How to Become an Influencer

How to Become an Influencer

Influence is an important trait when you’re a business owner. You need to have the respect and impact to cause the desired outcomes. These outcomes might be a sale from a customer, the cooperation of your team, or getting others to talk about you online. Regardless of what you are trying to do, having influence that leads to desired outcomes can be a real benefit for your business.

Every person and business can be an influencer. In fact, very successful people and businesses are often great influencers. For the average person or small business to be a successful influencer, you need only to apply and leverage some of these points to see positive results.

Be known as an expert in something – For example, if you sell chocolate, become an expert on making chocolate tarts.
Pinpoint a topic and find a niche – For example if you sell cosmetics, you might focus on people who want only natural facials.
Share your expertise regularly – Write a scheduled article for your local newspaper, create a weekly newsletter and/or do a weekly radio talk show.
Help other influencers – Connect with people who have a large network and help them with their cause. For example, if the influencer is promoting a fundraiser, you who sell cookware might offer to create a dessert as a prize to be auctioned off to support the cause. This way you show your expertise.
Promote your expertise through workshops and interviews – For example, if you sell cosmetics, partner with a health food store and present a workshop on how to eat healthy, feel great and look great. Look for interview opportunities and interview other influencers.
Offer stories and your expert advice to local news outlets – Sometimes local news media are looking for community based stories or need an expert opinion on a topic. Make sure they know to call you.
Integrate your expertise with trends – For example, your town is sponsoring a yo-yo contest, you as the chocolate expert show people how to make their own chocolate yo-yos.
Engage your audience and develop relationships – Connect and have conversations with as many people as you can and in as many ways as you can. Friend them on social networks, talk to them on the phone, participate in town events, attend PTO meetings, and support causes.
Create a plan, measure your growth and adjust your plan according to results – Define your niche, pick one thing to do on this list every week, connect with new people every week, and evaluate the results after a month. Ask yourself how you can do better, what haven’t you done yet, and adjust your plan for the following month. After six months, compare the amount of business you’ve gained from the previous six months.

By instituting and leveraging a few of these ideas you too can become an influencer in your circle and impact your business.

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

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How to Use Credit Cards Wisely

How to Use Credit Cards Wisely

Like most things in life, there are always two sides to everything. We try to maximize the benefits and minimize the negatives. The same holds true with credit cards. They can be a valuable resource, but you have to use them wisely or they could cause trouble! Understanding the pros and cons of credit cards can help you navigate your financial decisions successfully.

Here are the Pros of credit cards:

Convenience – You can use credit cards almost anywhere and for almost anything.
Great for emergencies – If your car breaks down and you need it fixed, your credit provides you with an immediate sum of money.
Rewards programs – These days you have so many choices when it comes to reward programs. If you want to save money on gas, get a card that gives you a discount. If you want to travel, get a card that give you free airfare mileage. If you want to start a college fund, get a card that will put money into your child’s college fund.
Building your credit history – Credit cards are a quick and easy way to build up your credit score.
Easy way to keep track of spending – Your monthly statement can help you maintain a budget, and manage expenses.
Establish a business account – With a business credit card account you’re keeping your business and personal funds separate and establishing a business credit history.
Security – If you lose your money it’s lost forever, but the bank can replace a credit card and stop any unauthorized purchase. And if you overpay for something or receive a defective product you can contest it or get your money back through your credit card company.
Consolidation – If you’ve used several credit sources, you can consolidate payments into one payment.

These are the Cons that you want to minimize:

High interest rates – Make sure you can pay off your balance each month.
Fees and penalties – Choose credit cards that have lower fees and always pay on time.
Identity theft – Having a credit card increases the risk of identity theft. Be sure to keep an eye on your statements, and shred them before discarding them.
Increase debt – If you’re not disciplined, you can easily find yourself with a large debt. Don’t let your debt get out of hand.
Credit score risk – If you have too many cards or don’t maintain them well, your credit score can drop quickly.

Here’s how to maximize the advantages:

Use your credit cards in emergencies primarily.
If you have a business, establish a credit card in your business name to separate your business and personal finances.
Choose and use rewards programs wisely to maximize discounts, accumulate travel miles, start a college fund and meet other financial goals.
If you have a lower interest rate or 0% promotional cards, use them to pay for large purchases, but make sure you can pay off the debt before interest rates increase.
If you need to increase your credit standing or score, use your credit cards and pay on time. Carry some debt short term and then pay off the balance. Financial institutions are evaluating your ability to maintain your debt in calculating your credit score.
Review your credit card statement every month and use it to maintain your budget. If you find that you are spending too much, switch to cash only purchases.
Use credit cards for thoughtful purchases and never for impulse buying.
Put all your automatic payments on credit cards so you have a record of them, but make sure you pay them off each month.
If you have several higher interest payments that can be lowered by consolidating them onto a lower credit card, do so, but keep in mind that it’s only for the short term and you must pay them off before the interest rate rises or is due.

Credit cards are a modern convenience and can be beneficial if used properly. Are there other advantages that you can think of? We would love to share your tips with our community.

