Seven Years to Seven Figures: The Truth About Money

Today is the day you discover the politically incorrect truth about money.

This lesson will probably be much different than the one your parents taught you. I know my mother would have disagreed with what I’m about to say.

Pinching pennies is a losing game. Obsessing about cutting costs is a waste of your valuable time and energy. You see, the only way to truly create financial independence and take control of your future is by adding value to the world and creating your own economy.

You don’t build wealth by extreme cost cutting. Instead, you build wealth by increasing your income so you have much more money to save and invest.

“But Ray”, you might protest, “right now all I can do is try to cut expenses”.

I understand. I’ve been broke.

Unfortunately, personal “austerity” can only get you so far. Sure you can cut and slash expenses to the bone, but eventually the fact remains that you always do get down to just the bone.

However, you have to eat. You need a roof over your head. And there are always going to be emergencies that come up. Those are mandatory expenses, and you can’t cut them.

Let’s take a look at a $40,000 per year income.

In the United States, a person making that much money, with no dependents, would be getting about $600 per week in take-home pay. Let’s say your monthly expenses are $900 for rent, $300 for transportation, and $300 for food.

You’re left with $900 per month for everything else.

But wait, there’s more. Reality usually throws in a spouse, a child, even a pet, and things start to get tight. Real tight. Real fast.

That leaves with you two choices.

Put your positive energy into earning more money.

Or exhaust yourself with the negative mindset of cutting costs.

You can only do one or the other.

As NY Times best-selling author Ramit Sethi eloquently put it:

“We have limited cognition and attention, so each additional thing we try to focus on means an overall reduced amount of willpower and attention.”

If you had to use your limited willpower to cut back on $2 a day of something you love, versus learning how to negotiate a $10,000 salary increase, which would you rather do?”

Exactly.

Stop trying to cut costs to the bone.

Now you might find this callous or cold, that’s fine.

But I’m asking you to trust me…and to take all the energy that you put into slashing your budget and transfer it over to creating value.

It will make all the difference in the world to your wealth building efforts.

It’s easier – and more positive – for you to ADD value to the world and earn greater rewards than it is for you to try and cut costs.

It’s easier to make money than it is to slash expenses.

Now before you disagree, just hear me out.

Making more money is a simple equation.

After all, you are already making money with your skills, right?

So to make MORE money, all you need to do is take your skills, add the way you create value and do it for more people.

That’s it.

Add more value = make more money.

It’s not rocket science.

Nor is making money the root of all evil.

The correct phrase is:

“The love of money is the root of all evil.” – 1 Timothy 6:10

BIG difference.

And not only is money NOT evil, but in fact, money is the answer to a LOT of life’s problems.

Don’t believe me?

Try going without money for a day.

You might be able to do it if you spend all day in bed, but you sure as heck better not allow your browser surf over to Amazon.com…because you’ll wish you had money then.

So back to your money problem.

If you need more money, the best thing for you to do is to switch from a negative cost-cutting mindset to a positive value-adding approach. 

If you need money, you must find a way to MAKE more of it.

You can only slash your spending so far. At some point you’ll hit the bone of necessity – and you can’t cut that.

So you need to switch your energy over to creating more value.

Better to do it now while you’re young and full of energy.

Yes, this message is politically incorrect. And yes, it goes against everything that you and I were brought up to believe…

That making money is hard.

That getting rich probably involves something shady.

That it’s better to be frugal and clip coupons and drive an extra mile to save a penny on gas (even though this is the ultimate waste of time). That approach is WRONG.

I dare you to believe me…that you can add value to the world, make it a better place, AND make more money ALL at the same time.

In fact, when you make more money, dozens of people will directly benefit from it.

OR you can deny this premise and live in a zero sum game world…thinking that if you make money that it must be by taking it from someone else.

You can slash to the bone or you can afford your $6 daily lattes.

It’s your decision to belive the truth about money or to deny its existence. Your choice.

Choose wisely.$

[Do you know how Facebook and Google became the most powerful companies in the world?

It’s NOT helping you share pics of last night’s dinner...
It’s NOT searching for drunken cat videos…

And it’s DEFINITELY NOT about free Gmail accounts.
 

The simple truth is Facebook and Google SELL TRAFFIC.

They SELL TRAFFIC to business owners, and that advertising revenue alone has turned them into billion dollar companies.
 

Traffic is the most valuable commodity on the internet, and that will never change.
 

