Article Contributed by Ray Haiber

Are you thinking of starting a retail business but have serious concerns about the potential high costs of getting started? Have you heard horror stories about the high monthly profit eating overhead expenses of operating a traditional retail business such as rent and employees? If you fit this description you might want to consider starting a proven kiosk business opportunity or franchise instead. Most kiosk opportunities today are designed to provide the average entrepreneur a very affordable and easy path to owning a retail type business without the high startup costs and monthly overhead expenses associated with opening and running a traditional “brick and mortar” retail business.

Below are some of the top advantages in my opinion of starting a kiosk business vs. opening a traditional retail store business:

Low Start Up Costs: With a turnkey kiosk business you will not have the high costs historically associated with building out a traditional brick & mortar retail space or store. And due to the compact nature and smaller operating space requirements of most kiosk machines leasing a space or location to place your unit is generally much more affordable.

Low Overhead: Most kiosk machine businesses are designed to be operated remotely just like traditional vending machine businesses so you will not have to hire a staff or employees which will significantly reduce your operating expenses. At most you will be required to restock your unit periodically the frequency of which will depend on the nature of the product you are offering for sale. Even if you are operating a mall based kiosk that does require staffing it usually can be owner operated or can have very few employees.

Quick Start-Up: Unlike traditional retail store businesses or franchises that can take weeks or sometimes many months to open, a turnkey kiosk business can generally be up and running very quickly in comparison. Many kiosk companies’ today use professional installers and technicians to ensure that their units are fully functional and ready to go when delivered to a location for installation. In fact your biggest investment of time may actually be finding and securing the best possible location for your first unit.

Easy Life Style Business: Starting and owning any type of small business these days is going to occasionally have its challenges. But in comparison to owning and operating a typical retail store owning a kiosk business will be much easier, less stressful, and ultimately will allow you more freedom due to the nature of the kiosk business model. In most cases kiosk businesses can be operated on a part-time or semi-absentee basis with the owner’s primary function being to restock the units periodically. In fact many kiosk machines today have software installed in them which allows the owner to remotely monitor inventory levels and even sales by product saving more time and increasing profits.

About Author:

Ray Haiber has 12 years’ experience as a professional small business broker and franchise consultant. You can go here to research top and affordable vending businesses for sale here. You can research top franchises for sale across the USA here. © 2012

Article Contributed by Steve Sutherland

As far as business models go it doesn’t get much better than a Laundromat. While there are some barriers to entry such as high start up costs there are also many advantages.

This industry has quite a low failure rate compared to other small business opportunities and the return on investment (ROI) is usually very good. A coin-operated laundry business also offers excellent lifestyle prospects for owner operators that don’t want their business to rob them of all their free time.

There are many ways to get into the Laundromat business and once you are in there are many directions to take. In this article I examine some of the possibilities and opportunities in this unique industry.

Start a New Laundromat

The first option is to start up a new Laundromat. Start up costs here are considerable as you will need to organize a commercial space and pay for renovations that will include a proper plumbing, sewerage and electrical set up. Compliance costs can run high, especially for sewerage hook-up fees which are often charged per machine. Washing machines, dryers and a boiler system for heating water are expensive as well.

You also have to keep in mind that your risk level with a new business will be high unless you have done some careful research.

Other difficulties that you will be facing will include limited cash flow in the early days of your business. It may take some time to establish a customer base and reach a profitable level of operations. Due to the uncertainty of a new project you could also have trouble getting the huge amount of funding that you need to get started

On the bright side, if you do get everything right and the business runs well your ROI will be impressive and you’ll be paying down your debt in no time. Your new set up should give you few headaches in the way of breakdowns and maintenance and you will be able to take your business in any direction that you like.

Buying a Profitable Laundromat

A much safer play for industry newcomers is to buy an existing Laundromat that is for sale. If you do your due diligence and pay a fair price for the business you should be able to walk straight into a profitable operation. This lower level of risk will make it easier to secure financing.

There are many other advantages too. You will be purchasing an existing brand, a customer base and relationships with employees and suppliers.

