Automate Follow-up and Get More Done

A lot of us home-based entrepreneurs still have a full-time job. That sure does make growing one's business kind of difficult. However, difficult is not impossible. Especially in 2010 and beyond.

After reading books like Tim Ferris' The 4-Hour Work Week and Scott Fox's e-Riches 2.0, and joining great online communities like The Perfect Biz Finder and Click Millionaires, I picked up a couple of ideas on how to automate your initial contact and follow-up.

I discuss a few of them in the below video.

Check out the video and click through the links for more information on these free and low-cost services.



RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• GetResponse
• uReach
• Phonevite
• Send Out Cards
• Ping.fm
• Post Scheduler
• Desk Ping

Let me know how these tools work out for you.

Let's NOT Be Partners, Okay?

Glenn Garnes is a sought after speaker and trainer on a variety of topics relating to business relationships, including partnerships. Voted as "America's Most Influential Business Connector" at the U.S. Small Business Conference, Glenn has positioned himself as an authority on building quality business relationships. Glenn's book, Let's Not Be Partners, Things You Must Do Before You Tie the Knot ('not')! lays out a simple, but effective process for making better partner choices, and achieving more in business.

I had the opportunity and pleasure of interviewing Glenn on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009. Wow! What an info-packed interview that was. Here are some of the things Glenn touched on:

• How to determine if you need a partner
• How to choose the right people for the right reasons * How to structure your relationship to maximize effectiveness
• The importance of structuring your deal in writing
• What to do if you're already in a bad relationship

Folks, I've got to tell you, I so wish that I spoke to Glenn before I started my last two companies. I've made a lot of the mistakes that Glenn discussed on the call. Ever been in church and feel like the preacher was speaking to you? Well, that is how I felt when I was interviewing Glenn!

Here is the interview.




Make sure to visit Glenn's website at www.GlennGarnes.com.

All the best,

It's How Much You KEEP That Counts!

Daniel Stoica, Accounting Consultant, helps you explore and discover your passion and turn it into a successful business, as this is his passion. "Minimizing your tax liability and maximizing your net worth at the same time by providing you with professional accounting and tax preparation services" is his profession. He goes beyond his own expertise and uses the resources of his professional network to meet the needs of his clients. He is incredibly passionate about helping others.

I have to tell you, bookkeeping, accounting, and taxes and the like are not the most exciting topics, but when you don't have a seasoned professional like Daniel on your side, you can really lose your shirt - or more!

Sometimes, it is not about how much you earn, but how much you keep that counts.

In the Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 podcast I did with Daniel, here are some of the topics we discussed:

• Where you should be spending your hard-earned dollars
• What you should not be spending money on
• What the best business structure is for your business
• How taxes can really add up depending on the nature of your business
• Some of the the deductions that home-based entrepreneurs qualify for
• And a lot more!

This was a general accounting overview and Daniel has agreed to visit with us again to focus on specific aspects of accounting and taxes to optimize your profits.

To listen to the 60-minute interview that is certainly a must-listen to, click on the player below.



David is based in Chicago and his website is www.DanielStoica.com

All the best,

Big Los of the Urban Comedy Series

Carlos Gonzalez (aka "Big Los") is the owner and operator of Los Entertainment. His company organizes and promotes urban comedy shows and dance parties. He has been creating quality entertainment events since the early 1990s. Some big urban comedy names like Ruperto Vanderpool, Rob Stapleton, Freddie Ricks, and "The Gangsta of Comedy", Capone have graced the stage at his events. Join us for this show to learn how Big Los has been able to stay in the fore-front of bringing quality urban comedy and entertainment for more than 15 years.

Los's events are recession-proof - they only cost $10. That is a sweet deal! You get a buffet, live comedy, and slamming dance party.

Check out Los' website at to stay abreast of his upcoming events -

Here is an interview I did with Big Los on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009:



If you're into urban comedy and you're in the NYC tri-state area, you definitely want to check out Big Los' events. His website is http://www.myspace.com/losentertainment007.

See you at the party!

Laughing out loud,

Pick the Right Biz for YOU

Wow...

A lot of people want to start their own business but don't know where to start. I don't mean how to start making money but how to get started at square one by actually picking a business. Hopefully, an entrepreneur picks the right business. Not the right business according to me or anyone else. But what is the right business according to that entrepreneur. Even if you are the already operating a business, perhaps you can maximize your fun and profits by taking on a different function within the business.

