Why You Suck At Online Network Marketing

Why You Suck At Online Network Marketing
Nobody likes to think they suck at anything. But I have to
admit, I was TERRIBLE at online network marketing when I
started. But I've been through an expensive and time
consuming learning curve, and want to help you avoid making
the same mistakes I did, so you can move from the "stink it
up" phase to the "walk the stage" phase of your business!

Here are eight things you can do to ensure success:

1. Have a strong Why. This is definitely number one. If you
don't have a very clear vision of what you want, and a
"never say die" attitude, you probably won't succeed
anywhere, in anything. Spend some time getting very clear
on what you want, why you want it, and commit to pay the
price to get it.

2. Join the right company. This one was painful for me
because I had many good friends in my former company, and I
was very loyal. But as I tried to build my organization
online, I came to understand that they didn't get it with
the internet, they weren't going to get it any time soon,
and the wave of opportunity was going to pass me by if I
didn't find a cutting edge company. Very tough decision,
but when I finally found the right company it was like
taking the brakes off, my organization grew bigger in 5
months than my old team grew in 3 years!

3. Eliminate distractions. Let's face it, when you get
online there's suddenly a thousand things fighting for your
attention. News clips, videos, time wasting e-mails,
marketing programs, video games... the list goes on and on.
You have to be able to focus on your daily priorities until
they are all done before you get distracted by any of these
time sucking income reducers.

4. Establish a plan and strategy. If you don't know exactly
how to accomplish your goals, you are likely to be sucked
into "program of the week" mode. You must have a business
plan, and know what activities will get you the signups you
need in your business. Don't fall for every sales pitch you
see. Figure out what works and commit to it, only trying
new strategies after your core methods are implemented.

5. Be a good student. Too many people rely on others for
their success. Listen, the only person who REALLY, DEEPLY
cares about YOUR success is you. YOU must become the
expert. You can't outsource your marketing education to
somebody else.

6. Develop the habit of personal development. I have heard
many of the top online marketers and network marketers
train, and every single one of them has a personal
development program. They read the good books, listen to
life improving audios, and attend self improvement and
marketing seminars.

7. Be willing to WORK for your dreams! There is no
substitute for HARD WORK! Be willing to put in the hours to
build a great business. Second to work is the issue of
consistency. Online network marketing is something that has
to be done DAILY. Too many people dabble at it, spending a
few hours here and there. That doesn't work. It's much
better to spend a little bit of time every single day than
a lot of time on Saturday. If you are limited on time, just
do ONE thing to improve your online business each day. Try
it for a month and prepare to be amazed at how much
progress you've made!

8. Have realistic expectations. Because there are so many
hypy, unbelievable testimonials out there people think they
are going to get to a $10,000 a month income their first
month. Unfortunately, a lot of people HAVE done this
online, and it can be done. But we usually don't hear the
"story behind the story". Success almost always comes after
a period of consistent, effective work. As great as the
internet is, and as much leverage as it provides, it just
makes the process easier and shorter, but you still have to
go through the process. What if it takes you five years to
make over $100,000 a year? Consider this: most people in
the US work 40 years, 40 hours a week and only 5% reach the
$100,000 a year mark, but we are willing to quit our online
business in the first year if we don't achieve it?! We just
need to be willing to commit to the process for as long as
it takes, and give our efforts a chance to compound.

Online network marketing does work, it's a lot of fun, and
it there's nothing like the "mailbox" money it provides.
These eight things just aren't that hard to do. Do a "check
up from the neck up" to see which of these areas you need
to work on to ensure you have success in your online
network marketing business!

