Ever get tired of feeling like marketing, money, sales and everything else rests only on your shoulders?
(Can you get clear answers, support, and guidance on what to do and how, plus follow up when things need tweaking?)
There's a lot to do in your business. Really a lot.
And, it's not just that there's a lot to do. Often, it's not obvious how to do what you need to do. Or the next step is a little obscure. Books and other programs are great, but they don't help you problem solve when you don't know how to get from here to there.
 |
What you need is an Oasis
A place where you can get nourished through connecting with others for mutual support and reliable feedback. A place where there are plenty of resources, information and guidance, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel.
Because it's not just about doing- it's also about your heart. What if what needs to be done looks like it conflicts with your morals, intuition, or spirit? How do you have a healthy, abundant business without compromising who you are?
It's time to stop wandering in the desert of the marketplace, and get yourself out of the sun. Relax in a tent, by the water, with a cool drink, while great people (including yours truly, Mark Silver) help you get your business profitable, without trampling who you are and what you care about.
Introducing: The Business Oasis
It's an online resource, supportive community, and heart-centered business resource-center, all-in-one.
"If I had created this for myself, it would have been exactly like this."
LaVon Rice
Washington, D.C.
"When I logged onto the Oasis for the first time, I was a little bit intimidated. I thought everyone else was established, they've got it down and all figured out.
"But, after reading discussions people were having, and getting feedback, I realized that everyone was just here to support each other. My initial shyness was overcome as I was reading how people were bringing their questions, and their vulnerability. It allowed me to realize that I have the the same thing, and it's fine.
"I started my business because I wanted to be able to control my workday, and have work that I can infuse with my own values, and I also wanted to be able to use my creativity fully. Writing is what I do, and what I feel like I've been put on earth to do, and I wanted to find a way to use my writing that is of use in the world.
"The Oasis is really a treasure trove of things to explore. There are people who have great ideas in terms of marketing, but also in terms of opening your heart, and I love how integrated it is. I love being among kindred spirits, being able to get practical, heart-centered advice, and it's also a place where you can see people grow, and grow yourself.
"I've been sending your articles to my business partner saying, 'You have to do this.' I can hardly express how happy I am that I found the Oasis. If I had created this for myself, it would have been exactly like this. "
What's at The Business Oasis?
First of all, there's a large, and growing, library of features, sorted by topic.
Here's a few of the more popular ones:
- Strangers to prospectors: How to help the right strangers notice your business and stick around.
- Prospectors to Customers: How to then help those who have become interested go ahead and purchase.
- Business Strategy: Getting out of chaos and into an organic structure and flow for your business.
- The Art of Writing: How to write effectively, compellingly, quickly, and from the heart.
- Spiritual Connection: Maintaining your heart connection in the most trying of circumstances, and bringing a magnetic, powerful presence to your entire business.
- Starting a Business Avoiding miss-steps in the critical first two years.
- Money and Pricing Asking for it, receiving it, dealing with it, setting your prices.
And plenty more, continually growing and expanding. If you're a fan of the weekly Business Heart articles, this is where the archives are, sorted by topic.
 |
Freewheelin' Q&A's with Mark Silver |
I cover topics like Product Creation, Finding Your Niche, Strategic Alliances- you name it. If there is a topic that surfaces as a theme, I'll hold a Q&A on a conference line only for Oasis members- where I'll both be teaching, and answering questions and coaching participants. As a member you get to attend at no additional charge.
 |
The Virtual Retreat |
The world is a very busy place, and a spiritual retreat is often what is needed to return our hearts, minds, and beings to a state of centeredness, peace, love, and profound nourishment.
Several times a year, I facilitate a Virtual Retreat Day, with telephone check-ins, spiritual practice, and the support of a group to set aside an entire 24 hours to deepening your spiritual practice, setting aside the rush and chaos of the world. Even better than a vacation.
 |
The Tent - an online forum |
Do you really need another forum? After all, there is Google, with its millions of links. And there are your friends, and colleagues. And plenty of books.
