tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33629863267260643652024-03-14T05:07:31.607-06:00TheWishPlaceTheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-24187235582475329712011-05-23T19:51:00.002-06:002011-05-23T19:53:39.192-06:00Help Moms Stay at Home with their Children<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMqfH2MB_eJ7-nqa1c53-47dtii8dk3DfF319gmEcJCHAzTLs-Cm7lkgDEH9PUx85OmsNMmyb5wDJ0ErIkNRc_6uBpDPtAIF0pR8Q87BJe4IO3oC6o7K186K4XloWfQZwc4yevp4KRYk/s1600/bbm+peerbackers.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMqfH2MB_eJ7-nqa1c53-47dtii8dk3DfF319gmEcJCHAzTLs-Cm7lkgDEH9PUx85OmsNMmyb5wDJ0ErIkNRc_6uBpDPtAIF0pR8Q87BJe4IO3oC6o7K186K4XloWfQZwc4yevp4KRYk/s200/bbm+peerbackers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610094631802000690" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="entry-content"> <div><span style="color:#000000;">For a while now I have been working on taking <strong><span style="color:#99cc00;">Buy By Mom</span></strong> to the next level…the site needs re-building and it needs a professionally developed Media/PR Package.<br /><br /></span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;">Well…Great News this week! I just received notice this week that I am a semifinalist of the Moms In Business Grant!</span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;">The National Association For Moms In Business’ grant program <a href="http://www.momsinbusinessgrant.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#000000;">www.momsinbusinessgrant.com</span></a> allows me to build my business ( <strong><span style="color:#99cc00;">Buy By Mom</span></strong>) capital by harnessing the power of crowd funding to take <strong><span style="color:#99cc00;">Buy By Mom</span></strong> to the next level so I can help even more Moms in business!<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;color:#000000;" >About my Venture<br /></span></strong></span><span style="color:#000000;">The purpose of <strong><span style="color:#99cc00;">BuyByMom.com</span></strong> is to promote moms in business and get them out on the web. My passion is for the moms who want to stay at home with their children while bringing in an income by selling the items they create or the products they believe in. A friend of mine started an online boutique and tried so hard to market it and get word out about the products that she offered. However, in over 2 years, she only ever made 2 sales from the boutique. She was heartbroken. All the time, money, and effort she was putting into the website was bringing her nothing in return. She was frustrated, to say the least, and decided to close up shop.</span> <p><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#99cc00;">BuyByMom.com</span></strong> was born because I wanted to keep that from happening to other moms. I wanted to see mothers succeed in their businesses and be able to stay at home with their children. I wanted to spread the word about the amazing talents moms possess and I wanted to see them succeed beyond their wildest dreams in your business. I truly believe that by working together, we can make each mom a success.</span></p> <p><span style="color:#000000;"> This new way of fundraising process allows all persons, even those with very little to give, to show their support and be a part of something big. </span></p></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;">The Moms In Business Grant is the first-ever crowdfunding business grant in the nation, and I’m one of the Top 10 National Semifinalists!</span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;"><br />This is an exciting opportunity for me to grow my business and to have a chance at a $12,000 Grand Prize Grant Package. I’m literally one of the final 10 that were chosen out of dozens of business owners who initially applied. </span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;"><br />I’m so close to winning, but I need your help. </span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;"><br />I need you to pledge support for my business, <strong><span style="color:#99cc00;">Buy By Mom</span></strong>. Sharing the information about this with your friends and family would be very helpful too!<br /></span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;">Statistics show that women business owners do not have the same advantage as male business owners in getting funding for their business. In fact, women business owners only receive 11% of venture capital funding, but woman-owned businesses tend to stay in business longer. This is exactly why the National Association For Moms In Business has developed this revolutionary business grant rather than giving the “traditional” kind of business grant. Due to the promotional requirementsto be successful in this grant, it’s a good way to identify those entrepreneurs who will go the extra mile to publicize and build their ventures therefore making them ideal candidates for our additional $12,000 grant support. </span></div> <div><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><br />How does this work?</strong></span></div> <div><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;">The “crowdfunding” platform is a way to raise money by attracting many small donations from a large group (friends, family, professional contacts) to meet a funding goal. “Backers” give contributions in exchange for rewards or perks offered by the grant applicant – rewards can be any product, service or experience to which the grant applicant has access. And example of crowdfunding is an NPR pledge drive - if you donate $25.00 to NPR, donors may get an NPR T-shirt or a coffee mug, or get to go “behind the scenes” at a special event, etc. </span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;">In addition, if I win, I will receive up to $1000 in <span style="text-decoration:underline;">additional</span> funding. That means that every dollar you give to my project may be matched: dollar for dollar! </span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Step 1: Go to <a href="http://mibn.org/site.php/spgs/read/momsinbusinessgrant" target="_blank"><span style="color:#000000;">http://mibn.org/site.php/spgs/read/momsinbusinessgrant</span></a></span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;">Step 2: Click on button Back This MOM for <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;color:#99cc00;" >Buy By Mom </span></strong></span></span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;">Step 3: Click on button Back This Project</span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;">Step 4: Choose your reward option, for example Featured Sponsor Spot for 9 months or Featured Parent and Featured Sponsor for One Year and Enter Pledge Amount </span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;"><br />The grant ends on June 15th, so please back my project today. And tell your friends!</span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;"><br />I’m excited that I have the opportunity to participate in this program! </span></div> <div><span style="color:#000000;"><br />I am a Proud Mom in Business, and would very much appreciate your help.</span></div> </div>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-13535423867559460572010-05-18T10:30:00.002-06:002010-05-18T10:30:51.880-06:00Work/Life Balance Part I - Love What You Do!Being a work at home mom and/or dad can be challenging. There are a lot of things that require, even demand, you attention every day and most, if not all, of them are probably high on your priority list. It is easy to get burned out, discouraged and give up - don't!<br /><br />One of the keys to being a successful work at home parent is to love what you do. You should be passionate about your work at home job or business.<br /><br />For example, I have several things I am passionate about: family, helping parents work at home so at least one parent can be home full-time with their children, politics and writing. To tee myself up for success I have combined these passions - the way I have implemented them in my <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">business</a> is in a manner that they support each other.<br /><br />Family is extremely important to me, as is helping parents <a href="http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish">work from home</a> for the sake of their children. To combine these and have them work to support each other I did several things. The first is I partnered with an <a href="http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish">INC 500 company</a> whose focus is enhancing people's lives by helping them attain their goals. They are privately held, have no debt, have an A++ rating and have been inducted into the BBB Hall of Fame. They have always been 'green' - long before it was 'en vogue'. Their sales have consistently grown every year regardless of the state of the economy due to their exceptional product line. This makes this a stable and reliable company to partner with and one I can <a href="http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish">confidently recommend to others.