How To Raise Money For Starting A Business

The task of raising money for a business is not as difficult as
most people seem to think. This is especially true when you have
an idea that can make you and your backers rich. Actually,
there's more money available for new business ventures than there
are good business ideas.
A very important rule of the game to learn: Any time you want to
raise money, your first move should be to put together a proper
prospectus.
This prospectus should include a resume of your background, your
education, training, experience and any other personal qualities
that might be counted as an asset to your potential success. It's
also a good idea to list the various loans you've had in the
past, what they were for, and your history in paying them off.
You'll have to explain in detail how the money you want is going
to be used. If it's for an existing business, you'll need a
profit and loss record for at least the preceding six months, and
a plan showing how this additional money will produce greater
profits. If it's a new business, you'll have to show your
proposed business plan, your marketing research and projected
costs, as well as anticipated income figures, with a summary for
each year, over at least a three year period.
It'll be advantageous to you to base your cost estimates high,
and your income projections on minimal returns. This will enable
you to "ride through" those extreme "ups and downs" inherent in
any beginning business. You should also describe what makes your
business unique---how it differs form your competition and the
opportunities for expansion or secondary products.
This prospectus will have to state precisely what you're offering
the investor in return for the use of his money. He'll want to
know the percentage of interest you're willing to pay, and
whether monthly, quarterly or on an annual basis. Are you
offering a certain percentage of the profits? A percentage of the
business? A seat on your board of directories?
An investor uses his money to make more money. He wants to make
as much as he can, regardless whether it's short term or long
term deal. In order to attract him, interest him, and persuade
him to "put up" the money you need, you'll not only have to offer
him an opportunity for big profits, but you'll have to spell it
out in detail, and further, back up your claims with proof from
your marketing research.
Venture investors are usually quite familiar with "high risk"
proposals, yet they all want to minimize that risk as much as
possible. Therefore, your prospectus should include a listing of
your business and personal assets with documentation---usually
copies of your tax returns for the past three years or more. Your
prospective investor may not know anything about you or your
business, but if he wants to know, he can pick up his telephone
and know everything there is to know within 24 hours. The point
here is, don't ever try to "con" a potential investor. Be honest
with him. Lay all the facts on the table for him. In most cases,
if you've got a good idea and you've done your homework properly,
and "interested investor" will understand your position and offer
more help than you dared to ask.
When you have your prospectus prepared, know how much money you
want, exactly how it will be used, and how you intend to repay
it, you're ready to start looking for investors.
As simple as it seems, one of the easiest ways of raising money
is by advertising in a newspaper or a national publication
featuring such ads. Your ad should state the amount of money you
want--always ask for more money than you have room for
negotiating. Your ad should also state the type of business
involved ( to separate the curious from the truly interested),
and the kind of return you're promising on the investment.
Take a page from the party plan merchandisers. Set up a party and
invite your friends over. Explain your business plan, the profit
potential, and how much you need. Give them each a copy of your
prospectus and ask that they pledge a thousand dollars as a
non-participating partner in your business. Check with the
current tax regulations. You may be allowed up to 25 partners in
Sub Chapter S enterprises, opening the door for anyone to gather
a group of friends around himself with something to offer them in
return for their assistance in capitalizing his business.
You can also issue and sell up to $300,000 worth of stock in your
company without going through the Federal Trade Commission.
You'll need the help of an attorney to do this, however, and of
course a good tax accountant as well wouldn't hurt.
It's always a good idea to have an attorney and an accountant
help you make up your business prospectus. As you explain your
plan to them, and ask for their advice, casually ask them if
they'd mind letting you know of, or steer your way any potential
investors they might happen to meet. Do the same with your
banker. Give him a copy of your prospectus and ask him if he'd
look it over and offer any suggestions for improving it, and of
course, let you know of any potential investors. In either case,
it's always a good idea to let them know you're willing to pay a
"finder's fee" if you can be directed to the right investor.
Professional people such as doctors and dentists are known to
have a tendency to join occupational investment groups. The next
time you talk with your doctor or dentist, give him a prospectus
and explain your plan. He may want to invest on his own or
perhaps set up an appointment for you to talk with the manager of
his investment group. Either way, you win because when you're
looking for money, it's essential that you get the word out as
many potential investors as possible.
Don't overlook the possibilities of the Small Business Investment
Companies in your area. Look them up in your telephone book under
"Investment Services." These companies exist for the sole purpose
of lending money to businesses which they feel have a good chance
of making money. In many instances, they trade their help for a
small interest in your company.
Many states have Business Development Commissions whose goal is
to assist in the establishment and growth of new businesses. Not
only do they offer favorable taxes and business expertise, most
also offer money or facilities to help a new business get
started. Your Chamber of Commerce is the place to check for
further information of this idea.
Industrial banks are usually much more amenable to making
business loans than regular banks, so be sure to check out these
institutions in your area. insurance companies are prime sources
of long term business capital, but each company varies its
policies regarding the type of business it will consider. Check
your local agent for the name and address of the person to
contact. It's also quite possible to get the directories of
another company to invest in your business. Look for a company
that can benefit from your product or service. Also, be sure to
check at your public library for available foundation grants.
These can be the final answer to all your money needs if your
business is perceived to be related to the objectives and
activities of the foundation.
Finally, there's the Money broker or Finder. These are the people
who take your prospectus and circulate it with various known
lenders or investors. They always require an up-front or retainer
fee, and there's no way they can guarantee to get you the loan or
the money you want.
There are many very good money brokers, and there are some that
are not so good. They all take a percentage of the gross amount
that's finally procured for your needs. The important thing is to
check them out fully; find out about the successful loans or
investment plans they're arranged, and what kind of investor
contacts they have---all of this before you put up any front
money or pay any retainer fees.
There are many ways to raise money---from staging garage sales to
selling stocks. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the only
place you can find the money you need is through the bank or
finance company.
Start thinking about the idea of inviting investors to share in
your business as silent partners. Think about the idea of
obtaining financing for a primary business by arranging financing
for another business that will support the start-up,
establishment and developing of the primary business. Consider
the feasibility of merging with a company that's already
organized, and with facilities that are compatible or related to
your needs. Give some thought to the possibilities of getting the
people supplying your production equipment to co-sign the loan
you need for start-up capital.
Remember, there are thousands upon thousands of ways to obtain
business start-up capital. This is truly the age of creative
financing.
Disregard the stories you hear of "tight money," and start making
phone calls, talking to people, and making appointments to
discuss your plans with the people who have money invest. There's
more money now than there's ever been for a new business
investment. The problem is that most beginning "business
builders" don't know what to believe or which way to turn for
help. They tend to believe the stories of "tight money," and they
set aside their plans for a business of their own until a time
when start-up money might be easier to find.
The truth is this: Now is the time to make your move. Now is the
time to act. the person with a truly viable business plan, and
determination to succeed, will make use of every possible idea
that can be imagined. And the ideas I've suggested here should
serve as just a few of the unlimited sources of monetary help
available and waiting for you!

