Rudi Vanhaecke

We all hear that you have to be in 'affiliate programs' to get ahead on the Internet. We hear about people making huge incomes being a 'super affiliate' and how these programs are the greatest thing since sliced bread.
 
 
 
While it IS true that you can make very good money with affiliate programs, it's equally true that you can waste tons of time on them. Let's look together at the basics of affiliate programs as well as some things to watch out for if you decide to affiliate.
 
 
 
First, what does the word 'affiliate' mean? Webster's Dictionary defines the word this way...
 
 
 
Affiliate: [verb] To associate as a member <affiliates herself with the local club>
 
 
 
That's exactly correct. When you become an affiliate you are associating with the product or service you will be selling.
 
 
 
So being an 'affiliate' is simply a fancy Internet way of saying that you are going to be a commissioned salesperson.
 
 
 
Just like your car insurance agent collects a percentage of your premium (a commission) when you pay your bill, so you too will be paid a commission when you sell someone's product or service.
 
 
 
Now that you know what being an affiliate is, here are five quick things to look for BEFORE you associate yourself with someone's product or service.
 
 
 
1) Be yourself. If your site is all about embroidery, you probably won't get too many clicks for car parts sites. Stick with what you know at first and, once you learn how to promote on the Internet, move on to different products.
 
 
 
2) Check it out. Don't just jump in because it's easy. Ask yourself this question; Is the product or service you are affiliating with something you would bring to your best friend? If not, you may want to keep looking.
 
 
 
3) Talk to affiliates. Ask for a list of happy affiliates. Ask them some key questions such as did they get the help and support promised? Are they being paid on time? You get the idea.
 
 
 
4) Look long term. If your first arrangement doesn't pan out, don't give up. Many people on the net are making excellent incomes with affiliate programs. You can too.
 
 
 
5) Go for quality. Make a checklist of everything you want, find two who meet the criteria, and go all out with those two.
 
 
 
Regardless of the enticing book titles, you probably won't get rich in the next 3 days with affiliate programs. But you CAN begin today to find the right two to start with and, in time, be making buckets full of money. Now that's a great place to be.
 
 

Q. How Can I Promote a VERY popular site?
 
 
A. Promoting a heavily-promoted program can be challenging. But because of the huge momentum these sites create, and because people WANT to buy these sites, promoting them is highly recommended.
 
 
 
I have found over the years that there are four keys to promoting these programs successfully.
 
 
Watch what leaders do. The key here is to watch what people do, not what they say you should do. The person who recruited you has a responsibility to help you succeed. After all, he or she made or makes a profit from your involvement. Watch what leaders do and you will learn over time.
 
Be consistent. It seems that everyone in these programs who calls me on the phone wants results today. That's understandable because they paid a lot to get in and want to start earning. But Rome was not built in a day, and many of them get discouraged and give up when there is not an easy answer. Consistent effort will yield results.
 
Don't give up! Some effort every day is better than a burst of effort followed by no effort. Place three ads a day and soon your results will amaze you. The fact is, these programs CAN be promoted successfully. But it does take time, some money, some skills and perseverance.
 
Don't think you are too late. Many people in popular programs fear they may be too late to get good results. They often think that ezines might not work because others have run ads for the program they want to promote. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Repetition is the mother of learning, and people who promote before you do (whether that is in ezines, pay per click, article marketing or any other form of advertising) are actually paving the way for YOUR success. People don't buy the first time they see something and it is very possible that YOUR ad will be the one that causes them to take action. Especially if your ad is unique and persuasive. Remember, it's a big Internet and thousands of new people log on for the first time every day.
 
 
 
The fact is that people need to see the same (or similar) ad many times before making a move. I'll bet you have had this experience as well ... seeing an ad for a product three, five, even twelve times before taking action. The more ads that run the better for you, if you have the right mind set.
 
 
 
Don't use only the standard ad. While it is true that repetition can work for you in advertising, it's also true that using the same ad as everyone else can be a bad thing. People see the same headline and pre-judge the opportunity, thinking they have given it a fair hearing. Instead, try using proven ads with varying headlines.
 
 
 
The key is to test, test and test again to see what works for you.
 
 
 
 
 

And that's because there is so little competition.
 
 
 
When 500 distributors are invited to attend a three-hour company training workshop - why is it that only 50 will attend? Where are the other 450?
 
They feel that investing time in training and working their MLM business interferes with their daily cable television schedule. When their small bonus checks arrive at the end of the month, they say:
 
 
"The business doesn't work, the checks are too small."
 
Or -
 
"The check got smaller all by itself."
 
Well, they are partially right. The business doesn't work - they have to do the work. Ouch! That's really inconvenient.
 
And, "The check got smaller all by itself?" No, the bonus check only reflects the sales volume of one's downline organization.
 
There are three types of people in MLM:
 
1. Those who joined because they love the products.
2. Those who want to receive bonus checks, if it doesn't require work.
3. Those who want to earn a bonus check.
 
 
Type 3, those who want to earn a bonus check, represent only a small percentage of all networkers. Most networkers will give great lip service to the idea that they want to earn bonus checks, but their actions speak louder than words. They are easy to recognize by their actions. They . . .
 
can't go to opportunity meetings because "The Simpsons" have a special episode that evening;
 
won't go to opportunity meetings because they attended one once before and they already know the ending;
 
won't make phone appointments because the prospect might say no;
 
wish the company would make it easier for them by lowering prices or do their retailing for them;
 
won't make up a prospecting list because everyone they know just wouldn't be interested; and
 
wish beer was served at the training meetings.
 
The great part about networking is that 95% of all networkers fall into product users and people who wish for bonus checks.
 
