“When your self-worth goes up, your net worth goes up with it.”
-Mark Victor Hansen
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Consumer Spending Slowed in December
Consumer Spending Slows Abruptly in December, Turning in Weakest Growth in 6 Months
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Consumers increased their spending at the weakest pace in six months while applications for unemployment benefits soared last week, two more signs the economy is weakening.
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that consumer spending edged up just 0.2 percent in December -- the year's peak shopping season -- down sharply from a 1 percent gain in November. It was the weakest performance in this area since a similar 0.2 percent rise in June of last year.
Meanwhile, the Labor Department reported that the number of laid off workers filing applications for unemployment benefits soared by 69,000 to 375,000. That was the highest level for jobless claims since the week of Oct. 8, 2005, when the economy was dealing with the disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina and the other Gulf Coast hurricanes.
The increase in jobless claims was more than triple what economists had been expecting although part of the increase was blamed on technical difficulties in adjusting the figures around the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
But private economists said they believed the figure was accurately pointing to a weakening in the job market that reflects the significant slowdown in the overall economy. Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. analyst at High Frequency Economics, said he believed the underlying level of jobless claims currently is around 350,000, an indication of a deteriorating labor market.
The unemployment rate rose significantly in December, going up to 5 percent from 4.7 percent in November. That was the biggest one-month increase since the period immediately following the September 2001 terrorist attacks. The January unemployment figure will be reported on Friday.
The weakening jobs market is keeping labor cost pressures contained. The Labor Department's Employment Cost Index posted a 0.8 percent rise in the final three months of last year. Wages and salaries were up 0.8 percent and benefit costs, which include health insurance and pensions, rose by 0.9 percent.
The 0.2 percent rise in consumer spending looked even worse when price changes were removed. Inflation-adjusted spending did not increase at all last month, following a 0.4 percent rise in November and a 0.1 percent decline in October.
The report on spending confirmed earlier reports by retailers that last year was the worst year for holiday spending in five years as consumers, worried about the economy and hit by tighter credit, a wave of home foreclosures and soaring energy prices, sharply reined in their shopping despite the best efforts of retailers to boost sales with discounted merchandise.
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut a key interest rate by a half-point, the second large move in less than a week as the central bank signaled it was prepared to do whatever is needed to combat the weakening economy.
The Senate is working to follow the lead of President Bush and the House in developing an economic stimulus package to speed rebate checks to millions of homes in an effort to prop up consumer spending and ward off a recession -- or at least make it a short and mild downturn.
The report on consumer spending showed that personal incomes rose by 0.5 percent in December, the best showing since a similar increase in September.
An inflation gauge tied to spending that is closely watched by the Federal Reserve posted a 0.2 percent rise in December and left prices, excluding energy and food, up by 2.2 percent over the past 12 months, slightly higher than the 2 percent upper bound of the Fed's comfort zone.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Consumers increased their spending at the weakest pace in six months while applications for unemployment benefits soared last week, two more signs the economy is weakening.
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that consumer spending edged up just 0.2 percent in December -- the year's peak shopping season -- down sharply from a 1 percent gain in November. It was the weakest performance in this area since a similar 0.2 percent rise in June of last year.
Meanwhile, the Labor Department reported that the number of laid off workers filing applications for unemployment benefits soared by 69,000 to 375,000. That was the highest level for jobless claims since the week of Oct. 8, 2005, when the economy was dealing with the disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina and the other Gulf Coast hurricanes.
The increase in jobless claims was more than triple what economists had been expecting although part of the increase was blamed on technical difficulties in adjusting the figures around the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
But private economists said they believed the figure was accurately pointing to a weakening in the job market that reflects the significant slowdown in the overall economy. Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. analyst at High Frequency Economics, said he believed the underlying level of jobless claims currently is around 350,000, an indication of a deteriorating labor market.
The unemployment rate rose significantly in December, going up to 5 percent from 4.7 percent in November. That was the biggest one-month increase since the period immediately following the September 2001 terrorist attacks. The January unemployment figure will be reported on Friday.
The weakening jobs market is keeping labor cost pressures contained. The Labor Department's Employment Cost Index posted a 0.8 percent rise in the final three months of last year. Wages and salaries were up 0.8 percent and benefit costs, which include health insurance and pensions, rose by 0.9 percent.
The 0.2 percent rise in consumer spending looked even worse when price changes were removed. Inflation-adjusted spending did not increase at all last month, following a 0.4 percent rise in November and a 0.1 percent decline in October.
The report on spending confirmed earlier reports by retailers that last year was the worst year for holiday spending in five years as consumers, worried about the economy and hit by tighter credit, a wave of home foreclosures and soaring energy prices, sharply reined in their shopping despite the best efforts of retailers to boost sales with discounted merchandise.
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut a key interest rate by a half-point, the second large move in less than a week as the central bank signaled it was prepared to do whatever is needed to combat the weakening economy.
The Senate is working to follow the lead of President Bush and the House in developing an economic stimulus package to speed rebate checks to millions of homes in an effort to prop up consumer spending and ward off a recession -- or at least make it a short and mild downturn.
The report on consumer spending showed that personal incomes rose by 0.5 percent in December, the best showing since a similar increase in September.
An inflation gauge tied to spending that is closely watched by the Federal Reserve posted a 0.2 percent rise in December and left prices, excluding energy and food, up by 2.2 percent over the past 12 months, slightly higher than the 2 percent upper bound of the Fed's comfort zone.
Why Are MLMers Throwing In The Towel For High Ticket Direct Sales?
by Keith Carey
Home-based business has taken on a new twist since the Internet's explosion. And it's true that Internet-based businesses such as carboncopypro can offer relatively easy success, as long as you're willing to work.
Programs such as carboncopy have gained visibility and success over the last 12 months. These programs differ from traditional marketing in that they offer high-ticket items for direct sales, which give home-based entrepreneurs a better chance at making faster profits. With proper marketing and mentoring a new entrepreneur can earn upwards of $5,000 to $10,000 his first month ore more. However, most home-based business owners are not well versed in the techniques and strategies that will make their marketing efforts successful.
The learning curve for traditional marketing programs can be very steep and can cost quite a lot. However, many upfront commissions in home-based marketing programs amount to less than $50. To start, many people can find that their expenses are far outweighing their profits. However, programs like Carbon Copy Pro create a commission structure that lets people make larger commissions up front, so that their profits come to them a lot faster.
Typically, high ticket direct sales programs have start up costs of $300-$7000 or even more. In some cases, they can even top the scales and $10,000. However, most businesses don't find many takers at that price range, since most people can't afford that kind of upfront outlay. The most popular programs start at about $1500 such as Carbon Copy Pro does. This type of outlay produces substantial immediate commissions, which lets most entrepreneurs easily cover start up costs so that they can remain in the black.
Most Internet network marketers don't last long enough to actually start making "residual income." In fact, most new representatives drop out of programs within about 90 days. This isn't long enough to see results, and of course, residual income is income that usually trickles in at relatively small amounts over a long period of time. Because of this, new representatives don't make enough profits to cover costs upfront so that they can remain in business over the long haul. This is where direct sales programs like Carbon Copy Pro differ, because instead of using these types of residual payment plans, the representative is paid directly and up front all at once by the customer and the parent company takes care of customer service and product fulfillment. Most people if given the choice to have $1000 upfront or receive it as residual income over 2 years would pick the upfront money for obvious reasons which is why carboncopypro has become so successful.
Because programs like Carbon Copy Pro let new representatives make big enough commissions up front so that they can sustain their own business, this motivates them to commit to building their business. Because home-based entrepreneurs are put in a positive profit position, they can take their time and build a business the right way, while staying in the black and receiving profits. Representatives should be able to make money very soon in Carbon Copy Pro, which doesn't happen in the usual home-based business programs.
One of the reasons experts are speculating Carbon Copy Pro is growing so quickly is because their automated system is like no other in the industry. Most people get hung up on the follow up and closing of their own prospects, citing the inability to "CLOSE" as their major reason for failure. Carbon Copy Pro has apparently eliminated this situation because once a person goes through the system and fills in their information A professional follows up and closes the prospect for the entrepreneurs. This means the new person without closing skills gets to sit back and have the professionals close his prospects for him. This may be the reason Carbon Copy Pro has been growing at an amazing rate.
Of course, just because Carbon Copy Pro has a great system does not mean it is easy and the entrepreneur can sit on his butt and make truckloads of cash, but the ability to make profits much faster than with traditional marketing is still much easier. What you must do is apply the power of the Carbon Copy Pro system with consistency.
And while you might think that the price tag of higher-ticket programs like Carbon Copy Pro will deter customers, truly interested prospects won't be deterred. Most educated entrepreneurs already know that opening any sort of traditional business usually dwarfs the costs of systems like Carbon Copy Pro and even worse is the fact that it often takes many months to realize a profit whereas systems like Carbon Copy Pro can generate substantial money immediately.
In closing one thing to mention that may be more important than even the particular program you join is choosing the right mentor. Unfortunately most people's success lies to a large degree on the person that is mentoring and training them. The best thing the new person can do is find a mentor that offers something that most of the other representatives are not doing. Finding a mentor that is doing something that others are not within the Carbon Copy Pro system can mean the difference between $5,000 a month and $20,000 to $40,000 a month.
Keith Carey and his business partner are internet marketing experts who have combined their more than 30 years of experience in networking and marketing to help their teammates generate $1,000 per day using a revolutionary marketing system that eliminates the need of sales, follow up or closing techniques.
Home-based business has taken on a new twist since the Internet's explosion. And it's true that Internet-based businesses such as carboncopypro can offer relatively easy success, as long as you're willing to work.
Programs such as carboncopy have gained visibility and success over the last 12 months. These programs differ from traditional marketing in that they offer high-ticket items for direct sales, which give home-based entrepreneurs a better chance at making faster profits. With proper marketing and mentoring a new entrepreneur can earn upwards of $5,000 to $10,000 his first month ore more. However, most home-based business owners are not well versed in the techniques and strategies that will make their marketing efforts successful.
The learning curve for traditional marketing programs can be very steep and can cost quite a lot. However, many upfront commissions in home-based marketing programs amount to less than $50. To start, many people can find that their expenses are far outweighing their profits. However, programs like Carbon Copy Pro create a commission structure that lets people make larger commissions up front, so that their profits come to them a lot faster.
Typically, high ticket direct sales programs have start up costs of $300-$7000 or even more. In some cases, they can even top the scales and $10,000. However, most businesses don't find many takers at that price range, since most people can't afford that kind of upfront outlay. The most popular programs start at about $1500 such as Carbon Copy Pro does. This type of outlay produces substantial immediate commissions, which lets most entrepreneurs easily cover start up costs so that they can remain in the black.
Most Internet network marketers don't last long enough to actually start making "residual income." In fact, most new representatives drop out of programs within about 90 days. This isn't long enough to see results, and of course, residual income is income that usually trickles in at relatively small amounts over a long period of time. Because of this, new representatives don't make enough profits to cover costs upfront so that they can remain in business over the long haul. This is where direct sales programs like Carbon Copy Pro differ, because instead of using these types of residual payment plans, the representative is paid directly and up front all at once by the customer and the parent company takes care of customer service and product fulfillment. Most people if given the choice to have $1000 upfront or receive it as residual income over 2 years would pick the upfront money for obvious reasons which is why carboncopypro has become so successful.
Because programs like Carbon Copy Pro let new representatives make big enough commissions up front so that they can sustain their own business, this motivates them to commit to building their business. Because home-based entrepreneurs are put in a positive profit position, they can take their time and build a business the right way, while staying in the black and receiving profits. Representatives should be able to make money very soon in Carbon Copy Pro, which doesn't happen in the usual home-based business programs.
One of the reasons experts are speculating Carbon Copy Pro is growing so quickly is because their automated system is like no other in the industry. Most people get hung up on the follow up and closing of their own prospects, citing the inability to "CLOSE" as their major reason for failure. Carbon Copy Pro has apparently eliminated this situation because once a person goes through the system and fills in their information A professional follows up and closes the prospect for the entrepreneurs. This means the new person without closing skills gets to sit back and have the professionals close his prospects for him. This may be the reason Carbon Copy Pro has been growing at an amazing rate.
Of course, just because Carbon Copy Pro has a great system does not mean it is easy and the entrepreneur can sit on his butt and make truckloads of cash, but the ability to make profits much faster than with traditional marketing is still much easier. What you must do is apply the power of the Carbon Copy Pro system with consistency.
And while you might think that the price tag of higher-ticket programs like Carbon Copy Pro will deter customers, truly interested prospects won't be deterred. Most educated entrepreneurs already know that opening any sort of traditional business usually dwarfs the costs of systems like Carbon Copy Pro and even worse is the fact that it often takes many months to realize a profit whereas systems like Carbon Copy Pro can generate substantial money immediately.
In closing one thing to mention that may be more important than even the particular program you join is choosing the right mentor. Unfortunately most people's success lies to a large degree on the person that is mentoring and training them. The best thing the new person can do is find a mentor that offers something that most of the other representatives are not doing. Finding a mentor that is doing something that others are not within the Carbon Copy Pro system can mean the difference between $5,000 a month and $20,000 to $40,000 a month.
Keith Carey and his business partner are internet marketing experts who have combined their more than 30 years of experience in networking and marketing to help their teammates generate $1,000 per day using a revolutionary marketing system that eliminates the need of sales, follow up or closing techniques.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Quote of the Day
"Your self-image controls your performance; see yourself as confident and in complete control."
-Brian Tracy
-Brian Tracy
Living with an Attitude of Gratitude
by Glen Hopkins
Imagine for a moment one of those nights when you just can't fall asleep and you have to get up early the next morning for a very important meeting of which you are the keynote speaker. Your alarm clock goes off early in the morning waking you from what little sleep you had. You stumble out of bed, have a quick shower, grab a coffee and some toast, and off you go to fight the traffic on the way to work.
Does that sound like the start of a terrible day? Most would answer 'yes'. Few people however, would answer, 'no'. These are the people, who are in my opinion blessed with a gift. A gift that determines how they view their life. These people live with 'an attitude of gratitude'. For them, the situation described could be worse. Much worse. For example, think of the man who doesn't have a bed, let alone a roof to over his head. When he is awoken from what little sleep he is able to get, it is by the rain falling on his cold body. He too stumbles to his feet and begins his journey to work in his bare feet. His work is in the field of survival. He searches though garbage cans for scraps of half-rotten food to eat and odd bits of clothes to keep him warm.
The purpose of this example is to illustrate that we all have so much to be grateful for. Even in times when it seems that nothing could be worse, there is always a reason to be grateful. And when you feel a sense of gratitude, you feel a sense of happiness and content. My challenge to you today is to learn to look for the good in every situation and live with 'an attitude of gratitude'.
I assure you, if you were the fellow searching for food in garbage cans you too could find things to be grateful for. You just have to look hard enough and 'open your eyes' to what is around you. You have to focus on what's good in your life, not what's bad.
"I once was distraught because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet." - Unknown
Life works in mysterious ways. Time and time again there have been stories of people who are in a dire strait yet they are found helping others who are experiencing greater turmoil. This is because once you have helped someone in greater need than yourself, you always feel better. You feel better because you have helped another human being, and this forces you to change your mindset from focusing on your problems to focusing on their solutions.
Always focus on the solution, not the problem and live with an attitude of gratitude! Mother Teresa was a primary example of this phenomenon. Her entire life revolved around helping others in need. As a result she experienced a great deal of love and self-satisfaction in her life.
I challenge you now to take a moment to think of five things in your life that you are grateful for today. For example, your friends, your family, your job, your sense of smell, touch, sight, and sound. The list can go on and on. Imagine what your life would be like without these things. Write them down on a piece of paper and really think about the things you are grateful for. You will be amazed at how great you will feel!
Imagine for a moment one of those nights when you just can't fall asleep and you have to get up early the next morning for a very important meeting of which you are the keynote speaker. Your alarm clock goes off early in the morning waking you from what little sleep you had. You stumble out of bed, have a quick shower, grab a coffee and some toast, and off you go to fight the traffic on the way to work.
Does that sound like the start of a terrible day? Most would answer 'yes'. Few people however, would answer, 'no'. These are the people, who are in my opinion blessed with a gift. A gift that determines how they view their life. These people live with 'an attitude of gratitude'. For them, the situation described could be worse. Much worse. For example, think of the man who doesn't have a bed, let alone a roof to over his head. When he is awoken from what little sleep he is able to get, it is by the rain falling on his cold body. He too stumbles to his feet and begins his journey to work in his bare feet. His work is in the field of survival. He searches though garbage cans for scraps of half-rotten food to eat and odd bits of clothes to keep him warm.
The purpose of this example is to illustrate that we all have so much to be grateful for. Even in times when it seems that nothing could be worse, there is always a reason to be grateful. And when you feel a sense of gratitude, you feel a sense of happiness and content. My challenge to you today is to learn to look for the good in every situation and live with 'an attitude of gratitude'.
I assure you, if you were the fellow searching for food in garbage cans you too could find things to be grateful for. You just have to look hard enough and 'open your eyes' to what is around you. You have to focus on what's good in your life, not what's bad.
