Step 3 ~ The Money is in Your List

In Step 1, we asked you to consider ..."Who is your ideal customer or client?"

Another way to consider this is to ask yourself WHO will want to buy your product or service? You created your business to serve a need for a specific group of people. These people are called your "market." Who are they??

The sooner you can clearly identify your market, the quicker you'll be able to generate income. Knowing EARLY who you want to reach out to will save you lots of time, money and energy as you move into marketing what you do!

So before you begin your marketing, create an initial list of contacts. You can build your "audience" by starting with this list -- your money flow has the potential to start with this list, so it's essential to get these names, contact information, and other important data entered into a Contact Database. You can use the simple database that comes with your email program (Outlook, for example) or purchase ACT or other database-compiling software.

In your contact list, enter as much information as you know about each contact, including:
-- Name, phone # and email address
-- Address
-- Occupation
-- Personal and family information
-- Their website, if they have one
-- Where and how you met
-- Additional notes you want to remember

1. Start with EVERYONE you know who is old enough to buy your product or service, including family members, friends, and neighbors. Make that list!! Then think about who each of these people know -- everyone you know they know. Write those down, even if you don't know names. Just make a note about them.

2. Next, think of EVERYONE else you associate with ...including your hair stylist, dry cleaner, auto mechanic, real estate agent, attorney, veterinarian, doctor, dentist, insurance rep, store owners, barista, restaurant managers, etc. You get the idea -- make that list!!

Now think again about who will want to buy what you have to offer. You are ready to take it to the next level!

3. Do you know that there are dozens (maybe hundreds) of people who serve the SAME market that you do? What if you could tap into THEIR contacts -- people who will also want what you have??

Consider this: WHO CAN REFER BUSINESS TO YOU, DAY-AFTER-DAY? What types of people come into contact with YOUR ideal customers or clients every day? Which professions provide services or products to YOUR potential base of customers or clients??

Developing this additional list will lead you to a GOLD MINE of continual referrals. Make this list!!

4. And last (but not least) is the unlimited world of social networking! You can expand your market in a big way by joining social network groups that share your interests and are likely customers or referral sources for your product or service. Our favorite is Meetup -- go see what groups are set up in your area. You can even start your own group! Take a look at ours (click here)!!

Once you've completed Step 3, it's time to prepare to deliver. This is when you start marketing and letting the world know that you're OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Step 4 is when it all starts coming together ...

get ready!
Devin & Maria

Step 2 ~ How Money FLOWS

(Click to review the INTRODUCTION and STEP 1 ~ Self-Employed Home Business Basics)

Okay, you've covered the basics, so now it's time to create a framework for your business. MONEY is the energy (green energy!) that fuels your business and your life. And just like a river, this energy requires some type of structure to be able to FLOW.

That's why we think it's helpful to have a FLOWCHART type of diagram. You create a flowchart to show how $$$ will come into and flow through your bank account, thereby nourishing your business! This flowchart will soon become the basis of your Daily Operating System, and will be used to determine the Statistics you will compile to Manage Your Business. As your business evolves, you can update your flowchart as needed.

There are 3 simple components to create a structure to support the flow of money in your new business:

SET-UP: A business address (or P.O. Box) for business mail; a business email address; a separate phone number; you may also need a toll-free number.

OPEN UP: A business bank account for your money to flow through. (Note -- when you open your account, be sure to take your assumed name/DBA and optional EIN# if you got one ... see Step 1 for information.)

DRAW UP: A business flowchart that illustrates the specific money flow in your business. To complete this, you need a general sense of what's involved in reaching potential customers, receiving payments, and the production and delivery process for your product/service.

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Want an idea on how to put together your money flowchart? You can download our generic FLOWCHART as an example to follow ... click here to get yours!

In the FLOW,
Devin & Maria

Do Something That Makes You Happy ~ It's the BEST Way to Make More Money!

"If you have anything really valuable to contribute to the world it will come through the expression of your own personality, that single spark of divinity that sets you off and makes you different from every other living creature."
- Bruce Barton, American author and advertising executive
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Do you know that you can make money doing something you love? Honestly, we hear a common complaint from people who are passionate about a skill, talent or interest ... "But I can't make money doing this!"

And we have to agree with them; they are 100% right. They can NOT make money doing what they love because of their own lack of belief. But take a good look around at all the people who are making LOADS OF MONEY doing what they love -- how come they can do it and you can't?? In sports, in entertainment, and in every industry imaginable there are plenty of people who are making plenty of money. There is no scarcity, money flows abundantly all around us, and there is every reason for you to stop holding yourself back and jump right into that stream!

We've heard parents with talented kids warn them to have a back-up skill because you "can't make money doing (fill in the blank -- usually something creative)." No wonder so many people are reluctant to do what they love. They're afraid.

Is there something that makes you joyful and excited? How about something that feels meaningful and brings a sense of satisfaction and happiness? Whatever does that for you is something we recommend you do or have MORE of.

There are unlimited ways to creatively add more money streaming into your life that you aren't aware of at the moment. You don't need to limit yourself to one endeavor, and you can even have money streaming in that's not the result of something you DO ...you are a creative being with multiple and expanding skills, talents and abilities that you can apply in so many ways. Take some baby steps by increasing the amount of time you FEEL GOOD, whatever that is for you. And start playing with the thought that maybe it is possible, that perhaps you can do more of what you love and find ways to love more of what you do.

go for it,
Devin & Maria