Since 21st century statistics have shown a small increase only. In 1964, U.S. Dept. of Education reported that only 37% of U.S. population took an assertive role in their learning. The latest report, 2002, only shows a 3% increase.

Why is this information important for selling learning opportunities? These statistical reports show exactly what language to use to get their attention and what it takes for them to open their wallets.

Phrases, words, ideas, and thoughts, if conveyed appropriately to group of choice can make difference between survival and thriving.

1. The highest, 40%, choose to learn to become a more-informed person and like having knowledge in their tool bag.

Language that grabs learners attention and persuades them to buy is: opportunity, advantage, timeless, chance, essential, treasure, priceless, rare, gateway, treasurer, growth, and wisdom.

Phases included: A unique opportunity; Be prepared; Free opportunity (actually any phrase with opportunity included); If you pass this up you'll be passé.

2. Adults who are preparing themselves for a career transition – new job or new occupation follow close behind first group. And in a few of results, this group jumps to top and other takes second place. Yet, always very close to each other. In USDOE reports they were 1% behind and in NCES, 2% ahead.

Words that attract and persuade this group include: winning, motivate, clear-headed, clear-sighted, excellence, gets you noticed, perceptive, potential, sharp, jump obstacles, performs effectively, goals, standards, staying on track, excels, leader, leadership roles, takes initiative.

3. The next group of learners expands their training just what pertains to their current job run slightly below top two, approximately 32-34%. A high majority, yet not all, will only attend if employer compensates for their attendance. This is a tough group to sell too. It usually isn't until they lose their job and begin seeing what their laissez faire approach is now costing them.

Attractive language to this group is: winning attitude, envy, self-confidence, team work, wants, desires, quiet confidence, risk, self-discipline. Other words and phrases include finding a better paying job.

4. Fourth group percentage drops to low 20s. They attend learning-type seminars, workshops, and other events for sheer joy of it. It doesn't matter if it’s on window washing or dog bathing.

You MUST have passion for your business.

How can you possibly succeed in your business if you do not love what you do. Not everybody was born lucky as Pete Sampras, Leonardo DiCaprio or Tiger Woods who found something they loved very young and quickly became highly successful.

Most people may have to wait longer to find something they really love and hope to find success they expect. It took me 6 years to find what I like and that was being a marketing consultant. Before that I tried many things, but I was never successful because I did not have any passion for those business. The biggest challenge is to quickly realize if you like that business or not. If you do not have passion for it, you'll never be successful. If you are passionate about what you do, you will most likely work long hours, have fun and help a lot of customers with your business. Please be smart and if you are trying to launch a business you may want to avoid starting an online business where you will be selling items like gifts baskets.

Just think about it. How many people go online and buy gift baskets online? What are their chances to find your site among billions of other sites? The Internet is a place where many people go to find information. So if you decide to sell selling gifts baskets online you may want to think twice. Another type of business I would probably think twice before I start that type of business is if you have to compete with big chains, such as The Home Depot, Pizza Hut, WalMart etc...

You need to have a little budget to advertise your business.

Well I guess you probably realize that you need some money to advertise your business. You do not necessarily need a lot of money but you need some if not phone will never ring. I say you do not necessarily need a lot of money as you may think because I started my business from home with no money. I was doing cold calls to businesses. During first three months of my business I did a little online advertising and believe or not but after only 3 months my business kicked off and I never had to make a cold call again.

Conclusion: There are many forms of advertising you can use to grow your business and you do not need to spend a lot of money.

Marketing your business.

That is not an easy task when you are just starting in business and there are no mentors to help you. Many people feel hopeless. When they first begin to devise a marketing plan for their business. One of most important factors is deciding how you will get potential customers' attention. Here are some tips to make them notice you so you will standout from your competition.

There are many forms of advertising your business.

a) Flyer distribution b) Direct mail advertising c) TV advertising d) Radio advertising e) E-mail marketing f) Banner advertising g) E-mail co-registration h) Pop advertising i) Pay per click search engines advertising Cost Per Click (CPC) j) Lead generation - Cost Per (Lead CPA) k) Keyword advertising l) Newspaper advertising m) Affiliate programs n) Yellow pages/online yellow pages o) Viral marketing p) Coupon advertising

How do you attract new prospects or get more sales from past clients? Here are 21 techniques that will help succeed in your efforts to market your business.

1) Offer what your competitors don’t!

Study your competitors to see what benefits your competitors are (or are not) offering their customers, and see if your business can offer an added benefit such as free consultation, free delivery, free upgrades, free information booklet, free sample(s) etc. -- to your customers to help increase value of your product or service to prospective clients. Announce this new "benefit" in your promotional materials. This is probably most important of 21 techniques to increase your sales and learn how to market your business. Ask yourself following questions:

WHAT DO I OFFER THAT NO ONE ELSE OFFER? WHAT CAN I OFFER THAT WILL MAKE MY OFFER SO IRRESISTIBLE THAT IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO REFUSE IT?

Once you answer those two questions you won’t have anymore problems with competition.

2) Study your customers

As you get clients, invite them to share their feedback. Use this information improve your business but to also send reminder notes, thank you letters, and even birthday cards. That will demonstrate to them how important they are to you.

3) Special offer!

Send a notice to your clients and prospects and let them now you have a special deal for them. Let them know as well that this is a special for them only and no one else can get this deal.

4) Frequent-buyer program

Create a frequent-buyer program that let your clients use points or credits to get products for free or get discount towards future purchase. (i.e) buy 9 coffees and 10th one will be Free)