This is where Steve Little comes in. Steve Little is the President of Zero Limits, Inc. He is truly a renaissance man. He has been an entrepreneur since 13, he's a champion athlete, and has made tens of millions of dollars and he's still going! He's been rocking and rolling as a successful entrepreneur for more than 40 years now. Steve’s mentoring has helped hundreds of people to break the barriers sabotaging their success and have created their dream life as a result. He has put his knowledge into a program called The Perfect Biz Finder. What it does is help you find your perfect business in 21 days or less. Step by step resources and blog take you by the hand and show you the perfect business that is genetically matched to your DNA.

You can take a free psychoanalytic survey (valued at $297) on his site at www.PickTheRightBizForYou.com.

Check out this 45-minute interview that I did with Steve on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009. You have GOT TO give this a listen.



Make sure to bookmark Steve's site and to take the survey. He has some exciting announcements in the weeks ahead.

To your success,

Let's Get Ready to Pop & Roll!

*The above CD cover design was done by Arsenio Echevarria

Louis Valore is the creator of what he calls Pop & Roll music. He is a veteran musician in and has been playing gigs around NYC for some time now. He has been on the cusp of big deals twice. Not once, but twice. Both times the untimely death of an agent and of one of his band members sunk the record deals that were about to be finalized.

Through the fire and disappointment, Louis has stayed the course is still going for his dream. We can all learn from him. He is laser focused and he loves what he is doing.

Louis and I work together at a major international law firm based in Lower Manhattan. You know, you never know who is who unless you ask people about what they do or, if you are so bold, to tell others what you do. Louis and I got to talking one day and we figured that we have the synergy to help each other out. It doesn't stop with me and Louis, though. There are other "grassroots entrepreneurs" at my office like Frank Perry, Michelle Nedd, Hector Pagan, Ranisha Morales, and the gentleman who did the CD cover design pictured above, Arsenio Echevarria.

Here is the 30-minute feature interview called "For the Love of Music" that I did with Louis Valore on Monday, November 9th, 2009 @ 12:00pm EDT.



Louis is available for gigs at clubs and private events. His phone number is 917.538.5220 and his website (where his schedule is posted) is @ www.LouisValore.com.

People, Pop & Roll, and rock on...

All the best,

Next-Generation Marketing Strategies for Making Millions Online

Wow...

Scott Fox is a real-deal small biz success story.

Scott Fox is a successful online entrepreneur, an expert on online small business social media marketing and e-business startup strategies, and now an author, radio talk show host, motivational speaker, and e-commerce startup advisor. He is the author of two books: Internet Riches, the best-selling guide to starting a business online, and also e-Riches 2.0, the leading guide to Web 2.0 online marketing strategies, and regular free email newsletters, too.

His expertise as an author is based on personal experience and success: Scott Fox has built multi-million dollar e-businesses ranging from small web site startups, to web sites for celebrities like Bill O’Reilly and Larry King, to the online division of a major corporation. His work and books have been covered by press outlets including the Boston Globe, LA Business Journal, Toronto's Globe & Mail, Wall Street Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer, Orange County Register, Smart Money and SUCCESS magazines, and many, many radio programs and blogs worldwide.

He recently launched an online success coaching community designed to help small business owners succeed online. The goal of this new social network of online marketers, e-commerce startup execs, and work-at-home entrepreneurs is to help people achieve a "Click Millionaire" lifestyle of personal success.

I really enjoyed interviewing him on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009.

Click on the player below to listen to the interview.



Make sure to check out Scott's sites at www.ScottFox.com to subscribe to his free newsletters and such, and for those that would like to receive coaching from Scott for less than $1 per day, go to www.ClickMillionaires.com.

May you prosper on the road to Internet riches.

Sincerely,

Fix your roof when the sun is shining

I met Stow, Ohio-based (FYI, Stow, OH is between Akron and Cleveland) Mike Sheehan on a BlitzTime event, and he really struck me as a definite cut above most insurance agents that I've met. Life insurance is not the sexiest thing to talk about, but Mike is extremely passionate about what he does. If the average entrepreneur or sales professional had a ounce of the enthusiasm that Mike Sheehan does, they would go a very, very long way.

Insurance is a very competitive, crowded industry. Some would even say that life insurance is a vanilla product. However, someone like Mike Sheehan will show you what is the best solution for you so in effect, he adds hot caramel, nuts, whip cream, and cherries to your insurance!

What I like most about Mike Sheehan is that he has very successfully used high tech tools like video email, social media, his website, face-to-face, and the speed networking over the phone to grow his business.

Check out this podcast from Friday, October 16th, 2009.



Make sure to visit Mike's website at www.YourInsurance411.com. Even though he is based in Ohio, with the power of the Internet he can help you no matter where you are in the USA.

