Why do you want your own business? Is it because you do not enjoy working for someone else and helping them to achieve their dreams at the expense of your own dreams and desires? Or perhaps you prefer to earn the full amount of money generated from your efforts as opposed to a mere fraction by working for someone else? Or maybe it’s because you are tired of spending your time running on the corporate treadmill and never getting ahead? Maybe you feel like you are not getting the recognition you deserve? Or better yet, you might even want to stay at home and raise your children full time instead of giving away those precious memories to strangers?

For as many people in this world who you ask this question to, you are bound to get an equal number of reasons. No matter what your reason may be, you need to be very clear on this right up front. If this is not 100% clear, then the odds are that when things get difficult (this is not a question of if, but when) you will not have a good enough reason to persevere. Not only is it important to understand why you are in business for yourself, your reason needs to be very strong, wherein the achievement of the result is non-negotiable—it must happen, no matter what. That kind of mindset will serve you well on the journey of success.

One way that I often use with people who are new to business is to have them start by writing down 100 things that they want to either Be, Do or Have as a result of the business they are about to undertake. You would be surprised at how easy this sounds, but actually how difficult it is for anyone over the age of 15. The age of 15 is right about the time where we start getting berated about the futility of dreaming. We are told to grow up and stop wasting time on such childishness, so we tend to put this valuable skill to rest. What most people fail to realise is that all of the great leaders in human history and business all had one single thing in common–they were all big dreamers. From the words of Napolean Hill: “That which a man can conceive, he can achieve.” If you are serious about going into business for yourself, you need to start dreaming again. If you do not conceive it, you cannot achieve it. This is a cause and effect relationship. Writing this down on paper will help you to focus on what you want. Once that is clear, it is merely a matter of putting an appropriate action plan in place to achieve these dreams.

Here’s to your success!

Bill

You are the product of the books you read and the people you associate with.

Think about that statement really carefully. Read it a few more times and let the full meaning sink in.

Now ask yourself these two questions:

“What was the last book I read?” and then think about the people you normally associate with and ask yourself: “Have they already achieved what I want out of life?”

If you want to achieve success in life, you need to read books that will prepare your mind to accept that success. If your interest is to become a successful business person, then you need to read books on business.

Additionally, if you want more out of life, then you need to associate with those who have already achieved what you want. This means getting around those who are better than you.

This may sound like common sense, but let me be blunt: I have found that common sense isn’t really all that common.

Remember: you need to CHANGE what you are doing if you want DIFFERENT results.

Reading programs your subconcious mind to take in the information much more readily than the spoken word. And when it comes to associating with those better than you, you will become as they are over time.

Be careful what you read and with whom you associate. If you read comic books only, then you will not create anything of personal value in your mind. Reading about superheroes who can leap tall buildings in a single bound will not teach you the things needed for success. Likewise, associating with those with no desire for anything more in life will literally prevent you from moving on.

Success is 90% between your ears.

This means it is mostly how you think that determines your success. And this thinking is learned. It is learned from the books you read and by associating with successful people. Make sense?

Here’s to your success!

Bill

Today I have been contemplating the contents of my personal library of books (see My Library). I have a fair swath of business and personal development books. Clearly what I have read does not comprise all the great books, but a good number of them.

Obviously, we can all learn from the shared experiences of others, so I am interested to get feedback from all of my readers on the best books for business that have helped you over the years. Tell me the name of the book, who wrote it and how it has helped you. I am considering a purchase of some new additions for my library and it would be good to see what recommendations you all can make.

Here’s to your success!

Bill

5 Ways to Make Money on the Internet
By Kim McClain

1. Become an Affiliate

As an affiliate, you refer your audience to various company websites and earn commission. The good thing about this is that you do not have to deal with customers since you are in the middle. Most affiliate programs are free to join and only involves filling out a sign-up sheet and your affiliate links will be provided within minutes. The secret to successful affiliate marketing is to choose a subject you know and love, build an informative, content-rich website or blog about it.

2. Sell Your Own Product

Selling your own product is good because you can control how much profit you make. However, it has its drawbacks. It’s a lot more work because it means that you are responsible for EVERYTHING – customer service, collecting payments, shipping, etc. But if you’re up for the challenge, selling your own products online can be very lucrative when done properly.

3. Sell Your Own E-Goods

An Electronic Good (e-good) is a digital product that can be instantly downloaded on the Internet. There’s no inventory hassles because there is unlimited supply since it’s electronic and much easier to manage.

4. Sell a Service

Is there a topic that you love or know very well? Are you a writer, consultant, or web designer? If so, you can sell your services through Elance.com and they will connect you with people who need you!

