Automate Follow-up and Get More Done

A lot of us home-based entrepreneurs still have a full-time job. That sure does make growing one's business kind of difficult. However, difficult is not impossible. Especially in 2010 and beyond.

After reading books like Tim Ferris' The 4-Hour Work Week and Scott Fox's e-Riches 2.0, and joining great online communities like The Perfect Biz Finder and Click Millionaires, I picked up a couple of ideas on how to automate your initial contact and follow-up.

I discuss a few of them in the below video.

Check out the video and click through the links for more information on these free and low-cost services.



RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• GetResponse
• uReach
• Phonevite
• Send Out Cards
• Ping.fm
• Post Scheduler
• Desk Ping

Let me know how these tools work out for you.

Video Tutorials: How to Interview Your MLM Prospects AND Sponsors

This is a follow-up to my last blog.


How to interview new prospects for your home-based MLM biz (Pt. 1 of 2)


How to interview new prospects for your home-based MLM biz (Pt. 2 of 2)



How to interview your potential MLM sponsor/coach (Pt. 1 of 2)


How to interview your potential MLM sponsor/coach (Pt. 2 of 2)

All the best,


The Keeper of the ARC of the Covenant
http://www.twitter.com/tyroneturner

How to Screen Your MLM Partners

PRINT THIS OUT if you're involved in our considering starting a network marketing home-based business. I am 100% confident that you'll find this helpful.


There is so much hype out there these days.

Before you invest your time, energy, and money, please ask your latest candidate to become your business partner 10 questions.

I'm not just talking about a new distributor you're looking to enroll, but also the gal or guy that is trying to recruit you.

Desired score for both is 70% - at least 7 out of 10 answers should be acceptable to you.

If you don't feel comfortable with the person or the proposition, DO NOT partner with them.

Questions for Your Prospective Trainees:

1. Have you ever worked a home-based business before? Tell me about your experiences.
   
   [To determine their experience level].



2. What made you join that business?
   
   [To determine their 'why']



3. Why do you want to join this business?
   
   [To determine if their excitement being tempered by reasonable thought]



4. How much extra income per month would make you feel like you're getting ahead?
   
   [What amount of money is considered 'success' to them]



5. How many hours per week are you going to dedicate to growing your business?
   
   [Is the time commitment in-line with the income goal?]



6. How do you see yourself growing your business. From home, over the Internet, phone, mailing post cards, meeting new people, or some other way? [This will give you and idea of their personality type]



7. Do you have a * minimum * of $100 per month to commit to the operations of and marketing of your business?
   
   [It costs to grow a business. This includes personal product and/or service use, along with replicated website, Bookkeeping software, CRM, samples, marketing collateral, postage, face-to-face networking events, and speed networking over the phone.]



8. How long are you going to commit to working this business before you decide that it is not for you? [Recommend 90 days]



9. Will you do what you say you're going to do? [To gauge their credibility--honesty]



10. Will you in be honest with me on how you feel and fact do what you say you're going to do once you make a commitment?
    
    [Setting the stage for accountability]

_____

Questions for Your Potential Coach:

1. How many companies like this have you worked with before?
   
   [To determine a track record of success or failure]



2. How long did you stay with your last company?
   
   [To gauge their commitment level]



3. Why did you leave that company?
   
   [To see if their reason for separating was valid - to you]
4. Why did you decide to partner with this company in particular?
   
   [What was their why]



5. How many ways can I make money? [They should have a basic understanding of the compensation plan]



6. What are 3 things that makes an MLM program a good, worthwhile program?
   
   [Look for 3 out of the following: Good company management with experience in the industry; Timing in the company and industry; Remarkable product; Fair compensation plan--rewards spare-time, part-time, and full-time people; Training system; Purpose that fits your tastes; Reputation and culture of the company and it's distributors]



7. How many people are you actively coaching now?
   
   [To see how available they'll be]



8. How many business opportunities are you working right now, and why are you working more than one program?
   
   [How focused are they and are they a shrewd capitalist?]



9. Other than the start-up kit and my monthly commitment (products or service subscription), how much extra money do I need to spend?
   
   [They should be able to something like this: "It costs to grow a business. This includes personal product and/or service use, along with replicated website, CRM, samples, marketing collateral, postage, face-to-face networking events, and speed networking over the phone."]



10. How can I get the extra money to start and maintain my business?
    
    [Buy from yourself--if your company has products that allows you to "switch stores", CoinStar(TM) machines, bag lunch, W4 adjustment]

_____

Go get 'em tigers and tigresses!