50 Ways To Make Money In Network Marketing

1. Use your products regularly.
2. Make a total commitment to your program for at least one year.
3. Sell yourself first, then the products and the marketing plan.
4. Spend 90% of your business time with distributors, customers
and prospects.
5. Present your products and marketing plan personally to at
least one person daily.
6. Let everyone know what business you are in. Advertise.
7. Make "understanding people" more important that product
knowledge.
8. Duplicate yourself by making distributors independent of you.
9. Motivate your group monthly by offering money, travel,
recognition and other rewards for specific achievements.
10. Praise your distributor's accomplishments.
11. Mingle with top distributors and ask how they made it.
12. Be persistent - only one out of every 20 people you approach
may get serious about the business or be interested in your
products.
13. Lead by example. Never stop recruiting, training and retailing.
14. Keep it simple: do things others can easily duplicate and copy.
15. Keep in touch - communicate by newsletter, meetings, weekly
calls, postcards, voice mail - pass on pertinent information
immediately.
16. Conduct simple, brief, dramatic presentations.
17. Listen 80% of the time, talk 20%.
18. Satisfy all complaints immediately.
19. Concentrate on what you can do for your distributors and
customers, not on your own profits.
20. Ask for referrals from your best customers.
21. Give customers more than they expect. Everyone loves a free
gift.
22. Develop at least 30 retail and/or wholesale customers.
23. Provide one-day delivery service.
24. Believe in your products so much that you know every person
you talk to is going to buy from you.
25. Tell your customers how much you appreciate their business.
26. Don't accept "no" as a final answer - approach each prospect
at least 12 times a year with new information.
27. Send customers monthly promotional information. Don't your
forget your customers and don't let your customers forget you!
28. Speak enthusiastically about your business and products.
29. Work on top priority projects that produce the highest returns.
30. Build your list of contacts daily while you build your
reputation.
31. Approach former top producers. They are always open.
32. Fit the needs of a prospect with the benefits of your products
and/or business opportunity.
33. Organize your files so you can locate any piece of information
in 30 seconds.
34. Use an answering machine or service, and return all calls within
24 hours. Use a cellular phone for best service.
35. Set daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals - and do whatever
is necessary to achieve them.
36. Do not pass negative rumors downline! Check the facts yourself.
37. Listen to cassette rapes on multi-level tips from top earners.
38. Subscribe to multi-level magazines. Read self-help books.
39. Expand your distributorship world-wide. Think big!
40. Tell others what they are interested in knowing, not what you
think they should hear.
41. Spend money on things that will make you more money.
42. Schedule important tasks at the time of day when you are your
best.
43. Delegate - do those things only you can do.
44. Read biographies of successful people to be inspired by their
lives.
45. Present business opportunities and training regularly.
46. Plow your profits back into building your business.
47. Know that if others can do it, so can you. Challenge yourself.
48. Give yourself a reward for reaching your goal and a penalty for
falling short.
49. Have so much fun in your business that others want to join you.
50. Do it now!

Simple Ways Of Raising Thousands Of Dollars In Hours

Your Lucky Break - But Can You Afford It?
You've just seen the chance to put together a great deal for
yourself - a "can't miss" new business, a chance to invest in
someone else's, or you've found the ideal property on which to
build your new home. But you need $10,000 cash, and right away!
Could you raise it overnight? Could you raise it at all?
Actually, it's easier than it sounds, and if you can't do it
right now through the ways we'll show you, then you should start
making preparations so that, when your chance does come, you
will be able to raise the money overnight and take advantage of
some terrific deal.

Raise $10,000 in 24 Hours!
As a person who believes in getting the most out of life, we
assume you already have several national credit cards which
enable you to buy things when you want them even if you're
temporarily short of funds. But did you know that these same
credit cards, nearly all of them, also allow you to "buy
money!". The "cash advance" privilege that these cards extend
is the best way to raise the cash you need, immediately, and
with no questions asked! If you have reasonably good credit,
your credit limit on each of your credit cards should be $500 to
$1,000 at least, with American express often giving a $2,500
limit, and if you have ten cards with this cash advance
privilege, each with a $1,000 credit limit, you can simply go to
the banks involved, and draw out your $10,000!
If you don't have them you may not realize that it's possible to
have ten credit cards that offer cash advances, but you must
remember that different banks sponsor different cards, and they
all want you to use their card. For example, you can have a
Visa from Chase Manhattan, and another, separate, Visa from
Bankers Trust, plus a Master Charge card from Citibank, and a
second Master Chargecard from Chemical Bank. The possibilities
are numerous, and you should take advantage of them for this is
certainly the easiest way of raising cash quickly. If you don't
hold these cards now, then you should begin to establish the
credit that will enable you to get them in the near future, so
you will have the reserves available when you too need to raise
cash quickly.

Top of the Line - the T&E Cards
Aside from the no-fee cards like Master Charge and Visa, there
are also the travel and entertainment cards like American
Express, Carte Blanche and Diners Club. These cards charge a
yearly fee for holding them, and are more difficult to get (your
annual income and your credit standing must be higher), but the
amount of cash advances they allow you to draw on are higher,
running as high as $2,000 or $2,500 each. American Express even
offers a Golden American Express card, which many business men
use, which allows them about $5,000 of instant cash immediately!

Another Sure-Fire Way to Get Cash Fast!
Most bank accounts today, and yours is very likely to be among
them, come with automatic overdraft arrangements whereby you can
write checks for more than the balance you have in the bank, and
the bank will honor them merely automatically adding loan money
to your account, and charging you the interest due for that loan.
In effect, this is an immediate and automatic loan to you,
without any current credit check - which is especially handy
if, at the moment you need the money, you happen to be
unemployed, and planning to start a new business, which banks
sometimes look upon with disfavor, and refuse to loan upon until
you're big and successful!
So go ahead and write a check for the full amount that you're
allowed to draw upon, which is seldom less than $1,000, and
which, in some banks goes to $5,000 or more.
If you're lucky enough, or provident enough, to have established
two or three bank accounts while you were in the chips, each
with its "ready-credit", "check-credit" or
whatever-they-choose-to-call-it provisions, you can, of course,
really cash in on this one, completely legally, and amass enough
capital for your new business.

Blood is Thicker Than Water!
If you're stuck for sources for capital, or at least for
sufficient capital fo the business you have in mind, give some
careful thought to whom you could ask to help you. Almost all
of us have a favorite relative or two, and, if we're lucky, at
least one of those may have money. Of course it's nice if he or
she has loads of it, we all like to have a rich uncle, but even
if the amount is not enormous, perhaps you'll succeed in
persuading one or more of your relatives that they should help
you, from whatever they've got put by for a rainy day. Mother,
father, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, even cousins - try'em
all where there's any chance at all they might have some bread
stashed away, and might spring some loose for you.
If your relatives are friendly to the idea, but they want to
hold on to their funds, don't overlook another neat idea - one
of them can co-sign with you on a bank loan, and this almost
always ensures that your bank will go along with a loan that
they might otherwise have refused, or give you a loan for a much
larger amount than they would have granted you yourself on just
your own personal credit. It's really no skin off their back,
just so long as you keep up the payments on the loan. Of
course, co-signers are not restricted to relatives. You can
have your best buddy, or your girlfriend or a fellow employee
co-sign for you.

