A new site is out on the web, and this is one you should take a look at. The owner is showing some rather impressive numbers and if they're anywhere near accurate, anyone who want's a home-based business needs to seriously consider taking advantage of his offer.
Check out www.earnathome247.com
You won't regret it!
Phil McCloud, aka: The ArmChairShopper, is the sole editor and author of this blog. His nickname was given to him by his wife in 1996 after she learned that the income they were recieving was as a result of his net-prenuer activity and not his regular daytime job. You can view his website and some of his income activities at http://www.armchairshopper.ws
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Newest Venture Is Paying Off!
In early February I decided to come out of retirement after realizing that I was much to young to sit on my duff doing nothing. Strange thing is, I still sit on my backside, doing little to nothing and rake in $7,500 a month.I found a company that not only provides me with everything I want and need in a home-based business, I can get all my leads from them too. And, I started this steam-rolling money making venture with just 99 cents.Yes, you read that right - 99 Cents!
Want to know more?
Phil McCloud, aka: The ArmChairShopper, is the sole editor and author of this blog. His nickname was given to him by his wife in 1996 after she learned that the income they were recieving was as a result of his net-prenuer activity and not his regular daytime job. You can view his website and some of his income activities at http://www.armchairshopper.ws
Want to know more?
Phil McCloud, aka: The ArmChairShopper, is the sole editor and author of this blog. His nickname was given to him by his wife in 1996 after she learned that the income they were recieving was as a result of his net-prenuer activity and not his regular daytime job. You can view his website and some of his income activities at http://www.armchairshopper.ws
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Ten Commandments
THE 10 CRITICAL LINKS TO INTERNET SUCCESS!
As a service to so many who are discovering the rewards of building an internet business, they can call their own, this series of 10 Critical Links has been established. This is not a typical internet marketing course and, for good reason, they are all beginning to sound and look alike. It seems as though there is a cloning of others’ thoughts, ideas and tips giving the appearance that the standard is in some way set by the mere repetition. No offense but I find much of the commentary of limited value and, in many cases, just plain hype, that many times is so lengthy one couldn’t find the real message if they tried with all their might!
I wish to share with you, briefly, why we should all make the internet a part of our everyday life. It is ever-present and ready to take you where your thoughts, desires and emotions want to go. The more you do anything the better you become. Same with the internet. Only difference is you can see the returns so much faster. Why? You can multiply your efforts, you can save time, you can obtain answers fast, you can at the touch of the keyboard get to where you want to go without travel, without connecting, personally with someone else, etc. All in how you and your mind want to travel, on the internet.
How often have we heard the phrase: Back to Basics? How seldom do so many of us realize the importance of establishing the foundation to build upon. Yes, we know what we are supposed to do but, in our zeal to achieve and succeed, we sometimes, unintentionally skip certain principles. I know I have found myself wondering why isn’t this working out and then one day, like the proverbial ton of bricks, it hits me…I then have to re-group, evaluate, do damage control, whatever is necessary to get back on track. What a pity—true loss of time.
From here on, each section will address one of the 10 Critical Links. The order is not as relevant as the understanding and, application, to all your online/internet pursuits. Please take a few minutes as you read each to make some notes, reflect and then re-visit as a prompt to utilizing these Links for your Internet Success!
Remember, 10 LINKS, just as in a chain, so bring them all together to secure true success.
“He or She who is waiting for something to turn up might start with your own shirt sleeves.”
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
The 10 Critical LINKS to Internet Success
1. R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Why did I spell it out? Sound it out to yourself. Great word, with so much meaning. Isn’t respect what we all want and, really expect from others? Reflect back over your life’s experiences and take this LINK into situations you have been most pleased. How often have we heard that respect is earned? How many times have you wanted to extend respect only to be let down? Why not create a world around you where people are, in part, measured by the respect they have for others, you and themselves? Sounds so elementary, but is so often overlooked. What respect also encompasses is sincerity, genuineness and a conscience that the means will justify the end, not the other way around!
ALL quality, long-term and successful relationships begin with establishing a rapport, confidence and trust. The pay-off is respect for that person, what they say and how they interact with YOU! Doesn’t it make sense that in all your dealings on the internet that you be mindful of these factors. If someone is skipping a step, or two, don’t you think it best that you pause and think about whether there is really a fit. One must give to get in so many aspects of daily life and, respect is clearly one that must be a two-way street.
>From this day forward, evaluate all that you encounter with an eye toward: “Am I being respected as an individual with certain unique qualities and desires?”
“It’s the little things in life that determine the big things.”
2. PATIENCE
While PATIENCE is a huge part of every aspect of one’s life, nowhere can it be said to be more important than on the Internet by virtue of building relationships, a business, trying to figure it all out, etc. Many, in their rush to succeed “push the envelope” a bit and then are faced with having to undo that which could have been avoided with a bit of patience. In our zeal to accomplish, we often fail to take into account many things take time to take root and advance the natural order of events to our own detriment. The beauty of succeeding in an Internet business is that once you have patiently developed the base of contacts, methods and profit centers you can multiply those with extraordinary and, cost-effective speed!
