Using the Internet to sell products and services to ever increasing number of net users is a good way to start your own business. If you are not taking advantage of this great opportunity you are just missing the boat! Consider this: e-commerce, contrary to popular believe, is thriving and increasing at a double digit growth rate. According to Jupiter Research, Online sales during this holiday season in United States are expected to reach $21.6 billion, a 19 percent increase over the same period last year. Jupiter also predicts in the report that 86 million U.S. residents will make holiday purchases online this year compared to 73 million last year, which is an 18 percent increase.
No doubt that this is the right time to get into online business. Building a website for selling products or services is no longer that difficult. You can make your own website by using available sophisticated but easy-to-learn-and-use programs like Macromedia Dreamweaver, Microsoft Frontpage, Adobe Go live, etc. There also exist various online web store builders similar to Rusbiz.com, which allow you to create powerful web stores using simple editors and numerous templates. You can also setup a store with E-bay and sell products through it. Finally, you can hire professional web designers to develop your website. So, the important question isnot how to get online, but what to sell on the Internet?
In one of my articles - What to sell on the Internet? (http://ezine.rusbiz.com/archivenews.html?nl_oid=19) - I wrote about selling information products. Although this is an interesting concept, you might think that this is not your cup of tea; and you still prefer to work with some tangible products. In ideal scenario, probably, you want to sell a product of your choice but don't want to carry your own stock and don't want to handle the shipping. Is there a way of doing this? Yes, there is! It's called "Drop-shipping".
What is drop-shipping?
When a manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor or importer, after receiving an order from their retailers, individually pack and deliver the product to the customer of the retailer with retailers address as shipper, this selling technique is called drop-shipping.
The advantages of drop-shipping include:
- You do not have any inventory. So, there is no stock carrying expense involved. - You pay for the item only when it is sold and you got paid from your customer. You don't need to invest money in buying the product. - You can sell just one item at a time. No minimum quantity required. - Your drop-shipper will supply you with necessary product image and specification. You don't have to spend money on creating your own. - You fix your own selling price of the product. Convenient, when you know your niche market well. - You can offer various products on your web store from multiple suppliers.
Select a product to sell
Once you decided to go with drop-shipping you need to find products to sell and find drop-shipping suppliers for those products. According to the same report from Jupiter following are the most favorite categories for online shoppers: Books - by far the most popular category, after that comes clothing and shoes, music, toys, video tapes and DVDs, gift certificates, consumer electronics, accessories, videogames, bed and related items, and bath items. You should also consider that this year, total Internet sales of consumer electronics are expected to rise 32 percent to $7.5 billion, making it the fastest growing group among all retail sales categories online.
The market research wizard developed by Worldwide Brand Inc. is a great tool, which shows in a probability scale whether it is worthy trying to sell your selected product online or not. You can find it over here. (http://www.worldwidebrands.com/?8188)
Locate drop-shipping companies
After selecting the product the next step is to find a reliable drop-shipper for it. This might not be an easy task! The things that you should look into a drop-shipper are the followings:
1. A reputable supplier with drop-shipping experience 2. Ready to ship one item at a time 3. Do not ask for any membership payment 4. Will use your name as shipper 5. Will enclose blank invoice or invoice from you 6. On the packaging there will be no indication that they are the supplier.
You might think that the easiest way of finding a drop-shipper is just to buy one of the numerous lists on the Internet for sale. I won't recommend you to use them for number of reasons. Often, these lists are outdated or carry wrong information. Even if you find the companies through the lists, since many people use these lists, you get into fierce competition for market share not even starting to sell.
Use the following approach instead:
Online search
The first step is, naturally, to use the search engines. Using various combinations of the keywords of your product with words: manufacturer, wholesaler, drop-shipper, dealer, see if you can find the original source of the product.
If several online retailers are already selling this product, do some detective works! Check out the sites thoroughly. May be, you can find a clue, which will help you track down the supplier.
If it is an imported product go to the sites like Alibaba, ecplaza, Rusbiz, trade-india. Locate the manufacturer and get in touch with them to find who you should contact in your country to retail sell their products. If the product is manufactured in North America, the best source to find them is Thomas register.
Trade exhibitions
You should definitely attend the trade shows related to your category of products. This is an easy way to find a number of suppliers, who might be willing to work with you.
Trade magazines
Trade journals and publications are also a good resource for finding suppliers of your products. Although, you might have to go through a sizable quantity of them before you stumble on the right supplier.
Conclusion
Drop-shipping has some inherent drawbacks too. The biggest of them is you have to totally rely on the drop-shipper to fulfill your order and get the product to your customer on time. The others are: you don't have any control over the price or availability of the product. However, a good drop-shipper cares for his reputation since his business depends on retailers like you. That's why you have to be very careful in choosing the right drop-shipper.
About the Author
Nowshade Kabir is the founder, primary developer and present CEO of Rusbiz.com. A Ph. D. in Information Technology, he has wide experience in Business Consulting, International Trade and Web Marketing. Rusbiz is a Global B2B Emarketplace with solutions to start and run online business. You can contact him at mailto:nowshade[at]rusbiz.com, http://ezine.rusbiz.com/archivenews.html?nl_oid=47
Thursday, April 19, 2007
SuperCharged Secret 4 - LIVING IN CREDIT CARD UTOPIA!!!!
5 SuperCharged Secrets to Credit Card Utopia! Secret 4 of 5 YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, AND I'LL BUY SOME MORE BEER!
Let's just take a brief moment to recap:
If you've been following along on this journey with me, learning the 5 Super-Charged secrets to Credit Card Utopia, then you now know 3 very important things:
a)You now know how to take advantage of zero to low interest credit card offers.
b)You now know that there is safety in numbers, and you know the magic "Who's Who" of the major credit card companies. You know that one of them, in my opinion, stands out for consumers.
c)You now know how to take a low interest credit card with a rewards program, and convert it into a money making technology that could seriously improve your financial house.
With me? Good. These are all essential foundations that you need to follow in order to live in Credit-Card Utopia with me.
In fact, you would think that there's not much more that can be done.
Side note: I hope you are realizing the power of this information.
It may seem simple, but are you doing it? No. So, be smart. Study this information, reflect on these insights, and move forward with them so you can truly benefit from this secret knowledge.
On to Secret, #4:
1)It's very important that Utopians cover all bases, and leave no one behind.
The 3 secrets we've covered, really deal with those of us who have fairly good credit.
Now, if you don't have "good" credit, please don't discard these prior ideas.
I didn't have "good credit" once. Who cares? How many people, small businesses, corporations, and large industrial countries, have said the exact same thing?
2)So, don't feel left out.
Move towards Credit Card Utopia as a goal to move you into action.
Our website (and many other fine websites around the internet) can provide you with many, many resources to work on your debt issues, or your credit score issues, or whatever.
You might be surprised how FAST you can go from point A to point B.
(Here's a tip: Don't waste time. Find assistance. Don't go at it alone.)
3)Getting back on track: Want a zero interest credit offer? Want a low-interest, no annual fee, incentive-based offer?
Well, if you're struggling with credit or debt, then the first step is to tackle this issue from a different point of view.
Give up on Visa®, MasterCard®, and AMEX®…At least the "unsecured" kind, and at least for now.
There's nothing wrong with applying, and trying, but if you've been turned down, there are other ways to go.
