Passion Is Critical for Success

Passion Has The Power To Transform:

I want you to know how intensely important passion is to your life and business.You can be anything you want to be.

On this blog I focus on passion because it is the core emotion that makes success possible. Without it your business will die a lingering painful death.

When you have passion you have energy and momentum that will take you from startup to crushing it.

As an entrepreneur, you are aware of what it means to be striving to be "more". Growth, learning and succeeding are part of your mindset. I'm talking about the next level. Step into your success.

Passion Can Be Cultivated:

You can cultivate passion by paying attention to it. It's that simple. It's not about choosing things to do and then trying to feel passionate about them. Start by looking at what does make you feel passionate.Don't take those things and people for granted. They are very important to you and where you need to go and what you need to do. 

Learn to recognize when they're trying to give you direction. Think of them as a magnet attracting you to your "niche". Whenever possible, choose the passionate route. Identify those things and people that bring out your passionate feelings and try to pay more attention to them. I'm not talking about lust, passion involves all of you. Passion has a sense of being "right" about it.

This is a slow process. Everyone gets bogged down in their 'situation". Just begin and it will gain momentum. Passion is magnetic. The more you have of it, the more it will bring people and situations into your life that will help you succeed.  

Cultivating Passion Will Change you Life:

You can't wait for opportunity or outside influences to change your situation. Until you get "bigger" by cultivating passion, nothing will happen. You have the power to transform your life. Grab hold of it.

To your Success

Ron Pettell

Angel Investor Capital Could Be the Solution to Your Startup Nightmare

The startup and early stage of a new business is a "live or die" situation which depends on having enough money to operate with until your revenue exceeds your expenses. 

This can take at least 6 months or more while everything gets figured out and you have enough customers. You need operating capital and mentoring. The right angel relationship can give you both.

Angel capital fills the gap in start-up financing between "friends and family" who provide seed funding, and venture capital.

Although it is usually difficult to raise more than a few hundred thousand dollars from friends and family, most traditional venture capital funds are usually not able to consider investments under US $1–2 million.

Thus, angel investment is a common second round of financing for high-growth start-ups, and accounts in total for almost as much money invested annually as all venture capital funds combined. 

There is evidence that angel-funded startup companies are less likely to fail than companies that rely on other forms of initial financing.

Who Are Angel Investors?

Angel investors are usually wealthy individuals that provide start-up funding to companies in exchange for part ownership in the business they are providing funding for. Angel investors take on extreme risk and expect a high rate of return on their investments.

Although they are very strict on their rate of return, they are generally more laid back when it comes to the time frame of repayment. This is a drastic difference from Venture Capitalist who are very strict on when they get their return on investment. 

Angel investors also provide roughly one-seventh or more of the funding for start-up and early-growth firms in the U.S. This investment group far exceeds venture capital sources in volume.

Here is a "typical" profile of an Angel Investor:

• Angel investors prefer to invest in companies usually within one day of travel.

• An angel investor tends to invest with a group of other investors to maximize available funds while also reducing any single investors risk.

• Their typical investment range is usually from $10,000 to as much as $500,000.

• Angel investor involvement in your company is typically through board membership as a director. As a result, the angel investor does not seek as much control over decision-making as a venture capital firm would.

• While both a venture capitalist and an angel investor will seek a high rate of return on their investment, the angel investor will generally be less aggressive on valuation and is usually willing to wait longer for a payback.

Angel private investors are typically successful entrepreneurs that consist of ex CEO's and business owners. These investors offer expertise, experience, and contacts that can be invaluable to the new venture. 

Although there are many angel investors across the country, they can be difficult to find.

What to Know:

Despite the relative obscurity of angels, it takes much less time, on average, to meet with and receive funds from a private investor than a venture capital firm. The due diligence (investigation of a companies principals and background) is less involved with an angel investor. 

Unlike venture capitalists, angel private investors are willing to wait for longer periods of time before receiving their return on investment and they also are willing to fund investments well under $500,000 which is the minimum amount of funding that venture capitalist provide.

