As We Sow, So Shall We Harvest,

by Denis Waitley
(excerpted from The Seeds of Greatness Treasury)

Our true rewards in life will depend on the quality and amount of contribution we make. From the Scriptures to science, psychology and business, the documentation is the same. “As we sow, we reap.” Life is an unfailing boomerang. What we throw out will come back full circle.

The way we can build self-reliance is to recognize the number of alternative choices we have in a free society. And for every choice we make, there is a consequence or reward of that decision that we must acknowledge as our responsibility. God’s Law of Cause and Effect is forever the ruler.

During debriefing interviews, returning POWs from the wars in which we have fought during the past century said that what they missed most of all was their freedom of choice. There are two primary choices in our lives: to accept conditions as they exist or to accept the responsibility for changing them.

To attain emotional security, each of us must learn to develop two critical capabilities: the ability to live with uncertainty, and the ability to delay immediate gratification in favor of long-range goals. Losers let life happen to them. Winners make it happen for themselves and others. Losers engage in pleasurable activities, with no purpose or result in mind. Losers try to escape from their fears and drudgery with activities that are tension-relieving. Winners are motivated by their desires toward activities that are goal-achieving.

A number of research studies during the past decade indicate that the happiest, most well-adjusted individuals are those who believe they have a strong measure of control over their lives. They choose more appropriate responses to what occurs and they stand up to inevitable changes and daily setbacks with less apprehension. They learn from their past mistakes, rather than reinforce or repeat them. They spend time taking action in the present, rather than fearing what might happen in the future.

To be self-reliant adults, we need to set some guidelines:

Be different, if it means higher personal and professional standards.

Be different, if it means being more gracious and considerate to others.

Be different, if it means being cleaner, neater and better groomed than the group.

Be different, if it means putting more time and effort into all you do.

And be different, if it means taking the calculated risk. The greatest risk in life is to wait for and depend upon others for your own security. The greatest security is to plan and act, and take the risk that will ultimately ensure your personal freedom and independence.

-- Denis Waitley

Successful Email Marketing Without Losing YOUR ISP Account!

I like many if not most online marketers work with a small advertising budget.

To be honest I hate to spend my hard earned money on advertising. Especially if I can get as good or better exposure through free or very inexpensive advertising mediums.

During the last year I've learned some pretty good ways of doing just that.

Right now I'd like to share some of those ways with you.

Calm down now. I'm not going to tell you to spend days, and days, and days running free classifieds, although classifieds do work if you have an exceptional ad. But in general what I want to share with you is much more powerful than free classifieds alone.

So how does a low budget online marketer get the best free and inexpensive advertising.

Easy. All you have to do is utilize the BEST free advertising tool ever invented to date… Email!

There are many ways you can utilize email marketing to promote your businesses or websites. To keep things simple let's break email marketing down into two distinct categories.

Targeted and Untargeted (ie. SPAM).

UNTARGETED EMAIL: We will discuss this first and expose why it is a total waste of time.

Unsolicited Commercial Email, Spamming, or sending bulk email to "unqualified" email addreses is bad netiquette. What kind of credibility and online presence can you establish if you have to hide behind a false email address or a false name anyway? I'm certainly not going to give my Visa # or checking account # to anyone who lies about their name, email address, etc. and I think a great many folks would agree with me. If you send unsolicited email to addresses that do not want commercial email, not only do you risk the reputation of your business, you can get into more trouble than you would expect.

What kind of trouble Leon?

For openers many ISPs do not allow this activity and they will discontinue your account as soon as the inevitable complaints start to trickle in. In addition several states are now threatening to take legal action against senders on UCE.

Still want to spend $400-$500 on that fancy bulk email software?

If you want better results without the risk, consider the following alternatives...

TARGETED EMAIL

Targeted email really works! Truly targeted email means getting your email to recipients that HAVE approved of it. Not only do your get better results, you won't have to worry about ISP cancellation, legal action, and more importantly, the reputation of your business.

Here are the best targeted email marketing methods I've found. (Listed from most expensive to least expensive.)

a) opt-in email list rental
b) ezine advertising
c) ezine publishing
d) email discussion group participation

Here are the details on how to utilize each one:

Opt-In:

You may or may not be aware of the fact that you can actually rent email lists of people who have approved email about certain topics. Just about ANY topic imaginable a to z and everything in between!

