How to Magnetize Your Target Market

By Heather Dominick, EnergyRICH™ Entrepreneur Expert

I’m sure you’ve heard over and over the importance of having a “target market,” a specific group of people who share similar qualities and have a problem that you and your business can solve. Now, this is important because you want to have a clear message that speaks directly to potential clients, which has them saying, “Yes! That’s what I want! I’ll hire you NOW.”

The importance of this is very true because we honestly can’t serve everyone. If you feel resistance (a.k.a. fear) beginning to bristle, perhaps because you believe you’ll lose business by not being willing to work with everyone, just pause for a moment and ask yourself, “Would I really want to work with everyone?” My guess is your answer would be no because everyone is not your energetic match. Just bring to mind for a moment someone you really can’t stand. Now, imagine your whole business filled with this person—every client/customer. Kind of shifts the whole “I want to work with everyone” perspective, right?

Understanding who your energetic match is is the secret to magnetizing your target market. This is what we’re going to do together today, my friend.

First, let’s look at why, if you recognize that having a target market is important, do you resist it? Well, after having coached with tons of entrepreneurs around this, I’ve come up with what’s missing in most of the traditional “target market” talk:

It only addresses the outer. (And this doesn’t get us excited, but rather has us feeling limited.)

When asked to define your target market, you may have been asked in the past to get clear about your target market’s:

• Age
• Sex
• Marital Status
• Occupation
• Problem they need solved

Let’s pause for a second…does this really guarantee to help us get narrow and specific so our message stands out to what they need? Well, not necessarily. I bet we could get a room full of:

• 35 years old
• female
• single
• nurses

…and they aren’t all going to have the same problem.

So what we’re really interested in is the situation your target market needs solved and we make YOU the situation solver. Then we tap into the energy that is the essence of attraction between you and whom you WANT to work with.

It’s this “inner part” that moves you into the excitement of creating your “Ideal Client” rather than just “Target Market.”

You can begin to better understand who your ideal client is by asking yourself:

1. What are the qualities of my ideal client?
2. What jazzes my ideal client?
3. What does my ideal client expect from me?

Really, just let the answers to these questions flow and FEEL what would have you excited about working with this person. Answering these questions connects you to a situation or type of person with whom you are a natural energetic match. This way, you’re drawn together like magnets and your ideal client recognizes right away that working with you is a must. They just feel it.

EnergyRICH™ Golden Nugget: Your ideal client is usually someone like you who shares your journey. However, they’re in a different, earlier phase of the journey. To understand this truly is gold: when your ideal client is looking to hire you, they’re looking for a solution to their situation or problem. They recognize you’ve been where they are and have successfully made the change. This ignites belief that they can do it too. It’s a reassurance they’re investing their time, energy, and money in the right person and process. It’s easy for you to talk to them because it’s kind of like talking to an earlier version of yourself, yes? Just think about what you would’ve wanted to hear.

So when you get clear about who your ideal client is, and can effectively share the experience of your journey (whether in person or in your marketing materials), in a way that ignites the energetic match that the two of you naturally are, then you’ve just accelerated the whole process of bringing on new clients. (This is the whole point of having a target market in the first place).

EnergyRICH™ Call-to-Action:

1. Focus on the qualities of your ideal client: what jazzes them (hint: it will jazz you, too!) and what they expect from you. This sets you up to be an energetic match.
2. Get clear about your journey. What did it take for you to get where you are? Be willing to share it. You’ll be setting up an automatic path of connection and understanding. You’ll be confident in your work because you both recognize you’ve done it and now it’s their turn to do it, too.
3. Give yourself permission to work with your ideal client. Nothing good comes from working with non-ideal people out of fear. You deserve to be jazzed in your business—it’s the magic water for continuous business (and income!) growth.

About the author:

Heather Dominick, is an EnergyRICH™ Entrepreneur expert, with over 10 years of teaching and coaching experience. Heather's primary focus is in helping others identify sources for increasing productivity and profit in their businesses and lives. Her strengths include helping clients to articulate their life and business visions, and developing a strategic execution plan to achieve these goals.

Heather Dominick, is founder of the EnergyRICH Success System™, the proven step-by-step program to help you achieve your most profitable business and energized life. To sign up for her freebie how-to articles and no-charge teleclasses on how to create an EnergyRICH™ solo-preneur business, visit www.energyrichcoach.com.

Your Ideal Client - A Key Concept for Solo and Small Business Marketing

By Terri Zwierzynski

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."--Bill Cosby

Have you ever had clients that were more trouble than they were worth? Maybe they were always late to pay, or didn't do what they said they'd do. Maybe you just had a personality clash, or they expected more than you were able to offer. Whatever the situation, chances are you had an inkling when you first met that client...a tiny voice that you didn't listen to, that was probably overshadowed by the bigger voice that said, "Hey, it's business; I'll take it!"

Drawing The Line

Learn to say no to those clients, before they start draining your energy! The key to being able to do this is to understand Your Ideal Client. Once you know how to recognize who is ideal and who is not, you can practice turning down business from the latter. If you have trouble saying no, you'll need to learn this critical business skill, and what to do to get rid of problem clients you already have; see the resources at the bottom of this article. If you have a coach, ask them to help you complete the Ideal Client exercise, or to role-play those "saying no" conversations.

How to Discover YOUR Ideal Client

There are many ways to approach the Ideal Client/Customer Profile. You can sit down and imagine the best, most wonderful client you could have--whether that is an abstract entity, a celebrity (what writer wouldn't want Oprah as a customer, for example), or a specific demographic profile. If your customers are more likely to be companies, you could look at your current client list, and pick the company that gives you the most business, the most joy, the least heartburn.

The Ideal Client Profile

Whoever you pick, start a profile matrix with two columns: "My Ideal Client Is:" on the left; "My Ideal Client is Not:", on the right. In the column on the left, list all the characteristics of that type of person or company. Use the questions below as prompts to get you thinking about all the different aspects of each client.

Then, either think of the opposite of all those aspects, or pick the "client from hell" and fill in corresponding traits in the right-hand column. Be really honest with this exercise! If you'd rather only have clients who make over $500,000, put that down! Your clients who don't fit your Ideal characteristics, whether you write them down or not, will eventually know it. May as well get that over with early!

Prompts: Consider these aspects of your Ideal Customer or Client:

-- What career or business are they in?

-- What demographics do they fit? (age, sex, race, religion, income, marital status, etc.)

-- What do they think is important in business? In life?

-- What do they like most about you and your business, products and services?

-- What is the nature of their relationship with you? (transactional, long-time customer, acquaintance, friend, refers others to you, etc.)

-- How do they do business with you? (by phone, in person, on the Web; quick transactions, takes time to negotiate; pays early, on-time, at 30 days; etc.)

-- What personality characteristics do they have?

-- What do you get from them (besides payment)?