The downside is the lower ROI. The profit level of the business will be reflected in the sale price. Nobody just gives away a profitable business with an established clientele without asking for a considerable sum of money.

You could also be inheriting problems from the previous owner if you are not careful. The machines or layout may be out of date and need replacing or the store may be run down and in need of renovations.

A Small Chain of Coin Laundries

Many Laundromat entrepreneurs are absentee owners as they are not required to be on the premises. This makes it easy to scale up and become the owner of multiple stores. After all, once you know how to run one profitable store you should be able to easily replicate your success. According to the ‘Coin Laundry Association’ the average number of stores owned by each Laundromat business owner in the US is 2.5.

Some owner-operators divide their time up between three or four Laundromats throughout the day. Others hire attendants to do the dirty work and they can just stop by occasionally to check on things and collect the cash.

The Franchise Model

What about starting a ‘McLaundromat’? Surprisingly, the coin laundry industry has been quite fragmented up until the present time. There are only a few regional franchises and chains and there are no famous brands at the national level.

Depending on your area you may be able to start up under the umbrella of a franchise. You would benefit from getting access to a proven brand name, operating systems and marketing systems. However all of this typically comes with a high price tag which can drive your ROI fairly low.

If you spend time developing a business model and systems that work then you could look at franchising your own brand somewhere down the line.

Buying Distressed Laundromats

Once you feel that you have mastered the business you can look at buying run down Laundromats that are currently losing money for their owners. If you analyze each opportunity carefully and apply your knowledge you may find that some of these stores can be turned around with the right investment and a change of direction. The best thing is that you can pick up these kinds of Laundromats for next to nothing and in some cases the owner will thank you for taking the business off their hands.

Once you work your magic you can then look at adding these locations to your portfolio or you can flip them on as profitable businesses. A profitable Laundromat is fairly easy to sell and business brokers will be delighted to help you in the process of finding a buyer.

Additional Services

Once you are set up with your first Laundromat business you will have opportunities to increase your profits by fine-tuning your business operations.

This can be done by bringing in new business and there are many ways to do so. You can also maximize your Laundromats potential by adding premium services such as ‘wash and fold’, ironing or stain removal. Aside from washing powder and fabric softener you can sell other items such as drinks and snacks from vending machines on your shop floor.

Savvy Laundromat business owners also handle laundry accounts for other businesses such as hair salons and restaurants that need their towels and linens to be washed regularly. Commercial accounts like these can keep machines and attendants busy during times when your Laundromat is quiet.

There are also numerous opportunities to cut costs and run a more efficient operation. Savings in energy and water consumption can be quite dramatic if you have the right machines and systems in place.

Become a Consultant

Lastly, once you have become somewhat of an expert in the Laundromat game you could look at sharing your years of knowledge and experience with others. Industry newbies often require help from consultants to assess the value and prospects of Laundromats that are for sale. Consultants can advise newcomers on every aspect of starting a Laundromat and running it efficiently.

About the Author:

Steve Sutherland runs OpeningaLaundromat.com, a site dedicated to helping beginners buy a laundromat or start their own from scratch.

You just put the finishing touches on your kick-butt marketing plan that’s going to skyrocket your business. Hooray!

Only problem is that kick-butt marketing plan isn’t going to do a thing for your business unless you actually put it into action. And that, alas, is where most marketing plans end up — a really good idea that never got implemented.

So, how do you stop that from happening? Here are 3 steps to help you move from thinking to doing.

1. Figure out what you need to be doing versus what you can get someone else to do. Look, there’s no reason why YOU have to do all the implementation. Get some help! 

If you already have a team, fantastic! Now you just have to start delegating. If you don’t have a team or you don’t have the right person on your team to do a specific job (for instance, a technical person to fix your shopping cart) then you need to put finding that person to your to-do list. In the short term yes it does add to your workload, but in the long term it will save you a lot of time.

2. Block off time in your calendar to work on your plan. The only way these things are going to get done is if you actually take the time to work on them. So start by actually setting aside the time. 

