My dad often tells me how he had some nice shares of some stock that he sold that later went through the roof in the 1980’s & 1990’s. Of course in the late 1950’s and 1960’s most people did not consider the potential of those stocks. Frankly many stockholders did not envision the skyrocketing growth that occurred.

And of course there other variables that prevented him from keeping his investments in hold. At the time he needed the small return that was gained at the time. Which he has no regrets about. But there is a lesson to be learned from all of this and the many similar life experiences that are related to finance and business.

So let’s take the lesson and apply it to our Internet business. In fact the Internet adds a variable or two to the mix. How’s that? Before we get to that let’s review the overall lesson and how it relates to our Internet business.

Using my dad’s story as the object lesson here the message or principle is clear. #1: you must make sound decisions in the present and add #2: consider the realistic potential of the future.

#2 is the part that my dad regrets. Although he made sound decisions in the present he wishes he had spent more time calculating the changes that were ahead. He wishes he had developed a longer range plan to account for the now and the future.

This is important in our Internet business. Regardless of what our niche, market, or area of expertise we clearly need to work for the best immediate results but also have a long range plan. Now some of you are saying right now “no kidding goof ball, who doesn’t know that?”

The reality is my dad said the same thing back when. Yes understanding the concept of planning ahead and planning ahead are two different things. Think about it.

For one there is that point we made about the added variables the Internet brings. Part of the long range plans need to constantly be given contingency plans and/or adjustments. Why? Because the Internet is still evolving. And as much as we try to project what is coming we will never foresee everything that is coming.

That said the more we learn about the Internet and what its capacity is now, the more accurate we can be about where it is heading. With that in mind be ready for the changes as they come. What does all this mean?

What it means is that you should literally write out a series of goal and strategies. You should have a plan for the month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 year, and 5 years out. No really, you should. Notice that you are making goals and strategies. What’s the difference?

The fact is that you will probably not reach all of your goals but you should have a high success rate with your strategy. Yes your goals are things you wish to attain or a level to reach. Your strategy is how you are going to get there and more. Your strategy will also include the grunt work of your business. Yes details are important.

And part of that will include analyzing the present state and the potential future state of the Internet and your business. How can you prepare for the growing Internet? What can you do now to make the transitions seamless?

Successful people are not usually surprised by the future they are usually changing with it. Of course there is a need for patience and practicality. Do not try and manipulate or guess the future. Yes there is always risk with some parts of business. Certainly the example we used of the stock market is proof of that. But the stocks that my dad refers too were very predictable in many ways. I am not suggesting that anyone could have foreseen the extent of the rise in the stock. But there is no question that the companies involved had a clear path of many years of growth in front of them.

Now the Internet is not risky at all. The specific business you are in will have its own degree of risk and gain. You need to figure that out. It really comes down the more you put in the more you get out. But that has the reality of being organized with it.

Just starting out in your Internet business? Have you had a web page for a while and you aren’t happy with the results? Or maybe you have yourself a nice Internet business and you just want to keep it going or develop it more?

Then take time to regularly write out your plans of attack. Again make specific goals and strategies for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years out. And follow them as well as adjust them as needed. Make sure you allow study time for following the trends of your business and the Internet is general. Make note of certain patterns that point to future change and possibilities.

And the end of the day don’t get caught saying “if I only knew then”.

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

Picture this. You have been traveling over the hill side and through the winding worn in trails of the forest. Your horses are taking you and your family from your farm to the closest town. As you approach the gate of entry you see people coming and going as life in the town is bustling.

The excitement is now building as you enter the town. Riding through the main street you see crowds of people wondering through the marketplace. They are buying any number of things from the local vendors. Farmers have brought in produce and grains, the blacksmith has horse shoes and furnace tools, some women are displaying quilts and clothing materials, and on and on. People are buying and selling all around you.

In fact from the days currency became a part of society people have been buying and selling things. The amazing thing is however that the Main St or Town Square has grown into a global community all because of the Internet. Add that with the effective delivery capability and you have yourself an open marketplace.

In order to be successful as an e-tailor you also need to maintain a proper degree of professionalism. Even in the picture we painted above those vendors worked hard at earning a reputation of giving good services and offering quality products.

Okay so you have your web page operating and you are selling products on line. How can you be professional?

For starters how does you web page look? Is it easy to follow? Does it show you put some thought into it? Can I tell pretty quickly what you are? Yes a brief description of who are you and what you do is always a professional approach.

Are your products easy to sift through? Do you offer simple descriptions of your products? Is the price clear? Is the information accurate? Too often people find things on line only to find they don’t have it anymore. It is important to keep your site up to date.

Are your delivery methods clearly stated? Are all the options well stated? Are you 100% on top of your deliveries? Do you have top notch and reliable delivery procedures? Will the product arrive when you say it will?

How about your return policies? Are they easy and reasonable? Are you a pleasant experience to deal with?

Are you available for questions or problems? I cannot believe the amount of sites that do not provide email or phone numbers in plain site. Your customer shouldn’t have to waste hours trying to resolve a problem. Of course there is nothing unprofessional about providing an FAQ section on your web page. Oftentimes people can resolve or answer their own question by visiting the frequently asked questions. But some people want to speak to or correspond with the people who sold them the product. And why shouldn’t they be able to?

While many of these things may appear to be common sense the fact is it helps to have a reminder now and again to be a professional and remember what it is like to be a consumer. After all they are giving you there money.