----------------------------------------------------
Dave Sherwin is a Network Marketer who won the "Rookie of
the Year"award in a large international network marketing
company in 2006. He is the co-author of "Lighthouse
Marketing", The Art And Science Of Attracting People Into
your Network Marketing Organization. Learn the Lighthouse
Marketing secrets at:
http://escapethematrix.net/?why

Business Building Success Tip - Referrals and Networking

Business Building Success Tip - Referrals and Networking
A recent report from CSO Insights denotes that sales quotas
are off by a bewildering 60%. Further, sales closing
accuracy is down and more importantly closing times are
increasing. I was recently asked if a return to cold
calling and perhaps direct mail might reverse these trends,
emphatically I stated no. The rationale is simple, clients
and even potential clients desire to conduct business with
those that they know and those they trust.

Cold calling, direct mail and other traditional selling
methods do little to build relationships- they simply anger
and frustrate. When was the last time you took a call in
the evening after a lengthy day from a cold calling maven?
And when was the last time you spoke with a million dollar
insurance agent that cold calls?

Today's selling professional requires techniques that help
to accentuate and differentiate from others. In a business
culture where social networks proliferate the only true
network is that built between a client and business
professional. Clients enjoy the candor and the knowledge
that is shared from a vendor. To this end, there are
several methods that assist selling professionals.

Networking

Truly the best selling professionals constantly network.
Selling professionals by nature require constant engagement
with others to comprehend business trends and meet new
opportunities. For over 27 years I attend at least one to
two networking events per month and I can measure these to
business. Admittedly, there exist a plethora of networking
associations and organizations, choose those close to your
location and aligned with your business. Review your local
paper for functions that interest you and attend as a
guest, but go. If do not attend your competitors are.
Others cannot know your business with just a shingle
hanging in the breeze.

Referrals

Proper networking and selling etiquette involves referral
acquisition. Similar to gaining closure agreement many
professionals abhor asking for the order! Business is
driven by the ability to ask for new business. If clients
are happy with your work they will willingly provide others
that can need to receive your value. The best way to seek
referrals is when you are first engaged with the client and
they are at that emotional high. More importantly you want
to ask when you are in the account, since this is the best
time to be top of mind. Post sale is not an alternative
simply put, out of sight out of mind.

Another imperative item to remember is that there is
strength in numbers, the more you obtain the fuller the
pipeline. There is a story of an insurance professional
that would visit clients and not leave without three new
referrals. Even if the client provided one or two, the
agent would not leave until he received three or more.
Needless to say, the agent retired an extremely wealthy
individual.

Follows up on referrals

It might seem pragmatic, yet there is much evidence to
illustrate that a myriad of professionals that obtain do
not follow up. Friends, family and clients typically
provide these golden nuggets, so it is vital that one
follows up. A rule of thumb is twenty-four hours from
receipt to contact. Ensure you mention the person that
referred you and mention their enthusiasm for working with
you.

Positive attitude

Good networking professionals have a positive attitude.
They do not carry baggage with them nor do they illustrate
negative feelings should things go awry. There is the story
of a business professional that greeted all with "I am
awesome!" Coincidentally he did this even through
attempting to fight a debilitating disease. Alliances and
relationships are built with people that are positive and
are outgoing.

Enthusiastic/Energy

Remember the donkey from Winnie the Pooh- Eye Or? This poor
donkey is about as unhappy as anything I know. Sometimes
listening to him is depressing enough. This is true with
human relationships. Individuals desire to be around warm,
energized people. Many can feel the excitement of those
around them. If you want to be a memorable networker,
review your image, ensure you are excited about the event,
the people and your business. People feed off positive
energy, enthusiasm is fuel for networking, alliances and
differentiation.

Trustworthy

Candor is the most imperative issue in today's business
environment. Ironically, an important business trait
constantly discussed is ethics. Appalling as it seems,
there are numerous daily instances of those attempting to
buck trends and gain momentum while not following rules.
People will only do business with those they trust and
those they respect.

Good listening skills

Remember a time when you were with someone either at a
cocktail party or other event, and the person spoke and
never came up for air? Bothered you didn't it? Clients are
engaged with professionals that can provide value by
understanding needs and listening. Clients clamor for
solutions not prescriptions and the best people understand
the art of listening. Use techniques such as open and
closed questions and pausing to truly understand how to
assist.