That means there is little or no competition for dedicated leaders who want to earn their way in this great business. That's why it is so easy to work and earn large bonus checks in network marketing -- there's no competition at the top!
 
Distributors and prospects are naturally attracted to leaders who lead by example. Good network marketing leaders don't have to prospect for new distributors -- distributor prospects come to them.
 
You'll always hear the non-working network marketing distributors say: "How is it that my upline leader gets all the good prospects?"
 
Because prospects look for leaders - not non-workers.
 
Can you imagine a prospect saying:
 
"I think I'll find a sponsor who whines, complains, and doesn't work the business."
 
No way. Good prospects look for energetic, enthusiastic, dedicated, working sponsors.
 
So, if you want to work where you'll encounter little competition, start at the top. Be a leader.
 
 
 

ou’ve heard it before – if you want to succeed online you must have a list of your own.
 
Every guru says it. Ever wonder why?
 
Because it’s true!  http://charliepage.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
 
There is no doubt that the single most valuable asset I own online – more valuable even than owning the Directory of Ezines – are my mailing lists.
 
With them I can build, or rebuild, a business. Without them I’m back at square one.
 
How about you? Do you have a list yet?
 
If not, here are four simple ideas you can use today to start building a list of your own even if you don’t have any money to spend, a website of your own or any traffic!
 
These are all methods I have used, and I still use each of them today.
 
These tactics work for me and have for years. I hope they will work for you too.
 
Idea 1 – Your Email Signature Line 
Go to your “sent email” folder right now and look at the email you sent today. I’m willing to guess that your email does not include an offer for someone to join your mailing list.
 
But it should!
 
Think about this – If you send only 20 emails a day (including replies) then you are sending over seven thousand emails a year!
 
What if only 1 in 7 people saw your link and joined your list?
 
That’s over 1000 subscribers to your list … free!
 
Idea 2 – Forums 
Ever visit a forum and ask a question? Many have but they don’t leverage the experience in their favor. Just about every forum out there offers a signature line feature, yet we see thousands of posts with no signature.
 
Don’t make this mistake! If you post on the Warrior Forum or Michael Green’s How To Forum or any other, make sure to include a link where people can join your list.
 
Again, free and very effective. Put time on your side with this one!
 
Idea 3 – Twitter 
Ah, Twitter – friend or foe? Great marketing tool or time waster?
 
Great marketing tool!
 
Here’s how you can use Twitter today to begin building your list with no money. Start following people you know of and replying to their Tweets. Make sure your reply makes sense and won’t waste people’s time.
 
Fan Tweets – replying to a Tweet with something like “loved your book about ___” are 100% okay and often much appreciated.
 
Once you have been following for a while you will get followers too, and become a recognizable name in your circles. When that happens, send a short Tweet about your new mailing list and where people can join it.
 
Sure, it takes some time and there is software to “automate” this process. But no software in the world can automate the personal touch, and that’s what is needed to build lists.
 
Idea 4 – Your Blog 
If you don’t have a website you might be thinking “sounds good Charlie but where do I send them to sign up?” Fair question.
 
The answer is your blog. If you don’t have a blog there is simply no reason to wait any longer. Go to Blogger.com and get one now. It’s free, they have templates you can use that look professional.
 
If you can type, you can blog. And you should. Once you get a blog just put a form on it for your list and you are good to go!
 
So there you have it, four ways to begin building a real list of your own with no money and no traffic!
 
Your email signature line Forums Twitter Your own blog  
Begin using these methods today and you will put time on your side. Sooner than you think, you will have a mailing list of your own. And having a powerful mailing list is a beautiful thing indeed!

Q. How Can I Promote a VERY popular site?
 
 
A. Promoting a heavily-promoted program can be challenging. But because of the huge momentum these sites create, and because people WANT to buy these sites, promoting them is highly recommended.
 
 
 
I have found over the years that there are four keys to promoting these programs successfully.
 
 
Watch what leaders do. The key here is to watch what people do, not what they say you should do. The person who recruited you has a responsibility to help you succeed. After all, he or she made or makes a profit from your involvement. Watch what leaders do and you will learn over time.
 
Be consistent. It seems that everyone in these programs who calls me on the phone wants results today. That's understandable because they paid a lot to get in and want to start earning. But Rome was not built in a day, and many of them get discouraged and give up when there is not an easy answer. Consistent effort will yield results.
 
Don't give up! Some effort every day is better than a burst of effort followed by no effort. Place three ads a day and soon your results will amaze you. The fact is, these programs CAN be promoted successfully. But it does take time, some money, some skills and perseverance.
 
Don't think you are too late. Many people in popular programs fear they may be too late to get good results. They often think that ezines might not work because others have run ads for the program they want to promote. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Repetition is the mother of learning, and people who promote before you do (whether that is in ezines, pay per click, article marketing or any other form of advertising) are actually paving the way for YOUR success. People don't buy the first time they see something and it is very possible that YOUR ad will be the one that causes them to take action. Especially if your ad is unique and persuasive. Remember, it's a big Internet and thousands of new people log on for the first time every day.
 
 
 
The fact is that people need to see the same (or similar) ad many times before making a move. I'll bet you have had this experience as well ... seeing an ad for a product three, five, even twelve times before taking action. The more ads that run the better for you, if you have the right mind set.
 
 
 
Don't use only the standard ad. While it is true that repetition can work for you in advertising, it's also true that using the same ad as everyone else can be a bad thing. People see the same headline and pre-judge the opportunity, thinking they have given it a fair hearing. Instead, try using proven ads with varying headlines.
 
