August 3, 2009

A Trend for Making More Money... Get Past Your Fears and
the Sky's the Limit... Cash Is King... The Traveling Information
Marketer... and More.

Let me start by saying that I'm not one to follow trends. You won't catch me buying the latest designer clothing or must- have doodads. I like to stick with what works and go for the most practical options.

But, today, there's a new trend that I certainly believe is something you should look into. And don't worry; it has nothing to do with the length of your trousers or the style of your hair.

The latest trend to come at us from all of the popular newspapers and magazines is learning how to embrace a more frugal life. This certainly doesn't mean making less money, but it does require spending less.

Sure, you're probably saying, you've heard this before. However, spending less these days isn't just a personal goal; businesses everywhere are beginning to understand that high price tags are a major deterrent and that meeting their customers' demands for better deals is a very viable, and profitable, way to run a business.

There's an outlet mall that I pass by on my way in to the office. While many other malls seem quite empty most of the year, the parking lots surrounding this mall are filled with a sea of cars. And, inside, you would think it was the day before Christmas.

Why, then, is this mall so busy when people are supposedly cutting back on their spending? Well, the answer is simple; this mall thrives on the spendthrift consumer. Every store offers discounts all year round, typically on overstocked items from the previous season. You won't find many stores offering luxury products; just the bare essentials at reduced prices.

For you, this can mean two things. The first is cutting your expenses at home and at your business. The second is finding ways to profit from everyone else spending less. This could mean selling your advice on how to live life on a budget, or it could mean offering more options for your customers who tend to have tighter wallets.

Whatever direction you choose, keep your eye on this trend; it's not one that will disappear overnight.

Fear of failure is something that can be put in the same ranks as a fear of heights and a fear of public speaking. Though people might not talk about it in the same manner, we all fear failure to a certain extent, and some of us fear it more than others.

When you can get past that fear of failure, the sky's the limit. Your fear might be the only thing standing in your way of success. If you want to start a business of your own, then you need to be able to push through the fear and take the plunge. The good news is that, for those of you who can't get past that fear, there are a few ways that you can ease your worries.

For instance, consider taking on a partner to share in the success and to share in conquering the associated fears.

A partner can provide you with much-needed additional money, which can help alleviate some fear concerning financing. A partner is also going to bring to the table a whole new set of skills and talents. You may be worried that your creative skills are lacking. Well, you could find a partner who is a creative marvel. Or someone who is more organized or a better bookkeeper than you are. You can eliminate fears by filling the gaps that you have in terms of skills, experience or education.

There's a certain comfort in knowing that you have another person by your side to produce ideas and to help overcome obstacles. There is security in numbers, and a partner might be just the answer.

You can also find yourself a mentor while starting up. Someone who has been there before can be invaluable for a rookie entrepreneur. If you want to be a sole proprietor and don't want a partner, then a mentor might prove helpful. A mentor can be someone you can talk to about your fears, who can honestly tell you if they are valid or not.

Your mentor should be someone who has started a successful business, so that they can give you useful advice when you need it. A mentor can help guide you through this process and help you see that you can accomplish your goals if you just have some faith.

They will be able to listen to your fears in a way that a spouse or friend can't. They will be objective in their opinions and honest with answers, which is exactly what a new business owner needs -- someone who isn't going to sugar-coat potential problems, and someone who will be able to show you the ropes.

Make sure that you find someone whom you both admire and trust. This could be a very important relationship for you, so be certain that the individual you approach about this position is someone whose advice you can actually benefit from and someone whom you want to talk to on a regular basis.

Approach someone who fits these criteria and ask them if they would be interested in mentoring you during your start-up phase or for however long you need. This is a commitment made by both parties, so make sure that you're in agreement as to what this relationship entails and what you want from one another.

A mentor can be extremely useful during the start-up phase if you have worries that you want to discuss, but no one really to discuss them with. Sometimes getting your fears out in the open is the best way to put them to rest.

Starting a business doesn't have to be a scary endeavor, because there are ways to help make it as smooth a process as possible.

Wouldn't it be great to stumble upon a genie's lamp one day, with the ability to grant us whatever wishes we desired at the blink of an eye? I know what I would ask for, do you?

Of course, some people pretend like they carry a little genie around in their pocket all the time. There are a number of names for that genie, usually sounding something like Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.

Credit cards are great, because they provide convenience and rewards programs for shopping. On the other hand, however, they can be your worst enemy.