Wishing you massive affluence,


The Keeper of the ARC of the Covenant
http://www.twitter.com/tyroneturner

Santa, I Want a Home Biz Control Center for Christmas

Thomas Friedman wrote a wonderful book called The World Is Flat. One of what he calls "world flatteners" is the Internet. The Internet allows solopreneurs and home-based business owners to compete with much larger companies as it is very inexpensive (sometimes free) and gives you leverage by putting a lot of things on autopilot.

Even though the tools are inexpensive, when you're using a lot of them the costs can really start to add up. On top of that, you're being billed from different vendors at different times of the month and that is another headache. When you get too spend-happy, you can end up in the red pretty fast.

As an example, here is a list of services that I subscribe to:

• Autoresponder
• Voicemail
• Audio Email
• Video Email
• Teleseminars
• Customer Relationship Manager

This stuff really adds up pretty quickly, and it takes a good amount of time to log into these various programs.

It is even more expensive and tiring when you are managing multiple income streams.

Why can't they all just be in one place at a fair price?

Maybe Santa will hear my request. I've been very well behaved this year.

I'm putting it out there. The law of attraction being what it is, I'm sure that the universe will send me an answer soon enough.

I'll keep you posted.

Who's Watching The Eggs in Your Basket?

Daniel Stoica, Accounting Consultant, helps you explore and discover your passion and turn it into a successful business, as this is his passion. "Minimizing your tax liability and maximizing your net worth at the same time by providing you with professional accounting and tax preparation services" is his profession. He goes beyond his own expertise and uses the resources of his professional network to meet the needs of his clients. He is incredibly passionate about helping others.

I have to tell you, bookkeeping, accounting, and taxes and the like are not the most exciting topics, but when you don't have a seasoned professional like Daniel on your side, you can really lose your shirt - or more!

Sometimes, it is not about how much you earn, but how much you keep that counts.

In the Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 podcast I did with Daniel, here are some of the topics we discussed:

• Where you should be spending your hard-earned dollars
• What you should not be spending money on
• What the best business structure is for your business
• How taxes can really add up depending on the nature of your business
• Some of the the deductions that home-based entrepreneurs qualify for
• And a lot more!

This was a general accounting overview and Daniel has agreed to visit with us again to focus on specific aspects of accounting and taxes to optimize your profits.

To listen to the 60-minute interview that is certainly a must-listen to, click on the player below.



David is based in Chicago and his website is www.DanielStoica.com

All the best,

Pick the Right Biz for YOU

Wow...

A lot of people want to start their own business but don't know where to start. I don't mean how to start making money but how to get started at square one by actually picking a business. Hopefully, an entrepreneur picks the right business. Not the right business according to me or anyone else. But what is the right business according to that entrepreneur. Even if you are the already operating a business, perhaps you can maximize your fun and profits by taking on a different function within the business.

This is where Steve Little comes in. Steve Little is the President of Zero Limits, Inc. He is truly a renaissance man. He has been an entrepreneur since 13, he's a champion athlete, and has made tens of millions of dollars and he's still going! He's been rocking and rolling as a successful entrepreneur for more than 40 years now. Steve’s mentoring has helped hundreds of people to break the barriers sabotaging their success and have created their dream life as a result. He has put his knowledge into a program called The Perfect Biz Finder. What it does is help you find your perfect business in 21 days or less. Step by step resources and blog take you by the hand and show you the perfect business that is genetically matched to your DNA.

You can take a free psychoanalytic survey (valued at $297) on his site at www.PickTheRightBizForYou.com.

Check out this 45-minute interview that I did with Steve on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009. You have GOT TO give this a listen.



Make sure to bookmark Steve's site and to take the survey. He has some exciting announcements in the weeks ahead.

To your success,

Ain't No Party Like a Webcam Pitch Party

TokBox - Free Video Chat and Video Messaging


We're bringing solopreneurs from all over the country together for organized, video/webcam networking events using a "pitch party" format. A pitch party is when everyone takes a turn giving their one-minute "elevator pitch" so that others can better understand what they are selling, to whom they are selling, and the benefits of their product or service. Prominent off-line, face-to-face networking groups like BNI, Le Tip, and Leads Club use a pitch party format.

The way we're able to bring business people from around the country together for virtual face-to-face networking is by using the free platform provided by TokBox.

Ideally, this will be used for entrepreneurs who are local to each other. This is a cool way to network, but it DOES NOT replace speed networking over the phone events or face-to-face networking events.

To learn more about what we're proposing with web cam pitch party, go to www.WebcamPitchParty.com.

Let me know what you think.

Is Social Media a Fad?