 
 
The key is to test, test and test again to see what works for you.
 
 
 
 
 

Q. I'm new to the online world and confused. I don't know if I should spend time and money creating a product, or become an affiliate first. What should I do first to make money online?
 
 
A. The best things to do are avoid information overload and learn the process of marketing.
 
 
The process of marketing can be summed up this way.
 
Find a hungry market of people who want to buy.
Choose a product that appeals to this market.
Choose marketing methods that will ensure you reach this market.
Test your marketing - repeat what works and learn from what does not.
 
 
 
If you apply that process to your online business consistently, success will soon follow.
 
 
 
The main mistake that people make online when choosing what to do first is to find a product they like and try to sell that product.
 
 
 
First of all, starting with the product means you have to find an audience for that product, which is harder than finding a product for a market.
 
 
 
Secondly, very few people online thrive by selling one product.
 
 
 
My advice is to begin as an affiliate. Doing this means you will be selling someone else's product for a commission for a while, but it relieves you of the burden of writing a great sales letter (or the expense of having it done) and is the most pure way to learn the process of marketing.
 
 
 
So, find a hungry market, find a great affiliate product, then learn the process of marketing by selling that product. Once you learn, create a product and apply what you learned to your own product and keep all the money!
 

Q. I'm new to the online world and confused. I don't know if I should spend time and money creating a product, or become an affiliate first. What should I do first to make money online?
 
 
A. The best things to do are avoid information overload and learn the process of marketing.
 
 
The process of marketing can be summed up this way.
 
Find a hungry market of people who want to buy.
Choose a product that appeals to this market.
Choose marketing methods that will ensure you reach this market.
Test your marketing - repeat what works and learn from what does not.
 
 
 
If you apply that process to your online business consistently, success will soon follow.
 
 
 
The main mistake that people make online when choosing what to do first is to find a product they like and try to sell that product.
 
 
 
First of all, starting with the product means you have to find an audience for that product, which is harder than finding a product for a market.
 
 
 
Secondly, very few people online thrive by selling one product.
 
 
 
My advice is to begin as an affiliate. Doing this means you will be selling someone else's product for a commission for a while, but it relieves you of the burden of writing a great sales letter (or the expense of having it done) and is the most pure way to learn the process of marketing.
 
 
 
So, find a hungry market, find a great affiliate product, then learn the process of marketing by selling that product. Once you learn, create a product and apply what you learned to your own product and keep all the money!
 

"My MLM program just isn't working out. They don't have this, and this, and this and the company doesn't do this, this, and this. Can you recommend a good MLM opportunity for me to join?"
 
I get a lot of phone calls and conversations like this.
 
I normally recommend that the callers get a government job where everything is perfect. They shouldn't be wasting their time with an imperfect MLM company.
 
There is no such thing as a perfect job or a perfect MLM company. Too many distributors think that if they join the right, perfect, momentum stage, ground floor, stable, 30-year-old, visionary company, then that company will make them rich and successful.
 
Dream on.
 
Companies don't make distributors rich.
 
Sponsors don't make distributors rich.
 
Only distributors can make themselves rich.
 
The reason many distributors are unsuccessful is because they constantly look for flaws and reasons why their opportunity won't work.
 
The reason many leaders are successful is because they constantly look for reasons why their opportunity will work.
 
So, if you call to complain that outside influences (like your company, sponsor, spouse, lawyer, dog, weather conditions, etc.) are holding you back from success, I'll listen. I need the stress for my aerobic conditioning.
 
But remember, after you blame everyone else, don't go out looking for yet another MLM opportunity. It doesn't matter which MLM opportunity you choose not to work. Success will only come where you decide to work.

And that's because there is so little competition.
 
 
 
When 500 distributors are invited to attend a three-hour company training workshop - why is it that only 50 will attend? Where are the other 450?
 
They feel that investing time in training and working their MLM business interferes with their daily cable television schedule. When their small bonus checks arrive at the end of the month, they say:
 
 
"The business doesn't work, the checks are too small."
 
Or -
 
"The check got smaller all by itself."
 
Well, they are partially right. The business doesn't work - they have to do the work. Ouch! That's really inconvenient.
 
And, "The check got smaller all by itself?" No, the bonus check only reflects the sales volume of one's downline organization.
 
There are three types of people in MLM:
 
1. Those who joined because they love the products.
2. Those who want to receive bonus checks, if it doesn't require work.
3. Those who want to earn a bonus check.
 
 
Type 3, those who want to earn a bonus check, represent only a small percentage of all networkers. Most networkers will give great lip service to the idea that they want to earn bonus checks, but their actions speak louder than words. They are easy to recognize by their actions. They . . .
 
can't go to opportunity meetings because "The Simpsons" have a special episode that evening;
 
won't go to opportunity meetings because they attended one once before and they already know the ending;
 
won't make phone appointments because the prospect might say no;
 
wish the company would make it easier for them by lowering prices or do their retailing for them;
 
won't make up a prospecting list because everyone they know just wouldn't be interested; and
 
wish beer was served at the training meetings.
 
The great part about networking is that 95% of all networkers fall into product users and people who wish for bonus checks.
 
That means there is little or no competition for dedicated leaders who want to earn their way in this great business. That's why it is so easy to work and earn large bonus checks in network marketing -- there's no competition at the top!
 
Distributors and prospects are naturally attracted to leaders who lead by example. Good network marketing leaders don't have to prospect for new distributors -- distributor prospects come to them.
 
You'll always hear the non-working network marketing distributors say: "How is it that my upline leader gets all the good prospects?"
 
Because prospects look for leaders - not non-workers.
 
