5 Sites Where You Can Find Easy (And Inexpensive!) Help

By Alison Marks

Overwhelmed?

Join the crowd!

Or don’t.

Even though there’s lots to learn, do and keep up with as a business owner, you don’t have to do it all yourself.

Today it’s easier than ever to find talented people at reasonable rates to do things you could never do all on your own.

Instead of spending your time and energy learning the 10,000 things that everyone’s telling you you have to do, why not master this one skill of hiring out for projects. As you get more familiar with the process it’ll become much easier, you’ll start to develop relationships with some folks you like and trust to do good work for you, and your business will move faster because you won’t be bogged down with a to do list on steroids.

It’s easier than you think!

And in the long run, a lot more cost-effective than waiting and not getting things done.

Here are 5 places to start:

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5 Steps to Picking An Irresistible Topic

By Alison Marks

There’s a certain mistake I see a lot of entrepreneurs make when they set out to create a new offering – whether it’s a program or information product or something else. And it kills me!  Probably because I did it when I was first starting out, too. I don’t want to see them have to learn the hard way like I did. The mistake is…

They pick a topic that is SO interesting to them – but not to the people who really count… the ones who will buy it.

In order to create something that’s really going to give you some traction in building your business – and not just be a cool thing you’ve done – it has to  solve a particular problem for a particular group of people.

Here are 5 steps that will help you pick a hot topic so your information product is set up for success!

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How to Make a Graceful Leap to the Next Level

By Alison Marks

Wherever you are on your entrepreneurial journey, one thing’s for sure…

You ain’t standing still!

You are always in motion, always moving forward in some way or another.

Here are 7 tidbits to keep you moving in the right direction… UP! To the next level!

1. Focus on what’s going to bring in the money.

As a business owner, there are a million and one things we need to pay attention to every single day. The thing is… we don’t actually need to be paying attention to all of them. Focus your time, energy and other resources on what will bring in money, and the rest will fall into place. Read more

Ask me anything…

For the first time ever I’m going to be getting in front of my video camera and answering YOUR questions LIVE.

No script. No agenda. Nothing to sell. Just me responding to you.

== > Find out more here or sign up below. < ==

To focus things, this time (which might end up being the ONLY time) we’re going to talk specifically about how to create a lucrative business and joyful lifestyle with multiple streams of income.  If you’re tired of trading dollars for hours and are ready to finally cash in on your efforts, offering “multiple streams” is the way to go.

Whatever questions you’ve ever had about getting out of the rut you’re in with your business offerings, bring ‘em on!

I’ll be taking questions live, and also invite you to send in your questions ahead of time. Here are some of the questions people have sent in so far:

- How do I decide, of all the income generating
strategies I hear about, which one is right for me
and my business to focus on first?

- How do I expand once I have my first product?

- How do I package and price my offerings?

- Which income streams besides 1-on-1 coaching are
best to implement given that my list is very small?

- Is there such a thing as being to scattered and
having too many things going on?  How can you
juggle it all?

Curious? Sign up to join us on Wednesday, March 27 at 11am Pacific Time (2pm EST).

Name
Email
What are your biggest questions about creating multiple streams of income in your business?

I’m mad…

Yesterday I spoke on a telesummit for business owners who are like you and me – smart, savvy, engaged in the world.

At one point the host asked me about how I generated important breakthroughs in my business when I was just getting started.

Of course I laughed because besides becoming really good at what I did, there were actually very few “business breakthroughs” the first few years.

Until I was in enough pain, until I had banged my head against the wall enough times, until I was thoroughly embarrassed for having left my well-paying job for the “independence” of not even being able to pay for health insurance let alone show an income on my tax return, I wasn’t willing to face up to one very important fact… Read more

How To Know What To Do Next In Your Business

By Alison Marks

Are you tired of spinning your wheels, working really hard and barely getting by? Don’t you want to enjoy vacations, pay for your kids’ school, finally buy that house you want, or pay down your debt?

It’s time to get strategic!

