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The Day I Lost My Pants In NYC

By Charlie Cook | March 18, 2009

It was the day after Thanksgiving when I lost my pants. I was headed in from Connecticut to New York City with my fiance to explore what was then a still-emerging art gallery scene in Soho. We were enjoying the trip in but things started to go wrong when we got off the subway.

We’d misread the subway map and got off one stop too early. That wouldn’t normally have been a problem, but when we emerged from the subway station, rain was coming down in buckets. We had rain jackets but no umbrella, and the temperature was just above freezing.

By the time we’d walked a few blocks, our jeans were soaked through and we were both shivering and miserable. We were too cold to spend the day wandering around soaking wet. The choice was, either to give up and go home, or do something about our wet clothes and try to save our day together in the city. We opted for the latter.

What would you have done?

We stopped at a corner store, bought a newspaper and went looking for a way to dry our pants. A block away, behind a heavy metal door, we found a tiny laundromat with just three washers and dryers.

We peeled off our wet jeans behind the newspaper and popped them into a dryer. We sat down to wait, trying to be as discreet as possible about our state of undress. (Newspapers are handy in such situations, but to tell you the truth, the New Yorkers around us didn’t even blink when we took off our pants.)

Thirty minutes later, we had warmed up, our jeans were dry, the rain had let up and we were back on track. We’d salvaged what could have turned into a really bad day.

Ever have something bad happen that turned into something good?

This current recession is like a cold rain. It’s soaking lots of people’s profits, and anticipating a difficult year or two is downright unpleasant.

Want to find simple solutions to salvage your business plans and dreams? You can do it.

The email I’ve been getting over the last three months falls into two distinct camps. The first group is paralyzed by fear and worry. They’re watching and waiting, and they’re unhappy.

The second group of people are worried, too, but they don’t feel stuck. They are highly motivated to find a way out of the problems the recession is causing them.

These smart business owners, people like you, know they need to adapt to these challenging conditions, improve their business practices, and look for new opportunities to maintain profits — or even grow.

Last year, during the first year of this recession, my clients on average doubled their sales. You can do the same by taking action now.

Contact me by filling in the application for my one-on-one mentoring program. This program isn’t for everybody. It’s for qualified business owners who can show me a track record of past success, and who are motivated to find solutions to today’s problems.

Want in? I’ve only got two spots open.

Start here to schedule a time to talk >>

– Charlie

P.S. Don’t lose your pants in this recession. Do something about it.

What’s the #1 Profit Strategy For You?

By Charlie Cook | January 27, 2009

Why is it that some entrepreneurs and business owners seem unstoppable, steadily growing their businesses and assets, while others struggle to stay profitable?

Some people have a clear idea of where to focus their marketing and know which marketing activities bring in the bacon and which are just excess fat. The result, successful business owners spend less on marketing and make up to ten times more than their competitors.

I want you to be one of the top ten percent of business owners, one of the people in the winner’s circle. And here’s how you can find out the answers to put your business on the fast track to make an additional $100,000 this year.

Today my Marketing MasterMind Program opens to applications from all of my subscribers and from the general public. As a member I’ll help you discover the #1 wealth-building strategy for you.

Want In?

Use this URL >>

Should You Join?

1. Do you push yourself and your employees to improve every aspect of your business?

2. Are you actively creating new opportunities for success?

3. Do you use your mistakes to create new ways of working?

4. Are you aware of your biggest business marketing weaknesses?

5. Are you currently working with experts who can help you take your business to the next level? If not, are you seeking the help you need to grow your business?

Does this sound like you?

If so, you’d be perfect fit for the MasterMind Program. You are someone ready to really go for it. I’m betting you’re up for the challenge.

If you want expert advice to show you what works, and hold you accountable for getting it done and getting it right, then use the following link to discover if you can get what you want.

https://www.marketingforsuccess.com/mastermind-group.html

-Charlie

P.S. You’re don’t have to do it alone. But you do have to take action now to get in and get answers >>

P.P.S. Space won’t be available for long. So join today.

Can We Talk – from Charlie

By Charlie Cook | January 21, 2009

Want to know the #1 secret to making 2009 profitable?

Want to know how to make marketing simple and make it work for you to grow your business that no one tells you?

Grab a pen and some paper and jot down this important date. January 29th, 2009. I’ll tell you why in a second.

Over the years I’ve personally helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and business owners increase their sales by huge amounts.

The secret?

It’s a lot easier than you ever imagined when you understand this one idea. When you do you you’ll know exactly how and where to focus your marketing and see your sales soar.

I’ve never revealed this before, though my clients have benefited from it. It’s the #1 Way To Increase Profits In Any Economy and I want to share it with you.

I just got off the phone with my teleconference company. We’ve arranged to reserve a special time slot set aside for you and me to get together so I can share this one secret to success with you and to answer all your questions about my Insider’s Marketing Mastermind Program.

