Minimise Debt by Restructuring and Using Big Company Cash Back Deals
By: Paul Reeder
With Christmas a dim and fast fading memory it’s time to turn your attention towards choosing a holiday in the sun where you can forget all those Yuletide debit card purchases and uncleared credit card balances you left behind. Or did you? How difficult will it be for you to fund the obligatory summer getaway with cards and accounts already straining under the weight of yesterday’s good times?
The abstract and sensible answer is not to go, save your money, and start chipping away at your own personal debt mountain. The real world emotional truth is how to tell your family, kids and indeed yourself that you don’t even deserve a caravan in Clacton this year. You will instantly become a Pariah and no two ways about it.
Third way? Debt consolidation and restructuring – even reduction. This is not a get out of jail free card and has to be approached with some thought. Debt reduction agencies abound in these times of soaring tax rates, slumping property prices and lately the “credit crunch”. Caution is needed though, as many of these “services” are little more than loan brokers, (read sharks), who will relocate your debts to companies that will pay them commission rather than reduce your liabilities.
Simple is usually best.
First approach your bank and a recommended IFA. (stress on recommended) to look at what is immediately available. Simply moving your debts away from an assortment of 29% APR credit cards towards one loan, (consolidation), can make your monthly repayment far more realistic. Your bank will not offer the lowest interest rate but you will be sure to avoid the pitfalls of questionable small print and unknown penalty clauses associated with the smaller hungry high street companies.
Care has to be exercised regarding the choice between secured and unsecured loans. Secured loans often offer lower interest rates because the lender has greater recourse to recovering funds if you don’t manage to keep up repayments. The pay off here is that if you do get into trouble, the secured loan lender can get their hands on your home, forcing you to sell, if things go wrong.
Other Routes.
It may seem crazy to go back to the very people who helped you get into trouble in the first place but look at current credit card offers. 0% interest for six months on balance transfers is not uncommon and can temporarily reduce your repayments whilst you get your affairs in order. Remember that many small savings can add up to one card debt getting cleared away.
Service Transfers and Cash back.
There are hordes of companies out there who get commission for persuading you to transfer your service agreements and they are willing to share some of it with you. Services include all the major utilities, insurance companies, mobile phone, and broadband. Swap to Sheila’s Wheels for £30 cash-back; switch to Nationwide Home Insurance for £70 cash back; switch to Pru Health medical cover for a whopping £190 cash back; go back to British Gas for £40 cash back; Eclipse or AOL broadband for £45 cash back. Either approach the supplier direct or go to a portal such as Moneysupermarket.com for more details and easy comparison tables.
Don’t forget the biggest outlay of them all, your mortgage. Building societies, and lenders generally, spend vast amounts on advertising to get new customers at the expense of their existing ones. Typically, an existing customer will not be rewarded for loyalty but actually penalised by being patiently told they do not have access to the best deals with their current lender. That is until you look for another lender. Nationwide are offering 5.63% on a five year fixed rate to borrowers who want to switch whereas a lot of home owners are sitting up at the 8% end by staying true to their lender!
Reduce Your Outgoings.
Apart from the cash back angle there really are significant amounts to be saved simply by switching service providers, and here we’re thinking along the lines of mobile phones, satellite TV, broadband and all the other “essentials” of modern life. Broadband typically starts at around a tenner a month, but existing contracts with BT (one example) can still be running at £26.99 per month. Over a year that means BT Broadband has, without embarrassment, diverted over £200 of your Tenerife spending money!
Bin your Vodafone contract, buy a Pay as You Go SIM card and save £300 a year. Mobile contracts are a real goldmine for the provider (ever wondered who pays for those “free” upgrades – you). Apart from the heaviest users you will invariably find your £35 a month will be paying for unused “free” calls and texts. Free in that you didn’t use them but did pay for them.
Tme for Action
Do it and do it now. List out all the outgoings, switch and ditch suppliers and make those savings and cash back rewards, slash and burn. But please do it today. Paradoxically, there are people getting fat off your inaction. Put them on a diet starting now!
Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com
Webmaster and article writer living in Croydon, South London. Running several information and news web-sites including www.croyweb.com and www.webmastertech.co.uk.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Minimise Debt by Restructuring and Using Big Company Cash Back Deals
Friday, August 8, 2008
How to Save Money On Gas
Gas prices just keep going up, and our wallets keep decreasing in size. This how-to will teach you many ways to save money at the local gas station.
Steps
1. Take out a credit card. Some credit cards offer gas savings when you use the card for purchases. This works in much the same way that some credit card companies give you frequent flyer miles when you use their card for purchases.
2 Get a gas membership card. Look for membership benefits. In addition, department and grocery stores give discounts at the fuel pump when you use their store membership cards. Shopping at Giant Eagle grocery store and using their membership card, it’s possible (at the time of this writing) to fill a car’s tank for .79 cents a gallon, with savings of $1.36 per gallon.
3. Give your car a good tune up. While giving your car a tune up won’t actually save you money at the pump, it will save you in gas. Using less gas saves you money over all. Have the oil changed, and have a certified mechanic give your engine a twice over.
4. Check the WWW for deals. Web sites let you find the best deals in your area.
5. Buy a hybrid car. Not only do hybrid cars give you immediate savings at the pump, the U.S. government and your local state offer tax breaks for people that use gas saving cars. Federal deductions for using gas saving cars can be as high as $2000. If you can’t afford the growing number of hybrid cars out there, consider getting a regular car with good MPG (miles per gallon), like the Toyota Echo.
6. Turn off the AC. Running the car’s air conditioning puts extra strain on your car’s engine. This translates into you car eating up more gas per mile. Use less gas, save money. Depending on the car you drive, at highway speeds, the AC might put less drag on your car than if all the windows are open. Therefore, you might want to keep it cool on the highway.
7. Use the cheaper stuff. Most modern cars run just as well with the cheap gas as they do with the more expensive gas. In fact, engineers assume the car buyer is going to use the cheap gas, and so, they design the car’s engine accordingly.
8. Don’t fill the tank when prices are higher. Gas suppliers and gas station owners can charge high prices for gas because they know people will pay for it. The owners monitor how much gas people are putting into their cars each day. If they hike up the price a few cents and people are still filling up their tanks, this tells the owners that people are willing to pay the high price. Adding only a few gallons to your car when prices are high sends a message to the owners that people are not happy about the high prices.
9. Don’t drive. Don’t drive when you don’t absolutely have to. Carpooling, walking, taking the bus, and riding a bike not only saves you gas, but these are better for the environment and may be better for your health. Do you really need to drive to the store when it is only a couple of blocks down the street?
10. Check the tire air pressures weekly. Buy an inexpensive manual air pump and an accurate tire gauge (not a pencil gauge as they are not accurate). Keep all tires inflated to the same pressure as recommended for your car but not for your tire. Go by the sticker on the doorframe and not the tire wall.
11. Drive at a consistent speed and keep the windows up tight. Keeping the windows closed reduces the drag on your car. Sticking to the speed limit also helps. So, will using less gear changes and revving the engine less. Avoid accelerating fast or braking suddenly. Use cruise control when you can.
12. Clean out any unnecessary items in your car. If you have heavy objects in your car that you don’t need - remove them. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get you to where you’re going.
13. Avoid leaving your car idle. If you are going to be stopped for more than one minute, you will save gas by turning the car off and restarting when you are ready to go.
14. Buy on cold days. Buy fuel on cold days and if you can, drive on the hot days. When you buy on cold days, and pay for volume, you buy more “mass” of fuel for the same price. Never fill the tank completely or it will overflow when it becomes hotter.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com
Jodie Merrington is the webmaster of Fort Cash which a which is a one-stop research center for all the very latest resources and articles cash related. For more details please visit www.fortcash.com
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The New eBay Money Making Secret...EXPOSED
The New eBay Money Making Secret...EXPOSED
By: harjeet kaur
The eBay Affiliate Program strives to make success of its members inevitable. The eBay Affiliate program has outlined some effective strategies and designed some effective tools to ensure you make money and have success. eBay’s Affiliate program, is already a success for so many people, and has the benefit of experience to pass on to you. Once you become a member of the Affiliate Program you can be making money in no time flat.
The Program has recognized four models that their most successful affiliates utilize. These models increase traffic or maximize potential in a variety of ways:
The first, the natural search, occurs when people go to search engines with a query in hopes of receiving relevant search information. Search engines such as Google, Yahoo!, MSN, and AOL return listings from web sites that ranked the highest during the search process. Affiliate Program members who optimize this strategy incorporate eBay’s helpful hints for natural searches. Indexed web sites with title pages and other rank-earning components earn more exposure, and increase their earnings with eBay.
The second model, the paid search model, increases hits with search engines because this model pays for placement. This model includes results that would appear in the “sponsored links” section. While these cost money, they are a cost-effective way to target interested leads.
The third model is Content websites. They place eBay adds on their website, and find added success when they choose to advertise for eBay in ways that also relate to their own content and aims.
The fourth model is opt-in newsletters. This option allows websites to broadcast additional information about their eBay Affiliate Program status to potential customers, and increase their customer base.
To make the most of eBay, many websites choose to emulate one of the aforementioned models. These models are tried and true, and repeatedly spell success for eBay Affiliate Program members. These models are highly cost and time effective.
Cost and time effectiveness are highly important, as they ensure you are earning the maximum dollar for the effort you invest in your affiliate member status. The eBay Affiliate Program takes your time and effort seriously, and provides you with the necessary tools to maximize your success. Items such as the Keyword Tool, allow you to ensure your keywords are drawing the most attention.
eBay also provides you with options to track the hits your site inspired, statistics for the products and models that are performing best, and additional guidelines for best business practices.