All I got to say, social media ain't my grandfather's radio.

Check this video out and draw your own conclusions.







As Perry Belcher said, "Hey, you can't put the @#!% back in the horse."

Talk to you soon.

YOU are still here!

Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed and that we don't have a snowball's chance in Hell to have success or some other desirable outcome. But the fact of the matter is, you are still here so as long as you can look up, you can get up.

Lean on your faith - believe in yourself, believe in the righteousness of your goal; believe in your allies; and have faith in a higher power.

Be inspired by these words from Laurence Fishburne in his portrayal of Morpheus in the movie The Matrix Reloaded.



Just follow these six steps, and what you desire will be your's in uncommon hours:

1. THINK about what you want
2. SPEAK about what you want
3. Take ACTIONS toward getting it
4. Make your pursuit a HABIT - do something every day to put yourself closer
5. NEVER QUIT no matter what happens
6. Enjoy the RESULTS of your labor

Be advised, that these six steps always yield results, but make sure that you start with positive, desirable thoughts, or you may be quite displeased with the results.

Remember the old-school computer jargon - 'GIGO' - garbage in, garbage out.

"Don't have stinking thinking." ~ Zig Ziglar

Become a Web Marketing Whiz Kid

Kyle Nichols is the owner of a wonderful Internet marketing and coaching company, and what they have done is combine high-quality training and coaching from some of the best online marketers along with a very lucrative money-making referral program.

A member can truly earn while she learns. What is so pleasantly surprising is how affordable the program is, yet powerful enough for members to build an immediate and substantial long-term recurring income stream.

Kyle shared some tips on how we can become web marketing whiz kids by leveraging his latest product/program, You Can't Say No.

What is really appealing (to me, anyway) about this program is that it compliments whatever you're already working on by giving you more 'How To' online marketing knowledge. The catalog of training audios, videos, and the community of other online marketers that share best practices is extremely impressive. I can't believe that a person can have access to this program for less than $1.75 per day - unbelievable. Hey, You Can't Say No to that (pun intended).

To learn more about this product/program, visit www.WebMarketingWhizKids.com.

Click on the player below to listen to the interview that I did with Mr. Nichols on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009.

As Internet Marketing heavy-hitter, Perry Belcher, would say, "Hey man, the poops is out and you can't shove it back into the horse, so get with it because Internet marketing is not going anywhere and is only going to get bigger."

Hmmm...spoken like a true Texan.

With appreciation,

Put your monkey in a bubble to get more leads

What in blue blazes am I talking about?



When you're out networking, be it face-to-face or virtual, you can stand out from the crowd if you use Survey Monkey when you follow-up. Survey Monkey is a free service that you can use to gather information from your new contacts. You can ask up to 10 questions on the free version (there is a subscription version that has additional features) and use those answers to truly add value to your new contact. It is like a lead capture page on steroids. Go to www.SurveyMonkey.com to set up your free account.

#########################



You can and should add a 'bubble comment' to your survey. This is also a free service that allows you to add a personal touch to your websites.

For those of you that are network marketers, you add a bubble comment to your company's replicated website to add your personality to it.

To get your free account, go to www.BubbleComment.com.

***** Sidebar Begins *****

To see how I use these two free resources together, go to www.TyroneTurnerWantsToHelp.com

***** Sidebar Ends *****

Go get 'em, tigers and tigresses!

All the best,

I like Magic Jack!

I ordered my Magic Jack about two months ago and I really enjoy it. The sound quality is pretty good (not as good as my true Verizon land line). This is great for a second phone line or a part-time home-based business phone line.

It is a USB plug-in that is portable. You'll have to take a phone with you, though.

You get voice mail (via email), and call waiting. The only drawback is that the computer has to be on to use the phone but for less than $50 bucks per year you can be up and running with a phone number in your zip code - or any other zip code that you want in minutes.

My recommendation - buy it.

Happy dialing,

Build a sales funnel for maximum profit

I hear a lot of talk about building a sales funnel -- recycling your customers to maximize profit for yourself and to add benefit to the customer by introducing them to related products or services. Your sales funnel may also include introducing them to various people that provide a given product or service. You don't always have to be the one profiting, and as a matter of fact, you'll be more of a 'go-giver' if you were not the only person generating revenue.

Remember, it is always easier to keep a customer and resell her/him rather than go out and get a new customer.

Also, keep in mind that the products/services in your portfolio should be related so that you will not be all over the place.

Let me give you an example of how I set up the sales funnel for my business. Perhaps my example will give you some ideas on how to create your very own sales funnel based on your target niche(s) and your product/service offerings.

