Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights. 

–Thomas Jefferson

I KNOW THAT THIS WILL COME AS A SHOCK TO MANY OF YOU,

BUT EVEN MENTOR MAMA IS NOT  A SAINT.

In a home based business opportunity, we all fudge the truth. . . .  “How’s business?”  “Fantastic! Never better!”  (You just lost your biggest account.)  “Are you enjoying the conference?”  “Oh, I love it!”  (You thought it was a rip off and a pitch fest.)

We all take leave of our common sense at times, too. . . .  “This is the VERY LAST TIME this webinar will be offered!!!”   “Man . . . I had better sign up NOW!”  (You never attend or listen to the webinar.)

Don’t worry, Mentor Mama understands!  We are only human.  Well, at least you are.  Mentor Mama, on the other hand DOES possess many saintly qualities . . . .  Ah, yes, I digress.   YOU are only human, so you might tell the occasional white lie or yield to a well-played marketing strategy.  Not to worry.  Such foibles are part of human nature.

In the Internet Marketing World, however, your propensity to such nasty qualities as human nature, will land you straight into the realm of false and mis-leading advertising. It is a very scary place to be.  The Federal Trade Commission is watching and so are consumers and Google and Facebook and Youtube.  This is not a chat at a networking social.  Your slip-ups are documented for all the world to see and ultimately blast across the WORLD-WIDE web.

So, tidy-up your honesty and fluff-up your common sense, because Mentor Mama is gonna “Set You Straight”.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I would love to hear what you think!  Are Common Sense and Honesty Enough?

“Leave your comment below!”  If you got some value from this video, be sure to tell your friends and followers by clicking on the share buttons at the top of this post!

Mentor Mama

I AM A HOME BASED INTERNET MARKETER.

I SEARCHED AROUND, I INVESTIGATED A HOME BASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, and I did my due diligence.  I have been responsible, kept my books, worked hard and paid my taxes.  I sell quality products, tell the truth and happily refund people’s money if they are dissatisfied.

SOOOOOOO,  WHY DOES THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) HATE ME??????

Why did they implement rules, or regulations or whatever the heck they call them, that prohibit many of my typical testimonials?  Why are they messing with the way that I market my affiliate programs?  WHY DO THEY HATE ME?????

MENTOR MAMA IS HERE TO EXPLAIN  WHY THE FTC IS FOCUSING ON THE POOR, WELL-MEANING PEOPLE THAT HAVE A HOME-BASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY!

“Click on the video to hear Mentor Mama set out the shockingly simple reasons!”

Click here to view the embedded video.

The bottom line:  IT IS NOT PERSONAL, but I AM paying for the sins of those that have come before me.  What do you think?  Is it fair???  Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

If you got some benefit from this video, please tell your friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter!  I appreciate your visit and hope that you will come back to visit often!

Mentor Mama

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INTERNET MARKETERS

Every Guru will tell you about

the importance of attending live events!

Have YOU Attended

A Live Event?

If you have, one of the best parts of your weekend

was the time you spent with other Internet Entrepreneurs . . .

Sharing strategies and making lifelong friends

with People that really “get” you! FINALLY!

Wouldn’t you love to connect without travelling to a live event

that costs $500, $1000, or even $3000?

Well, Mentor Mama has the answer!

“PUT YOUR NAME & E-MAIL IN THE BOX BELOW”

to get details about

“MENTOR MAMA’S MARVELOUS HALLOWEEN MIXER”!!!

IT’S GOING TO BE SPOOKTACULAR!!!!!!!!

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Welcome to “Episode V of

GRILL THE GURU”,

hosted by Mentor Mama.

THIS WEEK, “GRILL THE GURU” VIP Subscribers

have the opportunity to chill with

Rock Star BRIAN FANALE

As He Unlocks the Secrets to

LIVING the DREAM!!!

BRIAN FANALE’S Interview and Future Editions of

“Grill the Guru” are only available to

“MENTOR MAMA’s VIP SUBSCRIBERS”!!!

