Article Presented by:
Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
Starting an online business doesn't have to be a challenge, especially when you're equipped with the right knowledge, tools, and business planning strategy. Choosing a niche market is the first step towards building your online empire, but there are many other important factors to consider before getting started. Are you ready for a successful online business? Here are some key items to consider so you are prepared with the right information before jumping in:
Mapping Out Your Small Business Ideas
When you're considering different types of small business ideas, mapping out each one individually can help you decide which ones will be most profitable-and which ideas just won't work for the long-term. Mapping out your small business ideas can help you outline the benefits and challenges of each, and help you make a better decision.
Your Small Business Startup Marketing Plan
Your marketing plan will consist of the different ways you plan to promote and build your network. This includes both clients and customers, and is an important step for a small business both online and offline. If your internet business ideas can't be promoted properly, you'll miss out on the right opportunity. Designing a valuable small business startup marketing plan is an essential step towards success. Whether you choose to launch a retail site, a newsletter, or even a blog, consider a variety of approaches so that your online business startup can be a success.
Number of Employees for Your Online Business
Is your online business going to be a solo venture, or will you be hiring employees? An online business that is maintained with just one or a few employees is easier to start and manage; you can plan out everything step by step, and slowly build your business until you feel you're ready to start paying a salary or wage to others. One of the biggest benefits of a small business startup is the ability to control and manage operations from the get-go; if you enjoy working independently and are interested in building your own small business, consider waiting until a later date to bring on a team of employees.
Designing Your Online Business Website With Success
If you're not web-savvy enough to build or design your own website, you'll need to hire a professional web designer to manage the project. Make sure you choose something that will attract customers and make it easy for people to find your products. You want customers to be able to get a hold of you easily, so it's a good idea to include an e-mail address or phone number for contact. Whether it's an online retail business or just a service, a great presentation can help you make the sale.
Building Credibility Online
Your online business will need to build credibility to attract customers, clients, and subscribers. You can do this by marketing and promoting your website using a variety of tools already on the web. From article distribution to press releases, you'll need a strategy to build credibility so your online business can take off easily. There are many money making ideas on the web today, but only a few survive because of effective marketing and promotions. Use a variety of strategies to start building credibility online, and you'll start seeing profits sooner than you think.
Being prepared for online business success is an important step. From marketing to hiring, get your online business off to a strong start with any or all of these key factors in mind.
About the Author:
Clinton Douglas IV, writes E-Business articles for people who want to achieve more online success. Learn Today, "How to Start an Online Business in less than 30 Days starting from Scratch"! Free Special Report - Limited Time! Plus, weekly newsletter from Online Empire Secrets (A $400 Value). Click ==> Small Business Ideas To get Your FREE REPORT!
http://online-empire.vasrue.com/How-To-Start-Your-Online-Business_F.html
Friday, February 22, 2008
Business Planning Basics
Article Presented by:
Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
Business planning is an important factor when you are launching your small business startup or online business, and you need to make sure you have documented your ideas thoroughly and objectively for each area. From financial projections to summaries and overviews, an effective business plan will help you and potential investors determine how valuable the business idea truly is.
Most people make the mistake of thinking they don't need a business plan for an online business or startup; they think they can just launch first, and then put the pieces together as they move ahead. However, this can be a costly strategy and puts you at risk for some big mistakes. Business planning will help you organize your goals and keep you on track towards success. Here are some basic do's and don'ts for business planning:
Do write up the business plan summaries before filling out each area. The summary can serve as a basic guide, and can always be changed later if needed. You'll need to write up the general idea of what the section is about so you have a simple outline before getting into the details.
Don't analyze trends too early. While it's a good idea to do some market research and learn about your customers, determining market potential too early on can lead to poor decisions. Effective business planning requires that you find only the information that supports your ideas at this present moment, and then using solid financial projections for forecasting at a later date.
Do outline a marketing budget and plan. Your marketing plan doesn't have to be complex to be effective, and there are many ways you can work on promoting your business and developing a strong customer base. Make a list of at least 5-8 marketing objectives and strategies so that you can coordinate your marketing plan immediately from the startup of your business.
Don't share your business planning strategy or ideas with too many people. You want to make sure that your plans and information remain confidential until you are prepared to launch. Sharing your ideas with too many people can easily make you lose out on a great business opportunity.
Do include sales strategies and marketing tools you want to use. This will help you narrow down which approaches might be most effective for your business as you start out, and you can always build upon them as the business grows. Having these ideas in writing will help you keep track of your objectives with ease.
Don't include your background research or additional ideas within the final plan. Business planning does require some strategic reporting, and you don't have to 'publish' all of your research in the final plans. Take the time to weed out what is most important for you as you get going, and organize the plan as if you were going to be presenting it to a board for review. This will help you filter out what is necessary for the beginning phases of your small business startup, and what can wait for additional review at a later date.
Effective business planning takes time, patience, and strong research and organization skills but the effort is well worth it. Following some business planning basics is all you need to get started, and you can work on building up your plan with ease as the business grows.
About the Author:
Clinton Douglas IV, writes E-Business articles for people who want to achieve more online success. Learn Today, "How to Start an Online Business in less than 30 Days starting from Scratch"! Free Special Report - Limited Time! Plus, weekly newsletter from Online Empire Secrets (A $400 Value). Click ==> Small Business Ideas To get Your FREE REPORT!
http://online-empire.vasrue.com/How-To-Start-Your-Online-Business_F.html
Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
Business planning is an important factor when you are launching your small business startup or online business, and you need to make sure you have documented your ideas thoroughly and objectively for each area. From financial projections to summaries and overviews, an effective business plan will help you and potential investors determine how valuable the business idea truly is.
