Build Good Habits

Build Good Habits

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.”. ~Aristotle

When examining our personal/business goals, it is equally important to bring our daily habits into question. What habits have we built that will aid in our success? What habits will keep us from achieving our goals? What habits do we need to develop to bring a positive change in our life?

I am amazed by how many people (fellow marketers and home based business owners) I run into that actually believe that they can get rich quick without putting in the investment of time & hard work. Many are too ‘busy’ (or too lazy) to slow down, focus on training, and work a business day in and day out. They haven’t counted the cost of what it takes to achieve their dreams.

To these people, I must pose the question: Do athletes win a race on sheer good intentions? No! They build good habits of training their bodies with daily, strenuous exercise, eating right, and staying focused on the goal. They know that the end result will require sacrifice. And yet they are determined to reach the prize because they firmly believe that it will be worth it in the end.

The same holds true for business people. When we set our goals, we should ask ourselves, ‘What is the cost? What am I going to need to sacrifice to get there? What habits will I build a day at a time to make my dreams a reality?’

Some ‘good’ habits that you should build:
1. Time management & Organization: This is something I have to daily work at. I am a people person & can get caught up in the daily phone calls to collegues each day. I’ve learned that I have to actually bulid a ‘to do list’ on my computer, so that I can visually see each task I need to complete, and see it crossed off as I go about my day. It gives me a sense of relief that I’m managing my time & getting things accomplished…I’m not just shooting in the dark. In addition, keeping appointments, and letting those that I’m on the phone with know how much time I have to talk keeps the converstaion focused and on task.

2. Watch the Company you Keep: If you hang around negative people all day, chances are you will end up having muddled, negative thinking yourself. That old saying ‘tell me who you run with and I’ll tell you who you are’ holds so much truth. I really have to limit my conversations with complainers. I make the choice to work with people who are positive, encouraging, and headed in the same direction: helping others and acheiving their goals. I don’t have time for pity parties, people who criticize, or people who simply limit themselves with small thinking. I’m careful not to share my goals/dreams with those types of people. Instead, I constantly pick the brains of those who have gone before me & found success. I ask them what they did that worked & try to implement some of their tools/tips with what I’m doing. Bottom line: if you want to fly with the eagles, don’t hang out with turkeys!

3. Make short/long term goals and reassess them as you go: Goals are definitely a road map to success. They need to be realistic, be tied to a time schedule, and be WRITTEN DOWN. The research shows that those that write down their goals are the ones that achieve more. Another important aspect of goals is reviewing them each day, reassessing whether or not the time constraints are reasonable, and adjusting your course of action based on your goals. If you aren’t getting closer to achieving, then you may need to make some changes to what you’re doing. Perhaps something you use to do worked better. It’s not always about working harder, but working SMARTER.

I’ll give you an example:
Sometimes I get out of balance when I immerse myself in learning a new internet business tool. I get so into it, that I forget the other techniques I was using to get leads/accelerate my business…the techniques that worked for me. Instead of chasing several rabbits, so to speak, you may want to focus on a few and MASTER THEM. For me, it is video marketing, doing IBuzz Pro blasts a few times a month, training those in my down line so that they can duplicate what I am donig. Master what works for you, and keep implementing it daily. If you focus, work it hard, and stay consistent, the $ will follow.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day! Look at each day as an opportunity to do small, but effective things that will further your business. Don’t sit in complacency or stress out by trying to do too much at a time. Take the time to organize yourself, set/assess your goals, keep a positive mindset, and work with diligence! You will enjoy reaping the benefits of what you have sown! God bless!

Mark Stephens
http://www.ilovethisrecession.com
http://www.5ktrainer.com

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Feb 16, 2011 | 1 comment | View Post
GOING BACK TO THE BASICS

GOING BACK TO THE BASICS

Have you ever been plugging away, finding success in your daily profession, and then turn around to find yourself in a slump? Well, this past week was one of those type of weeks for me…I was definitely stuck in a slump. It seems I was unorganized, frazzled, impatient, and just disheartened. My work frustration trickled down into my family relationships, and I found I wasn’t being a good communicator or patient husband/father that I usually strive to be. I wondered what was off…how could I work so much and find such limited results in one week?!

Starting fresh this week, I went back to my morning routine of prayer/meditation on God’s word. I analyzed what I was doing before that was working so well for me before this past week of complete insanity. Then I pulled out one of my tried & true favorites: “Zig Ziglar on Selling.’

If you are in the sales industry (or any industry…come to think of it), and have never had the honor of reading up on Mr. Zig Ziglar, you need to stop reading my blog, go to the nearest library, and check him out! The man is a wealth of information, and inspires me to the core. I can literally read his book over & over, and come away with a complete epiphany each time.

