September 20th is the release date.

The cost: I have a choice to make. It’s about 40 or so pages, in pdf format, layout to my standards. The choice: Do I charge say, $9.95 or $12.95 or 19.95 or even $27? or do I just give it away for free (cause I’m a nice guy).

Drumroll, please…

The cost: $Free

P.S. And I wont even ask you for your email!

P.P.S. And NO!!! it’s not gonna be filled with affiliate links and any hard sales push.

P.P.P.S. And Yes, I’m making fun with the P.P.P.P.P.S gimmick

Carry on with your day,

Cheers,
Martin

5 Internet Business Models Explained - Coming Soon is a post from: Home Office Voice

I’m currently engrossed in reading Copyblogger’s Landing Page Makeover Clinic that has been running since mid-2007 and continues today.

It’s a great idea: select a landing page of a readers website and conduct a thorough review of it - and post it on the popular Copyblogger website for all to see - and learn.

And geez, am I learning!

The reviews are being conducted by Roberta Rosenberg, who has been writing at Copyblogger for a few years now. Her style is simplistic and to the the point. And repetitive - which is how new ideas stick. I like that style and have gained great knowledge in the art of online copywriting.

But at the same time I’m somewhat staggered.

I’m reading the reviews and seeing the screenshots, and following the 10 steps she suggests. I go back and forth to the website in question and what staggers me is that nothing has changed. The vast majority of those who have been given the opportunity for a “makeover” haven’t taken action.

And, to be honest, isn’t that what it’s all about: taking ACTION.

We can talk and read and theorize and gather data till the cows come home but it’s when you actually start taking action - any action - that things start moving.

So while I’m enjoying reading the (at present) 17 Makeover posts, in the one sitting, I’m frustrated by the lack of action.

For me, I’ve been adding to my copywriting swipe file all afternoon with little tidbits that together will help me create landing pages that hit the mark.

Lack of Action Is What Holds Us Back … And Here’s Proof is a post from: Home Office Voice

I’ve just sat through a bunch of video’s given away by Gideon Shalwick over at GetYourVideoOnline.com - most impressive, indeed.

Gideon has a natural flair for the camera - in front and behind-the-scenes, and his teaching style is pleasant.

What I like most about the video’s is that he makes what many think to be hard (creating good quality videos) into something that is surprisingly easy - heck, even I got the hang of it.

He focuses on Microsoft’s free Windows Movie Maker which comes pre-installed in Windows XP and Vista.

One annoying thing with the program is that the Vista version leaves out the “Capture from Video Device” - something that was featured in the XP version - much to Gideon’s surprise and to my annoyance…

Microsoft: WHY the heck take out a much used feature like umm … capturing video!!! It boggles the mind!

Anyway, I highly recommend taking the time out and watching the video’s that Gideon has on offer - on tips alone, it’s well worth the time.

Check it out at GetYourVideoOnline.com

Making Video’s with Microsoft Windows Movie Maker is a post from: Home Office Voice

Over recent months, I have been quietly lurking at a handful of “good” forums on small and home business. It has been an eye-opener.

Many a time a newbie would post a thread only to be given the wrong information or made to look like a fool for not knowing.

So I thought: Hey, I have a little credibility (hopefully) in the home business arena.

I believe I have collected enough useful information along the way to make me an expert - so why not do something with it.

Ask Martin is a simple question and answer resource - you email me a question, and I’ll do my best to answer it and have it up for all to see.

And no question is too simple, I can assure you of that.

You don’t have to sign up, there’s no costs involved and it’s 100% advertising and affiliate-free.

Come and check it out at homeofficevoice.com/askmartin/

Announcing ‘Ask Martin’ So Ask Away is a post from: Home Office Voice

There’s no embarrassment in failing in a business venture - especially an online one, where the near-zero startup costs enable quite a bit of leeway in experimenting.

In fact, in many ways failing in an online venture is like a badge of honor - as strange as it sounds.

But all of that stuff is simply cliche that’s been written a thousand time over.

The only positive in failing is if you have learned something from that failure.

What did Enstein say:

Failing effectively enables you to get to know yourself better - what are your capabilities, your liabilities. What you can and can’t do.

As an example, way back, I ran a small web hosting business. It was great for the first few weeks. I loved the behind the scenes work, watching new customers come on board.

But it quickly turned sour. 300 or so customers paying you a few dollars a month meant lots of backend work. Customer service issues took up 80% of my time.

I quickly learned that this was not for me. With a quick scale which could afford me to bring some help on board, I was going to fail at this gig.

What I learned from this: I am not the sort of business person to deal with low value / high number of customers - without having automation and systems in place. So on my Medium-Term To Do List I have placed automation and systems as things to learn - as it was those two aspects that led to the business failure.