Most people make the mistake of thinking they don't need a business plan for an online business or startup; they think they can just launch first, and then put the pieces together as they move ahead. However, this can be a costly strategy and puts you at risk for some big mistakes. Business planning will help you organize your goals and keep you on track towards success. Here are some basic do's and don'ts for business planning:
Do write up the business plan summaries before filling out each area. The summary can serve as a basic guide, and can always be changed later if needed. You'll need to write up the general idea of what the section is about so you have a simple outline before getting into the details.
Don't analyze trends too early. While it's a good idea to do some market research and learn about your customers, determining market potential too early on can lead to poor decisions. Effective business planning requires that you find only the information that supports your ideas at this present moment, and then using solid financial projections for forecasting at a later date.
Do outline a marketing budget and plan. Your marketing plan doesn't have to be complex to be effective, and there are many ways you can work on promoting your business and developing a strong customer base. Make a list of at least 5-8 marketing objectives and strategies so that you can coordinate your marketing plan immediately from the startup of your business.
Don't share your business planning strategy or ideas with too many people. You want to make sure that your plans and information remain confidential until you are prepared to launch. Sharing your ideas with too many people can easily make you lose out on a great business opportunity.
Do include sales strategies and marketing tools you want to use. This will help you narrow down which approaches might be most effective for your business as you start out, and you can always build upon them as the business grows. Having these ideas in writing will help you keep track of your objectives with ease.
Don't include your background research or additional ideas within the final plan. Business planning does require some strategic reporting, and you don't have to 'publish' all of your research in the final plans. Take the time to weed out what is most important for you as you get going, and organize the plan as if you were going to be presenting it to a board for review. This will help you filter out what is necessary for the beginning phases of your small business startup, and what can wait for additional review at a later date.
Effective business planning takes time, patience, and strong research and organization skills but the effort is well worth it. Following some business planning basics is all you need to get started, and you can work on building up your plan with ease as the business grows.
About the Author:
Clinton Douglas IV, writes E-Business articles for people who want to achieve more online success. Learn Today, "How to Start an Online Business in less than 30 Days starting from Scratch"! Free Special Report - Limited Time! Plus, weekly newsletter from Online Empire Secrets (A $400 Value). Click ==> Small Business Ideas To get Your FREE REPORT!
http://online-empire.vasrue.com/How-To-Start-Your-Online-Business_F.html
Article Marketing for Internet Affiliate Programs
Article Presented by:
Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
When you decided that the time was right to look for business opportunities that let you work from home online, internet marketing affiliate programs like those offered by Click Booth were likely a big draw - for good reason; they make it possible to make money fast. For those affiliate marketers who made the decision not to design their own website (at least initially) and for those who have their own professional sites alike, article marketing is an effective tool for getting the word out about the products and services that you are promoting.
Even if you only work from home online, you'll find that article marketing can easily be fit into the activities that you perform while running your home based business. The reason that even those who believe that they "cannot write" turn to article marketing to get the word out is simple: how else can you make money online free? That's right. When you write and submit articles to various article directories on the web, you'll be able to reach a wider audience without having to pay for the advertising.
Of course, reaching people about the internet affiliate program products and services that you're promoting will take a bit of finesse. While good articles always include a link to the page that you are promoting - either within the article itself or in the resource box that lets you tell readers a bit more about who you are and what you do - the goal of the article is to inform. In other words, an article isn't a sales pitch.
Instead, the articles that you use to market and internet affiliate programs should benefit the readers. Use your articles to focus on relevant information; let the reader see that what you're telling him or her is really to his or her advantage. If, for example, you've chosen to promote a Click Booth service such as satellite television, don't focus on selling that service. Instead write an article that speaks to the frustrations that they have with their cable company overcharging for inferior service; explain what satellite TV really is and provide some history. This sort of quality content that is appealing not only to the readers but also to publishers who are looking for content to use on their blogs or websites is far more valuable than a short link ad.
You did read that correctly - publishers of ezines and other email newsletters as well as a wide variety of bloggers and webmasters scan article directories to find content that they can include on their site: this is a remarkably good thing. Each time a publisher reprints your article, all of the links that you included must be in tact and active; that means that every time your articles are used, another link to the internet affiliate program product or service you were marketing will show up online.
Article marketing helps to establish your credibility by showing that you know what you're writing about. Article marketing draws attention when your articles provide the information that people are already looking for. Others will put your links up for you by republishing that content. And, again, it's free advertising for your home based business.
About the Author:
Clinton Douglas IV, writes E-Business articles for people who want to achieve more online success. Learn Today, "How to Start an Online Business in less than 30 Days starting from Scratch"! Free Special Report - Limited Time! Plus, weekly newsletter from Online Empire Secrets (A $400 Value). Click ==> Small Business Ideas To get Your FREE REPORT!
http://online-empire.vasrue.com/How-To-Start-Your-Online-Business_F.html
Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
When you decided that the time was right to look for business opportunities that let you work from home online, internet marketing affiliate programs like those offered by Click Booth were likely a big draw - for good reason; they make it possible to make money fast. For those affiliate marketers who made the decision not to design their own website (at least initially) and for those who have their own professional sites alike, article marketing is an effective tool for getting the word out about the products and services that you are promoting.