And exactly how can they become your worst enemy? Through the instant gratification they provide. If you are in a shop and see something you want, it's easy to pull out the plastic to pay for it right then and there. Of course that sounds good at first, but once it starts happening over and over again, you'll be in big trouble before you know it, racking up debts and making silly, impulsive purchases you don't need and that you will regret later on.

Getting away from the convenience of using a credit card can be done, but it's not necessarily easy. Here are some of the ways I've curbed my credit card usage to keep my bills at a manageable level.

First off, I started carrying cash. By carrying cash, I was able to look into my wallet and determine whether a purchase was worthwhile. After all, if I needed $60 for groceries, I surely wouldn't spend it on something else, like going to the movies. It's also a nice feeling to see money in your wallet, so you're more inclined to try and keep it there. Not to mention the feeling of seeing it diminish makes you think twice before spending it frivolously.

Next, I started to control the expenses I put on my credit card. Doing this severely limits usage, so you're not hit with a big surprise when the bill comes in. I use my credit card for gas in the winter (mainly because I'd rather quickly pay at the pump than trudge through the snow and slush to pay inside), car repairs or things like dental appointments. Basically (other than the gas), I use it for large, necessary expenses.

Finally, using cash instead of credit makes you feel good. By using cash, each "extra" purchase becomes more rewarding, because you know you've worked and saved for it, which instantly increases the value of your purchase.

If you've been having trouble controlling your credit card, try using these tips to get yourself back on track.

** The Traveling Information Marketer
By James Burt, Online Marketing Expert

Now it's time for the fun stuff.

A fellow info marketer sent me a message about reading a web site regarding travel writing.

"Can I do this, too?"

I asked him: "Do you travel?"

"Whenever the workplace doesn't require me."

This was no lie. I thought I was a vagabond, but he was something else. Southeast Asia, Russia, the Maldives...this guy went anywhere, anytime. He was an info marketer, so his joke about the workplace not requiring him was, well, a joke. He wrote content for his web site and newsletters from his laptop from wherever he happened to be staying. But now he wanted to create information about something that he truly loved and that required, at least for him, almost no effort.

Traveling is great, but getting paid to write about it is better. Travel web sites, agencies, health and safety bureaus all need information from someone who has been to far off places. And that's where you come in. If you are an info marketer who loves to travel, you can create another business venture just from examining the places you travel to and writing about them:

-- Hotels, resorts, and casinos: Getting information on places to stay and local entertainment venues is always in hot demand. Search out travel web sites and contact them to see if they need any new hot tips on the best hotels or about newly established ones. Bring along a digital camera to take some shots. If you play your cards right, you can contact the hotel, tell them about who you are writing for, and they will give you a discounted or free room in exchange for promoting their place! Really.

-- Travel tips and experiences: Ever discovered small Catholic basilicas in the Chiapas? Visited the Rasputin museum in Moscow? Been invited for an expedition into Mongolia? My friend who contacted me has done all of these things and then some. He always keeps notes about them in his journal and takes oodles of photos. If you are like him to any greater or lesser degree, do the same. You can offer your experiences to travel web sites or sell newsletters based on your experiences. As well, any problems or trouble areas you encounter are useful, too. Bad drinking water some place? Poor service in a bar? Document what you experienced in order to offer it to someone who needs it and is willing to pay for it.

-- Government policies and traveler's regulations: I once took a trip to Argentina with a connecting flight in Sao Paolo. Before I boarded my flight, the attendant stopped me. "Where's your visa?" I said I didn't have one. She checked my ticket again, nodded in realization, and then let me on. It turned out that all North American citizens that year had to have a visa to enter Brazil. Luckily I was only connecting in Brazil, so a visa wasn't necessary. But this was something I didn't know ahead of time. If you get a heads up on any government policies for any country, this is valuable coin to other travelers heading in the same direction.

-- Secret information: When I was working in China, there was a term called "guanxi"(GWAN-sheee). This meant a secret code with people of authority. I was an English tutor and got friendly with many locals, thus entitling me to guanxi. This made my life there very enjoyable. If you had guanxi with a certain grocer, he might be able to import something for you back from North America. If you had guanxi with some travel people, you could get cheap train tickets to the interior. If you know some secret information or guanxi about a certain travel area, write about it in your content. Speak about some secrets that you know about and offer them to your clients. Of course, be discreet about your information in this scenario. Your sources might not want you to advertise all the secrets you know.

Traveling and information marketing go hand in hand. Using the same creative flair you create your other information content with, you can come up with content that is valuable to people in the travel industry and fellow travelers who require that information.

Bon voyage!