Must-Have Internet Marketing Tools

By Daegan H Smith

A carpenter, no matter how skilled, won't be able to work without his hammer. A painter can't paint without paint. Skills and experience are always helpful in any kind of business, but they aren't enough in the long run. You need tools, materials, or resources to help you attain your goals. The same holds true in Internet marketing.

Must-Have Internet Marketing Tools

The following Internet marketing tools may not be considered a necessity, but the benefits you can derive from them are not something you should disregard.

Get People to Subscribe to Your RSS Feeds

RSS feeds are one of the easiest ways to update past, present, and future customers of the latest going-ons in your business or website. RSS saves time and effort for everyone and since they're simple and relatively free to create, giving them a chance won't hurt your business. To maximize the benefits from RSS feeds, consider posting a link to RSS FAQ in your page so that people who haven't yet tried subscribing to RSS feeds will finally have an idea of what they're missing on.

Make Good Use of Emails

Although the system of sending and receiving emails isn't flawless, it's certainly more reliable and effective than having your mail handled by the post office. Emails are one of the most underestimated Internet marketing tools online and it's high time you put them into good use.

Firstly, use emails for an efficient way to provide customer service and support. Being able to respond to your customers' inquiries and concerns in a reasonable period of time will build consumer loyalty and strengthen your customer base.

Use email to send newsletters to your customers. Instead of spending a lot of money having actual newsletters printed and mailed, create a digital version and send them for free to your customers. And since there's no need to worry about the costs of creating and distributing newsletters, youíre free to send them out more frequently than usual. Of course, be sure not to flood the inboxes of your customers or your plan would just backfire.

Lastly, create an email-based auto-response system so that you can right away acknowledge specified actions taken by your customers.

Create Events that Allow Interaction and Participation

It can be a contest or an event where your customers can interact with a famous figure. It doesn't matter what kind of event you end up organizing just as long as it can generate positive hype for the business.

In creating events, you must keep the following considerations in mind.

Firstly, there must be something you're offering in exchange. For contests, the rewards are obviously the ones serving as an incentive for people to visit your website and participate. Be sure that you spell out the rewards or benefits clearly.

Secondly, what you get from these events must be naturally greater than what you're spending on it. Don't offer what you can't afford to give. Thirdly, don't forget to have press releases created. They'll make sure that your target market is aware of your event.

Get a Blog

People tend to prefer businesses that they can boast of being 'personally' familiar with. With a blog, you can get your customers to know more about you as a person and hopefully win their trust and loyalty in the process. It's also a good way of learning more about your target market and using this knowledge to improve your products, services, and operation.

About The Author:

Daegan Smith Is And Expert Online Marketer "Wanna Lean The Secret To Making $85,147,717 Per Month While Quickly And Easily EXPLODING Your Network Marketing Organization by 7,141 People Without EVER Buying Or Calling a Single Stinking Lead?" Free CD Explains All: http://www.easymlmprofits.com

Top Internet Marketing Strategies For New Websites

By Daegan H Smith

It is your first time to open shop online and you're wondering what you should do to make your presence felt. The Internet is a daunting world. It's almost as vast and unlimited as the universe, making the prospect of getting your website within your target market's radar seemingly impossible. Be that as it may, your new website still has a chance of surviving and especially if you consider the following tips.

Top Internet Marketing Strategies for New Websites

In the Internet, paid advertisements are definitely bigger and brighter, but search engines still give free advertisements a fighting chance. Here's what you can do to make your new website known without spending too much money.

Create the Best Website You Can

No Internet marketing strategy can help you if your website isn't worth visiting in the first place. Start with the design. You want the kind of web layout and design that your target market will instantly find appealing. The layout must also be user-friendly: it won't do to have your readers lost and unable to find their way back to your homepage. In most cases, navigation will be made easier by creating highly discernible links and uploading a site map.

Understand How Search Engine Optimization Works

Search engines can make or break you. If youíre not in the good side of search engines then it's almost impossible for your website to get noticed by the right people. If you want your target market to discover your website, you need to know how to please search engine spiders.

You need to understand, for instance, why using HTML codes is a positive thing, even if it offers less flexibility and options than other and more sophisticated languages. You need to understand the importance of keywords and the dos and don'ts that come along with using them.

Content Is King

Your website must offer valuable content. Search engines may be responsible for getting readers to notice your website, but it's the content that will ultimately be responsible for making them come back to your website again and again.

Content is what makes visiting your website into a habit. For content to be valuable, it must have relevance to your readers. If teenagers make up your target market then you need to discuss something they can relate to. Talking about the most popular TV shows might get them to listen to you but discussing the stock market would just fall on deaf ears.

Secondly, the data you're providing must be of interest to your target market. It's not enough to simply discuss an important subject. You need to show them what they'll get from it. Ecology is an important issue, but do people generally find time to learn more about it? But with the right perspective or approach, such as using Leonardo di Caprio as spokesperson or pointing how unawareness of ecological issues could cause them to die in five years, even the most boring of subjects will be diligently pursued.

Spell Out the Benefits

People just seem to get busier and busier everyday, and that's one of the reasons why they don't have the patience or inclination to check out websites whose benefits are ambiguous at most. If you want people to pay attention to your website, you need to find the equivalent to having a neon signage flashing the benefits of visiting your website. The message must be simple, straight forward, and powerful: let them know what they'll get and they'll come to you if they want it.

About The Author:

Daegan Smith Is And Expert Online Marketer "Wanna Lean The Secret To Making $85,147,717 Per Month While Quickly And Easily EXPLODING Your Network Marketing Organization by 7,141 People Without EVER Buying Or Calling a Single Stinking Lead?" Free CD Explains All: http://www.easymlmprofits.com

Assessing The Real Value Of An Expired Domain

Article By John Khu

Newbie expired domain traders often find it very difficult to assess the real value of their domains. In fact, judging the real quality of an expired domain that you are thinking of buying
could be a hard game. However, when you understand the basics and fundamentals of expired domain industry, how it operates and works, how you can sell a good domain to a prospective buyer and how you can extract maximum benefits from an domain expired, then it becomes possible to create a blueprint for generating a substantial amount of online income.

Knowing more about the expired domain that you wish to purchase will help you in the long run. There are several tools that come handy, while you search for a very good expired domain. Here are some of them:

Using Wayback Archive: This is an excellent utility that can help you know more about the quality of expired domain that you are planning to buy. With this tool, you can inspect how a domain looked in the past, what was the main activity, what were the products sold or what type of information provided there. Knowing about the antecedent of an expired domain will help you in designing a solid future strategy for your business.

Using Linkpop feature: This is a tool that finds out the total sum of links to other productive web sites. This is a utility that also helps you detect the number of links and incoming traffic to a domain.

Overture with and without extensions: Overture Keyword Selector Tool is an excellent tool that displays how many times a search was made in one of the major search engines for a specific period, say one month. Google Pagerank or PR: This is yet another tool that helps you find out a particular expired domain's commercial importance, by the total number of votes it received by links and sources from other web portals.

Alexa Ratings: This web site ranks a particular web domain by the total number of visitors to a particular web site. The user must use Alexa.com web site tool bar to conduct the search.

These wonderful tools come very useful and handy, when you want to assess and evaluate the quality of a particular expired domain. However, the most important factors that you must consider before buying an expired domain are:

a) Accuracy of Linkpop estimates

b) Most probable incoming traffic and links

c) Overture Keyword tool evaluation to test what advertisers are paying for targeted traffic.

d) Checking to see, if the expired domain in question provides a click through rates of about 5%. This is often the most difficult part of the exercise.

In the end, the choosiest domain is the one that provides you an excellent opportunity to extract and squeeze the best possible income. A good expired domain is also the one that provides you an excellent click through rate when you expose it to a lucrative domain parking or PPC campaign.

About the Author:

John Khu is an author and also a seasoned professional with vast experience in expired domain name business. He is also the owner of the path breaking web sites called http://www.expireddomainsecret.com and http://www.expireddomaingains.com which provides complete and up-to-date information on expired domains and their eternal secrets.

