So – in business where would I begin again now?

Well – there would be some criteria to what I would want from my business. In no particular order:

1. Repeat income
2. Easy’ish to train team members
3. No limit on upside
4. Low up front risk
5. Fast implementation
6. Clear demand for the product or service from one or more easily definable and contactable market groups
7. Something I am interested in
8. Easy to explain
9. Has already been done successfully by others
10. Great margins
11. Actually provides continuing value for end users
12. Would continue into the future as a valid value creator.

And there may be a few other criteria – but these are a good start.

The “internet” jumps out as a potential source of businesses like that. I know that because I am spammed on a daily basis with offers to join, buy, invest and otherwise participate in “here it is – don’t miss out opportunities”.

So I did a little sort based on the criteria above – of the opportunities being ‘promoted’ to me – to see if any were worthy.

Strangely enough – a large number did seem viable. Of course – the sales letters and videos and structures are designed to make them seem so.

Two current “launches” stood out. One perhaps because I was already heading down that strategic path with my other existing businesses, and the other because I have seen the enormous and growing power of Facebook and the like.

So – investigate them if you are looking for a new start – or another string to your business bow.

First is Main Street Marketing Machines. This is perfect if you have slightly more understanding of marketing that most “local” business owners. Here is my link: http://www.mainstreetmarketingmachines.com/cmd.php?af=696938

It is worth watching the free videos – just to see how they have strategically positioned themselves to assist a very large crowd of hungry customers.

The second is called “Crowd Conversion”. It is aimed clearly at the group of people who want to be able to make a lot of money using Facebook. Facebook recently overtook Google and Youtube as the most visited site worldwide. Everyone with half a brain wants to know how to get thousands of ‘fans’ (now called ‘friends’ or ‘likes’). This product shows you how to do it – and from what I have seen – it seems like it is very effective. Again – watch the videos – even if only for the insights to very good, targetted, marketing.

This one is something I would use to develop the channels for my other businesses – or offer that channel to other business owners who don’t want to be bothered “figuring out Facebook” – but do want to be part of the profits. There are people here now who make good pocketmoney just setting up Fan pages for local businesses – usually quite badly. There is a demand for people to do it as described in the Crowd Conversion.

My link is http://www.crowdconversion.com/?11195

When you go there you will find a very good headline for anyone who gets Facebook:

FREE! “You’ll Discover At Least Eight Things
You Can Start Doing On Facebook Right Now, That
Will Dramatically Impact Your Business—And By
That I Mean Astounding Profitability!”

Whether or not these suit you and your criteria – they are great examples of focused business models – with step by step action steps – which appeals to me – because I can train team to do them.

Cheers

James

Business Coach

This tool allows you to deconstruct beliefs and replace them elegantly during the course of a “normal” conversation.

I have several different trainings on this that I revisit regularly – and ALWAYS get new, potent insights.

One of the better ones is produced by Salad in the UK. For some bizarre reason Jamie has dropped the price of this course until this friday from 771 UK Pounds to 97 Pounds. That is about 87% off.

If you are even vaguely serious about improving your coaching skills in a ridiculously short time – get it right now.

Here is the link:
Click Here

Cheers
James

Ps when you click the link above – it will take you to a information sales page. Be sure to click on the photo in the middle of the screen – which is actually a video. In the video – a slightly annoying Jamie explains how Jesus Christ was a master NLP practitioner! How he used reframing to move people. A big call – but interesting anyway.

Robert Cialdini is the author of the era-leading work  ”Influence”.  If you work includes ANY need for persuasion skills start with the Influence book.  Then add to your order his other books – particularly including “YES!  50 Secrets of Persuasion.”  Here is the link: Yes!: 50 Secrets from the Science of Persuasion

Next book is a replacement copy of “The Einstein Factor” by Win Wenger.  You may have heard me rave about this book before – if not – here is my endorsement:

This is the very best book I have come across EVER on the development of mental and creative skills.   If you want more from your brain – and are looking for the path to doing it quickly and easily – get this book.

It has been around for a while – and it will be around for much longer.  I would make it compulsory for study from Grade 5 onwards – and Australia would rocket to the top of the academic/science world again.  Buy it for yourself, or buy it for your family.   On a related note, my 9 year old son entered the national University of NSW Competition for Primary Students.  Next month we are travelling to Brisbane so he can be presented with a “medal” for achieving the highest score in Qld in English in his grade.  He is also in the top .05% for maths and science in that competition.   I have only shown him a tiny part of what is in this book.

If you want an edge in creativity – get this book.  You can probably sense that I think this is a great resource.

Here is the link: The Einstein Factor

Cheers

James

Business Developer and Coach

Townsville

NLP is everywhere – but you get what you pay for..

The basic parts of NLP can be found in a ton of books and DVDs – or just to to Youtube and search. You will find great stuff on most areas – eg rapport building, future pacing, anchoring. You will also find a lot of BS that claims to be great.  I know because I seem to have bought most of it over the years.

Good news for Coaches

About two years ago I came across a section of NLP called ‘Sleight of Mouth’. It is a strange name, but gives a structure to people’s beliefs. Yeah – right – so what?

