Hey Everyone

I hope you new year has started off on the right foot! If it hasn’t yet, and you’re still looking for that “magical system” to help you see success, then be sure to check out the link below today’s video (But only AFTER you’ve watched the video below)

While on the phone with a client yesterday, the subject of “getting scammed” came up. The conversation that we had prompted me to make this video and ask the all important question… WERE YOU SCAMMED?

The answer may surprise you!

As always:

- Be sure to pass this video along if you found value in it
- Be sure to leave a comment in the “comment” section below
- Check out the link below the video after you’ve left a comment

Enjoy

CLICK HERE to Watch the $100 into $5,000 Video

Hey Guys

Time for another post in a series of ongoing blog posts where I take YOUR questions, make a video answer to them, and them post them on my here on my blog.

The idea is that if ONE person has a question…then chances are that MANY people have the same question.

This is by far the BEST way I know to provide QUALITY content to all of my followers.

If you would like to post a question, simply go here

Scroll to the bottom and “leave a reply” with your question!

Today’s question comes from Ed Galli
His question has do to with monthly fees and who to trust in the industry.

Expanding your network means you need to continually go out to meet new people. Now with the explosion of Social Networking online, you can get to know people from all over the world.

The problem is most people never take the time to get to know one another. They think if they keep shooting out a sales or marketing spiff that they will get someone to buy from them eventually. They come from the old school mentality that if they throw enough out there, something is bound to stick!

Not only does this theory NOT work, but it’s extremely annoying for the rest of the community. Most people will continue to keep you at a distance since they believe that you’ll only try to sell them something every time they connect with you.

Most strangers remain distance because there is something they don’t want to deal with. No one likes to be sold on anything but they still make purchases. Here’s the thing; people will buy from friends they know BEFORE they seek out a perfect stranger.

Your goal is to make friends with them and it starts with networking. Take time to know who they are and what makes them special. Get them involved with other activities you do and allow them to get to know you for the person you are, NOT for what you are selling.

Develop a rapport by reaching out to them with every possible moment and opportunity. Learn what’s important to them and help them get more of it. One of the best ways to show you care is to send them a card in the mail. Remember special events like their birthday or anniversary. Whatever is going on in their world should be the topic of conversation.

Darlene Willman, aka The Sassy Networker, is a keynote speaker, author and coach, specializing in small business networking and referrals. She provides resources, connections and support to entrepreneurs, small business owners and other professionals that have a strong desire to promote their companies through relationship marketing. She will show you how to build an incredible network of people who refer business to each other plus so much more. You can start receiving her eZine, The Networking Focus (a $67 value) by visiting http://www.SassyNetworker.com

As more and more people are facing layoffs and higher job demands, one business that seems relatively unaffected by the fluctuating economy is home based businesses.. One of the reasons that home businesses are booming in the current unstable environment, is because that do not have unmanageable overhead costs. Since there’s no rent to pay on out-of-home office space and no salaries to pay (other than the business owners,) home based businesses are a way for everyone to make a decent living as well providing a flexible work schedule, high profit margins and time off at will.
An unfortunate repercussion of the dip in the economy is that people have been losing their jobs. With any downside however, there is an upside. This dip has created the opportunity for many people to do something they never thought they would be able to do: create a successful home based business. Another upside to the dip in the economy is that the market has more and more quality, talented people offering their services as freelancers and independent contractors. This is not only good news for them because they can benefit from the freedom and flexibility that comes with being your own boss, but it’s great news for all the home businesses on the look-out for talent.
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of home based businesses to choose from so it is a fantastic opportunity for people to match their strengths with a business passion they may have.
Homes based businesses can be started in categories ranging from candle business, to vitamins, to freelance writing, consulting and even virtual assisting! They can be started up often with little to no investment and range from part time to full time and temporary to permanent. When starting a home based business the sky is the limit!
What may separate you from any other business is your knowledge and love of whatever it is you may be selling. When choosing a business that you wish to start, put a lot of thought in to what exactly your strengths are as well as what makes you happy. This is a winning combination that is practically guaranteed to bring you success!

Don’t let the word ‘recession’ deter you from following your home business dreams. Contrary to what most people think, there are such things as ‘recession proof’ jobs. The trick is figuring out what they are. Because, they are going to differ from state to state, city to city.

The best way to determine the niche that needs to be filled in your local community is to get yourself out there. Peruse around your neighborhood, get to know your neighbors. Involve yourself on social networking sites with local groups. Don’t be afraid to ask question, to put yourself out there. Remember, any positive contacts you make before you launch your business have the potential to be loyal customers after things have gotten off the ground.

