Have you ever thought about how making small changes in the way to live can actually save you loads of money? Well, today I'd like you to think about your lifestyle and what areas might be out of whack with your current desires to become financially free, and achieve “zero debt” status. For example, do you live in a metropolitan area and take cabs too frequently, instead of hopping aboard the less expensive subway or rail system? Do you entertain once a month or more at your home, I'm not talking lavish parties, but certainly large enough or frequent enough shindigs (or even pizza and beer bashes!) that you have to dole out a lot of money for food and drinks, etc.? Do you think you're "above" wearing clothes that don't carry a designer label?
Maybe none of these situations describes your lifestyle. That's fine. I still want you to think about how it is that you're living. To get you going, here are five lifestyle changes from which I think most people could benefit:
1. When shopping, never pay full retail price. You might be thinking, "How is that even possible?" Well, for starters, you can wait for the item to go on sale, you could find equivalent bargains online, and you might also hit outlets or discount stores, or you can simply say: "I don't need/want it that badly" – and walk away.
2. Become a frequent library patron by borrowing videos, DVDs, and books instead of purchasing them. The average DVD is now $20. If you buy 10 a year (and many households actually have dozens in their collections) then you'll save hundreds of dollars.
3. Take advantage of free/low-cost attractions and events in your city. Enjoy parades, museums, and city parks rather than expensive outings like amusement parks.
4. Eat out less often. Saving $5 a day by skipping fast food or restaurants will keep $1,825 a year in your pocket; $10 a day means an annual savings of $3,650.
5. Walk, instead of driving, to any place that's within walking distance You'll save money on gas, help the environment, and be healthier too!
My point here in this article is that there are probably some behavioral patterns in your life (some things that you do frequently, buy regularly or spend money on all the time) that may not be financially feasible or prudent at this time. If so, see if you can change those things. And who knows, after a few months, you might even find that you enjoy the lifestyle adjustments. One thing is certain: you'll have a fatter bank account to show for your actions.
Jumat, 27 Januari 2012
Resisting Temptation To Spend Your Money
One of the most persistently acclaimed personal virtues is frugality; save, don't waste your money. We have all heard Benjamin Franklin's famous quote: "A penny saved is a penny earned." Franklin was actually understating the case for saving. Actually, a penny saved can be many pennies earned.
Like most advice that lasts for generations, there is wisdom in the advice to be frugal and save. Saving a certain percentage of your income is an important part of taking control of your life, paying yourself first, and improving your psychological and financial well-being in the process. But frugality clearly requires some sacrifice. The money you save obviously cannot be currently spent on things you are tempted to buy.
Everything we do in life requires some kind of trade off, and saving is certainly no exception to this elementary fact. The key is to sacrifice those things of lower value and to do so in such a way as to acquire the most value. Most people can save more than they do, far more in many cases, by resisting temptations to buy things that add little satisfaction to their lives. And the payoff for resisting these temptations can be very large. The key to resisting temptation is in recognizing:
1. That there are plenty of things we can easily do without, or with less of.
2. That tremendous benefits can be achieved from being frugal.
Most people believe that they are just getting by on what they are now spending, when only a little thought would reveal that there is plenty they could eliminate and hardly miss. Do you really need that new CD, or the new cell phone just because it's a little smaller than the one you have? And most people are unaware of just how much they could realize over the long haul by cutting back on things that are largely superfluous to their well-being.
Certainly we are in no position to determine what trade offs you should make. The costs and benefits of doing anything are, at their core, subjective, and so only you can really know the costs and benefits of saving. But we can recommend some temptations that most people can resist, and point out the impressive returns that can be realized as a reward for resisting them.
Resisting temptation also creates more than just financial gains. Resisting temptation establishes a sense of self-control that is an integral part of any satisfying life. It is summoning the strength to take control of your choices and choosing wisely and deliberately, rather than responding to things like a feather in the wind. It also helps to establish, in your own mind, a hierarchy of importance, enabling you to realize just what matters in your life.
Like most advice that lasts for generations, there is wisdom in the advice to be frugal and save. Saving a certain percentage of your income is an important part of taking control of your life, paying yourself first, and improving your psychological and financial well-being in the process. But frugality clearly requires some sacrifice. The money you save obviously cannot be currently spent on things you are tempted to buy.