Now What?

Compare your current client list to the two columns in The Ideal Client Profile. How many have the characteristics of your Ideal Client? If the answer is "not many," you may need to work on firing some of your clients! Check out some resources below on how to do this.

Next, post your Ideal Client Profile somewhere you will see it often. Every time a new potential client comes along, start looking for those Ideal characteristics...and beware the non-ideal! If that little voice starts to tell you something might be wrong, check in with the non-ideal list--and be ready with some ways to turn away non-ideal clients. Offer them other options--refer them to someone else who is a better fit, and make two people happier!

Ideal Clients--For Life

There are many ways to leverage the work you have just done with the Ideal Client Profile. Here are some ideas:

-- Audit your marketing materials. Do your business cards, brochures, ads and website appeal to your Ideal Client? Are you sending the right message, to the right potential clients? Hone your materials, and start seeing better-qualified potential clients walk in the door.

-- Consider your marketing channels. Based on your Ideal Client profile, where would you expect to find these clients? Is that where your marketing efforts are focused? If not, figure out a way to get in front of them!

-- Review your contracts, policies, terms and conditions. Are they set up to be friendly to your Ideal Clients? Do they give you clear avenues for dealing with non-ideal clients? If not, update them, and you might see non-ideal clients take care of themselves.

About the author:

Terri Zwierzynski is dedicated to the success of lifestyle-inspired Solo Entrepreneurs. She is the CEI (Conductor of Extraordinary Ideas) at http://www.Solo-E.com and the author of 136 Ways To Market Your Small or Solo Business. Terri is an MBA honors graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has been working with solo entrepreneurs since 2001. You can reach Terri at http://www.TerriZ.com

5 Tips to Manage Your Entrepreneurial Energy for Wow Results

by Heather Dominick, EnergyRICH™ Entrepreneur Expert

So many entrepreneurs try to do it all and get frustrated by all the time it takes. Here are 5 solid-gold steps to keep your energy high, your tasks moving quickly, and your bank account full.

1. Prep Your Energy
   
   Have time set aside every day (even 5 minutes) to connect to that part of yourself which is about the passionate reason why you went into business in the first place. It’s this place that gives you access to the ideas, solutions, and “how to’s” that cannot be conceived of, created, or tapped into when you are so busy “doing” and “going 24-7.” And it’s those ideas that are the true golden nuggets of your business. You need them; so make space for them!
2. Get Going
   
   Marketing is the foundation to any business and one of the main things that keep entrepreneurs from marketing themselves is fixating about "getting it right." But this is where the famous popular sneaker phrase pops up, because it seriously is about jumping in and doing “it” and by that I mean ANYTHING. Just get moving. It’s better to do it wrong than not do it at all. At least the marketing energy is moving. Any shortcoming or small blunder will hardly ever wreck a business. However, getting so stuck in preparation that you never get started will stop you right in your tracks every time.
   
   If you need a bit of a marketing jumpstart, visit this site for some great resources: http://www.marketingsurvivalkit.com/
3. Stay Specific
   
   As entrepreneurs, we love opportunities! Moving from project to project is part of the entrepreneurial excitement. However, as business grows and more comes your way, you have to become a master of saying "no." By keeping your business specific and targeting only what you KNOW you are good at, you are always confident and calm in your work. You know how to market yourself, and you know whom you're marketing to and you feel great doing it. This is business magic.
4. Manage Your Marketing
   
   Again, the only way to make sure you stay in business is to always market. The best way to do that is to fit all the pieces of your marketing puzzle pieces together: book out your entire year in advance (e.g., networking meetings, speaking engagements, joint projects). Make sure you have something that is always scheduled on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. This way you don’t need to worry about where business is going to come from and then your energy is free to do what you love!
5. Don’t Fly Solo
   
   It seems when many entrepreneurs leave their jobs to "go solo," they believe they must work completely solo too. They insist on doing it all themselves. Get clear about what you can delegate and do it right away. Find someone to do what you’re not so great at or it takes a lot of your time and energy. Don’t let your budget stop you—there are interns, students, free-lancers, and virtual assistants. Keep your energy available for what you’re best at and business will boom! Some fantastic sites to get some great-in-your-budget help:

• www.craigslist.org/ - for interns, students and more.
• www.e-lance.com - freelancers galore here.
• www.assistu.com - ask for exactly what you want in a Virtual Assistant and then hear back from the best

About the author:

Heather Dominick, is an EnergyRICH™ Entrepreneur expert, with over 10 years of teaching and coaching experience. Heather's primary focus is in helping others identify sources for increasing productivity and profit in their businesses and lives. Her strengths include helping clients to articulate their life and business visions, and developing a strategic execution plan to achieve these goals.

Heather Dominick, is founder of the EnergyRICH Success System™, the proven step-by-step program to help you achieve your most profitable business and energized life. To sign up for her freebie how-to articles and no-charge teleclasses on how to create an EnergyRICH™ solo-preneur business, visit www.energyrichcoach.com.

Article Marketing & Copywriting Secret: How To Make Your Article TITLE Sell

By Christopher Knight

Most authors are wasting their time producing dozens to hundreds of high quality articles that never reach a fraction of their traffic potential. It's a darn shame.

When I review the behind-the-scenes traffic statistics on over 20,000 articles that have produced over 1 million monthly page views in my article marketing lab...ONE thing is clear: All articles are not created equal even when everything about them is identical except for the TITLE.

The reason is probably not what you think.

If you've been schooled on traditional copywriting, you know that in the offline world, the headline determines as much as 95% of the success of the book or article. This statistic takes into consideration what makes the book title successful: Whether a human buys it or not.

Article Marketing on the Internet is a whole different story because of the way your articles reach humans who have an interest in them.

MYTH: Most people will read your articles because they came to a website and started browsing just like they do if they were to have gone to a local book store to find a book of personal interest.

FACT: Wrong! Most people will search the Internet using one of the major search engines and they will be putting in between 1 to 5 keywords that are related to the topic of the article or information they are looking to locate. The search engines will then deliver results that best match the human's interest.

YOUR GOAL: To have your articles show up in the search engine results for the keywords and topics that are most related to the content of your article.

HOW?

You must embrace this TITLE creation & traffic-building truth:

The first 3-5 words of your TITLE determine the success of your article in terms of how much traffic your article will generate back to your website. Success can only be had when you create keyword rich titles for your articles that match the most commonly searched keywords for your topic.

How to determine which keywords are rich and the right ones to use for your article?

You'll need a keyword research tool. Some are free and some are fee-based. Overture.com has a popular keyword research tool that shows you the most common search results from the Yahoo search engines directory. If you want to see what's on "Google's Mind" you can try one of their current beta tools called "Google Suggest":
http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&complete=1

Whether you use a web-based keyword research tool or invest in one of the more advanced application level software keyword research tools, it's critical that you learn know how to do keyword research.

