Category Archives: Blog

Blog

Question: why doesn’t promoting affiliate links work?

Question: If you’re a consultant first salesman last, why doesn’t promoting affiliate links work?

Answer: Affiliate sales DO work under the right circumstances.

I was a professional IT/Finance/Business consultant for 25 years. I retired after 32 years with a Fortune 50 company, and my post-career jobs took me into some interesting businesses. I owned a consulting firm since 1997. I am now retired, but still have customers calling, and I like helping people who are committed to make this work for themselves. Too many people treat this like a hobby rather than a business

The reason I am a terrible salesman is that I would rather pass up on a sale and recommend the best "fit", even if it means losing a commission. I also USE what I sell, and sometimes I sell what I use.

Let me ask a few questions (this is not a test, but rather probative questions to see if we can find some "low-hanging fruit" to get what YOU are doing on the right track)

  • Where are you promoting? Safelists? Traffic Exchanges? Classified Ads? Solo Ads? SuperNetwork Ads? Social Media?
  • What promotion media are you using? Solo Ads or credit emails? Banners, buttons? Login Ads, Start Pages?
  • How many emails per day do you send (how many people receive them)?
  • Are you tracking your ads? How many Clicks per day? How many new leads per day?
  • Are you promoting the "corporate" replicated websites or landing pages?
  • Do you have the capability to maintain regular contact with your prospects? Are you doing it? How?
  • Do you use an autoresponder?

Oh – I also give away more than I sell. For instance…

Bottom Line

  • If you are promoting PRODUCTS on safelists and traffic exchanges, you are guaranteed failure.
    BUILD YOUR LIST on safelists and traffic exchanges.
  • If you are promoting corporate or affiliate pages (like 10,000 others), you are doomed to fail. Promote Landing Pages (also called squeeze pages, or lead capture pages) – this differentiates you from the crowd, helps establish your "brand" and allows you to "pre-sell" before seeing the replicated pages
  • Once you have people on your LIST, you do "customer cultivation". Build a BRAND for yourself, Build a RELATIONSHIP with your prospects
  • Tell Don’t Sell. Tell them about features, benefits, how YOU use these products and services.
  • Answer the questions from your prospect’s perspective – "WIIFM" – What’s In It For Me?
  • It takes 7 to 11 exposures to move someone through the sales funnel (assuming they are in the target market and possess a "buyer’s" mindset)
    Lead –> Prospect –> Customer
  • Communications should be 3-4 information to 1 solicitation
  • Subtle solicitations work – the power of PS, and links BELOW your signature line, however, NEVER put links in credit or solo ad emails.
  • It’s a NUMBERS GAME – the more emails you send, the more "opens".
    On safelists, you are doing well with 3%-4% open rate
    expect 1%-2% Click-Through-Rate (CTR)
    4% of them may sign up as a prospect
    1% of them may make a purchase

Other tips

I hope this answers your questions

Rich
—
Rich Moyer
1-484-902-8819 m-f 8am-5pm EST
Email: richard.moyer.1953@gmail .com
I am a CONSULTANT FIRST and SALESMAN LAST.
Paying It Forward…

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Blog, CU Blog, Freedom Mails, GiantProfitAds Blog, MadCowAds Blog, OSS Blog

Do You Have A Time-Sensitive Campaign?

One of the most annoying, and frustrating things in network marketing are artificial deadlines, and massive “releases”. I get it. I understand. It’s a “gravity” issue – there is no changing it.

What I can do to help.

As a network marketer myself, if for no other reason, these “events” do generate LOTS of traffic, and require a certain amount of attention to timing issues.

As a network marketer, there is nothing more annoying than putting forth the effort to have ads lined up, ready to go, and you push the button the second you are allowed to release your promos, only to realize that the administrators of your advertising venues only approve ads every 24 to 48 hours, so all the work you did up front is for naught.

As a system administrator, I get it. I WANT to help you get your promotions released and distributed ON TIME.

PLEASE submit a support ticket so we can discuss it!

  • I will help YOU understand the lead times, and distribution timeframes (many of which I have no control over).
  • I can recommend the best places to promote, and will help you research and acquire resources.
  • I can facilitate bulk purchases and
  • I can help you develop a PLAN (you know, like PROFESSIONAL marketers do – I did planning, project management and consulting for a living).
  • I will help you set up your timeline, and
  • I will ensure that your ads are submitted and approved on time (at least for the resources I control).

THIS is how the PROS DO IT!

This is how the PROS MAKE MONEY! I’m here to be a PARTNER IN YOUR SUCCESS!

Rich Moyer

Blog, CU Blog, Freedom Mails, GiantProfitAds Blog, MadCowAds Blog, OSS Blog

What is the difference between a text link and a website url?

Question from member:

What is the difference between a text link and a website url?

Answer:

Let’s explain about several types of ads:

Text Ads and Surf Sites.

When you read an email, when you click a credit link in the body of the email you receive, in the header of webpage that displays is generally a banner, but there could also be a “text ad”. All the viewer sees is the information you put in the “text link” field when defining a text ad. In those headers, both banners and text ads are clickable, and you earn credits for clicking them.