"I once was distraught because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet." - Unknown
Life works in mysterious ways. Time and time again there have been stories of people who are in a dire strait yet they are found helping others who are experiencing greater turmoil. This is because once you have helped someone in greater need than yourself, you always feel better. You feel better because you have helped another human being, and this forces you to change your mindset from focusing on your problems to focusing on their solutions.
Always focus on the solution, not the problem and live with an attitude of gratitude! Mother Teresa was a primary example of this phenomenon. Her entire life revolved around helping others in need. As a result she experienced a great deal of love and self-satisfaction in her life.
I challenge you now to take a moment to think of five things in your life that you are grateful for today. For example, your friends, your family, your job, your sense of smell, touch, sight, and sound. The list can go on and on. Imagine what your life would be like without these things. Write them down on a piece of paper and really think about the things you are grateful for. You will be amazed at how great you will feel!
A review of the Carbon Copy Pro business model and the truth to be told
by Shawn Miller OnlineReview@yahoo.com
Is Carbon Copy Pro for real? So far, it's proving to be TRUE!
If you've read some of my other reviews, you'll know that I am NOT associated with Carbon Copy Pro or Wealth Masters International , hence I'm not trying to sell or encourage you to take action regarding this business. My comments are based on observations online as well as contact with this company and their affiliates.
First and foremost, this is a Home Based Business that has been created for the Marketing Newbie. This model could be used by MANY other companies and it's probably going to be a 'trend-setter' for other online marketers.
The biggest hurdle to ANY business is the Selling of the Product or Service. Most activities of any business is directed to this desired result or the business will fail. Problem is, NO-One wants to be the 'salesperson', especially in the Home Based Market arena. Carbon Copy Pro solves this problem by deflecting this task to trained professionals who know what they're doing!
OK, so now you've got a competent salesperson on your payroll, what do you provide, ie: what's the product or service?
One of the main reasons most home based businesses fail is the inherent LACK of value in what they're selling. EBooks, Magazines, Online Subscriptions, lotions, potions and pills are rampant online and can usually be acquired for FREE or through other easy to use resources. Hence, the home based entrepreneur is 'pressure selling' something to family and friends that they don't really 'need'. On the other hand, Carbon Copy Pro provides the services of Wealth Masters International professionals which have a definite inherent end value.
People want to be rich...plain and simple. To live a life of abundance and provide for their families, etc. Most people will chase MONEY before they chase EDUCATION. Wealth Masters International is designed to modify this trend.
They say if you took all the money AWAY from the wealthy, they'd probably have it all back in a few years! Why? Because it's a 'mental thing', they KNOW how to create and keep Money. Wealth Masters International gives the middle class person these same resources. Most of us pay large sums to attend seminars, buy books, listen to tapes and CD's for ways to make money and live happier lives. Wealth Masters International provides this to its members with a telephone call....PRICELESS information.
So, as a business person you have a sales staff ready to take calls, you have a high value service to offer to your clients. NOW WHAT? How do you get the phone to ring?
Carbon Copy Pro has all the great ways to spread the word both online and offline. Things like mailing campaigns, opportunity calls, great websites and personalized advertising all come with the package.
How can someone get to Six Figure Income within 6 months?
One of the ONLY ways for any business to enjoy that kind of growth is with the power of the Internet. It's being proven day after day, but these companies work as a TEAM. One person can't do it alone. So the trick is who to put on YOUR team.
The group of Wealth Masters International Consultants that I contacted called themselves the 'Six Figure Wealth Team'. A few of them proved to me they earn Six Figures MONTHLY with his program (astounding) after only 2 years of growth. One unique thing I found was that this group provided me a PHONE Number, which was answered by a REAL person! The Six Figure Wealth Team has taken it a step further and have joined forces with the Six Figure Winners Team which provides a Team Site that teaches you how to market, what to say, where to advertise and 90 percent of it is done through video online training. Very Impressive! I was personally invited to a visual webinar of the team's training site by one of the Six Figure Wealth Members and it brought concrete clarity as to how they are duplicating so strongly. This team site has a lifetime membership of $2000 dollars and is tailored for any online business marketer. Another major benefit for those who become part of the Six Figure Wealth Team is they have access to their training site and mentoring WITHOUT any charge or monthly recurring fees. "FREE Entry". After the numerous reviews, phone calls and website visits, I have yet to find ANY Home Based Business that has such a 'hands off' approach by the entrepreneur. Wealth Masters International provides the product, Carbon Copy Pro supplies the sales people, the 'Six Figure Wealth' coaches provide all the marketing materials (online and offline) and GUARANTEE that the businessperson will succeed by following their model. Another good feeling I received was the thought of knowing I was TALKING live to someone who is actually successful using the program, and there was more than just 'one' of them.
In my opinion this will be THE Home Based Business Model adopted by companies in the future. In the meantime, most of the Wealth Masters International Consultant who utilize Carbon Copy Pro NOW will be millionaires within the next 2 years. It definitely deserves a serious review by anyone who wants to (or currently is) in a Home Based Business.
Is Carbon Copy Pro for real? So far, it's proving to be TRUE!
If you've read some of my other reviews, you'll know that I am NOT associated with Carbon Copy Pro or Wealth Masters International , hence I'm not trying to sell or encourage you to take action regarding this business. My comments are based on observations online as well as contact with this company and their affiliates.
First and foremost, this is a Home Based Business that has been created for the Marketing Newbie. This model could be used by MANY other companies and it's probably going to be a 'trend-setter' for other online marketers.
The biggest hurdle to ANY business is the Selling of the Product or Service. Most activities of any business is directed to this desired result or the business will fail. Problem is, NO-One wants to be the 'salesperson', especially in the Home Based Market arena. Carbon Copy Pro solves this problem by deflecting this task to trained professionals who know what they're doing!
OK, so now you've got a competent salesperson on your payroll, what do you provide, ie: what's the product or service?
One of the main reasons most home based businesses fail is the inherent LACK of value in what they're selling. EBooks, Magazines, Online Subscriptions, lotions, potions and pills are rampant online and can usually be acquired for FREE or through other easy to use resources. Hence, the home based entrepreneur is 'pressure selling' something to family and friends that they don't really 'need'. On the other hand, Carbon Copy Pro provides the services of Wealth Masters International professionals which have a definite inherent end value.
People want to be rich...plain and simple. To live a life of abundance and provide for their families, etc. Most people will chase MONEY before they chase EDUCATION. Wealth Masters International is designed to modify this trend.
They say if you took all the money AWAY from the wealthy, they'd probably have it all back in a few years! Why? Because it's a 'mental thing', they KNOW how to create and keep Money. Wealth Masters International gives the middle class person these same resources. Most of us pay large sums to attend seminars, buy books, listen to tapes and CD's for ways to make money and live happier lives. Wealth Masters International provides this to its members with a telephone call....PRICELESS information.
So, as a business person you have a sales staff ready to take calls, you have a high value service to offer to your clients. NOW WHAT? How do you get the phone to ring?
Carbon Copy Pro has all the great ways to spread the word both online and offline. Things like mailing campaigns, opportunity calls, great websites and personalized advertising all come with the package.
How can someone get to Six Figure Income within 6 months?
One of the ONLY ways for any business to enjoy that kind of growth is with the power of the Internet. It's being proven day after day, but these companies work as a TEAM. One person can't do it alone. So the trick is who to put on YOUR team.
The group of Wealth Masters International Consultants that I contacted called themselves the 'Six Figure Wealth Team'. A few of them proved to me they earn Six Figures MONTHLY with his program (astounding) after only 2 years of growth. One unique thing I found was that this group provided me a PHONE Number, which was answered by a REAL person! The Six Figure Wealth Team has taken it a step further and have joined forces with the Six Figure Winners Team which provides a Team Site that teaches you how to market, what to say, where to advertise and 90 percent of it is done through video online training. Very Impressive! I was personally invited to a visual webinar of the team's training site by one of the Six Figure Wealth Members and it brought concrete clarity as to how they are duplicating so strongly. This team site has a lifetime membership of $2000 dollars and is tailored for any online business marketer. Another major benefit for those who become part of the Six Figure Wealth Team is they have access to their training site and mentoring WITHOUT any charge or monthly recurring fees. "FREE Entry". After the numerous reviews, phone calls and website visits, I have yet to find ANY Home Based Business that has such a 'hands off' approach by the entrepreneur. Wealth Masters International provides the product, Carbon Copy Pro supplies the sales people, the 'Six Figure Wealth' coaches provide all the marketing materials (online and offline) and GUARANTEE that the businessperson will succeed by following their model. Another good feeling I received was the thought of knowing I was TALKING live to someone who is actually successful using the program, and there was more than just 'one' of them.
In my opinion this will be THE Home Based Business Model adopted by companies in the future. In the meantime, most of the Wealth Masters International Consultant who utilize Carbon Copy Pro NOW will be millionaires within the next 2 years. It definitely deserves a serious review by anyone who wants to (or currently is) in a Home Based Business.
Another Fed cut expected today
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is likely to follow its bold action last week to battle an economic downturn with further interest rate reductions, although analysts are split on just what size the future cuts will be.
Some believe the Fed will settle into a series of quarter-point moves, especially if upcoming economic reports show the economy is slowing but not toppling into an actual recession.
That would mean the Fed will cut its federal funds rate, the interest that banks charge each other, by a quarter point at the conclusion of Wednesday's meeting. It would be the fifth rate cut since last September.
Last week, the Fed announced a surprise three-quarter-point cut which drove the funds rate down to 3.5%. It was the largest reduction in this rate in more than two decades and the first change in the funds rate between meetings since the immediate aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues held an emergency video conference call on Jan. 21 after a turbulent day on world markets when investors grew increasingly worried about what a recession in the United States would do to the prospects for global growth.
Many analysts believed the Fed would quickly follow last week's aggressive move with a cut of at least a half-point at its first regular meeting of the new year. While some economists are still looking for a half-point cut, other economists are arguing that the Fed is likely to produce only a quarter-point reduction, especially in light of some better-than-expected recent economic data.
The most surprising report came Tuesday with news that orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket durable goods jumped 5.2% in December, the biggest increase in five months, and demand in a key series that tracks business investment shot up at the fastest pace since last March.
That unexpected strength may be a signal that the current slowdown will not be as severe as first believed although analysts cautioned that it would be a mistake to read too much into one report.
Also being closely watched is the broadest measure of economic health, the gross domestic product. Many analysts believe the GDP slowed to an anemic rate of around 1% in the October-December quarter and could fall into negative territory in the current January-March period. One definition of a recession is two consecutive quarters of falling GDP. A Commerce Department report on fourth-quarter GDP was due out Wednesday several hours prior to the Fed's expected announcement on its interest rate decision.
Worried about the possibility of a downturn, the House on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a $146 billion economic stimulus bill. Passage in the Senate could be slowed by an effort to expand the measure.
Whatever the Fed does Thursday, analysts said that further rate cuts are likely until the central bank is sure that the economy is back on sound footing. Bernanke pledged in a speech on Jan. 10 to take decisive action to combat a slowdown. Many economists believe the funds rate could fall to 2.5% before the Fed stops easing.
"It is clear that the Fed has moved into a crisis-fighting posture," said David Jones, chief economist at DMJ Advisors.
Some believe the Fed will settle into a series of quarter-point moves, especially if upcoming economic reports show the economy is slowing but not toppling into an actual recession.
That would mean the Fed will cut its federal funds rate, the interest that banks charge each other, by a quarter point at the conclusion of Wednesday's meeting. It would be the fifth rate cut since last September.
Last week, the Fed announced a surprise three-quarter-point cut which drove the funds rate down to 3.5%. It was the largest reduction in this rate in more than two decades and the first change in the funds rate between meetings since the immediate aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues held an emergency video conference call on Jan. 21 after a turbulent day on world markets when investors grew increasingly worried about what a recession in the United States would do to the prospects for global growth.
Many analysts believed the Fed would quickly follow last week's aggressive move with a cut of at least a half-point at its first regular meeting of the new year. While some economists are still looking for a half-point cut, other economists are arguing that the Fed is likely to produce only a quarter-point reduction, especially in light of some better-than-expected recent economic data.
The most surprising report came Tuesday with news that orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket durable goods jumped 5.2% in December, the biggest increase in five months, and demand in a key series that tracks business investment shot up at the fastest pace since last March.
That unexpected strength may be a signal that the current slowdown will not be as severe as first believed although analysts cautioned that it would be a mistake to read too much into one report.
Also being closely watched is the broadest measure of economic health, the gross domestic product. Many analysts believe the GDP slowed to an anemic rate of around 1% in the October-December quarter and could fall into negative territory in the current January-March period. One definition of a recession is two consecutive quarters of falling GDP. A Commerce Department report on fourth-quarter GDP was due out Wednesday several hours prior to the Fed's expected announcement on its interest rate decision.
Worried about the possibility of a downturn, the House on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a $146 billion economic stimulus bill. Passage in the Senate could be slowed by an effort to expand the measure.
Whatever the Fed does Thursday, analysts said that further rate cuts are likely until the central bank is sure that the economy is back on sound footing. Bernanke pledged in a speech on Jan. 10 to take decisive action to combat a slowdown. Many economists believe the funds rate could fall to 2.5% before the Fed stops easing.
"It is clear that the Fed has moved into a crisis-fighting posture," said David Jones, chief economist at DMJ Advisors.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Quote of the Day
"We all know a variety of ways to make a living. What's even more fascinating is figuring out ways to make a fortune."
-Jim Rohn
-Jim Rohn
A Review of the CarbonCopyPRO Income Opportunity
By Brian Garvin
I have actually come across a system that can make a huge positive impact on the network marketing system. This very impressive company Carbon Copy PRO has been in business for four years. Jay Kubassek who lives in New York started it.
He was one of us who tried so many companies and lost so much money till he decided that was it. Within six months of starting this company he was making more per month and the average American makes in a year. And this system has created a bunch of millionaires, so now they say they are going to produce 100 more millionaires by 2012.
For some reason, I believe they are going to do it.
How many network marketing plans have you tried? Ok, be honest and think about how many and how many have you failed. Why are you looking for another opportunity? This is the first company that I have come across as reviewing so many network-marketing systems that have been around. Companies that you and I have tried over and over again. They didn't work, not for me, not for you. This is why you reading my article. We are both looking for something legitimate and that takes on the Internet Marketing method and can help us to build a real, residual income. Income that will come in our sleep.
Carbon Copy PRO may the one. As I have been researching a lot of businesses, and the list is not short. This program actually makes sense to me. Residual Income can only be earned one way and that is customer acquisition and Customer retention.
Customer Acquisitions: this business makes you a partner, so you are in business "with" the company, not "for" them. It becomes a partnership to profit share in the future purchases of real customers. And your customers are reached through the massive Media.
Cooperative Marketing System. Now that is title or phrase that I have not seen since my research into network marketing and direct sales marketing. This company has made huge shift away from the "traditional" business models. And they support a very high retention rate.
The difference in the Carbon Copy Pro business that I see is the satisfied customers. They love the products and the other difference is most MLM, the products are purchased mainly for self-consumption, because they are have a min of product they need to buy, but not here.
Support and Marketing Materials: Not only do they help you obtain customers, and service your customers for you, but they also Market to your customers. Ok...so far this is legit. I know you are thinking I have been falling off my little rocker here, but I assure you, I am really looking into this.
They have a very talented staff of designers and writers that create some incredible and proven marketing materials that are sent out to YOUR customers monthly. And guess what? There is NO Additional cost to you.
Now you are wondering what their products are. Their products focus on Total Wellness. The 3 major product target areas are WEIGHT LOSS - PERFORMANCE - HEALTHY AGING.
What kind of Support and Training will you get if you join? Well, I am going to list them for you since there are enough to make a list with.
1. Free Websites: You will get your OWN personalized and self-replicating versions of the EXACT company -hosted site. There will also be a Resource Site-exclusively for you and the rest of the gang.
2. Live Conference Call & Video Training - You will be able to listen in on the regular CORP Conference and Team calls.
3. Email Trainings for 365 Days - You will begin by receiving emails scheduled to come to you daily, giving you building tips and encouragement.
4. they are a viral marketing system
5. pays for itself and sustains the cost of marketing
6. qualifies your leads, sells them and then closes them.
7. People actually will pay you to see your system.
8. Anyone! Can succeed at this.
I think this is worth your checking into. Set the others aside, we know those don't work, and see what Carbon Copy PRO has to offer you. You have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain.
I have actually come across a system that can make a huge positive impact on the network marketing system. This very impressive company Carbon Copy PRO has been in business for four years. Jay Kubassek who lives in New York started it.
He was one of us who tried so many companies and lost so much money till he decided that was it. Within six months of starting this company he was making more per month and the average American makes in a year. And this system has created a bunch of millionaires, so now they say they are going to produce 100 more millionaires by 2012.
For some reason, I believe they are going to do it.
How many network marketing plans have you tried? Ok, be honest and think about how many and how many have you failed. Why are you looking for another opportunity? This is the first company that I have come across as reviewing so many network-marketing systems that have been around. Companies that you and I have tried over and over again. They didn't work, not for me, not for you. This is why you reading my article. We are both looking for something legitimate and that takes on the Internet Marketing method and can help us to build a real, residual income. Income that will come in our sleep.
