How to Build Your Network Marketing Business Foundation – Part 1

Even if you have had your home business for months or years, it is not too late to build your foundation.  If your business has not yet “taken off,” it is not too late to start fresh. 

Tenacity is vital to growing your business.  When something works well for you, stick with it.  Discontinue any ineffective marketing.  If we decide that we are going to reach success in our endeavors, WE WILL!  If we believe in ourselves, our products or service and our companies, nothing is impossible.  There will be obstacles along the way, and our commitment may well be tested, however the power is within each of us to accomplish anything.

More often than not, those who are successful are the people who simply never give up!  Don’t quit!  Progress may be slow, but keep moving forward, you will get there.

Maintain a positive attitude.  Spend as little time as possible with those who discourage you, the dream stealers. Do your best to surround yourself with enthusiastic, encouraging, successful people.  Stay in close contact with your sponsor and anyone who inspires you. 

Entrepreneurship is very rewarding, even though there will be bumps on your journey.   In the beginning, we must do a lot of groundwork and foundation building.  If you have not yet done so, start today!  We may not make much money at all at first.  

If we view this time as a learning period, it makes sense.  We are attending “school” to learn the business and “brand” ourselves.  Instead of paying tuition, we can earn some money while we’re still learning.  The network marketing industry is growing dramatically, partially because of the residual income and the financial security it brings – eventually.

There are myriad ways to market and promote our businesses.   Our greatest efforts should be geared toward generating leads, either customers or team members.  One of the most effective ways to generate leads is by using social media and online networking.   It is unnecessary to spend much at all to promote your business.    

If you have not yet done so, set up accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WAHM.com and IBOToolbox.  Actively participate on each of these sites.  Connect with others and help them where you can.  They likely will reciprocate.  Feel free to explore and find other forums and networking sites, possibly those in your industry when you worked a job - or if you still work a job. 

When you join each of these networking sites: 

·        Complete your profile and include a photograph of yourself, not a logo or avatar, in your profile.  Post a photo with you smiling.  People will be more attracted to you if you appear friendly.  Use the same photo everywhere.  Your face will become familiar to other networkers, and you’ll make more connections. 

·        Include your bio on sites that offer the space, and use the same one everywhere. 

·        If you post a phone number and/or address, always use the same formatting.  For instance, if you put your area code in parenthesis, always put it in parenthesis.  Consistency can improve your search engine rankings.

The reason networkers participate in a variety of forums and social media networks is simple… to get our names and businesses “out there.”  If you were attending a Chamber of Commerce meeting, you would be handing out your cards, chatting with members and getting to know people.  Online networking works the same way.   

These totally free marketing platforms can be extremely powerful!  It requires time and serious participation, but you will see increased website traffic to your websites, leads will begin to come in and your search engine optimization will improve over time.

In my next post, I’ll provide a few other ways to promote yourself and build your network marketing business foundation.

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

Does Hobby Lobby Discriminate?

Last year I wrote an entire blog about bigotry.  It is my belief that any person or group who believes they are better than any other group of people – including race, religion and gender – are bigots.   Anyone who looks down upon any group of people is a bigot and lacks intelligence. 

I’ve read in a variety of places on the internet that Hobby Lobby’s owners discriminate against Jews.  From what I have read, it is not totally clear whether this is true or not. 

The story began when a customer at a Hobby Lobby store in Marlboro, N.J., was supposedly told by a sales clerk that "We don't cater to you people," when she asked if the store would be stocking any Hanukkah merchandise.  The store apparently already had a large stock of Christmas items available. 

Ken Berwitz, a Jewish resident of Marlboro, N.J. followed up with Hobby Lobby's corporate headquarters and was told that the chain does not carry Hanukkah or Passover items "Because Mr. Green is the owner of the company, he's a Christian, and those are his values," he claims he was told.

When asked about the situation by Entrepreneur.com today, a Hobby Lobby spokesperson said,  

“Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. is currently working with our buyers over our merchandise selection. Due to multiple customer requests, we are currently evaluating our Holiday items and what we will carry in the future.” 

Before reading this last quote, I was thinking that since everything I’d read was hearsay, perhaps it was not true.  However, Marlboro, N.J. has a large Jewish population.  I have difficulty believing that inquiries about Jewish holiday items began only recently.  

