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Running a business, whether it be an offline multi-billion dollar company or an online part time home business, they share many similar traits.

One of biggest obstacles I have endeavoured to translate to many, many small business / home business people, is a very simple phrase......' Treat It Like a REAL business, Because It IS a REAL Business'.

The fundemental reasoning behind so many failures in small business, is clear lack of willingness to act like a real business. Many people may ' have a go ', they could ' give it a try ', or ' let's see what happens ' - all with the.. ' what have I got to lose? ' attitude. THAT, my friends, is one of biggest secrets to FAILURE.

OK - s let's assume that your small business / home business / BizOp etc., is NOT you main source of income. It is NOT responsible for putting food in you family's stomachs, it is NOT what keeps a roof over your head..... it is NOT sole form of income that you, your family and your Bank Manager rely upon.

So look at it like this. If it WAS, would you put as much effort into it as you do now? I can pretty much guarantee that your efforts would be substantially more, because everything relies on success of your business, via-a-vis money your business generates.

Well, now we have ascertained that you should be running it like a real business.......Are you?

> Do you have a business plan?

> Do you know each step that your business will take over next week, month, year, three years....?

> Have you prepared your agenda for acquiring new customers, products, joint venture partners?

> Do you have a time-table of events?

> How often do you research, analyse, read-up and check out your competitors?

> When was last time you contacted your client base?

> Do you offer them special offers, free resources and reports? What about surverying them and asking for their opinions?

> How often do you do all this?

> Does your business have a 'company objective'?

> Has your 'company' it's own 'customer mission statement'?

> Have you set yourself / your business targets....use my S.M.A.R.T. Principle...... .......targets which must be

= Specific.............. each item / area of business must be targeted spcifically.

= Measurable........ be able to measure your targets, how much, how often etc.

= Achievable........don't think that you can sell 2 million units if your competitors only sell 50 units.

= Realisitc.............. behonest with yourself. Can it be done?

As you will know, one key method of producing information products is to create an eBook / Report with articles or interviews from Top industry experts.

(HINT - if you get a number of ‘experts’ to participate, then this really improves things for you. Firstly, you have expert advice from a range of people in business, often advice may differ slightly, and this is a great benefit to see how views change.

Plus, more experts involved in your project, better - this gives more credibility.

Finally, you could develop a series of article on back of project, cross-referencing answers from experts, or using responses from one expert at a time, then following on later with next set of responses from next expert….. (HINT - great for setting up an effective auto responder series.)

To create you very own version of this, simply approach a number of key figures in world of business, marketing and internet.

Then, give them a little background to who you are. (HINT - here's a great place to 'blow your own trumpet' as they say.... don't undersell yourself, but at same time, don't oversell either!)

Now - tell them a little more about what you are doing..... something like this.. "I have spent a long time studying your material and products and, like many I have come to respect you. Now I wish to compile high-level input from you and your industry colleagues, to distribute via my list, affiliate program and contacts."

Now next part is VERY important.... they will want to know just how they benefit from helping you with your product..... so tell them something like this....

"What's in it for you? Publicity! Any publicity is good publicity! This opportunity gives you 'carte blanche' to say anything and everything on questions asked, and anything else you want to say. You and your business will get more exposure to potentially thousands of possible customers. Your answers can be as long, detailed and thorough as you like, plus they can be as frank as you wish. I will not edit copy of your response (unless you use bad language!!)"

Next - show you are serious, and put in some (not too many) restrictions, and give good reason for doing so....