Even if you only work from home online, you'll find that article marketing can easily be fit into the activities that you perform while running your home based business. The reason that even those who believe that they "cannot write" turn to article marketing to get the word out is simple: how else can you make money online free? That's right. When you write and submit articles to various article directories on the web, you'll be able to reach a wider audience without having to pay for the advertising.
Of course, reaching people about the internet affiliate program products and services that you're promoting will take a bit of finesse. While good articles always include a link to the page that you are promoting - either within the article itself or in the resource box that lets you tell readers a bit more about who you are and what you do - the goal of the article is to inform. In other words, an article isn't a sales pitch.
Instead, the articles that you use to market and internet affiliate programs should benefit the readers. Use your articles to focus on relevant information; let the reader see that what you're telling him or her is really to his or her advantage. If, for example, you've chosen to promote a Click Booth service such as satellite television, don't focus on selling that service. Instead write an article that speaks to the frustrations that they have with their cable company overcharging for inferior service; explain what satellite TV really is and provide some history. This sort of quality content that is appealing not only to the readers but also to publishers who are looking for content to use on their blogs or websites is far more valuable than a short link ad.
You did read that correctly - publishers of ezines and other email newsletters as well as a wide variety of bloggers and webmasters scan article directories to find content that they can include on their site: this is a remarkably good thing. Each time a publisher reprints your article, all of the links that you included must be in tact and active; that means that every time your articles are used, another link to the internet affiliate program product or service you were marketing will show up online.
Article marketing helps to establish your credibility by showing that you know what you're writing about. Article marketing draws attention when your articles provide the information that people are already looking for. Others will put your links up for you by republishing that content. And, again, it's free advertising for your home based business.
About the Author:
Clinton Douglas IV, writes E-Business articles for people who want to achieve more online success. Learn Today, "How to Start an Online Business in less than 30 Days starting from Scratch"! Free Special Report - Limited Time! Plus, weekly newsletter from Online Empire Secrets (A $400 Value). Click ==> Small Business Ideas To get Your FREE REPORT!
http://online-empire.vasrue.com/How-To-Start-Your-Online-Business_F.html
Breaking in to Affiliate Internet Marketing
Article Presented by:
Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
So you think you're ready to make a commitment to work from home online and you're looking at internet marketing affiliate programs - congratulations, you are about to embark on a journey that will help you to earn money at home and start a home based business of your own. But breaking into affiliate internet marketing means knowing what you're going to be getting yourself into.
First, just because it's relatively easy to make money online with an internet marketing affiliate program doesn't mean that there aren't people who struggle and ultimately fail. That means that you not only need to make a commitment to your home based business, but also that you need to make a commitment to finding affiliate products or services that meet a few specific criteria:
1. The product or service should be something that you care about. If you don't know much about home security systems, choosing to market them may not be the best plan if only because other marketers who know a lot about the topic are sure to be more knowledgeable. But there's another reason to look for products or services that you care about: when you see the value of something, when you're excited about something, that excitement is contagious. The writing that you do, the ads that you create, the forums that you go to - all of these will show your commitment, and that will help to get your prospects excited too.
2. The product or service has a specific target market. Have you ever noticed that washing machines are targeted towards women? Have you ever noticed that home gym equipment is targeted to guys who want to get ripped without going to the gym and who don't necessarily want to work out for hours at a time lifting traditional weights? These are specific target markets that advertisers are pitching their products to. If you're looking at a product or service through an internet marketing affiliate program like Click Booth, you'll want to focus on those products that you can see a clear need for because that way it will be easier to drive traffic to the advertiser.
3. People want the product or service, but there is not a great deal of competition for selling it. Do you know why the diet industry is so huge in the United States? The answer isn't the obesity epidemic, the answer is that there are a whole lot of people who are looking for ways of making it simple to reach their goals. At first glance, it may seem that, when you're breaking into affiliate internet marketing you would want to have a product that has such wide appeal; however, if there are already millions of people selling the product, well, that's millions of people that you'll need to compete with.
The key is to find a balance. Be passionate about the product or service from Click Booth that you choose to market and promote. Know that there are individuals who will be interested in it and make sure that you will not have an impossible amount of competition once you get started with your home based business.
About the Author:
Clinton Douglas IV, writes E-Business articles for people who want to achieve more online success. Learn Today, "How to Start an Online Business in less than 30 Days starting from Scratch"! Free Special Report - Limited Time! Plus, weekly newsletter from Online Empire Secrets (A $400 Value). Click ==> Small Business Ideas To get Your FREE REPORT!
http://online-empire.vasrue.com/How-To-Start-Your-Online-Business_F.html
Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
So you think you're ready to make a commitment to work from home online and you're looking at internet marketing affiliate programs - congratulations, you are about to embark on a journey that will help you to earn money at home and start a home based business of your own. But breaking into affiliate internet marketing means knowing what you're going to be getting yourself into.
First, just because it's relatively easy to make money online with an internet marketing affiliate program doesn't mean that there aren't people who struggle and ultimately fail. That means that you not only need to make a commitment to your home based business, but also that you need to make a commitment to finding affiliate products or services that meet a few specific criteria:
1. The product or service should be something that you care about. If you don't know much about home security systems, choosing to market them may not be the best plan if only because other marketers who know a lot about the topic are sure to be more knowledgeable. But there's another reason to look for products or services that you care about: when you see the value of something, when you're excited about something, that excitement is contagious. The writing that you do, the ads that you create, the forums that you go to - all of these will show your commitment, and that will help to get your prospects excited too.