Here’s a few more things I learnt from my failure:

1. Don’t Beat Yourself Up Over Failing.
Heck, life is to short for that. And you know the saying: it’s better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all.

2. Take Some Time Out and Evaluate the Business from Start to Finish.
I like to do this in a brainstorming / mind mapping way and do it with a cool, open-minded head. This action needs you to have total clarity. It’s from the ashes of the failure that you’ll end up with clues and become strengthened by more knowledge.

3. List of Reasons for the Failure.
Following the mind mapping session you should be able to see where the fault lines occurred. Once again, don’t be harsh on yourself but just as much: don’t try to fool yourself. If it’s researching the marking before starting out that was a major factor, then accept it and add it to your list - I bet in your next venture, you’ll be all sleeves rolled up and head down researching a market.

4. Start an Action Plan on Learning Your Weak points in Business.
Just like my example (automation, systems) you can now be confident knowing what you don’t really get a handle on. Time to learn or outsource.

5. Taking Into Account The reasons for Your Failure, Start Again.
Yep. If you really have that desire to run your own business and have come up with a new idea don’t hold back … go for it. Use the lessons of the past

I strongly believe in having access to a business coach - someone that can see your business as a whole and in its parts.

I’m still looking for one for myself! And I’ll go into it a bit further in a few weeks.

If you’re a business coach, I invite you to have your say in the comments - sell yourself a little but don’t overdo it…

How to Fail Effectively is a post from: Home Office Voice

Those just finding out - yep, I did and yep, it scared the living crap out of me.

It happened: Tuesday, March 24th. About 5.30pm Australian time. Got home from the Hospital: Wednesday 25th March. About 3.30am.

Life is now (suddenly) different.

And now the Update as promised…

100% positive that it was a mini stroke (officially called a TIA). Blood tests: all clear; Brain scan: no damage; Neck scan (as the TIA affected my speech): all clear.

Seems there will be no permanent damage - although I’m not so sure just yet. (more later)

So it all comes down to … Lifestyle. Break it down further and it comes down to eating habits: revoltingly poor and exercise: rare to none.

So I have a Doctor-ordered appointment with a dietitian next week. My Mum brought me a heart rate monitor watch (thanks Mum) and I am now pounding the pavements doing small steps interval training. I haven’t got it into a routine or habit yet but I’ll get there yet …

The diet is my major weak point. And even after this scare I still haven’t completely learned: I could have fucking died!!! And yet I’m still eating crap - just much less of it.

On the mind side: I’m. So. Tired.

Small amounts of confusion strike me at odd times. Small things. Is it permanent? Who knows.

Maybe it’s just hit me. Maybe I’m depressed. What ever it is: I’m. Just. So. Tired. Always.

Mental and physical fatigue. My motivation levels have fallen into a heap. I’m feeling all fuzzy inside this head of mine.

Xanax has been a savior to some extent. Maybe my stress levels were too high for too long. Who Knows.

Okay, that’s enough … pity poor me. I’ll get over it. Just got to make the effort - do a spring clean on my life, take all the blood-thinning pills and do as the Doctors say.

And HomeOfficeVoice… ?

As I mentally get over all of this, I’ll still be pushing ahead with HomeOfficeVoice. I’ll deliver a HomeOfficeVoice Update post in the coming days. I’ve been contemplating ways of going with HomeOfficeVoice for quite a while now - ever since the 24th and slowing down these past few weeks, I have settled on a business model. All will be revealed.

Having had this little episode gives me more ammo against the rat race life I never want to get back into. Never. Ever. Ever Again!!!

For that to happen, HomeOfficeVoice HAS to be a winner. And mark my words: It Will!!!

It all comes back to the tagline to HomeOfficeVoice… It’s ALL about Lifestyle. Amen.

Thanks to all who sent their best wishes via comments, email, twitter and face-to-face. It’s been much appreciated. You can best catch me on Twitter.

* * * * *

Note: And how weird is this… exactly one month before on the 24th of Feb I post this: It’s Time to Burn Some Work at Home Fat.

A Personal Update is a post from: Home Office Voice

From her blog…

“For those who have not yet heard, my business partner Lucille has left our little company to pursue other interests, and it will be just me, myself and WHY going forward. I’m excited, motivated, determined and scared to death — just the way I like it”.

Ahhh, what all soloist go through: excitement, motivation, determination and the fear.

If it’s in your blood, then its just gotta be …

Good luck, Dina.

Check out WHY Magazine…

WHY Magazine Goes Solo is a post from: Home Office Voice

We are the ADD generation, always on the lookout for something better to do: websites to visit, rss feeds to scan, twittering to be done, a cool YouTube video to watch, social networking to keep up and the list goes on.

