Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Information Marketing - Converting Public Domain Books Into Courses

When it comes to creating an info-product, one way to find content is to use a public domain source. These sources, such as books, allow you to borrow their content and add to it for your own use in products.

As the President of the Information Marketing Association, I host a monthly coaching call for info-marketers who have questions and are trying to launch their infopreneur business. Here is a question from Ted in LaHoya about converting public domain books into courses. Since this is a common question, I decided to prepare an article about this challenge to help you.

When you approach creating an info-product out of a public domain resource, such as a book, I would start with an outline. If you are looking to translate that content into a more detailed home study course, you need to make sure you have the expertise or can bring in the expertise to provide additional details to the content you will be creating. Really the simplest method is to take the chapters of the book and create an audio program for each chapter. This is especially useful if you do not have any idea what the category is but you take the chapters because they are already organized for the book. However many chapters there are, you can make a chapter into a CD or you combine a couple of chapters into a CD and add some examples and you're done.

Adding a workbook utilizing the main points of the audio tracks can add perceived value. If you wanted to give them a step-by-step process at the end to help them implement your product, then you provide them with six or ten questions they can use as a jumping off point. The fewer the questions you use, the more pleased the customer will be, even though they will implement less. The objective of these questions is to help them work through and the answers will help in creating whatever it is that your product looking to help them create.

If you need additional content, you can always bring in a couple of interviews to add variation. Feel free if you need a particular piece of content to get somebody on the phone, interview them for fifteen minutes and add that to the CD for that particular unit. You can do this by giving a small intro, "On this program you're going to learn this, you're going to learn that and I have a special guest and this is what they're going to bring. This is their name that's all part of this program" and then you jump into that CD. That way don't feel like you have to give anybody you interviewed a full hour and you still get the additional content for your product.

My only caution these days is that more and more customers want things distilled for them. Customers are fairly dependent and although it's our inclination to give our customers absolutely everything they could possibly need to know; very often they are looking for what are the essential five things they need to know are. There is some value in that as well. Rather than saying "let me expand the content here," use instead a "this is how you get started," program. In that case, you walk them through the main points. Instead of making this a twelve audio CD product, you make it four audio CDs and what it is giving them is a step-by-step guide to the things they need in order to implement this product.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Turn a Hobby Into a Successful Business Through Trade

Do you have a particular passion for craft work, baking, or another kind of hobby with the potential for earning income? Perhaps you make jewelry, soap, or candles to give out as Christmas gifts to friends and family, or maybe your church or local social group turns to you to prepare the goods for an upcoming bake sale. Perhaps, too, people have suggested you try selling your wares on eBay or Etsy - it's not uncommon for people to earn as many as four figures a month by attracting customers through these popular sites. If you have ever felt a passion for the hobbies you enjoy, and have wished to strike out on your own as an entrepreneur, this is a good time to seriously consider it.

Getting Started in the Trade Business

Friends may advise you to start small - set up shop on a craft marketplace site like Etsy and perhaps invest in a cheap advertising solution like Google AdWords to get the word out about your inventory. If you are serious about turning your hobby into a business, however, you must be able to answer the following questions:

  • Realistically, how much money could I make a month?
  • Will what I make be able to cover business costs?
  • Will I have the time and energy to fulfill bulk orders if necessary?
  • Do I have the ability to get my products into stores around the country, perhaps around the world?

To answer that last question, it is possible provided you know how to do business with merchants and distributors based in the US and elsewhere. Suppliers who frequent global trade portals daily make contact with businesses looking for specific products - everything from cosmetics to clothing to even food - to sell in their own stores. Some may wish to arrange a drop-ship agreement with the supplier, while others expect to receive bulk orders to satisfy their needs. As an entrepreneur, you have the opportunity to approach companies through real-time networks and establish supply chains necessary to transform your hobby into an international success.