2. The product or service has a specific target market. Have you ever noticed that washing machines are targeted towards women? Have you ever noticed that home gym equipment is targeted to guys who want to get ripped without going to the gym and who don't necessarily want to work out for hours at a time lifting traditional weights? These are specific target markets that advertisers are pitching their products to. If you're looking at a product or service through an internet marketing affiliate program like Click Booth, you'll want to focus on those products that you can see a clear need for because that way it will be easier to drive traffic to the advertiser.
3. People want the product or service, but there is not a great deal of competition for selling it. Do you know why the diet industry is so huge in the United States? The answer isn't the obesity epidemic, the answer is that there are a whole lot of people who are looking for ways of making it simple to reach their goals. At first glance, it may seem that, when you're breaking into affiliate internet marketing you would want to have a product that has such wide appeal; however, if there are already millions of people selling the product, well, that's millions of people that you'll need to compete with.
The key is to find a balance. Be passionate about the product or service from Click Booth that you choose to market and promote. Know that there are individuals who will be interested in it and make sure that you will not have an impossible amount of competition once you get started with your home based business.
About the Author:
Clinton Douglas IV, writes E-Business articles for people who want to achieve more online success. Learn Today, "How to Start an Online Business in less than 30 Days starting from Scratch"! Free Special Report - Limited Time! Plus, weekly newsletter from Online Empire Secrets (A $400 Value). Click ==> Small Business Ideas To get Your FREE REPORT!
http://online-empire.vasrue.com/How-To-Start-Your-Online-Business_F.html
3:10 to Yuma...Lessons Learned
Article Presented by:
Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
Before we begin, let's start with a quote from one of my favorite people. "I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature." - J.D. Rockefeller
I watched a movie called "3:10 to Yuma" this past weekend and let me tell you first... It was great! Besides being known as the Travel Guru, I also love to watch movies. It's just one of those past times that started with my mom way back in the day with movies like: Kelly's Hero's, To Hell and Back, Platoon, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the list goes on. Man, movies just are a great way to put motivation back into your life, to get over the humps that we just can't seem to get rid of!
So, in 3:10 to Yuma we get to see Russell Crowe back again doing a fine Ben Wade (an Outlaw). He had this calm role, where you see him thinking before taking any action. You can see the looks he gives as he plans out the next move. Careful planning, then the decision is made and it's done! Then, you have Christian Bale (Plays in Batman) now playing Dan Evans, a former US Soldier with a missing leg. He has a family on the ranch, which is broke and about to become a landmark, as the railroad wants to claim his land for a debt he owes. Sound familiar?
The storyline has Dan Evans as one of a few men to escort Ben Wade to Yuma for the 3:10 train. Now, as simple this may play out you got to go watch the movie, if you haven't. But, the story line thickens as different challenges are faced along the way.
============= Overcoming Self =============
One of the hardest things to overcome in life is self. Now Dan Evans really had a lot against him, before all this started. For example, his sons where challenging him, his wife was not happy because he does not have any money, and his ranch (business) sucks! Now, on top of all this, he has a severe case of self-doubt. For any average man to press on with this much burden would be difficult, right?
As, I stated earlier, overcoming self is one the hardest things one can do. But God always has something that he shows us to help us get the courage to move past our temporary problems.
Dan Evans was offered $200 to help escort Ben Wade to Yuma. Now this is not much, but it would help get some of his debts paid, and maybe it would help get things back on track in his personal life and help him to make money down on the farm. He accepts the offer and the journey starts.
======== Fear ========
"One great source of failure is found in a lack of concentration of purpose. There will be adverse winds in every voyage, but the able seaman firmly resists their influence, while he takes advantage of every favorable breeze to speed him on his course."
"So in our aims and pursuits we shall find much to counteract them, much to draw our attention from them, and, unless we are armed with a steadfast purpose, that can subordinate the lesser to the greater, that can repel hindrances, resist attractions, and bend circumstances to our will, our efforts will not be crowned with success." Anonymous
Dan Evans also had fear. With the odds stacked against him, how could he achieve this enormous goal? After all, who is he to think that because he was some war hero, and that he could escort an Outlaw to a destination a few hundred miles away and out smart Ben Wades Posse?
Dan Evans had to make a decision. Was he going to let his family starve and the ranch go under, or was he going to face his fear and do it anyways? He took a deep look inside himself and found the answer. Notice, he first took inventory of himself, then made the decision to either fail standing up or to fail down on his knees. Let me tell you, it was the most courageous decision one could make. To fail standing up was his decision!
========== Opportunity ==========
"Teachers open the doors, but you must enter by yourself." Chinese Proverb
I am doing my best to not tell you the whole movie here, but you must understand that "3:10 To Yuma" has so many life lessons that one should really rent it today!
Let me tell you a bit more about Dan Evans. Dan has made his journey to Yuma. But, is his journey complete? Has he achieved his goal of claiming the $200 reward for escorting Ben Wade to Yuma? Well my friend, you are about to find out. Dan is now sitting in a hotel with Ben Wade, only a few hours until 3:10pm. He can see that his journey is almost complete, and he can see the joy that his wife and kids will feel when he soon returns home to be with them.
I know, what the heck Clinton, is this really the end? Has he reached his goal?
