Marketers come online and they're in such a hurry to make money, they neglect one of the most essential ingredients to success.

They don't take the time to put together their battle plan. They know where they want to go, but they never sit down and map out how they're going to get there.

They're like ships without a crew. They're tossed to and fro and have no idea why.

If you're serious about your business, you need a plan.

Your business should be planned like a well thought out battle. If you haven't got your plan in place you'll suffer casualties.

You won't suffer loss of life, but you will suffer losses of:

* Money

* Time

* Opportunity


Just as the well honed warrior prepares for all possible occurrences, you must be prepared to last through the slow times, and be just as prepared to capitalize on the times when it appears you can do no wrong.

The first step on your march to the flag is to decide who you are. In the immortal words of Shakespeare, "In brief sir, study that which you most affect".

Know your strengths and know your weaknesses. You'll never be truly successful until you've first made an inventory of your-self. You can study all the "How-To's" and you may even make money, but to be truly be successful you must have your "Why-To's" in place.

Once you've decided who you are and listed your strengths and weaknesses, the next step is to determine how much money you have for your war chest.

Only use money you can afford to lose. As any professional trader or championship gambler will tell you, "Scared money never wins!"

Don't mortgage your house or max-out your credit cards because you've got the million dollar sure-fire winner.

You'll be so busy worrying, you won't be able to think clearly.

Take money you won't miss and test-test-test. Your thinking will be much clearer and when your testing finally hits on a winning formula you'll be ready to capitalize.

When you've got your winning formula, you should pyramid your profits to expand your business. A minimum of 50% of your profits should go back into your business in the first 6 months.

If you're only using money you can live comfortably without, you should place 100% back into marketing, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of your labors!

The final step in your battle plan is to keep a log book.

Just as generals study battles from the past and chess players study strategies from the old masters, you must begin your own manual.

Don't rely on your memory!!

In your manual keep every advertising campaign you've waged. Be as detailed as possible. List what has worked and what hasn't.

Key your ads to determine where your profits are coming from.

Test media used, actual ads and sells letters, etc. Sculpt your business. If your business is based on profits, the best way to insure profits is the same way you'd carve an elephant out of granite.

"Remove everything that's not an elephant!"

In your business remove everything that isn't profitable.

Be ruthless with that chisel.

Don't marry any method of promotion, or any one opportunity.

If you do you'll spend time chasing losses, instead of accumulating profits.

Put some thought and effort into your plan and you'll be a step ahead of the competition.