I was one of the people back in the 90s that got into the 'New' surge of network marketing, after they changed the name from Multi-Level-Marketing. I stayed with it until I discovered the truth about how many (or few) actually are able to have success. Still, the concept always intrigued me, and when a gentleman told me they were using the power of the Internet and combining it with network marketing in 2004, I decided to jump in again.
Of course, when something is new, there are always problems. In the case of this particular company, they used the tools of the Internet, but had no idea how to use, or teach, proper techniques of using the Internet.
I'm still with that company, but have been holding back from prospecting, because the main company still endorses and trains people on the old way of prospecting and marketing.
I've been studying from sources outside the company on how to take effective ways of using the Internet to run a network marketing business. Little by little I am understanding how it all works. The trick is, as always in this industry, how to teach it to others without it being an overwhelming task to them.
Yes, as with everything, you have to want it and do things you wouldn't ordinarily do to get things you wouldn't ordinarily have if you do the things you ordinarily do. But, I don't think it needs to be that difficult. And I am starting to see that I can figure it out, and if I can, I can show others how they can as well in a simple, low-cost, step-by-step way.
The funny thing is, I will be using this technique to get the word out to people that it works. I will need to make it work, at least on a small scale to begin with, to show that I can do it.
Before anyone starts a journey towards success, however, they have to be something. In this case, it is being a leader. I am discovering what it feels like to be a leader. I know what people need, and I must show them how to get it. They must make the decision to ask for it, though. I won't drag anyone there. They have to know it is the thing they must do. It takes more folks to give the chance to choose, because many will not take the plunge. Fear is a very powerful thing. That is why a powerful tool like the internet is needed to get that pool of people who can have to chance to choose.
So many people have a hard time getting away from the 'employee mindset' and making the switch to being the person where "the buck stops here." It scares a lot of people. I know it did me. But now I know that the alternative won't give me the lifestyle I know I deserve in this lifetime - and I know my family deserves it as well. I also hate to see others give in to mediocrity just because they don't see themselves in a particular role. So, I have to find those that won't settle for mediocrity.
Have I found you?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saturday, December 25, 2010
MLM revisited
I've been thinking a lot lately about MLM and how it can, or should be done. The reason I keep thinking about it is simply this: The industry of MLM (if that can be called an industry) is the only one available today to give the average individual the chance to start and have their own business without going through all the hassle of owing a traditional business, like a restaurant or something.
My big problem is how do you promote to actually find people who need what I have to offer? I have purchased leads and had some success with that, but at this time don't really have the funds to even invest in those. There also seems to be a problem with most of the people you talk to when you buy leads. Many of them have no idea what they want or what is happening when they filled out the form to find out about working at home. So when you do reach someone, you get this totally confused person who doesn't really know what they want, or doesn't remember even doing it, or they have a 'friend' who did it for them, and have no interest whatsoever in working for themselves.
Now, there is promoting through conversations. This requires that you do it every day, or you have no prospects.
I've looked at marketing online, but it seems that is an entirely different occupation. I just read a guy's ad for showing you how to market your MLM business online, and he had a real reasonable offer. I have purchased courses on how to do that in the past for as much as $500, and I just run into overwhelm. I know, it sounds like I am complaining, and I also know I need to do some things outside my comfort zone to accomplish my goals, but do I? I've gone way outside my comfort zone in the past, and it didn't work.
I have to admit that actually having a system for marketing my business online is intriguing. I think I would be willing to look at it to see if there is a relatively simple way to get started, and then build on it as I go. Maybe I'll check this guy's system out.
My big problem is how do you promote to actually find people who need what I have to offer? I have purchased leads and had some success with that, but at this time don't really have the funds to even invest in those. There also seems to be a problem with most of the people you talk to when you buy leads. Many of them have no idea what they want or what is happening when they filled out the form to find out about working at home. So when you do reach someone, you get this totally confused person who doesn't really know what they want, or doesn't remember even doing it, or they have a 'friend' who did it for them, and have no interest whatsoever in working for themselves.
Now, there is promoting through conversations. This requires that you do it every day, or you have no prospects.
