SMITHDEAL MARKETING’S HAITI RELIEF FUND...

NOTE: This relief contribution will be in effect for the entire month of February, 2010.

Rating:

Text Size:

TREASURE ISLAND, FL, January 28, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ — When tragedy strikes, so often the average person feels like there’s not much they can do…like their small contribution couldn’t possibly make a difference. A father/son team of Internet entrepreneurs has decided that’s just not good enough!

“I was speaking with my father during a weekly business conference-call when the subject of the “Haiti tragedy” came up in our discussion. Our hearts went out to those suffering, but we felt there wasn’t much we could do,” said David Smithdeal – President and CEO of The Smithdeal Marketing Group.

“We are just a couple of independent Internet entrepreneurs…what difference could we possibly make in the face of such overwhelming tragedy?”

Later in the day Smithdeal’s father, a retired physician turned Internet marketer himself, was going through his email when he noticed a message from Apple’s “iTunes”, advertising a benefit concert being held to raise money to help victims.

“It dawned on me,” said Dr. Charles Smithdeal of DrSmithdeal.com “that these musicians have come together, offering what they are able to offer…their music. It made me realize that we all have something we can give…we just need to find it.” The senior Smithdeal called his son back and the two of them put their heads together and came up with a plan.

“A large part of our business is consulting with new home-based business start-ups,” said David Smithdeal. “We have an application process because not everyone qualifies to work with us. Along with the application information, applicants are required to submit a $49.00 application fee – $20 of which represents compensation for our time in processing the application. The rest of the fee covers our out-of-pocket expenses & hard costs that we have to recoup.”

Dr. Smithdeal suggested that they donate the $20 from every application (that normally pays for their time in processing the applications) to the Haiti Relief fund.

“This is effectively the same as us donating our time, which is something we CAN do,” the senior Smithdeal said. “We may not be able to take off to Haiti and donate our time there right now, but we can donate our time here.”

The father/son team hope that this will serve as an inspiration to others that no matter where you are, or what you do…there is always a way to make a difference.

“You just have to look for it,” David Smithdeal said. “If we have a good week and process 500 applications, that will be $10,000 which can be used to help bring medical aid, housing or food to those who are in crisis right now.”

Dr. Smithdeal added, “This may not seem like much in the face of a tragedy that will wind up costing billions, but imagine if everyone chipped in just a little…gave of themselves in whatever way they could. Then the numbers get significant in a hurry!”

For more information, visit: http://www.Smithdeal.com or http://www.DrSmithdeal.com

Further information on the “Hope For Haiti Now” benefit concert can be found on Apple’s iTunes website at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hope-for-haiti-now

http://TopHomeBusinessSMG.com Smithdeal Marketing Group (SMG) and http://Your250KLifestyle.net  –Just Copy Success–design Internet Marketing strategies for home businesses. We are Certified Marketing Consultants who specialize in Top Home Business Start-ups. For further information, contact us at: (423) 391-7046 or (727) 512-5131. E-mail: Sdeal7@gmail.com

—

Click HERE to return to Home Page

INTERNET MARKETING GROWS WHILE TRADITIONAL EMPLOYMENT FAILS...

There is NO recession on the Internet. The income of successful Internet Marketers continues to grow monthly, while traditional means of employment continue to falter. The following is an article from the Associated Press:

Unemployment Up in 43 States in December

AP Upated January 22, 2010

WASHINGTON — Unemployment rates rose in 43 states last month, the government said Friday, painting a bleak picture of the job market and illustrating nationwide data released two weeks ago.

The rise in joblessness was a sharp change from November, when 36 states said their unemployment rates fell. Four states — South Carolina, Delaware, Florida and North Carolina — reported record-high jobless rates in December.

New Jersey’s rate, meanwhile, rose to a 33-year high of 10.1 percent while New York’s reached a 26-year high of 9 percent.

Analysts said the report showed the economy is recovering at too weak a pace to generate consistent job creation.

“A lot of states that had started to add jobs (in November) gave up those gains in December,” said Sophia Koropeckyj, managing director at Moody’s Economy.com.

Texas and Georgia lost more jobs in December than they had gained the previous month, she noted, while Arizona and South Carolina lost nearly as many as they had gained.

That is consistent with nationwide trends. Employers shed a net total of 85,00 jobs in December, the government said earlier this month, after notching a small gain of 4,000 jobs in November.

In another nationwide trend, long-suffering states like California and Michigan saw their jobless rates stabilize even as they continued to bleed jobs. That’s because thousands of frustrated workers gave up hunting for work and dropped out of the labor force, which means they aren’t included in the unemployment rate.

California lost 38,800 jobs, the most of any state. But its unemployment rate was unchanged at 12.4 percent, the fifth-highest in the nation. That’s because 107,000 people, or 0.6 percent of the state’s work force, gave up and stopped job-hunting.

Michigan shed 15,700 jobs, but 31,000 people left the labor force. That caused the state’s jobless rate to fall slightly, to 14.6 percent from 14.7 percent. Michigan has the nation’s highest unemployment rate.

Nationally, more than 600,000 people left the labor force in December, according to government data. The large exodus from the labor force indicates that “unemployment is a lot worse than the numbers suggest,” Koropeckyj said.

Still, Michigan has actually gained about 10,000 jobs over the past three months, as automakers and other manufacturers have boosted production to restock inventories depleted over the summer and early fall.

“That’s a positive thing for a state that has been doing so terribly for so long,” said Dave Iaia, an economist at IHS Global Insight.

Texas lost the second-most jobs: 23,900. That sent its jobless rate to 8.3 percent in December from 8 percent. The next-largest job losses were in Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.

