Here in London, UK we’re in our second lockdown. All over the world, the pandemic doesn’t seem to show signs of deceleration, some countries have been in lockdown since April this year.
It’s definitely hit a lot of businesses esp. SME’s (small and medium sized businesses) hard. I was speaking with the owner of my local pub, and was sad to hear he was closing down and not opening for the foreseeable future. The landscape has definitely changed for a lot of people because of Covid.
Apparently an estimated 76,300 SME’s have shut permanently in the UK since the lockdowns.
I imagine, a lot of these businesses were physical ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses, it’s hard to pivot, adjust and be agile when you’re tied to a physical location.
According to research provided by small business insurers ‘Simply Business’ around 15% of London’s small to medium sized business owners plan to start a new business, once the crisis is over.
More than a fifth of SME owners have said they are actually “optimistic” about their business chances after the lockdown. Not surprising as entrepreneurs tend to be positive people : )
If I could offer advice to anyone who’s lost their business or their job during this pandemic, and is looking to re-start and re-build themselves again?…
I would say, embrace the potential and opportunities of the internet, by learning how to leverage it to create a business that’s agile, flexible, adaptable, robust and recession-proof in any economic climate. NOW is the time, in fact, there’s never been a better time to start learning and applying this.
Education and knowledge is something no one can ever take away from you once you have it, I encourage you to look into using the internet and learning how to use it, to create your kind of freedom and to be economically resilient even in the face of something as serious as a global pandemic.
Speak soon,
Mark
I’m on a mission to help people leverage the power of the internet, so they can create the freedom to do the things they love in life.
Access the same free video training series I learned from, and you’ll learn how to…
⏺Start and grow online an online business and income streams based around your interests
⏺Set up automated systems to create the freedom to work anywhere & anytime
⏺Generate ‘passive income’, even when you’re not working
⏺Use a proven formula with the potential to bring in 6-figures a year, using a simple but vital ingredient
Harvard did an interesting business study on people who graduated from their MBA programme. They found that 3% of graduates who had their goals written down, earned ten times as much as the other 97% put together.
Coincidence? Maybe.
But what if science backs it up? Lots of independent studies have shown that people cognitively learn faster by constant repetition.
The same principle that applies when you’re studying for a test, learning how to drive, or learning a new language.
When we continuously immerse our body and mind into something and reinforce it by repetition, humans seem to be capable of outstanding things.
So IF there’s something in it, and if all it cost to possibly improve your life by 10x, is a pen and paper to write your dreams down. Why not do it?
It doesn’t have to be on a piece of paper either, be creative with it,
Build a vision board and hang it on your wall
Use coloured post it notes and leave them in places you’ll always look
Set up a screensaver on your phone and computer
Use a free app like Google calendar and Google reminders
You can literally ‘build’ your dreams and keep them in front of you, so they’re visible to you always, allowing you to live them now, before they even happen.
Let them serve as inspiration and motivation, and also like ‘magnets’ pulling you towards their eventual manifestation by combining them with positive action and belief.
Have fun! : )
Speak soon,
Mark
I’m on a mission to inspire and teach people how to leverage the power of the internet, so they can create the freedom to do the things they really love in life.
Access my FREE 3-part video training series, and you’ll learn how to…
⏺Start and grow online income streams, even if you have little or no IT or marketing skills.
⏺Set up automated systems to create the freedom to work anywhere & anytime
⏺Generate ‘passive income’ that continuously pays, even when you’re not working
⏺Use a simple formula with the potential to bring in 6-figures a year, within 12 months
It doesn’t take an expert to see the global economy has shifted dramatically and traditional business models are shifting too.
Physical ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses are struggling and many have gone under because people are at home consuming more things online than ever before.
It’s just the reality.
So, is it possible to build a successful business even with all that’s happening in the world right now?…
Definitely. If your business is online.
Think about it…
Online entrepreneurs don’t need physical stores, they’re not tied down to any physical location, they don’t require staff or employees and they have no limitations on the markets they can sell to.
Here’s some more food for thought… over 2.5 Trillion per year is currently being spent in retail purchases online which means people, lots of people….are online and buying things all the time.
Everything from small items like books, phones, cameras, to digital products like online training and self-development courses all the way up to larger goods like furniture, cars and even luxury homes.
Yes, you can even buy a whole house online now!
There’s a real opportunity here and there’s never been a better time to leverage the digital economy by learning how to build an online business than right now.
