Back to the Basics

I haven't been blogging lately. I seem to have lost track of where I was going and what my goals were for my business.

So I decided to take a hard look in the mirror and decide whether I really wanted to do this and if I did, decide what I was going to do to make it happen. Ultimately, it's up to me. Success of failure is all on me.

So I decided to get back to the basics. I deleted all but 2 of my blogs (this one and my running/charity blog). And went back to step 1. In the beginning I was building a solid business, but somewhere along the lines, I lost track and my progress paid the price for it.

But I didn't give up. I'm going to make this happen for me!

Going forward, this blog will be about my experiences. What works for me and what doesn't work for me. I'll still share interesting articles from time to time, but I'm taking this blog back to the beginning and trying to make the title hold true. This is a Home Business Success Tips blog. And those success tips are for me as much as they are for you.

As always I appreciate any constructive feedback. But I will not post your advertisements, so don't waste your time posting them as comments.

To the top!

Kris Tomb
CashOfTheTitans.com

What Do I Think About Networking?

By Kirsty Dunphey


Inspired by this post by Naomi Simson, founder of redbaloondays.com.au, where she said that when she walks into a room full of strangers at a networking opportunity she thinks: “Goody, a whole room of potential new friends.”

I like that as a potential thought, especially when the more introverted part of me is really thinking: “Goody, they catered this event really well and do you think that anyone will notice if I just stand in the corner, don’t talk to anyone, and attack the canapé waitress each time she exits the kitchen?”

I love the topic of networking though, and so I thought I’d list some other things you can get into the habit of thinking at a networking event (to overcome some of your perceived weaknesses):

If you’re an introvert, challenge yourself by thinking:

- “I can stop networking as soon as I’ve met 15 people and exchanged business cards”
- “I can stop networking as soon as I’ve found out five pieces of personal information about people (children’s names, hobbies, company goals) and written them on the backs of those people’s business cards
- “I can stop networking as soon as I’ve got reasons to write 10 handwritten cards when I get back to work tomorrow to people I’ve met here tonight”

If you’ve got the opposite problem and you know you talk a little (ok a lot) at these sorts of events, challenge yourself by thinking:

- “Over 50% of my night tonight will be spent silent” (remember the letters in silent spell listen!)
- “I will end every sentence about myself tonight with a question for the person I’m talking to”
- “How can I limit my elevator pitch to a fabulous 30 seconds?”

And if you have my problem and you’re overly fascinated by the munchies and cocktails on offer, rephrase the above goals so that you can eat one piece of food per two business cards exchanged.

Ultimately, in my mind, what I try to think when I walk into a networking situation is:

- “How many of these people don’t know about my business?” (and will by the end of tonight)
- “How many of these people are potential clients?”
- “How many of these people know potential clients?”
- “Who in the room can I become or refer a client for?” (reciprocity works wonders, and the best way to get a referral is to give one!)
- “Who in this room has done something I’d like to do?” (i.e.: who can I learn from?)

Getting your thoughts straight before you head into the event really helps you clarify your goals for the night. Remember, of course, you can also go along to an event like this just to have fun. Don’t be afraid to forget the strategy for a night (but take business cards just in case)!

Kirsty Dunphey is an author, speaker and entrepreneur who started her first business at 15, opened her own real estate agency at 21, and retired a self-made multi-millionaire at 27. To sign up to Kirsty Dunphey’s weekly email, go to www.kirstydunphey.com

Visit Kirsty's blog at: http://kirstydunphey.blogspot.com

The Key to Your Success

Copyright © Stone Evans, The Home Biz Guy
http://www.CashOfTheTitans.com/pips.html

In regard to making money on the Internet, everyone is always looking for the quick fix. They want to sign up for a program, place an advertisement, and make hundreds or thousands of dollars instantly. While this may be possible depending on your circumstances, the most direct and guaranteed path to success on the Internet is to stick with the fundamentals.

A friend of mine who is an athletic coach for kids in the city where I live reminded me of this lesson. This guy is actually so passionate about kids and athletics that he coaches 4 different sports: basketball, soccer, baseball and football. Of course, he has a kid of his own on each team. But what is remarkable about this guy is the results he gets with his teams.

He was recruited to coach the 8th grade football team where his children go to school. After 27 years of losing seasons in a row, the first year my friend became the head coach the team won the district championship and repeated their championship run the following year. This past weekend he coached 12 different games and won all 12 of them. As you can tell, this guy is extremely dedicated.