Angel private investors are mostly concerned with the success of the business and are willing to do what it takes to see the business grow and succeed. 

Instead of requesting a large share of ownership in the company being funded, angel private investors usually will want to have an active role in the management of the company and use their experience to get the business off the ground. 

Angel investors are a smart option to consider for a small to medium size business in need funding without giving up too much stake in the company.

Angel investments have extremely high risk and are usually subject to dilution from future investment rounds. As such, they require a very high return on investment. 

Because a large percentage of angel investments are lost completely when early stage companies fail, professional angel investors seek investments that have the potential to return at least 10 or more times their original investment within 5 years, through a defined exit strategy such as plans for an initial public offering or an acquisition. 

Current 'best practices' suggest that angels might do better setting their sights even higher, looking for companies that will have at least the potential to provide a 20x-30x return over a five- to seven-year holding period.

Angel Investor Networks

Finding the right angel investor could help you get your start-up off the ground. Angel-investor networks are a good place to start looking for funding. These national and local groups of angels meet -- formally or informally -- to discuss deals and learn about the best new business opportunities. 

Each network works in a slightly different way: Some may charge fees for making presentations and some may charge a fee to apply for consideration. Some even require an official introduction to the group by an angel member while others solicit ideas via the group's Web site.

Here are some National Angel Networks to get you started:

Investors' Circle

Nonprofit national network of angel investors, foundation officers and entrepreneurs. Businesses that are reviewed by Investors' Circle members must fall into at least one of the following interest areas: community development, education, environment and energy, health, and women or minority-led business.

Focus:

Socially responsible deals.

Average investment range:

$10,000 to $6.5 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:

110+

Contact:

Investors' Circle

165 11th Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

415-255-6844

inbox@investorscircle.net

The Tribe of Angels

A group of Jewish industry leaders who invest in companies primarily in the United States and Israel. Operates as a business network and angel group. A select number of start-ups are selected for presentation to investors, and deals that do not qualify for presentation may still be eligible to network with investors and other businesspeople in the group. Currently has operations in Boston, California, Chicago, Connecticut, New York, and Israel.

Focus:

High tech and biotechnology.

Average investment range:

$50,000 to $1 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:

300+

Contact:

Paul Allen

San Francisco, CA

paul@tribeofangels.com

415-710-0801

Gathering of Angels

Established in October 1996. A monthly meeting of private, high-net-worth investors that provide seed-level financing to start-up and early-stage firms. Since October 1996, the group has helped 87 companies find capital, including 14 in 2003 and 11 year-to-date in 2004.

Focus:

Invests in companies nationwide. Currently has investor groups based in Atlanta, Dallas, Hilton Head, Houston, Pebble Beach, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Scottsdale, St. Louis, Naples, FL and Maui.

Average investment range:

$200,000 to $1.5 million

Number of angels/investors in the network:

350

Contact:

Tarby Bryant

#4 Hawthorne Circle

Santa Fe, NM 87506

505-982-3050

tbryant@nm.net

Have a Love Affair With Your Ideal Customer

  

The #1 Problem for Small Business is Finding Customers

 This is what consumes the most time and frustrates startups to the point of depression. How do you know who your customers are and how do you find them?

I hear experts advise new businesses to “find your target market” all the time.

The problem with this marketing goal is that the demographics of a target market are too large and vague to be successful.

You can spend way too much effort and money trying to sell to everyone out there who “might” want your product or service.

There are a lot of people who meet a particular demographic profile but who wouldn’t be interested in what you offer. 

Your marketing efforts would have to be “huge” to reach all the “potential customers” with the hope of finding those people who would be interested. 

Unless you are a big business with a large marketing budget chances are that the people who do want your product or service won’t see your message.

It’s better to narrow your focus to a much smaller group who is tuned and receptive to what you offer.

There is an easy and effective way to do this. It’s called Niche Marketing and it’s very effective. 

You simply find your "Ideal Customer".