Don't Forget Your Friends!
Sometimes we don't realize that we're lucky enough to have some
good friends, who, in a case of this sort, might be willing to
come through with a loan for us.

Insurance Policies Can Do More Than Just Protect You!
Depending on the type of life insurance policy you now hold, and
especially if you've had it for a number of years, you may be
eligible to borrow against its "cash value". In most cases,
this money is available to you at a very low rate of interest,
and also, generally, you can keep the money out, providing you
pay the interest, without having to repay the principal at any
set time.

Another Hot Idea for Raising Cash!
If you're buying the home you're living in, and have a
conventional home mortgage, you may not realize that if you've
been paying down the mortgage month by month for a number of
years, you have a considerable equity built up. In addition,
your house may now be worth more than you originally paid for
it. Therefore, either your present bank or another may be
willing to refinance your mortgage, which will provide you with
a chunk of available cash with which you can capitalize your new
business. One advantage of this scheme is that you will most
likely not increase your monthly payment by very much, perhaps
it will not increase at all (although payments may extend for
additional years at the distant end). and thus you will not have
a heavy loan repayment schedule added to your obligations early
on in the beginning of your business.
Besides the possibility of refinancing the original mortgage on
your house, there is another way of using the equity you may
have in your house - you can get a second mortgage, either from
a bank or from professional lenders. One reason why you might
go the second mortgage route would be if your first mortgage was
written at a very favorable rate of interest (such as 5 1/2% or
6%) which you would not be able to match on your refinanced
mortgage, and consequently you would not want to refinance the
larger principal amount.

A Windfall May Be In Your Attic!
Have you considered, while you're looking around for sources of
cash, what you have right in your own home? Some of those
heirlooms, paintings or other antiques which you or your wife
may not care for, and which you may have stashed in the spare
room or the attic, may be worth a lot of money, far more than
you have ever imagined. Get them appraised, show them to a
knowledgeable dealer or a friend who's an antiques buff, and
find out if you're sitting on a goldmine that you never even
knew existed!

Collect What's Due to You!
Do you have some friends to whom you have loaned money in the
past, and who have not yet paid you back? Or are you owed money
for services rendered of one sort or another? Or does an
ex-employer still owe you sick pay or vacation pay that he has
not paid you? Don't let these things lie any longer unpaid -
you need that money now! Put on the heat, make some urgent
phone calls, write a few letters. For most collections, the
Small Claims court can be a great help.
For collecting from your employer, your best bet is the U.S.
Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, which will almost
certainly have an office in your city. If your claim has merit,
they will make sure that you receive what's due you.

Summary and Recommendations
All of the many suggestions contained in this Report should
certainly get you the capital you need to start your business.
Of course, you can combine two or more of the methods if no one
alone will provide what you're looking for. And although we've
not specifically mentioned it, don't forget that regular
commercial banks (not savings banks, they're not allowed to)
will sometimes make loans for the establishment of new
businesses if the know the borrower from past experience, and
see a potential in the proposed business. Don't assume they
will say no, and so don't ask them. You'd be surprised, they
may just say "yes". They're particularly likely to lend you
some of the money you need if you've already proved that you can
raise money and that you have the majority of the money you
need. For example, if you've raised $10,000 already by other
methods, they may come through with an additional $3,000 for
working capital.
It's a fact that in raising money, the more you seen to have,
the more people will be willing to lend you, so once you've
begun to make money based on your initial $10,000, you will find
it easier to borrow more to keep you business or other new
venture going. While not all of the ideas in this Report can
really be worked out overnight, once your foundations are laid,
in credit, in relationships with relatives, friends, venture
capital and government sources, it is easy to raise funds when
you need them, from people who have learned from experience that
you're a good businessman to lend to!

