Over the holiday break I had a chance to do a lot of thinking… especially about this…

How fortunate we are to be able to make money using a simple Internet connection.

I just got back from El Salvador this past weekend where Amy and I were fortunate enough to help a couple orphanages and a small village in the mountains.

It was eye opening.

Before I tell you about the trip and the lesson I learned, I want to publicly say thank you to Jose Espana.

He helped us out tremendously during our time in El Salvador and I really enjoyed the brainstorming we did (which fits perfectly with the rest of this email).

Now here’s what really made me stop and think…

First, some of these people and kids will never have 1/10th the opportunity that we have available to us.

HOWEVER…

I found their level of personal creativity to be extremely high.

Here’s what I mean…

When you have nothing, you need to be more creative to get something.

I remember when I was just starting out on my entrepreneurial adventure, shoulder deep in student debt, and no idea what direction I was really heading.

Money, contacts, and resources were all non existent.

However, my creativity was at an all time high - it needed to be otherwise I wouldn’t have made any progress.

If I wanted or needed something I had to find a creative way to get it because the conventional methods (buy it) were out of the question.

I often share with people that I find I am most creative when I am most desperate.

There was a need to find a way to make progress despite not having any money, contacts or resources.

Can you relate?

That’s exactly what these people in El Salvador were like.

I found the kids of the village creating fun and exciting games with a simple cardboard box.

I watched the adults pull together 4 or 5 unique meals all using the same ingredients (beans!).

I witnessed people design innovative ways to do things we often take for granted because of a ‘power tool’ or ’switch’.

It really gave me a shot to the arm and reminded me that at the heart of everything we do in business and life, creative (and applicable) solutions really separate the ’success stories’ from the ‘wannabees’.

Think about it…

Have you ever received a creative gift from someone for Christmas or for your birthday?

I bet it’s edged in your memory forever.

Why?

Because it was unique.

It stood out among all the other gifts.

Here’s the funny thing…

The same principles apply to business.

For example…

Right now Joel Comm is conducting a promotion for his newly released product called ‘Monthly Templates’.

>> http://www.myideaguy.net/e/monthlytemplates

You have probably received a number of emails from other marketers recommending it.

So how do you increase your probability of success with this product?

You get creative!

Obviously the majority of people who purchase this product will use it the exact same way.

When that happens, the effectiveness diminishes.

However…

The people who get a little creative will find other areas of opportunity to take advantage of all the work that has been done for you with these templates.

Therefore increasing their probability of success.

Please don’t get me wrong…

I’m not referring to using some whacky ideas - there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

What I’m saying is, take a minute and brainstorm some alternative ways you could use these templates.

Templates are VERY powerful because the majority of the work has been done for you.

Unfortunately this is where most people stop.

Why?

Because they are lazy (sorry for being so blunt but it’s true).

That gives you a HUGE opportunity.

If you take the time that the templates have saved you, and invest it in a little brainstorming, you’ll instantly separate yourself from the pack.

Your ideas will be fresh.

Your ideas will be original.

Your ideas will stand out - just like those memorable gifts.

All of which work in your favor and help you separate yourself from the ‘clutter’ that is created when people purchase templates and then stay in ‘lazy mode’.

Make sense?

Here’s the bottom line…

I have no idea if Joel’s Monthly Templates are right for you and your business.

>> http://www.myideaguy.net/e/monthlytemplates

Here’s what I do know…

There is an ENORMOUS opportunity for those people who do invest in Joel’s templates and then use a little creativity in regards to their strategy for utilizing them.

I’ve been fortunate to get to know Joel over the last year and he is a class act. He produces high quality products and he always takes care of his customers (that’s why I recommend his products).

Regardless of what you decide to do I want to encourage you to focus on spending just a little time to be a bit more creative in everything that you do.

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

You just have to make your products stand out from everyone else.

I wish you all the best for 2007 and I look forward to assisting you in your entrepreurial adventures

Take care.

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About The Author
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Stu McLaren is a sought after marketing consultant for small business owners. He specializes in helping entrepreneurs leverage the internet in their marketing activities and is well known for his expertise in building and managing highly profitable affiliate programs.

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Other Websites of Interest:
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IdeaSeminar.com
MarketingWebGraphics.com
GetStartedWithInternetMarketing.com
GetStartedWithInfoMarketing.com
BasicListBuilding.com