Homeschool
September is here, and it's back to homeschooling. I am really enthusiastic about this year. I've taken the time to plan some field trips, guest speakers and some really interesting lessons for my little ones. (Go us!!) One thing I have to admit I've learned in my marketing journey is to value time. During our homeschool hours, my children have my undivided attention. Nothing matters except them. I've even sent a memo to the rest of my family making them aware of our schedule to avoid interruptions... and so far so good.
Marketing
Now once that portion of the day is over, it's all about marketing. I have to check my email, post some links, see what's happening on Google+ and the other social sites, do some reading, watch some videos, make some calls, and so on. I am beginning to enjoy this believe it or not. As a matter of fact, +Emperor NervRakrZ and I were celebrating because I just received my very first check. (Go me!!) I'm so proud of myself. My hard work is starting to pay off. I am beginning to see the fruits of my labor. I am going shopping!
Mom
Before I can go anywhere, I must make sure my house is in order. Can't stand a messy house! I have to cook, water my plants, do some laundry, bathe and dress my little ones, do the girls hair or at least touch it up, and open up the phone lines to start taking calls from the family. Hello!!!
Me, Myself and I
Finally, after a long hard day's work I get the opportunity to wind down. It's been years since I've had an actual bedtime, but I am about to change that. In the past, I would stay up to 1 and 2 o'clock in the morning regularly, in order to get as much done as I possibly could before going to bed. But as they say in Hollywood, "That's a rap!" I've finally realized that there's but so much I can realistically accomplish in a 24 hour period, minus a third after a good night's sleep. The last thing my family needs is for me to show up to work wearing the wrong hat. Goodnight!!!
Ps: Did I mention, we have a mascot....it's a book worm :)
Foul!
I want to start today's post off by saying:
The Hip-Hop Marketer and I have an array of services for the home, home office and businesses including: HOME SECURITY!!!!
A few weeks ago a family member purchased a home security system from some 'ol random local security company instead of ordering through us. (Where's the ref with that whistle when you need him.) This individual claims that he didn't know we offered this service, and actually went as far as blaming it on us for not advertising or promoting our services better. Oh, how convenient! Blame the victim, why don't you. Shame on you!!!!!
A Moment to Reflect
At first, I was unaffected by his purchase. Then I thought about it, (Is he crazy??) and I had to call him up. We talked for awhile, and eventually I had to concede. At the end of the day, if he didn't know--he didn't know. However, I made a request of him to check out our company to compare rates and features, not because I want him to switch (yeah right!)--but be informed.
A Loss For the Team
I'm happy to have had this experience because I've learned a valuable lesson, and an old lesson at that--never assume. In my opinion, Internet Marketing and Network Marketing is all about sharing useful information, and I haven't been doing enough to share information with those around me regarding the great products, services and opportunities that the Hip-Hop Marketer and I have to offer. We mustn't take for granted that anyone, especially family, knows what we have. And he should've learned a lesson as well. The next time he wants to buy something/anything.... he needs to call me first!!!
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo!
So now I need some sort of product/service to promote. There's so many companies out there to choose from, how do you pick. I figure I'd narrow them down to 3 that offer some significant value to my family and I, and I found 3 winners. One offers a service that no family should be without. Another, just makes perfect sense considering today's economy. The other is a must-have for the environmentally conscious. However, in order to get up and running with any one of them I need...you guessed it! Cash.
A Humble Beginning
So after a couple of conversations with The Hip Hop Marketer +Emperor NervRakrZ (Hi, Honey!), I now know that there are companies that I can work with that require no start up money. I can begin to establish my presence online as an affiliate marketer. He informed me that a website is nothing without traffic, and he knows of a company that's willing to pay individuals (even with no experience) for bringing traffic to their website. Supposedly, this particular site is a good match for me. The work could be done in my spare time, and I could get paid even if the viewers choose not to spend so much as a dime, as crazy as that sounds....So my plan now is to get as many people as possible to check out the site.
A Helping Hand
I feel a bit reluctant to reach out to family and friends. Unfortunately, they are not always the most supportive group when it comes to businesses like these. But we'll see. Maybe my big bro +Bernard Jackson Jr will surprise me and join my offer. (HINT, HINT!!!!) This is going to be interesting.
I love to shop. Not too many things make me happier than to go to the mall and shop the girls department for dresses and accessories for my beautiful little girls or the shoe department at my favorite department store for yours truly. And I could just get lost in any home improvement store. My problem now is... I don't have any money. I recently asked my big brother, +Bernard Jackson Jr , for some cash and instead of giving me money, he gave me some advice. (Thanks a lot!) He told me to get involved in Network/Internet Marketing. My other problem is... been there, done that!
Some History
I tried marketing before, he must've
forgot. Back in 2007, hubby and I saw an ad for one of those make-money-from-home businesses dealing with surveys, paid studies and affiliate marketing. It seemed perfect! I can type. I've always had a knack for computers. I love to surf the web, and knew how to post links and pictures. Plus, as an at-home mom/homeschooler
this was the opportunity I was looking for...until week 2. I quit, and quite abruptly I might add. It was terrible. Hubby called me a "punk", and my brother was labeling me a "quitter."
As time goes on, hubby starts marketing to prove a point of perseverance. But I didn't get it, shaking my head, watching him struggle to figure out how to turn the computer on. He knew the concept of marketing and had lots of experience in offline marketing/promotion with a background in the music industry, but he hated computers. He and my brother started after me and now use their marketing skills to pay bills. Hubby interacts with top bloggers like, +Ti Roberts and +Terrance Charles , and is known as The Hip Hop Marketer +Emperor NervRakrZ . My big bro, +Bernard Jackson Jr , is passionate about, "being your own boss," just launched his clothing line, R.I.C.H.
The Irony
But back to my dilemma, I have to go back to marketing? This marriage didn't work the first time. I just want to shop. I could care less about copy, conversion rates and the rest of that stuff, but I gotta do it (smh). Where do I start? I feel so estranged. They say, I am starting here blogging (which isn't so bad). What's next? They say, setting up the auto-responders (yippee, yeah, sounds like fun...Not!)
