Where’s The Magic Button?

Only time will tell, but if I live to be 100 years old, I doubt that I will ever understand the way some people think these days.

When it comes to the Internet and business there seems to be two distinct views.
• One, that there is no way that anyone could possibly find a way to really make money with their computer and a good Internet connection, because it's just too technical and "I" don't understand it; or
• two, just point me in the right direction and show me where the "magic button" is... there must be a "get rich quick" scheme out there somewhere that will work, and if it will make me a millionaire in about a week or so, I am more than willing to send you some of my hard earned money, and if I don't have enough on hand, I will try to find a way to finance this great idea!

Wow! I am amazed that either of these extremes is still around. The Internet has been here since the late 1960's and the web for about17 or 18 of those years. What could possibly cause anyone to be looking at this huge collection of "links" and "content" and not understand anymore about it than they do? Which one of these categories do you fall into? Don't believe it's possible, or can't wait till tomorrow to start counting those dollars that will soon be rolling in?

The fact of the matter is, the Internet can be a source of revenue if you approach it the right way, and take the time to learn something about it and the people who "live" there. On the other hand, it can be quite a drain of resources for those who fail to take the time to find out how to proceed. Unfortunately, there are a lot of "snake oil" promoters out there who will lead you down the "rosy" path if you let them. Then there are a few honest one's too... But they all look the same. They are hard to tell apart. So what's the answer? Maybe it would help if you did know where the "magic button" is located.

The "magic button" is at your disposal almost 24 hours every day, day in and day out, 7 days a week and year round, and it's so obvious you will probably hear someone, someday, tell you that it was right there under your nose all along... But that would be a lie. It's not right under your nose; it's just above and behind it.

Your "brain" is where the "magic button" resides. Very simply put, if you do your "due diligence", in other words, "think" and do the research necessary to learn more about what the "snake oil" promoter is pushing, you will likely find that it is really, "too good to be true". Fore thought and hard work are the key major ingredients to any success. Sure, there are cases where you might have to extend your self some, or find an "information gap" that will require some level of trust, but there is never a good reason to "put on the blinders" and just follow anyone who has a good story.

On the other hand, if you feel like you have been left behind by all these younger folks who never knew what it was like to actually work out a math problem with a pencil and a piece of paper, and that there is really no hope for you to learn enough about the Internet to get any benefit from it, then you are passing up the opportunity of a lifetime. I don't care who you are, there is a "starting place" for you. There was for me, and there have literally been millions who have picked up the knowledge to make a go of some sort of business on the Internet. It can be done, and you can do it. It will take dedication and discipline, but that is required of almost any endeavor.

Take some time to get the facts. It isn't hard to get some reasonable input and advice, and no you don't have go pay for either. But there is one thing that you will have to do, and that is to open the door and open your mind to possibilities that you may have never known could exist.

Bill Reid is a Virtual Business and Internet marketing specialist who shares fundamental information resources for the aspiring Internet entrepreneur. Talk about promotion… How about a free trip to Hawaii for two? Check it out. It’s worth over $3000.00. All you need is a little luck.

2. Can You Read, Write and Speak?
Can you read, write and speak?

With so much being written about home based businesses and work from home jobs these days it’s hard to even keep up with all the new terminology. We hear stuff like “Internet Store Front”, “Online Business”, “Internet Business”, “Internet or Online Marketing”, “Virtual Business”, “Internet Mall”, telecommuting, and so on, adnauseum. But, what does it all mean?

Isn’t the bottom line with any “business” providing some valuable service or product in an effort to earn money? Doesn’t that mean that a “sale” has to be made? If we break any business down to its lowest common denominator, won’t we find that there has finally been a transaction wherein both parties to the transaction agree that a fair trade has occurred? I think everyone knows that what has just been described is a necessary part of everyday life.

The problem, as I see it, is the general perception by Americans in particular, that a product or service must be sold. It’s easy to see why Americans would feel that such is the case, because everywhere one turns, whether it’s the phone, the television, the radio, the newspaper, the Internet, and a whole host of other mediums, including, still, some door to door efforts, it seems we are “accosted” by an attempt to “sell” us something that we “need”. So why shouldn’t we be defensive when we are treated more like a target than a human being?

In my mind, the solution to all this “marketing madness” is as plain as the nose on our faces. Those of us who are in business need to quit selling, and just allow those who need our service or product to just buy it.

So, when will they buy it? They will buy when we provide them with enough information to decide if they “need” it.

When do we provide them with that information? We provide it as soon as they ask for it.

When will they ask for information? They will ask for it when you create enough curiosity in the prospects mind to trigger a question to you.

Now, can you read, write and speak? Do you own an Internet connected computer? Do you have a telephone? Could you use some help paying your gasoline bill, or buying groceries?

