into the waterless pool. OUCH.

Liability is a BIG issue. Risk Management is hottest topic going in business and in Government...why?

Cause we DO have a lot of lawyers that need work...and so even the most trivial of harms finds its way to litigation. Tsk..Tsk.

Truth. Fact. Don't hide from it.

NOW then.

A few posts down I mentioned BROKERING for funeral services. Any would be salesman must watch Glengary Glenross...and learn about LEADS.

I'm sure that every town has someone already doing decks. As even Don must admit, the LEAD to new business is extremely valuable, he's building a new empire supplying leads to realtors and auto dealers.

So why can't you 'QUALIFY' the deck owner who wants his/her deck to look like new...and be a BROKER in effect, without all the hassles and liability.

You get 100 bucks for every JOB your local licensed, insured, bonded and trained professional deck guy gets as a result of your ads or contacts. First time he doesn't pay, you NEVER give him another lead.

If you can generate 5 leads a week from your classified ads or Hotsheets you are distributing...that could be 500 bucks in your pocket minus a few hours of work...

This is leverage. QUALIFIED leads, those with a raised hand...those hungry people in front of the hot dog stand...those with the WANT...

are QUALIFIED leads. And there should be enough qualified contractors in any area to perform the work. YOU stand in the GAP between the Deck Owner and the Deck Restorer.

The cost of an ad would be recouped with ONE hot lead. If A doesn't want it for 100 bucks, offer it to B. Or C or D.

I recall a story Mike Rodman related about the guy who bought ATV's from a classified ad, and sold them to a guy WANTING ATV's from the same classified ad section (as I recall the story)...

the MAN (Mike's friend) simply used the Gordon Alexander's PROFITS (the GAP) strategy and got his little toll booth between the buyer and the seller.

That is what a Real Estate Broker does. Stands in the GAP...and is willing to pay big money as Don will testify...for QUALIFIED leads.

The great thing about doing CHATTEL...it might be hard to come across a lot of liablity when you sell your bike AS IS to someone who wants it.

Find a SELLER. Then a BUYER. Stand in the GAP between the two...and make your 500 bux that way...and you don't get wet, tired out, have to hire day labor, get splinters in your fingers, lug around chemicals, buy supplies, pay help...and make sure you keep the customer satisfied and safe...

sheesh...if there is anything that beats CHATTELING, I sure don't know what it is.

Except maybe being a bird dog (think affiliate) of the people who WANT something done...

and the people who DO it.

Stand there with your hands out, palms up, and watch them put some cold hard cash in your hands.

Get QUALIFIED LEADS for people who will pay for them.

Or get busy CHATTELING.

What is an affiliate program other than giving someone a % for a QUALIFIED (AS IN BUYER) lead?

Just a little twist, a turn, a concept that may have escaped you in the heat of the moment.

Gordon Alexander