You may be someone who works better in shorter, more frequent bursts of time (15 or 20 minutes every day) versus a longer time less frequently (2 hours or half a day once a week). Only you know what appeals to yourself more and I would suggest scheduling your time accordingly. (Look, it’s tough enough to get things done, you might as well make it easier for yourself by working with your natural tendencies than against them.)

3. Set yourself up for success. Just because you set the time aside doesn’t mean you’ll actually get anything done on your plan during that time. So you need to keep yourself focused and motivated and don’t allow yourself to get sidetracked. 

Now there’s no question that’s much easier said than done. So how do you do that? Here are a few tips to try:

• Remind yourself WHY you’re doing this. Is it so you’ll be able to take care of your family better? Is it because you want to sell a million copies of your book? Is it because you’re so tired of the way things are you’re ready for a change? Whatever it is, remind yourself of the bigger WHY before you sit down to work. That will keep your motivation up.
• Make it a special time just for you. Maybe light a candle, put on some favorite music or pour yourself a fave cup of tea. Or maybe you head out to a local Starbucks to hang out. Whatever it is, make it special — something you look forward to.
• Create a “squirrel” file. If you ever watched the movie “Up” there’s a talking dog in it that keeps getting distracted by squirrels. So he’ll be talking and in the middle he’ll shout “squirrel” and completely lose his train of thought.

As entrepreneurs, we are surrounded by squirrels. And there’s no better time for the squirrels to come and play then during this time we’ve set aside to implement our marketing plan. “Oh, I’ll get to my plan as soon as I get this email out…as soon as I return this phone call…as soon as I clean up my desk.”

You get the idea.

So the way to keep the squirrels away is to create a “squirrel” file (or call it something fun like squirrel nest). Any of those squirrels come running out, capture it and stick it in the file to work on “later.” If you want, you can even designate a time to work on all those squirrels.

But the most important thing to do is DECIDE you really ARE going to implement your plan. Once you do that, the rest will fall into place.

Article Contributed By Maureen Aylward of Zintro

The Wall Street Journal reports that small businesses in the US are still struggling in the worsening economy. The study says that small businesses are tweaking business plans, shifting marketing strategies, and making changes to clientele, products, and services. Zintro experts tell us what they think the tweaks small businesses are making to stay afloat.

Wayne Spivak, an expert in accounting information systems, says that a lot of small businesses are hesitant to make what they deem to be a bold move, because they don’t know what is happening and that volatility is driving everybody crazy. One issue that Spivak sees regularly in his consulting business is the need for a CFO. “Small businesses need a CFO, but they can’t afford someone five days a week,” he says. In addition, he says that sales teams are making more visits to potential clients because these clients may take longer to sign on. “I am seeing longer sales cycles, but in the end, small businesses may see more business from this extra attention.”

MJS, an entrepreneur and president of a company, says that medical device companies have been affected by the slow economy in a number of ways. “Non-critical procedures have been put off. Hospitals delay and minimize purchases and hold on to older, existing equipment thereby reducing demand and shipments of new products. This delays development of new technologies and reduces R&D and product development,” he says. “The federal government has raised questions about the regulatory approval process and certification, which has added to uncertainty and risk. This in turn reduces investment which would lead to new jobs and expansion in general.”

MJS points out that federal regulatory requirements, in recent years, have become more stringent, forcing new products to be tested and approved outside the US. In addition, he says that reimbursement or payments by Medicare and other payers have been reduced as financial pressures are squeezing clinicians and their facilities, reducing revenues and purchases of products. “Companies have been reducing work force and delaying new projects as demand for new products has diminished,” he says. “Only companies and a select few investors who have money reserves, vision, and expectations of the economy turning around in the next couple of years are continuing new product development.”

Jerome Williams, a small business development expert, says that in Miami-Dade County, Florida, small businesses are taking classes on financial management and are learning about marketing through social media outlets. “While many social media sites provide marketing tips and tools and provide some level of marketing and online networking for free or at minimal cost, some small business owners have reported that the process of generating valuable leads through this process is time-consuming. Many of the older small business owners do not have the technical skills or knowledge to post blogs or utilize social media,” he says.