(And if you’re already strategic, keep reading… there’s gold here for you, too!)

There are many different ways to make money in your business. But in the big picture, there are only so many things in the world people will give you money for. For a coach or other internet-savvy entrepreneur, the list might look like this:

1. Services – Including one-on-one coaching or consulting (public speaking for a fee would go under this category)
2. Group Programs – Can be low-end or high-end, include your personal time or not, and be for a limited time or ongoing (i.e. membership or “continuity” program)
3. Products – Yours or other peoples’, virtual or physical products
4. Events
5. Affiliate income
6. Royalties

There may be a few I’m missing here, but you get the idea: though it seems like a big world out there with endless possibilities to choose from, when you break it down this way, it’s just not. You can easily look at your business and see what you’re not doing that you could to bring in more revenue and diversify your offerings so you’re not so dependent on a single stream that you’d be devastated if something brought it down.

And when you create passive income streams, like information products that you “set and forget,” you can continue to hear “ka-ching” for years after you put in the work to create it.

Join me on March 27, 2013 for a no-cost Q&A Video Chat on Multiple Streams of Income. I’m not selling anything. It’s just an opportunity for you to learn some more and get your questions answered (and a no-pressure opportunity for ME to try out some of the new video technology I’ve been itching to start using). Get the details here.

In the meantime: what income stream could you add next to your business? Why this one? Answer in the comments section below. I want to hear from you!

5 Traits To Be An Inspiring Leader

By Alison Marks

Last weekend I attended the Wisdom 2.0 Conference, where I had the opportunity to witness some of the world’s spiritual, social and tech giants share about what it really takes them on a day-to-day basis to stay mindful and grounded in the midst of storms.

I was prepared to be inspired and uplifted to hear the likes of Marianne Williamson, Arianna Huffington, Jack Kornfield and so many others share about their experiences of being mindful, awake, aware leaders.

What I was not expecting was to have so many insights about leadership itself. Leadership is something I mentor my students and clients on regularly (under various names), and it’s always my intention to help open up the way for the people I work with to step into their greatness. I was very moved by the presence of the people on stage, and reflected, too, on my own journey as a leader in my business and my life.

Whether you lead a multinational corporation, a small at-home biz, or “just” [in quotation marks because there's no "just" about it!] manage your own life, here are…

5 traits you can develop to help you step more fully into powerful, inspiring leadership

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The Simple Way To Focus Today

By Alison Marks

People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things we have done. Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.

~ Steve Jobs

Did you catch that?

Even if you don’t have the brilliant techie/design brain of Steve Jobs, you DO have important gifts that are waiting to be shared.

And they can’t be shared if you’re trying to do 1,000 things!

Here’s a quick little exercise to help you get clear so you can STOP spinning your wheels and start bringing your gifts and your vision alive.

What is is you really want?

Write this down. Seriously. (Yes, I know you’ve done it 1,000 times before. Just bear with me and grab a pen, ok?)

Focus just on your business, or on all the important areas of your life – relationships, money, home, spiritual growth and connection, health,  etc.

Once you’re done, close your eyes and sit quietly with each item on your list for a minute or so and ask, “What do I need to say no to in order for this commitment or idea to live a rich, full life?” Write down your answers.

Now write THAT list and post it in front of you on your desk, on your wall, in your day-timer… somewhere you will see it regularly when you’re tempted to do those things. Remember what you want instead and put your attention THERE!

What’s on your list? Share with us in the comments below…

Quick and Easy: Expand Your Ability to Make and Keep Money!

Stuck in your business?

Can’t seem to get past a certain amount of income or savings before something goes awry and you end up back at $0?

We all carry a money legacy, and unless you’ve done some big work in this area, chances are the amount of money you are generating is seriously limited.

Here’s a quick and easy exercise to “expand your money container” – in other words, to expand your ability to earn and keep money.

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Scared? You MUST teach that thing.

By Alison Marks

I’m just going to say it.

Ready?

Get over yourself!

Of course I mean that in the most loving way possible. But I have to vent a little bit here. Read more

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