When we founded Club Asteria, our goal was to help the people of the world escape the chains of poverty by providing resources and information designed to help anyone start a business.

Another goal we had was to use the proceeds from our members’ fees and other income streams to help the less fortunate cultures and people of the world.

Since our inception, we’ve gone a long way in achieving those goals, but because the need is never ending, our work is also never quite completed. That’s why we’re thankful for our members.

Club Asteria members have proven to be the most generous and committed partners we’ve found since our mission began. Help has poured in from almost every corner of the world.

There several different areas of philanthropy that Club Asteria has been pursuing, such as our successful microloan program and our partnering with programs with missions and end goals similar to our own.

The microloan program has enabled men and women from around the world to start their own businesses, where before they would have not been able to secure the small loans necessary.

In addition to the microloan programs, we’ve also successfully created micro credit and micro finance programs. These two areas are slightly different from the micro loan mission, but the end result is the same: give people the chance to be successful.

Donations from Club Asteria have also helped make the world a better place, and two of those places are Kenya and Somalia. Both geographical areas have been hit hard by drought, famine and strife in the form of armed conflict.

In the course of a year, we have donated funds used to build a machine that drills deep water wells. Fresh water might not seem like a big deal to those who live in cities or developed countries, but the communities in Kenya and Somalia have seen a drastic increase in the quality of life, thanks to the generosity of Club Asteria’s members!

The scope of our donations has definitely become broader and by partnering with other organizations we have been able to help children across the world receive the education and medical attention they need to live healthy, productive lives.

The vision and mission of Club Asteria continues to be fulfilled through the dedication and generosity of our members. For more information, you can check out this month’s edition of Empower Now or visiting the Club Asteria website.

Like Ghandi said so famously, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

You’ve probably heard me talk about the new member websites and how they’re one of the best resources available to our Club Asteria members.

Hopefully you’ve already signed up for your site, but if you haven’t, here’s the information one more time:

*  Learn about your member website here: https://members.club-asteria.com/. Remember that your login and password are the same ones as for your back office at the Club Asteria Site.

*  We’ve created a short, insightful and informative instructional video, which walks you through setting up your site. Click this link to view it.

*  A PDF of instructions is also available at this link.

Now that you have this information, it’s a really good time to get your site registered so that you can begin to use this tool the right way. Remember, “Use the right tool for the right job.”

As a marketing tool, your own website might be one of the most powerful available! The challenge is to use it the right way, but how do you achieve that?

First, remember that whatever you post on the site is going to be seen by your potential clients, so you want the contents to be error free and also informative. Keeping your audience informed makes it easier for them to purchase.

In the Age of the Internet, information has become expected from vendors and companies that range from gigantic to a one-person operation. Remember to be quick, be informative and be persuasive!

Use the right graphics and photos on your site. They should be in good taste and also memorable – you want your clients to stick around, and when they’re exploring your site, it’s helping your sales.

Remember that the Internet is growing rapidly, there are literally billions of websites out there, so make sure to include a link to your site in all of your marketing and sales collateral. Include the link in the signature of your email, on your social media pages, and on your business cards.

Feedback from visitors will help you sharpen the aim of your website, so ask for the information! You can send out quick surveys to customers – you may want to offer a discount on their next purchase for completing the survey. Use this information wisely when you’re deciding which products to spotlight.

A member website is a powerful marketing and sales tool, and it should be updated on a weekly basis. Integrating this site with your other marketing efforts will enable you to earn more income and help the overall mission of Club Asteria.

The goal of Club Asteria is to help our members find financial freedom by taking advantage of the many resources, products and services that we make available at affordable prices.

We realize that running a small business in these trying economic times can be challenging – the competition is fierce and many people are keeping a tighter hold on their money than ever before!

Hard work has always been one of our mottos at Club Asteria, but there are other aspects to the entire picture that we have to recognize, in order for that hard work to pay off in the end.

Here are some ideas to keep in mind when you’re working towards a goal.

Look Back, Look Forward

This might sound like common sense, but many people don’t realize that to see how far they’ve gone, they need to look back. Every day, you’ve made an accomplishment that’s propelled you forward – no matter how small or insignificant it seems, what you’ve done has set you up for where you’re going!

Don’t Be Scared to Dare

Business leaders will tell you that they had plenty of false starts before they found the right project that led to their success. So don’t be afraid to take a chance, that’s the only way you’re going to succeed! Trying new things or strategies can pay off, it’s just a matter of believing in yourself.

Make Amazing Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, right? When you do something wrong, take the opportunity to learn from it, and you’ll benefit in many ways. Keep a journal and write down what went wrong and how you learned. Remember this, if you’re not making mistakes you’re not trying hard enough.