Everything we do in life requires some kind of trade off, and saving is certainly no exception to this elementary fact. The key is to sacrifice those things of lower value and to do so in such a way as to acquire the most value. Most people can save more than they do, far more in many cases, by resisting temptations to buy things that add little satisfaction to their lives. And the payoff for resisting these temptations can be very large. The key to resisting temptation is in recognizing:
1. That there are plenty of things we can easily do without, or with less of.
2. That tremendous benefits can be achieved from being frugal.
Most people believe that they are just getting by on what they are now spending, when only a little thought would reveal that there is plenty they could eliminate and hardly miss. Do you really need that new CD, or the new cell phone just because it's a little smaller than the one you have? And most people are unaware of just how much they could realize over the long haul by cutting back on things that are largely superfluous to their well-being.
Certainly we are in no position to determine what trade offs you should make. The costs and benefits of doing anything are, at their core, subjective, and so only you can really know the costs and benefits of saving. But we can recommend some temptations that most people can resist, and point out the impressive returns that can be realized as a reward for resisting them.
Resisting temptation also creates more than just financial gains. Resisting temptation establishes a sense of self-control that is an integral part of any satisfying life. It is summoning the strength to take control of your choices and choosing wisely and deliberately, rather than responding to things like a feather in the wind. It also helps to establish, in your own mind, a hierarchy of importance, enabling you to realize just what matters in your life.
Grocery Savings. Your Kitchen is a Goldmine!
Your food budget is the most flexible area of your household budget. Grocery savings will free up a significant amount of money if you need to balance the budget, or fund your savings accounts.
If you haven’t figured it out already, your kitchen is a Goldmine. There are numerous ways to reduce the grocery budget and free up funds to use in other areas.
How much should you be spending on groceries?
The USDA Food Plans at the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion suggests that a family of four is currently spending about $100 to $116 per week based on the "Thrifty Plan", depending on the age of children. Anyone trying to reduce the food budget should follow the guidelines for the "thrifty plan."
This should give you at least some idea what the average family spends.
I recommend you shoot for something less than that figure if at all possible by implementing as many of these grocery saving tips as possible!
Be an informed consumer. I can’t stress this enough!
Informed consumer = More grocery savings!
Once you know where to shop, use all your resources. Combine rebates, sales, and coupons whenever possible for maximum grocery savings. This takes a bit more dedication but, you can literally get paid to purchase items if you’re willing to invest the time. Grocery savings aren't just for the grocery store. Many drugstores now have food sections where you can save on groceries.
Here's a great tip: Always check your cash register receipt. Many stores offer a refund of full price policy for items that do not register the correct sale price. I have cashed in on this one many times. Remember, these price adjustments are usually entered by humans. Human error is always a possibility, so cash in on it! Because of a simple mistake, you have increased your grocery savings!
If you....
Plan ahead - Use your sale flyers to plan weekly meals.
Use what you have on hand first - Plan meals based on foods you have in your fridge, freezer, and cabinets already
Utilize your savings tips - Get more for your money using a combination of resources listed above
Make it yourself whenever possible
....You will be able to tap into that Goldmine hiding in your very own kitchen!
If you haven’t figured it out already, your kitchen is a Goldmine. There are numerous ways to reduce the grocery budget and free up funds to use in other areas.
The USDA Food Plans at the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion suggests that a family of four is currently spending about $100 to $116 per week based on the "Thrifty Plan", depending on the age of children. Anyone trying to reduce the food budget should follow the guidelines for the "thrifty plan."
This should give you at least some idea what the average family spends.
I recommend you shoot for something less than that figure if at all possible by implementing as many of these grocery saving tips as possible!
- Eliminate eating out! Period! - O.K. if you’re family is screaming mad at you then take them out at least once a month.
Make it an occasion. Most of us get caught up in fast paced living and eat out at least one or two times per week. It’s just an insane waste of money.