But the funny thing is that he and the kids he coaches are not totally hung up on winning. If they lose a game, they feel equally good about themselves as they would if they had won. What matters most to them is how well they played and lived up to their potential as a team.

The real question is how my friend's teams continually perform on such a high level and beat nearly anyone they play even though they are often smaller and younger than their competitors. I asked this question to my friend the other day and he told me that it's all in the fundamentals.

In his practices, all he works on with his kids is keeping a positive mindset and practicing the fundamentals. He told me that his teams never scrimmage or strategize about upcoming games during practice. They simply work hard on all the fundamentals of whatever particular sport they are playing and do so more than any other team they play. This constant practice and improvement of the fundamentals is what allows his teams to progress faster than his competitors. While most other teams get caught up with how to win, out-strategize, be stronger than and intimidate their opponents, my friend's team is just so good at the basics that they blow everyone out of the water when game day arrives.

This got me thinking about my own Internet business and why I've been able to succeed on such a high level while most others who have tried to do what I do have failed. The answer is not really surprising.

Most people who try to build a successful Internet home business are looking for the quick fix. They want it to work IMMEDIATELY and so they usually fall prey to business opportunities that promise to help them get rich overnight and advertising scams that promise to deliver thousands of hungry prospects to their website in the next 24 hours. Of course, these opportunistic schemes are really just geared to steal people's hard earned money. You see, when someone is desperate and looking for an INSTANT solution, they will often be taken advantage of and their chances for success with an Internet home business are slim to none.

However, while there are thousands of business opportunities on the Internet and millions of different ways to advertise and promote your website, I personally practice the fundamentals in my Internet home business. I do this by sticking with the business opportunities I've joined for the long haul and promoting my website consistently with simple, affordable and easily maintained Internet marketing techniques.

In fact, one of the techniques that works best for me is writing articles like this one and getting them published on other people's websites using article syndication tools and software found online.

By writing articles and getting them published on other websites online using powerful tools like those mentioned above, I'm able to get my name and website address in front of thousands of people without paying a dime in advertising. Of course, the key to this strategy is that I write and distribute articles consistently in this way. It's one of those "fundamentals" that doesn't cost anything but a little time and effort. Fact is, it's this price of time and effort that most people are unwilling to pay. They'll gladly part with hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but ask them to do a little hard work and they say "No way."

It's this understanding that can separate you from the pack. If you are willing to practice the fundamentals of your business faithfully and consistently, you will be destined to succeed on a high level. But if you can't and you're only looking for the quick fix, you have already lost the game before you even set foot on the field.

Even pros like me practice the fundamentals every day. In fact, especially pros like me practice the fundamentals. The moment I stop practicing the fundamentals is the moment I stop being a pro. Think about this carefully and then renew YOUR commitment to the fundamentals of your Internet home business today. Do this and you will soar past your competition.

About the Author:
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Stone Evans, The Home Biz Guy has helped thousands of people in over 200 countries around the world start and run a successful home business. Discover 3 easy steps to start your own home business and subscribe to The Home Biz Guy's Free Home Business Secrets Mini-Course at: http://www.CashOfTheTitans.com/pips.html
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Are You Gutsy, or Wimpy?

By Drew Laughlin



Being able to get out of your comfort zone and do something you really don't want to do is called "having guts."

Knowing what you should do and not doing it because you're afraid of leaving your comfort zone is called "being a wimp."

If you take a look at the successful people around you, you'll notice how often they are willing to go outside their comfort zones to achieve something they want.

They understand that having guts is essential to being successful. It doesn't matter to them if they're comfortable or not.

They just do what they have to do to go where they want to go.

You've got to have the guts to do something that others won't do. If you can consistently do the things that your competitors don't do ? or more likely, won't do ? you will be in the top three percent of your field.

Remember, your competition sits in their comfort zones, never to leave. This presents huge opportunities for you.

For a lot of people, asking a prospect about budgets or the decision making process is very difficult. It takes guts to ask those questions.

Stretch beyond your comfort zone and reach heights you've only dreamed about.

Asking tough questions is essential, though. Go beyond what's comfortable for you and ask,

"Do you have a budget for this type of project?"

Follow up with "Do you mind sharing it with me in round numbers?"

People are not used to hearing quality questions like that. It leaves them with no option but to answer the questions.

Why?

Because they don't want to leave their comfort zones by telling you they can't answer your questions.

Let's take it one step further and talk about price, a pretty common obstacle that salespeople face. If you have the guts to stick to your price when someone gives you a little push back, you are going to be more successful and you're going to make more money. When we understand the value of what we offer, we won't automatically reduce price just because a customer raises an objection.