5. Start an eBay Auction

Need to get rid of that extra stuff in your garage? Many people today are making money by opening eBay auction sites. No website is needed and it’s as simple as starting an eBay account.

Kim McClain is co-founder of the Affiliate Training Zone and is a professional Internet Marketer who helps new Internet Marketers learn step-by-step how to become successful working online.

Visit: http://www.SocialProfitStreamsOnline.com for FREE tips, resources, and training!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_McClain
http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Ways-to-Make-Money-on-the-Internet&id=2246569

Some time ago, I read a book by Robert Kiyosaki called The Cashflow Quadrant. It completely changed how I viewed the world of business.

In the book, Kiyosaki explains that there are only 4 ways that people earn a living in this world:

Cashflow Quadrant

You are either:

1. Employee – You have a job and work for someone else. You are someone else’s slave.
2. Self-Employed/Small business – You own a job and you are a slave to your own business.
3. Big Business Owner – You leverage other people’s time and effort, so you do not need to be there for the business to continue making profits.
4. Investor – You make your money multiply.

These four ways are grouped into two groups: Active income and Passive income. Employees and self-employed are active, whereas big business and investors are passive.

Active Income – Trade your time for money, If you don’t show up, you don’t get paid. When you stop, your income stops. If you get sick…too bad. Time = Money. You work for money, and since time is limited to only 24 hours in a day, your income is also limited accordingly. 90% of the world earns their money this way, yet they only share a measly 10% of the world’s wealth.

Passive Income – You make money whether you work or not. This leverages the hard work you did in the past and continues paying you. Money works for you, and is unlimited in earning potential. 10% of the world earns their money this way, yet they share a whopping 90% of the world’s wealth.

So which way do you earn your money now? Which would you prefer? Active Income or Passive Income?

Do you know how to transition from the left side to the right side of the quadrant? If not, then now is the best time to subscribe to our free newsletter to find out how.

Here’s to your success!

Bill

Introduction

Who is doing all the work when it comes to gaining new prospects and leads for your business? How much time does that normally take out of your day? Would you rather focus more time on providing your products and services and less time on the continual hunt for new customers? If these questions resonate with your own thinking then it is time to consider what a new concept called attraction marketing is all about and what it can do for you.

What is Attraction Marketing?

To understand what attraction marketing is, let’s first define traditional marketing and then show how these two terms are vastly different in approach.

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Traditional marketing (also known as outbound or push marketing) is an outbound activity in which we seek to allure prospective customers to look at our products and services. It is the marketer that chases the customer and entices them to part with their money in exchange for products or services that fulfil the needs or desires of the customer. The marketer generally does this through overt selling techniques.

Now, compare that to attraction marketing (also known as inbound or pull marketing), which is an inbound activity in which prospective customers already know about the products and services on offer. It is the customer that chases the marketer. The customer has already made the decision to purchase the products or services, and the marketer is the one they immediately go to to get them. The marketer has generated this interest on a subconscious level in the minds of the customer through the use of non-traditional means.

How is This Beneficial?

Think about it. Instead of you hunting for new customers and trying to sell to them, they seek you out instead and have already sold themselves.

So, ask yourself which is more profitable: one person trying to sell to 100 people and meeting sales resistance most of the time, or 100 people wanting to buy from one person with zero resistance because the customer initiated the exchange?

Let’s put some numbers to this. Let’s say you have a widget that you sell on your website for $10 and through traditional marketing (outbound) methods, you might generate an average of one to two percent of all visitors actually buying. That will net you only $10 – $20 per 100 visitors on your website. Now, compare that with a 100% success rate with attraction marketing, and you made $1000 instead. So, which is better for your business? $10 – $20 or $1000? It’s a no-brainer!

Aside from the raw sales numbers, think about the cost of advertising and how much of that has been wasted for just a measly one to two percent conversion rate. Considering the cost of advertising, how much profit did you really make? Odds are, it is not quite as high as you had hoped.

How Do We Set This Up?

First and foremost: stop selling! People hate being sold to. There are so many sales messages everywhere and people are bombarded by these messages on all sides, every day. They are fed up and are more or less immune to traditional methods because it is everywhere. If you follow the same methods that other businesses employ, there is really nothing to distinguish your method from the rest of your competition—even if your products are far superior, you will have a tough time piercing through the anti-sales forcefields the customers have cloaked themselves in. The typical sales tactics, phrases and approaches are nothing more than unwelcomed noise and they bounce right off of them.

To be effective, you cannot push your sales messages out to your prospective customers, you must instead pull them in so they can see for themselves and learn at their own pace about what you are offering. Then they can make their own decisions.