WE all have suffered consequences to moving too fast whether in business, personal life, etc. Based on those experiences, many become too patient and fail to assert themselves. So patience is a middle-ground in the sweep of the pendulum of life’s experiences. Some need to slow-down, others speed-up but all knowing, when it is time to apply the brakes and let events take their course. No place is this truer than in the evolution of an your Internet business.
“The only preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today.”
3. COMMUNICATION
In today’s fast-paced world it is sometimes hard to discern what is real communication and what is pure, unadulterated hype. As we know, you cannot believe ALL that you read—been said for years as to newspapers, magazines, etc.—why should the Internet be any different? Many put in their emails, deadlines (only to extend them), discounts (already inflated pricing?), urgency and so on. You know what I am referring to and if that is the style of communication that works for some, so be it. I, for one, am more interested in honesty, integrity and substance. I want to be able to read and comprehend thoughts then, assimilate them to how I can best utilize them. None of us wants, at least not intentionally, for another to impose their will. Yes, there is something to be said for long, rambling narratives to get your mind engaged and operational but wouldn’t it be great if we could just get to the core of the issue from the start without the excess verbiage?
I have found I tend to tune-out lengthy verbal conversations, so why would I allow myself to get pulled into lengthy email commentaries? Part of it is there may be recognizing something to this effort—look at the time, the length, etc. When I get to the end I find it is all about selling, selling, selling often with passing attention to informing and educating. If the product is worthwhile is more copy really necessary?
So, keep in mind, in all your communications get to the point. Time is precious. Don’t try to impose your will but rather build a dialogue—ask for interaction. In that way, you are establishing a relationship and addressing true concerns rather than just trying to anticipate every possible thought or question. Stimulate thoughts by not only what you convey but, ask for the comments, questions, observations & ideas. In this way, you will develop true communication which is not an imposition!
The great persuader Thomas Aquinas offered this bit of advice: "When you want to convert someone to your view, you go over to where he is standing, take him by the hand (mentally speaking), and guide him. You don't stand across the room and shout at him; you don't call him a dummy; you don't order him to come over to where you are. You start where he is, and work from that position. That's the only way to get him to budge."
4. FOCUS
This is a big one, yes?! Everywhere you go you hear about the importance of focus. Why? Is it because we have so many choices that we are distracted from things easily? Is it because if something fails to hold our attention long enough we lose interest? To many, FOCUS is all about making a sincere effort to concentrate on an issue to the point that you know it better than anyone else. When issues from day-to-day crop-up, you are able to address them and all the while keeping your mind set on the next step in what is truly important.
Another way to look at focus is to say, this project is of such a nature and so compelling, that my failure to stay focused will result in me not being able to maximize the benefits from my efforts, thus never knowing what could have been achieved. Some would have you think you need fear, great rewards, major incentives, etc., to keep the focus. I would rather believe focus comes from within and is a function of a subconscious/conscious desire to excel. The urge to get better & better each day, all the while realizing a string of doing a thousand little things right is far superior to waiting for one big thing to just happen.
“The secret of success is to start from scratch and keep on scratching.”
5. Enthusiasm
In today’s world, with so many choices, why would anyone want to do anything that didn’t excite them? Without excitement, it is well nigh impossible to have enthusiasm. If you don’t convey the energy that comes from enthusiasm you are just going through the motions and it will show! Enthusiasm is a function of knowing where you fit within the project/product that you are sharing with others and, at the same time, being able to transfer that feeling to them. An enthusiastic attitude is contagious. Your demeanor determines the mind-set others will have in receiving, not only information you are conveying, but also the acceptance of it as being of importance.
In ALL of your contacts, let your upbeat, positive self rule and know that you have the comfort of your prior analysis and decision-making, to insure that your enthusiastic edge stays in control of your thoughts and presentations. The result is unbridled success that grows and develops just by the sheer momentum of your enthusiastic confidence. Let it show in ALL you do!
“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”
6. PERSISTENCE!!! (Aka, Don’t Quit!)
Oh my, here is the reality check, literally and, figuratively. How often do we start something only to let it slide down the list of priorities? Has it really been replaced or, have we not put it in the right slot mentally? I believe persistence has less to do with energy, affirmations, motivation and far more to do with desire. The desire to see something through to a conclusion, not only out of curiosity, but a genuine sense that what you are doing is valuable and of importance. Since this desire comes from “how you view things”, doesn’t it make sense that the basis for applying PERSISTENCE exists from the get-go and is not something you should have to rally along the way. Oh yes, we all can get down on ourselves, others, slow results and so on but, this usually is a function of expectations that you set, often unconsciously, and have nothing to do with the reality of your actual progress.
To the extent your desire wanes then it is at that point you may have to dig deep and say, “Don’t Quit”! Often, we are so close to what we really desire to achieve but decide not to go that extra step—what a pity, what a potential mis-, or missed fortune. Always, look to yourself, not others, to find, or rediscover, the desire so necessary to reaching above average results!
“Falling down doesn’t make you a failure, but staying down does.”