Let me define my version of a “Virtual Business” for you. In its most basic form, a Virtual Business, in my estimation, means that you can stay at home, sit in front of your computer or next to your telephone, create enough interest from those with whom you speak to get permission to send them some information electronically. Then allow that person enough time to digest the information, give them a second call to get their response to your offer, either yes or no, interested or not. It is just that simple.

In your Virtual Business, with the proper tools in place, when you get a “yes” the transaction is done online, the customer receives the product directly from the company, which has collected the payment, and makes sure that you get paid electronically. You receive a nice profit and all you do is simply ask people to look at some information about your product on the Internet. Isn’t that cool?

Now, what if you could set up the complete “Virtual Business” operation, and operate it with a monthly overhead that is roughly equal to the cost of a tank of gasoline? Maybe less.

Can you read, write and speak? Do you own a computer? Have a telephone? Need to earn some money?

Bill Reid is a Virtual Business Specialist

3. What Causes People to
What causes people to not succeed?

I like to keep the word “failure” out of my vocabulary as much as possible, but sometimes it’s necessary to address the issue. Why? Well, because there are so many people out there who have the potential, and capabilities to succeed at just about anything they choose to do, but don’t, and it drives me about half nutty when I see it happening to people I care about.

Shining light on the culprit

Avoiding the “word” is tough, but if you will bear with me for a few minutes here and just agree to the term “not succeeding” as a replacement, I want to pass on what I believe to be the major obstacle that causes people to “not succeed”.

The Wisdom Of My Grand Dad

Many years ago, after I had already been married for about 4 years, my wife and I were childless, and with no plan to change the situation. At the end of a visit with my Grand Dad and Grand Mother one evening, we were parting company and as we did, he asked me when we were going to start a family. The question caught me off guard somewhat, so I just gave him the stock answer I was using as a “put off” to just about everything at the time… I just told him, “I guess when we can afford children”. His reply was quick and warm as he smiled and said, “If you wait till you can afford children, you’ll never have any.” Of course, I just laughed and we all parted with a chuckle. But as the years passed, his words kept coming back to me when I would find myself in an uncomfortable decision making process. “If you wait till you can afford it, you’ll never have”… whatever the subject of the matter happened to be.

What does this story have to do with business or success?

In my humble opinion, my Grand Dad’s bit of wisdom, passed to me many years ago, is the key to eliminating “roadblocks to success”, and it doesn't matter whether it's personal or business. In my business, virtual business that is, the ability to apply self direction is one of the essentials to success. The major reason that people find themselves “not succeeding”, is that they don’t try. What is trying? Well, you just pinpoint a keen interest, something that requires that action be taken, then take the first action that you feel will lead to the desired result. Yes, that's trying, and if it doesn't happen to generate the result you expected, then just back up, make the necessary adjustments, and "try" again. Evenutually you will succeed, unless you succumb to the urge to remain in your comfort zone.

Could the key to success be something that simple

No, not quite, because there are any number of life long, ingrained “excuses” that are used to “defer” the beginning of anything they are not quite sure of. It might be money. It might be knowledge. It might be fear. It might be… God only knows the extent of these “quick outs” that people have stored, and “at the ready” just in case something comes along that might change the status quo, IE; their comfort zone.

The simple truth is…

Sometimes you have to begin, or start, something that could lead you to the success that most human beings long for, even if you aren’t quite ready. That means making a decision without assurances of success. There will never be any assurance of success, no matter what the undertaking is, if the reward is greater than the outlay that will make it happen. Most likely, the greater the potential reward, the less there will be any assurance that you will achieve it. You will likely make mistakes, we all do, but the only way you will ever have a chance to succeed, is by trying. Start now. Do the thing that you fear will cause you to "not succeed”, and if that turns out to be the case, take stock of what you learned from the process. Then TRY AGAIN! What are you waiting for? Do you need someone to take you by the hand and lead you through the door? I can do that too. We can visit in my Virtual Office (save gas), and I will show you some things that might give you the lift you need to get going. Drop me your contact informaton and let's see.

Bill Reid

4. When Is The Best Time To Start A Business
When is the best time to start a business?

The absolute best time to begin any business is at the point where the demand for the solutions that your business can provide is at the crisis level. In other words, there is a recognized problem, and no reasonable solution exists that is affordable. The world, or at the very least, your target market is starved for anything that will bring relief for the problem.

Let me illustrate with a real life situation that existed in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. A terrible disease was sweeping the through communities all over the world. Poliomyelitis, or Polio, as it was commonly referred to was crippling and killing children and young adults everywhere and there was no cure. The need was massive and the urgency was extreme. Laboratories and scientists around the world were racing to find a way to stop the epidemic that was occurring.

Then there was a break through. Jonas Salk, a research scientist discovered a cure, and as soon as it was proven, it was rushed into production and vaccinations were ordered for most of America’s children. Later, an improved version that could be taken orally was developed, and within just a few short years the polio epidemic was stopped. Because the need was apparent, the demand was great, and the reward was incalculable in terms of lives and livelihood, the crisis was overcome.

