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- Sep 12th, 2008
- 708 Comments
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I am sorry to interrupt my regularly scheduled ‘video’ posts, but I felt compelled to share this today.
I would love your thoughts.
In addition, I owe several posts, all mostly complete, but on hold for information I will explain in my next post. Look out for it.
Listen to these 3 short stories:
1) I needed to find a specific printing store. I have been there several times in the past. It is located in an outdoor strip mall, sandwhiched between a few other stores. I was walking back and forth where I was sure it was located, but couldn’t seem to find it. Finally, by default I recognized it. When I was waiting for my work to be complete, I mentioned to the ‘secretary’ (not sure her exact position) that it appears as if the large sign they used to have outside was missing, and I couldn’t find the place. She concurred. Then went on to her next task.
2) Within walking distance to our homes there is a large supermarket, and a smaller mini-market. Mini-markets have the reputation of being more expensive, since they are ‘convenience’ stores. Therefore they thrive on desperate purchases, or the regular subsidized milk, bread, staple items. The one which I am referring to has switched hands probably 4-5 times in as many years. Each new owner is nice, and seems full of promise! I desperately want them to succeed, but of course I also shop at the larger supermarket, since the difference in prices is noticeable.
In this mini-market there is a combination of local items + American imported items. Naturally the later being very high priced. I suggested to him the following plan! Advertise your American items for much lower prices, as in competitive prices. Here is what will happen:
- a) The local supermarket doesn’t carry these items, so he will draw people for these items, they will see his selection, and come back.. and you never buy just one item..
- b) Psychology dictates that people will make assumptions. They will assume that if he is pricing his American items at more reasonable prices, then he must be a reasonable person, and the other items in his store must be reasonably priced, and shop. There is a supermarket that is a drive away that has MASTERED that. You leave there shaking your head how did you spend so much money, when the name of the store is ‘cheap’??? .. but we keep going back and back.
3) Again – the local supermarket. A few doors down is a grocer and by grocer I mean he sells just fruits and veggies. But so does the local supermarket. The only advantage to shopping with him is that his items are more expensive, huh?? Ok, so its more exclusive, his peppers look redder. In this neighborhood there are 1000′s of young women who are students for a year or two. They support the local frozen yogurt biz. I suggest to him to make prepared salads. Girls love salads. They are all in dormitories, and want healthier food (to compensate for their ice cream). It will cost him NOTHING, but the plastic containers to put it in, some plastic cutlery, and salad dressing packets.
This list can go on and on..
Guess what happens when I talk to these people behind counters or the phone?
I get a Shrug. Maybe. A quick thanks.
What are they saying to themselves??
It would seem
“mind your own business”.
“get a life”.
and other unmentionables that I would be happy to say in private.
I want to differentiate my suggestions from .. well lets say.. from something my Mother would say (you know I love you Mom!).. but I am not talking about returning food since it’s cold, glasses because they are dirty, although suggesting that the Bagel Shop sell muffins everyday and not every few days (especially when they sell out in hours) was not a bad one
. I want to know.
Why are these people such idiots?
I dont mean that they are idiots for NOT having implemented these ideas already. beforehand. Why dont they take my advise? Why don’t they consider that they could be more successful if… I see other businesses who incorporate changes, and they improve!
Now the hardest part of this all is turning the tables on MYSELF.
Marketers a little higher up on the food chain are probably shaking their heads at me.. and rightly so! I could be making SO much more money IF I were to: (and this is not a complete list)
- Outsource MORE.
- Get an AWESOME assistant – Virtual or otherwise – who understands my market.
- Sleep.
- Purge from my life what is not working. Expand on what is.
How are YOU being an IDIOT?
What ‘easy’ steps can you take to work on this?
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- Mar 20th, 2008
- 38 Comments
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Everyone needs a Mr. X … a behind the scenes whiz kid that could wipe the floor with you yet for some remarkable reason wants to remain anonymous and help you SHINE. Or actually thinks that you do Shine.
My Mr. X is not interested in you, he likes me, so dont bother trying. Go find your own
!!
We have really *deep* conversations.. check out this last one (He is a little colorful, so all you Nigerian princes who are anxiously awaiting my passport so that we may split your 33 million being held up.. it’s still on the way! ) ..
Andrea (and your readers) – Here is a question for you:- imagine within the next ten minutes you lost everything
- some nigerian stole your domains
- swiped your adsense accounts
- and some south americans got access to all of your merchant accounts
- and some lawyer sued you for everything you had
- just imagine your screwed
- the products you had are no longer available to sell
- the websites that made money are no longer under your control
- what would you do within the next 12 months to generate at least $1,000,000
- how would you do it
- what would you do
- what would you not do
- who would you work with
- who would you avoid
- remember you have to start with no money
- any momentum you have now would be gone
imagine you had nothing – all of what you have now is gone, what would you do to get it back and make at least $1,000,000 in 12 months?
Certainly it wouldnt be fun to ANSWER this right here, and not give you guys a shot at it first, or to at least THINK about it. Answer will come soon..
