There are a lot of reasons to own your own business.  The freedom it can provide, the ability to do something that you are incredibly passionate about, and the ability to have unlimited income.   Unless you are running a non profit, the most important factor of successfully running a small business is to create profitability.   While many small businesses simply rely on increasing revenue, more important is increasing your profitability.

Target Marketing is a strategy that involves breaking a market into segments and then concentrating your marketing efforts on one or a few key segments.  Target marketing can be the key to a small business’s success. Target marketing provides a focus to all of your marketing activities. The beauty of target marketing is that it makes the promotion, pricing and distribution of your products and/or services easier and more cost-effective. Now you have a choice to make….target people who can easily afford what you are selling….or market to people who can not.

Honestly, it has always made sense for businesses to target affluent clients.  However, with the shift in the economy, if you are not targeting affluent clients who have discretionary income to afford your products and services, it is a business killer.

Here is the first of three reasons (the other two reasons still to come!) why employing the Jesse James Strategy and marketing to the affluent will increase profitability in your business:

Profitability Point #1 – They Actually Have Money to Invest In Your Services

If you would like to achieve financial wealth, you need to figure out where a vast majority of the money is and then go there and get it.  It reminds me of the great quote by infamous bank robber Jesse James.  When asked why he robs banks, he said “because that is where the money is.”   I know that seems like a no brainer, but I come across clients every day who are wasting all of their time and money trying to sell their services to people who simply do not have the money to pay for them which is extremely time consuming and costly.

The affluent have money and plenty of it.  And they are absolutely willing to invest money in services and products they find valuable.  In fact, statistically speaking 22% of U.S. households have over 55% of all earned income. That is more than half of the income is concentrated in one of five households.

Listen to Kelly’s Profitibility Point #1 here!

Thanks and let us know your thoughts. I encourage you to leave your comments or questions below.

Article by Kelly K. O’Neil, Million Dollar Marketing to the Affluent Coach and Creator of the Marketing to Millionaires™ Programs

Hi this is Ashley, Kelly’s business manager.  Kelly is likely currently sitting on her boat – contemplating whether to go for another wakeboard ride or to start reading her book (lucky her).  She is on vacation with her family (hubby, kids, puppies, in laws, nieces and best friends) at the lake house they go to each year.  I am here holding down the fort!

All I have to say is… she better rest up because when she returns, I have her schedule filled with creating 3 products in one week!  Our product panels are 85% filled, but we have a few spots open so if you are interested in learning our complete systems at a fraction of the price, email: info at uplevelstrategies.com.

In between recording, she has quite a bit of reviewing to get to… Our office has received several submissions for The Retreat Seat Giveaway Contest where one lucky winner is going to win a F.R.E.E. seat (Value of $2,995) at the Marketing to Millionaires Retreat October 22-25, 2009.

Kelly is really excited about this contest because she knows that this is the only conference available where people will have access to these kinds of specific strategies. We want everyone who offers services that are perceived as “discretionary” investments to have an opportunity to attend and take their business to the next level.

If you have any questions about the retreat, do not hesitate to give me a call at 866.615.8150 ext 710 (I’m just hanging out at the office and would love to hear from you).  In the meantime… I am getting back to my latte and emails.

To your success,
Ashley Hood
Business Manager to YOUR Million Dollar Marketing to the Affluent Coach, Kelly O’Neil
and Creator of the Marketing to Millionaires™ Programs

PS.  Join my conversations on Twitter

You have heard of the Marketing to Millionaires Retreat, right? If not, click here to learn more:

http://www.marketingtomillionairesretreat.com/

How Would You Like The Opportunity to Attend the Marketing to Millionaires Retreat…For FREE? (A $2,995 Value)

I strongly believe that this event will change the way that you market your business in the transitioning economy…and your results.

If you know me at all, you know that I like to have FUN!  So, I want to make a few lucky winners dreams comes true.

Welcome to the Marketing to Millionaires  Retreat Seat GIVEAWAY!

How do you win? It’s a piece of cake….

All you have to do is answer the question,

“WHY DO YOU DESERVE A FREE RETREAT SEAT?”

Send us video, send in an essay – get as creative as you want!

Just let us know the following information:

• Why is knowing this information critical to the success of your business
• What you will do with this information once you get it (your big picture action plan)
• The top three results that you will achieve in the twelve months following the retreat

It’s really that simple.