Your family will appreciate a dinner out much more when it's not such a regular event. Consider it “quality time out”. And, remember to look for coupons good at local restaurants for additional savings. - Minimize the use of convenience foods. - You can make it yourself for a fraction of the cost, try it! Many of us are so accustomed to convenience foods that we forget we can make it ourselves. If you already love to cook from scratch then congrats! For the rest, I know this is a scary thought. It’s hard to go back into the kitchen and actually get your hands dirty. However, I must insist you try this. There’s gold in them there hands! Use ‘em.
If you don’t have a lot of time, don’t worry there are literally hundreds of recipe books for the busy lifestyle. There are many that promote frugal living as well.
You'll find substitute recipes for everything from baking mixes to shake and bake and salad dressing. All it takes is a little extra time. Even if you had to pay yourself for doing the cooking you would come out ahead. - Do your homework! - Know what’s on sale and plan your menu around the weekly sales flyers. Investing a little extra time in planning will help maximize grocery savings and reduce the food budget! I make it a rule to never buy meat over $2 a pound. Although I allow myself $2, I usually only spend on average 39 cents to $1.69. Occasionally, (rarely) I indulge in something special if it’s a good value.
- Eat meatless meals at least twice a week. - Beans and rice are a good example. Egg dishes are a nice change in routine for dinner. Try a vegetable stir fry or casserole.
- Don’t use packaged mixes. - Cake, breads, muffins, pastry, pizza dough, pancake, and waffles all come in a variety of pre-packaged mixes. Make your own for not much more effort and a lot less money!
- Know what your local stores offer. - Which ones have the lowest prices? Start carrying a little memo book to record prices of items you buy regularly. You can organize trips to save time and money when planning your grocery shopping.
Who accepts coupons and do they double? Do they have a rebate program? Do they have a clearance or bargain area? Which grocery stores accept additional discount programs like ValuPage? - Build your coupon file! - It seems coupons are available everywhere now. Your newspaper is a great starting point. Pay careful attention when looking through magazines. These are easy to miss. I often find coupons in home, ladies, or cooking magazines.
Check out the free grocery coupons on-line. Be sure to do your research, many stores do not accept computer generated coupons due to the high incidence of fraud. Be sure not to waste your valuable time on this one if you don't have a local store that accepts them.
Informed consumer = More grocery savings!
Once you know where to shop, use all your resources. Combine rebates, sales, and coupons whenever possible for maximum grocery savings. This takes a bit more dedication but, you can literally get paid to purchase items if you’re willing to invest the time. Grocery savings aren't just for the grocery store. Many drugstores now have food sections where you can save on groceries.
Here's a great tip: Always check your cash register receipt. Many stores offer a refund of full price policy for items that do not register the correct sale price. I have cashed in on this one many times. Remember, these price adjustments are usually entered by humans. Human error is always a possibility, so cash in on it! Because of a simple mistake, you have increased your grocery savings!
If you....
....You will be able to tap into that Goldmine hiding in your very own kitchen!
Vacation Values
The family vacation is a tradition intended to bring families closer together and one that many of us would just not think of giving up. Quality time for the family reinforces the importance of family values. It's sort of a "time out" from the day to day routine of living and growing. A chance to focus on getting to know better those that are most important to us, our family. Of course, how much importance you place on this event depends on your past experiences.
In today's fast paced society a vacation just isn't a vacation unless its costing you a small fortune to get to, and stay at, some exotic venue that usually offers no excitement without dishing out more money. I suggest we put on the brakes and get back to basics. You surely won't have a better opportunity to do so than on the family vacation.
Let's not forget that the "family" extends beyond our home life. Most of us have family that we rarely get to spend time with either because of distance or time issues. But, one should always make time for family. Right? I knew you would agree! Not trying to make you feel guilty here but, we do have a way of letting life rush us through the years. I call it "non-intentional neglect" and most of us are guilty of it at some point in our lives. So, let's re-invent the family vacation to include some real quality time that reinforces the value of our families.
Would you consider a visit to grandparents, distant uncles, or a friend's home a vacation? When I was growing up, the family vacation usually meant visiting family members who lived some distance away. Coming from a family of limited finances, this tradition was budget friendly yet, was sufficient to satisfy our need to escape the norms of home life.