As you sign up for supply chain portals, be aware that as you contact potential buyers you are required to negotiate terms. Issues like shipping overseas, handling returns and damaged items, wholesale pricing, and packaging are just a few things you'll have to consider and discuss as you prepare agreements. Where applicable seek the assistance of a friend or colleague experienced in business transactions if you are unsure of how to progress.

Above all else, go into your new venture with a positive attitude and the determination to do what you love you most, and earn a substantial income doing it!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Three Things to Know Before Starting a Home Shopping Online Business

If your financial well being has been shaken by the recent Wall Street fiasco, we have identified three things you can do to recover and flourish. Before we get to those let's look at what's driving our economy and impacting your retirement.

America is a country of consumption. The home shopping networks that you see on TV generate billions in revenue even when the economy is tight. The number of people who are home shopping online grows every day. The online shops of this country are providing a service of convenience and savings for all of us.

So what does this have to do with your retirement account evaporating? Opportunity. Simply opportunity. You might do quite well setting up your own online business but before you forge ahead, there are three things you can do to assist you in your quest for success.

Start with these three concepts.

1. Don't listen to losers.

2. Develop an inspiring motivation for success.

3. Expand your energy.

Don't Listen to Losers - This is not a judgmental statement about the status of your fellow human being. This is about the practical and realistic point of view.

A tennis professional is not spending his time looking for mediocre people to play just so he can win. He is not challenged by people with lesser skill and he knows that that not only doesn't help his game it actually hurts his game.

Find people that are successful in their lives and their business and talk with them. You don't have enough time on this planet to make all the dumb mistakes yourself. Learn from others but choose carefully who you are learning from. Develop an Inspiring Motivation for Success

If your motivation for success is fear, you're screwed. If your motivation for success is to experience joy and help others, you have a chance! Needing to prove to someone your worthiness is another way to fall flat on your face. The only sustainable motivation must come from your heart. When you see your business plan in terms of purpose and joy you attach meaning that will inspire you and the people you need to build it.

If you are angry, obsessed with the competition, or using any less-than-inspiring tactics to achieve your goals your success will be short lived. Choose to empower yourself with marketing tools, supportive people, and a heart-centered inspiration for achieving your goals.

Expand Your Energy - To enjoy the benefits of money and success you need to be healthy in all areas of your life. It's not possible to achieve a perfect balance between work and other areas of your life but it is possible to create a rhythm that ebbs and flows to allow you the energy you need to build your business and have a life!

If you work 80 hours a week, eat like crap, and don't exercise, you might make a lot of money in the short run but your health will catch up with you. Your diet, your downtime, and your relationships are just as important to your long-term success as your sales are.

Everything is energy and once you accept that your awareness will help you to see the opportunities in balance. Eat properly, exercise consistently, get the rest you need and then you will have the energy you need to build that business and create the life you want.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Forex - Is This the Ultimate Home Business For Substantial Income and Significant Wealth?

After experiencing the income potential first hand, many who have learned to trade Forex believe this could be the ultimate home business.

The benefits include:

- No special license or certification necessary to participate - You can trade from almost anywhere in the world - Everything you need to learn is available on the internet - You can begin with as little as a few hundred dollars - All you need is your computer and internet access - You have no staff, no inventory or office overhead - You don't have to make phone calls - You can spend as little as 30 minutes a day on your business - You can automate your trading - You can use the power of maximum leverage - The business is global and not impacted by recession - The financial opportunities are almost limitless - Profits and income can grow rapidly

To understand how forex trading can be used to earn sizeable incomes, profits and build your personal wealth all from a home business, you should know what the forex is. The overall purpose of the forex market is to assist with investment and trading transactions. This need stems from the several international currencies including the USD, Euros, Pounds Sterling, Japanese yen, and so on.

The foreign exchange market was founded in the 1970s and has evolved into an immense marketplace online FX trading marketplace utilized by banks, corporations, governments, currency speculators, and other entities. Today, the foreign currency market is said to be one of the largest, most liquid markets on Earth, trading in the trillions of dollars.

