MAY 2006 Greetings & Salutations: What is the real "secret" to success? Sorry, I hate to tell you this - but ... There is NO "secret" to success. -- That's the problem. Most people who say they want to succeed, go around all their life looking for some "secret" that people like me are sure to know. They just know that if they ever learn that "secret" they will be successful, too. -- Ain't gonna happen because there ain't any secret. All they need to do is start "doing" something. -- That's all it takes. -- Once they start "really" doing something ... other than searching for the "secret" to success ... whatever they are doing will expand and grow into the success for which they couldn't find the secret. Over the past nearly 50 years in business, I have heard it thousands upon thousands of times from "success secret seekers" ... "I ain't gonna get into no nickel and dime business. I want to make millions, not nickels and dimes." So, they keep buying what they think are "secrets". They never "do" anything, longer than it takes to find out they didn't learn any secrets, they just learned how to "work" at something ... instead of making them rich. Then, they go on to the next "secret," hoping against hope that the new secret will "give" them the riches they seek (without doing anything other than knowing the "secret"). The funny thing is, they all seem to think they are better than me ... and all the other successful people ... because they honestly think that I just woke up one morning, learned the secret, and made a fortune. When, in pure fact, I started selling nickle and dime items, door to door, in my youth ... selling one item to one customer, one sale at a time, making a nickle or a dime on each sale. As I matured, my endeavors expanded and grew ... changed course ... adapted to the ever changing economy ... moved onward and upward. Each instance of my growth predicated upon providing what my potential customers needed or wanted. Making sure that I gave more value in return for the value I received - and - even today, I still sell one item to one customer, one sale at a time. The VAST MAJORITY of people who say they want to succeed, only want to succeed if they can make it all at once ... just one sale won't do it. They want big sales, or thousands of sales, immediately. -- So, when a new opportunity only produces a few sales, they move on rather than making those few sales over and over and over and over ... until those few sales have grown into thousands upon thousands of sales. Most of them are looking for someone to help them do it, rather than looking for the tools they need to do it themselves. If you want to succeed, "do" something. Let what you are "doing" lead you onward and upward until you have the success you seek. -- There are NO "secrets" to it. Many people know the facts. -- Many people have the talent. -- Many people have the need. -- Many people have what it takes. -- But ... very, very few succeed because they are seeking the "secret" to success rather than doing something.
MAY 2006
Greetings & Salutations:
Sorry, I hate to tell you this - but ...
There is NO "secret" to success. -- That's the problem.
Most people who say they want to succeed, go around all their life looking for some "secret" that people like me are sure to know. They just know that if they ever learn that "secret" they will be successful, too. -- Ain't gonna happen because there ain't any secret.
All they need to do is start "doing" something. -- That's all it takes. -- Once they start "really" doing something ... other than searching for the "secret" to success ... whatever they are doing will expand and grow into the success for which they couldn't find the secret.
Over the past nearly 50 years in business, I have heard it thousands upon thousands of times from "success secret seekers" ...
So, they keep buying what they think are "secrets". They never "do" anything, longer than it takes to find out they didn't learn any secrets, they just learned how to "work" at something ... instead of making them rich. Then, they go on to the next "secret," hoping against hope that the new secret will "give" them the riches they seek (without doing anything other than knowing the "secret").
The funny thing is, they all seem to think they are better than me ... and all the other successful people ... because they honestly think that I just woke up one morning, learned the secret, and made a fortune. When, in pure fact, I started selling nickle and dime items, door to door, in my youth ... selling one item to one customer, one sale at a time, making a nickle or a dime on each sale.
As I matured, my endeavors expanded and grew ... changed course ... adapted to the ever changing economy ... moved onward and upward. Each instance of my growth predicated upon providing what my potential customers needed or wanted. Making sure that I gave more value in return for the value I received - and - even today, I still sell one item to one customer, one sale at a time.