Of course, as the teen age years approached, it became harder and harder for my mom to convince us that "we would have a good time" visiting the relatives. Some of which we had already spent several vacations visiting and had, I guess, lost their uniqueness to us as teenagers. That said, if any of you can figure out what makes a teenager happy, except socializing with their own peers, then congrats! Let me know your secret. All kidding aside, I believe that they still enjoy the family outings but have a strong resistance to acknowledging that they are actually having fun. In other words, they are having fun and just refuse to admit it!
I was a single parent for many years and just didn't have the money for family vacations requiring hotel stays and admission fees. I guess I followed in my mother's footsteps in hoping that a visit out of town would suffice. And it did. For many years, the family vacation consisted of a visit to a dear friend or family member's home who was willing to put up with four kids for a week. These are truly "beloved friends and family!"
I am fortunate to have a good friend for life who has two children within the same age group as my kids. Since we didn't get to visit often throughout the year, these visits were exciting for both my kids and hers who had become good friends.
So, by all means plan to visit a family member's, or friend's, home for a week. Young children especially enjoy these trips. They make new friends and the family ties are strengthened. This is an excellent way to reinforce family values and the importance of keeping in touch with family members that may live some distance from your home.
Do a little research before you go. Find out if there are any museums, historical sites, low cost attractions, or state parks within driving distance from where you'll be staying and plan to visit. Remember to ask the family member or friend you are visiting if they have any suggestions. Since they live in the area, they will most likely be aware of popular spots. Ask about bowling, roller skating, or special movie nights in the area and plan accordingly. You can even plan some game or craft activities to keep everyone busy and having fun.
For those of you who have worn out your welcome or simply don't have family within a reasonable distance, finding vacation spots that will provide a memorable experience for everyone in the family can be a challenge. Especially on a tight budget. Don't be discouraged, it is not impossible. Plan for your vacation and include it in your budget. This is the easiest way to prepare for a vacation expense and take the stress out of planning.
Since the goal here is to get the most fun for your money, let's talk about some low cost vacation ideas that could be right for your family.
Camping is a great low cost option for families that enjoy the outdoors. Don't worry, you don't have to sleep in a tent. There are lots of state parks that rent cabins for a very reasonable fee. As an added bonus, when you are registered at a state park, you gain free entrance into all state parks.
I can highly recommend the Finger Lakes area of New York if it's a convenient distance for you. About a five hour drive for us, it turned out to be one of our most memorable vacations. The park sports an amazing gorge trail with thundering waterfalls, scheduled nature learning activities, and a large play ground. The activity I think the kids enjoyed the most was the natural swimming area, with diving boards, at the bottom of a beautiful waterfall.
If you want to beach it, be sure to check out all your options for lodging. Sometimes a large family can do better by renting a condo or home for the week rather than staying at a hotel. Remember, you can save a tremendous amount of money if you can prepare your own meals while on vacation. A good portion of a families vacation budget can be literally "eaten up"! Even a little kitchenette in a suite can save you big bucks. If you're campers, you can almost always find a campground near popular beach areas and get maximum savings on lodging.
Don't forget your best resources, friends and family. Ask around to see if anyone has visited an area you plan to go. You may get lucky and have a "friend that has a friend" who maybe has a vacation spot they wouldn't mind renting to you for a lesser fee. Sometimes people won't rent out their vacation spots for various reasons, but don't mind doing so if the tenant is a trusted acquaintance of a friend or family member.
When travel and lodging are cost prohibitive, you can still have a vacation right at home. Yes, in your own backyard. Many of us live within reasonable distance to museums, campgrounds, historic sites, and beautiful state parks. You might be surprised at what you find in your own local area.
Do some research in your area to find free or low cost activities and sites to visit. Schedule something for each day of the week, even if it's just a park visit for a picnic. Some areas have local public beaches. Plan an outing at a local public beach. Visit historical sites. Many of these are free, educational, and fun for parents and kids.
You can even plan activities at home just as if you were at an exotic vacation spot. Have a different theme for each day. For example:
These "theme days" at home will take some imagination and a little work, but will be loads of fun for everyone. Half the fun will be in the creation, so let everyone pitch in. You may even have more fun than actually being there!
