Don’t brand on price.

If you have low prices, and want to focus your branding strategy on that, don’t. Although it’s a good start, focusing on price alone is a race to the bottom. You want to give your customers a more compelling reason to go with you over your competitors. Build up the intangible parts of your brand, i.e. trust, quality, commitment, experience. These qualities are more memorable than a low price, and keep customers coming back for more.

Don’t change your promise.

Companies often get tired of their marketing campaign before the market does. A company’s brand, logo, or tagline is something that builds a reputation over time. Avoid changing your brand; though your brand promise should be relevant and up-to-date, a total makeover often loses customers.

Don’t copycat.

Marketing is all about being unique. If you try to copy a market leader, customers will just end up returning to that market leader. If your competitor is a big-chain coffeehouse, do something different. Change the décor, encourage customer participation, market through coffee-tasting parties and create your own buzz.

Set goals for yourself. Because you no longer have reviews or progress reports, you must keep track of your business’s progress. Goals set on customer satisfaction, income and profit levels, and quality services are crucial in raising your company’s bar. Motivate yourself in order to always do better.

Organize your family time. A balance between your home life and business life is important for success in both areas. A strong support system can go a long way in your business’s success, but you must not let your business ruin the relationships between you and your family. Making arrangements for childcare in or outside the home may be necessary to keep you from getting too distracted.

Keeping your business afloat is difficult, but following these few, simple steps can help you make the most of your home business.

Who are your target customers? If your customers are more likely to read a certain publication, associate yourself with that publication and start by taking a small ad in that publication. If they are all members of a particular organization, join that organization and begin networking there. Mailing small postcards or pamphlets to your target customers is also a good way to start.

How will you keep contact with your customers? If your business is an online business, regular emails is the way to go. Mailings that announce new products or services or special offers is another way of keeping in touch.

What is your marketing budget? Though you may have plenty of marketing ideas, your budget may not allow it. Designing, printing, and distributing can incur a lot of costs, and networking can take up time you may not have. Figure out what suits your company best and work your marketing strategy around your budget.

An informative name tells your customers immediately what it is you’re selling and keeps them aware of your product. Some believe made up words are more memorable than real words, while others say made up words are innately forgettable. Whichever name you choose, any successful business will tell you it’s about marketing and getting that name out to the public.

If your business has the potential to truly take off, you may think about investing in a naming firm. Hiring naming firms can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to a few tens of thousands of dollars. However, they offer the expertise to tell you which names are bad and why, while letting you know which potential names may work. The benefit of spending this money is the instant brand recognition that comes with a good company name, which can cut down your costs in the long run.

Also, think of the qualities you want your company to be associated with. If you want to communicate warmth and openness, a generic name is not the way to go. Be specific, but not so specific that you alienate potential clientele.

There is often a thin line between what makes a company name good or bad. Chances are the right name will come naturally, so while you should take time out to think about it, do not let it bring your new business any unnecessary stress.

Daycare - A must have for any mother working from home! Whether it’s a babysitter, a daycare, or a nanny, having your children taken care of during your hectic workday is crucial to getting work done. Though some mothers may feel bad leaving their children with someone else to be taken care of, it’s all a part of being a working parent. Working from home should be no different than working in an office, you need privacy and you need to be free of distractions.

A Smart phone – Whether it’s the IPhone, Blackberry, or Treo, a smart phone is necessary in helping you manage several priorities at once, no matter where you are. It also allows you to be connected in more ways than one. Through voice, email, or text, your customers, network, and staff can contact you easily.

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn – These networking sites help get your name and company out there. You can post your profile, your company information, website, and blog, and it’s completely free. Some of the heaviest traffic will be via online, so having an up-to-date social network is crucial in this day and age.   Linked in also allows one to join groups important to your career or business, and ask questions to gain insight on what to do next.

Adequate workspace – To be productive, it’s important to have a private office space where you can get work done. Though your hours may not be traditional, an organized workspace will keep you motivated and will help you accomplish your goals.

A Staff – Working from home means you won’t have a boss or coworkers, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a staff. A good accountant, lawyer, or publicist may be necessary to get a lot of the business done that you may not have the time or knowledge to get done yourself.