There are a few Internet “gurus” who I really respect. They are generous human beings who truly care about offering really valuable information and content that the average business owner can comprehend.

Unfortunately many others are simply in the business of writing compelling sales copy that is crafted to convince you that only they have the new secret e-book or program that will help you skip all the hard work and will take you to thousands of dollars a month in just a few weeks.

Today I read a sales page that put down all the top Internet marketers for smokescreening everyone. Then the sales page went on to promote a program that would make the buyer thousands in the first month through the same old methods like products with re-sell licenses, private label rights products and re-packaging and selling material that is no longer in the public domain.

These marketing pitches can be hypnotic and distracting to anyone hungering for knowledge about marketing online as they try to build their small business. Don’t fall into the trap.  Yes you need to learn the basics of how to market online and which marketing activities are really going to create results in your niche and industry. Then you need to spend your time implementing those marketing activities relentlessly rather than looking for the next idea.

There needs to be a balance between learning, keeping up with trends and working on your business. My suggestion–set aside a small block of time each week to learn and don’t fall prey to following every link that comes through your inbox the rest of the week.

Create an e-mail folder called “check this out” and put all the stuff you want to check out in that folder until the allotted time.

This will save you a ton of time, a lot of frustration and confusion and will open up more time for you to focus on building your business.

In a recent subscriber survey I conducted, there were several opportunities for participants to enter their personal comments or opinions.One comment that came up several times-I’m assuming from those respondents just in the start up phase-was that they couldn’t afford any coaching, mentoring or tele-classes. I get how scary it is to find money to finance a start-up when there is no guarantee of success. I’ve been there a few times, and afterward I always realized that I had put myself in a box of small thinking. Who will invest in your dreams and ideas if you won’t?

Often, when start-ups have come to me after months of trying to do it alone and with no money, they are frustrated and losing confidence because of the lack of significant results they’re getting. This saddens me and I am thrilled when we can turn it around.

You wouldn’t think of trying to buy a house or car with no money would you? Well you can’t start a business with no money either-but you can start with a small budget. And the money you invest in learning how to do it the right way should be returned to you tenfold in the money you make as a result and the time, effort and struggle you save. Now it’s often confusing knowing, on a limited budget, which courses or mentoring programs to invest in. That’s why you should always make sure there is no risk involved on your part because the company or individual offering the service should offer a guarantee. If they are offering something of value, they will offer a no risk trial or refund of some sort. You should also look for bona fide results-driven testimonials from previous clients.

If you check out previous posts on this blog under “small business loans” and “financing” you’ll see what options you have for getting the funds you need to get off the ground or get to the next level. You’ll also find some posts about “marketing on a shoestring”. Think of it as investing in your success, not as spending money you don’t have.

Another comment was that some people learn better by reading than by attending a tele-class or webinar. Or they get information faster that way. I’m one of those people. I’m a fast reader and like the option of skimming past the parts that don’t interest me. So for all of you out there like me, here are some suggestions:

• Rather than attend the class, download the audio and listen to it in small segments where you can also fast-forward through anything that you don’t want to listen to.
• Ask for a written transcript of the call. Sometimes these are made available.
• Consider attending the call if it is going to be information rich, because you will have an opportunity to ask questions. If you can’t attend ask the presenter if you may e-mail any questions afterward.

The truth is that in depth learning does not take place from blogs and giveaways. When new knowledge would mean money in the bank for you, invest in more in depth learning. I’m a perpetual student and it has paid off in the business results I get.

Comments? I’d love to hear how you handle investing in your business.

 Warmly,

Janis

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Did you ever see that Toyota commercial where the Dad was giving a first driving lesson to his son. The son is so excited about the Bluetooth technology, the GPS system and the Engine Start button that he keeps telling his dad that driving is going to be “so easy”. He’s convinced he just pushes a button and steers and he’s good to go.The Dad exclaims in frustration, “It’s not easy! Just get out of the car”.

That sounds similar to the conversation I’ve had dozens, maybe even hundreds of times with smart, skilled people who want to start a business. Just like the young boy, they don’t know what they don’t know. But what you don’t know CAN hurt you.

Here are some basic tips that will help you make building a home-based business a reality:

1. Create a plan, even if it’s just a few pages. It will force you to think through your ideas and decide where you want to be a year or two from now, who you want to work with, what products and services you want to offer, and how you’ll meet your financial goals.
2. Create an ideal client profile and compile a list of possible marketing activities you think would reach this market.
3. Decide on a start up budget and figure out where to get the money. You can bootstrap in the beginning and start with very little, but you will need some money-at least a few thousand dollars.
4. For one week, monitor how you spend your work time to see how productive and efficient you are with your time. How much of your time is spent on business building, potentially profit generating activities? This does not mean checking e-mail, doing administrative tasks or surfing the Internet. How you use your time will absolutely determine how successful you’ll be.
5. Make a list of which family or child care obligations are non-negotiable for you and outsource the rest. For example, maybe you’re willing to put your kids in after school homework club, but you absolutely want to spend time with them after dinner. Or, maybe you’re willing to work Saturday morning, but want Saturday afternoon and evening with your family. This will help you determine how your current situation can be changed to accommodate uninterrupted work time. You will have to make some compromises, so be clear which ones you’re willing to make.
6. Prepare an office space that is large enough to accommodate your business needs. If you can find a space where you can close the door to indicate to everyone that you are at work and not to be disturbed, all the better.
7. Don’t answer your personal phone or doorbell when you’re working. That’s what caller ID is for. If it’s an emergency call or someone you really need to speak to, you can answer. If it’s your friend calling to say hi or a neighbor dropping by, you’ll be tempted, but don’t respond.
8. Find a coach or mentor who can guide you through the start up process as quickly and efficiently as possible, who can show you how to avoid unnecessary struggles, stress and wasted time and money.