This is why using the Traffic Authority business system is the ultimate way to make extra income in your business…]

The One Characteristic Of All Great Leaders

“A leader is a dealer in hope.” – Napoleon.

What do I think is the most important quality of a good leader? Let’s start by stating the obvious: A good leader is one who inspires people to follow. It is not someone who uses force to push people to do things against their will. It’'s no great talent to bully people. The only thing that takes is an advantage. A bigger body. A quicker mind. A position of authority. The great thing about great leaders is that they know how to get people they CAN’'T bully to follow their lead.

Napoleon, for example, was a guy who had a lot of power. Napoleon could have run his campaigns by threat and force – and maybe he did. But he must have done more than that, because, according to the Duke of Wellington, the mere presence of him on the battlefield made his soldiers braver and stronger.

That’'s got to come from something more than fear. My guess is that it has something to do with his vision. (We’'ll have to do a little research on Napoleon one of these days to see if this theory holds up . . . but go with me on this for the moment.)

All great leaders do one thing in common: They put into the hearts of their followers a conviction that what they do (which is what the leader asks them to do) has meaning.

I don’'t think there is anything else you can add to that. Some leaders carry positive messages, but not all. Some leaders have visions that are brilliant, but not all. Some leaders love their followers. Others ignore them. Some leaders understand exactly what they are searching for. Others have only a vague idea.

If you work in an environment where good thinking is valued and the freedom to develop ideas is fostered, you are very likely to feel good about what you do. And if you feel good about what you do, you will work hard and smart.

There are obviously a lot of other things to be said about leadership. And there are probably plenty of things you can do to lead more effectively. But for the moment, I think it pays to ask yourself: “Do I give those around me the feeling that what we are doing is good and worthwhile?”

Before you answer that question, ask this: “Do I feel that what I am doing is good and worthwhile?”

[Do you know how Facebook and Google became the most powerful companies in the world?

It’s NOT helping you share pics of last night’s dinner...
It’s NOT searching for drunken cat videos…

And it’s DEFINITELY NOT about free Gmail accounts.
 

The simple truth is Facebook and Google SELL TRAFFIC.

They SELL TRAFFIC to business owners, and that advertising revenue alone has turned them into billion dollar companies.
 

Traffic is the most valuable commodity on the internet, and that will never change.
 

This is why using the Traffic Authority business system is the ultimate way to make extra income in your business…]

Read This or Go Broke

If there’s one thing that gets under my skin the most about most businesses it’s when these well-meaning owners, in poor judgment, decide to compete on price.

Absolutely insane!

Often times the ill logic is accompanied by statements like…

– “there’s four other businesses just like mine within five miles of me who charge less”

– “yeah but the economy in my area is different” 

– “people here have no money” 

– “there are two big box stores that charge less and I can’t compete with them” 

– “you don’t understand, my circumstances are different”

These are limiting beliefs of the lazy and undetermined.

When you compete on price, there’s always going to be a competitor that is willing to go broke before you.

The worst thing you can do in your business is get sucked into the “low price” battle with your competitors.

Doing so is the fastest way to go broke.

No one wins.

Not you.

Not your clients.

Not your competitors.

All it takes is three simple things to pre-condition your market that you’re different, better, and far superior than all other options available to them.

I’ll tell you what those three things are in just a moment.

See, people only shop on price when they’re uncertain and apprehensive about the service.

If your entire market knew without a shadow of a doubt that you’re the best option in town and that your programs, products, or services constantly and consistently produce happier customers – would you ever have to compete on price?

Think about all the times you’ve paid more than you normally would have for something because you were convinced that it was of higher quality and of better value.

People happily pay more for what they feel is of higher value and superior quality all the time. For example, you’ve probably paid more for:

Organic vs. traditional fruits and vegetables

Grass fed vs. corn fed beef

Free range vs. caged chicken and eggs

All-natural almond butter vs. national brand peanut butter

BMW and Mercedes vs. Ford, Chevy, or Toyota

MAC vs. Maybelline

Rolex vs. Nixon

Gray Goose vs. Absolute

So what do MAC, Rolex, BMW, organic, natural, free range, Mercedes, grass fed and Gray Goose all have in common?

They are recognized as best in class.

Price is never a factor when buying these products and brands.

They’ve become competition proof and are in “a category of one”.

Fortunately, you can do this with your personal training or boot camp programs, too.

