I’m involved with a home business where MS70 silver coins are our main product.  Pretty cool, huh?  Anyway, I often get asked what is so special about these coins… the difference between these coins and a plain silver dollar.  Let’s start out with the difference between “bullion” coins and numismatic (or collectible) coins.

American Silver Eagle

A very popular silver coin traded in the world today is the American Silver Eagle.  The coin has been minted since 1986 at various United States mints.  The American Silver Eagle is one ounce of .999 silver.  Investors buy these coins sometimes in rolls or even bags for the silver value of the coin. These are generally referred to as bullion coins. These coins may have minor scratches, dings, etc. which generally does not affect the silver value of the coin.

Numismatic (or collectible) American Silver Eagle coins are collectible specimens of the coin.  That means they have a collector value in addition to the silver value.  Coin collectors, like myself, love to collect various dates and mint marks of coins.  Of course the more pristine the collectible coin, generally the higher its value.  The date of the coin, the mint, and it’s condition are used to determine a coin’s value in the market place.

Graded coins

Collectors can buy American Silver Eagles directly from the United States Mint.  They are often packaged in beautiful boxes and sometimes contain a certificate of authenticity.  What makes them collectible is their condition, the year, and the mint mark.  While these coins are generally the cream of the crop, they are not officially graded.

There are several popular independent grading companies in the world.  Graded coins are an insurance that the coin is real (not counterfeit).  They contain a grade or rating and are sealed in a plastic slab with a serial number.   Coins can be graded from “poor” to “MS70″.  MS stands for mint state.  MS70 is the highest grade (perfect).  I have found that a MS70 graded American Silver Eagle generally has a higher value than a coin that has not been graded.

Collector value

As a collector, I look at silver coins as an asset.  A numismatic (collectible) coin will retain the current value of it’s silver content PLUS the collectible value.

You can buy graded and certified coins at coin dealers, auctions, and coin shows.

You can also buy them from Numis, where I am an independent representative.¹  What is Numis?  Visit here for details about the company.  Become a customer or a business partner and find out how you can even get coins for free!

By the way, coins are fun for the whole family.  Who doesn’t enjoy collecting coins?

Disclaimer:   I am a coin collector.  I’m personally building my family’s assets with numismatic coins.  I am not a coin dealer, nor do I possess any professional certificates in coin collecting.  Any opinions are strictly from my own experience.

I am not a financial advisor.  You should contact your financial advisor for investment advice.

¹I do make sales commissions as an independent representative of Numis.  (Find out how you can too).

To your success,

James

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By James Ball james@jamesballblog.com USA

It’s called due diligence.  It’s a phrase often used in business to ascertain facts and make an objective analysis before committing to a business decision.  It’s weighing all the positive and negative issues and making a decision not made on emotions.

This article is about due diligence for network marketers.  Let’s say you’ve just got notice of a new shiny object, a brand new start-up that’s going to revolutionize the world.  After doing your homework, due diligence, does it make good sense to join this new business?

© anulu / PhotoXpress

What are the facts?

Are you already involved in a business?  Can you legally be involved in two or more network marketing businesses?

Do you have a loyal following of customers?  Are you going to attempt to convert them over to the new business?

Are you ready to jump?

Some people will follow blindly like sheep jumping off a cliff, but hopefully you have done your due diligence first.  Maybe you are jumping in because “everyone” else is doing it.  I’ve witnessed people vigorously advertise various new products and then a few weeks later never use these products themselves.  That doesn’t help their credibility.  Is this new thing going to quickly fade out or is it truly a revolutionary new product or service?  If your due diligence says to go, then more power to you and get in early…

Here are some due diligence steps for a home business:

1.  Do you know who the owner is and can you contact them?
2.  Do they have an address and a phone number for support?
3.  Are they headquartered in a foreign country?
4.  How much does it cost to get started?  What are the monthly costs?
5.  What is their return policy on the products?
6.  What is their quit policy and how will that affect your followers?
7.  What is their policy on your involvement in other marketing businesses’?

If you have done your research and decided that it’s a good business decision, then you have done your due diligence.  You now have a much better understanding and you are prepared for contingencies.

By the way, I am a firm believer in multiple streams of income, so if you’ve found a new deal that checks out, good luck.

Due diligence of course can also be used in our personal life.  Our soul-mates, our cars, our homes, the food we eat, the investments we make. Be smart and be prepared.

