I'm Barbara Casey, and I've been helping home based business owners create and market the business of their dreams since the mid 1990s.

Home based businesses represent a huge, growing segment of the marketplace. And a wonderful opportunity for "regular" people like you and me to gain recognition and a good income through our own creative efforts.

If you want to truly grow your income, there are a few aspects about your business we need to look at... especially if the income you were expecting hasn't materialized yet.

Critical Question #1:

Do you love what you're doing? If not, why are you "beating a dead horse?" Let's find a business you can put your heart and soul behind, with the resources you have at hand. Read about "soul niche" coaching here.

Critical Question #2:

Have you gone through all your friends and acquaintances and are wondering where to offer your products, services and opportunities next? My specialty is soul niches. You'll want to figure out who your ideal clients are and tailor a marketing plan that will make them want to do business with you.

Critical Question #3:

Have you done the homework for marketing your business effectively? As a business owner, you wear many hats, including "self promotion and marketing expert." Do you know how to write ads and press releases, conduct a direct mail campaign, get free publicity, draft an engaging "elevator speech?" Here's a short list of quality resources for do-it-yourself marketing and publicity.

We gotta know this stuff:

This is not something you can leave up to a marketing consultant... or to chance. As a home based business owner, you'll want a clear idea of the marketing methods that work best for you, because you're the one who'll be passionately promoting your offerings, whether in person, in writing or on the internet.

Critical Question #4:

Do you have your OWN business website? This is in addition to any generic website offered through your business opportunity or network marketing organization?

It's all well and good to point people to your online ordering site, but how do you get them there in the first place? People search for specific solutions to problems on the internet. What problem are you helping them solve? THAT'S what your own business website should be about. It convinces visitors that you have what they want and need and points them to the place they can get it - instantly.

Again, it helps if you do your homework. I recommend that you read (take notes, highlight and underline) Make Your Site Sell, if you're serious about building an online business presence.

For making do-it-yourself websites, here are three options I'm familiar with:

Critical Question #5:

What's the plan? You've fashioned a cool elevator speech, so you can tell prospective clients what you do in a way that makes them want to know more.

You've learned how to write mouth-watering ads and you've read Joan Stewart's "Kick Butt" publicity book. How do you put it all together in a consistent marketing plan that makes you a "household name" amongst your target audience?

This is where you clarify your "Soul Niche." Are you ready to stand out from the crowd? Do you love it when clients are referred to you by previous clients because your name comes to mind first? Carving out your territory in the marketplace makes marketing MUCH EASIER, because now you know who your prospective clients are... and, therefore, you know where to find them.

When your business is clearly defined in your own mind, it'll be that much easier for prospective clients to understand it, too.

So, the plan is:

1. Determine your soul niche (love what you do)

2. Identify your audience (know for whom you do it)

3. Create a mouth-watering message (in a passionate voice)

4. Make your presence known (online and offline)

5. Market consistently and repeatedly to the right people (who want, need, and can pay for your products and services)

Like I did, you can learn to do all this yourself, using the resources I have referenced, for starters.

Or... you can check out my e-books, teleclasses and hands-on tutorials.

The thing is... a really good business niche can not only make your heart sing, it can also make you famous in your field. That's the whole idea of "soul niches."

Sincerely,
Barbara Casey