Makeing Money - Wealth Building In Today's Economy - How Important Are Multiple Income Streams?

If you've been interested in and pursuing wealth building for any length of time, you've certainly come across the concept of "multiple streams of income". It's a wealth building strategy that has been around for years, and is based on diversifying income sources. Today's question is this: In the present economy, is the strategy of multiple streams of income still relevant?

The short answer is a resounding "YES!", and I'll explain why.

At is core, the "multiple streams of income" strategy serves two very important purposes. First, diversifying your income sources allows you to take advantage of various financial opportunities at once. The reason that this is desirable is that, when accomplished effectively, a multiple income strategy provides the ability for your income to grow exponentially. Simplified, this means that you have the ability to grow significant wealth in shorter periods of time than if you depended upon only one income source.

The second advantage of engaging the multiple income streams strategy is also important. Multiple income streams spread your risk. Ever heard the saying "Don't put all your eggs in one basket?". This is the same principle.

A great example is what's currently happening in much of the United States with the housing market. Owners of residential real estate are in a bind. The buying market is depressed. Translation...People are not buying houses, and those who are, are not willing to pay the prices for homes that were being paid just a couple years ago. Sellers who bought real estate at inflated prices are now having to sell their investments for much lower returns, or not sell at all. They're losing money.

If you were a residential real estate investor, whose sole income source was your real state holdings, you would be in a bit of trouble right now. On the other hand, if you were smart enough to have diversified your holdings and have money invested in enterprises other than real estate, it is possible that your other investments could offset your real estate losses. This would leave you in a much less vulnerable financial position, and potentially have you in a position where you're still profiting comfortably in spite of the losses in real estate.

Another way of looking at the concept and the advantages of multiple income streams, is to think in terms of the relationship between your income and your occupation. If you currently work for yourself or for someone else, the deal is that you perform work and in exchange for that work, you get paid. But if you depend upon your income from working to be your sole or main income source for you and your family, what happens if you're unable to work? What position does that put your family in? Kind of scary isn't it, yet there are thousands of people who are managing their financial lives in just this way. They're begging for disaster and building their financial future on “a wing and a prayer”. Is this you?

How different might the outlook in the above scenario be if, in addition to the income from your occupation, you added another source of income, or two or three or four? How much more protected might you be?

In today's economy, multiple streams of income is more relevant than ever. How many income streams do you have?

Multiple Income Streams - Residual Income Opportunity

Internet Marketing Tips - Jump-Start Your Article Writing...Tips For Entrepreneurs

Information, much of it in the form of written content, is what drives the Internet. As a result, article writing is extremely important to Internet entrepreneurs who wish to succeed. But sometimes circumstances arise when the articles just aren't coming.

Writer's block happens to the best of us. I have cases of it all the time. I'll be sitting at my keyboard, staring into a blank screen, just hoping that a decent thought will jump into my head and I can start typing again. One minute goes by, then two, then ten, and nothing happens. Drat!

If this has ever happened to you, you know how frustrating it can be. In my personal experience, writer's block usually occurs when I have not adequately prepared myself to write at the particular time at which I'm trying to write.

What I mean is, I have ideas for articles all the time. Unfortunately, they usually show up when I'm in the shower, driving down the highway, in the middle of trying to complete ten other things when something just "pops into my head", or lying in bed at 3:00am. But, when it's time to recapture my thoughts, when I'm sitting down and ready to write, nothing.

If this sounds familiar, if you're in a bit of a slump, or can't seem to get or hold onto a decent article writing idea, here are some tips:

1) If you get ideas frequently, but can't seem to recall them when you need them, "sticky notes" and a small notepad work wonders.

I know, it seems ridiculously simple. No rocket science here, but I'm telling you if you've never tried this, it works. The problem is not that you don't have ideas that can be transformed into great articles. The problem is that you're not capturing the ideas you have.

Keeping small notepads (we don't want to create clutter, because clutter disrupts our ability to think and act clearly; a subject for yet another article) around the house, in the car, on your desks or anywhere else you tend to frequent, helps you to record important or creative ideas as soon as you get them (or soon thereafter).

By taking time to "jot down" your thoughts as they come, you create a means of saving them; a record and a resource. Then, when you're in a position to do something with the ideas, or when your "well runs dry", you have a great tool at your disposal. (Note: Using a personal voice recorder instead of a notepad, will work just as well.)

