DECEMBER 2007 Greetings & Salutations: As I have said before, there are only two ways you can have additional income ... either get a second job or start a business of your own. There aren't any other ways. That means you must study the doing of business - but ... Even as you begin studying the doing of business, you need to go ahead with your plans by setting yourself up as a "business" ... just as though you were getting another job. Establish the days and hours you will work. -- You will be working for the best boss in the world ... yourself ... but, just as any other boss does, you MUST have a specific time for your best employee ... you ... to work. Be fair but make it an absolute requirement that your employee be on the "job" at those times ... with exceptions for special occasions, emergencies, etc., just as any other good boss would. It doesn't matter whether you establish 2 hours each evening; Monday thru Friday ... or 1 hour each evening; Monday, Wednesday and Friday ... or, 6 hours each evening; Monday thru Saturday ... it MUST be specific hours. Don t say, "I'll work 2 hours each evening." -- Instead, set specific hours to accomplish your work ... say, "I will work from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., each evening." That way, you will KNOW when you are supposed to be at work and when your work day will end. (No fudging.) With time ... as your business grows ... you might be able to set your hours like mine. I work from 9 a.m. to noon; Monday thru Friday. Sometimes I come to work a little early or stay a little late - but - unless there is a special occasion, emergency, or whatever, I am at "work" from 9 a.m. to noon. (My boss ... he's a great guy ... understands those special situations.) Give your best employee a specific work place ... demand that your employee keep their work tools in that area AND that other projects not related to the business be relegated to some other area. --You wouldn't go to work in a machine shop with a television sitting next to your lathe (a good way to lose some fingers), would you? -- Be as adamant about maintaining your work area as any other boss would. The ONLY things you should have in your work area ... whether it is the corner of your bedroom, or a separate room, or a rented space across town ... are the things you need to do your business. -- If it doesn't relate directly to your doing of business, it should be put somewhere else ... even if that somewhere else is just across the room on top of the TV; which is never on during your business hours. Assign your best employee a series of tasks that must be performed each time that employee enters the work area ... at first, you might have to write down a list of things that MUST be done first, before anything else, upon entering the work area. After a while, it will become almost instantaneous. When your best employee ... you ... has completed ALL of the mundane, but required, tasks, only then may your employee move on to further assigned tasks in order to build the business. But, since the boss and your best employee are so closely related, where do those further assigned tasks come from? Here s how I do it for my best employee ... As I go through my emails, if I find something that may improve my business, I grab a yellow sticky-note from the pad on my desk and make a note to myself to check it out ... I might just write "check email msg: subject" ... then I stick the note along the edge of my computer screen, or on my desk. NOTE: I used to just "flag" the emails I wanted to refer back to but, with incoming email all the time, too many of them got lost - SO - I created a new Mail Folder labeled "Alpha." When I encounter an email I want to follow up on, I simply move that message to my "Alpha" file. Then, when one of my sticky notes refers to an email message, I know I will find it in the "Alpha" file. Beyond that, any time I am reading anything about business and I come across something I think will increase my business ... in any way; even by adopting and adapting it ... I, once again, reach for my sticky-notes and write myself a note about what I need to do or investigate. -- Some of those notes may only have a brief idea on them (such as: "change headline on xyz page to new headline") ... or, the note may direct me to "check out: www. xyz. com" ... or, "find: new source of printer ink" ... or, "search for: web sites about whatever." ... or, "new email subject for xyz product: new subject"" NOTE: I also keep note pads everywhere ... on my bed side table, next to my recliner, in the car, by the telephone, in the bathroom. When an idea flashes across my itty-bitty brain; rather than forget it, I jot it down. I collect those notes and take them to my desk; where I transcribe them to yellow sticky-notes. Each of those sticky-notes get stuck to my computer; or on my desk, until I have a chance to do them. -- Once they are done, that note goes in the round file so I don t inadvertently redo things I have already done. The one big thing you MUST keep uppermost in your mind is that, when you are in your work area; during your specified work period, you must complete your "required, daily" work duties, before you move on AND you must NOT leave your work area until the end of your specified work period ... even if you have nothing more on your list to do. Spend the time surfing the web for new ideas, or reading a report, book or article specific to the accomplishment of your business. REMEMBER: Your work area is for working and your work period is for working - to do otherwise would violate your boss' trust ... even if the boss won't fire you.
