Lessons Learned from Johnny Cash

We've been jamming tonight and listening to JC - no other than the late great Johnny Cash. Inspiration comes from strange places. Here's what I've learned for new swats.

1) Understand Your Man ...er, your product (your biz)! Huh hum Do you know it's strengths and weakness? Do you know all it can do? Do you have a passion for your biz - the needs, the target market, the hopes and desires your biz and products have? You have about 10 seconds to capture the attention of the audience that comes your way. Then they are gone to the next site they can find. Learn your biz/products. The key to understanding your audience is to know and be committed to your biz/products. People are more willing to try your products if you know them inside and out. Remember your man stands beside you because you made the commitment to understand your man. It's the same with business.

2) A Boy Named Sue - Life isn't always easy for a swats. You gotta be prepared. Don't let anyone steal your dream from you or steal your thunder. Many will try to sway you away from your dream or target, you have to stand your ground and know when it's time to fight for your products and biz. Having goals and a plan for your business, ensures that you will make it. Like the song says, "This world is rough, and if you're gonna make it, you've gotta be tough." Your business requires you to get tough about your biz. Not in a forceful way but with gentle strength. My Tae Kwon Do Grandmaster said, "Train tough!" It's the same with business. Mom's we know how to do this, it's like when you have to be firm with the kids. Who wins out if you don't?

3) The Man In Black could be called Branding 101 JC - Johnny Cash wore all black because it was his trademark. He had a reason for dressing in black. When you saw him in black, you knew or quickly knew what it was. How do you separate your business from the sea of businesses that flood the market place? What is the reason for people to do business with you vs. the other guys? You just have to have a way to connect with your audience. What is your connection?

4) The Legend of John Henry's Hammer - John Henry's Daddy told him to: "Learn to a turn a jack, learn to lay a track, learn to pick and shovel too." Same with your business. Learn everything you can about your business. If you are trying to make money online, then make sure you learn all you can about Internet Marketing. What's the point in having a business online if you don't know how to market online? Computers and the Internet are great, but it can't take the place of the human touch. The movie "Wall-e" makes this point. See how Walle and Eve interact. Learn to use technology to increase your business but know that it needs a human touch. Here is a summary on YouTube.


5) One Piece at a Time - Stealing one piece at a time from the assembly line to build a Cadillac without costing him a dime didn't turn exactly how it should look. I know there are gurus that say they steal from other sites to create their site and make money. 9 times out of 10, the website looks like a piece of crap. Does your website look like it's pieced together site or does it look smooth and working like a well oiled machine? Read your website, does it flow? KISS = keep it simple swat!

6) In The Jailhouse Now - Don't forget to keep records and pay your taxes. No Spamming. No Cut and Paste other's content. It's one thing to get inspiration from others, it's another to steal their site. No stealing graphics. No clicking on your Adsense ads to increase your income. None of these are worth it. It's better to just Walk The Line.

7) Ring of Fire - If you find that your business is not right for you, don't be afraid to cut it lose and start over. Making money online doesn't have to put you in a Ring of Fire, it's better that you leave a burning path to your site. Better to find your soul mate in making money online and spend 40 years making beautiful music than to keep hitting your head and money against a brick wall. Your business is just like another person - it becomes a living breathing creature. As such, it deserves to have it's best life. So do both a favor and give life to both of you.

What kind of music are you creating with your making money online? Hope it tops the charts!

If you need a little help to Walk The Line along the way, check out
Empower Me Team or Prosper From Home

When all else fails, you can be like Kenny Roger's in The Gambler check out the Forex Market listed below.