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Dream Big. Set realistic and specific short-term and long-term goals. Invest in knowledge.

Take Action. Stay Focused. Finish what you start. Wash… rinse…repeat.

Michael Filsaime earn $115,000 a month

Brought to you in partnership with Rod Beckwith - http://mrjv.com

Highest Education: Two-year college

Year Started Business: 2003

Type Of Business: Internet marketing

Target Market: "I market to affiliate marketers and Website owners looking to get traffic to their websites and affiliate programs."

Number Of Employees: Seven

Best Month (Gross Revenues): $115,000

Hours Worked Per Week During Startup: 60

Hours Worded Per Week Now: 40

Favorite Business Magazines: Inc. and Fortune

Favorite Business Books Or Authors:

Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiosaki - "It opened up my mind and helped me to understand leverage and not thinking in a linear fashion."

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey - "This was one of the first books I read when I started my business and it help me to frame my work ethics."

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, by Robert Cialdini - "This book is a must read for any person in direct marketing."

Relaxes By: Sleeping, surfing the Web, and driving

Keeps In Shape By: Playing racquetball and martial arts

Favorite Part Of The Job: "Launching a product. There is nothing like the launch day of a new product. It is the fruition of all your hard work. It’s not about the money, rather the rush you get seeing it all come together. Without a doubt, those are my most exciting days."

Least Favorite Part Of The Job: "E-mail. It seems to slow me down very much. Like being in the ocean, it is like treading water and it is needed to survive. But I prefer to swim forward, and it is hard to do that when I am locked on my inbox for one to two hours per day."

Companies Admired:

EBay and PayPal. – "Here is a company that has taken the word 'auction' and branded it to their own name, and they found a way to bring the world together in a way I do not seeing being knocked off for a long, long time."

Microsoft – "Despite what many people think about them, I still think they are pioneers in this game and a great case study from their beginning 30 years ago and what they will continue to do."

Toyota Motor Co. – "They seem to never make mistakes and have an understanding of the American and global needs of drivers that is years ahead of the other auto makers, and it shows in their success."

Favorite Quotes:

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. – Seneca (Roman philosopher, 1st Century AD)

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. – Albert Einstein

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. – Benjamin Franklin

The Person Who Most Influenced His Life: "My Father. From the day I was born, my father always told me that there was nothing I could not do if I only applied myself. He never poisoned my mind with negative thoughts and would wake me up when he got home from work (at 11PM) when I was a kid and talk to me about business and understanding how people think. Over the years, I look back and realize how much I learned from him that I could never get in school. My dad is a true intellect and one of the most charming people most folks ever get the chance to meet. Even today, he is one of the people that helps me to open my mind to think bigger. I love him very much."

Heroes: "My dad is my real hero. See above. Also, my grandfather. If he is half the man my father tells me, they could make a movie about his life. I did not know him well—he died when I was young—but the stories my father told me about him has inspired me to always do the right thing."

Special Business Achievements/Honors: "Before I started my online business, I ran the fourth largest Hyundai dealership in the U.S. and was also a manager for the ninth largest Toyota dealer in the U.S. We were part of the second largest privately held auto group in the country, and we understood that a process was key to our success. Everything had a process, and we implemented a management-driven system that made it impossible for anyone to compete in our region. We focused on value and customer satisfaction/loyalty. We also had an incredible training program and regimen. For over nine months, I was fully responsible for the training of the entire sales staff for all 13 of our top stores."

Months Before Achieving A Profit: "I was in the red for about 5 months, as I was paying for a lot of information so that I could accelerate my learning curve. Then in month six I made my first $5,000 and never looked back."

Books/Tapes/Reports Authored: "I have several and the best way to get them is to go to http://mikefilsaime.com/mysites.htm."

Contact Mike At: (631) 868-0247 or mmikefilsaime@gmail.com

I'm starting a home business next month. I have a maximum of $3,000 in start-up capital. Where should I invest it?
I would recommend starting online for its low cost. I would go to http://www.marketingtips.com/ and buy a course for $197 to $297 on marketing online, and then start to create an online business. I would also suggest spending about $997 on a course by John Reese called Traffic Secrets at http://www.trafficsecrets.com/. The rest of the money should be used for advertising strategies as outlined in the courses.

I've just started a home business. My spouse has given me six months to make it work. Any advice?
First see above. Then understand that you should never buy a product that you do not need at that point in time. It will only distract you. Once you put your business plan into motion, only buy products that you need when you cannot go further in your business without them. This will help you to stay focused. Set your goals for your completion dates of your projects and take the next step and keep moving. Always focus on building a list of

GETTING STARTED TIPS:

people who come to your sites and leverage that to promote and cross sell other products. They say it takes money to make money. Should I try to get a small business loan for my startup capital or just try to get by with my own limited finances?
I recommend a book called Credit Millionaire at mikefilsaime.com/Recommends/Credit-Millionaire. This book will help you to understand why it is always good to understand the power of leveraging money from what you can borrow. In summary, YES. Borrow what is needed to help you achieve your goals only after you have set out a game plan. If you do not need to borrow money to do so, then of course it is not needed. Again, I recommend reading that book to understand how do it and limit any exposure and come out winning in the end.

TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS:

How quickly do you adopt new technology for your business?
As soon as I learn about it. If it can help my business in the short and long term, it gets implemented as soon as we can.

Do you use a fax machine with a dedicated line?
Yes. I have a dedicated line for my fax and it is not an efax. It is always on so I can get faxes on demand.

How do you use e-mail in your business?
Only for personal use. I would recommend anyone have five to six e-mail accounts. As Stephen R. Covey says, Begin with the end in mind. Make sure you set your business up now with the right structure so when it becomes a real business, it does not become a "JOB." So make sure your infrastructure support is ready for when you make $1 million per year. Make sure your have e-mail accounts for:

Billing, product purchases paid subscriptions (aka... billing@mydomain.com)

Good Newsletters (Newsletter@mydomain.com)

Affiliate Programs (Aff@yourdomain.com)

Personal and JV (bus@yourdomain.com)

Junk Squeeze Pages (pass@yourdomain.com)

Non Business (yournameonly@yourdoamin.com)
If you use one e-mail for all, you will start to hate life and there is NO TURNING BACK! Use outlook to sort these to folders. For support, use a help desk. You can get a great one at http://www.perldesk.com/.

How do you utilize the Internet?
I use the Internet to monetize and run virtually every aspect of my business and say in touch with my prospects and customers. I also think it is the best place to do market research and get information. It is also the best way to test marketing ideas almost instantly with the help of Google Adwords.

How many of your own Websites do you have?
I have over 25 profitable Websites and over 100 domain names for future products and hidden niches. I use my Websites to build my e-mail list and sell my products and services. I also use a blog to share information and build relationships with my visitors and subscribers.

Do you use autoresponders?
Yes, I use Prosender.com. It is my own private label of the Internet’s best service called Aweber. I take the opportunity to capture a name and e-mail address from every visitor who comes across any one of my Websites. I then maintain a relationship with them through a newsletter. For many of my sites, I have prewritten e-mails that go out in sequence to cross sell and further build relationships.

If you use a toll-free number, what is its primary use?
Right now I use it just for testimonials. Soon I will be adding one for another taking orders and customer support.

If you use voicemail, what is your primary use for it?
Right now it is just for my JV partners to reach me and to direct my customers to my online help desk.

Describe your computer system and how you use computers in your business.
I have five dedicated servers at KIOSK.WS to run my sites. I use three laptops, so I can go anywhere and have access to the Internet. I have a Verizon account that has national wireless broadband, so I can get access on the beach or any place I travel. I use every form of media from fax, scanner, digital cameras, digital video, laser printers, color ink jet printers, Webcams, headsets for my PC, and a phone. I have PC conference tools for my members to meet, I have teleconference lines, and Yahoo Instant Messenger. I use AOL as well for my personal account.

What software do you consider in the "must-have" category?
For me I need MS Frontpage, Google Gmail, IpSwitch FTP Software, audiogenerator.com, Internet Explorer, MS Outlook, Camtasia Onscreen Video, ScreenPrint V3.2, MS Office, PowerPoint, and RoboForm.com.

What other technology do you use in your business?
I use AITelephone.com to do my conference calls. I find them to be very affordable and a big part of my business.

Name up to five personal favorite business URL's our readers can benefit from:

http://wordtracker.com/

http://pages.ebay.com/marketplace_research/

http://www.warriorforum.com/forum/

http://www.bradfallon.com%20,%20http://seoradio.com

http://www.adsensechat.com/
Of all the technology you use, rank the top three.

Broadband access and Verizon National Broadband Access. It is crucial to my online business to have high speed access anywhere I travel in the U.S.

Dedicated Severs – It allows me to grow my business at my own speed, and it also allows me to maintain a great relationship with my Web host.

Paypal.com – I think they are one of the easiest ways to get in business online and start taking orders. My business would not be the same without them.

MARKETING/ADVERTISING:

How do you market on the Internet?
I use mostly viral marketing strategies to get visitors to my sites. My main call to action is an opt in for name and e-mail, and I offer products usually only after I obtain that.

Approximately what percentage of your sales originate from Internet marketing? About 95%.

How do you market via broadcast advertising?
I use Voiceshot.com to send phone broadcasts. It is a great company and you can get all the details at their site. I also do e-mail broadcasts thru Prosender.com.

Approximately what percentage of your sales originate from broadcast advertising?
Phone – 3%.
e-mail – 50%.

What other kinds of marketing do you utilize? Google Adwords pay-per-click.

Do you recommend using a toll-free number in advertising?
Yes. With anything, I think you need to test but I think toll-free numbers have proven to be very successful in two-step direct marketing.

Where do you market? Nationally and internationally.

THE HOME OFFICE:

How should someone set up his/her home office to maximize its effectiveness?
With a PC and laptop with all the peripherals I stated above. It should be set up in a comfortable work place with no distractions, such as a spare bedroom or office in the basement. It should be a relaxing place to be and have everything you need all in one place.

What, if any, ground rules have you established for yourself and family in order to operate a successful home business?
Have fun and make it easy as possible and profitable. Sacrifice profits for automation and lifestyle when possible.