2) If getting ideas in the first place is your problem, here are three quick idea sources: current news (What's going on that affects your niche?), industry news (What are the new/hot trends, what changes are occurring, what are people saying/doing?), and current problems or challenges your audience may face.

Each of these sources can be reviewed quickly without taking too much of your time or effort. They can each provide the "seeds" from which to generate interesting and helpful articles.

In addition, don't overlook the value of your own experience. Your challenges, successes and failures are likely very similar to those of other individuals who are involved and interested in the same things as are you. Often, just writing about a subject and offering readers a different perspective can provide a great deal of benefit to your audience.

3) My final tip...Don't force it.

If you're experiencing difficulty with your article writing, walk away. If you're attempting to write an article and nothing is happening, STEP AWAY FROM YOUR COMPUTER (or paper or notepad).

Turn your attention elsewhere. Feed the cat, walk the dog, get some fresh air. Do something to break away from your writing. Engage yourself in activities that are completely different. Then return to your writing task with a refreshed mind and renewed energy. I believe you'll find that you can write.

If however, your "dry spell" lasts more than momentarily, my advice is still the same. Disengage, even for a period of a day or two if needed, and completely immerse yourself in other things. When you feel refreshed, come back to your writing and begin again.

Although there may be similarities in the actions of individuals involved in the task, article writing is somewhat different for everyone who does it. As writers, we all have different routines, different rituals, and different methodologies according to what works best for each of us. Invariably though, at some point or other, every writer comes to a point when their engine stalls.

The best advice is to keep yourself renewed and refreshed on a regular basis. Avoid getting so involved in your writing (or for you who are entrepreneurs, any of the other gazillion tasks you perform), that you exclude all else. This will help you to maintain a fresh perspective, and that "freshness" will certainly be reflected in your ability to write, as well as in the quality of your writing.

But when a difficult period does arise, be prepared. Have the tools in place to help you to get your article writing started and going again. Hopefully the tips included within this article will help you to do just that. Happy writing!

Willie Crawford's Hotlinking Teleseminar

Here's the link to register for Willie's teleseminar tomorrow as promised:

http://hotlinkalarm.com/teleseminar/

Toodles.

Information For Willie Crawford's Teleseminar On Friday

Just an FYI...I'm traveling today, and Willie won't have information about the registration for Friday's teleseminar (see previous post) up until later today. So, if you are interested in registering for that call, I'll have the information here for you late this evening. Check back here either late tonight (and I mean late), or early tommorow morning. It'll be up by then.

Hope you're having a great and prosperous day!

Toodles.

Upcoming Internet Marketing Teleseminars With Willie Crawford

Hello All-

Willie Crawford is letting everyone know that he will be hosting several free teleseminars over the next few days. The topics featured are ones that you may be interested in, so I thought I'd list them here for your benefit.

The first teleseminar takes place later today, Wednesday, January 16th, at 4-5:30pm CST. Willie will host a free call with Tom Brownsword on website and computer security. Tom is a certified computer expert who usees his expertise while working for the U.S. government. Tom and Willie will discuss risks to your online business, and things you can do to make you websites, computers, etc. more secure. They'll review some common website security holes that you can close right away.

By the way, all of these teleseminars are FREE, however, you do have to register, which is a very simple process. To register for the call with Tom, just visit:

http://TheRealSecrets.com/ComputerSecurity/

Thursday, January 17th, at 8-9pm CST, Willie is hosting a free teleseminar with direct response marketer, and highly-paid copywriter, Eric Louviere. If you've never heard of Eric, you'll be in for a treat. He's somebody you should become familiar with, as he's an excellent resource of high-quality information about online marketing.

On this call, Eric will share his "Niche Marketing and CPA Marketing System. He will also, as a bonus reveal his 7 Special Copywriting Insights.

To register for the call with Eric, visit:

http://www.therealsecrets.com/Eric/

Last, on Friday January 18th, at 2-3pm CST, Willie will host a teleseminar with programmer Will Bontrager, and marketing/branding genius Patrick Pretty. Patrick is another one of those people you should get to know if you're not familiar with him. He has an offbeat sense of humor (you'll know exactly what I mean if you ever see his branding logo), but he's another great source of information on what works.

Will, Patrick and Willie will discuss the problem of people stealing your digitally downloadable files. They'll share how even someone using your images can severely harm your brand, and impact your bottom-line.

The link is not yet available to register for this call, but it'll be available on Thursday, and I'll pass it along to you here.

Mark your calendars now for some good information from Willie Crawford and friends.

Toodles!

