March is national Crowd Funding Month

As you think about different ways to fund your project or business, you cannot help but think of crowd funding as a source. Most people have never even heard of crowd funding. Those who have may be confused about it. It’s worth taking the time to know about it. It’s good to have enough information so that crowd funding is an option for you.

Creating a project is not hard, however creating practical rewards might be. You need to think about those who are supporting your effort. What would they want? What would they need? What would be so remarkable that they would tell others about it? Some people will give just to support your cause. Most people think about what’s in it for me? They want something novel or unique. I have one client who is a musician. The most popular reward he gave was a song that included the givers name. Who wouldn’t want their own song in an mp3 by their favorite artist? Most of the people had purchased his last CD. They were already fans and were delighted to get this perk. Then he had a whole new set of people who wanted that mp3 for a gift. No matter how many people he gave it to, it was still unique to that person. My client assured me that this special mp3 did not involve writing a new song each time and it was something that he could easily do for anyone who asked for it. This reward was a huge homerun. If you can find a unique reward like this, you will get more than enough support for your project.

When is the best time to do your own crowd fund? Now! People are getting their tax refund and have some extra cash on hand. Also, it’s before the summer. In the summer, employment numbers change. Some seasonal workers like teacher are out of work and then you add youth workers who are out of school and looking for a job.
Unless your project is a fun activity or you have a strong base to work with, the summer can be tricky. Read more

Why Pay for Information that is Free on the Internet

I got very important email a few days ago. I think many people feel this way. The person wrote that they had a hard time reconciling people who charge for what should be free information on the Internet. I completely understand that feeling.

Here is the thing. We have to invest in our business either by dollars or by our own time. If you need knowledge, you have to take the time to do the research, online and/or in the library, assemble the knowledge you need and then put it to work. It could take you years to do that. With coaching, you cut the time down. You work with someone who can tell you where the pitfalls are and quickly explain each step to you. That person put in time and money to learn that information. Read more

Addicted to the Internet?

Remember when there were all those articles about being addicted to the internet?

No one is talking about that now, are they?

Why? Because most people have gotten over the novelty of being so connected by internet and realize we have to interact in real life too. Read more

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