Three Major Mistakes By New Online Business Entrants

By Rami Doleh

People who are starting their journey to establish their own online business, usually commit fatal mistakes that will result in the usual disappointments that we often see in this marketplace.

In this article we will list the usual mistakes committed by new entrants into the online business marketplace hoping that we will be able to help them avoid such mistakes from the very beginning.

Mistake No. 1: New entrants, or as the market calls them "newbies," usually start with excessive energy and the first thing they do is to search for online opportunities. This is the first huge mistake.

Mistake No. 2: A huge percentage of the opportunities that will come out of the search conducted in Mistake No. 1 are affiliate opportunities. A newbie would become more excited here after reading the hyped up sales letters that he/she is getting. Eventually the newbie will do the inevitable and take out the credit card to join one of those opportunities that promise income in no time. Even if the idea was legit and in many cases it will be, the prospect still does not know anything about online business, let alone affiliate marketing.

Mistake No. 3: After few days the newbie will discover that the opportunity that he/she joined is not making any money, so now its time to quit and search for something else. The newbie does
not know that the problem is not really in the affiliate opportunity. Actually the newbie most probably still does not know that he/she is involved in affiliate marketing. After few trials with different affiliate opportunities the newbie realizes that this online business thing is crap and waste of time and money.

The above three mistakes can very easily be joined into one. The huge mistake that is conducted here is getting into online business head first without knowing anything about it.

The first step in anything in life is learning. Before thinking of establishing an online business, a newbie needs to know the following:

1 - What is online business and its different models?
2 - What is online marketing and how does it differ from one model to another?
3 - What are the different tools of online marketing?

These three questions are not easy to answer and online gurus have written a lost of e-books and articles trying to answer one or more of those questions. A newbie needs to search and read as much as possible about the above three issues so that he/she can create a personal opinion and then a decision.

The main resources a newbie should concentrate on to gather such information are the free Resources. Don't go on buying e-books at the beginning, there is a lot of free information on the net. After you have exhausted this aspect you will have better knowledge to be able to decide which material to buy and which to avoid.

What are those free resources?:

1 - Articles Directories
2 - Blogs
3 - Forums

After getting the appropriate knowledge a newbie is able to do take the following decisions consciously:

1-Which online business model he/she going to adopt.
2-Which marketing strategy and tools he/she is going to use.

This means if the newbie is going to search for affiliate opportunities, he/she is going to do it consciously knowing exactly what to look for.

In this article we have followed the steps approach, which means get the knowledge first and then have the business. We admit that there is another approach which is learning by doing. This means getting involved in a business and then applying what you learn to that business. This is a good approach only if you know which online business model you want to adopt.

Affiliate opportunities have started creating training resources and courses to enable their affiliates do a better job marketing their products and services.

The problem that I find here is that only a few affiliate opportunities have constructed a structured training that would train affiliates with zero background on the ins and outs of
affiliate marketing. The majority have opted on collecting e-books and other resources and put them in one place for their members to read.

About The Author:

Rami Doleh has dedicated all available resources to put people on the right track and help them establish their affiliate business. For More Information and to find how to contact Rami for any questions visit http://www.BusinessFountains.com/affiliate-Opportunities

A Perspective On Starting An Internet Home Business

By Ronald Mills

The Internet is one of the few things that changed everything. For example, not too long ago, public access to high speed communication consisted primarily of the radio, telephone and television. With the exception of the telephone, the communication is in one direction only. But, with the Internet, we can communicate interactively and to a far greater extent than with the telephone. Imagine that!

In just a few short years, the Internet has become a substantial forum for education, entertainment, communication and for conducting business. It facilitates the exchange of a wide variety of products and services. Some examples include books, movies, toys, power tools, music, furniture, appliances, medicine and a ton of information on just about any topic. The consumer is highly selective and the business owner is focused on learning how to form and sustain a mutually beneficial business relationship. Establishing that relationship isn't always easy, but it might not be as difficult as you might image. Why? Because if you have the desire to be successful and the commitment to learn and take the appropriate action, then you can be successful.

The successful business owner is one who: a) has the capacity to offer the right product or service, b) can enter a niche by giving the consumer something competitors have not thought of, heard of, or were unable to obtain, and c) is willing and able to work hard at making their internet home business presence known. The enterprising individual will find that the internet
makes it possible to sell goods and services without having to maintain an inventory, employ a sales force, or even deal with shipping! In addition, there are some home business opportunities where the owner doesn't even have to worry about making or receiving telephone calls.

So, how do you get started? Well, starting an internet home business begins with the development of a business plan. That's very important. You know what they say about not planning, don't you? They say that those who don't develop a plan are actually planning to fail! The business plan outlines what will be sold to whom, and how the business will be advertised to reach the targeted consumer group. The plan also includes specific benchmarks for performance. This allows the entrepreneur to regularly monitor how well the business performs against established objectives. In this way, the plan is continuously improved to ensure the success of the business. This so-called paperwork must not be neglected. If it is, then the business will ultimately suffer. Worse case is that the entrepreneur may go out of business. So, like they say, you need to plan your work and work your plan!

The next step is to set up a website. Maybe you've heard it said that sooner or later one realizes that they need their own web site? It can be set up by the entrepreneur or out-sourced. Some might yield to the temptation to set up their own web site and that's ok if they know exactly what they are doing and how to do it. Otherwise, they should out-source it. Why? Because their web site is the visible presence of their business, just like a building would be. Imagine how few customers would visit a dysfunctional and run-down looking building! Your web site doesn't have to be the slickest thing out there, but it must be in good shape with respect to download speed, ease of use and the presentation of graphics and text. So, whether you set it up yourself or out-source it, make sure your web site is presentable for doing business.

The above addresses only two of the basic start-up steps. While they are certainly important, there are also other important steps required for the start-up, operation and sustained growth of an internet home business.

About The Author:

Ronald Mills is the owner of http://LongTermProfit.biz and believes that the right education
and training increases the odds for long-term profitability. To learn more, sign up for his FREE Home Business Tips Newsletter at http://www.LongTermProfit.biz

Are You Aware What Is Required In An Internet Home Business?

By Muneer Al-Busaidi

Having a home based business opportunity has such a strong appeal that if you were to search for home business on the internet you find thousands of websites. It is actually possible to find every sort of opportunity imaginable from being a customer service agent to becoming a professional home stager. No matter your race, gender, culture or religion, the internet does not discriminate and you can find something that would suit you personally. At the end of the day, it just comes down to knowing what it is that you want!

Your first obstacle in the search for an internet home business is finding an interest. Once you have overcome this obstacle it is all about asking yourself various questions about what you are looking to achieve with this business. Asking questions about how much time you can spend on growing it, conflicts with your schedule, personal agenda or caring for your children? Once you fully comprehend these aspects, it is time to move into other areas of the business. Get familiar with tools that you will be utilizing during your internet career. Get a computer or laptop, an internet connection, and somewhere to work in peace.

Do you understand all that needs to be done, or should you be taking courses online at the same time in order to learn what to do? Many of the home based opportunities that you can do via the
internet will offer various courses that you can do in your own time as well as possible phone contact with a mentor who is experienced in this business. Let us not forget the possibility of learning online via books from your local library to increase overall knowledge of business in general.

Make sure you understand the income potential of what you choose to do. Will ends meet in your household once you undertake this path? As a general rule, it is important to save for three months to assist you in your everyday expenses and other basic needs. Try not to put yourself in situations where you can fall behind on payments or have to live of one dollar noodles for a month!

It is only once you have fully understood the requirement of your internet opportunity, and once the precautions have been made to begin your business in a well planned and thought out process, that you will find that you are prepared. You will experience the joys of earning from the comfort of your home and being truly independent from the hassles of an employer. Your time would be your own to manage, and you will comfort knowing that you do not need to sacrifice time with your family to pursue an indefinite future.