This principle can apply to any employee in any role.

Just because someone pushes back on an idea or suggestion does not mean you have to cave in. Sure, you don't want to be a jerk about how you respond and butt heads with another person unnecessarily. However, having the guts to stand up for yourself and what you believe is the right thing to do. When you do that tactfully, you'll gain tremendous respect.

Finally, it also takes guts to close the sale. If you can ask for the sale consistently, when the time is right, you're going to dramatically boost your sales income.

Have guts to do the things that you might be a little scared of right now ? things outside your comfort zone ? and success is sure to follow.

Now Take Action
How can you go outside of your comfort zone today?

Is it by asking questions in a meeting, confronting someone who's done you wrong, or asking someone for help?

Whatever it is, chose one and do it now. Have guts!


(Drew is the author of the new book, "Expect Success: How to Accomplish Anything in Life Using Your Inner Circle of Success". When you invest in his book today you will receive over $1,000 in free bonuses. To order go to: http://kt3179.dlaughlin.hop.clickbank.net)

Reproduced with permission from the Art Sobczak Newsletter. To subscribe to Art Sobczak's Newsletter, go to http://www.BusinessByPhone.com

The Two Biggest Reasons Why Most People Will Never Make a Full-Time Income Online...

It all starts when some well-meaning (yet misdirected) person encourages a budding internet entrepreneur to "start in a niche they know alot about", or base their business around "something they're passionate about"...

As horrible as it may sound - they've unknowingly sent the hopeful entrepreneur down a path of false expectations, poor results and eventually - failure. In fact, the myth of "do what you love and the money will follow" has been responsible for more failure than likely any other influence - perhaps even more so than laziness or a lack of perseverance.

Because the simple truth of the matter is that the only way you're going to make real money on the net is if your business is based around two crucial things:

1) Large Demand

2) Buyers

In other words - you aren't going to get rich selling a $15 ebook about growing square watermelons - even though that might be a great passion of yours.

The demand just isn't there. Maybe there's a few searches a day on Google for the topic, and perhaps there's some interest in the online "gardening enthusiast" communities - but you'd be hard-pressed to make even a few hundred dollars a month from ebook sales.

Similarly, you also aren't going to have a particularly easy time getting rich by building websites about some seemingly "popular" topics like humor, jokes, funny pictures and so on. And while there are a few ways to "monetize" your site (with AdSense, CPA Offers, CPM Banners, etc.), it takes literally millions of website visitors to make even just a few thousand dollars in markets like that.

The demand is huge - but the visitor value is extremely low...

Instead, if you want to make it big online - pulling down an impressive six-figure income - you need to tap into markets with tons of demand, where the majority of the visitors are valuable.

You need to capture tons of traffic that wants to buy something. If you take this approach, you'd practically have to hijack your own order links (or affiliate links) not to make a sizeable income.

In fact - did you know that some affiliates make several thousand dollars daily just by promoting a single product in hot markets? (Just imagine what the merchant is making...)

In some markets there's actually so much demand that the vendors are quite literally selling over a thousand units - or more - per day. Digital products, with practically zero overhead/delivery cost.

But it all comes back to tapping into valuable demand. In most cases, it takes no extra effort or "skill" to market to a valuable market than it does to struggle along with something you're passionate about.

These two factors - demand and buying traffic - are what seperate the "wannabe" marketers from the millionaires. Because there's no real secret - you just need to sell what thousands of people are already buying.

The ball is now officially in your court. Are you tapping into markets with massive, valuable demand?

Or are you struggling to simply make a few dollars occasionally with a business that's based on your own passionate interests?

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Chris Rempel, author of "Confessions of a Lazy Super-Affiliate", reveals 5 of his most effective traffic strategies and niche-targeting tactics in full detail at www.thelazymarketer.com

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P.S. If you're really serious about creating a Full-Time Income From Affiliate Marketing, here are 4 VIP reports you've got to check out. The 'Conduit' Method, The 'Reverse Selection' Blueprint, The 'Visitor Value Multiplier' Manifesto, The Rapid List Profit Formula.

Choosing The Right Keyword For SEO

You want to know the single, BIGGEST mistake most marketers make when trying to get their website ranked in the search engines?

They try and optimize their webpage for too many keywords!

To understand this mistake, you have to understand how the search engines work. See, search engines try to determine how relevant a page is to a search query.

The more relevant the page, the higher its ranking in the search results.

But when you try and optimize your page for more than one keyword, the search engines will determine that your page is not as relevant as a page that's optimized for just that keyword.