Grassroots Business Network, LLC's Sales Funnel





We help sole proprietors and home-based entreprenerus put the pieces together. This is done creating environments that are conducive to networking (face-to-face and over the phone) and the teaching of specific skills, how to use certain tools, and 1-on-1 coaching to develop a customized system to help them accomplish their business goals.

For more information on the networking events, go to the www.Meetup.com/NYCSocialMedia, and visit www.SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com.

We are also an independent broker of various products and services that gives our customers access to top-notch resources. Here are some of the products and services that we promote that are relevant to our niches:

• Pick the right biz for YOU



• Business consulting and legal advice



• Quality, affordable health plans



• The ultimate permission-based marketing tool

Okay, folks, I hope that made sense to you. Let me know what you have in your sales funnel as I may be able to send business your way.

Thank you.

All the best,

I'll be interviewing Ciro @ 8:30pm - in 5 minutes. Check it out - http://budurl.com/be3k

Folks, I keep talking about this show because folks really need to hear Ciro DiSlafani talk about making career changes - http://budurl.com/be3k

Unemployed or looking to make a career change? You need to check out this radio show tonight @ 8:30pm EDT - http://budurl.com/be3k

Join us for the Big Link speed networking over the phone event happening right now - http://budurl.com/rtta

Join us for the Big Link speed networking over the phone event 2nite @ 8:30pm EDT - http://budurl.com/rtta

Join us for a speed networking over the phone event 2nite @ 8:15pm EDT. Here is the link - http://budurl.com/7zb5

Taking the online conversations offline

Lisa Torres (aka the Social Butterfly) and Tyrone Turner (aka Ty the Card Guy) share a few tips on things to do to get the online conversations offline.

Some things touched on:

• Social networking sites
• Face-to-face networking events
• Virtual networking events
• Follow-up tools
• Video email and chat
• Building your list
.

I hope that you like what you hear in the above video.

All the best,

Backyard pitch party in Brooklyn on Thu, 08/27 - http://budurl.com/v3u8

Join us for a 'Big Link" speed networking over the phone event tonight @ 8:30pm EST - http://budurl.com/rvnl

Some of you want to leave your job to pursue your biz full time. What's holding you back? Stable income? Benefits? Something else?

Who do you know that is a small biz owner or a sales pro? Speed networking over the phone event happening @ noon - http://budurl.com/deea

Chat with other sales pros and small biz owners @ 12 noon EST today - http://budurl.com/deea

Use the Lotus Code to Achieve Your Goals

Click on the player below to listen to the companion audio to this blog post

Comment | Copy This

The Lotus Code is a 2,500 philosophy that lays out a blueprint to achieve success. It has six parts that build upon and support each other.

Here is an overview:

1. Thoughts: Thoughts are things - well at least they can become things. Everything begins with a thought. Books that have really helped me get my head right and attract the people and situations that I want are The Secret, The Power of Positive Thinking, and Think and Grow Rich.



2. Words: Words are powerful. They can make or break people. This is the power of prayer and affirmations. T. Harv Eker's, The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind talks about making declarations and Anthony Robbins' books like Awaken the Giant Within are heavily influenced by neurolinguistic programming.



3. Actions: Nike's timeless slogan is "Just do it," and that is what is necessary. You have to do something. Books like The Science of Getting Rich tell us step by step what to do to achieve desired results. Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People is also an excellent read on things to do to achieve success.



4. Habits: Stephen Covey reminds us in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the right actions to make habitual so that we can achieve success in uncommon hours.



5. Persistence: Persistence, particularly in the face of adversity, is what helps of earn our desired outcome. The universe must be paid in full, and this debt must be paid in advance. Feeling pain and fear and doing it anyway is what turns us mere mortals into the champions that we aspire to become.



6. Result: Everything that we do or don't do will lead us to this outcome.

Remember, the universe is neutral so this roadmap can lead us to our goal or to a very sad and desperate state of affairs. As it has been said, "We become what we think about." Truer words have not been spoken. I hope that you found this information helpful.

Kind regards,

Sample of an Monthly MLM PNL Statement

This is an example of the a Profit and Loss statement for a fictional network marketer named Joanne Networker for May 2009.

Most network marketers talk about how much money they make, but how much you keep is what determines if you really made money (profit), or if you didn't (loss).

Simply put, revenue (money that comes in to you) less expenses (money that you pay out) should equal profit (income).

If your expenses exceed your revenue, as is the case with Joanne Networker, you are in a deficit -- you loss money.

Please review the spreadsheet while listening to the audio.