As I mentioned before, God places things in your eye that may seem pleasurable, only to lead you to do greater things. Yes, the $200 reward was the pleasurable thing in Dan's eye. He can now claim it, but the Ben Wade Posse surrounds them. The local town Marshall, who was supposed to support Dan until the train arrived, has already abandoned Dan. But the Marshall's cowardice only led to a quick and embarrassing death at the hands of the bandits, who had demanded Dan Evans and his party to give up Ben Wade, in exchange for their own freedom.
Ben could have decided to give up against these odds. He had realized that the $200 was not worth facing the odds he was against. But, he would not quit. Instead, he decided that he would up the stakes and make life pay him for what he asked for. What was his new offer for life? He wanted $1,000 and all of his debts paid off, and he wanted the dam that was blocking water to his ranch to be destroyed. Only a crazy man or a man who saw that he could accomplish all that he had set out to do only if he put his mind into it would venture such a gamble.
He is a crazy man, you might say, but this man had a definite purpose backed only by a definite plan that would lead him to accomplish what he wanted to achieve. He wanted his family to have a secure future and never have to worry about being hungry again. Dan Evans made it to the train, but not with out great sacrifice. He lost his life along the way.
But the greatest things we have to do in life is to look within our self and ask if we are willing to do the things that we need to do to help those we love, even if those things require us to be selfless in our actions.
Until Next time, take care and be blessed.
About the Author:
Clinton Douglas IV, writes E-Business articles for people who want to achieve more online success. Learn Today, "How to Start an Online Business in less than 30 Days starting from Scratch"! Free Special Report - Limited Time! Plus, weekly newsletter from Online Empire Secrets (A $400 Value). Click ==> Small Business Ideas To get Your FREE REPORT!
http://online-empire.vasrue.com/How-To-Start-Your-Online-Business_F.html
Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
Before we begin, let's start with a quote from one of my favorite people. "I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature." - J.D. Rockefeller
I watched a movie called "3:10 to Yuma" this past weekend and let me tell you first... It was great! Besides being known as the Travel Guru, I also love to watch movies. It's just one of those past times that started with my mom way back in the day with movies like: Kelly's Hero's, To Hell and Back, Platoon, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the list goes on. Man, movies just are a great way to put motivation back into your life, to get over the humps that we just can't seem to get rid of!
So, in 3:10 to Yuma we get to see Russell Crowe back again doing a fine Ben Wade (an Outlaw). He had this calm role, where you see him thinking before taking any action. You can see the looks he gives as he plans out the next move. Careful planning, then the decision is made and it's done! Then, you have Christian Bale (Plays in Batman) now playing Dan Evans, a former US Soldier with a missing leg. He has a family on the ranch, which is broke and about to become a landmark, as the railroad wants to claim his land for a debt he owes. Sound familiar?
The storyline has Dan Evans as one of a few men to escort Ben Wade to Yuma for the 3:10 train. Now, as simple this may play out you got to go watch the movie, if you haven't. But, the story line thickens as different challenges are faced along the way.
============= Overcoming Self =============
One of the hardest things to overcome in life is self. Now Dan Evans really had a lot against him, before all this started. For example, his sons where challenging him, his wife was not happy because he does not have any money, and his ranch (business) sucks! Now, on top of all this, he has a severe case of self-doubt. For any average man to press on with this much burden would be difficult, right?
As, I stated earlier, overcoming self is one the hardest things one can do. But God always has something that he shows us to help us get the courage to move past our temporary problems.
Dan Evans was offered $200 to help escort Ben Wade to Yuma. Now this is not much, but it would help get some of his debts paid, and maybe it would help get things back on track in his personal life and help him to make money down on the farm. He accepts the offer and the journey starts.
======== Fear ========
"One great source of failure is found in a lack of concentration of purpose. There will be adverse winds in every voyage, but the able seaman firmly resists their influence, while he takes advantage of every favorable breeze to speed him on his course."
"So in our aims and pursuits we shall find much to counteract them, much to draw our attention from them, and, unless we are armed with a steadfast purpose, that can subordinate the lesser to the greater, that can repel hindrances, resist attractions, and bend circumstances to our will, our efforts will not be crowned with success." Anonymous
Dan Evans also had fear. With the odds stacked against him, how could he achieve this enormous goal? After all, who is he to think that because he was some war hero, and that he could escort an Outlaw to a destination a few hundred miles away and out smart Ben Wades Posse?
Dan Evans had to make a decision. Was he going to let his family starve and the ranch go under, or was he going to face his fear and do it anyways? He took a deep look inside himself and found the answer. Notice, he first took inventory of himself, then made the decision to either fail standing up or to fail down on his knees. Let me tell you, it was the most courageous decision one could make. To fail standing up was his decision!
========== Opportunity ==========
"Teachers open the doors, but you must enter by yourself." Chinese Proverb
I am doing my best to not tell you the whole movie here, but you must understand that "3:10 To Yuma" has so many life lessons that one should really rent it today!
Let me tell you a bit more about Dan Evans. Dan has made his journey to Yuma. But, is his journey complete? Has he achieved his goal of claiming the $200 reward for escorting Ben Wade to Yuma? Well my friend, you are about to find out. Dan is now sitting in a hotel with Ben Wade, only a few hours until 3:10pm. He can see that his journey is almost complete, and he can see the joy that his wife and kids will feel when he soon returns home to be with them.
I know, what the heck Clinton, is this really the end? Has he reached his goal?
