Perks of the Trade October 2004 Unsubscribe information can be found at the end of this email. =========================================================== Contents =========================================================== Quotes Of The Month--Socrates and Bruce Lee Editorial--Glenn Beach Feature Article: "Internet Etiquette for Business Success"--Glenn Beach Humor Article: "What Matters Most to Your Business: Skills or Beliefs?"--Glenn Beach Veriuni Product Updates Featured Veriuni Products Guest Article: "10 Ways To Build Trust And Build Your Business"--Charlie Cook Internet Marketing News Tips Q & A "If"--Rudyard Kipling Advertisements General & Unsubscribe Info =========================================================== Quotes of the Month =========================================================== "Kn*ow thyself." Socrates "Look at the water. Water can flow and it can crash. If you put it in a bottle, it becomes a bottle. If you put it in a tea pot, it becomes a pot. Be water, my friend." Bruce Lee =========================================================== Editorial =========================================================== This issue is about personal growth as an entrepreneur. In my own online work I've been concentrating a lot of my energy on my website visitors. I'm trying to imagine who they are, trying to put myself into their heads and hearts so I can improve my service to them. In my mind, I'm focusing on THEM, not me. Then I read this somewh*ere: "Multi-level gurus all say that 90% of the men and women who enter the network marketing industry lack the business training, self-confidence, time management skills, people skills and belief systems to succeed. You must be willing to work harder on yourself than any other aspect of your business." I'm convinced it's not so black and white, this me-and-you concept. Some of this is black: that's me focusing on my products, on how I present myself; on fixing my website so it looks good to me,pleases my eye; talking about me me me in my web copy; and so on. Some of this is white: me trying to understand who YOU are,what your needs and desires are, what problems you are trying to solve, trying to give you what you're looking for. Then th*ere's the gray, and it's the gray I will be focusing on in this issue of Perks of the Trade. How can I improve myself in order to serve you better? Two distinct areas develop in this discussion, learning specific business skills, and working on less concrete things such as identifying belief systems. Starting with Socrates, then on to Bruce Lee, finishing up with some Kipling.... I hope you enjoy this issue, Pour yourself a cup of coffee and settle in for a good read. Glenn =========================================================== Feature Article--"Internet Etiquette for Business Success" by Glenn Beach =========================================================== You're trying to recruit a downline into your program, you've tried every trick in the book, and no one is signing up. Is there a sign on your back that says you've got the plague? Maybe you're lacking in internet etiquette. Certain people skills are important for all businesspersons. Online aff*iliate business presents unique challenges to the webmaster. While modern society tends towards individualism to the extreme, no consideration for others, and oftentimes total lack of self-restraint, internet relationships additionally have the mixed reputation of being cold and emotionless, depersonalized, fake, extreme (as in "flaming"), and untrustworthy until proven trustworthy. Add to this skepticism towards commercialism both on and offline ("what's he trying to sell me? what's the catch?") and you can understand the importance of learning internet ettiquette for business success. I'll give you 8 points to keep in mind. 1. Thoughtful attention: Most internet communication is via the written word. For example, I can tell you that a website is really cool; maybe you're first impression is that I'm saying I like it because it's hip and trendy. In the context of a discussion of website color palettes I may be referring to the shades of blue and gray used. Or maybe I mean the site doesn't draw the visitors...you see my point. Clarity is important. 2. Taking the time for clarity: The internet has accustomed us to in*stant gratification. Just as you may not stick around if a website takes more than 10 seconds to load, or if a webmaster takes more than 30 seconds to make his point, you may not take the time to clarify what's been said in an email or chat and become angry or impatient. It's important to understand intentions. Be careful to separate your own emotional reaction from what was actually meant. Be sure you understand that the intention was to poke friendly fun, not to criticize, and so on. 3. Timely communication: Understand the customers' or colleagues' expectations and needs, and be considerate of how and when you communicate. Remember that people need to be remembered, recognized and included. 4. Create a culture of caring: As I stated above, we live in a world of lack of consideration. Think about how careless we can become with our language when we rely on eye contact and body language to communicate our meaning. These are absent on the internet. We have to consciously create a culture of caring. Everyone needs to feel safe, connected and important. Building trust allows everyone to ask questions, which is the only way to learn, even when they risk appearing stupid. 5. Be the Super Aff*iliate you want in your downline: Express your goals, accept responsibility for your words, remember that we are all teachers, be visible (in forums, in your blog, with personal notes and changes in your website text, updates and newsletters). Be honest and genuine, listen well, be generous and helpful, be clear in expressing what you need, give thanks and stay in touch. 