4)Secret #4, revealed in an analogy:
Do you live in a small town? If you do, you might have a small-town pub. Does everybody know your name? Does the bartender know you, and know the drink you like? Do you go into your pub after work, and down a stiff one, after a long day of working in the coal mines? Maybe it isn't payday yet. Do you think the bartender cares? Of course not! He wants you coming in so he can move his inventory of fine beers and spirits. He knows you. So, what does he do? Let's say this is the 1800s, and there's no such thing as "credit cards" amongst our meager coal-working small town clan. What does he do?
Right! He runs you a tab.
No interest rates, no worries, no big deal. He runs a tab. Why? Because he knows you're good for it, and he's moving inventory. He doesn't care about the interest, because he's making a profit off the sale of his beer. He knows where you live, and he knows you'll pay him back in a few days when you come in for a drink after you get paid. It's a virtual certainty.
Now YOU, the small-town beer drinking coal worker, you're perfectly fine with this. The drink costs you the same whether you had cash now or later, and the bartender runs you a tab, in exchange for selling you more inventory. Everyone works together.
You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer.
5)This concept of free "credit" provided to purchase inventory, is not a new concept.
As you can see, it's been around for a long, long time. However, in modern times, it has tremendous application for folks with "poor" credit issues.
The secret is that you buy merchandise (On stuff you already need, or are already buying) almost exclusively from merchants willing to give you credit at low to no interest.
So, while you think you are in a tough position with credit issues, you actually turn it around, and allow it to become consumer buying power.
Only shop with merchants that scratch your back.
With me?
6)Now, where do you find these merchants?
Well, in the real brick and mortar world, it's not that hard.
You can start with department stores, gas cards, furniture outlets, electronics stores, jewelers, and a variety of other stores that you may do business with.
I can't guarantee, of course, that they'll approve you. But many of these merchants run their credit departments in-house, and like our bartender, they're interested in moving inventory.
So, I wouldn't take one "no" to mean that everyone will say "no". Not true.
Many of the larger corporate chains do not offer low to no interest rates. But almost ALL of them offer huge discounts on initial purchases as incentives to get started.
As of the writing of this article, for example, JCPenney® and Target® both offer 10% discounts on "new accounts". In addition, most of them do offer zero interest when balances are paid off each month, and some of them offer different plans to meet different customer's credit situations.
Also, look to no-interest incentive specials that are going on for many larger-ticket items. Televisions, Furniture, etc.
You'll also find many deferred-payment incentives that you can use to your advantage, or that you can utilize as a no-interest situation.
You just have to shop around. They are out there.
7)Now, what about cyber-space? Is there a place to take advantage of this back-scratching secret in Silicon? Actually, YES! There is. Check this out:
Many shopping portals online have realized the advantage of working with "poor" credit customers, and tailor-making a shopping experience that fits these specialized needs. We've listed several at our website, but of course, you can find them at any search-engine or at other reputable websites around the internet.
In a nutshell, the shopping website offers a membership card for making purchases on credit. You go to the online mall, make your purchases for things you would already buy anyway, and build or rebuild your credit score. The shopping portal helps you out by reporting your credit activity to the major credit reporting bureaus, which in turn, improves your credit history.
In addition, the membership benefits often times include such things as travel discounts, rental car discounts, and FREE credit reports.
They almost always advertise guaranteed credit lines of up to $7500, and incentives for joining can include free merchandise (such as a free DVD player), or a merchandise voucher.
Look for 30 day money-back guarantees, and look for no annual fees, and yes, look for "NO INTEREST" on the credit.
Most of these sites will require an upfront membership fee, but then they immediately turn around and provide a merchandise voucher. For example, one portal charges $150 for the upfront membership fee, but then immediately provides a voucher of $200 for merchandise at their site.
Because their customers generally have a history of poor credit, they do sometimes require an initial payment, or "down payment" on purchases until a relationship is established, but hey listen. So what? If you have credit issues, then you have to start rebuilding credit relationships somewhere. It sure beats Layaway!
What a creative way to solve this problem. Everybody wins.
You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer!
Meanwhile, you're moving closer and closer to the pearly gates of Credit Card Utopia!
We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.
Publisher's Directions: This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author's information, disclaimer, and an active link (where possible) are included.
Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials herein are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The author will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.
About the Author
Tom Levine provides a solid, common sense approach to solving problems and answering questions relating to consumer loan products. His website seeks to provide free online resources for the consumer, including rate-watch, tips and articles, financial communication, news, and links to products and services. Visit: http://loanresource.org , or email Tom at info@loanresource.org .
Let's just take a brief moment to recap:
If you've been following along on this journey with me, learning the 5 Super-Charged secrets to Credit Card Utopia, then you now know 3 very important things:
a)You now know how to take advantage of zero to low interest credit card offers.
b)You now know that there is safety in numbers, and you know the magic "Who's Who" of the major credit card companies. You know that one of them, in my opinion, stands out for consumers.
c)You now know how to take a low interest credit card with a rewards program, and convert it into a money making technology that could seriously improve your financial house.
With me? Good. These are all essential foundations that you need to follow in order to live in Credit-Card Utopia with me.
In fact, you would think that there's not much more that can be done.
Side note: I hope you are realizing the power of this information.
It may seem simple, but are you doing it? No. So, be smart. Study this information, reflect on these insights, and move forward with them so you can truly benefit from this secret knowledge.
On to Secret, #4:
1)It's very important that Utopians cover all bases, and leave no one behind.
The 3 secrets we've covered, really deal with those of us who have fairly good credit.
Now, if you don't have "good" credit, please don't discard these prior ideas.
I didn't have "good credit" once. Who cares? How many people, small businesses, corporations, and large industrial countries, have said the exact same thing?
2)So, don't feel left out.
Move towards Credit Card Utopia as a goal to move you into action.
Our website (and many other fine websites around the internet) can provide you with many, many resources to work on your debt issues, or your credit score issues, or whatever.
You might be surprised how FAST you can go from point A to point B.
(Here's a tip: Don't waste time. Find assistance. Don't go at it alone.)
3)Getting back on track: Want a zero interest credit offer? Want a low-interest, no annual fee, incentive-based offer?
Well, if you're struggling with credit or debt, then the first step is to tackle this issue from a different point of view.
Give up on Visa®, MasterCard®, and AMEX®…At least the "unsecured" kind, and at least for now.
There's nothing wrong with applying, and trying, but if you've been turned down, there are other ways to go.
4)Secret #4, revealed in an analogy:
Do you live in a small town? If you do, you might have a small-town pub. Does everybody know your name? Does the bartender know you, and know the drink you like? Do you go into your pub after work, and down a stiff one, after a long day of working in the coal mines? Maybe it isn't payday yet. Do you think the bartender cares? Of course not! He wants you coming in so he can move his inventory of fine beers and spirits. He knows you. So, what does he do? Let's say this is the 1800s, and there's no such thing as "credit cards" amongst our meager coal-working small town clan. What does he do?
Right! He runs you a tab.
No interest rates, no worries, no big deal. He runs a tab. Why? Because he knows you're good for it, and he's moving inventory. He doesn't care about the interest, because he's making a profit off the sale of his beer. He knows where you live, and he knows you'll pay him back in a few days when you come in for a drink after you get paid. It's a virtual certainty.
Now YOU, the small-town beer drinking coal worker, you're perfectly fine with this. The drink costs you the same whether you had cash now or later, and the bartender runs you a tab, in exchange for selling you more inventory. Everyone works together.