I’ll be hosting a power-packed, live telecall on January 29th at 3pm EST.

If you’ve signed up for the Mastermind VIP list, you’re already registered. If not, sign up now >>

Even if you can’t make it, make sure to register to be provided with access to the audio after the call.

During this call you’ll get a fistful of valuable information. Take away ideas you can implement right now, guaranteed to make you a tidy profit.

Register with this URL before it fills up >>

What’s the cost to you of registering and attending this call?

Nothing! It’s FREE!

There are only 300 phone lines available. To make sure you get a spot on the call you will have to act fast.

One caveat here. In the interest of full disclosure I must tell you that only a few of you, 10% will qualify for the Mastermind Group. It’s only for those who are serious about succeeding this year.

Your time and mine is the most valuable resource we have and I don’t want to waste yours or mine if you’re not a forward thinking, take the bull by horns and get it done type of person.

What I’ll be sharing on the call is not for the weak or the squeamish. If you can’t handle the truth I don’t want you on this call.

Admittance to my Insider’s Marketing Mastermind Group is not for everybody. Sorry to burst your bubble, but while membership has it’s perks it will also require you to put in some serious effort. If you’re just looking for a magic pill to grow your business – look elsewhere.

This may seem harsh, but in today’s business climate you need to be realistic. If you think you are one of the 10% of people who are doers, action takers and will follow through on the profit-building ideas I’ll be sharing, please register for the call and let’s get going >>

When you do your call details will arrive in your inbox.

-Charlie

P.S. Your call date again is January 29, 2009 at 3:00 PM EST sharp.

If you can implement a few simple marketing strategies in your business and follow through—then you’ve got what it takes. Show me how interested you are in your success >>

The 3 Ultimate Keys to Wealth and Success

By Charlie Cook | November 12, 2008

Have you been watching TV or reading the newspapers? The bad economy makes great headlines, and they’re full of it. You can’t miss hearing or reading about how terrible it is for business. But if that’s all the news you’re getting, you are missing the good news.

The good news about this economy is plentiful. It just doesn’t make great headlines on TV.

It’s true: Many businesses will struggle or even fail during this downturn… but at least ten percent will prosper. That’s right: At least one out of ten businesses will see their profits grow!

Want to be one of those ten that attract more clients and profits? Find out how >>

Every week, I talk to entrepreneurs and businesses that, despite all the bad news in the press, are holding steady or even growing in this economy. And, they all have one thing in common: Their efforts are clearly focused on 3 simple ideas I’ll share with you below.

For most business owners, it’s not a lack of ideas that is the problem. It’s knowing which ones to use. So today I’m going to give you the keys to the kingdom: the three key ideas to use whether you’re thinking of starting a business or have been in business for decades.

These are the three most important ideas I’ve ever shared, and I recommend you read them and then tape them to your forehead, or rather to your computer monitor, and use them to focus your efforts, so you maximize your sales and profits this year and for the rest of your business career.

The 3 Keys to Ultimate Business Success

1. Needs
Whether you sell sunglasses, hearing aids, sports training, legal services, or financial advice, the place to focus is on your prospects’ needs. I know one entrepreneur who thought that the sunglasses parents were buying for their young children were a joke. So she came up with a line of quality unbreakable sunglasses for young kids, and her business is growing like wild.

Every product or service you create and market should be designed to meet an apparent or perceived need of your target market. No need, no sales. High perceived need, high sales.

The same is true of your marketing. It should be focused on your prospects’ needs. Focus your marketing on yourself, and you’ll struggle forever. Focus on what they want, and you’ll get their attention and their business.

Discover how to transform needs into profits >>

2. Relationships
Your biggest competitive advantage isn’t the quality of your products or services; it’s the number and strength of the relationships you have with prospects and clients. It’s the amount of confidence you command. So, where should your marketing be focused?

Focus 80-90% of your marketing efforts on relationship-building activities.

Typically, most marketing is aimed at getting the sale, not at building relationships or confidence. Big mistake! People need to first know you and trust you before they’ll buy from you. They need to be sure you’re the best company to buy from, and your product or service does what you say it does. Where confidence flows, money follows.

How do you gain someone’s confidence so he or she will buy from you? You help them get to know you through repeated contacts and demonstration of your expertise.

Find out how to build relationships for business success >>

3. Profits
Most entrepreneurs and business owners’ attention is squarely focused on increasing sales when instead they should be focused on profits. This can be a fatal mistake, skewing your marketing efforts and distracting you from what you should be paying attention to.

In the past few years, Washington Mutual had amazing success increasing the sales of mortgages. And as you know now, they lost money on each of these and, ultimately, caused the bank to fold.

Whether you are testing a headline, an ad, a sales letter, a website, an upsell strategy, or a followup strategy, the question you should be focused on is, “What will help us maximize our profits?” Yes, you could send out ten thousand postcards and get a few more sales, but if your response is low, your marketing costs are going to decimate your profits.