All of these options are free with the eBay Affiliate Program, and all of them will increase your earning potential with the programmed.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com
www.freeearningtips.com
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Big Bang List - Technorati Authority Climber
You do not have to be tagged to play along. This game is simple and so are the rules.
1. Copy from *Start Copy Here* through *End Copy Here*
2. Add your site(s) to the list. Just be sure to post the "Big Bang" at each site you add.
3. Tag or don’t tag, your choice, however, the more tags you create the longer the list will grow.
4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list. (If you would like a scroll box code, leave me your email address and I will email it to you.) Scroll Box Example. (I decided not to use the box for the Big Bang for ease of copying.)
5. Come back and copy the master list back to your site, often. This process will allow late-comers to get as much link benefit as the first ones in. Once you are on the master list people who have participated earlier will update their bookmarks and help everyone lower than them out on the list.
1-Attitude, the Ultimate Power 2-Juliana's Site 3-Rusin Roundup 4-Grow Rich Along With Me 5-Comedy Plus 6-lynda's loft 7-Amel's Realm 8-MAX 9-Speedcat Hollydale 10-Mariuca 11-Complain Complain Complain 12-Mariuca's Perfume Gallery 13-Life Is A Roller Coaster 14-Sugar Queen's Dream 15-First Time Dad 16-Life 17-My Life 18-The Painted Veil 19-My Thoughts 20-DatCurious.com 21-Little Aussie Cynic 22-A Nice Place in the Sun 23-DatMoney.com 24-The Down Side OF Up 25-Ladyjava's Lounge 26-Cat Tales 27-moms.....check nyo 28-Colorado Baby 29-It's a Woman's World 30-ENLIGHTENED BITS 31-My View of "It" 32-My Reviews and Finds Along the Way 33-Our Hep Chat 34-Rantings of a Woman 35-The Callalily Space 36-Mom Knows Everything 37-Hazel 38-Chronicles and Tales Unlimited (RED) 39-From the Mouth of Jabber Jaws 40-Sunny Side Up Foodie & Lifestyle 41-Carmel Corn 42-Daily Stock Picks 43-The Whole New World 44-Wifespeak 45-Slavery Bliss 46-Rooms of My Heart 47-Unpredictable Life 48-My Life, My World 49-At Your Service 50-All About Ebay 51-Everything Amazon 52-Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out 53-My So-Called Site 54-New Wife Blog 55-Tendre Poison 323 56-Nick's Bytes 57-My Scratch Pad 58-Choc Mint Girl 59-Life Is Just Around the Corner... 60-Amori, poseia, art... virtuali by Hanna 61-Maryannaville 62-monaco - monaco's 63-Nyumix's Blog 64-read my mind - my keyboard monologues 65-Shower You Children With Love - The Right Way 66-Secret Agent Mama 67-Pinaymama's Diary 68-Answers to the Questions 69-Work of the Poet 70-A Total Blog 71-My life, my hope, my future 72-NORTE 73-A Window to Our World 74-Life as a Mom 75-FIELD OF DREAMS 76-lisgold 77-See Me for What You 78-Caught in The Stream 79-Pinay Mommy Online - My Home 80-foster me up 81-CRUEL VIRGIN 82-Garden of Moments in Blog 83-So Cute 84-Love Everlasting 85-WeLcOmE To My CriB 86-WELCOM TO PINAYSMILE'S JOURNEY 87-Ice's Icelog 88-Jenny's Wandering Thoughts 89-Hobbies and Such 90-Sweet Paradise 91-Mommy's Gibble Gabbles 92-Rusin Review's 93-My Small World 94-Little Peanut 95-Online Ramblings 96-My Mood My Feeling 97-BLOG it with ALLEN 98-Entertainment World 99-Let's Go Singapore 100-Firelynx 101-Catsy Carpe Diem 102-Every Beat Of My Heart 103-Always Da Fresh Princess 104-Listening.. Learning..Living 105-All About Mars 106-Syii From Afar 107-Some Thoughts I Have 108-From Here and Beyond 109-My Paid To Blog 110-Scholarship Corner 111-Cell Phone Review 112-"Apples of the Eyes" 113-It's All About Play 114-The Luttrull Journey 115-RennyBA's Terella 116-Unchained Melody 117-Out of the Blue 118-The Lure Of the Unknown 119-Maricel's 120-my blog 121-Spiff, the Spaceman 122-Living Well 123-The Dog Log 124-Catnip Corner 125-A Piece of Idea 126-Observations From the Back 40 127-Poetry by The Redneck Gypsy 128-Odd Facts 129-Juliana's Lair 130-My life is murphy's law 131-lisgoldsmemoirs 132-My memories, as time goes by 133-Somewhere over the rainbow 134-Blogging by Sandee 135-Our Journey to this so called life 136-Idaho Daily Photo 137-Memories that Never Fades.. 138-Anything goes 139-Your Caring Angels 140-Little Paces 141-Laketrees 142-PoeARTica 143-fracas 144-Just FraCas 145-Archies Archive 146-Growing Up Together 147-A Woman's Diary 148-Mother's Got A Dot Com 149-Close To You 150-Hot Shit Form Here 151-Astro Galaxy 152-Detector 153-Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 154-My Life is Peachy 155-The Down Side of Up 156-Magical Milestones 157-In Search of Life 158-RebelationsdotNet 159-Jen Jen's Place 160-Mimi Writes... 161-Strange but true 162-Depois de minha viagem 163-Your Perfect Wedding: 164-Make Money Online 165-Primitive Ornies and Bowl Fillers 166-Vegetarian Diet Lifestyle 167-Looking Out For You 168-BENOLSATUEM 169-OtherSide 170-Hacko's Site 171-where was I 172-Making Money Resources 173-text's Site 174-Movie Corner 175-Rahasia Bisnis Internet 176-Online Dating Tips 177-Beauty Kissing Tips 178-Forex Trading Tips 179-Singapore Tour Guide 180-PPC vs PTR 181-Indonesian Film 182-Adsense Success Stories 2008 183-Bali Tour 184-Paypal Indonesia 185-Review Bisnis Internet 186-Blog Daniel Scardua 187-Much of a muchness 188-Gagiers Amazing World 189-Clumsy Mommy 190-Leaotheblogger 191-PBDesigns Reading and Crochet Blog 192-Gagiers Striking Zone 193-DrowseyMonkey 194-Yesterday Today n Tomorrow 195-Auntie Dar's Life 196-Sky Windows... 197-Filippino Life Abroad 198-Leao the Blogger 199-Zoop's Rantings on Life 200-My Journey 201-A Sweet Taste of Life 202-This is a Miracle 203-Lavanderia Virtual 204-Nancies's Web - Family Life 205-Dating Profile of the Day 206-my wooden robot 207-Juliana's World 208-urban : trendy : lifestyle 209-Lucel Juliana's Library 210-Cooking Momster - My Life Journal 211-Anggie & Jeremy boy Online Journal 212-'Doc Doc Doc' 213-Transforming My Life 214-Gratitude Journal 215-Simplydunn.net 216-emila's illustrated blog 217-AZZY'S BLOG-A-ROONIE! 218-MAMABLISS' TREASURED MOMENTS 219-The Sky's the Limit 220-PROJECT HEAVY TRAFFIC 221-just another ordinary story.. 222-Samuel Rolo 223-The end mission! 224-R S S Submissions 225-Laice's Pics 226-Health and Fitness 227-Brainybimbo 228-Journey with WaterLearner 229-Zoop's Rantings on Life (at Blogspot) 230-Dear Me (Ivan) 231-Tour the Tabon Caves 232-Book Calendar 233-Love me. Hate me 234-Everyday health and beauty 235-BLOGANDO & ANDANDO 236-Memoirs.:*CRoSs mY hEARt*:. 237-The Chic Shopaholic 238-CK Go Places 239-Red Empress: Hell Flavored, Taste like Valentine 240-QUEENBEE 241-Le bric a brac de Cherie 242-jaqqq in the blogs 243-Bijoux & Banter 244-When Silence Speaks 245-MadTomatoe's Blogging Tools and Widgets 246-Conceptis addict 247-Madamoiselle 248-My Wooden Robot Blog 249-A Simple Life 250-It's a dog's life 251-A Technocrat's Blog 252-Misty's Words 253-My Dogs Keep Me Sane 254-New England Lighthouse Treasures 255-NoDirectOn (not: NoDirection) 256-Additional BlogLOve 257-I am DZOI 258-Caroland's Breathtaking Adventure 259-Blur Ting 260-Rojoy's Daily Update 261-Down River Drivel 262-Momhood Moments 263-Real World Mom 264-REALWORLDMOMUNPLUGGED'S WEBLOG 265-Lucca D Jiwa 266-AngrianiWorld 267-Marketing•Review 268-sejuk sesangat 269-Everything and then Some..... 270-Gbex...reachingOut 271-Heart of Rachel 272-The working mom / Finding balance... 273-Madamoiselle ver.2 274-Latest Keyword 275-Tanny's Blog 276-Pay to Review 277-Happy Life 278-Pet Haven 279-Teratak Nurani 280-A Melhor Novela de Todos os Tempos do Último Verão 281-TYNIE World 282-Wanmus's Blog-get cheapest web hosting 283-mokkikunta 284-BLOGHIT, POLIBLOG, TOP TOPICS 285-none of your business 286-Expat Travels 287-The Poor Mouth 288-GIRLIEGEEK.ORG 289-Tau Tau 290-Points of View 291-kimf3's Blog 292-Bing-My Treasures 293-Everything Green 294-The Pipeline Fixation 295-~Menempuh Arus Masa-Life-Photography~ 296-Pea in a Pod 297-{Me and Mine} 298-Beblan Anak Tukang Jahit 299-How Bourgeois 300-Julie's Blog 301-Emphbone 302-Simply the Best 303-Euroangel Graffiti 304-My Daily Nourishment 305-the worldwideweb addict 306-(¯`•._.• PalavraS ArticuladaS •._.•´¯) 307-The Big Life 308-Wild Borneo 309-Failure is the Key to Success 310-The muxic box's memories 311-What Goes Under the Sun 312-Cronaca di Gatteo 313-Angelika's other blog 314-So Real 315-Jaque 18 316-Overtime 317-When Life Becomes a Book 318-On the Bricks 319-Central Perk New York 320-The Simple Life of a Baghag 321-BlogBlast For Peace: The Official Site 322-Miss Cellania 323-Miss C Recommends 324-homeschooling.teacherjulie.com 325-belolats.com 326-The Original Blue Ribbon Bloggers 327-No nonsense Internet Tips 328-Its Not a Weekend; Its a Lifestyle 329-myfavehangout.com (Rich Valla) 330-Blog District 331-Official Travel Guide 332-EMJEI SAYS 333-www dot project rasso dot org 334-Work At Home Opportunities 335-VirusHead 336-Gracie de Guzman 337-Jollyjo 338-Jollyjo.tv 339-Ev Nucci's THE CAREER STRATEGIST 340-Ev Nucci's Resource Economics..Grease your brain 341-MARKETING MYSELF 342-NORTE 343-ACROSS THIS BRIDGE 344-STRUGGLING PARENTS 345-Read Between the Lines 346-Internet Lifestyle 347-THE SLEEPING TURTLE ART GALLERY 348-HIDUP BIAR SEDAP 349-BLOG ABOUT RICH 350-7101 Islands 351-Binding Ink III by Ndp the Poetress 352-mutiara hati 353-GreenBucks 354-Istilo Pinoy 355-Sweet and Complex Living 356-Angelika 357-my thoughts in writing 358-sharingplatform 359-Just the way it is... 360-LUCID CREATIVITY (Nelle-MyVirtualWorld) 361-TEACHERJULIE.COM 362-Bits and Pieces 363-Confessions Of A Breathing Tote Bag 364-My Joys 365-Fiction Earth 366-... My Precious ... 