You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer.
5)This concept of free "credit" provided to purchase inventory, is not a new concept.
As you can see, it's been around for a long, long time. However, in modern times, it has tremendous application for folks with "poor" credit issues.
The secret is that you buy merchandise (On stuff you already need, or are already buying) almost exclusively from merchants willing to give you credit at low to no interest.
So, while you think you are in a tough position with credit issues, you actually turn it around, and allow it to become consumer buying power.
Only shop with merchants that scratch your back.
With me?
6)Now, where do you find these merchants?
Well, in the real brick and mortar world, it's not that hard.
You can start with department stores, gas cards, furniture outlets, electronics stores, jewelers, and a variety of other stores that you may do business with.
I can't guarantee, of course, that they'll approve you. But many of these merchants run their credit departments in-house, and like our bartender, they're interested in moving inventory.
So, I wouldn't take one "no" to mean that everyone will say "no". Not true.
Many of the larger corporate chains do not offer low to no interest rates. But almost ALL of them offer huge discounts on initial purchases as incentives to get started.
As of the writing of this article, for example, JCPenney® and Target® both offer 10% discounts on "new accounts". In addition, most of them do offer zero interest when balances are paid off each month, and some of them offer different plans to meet different customer's credit situations.
Also, look to no-interest incentive specials that are going on for many larger-ticket items. Televisions, Furniture, etc.
You'll also find many deferred-payment incentives that you can use to your advantage, or that you can utilize as a no-interest situation.
You just have to shop around. They are out there.
7)Now, what about cyber-space? Is there a place to take advantage of this back-scratching secret in Silicon? Actually, YES! There is. Check this out:
Many shopping portals online have realized the advantage of working with "poor" credit customers, and tailor-making a shopping experience that fits these specialized needs. We've listed several at our website, but of course, you can find them at any search-engine or at other reputable websites around the internet.
In a nutshell, the shopping website offers a membership card for making purchases on credit. You go to the online mall, make your purchases for things you would already buy anyway, and build or rebuild your credit score. The shopping portal helps you out by reporting your credit activity to the major credit reporting bureaus, which in turn, improves your credit history.
In addition, the membership benefits often times include such things as travel discounts, rental car discounts, and FREE credit reports.
They almost always advertise guaranteed credit lines of up to $7500, and incentives for joining can include free merchandise (such as a free DVD player), or a merchandise voucher.
Look for 30 day money-back guarantees, and look for no annual fees, and yes, look for "NO INTEREST" on the credit.
Most of these sites will require an upfront membership fee, but then they immediately turn around and provide a merchandise voucher. For example, one portal charges $150 for the upfront membership fee, but then immediately provides a voucher of $200 for merchandise at their site.
Because their customers generally have a history of poor credit, they do sometimes require an initial payment, or "down payment" on purchases until a relationship is established, but hey listen. So what? If you have credit issues, then you have to start rebuilding credit relationships somewhere. It sure beats Layaway!
What a creative way to solve this problem. Everybody wins.
You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer!
Meanwhile, you're moving closer and closer to the pearly gates of Credit Card Utopia!
We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.
Publisher's Directions: This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author's information, disclaimer, and an active link (where possible) are included.
Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials herein are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The author will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.
About the Author
Tom Levine provides a solid, common sense approach to solving problems and answering questions relating to consumer loan products. His website seeks to provide free online resources for the consumer, including rate-watch, tips and articles, financial communication, news, and links to products and services. Visit: http://loanresource.org , or email Tom at info@loanresource.org .
SuperCharged Secret 4 - LIVING IN CREDIT CARD UTOPIA!!!!
5 SuperCharged Secrets to Credit Card Utopia! Secret 4 of 5 YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, AND I'LL BUY SOME MORE BEER!
Let's just take a brief moment to recap:
If you've been following along on this journey with me, learning the 5 Super-Charged secrets to Credit Card Utopia, then you now know 3 very important things:
a)You now know how to take advantage of zero to low interest credit card offers.
b)You now know that there is safety in numbers, and you know the magic "Who's Who" of the major credit card companies. You know that one of them, in my opinion, stands out for consumers.
c)You now know how to take a low interest credit card with a rewards program, and convert it into a money making technology that could seriously improve your financial house.
With me? Good. These are all essential foundations that you need to follow in order to live in Credit-Card Utopia with me.
In fact, you would think that there's not much more that can be done.
Side note: I hope you are realizing the power of this information.
It may seem simple, but are you doing it? No. So, be smart. Study this information, reflect on these insights, and move forward with them so you can truly benefit from this secret knowledge.
On to Secret, #4:
1)It's very important that Utopians cover all bases, and leave no one behind.
The 3 secrets we've covered, really deal with those of us who have fairly good credit.
Now, if you don't have "good" credit, please don't discard these prior ideas.
I didn't have "good credit" once. Who cares? How many people, small businesses, corporations, and large industrial countries, have said the exact same thing?
2)So, don't feel left out.
Move towards Credit Card Utopia as a goal to move you into action.
Our website (and many other fine websites around the internet) can provide you with many, many resources to work on your debt issues, or your credit score issues, or whatever.
You might be surprised how FAST you can go from point A to point B.
(Here's a tip: Don't waste time. Find assistance. Don't go at it alone.)
3)Getting back on track: Want a zero interest credit offer? Want a low-interest, no annual fee, incentive-based offer?
Well, if you're struggling with credit or debt, then the first step is to tackle this issue from a different point of view.
Give up on Visa®, MasterCard®, and AMEX®…At least the "unsecured" kind, and at least for now.
There's nothing wrong with applying, and trying, but if you've been turned down, there are other ways to go.
4)Secret #4, revealed in an analogy:
Do you live in a small town? If you do, you might have a small-town pub. Does everybody know your name? Does the bartender know you, and know the drink you like? Do you go into your pub after work, and down a stiff one, after a long day of working in the coal mines? Maybe it isn't payday yet. Do you think the bartender cares? Of course not! He wants you coming in so he can move his inventory of fine beers and spirits. He knows you. So, what does he do? Let's say this is the 1800s, and there's no such thing as "credit cards" amongst our meager coal-working small town clan. What does he do?
Right! He runs you a tab.
No interest rates, no worries, no big deal. He runs a tab. Why? Because he knows you're good for it, and he's moving inventory. He doesn't care about the interest, because he's making a profit off the sale of his beer. He knows where you live, and he knows you'll pay him back in a few days when you come in for a drink after you get paid. It's a virtual certainty.
Now YOU, the small-town beer drinking coal worker, you're perfectly fine with this. The drink costs you the same whether you had cash now or later, and the bartender runs you a tab, in exchange for selling you more inventory. Everyone works together.
You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer.
5)This concept of free "credit" provided to purchase inventory, is not a new concept.
As you can see, it's been around for a long, long time. However, in modern times, it has tremendous application for folks with "poor" credit issues.
The secret is that you buy merchandise (On stuff you already need, or are already buying) almost exclusively from merchants willing to give you credit at low to no interest.
So, while you think you are in a tough position with credit issues, you actually turn it around, and allow it to become consumer buying power.
Only shop with merchants that scratch your back.
With me?
6)Now, where do you find these merchants?
Well, in the real brick and mortar world, it's not that hard.
You can start with department stores, gas cards, furniture outlets, electronics stores, jewelers, and a variety of other stores that you may do business with.