6. Help others achieve their goals: Refer your customers elsewhere when appropriate, this builds trust like no other action can. This can even lead to reciprocity from your competition or a joint venture. 7. Find common ground: remember you are building friendships and teamwork as well as making money. 8. Remember, you are your team's greatest advocate. If you've learned the above skills well, you kn*ow your teammates and can come to their aid and defense if need be. You're there when they need you, and their testimonials grace your homepage. If you allow yourself to grow and change in these 8 ways and apply them to your internet communications, you'll be successful at building trust and rapport with your online colleagues. They'll be scrambling to sign up and they'll want to stick around. Glenn Beach is a poet, writer and home business entrepreneur in Nova Scotia, Canada. F*ree newsletter, more articles, and business start-up info at: http://www.work-at-home-business-opportunity-canada.com =========================================================== Humor =========================================================== In 1998 a business magazine ran a contest asking for Dilbert-like quotes from people who had real-life Dilbert- like managers. Some of the winners: As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday and employees will receive their cards in two weeks. (Microsoft Corporation - this one took first place) We kn*ow that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to discuss it with the employees. (AT&T Long Lines Division) This gem is the closing paragraph of a nationally circulated memo: "Lucent Technologies is endeavorily determined to promote constant attention on current procedures of transacting business focusing emphasis on innovative ways to better, if not supercede, the expectations of quality!" (Lucent Technologies - previously a division of AT&T) [isn't it AT&T that says "reach out and touch someone"?] =========================================================== What Matters Most to Your Business: Skills or Beliefs? by Glenn Beach =========================================================== Skills or beliefs; this may well be another example of the age-old "chicken or the egg" dilemna. I tend to side more strongly with beliefs. I'll give you a story to illustrate why. I've always admired eagles. They're graceful predators that command the skies...usually. But how many times have you witnessed a situation like this? One day I was watching a mating pair of bald eagles circling overhead. I was in awe of their grace, beauty and strength. Then I noticed two other birds, sparrows perhaps, giving chase. The sparrows circled quickly, dove at the eagles' heads, then rose quickly to circle again and make another dive. Over and over. The eagles managed maneuver after maneuver to evade the attacks by the sparrows. Gradually the eagles moved off, finally disappearing into the distance. The sparrows returned to their nest and eggs or babies (no doubt). What just happened? Because sparrows are smaller and more agile than hawks, and can more easily position themselves for attack, their self-confidence is strong. Because sparrows are less fragile than hawks, and do not fear feather damage to the same degree, their self-confidence is strong. Because sparrows are quicker than hawks, so they can more easily retreat if they have to, their self-confidence is strong. And because their need was greater, they succeeded. I'm not saying skill isn't important. If those sparrows didn't kn*ow how to fly, or didn't kn*ow how to use their physical advantages, they wouldn't have succeeded. But I do believe that the deciding factors were self-confidence born of skill, and need derived from the instinct to protect their young. How does this translate to business? You must be HUNGRY to succeed, you must be CONFIDENT that you will, and you must have the SKILLS to apply with this DRIVE. No one is born with business skills. Internet millionaire- ism isn't genetic. Read everything you can get your hands on; find someone who's been there, done that and follow where s/he leads; find a company, program, or system that is ethical, honest, and works, and STICK WITH IT as if your life depended on it. Want to kn*ow where you can go to get this kind of information, motivation and inspiration? A few ideas and some links: The "Endorsements" page on my website: http://www.work-at-home-business-opportunity- canada.com/endorsements.html where you can find links to: 1)The latest information, advice, special offers, and tools you need immediately, accessible online, anytime, day or night, updated weekly: International Association of Home Business Entrepreneurs 2)Cory Rudyl's latest update; learn from the millionaire himself: "Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet, 2004" This is maybe the man I admire most in marketing, Dr. Joe "Mr. Fire" Vitale; his website, where you can learn about Spiritual Marketing: http://www.mrfire.com Home business success is more than just a program or book. It's learning self-discipline, focus, determination, perseverance and fortitude that will carry you through the inevitable down times. It's kn*owing that the universe provides, abundance and security are your right, prosperity is flowing your way. Armed with the kn*owledge and personal skills necessary, your self confidence will overflow. Size ISN'T everything. Glenn Beach is a poet, writer and home business entrepreneur in Nova Scotia, Canada. F*ree newsletter, more articles, and business start-up info at: http://www.work-at-home-business-opportunity-canada.com =========================================================== SFI/Veriuni Updates =========================================================== * The New "Welcome to SFI" Self-Mailer --SFI continues to upgrade its marketing toolbox. * AuthorizeNet Update: Although the situation has improved during the past several days, AuthorizeNet (a company that processes online credit card transactions, including those at SFI) is still experiencing intermittent problems