I'd Rather Be Fishing!

I'm sitting here struggling to come up with something to write about today. I have a list of topics I want to post about in each of my blogs. I keep it right here by my computer. And yet, as I'm looking at the list, none of them are inspiring me.

And then it came to me. It has nothing to do with the topics. They are all good ideas for things I think most home business builders want to know. But the truth is it's a beautiful day - not too hot for the first time in weeks. My daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren are camping at the lake for the week celebrating my grandson's birthday which was Monday. He has been wanting to go camping all summer and this is one of his presents - getting Mom to go camping! And the plain simple truth is - I don't want to be blogging about business. I want to be on the lake with my family!

Which gave me the idea for my post today. Sure I can say the heck with it and turn off the computer and go to the lake. Many of you are probably saying why not? After all, it is his birthday. And you're right. One day less at the computer probably won't make or break my business. But - I took off Monday to spend the day with him. And I am taking the boat out later this evening so he can sleep on the boat with me. And I'll be out there all day tomorrow. So now it's not just one day - it's several. And several days away can make a difference.

I hear the whispers in the background. Just work a little _______ (fill in the blank: harder, longer, more, smarter) when you get back and make up for taking the time off. Let me tell you something from experience. That never happens. You may have the best of intentions but let's be honest. There are only 24 hours in a day. And no one wants to spend most of them working. Besides, if you push yourself too hard or too long, you can actually find yourself further behind. Your body and mind need rest to recharge and the more tired and stressed you become, the more mistakes you make.

Treating your business like a business means you work when you are supposed to - no matter what other things may try to lure you away. Yes, one of the beautiful things about working at home is being able to set your own schedule. And I did. I agreed that I would not work Monday, Friday evening, or Saturday. Now I have to count on myself to stick to my agreement, no matter what.

Granted there are times when emergencies require you to be more flexible. Life happens. But the sun shining and the birds singing and the lure of the lake calling is not an emergency.

Does my grandson mind that I'm not with him right now? Is he missing me? Maybe. But he also understands that "NeeNee" works to pay so he can attend his private school, and he and his sister can have things they want that Mommy and Daddy can't get them. And he knows that because I work from home, I am able to spend more time with him than his other grandparents who all work outside the home. I can stay with him when he has to miss school because he is sick. I can go with him and his sister on field trips when Mommy and Daddy can't take off from work. I can pick them up after school and take them for ice cream or walks in the park. And I can send them to good Christian schools where they get the foundation they need for their futures. And that means more to me than a few extra hours on the lake.

And so here I sit, working for a few more hours. But soon, I will turn off the computer, hook up the boat and trailer, grab the dog, and head to the lake to spend some glorious hours with my boy!

What little temptations are trying to lure you from focusing on YOUR business?

Dirty, Rotten... Capitalism & Wealth-Yanik & Jon Butcher

This video tells it like it is... in this culture of "haters" and socialists pushing propaganda to our youth concerning capitalism, wealth creation and entrepreneurship. John Butcher exposes the ignorance of many Americans (sadly) who have no understanding of how economics and morality work hand in hand.Submitted By Mia - miasMarketing.com

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You Gotta Have Content

It takes many different things to build an internet business - a market, a product, prospects. But the most important thing is (drumroll please) content.


Content! What's that? And how can it help me build a business? Let me give you some examples from personal experience.


I'm browsing through my email and I see one with the subject line "Learn My Email Marketing Secrets". So I open the email and it explains how the sender used email marketing to boost his sales and how he can help me do the same thing. It doesn't tell me how, but it provides a link that supposedly will tell me all I need to know. Intrigued, I click on the link provided and am taken to a sales page for a $97 dollar training package. Annoyed, I close the page, delete the email and go on about my own business.

I continue scrolling through my mailbox. I see another. This one reads "Does Your Downline Suffer from NBT Syndrome?" This one really catches my eye. What is NBT Syndrome? Does my downline have it? Is it a good thing? I need to know. I open the email. Again, another email telling me how the author has had experience this problem in his own business. And if I just click the link provided, he'll tell me how to handle it. For a minute I hesitate. It's probably another sales letter. But I click anyway, just to see and ...Surprise! There are several paragraphs that explain how new network marketers don't always understand the business and jump from one opportunity to another in search of the "Next Big Thing" that will make them rich overnight - and leaving their sponsors discouraged by all the attrition. It gave some personal examples and offered some suggestions on how to deal with that problem in my own downline. It was good information but not very in-depth. I needed to know more. And you know what. At the very bottom of the page was the offer. For $39.95 I could learn more. Guess what...I bought the book. Why? Why this one and not the other? It wasn't the price. It was the fact that the author already gave me enough information to show me he knew what he was talking about. I knew his book would be a good value. And he obviously cared about me more than his sales because he shared such great information with me FREE! Who wouldn't want to support such an individual by purchasing his book.

The point is just that little bit of content made the difference between sale and no sale. Content is vital and you need to use it everywhere you can. In your sales copy, on your website, in your free reports or other viral marketing tools. Besides attracting more and better prospects, you'll also attract search engine attention. Search engines love content rich sites. Want to move up the page rankings? Add some fresh, meaty content to your site regularly.

