YOUR money is in THEIR pocket. What you have to do to get it out.

by Dr. Jeffrey Lant

I've taught marketing for more years than I care to remember. The biggest challenge is getting students to understand how marketing works. What is it? Why do you need it? How do you get the biggest return?

To answer these questions, I came up with a simple image that works wonders: YOUR money is in THEIR pocket. Do you want it to stay there... or do you want to get the funds into YOUR pocket?

Bingo!

Light bulbs start going on around the class room as one student after another "gets it."

Of course they want to get their money out of that pocket. We're ALL clear on that. The discussion then shifts to how to get it out... and how to do it FAAAST!

The Pivotal Role Of The Offer

"Try this," I say to the class: walk up to someone on the street and ask them for $50. Will you get it? Unlikely. Instead be prepared for dirty looks and worse. "Asking," I say, "ain't getting." The students nod their heads knowingly. They've been there... done that.

"Ok," I say. You guys get this. Then why don't these folks, at which I show them one marketing communication after another (Yellow Pages ad, brochure, direct mail letter, etc.) where supposedly savvy business people spent good money doing nothing more than saying "Here we are, here's what we have."

"That," I say "is not marketing. It's just telling... not selling." If you want to make MONEY... YOU must motivate people to part with the bucks.

Offers Get People To Move

What gets people to buy is offers, offers, and more offers... saying, in effect, I'm prepared to give you

* this

* and this

* and this

IF and ONLY IF you take action now to get what I'm selling.

"What," I ask the class, "is more likely to get you to respond: just saying here I am, here's what I do." OR saying

"I'll give you one hour free for every three hours of my service you book."

All knowing, the students say "people will act faster if you give them MORE." Now it's my turn to nod sagely. "Bingo," sez I.

Brain storm offers all the time... because you will need an offer EVERY day you want to empty prospects' pockets and move that money.

I ask the students what days they want to profit in their businesses. They look quizzical: "Well, EVERY day," they say.

Another "Bingo" from me.

"So, if you want to make money EVERY day... then when do you need to make offers?"

ANOTHER "Aha!" moment for my budding marketing masters. The idea is beginning to sink in that EVERY day you want to move money from your prospects' pockets is a day you must make offers.

"Make offers," I say, "every day you want to make money." And I write "Money means daily offers" on the chalk board.

Open A "Swipe File"

Where can you find marketing intelligence, great offers that produce the bucks? In the marketing communications of people who live or die by marketing. And where do you find these? Everywhere!

If you want to move money from other people's pockets into yours, start collecting and studying marketing communications. Open a "swipe file," and pop in marketing communications that work. Make this a daily endeavor. When you see ads that work for others, adapt the copy for your profitable use.

Don't Stop!

Marketing is like breathing. Stop doing it and you die. Finish any day by selecting the offer you'll use tomorrow. Start each day by reviewing how well yesterday's offer pulled. Note these results for future reference; winning ads should be repeated; ads that wilted must die.

One more thing: see marketing as a great game, a game that takes everything you've got. Embrace it! Enjoy it! If you don't, your money will stay in THEIR pocket and that's just not acceptable!

Harvard-educated Dr. Jeffrey Lant is CEO of Worldprofit, Inc., www.worldprofit.com where small and home-based businesses learn how to profit online. Republished with author's permission by Bret Eikenberry

Why you will NEVER be rich. Why you will never live la dolce vita. And what you won't do about it.

by Dr. Jeffrey Lant
Author's program note. This is an article about something you've craved, desired, wished for... but now, aging and chagrined, know you will never have... never be any closer to than when you were sixteen or the last time you seriously consulted "Esquire" for a fashion make over.

And that is financial independence.

You don't have to believe me, probably won't. So (smelling salts at the ready) take a look at your assets. Pathetic, isn't it? And the sad fact is... you won't do anything about it. Probably can't.