<br /></a><br />Another way in which I can help parents work from home to be with their children is through the work I do with <a href="http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/">Our Milk Money (OMM)</a> as their <a href="http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/bios">Director of Communications</a>. <a href="http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/">Our Milk Money </a>is a <a href="http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/">national search directory</a> that lists ONLY self-employed parents. <a href="http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/">OMM</a> is also a community resource dedicated to helping parents who want to stay at home find financial opportunities and support.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/">OMM's</a> institutional ethos is built around a common goal to provide for our children. In this society, the average family is faced with a challenge to provide for their families with no less than two incomes, and are sacrificing their commitment to raising their own children. As a result, many parents are forced to give the people they work for more of a commitment than they are able to give their children.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/">OMM</a> envisions a situation in which we are able to reinvent ourselves as parents and entrepreneurs, and where we are able to adequately embrace our family values and support one another by working towards a lasting solution. <a href="http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/">OMM's</a> rationale is based on a concept that brings the community of self-employed parents together: by purchasing only each other's products and services and by promoting our unity as an organization. <a href="http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/">OMM</a> wishes to see a vibrant change in the choices we make as consumers, to appreciate the VALUE of what we purchase, and to support the parents who have chosen to earn alternative revenue for their family by working for themselves.<br /><br />Another passion of mine is <a href="http://www.thewishplace.blogspot.com/">writing</a>. I love sharing what I have learned with others - it's always good to be able to learn from others...it can increase our learning curve and productivity! I am passionate about our <a href="http://www.wethepeople2012.blogspot.com/">country</a>...the companies I have partnered with are great examples of the ethics and moral values I share. I combine my love of country and helping others with my love of <a href="http://www.thewishplace.blgospot.com/">writing</a>.<br /><br />An additional way I combine all of these passions is by featuring work at home parents on my <a href="http://www.buybymomblog.com/">Buy By Mom Blog</a>. I also <a href="http://www.buybymomblog.com/">review their wonderful products</a>. I get to write and they get the benefit of free publicity!<br /><br />All of these are things I love to do. I am passionate about them. Doing what you are passionate about helps me to keep going even in the face of challenges and challenging times. In fact, when you are passionate about what you do, those challenges can even spur you on to further success...they do for me!<br /><br />If you are stuck in a job or business that you are not loving but need to help support you and your family here's a suggestion: while you working at that job or business out of necessity, continue to search for something that ignites passion in you. Don't give up on that...it may take a while but with persistence you can find it!<br /><br />Said Albert Schweitzer: "Success is not they key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."<br /><br />Here's to your success!TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-49535990580939795782010-01-27T18:32:00.000-07:002010-01-27T18:33:23.974-07:00New Blog Design!<b>It's a new year, and my blog needs a new look!</b> Thank heavens, Angie at <a href="http://www.5vinezmonkeys.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">5 Vinez Monkeys</a> is giving away a new blog look to one lucky reader courtesy of her business, <a href="http://www.angelavinezdesigns.com/" target="blank">Angela Vinez Designs</a>. You won't want to miss this giveaway! Stop by before 11:59pm ET on January 27th and enter to win!TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-73904304289632046282010-01-10T15:47:00.001-07:002010-01-10T15:50:21.579-07:00Visit Tweet A Day Giveaway.com!<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">Site Focuses on Helping Small Businesses Breakthrough the Internet Noise<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br /><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Tweet-A-Day Giveaway promotes giveaways for free to help small business grow.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Henderson, NV July 18, 2009 – </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial;">Tweet-A-DayGiveaway.com sends out a daily email and daily tweet on giveaways is targeting the need of micro, small and medium businesses to breakthrough the internet “noise” by offering an easy way to get their promotional giveaways listed and out to the public.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial;">Tweet-A-DayGiveaway.com is unique from other giveaway sites and blogs because it drives traffic to <span style="">the company’s<i> </i></span>site not just the promoter’s site.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial;"> Tweet-A-Day does not manage the giveaway or ask visitors to enter to win on their site like other giveaway sites do. Tweet-A-Day sends visitors directly to the site of the company offering the giveaway.<span style=""> </span>Doing this brings more traffic to the company’s’ site.<span style=""> </span>In addition, the company doing the giveaway does not have to send in the product for “review”.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial;">Tweet-A-Day founder, Gina Robison-Billups, recognized the need for this service when she was promoting her own giveaway for MomsMakingaMillion.com.<span style=""> </span>It was very difficult to find sites to contact. The submission links for most of them didn’t work, and their promotion of the giveaways just drove traffic and comments to their own sites, not hers.<span style=""> </span>In addition, Moms Making a Million didn’t have a product to review with a picture because it’s a service.<span style=""> </span>Service providers are left out in the cold when it comes to giveaway promotional opportunities.<br /><br />Tweet-A-Day Giveaway is also free. There are no advertising fees for posting giveaways, and no shipping of free products for review – a practice that has been recently scrutinized for tax implications and conflict of interest issues.<br /><br />The program is still in its beta phase, but the first week has seen real results.<span style=""> </span>The Tweet-A-Day giveaways were re-tweeted to 12,000 twitter-ers in it’s first week of operation, and many of the companies offering giveaways have reported results and sign ups. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial;">Visitors wanting to receive daily giveaways through email or Twitter can register alerts through <a href="http://www.tweet-a-daygiveaway.com/">www.Tweet-A-DayGiveaway.com</a> or at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/tweetgive">http://www.twitter.com/tweetgive</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">####</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;">About Tweet-A-DayGiveaway.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Pure, simple, free, and easy promotion – Tweet-A-DayGiveaway.com gives small business a place to promote their giveaways and to breakthrough the internet noise.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Media Contact: <b style=""><span style=""> </span></b>Gina Robison-Billups, <a href="mailto:tweetgive@gmail.com">tweetgive@gmail.com</a></span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-60297906623192203702009-04-27T11:35:00.000-06:002009-04-27T11:36:35.180-06:00Twitter!I'm on twitter...my user name is TheWishPlace. Follow me! :)TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-14420323361118952952008-11-19T16:26:00.002-07:002008-11-19T16:33:25.881-07:00Getting Publicity for Your Work at Home Business<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Getting publicity for your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">business</a> is very different from marketing your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">business</a>. When you market your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">business</a>, you control your message and try to persuade people to buy from you. Marketing can include things like <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=38&zenid=6cbadbe64f0073b6ddeb9d4115f59127">paid advertising</a>, attending a trade show, direct mail campaigns, and your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">newsletter</a>.