"But I don't know how to get content." Well if you can't develop or write content of your own, there are other ways to get it.

You can hire someone to write it for you.

You can check out free sources of content on the internet. One of my favorites is Articles Factory (www.articlesfactory.com).

You can buy products that come with resale or private label rights. This allows you to use the content in your own products. Many of the ebooks and training courses I purchase come with resale rights which allows me to resell the product and keep the profit. Private label rights allows me to brand the product as my own - even better.

If you need to revamp your website to make it more content rich and don't know where to begin, I suggest you start by purchasing Site Build It! (http://buildit.sitesell.com/wealthtogether.html). SBI! assumes you know nothing about building an online business (and yet, it is invaluable for the advanced Webmaster, too). It provides everything you need. It will help you create, host, and market a website that is consistently ranked in the top 1% - 3%.

Spice up your business life with a little content.

Help In a Struggling Economy

I was on vacation last week, but that didn't stop me from keeping up with the economic news.
Have last week's developments with the US economy got you feeling spooked?I don't blame you! What with the country's second-largest bank collapse PLUS a government bailout of Fannie Mae AND Freddie Mac happening in the same WEEK, it's hard to know what to expect next!

If you're like the other small business owners I know, I'm willing to bet that, right this minute, you're on the fence about whether you should continue to invest in the tools and help you need to start your Internet business... or whether it's better to save your cash until things stabilize a bit. And that's actually why I'm posting this...... because I've just learned about a way you can do BOTH, as long as you act right away!

A few months ago, Internet marketing guru Derek Gehl unleashed a powerful business-building system that gives you all the tools and assistance you need to start a completely automated, hands-free Internet business from SCRATCH, including the website, a salesletter, an online payment system, endless streams of traffic, and help getting it all set up. He named it "BeBiz," and since its release, it's gone on to become the most simple yet comprehensive way for "newbies" to go from zero to online profits in as short a time span as possible (often in as little as 5 days!).

Well, just moments ago, Derek informed me and a few of his other close associates that, in order to give as many people as possible a leg up during this volatile economy, he's going to WAIVE the entire $177 BeBiz start-up fee for new members! Unfortunately, there's a catch...

Due to the amount of money he could potentially lose with this offer, he can only make it available to the next 200 people who get in touch with him...... so I urge you to follow this link contact him right away:http://www.marketingtips.com/bebiz/special/t/649426

Trust me: you do NOT want to let this opportunity pass you by! Where ELSE will you get a professional-looking sales website that could have you earning profits by this time next month (along with an Internet marketing genius looking over your shoulder and guiding you as you set it up)?

P.S. During the initial BeBiz launch, Derek made 250 spots available, and they were all snapped up in mere hours -- and that was WITH the regular $177 start-up fee -- so you can just imagine how fast these 200 spots with NO start-up fees are going to go.Don't miss out: http://www.marketingtips.com/bebiz/special/t/649426

What's Your Most Prized Possession?

When I was in the Navy, two things accompanied me on every move. In fact, we have been known to pay excess shipping costs just so I could move them from duty station to duty station. We never went anywhere without my books and my music.

These things are still extremely important to me, but two things have replaced them as my most prized possessions. My Rolodex and my laptop.

I don't care what business you are in, you can't succeed without people. Whether it's your clients, associates, competitors, employees - people are the lifeblood of your business.

You've heard me talk about the value of building your network in previous posts. It should be your prized possession - one that is cultivated and nurtured carefully. Your network will provide you with an ongoing supply of people to do business with, ask advice from, collaborate with, mastermind with, and seek assistance from to help your business grow and prosper. My Rolodex contains all the business cards I've collected and haven't yet entered into my contact management program. And with my laptop I can connect with almost anyone I know, anytime, anywhere.

Networking does not mean attending every event and passing out your business card to every warm body in the room. It does not mean joining every social networking site you can find, posting your information, and waiting for clients and business partners to come calling.

If you really want to be an effective networker, you must participate. When attending networking events, when you give someone your business card use this tip I learned from one of my mentors. Write on the back of it these 4 letters - HCIH. HCIH - How Can I Help. Instead of introducing yourself and launching into a lengthy explanation of what you do, give a brief explanation. Then ask them about their business. And then ask how you can help. For example, when I'm prospecting for new site selection clients, I introduce myself and mention that I work for HelmsBriscoe, the largest site selection company in the world. Then I ask what they do. After listening I ask, if they haven't already mentioned it, whether they do any sort of group travel or offsite meetings that require blocks of hotel rooms. If they say yes, instead of immediately telling them why they should use my services, I ask them what the hardest thing is about planning those events or what types of problems they have encountered in the past. When they tell me, I let them know that I may be able to help them with that and promise to send them some information that may be helpful. I keep several things such as meeting planner checklists, and ways to save money on meetings always updated so I have the information ready. Then as soon as I get home, I email or mail them the pertinent information. I have now established two things with them - my value and my commitment to helping them succeed.