Carbon Copy PRO may the one. As I have been researching a lot of businesses, and the list is not short. This program actually makes sense to me. Residual Income can only be earned one way and that is customer acquisition and Customer retention.
Customer Acquisitions: this business makes you a partner, so you are in business "with" the company, not "for" them. It becomes a partnership to profit share in the future purchases of real customers. And your customers are reached through the massive Media.
Cooperative Marketing System. Now that is title or phrase that I have not seen since my research into network marketing and direct sales marketing. This company has made huge shift away from the "traditional" business models. And they support a very high retention rate.
The difference in the Carbon Copy Pro business that I see is the satisfied customers. They love the products and the other difference is most MLM, the products are purchased mainly for self-consumption, because they are have a min of product they need to buy, but not here.
Support and Marketing Materials: Not only do they help you obtain customers, and service your customers for you, but they also Market to your customers. Ok...so far this is legit. I know you are thinking I have been falling off my little rocker here, but I assure you, I am really looking into this.
They have a very talented staff of designers and writers that create some incredible and proven marketing materials that are sent out to YOUR customers monthly. And guess what? There is NO Additional cost to you.
Now you are wondering what their products are. Their products focus on Total Wellness. The 3 major product target areas are WEIGHT LOSS - PERFORMANCE - HEALTHY AGING.
What kind of Support and Training will you get if you join? Well, I am going to list them for you since there are enough to make a list with.
1. Free Websites: You will get your OWN personalized and self-replicating versions of the EXACT company -hosted site. There will also be a Resource Site-exclusively for you and the rest of the gang.
2. Live Conference Call & Video Training - You will be able to listen in on the regular CORP Conference and Team calls.
3. Email Trainings for 365 Days - You will begin by receiving emails scheduled to come to you daily, giving you building tips and encouragement.
4. they are a viral marketing system
5. pays for itself and sustains the cost of marketing
6. qualifies your leads, sells them and then closes them.
7. People actually will pay you to see your system.
8. Anyone! Can succeed at this.
I think this is worth your checking into. Set the others aside, we know those don't work, and see what Carbon Copy PRO has to offer you. You have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain.
Entrepreneurs ACT, Wanna-Be?s HOPE.
YOU decide which side of the fence you are on...
Twelve differences between those who dream and those who act:
1-Wanna-be's obsess about ideas. Entrepreneurs obsess about
implementation.
Don't get stuck in Analysis Paralysis. Look at what the top income
producers are doing and copy them. No need to re-invent the wheel
2-Wanna-be's want more web traffic. Entrepreneurs focus on sales
conversion.
Use a marketing system that closes the sales FOR you! You do not
want to be a sales person. You also want a system that will do this
for your new members as well, giving you the ability to earn
ridiculous amounts of residual income.
3-Wanna-be's focus on positive thinking. Entrepreneurs plan for
multiple contingencies.
Positive thinking is important but you are not a Jedi, yet. You
cannot move things with your mind or conjure money out of thin air.
Positive thinking will only get you so far. You must have Positive
thinking combined with specific, targeted action.
4-Wanna-be's want to get on TV and get "famous." Entrepreneurs
build their businesses and their list.
Let the ego go. Your only goal is to make as much money as possible
as quickly as possible. This will inspire others to do the same.
CarbonCopyPRO will get you on TV if you are part of the "group of
100" anyways.. for no focus on making money! Lots of it.
5-Wanna-be's seek a perfect plan and wait for the perfect time.
Entrepreneurs execute and take action when they see an opportunity.
Entrepreneurs accept educated risk and are able to make big
decisions quickly once they have all the information. Make a
decision and take some risk. No successful entrepreneur
accomplished any significant by playing it safe!
6-Wanna-be's wait for their lucky break. Entrepreneurs take
responsibility and create their OWN circumstances.
7-Wanna-be's fear looking stupid in front of their friends.
Entrepreneurs willingly risk making fools of themselves, knowing
that long-term success is a good trade for short-term loss of image.
Don't listen to your friends and family-They are BROKE. They have
zero credibility as far as financial decisions are concerned.
Surround yourself with people who have results and do what they do.
This is the only way to fast track your wealth.
8-Wanna-be's shield their precious ideas from harsh reality,
postponing the verdict of success or failure until 'someday.'
Entrepreneurs expose their ideas to cold reality as soon as
reasonably possible.
Don't be afraid to look stupid. That is just ego screwing with you.
One way to know you are on the right track is when you lose
anything in common with all of your brokes friends and family. They
don't count, unless you want their results! PERIOD!
9-Wanna-be's put off practicing basketball until they've got Air
Jordan's. Entrepreneurs practice barefoot behind the garage.
Stop waiting for the perfect time, the perfect opportunity, the
perfect situation. Take decisive action now and stop procrastinating.
10-Wanna-be's believe what they're told. Entrepreneurs do original
research and make their own decisions.
Do you due diligence and follow you gut. It will rarely lead you
astray.
11-Wanna-be's believe they can do anything. Entrepreneurs use
systems and technology to solve the variables that most people
struggle with.
CarbonCopyPRO is one such system. It leverages technology and
trained professionals to force results for the new marketer. It
almost goes as far as preventing you from failure.
12-Wanna-be's think about the world in terms of COULD and SHOULD.
Entrepreneurs think in terms of IS and CAN BE.
You can have it all if you really believe you can. Figure out who
you are, what you want, and stop settling for less!
Twelve differences between those who dream and those who act:
1-Wanna-be's obsess about ideas. Entrepreneurs obsess about
implementation.
Don't get stuck in Analysis Paralysis. Look at what the top income
producers are doing and copy them. No need to re-invent the wheel
2-Wanna-be's want more web traffic. Entrepreneurs focus on sales
conversion.
Use a marketing system that closes the sales FOR you! You do not
want to be a sales person. You also want a system that will do this
for your new members as well, giving you the ability to earn
ridiculous amounts of residual income.
3-Wanna-be's focus on positive thinking. Entrepreneurs plan for
multiple contingencies.
Positive thinking is important but you are not a Jedi, yet. You
cannot move things with your mind or conjure money out of thin air.
Positive thinking will only get you so far. You must have Positive
thinking combined with specific, targeted action.
4-Wanna-be's want to get on TV and get "famous." Entrepreneurs
build their businesses and their list.
Let the ego go. Your only goal is to make as much money as possible
as quickly as possible. This will inspire others to do the same.
CarbonCopyPRO will get you on TV if you are part of the "group of
100" anyways.. for no focus on making money! Lots of it.
5-Wanna-be's seek a perfect plan and wait for the perfect time.
Entrepreneurs execute and take action when they see an opportunity.
Entrepreneurs accept educated risk and are able to make big
decisions quickly once they have all the information. Make a
decision and take some risk. No successful entrepreneur
accomplished any significant by playing it safe!
6-Wanna-be's wait for their lucky break. Entrepreneurs take
responsibility and create their OWN circumstances.
7-Wanna-be's fear looking stupid in front of their friends.
Entrepreneurs willingly risk making fools of themselves, knowing
that long-term success is a good trade for short-term loss of image.
Don't listen to your friends and family-They are BROKE. They have
zero credibility as far as financial decisions are concerned.
Surround yourself with people who have results and do what they do.
This is the only way to fast track your wealth.
8-Wanna-be's shield their precious ideas from harsh reality,
postponing the verdict of success or failure until 'someday.'
Entrepreneurs expose their ideas to cold reality as soon as
reasonably possible.
Don't be afraid to look stupid. That is just ego screwing with you.
One way to know you are on the right track is when you lose
anything in common with all of your brokes friends and family. They
don't count, unless you want their results! PERIOD!
9-Wanna-be's put off practicing basketball until they've got Air
Jordan's. Entrepreneurs practice barefoot behind the garage.
Stop waiting for the perfect time, the perfect opportunity, the
perfect situation. Take decisive action now and stop procrastinating.
10-Wanna-be's believe what they're told. Entrepreneurs do original
research and make their own decisions.
Do you due diligence and follow you gut. It will rarely lead you
astray.
11-Wanna-be's believe they can do anything. Entrepreneurs use
systems and technology to solve the variables that most people
struggle with.
CarbonCopyPRO is one such system. It leverages technology and
trained professionals to force results for the new marketer. It
almost goes as far as preventing you from failure.
12-Wanna-be's think about the world in terms of COULD and SHOULD.
Entrepreneurs think in terms of IS and CAN BE.
You can have it all if you really believe you can. Figure out who
you are, what you want, and stop settling for less!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Quote of the Day
“Academic qualifications are important and so is financial education. They're both important and schools are forgetting one of them.”
-Robert Kiyosaki
-Robert Kiyosaki
Multiple Skills for the 21st Century
By Jim Rohn
I find it's important to not walk into the beginning part of this 21st Century without multiple skills.
But what I also find is that if you are already in sales, network marketing or have an entrepreneurial business (or plan to in the future), you can gain the needed skills for the future while you create your income now.
Here's my short list for on the job training, so that you can learn while you earn.
1) SALES
I began my journey with sales, which of course dynamically changed my life back at age 25. The first year I multiplied my income by five. I was raised in farm country. I knew how to milk cows, but it didn't pay well. But sales altered the course of my life, learning to present a valid product in the marketplace, talk about its virtues and get somebody to say "yes." And then give them good service.
2) RECRUITING
Then came recruiting, how to expand my business, build an organization. We have all heard the question, is it better to have one person selling a $1000 or have 100 people selling $10? If you ask me, I'll take the 100 at $10. Recruiting, the ability to multiply your efforts, once mastered, is one of life and leadership's greatest time management resources.
3) ORGANIZING
Then I learned organizing. Keeping your own schedule can be difficult at times, but now you have to balance multiple tasks and people to get maximum results. But you will find that the payoff is massive once you have tapped into the synergy and momentum of group dynamics and teamwork.
4) PROMOTION
Next is promotion. First it's the spring campaign and then the fall campaign, and then it's this month's objective's campaign. You never know when it's going to click for someone to want or need to buy from you or be a part of what you are doing, so having the offer or the special or the contest going when they're ready can make all the difference.
5) RECOGNITION
Then it's the recognition. Some people work harder for recognition than they do for money. It's the chance to belong. Getting people to do something that ordinarily on their own, they wouldn't think of doing. They could, but they don't think of it. You come along with a little promotion for this month or this quarter and everything changes for them, and I found that paid big money.
6) COMMUNICATION
Then I learned communication. How to do the training, how to do the teaching, and probably the greatest gift of all is learning how to inspire with words. Inspire people to see themselves better than they are; all of those gifts, all of those skills. Being the voice that tells them they have made a wise decision and here's why.
Now, I believe that as you walk into this century with just that little short list I've given you, you'll be equipped. We've all watched what has happened the last 15 years. The guy had one skill - the company downsizes. His division is eliminated and since he only had one skill, now he is vulnerable. He's wandering around saying, "Oh my, the last few years I should have taken some classes that would have taught me a couple of more things and I wouldn't be here in this vulnerable position."
So my admonition -- learn some multiple skills, or should we say, back-up skills for the 21st Century and no better place to learn them than in what you’re already doing now.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
I find it's important to not walk into the beginning part of this 21st Century without multiple skills.
But what I also find is that if you are already in sales, network marketing or have an entrepreneurial business (or plan to in the future), you can gain the needed skills for the future while you create your income now.
Here's my short list for on the job training, so that you can learn while you earn.
1) SALES
I began my journey with sales, which of course dynamically changed my life back at age 25. The first year I multiplied my income by five. I was raised in farm country. I knew how to milk cows, but it didn't pay well. But sales altered the course of my life, learning to present a valid product in the marketplace, talk about its virtues and get somebody to say "yes." And then give them good service.
2) RECRUITING
Then came recruiting, how to expand my business, build an organization. We have all heard the question, is it better to have one person selling a $1000 or have 100 people selling $10? If you ask me, I'll take the 100 at $10. Recruiting, the ability to multiply your efforts, once mastered, is one of life and leadership's greatest time management resources.
3) ORGANIZING
Then I learned organizing. Keeping your own schedule can be difficult at times, but now you have to balance multiple tasks and people to get maximum results. But you will find that the payoff is massive once you have tapped into the synergy and momentum of group dynamics and teamwork.
4) PROMOTION
Next is promotion. First it's the spring campaign and then the fall campaign, and then it's this month's objective's campaign. You never know when it's going to click for someone to want or need to buy from you or be a part of what you are doing, so having the offer or the special or the contest going when they're ready can make all the difference.
5) RECOGNITION
Then it's the recognition. Some people work harder for recognition than they do for money. It's the chance to belong. Getting people to do something that ordinarily on their own, they wouldn't think of doing. They could, but they don't think of it. You come along with a little promotion for this month or this quarter and everything changes for them, and I found that paid big money.
6) COMMUNICATION
Then I learned communication. How to do the training, how to do the teaching, and probably the greatest gift of all is learning how to inspire with words. Inspire people to see themselves better than they are; all of those gifts, all of those skills. Being the voice that tells them they have made a wise decision and here's why.
Now, I believe that as you walk into this century with just that little short list I've given you, you'll be equipped. We've all watched what has happened the last 15 years. The guy had one skill - the company downsizes. His division is eliminated and since he only had one skill, now he is vulnerable. He's wandering around saying, "Oh my, the last few years I should have taken some classes that would have taught me a couple of more things and I wouldn't be here in this vulnerable position."
So my admonition -- learn some multiple skills, or should we say, back-up skills for the 21st Century and no better place to learn them than in what you’re already doing now.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
The Future of Working From Home
by Tracey Wilson
Twenty years from now business will not resemble what it does today, no more than today resembles business of twenty years ago.
The generations before us only dreamed of being able to work from home; doing so was only for those who had reign enough to do as they pleased.
In the working world today, working at home has not only become a question asked from opened conversations, but also an option that many search for on applications.
Work at home offers is everywhere. They slam your email box and even your physical mailbox. Even though there are many legitimate businesses around, sadly there are just as many scams.
Unless you are well educated about a company's reputation, make sure you do enough research: check with the Better Business Bureau, company licenses, etc... For as many legitimate companies that are out there, there are several con artists trying to defraud good people out of their money and personal information. Never give out any personal information, or run downloads unless you have thoroughly investigated.
Now since we have all the safety and security issues taken care of, let us discuss the type of businesses, which look to be good opportunities.
Computer - Writing applications, website design, circuit board repair, etc... is a safe bet. All businesses rely on the computer greatly for every aspect of their business. Decide what you enjoy doing and what you are best at doing. There will always be a need for people to write programs on the computer, or repair computers.
Software- Most people love discovering new software for the things they enjoy doing; whether it is business, home or hobby related. The possibilities are endless. Take for example the Microsoft Works Program- WOW! They have everything and anything you need to keep organized: from journaling for home and office, to card making, brochures, fax, letters, newsletters, etc... They have tons of templates readily available for your use- all you need to do is add the information. They also have direct links for sites on the internet for all aspects of plans you need to arrange a vacation or business trip. Once you are on the trip, travel journals are readily available for notes and memories you want to keep. Microsoft Works has far more activities ready for your input- if you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to! I know you will be pleasantly surprised. This will also give you any suggestions for software ideas, which is never-ending.
Medical Transcription- This is just one of the companies where working at home or in the office is totally up to you. If you are going to school, but you would still like an option to work-at-home, research the top jobs with positions available.
There are many benefits to working at home, which are all obvious; but you do need to consider the cons of working from home. Many times, we meet many of our friends and social contacts from work, especially if you are not involved in church and church related activities, or other social groups. Mingling with others is important to our socio-makeup. We need interaction with others- both the good and the bad. Even stressful situations with others outside of our family are important to our character, and helping us to learn how to deal with life-coping skills. If you do decide to work from home, make sure that you are involved with others through another social outlet; it is important for us mentally and physically
Twenty years from now business will not resemble what it does today, no more than today resembles business of twenty years ago.
The generations before us only dreamed of being able to work from home; doing so was only for those who had reign enough to do as they pleased.
In the working world today, working at home has not only become a question asked from opened conversations, but also an option that many search for on applications.
Work at home offers is everywhere. They slam your email box and even your physical mailbox. Even though there are many legitimate businesses around, sadly there are just as many scams.
Unless you are well educated about a company's reputation, make sure you do enough research: check with the Better Business Bureau, company licenses, etc... For as many legitimate companies that are out there, there are several con artists trying to defraud good people out of their money and personal information. Never give out any personal information, or run downloads unless you have thoroughly investigated.
Now since we have all the safety and security issues taken care of, let us discuss the type of businesses, which look to be good opportunities.
Computer - Writing applications, website design, circuit board repair, etc... is a safe bet. All businesses rely on the computer greatly for every aspect of their business. Decide what you enjoy doing and what you are best at doing. There will always be a need for people to write programs on the computer, or repair computers.
Software- Most people love discovering new software for the things they enjoy doing; whether it is business, home or hobby related. The possibilities are endless. Take for example the Microsoft Works Program- WOW! They have everything and anything you need to keep organized: from journaling for home and office, to card making, brochures, fax, letters, newsletters, etc... They have tons of templates readily available for your use- all you need to do is add the information. They also have direct links for sites on the internet for all aspects of plans you need to arrange a vacation or business trip. Once you are on the trip, travel journals are readily available for notes and memories you want to keep. Microsoft Works has far more activities ready for your input- if you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to! I know you will be pleasantly surprised. This will also give you any suggestions for software ideas, which is never-ending.