But before we develop this maudlin theme further, you'd better imbibe some of Nino Rota's masterful score from Fellini's perpetually edgy masterpiece "La Dolce Vita" (1960). You'll find it in any search engine. It is about the craziness of love, money and desire played out in Rome, where the unending search for the sweet life will devour you as it has devoured generations before you, including a whole College of Cardinals, and expectant generations still to come.

Now let us begin, for you have wasted far too much time, and have so little left.

Time.

The first reason la dolce vita will elude you is that you've waited too long to use the present to shape the future. Now hear this: to become rich by your own insistent hands and devices, you must start from the first minute you glimpse the awful and shocking truth that you are not going to be young and beautiful for ever. What? Moi?

Yes, I'm afraid so. One of these days some current play fellow of yours, who just a moment ago complimented your bodacious curves and knock-'em-out bootie, will be considering the unfairness of fate whilst scrutinizing your flesh-specked skull, for all the world like Hamlet and hapless Yorick.

Dire, but who cares?

Very well, you muffed your biggest advantage -- time. Sadly, the more you wasted; the less organized and efficient you were, the fewer options you have. There are two things you can do about this: 1) radically alter your lifestyle or 2) do nothing. You'll say, of course, that you'll make adjustments, but we both know, don't we, how lazy and incorrigible you have been in the past... and intend to be in the future. In other words, you'll continue to talk the good, the plausible, the smooth game... but you won't lift your pampered pinkie to achieve the objective.

What objective?

The plain truth is you have never had a specific, written financial objective; the older you get, the more glaring its omission. For example: have you checked to see just how long a person of your age, gender, and health can expect to live? In other words do you know what you're working with? It figures. You want the dolce vita, but you haven't got a clue about how much "vita" is left. So, for openers let's play "This is the rest of your life." For most of you even Ralph Edwards, a man with helium in his leather pumps, couldn't squeeze much optimism from the too sad facts.

Napoleon, no objective, St Helena.

The most celebrated man in history who lived without objectives was the great Napoleon himself. It's what brought him down from the highest of pinnacles and human achievement to life on a poky little sheep ranch called St. Helena. You see, before each campaign he'd steal the soldiers he'd need and the money. Then, without forethought, he'd set down the road... without goal, without objective. He was, you see, the ultimate wing-er. Goals, he reckoned, could take care of themselves...

Europe offered him this province and that if he would say just what he wanted and, in time honored fashion, stop with the current larceny; in other words once he was bought, stay bought. However,if things were going well, he declined to parlay; it they weren't going well, he declined to parlay until at last the aristocrats understood they must work together, did so, and snuffed the man who, if he had a reasonable goal, would have ruled the roost and been the greatest sovereign since the Caesars. It is unrecorded if his imperial majesty liked mutton. I doubt it.

Now, assets.

A detailed look at what you loosely term your "assets" now is necessary. Gather what you jocosely call your "financial records," you know, that laughable pile of gum wrappers, lottery tickets, naughty Internet sites, and legal mumbo-jumbo about a stock you once owned. You'll need pencil, paper and true grit for this crucial exercise.

Now, sit down and start.... And, pray, don't snivel, whine or sob!!!; much less "special plead" and "explain" as we review the little you wish to transform into the enough, the more than enough, and that fast receding life you once though would arrive without much effort or work of any kind. Oh, how the ill-informed and grossly self-deceived have fallen.

What assets?

Get a grip on yourself. You are about to do the hardest of tasks; telling the truth about you, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It will cause you pain; it will make you squirm; it will make you perspire and cause your life with every wrong decision and miscalculation to flash before your horrified eyes.

Why have I put that gun on the table? Because I know given the chance you'd be out of here like a jack rabbit. So, shall we begin?