<br /><br />Publicity is convincing others to talk about <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=30&chapter=0">you</a>, instead of you talking about <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=2&chapter=0">yourself</a>. It's something you earn, not something you pay for. Instead of convincing people to buy from you, publicity informs people about the newsworthiness of you and your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">business</a>, from an objective point of view.<br /><br />Marketing is important because it helps to build <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">your brand</a>. Publicity helps the public to trust you. But to get this kind of attention, you have to make yourself newsworthy.<br /><br />Publicity usually begins with a press release that you send to media outlets and online press release sites. It includes being interviewed in magazines and newspapers, being interviewed on radio or TV, having popular bloggers blog about you – and any other way that people can tell others about your business.<br /><br />Here are some ways you can make yourself newsworthy and generate free publicity for your business. Use one of these ideas to get started, or come up with an idea of your own, then send out a press release about your news.<br /><br />- Prove that a myth or stereotype about your business is wrong.<br />- Why did you start your business? If you started your business because you didn't think anyone else was doing a good job in your industry, that can be a newsworthy story.<br />- Has your business experienced a setback and survived? Write a story about your comeback and send it to the media.<br />- Do you have an <a href="http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish">eco-friendly home business</a>? Write about how you’re <a href="http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish">helping the environment.<br /></a>- Sponsor a local community service project that relates to your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">business</a>.<br />- Offer surprising facts about your business. What is a little-known fact about your industry that people would be surprised to learn?<br />- Close down your business for a day and spend the day doing charity work with your family. Invite other home business owners to join you!<br /><br />Get as creative as you want. Making your business newsworthy just takes a little bit of imagination and inspiration.</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-45302650088620637872008-11-10T11:26:00.003-07:002008-11-10T11:30:33.861-07:00How to Market Your Home Business in Forums<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Forum marketing is a valuable way to get your work from home business noticed by your target market, and to build relationships with others. A forum is basically a discussion board where you can connect with people who share your interests.<br /><br />When you join a forum, you can create a signature line and add it to each post you make. If you make interesting and informative posts, people will click on the link in your signature and visit your website to learn more about you.<br /><br />Some forums have a section where you can post ads for your business. Most of the time though, members won’t read your ad unless you're active on the other parts of the board. You need to show the other members that you are there to help them, not just to attract new customers or clients.<br /><br />When you're looking for a forum to join, you can ask your online friends where they like to go, or do a Google search for the specific type of forum you are looking for. If you're joining a forum to market your business, you'll want to find one where your target market spends their time.<br /><br />For example, if you have an <a href="http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish">eco-friendly home business</a>, you should look for a forum that caters to people who are concerned for the environment. If you sell candles, look for people who are interested in decorating their homes. If you're a web designer for <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">small businesses</a>, search for forums where small business owners spend their time.<br /><br />You don't need to join a lot of forums to be a good forum marketer. It's more important that you are active in the forums you join on a regular basis. Be selective and choose forums that will be a good investment of your time.<br /><br />One of my favorite forums is the one at Moms United in Business, <a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com</a>. At MUIB, we support each other both as mothers and as business professionals. We discuss things like business issues, blogging, parenting, and relationships. <br /><br />I would love for you to join me there! You will make some new friends, and you might even find some new clients.</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-38129071916606509302008-11-09T18:26:00.002-07:002008-11-09T18:27:36.195-07:00How to Solve Common Work-at-Home Problems When You Have Children at Home<span style="color:#663300;">Click <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1111612/how_to_solve_common_workathome_problems.html?cat=31">here</a> to read the article.</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-15154920104142569972008-11-09T15:07:00.003-07:002008-11-09T15:13:00.590-07:00Do You Want To Work From Home?<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">How to Find the Right Direct Sales Company<br /><br />If you've decided you want to work from home by doing direct sales, finding the right direct sales company to work with can be difficult. There are so many different kinds of companies to choose from.<br /><br />Here are some things you should look for when you want to find the right direct sales company for you.<br /><br />Before you begin your search, examine your needs and those of your family. Write down the goals you have for your business. What does your family need you to get out of your business? Decide how much time you will have to work, how much money you need to make, and what things interest you. These are all important factors in choosing a direct sales company.<br /><br />Once you have decided what you need, search for a company that suits your interests. For example, if you’re concerned for the environment, you might want to look for an <a href="http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish">eco-friendly home business</a>. If you love jewelry, you could consider joining a jewelry company.<br /><br />The compensation plan is another important part of choosing a business to join. How will you be paid? You don’t want to join a company that pays a only small amount in commission. You’ll also want to find out how far down your downline you will receive commissions. The more levels down you make commission on, the more money you can earn.<br /><br />You'll also want to find out how the company allows you to build your business. Can you build it online and have your <a href="http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish">own website</a>? Or do you have to strictly sell person-to-person?<br /><br />This can be an important factor when choosing your business. If you have to leave your home to work, that might be difficult to do if you have small children. But if you prefer working with people face-to-face, you might not want to work with a company that wants you to work solely online.<br /><br />It may take some time to find a direct sales business that meets all your criteria, but once you do, you will know you've found the <a href="http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish">perfect direct sales business for you</a>. </span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-10329591401723276242008-10-14T20:33:00.004-06:002008-10-14T20:39:24.346-06:00The Election and The Economy<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">General Election:<br /><br />Let me start by saying the neither candidate thrills me. I am going to have to pick someone who is truly the lesser of two evils.<br /><br />I think McCain is a RINO (Republican in name only). He really should be a registered Democrat. Obama, who has the most liberal voting record in the senate, is really a Marxist…not a Democrat. Today, I believe that FDR would be a Republican given his views, and JFK for that matter. Most Democrats are no longer Democrats…they have gone so far left that they have left their Democrat principles far behind. A lot of Republicans are RINOs and have left their principles behind also. Both parties would do well to come back to their principles.