My local Wal Mart carries no Chanukah or Passover items.  I’ve lived here for 18 years, and they never have carried them.  However, very few Jews live in the area.  I can understand that with limited shelf space, they cannot carry items that likely would have very low sales. 

Is it Hobby Lobby’s choice whether or not to stock Passover and Hanukkah items?  Absolutely!  I can even understand that in areas where there are few Jews, they may not want to carry them.  However, in the Marlboro, N.J. community, there are many Jews who would likely purchase these items. 

So, yes, it is Hobby Lobby’s choice what merchandise they offer in their stores.  It is also my choice to never shop at their stores.

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

Playing Political Football

I have on occasion written about politics in the past.  As I have in previous posts, I ask that no one post any comments “bad mouthing” one political party or the other and that no one post negative comments about President Obama.

A poll released today indicates that 46% of the 803 US adults polled would blame the Republicans if the government shuts down.  President Obama would be blamed by 36% of those in the poll.  The poll indicated that both the Republicans AND the President would be blamed by 13%.

My opinion was not included in this poll, and I find it interesting that the Democrats are not even mentioned as part of the blame. 

In my opinion, the current Congress – both the House and the Senate – is the worst we have had in my lifetime.  I am a senior citizen, so I am talking about a lot of years.

The Republicans and Democrats are blaming one another for the looming government shutdown.  There is plenty of blame to go around! 

I am so sick and tired of party politics.  Unlike in years past, those in Congress nearly always vote their party line.  They no longer think of what is best for America and the “average” citizen.  They are afraid of losing the backing of the multi-millionaires and billionaires who support them, so they vote however the extremely wealthy backers want them to vote.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives say they are “compromising,” but the other is not.  Let’s be real here!  No one is compromising!  Each party is threatening to “take their ball and go home” if the other doesn’t “play” the way they want them to.  They are behaving like children, not like the leaders they are supposed to be.

Right now, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is the political football being tossed back and forth.  The Republicans will not pass any spending bill that includes funding immediately for Obamacare.  The Democrats will not pass any bill that even mentions Obamacare.

I have no doubt that the government will shut down tomorrow.  Depending upon how long it remains shut down, it could be catastrophic for our already weak economy.  Of course, Congress and the President will be paid, but the military will not get paid… They can tell me all day long that they will be issued I.O.U’s, but whatever you call it, they are not getting paid! An I.O.U. will not pay their bills!  I live in a town where most people work at our military base.  Thousands of people will not get paid during a shutdown.

Who is truly to blame for the poor economy?  Based on their recent behavior, Congress – both Houses - and the President are all to blame.  I wish that we could all “stand up” to them and fire every last one! 

I truly fear for the United States of America.  Until and unless the extreme Right and extreme Left stop bickering, can we survive as a nation another generation?

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

There is a Hole in My Sidewalk

I have read and heard this story many times over the past twenty or so years.  There are a few versions with slight variations.  What message can you take from it?

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There Is a Hole in My Sidewalk
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
By Portia Nelson 

http://voxygen.net/2009/10/the-hole-poem/

1.     I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.  

2.     I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in this same place. But it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.  

3.     I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I fall in.  It's a habit...but my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.  

4.      I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.  

5.      I walk down a different street.  

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Many counselors and therapists use this to “measure” the steps of recovery.  However, I think we can all apply these “steps” to a time in our personal lives or our business growth.  Give it some thought.  If you are still “falling in the hole,” what step have you reached? 

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

The Power of Business Blogging

It seems that many business owners do not realize the power of blogging.  It is a shame, because there are many benefits. 

“The power of blogging to reach huge audiences and prospective customers cannot be underestimated. If you want your voice to you want to be heard on the social web, you need to have a blog," stated Social Media Examiner that recently surveyed 3000 business owners about blogging.  

A huge benefit of blogging for a business is to improve search engine rankings.  If a blog is keyword-optimized, updated frequently and its topics are relevant, the results will appear in Google searches. 

Business Owners’ blogs often reach their customers, prospects and colleagues directly resulting in increased lead generation 

Consumers, those people who use our products and services, can get to know YOU through your blogs.  They can see that you are a real person, not just a name and logo.  So, in addition to branding your business, blogs brand you, the business owner.  

If you choose to write about your industry, you can share your ideas and expertise with your blog readers.  In this way, you can build trust and credibility making you stand out from your competition.