But if you're needing answers, clarity, guidance, and feedback that both has heart, and helps your business to succeed, then the Tent may just be what you're needing.
This is the best place to ask me a question.
 |
Your Host, Mark Silver Yup, that's me. You'll find me answering questions, editing web pages, explaining strategy, sharing experiences. Come on in, I'd love to meet you. |
If you've wanted to bounce something off me, get my opinion or insight into what you're doing in your business, or need support and feedback in applying Heart of Business principles, this is the place to do it.
And it's more than just me. There are dozens of folks who have lots of experience on a wide range of topics, all of them ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and help you. What's more, we're all on the same page, because everyone has Unveiling the Heart of Your Business as the starting point.
The conversations that happen in the community are truly a barn-raising for your business.
Who are these people?
Members who participate in the Tent cross a real spectrum of experience. Some are newbies, some have had decades doing business. Some are technologically saavy offering advice on html and css coding, and others are doing their best just getting online, and have no idea what 'html' or 'css' means.
Every single member, no matter where they land on the spectrum, is learning. Because, as one member said, 'we're all pushing into new ground.'
The big thing is that they are active.
Very active. Here's some statistics from September 4, 2007, which is a very typical day:
- Seven conversational topics that have posts from today.
- A total of 14 active conversations since the day before.
- In the last week, there have been 29 different active conversations.
- Over 70 members who have added to a conversation 50 or more times in the last two years.
- Typical conversation topics from this particular week include: 'Comments on web design,' 'A blogging question to all you bloggers,' 'Are you married? and other nosey questions,' 'Landing Page Feedback please.' 'Linda's brand new website - YAHOOOO :-)'
"When I was still new I thought about joining the Business Oasis, but never did..."
Karen DeBolt
Hillsboro, Oregon
"When I was still new I thought about joining the Oasis, but never did because I was afraid that there would not be enough activity. I had seen that happen to other forums and the thought of buying a membership in one then watching it die scared me off from buying.
"I was wrong. This is a totally happening place with something new every day. I can get lost in it if I'm not careful!"
Three things make this forum really easy, friendly, and incredibly useful.
The first thing is the photo. You actually get to look into the eyes of your fellow Tenters, which allows you to make real, human connections with a face, and not just words. If you clicked on the Who's Inside link you'll see just the same kind of photos that appear next to (nearly) every post. And, we'll even help get your photo online for you, so you don't have to worry about the technology.
The second thing is what's called 'threading.' If anyone asks a question, the entire conversation on that topic stays in one place- so you can browse by topic. Want to see what the Tent looks like on an average day?
Just click here and you'll see an image of the thread listing.
The third thing is conversation. You ask a question, several people will answer you, including me. Someone else asks a question, you can jump in. There is a lot of friendly back-and-forth dialogue. Sometimes it's silly. Sometimes it's practical. Sometimes it's profound. But always, always we're connecting heart-to-heart.
Just click here to see a segment of a discussion.
Or click here to see another sample.
"The ideas I find in the Oasis aren't replicated anywhere else..."
Erin Banister
Pueblo, Colorado
"I didn't know it was going to be a place for me- I wasn't sure it was going to be the kind of place where I was going to be able to ask the kind of questions I wanted to ask - when you talk about spirituality, it's like politics- no matter what you say you are going to offend somebody.
"But, it turns out that everyone is really open and non-judgemental- which isn't what I expected. There's a dynamic- it's not so stuffy and it's not so laid-back. It's a nice, happy medium, plus all the information that is coming in.
"I released an e-course about three weeks ago, and I referenced one of the posts, and I applied some idea that you had given me about the Customer-Focused Story, and I ended up selling three times the number I expected. The ideas I find in the Oasis aren't replicated anywhere else that I go.
"Taking a heart-centered point that you made about my audio logo has really, really helped me- because I kind of had a problem attracting people before- what I was saying for my business audio logo wasn't really connecting with people, but after I started actually using the techniques that you talk about and that we went over in the Oasis, potential clients are now responding to me and connecting where they weren't before.