The overwhelming number of folks have just about $30,000 in assets upon retirement. That's probably within shouting distance of where you are now, assuming you wish to retire in, say, five years. I hope you're smiling, sugar, because you're going to have to place a brave face upon this dismal reality. And while you're at it, try learning the lyrics to Charlie Chaplin's moving song, "Smile though your heart is breaking...." Just remember this, when he wrote it he was probably the best known entertainer in the world and amongst the richest men on Earth. It's easy to weep into your beer and warble movingly under those conditions.

Under water.

So.... grimly...you list your primary asset, your house. The Great Recession of '08 wiped out such assets for most people for the better part of a generation. If you're looking here for salvation, look again. It's not coming any time soon and certainly not to fund a lifestyle less dolce every day. And as for any other "assets", you know and I know their collective value is negligible. And as for that grotesque Chinese vase your auntie bought 50 years ago in San Francisco, you'll be waiting a long, long time before "Antiques Road Show" tells you it's fake, Ming indeed! Nice try.

Two choices.

So, what are you going to do? You could get realistic and stop wishing for something that's not going to happen. Take your $30,000 (or so) and give yourself a week in Paris Greta Garbo would envy. Splurge. When it's over, it's over. Enjoy what you've had; don't pine for more. You've had a nice taste of what you wanted. Be grateful. This is not the American way, of course; no matter how much you get, you want more... and moan to high heaven when you don't have it, can't afford it, and can't get it.

The solution? It's right in front of you. It's called the Internet, and it's a gold mine... if you work with the right people and follow simple directions. I know what I'm talking about. Nearly twenty years ago, when the 'net was new and primitive. I made a calculated decision that it would be the most important, the transformational technology of my life. Without hesitation I affiliated way back then with a genius named George Kosch who explained to me, already a successful businessman in publishing and direct mail, why the 'net was the big play. As a result I made millions of dollars.

Now hear this: you can, too. Everything you need is just one click away, easy to understand, easy to start. What's more you'll never work alone, will always have assistance and instruction and need to know absolutely nothing about technology. Now see for yourself. Go to worldprofit.com and immerse yourself in your successful future.

But we both know, don't we, what you'll do... thereby killing your last chance (short of a winning lottery ticket or the timely demise of an unknown relative) of much "vita" at all, much less any that's dolce. Caio, bella. We'll miss you on the Via Veneto. And remember, to be rich, is to be beautiful... forever.

Harvard-educated Dr. Jeffrey Lant is CEO of Worldprofit, Inc., www.worldprofit.com where small and home-based businesses learn how to profit online.  
Republished with author's permission by Bret Eikenberry

Developing And Profiting From Your Golden House E-Mail List

Do you own a business with walk-in traffic? Then you're sitting on a gold mine of mammoth proportions. All you have to do is gather customer names and email addresses... then get organized so you can contact -- and profit from -- your hot list on a regular basis.

1) Start collecting customer data at once

As I have pointed out for years, "the list is the business...and the business is the list." Start building this all-important list TODAY.

Make it a point to ask ALL your customers for name, address, phone and e-mail address. If you have employees, make sure they realize the importance of the list. Show them how to request this information from all customers, thus:

"Mr. Smith, would you like to receive e-mails from us with tremendous discount offers? Just fill out this brief form or give me your card with e-mail address."

Add this information to your list at the end of every day. Be consistent!

2) Start brainstorming hot offers today.

For your special "alert" list to work, you must present scintillating offers. Start collecting them now.

Open a computer file and enter all your sales offers, always concentrating on what made money. Squeezing the most dollars from your list is a direct function of making offers that get your customers to stop in their tracks and head your way!

Don't hesitate to "swipe" offers from other media sources. Your offer need not be original to you. It just has to pull.

3) Develop a format.

Start with the subject line. It should read something like this: ANOTHER great offer from (your name). Expires 5 p.m. today... so don't delay!"

Then entice!

"Just in... the most delicious golden pears you've ever tasted. Prepare to pamper yourself... but act NOW. We only have a few! Drop by now.. and indulge yourself!"

4) Unless you ship as part of your current business routine, make sure recipients understand this is an in-store offer only.