When using the various social networking sites, do be a "lurker." Share your knowledge by posting articles and advice for others to share. The best way to show people how much you can help is by demonstrating your willingness and ability to do so.

You also can't ignore your contact list until you need something from them. Check in with everyone on the list periodically. Ask how they are doing. Ask how you can help. Treat them to lunch or coffee. Send them a card or a short note or an article you read that might interest them. Show them you care. People like working with people they know and trust. What better way to build that trust than to show them that you care about their success.

If, unlike me, you are not technology challenged, there are lots of contact management programs available to help you keep up with your networking. I use ACT! not because I know it's the best. I use it simply because I learned to use it years ago and I'm comfortable with it. There may be better ones available and I'll bet someone in my network knows the answer to that. If you want a recommendation, let me know and I'll ask around!

Do I Really Need a Business Plan?

I was helping my sister write her business plan for her new venture. It was going slowly and she asked if we really needed to do this. I confess - when I first started in business for myself, I did not have a business plan. And the world did not end. There is no law that says you have to have one. But it sure makes building your business a lot easier! It's one thing to have a business idea in your head. It's another thing entirely to bring it into reality. Creating a business plan will help you through the process.

What's in a business plan? It depends. You can create a fairly elaborate plan with an executive summary, market analysis, business strategy, financial plan, management summary, implementation steps and much more. These are great if you are applying for a loan to start your new business or are bringing in partners or investors. But if you just want a plan to help you get your new home business idea off the ground, it can be much simpler.

First you need to decide what you are going to do. What products or services will you offer? Are there similar products or services already available? What makes yours different? What will it cost to make/get my products? Will I need supplies to offer my services? How much will they cost? What should I charge?

Next you need to do some research. Who is your target market? How big is it? Is it a growing market? How are your competitors doing?

Now you need to decide how you will market your products and/or services. Online? Offline? Both? How will you track the success of your marketing campaigns? What will your marketing cost?

Last, you need to look at your financial status. Is the cost of obtaining your products or offering your services plus the cost of marketing affordable? Will you need a loan a partner to cover these costs? How will you cover expenses until you make a profit? Will you need to work at your job for a while? If you aren't currently employed, do you have enough savings to last until you begin to make money?

Answering all these questions and writing them down in a clear and concise way is the basis for your business plan. Sometimes this is all you need. If you need something more professional and don't want to do it yourself, there are some great business planning software packages available. I personally recommend Business Plan Pro which you can purchase from Palo Alto Software (www.paloalto.com). They offer a variety of business plan software and marketing plan software.

You're Invited to Participate in the $1 Million Cross Marketing Challenge Steering Committee Summer e-mixers

According to the Center for Women's Business Research, nearly 10.4 million firms are owned by women generating $1.9 trillion in sales. Yet, only 3% of all women-owned firms have revenues of $1 million or more compared with 6% of men-owned firms.

U.S. Census data show that 46% of women-owned businesses are tiny enterprises with revenue of less than $10,000 per year, compared with 30% of men-owned businesses.

It's time for a change ladies! There is a way to improve the dismal economic stats. It's called cross marketing.

At its essence, cross marketing is nothing more than joining forces with compatible companies so that everyone involved can more effectively capitalize on each others' existing client base.

Join forces with women around the globe to declare your independence from expensive and fruitless marketing strategies by taking part in the $1 Million Cross Marketing Challenge.

You will receive a directory of businesswomen interested in cross marketing, ideas and tips on how to cross market, virtual networking opportunities on a private network, inclusion in live tele-networking events, tools to cross market, information on programs offered by WomenPartner International, and your profile included on the WomenPartner.com blog.

What's the cost to participate? $0!

The price of participation is forming a strategic alliance news alliance with WomenPartner International to help us spread the word about the $1 Million Cross Marketing Challenge.

What percent do you want to be a part of? The 3% with a $1 million in sales or the 46% making less than $10,000?

If you want to be a part of the top 3%, then register to participate in the 1 Million Cross Marketing Challenge. You will benefit from your alliance with WomenPartner International while connecting with other women interested in cross marketing. If you are staying home this summer due to the high cost of gas, you might as well have great time meeting women from around the globe whose clients can use your products and services.

Contact Jerrilynn B. Thomas at jerrilynnbthomas@ivwcc.org for a registration form and instructions on how to invite other women. Visit http://www.ivwcc.org to acquaint yourself with WomenPartner International. The tele-networking event dates are listed below. You will be able to attend as many events as you please.

Summer Networking Schedule
Thursday, June 26 Noon - 1 PM Pacific
Thursday, July 10 Noon - 1 PM Eastern
Tuesday, July 15 7 PM - 8 PM Eastern
Tuesday, July 15 7 PM - 8 PM Pacific
Thursday, July 24 Noon - 1 PM Pacific
Thursday, Aug. 14 Noon - 1 PM Eastern
Tuesday, Aug. 19 7 PM - 8 PM Pacific
Tuesday, Aug. 19 7 PM - 8 PM Eastern
Thursday, Aug. 28 Noon - 1 PM Pacific
Thursday, Sept. 11 Noon - 1 PM Eastern