SPECIALIZE... THEN DIVERSIFY!

Written by Shery Ma Belle Arrieta


When we think about it, many ofrepparttar things we do seem to 'snowball.'

We come up with an idea, we work on it, we execute it.

Then a second idea comes up as a direct result ofrepparttar 117596 first idea.

Along comes a third idea and it's very much related torepparttar 117597 first two ideas.

Even though it was never in our plans to get fromrepparttar 117598 first idea torepparttar 117599 third, they all seem to fall into place.

They all... jive.

For many of us who makerepparttar 117600 Internet our virtual office, we may have many 'snowball moments.' In fact, our entire online existence may be one big snowball!

Let me give you an example of my own snowball: After I finished creating my first e-mail workshop and likedrepparttar 117601 results, I created several more that would help me earn money to support my sites. I never thought I'd be writing an e-book onrepparttar 117602 subject a couple of months later. It certainly wasn't planned.

Because ofrepparttar 117603 e-book, I started another newsletter devoted torepparttar 117604 topic of e-mail workshops so I can keep in touch with people who boughtrepparttar 117605 e-book. It's also a free resource for people who want to learn more about creating and using e-mail workshops, eCourses and tutorials for their business.

Want to Make More Money? Fish in a Bigger Pond!

Written by Kimberly Stevens


Setting prices is a dilemma most service business owners encounter at one time or another. This week, it was Susan’s turn. “When I first started my business, I felt uncomfortable charging for my services. Since I was doing it to make a living, I finally just picked a price I thought wouldn't scare too many people away. Now, based on my available work hours, I can't really take on more clients but atrepparttar rate I'm charging them, I'm not going to make enough money to keeprepparttar 117595 business alive. How do I raise my prices without losing my clients?” she wanted to know.

For whatever reason, it is uncomfortable for many of us to look a person inrepparttar 117596 face and state our hourly rate orrepparttar 117597 cost of a project they want us to complete for them. This is usually rooted in our fear of rejection. We think, ‘What ifrepparttar 117598 prospect gasps and falls out of his chair convulsing onrepparttar 117599 floor?’ or ‘What if he snorts with disdain or launches into uncontrollable laughter?’ Atrepparttar 117600 beginning, we really needrepparttar 117601 work and generally decide we'd rather start getting some clients to build our reputation and skills, thinking we'll charge a rate we know they'll accept. Besides, we can always raise our prices later. Well, now is "later", so it’s time to biterepparttar 117602 bullet.

First, understand you aren't asking for their firstborn child -- you are asking for money in exchange forrepparttar 117603 service you are offering. Shakti Gawain, author of "Creating True Prosperity", introduced me torepparttar 117604 concept of thinking about money as just another form of energy. Just as you put energy intorepparttar 117605 service you provide,repparttar 117606 client puts energy into their field of interest in order to make money to pay you for your service.

Onrepparttar 117607 business-to-business side of things,repparttar 117608 client's business has clearly maderepparttar 117609 decision to outsourcerepparttar 117610 service they are discussing with you. They have decided to use their internal staff's energy to focus on their core business while outsourcing those things they don't haverepparttar 117611 skills or time to do. The same is true of individuals - they could paint their house, but they're calling you. Clearly, they don't want to do it and know it's going to cost money to get someone else to do it. Either way, they are going to hire someone to do it, so why not you?

That said, it's time to raise your prices. You've got two sets of people to deal with here -- your current clients and your future clients. Future clients are easy - simply start quotingrepparttar 117612 higher hourly rate or basing your flat rate proposals onrepparttar 117613 new hourly rate with no mention of a recent price increase. Your fear that you will lose out on some bids WILL come true. You've been fishing inrepparttar 117614 pond that attractsrepparttar 117615 lower-end clients, so you will probably have to start marketing to and networking with prospects onrepparttar 117616 next higher rung. But, so what? It's still your choice – you can stick withrepparttar 117617 low-end guys and struggle to make your business profitable or you can start charging a respectable rate forrepparttar 117618 skills and professionalism you bring torepparttar 117619 table to create a prosperous business. It's up to you.

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