7. PERCEPTION
Notice this link is capitalized, italicized, bold and underlined. For good reason, this is the one aspect to all that we do that, can undo all the great applications of the other links with the greatest of speed. Why? Our receptors to what others generate are geared to fit impressions into pre-conceived images to assist in deciding what we let in our world and what we repel! Do you believe it is a tough task to know the “how-tos” in dealing with people, not knowing what shaped them and their perception of people, places, things and events? No more difficult than approaching every person and situation with sincerity, compassion, honesty, integrity and genuine commitment. Exhibit these qualities and it shows, big-time! Cut a corner or two and guess what, that shows in even a bigger way—just human nature to respond that way.
I have noted, many times, the ease with which one can convey true perception by not only being yourself but, doing so, in accordance with what you believe the other person(s) perspective is, or should be, based on the issue at hand. Makes sense to conjure up a bit of empathy by knowing more about the likes & dislikes through discussion than imposing your will upon them, blindly. Pretty neat, just take a little time and expend some preparatory effort, to position yourself to be better informed and, with that edge, you can portray the appropriate qualities that secure the positive results you deserve!
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
8. RESPONSIVE
Many would have you believe it is all in the follow-up. While prompt follow-up is important, you must be aware of the needs, questions and concerns of others. The follow-up is merely an extension to being responsive, in the first instance. This encompasses not only the speed of the reply but, also, the nature of the information provided coupled with an effort to add “value” by providing leadership and direction through your comments, questions, observations, etc.
Once you have established the baseline of being responsive, you also build trust and that makes your follow-up more credible. KNOW as much as possible about the person and/or situation you are dealing with, so that you can assert a personal touch in your contacts. Anticipate situations to avoid playing catch-up by thinking ahead and planning responses or contacts, accordingly.
Finally, perfect timing for being truly responsive is NOW, not later. If there is a reason for delay, share why. If there is no reason for delay, then get on with it and be known as someone who is dependable, forward thinking and easily accessible.
“Forget yourself for others and others will not forget you!”
9. GOALS
You knew this had to be somewhere among the links. I have always believed the very best reason for goals is so you can measure your progress and if you do not establish targets to shoot for, how will you know if you have hit them. There is much said and written about setting goals. True, it helps to have some idea where you would like to go and what you would like to achieve. Far too often we get hung-up on coming up with the right answers, due to many years of conditioning in this regard and, fail to simply lighten up and establish some targets we want to hit. In archery, darts, basketball or whatever comes to mind, the target is in place and you seek to “hit it”. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Take time to set broad targets and then with each day’s practice hone in on hitting some bull’s eyes! Those are YOUR goals. As time marches on, you can create more challenging scenarios and loftier missions, just as you would in standing further away from the target, once you have hit the bull’s eye with uncanny perfection.
YOU, and only you, can set the balance between what you want and what you are willing to do to get those results. Some goals are inherently short-term, many are long-term, but one thing is certain, they are many times more a guide or direction that should be viewed as modifiable, rather than etched in stone. In this way, you have the comfort of knowing somewhat where you are headed without the pressure of rigid adherence. If you really want to lock-in a goal for achievement don’t keep it to yourself but, rather, share it with others. Amazing what a motivator accountability can be!
“You cannot win if you do not begin.”
10. Y-O-U
Your-Own-Understanding, not only of all the other links but, also, an ongoing commitment to personal growth and development intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Always relish the chance to learn more on your own, from others and events around you. Be realistic in your expectations of yourself and others. Do what you like and like what you do! Blend humor, knowledge, sensitivity and just plain YOU into all your interactions. Let the you-in-Y-O-U, come through! Make a difference by your actions. Don’t hesitate to look at things differently and possibly identify a better way to approach situations and opportunities.
The more YOU know Y-O-U, the better able you will be to grow individually and, with others!
TO YOU, Y-O-U & Y-O-U-R (Your-Own-Understanding-of-Results) Success on the Internet,
Phil McCloud, aka: The ArmChairShopper, is the sole editor and author of this blog. His nickname was given to him by his wife in 1996 after she learned that the income they were recieving was as a result of his net-prenuer activity and not his regular daytime job. You can view his website and some of his income activities at http://www.armchairshopper.ws
As a service to so many who are discovering the rewards of building an internet business, they can call their own, this series of 10 Critical Links has been established. This is not a typical internet marketing course and, for good reason, they are all beginning to sound and look alike. It seems as though there is a cloning of others’ thoughts, ideas and tips giving the appearance that the standard is in some way set by the mere repetition. No offense but I find much of the commentary of limited value and, in many cases, just plain hype, that many times is so lengthy one couldn’t find the real message if they tried with all their might!
I wish to share with you, briefly, why we should all make the internet a part of our everyday life. It is ever-present and ready to take you where your thoughts, desires and emotions want to go. The more you do anything the better you become. Same with the internet. Only difference is you can see the returns so much faster. Why? You can multiply your efforts, you can save time, you can obtain answers fast, you can at the touch of the keyboard get to where you want to go without travel, without connecting, personally with someone else, etc. All in how you and your mind want to travel, on the internet.
How often have we heard the phrase: Back to Basics? How seldom do so many of us realize the importance of establishing the foundation to build upon. Yes, we know what we are supposed to do but, in our zeal to achieve and succeed, we sometimes, unintentionally skip certain principles. I know I have found myself wondering why isn’t this working out and then one day, like the proverbial ton of bricks, it hits me…I then have to re-group, evaluate, do damage control, whatever is necessary to get back on track. What a pity—true loss of time.