I can't guarantee, of course, that they'll approve you. But many of these merchants run their credit departments in-house, and like our bartender, they're interested in moving inventory.
So, I wouldn't take one "no" to mean that everyone will say "no". Not true.
Many of the larger corporate chains do not offer low to no interest rates. But almost ALL of them offer huge discounts on initial purchases as incentives to get started.
As of the writing of this article, for example, JCPenney® and Target® both offer 10% discounts on "new accounts". In addition, most of them do offer zero interest when balances are paid off each month, and some of them offer different plans to meet different customer's credit situations.
Also, look to no-interest incentive specials that are going on for many larger-ticket items. Televisions, Furniture, etc.
You'll also find many deferred-payment incentives that you can use to your advantage, or that you can utilize as a no-interest situation.
You just have to shop around. They are out there.
7)Now, what about cyber-space? Is there a place to take advantage of this back-scratching secret in Silicon? Actually, YES! There is. Check this out:
Many shopping portals online have realized the advantage of working with "poor" credit customers, and tailor-making a shopping experience that fits these specialized needs. We've listed several at our website, but of course, you can find them at any search-engine or at other reputable websites around the internet.
In a nutshell, the shopping website offers a membership card for making purchases on credit. You go to the online mall, make your purchases for things you would already buy anyway, and build or rebuild your credit score. The shopping portal helps you out by reporting your credit activity to the major credit reporting bureaus, which in turn, improves your credit history.
In addition, the membership benefits often times include such things as travel discounts, rental car discounts, and FREE credit reports.
They almost always advertise guaranteed credit lines of up to $7500, and incentives for joining can include free merchandise (such as a free DVD player), or a merchandise voucher.
Look for 30 day money-back guarantees, and look for no annual fees, and yes, look for "NO INTEREST" on the credit.
Most of these sites will require an upfront membership fee, but then they immediately turn around and provide a merchandise voucher. For example, one portal charges $150 for the upfront membership fee, but then immediately provides a voucher of $200 for merchandise at their site.
Because their customers generally have a history of poor credit, they do sometimes require an initial payment, or "down payment" on purchases until a relationship is established, but hey listen. So what? If you have credit issues, then you have to start rebuilding credit relationships somewhere. It sure beats Layaway!
What a creative way to solve this problem. Everybody wins.
You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer!
Meanwhile, you're moving closer and closer to the pearly gates of Credit Card Utopia!
We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.
Publisher's Directions: This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author's information, disclaimer, and an active link (where possible) are included.
Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials herein are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The author will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.
About the Author
Tom Levine provides a solid, common sense approach to solving problems and answering questions relating to consumer loan products. His website seeks to provide free online resources for the consumer, including rate-watch, tips and articles, financial communication, news, and links to products and services. Visit: http://loanresource.org , or email Tom at info@loanresource.org .
Let's just take a brief moment to recap:
If you've been following along on this journey with me, learning the 5 Super-Charged secrets to Credit Card Utopia, then you now know 3 very important things:
a)You now know how to take advantage of zero to low interest credit card offers.
b)You now know that there is safety in numbers, and you know the magic "Who's Who" of the major credit card companies. You know that one of them, in my opinion, stands out for consumers.
c)You now know how to take a low interest credit card with a rewards program, and convert it into a money making technology that could seriously improve your financial house.
With me? Good. These are all essential foundations that you need to follow in order to live in Credit-Card Utopia with me.
In fact, you would think that there's not much more that can be done.
Side note: I hope you are realizing the power of this information.
It may seem simple, but are you doing it? No. So, be smart. Study this information, reflect on these insights, and move forward with them so you can truly benefit from this secret knowledge.
On to Secret, #4:
1)It's very important that Utopians cover all bases, and leave no one behind.
The 3 secrets we've covered, really deal with those of us who have fairly good credit.
Now, if you don't have "good" credit, please don't discard these prior ideas.
I didn't have "good credit" once. Who cares? How many people, small businesses, corporations, and large industrial countries, have said the exact same thing?
2)So, don't feel left out.
Move towards Credit Card Utopia as a goal to move you into action.
Our website (and many other fine websites around the internet) can provide you with many, many resources to work on your debt issues, or your credit score issues, or whatever.
You might be surprised how FAST you can go from point A to point B.
(Here's a tip: Don't waste time. Find assistance. Don't go at it alone.)
3)Getting back on track: Want a zero interest credit offer? Want a low-interest, no annual fee, incentive-based offer?
Well, if you're struggling with credit or debt, then the first step is to tackle this issue from a different point of view.
Give up on Visa®, MasterCard®, and AMEX®…At least the "unsecured" kind, and at least for now.
There's nothing wrong with applying, and trying, but if you've been turned down, there are other ways to go.
4)Secret #4, revealed in an analogy:
Do you live in a small town? If you do, you might have a small-town pub. Does everybody know your name? Does the bartender know you, and know the drink you like? Do you go into your pub after work, and down a stiff one, after a long day of working in the coal mines? Maybe it isn't payday yet. Do you think the bartender cares? Of course not! He wants you coming in so he can move his inventory of fine beers and spirits. He knows you. So, what does he do? Let's say this is the 1800s, and there's no such thing as "credit cards" amongst our meager coal-working small town clan. What does he do?
Right! He runs you a tab.
No interest rates, no worries, no big deal. He runs a tab. Why? Because he knows you're good for it, and he's moving inventory. He doesn't care about the interest, because he's making a profit off the sale of his beer. He knows where you live, and he knows you'll pay him back in a few days when you come in for a drink after you get paid. It's a virtual certainty.
Now YOU, the small-town beer drinking coal worker, you're perfectly fine with this. The drink costs you the same whether you had cash now or later, and the bartender runs you a tab, in exchange for selling you more inventory. Everyone works together.
You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer.
5)This concept of free "credit" provided to purchase inventory, is not a new concept.
As you can see, it's been around for a long, long time. However, in modern times, it has tremendous application for folks with "poor" credit issues.
The secret is that you buy merchandise (On stuff you already need, or are already buying) almost exclusively from merchants willing to give you credit at low to no interest.
So, while you think you are in a tough position with credit issues, you actually turn it around, and allow it to become consumer buying power.
Only shop with merchants that scratch your back.
With me?
6)Now, where do you find these merchants?
Well, in the real brick and mortar world, it's not that hard.
You can start with department stores, gas cards, furniture outlets, electronics stores, jewelers, and a variety of other stores that you may do business with.
I can't guarantee, of course, that they'll approve you. But many of these merchants run their credit departments in-house, and like our bartender, they're interested in moving inventory.
So, I wouldn't take one "no" to mean that everyone will say "no". Not true.
Many of the larger corporate chains do not offer low to no interest rates. But almost ALL of them offer huge discounts on initial purchases as incentives to get started.
As of the writing of this article, for example, JCPenney® and Target® both offer 10% discounts on "new accounts". In addition, most of them do offer zero interest when balances are paid off each month, and some of them offer different plans to meet different customer's credit situations.
Also, look to no-interest incentive specials that are going on for many larger-ticket items. Televisions, Furniture, etc.
You'll also find many deferred-payment incentives that you can use to your advantage, or that you can utilize as a no-interest situation.
You just have to shop around. They are out there.