You have twin goals here: first, you do NOT want to increase your work load by starting a shipping department; second, you want to increase your in-store traffic and resulting sales that come when customers drop in.

5) E-mail your offer at a regular time

Your goal, remember, is to increase in-store traffic and sales. Thus, e-mail your bulletin about 1 hour before you're open. That way you'll have customers at the door right away... just what you want.

6) E-mail your list at least once a week.

E-mailing regularly is key to your success. Select a day for your e-mail special offer and adhere to it religiously.

But don't hesitate to e-mail two or even three times a week if you are announcing great offers and value. Value and great offers determine how often you should contact your list. Customers will be glad you contacted them... if the value warrants.

7) Track the offers that work... and the ones that don't.

Over time you'll develop a cornucopia of proven money-makers which you can profit from while merely copying, pasting and updating. In short fast, easy money, just the kind you like!

8) Have fun with your list -- and your customers

Business is about relationships. About knowing your customers and them knowing you. Use your "alert" list to do both.

Have in-house drawings... and announce the winners.

Compliment a customer on a stunning outfit... or a stunning smile.

Share a joke, a quip, a thoughtful line.

It's your personal messenger... have fun with it while you're making sale after sale.

Harvard-educated Dr. Jeffrey Lant is CEO of Worldprofit, Inc., www.worldprofit.com where small and home-based businesses learn how to profit online.  
Republished with author's permission by Bret Eikenberry

How to write web site and article content that sells

by Dr. Jeffrey Lant

It was Bill Gates, the sage with prophetic talents and the deepest of pockets, who said it first: "Content is king." Per usual billionaire Bill was right.

Problem is, he omitted the directions on how to produce the site and article content you need so much. Humbly, I rectify his omission.

Here then are the necessary steps for producing web site and article copy that sells.

1) Know thy audience.

The purpose of creating site content is to build relationships and loyalty with your designated populations... and produce content that gets them to RETURN and RESPOND.

Are you, therefore, clear on just who you are producing content for?

Say you are running an insurance agency and want to insure more business from people with large and valuable art and artifact collections. Before you write word 1 of content, you must know and WRITE DOWN a description of the kinds of people you want to attract. Every word you write thereafter, all the content you produce is for -- them!

2) Write content that brings you business

In this report, I am showing you how to write site content that sells. For details on how to write the great American novel, you must seek other counsel.

Thus, your next step towards producing site content that sells is to brainstorm subjects and to craft the all-important title.

Again, consider the insurance agent aiming for lucrative antique collection accounts. He needs a title like this: "7 things you need to know about insuring your antiques and collections." Alternatively, try this

"7 things you don't know about insuring your antiques that make you vulnerable."

Or, "5 things you can do right now to decrease the cost of your antiques insurance."

Note: a title like this peeks reader interest... the public designated for this content wants to know, is desperate to know, just where there may be holes, flaws, and omissions in their policies. Your content (and your title) play to their need to know, including fears and anxieties which motivate prompt response to you.

3) Brainstorm subjects to be included in your article or site content

The most cogent content is brainstormed and outlined before a single word is written. First, and most importantly, sit down at your desk and write down the topics you want (and your reader must have) in this content.

Personally, I take one 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet and (in my execrable hand writing) detail all the key points about the subject at hand.

Then, having brainstormed all, I arrange these points in logical order, thus: first do this, then this, then this, etc.

Brainstorm and point prioritizing are key to successful content.

Note: for best results, you should have no fewer than 5 points in any individual article or not more than 10. The content may appear skimpy and inadequate if you have too few points while having more than 10 over burdens your reader (and future customer), causing him to postpone reading -- and response!

4) Now write. 

You are now ready to write the content, for you have considered your audience and what they need to know (and will most thank you for); you have brainstormed the subjects to be included and arranged them in the proper order. Yes, you are ready to write.

