Relationship Marketing | Build Your Online Business

I've never considered myself a ‘pack-rat' but I must admit I have a challenge with throwing things away – ‘just in case I'm going to need it.’ We are shaped, in part, by our childhood and I often wonder if I hold on to things because of my mother's painful experience when I was a child. I grew up hearing about the unfortunate day she cleaned out drawers and destroyed some very important documents that were irreplaceable and were closely tied in to her family history. That may have created my reluctance to throw out papers.

Are you a hoarder or is your philosophy like my husband’s, “If you haven't used it in six months, you don't need it?”  What does this have to do with our business?  A lot!

What is your work environment like?  Is it cluttered? Even if there is a resemblance of order, are you surrounded by outdated and irrelevant materials that take up space but have no real value?   As I look at the shelves in my home office they are weighed down with three-ring binders of different sizes and colors, neatly arranged but packed with lots of files. I've finally come to grips with the reality that I need to go through those binders and get rid of files that are no longer relevant.  I have to make office decluttering a goal!

When I started my online business at the end of 2008 I basically stopped buying shoes and started buying programs, packages, and training manuals  of all kinds that I hoped would guide me on the path to  success with my online business.  I printed everything!

Unfortunately, with the passage of time and changes in technology, etc. some of these are no longer relevant. For example, there is a binder filled with an entire training series – free and paid – on Facebook.  Facebook has undergone so many changes in just the past year alone that there is very little value in those files anymore.  There are other binders that contain information I can refer to that can help with research, but will I ever take the time to do so?

In addition, before starting my online journey, I had offline businesses, and there again are several binders with information on prospects and customers, training materials, etc. Those will be on their way out!

Of course, my shelves are also filled with valuable eBooks and training like Dennis Becker’s $5 Bucks a Day Report, Willie Crawford’s 20 Ways to Make $100 and Denise Wakeman’s Online Visibility Secrets.

My paperback collection of business books include Connie Ragen Green’s Huge Profits With Affiliate Marketing, Michele Scism’s Makeover Your Business in 6 Weeks or Less and Bob Jenkins’ Take Action Revise Later among many others.

This decluttering project is one of my projects for the first quarter of this year. How about you?  What is your working environment like?  If you work from home, does it motivate you to produce your best or does it sap you of your energy.  Make decluttering a goal rather than  a ‘New Year’s resolution!' Set a goal with a completion date. You will be glad you did.

Is decluttering a challenge for you? If not, what suggestions do you have to keep this recurring? Please share your experiences with us and leave your comments below.  We can support each other 🙂

Starting an internet business can be confusing and challenging.  As a beginner doing research on how to proceed you will frequently see the statement that to be successful on the internet, you must create your own product.

Creating your own product is a goal that all internet marketers should strive for.  But, is this the best starting point for a beginner or ‘newbie' to internet marketing?

Pros:

• Your first product will likely be a free report, but you may also create an  ebook for sale. Digital products are the most popular products to create.
• A well-written ebook will give the author expert status and sales; the author can become well-known quickly, allows for Joint Venture opportunities.
• The reader is able to download the ebook immediately. Solid information on a specific topic in provided in one place; one document.

Cons:

• A well-written ebook may take several weeks or even months to complete research and writing.
• Being new in starting your internet business you may be relatively unknown so you may not be perceived as an expert who can provide information that people may want to buy.
• Lack of experience in marketing online so as to promote your product effectively and implement systems for payment.

Of course there are always exceptions, as someone may already be a successful writer or have offline marketing experience that allows him/her to transition more quickly into their internet business and produce a 25-30 page or more ebook very quickly.

If creating your own product may not be the best starting point in your internet business, what are your options?  My Mentor, Connie Ragen Green has often said that Affiliate Marketing was what she started with when she started her business online, and Affiliate Marketing is responsible for approximately 50% of her income today.  I was a student in Connie's 1st Affiliate Marketing class earlier this year and am allowed to attend her new session, which she's teaching again.  Connie is an expert at teaching Affiliate Marketing as she has become a Super-Affiliate. It's not too late to join Connie's class today.  This is the last time she will be offering this class in 2010. Click here to learn more.