You can (and should) convince your market that you are their only real choice as it relates to your industry.

Eliminating apprehension and uncertainty within a prospect comes down to pre-conditioning prospects.

Pre-conditioning simply means being known for something… or in this case for a few things, such as…

…establishing your image

…building up your reputation

…creating credibility, trust, and authority

Pre-conditioned prospects come to you pre-qualified, ready to buy, and with little or no resistance. There are many ways to pre-condition your market, and here are three of them.

1. Publish case studies.

Case studies can be done on your website and blog, in print, and in emails.

Case studies are success stories that you share with your prospects showcasing how happy one of your clients was after purchasing your products or services.

The best case studies are not “pitch” driven but are story driven where you demonstrate how your product or service was the solution to your client’s biggest frustrations.

2. Demonstrate social proof.

Include testimonials in video, print, along with before and after picture in ALL of your marketing material…

… on your website, postcards, framed on the walls of your facility, in print ads and even on your business cards.

And not just one or two testimonials, either… but a near endless array of success stories and social proof so that anyone who sees your site, ads, and other marketing material can easily see that you repeatedly create happy customers.

3. Send a “Shock and awe” package.

Send an unexpected and meaningful gift when someone joins your program.

Price, cost, money should never be the deciding factor whether or not a prospect will become a client or not.

As Dan Kennedy once wrote, “The rules remain: If you want money, it’s a good idea to place yourself where there is plenty – and if you present someone with the ability to spend something they very much want or need, and secure their trust, they’ll hand you their money. You need to create your own economy via relationship with a “prime herd” that is not affected by overall economy. Be careful of devoting excess attention to product or media or technology, and not enough to ‘prime herd’. Ultimately the financial facts of your life will be more governed by who you sell to and the nature of the relationship you have with them.”

It all starts with pre-conditioning your prospect to understand that you are the premium option in your industry. Do that, and selling will become easier without resorting to cutting prices.

Don’t compete on price.

Don’t be willing to go broke.

You’re worth so much more.$

[Ed. Note. Ray Buckner is dedicated to helping you take control of your financial future with a web-based business that you can operate from anywhere in the world – including a coffee shop, your kitchen table, or anywhere around the world where there is Internet access. Discover how you can achieve the American Dream and your financial independence here. You’ve never seen anything like this before.]

Your Secret Weapon for Achieving Your Dreams

Deadlines make you take action…and although they are uncomfortable and force you to work furiously under pressure, deadlines also bring big rewards when you meet them.

Every morning, I read one of the 100 Kekich Credo’s, which are 100 “life lessons” written by a very interesting man, Dave Kekich. One that always strikes me with its power and simplicity is:

“No one gets old by surprise.” – Kekich Credo #84

We all have things we want to accomplish.

We all have dreams and goals of a better life that we want to live.

Yet for some of us, the steps we need to take to get there are always “put off until tomorrow”.

The reason I bring this up is because I’ve heard from a lot of folks this week about why they didn’t enter our recent Financial Independence Monthly Transformation Contest.

The excuses, obviously, were not very good. After all, they were just that: excuses.

I may as well have been told that “Their dog ate their computer.”

Listen, the reason why you didn’t enter the contest was because you really, truly don’t have sufficient reason to change.

Deep down, you’re happy with the way things are now.

Sure, sure, you tell everyone – or at least you tell me – that you want to build a second income and make money with your website.

But actions speak louder than words.

It’s time to step up and hold yourself accountable.

You can’t depend on others to do that for you.

You have to be honest with yourself.

Am I going to do this or not?

Do I want the freedom and independence I can get by building a website business or am I happy just to daydream about it?

There’s nothing wrong with daydreaming.

But you have recognize the difference between daydreaming and serious goal setting. Two very, very different things.

For example, imagine two people who are about the same age and who have the same goal. One day dreams. The other does not. Fast forward five years and you’ll see that the day dreamer is in the same place while the other accomplished what he wanted.

So it’s time to take things very seriously. There are two more quotes that I’ve stumbled across in the past year that are like a bucket of cold water to my face, and I think you’ll find they affect you the same way.

“Whatever your dreams are, start taking them very, very seriously.” – Barbara Sher And…

“You have less time than you think. We all do. Why then are you waiting to fulfill your desire? If you do not start today, then when will you start? You will never start unless you start NOW. Commit yourself heart and soul.” – Felix Dennis

My goal is to help 10,000 men and women gain their financial independence this year through creating an internet business.

