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No, this is not a top ten list from the David Letterman Show. It is a response to a question that was recently asked by a Newbie on a Business Networking site of which I am a member.
Yes, I know many of you are thinking and saying to yourselves, “Here comes another education article. If I read one more of these, I’m going to put my head thru my monitor!" No, this article is not about education it’s about money. Ah, now I have your attention, let me explain what I mean. Yes, education is essential, but all the education in the world is not going to help if you don’t have money to invest in your new business venture. So, I guess, in a way, this article is about education…financial education.
I’ve seen it over and over. People flock to the internet in droves on a daily basis to start their own home business. Some are already educated, most are not. So, the education process begins. But, I contend, without a reasonably amount of business investment capital, almost all will fizzle and die with their new-found education and their grounded new business. Why? You need money to be seen, look professional, and set yourself apart from the masses.
Now, I know many of you are ready to dash an email off to me already and say, “Hey Jim, what do you do if you have no money?" Well, you can hope for a rich uncle who is willing to bank roll your business. You can “sell your dream" to someone who is willing to invest. You can use your credit cards, take a loan, skip this year’s vacation, weekly dinners out, the movies, buying frivolous “goodies", tighten your belt in every area you can think of, and live like a pauper for a while. How important is your success in your new business? If you don’t have a professional business approach, you are not going to do much business.
Why do you need money? Here are ten reasons:
1. You think it looks great, but your HTML skills are limited and your website looks like your grammar school art from days gone by, but now you “color" with a keyboard. Or, you use one of those cheapo template sites. Most people can see them coming a mile away. How about you are Dealer Number 853,511 and 853,510 other people have the same exact website with URLs that look like http://www.thisisagreatbusinessforyou.com/hopeimakebigmoney/PartnerID=wherearethecustomersiwaspromised. There are alternatives that will give you that unique, professional look at a very reasonable cost, and you can always get a “company name", unique domain, and have a “shell" built around your MLMs.
2. Your business cards, stationary, envelopes, and other printing needs are done on your inkjet printer or the copy machine at your full-time job when your boss isn’t looking. Commercial discount printing is available out there and essential to giving you that professional look. Oh, you don’t think you need printing supplies for advertising and follow-up? Think like a professional.
3. Your business phone is really your house phone and the answering machine message is: “Hi, you’ve reached the MCGillicuddy Residence and MyBusiness.com. Mark, Mary, Mandy and Mitch value your call, so leave a message after you hear Ruffy, our furry friend, bark". At least put your business message on your home phone. Just make sure to call your Mom and everyone else you know and tell them not to hang up when they phone they have the right number. Maybe you need to get a second line.
4. Get a good Mentor -someone who has “been there, done that", even if you have to pay them a consulting fee. Don’t waste your time buying into these sites that promise to help you make $8,439.21 in your first 15 minutes. And, certainly don not pay any of these self proclaimed internet gurus for their eBook. How do you think they made their money? Yes, hawking their eBook to the unsuspecting like you.
5. Forget banner exchanges, reciprocal links, mail blasters, safe mail lists, and the dreaded FFAs. The time and effort is not worth the return, unless you like to get 5000 reply emails a day from everyone else using these services who want you to buy their product. Do you really think these people are interested in your business? No, they are all too busy pushing their stuff. Do your homework and buy some professional targeted marketing from a well-established and reputable company.
6. How many companies do you know who use an email address like babycuteeyes@freemail.com ? Pay some money and get a professional sounding domain name and email account(s) that sound the part. While you are doing that, refer back to reason #1.
7. Now that you have accomplished #1, don’t sit there trying to submit your site to the hundreds of search engines out there. You probably don’t know a thing about Search Engine Optimization, and even if you go thru this laborious process over many days, most people don’t read search engine result 19,486 out of 23,944. Once again, do your homework and find a reliable company and let them do it for you. Did you know there are companies that will even guarantee your ranking?
8. Offer a freebie. People love them! Give your potential customers something for free. Or, once you close the deal, send them an immediate “physical" reply. For this, refer to #2 and spring for a magnet, keychain, mug or something else with your company name and contact info on it. They will remember your “special touch" and the freebie will constantly remind them of your company. Believe it or not, this brings back a lot of return business. A good company can give provide you with quality freebies at a discounted rate if you buy in bulk.
9. Take another look at #3 and invest in long distance calls if you think they will benefit you. Don’t sit there waiting to be called. The phone will stay silent. If you limit yourself to 800 numbers, you’ll miss some good deals. Pay the money and call that person on the other side of the country or world to network or close the deal.
10. If you have a limited ISP plan, trash it and get an unlimited one so you can stay online reviewing #s 1-9 of this article until you get it. Remember: Money makes Money. There are no free lunches. You get what you pay for. A professional look, a professional approach, and a professional demeanor are essential to longevity and prosperity in your home based business.
Jim Guinn is the President of Morpheus Marketing Associates, LLC (www.MorpheusMarketing.com) and the East Coast Marketing Executive for Quantum Business Solutions, LLC. Jim specializes in helping small business owners get started with a professional approach and trains new Delaer/Partners for his company. For further info, feel free to contact Jim at JimGuinn@MorpheusMarketing.com or call him at: 570-629-9701.
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