I've looked at marketing online, but it seems that is an entirely different occupation. I just read a guy's ad for showing you how to market your MLM business online, and he had a real reasonable offer. I have purchased courses on how to do that in the past for as much as $500, and I just run into overwhelm. I know, it sounds like I am complaining, and I also know I need to do some things outside my comfort zone to accomplish my goals, but do I? I've gone way outside my comfort zone in the past, and it didn't work.
I have to admit that actually having a system for marketing my business online is intriguing. I think I would be willing to look at it to see if there is a relatively simple way to get started, and then build on it as I go. Maybe I'll check this guy's system out.
Monday, August 2, 2010
A New (almost) Idea
I got a thought yesterday about the money sitting idle in our IRAs. Or, more, something I could do with it. Awhile back, when I actually had a little more money to trade, I did some experiments with trading options both ways using Google. Meaning, trading stock options on the companies. I would buy a Put (an option betting the stock will go down) and a Call (betting the stock will go up.) The stock can move 20-30 dollars or more a day, and I knew, one way or the other, this method of trading should make money. Well, because of the fairly large prices of the options themselves, and just the way I was doing it (looking at it constantly), I got scared of it.
Yesterday, I got the same thoughts about how I could do this same thing, only use lower priced stocks I found by doing a search for 'volatile stocks.' Turned out there's actually a website called 'Volatile Stocks' and it looks to be very useful in finding just the kind of stock I'm looking for. They also figure someone looking for this kind of thing is probably trading options, so there is good information about that on the website as well.
The funny thing is, I got the idea from playing a video game called Animal Crossing. In that game, on Sunday morning you can buy Turnips from Sow Joan (a pun on 'Dow Jones - ha ha) and then every day that week you ask the store keeper how much he's paying for turnips. Sometimes it's a little more, but most of the time it's a little less than what you bought them for. Once in awhile he is buying them for 8-10 times what you paid for them, and you get a huge windfall. You have to make sure you sell them to him before the next Sunday, though, or they are worthless (rotten.) Much like options. I've built up millions of money units (called Bells) doing this, and I really hardly play the game.
There are a bunch of lower priced (under $100) stocks that I can use my paltry IRA account cash to do these kinds of trades. I figure I will set up a set of rules, like any trading method, and be happy with making small amounts of profit on a regular basis. Occasionally, one of these stocks will gap or take off, and create a pretty big take for one side or the other. When I make back what I spend for the trade on one leg, I'll sell that side and wait and see if the stock reverses. If it does, there will be [more] profit for that trade. If it doesn't, the option will expire worthless. No more commission and the trade costs me no additional money. The only way I can lose is if the stock just sits there for a week. I can't hold onto this thing forever, as the options lose value as they approach their expiration date. I figure after a week or so, if it doesn't move significantly, or whipsaws back and forth, I'll just sell the set at a small loss and try again.
Today I used one of the stocks I found to trade a 'spread' in my IRA account. I think I will start a new blog, commenting on the trades I do in my account and my wife's account. I'll use this blog as a 'parent' blog to note ideas for 'offspring' money-making ideas I come up with.
Yesterday, I got the same thoughts about how I could do this same thing, only use lower priced stocks I found by doing a search for 'volatile stocks.' Turned out there's actually a website called 'Volatile Stocks' and it looks to be very useful in finding just the kind of stock I'm looking for. They also figure someone looking for this kind of thing is probably trading options, so there is good information about that on the website as well.
The funny thing is, I got the idea from playing a video game called Animal Crossing. In that game, on Sunday morning you can buy Turnips from Sow Joan (a pun on 'Dow Jones - ha ha) and then every day that week you ask the store keeper how much he's paying for turnips. Sometimes it's a little more, but most of the time it's a little less than what you bought them for. Once in awhile he is buying them for 8-10 times what you paid for them, and you get a huge windfall. You have to make sure you sell them to him before the next Sunday, though, or they are worthless (rotten.) Much like options. I've built up millions of money units (called Bells) doing this, and I really hardly play the game.
There are a bunch of lower priced (under $100) stocks that I can use my paltry IRA account cash to do these kinds of trades. I figure I will set up a set of rules, like any trading method, and be happy with making small amounts of profit on a regular basis. Occasionally, one of these stocks will gap or take off, and create a pretty big take for one side or the other. When I make back what I spend for the trade on one leg, I'll sell that side and wait and see if the stock reverses. If it does, there will be [more] profit for that trade. If it doesn't, the option will expire worthless. No more commission and the trade costs me no additional money. The only way I can lose is if the stock just sits there for a week. I can't hold onto this thing forever, as the options lose value as they approach their expiration date. I figure after a week or so, if it doesn't move significantly, or whipsaws back and forth, I'll just sell the set at a small loss and try again.