Remember, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

All the best,

Sales Stretegies for Introverts (and extroverts that don't like to sell)

On Wednesday, October 14th, 2009, I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing America's #1 Sales Coach for Introverts (and Extroverts who don't like to sell), Patricia Weber, and it was an eye-opening experience.

I first met Pat on a BlitzTime event a few months ago and I've been trying to get her to do a podcast for a good while now. Well, when you're good you're good and she IS good and very hard to catch.

Here are some of the things that jumped out at me during the interview:

• People do not know how to network


• Networking can be fun, it depends on the kind of group you join. For instance, Pat does a lot of networking with her exotic car pals


• Social media is NOT a replacement for face-to-face networking - especially in you're a network marketer or a personal services provider (e.g., chiropractor, bookkeeper, etc.)


• Use LinkedIn to display your work history and to develop professional credibility; use Twitter share information; use Facebook to let people take a peek into your personal world; and use BlitzTime to "put the rubber on the road

With the tough times that our economy is going through, Pat mentioned that it is so important for people to learn how to market, sell, and how to network. She really broke-down what the difference between marketing and selling is, and how to do them both effectively.

This was probably one of the best interviews that I've had on the show to date, so make sure that you give it a listen. Just click on the player below to listen to the interview.



To learn more about Pat Weber and her services, go to her site at www.ProStrategies.com.

*** As of Wednesday, October 14th, 2009, she has a special promotion going on. CLICK HERE for the details. ***

Folks, we are committed to bring you the best and brightest. Make sure to tell people about this blog.

See you next time around.

Getting Passed the Gatekeeper

When you're making sales calls, getting passed the gatekeeper can be Herculean task. The gatekeeper is the individual that fields sales calls and protects his/her boss from solicitations.

Getting passed the gatekeeper is an art. Some things that can be helpful to your are learning the gatekeeper's name before you call on the decision maker in the organization, handwritten greeting cards, and little bags or boxes of chocolates.

Check out this show that GBN co-founders, Lisa Torres and Tyrone Turner (that's me!), did in April 2008 discussing this topic.



I hope that you find this helpful.

Happy selling,

Become a Web Marketing Whiz Kid

Kyle Nichols is the owner of a wonderful Internet marketing and coaching company, and what they have done is combine high-quality training and coaching from some of the best online marketers along with a very lucrative money-making referral program.

A member can truly earn while she learns. What is so pleasantly surprising is how affordable the program is, yet powerful enough for members to build an immediate and substantial long-term recurring income stream.

Kyle shared some tips on how we can become web marketing whiz kids by leveraging his latest product/program, You Can't Say No.

What is really appealing (to me, anyway) about this program is that it compliments whatever you're already working on by giving you more 'How To' online marketing knowledge. The catalog of training audios, videos, and the community of other online marketers that share best practices is extremely impressive. I can't believe that a person can have access to this program for less than $1.75 per day - unbelievable. Hey, You Can't Say No to that (pun intended).

To learn more about this product/program, visit www.WebMarketingWhizKids.com.

Click on the player below to listen to the interview that I did with Mr. Nichols on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009.

As Internet Marketing heavy-hitter, Perry Belcher, would say, "Hey man, the poops is out and you can't shove it back into the horse, so get with it because Internet marketing is not going anywhere and is only going to get bigger."

Hmmm...spoken like a true Texan.

With appreciation,

Offering rewards for the results you want

ReferQuest was founded by Camille Landau. The site was inspired by her desire to speed various transactions (finding a nanny, selling a car, finding office space) she was attempting to broker online. She had the idea when she noticed that the various searches were inefficient, and could benefit from the support of a third-party network. She believed that offering a referral reward would help speed the transactions, by bringing out a broader base of valid leads. ReferQuest was created to make e-commerce more efficient, and to help busy users make the most of their time.

I know that I'm supposed to be a neutral reporter, but please pardon my enthusiasm about this service - I absolutely LOVE this concept! It is going to help average peopled, 'grassroots captitalists', and Fortune 500 executives alike. You can join for FREE and you only have to pay a reward when you are satisfied with the referral you were given. This is truly a Web 2.0 service.

What also jumps off the page at me is that prolific networkers with huge databases can now be paid for giving referrals. These folks were already giving referrals to others and now they can get paid for doing so.


How ReferQuest Works

Overview:

Online customers waste time in search of buyers and sellers for their time-sensitive transactions. ReferQuest increases e-commerce's efficiency by providing incentives for refer-ers to match buyers & sellers. Clients post referral fees on ReferQuest to provide incentive for uncovering the connections they seek. Visitors refer the requests on to their own contacts. ReferQuest brokers the messages and tracks the dealings between the parties. ReferQuest updates and publishes star ratings of participants, supporting mutual accountability. When transactions close, ReferQuest collects the commission the client had posted, disbursing it to the person who provided the successful referral, and taking its own commission.