Medical Transcription- This is just one of the companies where working at home or in the office is totally up to you. If you are going to school, but you would still like an option to work-at-home, research the top jobs with positions available.
There are many benefits to working at home, which are all obvious; but you do need to consider the cons of working from home. Many times, we meet many of our friends and social contacts from work, especially if you are not involved in church and church related activities, or other social groups. Mingling with others is important to our socio-makeup. We need interaction with others- both the good and the bad. Even stressful situations with others outside of our family are important to our character, and helping us to learn how to deal with life-coping skills. If you do decide to work from home, make sure that you are involved with others through another social outlet; it is important for us mentally and physically
What's the deal with Carbon Copy Pro?
by Alex Whitman
The first thing that gets your attention when looking at CarbonCopyPro is a bold statement that this system provides a "Realistic $250K first year income potential" This may cause many people to think that this is yet another internet marketing scam. Upon closer examination I discovered that this system was co-created by a successful entrepreneur named Jay Kubassek and Mike Dillard, the founder of Magnetic Sponsoring.
1. Carbon Copy Pro is a marketing system that promotes a direct sales opportunity.
The potential to build a lucrative income is more realistic in network marketing with a direct sales approach as opposed to a "traditional" mlm compensation plan. The reasons for this are: attrition rates are very high in the mlm and network marketing industries the cost to acquire a new distributor or rep keeps rising It is difficult to build a decent residual income when the average new person in your organization only sticks around for approximately 3 months. In a direct sales approach, this has much less impact on your bottom line since your commissions are paid "up front".
2. You are required to generate traffic.
First of all, the users of this system must generate traffic to the lead capture page that looks like this:
www.richblueline.com
Generating traffic is one of the major challenges faced by many network marketers. Users of Carbon Copy Pro are provided with quite an impressive variety of training on internet marketing strategies. Everything from pay per click, ezine and solo ads, paid leads, postcards, and classified ads are given ample coverage. Also, there is a members forum where results from various forms of marketing are discussed and shared. The focus in the traffic generation training seems to be on tracking and metrics to ensure that members are receiving a return on their investment.
3. What does the CarbonCopyPro system do?
It sorts, qualifies, and closes your prospects for you. Let's examine how this works: through your marketing efforts you drive traffic to the lead capture page a visitor who is interested fills out the form and becomes a lead the lead is added to your auto-responder which sends them messages intended to get them to fill out an application when someone fills out an application and pays the $49 fee they are given access to a business overview page and sent a copy of "INSIDE OUT", a marketing DVD and workbook put together by Jay Kubassek and Mike Dillard they will also be called twice by Carbon Copy Pro marketing professionals who will answer questions and invite them to a live system overview call if they decide to join, you get paid through an automated payment processor you set up with Carbon Copy Pro Note: members also receive a $30 commission for paid applications. This is a funded proposal that serves to filter out the "tire kickers" and provide a cash flow to offset advertising costs.
4. Observations of the CarbonCopyPro system.
It does appear to provide the following solutions for network marketers: high converting lead capture pages well-written auto-responder series leads are personally called for you by professionals access to a complete system that can take a visitor right through to a purchase allows marketers to totally focus on traffic generation
5. Conclusions: Is CarbonCopyPro a Scam?
No, it is not a scam. It is a marketing system that provides solutions for network marketers. It offers the potential to earn a substantial income. The one key ingredient required for success is the ability to drive traffic to the sales page.
6. Is CarbonCopyPro for me?
Yes if you have energy, creativity, due great diligence, be ready to learn new things in business and life, yes this system is for you. If you think this is get quick rich system, CarbonCopyPro is not for you.
7. CarbonCopyPro turnkey marketing Wealth Masters International product
What offers the cheapest package? M1: Wealth acceleration program
Wealth Acceleration Program has been refined over the past 15 years to become the financial planning model for the 21st century. You simply register your client at no cost. Our financial experts will develop a free no obligation personalized wealth acceleration solution for your client. Your client can analyze the proposal, ask as many questions as he or she likes and make any adjustments to meet any of his or her needs. The typical household using our program is out of debt including their car loans, credit cards and mortgage in 8 to 12 years instead of 25 to 30. They save about $200,000 in interest charges while making the same monthly payments. This is a life changing event.
Minimize Your Taxes Increase Your Cash Flow. The country's top-ranked tax expert now works for you. Are you owed a tax refund? Our tax recovery program will show you exactly how much you will receive back in less than 4 weeks. Lower your income taxes, legally and lawfully, by the maximum amount . . . forever (business AND personal)!
Create Savings Emergency Fund With Existing Assets. Our strategies free up your hidden resources. Financial advisers standing by . . . WMI lifetime support You need about 3-6 months income to pay your bills in emergency situation. We show you how to create this reserve.
Ensure Proper Protection Is your family properly protected? Do you have adequate life insurance to cover the loss of income in case of death of the provider? We live in a lawsuit-happy society - are you ready should someone sue you? Are your business assets properly protected? Do you have a trust or a living will? Are your family's hard-earned assets exposed to the predators that prey on them? The WMI experts, the Masters Program, and lifetime membership guide you each step of the way.
Legacy Building Wealth Creation Build long-term legacies with time-tested expertise. Invest like the wealthy and well-connected. Fully funded college accounts. Early retirement on YOUR terms. "Baby boomers need over $1 million to be able to retire." Do you have enough time to save for your retirement? Make your financial dreams become a reality
Package M2: Wealth Conference
The M2 Wealth Conference will provide you with all of the information, expertise, and tools needed to grow your money just like the most affluent do. The truly wealthy know how to grow their net worth and literally make money in their sleep. The M2 Wealth Conference will help you understand exactly how they do it! During this luxurious four day M2 Wealth conference, you will learn that it's not just how much you earn, but what you learn that creates lasting wealth.
The M2 Wealth Conference features both Alliance members from the M1 Masters Program and exclusive access to world renowned experts from a variety of important fields. These experts have been chosen for their proven results oriented track records, and cutting edge strategies in such fields as world economics, politics, business, and alternative health, and you will have the opportunity to meet personally with them. Imagine an audience with the world's top financial authorities, CEO's, and renowned keynote speakers. This is a RARE and UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY TO RUB SHOULDERS WITH THE ELITE MONEY PROFESSIONALS OF OUR TIME as they demonstrate 20 year+ track records of success in every key financial arena.You will truly be learning from the best! Most of us have been taught to believe that more income will make us wealthier, but in fact, it is not only how much you earn, but what you learn and what you have access to that creates lasting wealth
Donald Trump, Warren Buffet, and Robert Kiyosaki all teach that there are two ways to really create wealth: 1) Own your own business or intellectual property, and/or 2) Have your money working hard for you. Unless you are making money in your sleep and your net worth is growing with or without you actually working for it, you still do not understand what the ultra wealthy know and what they do daily to build their wealth. This is also what you must do!
The majority of us have no idea how to invest or what to invest in and we are almost always the last to know about trends and opportunities in the marketplace. By the time the general public hears about a stock or investment through Forbes, Money Magazine or other outlets, it is really old news to the ultra-wealthy and well-connected and has much less upside. Let's face it though. While most of us know that investing is important, the majority think that it is too confusing, uninteresting, or feel that we simply don't have the time to really understand it.
If you feel as if you can dedicate 10-20 hours a week to get your business off the ground and actually see results, feel free to visit my site at
The first thing that gets your attention when looking at CarbonCopyPro is a bold statement that this system provides a "Realistic $250K first year income potential" This may cause many people to think that this is yet another internet marketing scam. Upon closer examination I discovered that this system was co-created by a successful entrepreneur named Jay Kubassek and Mike Dillard, the founder of Magnetic Sponsoring.
1. Carbon Copy Pro is a marketing system that promotes a direct sales opportunity.
The potential to build a lucrative income is more realistic in network marketing with a direct sales approach as opposed to a "traditional" mlm compensation plan. The reasons for this are: attrition rates are very high in the mlm and network marketing industries the cost to acquire a new distributor or rep keeps rising It is difficult to build a decent residual income when the average new person in your organization only sticks around for approximately 3 months. In a direct sales approach, this has much less impact on your bottom line since your commissions are paid "up front".
2. You are required to generate traffic.
First of all, the users of this system must generate traffic to the lead capture page that looks like this:
www.richblueline.com
Generating traffic is one of the major challenges faced by many network marketers. Users of Carbon Copy Pro are provided with quite an impressive variety of training on internet marketing strategies. Everything from pay per click, ezine and solo ads, paid leads, postcards, and classified ads are given ample coverage. Also, there is a members forum where results from various forms of marketing are discussed and shared. The focus in the traffic generation training seems to be on tracking and metrics to ensure that members are receiving a return on their investment.
3. What does the CarbonCopyPro system do?
It sorts, qualifies, and closes your prospects for you. Let's examine how this works: through your marketing efforts you drive traffic to the lead capture page a visitor who is interested fills out the form and becomes a lead the lead is added to your auto-responder which sends them messages intended to get them to fill out an application when someone fills out an application and pays the $49 fee they are given access to a business overview page and sent a copy of "INSIDE OUT", a marketing DVD and workbook put together by Jay Kubassek and Mike Dillard they will also be called twice by Carbon Copy Pro marketing professionals who will answer questions and invite them to a live system overview call if they decide to join, you get paid through an automated payment processor you set up with Carbon Copy Pro Note: members also receive a $30 commission for paid applications. This is a funded proposal that serves to filter out the "tire kickers" and provide a cash flow to offset advertising costs.
4. Observations of the CarbonCopyPro system.
It does appear to provide the following solutions for network marketers: high converting lead capture pages well-written auto-responder series leads are personally called for you by professionals access to a complete system that can take a visitor right through to a purchase allows marketers to totally focus on traffic generation
5. Conclusions: Is CarbonCopyPro a Scam?
No, it is not a scam. It is a marketing system that provides solutions for network marketers. It offers the potential to earn a substantial income. The one key ingredient required for success is the ability to drive traffic to the sales page.
6. Is CarbonCopyPro for me?
Yes if you have energy, creativity, due great diligence, be ready to learn new things in business and life, yes this system is for you. If you think this is get quick rich system, CarbonCopyPro is not for you.
7. CarbonCopyPro turnkey marketing Wealth Masters International product
What offers the cheapest package? M1: Wealth acceleration program
Wealth Acceleration Program has been refined over the past 15 years to become the financial planning model for the 21st century. You simply register your client at no cost. Our financial experts will develop a free no obligation personalized wealth acceleration solution for your client. Your client can analyze the proposal, ask as many questions as he or she likes and make any adjustments to meet any of his or her needs. The typical household using our program is out of debt including their car loans, credit cards and mortgage in 8 to 12 years instead of 25 to 30. They save about $200,000 in interest charges while making the same monthly payments. This is a life changing event.
Minimize Your Taxes Increase Your Cash Flow. The country's top-ranked tax expert now works for you. Are you owed a tax refund? Our tax recovery program will show you exactly how much you will receive back in less than 4 weeks. Lower your income taxes, legally and lawfully, by the maximum amount . . . forever (business AND personal)!
Create Savings Emergency Fund With Existing Assets. Our strategies free up your hidden resources. Financial advisers standing by . . . WMI lifetime support You need about 3-6 months income to pay your bills in emergency situation. We show you how to create this reserve.
Ensure Proper Protection Is your family properly protected? Do you have adequate life insurance to cover the loss of income in case of death of the provider? We live in a lawsuit-happy society - are you ready should someone sue you? Are your business assets properly protected? Do you have a trust or a living will? Are your family's hard-earned assets exposed to the predators that prey on them? The WMI experts, the Masters Program, and lifetime membership guide you each step of the way.
Legacy Building Wealth Creation Build long-term legacies with time-tested expertise. Invest like the wealthy and well-connected. Fully funded college accounts. Early retirement on YOUR terms. "Baby boomers need over $1 million to be able to retire." Do you have enough time to save for your retirement? Make your financial dreams become a reality
Package M2: Wealth Conference
The M2 Wealth Conference will provide you with all of the information, expertise, and tools needed to grow your money just like the most affluent do. The truly wealthy know how to grow their net worth and literally make money in their sleep. The M2 Wealth Conference will help you understand exactly how they do it! During this luxurious four day M2 Wealth conference, you will learn that it's not just how much you earn, but what you learn that creates lasting wealth.
The M2 Wealth Conference features both Alliance members from the M1 Masters Program and exclusive access to world renowned experts from a variety of important fields. These experts have been chosen for their proven results oriented track records, and cutting edge strategies in such fields as world economics, politics, business, and alternative health, and you will have the opportunity to meet personally with them. Imagine an audience with the world's top financial authorities, CEO's, and renowned keynote speakers. This is a RARE and UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY TO RUB SHOULDERS WITH THE ELITE MONEY PROFESSIONALS OF OUR TIME as they demonstrate 20 year+ track records of success in every key financial arena.You will truly be learning from the best! Most of us have been taught to believe that more income will make us wealthier, but in fact, it is not only how much you earn, but what you learn and what you have access to that creates lasting wealth
Donald Trump, Warren Buffet, and Robert Kiyosaki all teach that there are two ways to really create wealth: 1) Own your own business or intellectual property, and/or 2) Have your money working hard for you. Unless you are making money in your sleep and your net worth is growing with or without you actually working for it, you still do not understand what the ultra wealthy know and what they do daily to build their wealth. This is also what you must do!
The majority of us have no idea how to invest or what to invest in and we are almost always the last to know about trends and opportunities in the marketplace. By the time the general public hears about a stock or investment through Forbes, Money Magazine or other outlets, it is really old news to the ultra-wealthy and well-connected and has much less upside. Let's face it though. While most of us know that investing is important, the majority think that it is too confusing, uninteresting, or feel that we simply don't have the time to really understand it.
If you feel as if you can dedicate 10-20 hours a week to get your business off the ground and actually see results, feel free to visit my site at
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Quote of the Day
“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve.”
-Napoleon Hill
-Napoleon Hill
Courage Conquers Fear
Relative to the whole scheme of things, your life span could be compared to lighting a candle and immediately blowing it out. In other words, life is short - very short. Missing out on any of the joys life offers is a tragedy.
If your life is being controlled by your fears, you are most certainly cheating yourself.
Courage is the mental muscle that conquers fear. Like all muscles, the more you use them the stronger they become. Courage is not something you are born with, it must be developed. Individuals who fail to develop courage, remain confined in mental prisons and face each day as mental lightweights.
It has been said if you face the thing you fear, fear leaves you.
For years I believed that courageous individuals had no fear. I was wrong. Eddie Richenbacher put it very well when he said, "There is no courage without fear." We all have fear, however, not everyone becomes subservient to their fears.
There is, very likely, something you have wanted to do for years - move to another city, start your own business, apply for that better position, go after the big account. Whatever it is you should do it. Remember, life is not a practice run. This is it. A little courage leads to more.
Observe those poor souls who are without courage. They merely tiptoe through life hoping they make it safely to death.
You and I were never meant to live that way. Learn to live the way you like by no longer living as you dislike. Forge into the remainder of your day with an abundance of courage. That's living!
If your life is being controlled by your fears, you are most certainly cheating yourself.
Courage is the mental muscle that conquers fear. Like all muscles, the more you use them the stronger they become. Courage is not something you are born with, it must be developed. Individuals who fail to develop courage, remain confined in mental prisons and face each day as mental lightweights.
It has been said if you face the thing you fear, fear leaves you.
For years I believed that courageous individuals had no fear. I was wrong. Eddie Richenbacher put it very well when he said, "There is no courage without fear." We all have fear, however, not everyone becomes subservient to their fears.
There is, very likely, something you have wanted to do for years - move to another city, start your own business, apply for that better position, go after the big account. Whatever it is you should do it. Remember, life is not a practice run. This is it. A little courage leads to more.
Observe those poor souls who are without courage. They merely tiptoe through life hoping they make it safely to death.
You and I were never meant to live that way. Learn to live the way you like by no longer living as you dislike. Forge into the remainder of your day with an abundance of courage. That's living!
How To Make A Killing On The Internet
Okay, you all asked for it. A no nonsense straight forward, to the point guide for making a killing on the Internet. For those daring enough to dedicate themselves to what needs to be done, this article will give you the basics. At the end, I'll direct you to a site where you can take advantage of all my hard work that I suffered through for over 5 years to get to where I am. Here it is.
Step 1 - Find a hungry market. No, I don't mean people who are starving. I'm talking about people who have problems, serious ones and not so serious ones. But they all have something in common...they want their problem solved...no matter HOW insignificant it may seem to you. And if you think this world doesn't have problems, take a look around you my friend. There are problems from acne sufferers to people who want to learn how to throw a split fingered fastball.
Step 2 - Find out if the demand in that market is great enough and the competition is weak enough to even warrant bothering with it. For example, if you think you're going to come out with a new soft drink and compete with the big brands out there, you're greatly mistaken, unless you have billions of dollars to spend on advertising.