<br /><br />I personally think there should be term limits in Congress…having lifelong politicians is very bad idea.<br /><br />Both campaigns talk about their opponents and their opponents’ proposals. This is not bashing…it’s campaigning. I do not expect Obama to like or support McCain’s ideas nor do I expect McCain to like or support Obama’s ideas. Again…it is NOT bashing…it’s campaigning. I do expect them to point out the differences between them and why they think their ideas and proposals are better for this country than that of their opponent.<br /><br />I think that the bashing that goes on is mostly done by the media and political bloggers. I have seen McCain and Obama compliment each other. Again…questioning each other’s plans and proposals is not bashing. It’s needed.<br /><br />I also think that more important than what comes out of a candidate’s mouth during a campaign is his/her record. That record shows who they really are, not who they want us to believe they are. There is some voting record information regarding taxes at the end of this e-mail for your consideration.<br /><br />That being said, let’s delve into the issue of:<br /><br /><strong>The Economy (sources: Investors Business Daily, Eons, Texas Hill Country)</strong><br /><br /><strong><em>The Subprime Crisis</em></strong><br />Let’s begin with the current credit crisis we are facing in this country and let’s go back to the genesis of the problem. How did the government get so involved in the housing market as to precipitate a subprime market meltdown and housing crisis?<br /><br />The answer: President Clinton wanted it that way. In the early 1990s, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were not nearly the massive entities they would later become. President Carter in 1977 signed the Community Reinvestment Act which pushed Fannie and Freddie aggressively lend to minority communities. Clinton supercharged the process. After entering office in 1993 he extensively rewrote Fannie’s and Freddie’s rules. In doing so he turned two quasi-private mortgage-funding firms into a semi-nationalized monopoly that dispensed cash to markets, made loans to large Democratic voting blocks and handed favors, jobs and money to political allies. This potent mix led inevitably to corruption and the Fannie and Freddie collapse.<br /><br />Despite warnings of trouble at Fannie and Freddie, in 1994 Clinton unveiled his National Homeownership Strategy, which broadened the CRA in ways Congress never intended.<br /><br />Though well intended, the problem was that Congress was about to change hands, from the Democrats to the Republicans. Rather than submit legislation that the GOP lead Congress was almost sure to reject, Clinton ordered Robert Rubin’s Treasury Department to rewrite the rules in 1995. The result is that banks were given strict new numerical quotas and measures for the level of “diversity” in their loan portfolios.<br /><br />Loans started being made on the basis of race, and nothing else.<br /><br />But those rules were not enough.<br /><br />Clinton got the Department of Housing and Urban Development to double-team the issue. That would later prove disastrous. Clinton’s HUD secretary, Andrew Cuomo, “made a series of decisions between 1997 and 2001 that gave birth to the country’s current crisis,” the liberal Village Voice noted. Among these decisions were changes that let Fannie and Freddie get into subprime markets in a big way.<br /><br />Other rule changes gave Fannie and Freddie extraordinary leverage, allowing them to hold just 2.5% of capitol to back their investments vs. 10% for banks.<br /><br />Since they could borrow at lower rates than banks, banks poured billions of dollars of loans into poor communities, often “no-doc” and “no income” loans that required no money down and no verification of income.<br /><br />By 2007 Fannie and Freddie owned or guaranteed nearly half the $12 trillion US mortgage market – a staggering exposure.<br /><br />Worse still was the cronyism.<br /><br />Fannie and Freddie became home to out of work politicians, mostly Clinton Democrats. An informal survey of their top officials shows a roughly 2 to 1 dominance of Democrats over Republicans.<br /><br />Then there were the campaign donations. From 1989 to 2008, some 384 politicians got their tip jars filled by Fannie and Freddie.<br /><br />Over that time, two GSEs (Government Sponsored Enterprises) spent $200 million dollars on lobbying and political activities.<br /><br />Fannie and Freddie, with their massive loan portfolios stuffed with securitized mortgage backed paper created from subprime loans are a failed legacy of the Clinton era.<br /><br />McCain warned about this impending problem in the following letter:</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br /><span style="color:#000000;">United States SenateWASHINGTON, DC 20510May 5, 2006<br />The Honorable William H. Frist, MD Majority Leader</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">United States SenateWashington, DC 20510</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">The Honorable Richard C. Shelby</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Chairman, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">United States SenateWashington, DC 20510</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Dear Majority Leader Frist and Chairman Shelby,</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">We are concerned that if effective regulatory reform legislation for the housing-finance government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) is not enacted this year, American taxpayers will continue to.be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole. Therefore, we offer you our support in bringing the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act (S. 190) to the floor and allowing the Senate to debate the merits of this bill, which was passed by the Senate Banking Committee.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Congress chartered Fannie and Freddie to provide access to home financing by maintaining liquidity in the secondary mortgage market. Today, almost half of all mortgages in the U.S. are owned or guaranteed by these GSEs. They are mammoth financial institutions with almost $1.5 Trillion of debt outstanding between them. With the fiscal challenges facing us today (deficits, entitlements, pensions and flood insurance), Congress must ask itself who would actually pay this debt if Fannie or Freddie could not?<br /><br />Substantial testimony calling for improved regulation of the GSEs has been provided to the Senate by the Treasury, Federal Reserve, HUD, GAO, CBO, and others. Congress has the opportunity to recommit itself to the housing mission of the GSEs while at the same time making sure the GSEs operate in a manner that does not expose our financial system, or taxpayers, to unnecessary risk. It is vitally important that Congress take the necessary steps to ensure that these institutions benefit from strong and independent regulatory supervision, operate in a safe and sound manner, and are primarily focused on their statutory mission. More importantly, Congress must ensure that the American taxpayer is protected in the event either GSE should fail. We strongly support an effort to schedule floor time this year to debate GSE regulatory reform.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />(signed)<br />John McCain</span><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">As evidenced by the failure to pass the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, the Democrats in Congress have repeatedly fought back Republican Party efforts to reform the two mortgage banking giants. Obama was among those that opposed the reform.Instead, Democrats in Congress have sought to preserve the quasi-governmental status of the mortgage giants, seeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as places to locate former top Democratic Party operatives, where they have earned millions in compensation, despite a continuing series of financial scandals. Enron-like accounting manipulation, for example, boosted earnings to a level at which massive executive bonuses could be paid.<br /><br />Now we have to pay to “bail out” the mess that the Democratic Congress has made and we are supposed to believe that liberals (really Socialists) like Pelosi, Reid, and Obama have our best interests at heart? I don’t think so.