In this day and age, particularly considering the ready access that millions of people have gained to the Internet, it may be easy to become overwhelmed with knowing what are the best online money-making approaches that have the potential to generate tremendous wealth. Indeed, with every Google search related to the vast array of money-making opportunities, there is certainly a mix between hype-filled income claims, bogus scams that merely cheat entrepreneurial hopefuls out of their hard-earned or hard-saved money, and legitimate opportunities that may allow people to make solid incomes while working from home. Amidst all that is out there, the question remains, "How is it possible to sift through it all?" This article seeks to help put things into perspective in a direct and easy-to-understand way while providing practical tips to move forward.
THE REAL CORNERSTONES OF SUCCESS
Those who engage in direct selling as an alternative to multi-level marketing (or MLM) are often finding that large-commission pay-outs do indeed provide incentive for all those who are involved with the venture to be active in building their new businesses. Some such programs have smaller start-up costs, while others have a buy-in that is far higher. However, believe it or not, the truth is that what makes a person successful at any of these businesses is NOT necessarily the compensation plan, and it is NOT even the product itself. Rather and perhaps surprisingly, the real elements of success include the degree to which the entrepreneur is willing to work hard, smart, and on a consistent basis, the extent to which he or she engages in roll-out activities according to a written-out business plan set in advance that serves as a roadmap for next action steps, and the marketing strategies that are employed to match the products and/or services of the business with those who are actually online who are looking to buy such products and services. Let us delve into each of these a bit further.
When all is said and done, whatever compensation plan benefits drew the entrepreneur to his or her chosen program at the outset, that plan's benefits may be better realized by learning how to maximize product and/or service delivery to those who want and need what he or she has. Think about it. Businesses selling anything from telecommunications service, to vitamin products, to travel packages, to personal development materials, to chocolate, may all feature successful leaders who have done well with their respective ventures. By the same token, each of these industries or niche markets may easily point to examples of those who tried their businesses and who have failed miserably. That is because anyone can succeed with the right combination of mindset and action.
 1. The Value of Hard, Smart, and Persistent Work
Here, it is critically important to point out that there are actually times when even the hardest worker may end up failing at a venture due to giving up too soon, utilizing strategies that do not work, and undertaking the kind of marketing that is not targeted enough to reach one's core constituency.
Precisely for these reasons, an essential element to couple with a solid work ethic is the need to build a strong attitudinal foundation for doing well.  This foundation must consist of the cornerstones of a positive attitude, a series of written and detailed goals, a timeline breakdown of what objectives should be accomplished at what stage within each of those goals, the identification of a personal mentor who may provide real guidance (and not just ra-ra "YOU can DO it" support), and the ongoing commitment to read books and articles that serve both to inspire and to inform. Ideally, this foundation must be put into place BEFORE actually going into business. Without a solid focus in advance, the would-be entrepreneur may end up wasting valuable time and money and may end up wandering aimlessly online, only becoming frustrated as a lack of results is falsely associated with the absence of real and legitimate opportunities to succeed in business online.
Once the foundation's cornerstones are set firmly in place, the entrepreneur is ready to tackle the next challenge.
2. The Need for a Strong Business Plan
The timeline of goals explained above is actually different from the business plan that entrepreneurs would do well to put together. While the aim of goal-setting is to galvanize the entrepreneur to act and in a way that is organized, the purpose of the business plan is to put into place the practical steps that must be taken to build his or her chosen venture. Components of such a plan must include an acceptable threshold for capital outlay both for initial investment and as he or she budgets out expenses; a multi-track action plan that must entail the use of various marketing strategies for attracting prospects, educating them about what is being offered, and either closing the deal or retaining and building upon the initial relationship for long-term partnership and financial success; and the commitment to dedicated a chosen number of hours per day or days per week to growing the venture. Doing all these things requires some level of discipline because, although building an online business does not involve reporting to a boss at a job, it does nevertheless entail a conscious dedication of time and energy to the venture, especially when entrepreneurs treat their venture as the real business that it is rather than as a mere hobby. Thinking of the venture as the former will lead to far greater success than characterizing the venture (even in one's own mind) as merely something done on the side here and there.