How And Where To Get Money For A Franchise Idea

How often have you thumbed through a business opportunity
magazine, noticed a franchise opportunity advertisement, and
felt you'd really like to get in on that... if only you had the
money? If you're like most who are seeking greater opportunity
and wealth, this probably happens with you more often than you
care to admit, except perhaps in strictly private conversations.
When the average person sees one of these opportunities, or
comes up with a similar idea of his own, the problems of
start-up capital may seem formidable. But in reality, they may
not be. In fact, just about anyone with a good credit record
and an "insider's sense of business" can get the capital he or
she needs, whenever it's needed. The secret is in knowing how
to put together a proper proposal, and to present it to the
right person. These are the "how-to" instructions we're going
to give you in this report.
The first thing you're going to need is a complete business
plan. This is a complete and detailed description of exactly
how you intend to operate the proposed business. Your business
plan should detail precisely the product or products you plan to
seek; how you're going to produce or manufacture the product;
your costs (inventory costs if you're purchasing them from a
supplier); who is going to sell those products for you; how
they're going to be sold; the attendant costs; when you expect
to recoup your initial investment; your plans for growth or
expansion; and the total dollar amount you're going to need to
make it all work according to your plan. Your business plan
must be detailed - omplete with projected income and expense
figures - through at least the first three years of business.
For more details, and "how-to" instructions, see our report, HOW
TO PREPARE A PROFITABLE BUSINESS PLAN, report #3503.
Now, assuming you have your business plan all worked out, put
together and ready for presentation with your request for
capital. let's talk about your capitalization proposal.
First, keep in mind that whenever you ask somebody for money,
whether it's for a small personal loan or a large amount of
money to finance a business, you're involved in a selling
situation. You have to prepare a "sales presentation" just as
if you wre getting ready to sell an automobile or refrigerator.
Within this sales presentation you must have all the facts and
figures; you must anticipate the questions and the possible
objections of the prospective lender with answers or
explanations; and you must "package" it as impressively as you
would yourself for an audience with the president of IBM or
General Motors.
The more money you ask for, the more "in-the-know" will be the
people you want to borrow from, and so the more detailed and
organized your proposal must be. This shouldn't cause you too
much worry however, because you can hire a CPA to help you put
it together properly, once you've got the facts and have a
business plan he can work from.
Look at it this way: The more money you request for your
business, the more your lenders or prospective investors are
going to want to know about you, your planning, and your
business. They want to be impressed with the fact that you've
done your homework; they want to see that you've researched
everything and documented your facts and figures; they want to
be assured by your presentation that investing in your business
will make money for them. It's just that simple at the bottom
line. Unless you can instill confidence in them with your
business plan and loan or investment proposal, they're just not
going to give much positive thought to your request for
capitalization.
So you'll need a balance sheet describing your net worth - the
worth of what you own compared to the amount of money you owe.
You'll also have to prove your stability and money-management
talents relative to how successful you've been in paying off
past obligations. If you have had credit problems in the past,
get them "cleaned up", or at least explained on your file at
your local credit bureau office. Under the law, credit bureaus
are required to give you all the information they have about you
in their files, and it's your right to correct any errors or
enter explanations regarding negative reports on your credit.
Do this without fail because prospective lenders or investors
will definitely check your credit history.
So, now you have your balance sheet prepared; your credit
history organized in a light that's favorable to you; your
business plan (with costs and income projected over the coming
three years), you're ready to start looking for lenders or
investors.
Almost all franchisors offer help in setting up with one of
their franchises. Most will go out of their way to assist you
in getting the financing you need. some will lend you the
entire amount, with payments coming out of the income they
expect you to make from their franchise operation. Many will
carry this loan themselves, while others will carry part of it
and find you a lender to finance the remainder.
Franchisors have two objectives in mind when they offer
franchises to the public: They are trying to expand their
operation, thus increasing their profit, and they are trying to
raise capital for themselves. Generally speaking, if you have a
good credit history, and if they feel you have the necessary
business personality to achieve success with one of their
operations, they'll do everything within their power to get you
in a franchise outlet. Keep this in mind the next time you see
an advertisement or a promising franchise opportunity requiring
a substantial amount of cash outlay. You don't necessarily have
to have all the money. They want you, and they'll help you!
Many people seem to be unaware that most of today's largest
corporations started on a shoestring - on borrowed money. Many
people seem to feel that unless they've got it all "in hand" in
savings, then they'll have to keep plugging away until they can
save up enough to take the big plunge. Nothing could be farther
from the truth. Just a quick bit of research will show that 999
out of every 1,000 businesses were begun on borrowed money.
Look to your family and friends for financial help. Approach
them in a business-like manner; tell them about your idea or
plans, and ask them for a loan. Agree to sign a formal
statement to pay them back in three, five or ten years, with
interest.
When you have your proposal assembled, you might even want to
think of a limited partnership or even a general partnership
arrangement as a way to finance your project. In any kind of
partnership, each partner shares in the profits of the company,
but in a limited partnership, each person's loss liability is
limited to the amount of money he initially invested. The truth
is, in this kind of situation, you'll be doing all the work and
sharing your gain with your partners, but then it's a fairly
sure way to obtain needed financing.
Another common method of obtaining business financing is through
second mortgage loans on a home or existing piece of property.
Say you purchased a home ten years ago for $35,000, and today
the assessed valuation is $85,000, with a mortgage of $25,000
still outstanding. A lender may consider your home to be
security or collateral for a loan up to $60,000. In many
instances, this is the easiest and surest way to getting the
money needed for franchise or other business investment. And,
it makes sense; you've got "net worth" available that is doing
nothing but sitting there. Take this equity and invest it in a
worthwhile business, and you could double or triple your net
worth each year for the rest of your life.
Deciding to obtain second mortgage on your home in order to
finance a business opportunity is without doubt a major
decision, but if you are sure about your investment project, and
are determined to succeed, you owe it to yourself to go ahead.
You could incorporate yourself, borrow money from your family
through a second mortgage on your home, and protect against the
loss of your home through the Federal Homestead Act. The
important point here is that all business opportunities involve
risk and sacrifice. It's up to you to determine the feasibility
of your success with your proposed venture, then decide on the
best way possible to proceed.
In every instance where you run into reluctance on the part of a
lender to lend you the money you need, explore the feasibilities
of "two-name" or "co-signed" loans. You can have the franchisor
sign with you, or one of your suppliers, a business associate or
even a friend. Oftentimes you can borrow or rent collateral
such as stocks, bonds, time certificates, business equipment or
real estate, and in this way give greater confidence to the
lender in your abilities to repay the loan. Whenever you can
show a contract from someone who has agreed to purchase a
certain number of your products or services over a specified
period of time, you have another important piece of paper that
most lenders will accept as collateral. Still another
possibility might be to get a bank or a firm that has loaned you
money in the past to guarantee your loan. They simply guarantee
that they'll lend you money in the future if ever the need
should arise.
Going straight to your neighborhood bank, applying for a
business loan and walking out with the money is just about the
most unlikely of all your possibilities. Banks want to lend
money, and they must lend money in order to stay in business,
but most banks are notoriously conservative and extremely
reluctant to lend you money unless you have a "regular income"
that "guarantees" repayment. If and when you approach a bank
for a business loan, you'll need all your papers in order - your
financial statement, your business plan, credit history and all
the endorsements you can get relative to your succeeding with
your planned enterprise. In addition, it would be a good idea
to take along your accountant just to assure the banker that
your plan is verifiable. In the end, you'll find that it all
boils down to whether or not the bank officer studying your
application is sold on you as a good credit risk. Thus you must
impress the banker - not only with your proposal, but with your
appearance and personality as well. In dealing with bankers,
never show an attitude of doubt or apology. Always be positive
and sure of yourself. However, don't come on so strong to them
that you're either demanding or overbearing. Just look good,
know your stuff, and project an attitude of determination to
succeed.
Your best bet, in attempting to get a business loan from a bank,
is to deal with commercial banks. These are the banks that
specialize in investment loans for going businesses, real estate
construction, and even venture programs. Look in the yellow
pages of your telephone or business directories; call and ask
for an appointment with the manager; and then explore with him
the possibilities of a loan for your project. One of the "nice
things" about commercial banks is that even though they may not
be able to approve a loan for your business ideas, they will
almost always give you a list of names of business people who
might be interested in looking over your proposal for investment
purposes. A lot of commercial banks stage investment lectures
and seminars for the general public. If you find one that does,
attend. You'll meet a lot of local business people, some of
whom may be able to and interested in helping you with your
business plans.
When you're looking for money to move on a business deal, it
does not really matter where the money comes from, or how it all
comes about. It's important that you GET the money, and at
terms that are suitable to you. Thus, don't overlook the
possibilities of an advertisement for a lender or investor in
your local papers. Place your ad as well in national
publications reaching people looking for investments. Other
avenues to seriously consider are foundations that offer grants,
local dental and medical investment groups, legal investment
groups, business associations, trust companies and other groups
or organizations looking for tax shelters.
Basically, it isn't a good idea to go to a finance company or
other commercial lender of this type for a business loan. The
most obvious reason is the high interest rates you have to pay.
These companies borrow money from larger money lenders, and then
turn around and lend it to you at a higher interest rate than
they pay. Herein lies the means by which they make money from
granting loans to you. The more it costs them to provide the
money for you, the more it's going to cost you to borrow their
money. The only element in your favor when borrowing from one
of these agencies is that most will generally lend you money
against collateral other lenders just won't accept. Insurance
companies, pension funds, and commercial paper houses are not
too out of sight with their interest rates but they generally
will not even consider talking to you unless you're requesting
$500,000 or more. They'll also pretty much require that your
business proposal be backed by the best possible plan.
Finally, the bottom line is this: You must have a
well-researched and detailed business plan: you must have all
your documents and projections put together in an impressive
presentation; and then you will have to be the one who does the
final selling of your proposal to the investor or lender. This
means your appearance, personality and attitude, because - make
no mistake about it - before anyone lends you any sizeable
amount of money, they're going to want to take a close look at
you personally before they hand over the money.
Actually, the different ways of financing a franchise
opportunity are as many and varied as your own creativity. The
sources of obtaining money are virtually limitless, and
available to anyone with an idea.
One word of caution before you jump into any franchise purchase
agreement: The price you pay to participate in a franchise
operation is not always the total cost involved in getting the
business off the ground. With some franchise operations, you
may find other costs such as down payments on the purchase of
property, building construction costs, remodelling or site
improvements, equipment, fixtures, signs, advertising, and
training. Virtually all franchise deals require that in
addition to the purchase price or the license fee of the
franchise, you're required to give a certain percentage of your
gross business income to the franchisor, plus payments for
promotion and administrative costs. Above all else, before you
get involved in a franchise, or any business venture for that
matter, make sure you've conducted a complete and thorough
investigation of the opportunity presented. If it's a good
deal, then go with it; but if you have any doubts or feel as
though you're getting in over you head, back off and look around
for something not quite so ambitious, or perhaps expensive.
There are a lot of good franchise opportunities and some not so
good. It's important that you be sure of what you're investing
in, and that you can make money with it. From there, preparing
the proper business plan and the necessary financing, while not
always a snap, can be done. Now's the time to do it! We wish
you outstanding success with your franchise business.