So don’t forget things like having a simple payment procedure and not misrepresenting anything about you or your products. Remember you can form a bond that may lead to many more sales if you are professional and accommodating. Return sales are a significant part of retail in fact. And return sales are largely based on customer satisfaction. So it is undeniably worth giving your site and your business practices the professional touch.

Ironically this will also set you apart from your competition. Because just as sure as we are encouraging you to be more detailed and professional there are many who do not think it matters or that it is important. They will continue to let down their customers and present themselves in a uncaring manner and wonder why they are not doing well. Or they will be too lazy to take a few moments here and there to review our business methods.

But you don’t have to be like that. Hopefully you won’t be. Hopefully this article will motivate you to maintain a professional image. And don’t kid yourself into thinking that it takes an extraordinary effort to follow through with this plan of action. Because it really doesn’t.

In all honesty it usually is a result or mixture of knowledge and caring. Do you possess both?

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

It’s Hammer-Time! Remember Hammer-Time? You music hip-hoppers do!

Known by his mother as Stanley Burrell, he became a famous pop star artistically known as MC Hammer. The height of his career started in the late 1980’s and carried somewhat into the 1990’s.

Aside from his rap style pop music he had a flare for costume style grooming. He was very famous for the flamboyant Hammer pants. They were his version of what was called parachute style pants. To many it was probably ridiculous. Some maybe even were turned off by his act and his dress. However others were obviously attracted by it.

Frankly these types of things are usually calculated by a marketing team. Ironically he likely did it in the beginning “just because”. Stanley was probably just being Stanley. But believe me when he was signed by a label everything he did was reviewed and examined.

You see the fact is any and all type of business has a target market. Sure you would like to appeal to the masses but that is rarely the case. I mean even something as simple as owning a restaurant follows the creed of knowing your market and targeting that market. For example a pizza shop does not try to appeal to the crowd who prefer fine dining. As well McDonald’s doesn’t focus on health food nuts in their ads.

Ironically MC Hammer and his management lost their target somewhere. Because over time his audience changed and he did not change with them. Primarily his music was geared toward the youth, as most music is, but more of a inner city crowd. Often made up of urbanites. More black and Spanish kids at that. This mostly is because it was believed that this audience would be more likely to purchase his music.

Over a course of time however the inner city urbanites were buying a darker and more edgy style rap music that had a different message than that of MC Hammer. His audience meanwhile was becoming a predominantly “white” suburban audience. Now that in itself was not a bad thing. But his sales were dropping because the “white” audience at that time was not as hip on the hip hop. So sales were not up to par. Of course it may also be that his style was just not fresh anymore but that is hard to quantify.

But the fact is he hurt himself by not being on top of his audience or adapting to the changes. To make matters worse, he tried to regain his original audience by becoming edgier and more “street wise”. But it was too late and came across disingenuous by the audience he was trying to get back. And then his new audience was also lost.

What is the lesson in all this you must be asking by now? The answer to that is simple. Don’t make the same mistake that old Stanley and many others make. Be true to yourself but also be aware of your target “audience”.This will lead to the need to be flexible.

Now being flexible can be tricky to some degree. For one thing it is not an exact science. On the other hand there is plenty of margin for error. It in fact can be fun. Hey and sometimes life and business is all about riding the wave as long as we can make it last. So don’t be intimidated or worried about being flexible.

The reality is that your Internet business can have a longer shelf life than a music career. But like music and many other industries, things change. People like the same thing over and over but they also like new additions and fresh ideas. The challenge is maintaining your identity while creating an evolution of development.

It doesn’t have to be drastic nor do you have to reinvent the wheel. The good thing is that this means you are not locked into a box either. You know the old cliché? Think outside the box. Well here is your chance.

Yes being professional doesn’t mean you have to follow a rigid formula or that you cannot take chances. Take the examples we gave earlier. Even MC Hammer rode a big wave for awhile. And during his ride he was a professional in his field while being flexible. He pioneered a look, some dance moves, and provided some entertainment for a whole generation.

Or take McDonald’s. While they are not a health food restaurant they put their fingerprint on franchising and broadened the scope of a fast food eatery all at the same time. And they have stepped out of the box a time or two while doing it!

What about you and your Internet business than? Are you web blogger? Then continue to refine your writing. Do you provide your readers with content they want from you? Do you keep it fresh and consistent?

Are you a web designer? Do you design a web site geared at enhancing the business it showcases? Or do you just build a site that you feel comfortable with? What a web site needs is to reflect the personality of the company or blog that is displaying. You need to provide that in a professional manner. Yet at the same time you need to push the envelope to the degree it works. Nice challenge! And worth every minute of your effort.

Are you a Virtual Assistant, a Freelance Contractor or a Consultant? Again do you know what your target audience needs? Are you always trying to improve your abilities and offer more efficient services? Are you willing to change when change is beneficial?

And the list goes on as well as the questions and challenges do. The principle is not as much what Internet business and service it is that you offer. It is the professionalism that you put into preparation, maintainability, flexibility, and paying attention to your market and its needs.

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

You and your family are driving one Sunday afternoon to attend a graduation party being held in an area you are not familiar with. You thought you had reliable directions but it turns out they were not as complete as you were led to believe.

When you left your house you were confident nonetheless because the person who supplied those directions sounded pretty confident and thorough. However as more and more discrepancies occurred you finally stop to get better directions.

Oddly enough the person who you are now asking directions from at first appears a little suspicious. Suspicious in the sense that they looked like they were not very sure of anything. In fact when you first ask them for directions to the location you were searching, they hesitated for a moment. But then they got out a map and gave you very detailed directions. In fact they made sure you understood what they said before they let you go on your way.