Whatever you decide to do, if you're traveling a great distance be sure to check all your travel options. With today's soaring gas prices it's not unlikely that you may be able to get there faster, and cheaper, in the air. Hey, maybe there's a conspiracy here?
If all this just doesn't fall into your category of "fun", and you just have to have that exotic resort vacation, then at least be sensible about it. There are many great deals on vacation packages and off season rentals. And oodles of travel agencies just waiting to tell you about them. This is one area where do-it-yourself isn't the most practical advice. Travel agencies are privy to a lot of travel information, especially seasonal discounts, that you and I don't have knowledge of. Do Your Research at least for goodness sake. You won't be kicking yourself later when you come across that great deal you missed out on!
Check out your local travel agencies, as well as some of the many online agencies. Don't forget, if you're an AAA member you’re eligible for travel discounts. Before finalizing any plans, be sure to know your rights. What happens if you have to cancel? What is the deadline to cancel? Will you loose your deposit or is it refundable? Know your options.
In today's fast paced society a vacation just isn't a vacation unless its costing you a small fortune to get to, and stay at, some exotic venue that usually offers no excitement without dishing out more money. I suggest we put on the brakes and get back to basics. You surely won't have a better opportunity to do so than on the family vacation.
Let's not forget that the "family" extends beyond our home life. Most of us have family that we rarely get to spend time with either because of distance or time issues. But, one should always make time for family. Right? I knew you would agree! Not trying to make you feel guilty here but, we do have a way of letting life rush us through the years. I call it "non-intentional neglect" and most of us are guilty of it at some point in our lives. So, let's re-invent the family vacation to include some real quality time that reinforces the value of our families.
Would you consider a visit to grandparents, distant uncles, or a friend's home a vacation? When I was growing up, the family vacation usually meant visiting family members who lived some distance away. Coming from a family of limited finances, this tradition was budget friendly yet, was sufficient to satisfy our need to escape the norms of home life.
Of course, as the teen age years approached, it became harder and harder for my mom to convince us that "we would have a good time" visiting the relatives. Some of which we had already spent several vacations visiting and had, I guess, lost their uniqueness to us as teenagers. That said, if any of you can figure out what makes a teenager happy, except socializing with their own peers, then congrats! Let me know your secret. All kidding aside, I believe that they still enjoy the family outings but have a strong resistance to acknowledging that they are actually having fun. In other words, they are having fun and just refuse to admit it!
I was a single parent for many years and just didn't have the money for family vacations requiring hotel stays and admission fees. I guess I followed in my mother's footsteps in hoping that a visit out of town would suffice. And it did. For many years, the family vacation consisted of a visit to a dear friend or family member's home who was willing to put up with four kids for a week. These are truly "beloved friends and family!"
I am fortunate to have a good friend for life who has two children within the same age group as my kids. Since we didn't get to visit often throughout the year, these visits were exciting for both my kids and hers who had become good friends.
So, by all means plan to visit a family member's, or friend's, home for a week. Young children especially enjoy these trips. They make new friends and the family ties are strengthened. This is an excellent way to reinforce family values and the importance of keeping in touch with family members that may live some distance from your home.
Do a little research before you go. Find out if there are any museums, historical sites, low cost attractions, or state parks within driving distance from where you'll be staying and plan to visit. Remember to ask the family member or friend you are visiting if they have any suggestions. Since they live in the area, they will most likely be aware of popular spots. Ask about bowling, roller skating, or special movie nights in the area and plan accordingly. You can even plan some game or craft activities to keep everyone busy and having fun.
For those of you who have worn out your welcome or simply don't have family within a reasonable distance, finding vacation spots that will provide a memorable experience for everyone in the family can be a challenge. Especially on a tight budget. Don't be discouraged, it is not impossible. Plan for your vacation and include it in your budget. This is the easiest way to prepare for a vacation expense and take the stress out of planning.
Since the goal here is to get the most fun for your money, let's talk about some low cost vacation ideas that could be right for your family.
I can highly recommend the Finger Lakes area of New York if it's a convenient distance for you. About a five hour drive for us, it turned out to be one of our most memorable vacations. The park sports an amazing gorge trail with thundering waterfalls, scheduled nature learning activities, and a large play ground. The activity I think the kids enjoyed the most was the natural swimming area, with diving boards, at the bottom of a beautiful waterfall.
