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"Secret to Success: an open, dynamic, limitless approach to finding happiness."

LEE BENSON Earn $ 40000/month

Age: 19

Highest Education: "After high school, I spent eight months in college studying business, computing, and law. I have always looked to create my own educational path, though. As a result, I didn’t find myself compatible with institutional education, so I made the decision to quit college and work for myself fulltime."

Year Started Business: 1998–"I spent most of my spare time juggling different business ideas. Since the age of 13, I’d wanted to start my own computing business. When I discovered the Internet and realized the potential it held, I was hooked."

Type Of Business: Education–"I love to learn and I love to teach. Using information as a currency for betterment is something that both excites and empowers me, and ultimately (and hopefully) touches the lives of my customers, colleagues, and associates. I provide both the tools and the direct education to help people in many different ways–built around business and self-help concepts."

Market: Ordinary people who want to make extraordinary changes to their lives–people who believe there’s more to life than working 9-to-5 and getting spoon fed by society's stigmas and stereotypical views

Number Of Employees: One in-house employee handling customer support

Best Month (Gross Revenues): $40,000–"I actually made over $30,000 in two weeks that month, with absolutely no paid advertising whatsoever."

Hours Worked Per Week During Start-Up: "In 1998, it wasn’t uncommon for me to stay awake until 3 a.m. after coming home from school. I managed to clock up around 30 hours of work and research per week during that period."

Hours Worked Per Week Now: 45 hours during new development phases

Favorite Business Magazines: Colleagues' e-zines and self-published magazines, as well as those of his competitors–"It helps keep me in tune with what’s happening in the marketing industry."

Favorite Business Books Or Authors: All of Tony Robbins’ books, such as Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement; Also, Steven Covey's books and How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships, by Leil Lowndes–a great little guide on effective communication strategies–"I like all books relating to communication techniques, strategies, and concepts...It’s infinitely fascinating."

Relaxes By: Reading, watching movies, and discovering ways to diversify his interests–"By traveling to new and exciting places, learning about subjects that wouldn’t have otherwise interested me, and working towards a 'central plan' of how I want to live my life, I’ve found that most things I do qualify as relaxation. As long as I approach the subject, hobby, sport, place, or event with an open mind, an eager attitude, and an element of excitement, then relaxation can be found in most things."

Keeps In Shape By: Going to the gym–"Keeping in shape is a central and important part of my life."

Favorite Part Of The Job: The sheer excitement and thrill of being in complete control, with a free flow of ideas and a vehicle of putting them into place–"It’s great to be in an industry that offers time freedom, high income potential, and–more importantly–the ability to meet like-minded people and be happy. Money and materialism go down the drain if you feel like a slave to any system."

Least Favorite Part Of The Job: "The Internet can be a lonely place to work! Text chats, e-mails and online development can be a secluded and silent place to work. I’m now introducing ideas into my business model that allow me to be more 'connected' with the real world and meet people one-on-one."

Companies Admired: EAS Sports Nutrition–"As well as empowering people with cutting-edge sports supplements, their business model appeals to me. The owner, Bill Phillips, authored a successful book (Body For Life) and cleverly introduced a fun marketing strategy that allowed people to win cash prizes and a vacation of a lifetime. His corporate image, his ethics and the lifestyle he promotes hold him in my high regard."

Favorite Quotes: Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. –Unknown; The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. –Dr. Wayne Dyer; Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you too, can become great. –Mark Twain; Hope is the companion of power and the mother of success, For those of us who hope strongest have within us the gift of miracles. –Sydney Bremer; The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. –Eleanor Roosevelt

The Person Who Most Influenced His Life: "There have been a whole bunch of people who I could give credit to. Every one of the authors of my favorite books have given me new perspectives or have reaffirmed my existing beliefs."

Special Accomplishments: Hundreds of happy testimonials for his products and advice

Months Before Achieving A Profit: "It took me around two years to discover how to really make money online. Now, I can launch a new product and cover all production costs whilst earning a profit to boot, often within 48 hours. With the Internet, it’s simple."

Any Books, Tapes, Or Reports Authored: The Internet Secret–"It’s my personal portfolio of Internet marketing secrets. Right now, people can give it a whirl for only $1.95. Get immediate access to it by going to TheInternetSecret.com. I'm also just about to launch word on a brand new educational experience that will be available to members of The Internet Secret at no extra cost."

Contact Lee At: +44 (0) 8456-44-33-73 (fax, England) or lee@plexec.com

GETTING STARTED TIPS:

I'm starting a home business next month. I have a maximum of $3,000 in startup capital. Where should I invest it?
Lee: Firstly, decide what you want to achieve. If you want to start up a successful Internet business, the first step is discovering an opening in the market. People often say you have to research. I say just know people. Open your eyes and take a look around you. Everyone needs a solution to something. Whether they appear to have an incurable weight problem, lack of motivation or self-esteem, lack the knowledge for setting up a new corporation in the least costly way, or any myriad other possibilities, tap into your market and think of ways you can deliver it.

Get yourself a decent PC (for a $1,000 or so), set up a corporation (anywhere from $50 to $5,000, depending on where and how), and a reliable Internet connection. Also, make sure you’re armed with the right marketing knowledge. There are plenty of good marketing guides out there. The trick is to view all the knowledge given in them as ideas and not as the one-and-only way to success.

Use your remaining balance to create the solution. One thing I’m doing right now is establishing a deal with a professional in a field that interests me. This person has an awesome product but doesn't know how to sell it. As a consumer, I know how much of a benefit it could be. So, I simply wrote a sales letter for it, created a simple Web design (my designer contact will do it for less than $200), and set up a domain ($10) and Web hosting space ($30 monthly). Then I added an affiliate program to the whole deal along with credit card processing. For less than $500, I’ve got myself a brand new sales vehicle. I’d then shift my remaining balance into advertising effectively, building up a contact base, recruiting affiliates, and motivating them to sell like crazy.

You can apply this principle to almost any business model online. Sure, you may need a programmer for such things as automation or to create the digital delivery process or whatever. You can get a decent one for $20 an hour from http://www.Elance.com. That’s only $200 for 10 hours of programming. Add Web design, script implementation, the sales letter, and real-time processing and sprinkle liberally with the marketing tactics you’ve learned, and you’re onto a winner. I’ve done this over and over again. I can cut a deal with the author/writer/creator of a great product, invest $1,000 into setting up a decent site, promote it, earn triple my money back in less than a week, then cut the product owner a percentage. I walk away with the rest. This is what makes the Internet so powerful. It’s so simple.