SeanJC, an IT strategist, says that the tweaks small companies are doing to stay afloat are by making better use of the Internet and all its forms. “Most small businesses already have e-commerce offerings on websites and are now utilizing other online avenues to increase costs and boost profits, including using cloud-based services, out-sourcing, and increasing social networking and communication activities. I am finding that more advertising budgets are now spent on social media services than ever before.”

Tony Rodriguez, an expert in consumer goods and media in the San Diego area, says that some CEOs mistake their goals or vision for strategy and fail to tackle the more vital chore of identifying the key challenge and developing specific strategies to over come it. “Successful strategy execution is based on root cause identification and insightful solutions with specific action plans,” he says.

Danish Khan, a strategy and organizational development expert, points out that the tactics a small business might adapt will vary depending on the background and experience of the owner, many of whom are self-made entrepreneurs. “Small businesses often do not have too many processes, protocols, and tiers between the owner and the customer; therefore, any tactical moves yield results right away. In fact, any change, good or bad, will happen through the eyes of the owner,” says Khan.

Khan identified several shifts that small businesses are making:

• If a business owner has sufficient liquidity, he or she is buying the property the business is on to avoid the rent expense and write it off on accounting books.
• Owners are cutting back on headcounts by replacing staff with technological applications and solutions even in supply chain management with respective suppliers.
• Small businesses are focusing extra attention on high yield clients that can yield 80 percent of the revenue.
• Small businesses are reducing overhead costs by purchasing smartly, and that means they are no longer spending money on storing inventory.
• Small business owners are diversifying their operations being in several locations that focus on multiple ethnic groups and demographics; therefore, they churn inventory between locations.
• Owners are focusing on building a relationship of complementary products and supplementary products to manage operations smartly.

Richard Owen, a management consultant, says that small businesses do not usually have the luxury of reducing their overhead in comparison to larger competitors. “The alternative is to add value. Small businesses can do this by hiring experienced professionals that have been laid off. This allows the company to provide a much higher level of care and value to existing and probably even new clientele,” he says. “The small organization that can tap this labor market with mutually agreeable terms will soon become a ‘go to’ employer for ever increasing talent. Combine this strategy with direct marketing about how these new hires are helping clients and how the company is working with the new professionals and a company can have an expanding business in a down economy.”

Gary Shelton, a small business development expert, says that business plans should be updated annually. This forces the small business owner to take a serious look at where they are and where they are headed. “Changes in the economy strongly encourage small business owners to seek change within their own companies,” says Shelton. “Current trends show that small businesses are re-inventing themselves to be more user friendly. Areas of interest that have gained strength are federal certifications.”

Shelton says that small business owners are looking for ways to expand into the federal marketplace. “This is an opportunity for success. It is a known fact that the federal government is required to do a percentage of work with small businesses annually. In most cases the government does not reach its goal. If a small business will take the time to register with the commercial contractor’s registration (www.ccr.gov) and research federal business opportunities (www.fbo.gov), it may be more than likely they will find a fit for the business.”

MJ Plebon, a marketing consultant, says that small businesses realize that their customers are changing habits and as a result, small business must tweak their marketing strategies. “Customers are no longer using the yellow pages or local newspapers. They are going online to search for local products and services and demanding this information on-the-go with smart phones,” he says.

Many small businesses have invested in a website; however, a smart business owner realizes that a website is not enough, and a company now needs to market its message online in different formats, such as in blogs, articles, videos, classified ads, Facebook fan pages, directory listings, and LinkedIn company pages, suggests Plebon. “Business owners are realizing that the Internet is different from the more traditional forms of marketing such as newspapers, Yellow Pages, radio, or TV. It needs a laser target for the message to reach a well defined customer profile that has a specific problem that the business owner can solve,” says Plebon. “Mass advertising doesn’t work with online marketing.“

About the Author
Zintro connects Clients (expert-seekers) with subject-matter Experts for consulting engagements (ranging from one half hour phone consults to multi-month on-site engagements).

