Believe it or not, you can explode the size of your home business very quickly by using a lobster. Let me explain. A couple years ago I wrote a very long, detailed sales letter for a product that was both expensive and a bit difficult to market. At the time, I had been corresponding with a master copywriter who I had been communicating with for a few months prior. One day I mentioned this ad I was working on, how I was having troubles wrapping my brain around it and needed to get some perspective on the situation. To my surprise this friend of mine -- who normally charges almost $1,000 for a marketing or copywriting critique -- said, "let me take a look at it for you." So I sent him the ad and he told me to give him a call the next day. I called him back and he gave me a consultation -- something I knew for a fact he normally charges big bucks for. Anyway, long story short, the suggestions he gave me were golden. I did as he suggested and that ad has brought in close to $100,000 in sales and counting. Now, here's where the lobsters come in: I was so grateful for this person's help, I immediately got on the phone with a company that sells steaks, lobsters and other gourmet foods by mail, and sent him and his family a package of fresh lobsters. Let me just say, he was not expecting that and was pleasantly surprised. And he has since referred opportunities to me I never would have had otherwise and has become a great business contact. So what's the point? This: When someone does something nice for you -- like refers you business, gives you advice that puts money in your pocket or sends you opportunities you never would have gotten on your own -- the first thing you should do is pick up the phone and reward that person. Send him a box of steaks, a gift certificate for a professional massage, or anything else the average person would love to have, but either never thinks about or never gets around to getting. In other words, reciprocate. And do it right away. Not only is it the right thing to do, but you will open all kinds of doors and invite more of the same behavior and favors in the future. It's one of the best ways to grow a home business you'll ever see. And you can start tomorrow. Just ask yourself, has anyone done something really nice for you lately? Something that put money in your pocket? Added more customer names on your list? Drove more traffic to your site? Whatever it was, reward that act of kindness. And do it sincerely, from the heart. Find out what that person is into and make sure they know how much you appreciate the help. Trust me, you start doing this and you will see doors opening for you left and right, and money appearing seemingly out of nowhere. |