367-MY VIEWS ON MY SO CALLED LIFE 368-A Reality Bite 369-Cobb Community 370-Angelea's Blog 371-Janeth Vicy's Life Journey 372-NinaRepublic 373-Peaceful Mind 374-ME, MYSELF + 2 375-Mommy Jane and Little Sophia's Fasion misADVENTURES 376-ONKNEES - ITS NOT WHAT YOU THINK..... 377-SHEENISM 378-SAILIN' THRU LIFE (ASecretPlace) 379-Project Management Tutorial 380-Labindalawang Piraso ng Kokomban 381-Gorgeous Traveller 382-Sharing Gifts and Ideas 383-MUMBLINGS 384-Because Life Is Fun 385-PsychPatient MD 386-Everything Is Free 387-BRAINY MOMMY 388-Simply Unique 389-precious moments 390-Pearly Scripts 391-LIGHTNING AND THUNDER 392-Rayani Friends 393-WORK CULTURE 394-Psychology 395-Gold News 396-Applied Psychology 397-Scientific Psychology 398-Backwoods Drifter 399-New Beginning 400-Life in General 401-Life Is Like That (That's Life) 402-Life With Roxxymetal 403-SEXY MOMMA 404-The Z Files 405-I'll Never Forget the Day I Read a Book! 406-DOODLE PAGE 407-Escape Hatch 408-The Official Afterslaughter Weblog 409-Mommy's Little Corner 410-MALTED MONKEY 411-MOM AND THE CITY 412-Life with the Two Crazy Dogs 413-the joys (and pains) of being a woman (My Untamed World) 414-Making Cents-Sense of Technology 415-USER GAME REVIEWS 416-Write Shy 417-DOMANTYS.net 418-ZWANG 419-ANYTHING GOES! 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My Name is Lisa 817-Beauty Banquet 818-My Wanderings 819-Picture Clusters 820-Maiylah’s Snippets 821-peterjanet 822-expressions and thoughts 823-My Sweet Escape 824-MOMEMO 825-Vision, Adventure, Dream, Life 826-Asian Mutt International 827-The Journey 828-Sigh 829-Say Cheese 830-See it. Draw it. Share it. 831-paid-ad-clicks 832-rueManueelbis 833-Filipino in Canada 834-Softwares - The M&M Online 835-Of Colors and Styles 836-Artsy Creatures 837-Gandalf the Green 838-Devils View~ ~Study 839-Simply Tagged 840-A Nice Thought 841- INSERT YOURSELF HEREWednesday, April 9, 2008
CONQUER THE SMOKING HABIT
Most smokers sincerely want to quit. They know cigarettes threaten their health, set a bad example for their children, annoy their acquaintances and cost an inordinate amount of money.
Nobody can force a smoker to quit. It's something each person has to decide for himself, and will require a personal commitment by the smoker. What kind of smoker are you? What do you get out of smoking? What does it do for you? It is important to identify what you use smoking for and what kind of satisfaction you feel that you are getting from smoking.
Many smokers use the cigarette as a kind of crutch in moments of stress or discomfort, and on occasion it may work; the cigarette is sometimes used as a tranquilizer. But the heavy smoker, the person who tries to handle severe personal problems by smoking heavily all day long, is apt to discover that cigarettes do not help him deal with his problems effectively.
When it comes to quitting, this kind of smoker may find it easy to stop when everything is going well, but may be tempted to start again in a time of crisis. Physical exertion, eating, drinking, or social activity in moderation may serve as useful substitutes for cigarettes, even in times of tension. The choice of a substitute depends on what will achieve the same effects without having any appreciable risk.
Once a smoker understands his own smoking behavior, he will be able to cope more successfully and select the best quitting approaches for himself and the type of life-style he leads.
Because smoking is a form of addiction, 80 percent of smoker who quit usually experience some withdrawal symptoms. These may include headache, light-headedness, nausea, diarrhea, and chest pains. Psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, short-term depression, and inability to concentrate, may also appear. The main psychological symptom is increased irritability. People become so irritable, in fact, that they say they feel "like killing somebody." Yet there is no evidence that quitting smoking leads to physical violence.
Some people seem to lose all their energy and drive, wanting only to sleep. Others react in exactly the opposite way, becoming so over energized they can't find enough activity to burn off their excess energy. For instance, one woman said she cleaned out all her closets completely and was ready to go next door to start on her neighbor’s. Both these extremes, however, eventually level off. The symptoms may be intense for two or three days, but within 10 to 14 days after quitting, most subside. The truth is that after people quit smoking, they have more energy, they generally will need less sleep, and feel better about themselves.
Quitting smoking not only extends the ex-smoker's life, but also adds new happiness and meaning to one's current life. Most smokers state that immediately after they quit smoking, they start noticing dramatic differences in their overall health and vitality.
Quitting is beneficial at any age, no matter how long a person has been smoking. The mortality ratio of ex-smoker decreases after quitting. If the patient quits before a serious disease has developed, his body may eventually be able to restore itself almost completely.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
BUSINESS FINANCING: HOW TO FIND MONEY FOR BUSINESS VENTURES OF ALL SIZES
If you've been wanting to get into something that doesn't require all of your time, yet could give you an income of $100,000 per year or more, a Business Financing Service is definitely something you should consider. This is the kind of business that requires no special education or even a storefront office; won't take much of your time, yet offers more prestige, power and fast earning potential than just about any business opportunity available to the ordinary working person.
The average net profit of people in this kind of business is $75,000 per year, before taxes. Most began on a part-time basis, operating out of their homes. Within a short period of time, varying with expenditure of time and effort, most have luxurious professional office suites with many clients from all over the country calling and asking for help. Perhaps best of all, this is a business you can operate with nothing more than a part-time secretary/bookkeeper, a telephone, and business cards.
There are many facets of this kind of business, which involve bringing lenders and borrowers together for venture capital, operating capital, expansion capital, and of course, mortgages of all kinds. Concerning mortgages, look at it from this point of view: Almost every building in the country - homes, office buildings, factories, apartments - has a mortgage on it, and somebody is making some really big commissions bringing together the people wanting the money and the people wanting to lend the money.
A business financing or money brokerage is the ideal sideline business for real estate brokers, sales persons involved in business sales, investment brokers, attorneys, accountants, and retirees from almost any occupation. This is definitely one of the truly recession-proof businesses that actually seems to flourish in times of tight money.
YOUR POTENTIAL MARKET
Each year, more than 10 million business loan applications are filed with the banks in the country. It is not uncommon for these banks to be working on more than 250,000 business loans each week, in amounts ranging from $25,000 to well over a million dollars. About 65 percent of the loan actually granted by the banks are short-term commercial loans; only about 25 percent are for longer terms, with fewer than ten percent granted for construction projects.
It should then be obvious that the banks in this country are neither speedy nor generous in giving loans to the beginning or small business entrepreneur. Such business people usually ask for loans of longer duration than the banks are willing to grant. It is easy to see that in a beginning business, smaller installment payments will reduce pressure on the borrower, and allow him to put more of the profits back into the business. In most cases, these small business owners need much more than the banks are willing to allow without all kinds of guaranteed collateral. And that, of course, is the reason why people needing money for their business success turn to business financing consultants, which provides you the opportunity for success in this field.