If you want the SENSATIONAL SECRETS,

“Put Your Name and E-mail in the Opt-In Box  Below”

to become an EXCLUSIVE  “VIP Subscriber” and

to obtain IMMEDIATE “FREE” ACCESS to this

“Must See Series”.

Mentor Mama serves up ”Intimate Moments with the SUPER NOVAS of our Industry”.   In appreciation of YOU, Mentor Mama delivers THE Super Nova, MIKE DILLARD, in the interview below.

She is on her way to Las Vegas for the “Live the Dream” Event to hunt down other Gurus whose expertise will propel you forward in your marketing career.  Check back next week to hear which Stars were GRILLED in “Sin City” by Mentor Mama!

While you are waiting for me to return from “Live the Dream”, I hope that you will enjoy this down-to-earth interview with the “KING”!

Click here to view the embedded video.

WOW!  What a great guy!  I sooooo want to hear what you thought of Mike’s reflections.

Please leave a comment below.

If you enjoyed this video please share it with your friends on

Twitter and Facebook by clicking on the share buttons!

P.S.  Don’t forget to put your name and e-mail in the

Opt-In Box Above so that you will gain FREE access to

“BRIAN FANALE” and all the upcoming “Grill the Guru” Interviews!

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Welcome to “Episode III of

GRILL THE GURU”,

hosted by Mentor Mama.

Join Mentor Mama for ”Intimate Moments with the SUPER NOVAS of our Industry”.   In appreciation of your support, Mentor Mama is bringing you MIKE DILLARD,  the most enormous SUPER NOVA of all, in the interview below.

In addition to Mike Dillard, she has collected amazing interviews with the “BEST of the BEST”, including Mike Klingler,  Mark Hoverson, Ann Sieg, Brian Fanale, Todd Falcone,  Jairek Robbins, Adam Holland, The Empowered Tribe, and many more surprise guests.

She has hunted down Gurus in other specialities, as well,whose expertise will propel you forward in your marketing career.  Specialists like Noel Wu, Image Consultant to the Stars, and Joey Borden, professional videographer to the top producers will reveal the secrets that make the GURUS look good.

THIS WEEK, “GRILL THE GURU” VIP Subscribers

have the opportunity to listen in as

SuperStar MIKE KLINGLER

Reveals the Qualities Required to be

an Internet Marketer!

MIKE KLINGLER”S  Interview and Future Editions of

“Grill the Guru” are only available to

“MENTOR MAMA’s VIP SUBSCRIBERS”!!!

If you want the REAL INSIDE SCOOP,

“Put Your Name and E-mail in the Opt-In Box  Below”

to become an EXCLUSIVE  “VIP Subscriber” and

to obtain IMMEDIATE “FREE” ACCESS to this

“Must See Series”.

I hope that you enjoy this down-to-earth Interview!

Click here to view the embedded video.

WOW!  What a great guy!  I sooooo want to hear what you thought of Mike’s reflections.

Please leave a comment below.

If you enjoyed this video please share it with your friends on

Twitter and Facebook by clicking on the share buttons!

P.S.  Don’t forget to put your name and e-mail in the

Opt-In Box Above so that you will gain FREE access to

“MIKE KLINGLER” and all the upcoming “Grill the Guru” Interviews!

“DEFINITION OF A LAWYER:  A cat who settles a dispute between 2 mice.” -jokesaboutlawyers.com

At long last, Mentor Mama is bringing you the fourth article in the series, “Are You Penny Wise & Pound Foolish?”  Today, Mentor Mama is going to teach you a little bit about…….dare I say it????  LAWYERS!

For many, this almost unspeakable profession is synonymous with such famous con artists as “Billy Flynn”, the lawyer from the musical Chicago, who gave the people around him “the old razzle-dazzle” or  “Svengali” the fictional hypnotist who could bend a  subject’s mind to his bidding.  Most people see lawyers, as manipulative and opportunistic:  Characters that are a little shady and around whom you must watch your back.  So, until you find yourself in a car accident or getting sued, you avoid them….they dig up trouble, overcharge, and are just bad news.