As I mentioned before, God places things in your eye that may seem pleasurable, only to lead you to do greater things. Yes, the $200 reward was the pleasurable thing in Dan's eye. He can now claim it, but the Ben Wade Posse surrounds them. The local town Marshall, who was supposed to support Dan until the train arrived, has already abandoned Dan. But the Marshall's cowardice only led to a quick and embarrassing death at the hands of the bandits, who had demanded Dan Evans and his party to give up Ben Wade, in exchange for their own freedom.
Ben could have decided to give up against these odds. He had realized that the $200 was not worth facing the odds he was against. But, he would not quit. Instead, he decided that he would up the stakes and make life pay him for what he asked for. What was his new offer for life? He wanted $1,000 and all of his debts paid off, and he wanted the dam that was blocking water to his ranch to be destroyed. Only a crazy man or a man who saw that he could accomplish all that he had set out to do only if he put his mind into it would venture such a gamble.
He is a crazy man, you might say, but this man had a definite purpose backed only by a definite plan that would lead him to accomplish what he wanted to achieve. He wanted his family to have a secure future and never have to worry about being hungry again. Dan Evans made it to the train, but not with out great sacrifice. He lost his life along the way.
But the greatest things we have to do in life is to look within our self and ask if we are willing to do the things that we need to do to help those we love, even if those things require us to be selfless in our actions.
Until Next time, take care and be blessed.
About the Author:
Clinton Douglas IV, writes E-Business articles for people who want to achieve more online success. Learn Today, "How to Start an Online Business in less than 30 Days starting from Scratch"! Free Special Report - Limited Time! Plus, weekly newsletter from Online Empire Secrets (A $400 Value). Click ==> Small Business Ideas To get Your FREE REPORT!
http://online-empire.vasrue.com/How-To-Start-Your-Online-Business_F.html
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Your Business Is Doomed With One-Size-Fits-All Marketing
Article Presented by:
Dan Lok
Deciding exactly how you'll market your next product, business, or campaign is one of the most important questions you can ask your self. And I do hope you even bother to ask. The correct answer will decide your success or failure.
Should you go for the sale in one step of marketing magic? Or should you spread it out over two or more steps? There's no clear, one-size-fits-all answer. And here's why...
The general guideline is to use a multi-step campaign for higher priced items, or products that require a shift in your prospects behavior. We humans tend to resist change, as you know. So you'll have to engage in some wining and dining, and education to persuade them to believe the benefits vastly outweigh the price or inconvenience.
A new product on the market scene will usually perform better with the multi-step approach. Again it has to do with human nature. Allowing some time and space for people to 'warm-up' to the new kid on the block.
If you think about it... the best solutions to many marketing problems can be found simply by considering good 'ole human nature! Ask your self how you would react to your own marketing message. Or, ask others you know.
But remember what I said earlier. Sometimes the very best approach isn't always clear-cut. I'll explain...
Think of the marketing context. Example: What if you want to sell a high ticket product to your 'segmented' list of previous buyers? Here's a quick sidebar...
I hope you do segment your marketing list. Categorize your list into those who have bought from you and those who have yet to buy. You can take it further by categorizing by product price-points. Low-end and higher-end buyers. See?
It makes for much, much smarter marketing. If you segment your list you'll be setting your self up for maximized ROI.
Ok... back to the example...
Offering a higher priced product to a segmented list of previous 'higher end' buyers won't require as much wining and dining. And remember these buyers are 100% warm prospects... assuming they're satisfied with what they previously bought from you!
You can usually get away with sending them straight to your sales page. What are some examples of effective online multi-step marketing?
There is no clear winner in the online world. This is simply due to so many variables such as product, market, origin of traffic prior to seeing your message, quality of traffic, keywords that capture prospects in different buying stages, etc.
There are many more variables involved. But those are just a few to think about.
But... landing pages can be extremely effective for several reasons. The first useful task they perform for you is to filter out prospects who'll only waste your time and bandwidth. Why... ?
Easy. If someone is NOT willing to give you their contact information, then they'll more than likely not respond to your message on the other side.
And landing pages also serve as a mini pre-sell. If your landing page copy is good and full of great benefits, then they'll click through with demonstrated interest in what you have to say.
Other online forms include pop-ups. You have entries, delayed, and exits. Each one can be effective, and the only way to find out for sure is to test. Pop-ups form the initial consent by your prospect to enter in a long term, multi-step marketing campaign. More on that in a minute...
You need to be aware of several important concerns with 'pre-exit' pop-ups.
Perhaps the greatest risk you run is distracting your prospect with too many messages. Ideally, you want your reader to focus on your most desired result. And an entry or delayed pop-up, of any variety, will only serve as a distraction.
Exit pop-ups can be effective for converting some who you would have lost, anyway. And with effective copy, you can capture those who were sitting on the fence.
One of the greatest marketing sins committed by BOTH online and offline businesses is failure to adequately follow-up. Amazing as it sounds, many offline businesses make NO effort to follow-up with their contacts.
And this is where you can set your business apart from the rest.
Keeping sincere, valuable contact with your prospects and customers will compel them to remember you. They'll remember that you continued to provide them with valuable information. They'll also remember that you cared enough about them.
Entire books have been written about multi-step marketing! This is just a taste that'll get you headed in the right direction
About the Author:
A former college dropout, Dan Lok transformed himself from a grocery bagger in a local supermarket to a multi-millionaire. Dan came to North America with little knowledge of the English language and few contacts. If you're ready to take your online business to the next level, go to: http://www.websiteconversionexpert.com/public/department32.cfm
Dan Lok
Deciding exactly how you'll market your next product, business, or campaign is one of the most important questions you can ask your self. And I do hope you even bother to ask. The correct answer will decide your success or failure.
