I got a bunch of GREAT questions last week from the “Ask Tim” page. (If you’d like me to answer your question, just click on this link => http://www.tribaltim.com/ask-tim/ )

I’ve decided to answer a few of them in this week’s BLOG post.

Here’s the first question.

Well first of all, I’d like you to CONGRATULATE you on deciding to start your own business. Good for you. It’s never easy to start a business from scratch, but I’m convinced that anyone can have success with the right attitude.

Here’s a quick list of the most common mistakes that new business owners tend to make.

1. Trying to sell a product or service that people need. (It’s a LOT easier to sell something that people WANT.)

2. A weak or non-existent marketing plan. (Marketing and sales should always be one of the most important aspects of your business. Without a solid marketing plan, starting and growing a business is almost impossible.)

3.  Listening to nay-sayers. (This is HUGE. Most people are not willing to take the risks that YOU’RE willing to take. And a lot of them will not support what you’re doing. You need to stay away from these people as much as possible. Their negative attitudes are as contagious as influenza.)

I hope these tips help you out! Good luck my friend.

Tim 

All of my email lists for all businesses have been built from scratch. Meaning I’ve either bought advertisements in print magazines or I’ve paid for internet ads on search engines. These ads then drive prospects to a landing page that offers SOME sort of value in return for their contact information.

I manage all the lists with online software from www.aweber.com  I use these folks because they have one of the best reputations in the industry. (Plus, I met the owner of the company at a marketing conference and he was a really cool and down-to-earch guy!)

Thanks for the great question.

Tim

All the best,

Tim Schmidt

I just got done reading an AMAZING book.

The title of the book was “No B.S. Marketing To The Affluent” and the author was the infamous direct response marketer, Dan Kenendy.

If you’re wondering if there is any opportunity left in America, well this book will show you the way! Targeting the new mass-affluent is a gigantic opportunity.

Did you know that baby boomers represent more than 70% of U.S. households with income in the range of $117,500 per year?

If you’re wondering if there is any opportunity left in America, well this book will show you the way!

Did you know that THIS GROUP is the fastest growing segment of the consumer market?

Heck, this consumer demographic is growing so fast it has its own name, they’re called the “mass-affluent.”

Now, if you’re thinking. “Geeze Tim, I’m not one of these people.” Well I think you’re entirely missing my point.Okay, what IS my point?

HERE is an example that will perfectly explain it. Over the next five years, the horticulture industry will conservatively grow by 50%. That means it will go from $38 billion to $57 billion. That’s right an extra $19 billion being spent on gardening stuff!

I’ll bet there is someone who will read this message who is really into gardening. I’ll bet you could figure out a way to segment a tiny little chunck of the mass-affluent consumers in this market. Next, you build a relationship with them and this will be easy because you ARE one of them! Finally, you help your new group of prospects spend some of the $19 billion dollars on gardening products from… YOU!

Next thing you know, YOU’LL be one of these mass-affluent folks!

All you have to do is target a very small, niche market of people that YOU can relate to and provide them with things they want.

I know, I know… I’m making it sound so simple. But it really is!

All the best,

Tim Schmidt