Money Making Tips - Things to Consider in the Beginning

Search Engine Optimization

Commonly referred to as SEO, search engine optimization is the process of adding content to a website that is designed to target search engines. This is done through utilizing specific keyword phrases. Popular search engines like Google and Bing rank websites based on targeted keyword phrases. For example, if someone types “Local Shopping Coupons” into a search engine, then the user is given a list of website that best match their search.

There are many different theories as to how search engines rank websites so this book will not try and convince you of any tricks. In fact, it’s safe to say that if anyone tries to show you a quick trick to get your website ranked, then it’s likely a black hat technique. These will get your site banned quickly so don’t use them.

The most effective way to rank a website is to provide useful content that is targeted for visitors rather than search engines. If you create quality content, then your website’s ranking will slowly rise. More about SEO will be discussed as appropriate all throughout this book.

List Building

List building is the process of collecting email addresses and other contact information from individuals in order to market to them. Most people will give something away in return for an individual’s email address. I’m sure you’ve seen a free giveaway online that only asked for your email address in return for a product. That company is list building. If done effectively, list building is one of the most powerful forms of marketing on the web.

The mistake that many people make when list building is they tend to spam their potential customers. That will not only lose their interest, but comes across as unprofessional and will generate hate towards your brand. List building is used in several of the money making scenarios that are discussed through this book.

Niche

Finally, the term niche will be used quite a bit and refers to a specific type of product market. Using television as an easy example, channels like ESPN, Fox Sports, and Golf Channel are all affiliated with the ‘sports niche’. CNN, Fox News, and CNBC are with ‘news and media’.

Some online niches include electronic, medical, and social media. However, to be successful you will need to narrow your niche down a great deal and focus on one area rather than a mainstream. For example, instead of focusing on the broad ‘news and media’ niche, you would need to narrow it down even further:

- Latest Political News

- Breaking News about Insurance

- News about New Books

All three of those have been narrowed by one level. You can go even further by getting more specific:

- Latest Republican Political News

- Breaking News about Car Insurance

- News about New Fantasy Books

I think you get the general idea by now. You will learn more about niches throughout the course of this book. For now, it’s only necessary to know what the term means.

Proper Money Management

I want to go over one more thing before we start with different money making methods. At this point, you should have a plan that lists your goals. That’s the first step to proper money management. Getting into better money management habits is a good idea for everyone but it’s essential if you want to be successful in making money from home. Here are some tips on proper money management for those working from home.

Don’t under budget for expenses

Some of the methods that we mention cost no money while some have a few expenses attached with them. It’s important to plan your budget correctly. Make sure your numbers are correct. Many people make the mistake of underestimating their expenses and end up in the red.

Income Management

Working from home can provide a nice income. However, that income will be sporadic. That means you need to plan differently for this than you do with your weekly or bi-weekly paying job. Since monthly income is likely to fluctuate, always keep track of your average monthly income and plan your expenses for at least 10% below that amount.

Avoid Borrowing Money

Credit cards can be a life saver in emergency situations. However, getting into the bad habit of relying on a credit card will get you into trouble. Never spend money that you don’t have on your business. There are enough free methods that you can simply use those to finance opportunities that initially cost money.

Keep Track of Taxes

Any income generated from self-employment is imposed with extra taxes. It’s best to keep track of this all through the year and to pay keep these taxes paid on a quarterly basis. This will keep you from incurring under-withholding penalties. It will also not allow those taxes to blindside you all at once.

Be Organized

The more organized you keep your work area, the more productive you will be. Always file invoices in a timely manner, pay bills on time, and keep every receipt. Store contact information in a way that makes it easy to find. A little organization will go a long way.

On a final note, remember that generating a steady income from home will take time and effort. It doesn’t just happen. Individuals do not just stumble upon success. They earn it. The idea is not to work hard, but to work smart. Handle everything in your life as if it were a business decision. Get better at managing your money. Learn to budget your time. Most importantly, don’t be afraid of making mistakes. They will happen. If you learn from a mistake, then it’s not a total loss. You will have gained valuable experience.