Things that will be game-changers in internet marketing this year: http://bit.ly/hUTzzc http://amplify.com/u/bl37r

6 Things Successful Online Entrepreneurs Learned during the Recession: http://bit.ly/e21I0n http://amplify.com/u/bl317

5 True Business Concepts for Part-Time Internet Entrepreneurs

Just about everyone who comes online to make some extra money starts at it on a part-time basis.

There's is nothing wrong with that.

There are some things that you should get established in your mind first, so you won't feel the urge to go out there and fail.
We don't want that.


Here are 5 things to remember as you work your internet business part-time:


1.  It's more simple than you think, but it isn't always easy
Being an Entrepreneur is, at the core, as simple as running a business that serves to solve problems
or provide items that fill a want or a need.
However, the total processes of that simple philosophy is not as easy as  the root simplistics.
It takes commitment, ethics, smart decision-making,  and dedication---a lot of it--to be on and stay
on top of the heap.  Easy?  Not so much.  Simple, yes indeed.
It could be worse--it could be difficult on both ends.
Thankfully, the hard part is getting the work processes established and flowing correctly.
Do that, and it's all downhill toward success. That's when it gets easy.

2. You will become an overnight success---after months of work
The strange thing about becoming a successful Entrepreneur is that success lies just on the other
side of the point in time at which you're about to throw in the towel and give the Hell up.
When you do become successful, it's magical, wondrous, and enchanting.
It will seem like it just happened, and for a while you will not remember those months of hard work
it took to get here.
That's part of the awesome-ness of being an Entrepreneur.
When you make it, the past isn't so bad as you remember it.  Everything is peachy.

3.  Role models are not necessary---if you plan on being a real entrepreneur
As a society, we have been trained to always be in awe of some hero or mystical super person.
When we take on a role model the same ideology gets applied.
Instead of acknowledging how the person became so famous or successful--living through trials and
tribulations, obstacles overcome, etc.--we just begin to revere the person, not the mission.
All you need to know from a role model is:

• how they think,
• how they do things, 
• what their mindset incorporates, 
• how they perpetuate success.

Know those things, and the "super"person who shared that with you becomes a person just like you---
they just succeeded doing what you are just now attemtping to do.
So, no role models for you if you are committed to being an True Entrepreneur.
You just need the tactics, basics, and experience.  You don't need to worship a person who is successful for you to get success.
If worshipping someone would make you successful, the only work you would ever have to do would be
groveling.  Entrepreneur never grovel...ever.

4.  This is not about selling stuff---it's about providing a service to others
Most people have an aversion to selling...and even bigger aversion to salespeople.
We all love to buy things but we hate to be "sold" things.
So, when you come online to make money, you know that you have to "sell" something in order to be paid.
However, if you think of it in a different light---think of serving someone, instead of selling someone something, you will get over the mental and psychological obstacle about "selling". 
Remember, you are not selling anything, you are offering a solution to a problem, or an item needed
or wanted....the customer is the one who makes the decision to take, or not take your offer.
It's really just that simple. 

5. Every day you don't do something in your business---is one day further away from "making it"
Procrastination is the worst obstacle any entrepreneur faces.
The reason it is worse is that procrastination is the destroyer of time-value.
If you don't work today and instead decide to watch TV, the arrival of your paycheck just got put off
another day of two in the future. 
So, every day that you have set aside for working your business---then do something that makes some
sort of movement in your business.  Don't do it, and the day the money arrives moves further down the calendar.

Those are just some of the things no one tells new internet or home-based marketers.
It's important that you know and understand them as you go forward into working your business.
Conquer these 5 points, and success will have no other recourse than to come find you.

How to turn a paperclip into a house: http://bit.ly/f0AWE7 http://amplify.com/u/bkupg

How to Turn a Paperclip Into a House--and How Is This Relevant to Home Business Success?

 A couple of years ago, there was a story about a young man who took a single red paperclip and through a year-long series of trades and "up-swapping" eventually traded for a home.