And not only did they make sure the directions were clear to you, they offered you free drinks to take with you on your travel. Already feeling relieved and confident, you have this strange but reassuring feeling that you definitely know where you are going now. Yes, you thought were confident before with the original directions, but this was more than confidence you were feeling now. You knew the person that you requested directions from along the way actually knew what he was talking about.

In fact at the party you couldn’t tell enough people about how that person helped you. Some of the locals even knew the person you were talking about. You heard a few people say “oh they are wonderful people, and know how to take care of their customers” and “you can always trust them for help”.

Even after the party on the way home you stop in the business and buy a few items just to say thanks and show your gratitude. And anytime you are in the area you would stop there again and again to patronize their business and say hello.

What made these people so trustworthy and helpful? The fact that they were truthful and accurate? That was part of it. The reality is they were professional!

Yes, being a professional is a package or a culmination of all things it takes to be a provider of good sound business. They listened patiently, they seriously thought, they responded kindly, they were accurate, they were clear, they made sure you understood, they went the extra mile, and they were not “in your face” sales people. All this amounted to thoroughness, pleasantness, kindness, taking care of the needs and emotions of their customer. Making the customer feel important.

Think about this. Directions are simply a form of advice are they not? It realistically can also be considered a service too.

However simple or complicated we often need help. And the help business is enormous these days. That is certainly the case on the Internet. That is not going to change. In fact one area this manifests itself is in the Internet consulting business.

True, there are a variety of fields of consulting. Practically speaking that does not change the need to be professional. Whether you are offering web design or helping create a warehouse software program you need to be a professional in order to be successful. Yes no matter what area of consulting you provide, you have to be professional.

Now it goes without saying that you need to know what you are doing. Recall in our opening story you can’t fake your way through a business. Remember the first person who gave the directions sounded like they knew what they were talking about? In the end it turned out they were full of doggy doo doo. That became even more apparent when a professional was consulted and they provided the “goods”.

But as we are trying to point out being a professional consultant goes beyond just knowing what we are doing. So ask yourself some questions to examine your level of professionalism.

How about this. Are you clear on the areas you can help in? Are you honest about it or do you just give the appearance that you are? Are you kind and pleasant to work with? Are you punctual and judicious in your work? Are you truly interested in giving your customer the help they need and desire?

Do you offer your services at a reasonable market value? Is getting paid more important to you than doing an excellent job? Are you looking to squeeze every last cent from your customers when the reality is that doing the little things can result in more business?

Are you continuing to learn the latest applications and keeping your customers aware of all of their options? Do you know how to balance giving the customer what they want and yet warning them of problems that could result from a bad idea?

Yes being the one a customer calls upon for that service you professionally provide is very rewarding indeed. And if you do your best to be all the things it takes to be a professional you will make some money as a trusted Internet Consultant. And you will be recommended by others to others.

So be a real professional and not a bunch of hot air. You will be recognized and people will seek you out.

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

“Can you give me a hand?”

Isn’t a great feeling to be able to come to someones rescue? Especially when it is an area of your expertise. And guess what? You don’t have to sit around and hope someone needs your help. Because the landscape is chock full of people who need your help. Especially via the Internet. That is your cue.

Yeah, we live in a do it yourself world and there are plenty of assistance programs. But in the end there is still quite a demand for virtual assistants and independent freelance services.

The fact is that more and more companies are turning to VA’s or contractors. For many this is a way to cut the expense of an in house staff. It also allows for the hiring of someone who specializes in the area of work that needs to be done.

Hiring a VA brings many benefits all around. Overall the bottom line is you usually get a professional result and you do not have all the obligations that go with having an employee. And the fact that VA’s can do much of their work via the Internet opens the market. You can offer your services worldwide for instance. And vice versa, companies can seek VA help from the world over at competitive pricing.

Considering that the VA covers areas from word processing, database management, and Internet research to medical and/or legal transcription gives you an idea of the scope of the business. But that is not all. Many VA’s do things like email marketing, bulk mailings, reminder services, information processing, and the like. And many are adept in web design and development. And then you have VA’s that provide event planning and meeting set ups including Internet meetings.

And there are VA’s that provide desktop publishing, editing, writing, and bookkeeping services. The best part is that if you capsulize all of this together you can see why the demand is growing for most of these services. Yes the stock is up in the Virtual Assistance and Independent Freelancer.

According to some reports I saw, VA’s claim to make an average of $25 an hour. Of course that varies on what services you provide and the area in which you are providing such services. For example a company in New York City will probably be prepared to pay more than a company in Fargo, North Dakota. And it may also depend on you competition to some degree.

For example if a company is Internet savvy and regularly uses Internet VA’s from around the world they will have a broader base to draw from. And people from various countries will desire an income relative to the country they live in.

For instance I have a friend from Florida, USA that uses a Virtual a digital illustrator from Argentina. For starters he is very, very good and he is very reasonable because he is from Argentina. Of course all of this is part of the learning curve of using and being a VA or any other type of independent Internet service provider.

The irony of this business is that the changing and fluctuating economy is pointing a neon arrow into the direction of hiring a VA. And for those who understand what it means to be a professional you will stick out even more so.

Yes the harsh reality is that a percentage of people offering virtual assistance are lazy, unreliable, and have a poor work ethic. This only makes the professional all the more desired and sought after.

Hey don’t take my word on this. Take some time and do a little search engine search of your own. See how the VA market has expanded.

Which leads us to another angle. You successful VA’s out there you may be missing out on an opportunity. Yes do you know there are qualified and top notch workers out there that are bad at finding work. And here you are turning work down because, well, you are just one person. LIGHT BULB!