<br /><br /><strong><em>Just a little bit on Taxes (this one could take days…):</em></strong><br /><br />Obama’s spending plan now tops 1 TRILLON dollars. Yes…TRILLION. He plans to cut taxes on 95% of Americans. Let’s examine that. First, the top 10% of wage earners in this country pay 80+% of the taxes in this country. The bottom 50% only pay 2.9%. There is a high percentage that don’t pay taxes at all. When you examine this proposed tax cut in detail which I invite you to do, you will find as I did, that it is indeed not a tax cut but an increase in welfare and a socialistic/communistic re-distribution of wealth. Many people who pay not taxes at all will be receiving ‘tax rebates’. Obama himself said today that we need to “spread the wealth around.”<br /><br />Please explain to me why the money that I work so hard to earn should be taken from me and given to someone else? I donate a great deal tocharities and help people I don’t even know whenever I can. We Americans are a very giving people…not only to our own people but to those overseas as well. It is NOT my responsibility to pay for anyone else. It is my responsibility to be personally responsible and take care of myself and my family. There are times that due to circumstances beyond our control we need help and it’s great that there is help. HOWEVER, to take money from those who have earned it to just give it away to those who have not is just WRONG! Heck, if we’re moving in that direction, I should just sit back with everyone else and wait for my government job, house, car, food, etc. That will do wonders for our country won’t it?!<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#663300;"><em><strong>Here’s some more on taxes:<br />NOTE: Obama's Income Tax Increase Would Burden Small Businesses Struggling In A Weak Economy:<br /></strong></em>FactCheck.org: "McCain Is Right About One Thing. Many Small-Business Owners Would Indeed See Their Taxes Go Up If Obama Is Elected And Raises The Top Income-Tax Rates." ("McCain's Small-Business Bunk," </span></span><a title="http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/mccains_small-business_bunk.html" href="http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/mccains_small-business_bunk.html"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">www.factcheck.org</span></a><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">, 7/14/08) </span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br /><em><strong>Two-Thirds Of Small Business Income Would Be Subject To Obama's Significantly Higher Tax Rates.</strong></em> "The conservative argument (and that of the John McCain campaign) is that Obama's stated plan to raise taxes on households making $250,000 or more in income is a tax increase on small business. The simple answer to this dilemma can be found in the IRS Statistics of Income Bulletin (Table 1.4, for those who are interested). So what do the data say? In 2006 (the latest year available), $706 billion of such income was reported to the Internal Revenue Service. Of this, about half was reported by households in the top marginal income tax rate. Interestingly, two-thirds of this income was reported by households making $250,000 per year or more -- the very same households that Obama wants to increase taxes on. The Obama campaign maintains that the number of small-business owners is what's important. Economists know what matters is the tax rate that's applied to the bulk of small-business income. Make no mistake about it: Obama's plan to raise taxes on households making more than $250,000 will raise taxes on most small-business profits in America." (Grover G. Norquist, Op-Ed, "An Argument Against Obama's Tax Plan," The Politico, 7/11/08)<br /><br /><em><strong>With An Obama Administration And Democrat Congress, We Will See "A Big Increase In Spending And Deficits."</strong></em> "Liberals will make a full-bore push for European-style economic policies. On the other hand, the remaining moderates will argue that it was excess and debt that created this economic crisis. ... Obama will try to straddle the two camps -- he seems to sympathize with both sides -- but the liberals will win. Over the past decade, liberals have mounted a campaign against Robert Rubin-style economic policies, and they control the Congressional power centers. Even if he's so inclined, it's difficult for a president to overrule the committee chairmen of his own party. It is more difficult to do that when the president is a Washington novice and the chairmen are skilled political hands. It is most difficult when the president has no record of confronting his own party elders. ... What we're going to see, in short, is the Gingrich revolution in reverse and on steroids. There will be a big increase in spending and deficits." (David Brooks, Op-Ed, "Big Government Ahead," The New York Times, 10/14/08)<br /><br /><strong>OBAMA'S PLEDGE CONTRADICTS HIS VOTING RECORD</strong><br />Obama Voted In Favor Of The Democrats' FY 2009 Budget, Which Would Raise Tax Rates For Americans Earning $42,000 Or More:<br />Obama Voted Twice In Favor Of The Democrats' FY 2009 Budget Resolution. (S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 51-44: R 2-43; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/14/08, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #142: Adopted 48-45: R 2-44; D 44- 1; I 2-0, 6/4/08, Obama Voted Yea)<br /><br />The Democrats' Budget Would Raise Taxes On Individuals Earning Approximately $42,000 Or More. "The resolution Obama voted for would not have increased taxes on any single taxpayer making less than $41,500 per year in total income, or any couple making less than $83,000. The $32,000 figure is approximately the taxable income of a single person making $41,500 per year, after all deductions and exclusions." (FactCheck.org, "The $32,000 Question," </span><a title="http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/the_32000_question.html" href="http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/the_32000_question.html"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">www.factcheck.org</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">, 7/11/08) </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br />NOTE: The Democrats' Budget Raised Tax Rates On The 25, 28, 33 And 35 Percent Brackets. For 2008, The 25 Percent Bracket Begins At The Taxable Income Level Of $32,550, Which Is The Figure After All Deductions And Exclusions Are Subtracted From Total Earnings. ("2008 Individual Income Tax Rates, Standard Deductions, Personal Exemptions, And Filing Thresholds," </span><a title="http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/Content/PDF/individual_rates.pdf" href="http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/Content/PDF/individual_rates.pdf"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">www.taxpolicycenter.org</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">, 11/4/07; Andrew Taylor, "Presidential Hopefuls To Vote On Budget," The Associated Press, 3/13/08) </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br />The Budget Also Allows "More Than 20 Million Middle-Class Taxpayers To Be Hit By The Alternative Minimum Tax" After Next Year. "The Senate Wednesday approved a $3.1 trillion election-year Democratic budget blueprint that leaves to the next president the task of sorting out a host of fiscal problems. ... It also manages to predict small budget surpluses by 2012, but only by permitting several of President Bush's tax cuts to expire as scheduled at the end of 2010 and by allowing more than 20 million middle-class taxpayers to be hit by the alternative minimum tax, or AMT, after next year." (Andrew Taylor, "Senate Approves Stand-Pat Democratic Budget Plan," The Associated Press, 6/4/08)<br /><br />The Budget Would Also Let Capital Gains And Dividends Tax Relief Expire In 2011, Nearly Doubling The Capital Gains Tax Rate And More Than Doubling The Dividend Tax Rate. (Andrew Taylor, "House, Senate Debate Democratic Budget Plan," The Associated Press, 5/21/08)<br /><br /><strong>OBAMA'S PLEDGE CONTRADICTS HIS EARLIER CAMPAIGN RHETORIC</strong><br /><strong><em>During The Campaign, Obama Has Called For Higher Taxes On Americans Earning Significantly Less Than $250,000:<br /></em></strong>September 2007: Obama Suggested Applying The 12.4 Percent Social Security Tax To All Earnings. "While Obama has suggested imposing the 12.4 percent tax on all income above $97,000 per year, Edwards would only impose it on those making more than $200,000 per year. Income between $97,000 and $200,000 would continue to be exempt from Social Security taxes under the Edwards proposal." (Teddy Davis, "Obama Floats Social Security Tax Hike," ABC News, </span><a title="http://abcnews.go.com/politics/Story?id=" href="http://abcnews.go.com/politics/Story?id=3638710&page=1" page="1"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">abcnews.go.com</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">, 9/22/07) </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br />Obama: "If We Kept The Payroll Tax Rate Exactly The Same But Applied It To All Earnings And Not Just The First $97,500, We Could Virtually Eliminate The Entire Social Security Shortfall." (Sen. Barack Obama, Op-Ed, "Fixed-Income Seniors