In many cases, the stereotype is well-deserved.  There have been and still are lawyers that misuse their power and succumb to the lure of greed.  This is especially heinous because lawyers are charged with a fiduciary duty to protect and care for their clients.

“Let it be said that NO EXCUSE CAN BE MADE for lawyers that overcharge, ignore their duties or in any way take advantage of another person.”

Now, if we have the lawyer bashing out of the way, I challenge you to consider an additional world-view.  As an Entrepreneur, you NEED the services of an attorney, so let’s take a look at some possible reasons why people who have never been wronged by an attorney, would HATE attorneys:

1.)    Attorneys Speak and Write in a Language We Do Not Understand. No one likes being out of the loop.  We like to know what’s happening and what lies in store for us.  Lawyers engage in communications that leave us shaking our heads.  We turn our lives over to these scoundrels and how do we know that they aren’t selling us down the river?  We hate attorneys because we hate relinquishing control.

2.)    Most People Have Dealt With An  Attorney In A Crisis. When bad things are happening in our lives – divorce, accident, lawsuit, job loss –  no matter what the outcome, we are still unhappy.  Despite excellent legal representation, you still lost your spouse, broke your back, lost a lot of money, or suffered the humiliation of discrimination.  We hate attorneys because we hate the unhappiness that they represent.

3.)    Attorneys Charge Outrageous Fees. No matter how you deny it, we all resent rich, powerful people. (Until we become one of them!)  Lawyers have acquired knowledge that is generally unavailable to the public. They charge bucket- loads of money because they save you truck-loads of money; they defend you against serious injustice; or they get you out of big messes that you usually created yourself.  When Mentor Mama was in law school, she swore that someone would pay for the endless hours she spent in the library, while you were at the beach, away for the weekend or partying with your friends.  We hate attorneys because we fail to appreciate the value that they bring to the table.

4.)    Attorneys Bring Up Problems That Will Never Happen. They start blabbering on about ridiculous situations.  They put in extraneous clauses and then CHARGE us for them!  A competent attorney has many years of experience in matters just like yours.  She has seen many people suffer because they did not take adequate precautions.  If you were trained to foresee such issues and to know what to do about them, you wouldn’t need a lawyer.  Lawyers look at the big picture and force you to take your head out of the sand. We hate attorneys because they tell us things we don’t want to hear.

I know that you won’t start loving lawyers.  I hope, however, that you will consider reframing some of these issues.  There are MANY compassionate, dedicated lawyers who have spent their professional lives protecting and supporting people just like you.

NEXT IN THE SERIES:  WHY YOU NEED A LAWYER IN YOUR HOME-BASED BUSINESS

Did you miss MIKE DILLARD?

It’s not too late!!!

Welcome to “Episode II of GRILL THE GURU”,

hosted by Mentor Mama.

Over the last five months, Mentor Mama has been a busy bee, running to live events to capture  ”Intimate Moments with the SUPER NOVAS of our Industry”.   In appreciation of your support, Mentor Mama is bringing you MIKE DILLARD,  the most enormous SUPER NOVA of all, in the interview below.

In addition to Mike Dillard, she has collected amazing interviews with the “BEST of the BEST”, including Mark Hoverson, Ann Sieg, Brian Fanale, Todd Falcone,  Mike Klingler, The Empowered Tribe, and many more surprise guests.

She has hunted down Gurus in other specialities, as well,whose expertise will propel you forward in your marketing career.  Specialists like Noel Wu, Image Consultant to the Stars, and Joey Borden, professional videographer to the top producers will reveal the secrets that make the GURUS look good.

THIS WEEK, “GRILL THE GURU” Subscribers

will have an inside chat with

SHANNON HOVERSON, wife extraordinaire of Marketing Genius,  MARK HOVERSON.

Shannon graciously offers tips for navigating life

with an Internet Marketer.

DOES SHANNON DISH ON MARK HOVERSON???

WAS SHANNON REALLY HOME ALONE

WHILE MARK PARTIED???

If you want the REAL INSIDE SCOOP,

“Don’t Miss This Critical Information”:

Shannon Hoverson’s  Interview and Future Editions of

“Grill the Guru” are only available to

“MENTOR MAMA’s VIP SUBSCRIBERS”!!!

