heatherpeck.com

Living while making a living online

The Next Step For Working At Home

Written By: Heather - Feb• 07•13

I admit it. I’ve had “Shiny New Thing Syndrome.”  In working on my business from home, shifting from real estate (which I’m still doing part time), I’ve been looking at every new thing that comes along.

  • I should start another blog (obviously, something I’m doing right now, but I mostly seem to do it for an outlet)

    Shiny New Thing

  • I should write reviews for products to sell, then put links in to sell them
  • I should do videos for products to review and sell, and add links where I sell them
  • I should do an email campaign and newsletter
  • I should do niche marketing, putting up lots of niche websites to sell products
  • I should, I should, I should

OK, its time to focus.  I have read and listened to a variety of experts who are making 6 and 7 figures in their field.  You have to choose what speaks to you the most.  Personally, I’m putting together a rather comprehensive plan on focusing on products, writing reviews, making videos of my reviews, emailing people who are interested in what I’m writing reviews on, and building a fan page on Facebook for them, Building a Board on Pinterest which features the products, and see if there is anything I left out.

What products am I going to review?  I, like most people, have a variety of interests.  I love dogs, I love wine, I am the mother of the groom in a long distance wedding, I love books, I love movies.  So the biggest issue for me is focusing on which products.

I’d love to hear which way you’re building your online business.  Please share in your comments below.

 

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Mother of The Groom – Now What?

Written By: Heather - Feb• 07•13

I am the mother of the groom.  I am so excited because this has been a long time coming for me.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I’ve been the mother of the groom once before, but my older son and his bride (along with a few friends) all came to Las Vegas where they were married in a an intimate ceremony with just 10 us attending.  It was lovely, but there wasn’t much to do for this kind of event except attend, kiss the bride and groom and go to dinner.

mother of the groom cap

This time the wedding is a big deal.  Its out of state, almost 3,000 miles away.  It’s going to have 250 people, out of which I’ll know approximately two dozen.  And, I’m the mother of the groom.

So while trying to keep my place, wear beige and shut up, the kids have told me they want me involved which is sweet but difficult when I’m the one who lives across the country.  After a short excursion across the country for 4 days to meet my future inlaws, see the wedding and reception venue, and the hotel where we will be staying, we talked about what I would be contributing to the wedding.  As a single mother, I don’t have the resources the parents of the bride do, but still want to contribute my share.  So I’m paying for the rehearsal dinner, three plane tickets (mine, my older son and his girlfriend), two hotel rooms for three days (mine and my older son and his girlfriend’s room), and at least the welcome bags that will be passed out at the welcome party or maybe the reception (this hasn’t been decided yet).

So I plan to keep this journal partly to keep me organized and maybe to help some other parents decide what they want and are able to do as parents of the groom.  I’m also hopeful it will keep me from tearing my hair out and being bald by the time the wedding happens.

 

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Las Vegas Prices Are Going UP

Written By: Heather - Jan• 07•13

Did you miss it?  Were you waiting for the bottom of the market before buying or investing?  If so, according to AOL Real Estate, some markets are already showing marked signs of improvement.

Take for example friends of mine, I’ll call them John and Mary.  They’ve decided to sell their home in Southern California and retire to Las Vegas.  They told me this last spring.  I explained our market was changing and they should try to get their house on the market by June, but this and that happened, painting didn’t get done, and their delay has now cost them not only in price but choices of houses available.

This article will give you an idea about not only Las Vegas, but other cities you may also be considering:disappointed couple

 

7 Markets Showing Big Home Price Growth

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | MONDAY, JANUARY 07, 2013

Home prices are inching up across the country, as a housing recovery ripples through once hard-hit areas. AOL Real Estate, drawing from Trulia housing data, recently highlighted the top “turnaround housing markets” that have seen the biggest jumps in median home prices in the past year.

  1. Las Vegas
    • Median home price for fourth quarter of 2012: $147,000
    • Difference in prices between 2011-2012: +27.5%

Of course, the other 6 markets with the highest rate of improvement are also listed, but when we were telling you that if you were looking for the bottom, you’d miss it, well we hate to tell you so, but you did.

Interest rates are at the lowest they’ve been in decades, and although prices are creeping up, you don’t have to miss that too.  So don’t hesitate, contact your favorite real estate professional and loan officer in the city you want to buy in.  And of course, if its Las Vegas, call me at 702-531-4798 or email me at LasVegasExpert@yahoo.com.

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2013 Resolutions

Written By: Heather - Jan• 02•13

Have you written your 2013 New Years Resolutions?  Are you going to, or are you just going to pass.

