Author Archive
Building A Successful Online Business
Posted by: | CommentsBuilding a successful online business takes time and experience. Anyone who tells you any different is probably being economical with the truth.
Let me share an experience with you.
In 2002 I joined a very well known billion dollar nutrition network marketing company and, along with my business partner, our business flew out of the starting blocks. We were new to online marketing, but we did have two years of network marketing experience behind us. OK, so we hadn’t been hot network marketers in our two previous companies, but we had learned enough about the ‘how to’ of doing network marketing and knew all about lead generation, going through the numbers, cold calling, rejection, personal development and working on yourself more than your business etc. The new skills that we needed to learn related to the online marketing side of things, but fortunately for us we had a sponsor who knew how to market online, so we quickly had this covered and spent the next few years honing our skills.
As I said, our business flew and for the first time in years the company we represented suddenly had some new ‘stars’ on the block. Everyone wanted to know what we were doing. The answer was of course, nothing special, it’s just that we weren’t the newbies everyone assumed we were.
I’ve since moved on from this business and business model. I am no longer involved in MLM, but much of what I learned is still very relevant to what I do today.
The thing is, the majority of newbies have so many skills they need to learn before they can even get going. And this is where a lot of sponsors don’t do themselves any favours. They’ve often ‘sold’ the dream that you can be earning thousands within weeks just because they did it themselves. They’ll have a great income testimonial, which may be 100% true, but were they complete newbies? Probably not. Did they bring their downline with them? Maybe. The truth is if you are totally new to networking or internet marketing or anything really, you are not going to be successful until you have learned ‘how to’. You have to learn the skills first! Fail to learn the nuts and bolts of building your business and it just won’t happen.
I remember learning that success is 15% ‘how to’, while the other 85% is down to what’s happening between your ears. In other words, your attitude and personal development is largely responsible for your success. While to a huge extent this is true – have the ‘wrong’ or ‘bad’ attitude and your business won’t go far, I have known of people who are hot with the personal development, but just couldn’t get their businesses going because they didn’t know the basics of ‘how to’.
It’s very fashionable for sponsors to say to the people they have sponsored into a business, if your business isn’t working you’ve only to look in the mirror for the cause of its failure. True, in some cases, but for the majority all they want is to be shown what to do and they’ll do it, but unfortunately the sponsor doesn’t even know what to do and all they are doing is regurgitating the stock standard response they’ve heard from their own sponsor (well at least something is duplicating even if it isn’t success!) Practical help and advice can be lacking. If it’s a successful online business you want then you have to become a student of online marketing first.
Your personal development will see you through the frustration of learning how to market!
It is entirely possible for you to do this all by yourself. There are many courses available that will teach you various aspects of internet marketing. You may find yourself investing a lot of money to learn. Furthermore, are the authors of these courses available to give you one-on-one tuition if there’s a part of it you don’t understand? Maybe, for a huge fee, but in the majority of cases you’ll be left to work it out for yourself.
You could also find a ‘guru’ who will teach you. Again, this can be a costly investment for one-on-one mentoring.
Alternatively, you could find an opportunity where you get the mentoring as part of the package. So if you do want to build a successful online business having a coach who can teach you because they have a successful online business themselves makes sense.
What’s Stopping You From Starting An Online Business?
Posted by: | CommentsWhat’s stopping you from taking the plunge and starting an online business? How many excuses have you made whenever the opportunity to start an online business has arisen, only for you to watch the opportunity pass you by and you’re still where you always were?
Over the past 8 years I have introduced hundreds of budding entrepreneurs to a number of businesses, both online and offline. Some got started and have done really well. Others haven’t got out of the starting blocks, and I’ve heard all kinds of reasons and excuses for them getting nowhere with some potentially lucrative opportunities. Opportunities that other people were making work, including me, so it wasn’t the opportunity at fault. I remember hearing on more than one occasion that “all excuses are equal”, just as “all distractions are equal” too.
Here are some of the most common reasons (excuses) I have come across for would-be entrepreneurs failing in starting an online business:
- Fear of failure. Who wants to get started with something if they think they are going to fail? Usually this one is about losing face in front of loved ones and friends. They’re going to resent the amount of time you will devote to your new venture. They’ll also resent the money you’ve invested (if you’ve told them) and if it doesn’t work out you know you’ll hear “I told you so”, so it’s just easier not to get started at all, isn’t it? Then you don’t have to face the music later. But failure isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs on the planet today have failed their way to success. Failure is just another challenge built into life to help you grow. Embrace failure. It’s a positive experience.
- Fear of success. I’ve never quite understood this one, but some people fear being successful. Maybe it’s the fear of not being able to cope with the unknown, not being able to handle the new responsibilities, the expectations or the attention that being successful entails. Maybe it’s the fear that if they are successful they will lose their friends as they leave them behind. Maybe it’s none of these, but for whatever the reason they fear success and it paralyses them into doing nothing, and although they consistently look for the perfect legitimate online business, they’re never going to get started anyway.