A text ad could also appear in the member area on the safelist.

So, there are two parts to a text ad:
The “text link” field is the human-readable message that the viewer sees.

The “website URL” is the address of webpage that displays when the viewer clicks that link. The web address must start with http://. This may also be called the “target URL” on some systems.

A TEXT AD (found in Advertising | Text Advertising) is different than your sites (found in Advertising | Add Your Sites).

On the “Add Your Sites” page, the name is just for your reference – the viewer never sees it. These are the websites that are displayed when “surfing”. To see sites that other members have posted in Add Your Sites, (you cannot see your own), go to Earn | Surf Websites.

I hope this answered your question.

Shortly, there will be a “manual” posted, a blog, training videos. This is a relatively new site, and all of the improvements I have made on some of my “needier” sites are still a work in progress here.

I just got your second ticket, but I think this answers that question also.

Rich Moyer

b2b-pages, Blog, CU Blog, Freedom Mails, GrabThoseLeads, TAE Software and Tools, WCS Additional Resources, YLFC Blog

The Paypal Wars

I wanted to let all of my subscribers know that, while Paypal has not given me notice, I expect it is inevitable that Paypal will drop my account.  I had taken preemptive moves to ensure business continuity.

 
All of my businesses are either converted to alternative payment processors or are in progress.  I intend to use the following methods to accept payments and pay commissions:

  • Payza – for purchases and commissions
  • Solid Trust Pay (STP) for commissions only
  • BitCoin/CoinBase – for payments and commissions
  • my own merchant account to accept credit and debit cards – payments only


Payza

 
While I am still feeling the sting of the losses I experienced at Payza’s last temper tantrum, Payza is in place for most of my sites right now.  Most on-site purchases can be made using Payza payment buttons now.

 

Payza charges exhorbitant fees compared to Paypal, and they do not play nice with credit card companies and US banks. The only way I can transfer money in or out of Payza is using Bitcoin/Coinbase – all the credit card and bank transactions to load my ewallet fail, and Payza is just deflecting by fingerpointing. 

Be sure you join Payza, add your credit card or bank account, then get the necessary verifications as soon as possible.  You will have to transfer money into your eWallet or use authorized credit cards.

Solid Trust Pay 

STP also charges fees for everything.  Like Payza, you must transfer money using an eWallet.  There are no payment buttons available so STP will be used as a last resort to do person-to-person transfers only.

Bitcoin/CoinBase

Coinbase is the eWallet that front-ends BitCoin.  Verifications are required to transfer money in or out of the CoinBase eWallets.  Once it is set up, it works very nicely.  I am developing an On-site solution using CoinBase Payment Buttons for Commissions Unleashed.  It will implemented first on CU as a proof of concept, then expanding to the rest of my sites.  Site owners are interested in my implementation, and would expect this same solution to appear on many of your favorite sites. 

So, that is the current status.  I will keep you informed of progress. 

Rich Moyer
Giant Profit Ads
Mad Cow Ads
WebcastSource
Commissions Unleashed
Your Lucky Fast Cash
Freedom Mails
OneStopSolos
GrabThoseLeads 
 
Blog

Don’t Have Anything to Promote?