In its simplest form forex trading is the buying and selling of currency. Trades are performed via currency combinations referred to as a cross. An example of a cross is the Euro and USD crosses to make a EURUSD. The most popular traded currencies include the USDJPY, EURUSD, GBPUSD, and USDCHF.

Forex trading is could be the ultimate home business for a variety of reasons. Because the market is global, open 24 hours on week days, it allows traders to react immediately to breaking news that directly affects the trading market. The market is very liquid therefore there is always global demand with sellers and buyers. The forex is generally traded without commissions. This means more money goes directly into the investor's pocket.

Another major advantage to forex trading is its leverage that enables investors to hold up to 100 or 200 times more than their margin deposit. This means that someone with a $10,000 deposit has the power to leverage up to 1 million $USD.

Because it is constantly on the move, there are always opportunities to trade, even during times of falling markets. As markets fall, currency either strengthens or weakens. Savvy investors watch for these types of trends. For example, if the Euro appears to be weakening and the USD gaining, the trader would sell the Euro and buy it back at a lower price later down the line. This type of scenario is played out in several ways each day.

It is very feasible, in fact common-place, to trade forex from the comfort of your own home with a simple high speed internet connection and using automated trading software or trading robots. Using the best automated forex trading robot software, any individual now has access to the same sophisticated trading tools that previously only institutional traders had use of. Automated trading robots have opened the door for the beginner and novice investor to tap into the highly lucrative foreign currency markets on a more level playing field.

While the business isn't for everyone and one should always consider the risks and other factors, success trading in the Forex markets can be highly lucrative with tremendous income and profit potential for anyone interested in perhaps the ultimate home business.

Anyone can succeed in the forex, it's not rocket science. Learn the basics of trading forex; use a simple forex trading system, use a trading robot, learn the basics of signals, use moderate leverage to start, concentrate on managing your money, start off small, practice and grow your income steadily. Success comes from working smart not hard.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

An Eco Friendly Home Business - Is Shopping Online Green?

Shopping Online is probably one of the easiest things to do once you get the hang of it. So, when I heard that there was a home business that harnessed the power of the Internet and was earth friendly... I was sold. I could do the majority of my shopping online, make money and help the environment! How easy could this be?

Well, the answer is very easy.

My only concern was the issue of online shopping. Is shopping online a green way to go? I did some research and came across a study by the Carnegie Mellon Green Design Institute. It was great and answered my question... Shopping online is green!

Not only is it green, e-commerce consumes close to 1/3 LESS energy than conventional shopping! Not only does online shopping reduce energy use, it has a smaller carbon footprint than the traditional brick and mortar store.

Here is the information condensed.

Almost all the spent energy comes from transportation when dealing with traditional purchases. The average person drives 14 miles for a purchase. The average purchase consists of 3 items. They divided the energy used per item. This is a lot of consumed energy for one consumer and three items! There was also energy concerns dealing with the carbon footprint of brick and mortar stores. The energy these store use just for being open is amazing.

This is where E-commerce and shopping online shine. They used UPS in the studies. A UPS truck has dozens and dozens of packages on the truck. Most of the packages had several items in the box. One truck stops by several households and makes several deliveries on a route in one day. This is where the energy consumption was a third less. (Imagine the gas used if every household went to the UPS store to pick up the contents of just one truck!)

There were two downsides to Online Shopping: Express Airmail and the packaging. Packaging increased the carbon footprint unless recycled materials were used and Express Airmail consumed more energy than regular delivery.