Look Outside Yourself

Everyone faces the hazard of getting tunnel vision – becoming so engrossed in our own lives that we never look around and observe others. There’s a whole world out there, and it’s full of lessons and information just waiting for you to notice. When we learn from others, we grow and thrive.

Never Stop Learning

As we age, it’s common to think that we’re done learning about life and how the world works. But that’s just not true! There is always something new to learn, and that information could make a big difference in your life. And when you share new information with someone else, you’re helping make the world a better place.

The road of life isn’t always easy, and there’s no guarantee that everyone gets what they want, but as long as you remain open to the people and world around you, the experiences and knowledge you gain will outweigh the negative experiences.

One of the many benefits of joining Club Asteria is access to thought leaders and experts from around the world.

The relationships we’ve created with these fascinating, and generous, personalities have enabled us to share an entire new world of ideas with you.

We’ve been hearing from our members who have used these resources to grow their businesses, and become successful despite the tough economic times we all face

That’s why we’re urging everyone to visit the Club Asteria Entrepreneur Education website. It’s open to our members and functions as an electronic resource that can be accessed from virtually anywhere in the world!

When you reach the page, you’ll have a variety of choices to make, but remember that every one of these resources is designed to help you learn and grow.

Successful entrepreneurs have tested the strategies and tactics you’ll find on this site in the real world – so you can be confident in using them!

Start your visit at the Thought Leaders page – here you’ll be able to read a quick biography of each person. You’ll also discover articles and videos created by these thought leaders, addressing the areas that mean the most to them. It’s like having a personal business coach at your fingertips!

The aptly named Resources Page contains a great deal of videos and other information that you can use in your daily business dealings. We’ve provided links to popular sites containing videos about everything from leadership to innovation. Take your time on this page, there’s a treasure trove of great ideas waiting to be discovered

Every month we’ll select a Club Asteria member and profile that person on our website. Through extensive interviews, you can learn how members just like you were able to find success, and repeat that formula again and again. Who knows? With hard work and the resources on this site, you might be the next Member of the Month!

Finally, the Business Tips page is updated on a regular basis, and contains plenty of fresh, cutting edge tips designed to help small business owners succeed. From hints on how to use Twitter to motivating employees and more, this is the page that contains information you can use instantly!

Club Asteria’s Entrepreneur Education site is home to resources and information that you can use in your own business. We work hard to update the site on a regular basis, so check back often to see what’s new.

If you’re not a Club Asteria member, and you want to get in on the information and resources available, joining is free for a 30 day trial period!

Club Asteria is dedicated to helping our members succeed in whatever business they choose to start.

When you begin a business, there are so many tasks to check off your list, it seems almost impossible. As time passes, and you establish a routine, life doesn’t seem as overwhelming.

However, it’s easy to forget that a business is more than one simple product or service, and that there are plenty of steps you can take to grow your business into something big!

The first thing you need to do is see where you are the strongest, and then make sure that everything is running the right way. Are orders being filled on time? Are your customers happy with the service?

With your main business doing well, take a look at other markets that are similar to yours. Are there any spaces that haven’t been filled by your competition? That’s where you want to start.

Before you take a big step, it’s vital to conduct research of this new market. Check out the competition and figure out what it takes to be successful. As always, you want to enter with a sound strategy, and tactics to support it.

If your business is virtual, it’s easy to build it with a website that carries a new product or service. Remember that cross marketing is a simple, yet effective way, to grow two separate entities.

Adding new lines of products is another sure-fire way to grow your business. Competitive pricing is a must, but you should take time to educate yourself about each new product line and its strengths and weaknesses.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to building a business is lack of patience!

We all want success to come almost instantaneously, and when it doesn’t we’re disappointed and quick to look for a solution. You know what? Many times there is no solution because there is no problem! You’re not failing, you’re expecting too much, too soon.

Allow new ventures to grow; it takes time, but as they gain momentum you’ll be happy that you waited. Think of these new ventures as struggling plants, they need care and shelter and lots of water to survive – and again the key ingredient is time!

Building a business is an exciting venture, and as you add new products and other offerings, you’ll be rewarded with additional income and chance to share that with your family, friends and community.

Just remember to be patient and keep working hard!

Every culture has a phrase that urges the listener to prepare today so they can be ready for any trouble that surfaces tomorrow.

The English version of this saying is, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This quote is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, and it’s no surprise, since he’s regarded as one of the most forward thinkers of his time.

What Mr. Franklin was saying that by planning, you’ll be ready to weather tougher times – and not be caught by surprise when an emergency occurs. If you’re going to be a successful entrepreneur, preparation is vital to success!

Being prepared doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money in the form of insurance, there are simple strategies and tactics you can follow, and gain that pound of cure without going bankrupt!

