June 2 , 2008

Moneymaking Opportunities Hidden in Celebrity Gossip...
Five Easy Ways to Exude More Confidence... The Smart Way
to Live Comfortably and the Realistic Way... How to Stay at
the Top of Your Game... and More.

** Moneymaking Opportunities Hidden in Celebrity Gossip
By Adrian Newman, Founder of e-Wealth Daily

Every morning, as I'm flipping through the morning paper, I'm just blown away by some of the stories that make it into the business section.

One day, there's an article about a rapper starting a vodka company. The next day, there's an article about a new celebrity mom starting her own potty training business. And the next day, it's another big-name celebrity starting up some company that seems like they would have no idea how to run.

Maybe I'm making a harsh judgment, and maybe that famous rapper spent a lot of time studying the process of distilling vodka before they made it big with their music career. But I'd like to believe that there is something else happening, something maybe even you could use in your moneymaking ventures.

Part of being a celebrity is that not only are you good at what you do, but you've also become an expert in that field. Comedic actors become famous when they become experts at making people laugh. Songwriters become experts in songwriting when millions appreciate their music.

With celebrity status comes respect. Since everyone is paying attention to these people, why wouldn't they want to capture a little more money while they can?

Agents, managers and everyone in between start hunting out endorsements or other businesses that these celebrities can loan out their fame to.

Now, you're probably thinking that you're not famous for anything. You may even think that no one really thinks of you as a celebrity. Maybe not in the same way that Bruce Willis is a celebrity, but you probably have some fame you can tap into.

Maybe it's your hobby that has all of your relatives clamoring to see your next creation. Or maybe it's your small business that has formed a loyal customer base, because you're known for quality and integrity.

Whatever your claim to fame is, you could use it to your advantage. Through a joint venture with another local business, or by creating your own product, you could find that your name is a powerful sales tool, especially to those who have come to expect the best from you.

** Five Easy Ways to Exude More Confidence
By Doug D'Anna, the "Hundred-Million-Dollar Man"

You can exude confidence in several positive ways. You don't have to be cocky or arrogant either. You can show the world that you are a confident, assertive person though subtle techniques and methods. Read the following suggestions below to help you let your sense of confidence shine through your actions.

Ways that you can show others that you are a confident person without speaking include:

1) Posture
Remember your mother telling you to stand up straight all the time while you were growing up? Well, it's true -- good posture is an indication of confidence. So don't slouch!

2) Body Language
How you express yourself with your physical gestures can say more than words ever can. For example, posture is the first point -- slouching does not express confidence. How you communicate with others nonverbally can also express confidence. For example, shake a person's hand firmly, but warmly. Look a person straight in the eye when you speak to them. Sit upright, facing a person when you are at lunch or in the boardroom. Walk with a clear, strong stride; don't dawdle, hunch your shoulders back, or shuffle your feet. Again, these are small, physical actions that you can take to express your confidence.

3) Personal Grooming
Let's face it: we live in a society that places a great deal of importance on appearances. Now, this does not mean that you have to be a model to get by successfully in life. By no means! Some of the most attractive and confident people I know are those who simply take care of their appearance through their grooming habits. It might sound simple, but it really goes a long way in expressing self-confidence. So keep your nails neat and trimmed, your haircut fresh, and your skin glowing -- you will be impressed by how such subtle points can really express your confidence level!

4) Facial Expressions
Ever had to approach a person who is scowling? Not easy to do, is it? The number one way that you can express your confidence is through your facial expressions. Smile -- don't scowl! You will be amazed at how far it will get you!

5) Clothes Make for Great Confidence
No, you don't have to run out and buy a whole new wardrobe just to show the world that you are a confident individual! Not by any means! What I do mean is that, much like personal grooming, keeping your clothing neat and tidy will also express to others that you care about yourself and that you are a confident individual. So, if those slacks that have been sitting on your bedroom floor look like they can probably get up on their own and walk, it's time to wash them, not wear them!

They might seem like small things, but by improving these aspects, you will display a confident air that others will pick up on, on a subconscious level. Think about the most confident individuals you know. I am willing to bet that they, too, walk tall and proud with a positive look on their faces.

** The Smart Way to Live Better and the Realistic Way
By John Hurd, Chief Wealth Researcher

There's one cardinal rule when it comes to living comfortably and avoiding debt. That rule is: Spend less money than you make.

Well, you'll have to forgive me if I don't win any awards for sharing that piece of information with you. It's fairly obvious that this is a sure-fire way to avoid the stress of debt. But, is it realistic?

Sure, that is if you're starting with a blank slate. But, unfortunately, most people simply can't start from scratch. There are mortgage and rent payments to make. There's a weekly grocery bill that sometimes requires feeding more mouths than a budget allows. These are just a few of the dozens of reasons why we need to borrow money.

So, for many, spending less than they make is like swimming upstream through white waters. Even when you start making progress, another wave comes along to push you back again.

All right then, what is a realistic way to start living the life you want? Well, this is the other side of the coin, and it doesn't mean cutting back on all of your spending. What it takes is bringing in more money than you're doing right now.

All this week, I'll be sharing a few moneymaking ideas with you that could help you increase your income. Let me start today with my first tip.

This may sound obvious, but you'll never get more money unless you ask for it. If you have a job now, ask for a raise. Now, you'll have to give your employer a good reason to pay you more. But asking for more money should become part of every deal you're making. Much like an automatic response, the same way you should ask for a discount on almost every purchase you make.

Will this work every time? Maybe not, but, if you make a habit of asking for more and providing a reason why, you're more likely to hear a "yes" than if you never asked at all. Whether you're working full-time, part-time or simply picking up odd jobs, there are probably dozens of reasons why you could be making a little bit more money; take advantage of those.

In my next article, I'll discuss a few more options for making more money than you have now.

I can attribute most of my financial success to a rewarding career in real estate. Owning, managing and selling properties through a public company is my bread and butter, and has been for quite some time. However, I'm not the only person who makes a living this way, and there are numerous other businesses in my industry that I'm competing with on a daily basis. In order to avoid being buried in the pack of people running a business capable of producing only mediocre returns, I have to look for ways to differentiate my business. I need to do this in order to build a customer and shareholder base that provides me with enough revenue to keep my business successful and let me enjoy the lifestyle to which I've become accustomed. In other words, I've had to find ways to become the cream that would rise to the top.

Differentiating your business from the competition and highlighting your company's unique product or services is a great way to boost sales and establish a loyal customer base. If you feel like you're running a "me too" business, getting lost in the shuffle of your industry, then it may be time to take action. Carve out your place in the market by using these tips that worked for me:

-- Learn about the others: If you want to highlight the strengths of your own business, you'll have to be well aware of exactly what the competition is offering. In fact, you'll have to know them as well as you know your own business. Visit their web site or compile as much marketing material as you can to learn their focus and initiatives, then evaluate the information to see how you stack up. Notice things that are uniquely yours and focus on them. This may require you to make a few changes to your current operations.

-- Look through your customer's eyes: If you were a customer, what would you be looking for? What are some areas in which a business could better suit your needs? Thinking about these things may hold the key to your success. Little things to add that competitors may not offer -- no matter how small they are -- can make a huge difference in your business' success. Adding to customer experience with a friendly, knowledgeable sales staff, or other valuable offers may be one way to separate your business from the pack.

Creating an identifiable image and brand could help you move out of the pack and into the forefront of your industry. Find a successful way to this and enjoy an increased market share and growing bank account.