Kyle MacDonald was that young man.
He describes his story at his website,
One Red Paperclip
It describes an interesting journey with very humble beginnings---but with very dramatic results.

You can view a video of Kyle's journey here.


If you took the time just now to watch that video, you probably thought:
"I could never do something like that!"  or  "this has nothing to do with me and my online success".

But, wait!
Do you really think you cannot create a similar journey in your business with such a humble beginning?

Now, the message here isn't about swapping up or playing a materialistic game,
it's about possibilities that originate from one idea with a tiny asset as the spark that ignite the whole thing.

Let's back up for a second and look at the possibilities---then analyze them for probabilities.



That one red paperclip was Kyle's asset...all he had to work with.
What small, seemingly insignificant asset do you have to start with?
Is it an idea?  Is it a small task you can "swap" for something else you need?

Look at your Social Networks.
Instead of marketing to everyone you see in the Network, why not look for people who might appreciate or have a need for something you have or something you can do--no matter how small?
These people are looking for value---either ideas, or items, or just communication.
What do have of value that you might find benefit in---by just "bartering" for it?

Could you write an article for them for something of value?
Could you do some outsource work for them?
What could they do with their expertise and connections that could help you?

That's how that paperclip eventually became a home.
Everyone Kyle met in the journey had something of greater value that moved him up
and closer to his end result.

Think about that before you go make some heavy purchases of these new product launches.
Chances are, you already possess something of value that you can use to move upward toward your desired results.
Like Kyle, all you have to do is make some connections---then make deals.
Your assets are your ideas, you personality, your ethics.


What's your idea?
And what tiny seemingly insignificant thing is it that will take you to your level of success
using the "One Red Paperclip" Principle?

My recent blog post about reputation online and outsourcing:http://ping.fm/JGRUz http://amplify.com/u/k1wd

6 ways to go from mediocre to magnificent: http://bit.ly/i91JbP http://amplify.com/u/ji9c

New Internet and Home-Based Marketers----6 Ways to Beat the Odds of Failure

It is said that 97% of people who are new to running a business
from home or new to internet marketing drop out of business within their first year online.  It is estimated that 67% of those abandon all efforts of trying to gain income from their home businesses within 4 months of start up.

If you are new to Internet Marketing or Home-based business operations, you should find comfort in knowing that there are ways to beat the odds of failing, and go on to succeed in earning online income.

Here are 6 ways of beating online business failure:


1.Take no one's word as truth until you perform research

The Internet today is overflowing with untruths, half-baked kooky ideas and teachings---and it is all revealed to you as "truth".  Most of it is slanted toward a point of sale of some sort.  Take time during the week to perform your own research on every matter that is a concern to you.  There are thousands of content sources and databases that are neutral to a product or service sales source---and that neutrality will provide you with an unbiased view of what information you are looking for---and what information is beneficial for you.
There is nothing more powerful as an educational tool than your own diligent research.  Trust no one until they prove themselves to you as honest, ethical, and truthful.

2.Do not become co-dependent

There is a current school of thought that all new marketers and home-based business persons should be "part of a team".  If your intention is to become a successful Entrepreneur online, then your believing that you must be part of a team is far fro the truth.  You are intelligent, you do not need to be a member of any team in order to succeed online.  Entrepreneurs are not team players.  They are independent, make their own ways, and when
success occurs, it is all because they relied on no one else or found it necessary to be dependent on a group of people for that success to be achieved. Be sovereign and independent. The more you work toward independence, the less dependent you will be on anything later in life.

3.Learning the ropes is an on-going, eternal process

There is no way to learn all you need to know in this business.
No one knows it all, despite what you are led to believe.
They just cannot intellectually keep up with the constant movement.
The Internet is in a perpetual state of evolution and you will always be learning something new.  Trends change, market demand changes, algorithms change,so you should be learning and evolving as well.  Take your time learning, be patient with yourself, and understand that you---nor anyone else---will ever know it all.