Enjoys helping

It is better to give then to receive. Those that want to
gain will give first. Similar to tithing, professionals
must provide content to gain something. Think of tips,
techniques and referrals that you too can provide. This
technique is a great opener for building relationships
since others will identify with your willingness to provide
helpful information.

Sincere

Avid athletes concentrate on CORE. Fundamentally this is
the system upon which all musculature and symmetrical
principles assist to build a nutritional body. Selling and
networking exercises CORE too. One of the muscles of CORE
is sincerity. Differentiation is built upon a sincere
desire to build relations, become personable and assist
coexisting needs. Admiration is built based on trust and
willingness to assist. Dale Carnegie described this in his
now famous work, "How to Win Friends and Influence People".
Key exemplars: 1) Talk in terms of the other person's
interests and 2) Make the other person feel important - and
do it sincerely.

The key to business building and success is producing
things others don't. One needs to discover methods to rise
above the din and become visible. With global competition
increasing and a shift in industries requiring selling
professionals there exists the need to become outstanding.
There is also the issue of working smarter not harder to
produce required results. Refrain from tired
non-functioning sales methods and begin new strategies that
can escalate your rewards and make you an outstanding
performer!

©2007 Drew Stevens Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.

----------------------------------------------------
!. Results is about choices you make
You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time
with. - Jim Rohn
2. Use approaches of the masters
Find a mentoring group or mastermind group and share the
secrets that make others successful
3. Journal your success
Develop a journal of all your successes, do not lament
about failure seek out positive results and attitude.

Seven Steps Toward Making a Good Impression In a Job Interview

Seven Steps Toward Making a Good Impression In a Job Interview
When you get started on the right foot the interview will
flow easily. This is one impression you cannot leave to
chance.

1. Appearance counts. When you look good, you feel good.
Make sure you look groomed and neat. If you were a book,
would someone be attracted to your "cover" and want to
pursue you further?

2. Your clothes and accessories should be conservative and
neutral, rather than wild and loud. Your clothes are your
packaging and should not take attention away from the
product.

3. Non-Verbal Communication sometimes conveys a stronger
message than verbal communication. When you slouch, whether
you're sitting or standing, you are saying volumes about
you and your confidence level. Sit up straight (like your
mother always told you to). When you stand make yourself as
tall as possible with ¬ shoulders back and head held
high.

4. Eye contact and smiles can indicate a confident and
upbeat attitude. You will notice that many job postings ask
for "enthusiasm and energy." This is a good opportunity to
demonstrate your social and interpersonal skills, as well
as your excitement about the opportunity you are
interviewing for.

5. The handshake sends a strong tactile message. If you
have particularly sweaty hands try using a deodorant gel
(anti-perspirant) as a lotion. Your hands will feel soft
and smell good. Try this before the interview to see if it
works for you.

It is important that your grip demonstrates confidence. A
firm handshake, not a bone-crushing grip, will indicate
self-assurance. Reach your hand out palm sideways and grip
the hand, web to web. Try it, you will see that your hand
closes over the palm of the hand. When you squeeze the
fingers, it can hurt, especially if you are wearing rings.

6. Your voice and the volume of your speech convey a strong
impression. Whether it is a phone interview or a
face-to-face interview, it is important that you speak with
enthusiasm and energy. Use a firm voice to demonstrate your
confidence. If you speak in low tones the impact will be
weak and ineffective.

7. Your vocabulary reveals your communication skills and
ability to interface with people ¬especially people
you've not met before. The words you choose will indicate
your education and training, as well as your knowledge of
the industry you are applying for. It is important to use
"their" words and talk "their" talk.

Practice the impression you are making with someone you
trust to give you objective feedback. You are at the
interview to make a sale - an important sale - and the
product you are selling is YOU.