7)Now, what about cyber-space? Is there a place to take advantage of this back-scratching secret in Silicon? Actually, YES! There is. Check this out:
Many shopping portals online have realized the advantage of working with "poor" credit customers, and tailor-making a shopping experience that fits these specialized needs. We've listed several at our website, but of course, you can find them at any search-engine or at other reputable websites around the internet.
In a nutshell, the shopping website offers a membership card for making purchases on credit. You go to the online mall, make your purchases for things you would already buy anyway, and build or rebuild your credit score. The shopping portal helps you out by reporting your credit activity to the major credit reporting bureaus, which in turn, improves your credit history.
In addition, the membership benefits often times include such things as travel discounts, rental car discounts, and FREE credit reports.
They almost always advertise guaranteed credit lines of up to $7500, and incentives for joining can include free merchandise (such as a free DVD player), or a merchandise voucher.
Look for 30 day money-back guarantees, and look for no annual fees, and yes, look for "NO INTEREST" on the credit.
Most of these sites will require an upfront membership fee, but then they immediately turn around and provide a merchandise voucher. For example, one portal charges $150 for the upfront membership fee, but then immediately provides a voucher of $200 for merchandise at their site.
Because their customers generally have a history of poor credit, they do sometimes require an initial payment, or "down payment" on purchases until a relationship is established, but hey listen. So what? If you have credit issues, then you have to start rebuilding credit relationships somewhere. It sure beats Layaway!
What a creative way to solve this problem. Everybody wins.
You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer!
Meanwhile, you're moving closer and closer to the pearly gates of Credit Card Utopia!
We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.
Publisher's Directions: This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author's information, disclaimer, and an active link (where possible) are included.
Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials herein are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The author will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.
About the Author
Tom Levine provides a solid, common sense approach to solving problems and answering questions relating to consumer loan products. His website seeks to provide free online resources for the consumer, including rate-watch, tips and articles, financial communication, news, and links to products and services. Visit: http://loanresource.org , or email Tom at info@loanresource.org .
Promoting Your Web Sites in the Dirt World
© 2004, John Calder http://www.TheEzine.net
Internet entrepreneurs are familiar with all the ways you can promote your web sites and your business online. Writing articles, paid advertising, posting to forums, cross-promoting, JVs with others, etc. Are there good ways to promote those same businesses in the offline world?
Chances are that no offline promotion will have the same reach, for the money spent, as online promotions have. The Internet offers a medium to target specific audiences very easily, rivaled perhaps only by direct mail and specialty print advertising. When measuring your promotion efforts, it's all about the conversion rate. Generally, you want to convert a higher percentage of a narrow audience, rather than a small percentage of a 'blanket' audience. Unfortunately, most dirt world promotion opportunities, including radio and newspaper, tend to convey their message shotgun-style, covering a wide and diverse marketplace.
A lot of your offline success will be determined by the type of online business you operate. If you sell products and services to other marketers, for example, you stand very little chance of successful offline promotion, except perhaps at a marketing seminar. However, if you run, for example, a computer parts business online, it may make sense for you to team up with and co-promote local computer user groups, electronics swap meets, auctioneers, and even some computer retailers that don't offer parts or service. That's a very natural blend of offerings, among non-competing entities.
If you are fortunate enough to find such events, your main concentration should be on building your own mailing list first, or failing that, creating a shared list between you and your offline partner. You can offer premiums, incentives, and giveaways if you'd like, but don't just hand them out. Get a name and email address in exchange. If you do this, be sure to comply with CAN-SPAM and other applicable laws.
About the Author
John Calder is the owner/editor of The Ezine Dot Net. Subscribe Today and get real information YOU can use to help build your online business today! http://www.TheEzine.Net
Internet entrepreneurs are familiar with all the ways you can promote your web sites and your business online. Writing articles, paid advertising, posting to forums, cross-promoting, JVs with others, etc. Are there good ways to promote those same businesses in the offline world?
Chances are that no offline promotion will have the same reach, for the money spent, as online promotions have. The Internet offers a medium to target specific audiences very easily, rivaled perhaps only by direct mail and specialty print advertising. When measuring your promotion efforts, it's all about the conversion rate. Generally, you want to convert a higher percentage of a narrow audience, rather than a small percentage of a 'blanket' audience. Unfortunately, most dirt world promotion opportunities, including radio and newspaper, tend to convey their message shotgun-style, covering a wide and diverse marketplace.
A lot of your offline success will be determined by the type of online business you operate. If you sell products and services to other marketers, for example, you stand very little chance of successful offline promotion, except perhaps at a marketing seminar. However, if you run, for example, a computer parts business online, it may make sense for you to team up with and co-promote local computer user groups, electronics swap meets, auctioneers, and even some computer retailers that don't offer parts or service. That's a very natural blend of offerings, among non-competing entities.
If you are fortunate enough to find such events, your main concentration should be on building your own mailing list first, or failing that, creating a shared list between you and your offline partner. You can offer premiums, incentives, and giveaways if you'd like, but don't just hand them out. Get a name and email address in exchange. If you do this, be sure to comply with CAN-SPAM and other applicable laws.
About the Author
John Calder is the owner/editor of The Ezine Dot Net. Subscribe Today and get real information YOU can use to help build your online business today! http://www.TheEzine.Net
Generating Publicity: Will The Media Be Interested In My Product/Business?
When it comes to launching a new business or product, some marketing consultants might say that EVERY product is appropriate for a publicity or media exposure campaign. That is true to a degree, but as a PR/publicity professional and former media person, I would qualify that statement by saying that although new products would benefit from a solid publicity campaign, not all businesses or products and their pitches will grab the attention of the media.
A number of strategically generated features or product mentions in magazines, newspapers and TV/radio/cable shows nationwide can lend strong credibility to a new product. That "media bullhorn" can also do wonders toward educating consumers about your product. But does your product -- and it's media pitch -- have what it takes to attract the media into giving you coverage in their pages or on their airwaves? As I mentioned, many products or businesses can generate some type of publicity and media interest, but in my professional experience, the types of products and pitches that lend themselves to the best media exposure include:
·home/garden products ·kitchen/cooking/food products ·consumer electronics ·automotive accessories ·home repair/DIY tools ·personal health/medical/fitness products ·recreational/outdoor products ·experts (business, health, technology)
If you have a new or under-publicized product in one of these categories, the media could be a good friend to you. However, you first have be a friend to the media. Your product (and pitch) needs to have what the media calls a "news peg" -- that gives them a logical and newsworthy reason to feature YOUR product as opposed to the 200 other media pitches that are on their desks right now. Additionally, you need to make it as easy as possible for them to do your story or they WILL move onto a competitor's pitch and product that is easier to cover.
·Can you provide a media sample? ·Do you have quality photos of the product? ·How can the product be purchased: in stores, catalogs, online, by phone? ·Can you arrange a quick interview if needed?
Products/services that don't really lend themselves to media interest or publicity are things like:
·website developers ·cell phone/printer cartridge sales ·vitamin supplements ·insurance ·financial planning ·MLM/downline schemes
I'm not implying that these types of businesses aren't media worthy. I'm simply saying that from a media interest, editorial standpoint, there are thousands of competing product and businesses like these on the market and unless they are offering something truly unique, they lack that "news peg" that will attract the media's attention. If you are launching, let's say, a new garden tool that is very similar to many other garden tools on the market, don't expect much interest from the media in putting together a feature. You can create that news peg by answering a few questions:
·How does your product differ from competing products already on the market? ·Why should the media and subsequent consumers be interested in your product? ·Does it provide a solution to an existing problem for consumers?