Step 3 - Create, or find a ready made product that solves this problem. There are plenty of affiliate programs out there that sell tons of products for all kinds of niches. It's a $6.7 billion a year industry. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to get your piece of the pie. Just refer back to step 2 to see if you have a chance.
Step 4 - Create a free report or article series to provide to people who might be interested in this product. Make sure that you require them to opt into your list in order to get it. This is the critical part of the process. Once you have them on your list, if you follow up with good content and information that they can use, you'll have a much better chance to sell to them down the road.
Step 5 - Create or find more products for this market to sell. Your list, if you provide them with good content, will be more apt to buy from you if you keep giving them products of value.
This, my friend, is how I made a 6 figure income in 2007. It is NOT rocket science. As a matter of fact, it's such a simple process that it's a joke. All you have to do is put in the time.
And therein lies the rub.
See, I know how little time people really have to put into this business. So, I've decided to do the work for you. You can thank me later. In my signature is a site that will explain what I'm talking about. The amount of work that you'll have to put in is minimal because I've done all the hard work.
Like I said up top, you're probably not going to want to do this because it does take some effort. But you asked, and there's the answer...the one REAL way to make a killing on the Internet.
Now go and do it...TODAY!
Step 1 - Find a hungry market. No, I don't mean people who are starving. I'm talking about people who have problems, serious ones and not so serious ones. But they all have something in common...they want their problem solved...no matter HOW insignificant it may seem to you. And if you think this world doesn't have problems, take a look around you my friend. There are problems from acne sufferers to people who want to learn how to throw a split fingered fastball.
Step 2 - Find out if the demand in that market is great enough and the competition is weak enough to even warrant bothering with it. For example, if you think you're going to come out with a new soft drink and compete with the big brands out there, you're greatly mistaken, unless you have billions of dollars to spend on advertising.
Step 3 - Create, or find a ready made product that solves this problem. There are plenty of affiliate programs out there that sell tons of products for all kinds of niches. It's a $6.7 billion a year industry. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to get your piece of the pie. Just refer back to step 2 to see if you have a chance.
Step 4 - Create a free report or article series to provide to people who might be interested in this product. Make sure that you require them to opt into your list in order to get it. This is the critical part of the process. Once you have them on your list, if you follow up with good content and information that they can use, you'll have a much better chance to sell to them down the road.
Step 5 - Create or find more products for this market to sell. Your list, if you provide them with good content, will be more apt to buy from you if you keep giving them products of value.
This, my friend, is how I made a 6 figure income in 2007. It is NOT rocket science. As a matter of fact, it's such a simple process that it's a joke. All you have to do is put in the time.
And therein lies the rub.
See, I know how little time people really have to put into this business. So, I've decided to do the work for you. You can thank me later. In my signature is a site that will explain what I'm talking about. The amount of work that you'll have to put in is minimal because I've done all the hard work.
Like I said up top, you're probably not going to want to do this because it does take some effort. But you asked, and there's the answer...the one REAL way to make a killing on the Internet.
Now go and do it...TODAY!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Quote of the Day
"Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal."
-Elbert Hubbard
-Elbert Hubbard
The Major Key to Your Better Future is You
by Jim Rohn
Of all the things that can have an effect on your future, I believe personal growth is the greatest. We can talk about sales growth, profit growth, asset growth, but all of this probably will not happen without personal growth. It’s really the open door to it all. In fact I’d like to have you memorize a most important phrase. Here it is, “The major key to your better future is YOU.”
Let me repeat that. “The major key to your better future is YOU.” Put that someplace you can see it everyday, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, at the office, anywhere where you can see it everyday. The major key to your better future is YOU. Try to remember that every day you live and think about it. The major key is YOU.
Now, there are many things that will help your better future. If you belong to a strong, dynamic and progressive company, that would help. If the company has good products, good services that you are proud of, that would certainly help. If there were good sales aids, that would help, good training would certainly help. If there is strong leadership that will certainly help. All of these things will help, and of course, if it doesn’t storm, that will help. If your car doesn’t break down, that will help. If the kids don’t get sick, that will help. If the neighbors stay half way civil, that will help. If your relatives don’t bug you, that will help. If it isn’t too cold, if it isn’t too hot, all those things will help your better future. And if prices don’t go much higher and if taxes don’t get much heavier, that will help. And if the economy stays stable, those things will all help. We could go on and on with the list; but remember this, the list of things that I’ve just covered and many more - all put together - play a minor role in your better future.
The major key to your better future is you. Lock your mind onto that. This is a super important point to remember. The major key is you. Mr. Shoaff always answered when asked, “How do you develop an above average income?” by saying “Simple, become an above average person. Work on you.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average handshake.” He would say, “A lot of people want to be successful, and they don’t even work on their handshake. As easy as that would be to start, they let it slide. They don’t understand.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average smile. Develop an above average excitement. Develop an above average dedication. Develop an above average interest in other people.” He would say, “To have more, become more.” Remember; work harder on yourself than you do on your job. For a long time in my life, I didn’t have this figured out.
Strangely enough, with two different people in the same company one may earn an extra $100 a month, and the other may earn a $1,000. What could possibly be the difference? If the products were the same, if the training was the same, if they both had the same literature, the same tools. If they both had the same teacher, the same compensation plan, if they both attended the same meetings, why would one person earn the $100 per month and the other person earn the $1000? Remember here is the difference...the difference is personal, inside, not outside, inside.
You see the real difference is inside you. In fact, the difference IS you. Someone once said, “The magic is not in the products. The magic is not in the literature. The magic is not in the film. There isn’t a magic meeting, but the magic that makes things better is inside you, and personal growth makes this magic work for you.
The magic is in believing. The magic is in daring. The magic is in trying. The real magic is in persevering. The magic is in accepting. It’s in working. The magic is in thinking. There is magic in a handshake. There is magic in a smile. There is magic in excitement and determination. There is real magic in compassion and caring and sharing. There is unusual magic in strong feeling and you see, all that comes from inside, not outside. So, the difference is inside you. The real difference is you. You are the major key to your better future.
Of all the things that can have an effect on your future, I believe personal growth is the greatest. We can talk about sales growth, profit growth, asset growth, but all of this probably will not happen without personal growth. It’s really the open door to it all. In fact I’d like to have you memorize a most important phrase. Here it is, “The major key to your better future is YOU.”
Let me repeat that. “The major key to your better future is YOU.” Put that someplace you can see it everyday, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, at the office, anywhere where you can see it everyday. The major key to your better future is YOU. Try to remember that every day you live and think about it. The major key is YOU.
Now, there are many things that will help your better future. If you belong to a strong, dynamic and progressive company, that would help. If the company has good products, good services that you are proud of, that would certainly help. If there were good sales aids, that would help, good training would certainly help. If there is strong leadership that will certainly help. All of these things will help, and of course, if it doesn’t storm, that will help. If your car doesn’t break down, that will help. If the kids don’t get sick, that will help. If the neighbors stay half way civil, that will help. If your relatives don’t bug you, that will help. If it isn’t too cold, if it isn’t too hot, all those things will help your better future. And if prices don’t go much higher and if taxes don’t get much heavier, that will help. And if the economy stays stable, those things will all help. We could go on and on with the list; but remember this, the list of things that I’ve just covered and many more - all put together - play a minor role in your better future.
The major key to your better future is you. Lock your mind onto that. This is a super important point to remember. The major key is you. Mr. Shoaff always answered when asked, “How do you develop an above average income?” by saying “Simple, become an above average person. Work on you.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average handshake.” He would say, “A lot of people want to be successful, and they don’t even work on their handshake. As easy as that would be to start, they let it slide. They don’t understand.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average smile. Develop an above average excitement. Develop an above average dedication. Develop an above average interest in other people.” He would say, “To have more, become more.” Remember; work harder on yourself than you do on your job. For a long time in my life, I didn’t have this figured out.
Strangely enough, with two different people in the same company one may earn an extra $100 a month, and the other may earn a $1,000. What could possibly be the difference? If the products were the same, if the training was the same, if they both had the same literature, the same tools. If they both had the same teacher, the same compensation plan, if they both attended the same meetings, why would one person earn the $100 per month and the other person earn the $1000? Remember here is the difference...the difference is personal, inside, not outside, inside.
You see the real difference is inside you. In fact, the difference IS you. Someone once said, “The magic is not in the products. The magic is not in the literature. The magic is not in the film. There isn’t a magic meeting, but the magic that makes things better is inside you, and personal growth makes this magic work for you.
The magic is in believing. The magic is in daring. The magic is in trying. The real magic is in persevering. The magic is in accepting. It’s in working. The magic is in thinking. There is magic in a handshake. There is magic in a smile. There is magic in excitement and determination. There is real magic in compassion and caring and sharing. There is unusual magic in strong feeling and you see, all that comes from inside, not outside. So, the difference is inside you. The real difference is you. You are the major key to your better future.
Amazing Ezine Publishing - Discover 4 Efficient Secrets to Make Money with Ezine Publishing
Ezine publishing is fast becoming one of the most sought-after content-based marketing solutions these days. It helps entrepreneurs in building profitable business relationship with their potential clients through distribution of information.
Here are the 4 efficient ways to make more money with ezine publishing:
1. Expand your email marketing list. The more people you advertise to, the higher your sales potential. Strive to attract people to subscribe to your list by utilizing effective list building techniques. These include article writing, the use of squeeze page, posting of opt-in forms to your blog or website, throwing away freebies, and the use of your autoresponders. Focus on the quality of your list and make it more targeted by attracting the right kind of people or people who are most likely to buy from you.
2. Content. Why would people want to receive newsletters from you? They either want to be informed or get special promotions that are only offered to registered members. Thus, send newsletters only if you have valuable information to share and promotion to announce. Otherwise, don't bombard your subscribers with newsletters that they will not find useful or beneficial.
3. Advertise. This is the easiest way to make money through your ezine publishing. Advertise your products and services by sending product reviews, unbiased recommendations, or testimonials of your most satisfied clients. Don't forget to include your product photos, studies or researches that back up your products' efficiency or recognition they have received from industry leaders, if any, to make your offer more credible and enticing.
4. Be consistent. Extended period of absence can make your subscriber forget about you. To avoid this from happening, write your ezine content ahead of time and load them on your autoresponders. By doing so, your subscribers will not fail to receive your newsletters even if you are away or don't have internet access.
Here are the 4 efficient ways to make more money with ezine publishing:
1. Expand your email marketing list. The more people you advertise to, the higher your sales potential. Strive to attract people to subscribe to your list by utilizing effective list building techniques. These include article writing, the use of squeeze page, posting of opt-in forms to your blog or website, throwing away freebies, and the use of your autoresponders. Focus on the quality of your list and make it more targeted by attracting the right kind of people or people who are most likely to buy from you.
2. Content. Why would people want to receive newsletters from you? They either want to be informed or get special promotions that are only offered to registered members. Thus, send newsletters only if you have valuable information to share and promotion to announce. Otherwise, don't bombard your subscribers with newsletters that they will not find useful or beneficial.
3. Advertise. This is the easiest way to make money through your ezine publishing. Advertise your products and services by sending product reviews, unbiased recommendations, or testimonials of your most satisfied clients. Don't forget to include your product photos, studies or researches that back up your products' efficiency or recognition they have received from industry leaders, if any, to make your offer more credible and enticing.
4. Be consistent. Extended period of absence can make your subscriber forget about you. To avoid this from happening, write your ezine content ahead of time and load them on your autoresponders. By doing so, your subscribers will not fail to receive your newsletters even if you are away or don't have internet access.
Bush urges Congress to adopt economic stimulus package
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Virginia (AFP) — President George W. Bush on Friday urged Congress to approve "as soon as possible" an economic stimulus plan of some 150 billion dollars negotiated with congressional leaders aimed at avoiding a recession.
Bush spoke one day after the White House and leaders of the opposition-controlled House of Representatives struck a deal on a series of measures, mainly tax cuts and rebates, to quickly stimulate the sagging economy.
The plan, a rare agreement between the Republican president and the Democratic-controlled Congress, still needs approval in the Senate, where leaders said the plan may be discussed next week.
"This bill is important to the security of the United States of America, and the Congress needs to get a good bill to my desk as soon as possible," said Bush, speaking at a political event in this West Virginian town.
"I understand the desire to add provisions from both the right and the left," he said, adding: "I strongly believe it would be a mistake to delay or derail this bill," he said.
Some Senate Democrats have criticized Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for failing to include an increase in issues such as unemployment benefits and infrastructure investment in the deal.
Any new provisions could delay approval of the passage since an identical bill must win passage in both the House and the Senate.
"It's a sound package," said Bush, addressing Congress in his speech. "It makes a lot of sense. It's needed, and you need to pass it as quickly as possible to get money in the hands of the people who are going to help this economy stay strong."
Congressional officials said tax-rebate checks would be mailed out in the coming weeks to 117 million families under the plan. Most single taxpayers would get up to 600 dollars and married couples up to 1,200 dollars, plus 300 dollars per child.
Certain low-income people who earn below the threshold for paying taxes would also get a rebate of at least 300 dollars under the plan. Congressional officials said the provision would help 35 million working families.
The package also includes a series of mortgage market reforms aimed at easing the housing crunch. One measure would increase the cap on loans that can be purchased by government-sponsored entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to 625,500 dollars from 417,000, aimed at unfreezing the market for so-called jumbo loans.
Bush spoke one day after the White House and leaders of the opposition-controlled House of Representatives struck a deal on a series of measures, mainly tax cuts and rebates, to quickly stimulate the sagging economy.
The plan, a rare agreement between the Republican president and the Democratic-controlled Congress, still needs approval in the Senate, where leaders said the plan may be discussed next week.
"This bill is important to the security of the United States of America, and the Congress needs to get a good bill to my desk as soon as possible," said Bush, speaking at a political event in this West Virginian town.
"I understand the desire to add provisions from both the right and the left," he said, adding: "I strongly believe it would be a mistake to delay or derail this bill," he said.
Some Senate Democrats have criticized Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for failing to include an increase in issues such as unemployment benefits and infrastructure investment in the deal.
Any new provisions could delay approval of the passage since an identical bill must win passage in both the House and the Senate.
"It's a sound package," said Bush, addressing Congress in his speech. "It makes a lot of sense. It's needed, and you need to pass it as quickly as possible to get money in the hands of the people who are going to help this economy stay strong."
Congressional officials said tax-rebate checks would be mailed out in the coming weeks to 117 million families under the plan. Most single taxpayers would get up to 600 dollars and married couples up to 1,200 dollars, plus 300 dollars per child.
Certain low-income people who earn below the threshold for paying taxes would also get a rebate of at least 300 dollars under the plan. Congressional officials said the provision would help 35 million working families.
The package also includes a series of mortgage market reforms aimed at easing the housing crunch. One measure would increase the cap on loans that can be purchased by government-sponsored entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to 625,500 dollars from 417,000, aimed at unfreezing the market for so-called jumbo loans.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Quote of the Day
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
-Thomas Edison
-Thomas Edison
Life Goes on After Firing Your Boss
In this article I would like to go through my experience after I stopped working. Initially when I first started my very first job I was always looking for a way out. I really did not like answering to a boss and waking up early every morning to commute in traffic.
One day I was surfing the internet when I came across the course the Insider's Secrets To Marketing Your Business On The Internet by Corey Rudl. I immediately purchased it and it gave me a very good start to starting my very own internet business.
I gradually created my business and then one day I finally had enough of the corporate world and handed my resignation in.
Here are some valuable tips that I have learned from marketing my internet business that will hopefully also help you.
You need to choose a profitable niche market. This is often one of the most overlooked steps and forms the foundation of your business. When I first started I often chose niche markets that I could not make money in.
The easiest type of site to set up is a mini site. Basically you will drive all traffic to a squeeze page where the primary purpose is to capture a name and email address. You do this by offering a free report. This allows you to market over and over again to your subscribers.
Finally, you really need to become very good at email marketing. Even if you make a loss on advertising to capture the lead you will make a profit if you have emails that convert into sales in your autoresponder.
One day I was surfing the internet when I came across the course the Insider's Secrets To Marketing Your Business On The Internet by Corey Rudl. I immediately purchased it and it gave me a very good start to starting my very own internet business.
I gradually created my business and then one day I finally had enough of the corporate world and handed my resignation in.
Here are some valuable tips that I have learned from marketing my internet business that will hopefully also help you.
You need to choose a profitable niche market. This is often one of the most overlooked steps and forms the foundation of your business. When I first started I often chose niche markets that I could not make money in.
The easiest type of site to set up is a mini site. Basically you will drive all traffic to a squeeze page where the primary purpose is to capture a name and email address. You do this by offering a free report. This allows you to market over and over again to your subscribers.
Finally, you really need to become very good at email marketing. Even if you make a loss on advertising to capture the lead you will make a profit if you have emails that convert into sales in your autoresponder.
Internet Home Business - Where Do I Start?
by Nina Greene
Starting a home based internet business does not require a huge monetary investment or highly specialized computer and internet expertise. In fact, it is surprisingly easy and inexpensive to create a money-making website. While you do have expenses when starting a home based internet business, they are very minor when you compare them to the expenses involved in starting a traditional business.
