December 3 , 2008

An Artist and an Entrepreneur?... How to Approach People and
Get the Results You Want... How Local Law Enforcement Can
Help You Save Money... Stimulus Starts at Home...

** An Artist and an Entrepreneur?
By Adrian Newman, Founder of e-Wealth Daily

All too often we're told that we have our business pursuits and, on the other hand, we have our hobbies. And I've even known people who will take on multiple jobs to help them fund their hobbies. But, I have to ask, why then don't they just combine the two?

Even with tough economic times upon us, there are still plenty of ways to make more money. And turning your hobby into a moneymaking venture is certainly one of those ways.

Whether you're an aspiring artist or just like to putter around in a workshop, your hobby helps to activate your creativity. And if there's something that any entrepreneur needs now, more than ever, it's creativity.

To turn your hobby into a moneymaker, you first need to identify who may be interested in what you make or do. You can start by looking around in your community and visiting hobby shops. The shop owners may be able to give you some insights into the local market and, if they like what you have, they may even carry your product.

It is important to treat parts of your hobby much like you would a business. You want to deal with people professionally and you want to make a lasting impression. Print up business cards and be sure to include your web site information, should you have one.

You will also need to promote your hobby business through bulletin boards, with brochures and by spreading the word. I know of a hobbyist who made wood-carved ducks in his garage. After a visit from some people on his street, he soon began receiving requests for different duck carvings and, in a matter of months, had a profitable part-time business on his hands.

Today, even if you can't find a good market where you live, you can turn online to marketplace web sites, such as www.etsy.com, where you will find thousands of people looking for unique and interesting products.

Just because you enjoy your hobby doesn't mean you can't let it make you some money, money that could help you out in this challenging economy.

** How to Approach People and Get the Results You Want
By Doug D'Anna, the "Hundred-Million-Dollar Man"

I recently talked about using opening lines of conversation effectively in order to get people to notice you right away. I noted that, by doing so, you can persuade them to show you the results you want. Well, let's continue with this concept today.
 
For salespeople, marketing execs, small-business owners, and everyone in between, being able to communicate is important. You might be selling your product, someone else's product, or selling yourself to a potential employer or business partner. Making a sale is all about communicating effectively.
 
Here are some more tips on how to be persuasive, so that you can get people to do what you want them to:
 
— Ask. Asking quest! ions is the ultimate performance tool when it comes to getting a "yes" in favor of your success. Asking well-crafted, intelligent questions makes the other person really consider what it is that you are offering or saying — and it lets new possibilities emerge in the course of your communication. Understanding someone's present needs, wants, perceptions, or level of satisfaction is only a question away. Once you know what they want, you can develop a conversation and a strategy to meet their needs.
 
— Authority. As a society, we are led by instruction. Cite your experience or expertise wherever you can — it is amazing what people will do. Give them solid evidence to back what you are saying, and they will trust your opinion and advice. Demonstrate that you are an insider who will share valuable information with them, and they will invite you into their lives.

— Reason. If you tell someone up front why they need ! so mething, then he/she will confide in you. You have already figured out their needs ahead of time — sometimes even before they have. It is our predisposition, it seems, to ask why. If you listen to children, every instruction they are given is followed up with a question. They rely on hearing a logical answer that appeases their inquisitive instinct.
 
— Care. People will care about you if you care about them — and they know when you are being sincere. If you can demonstrate that you have compassion and a genuine interest in them, then they will be more likely to trust your motives and consent to whatever it is that you are trying to offer them.
 
— Commit. This is a big one. If you can show someone that you will consistently commit to their needs and interests early on in the relationship, then they will come back to you time and time again. The more you can re! late to their patterns of behavior and their desires, the more you become a fixture in their lives. Continue to strengthen the bond by reminding them how long the relationship has lasted in order to get more and more out of it. For example, try a line such as "You have been a preferred customer for three years now, and I have developed a new service bundle that will meet your ongoing needs."
 
— Exclusivity. People's egos are such that they like to believe their possessions are of a higher value than someone else's. If you can create a demand, you can drive up the perceived value of what you are offering, whether it's a tangible product, your advice, or your knowledge. In order to show exclusivity, you need to set a deadline of some sort — a specific number of people you are letting in on some information, a time frame they must meet, or some type of qualifier that c! reates a sense of urgency to get in on the deal.

 — Storytelling. If you can use a real-life analogy or metaphor for the point you're trying to make, it will convey your message more powerfully to your listener or reader. Make sure it's relevant. Personal stories trigger emotions in people who might have had similar experiences, and these stories dramatically influence their behavior. Always leave the other person with something to think about.

** How Local Law Enforcement Can Help You Save Money
By John Hurd, Chief Wealth Researcher

Now, I haven't been down to the local police station in years. And while I do hope that I don't need to make a visit anytime soon, there may be another reason to visit the "boys in blue."

You've probably opened up your local paper to read the headlines of stolen goods being recovered by police. From bicycles and clothing to electronics and cars, there is a whole lot of stuff recovered in police raids.

Sometimes the owners are reunited with their items; however, there are still plenty of great things that never find their way back home.

And here's where your opportunity to save, or even make some extra money, begins.

Now, the idea of a police auction may not be new to you. Once or twice a year, many towns and cities will hold auctions and they can be exciting and, at times, even overwhelming.

For those who are inclined to bid in person, many of these auctions are turning to year-round online options. Some are even hosted through the popular online auction site eBay.

The benefit here is that rather than waiting all year for these potential deals, many of them can be found day after day and in the comfort of your own home.

Of course, many of the items for auction you may not need for yourself, but you could find some great items as a business owner. Seized store fixtures and even cash registers turn up at these auctions, and any opportunity to save money for your business certainly can help.

You may even be able to get items for cheap and then turn around and sell them yourself. With more and more people searching for great deals online, you could turn an initial great deal into a good deal for someone else, and then pocket the difference.

To get started, contact your local police department to find out their auction policies and find out if they are online.

** Stimulus Starts at Home
By Michael Newman, Self-made Millionaire

It seems like a stimulus you'll really feel will be on its way into your pocket in the near future. CNN.com is reporting that soon after President-elect Barack Obama takes office, he plans to instate an economic stimulus plan that will cut taxes for "95% of American workers," mainly targeting poorer and middle- class citizens.

By putting more money in the pockets of Americans, he is hoping to help those of us who are currently struggling to make ends meet. He has said that the money will come as an added boost to people who need a little bit of help making sure the lights stay on or the groceries are fresh, or even for those of us who may need a new computer or have to pay for school.

Whatever it is, he is promising to put cash directly into your pocket with widespread tax breaks for the people who need it. Of course, the main idea behind offering the tax breaks is to create more spending in the economy to improve business conditions. However, taking some of your tax break and putting into savings or debt recovery may also be a wise idea. After all, it sure would've been nice to have a little bit of cash tucked away when the economy went south this year, wouldn't
it?

Although it's important to do your part for the overall economy and spend money, you've also got to consider what's good for you as an individual. If you can have a little bit more money coming in every month, consider putting some away by opening up a savings or investment account and start building wealth for tomorrow.