Well, if you’re trying to succeed in your own business, then this is just a recipe for failure.

And I can tell you right now, that for me, what I just described is all a part of my past.

I’ll now cut to the chase pretty quick here (before you get bored) and let you in on a routine I tweaked that works for me; and hey, it may just work for you.

1. Write a daily To Do list of 3-5 of the most important things that will move your business forward.
2. Get yourself a timer - I use the free Cool Timer. Set it for 45 minutes.
3. Pick the first thing on your To Do List and go at it for a full 45 minutes - no stops, breaks, email checking, twittering - nothing, nada. Just focus on it, knowing you only have 45 minutes.
4. When 45 minutes is up the timer lets you know. Then just Stop!
5. Take a 15 minute break away from the computer and your business. Set your timer for 15 minutes.
6. Rinse and repeat for your other To Do tasks.

Before you know it, you are really getting things done!

My magic number is 6 lots of 45/15.

That adds up to 270 minutes (4.5 hours) of focused work time and 90 minutes (1.5 hours) of break time.

It all comes down to seeing the big picture and putting it off because it’s well … too big. Chunking it all down is really the only solution to getting big things done … and a big thing could just as easily be moving your online business a tad further along the road to success.

In just 6 hours a day, I get more done that I ever have - often times more than a weeks worth of work from my pre-45/15 days.

I’d love to hear your variations on how you manage your time effectively. Leave a comment…

The 45/15 Getting Stuff Done Routine is a post from: Home Office Voice

I was recently approached by a promotional products company to write up a review on them right here at HomeOfficeVoice - a paid review.

I don’t do too many paid reviews, mostly because they don’t suit this site and/our my readers.

In this instance, I accepted. Why? Because quite simply I think that promotional products are a great branding technique.

Who doesn’t love getting all the little schwag that companies provide influencer’s, customers and prospects.

Promotional products are a great way to keep in touch with customers and clients. Who hasn’t had a pen with a brand plastered over it? Or a mouse pad with a logo and brand name facing up at you? A branded golf ball?

Amsterdam Printing is one such company that offer these items.

Here’s how Amsterdam describes themselves to me: “Amsterdam Printing offers a wide selection of promotional products and personalized promotional items such as logo pens and customized desk calendars. Giving promotional products is a great way to promote business or show appreciation to existing customers.”

Their website is professional and offers a decent variety of items. It’s traditional e-commerce fare for a company of its size (600 employees) and vast range of products (3,000+) and controls the ordering process well.

I selected as an example the promotional mouse pad.

You proceed to add the text you want to appear on the mouse pads as well as upload you logo. I presumed from not being able to enter my Australian postcode that it’s purely for the US market - which bugged me a little. So to get a postage price I put the only American zip code I could think off - 90210 and it came out at $23.53 - delivered within 7 to 10 days, which seems a fair price.

Checking out was a breeze, so there’s no problems there. You have to register if you’re a new customer - which some folks don’t like. It doesn’t really bother me, especially if I intend on doing more business with them in the future.

So the overall offering from Amsterdam was decent, they have a solid e-commerce website with all the features that you’d expect and their prices looked about right. Only thing is that it appears to be only an American thing. And just to set you straight, they’re based in Amsterdam, New York - not in Europe.

Depending on what business you are in and how much you have calculated a client is worth to you, you can purchase them (the mouse pad example) from as low as $2.99 (although you’d be buying 2,500 units to get that price).

Looking at buying only 150 units, I’d be up for $4.29 each. That’s $643.50 - now if you’ve got a client that say, brings you in $500-$1000 a year, spending $4.29 is a pretty decent investment.

But mouse pads are so old hat. There’s such a decent variety on offer that you could literally spend hours deciding.

Putting your brand front and center to your current and/our potential clients is an ideal way to build a stronger relationship over the long term. It’s been a marketing technique that’s been around a long while because it works.

I know when I get stuck into marketing my book in 2010 one of the ways I’ll be doing it is through promotional products.

Even in our fast-paced instant gratification online lifestyle, small gestures like this can do your business wonders.

This was a

Promotional Products from Amsterdam Printing is a post from: Home Office Voice

Short, long, unscripted, polished.

Big words, short words, one word sentences, scrolling-required.

Rough as guts or eloquently stated, gonzoish or skilfully edited.

Whatever.

The art of blogging is what ever does it for you.

By being true to yourself you’ll be authentic; and authenticity is not a commodity.

* * *

Note: why am I always talking about blogging on a home business blog? Stay Tuned…

The Art of Blogging is a post from: Home Office Voice