Sit yourself down in your writing place (you do have one, don't you), a place where you can write undisturbed, inviolate to the crafting of superb content.

Go there now. Determine your writing schedule. You should be able to produce draft site content in 2-4 hours, depending on how experienced a writer you are. Always set a date and time for the conclusion of Draft 1. Never leave it open-ended. Things without deadlines are things less likely to be done.

Note: Remember, what you are writing now must be a conversation between you and your reader (who is, let's be clear, your future customer, too.) The content must, therefore, be written accordingly. The word "you" (meaning you, the reader) must predominate. You must not write for an amorphous audience of the unknown. You must write instead to and for the chief benefit of each individual reader... just as if the reader was sitting beside you and you were explaining one thing after another of importance to her. This is vital.

5) Read, review, revise your content.

Now hear this: the best writing is re-writing. Thus, when you have finished Draft 1, let it sit overnight. It is the rare, experienced, polished writer who can write such content, review such content, and post the finished product all in a day. Some may disagree, but I remain convinced time and patience are necessary ingredients in the very best content.

When ready, read your content aloud. No sentence should be more than one breath. If your sentences are turgid and flow slowly, awkward, break them into shorter lines, easier to read. Your tempo should be allegro, not andante.

6) Revise, revise, revise.

Having finished your first revisions, it is time for... more revisions. As much time should be spent on revising your content as writing it in the first place. This, then, should be your schedule:

Day 1, write the content. On this same day, do the first revisions.

Day 2, after letting the content sit overnight, awake early (personally I do this between 5-7 am because that is when my schedule is clear and I have the fewest interruptions. In other words, I can focus.) Then do at least one more content revision.

On Day 3, do a final content review. There should be few, if any, changes at this point. Your content should be word perfect, light, graceful, moving; content that will impact the reader, because it impacts you!

7) The Resource Box

Now add the crucial Resource Box and About the Author details. Having written content that helps your reader and future customer, it is now manifestly appropriate to include something that helps you... and that is precisely what the Resource Box and About the Author sections do. Treat them accordingly.

Be sure to include all the means you wish customers to use to get in touch with you, including email, URL, telephone, cell phone, etc. Believe me, the useful content you have given them will inspire response. Depend on it.

Exult. You deserve it!

You have now done a useful thing. Your content is now available for use on blogs, ezines, site postings, et al. Take a moment to congratulate yourself. You deserve it.

You have taken what you know and can do and transformed it into a focused means of generating new customers and really helping them. You may be a tad fatigued by your effort; that's natural. But what you've written can live for years and help thousands. And that's a true cause for jubilation.

About The Author:  Harvard-educated Dr. Jeffrey Lant is CEO of Worldprofit, Inc., where small and home-based businesses learn how to profit online through automation.

Republished with author's permission by Bret Eikenberry

Landing Pages: What GETS Responses and What Turns Leads Away! You need to read this if you are an online marketer.

The test results are in! We tested various types of Landing Pages with rich media, and some without. Listen up, you need to know what we found are the BEST type of Landing pages to get you leads! You may be very surprised at our test results! Once you know the results you can abandon what doesn't work and concentrate on creating Landing Pages that pull not repel.

Our tests revealed that Landing pages with rich media like video, distracting flash, or animation did not produce nearly as good a response as old-fashioned graphic pages with good copy. In fact, some of the rich media Landing Pages actually irritated readers and sent then clicking away! The non-rich media Landing pages kept readers attention longer, AND got a FAR higher response rate.

Now that you know this here is what you should consider when creating your landing pages so you get the results you want!

These are the DO's of Landing Pages that get the BEST results!

-FAST Loading! -Use images that are colorful, directive, and related to the theme of your Landing Page -Your copy MUST be short, punchy, laden with benefits - speak directly to the readers. -Tell readers clearly what they get -Tell readers what they get if they ACT now! Limit the offer, even better! -Capture the contact information of the reader so you can deliver what they asked for -The more goodies, freebies, offers, and cool stuff you can give people the BETTER the response!

