It's one of biggest mistakes I see businesses make. And quite frankly, it's a stupid mistake. It's so stupid, I'm willing to admit I was reigning champ of burning bridges with my clients and friends...and it cost me dearly.

There was a time in my life when:

* I wouldn't return phone calls

* I wouldn't follow-up with a referral from a client

* I'd miss an appointment and not call to apologize

* I wouldn't pay my vendors on time

* I'd squable over a few dollars, or

* I'd act apathetic from a good deed from another

Isn't that stupid? Of course it is. And, I'm not-so-happy to say that I am NOT only person who does this. Many of my own clients don't even realize how damaging it is to their own business, their reputations, and their credibility.

I AM happy to say, however, that I've mended my ways. The primary reason I got my act together was because a teacher of mine gave me a proverbial 'slap-in-the-face' and said, "your business is about relationships and you are detroying all of them."

I really took that to heart. I do understand that it's important to cultivate, maintain and nurture relationships with people we do business with - not to burn bridges.

My business (marketing coaching) relies completely on my reputation, credibility, and rapport I build and keep with my clients. If I burn bridges with my clients, I burn a little bit of myself along way.

Positive relationships are key to success in business.

You search for something new, always on look-out for that particular edge that'll make it all happen; a new associate program, a new technique, a new advantage that will bring your ship home.

What you need, my friend, is a "killer product" that no one else has but you! That, coupled with a self perpetuating delivery mechanism can make all difference in world. "Difficult to do", you say? Not at all.

In today's Internet marketing environment, particularly in small business arena, winners have consistently used a viral marketing approach with a product designed to specifically execute this winning strategy. It's almost a necessity.

So what is this killer product; actual "virus" that brings home bacon?

Let's define a few of its characteristics:

1. It's something at which people cannot resist taking a peek. Sometimes people pay for it; sometimes it's free. But it's always something difficult to resist a look.

2. It's something that can be passed from one person to another without degradation or dilution. It is typically also something a person would "want" to pass to another.

3. The content of virus brings recipient to a desired state, or location, where an "action" can be processed. The action can be a purchase, a subscription, or anything that requires someone to "do" something. The virus has a purpose.

You see these products every day. Though they may be subtle, sometimes even hidden, distribution mechanism is often same. You can typically find some of these mechanisms directly in your "Downloads" folder.