How do you do this? Educate them, without the expectation of an immediate sale. Give to them first without expecting anything in return. Gee, there’s a concept! Why do you think people do not trust salespeople?  It’s because they know the salesperson has something to gain and they expect that the message is tainted because of this. Instead, just provide information and do not try to sell anything to them.

It is widely known that when people get some valuable information from someone about a particular subject, it is usually those very same information providers who those people come back to when they are ready to make a purchase. They do this willingly and without feeling pressure when they realise that your sole purpose is not to take their money, but to actually help them first and foremost. In short, you must be perceived as adding value to them and their lives and not motivated solely by your own selfish desire for profits.

This completely reverses the tables, disarms their anti-sales forcefields and makes them willing patrons—with a smile. They feel as if they are in charge and that the decision was theirs completely, and with zero sales pressure. This generates far more sales, with less effort and expense.

There are many methods for adding value and providing education to your prospective customers. It only takes a little research, experimentation and open-mindedness to uncover these methods and start to make them work for you. One thing is certain: it will revolutionise your business and grow your effectiveness exponentially.

Summary

So with all the time and expense associated with traditional marketing, it is about time the savvy business owner wakes up and instead of spending more and increasing the pace of these traditional methods, they focus on a better way. Traditionally, we think that doing more of the same overdone and trite methods will generate more revenue—sure, but we have also increased our expenses accordingly with not much of a difference in profit. It is really no great secret that the average consumers are generally resistant to traditional marketing approaches, so the prudent marketers of products and services had better take heed—there is a far more cost-effective and efficient method to generate sales and virtually eliminate sales resistance. Attraction marketing is that method.

Where to Find More Information

More information is available on attraction marketing for those who sign up for our periodic newsletter.

Here’s to your success!

Bill

#1. If you want what others cannot have, you need to do what others will not do.

In other words, you need to do the things that are not necessarily in your comfort zone.  Stretch yourself to reach beyond the things you are used to doing and you will surpass your peers. Not many people do this, this is why more than 90% of the world is living paycheck to paycheck.

And similarly:

#2. If you continue doing what you have always done, you will continue getting what you already have.

Albert Einstein said it perfectly in his quote: “There is no surer sign of insanity than doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.”

In other words, to apply it to our subject matter: If the methods you are using to prepare your financial future are not quite working as fast or as efficiently as you had expected, then you need to do it differently or try something else.

When you are finally ready to move forward and make things happen, sign up for our newsletter and you will get a better insight on how to really make things take off.

Here’s to your success!

Bill

A positive mental attitude is one of the biggest secrets to success.

Consider the following and repeat it to yourself over and over until it becomes a normal thought process:
—————————————-
I can be anything I want to be.

If I think I cannot, my mind will find excuses to ensure that I cannot.

If I think I can, my mind will find ways to ensure that I can.

Therefore since I have a choice as to what to think, I must only think the right thing.

I CAN.

I CAN.

I CAN.

Now watch me fly . (just watch out for low flying aircraft)

Every Internet marketer is always looking for the most successful market that gives the biggest paycheck. Sometimes they think it is a magic formula that is readily available for them. Actually, it is more complicated than that. It is just good marketing practices that have been proven over years of hard work and dedication. There are tactics that have worked before with online marketing and are continuing to work in the online affiliate marketing world of today. With these top three marketing tips, you will be able to able to increase your sales and survive in affiliate marketing online.

What are these three tactics?

1. Using unique web pages to promote each separate product you are marketing. Do not lump all of it together just to save some money on web hosting. It is best to have a site focusing on each and every product and nothing more.

Always include product reviews on the website so visitors will have an initial understanding on what the product can do for those who buy them. Also include testimonials from users who have already tried the product. Be sure that these customers are more than willing to allow you to use their names and photos on the site of the specific product you are marketing.

You can also write articles highlighting the uses of the product and include them on the website as an additional page. Make the pages attractive, compelling and include calls to act on the information. Each headline should attract the readers attention so they will want to read more. Highlight your special points. This will help your readers who tend to skim over the page to learn what the page is about and will entice them to read in more detail.

2. Offer free reports to your readers. If possible position them at the very top side of your page so it they simply cannot be missed. Try to create autoresponder messages that will be mailed to those who input their personal information into your sign up box. According to research, a sale is closed usually on the seventh contact with a prospect.

Only two things can possibly happen with the web page alone: closed sale or the prospect leaving the page and never returning again. By placing useful information into their e-mail inboxes at periodic intervals, you will remind them of the product they were considering. Be sure that the content is directed toward specific reasons to buy the product. Do not make it sound like a sales pitch–keep it natural and sounding like a conversation with a friend.