“Put Your Name and E-mail in the Opt-In Box  Below”

to become a “VIP Subscriber” and to obtain

EXCLUSIVE “FREE” ACCESS to this

“Must See Series”.

SPECIAL BONUS:

**First 20 people to OPT-IN will be featured** on a

“SPECIAL EDITION OF GRILL THE GURU”

ENTER Your Name and E-mail in the Opt-In Box, THEN……

Experience Mike Dillard as the down-to-earth family man that he really is.

• What was he like in high school?
• What inspired his dreams?
• How did he move past his limitations?
• What are his plans for his children?
• How has his marriage changed his life?

Click here to view the embedded video.

WOW!  What a great guy!  I sooooo want to hear what you thought of Mike’s reflections.

Please leave a comment below.

If you enjoyed this video please share it with your friends on

Twitter and Facebook by clicking on the share buttons!

P.S.  Don’t forget to put your name and e-mail in the

Opt-In Box Above so that you will gain FREE access to

“Shannon’s Secrets” and upcoming “Grill the Guru” Interviews!

MIKE DILLARD????  What a fabulous way to kick off this exciting NEW series!

Welcome to “Episode I of GRILL THE GURU”, hosted by Mentor Mama.

Over the last five months, Mentor Mama has been a busy bee, running to live events to capture  ”Intimate Moments with the SUPER NOVAS of our Industry”.   In appreciation of your support, Mentor Mama is bringing you the most enormous SUPER NOVA of all in the Interview below.

In addition to Mike Dillard, she has collected amazing interviews with the “BEST of the BEST”, including Mark Hoverson, Ann Sieg, Brian Fanale, Todd Falcone, The Empowered Tribe, and many more surprise guests.

She has hunted down Gurus in other specialities, as well,whose expertise will propel you forward in your marketing career.  Specialists like Noel Wu, Image Consultant to the Stars, Joey Borden, professional videographer to the top producers, and Shannon Hoverson, wife extraordinaire of Mark Hoverson, who offers tips for navigating life with an Internet Marketer.

As a special gift for YOU, this MIKE DILLARD Interview is going public NOW!!!

GO WATCH THE INTERVIEW Below!!!!  But first, don’t miss this critical information:

Future editions of  ”Grill the Guru” will only

be available to “MENTOR MAMA’s VIP SUBSCRIBERS”!!!

“Enter Your Name and E-mail” NOW

In the Opt-In Box  Below

to become a “VIP Subscriber” and to obtain

EXCLUSIVE “FREE” ACCESS to this

“Must See Series”.



SPECIAL BONUS:

**First 20 people to OPT-IN will be featured** on a

“SPECIAL EDITION OF GRILL THE GURU”

ENTER Your Name and E-mail in the Opt-In Box, THEN……

Experience Mike Dillard as the down-to-earth family man that he really is.

• What was he like in high school?
• What inspired his dreams?
• How did he move past his limitations?
• What are his plans for his children?
• How has his marriage changed his life?

Click here to view the embedded video.

WOW!  What a great guy!  I sooooo want to hear what you thought of Mike’s reflections.  Please leave a comment below.

If you enjoyed this video please share it with your friends on Twitter and Facebook by clicking on the share buttons!

P.S.  Don’t forget to put your name and e-mail in the

Opt-In Box Above so that you will gain FREE access to

upcoming “Grill the Guru” Interviews!

(Mentor Mama worked really hard on these posts.  In doing so, she realized that she could not adequately cover the topic in only one post.  Therefore, Part 3:  Insurance Professionals, will be brought to you in Parts A and B.  Part A is an “Introduction to Risk Management”. Part B will be “Hidden Risks in a Home-Based Internet Business”.)

Hidden Risks in a Home-Based Internet Business

Well, My Dear Friends,  Mentor Mama promised that she would be back this week and here she is. . . ready to scare the pants off of you about all the risk at which you have placed yourself  by undertaking a home-based Internet business.

Soooooo, why am I smiling?   Laughing even?