DECEMBER 2007
Greetings & Salutations:
As I have said before, there are only two ways you can have additional income ... either get a second job or start a business of your own. There aren't any other ways. That means you must study the doing of business - but ... Even as you begin studying the doing of business, you need to go ahead with your plans by setting yourself up as a "business" ... just as though you were getting another job. Establish the days and hours you will work. -- You will be working for the best boss in the world ... yourself ... but, just as any other boss does, you MUST have a specific time for your best employee ... you ... to work. Be fair but make it an absolute requirement that your employee be on the "job" at those times ... with exceptions for special occasions, emergencies, etc., just as any other good boss would. It doesn't matter whether you establish 2 hours each evening; Monday thru Friday ... or 1 hour each evening; Monday, Wednesday and Friday ... or, 6 hours each evening; Monday thru Saturday ... it MUST be specific hours. Don t say, "I'll work 2 hours each evening." -- Instead, set specific hours to accomplish your work ... say, "I will work from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., each evening." That way, you will KNOW when you are supposed to be at work and when your work day will end. (No fudging.) With time ... as your business grows ... you might be able to set your hours like mine. I work from 9 a.m. to noon; Monday thru Friday. Sometimes I come to work a little early or stay a little late - but - unless there is a special occasion, emergency, or whatever, I am at "work" from 9 a.m. to noon. (My boss ... he's a great guy ... understands those special situations.) Give your best employee a specific work place ... demand that your employee keep their work tools in that area AND that other projects not related to the business be relegated to some other area. --You wouldn't go to work in a machine shop with a television sitting next to your lathe (a good way to lose some fingers), would you? -- Be as adamant about maintaining your work area as any other boss would. The ONLY things you should have in your work area ... whether it is the corner of your bedroom, or a separate room, or a rented space across town ... are the things you need to do your business. -- If it doesn't relate directly to your doing of business, it should be put somewhere else ... even if that somewhere else is just across the room on top of the TV; which is never on during your business hours. Assign your best employee a series of tasks that must be performed each time that employee enters the work area ... at first, you might have to write down a list of things that MUST be done first, before anything else, upon entering the work area. After a while, it will become almost instantaneous. When your best employee ... you ... has completed ALL of the mundane, but required, tasks, only then may your employee move on to further assigned tasks in order to build the business. But, since the boss and your best employee are so closely related, where do those further assigned tasks come from? Here s how I do it for my best employee ... As I go through my emails, if I find something that may improve my business, I grab a yellow sticky-note from the pad on my desk and make a note to myself to check it out ... I might just write "check email msg: subject" ... then I stick the note along the edge of my computer screen, or on my desk. NOTE: I used to just "flag" the emails I wanted to refer back to but, with incoming email all the time, too many of them got lost - SO - I created a new Mail Folder labeled "Alpha." When I encounter an email I want to follow up on, I simply move that message to my "Alpha" file. Then, when one of my sticky notes refers to an email message, I know I will find it in the "Alpha" file. Beyond that, any time I am reading anything about business and I come across something I think will increase my business ... in any way; even by adopting and adapting it ... I, once again, reach for my sticky-notes and write myself a note about what I need to do or investigate. -- Some of those notes may only have a brief idea on them (such as: "change headline on xyz page to new headline") ... or, the note may direct me to "check out: www. xyz. com" ... or, "find: new source of printer ink" ... or, "search for: web sites about whatever." ... or, "new email subject for xyz product: new subject"" NOTE: I also keep note pads everywhere ... on my bed side table, next to my recliner, in the car, by the telephone, in the bathroom. When an idea flashes across my itty-bitty brain; rather than forget it, I jot it down. I collect those notes and take them to my desk; where I transcribe them to yellow sticky-notes. Each of those sticky-notes get stuck to my computer; or on my desk, until I have a chance to do them. -- Once they are done, that note goes in the round file so I don t inadvertently redo things I have already done. The one big thing you MUST keep uppermost in your mind is that, when you are in your work area; during your specified work period, you must complete your "required, daily" work duties, before you move on AND you must NOT leave your work area until the end of your specified work period ... even if you have nothing more on your list to do. Spend the time surfing the web for new ideas, or reading a report, book or article specific to the accomplishment of your business. REMEMBER: Your work area is for working and your work period is for working - to do otherwise would violate your boss' trust ... even if the boss won't fire you.