A brief word about networking. All too often, especially within an online marketing standpoint, people think that networking is primarily conducted within the context of network marketing. To the contrary, in carrying out the business plan, networking is a key factor for success. When networking with others, whether online or offline, the real secret to building long-term relationships is to focus on how to add value to the life of the other person as opposed to wondering about how that person can be of help to oneself. As that old saying goes, "People hate being sold to, but they love to buy." This is true, both literally and figuratively. People will not be open to building a relationship with the direct seller if they think that he or she is just trying to push a product or service on them. By contrast, if he or she is mindful of  what their needs happen to be and make it a point to address those needs in some way, the rest will take care of itself; and, those to whom the entrepreneur has added value will see as a "no-brainer" the decision to do business with him or her.
3. The Truth about Online Marketing
In the very best of circumstances, those who are either in the business of direct sales or who are running any other type of business with an online component must understand the vital importance of coming up with one's OWN marketing system and not merely doing what everyone else does. Case in point, particularly if a direct seller allies himself or herself with a company, such an entity may offer a turnkey approach whose elements are designed to help put that associate's independent business more on auto-pilot. Such a system may include lead capture pages to allow people to provide the marketer with their contact information for future follow-up, auto-responders that have been carefully crafted to maximize success among those to whom the opportunity is marketed, a replicated website (including, in many cases, with flashy eye-catching online presentations), and an automated way for prospects either to sign up to join the marketer's team or to buy the products and/or services being offered on a retail basis.
Here is what most people do not understand, though. In any given company, the vast majority of associates use the company system; so, individual associates with that business are just doing what everyone else is doing, consequently following the proverbial crowd. At this point, entrepreneurs may recall that age-old principle that is just as true today as it EVER was: To stand above the rest, the innovative direct seller must do things DIFFERENTLY than everyone else!
Are the enumerated marketing elements important for any online business? Of course. But, through using a company-generated system, entrepreneurs end up simply building leads for the COMPANY and NOT for themselves. That means that, whenever there are other opportunities that they wish to share with those who have made contact with them as the result of their hard work to get them that far, these names belong to the Company and NOT to the individual entrepreneur. In other words, with a few notable exceptions, online marketers may not keep these leads for personal use with other opportunities. For this reason, in order to maximize one's possibilities with personally-generated leads, they must form their OWN marketing system to enable them over time to build an ever-growing list of people to whom value may be added as relationships are cultivated over the course of time.
The bottom line here is that, when people either buy a product or service from an entrepreneur or decide to join that person's business, their motivation is not just because of the company itself but rather due to a real feeling that the person with whom they are building new alliances is actually someone who cares about them personally. Put another way, as important as the Internet is to help automate 85% of a business, technology may never fully replace the need that every person has to connect with REAL people. No cookie-cutter replicated website may ever fully replace the human touch.
THE TIME-LEVERAGING EFFECT OF CREATIVE SELF-BRANDING
As online entrepreneurs brand themselves as unique from all others by being themselves and by sharing of their own unique talents and abilities within a business context, something amazing happens. As the direct result of efforts to add value to the lives of those who come one's way, the information provided to the prospect may end up being forwarded by readers to those who they know, who in their judgment stand to benefit from what is being sent. In effect, therefore, people whom the marketer has never even met may actually serve as the person's informational ambassador by helping to spread information farther and wider than may have originally been envisaged. For entrepreneurs who can establish this kind of rapport with readers, this is absolutely priceless!
E-zine articles, email blasts, blog entries, and auto-responders each have a feel and a purpose all their own; so, it is important to determine which writing style is best for which information delivery modality. This will allow the entrepreneur better to create free targeted traffic, consequently increasing sponsorships, sales, and long-term relationships that may later be leveraged as the power of collective action begins to take hold on an ever-broadening scale.
SECURING OUTSIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Small business owners should learn more about programs that have been put into place from their local, state/provincial, and federal/national governments to assist them with their success. For instance, for those in the United States, here are some resources that may be of direct assistance:
           For loans from the Small Business Administration:
           http://www.sba.gov
CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP AS A CORE VALUE
Finally, whether a business is brand new or well-established, corporate citizenship is important as a way to help make a bigger difference in the broader world. For instance, in the United States, there are various not-for-profit organizations that may do well to benefit from volunteerism efforts and/or donation of time, money, and other resources.