A "Good" vs. "Bad" TITLE Example:

Here is an example of the difference between a non-keyword rich TITLE vs. a very keyword rich TITLE that is proven to perform better in terms of traffic creation:

Bad TITLE Example:

"Top 9 Ways You Can Acquire Fractional Jet Ownership"

Excellent Keyword Rich Title Example:

Fractional Jet Ownership - 9 Strategies to Help You Acquire Your Private Jet

Why is it more effective?

Because it does not waste the first 3 words of the title with meaningless garbage words like "top" or the number "9" or "ways"...and gets right to the important words that might be found when someone is using a search engine to research a topic related to your article.

You'll also notice in my example that I included the word "Private" Jet. Why? Because my keyword research said that people who search for fractional jet also search for the word "private jet" and therefore I wanted to boost the chances that my title would be found by a larger number of potential visitors to the article.

Two recommendations on what NOT to do:

1) Don't include garbage characters in your TITLE such as quotes, tildes, asterisks or anything else that a search engines has to work hard to discard in order to understand the TITLE of your article.

2) Do not engage in any search engine spam technique by having keyword rich TITLES that have nothing to do with the topic of your article. You'll only be hurting yourself as the search engines already aggressively filter out bad behavior like this.

YOUR INTELLIGENT KEYWORD RICH TITLE COPYWRITING CONCLUSION:

If you want to maximize your results from any article marketing strategy, you must master keyword research so that you can create keyword rich and intelligent article TITLES. Your pay off will be massive amounts of traffic to your articles and website thanks to the search engines who love smart keyword rich TITLES!

About The Author:

Christopher M. Knight invites you to submit your best quality original articles for massive exposure to the high-traffic http://EzineArticles.com/ expert author community. When you submit your articles to EzineArticles.com, your articles will be picked up by ezine publishers who will reprint your articles with your content and links intact giving you traffic surges to help you increase your sales.

Have You Done A Marketing Study?

By Claude Pelanne

Before you decide to begin your marketing campaign you need to choose a product or service. Once you have done that you should begin to define who your customer is and then do more research on the customer profile.

Elements that go into your customer profile are age, sex, economic status, ethnic background; in other words, descriptors that can influence the decision to buy.

Next, you want to find out what need your product or service will satisfy. For that, you want to get an idea of a problem or situation that will drive demand. Does your customer profile make a good target for what you will be offering as an affiliate marketer?

You also need to research the size of your market and what segments of that market are more apt to demand what you have to offer. There could be a revenue stream designed for each clearly defined segment of your target population.

Your research should also look into market size and growth over the near and long term. Is demand going to increase or decrease? If it is going to change over time; how can you best position yourself for future growth?

What system can you develop to get constant feedback in order to stay on top of the changes in demand?

You will also have to get a good idea of the competitive landscape to see who your competition is and how they are serving your target population. For this you will want to do Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat Analysis (or SWOT for short) in order to increase your chances of positioning yourself for greater success. You need to develop a very strong understanding of where your competition is coming from to position your product or service in the marketplace.

If you take the time to follow these steps, you will be better prepared to have your affiliate marketing campaign deliver results and drive your business forward.

Good luck and may your travels be prosperous.

About the author:

Over the past 20 years Claude Pelanne has worked in a series of startup ventures including some of the first commercial webcasts. He is an internet marketer and serial entrepreneur.

Money Rules for Couples!

by sharman Lawson

If you're thinking about getting married or have been married for years, it is never too late to establish some money rules for your relationship. Setting the standard and rules for money will eliminate conflict, headaches, frustration, anxiety, and worry. Also, if you have established rules for managing money it can help you avoid getting in debt and messing up your credit in the future. Keep reading. Below are some money guidelines to help you as a couple now and for the future.

1. Do not make the mistake of starting your marriage by purchasing everything it took your parents a lifetime to accumulate. Try to plan your lifestyle on one salary.

2. Do not take for granted that you and your spouse think the same about money and how you should spend it. Good names and credit are ruined daily because couples fail to plan their spending, shopping, purchases and paying of bills.

3. Save for the unexpected by having an emergency fund. Set aside savings first from your paycheck. The goal is to save three to six months of wages in case of emergencies, because anything can happen.

4. Plan for your kids and family. Kids get more expensive with age, so plan and determine how many your family can afford.

5. Honor and respect your credit rating. Pay your bills on time to keep the best credit score and interest rates. Better credit means more money saved.

6. Do not be an impulsive buyer. If so, you can kill your chances of enjoying the good life. Avoid door-to-door sales people and shopping on television. Compare products and prices. Do not be penny wise and dollar foolish.

7. Do not sign a contract or agreement without reading it completely. Be sure that all blanks have been filled in and that all verbal agreements have been put in writing.

8. Do not rob yourself of future wealth by securing new high interest loans to pay off old due bills. This method buys you time, but does not pay your bills.

9. Do not purchase a car or anything on an installment plan without looking into the true annual rate of interest, taxes, and maintenance. Shop for your credit as well as your merchandise.

10. Compare the costs of renting versus buying by including all of the costs of home ownership. Besides monthly payments: down payment, taxes, insurance, closing cost, and maintenance.

About the author:

Sharman Lawson is a debt, money, financial and life coach. Also, she is a speaker and author of the book 12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever. Sharman Lawson and her husband paid off all their debt including their mortgage, in less than five years, on a combined income of less than $50,000 a year. Contact Sharman Lawson at 770.429.9670 for a FREE 30 minute no obligation consultation. Visit her website at www.freedomconceptsusa.com.

Contact the Author
Sharman Lawson
Debt Free Living and Financial Freedom
slawson@freedomconceptsusa.com
More Details about Money tips, debt help, budget help here.

File Taxes for Free – It’s Easy as 1-2-3!

By Sharman Lawson

It's that time of the year that most people dread and wish would go away -- It's tax time! Have you done your taxes yet? Did you pay someone to prepare them? I'm here to tell you that what you don't know can hurt you. Unfortunately, one thing I have learned helping people manage their finances, is that many are perishing because they lack knowledge. Truth -- this world's system is set up to separate you from your hard-earned money, and if you keep reading you'll understand why.

I just talked to a lady named Linda who paid $200 to a tax preparer that took 45 minutes to tell her she owed $8,500. Linda's adjusted gross income was less than $50,000. The tax preparer never asked her if she had a mortgage, gave to charities or if she had any deductions. Linda was just a number and part of the preparer's production -- After I helped Linda she owed $2,800 -- Big difference!

Linda's first mistake, not knowing that she could prepare and e-file her taxes for free! Yes -- I said for free. Is your adjusted gross income (AGI) less than $50,000? If so, you can prepare your taxes for free, too. Go to www.irs.gov to prepare your federal taxes for free. Last month I walked a client through the process to do her taxes for free; she received a refund of $5,600. She said, "For years I have paid $200 to a tax preparer; now I feel empowered and more in control of my finances."

