Small Business Tools for Internet Marketing

Internet marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to enjoy the benefits of targeted marketing, and yet it comes with some downfalls. It can take a long time to learn how to learn about the various internet marketing opportunities available, and then even longer to apply those opportunities into real-life use for your company. Small business tools, however, are available to make your internet marketing efforts easier and more time efficient for you.

Internet marketing can consist of using Twitter, Facebook, and others for social media marketing, and it can also consist of e-newsletters, webinars, and more. Here are some small business tools that you can use to make these internet marketing options easier:

1. Hootsuite makes it easier to make posts for Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, giving you the ability to manage multiple accounts from one site. What I like about Hootsuite is that it lets me manage several networks, assign tasks internally, monitor the mentions my company receives, and respond just as quickly in real time! It allows for the automatic sharing of blog feeds and the tracking of your analytics. If that sounds too technical for you, then here's as simple as it gets: every time I put up a blog post, this tool sends out a tweet automatically to my followers.

2. Tweet Adder is an automation tool that makes it faster and easier to post to your Twitter accounts and manage them, too. It can handle up to five Twitter accounts.

3. MailChimp allows you a fast, easy way to design and send out e-newsletters, and it features a great metrics tracking tool, too. It's not true at all that emailing is a useless marketing tool. It may be old-fashioned but the truth is that it still works, beautifully so!

4. EventBrite gives you a great option for promoting and managing both real-life promotional events and webinars.

As you can see, each of these small business tools offer you real benefits that make it faster and easier than offer to promote internet marketing options in your company. There are a ton of tools out there for you to select from and put into use, and the ones listed here among the most beneficial and can give you real time and cost-saving benefits. Take some time today to explore the features of each of these options and spend time learning how you can put them into effect in your company today.

Does Network Marketing Offer People a Real Chance of Creating Financial Security and Independence

This unique business has millions of distributors doing billions of pounds in sales annually. It is conducted in nearly 100 countries around the world. It has been praised by leading business people and also by heads of state for boosting the economy. Yet most people in the UK are still totally confused by it.

Network marketing has created many millionaires and spread that exception to millions more, but just what are the realities of this business?
So what is network marketing?

Network Marketing is based on the concept of 'networking'. We all have a circle of people we know through the circumstances of our daily lives and each of these people will have their own circle of acquaints, collections, family and friends. Network Marketing involves tapping into these networks not only to sell product but also to offer the business opportunity to potential new distributors who then start the process of developing their own networks for selling and recruiting.

In network marketing, services and products are distributed to the final consumers through a network of independently contracted distributors or agents (also known as consultants). These distributors are then financially rewarded in two ways: a) from responsibilities and overrides from sales generation and b) for their contribution to the building up of the network by getting new 'enrolls' to be downline distributors. The network marketing business model works because of the price differential that is generated from the distributor to the consumer. If the enrollments of the one you recruited generate sales, you get a percentage of the price differential for the sales, and so on.

Network marketing is usually associated with pyramid or ponzi scams. This is because the main structure of the two models can be quite similar at first glance. However, if one takes a closer look at the models, there is one big and defining difference between them. The main difference between legal network marketing firm and a pyramid scam is that the first one offers real products and services, the latter only promises opportunities and generates money from the cost of entry of the registered members. A pyramid scam re-channels the incoming funds from the fees that newly registered 'members' pays for entering the scheme and does not generate any kind of profits from other endeavors. The masterminds of the scam benefits while leaving most, if not all, of the downlines in financial burdens.

o As the networks widen, so the individual leader benefits not only from their own sales but also a percentage of the sales from their network. As more people join the network, so residual income increases.
o network marketing allows its distributors not only to network outwards in order to sell the product but also to benefit from their downline's downline, either to a limited depth or ad infinitum. However, the two terms tend to be used fairly indiscriminately.
o As with any other home-based business, distributors need to work hard and have courage and determination. Finding a good sponsor is just as important as finding an interesting product and a good compensation plan which offers flexibility and just reward for effort. Contrary to expectation, the newcomer has the same potential for success as the long-term sponsor provided that the necessary research and skills training takes place. It is not necessary to be 'in the beginning' and in some cases it may prove more difficult and risky to join at the beginning than to join a plan which has reached a more mature phase. Network Marketing is specifically suited to married women with family commitments as it offers them an opportunity to start a business on a part time basis with very little capital. The opportunity now exists for entrepreneurship women to use their talents and the skills gained from motherhood to build businesses based both on selling and on finding and supporting the efforts of others.