I've just started a home business. My spouse has given me six months to make it work. Any advice?
Lee: Using my business model, you could literally start earning money within a month or two. It all depends on the particular business model you’re using. As an affiliate to a company, it could take longer to build the reputation and opt-in list needed to promote the program around your own brand name. If you’re the business owner and you own the sales system, work on recruiting affiliates who are already seasoned marketers. Give them the system, and they will do the selling.

However, when it's all said and done, as much as you love your spouse, why let your ambitions and dreams cower to an unjustified time limit? Remember whose idea it is and remember who’s the expert. Chances are your spouse (or any family member or friend) will be skeptical to your claims of riches. Turn their pessimism into motivation to prove them wrong. Your time on this planet is your own, and the people you love and who love you in return should support you all the way. If they don’t, well, don’t feel disheartened. Remember–it’s you who has the competitive knowledge, and they’ll soon change their tune when time and financial freedom follow as a result of your efforts.

They say it takes money to make money. Should I try to get a small business loan for my start-up capital or just try to get by with my own limited finances?
Lee: Generally, I wouldn’t promote this action. The Internet is a model that doesn’t require major investments. I started my business with less than $500 that I’d saved up from allowance money and birthdays. If you have an idea that’s going to cost you more than you’ve got, why not start up a smaller business in, say, two to three weeks, profit from it within 30 days, and use the returned investment to fund new projects? This is a principle I call "step stone marketing," and it builds on your success journey one step at a time.

However, if you really need the capital now (for a business model that simply can’t wait), then by all means, go for it. Just don’t secure your home or any personal obligations on it. Being in debt before you begin is not a great idea. Try and keep the slate clean, and you’ll have a great foundation that doesn’t urge you to feel "rushed" into making money. Have fun and be happy.

TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS:

How quickly do you adopt new technology for your business?
Lee: I’m always receptive to new technological ideas, but I try and keep the business as simple as possible. As long as I have a fast PC in the office, a fast Web server, and a fair understanding of how it works, then it’s all good. However, I do keep up to date with software solutions. If I find an easier way to do something, I’ll be sure to thoroughly look into implementing it.

Do you use a fax machine with a dedicated line?
Lee: Yes. I find that having a dedicated line allows me to keep the Internet connection and phone line open, which means I can quickly and easily use a fax. I use one of those HP all-in-one fax machines that combines a printer, scanner, photocopier, and fax machine all in one. It’s a great machine and comes in very handy.

How do you use e-mail in your business?
Lee: My customer service department handles 95% of support queries via e-mail. In addition, as a marketer, I use it as apowerful tool to contact previous customers with new offers, keep in touch with my prospect list, and quickly and easily send updates and new ideas to my fellow colleagues.

How do you utilize the Internet?
Lee: My business is 100% Internet-based, so I utilize it in many ways. Primarily, it’s the store front for my entire corporate model. I use it as a direct-marketing tool by creating simple sites with the sole purpose of selling products "there and then." All it takes is an attractive site, a kick-butt sales letter, a real-time ordering system, and the right marketing strategies to get (and keep) the visitors on your site.

How many of your own Website(s) do you have?
Lee: I have a handful of different sites all selling different products. I’m also currently developing my corporate "home front," Plexec.com, as a site that solely offers customer support and frequently asked questions sections for my entire range of products. This way, I can keep all support questions under one roof and maintain a more efficient way of dealing with customers.

Do you use autoresponders?
Lee: Yes, I use them as both a marketing strategy (through the use of follow-up autoresponders) to send an automated responses to customers thanking them for their order and as a tool to handle customer service more efficiently. I embed them into the structure and code of all of my Internet ventures so they’re very much an integral part of every one of my sites.

Describe your computer system.
Lee: In my home office, I use three PCs. One acts as the main network server and Internet connection. It has a 2.1GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 120GB HD, a powerful graphics card, and Windows XP. My second desktop computer is used solely for customer support and uses a 1GHz CPU, 256MB of RAM, a 20GB HD, and a pretty mediocre graphics card setup. That too uses Windows XP. My main PC uses a 19-inch monitor for graphics and development work, whilst the second PC uses a flat-screen monitor, as it’s easier on the eyes for text-based work.

My third computer is a laptop, which is usually based downstairs in my house, but I carry it around with me on most occasions. To connect to the main network upstairs, it uses a wireless network adapter. This allows all three PCs to be connected to the Internet and share files together with just one Internet connection. I can even surf the Net in my garden because of this technology. And it makes file sharing and centralization a cinch. I only use an ISDN Internet connection though, since broadband still isn’t available in this area of the country yet.

What software do you consider in the "must-have" category?
Lee: First and foremost, you need a decent operating system. I like Windows XP, though I didn't really get along with some of the previous versions of Windows. If you’re a Mac lover or prefer the Unix-based range of operating systems, then that’s fine too. The only problem is that you have to be prepared to use alternative software packages for more of the common applications, such as Microsoft Word and Outlook.

You also need a decent suite of Office-like applications, such as MS Word, MS Excel, and such. Also, pick up a powerful but cheap graphics manipulation tool like Paint Shop Pro to do basic (or even advanced) editing and optimization of any image files. You’ll also need a range of Internet connectivity tools, like an FTP client (such as WS_FTP) to connect to your Web server, and a decent e-mail client (like Outlook or Eudora). Personally, I use a program called "The Bat."

You'll also need any other connectivity tool that’s applicable to your business. Instant Messaging is a must if you want to keep in regular contact with your online friends. I use ICQ and MSN Messenger, both of which are free. In the latest versions of both, your contact list is stored online so you can connect to the services from any PC with Internet connectivity and talk to your people wherever you are. That comes in very handy indeed.

What other technology do you use in your business?
Lee: All I need is a cellular phone and a laptop. The only other technology I use aside from this is a dedicated Web server to store my Web files and give me complete control over the operation. That’s all I really need.