To get your state taxes prepared for free go to your state income tax website. There you should be able to prepare and e-file your taxes for free, if they offer it. Most states offer the free service. If you prepare your state taxes on the "free" federal website they will charge you for preparing the state taxes. If you are expecting a refund, you can e-file, and get your refund deposited into your bank account within 10 days.

Here are a few additional tips to help you prepare to have a more pleasant tax experience. My favorite word is plan, plan, and plan. Therefore, you should start each January planning for the next tax year. I believe having a plan and strategy will lessen the burden and pain of taxes owed, and you never know you may get a refund with proper preparation.

Contribute to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA): For 2007 you can put a maximum of $4,000 towards your IRA for yourself, and if you are married your spouse can put a maximum of $4,000 even if they do not work. That is an $8,000 deduction before you get to your adjusted gross income (AGI).

Give to your church or favorite charity: What a great way to accomplish two goals! One you are helping yourself and the other you are helping someone else. You can deduct your giving 100% on your Schedule A form for itemized deductions. Also, if you give items to places like the Salvation Army or the Goodwill, you can write those items off by estimating their value.

Deduct your property taxes and car tag expenses: Your taxes on your property and car tags are tax deductible. This is when you want to count every penny you can. Why pay Uncle Sam a dime if you don't have to -- He gives you permission to find ways to avoid paying him legally.

Be sure to include your mortgage interest: This is what the average person lives for, writing off their mortgage interest on their taxes. With all the interest you pay on your home, why not use it when you need it to benefit you.

Start a part-time business on the side: I always encourage people to start a part-time business on the side for the following reasons:

* You might find your purpose and passion

* You might make extra income or make a lot of income

* If you have a home office you may be able to deduct a percentage of your utilities and mortgage.

* Additionally, you may be able to write-off your car maintenance and expenses or mileage, office supplies, some insurance, and many other deductions that you may not be aware of.

* Having a business with tax deductions can be a tool that you can use to pay less taxes

The bottom line, people perish financially because they lack knowledge, a plan, and basic organization. Building wealth is not based on how much money you make; it is based on how much money you keep. Find out what is available to you for free, research what tax breaks you can legally take advantage of, and start planning your taxes in January of each year so you will have a strategy how not to pay taxes.

Have you prepared your taxes yet? You have the information and tools to get started, so go for it!

About the author:

Sharman Lawson is a debt, money, financial and life coach. Also, she is a speaker and author of the book 12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever. Sharman Lawson and her husband paid off all their debt including their mortgage, in less than five years, on a combined income of less than $50,000 a year. Contact Sharman Lawson at 770.429.9670 for a FREE 30 minute no obligation consultation. Visit her website at www.freedomconceptsusa.com.

Contact the Author
Sharman Lawson
Debt Free Living and Financial Freedom
slawson@freedomconceptsusa.com

12 Ways to Strengthen Your Small Business

by Marnie Pehrson

1. Consider Bartering with companies that normally wouldn't buy from you. Bartering overstocked inventory that you won't be able to move, is a great way to turn it into cash. Here's an example. Let's say you have 3 older model fax machines in stock that no one wants to buy. If you were a member of a barter exchange, you could barter these for travel accommodations, airline flights, food, a Web site for your company, printing, office supplies, etc. You can also barter other products you might sell like health & beauty products and services, consulting services, used cars, medical services, etc. To find a credible barter exchange in your area, visit the National Association of Trade Exchanges.

2. Offer gifts or incentives as birthday presents to your customers, incentives for referrals, or as incentives to get clients/prospects to fill out surveys and questionnaires.

3. Strengthen your niche - If you are a desktop publisher specializing in resumes, expand into brochure and business card creation. If you sell computers, start offering a free hour of training with the purchase of a new computer.

4. Volunteer to Speak - develop an informative short speech on your computer field and volunteer to speak at your local Chamber of Commerce, clubs, churches, women's groups, etc. Once you have your presentation skills down, you might even be able to start speaking at paying seminars.

5. Advertise through groups you belong to. Put an ad in your local church directory, school newsletter, neighborhood newsletter, etc. It makes people feel good to buy within their communities.

6. Get to know other businesses that service your prospects. If you own a local sporting goods store, get to know the management of sports & fitness centers, golf courses, bowling alleys, batting cages, etc. Work out referral programs and co-marketing programs with them.

7. Send a letter and 2-3 copies of your flier to all of your clients. Let them know how much you appreciate them and how you'd like to have more clients just like them. Ask them to pass on the extra fliers to 1-2 friends.

8. Remind existing clients of all your products/services. If you offer a variety of products and services your clients may only know you offer the one service they use. Send out a flyer and let them know everything you do. Existing customers are already sold on you, so make sure they know to come to you with their needs!

9. Brainstorm. What do you offer that the competition doesn't? A guarantee? Phone support? Zone in on what you do different and better and emphasize these in your literature. Maybe even print a list of your extraordinary benefits on the back of your business card.

10. Remove the Risk for the Prospect. Use money back guarantees. Be specific.

11. Team up with other venders of similar products and services to offer turnkey solutions.

12. Create Packages. Let's say you operate a beauty shop. You could give clients a free manicure with a hair cut and perm.

About the author:

Marnie Pehrson, a mother of 6, has been highlighting truth and talent for 15 years. Whether it's writing a novel that spotlights individuals who've made a difference in the world or helping a talented entrepreneur create a platform for his life's work, Marnie underscores truth and talent in innovative and compelling ways. She is the creator of www.IdeaMarketers.com and helps experts promote their products and services online. For more information on her various projects and books, visit http://www.pwgroup.com.

Contact the Author
Marnie Pehrson
Creating a Platform for Your Expertise
marnie@pwgroup.com
More Details about http://www.MarniePehrson.com here.

5 Strategies for Reliably Hitting Your Marketing Goals

By Marnie Perhson

It's been 15 years since I played basketball, and talk about being rusty when I picked up a ball the other night to shoot. Shots were flying everywhere, missing the backboard, totally uncontrolled. Thoroughly embarrassed, I hoped no one was paying attention to me shooting at a corner freestanding goal.

After a few minutes, my father's voice came into my mind, ''Use the backboard, Marnie.'' I aimed at the top corner of the square, and sure enough, it went in. Still my motor control was pathetic, my focus wandered and the ball flew in crazy directions. ''Get control, keep your eye on that corner of the square,'' I told myself. After 40 minutes of shooting, I made 27 out of 30 shots -- a far cry from the pathetic way in which I started the evening.

From this brief experience I learned five important lessons about not only making a basket, but success in business endeavors. You might say, ''Business? What in the world does shooting a basketball have to do with business?'' Believe me, a lot … specifically marketing your business.