"Self Made Chick" Christine Okelly - You Have Got To Visit This Blog!

I discovered a new blogger today, and she is awesome! Her name is Christine Okelly and she's the author of SelfMadeChick.com. This is one smart "chick", and her blog offers great information, tips and insight for entrepreneurs.

Her post for today, "How I Stopped Listening To Experts And Started Making Money" is an article I'm certain you'll enjoy. And while you're visiting her blog, be sure to bookmark it. SelfMadeChick.com is a place you'll want to return to again and again.

Now go soak up some "good stuff".

Toodles.

Internet Marketing Questions And Answers - What To Do?

If you are a new or less experienced Internet marketer, it is often a difficult task to get trustworthy answers to your questions. There are a million sources from which to choose, actually many more than that, so the sheer number of alternatives can be quite overwhelming.

In addition to sifting through a gaggle of sources, it's then very difficult once you've selected several sources to determine whether or not those sources are credible, especially if you lack enough experience to adequately make that distinction.

And finally, to add to your difficulty, another issue you are most likely to encounter, is contradiction. You may find several sources of information that you deem credible, however their answers to your questions may be contradictory to one another, leaving you in a dilemma as to what answers or advice to choose.

For anyone who finds themselves in similar situations to those mentioned, I have two suggestions.

1.If it's hard for you to determine the best answers to your questions, watch what people do, not what they tell you to do or what they may say they do. "Turn off the noise". Simply observe what action is taken or what behavior is demonstrated by those who are successfully doing what it is that you wish to do. Then take note of the ensuing results. Pay as close attention to their faults or failures (yes, successful people do have them) as you do their successes. More than likely, you'll discover that you end up with much more beneficial and useful information that you can then apply to your particular situation.

2.Familiarize yourself with a place called "The Warrior Forum". For anyone involved in online marketing, whether or not Internet marketing is your targeted niche, the Warrior Forum is a literal "treasure trove" of information and experience. The knowledge and understanding that you may receive there is extremely valuable and enlightening, and has the potential of cutting months and even years from your online business learning curve. It costs nothing to become a member, but if it did, it would be well worth whatever your investment.

You can always feel free to ask me questions, and I'll do my very best to assist you. I won't always have the answers, but when I don't, I know where to find them.

Toodles.

ZeroMillion.com - Truly An Entrepreneurship Resource

If you're an entrepreneur, interested in entrepreneurship or especially fascinated by young entrepreneurship, then you'll love a website I've recently discovered, ZeroMillion.com. And while the name may momentarily put you off because it sounds like it might be the name of one of those fly-by-night, get-rich-quick schemes, think again.

While ZeroMillion.com is the brainchild of Ryan Allis, a young man who did "get rich quick" (at least when you take into account that he's built a multi-million dollar entrepreneurial empire in less than 10 years, and he hasn't even reached the ripe old age of twenty-five yet), getting rich quick, at least in the sense that you may think of it, is not what his website is about.

Allis's website, ZeroMillion.com is an extraordinary resource for entrepreneurs of all levels on a global scale. It offers an incredible source of free information related to entrepreneurship, small business, big business, economics, social entrepreneurship, young entrepreneurship, personal development and more. It provides entrepreneurs a source of encouragement and support, an environment for learning, and a place for networking and the exchange of ideas and information.

Ryan Allis is an incredibly talented, gifted, focused and successful young entrepreneur who began his life in business as a computer consultant at the tender age of eleven. Today, he is the owner of a growing entrepreneurial empire, in addition to being an extremely popular and sought-after speaker, business news and media subject.

As you search for places on the Internet to find what you need to create, develop and feed your own visions for entrepreneurial success, be certain to visit ZeroMillion.com, and then bookmark it. You'll find that you'll have to visit again and again to take full advantage of all of the great things it has to offer to you.

Now go get 'em!

Making Money Online - Holiday Money Blues? Consider Exploring 20 Proven Ways To Generate Online Income

Did you happen to spend a bit more than you should have during the holidays? Or did you not really have much to spend from the beginning?

If you find your pockets a bit short of money here at the first of the year, don't feel bad. You have plenty of company. But now that you're sitting around scratching your head (at least I hope its your head), and wondering what in the world you can do do make a few extra bucks, what are you going to do?

