One of the simplest ways to gain more sales, more email subscribers, or more team prospects is to include a strong call to action in all your marketing and sales materials.

A call to action is simply telling your reader what you want them to do. Phrases such as “Call now” and “Click here to buy” are examples. There is nothing complicated about a call to action, but all too often we forget to include it.

Why Is a Call to Action Important?

When writing sales copy it is obvious to you why you are writing it. You want people to purchase your product or service. So it’s easy to forget to tell them to do that. At first glance, it may seem quite unnecessary.

Think about it for a minute. People today are quite busy with their day-to-day activities. They have work and family to think about. In their spare time they have hobbies and entertainment to keep them busy. There is no shortage of things to occupy their minds. When reading a sales letter they often read what they see and that’s it.

Sure, if the reader stopped to think about it, they would realize that the copy is urging them to make a purchase. Most of the time they don’t. They think, “Gee, that sounds nice,” and go on about their business.

In an online sales letter this is even more of a problem. The Internet is full of information and your sales page is one of millions that are out there waiting to be read. You could have the most compelling sales copy in the world, but without a call to action, your sales will not be as good as they could be.

Another reason for a call to action is to let customers know what course of action they should take to purchase. If you don’t tell them to click the link or call the toll-free number to order, they may not know what they need to do. Instead of investigating they may just look elsewhere.

Where Does the Call to Action Go?

The most common place for a call to action is at the end of the sales letter right before the signature and P.S. There should definitely be a call to action in that very place. There are other places that you can add a call to action for added convenience and visibility.

If your sales letter is long you could consider putting a call to action after each main section. Some readers could make up their minds without reading all the way to the bottom. Other readers may read all the way through but go back to look over the details again. Letting them know what they need to do to order when they are ready will seal the deal.

Calls to action are important in sales and marketing copy. A few simple, well placed words may be all it takes improve your response rates. Tell your readers what to do and they’re more likely to do it.

Do you ever feel like your head might explode from information overload? I do.

The beauty of the Internet is that it’s an infinite source of information on pretty much any topic you can think of. Type a few words into a search engine and you’ll get the who, what, where, when, and why on any question you have. You can find out where to buy it or sell it. You’ll find pictures and videos of it. You can review it, argue it, praise it, debunk it, meet it, friend it, follow it, date it, block it, and report it.

By the time you’re done with it, the information overloaded beast may rise up and scare you into shutting off the Internet and crawling under the covers.

If you’re fairly new to the Internet, you might be completely lost – not knowing where to turn in your search for useful, accurate information. You’re probably confronted with conflicting advice on almost everything you look up and so confused you can’t take the next step.

And if you’ve been online for any length of time, you likely follow so many people and resources that you’re bombarded with emails, RSS feeds, social media notifications, and chat requests all day long.

Like many things in life, we have to take the bad with the good. But there are ways to minimize the negative and use the positive to our advantage. Here are some tips for coping with the beast:

1 – One. No matter what you’re doing, take it one step at a time. Whether it’s research on the best washing machine, looking for a home business, or seeking medical advice, if you look long enough you can find completely opposing viewpoints. At some point you have to stop looking.

Start with trusted sources and well-known names and brands. Consumer reviews and testimonials can be very useful, but be careful about the source and motivation. It’s often the case that those with negative experiences are more vocal than those with positive experiences.

Be especially careful when dealing with serious issues like health and safety. Always consultant your own professionals.

2 – Use your common sense. A lot of what you find on the Internet is marketing material, well-designed marketing material. Carefully consider whether it makes sense for you at this time. If it doesn’t, move on.

3 – Focus. Count the number of distractions surrounding you. If you’re like me, when you log on, you’re connected to email, Facebook, Twitter, an RSS reader, Skype, and live chat. (And I’m probably somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to online connections.) No wonder it’s hard to get anything done. There’s nothing wrong with being social online, just don’t let it interfere when you need to focus on something else.

4 – Make a plan. Before you plug in, have a plan and a to-do list. It will help you focus. Prioritize.

5 – Take a break. Stretch often and exercise daily. Just because you can take it along on your laptop, phone, or i-something, doesn’t mean you have to. Disconnect for some period of time everyday.

6 – Use tools. Planners, schedulers, timers, filters, and other tools can help you reduce and organize incoming and stored information. Learn how to use search tools effectively to narrow results to the most relevant information.

7 – Scan. Learn to scan information to quickly evaluate its relevance.

8 – Take the pressure off. No one knows everything about anything. Don’t try to get it all.

9 – What goes around comes around. Consider what you’re putting out there. The more you send out, the more you’re likely to get back.

The beauty of the Internet is the many doors it can help open. The beast is all the doors that stay open. Tame it.

One of the most frequently asked questions about starting a home business or Internet business is whether a business license is required. And unfortunately, there’s not a simple yes or no answer.

It’s important to start and operate your business under the proper licenses and other legal requirements. It may cost a bit in the beginning, but the penalties for not following the law may be much more costly. Free help is available from consumer organizations and government offices, however I suggest consulting professionals such as an attorney and an accountant to make sure you not only follow the law, but that your business operates in a manner that best suits your personal circumstances.

In the United States, there are different business requirements at the federal, state, city or town and county levels. Even your local zoning laws may address business license requirements in addition to regulating the type of business you can operate from home. If you are doing business under an assumed or business name, you may need to register as a corporation or partnership, or file a a DBA (Doing Business As).

The Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) provides a good deal of information on licensing (and many other aspects of starting a business). Other good sources of information include your state’s official website, your Secretary of State’s office, your city’s official website, and your local county clerk or town clerk.

In addition to licensing you may be required to collect and remit state and local sales taxes. You’ll also need to know how to report your business income for your state and federal tax returns.

Making the effort to start your business legally takes a little time and effort, and probably a little cash, but it’s well worth it in the long run.

[Image courtesy of ifindkarma].

For many direct sales consultants and other home business owners, September marks the start of their busy season. For some it may be the time to gear up for holiday sales and for others it’s simply a time to refocus and work harder after a more laid-back summer. Whatever the reason, here are some tips to help you handle a more hectic season:

1. Make a plan. A good plan is the basis of a successful busy season. It helps you prepare for the sudden increase in customers and orders and gives you a concrete system to follow when things seem overwhelming. Think back to previous years to incorporate what worked and improve on what didn’t work.

2. Consider hiring help. Small business owners are sometimes reluctant to hire help because it cuts into profit. But often, it has the opposite effect. When you can get more done you can make more sales.

3. Use all your available resources. If possible, let your direct sales company or wholesale distributor drop ship to your customers. If you’re packing and shipping yourself, use online shipping services and have the packaged picked up to save time driving the post office or shipping store and standing in line. Even fifteen minutes saved here and there can be a big help.

4. Don’t be afraid to say no. You may have to turn away some customers. It’s better to be honest and turn away orders that you won’t be able to fulfill than to take orders and not deliver. Make sure you cut off holiday orders early enough to get them all shipped and delivered in plenty of time.

5. Keep communicating with your customers. Even though business may be hectic, customer service should continue to be a priority. Be sure to address the needs of all your customers. If you have problems fulfilling an order or it’s delayed, notify your customer right away and offer an alternative. Customers will understand that problems occur and are much more likely to be forgiving when you communicate openly with them.

Your busy season is an exciting and hectic time that can also be very stressful. With a good plan system in place, you can make it through relatively calmly and profitably.