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Newsletter – 23 April 2009 – 100 Days and Budgets
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Hi,

Well yesterday was memorable for two public events, in the USA it was President Obama’s first 100 days and in the UK it was Alistair Darling’s Budget Day.

The international press have been mostly kind to the President, with an almost universal agreement that he is changing things for the better.

The reaction to the UK budget has been a bit different, where generally it has been regarded as a missed opportunity by a government that has run out of ideas. In fact, the very idea that an arrogant out-of-touch government, who got us into this mess in the first place, now has the solution is laughable.

The UK tabloid press of course have had a field day with their headlines.
I think my favourite headline is the Daily Mail’s – “Alistair in Wonderland”.

So in both countries what difference will the mutterings of the politicians mean to you?

The truth is: on the whole it’s not going to make much difference what they say. In all countries today, we are going to have to pay for this mess.
Whatever money is given to you with one hand will be taken away with the other. The only certainty is that you will probably be worse off, while the pollies and the cowboys who caused all this will continue to prosper.

The problem is - It gives an impression that we’re not in control of our own destiny, that our financial position is entirely dependent on the whims of ‘those in charge’. This is a false impression.
There is a lot we all can do to influence our level of wealth, regardless of what the ruling classes would like us to do.

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So what can I do?
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You could start your own business.

If you are regular users of the Internet, and you are trying to improve your financial position, you will have come across dozens of people telling you how easy it is to make money on the Internet.

The pitches are all slightly different but yet strangely familiar. All you need is a “pitch page”, a “thank you page” and a product and the money will roll in. If you don’t have a product of your own you can pick up a freebie, or market other people’s products as an affiliate.

The promises usually involve “you can make $3000 a day” “$20,000 a month” etc. Just think of a number and double it.
So, if it’s that easy, why aren’t those people simply doing it themselves many times over and earning yet more millions?
There’s an old joke that in the gold rush, the only people who made any money are those who sold picks and shovels.

The internet marketing world can sometimes look that a giant multi level marketing scheme, where everyone is trying to make money by telling everyone else how to make money.
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Does that mean it’s all a scam?
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No – I wouldn’t go that far. After all I am using internet marketing myself to sell my products.
All I am saying is that if it looks too good to be true it probably is.

I am a member of an internet marketers group based in London, where we catch up and have lunch and a chat on a regular basis.

Is it full of millionaires? Well actually there are a few.
But the vast majority seem to be regular people who either have a dream or are scratching a living.

I don’t meet too many people who can just pick up someone else’s product and start to make lots of money with it.
Those who are successful usually have some product or service that’s unique to them, on which they can piggy back the internet marketing.

Think about it. To make any money at all you have to be offering a product or a skill.
If you are trying to sell someone else’s product using someone else’s skills, it’s not a great start.
Don’t forget also the statistics about how many small businesses last beyond 12 months.

In summary, if you think you have a good idea for a product or a service – go for it.
But don’t believe all the hype you read.

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So what else is there?
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The vast majority of people round the world are making a living by selling their skills, either as a permanent employee, a casual employee or as a self employed person.

There is no fairness about which skills pay the best. It’s driven essentially by market forces.
Also some skills are much more portable than others, which increase your scope in the market place.

The secret is to find those skills which are portable, in high demand and which are easy to learn.
The IT world still offers one of the best options – easy to learn skills which can put you into the top 10% of earners and are very portable all round the world.

Right now there is some pain being felt due to the global recession.
“Stuff happens” as a famous American said recently. But it won’t last.

Once the recovery is under way, demand for IT staff will rise sharply again.

Now is the time to prepare yourself for these opportunities that are just around the corner.

These topics are discussed at length in our e-book “Jack’s Guide to Lots More Money” available at http://www.jacksguides.com/itjobs.html

If you are ready to make the leap into a much better paid job or contract,
and be perfectly positioned as the recession eases, see our website at www.jacksguides.com

Previous newsletters. In response to several requests, we have published many of our older newsletters.
You can find them at http://www.jacksguides.com/news.html
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This newsletter is published by Kevin Ramsey for Jack's Guides.
Copyright (c) 2001 - 2009, all rights reserved.
No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the express written consent of the publisher or contributing editors and or writers.

DISCLAIMER: We disclaim any liability for the use of Any contributed information contained herein.

I hope you've enjoyed this issue of our newsletter.
Please let me know if you have any questions, suggestions or requests.
kevin@jacksguides.com

Enjoy and prosper in your chosen career.
Till the next issue.
Kevin Ramsey
Founder of Jack's Guides