RedBox compared to Blockbuster is Aldi’s compared to Kroger. You’re there to look through a limited but generally popular selection of DVD’s and you’re there to pay $1 plus tax. You tell yourself you’re going to get the movie back by 9pm the next night so you only have to pay a dollar plus tax.

There’s no customer service staff, there’s no printing receipts – you get your receipt by email,  there’s no cash changing hands, there’s not much rent involved in a few square feet of space required, there’s no running to the bank, one employee services a whole “route” of locations.

Also, their velocity of transaction is quicker. Blockbuster assumes they won’t see their DVD’s for a few days. RedBox has a completely different assumption, but if they’re wrong you’re paying extra so they don’t care.

So in a sense, their formula is classic:

1. Good location (they started at McDonald’s locations)

2. Limited selection with

3. Constant turnover

4. Expenses cut to the bone

5. Minimal number of employees

6. “Virtual” cash handling

7. Automatic email listbuilding (that’s how they send receipts)

They started out with an investment from McDonald’s… they’ve repaid that venture capital and they’re expanding. Of course, even with a good model, they can make the whole thing implode.  But you can see how their model does equip them to cut expense to the bone while serving a high volume of customers.

It’s vending taken to a whole new level.

I wonder how these lessons could apply to a home based business? Certainly many home based businesses were started from “old style” vending.

I’d like to hear your thoughts…

The concept of Economic Gardening is about helping people with a vested interest in the community and who’ll stay for reasons of family, tradition, community, etc. develop their businesses. In a downturn, they’ll still be there. It’s “home”.

This article on the “New Localism” dovetails with that thinking. It reminded me of the TV show “Cheers” with the theme song lyrics “Where everybody knows your name…”

Here’s what Kotkin has to say and perhaps it can guide our business start up thinking:

Americans actually are becoming less nomadic. As recently as the 1970s as many as one in five people moved annually; by 2006, long before the current recession took hold, that number was 14 percent, the lowest rate since the census starting following movement in 1940. Since then tougher times have accelerated these trends, in large part because opportunities to sell houses and find new employment have dried up. In 2008, the total number of people changing residences was less than those who did so in 1962, when the country had 120 million fewer people. The stay-at-home trend appears particularly strong among aging boomers, who are largely eschewing Sunbelt retirement condos to stay tethered to their suburban homes—close to family, friends, clubs, churches, and familiar surroundings.

The trend will not bring back the corner grocery stores and the declining organizations—bowling leagues, Boy Scouts, and such—cited by Putnam and others as the traditional glue of American communities. Nor will our car-oriented suburbs replicate the close neighborhood feel so celebrated by romantic urbanists like the late Jane Jacobs. Instead, we’re evolving in ways congruent with a postindustrial society. It will not spell the demise of Wal-Mart or Costco, but will express itself in scores of alternative institutions, such as thriving local weekly newspapers, a niche that has withstood the shift to the Internet far better than big-city dailies.

What thriving local business model or institution can help further your business aspirations? How are you considering the new localism in you business plans?

Much to my surprise I walked away with 5 lessons that I could use to take my home based business to the next level. Within moments of world renowned jazz violinist Karen Briggs (formerly with Yani) taking the stage the quote from Tony Buzan rang my head.

“Whatever your discipline, become a student of excellence in all things. Take every opportunity to observe people who manifest the qualities of mastery.”

Here are lessons I walked away with that you can use to successfully create a business you can work from home.

1. Change an idea or business by 10% and you can be a leader in what you do. Ms. Briggs is not the only violinist but she is one the first to become known as a “Jazz Violinist.” She took traditional classical music and put a jazz twist on it and made it her own. She created a fortune by doing so. You can do the same thing. Find a work at home business you love, add your unique slant and become an expert.

2. Give your customers more than you can expect and you will create raving fans. We were told the concert would go 90 minutes. However, when Ms. Briggs surprised us with an additional 45 minute jam session it blew everyone away. When you under promise and over deliver you will create screaming fans that will tell others about your business. The ultimate form of flattery is a referral. (By the way, I highly recommend you see her).