Today I used one of the stocks I found to trade a 'spread' in my IRA account. I think I will start a new blog, commenting on the trades I do in my account and my wife's account. I'll use this blog as a 'parent' blog to note ideas for 'offspring' money-making ideas I come up with.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Back to Forex
There was a particularly interesting ad I got in my email (actually, now there has been a series of ads from different senders. They all seem to jump on the bandwagon when something intriguing comes out.) It is not available yet, but comes out Monday. It looks like a system that is similar to Bill Polous' teachings* but more automated. I may take a look at it if it doesn't require too much moolah. I realize that my ideal way of going would be to have a way of producing income and at the same time, pursuing music. That way, I would not be distracted by the 'No Crises' of the world. Let me explaining that. No Crisis is a good band, but not one I cant get excited about, because I am just along for the ride. It's Todd's baby, and he has the final say about everything. Whereas, in the Suspects, we all talk about anything that comes up and decide among us which is the best path to take. It's getting better, though, at least regarding No Crisis. The band is working and actually expanding it's club base. Rare these days. I think people don't get to hear vocalists at the caliber Katie is in bar settings much, and the rhythm section is pretty tight, if I do say so. The Suspects are still a bit lost, with regards to finding work. I have to let go the thoughts of asking myself why that is. Most of the answers I come up with are destructive. Anyway, the thing is, I would like to look at all this without the consideration of needing to make money, because the income is coming from another source, and trading would work out best for me. So, I'll be paying attention to this particular product.
*Bill teaches trading using good money management and ways of doing stops that put the long-term possibilities in the favor of the trader. Not automated at all, except really good solid rules.
*Bill teaches trading using good money management and ways of doing stops that put the long-term possibilities in the favor of the trader. Not automated at all, except really good solid rules.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A Time of Reflection
Well, this blog kind of blew up. It does that if you don't commit to entering SOMETHING ever so often. I got disillusioned with trading after that last debacle. Also staying up until a trade at least got started was becoming a problem for me. I haven't even looked at the charts on a consistent basis for a few months now. I'm concentrating on music.
Let me update you on my 'music situation.' I am currently the bass player in a band call The Usual Suspects with a singer, Kelley, a guitar player, Tim, and a keyboard player, Joe. We have had various drummers and are in the process of settling on a new one. I am in other bands as well, but they are more for 'income' purposes and I don't have as much passion for them, probably because I don't have much input into what is going on with them.
I have been realizing lately that The Suspects lack a direction I believe is needed to become a viable band in the area. We currently do some 70's, 80's & 90's rock that is a combination of what we have done in former incarnations of the band and what Kelley brought in. Our old lead singer had an affliction, and a voice, for harder rock. Kelley is more attuned to the blues and country genres. Trying to do both the songs from the old Suspects and the new one don't really make sense, and I think confuses our audience. I want to take our set list and revolve it around Kelley's strengths.
Now music isn't exactly a great way to make an income - at least not the way I've been doing it. The pay for bands in bars has been going down over the last 30 years and it doesn't really show great signs of improving. At least, from the standpoint of doing it the way we've always done it.
I saw a video yesterday from a guy that preached, "figure out the 'why' first, then the 'how' and then the 'what.' It made sense, the way he said it. Let me put the link here for you.
I need to think in terms of WHY we do what we do. That takes some hard thought. I think I need to clear my mind of all other thoughts...
Okay - I think I've got a handle on why we do this. Music puts a great feeling in us (the musicians) when it is happening just right. We want to share that feeling with others as they watch and listen. The only way we can know people will get that great feeling is if we have it happen as close to that 'just right' as we can every time we play. Part of that 'just right' is us having a great time and feeling good ourselves about the music we are playing.
I believe we could rearrange the project - we probably should even change names, which I generally hate to do, but it looks like it might be very necessary in this case.
In talking with Cathy, we both agree that Tim and Joe may not be on the same page with regards to this as me and Kelley. Not that we can't talk about it, but I must be prepared to play with other folks, and I may not even know who they are at this point.
