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Follow The Experts Who Do What They Teach
Copyright (c) 2010 Willie Crawford
Willie Crawford Incorporated
http://WillieCrawford.com/ezine.html
As I'm sure that you realize, not all online marketing experts
are the same. Some are only interested in your money, and they
know that the quickest and easiest way to get it is to sell you
"the dream."
Many so-called experts have never done what they teach. They come
online, survey the landscape, and decide that teaching is easier
than doing. So they hire a ghost writer to write an ebook, or
worse, they write an ebook filled with their theories. Then they
roll this ebook out with lots of fanfare, selling it to
unsuspecting newbies.
Buyers of the above ebook, read maybe half way through it, spot
another shiny object, and are off to try what sounds like a
faster, easier way.
So how do you avoid falling into this and a dozen other traps?
There are two ways that I'll recommend.
1) Use tools such as the search engines to investigate the
marketer or company before spending a penny with them. The
internet is very inter-connected AND transparent. It's nearly
impossible to have a serious online presence and not be very
visible in the search engines. For example, if you were to
"google" my name, you would find over 2 million returns, and
most of them would be me!
If I googled someone, or a company’s name, and couldn't find it,
I'd definitely ask why. I'd also probably start running in the
opposite direction as fast as possible, with one hand on my
wallet.
2) Follow the experts who actually do what they teach. If you
can't see that they do what they teach, there is a good chance
that they don't, and the reason may be that they are not sure
that it will work. As you look to see that they are actually
doing what they teach, also put it through the common sense test.
As an example, many of my friends and mentors teach that your
business cannot grow beyond a certain point with you trying to do
everything in your business. When you first read that, you may
ask yourself if this is just a sales ploy. So you observe top
online marketers and notice that they have copywriters,
programmers, operation managers, affiliate managers, webmasters,
graphic artists, ghost writers, email managers, virtual
assistants, etc., working for them.
Then you shift to the offline world and notice that in the most
successful restaurants, the owner is not in the back washing
dishes, cooking, or supervising waiters. He is not on the cash
register or waiting on tables. Instead he may be wandering the
floor and "hob knobbing" with customers, making them feel
important. He may be just observing his business, looking for
areas that can be improved and places where employees may need
more training.
I'm sure that you're beginning to get my point now. You often
wonder if a marketer recommends that you do something because it
will make him a profit, or if he really believes what he is
recommending. Observing that he is actually doing it himself...
that he believes in what he teaches enough to use it in his
business, is very powerful.
As a personal example, I preach that you should outsource as much
as possible, and focus on growing and managing your business. I
know how to do many of the day-to-day tasks of running an online
enterprise. After 14 years I've tried doing many of them, and
become very good at some of them. However, I personally outsource
most jobs related to graphics, copywriting, webmastering,
programming, building mini-nets, keyword research, and customer
service.
I have full-time people working exclusively for me, who handle
most of these tasks. It took a while, but I finally realized that
these people don't cost me money, they make me money.
I do what my good friend Maria Gudelis calls engaging in talent
arbitrage.
Maria has a very in-depth, yet inexpensive, course on being an
offline consultant. I've gone completely through that course a
dozen times, and have it memorized, AND do what she teaches. One
of the things that she teaches is that you land offline
consulting clients, and define what they need, etc., but that you
don't do most of the work. You pass it off to outsourced talent
as soon as possible, but you pocket most of the fees collected at
the same time. I follow Maria because I can see that she does
what she teaches.
By the way, I encourage you to check out Maria's course in being
an offline consultant. You'll find it at: http://timic.org/Maria
I mentioned earlier that you should check out the person that
you're following. Another way that I do that is by looking at
whether or not what they teach agrees with what other verified
experts teach. One of my favorite experts is Dan Kennedy, and
Maria's teachings totally agree with what Dan teaches as far as
how to leverage your business, and which segment of the market
you should go after. Incidentally, you should go after segments
of the market that HAVE money and are willing to spend it on you
and your products or services.