1. Keep Your Eye on the Target

Notice I didn't say ''Keep Your Eye on the Goal.'' If I looked at the goal when shooting the basketball, I missed more shots than if I looked at the top corner of the square on the backboard. In business, if your goal is ''I want to gross a half a million dollars this year'' and that is what you focus on, you probably won't achieve that goal. It's too big to digest. Instead, create and concentrate on supportive marketing steps that help you achieve the ultimate goal.

For example, if you need 720 new customers this year to make a half a million dollars, then you need 60 new customers per month (720/12 months). If you normally get a 2% response from your marketing methods, then you know you need to contact 3,000 people each month through your marketing methods to get 60 new customers (60 is 2% of 3,000).

If you concentrate on your monthly goal of reaching 3,000 new people each month and how you will do that, you'll have much greater success than ''I want to gross a half a million dollars this year.'' It's a marketing bank shot.

2. Build Stamina, but Rest as Needed

Being totally out of shape, it wasn't long before my lack of stamina led to sloppy shots. After twenty minutes, I decided to sit down so I could come back refreshed. Those few minutes made the difference and I was able to come back and achieve 27 out of 30 shots.

In business, sometimes we think that the longer and harder we work the more successful we will be. There is a point at which working hard leads to diminishing returns. We get sloppy, and lose perspective. Taking a break, a vacation or even a long weekend can help us come back with a renewed fresh perspective, enabling us to see solutions we couldn't have earlier.

3. Consistency – Do What Works

Once you find something that works, stick with it. Many of us have a tendency to tinker with what's working until we end up messing it up. I'm not saying you shouldn't test; but test on a small scale, and keep records. Keep a log of the marketing methods you are using, the response rates you get, and the sales volume and profits you generate. Keep a history of sales letters, telephone techniques, or brochures you used and how they worked. Keep screen shots of your Web site and how it looked at different points and track your corresponding sales and bottom-line profits.

If you find something that works, stick with it. Find ways to duplicate it in places and ways you haven't before. For example, if you find a good newspaper ad that works, try it in other newspapers, trade magazines, or online classifieds. Keep multiplying what works.

4. Keep it Under Control

Just as you need good motor control in basketball to direct your shots, in business you need to keep control of your enterprise. Delegate wisely; don't let your growth push you to a point where you don't have the time or resources to keep it within control.

5. Follow Through

Whatever marketing method you use, follow through. Periodically follow-up with leads. Keep a database of prospects and contact them periodically. They may not have been ready to buy when they first found you, but they may be ready 3 months from now. A periodic newsletter is a great way to stay in constant contact with your customers and prospects. Follow-up autoresponders that send a series of letters in succession can also work well. These types of autoresponders are available from www.getresponse.com

A bonus encouragement tip ...

Some people feel that they don't have a knack for business or that they don't have an eye for what works, but with a bank-shot approach to business where you concentrate on supportive goals, even someone without a great business eye can reap rewards. I say this because, due to a lazy left eye I have no depth perception. According to optometrists, I shouldn't even be able to play ball. Yet with a bank shot, it doesn't matter if my depth perception is a little off, because when you bank a shot off the backboard, it can handle a little variation in the softness/hardness with which you throw the ball. A bank shot compensates for lack of natural ability. It may not be the prettiest shot in the world, but it is reliable.

Likewise, anyone who is willing to set business goals and break them down into supportive logical steps, be consistent, readjust where necessary, multiply what works and follow through can be a success.

About the author:

Marnie Pehrson, a mother of 6, has been highlighting truth and talent for 15 years. Whether it's writing a novel that spotlights individuals who've made a difference in the world or helping a talented entrepreneur create a platform for his life's work, Marnie underscores truth and talent in innovative and compelling ways. She is the creator of www.IdeaMarketers.com and helps experts promote their products and services online. For more information on her various projects and books, visit http://www.pwgroup.com.

Contact the Author
Marnie Pehrson
Creating a Platform for Your Expertise
marnie@pwgroup.com
More Details about http://www.MarniePehrson.com here.

Top 10 Grow Your Small Business Strategies for 2008

By Janis Pettit

Here is my Top 10 List:

1) Organize and Focus Your Energy

You have 4 types of energy-time, physical energy, mental energy, money energy. The first 3 are finite, meaning you can't increase the amount that you have; only the way you use them. The 4th, money, increases as a result of your use of the other 3. If you use the majority of your work time, mental and physical energy to focus on your top, income generating activities your business will boom. Stop wasting time on administrative tasks, answering phone calls that are not important (get caller ID), constantly checking e-mail (this is tendency I'm working on), and other non-priority tasks. Monitor and rate yourself on your time use everyday for a week and you'll be amazed at what you find.

2) Improve your website

Your website is your portal to the world. It needs to look clean, well designed and professional. It needs to have content that answers the visitor's question, "what's in it for me?" It needs to provide valuable information and resources, not just be an online brochure. And it needs to be improved and updated regularly.

How to Make Your Website Sell

3) Expand your online marketing

It's becoming harder to get people to your website as the number of competitors increases. So you need to have a multi-pronged strategy to get people there. You can publish and distribute articles online, use social network marketing by setting up pages at Facebook, Squidoo, My Space, submitting online press releases, blogging. Make a video and post it on YouTube and on your site. This is easy and very powerful-it's like having a virtual sales person. Pick three activities that could drive traffic to your website and do them every week. Your web traffic will significantly increase meaning more leads and clients.

4) Build an online subscriber list

Have a sign up form on your website and send regular e-newsletters to your subscribers with valuable information. When you're networking or speaking to a group, ask everyone to sign up for your list as well. This gives you an opportunity to market to them and build a value-added relationship that establish trust and increase your sales. Your subscriber/prospect list is very valuable.

5) Do smart networking

Lots of new business owners waste time networking randomly with little positive result. Network where you find your target client, or where you can meet others who already have the clients you want. They could become gatekeepers who introduce you to their client list.

6) Educate, don't sell

Many small and solo business owners don't like to sell and it keeps them from growing. Always educate prospects. If you are a good speaker, offer to speak to relevant groups and educate them about your area of expertise. Spark curiosity, make them want to know more and they will approach you. When you meet a prospect individually, ask them lots of questions about their business and goals. Then educate them a bit. They will really respond if you focus on them and not on what you do.

7) Build relationships through giveaways

Whether you want to entice someone to sign up for your list, respond to an advertisement or purchase a product, offer a valuable giveaway to establish your value as an expert. This could be an e-book, white paper, audio, video, workbook, case study or report. If people feel you only want to sell them something, but they don't yet have a relationship with you, they're unlikely to buy. Make sure what you're offering is unique and provides information your target client would appreciate.