Send all entries to: Contest@uplevelstrategies.com Subject: Retreat Seat

So get your creative juices flowing because entries start NOW!  Entries End….September 15, 2009 at midnight.

Hint:  Money likes clarity and speed – so don’t procrastinate!

I will announce the winner on September 15, 2009

P.S. If anyone has additional questions for the contest, feel free to email or call our office.

Thanks and let us know your thoughts. I encourage you to leave your comments or questions below.

Article by Kelly K. O’Neil, Million Dollar Marketing to the Affluent Coach and Creator of the Marketing to Millionaires™ Programs

One of the easiest and most beneficial ways step on your soapbox by speaking publicly is by holding your own teleseminar.  Setting up teleseminars is really as simple as 1-2-3: create your topic, set-up a phone line and invite your followers to register on your site.

The advantages of this type of speaking are four-fold:  you drive traffic to your site for registration; you have a captive audience on the telephone line with whom you may take the time to provide your subject matter expertise as well as up sell high ticket items requiring a little extra sales pitch; you can repurpose the recording of your teleseminar into a passive income product or free offering; you build your list as a result of listener registration; and last, you create trust and extend your expertise with your list by providing valuable content.

Remember, public speaking helps you reach the kind of “stardom” where prospects recognize your name as soon as they hear or see it and you are looked upon as an expert. The affluent want access to the brands and service providers who are the expert in their field as it fulfills their desire for the best things in life.  In addition to saving time and money, working with an expert helps deliver the emotional benefit to your millionaire clients that come from bragging about you to their like-minded, wealthy friends who are willing and able to pay premium prices for your services. Get started now so you don’t miss out!

Thanks and let us know your thoughts. I encourage you to leave your comments or questions below.

Article by Kelly K. O’Neil, Million Dollar Marketing to the Affluent Coach and Creator of the Marketing to Millionaires™ Programs

Speaking on someone else’s stage, is a great way to perfect your speaking abilities, build your speaking resume and extend your expertise with an affluent audience without taking on the financial investment or risk involved in a self-sponsored event.  Because public speaking enhances your credibility and your reputation as an expert while providing important information to your affluent target audience, it is important that your speech does not turn into “sales pitches.” Keep references to your company’s products and services low-key while personally projecting your desired image especially on a stage other than your own. The key to success is making sure that you are in front of the right audience and then provide tremendous value to them.

When you are giving a speech make sure you do the following:

• Inform your audience on your subject.
• Establish yourself as an expert and a resource for further information.
• Encourage your audience to take action.
• Create a compelling leave behind with information about your product or service offerings.  Perhaps include an article you have written.
• Collect their information through business cards or a raffle for a free hour of consulting or a product.

Ideas for getting the word out that you are available as a speaker:

• Create a speaking resume that includes your bio and three compelling talks that you can give.  You can see a copy of my speaking resume at www.uplevelstrategies.com.
• Send your speaking resume to professional trade organizations, civic groups or non-profit organizations.
• Send announcement letters or network to let groups know that you are available and which topics you can address.

When you become known as an expert in your field as a result of public speaking, you will find that the affluent will beat a path to your door.  Don’t hesitate… get started today!

Thanks and let us know your thoughts. I encourage you to leave your comments or questions below.

Article by Kelly K. O’Neil, Million Dollar Marketing to the Affluent Coach and Creator of the Marketing to Millionaires™ Programs

Have you been hearing a lot of this lately: “People aren’t going to live events because they don’t want to spend the money in this economy” or “Seminar attendance is way down…”?

The fact is, there is no better way to build your authority and expertise with the affluent than hosting your own live event!  The obvious benefit is that you control EVERYTHING from the guest list to the venue to the content and agenda. Although this can be the downside as well since there are SO many details involved to pull off a flawless event.  The massive upside is that you have the opportunity to turn your passion and purpose driven message into profits when you create an amazing event!

Here are the four initial steps to begin preparations for a live event:

1. Select a theme – Your live event could coincide with a new launch or annual product.  Whatever the case, your theme will help drive many of the decisions for the bevy of forthcoming details.
2. Decide on a venue – In considering a venue think about some of the following:  how many guests do you plan to be in attendance, where will they be coming from, how does your theme fit with the locale, what will you be serving, how will the stage be set-up in the room, what’s the timing, how long will it last, etc.
3. Get sponsors – Selling sponsorship packages to your event is a great way to add an additional income stream. In exchange for a fee, a sponsorship package may include activities such as co-marketing efforts (e.x. shared databases), logo-ed event collateral and signage, and naming rights (e.x. the UpLevel Strategies Hospitality Room).
4. Plot out your marketing support plan – A targeted and well executed marketing plan is imperative to the success of your event.  Let your current followers know months in advance so that they may adjust their schedules accordingly.  Social media can be a useful tool for this.  Be sure to post a press release announcement on a newswire service like PRWeb.com as well as a blurb about your event on calendar syndication websites like fullcalendar.com.