*  Calendar – this simple tool helps you plan your year, and anticipate busy times and slow times.     Divide each year into four quarters, and review each quarter separately. Write down ideas for advertising, marketing and projected sales.

*  Journal – another investment, this simple notebook is a place where you can record daily and weekly happenings with your business. You don’t have to write lengthy entries, just accurate snapshots of cash flow, sales, advertising that worked, etc. When you’re planning the next year, this journal will be incredibly valuable.

*  Savings – if you’re eventually going to have an emergency fund, you have to start one at some point in time! It doesn’t have to be a lot, but setting aside a small sum each week gets you into the habit, and after a year you’ll be amazed at what you’ve saved.

*  Idea File – whenever you receive a mailer or email advertisement that you like, put it in this file. When you’re ready to start your own campaign, you won’t be starting from scratch. Samples from other businesses are excellent ways to get your creative energy revved up – and it saves you time.

*  Relationship building – your network of contacts is vital to building a business, and when you’re in need of a service or product quickly, knowing someone who can provide it will greatly reduce your downtime in the event of unseen circumstances, like a power outage or machinery breakdown.

Preparing your business for future challenges isn’t a futile exercise, it’s what smart entrepreneurs do. When an emergency occurs, or you’re facing a sudden change, you’ll feel more confident because you’re prepared – and because you’re ready, you won’t waste time or money.

Club Asteria members and new members already know about the latest resource from Club Asteria, it’s our fully interactive, Internet Magazine called Empower Now.

The e-Magazine is housed online, so it’s easy to access via laptop, tablet or mobile phone – and the latest one is ready for you to view and read. And best of all, share with all of your online friends, family and business associates!

The June issue contains a variety of feature articles and monthly highlights that every Club Asteria member will want to read and remember. Plus this month we unveil our 12 Steps to Success winners!

When you click on this link, here are some of the articles you’ll immediately access:

• *  8 Easy to Understand Training Videos
• *  Be the Change You Wish to See In the World
• *  Over 150 Resources
• *  Club Asteria’s Philanthropic Programs
• *  Coming in to Your Wisdom Time
• *  Your Monthly Success Tip

All of these articles, and more, are written by thought leaders from around the world, who are willing to share their insights, knowledge and experience with Club Asteria members.

If you’ve never accessed the e-Magazine before, a quick tip about the icons at the top of the page – they’re designed to make your reading experience easier! Starting from the left side of the page, here is an explanation of the icons.

• *  Thumbs – allows you to view smaller images of each page; click each page and you’ll go directly to it!
• *  Contents – displays a full list of stories in each issue.
• *  Single Page – so you can read the issue a page at a time.
• *  Full Screen – each page occupies your entire screen.
• *  Arrow Buttons – clicking either one side or the other moves you forward or backward from the page you are currently viewing.
• *  Zoom – increases the size of the page for easier reading.
• *  Search – type in a keyword and you’ll see where it’s been mentioned in Empower Now!
• *  Share – click this icon to share the e-Magazine’s link through a variety of social media platforms!
• *  Question Mark – contains a full description of each icon button in the toolbar!
• *  Pens – print out a page, make notes, or save the document in Portable Document Format (PDF), which is smaller and easier to email or save on your computer.
• *  Gears – control settings such as turning sound on or off.

Remember the e-Magazine can be shared with all of the members in your social and business networks! Simply click the Share icon (two heads) at the top of the page and you’ll be given several options for sending out the link to your friends.

Over the next several months, we’ll be profiling various services, resources and tools offered by Club Asteria to our members. Each of these tools have been tested and verified by our team, so you can use them with confidence. Remember that certain resources are available only to Gold and Silver members.

Traffic Optimizer

Like a regular brick and mortar store, website owners want to have as many visitors to their site as possible. The more people who visit a site, the higher your chances are of selling a product or service. Plus, when you can show potential advertisers your site is popular, it’s easier to sell advertising space, and bolster your income stream!

The challenge to building website traffic is having the major search engines – Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc. – locate and index your site. This is where Traffic Optimizer shows its true value.

The system allows you to submit videos, articles and podcasts to the Club Asteria server. These files are then broadcast out to websites around the internet to generate traffic. We set up your account to link back to all of your content’s primary web pages. These views contribute to your search engine rankings, and increase your traffic!

The Traffic Optimizer also teaches you how to adjust your video or article to appear different, giving you the ability to make up to 10 different submissions using the same file! As the search engines register these different submissions, your site rockets to the top of the rankings – this traffic is key in attracting advertisers.

The cost for Traffic Optimizer is $127 for the first submission, and then only $20 per subsequent submission. We will register your account, create a username and password and send the information out to almost 100 sites. If you want to reduce your setup costs, register your own sites with the same information and we will submit your videos for $20 per submission.