You are just getting started, learning about network marketing, you don’t have tons of money, and you don’t have anything to promote.  At least you don’t realize that you don’t have anything to promote, but there is more to promote than you realize.
One of the best values I have found is to provide your prospects with a good place to advertise that is within their budget, and provides quality traffic. 
Sure, you can market Clickbank products, or another affiliate offer, but even with these, you will never get a sale without traffic.
Safelists are a great place to advertise.  Most have a startup Ad Package, usually through a Promo Code, that allows even free members to get started, then graduate to upgraded membership positions, and consider paid advertising through SuperNetworks. 
You just defined your Product to Promote: TRAFFIC
You just defined your TARGET AUDIENCE.  Network Marketers who need traffic to promote THEIR programs.
You also just defined the business you are in…
  • If you say selling memberships to safelists, or selling traffic, you are WRONG. In fact, you are NOT SELLING ANYTHING!
  • If you are doing network marketing, the ONLY thing you are doing on safelists and traffic exchanges is BUILDING YOUR LIST!
Once you have prospects ON YOUR LIST, then, and only then, can you SELL to them,  but it is not that easy.  You first have to gain their trust, let them get to know you, and give them something THEY care about.  In this case, it is most likely information about your product or service which happens to be TRAFFIC (looking beyond just a safelist membership).  You always have to consider the WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) from that prospect’s perspective.  It takes between 7 and 11 EXPOSURES to a product, service, or concept for a prospect to “GET IT”.   This is where a carefully crafted AUTORESPONDER CAMPAIGN comes into play.
There are still some things missing though: let’s get the complete picture of your sales funnel.
Here’s is how that would go.
  1. You need AD COPY to attract prospects to click on a link that takes them to a LANDING PAGE
  2. You need a LANDING PAGE to capture their name, email address, and other information (like phone number, address, etc. depending on the product or service.
  3. You need an AUTORESPONDER system that automatically takes care of sending messages to prospects on your list.
  4. You need to define AUTORESPONDER MESSAGES (in the form of email newsletters) that provide the necessary information and exposure
  5. You need an affiliate ID that redirects those prospects to the sales page or sign-up page.
  6. You need a follow-up strategy that may include a personalized follow-up email or phone call welcoming them to your newsletter
Let’s Put It All Together, starting with the PRODUCT
I own three safelists, and have fantastic bonus packages just to join, and also to upgrade.  You need to be a member to promote as an affiliate, and these sites offer three different membership levels:  Free, JV, and SuperJV (SJV).  To get the most benefit from your product, you can start out at the FREE level, but you will want to upgrade to optimize the benefits YOU get from bringing referrals onboard.
Lifetime memberships at Giant Profit Ads and Mad Cow Ads are only $67 for JV, or $97 for SJV each site.  I recommend going for the highest membership level you can afford because the upgrade bonus packages are tremendous, and paid members get a nice monthly allocation of ads and points.  Upgraded members also get higher point values for viewing ads, and huge benefits for bringing in referrals.
Giant Profit Ads and Mad Cow Ads have SuperNetwork ads that can be purchased through the  Advertise Here page that are the lowest allowable prices on the internet.  SuperNetwork Ads extend your reach to dozens of other partner safelist sites that have tens of thousands of members.  This is the best value to reach thousands of opt-in members.
WebcastSource.net is a little different than the other two sites, in that it is a hybrid safelist and traffic exchange.  The advantages here are the connections to the huge WorldProfit SuperNetwork.   There are three membership levels:  Free, Pro ($9.95 per month) and Lifetime ($97 one-time cost – best value).  You can send member-to-member list mail to 500, 2500, or 5000 members every 3 days.  Solo ads go to over 7900 contact email ids.  
Paid members get a monthly ad package, and the paid members get a free MEGA PLR Store with over 200 items that can be used, sold, or given away as a bonus to entice referrals.  Lifetime members also get a 38 module comprehensive network marketing training program for free!
Look beyond the onsite member count to get the big picture:  
  • Place your onsite ads: banners, buttons, hot links, traffic links, and login ads.
  • Place your email ads: banners, hot links, solo ads
  • Define your websites.
  • Complete the extensive Downline Builder (join at least one new site per day)
  • Send SuperNetwork Ads every day.

So you now have your primary product.  Let’s get signed up, and get all the bonuses.

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Landing Pages, Autoresponders
For one lifetime fee of $7.00 USD, you can get a world-class lead capture, prospect manager, and autoresponder system called Team Elite Home Business.  TEHB contains dozens of done-for-you campaigns.  
Click this link to sign up for the Team Elite Home Business Autoresponder
Done-For-You Autoresponder Campaigns Designed Specifically for these Safelists
Click HERE to go to my blog, where you can copy/paste from each post into your autoresponder messages.
Next Steps (beyond the scope of this post)
  • In TEHB, in Affiliate Programs, update your affiliate IDs for Giant Profit Ads, Mad Cow Ads, and WebcastSource.net (at the bottom of the list)
  • In TEHB, in Capture Pages, click Settings, then Manage Contacts Groups and add groups GiantProfitAds, MadCowAds, and WebcastSource-net
  • Create the Capture Page for each safelist.  Set the Contact Group to the corresponding Contact Group you just created with APPEND, and the redirect URL set to your affiliate ID for the corresponding site.    Save it, then in My Capture Pages click the thumbnail and grab the URL (you will need this for the link in your ad copy).
Test, Test, Test
  • Be sure your funnel works properly:
  • Click the link in your ad.  It should take you to your Capture Page.  
  • You should get the opt-in message in your email so confirm.  
  • You should be redirected to the safelist site.
  • You should get a confirmation email announcing you have a new opt-in subscriber.
Blog

Start Your Business: Procrastinators Need Not Apply

Start Your Business With Other Peoples MoneyPeople talk about how to start your business without any money.  I did it – with OPM (Other People’s Money). I bought an apartment building and got the capital to fund renovations – several hundred thousand dollars, at 16.89%.  I did not spend ONE DIME OUT OF MY OWN POCKET!

I am asked, “How could you take a chance like that to start Your business?”   Easy.  It was NO CHANCE.   I knew the business I was getting into.  I had enough confidence in myself to know that I could deliver.  I had a rock-solid business plan, presented a rock-solid proposal to my investors, delivered ahead of schedule, and exceeded revenue projections.  After 3 months, my investors agreed to let me refinance at 1 point above prime.

I made money  every month I owned that building (over 6 years), and I made money when I sold it (almost 200% of the purchase price).