From here on, each section will address one of the 10 Critical Links. The order is not as relevant as the understanding and, application, to all your online/internet pursuits. Please take a few minutes as you read each to make some notes, reflect and then re-visit as a prompt to utilizing these Links for your Internet Success!
Remember, 10 LINKS, just as in a chain, so bring them all together to secure true success.
“He or She who is waiting for something to turn up might start with your own shirt sleeves.”
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
The 10 Critical LINKS to Internet Success
1. R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Why did I spell it out? Sound it out to yourself. Great word, with so much meaning. Isn’t respect what we all want and, really expect from others? Reflect back over your life’s experiences and take this LINK into situations you have been most pleased. How often have we heard that respect is earned? How many times have you wanted to extend respect only to be let down? Why not create a world around you where people are, in part, measured by the respect they have for others, you and themselves? Sounds so elementary, but is so often overlooked. What respect also encompasses is sincerity, genuineness and a conscience that the means will justify the end, not the other way around!
ALL quality, long-term and successful relationships begin with establishing a rapport, confidence and trust. The pay-off is respect for that person, what they say and how they interact with YOU! Doesn’t it make sense that in all your dealings on the internet that you be mindful of these factors. If someone is skipping a step, or two, don’t you think it best that you pause and think about whether there is really a fit. One must give to get in so many aspects of daily life and, respect is clearly one that must be a two-way street.
>From this day forward, evaluate all that you encounter with an eye toward: “Am I being respected as an individual with certain unique qualities and desires?”
“It’s the little things in life that determine the big things.”
2. PATIENCE
While PATIENCE is a huge part of every aspect of one’s life, nowhere can it be said to be more important than on the Internet by virtue of building relationships, a business, trying to figure it all out, etc. Many, in their rush to succeed “push the envelope” a bit and then are faced with having to undo that which could have been avoided with a bit of patience. In our zeal to accomplish, we often fail to take into account many things take time to take root and advance the natural order of events to our own detriment. The beauty of succeeding in an Internet business is that once you have patiently developed the base of contacts, methods and profit centers you can multiply those with extraordinary and, cost-effective speed!
WE all have suffered consequences to moving too fast whether in business, personal life, etc. Based on those experiences, many become too patient and fail to assert themselves. So patience is a middle-ground in the sweep of the pendulum of life’s experiences. Some need to slow-down, others speed-up but all knowing, when it is time to apply the brakes and let events take their course. No place is this truer than in the evolution of an your Internet business.
“The only preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today.”
3. COMMUNICATION
In today’s fast-paced world it is sometimes hard to discern what is real communication and what is pure, unadulterated hype. As we know, you cannot believe ALL that you read—been said for years as to newspapers, magazines, etc.—why should the Internet be any different? Many put in their emails, deadlines (only to extend them), discounts (already inflated pricing?), urgency and so on. You know what I am referring to and if that is the style of communication that works for some, so be it. I, for one, am more interested in honesty, integrity and substance. I want to be able to read and comprehend thoughts then, assimilate them to how I can best utilize them. None of us wants, at least not intentionally, for another to impose their will. Yes, there is something to be said for long, rambling narratives to get your mind engaged and operational but wouldn’t it be great if we could just get to the core of the issue from the start without the excess verbiage?
I have found I tend to tune-out lengthy verbal conversations, so why would I allow myself to get pulled into lengthy email commentaries? Part of it is there may be recognizing something to this effort—look at the time, the length, etc. When I get to the end I find it is all about selling, selling, selling often with passing attention to informing and educating. If the product is worthwhile is more copy really necessary?
So, keep in mind, in all your communications get to the point. Time is precious. Don’t try to impose your will but rather build a dialogue—ask for interaction. In that way, you are establishing a relationship and addressing true concerns rather than just trying to anticipate every possible thought or question. Stimulate thoughts by not only what you convey but, ask for the comments, questions, observations & ideas. In this way, you will develop true communication which is not an imposition!
The great persuader Thomas Aquinas offered this bit of advice: "When you want to convert someone to your view, you go over to where he is standing, take him by the hand (mentally speaking), and guide him. You don't stand across the room and shout at him; you don't call him a dummy; you don't order him to come over to where you are. You start where he is, and work from that position. That's the only way to get him to budge."
4. FOCUS
This is a big one, yes?! Everywhere you go you hear about the importance of focus. Why? Is it because we have so many choices that we are distracted from things easily? Is it because if something fails to hold our attention long enough we lose interest? To many, FOCUS is all about making a sincere effort to concentrate on an issue to the point that you know it better than anyone else. When issues from day-to-day crop-up, you are able to address them and all the while keeping your mind set on the next step in what is truly important.
Another way to look at focus is to say, this project is of such a nature and so compelling, that my failure to stay focused will result in me not being able to maximize the benefits from my efforts, thus never knowing what could have been achieved. Some would have you think you need fear, great rewards, major incentives, etc., to keep the focus. I would rather believe focus comes from within and is a function of a subconscious/conscious desire to excel. The urge to get better & better each day, all the while realizing a string of doing a thousand little things right is far superior to waiting for one big thing to just happen.