Now, let's do some ... Questions & Answers, Comments & Other Good Stuff! Vlad Slavnic may be looking for you ... "Educational Software Developer (Math, English & Sciences prep to year 12) is looking for distributors with direct sales experience to further expand US/Canada market. Already active in WA and looking to expand to other states. -- Product already in UK and going since 1990 in Australia. -- Must have experience in direct sales and have an established sales force would be an advantage. -- Ideal for business minded people who want to expand. Guaranteed product. No competition." You can check out the website at: http://www.MathsEnglishWiz.com Or, contact Vlad directly at the email address above, or by phone at: +61-39-7535221 This might just be the deal you've been looking for.
Now, let's do some ...
Vlad Slavnic may be looking for you ...
"Educational Software Developer (Math, English & Sciences prep to year 12) is looking for distributors with direct sales experience to further expand US/Canada market. Already active in WA and looking to expand to other states. -- Product already in UK and going since 1990 in Australia. -- Must have experience in direct sales and have an established sales force would be an advantage. -- Ideal for business minded people who want to expand. Guaranteed product. No competition."
You can check out the website at: http://www.MathsEnglishWiz.com Or, contact Vlad directly at the email address above, or by phone at: +61-39-7535221 This might just be the deal you've been looking for.
"Speak" and grow rich! Have you been harboring the dream of getting paid for speaking to groups of people? Or perhaps you've tried to make it as a professional speaker and it isn't working the way you had hoped. Let's face it. if being a high-paid speaker were easy, more people would be making lots of money as professional speakers.
Have you been harboring the dream of getting paid for speaking to groups of people?
Or perhaps you've tried to make it as a professional speaker and it isn't working the way you had hoped.
Let's face it. if being a high-paid speaker were easy, more people would be making lots of money as professional speakers.
They know Burt Dubin. -- So ... If you have ever thought about making gobs of money as a professional speaker get to know Burt. BurtDubin Even if you haven't thought about being a professional speaker, I recommend you sign up for Burt's newsletter. -- It's got lots of good stuff in it and it won't cost you a penny.
They know Burt Dubin. -- So ... If you have ever thought about making gobs of money as a professional speaker get to know Burt.
Even if you haven't thought about being a professional speaker, I recommend you sign up for Burt's newsletter. -- It's got lots of good stuff in it and it won't cost you a penny.
Byron Harper wanted to know ... "I'm seeking direct contact with buyers and sellers of Gold, Diamonds, Silver, Currency and Financial Instruments." Sorry, Bryon ... The exotics you are trying to deal in are an amateurs paradise. The odds on doing one of those deals are slim and none. All of those items are games played by con-men. The real deals are very, very rare and are usually gone before you can ever learn of them. Also, because they represent BIG fees, it is easier to con the amateurs into parting with their money. Don't look for BIG deals until you have the experience to handle them. Get your feet wet. Do some smaller deals until you are comfortable doing it.
Byron Harper wanted to know ...
"I'm seeking direct contact with buyers and sellers of Gold, Diamonds, Silver, Currency and Financial Instruments."