By sharing your expertise, insights and ideas, blogs can help set you apart from the competition and build credibility, which leads to enhanced trust. 

Blogs can be used to target a particular niche market that is important to your business, which can give you a boost in your industry. 

Leads are generated by blogs.  Once your reach begins to grow, more people will be contacting you about your products or business opportunity.  

Because backlinks can be included in your blogs, they will drive additional traffic to your website.  Increased traffic equates to more sales. 

Many businesses write all their blogs about their business, which is fine.  However, there are few limitations as to blog topics.  You can write about your industry, business tips or personal stories – nearly anything you wish.  (I generally recommend that bloggers avoid the subject of politics or religion unless the blog is posted on a site geared toward those topics.) 

If you have not yet begun blogging for your business, start today!  Begin enjoying all the great benefits for your business.

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit:  http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle  

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

How I Saved Hundreds of Dollars – so far – This Year!

Some of you may know that I am an Xpress Healthcare® business owner.  I also am keenly aware that the first thing that comes to mind for many people when they hear Xpress Healthcare® is insurance. 

Xpress Healthcare® is NOT insurance of any kind.  We offer discount plans that help our members save money on their dental and health expenses NOT covered by their insurance.  For those who have no insurance, it can dramatically reduce their expenses. 

In this post today, I want to share my personal experiences with just one of our four discount plans.  I actually have all four plans, but I use our Premium Plan more than the others.  I have full-coverage health insurance through my retirement plan, but this Xpress Healthcare ® discount plan offers savings on Aetna Dental®, prescriptions, vision care, hearing services, medical supplies, and vitamins and diabetic supplies.  

Here is a copy of an estimate my dentist gave me for a crown I need replaced.  As you can see, on this one procedure, by using my Xpress Healthcare® discount membership, I will be saving $447!  A couple weeks ago, I had a routine dental visit, cleaning and exam.  My dentist’s “normal and customary rate” is $126, but I only paid $74 with my discount card. 

The other way I have saved hundreds of dollars this year is on my prescriptions.  Again, please look at the receipt below. 

Unfortunately, I take several medications regularly.  Early last year, I discovered that the co-pay with my insurance was higher than the discounted price I can buy my prescriptions using my Xpress Healthcare® membership.  From that day on, I have used my discount card for all my prescriptions.

I’m afraid the receipts are a bit blurry, but in case you cannot read them, the receipt on the right is the co-pay I would have paid with my insurance, $250.02.  The receipt on the left is what I did pay with my Xpress discount, $167.85, an $82.17 savings!  I refill this prescription quarterly, so in one year, I saved $328.68 on this one prescription alone.  You can even download a FREE discount prescription card - with NO obligation - here:  http://www.nbdrugcard.com/DrugCard.aspx?ID=x032

I have not yet needed to use any of the other benefits included in our Premium Plan, but as demonstrated by these two receipts, I have saved several hundred dollars with my $19.95 a month membership!  Oh, and that membership includes my husband at no additional cost. 

I have enjoyed such amazing savings using my Xpress Healthcare® discounts that I want to tell everyone so they can save too.  I recommend that you check out our plans to see how much you can save. 

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

I Love Erma Bombeck!

I loved Erma Bombeck.  I ran across these quotes from her, and they are all such fun!  I hope you enjoy them.  I sure did!

http://fromthedeskofmardrag.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/wednesday-getting-over-the-hump-day-humor-17/

All Quotes by Erma Bombeck

“When your mother asks, “Do you want a piece of advice?” it’s a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” 

“I am not a glutton – I am an explorer of food.” 

“When a child is locked in the bathroom with water running and he says he’s doing nothing but the dog is barking, call 911." 

“The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one.” 

“All of us have moments in our lives that test our courage. Taking children into a house with a white carpet is one of them. ” 

“Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?” 

“Everyone is guilty at one time or another of throwing out questions that beg to be ignored, but mothers seem to have a market on the supply. “Do you want a spanking or do you want to go to bed?”  “Don’t you want to save some of the pizza for your brother?”  “Wasn’t there any change?” 

“Cleanliness is not next to godliness. It isn’t even in the same neighborhood. No one has ever gotten a religious experience out of removing burned-on cheese from the grill of the toaster oven.” 

“A grandmother pretends she doesn’t know who you are on Halloween.” 

“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.”

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, http://joinxpresshealthcare.com.