4.Don't put all your eggs in one basket

Money-making programs drop out of existence every day.  Products and services seem to be here today, then months later cannot be found anywhere on the 'Net.  To keep from being left with no source of income, it is best to diversify your products, services, and program offerings within your business.  Do some research to locate a variety of related offerings, then make determinations how they might fit
within your prospect's needs.  By having an inventory of multiple possible solutions, there is little chance you will fail to make your business profitable.

5.Create your own promotional content

You are quite intelligent enough to create your own promotional
material for any product or service you promote.
"Canned" or pre-written sales material has become one of the most over-used content on the Internet today.  Tens of thousands of people are marketing to prospects using identical marketing material. This means that your prospect has had multiple exposures and there is
nothing to distinguish you from all the other marketers out there.  Analyze, then write your own promotional summaries for your marketing.  Doing so will give your prospect a "fresh look" at the product or service, even after they have viewed dozens of advertisements from other marketers.  It will also help you stand out from the masses of marketers.

6.Work your business like you have no other options

Success is born out of effort.  It takes work--a lot of it to create success and income online. If you consider the income-producing opportunities that exist in your local community during this recession, you will understand that there are not many options open for you.  Conversely, the internet offers more avenues, opportunities, and potential prospects---and there is no end to your possibilities.  Work your business like you have no other way out. Don't believe in the "Plan B" ideology. Work it like there is no Plan B. This mindset will help you place 100% of your focus on the business, and doing so will birth success.

Apply these ideas to your new internet or Home-Based business and your chances of success will far outweigh the obstacles that cause failure in online businesses.


For more educational content and ideas related to home-based business and internet entrepreneurship, please visit Dr. L'Amour's blog

Ways to generate holiday sales from your blog: http://ping.fm/ErbTa http://amplify.com/u/jae9

Cut Out Some of that Holdiay Business Stress http://amplify.com/u/igw8

Blogger introduces new Blogger in Draft....with some cool new templates

Blogger.com recently introduced its new Blogger in Draft.

It offers some nice functionality options that those of you
who like Blogger will really enjoy.
For instance, there are some really sweet templates you can use
that will greatly enhance your blogger blog .
Once you see them, you will want to move from those same-old, same old
13 templates that have been around for ages.

These new templates are easy to work with, can be altered to fit
your color schemes and style, and add a more professional look to your blog.

To check them out, go to http://draft.blogger.com and put it your information.
Then, log into your dashboard, just as you normally do.

On your dashboard, choose the blog where you would like to install 
and check the templates (just to sample the templates, of course).

Go to the "Layout" tab for that blog.
On the far right of the "layout" tab you will see the icon for the new Template Designer.
Click it, and you will be able to view, sample, and easily change to a new,
fresh template for your blog.

Enjoy your new templates...I'm totally digging mine!

Dax L'Amour, Ph.D

4 sure-fire killers of home-based and Internet business Success

Home-based and Internet business owners have a few major concerns that often aren't even noticed---"killers" lying in wait to spring on them at the worst possible time.

Here are 4 sure-fire "killers" of many internet and home-based businesses:




1. Marketing in only a few avenues/marketing too broadly
This is, or could be, the biggest killer for a new home-based or internet business.
New Internet and home-based business owners often do not employ enough avenues in their marketing efforts. Marketing is about getting the largest number of "eyeballs" on your site or web pages consistently.
To do that, it does take several avenues.
Even if you can employ only one new additional avenue per week, the results will positively impact your business.
On the other hand, that marketing cannot be too broad.

Who is exactly the person you are targeting to see your site?
What are they like?
What is it exactly that would solve a problem they have?

Instead of marketing to everybody out there with internet access,
define who exactly needs you, then marketing to them specifically.


2. Failure to not try to learn one new idea, concept, strategy every day or so
You'll never learn all the things you need to know about this Internet Universe.
Why?
The Internet changes and evolves and darn near the speed of sound, or even faster,it seems.
If you want to do this right and make money online, then get ready---you will always be in a state of learning something new.
There is always something new coming up, new opportunities, new trends in everything imaginable, new needs and problems in the Universe of prospects, and new ways to market more effectively.

