Some people are and some people simply are not cut out to own and operate a business.

But today there happens to be a medium in between where you can be in your own business but have the support and help needed to get you through even if you are not really “designed” to be a business owner.

I’m not referring to franchising although the internet does provide an opportunity for one to be in business for yourself but not by yourself as the franchise saying goes.

I’ve owned franchises previously and the trail blazing they provide for the average person is very helpful, whether it is marketing expertise or equipment purchases or simply name recognition.

Online Business Opportunities Require One Primary Skill

The opportunity the internet now provides though is a notch below a franchise in that you typically do not purchase a costly business package.

But rather you can start an online business, targeting a specific market with a specific product or service and you can be set up quickly and start making money pretty much right out of the gate…

IF you know this one thing - HOW to Market. This really is the single most important element of starting an online business. It is though, the one piece that most online business opportunities do not teach you how to do. Most do provide general help -like showing you how you can do free classifieds, article writing, press releases, and social networking.

So, if you work with a company or person who can provide the set-up details such as a website. And it works by converting leads into sales, THEN generating leads or driving business to the site becomes your main focus as a “business owner”.

So in this way you can be in business without all the concerns that are required in most traditional businesses. The internet really does provide this particular advantage to any one who has the desire to learn and make a change in their life.

How Will You Learn this Crucial Piece to the Online Puzzle?

There are two primary ways of pursuing this matter of how to market online.

1. You may take the route most people take and buy every study course or seminar that you can absorb that you’ve decided is necessary to succeed. Then take the time to study it in detail, do the market testing as you are learning each new aspect of marketing online, track all your results and tweak it until it is highly profitable OR

2. You can buy these services from the few companies online that actually deliver.

You Only Have So Much Time and So Much Money

Typically it is recommended that you use a combination of these two methods not only because of the time and money involved in each but also because online your main activity is marketing so it behooves you to develop the skill rather than simply buying the service.

Whatever you do though, do not ignore this huge key to building an online business - you simply must know how to market and advertise - so learn this before doing anything else to guarantee your online success.

For more:

New Online Business

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You may be surprised to know that a very good time to start a business is during a recession or even a depression. Many of the companies that are on the S & P 500 started during times like we are currently experiencing.

Here are a few of the startup companies that began their business trek during steep declines in the U.S. economy: GE - the panic of 1873; Walt Disney began his venture during the recession of 1923-24; HP was formed during the Great Depression; and,  Microsoft was born during the recession of 1975.

Below I’ve listed seven reasons that these times are good for a startup business and you can probably add more. But first, consider what holds many back from trying something new.

Fear and Uncertainty Often Get in the Way of us Forging Ahead

Horatio Alger claimed in the 1800’s that anyone willing to work hard could succeed. Today, the picture is no different. However, you may work very, hard and not get ahead. If you live from paycheck to paycheck and worry constantly about how you will meet your financial obligations, you’re living in a world of stress.

Perhaps you dwell on the possibilities of another terrorist attack. Maybe you’re fearful of an unstable job market where mass layoffs and outsourcing threaten your livelihood. The future is replete with uncertainty about any number of financial matters. But let’s never forget that line by FDR: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

These sorts of fears, are actually the very reasons to consider starting an internet based business. In my own case it became evident that doing things the same way was not an option.  I believe today’s current events are most timely for the home business opportunity seeker! I started about two years ago because I knew I didn’t want to be run over by the economically devastating freight train that started in October 2007.

Online businesses have spiked up exponentially over the past few years and will continue throughout the current downtrend and beyond - it’s the new way of doing business. So if you see yourself as an online home business opportunity seeker you are online at a very opportunistic time.

A Mild Recession in 1982 - Expanding the Market Base

During the 80-’83 recession when interest rates skyrocketed to over 20% my drapery company had just opened a new market about 140 miles south of our primary location.  We did this in line with reason number one listed below - to expand our market while the local market pulled back.

In the offline world we do this regularly - expanding the reach of our existing business in order to open a new market or territory. It was simply the very best time to start a new operation with new fresh ideas and a young fellow that was determined to make it all work. (The young man that opened and maintained that location has now retired from the business that earned him millions over the years.)

Seven Reasons to Start an Online Business Now

1-The number one reason is that you need to expand your base of potential customers during a recessionary time in order to draw from a larger pool and the very best way to do so today is by establishing yourself as part of the global market.

2-Learn from history which records the greatest companies started or expanded during times like these.

