Online Webdesign Consult(homebusiness Ideas)

One of the questions we often hear from our Advanced Mentoring clients is, "How can I build a website? I don't know the first thing about site design!"You don't have to build your own site if you don't want to.

You can always outsource the job to someone else.However, it's a good idea to learn as much about web design as you can. Even if you get someone else to build your site, you should learn enough basic HTML so you can make any necessary changes to your site yourself.It'll save you a lot of time -- and money! -- if you don't have to hire a contractor every single time you want to update your site.The good news is, you don't need to study for weeks on end to learn how to use today's most popular design tools. Lots of them have been built with complete novices in mind and come with great tutorials that walk you through the whole process.And the best thing is, lots of them are really cheap to use -- or even free!Here's a list of the top 20 resources we recommend to our top-paying clients. If you want to learn how to build your own site from scratch -- or want more control over a site that's currently up and running -- be sure to check out them out!

1. Domain toolsYour domain name is your business's "address" on the Internet, so it's crucial you choose the right one. Try to find a domain that gives browsers a hint of what they'll find at your site.Tools to help you get a domain include...
Wordtracker (www.wordtracker.com) -- to locate possible domain names with popular keywords
Nameboy's "Gen" (www.NameBoy.com/gen.php) -- to get more ideas for domain names
Domain tools (www.DomainTools.com) -- to see if a domain name is available
For registering domains: www.GoDaddy.com

2. Website hostingYour web host is responsible for ensuring your web site is always up and running at top speed. If you site is always down... or if it takes ages to load... you're going to lose money. So it's essential you choose a host you can trust!Here's our favorite hosting solution: www.1and1.com

3. Basic HTML tutorialsThere's plenty of software you can use to build a site without knowing any code at all. But it's actually helpful if you at least understand the basics of HTML. For some good free HTML tutorials, check out these sites:
www.Davesite.com/webstation/html
www.HTMLgoodies.com
www.PageTutor.com
http://www.webreference.com/authoring/design/tutorials.html

4. Design tips & resourcesFor some great tools and information on simple, effective design, check out these sites:
SitePoint: www.sitepoint.com
Builder.com: http://builder.com
Useit.com: www.useit.com

5. HTML editors"HTML editors" are software programs that allow you to design a webpage with little knowledge of HTML -- and they're as easy to use as any basic word processor.
Nvu (www.nvu.com): Anyone can use this free tool to create and manage a website -- even if they have no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML. (In fact, I'm using Nvu to write this article right now!)
Dreamweaver (www.dreamweaver.com): This is a tool that's very popular at IMC. It's good if you're willing to spend some money to get additional features not available on the free HTML editors out there.

6. "All-in-one" website buildersIf you're a bit intimidated by technology, you may want to consider an all-in-one website builder, where a company provides you with all the tools you need to quickly piece together a site.Go here to find our favorite: www.MarketingTips.com/allinone

7. Resources for designing your web siteFor good articles and resources on developing effective navigation and a simple, user-friendly site architecture, check out these sites:
Webmonkey: www.webmonkey.com
AnyBrowser.com: www.anybrowser.com
WebDeveloper.com: www.webdeveloper.com
Web Page Analyzer: www.websiteoptimization.com/services/analyze
NetMechanic: www.netmechanic.com

8. Adding "extras" to your siteYou may want your site to go beyond basic HTML, especially when it comes to automating chores and making it more interactive for visitors. You can find "extras" -- like forums, content management systems, and shopping carts -- at these websites:
www.HotScripts.com
www.cgi.ResourceIndex.com
http://ScriptSearch.com

9. Hiring a designerIf you can afford it, it's a good idea to hire a web designer to build the initial "template" for your website. Typically, this should include a logo, navigation menu, and the overall "look" for your homepage. Then, you can make tweaks as necessary later on.For a good, affordable designer, try: www.eLance.comSo, those are the tools we most often recommend to people. What are YOUR favorite design tools? Are there any that aren't on this list? Go to Derek's blog and tell us about them! We're always on the lookout for great new resources to share with people.

Leaving a Legacy (Homebusiness Ideas)

Principles to Live By

I love principles. Yes, actions are great and I talk about them regularly, but the important stuff is what lies underneath--the principles.
Here are what I consider to be the principles that we must commit to if we are to leave the legacy we desire:
1. Life is best lived in service to others. This doesn't mean that we do not strive for the best for ourselves. It does mean that in all things we serve other people, including our family, co-workers and friends.

2. Consider others' interests as important as your own. Much of the world suffers simply because people consider only their own interests. People are looking out for number one, but the way to leave a legacy is to also look out for others.

3. Love your neighbor even if you don't like him. It is interesting that Jesus told us to love others. But he never tells us to like them. Liking people has to do with emotions. Loving people has to do with actions. And what you will find is that when you love them and do good by them, you will more often than not begin to like them.