“The secret of success is to start from scratch and keep on scratching.”
5. Enthusiasm
In today’s world, with so many choices, why would anyone want to do anything that didn’t excite them? Without excitement, it is well nigh impossible to have enthusiasm. If you don’t convey the energy that comes from enthusiasm you are just going through the motions and it will show! Enthusiasm is a function of knowing where you fit within the project/product that you are sharing with others and, at the same time, being able to transfer that feeling to them. An enthusiastic attitude is contagious. Your demeanor determines the mind-set others will have in receiving, not only information you are conveying, but also the acceptance of it as being of importance.
In ALL of your contacts, let your upbeat, positive self rule and know that you have the comfort of your prior analysis and decision-making, to insure that your enthusiastic edge stays in control of your thoughts and presentations. The result is unbridled success that grows and develops just by the sheer momentum of your enthusiastic confidence. Let it show in ALL you do!
“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”
6. PERSISTENCE!!! (Aka, Don’t Quit!)
Oh my, here is the reality check, literally and, figuratively. How often do we start something only to let it slide down the list of priorities? Has it really been replaced or, have we not put it in the right slot mentally? I believe persistence has less to do with energy, affirmations, motivation and far more to do with desire. The desire to see something through to a conclusion, not only out of curiosity, but a genuine sense that what you are doing is valuable and of importance. Since this desire comes from “how you view things”, doesn’t it make sense that the basis for applying PERSISTENCE exists from the get-go and is not something you should have to rally along the way. Oh yes, we all can get down on ourselves, others, slow results and so on but, this usually is a function of expectations that you set, often unconsciously, and have nothing to do with the reality of your actual progress.
To the extent your desire wanes then it is at that point you may have to dig deep and say, “Don’t Quit”! Often, we are so close to what we really desire to achieve but decide not to go that extra step—what a pity, what a potential mis-, or missed fortune. Always, look to yourself, not others, to find, or rediscover, the desire so necessary to reaching above average results!
“Falling down doesn’t make you a failure, but staying down does.”
7. PERCEPTION
Notice this link is capitalized, italicized, bold and underlined. For good reason, this is the one aspect to all that we do that, can undo all the great applications of the other links with the greatest of speed. Why? Our receptors to what others generate are geared to fit impressions into pre-conceived images to assist in deciding what we let in our world and what we repel! Do you believe it is a tough task to know the “how-tos” in dealing with people, not knowing what shaped them and their perception of people, places, things and events? No more difficult than approaching every person and situation with sincerity, compassion, honesty, integrity and genuine commitment. Exhibit these qualities and it shows, big-time! Cut a corner or two and guess what, that shows in even a bigger way—just human nature to respond that way.
I have noted, many times, the ease with which one can convey true perception by not only being yourself but, doing so, in accordance with what you believe the other person(s) perspective is, or should be, based on the issue at hand. Makes sense to conjure up a bit of empathy by knowing more about the likes & dislikes through discussion than imposing your will upon them, blindly. Pretty neat, just take a little time and expend some preparatory effort, to position yourself to be better informed and, with that edge, you can portray the appropriate qualities that secure the positive results you deserve!
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
8. RESPONSIVE
Many would have you believe it is all in the follow-up. While prompt follow-up is important, you must be aware of the needs, questions and concerns of others. The follow-up is merely an extension to being responsive, in the first instance. This encompasses not only the speed of the reply but, also, the nature of the information provided coupled with an effort to add “value” by providing leadership and direction through your comments, questions, observations, etc.
Once you have established the baseline of being responsive, you also build trust and that makes your follow-up more credible. KNOW as much as possible about the person and/or situation you are dealing with, so that you can assert a personal touch in your contacts. Anticipate situations to avoid playing catch-up by thinking ahead and planning responses or contacts, accordingly.
Finally, perfect timing for being truly responsive is NOW, not later. If there is a reason for delay, share why. If there is no reason for delay, then get on with it and be known as someone who is dependable, forward thinking and easily accessible.
“Forget yourself for others and others will not forget you!”
9. GOALS
You knew this had to be somewhere among the links. I have always believed the very best reason for goals is so you can measure your progress and if you do not establish targets to shoot for, how will you know if you have hit them. There is much said and written about setting goals. True, it helps to have some idea where you would like to go and what you would like to achieve. Far too often we get hung-up on coming up with the right answers, due to many years of conditioning in this regard and, fail to simply lighten up and establish some targets we want to hit. In archery, darts, basketball or whatever comes to mind, the target is in place and you seek to “hit it”. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Take time to set broad targets and then with each day’s practice hone in on hitting some bull’s eyes! Those are YOUR goals. As time marches on, you can create more challenging scenarios and loftier missions, just as you would in standing further away from the target, once you have hit the bull’s eye with uncanny perfection.
YOU, and only you, can set the balance between what you want and what you are willing to do to get those results. Some goals are inherently short-term, many are long-term, but one thing is certain, they are many times more a guide or direction that should be viewed as modifiable, rather than etched in stone. In this way, you have the comfort of knowing somewhat where you are headed without the pressure of rigid adherence. If you really want to lock-in a goal for achievement don’t keep it to yourself but, rather, share it with others. Amazing what a motivator accountability can be!