There are 2 trends that are driving this industry forward:
a. General shift towards self-employment.
b. People's quest for a better lifestyle - They no longer want to work 40 or 50 hours a week just to pay bills.

For many people Network Marketing is the only way to Create Financial Freedom in the UK today.

One business magazine wrote "Network marketing is so far ahead of the competition when it comes to money and lifestyle that is in a league of its own."

With a traditional career you only get paid for the hours that you work. When you leave your employment monthly salary stops and all you are left with is experience and sometimes a pension, which is rarely enough to live on. Network marketing is entirely different - Your efforts are multiplied by helping people succeed with their businesses, so that your investment comes back many times over, to create time and financial freedom. The longer you work at it, the easier it becomes. The more you help others become successful, the more successful you become.

"Network marketing offers people an opportunity to build a business of their own, with a small amount of capital, in their own time and with the help of a sponsor who is willing to help them every step of the way". Prime Time Magazine

As you leverage your efforts you create a 'residual income' - by helping enough people become successful. Over time, you can build a truly passive income that keeps paying you long after you have done the work.

Network marketing offers people an opportunity to build a business of their own, with a small amount of capital, in their own time and with the help of a sponsor who is willing to help them every step of the way. "Prime Time Magazine

As you leverage your efforts you create a 'residual income' - by helping enough people become successful. Over time, you can build a truly passive income that keeps paying you long after you have done the work.

Consider this-
According to a study conducted in the USA in 1995, 'Out of 100 people who are working at age 25, by the age of 65 ...

o 63% are dependent on Social Security, friends or relatives
o 29% are dead
o 3% are still working
o 4% have adequate capital for retirement
o 1% are wealthy

Questions typically asked about Network Marketing.

Q.Can Network Marketing be done successfully part-time?

A. Absolutely ... it's very common in fact. You can start your Network Marketing business on a part-time basis without giving up your current source of income until your Network Marketing business is generating the income you require. And the best part is that you can continue to operate indefinitely on a part-time basis. What would you do if you were financially independent and most of your time was free to do with as you pleased? This is why so many people are flocking to Network Marketing. And that's why we say that Network Marketing puts the freedom back in free enterprise!

Q. Do I have to sell products door-to-door or hold parties or meetings?

A. No. One of the greatest features of Network Marketing is that success can be achieved using a wide variety of methods. You choose the methods that YOU are comfortable with. Within Tiscali we use amazing internet technologies. No delivering products, no collecting money, no party plan meetings!

Q. Is not Network Marketing one of those pyramid schemes?

A. Definitely not. Although Network Marketing and pyramid schemes do share some similarities, there's a very important difference that makes the latter illegal.You see, in pyramid schemes, income is generated solely on the process of recruiting others into the pyramid. Sometimes a product or service of questionable value is involved (that is never retailed to the general public by the way), but generally what you're buying is the right to recruit others into the scheme. This is illegal. Also, in pyramid schemes, those who get in first and who are at the top win, while everyone else loses. In a legitimate Network Marketing company, on the other hand, distributors are paid only on product movement; not on recruiting. Both at wholesale and retail. There's also compensation based on the training and management of your marketing team. And unlike illegal pyramids, in Network Marketing, no matter where you're positioned or when you join, you can advance to the very highest income levels and even make more money than those above you in the network.

Q. I'm not a salesperson, so this probably is not for me.

A. Actually, studies have shown that people with no sales experience do great in Network Marketing. In fact, the studies show that they often do better than those with previous sales experience. This is because Network Marketing is not about selling; at least not in the way most people think of selling. There's no place for arm-twisting or high-pressure techniques in Network Marketing. Rather, Network Marketing is simply about sharing the concepts and products of your Network Marketing company that you use and you're excited about.

Q. How much money can I make?

A. The bottom line is you'll get out of it what you put into it. It works ... if you do. But that's the beauty of it, too; you are in control; it's up to you how far you take it. And do not forget, the income you create in Network Marketing is residual. This basically means that for the work you do just today, you have the potential to earn money not only for today but for years to come.