 

Come On In, the Water’s Great

So, did I just jump into this business with a list of unanswered questions?  Absolutely NOT.  I did my research.   I networked with other investors.  I joined an organization with people that had the same interests.  I attended meetings.  I signed up for workshops and seminars.   I ABSOLUTELY KNEW what I was getting into.   I ABSOLUTELY KNEW all of the issues, and mapped out different scenarios that provided a clear path of action should scenario A, B, or C happen.

And, after I did all this, I started a consulting firm that HELPED OTHER NOVICE INVESTORS and Small Businesses GET THEIR BUSINESSES STARTED!  I have been doing this since 1997.  And now that I am retired, I am “Paying it Forward”, helping YOU start your business.  All you have to do is ASK!

Back when I had my business underway, and under control, conducted “getting started” workshops for new or wannabe real estate investors.  I would rent out a country club ballroom, invite members and guests from the real estate investor’s club, and charge $11 for lunch, which barely covered the cost of the room. I would spent the day conducting workshops on building a business plan, doing a Pro Forma statements, business organizations, zoning, permits, and licenses, obtaining an FEIN, and how to interview with a mortgage broker (I invited MY broker to join me).  I had accumulated quite a collection of references, videos, courses, etc, so I created a “lending library” of materials that people could sign out for free. 

 

Customers for Life

I also had quite a list of CLIENTS, many of whom didn’t PAY ME until they got THEIR businesses started, but then THEY “Paid it Forward”.  I never charged for consulting.  I generated revenue from hardware and software sales, and IT service contracts only AFTER you were on your way to start your business, was I willing to sell you Dell computers, Microsoft and other software, build your networks, configure your Quickbooks accounting system, write your operating procedures, build your databases and websites and put service agreements in place.   The last of the service contracts expired last year – when I actually “retired” for the third time.

 

Are You Starting a Business or a Hobby?

I keep talking about how to start your BUSINESS.  If you are not willing to think of this seriously, as a business, then what you have is a HOBBY.  

There is a well known character, prominent on the internet, known for being flat-out rude and disrespectful, who would cut you off and say, “Thanks for taking my time, and I’m glad I could help you clear that up, now go away”.  He assumes that you have done your diligence, figured out the issues, researched it, and determined that HIS THING HE IS TRYING TO  SELL YOU is a foregone conclusion of tireless business research and organized assembly of facts.   He also assumes that there is no reason in the world why someone would not simply take him at his word, blindly follow his direction and, like sheep, simply hand over their money because, after all, his Ivy League doctorate proves that he is better than you and his superior intellect should relieve you from the burden of independent thought.

That is NOT the role of a consultant.  A consultant is  there to HELP YOU LEARN THE QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK as you are CONDUCTING that research.  You see the problem is that YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW.   That is the role of the trusted advisers you should have on your team, to be used appropriately when their expertise is called for: a consultant, an accountant, and an attorney.

If It’s About the Money, You Are Not Focused on the Right Issue

Every business needs to borrow money unless someone has a generous benefactor with deep pockets.  Accept it and move on.  I DO understand the animosity associated with putting down $100 a month to engage in  a business like WorldProfit.  What that tells me is that YOU NEED SOME HELP.  You need to do some research.  You need to write down some questions and one by one, check them off when those questions are answered to YOUR SATISFACTION.

I would also like to remind you that WorldProfit is NOT MY PRIMARY BUSINESS.   My business toolbox has MANY TOOLS.  WorldProfit fills the need for many of them, but I also have OTHER TOOLS.   WorldProfit is a GREAT PLACE to start your business with great training, great tools, and so many options.  If these tools can HELP YOU FULFILL THE OBJECTIVES YOU HAVE DEFINED IN YOUR BUSINESS PLAN, then they are relevant. 

 

Fill Your Toolbox With the Right Tools

For newcomers, I strongly recommend WorldProfit, but it does not always fit the bill for everyone, and that’s OK.  That’s where “consultative selling” comes into play.  I’ve been known to walk away from a sale if it is NOT RIGHT for the client.  A Marketer measures their success  by the number of sales.  A Consultant measures their success in terms of CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE.

 

You Need Trusted Advisers Not Salesmen

WorldProfit members are a COMMUNITY of people WILLING TO HELP.  You don’t need SALESPEOPLE or MARKETERS to talk to, you need TRUSTED ADVISERS.   I could name at least a DOZEN WorldProfit members in the next 3 minutes who are WILLING TO HELP.

The great thing about this is that ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SHOW UP WHEN THE OFFER IS EXTENDED, and ASK what you don’t know.

 

The Challenge

So, when are YOU going to start your research to START YOUR BUSINESS?   If your answer is TOMORROW, then consider this statement:   “Procrastinators Need Not Apply”.

Rich Moyer

Spaho Consulting, LLC  (retired)

Life Balance Networks

Blog

USC Title VII – Definition and Liabilities Associated with Workplace Bullying

My observations of workplace bullying on a live web-cast…

My Comments and Questions http://www.workplacebullying.org/2015/03/11/h1771/

There are some marketing strategies that have been in place for years by a particular company (actually the CEO of that company on live video webinars) that involve public humiliation, personal attacks, and guerrilla marketing tactics to intimidate potential customers to sign up for their program. If you do not respond to his degrading attacks, or if you are not willing to make a commitment for $100 per month program, he will “remove you” from the chat room.