“You cannot win if you do not begin.”
10. Y-O-U
Your-Own-Understanding, not only of all the other links but, also, an ongoing commitment to personal growth and development intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Always relish the chance to learn more on your own, from others and events around you. Be realistic in your expectations of yourself and others. Do what you like and like what you do! Blend humor, knowledge, sensitivity and just plain YOU into all your interactions. Let the you-in-Y-O-U, come through! Make a difference by your actions. Don’t hesitate to look at things differently and possibly identify a better way to approach situations and opportunities.
The more YOU know Y-O-U, the better able you will be to grow individually and, with others!
TO YOU, Y-O-U & Y-O-U-R (Your-Own-Understanding-of-Results) Success on the Internet,
Phil McCloud, aka: The ArmChairShopper, is the sole editor and author of this blog. His nickname was given to him by his wife in 1996 after she learned that the income they were recieving was as a result of his net-prenuer activity and not his regular daytime job. You can view his website and some of his income activities at http://www.armchairshopper.ws
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Beating The Odds In Network Marketing
by Barry Gruber
Anybody who knows me knows that I'm a numbers guy. I'm always calculating percentages and citing statistics. Well, here are the odds in network marketing: Of all the people on this planet, only 5-10% are suited to do this kind of business. Add to that another 10% will use the product and services we have to offer, for a total of 15-20%. So that means that a minimum 80% of the people are not going to participate in your business as either a customer or a distributor.
Now, the good news is that the odds don’t have a thing to do with you, your business, your company, or your products and services. And 20% of billions of people leaves quite an untapped market. So you can rest easy.
The bad news is the inexplicable urge so many people have to try to change the odds. They want to succeed so badly, they attempt to convince people who either don’t want to do the business or aren’t right for it.
If you interviewed Top Producers from any network marketing company (and we have) you would find they all have something in common, one thing they would have done differently. They all say they would have spent less time trying to convince and persuade the wrong people. This includes talking the wrong people into joining your business and persuading those who did join into going to work.
Let me share this with you. If someone cares enough about something, they’ll take the steps necessary to change it. It doesn’t matter what kind of shortcomings they might have: lack of money, lack of time, poor education, etc. They will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Nothing stands in their way.
Even children know it. What happens when a child wants something ... a cookie, a piece of candy, a new video game, they want to go to the park, the list goes on and on. They will do whatever it takes to get what they want and they won’t stop asking until they make it happen. They don’t even hear no, no matter how many times you say it. How often have you had to say no to a child and they just keep talking like they’re deaf. We need to get back to that, don’t you think?
Let me ask you this. Do you believe that if you really want to accomplish something and you completely apply yourself, you can do whatever you want to do? No matter what hurdles are thrown in your way? Isn’t it really about how much you care & how much you want it that determines how much you are willing to do?
There are people who will stick their noses up at any method of marketing that is outside of their comfort zone. It's really just a defense mechanism because they are fearful of the unknown.
Here's a newsflash for you ... every single marketing method has made somebody a millionaire. Whether it's Internet Marketing, or home parties, or newspaper advertising, or any other marketing medium, there is always somebody succeeding with it right now. The secret is to just keep going, keep moving forward. And here’s the thing, the more you do, the more you can do.
So remember, the odds are what they are. You can't change them, nor can anyone else. Most people you encounter will be wrong for this business. Just keep going until you find the right ones. Be like that child who absolutely has to have the new video game and will do whatever it takes to make it happen.
© 2006 Barry Gruber. All rights reserved.
Click Here To Find Out More On How To Beat The Odds
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Real Truth About Leads
The Real Truth About Leads
Internet Marketing Consultant
Our team has been marketing on the Internet for more than 12 years and there is one universal truth about Internet Marketing - You either evolve and adapt or you become extinct. Dinosaurs learned this lesson the hard way. For millions of years, they were the most dominant creatures on the planet.
Today, the only place you can find any trace of the dinosaur era is in history books or museums. If you don't want the same fate to befall you and your Internet business, it's crucial that you stay up with the trends and tools of today's online environment. Some of the reasons mankind outlasted these huge and powerful creatures:
- Human beings are able to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Mankind is capable of solving complex problems.
- Men and women learned how to use tools to their benefit.
This site offers access to tons of great tools »
Over the past 12 years, many things have changed in the online marketplace. The savvy netrepreneurs who kept up with the changes are the success stories of the past decade. And it's not just huge companies that have made their mark on the Internet. One of the major advantages of the World Wide Web is it's tendency to level the playing field. Anybody can compete, as long as they use technology and high tech tools to their advantage.
One of the most prominent tools for Internet success in the past decade has been leads. Many early marketers built their empires on the foundation of purchased leads. Are leads still a viable option in today's Internet landscape?
Leads fall into different categories and in order to answer that burning question, we need to understand the differences. Today, there are 3 main categories of leads:
- Pay Per Click (PPC)
- Self Generated Opt-In Leads
- Purchased Leads (Co-Registration Leads, Real Time Leads, Surveyed Leads, Mailing Lists, Guaranteed Pre-Enrollees, etc.)