49 Ways For A Handy Person To Make Money

WOODWORKING
1. Building shelves
2. Stripping furniture
3. Floor refinishing
4. Making stereo cabinets
5. Making two-way pet doors
6. Designing closets
7. Refinishing and rebuilding furniture
8. Building patios
9. Building fences
10. Building secret compartments
11. Framing pictures
12. Making knives
13. Caning chairs


PAINTING AND DECORATING
14. Painting houses
15. Whitewashing
16. Hanging wallpaper
17. Wall decorating with rollerwall


CLEANING
18. Graffiti removal
19. Janitorial service
20. Window-washing service
21. Fish tank cleaning service
22. Carpet cleaning service
23. Chimney sweep service
24. Door-to-door car wash service
25. Mini-blind cleaning/ installation
26. Exterminator service


MISCELLANEOUS
27. Glass etching
28. Weather stripping
29. Repairing vinyl
30. Recycling tires
31. Gym and locker maintenance
32. Pool maintenance service
33. Upholstering
34. Building barbecues
35. Grocery cart maintenance
36. Golf club renewal service
37. Curb - painting house numbers
38. Garden statue repair service
39. Auto parking service
40. Parking lot striping service
41. Driveway sealing service
42. Spray painting cars and trucks
43. Doll hospital
44. Screen and storm window service
45. Building carports
46. Changing patios into porches
47. Dog cleaning and clipping service
48. Boarding kennel for pets
49. Cemetery maintenance service

Make Money Clipping Newspaper Articles

Many organizations, businesses, and just individuals have a
great interest in what is put in print about them. They
constantly seek information as to their "public image". This
widespread interest provides a good opportunity to operate a
clipping business.
You will need access to many newspapers, local and perhaps
national as your business grows. Go through each paper and clip
out articles, photos, etc., which mention some person or
business of local or national prominence. Keep an alphabetical
file and accumulate clippings on the various individuals and
enterprises.
When you have accumulated sufficient clippings, photos and other
information, write to the individuals and firms advising them
you have a collection of articles about them which you will send
upon receipt of so much money per article, etc. Many of those
you contact should order.
Also clip out research reports on various subjects which may be
of interest to professional people.
Retail merchants are often interested in advertisements that are
being used by their competitors, hoping to be able to dream up
better or competing ads. They may also be interested in
advertisements featuring different product lines to give them
promotional and advertising ideas for their own products.
Information on marriages, divorces, births, deaths, new
businesses, etc., are also of interest to many different kinds
of organizations.
You can use the "Directory of Periodicals" at the library to get
names of magazines and publishing companies when you have
expanded to the point you can use clippings form national media.
Don't clip or send copyrighted materials. Clips from magazines
are most always copyrighted. Newspaper articles are not usually
copyrighted unless it has UP/AP or other codes (United Press...
Associated Press, etc.). Syndicated features and cartoons are
all copyrighted.

How To Make Thousands Of Dollars By Winning Contests

Everyone wants to "get rich quick", but
here is the sure-fire way to do it!

OVERVIEW

What does the average American usually dream about?
If you answered "getting rich", you're probably right!
All you have to do is look at some of the best-selling
books of all time like "Wealth Without Risk" and "How To
Make Millions Selling Real Estate" and you soon realize
what's on everyone's mind.
And why not? That's the ultimate American adventure, isn't
it? Look at the California and Alaska gold rushes. Or two
of the more popular T.V. series in recent history: the
Beverly Hillbillies and Dallas, where the heroes are oil
barons; all indicating an interest in a short cut to wealth
and fame. Becoming a millionaire is a worthy goal, though
most confine it to their dreams and only a few pursue the
dream vigorously enough to make it. Many people feel it's
"not in the cards" for them. They have virtually no chance
of ever making that much money, they feel, so they don't
bother to even attempt it.
That's too bad, because there is a lot of wealth in this
country still to be had. In fact, a substantial amount of
money and merchandise is given away every year in this
country -- in sweepstakes and other contests! This is not
just the luck of the draw -- people try to win at these
contests, so why shouldn't you? If there are people
willing to give this wealth away, why not get in line for
your share?
You, like others. may be skeptical of prize money and
luxury items that are given away in these contests. Is
that because you've never known anyone that's won? Because
these giveaways actually happen.
Another reason for skepticism is the wonder at how anyone
sponsoring the contest or sweepstakes can afford to give
anything like these amounts away. Yet this is just another
form of advertising for the sponsor. Each year, huge
amounts of money are spent to reach the buying public. Some
companies pay several million dollars to have a 30 second
advertisement run during the Super Bowl. Others prefer to
give that money away and try to get people to notice their
name and ultimately buy their products.
Think about it! You receive tons of junk mail every year.
When you get the million dollar giveaway envelope, do you
open it to see what it says? Chances are if you read any
of the junk mail, that's going to be the one you pick up as
opposed to those flyers not giving anything away.
Advertisers understand this and that's why they run
legitimate million dollar giveaways -- to advertise to
people like yourself who might not otherwise have heard of
this particular company. This is how the sweepstakes and
contests got their start and continue to flourish and more
and more people look for that ultimate millionaire dream!
Do you play the lottery every week? If so, why? To win
the big prize money, obviously. There are long odds
against winning but you play anyway because there's always
that outside chance, right? If you don't play, your
chances are 100% that you'll lose, but buying a ticket gets
you at least an opportunity, no matter how small, of
cashing in the ultimate check.
So what's the difference between playing the lottery and
participating in sweepstakes and contests? Nothing! If
you devoted a little energy into playing all of these
contests that came your way, you have created more
opportunities for yourself to win -- and win big! You
can't win if you don't play. Here are opportunities that
show up nearly every week for you to realize that dream of
being wealthy. And the work effort involved is minimal
considering the potential payoff you are striving to
receive.
Look at it this way. Contest sponsors are going to give
this money away to someone. Why not you? The company
bottom line is to advertise their product(s). They will
accomplish this through their promotion. If there's
something to be won in the meantime, shouldn't you try for
it?
What have you got to lose?

