Whether you are in the business of selling CDs, eBooks, or jewelry…without sales you’re not going to make any money. To generate sales, you need people that are going to be informed (through various mediums) about your products/services. The easiest way of informing people about you offers is by maintaining a list of customers, prospects, clients, and friends.

Most people don’t even realize that building a list is one of the first tools to utilize. There’s a general consensus that it’s hard to build a list, but that’s simply up to the individual. Millions of people browse the internet for information, products, and services. Wouldn’t you like to have 500 people on your list that recieve notification of your offers? What about 1000, 2,500, or 10,000 people who listen to and respect you?

I know 10,000 is somewhat of a stretch – though it’s entirely possible.

Start with a list of people that you know. First off, it’s good practice but more importantly it’s easier for them to listen since they already know you…and vice versa. The easiest way of doing this is by sending each person a personal email. Yes this may be time consuming but a good start. What do you provide to them? That depends on your market. It could be about news, articles, your own tips, guidance, or something related. Whatever you do, make sure you’re providing something with value (in some way) and NOT always trying to sell them on something. This is also important when you’re communicating with people you don’t really know.

People on your list need to trust you. You have to create your own character that they will want to listen to and see value in so they that don’t unsubscribe.

Oh, and lastly, you want to build an opt-in list. This means a list of people who manually accept joining your mailing list. Even if you add them to the list yourself and then they have to “accept”, you want them to approve joining. Much more valuable this way and you reduce complaints about SPAM.

The internet continues to grow both in size and the content base. Millions of websites serve the hundreds of millions of web-browsing, information-hungry people across the globe.  You may be like many people who would love to have their own functional website except don’t have thousands or even five-hundred dollars to spend on a small site. You also may be among the majority who don’t know how to read basic code, are not software saavy, have no graphic design experience, and don’t know anyone that can help you…

Creating a website doesn’t have to be torture (mentally, physically, and monetarily). However, you DO want to make sure your website is effective. It’s in your best interest to have a website that works for you not against you. Some basic elements and characteristics can make a drastic performance benefit such as SEO, design/layout, content, and even your domain.

I’ll tell you right now that having a profitable website is MUCH easier than you probably realize. How easy? You don’t even need more than 3 pages – I’ve tested the concept and can prove it works…and very well.

We tend to think that duplication is the key to building solid wealth by piggy-backing on the tail of our sponsor (who may not even be successful). Duplication is great if you can actually duplicate what has been done. But, in many cases, there are missing elements that keep you from 100% duplication and cause you to fail.

So how do you go about it? I’m not going to say here nor right now. But…in the near future I’ll be releasing this information and teaching you what do to. And I’ll even.. [Removed (Sorry, I've decided not to reveal yet)] ..you setup.

Remember to stay positive and work to achieve your dreams.

We need to take a step back as there is a BIG misunderstanding about business. It seems that internet marketing and network marketing have turned into playgrounds; mostly children running around while the adults look over them with some slight supervision.

Do you know what the purpose of a business really is? Go ahead, take a guess…

• It’s NOT about making money.
• It’s NOT about fame.
• It’s NOT about making friends (but somewhat similar).
• It’s NOT about offering something better than someone else.

…ready?

The purpose of a business is simply to generate/create AND KEEP a customer. Believe it or not – It’s a Fact.

Majority of people in this industry probably think the answer is “to make a profit” but that’s simply not “the law of purpose”. The individuals who starts or invests in the business may have done so specifically for profit but a business is actually an enterprise with a separate purpose. A great exercise to determine what purpose the business existence serves is by pretending that the business owners were required to present a reason why the business should be allowed to carry on every six months, in front of a clergy or council. Do you think “In order to make money” would be the purpose? And if it was, do you think the business would be allowed to carry on? …I hope you’re thinking correctly. By doing this you can understand why there would have to be good reason for the business to get permission to continue it’s existence…and “to make money” certainly wouldn’t justify.

So…what are profits? Profits determine the level of success the company/business has in accomplishing the purpose.

In order to determine the main purpose (customer creation and retention) of a business is to take a step back and pay attention to the time and attention spent by the company’s most important people which should be focused on customer creation and keeping customers. The result of of how well the entire group/organization pitches in and contributes to fulfilling that purpose will determine the level of sales and profit in which the business achieves.

“Matt…what the heck does this have to do with my internet marketing business? I don’t own the company…” Right, and that’s exactly why this is important. Since you are NOT the owner or “leader” of the business, you have to treat it like it IS yours. Sticking to the mentality that it’s all about making a profit will make it very hard for yourself.

Look at it this way, would you rather have 100 paying customers who return each month, or have 50 returning customers and then need to find 50 new customers just to do as well as the previous month? Instead of focusing on the profits, build your customer base and keep them happy. You have to deliver to your customers or downline what they expect from you; leadership and support being very important.

Build a solid foundation of happy customers. Keep those customers interested and always deliver. Many successful marketers have repeat customers – without them, their success would be very short.

More often than I care to remember I’ve struggled in business, marketing, networking, and the like. For the most part, it hasn’t been due to the lack of knowledge or my abilities but rather in respect with staying focused in my business.

With the internet being the information super highway it’s easy to get distracted. I’m not referring to watching entertaining videos, looking at photos, or searching for a pet…I’m talking about activities that take away your productivity. If you decide to join a business it’s very important to remain focused on making it a success. There are so many opportunities that might sound better than yours or something you can’t pass up…but is it going to help your current business or will it take away from what you are doing?

I’ve had my time trying this and that but in the short run all it did was increase my credit card bills. I can say from first hand experience it’s very easy to get frustrated quickly with your business, move on to something else only to have the same thing happen. Devoting several months to your business is important as well. In most cases you will not become rich overnight, so spending an adequate amount of time trying to build a business will allow you to determine whether it will work for you or not.

As well, productivity is just as important. Don’t spend your time doing unproductive things – what good does that do? If you want to be successful or more successful than you are now, stay focused and do what is productive to your business.

The long term goal is what you’re trying to reach. Determine what you’re comfortable doing, or even something you’re willing to learn. Many successful people have made their fame from an idea – do you have any?