Please help me achieve a BIG dream

Usually on Friday we share a favorite recipe.
Instead, I want to share something far bigger today:
A mission, a goal and a dream you can help with.
Some years ago our family operated a printing plant.
Our son David worked there with another young man.
"Dad," he told me one day, "Jimmy can’t read."
That shook me. In our country, someone can’t read?
David himself had problems in school.
He is super bright and super active.
School officials wanted to put him on Ridilan.
We fought them and won. But David had a problem.
He was dyslexic. He had problems reading.
So here’s the mission, the goal and the dream.
My mission is to eradicate illiteracy.
My dream is to help kids with learning disabilities.
My goal is to sell 20 million books.
That will generate $200 million.
We can help a lot of young people with $200 million.
My new book, "Your Life’s Great Purpose" is ready.
You can order a copy at http://www.jerrybellune.com/books.htm
I will personally autograph it for you.
Help put this book in the hands of 20 million people.
It can cut years off their journey to success.
Thanks for sharing a mission, a goal and a dream.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Monday: An Essential Entrepreneur strategy.

Leadership: Fairness in public education

Charlie Moye had a struggle in public school.
His father Richie found a special school to help him.
Like most private schools, it was expensive.
Richie learned a disappointing lesson.
Other states help parents pay for such expensive schooling.
Not South Carolina.
Richie says he learned that South Carolina would rather pay lawyers to fight you than help you pay for special schooling for a child with learning disabilities.
Is this leadership in public education?
I don't think so. You shouldn't’t think so either.
In public education's defense, lets concede that private schools enjoy an advantage.
They can choose who they admit. Public schools don’t have a choice.
They have to take everyone, regardless of motivation or ability.
How do you feel about a state’s obligation to educate all children?
Should we at least contribute the same amount of money to a special needs child who needs expensive special help?
I welcome your comments.
For more on leadership, see www.JerryBellune.com
Click on "Success Strategies".

3 secrets of advertising that sells

It took me many years to find out what makes ads work.
Here is what I learned in the trenches the hard way.
• Ads that sell explain benefits, not just features.
Don’t list features and assume the prospect will understand.
An ad that says cell phones take photos is selling features.
The ad should show the benefits of a camera in your phone.
For example, you can send vacation photos home to your friends.
Remember: If it’s about the product, it’s a feature.
If it’s about the customer, it’s a benefit.
• Ads that sell put your prospects in the picture.
They talk to him from his perspective.
Don’t just say "This is the best cell phone on the market".
Say: "Enjoy the benefits of the market’s best cell phone".
And show them what they can do with it.
Cell phones are full of benefits. It’s what gives them value.
• Ads that sell build credibility and trust.
I received an offer for a book on diabetes the other day.
I don’t have diabetes but I might get it.
The offer said if dissatisfied I could return the book.
It said I could return it even 20 years from now.
Return it for a full refund, no questions asked.
That’s an advertiser with confidence in his product.
Confidence built trust in my mind with:
• Guarantees and warranties.
• No-risk return policies if dissatisfied in any way.
• Testimonials from satisfied customers.
• The publisher’s reputation and length of time in business.
It’s neither rocket science nor brain surgery.
For more on this, see http://www.jerrybellune.com/.
Click on Jerry’s Books to order my sales workbook.
It’s called "How to Peel a Green Banana".
Its strategies will help you sell more prospects.
Tomorrow: Fairness in public education.

Success Strategy: Read yourself to sleep

From time to time I will recommend a book.
I have no vested interest in the sales of these books.
They are simply books that have helped me.
I firmly believe they will help you, too.
I recommend The Success Principles by Jack Canfield.
In it, Jack shows you how to succeed in life and work.
Jack is co-author of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books.
He and co-author Mark Victor Hansen are successful now.
But they faced lots of rejection in getting the first book published.
Jack shares a lifetime of experience, study and knowledge.
He covers personal responsibility and embracing change.
He writes about building wealth and much more.
I keep a copy on my bedside table.
I re-read a chapter before going to sleep at night.
I sleep better. You will, too.
For other book recommendations, go to:
http://www.jerrybellune.com/success-strategies.htm
Scroll down to #17: 8 books that will change your life.
Which books would you recommend to me?
Tomorrow: More sales & marketing strategies.

Max your association membership

Business owners join associations because they think they should.
Then they make three major mistakes:
1. They don’t take time to attend association events.
2. They don’t send their people to the training sessions.
Where else could they get this training with little or no expense?
3. They don’t volunteer for committee work.
Associations thrive on member manpower and expertise.
Committee members build relations that increase business.
Be smart. Get involved with your trade association.
Get involved with your chamber of commerce.
It will give you great ROI.
Next week: Find a business model.
For more tips, see our “Doing More With Less” workbook.
Click here for the workbook.
Tomorrow: A new Success Strategy.