Why not find some of those valued workers and sub out some work to them. You can make a few greenbacks just for getting them work. And check this out. When you want to take some time off you will have someone or someones to farm out some work to so that you don’t get behind or totally lose out on income! Yeah baby!
You see how all of this comes together? It’s a virtual no brainer. You just need to do your homework and also upgrade your skill set to fit the demand or demands. Oh and there are plenty of places to get the training needed as well as how to learn to market your services.

So giddy up VA’s and get a move on!

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

Recently in the USA a wee hour car accident by a global golfing superstar became headline news. Here upon as you were reading the first sentence you immediately knew I was referring to the now infamous Tiger Woods. Likewise some of you were thinking that you are tigered out about all of his whole scandal and wondering why I brought it up.

Lucky for you we are not here to discuss the story. Actually I want to discuss what I see as an even bigger story with a farther reacher impact. The fact is that there is a reason why this story blew up so fast. That is because of a blog! No really.

Thirty Mile Zone is an entertainment web site that was launched on November 8 of 2005. Most of the world knows this site as TMZ. Now regardless of your opinion of what is dubbed as tabloid news the fact is this blog is breaking news stories. Yeah they still have their gossipy treats but just in the last 6 months they have been in the front of the media pack with 2 monster news stories. No kidding!

You bet, not only did they crack the previously mentioned Tiger Woods story but a few months back in July it was this web site blog that was reporting that Michael Jackson had died before anyone else had. Now the point here is not to brag about TMZ and them breaking news or having the scoop before anyone else.

What we are stressing here is the fact that the Internet “blog” industry has grown from the mindless Internet banter to being a part of the mainstream conscience. You can’t watch TV now without some reference to a blog. Whether it is in the plot of a story or quoted as a source of a story.

In essence it has become an integral part of our daily vernacular and people often quote or credit a blog in general conversation. The concept and the acceptance of the blog is also seen in how it is woven into entertainment programming. Face it the blog has evolved into more than a novel idea that is here to stay.

Yes the blog is no longer just an alternative outlet. Indeed blogs are now reviewed and digested as a part of our routine. This should be super-duper news for us bloggers! No doubt the interest of reading blogs is going to continue to rise. Yes the stock is up and rising in the blog world!

That is exactly the reason why blog writers and/or blog developers are tickled pink and upbeat about the opportunity this evolution provides. Yes as the blog is now anticipated that means the blog business is more and more feasible and attractive. No, most of us won’t become as successful as TMZ but that is not the point is it?

The beauty of this is it gives blog operators a new lease on Internet life. You can be small potatoes and still make a nice income. Whether it be a career or supplemental income there is room to grow and flourish. And the market is widening. That does not mean that it is becoming over crowded. No it means it is becoming more diverse.

Let me illustrate. Let’s say you are a musical artist. You have a CD and there are 5 radio stations that play your music. Now say your music is “labeled” as Country. Now in this illustration we are pretending that all the music published is played on these 5 radio stations. Continuing let’s say that you have hundreds of artists showcased and featured on these 5 stations and the stations are succeeding as a result. And everyday there are budding aspiring artists ready to cut their teeth in the market. All of whom are trying to get their music played on those stations.

And while there is opportunity for those artists it is a obviously competitive market. However due to the progress, interest and increasing profit of these stations more radio stations are developed. In addition the established and the new stations become more diverse and begin to design programming based on music genres. You see where we are heading here?

It’s simple. The growth of the industry opens the door for more people to get involved. This makes it more inviting and hopeful for new artists. Not to mention the demand for related work that will require the hiring of people to perform those jobs.

No, not all of the artists will have the same success as others, nor will all the related jobs pay a lot of money. It goes without saying, which is unrealistic, but it does give the market and people who want in on the market a warm and fuzzy feeling. And it should.
This is basically what has and continues to happen to the blog business. One way to sum it up it is to describe it with the old cliché “success breeds success”.

What does all this tell us blog writers and/or operators? It tells you that your investment of time and effort will pay dividends in due time. The interest, applications, and usefulness of blogs are clearly embedded in society and more and more people are embracing it.

This is outstanding news. Now is the time to re-focus on your blog efforts and build a promising following.

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

So there you are out on a date with a wonderful woman who frankly is not that physically stunning. She has a cute face, but it’s her bubbling personality and her genuine inner beauty that has captured your heart. As a result she is looking better to you everyday.

At dinner a quiet moment presents itself and you want to compliment her. You have already told her this evening how nice she is dressed and how it enhances her beautiful face. You have swooned her with remarks about her charm and you just want to lay one more solid encouraging note that she can see that you think things are looking up.

Without thinking however and the pressure building you blurt out the words “hey I am amazed at how little you sweat for a fat chick”. Right at that moment you have the look of “oh my lord please tell me I didn’t just say that out loud”.

Ironically to your pleasant surprise she bursts into laughter and says to you “that is incredible how you can feel so good about us that you can joke about my weight!”

Suddenly you realize wow things really are looking up! When it comes to your relationship, your friendship, and your romance your stock is up and it’s rising! And who can’t be inspired and motivated by that?

And the same can be said about any other pursuit in life, can it not? So we are going to take a look at how the Internet Business landscape is also in good shape and the stock is up and rising in markets and fields they may interest you. We will mainly target what we have identified as the Big Ten here at Bevyhost. Not to be confused with the USA Big Ten NCAA athletic Conference. WE ARE PENN STATE! Oh sorry ………… I lost myself there for a minute.