Using ReferQuest as a client:

ReferQuest allows you to post notices regarding what you're looking for, and how much you're willing to pay when someone (a "connector") helps you find it. The referral fee you post will attract connectors to assist you as you seek or sell a service or item.

ReferQuest doesn't take any payment upfront; when you're satisfied that you've found what you're looking for, the site trusts you to pay the referral fee you set. You can indicate that the transaction is closed by clicking on the status update button that appears next to the record of your posting in your Dashboard.

Paying the referral fee when you've finished a transaction will help you gain and maintain your standing as a highly-starred requester. A high rating will help ensure that highly-starred participants will want to work with you. It's up to you to decide how much you'll pay as a reward to find what you're looking for.

ReferQuest does not charge fees to post. It does charge by taking a 20% commission of the commission you post. For example, if you post a $20 reward, ReferQuest will take $4, leaving $16 for the connector. If you want the net fee you offer a refer-er to be $20, you would commit to pay $24.

Working with ReferQuest as a connector:

Anyone can make referrals on ReferQuest. Connectors (people who make referrals) don't have to be professionals. If you see a posting and know someone who could fulfill the request, you can send them an message through the ReferQuest system. Your friend will then have a chance to contact the requester via ReferQuest. If the requester chooses your friend, they will be expected to report the transaction as closed, at which point they will be prompted to pay you the reward they promised.

All members of ReferQuest are on the honor system, and honest participation helps members gain, and maintain, higher star ratings. When the requester closes the transaction (that you helped to set up), you are due the referral reward that they offered . It's easy for the requester to pay the reward through the site. If you're the connector and want to make sure you get paid, or if you were referred, and want to make sure the friend who connected you got paid, then you can send a note to the requester through the site, prompting them to pay. Keep in mind that ultimately, however, ReferQuest can't force the requester to pay... so, when choosing among requesters whose requests you can serve, check to see that they have a good rating.

Getting paid as a connector:

Payments on ReferQuest are made through PayPal.

Check out the interview I did with Camille on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 by clicking on the player below.



Make sure to check out ReferQuest's website at www.ReferQuest.com and sign-up TODAY.

See you at the top!

All the best,

Are you healthy enough to succeed in business?

Atlanta-based Donna Wilson is a holistic health consultant that has a white-hot burning passion to help others improve their lives from the inside out. That is to say to get there mind, body, spirit, and environment right.

To paraphrase Donna, she focuses on 8 things to have a full life:

1. Make time for family



2. Make time to socialize and meet new people



3. Take care of your body



4. Serve your community



5. Educate your mind



6. Tune in to the universe (i.e. spirituality, religion, GOD, etc.)



7. Take time to smell the roses and rest



8. Have fun

Donna's blog is at www.DonnaWilsonsWorld.com.

Check out the interview I did with her on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 by clicking on the player below.



Live strong,

The Accidental Entrepreneur: Turning Your Passion Into Profit

I had the good fortune to meet Mary Cravets on a Speed Networking Over the Phone event. She is a prolific networker that organizes and promotes face-to-face speed networking events in her home town of Sedona, Arizona.

She is the owner of Brilliant Virtual Assistance. What they do at Brilliant Virtual Assistance is provide support for entrepreneurs and companies that need help, but don't wish to incur the costs of hiring and maintaining employees. Whether it's consistent administrative support, or collaboration on a one-time project, their wide range of services, convenient access and inherent flexibility make them a great option to meet the ever-changing needs of business enterprises.

They are not a staffing agency so there are no agency or advertising fees. You pay only for services rendered.

She typically works with busy real estate agents and networking marketing / MLM professionals who have more than 4,000 sales representatives in their organization. However, her company has the flexibility to work with other entrepreneurs and sales professionals who are looking to free up their time from doing administrative things so that they can focus on revenue generating activities.

Being that her company is virtual in nature, they have clients all across the USA.

Listen to Mary's story on how she became an entrepreneur accidentally and how that accident has become a rather profitable operation. This interview took place on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 8:30pm EDT.

.

Make sure to visit Mary's site at www.BrilliantVA.com.

All the best,

Don't wait for President Obama or Congress to give you affordable health insurance

It's time to get back to the basics...

Now is the time to get back to the basics to insure your success in these times...

The three most important areas to take care of right now are:

1-Your health
2-Your relationships
3-Your finances

Let's talk today about the first one... Your health. There are many things you should be doing in stressful times to be strong in the future when things are back to normal.

