Liane Carmi

Sometimes, you just don’t have all the time you need in order to run your online business.

A perfect example is this request I got for suggestions:

“If anyone has any suggestions on how I can run my online business whilst being away from mobile phone coverage, extremely limited internet time…ie maybe 1 hour every few days, I would really appreciate some thoughts…I have a mate who will be able to handle some of the traffic for me, but the twitter network I have built I don’t know how I could maintain it…”

So what do you do when you are going to be away, busy, or just unable to work?

Here are some recommendations:

1. make a list of everything that needs to get done.

2. organize these things by “MUST” get done, “IMPORTANT” to get done, and “WOULD LIKE TO” get done.
-must get done will be things that bring in the money, whatever they may be.

3. look at all the tasks you need to get done, and see which ones YOU need to do personally.

These are things that there is NO WAY to outsource for whatever reason, whether it’s your skill, personality or more information than you’re willing to share with someone else.  For me, these are things that require access to my credit cards, or to my PPC campaigns.

4. Start automating all the other processes.  Here are some ways to automate:

a. since you specifically mentioned twitter, make use of these tools:

-tweetlater: you can set up automatic tweets twice a day that can send
out quotes, or things you’ve pre-written.  Then, you can use 20
minutes every week replying to people.
-twitter karma (dossy.org/twitter/karma): you can automatically
unfollow people who aren’t following you back.  Someone else can do
this for you.
-twollo: automatically follow people who are talking about a certain
topic.  You can set this up & let it run.
b. some things (like building websites, linkbuilding, etc.) can be
outsourced.  Hire an outsourcer for a couple of hours per week.  Some
good sites are:

-scriptlance.com
-elance.com
-guru.com

c. there are many more sites as well, and you can also hire someone on
craigslist.

5. Finally, one of the best resources for outsourcing is John Jonas’ program.

Click on the link to listen to a great audio he put together about
outsourcing: how to replace yourself

About a month ago, the studio where I practiced Muay Thai three to four times a week for over 10 months suddenly closed its doors and went out of business.

Initially, it was a big shock to me.  How could this place I have been relying on for my stress relief, for my health, a place I imagined myself being a part of for years and year to come, suddenly disappear?

But then I realized how normal this was in our current economy. In fact, if you haven’t already opened your eyes to it, go for a quick drive in your neighborhood and see how many businesses are closing their doors, having “going out of business” sales, or just starting to look a bit run down.  And how many of your friends and colleagues were recently laid off because their employer can no longer afford to keep them?

How is your local laundromat doing?  Gas station?  Pizza shop?  Doctor?  Can you imagine having to go out and find a new dentist, after having gone to the same one for over 20 years?

The good news is that in this economy, internet marketers are making a killing.  Network marketers are doing particularly well – and is it a wonder, with so many people losing their jobs and looking for a way to keep their heads above water?

But here’s the deal.  There’s a certain code of ethics I believe every online marketer should follow.  Online marketers are, after all, entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs excel at filling a need of some sort.  Right now, the greatest need involves your local area businesses.

If I had just opened my eyes a little bit, I would have seen my teacher’s struggle, and I could have helped keep him stay afloat.  In short?  I feel guilty, knowing that I had the skills to help, but didn’t.

That’s why I am now actively going out and seeking small businesses in my neighborhood, and offering them a solution to the economy.  A website, a way to attract customers online, multiple organic (free) listings on page one of Google, a database of customers to follow up with…a way to stay afloat.

Of course, being me, the big note-taker, I would never go out and offer a service without being sure I am doing the best that I can.  That’s why I’m involved in two training programs.  The first is IM Leadership, which is run by Howie Schwartz – someone who has taught me 80% of what I know about online business.  The IM Leadership program teaches you how to do everything I mentioned above, and more.

The second is the Offline Gold Summit.  Mark Ress, one of the founders of this upcoming summit, has given me so much incredible information for free that I could probably write 10 eBooks and make a killing selling everything I’ve learned from him.

Look-  right now, offline businesses are suffering.  I believe it is our duty as internet marketers to open our eyes and look around the real world.  Just because we’re making a killing online doesn’t mean everything is good around us.

If you’re ready to help – and I hope you are – the quickest way to brush up on your skills and learn how to help people is to attend the Offline Gold Summit. Go there as soon as you finish reading this post, and read about all the presenters, and all the incredible bonuses that are being offered.  And sign up.  When you return home, you’ll be making anywhere from $500 to $2500 per month per client – and you’ll help stimulate your local economy.

If you prefer to stay home, I highly recommend Howie’s Apprentice.  I can’t promise that it’s still open, as training has already started, but it’s worth a shot.

Don’t wait until the economy affects YOU to open your eyes.