4. Maintain integrity at all costs. There are very few things you take to the grave with you. The number one thing is your reputation and good name. When people remember you, you want them to think, "She was the most honest person I knew. What integrity." There are always going to be temptations to cut corners and break your integrity. Do not do it. Do what is right all of the time, no matter what the cost.

5. You must risk in order to gain. In just about every area of life you must risk in order to gain the reward. In love, you must risk rejection in order to ask that person out for the first time. In investing you must place your capital at risk in the market in order to receive the prize of a growing bank account. When we risk, we gain. And when we gain, we have more to leave for others.

6. You reap what you sow. In fact, you always reap more than you sow--you plant a seed and reap a bushel. What you give you get. What you put into the ground then grows out of the ground. If you give love you will receive love. If you give time, you will gain time. It is one of the truest laws of the universe. Decide what you want out of life and then begin to sow it.

7. Hard work is never a waste. No one will say, "It is too bad he was such a good, hard worker." But if you aren't they will surely say, "It's too bad he was so lazy - he could have been so much more!" Hard work will leave a grand legacy. Give it your all on your trip around the earth. You will do a lot of good and leave a terrific legacy.

8. Don't give up when you fail. Imagine what legacies would have never existed if someone had given up. How many thriving businesses would have been shut down if they quit at their first failure? Everyone fails. It is a fact of life. But those who succeed are those who do not give up when they fail. They keep going and build a successful life - and a legacy.

9. Don't ever stop in your pursuit of a legacy. Many people have accomplished tremendous things later on in life. There is never a time to stop in your pursuit of a legacy. Sometimes older people will say, "I am 65. I'll never change." That won't build a great life! No, there is always time to do more and achieve more, to help more and serve more, to teach more and to learn more. Keep going and growing that legacy!

These are core principles to live by if you want to become the kind of person who leaves a lasting legacy.

EBay Secrets (Homebusiness Ideas)

The first thing people ask eBay mentor is, "Can you really make a living selling on eBay?"The answer to that is a definite YES!In fact, thanks to the great research tools available, you can discover exactly what products are hot-sellers on eBay -- and find cheap sources of those products -- so you can set up your own profitable eBay business in less than a week!

Here's how to do it:
Step #1: Brainstorm possible research topicsBrainstorm a list of your skills and interests. What topics are you most interested in? What skills have you picked up on the job or in your personal life? Any one of these could be the basis of a highly profitable eBay business.

Step #2: Choose a topic to explore furtherNarrow your list down to your top 5 choices. Now pick one to research further. It should be something you could see yourself basing a business on. For example, maybe you're a high school basketball coach, or a huge NBA fan. One of the topics you'd probably want to explore further is basketball.

Step #3: Use Terapeak to discover what people are buying on eBayTerapeak is hands-down my favorite research tool. It costs only $16.95 a month to use and shows you exactly what products people are buying on eBay. It shows you the exact search terms people are using to look for products on eBay.... how much the products are selling for... and who the competition is.In short, it tells you absolutely everything you need to know to determine what products to sell -- and how much to sell them for -- in order to make a profit on eBay.Let's go back to the basketball example. Terapeak can tell you exactly how many people are buying basketball-related items on eBay. Then you could drill down deeper to discover exactly what those basketball-related items are.Plus, it'll tell you the exact keyword terms people are using when they search for those items on eBay!You could even discover what percentage of items actually got sold -- so you'd know how successful your listings are likely to be, before you even post them.Say you discovered that Nike "Air Force S.T.A.T." basketball shoes were selling on eBay for an average price of $79.99 -- and that 60% of all listings for those shoes received bids. That means for every 10 listings you post, you'll successfully sell six pairs of shoes.

Step #4: Calculate your profit marginAs you probably know, eBay charges you money for every listing you post. How much you pay depends on how much your starting price is, how much the final sale price is, and how fancy your listing is. (For example, how many pictures you include.)You need to figure out these costs, so you know exactly how much of your profits will end up in eBay's pocket. Once you know that, you'll know how much you have to charge in order to make more money than you spend.