Should you go for the sale in one step of marketing magic? Or should you spread it out over two or more steps? There's no clear, one-size-fits-all answer. And here's why...
The general guideline is to use a multi-step campaign for higher priced items, or products that require a shift in your prospects behavior. We humans tend to resist change, as you know. So you'll have to engage in some wining and dining, and education to persuade them to believe the benefits vastly outweigh the price or inconvenience.
A new product on the market scene will usually perform better with the multi-step approach. Again it has to do with human nature. Allowing some time and space for people to 'warm-up' to the new kid on the block.
If you think about it... the best solutions to many marketing problems can be found simply by considering good 'ole human nature! Ask your self how you would react to your own marketing message. Or, ask others you know.
But remember what I said earlier. Sometimes the very best approach isn't always clear-cut. I'll explain...
Think of the marketing context. Example: What if you want to sell a high ticket product to your 'segmented' list of previous buyers? Here's a quick sidebar...
I hope you do segment your marketing list. Categorize your list into those who have bought from you and those who have yet to buy. You can take it further by categorizing by product price-points. Low-end and higher-end buyers. See?
It makes for much, much smarter marketing. If you segment your list you'll be setting your self up for maximized ROI.
Ok... back to the example...
Offering a higher priced product to a segmented list of previous 'higher end' buyers won't require as much wining and dining. And remember these buyers are 100% warm prospects... assuming they're satisfied with what they previously bought from you!
You can usually get away with sending them straight to your sales page. What are some examples of effective online multi-step marketing?
There is no clear winner in the online world. This is simply due to so many variables such as product, market, origin of traffic prior to seeing your message, quality of traffic, keywords that capture prospects in different buying stages, etc.
There are many more variables involved. But those are just a few to think about.
But... landing pages can be extremely effective for several reasons. The first useful task they perform for you is to filter out prospects who'll only waste your time and bandwidth. Why... ?
Easy. If someone is NOT willing to give you their contact information, then they'll more than likely not respond to your message on the other side.
And landing pages also serve as a mini pre-sell. If your landing page copy is good and full of great benefits, then they'll click through with demonstrated interest in what you have to say.
Other online forms include pop-ups. You have entries, delayed, and exits. Each one can be effective, and the only way to find out for sure is to test. Pop-ups form the initial consent by your prospect to enter in a long term, multi-step marketing campaign. More on that in a minute...
You need to be aware of several important concerns with 'pre-exit' pop-ups.
Perhaps the greatest risk you run is distracting your prospect with too many messages. Ideally, you want your reader to focus on your most desired result. And an entry or delayed pop-up, of any variety, will only serve as a distraction.
Exit pop-ups can be effective for converting some who you would have lost, anyway. And with effective copy, you can capture those who were sitting on the fence.
One of the greatest marketing sins committed by BOTH online and offline businesses is failure to adequately follow-up. Amazing as it sounds, many offline businesses make NO effort to follow-up with their contacts.
And this is where you can set your business apart from the rest.
Keeping sincere, valuable contact with your prospects and customers will compel them to remember you. They'll remember that you continued to provide them with valuable information. They'll also remember that you cared enough about them.
Entire books have been written about multi-step marketing! This is just a taste that'll get you headed in the right direction
About the Author:
A former college dropout, Dan Lok transformed himself from a grocery bagger in a local supermarket to a multi-millionaire. Dan came to North America with little knowledge of the English language and few contacts. If you're ready to take your online business to the next level, go to: http://www.websiteconversionexpert.com/public/department32.cfm
The Deadliest Email List Disease And How To Cure It
Article Presented by:
Dan Lok
"I rarely encourage clients to sell via one-step, because leads; people who've raised their hands can have so much value worked well over time." – Dan Kennedy.
There's an absolute wealth of marketing wisdom in Dan's statement. It's impossible to do justice to all of it in this short space. So lets get into it and give you some important food for thought...
You'll decide to either market to a list, or not. And I know that some marketers just don't want to be bothered with list generation, for a variety of reasons. That's fine. So if you're sitting on the fence about it... just understand that you can be walking away from a LOT of money if you don't have a list.
If you take your business seriously, then you already know the life-time value of your customers. How much revenue the average customer will bring to you over the time they're doing business with you.
Armed with that knowledge, you're able to know exactly how much you can spend to acquire new leads. The smartest marketers know how to break-even to build their lists. And they also know how much that new lead will be worth over time.
Notice how Dan worded his statement...
"...so much value worked well over time."
The key phrase there is, 'worked well.' I'll tell you something. Many businesses flat out do not get it in that area. When their lists either die from attrition, or become unresponsive, it becomes the business kiss of death. And then they wonder what happened.
Simply no excuse for it because it's SO easy to prevent. You just need to know how to do that.
I'm sure many of you know about the Law of Reciprocity. Simply stated, giving someone something... or doing something for another person, will compel them to feel obligated to do something for you. Of course, that 'something' for you is giving you business.
But stop and think about this for a moment...
People online have come to expect the freebie. The free report, white paper, short ebook... whatever, in exchange for contact information and your continued marketing efforts. It has become a standard for doing business online. Unfortunately this expectation has only served to dilute, if not eliminate, the power of reciprocity. And if your freebie is poor, then you can almost forget any compelling feelings to give you something in return. You'll immediately become bland and boring because you'll be lumped in that vague group of online businesses that all look the same. Or worse...