Let me quote Zig on what he calls ‘A Fact of Life’:

“One of the basic truisms of selling is that “slumps” will occur. You are going to hit those plateaus where nothing seems to work very well personally or professionally….Inevitably, those that slump get away from the basics…I have discovered the surefire way to end the slump: RETURN TO FUNDAMENTALS WITH THE PROPER ATTITUDE.
The primary reason we stay in a slump is a failure to be willing to return to the fundamentals. Basically speaking, we get caught in a rut, and as many of you know, a rut is nothing but a grave with the ends kicked out! It is one thing to get in a rut, but it is an entirely different thing to STAY in a rut…(Ziglar on Selling, Pg. 29)”

Like I said, I read this book more than once, and it was still a complete eye opener. What am I good at? What was I focusing on before that helped me see results? For me personally, it was video marketing and the utilization of Ibuzz pro that retired me from Corporate America. I always enjoy venturing off and learning new, cutting edge technology that will help me in my business, but what has happened is that I have ventured so far off that I lost the ‘basics’ of my business. I’ve been chasing after too many rabbits (so to speak), and am having trouble catching any! So, I’m going back to my old techniques that worked for me in the past & am going to manage my time so that my research of other tools doesn’t interfere with the process that works for me.

Like Zig said, it’s one thing to get caught in a rut…we all do that from time to time. It’s staying in the rut that is dangerous! I’m glad my rut was short lived & only lasted a week! I’m so thankful that this is the start of a new week…one I feel will be filled with successes, organization (yes, I cleaned out my office:)…my Sunday ritual), and a clear head! In a nutshell, if there is any advice I can pass along, it is this: If you find yourself currently in a slump, don’t worry! Get up, dust yourself off, and GO BACK TO THE BASICS!

‘See you at the TOP!’ :)
Mark Stephens
ibuzzman.com
www.ilovethisrecession.com
909.528.4079

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Feb 01, 2011 | 1 comment | View Post
Lead Net Pro Review: What They Won’t Tell You

Lead Net Pro Review: What They Won’t Tell You

Lead Net Pro Review


LEAD NET PRO: Is it an Effective Voice Broadcasting Tool?

RINGGGG! RINGGG! [Cue Answering Machine...beep!]: “Hi! Are you an internet marketer ready to make a kazillion bucks with a new, cutting edge phone broadcast system (aka Lead Net Pro)? Visit my website at www.leadnetprohype.com”

Although I’m being slightly sarcastic here, the previous message isn’t too far fetched from the countless, annoying phone messages I receive daily for a system called Lead Net Pro. Why do I have the right to feel irritated about phone broadcasting when I am an Internet Marketer myself? I’ll let you in on the answer.

Here is a short, to the point GRIPE LIST (Cons) on Lead Net Pro that few marketers are aware of:

Lead Net Pro is a newer system with several glitches in it:

Prime example: it makes the same call to the SAME PERSON repeatedly! How do I know? Because I keep getting repeat messages within minutes of each other. In addition to that minor glitch, it also LOADS TROJAN VIRUSES onto your computer where the software is loaded onto. Why are ‘big time’ marketers pushing this system if this information is true? The almighty buck, that’s why. Many of these marketers peddling this system scum don’t even use it themselves! They have not researched it to know this, and are simply trying to get rich off of selling it to the 97% of marketers who aren’t making money!

Lead Net Pro is NOT FTC Compliant:

What does this mean to a marketer using this system? The system is calling people who aren’t even in businesses (This is ILLEGAL)!   Yikes!  This means that if you get caught making these calls, you can be fined up to $20,000 and get your IP address SHUT DOWN!  Imagine all that hard work you’ve invested into your business going down the drain!

Lead Net Pro’s company owner has an F with the Better Business Bureau:

I bought a system quite a while back from the same scammer, and he took the money & ran. This is his pattern: he gets an idea from a successful company on-line, duplicates it (a little bit cheaper version that runs poorly), sells it to get rich quickly, and then disappears altogether…with everyone’s $$$ in hand. I would not get involved in anything this man has touched…he lacks business ethic & integrity.

Lead Net Pro

 

Lead Net Pro is OUT….What can I use to promote my business then?

So, I’m sure after this list, you’re wondering, ‘Ok…so Lead Net Pro is out the window. What now?” Well, I did not say that all phone broadcasting systems are ineffective. In fact, I’ve been with one (IBuzz Pro) for quite a few years now, and it retired me from ‘Corporate America.’ Here are a few reasons I believe IBuzz Pro beats out competitors like Lead Net Pro:

1. It’s a Little More $, but the Return on Investment is very HIGH:
Let’s face it…you get what you pay for! Yes, IBuzz Pro is slightly more than Lead Net Pro, but it has been around 4 years, and is free of glitches! It’s been tried & true, and I’ve been able to fire my boss & stay home because of the money I’ve been getting. I have so many leads from this system that I barely have time to keep up!