This CEO also has (on recorded video) a daily webinar where he intentionally antagonizes individuals.

He has been known to take personal, confidential information sent to him on a private chat, and copying/pasting that personal information onto the public chatroom, and chastising the individual, saying that anything said to him must be public.

On another occasion, he publicly dressed down someone for producing fewer sales by using a “consultative selling style” rather than employing his rude intimidation tactics This chastisement was on a public webinar with 45 people in attendance.

Some facts to consider:
* The guy is CEO of a Canadian company, but he is a resident of Cambridge, MA.
* His company does business strictly on the internet and markets to an international audience
* This CEO is live just about any day, and these tactics can be observed any time
* He justifies his actions because he is a self-proclaimed authority and has written 20 books and thousands of articles on marketing.
* When challenged on something, his response is that “I am CEO and I will do anything I want to do”.
* There are about 75 volunteer “monitors” for the “Live Business Center”, on which the CEO many times accompanies those monitors on the live webinars, and publicly humiliates both the monitors and the prospects.
* Because I have disagreed with his tactics and have told him that I will not disrespect potential customers in favor of a more “soft sell” strategy, I have been banished from being a monitor which has caused me to lose potential sign-ups (addition of associates to my downline if not previously assigned to another member), potential revenue for closing sales on behalf of others (a $5 reward is given for each sales conversion if that associate is already assigned to another member), and potential sales commissions for sales to my own personal downline.

My questions:
* Even though the company is a Canadian company, because they are doing business marketing to US customers over the internet, is the company obliged to comply with US laws, specifically USC Title VII “hostile workplace” regulations?
* Even though the company is a Canadian company, the CEO is a legal resident of Massachusetts, and a US citizen, so strictly due to citizenship status, must he comply with the US and MA laws?
* The company may not be liable for sanctions based on Title VII, but is that CEO personally liable for sanctions?
* Is his banishment for those volunteering as a monitor due to failure to comply with his bullying tactics be considered illegal retaliation?

Blog

So, what is this “Life Balance Network” about?

Life Balance Network

There are about 25+ blogs, eCommerce sites, WebStores, Video sites, and B2B (business to business sites).  We also have about 20+ “mini-sites” and individual program sites.  Even though you may see many messages targeted to Home Based Business and other technical topics, Life Balance Network is my primary business, and the “other stuff” is just trying to keep the lights burning on the massive infrastructure it takes to support this many sites and servers.  I am first and foremost a techie (I’m sorry, but it’s burned into ROM), but I also love to blog, I love to write tutorials and make instructional videos, and all the “stuff” that goes with it.
 
We have my wife Barb, who is an excellent cook, and recently has been assisting the guest chefs at Cooking Spotlight.  There was a rumor (ok, maybe it was true), that you had to “marry into the family” to get to her treasure trove of recipes and cooking secrets.  We have been able to pry some of them out of her and even got her to write some blog articles, as witnessed by her huge following on Pinterest.
 
Then there is Bette Banjack, noted author, columist, and TV host, who has shared several article series and videos to post on our sites.

Health Wellness Sites

The majority of our sites follow the theme Health, Wellness, Exercise, Nutrition, Recipes and Cooking. Our flagship site is ‘HealthTipsAndAdvice‘, closely followed with ‘FoodsSource‘.   More cooking, where else, but ‘Everything Cooking‘ and ‘Famous Restaurant Recipes Revealed’ (the book site, and the blog).  
We also have ‘The Winery Blog‘, and ‘Tips for Traveling Cheap’ (the book site and the blog).  The Fun Time Travel Club can also be found on the travel blog.  On the exercise front, you will find many articles on ‘FoodsSource’, ‘Center for Yoga‘, ‘Health Wellness Exercise Nutrition‘ and ‘Body Building Vidz‘ video sites, and ‘Lose Weight After Pregnancy With Exercise‘.  
These are the blogs that people visit for information, articles, videos, and “consumer” targeted topics.

Technical Sites

We also have a “technical track” that covers specialty technical topics like ‘Excel  VBA Wizard‘ on Macro Programming, many blog articles and tutorials on HTML and PHP programming, some System Administration tips and techniques, and Marketing/Network Marketing.  
We have several sites dedicated to eCourses (lessons to your inbox), eBooks, PLR/MRR eBooks and Videos, various traffic and advertising resources, and programs and projects we use in OUR business that  we share with others.
The “pocket protector crowd” loves these topics, and so do Home Business enthusiasts — either people who already have a home-based business, or those who are seeing what is available and where to start.
Not all of  these sites is may be your “cup of tea”, but we have a large variety of topics, fresh articles and videos posted every week, and lots of great information.