Diet, exercise and regular health checkups are paramount to remain in tip-top shape.

With better health, your energy levels are high, and with higher energy, comes higher earnings.

Now most of you, may be taking care of your health through diet and exercise, but are not relying on health care or seeing the doctor for important checkups.

This is a BIG mistake considering that many illnesses and diseases are preventable by proper screening and testing including cancer, heart disease and diabetes to name a few.

You may be staying away from the doctor because you are either working for yourself or for someone who is not providing benefits.

Well, GOOD NEWS! Jamie Minton's company offers a program that gives great benefits without having to qualify. Even if you have health issues!

You can sign up online (no quotes needed) and make sure you are taking care of the most important asset you have...your health.

You can get basic coverage for as little as $99.00 per month as an individual, and the family plans are super low as well.

I'm glad someone finally stepped up to the plate and provided a much needed solution for those working on their own.

Jamie Minton lives in Atlanta, GA, and his website is www.QualityAffordableHealthPlans.com.

Check out this interview that I did with Jaime on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009.



I hope that you tell others about this program that can literally save lives.

To your health,



P.S. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. ~ Benjamin Franklin

How to plan for and get the career you want

I met Ciro DiScalfani on a speed networking over the phone event. In today's job market and with so many people being desirous of pursuing their passion, Ciro is the perfect person to hook up with.

Since 1992 Ciro has been coaching senior, mid-level executives and managers on career issues. He is noted for his innovative and creative skills in helping people think ‘outside the box.’ He has developed extensive business connections and is a master networker. Ciro’s over forty-five years of experience included working in a variety of capacities, e.g., flavor development technician & applications specialist; packaging engineer, manager, group leader, and consultant in the confections, OTC, household products and personal care & cosmetics industries. He made the transition to coaching and training when he started a retail career coaching firm with his partner, and spouse. He understands what it takes to plan and manage transitions. He has worked as an adjunct career coach and executive advisor for outplacement firms and has developed and facilitated training and career development programs for William Paterson University, and various companies, intent on improving staff, and management interpersonal skills and work environments.

Ciro is a wealth of knowledge and is a true go-giver. He sincerely works to help others meet their goals - even when there is no financial incentive to do so. Like I said, a true go-giver.

Ciro's website is www.SuccessStrategists.biz.

Check out an interview I did with him on the Wednesday, August 19, 2009 edition of GBN Talk Radio:



Who do you know who is unemployed or is looking to make a career change? Ciro DiScalfani can help them sort it all out.

Kind regards,



P.S. Back in the day, this guy, Paul, said "Be ye not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind". Think on that.

Leadership: Texas Hold 'Em Style

Using poker as analogy for leadership, Captain Andrew Harvey, CPD (ret.), Ed.D. and Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA found the right mix of practical experience and academic credentials to write a definitive book for leaders. Working together, Harvey and Foster have written Leadership: Texas Hold em Style. Most often leaders find they are given a set of resources people, equipment, funds, experience and a mission. As Foster noted, "You're dealt a certain hand. How you play that hand as a leader determines your success."

It was truly a joy for me to interview Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.). He really gave us all some real talk about what it needs to become successful. Personally, I particularly liked what he said about how to approach social networking sites and how you have to actually ask for the sale.

A lot of people forget what Mary Kay Ash said: "Nothing happens until you sell something."

You can visit Raymond's website at www.PokerLeadership.com.

Click on the player below to listen to the 60-minute interview I did with him on Tuesday, 28 July 2009.



This is a 'must listen to' interview.

I am working hard to bring you real talent from across our great nation and our wonderful neighbor to the north (Canada).

Peace & blessings,

Martial sayings of Sensei Buddha

He has had real world work with his martial arts training via being a security specialist providing executive protection for celebrities such as Madonna, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, and Ice T just to name a few. He has also been a 'door man' at several popular clubs in NYC.

As a security specialist, he has had to quell situations as quickly and as discretely as possible. Sensei Buddha says that a lot of violent confrontations can be avoided if you remain aware of your surroundings and check your ego. By checking your ego he means swallowing your pride and walking away when possible. Acting level-headed and calm, also causes your attacker to drop his or her guard and allow you a better opportunity to launch a preemptive strike - mentally or physically.



Check out this quick 15-minute audio interview with Sensei Buddha.



If you live in the greater NYC area, I highly recommend that you contact Sensei Buddha to train with him.

His phone number is 718.864.6022, his website is www.BuddhaStrike.com, and his blog is www.Buddha-Buddhastrike.blogspot.com.



Thanks.