First a word of caution about leads. There are 2 main types of leads, incentivized and non-incentivized leads. Some companies offer incentives to get people to enter their information into a "lead capture" forms.
in·cen·tive
noun - : something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action.Not all incentives are necessarily a bad thing; it all depends on what's being offered. Many sites offer free downloads (Think & Grow Rich, eBooks, etc.) and there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving people a bonus that makes sense. On the other hand, you certainly don't want to be contacting people about your home-based Internet business if they're expecting an X-Box, a free cruise/vacation or $5,000 sweepstakes winnings. Leads that are generated with these types of incentives are misleading and, more often than not, they are worthless. We recommend steering clear of Incentivized Leads.
This company has automated sponsoring tools »
Pay Per Click - Pay per click is a great way to advertise to a highly focused or target audience, if you know what you're doing and have a fairly sizable budget. You bid on keywords and your ads show up on search engines and free email accounts. As the name implies, you pay a specific amount for each click through to your site. A word to the wise - You are charged for your PPC ad every time someone clicks on your link and the costs can add up very quickly. If your site doesn't convert visitors into enrollments, PPC advertising can drive your business deep into the red.
Self Generated Opt-In Leads - These are typically the highest quality and most responsive leads, because they have requested information directly from you. Opt-in leads are generated through
"lead capture" pages with forms requesting specific information about your prospect. The most common way to follow-up with opt-in leads is by phone, email, or both.
Purchased Leads - Purchased leads can come in many different forms. In most cases, the vendor you purchase the leads from did not generate them internally; they bought them from a lead supplier. This doesn't always mean they are bad leads, but you should definitely ask some point blank questions:
- How were the leads generated? Ask to see a sample of the advertisement and capture page that generated the lead.
- How many times does your vendor sell the leads? Do they have an exclusive arrangement with their source to ensure that the leads aren't sold to other lead vendors? The more times the leads are sold, the less value they offer.
- How old are the leads? Leads that are over 30 days old decline in response rates and value with each passing day.
- Were the prospects enticed into entering their information? As we discussed earlier, incentivized leads are of highly questionable value.
- What information do you receive with each lead? Different information is required depending on your preferred marketing method. This brings us to our next topic for discussion...
The next important factor is how you plan to contact your leads. This can make a big difference in the type of leads you choose to use. Most people would select different leads for cold calling as compared to email marketing. Just as there are many different types of leads, there are just as many different ways to contact your leads. The following list represents just a few of the ways to make contact, some low tech and some high tech:
- Cold Calling
- Direct Mail
- Autoresponder Email Marketing
- Voice Broadcasting
This site has a whole suite of Internet Marketing tools »
The main thing to remember about leads is there are literally 1,000s of choices. Do your due diligence, ask questions, check out the vendor, and decide on a proven marketing strategy. In the end, leads are only as good as the system you use for creating enrollments in your business. Find a system that works for you and stick with it.
To your success,
Phil McCloud
24/7 MultiMedia Marketing
phil.mccloud@gmail.com
903-269-3727
Thursday, March 6, 2008
"Copycat Marketing 101"
by Burke Hedges
by Burke Hedges
One of the first books I remember reading as a kid was a joke book. I can still remember one of the corny jokes that used to crack up my friends and me: It takes money to make money -- you have to copy the design exactly.
Hey, I told you it was a corny joke, didn't I? But the sentiment is dead serious.
Why haven't we found a way to copycat creating wealth?
Think about it. We copycat everything else in our lives, don't we? But the one thing we haven't learned to copycat is creating true wealth! Why is that? To answer that question, let's take a few moments to talk about the power of copycatting. And then we'll look at some of the reasons most people haven't found a way to copycat wealth creation.
Each of us is blessed with certain talents and gifts that make us one-of-a-kind individuals. Some people are great dancers, while others can't tap their feet to the beat. Some of us have a talent for art, while others have trouble drawing a stick figure. Some of us are great athletes, while others can barely walk a straight line without stumbling.
But the one thing each and every one of us is good at -- WITHOUT EXCEPTION -- is copycatting.
Copycats From Cradle to Grave
Have you ever though about how good we are at copycatting? When it comes to copycatting, we're all gifted. We're copycat geniuses! Copycatting is one trait we all excel at and that we all have in common, no matter where we live, no matter what our individual talents are. It makes no difference whether we are rich or poor... black or white... male or female... the one thing we're all great at is copycatting.
Copycatting starts the day we are born. We copy the language we speak... the food we eat... the way we wear our hair... the way we walk... the way we dress.
When we enter school, we learn to read and write by copying letters in the alphabet. If you were born in a western culture, you copycatted the system of writing from the left side of the page to the right. If you were born in parts of Asia, you copycatted writing from the right to the left.
Think about all the differences between the various cultures of the world. We each have our own unique customs. But the one thing every, single culture has in common is the way we go about learning the customs we practice -- we copycat!
No question, we copycat our way through life from the cradle to the grave because copycatting is so easy to do... we don't have to keep creating everything from scratch all the time... it works ... and we're born geniuses at it! The expression, & Monkey see, monkey do & could just as easily be "People see, people do."
Think Before You Copycat
Like most everything in life, though, there is a flip side to copycatting. Just because we copycat something doesn't necessarily make it good... or efficient... or productive. Unfortunately, all too often copycatting is an excuse to get lazy in our thinking. All too often, we ASSUME that the people we are copying have the "right answer." We ASSUME that we are copying the right people!