2. It’s FTC Compliant:
That’s right, folks! It won’t get your IP Address shut down, it only calls fellow business people!
It’s a SAFER, LEGIT system to go with.

3. It has an A with the Better Business Bureau:
I know the owner personally, and he has dealt fairly with me, and is very professional. Do your research! IBuzz Pro has a clean reputation…and reputation is everything!

If you have any questions regarding phone broadcasting systems (like Lead Net Pro vs. IBUZZ Pro) & how you can get IBUZZ Pro to work for you, contact me @ 909.528.4079 or visit me at www.ibuzzman.com or www.teammarkandjerry.com.

Don’t let LEAD NET PRO steer your business in the WRONG DIRECTION!

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Jan 06, 2011 | 4 comments | View Post
Mentorship in Marketing

Mentorship in Marketing

Mentorship in Marketing: Do You Have a Mentor?

‘A wise man will hear & increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.’ ~Proverbs 1:5

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life & my career, it’s that having a mentor is crucial to one’s success. How are you going to learn & grow if you don’t have someone to gain wisdom from? Along my journey, I’ve found several people that have acted as a mentor in one way or another (sometimes even when they were unaware of it). In marketing, I’ve gained a wealth of wisdom from individuals such as Stephen Pierce, my good friend, Ivan Harris, and my business partner, Jerry Maurer. We all have different strengths, talents, and experiences that we share & draw from each other.

Mentoring in Marketing: So how do you find a good mentor?

Marketing

The Right Mentor Will Inspire You!

I have narrowed down 4 key components that make up a great trainer:

1. Find someone who won’t put you in the ‘Witness Protection Program.‘ What I mean by this is, be cautious of self-proclaimed ‘gurus’ on the internet who want nothing more than to take your $ and run! I’ve been there, done that. When you have someone pursuing you to close the sale, and then you don’t hear from them (or have trouble contacting them), you know that is NOT a quality mentor. They are more concerned with selfish gain, than with aiding you in your own success. Stay away! Research, research, research each mentor you’re considering & go with the one that has the most ‘added value’- according to who they’ve helped.

2. Find someone with a COMPATIBLE PERSONALITY. Not everyone jives, or has the same outlook on life. Even if a trainer has a wealth of information, if you’re not on the same page as them (personality wise), it’s not going to work. With Team Mark & Jerry, there are some team members who feel more comfortable working closely with Jerry than myself…and visa versa. Do I take offense that they prefer Jerry in some cases? No! I encourage people to find a trainer/mentor who fits their own personality. There’s nothing worse than trying to work with a person that you bump heads with!

3. Find a Mentor who will invest at least 2 hours a week into helping you succeed! Is this mentor you’re considering too busy to meet with you weekly (via phone, internet, or whatever means necessary)? If the answer is yes, save your money! It’s crucial that you have a mentor who can evaluate where you are in your learning, encourage and train you in your weakest areas, and keep you accountable on your progress & goals. That is what good teachers do! They don’t simply take your $, throw out information, & move on without checking back to see if you’re succeeding!

4. Find a Marketing Mentor who knows how & can teach you how to DOMINATE the Search Engines & BRAND YOURSELF! With business today, internet marketing is the way to make $$$. It is crucial to learn how to get on top of the Search Engines (Yahoo, Google, YouTube, etc…). You want to know how to brand yourself in your industry if you want to take your business to the next level!

Mentorship in Marketing: Are You Ready?

Now that we’ve touched on finding a mentor, let’s focus on YOU. After all, it takes 2 to Tango! You can’t expect a mentor to do all the work! Success is also going to be based on what you DO with the information you’ve learned! Here are 3 questions you need to ask yourself:

1. Are you TEACHABLE? So many people will defensively answer ‘yes.’ Take the time to really think this through. Are you humble enough to admit that you need help? Are you willing to absorb new information from someone who has already traveled the road you’re on? This may seem like a no-brainer to you, but I cannot tell you how many times I’ve listened to those I’m training, and told them what adjustments they need to make, only to hear, ‘I don’t know…I like doing it this way instead.’ Really? If you already have attained success in your business, why did you call me? I’ve learned that I can only help those who genuinely WANT to helped. They have to be willing to step out of their comfort zones, and follow the instructions I give.

2. Are you ready to TAKE ACTION? Sam Ewig said it best when he stated, ‘Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.’ You cannot take information and then refuse to put it into action. Building a successful business does NOT happen overnight & it will take a lot of energy and hard work. You have to decide whether you are just going to talk the talk, or if your willing to WALK THE WALK!