I'll wrap up this article, but share more of my thoughts and
observations soon. In the meantime, develop the habit of really
noticing whether your favorite guru actually does what he
teaches. That could make a huge difference in your bottom line.
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Willie Crawford is founder of The Internet Marketing Inner
Circle, a membership site where some of the world's sharpest
marketing minds gather to network, brainstorm, and jointly
grow their businesses. Join The Internet Marketing Inner
Circle today for $1. Complete details at: http://timic.org/
----------------------------
Greg Cryns
Work At Home Profiles
Wahm Search Engine
.
.
In production, this new and unique behind-the-scenes look at the flavor industry. "As proof of how awesome and specific the flavorings can be, he relates smelling one that is identical in essence to a grilled hamburger. Crazy."
The Spice Trade Expedition from
anfw on
Vimeo.
Greg Cryns
Work At Home Profiles
.
Out sourcing some of your work can give your business a big boost
When I sold insurance I was fearful about hiring a secretary at first. Besides thinking I could not afford one, I didn't think she would earn her keep. After hiring my secretary I wanted to kick myself for not doing it earlier.
Many extremely successful internet marketers say they would do one thing differently if they could. They say they’d outsource earlier in their business. In fact, many experts advise outsourcing almost from the very beginning. If you’ve come to a point where you’re ready to seek outsourcing help, congratulations! This is an important step. Where you go from here will help determine your success.
Your First Step
Your first step may be surprising. It’s not to start asking for referrals or to do a Google search for freelance help. Your first step is to sit down at your desk and plan.
You want to begin with a definition or a list of the tasks you need help with. These tasks will also likely include systems or a step by step of how you want the task to be accomplished. For example, if you’re outsourcing your customer service, you want to outline your customer service system so whoever you hire can step right in and do the job correctly.
You also want to plan how you’re going to outsource the task. For example, are you going to start small and outsource only a portion of the responsibility? Do you want to be able to add tasks and responsibilities as you develop a working relationship with your help? Do you want to be able to add more tasks as you can afford them? What’s your long-term outsourcing plan? That takes us to your second step.
Creating an Outsourcing Budget
How much can you afford to pay? This is going to involve two key questions:
* What is the task worth to you? (This is in terms of both time and money.)
* What is your hourly value? (How much do you make per hour?)
Your hourly value can be calculated by dividing your profits by the number of hours you work each week, month or year. For example, if you make $50,000 in profits annually and you work 2080 hours annually, then your hourly value is $24/hour. This information can help you decide if it makes financial sense to outsource a task. If it costs more than $24/hour then it might not be a wise financial step.
Where to Find Outsourcing Help
Once you have determined exactly what you’re looking for and how much you can afford to pay, then it’s time to start looking for outsourcing help. You can find good contractors in a number of places.
1. Ask associates for referrals
2. Network online
3. Search engines
4. Freelance websites like Elance
5. Search engines
Evaluating Your Candidates
Once you have a few candidates in mind, review their work samples and references and consider giving them a test project. You want to evaluate their communication skills, professionalism and ability to do the job you requested.
Maintaining the Relationship
Once you’ve had the opportunity to work with a few contractors and you’ve found the people you work best with, there are a few things you’ll want to do to ensure they stick around. The first thing is to work together to determine a method for communication that works for both of you. Some people communicate well with email. Others prefer phone calls or instant messaging. Make sure this communication system is established and works for both of you. Additionally, flexibility, constructive feedback and consistent work all help keep a contractor happily working for you.
Greg Cryns
Work At Home Profiles
.
.
Out sourcing some of your work can give your business a big boost
When I sold insurance I was fearful about hiring a secretary at first. Besides thinking I could not afford one, I didn't think she would earn her keep. After hiring my secretary I wanted to kick myself for not doing it earlier.
Many extremely successful internet marketers say they would do one thing differently if they could. They say they’d outsource earlier in their business. In fact, many experts advise outsourcing almost from the very beginning. If you’ve come to a point where you’re ready to seek outsourcing help, congratulations! This is an important step. Where you go from here will help determine your success.