Step #5: Find a reliable drop-shipperDrop shipping is an arrangement in which a manufacturer or distributor ships products to your customers on your behalf. You do all the selling and the drop shipper is responsible for product development and order fulfillment.Drop shipping is a great way to start making money FAST on eBay because it allows you to auction new products almost instantly. You don't have to build up your own inventory. And you don't have to worry about leftover stock.All you have to do is use Terapeak to figure out what you want to sell -- then find a drop shipper who supplies that product, sign up for their program, and you're in business.The downside to drop shipping is, you won't make as much money as you would if you were selling your own products.Also -- due to the growing popularity of drop shipping, there are a lot of scammers out there selling fake lists of drop shippers for hundreds of dollars online. There are also middlemen posing as drop shippers who'll charge you much more for merchandise than you should be paying.Don't let these scammers scare you away. Just be aware they exist and always look twice at any company before agreeing to enter into a business arrangement with them.Here are two drop shipping resources that offer reliable information and have a good reputation:

Worldwide Brands offers a directory of legitimate drop shippers with excellent reputations. Worldwide Brands is also the ONLY directory publisher of drop ship and wholesale product sourcing information on the Internet that is certified by eBay.
Doba allows you to source products that you can drop ship to your buyers. You can browse product categories or search for specific keywords, and then buy the ones you want to sell, or use the "Push to Marketplace" feature to list them on eBay immediately.

Step #6: Write your own listings -- and make sure they stand out from the crowd!Here's a trick that'll have you making more money than your competitors who also sell drop ship products: WRITE YOUR OWN LISTINGS!The vast majority of people who sell products through drop shipping use the product listings they're given by the drop shipper. That means shoppers see the exact same salescopy for every product they click on!Make sure YOUR listing stands out from the crowd by writing it yourself -- and including the keywords you found during your Terapeak research. These are the exact words and phrases people are using when searching for products on eBay. Place them prominently throughout your copy -- and you'll have a listing that catches people's attention because it speaks directly to their needs.

Step #7: Start selling!That's it! As you can see, by using a research tool like Terapeak and a product sourcing tool like Doba or Worldwide Brands, you can set up a profitable eBay business in well under a week. Best of all, you can guarantee it's successful before you even set up your first auction.

Happy eBay selling!

Principles for Leaving a Spiritual Legacy(Homebusiness Ideas)

1. Understand that you are a spiritual person. You have a body, yes. You also have a mind, will and emotions. You can't see them, but they are there. You also have a spiritual core - a soul if you will, that is every bit as much a part of you as your left arm is. You may not see it, and society may not place a high value on it, but you are - at your core - a spiritual person as much as you are a physical person. In fact, when your physical body dies, your spiritual "body" will live on. Because of this, commit to a dynamic spiritual life yourself.

2. To be a wealthy person you must commit time and energy to making money and wise investments. To be a healthy person you must commit time and energy to exercising and eating right. To be an intelligent person you must commit time and energy to learning, memorizing and studying. To be a spiritual person you must commit time and energy to developing your spiritual person through spiritual disciplines. If you don't commit to this, and discipline yourself the same way you would in other areas of life, you will not achieve growth in your spiritual life.

3. Study the scriptures and internalize them. The wealth of knowledge that I have found in the Bible is incalculable. It is immeasurable, and it is invaluable. So much of my philosophy for life, work and business comes from a foundation the Bible and its teachings have provided. My parents taught me at an early age to study the Bible and to internalize it through memorizing both chapter and verse, as well as the concepts they contained. Words cannot describe how important that has been to me in my life. If you want to become financially wise you would read the Wall Street Journal and books on investing so you can gain knowledge. If you want spiritual knowledge you must study the scriptures. But don't just study them, make them a part of who you are.

4. Follow the Golden Rule. Perhaps the most well known concept from the Bible is the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It seems obvious to me that the reason it is so well known is because it is so applicable. It is something that anyone can hold up as a goal for their life and conduct. And in doing so, it will make you a more spiritual person because it will cause you to value people more and be more concerned for their needs.

5. Be a "pray-er" as well as a doer. There is an old saying that you should pray like it depends on God and act like it depends on you. That is good advice and we would do well to take heed of it. Unfortunately, I think many people ignore what I view to be a tremendous source of strength--prayer. I do not mean elaborate prayers. I mean straight and simple reflection and communication with God. It is powerful when you are doing the best you can and then letting God take care of the rest.

6. Be involved in a community of faith. One of the things I hear when I talk with people is the complaint that churches are full of hypocrites. Well, I know that people are not perfect. I know that people do things they shouldn't, even in the name of God. But I also know that there are millions of good-willed and good-hearted people in the world who are a part of a local community of faith and who can potentially bring a great deal of good to you if you had a relationship with them. When you find the right one - and it may take some looking - you will benefit by belonging to a community of faith.

7. Keep an eternal perspective. Sometimes people take life too seriously. They forget that the day will come when it will be time to pack up all the marbles, hand them to the person who comes after them and go home. We would do well to remember that this life is short. Yes, it is important - very important - but it is also temporal. It isn't going to last. The only thing that lasts is the legacy that you create, develop and leave for those who come after you.