Comment | Copy This

CLICK HERE for the spreadsheet

DO NOT delete anything from the following cells on Tab 1 -- PNL: Total Revenue (B11), Total Expenses (B33), or Profit or Loss (B35). From Tab 1 - 4, don't delete anything from Line 18, column B through Column T.

They contain formulas that calculate totals automatically.

This is not the holy grail or anything like that, but make sure to use this tool as it will help you monitor your cashflow.

For your convenience, there are also tabs in the spreadsheet that serve as weekly expense reports so you monitor your expenditures on a weekly basis.

Kind regards,

Huh? Speed Networking Over the Phone?

Whoa! This is hot!

Expand Your Network with Unlimited Virtual Networking Events for less than $10 per month...

Have real conversations, make more connections, and grow your business without having to leave your home or office!

As you know, your business success has a lot to do with how effectively you network. New referrals, ideas, and opportunities all come from the people you know. But to increase the power of your network it needs to constantly be growing.

Unfortunately, traditional approaches to networking can waste time and money without delivering results to your business or new contacts to your network.

Has this ever happened to you at an In-person Networking Event?

Have you ever gone to a networking event where you made no new connections, or you couldn't break into a conversation with someone you really wanted to meet, or you couldn't break away from a conversation that went on and on and on?

Even worse, have you ever paid an annual membership fee so you could then pay for gas and parking driving to an event where you then paid to enter and met nobody new?

But what about Online "Social Networking" sites?

With the explosion of social networking sites over the last few years, we found it a bit ironic that none of these sites is really "Social" (i.e., instead of interacting - you type something, hours later I type a response, you respond, etc, etc, etc...)

...nor were these sites really helping us meet new people in any meaningful way to build out our network. Sure we were making hundreds of new contacts on these sites - but how many of these "connections" did we ever actually talk to?

We knew there had to be a better way. Working in affiliation with Blitz Innovations, Inc., allow me to introduce you to SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com.

If we could combine the personal nature of in-person networking, the reach of online networking, and the convenience of the telephone - and give professionals the ability to make 10-15 new connections in a single event through actual 1-on-1 conversations; we knew we could turn the failed promise of "networking" into networking that actually works.

10,103 conversations later, we've heard again and again that this is an amazing way to meet new people and grow your network"

After 100+ conversations on SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com, I've already gotten a feel for how powerful SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com can be, and can recommend it to other business owners and sales people without hesitation.

Imagine what it would be like to meet 1,240, 12,400, or more new contacts on SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com. What new opportunities would that lead to? How would that impact your business?

In fact, if you've got the time - you can see & hear all of their feedback by clicking here.

Join as a Professional subscriber now and Take Your Networking to the Next Level

As a Professional subscriber, here is what you get:

• Attend an unlimited number of Virtual Networking Events each month



• Meet an unlimited number of new people through SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com events



• Send an unlimited number of followup messages to new professional contacts you make on SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com



• Create your own group(s) on SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com



• Host an unlimited number of your own SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com events



• Record your own audio "elevator pitch" played for people you speak with.

Lock in the rate of $9.95 per month for as long as your subscription remains active.

Go SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com, to join now.

As Zig Ziglar would say, "See you at the top!"

Don't take fashion tips from naked people

I'm writing this because I don't want people to get duped into buying into systems that don't work or listening to people who have no track-record of success.

CLICK ON THE PLAYER BELOW TO LISTEN TO THE COMPANION AUDIO (3 minutes, 56 seconds)

Comment | Copy This

A couple of year's ago, I came across a CD featuring a successful financial products sales agent named John Addison called Don't Take Advice From Anyone More Screwed Up Than You. That CD changed my life. That CD has really had a heavy influence on my life and has shaped the way that I look at the world and business.

For the life of me, I just don't get the popular show American Idol. I get the part about people working hard to live their dreams, but why do people listen to Simon? I saw an interview on 60 Minutes about a year or so ago and by his own admission, he has less than no talent. However, he is an authority in identifying talent. Perhaps that works in the entertainment industry, but not in grassroots business. If you are a sole proprietor, a home-based entrepreneur, a sales agent looking to achieve and exceed quote, or a small business owner, you need to learn from those who have walked a mile in your shoes. You need proven strategies and how to information that really works. Not theory.

Please, do not take fashion tips from naked people!

I am so sick and tired of coming across people who are self-appointed (and self-anointed) "gurus" or "experts" getting away with blowing smoke up - well you know where.

When you go for a job interview or you're looking to retain the services of a professional (e.g. doctor, photographer, etc.), you want to see their resume´, right? Well, make sure that same standard is applied to the "gurus" you come across on the Internet.

