But back to business _ when most people do fail in business they try to "save face" by telling everyone they are "just in a slump" and everything will be back to normal soon. Besides, they don't want people to say: "I told you so" and destroy any pride they are still hanging onto. Unfortunately, this only delays problem and creates even more false hope for people in your life as well as yourself.

The best thing to do for anybody in this catastrophe is to swallow their pride and admit they screwed up. Just face it head on! Admit that you were so proud of your accomplishments that your mind became diluted with "visions of sugar plums and fantasyland."

If your small business is beyond repair, go out and find a job and begin working on your next small business in near future. Keep your family fed and your financial obligations met but look forward to day when you WILL succeed with your new business venture.

And why should you try again? Simply because you won't make same mistakes you made this time. If you built something successful before (but failed), you are certain to build next business stronger and wiser. Even if you fail second time, it won't be because of mistakes you made first time. You'll learn more and more _ and eventually be successful. It's inevitable!

But how can you pre-qualify or target market your audience before placing an ad? If you are a beginner, it will take some time before you are experienced enough to do so. However, you can always get a sample copy of publication first and see what items other people are advertising. Then, test your ads in smaller mail order publication that offer low-cost advertising until you refine your ad and hit right market. As soon as you begin generating responses to your ads, keep in contact with these customers and grow from there. They will bring you more customers like themselves because "birds of a feather flock together."

Therefore - take my advice and SLOW DOWN a little. I know this is easier said than done - but if you don't slow down, you could easily get ripped-off and lose a lot of money. Just like attending college - you won't get a Master's Degree same day you begin classes. It takes 3-4 years!

Take your time to get to know some of pros and read what they have to say. Survey and study market. Read and educate yourself by investing time into study. Start out in mail order like you would start working for any company - at bottom. Learn tricks of trade. Make friends and associates with "good" dealers and stick with them. Honor your word and work dealerships to advantage of yourself as well as others. (Sounds kinda like Golden Rule of mail order doesn't it?)

But - I guarantee you'll be successful! Mail order works for anybody. You don't have to be rich, educated or a certain age, color or heritage. You don't have to wear certain kinds of clothes or have your hair styled in latest craze. The only limitations are your own abilities and confidence in yourself. I know because I started out really poor and brought my business up to a thriving, self-supporting home business!