----------------------------------------------------
Carole Martin is America's #1 Interview Coach. Celebrated
author, trainer, and mentor, Carole can give you
interviewing tips like no one else can. Her workbook,
"Interview Fitness Training" has sold thousands of copies
world-wide. Sign Up to Receive Free Weekly Interview Tips
at http://www.interviewcoach.com

Internet Home Based Business Opportunity # 629...

Internet Home Based Business Opportunity # 629...
Okay, I admit it. I'm hooked. I am already up to my
elbows in a successful internet business, yet I still find
myself clicking onto another ad about the next great online
home business idea. Some are obvious schemes. Others just
seem too complicated. Then there are those offers that look
genuinely worth my time. If only I had more time!

If you are completely new to the world of making money on
the internet, it might be helpful to know that most of
those offers filling your inbox are most likely affiliate
businesses, ebay ideas, network marketing/mlm businesses or
e-commerce web sites.

Affiliate marketing is the internet business version of
commission-based selling. A business owner has a product
to sell. It may be shoes, software or an e-book. In order
to sell as much product as possible, the business owner
offers a commission for referrals that result in a
purchase. Many internet merchants offer affiliate program
enrollment right on their web site. Others use third-party
web sites such as Clickbank, Commission Junction and
Linkshare Network. Application must be made to each
program but normally there is no fee to begin. Some
require that you have a web site for them to review; others
allow you to simply jump in and start referring buyers
utilizing your unique affiliate link.

Making money with Ebay can take several forms. You may
simply sell items from your basement or attic. If you don't
have merchandise to sell, the ebay resource pages (and a
quick internet search) will direct you to numerous
wholesalers. If you do not wish to carry an inventory at
all, that's not a problem either. Scores of dropshippers
have created entire programs for auction sellers. You
simply sell the product to the buyer, collect payment and
then forward the merchandise order to the dropshipper for
order fulfillment. No need to ever have or maintain an
inventory.

Savvy network and mlm marketers are turning to the internet
to locate people interested in their business opportunities
and products. This is accomplished with online audio and
video presentations, turn-key product web sites and Web 2.0
tactics, such as blogging and social networking. Entire
turn-key internet marketing systems now exist for
everything from wellness products to wholesale travel
memberships to kitchen gadgets.

If you want to simply open your own retail store online,
this is referred to as an e-commerce site. You'll need a
web site solution that includes a shopping cart function
and an integrated merchant account for accepting credit
card payments. You may or may not choose to maintain an
inventory of actual product; again, there are numerous
wholesaler and dropshipper solutions.

Well, that's four great ideas for your new internet home
business. Now, go clean out that inbox.

----------------------------------------------------
Cathy Yeatts is an online entrepreneur and internet
business coach. She is passionate about providing proven
systems and solutions to new entrepreneurs. Learn more
about legitimate methods for creating online income:

http://www.internetmarketingincome.com

Add the Right Hours of Service to Draw More Customers and Beneficiaries at Low Cost

Add the Right Hours of Service to Draw More Customers and Beneficiaries at Low Cost
Business model innovation (changing the who, what, when,
why, where, how, and how much that are involved in
delivering for-profit offerings or nonprofit benefits) can
dramatically expand profitability while growing an
organization's ability to serve its customers or
beneficiaries. Let's look at a simple example of how the
choice of "when" you operate affects growth and cost
performance.

A young married couple, Mr. William and Ms. Dorothy
Hustead, bought a small store in a tiny town near the South
Dakota Badlands. From 1931 to 1936, they struggled through
the Depression serving the town's 326 impoverished
residents.

One day in 1936, Ms. Hustead, bothered by the sound of cars
on the nearby highway heading for Mount Rushmore, persuaded
her husband to expand their business to serve these
travelers. Mr. Hustead put up signs on the highway to draw
visitors to their store, making a unique appeal. The signs
said, "Free Ice Water . . . Wall Drug."