Don't forget your best resources, friends and family. Ask around to see if anyone has visited an area you plan to go. You may get lucky and have a "friend that has a friend" who maybe has a vacation spot they wouldn't mind renting to you for a lesser fee. Sometimes people won't rent out their vacation spots for various reasons, but don't mind doing so if the tenant is a trusted acquaintance of a friend or family member.
Do some research in your area to find free or low cost activities and sites to visit. Schedule something for each day of the week, even if it's just a park visit for a picnic. Some areas have local public beaches. Plan an outing at a local public beach. Visit historical sites. Many of these are free, educational, and fun for parents and kids.
You can even plan activities at home just as if you were at an exotic vacation spot. Have a different theme for each day. For example:
- A beach day (sun tanning, volley ball, make some fancy icy drinks to sip on in the sun, have a picnic)
- A camp day (stay in a tent or sleeping bags under the stars, build a little fire if allowed in your area, roast marshmallows, make smores, sing campfire songs)
- Have a backyard fair (create booths with games like ring toss or balloon popping to win little prizes)
- A colonial day (dress, and live in another era!). This is great fun. I thought of this one purely by accident when the electricity went out one day. The kids expressed how "neat' it was to live like they did in the "old days." No lighting except candles and lanterns, no T.V. or radio, no video games or computer. Sounds boring, but believe it or not, they had fun coming up with ideas to keep occupied. A good teaching tool too! Shhhhhhhh….. don't tell the kids.
These "theme days" at home will take some imagination and a little work, but will be loads of fun for everyone. Half the fun will be in the creation, so let everyone pitch in. You may even have more fun than actually being there!
Whatever you decide to do, if you're traveling a great distance be sure to check all your travel options. With today's soaring gas prices it's not unlikely that you may be able to get there faster, and cheaper, in the air. Hey, maybe there's a conspiracy here?
If all this just doesn't fall into your category of "fun", and you just have to have that exotic resort vacation, then at least be sensible about it. There are many great deals on vacation packages and off season rentals. And oodles of travel agencies just waiting to tell you about them. This is one area where do-it-yourself isn't the most practical advice. Travel agencies are privy to a lot of travel information, especially seasonal discounts, that you and I don't have knowledge of. Do Your Research at least for goodness sake. You won't be kicking yourself later when you come across that great deal you missed out on!
Check out your local travel agencies, as well as some of the many online agencies. Don't forget, if you're an AAA member you’re eligible for travel discounts. Before finalizing any plans, be sure to know your rights. What happens if you have to cancel? What is the deadline to cancel? Will you loose your deposit or is it refundable? Know your options.
Jumat, 20 Januari 2012
Entertaining Seminar Versus Educational Seminar
Entertainment is considered a very vital commodity in our society. Presenters and speakers firmly believe that their sole purpose is to educate people. Although it is true (partly) it is not actually what gets them there, inspires them, or better yet to take action as the seminar recommends. For most of us education has its negative connotation.
That is why there is a great deal of similarity between good entertainment and a quality seminar. In truth, your seminar needs to be a bit entertaining too. Speakers should consider the fact of what keeps the participants in their chairs, prompts then to buy your products, makes them want to go back for more, and eventually advocate your seminars to friends, families, and even associates. Believe me, as much as the content is a factor; it is greatly contributed to the fact that they enjoyed the seminar.
In this business, you really need to think about how you can hold on to your participants interest throughout the seminar. That is why it is imperative to have killer content but also a killer script for their entertainment. There are also various ways to do your seminar such as having your participants share with the group, do exercises, and of course taking regular breaks and some snacks to go with it. These breaks are very important at a seminar (especially the long ones), it give the participants some breathing space in between topics.
Take notice of singers or bands, for instance as long as they do not sing the same genre of songs for a long period of time. They would probably start their set with slow songs and then eventually and gradually switch to fast-beat songs. Those who really know how to work a crowd would probably do small chit-chats in between songs. It could just be a simple intro of the next act or they might even share some personal funny stories about their lives, but basically and in any case even a short couple of minutes will somehow break the monotony of each song.