Once you have determined in which area your local community is lacking, you have a starting point. Then you have to ask yourself if you are capable of meeting the need. In order to attain success with your home business, it is imperative that you are meeting people’s needs in a way that no one else can. That gives them incentive to become repeat customers, and also to provide additional business through referrals. Never underestimate the power of word of mouth advertising.

In my area, while it is clear that the recession has taken its toll in some industries, others are thriving. And the majority of those are new, small, home businesses that are able to more easily evolve as needed and pick up the slack where others are leaving off. For example, employment agencies, job matching services, and resume builders are some of the most successful businesses going right now. And industries that rely on data rather than physical inventory have very low overhead, can be done almost anywhere, and have real ease of operation if you know what you are doing.

People in our society have become accustomed to a certain standard of living, a certain ability to spend money on what they want when they want to. And although we all know what the word ‘recession’ means intellectually, it is an abstract concept. Until it affects our day to day life in some way, it doesn’t really hit home. Your successful home business can easily play into that. Help your customers forget that they are in a recession, find a good or service that makes them feel as though the recession does not really apply to them, because they still have the means to live the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed. If you can do this, do it well, and do it often, you are well on your way to running a successful home business. Even in these trying economic times.

One of the keys to success with any home business is, quite simply, not making things harder than they have to be. Do what you know. You will be more confident, and your confidence will only contribute to your level of success. I mean, would you rather buy goods and/or services from someone who knows what’s up or someone who doesn’t?

The home business opportunities that currently exist are infinite. So why not tap into a skill, talent, or hobby that you already have? When considering options for your business, simply ask yourself what it is that you can do better than others around you. Make a list of areas in which you excel. It should be a comprehensive list, because you never know what skill or hobby you may be able to cultivate into a paying gig. Seriously, did anyone really think that there would be a dog walking industry? Don’t sell yourself short by underestimating yourself.

After you have compiled an all-inclusive list of things you are good at, take a good, long, realistic look at what’s in front of you. Of the abilities on your list, which ones are marketable? Meaning, which ones could be translated into a good or service exceptional enough to convince people to part with their hard earned money in order to attain it? Which ones could you see yourself turning into a successful home business? Compose a second list that contains only the things that you could reasonably expect to sell.

By this time, your list should contain only things that you like, are good at, and could reasonably expect to turn a profit by doing. Now you have to consider the mechanics of turning these ideas into money. Be honest with yourself. Can you afford the start up costs? How about the long term operation? Are you going to have the space to store inventory? Is this something that you can undertake on your own, or are you going to need a partner, partners or employees? If you expect your home business to be a success, you can’t delude yourself. Look at things objectively, and don’t be afraid to take a little time to make your determinations.

If you are willing to put a little time, effort, and honest introspection into the process, you should end up with one or two clear ideas for home businesses that not only have a high potential for attaining long term success, but are also endeavors you would enjoy undertaking and have a reasonable amount of expertise in. Those factors add up to a winning formula for home business success.

When you think of home businesses, you probably imagine some kind of rag-tag operation. You know, low budget, unknown, no real chance of success. Well, you really couldn’t be more off base. Some of the most successful and well known companies in our modern culture got their start as small, home based businesses. Ford, Hewlett-Packard, Hershey’s, Apple, and Mary Kay cosmetics are just a few of the big names that are nothing more than home businesses that were extremely successful.

So, what are the chances that you can be successful too? Believe it or not, you’re the chance that your home business will be a success is better than you might think. Statistically, about 70% of home based businesses will be successful over a 3 year period. That is compared to 29% with other business ventures. Not bad odds. That’s a 7 in 10 chance that your business is going to make it for at least three years. Wouldn’t it be great if all of the chances you took in your life had those kinds of odds?

It is perfectly acceptable to be apprehensive when contemplating starting up a home business. I am sure that Milton Hershey and Henry Ford had their own sets of doubts before finally deciding to take the plunge and go for it. But if they hadn’t overcome their fears, they would not be the household names that we have come to recognize today. Taking the first step towards running your home business is undoubtedly the most challenging and stressful. However, in order to be successful, you need to have a certain willingness to take chances and make the choices that will lead to your success.

It is important to realize that, especially in today’s job market, you cannot depend on anyone else to ensure your job security. With unemployment pushing ten percent and more and more established businesses going under by the day, working for someone else is no guarantee of security or success. And the only way to ensure that your boss is looking out for your interests is to be your boss. The single most important element that will contribute your home businesses success is your attitude. If you know you will be successful, you are that much more likely to become successful. And looking into the statistics regarding home business success rates and seeing them in black and white can only boost your confidence. Remember, no matter what anyone might say, a successful home business in by no means a fantasy. Successful home businesses are started every day, and if you are willing to put forth the effort, yours could be next.