You'll find that beginning or small business persons are always on the lookout for professional business financing services. They always seem to need more money than they have available, and they never seem to get quite the help or satisfaction they seek from the banks. The pressing need for more capital is not something that plagues only the beginning or new business. It is an ongoing need in almost every growing business also. In fact, the need for a continuing input of new money is a necessary part of the growth cycle of every business. Generally, the "little guy" just doesn't have the extra cash from last year; he does not have the money it takes to set up a stock market program; and he doesn't have the time to devote to (or he doesn't want to attempt to "sell" his friends) an investment program in his business.
Sometimes these small business people will talk with their accountants, lawyers or stockbrokers and ask them to help in finding people with money to invest. Most accountants, lawyers and stockbrokers are in touch with clients who have money they are willing to invest in growing businesses, or people with "sure-fire" money-making ideas.
Whether these professional people do or do not have special clients with money to invest in special "deals" is of no consequence. The inportant thing is that these people are always being asked by someone if they know of a source of money, or if they know of someone who can locate an investor for them. With this in mind, and once you're set up in business, it will behoove you to contact these people - the accountants, lawyers, and stockbrokers in your area - to get to know as many of them as you can, and to leave your business card, so they will be aware of your services.
THE SERVICES YOU'LL PROVIDE
Generally, the money broker or person operating a business financing service will work with his or her clients in putting the loan application package together in such a way that it will receive favorable consideration by the lender. You'll have the names, addresses and telephone numbers of lenders from all over the world, people and firms interested in investing in all kinds of different business ideas and for virtually any amount of money. When you have a conplete loan application ready for presentation, you'll select the lenders or firms interested in that kind of business or investment. Either send or present the loan application package to them. One thing is most important: When you presnet a loan application package to a lender, be sure to have the date and time of your presentation certified by a notary public. When you send a loan application to a lender, be sure to certify the mailing of your package with the Post Office.
Once you "open your doors" for business, there will be no shortage of people coming to you for their money needs. The problem will be selecting just the requests you know, logically, stand a reasonable chance of approval. Everybody wants and needs money; once you announce that you can get loans for people who need them, you will be overwhelmed with requests. It will be up to you to utilize your time, expertise, and effort according to the greatest profit potential.
SETTING UP YOUR BUSINESS
You can start form the kitchen table in your home if necessary. You'll need a telephone and unless you have someone to act as a secretary, you should employ a telephone answering service. You can probably get by with a telephone answering machine, but because you are dealing with money, it is imortant that you project an image of success (and a telephone answering machine quickly identifies you as being a one-person operation.)
In addition to a telephone, you will also need business cards. These, of course, should be of a fine quality (this is not a very large expenditure). They should simly state your name, followed by the name of your services - Business Financial Services. You may list your phone number in the upper left-hand corner, something such as "Moeny for Every Need" in the lower right-hand corner, and of course your name and firm name centered in the middle. Assuming you are working out of your home, once you ahve moved into an office, you would certainly want to make new cards showing your business address.
It wouldn't hurt to have a calculator, a typewriter, and at least a small file cabinet as you set up your business. But just as people got along before without these amenities, you can make do until you can afford this equipment.
Once you are organized in a work area and with the basics for operating your business, the next move will be to get the word out that you are ready to offer your services to people needing money, and for people who are willing to invest. This means advertising, visiting, making contact insome way with both the people needing money, and those wanting to realize a profit in the process of lending their money. And don't forget - often those who do not go with you for one reason or another may supply with you with fine referrals.
The more you advertise and talk to peole about your services, the more successful your business is going to be. So first of all, we suggest you run an ad in the classified section of your local newspapers. It might read like this:
MONEY AVAILABLE! Business start-ups, expansion needs, construction loans, cash-flow problems. Call 123-4567.
You should run such an advertisement in as many of your area papers as you can afford, every day, for at least a month. This means that you'll have an advertising budget, with the money either coming in (or available) to meet these costs before you even contract to run your first ad. (This is part of the necessary planning that has to be done before you actually open for business.)
At the same time you are running the ad inviting people to come to you for their money needs, you should also be running a daily ad such as this one:
$350,000 NEEDED! Will pay maximum interest. Growing business, excellent profits and tax benefits. Call 123-4567.
Now the purpose of the first ad is to build your list of people wanting money - needing loans that you can process. The purpose of the second ad is to build your list of investors in your area with money to put into some of these business proposals you get from the first ad. Obviously, you'll get more people wanting to borrow money that people with money to invest; but once you begin running these two advertisements, you'll be on your way.
When you place your first ads, start checking and following up on similar ads you see running in your area newspapers. Usually, they will be listed under "Financial & Loans Wanted," or "Money to Loan." However, don't neglect to check the "Business Opportunities Wanted" classification as well.
When someone calls in response to your "Money Available" advertisement, whoever is acting as your secretary should get the name of the caller, the name of the business, the telephone number, amount of money needed, kind of business, and most appropriate time for a consultation. This can be handled most efficiently with preprinted telephone message pads. So you simply collect information from all these incoming calls, look it all over and start making your call-backs.
Basically, your call-back conversation should sound something like this: "Hello, John Jones? This is Mr. Money Broker returning your call about money for business financing. I understand that you're looking for about $100,000 in order to set up an auto tune-up shop. You stated that you are already pretty well organized with a business plan and location, and that you feel you have pretty good collateral. That's very good. Before we talk any further, however, I'd like to tell you a little about our company.
"We represent a number of large lending organizations for business financing, as well as a number of private investors who are looking for new ideas and businesses to invest in. Their primary requirement, of course, is that they be assured of getting their money back, but further that they will make money from such an investment.
"What I do is work with you in preparing your loan or investment package so that it will be attractive when it is presented to prospective lenders. It is very important that your proposal be complete and in the proper order. It is also of the greatest importance that it "look good," and "sell" the people it is taken to. The prospective lender must feel confident in granting you a loan or investing in your business. Once we¹ve got your presentation together, I then take it to some of my lending or investment sources and work toward obtaining you the money you need.
"As I'm sure you're already aware, it's most important that your proposal be prepared properly, and presented to the people who are in a position to give you the money you're asking for. I work with you to see that your proposal is the best my people have ever seen, and then I take it to the people who have the money and are looking for a good investment. For this, I require a $100 broker's retainer fee. I then go to work on your specific money needs. What we need to do now is set up a time and date for me to meet with you so that I may review your proposal. Would tomorrow morning at 10:00 be all right with you, or would 11:00 be better?"
The important thing is to be in control of this telephone conversation; to tell the prospect only what you want him to think about; and to sell him on the idea of getting on with it by paying the broker's retainer fee of $100.. Only after you have collected that, of course, will you start to work on evaluating his plan and getting him the money he needs.
(Feel free to use the following form as a pattern for your own agreement, or you may even want to cut it out, paste it up, and have your printer run off supply for you. If you do cut out and use the form, you will of course place your business name, address and telephone number in the space "Your Name and Address" at the top. Also, be sure to block out the instructions on the signature lines.)
YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS
AGREEMENT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICE
The undersigned, (Borrower's Name) , hereby appoints (Your Name) as his Agent, and authorizes him to submit to lenders financial data and information supplied by the borrower for the purpose of the lender making a loan or investment direct to the undersigned. The undersigned agrees to pay to (Your Name) a fee of _______% of the amount of the loan or investment obtained. The undersigned hereby pays to (Your Name) $__________ as a non-returnable fee for time involved in appraising feasibility of the loan requested. This fee is separate from any other fees due if loan is obtained.
Date: ____________________
Borrower: ________________________________
Once you are organized and rolling, you'll find that most of your day-to-day income will be derived from the packaging of loan applications. Once your client has signed the broker's agreement and given you his check for the retainer fee, you'll be helping him to get his loan or investment proposal together. This is the first thing to do, and you HAVE to do this regardless of any forms your client has already filled our, or anything he may have done relative to a loan proposal.
First give your client a detailed list of information he'll need to have within his loan or investment package. Because requirements do change from time to time, you will want to give your client the most up-to-date requirements in this regard. Go to several of the banks in your area and ask their loan officers for a copy of their loan application forms. Use these forms as your guide in making up the detailed list of requirements you will use in working with your client. If you need additional assistance, write one of the several organizations listed at the end of this report.
When you have the package put together and ready for presentation to a lender, take it back to your client and brief him on how to present it to prospective lenders, and generally you would give him the names and addresses of the people you feel will be most likely to listen to hie presentation. He makes the presentation to the local prospects, and contacts your other possible sources by mail. If he needs further help from you, you would charge him a per-hour counselling fee, plus consulting charge for any special or extra time spent working with him.
Overall, you should position yourself and your service to the client in order to collect a "finder's fee" of 1/2% of the amount of money actually loaned to or invested in his business. A flat fee of $100 to $250 as a broker's retainer fee for helping him with his load presentation when he does most of the work - an outright fee of 1% for the total preparation of his presentation package - and a consultant's fee of $50 to $100 per hour for any additional time expended on the project. These are your "bread & butter" services that will establish you as a professional, and keep you in business until you score with a big commission from perhaps a million dollar loan. You have to involve yourself in this service, because they'll make the difference between your going broke or really succeeding in the money brokering industry.
Indeed, you'll become more efficient with each experience with a client. You'll soon recognize which proposals to concentrate your attention on, and of course, which ones to scan briefly and hand back to a loan seeker. The more you deal with money professionals, too, the sharper you'll become - and consequently, the more money you will make. Money professionals know what types of loans are possible or likely from each of their different funding sources; thus, they'll present only those having the best chances of success. You will quickly acquainted with the lending rates and requirements of your loan sources. As you review, assist and put together each of the request-for-money proposals, your knowledge will improve your ability to package specific requests, and to "sell" a loan proposal. Just keep in mind that every time a loan is approved, or when one of your sources decides to invest in a client's business, you'll be taking a financial cut right off the top.