eCommerce and WebStores

While many of our blogs have references and “widgets” to some products and programs, we have some sites dedicated to eCommerce, and some “Storefront” sites for major retail companies.
  • Amazon.com – We have “mini-Amazon” stores on several sites.  These select products closely associated with the theme of the host site, but THEY ARE ACTUALLY AMAZON.COM STORES!  Click on the title and it opens up to the full-blown Amazon.com website.  I just host them and pay for the advertising and promotion. The products, and prices are exactly the same as the full blown Amazon.com website.  In return, we get a small commission that helps defray the cost of hosting and promotion.
  • eBay Store – similarly, only targeted products are shown.  As with all the webstores you simply click on the title to open the full-blown eBay site.
  • Mega PLR Store – several hundred top quality, best selling Private Label Rights eBooks and videos.
  • Clickbank – the world’s largest information product distributor.  Just about any topic you can imagine.
  • PaySpree – a contender for second-largest information products
  • Life Balance eBooks – many topics in top quality eBooks and videos are available at the lowest allowable prices
  • The Netpreneur Store – Network Marketing and Home-Based Business topics.  Many resources and programs all under one roof
  • Fun Time Travel Club – membership site that saves hundreds to thousands on Hotel, Condo, and Cruise Vacations
Where do you find a directory of all the Life Balance Network Sites?
How do you find out about the latest happenings, new articles, and announcements?
We can be found on Facebook:
And Twitter
Thanks for visiting!
Rich Moyer
Blog

Totally Oblivious About Requirements to Start a Home-Based Business

Requirements to Start a Home-Based Business

There was someone on the chat room that asked if she would start a home-based business, is it considered a “job” and does she have to pay taxes…

By the time I saw her message, she was gone. But I took the time to type this up, so here goes…

No it is not considered a job (meaning you will not get a W-2,) but when you start a home-based business, you are required to file taxes as a business, track your expenses, obtain the necessary business licensing and tax numbers. Another nicety of having a business in the US is that you must pay TWICE the Social Security. If you have not made over $600 you do not pay taxes on that, but you are required to file. If you are tracking your expenses as you should be, you should have some substantial QUALIFIED deductions. That means that those expenses reduce your TAXABLE INCOME.

People are under the mistaken impression that when they start a home-based business such as Internet Marketing, or any time you make money (like eBay, auctions, taking surveys for cash, member to member cash systems, etc), their home-based business is exempt from taxes since it is “On the Internet”.  Your home-based business is subject to the exact same rules that a brick and mortar business must consider.

I found that same naivete when I started out as a real estate investor. I was part of a very large real estate investor’s organization that would draw 1000 people a month to their meetings. We had many national speakers, and I would see many newbies who saw an infomercial and they were going to by a book or a DIY course and “make their fortunes” flipping real estate.

This is how I got my consulting practice started – informing these folks about the business requirements, how to build a business plan and Pro Forma statement. How to work with a banker, broker, or investors to obtain funding, tax guidelines, and basic business principles, regulations, and how to research these things so they did not end up in trouble.

I would rent out a country club banquet hall, charge them $11 for lunch, and I would conduct free seminars and workshops. Some of them became long-term clients. I also introduced them to my mortgage broker, who was able to work with investors once we developed the business plan so these folks could get the necessary funding to get their business started.

I recommend anyone who does not understand the requirements to start and operate a home-based business look up the Small Business Administration website, the IRS website (IRS.GOV), state government department of state for business filing and treasury department for state sales and use tax requirements, local municipality offices, zoning board, licensing bureau, and local tax administration. Also stop by at H&R Block of other seasonal tax filing organizations.

I have always say you should identify your team:

  • Accountant – the accountant will tell you the filing requirements, what you should be tracking.
  • Consultant – will tell you HOW to do what the accountant told you to do.  A small business consultant will guide you about creating your business organization, licensing, zoning, sales tax, business plan, Pro Forma, how to work with bankers or mortgage brokers.
  • Lawyer – contracts, real estate settlement, LLC formation.

When first starting out, get them under retainer. It is better to understand the requirements FIRST rather suffer the consequences later.

Rich Moyer​ – CEO and Principal Consultant (retired)
Spaho Consulting

Blog

It’s Your Business. Let Me Show You Plan B on Steroids

You have landed.  Whether you just found this post with a Google search, from a newsletter, or from an email promotion, I wanted to tell you that YOU HAVE ARRIVED!
 
To reiterate for those who missed the introduction in the email, you started YOUR BUSINESS, your home-based business so you could achieve financial freedom, quit your J-O-B, and have the time and money to travel, visit exciting places, and live your dreams.  You found out that having your own business is SOOO much more work than you imagined.

 
  • The money is draining rather than flowing
  • You will be driving that 1986 Volkswagen Bug till the wheels fall off (Oh, it just did that!)
  • You went from an 8 hour day to a 20 hour day
  • You haven’t had a weekend off since you came up with this hair-brained idea.

I’d like to suggest some steps you can take to get you back on track.  This will not make you rich, but it will allow you to earn SLOW and STEADY, and at the same time get the resources and savings so you CAN take that vacation.  Not only this year, but every year.