If you want an Earth Friendly Home Based Business, now is the time!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Effective Business Networking: 5 Tips For Mastering The Art of Networking

The heart of any business is the connection it has with other businesses and individuals that it can call upon to help meet its needs. Networking - any activity designed to create, maintain and utilize interpersonal connections - is an essential business skill. But not all business people take the time to truly master. However, without a solid understanding of how to network effectively and efficiently, no business can make the vital connections that it needs to survive and prosper in today's super-connected economy. Here are some tips you can use to increase your networking - and business - success

Go with a goal. One of the first and most common mistakes that people make when entering a networking situation (planned or otherwise) is to fail to have a firm goal in mind. Are you looking to acquire new prospects, meet colleagues for possible collaborations, create a mutual referral partnership, create name recognition for you and your business, find funding or just "shop around" for interesting news and trends you can use? If you haven't taken the time to determine what your goals are for the encounters ahead, you will have a hard time meeting them.

Of course, most businesses have several different needs, but in many cases any given networking opportunity is unlikely to provide more than one or two types of results, depending on the situation at hand. For example, if you are attending an event made up primarily of others in your industry or trade, you are unlikely to meet prospects, since everyone will be a provider just like you, nor are you likely to find referral partners, since almost everyone will be a direct competitor. So if your primary needs are clients and referrals, such events, while not an entire waste of time, might not be your best use of it. On the other hand, if you are desperately seeking a partner to expand or are looking to find out the latest, greatest technology in the field to offer to your client base, then you're definitely going to be in the right place.

Hone your message. When someone asks you what you do, can you articulate not only your business but it's benefit to them in a clear and concise manner? How about your "elevator speech" or 15-second intro - is it crisp, to the point and compelling, or do people's eyes glaze over before you get to the end? This is not the time to give a dry and deadly-dull job description. Save that for your resume. When someone asks about you and your business, you are being given a golden, but brief, opportunity to knock his or her socks off and to persuade them that you are the best thing to happen to them since sliced bread. Make sure you do so.

Important - leave your sales pitch at home! Networking is networking, and sales is sales. Confuse the two and you'll lose out on both. Nobody wants to be sold to, especially when they're quite plainly not in a sales environment. And remember that anyone who tries to work a networking event under the "three-foot rule" (anyone within three feet is an opportunity to make a sale) is likely to find others unwilling to get within three feet of them in a very short period of time.

Check your gear. Make sure that you have everything you need to make a great impression. Are your business cards or other hand-outs up to date, and as professional-looking as you can make them? If this is a planned event, do you know who will be attending and have you isolated a few people you definitely want to make sure to meet, or are you going in blind and resigned to winging it?

And don't forget to double-check the time, date and venue. Nothing is more irritating than showing up only to find that you're too early, too late or unable to find a parking space closer than a quarter-mile away.

Educate your audience. Are you seeking a collaborative partner for a project? Then make sure everyone knows what the project is and what sort of partner you are looking for (and the general parameters of the partnership they'll be investing their time into). If you're looking for referrals, then do your potential referral sources know what constitutes a good referral for you? It's a waste of your time and a drain on your referrer's good will and reputation if you turn down or do a bad job for everyone they send to you because the referrals were inappropriate. Likewise, a well-educated referral source might wind up sending you fewer referrals, but those are much more likely to be quality prospects that have a high probability of becoming solid clients.

On the other hand, if you are directly prospecting do your prospects know that you're the answer to their prayers and why? Remember that all prospects are tuned into station WII-FM - What's In It For Me - and unless you make sure that they know why they should consider working with you, they won't.

Follow through. The most important part of networking happens after the initial contact. The best impression, the snappiest laser marketing message and the deepest desire to work together will all come to naught if they don't hear from you in a timely manner - or even worse, never hear from you at all. No matter who said what about calling whom, always follow up promptly and in a manner designed to strengthen the relationship and add value for the other person.

A simple follow-up email may be okay for old contacts touching base, but for a new contact that can provide you with crucial funding or superior referrals, or a hot prospect itching to clear your warehouse of your top-shelf merchandise your follow through needs to have all the finesse, power and elegance of a figure skater's best jump - and all the holding power of a solid landing.