By following these outlined suggestions you can prevent otherwise unforeseen circumstances concerning your pay, your overall satisfaction and the like. Poor planning of the business has been attributed to the statistically 90% failure of home businesses in their first year. Preparing for the journey before you begin however is the simple solution and knowing what you know now, you can put your best foot forward and make the leap.

About The Author:

Muneer Al-Busaidi is a successful internet marketer and has found success with Success University. Learn more about this AS SEEN ON TV opportunity and development program by visiting: http://www.MoneyTimeSecurity.com

How To Succeed In Marketing On The Internet!

By Chandrasoma Perera

If you want to succeed in internet marketing you have to have the Never Give Up Attitude. You have to keep on trying and trying. You should be like rubber balls jump back when you fall and keep bouncing back after failing to get a sale through with a customer.

Internet Marketers are not the type who feels dejected after being rejected once by a customer. They know the art of coming back with a fresh alternate approach to get a YES every time they get a NO from a prospective customer. They possess the knack to analyze a rejection and amend, alter or change their approach accordingly and get the acceptance and finalize the
sale. In marketing many a sales is made after customer had said No. That is the real challenge for a marketer to change a NO from his prospective customer to a YES.

The ideal person who can get results is the one Who Would Not Dare to Go up To the Gate of the Heaven and Honk until the Door to heaven Opens for him!

That is the characteristic that is needed to make a sale. It is persistence at its best. It is the willingness to go beyond the barriers to get what you want and not stop until you get it. This stick-to- a-task attitude and the result oriented frame of mind is very essential to be a successful internet marketer. Of course, the internet marketer should be armed with all the related information available to provide to the customer who always want to know more and more like Oliver Twist asking for more. In the internet environment it is a situation that more
and more information on strengths and weaknesses of similar products from your competitors are readily available to the customers in the market. This make it more difficult to satisfy the customers and attract them to by from you.

That is why, in Internet business it is not easy to woo a customer. Many sales letters, email promotions, solo and classified advertisements are glanced at and deleted because people have less time today. Time has value. So, your efforts should be always to grab the attention of a prospective customer. After seeing an offer again and again many times only the customer think of giving attention to it or subscribe.

What you offer may be excellent but to get the customer attention you have to present it in an eye catching way to draw customer-instant-attention to make him look at it more than once and even prompt him to read it. That is where advertising comes in. Even then, since there are similar products, similar services competing for customer attention, you are required to put in to it a great deal of innovative thinking so the manner of presenting will make the difference in attracting customer attention.

The prospective customers may not read every word that appears on your advertisement, email or news letter. Therefore, it should be attention grabbing for the customer to glance through before deleting or setting it aside to see for a second time. This is why online marketing is not easy as many thinks. There are big timers, seasoned marketers who could afford to spend big dollars lavishly on skillfully created advertising presentations to grab the customers. They can do it but for you and me it is difficult and we have to keep on trying in an economically tight manner as our advertising budgets are limited.

In Internet Marketing there are many methods used to woo the customers like building your own list of subscribers and communicating to them on a regular basis till they get convinced to buy, sending emails to safe-lists, advertising online and off-line, article marketing, using blogs etc. With all these marketing approaches too it is still difficult to capture a prospective subscriber to complete a sale in the midst of sever competition online that prevail due to the openness and speedy ex-changeability of information etc in the internet.

So it is the one who has the will to win, persistence, courage and willingness to try, try, try and try again till the result is seen, who can succeed in Internet Marking Arena.

For an example of a site that attractively present products to catch the eye of customers visit: - http://www.chanano.com

About The Author:

The Author is Chandrasoma Perera who is the owner of http://chanano.com and http://guideonlinebiz.com and Chandrasoma writes regularly on wide variety of subjects. To
learn more about starting your own home based business earning six streams of income visit http://www.chanano.com

Reputation Management Tips

By Brick Marketing

Managing your company's reputation on the Internet is one of the many ancillary marketing strategies that have emerged from the explosive rise of search engine marketing over the last decade or so and is no small consideration for businesses of all sizes now and for the near future.

Why is reputation management relevant to your company?

The short answer: Reputation management matters because more and more people use information found online to influence their purchasing decisions. If someone searches for your company's name or one of your products only to find negative feedback on the first search results page, the sales opportunity is lost.

Remember the old adage about bad news traveling faster than good news? The Internet not only validates the truth in that statement, it accelerates it.

Because your company's reputation on the Web matters now more than ever, here are some reputation management tips to help you get started:

1. Determine your company's current reputation – Find out how your company is perceived online. Conduct searches using your company name and look for negative feedback on blogs, forums, and other online communities where people might leave feedback about your firm. Also think about subscribing to Google Alerts and other online services where you receive notice when new postings appear online containing the keywords and phrases you have chosen.

2. Issue press releases regularly – Use the power of well-written, newsworthy press releases to announce company anniversaries, new product launches, promotions, relocations, etc.

3. Build online profiles – Connect with your target audience through social media sites such as MySpace, FaceBook, and others. Social media sites are a great way to post positive information about your company. Make sure that your company name appears in the URL.

4. Register domains – Register domains with your company name whenever possible. If your preferred name is already taken, get creative and use variations to get your firm name somewhere in the domain name. Use the name in the content of the site. Write your site content to entice your viewers to visit other pages of the site.

5. Add sub-domains – If possible, register your URL with different suffixes like .net, .info, .biz, etc. Also see if site names like www.yourURLblog.com or www.your-URLblog.com and other variations are available.

6. Start a company blog – And update the blog with new content regularly. Blogs are inexpensive, very popular, and search engines love them. Blogs also provide a great opportunity to get your message out there and for feedback.

7. Retain the services of a pro – Consider hiring a reputation management professional to guide you through the process. An outside perspective is always helpful for fresh insight that you may not consider.

The reputation management tips are just a few of the many ways that you can manage your firm's standing online. Most cost very little and the information gathered in the process provides a clear perception as to how your target audience views your company and products.

About The Author:

Brick Marketing offers full service Website Marketing services such as: Pay Per Click Management, Search Engine Optimization, Social Marketing, Blog Services, Affiliate Program Management and more. Call 877-295-0620 or visit:
http://www.brickmarketing.com/reputation-management.htm

Internet Marketing Strategy For Your Home Business - Know Your Competition

By Anderson Josiah

One of the biggest challenges any new business owner will face is dealing with the threat of new competitors who want to get a piece of your market. This is something that you cannot get away from when in business so forming a powerful strategy even before you start up is very important in order for your business to be successful in the long term.

Additionally it is not only very important to know and understand your direct competition but you also need to now about indirect competitors in your market. Using the internet to spy on your competition is a very powerful marketing strategy.

Nearly all the goods that are available on the market have substitutes and compliments.

An example is if someone wanted to purchase some powered detergent if she or he could not find any in the supermarket they can then probably decide to buy liquid detergent instead.

This is also true for any type of industry because customers will always be able to find substitutes for services and products that they can't find. We also need to consider having a very effective distribution system that will allow you to reach targeted customers where they are located; this will greatly increase your money earning potential.

It is also a very good idea to always check out the features of your competitor's products, the quality and price range that they offer.

Being aware of the weaknesses and strength of you competition and comparing it with your own will give you the opportunity to put in place strategies that will allow you to effectively compete in your marketplace. You would want to concentrate on your good points and try to take advantage of your competitor's weak points. Remember your competition would be doing the same to you, they would try to point out your weak points to your customers to try to improve there market share.

In addition to your present competition, you should also consider future competition because it is very possible that new competitors will try to enter your market in a couple of years. You can visit blogs, forums and chatrooms that are related to your particular market to keep up with new trends, technologies and potential threats to your business. Having a very strong strategy and a loyal customer base will enable your online home business to survive all these potential challenges. Most new businesses put there emphasis on a low price range and this could either be a good or a bad for your business.

An example of this is that it can be great if the product that new competition is offering has a lower price but if it is of a poor quality this will establish your product as a superior good or product. But, if they are offering better good and services at a much lower price, then you might need to get involved in a price war. Never forget that your strategy should always depend on the particular situation and perception of your market. If you would like to know more on this topic check out the link below for "Dotcomology" the art of making money with your home business.