Bottom line -- an expertly maintained publicity campaign can help forge wonderfully reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationships with the media. Reciprocal, in that the media constantly need interesting information to put together their product profiles and business features -- and YOU need constant media exposure to get the word out. If your product or business can meet the media standards mentioned above, you could benefit greatly from some solid nationwide media exposure. Getting your product mentioned in print articles and on TV/radio shows nationwide will help spread the word to customers -- and at a fraction of the cost of a nationwide advertising campaign.
About the Author
Todd Brabender is the President of Spread The News Public Relations, Inc. His business specializes in generating media exposure and publicity for innovative products, businesses, experts and inventions. http://www.spreadthenewspr.com todd@spreadthenewspr.com (785) 842-8909
A number of strategically generated features or product mentions in magazines, newspapers and TV/radio/cable shows nationwide can lend strong credibility to a new product. That "media bullhorn" can also do wonders toward educating consumers about your product. But does your product -- and it's media pitch -- have what it takes to attract the media into giving you coverage in their pages or on their airwaves? As I mentioned, many products or businesses can generate some type of publicity and media interest, but in my professional experience, the types of products and pitches that lend themselves to the best media exposure include:
·home/garden products ·kitchen/cooking/food products ·consumer electronics ·automotive accessories ·home repair/DIY tools ·personal health/medical/fitness products ·recreational/outdoor products ·experts (business, health, technology)
If you have a new or under-publicized product in one of these categories, the media could be a good friend to you. However, you first have be a friend to the media. Your product (and pitch) needs to have what the media calls a "news peg" -- that gives them a logical and newsworthy reason to feature YOUR product as opposed to the 200 other media pitches that are on their desks right now. Additionally, you need to make it as easy as possible for them to do your story or they WILL move onto a competitor's pitch and product that is easier to cover.
·Can you provide a media sample? ·Do you have quality photos of the product? ·How can the product be purchased: in stores, catalogs, online, by phone? ·Can you arrange a quick interview if needed?
Products/services that don't really lend themselves to media interest or publicity are things like:
·website developers ·cell phone/printer cartridge sales ·vitamin supplements ·insurance ·financial planning ·MLM/downline schemes
I'm not implying that these types of businesses aren't media worthy. I'm simply saying that from a media interest, editorial standpoint, there are thousands of competing product and businesses like these on the market and unless they are offering something truly unique, they lack that "news peg" that will attract the media's attention. If you are launching, let's say, a new garden tool that is very similar to many other garden tools on the market, don't expect much interest from the media in putting together a feature. You can create that news peg by answering a few questions:
·How does your product differ from competing products already on the market? ·Why should the media and subsequent consumers be interested in your product? ·Does it provide a solution to an existing problem for consumers?
Bottom line -- an expertly maintained publicity campaign can help forge wonderfully reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationships with the media. Reciprocal, in that the media constantly need interesting information to put together their product profiles and business features -- and YOU need constant media exposure to get the word out. If your product or business can meet the media standards mentioned above, you could benefit greatly from some solid nationwide media exposure. Getting your product mentioned in print articles and on TV/radio shows nationwide will help spread the word to customers -- and at a fraction of the cost of a nationwide advertising campaign.
About the Author
Todd Brabender is the President of Spread The News Public Relations, Inc. His business specializes in generating media exposure and publicity for innovative products, businesses, experts and inventions. http://www.spreadthenewspr.com todd@spreadthenewspr.com (785) 842-8909
Secrets For serious Wealth Creators
Dear Friend
How many times have you sat and dreamed about changing your life ?
What would it mean to you to be your own boss, answering to no one but yourself ?
How would you like to earn enough money, when you wanted to in order to live the kind of lifestyle you want ?
There are many people out there who live their dreams. They work for themselves, making money and enjoying the good life.
What would it mean to you if you could join that happy band of people ?
Wealthy people have known certain "wealth creating secrets" for generations. "Secrets" that have opened up huge riches. These "secrets" are based on everlasting principles, which endure from age to age. The detail may vary but the principles are eternal.
Those born into wealth, grow up and are tutored in an environment which consolidates these principles. However, for the rest of us we either have to find a rich benefactor to teach us the principles.
Alternatively we might win our riches on one of life's lotteries.
Until now that is ! For in a series of articles I will show you exactly what those principles are. You will also learn exactly how to apply them to your own situation, whatever that situation is. Learn these principles and you will open up a worls you currently only dream of.
Living the life of your dreams is about to become reality.
The principles are presented as a set of strategies. Clearly, everyone will use not all strategies. However, the more of these strategies you can bring into your life, the more successful you will be in achieving your goals.
================================================= Strategy - 1 Choose The Right Business
Choosing the right business to be in is the single most important wealth creating decision you are ever going to make.
Burn this simple statement into your brain and from now on let it be the guiding principle whenever you are faced with evaluating a new "business opportunity."
Your business choice has to match your skill set, it has to fall within the limits of your capital resources and it must above all else compliment your character and personality.
When you have this optimum set of circumstances then your business will be a pleasure and not toil. This is a clear recipe for enjoyment and success.
Characteristics Of "The Right Business"
==> The business must service a large market - Niche markets can also be very profitable but require specialist products and customer service. Unless you have access to such specialist products and can deliver the specialist customer care it is best to steer clear of highly targeted markets until you are more confident in your business abilities.
==> The business must adapt and change with the market. However, beware faddish businesses can be very difficult to operate because of the rapid rate at which market perceptions change. Nevertheless "The Right Business" must be able to predict, lead and dance to the market tune.
==> Capital outlay must be minimal in order to maximise margins, cash flow and profits.
What Business Fits These Characteristics ?
A home based, direct response marketing business, dealing in Information has all these characteristics and offers unparalleled flexibility for the serious Wealth Creator.
If you take this a stage further and link this business to a presence on the Internet then the opportunities to make serious money increase almost exponentially.
What is Direct Response Marketing ?
Direct response marketing entails the targeting of a specific market by use of direct mail shots.
These can be sent in paper copy by snail mail as in the offline world of marketing lists or by e-mail as happens in the online Internet world.
In the meantime before I show you how this business opportunity can make your fortune, here are some little known facts about direct mail.
These figures are relevant to the US, but the same general Principles apply for most other Western, capitalist countries including the UK.
=>Direct Mail is the 3rd-highest allocation in media budgets after magazines and newspapers.
=>Studies show that, on average, every dollar spent on Direct Mail advertising brings in $10 in sales - a return of more than twice that generated by a direct television ad.
=>Amount of money donated to non-profits in response to bulk mailings $50 billion.
=>By using Direct Mail to reach out to consumers, businesses can expect sales to increase more than 7%.
=>Direct Mail accounts for about 50% of all pieces of mail handled by the U.S. Postal Service. =>Adding a promotional product to a mail promotion increases the response rate by 50%.
=>The use of promotional products as an incentive to respond generates 4 times as many responses as a sales letter alone.
=>The use of a promotional product as an incentive to respond reduces the cost per response by two thirds.
=>A print advertisement with a bind-in Direct Mail reply card will outpull the same ad without a bind-in by up to 600%.
=>Over 50% of recipients of Direct Mail read it immediately and of those, over 40% found the information they received useful.