Whether you make a list of resolutions or goals, it helps to write them down just to get some clarity.  As I transition more to doing more and more of my business strictly online, I’ve learned a few things over the last few months of all the trainings and webinars I’ve attended, all the PDF ebooks I’ve read, and podcasts I’ve listened to — analysis paralysis gets you no where and you have to choose what you’re going to do.2013 resolutions

Learning to be a full time online marketer, there are some definite steps to take:

  • Choose a subject for my blog that day
  • Choose a product that will help me by rating it or deciding how it will help my business
  • Write the blog about the subject I’m focusing on and how I will use the product to help me
  • Proofread the blog!
  • Make sure the blog has appropriate SEO keywords
  • Add pictures of the idea and/or the product to illustrate my point or the product I’m writing about
  • Post the blog
  • Start linking – post the link to my blog on my Facebook Page, Linked In Page, etc.
  • Comment on other blogs of the same topic and include a link to my blog in my signature
  • Pin the picture of the product or idea to Pinterest, which also links back to my blog
  • Then post a couple of other items on Facebook regarding the subject and something silly or vaguely personal
  • Make a short video about your subject, link it back to your blog (making sure the blog contains the affiliate link so that if someone likes the item, you get rewarded if they buy it)
  • Do it all again tomorrow

Whether you’re focusing on becoming an affiliate marketer, blogger, or building a repertoire so you can become a subcontractor who writes for other people, having a plan, staying focused, completing all the steps, and doing them every day is the best way to be disciplined, and hopefully make a good living along the way.

thought bubbleSo what’s your plan?

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Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 Extended

Written By: Heather - Jan• 02•13

Great News! The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 has been extended to January 1, 2014. This act forgives the tax burden if you sell your house as a short sale. Normally, if you sold your house for less than you owed, the difference would be taxable as regular income by the IRS, causing you to have a multi-thousand dollar tax bill to pay.

For example, if you owed $300,000 on your mortgage, but sold your house for $150,000, the lender would send you a 1099 for $150,000 and then the IRS would expect you to pay income tax on that amount like you earned it at a job.

So if you’re under water on your mortgage, and a large number of homeowners still are, especially where I am in Las Vegas, the time is NOW to list and sell your house as a short sale. Now I’m not a lawyer or a tax professional, so always seek that type of advice to make sure you understand the implications to your particular situation.

But don’t take my word for this, here is an article that explains how this works. http://bit.ly/Z88eaP

So if you need to get out from under that mortgage, call a real estate professional that specializes in short sales today. And if you’re in Las Vegas, you can always call me.

Heather Peck
Realty 360
lasvegasexpert@yahoo.com
702-531-4798

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What $500,000 Buys you in Las Vegas

Written By: Heather - Oct• 05•12

This is a new feature I’m offering which will give you an idea what kind of home and amenities $500,000 will buy you in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas market is unique to the country. We were the first to get hit by the big bubble pop, and we’re the slowest to recover because our homes are still so under water. In fact, it was recently stated at least 60% of homeowners in Las Vegas owe more than their homes are worth. That being said, there are some great deals to be had in Las Vegas. Combine that with great mortgage rates, and now may be the time to buy your dream home.

OK, let’s talk about what you could expect for a half million dollars. As of today, there are 115 single family homes priced between $500,000 and $600,000. The lot size varies widely from as small as 5,227 square feet to as large as over 2 1/4 acres. The homes vary in size from a compact 1754 square feet to a spacious 6,663 square feet. If you want a pool, over 60% have one but only half offer both a pool and spa. If you’re looking for bedrooms, you can expect as few as two and as many as 11, yes 11 bedrooms.

Out of the 115 homes in the price range, only two of them are bank owned. One of them is a custom home offering 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, garages for 5 cars, a luxurious pool and even guest quarters on 3/4 of an acre. It even has a private tennis court. This amazing property sold for $1.25 million just a short five years ago.

If you’re for a property that has everything on your wish list. This may be the one.

Heather Peck
Realty 360
702-531-4798
www.HeatherPeck.com
LasVegasExpert@yahoo.com

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How to Annoy Your Friends On Facebook

Written By: Heather - Jul• 13•12

I have a gripe to make. You probably don’t even realize you do it. I’m sure that I’m as guilty of it as anyone else — annoying friends on Facebook.  When working at home, its easy to get distracted and start sharing everything that pops up on your Facebook wall.

Do you have those friends who post 20 or 30 jokes, or political messages, or religious messages every single day?  Or if they miss a day, they make sure they post even more the next time?  I try not to share every cartoon I read, every political post I may or may not agree with, or anything else that could cause my friends to unfriend me.

Don’t get me wrong, its great to share things you think are funny or meaningful or something you have a strong opinion on.  After all, part of the reasons for being on Facebook is to participate with our friends, isn’t it?  But many people won’t say to you “STOP! You’re driving me CRAZY!”  They’ll just quietly unfriend you and then one day, you’ll realize you can’t message them because they’re not on your list anymore.

For example, there is someone I friended on Facebook because I’m interested in the product he sells.  He often posts very motivational photos, links to important articles and blogs, and gives really great information.  I’m also interested enough to read his posts when he shows what he’s doing for activities, with his family, etc.  However, I don’t share his religion nor do I share his political beliefs. This has caused me to not only stop his posts from appearing on my wall, but I decided to unfriend him.  I have another friend who also sells the same products, so I continue to follow her instead.