About The Author:

Andy The Home Biz Wiz recommends for more information subscribe to my FREE Internet Home Business tips newsletter and get hundreds of money making tips and tricks along with FREE Software delivered to your inbox. A $147 value, yours FREE: http://www.MakingMoneyFromHomeOnTheInternet.com

Internet Marketing Strategy – Online Internet Business

By Anderson Josiah

Three Things NEVER To Do with your Online Business.

In business there are certain things you must not do if you want to be successful in your online home based business. But if you already run a successful business you would already know this. If you are new to business ownership the following tips can be very helpful. First of all never ever skimp on promotion advertising and marketing. Without adequate marketing your business can end up making a huge loss in product or services sales.

A perfect example is a small business that sells audio CD's for children that is introducing a new item on the market. This business is unknown and relatively new. They have a great website which they advertise in a couple of the local newspapers, Only a small handful of people will be aware of this new company and its audio CD product. A much better way of marketing and advertising would have been to advertise in larger nationwide newspapers or putting there website address on a Billboard that can be seen by allot of people in heavy traffic areas. This might be a little more expensive but you will get more bang for your buck, you will reach a greater audience base.

Secondly never underestimate your competition; use the internet to do some investigating and always keep your guard up. If you are in a very competitive market you should consider this. If
for example you own a Music Site you would want to know if any sites have any special offers. Do they have a greater selection? What are there rates like, are there prices cheaper or more expensive? Do the have discounted packages like buy 5 get one free? You need to pay close attention to both the bigger and smaller Music Sites both in your area and nationwide. You want to be competitive with there prices so if you can't go cheaper try to at least match there prices. Customers love to get cheaper prices even if it only saves them a couple of cents.

Lastly you should never go into business without properly researching it. You want to ensure you know as much as you can about the home business you are planning to get involved with.
You want financial details and as much information on your potential competition, the internet can help you get this information. When you devote time to do research you improve your chances for success, it is almost guaranteed, you would not want any surprises coming up later down after you have invested your time and money. You want your business to run as easy as possible

If you follow the internet marketing strategy above your online internet business would be on the right track. This will help you create a good business foundation. Remember do not enter
into any business venture without proper planning and research. Treat your company like you would treat your children. Nurture it, give it allot of loving care and all the things that it will
need to grow and you will be happy with the results If you would like to know more on this topic check out the link below for "Dotcomology" the art of making money with your home business.

About The Author:

Andy The Home Biz Wiz recommends for more information subscribe to my FREE Internet Home Business tips newsletter and get hundreds of money making tips and tricks along with FREE Software delivered to your inbox. A $147 value, yours FREE: http://www.MakingMoneyFromHomeOnTheInternet.com

Small Business Marketing | Getting Great At Article Writing

By Marketing Buzz

This article looks at what and why small and medium sized business owners need to do to turn their ideas and dreams into reality by actually using article writing to grow their business.

Using article writing as part of your business marketing can generate traffic to your website and increase your income and exposure for you and your business.

In this article I'm going to look at why article writing is one of the easiest ways in which to market your business and why it needs to form part of your ongoing marketing mix.

If your business has a website, a blog or an online shop then article writing is for you. You can have the best website in the world but without regular visitors and traffic to your site then it's not really worth having on online presence at all. And there really is only 2 ways to get traffic to your site – you pay for it (pay per click, banner advertising, affiliate schemes, directory advertising etc) or you get free traffic (optimization in the search engines natural or free listings
being the main way).

Don't get my wrong paying for traffic can really work and pay per click advertising is great as it gives you instant results and if you can convert visitors to sales then it can make you and your company money.

HOWEVER, you can get even better results by being listed high in the natural search engine listings (or SERPS) and article writing can really help with this.

When people use a search engine like Google they are presented with numerous listings based on what they are searching for. The sponsored (or paid) listings appearing at the top and down the right hand side and the free or natural listings appearing on the main page. Pretty straightforward yes? But what am I telling you that you don't already know?

Well did you know about the 70/30 rule?

The 70/30 rule means that 70% of visitors to a search engine will click on a free listing rather than a paid for listing who just get 30% of total clicks. This means that even if you run highly successful pay per click campaigns over two thirds of people searching for your product/company/service could be going elsewhere unless you appear high in the free listings.

Now if you have a large marketing budget then I'd recommend investing in search engine optimization (be careful though as there's thousands of so called SEO experts out there who make big promises without delivering).

However if you don't have a large budget then article writing can really help you move up the rankings, establish you as an expert in your field and mean you get traffic, visitors and sales for little time and money.

Marketing done well can transform your business from an also ran to leaders in your particular field and size of your budget doesn't have to hold you back. Be smart with your marketing and article writing and watch your business grow – JUST DO IT!

About The Author:

Mark Burdett is the owner of The Marketing Buzz. For information on The Marketing Buzz and their range of small business marketing services visit http://www.themarketingbuzz.co.uk

Internet Marketing - One Giant Leap for Mankind

By Paul White

Those Oldies amongst us who can actually remember Neil Armstrong walking on the Moon never think of it as just history. We were there. It was live, and we were all part of it.

Practically everyone on earth who could, was huddled around a TV set watching the shaky black and white pictures in awe.

It was something that united the whole world like nothing before. First stop the moon,then onwards to the stars! They talked about tourist trips to the moon within 5 years. Hotels on Mars within 10 years, and a passenger cruiser to Jupiter by 1999!

But harsh economic and scientific realities meant a rapid slow down in our race to the stars, the space program was downgraded, and dreams of space travel for everyone were pushed aside, and all but forgotten. But then something else came along, even bigger than the moon landing in the history of the World - The Internet.

Now there really was no limit to what man or womankind could achieve.

With the internet, you could make your own personal journey to the stars! Untold wealth for everyone we were told, just pick up your free site, and wait for the money to roll in. Not just to the stars, but to heaven itself!

At least that's what we were all led to believe just a couple of years ago, when Amazon introduced the first affiliate sites. But sadly, just like the little boy playing with his space toys,
excitement, and expectation have given way to frustration and disappointment, and a general feeling that it just isn't possible for normal people to go to 'infinity and beyond!'

So is it time to take off your play spacesuit and give up? Is it time to shrug your shoulders and resign yourself to the fact that yet another of your dreams has been jettisoned out of orbit?

NO! In fact the space race has only just begun!

Even though your experience with the internet may be a disappointment so far, just stop and think. Can you imagine what disasters would have happened in the early Apollo missions if the astronauts had not been such highly trained professionals with the best possible equipment and resources.

Why should the internet be any different?

The journey to the stars is not just for the elite few. It is for everyone who chooses to travel. But you must have the right resources. You must have the knowledge, expertise and equipment necessary to survive. Quite simply, your business will die without it, just like an astronaut without life support.

For example, did you know:-

*You must have your own Website. It should be professionally designed with links to several affiliate/associate sites. A free affiliate/associate site is not enough on it's own.

* You also need to have your own domain name, not a free site name with a really long URL that no one will want to click on.

* You need to read everything you possibly can to learn how other people have done it. I now have a collection of dozens and dozens of Free e-books which I give away on my site, which contain all of the knowledge you will need.

*You can get thousands of people to your website by offering freebies and other things. Just spend a few hours surfing all the freestuff sites for things you can give away on your own site.

* You must have a constant source of traffic going to your website. Only a tiny fraction of people visiting your site will buy anything, so you need to get thousands to visit. Once you understand and accept this, and know how to get them, then you are on your way!

*You will never make any money by only advertising on free sites, even with submission software. Let people place an ad free on your site. You will get far more response than placing your own ad on someone else's free site.

*Once you start to become successful, then you can become even more so, by writing your own articles and submitting them to some of the thousands of e-zines and getting free publicity.

* Definitely the best way of doing business is to have your own newsletter to communicate with your customers to build up a relationship with them. For this you need a listserver. This is software which enables you to communicate with thousands of people at once.