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WINNING
Winning is an attitude. Many of the best say that they can
see themselves in a winning state long before they actually
achieve that status. They can see the baseball go over the
fence for a home run. They can see their name being called
when the Oscars are handed out in Hollywood. They can see
themselves reclining at their pool, having a meeting with
their stockbroker about their recent successful
investments.
It's a mind game. It's a belief. It's an attitude.
Whatever it's called, all the winners in this world possess
it: an uncanny sense and confidence in their own abilities.
This confidence instills an overwhelming desire to succeed
that is impossible to deny. These individuals will strive
for the best, reaching beyond what one thinks they are
capable of to grab the brass ring.
It is this attitude that puts people in the winner's
circle. If you believe that you will be successful, you
will be.
This isn't a trick. All of the studies of winners have
shown this same pattern: the belief that they would win no
matter what the odds or the elements.
You can mold this same frame of mind and turn it into a
personal success story. You have the same talent and
ability as these winners. Many have risen beyond people's
expectations, but that's what attitude does for you.
How many times have you seen people with a lot of natural
talent and ability fail to win? Quite often, actually.
The difference between them and those that win (who may
possess less natural ability) is attitude. You're born
with natural talents, but attitude is something you develop
yourself.
You alone can control your own mind. If you set your mind
to win, it can and will happen for you.
If you set your mind to win at these contests, eventually
you can do it!
On the other hand, if you don't believe in yourself, if you
don't think that you can win at these sweepstakes and
contests, then you probably won't win. Attitude plays such
a large part in winning, that your frame of mind can
dictate success or failure almost exclusively.
You also must believe that if you win at these contests, it
will be because you worked hard at it and deserved to win
them. The money you make from these winnings will be more
than you've ever seen, but it's yours to have and spend.
Don't think for a minute you shouldn't have it! You earned
it, you made it, now you can spend it as you please. You
must believe that you were destined to get this money or
you won't fully have achieved the winning attitude you need
to earn this money and stay on top!
If you've conditioned yourself all your life to believe
that you're not a winner, that you couldn't possibly ever
be rich, you will likely fulfill this self-prophecy. But
it's not too late to de-program yourself and turn your
attitude around.
A constant reinforcement of positive thinking can alter
this losing mindset. You must be vigilant in your internal
promotion of a winning attitude, however, to be able to
maintain this feeling on a regular basis. You can't afford
to sink back into the negative abyss you have created. The
longer you've taken to build a low self-image, the longer
it will be before you can break it.
Don't give up! Winning all starts in your mind. Keep at
it! The positive can overwhelm the negative if you want to
believe in it enough. Once one idea stream begins to
dominate the other, your continual reinforcement of
thoughts will be based on the new dominant force. If that
force is positive, that's what your outlook will be.
Don't let the doubts wear you down. Doubting can bring
down all the positive thinking you've trained yourself to
do. The phrase, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself"
simply illustrates this point. It may be well within your
power to be a winner now, but self-doubt will crowd out the
winning attitude you need. In this battle, you are your
own worst enemy. Everything is within your grasp, only you
can prevent it from happening. "I can't do it" is a claim
that will inevitably come true if you allow it to dominate
the winning attitude of "I can -- and will -- do it!".
It's up to you. Are you a winner?
This new attitude will help you in everyday life. Things
that seemed impossible in the past will now seem within
your reach. Your personality will undergo a positive
change that will help you in whatever you do or become.
People react to positiveness. A cheerful, outgoing
attitude is almost contagious and people will remember you.
You'll be a winner in every respect.
This doesn't mean success will come easy!
But success will never arrive if you're not mentally ready
for the challenges being successful and being wealthy
present. It must be something you're prepared to undertake
and to keep at no matter how long it takes.
Remember: successful, winning attitudes of people have them
seeing themselves in various forms of winning poses long
before they actually get there. But these images give them
a "tangible" to strive for; a goal they believe is theirs
to have -- and hold. You, too must believe this. You,
too, must have your eye on the prize and believe that it's
only a matter of time before you collect it.
In this case, it's the jackpots given away by willing
advertisers. Close your eyes and see yourself shaking
hands with the executive of the company who's just handing
you a check for $1,000,000.00.
Hold this image in your mind. It's your new, positive goal
for the future.