Before we analyze and consider the Stock Up aspect of the Internet business market let’s set the tone first. Recall the fictitious scenario I laid out in the beginning.

We set the premise as things were already going well and you wanted to reassure your gal or guy that things were on the rise for the better. And when it looked like you stuck your foot in your mouth the result was that things were better than even you thought. Imagine the likely direction things would take if that was a real life scenario?

But the story also shows you how perspective, brutal honesty, and seeing the direction things are going is a great motivator in life. Steady improvements and developments keep us focused and heading in the right direction. And if we slip up it is nice to see that when we landed it didn’t hurt as much as we anticipated. In fact whether we suffered a mild set back or not we were anxious to get back on our feet and right the ship as they say. Get back up on the horse. Or whatever metaphor you prefer.

Ask yourself as you get in front of your computer screen am I getting anywhere? Is there anywhere to get? Where is the market heading? Are the trends good and is the foundation still in place? What do I really know about market I chose to pursue? Do I understand the raw numbers?

What are my goals? Is all about the money? Do I enjoy my field of interest? Is my success or failure hampered by my attitude? Can I change that if it is? Do I have reasonable goals and expectations?

These are the types of questions you need to have answers for. These questions are all the more reason we need to see how the stock is up and the trends are looking good. We can then make adjustments or be rejuvenated about our web business and area of pursuit.

Let me emphasize that the purpose of this exercise is not to blow smoke up anyone’s buttocks. We are not going to investigate these angles just to give false encouragement about the state of Internet business. We are not getting paid to endorse any Internet niche, field, or specific on line business model. We are not here to give you a false positive or to manufacture a Tony Robbins style motivation to try our hands in the Internet and its various genres.

No, quite the opposite. We are here to look at reality. The fact is there are things to be encouraged about when it comes to the Internet and what it has to offer. That does not mean there are not flaws or things to beware of. There is no escaping there are some things we will have to adjust too. Remember our happy couple in the outset of our discussion?

The gal in that scenario had some outward negatives such as her weight. But the gentleman who was wooing her decided to take in all the variables and make a decision based on everything this lady brought to the relationship. As a result he saw a bright future despite the few potential obstacles.

This is the bottom line of what we are going to present. No the Internet is not perfect nor is it easy as pie. But the stock is up and things are very encouraging. Check back and check out the good news.

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

No matter where you are at work or play, there is always that guy or girl who is doing things just a little different. And when they are asked what they are doing they often reply, “I’m doing my own thing”. Maybe you are one of them folks who like to do your own thing or “live to the beat of a different drummer” as they say.

Sometimes it is not so much that you are different as it is you have your own pace of doing things. Or you prefer answering to yourself. Or you work better doing what it is you do best. And there is a market for you.

That is because sometimes people just need what is called a mercenary or a hired gun. They just need someone to complete a specific task for them and that’s it. Over time the world of independent contracting was born. In some fields these contractors are called freelancers.

In the Internet world freelancers are most common in the writing, photography, graphics, design, and programming areas. But whatever the field is, the reality is that the freelancer is already doing it or pursuing it. The more pertinent question is how to promote your services and skills.

Part of what we discuss here is the promotion and application of Internet freelancers. But sometimes seeing is another way to grasp the tips, suggestions, and concepts. So the Close – up series is featuring some sites that are related to the various applications of Internet business. Today we are looking at the freelance world.

Keep in mind, as we look at the examples, we are not analyzing the business on the site but just getting a feel for presentation. We are not endorsing or advertising the company or implying you should not visit this site for their business. It is just an example of how to set up your site of a similar pursuit. And some of the examples we present also may be outlets to utilize for your own venture.

So off we go. Pull up a tab for http://www.ifreelance.com/. Like some Internet businesses, a freelance service is a service that uses the web for advertising and promotion. Ironically you can also use the Net to do your thing. This site is providing a place for people to find freelance services and to offer them.

The Home Page is like a directory. The logo is at the top to the left with the site title iFreelance. Across the top to the right is a tool bar menu where you can seek help and contacts as well as log in. Log in? Yes this site is a member site.

The site is broken into two main categories. Topics inviting “buyers” or people looking for freelance help or “providers” of freelance services. The left column has menu boxes for both and a third menu box for the member. Below that is the valuable search bar. And under that is a banner ad that leads you to an affiliate site. A benefit to your site and theirs.

Two sections in the center/right also feature people from the buyer and provider world. The left section showcases service providers and the right section is presenting jobs looking for providers to complete. They are there for members to bid on or express interest in. The bottom of the home page offers help to freelancers find freelance jobs.

There are other freelance sites set up as a directory that are helpful also. And if you are setting up a directory you should check a couple more out. But what if you want to set up your site to promote yourself?

Honestly the vast majority of freelance providers are offering their services via the directory. Probably because the buyer is trained to look there. Now that is not to say that you can’t set up a simple site that features you and your talents. It is just not going to be as easy to promote your service solely from that site. In fact if you click on some of the freelance providers bidding for jobs posted you will find the company behind the bid.

I randomly picked an example of a gentleman who offers freelance services for animation and music. His name is Dave Poler. His web page is found at http://www.davepoler.com/. Let’s go there for a sample of how he promotes himself and his freelance work from his own web site.

When you get to the first page you find a clever option. Since his work involves more complex work he has things to present that require a flash program. But Dave also knows that many people who search the web are not as up to date as he is. So he offers you the option of a Flash version of his site or an HTML version. Nice touch and one that should be considered if you like the bells and whistles. Remember not everybody can upload a heavy flash site.