Mark
I’m on a mission to help people learn how to leverage the internet, so they can be free to do the things they really love in life.
Access the same FREE video training series I learned from, and you’ll learn how to…
⏺Start and grow online an online business and income streams, completely from scratch
⏺Set up automated systems to create the freedom to work anywhere & anytime
⏺Generate ‘passive income’, even when you’re not working
⏺Use a proven formula with the potential to bring in 6-figures a year, using a simple but vital ingredient
If you’ve started reading this, it’s probably because you’ve got an interest (or curiosity) in starting an online business or maybe you’re looking for legitimate ways to make money online.
So what is affiliate marketing? And who is it good for?
Affiliate marketing is in my opinion, a great option for new entrepreneurs and seasoned pros alike, but it’s an especially good start for people who are beginners because of its simplicity.
How does it work?
Affiliate marketing is about recommending products and services you like, you’re passionate about and believe in, to others who might benefit from them too.
What happens is that you get paid each time someone makes a purchase of the product or service you’ve recommended.
So, why is it good for beginners?
For a start, coming up with your own range of products and services can be a challenging, time-consuming, costly and ENORMOUS undertaking.
Affiliate marketing allows you to leverage products that already exist and are already successful in the market.
Since the production and fulfilment are handled by the manufacturer, you personally don’t have to worry about customer service and you also don’t have to stock or deliver the products yourself.
All you have to do, is promote it.
Here are7 Reasons why, in my opinion, affiliate marketing is the greatest way to start for any aspiring entrepreneur…
1. Low start-up costs
You can get started with little budget, some affiliate programmes are even free of charge. Credible sites like Amazon offer free affiliate memberships called “associate programmes” where you can earn commissions by endorsing the products and services you’ve used.
As an example and comparison, if you were to buy into a physical franchise business, you’d easily be looking at tens of thousands in capital investment – not to mention, if it folds, you’re also liable for the losses.
Running an online business in comparison to purchasing a physical business is a MUCH less costly investment with low to almost zero funding and risk.
2. You only promote quality products you believe in
Companies with affiliate programmes usually go through a rigorous beta-testing phase and hone their product through trial-and-error at their own expense to make sure they’re of a high standard.
The hard work has been done and the best buying market for the product has been identified. All you have to do now is promote it.
Of course, having said that, it would be wise to do your homework and check out the reputation of the company you’re marketing for. And it does help if you personally believe in the products and services you’re endorsing.
3. You can do it on your own – anywhere
You can join an affiliate marketing programme and run it anywhere on your laptop or mobile device. There’s no need to hire staff or rent an office to get started. This means you’re also geographically free to run your business wherever you choose: your living room, an internet cafe or on the beach (as long there’s wifi! :)).
You can run an affiliate marketing business anywhere with a laptop or mobile device.
4. You don’t need to be an expert at online marketing
Do you know how to shop online? because that’s pretty much the basic principle you need to get started.
If you know your way around a computer, have decent internet access, together with some basic online awareness, you’re already equipped to start the ball rolling.
5. A ‘side project’ that could become something more
This is something you can do alongside your current job. And because the business is online, most of the work can be “automated”, which means you can leave your business to run while you get on with other things (work, meetings, gym, family etc).
When you start to experience successes with your affiliate business and find that your income matches, or even surpasses your current income, is the time you could consider focusing on it full time to work on growing it even more.
6. Global Audience= Global Customers
The internet enables you to target local and global audiences in a way that is unprecedented. Any individual in the world who needs the product you’re promoting is a potential customer you can reach within seconds.
In terms of reaching an audience the world is your market.
7. You can become profitable much quicker than a traditional business
People who start with a traditional “bricks and mortar” business, often take years of hard work to gain momentum and may also involve serious (financial) risks.
It’s hardly surprising that many new business owners and entrepreneurs give up or go bust; approximately 91% of new businesses fail within 5 years of starting.
The time to profitability with affiliate marketing tends to be shorter than traditional businesses because there’s no “start-up” collateral or products to develop.
Your overheads will also be much lower because you won’t need premises or staff.
Tip: When assessing an affiliate programme, look for a culture of (ongoing) support.
Check if the affiliate programme provides training and support for its members. If they do? that’s even better. The ones that look after their members with a long-term vision are usually the ones that do very well.