My siblings would say it is because I am sadistic (Hey, c’mon. . . . It’s been forty years since I put those ants in your bed. . . .).  My mother would say that I love to be the bearer of bad news (Mom, REALLY!  I didn’t give you high blood pressure!  I just read you the results!).   My children would say that it is because I am weird (Well, there are elements of truth in everything).

In point of fact, it is for none of those reasons.  I am absolutely delighted to be able to bring you information that will heighten your awareness, lessen your risk, and perhaps even prevent the loss of your business.   Even though we are discussing unpleasant possibilities, we are discussing them in the context of  PREVENTION and PROTECTION.  This is GOOD NEWS!  You must stop avoiding these issues because you would rather focus on the positive, light-filled energy flowing through you and into the Twitterverse as you help others reach their full spiritual and personal potential and discover an amazing new keyword.

With all due respest to having a positive outlook, and being an optimist,   people who use those traits as an excuse to ignore the realities of life and who  fail to plan for risk and loss will be the ones wailing and gnashing their teeth, crying out, “Why MEEEEEE???”

If you want to run a serious business that does not collaspe like a house of cards take note of the following Hidden Risks and discuss them with your Insurance Professional.

1.   Your home-based business is not covered by the typical homeowner’s policy. While a good policy may cover the loss of a SMALL  portion of your business assets, policies today have very specific limits for loss of computers.  In addition, it most likely does not cover any liability related to the operation of  a business in your home.  You may well wonder what you have in your business that is valuable, especially if you work on the Internet.

What  would it cost  to replace your desktop, laptop, printer, scanner, microphone, headsets, backup hard drive, business related books, DVD sets of expensive courses, iphones, software and ??????  You might need to double the total if there are two marketers in the household.  Add to that the cost of any inventory, samples or promotional materials you store at home and we are talking some pretty hefty losses.  You acquired many of these things slowly, over a long period of time, so it is easy to forget that having to replace everything at once could be challenging if not impossible.

Then there is liability.  Think,  “Computer Tech slips and falls while repairing your business computer.”  Think,”One of your customers becomes ill from a tainted batch of protein powder that you market.”   STOP.  Don’t say anything.  Don’t try to argue this with me.  You do not have to be at fault to be sued.  At fault or otherwise, it costs money to defend a lawsuit.  Saavy business people buy insurance.

A skilled Insurance Agent or Broker can assist you in a risk assessment and discuss the types of coverage suitable to your business.  Be sure to inquire about additional coverage for your computers.   Typically the coverage for home-based businesses falls into three general categories:

A)   An endorsement to your homeowner’s policy - Great option, but usually limited coverage.

B)   An independent policy designed for a home-based business – More extensive coverage.  A good policy may cover loss of income due to property damage as well as loss of valuable papers and accounts receivable.  More recently, policies are covering loss of income due to your site being hacked.

C)  A Business Owner’s Package Policy - The broadest form of coverage, but this generally covers brick and mortar businesses with multiple locations.

2.    Marketing on the Internet exposes you to a wide-range of copyright and trademark laws. While inadvertent violations of these laws has always been possible with print, radio, and television marketing, there is often a marketing and/or legal department for the station and publisher.  The company hosting the content scrutinizes it for these violations, for which they might be held liable as well.  Now, with self hosted web-sites and blogs, you are not running your content by any professional that can give you feedback.  Simultaneously, the ability of the owners of the copyright or trademark to seek out violations has increased exponentially due to the use of search engines.  Some companies have entire departments that do nothing but search for violations.

3.  Interacting with readers on your blog and collecting their personal information raises privacy issues. Never before have marketers had such immediate access to a demographic that readily provides personal information.  Are there laws about this?  Do you know what they are?  Do you know exactly how to implement them?  What happens if you make a mistake?  What if your computer is hacked and the private information is stolen?  What is your liability?

4.  When a company is sued (i.e. for deceptive advertising practices) and you are an affiliate with a banner ad, you will probably be sued as well, especially if the Plaintiff clicked on your affiliate link to buy the product.  By publishing their banner you become linked to their practices, even if you had no knowledge.  Although you will most likely not be found liable, it will cost a lot of money to untangle yourself from their legal mess.

