Blogging…it’s such a funny word, and yet, this simple activity can skyrocket your home based business website to the top of the search engine rankings, creating free (and much needed) visibility for your business.The word blog is simply slang for web log, and a blog is merely a regularly maintained journal posted on the internet, that allows you to write about new products or trends within your industry. It also allows prospective or current clients to post comments or questions about your business. Blogging is a terrific way to interact with potential customers while keeping the public updated on your home based business and products.Since 1998, blogs have increased from several thousand to several million, and there’s a reason behind the dramatic increase in blogging: search engine marketing. For business owners looking to increase visibility on the internet, blogging can have significant effects on the placement of your website in search rankings when prospects search for your business or product category on the web.The more you blog, and the more your customers and prospects comment on your blog site, the higher your home based business website will rank on search engines such as Google and Yahoo! Of course, the higher your business ranks on the search engines, the more likely customers will find your business website before they discover your competitors.But, if you’re a novice to the blogging world, you must be wondering where to begin. Start by setting up a free blog account for your home based business. Establishing a blog account is fairly simply, and can be done without incurring any costs. There are a number of free blog sites available for the home based business owner, including WordPress and Google Blogger. For search engine optimization purposes, WordPress has an excellent reputation and is highly regarded by the internet community, however, for ease of use, Google Blogger simply can’t be beat.When setting up your free blog account, you’ll need to be prepared to create a title for your new blog, therefore, it’s a good idea to spend some time thinking about what title will generate the most interest and make a potential customer want to stop and read about your home based business or products. Most blog sites will also allow you to create a URL that will be used to access your free blog account. When creating your blog title and URL, remember to use keywords, as the more popular keywords you can use, the more likely your blog will appear at the top of search engine rankings.Blogging is a good way to gain visibility for your home based business, and can also establish you as an expert in your particular industry. Blogging also provides a low cost way to build brand recognition and loyalty, control your business reputation and have direct communication with your customers. Blogging is truly a critical component of any internet marketing strategy.

So you want to start a home based business? Maybe you are in a dead end job which you hate. OK so it gives you some financial security but you would prefer to be your own boss and not be told what to do all of the time. You want some more control in your life? You feel life is passing you by and before you know where you are your life will have passed without you achieving what you always wanted to?So that is pretty much normal I’d say. The vast majority of people feel the same. Nearly all will never do anything about it. They will move towards a point in life where they will reconcile these thoughts with the fact that it really is simply too late. A small percentage, a very small percentage, will be motivated at some point to do something about these feelings.These people will feel so strongly that they will be forced into action. They will start to try and take control of their lives and try and break free from the control of a wage and a job they hate. Frequently their attempts will fail, but many will simply step right back and try again. Maybe eventually they will succeed.Now you have a choice. Will you be one of the vast majority? Or will you be part of the small minority that tries to do something? If you are the latter then this article is for you.The mistake most people make when starting a business is that they go in too big, make irrational decisions and end up in a position where their business can only fail. They may take risky decisions, they may borrow far too much money to finance their enterprise, they may try and grow too quickly or attempt something without research and planning.Business failures are running at a rate almost equal to business start ups. So even if you are one of the very few who choose to take on the challenge and attempt to go into business, the odds are stacked against you from day one.However, there is an alternative way. The safe way! Start small, very small, and grow slowly. Start a business from your own living room and keep your job for the time being. Allow the business to grow slowly, ploughing all profits back into it for the first year or two. Keep the risk low by not borrowing anything and keeping your overheads down.This may not be the quickest way to start a business, but it is the safest. If you can get a business to start in this way and build it to the point you can actually go full time working on it you will find it will be a very much more secure business going forward.So that is my first piece of advice. Start small, grow slow and keep the risk down.Next, be careful what you choose to do. The web is full of schemes, scams and programs that promise to give you untold wealth. They are a waste of your money and time. Seriously, anything that is not based on a real product or a real service is very unlikely to succeed long term. Most of the web schemes, scams and programs are based on thin air. They will not make you serious money and they certainly will not set you free from your day job. Trust me on that one!Base your business on real products or a real service. If I had a choice of the two I would go with service, but either are preferable over thin air.Next research, plan and prepare. Get to know your product or service well. Become an expert in it. Then become knowledgable about the marketplace. Who else sells this product or service? How well are they doing? Have similar businesses gone bust recently? What are the profit margins like? What does the risk look like?Become obsessive about this part. Good research can save you from wasting lots of money and worse still lots of your precious time. Do not become sucked into looking for a way to reassure yourself that your chosen product or service is good. Carry out the research as independently as you can. Do not become so wedded to your idea that whatever your research tells you it will not influence the fact that you are going to go right out there and do it.Be realistic. If your research says this idea is unlikely to succeed, drop it and move on.Whatever you decide to do, make sure you do something. The worse you can become is part of the vast majority. Be one of the few who try and break free. You simply never know where it might take you by this time next year.

