June 18, 2009
Brian B
How can you find Company Executive Email addresses for email advertising purposes?

Hi Brian,
The LAST thing you want to do is send an unsolicited email. You should ONLY do email marketing with lists of people who have requested information from you. Okay… with that being said, now let’s solve your problem! I will have to make a few assumptions here since I don’t have your full story. So, since you’re trying to reach the top executive of a company, I’m going to assume you’re selling a product or service that is expensive and acceptably profitable. So with that assumption being made, I’ll assume you can afford to spend a little money to acquire these leads.
Here’s what I’d do…

1.) Write a 10 page “insider’s report” for executives in your industry. For example… “How to Identify the Top 7 Ways Employees Attempt to Embezzle Money” (This would work if you’re selling forensic accounting services or something like that!)

2.) Rent a mailing list of executives in whatever industry you’re in and MAIL them a single sheet of paper that directs them to a website where they can download this report for FREE.

3.) When they arrive at the website you simply tell them that not only will they get their free report, but you’ll also send them a FREE weekly “insiders’ newsletter”… all they have to do is enter their email address and name.

4.) So… 5,000 names will cost you $500 to rent. The mailing piece will cost you $5,000 to print and mail. You’re offering something for FREE so a 5% response rate is somewhat reasonable. That works out to 250 leads that cost you $22 each. But now you can build that relationship with these 250 prospects for very little money since you’ve got their email address!
-Tim

Ever feel like this dog chasing his tail? I have!! A new marketing strategy will get you straightened out.

June 18, 2009
Bill 
Just wanted to know when you will be releasing your free eBook–Tim Schmidt, TRIBAL FORMULA. Thanks, Bill
Hi Bill,

I will be releasing TWO free eBooks sometime in the as-yet-to-be-determined future. Their titles will resemble “Tim Schmidt’s Tribal FORMULA Revealed Volume 01 & Volume 02″. They are both currently in development! Stay tuned.
-Tim

June 16, 2009
Ben H
Hey Tim there is a gun store in my area and the owner is at an age to pack it in.  Do you think the climate is sound enough to buy a reputable gun shop?  I know this is not much info but I was curious, thanks.

Hi Ben,
First I’ll make a few assumptions. 1.) The gun shop in question is at least somewhat profitable. 2.) The gun shop owner is willing to sell you the business for a reasonable price. 3.) You are ready and willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to make this business work. Okay… IF all three of my assumptions are correct then YES, YES, YES… this is the BEST TIME EVER for you to get into this business. Ben, if you decide to go ahead with this, keep in touch. I’d love to help you with your marketing plans!

All the best!

 
Tim Schmidt

“I’ve missed more than nine thousand shots in my career.  I’ve lost three hundred games.  Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the winning shot and missed.  I’ve failed over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed.”  - Michael Jordan

• For most people, simply getting started on the road to wealth is the hardest part.  At least that’s what we tell ourselves right?  I like what Felix Dennis says, “Once begun-the job’s half done.”  Once begun…so why don’t we begin?  In ‘How To Get Rich’ Felix says;
  “If young and relatively penniless, many will argue their lack of experience and capital (especially capital!) dooms them to decades of wage slavery.
• If slightly better off and on the way up with a halfway decent job and perhaps the probability of further advancement, the problem is often considered to be the loss of what they have already achieved.  Plus the lack of capital.
• By the time one is a senior manager or professional, probably with a decent house, a mortgage and children, it is the risk to the security and happiness of the latter (and maybe to a spouse), plus the usual lack of capital, which are most often cited as insuperable difficulties to taking the plunge.”

I had the honor this past March to speak at Yanik Silver’s Underground 5 Seminar and I was very humbled by the amount of people that came up to talk to me about their ideas the rest of that weekend.  Many of the ideas were good!  Heck, many of the ideas were AWESOME and I wanted to tell them, ‘If you’re not going to implement that I want to!’  But talking to these aspiring entrepreneurs I noticed one thing and I’d be willing to bet money that at least 80% of the people who had these awesome ideas will NEVER do anything about them.  Why?  Personally I think its lack of confidence in themselves and their abilities.  And that leads to fear of failure.

So now we know what it is that holds us back, what can we do about it?  Like Felix says, take that first step.  Take it on faith and the second step will be easier.  Like Michael Jordan says, think of every failure as a stepping stone.  Everyone fails…its what you do with that failure that counts.

All the best!

 
Tim Schmidt

June 18, 2009
James T

Tim
With Obama’s Czars for everything, including business, why would anyone WANT to start a business that may, at any time, be told by the Business Czar how much they can pay employees, or even worse, how much they themselves can make, or have the Government take over the business?  Also, since the Government now owns the majority of G.M., and WE are the source for the money used to take control of G.M., when will we start getting our dividends?  Surely the money that will be made by G.M. won’t go into Government coffers, will it:-)?

Hello James,
While I agree with you that the crush of socialism is discouraging, it is CRITICAL that you do not throw in the towel.  Just think of it like a football game.  Sure, it may be the fourth quarter and you may be down by two touchdowns… but don’t quit.  Don’t give up.  Heck, take heart in the comedy of the situation.  The idea of our federal government owning controlling interest in GM makes me laugh out loud.  Just imagine a bunch of federal government employees trying to make profitable decisions in one of the MOST competitive industries in the world!  What a joke.  And yes, I realize that YOU and I will be paying for this folly.  But remember, the best weapon against socialism is “underground capitalism”… and believe it or not, but the times we’re in right NOW are offering some of the best opportunities for small business.  But if you give up, well…you’ll never even see these opportunities.
-Tim
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June 18, 2009
Mike B

Tim
In addition to being a loyal USCCA member, I’m the secretary of our local civic association.  We’re struggling with community apathy and low membership.  People only come out to our meetings when they want us to fix a problem on their own block, then we hardly ever see them again.  We want to develop some marketing strategies to increase membership.  Do you think the same principles and tactics that work for commercial businesses also apply to nonprofit, civic groups?

Hi Mike,
Short answer.  YES! Long answer.  The reason the same principles and tactics will work for business AND non-profit groups is because the common element is the involvement of HUMANS!  The human species is biologically selfish.  This is not bad or good… it just IS.  This concept is the foundation of the age-old marketing acronym WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?).  The first thing you ought to do is to educate your prospects as to WHY they might want to be more involved in the community.  What specific benefits will they experience if there was more community involvement?  Mike, have you thought about creating some sort of intra-community competition?  Also, be sure to be strategic about this.  Don’t forget that you’ll only have to really light a fire under a handful of your “front-line” activists… and these “front-liners” will lead the rest.

Give others ownership of the community, encourage and PUBLICLY praise their efforts.

Good luck!

 
Tim Schmidt