Archive for the ‘Rants’ Category

I get really tired of reading articles and watching videos telling people to “take baby steps” in order to succeed.

Really? Baby steps?

Baby steps are exactly that. When babies learn to walk, they hold on to the edge of the chair, hold your hand… and even with help, it still takes them 20 times longer to cross the room than anyone else. And they fall down alot. Even cry, and give up sometimes.

Is that how you want to run your business?

It’s not enough to just take action… although that’s a start. You need to have a plan, sit down and focus, and WORK HARD.

Now, don’t get me wrong.

I LOVE action plans. What I don’t like is having 90 page “step-by-step” guides that take longer to read than to apply, and then tell me I’m done until tomorrow.

If you are really going to succeed, you need to make the commitment to take what you are doing seriously. You need to be willing to sacrifice your free time – miss your favorite show, pass on a party… if necessary, give up a luxury or two… and you need to follow through on your plan of attack.

Don’t have one? No problem.

Keep an eye on this blog over the next couple of weeks and I’ll give you exactly what you need.

Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.

And after my last post on this subject along with attorney Mike Young’s post, I’m astonished to see Ian del Carmen continuing to place YOUR business at risk!

(Go ahead and read the last post - make sure to read the comments. I’ll wait. )

All done? Great.

Now, let’s take a look at those pesky legalities associated with this kind of  franchise scam:

• The “biz flop” is being sold in “territories” (in the United States among other places). However, potential “partners” are NOT furnished with Uniform Franchise Offering Circulars (UFOCs) as required by federal and some state laws.
• There does not appear to be any attempt to qualify to do business in each state where franchises are being sold.
• Utilizing the term “partner” in the sales pitch suggests that equity may be sold as part of the deal. If so, there appears to be no effort to comply with U.S. federal and state securities laws.

How Does This Put YOU At Risk?

In the words of legendary marketer Tony Blake:

“In the United States using the words Franchise and “territory” are extremely legally problematic… they are seen one in the same… in order to sell a franchise or territories you need to register your opportunity with each independent state, post a sizeable bond and make available approved prospectus’s… plus that this opportunity is well over $499 you will also have to register it in 43 states as a business offer and post another large bond…

In other words, what you are selling in the US is highly illegal and actionable not only by the FTC but by each states individual Attorney General’s…”

Don’t Let YOUR Business Explode
Into A “Fireball”!

If you’ve been duped into buying an illegal franchise or “partnership” with “territories” in the United States, here’s what to do:

1. Demand a full refund.

2. Contact the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

3. Contact your state’s Attorney General’s office.

If you reside outside the United States, consult with your attorney about similar laws in your own country and TAKE ACTION to make sure sites like this are penalized.

I just received an email from a friend who deleted their Facebook account because they were unhappy with the way Facebook may use their personal information.

I completely disagree with this course of action – especially in business.

Instead, simply ASSUME that any information you put online (and not just on Facebook, but ANYWHERE) will find it’s way into hands you never intended.

Use common sense.

If you wouldn’t want your mother, your boss, a prospective employer, a client or your spouse to see it, don’t post it. (ie. embarrassing pictures, vulgar language, personal relationship information, etc.)

If you wouldn’t hand the information over to a stranger, don’t post it. (ie. phone number, address, social insurance number, banking info, passwords, etc.)

The annoying apps and invitations can easily be “hidden” from your feed.

If you are using Facebook primarily for personal use, then restrict access to those who are in your personal circle. Don’t accept friend requests unless you actually know the person.

If you are using Facebook for business, then simply be diligent about pruning your friend requests, “liking” pages and use the network to enhance your communications with people. Keep only public information on Facebook, never private.

ASSUME your information will be made public and act accordingly.

I am often confounded by people who become outraged when they learn the internet isn’t “secure”. And generally the reaction to this outrage is extreme – like deleting a valuable resource like your Facebook account. Cutting off your nose to spite your face isn’t usually the most prudent solution… instead, simply opt for caution in all of your online dealings.

What do YOU think?

I am tired of excuses from people.

Maybe I’m just hormonal today, but this really irks me.

I get asked this question alot.

And YES, home-based businesses are reliable… as reliable as YOU are.

And YES, you can create an online business with zero money (other than your computer and internet connection). Any tools you may require can be found for free online.

No, you don’t have to “work harder than you would at your office”. What would be the point??

Will it take work? Yup.

If you are looking for a magic button, there isn’t one.

If you need to create enough cash to live on, then you need to be prepared to spend a few hours daily on the task. Choose your business niche, decide on a plan, and TAKE ACTION.

The only thing that can stop you from making money is YOU.

Don’t spend weeks “researching”.

Don’t get bogged down in information overload.

Choose a plan that sounds logical and does not promise the moon from respected industry leaders (Google them to see what others think of them) and work the plan.

It really is that simple.

I was reading a rant by another blogger who was annoyed by those who were copying his content into their websites without giving him the proper accreditation. He was looking for a solution to his problem, something different than Copyscape… and boy, did he find it!

There’s a great new FREE tool called Tynt Tracer (currently in expanded beta) that covertly tracks those who copy even just a little of your content… and adds YOUR link to the copied material!

Seriously… This Is The Coolest Thing!!

Check out this short demo video:

Let me know if you find this as awesome as I do!

A few days ago, Tony Blake and I were discussing a new product launch from Ian Del Carmen. He pointed out several disturbing things about this “opportunity”, and as a result of our conversation, he contacted our favourite, brilliant attorney Mike Young.

Mike Young is a no-nonsense expert in legal business matters, and he regularly “tells it like it is” as a valued expert moderator at ABlakeForum.com.

Mike knows his stuff… and he posted an extremely informative article on his blog.

Here’s a link:

Worldwide Internet Consulting: Franchise Scam

Do your subscribers a favour… let them know that it IS POSSIBLE to make a healthy income online without resorting to tactics like this.

Let me know what you think!