In this day and age, many people are wary of investing in the unstable stock market which requires a lot of time and expertise. Unfortunately, leaving excess money in the bank is hardly an attractive option given the current rock bottom interest rates. One avenue of investment which hasn’t lost its charm is real estate.

Real estate investments in Israel create both a passive and active income for the investor. If the investor chooses to rent out his or her property, they may collect rent money, as well as reap the benefits of the steadily rising value of their property. Given the nature of the real estate market in Israel, this kind of investment provides both stability and relatively high capital gains.

Many people fear making an investment while the market is down, but low prices shouldn’t deter. The right investment will be profitable at any time. Of course, an economic crisis holds greater risks, but it also holds greater opportunities for profit than other times. In Israel, recent years have brought about many changes: new railways, roads, infrastructure, schools and many military headquarters moving to the southern part of the country mean many great opportunities for wise investors. A small property in the periphery of Israel will usually mean higher yields from rent, while at the same time, investment in real estate in one of the major cities is still a good, reliable and more secure option.

So how does one choose where to invest? In what? And whether to do so in Israel or some other country altogether? The most important advice is to research and thoroughly check all the options. Independently investing in real estate requires knowledge, understanding and information. Many people opt out of investing in this field although they have the required capital, just because they lack the necessary knowledge; they know they are missing out on golden opportunities. This article aims to highlight a few of the important things one must consider regarding real estate investments in Israel.

Before beginning the search for the perfect investment, it’s important to plan and define the details of the investment, including the following subjects:

- The purpose of the investment: if you are aiming for maximum returns, you might consider investing in housing units in the Tel Aviv central bus station area, where the rent potential from the foreign workers who inhabit the area will probably be higher than other alternatives. However, you should ask yourself whether you are prepared to deal with the inevitable day to day maintenance that accompany such a choice: collecting rent on a weekly basis, working with different populations. You should also take into account future needs: will you want to live in the apartment or to make it available for family at some point? In that case the character of the neighborhood, and vicinity to the center should also be taken into consideration.

- Partners: Will you be investing alone or with a partner? A partner may be a family member, friend or business acquaintance. There are many advantages to investing with a partner: risk dispersing (for instance, you could invest in two halves of two apartments in different locations), shared planning and research etc. But shared investments are not for everyone, and come with the dangers any joint venture naturally encapsulates.

- Level of risk: How “risk averse” are you? Someone who is “risk averse” will prefer a solid investment in an established location such as central Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, whilst a “risk taker” may prefer to invest in less “conventional” areas with less predictable prices but more potential for profit, such as Sderot, Ariel and more peripheral areas of Israel.

- Correct financial planning of the investment:

- Is your investment based on private equity? Or will you be taking on a mortgage? The level of equity you have will impact the amount of leveraging and the quality of the loan you get. These factors should be considered before searching for the right property, as they will determine the optimal amount for your investment.

- Risk management: what are the potential risks associated with the investment, and how would you deal with them should they be realized? Although Israel has enjoyed financial stability compared to other countries across the globe, and has escaped the last global economic crisis more or less unscathed, there are inherent risks to investing in any market. A few examples include sudden inflation, an abrupt change in the dollar-shekel exchange rates, a deceleration of the renting market. You should leave a margin of equity that will enable you to return any debts and loans you have taken on, bearing in mind such scenarios and others.

- Defining the nature of the property: this is one of the most challenging aspects of the investment process. For maximum gains, this stage must be carried out with due care and thought. Some of the most important aspects influencing the potential revenue from a property are:

- Location of the property (central areas are the most popular, but are also the most expensive. A small property on the outskirts of a major city may yield higher returns)

- Size of property (most renters live alone or with a partner. 1-2 bedroom apartments are popular amongst renters, while larger apartments usually incur bigger utility costs and municipal taxes)

- Accessibility (vicinity to public transport routes, availability of parking etc.)

- Price

Apart from these issues to consider, it is important not to fall into the following “traps”. What NOT to do:

- Investing in a property in your “comfort zone”: Israel holds many opportunities for the wise investor. But it is important not to choose an investment based on your fondness for a certain “comfort area”, be it because it is a favorite holiday location, close to family members, a job etc. One should choose an area to invest based on cold hard and objective returns potential, unless the investment will be a place of residence.

- Full reliance on personal capital: It is better to consider leveraging your investment, even if you could afford it on your own. This decreases the risk and allows you to make further investments.

- Not leaving an emergency “cushion”: Do not acquire a property for a total cost that leaves no room for unexpected payments and costs. Take into account additional costs such as purchase tax, payments to a realtor, an attorney, renovation funds etc, as well as additional unforeseen costs.

Once you have properly outlined the nature of your investment, its purpose and scope, you are ready to invest. But there are still many more questions to consider: whether to buy a new apartment from a contractor, or an existing apartment (and what to look out for in each type of deal), the crucial tax implications of investing in different kinds of properties (which may affect the entire profitability of the investment), and once you have decided upon a property – what are the necessary legal precautions you should be taking. In order to protect your interests at all times whilst making the best investment, it is always recommended to consult an attorney who specializes in the field.