Professional event planners are also available to assist you.  Although they can add some expense, they are an invaluable asset that saves time and money in the long run especially for larger events.

Hosting your own live event can be one of the most effective ways to build your credibility and expertise with your wealthy target and as a result, create massive business results!

Thanks and let us know your thoughts. I encourage you to leave your comments or questions below.
Article by Kelly K. O’Neil, Million Dollar Marketing to the Affluent Coach and Creator of the Marketing to Millionaires™ Programs

You may never see your name in lights or dazzle the crowd at Carnegie Hall, yet there’s no doubt that you can achieve celebrity status among the people who matter most when you start presenting … your affluent target market.

Speaking helps you reach this kind of “stardom” where prospects recognize your name as soon as they hear or see it and you are looked upon as an expert.  The affluent want access to the brands and service providers with “star” power as it fulfills their desire for the best things in life.  Let’s be honest, in addition to saving them time and money, working with an expert helps to deliver the emotional benefit to your millionaire clients that come from bragging about you to their like-minded, wealthy friends who are willing and able to pay premium prices for your services.

The result?  You can create a booming business that’s largely referral based. And if you haven’t figured it out already, referral-based business translates to extraordinary credibility leading to countless introductions and easy prospecting conversations because it gets you past the gatekeepers the affluent typically have in place.

Needless to say, public speaking is lucrative for your business.  Even the IRS agrees… according to the Internal Revenue Service, “Those who speak about their industry earn an average of 50% more than those who don’t.”

Thanks and let us know your thoughts. I encourage you to leave your comments or questions below.

Article by Kelly K. O’Neil, Million Dollar Marketing to the Affluent Coach and Creator of the Marketing to Millionaires™ Programs

Plan your road to becoming known as an expert with your affluent clients, NOW.  By putting your expertise in writing, your will be able to:

• Immediately distinguish yourself from the competition
• Offer your affluent clients something of value that competitors can’t—and don’t—offer
• Charge more for your services
• Become the clear choice for their investment dollars.

Catapult your business to a higher level by writing a book. Speakers, consultants, coaches, and other small business owners are learning that publishing a book is one of the most powerful marketing strategies available. A book has the greatest potential to open doors and position you as the subject matter expert.

There are two routes to go with book writing.  The first is the traditional publishing route.  This is a long and arduous process; however, being published by a well-known publishing house is like the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.’

The other avenue is to self publish with a company like iUniverse.  If you don’t feel like you have the time and energy to take on a whole book yourself, you can also create an anthology of works from a combination of authors.

We have all heard the saying, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound?”  If you are sharing your expertise and no one hears it or reads it, does it make a difference?

The affluent want to work with experts because it validates their choices and provides them with the bragging rights they desire.  You can build your reputation just by writing about what you know best in a regularly published eZine.

Newsletters and electronic newsletters (eZines) are one of the most profitable ways to build your credibility to establish yourself as an expert. They let you offer helpful advice, market to a global audience, communicate easily with thousands of people as often as you wish, and promote what you’re selling. In order to keep readership high, you must provide a valuable level of useful content as well as sales materials.  Consider adding another stream of revenue by letting other non-competing sellers advertise in your mailer as well.

Your industry will dictate whether an eZine or traditional print newsletter is better for you readers.  The benefit of an eZine is that they are less expensive to produce and distribute.

In an overcrowded marketplace, if you’re not standing out, then you’re invisible.

The best way to captivate your audience is with an authentic and powerful personal brand.  The benefits of a strong personal branding will give you an edge over your competition and enhance your value in the global marketplace.

Branding and positioning identifies and differentiates you, your business and your products and services so you stand out from the crowd and get noticed.  If you are an expert but your message isn’t compelling with your affluent target, no one will know or care! Your informed affluent reader may gloss over the sell about your sale, but will likely stop in his/her tracks when your special report lands on the desk.

Once you have a powerful personal brand and position anchored on your expertise, the next step is to consistently communicate it through your brand identity: logo, business cards, letterhead, web site, invoices and any other outward communications you have.