For example, for a traditional business you need a location or storefront and there are lease or rental fees associated with the building, which could cost you thousands per month. With an internet business, you have the cost of monthly hosting which can be as low as $10/mth.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or frozen with fear of the unknown, then you need to read further. It is not that scary or overwhelming if your break it up into smaller pieces. The following list will help you gather your thoughts and move you in the right direction.
1. Determine how much money you will have to invest in your online business. You will need to budget for the services, products, tools, and educational resources required for your business. At a minimum, you need a domain name, a web host, and a website to start.
2. Decide on your niche, theme, product or service. You have many options such as creating a website or blog, promoting affiliate products, or selling merchandise in online auctions just to name a few. If you are going to sell products on your own website, you will need a supplier and shopping cart software. If you want a theme-based website, then you need a gather a database of articles and information to present to your visitors. You will need to do some market research to find out how much interest there is in your product or service. Start thinking about how you can set yourself apart from the competition.
3. Starting an online business without educating yourself is not advisable. It's fine to be eager and excited about getting started, but you are jeopardizing your chances of success by jumping into an internet business without a good foundation. Get all the information you can, but also invest in the best information and education products. The more you learn the easier the process will be for you. Don't feel like you have to learn everything before you get started. You just need to get a good foundation because after that, you will learn by doing.
4. By educating yourself, you will be able to identify which tools you will need to start and promote your business. Understand that probably the most important aspect of your business will be the marketing of your website. An incredible website is nothing without visitors. Without the visitors, you have not even a remote chance of making sales. Every website owner will need traffic and marketing tools, such as autoresponders and pay per click advertising. Learn all the options for marketing your website to increase traffic and sales.
5. Manage your time wisely. This is a constant challenge for a lot of home based business owners. It is so easy to become distracted when you are at home, more so than in the traditional workplace. Set a schedule and set goals for what you want to accomplish and when. Write down the goals you need to accomplish for the day and cross them off as you finish them. This may sound simplistic but it really does help to keep you on track.
6. Make a commitment and do not treat this like a hobby. Do not get into your internet home business thinking it is okay if you don't succeed. Instead, move forward knowing that you will succeed. Commit to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Keep focused on your goals and have the belief and confidence in yourself that you can achieve them.
You see, it is not difficult at all to start a home based business. Building a home based internet business is achievable for almost anyone who has the desire and willingness to do what it takes to make it happen. The information, resources, and tools are all available to help you succeed. It's just a matter of what you are going to do next. You can walk away or you can take some action now. Success is up to you!
Starting a home based internet business does not require a huge monetary investment or highly specialized computer and internet expertise. In fact, it is surprisingly easy and inexpensive to create a money-making website. While you do have expenses when starting a home based internet business, they are very minor when you compare them to the expenses involved in starting a traditional business.
For example, for a traditional business you need a location or storefront and there are lease or rental fees associated with the building, which could cost you thousands per month. With an internet business, you have the cost of monthly hosting which can be as low as $10/mth.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or frozen with fear of the unknown, then you need to read further. It is not that scary or overwhelming if your break it up into smaller pieces. The following list will help you gather your thoughts and move you in the right direction.
1. Determine how much money you will have to invest in your online business. You will need to budget for the services, products, tools, and educational resources required for your business. At a minimum, you need a domain name, a web host, and a website to start.
2. Decide on your niche, theme, product or service. You have many options such as creating a website or blog, promoting affiliate products, or selling merchandise in online auctions just to name a few. If you are going to sell products on your own website, you will need a supplier and shopping cart software. If you want a theme-based website, then you need a gather a database of articles and information to present to your visitors. You will need to do some market research to find out how much interest there is in your product or service. Start thinking about how you can set yourself apart from the competition.
3. Starting an online business without educating yourself is not advisable. It's fine to be eager and excited about getting started, but you are jeopardizing your chances of success by jumping into an internet business without a good foundation. Get all the information you can, but also invest in the best information and education products. The more you learn the easier the process will be for you. Don't feel like you have to learn everything before you get started. You just need to get a good foundation because after that, you will learn by doing.
4. By educating yourself, you will be able to identify which tools you will need to start and promote your business. Understand that probably the most important aspect of your business will be the marketing of your website. An incredible website is nothing without visitors. Without the visitors, you have not even a remote chance of making sales. Every website owner will need traffic and marketing tools, such as autoresponders and pay per click advertising. Learn all the options for marketing your website to increase traffic and sales.
5. Manage your time wisely. This is a constant challenge for a lot of home based business owners. It is so easy to become distracted when you are at home, more so than in the traditional workplace. Set a schedule and set goals for what you want to accomplish and when. Write down the goals you need to accomplish for the day and cross them off as you finish them. This may sound simplistic but it really does help to keep you on track.
6. Make a commitment and do not treat this like a hobby. Do not get into your internet home business thinking it is okay if you don't succeed. Instead, move forward knowing that you will succeed. Commit to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Keep focused on your goals and have the belief and confidence in yourself that you can achieve them.
You see, it is not difficult at all to start a home based business. Building a home based internet business is achievable for almost anyone who has the desire and willingness to do what it takes to make it happen. The information, resources, and tools are all available to help you succeed. It's just a matter of what you are going to do next. You can walk away or you can take some action now. Success is up to you!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Fed Rate-Cut Winners and Losers
by Chris Kissell, Sheyna Steiner, Laura Bruce, and Leslie McFadden
When the Federal Reserve meets and changes rates we all have questions: What does it mean to me? Will my mortgage rate go up or down? Is this a good time to refinance? Bankrate is here to help. We've looked at five categories -- mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans, credit cards and certificates of deposit -- to determine if the Fed's moves made you a winner or a loser. Here's a look at mortgages:
Winner: Borrowers with good credit
The surprise decision by the Federal Open Market Committee to cut the federal funds target by 75 basis points likely reflects growing fears that the U.S. economy is weakening. Ironically, such worries may be good for people hoping to see lower mortgage rates.
Mortgage rates often dip when investors fearing an economic slowdown grow more conservative and buy up Treasuries and bonds. This causes long-term rates -- and by extension, mortgage rates -- to fall, creating an opportunity to get better terms on a loan.
However, the nation's recent credit woes mean you probably need a sound credit history to take advantage of these better terms.
"If you are a high-quality credit household and you're looking to buy a house, prices have fallen in many markets," says Doug Duncan, chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association. "In addition to that, interest rates have come down.
"Those two things indicate that you're likely to get a more affordable mortgage and homes will be more affordable."
People with adjustable-rate mortgages can also refinance to a fixed-rate mortgage. This will lock in their payment for years to come, regardless of the future direction of mortgage rates.
Loser: Borrowers with bad credit
Falling mortgage rates are great for homebuyers and homeowners looking to refinance. But if you've had credit problems in the past, tightening lending standards means you're less likely to be approved for a loan, Duncan says.
Take action
Now is a good time to start shopping for a home. It's also a good time to refinance from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate.
"The takeaway for the average Joe is that it's one heck of a time to refinance," says Bob Walters, chief economist for Quicken Loans.
Meanwhile, if your credit is bad or your home is losing value, you likely will have more difficulty getting a loan. Still, it's worth calling around to find a lender who may be willing to work with you, Walters says.
Here's a look at home equity loans:
Winner: HELOC borrowers
People with home equity lines of credit should cheer the surprise decision by the Federal Open Market Committee to cut the federal funds target rate by 75 basis points today. Most HELOCs are pegged to the prime rate, which rises and falls in tandem with the federal funds rate.
If you have a HELOC, borrowing costs are likely to get cheaper for the fourth time in the past five months.
Loser: Home equity loan borrowers
Home equity loan rates have remained frustratingly static throughout the Fed's most recent series of rate cuts. Sometimes they move up a bit, other times they tick down a hair. But overall, rates have hovered around 8 percent for more than six months.
Bob Walters, chief economist at Quicken Loans, says growing lender reluctance to offer these loans has stifled the type of competition necessary to drive rates down.
Take action
Now is a great time to open a home equity line of credit -- if you can get approval. For people with bad credit or little home equity, that's a very big "if."
Meanwhile, people shopping for home equity loans should not necessarily expect rates to fall. Borrowing costs on these loans have changed very little since the Federal Reserve began its latest rate-cutting campaign last fall.
"I'm not saying that everyone's going to get approved," he says. "I'm saying that everybody should try."
Here's a look at auto loans:
Winner: Auto-loan borrower
Since the Federal Open Market Committee began cutting short-term interest rates in September 2007, not much has happened to auto loan interest rates. The standard five-year new-car loan rate fell 12 basis points over the intervening four months, which saw short-term interest rates slashed 100 basis points altogether, or a full percentage point.
The standard three-year used-car loan has moved even less, coming in 2 basis points less than the rate in September.
This 75 basis point cut to the federal funds target will lower rates overall, but the impact to auto loan rates will continue to be slight, says Jesse Toprak, executive director of industry analysis at Edmunds.com.
"I think the reason we aren't seeing a big impact in auto loans rates is because the correlation between auto loan rates and federal funds target rates isn't one to one as it used to be," he says. "They used to be short-term loans, but now we're getting to almost five and a half years, which stretches into mid-term length for loans, so short-term rates will have less of an impact."
Auto-loan shoppers should look for auto-loan interest rates to continue drifting gradually lower. In addition, predictions for soft auto sales mean manufacturers will continue to buy down interest rates to lure in buyers.
"Its going to be a tough marketplace in 2008. We predict that sales will be even lower in '08 than '07 so we're going to see even more zero percent APR offers," says Toprak.
"Third party rates are not going down as much, but there will always be good deals out there on some models."
Take action
With banks circling the wagons to protect liquidity and a constriction in credit markets, keeping a great credit score is even more important now than it was in the recent past. Check your credit report before shopping for a car and work to improve your credit score.
Here's a look at CD and money market accounts:
Loser: Certificate of deposit buyer
A 75-basis-point cut will be a bit painful for CD buyers, but we can't say it was unexpected. The stock markets have been screaming for this and more. It seems likely more cuts will come.
Nevertheless, at least until now, CD yields have held remarkably well despite the chipping away by the Federal Open Market Committee at short-term interest rates since last September. According to Bankrate surveys, a run-of-the-mill six-month CD yielded an average of 3.54 percent when the Fed began cutting the federal funds target rate. Today, that annual yield is down to about 3.36 percent.
A high-yield six-month CD during the same time frame has gone from 5.17 percent to 4.72 percent. Not bad considering the Fed lopped a full 1 percent off the federal funds rate before today's cut.
Fierce competition among banks for customers and deposits has helped keep CD rates propped up. So, why do we say CD buyers are losers? That may be a bit harsh, but CDs are a declining investment -- you're reinvesting at lower rates.
The truth is no one invests in CDs to get rich; they're looking to preserve their money and hoping to come out a bit ahead of inflation. So, in a market like this maybe CD buyers are winners.
Take action
No one has a crystal ball to tell us when the economy will begin to recover. The Fed could be in for a long cycle of cutting rates. Consider buying the longest maturities you can handle to lock in the best rates for the longest period of time.
Here's a look at credit cards:
Winner: Credit card debtor
In a surprise move, the Federal Open Market Committee reduced the federal funds target rate. It cut the target rate by 75 basis points, which brings the federal funds rate down from 4.25 percent to 3.5 percent. This reduction will trigger the prime, which is usually 3 percentage points higher, to drop from 7.25 percent to 6.5 percent.
Because most variable-rate credit cards are based on the prime rate, consumers with variable-rate cards may see their APRs decline. Cardholders may see some rate relief in their February payments, says Tony Plath, associate professor of finance at the University of North Carolina.
Plath says fixed-rate cardholders are not likely to see their APRs dip as a result of the FOMC's actions.
Another professor argues that credit cardholders may not see their rates decline because the banks have tightened their credit standards.
"The banks have suffered large increases in defaults, there have been large increases in foreclosures in the mortgage market and bank lending is more carefully scrutinized now by both the regulators and the banks themselves," says Harold A. Black, the James F. Smith Jr. Professor of Financial Institutions at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
"I actually think that even though under typical times the Fed lowering those short-term rates would eventually start to bring down credit card rates, it may not be as pronounced in this market simply because of what's going on as far as credit standards are concerned."
Take action
Regardless of whether this rate cut translates to a lower monthly payment for you, a credit card issuer can change your interest rate at any time, with 15 days advance written notice. Reduce your balances as much as possible or pay them off and you'll save more money than you would with a rate cut.
When the Federal Reserve meets and changes rates we all have questions: What does it mean to me? Will my mortgage rate go up or down? Is this a good time to refinance? Bankrate is here to help. We've looked at five categories -- mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans, credit cards and certificates of deposit -- to determine if the Fed's moves made you a winner or a loser. Here's a look at mortgages:
Winner: Borrowers with good credit
The surprise decision by the Federal Open Market Committee to cut the federal funds target by 75 basis points likely reflects growing fears that the U.S. economy is weakening. Ironically, such worries may be good for people hoping to see lower mortgage rates.
Mortgage rates often dip when investors fearing an economic slowdown grow more conservative and buy up Treasuries and bonds. This causes long-term rates -- and by extension, mortgage rates -- to fall, creating an opportunity to get better terms on a loan.
However, the nation's recent credit woes mean you probably need a sound credit history to take advantage of these better terms.
"If you are a high-quality credit household and you're looking to buy a house, prices have fallen in many markets," says Doug Duncan, chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association. "In addition to that, interest rates have come down.
"Those two things indicate that you're likely to get a more affordable mortgage and homes will be more affordable."
People with adjustable-rate mortgages can also refinance to a fixed-rate mortgage. This will lock in their payment for years to come, regardless of the future direction of mortgage rates.
Loser: Borrowers with bad credit
Falling mortgage rates are great for homebuyers and homeowners looking to refinance. But if you've had credit problems in the past, tightening lending standards means you're less likely to be approved for a loan, Duncan says.
Take action
Now is a good time to start shopping for a home. It's also a good time to refinance from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate.
"The takeaway for the average Joe is that it's one heck of a time to refinance," says Bob Walters, chief economist for Quicken Loans.
Meanwhile, if your credit is bad or your home is losing value, you likely will have more difficulty getting a loan. Still, it's worth calling around to find a lender who may be willing to work with you, Walters says.
Here's a look at home equity loans:
Winner: HELOC borrowers
People with home equity lines of credit should cheer the surprise decision by the Federal Open Market Committee to cut the federal funds target rate by 75 basis points today. Most HELOCs are pegged to the prime rate, which rises and falls in tandem with the federal funds rate.
If you have a HELOC, borrowing costs are likely to get cheaper for the fourth time in the past five months.
Loser: Home equity loan borrowers
Home equity loan rates have remained frustratingly static throughout the Fed's most recent series of rate cuts. Sometimes they move up a bit, other times they tick down a hair. But overall, rates have hovered around 8 percent for more than six months.
Bob Walters, chief economist at Quicken Loans, says growing lender reluctance to offer these loans has stifled the type of competition necessary to drive rates down.
Take action
Now is a great time to open a home equity line of credit -- if you can get approval. For people with bad credit or little home equity, that's a very big "if."
Meanwhile, people shopping for home equity loans should not necessarily expect rates to fall. Borrowing costs on these loans have changed very little since the Federal Reserve began its latest rate-cutting campaign last fall.
"I'm not saying that everyone's going to get approved," he says. "I'm saying that everybody should try."
Here's a look at auto loans:
Winner: Auto-loan borrower
Since the Federal Open Market Committee began cutting short-term interest rates in September 2007, not much has happened to auto loan interest rates. The standard five-year new-car loan rate fell 12 basis points over the intervening four months, which saw short-term interest rates slashed 100 basis points altogether, or a full percentage point.
The standard three-year used-car loan has moved even less, coming in 2 basis points less than the rate in September.
This 75 basis point cut to the federal funds target will lower rates overall, but the impact to auto loan rates will continue to be slight, says Jesse Toprak, executive director of industry analysis at Edmunds.com.
"I think the reason we aren't seeing a big impact in auto loans rates is because the correlation between auto loan rates and federal funds target rates isn't one to one as it used to be," he says. "They used to be short-term loans, but now we're getting to almost five and a half years, which stretches into mid-term length for loans, so short-term rates will have less of an impact."
Auto-loan shoppers should look for auto-loan interest rates to continue drifting gradually lower. In addition, predictions for soft auto sales mean manufacturers will continue to buy down interest rates to lure in buyers.
"Its going to be a tough marketplace in 2008. We predict that sales will be even lower in '08 than '07 so we're going to see even more zero percent APR offers," says Toprak.
"Third party rates are not going down as much, but there will always be good deals out there on some models."
Take action
With banks circling the wagons to protect liquidity and a constriction in credit markets, keeping a great credit score is even more important now than it was in the recent past. Check your credit report before shopping for a car and work to improve your credit score.
Here's a look at CD and money market accounts:
Loser: Certificate of deposit buyer
A 75-basis-point cut will be a bit painful for CD buyers, but we can't say it was unexpected. The stock markets have been screaming for this and more. It seems likely more cuts will come.
