EZ Lead Capture is a system that I have used over the years to promote my business. I use this EZ Lead Capture System in two big ways:
1) As an Online Advertising System including Lead
Capture Pages (also known as Squeeze Pages), and
2) As my solution for staying in touch with my customers
and partners.
EZ Lead Capture is everything I need to publish my products in a professional Lead Capture System for advertising.
My customers and partners appreciate how I easily keep in touch with their needs for information without being bombarded with well-intended informers bombarding their privacy. Maybe this is part of why I have a large customer/partner base of people that love to work with me over the years.
I also appreciate the fact that EZ Lead Capture System Owners do not feel that they have to “dominate the internet.” I personally do not care for all of the hype of people trying to slam me into their super duper system that will make me millions.
So EZ Lead Capture is for beginners to learn how to market online as well as seasoned professionals who want to focus on their business and let their marketing system be a tool to that end.
In addition to all of the great features that EZ Lead Capture subscribers enjoy, we can experience a very fair priced subscription that can be paid monthly or on an annual basis and not be a financial burden as you aspire as an internet marketer.
EZ Lead Capture has an Entrepreneurs Lead
Generation Handbook that is yours for FREE
Claiming Tax Deductions for START-UP COSTS for a New Business
According to Ronald R. Mueller, MBA, Ph.D., on a webinar that I attended, “Costs incurred during the START-UP PHASE of a business are generally deductible over a 15-year period” (i.e., each $1,500 in start-up costs would be deducted at a rate of $100 per year for 15 years).
What is the “Special Deduction” for 2011?
Any taxpayer who begins operation of a new business in 2011, may deduct ALL start-up costs (up to $5,000 maximum) on their 2011 tax returns–no need to spread the deduction over a 15-year period.
EX: $5,000 in Start-Up cost deductions, for a person in a 28% tax bracket, would generate a $1,400 tax Refund.
If Start-Up Cost deductions exceed the amount of money earned this year in the home-based business itself, most or all of the additional deductions may be applied against any other source of income such as a W-2 job, which could possibly even drop the taxpayer into a lower tax bracket.
This one-time write-off provision in the tax law is valid only during 2011, and therefore will set to expire permanently at midnight, December 31, 2011. Even IF Congress reinstates this provision in 2012, a business begun after Jan. 1, 2012, will not be able to claim those deductions until April 2013 — when 2012 Tax Returns are filed.
Not activating a new home-based business by December 31, 2011, will delay tax-deductions for Start-Up Costs by at least 15 months.
What Are “Start-Up Costs?”
The term includes business-related costs you incur prior to actually beginning to offer goods or services for sale–i.e., the costs of getting ready to open your business. They are generally the same types of expenses that will be called “business operating costs” once you are actually operating a business.
Q: When does the start-up period begin?
A: When you begin thinking about starting a business
Q: What are some examples of tax-deductible “start-up costs?”
A: Seminars, Workshops, Courses and Books on how to run the business
Investigating or Researching one or more business opportunities
Travel for meetings, conventions or interviews or to obtain
education from experts
Telelphone and cellular phone costs related to new business start-up
Office supplies and some business tools (briefcase, iPad, business
cards, etc.)
DOES NOT INCLUDE vehicles, furniture, computers and other
depreciable assets
Caveat: Money spent qualifying to begin a certain type of business, generally are not deductible. This includes getting a degree, obtaining a license to practice (doctors, real estate…), etc.
The IRS “default setting” for start-up expenses is to deem that the taxpayer made a decision to amortize the amounts over a 15-year period. To keep that from happening, and claim your deductions immediately, you should take two actions:
1. Claim your Start-Up Expenses on IRS Form 4562 (“Depreciation and Amortization)
2. Attach an “election statement” to your tax return, stating specifically that you wish to claim all (or the first $5,000) of your Start-Up Expenses in 2011, “the year in which your business became active.”
By the way, since Start-Up Expenses are deductible in the year in which the business begins active operation, if the business you are investigating never gets off the ground, you will not get any deductions.
The above information, provided by Home Business Tax Savings, Inc., is for illustration purposes only, and should not be taken as tax advice. Always consult with a tax advisor with expertise in Home Business Tax Law prior to using this, or any, tax deduction information. For more information about Special Home-Business Tax Deductions, see www.HomeBusinessTaxSavings.com
Take some time and think through your Business Plan. Write out your Goals and Purposes.
Your Goals need to be realistic, specific, and measurable. Your Purposes are the outcome you want to achieve, and how this will apply in your life. Generally your purposes are what your achievements will mean to enhancing relationships with family and loved ones.