Can you imagine a prospect saying:
 
"I think I'll find a sponsor who whines, complains, and doesn't work the business."
 
No way. Good prospects look for energetic, enthusiastic, dedicated, working sponsors.
 
So, if you want to work where you'll encounter little competition, start at the top. Be a leader.
 
 
 

Thank you. People not having the spirit of helping each other, don't succeed.

Q. I'm new to the online world and confused. I don't know if I should spend time and money creating a product, or become an affiliate first. What should I do first to make money online?
 
 
A. The best things to do are avoid information overload and learn the process of marketing.
 
 
The process of marketing can be summed up this way.
 
Find a hungry market of people who want to buy.
Choose a product that appeals to this market.
Choose marketing methods that will ensure you reach this market.
Test your marketing - repeat what works and learn from what does not.
 
 
 
If you apply that process to your online business consistently, success will soon follow.
 
 
 
The main mistake that people make online when choosing what to do first is to find a product they like and try to sell that product.
 
 
 
First of all, starting with the product means you have to find an audience for that product, which is harder than finding a product for a market.
 
 
 
Secondly, very few people online thrive by selling one product.
 
 
 
My advice is to begin as an affiliate. Doing this means you will be selling someone else's product for a commission for a while, but it relieves you of the burden of writing a great sales letter (or the expense of having it done) and is the most pure way to learn the process of marketing.
 
 
 
So, find a hungry market, find a great affiliate product, then learn the process of marketing by selling that product. Once you learn, create a product and apply what you learned to your own product and keep all the money!
 

ou’ve heard it before – if you want to succeed online you must have a list of your own.
 
Every guru says it. Ever wonder why?
 
Because it’s true!  http://charliepage.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
 
There is no doubt that the single most valuable asset I own online – more valuable even than owning the Directory of Ezines – are my mailing lists.
 
With them I can build, or rebuild, a business. Without them I’m back at square one.
 
How about you? Do you have a list yet?
 
If not, here are four simple ideas you can use today to start building a list of your own even if you don’t have any money to spend, a website of your own or any traffic!
 
These are all methods I have used, and I still use each of them today.
 
These tactics work for me and have for years. I hope they will work for you too.
 
Idea 1 – Your Email Signature Line 
Go to your “sent email” folder right now and look at the email you sent today. I’m willing to guess that your email does not include an offer for someone to join your mailing list.
 
But it should!
 
Think about this – If you send only 20 emails a day (including replies) then you are sending over seven thousand emails a year!
 
What if only 1 in 7 people saw your link and joined your list?
 
That’s over 1000 subscribers to your list … free!
 
Idea 2 – Forums 
Ever visit a forum and ask a question? Many have but they don’t leverage the experience in their favor. Just about every forum out there offers a signature line feature, yet we see thousands of posts with no signature.
 
Don’t make this mistake! If you post on the Warrior Forum or Michael Green’s How To Forum or any other, make sure to include a link where people can join your list.
 
Again, free and very effective. Put time on your side with this one!
 
Idea 3 – Twitter 
Ah, Twitter – friend or foe? Great marketing tool or time waster?
 
Great marketing tool!
 
Here’s how you can use Twitter today to begin building your list with no money. Start following people you know of and replying to their Tweets. Make sure your reply makes sense and won’t waste people’s time.
 
Fan Tweets – replying to a Tweet with something like “loved your book about ___” are 100% okay and often much appreciated.
 
Once you have been following for a while you will get followers too, and become a recognizable name in your circles. When that happens, send a short Tweet about your new mailing list and where people can join it.
 
Sure, it takes some time and there is software to “automate” this process. But no software in the world can automate the personal touch, and that’s what is needed to build lists.
 
Idea 4 – Your Blog 
If you don’t have a website you might be thinking “sounds good Charlie but where do I send them to sign up?” Fair question.
 
The answer is your blog. If you don’t have a blog there is simply no reason to wait any longer. Go to Blogger.com and get one now. It’s free, they have templates you can use that look professional.
 
If you can type, you can blog. And you should. Once you get a blog just put a form on it for your list and you are good to go!
 
So there you have it, four ways to begin building a real list of your own with no money and no traffic!
 
Your email signature line Forums Twitter Your own blog  
Begin using these methods today and you will put time on your side. Sooner than you think, you will have a mailing list of your own. And having a powerful mailing list is a beautiful thing indeed!

Q. I'm new to the online world and confused. I don't know if I should spend time and money creating a product, or become an affiliate first. What should I do first to make money online?
 
 
A. The best things to do are avoid information overload and learn the process of marketing.
 
 
The process of marketing can be summed up this way.
 
Find a hungry market of people who want to buy.
Choose a product that appeals to this market.
Choose marketing methods that will ensure you reach this market.
Test your marketing - repeat what works and learn from what does not.
 
 
 
If you apply that process to your online business consistently, success will soon follow.
 
 
 
The main mistake that people make online when choosing what to do first is to find a product they like and try to sell that product.
 
 
 
First of all, starting with the product means you have to find an audience for that product, which is harder than finding a product for a market.
 
 
 
Secondly, very few people online thrive by selling one product.
 
 
 
My advice is to begin as an affiliate. Doing this means you will be selling someone else's product for a commission for a while, but it relieves you of the burden of writing a great sales letter (or the expense of having it done) and is the most pure way to learn the process of marketing.
 
 
 
So, find a hungry market, find a great affiliate product, then learn the process of marketing by selling that product. Once you learn, create a product and apply what you learned to your own product and keep all the money!
 

Q. I'm new to the online world and confused. I don't know if I should spend time and money creating a product, or become an affiliate first. What should I do first to make money online?
 