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These People Are…Incredible – Guest Post by Joe Mariano, DSA President

These People Are…Incredible – Guest Post by Joe Mariano, DSA President

From The DSEF: Today we’re delighted to bring you a guest post by Direct Selling Association President Joe Mariano. Joe and his team at the DSA work tirelessly to protect, serve and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. The DSA also works to ensure that the marketing by member companies of products and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers.

“These people are … incredible.”

That’s what one direct selling CEO recently emailed me during her conference. I know exactly what she meant. After 26 years working at the Association, I’ve seen more than just a few company meetings. Each company brings its own unique style and expertise to its get-togethers, but they all have one thing in common: the passion, enthusiasm and love that the salesforce brings to our business. There is nothing more exciting, invigorating and gratifying than to get out into the field and see this reflected in the eyes and voices of our salespeople.

In recent weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to speak to thousands of company salespeople, from Philadelphia to Columbus to San Francisco. They are hungry for the messages that DSA, DSEF and our World Federation are uniquely suited to bring—the spirit of the industry, credible industry statistics and information, identification of our opportunities and challenges, a validation of what they do, a report on the government regulations that may affect them, and finally—a sense of being part of something truly phenomenal. Something larger than just a kitchen table crowded with receipts and paperwork, larger than their neighborhood party, larger than the sales organization they are working so diligently to build. Larger even than their great companies. They are part of a remarkable industry that is changing lives and helping people across the country and across the globe. A true phenomenon, 100 years and more in the making, that is offering an income opportunity to struggling people, that is changing communities, that is making unparalleled charitable contributions, that is capable of changing lives.

When we talk at these meetings of some of the 16 million people in the U.S. and more than 70 million across the globe, heads nod and notes are scribbled. When we tell the story of the direct selling representative floating down the Amazon River to sell her goods, or someone embracing entrepreneurship in China with the economic opportunity that direct selling provides, a collective “Ah” rises from the audience. When we describe the single mom who found her calling and herself in direct selling, a smile spreads across the listeners’ faces. Each of these sellers knows this story. Each of these sellers has seen this story reflected in his or her own life, and the lives of the people they have touched through their direct selling activities.

And when the remarks are done, the audience cheers. They cheer for themselves and everything they know they have accomplished and will accomplish. Each of you has probably seen this played out in some way at your own company events. I truly wish each of you could join me at all of these company meetings so you can see you are part of something even beyond your own great company. That you, as part of this great industry, are changing lives. That you are part of a community coming together through DSA. That all of these people are … incredible.

Joe Mariano is President of the Direct Selling Association. He also serves as Vice Chairman on the Direct Selling Education Foundation Board of Directors, and Chairman of the World Federation of Selling Associations (WFDSA) Global Regulatory Affairs Committee.

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How Are Those Goals Working For You?

How Are Those Goals Working For You?

Many of our goals are similar to those of our neighbors, friends and family. Most of us would like a nice house, a new car and more stuff. But are these things what dreams are made of? Are these our true goals? Or are we following what everyone else wants?

Sometimes it’s important to stop and ask yourself: How do I know what I really want? How do I find my OWN purpose and passion?

Here are some practical steps to help you get started:

Don’t be afraid to dream. Give yourself a few hours today and daydream about what you want to accomplish. Visualize, imagine success, and write down those activities and/or achievements.
Make a list of what makes you smile, delights you and gets your heart pumping.
Review your list and pick one to focus on.
Briefly, write down what it is and clearly describe how it looks, smells and tastes like. Use this process to turn your vision into words and bring it into your reality. Give it life.
Now that you have a rough idea of what it is, do some more research. Answer who, what, when, where, why and how.
As you continue to define and think about your new goal, start to get yourself excited and make it your own.
Once you have a concrete goal, follow a plan to achieve it. Here’s a simple way to create a plan: http://dsef.org/2011/09/12/the-power-of-a-plan-and-30-days/

Accomplishing goals that really matter to you will not only bring you true success, but offer deeper personal satisfaction. Like with any journey, the beginning is filled with excitement, you’ll open greater opportunities along the way, and in the end you’ll create a lifetime of memories.

So, what’s your purpose and passion? How’s your journey going? We would love to hear about it. Please share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.

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How to Be More Productive

How to Be More Productive

We all procrastinate once in a while, and usually we just wait for it to go away. But we’ve also experienced moments when we felt unstoppable. Like a super hero! So, how can we experience more super hero moments?

The trick to being more productive is to spot when you’re not being productive and be prepared to overcome it. You are practicing self-discipline and you can master it.

Step 1 – Use your calendar to mark short, medium and long term goals.

Step 2 – Create a daily schedule.

Step 3 – Make and prioritize your daily to do list to help you focus on what needs to be done and to reduce unproductive temptations.

Step 4 – Acknowledge and recognize time wasters/unproductive activities.

Step 5 – Decide to stop the time wasting or allow the unproductive activity for 5 minutes and use it as a break, or make it a reward with no time limit when you have completed your productive tasks.

Step 6 – Understand and identify your work strengths and weaknesses.

Step 7 – Use your strengths and/or set aside the time when you’re typically the most productive to tackle more challenging tasks.