Name up to five personal favorite business URL's our readers can benefit from:
Lee: Without meaning to give a shameless plug, www.TheInternetSecret.com would be beneficial to all of your readers. Why? Because it’s basically an outlet for my Internet marketing knowledge and experience. Members get instant access to learn everything I know about it for less than the price of a cup of coffee (literally). Plus they can contact me whenever they wish.

In addition, there are myriad business URLs that your readers might find useful, but not in a generic sense. Contact me at lee@plexec.com with your specific requirements, and I will aim to find you a solution.

Of all the technology you use, rank the top three.
Lee: At No. 1, there’s my Web server. Not only is it online 24/7 and ready to service my customers, but the free technologies I can use on it, such as creating dynamic Web sites and online databases, make it a central point from where I run my business. No matter where I am in the world, I can connect to the site and run my whole business, and all I pay is one small monthly fee for it.

Secondly, my home PC network. If I get bored working upstairs, I can simply logon to my laptop outside in the garden, listen to some music, grab a bite to eat, and work without pressure. Wireless connectivity is an exciting concept, and I believe in the future flat-rate global wireless Internet devices will rank supreme.

Thirdly, my cell phone allows me to keep track of online orders and such. I have designed a WML page on my Web server that gives me a general overview of order activity. So wherever I am in the world, I can connect via the WAP protocol on my phone to check the statistics without needing a computer.

MARKETING/ADVERTISING:

How do you market on the Internet?
Lee: There are a whole bunch of different ways, used in conjunction with each other, to produce the result. My main area of focus is e-mail and building a worthwhile opt-in list of prospects. I do this by integrating a follow-up system within the core of my sites (such as including the ability to join my mailing list as an integral part of my sales letter) and by building a powerful force of affiliates who will do the advertising for me.

I will also arrange specific joint ventures with other industry colleagues and cross-promote their products with mine to co-introduce ourselves to each other’s base of prospects. With this strategy, my advertising costs are virtually zero. That’s why I’d always recommend starting your own business versus remaining simply an affiliate.

Approximately what percent of your sales originate from Internet marketing?
Lee: 100%.

What other kinds of marketing do you utilize?
Lee: All of my marketing is done on the Internet, but there are many different tactics I employ within that communication medium. These include opt-in e-mail advertising, "direct marketing style" Websites, follow-up marketing, viral marketing, cross-promotion, joint ventures, co-operative announcements, endorsement marketing, affiliate recruitment strategies, partnerships, personalization marketing, and many other concepts. I explain my entire strategy within the www.TheInternetSecret.com Website.

Do you recommend using a toll-free number in advertising?
Lee: Having not had the need for a toll-free number, I can’t comment from a business perspective. But as a consumer, I would most certainly be more inclined to call a toll-free number to request information. It fills me with a sense of security and portrays the company I’m dealing with in a professional light.

Where do you market?
Lee: The Internet is a global market place, and 90% of my customers are from the USA. The remaining 10% are usually from the UK (my home country), and the rest of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and many more places. None of my advertising is geographically targeted. I use strategies that pull them from every part of the world.

THE HOME OFFICE:

How should someone set up his/her home office to maximize its effectiveness?
Lee: I would recommend trying to reserve one room that you would label as "the office." When I was living with my mother, I only had one bedroom from which to work that served as an office and domicile in one. Considering it was only 10 feet x 10 feet in size and it needed to cater for a bed, a wardrobe, a PC, and a filing cabinet (not to mention my TV, DVD player, and stereo!), it put an unnecessary strain on my environment. I felt too "enclosed," not just claustrophobically but in a business sense as well. I couldn’t work efficiently because I could almost feel the clutter around me. It was a strange sensation.

Since I’ve moved, however, I now have four bedrooms and the rest of the living space for myself and my girlfriend. This allowed me to convert one bedroom into an office and give it a new identity within the household. I can now make a distinction between a work and living environment.

When you first enter business from home, the notion of a collaborative environment and the freedom of working from home only shines benefits. However, your perspective will soon change if you’re running your business from your kitchen table and you’re in the way of your wife cooking dinner.

What, if any, ground rules have you established for yourself and family in order to operate a successful home business?
Lee: Firstly, I had to make a distinction between work time and leisure time. This is another trap many new home workers fall into: a false sense of belief that working from home means more leisure time with your family. Oftentimes, the reverse is opposite. If you’re working long hours tucked away in a corner of your home, then your family could very well feel abandoned. At least when you were working for someone else, you had a viable excuse not to be there!

Instead, you must apply certain principles and set specific hours of operation. Work only within that time as much as possible, and reserve time away from it all and fun activities for your family. For instance, I will suggest days out, vacation periods, or even little things like dinner in a restaurant or catching a movie at the cinema. This gives you a break away from your home environment, and allows you to distinguish between work and play.

The problem with working from home is that work follows you around. If you feel pressure in your working life, then you can’t "escape" back home like you would do if you were working externally. The problem lies within the house. So you have to be more dynamic in your approach, and realize that your office and the computers within it serve only as a tool to achieving your goals. They shouldn’t taken over your life.

Also, the understanding of your family is paramount. I’m lucky to have started a business when I was "free and single," so my girlfriend was introduced to this environment at an early stage. She’s adapted around that, and now we’re planning to work together on a business venture in which we can mutually be involved for the near future. If you’re only just starting out and you’ve been married for several years with children, then you need to express your excitement in your business ideas and ask for their support. Involve them as much as you can. Even if it means letting your 10-year-old daughter lick stamps or your 15-year-old son issue invoices for orders. If you do it right, you can create a synergistic environment of freedom, and people will love for you it.

What are some of the advantages to working at home? What are some of the disadvantages?
Lee: The most obvious advantage is freedom. You’ll have no bosses hanging over your shoulder, you’ll have constant access to the fridge and every one of your own personal amenities. You can make it as leisurely or as business-like as you wish, and the environment is entirely yours. You can arrange your surroundings in whatever way most appeals to you, and ultimately, you’re in total control of your affairs.

However, the disadvantage derives from that very same fact. Bosses, although annoying when giving unrealistic deadlines, pressure you and often serve as motivation. Colleagues around you attribute to a working environment, which you may lack if you’re "going it alone." You can often feel lonely and almost imprisoned if your milieu is dull and unproductive. With this level of control comes the responsibility for every minute of your day–-whether working or not. For some people it takes some getting used to. For others, they love it right away. I’m somewhere in the middle. The rewards make it all worthwhile, though.