Believe me when I say, we've all been there. May I make a suggestion? Why don't you take a few minutes and check out "20 Ways To Make $100 Per Day Online"? Before you take that big breath, let out a sigh and tune me out, just listen for a moment. I know there are a gazillion products, ebooks and reports out there claiming to be the best thing since sliced bread, and telling you they can make you rich in the next 15 minutes. So what's different about "20 Ways To Make $100 Per Day Online"?

Let me give you just a couple things to consider. This information was put together at the direction of Willie Crawford, one of the very successful Internet marketers on the scene today, and someone I've personally talked to about strategies for making money online. What's interesting about many of Willie's projects, is that he is constantly searching for ways in which REAL people, ordinary, everyday "regular Joe" people can make money online.

Once Willie gets hold of an interesting idea, one with income potential, he researches it, tests it and then has other people to test it. He goes through a very thorough process to ensure that his ideas, theories and stratagems work, and that they work as expected and stated. He endeavors to create simple, but highly effective and profitable income strategies, those easily understood and easily copied.

In creating "20 Ways To Make $100 Per Day Online", Willie put together a team of Internet marketers who each contributed their own strategies for creating online income. These are simple, verifiable and duplicable ways, 20 of them, for you to choose from in determining your own strategies for making money online.

Do yourself a favor, check out "20 Ways To Make $100 Per Day Online". It just may be the best first step you take all year in finally getting yourself on a path of income generation, wealth building, prosperity and financial security.

Internet Marketing Tips - Traffic Generation – Standing In the Flow of Traffic

Willie Crawford, a very successful Internet marketer, often advises other marketers who are either not generating as much website traffic as they desire, or who have not yet developed their own "lists" to "stand in front of someone else's traffic".

I have found the above to be extremely good, and simple advice. Simple in that it's one of those "Duh" statements as in "Duh, I should have seen that one for myself." But it's surprising the number of online marketers struggling with generating their own traffic, who fail to simply stand in front of someone else's traffic flow in order to generate their own.

I said that it was simple advice. What I meant is that it is simple in terms of concept, but not always so simple to implement. Why? Because it is often difficult, especially for newbies, to know 1) whose traffic to stand in front of, 2) how interested that traffic is in what they have to offer, and 3) how much that traffic is worth. If you're not careful in the consideration of several factors, it's quite possible that the traffic you find could either run over you, or completely ignore your presence.

If you're the owner of a website that features supplies for sports fishermen, but you elect to advertise on a site focused on basketball, chances are you're not going to get much response to your ad offers. Although both sites specifically target sports-minded individuals, those individuals are clearly within two different and distinct interest groups. So, while it's theoretically possible for you to generate traffic from that traffic flow, chances are it won't be much and what of it you receive, won't convert (to subscriptions or sales) very well for you.

Then you have to consider what the traffic is worth. Believe me, while I understand that advertising can be expensive, especially for small business enterprises, some of the ad rates I've lately seen charged for ezines, newsletter and email solo ads, as well as banner or text link ads is absolutely astronomical, and often times, at least in my experience and opinion, highly inflated considering the ROI (Return On Investment).

The value of traffic is not an easily made determination. While some value can be proven (i.e. traffic volume, general interest based on things such as demographics, referrer, previous purchase characteristics, etc.), other factors in determining the traffic's worth can be somewhat subjective in nature. Value can depend on how closely related the traffic's interests are to your niche or product, the likelihood or potential of the traffic for taking desired action (clicking on your link or banner to visit your website or promotional page), then the likelihood of that traffic converting (subscribing or making a purchase).

The bottom line is this...standing in front of someone else's traffic can be a good strategy for developing your own traffic streams. However, proceed with caution. Make certain that if you are paying for the opportunity to benefit from another's traffic, you do so having full knowledge of what the value of that traffic is to you, and what benefit you expect to receive based on all available information. Do your homework or you could easily get burned.

Internet Marketing Tips - Offbeat Graphics That Will Make Your Visitors Smile!

Are you looking for cute, original high-quality graphics? If so, you need to check out Lillyarts.com.

I recently found this website filled with wonderfully happy, funny, well-designed graphics and art. The artist, Lilly Fluger, is a wonderfully talented woman/artist/writer (See example). If you need artwork for your website, ezine or newsletter, or notecards for gifts etc., you don't want to miss this website. Lilly's an original.

http://www.lillyarts.com

Toodles!

Making Money Online - Is Your Focus Out Of Whack?

Okay, I've got focus issues. I admit it, but don't act like I'm the only one who does. I know there are plenty of you out there running back and forth after the Holidays like "Little Chicken" trying to get your mojo back.