Both Tim and Joe are very analytical about the music stuff. I have been in the past as well. That is probably why the three of us worked so well together. Lately, I have been finding a spiritual part of music that is taking me in a different direction. Kelley has much of that spirit in her. I'm not sure how that equates to actually putting the band together, but I know it has a bit less to do with the particular songs we play and more with how we play them. (It does have a little to do with the songs themselves, I think. Maybe not :)
I would like to do a bunch of songs that would promote good feelings in people, not just be concentrating on whether they are dancing. One may result in another - it's the intent that is changing. I want to market the band to a different set of venues where the good feelings would be received with the most, well, feeling!
Kelley is out of town right now - her mom died and she had to go back to Ohio (strangely, that's one of the songs I had in mind) to take care of the arrangements.
All this may lead to Kelley and I parting ways with Joe and Tim, depending on how all this works out. I don't know. All I know is some different stuff is going to happen and it's going to take a lot of work (albeit enjoyable work!)
Let me update you on my 'music situation.' I am currently the bass player in a band call The Usual Suspects with a singer, Kelley, a guitar player, Tim, and a keyboard player, Joe. We have had various drummers and are in the process of settling on a new one. I am in other bands as well, but they are more for 'income' purposes and I don't have as much passion for them, probably because I don't have much input into what is going on with them.
I have been realizing lately that The Suspects lack a direction I believe is needed to become a viable band in the area. We currently do some 70's, 80's & 90's rock that is a combination of what we have done in former incarnations of the band and what Kelley brought in. Our old lead singer had an affliction, and a voice, for harder rock. Kelley is more attuned to the blues and country genres. Trying to do both the songs from the old Suspects and the new one don't really make sense, and I think confuses our audience. I want to take our set list and revolve it around Kelley's strengths.
Now music isn't exactly a great way to make an income - at least not the way I've been doing it. The pay for bands in bars has been going down over the last 30 years and it doesn't really show great signs of improving. At least, from the standpoint of doing it the way we've always done it.
I saw a video yesterday from a guy that preached, "figure out the 'why' first, then the 'how' and then the 'what.' It made sense, the way he said it. Let me put the link here for you.
I need to think in terms of WHY we do what we do. That takes some hard thought. I think I need to clear my mind of all other thoughts...
Okay - I think I've got a handle on why we do this. Music puts a great feeling in us (the musicians) when it is happening just right. We want to share that feeling with others as they watch and listen. The only way we can know people will get that great feeling is if we have it happen as close to that 'just right' as we can every time we play. Part of that 'just right' is us having a great time and feeling good ourselves about the music we are playing.
I believe we could rearrange the project - we probably should even change names, which I generally hate to do, but it looks like it might be very necessary in this case.
In talking with Cathy, we both agree that Tim and Joe may not be on the same page with regards to this as me and Kelley. Not that we can't talk about it, but I must be prepared to play with other folks, and I may not even know who they are at this point.
Both Tim and Joe are very analytical about the music stuff. I have been in the past as well. That is probably why the three of us worked so well together. Lately, I have been finding a spiritual part of music that is taking me in a different direction. Kelley has much of that spirit in her. I'm not sure how that equates to actually putting the band together, but I know it has a bit less to do with the particular songs we play and more with how we play them. (It does have a little to do with the songs themselves, I think. Maybe not :)
I would like to do a bunch of songs that would promote good feelings in people, not just be concentrating on whether they are dancing. One may result in another - it's the intent that is changing. I want to market the band to a different set of venues where the good feelings would be received with the most, well, feeling!
Kelley is out of town right now - her mom died and she had to go back to Ohio (strangely, that's one of the songs I had in mind) to take care of the arrangements.
All this may lead to Kelley and I parting ways with Joe and Tim, depending on how all this works out. I don't know. All I know is some different stuff is going to happen and it's going to take a lot of work (albeit enjoyable work!)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Blowing it open, to the negative side
I got a bit disillusioned, obviously, with the system I was using. I could tell that it was not anywhere near flexible enough to effectively trade a market. Now I've gone completely to the other side and started just looking at the situation with the chart, and doing an impromptu trade from what I think I see. The problem is, I quit observing what is actually going on in my head or the chart and just putting something on. Doesn't work too well. Today I put on about 7 trades, I think, and lost 4, and the other 3 were just small gains. I kept doing the same thing over and over again. Going against the trend in the market, which can be okay, but you need to REALLY look at what's going on. I kept putting on a trade, losing, and then doing the same thing again. I did that like 4 times in a row before finally saying to myself, "I think I better go write in the blog before I go through my entire account.