 You’ll feel so wonderful when you fastrack to your first $100, then $1,000, the $10,000!

 Janis

If you are a small business start up, a micro or solo entrepreneur, you’re probably wondering where to find the money that will allow you to grow your business. Most likely, angel investors or venture funding are not a possibility. Actually most businesses start up by bootstrapping. They self-fund and find ways to ramp up with a minimal amount of money.There’s often a misperception that you can grow your business with no money. That’s not entirely true. There is a good deal of marketing you can do cost free, but you can also learn how to conserve cash and only spend on what is necessary. Think of it as a game. Make a list of the essentials that you need and go shopping.  I’ll give you an easy example of what I’m talking about. If you’re a woman, do you pay full price for designer clothes at the mall? Please! We shop around, look for sales and feel triumphant when we get a good deal. Think the same way about your business.

Here are some bootstrapping tips;

Start with a home office.

Even if you know you’ll eventually need more space, start out by creating a quiet, bright space at home until your revenues can pay for your rent. I tell business owners that when they can afford to invest 25% of their yearly revenues in rent, they can think about renting.

Phones

You can save a bundle by bootstrapping your phone equipment and service. With services like Vonnage and Skype you can get a full menu of services, including free long distance, relatively inexpensively. Also with a voice mail system, you don’t really need an answering machine. Make a list of the bells and whistles you need and find the company that will provide them at one low monthly price. Also realize that you don’t need to buy a fancy phone system either. Refurbished systems are available on the web, or you can start off with a simple phone from a local retail chain.

It also costs more if you register your phone number as a company rather than a personal line. To start out, list it in your name unless you have the type of business that potential clients look for in the phone book.

Branding

I’ve seen people spend weeks agonizing over the color or exact look of their logo and spend lots of money on endless revisions, when it would make little difference to their business growth. Shop around for both a graphic designer and web designer who have already done work that you like and who are reasonably priced. Online services like Logoworks can be a good bootstrapping resource.

Make sure your web designer can help you with search engine optimization and that they will design your site in a Content Management System, so you can easily make simple changes yourself rather than paying them to do it for you. You can save lots by learning about SEO, good copywriting and how to quickly generate traffic to your website for little or no money. That was the reason I developed this e-course, Maximize Your Website Now

Marketing

In Maximize Your Website Now I’ve introduced many ways to market cost free on the Internet. But offline you can also trade advertising for services or a percentage of sales revenues. Maybe you’re good at speaking. Find organizations whose members are in your target market and offer an information filled presentation. Be creative and you can cut your marketing dollars significantly while still getting a great ROI

Outsourcing

Rather than hire, outsource specific tasks. Outsourcing will save you from paying for underutilized employee hours. Need administrative assistants, hire a Virtual Assistant. Need someone to build links to your website, submit articles online, write press releases? Go to http://www.elance.com/ and let qualified professionals bid on your job. A great place to find outsourced help with your website is http://www.digitalpoint.com/. Go to the forums.

Sales

Rather than hire a sales person, find  joint venture partners who have already attained clients in your target market and see if they will endorse your service to their clients for a percentage of sales. Save yourself the struggle of want ads, interviews, training, monitoring, and payroll taxes.

These are just a few bootstrapping suggestions. Where else can you save money but still achieve the results you want?

Janis

If you work from home as I do, it’s very easy to slip into the habit of holing up at home for days. When you first get the idea of starting a home based business, it sounds so appealing–work in your pajamas if you want to. No commuting, no interruptions from colleagues, more time freedom.

But when the reality sets in you find yourself socially isolated in a virtual world. Your world shrinks and becomes your computer and your family. Even the occasional business lunch or networking event doesn’t help much.

I’ve battled this and found that social interaction is absolutely necessary for humans! Here are some ways to help you keep you from becoming a cloistered hermit.

• Join a gym. Don’t just workout, go to a class where you get to know the regulars. This can also give your body a much needed break from the computer.
• Plan a regular get together with other nearby home based business owners to socialize and strategize. There are probably plenty in your neighborhood, or you can go to http://meetup.com and start a group in your area.
• Plan a weekly lunch with someone influential who you’ve wanted to have a relationship with. This is fun and a great business building activity.
• Take your laptop to Starbucks or Panera and work from there for a few hours just to get out of the house.

If you have other suggestions, post a comment. I’m sure other home based business owners will appreciate it.

Janis