Your First Step
Your first step may be surprising. It’s not to start asking for referrals or to do a Google search for freelance help. Your first step is to sit down at your desk and plan.
You want to begin with a definition or a list of the tasks you need help with. These tasks will also likely include systems or a step by step of how you want the task to be accomplished. For example, if you’re outsourcing your customer service, you want to outline your customer service system so whoever you hire can step right in and do the job correctly.
You also want to plan how you’re going to outsource the task. For example, are you going to start small and outsource only a portion of the responsibility? Do you want to be able to add tasks and responsibilities as you develop a working relationship with your help? Do you want to be able to add more tasks as you can afford them? What’s your long-term outsourcing plan? That takes us to your second step.
Creating an Outsourcing Budget
How much can you afford to pay? This is going to involve two key questions:
* What is the task worth to you? (This is in terms of both time and money.)
* What is your hourly value? (How much do you make per hour?)
Your hourly value can be calculated by dividing your profits by the number of hours you work each week, month or year. For example, if you make $50,000 in profits annually and you work 2080 hours annually, then your hourly value is $24/hour. This information can help you decide if it makes financial sense to outsource a task. If it costs more than $24/hour then it might not be a wise financial step.
Where to Find Outsourcing Help
Once you have determined exactly what you’re looking for and how much you can afford to pay, then it’s time to start looking for outsourcing help. You can find good contractors in a number of places.
1. Ask associates for referrals
2. Network online
3. Search engines
4. Freelance websites like Elance
5. Search engines
Evaluating Your Candidates
Once you have a few candidates in mind, review their work samples and references and consider giving them a test project. You want to evaluate their communication skills, professionalism and ability to do the job you requested.
Maintaining the Relationship
Once you’ve had the opportunity to work with a few contractors and you’ve found the people you work best with, there are a few things you’ll want to do to ensure they stick around. The first thing is to work together to determine a method for communication that works for both of you. Some people communicate well with email. Others prefer phone calls or instant messaging. Make sure this communication system is established and works for both of you. Additionally, flexibility, constructive feedback and consistent work all help keep a contractor happily working for you.
Greg Cryns
Work At Home Profiles
.
.
In an effort to get into the social media trend, the folks at Google created Google Buzz. However, unlike most mainstream social media sites, Buzz offers users the ability to cross platforms. It is designed to offer more usability, and experts expect it to compete with sites like Facebook and Twitter. As a small business owner, Google Buzz may be another great tool to add to your marketing strategy.
What Is Google Buzz?
Google Buzz is an application Google created for Gmail users. It gives them the to the ability to share updates, photos, videos, links and more instantaneously online. Additionally, it is mobile friendly and can be used on both iPhones and Android phones.
How Can a Small Business Owner Use Google Buzz?
There are essentially two main ways a business owner can take advantage of Google Buzz. The first is to use it like any other social marketing tool. Use it to connect with your prospects and customers by posting relevant and valuable information.
The second use lies in Buzz’s ability to be accessed via a mobile device. You can take advantage of geographic location and send instant messages to specific users. For example, you could create a special promotion for people who just experienced a hurricane and send it via instant message.
Like other social media sites, business owners can also send private or public messages. This provides you with the ability to connect personally with a prospect or customers. For example, if you’re reading an industry magazine and you see information a client might appreciate, you can send them a quick link to the content. These personal touches can go a long way toward building a lasting relationship.
Tips to Use Google Buzz
Like any social networking site, there are a few rules of thumb and tips to optimize the tool.
1 - Limit who you follow. Follow too many people and it becomes difficult to create real connections.
2 - Participate. Simply existing on Buzz isn’t enough. You want to also contribute to the network by posting information and by responding to posts.
3 - Mind your security. You can set your security features to keep your followers private. This helps prevent the mass follow trend that is prevalent on other social networking sites.