Right here I'd like to assure that you don't have to be either a financial genius or a super sales person. All you really have to know is how to put together a proposal properly, and acquire a list of sources interested in lending money or investing in a venture to obtain a profit.
You'll find that most of the borrowers you sign to assist in finding money for are unaware that they will have very little if anything to say about the terms of the loan that may be finally granted. You'll find that most of them are already convinced that they have the ultimate idea for a business that will make everyone involved rich. Almost all of them are trying to get started with little or no money of their own, and they'll think that whatever the prevailing interest rate, it's too much.
Your first chore will be to screen these people. Explain the facts of life to them, and don't waste your time with them if you have the feeling they'll reject or refuse to accept a loan you line up for them because of interest rates. If they've been to most of the regular loan sources in your areas, they'll know that when they want or need money, it's the lender who dictates the terms of the loan. A prospective borrower soon learns the prime rate that is published is almost never used. Actually, the prevailing prime rate plus two percent is generally a good rate of interest for most small businesses. In most cases, such loans have to be well secured with collateral not associated with the business.
Most of your would-be borrowers will not qualify for the prime plus two percent rate. Business experience, coupled with the type of business involved, will almost always put them in the "high risk" loan category. After you have your retainer fee, you have to educate your would-be borrowers in this regard. For those who cannot face the facts of life about interest rates, you have to just forget.
Something else you'll have to convince your clients of: If he says he'll give up a share of his business in exchange for the use of your investor's money. He'll have to give up a very large share. Most small business investment corporations or private investors will want at least 25 percent, and more often than not, up to 49 percent. In some cases, where a half million dollars or more is provided by the investor, he may (reasonably) ask for as much as 70 to 80 percent. Thus it's absolutely essential that you learn to quality your would-be borrower before you get too deeply involved or waste too much of your time.
For those who can't or don't want to pay your retainer fee - I say skip them. And those who can't or don't want to pay the high risk interest rates when you let them in on the real facts of life - forget them too. And those that have been turned down by practically every lending institution in the country, I would advise you - let some beginner gain practice on them. And these are the ones you need too learn to spot while you are a beginner.
You should determine exactly how much cash and other assets your client can or is willing to put into his proposed business. You'll have to be satisfied with the character of your client as a borrower; his record of paying his bills, how he gets along with people, and his overall chances of success. You'll have to do the checking of his references and credit record. You'll have to judge how he'll make good on the loan if the business goes sour. When these questions are answered to your satisfaction, you can go on with helping him put together a proper loan proposal and work toward getting him the money he wants.
Most successful money broker money brokers charge according to the size and type of loan being requested. This is based on the amount of work they have to put in to place the loan. If it looks like a pretty solid business with a good record onthe part of the borrower, and good collateral, the fees are usually lower. On the other hand, if it's a high risk proposal or if the borrower has very little business experience and you are going to end up doing a lot of selling to get the loan approved, your fee should be accordingly higher.
Remember that not all loans are approved, even though they might have looked good to you in the beginning. With this in mind, you have to charge for your services and make up for the time you spend with those proposals that don't get approved by charging and collecting on those that do get approved. An example of the typical commission charges is shown below.
| Loan Amount | Your Fee | Commission |
| $5,000,000+ | 1/2% | $25,000 |
| $2,000,000 | 1% | $20,000 |
| $1,000,000 | 1.5% | $15,000 |
| $500,000 | 2% | $10,000 |
| $100,000 | 3% | $3,000 |
| $50,000 | 4% | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | 5% to 10% | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Under $30,000 | 10% | $750 minimum |
As we stated earlier, you can start this kind of business from the comfort of your own home or apartment, and do very well. However, just as soon as you can possible affortd to, it would be to your benefit to set up an office with access to the general public. Your success and gross income will definitely benefit with an office.
You should set up your operation in a prestigious location within or fairly clost to the business and financial district in your are. Basically, this will be for impressing your clients, but at the same time, by locating in or near your local loan sources, you will quickly come to know the important people on a first name basis. Perhaps the best idea would be to sublet space in a suite of offices used by an insurance company, accounting firm, or a group of lawyers. An arrangement can often be made for their receptionist to answer your phone calls and receive your clients. With a little bit of finesse, you might even be able to have one of their secretaries handle your typing and filing.
Your office should be neat and functional, but still impressive. A large desk, comfortable chair and a credenza; perhaps a four-drawer file cabinet also. The image you project is of great importance, and being associated with a big name firm, even if only on the basis of sharing their suite of offices, will definitely be to your advantage in gaining ultimate success.
You should try to cover the walls of your office with certificates of awards, extra curricular courses completed, association memberships and seminar courses completed over the years. Documents of affiliation with civic groups or even reproductions of national write-ups should be framed and displayed on your office walls.
Don't forget: when planning and furnishing your office, you should also include at least one, and preferable two, visitor's chairs. A small sofa would be desirable, but really isn't necessary until you are really firmly established. The thing is, you want to project the impression of affluence and professionalism to anyone coming into your office.
The ideal situation is to have a two-person team - someone to be on the outside doing the selling, and someone on the inside handling all the processing. If you have the marketing skills, and enjoy selling, you might look for a sharp and impressive appearing person to handle the processing for you. Or if you have got the processing know-how, you might keep your eyes open for a professional appearing person who could be your "outside arm" and do most of the selling for you. Basically, and excepting for the acutal preparation and selling of the loan packages, most of the inside work can be handled by clerical personnel.
As you know however, you will find it in your best interest to have a full-time secretary. You would train her to field incoming telephone calls, take care of filing, and do our personal typing for you. A typical loan proposal usually requires about eight hours of typing.
Regardless of how you get started, and even after you have moved into a suite of plush offices, you will have to advertise to keep new business coming in. Besides running regular advertising in your local newspapers, you should also advertise in the local financial publications as often as you can afford it. Once you get your business rolling, you should expand your advertising coverage to include such national publications as the Wall Street Journal and the business opportunity publications.
Regarding the type of advertisment to run in these publications, we recommedn that you look at money brokerage ads in these publications. Clip out some of those you especially like and have your local typesetter make one up for you, using those you have clipped as patterns.
In addition to your local newspapers, business publications and nationally distributed papers, newsletters and magazines, it will be to your advantage to run an advertisement in the yellow pages of your telephone book and in area business directories.
Besides "regular" advertising, you should be sending out direct mail letters, letting people know that you can help them with their money problems. Some money brokers have a combination letter-display and made up and printed on the back of postcards. This is quite a bit less expensive than sending out letters, and could possibly downgrade your image somewhat, but on the other hand, those money brokers using postcards say they are very effective because the recipients are more likely to save a postcard than a letter.
A general description of the way the direct mail system works is: You mail out your letters or postcards to the real estate brokers and small businesses in your area. Then a couple of days later, you follow up with a phone call to these people. You identify yourself, ask if the card or letter had been received, and then ask how things are going - if perhaps you can be of any help to them. Finally, you ask them to keep you in mind, and be sure to ket you know if something comes up that you can handle.
About one-third of the people you talk to will say that they don't immediately need money, but they know of individuals or business looking for help. When you do get a referral, be sure to elicit as much information as possible, then make a contact with them.
When you have put a loan or an investment proposal together, and you intend to sell it to a lender, you should first call the lending officer or the head of that lending organization. If you want to present your package to a private investor, you will more than likely have to call his attorney, broker or investment counselor.
The purpose of your telephone call is to set up an appointment in order to present your package in person. Thus, during the course of this telephone call, you should brief the lender on the highlights of your client's loan proposal. If he is interested, he will probably want you to send him a written summary. After he has received the summary and decided he is interested, he will get back to you and set up an interview with you, and then with you and your client.
You and the borrower should rehearse the entire loan proposal and have all examples, charts and graphic illustrations ready to go for a winning presentation.. Any lender willing to listen at all wants to hear the full story, and when they have a question, they want the answer without hesitation. So be sure you are ready when you show up for that loan-selling interview - with a complete presentation.
Once you start processing loan applications, you will find that about 80 percent of the loans granted to small businesses are made by commercial banks. A few more than ten percent are made by friends or relatives or the borrower, and about three percent by finance companies. Another three percent will be granted by insurance companies.. This will give you an idea of possible money sources for your clients.
You mustremember, when a prospective borrower tells you how much money he needs, and what he wants to use it for, it is your job to evaluate his proposal and match his particular proposal with sources likely to be interested. As you build your list of money sources, you will find those that specialize in specific categories of loans - for apartment buildings, medical facilities, recreation setups, and a myriad of others.
Most money brokers cultivate the savings and loan companies, union pension funds, life insurance trust companies, credit unions, private investor groups, and even the small loan companies. The important thing to remember is that if you are going to bring together people needing money and people with money to lend, you have to continually develop contacts in order to build your list of money sources. It is very helpful to get to know your local bank officials because sometimes they can refer you to a person you can really serve, because he doesn't qualify for a bank loan.
You will also learn that most sources of venture capital - money for business start-ups - want an equity share of the business. They generally don't require that the money they put up be repaid, because they are hoping to make their profit from a share of the business as it grows and becomes more and more profitable. They especially like to get in on the "ground floor" of small companies who plan to issue public shares of stock when they begin to grow.
Still another angle that money brokers should develop is contact with a number of people who might be interested in investing as silent partners in new or growing business ventures. Silent partners invest in a business without assuming any liability relative to debts the business may incur, while still sharing in the total profits of the business. In most areas of the country, there are always a number of wealthy people around who are interested in investing small amounts of money in any number of business ventures - sometimes as many as they can get in on.