           For information about the more than 650,000 non-profit organizations in the U.S.:
           http://www.Guidestar.org
           For information about the non-profit organization filings with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
           http://www.FoundationCenter.org
--
Future articles will talk about all these concepts and more in greater detail. In the meantime, here's to everyone's success!
THE REAL CORNERSTONES OF SUCCESS
Those who engage in direct selling as an alternative to multi-level marketing (or MLM) are often finding that large-commission pay-outs do indeed provide incentive for all those who are involved with the venture to be active in building their new businesses. Some such programs have smaller start-up costs, while others have a buy-in that is far higher. However, believe it or not, the truth is that what makes a person successful at any of these businesses is NOT necessarily the compensation plan, and it is NOT even the product itself. Rather and perhaps surprisingly, the real elements of success include the degree to which the entrepreneur is willing to work hard, smart, and on a consistent basis, the extent to which he or she engages in roll-out activities according to a written-out business plan set in advance that serves as a roadmap for next action steps, and the marketing strategies that are employed to match the products and/or services of the business with those who are actually online who are looking to buy such products and services. Let us delve into each of these a bit further.
When all is said and done, whatever compensation plan benefits drew the entrepreneur to his or her chosen program at the outset, that plan's benefits may be better realized by learning how to maximize product and/or service delivery to those who want and need what he or she has. Think about it. Businesses selling anything from telecommunications service, to vitamin products, to travel packages, to personal development materials, to chocolate, may all feature successful leaders who have done well with their respective ventures. By the same token, each of these industries or niche markets may easily point to examples of those who tried their businesses and who have failed miserably. That is because anyone can succeed with the right combination of mindset and action.
 1. The Value of Hard, Smart, and Persistent Work
Here, it is critically important to point out that there are actually times when even the hardest worker may end up failing at a venture due to giving up too soon, utilizing strategies that do not work, and undertaking the kind of marketing that is not targeted enough to reach one's core constituency.
Precisely for these reasons, an essential element to couple with a solid work ethic is the need to build a strong attitudinal foundation for doing well.  This foundation must consist of the cornerstones of a positive attitude, a series of written and detailed goals, a timeline breakdown of what objectives should be accomplished at what stage within each of those goals, the identification of a personal mentor who may provide real guidance (and not just ra-ra "YOU can DO it" support), and the ongoing commitment to read books and articles that serve both to inspire and to inform. Ideally, this foundation must be put into place BEFORE actually going into business. Without a solid focus in advance, the would-be entrepreneur may end up wasting valuable time and money and may end up wandering aimlessly online, only becoming frustrated as a lack of results is falsely associated with the absence of real and legitimate opportunities to succeed in business online.
Once the foundation's cornerstones are set firmly in place, the entrepreneur is ready to tackle the next challenge.
2. The Need for a Strong Business Plan
The timeline of goals explained above is actually different from the business plan that entrepreneurs would do well to put together. While the aim of goal-setting is to galvanize the entrepreneur to act and in a way that is organized, the purpose of the business plan is to put into place the practical steps that must be taken to build his or her chosen venture. Components of such a plan must include an acceptable threshold for capital outlay both for initial investment and as he or she budgets out expenses; a multi-track action plan that must entail the use of various marketing strategies for attracting prospects, educating them about what is being offered, and either closing the deal or retaining and building upon the initial relationship for long-term partnership and financial success; and the commitment to dedicated a chosen number of hours per day or days per week to growing the venture. Doing all these things requires some level of discipline because, although building an online business does not involve reporting to a boss at a job, it does nevertheless entail a conscious dedication of time and energy to the venture, especially when entrepreneurs treat their venture as the real business that it is rather than as a mere hobby. Thinking of the venture as the former will lead to far greater success than characterizing the venture (even in one's own mind) as merely something done on the side here and there.
A brief word about networking. All too often, especially within an online marketing standpoint, people think that networking is primarily conducted within the context of network marketing. To the contrary, in carrying out the business plan, networking is a key factor for success. When networking with others, whether online or offline, the real secret to building long-term relationships is to focus on how to add value to the life of the other person as opposed to wondering about how that person can be of help to oneself. As that old saying goes, "People hate being sold to, but they love to buy." This is true, both literally and figuratively. People will not be open to building a relationship with the direct seller if they think that he or she is just trying to push a product or service on them. By contrast, if he or she is mindful of  what their needs happen to be and make it a point to address those needs in some way, the rest will take care of itself; and, those to whom the entrepreneur has added value will see as a "no-brainer" the decision to do business with him or her.