In a nutshell if you want Landing pages that get a terrific response, tell people what they get, how to get it, make an offer to get them to take action NOW!

Look reader! You get this! Do this to get it! Do it NOW and also get this BONUS!

These are the DO NOT's for Landing Pages!

-Do not use video on your Landing pages. I know you think the video helps, but test after test says, scrap the embedded video in your landing pages! 
-If you want videos, and don't get me wrong they DO have value, include them on your website but not your landing pages. 
-Do not use long, dull, oh so boooooring copy that never gets to the point. 
-Skip the animation, the flashing, the blinking irritation that readers hate and gives reason to click off and terminate your annoying page. 
-Don't FORGET to include a lead form, to capture contact information

In a nutshell: If you can't write short punchy copy on your Landing pages, list the benefits you are offering point by point then conclude with a compelling offer. Don't forget the # 1 purpose of your Landing Page: to get leads! Give people good reasons to become your prospect. Treat them right, make a pitch, make a bonus offer. They get what they want and you get a valuable lead.

Now go review your Landing Pages and start looking at them like a READER looks at them. Modify the annoying animated ones and get back to basics, powerful copy, eye-grabbing graphics, and a GREAT ABSOLUTELY CANNOT BE REFUSED - DO IT NOW OFFER.

Sandi Hunter is President of Worldprofit, Inc.,where small and home-based businesses learn how to profit online. Sandi is responsible for the design and development of thousands of websites. Republished with author's permission by Bret Eikenberry

So you think Social Networking Sites are a Waste of Time? Rethink this or lose out.

So you think Social Networking Sites are a Waste of Time? Think again, Google's new Indexing System says different, site owners take note.

If you have been one of the nay-sayers about Social Networking sites like FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, Friendster, and YouTube you may want to rethink this belief. If you have been saying, "I just don't get it." It's time to "get it" especially if you want to exploit this for the good of your online business.

First, you need to know that Google is now indexing Social Networking content including video, images and blogs right alongside with webpages. What this means for you is this. If you don't use these sites to promote your business you are missing out on a lot of free promotion for your business and opportunity to get better indexed at search engines. The more content you have online about your business, products and services, the better indexed your site will be. This means your customers and prospects will be more easily able to find what you have to offer at your site. The more links TO your site (called backlinks), the more popular your site is viewed by search engines, especially if those links come from what are deemed as high-profile (authority ) sites.

Here is what you need to know to capitalize on all this free promotion for your business (essentially this is Search Engine Optimization Strategy whether you know it or not).
Getting good returns from Social Search Results means:

1. If you don't have a Google account get one. Make sure you have all of your important links on your Google Profile.
2. Do make as many connections as possible on the most popular social networking sites especially the ones that attract your market. 
3. Encourage customers to follow you via social networks. Include your Twitter address, FaceBook address etc on your site and your marketing materials. 
4. Participate in social media so people will engage with you. This starts with getting a free account for your business on the popular social sites. 
5. Encourage sharing of content (there are plenty available social media buttons) Example: Flicker, Digg, etc, 
6. Always include social network information on business cards, signs and so forth. Get the word out in as many places as you can. 
7. Be sure to include as much social network information as you can in your online promotions 
8. Everywhere you network include a link BACK to your website - this is CRITICAL.

Remember when doing searches, social results will always be clearly marked as such on Google's SERPs (Search Engine Results Page). The returns will be accompanied by a heading "Results from your social circle". For traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO), it is just one more thing to compete with as far as website property. That's why social networking is a much more of an important part of search than ever. Get on board now, Google will be announcing more changes to their new indexing system, so make the most of this information now.

Sandi Hunter, is the Director of Website Development at Worldprofit Inc., and an IT Consultant for small and home business owners.  Republished with author's permission by Bret Eikenberry

How To Pick a Legitimate Home Business Opportunity

You've seen the emails, the offers, the promises and the claims. Everyone it seems has a way to help you make money online.