Nevertheless, at least until now, CD yields have held remarkably well despite the chipping away by the Federal Open Market Committee at short-term interest rates since last September. According to Bankrate surveys, a run-of-the-mill six-month CD yielded an average of 3.54 percent when the Fed began cutting the federal funds target rate. Today, that annual yield is down to about 3.36 percent.
A high-yield six-month CD during the same time frame has gone from 5.17 percent to 4.72 percent. Not bad considering the Fed lopped a full 1 percent off the federal funds rate before today's cut.
Fierce competition among banks for customers and deposits has helped keep CD rates propped up. So, why do we say CD buyers are losers? That may be a bit harsh, but CDs are a declining investment -- you're reinvesting at lower rates.
The truth is no one invests in CDs to get rich; they're looking to preserve their money and hoping to come out a bit ahead of inflation. So, in a market like this maybe CD buyers are winners.
Take action
No one has a crystal ball to tell us when the economy will begin to recover. The Fed could be in for a long cycle of cutting rates. Consider buying the longest maturities you can handle to lock in the best rates for the longest period of time.
Here's a look at credit cards:
Winner: Credit card debtor
In a surprise move, the Federal Open Market Committee reduced the federal funds target rate. It cut the target rate by 75 basis points, which brings the federal funds rate down from 4.25 percent to 3.5 percent. This reduction will trigger the prime, which is usually 3 percentage points higher, to drop from 7.25 percent to 6.5 percent.
Because most variable-rate credit cards are based on the prime rate, consumers with variable-rate cards may see their APRs decline. Cardholders may see some rate relief in their February payments, says Tony Plath, associate professor of finance at the University of North Carolina.
Plath says fixed-rate cardholders are not likely to see their APRs dip as a result of the FOMC's actions.
Another professor argues that credit cardholders may not see their rates decline because the banks have tightened their credit standards.
"The banks have suffered large increases in defaults, there have been large increases in foreclosures in the mortgage market and bank lending is more carefully scrutinized now by both the regulators and the banks themselves," says Harold A. Black, the James F. Smith Jr. Professor of Financial Institutions at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
"I actually think that even though under typical times the Fed lowering those short-term rates would eventually start to bring down credit card rates, it may not be as pronounced in this market simply because of what's going on as far as credit standards are concerned."
Take action
Regardless of whether this rate cut translates to a lower monthly payment for you, a credit card issuer can change your interest rate at any time, with 15 days advance written notice. Reduce your balances as much as possible or pay them off and you'll save more money than you would with a rate cut.
Internet Marketing Tips - Just Do It For Crying Out Loud
By Steven Wagenheim
One of the killers for Internet marketers is procrastination. Is the site just right? Is the product just right? Do I have all my advertising sources just right? The list goes on and on. If we waited for things to be just right, we'd never get anything done. I'm not saying to just put out any garbage. You still want to come out with a quality product and promote it in a quality way, but if you're waiting for perfection, you have a long wait. In this article, I'm going to try to give you some basic guidelines that I follow for getting out products and promoting them efficiently, without driving yourself crazy in the process.
The first step is to make sure you've done your market research thoroughly. That means, make sure that the product that you want to come out with actually has a demand. If people don't want what you have, then even if you make it perfect and even if you use every effective advertising method in creation to promote it, you're not going to make any sales. If this part of the process is done correctly, it makes the rest of the process a lot easier.
The second step is to completely plan out what your product is going to contain in it. Don't wing this part. If it's an info product, make a checklist of every chapter that you want to put into it. If it's a piece of software, make sure that you include all the functionality that you want to include to at least make it useable. This is where software makers trip themselves up. They try to put everything into it from the start. There is always time to make upgrades to your software after the release. Same with your info product. It doesn't all have to be in there right from the start.
Finally, there's promotion. Don't try to concentrate on every single form of promotion all at once. There is only so much you can do at one time. Focus on one form or promotion that you believe will give you the best results. After you get that going, down the road you can focus on other means.
If you follow this very simple process, you'll find that the whole thing goes a lot smoother and you'll get your products out there into the hands of the people who really want them.
Even if they're not perfect.
One of the killers for Internet marketers is procrastination. Is the site just right? Is the product just right? Do I have all my advertising sources just right? The list goes on and on. If we waited for things to be just right, we'd never get anything done. I'm not saying to just put out any garbage. You still want to come out with a quality product and promote it in a quality way, but if you're waiting for perfection, you have a long wait. In this article, I'm going to try to give you some basic guidelines that I follow for getting out products and promoting them efficiently, without driving yourself crazy in the process.
The first step is to make sure you've done your market research thoroughly. That means, make sure that the product that you want to come out with actually has a demand. If people don't want what you have, then even if you make it perfect and even if you use every effective advertising method in creation to promote it, you're not going to make any sales. If this part of the process is done correctly, it makes the rest of the process a lot easier.
The second step is to completely plan out what your product is going to contain in it. Don't wing this part. If it's an info product, make a checklist of every chapter that you want to put into it. If it's a piece of software, make sure that you include all the functionality that you want to include to at least make it useable. This is where software makers trip themselves up. They try to put everything into it from the start. There is always time to make upgrades to your software after the release. Same with your info product. It doesn't all have to be in there right from the start.
Finally, there's promotion. Don't try to concentrate on every single form of promotion all at once. There is only so much you can do at one time. Focus on one form or promotion that you believe will give you the best results. After you get that going, down the road you can focus on other means.
If you follow this very simple process, you'll find that the whole thing goes a lot smoother and you'll get your products out there into the hands of the people who really want them.
Even if they're not perfect.
Internet Marketing Secrets - The 1 Mindset That Dooms 95% Of Internet Entrepreneurs
By Fabian Tan
Don't get me wrong, being opportunistic should be a positive trait. But at times it can be a negative one.
Whoa Fabian, how can being opportunistic be negative? Let me explain.
Let's say you find a strategy that you think will make you money online. You really act on this strategy for one week, drink lots of coffee and spend sleepless nights following through on this strategy. You know it's making money for others and it will for you too.
You work the strategy for one week. Still no sales. You think it's bad luck. You continue for another week, still no sales. You give up. Suddenly you see another tempting opportunity that you know is making others cash, and you switch to that opportunity. And so the cycle starts again.
Internet marketing is perhaps the only business in the world where profits can be made after a few days, or even after a few hours. An offline business can take years to reach the profit zone. But this mindset is dangerous.
Because not every online business is going to go into profit within days! You'll have to keep working at it for months, then the 'snowball' will build up.
In other words, you need to look at an Internet business as a business instead of an opportunity. An opportunity can be fleeting, for example the opportunity to bet on a football match tonight. But a business takes months and years to build.
So develop the mindset of building a business. Without the right mindset, you WON'T succeed!
But if you arm yourself with the right mindset, the possibilities are infinite.
With the right mindset, strategies are retained in the mind and actually acted upon.
With the right mindset, you will not give up on a strategy after one month (or less).
With the right mindset, you will believe that opportunities and money are abundant and instead of scarce and you'll take the right actions on a daily basis to reach your goals.
Don't get me wrong, being opportunistic should be a positive trait. But at times it can be a negative one.
Whoa Fabian, how can being opportunistic be negative? Let me explain.
Let's say you find a strategy that you think will make you money online. You really act on this strategy for one week, drink lots of coffee and spend sleepless nights following through on this strategy. You know it's making money for others and it will for you too.
You work the strategy for one week. Still no sales. You think it's bad luck. You continue for another week, still no sales. You give up. Suddenly you see another tempting opportunity that you know is making others cash, and you switch to that opportunity. And so the cycle starts again.
Internet marketing is perhaps the only business in the world where profits can be made after a few days, or even after a few hours. An offline business can take years to reach the profit zone. But this mindset is dangerous.
Because not every online business is going to go into profit within days! You'll have to keep working at it for months, then the 'snowball' will build up.
In other words, you need to look at an Internet business as a business instead of an opportunity. An opportunity can be fleeting, for example the opportunity to bet on a football match tonight. But a business takes months and years to build.
So develop the mindset of building a business. Without the right mindset, you WON'T succeed!
But if you arm yourself with the right mindset, the possibilities are infinite.
With the right mindset, strategies are retained in the mind and actually acted upon.
With the right mindset, you will not give up on a strategy after one month (or less).
With the right mindset, you will believe that opportunities and money are abundant and instead of scarce and you'll take the right actions on a daily basis to reach your goals.
Fed Cuts Interest Rates by 75 Bps
Fed Cuts Interest Rate Amid Global Stock Sell-Off and Fears of Recession
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Reserve unexpectedly slashed a key interest rate by a bold three-fourths of a percentage point on Tuesday, responding to a global plunge in stock markets that heightened concerns about a recession. The Fed signaled that further rate cuts were likely.
The reduction in the federal funds rate from 4.25 percent down to 3.5 percent marked the biggest reduction in this target rate for overnight loans on records going back to 1990. It marked the first time that the Fed has changed the funds rate between meetings since 2001, when the central bank was battling the combined impacts of a recession and the terrorist attacks.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues approved the large rate cut after an emergency video conference on Monday night, a day when global markets had been pounded by rising concerns that weakness in the world's largest economy was spreading worldwide.
Despite the Fed's bold move, Wall Street plunged at the opening with the Dow Jones industrial average down 465 points before stocks began to rebound. The Dow finished the day off 128.11 points at 11,971.19. Analysts said the milder decline at the end of the day after such a rough start showed the Fed's effort to reassure Wall Street had an impact.
In a brief statement explaining its move, the Fed said that "appreciable downside risks to growth remain" and officials pledged to "act in a timely manner" to deal with the risks facing the economy. The action was approved on an 8-1 vote.
Analysts said the fact that the Fed did not wait until its meeting next week to cut rates underscored the seriousness of the situation.
"The world's stock markets are in meltdown so the Fed came in with an inter-meeting move to try to stop the panic," said Christopher Rupkey, senior economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.
The Bush administration, which had announced on Friday that President Bush supported a $150 billion economic stimulus package, said Tuesday that it was not ruling out doing more than the $150 billion proposal if necessary. Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson were conferring with congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday, with all sides saying they want to reach agreement quickly.
The Fed was expected to cut rates further, possibly as soon as their next meeting on Jan. 29-30, if there are continued signs that the economy is weakening.
"This move by the Fed was essential," said Lyle Gramley, a former Fed governor who is now a senior analyst with the Stanford Financial Group in Washington. "Bernanke promised in a speech earlier this month to take substantive action in a timely and decisive manner."
Gramley said that Bernanke was now exercising the kind of forceful leadership the markets had been hoping to see since the credit crisis hit in August.
David Jones, chief economist at DMJ Advisors, said Fed officials have a range of options available at next week's meeting from a quarter-point move to a half-point move to holding rates steady but indicating the Fed is prepared to move again between meetings should conditions deteriorate further. Jones predicted the Fed would lower the funds rate to 3 percent by the end of March.
In addition to cutting the funds rate, the Fed said it was reducing its discount rate, the interest it charges to make direct loans to banks, by a similar three-quarters of a percentage point, pushing this rate down to 4 percent.
Commercial banks responded to the Fed's action on the funds rate by announcing similar cuts of three-quarter of a percent on its prime lending rate, the benchmark for millions of business and consumer loans. The action will mean the prime lending rate will drop from 7.25 percent down to 6.50 percent.
Global financial markets had plunged Monday as investors grew more concerned about the possibility that the United States, the world's largest economy, could be headed into a recession. Many markets suffered their biggest declines since the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
In its statement, the Fed said it had decided to cut the federal funds rate "in view of a weakening of the economic outlook and increasing downside risks to growth."
The central bank said that the strains in short-term credit markets have eased a bit, but "broader financial market conditions have continued to deteriorate and credit has tightened further for some businesses and households. Moreover, incoming information indicates a deepening of the housing contraction as well as some softening in labor markets."
Before Tuesday's move, the Fed had cut interest rates three times, beginning in September, the month after a severe credit crunch had roiled Wall Street and global financial markets. The Fed cut the funds rate by a half-point in September and then by smaller quarter-point moves in October and December.
"The committee will continue to assess the effects of financial and other developments on economic prospects and will act in a timely manner as needed to address those risk," the Fed statement said.
The Fed's action was approved on an 8-1 vote with William Poole, president of the Fed's regional bank, dissenting. The statement said that Poole objected because he did not believe current conditions justified a rate move before the Fed's meeting next week.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Reserve unexpectedly slashed a key interest rate by a bold three-fourths of a percentage point on Tuesday, responding to a global plunge in stock markets that heightened concerns about a recession. The Fed signaled that further rate cuts were likely.
The reduction in the federal funds rate from 4.25 percent down to 3.5 percent marked the biggest reduction in this target rate for overnight loans on records going back to 1990. It marked the first time that the Fed has changed the funds rate between meetings since 2001, when the central bank was battling the combined impacts of a recession and the terrorist attacks.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues approved the large rate cut after an emergency video conference on Monday night, a day when global markets had been pounded by rising concerns that weakness in the world's largest economy was spreading worldwide.
Despite the Fed's bold move, Wall Street plunged at the opening with the Dow Jones industrial average down 465 points before stocks began to rebound. The Dow finished the day off 128.11 points at 11,971.19. Analysts said the milder decline at the end of the day after such a rough start showed the Fed's effort to reassure Wall Street had an impact.
In a brief statement explaining its move, the Fed said that "appreciable downside risks to growth remain" and officials pledged to "act in a timely manner" to deal with the risks facing the economy. The action was approved on an 8-1 vote.
Analysts said the fact that the Fed did not wait until its meeting next week to cut rates underscored the seriousness of the situation.
"The world's stock markets are in meltdown so the Fed came in with an inter-meeting move to try to stop the panic," said Christopher Rupkey, senior economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.
The Bush administration, which had announced on Friday that President Bush supported a $150 billion economic stimulus package, said Tuesday that it was not ruling out doing more than the $150 billion proposal if necessary. Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson were conferring with congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday, with all sides saying they want to reach agreement quickly.
The Fed was expected to cut rates further, possibly as soon as their next meeting on Jan. 29-30, if there are continued signs that the economy is weakening.
"This move by the Fed was essential," said Lyle Gramley, a former Fed governor who is now a senior analyst with the Stanford Financial Group in Washington. "Bernanke promised in a speech earlier this month to take substantive action in a timely and decisive manner."
Gramley said that Bernanke was now exercising the kind of forceful leadership the markets had been hoping to see since the credit crisis hit in August.
David Jones, chief economist at DMJ Advisors, said Fed officials have a range of options available at next week's meeting from a quarter-point move to a half-point move to holding rates steady but indicating the Fed is prepared to move again between meetings should conditions deteriorate further. Jones predicted the Fed would lower the funds rate to 3 percent by the end of March.
In addition to cutting the funds rate, the Fed said it was reducing its discount rate, the interest it charges to make direct loans to banks, by a similar three-quarters of a percentage point, pushing this rate down to 4 percent.
Commercial banks responded to the Fed's action on the funds rate by announcing similar cuts of three-quarter of a percent on its prime lending rate, the benchmark for millions of business and consumer loans. The action will mean the prime lending rate will drop from 7.25 percent down to 6.50 percent.
Global financial markets had plunged Monday as investors grew more concerned about the possibility that the United States, the world's largest economy, could be headed into a recession. Many markets suffered their biggest declines since the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
In its statement, the Fed said it had decided to cut the federal funds rate "in view of a weakening of the economic outlook and increasing downside risks to growth."
The central bank said that the strains in short-term credit markets have eased a bit, but "broader financial market conditions have continued to deteriorate and credit has tightened further for some businesses and households. Moreover, incoming information indicates a deepening of the housing contraction as well as some softening in labor markets."
Before Tuesday's move, the Fed had cut interest rates three times, beginning in September, the month after a severe credit crunch had roiled Wall Street and global financial markets. The Fed cut the funds rate by a half-point in September and then by smaller quarter-point moves in October and December.
"The committee will continue to assess the effects of financial and other developments on economic prospects and will act in a timely manner as needed to address those risk," the Fed statement said.
The Fed's action was approved on an 8-1 vote with William Poole, president of the Fed's regional bank, dissenting. The statement said that Poole objected because he did not believe current conditions justified a rate move before the Fed's meeting next week.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Quote of the Day
The world has the habit of making room for the man whose actions show that he knows where he is going.
-Napoleon Hill
-Napoleon Hill
6 Ways To Use Your Postcard To Market Your Business
by Joel Owens
You can customize, adjust, and design your color postcard printing to create a variety of advertisements fit to your marketing needs.
You can adjust the size to give you a bigger impact and more content space, or keep it small and handy. Use the standard souvenir postcard landscapes to evoke sentimentality, or make it hip and young with computer generated graphic. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
Here are six suggested designs you can use as a spring board to get your creative juices flowing:
1. Old fashioned Postcards:
These postcards were the correspondence of choice for friends visiting different places. It usually contains popular landmarks, tourist spots, landscapes, seascapes and a variety of other beautiful places. You can use these postcards for advertisements that involve a location, a branch opening, a restaurant, a camping tour, or even a new website in cyber space.
2. Postcard Newsletter
Newsletters are smaller newspapers that businesses use to keep their customers updated and interested in their industry. You can use a newsletter postcard as an alternative to save both on printing cost and mailing. Its small size makes it easier to fill up with content and to layout. Use both sides to hold your press release, industry updates, product launches, and other news relating to your business.