8) Outsource and automate

Make a wish list of what you would like to be able to automate in your business. Chances are there is a simple way to do it. Do some research online or ask a tech savvy friend and then overcome any technophobia you have and automate. Organize your e-mail, master use of an autoresponder, learn how to make simple changes to your website, learn to make a simple audio or video (I'm working on this now). In the end, it will save you precious time and will enhance your ability to easily manage and market your business.

Then make a plan to outsource those daily tasks that are not profit generating, like routine admin tasks, online marketing like article and press release submissions, web maintenance and bookkeeping (everyone's most disliked task!). Most outsourcing can be done inexpensively and easily. Save your time for running your business and servicing your clients.

9) Pick three marketing streams and measure them for ROI

It's unrealistic to think that you can do every marketing activity at the same time. To get a really great return on investment for the time and money you devote to marketing, pick three activities or "marketing streams" that you feel will yield the best results and tightly focus your energy there. For example, if public speaking and blogging has worked well for you, focus on getting more speaking engagements and posting to and publicizing your blog. Otherwise it's too easy to get overwhelmed.

And my top pick for 2008 is:

10) Locate and form relationships and strategic alliances with joint venture partners.

You can spend time and money finding and selling to one client at a time, or you can find partners who have already spent time and money acquiring these clients and offer them a percentage of sales to endorse your service to their clients. After all their clients already trust them and will be more likely to buy what they recommend. This can be done online or off. Form key relationships with people in your vertical industry or in other industries whose clients or subscribers could benefit from your services, nurture those relationships, and create a win-win alliance that will dramatically increase profits for both of you.

More than 20% of the revenue generated by the top 2000 US and European companies were the result of strategic alliances. Small and solo business owners can see even more dramatic results. 
In 2008 I'll be running tele-seminars that will dig into many of these topics (plus more), and offer help and resources so you can implement them in your business.

About the author:

Janis Pettit is a small business growth and marketing expert, author and veteran entrepreneur. She has coached hundreds of business owners, helping them explode their sales and build a six figure income from their small or solo business. If you want to learn How to Promote and Market Your Small Business Website Online and Sell More Products and Services with Little or No Money go to http://MaximizeYourWebsiteNow.com

Just Say No and See Your Business Grow

By Janis Pettit

I guess it's just human nature to want others to like us and think well of us. We are brought up to conform, be polite and meet the expectations of the important or powerful people in our lives. We women are especially indoctrinated with these expectations and sometimes we feel we're letting people down if we say NO.

However the inability to say NO can become a real hindrance in our businesses. There are certain times when saying NO is essential in order for us to move forward. But often we hesitate, even when we know that NO is the right answer to someone's request, whether it be a family member, a client, an organization, or even a charity.

Here are some ways saying No can help your business grow:

SITUATION: You have a client who always wants you to do more for them than the work that's clearly spelled out in your contract, and they want you to do it without charging them extra. I've had this situation come up both in my business and with my clients. There are several ways you can say no and prevent this from happening in the future.

SOLUTION: Tell them you'd be happy to do the work and exactly how much extra that would cost. If they seem unhappy, review the contract with them and explain that their request was not included in the scope of the work they paid for. If instead, you agree to do the extra work without getting paid, you de-value your time and you train them to do the same with you again, or with someone else.

To avoid this happening in the future, continue to refine the language in your contract to set clear boundaries on what is included in your service and to define in more detail what isn't included. This means clear, precise language about the amount time you will be spending on the project and what cooperation you need from your client in order to do the best job possible.

SITUATION: Someone wants to hire you or your company and tries to talk down your rate or price to a level where the job is only marginally profitable, or will take an inordinate amount of time. You think you need to accept because you feel guilty saying NO and turning down work.

SOLUTION: If you don't value your worth as an expert; if you don't believe you are providing significant value to your clients; if you don't have a clear understanding of how to reach your profit goals-who will? Go for ideal clients, or at least clients who really value what you do for them and say NO to the rest. You will end up with a more profitable business, and you'll be happier and much less stressed.

SITUATION: You are asked to serve on a committee or on the board of a business association and you feel overwhelmed at the idea and the time it will take. You feel guilty saying NO, worrying that you will offend or be looked upon poorly.

SOLUTION: You need to have a lifestyle plan that includes time for all priority activities first, like serving clients, marketing, family time etc. After that, if there's time to spare, go ahead and sign up. If not, politely explain that you're flattered, but that you'll need to consider it in the future as you feel you couldn't do the quality job that the organization needs done at this time because of time constraints.

SITUATION: You have an employee or virtual assistant who is no longer an asset to your business. She is costing you time and frustration but you keep putting off saying no to her continued employment with you.

SOLUTION: You're not helping her by avoiding the inevitable. She may no longer be a fit for your business. Let her move in to a job that is a better fit. Your business changes and so do your needs. As difficult as it is to let her go, do it in a professional and compassionate way and move on. 
I think you're getting the drift here. Try saying NO on time demands that give you a knot in the pit of your stomach and suddenly you'll begin to feel more powerful and in control of your business and your life.

True entrepreneurs have mastered this.

About the author:

Janis Pettit, a veteran entrepreneur and expert small business coach, has helped hundreds of small business owners worldwide reach their profit and personal potential. She is co-author of 136 Ways to Market Your Small or Solo Business, and her articles are published internationally. For valuable tools, resources, free newsletter and tele-classes, visit http://www.smallbusiness-bigresults.com

How Control-Freak-Itis Can Derail Your Success

By Melanie Benson Strick

Imagine what it would be like if you could run a profitable six, seven or eight figure business and enjoy as much freedom as you desire? 

For many, the moment you decide to grow your business you simultaneously think of all the hard work ahead. You begin to question the dream and wonder if it's really worth it.

That's because you erroneously believe that the only path to making more money is working more. You fear you will have to give up on your precious dreams of spending more time with the kids, traveling to exotic vacations or even just having the freedom to enjoy your Tuesday any way you like.

What if you could tap into a simple way to achieve your dream – without having to work more?

Well, that's what I did. I found a simple way to accomplish my bigger dream by leveraging the power of a virtual team.  A virtual team can be virtual assistants, contractors or experts who work from their own home to help you accomplish
your tasks in record time.

The problem is that many people know about this strategy but still don't do it. I hear reasons like, "I can't afford it, I don't have time to teach someone else, I can do it myself, etc." But the one that always breaks my heart is, "I'm
afraid to let go of the control. What if my team doesn't do it right?"

Control-Freak-Itis is a common syndrome among entrepreneurs around the world. It's almost like some type of genetic code is implanted that says, "No one can do it as good as me so why bother!"

Actually, if you have a dream to make consistent revenue over six figures while enjoying a lifestyle then you MUST learn to let go so other's can help you. You will need to build a team. It's impossible to experience your desired
success any other way. There will never be enough time and energy to accomplish it all.

So how do you overcome Control-Freak-Itis so you can delegate effectively?

First, you have to change your MINDSET.