=>Percentage of bulk mail that is thrown away unopened: 44%
=>Those who receive a promotional product in a dimensional package respond at a rate 57% higher than those who receive the same item in an envelope. Response rate for the dimensional package is 75% higher than those who receive only a sales letter. =>Benjamin Franklin, the first postmaster of the United States, was also one of the early practitioners of the Direct Mail. He offered replacement parts and accessories for his famous Franklin stoves with Direct Mail. He also used Direct Mail to raise funds for the Pennsylvania Hospital.
=> Direct mail success is based on the following: 40% of your success=The Mailing List 40% of your success=The Product or Service Offer 20% of your success=Copy
=>Top 10 Uses For Direct Mail:
Generating leads Generating store traffic Responding to competitive activity Generating customer loyalty Generating new customers/referrals Improving sales force efficiency Improving customer service Increasing customers' average purchase amounts - generating higher sales Announcing store hours/sales/new locations Augmenting media advertising to top prospects and select customers
These figures have been sourced from - http://www.ambroseprint.com/aa013003a.htm
Now lets get specific and see how direct response fulfils the characteristics of "The Right Business"
** Large Market **
Direct Response is a multi billion dollar industry and growing. For a statistical analysis see http://www.sherpastore.com/store/page.cfm/1988. The US leads the world as a market place, principally due to the geographical spread of the country, the acceptance of direct response marketing as a valid means of buying and selling products.
The UK is a very sophisticated direct marketers environment, where many US trends manifest themselves as a result of the close cultural, economic and political ties between the two countries.
Why Should You Start An Information Direct Marketing Business ?
=> People like Information. They seek it everywhere. On the TV, on radio at the cinema, in newspapers, in books and reports and since the mid 1990's increasingly on the Internet.
=> The need for Information seems insatiable - the more a person knows about a particular subject, the more they want to know. It is also true that the less someone knows about something which is of some interest to them the more they will seek out information to expand their knowledge
=> Advances in technology in the computing and electronics worlds means it is now unbelievably easy and cost effective to engage in the Information provision business.
=> People will pay money for access to good, useful sources of information. They have little time to do the required research themselves and will pay someone else to distil the information they require into useable forms.
=> There are numerous Information product types and it is more than likely you will find one or more of the following financially rewarding.E-zines (Internet name for Newsletters), audio tapes, video tapes, CD, DVD, Live tele-conferences, workshops and Seminars.
** Adaptable Business **
A direct marketing business working with Information affords you the opportunity to change with your market as quickly as it takes to produce a new Information product.
This can literally range from a few hours for news, short shelf life information products to a few days or weeks for longer lasting Information items.
In some cases the changes you need to make to your products to stay ahead of changing market trends may be as simple as title changes and a few amended paragraphs in the content.
** Low Capital Outlay **
Many of your good ideas go by the wayside for one simple reason. It costs too much to successfully float the idea, and then to sustain it through the early years as it becomes established.
An Online direct response information product business can be started for less than $300 per annum in the USA or £200 per annum in the UK. At the very minimum, you will require an Autoresponder service to serialise your Information product. An autoresponder is an e-mail service that sends out your information to your e-mail list at pre-defined intervals.
For those with a little bit more cash a secure e-book publishing tool will help safeguard your hard work against cyber theft. After you have compiled your material, the last thing you want is for it to be "stolen". Secure tools exist to help protect you against cyber fraud and theft.
Finally, you will require some means for accepting payment for your Information Product.
One of the truly remarkable things about this business is that all these requirements can be achieved for the low capital outlay described above.
It's all very well to be able to start your new business on a shoestring, but adverse cash flow causes more startup businesses to fail than failure to make a profit.
When it comes to money there is one golden rule - Your business must generate more cash, than you pay out !! Long term survival is more dependant on this "law" than it is on making profits.
How then do you ensure that the business you started up on a shoestring doesn't become a bottomless pit, swallowing up more money than it generates ?
Information marketing via direct response offers you the perfect Business setup to ensure a positive cashflow.
This is the one business in which you can test your product for profitability using a subset of the large market you have identified. If it proves successful you then roll it out to the rest of the market.
If however, the inital small scale, inexpensive test indicates that the product is wrong, or the market is not ready then you ditch the product and move onto something else.
The key message here is Test your product before you commit money to the project.
I can hear you asking - And how exactly do I do that ?
The simplest way to conduct a test is to
=> Identify a large, hungry, market
=> Using a sample from that market ask what information products they would like or
=> Generate your own idea for an Information product and then write to a sample of the market and solicit their views as to it's usefulness and value.
Summary Strategy 1 - Choose The Right Business
Choosing "The Right Business" model is fundamental to your success.
Make it easy on yourself and choose a proven business model like Information marketing via direct response techniques. Add in Online, Internet technology and suddenly your chances of achieving your lifestyle ambitions are increased exponentially.
This is not to say you should not consider other Business models. Ultimately the business has to be right for you and you alone. It must match you skills, and compliment your character and personality - this then becomes pleasurable, something you look forward to doing. Something worthwhile getting up in the morning for.
================================================== Charles Kangethe has published various articles and e-zines showing YOU exactly how you can turn your dreams into reality. This article is the introduction to a series of over 50 wealth creating strategies.
If you are serious about wanting to build a new, more fulfilling lifestyle for yourself and your loved ones then visit
www.simplyeasier.com.
Turning your dreams into reality is Simply Easier if you follow good advice. Get your good advice at www.simplyeasier.com
About the Author
How many times have you sat and dreamed about changing your life ?
What would it mean to you to be your own boss, answering to no one but yourself ?
How would you like to earn enough money, when you wanted to in order to live the kind of lifestyle you want ?
There are many people out there who live their dreams. They work for themselves, making money and enjoying the good life.
What would it mean to you if you could join that happy band of people ?
Wealthy people have known certain "wealth creating secrets" for generations. "Secrets" that have opened up huge riches. These "secrets" are based on everlasting principles, which endure from age to age. The detail may vary but the principles are eternal.
Those born into wealth, grow up and are tutored in an environment which consolidates these principles. However, for the rest of us we either have to find a rich benefactor to teach us the principles.
Alternatively we might win our riches on one of life's lotteries.
Until now that is ! For in a series of articles I will show you exactly what those principles are. You will also learn exactly how to apply them to your own situation, whatever that situation is. Learn these principles and you will open up a worls you currently only dream of.
Living the life of your dreams is about to become reality.
The principles are presented as a set of strategies. Clearly, everyone will use not all strategies. However, the more of these strategies you can bring into your life, the more successful you will be in achieving your goals.
================================================= Strategy - 1 Choose The Right Business
Choosing the right business to be in is the single most important wealth creating decision you are ever going to make.
Burn this simple statement into your brain and from now on let it be the guiding principle whenever you are faced with evaluating a new "business opportunity."
Your business choice has to match your skill set, it has to fall within the limits of your capital resources and it must above all else compliment your character and personality.
When you have this optimum set of circumstances then your business will be a pleasure and not toil. This is a clear recipe for enjoyment and success.
Characteristics Of "The Right Business"
==> The business must service a large market - Niche markets can also be very profitable but require specialist products and customer service. Unless you have access to such specialist products and can deliver the specialist customer care it is best to steer clear of highly targeted markets until you are more confident in your business abilities.
==> The business must adapt and change with the market. However, beware faddish businesses can be very difficult to operate because of the rapid rate at which market perceptions change. Nevertheless "The Right Business" must be able to predict, lead and dance to the market tune.