 It’s Your Business.  Take Control

This is a STRATEGY, and it is wrapped around SEVERAL projects, SEVERAL Sources of Income, some ways to save money, autopilot lead generation to build your list, and submission tools that give back some of that lost TIME.
 
This is what I will call “Plan B”… on steroids.
 
I am not a “guru”.  I don’t  brag about the millions I’ve earned.  I’ll never show you my Paypal account, or for that matter, a screenshot of ANY of my accounts.  It’s none of your business.  I recommend that you take a short break to read a book.
 
This short book tells a story.  It is called “The Millionaire Next Door“.
 
 

The Strategy Part I – Short Term Cash Infusion for Your Business

 
First is a short-term, low investment, fast cash infusion.
  • Your out of pocket expense is $18 for a lifetime membership at 4 Corners Alliance.  This is a financial education company with some excellent products, but the reward here is the amazing 4×6 matrix that will yield $10k in 12 weeks.  What’s the catch?  You must convince 4 people to spend $18.  That’s less than a large pizza with toppings and a 3 liter bottle of soda.
  • I will send you an invitation to join Team Global Impact for free.  TGI will help you with tools, promotions, support and an optional co-op.
  • You would eventually need an autoresponder so why not get the one that 4 Corners Alliance uses:  TrafficWave.
    • Why Traffic Wave?  The cost of Traffic Wave is $17.95 per month.
    • Unlike other autoresponders, this is the TOTAL PRICE for unlimited campaigns, subscribers, and messages.  The price never goes up.
    • With TrafficWave, you get a 30 day free trial, and after that, I will pay for your first paid month myself as part of the TrafficWave Matrix Buster program.   So you have 60 days to get some referrals (which pay nice commissions).  Two referrals to TrafficWave alone pay for your monthly vig.
 
Believe it or not, it is pretty difficult to convince 4 other people to invest $18 each and get 4 of THEIR friends to do the same.  But if it were easy, there would be far more millionaires, wouldn’t there?
 
Steps to take:
  1. Join 4 Corners Alliance ($18)
  2. Join Team Global Impact (free)
  3. Join Traffic Wave (30 day free trial)
  4. Get 4 Referrals to 4 Corners Alliance
  5. Promote 4 Corners Alliance and TrafficWave
 

Part II – List Builder and Enabler, Savings Component.  Reinvesting Back Into Your Business.

 
You probably get it about list builders.  If you haven’t heard it yet, go back to hiding under that rock.  The Money Is In The List!
 
  • M&G Home Business System provides an “autopilot” lead factory complete with an autoresponder.  I chose the option to have M&G provide 6 signups PER DAY 7 days per week.  My list grows by 180 contacts every month for $39.95 per month.
  • M&G also has a savings component called Fun Time Travel Club.
    • This is available to you as long as you remain a member of M&G.
    • Fun Time Travel Club is a 4-in-1 Discount Travel Card that could save members hundreds to thousands on their next vacation. Discounts are for Cruises, Hotels, and Condos.
    • There is a fourth component of the 4-in-1 Discount Travel Card: Coupons for everyday purchases.
    • Members can use this discount program for as many vacations per year as they wish.
    • The annual membership is generally paid for with the savings from the first vacation booking.
    • There are no minimum stays, except for obvious things like cruises, or bookings of  “Hot Tips” vacations, which are INCREDIBLY DISCOUNTED vacations (available for only the specified timeframes and locations)
  • Fun Time Travel Club as a Business Opportunity!
    • You buy 2 of the 4-in-1 Discount Travel Cards for $149.
    • You keep one yourself and sell the second membership.  The suggested retail price for the first year membership is $399.
    • You get to keep $399 for that second card when you sell a membership, which still leaves a profit of $150 and YOUR CARD IS FREE.
    • The suggested annual renewal cost for the Fun Time Travel Club is half-price, and M&G DOES NOT CHARGE YOU FOR RENEWALS!  For every renewal, you get to KEEP $199 for each card every year that they renew.
 
Steps to take:
  1. Join M&G Home Business ($39.95 per month).  Since this is a network marketing program, you should promote it on Safelists, Traffic Exchanges, Classified Ads, widgets on your blog (if it is built around IM themes).
  2. Join Fun Time Travel Club ($149 for 2 cards).  Since EVERYBODY needs a vacation, promote on Safelists and Traffic Exchanges as a BizOp.  Classified ads as both a BizOp and Travel/Recreation.  Local papers, Craigs List, Facebook and Twitter.  Post on the grocery store bulletin boards, windshield flyers, etc.
  3. Promote M&G and Fun Time Travel Club as above.  Add followup messages to both autoresponder message sequences (yes, Fun Time Travel Club should have it’s own funnel that goes to a separate autoresponder in M&G).
 
 
Next are several strategies to build your list while at the same time sell

Part III – Build List, Promote, and Sell.