What are some of the advantages to working at home? What are some of the disadvantages?
I worked at home for one year and then I just got a new office six miles from home. It is great to be home and I would never have left. But I just outgrew my office and needed to expand to become more organized. I set up my office just like it would be at home. I have a TV, VCD/DVD, Stereo with CD, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, fax and phone, a couch and coffee table. I want it to be a place I love to be at so I can have fun while I work. I think the real advantage is working for yourself. You can do what you want, when you want.

MANAGEMENT STYLE:

What part(s) of your work do you farm out?
Support, programming, site design.

What part(s) do you feel should never be farmed out?
I think you should farm out ANYTHING that is not your strong point. Focus on what you do best and outsource the rest to better quality and affordable people. I consider myself the project manager. I outsource as much as possible so I can move faster.

Do you encourage or discourage partnerships?
I discourage partnerships in business. I have had a few and they slow me down and infringe on my creativity. I think you should integrate your marketing and have joint venture partners, but I feel you should maintain control of your business whenever possible.

Do you encourage or discourage hiring family members?
Neither. As long as the person is the right person for the job, I think it can work out.

When legal issues arise, what’s your usual response?
I turn it over to my attorney instantly. She is on retainer, and I make sure I get the best advice as soon as possible.

MONEY & INVESTING:

What are the advantages of earning a lot of money. What are some disadvantages?
The advantages are obvious: financial freedom and independence. The best part about having money is you no longer worry about money. The rest of life seems to stay the same. But not worrying about money takes a lot of stress out of life and relationships. The worst part—there is none as long as you make sure to understand how to protect your money and not get into tax problems.

Best general tax advice?
Get a good accountant that understands your business. Talk to other successful people in your niche or filed and find out who they use and if they recommend them and why.

Best general investment advice?
Invest 10% of your profits each month. Get a financial planner to find out what is best for you based on your age and risk factors and what you ultimately want. Real estate is one of the best places if done right.

You're in business already, and you've just received a windfall of $20,000. What would you do with it?
Blow it on a new BMW...just kidding. The answer is different for everyone. If would invest it either in my business if needed or in my personal investments. Maybe buy something special for people I care about. Donate some of it to my favorite charity also makes me feel good.

THE ROAD AHEAD:

In five years I'll be...
Doing what I love to do, whatever that is at that time. For now, I see myself enjoying life and having someone else run my business for me. I want to travel the world. I will to still be a big part of my business, and I hope it to see it grow to a multi-million dollar business I can take public.

In 10 years I'll be...
Retired and consulting while I travel.

POWERFUL IDEAS:

What was the motivating factor that drove you to start your own business?
I started it for fun and challenge for a better life. When my boss found out, I was forced to make a choice. I chose my business and never looked back.

How role, if any, did your family play when you were getting your business off the ground?
They were all very supportive. They were a bit nervous, and so was I, but they backed me 100%.

What motivates you now to continue building your business?
I think it is human nature to always strive to be better than the previous day. I like to meet people, and it inspires me to keep creating new projects.

What’s the best thing about being self-employed?
The travel. I have been all over the world since I started my own business. I enjoy the freedom. I also enjoy doing whatever I want to do whenever I want. It is a great way to reward yourself.

How often do you read books and/or listen to or watch tapes for improving your business skills or knowledge?
Daily. I was never like that until I started my business. I now have become an information junkie, and I enjoy learning and implementing successful strategies from other successful people.

The most underrated activity in business is…
Relationships (not joint ventures) with other successful people.

The most overrated activity in business is…
Joint venture strategies.

What was the biggest obstacle you had to face when you were launching your own business? What’s your biggest obstacle now?
Working two jobs. It was hard to work and manage the auto dealership and grow my business at the same time. Now, it is finding time to manage everything I try to do. So I just keep it all in perspective and realize; tomorrow is another day.

If you had to start your business all over again, what would you do differently?
I would not have used a server-based e-mail software. I would have gone to a third party, and I would have used Aweber.com or Prosender.com from the beginning.

What was your worst business decision?
Trying to develop seven sites at one time. Six never got done, and it cost me thousands. It is better to focus on priorities and move one step at a time. I was not ready to manage that at the time and I could not get quality people to help me to finish. I thought I could do it in spite of all that.

What was your best business decision?
I paid $80,000 for a Website when everyone I spoke to told me I was crazy. I paid it off with its own profits in five months, and I make my investment back in net profits every four months just from that site.

What do you consider to be the main keys of your success?
Passion, fearless goal setting, and taking action. You have to love what you do and cannot be afraid to chase your dreams.

What's your success philosophy? Study the successful people and do what they do.

What about you has changed the most since finding success in business?
I have less stress in my life and I sleep and eat better. I am more giving that I ever dreamed I could be, and I take the time to enjoy the small things in life that I never knew existed, such as riding a bike near the beach with a good friend.

What is the legacy you hope to leave?
I just want to have something to pass on to my children. I want to leave them with what my father has tried to do teach me—you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. But you have to really want it and be able to sacrifice what is needed to get there...a little bit of work.