The home page for the Flash version is very simple and artsy. He offers video files of his work. He also has a short menu of where you can read his bio, his discography, his live videos, and how to contact him. If you go to the HTML version you get a simple text giving you the same menu options of bio, discography, videos, and contact. And you can try and launch the showcase from there. But if you can’t upload it at least you can still find the pertinent information about Mr Poler and his work. He has quite an impressive resume by the way.

Now it is clear that Dave is not using his site for affiliate income. He does not provide any ads for other sites. This one reason I chose him. Not everybody is interested in the same approach. Dave has his music, his video, and his animation freelance work that he is focused on it appears. This may be your approach as a freelance provider.

Another random example is found at http://www.keynoteonline.com/. This site features the freelance services of Deborah. She has a nice eye catching and yet very simple web site telling us about her and her work. On the Home Page is a nice box that makes it look like we are looking at a page in a book. And if you read the 3 word description of what she does you get the image and it’s connection. She offers Typing, Proofreading, and Editing services.

Under the header words she has a smart little nugget to get you to read the entire site. She invites you to a contest or challenge of sorts. She tells you there is a typing error somewhere on her site and that you will receive $50 of free service if you correctly find it. Contests or offers are always good for a web site. And if you can find a creative way, like her idea, of doing it that is all the more power to you.

She provides a to the point About me page along with Past Projects, and a Contact Me page. She added another cool touch by giving you an Eye/Brain exercise page. It was informative and fun. At the bottom of each of her pages she reminds you that she has been successful at her job for 30 years. This is a good idea. She doesn’t make it look like she is bragging or impressing you but she is telling you she is confident and experienced.

Deborah also is not using her site for affiliate ads. And again she appears to be satisfied with keeping her freelance business as her #1 priority. Both her site and Dave’s I cannot imagine require a huge investment and cost either. Both sites have a subliminal correlation between the appearance of the site and their area of expertise. That is important and another reason why the Close – Up series can be helpful to all of us Internet entrepreneurial freelance tigers.

You know who you are. Freelance guns for hire ask yourself am I maximizing the directories and keeping a solid Internet presence?

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

You know the old saying “seeing is believing”? For better or for worse most of us need visual aides to help us comprehend the accumulation of facts and instructions. And realistically there is nothing wrong with that.

With this principle and reality in mind let us apply it to our ongoing review of Internet business. Let’s take a look at some actual examples of web sites that feature aspects of Internet business apps.

No better place to start then with the site you are presently visiting! The Bevyhost Web Master News site. In all practical purposes this site is a professional blog. Let’s do it!

First off, assuming that you are on the page featuring this article in its entirety, take a look at the top of the page. The set up is the same as the Home Page. In the top left you have the options to view the Home, Archives, and Sitemap.

• Home: is self explanatory. This brings you to the Home page of Bevyhost.
• Archives: also probably self explanatory to most. This will bring you to a page that breaks down the visitor’s option by category, articles by month/date, and a selection of most used or popular tags/keywords.
• Sitemap: Features a list or table of contents of posts

Back on our selected article page roll your eyes across the top to the right and you will see a Search bar featuring the Google search engine. Simply type in a topic of interest and it will direct you to pages on Bevyhost that reference that topic. It will also feature some Google ads that are relevant to that keyword or key phrase. This is a very helpful tool to feature on your blog or site.

Under the top “bar” you have a center section of your head section. Prominently featured to the left is the well designed recognizable logo. Every Internet business will benefit from a log that suits your name.

To the right side of the mid header section is a banner ad. We often discuss banner ads here at Bevyhost WebMaster News. A banner ad, is as you can see, a “billboard” style ad that invites people to click on to it for the expressed purpose to visit and read about what the ad is inviting you to see. It may feature another web page of an affiliate partner or another site of your own. It may even just be a shortcut to a specific page on the site it appears on. Many banners also have images within in them but do not have to have them to be effective.

Under the mid header section you have 4 rectangle boxes to choose from.

• Make Money Secrets: A click here and you are brought to a page that features articles designed to earning or increasing your income by way of Internet applications. Like advertising options,etc.
• Web Master Resources: This “box” gives you the option to click on articles or resources linked to 1- Affiliate Marketing 2 – Contest related posts 3 – Domain name Info 4 – On line Marketing articles 5 – Product and Service reviews 6 – Search Engine Optimization and 7- WebMaster Feeds
• Web Master Forum: Bevyhost’s very own forum where Internet, computer, and general topics are discussed in threads that can be fed by anyone who joins or viewed by anyone for their own enjoyment. We will discuss the Forum in a future article.
• The Directory: The Bevyhost directory is like a table of categories and set up like a standard directory overall.

As you take the time to digest the Bevyhost Web Master News page you will see many other goodies. Of course as you scan the right side of each page you will find a collection of notable banner ads. Each ad is featuring an affiliate and even offers you a space to feature your web page.

Also woven in among the pages are carefully placed Google adsense ads. Usually they are a one line tag text that offers a link for you to go to. Very much like a banner ad but simpler and less “in your face” by some peoples standards. On Bevyhost they are blue color and are underlined and let you know they are courtesy of and set up between you and Google.

The Bevyhost Web Master News site is also clever and a good example in other ways. It offers the viewer easy ways to keep up with what is going on by RSS feeds or email alerts. It also invites you to their Twitter site.

And that’s not all! On the bottom of the feature pages you will find 4 handy boxes.

• Making Money Resources: Inviting you to relevant articles designed to help you see the potential for income on the Net.
• Affiliate Resources: Delves into some computer/software topics related to affiliate marketing.
• Recent Comments: Features what some are replying. You can offer comments also, a feature you should have on your site.
• WebMaster Forum Feeds: Lists some of the feeds that are on the Web Master Forum feed page.