Q. What's so important about sponsoring in this business anyway?

A. It's like this ... it does not matter how intelligent, rich, energetic, or dynamic you are; we are all limited to the same 24 hours a day. By sponsoring, however, you can overcome this limitation. By sponsoring, you can essentially clone yourself and have dozens, hundreds, even thousands of people all working indirectly on your behalf on their time and receive a cut of everything they do. Sponsoring also builds your security in this business. Why? In most traditional businesses, what happens if you become ill or disabled and are unable to service your customers? Or otherwise you just want to take a nice long vacation? Whatever the case, you could lose most if not all of your income overnight because it relies on you being there. That's not owning your own life and that's certainly not financial freedom.Through the process of sponsoring and building a downline in Network Marketing, however, you can create total financial freedom for yourself. With a downline of independent business people working for you, you no longer have all your eggs in one basket. On the contrary, because each person in your downline has a vested interest in continuing and building their own businesses, you create an income that is non-dependent upon you - an income that can continue, even grow, indefinitely with or WITHOUT you.

Q. Do I have to stock and deliver products?

A. Most Network Marketing companies today allow its distributors (and often even retail customers) to order direct from the company. The company simultaneously tracks your bills, credits your account, and automatically sends you a check for the total amount due.

Q. Is not Network Marketing just another "get-rich-quick" scheme?

A. No, "get-rich-quick" is a fairy tale. It just does not happen in the real world. Sure, there are a few exceptions, but they're extremely rare. In fact, if overnight riches is your dream, your odds are probably better playing your state lottery than doing it in business - any business.

Q. I could not get involved in Network Marketing. It's not a "real" business.

A. It's very real. Network Marketing is now a multi-billion dollar industry involving millions of independent business people and major US corporations like Colgate-Palmolive, Gillette, Sprint, and MCI, just to name a few. And it's a rapidly-growing international force, too, with thousands of Network Marketing companies already in operation in Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Basin.

Q. If Network Marketing is so great, why are not more people involved?

A. That can be summed up in one word: misconceptions. The general public just does not understand what Network Marketing is or its potential. But that's finally starting to change. Right now it's estimated that only about 2% of the US population is involved in Network Marketing. But industry experts predict that number number could climb to 10% by the end of this decade. You can position yourself to take advantage of this trend by getting started in Network Marketing now. The timing is great for getting involved!

Q. What are the costs involved in starting and operating this kind of business?

A. Virtually all Network Marketing companies require you to first purchase some kind of "Starter Kit." This is a one-time cost, and is usually less than $ 100. In addition, of course, you'll have monthly expenses for office supplies, postage, advertising, etc. A total of £ 50- £ 150 pounds per month is probably a realistic expenditure to expect. Anyone can afford this amount of money without jeopardizing their current lifestyle while they're trying to build a better one. And here's some more good news - most, if not all of that, is tax deductible.

Q. What if I can not afford to buy extra products.

A. You're not supposed to. Network Marketing companies just want you to replace those products you now buy elsewhere with the equivalent-but-higher-quality products your Network Marketing company manufactures. By doing so, you'll likely save money since you now get to buy at wholesale. Plus, it only makes sense to buy from yourself - to buy from "your own store."

Q. I've tried Network Marketing before and it did not work for me.

A. Let's say you've just moved into a new city and you decided to go out to eat that evening. Unfortunately, the food at the restaurant you picked turned out to be horrible. But just because of this one bad experience, you certainly would not swear off eating at all the other restaurants in the city, would you? Of course not! Network Marketing is no different. There are fair Network Marketing companies, great Network Marketing companies, and, yes, even some bad Network Marketing companies. But Network Marketing works! You just need to link up with the right company and the right opportunity at the right time. See MLM RockStars.

Q. I do not have the cash right now to get involved in Network Marketing.

A. Get it! If a brand new £ 60,000 Mercedes were offered to you for £ 1000, would you find the money somehow to buy it? Go and get the money because your own Network Marketing business could be worth a lot more than that Mercedes.

Q. I can see how others have become successful, but I do not think I could do it.

A. People of every age, every background, from every walk of life are making it in Network Marketing today. If you have the desire, you can succeed in Network Marketing.

Q. If I would happen to be sponsored by someone half way across the country, how do I get questions answered? And what about training?

A. Free consultation and assistance from your sponsor, other upline associates (and often the corporate staff of your Network Marketing company) is a phone call away.Faxes, E-Mail, Voice Mail, and other new technologies also provide fast and efficient communications between upline and downline ... no matter where they're located. As for long-distance training, this is easily handled through video training CD's, audio taped seminars, books, online computer and telephone conferences, etc.