Step 8 – Get more organized.

Step 9– Improve time management and efficiency skills. Read up on how others manage their time, and use their methods. Here’s a web page from Dartmouth College to get you started: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/time.html

Step 10 – Keep a journal or chart and write down your accomplishments.

Step 11 – Reward yourself when you accomplish the tasks on your to-do list.

How do you handle moments of procrastination? Do you have a tip to share? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Opt Out of Debt, Not Credit – Guest Post by Rod Griffin, Experian

Opt Out of Debt, Not Credit – Guest Post by Rod Griffin, Experian

From the DSEF: We’re delighted today to share with you a guest post from Rod Griffin, Director of Public Education at Experian. Experian, a Direct Selling Education Foundation strategic partner, is a global leader in providing information, analytical tools and marketing services to organizations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions.

Rod Griffin, Director of Public Education for Experian

Opt Out of Debt, Not Credit
Guest post by Rod Griffin

I was recently asked if a person could “opt out of credit reporting.” The answer is yes, but only if you live a truly cash-only existence. If you never use credit of any kind you will not have a credit report. Most would find that having no credit report is not as desirable as it first sounds.

Take a moment to consider how ubiquitous credit and credit reports are in your daily life, even for things that don’t involve debt. For example, cellular telephone companies typically review your credit report when you apply for service, utility companies and apartment complexes do the same before activating an account or approving a lease, and a credit card is often required to reserve a rental car or hotel room.

Without credit or a credit report, you may be required to pay a deposit or security fees, have a hold placed on your checking account to obtain services and could even have difficulty qualifying for rent or getting a job.

A better approach is to opt out of debt, not credit. You can have one without the other.

Start by paying off any existing debts. You might choose to close some of your accounts, but don’t close all of them. You only need one or two credit accounts to have a strong credit report. Make a small purchase from time to time and pay the charge in full to demonstrate the account is active and that you make good credit decisions.

You still must do all of the things you would do if you were living a cash-only lifestyle: budget carefully, don’t spend more than you earn and pay yourself first by setting aside savings regularly.

But, by opting out of debt, not credit, you will keep your credit report, which is an important and powerful financial tool.

Rod Griffin is Director of Public Education for Experian. He is responsible for Experian’s national consumer education program and supports the company’s community involvement and corporate responsibility efforts. He supports various national consumer education initiatives including the LifeSmarts Consumer Knowledge Competition, for which he serves on the Corporate Advisory Board, and the Jumpstart Coalition for Financial Literacy. In addition, he produces a variety of consumer education materials and for more than a decade has written Ask Experian, an online consumer credit advice column. Rod holds a B.S. in journalism from the University of Kansas, has a Fair Credit Reporting Act certification from the Consumer Data Industry Association and is a Center for Financial Certifications Certified Financial Counselor.

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Simple Tips for Saving Energy

Simple Tips for Saving Energy

If you’re a small business owner that works from home, your electricity bill may be doing double-duty…covering both your home and business energy needs. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to save energy throughout your home, leaving you with more cash for the bottom line!

Here are some simple ways to save energy around the house:

Caulk and weatherstrip your doors and windows. It keeps cool air in during the summer, and heat in during the winter.
Add a storm door to all outdoor doors.
Replace your windows with energy-efficient windows if possible.
Use heavier window treatments, such as shades and curtains, to help maintain the indoor temperature in your home.
Make sure all of your appliances are energy-efficient.
Unplug all appliances, including computers, when they will not be used. This keeps them from drawing power when not in use. (Alternately, plug into a power strip and turn off the strip when not in use.)
Turn off your computer if you’re not going to use it for more than 2 hours. If your monitor is separate from your computer, turn the monitor off if it will not be used for more than 20 minutes.
Use of new lighting technologies can reduce lighting energy use in homes by 50%–75%. Upgrading 15 of the inefficient incandescent light bulbs in your home could save you about $50 per year. (source: energysavers.gov)
Use the lowest watt bulb practical for each space. The lower the wattage, the less energy the bulb uses when lit.
Turn off your lights whenever you don’t need them, and teach your family to do the same.
Turn down the heat in your home. By getting your family used to a lower temperature (even 5 degrees) you can save a lot of energy.
Consider using a space heater, rather than turning up the system in your whole house, if you’ll only be using one room in your house for long periods of time (like a home office.)
To conserve hot water, fix leaks and install low-flow fixtures.
An energy-efficient dishwasher can actually save more energy than hand-washing dishes in hot water several times per day, especially when using shorter wash cycles.
Get an energy-efficient clothes washer and dryer. In your clothing washer, use cold or warm water for washing, and cold water for rinsing.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs. Most households are just fine with a setting of 120ºF on their water heater. Reducing your water temperature to 120ºF also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. This helps your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency.

By giving some attention to these small details, and teaching your kids to do the same, you can reduce your energy costs and conserve energy. And that means more money in your pocket!

How do you save energy at home? How does your business conserve energy? We would love to read your thoughts and tips in the comments below!

We are thankful to the US Dept of Energy for sharing these valuable tips on their website at http://www.energysavers.gov. For more information on any of the topics above, please visit their website.