3. When you are operating in your unique gift it will appear effortless to others. Ms. Briggs was one with her instrument. As a former violinist myself, I know first hand that it is not an easy instrument to master if you don’t have the aptitude or attitude. However, when the talent or gift is innate your presentation appears organic and effortless to others.

Most people spend their life looking for the “magic bullet” to create wealth. And the truth is if you were to look at the gifts and talents you have, your million dollar idea is innately a part of you. If you are not sure what it is think about what are the things you do that appear easy for you and difficult for others. Your unique talent harnessed with discipline and commitment will be unstoppable. Unleash your talents and discover how to turn it into a profitable work at home opportunity.

4. When you are a master at your craft people will pay for it and you can name your price. Being an expert in business is much like a top paid artist. When you have specialized knowledge or a skill people are willing to pay a higher price to have access to it.

5. Surround yourself with talented and supportive people and you all can go to a higher level of success. Ms. Briggs had a band around her and with their support her talents were showcased even more. No one creates success by themselves. Make sure you have people around you who support you in your business. Consider a Mastermind Group.

If you are starting or currently building a home based business take one or all of these lessons, implement them in your business and watch it grow. I am always amazed how lessons about being successful are always around us if our mind is open and our ears in tune. These lessons if implemented will sound like
music to your ears.

During his Power Marketing and Promotion training, Tom asks the people attending this question: “How many of you could recruit 100 people to your down line in the coming one week?”

As I recall, nobody ever raises their hands.

So then Tom takes out his check book and his pen and then asks again: “How many of you could recruit 100 people in the coming week if I made a check for $50,000 with your name on it right now?”

About half the audience raises their hands up!

In a mock tone, Tom asks his audience: “What has changed?”

“What caused you to go from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ in less than a minute?”

Think about it – for most MLM programs, having 100 distributors who actually are recruiting others themselves would be worth MORE than $50,000.

What changed?

… only their attitude.

Though a “simple” change of attitude can be worth an immense amount of money, changing our attitudes isn’t that simple is it?

That means you have purchased PLR from other people and used it to make money for yourself.

If what you’ve done is unique enough (James Jones is the sole judge of this), and you’re willing to “spill the beans” to his audience, then you could be a winner and get to promote what you’re doing to his audience too.

Maybe other profit centers would open up – who knows?

Here’s how to do that…

1. Go to PLRCaseStudies.com

2. Watch the case study he offers on video there. It will show you the kind of information he’s looking for.

3. Sign up for the other case studies. Maybe he can teach you a trick or two as well.

4. On the Thank You page, you’ll get James’ contact details and how to contact him directly about the $500 offer.

This is a great case study. Here are some of the highlights. Lauren uses Etsy to earn extra money while putting himself through school.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?

I’ve always known that I would eventually make my living in some unconventional creative way…I just had no idea that I stumbled onto it so soon. In the fall of 2007 I discovered Etsy by accident while browsing the interwebz. It didn’t cross my mind to sell here until December of that same year. I have been painting since high school, but I had recently started taking a college painting class. After seeing the reactions of my teachers and fellow students I thought, “Hey, It would be really neat to see if I could sell my artwork.” I started up my first shop, and to my surprise by the next morning I had sold my first painting. It was a thrill to see that happen so soon (though, now I think I probably underpriced quite a bit). I eventually discovered that trying to produce paintings fast to keep my shop fresh seemed to dampen my creativity. So I decided to try something else.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What’s your best marketing tip?

Customers won’t purchase what they can’t see, or don’t see. This applies to photographs as well as the marketplace. You need the best pictures possible and to stay visible! There is someone out there who wants your items. You have to find them. You have to show them what you’ve got. I have found relisting, adding new items, and advertising on other websites to be very successful.

What have you found to be an unsuccessful promotion?

This may sound crazy, but I have found most everything to be successful in some way. Even if it’s just one sale or a few extra hearts, I feel anything is a success if at least one person views my shop. They may not have purchased anything today, but that doesn’t mean they never will. I guess the only truly unsuccessful promotion for me has been not to promote at all.

Check out the whole story at Etsy here. If you’re a creative person wanting to make money online, it may be just the type of outlet you’re looking for.