MANAGEMENT STYLE:

What part(s) of your work do you farm out?
Lee: Customer support is delegated to my employee, Web design is handled by a fully qualified designer, and programming–although something I used to do–is now given to an expert to handle. This leaves me to concentrate on the things I enjoy and those more important to my business, such as marketing, writing, and general management.

What part(s) do you feel should never be farmed out?
Lee: Well, that’s something that differs from business to business. Not everyone’s aims are the same, and every company, whether home-based or not, has a different method or style of being run. For me personally, I would never farm out budgets for advertising nor would I delegate any form of promotional writing. That’s because I like to be in charge of the financial aspects of my company, and I consider myself a good writer and the most qualified person to successfully promote my ventures in the right way.

Some people may be in a position, though, to reduce their own time commitments to zero. Starting a business then passing on the responsibility of its operation whilst remaining a sedentary partner could be great if you leave it within the capable hands of experts. Say hello to time freedom!

Do you encourage or discourage partnerships?
Lee: Again, this is something that differs based on the situation and circumstances. If someone is willing to invest thousands of dollars into a venture or they have the necessary expertise in one particular area in which your venture or idea would require, then partnerships could be good. Likewise, if someone approached you with the idea of a partnership, it may be equally encouraging for you to receive the offer from the other side of the fence.

However, that’s not always the case. Lots of people go into partnerships for confidence and stability. They see having other people there as a shield when it comes to having to tackle business-related problems. Actually, a lot of times, a partnership simply isn’t necessary. I’ve entered into several partnerships and in retrospect, sometimes I wish I hadn’t. It means I’m giving a large percentage of my profits away each month, and it also means I don’t retain complete control. Sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes it isn’t. It’s okay partnering with a programmer to create, say, a software solution that you’ll later go on to sell, but imagine a 50/50 partnership agreement on a product that later earned you $50,000 a month. If you’re giving away $25,000 every single month for some work a programmer did over a year ago that you could have designed yourself and had implemented by a freelance worker for a one-time fee of $2,000, then you'll end up kicking yourself.

The golden rule here is to look several months or years into the future and come up with a batch of case scenarios to see the probable outcomes of the decisions you make today. It can be great if it works out good, but if the other person slacks or generally gets in your way, then you need to consider your motives and the reason you’re in business.

Do you encourage or discourage hiring family members?
Lee: Family members can be a useful partnership or employee source. They’ll usually work hard, inspire trust, and will care more about your own success than any random employee ever could.

The problems arise when business issues crop into play, which can jeopardize family relationships. For instance, if an employee wasn’t doing his job correctly, it may be a lot easier to fire him and find someone else. With a family member or a spouse, they would take their professional incompetence in the company to heart. What’s more, this will often spill over into your private life because whatever feelings you or they carry with them from the business could affect your personal interaction. People can’t just switch off–not without understanding the situation, making a personal commitment, and knowing that personal and business affairs need to be treated differently. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to people about problems if they’re from your own family. Sometimes it’s harder, because you genuinely care about their reaction.

I once hired a good friend of mine who I thought would make an ample business man and company partner. We were great friends, and he showed a lot of enthusiasm at the time, but when we later realized he lacked the interest to continue, our business relationship fell apart with the friendship. He ended up taking his old job back, and in all honesty, we haven’t really seen each other since. We learned a lot about our friendship during that time, and I had a lesson that proved working with people who are close to you isn’t always the best decision. However, if it works, it usually works great.

When legal issues arise, what’s your usual response?
Lee: If a legal issue arose, my reaction would be to confront the matter and deal with it amicably with the parties involved. With the number of lawsuits filed daily in the United States reaching astronomical numbers, it saddens me to think that people out there are often shooting for the fast buck. Anyone with half a brain would appropriately sort out legal issues quietly without unnecessary force.

For instance, if someone faced a copyright issue, it’s in their best interest to abide by the law. If a new law is introduced, it’s in the company’s best interest to implement the correct procedures to align themselves with its new guidelines. I’d like to think that my company is flexible enough to deal with any legal complaints without going immediately to pointless court cases and wasting time, effort, and money on legal expense. I run a professional business, not a playground for school children. I’m sure other business owners would say the same.

MONEY:

What are the advantages of earning a lot of money. What are some disadvantages?
Lee: As a business, the advantage to earning more is one of investment. You have the funds at your disposal to create new businesses, fund new ventures and endow any further ideas with the necessary resources. This, in turn, supplies your original personal goal of happiness and freedom with the means to flourish. Remember, money is nothing more than a tool. It’s sickening to see how it’s overvalued by many people, and it’s even more distressing to see people become slaves to it for the rest of their lives. Money is nothing but energy. It doesn’t even physically exist. The notes you hold in your hand and the numbers in your bank account are merely socially perceived symbols. It holds no real value other than how you judge it.

For me, a rich, fulfilled life is one in which I can feel healthy, happy, secure, and nourished in the emotions life can bring me. I enjoy deep friendships, loving relationships, and the excitement of experience. If money can help me towards those things, then great. But it’s only a tool for extended survival.

The disadvantages arise when people view money as anything but a tool, when they live their lives as slaves to it, rather than focusing on the freedom with which money is supposed to empower you. My advice is not to take money (or anything else in life, for that matter) for granted. Enjoy it while it lasts, keep sensible in your fiscal affairs, and live your life to the max.

Best general tax advice?
Lee: There’s so much hoopla when it comes to taxation, it can boggle the minds of even the most sophisticated business owner. My general tax advice is not to let it get on top of you. At the end of the day, whilst many tax laws may seem restrictive or destructive to your business and personal life, what’s the real worth of money?

People complain about money so much. "I’m paying more and more taxes. Things are too expensive these days. I’m working so hard for too little in return." They spend their lives so engrossed in fiscal affairs, that they’re blind to what really counts. Sure, the government may take 40% of your money, but that’s not necessarily restrictive as a business. Any expenses your company incurs are paid for before taxation. You’re free to spend your money as you wish on your company. It’s only your profits that are taxed. Just try and keep your affairs in order, hire a good accountant and try to loosen up your attitude toward why it really counts. Remember, business and money are just tools for betterment.