So when interacting with your friends on your wall on Facebook, think about how your friends and any other info you’re making public reflects on you.  After all, Facebook is supposed to be entertaining, not annoying.

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5 Ways To Become A Millionaire Online

Written By: Heather - Jul• 10•12

That’s what every guru tells you. They know how to make you a millionaire online. Their program works, just pay them and they’ll teach you how.

I’m as interested in making money online as you are and I do think some gurus can help you get there. Of course, there are some that are actually making 6+ figures a year and many who are not. But if you’re looking for a good program, here are the gurus you may want to look into:

Russell Brunson – He sells a program called “Dot Com Secrets X” that teaches you marketing online. He offers a trial program for 30 days for $1, and then charges $97 a month for as long as you subscribe. His training website is extremely complete with video training, links to tools and even gives you daily homework.

Mack Michaels – Millionaire Society is also a great marketing program. Mack is very generous in teaching you how he makes money online. He too provides you with lots of tools, scripts, sample materials, training videos and offers a trial program for $4.95.

BringTheFresh.com – This is a marketing training program offered by Kelly & Mike. They have a slightly different approach and you pay only $7 to get access to a training manual and lots of training videos.

John Chow – He is the #1 blogger online, raking in about $500,000 a year, yes half a million a year. He too offers training for, some free, some paid but well worth an investment if you’d like to learn about blogging from the guy who makes money by telling people how he makes money.

My last favorite guru is Pat Flynn. Pat offers all kinds of great tips via email and shares how he makes money with niche websites. His website is SmartPassiveIncome.com

All of these gurus have a slightly different twist on how they make money online. Regardless on which guru you listen to, they all share some things in common:
1. You’ll need to at least have a domain name and you’ll need to host it somewhere. Whether you point it at your affiliate link (with which you promote their website and get paid for anyone who buys off that link) or you market a variety of things on your own blog, expect this to cost you about $20-$25 for both to get started.
2. Many of the services they’ll suggest you subscribe to are free. Becoming an affiliate is free as is setting up a blog on Blogger or WordPress or many other platforms.
3. Some of the services they’ll suggest cost money. If you’re building a list to email marketing, the email responder programs charge a small fee. There are several good ones and your favorite guru will have their preferred program. This will run about $20 a month after an introductory period which may or may not be free.

My best suggestion is try the trial, see which program you like but don’t follow too many programs at once. You’ll get overwhelmed and not get anything done.

It is possible to become a millionaire online if you get started, keep trying and don’t expect it to happen overnight.

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5 Ways To Stay Focused

Written By: Heather - Jun• 18•12

I don’t know about you, but I often have a hard time staying focused. There are lots of things I want to do, need to do, think I should do but when it comes to actually doing them, I may start but then I lose my focus. I work at home and its so easy to get distracted, think about doing laundry or dishes, or something else. Fortunately I have no interest in daytime TV, but my friends tend to call me in the daytime because they know I don’t have someone peaking over my shoulder at work.

So I came up with five ways to help me stay focused. I’m not going to say they are new, but I am finding them to be extremely helpful keeping me on track:

1. Supercharge your to do list. Don’t just make a list and cross things off when you do them, set reminders in your phone or on your computer so they’ll annoy you enough to remember you have to complete something. Make the reminder as annoying as the alarm that wakes you in the morning and resist the urge to push the sleep button. Or if you do push the sleep button (or the remind me again in 30 minutes button), use that time to complete whatever you need to do so you can actually dismiss the item.

2. Tape your to do list on your computer monitor. No, I don’t mean on the front of your monitor. But I find if I’m staring at a copy of it, its less likely to get buried under the paper that continually breeds all day long on my desk. And I get such great satisfaction in crossing something off my list.

3. Ignore your phone. When working on a task, don’t take a call. Unless the police or firemen are breaking in your door, there is seldom something that is so urgent it can’t wait for a few minutes while you complete your to do item. Calls can be a break between to do items (unless, of course, making or returning calls IS a to do item). But don’t take any new calls until you either complete your item OR make all the calls on your list. Its too easy to get distracted from what you were doing, at least it is for me.

4. When making your to do list, determine a reward. If I complete this problem, write this paper, make 20 calls, or whatever the item is, reward yourself. It can be as simple as an iced coffee or refreshing snack, maybe a walk around the park or making an appointment to go have a massage. The reward should fit the task, but having something to look forward to besides completing the task certainly helps me want to complete it all the more.

5. Lastly, don’t put more than 10, yes ten, things on your to do list each day. Trying to accomplish too many things just overwhelms you and you find excuses not to do any of them. If I’m lucky enough to complete all ten things early in the day, I use that time to either reward myself or, at least, take a break away from my computer, my desk, my chair or my office. Its hard to stay focused if you never give yourself permission to stop. By only putting ten things each day on your must do list, you remind yourself that you’re entitled to have a life and enjoy it.

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