I used to be like one of those poor monkeys in the early space flights, being led blindly into oblivion by their masters. Believing all the hype about instant riches, and not being able to do anything about it. Luckily I realised before too late, that instant riches is just fantasy. But with an investment of time to learn what to do, and an investment of money to get the right tools, anyone can be in control of their own flight to the stars!

About the Author:

Paul White webmaster of:- http://www.profitmountain.com is a former teacher who now dedicates his time to helping ordinary men and women to recapture their dreams and make money online. Feel free to e-mail regarding any online questions you may have:- webmaster@... Subscribe to profit mountains money making newsletter, and get free advertising for a year, and tons of other things!

Internet Marketing - Creation and Evolution

By Paul White

And in the beginning came the creation of the internet, the entrepreneurs paradise on earth!

And with it came the Billboards and Discussion groups, and newsgroups then FREE classified and FREE links sites and FREE FFA software, and bulk E-mail programs to send your sales message to 10 billion eager credit card holders!

And when Bill Gates said:- 'you simply must have a website', how could the people ignore the word? Both big and small, every business had to have one, because the word had been spoken.

All of their sales projections were multiplied a thousand fold in anticipation of the new customers around the world, who would be sure to buy from them online, rather than at their local store. They knew it would happen because the creator had said so.

And then Amazon created a FREE self replicating affiliate website in its own image to show the true way to go. And the word was that everyone on earth could now start up in business, and it was their destiny that they should all become millionaires, for FREE!

How could life get any better? Pure heaven! Paradise created here on Earth for all of mankind! ...Mmm...What happened?

Like everything else the internet evolved. From it's humble military origins, used by a few elite 'cybernerds', it became the multimedia worldwide phenomenon we know today, and it still has a long way to go before it finishes its evolutionary journey. But is was never meant as an entrepreneurs paradise, whatever people wanted to believe.

Yes the faith and belief are still there, and rightly so, but the realities of evolution have changed everyone's perception of reality.

All of the small and large businesses have realised that just having a website does not mean that people will visit them, or buy anything.

And just like the creation of the universe, the internet is now going through it's own big bang, but in reverse. The internet is imploding, getting smaller, as the companies who believed that the internet was created for them, and that new customers would be sent to their site by divine intervention are folding.

The internet was not created for business. The internet was not created as a way of making everyone on earth with a website rich.

But the internet has evolved into the most amazing marketing tool ever invented in the history of the world!

But like any tool, you have to learn how to use it.

Just having a website will not make you money. You need to promote it just like any other business.

A search engine was not created to send people to your website. It is used by people who are interested in something, which may be the same thing you offer, but unless you are lucky enough to be in the top 20 of a search engine, no one will find you. Which means you have to promote your site in other ways.

(Incidentally, search engines change their criteria so often nowadays, that it has now evolved to the point where luck is just as important as scientific analysis in getting a good position!)

So sites like GoTo.com have come into being where you can choose your position on the search engine by bidding on key words.

Placing your ad in a FREE classified or FREE link site, may have been worthwhile at the beginning of creation, but they have now evolved to the point where they are only useful to the actual owner of the classified/link site. Having a FREE classified section on your website is a way of getting people to visit. You can also keep in contact with them by sending them an e-mail when their ad expires.

And what of bulk emailers? SPAM has evolved into a socially unacceptable practise, and spammers are realising that there are far more effective ways of marketing and making money without offending anyone.

People are also realising that their FREE affiliate site that thousands of other people have got, will not turn them into millionaires.

However a way of marketing has evolved which does work, where you have lots of different programs and promote them all at once by having them all featured on your own individual website, and drive traffic to it.

A vast amount of ezines has also now evolved. You can place your ad in targeted ezines to thousands of customers at a very reasonable price.

Or even better, start your own ezine or newsletter. You can get thousands of people to subscribe by offering things on your site like FREE Ebooks and Software.

Using a listserver, you can communicate with all of them at virtually no cost to yourself, and as all of the people have subscribed, they want to hear from you, and see your latest offer.

Even if, like most people you used to believe in the creation theory. The realities of evolution are much better as far as your bottom line is concerned, since there is far less competition!

The internet was not created to make everybody on earth rich, but is has evolved so that anyone who invests in the tools and works hard to learn how to use them, will be successful!

About the Author:

Paul White is a former teacher who now helps people around the world to become wealthy online. Visit his popular site:- http://www.profitmountain.com

Learning More About Expired Traffic And Its Importance

By John Khu

Every year millions of web portals become expired and redundant because of a number of reasons and causes. As a result of this, these web portals loose millions of hits and web site visits in the process. Most of these expired domains were once thriving businesses and money making ventures with a considerable amount of expired traffic attached to it. So, how this perceived expired traffic help you as a domain trader? Expired traffic is creating a big buzz these days and people are flocking over to buy an expired domain with expired traffic.

Expired traffic is just like using someone else's efforts to create a significant online asset. With expired traffic, you can save your money, time and effort. If you find an expired domain with plenty of expired traffic, you are a sure winner! It is almost like adding a huge bonus to your online kitty. The rule is very simple here: If the expired domain name that you buy has a
reasonably good link popularity value associated with it, it is highly probable that the expired domain in question was once thriving with plenty of site visitors.

Thus, the most important idea here is to buy those domains that come with plenty of traffic expired and gone. You may need to isolate such domains from a big inventory of expired domain names and register the ones boasting high link values as well as traffic. It seems that such domain names are commercially viable and highly critical for your online success.

However, there are conflicting views on the viability of expired domain that had a large amount of expired traffic in its previous avatar. While some people say that major search engines have a
practice of deleting the expired domain names from their search directories, others disagree with this argument saying that major search engine do not have the time to delete all those millions of web sites from their directories. This could be a major blessing in disguise for those expired domain traders who look for expired traffic.

The major task for you now is to locate those expiring domain names that carry plenty of expired traffic and inbound links. If you are lucky, you can even find a very good domain for a very low price of less than $50! You can use expired traffic for a number of purposes. The most important benefit of having expired traffic in your command is that you don't have to run around in search of traffic. Since the traffic is already there, with your expired domain, you can just use it immediately for your business purposes. If you are already running a web site, you can reroute the expired traffic to that site. This will help you sell you products or services with out putting extra efforts. If you feel that the expired traffic is of high quality, then you can dispose of the expired domain for a premium price. If you are a newbie, you can place your expired domain in a parking service and earn some form of income on an ongoing basis.

However, buying expired domains based on their perceived age could be a tricky issue and you may need to learn and understand how the age of a given domain expired can really help you in your domain trading business.

About the Author:

John Khu is an author and also a seasoned professional with vast experience in expired domain name business. He is the owner of the path breaking web site called http://www.expireddomainsecret.com which provides complete and up-to-date information on expired domains and their eternal secrets.

How To Measure The Effectiveness Of Your Article Marketing Campaigns

By Bill Platt

I frequently rant on Internet marketing and some of the gurus who try to bend your ear. Why? Because many of these so-called gurus trash everything that makes sense in this Internet world,
especially when they realize that they cannot make money from the techniques being recommended.

I don't preach marketing concepts solely for the purpose of selling my products and services. (If you happen to buy my products or services, then awesome, but that is not my point when I share information from my SEO and other marketing campaigns.) I preach the concepts that I have used for myself successfully. Either you can trust me and test the things I recommend, or you can listen to the gurus and drown yourself in pity, when you realize you are not finding the success you seek.

I present things in such a way that anyone can actually go out and try my suggestions on their own, with or without my help. I want you to at least try what I suggest. I don't want you to try once, but I want you to commit yourself giving the suggested methods a chance to work for you.

Yes, I preach article marketing in connection with building link popularity value for your website (and I operate an article marketing company). But, I am not the only article marketing company out there. So, it remains possible for you to employ my article marketing techniques, without actually using my services specifically. (If you want to use my services, great, but you don't have to do so.)

Frequently, new customers come along and say, "Bill, I am going to try this once. If it works out for me, I will be back." My response is often, "Dude, you are selling yourself short, when you do something just once!"