THE SWEEPSTAKES GAME
One of your visions may be of Ed McMahon walking up your
steps, ringing the front door and presenting you with that
million dollar check. Great! Ed is a spokesperson for one
of the longer running sweepstakes contests in America.
But it is by no means the only one. Read your mail and
see. There are giveaways of all kinds, all the time! This
is simply corporate advertising at work.
In exchange for the chance to win something, the sponsors
are getting the opportunity to plug their product. If it's
a product you might use anyway, chances are you may buy it
from these giveaway folks. Because so many do, advertisers
can afford to give away the amounts of cash and merchandise
that they do. Everybody's a winner in the sweepstakes
game!
Sweepstakes are legal in every state today and they are
regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, who requires
that the sweepstakes sponsors print all those rules you see
in these contests. It's the legal fine print, but it
underscores the fact that these contests are legitimate.
If not, the companies run afoul of the FTC, a fate no
corporation or entity wishes to face.
Sweepstakes entries are everywhere from the mail to the
mall. Magazines carry offers. You can even find a
sweepstakes game in a supermarket check-out line. They're
everywhere!
The giveaway estimates are even more staggering. Experts
put the amount of cash and merchandise given away annually
at more than 200 million dollars! As long as there are
people willing to participate, there is no reason to
believe this number is going to reduce, just the opposite!
Like any advertising campaign, corporations work to "one-
up" the competition. This is good news for contest players
since it means even bigger and better prizes to come.
Corporations that know these campaigns are successful for
them are not going to abandon them in the future. If
anything, they will figure out a way to multiply this
success story and offer even more sweepstakes contests and
prizes for people to win. The sky may not be the limit!
More than 10 million prizes are awarded every year! that
gives you some pretty good odds at being among the winners
since many people don't bother to participate. There are
people who are very adept at playing the sweepstakes game
and this is now your goal: to learn how to organize a game
plan for winning!
There are tips for success in sweepstakes playing. To a
certain degree, playing these contests is an art form.
There are certain things you can do to raise your chances
of winning dramatically.
Consider some of these thoughts:
+ the best time to enter
+ what colors attract the most attention
+ how often to send in an entry form
+ how the drawing is done
All of this information and more is what you need to learn
and be successful at the sweepstakes game. You've already
seen yourself in the winner's circle. You know you are
going to win. Now it's time to do something about the end
result!
Look for sweepstakes entries in magazines, newspapers,
stores and in your mailbox. There are hundreds of chances
to win at the sweepstakes game. Collect every entry you
can lay your hands on!
Enter the contests that have a prize you really want. Even
if you don't like the prize, recognize that the prize has a
value. This means that you can always sell it at a reduced
rate and still come out way ahead. There are all kinds of
prizes from vacation getaways to jewelry to cars to homes
to stereos to motorcycles and, of course, cash. If you win
it and you don't want it, advertise it and sell it! If
there is a strong cash value to the prize, it's worth
entering!
Many sweepstakes are geared towards the fall with an end of
the year deadline for submitting your entry form. This is
because people are often looking to buy at this time of
year as the holidays approach. Remember, sweepstakes are
advertisements in disguise, so this is the time of year
when the companies haul out their big guns to promote their
products.
The holiday season is also the time people are busy and
likely won't take the time to prepare and send in their
entry form. Good! All the more reason for you to spend
your time sending in as many entries as you can to increase
your chances of winning. Send in a bunch at this time of
year. It's a decisive advantage!
The big prizes are most often up for grabs at year end
sweepstakes, so the increase in your number of entries is
well-timed to take advantage of these all-star giveaways.
Cars, vacations and the million dollar checks are most
common in the last quarter of the year.
Don't depend solely on your own ability to find all the
sweepstakes offers you can. Ask for some help. Get family
members, friends and work associates to accumulate these
contest entries for you. The more people that are looking
on your behalf, the greater the number of entries you'll
make. You may also find several sweepstakes offers that you
haven't -- and wouldn't -- have seen.
As you stockpile the entry forms, organize them into a
logical pattern. On a separate pad, write down a summary
of information about the sweepstakes entry, including:
+ name of the sweepstakes
+ name and address of the advertising sponsor
+ the specific prizes being given away
+ date of the drawing
+ date of sponsor notification of winning entries
+ number of entries you submit for this sweepstakes
+ amount of postage you've spent on this sweepstakes
+ date of each mailing of your entry forms
This will give you an easy checklist to refer to on any
given sweepstakes. You may want to also have cross-
checking records in the form of ledger sheets and monthly
calendars, so you can record expenses and dates again for
easy reference for those particulars.
For every sweepstakes you enter, you must read all of their
rules carefully. Only by following the given rules will
you be able to have a qualified entry. If you ignore the
rules, your entry will never be placed in the bin for
drawing. You will not know this, either. Advertising
sponsors aren't going to take the time to tell you they've
discarded your entry form. If you don't do it right,
that's not their problem.
So, be careful! Here are a few examples of the types of
rules that often appear in sweepstakes contests:
+ No purchase necessary. This is part of the FTC
regulations. You don't have to buy anything to submit a
correct entry form that may be drawn. You may not be able
to use the entry form attached to the sweepstakes offer,
but you have every right to follow the directions and
submit the necessary information on a separate piece of
paper or index card.
+ Postmarked by OR Received by rules. This is important to
note. Get your entry out in plenty of time to ensure that
it will qualify as a correct entry form and place you in
the drawing for the grand prize. Don't time it too
closely. Beat the dates by a comfortable margin.
+ Non-transferability. You must take the prize that you
win. You can't trade it for another prize.
+ One prize per household. This increases your chance to
win since contest rules forbid more than one winner from
the same family.
+ Age/Geographic limits. Some sweepstakes have age
limitations and/or regional boundaries. The contest may
only be available to people who live in the home state of
the advertiser, for example. Watch these limitations! If
you don't qualify, toss this entry form!
+ Multiple entries: You usually can enter as often as
you'd like but remember: you must submit all entries
separately! One entry to an envelope is the usual rule.
It will cost you more postage, but the more often you
enter, the better the chances of you having a winning
entry.
+ Envelope size: There may be a specification as to
envelope size. If there is, don't ignore it. Get down to
your office supply store and be sure you have the right
size envelope. Otherwise -- disqualification!
+ Penmanship: You must print legibly on the entry form or
the sponsor could throw it out. If they can't read it, you
won't win.
+ Inclusions: Quite often, there are attachments you must
include with your entry form to have a qualified entry.
Often, this is a sticker that must be affixed to the entry
form. It may also be a bar code, a label or some other
identifier, often bearing the product name. Advertisers
like to know you saw and read the name of the product line
being pushed. Don't miss the instructions on inclusions.
Otherwise, your entry form will be tossed.
+ Original form: Entry forms must be the originals. You
can't use photocopies of them. If it isn't the original,
it won't be placed in the drawing.
+ Distractions: Unless specifically instructed to do so,
do not use staples, tape or paper clips to attach any
inclusions or otherwise mark up your entry form. This is
likely to get the entry disqualified.
Yes, there are a lot of rules. But -- follow them exactly!
You'd be surprised at how many people that try to enter a
sweepstakes but are ruled ineligible simply because they
missed one rule. Don't let that happen to you. No matter
how silly the rule sounds, the sponsor has it in there for
a reason. Don't judge! Just follow the exact instructions
and you'll have a qualified entry.
There are several types of sweepstakes. The primary ones
are: random drawing, card game and second chance.
Random drawing sweepstakes accept sealed envelope entry
forms only and store them in large bins until drawing time.
An official sweepstakes judging agency often does the
honors of selecting the winning name. You might even
receive a letter in advance of the drawing identifying the
people who are charged with selecting the winning entries.
Some of these draws may be televised. Sponsors like that
exposure as well as the excitement of an official drawing.
If a computer is used to select the winning entries, the
high drama is often missing. There's nothing like a staged
event to attract a little more attention to a company's
product.
Card game sweepstakes are emerging in popularity. Here,
you follow the instructions on the card to have a chance to
win. You may have to scratch off a portion of the card to
reveal a prize or an entry or a number or some other
identifier that tells you what to do next.
The instant winner form of the card game tells you
immediately what you have or haven't won. Companies like
McDonald's do this to give away food, prizes and cash. Or
you may have seen a Pepsi bottle cap with a prize on the
inside. These are example of instant winnings.
Another form of card entry is the matching type. Here, you
get a card with a number or picture on it and have to match
it to the master number or picture which has a pre-
assigned prize. If your number or picture is identical,
you win the prize associated with that number.
Supermarkets do this frequently and you have to check in
the store to see the weekly winning number or picture
display.
Collection games are becoming more common in this card
format sweepstakes. In this game, you have to collect a
series of cards that solve a puzzle. It may take four,
five, six or more cards needed to solve the entire maze and
there's always one or two cards that are hard to obtain.