To your success,

James

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By James Ball james@jamesballblog.com USA

PS  If you want a step-by-step blueprint lead generating training system for your business, click here for the system that I use.*

PPS  Are you open to a home based business?  Check us out…  Join our team*

*Disclosure:  Yes, these are affiliate products and I make commissions on sales. (Find out how you can too…)

My wife and I try to get away every few weeks for our monthly mini-vacation.  We get away not only for the relaxation and bonding, but to remind us of our goals.  It helps to visualize our dreams.

Now don’t get me wrong, most of us in the industry agree on 90 day plans, all out work and no pleasure, on growing our business for 90 day intervals.  However, I think it’s also important to periodically re-visit our goals… to be financially free.

Taking off two days per month for a motivational pit stop should not hurt our 90 day plan.  I think network marketers need to see and feel their goal, at least for a day or two.

5-star hotels

We like to stay in 5-star hotels.  You can find cool deals on 5 star hotels, if you plan ahead.  Why 5-star?  Because it’s the best.  If feels so good to experience what it’s like to be financially free, to be treated like a VIP.

When staying at a 5-star hotel you pull up to the lobby in your car and you are greeted with a porter taking your luggage from the trunk.  The valet parks your car.  You enter the lobby doors and the door man opens the door for you and greets you.

Treated like a VIP

As you step into the lobby another staff member greets you and escorts you to the registration counter, they don’t just point.  As you register you are treated like a genuine VIP, after all they don’t know how wealthy you are.  You will be escorted to the elevator, maybe even to your luxury room.

You see and even mingle with wealthy people, see fancy cars and expensive clothes.  You dine at least once in a high-end restaurant where you are catered to like a king or queen.  You begin to feel rich.  You feel good.  You want more of this.  You want to be able to do this and other dreams anytime you want without worrying about how much it costs.

Why you are working so hard

You will be refreshed and motivated to get back to work on your home business.  You will be reminded of the REASON you are working so hard.  Enjoy it!

To your success,

James

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By James Ball james@jamesballblog.com USA

PS  If you want a step-by-step blueprint lead generating training system for your business, click here for the system that I use.*

PPS  Are you open to a home based business?  Check us out…  Join our team*

*Disclosure:  Yes, these are affiliate products and I make commissions on sales. (Find out how you can too…)

Image courtesy of:  justingun / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I recently ran into a question, “Should I start a blog or website, as not everyone is on Facebook.”   For the time being, Facebook is probably the hottest social media platform to engage your business.

Facebook Page

I suggest everyone with a business have a Facebook page.   However, it’s true that not everyone is on Facebook.  How many people like your Facebook page, a few hundred?  Will a few hundred people sustain your business?  Not only that, but even if you have a well designed Facebook page, it’s possible only a fraction of your likes will see your status updates.

Think about this. Let’s say you post a status update of your latest product offer or maybe just a fantastic value added tip.  Unless your fans are logged on to Facebook and activity reading their wall at the time that you post your update, they may miss seeing it. If people have a lot of friends and they only log on at the end of the day, how many people are going to scroll back through the entire day’s update to find yours?

Yes, there are ways to help insure seeing your posts by requesting notifications of your page.  However, not everyone is going to want notifications or even know how to set it up.  You can also create sponsored stories or even do Facebook PPC, but that can get costly.

Last but not least, there is always the possibility that Facebook could close down your account for any number of reasons.  It’s even possible that Facebook could go away and then what happens to your online presence and all your hard work?

Self-Hosted Blog

If you set up a self-hosted blog or website your online business presence will last almost indefinitely.  Capturing names and e-mails from your blog’s opt-in form is a must for creating a valuable list of potential customers.  I know business partners who generate income from their blogs years down the road from people searching for keywords on their blogs.  Using SEO (search engine optimization) and other techniques, the keywords in your site may be searched by many thousands of people on the Internet.  I wrote a previous blog post, Do I Need A Self Hosted Blog which may help explain this in more detail.

Your blog is not going away.  Blogs created by WordPress, for instance, are fairly easily to create and very easily updated.

I definitely suggest learning all you can about Facebook social media AND having a blog.

To your success,

James

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By James Ball james@jamesballblog.com USA

PS  If you want a step-by-step blueprint lead generating training system for your business, click here for the system that I use.

PPS  Are you open to a home based business that won’t interfere with your current job?  Check us out…  Join our team

Disclosure:  Yes, these are affiliate products and I make commissions on sales. (Find out how you can too…)

*Image is mine.