There’s no better time to take stock of your business than the time between the end of one year and the beginning of the next. It’s “out with the old, in with the new” and that includes out with anything that isn’t serving you or your business at the highest level, and in with what you want your business to look like.

To help you get on track for the fresh New Year and all it’s possibilities, I thought I’d share 3 simple steps to get you and your business started on the right foot.

1. Start by cleaning out the old year. Are you surrounded by stacks of papers or old files? Now is the time to clean those up and make room for all the new business and opportunities that are bound to come your way (unless there’s no room for them).

What about old products or programs? Is everything you’re offering in your business still a good fit? Or maybe there’s something you’ve outgrown or doesn’t work with your brand anymore?

And don’t forget to look at your mindset or your habits. What are you still not doing you know you should be? What habits or blocks are you finally ready to ditch for good?

Get it all out there. Write everything down you want to throw out with the old year. Then you may want to destroy it — burn the paper or shred it. Remember, this is all about clearing away what you don’t want or don’t need anymore.

2. Be grateful for what you HAVE accomplished. Now that you’ve gotten rid of the old and worn out, don’t forget to take a moment and write down everything you’ve accomplished last year. What are you grateful for? What are you most proud of? It’s time to celebrate your accomplishments — take the time to do this. (If you’re anything like me, this is the first thing to go. It’s difficult for me to celebrate anything, I’m constantly looking at all the things I WANTED to do and didn’t.)

3. Now, get set up for the New Year. Some of the things I do include getting my new calendar in place and writing down my goals in it. Then I put together a marketing and promotional plan for the year so I can reach those goals.

You also may want to take some time to lay out a plan for getting rid of those blocks. Is there a program you need to buy? A coach you need to hire? Or maybe there’s something you need to implement. (Ditto for the changing those habits — what do you need to do to ditch those old habits that no longer serve you for good?)

Now, when you set up a plan, make sure you do what many people do when training their dogs — set yourself up for success. Create the plan with your success in mind. Don’t make it so overwhelming or paint yourself in a corner so there’s no way for you to succeed. Push yourself but be realistic too. There’s no shame in taking small steps toward your goal — the only shame is making yourself feel bad because you didn’t give yourself a realistic plan to meet your goals.

And, whatever you do, don’t forget to celebrate! You deserve it.

Article Contributed by Amanda Tradwick

Home-based daycare operations present an excellent business opportunity for parents who wish to stay at home with their own children or for any entrepreneur who loves working with kids. It offers the potential to create independent income or a growing small business and it can be started with low capital. If you think starting a home-based daycare might be the right work-from-home idea for you, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Licensing Requirements

Caring for children is a serious responsibility and there are many laws governing professional child care, even for home-based providers. Laws vary by state so be sure to fully research what licensing you will need to start your daycare. Often, this will include a background check and a home inspection. In addition, you will need to make sure that your home meets zoning requirements for operating a home business. Speak with your local Small Business Administration or city office if you need help determining the requirements.

Certification

Some states may require you to become certified as a caregiver or in certain safety procedures. But even if law does not require it, you should consider pursuing these certifications to make parents more comfortable trusting you with the safety and well-being of their children and to make yourself more marketable in a crowded market. Consider becoming certified in basics such as CPR, first-aid care and infant care, then continue to look for ongoing training opportunities.

Insurance

Again, some states will require that you have a certain type of insurance to operate a home-based daycare, but even if law does not require it, you should carefully consider it. You may be liable if children become sick or injured while under your care; and insurance can protect you in case of such incidents. Having the right insurance will also show potential clients that you are a professional who cares about the welfare of their children and will assure them that their children are safe in your care.

Start-Up Costs

Opening a home-based daycare requires few start-up costs. You can open with as little as a few hundred dollars or can spend thousands, depending on the kind of amenities you want to offer and what modifications are required for your home. Basic needs will include toys, child safety equipment such as gates and outlet covers and basic feeding and sleep equipment. More extensive costs can cover: creating a dedicated play space, technology for learning and entertainment
activities, remodeling costs to your home for creating dedicated spaces and much more.

