Among others, here are the choices that I know about (in no particular order):

• Alex Mandossian’s Teleseminar Secrets
• Jeff Walker’s Product Launch Formula 2.3
• Kevin Nations Prospect Seduction Blueprint
• Bob The Teacher’s Online Profit Academy Live Workshop

Obviously, I’ll be a bit biased about the fourth one, but this lesson today is more about deciding if investing in a “big ticket” program is a smart option. Feel free to evaluate the programs above for yourself after you’ve read through my criteria below.

First, I consider a big ticket program something with a $497 or higher price tag, involves a serious commitment of time and effort, and with the right actions in the program, should result in a ROI of at least 200% within 90 days.

Over the course of my own business, I’ve invested in each of the programs above (not at the same time of course), plus additional big ticket programs like Mike Filsaime’s Butterfly Marketing, i5Gold mentoring program ($6000/year), and a few others.

Putting The Big Ticket Price Tag In Perspective

When I first started trying to really grow an online business, the idea of spending $1000 or more was something tough to get my head around. I was a high school teacher, earning about $48,000/year for my salary, and another $5000 or so in random school-based jobs (teaching continuing ed classes, coaching, etc.).

But the thought that occurred to me back then, and that I’ll share with you now, was – “I spent over $15,000 to get a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, which is resulting in an extra $2000/year in income.” Doing the quick math, I realized it’s going to take me over 7 years to recoup my investment in that particular “big ticket” program.

Now don’t get me wrong – I loved taking the courses at JHU, and I learned a lot. But from an income/expense perspective, it’s not the best use of money.

So if I can invest a fraction of a degree program, take a few months to complete it instead of a few years, and earn my money back on a repeated basis, then price really isn’t an obstacle.

Does The Program Make The Grade?

One of the things I was smart about from the start was knowing how to select a big ticket program. Because of the criteria I used, and the commitment level to actively study, participate, and implement what I learn, I’ve always seen a significant return on my investment in the programs I’ve chosen.

My criteria basically broke down into getting a yes on 3 or more of these questions:

• Does the program address an area that’s worth my time and money to learn myself?
• Does the program involve direct access to the mentor to ask my specific questions?
• Does the person running this program conduct their business in a way congruent with my goals and integrity?
• Does the program include lifetime access for future versions of the training?
• Does the program include a guarantee that protects me from poor delivery?

Is It Right For Me, Right Now?

Then I also needed to ask these questions of myself:

• Am I ready to take on the commitment to fully benefit from the program?
• Have I finished implementing the last program that I invested in?
• Can I truly, realistically imagine myself doing the work necessary to profit from this program?
• Am I putting undue financial stress on myself with this program?
• Can I risk losing every penny if I don’t see results from this program, and I’m ineligible for a refund for some reason?
• Is what I am going to learn from this program something I can use over and over again?

If I can’t answer yes to all of these questions, then it’s not the right timing.

So as you see invitations come to your inbox to invest in a big ticket program, use these questions of mine along with your own criteria to determine if it’s the right program at the right time. Most of the time, the answer should be no – but when it feels right, jump on it and give it all you’ve got.

Bob Jenkins

p.s. Of course, I hope you’ll choose to invest in your business by attending my live Online Profit Academy workshop in February. It’s designed to help you build a successful business through the creation and delivery of your own information products, and generate $10,000/month or more in reliable, consistent income from your products, services, and related affiliate marketing. More details will be released throughout December at http://IMSuccessLibrary.com/live.