3. Failure to always be in the "flow".
What is "flow" in the sense of internet or home-based business?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"Flow is the mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity".

This idea of "flow" is by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, and that psychology concept has been widely referenced across a variety of fields of business, online and offline.[1]

According to Csíkszentmihályi, flow is completely focused motivation.
It is a single-minded "getting-in-all-the-way" and represents perhaps the ultimate in developing and utilizing the emotions as you learn, then performs business functions.
In "flow" the emotions are not just contained and channeled, but made dynamic, valid, energized, and lined up with all the things that go with the business enterprise.

"Flow" does not allow negativity or anxiety to "live" with it as a companion, or neighbor.
A great way to know if "flow" is in your business is to see if there is joy in working, excitement of new things, elation over the smallest improvements, and so on.

So, make sure you have "flow".

4. Procrastination: the "I'll get to it in a little while" syndrome.
I've done it.
You probably do it too.
But it is not wise to allow this mindset to have any place in your business.
Business is all about action.
Einstein said "nothing happens until something moves".
That statement is accurate in particle physics and is most assuredly right about running a business.
You must keep it moving.
Procrastinate on any one thing, and your business won't run at the speed you need it.
Believe me, you do not want anything to slow down.

Watch for signs of these "killers" in your business.
Don't let them near you.
Run that business of yours like there's no other option.
Take those curves at high speed.
It won't kill you.

If You are Desperately Struggling to Make Money By Christmas

Most Internet Marketers are desperately struggling to earn
money for Christmas.

Holiday sales goals are always tough to hit-- especially as the
shopping days draw closer to Christmas Day.

Money for Christmas can be made--it may be that new strategies
or ideas have to be investigated, then given a chance.

Rethinking the usual strategies and tactics would merit some
consideration.

What new or different, but highly effective strategies
can be employed that would work---in just a few days?

If you are serious about creating sure Christmas income
before and even after the holidays, give this a try .

It is possible that you can be earning some decent income in 3 days.

Investigate your options by going and taking a look:

http://way.com/3lm

The Passing of The Legend, Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn, the Legendary Mentor and Friend to Entrepreneurs,
passed away today.
He is and will be, sorely missed.

Jim had been in a battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis for the last 18 months.

Even while incapacitated, he assured everyone with a smile that
"all is good", and that he would fight until his last breath.

According to his family, Jim had no fears in the end.

His faith was as much a part of his life as his mission to inspire,
motivate, and challenge everyone of us to be all we could be
and achieve out dreams.

Jim’s courage in his final months and days were a testament
to his message that we should all fight the good fight.
He never gave up and never gave in.

Someone once said:
“when you are born you enter the world crying while everyone
else is rejoicing and when you die hopefully you have lived such
a life that everyone will be crying while you are rejoicing”.

Jim Rohn lived such a life.

Had it not been for a brief, private chat with him one rainy evening
in Houston 29 years ago, I would have given up my dream
of Entrepreneurship.

"You are Somebody" he told me.
"And your mission is to be that Somebody for
hundreds of people in the future."

Thank you, Jim...for all you are to us all.

Seeds of Entrepreneurship Planted Early

The seeds of Entrepreneurship were planted early in life.

Entrepreneurs have a few very distinct qualities that often show up
in early stages of childhood and then further develop over the years.

Is it possible that there is a DNA factor involved in the "seeding"
of the Entrepreneur?
Is there an entrepreneur chromosome that defines you either as being
an entrepreneur or not?

According to Greg Watson there probably is not such a definitive source.
But, he says it certainly appears that there are, and warrants academic
research into the manner in which these qualities function and prove
themselves in entrepreneurship.

Mr. Watson explains the characteristics of Entrepreneurs as:

Identity and Beliefs:
Entrepreneurs know who they are,
know they are Entrepreneurs,
have a great need (not desire) to succeed.
They are optimistic, pioneering and energetic.