The VAST MAJORITY of people who say they want to succeed, only want to succeed if they can make it all at once ... just one sale won't do it. They want big sales, or thousands of sales, immediately. -- So, when a new opportunity only produces a few sales, they move on rather than making those few sales over and over and over and over ... until those few sales have grown into thousands upon thousands of sales.
Most of them are looking for someone to help them do it, rather than looking for the tools they need to do it themselves.
If you want to succeed, "do" something. Let what you are "doing" lead you onward and upward until you have the success you seek. -- There are NO "secrets" to it.
Many people know the facts. -- Many people have the talent. -- Many people have the need. -- Many people have what it takes. -- But ... very, very few succeed because they are seeking the "secret" to success rather than doing something.
Now, let's do some ... Questions & Answers, Comments & Other Good Stuff! Barbara Ling had a very serious question ... "As you have a huge customer base, might I ask you what you think your customers would best be interested in learning?" Barbara: What do THEY want? Over the years, I have asked that question of my customers countless times ... with thousands of responses - BUT - in actuallity, they DO NOT know what they want. -- Instead, they wait until someone tells them about something that might interest them. Then, they decide whether they want to "try" it or not. Their "try" amounts to a one-time half-hearted attempt. When it (whatever it is) doesn't make them a gazillion dollars on that one attempt, they decide that is something they don't want. Next ... they do it all over again. My apologies, Barbara. I am an o-o-o-ld man who has spent nearly 40 years dealing with these people and, as a pragmatic realist, I have learned to accept them as they are and love them anyway. The only consolation is that every once in a while one of them actually does something. HOT NEWS!! Anyone, who lives in any country in the world, can now Accept Credit Card Payments online. World Internet Pay firmly believes that Internet is for everyone! While many online processing companies only provide services to people who already have their own credit cards, in most cases, who are the residents of most developed countries only, World Internet Pay offers anyone in any country the opportunity to be able to accept credit card payment online. You don't have to have a credit card yourself, you could live anywhere in the world, World Internet Pay strives to provide this service to everyone on the planet especially to the people from developing countries to give everyone a fair go. * You don't have to have a company registered * You don't have to have a merchant account * You don't have to have a credit card yourself * You can live in any country in the world * No long term contracts * No equipment or software needed * Easy to use plug-n-play code * Automatic order notification * State of the Art fraud detection * Comprehensive account management tools If you ever wanted to sell anything over the Internet and would like to accept payment in real time from your website then WorldInternetPay is for you. You can sign up here ... WIPay
Now, let's do some ...
Barbara Ling had a very serious question ...
"As you have a huge customer base, might I ask you what you think your customers would best be interested in learning?"
Barbara: What do THEY want? Over the years, I have asked that question of my customers countless times ... with thousands of responses - BUT - in actuallity, they DO NOT know what they want. -- Instead, they wait until someone tells them about something that might interest them. Then, they decide whether they want to "try" it or not. Their "try" amounts to a one-time half-hearted attempt. When it (whatever it is) doesn't make them a gazillion dollars on that one attempt, they decide that is something they don't want. Next ... they do it all over again. My apologies, Barbara. I am an o-o-o-ld man who has spent nearly 40 years dealing with these people and, as a pragmatic realist, I have learned to accept them as they are and love them anyway. The only consolation is that every once in a while one of them actually does something.
World Internet Pay firmly believes that Internet is for everyone! While many online processing companies only provide services to people who already have their own credit cards, in most cases, who are the residents of most developed countries only, World Internet Pay offers anyone in any country the opportunity to be able to accept credit card payment online. You don't have to have a credit card yourself, you could live anywhere in the world, World Internet Pay strives to provide this service to everyone on the planet especially to the people from developing countries to give everyone a fair go.
If you ever wanted to sell anything over the Internet and would like to accept payment in real time from your website then WorldInternetPay is for you. You can sign up here ...