3-As a new business owner, whether experienced or not, you are more cautious about spending, hiring, and purchasing so you make better long-term decisions.

4-By starting now you will be positioned and well prepared for the next growth spurt.

5-You can start for so little money it almost makes it a no brainer.

You probably already have the only equipment you’ll need—a computer and a telephone. That’s basically all that’s required! Now, of course, you need the information that has transformed so many people’s lives regarding how and what to do.  But this is a learning curve like with any business at any time.

There are more online business ideas available than we can count but with a focused approach, determination, a teachable spirit, and commitment you will be well on your way.

6-You may still have an income right now from your current job

To add to the stress of many, are stories of layoffs by major corporations that are announced every month.  As early as 2006, 1,500,000 workers were pink-slipped in mass layoffs (”mass” meaning more than 50 employees at a time) and it has become much worse now in 2009. Companies are reorganizing, outsourcing or selling out to other companies. Many other once thriving companies have already filed for bankruptcy.  So, if you are still working then now is the absolute ideal time to learn, invest and grow with an existing income while building your new online internet based business.

7-You may still have some retirement funds left

What better way to invest your money than to invest in yourself especially during a time when the overall markets will do little for the growth of your money.  In a recent article I quoted a statistic from BiancoFinancial.com stating that had you placed your money in t-bills the first time the Dow moved above 10,000 back in1999, you would have more than the person who has remained in stocks and mutual funds. It isn’t going to be getting any better for another few years as we have really only just begun the down turn of an economy that has been sustained only by fumes for a number of years.

Add to this short list, the personal reasons that you’ve always wanted to start a business and then consider your options.  I think you will find as I did over two years ago that an internet based business is one of the very best options available for starting a new phase of life.

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The top network marketing companies in today’s market are using an entirely different pay structure now than used in years past - a two tier system.

In a nutshell the old way of doing business - multi-level-marketing companies are slowly becoming extinct with anything more than three levels of pay.

How it Worked in Years Past

MLM companies established a pay system that was based on a huge volume of people selling a little bit of product and as your team grew you were able to increase your income over a long period of time through lots of people.

What’s Different Today

Now, though, with the two tier system, the whole concept has changed and is now named network marketing. This means you still have a team to work with so you are not simply selling as an independent direct marketer. But the largest share of the commission goes directly to the person who makes the sale and a much smaller part goes to the team leader.

Now that it’s done this way you wonder why it was ever done differently but if you think about it when you are selling soap or any other lower priced item then volume to the company comes by the ingenious concept of an army of individuals selling a little each with overrides going to the team leaders.

Choosing Your Product - High Priced High Profit versus Low Priced Low Profit

When you choose a product to market either as a direct marketer, network marketer or multi-level marketer you have two choices:

1-Choose a product that requires a huge sales volume due to a low price point and therefore a low profit margin - this type product is easier to sell but requires a lot of volume.

OR

2-Choose a high quality product with high profit margins so you can afford to market and build your business - this type product may be a harder sell but you don’t need the huge volume just to make a profit.

Either way the product itself must be of very high value and high quality and ideally has some name recognition (although it may not if it’s a new product).

All the top network marketing companies are using this two- tier system now where you are paid well for your individual sales and your team leader receives an over ride, much like in the insurance industry.

This really is the only fair way to compensate those who are making the sales and therefore those who deserve it. I was a financial advisor in years past, and this same system was used in that industry as well.

Be Sure to Think Through Your Marketing System

Either way - whether network marketing (the preferred system for many) OR MLM, you will definitely need a marketing system in place because both require large numbers of leads and prospects.

With an online system in place these potential buyers / business owners will be funneled through a process to weed out the buyers and serious business builders from the tire kickers.

Your Team

The marketing team leader must provide methodologies and / or training for generating leads as this will be your primary responsibility. Today it is no longer just rah-rah go out and get them, but rather providing functioning systems with proven results.

You simply cannot expect to build your business just on word of mouth, phone calls and offline strategies.

Now, while the internet does afford you the opportunity to build a huge business that is systematic and automated, it also still requires the personal touch of a live, encouraging person - that would be you. And, of course, that’s much of what you get paid for!

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How To Always Be In Demand
(c) by John Colanzi

Imagine if you never had to sell again and opportunities just
fell into your lap.

Does this sound impossible?

Does it sound like a daydream?

Well it’s not.

Not if you’re a problem solver.