Well – it took me a while but one analogy that might help understand the amazing power is to consider the structure of a house. A house has supporting parts, separating parts, a floor, a roof. When we understand the structure of a house – and know what parts MUST be there and what parts can be moved without the house falling over – we get to have a wonderful opportunity to renovate safely.

“Renovate” your clients or prospects beliefs

Sleight of Mouth gives us the ability to ‘renovate’ beliefs. And in general it is our beliefs that determine our success in life. The slight flaw in the analogy to a house structure is that Sleight of Mouth is done in a ‘conversational’ manner. There is no overt hypnotism, and nothing appears that dramatic – except that beliefs can be changed with a gentle sentence or two. And there is a choice of two dozen different tools that you can use for ‘belief renovating’.

The course that I bought over two years ago is this one: http://bit.ly/6vx0y

It is presented by Doug O’Brien who was a top Tony Robbins trainer. It is interesting, flows well – and just watching it will improve your selling and coaching skills, and you will begin to start wondering what other obvious things most of us are simply not seeing! If you practice it – your communication and persuasion skills will skyrocket – even if they are great now.

Harlan – who co-presents this awesome skill builder calls it “Verbal Aikido”. I agree. I also think the price of this course is covered just by the introduction that talks about perspective affecting our reality. If is fully guaranteed – but I don’t think there are very many claims. I still have mine.

I am happy to endorse just about everything that Harlan puts together, and I have several of his programs.

Go here now and read the sales page. http://bit.ly/6vx0y You will even notice great persuasion structures built into the sales page. And if you don’t see it – it just proves even more that you need the course asap.

Who are you going to be today?

Have fun

James

Ps By the way – you do not need to have prior NLP training to be able to immediately use Doug’s Sleight of Mouth magic.

Pps check out sleight of mouth on youtube – but BUY Doug’s DVDs.  It will save you a lot of time.

And I thought – WOW!  That is exactly what effective marketing can be for business leverage.  In case you were wondering, a trimtab is a nautical item used for centuries.  It was the tiny little extra rudders that were put on the much larger rudders that allowed the bosun to easily turn the ship.

Turn the Queen Mary With a Push of  Your Mouse

It meant that a little guy in a cabin could just roll the dial around and the little rudders would turn, and the water pressing on them would turn the big rudders.  So you can turn the Queen Mary with no more effort than moving your computers mouse.

To me – a trim tab symbolizes the ultimate physical world example of Leverage.  So how to we apply this to business?

Small Changes That Bring Huge Changes

You know that there are pressure points in business.  It can be systems, it can be training, or it might even be physical equipment like computers or tractors.  But for most business coaches, the one outstanding lever is in improving the marketing of our clients business (or our own).  A small improvement in the conversion rate or the methodical structuring of marketing processes can blast revenue right off the chart.

A change of headlines, or a variation in an offer, or even changing the font of a testimonial can be a “trim tab” for marketing success.  I love the idea of just improving the conversion rate of current marketing – it is true leverage.

The Leverage of Copying Copy Systems That Work

In your business you either outsource your copywriting (or you should be), or you have done the grunt work and training to become great at it – so that you can look after your clients.  Doing copy for your clients can be a powerful premium or profit centre for you.  Unless you are not up to standard.

Maybe you.  like me – when you first began – ferociously devoured all the copywriting headbuilders.  You read all the Eugene Schwartz, the Victor Schwab,  James Webb Young, Ogilve and Caples you could stomach.  You probably also read Halbert,  Dan Kennedy, Galleti, and lots of others – many of whom just rehashed the “classics”.  Thousands of hours of reading and study.

To Keep My Standards Up – I Need a Decent Copywriting Refresher

These days I am a bit busy.  The thought of re-dredging through that material was not an inspiring one for me.   Nor is it good use of leverage.  I want someone who is at the top of their game in copywriting to give me a tune up.  I am learning that if I let go of my ego and desire to be at the front of the room ALL THE TIME – I can progress way faster with less work.

My research has shown me that Pete Godfrey has the ideal refresher (or starter) Copywriting course for a business coach.  So I am going to one in August.  The reason I am going is because if I can increase the conversion of the marketing I am doing in my own businesses – and in that of my clients – the value added is exponential.

The courses are one day. which I like.  They are from 8.30 to 5 and they will follow a proven structure.  They also are smallish groups which I enjoy more.

I contacted Pete and suggested strongly that because I am placing him as a very early entry in this new Business Coaching Tools blog – he create a special bonus or two for any business coach comes to the course after reading this article.

Extra Bonus – $1650 Business Coach Only Ad or Letter Critique

The agreed  bonus is a free critique from him personally of a sales letter or ad – for which he usually charges $1500 plus gst.    I wonder what a critique from Pete would have on the conversion rate of YOUR main business coaching device?  It certainly gives my greed glands a pleasant thrill.

Hrrm.  Anyway the dates are as follows and then no more this year.

Sydney 28th July

Melbourne 8th August

Perth 15th August

Adelaide 16th August

Brisbane 18th August.

If you are going to give your copywriting a good brush-up then you need to reserve your spot immediately.  Go to the info page below, and when customizing your details add “Business Coach Package” to the coupon code box – or miss out on the bonus letter or advert review.

Click Here For Pete Godfrey’s Blog and Generally Good Info On Copywriting