In business ... any business, online or offline ... you live or die by your advertising. -- And ... The success of your advertising is, of course, dependent upon the quality of your ad-copy. -- For that reason ... if you can't create solid, selling ad-copy yourself ... you need a good ad-copywriter. One of the best I know is Robert Phillips . As a matter fact, one letter he sent to a small list of less than 100 has raised nearly $100,000 in private investment capital. So ... if'n you can use a good ad-copywriter, send him an email and tell him what you need. I think Robert has priced his services too low. -- I'm sure he'll have to increase them in the future. So, if you need good ad-copy, get it from him now before he learns how much his talent is really worth.
Anony Mouse was in a quandary ... "I have been reading your emails for a long time now but have never had the courage to try anything. -- I do like the idea of xxxxx but I don't have much money and $50 USD is a lot for me to lay out and would have to use the grocery money to pay for it. However, if I thought I could *really* make money with this program it would be worth it. -- Are you able to shed any light on this for me please? For someone in my position, would it be worth it?" Mouse: Don't do it. NEVER, ever, spend money you can not afford to lose for any kind of opportunity or information ... not even mine.
Anony Mouse was in a quandary ...
"I have been reading your emails for a long time now but have never had the courage to try anything. -- I do like the idea of xxxxx but I don't have much money and $50 USD is a lot for me to lay out and would have to use the grocery money to pay for it. However, if I thought I could *really* make money with this program it would be worth it. -- Are you able to shed any light on this for me please? For someone in my position, would it be worth it?"
Mouse: Don't do it. NEVER, ever, spend money you can not afford to lose for any kind of opportunity or information ... not even mine.
Bob Johnson thought it might be a scam ... "Since you know so much about business and the world news I need your comments on something I received in the mail. This person says that Americans can buy Iraqi Dinars for little money and gain a HUGE return once they are backed by the new government. -- He is claiming a ROI of up to 2,167%. -- You buy 5000 for $7.80, 25,000 for $34, 50,000 for $64, 100,000 for $125 and $780 for 1,000,000. This man isn't a dealer, but has a manual with all the sources for buying and selling the dinars. -- Have you heard anything about this? I find it hard to believe and it could be a scam. There is no phone number and it is probably a P.O. Box. He seems to be hiding something. Not good. I appreciate anything you know about this." Bob: The deal is based upon a theoretical assumption ... assuming that Iraq will NOT discontinue the old Dinar and replace them with new Dinar. After World War II, the German Mark was in the same position. Many speculators purchase Third Reich Marks for pennies on the dollar ... hoping for the same outcome. When the new Deutsch Mark was issued, there was a very, very high conversion rate (1,000's of old Marks for 1 new Mark) and the old Marks were simply taken out of circulation. Last time I saw them offered, the old pre-war (Third Reiche) Marks could be purchased as collector items ... 1,000,000 for less than $10. The same will most likely happen to the Iraqi Dinar.
Bob Johnson thought it might be a scam ...
"Since you know so much about business and the world news I need your comments on something I received in the mail. This person says that Americans can buy Iraqi Dinars for little money and gain a HUGE return once they are backed by the new government. -- He is claiming a ROI of up to 2,167%. -- You buy 5000 for $7.80, 25,000 for $34, 50,000 for $64, 100,000 for $125 and $780 for 1,000,000. This man isn't a dealer, but has a manual with all the sources for buying and selling the dinars. -- Have you heard anything about this? I find it hard to believe and it could be a scam. There is no phone number and it is probably a P.O. Box. He seems to be hiding something. Not good. I appreciate anything you know about this."
Bob: The deal is based upon a theoretical assumption ... assuming that Iraq will NOT discontinue the old Dinar and replace them with new Dinar. After World War II, the German Mark was in the same position. Many speculators purchase Third Reich Marks for pennies on the dollar ... hoping for the same outcome. When the new Deutsch Mark was issued, there was a very, very high conversion rate (1,000's of old Marks for 1 new Mark) and the old Marks were simply taken out of circulation. Last time I saw them offered, the old pre-war (Third Reiche) Marks could be purchased as collector items ... 1,000,000 for less than $10. The same will most likely happen to the Iraqi Dinar.