Now, think of what is going on the world over today in the middle of 2008. How much are you paying for gasoline, heating oil, natural gas, coal, and other sources of energy that make your economy thrive. And I do mean YOUR economy. Are your expenses going up faster than your income? Is your electric bill going up faster than you can find ways to reduce your demand for it? I think the answer is yes for most of us.

At this very moment in time, there is, at least among homeowners, a highly recognized need for some way to reduce consumption. Consumers are scrambling for something more than just lowering the thermostat or adding insulation and changing out all the light bulbs. With financial pressures mounting because of the overall increase in the average middle class family’s expenditures for energy, the situation is causing a near panic, and on top of it all, the power companies are requesting higher rates to cover their own shortfalls due to higher fuel costs with warnings that rates could double in just a few short years.

What if you had a product that, heretofore had not been available, that would help those who are paying high electric bills to reduce those bills by as much as 25%? And what if the product that would help those same people to save money on their electric bill, would also give them an opportunity to earn some extra money to pay for the gasoline that they need to get back and forth to work and the grocery store, where, incidentally, they are paying higher prices for just about everything that has to be trucked in to the store for their convenience.

Do you think a money saving product with an earning opportunity like that would stir up some interest among the masses? So all you need to do is just find a way to get the message out to them right? Well, what if you had an information packed web site located at savingenergy4you.info that would show them, not only the product, but the opportunity, and a way to make money without even having to get out of their home, and you could set up a little system called Veretekk to promote that web site all the way to a top position on Google? Do you think that would make you some money with all the people who are screaming for some relief from all these high energy prices?

Let’s take this scenario one step further. What if those who purchased the product and recognized the business opportunity decided to join you in your business, and when they do, you simply have them sign up for a Gold Veretekk System so that you can set up a little web site to promote with it, and all they have to do is affiliate with the company and feed a little content in to the system about this wonderful product and business, and they are off and running. It’s not quite that simple, but if you are interested in more detail my contact information is right below here…Give me a call and let’s talk about it.

Bill Reid
Virtual Business Specialist
972-564-5716

5. Are You Thinking About A Home Business?
Are You Wondering? Why Start a Home Business

As I go about discussing the virtues of having one’s own business as opposed to working for someone else, I am often confronted by the unspoken question that lurks in almost everyone’s mind, and that is, “Why should I start a home business?” I should be quick to add that, at least in my opinion, a home business is not for everyone. Some just are not suited to the task. There are certain personality traits and human characteristics that do not lend themselves to support the discipline that is required of a home business operator. But, with that said, I find that, in general, there are a number of ways that a home business can be “customized” to the operator in such a way as to optimize their chance of success. Identifying limitations and strong points are the key, but that’s a topic best reserved for a later article.

Rent or Buy

I believe the best way to answer the question of why anyone who is qualified should start a home business, is a simple analogy to either buying or renting a home in which to live. If you think of a “job” as “renting an income”, the same way you rent an apartment or house on a temporary basis, compared to “buying” a house or condominium, where you actually assume “ownership”, and begin to accumulate an equity in the property, then a “job” seems to be a more tenuous occupation opposed to developing your “own” income source that you control.

It’s about Control

A job is only as secure as the company that provides the work that constitutes the position that you occupy with them. If something happens to that company, whether it’s an internal matter or external forces that affect it, you will be affected as well. As we look around today we see company after company in a broad range of industries that are suffering due to the forces of the economy. High fuel prices are just one of the factors that cause major changes in some companies, like those in the transportation industry. The airlines, for instance, are struggling. They have to raise fares in order to offset the increased cost of fuel, and that affects the numbers of people who fly. The eventual outcome of the situation is that the employees are affected through no fault of their own, and some will loose their jobs as a result. Either way, internal or external, the result is the same. No job, and no income.

Taking Charge

For those who are suited for, and have the ability, operating their own small home business offers another possible outcome when an economic disaster is looming on the horizon. They simply make the necessary adjustments, if needed, and continue to develop their businesses and along with them, the income that is needed to maintain their standards. By becoming your own employer you shortcut the process, and at the same time, take the limits off your creativity because everything that you do to “enhance” your own business will be a new investment that will add value for you.

So How Do You Find a Good Home Business

I think it comes back to the last part of the first paragraph of this article. Start by identifying strengths and weaknesses, and then, the most important part, find a way to apply the strengths, and mediate the effects of the weaknesses. In my opinion, the best course of action is to sit down with someone who can present first hand knowledge of the information you need to make a solid decision, take what is offered, use what you deem to be appropriate to your personal circumstance, then get into action with the plan you choose to use immediately. Once a suitable match becomes obvious you will know it, and action will happen. Inspiration will be automatic if you truly believe that you are involved with the right product or service.

6. Do You Want A Virtual Business Business