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Digg it UP - Notes for Newbies - Part Five - Getting Started
Probably the most misused and abused and disused management tool in history is the performance appraisal. It's the strangest thing. Ask managers or human resources staff whether they think performance appraisal is an important thing to do, and you'll find they usually agree. "Of course it is", is the common response. If you ask why it's important, they will tell you and tell you and tell you. But they don't tell you the right thing!The odd thing is that they often don't get do
If you are seriously short of money, if you are really short of cash, then expect to do most of the work yourself – you must invest the time. And if you are seriously short of time – if you have a demanding day job, for example – you must invest the money, you must buy in services you need.
You will meet,
During the last 5 years when speaking to or working with organizations, I have personally surveyed well over 1,000 individuals from small business owners to Fortune 1000 executives and have learned that everyone wants success. Yet, if this is true, then why don’t we as organizations or as individuals have more success?The answer to this question lies within the ability to consistently plan, set and execute goals. However, the knowledge and skills necessary to learn how to se
Today we want to talk about some things you need to get started – the bare minimum you need to launch your business.
Getting started
There are a number of things you need to get your direct marketing business up and running profitably.
At minimum you need:
- A workspace – the back bedroom or a spare room will do – even the garden shed if it’s dry and secure
- A PC or notebook computer
- A desk and bookcase
- A printer
- An Internet connection
- A dedicated telephone line
- A voice mail system (answering machine)
- A FAX machine (these days you can buy combination voice mail/FAX machines)
- An email account
- A merchant account
- Credit card processing facilities
- Database software to manage your list
Depending on your specific market, products and list-management needs, you may also need:
- A domain name and website
- Access to printing and duplication facilities – for sales letters, DVDs and the like
- Some technical support – more about this in Part Seven
- Autoresponders
- Product licences
- Software specifically to manage your market and products
- Copywriting resources
We could probably add several items to these lists, but this will do for now. The important thing to remember is that you have made a decision to embark upon a life-changing journey. You have decided you want to make some serious money so you can live a lifestyle most people have only dreamed of. :-)
You must expect to spend a little money up front to set this up properly. Nothing worthwhile in this life is truly free. You won’t have to spend a fortune, but you will need a bit of money to get started (in later articles we shall look at ways to get such things as domain names, web hosting, advertising, software and, yes, even products at very low costs).
There is a clich? about this business that is relevant here: ‘You either need to spend the time or the money’. By this we mean, especially when you are getting started, you must be prepared to invest either time or money.
If you are seriously short of money, if you are really short of cash, then expect to do most of the work yourself – you must invest the time. And if you are seriously short of time – if you have a demanding day job, for example – you must invest the money, you must buy in services you need.
You will meet,
1. Business Planning Clearly describe your business idea, your vision and mission. You have three ways to prepare your business plan: a.Prepare it yourself using Excel spreadsheets. b.Prepare it yourself with business plan software. c.Hire an experienced and excellent legal and business plan consultant to write the plan for you.The obvious best choice is to have your business plan prepared by an experienced and excellent business consul
Depending on your specific market, products and list-management needs, you may also need:
- A domain name and website
- Access to printing and duplication facilities – for sales letters, DVDs and the like
- Some technical support – more about this in Part Seven
- Autoresponders
- Product licences
- Software specifically to manage your market and products
- Copywriting resources
We could probably add several items to these lists, but this will do for now. The important thing to remember is that you have made a decision to embark upon a life-changing journey. You have decided you want to make some serious money so you can live a lifestyle most people have only dreamed of. :-)
You must expect to spend a little money up front to set this up properly. Nothing worthwhile in this life is truly free. You won’t have to spend a fortune, but you will need a bit of money to get started (in later articles we shall look at ways to get such things as domain names, web hosting, advertising, software and, yes, even products at very low costs).
There is a clich? about this business that is relevant here: ‘You either need to spend the time or the money’. By this we mean, especially when you are getting started, you must be prepared to invest either time or money.
If you are seriously short of money, if you are really short of cash, then expect to do most of the work yourself – you must invest the time. And if you are seriously short of time – if you have a demanding day job, for example – you must invest the money, you must buy in services you need.
You will meet,
One of the most popular questions I get from people is on how to generate even more leads to their business, get more exposure and visibility to attract more prospects that will eventually turn into paying clients.I’ve often said that the 3 best ways to attract clients quickly and consistently are:consistent networking, a stay-in-touch vehicle such as an ezine, and a Client Attractive signature talk. Wh
We could probably add several items to these lists, but this will do for now. The important thing to remember is that you have made a decision to embark upon a life-changing journey. You have decided you want to make some serious money so you can live a lifestyle most people have only dreamed of. :-)
You must expect to spend a little money up front to set this up properly. Nothing worthwhile in this life is truly free. You won’t have to spend a fortune, but you will need a bit of money to get started (in later articles we shall look at ways to get such things as domain names, web hosting, advertising, software and, yes, even products at very low costs).
There is a clich? about this business that is relevant here: ‘You either need to spend the time or the money’. By this we mean, especially when you are getting started, you must be prepared to invest either time or money.
If you are seriously short of money, if you are really short of cash, then expect to do most of the work yourself – you must invest the time. And if you are seriously short of time – if you have a demanding day job, for example – you must invest the money, you must buy in services you need.
You will meet,
Not only is the game of golf big business, but it's big IN business too. Millions of business transactions happen on the golf courses of the world nearly every day of the year. From sales negotiations to legal settlements, the golf club is as mighty as the pen when it comes to getting business done.It's hard to separate the social from the business aspects of a workday spent on the links, and perhaps its better that way. You see, conducting business on the golf course is just
You must expect to spend a little money up front to set this up properly. Nothing worthwhile in this life is truly free. You won’t have to spend a fortune, but you will need a bit of money to get started (in later articles we shall look at ways to get such things as domain names, web hosting, advertising, software and, yes, even products at very low costs).
There is a clich? about this business that is relevant here: ‘You either need to spend the time or the money’. By this we mean, especially when you are getting started, you must be prepared to invest either time or money.
If you are seriously short of money, if you are really short of cash, then expect to do most of the work yourself – you must invest the time. And if you are seriously short of time – if you have a demanding day job, for example – you must invest the money, you must buy in services you need.
You will meet,
So you are finally opening your own home business, congratulations! Having an online presence is important to any home business, and finding the right company to host your online business website can mean the difference between success and failure.Online web hosting basically boils down to two categories personal use, and business web hosting. Each category then can be broken down into smaller sub categories, such as paid or free personal sites, and different levels of busines
If you are seriously short of money, if you are really short of cash, then expect to do most of the work yourself – you must invest the time. And if you are seriously short of time – if you have a demanding day job, for example – you must invest the money, you must buy in services you need.
You will meet, if you have not already, extremely successful people in this business who write all their own sales letters – who invest the time, and others who pay to have all their sales letters written by professional copywriters – who invest the money.
Later on you can decide which way you want to manage your business. For now, however, your circumstances will dictate which way you go.
Some of the items on the two lists above are fairly obvious in that they relate to any business start-up – things such as a well-organized workplace. Regardless of the meagreness of your budget, you must look and sound professional.
Some of the other items, not necessarily as obvious, however, refer to things you need to get your message out to your list, offer them your products, fulfil and ship their orders and collect your money. Particulars will vary according to your specific needs.
In later articles we shall talk about all these items in more detail.
That’s all for this time. See you soon.
Next time we shall talk about what is probably the hardest bit if you are new to this business – taking action.
Thanks for listening :-)
William Rice-Johnston
Copyright © 2006 Mary Rice-Johnston & Golden Goose Direct. All rights reserved.
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