Focus on important points like how your product can make life easier and more enjoyable. Include compelling subject lines in the email. As much as possible, avoid using the word “free” because there are spam filters that dump those kind of messages into the junk folder before anyone has a chance to read them. Convince those who signed up for your free reports that they will be missing something big if they do not buy your products and services.

3. Get the kind of traffic that is targeted to your product. Just think, if the person who visited your website has no interest whatsoever in what you are offering, they will be among those who move on and never come back. Write articles for publication in e-zines, e-reports or your own blog. This way you can publish in locations that are visited by your target customers and that might just grab their interest.

Try to write a minimum of 2 articles per week, with at least 300-600 words in length. By continuously writing and maintaining these articles you can generate as many as 100 targeted readers to your site in a day. Always remember that only 1 out of 100 people are likely to buy your product or get your services. If you can generate as much as 1,000 targeted hits for your website in a day, that means you can potentially make 10 sales based on the average 1% conversion.

When you think about it, the tactics given above are quite easy to do. It just requires a little time and an action plan on your part. Keep the end result in mind and within a short space of time you can start generating a good source of income and stand out amongst your competitors.

Here’s to your success!

Bill

With so many different affiliate programs out there for the aspiring Internet marketer, the choices can seem a bit overwhelming. How does one actually go about their due diligence to determine the right program for their business? Here are a few pointers that may assist you in doing just that.

Ask questions first before you join an affiliate program. Do a little research about the type of program that you intend to join into. Get some answers because they can impact what you will be achieving later on.

Will it cost you anything to join? Most affiliate programs being offered today are absolutely free of charge. So why would you settle for those that charge you before joining?

When do they issue the commission checks? Every program is different. Some issue their checks once a month, every quarter, etc. Select the one that is suited to your payment frequency choice. Many affiliate programs set a minimum earned commission amount that an affiliate must meet or exceed in order for their checks to be issued.

What is the hit per sale ratio? This is the average number of hits to a banner or text link it takes to generate a sale based on all affiliate statistics. This factor is extremely important because this will tell you how much traffic you must generate before you can earn a commission from the sale.

How are referrals from an affiliate’s site tracked and for how long do they remain in the system? You need to be sufficiently confident with the program to track those people you refer from your site. This is the only way that you can credit for a sale. The period of time that those people stay in the system is also important. This is because some visitors do not buy initially but may want to return later to make the purchase. Find out how long you will still get credit, if the sale is done at some point in the future.

What are the kinds of affiliate statistics available? Your choice of affiliate program should be capable of offering detailed information regarding your campaign. They should be available online anytime so you can review them at any time. Constantly checking your individual statistics is important so you know how many impressions, hits and sales are already generated from your site. Impressions are the number of times the banner or text link was viewed by a visitor of your site. A hit is the one clicking on the banner or text links.

Does the affiliate program also pay for the hits and impressions besides the commissions on sales? It is important that impressions and hits are also paid, as this will add to the earnings you get from the sales commission. Not all programs offer this, so it is definitely a plus, if they do.

Who is the online retailer? Find out who you are doing business with to know if it is a solid company. Know the products they are selling and the average amount they are achieving. The more you know about the retailer offering you the affiliate program, the easier it will be for you to know if that program is really for you and your site.

Is the affiliate a one tier or two tier program? A single tier program pays you only for the business you yourself have generated. A two tier program pays you for the business, plus it also pays you a commission on the on the sales generated by any affiliate you sponsor in your program. Some two-tier programs are even paying small fees on each new affiliate you sponsor. More like a recruitment fee.

Lastly, what is the amount of commission paid? 5% – 20% is the commission paid by most programs. .01% – .05% is the amount paid for each hit. If you find a program that also pays for impressions, the amount paid is not much at all. As you can see from the figures, you will now understand why the average sales amount and hit to sale ratio is important.

These are just some of the questions that needed answering first before you enter into an affiliate program. You should be familiar with the many important aspects that your chosen program should have before incorporating them into your website. Try to ask your potential affiliate program partners these questions. These can help you select the right program for your site from among the many available.

With all of that said, I have found one particular affiliate program that is very good: ClickBank. They have been around a while and they have been very successful in assisting Internet marketers to reach their earnings goals. They actually aggregate a massive number of individual retailers under a single site, which gives you an amazing array of products and services to choose from to compliment your own products and services that you are offering on your website. Click here to check them out and be sure to let us know your results as well.

Here’s to your success!

Bill