Budding entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs ask me more questions about pricing than anything else. When do you charge full price? When should you low-ball against a competitor? How do you determine the right price point? How should you position yourself relative to price?

So this week, I’m going to touch on a few of these frequently asked questions… Be sure to stay tuned to my blog to get all of my business acceleration tips and million-dollar advice.

–FAQ #1: When Should You Low-Ball? Let me make this very simple…if you have a tangible differentiator, then NEVER!  When I was selling services head-to-head against the Big 6 accounting firms, we were competing to provide expertise in converting corporate information systems to Microsoft Windows. I had four years of Windows engineering expertise, and I was even on the Windows team at Microsoft. My team was equally as strong as the Big 6, if not more so. On the other hand, we were only bringing 6 months of Windows experience to the table. Know what? I never low-balled. There was no need to – we had the expertise advantage.

However, when you’re equal to the competition, but have a perceived disadvantage in the commodity business, then low-balling may be the best choice. When I was competing with a large job shop to hire highly skilled freelance programmers, I did low-ball. The programmers were the decision makers. They didn’t care who paid their paychecks — they just wanted to keep working at Microsoft. So I paid the contractors a piece of my profit (more than the large job shop would) because I had no differentiator. And it worked out great.

Of course, there’s a lot more to be said about pricing strategies, and I go into more detail about each one of these questions, as well as a host of others, at my 7 Figure Business Summit.  Worried that you don’t qualify because you’re NOT a 7 Figure Business yet?  Well, that’s the point, of course!  If YOU are ready to work with me, I still have a few seats left!

THIS event is happening in only FOUR WEEKS.  4/30-5/2.  So hurry! Get your seats RIGHT NOW.  You can still come for the early-bird price of $997 AND bring a friend for half price. (That’s MY PERSONAL business acceleration recession buster – 7 Figure Business Summit.)

To your amazing and IMMEDIATE 7 Figure Success,

Christine Comaford, 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author of Rules for Renegades

PS: IF you cannot attend my Summit for any reason, then by all means, grab my Results Now Webinar and get started – but I think you should ALL be at that Summit and give me a chance to see you and hear the extraordinary life that YOU want to build.

Christine Comaford believes every entrepreneur has at least one multi-million dollar business inside of them. Her 7 Figure Business Formula has created over 153 multi-million dollar businesses. Learn the 6 proven steps to YOUR 7 Figure Business here: http://bit.ly/ComafordWebinar

Okay! Get a cup of jo, because this is a good one!

If we’re going to REALLY get down-and-dirty about building and funding a 7 Figure Business, let’s consider equity financing first. Each round of financing should be large enough to last you 12 months or so. Most companies do 3-5 financing rounds prior to exit (IPO or acquisition). The first financing round should be a smaller one – a few hundred thousand dollars usually from friends, family, or angel investors. The goal is to get a product in beta test form and prove your idea.

Next is a more formal financing round, often multi-millions, with institutional investors (such as venture capitalists) coming into the picture. Then comes round three, sometimes with corporate investors and more institutional investors. At the third round, the exit or liquidity event should be planned.

The other source is similar, except your financiers are angel investors instead of institutions. You still need to have the right corporate structure and you’ll have the ups and downs that come with someone else owning a sizable chunk of your company. Remember–the goal of any investor is to make money as soon as they can and at the highest value they can. This changes the course of a company’s business acceleration — a LOT!

Regardless of which equity-based approach you take, you’re selling a piece of your company, so you’ll be losing some control. You’ll now have partners who can vote on company decisions you want to make, and sometimes your plans will be shot down. That said, this may be a better approach than dangling alone on the financial hook. With equity, the company’s assets are at stake; with a loan, your personal ones are. Either way, though, your business acceleration and 7 figure success almost demand that financing is part of the deal.

This week, jot down 5 people who you could target as investors in your company. Think about how you can approach them, and how you can sell your business idea. If you’re ready to get your pitch in order, then you’re probably ready to work with me. How? Well, I mentor one-on-one and in small groups, through my Business Acceleration Mastermind program, and also with my Business Acceleration Intensive weekends.  I also mentor at live events, like my 7 Figure Business Summit.  THIS event is happening in only FOUR WEEKS.  4/30-5/2.  So hurry!

IF you cannot attend my Summit for any reason, then by all means, grab my Results Now Webinar and get started – but I think you should ALL be at that Summit and give me a chance to see you and hear the extraordinary life that YOU want to build.

To your amazing and IMMEDIATE 7 Figure Success,

Christine Comaford, 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author of Rules for Renegades

Christine Comaford believes every entrepreneur has at least one multi-million dollar business inside of them. Her 7 Figure Business Formula has created over 153 multi-million dollar businesses. Learn the 6 proven steps to YOUR 7 Figure Business here: http://bit.ly/ComafordWebinar

This week, I’m ALL about building a rockin’ team.  WHY do you need a rockin’ team?  Because building a 7 Figure Business is NOT a joke.  It is where the real freedom comes in — it creates CHOICES.  A 7 Figure Business is a whole different kind of success story, and I use ALL of my million-dollar know how to offer the REAL goods on business acceleration to get you from here to there.  YES?   Are you ready for a different kind of life and business?  Then follow my blog, visit my websites and watch the video at http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com/2010. 