Best general investment advice?
Lee: The beauty of the Internet is that you can turn a simple idea and a $1,000 investment into a $10,000-or-more monthly income stream. Being able to generate an ROI (Return On Investment) of 12,000% is an incredible–and completely realistic–notion. When you put it in that perspective, putting a few thousand dollars away in a savings account that generates a 4% return seems paltry in comparison.

My advice is to mix and match your investments. There are thousands of opportunities in the world–everything from Internet marketing strategies and ideas to more traditional establishments, such as Real Estate and stock trading. If you’re new to any investment arena, start small and get a feel for the game you’re playing. Never invest money you can’t afford to lose. There’s a difference between calculated risks and careless ones. A calculated risk is trying your hand at something new and being that little bit wiser whatever the result. A careless risk is throwing your $100,000 life savings away on a trade that may or may not perform well.

You're in business already, and you've just received a windfall of $20,000. What would you do with it?
Lee: Personally, I’d invest back in the Internet. I have a few ideas that I’m juggling at the moment that I could set up very professionally for $5,000 each, including all advertising costs. I’m almost guaranteed to get my initial $20K back within a few months, and if one venture didn’t work, I’d be left with another three to tend to. I’d probably diversify in a range of different industries, going after different markets to test the response. $20,000 would provide a nice chunk of change to invest in new ideas.

NETWORK MARKETING SPECIFICS:

What do you lead with, your company's products or the business opportunity?
Lee: I run a product-driven company because I believe that, ultimately, it's the goods you deliver that fund your reputation in the world. If you concentrate solely on your business opportunity, sure, you may make some people a very nice sum of cash, yourself included. But at the end of the day, how many business opportunities have gone under due to poor product quality? You are what you sell.

Rank the following traits in order of their importance in building a successful network marketing business: enthusiasm, persistence, knowledge, and communication skills.
Lee: I believe communication skills are most important. Time and time again, whether personal or business affairs, it’s your communicative ability that ultimately makes the sale, fuels your personality, determines whether people become allies or foes, and generally ranks you high or low on the proverbial ladder in the mindset of your listener or reader.

When people have asked me why my Websites have been successful in selling, I tell them it’s in the marketing. What this really means is that my sales letters (and the words contained within) do the selling, not the actual product itself. You could hold rights to the world’s greatest solution, but without a delivery vehicle for embedding its benefits into the minds of your prospects, it’s worthless. The same is true throughout your entire life. Whether you’re convincing someone you’re good for the job or whether you’re convincing them to try product X, it’s how you sell yourself/your product that makes the difference.

Enthusiasm ranks as high as communication, though. Without it, you cannot build a successful foundation. You may still make money. You make still make the sale. You may still win people over. But without any real desire to do so, all of your efforts will be in vain. Enthusiasm is the glue that binds each of the qualities mentioned in your question.

Persistence is very important. It gets you through each day, and it keeps your enthusiasm at an all-time high. Without it, you may start the ball rolling, but keeping the ball rolling will be another matter entirely.

Lastly, there's knowledge. I rank this as the final most important quality for your business because it’s often the easiest to attain. Knowledge doesn’t create success without the fuel needed to skyrocket its potential.

That said, with all the qualities mentioned, none are mutually exclusive. They all equally paint the picture of success and are all invaluable in your efforts.

How long were you in business for yourself before you saw your first four-figure commission check? Your first five-figure check?
Lee: It took me over two years to really understand what produces the most income online, and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m still learning. There are so many different income models and different ways you can piece the puzzle of the Net together to create your own perspective that you could spend a whole lifetime discovering ways to make money. There are your own business models, affiliate opportunities, network marketing companies, portal sites, reputation-based opt-in lists, and so much more. Each of them contain many hundreds of different principles and theories of marketing. What I found is just what has worked for me–and something I like because of how it works and what it produces as a result.

When I finally "cracked it," I discovered how to earn those four- or five-figure income checks within the first month of launching any new venture. It often doesn’t take very long at all. But on the same note, I often work within my own niche, so it really is as simple as creating a new product for the same target market and then announcing it to my existing contacts.

To squeeze into a new industry, it would take more time to establish my name and the products I offer. It’s an avalanche effect. Without the reputation and the name branding, you’ll still get sales if your marketing system is good. But the real "downpour" comes when people start promoting you through word of mouth and using more positive, unbiased marketing principles. You can multiply your sales dramatically through this, which is just one of the reasons I would never promote a product I consider inferior. I’ll only create and sell the best, so as a result, people will perceive me as the best.

What's more important–the initial contact with a prospect or the follow-up?
Lee: It’s all important. Scientifically and psychologically, following up with prospects is the greatest way to imbed recognizable name branding into the mind of your prospect. Like we’ve heard time and time againm, it can often take seven follow-ups or more before the prospect even considers buying from you. But on that same note, how can you have a follow-up strategy without invoking an initial contact? The two concepts go hand in hand. In all honesty, it’s all follow-up marketing to some extent.

You've just recruited a promising new distributor–how do you help him/her get off to a good start, or do you consider that the new distributor's responsibility?
Lee: I’ve designed my own distribution channels as a means of more experienced affiliate recruitment. I look for peoplewho already understand the concepts of selling. That way, I can concentrate on supplying the right tools and information that’s specific to my venture without bombarding them with rehashed training information that is usually of so little worth to people. In addition, if they want custom help, I will help them as far as I can. But any distribution channels I create aren’t useful for the people who e-mail me and say "how do I make a sale?" Anyone with at least a notion of how selling works online would make a good candidate for my affiliate/business opportunities.

How do you get your best leads?
Lee: The best leads are the ones who personally request to be deemed as so. That means that they come to me with their information and interest, so no cold calling and no untargeted, unsolicited selling. It just doesn’t cut it.

The best leads are the people who subscribe to any of my low-cost trial offers. For instance, at www.TheInternetSecret.com, I allow people to join for $1.95 for three days access. If people aren’t willing to invest the cost of a breakfast cereal to access material that took me months to compile and years of tried-and-tested experience to uncover, then they’re not a valuable lead. By utilizing this strategy, I’m separating the freeloaders from the people with a serious intent to make a difference in their lives.