I can NEVER give a woman any tips about how to deal with menstrual cramps or the pains associated with childbirth. I am a man and have never and will never experience those challenges. I wouldn't dare try to give any advice other than referring them to another woman who could speak to her with empathy.

When someone presents him/herself as being an expert, ask them two simple questions:

1. What in your experience qualifies you to be an expert?


AND


2. May I have three references, please?

They better be able to give you a work history with references. Don't think of them as show-offs if they can provide this information to you, because Will Rogers said, "If you really did it, it ain't bragging."

Don't take fashion tips from naked people.

In network marketing, affiliate marketing, and direct sales, oftentimes it is the blind leading the blind when looking for short-cuts to success. Yes there are faster ways to become successful, but their are now proverbial "magic bullets" that will solve everything for you. It is all about putting in work. As Vidal Sassoon said, "The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary".

There are a lot of pretenders pushing systems that are supposed to help you "explode your business", however, all that really happens is that you end up imploding your business instead. The marketing systems can become expensive and may promote things other than your primary product or service. You end up conveying a confusing, not very unique message to your prospects.

Also, just because someone was successful in one thing, doesn't mean that they would be successful in something else. For instance, Michael Jordan was an awesome basketball player, but a below average baseball player.

Please don't accept anyone's success theories as gospel. If they haven't done it themselves, they are experimenting and guess who the guinea pig is? YOU!

If you're a network marketer that is looking to grow her/his business, here is what I recommend:

• Make sure that you're working with a company that meets the 7 criteria of a good home-based business. For insight, go to my blog post entitled "The 7 Wonders of Home-based Entrepreneurship"



• Make sure that your sponsor will make herself/himself available to mentor and coach you. If they won't commit to helping you have success, don't sign up with them.



• Subscribe to Networking Times

The reason that I mention Networking Times is because it is THE journal/trade publication for network marketing. There are FREE weekly webinars and articles posted on their website. You even get more with a subscription that is only $47.77 per year. There are successful network marketing legends and rising stars who contribute to the content. There are people like Tom "Big Al" Schreiter, Mark Yarnell, Doug Firebaugh, Randy Gage, Karen Phelps, and tons of others. Also, referral-getting gurus like Bob Burg and Ivan Misner also contribute. Folks, you can't get any better that having these experts as resources. It takes a village to raise a child, and business is a team sport. Refer to village elders and pick your team wisely.

Don't take fashion tips from naked people.

Thank you for your attention.

To your success,

Follow Your Dollar

Where do you spend your money?

Wherever and with whomever that may be, that is where you should start to ask for help to promote your business.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you are regular customer at someone's place of business, why not ask them if you can leave flyers, brochures, or a stack of business cards? You spend good money with them, right?

If you don't want to be so forward and would rather take a more indirect route, how about handing or mailing them a "Who Do You Know Who Letter."

Here is how the letter goes:

##### BEGIN #####

[Date]
[Prospect’s Name]
[Prospect’s Mailing Address]
[Prospect’s Mailing Address Line 2]

Dear [Prospect’s First Name]:

This is just a quick note to say thank you for your business and support. Just to refresh your memory, I market [products/services, or a family of products/services] that helps people to [describe a few of the benefits]. I am expanding my business and I need your help. Who do you know who matches one of the below customer profiles? I would be thrilled if you would take a few minutes to make a list of acquaintances and friends who could benefit from my services; people and companies who you believe want or need the quality service and follow-up I will provide.
Here are some memory joggers to help you identify the ideal customers for the [products/services or family of products/services] that I market:

• Who do you know who [identify niche #1]?
• Who do you know who [identify niche #2]?
• Who do you know who [identify niche #3]?
• Who do you know who [identify niche #4]?
• Who do you know who [identify niche #5]?

If you know anyone that fits any one of the above, please forward their contact information to me. I’ll call you in a few days to chat, okay?

Thank you in advance.

Kind regards,

[Your signature in BLUE ink]

[Print your name]
[Your Title]
[Mailing Address]
[Telephone Number(s)]
[E-mail Address]
[Website Address]

##### END #####

One hand washes the other, right? If someone wants to retain your patronage, they should at least be willing to keep their eyes and ears open for you. If they can't do that, perhaps you should take your business elsewhere.

Go get 'em tigers and tigresses!

Kind regards,

The 7 Wonders of Home-based Entrepreneurship

Well, a more appropriate title would be "The 7 Things Home-based Entrepreneurs Should Worry About".