STOP spinning your wheels.

I hope you’ll tune in EVERY day for my 4 Secrets on Team Attraction:

1. The Fab Four: I try to find outstanding people who fit into one or more of these 4 categories:

– Visionaries: They’re highly visible and articulate; they “see” the future of your company as well as new markets you should enter. And they’ll wow prospective clients and financiers.

– Leaders: This is your executive management; they make their mission everyone else’s. A great leader can inspire and motivate people to do anything.

– Implementers: These are the people who make things happen. They build the products/services and market and sell them.

– Infrastructure Builders/Supporters: They create the foundation, processes, and procedures to keep the company running smoothly and enable it to grow.

(Where do you FIND those people?  If you’re building a 7 Figure Business and the TEAM to get you there, the BEST place to find those like-minded people is my 7 Figure Business Building Summit. The early bird special price ends in less than two weeks, so click through now – and don’t forget, you can still bring a friend for half price! That’s TWO of you for $1,497 – unbelievable.)  http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com/2010To your success and your winning relationships!

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS:  This is the ONE event you must be at this year: http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com

Do you know your business’ Freedom Finish Line? How can you ever reach it if you don’t KNOW it? Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder shares her business acceleration expertise in this video. If you want to see Christine LIVE and in person, you can attend her 7 Figure Business Summit in April. Go to http://www.7FigureBusinessSummit.com/2010 for details.

In our nation — THE land of opportunity — a business fails every SIXTY SECONDS.  We launch more success stories, and more failures than anywhere else in the world.  AND THAT MAKES ME HAPPY!  Happy?  Yes, because people are taking risks to change their lives.  But of course, I want you to be one of the success stories.  A 7 Figure Success Story, to be specific.  Because when you hit THAT level, you’ve built a business you can sell.  And how do you HIT that level? You practice business acceleration! And you learn to practice that from The 7 Figure Business Builder — me! Watch this video to learn the ingredients to my 7 Figure Business Formula.  Want more training (and who wouldn’t)?  Join my monthly video mentoring site — hugely affordable at $99 a month.  THIS is how I support new start-up entrepreneurs — or those entreperenurs who simply can’t leave their businesses to work with me in person in San Francisco.

To your amazing and IMMEDIATE success,
Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: In the spirit of great free gifts, if you have not gotten my FREE CD on building a 7 Figure Business, you’re missing a vital key to your 7 Figure Success Story. http://www.bit.ly/iBmuI

What’s the MOST important part of what your company does? If you answered accountability or responsiveness or even quality control, you’re wrong.  The MOST important thing, every day is: Close the Deal. After all, EVERYTHING stops if you can’t do this.

Remember these four vital ingredients:

#1.  Closing is about confidence. You have to KNOW that you kick butt and know that the rest of your formula (i.e., accountability, responsiveness, QC, etc.) is solidly in place.

#2. Also, if your prospect feels you have confidence in your solution, THEY will have confidence in your solution.

#3. Remember, confidence comes from preparation + a quality product you believe in + using the Confident Stance (if nervous, focus on something you are great at: parenting, a hobby, being a terrific friend, etc. Feel that energy in your body and posture – then have at it). You are holding a solution they NEED, they are in PAIN.  It’s a great match – so no reason to be nervous at all.

#4. If you are nervous – or even if you’re not – role play your final presentation in advance and prepare answers to objections.  There’s NO reason not to be prepared.  This is how you HELP your prospect to work through their process and see your solutions.

For only the cost of shipping and handling ($4.95) I’d love to give you my 7 Figure Business Systems (which includes over 45 “must have” business documents, procedures, templates tutorials and worksheets). AND you’ll get 2 weeks FREE trial to my 7 Figure Business Formula Video Mentoring Program. After your FREE trial, unless you notify us, you will be automatically enrolled in this $97 a month Exclusive Training Program.  Business acceleration is no joke, gang, and finding a rockin’ mentor is a huge part of it.  I’m here and I’ve done this over 100 times. 

trial. Supplies are limited and I have no plans to create more. http://bit.ly/97KnyV

1.  “Tune your Radio to WIIFM” (WIIFM – “What’s In It For Me?”)

• This is the favorite and only station your prospect listens to
• Know why they are buying: 3 reasons – make money, save money, eliminate/reduce frustration or pain
• Remind them why they are buying
• Only talk to them about how this deal will help them!

2.  Ask for the Deal

• You have identified your prospect’s needs
• You have presented a solution to their needs
• You have earned the right to ask them to buy your recommended solution…So ASK!

