I love "AHA" moments - those precious
times when something becomes crystal
clear in your mind. It's like you were
in darkness and then POOF - suddenly the
light came on!
About 60 days ago, I had an "AHA" moment
- and turned it into a business. Here's
what happened.
My husband Mick retired from the Prince
Georges Fire Department as a decorated,
valor-award winning hero 4 years ago -
after 21 years of service. He absolutely
LOVED his job. I really think he was
born to be a fireman!
When he retired - he did it cold turkey.
We moved from Maryland to Georgia, so
Mick quickly became out of touch with
his former station and fellow
firefighters.
Then he started a completely different
business buying, renovating and renting
homes. He likes his new job - but it's
definitely not his passion.
And even though, he said he was through
with the fire department - you could see
his adrenaline rush whenever he heard a
fire siren or passed by a fire truck. He
doesn't want to admit it, but
firefighting is still in his blood.
Now, let's move on to my son Chadam. He
graduated from high school this past
June with one and only one goal: to
become a firefighter.
In fact, when I asked him what else he
wanted to do if the fire department job
didn't work out - he looked at me like I
had 3 heads.
In his mind, there was no "Plan B". He
believed in the Will Smith approach that
a "Plan B" would only distract him from
his "Plan A".
So, one evening, I sat between these 2
men listening to the old one give the
young one advice and guidance about
getting hired for the fire department.
That night I got my "AHA" moment!
It was such an easy idea, I felt stupid
for not having thought of it before!
You see, I read Bob Bly's e-letter, The
Direct Response Letter (www.bly.com)
and Michael Masterson's Early To Rise
ezine's (www.earlytorise.com)
regularly. And the one thing they both
say is to start an internet business.
And they both recommend going the route
of information publishing, i.e., provide
electronic books (ebooks). Why ebooks?
Because:
- Low start-up cost! You
need landing page sales copy - which you,
CopyStar, can write yourself! You need a
product - which you can also write - or pay
someone else a modest price to do it. You
need someone to design your website. And it
would be a good idea to get some help
driving traffic to your site if you're not
experienced in this. That's about all you
need to start!
- No inventory! - the
buyer downloads the ebook immediately! That
means YOU don't have to cough up any cash to
print and store those suckers!
- You can work on it while you
still have a job! In other words,
you don't have to quit your day job to start
this business!
So my little brain got to thinking, "Hey,
I'm sleeping with a good-looking, bona fide
hero. If he can give his son advice for
getting hired for the fire department, why
can't he give that advice to anyone who's
interested - and willing to pay for it?"
AHA! So...
... Yours truly wrote the marketing copy...
... Husband Mick was my "guru"...
... Daughter Tiara co-wrote and designed the
ebook and special report (Tiara's no rookie
- see her work at
www.crowninkdesigns.com)...
... Son Chadam contributed his testimonial
and some overall perspective as a wanna-be
firefighter (no website for him - yet!) ...
And my new personal assistant Shannon
proofread everything we could throw at her!
With the help of newfound web traffic master
Jered Klima - hopefully we'll be driving
LOTS of traffic to the site! (Jered's at
www.eclickonomy.com)
So that's how an "AHA" turned into a product
launch - and hopefully a new family
business!
Last month, I was encouraging you to get off
your butt and GO for your dreams. Today, I
just showed you how I did with one of my
ideas!
Let me tell you this: I'm no expert on
Internet marketing - in fact, the Internet
still scares the heck out of me! But I'm not
letting it stop me!
When I get scared - I surround myself with
people who know more than me! For example...
... I bounced the firefighting website idea
around with my client Caleb O'Dowd! This
dude knows his stuff when it comes to
Internet marketing.
After an hour conversation with Caleb - I
was pumped up and ready to roll! Thanks
again, Caleb!
I also read stuff from the experts like Bob
Bly and Michael Masterson. But I didn't
become a "professional reader" - I quickly
became an "amateur DO-er!" I needed to ACT
NOW - or it would never happen!
And I called on folks who knew what they
were doing. Folks like Lynnette, Jered and
Tiara. They all had their assignments, and
for the most part - I left them alone to do
their jobs and figure out how to handle any
problems.
They kept me in the loop - but I didn't
micromanage them. In fact, I was too busy to
micromanage - I was trying to write
promotion packages to pay the bills!
The result is a project we're all proud of.
Sure, it needs some more tweaks - but I'll
continue to fine tune the site in the
upcoming weeks. But the point is - we turned
an idea into a reality - and hopefully a
business - in less than 60 days! Woo hoo!
THAT'S exciting!
You can experience similar success too, if
you're willing to Go for your dreams,
CopyStar! So figure out what you'd like to
do - and DO it NOW!
I'll be on the Dr. Oz Show TODAY - so check
it out!
My girlfriend Cynthia got us tix for the Dr.
Oz show. So, I flew up for a whirlwind
weekend to New York City. We had fantabulous
front row seats - and I was picked to be Dr.
Oz's "Assistant of the Day!" Man, that was a
BLAST!
The show airs TODAY on NBC at 3pm EST. The
time and station may be different in your
area, so check your local TV listing so you
don't miss it!
I'm on the show that talks about "Unusual
Medical Conditions". There's also a segment
about a college student who lost 140 pounds.
As "Assistant of the Day", I help Dr. Oz
explain the dangers of frostbite and how to
prevent it! Don't miss it!
Dallas debuts in direct mail!
In the
September 2009 issue, I told you
about an anti-aging package I was writing
for a new product. One of the tests was a
"young grandma" cover featuring me and
Dallas.
Now that the package is in the mail - and
doing well, I can officially show it to you.
Click here
So my little Dallas officially made his
direct mail debut! I'm sure I'll find more
ways to include him in future promos.