3. Are you DISCIPLINED? In MLM businesses, I run into countless individuals who jump from business to business. In fact, I get exhausted listening to so many new pitches daily…people wanting to recruit me into their ‘new, cutting edge opportunity.’ How will you ever know if something works, if you only put it into action for a short time? Again, you can’t have the ‘get rich quick’ mentality & expect everything to come easily to you. There are times you are going to feel exhausted, intimidated, doubtful, emotional…the list goes on and on! You have to be determined to stay the course & reap the long term benefits. Remember what Aristotle declared: ‘We are what we REPEATEDLY DO. Excellence then, is not an act but a HABIT.’

In a nutshell, marketing in this economy is not a small task. If you want to bring your business to the peak of success, you must find mentors to help you along the way…people who are willing to walk alongside you & train you in your business. In turn, you must be teachable, put your learning to action, and be disciplined to follow through repeatedly.

If you are interested in a team of Internet Marketing Mentors, check out my websites: www.teammarkandjerry.com
www.5ktrainer.com God bless you!

Mark Stephens, Marketing Mentor

Marketing Your Business

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Oct 06, 2010 | 7 comments | View Post
Too busy for my britches, and loving it!

Too busy for my britches, and loving it!

I find that there are too many things to do, too few hours in the day to do them (so forgive me readers, for it’s been too long since my last post). This is especially true lately because my internet business is booming! I have so many leads chasing me that I can barely keep up! I guess it’s a good thing, and I can thank the good Lord & Ibuzz Pro for that!

It’s been a couple years now since I’ve been using Ibuzz Pro & it has been the best business decision I’ve made yet! No longer do I have to rely on cold calling or buying my leads for hundreds of dollars every month (which I did for many years!). Ibuzz Pro literally retired me from corporate America & has allowed my wife to stay home with our two boys.

I believe Ibuzz Pro is one of the BEST internet marketing tools out there. It’s freed me up to actually focus on training & building a strong business team…helping others! Instead of spending so much time on the phone recruiting, I can spend more time making my recruits more successful in their businesses.

So, are you still relying on cold calls or leads? Are you exhausted chasing people to join your business? Wouldn’t it be great if in a matter of minutes, your message goes out to the masses, and people start chasing you, for a change?! If so, check out my page for more info: http://www.ibuzzman.com.
iBuzzPro Pictures, Images and Photos

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Sep 10, 2010 | 9 comments | View Post
IBUZZ PRO

IBUZZ PRO

COLD CALLING. Even the phrase makes me shudder and brings back haunting memories of my car sales past. Even though I grew thick skin and began to master the art of cold calling, I still believe time is too precious to spend turning a cold call into a hot business prospect. When car sales (along with the economy) began to take a dive, I made a crucial discovery that led me out of the car business and allowed me to work for myself at home. This discovery was a little tool called IBuzz Pro.

In a nutshell, IBuzz Pro is a built-in call center that allows you to set up a campaign and reach targeted people in your own area of expertise. To set up your campaign, you record a message in your voice, copy & paste your phone numbers (leads), press a ‘Go’ button, and IBuzz Pro will make the phone calls for you. From that point, the people on the other end of the phone will have the choice to ‘press 1 for more info, or press 9 to get off the lead list.’ Within 30 minutes, you will be receiving phone calls of people interested in your company/tool.

There are three key components that make IBuzz Pro successful:

1. Leads: if you decide to get into IBuzz Pro, ask the seller a crucial question: ‘Where am I going to get my leads from?’ If you hear, ‘through the back office,’ RUN! Not to insult the company, but in my experience, the leads in the back office aren’t high quality. I’ve found another supplementary tool that provides me with unlimited leads.

2. Your Message: if you don’t have a powerful & unique message, you can use IBuzz Pro and still be wasting money. As I’ve said, IBuzz Pro is a TOOL. No, it won’t think for you. This is where your marketing training/experience will come into play. Many marketers copy the messages already being used. I’ve found this to be a waste of time. If you want to get a high return on your investment, you’re going to need to be DIFFERENT! My best advice is BE YOURSELF. Each of us has something unique to offer…we didn’t come from the same cookie cutter, so why should we pretend to be something we’re not? If you are yourself, and believe in your product, that honest passion will come through in your message.

3. FTC Compliant Leads: Make sure that the phone numbers you’re using are FTC compliant. These should be business owners you’re contacting; not residences. If you are not in compliance, you can be shut down altogether. If you need more information on this, contact me with your questions.

I cannot express how much time, energy, and stress IBuzz Pro has saved me. Let’s face it, that old saying ‘Time is Money’ is very true! If I relied on my old method of cold calling, I wouldn’t be able to afford to work from home. I’d still be spinning my wheels and seeing limited success. This tool has been a life saver & I highly recommend it to anyone interested in reviving their business.

Getting leads For MRMI Fast!

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Jan 21, 2010 | 10 comments | View Post

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