These days everyone has a gadget, gizmo, strategy or idea that can help you turn your business into a gazillion dollar money-making machine.
But how true our their claims? And how much of their “strategy” depends not on real, hard work, but on your own hard earned cash?
It’s 2011. It’s time for your business to shine. But be careful what you invest your time and energy in. It could be that all you need is to brush up on your marketing or grammar skills and that “amazing” new program that everyone is talking about is just an easy way for you to drain your much-needed income.
But how do you distinguish the money depleters from the true helpers?
Here are a few tips that may help clue you in:
1. Do a quick check online. See if you can find reviews about the class/course or program you’re interested in. Contact others via Twitter/Facebook and ask if they have tried it and loved it as well. Do your research before you invest any time and money into it and you may save yourself from a lot of regret in the end.
2. Be clear about your expectations. Buying a previously recorded webinar will not be as engaging as a in-person class. Think about whether it’s worth paying $75 for an hour course that has already been taped. On one hand, you can listen to the recording when convenient for you. But on the other, you won’t have an opportunity to ask questions or be part of a live discussion.
3. Don’t be sucked in by name brands. Something surprised me when shopping for online courses and webinars. The most expensive well-known programs were not always the best. Sure, you can fork out $350 for an online course. But don’t bet on money as being a good indicator of a quality course. I’ve found that classes that give you the opportunity for dynamic discussion and conducted by an open, helpful and informative teacher are more important factors to consider when searching for a well-worth your $ course.
4. Think education, not desperation. Last year after much time of mulling over my options, I finally decided to give my freelance writing business a go. But fear over not having enough business or not being a good enough writer, threw me from one course to another, hoping that I could instantly build my business by discovering some secret other successful people already knew. The real secret is that there are none. And what I know now that I wished I knew then is that all I needed was faith in my abilities, trust in my skills and a few courses to help sharpen them.
The truth is that there is a fine line between marketing your business to make money to help others fulfill their professional dreams and to scam others into paying you to live your own.
How you determine which is which depends on the research you do before you sign up for a course as well as your own inventory you do on yourself.
There are great experienced, successful companies and entrepreneurs out there who have a lot to offer you and your business. But there are also a lot of scammy people out there too.
Do your research and you might be able to find the real gems in an ocean of imitation ones.