- Procrastination. Entrepreneurs don’t procrastinate. They are doers. They take risks. That’s not to say they are irresponsible or don’t research a project thoroughly before executing it, but if a project is feasible they get on with it. They don’t spend all their time doing “busywork” kidding themselves they are achieving something. They don’t not join a legitimate online business because they are ‘not sure’ if it’s a scam, even when their research shows it’s perfectly above board. They spend too much time being ‘not sure’ and never commit to anything… and stay exactly where they’ve always been, because it’s safer.
- Money/Investment Required. This is quite common, and an excuse used by those who just need an excuse for not starting an online business. It comes down to “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” and if you’re really committed to getting started in business you will find the money, irrespective of your credit status. If you have the belief in yourself to do the business, then money won’t be an issue, but if you’re looking for an excuse, then this it.
- Don’t have the time. Same reasons as excuse 4 above.
I know there are many, many more reasons for not starting an online business, and these are just the tip of the iceberg. If, however, you’ve read these and none apply to you, and you’re looking for a legitimate online business, follow the links on this page to learn more.
Make Money Online From Home
Posted by: | CommentsMaking money online isn’t easy when you don’t know or understand how to market online. Before you can ever make money online from home you have to retrain yourself and learn from the experts. I must have spent a small fortune on various courses that professed to teach me the ins and outs of online marketing. Many of those courses also usually failed to mention at least one key point necessary to succeeding online. I’ve bought so many that I have managed to piece together all the good points and now understand how to market.
First and foremost, you need to become a student of marketing to succeed online. Forget the product to start with. Even the most fantastic product in the world will not sell itself unless you know how to approach your market.
Having a really cool website does not guarantee that that you will make money online unless you know what to do with it to get it in front of the eyeballs of your potential market.
So what does it take to be successful with an online business?
In short, patience, education and time. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but if you’re serious about wanting to make money online from home then you need to be aware that the reason why the majority of budding online entrepreneurs fail is because they quit before they have taken time to learn. There are too many testimonials out there saying how easy it is to earn thousands in a short period of time that when the average wannabe entrepreneur gets started and isn’t earning those thousands straight way, like yesterday, they quit! Most people have unrealistic expectations of what is possible with an online business. Online businesses are much the same as offline businesses. They aren’t about instant gratification. They take a while to be successful before you turn a profit. If anyone tells you they were in profit from day one, find out exactly what they were doing before they started in that venture. In the majority of cases they are not complete novices. They’ve already had similar success elsewhere.
And the second reason for failing is trying to do it all by yourself. I’ve been there and done that, and it’s hard. Internet marketing is easier when you have the support of a coach or mentor, or access to a group of people who can teach you what works and what doesn’t, or what marketing method works more effectively than another. They’ll also be there to give you that reality check when you’re kidding yourself that you’re doing all you can to get your business off the ground.
Likewise, you’ll find it easier to make money online if you use a tried and tested, proven system. One that is already working for others. You may have heard the saying “Systems work, people fail”. Why is the franchise business model so successful the world over? Because people are buying into a proven systematic business model. Sure, some franchises fail, but that isn’t because of the system, otherwise everyone would be failing. No, most franchises or systematic businesses fail because of other variables brought to the table by the business owner.
After years of disappointment, searching and thousands of dollars spent, I have found what I believe to be the ideal solution. You’ll have access to a system and coach who has your best interests at heart. If you have a good work ethic and you’re serious about wanting to make money online from home, then you owe it to yourself to at least take a look at something that does work.
Five ways to develop a Millionaire Mindset
Posted by: | CommentsIf you want to be a millionaire you have to change the way you think about money, business and just about everything else. To develop a millionaire mindset you need to put old ideas behind you and embrace the possibilities of the future.
1. Never refuse a challenge. Millionaires never refuse to challenge themselves, either at work or in their personal lives. They expect things to be difficult and they thrive on the challenge involved in overcoming obstacles and succeeding. Just because someone tells them that something can’t be done, doesn’t mean they will believe it.
2. Take calculated risks. Just because you accept a challenge doesn’t mean that you have to be an idiot and accept all challenges. Before jumping in it is critical to evaluate the risks involved in every business venture and determine whether you can afford the risk. That often means determining in advance just how much money you can afford to invest and not exceeding that figure.
3. Keep on top of trends. This translates into being aware, constantly, about what is going on in the business world. When discount airlines began to turn up around the country the wise millionaire realized the potential and invested in such companies. Today getting into the business is almost impossible.
4. Place revenue generating appointments in the morning. Studies show that people work best in the morning and in the evening. That means that if you are scheduling appointments at those hours for tasks other than generating income you are reducing your chances of success. Keep mundane tasks for the middle of the day where mid-day fatigue won’t make a difference to your bottom line.