Until you have actually placed a few loans, you are undoubtedly going to occasionally spend a lot of time attempting to sell a loan that just can't be sold. You will have to develop your skill in evaluating from the facts your borrower gives you, the possibility of obtaining a loan, how long, the terms (time period and interest rate), his past business experience, and the feasibility of his plan for success in the planned business. While it does take some time and concentration to differentiate the "winners" from the "losers". Be aware from the beginning, and you will be less likely to be caught up in efforts to place a loan that just can't be placed.
Of primary importance to your lenders is your client's collateral, which would assure repayment of the loan in the event of failure of the business. Lenders won't even listen to, or bother to look at a proposal that is not backed up with realistic collateral to support the loan. And you may count on this: They will call you on any profit projections based only of your borrower's glowing predictions. These are the things you as a money broker must evaluate before getting too deeply involved. If the loan doesn't have the look of at least an even chance of being approved, better to give it to your client straight. It will save him grief in the long run, and will allow you to go on to another proposal with better chances of successfully. When you go into the matter of collateral with a client, by all means be thorough and inquisitive in working with him. Many borrowers have collateral they have never thought of in terms of security. For instance, antiques, coin or stamp collections, life insurance policies, even a wealthy friend or so who would sign a guarantor(s) of a loan. Remember, also any accounts receivable, promissory notes, machinery and equipment, and any real estate equity.
When you've listed all the collateral that can be dug up, you have to demonstrate very clearly just how the loan is going to be repaid - and particularly if the business fails. Collateral is a necessary part of any loan transactions, but is usually is not enough to satisfy the entire face value of the loan. Thus, in addition to collateral, the borrower has to have a clear and provable plan for repaying the money he borrows.
So long as you work through the commercial banks, you shouldn't need any kind of brokers license. But to be sure, you will want to check with your local licensing authorities. In the end, you will probably want to get a real estate broker's license, because in many cases, real estate will figure into the loan in one way or another. However, you can get started without one. If you run into an immediate need for a real estate broker's license, you can always make an arrangement with someone who has one and let him be the "licensee of record."
Finally - and possibly the Number One requisite for success in your Business Financing Service venture is this: You are going to need, and really must have, enough money available or coming in from some outside source(s), to sustain your daily living for at least the first three months before you open for business.
It will probably take you two to three weeks to put together each of your first loan proposals. You're working (investing your time) but the money won't be coming in until you finish the job. But even when everything is ready and you begin trying to place a loan, it could take you anywhere from three weeks to three months to get the final approval.
So the best way to get started as a money broker is, as we discussed earlier in this report, to start on a part-time basis while you are still holding down a regular job. Remember, you can work out of your home; do some careful planning and become efficient with your time; concentrate on getting those "retainer fees" and proceed with packaging the loan proposals.
There is no effortless way to start this or any other business. You have to start small, do all or most of the work yourself, and in addition to investing your time, you'll have to "prime the pump" with money of your own. However, it can be done, and most assuredly this particular kind of business can take you from pauper to wealth in a short time.
Businesses in every city and town in this country would like to have more money than they currently have available. You can become rich beyond your wildest dreams by helping them. You identify those with money needs and bring them together with the people or organizations with money to invest.
All it takes is the know-how we've passed along within this business start-up manual, and ACTION on your part - it's up to you!
REFERENCE ASSOCIATIONS:
100
American Institute of Financial Brokers
American Institute of
Thursday, April 3, 2008
HOW TO OBTAIN FREE BUSINESS PUBLICITY
Product publicity is the "secret pathway" to business success everyone wants. In simple terms, product publicity is a kind of advertising that costs you nothing, yet brings in the orders for you.
Regardless of what kind of business you are operating, you should want, and strive for, as much publicity for your business and your products or services, as possible. After all, it's "free advertising" that is essential to the growth of your business. However, your publicity efforts should be well though out, and preplanned for maximum results.
The first, and basic form of obtaining publicity is through what is known as the press or news release. This is generally a one-page story about your business, your product/service or an event/happening related to your business that is about to, or has recently occurred. These publicity stories are generally "shot-gunned" to all the various media: local newspapers, radio and TV, and trade publications.
Problem number one is getting the people to whom you have sent these publicity stories, to use them - publish or broadcast them. And this leads us back to the "right way" of writing them and sending them in.
In every case, send a short cover letter addressed to the person you want your material to be considered by... This means that you send your story to the city editor of the newspapers; the news directors of the radio & TV stations; and the managing editors of the various trade publications. It will do you no good what so ever, to send your material to the advertising, circulation or business managers - describing how you are a long-time advertiser, subscriber or listener. The most important thing is that you make contact with the person who has the final say as to what is to be published or broadcast, and at the bottom line - this person's use of your material will somehow make him a "hero" to his or her readers, viewers or listeners.
The cover letter should be a short note. Go to a paper supplier - tell them you want a hundred of so sheets of good bond paper - 8 1/2 x 11 preferably in a pastel color such as blue or ivory - and that you want this paper cut into quarters, giving you a grand total of 400 sheets of note paper. "From the desk of..." note sheets are too elaborate until the people you are contacting get to know you - first time around, and until they use your material, don't use these semi-formal note sheets...
On this note sheet, begin with the date across the top - skip a couple of spaces and then quickly tell the recipient of the note, the attached material is new and should be of real interest to his readers, viewers or listeners. We advise our dealers and distributors of MONEY MAKING MAGIC - our regular publication for serious wealth builders and extra income seekers - to send the following note to the editors and news directors of the media in their area:
"Here's something that is new, and for a change, truly helpful, to people trying to cope with inflation - the soaring costs of living - and those engaged in building extra income businesses of their own. Should be of real value - interest - to your readers. Please take a look - any questions, or if your need more into, give me a call at: (503) 666-5824..." Then, or course, you skip about four spaces, type your name, your business name, and your address - sign your name above where you have typed it, and staple this note in the upper right hand corner of your news release. This note should be typed and double-spaced.
So now, you have got a cover letter, and you know who to send it to... We type up one such note and take it to a near-by quick print shop. The Xerox the note 4 times, paste these 4 copies onto one sheet of paper, print 50 to 100 copies, and cut the paper into individual notes, all for less than $10... Do not try to save money by photocopying or xeroxing - a photocopy is a photocopy is a photocopy, and will not do the job for you...
Now you need the actual publicity release, which also must be "properly" written if you expect it to be used by the media. Above all else, there is a proper form or style to use, plus the fact that it must be typed, double-spaced, and short - about a half page in total length.
About an inch from the top of the paper with an inch and a half margin on each side of the paper; form the left hand margin, type in all capital letter: PRESS RELEASE: Then, underline these words. Immediately following the colon, but not in all capital letters, put in the date. Always set the date forward by at least one day after the day you intend to mail the release.
On the same line, but on the right hand side of the page, and in all capital letters, write the words, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Underline this, and immediately below, but not in all capital letters, type your name - your phone number - and your address...
Skip a couple of spaces, then in all capital letters - centered between the margins - type a story headline, and underline it... Skip a couple of spaces, and from the left hand margin, all in capital letters, type the words, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: From there on, it's the news or publicity story itself.
You can write the headline before the story, and then a story to fit the headline - or the story before the headline, and then a headline to fit the story - either way, it's basically the same as writing a space ad or a sales letter... You attract attention and interest with the headline and fill in the details with your story.
Here is an example of the headlines we use on publicity blurbs for MONEY MAKING MAGIC:
HELP IN MAKING ENDS MEET NEW PUBLICATION FOR EXTRA INCOME SEEKERS
Notice how we continue to sell or involve the editor - His readers are always looking for better ways to make ends meet, and he's specifically interested as to what our promise involves... He wants his readers to "think well" of him for enlightening them with this source of help, so he reads into the story to find out whom, what and how... An actual copy of one of our publicity releases is contained as an appendix to this report...
Suffice it to say that your headline, and the story you present to the editor, must sell him on the benefits of your product or service to his readers. Unless it specifically does this, he will not use it. You must sell the first person receiving your materials. Keep this fact uppermost in your mind as you write it. The person you send your press or publicity release to, must quickly see and understand how your product or service will benefit his readers - thereby making him a hero to them - and he must be assured it will do what you promise in your headline.
Come right to the point and say your product is lower in price, more convenient to use or in what way your product or service is useful to the people in general. It is also a good idea to include a complimentary sample of your product or an opportunity for him to sample your services.
Remember, the editors receiving your information are fully aware of your purposes - Free Advertising! They are not in the least interested in your or your credentials - If you have sold them on the benefits of your business to their readers, and they want background details, they will call you. That is why you list your telephone number and address...
These people are busy people. They have not got the time or the interest in reading about your trials and tribulations or plans for the future. They want only "a flag" that alerts them to something new and of probable real interest to their readers.
Sell the editor first. Convince him that you have found the better mousetrap. Show him that your product or service - that your business - fills a need and/or will interest a large segment of his readers, his viewers or listeners.
When an editor uses your publicity release, always follow-up with a short thank you note. Never, but never, send a publicity release to an editor and then call or write demanding to know why he did not use it, use it as you wrote it, or only gave you a quick mention. Do this once, and that particular media will "round-file" any further material received form you, unopened! If your first effort is not used, then you should review the story itself, perhaps write it form a different angle; make sure you are sending it to the proper person - and try again!
As stated earlier, these people are busy, with hundreds of publicity releases passing across their desks every day - They only have so much space or time - therefore, your material has to stand out and in some way, fit in with the information they - the editors - want to pass along to their readers, viewers or listeners. Regardless of your business, product, or service, you must build your press release - write it - around that particular angle or feature that makes it beneficial or interesting to the readers, viewers or listeners of the media you want to run your press release. Without this special ingredient, you are lost before you begin!