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- Jan 11th, 2008
- 13,155 Comments
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I know I promised this video 2 days ago, but 2 things happened:
1) I got tired. Sorry. It happens occassionally. I will try not to let it happen again.
2) I decided last minute to remove all references to a report I was promoting in the VIDEO. Not because I dont find it worthy of promoting, in fact I am.. right HERE and read below.. but I wanted the video to be more timeless and well.. have the potential to promote ME . However, instead of re-recording, I just took the same footage and chopped it up even more!
As is typical.. just as I am getting ready to do something, someone else comes along with a big bang! Andrew Cavanagh wrote a thread on the Warrior Forum suggesting similar ideas to what I mention in my video. As I suspected would happen, people were like WOW.. meaning the idea never occured to them. I did not actually see the thread in the forum. I think it was removed so he could instead pitch the idea and sell it. I advise you to check out this $19.99 product since unlike many other products where you purchase and dont know what you are getting, he has his original forum post in his sales pitch and there are no secrets.
What you are getting in this report (< -- link) are tips to approach businesses, lingo with with to approach them, how to build up referrals (which it really is all about), services to offer, prices to charge, outsourcing suggestions, and some basic SEO practices.. Basically helps you fill in the holes. Not to hype it up, but his price will only remain for a while, since that is the rules of this forum! Be expected for a serious hike in the next few days. By the way I am quite serious about what I wrote in the video. If you go out and get the clients, I will take half (well assuming you charge them enough!), and show you how to get it done. It wont take long for you to cut out the middle man, and do it for yourself! So go ahead and click contact!
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- Dec 27th, 2007
- 4,763 Comments
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I blogged about how YOU keep focused, and promised those who commented that I will include the answers in an upcoming post. Due to focus problems, it’s taken me a lot longer than expected.
I was reminded since I had the delicious opportunity of spending the ENTIRE afternoon at the local Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.. Just me, some yummy drinks, and my laptop! How intimate. The whole purpose of getting the laptop was to be able to get out of the house to get work done.. just the timing was off, since I gave birth not too long after my laptop and well I dont do so well with dumping babies and going. Dont even ASK how much this afternoon of caffeine cost me. DONT.
However, the place was bustling, not one empty seat, noise all around.. someone said.. NO WAY you could focus there. You know what? Not ONE of those distractions had ANYTHING to do with me, not one wipe me, not one knock at my door.. It was inspiring to know I COULD focus. It’s just everyone and everything else in my life to blame .
Here are your answers:
Rich Gilchrest – I cant tell if he is mocking us – what do you think?
I sometimes have the opposite problem. I can get so wrapped up in what I’m doing, I lose track of time. For example, I was doing some research for a gaming website last night. All I wanted to do was create an account, play for ten minutes, and write 200 to 400 words about getting started in this game. Hour and a half later, I was still enjoying the game, but my eyes finally wandered back up to my system clock and I realized my twenty minute time allotment for that task was LONG gone.
Too much attention, not enough disorder
Cindy Powers – I’ve found a timer to be a big help. Even if I only set it for 15 minutes at a time, I can focus on one task knowing that I don’t need to do anything else during that 15 minutes. I can get a LOT done in 15 minutes of focus time. And if I’m on a roll, I’ll set it for another 15 minutes for the same task.
I also make sure that I get 15 (timed) minutes of down time each hour. Even if it is playing Internet Backgammon or some other ‘mindless’ activity, this keeps me from straying from my task at hand, knowing that I’ll get some ‘me time’ soon. My favorite use of this time is to sit out on the porch swing and bird watch – away from the hum of electronics and the squabbles of children.
Leslie – – MY FAVORITE!! – put a dish of chocolate 10 feet away and go get a handful after you finish your assignment. You won’t look better but you’ll be happier.
Alexandra – I have a few things I need to focus. The first is a cup of chai – nothing happens without it. I have a big dry erase board where I list different categories (calls, promo materials, shopping list, etc). then i make a category called “To Do TODAY”. I put what i think i could/should accomplish that day. It helps keep me focused. There are lots of times when something unexpected happens – like baby falls asleep in my lap. Then I can shift gears easily.
Cynthia Powell – I set a timer for 5-10-15 minutes.
Work on something non-stop til timer goes off then set it again and go work on something else.
Example: Set timer for 15 minutes and work on my mounts of emails.
Timer goes off. Reset it for 15 minutes and go fold cloths. Timer goes off. Reset and go work on emails again. Keeps me going and focused and not so board.
April D – The only thing that works for me is to have a schedule or routine. If I follow it and focus on my mommy and house jobs first thing in the morning I find I can focus better on my business after those things are accomplished. If I get on the computer first thing in the morning I set myself up for stress and not much gets accomplished.
and the theme continues …
Traci K (how the heck did you have time to read this blog I want to know!) – With four kids, a full time daycare, and my handcrafted store, I definitely rely on list making as a way to accomplish tasks/goals. One thing I have discovered though is be reasonable with your goals. Make your tasks something that can actually be completed in a reasonable amount of time. Baby steps. Don’t set yourself up to battle a mountain of tasks…make it more like a hill. lol
We started with a man.. and we will wrap it up with a man, certainly no stranger to responsibility:
George – Don’t let distractions determine your day (which I so often do). My best piece of advice for staying on focus is to write a list of takss you want to accomplish each day. Then set a strict completion time for each task and stick with it. This practice has REALLY helped me the last few months.