Now I know everyone says, "you need to establish rules in your trading and STICK TO THEM!" What I think has to happen first is you need to become a good observer, not only of the markets, but of yourself. Otherwise, you'll never realize you are breaking your rules. You just go about your business and start getting madder and madder and not understand why, and when that happens, you get even worse at what you are doing.
Today I was establishing rules in my mind as I was trading, and breaking them almost within the same minute. I have a few hard and fast rules that did definitely save me - one of which is my max stop loss amount. I know I can't change that, because it is tied to the amount in my account. It let me make quite a few mistakes, and still have a substantial amount left to make more mistakes another day (or not!) By the way, that's the only way you learn, you know. Of course, if you have too many lessons in one day, there's no way you're going to remember them all.
Now I know everyone says, "you need to establish rules in your trading and STICK TO THEM!" What I think has to happen first is you need to become a good observer, not only of the markets, but of yourself. Otherwise, you'll never realize you are breaking your rules. You just go about your business and start getting madder and madder and not understand why, and when that happens, you get even worse at what you are doing.
Today I was establishing rules in my mind as I was trading, and breaking them almost within the same minute. I have a few hard and fast rules that did definitely save me - one of which is my max stop loss amount. I know I can't change that, because it is tied to the amount in my account. It let me make quite a few mistakes, and still have a substantial amount left to make more mistakes another day (or not!) By the way, that's the only way you learn, you know. Of course, if you have too many lessons in one day, there's no way you're going to remember them all.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Back from our trip
We got back Sunday from driving to Pennsylvania. There wasn't really a funeral and all the details had been taken care of before hand, so there wasn't really a lot to actually do, as when Cathy's brother got burned last spring and we went to help him get better.
We stayed at Cathy's sister's house, which has no internet connection. They used to, but opted, for financial reasons, to keep cable and cancel internet. So, obviously, I couldn't trade during those two weeks, but after I got back I, as closely as I could, tracked what happened those days. Not much good. I've now had 9 losses without a win, and only four break-evens since the last winning trade. Last night I decided to change the system just a bit. I am changing the 1-pip cushion on each side to 7 on the short side and 9 on the long side. I had already added about 2 and a half points to the long side because of the spread, against the advice of the author of this trading plan. Last night's trade would have been a break-even either way. I just noticed that so many of the trades were going down (or up) and just barely grabbing the entry and reversing. I don't know if that is because of a lot of people trading this method or if the author is just full of bullshit about the claim that this method works. It's all I've got right now, though. I'll practice trading this way for a month or so and see if it works. I'm obviously quite a ways off from being able to trade live. That's okay. It will be a couple months at least before I can add to my account. That trip set us back more that $500 at least. I'm not sure we'll be able to pay our mortgage on either property this month. We might take the money and file bankruptcy.
We stayed at Cathy's sister's house, which has no internet connection. They used to, but opted, for financial reasons, to keep cable and cancel internet. So, obviously, I couldn't trade during those two weeks, but after I got back I, as closely as I could, tracked what happened those days. Not much good. I've now had 9 losses without a win, and only four break-evens since the last winning trade. Last night I decided to change the system just a bit. I am changing the 1-pip cushion on each side to 7 on the short side and 9 on the long side. I had already added about 2 and a half points to the long side because of the spread, against the advice of the author of this trading plan. Last night's trade would have been a break-even either way. I just noticed that so many of the trades were going down (or up) and just barely grabbing the entry and reversing. I don't know if that is because of a lot of people trading this method or if the author is just full of bullshit about the claim that this method works. It's all I've got right now, though. I'll practice trading this way for a month or so and see if it works. I'm obviously quite a ways off from being able to trade live. That's okay. It will be a couple months at least before I can add to my account. That trip set us back more that $500 at least. I'm not sure we'll be able to pay our mortgage on either property this month. We might take the money and file bankruptcy.
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