Services

After you have prepared your home and taken care of all your licensing and certification requirements, you can begin to define the services you will offer. What age groups will you accept? Will you provide full-time or part-time care? What will be your hours of operation? These are broader operating questions that you need to answer first, then you should create a more specific day-to-day operating scenario, including what types of activities will be offered, when snacks will be served, and how nap schedules will be accommodated.

Advertising

The final step in getting your home-based daycare started is to advertise your services and find clients. Start with your own circles, including friends, play groups, church members, former co-workers, and so on. Create a Web site for your business, join social-networking sites and consider starting a blog (parents will love being able to check in on their children this way, as well). Buy advertising in your local newspaper or family oriented trade publications.
Starting a home-based daycare business is a great opportunity for stay-at-home parents. The low start-up costs and minimal preparations (no need to hire staff, buy inventory, or create company manuals) make this home-based business more accessible to many, as well.

About the Author:
Amanda Tradwick is a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a bachelor’s degrees from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on student grants in alaska and student grants in colorado.

I’m about to make your life so much easier.

Putting up a money-making website can be as simple as 1, 2, 3 — just as long as you have these 3 crucial elements in place.

(And, if you don’t have a website, I’m going to share just how easy it can be to get one up TOMORROW. Yes, it really can be that simple — so no more excuses about “I need to get my website finished before I can do X,Y,Z.”)

Let’s get started.

1. Have a place for people to opt-in and download a special free gift from you. This can be as simple as a box located at the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Why do you want to do this? Because having a list of prospects you can build a relationship with is crucial to your business success. People buy from people they know, like and trust. A website, no matter how extensive, is only going to take you so far. Relationships are built over time and through communication — which is why publishing a regular ezine can be such a great marketing tool.

Now, I want to point something else out — notice how I said “a special free gift” I did NOT say that opt-in box should say “subscribe to my ezine.” No one wants more email — what they DO want is solutions to their problems. If you give them trusted solutions to their problems, they WILL take the time to read your emails.

2. Post a photo of yourself. People want to do business with people. They want to build relationships with people. Why do you think major corporations pay big bucks for spokespeople? Sure part of it is benefiting from the spokesperson’s credibility, but part of it is also putting a face on an otherwise “nameless, faceless” corporation.

Folks, this is where YOU have the upper hand from the corporations. You really CAN reach out and build relationships personally with your ideal clients. So proudly post your photo — you’re a real person, let your ideal clients see you’re a real person.

Now, I’d prefer a professionally shot photo if at all possible. And I would also prefer for all you ladies to get your hair and makeup done (yes, it’s worth it). It really does make a difference to your professional image. However, if you’re going to use that as a reason to not get your site up, then put up the best photo that you have RIGHT NOW.

What if your goal is to build a big business where people would be working with your team or your employees? Should you still put up a photo? Well, that depends on where you’re at in your business development. If you’re just starting out, it is easier to build momentum and get the ball rolling if you put yourself out there. If you’re already established, you probably still do (because, remember, people do want to do business with people) but there will probably be other changes you’ll need to make to your site so it’s clear there’s a team involved and not just you.

Bonus tip — you could use a video instead of a photo. Video is a great way to increase your conversions (i.e. turning prospects into paying customers or encouraging your visitors to give you their email address) but again — if you’re going to use video has an excuse to not more forward, then just get a photo up.

3. Make it VERY clear what the next step should be if they want to move forward working with you. Now, I’m a big believer in getting the opt-in, so if you look on my home page you’ll see I do encourage people to move forward by getting my free gifts. But I also give them very clear instructions on what they should do if they want to move forward as a paying customer.

Now, how do you get started if you don’t have a website? Just put up one page that has your photo, a description of your free gift and a place for people to give you their name and email address. (This is also known as a squeeze page).

That’s it. Yes it really CAN be that simple to get started.