Many people who sign up for direct sales or network marketing have no previous experience with this type of business model.  Often times they are “sold” on the idea of get rich quick.  They sign up, receive their starter kits, blast e-mails out to all their family and friends and then wait a few days for the money to start rolling in.

After a few weeks go by they wonder why they are not yet rich.  Sometimes without one single person signing up for their business.  If they are lucky, they have a well-trained professional up-line who can help them succeed.  I’m willing to bet this is often not the case.  Their up-line may also have no clue how to sponsor as well.

Like any new job, you need training, network marketing training.  I’m going to give you my tip for the day, especially for brand new network marketers.  This is one of the most important training tips you can take away.

Do not blast e-mails

Upon joining your business do not copy all your contacts into an e-mail group and blast them all with news about your new home business.  Even worse, blasting a 5,000 word e-mail with all the infinite details of the business.  Let me repeat, don’t do that!

Yes, your company and up-line have probably told you to contact your warm market first.  That is very good advice, but there are ways to do it.  Don’t blow off your warm market!

Suppose you have people whom you have not seen or spoke with in years.  All of a sudden they get this e-mail from you, “Hey John, long time no see.  I just joined this new home business and I’m going to be rich in 30 days.  Click on my company replicated website link and join today.  See you at the top!, Bill”

How would you respond getting an e-mail like that?  Sounds like spam that you hate and delete, doesn’t it?

Warm market tips

Instead, how about calling John or e-mailing him and mention that’s it’s been a long time, let’s get together for coffee sometime.  If you meet up don’t even mention your new business deal at first!  Don’t you dare pass him a business card.

• Dress the part, look like you are doing well (without over doing it).
• Talk and get acquainted again
• Ask about his family, kids, girlfriend, car, etc.
• Listen for his pains in life (money issues, kids in college, just laid off, etc)
• Ask him about his job or what he’s up to now.
• Guess what, he will eventually ask you what you are doing.

Now, here we go again about network marketing training.  You’ve been waiting on the edge of your seat for him to ask about what you are doing.  Don’t jump up and toss-up all over him that it’s a ground floor opportunity, the best chocolate cookie made from special plants in the bottom of the ocean, and the best comp plan ever, etc, etc, etc.

So what should you say?

I’ll confess, I did all those things above that I told you not to do.  It didn’t work.  I now know better.  Here’s my secret.

Sign up here for my FREE video training archive from the top leaders in the MLM industry.  You’ll discover how to answer John’s question.  You’ll also be on my mailing list for FREE training webinars on everything from how to get online leads, Facebook PPC, blog SEO, You Tube marketing, and much more…  FREE

You can’t do this alone.  You need network marketing training to succeed.

How to respond

OK, I don’t want to leave you hanging.  When John asks what you do for a living, you tell him that you recently joined a home business.  You might chuckle a little and say I think it’s my ticket to quit my 9-5 job.  He certainly will ask what is it.  You tell him you’ve got an appointment in 30 minutes and got to run, but you’ll send him a link to your website or landng page.  Ask him to take a look at it and also ask what’s a good time to call him the next day, or even that night.

Now you are ready to move on.  Again, here’s the link for your FREE training.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year,
James

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By James Ball james@jamesballblog.com USA

PS  If you want a step-by-step blueprint lead generating training system for your MLM, click here for the system that I use.

PPS  Are you open to an exciting home based business that won’t interfere with your current job?  Check us out…  Join our team

Disclosure:  Yes, these are affiliate products and I make commissions on sales. (Find out how you can too…)

*Image is mine.

Many people ask, how do I build a blog and what do I write about?  Blog content is key when building your blog.  You can have the most cool looking blog theme in the world, but if your content is no good, nobody will come back.  So what do you write about?

Let me first share a cool story that I witnessed the other day.

Sharing a story

See image credit below*

I was out driving and had stopped at a red signal.  Crossing the street in the opposite direction was a group of twenty or more very small children.  The children were holding onto a rope that the teachers had stretched between them.  One teacher displayed a stop sign.  It was quite cute watching them all follow the teacher’s directions to safely cross the street.

The light turned green for my side of the street long before the little ones were clear of the intersection.  I noticed how none of us waiting at the signal impatiently moved forward or blew our horns.  We all just sat there waiting…

I thought to myself perhaps no other traffic law is more cherished or respected than the safety of our little ones.  Perhaps a law isn’t even necessary in this case, but I’m glad there is.