Can Expect A Tax Cut," Quad City Times [IA], 9/21/07)<br /><br />April 2008: Obama Said He'd Raise The Capital Gains Rate To 20 Percent Or Higher, And Said That Wouldn't Impact The "Average Person." Obama: "In terms of capital gains, I've suggested we might go back up to 20 (percent), because..." Fox News' Chris Wallace: "You had suggested 28 (percent)." Obama: "Well, what I've said is I certainly would not raise it higher than it was under Ronald Reagan, but the fact is that I'm mindful that we've got to keep our capital gains tax to a point where we can actually get more revenue. But that's not something that's going to affect the average person with a 401(k) when people start talking about how, 'Well, there are, you know, millions of Americans who own stock,' most of them own stock in 401(k)s where their taxes are deferred and they pay ordinary income taxes when they finally cash out." (Fox's' "Fox News Sunday," 4/27/08)<br /><br />June 2008: Obama Said He Would Raise Taxes On The Top 5 Percent Of Earners, Meaning Those Earning Approximately $145,000 Or More A Year. Obama: "It is true that those like myself who are in the top 5 percent, we're going to see a tax increase. I'm going to roll the Bush tax cuts back to the levels they were in the 1990s." (Fox Business' "Fox Business," 6/26/08)<br />In 2005, The Cut Off For The Top 5 Percent Of Earners Began At $145,283 - Well Below Obama's $250,000 Threshold. "Including all tax returns that had a positive AGI, those taxpayers with an AGI of $145,283 or more in 2005 constituted the nation's top 5 percent of earners." (Gerald Prante, "Summary Of Latest Federal Individual Income Tax Data," </span><a title="http://www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/250.html" href="http://www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/250.html"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">www.taxfoundation.org</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">, 10/5/07) </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br /><strong>OBAMA'S PLEDGE CONTRADICTS HIS OWN ADVISERS</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><em>Obama Pledged That No One Making Less Than $250,000 Would See A Tax Increase, But His Economic Advisers Said Individuals Would See Higher Taxes Starting At $200,000:<br /></em></strong>In August, Obama's Economic Advisers Wrote An Op-Ed That Said Individuals Would See Higher Taxes Starting At $200,000 Under An Obama Administration. Obama Economic Advisers Jason Furman And Austan Goolsbee: "Sen. Obama believes that one of the principal problems facing the economy today is the lack of discretionary income for middle-class wage earners. That's why his plan would not raise any taxes on couples making less than $250,000 a year, nor on any single person with income under $200,000 -- not income taxes, capital gains taxes, dividend or payroll taxes." (Jason Furman and Austan Goolsbee, Op-Ed, "The Obama Tax Plan," The Wall Street Journal, 8/14/08)<br /><br />Julianne Wish<br /></span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Blog</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">MUIB</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"> Partner<br /></span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/2/538/690"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Linked In Profile</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Articles Written by Julianne</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/"></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br /></span><br /></span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-83408161325547703102008-10-14T20:28:00.002-06:002008-10-14T20:28:53.851-06:00Starting Your Perfect Home Business<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">To read this article, please <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">click here</a>. </span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-82447803121468089252008-10-14T20:27:00.004-06:002008-10-14T20:28:16.257-06:00Work at Home Issues<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">To read this article, please <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">click here</a>. </span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-60665563258127690982008-10-14T20:27:00.002-06:002008-10-14T20:27:36.578-06:00How to Start Homeschooling and Keep it Fun!<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">To read this article, please <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">click here</a>.</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-30737824829166343412008-10-14T20:26:00.002-06:002008-10-14T20:26:56.481-06:00Promotional Items: Are They Worth It?<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">To read this article, please <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">click here</a>.</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-88394042546629533882008-10-14T20:25:00.001-06:002008-10-14T20:26:12.825-06:00How to Start a Writing Business<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">To read this article, please <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">click here</a>.</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-49137814988258637802008-10-14T20:05:00.002-06:002008-10-14T20:09:29.467-06:00How Writing Articles Helps You Work From Home<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">How many times have you heard that business owners should <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">write and submit articles</a>?<br />I have heard said it a lot... but it is so true.<br /><br />Think about it this way, when you <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">read an article </a>in the newspaper and you really like the style and the information, do you look for other <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">articles written </a>by that same person? Most of the time, the answer is yes.<br /><br />The same goes for <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">articles published online</a>. If you like the topic, style, or the information you find in an article, you will probably search for other <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">articles written by the same author</a>. You might also look for articles written by people you trust or admire, or that helped you in some way.<br /><br />This is how article marketing - writing and submitting articles - can help you work from home.<br /><br />When you <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">write articles </a>that people want to read and they search for them, you are developing a readership. You are showing people you know what you're doing and over time, you will convince your readers you are an expert in your field.<br /><br />Then, when they need your product or service, they will feel comfortable buying from you, because they already trust you.<br /><br />It's important to <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">write quality articles that have valuable content</a>. Write about things your target market needs to know, and about how your product or service can help solve their problems.<br /><br />Once you've written your article, you can publish it by submitting it to <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">article directories</a>. You want to look for directories that will attract for your target market, but you also want to use directories that are well known. Niche directories are perfect because you know your article will be read by the people you want to do business with on a regular basis.<br /><br />If you don't have time to write articles or submit them, you can look for a ghostwriter or a Virtual Assistant who will do the work for you.<br /><br />Start <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">writing and publishing articles regularly</a>, and pretty soon your articles will be the ones people are searching for.</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-33848054755107087382008-09-04T21:59:00.003-06:002008-09-04T22:09:59.861-06:00Easy Ways to Market Your Work from Home Business<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Marketing your business is crucial if you want to work from home successfully. In fact, you will get nowhere with out it.<br /><br />Marketing offline used to be the only way home business owners had to reach their target markets. They had to rely on flyers, business cards, and brochures, then actually hand them to people or leave them in places that people would find them.<br /><br />These are still great ways to tell people about your business, but they're no longer the only ways. The Internet has given us many more ways to market our businesses, easily and affordably.<br /><br />It seems like every month you read about another way to reach your target market or market your business. Learning all these techniques can be a challenge, but don’t give up before you start to learn. You may be surprised to learn how easy marketing your business actually is.