The solution to making more is to continually test and improve everything you do to market your business, so that each month, you’re generating more leads, more sales and yes – more profits.

Want to maximize your revenue? Discover how >>

That’s it! Needs, Relationships, and Profits.

Tape those 3 words to your wall, and if every day you ask yourself the following five questions, then you’ll be headed in the right direction.

– What are the needs of my prospects (perceived or real)?
– How can I do a better job of fulfilling those needs?
– What am I doing to start more relationships with prospects?
– What weekly and monthly activities am I doing to strengthen relationships with prospects and clients?
– What elements of my marketing am I testing and what would work better to increase profits?

Interested in finding out how easy it is to increase your profits? Apply here >>

– Charlie
Small Business Marketing Success in Any Economy

6 Things to Do In 2006 To Grow Your Small Business and Improve Your Marketing

By Charlie Cook | January 2, 2006

HERE ARE SIX THINGS TO DO IN 2006 TO BE MORE SUCCESSFUL

1. Hire someone to do all the stuff you spend time on that keeps you from having enough time to work on improving your marketing. I use a bevy of Virtual Assistants, web designers and programmers to sort email, submit articles, build web pages and f.ree up my time to develop products and improve my own marketing.

When you stop doing mundane time consuming tasks you’ll have more time for the fun and more rewarding ones. I’ve found some great virtual assistants with these resources.

International Association of Virtual Office Assistants
http://www.iavoa.com

The Virtual Business Group
http://www.virtualbizgroup.com

Canadian Virtual Assistant Connection
http://www.cvac.ca/

2. Listen to Your Prospects and Clients
Each time a prospect or client asks a question, write it down. Review these each week for new product ideas and for informational reports you could provide for free. You can use each client encounter to get ideas on how to even better serve your clients. Use these ideas and your clients will love you and your products and services.

3. Develop New Products by Thinking Outside of the Box
Set aside 10-20% of your time to develop new product and marketing ideas. Identify a problem your clients have and solve it with your products and services. When you do, even more clients will seek you out and you’ll sell more to existing clients. Need help thinking outside of the box? Here are some of my favorite books and sites.

How Customers Think: Essential insights into the mind of the market – Gerald Zlatman

Thinkertoys (A handbook of business creativity) – Michael Michalko

A Whack on the Side of the Head- How you can be more creative – Roger Von Oech

Weird Ideas that Work: 11 1/2 practices for Promoting, Managing and Sustaining Innovation – Robert Sutton

Why Didn’t I Think Of That? Think the unthinkable and achieve creative genius – Charles W. McCoy Jr.

Bill Myers Product Development Resource Center
http://www.bmyers.com/

4. Use Tracking Links to Test Every Variable of Your Marketing
When you make a change to your web site test everything from the words to the background color to where you put pictures on the page to find out whether it reduces or increases response. Using the test results you’ll know what works and what doesn’t.

My favorite testing tool is the ad tracker feature that comes with my shopping/ecommerce software.
https://www.marketingforsuccess.com/shopping.html

5. Get The Small Business Marketing Tools and Resources You Need to Succeed

Small Business Marketing Gold Special

Your Web Site Marketing Road Map

Your Marketing Plan

Your Marketing Message

A Marketing Mentor

6. Work Less and Earn More
Go away more often with your family and/or friends. Every time I take a couple of days off I come back with new ideas for growing my business and with a clear head get twice the work done in half the time. I use an automated online delivery system so I make just as much from product sales when I’m away anyways. You can too.
https://www.marketingforsuccess.com/shopping.html

Best Wishes for a Prosperous 2006,

Charlie Cook
Marketing For Success
www.marketingforsuccess.com
3 West End Avenue
Old Greenwich, CT 06870

/ Helping you get a better response, more clients
and more sales with your small business marketing //

How Much Do You Charge An Hour?

By Charlie Cook | January 21, 2005

“Charlie, I’m not at a point where I would like to talk on the phone with you but can you tell me what you charge per hour for advising me? – Jim

I never quote rates without first having a conversation with a prospect. In order to determine my fees I need to know what’s involved and the results you want to generate. I need to know a bit about your business, what you do, how you are currently marketing your business and what your objectives are. I look forward to working with you to grow your business when you’re ready.

– Charlie Cook

Marketing Strategies Work for Real Estate?

By Charlie Cook | December 11, 2004

“My husband and I have a commercial real estate appraisal business here in California. We had a great year last year and want to double our revenue in 2005. How can you help us given that you’re not familiar with the appraisal industry?” – A.M. Fischman

A- Imagine you were planning a trip up the coast to Oregon but your car needed a tune up. Would the mechanic need to know your route before he could fix your car?

Of course not. His or her job is to make sure your vehicle gets you where you want to go. The same is true for your marketing plan and marketing strategy. My role as a marketing coach is to help small business owners like you take your businesses where you want to go whether its in the appraisal, web design, accounting or investment management industry. – Charlie Cook