Traffic Optimizer is a crucial tool in making the most out of your website. Increasing the amount of page views, without spending a great deal of time, benefits your site in terms of search engine rankings, page views and overall traffic production.

You can find out more about Traffic Optimizer by visiting our site!

In today’s world, there are literally millions of organizations and business people who are ready to sell their product or service to you. All of them claim to work and produce immediate results with little effort – but as the old saying goes, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.”

Club Asteria has been working extremely hard to spread our message to the people of the world. We feel that by providing resources, tools and services to our members, we’re making a difference. Using these tools, our members have been able to create new income streams and improve their lives and the community they live in.

We realize that there are a variety of different choices a person can make when looking to improve their life. That’s why we recently opened up a new website that allows our members to review Club Asteria – no marketing spin here, just the comments and observations of real people.

The address for this site is http://www.club-asteriareview.com/ and when you visit you’ll be able to read what other people have to say about us!

Below are several samples taken from the site:

“I am Abhishek Pandey from Delhi, India. I am a class 10th exceptionally bright student from DPS, RK PURAM, a truly world class school. My father got an account opened for me in Club-Asteria and I became a Network Director. I started going deep into the website of Club-Asteria. I found it amazing and truly world class. Because of Club-Asteria and my higher studies in US, I will be a better citizen and contribute more and more for the betterment of society.”

“I am full of gratitude and admiration for Andrea Lucas for creating an incredible opportunity like Club-Asteria. I tried some networking businesses like AMWAY with my job but failed to make his mark in any of them. Club-Asteria is the only opportunity that full fills my all dreams. This is one business, which transcends the boundaries of race, color, religion, gender and creed. I want to make difference in peoples life as well as my own life.” Bhupendra Singh Rawat

“I’ve been a Gold Member for only two months. With the extra earnings from Club Asteria from just these two months, I no longer need to teach in the evenings. Instead, I use that time to be with my family – making dinner, sharing stories of each day, laughing and smiling. I am happy because I am now able to give back to my community through donating my time and money to our local temple, which provides programs for the elderly. I also help the many impoverished people in Thailand by donating to the people’s shelters and volunteering my working time to them.” Kijti  Chaiyapundi

Club Asteria has improved the lives of countless people around the world, and you can experience the same level of success, just by joining. Our membership is free to everyone, and by upgrading to Silver or Gold level, you’ll be gaining access to high-level tools and resources that produce fast, effective results.

When I first began working with Club Asteria, I learned that a significant amount of the population of our global community lives on $1.00 per day. It seemed incomprehensible and yet as I traveled to the different areas of the world, I not only witnessed the depth of poverty but grasped the notion that those who do live on $1.00 per day are fortunate in comparison to others. This overwhelming passion consumed me. What is the most effective way to help people emerge from poverty? Many people have many solutions as is true to most any problem we face; finding the answers that will help long term and contribute to the greatest number of people is the obvious resolution. At Club Asteria, we focus on the individual, his/her community, and the resources which will benefit the most.

As an investor, have you ever considered what your investments say about you? If you considered that over a billion people need a small loan to equip them to climb from the cycle of poverty into the realm of provision, would you invest? Micro financing investors are realizing the return on their money is higher and the reward of helping our global economy significantly makes better sense.

I recently spoke with an entrepreneur whose first loan was in the amount of $300.00. After successfully repaying the first loan, she was given $600.00. She has continued to repay the loans, on time, and her business has flourished through the educational seminars and support Club Asteria offers. On a personal note, I asked her what the business has done for her. Her children can go to school because she has the money to pay for it. Her home has indoor plumbing now. I enjoyed hearing her story of the night they installed her bathtub. At first she was very scared to fill the tub with more than an inch of water. It took her several attempts before she felt comfortable immersing herself. Now, a warm bath after a long day at work is something she looks forward to doing, a pleasure many of us take for granted.

Just outside of Guatemala City, I visited a family of entrepreneurs who have been with our program for over a year now. The family is in the flower business. It is Women’s Day and the concrete building which houses the florist is rushed with orders to be filled. For several minutes I just stand outside watching the flow of customers as they choose the flowers for their arrangements. The youngest daughter manages the cash register as the fingers of the father and mother prepare orders. In the back of the shop to my surprise I see one of our loan officer working the back shop, clipping the roses to display for choosing. Seeing him working beside them brings a smile to my face. When all is said and done, micro financing is not just an investment; it is an avenue to bring people together.

Micro finance shows what is best in people and brings to the table a social awareness of the world. We don’t have to look overwhelmingly in discouragement at the statistics of poverty which tell us people live on $1.00 per day; instead, we can realize the impact $1.00 per day of our own money as an investment can have on the people of the world. It is all in the way we view it.