You might do something well but that is not a reason to do it. Timothy Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, says "You need to create space to do what matters most." For instance, if you are good at tweaking your website but you are worth over $100/hour when working with a client or doing an interview, every hour you spend on your website is a waste of your time because you could pay someone $35/hour to fix it.

That means you have to come to terms that just because you are good at something doesn't mean you should do it. Would Donald Trump fix his own site? Nope.

Second, you have to know WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT.

Is it more important to get done perfectly or to get done? The answer should be the second one but many of us waste weeks on end trying to get things perfect. There is a great saying, "Good is good enough!"

Recently I began to delegate more and more of managing my team to a couple of key individuals. It allows me to stay focused on growing and creating rather than being a manager. Does it always get done EXACTLY the way I want? No. Does it get done in a way I can live with? Yes. And as my friend Ali Brown, says, "No smaller children or animals were harmed."

Third, you have to hire the RIGHT PEOPLE.

The single greatest mistake that entrepreneurs make when building their team is to hire from their gut alone. Our instincts play an important role but when interviewing candidates, there is a specific process you must use to ensure
you get the right people in the right roles. Otherwise, chaos and  disappointment can ensue.

In our last Virtual Team Building Tele-Bootcamp, a participant uncovered (finally) that the person who was not completing projects on time and who was avoiding her calls was not a bad person, just a bad fit for the role. When you
discover how to identify the RIGHT candidates, then your team begins to work like magic.

Fourth, you have to have SYSTEMS.

A good system defines how and when something will be done. The idea is to be able to replicate an activity so it gets done the way YOU WANT. With proper systems, you can pretty much hand off anything to anyone (even a 16 year old) who can take care of it for you. Systems can be created for how you respond to an email or phone call, the thought process you use to evaluate an opportunity or even a script for following up with a potential client. The reason many business owners shy away from giving up control is that they have not yet created a system so they don't know HOW to get someone to do it the way they want.

Fifth, you have to have TRUST.

Trust is what comes when you have the four steps above. Trust is earned through consistent, predictable behavior that is aligned with your target goals. Trust is what allows the Control-Freak-Itis to melt away so you can truly accomplish massive results with a team.

If you find yourself slipping back into micro-management or controlling behaviors, it's likely that your trust has been compromised and it's time to revisit one of the previous steps. The important thing is that you recognize the
signs early enough to repair the relationship so you can go back into trust.

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About the expert(s):

Melanie Benson Strick, Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach, founded Success Connections in 2001 when she left behind a lucrative Corporate job to pursue her passion in life – transforming the lives of overwhelmed, burned out entrepreneurs. Having learned first hand the difference between a struggling solo-practice and a thriving six+ figure business, Melanie works exclusively with entrepreneurs who want to skyrocket their profits so they can experience more time off.

Small Business Success Secret: Focus on Your Genius Work

By Rose Hill

Do you know what your genius work is? It's the highest and best use of your time. It's the best leverage your business has in the marketplace.

You're doing your genius work when your activities are producing the 
greatest results in the shortest period of time.

You know you're doing your genius work when you enter the state of flow - that state when time is altered for you. When you are so engaged in what you are doing that hours can pass without you noticing.

When you are not spending as much time as possible doing your genius work, your business is a struggle. It's difficult and frustrating. And it is not going to be a place that makes your heart sing or your feet want to jump out of bed in the morning.

To identify your genius work, ask yourself these questions:

• Out of all the tasks that must be done in my business, which ones can only be done by me?
  
• What do I do in my business that has the biggest impact on the bottom line?
  
• What do my clients tell me is different, unique, or special about my business?
  
• What am I doing when I lose all sense of time? 
  
• Are the items on my today's "To-Do List" only things I do 
  magnificiently?

As a business owner your genius work might include activities such as:

• Delivering presentations or proposals to prospective clients
  
• Selecting your business strategies for the coming year
  
• Contacting and meeting with someone representing a potential referral or alliance partner
  
• Leading your workshops or teleclasses
  
• Writing a new draft of your service offerings for the coming year
  
• Reviewing the work done by your subcontractors prior to delivery to the client
  
• Describing your business branding and desired image to you web design vendor

When you begin to focus your time and energy on your genius work, and learn to delegate those tasks and activities that are a struggle for you to your subcontractors, your business is positioned for growth.

As a bonus, you'll find you have more time for a personal life. In fact, it is not uncommon for you to be able to reclaim between 10 and 20 hours each week by learning to use your subcontractors more effectively.

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About the expert(s):  Rose Hill SoloBizU.com (503) 245-4188 www.SoloBizU.com

5 Free Marketing Tips That Will Kick Your Business Into Gear

by Marnie Pehrson

You may have the best product or service in the world, but if people don't know about it, you won't make a dime. You must get the word out and it's a wise small business owner who schedules marketing into his or her workweek. It doesn't have to be difficult. If you let your mind run free and brainstorm a little, you can come up with some innovative and fun ways to market your business. Here are five ideas for spicing up your marketing.

1. Tap into Your Expertise

PR and Media expert Nancy Marmolejo gives this tip, "As an entrepreneur, you're an expert in your specific field. When you gather up your expertise and present it to the public as information, then it helps by

• showcasing your talent and expertise,
• increasing your "know-like-trust" factor, and
• cementing your credibility as an expert.

You'll find yourself pushing less and less with your marketing and welcoming a steady stream of presold prospects who find your information irresistible. Start out by publishing tips, articles, blogs, or using social media." Pick up Nancy Marmolejo free audio, 7 Quick and Simple Tips to Stand Out and Sizzle as a Sought After, Recognized Expert.

2. Market to Your Existing Customers

Solo-Entrepreneur expert and founder of www.Solo-e.com, Terri Zwierzynski, shares this tip, "Instead of focusing your marketing on getting new business, turn your attention to your existing customers for a change. Send them an unexpected thank you card or gift, or offer them an unadvertised bonus or special. Make it personal -- do something that lets them know they are a VIP client. If you treat all your clients this way, they will feel special -- and they'll be likely to tell someone else about you, which is ten times as powerful as any marketing message you could write for yourself!"

3. Change Headlines in Your Copy and Test Reponses

Allan Katz, copywriting expert, explained, "Which will get you the most response? Buy One Get One Free, Half Price, or 50 percent OFF? They all mean the same thing, but one will always outpull the rest by almost 4-1. Changing a headline in your direct response ad copy can boost your readership and attract more qualified prospects to buy your products and services. Use action words in your headlines and copy to entice the reader to take action. Weave a story throughout your text as you give a little information and tease your prospect into delving further into your products and services."

4. Harness the Power of a Win-Win

Home schooling expert and long-time internet entrepreneur, Lisa Preston gives this tip, "Partner with local businesses to create a special deal for referrals. For instance, if you're a landscaper you could partner with a bank in your locale. Give them a special landscape discount package (i.e. $300 discount coupon for complete service) to offer anyone who applies for a home mortgage. This technique makes the bank look good as they're giving away a $300 gift and puts your face in front of the exact people who would need your services." To get more tips from Lisa Prestion along these lines read Insider Secrets to Follow Up Marketing Fortunes.