Q. I just do not have the time to start a Network Marketing business. I've got too many irons in the fire already.

A. That's precisely why you should consider Network Marketing. Beside creating financial freedom, Network Marketing is specifically designed to create personal freedom for you so that you can do all the things in life you really want to do that you do not have the time for now.

Q. Do not you have to get in at the beginning to make any real money? Does not saturation ever occurrence?

A. That's another big misconception that's been perpetuated by the media for years. The fact is, there has never been any evidence produced that "saturation" occurs in Network Marketing. This very topic was debated in US courts at one time and that was the conclusion by the courts.Secondly, realize that because Network Marketing is still a very young industry, there are hundreds of millions of prospects worldwide who have never even heard of Network Marketing . It will take years to even make a dent in that.But here's the main reason why "saturation" is a myth: Timing. In the US alone, there are tens of thousands of brand new prospects "hatched" every year.Part of that figure is young adults who have only just reached the stage in their lives where they'd consider (and could afford) to start a business. Then there are the thousands who have just experienced a major shift in the direction of their lives because of changes at work, at home, etc. These same people, who just months before could in no way, shape, or form be considered prospects for Network Marketing, are now suddenly very open to the proposal. And this is happening constantly. Bottom line: The market is wide open and the potential is powerful.

Finally, Internally acclaimed business people agree that Network Marketing represents one of the greatest opportunities in the world today.

3 Important Steps to Becoming a Joint Venture Whiz

Learning to do joint ventures properly makes you more attractive to businesses and companies looking to venture with another company. It helps ensure that the alliance between the two companies will go smoothly and fairly.

Also, JV's produce approximately 40 trillion dollars in revenue per year. So you can see why becoming a joint venture whiz is important to your business. It allows you to take advantage of having some of that 40 trillion dollar pie. Beside, being lucrative they are the fastest way to grow your business and assume very to no risk.

Here are 3 important steps to becoming a Joint Venture Whiz

Learn how to do a proper joint venture.

If you are new to the joint venture arena then I would join a club such as the private JV club this will ensure you learn to do a proper venture. They will teach and mentor you on how to properly JV with another company. Also, when you join a JV club, you give yourself access to entrepreneurs from around the world who are waiting to do a joint venture with you.

Be ethical 100 percent of the time.

Just as testimonials from customers and clients are important for you to build credibility with, testimonials about your joint venture alliances are equally as important. Do you do what you say you are going to do? Do you deliver the value you promised, in the joint venture, to the JV itself? Do you deliver this value on time? Other companies will ask other companies how it was to JV with you. Give them no reason to say anything except a favorable testimonial. This will boost your possibilities tremendously.

Push people up

The most important aspect of the joint venture is the opportunity to help other companies and individuals achieve success. Your joint venture must be a win / win for both parties involved. You must make sure that profits are distributed fairly for all parties involved. Make sure that your joint venture helps the new entrepreneur as well and the big and powerful company. Pushing all your colleagues up will ensure that the success you have, will be paid forward.

Joint Ventures have been called the most powerful trend in the history of business in America and fast becoming world wide by Thomson Financial. You need to know about and belong to a joint venture club like the private JV club. It is imperative to the growth and stability of your company and its future. Learn to be a whiz at joint ventures and whiz your way to the top.

Financial Planning Services

Financial strategists and planners are specialists who work with individuals to create a financial plan which will help to generate more wealth. They are commonly used by people from all different walks of life, including people who are heading towards retirement, and people that are interested in learning how to invest and use their income to maximize their wealth. This article takes a look at a five step process which is offered by financial strategists, and it explains what each of the steps entail.

The five step process includes an initial consultation, a strategic planning preparation, a strategy presentation, strategy implementation, and ongoing service and review.

Initial Consultation

The first step involves a thorough consultation where you will meet face to face with your financial planner to discuss your current financial situation and your goals and objectives. During the consultation you are free to ask any questions about the service. The financial planner will be able to clearly advise you on all costs and fees, and provide you with detailed information on the types of services that they can offer. There will be no obligation to proceed with the service after the initial consultation. If you do wish to proceed you can ask your financial planner to prepare a financial plan for you.

Strategy Plan and Preparation

The next step involves finding out more detailed information about your current financial situation in order to make a financial plan which is tailor to your needs. This can include ascertaining you current assets and liabilities, identifying your income and expenditure and understanding your current tax structure, amongst other things. This information is then processed to streamline your current financial situation, and to identify appropriate wealth creation strategies which are best matched to your circumstances. Financial planners will also help to minimize taxes, consolidate debt and maximize government entitlements. During this process your privacy and confidentiality is assured.