Prepare your Work Schedule, the time frames that you will be setting aside to work in your business.
Accurately prepare your Personal Evaluation, such as your resources, your time, and your skills.
Your Marketing Plan is where you will define your target market along with how you will find them and how you will contact them.
Set Realistic Expectations
Discipline is very important when running a home-based business; however, if you have expectations that re impossible for one person to accomplish, you are putting yourself on the fast track to burn out.
Create Boundaries
Starting a home-based business takes commitment and dedication. Giving 110% of yourself in the beginning will reap HUGE rewards for months and years to come, compared to the employee who clocks in and out until they are 67 years old. Creating boundaries in the beginning of your business will ensure you have the time and focus to build a successful, profitable business. Share your goals with friends and family and include them in your achievements. You will find that they will be supportive of your business when you celebrate with them the milestones along the way.
Create a Calendar and Use It Regularly
It is incredibly important to set aside time to work your business. Use your calendar and write everything down so you can have a better understanding of what is ahead. Follow your Business Plan and be specific and set priorities as well as goals to be accomplished.
Delegate
If you try to do everything, you will end up burned out and frustrated with the lack of results. Set priorities, and see exactly what needs to be done both personally and professionally.
Enlist help as needed.
Delegate those tasks that drain your energy, and schedule the others at times when you feel you have the most energy to do them.
Have a Support System
Having people you can turn to that have a commonality with you is a great asset for any home-based business owner. Connect with other people in your business niche, whether within your own company, through your Better Business Bureau, or online. As for online, a great resource is joining a network of like-minded business people.
Take Care of Yourself
Make sure you are eating healthy, exercising, and drinking plenty of water. Not only will this give you added energy, it will help you avoid getting sick, which equates to less down time.
Take power naps, if needed. It is difficult attempting to be brilliant when you are completely exhausted. Get the rest you need so you can be at the top of your game.
Schedule alone time. Make sure to create time, at least once a week to get away from home and work. And remember, if you don’t schedule it in, it more than likely won’t happen.
It is also very important to get away at least once a quarter. Making time to relax and recharge will do wonders for your business.
Schedule a vacation once a year. Understanding just how important it is for you to recharge and renew your spirits and morale will help you set this priority in a high position.
Enjoy the Journey
It is very easy to always concentrate on the never ending to-do list or the rejections. Make sure you schedule in time, at least twice a month, to review your Business and Marketing Plans to realize the goals you have met and accomplishments you have achieved. It is probably time for a mini celebration with family and friends. Forget about burn out and enjoy the journey.
Starting your own business can be a lot of fun, satisfaction, and freedom. And starting your own business can be the scariest career move of you life–probably because there is no guaranteed formula for success.
So what are the qualities that bring about success? Ask the experts, and while there is a common thread, each one will suggest a little different quality or process that needs to be taken.
Entrepreneurs must have the right mindset. Mindset means that one must make a mental shift from that of being an employee to becoming that of an Entrepreneur. It is a life-changing decision–one that is full of great potential risk as well as great potential reward.
I believe that a new Entrepreneur needs a well developed Action Plan. To get to the Action Plan, one needs to start with a Business Plan. This initial Business Plan does not have to be extensive; but from a Business Plan, the Entrepreneur can then form a Plan of Action from which to get started. One of the suggestions I learned a long time ago is if you ever dreamed of owning your own business, then get right out there and get started.
Entrepreneurs–let’s hear your ideas. What qualities or actions offer the best chance of success? What has been key in your success, and what quality or action would you recommend to the person making the shift into the great world of Entrepreneurship?
Find an Entrepreneur in action, and Entrepreneurs can learn great lessons, as is the prime example of Mrs. Tracy ‘Power Gal’ Monteforte. Thursday evening Tracy packed her webinar with enthusiasm and precision as she trained on the subject, “The Fortune is In the Follow-Up.”
Tracy trains that business is all about building relationships. She is grateful to her mother for insisting that she send thank-you notes even at the age of seven. Tracy feels that this skill has helped her to this day, both personally and professionally, as she maintains a lot of friendships. Tracy says that it takes six times more effort to gain a new customer than it does to retain one you already have.
Tracy shared the following statistics:
48% of sales people never follow up with their prospect
25% of sales people make a second contact and stop
12% of sales people make three contacts and stop
10% of sales people make more than three contacts.
Only 2% of sales are made during the first contact
3% of sales are made on the second contact
5% of sales are made on the third contact
10% of sales are made on the fourth contact
80% of sales are made on the 5th through the 12th contact
On average, it takes six weeks to have someone join your program.