As a person who has only written one article, you are just one in thousands of uncommitted, wannabe article writers. Your article may very likely be overlooked, because the publishers do not yet know your name or why they should care that you are writing articles.

When publishers have seen your name, 3, 4 or 10 times, then they are more likely to open your articles to see if they like your writing style and to see why they should pay attention to your message. Once publishers begin to pay attention to what you write, then publishers will open more of your articles, and perhaps publish your articles more frequently.

When you do a one-time out article, you are riding solely on a prayer, for success. (I am not in the prayer business - please see your pastor for that service.) But, if you can commit yourself to ten articles, your chance for article marketing success has been improved tenfold.

The first thing that needs to happen for article marketing to work for the promotion of your website is for you to create great content that other people want to publish. Then you must get noticed by the (ezine and website) publishers that will want to publish your articles. Once you have an audience, don't let them down --- keep giving them more content so that they can turn to you always.

To express this point, let me share a couple names with you. How many of you have heard of Willie Crawford? Willie has written and distributed 123 articles through my program, and he has 140,000 search results for his name in Google (http://www.google.com/search?q=%22willie+crawford%22).

My friend Clinton Douglas IV has written and distributed 36 articles. Google credits him with 17,500 mentions in the Google search results for his name (http://www.google.com/search?q=%22clinton+douglas+iv%22).

Both of these gentlemen suggest that they rely primarily upon articles to build their presence online. Of course, Willie is somewhat of an exception, since he has his fingers in so many pies. But, Willie still attributes much of his success to article marketing.

When it is time to measure your article marketing success, you should never go to Google's public search results and pull a simple search for your name or a link:yourdomainurl.com search. You should not even go to Yahoo's Site Explorer to find the same inforamtion.

Instead of relying on the public records for inbound link counts, you should register your website in Google's Webmaster Tools control panel at: http://www.google.com/webmasters

On the public side of Google, my site shows 33 inbound links (http://www.google.com/search?q=link%3Athephantomwriters.com) and Yahoo Site Explorer credits me with 1,478 inbound links. But, inside of Google's Webmaster Tools, I have +10,000 inbound links according to Google's records. I am not going to divulge exactly how many inbound links I have (according to Google's Webmaster Tools), but even I was surprised by the strength of my link counts.

The fact is that Google will only show you a really small sampling of the inbound links for your website, and while Yahoo is more free with this information, they also fail to show anything more than just a small snippet of the number of links you will actually have for your website.

So, if you are truly interested in learning the value that you created with your article marketing campaign, you absolutely have to login to Google's Webmaster Tools to get to the truth of the matter.

But, building links is just one facet of a successful article marketing campaign. There is also the reputation you build for yourself when you teach your readers something of real value in your articles. There is the consistent traffic you can receive to your website when your article is published on a website that has a regular audience. And there is the surges of traffic you can receive to your website when your article is published in a large newsletter.

I have always tried to play straight with folks, so please take this advice as it is intended. If you are only going to do one article to see where article marketing can take you, spend your money on paid advertising instead. But, if you really believe that those of us who have written hundreds of articles do so, because this marketing method works, then make a serious commitment to seeing an article marketing campaign through to success.

About the Author:

Bill Platt has been providing article marketing to his clients since 2001 at: http://www.thephantomwriters.com/ He offers ghost writing and article distribution services. With lots of experience writing articles that attract publishers, readers, traffic and sales to his website, Bill wrote an ebook to share the secrets of his article writing success that can be found at: http://thephantomwriters.com/ebooks/article-marketing-traffic.html

Or read his blog at: http://article-blog.thephantomwriters.com/

Internet Marketers: Will You Quit or Overcome The Obstacles Before You?

By Bill Platt

There is barely an industry on the Internet who has not been touched by those who quit and those who overcome obstacles to success. "Attrition" is a term that describes the "people who quit." I utilize the term "attrition" most often when I am talking about subscribers who leave a newsletter's member list, while others discuss the term in regards to people who quit business opportunities to pursue greener pastures.

Silly Cows and Three-Year-Old Logic

I grew up in rural America, so I fast caught on to the phrase, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Those silly cows can be in a field full of lush, green grass, but it never fails that many of them will strain against the barbed wire fence to reach out for that brown grass outside their enclosure.

My three-year-old once explained to me, "Cows do not have any brains." I told him that of course cows had brains. He insisted they did not. I asked what made him so sure, and he responded, "Well, they don't know how to talk." Ah, the beauty of a child's logic.

Success Online Begins With Commitment

Far too many people on the Internet have yet to figure out how to succeed online, but they are experts in how to quit, before they ever give themselves a chance to succeed. Someone once told me that in network marketing, 80% of all new sign-ups quit one opportunity and move on to the next one, after only two weeks. That is one heck of an "attrition rate".

Success online begins with the acceptance of one simple word, "commitment". Followed closely by commitment is investment. One must invest their time, their heart and soul, and sometimes their financial resources, in order to find the success they desire for themselves.

When I started my current business in 2001, quitting was not in my vocabulary. I started my business with the commitment to stick to my task until I found the success I desired. In March of 2005, I quit my day job (which required 65 hours most weeks, and 90+ hours per week during December) and risked it all on my own belief that I had laid the foundations that would make me successful in the long run. My revenues last year were three times higher than what they were, in the year that I quit working for other people.

After starting my online business, I kept my job for another three-and-a-half years, and then I went solo. I have been flying solo for just over three years now, and each year since leaving my job, I have been met with sales that continue to climb.

I recently did an analysis of my business' growth over the years since I started it. In four of six calendar years, my business grew by more than 100% in just twelve months. For those of you
who are not math-savvy, that means my sales doubled in four of six years - it tripled its sales in its first full year (against a partial-year), and it doubled its sales in its third, fourth and fifth years of operation. My business is in its seventh year of operation. I will have my seventh year anniversary in October of 2008.

Overcoming All Obstacles In Your Path

If I had quit my business opportunity after only two weeks like most people do, I would still be working a job 65 hours per week at a job I mostly hated. But, because I was willing to do what
was required to overcome the obstacles in my path, I now work from my home, available to my children when they need me. I was glad to leave the job world behind, especially during the
Christmas shopping season when I had been required to work 90+ hours per week.

Even now as I write this article, my five-year-old is sitting behind me in my chair as he is fond of doing, and he is watching Spongebob Squarepants as I type. I listen to Spongebob more than
I watch it, but I have to tell you, it is truly a funny cartoon. Spongebob's writers realize that mom and dad watch the show too, so they have been kind enough to include jokes that mom and dad can appreciate too.

Obstacles Fall When You Approach

Commitment, investment and overcoming obstacles will deliver you to success online, but "belief" will carry you forward to greatness. When you begin to believe that certain good things will come your way, the laws of the universe will stand behind you and elevate you to greatness.

The following book titles should be required reading for anyone who strives for greatness in life:

* "Think and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill

* "The Laws of Success" by Napolean Hill

* "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David J. Schwartz

* "Think BIG and Kick Ass in Business and Life" by Donald J. Trump and Bill Zanker

* "See You At The Top" by Zig Ziglar

Each of these books addresses the concept of creating and possessing a real "belief" in yourself and your potential for success. "The Magic of Thinking Big" is my personal favorite, although the book "Think and Grow Rich" runs a close second place for me.

When you strive for a goal, you can reach it with a lot of hard work. But when you believe that your goal will absolutely be achieved by you, call it "faith" if you will, then there is nothing that could stop you from achieving your hearts' desires.

As you gain levels of success in your business and life, you really should use those successes to strengthen your "belief" in yourself and your capabilities. At first, the "ownership of success" will be hard to accept. But, if you continuously apply your success to the foundations of your belief, you will eventually know in your heart-of-hearts that success is yours to possess.

Do Not Be A Quitter

After two years of failure online, many people will quit this online thing and declare to all of their friends and family that no one can succeed online. The declaration will be made as if to assure the listener that if the speaker could not do it, then no one can.