 
A. The best things to do are avoid information overload and learn the process of marketing.
 
 
The process of marketing can be summed up this way.
 
Find a hungry market of people who want to buy.
Choose a product that appeals to this market.
Choose marketing methods that will ensure you reach this market.
Test your marketing - repeat what works and learn from what does not.
 
 
 
If you apply that process to your online business consistently, success will soon follow.
 
 
 
The main mistake that people make online when choosing what to do first is to find a product they like and try to sell that product.
 
 
 
First of all, starting with the product means you have to find an audience for that product, which is harder than finding a product for a market.
 
 
 
Secondly, very few people online thrive by selling one product.
 
 
 
My advice is to begin as an affiliate. Doing this means you will be selling someone else's product for a commission for a while, but it relieves you of the burden of writing a great sales letter (or the expense of having it done) and is the most pure way to learn the process of marketing.
 
 
 
So, find a hungry market, find a great affiliate product, then learn the process of marketing by selling that product. Once you learn, create a product and apply what you learned to your own product and keep all the money!
 

Q. I'm new to the online world and confused. I don't know if I should spend time and money creating a product, or become an affiliate first. What should I do first to make money online?
 
 
A. The best things to do are avoid information overload and learn the process of marketing.
 
 
The process of marketing can be summed up this way.
 
Find a hungry market of people who want to buy.
Choose a product that appeals to this market.
Choose marketing methods that will ensure you reach this market.
Test your marketing - repeat what works and learn from what does not.
 
 
 
If you apply that process to your online business consistently, success will soon follow.
 
 
 
The main mistake that people make online when choosing what to do first is to find a product they like and try to sell that product.
 
 
 
First of all, starting with the product means you have to find an audience for that product, which is harder than finding a product for a market.
 
 
 
Secondly, very few people online thrive by selling one product.
 
 
 
My advice is to begin as an affiliate. Doing this means you will be selling someone else's product for a commission for a while, but it relieves you of the burden of writing a great sales letter (or the expense of having it done) and is the most pure way to learn the process of marketing.
 
 
 
So, find a hungry market, find a great affiliate product, then learn the process of marketing by selling that product. Once you learn, create a product and apply what you learned to your own product and keep all the money!
 

Q. I'm new to the online world and confused. I don't know if I should spend time and money creating a product, or become an affiliate first. What should I do first to make money online?
 
 
A. The best things to do are avoid information overload and learn the process of marketing.
 
 
The process of marketing can be summed up this way.
 
Find a hungry market of people who want to buy.
Choose a product that appeals to this market.
Choose marketing methods that will ensure you reach this market.
Test your marketing - repeat what works and learn from what does not.
 
 
 
If you apply that process to your online business consistently, success will soon follow.
 
 
 
The main mistake that people make online when choosing what to do first is to find a product they like and try to sell that product.
 
 
 
First of all, starting with the product means you have to find an audience for that product, which is harder than finding a product for a market.
 
 
 
Secondly, very few people online thrive by selling one product.
 
 
 
My advice is to begin as an affiliate. Doing this means you will be selling someone else's product for a commission for a while, but it relieves you of the burden of writing a great sales letter (or the expense of having it done) and is the most pure way to learn the process of marketing.
 
 
 
So, find a hungry market, find a great affiliate product, then learn the process of marketing by selling that product. Once you learn, create a product and apply what you learned to your own product and keep all the money!
 

How to Use Cheap, Tacky, Homemade Signs to Earn Fast Profits in Your Network Marketing Business
 
Have you ever notice those cheap, tacky, home-made signs that advertise MLM programs and products?
 
You know the signs I'm talking about. The signs that are illegally posted on street corners, sign posts, telephone poles and curbs. These signs usually read like:
 
"Lose 30 lbs. in 30 days. Call xxx-xxxx."
 
"Work at home. Earn $300 - $500 per week."
 
"Management trainees wanted."
 
Do these signs really work? Or are they useless clutter on the horizon?
 
Art Jonak decided to test these signs to find out the real truth. Here is what he did.
 
First, he called the number on several of the signs and talked to the advertisers. Why? He wanted to find out who made the signs for them. After locating the source, Art negotiated the following deal with the local source for signs:
 
The local source would print up 100 signs for only $220. Very inexpensive. But Art didn't want to spend a day or two climbing telephone poles and posting his signs. So, for an extra $100 ($1 per sign), the local source arranged to have Art's signs posted in the specific zip codes Art chose.
 
For a total of $320, the local source would do everything: the printing and the posting of the signs in strategic locations. This was the major expense in Art's campaign.
 
The local source also informed Art that the signs were technically illegal, but no one ever complains. Everyone posts garage sale signs, house for sale signs, lost dog signs, etc. without sign permits. The signs would stay up an average of 6 to 8 days before they were removed or destroyed by weather.
 
Next, Art arranged for a local voice mail number to answer the sign inquiries. Art didn't have the time to take the phone calls personally, so the voice mail would pre-screen the callers, qualify them, and inform them. Obviously this method would reduce the total leads and sales, but Art felt this was necessary because of his personal time restraints.
 
Cost of the local voice mail number was $10 a month with a $10 set-up fee. The voice mail could handle 30 messages at a time and also provided the daily call count totals.
 
Finally, Art chose to advertise his service instead of advertising for distributors. He wanted to make some retail sales and then offer the opportunity to those customers who showed an exceptional interest in sharing the service.
 
The signs were posted on May 25, 1999. The responses were:
 
Column A is the number of prospects who called the voice mail message.
 