We don’t have much time left in 2012, and every day that you procrastinate, I get closer to failure.

So here’s what I need you to do:

1.    Set hard deadlines for finishing a major project in your business.
2.    Now cut that deadline by 10%, 25%, or even 50%.
3.    Trust me, you’ll find a way to get it done in less time.

One of the most important lessons Tim Ferriss taught us in The 4-Hour Work Week was about “Parkinson’s Law” which states:

“Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.”

That means if you don’t have a deadline for project completion, then you’ll keep on finding new stuff to add or edit and the work will drag on forever.

If we set a deadline for 6-months from now, we’ll meet it.

But if take that same project and cut the deadline to just 3-months from now, we would still meet it.

We’d find a way.

So get serious. Set a tough deadline. And get it done.

Set a deadline to act now, because without deadlines, nothing would get done.

The deadline is your secret weapon for achieving your dreams.

Take action.

Action leads to attraction.

Action creates momentum and brings opportunity. You’ll be amazed at the people you attract into your business and life when you start taking action and overcome inertia.

I’m off to take my own advice, and I’ll let you know how it goes!

[Ed. Note. Ray Buckner is dedicated to helping you take control of your financial future with a web-based business that you can operate from anywhere in the world – including a coffee shop, your kitchen table, or anywhere around the world where there is Internet access. Discover how you can achieve the American Dream and your financial independence here. You’ve never seen anything like this before.]

After-50 Entrepreneurs: Starting Your Own Business

I’ve started small home businesses in my 20s as well as in my 50s. Were there any differences in the process based on my age alone? Yes, and if you’re an over-50 entrepreneur, it helps to keep them in mind.

To begin with, when I was younger, I was driven by the naivety of youth. I hadn’t been through much hardship in my life, and so didn’t think anything bad could really happen to me, including the possibility of my business failing. Therefore I went boldly forward with few resources or contingencies in place.

At 50, I had, like many people, been through some very serious problems in my life, including job loss and marital separation. Therefore, I considered the pros and cons of my new business plan more carefully, and should things have turned sour, I would not have been badly hurt.

Even though I had only a few thousand dollars in my bank account when I was in my early 20s, I felt more able to take risks because I also had relatively few financial responsibilities: no family and no mortgage. Plus, when you’re young, if your business tanks and you lose it all, you have plenty of time to make it back.You’d think older entrepreneurs with their greater net worth would be more financially courageous, but the opposite is often true. If you’re 50, and your business bombs and draws down your retirement nest egg, you may not have time or earning power to make it back. Therefore, many 50+ entrepreneurs are afraid to take big financial risks.

Yet for many of the over-50 entrepreneurs who are willing to take financial risks, the money to start a business is there. If I wanted to launch a business with $100,000 start-up costs, I could do it without borrowing. Yet on the TV show Shark Tank, you see people giving away 10 to 50 percent of their entrepreneurial ventures to investors who in exchange pay them a sum in the high five or low six figures.

Younger entrepreneurs are often fueled by boundless – and some might say naïve – optimism. Optimism propels people to action, which is a good thing, but it can give them unrealistic expectations, which isn’t so good.

As an old dog entrepreneur, you have to learn new tricks, and it may take a lot of practice to break old habits. For instance, my children would laugh at me If needed a business phone number and I looked in the Yellow Pages and not Google. When my youngest daughter saw that AARP sent me a free transistor radio as a premium, she laughed again: “No one listens to the radio on a radio,” she said.

One of the things I envy younger entrepreneurs is their seemingly infinite energy. Some of the more famous Internet marketers I know go at their online business 24/7. I work hard too, but once I hit 50, I saw that my own energy had limits.

Perhaps the biggest difference between younger and older entrepreneurs is this: in their quest to be rich, many young entrepreneurs will do any kind of business as long as they think it can make them quick and significant bucks.

When you are over 50, you are far less willing to do whatever it takes just for money. You want to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. You are reluctant to bow to the will of others just for the money. Your work has to bring you pleasure. You don’t like being told what to do.

So how do you choose a business opportunity that meshes well with your personality, interests, and desires?

Career coach Valerie Young has her clients write a short composition describing their ideal day. You can do the same to discover what your ideal day would look like.