When a person takes the entrepreneurial plunge by starting a home-based business, be it MLM, direct selling, reslling, or something similar, there are some things that you should consider so you can see the light at the end of the tunnel - and it won't be an oncoming train like the one pictured above!

Let's get right to it...

1. Company is owned and/or managed by those who have done it successfully, or are doing it successfully in the present
   
   This is very important. For the life of me, why would people follow someone that talks theory and not proven fact. When you select a company to invest your time, energy, and money in, make sure that the leadership understand your pain - they have walked the road that you now want to travel. If they didn't, how can they empathize with and advise you? For instance, I could never teach a woman how to deal with menstrual cramps or childbirth because I never experienced either one. Make sure that you pick an income opportunity where the company's owners and/or management has been successful in doing what you're endeavoring to do for profit.



2. Company's "old", and market is "young"
   
   Newer companies tend to go through growing pains, and a lot of other changes as they find their way. According to Scott Shane's book, Illusions of Entrepreneurship: The Costly Myths that Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Policy Makers Live By, literally half of start-up small businesses fail within the first 5 years. While fortune favors the bold, it would be best to invest your time, energy, and money in a business that is "old" -- been around for more than 5 years.
   
   The market should be "young", though. I don't mean young in age, but young in the sense of having a growing, expanding market. You want to be positioned in an industry that has a lot of growth potential. For instance, selling 8-track tapes is NOT an expanding market.



3. Must have a good, competetively-priced product that is consumable or subscription based
   
   I remember looking at a film called The Pirates of Silicon Valley that was a historical dramatization of the rise of Apple and Microsoft. It is a little-known fact that Bill Gates used to work for the owner of Apple, Steve Jobs. When Steve Jobs found out that Bill Gates was using some of his technology to market Microsoft's Windows that was what Steve Jobs considered to be a "watered-down" version of the Apple operating system, he laughed and mocked Bill Gates. Bill Gates said, "You just don't get it. It is NOT about what is better, but which product can best capture market share".
   
   Let that sink in.
   
   Most people I know can make a better burger than McDonald's. Quick question though. Can you sell more burgers than McDonald's?
   
   Okay, back to the point. The product or service that you decide to market doesn't necessarily have to be great, but it has to be good at a competetive price. If it is great, but over-priced, it will collect dust on your shelves.
   
   Also, the product should be consumable or subscription based. That is to say that when people get to the bottom of a box, bag, or bottle they must reorder from you. If it is a subscription-based service like cable television, insurance, a discount medical plan, or a legal expense plan, the consumer must reoder to keep enjoying the benefits of the service. Ideally, the product is on auto-ship or the service is on automatic debit (to the customer's bank account or credit card).



4. How much, how often, and how many ways will you be paid?
   
   It is paramount that you know this. For instance, if you're a network marketer or an affiliate marketer, how many ways can you generate revenue? Can you retail? Can you get override commissions from your sales team? Can you generate performance bonuses? How often are you paid? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Also, how much volume has to be moved (i.e. how much must you sell) to achieve your income goals? This can best help you determine the return on investment of your time and energy.



5. Training and support are provided
   
   Folks, you cannot buy a business in a box. Most of us don't know a thing about running a business, so we need mentoring and coaching. If there is little to no training and support, the likelihood of you succeeding are next to none. Enough said on training and support.



6. Are you passionate about the company's mission?
   
   Your love of the game will help you through the trials and tribulations that you WILL face as an entrepreneur. If you are not in sync with the company's mission, you will not have the mental toughness and endurance to succeed in your chosen endeavor.



7. What is the company's culture?
   
   Is the company that you're working with demand that you are Internet-savvy? Do you have to do door-to-door sales? Must you advertise? Do you have to cold call? Are you encouraged to attend conference meetings? Are you encouraged to do home parties? How about trade shows? Also, what restrictions are placed on you marketing your business?These are things to consider about the culture of your chosen business.

Did this blog post help you at all? Please let me know as I am aiming to help. Thanks.

To your success,

MLMers, monitor your cash flow

Network marketers spend a lot of time learning about their products/services and sales techniques, but they do not spend time learning business operations.

One critical piece to the business operations puzzle is learning how to manage your cash flow.

The audio and slideshow presentation below sheds some light on this oftentimes overlooked and misunderstood part of running a successful home-based network marketing business.





I hope that you find this information helpful.

To your profitability,

The 10 Commandments of Social Media

I have been doing a lot of homework on social media and social networking sites. Whenever I hear about a webinar on the topic, I am there.

Since I have been applying the new things that I've learned about social media and social networking sites, I've begun to develop some relationships with people that I never thought that I would have the opportunity to work with.