In those days before automobile air conditioning was
common, that offer was a powerful appeal. Beginning from
this humble expansion of its customer base, Wall Drug now
serves more than 20,000 visitors a day during the summer in
its Wall, South Dakota, store and many more on its Web site.

When the Offering Is Provided

If Wall Drug had begun 24 hour a day operations in the
early 1930s, that action would have added costs for
electricity and staff, but probably little more volume. The
town's residents knew that they could buy from the only
pharmacy in town during the day. If they had an emergency
need in the night, they could always knock on the door at
the Hustead's house.

After the highway signs began to attract a larger customer
base, being open longer hours did begin to pay off.
Likewise, the Wall Drug Web site wouldn't make as much
profit if it were open less often than 24 hours a day,
every day of the year.

Profit-making businesses can run tests to see when sales
volume increases enough to pay for added overhead,
operating, and capital costs.

A nonprofit organization will often see great enhancements
to benefits received by beneficiaries from being open more
hours, when additional donated goods and services and
volunteers are available. For example, in a food
distribution charity working poor families may be able to
reduce pickup costs by timing trips to match daily commutes
to and from work when the distribution centers are open
before and after normal working hours. Like the for-profit
organizations, the demand for such expanded hours can be
tested and the benefits received compared to the added
electricity and other added operating and overhead costs.

Obviously, the potential for recipients taking excess goods
and reselling them is present, and that risk will have to
be managed. An electronic card system, similar to that used
in university cafeterias, might be used to monitor
frequency of access and quantities taken.

The added costs of being open more hours are almost always
much lower than for regular hours. Why? Many of the base
costs of land, building, equipment, management, marketing,
and reporting are covered during the hours the organization
is open already. To be open more hours is often little more
expensive than adding a few more employees. Nonprofit
organizations with enough volunteers may only see some
added utility costs.

The exception to this rule of thumb is if perishable items
are involved where low volume may mean throwing out lots of
materials or finished goods. For instance, selling coffee
late at night can be a loser if most of the brewed coffee
is thrown out rather than sold to customers or given away
to nonprofit beneficiaries.

As a result, changing when you are open can make an
enormous improvement to your volume while reducing your
costs compared to what you deliver. As an example, many
medical practices for obstetrics and gynecology find they
can add many more patients by being open before and after
normal working hours so that working patients can come in
on their way to or from work. Making this shift may simply
be a matter of rescheduling the physicians in the practice
so that some start early and others start late.

How can you change the hours your organization is available
to serve customers or beneficiaries in lower-cost, more
helpful ways?

Copyright 2007 Donald W. Mitchell, All Rights Reserved

----------------------------------------------------
Donald Mitchell is chairman of Mitchell and Company, a
strategy and financial consulting firm in Weston, MA. He is
coauthor of six books including The 2,000 Percent Squared
Solution, The 2,000 Percent Solution, and The Ultimate
Competitive Advantage. You can find free tips for
accomplishing 20 times more by registering at:
====> http://www.2000percentsolution.com .

Small Business Opportunity - Painting Stars on Ceilings

Small Business Opportunity - Painting Stars on Ceilings
Painting stars on ceilings is the world's easiest and most
profitable painting businesses to start. if you are looking
for a small business opportunity that offers instant income
whenever you need it, this is it.

It is called star mural painting and it is all about
turning people's bedroom ceilings into a night time
planetarium of stars. It is possible to make hundreds of
dollars per ceiling for just a couple of hours of pleasant
work. This makes it the world's easiest painting business.

As a matter of fact it is so easy a young teenager all the
way up to a 70-year old man can run their own star mural
painting business. The average star mural takes less than
an hour or two to complete and goes for around $250.

Just think if you did two star murals per day for a whole
week? You could earn $2,500 - $3,000 in just one week! This
is serious income and the market is endless as well.

More advanced star scenes that can increase your profits
per job include shooting stars, small galaxies, UFOs, space
battles, the Milky Way, etc.