Tracy strongly recommends the “Pipeline” method, which is a way of disseminating information so a prospect can make an informed, intelligent decision.
Tracy recommends the following tools to grow your Pipeline and Follow Up:
Contact Manager
Tracy feels that a Contact Manager is essential to stay organized. Her company, WTPowers offers a robust contact manager, which is available at www.wtpowers.com She says there are other contact managers available such as Outlook Express, for example.
Speedialer
This is another tool that Tracy would not be without. The dialer that Tracy uses is located at www.speedialer.net
Tracy offers weekly trainings using both of these tools. Her trainings are on Monday evenings, and one may get on her invitation list by contacting her at http://www.dialingfordollarslive.com
Some of the subjects that Tracy trained on include:
How many times should I follow up with a prospect?
What do I say on the Follow Up call?
How do I prevent no-shows on my Follow-Up call?
How do I prevent myself from seeming too pushy or annoying when I do my Follow Up?
How do I keep track of prospects so no one falls through the cracks?
Tracy says that one does not have to be a “sales person” to apply the sales process. With a little training, which she is always happy to expertly assist, and the right tools, anyone can achieve whatever goal they want for themselves; and remember, “The Fortune is in the Follow-Up!”
The PeopleString Homepage is like a Dashboard to the Internet, and I use it all the time. It is free to use, and as Darin explains in the above video, it helps me organize all of my social networks in one place. Whether you perform syndication or just like to have your internet experience organized into one place for efficiency and effectiveness, I highly recommend the PeopleString Homepage.
PeopleString is a technological company that is evolving very quickly with many patent-pending innovations. PeopleString is a fully traded public company and the symbol is PLPE.
Following is a recently published Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PeopleString Corporation Shares to Commence Trading On OTC Bulletin Board
Under Symbol: PLPE
RED BANK, N. J., January 21, 2011: — PeopleString Corporation (OTCBB PLPE), operator of the social portal PeopleString.com, today announced that it will commence trading on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) under the symbol PLPE on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. The Company also announces that it has been granted eligibility status by the Depository Trust Company (DTC).
About PeopleString
PeopleString Corporation owns and operates the PeopleString.com’s Social Portal that features its patent pending “Insta Portal” technology. Insta Portal allows users to put pieces of their favorite websites on their own PeopleString homepage. The PeopleString Social Portal allows users to organize their favorite sites and pieces of their favorite sites as tabs, bookmarks or Insta Portal previews. PeopleString also provides a Social Group Selling platform that rewards users for creating social affiliations by referring friends and businesses to PeopleString. The social network created generates rewards for the user each time any other user in their social network earns them. For more information, visit http://www.my-awesome-homepage.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements about the future expectations of PeopleString Corporation, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. PeopleString Corporation intends that such forward-looking statements shall be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Since these statements involve certain risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, PeopleString Corporation’s actual results could differ materially from expected results. ###
ETCO Incorporated was founded in 1947 as Electric Terminal Corporation. The original company produced wall plug blades in strip form for attachment by the customer on a patented air operated machine. ETCO still produces wall plug blades, although the production speeds have increased from 175 parts per minute to as fast as 3,000 parts per minute.
As the years went by, the company expanded the product line into thousands of different products, both catalog and custom-designed products tooled for their customers’ individual needs. The proprietary products now represent approximately half of their sales. Later, the company was divided into several divisions representing distinct product areas. The reason for the divisional structure was to allow the divisions to act as responsively to customer needs as would a smaller manufacturer with the resources of a larger manufacturer. This formula has worked well and it is still the management’s philosophy.
At ETCO we believe that old values and customer service should still be the rule. The mergers of today seem to have created companies that operate as if their needs supersede those of the customers.
At ETCO no one will put you into voicemail unless you request it.
At ETCO you will not be put on hold for more than 15 seconds without our checking back with you.
At ETCO we won’t take an order unless we can guarantee on time delivery and exact conformance to your requirements.
At ETCO all managers, (including the Chairman, himself) are accessible and will call you back.
The founders of ETCO had very basic values based on integrity. Today we still live by those values. Please feel free to call us if you have a question; we promise you–a human will answer.
“How to Talk to Prospects So They Will Take Inspired Action” is the topic of a seminar I attended this week with guest speaker, Michael Bernoff.