As you can see the Bevyhost page is well designed and very simple to follow. It has eye appeal and is helpful to pros and amateurs. It offers a bevy of options and thus is well named.

At the end of the day the point of this close up is to help you see the potential for your web page. You see the variety of what to offer and the simplicity you should seek. Now that doesn’t mean your site needs to be a carbon copy of this site, of course not. Take the concepts and the principles involved and mold it to your needs and desires.

If you follow this “template” or example of a professional blog you will be on your way to success!

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

A comedian once told this joke. He said “I was in the store the other day and I asked the guy behind the counter, can I melt dry ice and get wet?” The person behind the counter looks at me and says “I don’t know I better ask my manager Steve”.

Now whether you get a chuckle out of the dry humor it reminds of something we are all familiar with. No matter what situation we are in there is always “that person” someone suggests asking for information. Yes, there are people out there who are the “knower’s” and providers of information.

An example of this in the Internet world is the Internet Research business. Indeed there are many applications for the need of Internet Researchers. Today we are going focus on what I call the information providers, people who make specific information available and offer it via a web site. Sometimes it is free to the web surfer and others are subscription sites. Both are examples to those of you thinking about setting up a site like this.

There are those among us who are very talented at gathering needed and useful information and presenting it in a logical and organized fashion, making life easy for those of us who need such information. You providers have an opportunity to help your fellowman and have a nice Internet business going on. Here are 2 examples.

Oh and remember these 2 examples were chosen by me and not paid ads. I am using them a general examples and not suggesting you use their site or not to use their site. We are strictly interested in how they present their service so we can get an idea of how we could offer ours.

The first one to take a look at is http://www.mapquest.com/. Chances are many of us have used this site. Its primary function is to provide maps and directions.

The Home Page is full of info and choices but not overly cluttered in my opinion, which is good. You don’t want people asking themselves “oh my, what do I do next?” as they are looking at your home page. In fact right at the very top is a tool bar of a few simple choices. One of them is a link to AOL.com which is probably the sponsor for mapquest. A sponsor is a big reason the site is free for you and I to use and a way for AOL to increase their business.

Across the very top to the right is a site search bar, always a good idea. Below the very top line is the mapquest logo and another set of options to choose from in the form of a site menu. You got maps, directions, yellow pages, local, and gas prices to choose from, each providing self explanatory and useful information.

The main section of the site is for directions and maps. To the right of the directions is a prominent banner ad. This is a great revenue maker for your site. This site features this one main one but you may offer more. That is not the only ads and money generators they have however.

Scroll down below the map section and you will see a row of banner/image links. The section is titles Mapquest Tips, Features, and Partners. This is very clever because it mixes presentation of other helpful types of information you can read and it offers a chance to visit some affiliate sponsors. Likely the partners are paying for their presence on the site. Again that is a great way to earn some income by providing ads and links to affiliate partners.

There is also a link to a Mapquest blog and many options at the bottom of the page leading people to other AOL related links. Also demonstrating that you can branch off from your already established Internet business and create a site like Mapquest providing a specific information service and increase promotion for your original business. This is in essence what AOL is doing with mapquest.

Another example is a company providing information for a niche market. Please visit http://beta.beckett.com/. They specialize in the sports collectible arena. For many years the Beckett Company has published magazines for sports collectors to purchase that gives a list of the market value of items such as sports cards. As a result of the massive popularity and the simplicity of the Internet they now offer this member site for the same purpose. It is a paid subscription site.

As you can see on the Home page they also take advantage of advertising. Some of which features items you can purchase from their collectible sales partners. In fact the home page features a prominent banner ad across the top of the page.

Below the banner is a tool bar related to the Beckett site. Parallel to that on the right side of the page is where members can log in or information of how or why you can join. The mid section of the page offers more selections of how to use and benefit from the Beckett site. For example there are message boards and forum type options available. Of course they have a search bar there for your convenience, which is always a must or at least a should.

Now keep in mind however that most of the site is only available to members, which brings us to one quick note. This site is a prime example of how you can turn research and data into a income. Keep in mind that sports collectibles continue to fluctuate in market value and there are always new items put out virtually every day. So they are working behind the scenes to remain up to date with the information and managing the web site by the minute. So part of your member fee is for them to earn money, but also they are working for that money.

So you research gurus out there, maybe this is you gig? Yes Internet research is a job prevalent in the medical and legal fields but it also manifests itself in the form of the examples we have provided today. Beckett offers subscriptions starting at $18 USD a month. So you can do the math and project the potential of what is out there in some niche markets. Now keep in mind there are operating costs. The more involved the site is the more the cost will be to run it. But that is a standard business reality.

Anyway ……. this is something to investigate. Do you have the ability or the access to needed information? Perhaps you can make it available through a free site and earn income through sponsors and ads. Or maybe the information you can provide is worth it to many enough that they would pay a member fee to have it available?

I think you know what you need to do now.

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

As the lens of your eye focuses on an image light reaches the retina in a pattern of sorts. Technically speaking the retina is a part of your brain that converts those patterns into a neuronal signal. In a very complicated and amazing process the brain can interpret these signals and your visual perception becomes sight. And boy don’t we appreciate that?

Easy right? Actually do we really care? I mean especially when it works that is. And so it is we benefit greatly from the eye and the brain connection. In fact often times, site and knowledge back each other up. For that reason we have added this series of Close – Up to use actual web pages as visual examples of Internet businesses we discuss here.