Would you spend it sitting in the backyard alone with your laptop — or working shoulder to shoulder with a team? Do you want afternoons free for fishing and golf? Can you stick to a schedule or do you crave freedom and flexibility? Do you want to make crafts or spend the day with kids? Do you see yourself in an office or outdoors?

Then it’s a matter of finding a vocation that allows you to live, as closely as you can, your ideal day – every day of the year. To find that vocation, make a list of your interests, passions, aptitudes, and favorite activities. Are any of these things other people would pay you to do or make? Those are the realistic options, unless you are independently wealthy.

How wealthy you are determines the degree of freedom you have in choosing your new business, profession, or vocation. Take stock of your financial situation. How much money do you have? Is it enough to retire? If your business failed and you lost money, would you still have enough to retire? Can you do whatever you want? Or does the need for money trump the need for self-fulfillment?

The bottom line: as an after-50 entrepreneur, you want and deserve to have a business that lets you live the life you want to live. And with a little planning, it can all be yours.$

[Do you know how Facebook and Google became the most powerful companies in the world?

It’s NOT helping you share pics of last night’s dinner...
It’s NOT searching for drunken cat videos…

And it’s DEFINITELY NOT about free Gmail accounts.
 

The simple truth is Facebook and Google SELL TRAFFIC.

They SELL TRAFFIC to business owners, and that advertising revenue alone has turned them into billion dollar companies.
 

Traffic is the most valuable commodity on the internet, and that will never change.
 

This is why using the Traffic Authority business system is the ultimate way to make extra income in your business…
 

Click here to watch the video and start your own premium traffic business today!]

Why You Must Dream Big

The first few hours of my morning are pure bliss. I arise early and tip down to the kitchen table. The quietness and stillness help to free up space in my heart and my mind as I go about my daily routine.

I sit at the large table, with the front door open, as the rising summer sun naturally lights the sky and lifts my spirits. It’s a magical time of day.

I spend at least an hour to writing my daily blog posts and monthly newsletters. This is followed by thirty minutes devoted to daily inspirational readings and another fifteen minutes of seated meditation.

During these few solitary hours, everything is right in the world. But each morning, before I start my magic time with writing, there is one even more important daily ritual that I complete at my kitchen table.

This my “Big Thinking” time.

I pull out my Big Idea notepad and spend ten to twenty minutes letting my mind unfurl the overnight inspirations buried deep within my subconscious.

First come the obvious, small ideas. Then with my mind warmed-up from these gentle impressions it begins to expand and dream bigger. Finally, after a few minutes of growing intensity, I develop a few moonshots, as Google’s Larry Page refers to ideas that sound next to impossible. But that is the goal, to dream big.

From this time devoted to strategic thinking always comes a solution to a problem in my business. Recently my big thinking time gave birth to a particular articulation of a new sales message that could deliver breakthrough results for one of our Million Dollar Success Systems. This could be the Big Idea we’ve been looking for, but it likely wouldn’t have seen the light of day without dedicated time spent to simply thinking.

I have no doubt this vital ritual would pay off for you, too. But it’s a habit that far too few people take the time to add to their day. After all, the world discourages big thinkers. It mocks the dreamers and wild thinkers. The mainstream media reports only on fear, loss, negativity, and scarcity. But you cannot let yourself be influenced by these vultures and dream stealers.

Instead, you must carve out time to think big each day, preferably in an inspiring environment. Your breakthrough concepts will only come if you have faith in yourself and believe in the abundance of the world.

If you want to achieve great things, you need to be politically incorrect. You need to set big goals. You need to dream big things. You need to close the door to your office, put the world on hold, tell everyone you aren’t taking any phone calls or emails, and then you need to just sit there and think – big.

It’s a lost art, thinking. But if you look back at the great leaders in history, like Winston Churchill, and the great philosophers, like Epictetus, you’ll see that their rigid schedules contained time for big thinking. The scheduled time of solitude was non-negotiable.

It seems almost ironic, given today’s opportunity to be constantly connected to news, or to be always mired in meetings, that the only real progress you’ll make in your day is when you are allowed to be thinking in solitude. But I promise you’ll achieve your fastest results when you can set aside uninterrupted time for sustained concentration on the biggest obstacles in your business.

This Big Thinking approach goes not only for your business, your career, or for making money. It will also work if you want to change your health, find your dream relationship, or fix any bad habit in your life.

Don’t think small, think big, because this in turn will cause you to take big steps in the right direction.