The risks described in Items 2-4 above are relatively new.   As more and more people venture into this exciting online world the extent of the risks and responsibilities of marketers will continue to evolve.  The currently understood issues are already many, diverse, and deadly.  If you have not sought the help of of your Insurance Professional and specifically asked for coverage relating to your internet activities, you are leaving yourself wide-open to the whims of fate.

Can you afford this kind of coverage?  According to my personal Insurance Broker, Betty Duke, of  Blue Ribbon Insurance, the rates are much more affordable than you might think.  The rates will, of course, vary based on the type of business in which you engage, the advertising practices that you choose, your relationship to the product (creator, affiliate, associate, etc.),  and many other issues, some of which are still unknown.  Your concerted efforts to minimize the risk by implementing generallyaccepted principles and practices and seeking compliance advice from professionals in this area, such as an Internet lawyer, will help an insurance underwriter better manage your premiums.

Did Mentor Mama scare your pants off?  I hope so, because these are serious issues that MUST, MUST, MUST be addressed.  If this sounds like a lot of work, too much hassle, not what you signed up for. . . then go back to your J-O-B where real entrepreneurs address these issues for their own business, and all you have to do is your designated assignment.   As Internet Marketers, it is time to GROW UP.   Writing blog posts and chatting on Facebook does not make you an entrepreneur.  Just like life, your business comes with a wide range of responsibilities.

Assessing and managing your risk and taking action such as conferring with an Insurance Professional will allow you to get back in your britches and put a smile on your face.  In fact, you will feel so great that the two of us can have a good laugh!

*DISCLAIMER: This article is meant for information and discussion purposes only.  It is not intended to be comprehensive.  Further, this article is not intended in any way to be construed as insurance, legal, accounting, or other professional advice.  Every situation is different.  For decisive information about any of these topics, seek out the appropriate professional, who can represent your specific interests and needs.

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(Mentor Mama has been working really hard on this post.  In doing so, she realized that she could not adequately cover the topic in only one post.  Therefore, Part 3:  Insurance Professionals, will be brought to you in Parts A and B.  Part A is an “Introduction to Risk Management”.  Part B will be “Hidden Risks in a Home-Based Internet Business”.)

INTRODUCTION TO RISK MANAGEMENT*

Ok, let’s get down to brass tacks.

We have been chatting for a while about the importance of running your business like a business. . . Why you need an accountant, a banker. . . blah, blah, blah.  Today, I would like to ask you,  DO YOU LOVE YOUR FAMILY? Yes, you heard Mentor Mama correctly.  Do you love your family?  Really LOVE your family?  Also, do you love/respect/care about yourself and your future?

Do these seem like odd questions?  “Of course I love my family,” say you.  “Of course I care about my future,” say you.  What is my point then?

Love requires more than just love.

Love for your family and even for yourself requires action.  To be truly loving (excepting special circumstances of physical or mental disability), you must also provide for your family.  That means generating money, providing food and shelter, caring for yourself and any members of your family (pets count too).  It also includes promoting good mental and physical health and growing spiritually.  ACTION.  Love requires action.

There are many other activities that I could add to this list, but Mentor Mama hopes that you get the point.  If you really love your family and yourself, you are charged with many responsibilities.  Among them is the need to reduce the risk of harm coming to your family.  You make sure that you live in a sturdy dwelling, that the water is drinkable, that the furnace works and so on.

Sadly, not all risk can be managed by having your car repaired or going for an annual check up to the doctor.  Accidents and misfortunes occur, even to good people.  It is part of life.  In our modern society, we have a way of handling that risk that can serve to minimize the harm caused by such events.

You know where I’m headed:  Insurance.

