what it was designed to .... benefit everyone invloved. They listen to someone who says its not possible or it doesn't work when we all are aware that no business in the world will not succeed without the proper amount of time and energy spent on it.

Now, with all that said I would still say do your homework. Investigate all the avenues -- if you are thinking of a MLM business, or any other for that matter. Choose a solid, reputable company with a proven track record because there are many out there that are just looking for people to scam who are interested but not educated.

So remember shake the stigma, don't take anyone's word for it and do your homework and the opportunity is out there that is perfect for you.

On A Real Learning Curve

Now that I have accepted several "contract" jobs I am realizing that I have more to learn than just the details of that specific position. Now I am on a learning curve and am enjoying my many hats. I am not only a small business owner, a survey taker and a mystery shopper but now I am an internet marketer, a blogger and private business reception giver.

My new skills are just in their infancy, however are developing by leaps and bounds. I am reading all I can on internet marketing strategies as well as blogging and site traffic. It's like I am learning a whole new language but love the sound of my own voice.

However, saying all this I realize that there are all too many people out there who more than willing to take my money and run. I will have tread lightly into this new territory but will continue to share my experiences as things develop.

Run a Business From Home?

After several months of research on how to make money from home I have realized that there are many legitimate opportunities out there on the world wide web. Not only surveys and mystery shopping for those who want to make extra income in their spare time, but those who want to have permanent part-time to full-time hours, to those who want to have a career.

There are many resources available to tap into these opportunities. Websites such as WAHM or the ratrace rebellion are just a few excellent sites. They give you the access to many legitimate opportunities for a salaried at home position or even a business opportunity that could potentionally be a source of income for life. I have personally had exposure to both of these types of at home work and have found that they are equally relevant if you are even thinking about working from a home based office.

The first on the list, salaried positions (as well as commission only) can be found in any field. Administrative work, customer service, appointment setting, sales positions are all included. Some are by the hour, some by the call or project and others are commisssion only. The variety of fields and renumeration possibilities are endless. Just apply and if you qualify they will call you for a telephone interview and will provide you with the details. Some companies will even provide training, no experience needed. Which was a great option for me being at home for the last few years.

The second is direct sales opportunities . The opportunities in this field are endless. To name a few -- Avon, Melelueka, Weekender, Pampered Chef and PrepaidLegal (to which I personally have worked with). All these companies give you a great opportunity to not only earn income now from home but increase your earnings in the furture. It's all up to you. The choice is given. Work as little or as much as you want. And...to sweeten the pot they provide free training and all the tools and advice you will need to be successful.

So, as you can see when it comes to working from home the sky's the limit and the information and tools needed to get started are literally a click away!

Mystery Shopping

Mystery shopping??? In the past I had heard that some people actually shop for a living. I was a bit skeptical to say the least, but... after some investigation I have found this opportunity to be not only totally legitimate but a very cool way to make money from home either part or full time.

The companies (and I have signed up for many, it's the only way to get a variety of jobs) will send you an e-mail inviting you to complete a certain shop. You log in to their website, read the instructions for that assignment, qualify by taking a certain test and voila!, your on your way to your first fun assignment. Once home you log on to their website again and submit a questionnaire. Fast forward about 20 days and you'll have your shoppers fee deposited into your bank account or your paypal account. In addition you've enjoyed a free meal, free movie or free product.

Wonderful opportunity to make extra cash and have fun shopping and eating out in restaurants for free!!!

Be Patient and Stick With It

I realized today as I was doing some research on the net on how the placement of your website within a search engine greatly effects your traffic ( or people who visit your site) and I realized something. This is going to be very hard work. It is, no doubt but I also realized I have learned and accomplished quite a bit in a short tome. Six months ago I had no clue where to start. Armed with just an advertisement from my local newspaper on earning money from home and the determination that I was going to improve the quality of life for my family I set out on my journey. Many searches and many hours later I now have the knowledge and the confidence that I can do anything I set my mind to. Many times I felt like giving up when all I could seem to come up with was scams and various shady websites that just wanted to grab my money and run. But, I stuck with and I'm glad I did because the tools I gained back then are helping me now.

This week alone I made enough money to pay a few bills or take my family out to a restaurant. It doesn't seem like much but now I know that persistence does pay off. When I started taking surveys online my husband and my kids would come home and ask jokingly " How much did you make today Mom, $2.00". Funny, you may say but now I have the satisfaction of knowing that my hard work did pay off and now I am on my way to making a serious financial contribution to my family's welfare.

So my message contained in all this rambling is to stick with it. Whether you are doing online surveys, mystery shopping, signing up for paid per click sites or venturing into a whole new homebased business is never give up. The sky's the limit.