Let me assure you of one thing. If you try to find success online in the same way that the speaker did, then you too will surely fail. But if you pick a target, commit yourself to reaching for the target, invest yourself fully in achieving your goals, overcome all obstacles that will stand in your way, and finally, believe that success is yours to possess, then you will succeed online as many of us have already done and continue to do today. I will sign-off by swiping a book title from Zig Ziglar, "See you at the top."

About the Author:

Bill Platt has been providing article marketing to his clients since 2001 at: http://www.thephantomwriters.com/ He offers ghost writing and article distribution services. With lots of experience writing articles that attract publishers, readers, traffic and sales to his website, Bill wrote an ebook to share the secrets of his article writing success. It can be found at: http://thephantomwriters.com/ebooks/article-marketing-traffic.html

Get More Targeted Traffic To Your Site

By Casey Moher

There are dozens of good ways to send people to your website. These methods come with a wide variety of results and difficulty. As much as possible, I've worked with and tested many of them. Here's a run-down on one that I believe is highly effective.

Give Your Visitors A Free Gift:

Information that can truly be a help to your visitors is a great place to start. The right information can truly make someone's life better.

Overcoming an ever-present hurdle in the form of inherent mis-trust on the part of your visitor will always be with you. Overcoming this hurdle is vital to the success of your venture.

Your focus should be to find and share valuable information. An on-line approach is the most efficient way to find and distribute valuable information. It doesn't take much search time before you will be discovering subjects and information that folks want to know. Once you find the topics being sought-for, you will want to spend your time learning and writing about them.

One strategy you can employ is to share the information in the form of a multi-day mini-course that people can receive from you. You will find more success if you spend the time necessary to
make this a high-quality gift. Extra effort at this point will increase the value of your subscriber list. Very little cash takes you a long way in this project.

You will be offering to share this information in exchange for your visitor's name and e-mail address. The best way to perform this information capture function is to use a 'squeeze page'.
Establishing a squeeze page can readily be done starting with a simple website.

Some very professional design work is available at affordable prices these days. In a very short time, your own squeeze page can be activated and running.

You can have your own squeeze page up and running fast, just let me know. You can move things to auto-pilot function starting with these strategies.

With care, your subscriber list can be cultivated and a long-term relationship built with the members. Your efforts can become continually more rewarding all the time for all concerned as you move forward with this venture.

You can reach people around the entire world and provide them with value using your valuable products, services and information. You can be paid very well in the process.

Here's another way to utilize the power of free information to build good will and interest before a person ever visits your website There are a number of methods, strategies and delivery
formats available to you. Take the time and whatever the minimal expense is to do a professional job.

Remember that your internet visitor is there because of a desire and a need for some basic information. Put their needs first and realize they did not log on looking for an opportunity to send some cash your way. You have to overcome an always-present barrier of doubt in your visitor's mind. Provide valuable information at no cost and you will quickly erode the doubts. Valuable information can be found readily on the internet. You also likely have more information and knowledge of your own than you realize. A quick search of some key-word tools will reveal to you the topics of interest and need of large groups of people.

The whole key to making article writing and publishing work for you lies in NOT trying to sell something to the reader right away. If you write a self-serving article that is really a sales
promotion, it will be very transparent. You will have done more to alienate and push people away than to pull them close. After your article has presented the information, it's fine for you to include a resource box at the end. The resource box gives your name, website address and what the reader will benefit when they visit it.

Everything got much easier in the article-publishing process recently. There is some new software out there that makes the process push-button easy. This program keeps content unique and speeds things up tremendously. Science and industry now have the capacity to produce, publish and distribute articles to thousands of readers.

You will do well to include article publishing and distribution in your long-range strategy. Automation and professional publishing services can reach thousands of readers very quickly.
If you want more information on these useful tools (or anything else in this article), just contact me.

About the Author:

Casey Moher - Caseymoher@... (801) 941-3334

Mr. Moher is a Registered Pharmacist and Life-Long Marketing and Sales Professional. You Can Get His Free Five-Day Mini-Course on Building Targeted Website Traffic by visiting: http://www.newtrafficmaster.com

ROI: The Only Number That Matters

By Ken Daniells

Have you gotten bogged down with numbers that don't matter?

The success of your direct mail campaign is ultimately measured, not by bounce-backs or number of responses, but by one simple number: your return on investment (ROI). As the owner of your business, you must know this number for every marketing campaign you run.

You may believe every campaign number is important--list size, bounce-backs, leads generated, number of responses, number of appointments, and number of sales. At the end of the day, there's only one number that can tell you if your campaign was a success or a failure.

This might sound unrealistic; you may wonder if you can really judge an entire campaign based on one number. To illustrate this reality, we'll examine two real-world examples, and then we'll look at how you can measure ROI for yourself.

Let's start by taking a look at two very different campaigns. As we go through them, decide, if you were the business owner in each, would you consider the campaign a success?

* Lots of sales, small profit each. In our first example, Jon sells a paperback book. He sells copies at a $2 profit. He sent out 10,000 postcards at a cost of $3700. As a result of that campaign, he sold 1500 books which is a 15% response rate. But because his profit on each book is only $2, he actually lost $700 on the campaign.

* Few sales, big profit each. Peter offers home mortgage services. His average income per new home mortgage is $5000. He sent out 30,000 postcards at a cost of $9800. As a result of that campaign, he closed five additional home mortgages which is a paltry 0.001% response rate. However, because his profit on each home mortgage is $5000, he actually profited $15,200 after his campaign costs.

If you were Jon, you might have considered the campaign a success because of the high response rate. Knowing what you know now about the actual dollar value of the campaign, though, do you think Jon should repeat the mailing?

Commonly, business owners make the mistake of judging a campaign based on the response rate, instead of the profit involved. And if Peter were to make that same mistake, he would miss out on repeating his $15,200 success.

Now that you understand the importance of looking at your ROI as opposed to focusing on the other campaign numbers, let's walk through the process of the actual calculation. Don't worry, it's not nearly as complicated as it might sound.

1. Get out your numbers. Gather your numbers from your last postcard campaign. Because this is a new formula for you, you may not have every number you'll need and may need to estimate some of them.

2. Fill in the blanks. Using BOOM! Ink's online calculator or this formula, plug in the numbers from your last campaign.

* ([Average profit per sale] * [Number of sales from campaign]) - [Campaign expenses] = [Profit] * ([Average profit per sale] * [Number of sales from campaign])/[Campaign expenses] =[ROI %]

Armed with your ROI from your most recent campaigns, you'll be able to make smart decisions about which campaigns are worth repeating and which are ready for retirement. Keep this formula in mind and you'll watch future campaigns flourish.

Make good use of what you know about ROI to BOOM your business!

About the Author:

Ken Daniells helps business owners and organizations to increase income and profits using practical, but often overlooked marketing basics. He is the founder of BOOM! Ink, a marketing company dedicated to helping small business owners market effectively and grow. For more free articles, tips and advice, visit http://www.boomink.com

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Repetition: What You Need to Know About Marketing Success

By Ken Daniells

Are you stopping before you get the results that will revolutionize your business?

Building one postcard upon the last creates a haven for your customers. It builds their interest in your business until they're ready to buy. This is the true power of a marketing campaign--one postcard enriches previous cards until they crescendo into a marketing campaign.

The key to most success is persistence, and marketing is no different. If you want your business to be successful, you must market continuously.

* Golden Nugget #1: The marketplace is noisy. The average American is exposed to more than 5,000 marketing messages a day (Yankelovich, Inc.). This makes repetition crucial--your audience will hardly notice your message the first time you send it.

* Golden Nugget #2: Repetition delivers sales. Successive postcard mailings deliver nearly twice the response of the first card. If your first mailing results in 30 sales, 60 or more may result from a subsequent mailing. That makes repeated mailings smart budgeting.

* Golden Nugget #3: Someone's not ready. Sending more than one postcard to the same audience increases your chances of catching people when they need what you're offering. Most of the time, no response from a prospect means "no for now." Mail to that list again and you'll find new buyers.