But how do you know who you can trust? How do you know what system works? How do you protect yourself?

The fact is that you CAN earn money online from legitimate sources, here's what to look for when picking an online business opportunity.

Products or Services with actual value

Many companies including large companies like Amazon and ClickBank offer what is known as an Affiliate marketing program, or sometimes called a Reseller program. This allows you to promote a company's products or services and earn a commission when a sale is made through your website link. The key in knowing what is legitimate is to be sure you are actually promoting a real product, or a digital product, or an actually service. Beware of selling anything that seems without substance, and has no real market value. An example of something suspect would be getting paid to recruit people into a program who have not paid any money to do so. All business online and off works when there is an exchange of money for a product or service. Pyramid schemes exist online and off and are an example of focus on recruitment into a program rather then the sale of an actual product. In the case of a pyramid scheme, and example is someone paying to join a program but receives no product or service of REAL value in return. In short, make sure that you are actually selling something of value.

Customer Service and Support

Legitimate companies that sell actual products and services will support or service what they sell. In other words, good companies will have a Customer Support Department, or a Service Department or Technical Support division to assist customers who have either bought a product or intend to do so. Reputable companies offer this support in any number of ways, online chat, support forums, Twitter, Facebook, telephone support, or online support.

Time in business

Legitimate business opportunities most trustworthy are often those that have stood the test of time. On the web it is very easy to set up a company, sell questionable products and services, then disappear into the night when the business practices come into question. When picking an online business opportunity select a company that has been around for at least a few years. Companies that continue to exist are usually those that demonstrate an interest in keeping their customers happy, are accountable, and adhere to policy and legislation that permits them to provide a product or service.

Reputation

When picking a reputable business opportunity people will often look to review sites for feedback from others. This can offer you some interesting details about what people think about a company and how the company responds to complaints. In reading the reviews though keep an open mind knowing that no company exists without complaints against it. Good companies that you would want to associate with, are those that try to address customer complaints or resolve issues brought to their attention. People with an axe to grind will sometime post negative reviews and hide in the anonymity of that post. So be smart when reading review sites, and look for dates, patterns or themes and try to separate the intelligent comments from the less helpful and questionable ones.

Look before you leap

When you decide on which business opportunity you wish to join, be sure to take your time and read over what you are agreeing to before you sign on the dotted line or hit the submit button. Determine what your up front cost is, your monthly cost (if any), your ongoing cost? What happens if you want to cancel, is there a guarantee, or is there any long term obligation or a penalty for cancelling? Find out how your sales will be tracked, how often will you paid, for which services and how will you be paid.

In summary, here are 5 questions to ask yourself for any company you are considering for a home business opportunity.

1. How long has the company been in business? What is their reputation?

2. What is the product or service you will be selling? What is the value in the market place? There should ALWAYS be a product or service being sold.

3. What is the initial cost to get started in the business? What do you get for that amount of money? What are the ongoing costs?

4. What kind of support or service will you receive as an Affiliate Marketer or Reseller for the company to help you make sales? What kind of support of service will the people you refer receive when they make a purchase?

5. How much money are you paid by this company when you make a sale, how often, and how will your sales be tracked?

These questions and information contained within are a guideline to help you make a smart decision about an online business opportunity that is right for you.

One final bit of advise. Once you have found a company to represent be sure to be realistic about your earnings and accept some responsibility for your own success. At the end of the day, your success comes down to you, and your efforts. It won't matter what business opportunity you select if you don't take the time to learn about the program, learn how to market online, and make an honest consistent effort to build your own success.

I hope this has helped you so you can select one or more legitimate companies and you can join the growing population of people making money at home using the power of the web.

About the Author
 Sandi Hunter is the President of Worldprofit Inc., a company providing training and support for small and home based business since 1994.
 Republished with author's permission by Bret Eikenberry