Whether you offer products or services, there’s one thing we all
have in common.

We’re all in the problem solving business.

Think about it.

Once the word spreads that you’re a problem solver, prospects will
beat a path to your door.

Why?

Everyone on this earth has problems.

Once you’ve developed a reputation for problem solving, you’ll never
be idle.

There are more people with problems than you could help in ten
lifetimes.

What’s the quickest way to develop a reputation as a problem solver?

Writing articles.

Once I started writing articles, everything changed.

I went from an unknown, unprofitable marketer, to an expert problem
solver.

Guess what?

You can too.

Once you’ve launched your article virus, you won’t have to look for
opportunity, it will come to you.

Join me in the problem solving business and you’ll never look back.

Wishing You Success,
John Colanzi

Copyright (c) John Colanzi.

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A Billionaires Guide To Getting Rich
(c) by John Colanzi

The sage Zenrin once said “If you wish to know the road up the
mountain, ask the person who goes back and forth on it.”

Sound advice, but are you following it?

If you’re like most people, probably not. So who’s advice do you
listen to?

** Your next door neighbor

** Your barber or hairdresser

** Your mechanic

The list is endless. You get excited about starting your own
business and the doom and gloom crowd takes pleasure in stomping on
your dreams.

Before you listen to them, ask yourself one question. Have they been
where you want to go?

Probably not.

So who’s advice should you listen to? The men and women who’ve
traveled the mountain.

One man who traveled the mountain and amassed a fortune in the
process, was J. Paul Getty.

In his autobiography Getty lists rules for creating wealth.

What do you think was Mr. Getty’s number one rule for getting rich?

You must have your own business. He didn’t say get a good job.

The same skills you use to make money for your boss, could be better
applied to creating wealth for you.

There’s an old cartoon that brings the point home even clearer.

A father is asking his son, “Wow, wouldn’t you love to be a football
player and make all that money?”

The little boy smiles and says, “Daddy, I’d rather be the guy that
can afford to pay the whole team.”

The next time you’re excited, keep your own council and remember the
words of Ben Franklin.

“Keep Thy Shop and Thy Shop Will Keep Thee.”

Dare to dream. Be your own boss.

Wishing You Success,
John Colanzi

Copyright (c) John Colanzi.

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Ben Franklin’s Secrets For Success
(c) by John Colanzi

Are you overwhelmed by all the advice on the Internet about
running a successful small business?

The sheer volume of information is overwhelming and often the
“experts” disagree.

Every so often my business will experience a slow down.

This week was one of those weeks. I could easily blame the holiday
or the normal summer vacation period, but that wouldn’t solve my
problem.

I needed to step back and rethink my business plan.

The response for most online business owners is to pick their
favorite “guru” or “gurus” and start studying their advice.

That works well for a lot of marketers, but sometimes I like to
think outside the box. There are some time tested ideas that are
universal and will work if applied to any situation.

I studied Ben Franklin’s simple system for self- improvement. The
system may be simple to develop, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to
follow.

In his autobiography Franklin talks about his need to constantly
monitor himself. Old habits are hard to break.

Although Franklin used this system to reshape his personality, it
can just as easily be applied to improving your skills as an online
entrepreneur.

If you’re looking for a quick fix, this isn’t for you.

Here’s a step by step plan for becoming a more successful
entrepreneur.

1. The first step is to pick the 13 areas of your skills that need
the most work.

Step back and take a look at your business and find 13 skills that
would improve your performance.

2. Put the 13 skills you’ve listed in order of importance.

Label them from 1 to 13.

3. Decide to spend one week working on each skill. Spend time every
day for a week working on improving one area of your business.

For example if you chose writing better ads as an area needing
improvement, spend a week working on your ad writing skills.

4. After you’ve spent a week working on your number problem, move to
problem number 2.

5. After 13 weeks go back and work on number one again.

Follow through on each skill for another 13 weeks.

6. By the end of one year you’ve spent four weeks improving each
roadblock to your success.

At the end of a year re-evaluate your business and determine which
skills still need to be worked on and which ones you’ve mastered.

I know this seems like a lot of work. It’s taking time away from
making your first million.

Well I have to let you in on a little secret. Making a go of your
online business isn’t easy and if you’re not willing to work at it,
you’ll spend your time asking:

Is anyone really making money online?

Well there are small businesses making money online, but they’ve
done their homework and honed their skills.