Speaking of puzzles, another card game form involves
decoding information or numbers to correctly put together a
winning card. Clues to the decoding are often available on
the back of the advertising sponsor's product(s).
The third primary sweepstakes game is referred to as a
second chance effort because it gives you the opportunity
to win prizes you might have lost out on in an earlier
game. There are many unclaimed prizes in sweepstakes and
this is the way of distributing them. You send in a
completed and usually sealed entry form (or dozens of them,
preferably) and there is a random drawing held to assess
winners. There are almost always fewer entrants to this
type of sweepstakes, thus increasing your chances of
winning. So, be on the lookout for this type of game.
There are other types of sweepstakes which, though less
popular, can earn you some substantial winnings. One of
these is the automatic entry sweepstakes. Here, you
complete a coupon which you use at a store to receive a
discount on a product. That coupon automatically becomes a
sweepstakes entry when the coupon is sent in by the store
to be redeemed. It's one way to get you to buy a product
and still hold a sweepstakes, but because the primary
intent is the coupon value, the sweepstakes is valid and an
extra bonus, actually, above and beyond the value of the
coupon.
There is also the early bird game where an advertiser wants
to know how a promotional kick-off is faring and gives an
early deadline after the campaign kickoff to mail back a
form to enter a sweepstakes. Watch the deadlines here!
Finally, the sweepstakes entry form may have a multiple
choice quiz, requiring you to answer the question in
addition to completing the entry form. Only those entries
identifying the right answer will be eligible for the
drawing. If you know the answer, enter as many times as
you can. If you are unsure, you may want to pass on the
contest since your entry form with an incorrect answer will
not be used. You could also send entries in with several
assigned to each possible answer. Then you know that at
least one set of entries will be correct and they will be
used for the drawing.
Even though you may find the same sweepstakes in different
places, don't take a chance that the rules are similar. To
be safe, read every one and check it against the
information you have to be sure.
It can take up to six months to notify you of your winning
entry, so don't lose hope. Usually the sweepstakes rules
spell out the length of time from drawing to notification.
Send in a steady stream of entry forms over the entire
length of the contest. You have better odds at winning
then if you simply mailed all of your entries at one time.
If you have a choice, use a colored envelope to submit your
entry. This may well increase your chance of winning. Only
do this if the sweepstakes rules don't require a certain
color.
Being organized is the key to sending multiple entry forms.
When you have the time, pre-address envelopes and complete
entry forms. It's O.K. to do them in advance. Just mail
them out in a systematic fashion as previously suggested.
Remember your zip code! Don't leave this out or your entry
won't make it.
Make sweepstakes entry a regular part of your day, like
exercising. Put aside an hour a day just to work on your
entries and mailings. The time you invest will pay off in
the long run. Note all your mailing and entry data in the
forms we've suggested for easy reference. You can also
write up a mailing schedule on a weekly basis to remind you
of what has to be mailed when.
Write to every advertising sponsor and request a "winner's
list". This way you can see if all the prizes were
awarded. It will also clue you into when a possible second
chance sweepstakes would occur.
People are notified every day of their winning entry in a
sweepstakes. You usually have to sign an affidavit first
and return it to claim your prize. It is important that
you keep the post office aware of your whereabouts. If you
move, leave a forwarding address. The sponsors aren't
going to the ends of the earth looking for you. Make
yourself easy to find.
The Federal Trade Commission does regulate the drawings to
ensure they are held fairly and competently. If you win,
you will be notified. Save this letter! It's your
evidence in case the prize doesn't follow within the
specified period of time. Keep a record of all your
expenses incurred in sending out your entry forms. Your
postage, envelopes, pens and some other office items will
be deductible IF you win a prize. Since you will be taxed
on the value of the prize, the expense deductions will help
reduce your tax liability.
The sweepstakes game is definitely one you can win if you
believe in yourself and spend the necessary time submitting
all the entries. Good luck!
THE CONTEST GAME
American contests are a 20th Century preoccupation.
Initially, they were featured by general magazines and
newspapers. From modest beginnings, contests now claim a
wide variety of styles with some noteworthy prizes to back
up correct solutions.
The difference between a contest and a sweepstakes is the
need for skill. A sweepstakes is merely an entry with only
the rare opportunity to answer a multiple choice question
in order to have a correct entry form. A contest requires
you to solve something -- a crossword puzzle, a maze, a
diagram, a photograph or to create something like an
advertising slogan or a poem or a song to promote a
specific product.
There are numerous contests sponsored throughout the
country. One of the most popular is a word game where
there are two possible correct answers and you simply have
to choose between them. There might be 20 of these answers
from week to week. If no one correctly identifies all 20
answers, the cash jackpot rolls over and more cash is
added. This can go on for weeks and the longer the game,
the more entries that are filed as some big money can come
into play. It's almost pot-luck, though, as it isn't a
matter of selecting a wrong answer since both answers
(given) are correct. You must pick the one the editors of
the puzzle settle on as the best answer. That makes it
tough, but challenging and fun, too. There are a lot of
people in town who look forward to playing that game each
week.
And for the newspaper that sponsors it, it means more sales
of the paper as people who might not ordinarily buy the
tabloid, do so to get the puzzle. Sales mean dollars and
thus the chance to give away prize money to increase
subscriptions. Increased circulation can mean more
advertising revenue. And the beat goes on!
Puzzles like these make contests fan favorites. One can
participate in hundreds of contests given the time. The
more you compete in, the better the chance to win one or
more prizes.
To get organized, simply make this an extension of your
sweepstakes work. Maybe an hour per day is devoted to
sweepstakes, another hour for contests. You'd use the same
supplies you accumulated for the sweepstakes and keep the
same type of records to ensure that you'll have proper
records to deduct the expenses should you win any prizes.
Divide your contests up into type. Crosswords will go in
one file, mazes in a second file, advertising jingles in a
third, and so forth. Place them in date order and
construct a list of the next two month's dates followed by
any contest answer that has to be mailed by then. Leave
yourself plenty of time so you won't miss any deadlines.
As with sweepstakes, follow the instructions. They likely
won't be as detailed as sweepstakes, but the guidelines
should still be followed to qualify your entry for a prize.
Above all, enjoy the contests! They can be more fun than
sweepstakes because there is a skill involved. They may be
more time-consuming then sweepstakes, too. After two or
three months, you'll have a better idea of how many
contests and sweepstakes you can keep up with on a regular
basis.
You will also get better at one type of contest or another.
If you find yourself adept at crosswords, but lousy at
coming up with advertising jingles, then prioritize your
contest work around the puzzles. Given a couple of
deadlines, you'll know to work on the puzzles first and the
jingles later. This way you have a better chance of
winning the prize offered.
As you do more and more of these contest games, you will
find yourself getting better and better at it and cutting
down the time it takes to complete the forms. Puzzles,
especially, have a number of clues that are used universally,
meaning you'll know a few answers each time simply because
you've seen them before.
You'll also come to recognize a style or a particular pattern
of a given company which could give you the key to the correct
contest answer. For example, if one company tends to have
contest answers that involve their own products, you will be
able to concentrate on a smaller number of possible answers
than the individuals who are infrequent players in the contest
game.
The more you play, the better your chances of winning. Not only
will your skills improve, but you will also be playing amongst
fewer participants than a sweepstakes. Contests that require
skill generally discourage many people from playing. The ones
that stay in it will be good, but there will be less entrants
among which prizes must be spread. This should give you some
extra incentive to hone your contest skills accordingly.
Good players who consistently return entries can win huge
dollar amounts!
Keep a pen and pencil handy at all times. You should even
put one next to your bed! There are times when a contest
answer may come to you in the middle of the night. If you
have something close by to write on, you ensure that the
answer will still be with you in the morning.
When you win, be sure to keep track of all the prizes. Cash
is relatively easy to record, but merchandise carries a
different price tag. You will need to assign the good a
value. The sponsor of the contest can help, but do a
comparison with other products on the market to be sure the
assigned value is fair since you will have to pay taxes on
it.
You should check with an accountant to be sure that you are
doing the correct job of reporting your prize totals less
any business expenses deductions.

SUMMARY
Are you ready? Wealth is out there for the taking and you
are just the person who can reel it in. It's time to stop
reading and take up the fight to earn these valuable
prizes.
Hopefully, you have been reinforcing your reading with the
positive thoughts of a winner. You will not be a winner
unless you believe it yourself first. This confidence and
winning attitude can help you through any trouble spots you
encounter.
Yes, just a few hours per week of concentration on
sweepstakes and contests can earn you a substantial amount
of money. Someone is out there right now winning the
prizes you deserve! It's time to do something about that!
What do you have to lose? Time and a few dollars in
postage and supplies? A small investment for such a
gigantic potential return.
Start looking for those entry forms today! Good luck!