If you have forgotten, YOUR ONLY JOB IS TO BUILD YOUR LIST.  How do you build your list and promote your business?  You PROMOTE.  Always promote to a LANDING PAGE (sometimes called Squeeze Page).  You want to capture minimally the email address before you tell your whole story.
What a about this “SELL” thing?  I thought a marketer’s job was to SELL.  WRONG WRONG WRONG!  Selling is the LAST THING ON YOUR MIND.
  • You Promote to build your list.  
  • You use your list to build relationships.  
  • You gently suggest ways for those subscribers on your lists to look at your business and products.
You build out your autoresponder messages to develop and foster the RELATIONSHIP with the people WHO HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO YOUR  LIST!  By the way, try referring to it as your NEWSLETTER and not your LIST!  It seems like something in a bad conspiracy theory B movie.  You actually WANT to  create a relationship with your subscribers.  
Look at your content on blogs and the message sequences in your autoresponder.  Are you just continually pounding your subscribers with BUY THIS or SIGN UP FOR THAT?   You need to give your subscribers INFORMATION, not sales pitches.  You need to give your subscribers something of value TO THEM, whether that be an article, a report, a video, an eBook.  Something along your main theme that someone would enjoy reading.  And, it has to be FREE.   You will put some gentle advertisements in the sidebars or margins, beneath your signature line, or provide a link to a website they would enjoy visiting.
Offer a bonus of a free eBook.  This is where the tons of PLR you have been collecting comes into play. Be sure your PLR or MRR rights allow giving that work away.  
Be sure that if your primary business is doing floral arrangements, and that was how you attracted your subscribers to your list, that your followup messages in the autoresponder, and the freebies you give them are long that same topic.  Do NOT give them an eBook called BLAZING SAFELIST COMMANDO TACTICS!
So, you are saying, HOW DO I SELL THIS STUFF?
I mentioned subtle sales references in sidebars, footers, and beneath your signature line.  Direct them to a website that does have “monetized” widgets in the sidebars.  If you DO send them to another site, use viral ad techniques to show your ads in a pop-up or exit promo, or redirect to an intermediate page that stays there for 20 seconds then forwards them to their destination.
This should not be haphazard.  Your funnel SHOULD BE DESIGNED.  There should be a PLAN.  
Track and Measure Everything
You should be using some type of Ad Tracker, and you should be looking at how effectively your ads performed in certain venues, at particular times of day, with certain  bonus offerings.  Simple URL masking is not enough, you need the STATISTICS that are generated by a good quality ad tracker system.
Where to Promote
Where to promote is important.  Most people gravitate to Safelists and Traffic Exchanges.   Unfortunately, your ad power is substantially diminished on safelists if your primary business is NOT network marketing or IM-related products and programs.  You must go where your CUSTOMERS would be looking.  Even Network Solos that are pushed as the solution to lazy safelist users, are nothing but collections of safelists, still all having the primary theme of network marketing.  Consider classified ads, Craigs List, and other places someone NOT INTERESTED IN MARKETING might frequent.
 
This is one place it would be appropriate to suggest Fun Time Travel Club.  Direct your subscribers to another funnel that happens to be a blog or article on a travel theme website.  Everybody needs a vacation, and if you can convince them that it might be within reach to get an affordable family vacation with the 4-in-1 Discount Travel Card, you get them on ANOTHER LIST that drips travel stories and tips
Strategies and Tactics
  1. Promote your business EVERY DAY on venues appropriate for your target market.
  2. Promote to Facebook groups (if permitted).  I have been using a simple $7 per month tool called SlackSocial that has cut my time to submit to 60+ FB groups from over an hour to literally 5 minutes, and it keeps me out of Facebook Jail by pacing the release of messages.
  3. Add a message at least every couple days to your autoresponder followup messages (Yes, each one).  The longer they remain on your active list, the longer you have the opportunity for another “touch”.
  4. Send broadcasts at least several times per week to all subscribers in your autoresponders.
  5. Don’t forget to send to your referrals/downlines that have come to you through downline builders and lead capture sources that are NOT in your autoresponders
  6. Give away information, reports, eBooks, training courses to your subscribers that THEMSELVES entice people to get on OTHER lists. That is more opportunity to build that relationship and turn those prospects into customers.

I personally have been a member of WorldProfit for several years ($99-149/month).  They give you a huge goody bag at signup as a paid member. They have the best tools (included), the most resources (included), best training (included), huge PLR library (included), ClickBank Promo Kit (included), URL Cloaker  (included), Viral Ad Builder  (included), Ad Tracker  (included), the most traffic (included) and so much more.  I’m a fan.

 

Let’s Sum This Up

Income Sources:

4 Corners Alliance

  • $4 for each of your first 4 subscribers.
  • See the comp plan chart

4CornersCompPlan

TrafficWave 

  • Weekly Fast Track Bonus
  • Monthly Residual Income Commissions
  • Leadership Bonus
  • Guaranteed Traffic Commissions

M&G Home Business

  • $39 commission for each referral
  • $150 to infinity for Fun Time Travel Club

WorldProfit

  • 40%-60% paid member commission
  • Percentage of purchases

 

Rich Moyer is Principal Consultant (retired) at Spaho Consulting