Your Gorgeous Date Is Your Ideal Customer

If you want to determine the right market for your business, start by looking at who your ideal customer is. This is the person who needs your help, is passionate about what you offer and is easy to work with.

The connection between “who you are” and “who you can successfully sell to” is like dating. The passion that exists between two people in love is an excellent model of the successful business-client relationship.

So, create your wildly successful business by having an affair. Connect to your ideal client and have fun! Feel the interest, the excitement and the passion!

Of course, I’m not talking about hitting on your prospects, but I am describing a passionate and fulfilling relationship that is created when you find each other. 

They need and want what you offer and you need them to exist as a business. Take care of them and their needs and they will take care of you by becoming lifelong customers.

“They look into your eyes (pictures), they listen to your voice (copy, audio, video). You both feel the passion, (you both intensely love what you offer). They know you’re the one (you can give them what they want). You know they’re the one (your ideal client). Let’s dance”.

It really is an affair of the heart. Your appearance, personality, passion and values are what create interest and draw your ideal client to you. Instead of chasing after new clients, you can draw them to you. 

You understand them. You understand their needs and can provide real solutions.

Once you understand who they are, it’s so much easier to find them.

 How to Find Your Ideal Customer

Your ability to find your ideal customer depends upon having a clear picture of who they are and the world they live in.

You need to know their life situation, what they are passionate about, what they value, what their beliefs are, what kind of personality they have, what their fears and concerns are, their needs and their ability to pay for your product or service.

The best and easiest way to do this is by looking inward to find the answers. Understand yourself first!

Your personality, values and beliefs tell you who you really relate to, who shares your passions and who you would enjoy working with.

These are the people you would like and feel comfortable with. They are the ones who could easily be your friends and neighbors. Under the right circumstances, they could be the ones you date.

They are the ones who are the easiest for you to understand. You can put yourself in their shoes and feel what their challenges and needs are.It’s easy to provide solutions that really help them.

Your Success DNA Transforms Your Business

When you thoroughly understand yourself, you can solve your number 1 problem and much more.

You can build your business to take advantage of your talents, skills and your passion. When you are truly living from your heart, your passion permeates everything you say and do and create!

Your success DNA transforms your business. You understand it and can stay on top of things so you don’t get overwhelmed easily.  You’re energized and love going to work in the morning!

The perfect business for you is also the easiest business for you to run. You can devote more time to being creative instead of struggling with management issues.

Your passion and understanding of your business is obvious to everyone, so when you explain your business and products to people, they are excited and have confidence in you.

When you ask for money, you are very likely to get it because people can see your vision and your competence.

This is your success DNA in action.

 This Is What You Look For In Yourself

These 9 characteristics will give you a very clear and detailed picture of who you are and what to look for in clients so that they fit with you and your business.

Your personality traits determine who you can successfully work with and who you relate to best. There are 5 core traits: Extraversion, Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness and Openness.  All the other traits can be derived from these 5.

Your values and beliefs determine the products and services that are important to you and your ideal customer. It also shapes your marketing message.

Your demographics are you life situation. Your age, sex, occupation, income, location, marital status, etc. They give you a common frame of reference in relating to your ideal customer.  It points to where they hang out.

Your passions determine what you can really connect with others about. This is your heart. They are what you are interested in and get you excited. You have them in common with your ideal customer.

Your talents are what you were born with. This is what you do easily and well. Frequently these coincide with your passions.

Your skills are abilities that you developed through repetition and effort. Through sustained hard work, skills can replace lack of talent or add to your talent to propel you to the top of your chosen field.

Your success markers indicate what success means to you and how you are going to get there. They are milestones that indicate progress in your personal and business life.

Your fears are the obstacles that influence you and provide barriers to your success.

Your self-image determines your expectations of the outcome of your efforts.

Your passions, talents and skills determine what kind of business you have and the mediums of communication you use.

Your success markers, fears and self-image determine how large and successful your business is going to be. 

The Next Step Is To Meet Your Ideal Customer

 Your effort to know yourself will give you a real edge in your marketing.