If you’re truly serious about making money on the Internet, this
plan is as good a place to start as any.

Don’t rely on luck. You’ll find the harder you work, the luckier
you’ll get.

Wishing You Success,
John Colanzi

Copyright (c) John Colanzi.

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Marketing From The Inside Out
(c) by John Colanzi

Good old Archimedes said it best, “Give me a place to stand and
I’ll move the Earth”.

Powerful statement.

He was talking about the lever, but there are all types of levers.

We live in a society that’s lost sight of how everything is
connected. We look at the trunk and mistake it for the elephant.

But if we just open our mind’s eye and look at our world with a more
open view, we can see how “Give me a place to stand”, relates to
succeeding at every endeavor we put our hands to.

Want to leave the rat race and succeed in your own business?

Find a place to stand.

Pick your vehicle.

I see marketers struggling over

* What really sells online?

* What is the best product to promote?

Forget about it.

1. Pick your place to stand.

2. Plant your feet.

3. Take your lever and move the Earth.

Your place to stand is any product or service that fits you. Stop
wasting your time on the internal debate.

Are you ready to assure your success?

If you answered yes, here goes.

1. Find a product or service that excites you, gets your adrenaline
pumping and makes your blood flow.

2. Make a decision.

The difference between winning and losing can be seen in how you
make decisions.

Those that succeed reach decisions promptly and stick with them come
hello there or high water.

Those who never succeed reach decisions slowly. They run for the
hills the first time they have a set back.

3. Plant your feet and keep plugging until you’ve reached your goal.

It’s that simple, but simple doesn’t make it easy.

You can succeed at anything.

I know you can.

Wishing You Success,
John Colanzi

Copyright (c) John Colanzi.

John Colanzi uses the

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4 Steps To Writing Powerful Sales Letters
(c) by John Colanzi

I’m sure you’ve seen those ads that grab your attention and have
you ready to pull out your wallet or credit card. They are making
you an offer you can’t refuse.

Don’t you wish your ads were that persuasive?

Are the marketers who wrote these ads natural born writers, or is
there a formula that you can learn?

Writing to persuade is a skill that can be learned, like any other
skill. It’s just a matter of breaking down the process into four
simple steps.

Step # 1.

The first step in writing your killer sales letter is to identify
your target market.

This seems simple enough, but how many marketers do it?

When reading some of the ads I get in my inbox, I have to wonder.

I don’t want to burst your bubble, but the truth is, not everyone on
the planet is a prospect. Concentrate on those who are.

Before you begin your ad campaign identify your target audience.

Step # 2.

Once you’ve identified your target market, determine what their
major problems are.

* Do they need more money?

* Do they need to save time?

* Are they interested in improving their health?

Sit down and determine every problem that your prospects have and
decide how your product or service can help solve their problems.

There are no shortage of problems, but there is a shortage of
problem solvers. Start becoming a problem solver and you’ll always
be in demand.

OK, you’ve identified your market, you’ve determined what problems
they have, now you’re ready for the next step.

Step # 3.

The third step in writing your killer copy is to let your prospects
know that there is a solution to their problem. Not only is there a
solution to their problem, but you have the solution.

Remember these three magic words, “I can help.”

Identifying the problem is not enough. You have to show the reader
that there is a solution and you have it.

Tell them every benefit they will get when they order your product,
or take advantage of your service.

Let them know you can help them

* Make more money

* Save time

* Improve their health.

Step # 4.

The final step in creating killer ad copy is getting the prospect to
take action.

Identifying your market, determining their problems and letting them
know you have the solution, is not enough.

You have to make them act.

You have to create a sense of urgency.

There are many ways you can do this.

You can offer a special discount for fast action.

You can offer special fast action bonuses.

Ask for the order.

Let them know they don’t have to put up with their problems another
day.

You can solve them right now.

These four steps are a basic outline to get you started.

Start studying the sales letters you read and break them down into
the four basic steps.

Determine how effective the writer was in covering the bases.

Make notes on how you could improve on the sales letter.

Learning to write persuasive copy is a life - long venture.

When you’re writing your next sales letter, remember the four step
formula.

1. Identify your market

2. Identify their problem

3. Let them know how you can solve their problem

4. Ask for the order

Wishing You Success,
John Colanzi

Copyright (c) John Colanzi.

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How To Plan For Success
(c) by John Colanzi

Marketers come online and they’re in such a hurry to make money,
they neglect one of the most essential ingredients to success.