This method is not the cheapest form of targeted email marketing, but it works!

On average, you'll have to spend about ten to fifteen cents per address. The companies that rent the addresses even do the mailing for you. You email your sales letter to them and just sit back and wait for the orders!

There are tons of companies that offer legitimate opt-in email lists. I will give you a few good ones to get started. These come highly recommended from some experienced online marketers.

PostMaster-Direct at http://www.postmasterdirect.com/
Bulletmail - http://www.bulletmail.com
Htmail - http://www.htmail.com/customer.html
Targ-It - http://www.targ-it.com/

Ezine Advertising

I'm a huge fan of ezine advertising and regularly utilize this low budget method of advertising. I'm not just saying that to bring in advertisers for my own newsletter. Quite simply, email advertising works! It has a proven track record!

I'm telling you first hand a good ad in one of the major ezines that have 30,00-40,000 or more subscribers can bring YOU hundreds of subscribers or hundreds of hits in just a couple days! Ads in the major ezines will run any where from $30 to $200 or more.

Many of the larger companies have just started to realize this and are entering into this exciting new advertising medium. Compared with the high costs of web site banner advertising (check around and you'll be shocked!), ezine advertising is a bargain.

Ezine Publishing

One step better than "advertising" in ezines, is actually publishing an ezine of your own. If you are not already publishing your own e-newsletter, I highly recommend it! I have made more sales and signed up more reps(resellers) as a result of my ezine, and other ezine advertising, than all other advertising media I've tried combined.

Your customers, downlines and prospects will constantly be "in touch" and your ezine can keep them informed of new products and services as you make them available. You can also generate income offering classified or sponsorship advertising if you wish.

Unlike traditional newsletters that are printed on paper there are no printing or postage costs. Because of this you can offer free subscriptions, thus insuring a steady flow of new prospects.

If you want to get started publishing your own ezine, you do not need to pay for list management at first. You can manage and deliver your ezine yourself with a good email program. There are many more excellent email programs around. Many of them can be downloaded free on the
net.

Once you have your email program installed, practice mailing to a few people at once by using the BCC (blind carbon copy) feature. It's important to use the BCC field when mailing to a list. This insures that everyone on the list does not see other email addresses on the list. No one wants their email address publicized all over the net. If you want to make my blood boil and be sure not to get me even look at what you are offering; just send me an email with my address displayed with others. This is very unprofessional and will make folks not like you!

Email a few friends several times till you are able to email correctly using a list and using BCC.

After you've perfected your emailing skills, all you need is some subscribers. That's easy, simply post a message announcing your newsletter to the "NewList Announcement List". Full details on posting are here:

http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/scout/new-list/format.html.

Discussion Group Marketing

An email discussion group can be delivered via email like this email newsletter you are reading right now. But a discussion list differs from an email newsletter in one major way -- you are allowed to voice your opinion. Many are moderated and many are unmoderated.

What way can a discussion group help you and your business?

Discussion lists also allow you to ask for help from others in that same particular area of interest. What's more, you can assist people in need while your sig file (the footer you include at the end of every email message you send) invites readers to your site. Discussion group marketing works because the posts are delivered directly TO a targeted audience. Once again, push marketing
at it's finest! In addition to posting to discussion groups you should consider advertising if the group you join offers it. This is targeted email marketing at it's best.

No matter what you are marketing online, participating in discussion lists makes sense. Not only will you learn some valuable information, it's is a great way to soft-sell some of your wares.

Hard selling is not allowed in many discussion groups. Very often these lists are quite large. If you hard sell or do blatant advertising; there is a pretty good chance you might get flamed. Flamed to the tune of 20 or 30 thousand flames as soon as your blatant advertising is posted. So be careful. Sig files are fine. It's often good to check things out for a couple days before starting to
participate in the discussions.

To find some discussion groups on your particular area of interest, go to http://www.e-groups.com/. After a while you may want to start your own!

You really can use email marketing without getting in trouble with your ISP and the courts.

Enough for now, but remember, whatever email marketing method you choose, be sure that everything single email you send out includes your URL and a brief description of exactly how YOU can be of service to anyone who may be reading that email!

By
Leon Brickey

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leon is webmaster and owner of Appalachian Online Marketing at
http://www.appalachianmarketing.com. At Appalachian Online Marketing you can
find everything you need to turn your struggling business into an explosive
moneymaker! Free subscription to Absolute Internet Marketing Resources Ezine
containing the most current, up to date online marketing resources on the
planet.