processing transactions. SFI's Support Center will take your emails or ph*one calls about any problems you are encountering. Way to go, SFI, standing behind its people. * New Training Articles: Once again the Special Reports section of the Resource Center has been updated with new information to help you start and grow your business. No wonder 27,564 people joined SFI in the first 3-1/2 weeks of September. =========================================================== Featured Veriuni Products =========================================================== Hot Titles: e-book: "The Gift of Wealth", by Irv Widmer, a new, comprehensive industry workbook packed with simple, practical techniques you can learn in just two hours! https://www.ezinfocenter.com/8316011.103/Item.vstore?id=762 ASTRONOMY magazine covers both the science and hobby of astronomy. Clear, jargon-f*ree articles and magnificent photography and artwork update you on the latest astronomical research and space exploration. A monthly all- sky map and observing tips show you where and when to look for planets, stars, galaxies, and more. https://www.ezinfocenter.com/8316011.103/Item.vstore?id=156 =========================================================== Guest Article: "10 Ways To Build Trust And Build Your Business" By Charlie Cook =========================================================== You wouldn't buy a car if you didn't think it could get you home. And you wouldn't purchase it from a dealer you thought was robbing you blind on the price and might not stand behind it if the engine fell out as you drove it off the lot. Before making a purchase from you, buyers need to trust that your products and services will do what they are supposed to. Does your marketing help establish the trust necessary to convince prospects to buy from you? If you're struggling to attract clients and customers, use the following tactics to convert prospects to clients. 1. Get Testimonials No matter how great your credentials are or how much experience you've had, people pay more attention to what others have to say about you. Pick up the ph*one and call your customers to ask what they thought of your product or service, what they liked about it and how it was helpful. Edit their comments, get their permission to use the comments and then feature these testimonials in your marketing materials. 2. Use Articles Instead Of Ads We have come to distrust ads and to believe what we read in published articles. Invest your time in writing articles to establish yourself as an expert. If you run ads, include testimonials in them. 3. Give Something Away When you give something to people, regardless of the cost, they are more likely to trust you and return the favor by buying something from you. Use an ebook, article, workshop or f*ree demonstration to build trust. 4. Get Referrals When you need a new doctor, lawyer, plumber, carpenter or a place to eat you ask a friend for a referral. You trust the recommendations of people you kn*ow, and in fact, that's how the majority of people find jobs. Don't wait for the occasional referral to come in spontaneously; implement a proactive system to generate referrals. 5. Exchange Endorsements Team up with a business you trust that also targets your market. Get them to include an endorsement of your products and services in their marketing and do the same for them. While a personal referral is ideal, an endorsement is a cl*ose second. This tactic can double your marketing reach at zero cost. 6. Give Examples Tell a story instead of making impersonal and dramatic claims of what you or your product does. Use case studies to tell what you did for whom and the difference it made in their life or their business. 7. Personalize Your Marketing Its a common misperception that to sound credible your marketing should be dry and impersonal. People do business with people. You need to help prospects get to kn*ow you and trust you. Let your passion and personality come across in your marketing as well as your professionalism. Include a picture of yourself, with a smile, in a prominent place on the first page of your marketing materials. 8. Reduce Perceived Risk Buyers' biggest concern is how well your product or service will perform. Providing a guar*antee may help, but in most cases its not going to make the sale. Clarify the value you provide and state your commitment to seeing that your clients are not only happy, but ecstatic about your product and services. 9. Make Contact Easy If you want clients to get in touch with you, show them how. Put your ph*one number at the top of your marketing materials and tell them to call. When you call them, give them your number again at the end of the conversation and tell them to call. If you have a web site, put a contact form at the bottom of your home page. 10. Stay In Touch The people you see and talk to on a regular basis are usually the ones you trust the most. Communication isn't the only ingredient for developing trust, but it is a critical one. If you sell services or high end products, a personal call is one of the best ways to address prospects' concerns, and to establish trust. Contact your prospects and clients regularly and get feedback on what they are worried about. You want to convert prospects to clients and clients to repeat clients. Use these ten marketing tactics to build trust and you'll find more prospects buying your products and services. ------------------------------------------------------------ About the Author The author, Charlie Cook, helps independent professionals and small business owners who are struggling to attract more clients and grow their businesses. To get the f*ree marketing guide, and sign up for the 'More Business' ezine, full of practical marketing tips, visit www.charliecook.net 2003 © In Mind Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. =========================================================== Internet Marketing News =========================================================== Source: http://www.bearzweb.com/online_marketing_news.html Thursday, September 30, 2004 Flood of S*pam Continues, Despite Ban Your inbox is probably flooded with s*pam, despite a federal anti-junk e-mail law that went into effect Jan. 1. S*pam still accounts for about 75 percent of all e-mail, according to Postini, a California-based e-mail filtering company. Postini's Chris Smith says the overall volume of S*pam is holding steady - but X-rated s*pam has dropped by about half since January. Smith says porno s*pam is n*ow less than 1 percent of junk e-mail. Smith says s*pam remains a problem because junk e-mail works.He says e-mail is so cheap to send, a s*pammer just needs afew people to respond to make the effort profitable. © 2004 The Associated Press [all the *'s in this issue are my attempts to get this newsletter past s*pam filters. Yes, those same filters that don't really work on s*pam...Glenn] Source:http://www.searchenginejournal.com/ 9/29/2004 Google News Biased? Can Algorithms Take Sides? Danny Sullivan posted a thread at SEW forums named News Search & Biases, where he points to an article written at OJR.org named Balancing Act: How News Portals Serve Up Political Stories. This blew my mind. The article discusses how Google News seems to be favoring the conservative papers over the more left-wing, liberal papers. The logic is as follows: Do a search at Google News on Kerry and your likely to see articles that are in opposition to Kerry. N*ow do a search on Bush at Google News and you will find news that favors Bush. How is it that Google News, an algorithmic search technology, can be a conservative over a liberal? The article gives an excellent theory as to the answer to this question. They quote Ethan Zuckerman, former vice president of Tripod.com and n*ow a fellow at Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society, who offers a possible answer to this question. Basically, he says that the main stream (conservative) papers often, when discussing Kerry, put “Kerry” in the title of the article. Whereas, the liberal papers do not. In addition, the liberal papers often use Kerry’s full name in the article content and if you do a search on John Kerry as opposed to just Kerry in Google News, you will find more liberal papers discussing Kerry. – Columnist Barry Schwartz is the Editor of Editor of Search Engine Roundtable and President of RustyBrick, Inc., a Web services firm specializing in customized online technology that helps companies decrease costs and increase sales. =========================================================== Tips =========================================================== When replying to an email from a colleague with a problem, start out by rephrasing his or her concern. Finish this sentence: "Did I understand you correctly, that you___?" That way your response will be taken in the context of what you understand and confusions can be cleared up quickly, no offense taken. =========================================================== Q & A =========================================================== Q: I see a lot of message forwarding in emails. Is there a right and wrong way to do this in business emails? A: Unlike the forwarding we see amongst friends, you should always get the author's permission first. If that is impossible, restate the original contents in your own words and include a reference to your source. You shouldn't ever cut and paste someone else's message, intending it to be understood as your own words. =========================================================== "If" by Rudyard Kipling =========================================================== [IF] If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you But make allowance for their doubting too, If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream--and not make dreams your master, If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And l*ose, and start again at your beginnings And n*ever breath a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings--nor l*ose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much, If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son! --Rudyard Kipling =========================================================== Classified Ads =========================================================== You can't afford not to read Excellence magazine. Nitty- gritty network marketing tips and techniques, how-to's, home business help, and personal growth/success gems. It's YOURS for the asking, with no-obligation, just for visiting my website. http://www.empowerism.com/e/89270/join.cfm =========================================================== General & Unsubscribe Info =========================================================== Perks of the Trade © Copyright 2004 Glenn Beach, except where indicated otherwise. All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from copyright holder(s). All trademarks are property of theirrespective owners. All contents provided as is. No express orimplied income claims made herein. Your business success is dependent on many factors, including your own abilities. Advertisers are solely responsible for ad content. To contact us with feedback, concerns or praise: mailto:begle@work-at-home-business-opportunity-canada.com To subscribe: mailto:begle@work-at-home-business-opportunity-canada.com To unsubscribe: mailto:begle@work-at-home-business-opportunity-canada.com You are encouraged to use excerpts from this newsletter as long as you include a link to my page: http://www.work-at-home-business-opportunity-canada.com =========================================================== Sincerely, Glenn Beach SFI Sponsor Perks of the Trade is a subscription-only ezine available by subscription only. We neither use nor endorse the use of sp*am. All the *s in this newsletter are my attempts to get this newsletter past the spam filters and into the mailboxes that have requested it. Thank you for reading!