The timing of your press release is always important, Try to associate your press release with current events in the news. A story on job lay-off and increased unemployment carried in the newspapers, on TV and radio would prompt us to get a publicity release out to all the media on the help and opportunity offered by MONEY MAKING MAGIC! Say there is a deluge of chain letters and pyramid schemes making the rounds - the media picks up on it and attempts to warn the people to beware... Within 5 days, we would get a publicity release out, explaining the availability of our reports on chain letters and pyramid schemes - a report that explains everything form A to Z - who are the winners and who are the real losers.
There is another kind of timing also to keep in mind...Publication Deadlines... For best results, always try to time it so your material reaches the editor in time for the Sunday paper. This is because that is when the papers have their greatest circulation; the most space is available; and the people, the most time to read the paper.
For articles you would like to appear in the Sunday paper, you will generally have to get your releases in at least nine days prior to the date of publication. If you are in doubt, call and ask about the deadline date.
SUMMARY
· Choose the media most likely to carry your press release. Select those that carry similar write-ups on a regular basis.
· Always use a cover letter of some kind. It pays to call ahead to find out the name of the person you should be sending your press release to.
· Use the proper press release form, complete with a headline that will interest the man deciding whether or not to use your item.
· Be sure your press release is letter perfect - no typo's or misspelled words - and don't photocopy - always have each letter or press release individually typed or printed. When your item is used, send a thank you note or call the editor on the phone and thank him for using your press release.
· Never, but never call or write an editor demanding to know why he did not use your press release, why he had it rewritten or cut it short - just try, and try again!
Monday, March 31, 2008
How To Start A Profitable Home-Based Business
In these days, it's becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet with just one source of income. Thus, more and more people are investigating the possibilities of starting their own extra-income business. Most of these part-time endeavors are started and operated from the comfort and privacy of the home.
Most of these people are making the extra money they need. Some have wisely and carefully built these extra income efforts into full-time, very profitable businesses. Others are just keeping busy, having fun, and enjoying life as never before. The important thing is that they are doing something other than waiting for the government to give them a handout; they are improving their lot in life, and you can do it, too!
The fields of mail order selling, multi-level marketing, and in-home party sales have never been more popular. If any of these kinds of extra income producing ideas appeal to you, then you owe it to yourself to check them out. But these aren't the only fields of endeavor you can start and operate from home, with little or no investment, and learn as you go.
If you type, you can start a home-based typing service; if you have a truck or have access to a trailer, you can start a clean-up/hauling service. Simply collecting old newspapers from your neighbors can get you started in the paper recycling business. More than a few enterprising housewifes have found success and fortune by starting home and/or apartment cleaning services. If you have a yard full of flowers, you can make good extra money by supplying fresh cut flowers to restaurants and offices in your area on a regular basis. You might turn a ceramics hobby into a lucrative personalized coffee mug business. What I'm saying is that in reality, there's literally no end to the ways you can start and operate a profitable extra income business from your home.
The first thing you must do, however, is some basic market research. Find out for yourself, first-hand, just how many people there are in your area who are interested in your proposed product or service, and would be "willing to stand in line and pay money for it". This is known as defining your market and pinpointing your customers. If after checking around, talking about your idea with a whole lot of people over a period of one to three months, you get the idea that these people would be paying customers, your next effort should be directed toward the "detailing" of your business plan. The more precise and detailed your plan - covering all the bases relating to how you'll do everything that needs to be done - the easier it's going to be for you to attain success. Such a plan should show you start-up investment needs, your advertising plan, your production costs and procedure, your sales program, and how your time will be allocated. Too often, enthusiastic and ambitious entrepreneur jump in on an extra income project and suddenly find that the costs are beyond their abilities, and the time requirements more than they can meet. It pays to lay it all out on paper before you get involved, and the clearer you can "see" everything before you start, the better your chances for success.
Now, assuming you've got your market targeted, you know who your customers are going to be and how you're going to reach them with your product or service. And you have all your costs as well as time requirements itemized. The next step is to set your plan in motion and start making money.
Here is the most important "secret" of all, relating to starting and building a profitable home-based business, so read very carefully. Regardless of what kind of business you start, you must have the capital and the available time to sustain your business through the first six months of operation. Specifically, you must not count on receiving or spending any money coming in from your business on yourself or for your bills during those first six months. All the income from your business during those first six months should be reinvested in your business in order for it to grow and reach your planned first year potential.
Once you've passed that first six months milestone, you can set up a small monthly salary for yourself, and begin enjoying the fruits of your labor. But the first six months of operation for any business are critical, so do not plan to use any of the money you business generates for yourself during that period.
If you've got your business plan properly organized, and have implemented the plan, you should at the end of your first year be able to begin thinking about hiring other people to alleviate some of your workload. Remember this: Starting a successful business is not a means towards either a job for yourself or a way to keep busy. It should be regarded as the beginning of an enterprise that will grow and prosper, with you as the top dog. Eventually, you'll have other people doing all the work for you, even running the entire operation, while you vacation in the Bahamas or Hawaii and collect or receive regular income from your initial efforts.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
HOW TO GET BIG DOLLARS IN YOUR MAILBOX -- EVERY DAY!
No other business venture seems so inviting, or attracts so many people than that of selling via mail order. On the surface, it appears to be an easier and faster way to become rich than almost any other method of doing business. All the people in the world are your potential customers; you work from the privacy and comfort of your own home; you set you own working hours; and you answer to no one but yourself.
Ideally, you should have a product of your own - something you can produce at very low cost, and sell at top price. If you are buying something, advertising and reselling it, in order to realize a profit, you have to mark it up at least 500%. This is not an unreasonable mark-up for mail order sales.
Your product has to have mass appeal, and it has to be something not readily available to your prospective customers except through you. The product should be such that you can carry an inventory without worry of spoilage, aging or other damage. It should be something you can send through the mail - deliver to your customer - for next to nothing in relation to your selling price.
The best money-making product of all is a "How-To" report such as this one. You don't have to be a literary genius, or even an experienced writer to write one of these re ports. In fact, the easiest way is to buy a set of these reports - read each one over, set it aside and write a similar one with more elaboration or from a different point of view. Give your report a commercially appealing title, set a price for it, advertise it widely in a number of nationally circulated mail order publications, and you could have something that will continue to bring in money for you for many years to come.
The absolute best money-maker of them all is a report you've found a great need for, researched thoroughly, and written from scratch. Discovering these needs is not that difficult a task.
If you just don't have the time to write and market one of these reports, or just cannot produce one for whatever reason, the next best thing to purchase a set of these reports with reproduction rights. Here, you can have a number reprinted for as little as one or two cents each, and sell them for one to five dollars each. The only problem with this approach is that after a year, nearly everyone in mail order will have a copy of these reports, and will be trying just as hard as you are to sell them.
Now, if you have bought the reproduction rights to the reports, you simply rewrite them, put new titles on them, make up a new advertising circular, and send them out as new reports each year. There are a number of mail order self-help reports that have been making the rounds for the past 25 years in just this manner.
Just because you haven't got the time or the tools to write one of these reports is no reason for not producing one. If you have an idea or the background material, and the confidence that such a report will sell - get in touch with someone who specializes in this kind of writing, and have then put the finished product together for you. Generally, the fees will run to $100 per page. But this is an "incidental fee" indeed, if you come up with something that has the potential of bringing in several thousand dollars per year for the next ten years or so. Remember, once you have it together and written, you just continue making copies of your original and filling prepaid cash orders for as long as you wish to stay in business.
You should also have advertising circulars, a catalog or a "follow-up" offer for every order you get. Many people make the mistake of "sending their whole store" in response to every inquiry. When you receive an inquiry to your advertising, you should have a prepared sales letter describing the item you're advertising, and perhaps a circular listing in catalog style some of your other products that tie in with the product of your sales letter. This is known as the "featured Selection Plus Alternates" approach.
When you receive an order for the product you've been advertising or featuring in your mail efforts, include one of your product catalogs in the package with the customer's order. The most effective practice is to include an advertising circular or brochure of a leader item or special-of-the-month, and your catalog. The main thing NOT to do is to include more than a couple of separate "featured selection" circulars. Keep your eyes on how the big mail order houses do it, and duplicate their operating plan within your own means.
The important point to remember here is to be sure to include something different - something new - something your customer has not seen or been offered a chance to buy - with each successive contact you make with him. Once you've broken the ice and got him spending money with you, continue showing him products of a related nature that should stimulate his appetite for greater success. For sure, he'll never be more in the mood to buy from you than when he receives something he has ordered. So every time you fill and send out an order to a buyer, include an opportunity for him to buy even more from you.
You can make a very comfortable income, but you'll never get rich so long as you're having your orders dropshipped for you. Having a connection with a prime source that will dropship orders for you is one of the surest and best ways to "learn" the business of selling by mail - but if you really want to make it big, you'll use dropshipping sources for learning, and to back up your primary product with follow-up offers.
If you don't have a primary product of your own, the next best thing is to buy in quantity lots at wholesale prices. A work of caution here, though: do not buy a quantity supply of anything until you've seen a sample of the product and have thoroughly tested the salability of that product.
Too often, the beginner is sold a quantity of a certain product at so-called wholesale prices, only to find that after he had spent his capital he either doesn't want to put forth the effort and time to sell that particular product, or that he can't "give it away," let alone sell it. Suppliers who operate this way, almost forcing you to buy an inventory to have available for your orders, generally derive most of their income from the sale of the initial "required" inventories. Always investigate and check out the salability before you buy anything more than just a single sample.