Strategy Presentation

Another meeting is arranged in which the financial planner will present a full financial plan which has been tailor to your exact financial situation. They will be able to make minor adjustments to the plan if it is necessary and clarify any of the details for you. If you are happy with the plan you can give the authority to put it into action. They will have all of the necessary paperwork with them, and assist with the insurance underwriting process so that you can get the plan implemented as soon as possible.

Ongoing Service Review

It is possible to subscribe to a full client care package, which includes ongoing service and review of your financial plan. A financial planner will be able to review all aspects of your financial plan to ensure that it is performing well and meeting or exceeding your expectations. They will identify opportunities which can be used to update or modify your existing financial plan, and check that the plan fits in with any lifestyle changes. They will also advise you on updates to the world's economy so that your plan can be updated as required.

Do not Give Up on Hair Loss Treatments Yet - Here Are 6 of the Best Natural Hair Growth Remedies

Natural hair restoration remedies are in abundance for those of you who would prefer to achieve regrowth of hair naturally, and heal your body from the inside out. All of the ingredients are healthy, natural and cheap, readily available from your local market, health food stores. Cut out the expense of surgical procedures and try these herbal remedies for hair regrowth.

Aloe Vera

We all know that Aloe Vera contains properties that are great for healing our skin from cuts and burns. But did you know it contains enzymes that also promote hair growth? It is probably one of the best herbal remedies for hair regrowth and you can use it many different ways:

• Aloe Vera Gel or Lotion - this is easily available from your local health-food store. Make sure its purity is no less than 99.9%. You can apply it directly to your scalp daily. Leave on for between 30-45mins and rinse out
• Aloe Vera Shampoo - You can make your own shampoo, combining Aloe Vera gel with a small amount of wheat germ oil and coconut milk. This can be used daily as your staple shampoo
• In its natural state - you can also buy the plant for your home, which is reliably cheap! Instead of the gel, you can take a few leaves off, cut them open and massage the pulp and juice onto your scalp. Rinse off after 30 mins

Wild Yam Root

This one is just for you ladies! Wild Yam Root promotes hair growth in women ... and women only. The root produces Progesterone in your body, which not only balances the production of hormones, but also treats several menopausal symptoms, including hair loss. It makes a great natural hair restoration remedy and fortunately, it is available in many forms:

• Orally - via liquid extract, tablets or capsules. Normal doses of wild yam are 2 capsules three times a day or as a tincture, 40 - 120 drops, three times daily
• As a herbal tea - steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried root in 8 oz of boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes

Onions

For those of you that do not know already, onions are an excellent source for its cleansing, antibacterial and stimulating effects on the scalp. Containing a high number of important vitamins and minerals, onions are extremely effective in regenerating hair follicles, scalp circulation and stimulating hair growth. Here's how best to experience this herbal remedy for hair growth:

• Peel the skin off one large onion and place into a juicer. If you do not own a juicer, you can try a blender
• Massage the juice into the scalp and onto the roots of your hair, specifically in the thinning and balding area
• Leave there to sit for at least 1 hour
• Follow this with your regular shampoo and conditioner
• Repeat this twice a day and you should see the start of hair growth within two weeks

Garlic

Not only is it perfect for adding that bit of extra flavor to your spicy meals, but garlic is also brilliant in its ability to remove harmful toxins stimulate blood circulation, essential for hair growth and preventing hair from shedding. So how best to take it:

• Garlic Extract - odorless garlic extract supplements are available form any health-food store. It's advised to take 1-6 daily, preferably with meals
• In natural form - adding 1 garlic clove for added flavor in meals

Emu Oil

Emu oil is obtained from Emu fat and has been proven to regenerate inactive hair follicles. Studies have reported that Emu oil revitalizes skin cells on the scalp and produce up to 80% hair regrowth naturally. Emu oil can be applied topically to the balding / thinning area and deeply massaged into the scalp. Leave it on for 10-20mins and immediately follow up with your regular shampoo. You do not need to rinse the oil off first.