Thanks everyone for your answers! I wouldnt have such a hard time staying focused if I could manage to not fall asleep. Any suggestions to a non coffee drinker on how to stay awake?
The Power of Focus: What the Worlds Greatest Achievers Know about The Secret of Financial Freedom and Success (Paperback)
Whether they are corporate professionals, budding entrepreneurs, or they own a home business, most people are looking to achieve more in less time, while earning enough money to live comfortably. This book reveals the proven techniques thousands of people have used to attain all of the money they wanted while living healthy, happy and balanced lives. The Power of Focus, the new blockbuster from the coauthors of the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul, is a practical no-nonsense guide that shows readers how to reach their business, personal and financial goals without getting burned out in the process.
Canfield, Hansen, and Hewitt have taken the best ideas from their own successful careers (seventy-nine years of combined business expertise), and distilled them into ten powerful focusing principles. The result is a treasury of insights that is enjoyable to read and easy to understand. At the outset, the book identifies the three most important fundamentals for consistent success: developing unusual clarity; understanding that habits determine your future; and using a “no exceptions policy” approach to focus on what you want. Numerous anecdotes and inspiring stories help to reinforce each principle.
This is a must-read for business people, sales managers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who is serious about improving their personal awareness.
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- Nov 26th, 2007
- 5,626 Comments
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About 6 months ago or so, MANY online marketers (newbies and seasoned) signed up for a $1 trial to StomperNet. The StomperNet program claims to ‘stomp the search engines’ and build your business to be a SERIOUS business, and at an $800 monthly membership fee, this trial seemed like a no brainer!
Only once we entered, did we find out that they were offering their trial members a special system called Stomper Simple. The plan of simple was to help EVERYONE get an online affiliate business up and running. Everyone was to take a product of their choice at Clickbank and pre-sell it. Part of their system including creating ‘Kitchen Table Copy’. The idea is that you print out 4 different salesletters of competing products, and place them all on your kitchen table. Take a red marker and highlight all the best parts of each salespage and then create one ‘knock em dead’ salesletter.
But what’s the catch? After creating this awesome salespage you have to send them to ANOTHER full blown Clickbank salespage! Many of the better products – better meaning that according to Stomper Simple ‘mathematics’ it’s an easier sale – include poor salespages, opt-ins, and just a LOT more reading to get to the order form.
When you pitch a product, you have to make it READILY available – dont ask them to jump through ANOTHER hoop!
Here was a question I posed to my Stomper Team – Is there a way to SKIP the clickbank salespage? Go straight to their order form?? There are MANY benefits to this beyond the Stomper Simple method..
After surfing the web a bit yesterday, I accidentely fell on the solution! Here is what Lynn Terry from ClickNewz says: (ok this is copy and paste to make sure you get the technical details right – hope thats ‘kosher’ in the blogosphere)
Typically, when you are promoting a ClickBank product as an affiliate you will use what they call a “hoplink” to the merchant’s sales copy. That hoplink tracks the click-through’s and you get credit for every sale in the form of commission.
In the rare case that you want to bypass the merchant’s sales copy, you can set up a direct link to the checkout page that will still track your referrals. Here’s how you do that…
clickbank.net/sell.cgi?YOURID_MERCHANTID/ProductNumber/ProductName
You will need to put the “http://” in front of that, and also make sure the link comes out all on one line – it breaks into two lines here on this page, but you want to make sure to create the link with no spaces or breaks.
There are 4 things you need to edit in that link:
YOURID which is your ClickBank ID
MERCHANTID the merchant’s ClickBank ID
ProductNumber
ProductName
The product name and product number can be found in the merchant’s original checkout link. What I usually do is view the merchant’s sales copy page, then click View > Source in my browser. This brings up the source code for the page, and you can locate the order button and analyze their order link.
Lynn also suggests asking the merchant for permission.. and testing it out! When you click to purchase at the bottom of the purchase page you should see your affiliate name in brackets at the bottom.
Thanks Lynn!
The next trick is to figure out how to not have others steal your clickbank commissions.
Speaking of Stomper Simple – all the participants say that the best part were the relationships created. I added like 30 names to my skype and chat regularly with 3 of them and of course everyone knows my new friend George! Certainly worth the $1!!
P.S. I want to give you one more trick than I promised in this post. Here goes … it’s to do with spying on your competitors ads … If you could check EXACTLY what keywords your competitors are bidding on in Google adwords and find out how much they are paying per click, how many ads they are running, and what is converting for them you would probably think you would have to Google to find out that stuff? NO! I use a software called Affiliate Elite. What will Affiliate Elite do for YOU? All the stuff I mentioned in the second sentence of this paragraph! And as well as seeing what ads your competitors are using how much they are paying etc. you can also use it to find potential affiliates to promote your products – clever eh? Check it out.
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