Capabilities:
Entrepreneurs can see problems, then solve them,
can delay gratification,
have leadership qualities,
create strategies, and
make solid decisions

Behaviors:
Entrepreneurs are incredibly persistent,
action oriented and driven,
accountable to self,
always striving for improvement, and
exhibit a higher standard and value of ethics

These areas of characteristics provide broad insights into the mindset of the entrepreneur; perhaps the genetic makeup of the entrepreneur.


source: DNA of An Entrepreneur

2010, the Year Smart Entrepreneurs will Outperform Others

courtesy hudsoncitydemocrats.org

The coming year, 2010, will prove to show smart Entrepreneurs
outperforming many of their constituents.

As this year comes to a close, most smart Entrepreneurs have already
begun gearing up for their 2010 and 2011 business runs.
This next year of business operations, strategies, and philosophies
will be somewhat different from those used in past years.

Prior to the recession, Internet Entrepreneurship had a free-run---
where almost any strategy, tactic, or concept was moderately successful.
The recession changed how money is made---from now on.

The lessons learned, then applied, by the Internet Entrepreneur
survivors of 2009 will undoubtedly propel them into the
next 2 years of successful operations.

Here are some thoughts on how they will outperform others
in the marketplace:

The Pareto Rule applied to email marketing and subscribers---
no longer will they send out emails to subscribers with 80% promo
and 20% information. Consumers/subscribers will no longer stand for it.
Smart Entrepreneurs will provide 80%+ relevant information, then
learn from their subscribers the 20% of items to promote.

Smart Entrepreneurs will no longer engage in dis-economics---
instead of marketing a vast display of products and services
to any consumer they can find to listen to their promotion,
they will focus more on the specialization of gaining a specific
type of customer and recommend specific or highly targeted
solutions to those customers.

These Entrepreneurs will focus only on learning what is relevant, pure,
and necessary to their exact planning and strategies to attain
their envisioned success level. They will sample broadly the
learning models, then learn selectively what is necessary.

Finding and gaining feedback from several objective mentors or advisors--
or other successful Entrepreneurs will be relied upon more in the future
than in previous years. Smart Entrepreneurs will gain much from
assistance from the "collective mentality".

Smart Entrepreneurs will take greater advantage of their Local Market
consumers. Although an Internet business has, and always will,
have Global reach, these Entrepreneurs will delve more deeply
into the income that can be derived from serving their own neighbors---
money that has often been left on the table.

Branding will take on a less egoist attitude, and more of the form
of true service to the consumer. The ego will have little place
in the mindset---they know now that ego can't pay the bills.

Innovation in self and business will be a priority.
Entrepreneurs will look more deeply into themselves,
their true capabilities, and ways to apply this to the expansion
and the overall power of their business venture as a whole.

Entrepreneurs will use and implement more adaptability
for changes and trends in the upcoming year.
Change is a constant on the Internet, and businesspeople will
learn to move with the changes and incorporate relevant
trend markets within their business structures and strategies.

2010 will be a great year for those Entrepreneurs who work hard and smart.
It might take a few minor changes in the way things are done---
but these changes will bring forth success in the next year.

Innovative Thoughts on Rethinking your Business

Your next year and its success will hinge on
the re-thinking of your your current business
and applying innovative strategies.

2010 and thereafter will take higher marketing
standards.
To succeed, the older traditional standards
and processes may become obsolete.

How Internet Entrepreneurs approach potential customers
will change.
Consider the consumer---how do you reach them
once they have become "desensitized" to traditional
marketing
strategies?

Consider the overall design and best use of your website.
Is it more of a sales page, or a highly effective "customer magnet"?
Can it have a better conversion rate?