Sorry, Bryon ... The exotics you are trying to deal in are an amateurs paradise. The odds on doing one of those deals are slim and none. All of those items are games played by con-men. The real deals are very, very rare and are usually gone before you can ever learn of them. Also, because they represent BIG fees, it is easier to con the amateurs into parting with their money. Don't look for BIG deals until you have the experience to handle them. Get your feet wet. Do some smaller deals until you are comfortable doing it.
Here's ... A $100 gift for you! My friend and colleague Bob Bly is one of the most experienced c and successful c copywriters I know. McGraw-Hill calls Bob Bly America' s top copywriter. I recommend you sign up for his free monthly e-zine, "The Direct Response Letter." It s packed with tips on how to double your response rates. You also get a free copy of "How to Double Your Response Rates at Half the Cost" and 3 other bonus reports -- worth over $100. Click below to claim your free materials now: http://www.bly.com/reports I just love it when someone I respect for his talent gives away stuff for you. Don't waste any time. Go grab it now.
Here's ...
My friend and colleague Bob Bly is one of the most experienced c and successful c copywriters I know.
I recommend you sign up for his free monthly e-zine, "The Direct Response Letter." It s packed with tips on how to double your response rates.
You also get a free copy of "How to Double Your Response Rates at Half the Cost" and 3 other bonus reports -- worth over $100.
Click below to claim your free materials now:
I just love it when someone I respect for his talent gives away stuff for you. Don't waste any time. Go grab it now.
Tim Spencer was looking for ... "Do you know of a directory of info-product dropshippers? I'm looking to resell such products on Ebay (concentrating on money-making products). I've done internet searches, but nearly every one I found has a "membership fee". -- I recall from your mailorder course that legit drop-shippers are happy to sell period, with no up-front fees." Tim: Just get a copy of the books you want to sell. Then, contact the publisher directly.
Tim Spencer was looking for ...
"Do you know of a directory of info-product dropshippers? I'm looking to resell such products on Ebay (concentrating on money-making products). I've done internet searches, but nearly every one I found has a "membership fee". -- I recall from your mailorder course that legit drop-shippers are happy to sell period, with no up-front fees."
Tim: Just get a copy of the books you want to sell. Then, contact the publisher directly.
Jason Witt asks ... "Do you want God's Seal of Approval?" Check out Jason's website at: http://www.sealofthesoul.com Or, sign up for his newsletter at: http://www.sealsecrets.com
Jason Witt asks ...
Check out Jason's website at: http://www.sealofthesoul.com Or, sign up for his newsletter at: http://www.sealsecrets.com
Michael Goodman wanted me to tell you ... " I'm selling a new product and I'm willing to pay handsomely for referrals. -- <>I'm offering $500 for the first referral that buys and $1,000 for every one after. Thought your readers might want to know." The details about Michael's product are at his website http://www.BiggestSecretInTravel.com
Michael Goodman wanted me to tell you ...
" I'm selling a new product and I'm willing to pay handsomely for referrals. -- <>I'm offering $500 for the first referral that buys and $1,000 for every one after. Thought your readers might want to know."
The details about Michael's product are at his website http://www.BiggestSecretInTravel.com
Andy Havens tried to help me ... "Since you are trying to put videos on your website, you need my VideoWebWizard." It is a fantastic product - but - alas, alack, it won't work on a MAC. -- So, I made a deal with Andy to get you a discount. You can buy it for only $7 - but - you have to go to the bottom of the page and enter the coupon code " Special4You" http://www.netrazine.com/Vidwhiz/index.htm I do wish it would work on a MAC.
Andy Havens tried to help me ...
It is a fantastic product - but - alas, alack, it won't work on a MAC. -- So, I made a deal with Andy to get you a discount. You can buy it for only $7 - but - you have to go to the bottom of the page and enter the coupon code " Special4You"
I do wish it would work on a MAC.
