| When I was 10 years old, one of my favorite | | | | Education is invaluable in making money, no |
| outings was to attend a local coin show with my | | | | matter where that education comes from. Many |
| uncle and the local minister. I remember my | | | | e-books are worth their weight in gold for the |
| uncle's advice then, a caution that is very familiar | | | | good advice and solid business plans they offer. |
| to those in the coin-collecting hobby, "Buy the | | | | Learning is fundamental to success no matter |
| book (first), then buy the coin." The meaning of | | | | where the instruction comes from. |
| the phrase is to suggest that one ought to | | | | I suggest you follow my uncle's advice and "buy |
| familiarize oneself with the book value of a coin, in | | | | the book, then buy the coin." Don't abandon your |
| light of its rarity, condition, and demand by | | | | current program to look for whatever looks best |
| collectors. The book would presumably also | | | | at any given moment. The grass is always |
| educate the collector on the strong points and | | | | greener to the cows stuck on this side of the |
| weaker points of the coin, and its desirability in | | | | fence rail. There are some very poor programs |
| the current market. The collector who had | | | | indeed that are sold via lively and exciting |
| purchased a recent annual guide to coins would | | | | advertising copy. Take time to absorb the |
| presumably be a step ahead of those who had | | | | information in the reports and e-books that seem |
| not, when determining the fair market price of a | | | | to offer promising content, particularly if they are |
| contemplated purchase. This was very valuable | | | | relevant to the goals you have--whether building |
| information to have at a coin show where part of | | | | traffic to your website or simply announcing your |
| the fun was in trying to outwit a seller, for a bit | | | | site to the world. Only after you have given |
| of extra value, and perhaps profit. | | | | attention to the information, taking particular note |
| In the online work of home business, my uncle's | | | | of the techniques and tips which will help you |
| advice also holds true. Information is very easily | | | | improve the way that you run your home |
| obtained online, as many sellers hope to capture | | | | business, can you then honestly evaluate the |
| the attention of a prospective buyer by offering | | | | business opportunity that is being promoted in the |
| a bit of education on the marketing tools and | | | | pages before you. Perhaps you don't need the |
| techniques that are available. Often this education | | | | new opportunity at all. |
| comes in the form of a free report or a low-cost | | | | Perhaps your current program is better, or at |
| e-book. Embedded in the pages of the book will | | | | least as good. Carelessly jumping on "the next big |
| frequently be a rundown of the features of | | | | thing" is unlikely to bring you the profits you seek. |
| whatever program the seller happens to be | | | | It is better to learn all you can from the |
| promoting. | | | | material-"buy the book," as my uncle would say. |
| This marketing technique would be comparable to | | | | See if you can apply the recommended plans to |
| a coin seller offering to sell you a new price guide | | | | marketing your current program. When you have |
| with its fresh descriptions and grading scales, while | | | | absorbed all the new information, you may just |
| allowing you to hold the coin he is selling-hold it in | | | | decide not to "buy the coin" at all. You may |
| your hand for just a little while-so as to attract | | | | decide that your current program will do just |
| your interest. | | | | fine-and you may also benefit from application of |
| As a prospective buyer in the vast world of | | | | all you have learned from the e-book, even one |
| home business opportunity, you perhaps know | | | | with a product of its own to sell. |
| that it is unwise to chase after every new | | | | If you do decide to "buy the coin", it will then be |
| program that comes along. Real profit will likely | | | | because you have made the decision that the |
| not materialize without substantial concentration | | | | program you are being offered does genuinely |
| on a single program, or perhaps no more than a | | | | have a fresh approach or innovative product. In |
| handful. | | | | either event, the new marketing lesson you have |
| But my uncle's advice to "buy the book, then buy | | | | learned will undoubtedly improve your knowledge, |
| the coin" still holds up all these years later in | | | | skills and abilities-and that can only help your home |
| internet marketing, just as it did in coin collecting. | | | | business. |