The economy grew at a 2.2 percent annual rate in last year’s third quarter, after declining for four straight quarters during the recession. Many economists estimate that growth accelerated to more than 4 percent in the October-December quarter. But that’s still sluggish by the standards of many previous recoveries.

And growth could slow in the first half of this year as temporary factors, such as government stimulus spending and inventory restocking, fade.

Many states saw sharp drops in restaurant, hotel and other leisure employment, a sign that consumers are still holding back on their spending. Nationwide, the United States lost 25,000 leisure and hospitality jobs in December.

Texas shed 6,500 restaurant and hotel positions. Florida lost 5,600, South Carolina 5,200 and North Carolina lost 2,600 — more than any other sector in that state.

MONA-VIE SCAM...

MonaVie claims to be the fastest growing private company in the world. It markets a premium quality nutritional product formulated with the acai berry. Discover inside facts about MonaVie’s business and its distributor’s earnings.

MonaVie opened its doors for business in January, 2005. It has claimed to be the fastest growing private company in the world, and reputedly does business on 5 continents. Company literature states that “ MonaVie develops and markets scientifically formulated, premium quality nutritional products, specifically for person-to-person distribution.” It further states that “Our products feature an exclusive blend of the powerful acai berry, found only in remote regions of the Amazon, and other nutrient-dense fruits, each selected for its specific nutritional properties.”

My intention here is not to express an opinion either for or against this company, its management, or products. Rather, my goal is to provide information to interested readers who may be searching for a reliable home-based business opportunity.

First, let’s consider a few of the advantages when you work from home:

1. Freedom from the demands of a boss telling you what to do
2. Freedom from a long commute
3. Work when you want and where you want
4. Freedom from office politics
5. Determine your own work attire (gym shorts and flip-flops are often okay)
6. Tax advantages that accompany owning your business
7. Earnings based primarily on how hard you choose to work

These advantages would apply to any home business, including MonaVie.

MonaVie literature states: “At MonaVie, our mission is to change and improve lives around the world by introducing unique nutritional products, offering a rewarding business opportunity, and by giving back through our charitable initiatives.” They ask the following: “Is it time that you want, or more time? Health, or better health? An income, or a bigger income? Freedom, or greater freedom? Whatever your goals are, MonaVie can help you achieve them.”

Regarding the business opportunity, an article by Tony Dokoupil from the August 11, 2008 Newsweek Magazine states in regard to distributor earnings: “… according to MonaVie’s 2007 income disclosure statement, a federally required printout of their distributor earnings.  More than 90 percent were considered “wholesale customers,” whose earnings are mostly discounts on sales to themselves. Fewer than 1 percent qualified for commissions and of those, only 10 percent made more than $100 a week. And the dropout rate, while not disclosed by MonaVie, is around 70 percent according to a top recruiter.”  Dropout estimates from other reports approach  90% within the first 90 days.

Let’s look at income figures reported by MonaVie for its “active distributors.”

The heading of the official company report reads:  “The Income Disclosure Statement is a reflection of MonaVie’s rewarding opportunity.”

Analyzing this statement, 97% of active MonaVie distributors receive an average income before taxes and expenses ranging from $23 per week to $172 per week. This report clearly excludes customers or distributors who have not met sales requirements within any of the preceding 8 weeks to be considered “active.”

Let’s look at the business opportunity from the standpoint of an individual sales representative. The initial cost to join is approximately $40. Costs to be considered “active” approximate $200 per month It appears that the majority of people who actively work their business barely break even or make a small profit. Nonetheless, many of them remain enthusiastic fans of the products.

Is the MonaVie business model a pyramid scheme, or a legitimate form of marketing? The 97% figure referenced above represents many thousands of distributors who generate the majority of revenue for the company. These 97% earn very small incomes when compared to the top two or three percent. For instance in the top category—Royal Black Diamond Executive—7 people each earn between $1.5 million and $3 million per year. Such a disparity in earnings is not uncommon in this business model.

The business model of multilevel marketing–also known as network marketing—was reasonably effective for many years. One attraction is the small investment to get started. Critics feel that the current marketplace is oversaturated with multilevel marketers. Thousands of companies exist, selling lotions, potions, magic juices, weight-loss formulas, food supplements, and more. People who have been recruited in the past resist invitations to attend sales presentations thinly disguised as “opportunity” meetings. This is true whether the presentations take place in someone’s home or a rented meeting room. Many believe that the MLM business model has become stale and worn.

Most people do not enjoy selling. Unfortunately, this is exactly what’s required to be successful in MonaVie or any form of multilevel marketing. Attempting to recruit and sell your “warm” market–family members or loyal friends–can permanently damage these valued relationships. Many find it emotionally exhausting that they must continually motivate others; however, this requirement is absolutely essential if your business is to flourish. The hope is that new representatives will repeat the process and sell their friends, family, and others on both the products and the business opportunity.

This observation is not unique to MonaVie, but applies to all home businesses that utilize the MLM business model. Your income in MLM depends not only upon your personal efforts, but to an even greater degree upon how effectively you motivate others to work who are in your downline. Thus, it’s your responsibility to 1) teach them about the products and the business, 2) teach them how to sell, and then 3) keep them motivated on a daily basis. Estimates are that from 70% to 90% of all distributors quit within their first year in multilevel marketing.

In recent years, many home business entrepreneurs have found greater success by marketing their products or services on the Internet. This business model provides significantly more control of one’s income and work requirements. Some refer to the money they earn as internet marketing magic. Your own efforts determine your success to a much greater degree in internet marketing than with MLM.

Click HERE for more information about the MonaVie Scam