Marc Hoover asked the ages old question ... "I have a great product. I just need to get more people to visit. I just know I could get more sales if I could get more visitors. I am not willing to give up but I am frustrated. -- Can you give me additional advice? I hear about people starting a site and getting millions of hits pretty fast. Remember the college kid who sold the blocks of ugly ads and made a million? How do some of these people get this going?" Marc: Most of the big hits fast stories are one-time flukes. Then again, the gurus who combine their efforts to produce multi hits for their cronies is another story. Most of us just keep on keeping on. Noticed you don't have any kind of newsletter to give your customers. Suggest you start one. Then, use it to give your customers updates on new products you have to offer. It costs less to keep a customer than it does to get a customer. Hey, Gang ... You can go visit Marc's site at: http://www.getprosports.com
Marc Hoover asked the ages old question ...
"I have a great product. I just need to get more people to visit. I just know I could get more sales if I could get more visitors. I am not willing to give up but I am frustrated. -- Can you give me additional advice? I hear about people starting a site and getting millions of hits pretty fast. Remember the college kid who sold the blocks of ugly ads and made a million? How do some of these people get this going?"
Marc: Most of the big hits fast stories are one-time flukes. Then again, the gurus who combine their efforts to produce multi hits for their cronies is another story. Most of us just keep on keeping on. Noticed you don't have any kind of newsletter to give your customers. Suggest you start one. Then, use it to give your customers updates on new products you have to offer. It costs less to keep a customer than it does to get a customer.
Hey, Gang ... You can go visit Marc's site at: http://www.getprosports.com
Cindy Schulte of the National Mail Order Association (NMOA) has something for you ... Are you a manufacturer, importer, or a wholesale rep? Unlock a Billion Dollar Marketplace ... Sell Your Product to Catalogs and other Mail Order Companies! Would you like to have your product sold in catalogs, on television, by web merchantstand other direct marketing companies? -- Are you looking for new dealers, distributors or representatives to sell your product(s), in or out of the USA? -- If so ... the NMOA can help you do it ... at very low cost. -- Do you know that over 400 "billion" dollars of goods are sold via mail order and catalog marketing in the USA each year? And that mail order, with its related channels, is growing faster than "bricks and mortar" retailing as a method of selling productstand has been for many years? There are over 11,000 consumer catalogs in the USA and over 6,000 business-to-business catalogs. That's more than 17,000 different catalogs in the USA alone. In addition there are thousands more web merchants and other direct marketers like television shopping channels, infomercial producers, and direct mailers, all looking for good new products to sell. Find out how to do it at: NMOA
Cindy Schulte of the National Mail Order Association (NMOA) has something for you ...
Are you a manufacturer, importer, or a wholesale rep? Unlock a Billion Dollar Marketplace ... Sell Your Product to Catalogs and other Mail Order Companies! Would you like to have your product sold in catalogs, on television, by web merchantstand other direct marketing companies? -- Are you looking for new dealers, distributors or representatives to sell your product(s), in or out of the USA? -- If so ... the NMOA can help you do it ... at very low cost. -- Do you know that over 400 "billion" dollars of goods are sold via mail order and catalog marketing in the USA each year? And that mail order, with its related channels, is growing faster than "bricks and mortar" retailing as a method of selling productstand has been for many years? There are over 11,000 consumer catalogs in the USA and over 6,000 business-to-business catalogs. That's more than 17,000 different catalogs in the USA alone. In addition there are thousands more web merchants and other direct marketers like television shopping channels, infomercial producers, and direct mailers, all looking for good new products to sell. Find out how to do it at: NMOA
Are you a manufacturer, importer, or a wholesale rep? Unlock a Billion Dollar Marketplace ...