Brian Burkard wrote to tell me ... "I was on the internet today and saw a pretty generous resource that I wanted to pass along to you. -- A real estate attorney and investor is making his $200 real estate course available for free. I am downloading it, and thought you might want to check it out! -- Great info for homeowners and investors." I downloaded the free book and the free lists of Financing Sources across the country. -- Looks like a very valuable resource to me. Get your free copy at: http://www.realestateinvestingbrain.com/free-200dollar-course.html Thank you, Brian.
Brian Burkard wrote to tell me ...
"I was on the internet today and saw a pretty generous resource that I wanted to pass along to you. -- A real estate attorney and investor is making his $200 real estate course available for free. I am downloading it, and thought you might want to check it out! -- Great info for homeowners and investors."
I downloaded the free book and the free lists of Financing Sources across the country. -- Looks like a very valuable resource to me. Get your free copy at:
Thank you, Brian.
David K. Houston had a problem I faced myself ... "I don't know where else to turn. I'm pulling my hair out and I'm ready to scream (I take that back I am Screaming). I've gotten a domain name and registered it. - I went and joined xxxxx. They promise everything is so easy to build your site. I can't seem to understand anything they are trying to say. It seems like it is all fluff and no what to do. It's a joke. I might as well go back to school for 2 years and learn html. - All I want to do is get my own site up to sell Info. -- Isn't there anybody out there that will show me how to build a simple website without copying everyone else's. I want an original one of me. -- Every where I turn its like they expect you to automaticly know what to do. -- You're the only one who has ever returned my emails, that's why I'm writing you. -- Really, I'm ready to throw my computer out the window. I'm very upset right now and have been buying stuff from you for since 1992. It's like you're the only one I trust anymore. -- I hate spending anymore money on anything because I don't trust anyone. Do you have any suggestions on how I can build a simpe website?? -- Sorry to take out my frustrations." Thank you, David ... I greatly appreciate your kind remarks. Unfortunately, most of the gurus online can tell you "what" to do but are sorely lacking when it comes to telling you "how" to do it. Back in 1999, I had the same problem ... and I'm an o-o-old man. The first thing I did was go to my local bookstore and buy a couple books ... one was Webmastering for Dummies (or something like that) and another one about Webmastering for Kids. In those books, I learned that I really didn't have to learn to write HTML. There are programs on the market that do it for you. -- After reviewing those programs, I chose the Adobe PageMill ... printed the manual for it, read it, and in less than a week I had a website up and running. There were still things I had to learn but the basics to prepare a website were all in the simple books I read and in the manual for the Adobe PageMill program. I'll tell you one thing ... the cost of the simple books and the PageMill program were a ho'lot LESS that what I had already paid the gurus - and - once you learn it the simple way, you don't need them anyway. Hope that helps.
David K. Houston had a problem I faced myself ...
"I don't know where else to turn. I'm pulling my hair out and I'm ready to scream (I take that back I am Screaming). I've gotten a domain name and registered it. - I went and joined xxxxx. They promise everything is so easy to build your site. I can't seem to understand anything they are trying to say. It seems like it is all fluff and no what to do. It's a joke. I might as well go back to school for 2 years and learn html. - All I want to do is get my own site up to sell Info. -- Isn't there anybody out there that will show me how to build a simple website without copying everyone else's. I want an original one of me. -- Every where I turn its like they expect you to automaticly know what to do. -- You're the only one who has ever returned my emails, that's why I'm writing you. -- Really, I'm ready to throw my computer out the window. I'm very upset right now and have been buying stuff from you for since 1992. It's like you're the only one I trust anymore. -- I hate spending anymore money on anything because I don't trust anyone. Do you have any suggestions on how I can build a simpe website?? -- Sorry to take out my frustrations."