<br /><br />Here are a few of the many ways that you can market your business online. Most of these are free or low cost techniques that you can do with ease. If you can’t do these or don’t have the time, you can always outsource your marketing to a Virtual Assistant.<br /><br /><strong>Social Media</strong> – This includes sites like Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon, Digg, LinkedIn.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br /><strong>Article Marketing</strong> – Write articles about your area of expertise and submit them to <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/280425/julianne_wish.html">article directories</a><br /><br /><strong>Blogging</strong> – Start a <a href="http://www.thewishplace.blogspot.com/">blog</a> and write about your business. You can also comment on other people's blogs.<br /><br /><strong>Podcasting</strong> – You can start your own podcast, or be a guest on someone else's.<br /><br /><strong>Newsletters</strong> – Get people to <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">sign up for your newsletter </a>by giving away a free ebook or report to subscribers.<br /><br /><strong>Forum Marketing</strong> – Join a <a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">forum</a> that your target market frequents.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wahm-trade.com/?r=58351"><strong>Targeted Traffic Exchange Sites</strong> </a>- You can join for free and drive targeted traffic to your site.<br /><br />When you start to use a new marketing technique, you'll need to continue to use it month after month to see the growth in your business. One thing about online marketing is that growth takes time. You need to place yourself in front of others on a regular basis so they develop a relationship with you and they begin to trust you.<br /><br />Don’t give up or stop something because you don’t think it's working. It takes time to build a successful business. Do something each day to market your business, and don’t give up!</span><br /></span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-91031158753629329222008-09-01T21:51:00.001-06:002008-09-01T21:54:49.144-06:00Writing Press Releases for Your Work From Home Business<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">A press release is an important part of a publicity campaign for your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=12&chapter=0">work from home business</a>. You can pay to have someone write one for you, or you can write one yourself. If you want to learn how to write one yourself, there are many free press release tutorials to help you. You can also use press release templates to help you out.<br /><br />The most important thing to remember when writing a press release is that it must be newsworthy. It has to contain information that other people will find interesting. It might help to remember that press releases are also called "news releases."<br /><br />When your press release is ready to send out, you can send it to everyone who might be interested in your story. Send it to your local TV stations, radio stations, newspapers and community magazines. You can contact them and ask if they prefer to receive releases by fax or email. Sometimes they'll prefer you fill out a form on their website with your information.<br /><br />You can also submit your release to the online press release sites. This is a one way to get valuable links to your website. Many press release sites are free to submit too, but some of them charge a fee. One of the better paid press release site is PR Web. It's a very popular site and can bring you a lot of traffic.<br /><br />You should also send your press release to your clients and your newsletter subscribers, to let them know what's new in your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">business</a>.<br /><br />If you have a marketing kit you send out to potential clients, include a copy of your press release in there.<br /><br />Post your press release on your own <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">business website </a>as well, so new visitors to your website can learn about your business.<br /><br />When you send out your press release, remember to include your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=contact_us">contact information</a>. You should include your full name, your phone number, your email address and your <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">website URL </a>in your release. A great story can't get you any attention if no one know how to contact you!</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-34387411021947524182008-08-25T13:14:00.000-06:002008-08-25T13:19:34.262-06:00Why Nurturing Yourself Helps You Work From Home<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">One of the ways I help other work-at-home-moms (WAHMs) be successful in their businesses while fulfilling their dreams of raising their children at home, is as a partner of <a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">Moms United in Business</a> (MUIB).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">MUIB</a> is a national networking organization that's open to all WAHMs and all women in business. This online community was founded by Jenn Rogers. Jenn believes that every woman is beautiful and has a special purpose in this world, and <a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">MUIB</a> is designed to bring out the best in each of us.<br /><br />At <a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">MUIB</a>, we support each other as mothers and as business professionals – because as a work-at-home-mom, you're more than a mother, and you're much more than a business person. Running a business while caring for your family means you have a very unique role in our society.<br /><br />We believe that all women are best able to give to their families, friends and businesses if we take care of ourselves first. We need to follow our own dreams, listen to the desires of our hearts, and nurture ourselves so we can give our best to others.<br /><br />That's why <a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">MUIB</a> isn't just a business community. We are a community of women who inspire and support each other, not only as business people, but in all the other roles we hold as women.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">MUIB</a> members support each other in several ways. You can spend time in our private forum, where you can ask questions about your business, your website, parenting, or share recipes and your prayer requests. We also have articles, blog posts and photos, and lists of helpful business and parenting resources.<br /><br />You can also make friends and find support by joining a group that relates to one of your interests. For example, I'm a member of the <a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/group/muibmilitarywives">MUIB Military Wives Group</a>, where members encourage each other in being military wives. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br /> If you join <a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">MUIB</a> before September 15, 2008, you will receive a free lifetime membership. Beginning September 15, <a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/">MUIB</a> will charge membership dues. You can sign up for your membership at </span><a href="http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">www.momsunitedinbusiness.com</span></a>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-17627567553378969102008-08-25T13:11:00.000-06:002008-08-25T13:14:27.054-06:00You Can Work From Home Too with Work at Home United<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">As a mom of two boys, it's important to me to be home with them and raise them myself. It’s also important to me that I homeschool them and be involved in their education. But, to make this happen, I needed to supplement the family income. I needed to <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=12&chapter=0&zenid=da7ec711a25dd047cdbc15c919756bf9">work from home</a>.<br /><br />When I was first looking for a business that I could do at home, work around my family,<br />and that allowed me the time to homeschool my boys, I had a hard time finding one. When I ran across the <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=12&chapter=0&zenid=da7ec711a25dd047cdbc15c919756bf9">Work At Home United </a>team, I knew I found what I was looking for and so much more. It was like my dream had come true.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=12&chapter=0&zenid=da7ec711a25dd047cdbc15c919756bf9">Work at Home United </a>has partnered with a company that has been in business for 23 years. This company has an impeccable record with the Better Business Bureau and they have a top notch compensation plan.