3. The Truth about Online Marketing
In the very best of circumstances, those who are either in the business of direct sales or who are running any other type of business with an online component must understand the vital importance of coming up with one's OWN marketing system and not merely doing what everyone else does. Case in point, particularly if a direct seller allies himself or herself with a company, such an entity may offer a turnkey approach whose elements are designed to help put that associate's independent business more on auto-pilot. Such a system may include lead capture pages to allow people to provide the marketer with their contact information for future follow-up, auto-responders that have been carefully crafted to maximize success among those to whom the opportunity is marketed, a replicated website (including, in many cases, with flashy eye-catching online presentations), and an automated way for prospects either to sign up to join the marketer's team or to buy the products and/or services being offered on a retail basis.
Here is what most people do not understand, though. In any given company, the vast majority of associates use the company system; so, individual associates with that business are just doing what everyone else is doing, consequently following the proverbial crowd. At this point, entrepreneurs may recall that age-old principle that is just as true today as it EVER was: To stand above the rest, the innovative direct seller must do things DIFFERENTLY than everyone else!
Are the enumerated marketing elements important for any online business? Of course. But, through using a company-generated system, entrepreneurs end up simply building leads for the COMPANY and NOT for themselves. That means that, whenever there are other opportunities that they wish to share with those who have made contact with them as the result of their hard work to get them that far, these names belong to the Company and NOT to the individual entrepreneur. In other words, with a few notable exceptions, online marketers may not keep these leads for personal use with other opportunities. For this reason, in order to maximize one's possibilities with personally-generated leads, they must form their OWN marketing system to enable them over time to build an ever-growing list of people to whom value may be added as relationships are cultivated over the course of time.
The bottom line here is that, when people either buy a product or service from an entrepreneur or decide to join that person's business, their motivation is not just because of the company itself but rather due to a real feeling that the person with whom they are building new alliances is actually someone who cares about them personally. Put another way, as important as the Internet is to help automate 85% of a business, technology may never fully replace the need that every person has to connect with REAL people. No cookie-cutter replicated website may ever fully replace the human touch.
THE TIME-LEVERAGING EFFECT OF CREATIVE SELF-BRANDING
As online entrepreneurs brand themselves as unique from all others by being themselves and by sharing of their own unique talents and abilities within a business context, something amazing happens. As the direct result of efforts to add value to the lives of those who come one's way, the information provided to the prospect may end up being forwarded by readers to those who they know, who in their judgment stand to benefit from what is being sent. In effect, therefore, people whom the marketer has never even met may actually serve as the person's informational ambassador by helping to spread information farther and wider than may have originally been envisaged. For entrepreneurs who can establish this kind of rapport with readers, this is absolutely priceless!
E-zine articles, email blasts, blog entries, and auto-responders each have a feel and a purpose all their own; so, it is important to determine which writing style is best for which information delivery modality. This will allow the entrepreneur better to create free targeted traffic, consequently increasing sponsorships, sales, and long-term relationships that may later be leveraged as the power of collective action begins to take hold on an ever-broadening scale.
SECURING OUTSIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Small business owners should learn more about programs that have been put into place from their local, state/provincial, and federal/national governments to assist them with their success. For instance, for those in the United States, here are some resources that may be of direct assistance:
           For loans from the Small Business Administration:
           http://www.sba.gov
CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP AS A CORE VALUE
Finally, whether a business is brand new or well-established, corporate citizenship is important as a way to help make a bigger difference in the broader world. For instance, in the United States, there are various not-for-profit organizations that may do well to benefit from volunteerism efforts and/or donation of time, money, and other resources.
           For information about the more than 650,000 non-profit organizations in the U.S.:
           http://www.Guidestar.org
           For information about the non-profit organization filings with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
           http://www.FoundationCenter.org
--
Future articles will talk about all these concepts and more in greater detail. In the meantime, here's to everyone's success!
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