The second most valuable lead is someone who has supplied me with their e-mail address as a means for me to follow up with them. If they can go through a sequential autoresponder after two to three weeks and either not ask any questions about my product or not purchase the cheap trial, then they don’t cut it. Likewise, if they "lurch" on my list and try to skim every piece of information they can from my follow-up contacts (such as pieces of marketing advice, etc) but don’t act on my sales message, then they too don’t cut it.

With this method of "mining" worthwhile lists, I managed to build an opt-in database of around 20,000 names that generated over 300 orders in 24 hours from just a single opt-in e-mail announcement. From around 5,000 site visitors and a click-through rate of about 25%, 6% purchased. That’s unheard of in opt-in e-mail marketing. And how did I do it? I take care in finding the right prospects.

I'm planning a big local meeting; what's the best way to fill the room?
Lee: Depends on your intention. If your aim is to sell the seats and you’re pushing for a local market to attend, then you'll find the necessary channels and your target market through local newspapers and local press coverage. If it’s a local meeting with a global audience, you could set up a Web page promoting the event and allow people to "pre-book" a space at a reduced price with their credit card online. It's also a good idea to contact any of the speakers at the meeting and offer the same terms to their list in exchange for giving the speaker a percentage of the profits his list generates.

I need to generate a 100 leads within 60 days; what's my best strategy to achieve this?
Lee: Forget 60 days, you could do it in six. All you really need is a vehicle for those leads. Firstly, consider your aim. What are these leads for? A business opportunity? An event? A sale? From your answers, construct a marketing plan that allows you to snag the personal demographics of each lead.

On www.TheInternetSecret.com, I do this by interweaving lead-generation tactics into the main sales letter. I give away teaser information and then follow up with the full info if they provide me with their name and e-mail address. From this strategy alone, I convert around 5% of my Website visitors into leads. At peak times of advertising, when 10,000 to 15,000 people are hitting on my site, I can get as many as 750 new leads daily without any further effort. These are pre-targeted and qualified people who have shown an interest in my product by going to my Website and voluntarily filling out their contact information.

Another good strategy, and one that my friend uses, is to set up teaser pages and advertise through pay-per-click search engines. He gives away a free ebook and says "for the free book and complete info on how to do such and such, enter your name and e-mail below." He’s currently pulling in over 100 leads a day from one Website for a total cost of about $10–and these are his for the life of the subscriber, targeted and pre-qualified.

How many distributors must a person recruit each month to succeed in network marketing?
Lee: It generally depends on the compensation plan and the network marketing opportunity. Some are geared towards generating a profit on the first level or two, whilst others don’t generate any real profit without 1,000 or more people in your team and many levels deep. The general rule is that you must recruit enough people who will be valuable to your team. Getting three heavy hitters could be much more worthwhile than 50 or even 100 newbies.

Best tips for surviving rejection?
Lee: Yes, just don’t sweat it. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. If we cowered to every rejection, we’d never get anywhere. Remember, only a small percentage of people would ever buy even the most perfect of products. If you generated a response rate of 5% (which would often be considered very good), that’s still 95% of people who aren’t buying. But it only takes that 5% to make you rich. Rejection is inevitable, but with persistence, so is success.

Do you recommend that new distributors prospect close friends and family?
Lee: I wouldn’t recommend it unless they specifically want to be involved. If things don’t work out, they could see it as a personal defeat, and that could reflect on you. Keep your business affairs separate, and when they see the results of your efforts, it’ll be they who approach you.

FILL IN THE BLANKS:

In five years I'll be...
Lee: A millionaire and involved in some exciting Internet projects. Perhaps by that time I will have expanded out of myhome office, employing many people from many different areas of the world to work collaboratively on developing a life-changing and very rewarding product range. I’d like to expand outside the area of business marketing and follow some of my personal interests–such as living a healthy lifestyle–and turn them into potential product ideas. I’d also like to travel all around the world, meeting new people and consulting with them to share my knowledge on a one-to-one and one-to-many global scale. I’d like to achieve international recognition both offline and on and write a book on the "principles of success," which relates to peak performance psychology that I’ve discovered.

In ten years I'll be...
Lee: That’s a difficult one because I really can’t predict the state of certain economies and such. I’m pretty sure I’ll still be involved with some kind of "coaching" and will continue my keen interest in health, nutrition, and business in general. I’d like to start up an offline business of some kind, too, and pioneer the industry. I have big goals, but looking 10 years into the future at a time of unlimited change would take a psychic. In short, I’d like to be entirely financially free, living in the home of my dreams in whatever location that may be and with a great base of friends. But then again, isn’t that everyone’s dream? All I know is that I want to really contribute to the world and do amazing things, whatever shape or form they may take.

MISCELLANEOUS:

What was the motivating factor that drove you to start your own business?
Lee: At an early age (probably 13 or 14), I grew deeply concerned about the world I was seeing around me. Having grown up in a single-parent environment and seeing the pressures and struggles around me from all walks of life, I knew that I wanted to do something different–live for the purpose of happiness and not buy into the struggles by which most people rule their lives. I started juggling with many ideas and ways I could make money. But obviously at the age of 13, that was a difficult task to accomplish. Even with viable business ideas, who would take a young kid seriously? However, I was determined.

At the age of 14, I discovered the Internet. From the moment I went online, I could see the potential. Computers had always fascinated me, and it seemed the perfect marriage of my interests: computing with business. At 15 I learned enough of a programming language to get by, and with the money I saved from birthdays and other festivities, I bought my own Website and created a search engine submission tool. Back in 1998, the tactics for search engine placement were still pretty simple, and within a few weeks, I found myself generating $1,000 per month in Internet orders. My motivation continued to grow from there. I met with business experts and presented my ideas–none of whom could help because they didn’t know anything about the Internet. I realized that this "entrepreneurial playground" was still very much untapped, and I immediately knew it was the place for me.

Since then, I’ve tried many different techniques and tried just about every method of online advertising I can think of. It motivates me to continue because each month I’m working toward something new and I’m getting many more ideas. The whole idea of network marketing is something I find totally enthralling, and it’s the perfect industry for me to work in. Motivation comes from within when externally, you do things you love.