Like any social networking site, your results depend largely on what you put into it. Google Buzz is no different. Posting quality content and providing value to your followers is the key to success. If social networking is a large part of your marketing strategy and you have a Gmail account, check out Google Buzz.
Greg Cryns
Work At Home Profiles
.
Home Business Tax Deductions
Here is the framework for possible deductions related to you home-based business. Note: never buy into a home-based business because you can get deductions. Not smart. Also, if you have a significant income I suggest investing in CPA services. My CPA charges $400 a year. I consider this a bargain because she is very experienced and has saved me much more money than that.
Tax season is right around the corner. If you own your own home-based business or are looking to start one, it’s time to take a look at what you can write off.
Your Home Office
If you have a home office, you can deduct a portion of your mortgage equal to the size of the space you use. In order to qualify for this tax deduction the space must be:
* Your primary place of business
* Where you meet with customers
* Used solely for your business
Transportation and Meals
You can deduct the cost of transportation, meals and even lodging if they are part of your business. For example, if you’re attending a seminar or meeting with a client off site you can deduct:
* Gas
* Parking fees
* Depreciation and repairs
* Tolls
* Train, bus or airfare
* Hotel bills
* Food
* Taxi fares
* Phone calls
Insurance Expenses
You can and should deduct your insurance premiums. Here’s what you can consider a business expense:
* Medical
* Motor vehicle (if your car is related to your business)
* Theft
* Any additional insurance you may need for your business. For example, property insurance if you rent an outside space to store your inventory.
Deductions for Retirement Plans
You can also deduct contribution to retirement plans. These include:
* Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan
* Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE)
* Qualified plans (i.e., Keogh and self-employed 401(k) plans)
Other Deductions You May Qualify For
Interest Expense – If you applied for a loan to start your business, you can likely deduct the interest you’re paying on the loan.
Bad Debt Expense – If you have a customer who has defaulted on money owed to you, you may be able to deduct it from your income taxes.
Legal and Professional Fees – Payments to accountants, attorneys, and contractors used to help run your business are also considered expenses.
Before You Do Your Own Taxes
Before you file any taxes, consult an accountant to find out if you qualify for these expenses and deductions. You may also qualify for more than what’s listed here. An accountant’s expertise is invaluable. Make sure you’re compliant and get help from a qualified tax accountant. They can help you get the best tax return ever.
Greg Cryns
Work At Home Profiles
.
.
Picture by
Yutaka Tsutano
Guest post by Toby Cryns
How I Saved $50/month Switching from AT&T to T-Mobile while Still Using my iPhone
My AT&T iPhone bill for the month of November, including taxes, was $97.70. That included 450 minutes, 1500 SMS messages, and unlimited 3G internet access. After a quick switch from AT&T to T-Mobile, my bill for December will drop to around $60…AND I will have an upgrade in service!
Below I outline how you, too, can save $50/month or more.
- When your contract expires, do not upgrade your phone.
I have and will continue to use an iPhone 3G that I purchased 2 years ago.
- Move to a cheap month-to-month cell phone plan with T-Mobile or another provider that your existing phone is compatible with.
In my case, my iPhone 3G works perfectly on T-Mobile’s network.
- Drop unneeded services.
I dropped text-messaging (SMS) completely and went with a 200 MB data plan with T-Mobile
That’s it! Here is how my costs broke down on my recent upgrade:
I WAS paying $39.99/month for 450 minutes; I am now paying $39.99/month for1000 minutes. That’s 550 additional minutes per month, which I will use. I was always counting my minutes and regularly exceeding the 450 minute allotment.
I WAS paying $15/month for 1,500 text messages; I am now paying $0 for zero text messages. I was receiving around 250 text messages per month and sending 10 per month. I will not miss text messaging.
I WAS paying $30/month for unlimited internet access; I am now paying$10/month for up to 200 MB of internet. I was using around 400 MB/month, but I plan on making up for this by using WiFi rather than 3G access.