5. Be a leader. If you want to be a millionaire, act like one. Lead your company with confidence and enthusiasm. Your lead dictates the way that everyone else acts and reacts to the challenges they face. A good leader motivates and encourages but also knows how to deal with bad news and move on.
Developing the millionaire mindset takes some practice and some determination. In no time you too will be leading the charge of your successful business.
Top Tier Direct Sales or Traditional MLM: which is better?
Posted by: | CommentsWhen considering top tier direct sales or traditional MLM companies, you want to know how each works so you can pick the one best suited to your abilities.
Top Tier Direct Sales
Top tier direct sales generally charge a lot more than MLM companies do. It isn’t uncommon for a top tier product to sell in the range of $1-10,000. That translates into a much larger commission for you each time you sell a product.
There is also little focus on a downline. The downline are the people you bring into a business in order to increase the amount of money you make from their revenue. While you do earn something for each successful person you bring into the company the majority of your revenue comes from the sales you make.
Traditional MLM
In a traditional multi level marketing organization the products you sell are generally priced below $100. That means that the commission you get from each sale is commensurately smaller than with top tier products. On the other hand, it is much easier to get someone to part with $100 than $10,000.
A significant portion of your income results from your recruitment efforts. Your job is not only to sell the company product, but to encourage people to join you in your efforts. If you are a good salesperson and have a network of friends you believe to be eager to try their hands at marketing, then this can add up to a tidy sum.
Another caveat with MLM companies: The structure of an MLM is not far removed from the illegal pyramid schemes of the 1990s. If you chose to go with an MLM company, do your homework to avoid trouble down the road.
In the Final Analysis
The truth is that you can make money with either business model. For people who are looking to make a small, but reasonable, amount of money for their efforts and MLM may be a good way to enter the online market.
If, however, you want to sell a high quality product and have the potential to make a six figure salary from your efforts, Top Tier direct sales are much more likely to fulfill your expectations.
Five Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
Posted by: | CommentsThere are some things that separate successful business people from everyone else. Still, when you look for consistent characteristics of successful entrepreneurs you see many similarities. Here are five of the most important.
1. They take their work seriously. Sticking to a plan, remaining motivated and believing in their product, serious entrepreneurs know that it takes a lot of work to succeed. Even when working from home they remain focused and task oriented. This allows them to ignore negative pressures and get the job done.
2. They make a plan and use it. Just making a plan is the first step towards success. The hard part is sticking to a plan and constantly evaluating it to see if it is leading you towards success. Plans need to be updated and changed as circumstances alter. Serious business owners plan not just for tomorrow or next month, they plan for the next ten years.
3. They promote their business all the time. There are an endless number of opportunities for you to promote your company. Not only should you be marketing yourself online through articles, social networks, affiliate marketing and websites, you should be telling everyone you meet about your wonderful company. You never know where the next lead will materialize.
4. They use a team approach. Let’s face it. No one knows everything there is to know about being an entrepreneur. Even if you know what needs to be done, you may not be skilled at a particular aspect. Hiring those that excel at the things you do poorly builds a team of reliable, professional people you can depend upon.
5. They provide excellent customer service. More so than any other type of business, online companies must provide exceptional customer service or they risk losing their client base. There are just too many other websites promoting the same things your do to risk losing a customer who gets disgruntled. Going the extra mile makes all the difference in keeping your customers.
If you want to know more about how to be a successful entrepreneur consider hiring a coach or finding a mentor. Succeeding online is easy when you have the right tools.
Who is making Money Online During the Recession?
Posted by: | CommentsIt may seem to you that making money online during the recession is impossible, but nothing is further from the truth. The fact is that during a recession people want greater value for their money, and going online to find the best price for something they need makes it easier for online entrepreneurs to generate income.
Value and Quality is Key
When you want to create or grow your online company than you have to offer both value and quality. Nothing gets around faster than the information that you are not offering good products online. The ‘Net is a vast communication network and that means that there really is no way to hide.
Value translates into providing people with something they want in a manner in which they desire it. That doesn’t have to mean selling a product, sometimes information itself is valuable. For example, if you know how to do something, such as how to build effective web pages, you can sell that knowledge.
The combination of value and quality are the keystones of any online business.
Recession Proof Ideas
If you are considering starting an online business, then you need to think about what you still need even in this time of financial difficulty. What are some things you must have regardless of the current economic climate? Where do you spend your money?
If you are finding it hard to pick a niche, which you wish to pursue, a coach can come in very handy.
Investing in a Coach
Spending money on a coach may seem counterproductive, but you can’t spend your money more wisely when starting your first online venture. A good coach will not only provide you with a step by step guide to online success, they will also answer your questions, help you avoid typical newbie errors and help you generate better sales.