Being the nerd that I am, I have taken a lot of notes of what I've learned and I have condensed those notes into 10 areas - 10 commandments if you will.

Check out the below audio and slideshow combination of what I call "The 10 Commandments of Social Media".

Just press the arrow key on the audio play to launch my melodic voice (smile), and follow along with the arrows on the slideshow.

#####

Make sure to click on the little square to the immediate right of the arrows and slide counter to open a new browser and to enlarge the slideshow so that it is easier to follow along.

#####

Comment | Copy This

It is important to partner up with others that can share best practices with you. I teamed up with an online community of social media students and teachers. We're all learning from and teaching each other on Twitter.

We like to use Twitter to share info because you have to be short and sweet. Please feel free to connect with me on Twitter. My Twitter address is www.twitter.com/tyroneturner.

All the best,

'Archie' explained

This is a follow-up to my last blog entry. I hope that this helps you put the content into context.

To your success,

My name is Tyrone, but you can call me Archie

No, not Archie Bunker...



No, not Jughead's buddy either...




Well, my parents named me Tyrone, but you can call me Archie.

A few blogs posts ago, I talked about what I call The ARC of the Covenant for Entrepreneurs. Just to refresh your memory, ARC is an acronym that stands for Appreciate, Reward, and Celebrate.

I have since expanded on this acronym and have taken the new moniker of Archie.

Here is what Archie stands for:

A = Appreciate others, and let them know how you feel about them

R = Reward others. Hey, a little token of your appreciation can go a long way

C = Celebrate the success and special milestones of others around you

H = Help others achieve their goals

I = Inspire others by leading by example

E = Encourage other to have the courage to live their dreams

So, what is your name? Archie, I presume? (smile)

Take care of yourself.

Get rich in the niche

Recently, I was asking a home-based entrepreneur what was her niche -- who was she selling to? Her answer to me was "everybody". She has great products and services, and spends a lot of money and time marketing her products and services, but she rarely makes sales.

Why is that? Hmmm....

Well, her customers don't know who they are. That is to say that she has not clearly identified who her customer is. If you don't clearly identify your target market, no one will step forward to buy, nor will anyone be able to refer prospects to you.

As my business associate, David Frey, who is the author of the best-selling, The Marketing Bible, teaches that you can "get rich in the niche".

For instance, the niche that I tend to focus on at the typing of this blog post is network marketers. I have clearly identified challenges facing this particular group of people (and have a unique understanding because I am one of them), and my angle is to offer various relationship-building tool and a contact management solution to help them grow their business.

"Getting rich in the niche" was best explained in Chris Anderson's book The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More. Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired wrote an article published in that magazine in October 2004. It made a huge impression immediately and Mr Anderson subsequently expanded his theory into a book.

The theory refutes the long-held wisdom of the 80/20 rule whose premise is that 80% of sales would be made on the 20% of the inventory. The arrival of the Internet as a mass medium has proven this wrong. Amazon says 50% of its total sales come from a wide range of items that only sell once a month, while eBay’s staggering success came from auctioning obscure items.

The classic graph pictured above illustrates the Long Tail. The Long Tail theory is that the Long Tail equals the Head in size; that collectively many products account for as many sales as the few bestsellers.

In short, my understanding and application of the Long Tail approach as it pertains to my niche is to contiually reach out to them to add value by sharing information that will help them grow their business. I also keep my options open to offer them additonal products and service to help them meet their objectives. That way, I can 'recycle' the customer and each customer is worth more because she buys more - of less.

Don't try to sell everything though. Joining too many affiliate programs or become resellers of too many products or services will cause you to lose focus.

Well that's my two cents.

All the best,



Notes: "Long Tail, Short Head: unprecedented cross-selling", by Annie Turner - BKI Media. Article can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

Balanced Goals for a Successful Life

Comment | Copy This

Cover these 8 areas for success:

• Family - "It's all about the family." ~ Don Vito Corleone



• Job - "There is nothing necessarily wrong with working in the E quadrant" ~ Robert Kiyosaki



• Business - "Having a home-based business can help you save a ton in income taxes." ~ Sandy Botkin



• Education - "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave." ~ Mustafa Muhammad Al Amin



• Service - "Help others get what they want, and you'll get what you want." ~ Zig Ziglar



• Fun - "Party on dudes!" ~ Wayne & Garth



• Health - "Your health is your greatest asset." ~ Unknown



• Spiritual - "Free your mind." ~ Morpheus

I hope that you enjoyed reading and/or listening to this blog post.

To your success,