3.  Stop Selling

• Your prospects know what they want
• They asked you to provide it and you did
• The more you talk, the more they think you are not done providing the solution
• Stop talking and let them decide to decide

4.  Close the Deal  

• Closing is about confidence
• If your prospect feels you have confidence in your solution, they will have confidence in your solution
• Confidence comes from preparation + a quality product you believe in + using the Confident Stance (if nervous, focus on something you are great at: parenting, a hobby, being a terrific friend, etc. Feel that energy in your body and posture.)
• Role play your final presentation in advance and prepare answers to objections

If you want these things for yourself too, then I have a gift for you. This is a gift that is going to rock your world, it is a gesture solely with YOUR success in mind.

==> http://bit.ly/97KnyV

For only the cost of shipping and handling ($4.95) I’d love to give you my 7 Figure Business Systems (which includes over 45 “must have” business documents, procedures, templates tutorials and worksheets). AND you’ll get 2 weeks FREE trial to my 7 Figure Business Formula Video Mentoring Program. After your FREE trial, unless you notify us, you will be automatically enrolled |in this $97 a month Exclusive Training Program. 

Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: Grab your copy now and ROCK the two-week trial. Supplies are limited and I have no plans to create more. http://bit.ly/97KnyV

Step #3 Practice the Law of Attraction: Everyone talks about it, few do it properly. Here’s the deal: you must stop resisting and stop pushing to get what you want. It’s too easy to be roadblocked by fear, inertia, poor teams, the economy – the list is ENDLESS. 

I know this is hard. I am now pretty good at visualizing what I want and letting it come into my life and recognizing/being grateful when it does. I don’t resist much. It’s the pushing I still work at—pushing to make things happen, exerting effort instead of energy to attract, to draw these things to you. I have a new process I do each morning. After I meditate and visualize my goals I ask, “What is my intention for the day?” I state 3 or 4 things, and one is always “that people will show up to help me achieve my goals.” It works. Daily!

Here’s to your 7 Figure Business in 2010.
Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: Be sure to get my free CD for before they run out. http://www.bit.ly/iBmuI.  With this CD, I’ve also offered a free two-week introduction to my monthly mentoring program.  This program is an opportunity to implement my 7 Figure Business Building Formula despite the recession, the market, the competition, etc., etc.  Working with a rockin’ mentor is a VITAL part of your 7 Figure Success Story.  And I’m a rockin’ mentor with a rockin’ passion to help change YOUR story, that’s for sure!

Get quoted!  Super simple and super effective!  Sign up for www.LinkedIn.com  and start answering LinkedIn questions. This will boost your rating in the LinkedIn community and drive traffic to your web site (with the free gift, which will continue to build your list!). Heck, Bill Gates asks questions on LinkedIn. So get on there and start answering! Next, sign up for www.HelpAReporter.com and start answering queries from journalists. This is a free service, and the way to make it work best is to make sure you provide 3-5 prescriptive suggestions to tackle whatever challenge the journalist is addressing in their article. Also consider signing up for www.PRLEADS.com , where you’ll be listed as an expert for the press to contact (this is a paid service, fyi!).  Stay tuned for one more blog on this topic later in the week. 

To your 7 Figure Business in 2010.
Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS: Be sure to get my free CD for before they run out. http://www.bit.ly/iBmuI.  With this CD, I’ve also offered a free two-week introduction to my monthly mentoring program.  This program is an opportunity to implement my 7 Figure Business Building Formula despite the recession, the market, the competition, etc., etc.  Working with a rockin’ mentor is a VITAL part of your 7 Figure Success Story.  And I’m a rockin’ mentor with a rockin’ passion to help change YOUR story, that’s for sure!

I want to spend a few minutes this week and blog on boosting your profile and your credibility. This is a constant process, I kid you not. When I returned to the business world after being retired for 3 years, people said “Christine who?” and there I was… having to build a platform (UGH!) all over again.  This week, I’ll be covering the 3 fastest ways I’ve found to build one’s credibility as an expert.  Here’s Step 1.

Step #1 Get a column: Sounds hard, but isn’t. Write 8+ articles that are prescriptive (5 tips to X, 7 things to avoid when doing Y)—all focused on your area of expertise. Distribute these 300-500 word articles via article submission engines like www.ezinearticles.com and others. Google to find tons of these sites. Find web sites (see www.alexa.com) and blogs (see www.technorati.com ) in your area of expertise. Offer your columns as a free resource for these sites and blogs to offer to their visitors. Be sure to end your article with a brief bio leading the reader to your web site where they’ll get a free content-rich gift (and they will opt in to your mailing list to get it).

Stay tuned for more on this topic later in the week.

To your 7 Figure Business in 2010.
Christine Comaford, The 7 Figure Business Builder
CEO of Mighty Ventueres, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author

PS:  IF you are 100% ready to move into 7 Figure Success and to work with me PERSONALLY, my private mentoring weekend is only a few DAYS away. Join 19 other CEOs (and me) to be mentored by me personally. Each of you will get a hotseat to present your business model and get my feedback and mentoring.  Strongly affordable at $1,997.  Don’t think too long though, you need to get your spot and get yourself here within a few days to get your newfound success on track and leave your old failures and excuses in the dust. 
http://www.MightyVentures.com/bai