Starting a new online business during a recession takes a bit more work than it would during boom times, but it is certainly doable. Work, perseverance and creativity are the hallmarks of all successful entrepreneurs. You can do it too.
“Is Carbon Copy PRO for Real?”
Posted by: | CommentsThe simplistic answer to the question “is Carbon Copy PRO for real” is yes. Carbon Copy PRO is a real company with a good record of successfully turning ordinary people into online entrepreneurs. The real meaning behind the question is different though. What people are really asking is “will Carbon Copy PRO work for me?”
What Carbon Copy PRO offers
Carbon Copy PRO is a multi level marketing system with a proven track record. The company’s goal is to enlist new members, help them develop their own online business and then teach them to generate their own team members.
Not only does CCP offer training and mentoring on its own, it seeks to teach its members how to succeed in online marketing and how to become successful mentors in their own right. Your success is CCP’s success.
Starting from Scratch or Joining In
One of the nicest things about CCP is that you don’t have to have a product to use the system. You can come to CCP bare handed and still succeed. You have three options.
1. You can sell the CCP product called BlackBox, which teaches people how to create their own online success story.
2. You can bring your own product to the party and use the education and training CCP offers to develop your own company.
3. You can talk with your sponsor and see what they are marketing. If you feel it is a good fit you can join their team and sell that product.
Watching your Income Grow
While clearly not every CCP member will become a millionaire by using this product the potential is certainly there. Learning how to use the Internet to market your business is the first step towards the financial success you have always wanted.
Many CCP members make six figure salaries, and you can be one of them. This is one product that offers great value, easy use and comprehensive training and education, as well as connecting you with a personal sponsor that will help you succeed.
Can You Make Money with Carbon Copy PRO?
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the things I hear all the time is “can you make money with Carbon Copy PRO?” The answer is a definite yes!
Carbon Copy PRO is different than many other systems you can find online in that it provides not only a solid Internet marketing education, it also provides training and sponsorship. What that means for you is that you have someone guiding you every step of the way. You won’t make the common mistakes that newbies make, and you will begin making money more quickly.
What about a Product?
This is another common question. People worry that they need to come to Carbon Copy PRO with their own product line. That is certainly an option, if you have a product you believe in using the program will help you to sell it better. If you don’t have a product you still have two options.
The first option is to simply promote and sell Carbon Copy PRO. You make money selling the core product, the BlackBox, which is the educational aspect of our company. This product is a complete Internet business development education and selling it is a wonderful way to learn Internet marketing.
The second option is to join a sponsor’s team and sell their product. The sponsor already has a successful Internet business and is more than willing to add people to their team. Here again you get to sell a good product without investing time and money in finding your own. When you feel confident enough to do so, you can start your own company as well.
What kind of income potential exists?
The potential is limitless, but the reality is that your effort will be directly related to your rewards. Internet marketing is for people who want to succeed and are ready and willing to work hard to achieve their goals.
This doesn’t mean that you will have to work sweatshop hours for the rest of your life. You will have to work hardest at first to learn the right methods, the right marketing and the right way to pick products. Once you know the strategies it becomes much easier to expand your business time and again.
Whether you want to make enough to have some extra money to spend or you want to support yourself fully in a higher lifestyle, the potential is all there, waiting to be discovered.
Utilizing Powerful Online Marketing Strategies
Posted by: | CommentsDo you know how to market your new Internet business? Powerful online marketing strategies are the key to your success. Understanding the Internet landscape and how to draw in leads, which you can convert to sales, is required if you want to see your company, and your income, grow.
Search Engine Optimization
If you are looking into starting an Internet business, you will certainly hear these words a lot. The concept behind search engine optimization, SEO, is that you find words that common search engines, Yahoo, Google, etc. pick up when they send their bots crawling through the Internet.
There are many tools that can help you find the right keywords to use, and most search engines provide such a service. Once you find the keywords you have two choices.
Organic Search
An organic search is when someone searches for specific keywords in the search field of the engine. For example, someone might search “Olympics hockey winners”. This would hopefully generate the result of several sites about winning Olympic hockey teams or players.
These links are displayed at the center of the page. As a business owner you want your link to be at the top of the page since 50% of traffic will only hit one of the top two suggestions. You can do this by cross-linking, affiliate marketing, blogging, networking and more. The more often a search engine sees your pages link, the higher up your name appears.s
Sponsored Links
These are the links that you find in boxes either on top of the page or to its side. Here you pay for specific keywords or phrases. This is a great way to generate a lot of potential business quickly, but it can be expensive. You have to choose your keywords carefully and track your success closely.
If you aren’t seeing good return for your money you may need to change your keywords or consider another strategy.
Hiring a good Internet business mentor can make the process of developing a powerful Internet marketing plan simpler. When you invest money in educating yourself to become a better business owner, it always pays off.