We all think that we know what insurance is, but let’s take a look at this a little differently.  I recently ran across the following quote:

“Insurance is one tool available . . . as part of a larger program of risk management.  Risk management also includes analysis of risk, correction of circumstances that increase risk, and a willingness to assume an appropriate level of risk.  Risk management extends to the investigation and handling of events that might be covered under an insurance policy.”  www.gosmallbiz.com

I’m guessing that the average person doesn’t think of conducting her life with an eye towards “risk management”, although we all do in one way or another.  We install smoke detectors, brush our teeth, and buy bandages all in an effort to control or minimize potential damage.  People buy health insurance and life insurance.**  Professionals buy malpractice insurance.

Have you considered that there are risks to running your home-based business?  Have you considered that there are risks in an Internet-based business?

IF YOU TRULY LOVE YOUR FAMILY and IF YOU TRULY CARE ABOUT YOUR FUTURE you must take ACTION and consider the risks involved in running your business.**

The person best able to assist you in this task is a reputable Insurance Professional* who works with home-based businesses and Internet businesses specifically.   This may be your Agent that you have been working with for years.  It may not.  Many companies are not yet up to speed what the cyber world and their agents are not trained to help you in the Internet arena.  So, SHOP AROUND.  Sometimes using an Insurance Broker versus an Agent allows you the flexibility to shop around with one person.  Typically, a broker can sell policies from many different companies, whereas an Agent works for one specific company.

Today, I am going to provide you with a brief overview of risk management,  that will allow you to be more aware of the issues that you need to discuss with an insurance provider.

WHAT IS RISK MANAGEMENT?  This is the process of determining the level of risk that your business poses in all areas and planning how you will handle that risk.

Part 1. Assessing Your Risk. Everything we do in business poses some kind of risk.  It is necessary to walk through your business as a client  or outsider would, assessing each point of contact and determining what the risks are in that context.  Could a customer be harmed by a product that you sell?  Does your use of a photograph off of the Internet violate the copyright of the photographer?  Could a coaching client be kicked off of Google because they took your advice?  Be brutal with yourself.  Remember that you don’t need to be wrong to be sued.  We are assessing areas of risk, not laying blame.

Part 2. Assuming the Risk. After careful analysis of the risks involved and what the potential costs will be (finances, reputation and emotions), some risks are worth taking.  Perhaps the cost to you would be very small or the risk is very remote.  Perhaps you cannot afford insurance immediately and you have no choice but to assume the risk.

Part 3. Addressing the Cause. There are certain risks that can be significantly reduced or eliminated by taking concrete steps.  Have your sales funnels reviewed by an attorney for FTC compliance.  Stop advising coaching clients to engage in risky marketing techniques, no matter how much fun they are.  Investigate a company carefully before you jump into being an affiliate.  Stop using music or photos on your blog, unless they are royalty free.

Part 4.    Shifting the Risk to Others. Some activities may be better handled by third parties.  If you are a Social Media Marketer, you might want to refer your coaching clients to someone else for their SEO or Pay-per-Click needs.  If you need an assistant, you could let him work out of his own home rather than coming to your home office, where there is risk of injury.

Part 5.  Providing for the Risk Yourself. Some small risks can be provided for by building a private fund to cover them.  The risks would have to be small and predictable in order to make this work.

Part 6.  Purchasing Insurance. Once you have completed Parts 1-5, attempting to manage and reduce your risk, it is time to get serious about  purchasing Insurance to cover your home-based business and your Internet activities.

NEXT WEEK, MENTOR MAMA  WILL COVER SOME OF THE HIDDEN RISKS IN OPERATING AN ON-LINE, HOME-BASED BUSINESS AND EXPLAIN SOME OF THE TYPES OF COVERAGE YOU WILL WANT TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER.

So pour yourself a drink ; ) and be ready to discuss how you can demonstrate your love to yourself and your family by safeguarding your futures against serious risk.

*DISCLAIMER: This article is meant for information and discussion purposes only.  It is not intended to be comprehensive.  Further, this article is not intended in any way to be construed as insurance, legal, accounting, or other professional advice.  Every situation is different.  For decisive information about any of these topics, seek out the appropriate professional, who can represent your specific interests and needs.

** For purposes of this blog, I will not be discussing the issues of health insurance or life insurance.  Those are related and equally important topics that we can discuss in the future.