==> Capital outlay must be minimal in order to maximise margins, cash flow and profits.
What Business Fits These Characteristics ?
A home based, direct response marketing business, dealing in Information has all these characteristics and offers unparalleled flexibility for the serious Wealth Creator.
If you take this a stage further and link this business to a presence on the Internet then the opportunities to make serious money increase almost exponentially.
What is Direct Response Marketing ?
Direct response marketing entails the targeting of a specific market by use of direct mail shots.
These can be sent in paper copy by snail mail as in the offline world of marketing lists or by e-mail as happens in the online Internet world.
In the meantime before I show you how this business opportunity can make your fortune, here are some little known facts about direct mail.
These figures are relevant to the US, but the same general Principles apply for most other Western, capitalist countries including the UK.
=>Direct Mail is the 3rd-highest allocation in media budgets after magazines and newspapers.
=>Studies show that, on average, every dollar spent on Direct Mail advertising brings in $10 in sales - a return of more than twice that generated by a direct television ad.
=>Amount of money donated to non-profits in response to bulk mailings $50 billion.
=>By using Direct Mail to reach out to consumers, businesses can expect sales to increase more than 7%.
=>Direct Mail accounts for about 50% of all pieces of mail handled by the U.S. Postal Service. =>Adding a promotional product to a mail promotion increases the response rate by 50%.
=>The use of promotional products as an incentive to respond generates 4 times as many responses as a sales letter alone.
=>The use of a promotional product as an incentive to respond reduces the cost per response by two thirds.
=>A print advertisement with a bind-in Direct Mail reply card will outpull the same ad without a bind-in by up to 600%.
=>Over 50% of recipients of Direct Mail read it immediately and of those, over 40% found the information they received useful.
=>Percentage of bulk mail that is thrown away unopened: 44%
=>Those who receive a promotional product in a dimensional package respond at a rate 57% higher than those who receive the same item in an envelope. Response rate for the dimensional package is 75% higher than those who receive only a sales letter. =>Benjamin Franklin, the first postmaster of the United States, was also one of the early practitioners of the Direct Mail. He offered replacement parts and accessories for his famous Franklin stoves with Direct Mail. He also used Direct Mail to raise funds for the Pennsylvania Hospital.
=> Direct mail success is based on the following: 40% of your success=The Mailing List 40% of your success=The Product or Service Offer 20% of your success=Copy
=>Top 10 Uses For Direct Mail:
Generating leads Generating store traffic Responding to competitive activity Generating customer loyalty Generating new customers/referrals Improving sales force efficiency Improving customer service Increasing customers' average purchase amounts - generating higher sales Announcing store hours/sales/new locations Augmenting media advertising to top prospects and select customers
These figures have been sourced from - http://www.ambroseprint.com/aa013003a.htm
Now lets get specific and see how direct response fulfils the characteristics of "The Right Business"
** Large Market **
Direct Response is a multi billion dollar industry and growing. For a statistical analysis see http://www.sherpastore.com/store/page.cfm/1988. The US leads the world as a market place, principally due to the geographical spread of the country, the acceptance of direct response marketing as a valid means of buying and selling products.
The UK is a very sophisticated direct marketers environment, where many US trends manifest themselves as a result of the close cultural, economic and political ties between the two countries.
Why Should You Start An Information Direct Marketing Business ?
=> People like Information. They seek it everywhere. On the TV, on radio at the cinema, in newspapers, in books and reports and since the mid 1990's increasingly on the Internet.
=> The need for Information seems insatiable - the more a person knows about a particular subject, the more they want to know. It is also true that the less someone knows about something which is of some interest to them the more they will seek out information to expand their knowledge
=> Advances in technology in the computing and electronics worlds means it is now unbelievably easy and cost effective to engage in the Information provision business.
=> People will pay money for access to good, useful sources of information. They have little time to do the required research themselves and will pay someone else to distil the information they require into useable forms.
=> There are numerous Information product types and it is more than likely you will find one or more of the following financially rewarding.E-zines (Internet name for Newsletters), audio tapes, video tapes, CD, DVD, Live tele-conferences, workshops and Seminars.
** Adaptable Business **
A direct marketing business working with Information affords you the opportunity to change with your market as quickly as it takes to produce a new Information product.
This can literally range from a few hours for news, short shelf life information products to a few days or weeks for longer lasting Information items.
In some cases the changes you need to make to your products to stay ahead of changing market trends may be as simple as title changes and a few amended paragraphs in the content.
** Low Capital Outlay **
Many of your good ideas go by the wayside for one simple reason. It costs too much to successfully float the idea, and then to sustain it through the early years as it becomes established.
An Online direct response information product business can be started for less than $300 per annum in the USA or £200 per annum in the UK. At the very minimum, you will require an Autoresponder service to serialise your Information product. An autoresponder is an e-mail service that sends out your information to your e-mail list at pre-defined intervals.
For those with a little bit more cash a secure e-book publishing tool will help safeguard your hard work against cyber theft. After you have compiled your material, the last thing you want is for it to be "stolen". Secure tools exist to help protect you against cyber fraud and theft.
Finally, you will require some means for accepting payment for your Information Product.
One of the truly remarkable things about this business is that all these requirements can be achieved for the low capital outlay described above.
It's all very well to be able to start your new business on a shoestring, but adverse cash flow causes more startup businesses to fail than failure to make a profit.
When it comes to money there is one golden rule - Your business must generate more cash, than you pay out !! Long term survival is more dependant on this "law" than it is on making profits.
How then do you ensure that the business you started up on a shoestring doesn't become a bottomless pit, swallowing up more money than it generates ?
Information marketing via direct response offers you the perfect Business setup to ensure a positive cashflow.
This is the one business in which you can test your product for profitability using a subset of the large market you have identified. If it proves successful you then roll it out to the rest of the market.
If however, the inital small scale, inexpensive test indicates that the product is wrong, or the market is not ready then you ditch the product and move onto something else.
The key message here is Test your product before you commit money to the project.
I can hear you asking - And how exactly do I do that ?
The simplest way to conduct a test is to
=> Identify a large, hungry, market
=> Using a sample from that market ask what information products they would like or
=> Generate your own idea for an Information product and then write to a sample of the market and solicit their views as to it's usefulness and value.
Summary Strategy 1 - Choose The Right Business
Choosing "The Right Business" model is fundamental to your success.
Make it easy on yourself and choose a proven business model like Information marketing via direct response techniques. Add in Online, Internet technology and suddenly your chances of achieving your lifestyle ambitions are increased exponentially.
This is not to say you should not consider other Business models. Ultimately the business has to be right for you and you alone. It must match you skills, and compliment your character and personality - this then becomes pleasurable, something you look forward to doing. Something worthwhile getting up in the morning for.
================================================== Charles Kangethe has published various articles and e-zines showing YOU exactly how you can turn your dreams into reality. This article is the introduction to a series of over 50 wealth creating strategies.
If you are serious about wanting to build a new, more fulfilling lifestyle for yourself and your loved ones then visit
www.simplyeasier.com.
Turning your dreams into reality is Simply Easier if you follow good advice. Get your good advice at www.simplyeasier.com
About the Author
Charles Kangethe has published various articles and e-zines showing YOU exactly how you can turn your dreams into reality. This article is the introduction to a series of over 50 wealth creating strategies.
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