Essential Oils

There are many essential oils that promote natural hair regrowth by stimulating the hair follicles. The following recipe contains the most effective herbal oils for hair growth

Hair Oil Recipe

• 3 drops of essential oil of thyme, lavender, rosemary, cedarwood, 20ml of grapeseed oil and 20ml of jojoba oil
• Mix the ingredients together and massage 6-15 drops into your scalp and hair for 3-5 minutes every night, paying particular attention to the balding / thinning area
• Cover your hair in either a warm towel or plastic shower cap for at least 45mins for your scalp to generate heat and absorb the oils. If applying at night, you can sleep with the oils on overnight
• Wash out with your regular shampoo

Clearing the Clutter Fast: Helpful Tips

If you take a minute and stand in the middle of your den or living area you can get a good feel for the room. You want to imagine wonderful things, but instead your thoughts are interrupted by the alarmingly growing amounts of clutter that seem to be piling up rather quickly. On the left side of the room you have a pile of books. Some you've read, some you're reading, and some you just do not know how old they are or where they came from. You may have put them on your coffee table with the other pile of magazines. You probably put them there so you would have something for your guests to look at. But now, it just looks like the place to put all your magazines because you do not know what else to do with them.

Now glance to your right and all you can see are your children's toys scattered around all over the place. Maybe there is even an empty pizza box from movie night. There are probably candy wrappers on the tables and empty cups and most likely some random items of clothing on the floor somewhere in there too. Now you look for a place to sit down all the stuff and realize there are only 2 available places to sit because the couch is covered with a pile of unfolded laundry.

You may be wondering where to start. Set the house on fire? Hold your head in you hands and cry? I know you wish you could be like Marry Poppins and snap your fingers and it would all be cleaned and organized for you, but, sadly there is no easy way out of this one. It's like we tell our kids ... you made the mess, now you have to clean it up.

It may seem like a daunting task, but really it is not that tough of a job. First things first. Stay focused. If at all possible, send the kids to a friend's house or to their room to play so you can work in peace and have no distractions or interruptions.

Next, make a list of all the clutter that is visible to you and prioritize them from most important to least. Where is the majority of the clutter? Where is the least amount? Before you know it you will have much of it cleared. Just put your mind to it and stay on task.

After you're finished with your list, take everything out. Place the items that you no longer desire to keep into large bags or bins for sale, donation, or trash. Then gather all of your cleaning materials. Once the area is clear of clutter, sweep and or vacuum the floor, dust the cabinets or shelving and clean any glass or mirrors.

Clearing the clutter from your home may be a tough practice, but it's a good one. Once you've experienced the wonderful results of an organized, clean and tidy home, you will feel better about spending time in that room, your home and with yourself. Enjoy it because cleaning up the clutter was a job well done!

Using Joint Ventures to Promote Your Salon Or Spa Business

A joint venture is where one service business works in partnership with another so they can both benefit mutually from the other's clients. Joint Venture Marketing is one of the most powerful, effective and inexpensive ways you can use to fill your appointment book.

Here's how it works: You want to build a larger clientele so you look at what other businesses your clients and potential clients go to. The best kind of business to enter into a joint venture with, naturally, is going to be one that complements your own business.

For example, hairdressing clients often get their nails done professionally, have beauty treatments, visit a tanning salon, buy jewelery, get their groceries from somewhere - and on and on.

So why not do a joint promotion with one of these businesses? They have a clientele. You have a clientele. It only makes sense that cross promoting to each other's business will build both client bases!

Finding a joint venture partner I've always found the best businesses to 'joint venture' with are businesses you know and you are comfortable with. Do you, your friends, your staff (or any of their friends) know anyone in these local businesses?

Generally business owners are protective of their clients, and if they do not know you or your business, no matter how attractive you try to make the joint venture for them, they may declare your offer. Or worse, take it on, but only promote it in a half hearted manner. You need to be fussy too. You will be recommending this business to your clients, so you need to make sure you're sending them somewhere you know they will be treated well.

What will you offer? Each business produces a card or leaflet with a special offer or other incentive on it. For example a tanning salon can do a special 'Buy a course of 6 sessions, get 2 sessions Free', a hairdresser can offer half price color on a certain day when it's queter, the beauty salon can offer a free skin analysis - you get the picture.

You can get really creative with this. In the past we have run very successful joint venture promotions with a florist, a photographer, a make-up studio and a financial planner. If I hear any salon professional telling me that they have not gotten enough clients I always recommend this one. It's very inexpensive to do and the rewards are great.

If your salon or spa is quiet at the moment, you are probably sitting there doing nothing. Instead use this quiet time as an opportunity to put a joint venture promotion together with another business. Do this one right and you'll be amazed at the results. Let me know how you get on!