 It will give you a clear picture of your ideal customer so you can easily find your niche market. When you know their life situation, their likes, dislikes and their passions, you will know where to find them.

Then you can talk to them, get to know them and find their needs and wants. You can share the excitement.

You can begin your passionate affair with them.

If you’re not having fun you haven’t met your ideal customer yet! 

To Your Success
Ron Pettell

10 Blog Traffic Tips

In every bloggers life comes a special day - the day they first launch a new blog. Now unless you went out and purchased someone else blog chances are your blog launched with only one very loyal reader - you. Maybe a few days later you received a few hits when you told your sister, father, girlfriend and best friend about your new blog but that's about as far you went when it comes to finding readers.Here are the top 10 techniques new bloggers can use to find readers.

These are tips specifically for new bloggers, those people who have next-to-no audience at the moment and want to get the ball rolling.

It helps if you work on this list from top to bottom as each technique builds on the previous step to help you create momentum. Eventually once you establish enough momentum you gain what is called "traction", which is a large enough audience base (about 500 readers a day is good) that you no longer have to work too hard on finding new readers. Instead your current loyal readers do the work for you through word of mouth.Top 10 Tips

10. Write at least five major "pillar" articles. A pillar article is usually a tutorial style article aimed to teach your audience something. Generally they are longer than 500 words and have lots of very practical tips or advice. This article you are currently reading could be considered a pillar article since it is very practical and a good "how-to" lesson. This style of article has long term appeal, stays current (it isn't news or time dependent) and offers real value and insight. The more pillars you have on your blog the better.

9. Write one new blog post per day minimum. Not every post has to be a pillar, but you should work on getting those five pillars done at the same time as you keep your blog fresh with a daily news or short article style post. The important thing here is to demonstrate to first time visitors that your blog is updated all the time so they feel that if they come back tomorrow they will likely find something new. This causes them to bookmark your site or subscribe to your blog feed.

You don't have to produce one post per day all the time but it is important you do when your blog is brand new. Once you get traction you still need to keep the fresh content coming but your loyal audience will be more forgiving if you slow down to a few per week instead. The first few months are critical so the more content you can produce at this time the better.

8. Use a proper domain name. If you are serious about blogging be serious about what you call your blog. In order for people to easily spread the word about your blog you need an easily rememberable domain name. People often talk about blogs they like when they are speaking to friends in the real world (that's the offline world, you remember that place right?) so you need to make it easy for them to spread the word and pass on your URL. Try and get a .com if you can and focus on small easy to remember domains rather than worry about having the correct keywords (of course if you can get great keywords and easy to remember then you've done a good job!).

7. Start commenting on other blogs. Once you have your pillar articles and your daily fresh smaller articles your blog is ready to be exposed to the world. One of the best ways to find the right type of reader for your blog is to comment on other people's blogs. You should aim to comment on blogs focused on a similar niche topic to yours since the readers there will be more likely to be interested in your blog.

Most blog commenting systems allow you to have your name/title linked to your blog when you leave a comment. This is how people find your blog. If you are a prolific commentator and always have something valuable to say then people will be interested to read more of your work and hence click through to visit your blog.

6. Trackback and link to other blogs in your blog posts. A trackback is sort of like a blog conversation. When you write a new article to your blog and it links or references another blogger's article you can do a trackback to their entry. What this does is leave a truncated summary of your blog post on their blog entry - it's sort of like your blog telling someone else's blog that you wrote an article mentioning them. Trackbacks often appear like comments.

This is a good technique because like leaving comments a trackback leaves a link from another blog back to yours for readers to follow, but it also does something very important - it gets the attention of another blogger. The other blogger will come and read your post eager to see what you wrote about them. They may then become a loyal reader of yours or at least monitor you and if you are lucky some time down the road they may do a post linking to your blog bringing in more new readers.