Selling your reports depends on your advertising. You have to get the word out that you have "money-making information" available for sale. Start out small by using short classified typed ads. Look at how some of the established mail order reports sellers are doing it, and copy their methods. Do not copy their ads -instead, use them as idea stimulaters for your own original copy. Place an ad in one of the largest circulation publications you can find, then use the income from that ad to buy and place more advertising. In other words, use the money that comes in from the first ad to place similar ads in three or four other publications.
One of the insider secrets of the mail order business is in multiplying your advertising exposure. This means simply that you start with an ad in one publication, and from there, expand your exposure by advertising in more publications. Be patient, and wait for the returns form your current ads, then use that money to increase the number of people who will have a chance to see your ad. It's as simple as that, and it works every time. Try it and see for yourself.
All of this means that as you are getting started with a new mail order business, you have to reinvest all your business income back into the business. To do otherwise is a straight line to business failure.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
How To Start Your Own Highly Profitable Catering Service
People with money seem to be on a binge to prove their status and flaunt their wealth by staging large, catered parties. As a matter of fact, in some circle of affluence, a party or social get-together isn't considered an event of any significance unless it's a catered affair.
With the same kind of reasoning, businesses of all sizes are using catered lunches, cocktail parties and dinner meetings to build their images and increase company sales. It's a matter of keeping up with the competition in promoting a company and/or product.
On a smaller, but just as busy marketing scale, more and more working mothers are paying to have catered birthday and graduation parties, as well as wedding receptions handled by caterers. The reasons are simple to understand--if she's working outside the home, today's mother just doesn't have the time or the energy to do all the planning and staging of a memorable party.
Besides those reasons for turning everything over to a caterer, working mothers feel a little guilty about the time away from their children they lose because of their jobs. Thus, they're ready and willing to make it all to them by paying for a lavish party the child will remember for years to come.
Caterers handle everything from birthday parties for children, to breakfast in bed and intimate candlelight dinners for two, to company dinner parties for 50 and wedding receptions involving a thousand or more guests. This kind of entreprenuerial business is definitely growing and becoming more popular with people of all income levels.
An imaginative caterer in a large metropolitan area can easily gross $150,000 per year, while a small part-time caterer in a small town can count on at least $10,000 to $15,000 per year. One small, but very ambitious caterer is reported to have grossed $250,000 after only 2-years in the business!
You don't need special education or training to become a successful caterer. You do need a affinity for people and a kind of intuition as to what people enjoy in different environmental settings.
A quick survey of successful caterers across the nation shows that began with zero capital by working out of their homes. The basic starting up investment would appear to be around $500, with some big spenders capitalizing their idea with as much as $15,000 in order to get off to a fast start.
This seems to be an ideal business for an ambitious couple to start and operate with very little capital investment required. One person can spend his time hustling up business while the other would do the planning, organizing and actual catering.
As with any business, your success will be directly related to the soundness of planning and the working of that plan. Understand exactly what your client wants, and give him what he wants in the way of service that reflects upon the client in a complimentary manner.
Basically, you can start with an advertisement in your local newspapers. This advertisement need not be much more than a simple announcement: Creative Catering-Specializing in personal service- We can handle any party or special event from start to finish-no idea to small or too large- Your satisfaction is always guaranteed! We can handle everything for you.. Call us, and let us make your parties worth remembering...
Naturally, the first thing you want from anyone calling to ask about your services, is that anyone calling to ask about your services, is that person's name, address and phone number. Then you want to know what kind of party or event they have in mind. As soon as you have this information, relax a little bit and inquire to find out about the person or the company--the people--sponsoring the party and their ultimate goals or reasons for the party.
If it's to celebrate birthday, graduation, anniversary or a wedding reception--finding out about the interests, background and ambitious of the guest of honor will be of value to you in your planning. Taking a few minutes to learn everything you can about whoever the party is for, and the people giving the party, will also make it much easire to close the sale than any sales pitch or special persuasive tactics.
People like to talk about themselves, and they especially like to tell everyone why they're honoring someone, even when they pretend to keep it a secret who initiated the idea. So, it's important that you be a good listener, that you have the ability to get people to talk about themselves, and that you take notes on the things they tell you.
This same principle applies to business people, regardless of who's talking to you or the purpose of the catered affair. The more polished and adept you can become in getting your prospects to talk about themselves, the more information relative to their background you can elicit, and the more you listen; the better your parties will be, and the greater success you'll attain in the catering business.
You take the information you glean from this first interview and plan/organize the event on paper. This means you're going to have to have contacts or at least working relationships with innumerable service businesses.
If your client wants to stage a birthday party for a 12-year old---he or she greets the guests as they arrive, makes sure everybody knows who he is---then what about party favors---a soft drink and a conversation leader until all the guests arrive--the opening of presents--icecream and cake--and games to play, a thank you gift for coming, and a reason to end the party at a pre-determined time...
Do you greet the guests, does the mother or father, or the little boy or girl? Where do you come up with the party favors at less than regular retail prices? Where are you going to get the soft drinks-your cost and the glasses or paper cups to serve them in? What about ice? What kind of games to play? Who'll be the conservation leader? Will there be a clown or someone special to keep everything moving according to plan? Where do you get the ice cream and cake? What games to play? How to get everyone involved? And finally, a feasible and polite reason for ending the party and sending everyone home...
All this takes planning, organization, and if you're going to make a profit, a definite awareness of cost control. Get it all down on paper as a proposal to the people who want to pay you to carry it off. Figure out your costs, the time involved in putting it all together, and then get back to your prospect.
Always leave room for changes in your proposal. In fact, expect them--invite input and suggestions from the client--and always have an alternate idea in your mind for each of those on your written proposals. Discuss your proposal with the client just as you would a script for a television show, make the suggested changes and ask for a 50-percent advance deposit. From there, it's just a matter of following your plan.
Regardless of size or type of party--whether your client is a working mother or a giant corporation--the format is always the same: initial inquiry, interview, your proposal, 2nd interview for any changes, agreement, deposit, staging the party itself, and your final payment. As mentioned earlier, success in this business comes from your planning--having a lot of contacts--and working your plan.
An important word of caution: Try not to get "boxed in" to setting or even revealing a tentative price until you've had a chance to listen to what the prospect wants, to study your own capabilities, and to make a formal written proposal. If a customer wants to know how much you charge--and if you feel it necessary in order to eventually close the sale--you can tell him 50 to 100 dollars per hour, plus expenses, and of course, depending on the type of event the customer wants.
As for how much the average party costs, again tell him that it varies anywhere from 50 to 5,000 dollars.
Always keep in mind that you are a professional, and that if the ordinary person had your knowledge, contacts and ambition to do it himself, he wouldn't be calling you on the phone. He needs your help for any number of reasons. You specialize in this kind of work or service just as a doctor specializes in medicine and a lawyer in legal matters. Therefore, you should, and do expect to be paid accordingly.
Something else--this business thrives on word-of-mouth advertising--referrals--and thus, is direct "freeway' to the kind of customers where money is of no concern. However, on order to gain access to this market, your business emphasis has to be on service.
This means the capability of handling everything for the customer, from having the invitations printed and sent out to cleaning up after the last guest has left. Businesses and people in the upper income brackets, like to pick up the phone--tell someone they want a party on a certain date--and then forget about it, knowing everything will be taken care of without further worry or time involvement from them. Once you've developed your expertise and clientele to this level, you'll have a business in the $200,000 to $250,00 per year range.
Definitely arrange for a display ad in the yellow pages of your telephone directory. You'll probably get 40% of your inquires from this source alone. Generally speaking, radio and/or television advertising will be too expensive when compared with the immediate results. However, it is recommended that you consider these media prior to special holidays.
Working with restaurants, supper clubs, bridal shops and entertainment business in general. can bring in hundreds of referrals for you. Rubbing shoulders with, and circulating as a part of your area's civic and service clubs, should also result in more business for you.
Keep your eyes and ears on the alert. Where ever you go, and with whomever you associate, always be ready to promote and sell your services, if not on the spot, at least make a note to follow up when conditions are more in your favor. Promoting and selling your services will require at least half your time, and that's why two people operating catering services are so successful from the start.
The actual selling is quite simple so long as you emphasize the service and time-saving aspects. The more time-consuming work you can handle for the client, the easier it's going to be for you to close the sale.
Handing out business cards is one of the least expensive ways to advertise, promote and sell your services. One enterprising caterer makes arrangements with the sponsors of all his parties, to see that each of the guests gets one of his business cards.
Another gives each of his clients a stack of his business cards, and tells them he'll pay them $25 for each prospect they refer to him. He tells them to write their name on the backs of the cards, and to hand them out to their friends. And then, whenever a person tells him that John or Jane suggested he call, and he presents the card with John or Jane's name on the back, this very successful caterer sends John or Jane a $25 check.
Another very successful caterer pays commissions to a group of housewives and college students who solicit--via their home phones--interviews for him with brides-to-be. They get their leads from announcements, and pictures of brides-to-be in the local papers.
Many caterers pay sales people a commission for letting them know when they hear about a party or special event being planned by one of their business customers.
The possibilities go on and on, and are seemingly unlimited. Time is becoming more valuable to a lot more people every day, which means there are more and more opportunities for great wealth and personal independence as a professional caterer. In reality the success for just about any person entering this field, will be limited only by his or her own imagination and energy.
There is definite opportunity for great wealth within the catering field. Anyone with a sense of service to others can succeed. Very little "ready cash" is needed to begin. Therefore, the only thing standing between you and the realization of your dreams, is the action it takes on your part to get started...