There are three keys to an effective follow through:

  • It reinforces the original intent of the contact. Refer to your original conversation, restating any key points and reaffirming any agreements that were made or intimated. Follow through on any promises you made to deliver information, provide samples, initiate a meeting, put through a request, whatever - before the follow-up call, unless time constraints or lead-time make that impossible.
  • It carries the scent of enthusiasm without the stench of desperation. Follow up as promptly and as regularly or frequently as the circumstance warrants, but don't turn into a stalker or a pest. And if you can find a way to add value to the relationship through your skills, influence, position or connections, by all means offer to do so, but don't cross the line from generous associate to obsequious sycophant. And if the other person makes it clear that they are not interested, move on. "Kicking and screaming" is not an acceptable level of participation in networking, and neither is "beaten into submission."
  • It includes the seeds for the next contact. Don't get caught in the dead-end follow up. Unless it is clear that no further relationship is warranted or desired, make sure that there is some agreement on a next step or arrangement made to continue the conversation. Make that phone call and at the end, set up an appointment for lunch a few weeks down the road. At lunch, offer to forward an important report or offer to broker a desirable introduction to someone higher up the food chain, and so on. Make sure you never leave the table without an invitation to resume your seat at a later date.

Like a good golf swing or a stunning presentation, effective networking boils down to three essential stages of activity: preparation, delivery and follow through. And like an electrical circuit with a short or a break, a failure at any of these points stops the flow of life-giving connective energy - the healthy and continually renewed cycle of which your business requires to maintain a strong, stable potential for growth, resilience and success.

Mastering the art of effective networking, like any other business activity, requires time, dedication and attention. But in the end, the dividends it pays are well worth the time it took to cultivate them. Take the time to master these five tips and you will be amply rewarded with the prodigious fruits of your networking labor.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Introduction To Business Ethernet Connection Networks

A business ethernet connection has become a popular solution for numerous data and voice network installations. There are a number of benefits on offer by utilizing this option, it should come as no surprise that it has so many satisfied users. Whether you are involved with a small or large business, when designing a new network or expanding current capabilities, an ethernet connection should certainly be considered.

A traditional implementation of this technology can provide a data transfer rate of up to ten Mbps (mega bits per second). With the evolution of the technology, and the demand from business for better performance and speedier transfer rates, there is now the option of such services as fast and gigabit ethernet. The former offers the ability to transfer data at up to 100 Mbps, whereas the latter allows for speeds of up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps).

Apart from the speed, there are other benefits on offer through the utilization of this type of network technology. Its prevalence in today's business world has come about due to its inherent simplicity, flexibility, and granularity.

These dynamics have enabled modern enterprises to initiate solutions and processes that integrate such features and services as Virtual Private Networks (VPN), video conferencing, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), virtual storage, and multimedia content sharing. In today's digital world, it is fundamental for businesses in all industries to have access to technology that allows them to grow and expand seamlessly.

For technology to be taken up on a large scale, it should be simple to integrate into existing networks. Ethernet can be extended easily to provide WAN services, therefore allowing for IT managers to provide high end features to their organizations. It is an excellent building block on to which other services can be added.

The demand for bandwidth shows no sign of abating. Research indicates that the bandwidth requirements of an average business currently increases at a rate of around twenty five per cent per year. By opting for ethernet, an enterprise can easily increase their network capacity to match growth.

Most service providers offer plans that can be scaled in small incremental steps, thus keeping costs down. For example, a ten Mbps package can be added to in small amounts so as to stay ahead of demand without incurring a high price.

Another attraction is that there is no need to replace hardware each and every time there is a request for greater bandwidth. For example, a switch from ten Mbps to twenty Mbps can be had by initiating basic changes to the software configuration of a network. What's more, to go from a regular connection to a Gigabit plan most often does not necessitate a change in the cable infrastructure.

It should come as no surprise to discover that ethernet has become the first choice for businesses across a broad swathe of industries. With more communication and trade being carried out online on a regular basis, ensuring that your company has the right network structure has never been so important.