Troy White on Dr Joe Vitale

by Troy White

They call him The Worlds First Hypnotic Marketer.

Hypnotic, because the writing style he uses grabs you,sucks you in to it's mesmerizing pull… and forces you to read every word of what lays in front of you.

Marketer, because he's one of the greatest marketers of all times – consistently writing and implementing record breaking marketing strategies for himself, and his trusted clients.

Combine the two – hypnotic and marketer – and you hold the solution to one of the biggest problems in advertising today. People are inundated with marketing and advertising messages… some say upwards of 4,000 messages we are subjected to throughout an average day. Dr Vitale has a golden way of being that one piece of writing that you read, and take action on, out of those 4,000.

Any business owner who has been wise enough to hire Joe has seen incredible transformations in their sales, their profits, and the quality of their clients.

You see, not only does Dr Vitale have a way with words that compels people to take action – he also has a way of “tuning in” to the subconscious minds of their perfect clients.

Those that are in need of what's being offered of course, but more importantly, the ideal ‘soul-mates' for the company selling the products. When you find the perfect client – they buy again, and again… and again. Dr Vitale has a very rare gift that tunes into the perfect buyer then shows them exactly why it's in their best interest to become a preferred, and very regular, client.

It didn't start this way for Dr Vitale though… 30 years ago he was broke, desperate and living on the street. Through a series of odd “coincidences”, he found his inner calling and has gone on to great fame and success, along with
several best selling books. One of the top copywriters in the world, and one of the most successful, and respected, marketers in the world.

Dr Vitale is also the most generous, humble and down to earth, good people you will ever have the privilege to meet. I personally have had the honor to work with him and am astounded on how real he is, in such an unreal world. If you are looking at hiring Joe to work with you – jump on it! Your bank account will seriously thank you.

If you are considering buying one, or all, of Joe's books or products - stop considering- just do it…

The investment is truly chump change in return for the hundreds of thousands of dollars you will earn in your lifetime with his insightful, highly unique, yet effective marketing tools.

eriously, Dr Vitale will enlighten you on what really works in marketing today… and it's not the newest whiz-bang technology! Dr Vitale shares his time-tested marketing tools that worked 50 years ago, work today just as effectively, and will work 50 years from now as well.

A true friend, and business mentor, Dr Joe Vitale will show you exactly how to build your business into a profit generating powerhouse…

When you implement his marketing strategies into your business you will quickly discover why his nickname is also Mr Fire. He will literally have your web counters burning out, your sales receipts and merchant account will scream for mercy - and that burning smell you notice… is your competitors passion fizzling out.

The Hypnotic Marketing Library set is an absolute must-own for every serious marketer

Consisting of every single tool you will need at your side while you systematically build, or rebuild, the next marketing success we will hear about in Dr Vitale's next book!

Having a mentor at your side like Dr Vitale should be mandatory for everyone who registers, or starts, a new business. Lucky for you – it's not . You can be one of the wise few who partners with a master and learns, and earns, with the best (and we'll keep it your secret success formula).

Some of his accomplishments you should be aware of:

• Hypotic Library
• Hypnotic Marketing
• Hypnotic Selling Stories
• Hypnotic Selling Tools
  
• Hypnotic Traffic Tools
• Hypnotic Writing
• Hypnotic Writing Advanced
• Hypnotic Writing Swipe Files
  
• Create Advertising That Sells
• Impulse Internet Marketing
  
• Subconscious Internet Marketing
  
• 
  

A lifetime of invaluable marketing education is at your fingertips. Be the one to take action on your dreams and partner with one of the greatest in your quest for success.

Enjoy and Prosper

Troy White Helps Business Owners Turn Their Words Into Wealth and can be found at http://www.smallbusinesscopywriter.com/

Working at Home? Here's 10 Ways to Be More Productive

Ah, working at home... Visions of leisurely days, conference calls in comfy sweatpants, increased productivity with fewer interruptions. But the distinctions between work life and home life soon blur. You really should throw some laundry in the wash before you write that proposal. You have an hour before a meeting: Should you balance your books or clean the kitchen? And remember to call that client back right after you empty the cat box.

Welcome to the real world of working at home: unforeseen distractions, a lack of structured time, and sometimes a perceived loss of identity. But don't give up the dream just yet! By putting into place a few simple ideas, you can reap more of the rewards of working at home. Based on my
experiences and those of my associates, here are 10 simple ways to help you stay on track.