Thank you, David ... I greatly appreciate your kind remarks. Unfortunately, most of the gurus online can tell you "what" to do but are sorely lacking when it comes to telling you "how" to do it. Back in 1999, I had the same problem ... and I'm an o-o-old man. The first thing I did was go to my local bookstore and buy a couple books ... one was Webmastering for Dummies (or something like that) and another one about Webmastering for Kids. In those books, I learned that I really didn't have to learn to write HTML. There are programs on the market that do it for you. -- After reviewing those programs, I chose the Adobe PageMill ... printed the manual for it, read it, and in less than a week I had a website up and running. There were still things I had to learn but the basics to prepare a website were all in the simple books I read and in the manual for the Adobe PageMill program. I'll tell you one thing ... the cost of the simple books and the PageMill program were a ho'lot LESS that what I had already paid the gurus - and - once you learn it the simple way, you don't need them anyway. Hope that helps.
Alan Haston thought he could stump me ... "I have been reading your archives and it is so chock full that its making my head swell on the inside. -- I am not all the way through it yet but I have come upon a situation and I don't know where to find the answer, so since you want to be stumped here goes nothing. -- How do I find out if an over seas wholesaler/manufacturer is legitimate? SO that I am not buying pirated items or pirated labels with copies of the real thing being sold." Sorry, Alan ... You won't stump me with that one. All ya gotta do is ASK the U.S. Department of Commerce -- http://www.commerce.gov/ OR ... Contact the embassy for that country and ASK to speak to the Commercial Attache. In either case, just ASK them if they have any information ... good or bad ... about the companies you want to deal with.
Alan Haston thought he could stump me ...
"I have been reading your archives and it is so chock full that its making my head swell on the inside. -- I am not all the way through it yet but I have come upon a situation and I don't know where to find the answer, so since you want to be stumped here goes nothing. -- How do I find out if an over seas wholesaler/manufacturer is legitimate? SO that I am not buying pirated items or pirated labels with copies of the real thing being sold."
Sorry, Alan ... You won't stump me with that one. All ya gotta do is ASK the U.S. Department of Commerce -- http://www.commerce.gov/ OR ... Contact the embassy for that country and ASK to speak to the Commercial Attache. In either case, just ASK them if they have any information ... good or bad ... about the companies you want to deal with.
Every month, I get at least a dozen - sometimes 50, or more - emails asking me ... "Where can I find good Drop Ship Suppliers?" - or - "Where can I find Wholesale Suppliers for eBay products?' Well ... I finally found a fantastic source that has'em all. They have a database allowing shoppers and merchants worldwide to access wholesale and dropship suppliers offering consumer products at prices considerably lower than retail value. You can even buy for your own use! The majority of wholesalers and drop shippers will ship worldwide and do not require a minimum purchase. Check it out for yer ownself, at ... DropShipSources I simply could not believe some of the prices these sources offer. Every wholesaler is personally approved and reviewed to ensure a high level of service and support. -- Additionally, live customer support is provided to assist you in locating specific items. DropShipSources
Every month, I get at least a dozen - sometimes 50, or more - emails asking me ...
Well ...
I finally found a fantastic source that has'em all.
They have a database allowing shoppers and merchants worldwide to access wholesale and dropship suppliers offering consumer products at prices considerably lower than retail value.
The majority of wholesalers and drop shippers will ship worldwide and do not require a minimum purchase.
Check it out for yer ownself, at ...
I simply could not believe some of the prices these sources offer.
Every wholesaler is personally approved and reviewed to ensure a high level of service and support. -- Additionally, live customer support is provided to assist you in locating specific items.
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 Thought For The Month! COMFORT ZONE I used to have a comfort zone where I thought I could not fail, same four walls and busy work were really more like jail. I longed so much to do the things I had never done before, but I stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor. I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much, I said I didn't care for things like diamonds, furs and such. I claimed to be so busy with things inside my zone, but deep inside I longed for something special of my own. I could not let life go by just watching others win, I held my breath and stepped outside and let the change begin. I took a step and with new strength I had never felt before, I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door. If you are in a comfort zone afraid to venture out, remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt. A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true. Greet your future with a smile SUCCESS is there for you! -- Anonymous
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
Can you stump the old master? -- Betcha can't! Over the past 40 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 40 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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