On top of all that, if I were to get another nice smartphone such as the MyTouch 4G or the G2, I would be paying another $250 or around $10/month for the phone, plus another $20/month that T-Mobile tacks on to contracts that include a discounted cell-phone (plus I would be locked into a 2-year contract!). So, I am, in effect, also saving another $30/month of which I will only include $10 in my equation since it complicates the math a bit. But know that the actual savings is around $70/month! Wow!
When all is said and done, I am saving $45/month before taxes (or $65/month if you include the hardware discount noted above), which will easily end up rounding out to around $50/month after taxes are added in. PLUS, I am getting more of the service that is most valuable to me – minutes!
To accomplish this, I switched from AT&T to T-Mobile. NOTE: You will want to wait until your contract expires before doing this, or else you will be hit with a cancellation fee from your current service provider. It also required me to unlock my iPhone, which was a single click using the free Blackra1n software.
When I got to thinking about it, I realized that the main things I use my iPhone for are:
- Directions/maps
- Checking email
- Playing mp3s and podcasts
- Making phone calls
As such, I don’t require a whole lot of internet access, nor do I particularly enjoy text-messaging. For me, this decision was a no-brainer. I got more of what I wanted (minutes) and save $50/month!
Visit Toby's website
.
.
Guest post by Toby Cryns
My AT&T iPhone bill for the month of November, including taxes, was $97.70. That included 450 minutes, 1500 SMS messages, and unlimited 3G internet access. After a quick switch from AT&T to T-Mobile, my bill for December will drop to around $60…AND I will have an upgrade in service!
Below I outline how you, too, can save $50/month or more.
- When your contract expires, do not upgrade your phone.
I have and will continue to use an iPhone 3G that I purchased 2 years ago.
- Move to a cheap month-to-month cell phone plan with T-Mobile or another provider that your existing phone is compatible with.
In my case, my iPhone 3G works perfectly on T-Mobile’s network.
- Drop unneeded services.
I dropped text-messaging (SMS) completely and went with a 200 MB data plan with T-Mobile
That’s it! Here is how my costs broke down on my recent upgrade:
I WAS paying $39.99/month for 450 minutes; I am now paying $39.99/month for1000 minutes. That’s 550 additional minutes per month, which I will use. I was always counting my minutes and regularly exceeding the 450 minute allotment.
I WAS paying $15/month for 1,500 text messages; I am now paying $0 for zero text messages. I was receiving around 250 text messages per month and sending 10 per month. I will not miss text messaging.
I WAS paying $30/month for unlimited internet access; I am now paying$10/month for up to 200 MB of internet. I was using around 400 MB/month, but I plan on making up for this by using WiFi rather than 3G access.
On top of all that, if I were to get another nice smartphone such as the MyTouch 4G or the G2, I would be paying another $250 or around $10/month for the phone, plus another $20/month that T-Mobile tacks on to contracts that include a discounted cell-phone (plus I would be locked into a 2-year contract!). So, I am, in effect, also saving another $30/month of which I will only include $10 in my equation since it complicates the math a bit. But know that the actual savings is around $70/month! Wow!
When all is said and done, I am saving $45/month before taxes (or $65/month if you include the hardware discount noted above), which will easily end up rounding out to around $50/month after taxes are added in. PLUS, I am getting more of the service that is most valuable to me – minutes!
To accomplish this, I switched from AT&T to T-Mobile. NOTE: You will want to wait until your contract expires before doing this, or else you will be hit with a cancellation fee from your current service provider. It also required me to unlock my iPhone, which was a single click using the free Blackra1n software.
When I got to thinking about it, I realized that the main things I use my iPhone for are:
- Directions/maps
- Checking email
- Playing mp3s and podcasts
- Making phone calls
As such, I don’t require a whole lot of internet access, nor do I particularly enjoy text-messaging. For me, this decision was a no-brainer. I got more of what I wanted (minutes) and save $50/month!
Visit Toby's website
.
.