Would you like to have your product sold in catalogs, on television, by web merchantstand other direct marketing companies? -- Are you looking for new dealers, distributors or representatives to sell your product(s), in or out of the USA? -- If so ... the NMOA can help you do it ... at very low cost. -- Do you know that over 400 "billion" dollars of goods are sold via mail order and catalog marketing in the USA each year? And that mail order, with its related channels, is growing faster than "bricks and mortar" retailing as a method of selling productstand has been for many years? There are over 11,000 consumer catalogs in the USA and over 6,000 business-to-business catalogs. That's more than 17,000 different catalogs in the USA alone. In addition there are thousands more web merchants and other direct marketers like television shopping channels, infomercial producers, and direct mailers, all looking for good new products to sell. Find out how to do it at: NMOA
Well ... that's it for this month. -- In order to make every issue responsive to YOUR needs, please send me your questions; or tell me what sources or resources you need to build your business; or give me any thoughts you want to share with your fellow members. Believe it or don't ... I ain t a mind-reader. -- If n you doesn't tell me what you need, I may never touch upon the information, sources or resources you need. This is your publication for you to use to your benefit ... I am just your moderator. Until next month, keep well ... J.F. (Jim) STRAW Grande Panjandrum
Well ... that's it for this month. -- In order to make every issue responsive to YOUR needs, please send me your questions; or tell me what sources or resources you need to build your business; or give me any thoughts you want to share with your fellow members.
Believe it or don't ... I ain t a mind-reader. -- If n you doesn't tell me what you need, I may never touch upon the information, sources or resources you need.
This is your publication for you to use to your benefit ... I am just your moderator.
Until next month, keep well ...
J.F. (Jim) STRAW Grande Panjandrum
Thoughts For The Month! "Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses." -- George Washington Carver "Unhappiness is not knowing what we want and killing ourselves to get it." -- Don Herold
"Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses." -- George Washington Carver "Unhappiness is not knowing what we want and killing ourselves to get it." -- Don Herold
"Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses." -- George Washington Carver
"Unhappiness is not knowing what we want and killing ourselves to get it." -- Don Herold
Can you stump the old master? -- Betcha can't! Over the past 50 years (man and boy), I have made bundles of money in direct selling, service contracting, wholesale merchandising, entertainment (I was a professional Trumpet player, vocalist & Radio Announcer), freight forwarding, import/export, retail merchandising, warehousing, real estate, electronics manufacturing, finder's fees, closeout merchandising, financial brokerage, business consulting, steel fabrication, gold and coal mining, offshore banking, mailorder, writing, and publishing. -- That being the case ... No matter what business you're in ... whether you're just starting, well on your way, or at the top of the heap ... I've probably been where you are, done what you are doing. -- So ... Anytime you have a question about 'how' to do something in your business - or - if you have any comments about anything I've said in issues of this e-Letter; or if you want to add your 2 cents worth ... just "ask" me or "tell" me. Send your Questions, Comments or 2 Cents Worth to ... with "Question" - "Comment" - or, "2 Cents Worth" in the SUBJECT. If I, personally, don't have an answer to any question you may ask, I will contact some of the professionals in your field of endeavor (I will probably know one or more personally) to get the real 'skinny' for you. Note: If you want to ask a question anonymously just tell me so when you send in the question. -- Nobody but you and I will know who asked the question.
Over the past 50 years (man and boy), I have made bundles of money in direct selling, service contracting, wholesale merchandising, entertainment (I was a professional Trumpet player, vocalist & Radio Announcer), freight forwarding, import/export, retail merchandising, warehousing, real estate, electronics manufacturing, finder's fees, closeout merchandising, financial brokerage, business consulting, steel fabrication, gold and coal mining, offshore banking, mailorder, writing, and publishing. -- That being the case ...
No matter what business you're in ... whether you're just starting, well on your way, or at the top of the heap ... I've probably been where you are, done what you are doing. -- So ...
Anytime you have a question about 'how' to do something in your business - or - if you have any comments about anything I've said in issues of this e-Letter; or if you want to add your 2 cents worth ... just "ask" me or "tell" me.
If I, personally, don't have an answer to any question you may ask, I will contact some of the professionals in your field of endeavor (I will probably know one or more personally) to get the real 'skinny' for you.
Note: If you want to ask a question anonymously just tell me so when you send in the question. -- Nobody but you and I will know who asked the question.
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