Michael Bernoff is a master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). NLP is the ability of words to affect the human nervous system. For over a decade Michael has worked with a variety of individuals, businesses, associations, and groups in corporate America. To learn more about Michael and his company, visit his website: http://www.michaelbernoff.com
Michael states that “The way you effectively communicate with yourself and others will create unlimited possibilities in your own life and the lives of those around you.”
Michael coaches on how to get people to chase you instead of you chasing them. He says his principles work for anyone all over the world.
To learn best, we need to:
1) Listen to “words” (used correctly, make people feel good)
2) How the words make me feel (mind, ears, emotions, pay attention at a higher level) Not just listen, take action.
3) Actively participate. (engage with me, actively answer my question, engage emotionally and verbally)
He asks three main questions:
Do you know what it takes to make more money than I am currently making?
Do you know what it takes to get in better shape than I am currently in?
Do you know how to make people feel better about me?
Then motivate to take action.
Two reasons people do not take action:
Two emotions stop people: depressed and anxious
Focus on what you want.
Become an effective communicator. The most powerful words in the world are: “Growing You.” So when your relationship or business is going no where, focus on making “progress,” moving forward.
Michael says that we need to grow our circle of influence and offers skills to accomplish this: 1) industry experience (something I am known for (do well); 2) Become the Expert; and 3) Be “Strategic” at what you do. Being strategic in life is doing things at the right moment.
He says that we must develop influence and persuasion skills.
What motivates people?
Being inspired–knowing you can, and caring.
97% of the world is not motivated the way 3% is.
Most people wait until the “pain is great enough” to do something.
Most people use a product because they HAVE to.
“Why” does not matter. Bring up their problem, and sell the solution.
Michael says the key question is: “What’s not perfect in your life yet?”
Michael says that “yes” or “no” offers so much power, and be okay with “no” as long as you have a secondary concession. Ask for more than you really want, as people will buy in a few seconds after they tell you “no.”
Michael has 21 words that will make anyone say “yes.”
He shared three of these words with us: 1) “Naturally” (puts people in a “yes” mode); 2) “Easily” (makes it simple); and 3) “Unlimited” (why would you want potential when you can have “unlimited?”)
In summary, Michael says to focus on what you want; focus on progress–moving forward; find out what’s wrong first; grow your circle of influence–Grow Me; and be okay with “no” as long as you have a secondary concession.
You attract who you are, or less. Plug people into “Personal Development”–they need to grow themselves.
The lion and crown Ritz-Carlton logo is a combination of the British Royal Seal (the crown) and the logo of a financial backer (the lion). This logo was created by Cesar Ritz.
The legacy of The Ritz-Carlton begins with the celebrated hotelier Cesar Ritz, the “king of hoteliers and hotelier to kings.” His philosophy of service and innovations redefined the luxury hotel experience in Europe through his management of “The Ritz” Paris and “The Carlton” in London.
At the Ritz Carlton it started with first-rate customer service and it is still today the top item on the list. Their motto is “We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen.”
How do they do it? Every morning, each department at all the Ritz Hotels around the world gathers for a 15-minute meeting to share “Wow stories.” These are true stories that go above and beyond conventional customer service expectation. This accomplished two goals, one it creates employee recognition (public recognition & local fame) and second it provides motivation for everybody to do their best.
The Ritz Carlton mystique is created by anticipating the guests’ unasked questions. For example, if housekeeping notices a bottle of champagne in a bucket of melted ice, they will replace it before they are asked to do so. Why do they do it? “It offers a personal touch that shows we care.”
The three steps of service at the Ritz Carlton are:
A warm and sincere greeting
Anticipation and fulfillment of each guest’s needs.
Fond farewell. Give a warm good-by and use the guest’s name.
When doing the math on 2 x 15 minutes in telling “wow stories” across 74 hotels, 365 days a year, you can figure out how many hours of training they offer to their employees. No amount of training would be effective, however, without making an emotional and memorable connection with trainees.
Lobby at the Sarasota Ritz Carlton
Some Key points to take away
Innovate & Improve
Compliment & Motivate
Never stop learning
Be engaged – stand for yourself
Anticipate
As Nancy Bouffingny-Enmeier ended her presentation at the YES941 meeting, she shared a quote from the book called “Leading Mind” (Howard Gardner)
“Stories speak to both parts of the human mind, its reason and emotion”
Take a cue from the Ritz Carlton and use stories to improve your customer service.
A few figures about the Ritz Carlton:
Customer Base world-wide – 800,0001999 revenue – $1.5 Billion, a 40% increase over the past 5 yearsNo. of employees – 32,000 world-wideThe Ritz Carlton is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott Intl.74 properties located in 23 countries world-wide