Forget using it just as a business tool. It’s everywhere. You can’t get away from it. (And we’re not even talking about, ahem, inappropriate uses of it such as sending nasty pictures of yourself over Twitter when you really ought to know better)

Anyway, I digress. The point is social networking is so prolific and so everywhere that websites and blogs are starting to look like something your grandpa used to market himself. After all, now you have gurus proclaiming Facebook fan pages are the absolute MUST HAVE little black dress and you are seriously behind the times without one. (Here’s an example of a fan page if you want to check it out: http://www.facebook.com/michelepwkaching — feel free to “like” it once you’re there too. J )

So are websites and blogs even worth it? Should we just throw all our chips in the social networking pile and not spend any more time or money on websites or blogs? And what if you don’t have a website yet — should you even bother?

Okay. Let’s all take a deep breath here. Feel better? Good — now let’s look at the facts.

Social networking is still in its infancy.  I know, I know. It feels like it’s a rebellious teenager. But honestly — this is still very, very new. It’s really only seriously caught on in the past few years. And let’s look at what happened during those few years:

* MySpace was THE place to be if you were an entrepreneur (Does anyone else even remember MySpace? Anyone?) Facebook was this weird, red-headed stepchild. In fact, when I first opened an account, when you sent out a friend request, you had to indicate how you knew the person and one of the options was (I kid you not) “hooked up.” Yeah. I think there was only one option, something like “know from a group or an association” that was safe for business purposes. Linked In was basically for “corporate only” or if you were looking for an actual job (I had an account and I really had no clue what to do with it.) Twitter was still being programmed in someone’s basement.

To put this into perspective — this was 4 years ago.

* Then came the huge “MySpace migration into Facebook” revolution. Everyone was on Facebook. MySpace was SO last year.

* Then Twitter exploded onto the scene. EVERYONE was on Twitter. And a bunch of other social networking platforms suddenly popped up out of nowhere — plurek, plaxo, etc. Suddenly there were HUNDREDS. Yee gads.

Fast forward to today. Twitter is declining in popularity as a tool to grow your business. (Although it remains tops on the list as the best tool to embarrass yourself.) Facebook is back on top. Linked In has rediscovered a new surge of popularity — thanks to never getting away from its roots (keeping it a more formal platform, which serves its core customers) but still adding new bells and whistles (like groups). Many of those other social networking platforms have fallen by the wayside.

And what will the future look like? Who knows? I certainly don’t. For all I know, Facebook fan pages could be as popular as yesterday’s newspaper — heck, Facebook could be as popular as yesterday’s newspaper. MySpace could be back on top and something called “Yowzer” could be the hottest thing.

Which is why those old-fashioned websites and blogs still have a place in your marketing.

You see, you control your websites and blogs. You’re not subject to whims of playing in “someone else’s sandbox.” You don’t have to worry if the rules change, if Twitter decides it doesn’t like your picture and shuts your profile down or whatever. You have your own online real estate that you can do what you want to with it.

So the question is — do you want to have control over your business, your message, your visibility? Do you want to have a hub for your online activities — your “online home” to invite your ideal clients to if they want to learn more about what you do?

Or not?

Here’s the sneaky thing about mental blocks — they usually make their presence known through sabotage (your business, your relationships, your life, etc.) rather than let you know through more civilized means.

Wouldn’t it be so much nicer if they simply tapped you on the shoulder and said “hey — this is an issue for you, maybe you should take care of it?”

Alas, they prefer to communicate with you by wreaking havoc in your business and your life.

And, when it comes to your business, one of their favorite ways of messing with you is through marketing.

So, how do you know if this is something you’re doing? Below are the 3 Danger Signs:

1. You know what you should be doing to market your business (for instance, getting an ezine out on a regular basis). But somehow it NEVER gets done. Or it gets done very sporadically — like once every 6 months. You say things like “I really need to get this done” and you never do.

Now this could mean one of two things — it could mean this is the wrong marketing strategy for you, your business, your ideal clients, etc. Or it could be a form a self-sabotage, where you find you just “never” have the time to get those things done that will grow your business.