"You have this uncanny ability to turn any question around and make it applicable to everybody. So even if I'm not the person asking the question, I still get something that I can apply to what I'm doing right now. I recommend Unveiling the Heart of Your Business and the Business Oasis almost on a daily basis."
The members are so active they provide classes, too.
The Oasis boasts some very talented, bright, dedicated folks. Combine that with the spirit of generosity at the core of our values, and you find that members regularly offer free classes to each other, which are then recorded and added to the Free Member Classes library.
If you can read this web page, click links, and type, you can use the Oasis.
It's easy to use, friendly, and it will move your heart and your business right along. You don't need any special equipment- just a computer with a web browser- and if you're reading this right now, you've got that. Oh, and you'll want a phone, too, so you can call in for the Q&A sessions or Virtual Retreat Days.
"My business had become splintered, without a core focus."
Barry Morris
Aptos, California
"About a month and a half ago, when I first joined the Oasis, I was somewhat confused about my business direction. I wasn't getting the results I wanted and my client connection just wasn't there. My business had become splintered, without a core focus.
"When I visited Heart of Business, something connected to me at the heart level that I hadn't connected with before. As a result, I've spent the last month and half going through Unveiling the Heart of Your Business, completing the exercises, and trying to be in Remembrance as much as possible. I have to say that in just six short weeks I can relate better to what my business should be.
"I find that people who are attracted to, and are part of, the Oasis, recognize the need we all have to hear the Truth in constructive criticism, but to do it in a way that is expressed heart-to-heart. That is something that I both need and appreciate about the Oasis.
"I have been a member of another forum for quite a while and I kind of expected The Oasis to be something like that. On that forum I'm a little bit more guarded and maybe that's a by-product of a number of experiences I've had over the last few years. But I was surprised by the warmth I encountered at the Oasis. The environment is one of support and one of love. The Oasis is exactly what the name implies- it is a place of refuge in the business world.
"I almost always have your book with me in my briefcase, and, I've downloaded the pdf onto my pda. It sounds like I'm a raving fan, and I guess I am, but it would be hard to not feel that The Oasis is a very valuable resource to pass on to others. That's the way I feel about it."
 |
Premium Content: |
If you join as a Premium member, you get access to the Inner Sanctum. What does that mean? Well, for one, you get a library of extremely valuable interviews, with heart-centered experts, covering topics both common and unexpected.
The Inner Sanctum Interview Series:
And the next one is...? This library of interviews is continually growing, so your business can, too.
The Inner Sanctum has more than the interviews.
|
Remember those Freewheelin' Q&A sessions I mentioned above? |
While any member can participate in a live Freewheelin' Q&A, when you're a Premium member, you have access to the library of past Q&As. So if your schedule doesn't allow you to attend, or if you want to listen to past Q&A's, you can.
How much would it cost to hire a spiritual coach AND a sales coach?
Plus an editorial board, a brainstorming group, a copywriter....
For a teensy fraction of all of that, you can join the Business Oasis, and find not just a single person, but a whole supportive community backing you up.
Enough foolin' around?
If you're tired of being alone, and ready to dive in, then come on in!
| What you need before you join. Every member of The Business Oasis must have Unveiling the Heart of Your Business. If you don't have it, you can check it out by clicking on the link. Why? Every community needs commonality. I welcome people learning from many different sources, and this book provides the foundation so that we can communicate clearly with each other, no matter what we're learning. |
|
| Type of membership | Details of What Comes With. |
Premium Membership • Full resource library • The Tent • Inner Sanctum Interview Series • Classes by Members • The Art of Writing • Virtual Retreats • Freewheelin' Q&As • Freewheelin' Q&A library • Guidance from Mark |
Plus  The expanding Freewheelin' Q&A LibraryThe price is just $179/year, which works out to less than $15/month. Click for
|
I hope you'll join me. That is, us. Because why do business alone, when you can come off the hot sand of the desert, and into the comfort of an Oasis?
Mark
The one who sets up the Tent, and fetches you a cool glass of water.
If you have any questions about The Business Oasis, any questions at all, please ask me.
I wish the very best to you, and your business.
Mark Silver