Just Say No to Sign and Wait ? 10 Steps to a Fast Action Start

So you just signed up for a new, exciting opportunity? wait did you realize?

The majority of Americans are taught to follow the leader, follow instructions, and do a good job. There has been a trend for some years now to begin a home business. The lure of this trend is more time with family, less travel time, less fuel expense and more.

Unfortunately many quit their new business before they really begin. The lure of a dream life is not enough to keep them on the path to success. Many of the networking companies that they join are reputable, viable businesses with excellent compensation plans and training. So why is there so much attrition?

Though many dream of having their own business and not having to answer to a boss, unfortunately they are doomed to that life. It takes a special kind of guts to break away from what we have been taught and delve into uncharted waters.

Many start standard brick and mortar shops and services and are faced with a number of known expenses to get going and service customers. Those starting with seemingly low start-up like networking have a definite advantage. But both may forget important factors like the need to proper market and advertise their business. Some people are actually misled that all they have to do is sign up and they will have the work done for them and other such balderdash ? huh?

So what can you do to give yourself and edge and a fast start for the long haul?

First, realize you are the boss. Don?t treat your new business like a hobby or think about ?trying it out for awhile? (Quit now and save yourself time and aggravation if that is the case). No one is going to give you your schedule ? you have to make a schedule. No one is going to make you punch a time clock ? you need to make the most of your time. Answer this question for yourself, ?Can I work put as much or more effort into my own business as I would for someone else?s business because my ?job? depended on it??

Second, (something you probably should have known before signing up by-the-way) use the product. Answer this question, ?Why do I want this product?? Answering that question will eliminate virtually all your sales issues. People buy things they want ---- not need. Remember this, even essential purchases end up being purchased that way because one product is wanted more than another.

Third, determine your target market. Who wants what you are offering? Where do they live, shop, eat, etc.? Your answers will help you to reach out to them and connect them to what they need.

Fourth, determine your advertising budget. If it is small you will be starting small but that is ok. If you have more you can set aside then you will be able to reach your goals quicker (especially if you can do TV advertising like the ?big guys? *smile*)

Fifth, determine how much time you can dedicate to your business. Make a schedule ? and stick to it. Let everyone around you know your schedule just as if you would be away for X hours in the day so you are busy in their immediate presence. (Try and set aside an area away from family traffic flow if possible.) Allow for distractions in your schedule but preferably set aside family and friend time because we all started our own thing just so we could have the freedom to work loved ones into our schedule. This is really an important area that can cause failure either with family or business so you will really want to plan this one well for the long haul.

Sixth, create or order your advertising mediums. Business cards can be made or printed. T-shirts, hats or any other promo materials ordered. Ads in local fliers or online classifieds or both can be created and posted. Affiliate links can be promoted online by sending out safelist ads, ezine ads, solo ads, traffic exchanges, search engine pay-per-click ads and more. Some of these options can be free or economical depending on how much time you are willing to dedicate to doing the work yourself.

Seventh, start a blog. If you don?t have your own website, you will probably want to get one as soon as possible. A weblog, or blog is one of the new crazes that will not only help to drive traffic to your website but if you can not budget a website yet then a blog is a free way to start a web presence. I would recommend www.blogger.com because of it is owned by google, which can help being ranked sooner. All blogs are meant to be content-rich which is what all search engines love.

Eighth, set aside at least one hour a day, at least five days a week to do something that drives sales. The first and foremost should be talking to customers, prospects, leads. Though it is important to read, learn and set up promotions to get the customers to you, the bottom line is the sale. Many people forget this. Though I have promoted offline and online it seems it is mostly forgotten online when we expect sales to be done behind some kind of cyberspace wall. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) we tend to still not only buy things we want but we buy them usually from people we get to know, like and trust.

Pick up the phone, email, mail ? however you do it communicate with customers, prospects, leads, preferably talk to them over the phone or in person. The world is becoming so small, I even use an online VOIP conference center that brings customers to my virtual room were we can speak and even see each other if both have webcams. I even meet with groups of people at the same time. I marvel at technology!

Ninth, focus. Understandably there will be interruptions, more within a home environment then in a workplace environment but if you have a plan and a schedule then you are half way to being truly focused. The other half is up to you to make it work and remember, ?Rome wasn?t built in a day?. Don?t let distractions take your eyes off the plan to become independent and free to do things they way you choose to manifest them.

Tenth, have fun! Who would add this to list but me, lol (laugh out loud). Really, we choose to become independent to free ourselves from the ?mean ole boss?. I have told you first and foremost that now, ?YOU ARE THE BOSS? which means take your business seriously but it doesn?t mean you still can?t have fun. Remember, we choose to manifest money, love, relationships, and fun. Choose to get the most out of your life, love and business. Enjoy the ride!

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