The market is wide because of the fact that everyone loves
the idea of sleeping under the stars at night and almost
everyone has several bedroom ceilings in their home. Many
homes now have game rooms or home theater rooms also.

A star mural ceiling is invisible during the daytime but at
night the stars magically come to life when the lights go
out. This gives the illusion of actually sleeping under the
stars outdoors.

My wife loves our bedroom ceiling. It has the Milky Way
stretching forth across the night sky plus several of our
favorite constellations that are seen all night long.

Can you imagine what kids would think if they saw a ceiling
like this? Do you think they would want one just like it?
How about mom and dad? Many people like stars on their
bedroom ceiling because it sets a romantic tone.

Again, the average star mural goes for about $250 and takes
only an hour or two to create. An advanced star scene can
go for as much as a thousand dollars or more.

The best way to get good at creating stars on ceilings is
to get good at making your own demo posters to show to
interested people. Seeing is believing and once they see
one of your posters they will eagerly write you a check
then and there on the spot.

You can easily start with kids rooms. As you get better at
making these amazing star murals you can do more advanced
star scenes for teens and adults and charge premium prices.

Also, star murals can be created during the daytime and
offers you a chance to make as much as $2,500 - $3,000 per
week and MORE working just part-time hours. Again, this is
one of the easiest and most profitable small business
opportunities to start.

----------------------------------------------------
Lee Cusano has owned and operated his own successful
painting business for over 16 years. He has also helped
many others to start their own painting businesses as well.
To find out more about the Small Business Opportunity -
Painting Stars on Ceilings and to get my Free report titled
"How to Make $250 - $500 a Day Showing an Amazing Poster to
People" visit http://star-mural.com

Business Gifts - Make it Easy, Affordable & Memorable

Business Gifts - Make it Easy, Affordable & Memorable
I don't know about you, but starting in mid December my
office is full of cookies and candies from the many vendors
I use throughout the year. I love it all, however getting
the jeans to fit in January can be a bit of a challenge.
It got me thinking of some alternative gift ideas, and I
share them here with you.

Consider these options:

Give a resource - one year after a recent postal increase,
I printed rack cards with the new rates for first class and
standard mail. Through the course of the year, I saw these
taped to walls and put on bulletin boards as a reference.
Of course, I had my logo and phone number on the rack card,
reminding those who might be confused by the rate chart to
give me a call and allow me to help. It worked as I
actually reactivated an old client who hadn't done a
mailing in a while.

Make a donation - It's always nice to make a donation to an
organization. What about making donations in honor of your
clients and sending them a note letting them know what
you've done. This is a win-win because you help a
non-profit and receive a tax deduction for your donation
while creating goodwill with your clients/customers. This
can be very effective if you've got many customers because
you can make a donation of any size your budget will allow
and send them all a letter notifying them of the generic
gift.

Magazine subscription - Why not give a magazine gift
subscription to your clients. You can select the magazine
title that most interests them. I really like this because
you can customize each gift and it arrives every month - a
constant reminder of you and your company. I suggest
sending your own letter notifying them of their gift - even
if the publisher offers to send one for you. It's just
another reason to communicate and send them another
business card. You can find greatly discounted magazine
subscriptions here and get it all done today
http://tinyurl.com/3cfttt

Another really great aspect of
a magazine subscription - no wrapping and shipping.

The goal with any holiday gift giving is to stand out from
the crowd and to make it something your clients will like
and use. Time is ticking; don't mist this great
opportunity to create good will and be remembered all year.

Copyright, All Rights Reserved, Nicole M. Shields,
www.7stepmarketingplan.com

----------------------------------------------------
Nicole Shields is the creator of the 7 Step Marketing Plan
which simplifies the overwhelming task of creating and
managing a profitable marketing plan for small businesses.
It includes forms, formulas and worksheets in a Quick Start
Kit full of Word and Excel files. Sign-up for the f'ree
marketing course, too at http://www.7stepmarketingplan.com