How role, if any, did your family play when you were getting your business off the ground?
Lee: Even though I didn’t get any financial or academic support from my family directly, I have to be thankful to my mother for two things. Firstly, we made the commitment to save up for a computer. It took over a year of hard saving before I got my first 486 PC at Christmas. Secondly, I thank her for the faith she put in me from the start. Even whilst skeptical of my claims (who wasn’t?!), she left me free to explore my dreams. She never said "no." That was a big help because I’m a very independent, free-thinking person.

Many people around me shrouded my ideas with skepticism, whilst others just plain laughed at me. And my friends, who at the time I considered possible business partners, didn’t gain the acceptance of their family. Instead, I was constantly perceived as someone who had his "head in the clouds," a dreamer. But it was the freedom that my mother gave me that led to great things, and meant that even at the age of 15 and 16, I could run a successful operation and build on my skill. I was never pushed into institutionalized education like my friends, and as a result, that freedom has revolutionized my life.

What motivates you now to continue building your business?
Lee: My dreams and ambitions constantly push me ahead because I always have ideas for success. I’m the kind of person who’s never content with the norm and always wants to go that little extra step. I see myself being "out there" amongst friends whom I love and trust, experiencing new cultures and lifestyles, and deepening my understanding of the reason we’re on this planet. My girlfriend is also a great inspiration, but I like to think we’re building a life together for the both of us. This takes my dreams out of a selfish shell and gives them purpose and reasoning. And to know that my products and services could change the lives of people for the better is a constant thrill.

What’s the best thing about being self-employed?
Lee: The word I’d use to sum it up is "freedom"–freedom from external pressure (to a large extent), freedom from institutionalization and a force-fed life, freedom to create your own life as you deem fit and shape your own destiny from your own ethics, understanding, and ambitions.

On a financial note, being self-employed allows you to master your own income and avoid the "paycheck-to-paycheck" lifestyle. There’s no climbing of the corporate ladder because you’re already at the top, and going further just means coming up with new ideas and using your own skills to put them into practice.

How often do you read books and/or listen to or watch tapes for improving your business skills or knowledge?
Lee: Daily. However, education comes in many different forms. I find that gaining an understanding of life itself grounds you in the principles needed for further business expansion. Just looking around you and getting a "feel" for how the world acts, thinks, and lives enables you to understand the system itself. In addition, I aim to read at least two to three books a month on related subjects, and I’m an avid self-hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner, and psychology student. It’s all fascinating to me.

The most underrated activity in business is...
Lee: Reflective self-improvement–people are in such a big hurry to do things that they often make no distinction between their business and personal life. They start their own business with the right mindset, but as they "progress," they’re pushed further and further away from the benefits that attracted them to self-employment in the first place. Time freedom gets replaced with time commitments. Relaxation gets replaced with job stress. Goals for happiness turn into fiscal ambitions. Sometimes this is a great thing (especially for the business), but before you know it, you can easily get sucked into a downward spiral.

The one subject no one ever talks about in the "home biz" industry is how many commitments you’ve really taken on board. At the start, you’re under so much more pressure. There are no bosses telling you what to do. There’s no motivating teamwork or ambitious colleagues to propel you forward. There’s no personal coach who monitors your performance or councils your personal concerns. Instead, you’re left with the added pressure of having to make money to pay your current bills. You have to fend against family members who don’t and won’t always show you support. You have to create your own plan of action without the security of a guaranteed outcome.

Moreover, you have to deal with the voice in your head that says "you’re on your own now, partner." I talk about making a distinction between business and personal life, but what I actually mean is making peace between the two. When you’re on your own, that is your life. There is no nine-to-five workday. There is no structured living environment. Every minute is your own, and as a result, you need to deal with that. You need to be a self-confident, self-ambitious, and determined individual. Working for yourself might seem like a pipe dream at first, but when you live the reality, you find it’s not always as glorious as it seems. There will be times when you really need to reach for that little bit of extra energy inside you and give it 110% to make your dreams come true. The most satisfying thing, however, is when they do. There’s nothing like it.

The most overrated activity in business is...
Lee: Business formality–a large part of the world seems to be so "hung up" on fundamental, traditional principles of business that they’re too rigid to accept any new ideas. They’ll read guides, business plans, or blueprints to previous success and believe there’s one set way to doing everything. Not so.

I attribute a large part of my success to the fact that my ideas are dynamic and are based on dreams. I dream first and analyze later. Some people do that in reverse and spend their lives inside a mental box, setting their goals way below par. My ideas work because I imagine a reality then find the steps to create it. "Whatever your mind can perceive and believe, it can achieve." How true.

What was the biggest obstacle you had to face when you were launching your own business? What’s your biggest obstacle now?
Lee: Being only 15 years old when I launched my first business and being only 19 now, the biggest obstacle I’ve faced is ageism. Relating to my previous point about overrated business formality, it’s generally perceived that young adults my age aren’t worthy of self-created success. I had to smash through obtrusive barriers regarding this and show the world that my ideas and concepts really do work. When I was 16, I consulted for 40-year-old men and women around the world who were eager to tell me how I helped their lives.

Today, I help million-dollar companies and "mom-and-pop" operations alike restructure their strategies to make their ambitions a reality. I pride myself on an open-minded, non-stereotyped, totally free method of business and understanding. Because of that, I attract friends, clients, and colleagues who are a break from the mental norm.

Luckily for me, the Internet provided a layer of anonymity that presented my ideas and skills–and not a physical presence–to people. There was no stereotyping because people knew me only by text. It just goes to show that if you give people a chance without judgment, anything can be achieved.

If you had to start your business all over again, what would you do differently?
Lee: I would have promoted my own personal story long ago. If the world knew a 19-year-old guy from a remote, less-than-entrepreneurial part of the world could live successfully by his own definition, I’m sure I could inspire hope for many thousands of people to do the same. Helping people is something that inspires and motivates me like nothing else, especially in a world so full of pain.

What was your worst business decision?
Lee: About two years ago, I was approached by an old friend and neighbor with the idea to start a film Website. The project was called "Lets Talk Films" and would allow people from all over the world to chat about movie-related material and cover the industry in a whole new way. I was blinded by the prospect of meeting famous movie stars and thought it would be my ticket away from the "home biz arena" and into the big wide world.