1. Separate Your Space
Keep a separate, distinct work area in your home. (This is especially difficult if you're living and working in a shoebox studio, like I was when I started my business in New York City!) If you don't have a separate room, at least define an area, and know that when you're in it, you're in "work mode." Make sure your roommates and family are aware of this as well.

2. Structure Your Time
As your business and personal time mesh, it's more important than ever to structure your day. For example, if you regularly take a walk or go to the gym, try to do it every day at the same time. Value that personal appointment with yourself - even when you're very busy. It will actually help you keep your business on track! I like to get up early and work until noon, then I take a few hours off to enjoy lunch, do some reading, and take my daily jog on the beach. Then I'm back at my desk at 4:00 until who knows when!

3. Outsource All You Can
When I began my business, I made the mistake of acting as my own courier service. I soon learned how much time I was wasting by visiting clients too much just to pick things up and drop them off. Whenever you start thinking, "Well I can do that myself," STOP. Streamline your business, making everything as automatic as possible. Use outside services to stay focused on your *real work*. Get accounts with an overnight delivery service, messenger service, virtual assistant (VA), bookkeeper, etc. Save your energy for your brilliant ideas! : )

4. Use Technology to Your Advantage
In-person meetings are very valuable when appropriate, but schedule them sparingly. Try to do most of your business via phone, fax, and e-mail using the best equipment you can afford. For most home-based entrepreneurs, when you're out of the office, you're NOT making money. So it's important that you can communicate flawlessly from where you are. And PLEASE do us all a favor and get separate lines/services for your phone, fax, and Internet! No one likes getting a busy signal.

(BONUS TIP: If your phone company offers voicemail, get it. Not only will your outgoing message sound more professional, but if you're on an important call and don't want to be disturbed, other callers can still leave you a message.)

5. Group Your Errands
Try to group your meetings and errands together to minimize your out-of-office time. Make a list in the morning of all the outside tasks you need done for the day, and attempt to complete them in one fell swoop. Even better, do what I do and designate just one day a week as your "blitz" day for errands and meetings. I like doing this, because then I need to get dressed up only one day a week! : )

6. Stay Focused
Make your workspace off-limits to other roommates or family members when you're working. For you animal lovers, this may go for pets as well. (My cat Francine gets *very* jealous when I'm not giving her complete attention!) Keep all personal paperwork such as bills and magazines out of sight, so as not to distract you from your projects.

7. Beware of Yappers
Many of your friends and family will be immediately delighted when they learn that you're working at home. They picture you lounging on the couch, eating potato chips, and waiting for their calls. When they call you simply to chat, politely remind them that you're working, and ask them if you can call them back after your day is over. It may take them awhile, but they'll eventually "get it."

8. Work With Your Moods
Keep track of your moods and productivity compared with the time of day. For example, if you find you're more alert in the morning, use this time to make important calls and do your creative work. Take advantage of your natural cycles. If you feel better after an afternoon nap, go for it! (I'm a BIG proponent of the catnap. In fact, I may start a support group. : ))

9. Suit Yourself
To bring out your best work, make your environment perfect for YOU. How do you work best? With plenty of breaks, or with no interruptions? In silence, or with some light music in the background? On a cushy couch and coffee table, or at a business desk in an ergonomic chair? (My friends thought I was nuts when I spent $700 on my Herman Miller Aeron chair, but they quickly understood why once they sat in it! And my spine thanks me every day.) Also, find some places you can do work when you need a change of scenery. How about the library, the park, or your neighborhood coffee shop? When I need to do serious reading, thinking, or editing, I take my work outside to the beach. The sea air, sunshine, and soothing waves help
me think much more clearly.

10. Break for People
Feeling sluggish, lonely, or moody? Arrange for at least one social break during the week. (I aim for two or three.) Schedule breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even just coffee with a client, vendor, or friend. Join a business networking group, or sign-up for social activities such as dance class or
recreational sports league. Don't go into hermit mode - it can be self destructive!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexandria Brown's FREE biweekly e-zine gives "how-to" tips on writing compelling copy for Web sites, brochures, and e-zines. Learn how to ATTRACT NEW CLIENTS and strengthen your customer relationships! Subscribe today at http://www.akbwriting.com