To illustrate this point, let's say you want to rank in the top 10 results for the keyword Light Blue Widgets. So you create a webpage optimized for that keyword. However, you also want that page to rank for Red Widgets, Green Widgets, and Yellow Widgets.

But you can't do that and have the search engines think that page is relevant for ANY of those keywords.

You have to choose just one keyword, and gear your page for that keyword only. Having a clear focus on that keyword will greatly increase your chances of ranking
highly for it.

Another huge mistake a lot of people make when choosing a keyword to optimize for is selecting a super-competitive keyword.

Sure, the highly competitive keywords bring in a lot of traffic. But unless you really know what you're doing, it's going to take you a very long time to fight and
claw your way into the top 10.

Instead, for fast ranking, you'll want to select keywords that only the people most likely to buy are searching for.

This way, not only will you rank quickly, but you'll also be getting highly targeted traffic that's most likely to make you money.

For example, instead of trying to rank in the top 10 search results for the competitive keyword "Plasma TV," you would want to focus on a keyword like "Sony RX1568 Plasma TV."

This way, you'll be able to rank for a term only people looking to buy that particular TV would be searching for!

The fact is that there are many tricks and techniques you need to be aware of when choosing the right keyword term to optimize your website for.

If you choose wrongly, you'll waste much of your precious time and effort, and get nothing in return.

Choosing the right keyword, however, will ensure that you get a flood of traffic to your website that will make you money!

The best system to use to learn how to find the golden keywords for your business is called The Sneaky System. No other training breaks down the search engines in such
an easy to understand way.

So don't waste your time optimizing for keywords that are duds. Learn the secrets to Search Engine Optimization right now.

Kris Tomb
CashOfTheTitans.com

How To Get Your Website Ranked In The Search Engines

If you're trying to make money on the internet, the best thing you can do is get your website ranked on the first page of search results for the major search engines.

Why?

Because, ranking on the first page of results gives you the opportunity to get quality traffic to your money-making offer, without costing you any money!

This means that any sales you make off of a free website ranking is pure, 100% profit!!!

But then that begs the question: How do you do it?

After all, search engines are confusing! They're always changing, and they rely on super-high-tech algorithms that are top secret to rank websites.

Right? Right?

Well... sort of. Yes, search engines are always changing, and they are run by top secret mathematical equations that try and deliver the most relevant results to their searchers.

However - search engines are NOT complicated.

Quite the contrary, they are very, very simple to understand... IF you know how they work.

And if you know how they work, you'll be able to get any website of yours ranked in the top 10 results of any search engine you want!

(And that is when the money comes rolling in!)

Okay, so what do you need to know about the search engines? Well, you have to learn what I call the "Secret Sauce" of search engine domination.

The Secret Sauce is composed of a number of different factors the search engines look at to determine how relevant your website is for a particular keyword.

Some of these factors are:

Page Title
File Name
Contextual Links

There are more factors that go into the secret sauce, but these are the easiest to understand.

First is the page title. If you do a search in Google, and look at the results, the title of the page is the first big, blue hyperlink you'll see.

Search engines believe that if a keyword is in the title of the webpage, then that webpage must be relevant to the search query. So they will rank those pages higher than pages that don't have the keyword in the page title.

Next, look at the file name. This is the name of the actual HTML file of the webpage. For instance, most homepages have the file name "index.html". But if you name your file after the keyword you want to rank for, then the search engines will believe it to be more relevant.

So if you're looking to rank for the keyword "flowers", you'd want to name your webpage flowers.html.

Having your keyword in the actual file name of your page will signal to the search engines that your page is probably relevant to that keyword.

Finally, there are contextual links. There are hyperlinks within the content of your website that allow search engines to crawl through your entire website.

When you know how to link to your own pages, using relevant keyword text in the links, the search engines will determine that the page you are linking to are relevant to the keywords in the links.

So if you link to your flowers page from your homepage using the keyword "Flowers", that will help the search engines determine the relevancy of that page to that link.

Now, these are just THREE factors you need to be aware of. There are many others. If you want to discover all of them and find out how to use them to get your website ranked for your desired keywords, you need to check out The Sneaky System.

No other method for getting ranked in the search engines is as simple or effective - especially for people who know absolutely nothing about how the search engines work.

When you finally discover all the factors you need to get your website ranked in the top 10 results, you'll be kicking yourself for not learning them sooner.

Check out The Sneaky System now to begin learning the secrets to making money with free search engine traffic.

Kris Tomb
CashOfTheTitans.com