Well, needless to say, after a couple of months I quickly came to my senses. Having already spent over $1,500 on Website programming and $500 on Web design, and coming very close to signing an office contract and committing to a $25,000 loan to start up, I realized what a mistake it would be. My main source of revenue would be from Website advertising, which was a notion that didn’t pass the acid test of the many "dot-bomb" failures. I remember waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat and knowing what a mistake I’d be making if I went ahead with it. So I just put that one down to experience.

What was your best business decision?
Lee: Sticking around! It took me almost two years to discover what really worked. I started from scratch, without any technical or business comprehension, and within the time it would take to finish a normal high school course, I learned the principles for which some people have spent the majority of their offline life searching. I couldn’t let that opportunity go. So at the age of 17, I quit the college courses I enrolled in and decided to pursue the Internet fulltime. It was a totally split-second decision. I didn’t discuss it with any of my family members, any college lecturer, or any of my friends because I knew the words of discouragement I’d be faced with. Besides, with all due respect, I honestly didn’t think they–the people who were in the same position I was running away from–were qualified to tell me how to live my life. So I went home that day, told my mother what I’d done, then got straight to work. I marched upstairs, turned on my PC, and decided to quit playing around with content sites, cease trying to sell advertising space, and stop wasting my time. I spent two weeks locked away in my bedroom, developing a guide on ezine marketing that would later go on to sell well over 4,000 copies worldwide.

When I grossed over $65,000 at the age of 17 (which was over twice as much as the earnings of the same people who would have advised me against my decision), I knew I was onto something. Since then I’ve listened only to my heart and taken the advise I hear as a perspective rather than immediate truth. After all, in what way are people qualified to judge your own ambition?

What do you consider to be the main keys of your success?
Lee: Every action and resulting consequence in life is a reflection of your own thoughts. I don’t believe anyone can get anywhere (with the exception of luck playing a large part) without the right mental focus. Most of the time, the obstacle that stands in the way of success for the majority of people is really a "glitch" in their own mind. Perhaps they’re stuck in socially perceived reality. Perhaps they’re scared to take the chance. Perhaps they’re held back by subconscious material that’s restricting them from betterment. But most of the time, people just don’t have faith in life. "I always get bad luck," or "Why can I never achieve success?" are credos of blinded people. And the genuinely sad part is that the vast majority of people are like this!

The main keys of success lay entirely with your own state–your mind, your accompanying emotions, your self-perceived map of the world. It’s all either your greatest asset or your biggest enemy. Most people are restricted not because of their lack of brain power nor because of their intelligence but simply because they’re so grounded in a false belief that what they see is what they get, that everything in life is standing right before them, and that those who are "successful" have been so because of "luck."

There’s no other explanation for why many intelligent people work for pennies. Many blame politics and their environment for their resulting state, and many are quick to pass the blame onto others. They don’t have the right mental grounding to establish themselves as dynamic, approachable, open-minded, non-stereotypical, ethical, intelligent, free-thinking, modern, and free-spirited individuals. The irony is, they would consider that same explanation as tripe! It often feels like you’re trying to open locked doors.

I’ll be totally up front about my life. It hasn’t always been easy. I’ve been through a fair share of troubles. I’ve encountered financial instability, a "broken family" by definition (even though I’ve never viewed it as such and will always love them), and negativity and pessimism all around me. I’ve been brought up in a place that I consider to be conformist and closed minded. Yet I’ve always seen these things as proof of the life I don’t want to lead, and they’ve fueled my desire to continue on the path that I want to walk.

My advice, as mediocre as it sounds, is simply to realize that anything is possible and that you can achieve your dreams and overcome the negativity of others with ease. Realize that not only is it possible to achieve success but that others have done it and are doing it each and every day of their lives. Any person or belief that condemns you to think you’re not capable or worthy of that level of success doesn’t even deserve your attention. You are your whole universe, and it’s that belief, coupled with the perfect technological and communication medium (the Internet), that I attribute to my current success.

What's your success philosophy?
Lee: My success philosophy revolves around establishing a deep understanding of yourself and your goals and empowering your life to achieve them. It’s the belief that you only get a few short years on this planet and that making the most of every second is the only way to feel truly empowered.

People can get stuck in an emotional, humdrum rut, and no one is immune to it. Basing success on your own inner ethics is the only way to achieve success. For me, that means helping people. It means being around people I love and care about. It means surrounding myself in my own self-created environment and working the times I want to work and engaging in business ventures that excite me. It means being a decent, honest, law-abiding citizen whose integrity inspires trust for the people around him. I’d never do anything to hurt anyone, nor do I surround myself in unnecessary "playground" regimes that only aim to limit success. I’m not an elitist and I’m not a selfish capitalist. I’m a decent individual who aims to cut through the crap that limits many people and to live a fulfilled and happy life. The businesses I engage in are tools to produce that. Constantly chasing the dollar without any real governing principle, to me, feels extremely hollow. Instead, I’ve created a central plan of action that allows me to lead a happy, hopefully healthy, rich, fulfilled and productive lifestyle. And helping other people take this route only clarifies what "success" really means. That’s my philosophy.

What about you has changed the most since finding success in business?
Lee: I would go so far as to say my entire outlook has changed. I act differently. I say things differently. I look at the world differently. In a lot of ways, my business has relieved the pressures of everyday life and allowed me to gain a more honest and realistic perspective of what’s really going on. I no longer feel as if I’m working towards "career perspectives" or chasing shallow, money-making ambitions. Instead, the real values that make me tick are presenting themselves. I’m discovering what truly makes me happy, and in doing so, I’m aiming to help other people do the same thing. A smile on someone’s face means more to me than a hundred dollar bill in my wallet.

I also have a more diverse array of interests. I study and read about subjects that would have previously overwhelmed me. I’m breaking down structures and barriers I used to put up for myself and sensing the real meaning behind things–or at least that’s how it feels. So as a result, I believe business has made me a whole lot happier in all areas of my life.

What is the legacy you hope to leave?
Lee: I would like to be an inspiration to the world. When I have left this planet, I’d like people to look back at me and see me for who I was and how I thought. I’d like to touch the lives of people and give them a deeper sense of ambition, meaning, and understanding.

Every person I meet or every new challenge I face is done with a dynamic and open attitude, and I believe that’s also a major attribute to my success. If I could touch the lives of people in that way and open up their mental landscape to show them the true beauty of how life could be–without unnecessary pain, anger and struggle–then, wow, what a result that would be.