Internet marketing

Ok, you might be saying I thought this blog was about Internet marketing.  Well, it is and you just received an important tip on building your blog.  People visit your blog by referral or by searching for content in your blog.  When they get there, hopefully, they will take a minute or two scanning your blog.  If they see that you are a real person and sharing interesting stories they just may bookmark your blog and come back again.

I suggest the good old 80/20 rule.  Build your blog with 80% value (pertaining to your niche) and 20% story telling.  Help your readers get to know who you are.  You want them to like you, right?

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By James Ball james@jamesballblog.com USA

PS  If you want a step-by-step blueprint lead generating training system, click here for the system that I use.

PPS  If you are open to an exciting home based business that won’t interfere with your current job?  Check us out…  Join our team

Disclosure:  Yes, these are affiliate products and I make commissions on sales. (Find out how you can too…)

*Image courtesy of “imagerymajestic” / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In a previous post, I discussed why you might want to do a 90 day blast.  This post will explain how to do it.  There’s a link to my previous post at the end of this post.

One of our industry leaders, Eric Wore, when describing the 90 day plan, used an example of an airplane taking off.  The plane is loaded with fuel and passengers.  There is a flight plan and all checks have been made.  The goal is to take off and gain altitude as quickly as possible.  If the pilot starts off with 20% throttle, or even 70% throttle, the plane may never take off.  The pilot needs 100% throttle.  Once the plane is in the air at a sufficient altitude, the pilot can back off the throttle.

You will be on the floor at 100% throttle for 90 days…  You can then back off and recover.

Step 1- Goal

You need a goal for your 90 day blast.  The goal may be to get 25 prospects to an event, 50 viewers to a webinar, or 100 e-mail leads in 90 days.  Your goal may also be to just get your new business off the ground.

Step 2- Plan

Next you need to make a written plan of how you will achieve your goal.  Are you going to do face to face offline marketing, are you going to use paid advertisements, social media, and/or a blog?  Most likely a combination of everything, but make the plan.  For example, “I will spend 1 hour making contacts on social media, I will spend 2 hours writing a daily blog…”

Step 3- Buy in

Your 90 blast may affect your life with family and friends.  Talk to your loved ones and friends.  Tell them that you are going to be working like there is no tomorrow for 90 days.  Use an example like starting a new job and you want to impress your boss or pass your probation.  Let them know the end result is going to be a better life.  You may still be home or even still working your present job, but have them pretend that you are off to college in another state.

Step 4- Start working

This is very important.  Don’t spend 90 days thinking and planning for the 90 days.  Start working ASAP.  It’s now or never…

If you are going to be full-time, then work 16 hours a day for 6 days.  Take one day off for family and rest.  If you are part-time, you are working another job, then work 6-8 hours per day for 6 days.  Squeeze in time on your breaks or during your commute (listen to audio training).

My friend Ray Higdon, another industry leader, gives this advice.  Don’t waste time.  Track your activities in writing.  It’s going to be really hard.  It’s not for the weak.  It means not watching TV or going to the movies, playing computer games, or doing your favorite hobby.  It means 30 minute lunch and dinner breaks.  Don’t cheat yourself or your family.  You need their buy-in.

If that scenario is just too much or impossible with your family situation, then just do your very best.  It’s your choice.

The bottom line, DO YOUR VERY BEST!

Step 5-  Recover

Once you have completed your 90 days you can back off.  How did you do?  Did you meet your goals?  What can you do better next time?  If you made some money during this blast, celebrate and reward yourself.  Plan your next 90 day event.

In conclusion, what kind of business people should do a 90 day blast?  People who are finally ready to make a true difference in their life.  People who are sick and tired of barely getting by and always saying “someday.”  People who are sick and tired of their friends and family saying, “why don’t you get a real job…”

Only YOU can make it happen.  My thanks to network marketing industry leaders Eric Wore and Ray Higdon for their coaching on a 90 day blast.

Try it, see what happens.  Better yet, don’t try it, just DO IT!

If you missed my first blog on the 90 day plan you can find it here.

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By James Ball james@jamesballblog.com USA

PS  If you are already involved with any network marketing business and want a step-by-step blueprint lead generating training system, click here for the system that I use.*

PPS  If you are open to an exciting home based business that won’t interfere with your current job?  Check us out…  Join our team*

* Disclosure:  Yes, this is an affiliate product and I make commissions on sales. (Find out how you can too…)

OK, here goes round 2 of my Black Friday specials.  I’m putting these services together as a group for those just starting out in Internet marketing.  Here’s the essentials you’ll need to get started: a domain name, a hosting service, and an auto-responder.