People will label you as a scam, or just someone who wants to make a fast buck. But...
All is certainly not lost... IF you provide good quality information. And you can still harness reciprocity's power in your marketing. How?
By continuing to provide information of high perceived value in your follow-up emails. But do it with a twist and some common sense. Just think about human nature and it'll become clear.
First... spark intrigue. Create some suspense and the desire for more. One way to do that is by NOT revealing everything. Don't give the farm away in your free reports and ebooks. Now this isn't anything new. But I'll tell you something I've seen a lot.
I've seen free reports and ebooks that offered lots of good information. But they failed to create any burning desire. There was no sense of intrigue. No sense of, "I gotta know more about this NOW!"
Let me ask you... when you see a newspaper ad selling whatever, and there's a picture of an attractive woman wearing a bikini... does that picture make you want to buy?
NO! Probably doesn't. You see that so much people become blind to it... for the most part. It has no selling value. Or, for lots of guys maybe it might catch their attention. They might check out the hot girl and then move on.
You can be regarded as a respectful, professional marketer simply by treating your list with respect. That means NOT bombarding with a constant stream of, "You Gotta Check This Out NOW!" Don't beat them up with constant, hard selling.
Keep a continuous rapport with them. Talk to them. Give them substance and good information while sparking an intense desire to know more. Share your self with them and they'll come to think of you as something more than a marketer.
I've been marketing to lists for many years. And I've had subscribers stay with me for almost as long. It's a skill you can learn and develop. And done right, with the right backend offers... you'll take your bottom line to whole new levels.
About the Author:
A former college dropout, Dan Lok transformed himself from a grocery bagger in a local supermarket to a multi-millionaire. Dan came to North America with little knowledge of the English language and few contacts. If you're ready to take your online business to the next level, go to: http://www.websiteconversionexpert.com/public/department32.cfm
Dan Lok
"I rarely encourage clients to sell via one-step, because leads; people who've raised their hands can have so much value worked well over time." – Dan Kennedy.
There's an absolute wealth of marketing wisdom in Dan's statement. It's impossible to do justice to all of it in this short space. So lets get into it and give you some important food for thought...
You'll decide to either market to a list, or not. And I know that some marketers just don't want to be bothered with list generation, for a variety of reasons. That's fine. So if you're sitting on the fence about it... just understand that you can be walking away from a LOT of money if you don't have a list.
If you take your business seriously, then you already know the life-time value of your customers. How much revenue the average customer will bring to you over the time they're doing business with you.
Armed with that knowledge, you're able to know exactly how much you can spend to acquire new leads. The smartest marketers know how to break-even to build their lists. And they also know how much that new lead will be worth over time.
Notice how Dan worded his statement...
"...so much value worked well over time."
The key phrase there is, 'worked well.' I'll tell you something. Many businesses flat out do not get it in that area. When their lists either die from attrition, or become unresponsive, it becomes the business kiss of death. And then they wonder what happened.
Simply no excuse for it because it's SO easy to prevent. You just need to know how to do that.
I'm sure many of you know about the Law of Reciprocity. Simply stated, giving someone something... or doing something for another person, will compel them to feel obligated to do something for you. Of course, that 'something' for you is giving you business.
But stop and think about this for a moment...
People online have come to expect the freebie. The free report, white paper, short ebook... whatever, in exchange for contact information and your continued marketing efforts. It has become a standard for doing business online. Unfortunately this expectation has only served to dilute, if not eliminate, the power of reciprocity. And if your freebie is poor, then you can almost forget any compelling feelings to give you something in return. You'll immediately become bland and boring because you'll be lumped in that vague group of online businesses that all look the same. Or worse...
People will label you as a scam, or just someone who wants to make a fast buck. But...
All is certainly not lost... IF you provide good quality information. And you can still harness reciprocity's power in your marketing. How?
By continuing to provide information of high perceived value in your follow-up emails. But do it with a twist and some common sense. Just think about human nature and it'll become clear.
First... spark intrigue. Create some suspense and the desire for more. One way to do that is by NOT revealing everything. Don't give the farm away in your free reports and ebooks. Now this isn't anything new. But I'll tell you something I've seen a lot.
I've seen free reports and ebooks that offered lots of good information. But they failed to create any burning desire. There was no sense of intrigue. No sense of, "I gotta know more about this NOW!"
Let me ask you... when you see a newspaper ad selling whatever, and there's a picture of an attractive woman wearing a bikini... does that picture make you want to buy?
NO! Probably doesn't. You see that so much people become blind to it... for the most part. It has no selling value. Or, for lots of guys maybe it might catch their attention. They might check out the hot girl and then move on.
You can be regarded as a respectful, professional marketer simply by treating your list with respect. That means NOT bombarding with a constant stream of, "You Gotta Check This Out NOW!" Don't beat them up with constant, hard selling.
Keep a continuous rapport with them. Talk to them. Give them substance and good information while sparking an intense desire to know more. Share your self with them and they'll come to think of you as something more than a marketer.
I've been marketing to lists for many years. And I've had subscribers stay with me for almost as long. It's a skill you can learn and develop. And done right, with the right backend offers... you'll take your bottom line to whole new levels.
About the Author:
A former college dropout, Dan Lok transformed himself from a grocery bagger in a local supermarket to a multi-millionaire. Dan came to North America with little knowledge of the English language and few contacts. If you're ready to take your online business to the next level, go to: http://www.websiteconversionexpert.com/public/department32.cfm
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