They don’t take the time to put together their battle plan. They
know where they want to go, but they never sit down and map out how
they’re going to get there.

They’re like ships without a crew. They’re tossed to and fro and
have no idea why.

If you’re serious about your business, you need a plan.

Your business should be planned like a well thought out battle. If
you haven’t got your plan in place you’ll suffer casualties.

You won’t suffer loss of life, but you will suffer losses of:

* Money

* Time

* Opportunity

Just as the well honed warrior prepares for all possible
occurrences, you must be prepared to last through the slow times,
and be just as prepared to capitalize on the times when it appears
you can do no wrong.

The first step on your march to the flag is to decide who you are.
In the immortal words of Shakespeare, “In brief sir, study that
which you most affect”.

Know your strengths and know your weaknesses. You’ll never be truly
successful until you’ve first made an inventory of your-self. You
can study all the “How-To’s” and you may even make money, but to be
truly be successful you must have your “Why-To’s” in place.

Once you’ve decided who you are and listed your strengths and
weaknesses, the next step is to determine how much money you have
for your war chest.

Only use money you can afford to lose. As any professional trader or
championship gambler will tell you, “Scared money never wins!”

Don’t mortgage your house or max-out your credit cards because
you’ve got the million dollar sure-fire winner.

You’ll be so busy worrying, you won’t be able to think clearly.

Take money you won’t miss and test-test-test. Your thinking will be
much clearer and when your testing finally hits on a winning formula
you’ll be ready to capitalize.

When you’ve got your winning formula, you should pyramid your
profits to expand your business. A minimum of 50% of your profits
should go back into your business in the first 6 months.

If you’re only using money you can live comfortably without, you
should place 100% back into marketing, you’ll have plenty of time to
enjoy the fruits of your labors!

The final step in your battle plan is to keep a log book.

Just as generals study battles from the past and chess players study
strategies from the old masters, you must begin your own manual.

Don’t rely on your memory!!

In your manual keep every advertising campaign you’ve waged. Be as
detailed as possible. List what has worked and what hasn’t.

Key your ads to determine where your profits are coming from.

Test media used, actual ads and sells letters, etc. Sculpt your
business. If your business is based on profits, the best way to
insure profits is the same way you’d carve an elephant out of
granite.

“Remove everything that’s not an elephant!”

In your business remove everything that isn’t profitable.

Be ruthless with that chisel.

Don’t marry any method of promotion, or any one opportunity.

If you do you’ll spend time chasing losses, instead of accumulating
profits.

Put some thought and effort into your plan and you’ll be a step
ahead of the competition.

Wishing You Success,
John Colanzi

Copyright (c) John Colanzi.

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How To Brand Yourself On A Shoestring Budget
(c) by John Colanzi

Have you spent hours on end trying your best to make money on the
internet and ended up empty handed? Trust me you’re not alone.

I’ve been there myself.

After running into a brick wall for years, I’ve finally found what
works for me.

If I were starting today and could choose one method to promote my
business and to brand myself, it would be writing and submitting
articles.

Why?

** It’s Free promotion

** It’s extremely viral

** It brands you fast

** Most marketers won’t do it

Your articles are actually more than just free promotion, they’re
free promotion on steroids.

Think about it?

What’s the main feature of the average ezine? The featured article.
Get featured in an ezine and you’re the spotlight of that issue.

Get featured in multiple ezines every week and readers will be
saying, I see this name everywhere.

You’re branding yourself fast and it hasn’t cost you a dime.

Once you start getting your name recognized, the articles will start
taking on a life of their own. Have a few webmasters pick them up
and you’re name recognition (brand) keeps spreading.

It’s truly amazing what article writing can do. After you’ve been
doing it long enough, readers will get the feeling they know you.

There’s not much chance of that happening from running an ad. An ad
is just one of many and gives no clue as to who you are.

The fourth reason I gave for writing articles was, “Most marketers
won’t do it.”

If you’re serious about your business and branding yourself, there
is one thing you should realize. You have to start thinking out of
the box.

Become a contrarian. Learn what everybody is doing, and then start
doing what they are not.

You’re a unique individual and you don’t have to follow the herd.
Birds of a feather may flock together, but the brave eagle flies
alone.

Get in the habit of writing and submitting articles and hopefully,
the next article I read will be yours.

Wishing You Success,
John Colanzi

Copyright (c) John Colanzi.

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