Research from the weight loss world proves that your long-term goal setting should include achieving massive dreams. After all, the same steps will be taken to lose 30 pounds as will be for 5 pounds.

So why not set the bigger goal?

Because the politically correct – and wrong – mainstream media tells you it’s not possible, right?

Well, listen to the facts and see what they say about dreaming big and getting results.

Dutch weight loss researchers found that setting big goals leads to faster results.

In their cheekily titled study, “Ain’t no mountain high enough? Setting high weight loss goals predict effort and short-term weight loss,” the scientists wanted to test the modest goal theory. They explored whether the amount of weight loss individuals strive for is associated with more positive psychological and behavioral outcomes.

Over four hundred overweight and obese participants trying to lose weight were surveyed about their weight loss goals and progress over a two-month interval.

According to the researchers, “Many participants set goals that could be considered unrealistically high. However, higher weight loss goals predicted more effort in the weight loss attempt, as well as more self-reported short-term weight loss.”

In plain English, the study revealed that those subjects that set the biggest weight loss goals achieved the best results. Why? Because their big goals encouraged them to put in more effort.

Dream big. Work harder. Achieve more.

That’s a politically incorrect approach to success you won’t hear in the mainstream media, but that is what will work best for you.

If you follow proven and ethical blueprints for success, there’s nothing wrong with getting rich quick, or burning fat fast, or accelerating your relationships with others.

That’s politically incorrect these days. First of all, to dream big is discouraged. To want more than average is frowned upon.

The external world tries to hold you down every single day. But it’s only by getting out of your comfort zone, by dreaming and believing big things, that you’ll actually be able to accomplish what you want – because it will compel you to take the massive action that success requires.

Don’t let anyone hold you back. Don’t let anyone stomp on your dreams. My blog, blog is here to encourage and support you, no matter what the other people in your life try to do to your dreams.

As Dave Kekich tells us, it takes just as much effort to go after big dreams as it does smaller ones, so why not go all in? Why not go for it? Why not set the bar high in life? Why hold back? Why be satisfied with average? After all, the average person doesn’t get far in life, so why set average – or modest – goals?

Think big.

Don’t be satisfied with the norm if you want more. It’s okay to want to achieve special results. The world needs folks who dream and achieve big things.

Get outside your comfort zone. Hang around others who think big. Find support from others who support your big dreams and who dream big as well.

Starting tomorrow, set aside at least fifteen minutes where you can work on the biggest obstacles in your life and put together a plan to solve them.

Don’t let anything get in your way of this magic time.

And don’t forget to think big.$

[Ed. Note: If you're not happy with your financial situation, you're in the perfect position to change it for the better – right now. Ray has just released a special video that covers an online business system that you can use to start growing your wealth. To watch this short video, click the following link: http://www.raybuckner.com]

How to Be a Successful Closer

Everybody negotiates all the time. It’s part of everyday life. But most people just don’t have what it takes when it comes to getting the best personal outcome. They get jittery. They squirm. Some are stretched so far beyond their comfort zone they can literally feel ill.

But in business being able to successfully close deals makes the difference between winning and losing; between building a career or getting fired. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a corporate manager or in sales you need to always know how to negotiate from a position of strength. If you need something from the other guy, you’ve already lost. People want what they can’t have. Become the thing people want.

If it doesn’t come naturally, the good news is that it’s a skill that can be acquired. So let me give you some of my basic tips that will make you a successful closer.

1) The Power of Persuasion & Passion

First of all, a passionate belief in your product or service gets you a long way. Customers aren’t dumb. They can tell when you have sincere conviction, or whether you’re just trying to hoodwink them with some slick sales script you’ve been taught. As Vince Lombardi once said, “If you’re not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.” You also need to have a passionate desire to close the sale. You have to really want it! Passion is the fire that comes from within and persuasion is a form of art that feed off each other. And, if your passion bleeds what you want to sell, your art of persuasion can turn each deal into a masterpiece.

2) Give and Take

To achieve your ultimate goal and successfully close any deal, there’s always going to be some give and take. In any negotiation when you’re getting what you want, you need to be seen to be giving something in return. You should make sure that giving something gets you a step nearer to getting the deal on your terms. The art in this step, is in knowing what you’re giving up – you will make up 10X on what you’re trying to receive.

3) Keep It Simple

Don’t over-complicate the terms of a deal. The simpler you can keep an arrangement, the easier it is to understand and the more likely it is that your prospect is going to say yes. Be straightforward. Be humble. Be likeable.