Disclosure:  I always believe in being transparent and also satisfying legalities.  I am an affiliate for any promotions I post in my blog, so I make some type of commission.  Most promoted products I own and use myself.  See my P.S. below for information how you also can make multiple commissions from Internet marketing.

Domain name

I use a company called Namecheap for my domain names.  They offer a number of freebies, like WHOIS  privacy, and they don’t push up-sells on you.

Today, Friday November 23, 21012,  they are offering .98* cent domain registration (see the details, *one per customer).  This offer is TIME LIMITED Friday only, so check out immediately.  Use code DOMAINTIME at check out…  Click on the banner below.

Update:  I’m sorry that the Black Friday specials are over.  Click on the link to get the latest specials at Namecheap.

Be sure to submit your name and e-mail address in my sign up box to stay up to date with all my offers and newsletters on Internet marketing!

Hosting

For my hosting I use a company called Hostmonster.  They use in-house support and I have had no problem with their service.  As of today Friday November 23, 2012 for Black Friday they are offering hosting from $3.95/mo*, regular $6.95/mo. (*see details)

Click on the banner below.

Update:  I’m sorry that the Black Friday specials are over.  Click on the link to get the latest specials at Hostmonster.

Be sure to submit your name and e-mail address in my sign up box to stay up to date with all my offers and newsletters on Internet marketing!

Auto Responder

I use GetResponse for my auto-responder system. FREE trial offer. (see details)  Click on the banner below.
 

Update:  I’m sorry that the Black Friday specials are over.  Click on the link to get the latest specials at GetResponse.

Be sure to submit your name and e-mail address in my sign up box to stay up to date with all my offers and newsletters on Internet marketing!

Another choice is Aweber.  I have not tried Aweber, but it is a very popular auto-responder.
They offer a one month trial for $1. (see details)  Click on the banner below.

Update:  I’m sorry that the Black Friday specials are over.  Click on the link to get the latest specials at AWeber.

Be sure to submit your name and e-mail address in my sign up box to stay up to date with all my offers and newsletters on Internet marketing!

Note:  Some offers may or may not apply after Black Friday, so click on the banner and check out their latest deals.

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By James Ball james@jamesballblog.com USA

P.S.  If you are looking for a way to make commissions marketing online and want a step-by-step blueprint success system, check the system that I use.*

P.P.S.  Are you open to a home based business? Join our team*

I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to promote some Black Friday specials on my blog as well and pass them on to my readers.  Some specials will be available only on Friday, while others may extend through the weekend.  I even have some specials that begin only on Monday (November 25, 2012).   So all I can say is bookmark this page or join the RSS feed.

Disclosure:  I always believe in being transparent and also satisfying legalities.  I am an affiliate for any promotions I post in my blog, so I make some type of commission.  Most promoted products I own and use myself.  See my P.S. below for information how you also can make multiple commissions from Internet marketing.

My first Black Friday promotion for the day is Ray Higdon’s, The Power Mind video series.    Here is a short clip of the introduction;  “It is time to create. It is time to divorce the negative emotions that run so many people’s lives. My goal with this course is to change the lives of thousands of people all over the world….

• Shift your negative emotions to positive (regardless of your circumstances). IF you are in a really bad part in your life, this course may just save your life….”

Yes, I bought this course including the bonuses (and I paid more than today’s special!).  There is not a day goes by now that some of the teachings come to play in my day-to-day life.  Not only altering my personal life, but giving me the mind-set to strive for success in my business dealings.

The course details, bonuses, and special ONE DAY Black Friday price is spelled out HERE.

CLICK HERE NOW, as the sale ends at midnight Friday November 23, 2012.

Watch throughout the day and this weekend for my other Black Friday special offers.

Update:  I’m sorry that the Black Friday special ($29) is over.  However, you can still receive Ray’s product at a special promotional price ($97).  Click on the link.  Get it before the promotion ends.

Be sure to submit your name and e-mail address in my sign up box to stay up to date with all my offers and newsletters on Internet marketing!

If you got value from this post, please click the share buttons below.

By James Ball james@jamesballblog.com USA

P.S.  If you are looking for a way to make commissions marketing online and want a step-by-step blueprint success system, check the system that I use.*

P.P.S.  Are you open to a home based business? Join our team*