Does it constantly seem as if there is a new tablet, smart watch or other technological innovation debuting every week? If 2015 was any indication, 2016 is shaping up to be an exciting year for new technology.
The rate of advancement in technology is no doubt an amazing feat, but all those new products can be put to work doing much more than tracking fitness levels or running game apps. Of course, any online venture will need to make use of the most basic technology in order to communicate with customers and sell products, but utilizing more advanced gadgets and systems to grow wealth is a strikingly attainable goal for most business owners. Here’s how:
- Get in the geek circle. Follow technology blogs, network with IT experts and subscribe to relevant magazines in order to stay abreast of the newest products on the market. Early beta testers often write reviews and articles concerning all of the advantages, downsides and uses for certain products. Have you spotted one that could help your business? Snag it early on and get a leg up on competitors.
- Use technology that saves you time and money. If technology can free up your time for your most important tasks, bring it on board and put it to use. When trivial or simply time-consuming tasks are taken over, you can put both your time and your money toward more profitable goals. Develop new products, focus on investments and use your free time to develop new sources of income.
- Create new opportunities with video chat. When video chatting first debuted on the Internet in the early 2000s it was a finicky, pixelated piece of software that was not terribly easy with which to deal. Now, most people can talk face-to-face to someone on the other side of the world with their smart phones. Forget about the days of jetting across the country for a meeting and invest in a laptop or tablet with a built-in webcam or a solidly built desktop computer and a quality webcam. Have meetings with anyone from just about anywhere and grow your client list and wealth-growing opportunities.
Playing games and updating Facebook statuses are only a tiny fraction of what smart phones and tablets are capable of doing. Are you ready to make a difference in your wealth in 2016? Stand out from the crowd and use new technology to create the wealth for which you are aiming.
Having a plan before heading into negotiations over product prices or contracts is not only advisable, it is necessary. However, that is not to say that you should not stop and listen to whatever counter options are presented. Drawing a hard line in the sand may not get you and your business anywhere. Remember, you need to be a bit flexible during negotiations, so have an idea of what you are willing to bend or concede before ever sitting down at the table.
It can be a little overwhelming or even a bit scary to ask for what you want during negotiations. Of course this is understandable, since no one really likes confrontation, but stop and ask yourself what is the very worst thing that could happen? The worst reaction is likely that the other party will say, “No,” and you will continue on with negotiations. Stand up for your business and its needs and never be afraid to put forward your requests.
Instantaneous gratification is hard to turn down, but fast agreements are hardly a hallmark of beneficial negotiations. Being in a rush makes it all too easy to agree to terms or conditions with which you might not otherwise be too happy. Slow it down, and remember that negotiations are a practice in patience. 
Ever heard your mother say, “There are some people you just can’t reason with”? Not every negotiation will produce positive or beneficial agreements, and that is just part of business. Know that you can end the process and walk away when necessary, especially if your business is at stake.
So, why should affiliate marketers be concerned with mobile websites? For those who receive a commission per purchase and not per click, the implications of a shoddy or non-existent mobile platform can be devastating for profit margins. When faced with difficult-to-navigate mobile websites, about 70 percent of customers who initiate transactions on smart phones or other mobile technology leave before ever completing the process.
Building your own business as an affiliate marketer means that you need to do more than just research the products for which you are creating content. Before committing to any affiliate program, make sure that you understand the risks and benefits associated with it.
Offering discounts or early sales to people in your family seems like an okay enough idea, but this often results in two equally negative outcomes. 1) Time that should be spent focusing on actual customers and your target market is wasted and, 2) early sales to loved ones are often conflated with real-world success. Want to avoid this? Instead of asking for sales, ask for the following when looking for support from your family:
Not everyone lives near their loved ones or has an amicable relationship with their family, but for those who do, be careful not to alienate or ostracize them by treating a family member as a customer. Instead, keep your focus on your growing business and ask your family to be patient with you while you work.