The thing is that I worked even during the holiday break, so I really have no excuse for having broken my rhythm. It just seems that everything right now is so scattered. For one thing, I'm always trying to work on a number of things, juggling a number of projects at any one time. Some are related, but others fall into completely unrelated life categories. Sometimes it can be a real nightmare. I'm doing a lot of work, but it's like "Run here. Do this. Now, run there. Do that. Now, run back over here...". I need to get my energies and efforts organized and laser focused.

So, I'm going to try the following plan:

1. Complete all unfinished tasks. In other words, I need to wrap up anything that I'm currently in the process of completing. This should be accomplished within the next 2-3 days.
2. Sit down, take pad and pen, identify my priorities for the next 30 days and WRITE THEM DOWN. I'll keep this list short, probably at the most 8 – 10 things. I don't want to create a laundry list of things that will get left over for next month. I want these to be tasks which can easily be completed in a month or less. Then, if I have time left over later in the month, I can add one or two things.
3. After identifying my priorities for this month, I'll create a daily/weekly task sheet where I schedule specific activities so that by month's end (or before), I will have accomplished what I've set out to do. (Hint: These need to be measurable so that at the end of the month, I can easily determine how well I've done in terms of completion and reaching my monthly goals.)

Then, I simply need to "rinse and repeat". Sound like a plan for better focus? Why don't you try it with me? See how well it works for you.

Toodles!

Making Money Online - Would You Scratch My Back?

You may notice that I've added a new widget to the blog. It's called "Top Spots" and it's just a way for you to send a little "love" my way, if you so desire.

If you happen to visit this blog and feel that what is posted here is helpful to you in any way, and provides useful and informative content to help you in your entrepreneurial, personal development or online endeavors, then you are welcome to leave a "tip" in my "Top Spots" box.

In return for your tipping generosity, I will post a link to the blog or website of your choice, which can provide you with a means of promotion and new traffic back to your site! Your link will remain on the top of the list until someone else "tips" me, at which time your link will move down one spot on the list. This will continue until 10 people have offered tips, then your link will roll off of the list until such time as you may wish to tip me again.

It's a new and fun means of interaction, and I appreciate the tips too!

Wanna scratch my back? Thanks!

No New Years Resolutions

I've been out of the New Years resolution business for quite some time. What I mean is I stopped engaging in the practice of making New Years resolutions more than a few years ago. The reason? Because like so many others, it became an empty and pointless tradition. We make resolutions and then proceed to fail to keep them, so what's the point?

In looking forward to the coming year, there are of course things I want to accomplish. There are things I hope to achieve in 2008 to direct the course of my life to a path much more in line with my “authentic life vision”. But I'm not going to make any resolutions about them.

Instead, I've begun working my "plan"; a document I created about four months ago that details certain goals I've set for the next 12 months, and then the next 3 years. I've included certain benchmarks that I want to meet, as well as a more detailed "plan within the plan", detailing the various strategies I intend to use to meet the benchmarks, and then the goals.

What I haven't done quite as well is to complete the necessary tasks that each of the strategies requires on a consistent basis, and that of course, is critical to my overall success. But I understand and recognize the significance and the importance of the smaller tasks, so at least I'm ahead on that score.

I have for many years known that goal achievement requires a plan, but what I hadn't considered until very recently is the importance of having a "living plan". In other words, plans are all fine and well, but "stuff" always happens, and even the best plans don't cover absolutely every contingency.

Envisioning your plan as a living document simply gives you permission to change it. If things don't go according to plan, when there are failures, when unforeseen elements come into play and the plan needs to be slightly altered or requires a major overhaul, a living plan allows for changes. In other words, you don't stop or completely throw away all of your efforts because something within your plan isn't working. You hit a bump in the road...you continue, either along the same path you started, or by way of detour, then moving along a different path, but still ending up at the destination you desire.

What are you committing to this year? What do you wish to change and improve about your life, or what can you change or improve that will allow you to contribute to the lives of others? What's your resolution...er plan?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!

I hope that you had an opportunity to enjoy the Christmas Holiday, as well as other holidays you may have celebrated during the Season, especially if you were fortunate enough to be with family, friends and share with those less fortunate than yourselves.

In the coming year, I wish you the Blessings of God; Joy, Peace, and the blessing of Good Health. I wish for you Prosperity, and that the fruit of your entrepreneurial efforts becomes evident in your business(es). I wish for each of you and your families all good things.

Sincerely,
Kimberly

Now Let's Go!