Here is an observation from the people at HubSpot.
Garner some great innovative insight from what it contains:

2010 Predictions for Internet Entrepreneurs

Here are a few 2010 predictions that Internet Entrepreneurs
can be anticipating:

1. Social Media, as well as the traditional Marketing avenues will make greater moves and acceptance into the mobile market mainstream. With the new and innovative technologies that will improve in the next few months in mobile devices, we can set up strategies now to gain a foothold as this technology offers a greater avenue for getting marketing messages delivered.
2. Person-to-Person relationship building will take on a higher level than in previous years. In 2010, the "connect-with-me-so-I-can-sell-you-something" strategy will begin to fade away, thankfully---and more personal business-friendly relationships will be developed. Internet Entrepreneurs will focus more on getting to know others before determining their "rights" to make a sales pitch.
3. Hype advertising and "scammy" schemes will lose hold in the mainstream and on the Internet businessperson. Even new Internet marketers will venture onto the 'Net realm with a higher mentality of "sense vs. nonsense" regarding advertising and opportunity promotions.
4. There will be a rise in the overall Business and Marketing Intellect in 2010. Focus will be on higher levels of business-to-subscriber and business-to-consumer. There will be a great "weeding-out" of mediocre marketers and businesspeople who will not take their businesses and business relationships to a greater, more personal level. Honing and updating the knowledge base of pure Entrepreneurship will be the key to surviving the next year online.
5. 2010 will see the re-birth of offline market prospect acquisition as more Internet Entrepreneurs begin to take notice of consumers in the offline market. These Entrepreneurs will begin to use the Internet as a marketing tool to reach those prospects on the outside. The Internet will then serve as a dual-marketing avenue that will generate relevant income from both online and offline consumers.
6. The recession has awakened the overall mentality of the world-wide prospect base. They realize that past philosophies of "follow-the-leader" in business, politics, and economics placed them in a precarious position of which they struggle to survive. This has birthed a new philosophy that will move these people onto new personal, intellectual, and creative plateaus that will help them become more successful, smarter, and more individually sovereign in the future. They will begin to make better and higher use of the Internet to exercise these new plateaus. This move has been a long time coming, and 2010 will prove to be a turning point from the old mentality to the new.

Will it all come to fruition in 2010?
Maybe not fully, but it surely will be the beginning of a great turnaround.

Gaining the Highest Benefit from your site on Cyber Monday

Black Friday's sales hit unexpected levels for online sales sites, and the
analysts say Cyber Monday will be even better.

To gain the highest benefit from your site on Cyber Monday,
you will have to take these last few hours to go and do some last minute tweaking of your
sales and product pages.

If you created your own products, now is a great time to go
and set up some deals for your readers and subscribers.
Make those deals GREAT deals for them, then make every possible effort
to get the word out about your Cyber Monday sales specials.

If you sell affiliate products, check your affiliate accounts with your affiliate  vendors.
Many of them are offering their own Cyber Monday specials of which you may not be aware.
Take a few minutes to peruse your favorite affiliate product sites and vendors and see
what is available to make your offers..

Remember, your past customers and current subscribers are being subjected
to sales pitches from every possible angle on Cyber Monday.
So, do your best to assure that you are still in their periphery and can still
provide some nice bargains at comparable pricing.

By taking some last minute strategies in hand, you can generate some needed
income, and will be providing a beneficial service for your customers and subscribers as well.

Lessons In Entrepreneurship...from Snoop Dogg

Some of the best lessons in entrepreneurship comes from uncommon or unlikely sources.
Gone are the days where the highest and best business insight comes from
well-known business moguls and graduates from Harvard Business School and Wharton.

Today, some of the most insightful information is coming from sources not even considered in previous years.
That is the power of pure, true Entrepreneurship at its best.

In today's economic society, the best and brightest are shining, and most of them come from
backgrounds we would not think could produce such Entrepreneurial and successful people.

For instance, Snoop Dogg.

Not only is he a very talented and successful performer and recording artist---
Snoop Dogg is an Entrepreneur.
And a very knowledgeable one at that.

Watch this brief video from Forbes.com where he shares some of that knowledge and insight.
Take notes, there are some great lessons in Entrepreneurship here.