Posts by Bob Bly
12 Ways to Get People to Want to Do Business With You
It’s no secret that building a business is about building the right relationships. But how do you attract the right contacts? Here’s a quick 12-step guide to securing the most important professional relationships—and doubling your revenue as a result.
Read MoreSuccess: What Price Will You Pay?
The question that has always vexed me most is when a subscriber writes and asks: “Should I become a freelance copywriter?” “Should I start an Internet marketing business?” “Should I [fill in the blank here]?” Now, if you ask me HOW to do these things, I can give you some solid guidance. But if someone…
Read MoreHow to Get More Sales, Fewer Refunds
Subscriber DN, whom we heard from last week, asked yet another interesting question: “Bob, I’ve purchased information products from you, and found your information to be sound, but nowhere near as good as your sales letter makes it out to be.” Talk about a back-handed compliment…. She continues: “I am sure your refund rates would…
Read MoreWhat You Should Do With Your Life
Several weeks ago, I wrote about how it used to stymie me when a subscriber would ask whether they should do something – like quit their job or start a home business. But an even tougher question you guys ask me is “What should I do?” The question is usually followed by a list of…
Read MoreWhat Good Listeners Do Differently
When I was a young child, we sometimes played a game called “Whisper Down the Lane.” Five or six of us would sit in a row, and the first person would make up something and whisper it into the ear of the next person. The story would then be passed down the line in this…
Read MoreHow to Become a Recognized Expert in Your Field
A few years ago, I set out to determine why some people are the recognized experts in their field, while most of the other practitioners toil in relative obscurity. It’s an important question, because those who are the established gurus in their respective specialties generally are more in demand, can charge higher fees, get more…
Read MoreSlaying the Green-Eyed Monster: How to Deal with People Who are Jealous of Your Entrepreneurial Success
I once heard a great piece of advice concerning whether to tell other people how much money you make. The advice was: don’t. Reason: If you make less than they do, they will look down on you. If you make more than they do, they will resent you. Most people would never think of asking…
Read MoreHow to Start Your Own Business
I’ve started small home business in my 20s as well as in my 50s. Were there any differences in the process based on my age alone? Yes, and if you’re an over-50 entrepreneur, it helps to keep them in mind. To begin with, when I was younger, I had the boundless optimization that is bred…
Read MoreA Secret to Your Success
A few years ago, I was part of a panel of supposedly successful people speaking to a room packed with about a thousand college seniors. Our topic: how to be successful. When it was my turn, I asked the students: “How many of you want to be successful?” Every hand in the room shot up.…
Read MoreThe Right Way and the Wrong Way to Initiate Joint Ventures
At least once a week, I get an e-mail from a newbie Internet marketer presenting the same problem… The marketer has created his first product, along with a landing page on which to sell it. Now, how does he drive traffic to that landing page to generate clicks and sales? The most effective method is…
Read MoreDo You Know Who Your Customers Are?
How well do you really know your customers? Reading the magazines or websites where you intend to advertise is a good way to learn something about the folks you market to, but it’s not enough. Knowing that you are writing to farmers, information technology (IT) professionals, or plumbers is just the start. You have to…
Read MoreThe Worst Mistake I Ever Made
I hope what happened to my Internet marketing business recently never happens to yours… One morning, I clicked onto one of my five dozen or so product-specific micro-sites… only to find it gone! I quickly clicked on my other micro-sites. All gone. Next, a panicked call to my Web hosting service – with even worse…
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