Learn to Focus and Ignore the Junk

Filed under Internet Business by Doc on June 30, 2008 at 4:28 pm {no comments}

Many starting out with a new business find they simply can’t accomplish anything. They fire up their PC in the morning and before you know it, it’s dinner time. What happend? What did I accomplish today?

Sound familiar? It will to many of us. We’re bombarded with email every day with more ways to make a buck and countless solutions to the many problems we’re facing.

When we are new to the web or just starting a new business we do research. That research leads us to countless sites where we have to provide our email address to get information. Well before long, we have joined dozens of mailing lists on subjects related to our interests.

Now there is nothing wrong with that. The problem comes from the online marketeers who constantly farm their email lists for daily sales. Personally speaking, I’m probably on a hundred or more mailing lists. Dozens of these are used by internet marketers. Now some of these are worthwhile and they do provide me wih usable information and products. But a good 90% are simply used by marketers who regularly update their informational programs and sell them as the ‘latest and greatest’ answer to my problems. Then they will write a couple weeks later and brag about how many thousands on their lists purchased their new product.

I’ve known some of these guys for years and don’t mean to insult anyone but when you are starting out, you want to focus on your main purpose each and every day. I suggest simply making a file in your email program and mark it “future info” or something of the kind. Then you simply move whatever looks interesting by the subject lines into that folder. Automatically delete any email which calls for urgent action like “only 1 day remaining” or “act now” and so on. These types of lines should make your “crap” signal go wild.

Then delete all the spam and just focus on your outline for starting your business.

In case you wonder, I’ve never built a mailing list and never will. Those who market solely on the web think I’m crazy but email marketing and list management isn’t necessary when you operate a balanced business system.

Unemployed Construction Workers Wanted!

Filed under Uncategorized by Doc on June 13, 2008 at 7:29 pm {no comments}

Many years ago, actually more years then I’d like to admit to, I started out working with siding and roofing crews. In the early 70′s those trades weren’t too different then they are today. Only the addition of power tools have speeded up the work a bit. The sharp, agressive guys usually go into business for themselves and those happy to work as laborers simply keep on chuggin along back in the old days.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with doing a good hard day’s work each day. But doing roofing is very tuff on the back and knees after the age of 30. I’ve got a good friend who owns a successful roofing company, works on roofs every day with his crew and is 62 years old. But believe me that he is the exception to the rule.

The reason I share this is that most guys by the age of 30 to 35 start looking for ways off the crew. Many start their own businesses or go into the sales end of the business. I know how it works since I’ve been there.

Currently the news has been full of depressing reports of the slow down in the construction industry. There are more young guys being laid off each day if you listen to the reports. I’m beginning to hear of reports of more and more unemployed construction workers going into related constuction fields. In fact it seems many are hanging signs on their trucks and claiming to be contractors specializing in remodels. The government is looking closely at this due to a rising level of homeowner complaints about everything from poor workmanship to fraud.

Having been there, I know there is a world of difference between doing roofing or framing and home remodeling. This is why many guys get themselves into very stressful situations.

It is natural for guys to want to stay within their trades in hopes that the housing industry will turn around. But the other way to look at this industry slow down is that today is an excellent time to start what could be a more dependable home business.

Although I’ve never meant many framers or roofers making near 6 figures or above, I know of many custom painters doing over that mark while many carpet cleaners are even making from 60,000 to 75,000 per year. The added benefit is the custom painter can add to his bottom line by doing many home repairs that require carpentry skills pocessed by any framer or roofer.

So my suggestion to any being affected by the housing slowdown is to consider starting your own home business in a service field. With your background and carpentry skills you will be able to widen out the available services you offer your customer. Check out my guides and you’ll learn how to work 12 months of the year also. That is something few construction workers ever can do depending upon their area of the country.

Home Business Telephone Service

Filed under carpet cleaning, Cleaning Business, house painting, Internet Business, power washing by Doc on June 11, 2008 at 12:13 pm {no comments}

Business Telephone Systems-Adding Additional Lines

One of the biggest problems when setting up a home business is developing a business telephone system for your home. You want to present yourself as a legitimate business but at the same time you don’t want to spend too much money.

For many years I faced this problem since I’ve had several home businesses for decades. The good old phone company was always happy to add an additional line in my home. If my memory serves me correctly, it used to cost in the area of $30 monthly, just for the service of an additional line. It wasn’t uncommon to run up $250 – $300 monthly telephone bills back in that day.

But today I’ve found a system that produces excellent results for only $20 per year. Yup, that’s per year!

Please read the entire article here – http://mountain-websites.com/home-business/business-telephone-system.html

I Want Your Feedback

Filed under carpet cleaning, Cleaning Business, house painting, Internet Business, power washing by Doc on June 2, 2008 at 3:57 pm {no comments}

I’ve been publishing special business startup guides for about a year now. During that period of time, all of the guides have been updated several times. I don’t believe in simply copying the same old rehashed information you find online. What worked for many in business 10 years ago might not be of any worth today.

Another factor to consider is the small business owner in the north east might have an entire different set of challenges as his counterpart on the west coast or in the southern states. I have lived and worked in NY, NJ and PA and I do know what is helping readers here. But, the only way I can learn of current problems or new ideas is from our reader’s feedback.

I developd my guides from 30 years of personal experience and listening to other small business owners. Hopefully this blog with allow readers from around the country and even our international readers to share experiences and ask questions. I’m looking forward to an exchange of ideas and experience so all can benefit.