That's exactly what happens when we take a job without really thinking about WHY we took the job. I think most people assume that jobs are the best way to create wealth, when in fact, jobs don't create true wealth -- jobs create temporary income.
So, you see, every now and then, we have to step back and examine our assumptions about what we are copying -- and why -- to make sure copycatting will, indeed, give us what we think it will give us.
The answer to my initial question -- "Why haven't we found a way to copycat creating wealth?" -- becomes painfully obvious. Most of us simply have been copycatting the wrong system. We've been copying the job track instead of the wealth creation track! Why? Because most people assume that a job is the only way to actualize their financial dreams. Perhaps they are unaware of alternatives to the job. They are not aware of a wealth-creating system they can copy. Perhaps they don't believe there are other sources of wealth. Or perhaps they don't think they are capable of creating true wealth by working outside the job routine.
Income Creation Vs. Wealth Creation
Whatever their reasons, the simple fact is that people in the job track will never create true wealth because they are copycatting an income creation system, which is based on linear growth, as opposed to a wealth creation system, which is based on leveraged growth.
People copycatting the income creation system are locked into a time-for-money trap. They trade a unit of their time for a unit of dollars. With income creation, 10 hours of work, equals 10 hours of pay. Unfortunately, most of the time, income creation is an endless treadmill. If you don't do the work, you don't get paid. If the treadmill stops, the income stops. People following the income creation system become slaves to temporary income, and they are accidents waiting to happen. If they fall victim to illness, or injury, or long layoffs, or burnout, they are income-less.
Those brave souls who have broken away from the ranks, who have realized that there are other systems out there to copycat -- wealth creating systems -- are choosing to copycat a system that allows them to leverage their time. They don't fall victim to the time-for-money trap because they do not trade time for dollars. For them, 10 hours of work means 100 hours of pay... or even 1,000 hours of pay. Moreover, their efforts create residual income. Unlike temporary income, residual income keeps earning money whether they show up to work or not!
To find out how you can get residual income and move yourself from learning by copycatting to being a leader yourself, visit my Power Builder site.
Phil McCloud, aka: The ArmChairShopper, is the sole editor and author of this blog. His nickname was given to him by his wife in 1996 after she learned that the income they were recieving was as a result of his net-prenuer activity and not his regular daytime job. You can view his website and some of his income activities at http://www.armchairshopper.ws
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
“People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.”
Are you afraid of success? I used to be, and it almost kept me from achieving my goals. I used to think that successful people were smarter and more talented than the rest of us. WRONG! Want to know Malcolm Forbes' secret to success? “Try hard enough.” New York Times best-selling author Harvey Mackay says,
“People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.”
What about your financial and business success? Are you exactly where you want to be, financially? If so, hit the delete button right now! But if you aren't afraid of financial success then you need to keep reading.
Thanks to the Internet, there is a whole new world of business opportunity for ordinary people like you and me. Through the Internet I've achieved a level of financial success I never thought possible. The beauty of an Internet business is that you don't have to be a genius, super talented, or well-connected to get ahead. With a few simple tools and a little persistence you absolutely can achieve financial success. Mark Twain once said,
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
If you're ready to get ahead and you're not afraid of success, then select the Web site below to explore the possibilities. We'll take it one step at a time and I guarantee you can get there from here!
Income for Life
Sincerely,
Phil McCloud
Phil McCloud
admin@armchairshopper.ws
P.S. Have you ever wondered what the difference is between successful people and mediocre people? It's the willingness to answer the door when opportunity knocks. Do you hear something? I think opportunity is knocking…
Phil McCloud, aka: The ArmChairShopper, is the sole editor and author of this blog. His nickname was given to him by his wife in 1996 after she learned that the income they were recieving was as a result of his net-prenuer activity and not his regular daytime job. You can view his website and some of his income activities at http://www.armchairshopper.ws
“People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.”
What about your financial and business success? Are you exactly where you want to be, financially? If so, hit the delete button right now! But if you aren't afraid of financial success then you need to keep reading.
Thanks to the Internet, there is a whole new world of business opportunity for ordinary people like you and me. Through the Internet I've achieved a level of financial success I never thought possible. The beauty of an Internet business is that you don't have to be a genius, super talented, or well-connected to get ahead. With a few simple tools and a little persistence you absolutely can achieve financial success. Mark Twain once said,
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
If you're ready to get ahead and you're not afraid of success, then select the Web site below to explore the possibilities. We'll take it one step at a time and I guarantee you can get there from here!
Income for Life
Sincerely,
Phil McCloud
Phil McCloud
admin@armchairshopper.ws
P.S. Have you ever wondered what the difference is between successful people and mediocre people? It's the willingness to answer the door when opportunity knocks. Do you hear something? I think opportunity is knocking…
Phil McCloud, aka: The ArmChairShopper, is the sole editor and author of this blog. His nickname was given to him by his wife in 1996 after she learned that the income they were recieving was as a result of his net-prenuer activity and not his regular daytime job. You can view his website and some of his income activities at http://www.armchairshopper.ws
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