How do you know the difference? Look for a pattern. Do you find yourself often starting a marketing tactic only to abandon it? Or is it just THIS particular one?

Obviously if it’s a pattern, then you’re definitely dealing with a mindset block. If it’s an isolated occurrence then there could be something else going on.

2. You’re always looking for the silver bullet. You constantly are trying, and abandoning, new marketing strategies. Maybe you are constantly buying the newest “blueprint” or “formula.” Or maybe you’re one of those who ask every marketing person in a ten-foot radius what you should be doing, and then you change your entire marketing strategy based on that person’s advice. (Of course, the moment it looks like it’s not working or you meet a bright shinny new marketing person, you switch strategies again.)

Look I know how tough it is out there. And it’s especially scary when even though you’re doing everything you can to market your business and you follow every single step, you still don’t see results (or at least not the results you’re looking for).

But the problem is if you keep switching marketing strategies you’re never going to gain any momentum. And momentum is a BIG part of getting results.

(Note — another way this Deadly Sign manifests itself is if you’re constantly switching your branding or what you stand for. If you find you need to keep reinventing yourself you definitely have a block somewhere.)

3. You give up on your marketing. This looks like not finishing a marketing campaign, not sending out enough emails to do a launch correctly, racing through a launch, or just throwing in the towel.

Look, part of growing a business means you have ups and downs. Some marketing campaigns are more successful than you anticipate and some are less. Some are utter failures. Some are out-of-the-park home runs.

That’s the way it is.

If you let a failure or two derail you, you’re never going to make it in business. And, if you allow your failures or perceived failures keep you from finishing a marketing campaign, that’s a problem. (Especially since you could be pleasantly surprised by sending out “one more email.”)

So what should you do if you find yourself plagued by any of these self-sabotage marketing mistakes?

Realize what the problem is. A block. And get help with it.

Now, this isn’t to say you don’t need help with your marketing. You may very well need to hire someone to help you put together and implement a strategy. But, unless you’re willing to be committed to that strategy, see it through and not be changing direction the moment something happens, it won’t help you grow your business.

However, I can only do so much.

I can tell you what the truth is. And you may even believe it. (In your head that is.)

But then, come the darkest part of the night, you’ll wake up in a sweat. And you’ll be thinking: “What if Michele is wrong? What if the reason why I’m having so much trouble succeeding on the Internet really IS all about me?”

During the day it’s easy to be rational. We understand in our heads that some marketing strategies will succeed, some will fail, and the best way to grow a successful business is to analyze why the failures failed and use that information to create more successes.

But in the dead of night, all of those good, objective intentions can fly away, leaving us alone with our doubts, fears, frustrations and anxiety.

So what IS it about these Big Fat Internet Marketing Lies that can wreak such havoc in our mental and emotional health?

This is what I believe — marketing pushes entrepreneurs’ hot buttons more than anything else out there.

Think about it. What other activity do you do for your business that is knotted up with all these MAJOR fears and blocks you’re dragging around right now? Marketing DIRECTLY relates to:

• Fear of success
• Fear of failure
• Fear of visibility (including being seen, becoming famous, etc.)
• Any blocks you have around making money
• Any issues you have around the value you offer to your clients or the world
• And more

The problem is, if you want to make enough money in your business to actually live on (much less get rich with your business) you’re going to have to make marketing a priority. But if you have any of these blocks or fears rattling around in your head, more likely than not you’re going to self-sabotage your marketing strategies.

(Or find yourself waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat with these Big Fat Internet Marketing Lies swirling around in your head.)

Worse, these blocks can also suddenly appear when you start reaching for another level in your business. (It’s like that darn onion — peel away one layer and another one appears.)

So what do you do? Well, first off, knowing there’s a connection between marketing and blocks/fears is a good first step. Now, if you see any sort of sabotage (or find yourself waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat) this is what’s happening.

And the second thing to do is get help.

Because even though I can tell you the truth, I can’t make you believe it. Only you can do that.