So you see, it's really not about which is better; entertaining or educating. It is actually about entertaining AND educating all at the same time. It is just a simple way of achieving an ambience that will make your participants feel that they are involved, which will inspire them to engage in discussions, and ultimately will make your seminars profitable.
That is why there is a great deal of similarity between good entertainment and a quality seminar. In truth, your seminar needs to be a bit entertaining too. Speakers should consider the fact of what keeps the participants in their chairs, prompts then to buy your products, makes them want to go back for more, and eventually advocate your seminars to friends, families, and even associates. Believe me, as much as the content is a factor; it is greatly contributed to the fact that they enjoyed the seminar.
In this business, you really need to think about how you can hold on to your participants interest throughout the seminar. That is why it is imperative to have killer content but also a killer script for their entertainment. There are also various ways to do your seminar such as having your participants share with the group, do exercises, and of course taking regular breaks and some snacks to go with it. These breaks are very important at a seminar (especially the long ones), it give the participants some breathing space in between topics.
Take notice of singers or bands, for instance as long as they do not sing the same genre of songs for a long period of time. They would probably start their set with slow songs and then eventually and gradually switch to fast-beat songs. Those who really know how to work a crowd would probably do small chit-chats in between songs. It could just be a simple intro of the next act or they might even share some personal funny stories about their lives, but basically and in any case even a short couple of minutes will somehow break the monotony of each song.
So you see, it's really not about which is better; entertaining or educating. It is actually about entertaining AND educating all at the same time. It is just a simple way of achieving an ambience that will make your participants feel that they are involved, which will inspire them to engage in discussions, and ultimately will make your seminars profitable.
An Automated Seminar Is A Profitable Business
Have you ever wondered if there is a secret scheme in being successful on the Internet? First of all everybody is vying to have a successful business on the Internet. It's been going on for decades, but that does not mean that you can't have a piece of the money making pie. It is just a matter of discovering what you know best and translating that to a profitable online business.
Live seminars can increase your profits there is no doubt about it. You are able to freely interact with your participants and advertisers. Those physical interactions more than often lead to a greater number of sales of expensive products. The consumer is given the chance to mingle with you which can immediately form a trust, and that trust equals to better and continues sales.
On the other hand automating your seminar is more profitable, because:
Teleseminars are convenient.
Teleseminars can be utilized for advertising and marketing purposes.
Teleseminars are a better way to promote and sell a product to a far larger group at the same time, rather than continuously repeating everything that you've already said to other groups or individuals.
That is not all; the Internet is not just there to sell products and/or services online. The Internet can also maximize your marketing strategy to draw in potential participants of your teleseminar.
Telesminars are also very simple, fast and easy to set up, and that is what makes it so cost-friendly. You just need to have a squeeze landing page which will allow a participant to join and register for the teleseminar. These squeeze pages only need to be built once, and after each teleseminars it can be edited for new schedules. Essentially, you have a ready made template to use and to update for any new teleseminar.
You can also utilize teleseminars to generate leads, because since they registered they will of course provide you with their name, contact info, and email address. This produces a responsive list of people, because they responded to your advertisement. What is good about it is that you virtually spend so little and yet you gain a lot, just by advertising your teleseminar. By conducting a teleseminar you are being paid for that alone, and at the same time you have the opportunity to generate and resell (if you want) leads. Now tell me how good that sounds compared to doing live seminars.
Live seminars can increase your profits there is no doubt about it. You are able to freely interact with your participants and advertisers. Those physical interactions more than often lead to a greater number of sales of expensive products. The consumer is given the chance to mingle with you which can immediately form a trust, and that trust equals to better and continues sales.
On the other hand automating your seminar is more profitable, because:
Teleseminars are convenient.
Teleseminars can be utilized for advertising and marketing purposes.
Teleseminars are a better way to promote and sell a product to a far larger group at the same time, rather than continuously repeating everything that you've already said to other groups or individuals.
That is not all; the Internet is not just there to sell products and/or services online. The Internet can also maximize your marketing strategy to draw in potential participants of your teleseminar.
