Dear Business Owner,

Have you spent big bucks to make your business grow faster...only to end up with a pile of bills and no sales? Are you drudging away with no results -- getting frustrated and restless?

Maybe it's time to bring in some business-building Power Tools.

When I lived in New Mexico, I owned a house with rock-hard adobe walls. So when I needed to hang a few pictures, I turned to the professionals. They didn't pound and pound and make the house shake. They grabbed a power drill and seconds later, my pictures were up.

Your own business power toolkit can be assembled right on this page.

I've spent hundreds maybe thousands of dollars setting up my business and getting the best information I cound find. Frankly, most of it wasn't worth the price of a phone call.

But along the way I've identified FIVE resources that really helped me make money. All have free ezines -- and that's where you should begin.

I got good to great results from these resources. Obviously I can't guarantee success ­ but I honestly believe it's highly likely. And I'm known as a fussy, demanding customer.
 

FIRST: Before you go any further, I highly recommend buying a tape or CD of Tom Antion's unforgettable "butt camps." Tom has an edgy personality. You'll love him or he'll drive you crazy. Either way, you'll learn a lot. 

I have worked with other marketing Wizards who turned out to be like the Wizard character in Oz: not much happens when you look behind the curtain. But Tom is the Real Deal.  You'll learn Internet basics plus some down-to-earth tips to save money and time. You may get lucky ­ sometimes he offers them as live teleseminars.

I signed up for Tom's butt camp -- and wish I'd gone sooner. Within one week, one tip more than paid for the cost.

Butt camp on tape.

Butt camp on CD:

And sign up for Tom's Great Speaking ezine ­ no cost, huge value, even if you're not a speaker.

SECOND:  I recommend just two of Robert Middleton's resources. The Action Plan workbook and the Web Tools Kit. A major caveat: It's harder to get a web designer and copywriter than Middleton would suggest and most likely you won't find a competent copywriter at the suggested prices.
Start here.

THIRD: The best ­ -- perhaps the only -- ­ shopping cart to consider if you're serious about marketing online: I've been with them since I opened my doors...er, website, for business and never regretted the decision. They're an 800-lb. gorilla and they sometimes act like it but they're still the only game in town.  1shoppingcart.com

Want to learn how Tom Antion chooses a shopping cart? Click here.

FOURTH: You'll probably need an ezine. And you'll want to promote yourself through articles and perhaps write an ebook or two. My ezine began getting fan mail after I implemented Alexandria Brown's royal advice.

Alexandria has now branched out into more general guides to Internet marketing. She's down-to-earth and she makes everything seem fun, easy and even Hollywood-glamorous.

Visit Her Majesty The Ezine Queen.

FIFTH (last to buy but probably MOST important):  Once you've got products to sell, and you're ready to fine-tune your website, you'll need dynamite copy. Outsourcing copywriting is expensive ­ so you'll want to do it yourself -- or discover how to save money when you hire a pro.

In my opinion, here's only one great place to learn about copywriting. My ebook sales increased dramatically after I took one class ­ -- more than covering the cost.

Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero is smart and friendly ­-- and she explains copywriting principles more clearly than anyone I know. She's warm and generous -- the least likely candidate for a "drill sergeant" for her boot camp.

Like Alexandria Brown, Lorrie sets up her blog with photos of herself, family, friends and dog. They're all beautiful. When I met her in person, I vowed to put a paper bag on my head when we next have photos taken together. But I love her anyway. Who wouldn't?      Start making money!

Other products and services:

 

Ready to write an ebook?

I had planned to write my own ebook on writing ebooks...but the best one  has already been written! Everything from how to choose a topic to write the sales letter to price. And although I've written a  number of ebooks myself, I learned a lot.  Click on the image below.

 

Ready to create a great product?

If you've got a great product and you're ready to move fast -- come to The Product Factory.   I don't have first-hand experience but I've hard raves.  So...click on the Product Factory image. Michael will be delighted to provide references and answer questions.  

You'll hear a lot of hype about and especially if you're an author or a business owner. The best source of information turns out to be free and also fun. Tune in to Annie Jennings and her publicity and promotion fabulous free teleseminars (note that I rarely use words like "fabulous" anywhere on my website -- these are good!). You can get most on CD, mailed to you absolutely free, no strings attached. I have a whole collection myself. 

If you want to book Annie's PR services, you're on your own.  I have no first-hand experience. Check references and ask tough questions.

Get Annie's digital downloads or visit her website so you can listen live, in real time.

Recommended Reading

Bruce Judson, Go It Alone. Takes the fear out of going solo, with lots of commonsense ideas.

Michael Gerber, The E-myth Revisited. Ask almost any business consultant or coach to recommend a book and you're likely to end up with this one -- for good reason. Most businesses fail because they don't understand Gerber's message -- or never got it in the first place.

Considering becoming a coach?  Start here.