4) Ask Questions

The only way to find out what someone wants is to ask. And keep asking. People love to tell you about themselves and their requirements. But even more importantly you can use questions to solicit affirmative responses. Get them to keep saying ‘yes’ to points that you make and at the end of that discussion, you’ll realize you’ve already got the order – because the idea of the sale is theirs not yours.

5) Don’t Argue

There’s an old saying that’s very true: if you win the argument you lose the sale. Yes, you feel passionately about your product or service and your potential customer has said something completely ridiculous. But it doesn’t serve any useful purpose to get into an argument about it. Sometimes, I have to bite my tongue. But, I never lose my cool. I try to educate, I remain calm and never argue or become controversial. Keep it light. Another approach is to move on to discuss an area where you can agree on something.

6) Don’t Get Angry

Even worse than getting into an argument is getting mad. That’s a surefire way to lose the deal. If you can keep your cool you can keep your deal. Don’t take it personally. If you can stay calm and composed; if you can present an amiable demeanor in spite of provocations you will gain a reputation of being someone pleasant to deal with, someone who will be recommended. People prefer to work with people who are open. Speak slowly but confidently. Don’t become loud, abrasive, or pushy. As I mentioned before: Confidence, Conviction and Charisma are everything in the Art of the Sale.

7) Name Dropping is OK

A good way to make someone feel comfortable with your proposition is to let them know that they’ll be in good company. Bring up names of mutual acquaintances or emphasize others with whom you’ve had a great working relationship. It will make them feel secure. But, don’t be a “Hollywood name dropper.” What I mean by that, don’t fake your way into who you know or who you do business with. Authenticity is one of the biggest assets and hardest things to find in any relationship. The minute someone can smell things aren’t true – they will walk for good.

8) Know When to Say Nothing

You can talk yourself out of a sale—if you’re not careful. Many inexperienced sales people babble on far too long about the benefits of their product, long after the customer has heard enough to make a buying decision. In talking so much they run the danger of raising topics or concerns that would never have occurred to the customer. So, the golden rule when you reach the point of closing the deal is this: say nothing. Stop talking. He who speaks next, loses. Resist the temptation to talk and talk—and your closing percentage will increase. Remember, your not selling a feature, a product, or anything tangible. You are selling opportunity. Once, they’ve been sold, wait for them to react.

9) Don’t Bad Mouth Your Competitors

Make it a rule never to bad mouth your competitors. Obviously, you can point out where your product has strengths and theirs has weaknesses. But there’s no need to say that what they have to offer is “garbage” in comparison. People tend to find it off-putting—to the point where you might score points but lose the game. Nobody wants to deal with negativity not backed by substance.

10) Be Fearless

Even if you’re quaking inside because this is a deal you can’t afford to lose—you can’t afford to show it. Put on a bold face. Do everything in your power not to show vulnerability. Fight to seem relaxed and confident. Don’t hurry the conversation and don’t push too hard because you may well get push back. And if you don’t get this deal, don’t beat yourself up. Move on to the next target.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Take No For An Answer

A good closer persists in trying to turn a no into a yes. He finds a way to revisit areas of contention and rephrase his sales points. It’s not being rude or overbearing. You can be polite and persistent. It’s an indication that you truly believe in what you have to offer. Keep confidently moving forward and enough people (not all) will say yes. I’ve always considered the definition of “No” to be “just not right now.” You’ll get another chance. And, if you follow the right steps – it will happen in due time. That’s why it’s even more important to never sour any relationship. Otherwise, you will never know when that “No” could’ve ultimately been a “Yes”.

All of the above points lead up to the final, extremely important one: it needs to be a win-win. Not only should you walk away feeling happy but so should the other person. That’s the only viable outcome for long-term success.

And, finally, relationships are everything in life. Whether in personal or business – they define how successful we will become. You foster them and they grow with you. But, never burn a bridge, no matter what the circumstances are; because you want to have that last laugh and the sale.

So, take the advice of that late great comedian, Jimmy Durante: “Be nice to people on the way up because you will probably meet them on the way down.”

[Ed. Note: If you're not happy with your financial situation, you're in the perfect position to change it for the better – right now. Ray has just released a special video that covers an online business system that you can use to start growing your wealth. To watch this short video, click the following link: http://www.raybuckner.com]