… You print out several copies of your website and walk into your local bar.

You casually slip your printouts next to the friendliest bunch and walk away.

Minutes later, the bar is buzzing.

Everyone is grabbing cash out of their wallet and want to buy from you.

Wouldn’t that be cool?

I’d like to show you how to do it on my next Stump Markus talkcast…

You can check it out here: Stump Markus!

He had a chance to talk and asked people what they thought about “Markus Allen” (himself).

Well, one guy piped up and said “THAT MARKUS ALLEN IS THE MOST NEGATIVE GUY I’VE EVER HEARD!”

I guess that got ol’ Markus in a snit because at 12 Noon Eastern time, ol’ Markus is going to have a negativity breakdown on his live call in show!

You can check it out here: Stump Markus!

For a while people thought mailbox money might be a thing of the past.

Until iTunes came along, people were afraid everything would be stolen through online file sharing!

Until Kindle came along, everyone thought you couldn’t earn money to publish and that free blogs and free online news were going to kill the newspapers and leave nothing in their place. (Of course at some point, the free writing all dries up and someone is going to get paid something by someone! But I digress. Certainly newspapers are folding right and left because of “free” competition and because until today, they couldn’t figure out how to get paid.)

Of course, when people steal music or get it for free, that kills the “Mailbox money”!

For a while, that made people wonder if it were worth publishing music or information.

Guess what? Mailbox money is making a comeback! Don’t just listen to me. Read if for yourself.

As this article shows though, things are changing dramatically thanks to iTunes and Kindle. In fact, if major print publishers get smart and start subsidizing the Kindle – they will make an even BIGGER market for that Mailbox Money, except it will go directly to your account without the mailbox or the mail man. Read for yourself here.

Want some of the new Mailbox Money? Here’s the two ways that work really well -

Here’s how YOU can become a Kindle Publisher

Here’s How To Create iPhone Applications yourself.

What makes this an even bigger opportunity is that now anyone with an Iphone can read a Kindle book (after buying it of course!).

If you can determine how to serve these markets, you can have money flowing regularly into your bank account!

Again, here’s how to enter those markets:

Here’s how YOU can become a Kindle Publisher

Here’s How To Create iPhone Applications yourself.

Related Links: Follow This Blog on Twitter

(Please keep in mind that this was long before the internet became a viable business tool.)

He found himself at the bottom one of these times for a variety of reasons – some, of course, which he couldn’t control. Know the feeling?

As I said, the man was smart. He had experience, skills, and marketing savvy. He knew how to do somethings and had paid the price in terms of learning how to think and act like a business man.

MLM was in his future. He’s still in it today. But at the bottom of a “valley” like this… creating a full time income from a downline takes time and money he didn’t have.

Like you, me, everybody, he needed “right now” money.

He was determined to crawl out of that desperate situation… but how?

He had decided on a company to invest his time with. To find qualified prospects and to get some “right now money” coming in, he assembled a package of personally written reports, coupons for his consulting services, freebies from related companies that would bring in leads and business for them and had a value to the customer, etc.

There was a great deal of value involved in the product. So much in fact that $5 seemed like a very reasonable price for the package. You might even call it an “impulse buy”. That’s what he intended to create anyway.

And people who paid $5 for a series of reports and to educate themselves on a subject were obviously much better leads than someone who was a cold name on a colder list. These were live prospects.

He wrote articles and in his bio box promoted this special offer.

If he could afford it, he placed print ads in the MLM magazines. (Remember, this was before the Internet and “pay per click”, search engine optimization, etc.)

And until he got on his feet again, it was that steady flow of $5 bills that helped keep him afloat.

True story.

And it’s a valid concept even if you’re not in MLM and just want 1) “right now” money and 2) want to develop qualified leads for your business. Thanks to the internet this same thing can be done by many people who take time to develop their skills and provide value for a front end sale and a back end sale.

The internet equivalent is readily available. An inexpensive hosting account, domain name, and $7 worth of software plus the investment of your time could get you started too. The question is whether we’ll invest the time to do follow this example ourselves?

Could this be your Internet Equivalent for Living On Five Dollar Bills? (The software available at this link is worth $50 easily!)