His formula for success?

“The fastest way to become famous,” he said, “is to throw a brick at someone famous.”

Winchell fought publicly with entertainment’s biggest names, from Al Jolson to Josephine Baker to Lucille Ball. Later in his career, he swung toward political reporting. Winchell championed an unprecedented third term for President Franklin Roosevelt as well as Red Scare for Joe McCarthy.

He threw bricks in every direction. And this made him among most famous men in nation.

Winchell’s tactics have been adopted and adapted by scores of ambitious individuals and organizations.

How did Ralph Nader become famous? By attacking General Motors.

How did Jesse Jackson become famous? By claiming that racism is systemic at virtually every major U.S. corporation, then attacking those corporations one by one: Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Viacom, Verizon, Ford and on and on. Not only has this made him famous, it has made him wealthy, with an annual income estimated to exceed $300,000.

How did style guru Mr. Blackwell become famous? By issuing an annual list of Worst Dressed Women in World, and thus attacking some of most famous females on planet.

After more than four decades, Mr. Blackwell’s list remains among most anticipated – and dreaded – bricks in all of entertainment and fashion.

Are you so busy chasing down new customers that you completely overlooked these two prime sources for easy sales?

Source 1: Existing Customers

Here are two ways you can use your relationship with existing customers to generate additional business.

1. Offer Them Related Products or Services

Your existing customers already know you and trust you. It's easier and cheaper to get more business from them than to get any business from new prospects.

Find or create additional products and services you can offer to existing customers. Your new products and services should be closely related to those your customers originally bought from you.

For example, I recently spoke with a network marketer selling nutritional products. She also works with a health club that pays her a commission for each new member she signs up. She told me that over one third of her income is generated by offering related product to her customers.

2. Ask Them to Help You Find New Customers

Do you have a system to get referrals from satisfied customers? If not, you are losing a lot of profitable sales you could easily get.

One way to get referrals is with a brief Customer Survey. Send it by postal mail, email, fax or post it on a web page. The one I use asks only 3 questions:

1. What did you like best about our product (or service)?

2. What can we do to improve value of our product (or service) for you?

3. Who do you know trying to solve (state problem you solved for your customer)? ...or: Who do you know that wants to (state benefit provided by your product or service)?

The first two questions focus attention on benefits you provide. Your customer is more likely to volunteer referrals when they're thinking about value of those benefits.