A culture of community support and a network of expertise you can tap into, combined with high-quality products for you to promote, will increase your ability to grow your business quicker and achieve profitability sooner.
The world and how we do business is changing.
Affiliate marketing is changing the way people do business.
According to Forbes, around 52% of new businesses are now home-based.
Many first-time self-made millionaires and multi-millionaires over the last five years have used affiliate marketing as a part of their strategy for wealth creation.
So, how do you get started?
The affiliate market has many diverse “niches” to choose from. The key is to get involved with a service or product you’re genuinely passionate about.
Shop around and do a bit of research. Focus on the industries and the topics you have an interest in, or even better, passionate about.
Are you into Health and Fitness? This industry is now estimated at $4.2 Trillion. This is a massive market with people constantly searching for high quality products, training and coaching.
Is Personal Development your thing? The positive thinking and self-development market is estimated at around $11 Billion – filled with people constantly purchasing products to help improve and enhance their well-being.
The opportunities are out there. You just need to tap into the niche that aligns with what you’re interested in.
Go through a respected site like ‘Clickbank’. That should help acquaint you with the affiliate options available on the market and also who’s offering affiliate marketing opportunities for your particular “niche”.
Best business strategy: Be genuine.
You don’t have to buy everything you promote, but trying the product or at least researching the results it’s given others before giving your opinion and endorsement gives you credibility.
It will also make you more believable – people tend to know when someone is genuinely passionate. Having personally tried something you’re recommending will help make you come across as more authentic and convincing.
However, there’s nothing wrong in promoting a product you haven’t personally tried, as long as you’re honest about it.
My advice, in that case, would be full transparency by making it clear your recommendation is based on your “opinion” of the product. Maybe share some positive testimonials & results provided by others to add credibility to your opinion.
Remember you’re not only promoting a product, but you’re also building a reputation for yourself as well.
If done right, affiliate marketing can be an exciting, personally rewarding, fulfilling, fun and highly profitable business – based on simply promoting products and services you like, you’re passionate about and you believe in.
Mark
I’m on a mission to help people leverage the power of the internet, so they can create the freedom to do the things they love in life.
Access the same free video training I learned from, and you’ll learn how to…
⏺Start and grow online an online business and income streams around your interests, completely from scratch
⏺Set up automated systems to create the freedom to work anywhere & anytime
⏺Generate ‘passive income’, even when you’re not working
⏺Use a proven formula with the potential to bring in 6-figures a year, using a simple but vital ingredient
I have a fun challenge for you. I’d like you to step into your own shoes one year from now, and spend some time living as if you’re already that person.
Live as if you’re the person in your future who’s…
➡️Physically fitter and in the best shape & health you’ve ever been
➡️Started an exciting new venture
➡️Running an amazingly successful business
➡️Is in a strong and loving relationship…
➡️Earning the kind of money you dream of
or whatever is on your list.
It’s your list! 😉
And as you’re embodying and living as your future self, take a moment to also note any uncomfortable/negative feelings you experience.
These could be ‘red flags’ or ‘wake up calls’ raised by your inner-self about blocks and obstacles (often self inflicted) that could stand in the way and impede your vision from fully materialising.
This is good.
Because you’ll then have a fairly accurate ‘road map’ to navigate the year ahead.
This does mean you may have to form new habits, maybe even new friendships, new ways of thinking, speaking, acting, doing and being to create your future life.
Don’t be afraid, ignore, get angry or avoid those negative feelings.
Sit quietly with them, write them down. And even be grateful for them. Treat them like ‘signposts’ giving you clear illumination and direction to where you need to be and what you need to do – in order to live the life you want.
This list will become your personal ‘to-do’ self-development list this year to help you move the boundaries of your comfort zone ➡️ and become who you’re meant to be: The best version of you.
People tend to do this kind of exercise (if they do it at all) as a new year’s resolution.
Don’t wait for the 31st of Dec. Do it now.
Let today be Day 1. Get going ; )
Mark
I’m on a mission to help people learn how to leverage the internet, so they can be free to do the things they really love in life.
Access the same FREE video training series I learned from, and you’ll learn how to…
⏺Start and grow online an online business and income streams, completely from scratch
⏺Set up automated systems to create the freedom to work anywhere & anytime
⏺Generate ‘passive online income’ that continuously pays, even when you’re not working
⏺Use a proven formula with the potential to bring in 6-figures a year, using a simple but vital ingredient
