Hello again

Today we want to talk about some things you need to get started the bare minimum you need to launch your business.

Getting started
There are a number of things you need to get your direct marketing business up and running profitably.

At minimum you need:

• A workspace the back bedroom or a spare room will do even the garden shed if its dry and secure
• A PC or notebook computer
• A desk and bookcase
• A printer
• An Internet connection
• A dedicated telephone line
• A voice mail system (answering machine)
• A FAX machine (these days you can buy combination voice mail/FAX machines)
• An email account
• A merchant account
• Credit card processing facilities
• Database software to manage your list

Depending on your specific market, products and list-management needs, you may also need:

• A domain name and website
• Access to printing and duplication facilities for sales letters, DVDs and the like
• Some technical support more about this in Part Seven
• Autoresponders
• Product licences
• Software specifically to manage your market and products
• Copywriting resources

We could probably add several items to these lists, but this will do for now. The important thing to remember is that you have made a decision to embark upon a life-changing journey. You have decided you want to make some serious money so you can live a lifestyle most people have only dreamed of.

You must expect to spend a little money up front to set this up properly. Nothing worthwhile in this life is truly free. You wont have to spend a fortune, but you will need a bit of money to get started (in later articles we shall look at ways to get such things as domain names, web hosting, advertising, software and, yes, even products at very low costs).

There is a clich about this business that is relevant here: You either need to spend the time or the money. By this we mean, especially when you are getting started, you must be prepared to invest either time or money.

If you are seriously short of money, if you are really short of cash, then expect to do most of the work yourself you must invest the time. And if you are seriously short of time if you have a demanding day job, for example you must invest the money, you must buy in services you need.

You will meet, if you have not already, extremely successful people in this business who write all their own sales letters who invest the time, and others who pay to have all their sales letters written by professional copywriters who invest the money.

Later on you can decide which way you want to manage your business. For now, however, your circumstances will dictate which way you go.

Some of the items on the two lists above are fairly obvious in that they relate to any business start-up things such as a well-organized workplace. Regardless of the meagreness of your budget, you must look and sound professional.

Some of the other items, not necessarily as obvious, however, refer to things you need to get your message out to your list, offer them your products, fulfil and ship their orders and collect your money. Particulars will vary according to your specific needs.

In later articles we shall talk about all these items in more detail.

Thats all for this time. See you soon.

Next time we shall talk about what is probably the hardest bit if you are new to this business taking action.

Thanks for listening

William Rice-Johnston

Copyright 2006 Mary Rice-Johnston & Golden Goose Direct. All rights reserved.