Telesminars are also very simple, fast and easy to set up, and that is what makes it so cost-friendly. You just need to have a squeeze landing page which will allow a participant to join and register for the teleseminar. These squeeze pages only need to be built once, and after each teleseminars it can be edited for new schedules. Essentially, you have a ready made template to use and to update for any new teleseminar.
You can also utilize teleseminars to generate leads, because since they registered they will of course provide you with their name, contact info, and email address. This produces a responsive list of people, because they responded to your advertisement. What is good about it is that you virtually spend so little and yet you gain a lot, just by advertising your teleseminar. By conducting a teleseminar you are being paid for that alone, and at the same time you have the opportunity to generate and resell (if you want) leads. Now tell me how good that sounds compared to doing live seminars.
Financial Management Is A Must In A Seminar
Putting together a seminar is a major decision. It takes a lot of time, budget, resources and a lot of serious planning to be able to deliver quality seminars, but of course the benefits are worth it. Just think about the outstanding seminars you've gone to. What made them so good? What sets them apart? Were you able to apply the information that was taught in your own business? If all the answers are positive, then that seminar was a success. You should be able to identify what they did right and effectively apply it to your own seminar. This way you can successfully market your own expertise, products or services to your prospective clients, or even join forces with other colleagues to produce a good profitable seminar.
Why Do A Seminar?
Seminars are meant to educate, but also to sell. Seminars are more like a soft Selling Marketing Strategy giving you the opportunity to get up-front and personal with your target market. It also gives you the opportunity to engage in a discussion where you are seen as an expert that offers possible solutions.
The advantage is that you are seen as someone who is knowledgeable enough to endorse rather than a sales force behind a company. Your audience will be impressed and that can convert them to buying customers. Seminars are one of the ways to establish a connection to help build an environment where a relationship can be created, which is an opportunity to sell strategically.
Financial Management In A Seminar
The key factor that affects the planning of a seminar is the financial management side of it. To achieve a profitable turnout for a seminar is to be able to effectively plan the budget for it. The number of attendees usually dictates the overall cost of a seminar. The following is what you should consider once you come up with your tentative or final number of attendees:
- Invitations
- Publicity materials
- Speakers fee (if you are getting one aside from yourself)
- Rentals (this include the venue and the following if it's not included in the venue chairs and tables, audio and video equipment, and lights and sounds)
- General office expenses (usually the office supplies, photocopying, calls and faxes, shipping fees etc.)
- Staff payroll (usually if it is a big seminar)
- Meals (a seminar would not be complete without it)
- And other related cost
Budget planning is a key factor to achieve a successful seminar. Usually it should take at least three months preparation time, to be able to organize especially if there will be external participants. Some seminars which include high-status speakers oftentimes take a year in advance to set-up.
Why Do A Seminar?
Seminars are meant to educate, but also to sell. Seminars are more like a soft Selling Marketing Strategy giving you the opportunity to get up-front and personal with your target market. It also gives you the opportunity to engage in a discussion where you are seen as an expert that offers possible solutions.
The advantage is that you are seen as someone who is knowledgeable enough to endorse rather than a sales force behind a company. Your audience will be impressed and that can convert them to buying customers. Seminars are one of the ways to establish a connection to help build an environment where a relationship can be created, which is an opportunity to sell strategically.
Financial Management In A Seminar
The key factor that affects the planning of a seminar is the financial management side of it. To achieve a profitable turnout for a seminar is to be able to effectively plan the budget for it. The number of attendees usually dictates the overall cost of a seminar. The following is what you should consider once you come up with your tentative or final number of attendees:
- Invitations
- Publicity materials
- Speakers fee (if you are getting one aside from yourself)
- Rentals (this include the venue and the following if it's not included in the venue chairs and tables, audio and video equipment, and lights and sounds)
- General office expenses (usually the office supplies, photocopying, calls and faxes, shipping fees etc.)
- Staff payroll (usually if it is a big seminar)
- Meals (a seminar would not be complete without it)
- And other related cost
Budget planning is a key factor to achieve a successful seminar. Usually it should take at least three months preparation time, to be able to organize especially if there will be external participants. Some seminars which include high-status speakers oftentimes take a year in advance to set-up.
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