Entrepreneurs and virtual teams

33 percent of all biz fails in 2 years, 56 percent in 4 years.

1. People focus too much on non-productive, time-wasting activities
2. You must have access to the right resources at the right time to get the right results
A. Money
B. Time
C. People

She says "I've been at the beach, rollerblading" during the day... makes people wonder how they manage that.
LEVERAGE - apply it ruthlessly
- focus on the right activity, with the right resources, for the right results
- stop doing what wastes time/resources
- Wealthy, successful people don't get there by themselves
STOP
A. chasing bright, shiny objects
- distractions and time wasters that don't pay off
- addicted to pursuing opportunities that don't really pay off
B. Superhero system
- trying to do it by yourself in record time
- get overwhelmed and frustrated
C. J.O.B. Mindset
- Always beings the doer rather than the leader
- You'll end up having to do everything if you think you're the only one who can do it

1. Figure out what you do that makes the most money, and do it a lot
- creating higher price point offerings (high level mastermind program, whatever)
- marketing the programs you already have... repackage, whatever, get into market more penetrative way (outsource)
- Teleclasses and interviews, leverage time and energy better (outsource set-up)
- systemized marketing strategies - just do 1-3, not thousands of it (outsource)

2. Stop doing things that waste time, energy, and money
- Handling e-mails and routine phone calls
- invoicing, check-writing, whatever
- creating process maps, and systems
- writing sales or marketing material

A. outsource immediately if low cost, and not a unique strength
great ROI
Admin tasks, filing, housecleaning, bookkeeping, scheduling meetings, research, answering phones, running errands

High cost:
B. Systemize and evaluate to outsource
good roi with opportunity cost
-marketing
sales
copywriting
website development and maintenance
graphic design
computer network management

3. Delegate my weaknesses and my low-payoff activities to other peep's strengths
- booking travel
- handling event bookings (have a system, for example)
- following up with bounced credit cards
- sending out thank you cards
- updating website

4. Delegate smart
- delegate knowing how it will lead to profit
- don't drop and run (will frustrate people)
- use a hiring process, even if on contract
- people with same vision, values, and standards but balance with your strengths

5 excuses for not building team:
1. I can do it just as well as someone else. Doer energy... don't do it because you can do it better, outsource it, so you can do what you really wanna do... (4-hour workweek)
When you have more energy, you have more time :)
Outsource to others to outsource other tasks (Marketing manager who hires copywriter, whatnot)
2. They don't have enough time to find someone to do it
3. They are afraid of losing control
- nothing you can't train someone else to do as good as you
- systems of teaching them how to do it with systems
4. The believe they will not be able to manage people
- perhaps someone else in your company can manage
5. They think they can't afford it

3 high payoff outsource: bookkeeping, phone calls & e-mails, something else
later... contractors who do your job, marketing support (social marketing, affiliate marketing), business management (strategy implementation management)
How to pay:
Determine per hour, per project rate... then 350, then take on project for the same amount
Opportunity cost:
How many opportunities do you pass up because you're too busy?
Revenue loss:
Paying close attention to high payoff stuff
Sanity/health:
Costly when sick What would it cost you to lose a week of work?

What does it cost to hire badly?
drives you nuts, scares people off, costs money, whatever
- need fact-based system to hire peeps
- right team, you can take on more advanced projects

Combining offline with online marketing

Blogsquad radio

1. Become an online real estate investor… buy domain names… notice what people are searching for and buy those domains.
2. Stop using aol/yahoo as your e-mail
3. Make a compelling, interactive web page… make sure you get their problems and challenges. Don't do "Welcome, we do this, we do that." Make it you focused. Audio on the site
4. Have subpages for different services, then you can send people direct to that page (for workshops, whatever)

All marketing is lead generation… rarely leads to a buy after first contact with you

Offline and online are not separate -- strategy must be together
1. Place print/classifieds ad in your target market for leads - offer free report, recipe book, etc… must visit sales page to get data capture form. Include live links to sales pages on your site in the free report
2. Bumper stickers and put on vehicles with your URL. Ask where people found out about you
3. Oversized postcard with download info (free report) then do direct mail (test first) try 50… if you get 2 percent response… if not, then make changes, like headline. Target demos… know what they like to watch, read, whatever…
4. Use someone else's list for a percentage of the sales from it
5. Run a contest on your blog with press releases, flyer, give deadline… must answer simple question or survey to win the contest
6. Create t-shirt with your URL and give it out everywhere (also pen)
7. Create audio/video… cam studios… pass on the video to others who might like it, with link to your site afterwards
8. Create a VIP referral packet with a card clients can use to give a discount… online coupon for free download. Must go to site to retrieve it, and get on mailing list. Gift coupon, to thank for referral

Have an overall strategy
Have a compelling website… addresses the problem of your target client "Gee, these problems are tough" Give away valuable info

Ignite your Career

Ronald K Armstrong... roncinetv.com

Instead of trying to fit into others' realities, get people to come into yours. Other people are guests in your reality.

1. Scaleability - They spend too much time on little things. Do things that exponentially increase their efforts. Sends out 100s of comp cards a month using a system. Duplicates efforts. Viral -- tell a friend feature. Need automated system.

2. Correspondence -- always have a cliffhanger. "I heard about a big thing that'll change everything -- call me for more details." Automated e-mails

3. Blog, webpage, portable DVD player -- show them clips right there -- get them in your world :)

4. Build your company -- they believe in what I'm doing -- they don't get paid. Gary - you're my PR person...

5. Stay in the loop -- THR, Variety

6. Brand Yourself, Masters of Networking, High Visibility, Screenplay Sales Directory, How to Make it in Hollywood - books

7. Sales are made after 7th exposure to contact. Populate database -- send e-mail blast every week (too frequent!!) Send e-mails from years ago.

8. Establish rapport, establish how unique you are, and keep in contact

9. Peacocking - wear something different and get it to be a conversation starter

10. Brand by who you hang out with -- Walk in like you own the place, hot women, whatever

11. Getting attention in networking groups - Own the event. Act like a host... "If you need anything, come talk to me" They think you're important. Go there with an intention and focused.

12. Want to talk to someone important? Go into group and talk to everyone but important person. Tell them stories, get people laughing. Show energy and vibe. Merge groups... existing group with one I've already warmed up. Afterwards, I'm going to run across the street to get something to eat, why don't you join us?

13. Don't ask for work. Talk in terms of future projections. We're already working together on a project and aren't we excited. When you and I work together, when you think about working together... Change people's mind by appealing to emotion, not by logic. What's it like when you imagine working with someone as talented as me? (what?)

14. It's not about who you know, it's about who knows you.

15. Staying in contact -- e-mail them, invite them places, give them treats/trinkets