Column B is the number of prospects who left their contact information after listening to the message.
A B
May 25 17 7
May 26 13 4
May 27 12 3
May 28 9 2
May 29 8 2
May 30 1 0
May 31 0 0
June 1 4 1
June 2 6 2
June 3 10 3
June 4 3 1
June 5 1 0
June 6 2 0
June 7 3 1
June 8 2 0
June 9 2 1
June 10 4 2
June 11 1 0
June 12 1 1
June 13 0 0
June 14 5 3
June 15 1 0
June 16 2 1
June 17 2 0
June 18 1 1
June 19 3 1
June 20 1 0
June 21 1 0
June 22 3 1
 
Totals 118 37
 
Analysis:
 
Of the 37 callers that left a message:
* 12 did not leave a phone number even though he asked for it
* 3 left only their phone number
* 22 left both their address and a phone number.
 
The callers heard a two-minute message that explained the service, detailed the price, offered a free premium and asked a few qualifying questions. Art only wanted to hear from very qualified prospects, so that he wouldn't waste his time with follow-up phone calls or personal visits.
 
By insisting on this strict qualification criteria, Art missed opportunities for a few extra sales and possible distributorships. You could increase your results by answering the telephone and personally selling each caller.
 
Art gets even more selective.
 
Art didn't follow up the leads by telephone. Instead, he simply mailed each lead an information package with sign-up forms for his service. Each information package included an audio cassette tape, a brochure, and a one-page sales letter. Art felt this would be a good test to see how effective his mailing package would be.
 
Of the 34 response packages mailed, only one package was returned due to a bad address.
 
Art did not follow up the packages with a phone call. He simply waited for the packages to do the selling. He only visited on the telephone with the prospects who called him after receiving their packages.
 
By simply taking these calls, Art signed up four new paying customers for his service. These customers referred another three customers to Art. They wanted their friends to have the service as well. Total new customers from the campaign: 7.
 
What about distributors? Art enrolled two new distributors from the packages he mailed.
 
Here is a breakdown of Art's expenses:
* $330 for the signs and to have them posted.
* $10 for voice-mail box set-up.
* $20 for two months of voice-mail usage
* $68 to mail 34 response packets ($2/each including postage).
 
Total invested in this campaign: $428 and 3 hours of his time.
* 1 hour meeting the sign maker
* 1 hour putting together response packages
* 1 hour doing paperwork for 7 customers and 2 new distributors.
 
Art's figured that his cost per lead was $12.59 ($428 divided by 34 leads). The cost per lead would be lower if he had converted more callers into leads by personally answering the telephone.
 
But what about profit? How much did Art earn from this campaign?
 
First, Art earned $1197 in advanced commissions from sales to his 7 new customers. Because Art is at the top in his pay plan, his earnings would naturally be more than a new distributor just starting.
 
In addition, Art made $342 in bonuses from sales made to his two new distributors.
 
Art's initial profit was $1539.00, minus his expenses of $428, which left him with a $1,111 net profit.
 
But it gets better.
 
Art will continue to collect on his customers as they continue to use and purchase the service he offers, for the lifetime of that customer.
 
In addition, Art will follow-up with these customers and let them know about the business opportunity. He might convert a few customers into distributors over the next few months.
 
Plus, Art now has two new distributors who will be working the business with him with the potential of becoming leaders. If these distributors remain active, Art could earn an additional $1,000 income per year for the lifetime of each distributor.
 
It gets better.
 
One of Art's new distributors is Jim. Jim has two businesses.
 
First, Jim provides a financial service to people. He sells this service and makes a good living.
 
Second, Jim also has a sign service. Jim has figured out that it's a lot cheaper to make his own signs rather than pay someone else to do it like Art did. Jim makes his own signs right from his garage. Jim also doesn't mind putting up the signs himself. He actually prefers it because he knows exactly where they will be.
 
Jim is going to be good in Art's business. Why?
 
First, every one of Jim's present customers needs Art's service. There is a potential of up to 20 retail sales monthly by doing what he's already doing.
 
Second, since Jim already makes his own signs and drives around to put them up, he figures that it doesn't take him any more effort to put up an extra sign on each post. So, now every week he puts up 100 signs promoting his MLM business along with 100 signs promoting his original business.
 
But Art's business can get even better. Why?
 
Art knows that salesman and distributors hate to prospect -- but they don't mind doing presentations to qualified leads.
 
What does Art have?
 
Lots of uncontacted, highly qualified leads!
 
Art had 18 names left with a phone number and 12 with addresses only. A total of 30 leads that he could either offer as an incentive for someone to join his MLM business or to use as a prize to the winners of a sponsoring contest he has for his local downline.
 
Or, he could use the leads to generate more distributor prospects with an ad something like this:
"Leads, leads, leads! Salesman needed. Call xxx-xxx-xxxx for more info."
 
But before Art would run this ad, he needed to know how qualified the remaining leads were. After all, if the remaining leads were of low quality, he didn't want to run a misleading ad for more distributors.
 
So, Art called the 18 leads with phone numbers to see what level of interest there was. He gave each person a "courtesy call" that went something like this:
 
"Hello, Mr. Prospect. I just wanted to give you a short courtesy call regarding the information that we sent to you."
* Did you get the packet of information?
* Did you have a chance to review it yet?
* Would you like to meet so we can go over the service in detail?
* Do you know anyone else who would be interested in this service that I could contact and put the information in front of?
 
Here are the results:
* 3 leads said they didn't get the packet and wanted another one sent.
* 6 leads had not reviewed the information yet and said they would by the time Art called them back in two days.
* 3 leads wanted to meet to go over the information.
* 6 leads were not interested.
 