5. Encourage comments on your own blog. One of the most powerful ways to convince someone to become a loyal reader is to show there are other loyal readers already following your work. If they see people commenting on your blog then they infer that your content must be good since you have readers so they should stick around and see what all the fuss is about. To encourage comments you can simply pose a question in a blog post. Be sure to always respond to comments as well so you can keep the conversation going.

4. Submit your latest pillar article to a blog carnival. A blog carnival is a post in a blog that summarizes a collection of articles from many different blogs on a specific topic. The idea is to collect some of the best content on a topic in a given week. Often many other blogs link back to a carnival host and as such the people that have articles featured in the carnival enjoy a spike in new readers.

To find the right blog carnival for your blog, do a search at http://blogcarnival.com/.

3. Submit your blog to blogtopsites.com. To be honest this tip is not going to bring in a flood of new readers but it's so easy to do and only takes five minutes so it's worth the effort. Go to Blog Top Sites, find the appropriate category for your blog and submit it. You have to copy and paste a couple of lines of code on to your blog so you can rank and then sit back and watch the traffic come in. You will probably only get 1-10 incoming readers per day with this technique but over time it can build up as you climb the rankings. It all helps!

2. Submit your articles to EzineArticles.com. This is another tip that doesn't bring in hundreds of new visitors immediately (although it can if you keep doing it) but it's worthwhile because you simply leverage what you already have - your pillar articles. Once a week or so take one of your pillar articles and submit it to Ezine Articles. Your article then becomes available to other people who can republish your article on their website or in their newsletter.

How you benefit is through what is called your "Resource Box". You create your own resource box which is like a signature file where you include one to two sentences and link back to your website (or blog in this case). Anyone who publishes your article has to include your resource box so you get incoming links. If someone with a large newsletter publishes your article you can get a lot of new readers at once.

1. Write more pillar articles. Everything you do above will help you to find blog readers however all of the techniques I've listed only work when you have strong pillars in place. Without them if you do everything above you may bring in readers but they won't stay or bother to come back. Aim for one solid pillar article per week and by the end of the year you will have a database of over 50 fantastic feature articles that will work hard for you to bring in more and more readers.
This article was written and kindly shared by Yaro Starak, http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com

 

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27 Critical Steps to a Six Figure Income

Here is the blueprint outline for “Creating your perfect 6 figure business.”

This gives you a road map to follow from start to success and is the overview you need to understand the whole process. 

Know Yourself

1. Find your DNA.

2. Find your personality type.

3. Find your passion.

4. Create your personal brand.

Know Your Business

5. Evaluate your talent, knowledge and skills.

6. Find your marketable passion.

7. Do the research to find your kind of business.

8. Select a niche based on real consumer needs that you can satisfy.

9. Do the research to find your opportunity.

10. Evaluate the skills necessary to take advantage of the opportunity.

11. Educate yourself and acquire the skill level needed to take advantage of the business opportunity.

12. Create the legal business entity.

13. Create your business brand.

Market Your Business-Self

14. Choose the marketing mediums you are most comfortable with.

15. Enhance your presenting skills in these areas.

16. Learn the technology.

17. Create your “shining style” that you use to stand in the spotlight.

18. Set up your social media accounts if you don’t already have them.

19. Begin building your Brand presence through your online community.

20. Find out where your ideal client hangs out.

21. Reach out with your Brand to every forum, blog and meeting place that has a discussion about your topic.

22. Build a system for creating a mailing list. Base it on giving something away for free with opt-in to get the email address.

23. Consistently engage your list and inform them of opportunities and products you create.

24. Create products based on your core business to leverage your knowledge and expertise. Give away something valuable and capture more email contacts for your list.

25. Enhance your brand through your shining style in “hot” mediums like audio and video. Tie these into products.

26. Create events like podcasts and telephone seminars to take your brand to the next level. Link these events to opt-in free products and other offers.

27. Be consistent. Do it and keep doing it until your business takes off. In reality, marketing takes as much effort as your core business. 

If you do the majority of these steps nothing will stop your success. The sky's the limit. 

To Your Success
Ron Pettell