5. Build Relationships

Marketing is about building relationships with your clients, prospects, site visitors and joint venture partners. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to build relationships online is via Social Media. "It's a great way to extend your reach because you're able to get your name and information to different sites and reach people that you would not have otherwise," says article marketing expert, Jeff Herring. Advertising and marketing expert, Michele PW, also offers this suggestion when using social media to build your business, "Don't be too quick to start selling. Put the relationship first; let the selling come later. Think of how you would approach someone offline. If you keep that as a guideline you'll be fine." For either a written transcript or an audio recording of "How to Build Your Business with Social Media" go here.

About the Author
Marnie Pehrson, Ringgold, GA, USA
marnie@pwgroup.com
http://www.MarniePehrson.com Marnie Pehrson, a mother of 6, has been highlighting truth and talent for nearly 20 years. Whether it's writing a novel that spotlights individuals who've made a difference in the world or helping a talented entrepreneur create a platform for his life's work, or conducting a workshop on how to live by faith so you can let your own light shine, Marnie underscores truth and talent in innovative and compelling ways. She is the creator of www.IdeaMarketers.com and other sites that help people promote their products and services online. For more information on her various projects and books, visit http://www.pwgroup.com.

5 Key Elements to Quick-Start a High Payoff Virtual Team

By Melanie Benson Strick

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Once you realize you are ready to delegate to others you are probably going to want to get started quickly. That’s how we work as entrepreneurs, an idea gets in our head and we leap forward.

Typically we rush to bring a new team member on board because we need help now – we can’t wait to get rid of the overwhelm and start making more money and having some much needed time off! But somehow the workflow just gets worse – what we delegate doesn’t get done properly, we continue to drown in a sea of unfinished tasks and our new team member wonders why we aren’t delegating very much to them.

But leaping forward will not get you more time off, money in the bank and much needed sanity! Leaping can get you and your new team frustrated and overwhelmed because you are missing the foundation for a high performance ramp up!

How can you quick start your team without taking your eye off the money flow?

Here are five key elements that can easily remedy most common hiring mistakes.

1. Create a vision statement. Make sure you have written out what you want your life and business to be like when you hire the person. Don’t skip this step – it really is crucial to attracting the right people to co-create the experience you want.

2. Develop a role description. Map out exactly what you want the person to accomplish for you. This will also help with estimating the number of hours to plan for. This one step can save you tons of mistakes.

3. Identify your standards, values and vision for your company. If your standard is to respond to phone calls within 24 hours and your VA’s is to return calls within 5 days, you could have a problem. Communicate your vision of how things should happen up front to ensure tasks are done the way YOU want them to be done.

4. Create a checklist of skills, work style preferences and resources team members must have. Do they need to have experience in your particular trade/ industry? Do you use Microsoft Outlook and need to be compatible? Do you prefer to work with self-starters who need little guidance or want to be intimately involved in the day to day operations with them?

5. Take time to interview and check references. Interview at least three to five candidates. Ask questions like, “Tell me about a time when you didn’t know how to complete a job, what did you do?” or “How did you learn how to perform your duties at your last job?”

Every entrepreneur I know resists this process at first. And within a few months, they can’t figure out why this “team thing” isn’t working. I have a saying, “slower + smoother = faster.” Slow down and do this “team thing” right the first time, things will go smoother, and you will get to the million + bank account in record time.

Need help? Want templates for the steps outlined above? Check out the Virtual Team Building Tele-Bootcamp to find out how you can save tons of time and money with our proven system that takes you by the hand to find your ideal dream team.

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About the author:

Melanie Benson Strick, Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach, founded Success Connections in 2001 when she left behind a lucrative Corporate job to pursue her passion in life – transforming the lives of overwhelmed, burned out entrepreneurs. Having learned first hand the difference between a struggling solo-practice and a thriving six+ figure business, Melanie works exclusively with entrepreneurs who want to skyrocket their profits so they can experience more time off.

Organize Your Money!

by Sharman Lawson

Organization is the key to a balanced life! Organization saves you time, energy, frustration, and confusion. To be organized means to be efficient in the way separate elements are arranged into a consistent structure. In other words, everything has its place, find the place, and when you're done put it back. In all my years of counseling people in the area of personal finances, one of the biggest issues that cause money woes is the lack of organization.

When you are not organized life feels chaotic, excruciating, and out of control. You can actually feel your sanity slipping away. But like everything else in life -- you need to admit that you have organization issues, and that you want to change. Next, you need to make a commitment to get organized, and get your life in order. Then come up with a plan. If you're too overwhelmed to get started, have a friend or a professional help you get organized. Your life and financial future depends on it.

Organize your time -- Use a calendar, palm pilot, or organizer to manage your time. Think of your time as money. When you waste your time you are throwing away money, so plan and schedule your time.

Organize your files -- Start a paper filing system. Get manila folders to organize statements, bills, letters, and other important papers. If it's important it should have a place to go.

Track your money -- Know exactly how much money comes in and out of your household each month and year. Whether it's regular salaries, bonuses, part-time, or business income keep track. What are you spending your hard-earned money on? Track all your outgoing expenses for 30 days by keeping receipts and writing down expenses. Put the receipts in an envelope and label it by the month. Categorize your receipts and add each category up to get a total. This will give you a good idea how you use your money each month.

Pay your bills on time -- Keep all your bills in one place, separate bills by due dates, come up with 2-3 days of the month to write out and mail bills, and pay bills 4-5 days before due date.

Automate your savings/investments -- Organize your time and money by having a certain amount taken out each month, and put the amount in certain savings/investment accounts. This accomplishes three things: a) eliminates time on your part, b) you don't have to see, feel, or touch the money, and c) you are being consistent in saving.

File your taxes -- If your files are organized it will make it easier when tax time comes around to get your numbers together. You won't have to be scatter-brained trying to find old tax forms, pay-stubs, or documents. Every document will have a place.

Organizing your life will help grow your money. Organizing cuts down on duplicating inventory, supplies, clothes, products, food, information, and time! Do you want more money? Start getting organized!

About the author:

Sharman Lawson is a debt, money, financial and life coach. Also, she is a speaker and author of the book 12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever. Sharman Lawson and her husband paid off all their debt including their mortgage, in less than five years, on a combined income of less than $50,000 a year. Contact Sharman Lawson at 770.429.9670 for a FREE 30 minute no obligation consultation. Visit her website at www.freedomconceptsusa.com.

Contact the Author
Sharman Lawson
Debt Free Living and Financial Freedom
slawson@freedomconceptsusa.com
More Details about organization help, getting organized here