8. Take your children to church. I love what my good friend Zig Ziglar says when asked why parents should take their children to church: "Parents should take their children to church for the same reason they should make them eat broccoli--because it's good for them!" I truly believe that a good moral, religious and spiritual foundation that teaches the concepts of the Bible and how to have a relationship with God are absolutely essential for the human life, especially if you take a look around at what is going on in the world today - more now than ever before. Yes, parents are the primary instructors of their children, but involvement in a good church will provide a tremendous support system.

9. Live out what you know to be true spiritually. You have heard the word before--hypocrite. Essentially a hypocrite is one who says they believe one thing but then does another. The world would be better off with fewer hypocrites. One of the goals in leaving a spiritual legacy is that we should live in such a way that we are not hypocritical. We act according to what we say we believe. Yes, we all make mistakes - that is part of being human - but there is a big difference between making a one-time mistake and lifestyle patterns that conflict with what you say you believe. If you want people to take your spiritual legacy seriously, then this is an issue to settle in your life.

10. Love others. In all things, act in love. If you can't say that what you are doing, or saying, or even thinking, falls under the category of love, then don't do it. The Bible says "God is Love." If God is described that way, then we would do well to strive to emulate Him and live the kind of lives that are characterized by love.

Folks, you will leave a legacy of some sort. The powerful thought is that we get to choose what kind it will be. Take some time this week to think through what kind of spiritual legacy you will leave behind. Will people be better off spiritually by your actions, your words, your very life? Let's all make it a goal that the people we come in contact with will indeed be spiritually uplifted.

Outsourcing (Homebusiness Ideas)

Many people think it costs thousands of dollars to hire other people to build a business on the Internet.That's a myth!In reality, you can outsource the "drudge work" of building your business -- and get twice as much done in half the time -- for as little as $200.
But in order to do this cheaply and effectively, you have to know which jobs to outsource -- and how to choose the right person for the job.

Here's how you do it.... Top 3 Jobs to Outsource:
1. Website Design: Good news! Site design costs a fraction of what it used to. You can hire great designers to build terrific sites for as little as $100.Just post a "designer wanted" ad at one of these two popular freelance sites:eLance.com
RentACoder.com
Web designers from all over the world will bid on your ad. You can choose the person or company who will do the best job for the lowest price. Best of all, it's free to post an ad at these two sites -- and there's no obligation for you to use anyone who bids on your job.

2. Programming: If you're not a computer programmer and your site needs some programming -- say, to set up a shopping cart or add a custom feature like an opt-in form -- then hire someone to do it!Computer programming isn't the sort of thing you learn how to do overnight -- no matter how smart you are. If you hire a freelancer through Rentacoder.com, you'll find someone who can do the job in hours instead of days.Fact: I have met many entrepreneurs who hired a programmer or designer through eLance.com or RentACoder.com -- and have continued to use them for years with massive success!

3. Writing: If you want to write an eBook, a book, or a course -- and you're not a professional writer yourself -- put together an outline describing what you want and then hire someone else to write it for you. You're guaranteed to get a better product faster.How much will it cost you? Well, we have lots of clients who have hired professional to write and edit 100+ page eBooks -- for less than $650. (Okay... so it ain't "dirt cheap" -- but when you work out the hourly rate it's still pretty darn good).Just remember -- you'll save yourself money and get a better product if you present the writer with a detailed outline of what you want them to write.And where can you find good writers for the job? You guessed it... eLance.com.You may be asking yourself, "How much will it cost to get my entire site done by other people?" Well, I did a little searching on eLance.com and found the following info, based on all of their transactions:
Service (Web Development, Graphic Design, Writing, Audio, Video, Multimedia)
Lowest Cost:$250
Average Cost:$2,000

In my experience, the money I spend outsourcing jobs nearly always results in greater profits. That's because it frees up my time so I can stay one step ahead of the competition and bring a best-selling product to market before anyone else does.When you find someone you think you want to hire, remember these important tips:
Take the time to set your expectations down in writing -- so the person you hire knows exactly what they are. That way, you'll eliminate confusion or misunderstanding -- which will save you time and money in the long run.
Before you hire people, check their references! Pick up the phone and actually call their previous employers. If I'm going to hire someone to write an ebook for me, I want to be 100% sure they're good writers who can do the job! The only way to know for sure is to interview people who hired them in the past.
Set deadlines -- and make sure penalties are in place if the deadlines are missed. This may sound harsh, but if you are trying to run a business you want to make sure everyone involved is motivated to work towards the same goal.

Now, if you're on a real shoe-string budget and the prices quoted above seem a bit steep, don't despair. You don't HAVE to outsource any work. It's totally possible to do everything yourself -- even if you don't know the first thing about programming or website design. You'll just have to invest more time in learning how to do these things yourself, which means it'll take you a bit longer to get to the finish line.But once your profits start rolling in... you can reinvest some of them in your business and start outsourcing your "drudge work," too! It's a great way to grow your business bigger, FASTER.