Plus, three of the leads gave Art an additional seven new leads during their telephone conversation.
 
One lead even wanted Art to send him a few more overview audio cassettes because he wanted to give them to his co-workers. Do you think it will be hard to convert this prospect into a distributor once he finds out that he can pick up a check for simply recommending and promoting the service (which he's already doing!)?
 
Now, some people in network marketing say, "Advertising doesn't work."
 
But these people don't know Art Jonak.

And that's because there is so little competition.
 
 
 
When 500 distributors are invited to attend a three-hour company training workshop - why is it that only 50 will attend? Where are the other 450?
 
They feel that investing time in training and working their MLM business interferes with their daily cable television schedule. When their small bonus checks arrive at the end of the month, they say:
 
 
"The business doesn't work, the checks are too small."
 
Or -
 
"The check got smaller all by itself."
 
Well, they are partially right. The business doesn't work - they have to do the work. Ouch! That's really inconvenient.
 
And, "The check got smaller all by itself?" No, the bonus check only reflects the sales volume of one's downline organization.
 
There are three types of people in MLM:
 
1. Those who joined because they love the products.
2. Those who want to receive bonus checks, if it doesn't require work.
3. Those who want to earn a bonus check.
 
 
Type 3, those who want to earn a bonus check, represent only a small percentage of all networkers. Most networkers will give great lip service to the idea that they want to earn bonus checks, but their actions speak louder than words. They are easy to recognize by their actions. They . . .
 
can't go to opportunity meetings because "The Simpsons" have a special episode that evening;
 
won't go to opportunity meetings because they attended one once before and they already know the ending;
 
won't make phone appointments because the prospect might say no;
 
wish the company would make it easier for them by lowering prices or do their retailing for them;
 
won't make up a prospecting list because everyone they know just wouldn't be interested; and
 
wish beer was served at the training meetings.
 
The great part about networking is that 95% of all networkers fall into product users and people who wish for bonus checks.
 
That means there is little or no competition for dedicated leaders who want to earn their way in this great business. That's why it is so easy to work and earn large bonus checks in network marketing -- there's no competition at the top!
 
Distributors and prospects are naturally attracted to leaders who lead by example. Good network marketing leaders don't have to prospect for new distributors -- distributor prospects come to them.
 
You'll always hear the non-working network marketing distributors say: "How is it that my upline leader gets all the good prospects?"
 
Because prospects look for leaders - not non-workers.
 
Can you imagine a prospect saying:
 
"I think I'll find a sponsor who whines, complains, and doesn't work the business."
 
No way. Good prospects look for energetic, enthusiastic, dedicated, working sponsors.
 
So, if you want to work where you'll encounter little competition, start at the top. Be a leader.
 
 
 

"My MLM program just isn't working out. They don't have this, and this, and this and the company doesn't do this, this, and this. Can you recommend a good MLM opportunity for me to join?"
 
I get a lot of phone calls and conversations like this.
 
I normally recommend that the callers get a government job where everything is perfect. They shouldn't be wasting their time with an imperfect MLM company.
 
There is no such thing as a perfect job or a perfect MLM company. Too many distributors think that if they join the right, perfect, momentum stage, ground floor, stable, 30-year-old, visionary company, then that company will make them rich and successful.
 
Dream on.
 
Companies don't make distributors rich.
 
Sponsors don't make distributors rich.
 
Only distributors can make themselves rich.
 
The reason many distributors are unsuccessful is because they constantly look for flaws and reasons why their opportunity won't work.
 
The reason many leaders are successful is because they constantly look for reasons why their opportunity will work.
 
So, if you call to complain that outside influences (like your company, sponsor, spouse, lawyer, dog, weather conditions, etc.) are holding you back from success, I'll listen. I need the stress for my aerobic conditioning.
 
But remember, after you blame everyone else, don't go out looking for yet another MLM opportunity. It doesn't matter which MLM opportunity you choose not to work. Success will only come where you decide to work.

The bottom line in selling is simple. People buy what they want. Always have. Always will. The key for business people like you and me is to quickly tell our prospective customers why they should want what we have. In other words .... benefits! Understanding the difference between a feature and a benefit is vital, and easy. A feature is what your product does. A benefit is what is does for me! Now let's look at how to tell your prospects about the benefits they will get from your product. It is vital for all business people to understand that buying decisions are made based on emotion and then supported with logic. For our site to sell well, we need to very quickly present our visitors with the reasons why they should buy from us. These reasons are the benefits our customers will enjoy by owning our product or service. While most of us can quickly tell any prospective customer what our product does we often forget to take the extra step of telling them how our product will make their lives better. Remember that most Internet shoppers want to either save money or make money. Those are the top two motivations of people who buy online. In that light, be sure your site tells your visitor exactly how you will help them do these two things. Does your product save time? Time is money. Here are four simple steps to help you translate your product or service's features (what it does) into benefits (what it does for me). After you make your list, be sure to review your selling literature, be it a web page, email or brochure, and make sure that you are selling benefits. After all, everybody wants to know what's in it for them. List the key features of your product ... the things that make it worth having. Describe what each one does; how it works. Determine how that feature gives the customer an advantage. Write it down next to the feature. Think through how that advantage makes or saves them time or money. Be able to state every feature in terms of money. Write it down next to the advantage. Write out benefit statements for each feature. Memorize your list. Write it down and carry it for quick reference. You have now created a feature, advantage, and benefit list. By committing these statements to memory and using them often, you will now be speaking the prospect's language, the language of saving or making money. That's the sound they love to hear.

And that's because there is so little competition.
 