Today we visit the world of VA. Yes virtual assistance is an ever growing field serving an ever growing market. Part of finding work in the VA business is promoting you services. Naturally having an Internet presence is a must.

Aside from maintaining your site however there is the directory concept. Now the word directory can be self explanatory but it does have some broader meaning when it comes to Internet application. For a prime example we go to http://www.virtualassistants.com/.

Remember using this site as a reference is to show an example of something that is being done in this field. It may help you set up your site and/or help you see the options out there for you in this vocation. As a reminder then we are not endorsing or taking anything away from what virtualassistants.com has to offer. That is for you to decide. But let’s look at how they go about presenting themselves.

At first glance the Home Page is very professional and has a nice moderate use of colors. They have a memorable and yet simple logo next to the title of the page. Across the header to the far right is a nice photo image of a face. It subtly is giving the visitors a visual idea of what one of the VA’s working for them look like. It’s a clever idea I think because people like to have a face to relate to and from a trusting bond. Down the left column is a nice striking menu.

Your choices of are:

• Post Jobs: A business can post a job and the VA company will look for a VA for the job.
• Become a VA: Gives you the opportunity to become a VA.
• VA’s Only: This is for members of the VA.com staff. Which could be you.

In a column to the right there is a log in choice for members. Below is a menu with sections like:

• In the Spotlight: Has testimonials, registration, an invitation, and view current jobs.
• In the News: And informative section for perspective and existing VA’s.
• Extra, Extra: Offers newsletter, VA items, and more.

All of these areas are laid out nicely and offer a wide array of info and choices for beginner to pro. That is always a good idea for you site. It is very effective to be helpful to as many people as you reasonably can. It is important not to mix the two together if possible. Meaning professionals do not want to waste their time reading things regarding beginners. And conversely rookies can be lost in a sea of advanced information meant for professionals.

Take a moment or two and analyze this site and how it is presented but also consider the wide audience they are appealing to. You can determine if you would like their help or the help of a site like theirs to promote your existing service if you indeed already have one.

The end game is simple. Blend the knowledge and desire you have to be a successful VA with the visual guides of those ahead of you on the business and experience level. Now get at it!

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.

If you ever had a yard sale you know it is much more successful to have a community yard sale. In addition to getting the word out on a larger scale, the fact that there are multiple families hosting a sale is more of an incentive for visitors to stroll by.

Well this principle is not lost in many niche markets. As you surf the web you will find many associations, groups, society, and so on in such markets as songwriting, poetry, and arts/crafts. Today we are going to take a close – up look at the arts and crafts arena.

In order to help us get an idea of how to present and arts and crafts web page we are going to take a look at a couple web sites in the arts and crafts niche. The first site we are going to visit is also an example of the community concept we started our discussion with. So not only is it an example of presentation but it may be an outlet for you to help jump on this community to help boost your own exposure and the arts and crafts market all together.

Let’s visit the Arts and Crafts Society at http://www.arts-crafts.com/. The header is very nice and in the spirit of expression and the arts. The logo of sorts is very inviting and the artsy font is classic. Immediately you are given a tool bar with some interesting options.

• Articles: A variety of topics are discussed and provided.
• Events: Give a schedule and some brief history/description of events.
• Marketplace: Features a chance for crafters to become a part of what they call “the movement”.
• Bookstore:Offers a wide array of publications related to Arts and Crafts.
• Forum: Is an opportunity to share and learn as you have discussions with others like you. (Also FAQ)
• Homes: An interesting twist I thought. This presents arts and crafts homes for sale

On the home page there is a left column that is a menu providing information connected to the web site articles and events concerning the Arts and Crafts Society. In the middle of the page you have a welcome section describing the intentions and mission of the Society and their web site. Following the Welcome, and continuing in the middle the site gets right into articles.

In a column to the right they offer a craftsman spotlight and then tease you with some things available in their bookstore. Nicely tucked in between these 2 features is a link to the site forum.

Okay it is always valuable to offer a mission/welcome statement that explains and gives people a reason to get excited about your page and what it has to offer. Their “Welcome” paragraph is very good, concise, brief, and enticing.

The variety of things the site offers is well presented. None of the pages are overly cluttered and confusing. They walk a nice line between being a society for a genre and offering help and exposure to participants. With that in mind the forum is very beneficial. Yes a forum is helpful to your site and helpful to those who contribute and follow along.

The site is very light in the affiliate ads although selling books and offering artisans exposure is a type of affiliation. But you do not have many banners or ad tag lines.

Now take a look at this site http://www.urbanartsandcrafts.com/ . This is a snazzy looking site that has pages with a scrap book appearance. This site is an on – line supply store that is run by the Urban Arts and Crafts store in Kansas City, MO USA.

The tool/option bar across the top from the right toward the center gives you categories to click on.

• Beads
• Yarns
• Papers
• Ribbons
• Buttons
• Fabrics

They provide their email in a clever tacked on note and offer some gift ideas in a ribbon box. They offer more links on their site under the choices of -

1. Shop
2. Look
3. Learn Something

Overall their use of images and photos in the scrap book style is very innovative and theme related. Each page has more choices that break down the categories for you. There is plenty for the beginner and the expert. The site is also presents the personality of the owner. That offers a fresh and committed touch.

So all you creative people take notice! You are not alone, you have a wonderful community. You have a market of creative consumers who are looking for product already made and people who want to get their hands on. Review these sites and learn from the way they present and work in conjunction with their business aim.

Then cater your site to your needs and goals!

		Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed
		Follow BevyHost on Twitter

Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.