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=12&chapter=0&zenid=da7ec711a25dd047cdbc15c919756bf9">Work At Home United </a>team works with a company that helps people reach their goals and is an eco-friendly home business. The company we work with has wonderful products that we use each and every day. Our team offers free training, a free website, and it's 100% risk free.<br /><br />When you have little children, you can't leave them at home by themselves, so why would you want to work a business that makes you go outside the home? At <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=12&chapter=0&zenid=da7ec711a25dd047cdbc15c919756bf9">Work at Home United</a>, we don’t go door-to-door, we don’t have to purchase inventory, and we don’t hold parties. It's the perfect business. We use our phone and our computer to run our business, and never have to leave the house.<br /><br />Have you thought you couldn’t run a business because you have small children? With the <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=12&chapter=0&zenid=da7ec711a25dd047cdbc15c919756bf9">Work At Home United</a> Team you can work your business with your children sitting on your lap on sitting at your desk coloring pictures for you to admire. You can raise your kids yourself, instead of sending them to daycare or the babysitter's. If they're school aged, you'll have time to volunteer in the classroom, or even homeschool them if you wish. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><br /> Are you ready to come home and supplement your income while spending time with your family? Visit my site at http://www.workathomeunited.com/wish and learn how you can make your work from home dreams come true.</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-71930725647071752042008-08-23T17:46:00.000-06:002008-08-23T17:52:14.307-06:00Unique and Personalized Gifts<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Every child is unique, and deserves unique gifts created just for them. Here are some ideas of personalized gifts you can give to children, and your friends and family too.<br /><br />Is someone you know expecting a baby? Here's a unique gift they will treasure - a <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=10">poem</a> that includes the baby’s due date. Or, if they've just had a baby, how about a poem that includes the baby’s name and birth date for those new parents?<br /><br />Older children love to get special gifts too. Picture this: you just got home from a walk and your child notices that the mail was delivered while you were out. When they check the mail, they are excited to find something with their own name on it – <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9">a personalized letter</a>!<br /><br />Your child will be thrilled to receive a letter that mentions things that are real and close to them. They will remember that day for a long time to come.<br /><br />You can order poems and letter just like that on my <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">website</a>, where I offer <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9">personalized letters </a>with characters such as <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=7">Santa</a>, <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=7">Frosty</a>, and <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=1">Wormy the Bookworm</a>. My letters are not a part of a fill-in-the-blank type letter. Instead, they are personalized for your child. And many of the letters include an extra "gift" for the recipient, too.<br /><br />If you need a special gift for a child, another adult, or yourself, we also have <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=27">journals</a>, <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">jewelry</a>, <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">jewelry boxes</a>, <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19">purses and handbags</a>, <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19">handmade paper </a>and gifts that are perfect for any occasion or anybody.<br /><br />You can give yourself a gift, too, by shopping at <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">The Wish Place</a>, instead of dragging your children out to the store.<br /><br />If you have small children, you know it can be difficult to get out and find the perfect gift. Children don’t have the patience to sit in a cart while you look through things until you find what you need. So give yourself a gift (and your children too!) and do your shopping <a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/">online</a> while the kids are napping or playing with their toys.<br /><br />Check out our site for a complete list of what we offer. Go to </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">http://www.thewishplace.com</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"> and find everything you're wishing for!</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362986326726064365.post-64373715781237532382008-08-23T17:21:00.000-06:002008-08-23T17:28:58.712-06:00Introduction-May All Your Wishes Come True<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">My name is Julianne Wish, and I work from home. I have two wonderful boys that I love to spend time with, raise at home, and homeschool.<br /><br />When I become pregnant with my first son, my wish was to contribute to the family income while raising my son at home. When my second son came along, my desire to mother my children at home and homeschool them grew even stronger. My husband has fully supported me in my making my wish come true, and he even helped me along the way.<br /><br />I have created </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">The Wish Place </span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">so that your wishes can come true, too. It is my sincere desire to help other moms reach their dreams of raising their children full-time at home. It’s important to me to help these moms come home and have the ability to raise their children the way they want.<br /><br />What are you wishing for? A unique gift, a way to help our environment, or perhaps you wish to work from home like I do? Here are some ways I can help you make those wishes come true.<br /><br />If you're looking for unique gifts or jewelry, my </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">online catalog </span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">that offers something for everyone.<br /><br />Want to help the environment? I also have an </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=12&chapter=0"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">eco-friendly home business</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">. This business is perfect for those that wish for a cleaner, more sustainable world for our children.<br /><br />Because I have children of my own, I know how much they love to get mail. That is why I created the </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9&zenid=be88a51ff6c7a2393024ec598816ea1d"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Wishmail </span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">service. </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=7"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Letters from Santa</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">, the </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=2"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Tooth Fairy</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">, and others will help make their wishes come true.<br /><br />I also offer </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=17"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">poems from the heart</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">, that are perfect for any family member.<br /><br />Let's not forget those special family members – our pets!. We offer handmade, natural treats through </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=9&chapter=0"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">Critter Snackz</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">. We also have leashes, collars, and more.<br /><br />And if you wish you could </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=12&chapter=0"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">work from home</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">, too, I also offer personal, one-on-one mentorship to help you get started.<br /><br />May all your wishes come true at </span><a href="http://www.thewishplace.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">The Wish Place</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;">.</span>TheWishPlacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16107003054964160492noreply@blogger.com1