 
 
When 500 distributors are invited to attend a three-hour company training workshop - why is it that only 50 will attend? Where are the other 450?
 
They feel that investing time in training and working their MLM business interferes with their daily cable television schedule. When their small bonus checks arrive at the end of the month, they say:
 
 
"The business doesn't work, the checks are too small."
 
Or -
 
"The check got smaller all by itself."
 
Well, they are partially right. The business doesn't work - they have to do the work. Ouch! That's really inconvenient.
 
And, "The check got smaller all by itself?" No, the bonus check only reflects the sales volume of one's downline organization.
 
There are three types of people in MLM:
 
1. Those who joined because they love the products.
2. Those who want to receive bonus checks, if it doesn't require work.
3. Those who want to earn a bonus check.
 
 
Type 3, those who want to earn a bonus check, represent only a small percentage of all networkers. Most networkers will give great lip service to the idea that they want to earn bonus checks, but their actions speak louder than words. They are easy to recognize by their actions. They . . .
 
can't go to opportunity meetings because "The Simpsons" have a special episode that evening;
 
won't go to opportunity meetings because they attended one once before and they already know the ending;
 
won't make phone appointments because the prospect might say no;
 
wish the company would make it easier for them by lowering prices or do their retailing for them;
 
won't make up a prospecting list because everyone they know just wouldn't be interested; and
 
wish beer was served at the training meetings.
 
The great part about networking is that 95% of all networkers fall into product users and people who wish for bonus checks.
 
That means there is little or no competition for dedicated leaders who want to earn their way in this great business. That's why it is so easy to work and earn large bonus checks in network marketing -- there's no competition at the top!
 
Distributors and prospects are naturally attracted to leaders who lead by example. Good network marketing leaders don't have to prospect for new distributors -- distributor prospects come to them.
 
You'll always hear the non-working network marketing distributors say: "How is it that my upline leader gets all the good prospects?"
 
Because prospects look for leaders - not non-workers.
 
Can you imagine a prospect saying:
 
"I think I'll find a sponsor who whines, complains, and doesn't work the business."
 
No way. Good prospects look for energetic, enthusiastic, dedicated, working sponsors.
 
So, if you want to work where you'll encounter little competition, start at the top. Be a leader.
 
 
 

Q. I'm new to the online world and confused. I don't know if I should spend time and money creating a product, or become an affiliate first. What should I do first to make money online?
 
 
A. The best things to do are avoid information overload and learn the process of marketing.
 
 
The process of marketing can be summed up this way.
 
Find a hungry market of people who want to buy.
Choose a product that appeals to this market.
Choose marketing methods that will ensure you reach this market.
Test your marketing - repeat what works and learn from what does not.
 
 
 
If you apply that process to your online business consistently, success will soon follow.
 
 
 
The main mistake that people make online when choosing what to do first is to find a product they like and try to sell that product.
 
 
 
First of all, starting with the product means you have to find an audience for that product, which is harder than finding a product for a market.
 
 
 
Secondly, very few people online thrive by selling one product.
 
 
 
My advice is to begin as an affiliate. Doing this means you will be selling someone else's product for a commission for a while, but it relieves you of the burden of writing a great sales letter (or the expense of having it done) and is the most pure way to learn the process of marketing.
 
 
 
So, find a hungry market, find a great affiliate product, then learn the process of marketing by selling that product. Once you learn, create a product and apply what you learned to your own product and keep all the money!
 

“I’m working hard, but things just aren’t building. I feel my efforts are scattered and not focused. What should I do first?” That’s a question we’ve all had in our careers. Usually there is one “bottleneck” in our system, one thing that is not working and it keeps our results from happening. Ask yourself, where in your system is your “bottleneck”?
 
Is it:
Finding someone to talk to? Knowing what to say to break the ice? Getting an appointment for a presentation? Giving a presentation? Following up to get them started right? Motivating your new person? Training your new person? Teaching leadership skills? Everyone is different. We all have our personal “bottlenecks” holding us back or slowing us down. Professional networkers quickly identity the “bottleneck” and then learn the skills to fix it. So before you go surfing around to the next page on the Internet, ask yourself: What is the one thing holding back all of my progress?

“I’m working hard, but things just aren’t building. I feel my efforts are scattered and not focused. What should I do first?” That’s a question we’ve all had in our careers. Usually there is one “bottleneck” in our system, one thing that is not working and it keeps our results from happening. Ask yourself, where in your system is your “bottleneck”?
 
Is it:
Finding someone to talk to? Knowing what to say to break the ice? Getting an appointment for a presentation? Giving a presentation? Following up to get them started right? Motivating your new person? Training your new person? Teaching leadership skills? Everyone is different. We all have our personal “bottlenecks” holding us back or slowing us down. Professional networkers quickly identity the “bottleneck” and then learn the skills to fix it. So before you go surfing around to the next page on the Internet, ask yourself: What is the one thing holding back all of my progress?

“I’m working hard, but things just aren’t building. I feel my efforts are scattered and not focused. What should I do first?” That’s a question we’ve all had in our careers. Usually there is one “bottleneck” in our system, one thing that is not working and it keeps our results from happening. Ask yourself, where in your system is your “bottleneck”?
 
Is it:
Finding someone to talk to? Knowing what to say to break the ice? Getting an appointment for a presentation? Giving a presentation? Following up to get them started right? Motivating your new person? Training your new person? Teaching leadership skills? Everyone is different. We all have our personal “bottlenecks” holding us back or slowing us down. Professional networkers quickly identity the “bottleneck” and then learn the skills to fix it. So before you go surfing around to the next page on the Internet, ask yourself: What is the one thing holding back all of my progress?