3. Mini-billboard
Billboards say what they mean through pictures, so should your mini-billboard. Think of it as a small version billboard that capitalizes on its visual appeal than actual words. Like most billboards, this postcard is ideal for businesses that sell based on design like jewelry, fashion boutiques, flower shops, home depots, health and beauty centers, etc.
4. Short Brochure
Print brochure is also a direct mail marketing material that aims to inform customers about product or service features. The main advantage though is that you can get rid of the envelope which often acts as a barrier to readability. Brochure postcards work best to feature products, explain about a service, give how-to advice, answer FAQs, etc.
5. Small Poster
Posters like the billboard are an outdoor advertisement that uses its pictures and graphics, but unlike billboards, posters hold far more text than a regular billboard. The standard poster design contains a colored background, the business logo and/or the business name, the caption, and sometimes fine print at the bottom to explain promo mechanics or reminders.
Use can use the same format for the postcard using the front for the graphics, business name and/or logo, and the caption. You can use the back though to hold the promo mechanics or reminders.
6. Web Card
When you want to increase traffic for your online business, you can use the web card as your offline advertising strategy. It reaches out to the offline market that only uses the web purposefully and occasionally and would otherwise be unreachable to you.
The web card is simply a colored postcard printing that is designed to represent your website interface. It holds your URL address, or even offline contact information you can ask your customers to call if they need assistance in navigating through your website.
Loves to read and talk anything under the sun. From current events, magazines, social life, metro lifestyles, traveling etc. Not a born writer but experience could make a difference. He also loves to eat especially travel in different places. Going to beaches and mountains really completes his life.
You can customize, adjust, and design your color postcard printing to create a variety of advertisements fit to your marketing needs.
You can adjust the size to give you a bigger impact and more content space, or keep it small and handy. Use the standard souvenir postcard landscapes to evoke sentimentality, or make it hip and young with computer generated graphic. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
Here are six suggested designs you can use as a spring board to get your creative juices flowing:
1. Old fashioned Postcards:
These postcards were the correspondence of choice for friends visiting different places. It usually contains popular landmarks, tourist spots, landscapes, seascapes and a variety of other beautiful places. You can use these postcards for advertisements that involve a location, a branch opening, a restaurant, a camping tour, or even a new website in cyber space.
2. Postcard Newsletter
Newsletters are smaller newspapers that businesses use to keep their customers updated and interested in their industry. You can use a newsletter postcard as an alternative to save both on printing cost and mailing. Its small size makes it easier to fill up with content and to layout. Use both sides to hold your press release, industry updates, product launches, and other news relating to your business.
3. Mini-billboard
Billboards say what they mean through pictures, so should your mini-billboard. Think of it as a small version billboard that capitalizes on its visual appeal than actual words. Like most billboards, this postcard is ideal for businesses that sell based on design like jewelry, fashion boutiques, flower shops, home depots, health and beauty centers, etc.
4. Short Brochure
Print brochure is also a direct mail marketing material that aims to inform customers about product or service features. The main advantage though is that you can get rid of the envelope which often acts as a barrier to readability. Brochure postcards work best to feature products, explain about a service, give how-to advice, answer FAQs, etc.
5. Small Poster
Posters like the billboard are an outdoor advertisement that uses its pictures and graphics, but unlike billboards, posters hold far more text than a regular billboard. The standard poster design contains a colored background, the business logo and/or the business name, the caption, and sometimes fine print at the bottom to explain promo mechanics or reminders.
Use can use the same format for the postcard using the front for the graphics, business name and/or logo, and the caption. You can use the back though to hold the promo mechanics or reminders.
6. Web Card
When you want to increase traffic for your online business, you can use the web card as your offline advertising strategy. It reaches out to the offline market that only uses the web purposefully and occasionally and would otherwise be unreachable to you.
The web card is simply a colored postcard printing that is designed to represent your website interface. It holds your URL address, or even offline contact information you can ask your customers to call if they need assistance in navigating through your website.
Loves to read and talk anything under the sun. From current events, magazines, social life, metro lifestyles, traveling etc. Not a born writer but experience could make a difference. He also loves to eat especially travel in different places. Going to beaches and mountains really completes his life.
Entrepreneurialism - The Power of the What If
By Scott Lindsay
Two words hold the power of change. These two words challenge a set standard and looks to exact a revolution on what is standard.
These two words have alternately disturbed and excited mankind through the centuries.
When answers come as a result of asking this two word question people often find that their personal views will have to change.
This is the power of “what if…”
Entrepreneurs understand that simply entertaining ‘what if’ has the potential to bring countless hours of work, sleepless nights and the need to build on a vision that just will not let them go.
Entrepreneurialism is not always the safest road, nor is it easy to walk. There are those who would derail the ‘what if’ when given the chance. The entrepreneur can expect to hear, “but it’s never been done that way.” They will be deluged with the glances of resident skeptics and if they are not careful the elusive ‘what if’ that has so captured them can fade under the withering gaze of conformity.
After all, sensible people don’t take unnecessary risks and ‘good’ people try their best to simply get along without rocking the boat.
You need to know that the entrepreneur is not trying to hand out heart attacks to those who think they may have lost their mind, it is simply that the power of ‘what if’ is so compelling that it is virtually impossible for the entrepreneur to stand by and watch an opportunity or idea disappear down a road they are sure they are able to travel.
Judged to be eccentric by some the entrepreneur is simply focused on something they’ve been given the vision to see. They would like for you to see it too, but if you can’t it does not diminish their drive to follow the ‘what if’.
Imagine all of the things that would not be if someone had not used those two words…
What if we could use electricity to light our homes instead of candles?
What if we could find an alternative means of keeping our food cold?
What if we could devise a way for connections to be made worldwide through a system of computers?
What if we could make it possible for people to stay in contact when they are not at home?
‘What if’ remains a potent elixir in the battle against the status quo and as entrepreneurs hear the call of this pied piper they are finding the answers to ‘what if’ and the world stands awestruck at answers they had not expected.
Two words hold the power of change. These two words challenge a set standard and looks to exact a revolution on what is standard.
These two words have alternately disturbed and excited mankind through the centuries.
When answers come as a result of asking this two word question people often find that their personal views will have to change.
This is the power of “what if…”
Entrepreneurs understand that simply entertaining ‘what if’ has the potential to bring countless hours of work, sleepless nights and the need to build on a vision that just will not let them go.
Entrepreneurialism is not always the safest road, nor is it easy to walk. There are those who would derail the ‘what if’ when given the chance. The entrepreneur can expect to hear, “but it’s never been done that way.” They will be deluged with the glances of resident skeptics and if they are not careful the elusive ‘what if’ that has so captured them can fade under the withering gaze of conformity.
After all, sensible people don’t take unnecessary risks and ‘good’ people try their best to simply get along without rocking the boat.
You need to know that the entrepreneur is not trying to hand out heart attacks to those who think they may have lost their mind, it is simply that the power of ‘what if’ is so compelling that it is virtually impossible for the entrepreneur to stand by and watch an opportunity or idea disappear down a road they are sure they are able to travel.
Judged to be eccentric by some the entrepreneur is simply focused on something they’ve been given the vision to see. They would like for you to see it too, but if you can’t it does not diminish their drive to follow the ‘what if’.
Imagine all of the things that would not be if someone had not used those two words…
What if we could use electricity to light our homes instead of candles?
What if we could find an alternative means of keeping our food cold?
What if we could devise a way for connections to be made worldwide through a system of computers?
What if we could make it possible for people to stay in contact when they are not at home?
‘What if’ remains a potent elixir in the battle against the status quo and as entrepreneurs hear the call of this pied piper they are finding the answers to ‘what if’ and the world stands awestruck at answers they had not expected.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Quote of the Day
“The only difference between a rich person and poor person is how they use their time”
-Robert Kiyosaki
-Robert Kiyosaki
Creating and Operating a Successful MLM or Direct Sales Home Business
A lot of people jump into Multi Level Marketing (MLM) or Direct Sales because it offers them a chance to have their own business at relatively inexpensive startup costs. Most MLM or Direct Sales businesses allow the would-be entrepreneur to come in at anywhere from $100 or less, to a few thousand dollars. Which is a drop in the bucket when compared to trying to start a franchise which can start off on the low end at around $75,000 or more.
In my case I had a burning desire to be my own boss. I literally HATED the thought of working for someone else. I loathed the idea of having to ask someone to take a day off, to live MY life. My problem was I had no product no service and no ideas. I felt trapped. Actually as a Network Engineer I had a service but it was not something that I liked to do, so I knew it would not be a viable business for me to promote. I remember going to the bank to see what type of loan I could get to start up a franchise. The loan officer was actually an acquaintance of mine from college. When I submitted my paperwork he looked at me like I was an alien and said... "Wow! You make good money why do you want to start your own business?" In my mind I'm thinking "Why do you want to have your life controlled by your manager, boss or whomever?"
Before I go too far off on a tangent let me get back to the point of the article...
I have compiled some tips that I have used to run my business successfully. Keep in mind there are many schools of thought on this subject. I have listed below some things that have helped me maintain my focus and operate successfully.
1. Do your Due-Diligence!! If your planning on starting a franchise, or joining an MLM or doing Direct Sales make sure you research the company's track record. Are they reputable? How long have they been in business? Are there any lawsuits pending on them for false claims or bad business practices? What kind of support will they offer you in running your company or selling their product?
2. Know your product and be proud of whatever product or service you are providing. You have to be willing to stand behind your product. Remember, when your doing your own business you don't have that huge corporate company to hide behind. If your offering junk people will be linking that junk directly to you personally. It is hard to overcome a bad rep.
3. Run your business like a business! I cannot stress that one enough. Many people doing MLM or Direct sales don't often achieve success because they do not put enough work into it. Act as if you are an employee of yourself, then think.. Would I pay myself for the work and effort I put in today? If you were working a 9-5 would your boss tolerate the effort or amount of work you did? This is very important in the beginning stages. Once you get your business up and going, you can then put it in to cruise control.
4. Stay Excited! If your not excited about what your doing odds are you will not stick with it long enough to achieve success. When most people don't see that immediate success they lose the excitement that they had when they first started, with that they lose focus and desire then end up giving up.
5. Know what you want to accomplish every day. Write your goals for the day down if you have to. For example...
a. Ship orders.
b. Place 3 ads today
c. Send follow up emails to leads I spoke with yesterday
d. Call 30 leads
e. Come up with 2 new ways to market my product/service.
6. Look towards the future, vision your success. Some things that may keep you focused are... thinking about what you will do when you achieve mass success. Think about what kind of house you will buy. Will you go for the Ferrari or the Lamborghini, or whatever your dream car is. Also think about the people in your life you will be able to help. Will you pay off your parents home and your kids and school loans?
In my case I had a burning desire to be my own boss. I literally HATED the thought of working for someone else. I loathed the idea of having to ask someone to take a day off, to live MY life. My problem was I had no product no service and no ideas. I felt trapped. Actually as a Network Engineer I had a service but it was not something that I liked to do, so I knew it would not be a viable business for me to promote. I remember going to the bank to see what type of loan I could get to start up a franchise. The loan officer was actually an acquaintance of mine from college. When I submitted my paperwork he looked at me like I was an alien and said... "Wow! You make good money why do you want to start your own business?" In my mind I'm thinking "Why do you want to have your life controlled by your manager, boss or whomever?"
Before I go too far off on a tangent let me get back to the point of the article...
I have compiled some tips that I have used to run my business successfully. Keep in mind there are many schools of thought on this subject. I have listed below some things that have helped me maintain my focus and operate successfully.
1. Do your Due-Diligence!! If your planning on starting a franchise, or joining an MLM or doing Direct Sales make sure you research the company's track record. Are they reputable? How long have they been in business? Are there any lawsuits pending on them for false claims or bad business practices? What kind of support will they offer you in running your company or selling their product?
2. Know your product and be proud of whatever product or service you are providing. You have to be willing to stand behind your product. Remember, when your doing your own business you don't have that huge corporate company to hide behind. If your offering junk people will be linking that junk directly to you personally. It is hard to overcome a bad rep.
3. Run your business like a business! I cannot stress that one enough. Many people doing MLM or Direct sales don't often achieve success because they do not put enough work into it. Act as if you are an employee of yourself, then think.. Would I pay myself for the work and effort I put in today? If you were working a 9-5 would your boss tolerate the effort or amount of work you did? This is very important in the beginning stages. Once you get your business up and going, you can then put it in to cruise control.
4. Stay Excited! If your not excited about what your doing odds are you will not stick with it long enough to achieve success. When most people don't see that immediate success they lose the excitement that they had when they first started, with that they lose focus and desire then end up giving up.
5. Know what you want to accomplish every day. Write your goals for the day down if you have to. For example...
a. Ship orders.
b. Place 3 ads today
c. Send follow up emails to leads I spoke with yesterday
d. Call 30 leads
e. Come up with 2 new ways to market my product/service.
6. Look towards the future, vision your success. Some things that may keep you focused are... thinking about what you will do when you achieve mass success. Think about what kind of house you will buy. Will you go for the Ferrari or the Lamborghini, or whatever your dream car is. Also think about the people in your life you will be able to help. Will you pay off your parents home and your kids and school loans?
A SENSE OF URGENCY IS TREMENDOUS
by Charlie T Jones
Perhaps my findings are not the only solution, but with all my heart I believe the fires of greatness in our heart can be kept aglow only after we develop a sense of urgency and importance for what we are doing. I mean a sense of urgency to the extent that we feel it is a matter of life and death; and it is a matter of life and death, for in growing we are alive and in quitting we are dying in a sense. If you don't believe this, talk to anyone who has lost the sense of urgency of getting things done and has been drifting in complacency, mediocrity and failure. If you are without a sense of urgency in your work, you know what I mean.
A sense of urgency is that feeling that lets you know yesterday is gone forever, tomorrow never comes. TODAY is in your hands. It lets you know that shirking today's task will add to wasted yesterdays and postponing today's work will add to tomorrow's burden. The sense of urgency causes you to accomplish what today sets before you. Thank God for the sense of urgency that can change a dull, shabby existence into a sparkling life. Right now, ask God to give you a sense of urgency. Believe that He did, and then act accordingly.
Perhaps my findings are not the only solution, but with all my heart I believe the fires of greatness in our heart can be kept aglow only after we develop a sense of urgency and importance for what we are doing. I mean a sense of urgency to the extent that we feel it is a matter of life and death; and it is a matter of life and death, for in growing we are alive and in quitting we are dying in a sense. If you don't believe this, talk to anyone who has lost the sense of urgency of getting things done and has been drifting in complacency, mediocrity and failure. If you are without a sense of urgency in your work, you know what I mean.
A sense of urgency is that feeling that lets you know yesterday is gone forever, tomorrow never comes. TODAY is in your hands. It lets you know that shirking today's task will add to wasted yesterdays and postponing today's work will add to tomorrow's burden. The sense of urgency causes you to accomplish what today sets before you. Thank God for the sense of urgency that can change a dull, shabby existence into a sparkling life. Right now, ask God to give you a sense of urgency. Believe that He did, and then act accordingly.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
THE SECRET TO ALL BUSINESS
The Secret to All Transactions....
The Secret to Success in Life..... Value.
If not the most Powerful word in Business, in the top 2. Why?
Everything revolves around Value.
Buying Decisions.
Selling Decisions.
Hiring Decisions.
Firing Decisions.
Promoting Decisions.
Demoting Decisions.
Success Decisions.
Failure Decisions. Just about all decisions are influenced by some form of Value. Including decisions about YOU in the workplace and any other place.
Here is a question that if you GET IT, could change your life radically, and put you on a one way course to massive success...
It would put you on the Corporate Radar Screen or Success Radar Screen for good....
And would change you on the inside so much, you would look at life differently, approach life differently, and Live life differently. And would revolutionize everything and everyone around you....
Would that interest you?
Thought so....
So what might that question be?
A question you should ask yourself everyday....for The Building of a Life of Extreme Value... "What would happen... if I doubled what Value I bring to my Company, Industry, and everyone around me... every year?"
That's a DUH.
I just gave you the secret to getting anything in Life you want.... Did you get It?
by Doug Firebaugh
The Secret to Success in Life..... Value.
If not the most Powerful word in Business, in the top 2. Why?
Everything revolves around Value.
Buying Decisions.
Selling Decisions.
Hiring Decisions.
Firing Decisions.
Promoting Decisions.
Demoting Decisions.
Success Decisions.
Failure Decisions. Just about all decisions are influenced by some form of Value. Including decisions about YOU in the workplace and any other place.
Here is a question that if you GET IT, could change your life radically, and put you on a one way course to massive success...
It would put you on the Corporate Radar Screen or Success Radar Screen for good....
And would change you on the inside so much, you would look at life differently, approach life differently, and Live life differently. And would revolutionize everything and everyone around you....
Would that interest you?
Thought so....
So what might that question be?
A question you should ask yourself everyday....for The Building of a Life of Extreme Value... "What would happen... if I doubled what Value I bring to my Company, Industry, and everyone around me... every year?"
That's a DUH.
I just gave you the secret to getting anything in Life you want.... Did you get It?
by Doug Firebaugh
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