* Golden Nugget #4: Don't stop mailing too soon. Experts advise mailing to a list at least three times before calling it a dud. As long as you're getting a high ROI, there's no reason to stop mailing to that list.

* Golden Nugget #5: Building trust takes time. People need time to start to trust you. Successful marketing relies on the KLT factor--Know, Like, Trust. Reach out to the same list and build that KLT factor over time.

Allow your campaign to grow over time. Patiently build that KLT factor for your list. Each additional postcard will bring in profits, and by the time you've come to the end of your marketing campaign, your ROI will be considerably higher.

Now that you're committed to repetition, how often should you mail? Experts suggest sending postcards every 4 to 6 weeks to keep your business "top of mind." This top-of-mind placement will translate into more sales.

If every 4-6 weeks is too often, mail at least 4 to 6 times a year. That will keep your message front and center and help you leverage each mailing into greater profits.

Mailing less frequently works, of course, but mailing more often lets each postcard build on the last, leading to exponential returns on your investment.

Ultimately, repetition is the golden nugget that makes the difference between a successful postcard and a postcard that brings a BOOM! of business through the doors.

About the Author:

Ken Daniells helps business owners and organizations to increase income and profits using practical, but often overlooked marketing basics. He is the founder of BOOM! Ink, a marketing company dedicated to helping small business owners market effectively and grow. For more free articles, tips and advice, visit http://www.boomink.com.

The Top Priority For An Online Business!

By Stephen Beck

As an expert in teaching families to start online businesses, I am asked a lot of questions about selling on the Internet. By far the most common question is, "What do I sell on the Internet?" or "What types of businesses have been successful in e-commerce?"

The answer is...you are asking the wrong question. Why? Because products come and go, but the people you are marketing to remain forever. Meaning, the product you are selling this year may not be the same product you are selling next year, but you will be selling to the same people. That is, if you are collecting their name and email on your web site.

That is why your top priority as an online business owner (after you determine what your niche is) is to collect the emails of your visitors. This can be done with a simple email capture form available with any autoresponder service. Then you can use that autoresponder service to send sequential messages to the people on your email list.

For example, if Bob joins your email list (via your email capture form at the top of your home page) on Monday, he will begin receiving an email every 7 days about who you are, what your credentials are, what you are selling, why they should buy from you as opposed to the other guy, and so on. If Sally joins a month later, she will start receiving your messages in the order she needs to receive them.

Sally will not receive the same message 17 that Bob is receiving because she needs to receive messages 1 through 16 first! The messages that Bob is receiving since he joined a month before will not make sense to her. That is why you need to send sequential emails through an autoresponder.

Think about that! How many of your products require more than one email to answer all the objections your customers have? Or how many of your products require some basic knowledge before your customers realize they can't live without it? Nothing is better than sequential emails for getting the job done.

Another benefit of sequential emails is that people will see them eventually, even if they join your email list at month later. This catches the missed sales that are so prevalent when online business owners have a single promotion that misses everyone who came to the web site after the promotion is over.

So, get an email capture form and place it front and center on your home page or most popular page. Offer something really valuable in exchange for their first name and email. I offer mini-courses for marketing online. It doesn't have to be expensive, a downloadable report, mini-course via email or a link to a video will do, but it should be something that your customer really wants to entice him to give you his most prized possession: his email address!

Concentrate on building that list of email subscribers and you will have an online business for years to come. Neglect building an email list and you are at the mercy of products that may not last through year's end!

About the Author:

Stephen Beck teaches you how to write an ebook http://www.8weekstoprofits.com/ and Create a "cash on demand" online business by watching his free video about information marketing products http://www.8weekstoprofits.com/.

Online Strategies & Tips for Website Development

By Paul Majestyck

So you want to be an internet star? You have an idea or product or service to sell, or you simply feel you must have a website of your very own. And now that you've decided, you really have no idea where to start.

So you're casting about online for strategies and tips that will tell you how to build a website that is attractive and functional, one that really expresses what you are all about.

This article aims to give you just that, and more. Read on and you will not only find some great online strategies for your website, but also some great tips for moving forward with your online business marketing plan.

Building blocks of the website:

The first thing you want to determine is your niche market. You want to find a little corner of the net world that you can make all your own, or as close to your own as possible.

Try to hone in on a product or service that you think there is a need for, but one that isn't wildly popular. That way, you'll be creating a comfortable playing field for your website without too much competition, but with enough attraction to do you some good.

A very good suggestion might be to hang out in online discussion groups with an eye toward discovering your niche market. What do people want? What are they looking for, especially online? Ask them!

Now that you have your niche, figure out what makes your website unique. Think of at least one reason your potential customers would buy from you, and not others.

From this position, build your list of keywords and phrases, the tools you will use to be found by your potential clients. Always remember, it's easy to get swallowed up in the internet ocean. It's hard work to find just the right combination to make your ad come to the surface, thus providing the visibility your website requires to sustain itself and your online business. But it is those web marketers who do the hard part that take home the bulk of the spoils.

Prepare your marketing tools, as many as you can think of. The list is practically endless: web content, newsletters, autoresponders, blogs, articles, and banners...and anything else you can think of.

Don't forget the follow-through. Test your system to see if it works. Keep trying various combinations until you find the one that clicks.

And never forget: Do it right once, and you can do it again and again...a whole lot easier! Website marketing is not for the meek of spirit. But those who stay the course usually wonder how they ever lived without it.

About the Author:

Paul Majestyck is the publisher of Global Entrepreneur http://ibuildempires.wordpress.com/ EZ Affiliate Profits - 100's of Great Articles Top Notch Resources Product Reviews Free Downloadable e-Courses & Videos To Help You Shorten The Online Learning-Curve And Start Generating Income . Visit : EZAffiliate Profits
http://ezaffiliateprofits.blogspot.com/. Also be sure to visit The #1
Digitital program and product store on the internet eNetMall http://www.enetmall.net/

Making Your Home Business Web Presence Count

By Dustin Heath Cannon

Today it is virtually unthinkable to run a home based business and not have a website. In a day and age where the local telephone book is rapidly being replaced with online directories, more and more consumers want to see what kind of products and services you are offering and what you can do for them before they will ever call you. Similarly, many a business mom or executive will not take the time to visit your store, call you, or otherwise query you on your services and you will be wise to display your wares online so that at a glance a person can decide that your business fits their needs.

To this end, you will need to have a great looking, professionally done website. Stay away from the home jobs done with the free website builder that demands a link back or forces your visitor to endure a pop up. Instead, bite the bullet and register your domain name. In the same way, have an email address that reflects that domain name. You home business will not be taken seriously if your email address goes to Hotmail or Yahoo. A customer will not consider spending a couple hundred dollars on a refurbished television if the contact information is a post office box, a generic email, and the website little more than a freebie site hosted by Yahoo.

Resist the temptation to build your own website. More often than not the newbie will be so enthralled with their ability to build a site that more often than not the site gets over-built and unnecessary add-ons, such as visitor counters, guest books, and web rings are added – none of which belong on a professional business site. Similarly, beware the broken link that leads nowhere! Nothing makes your site look more unprofessional than a link that does not work. When you take the time to actually do it right, you may be wasting precious working time. Some people think the most productive people in the world are those that only focus on what they're good at and hire out people to do the things they are not as good at.

All these problems can be avoided by paying a professional web developer to create your site and set it up so that it will meet your current needs and grow with you as your business takes off. In the same way, ensure that you will have your domain name properly registered. Your web address should in some way reflect your business name, but at the same time be short and to the point. If your name is lengthy, you might just want to opt for a descriptive web address. For example, if your business specializes in dog grooming for Pinchers less than 35 pounds, you could name your online address Pinchers in the Tub. If the business' regular name is New York Pinchers in the Tub, you will do well to leave out the name of the city simply because it is too long to be memorable.

About The Author:

Dustin Cannon, of Next Level Enterprises, LLC is a successful Internet marketer working with top leaders in the home business and Internet marketing industry. For more information on the Next Level Wealth Team visit http://www.nextlevelwealthteam.com/

Autoresponders Are a Publishers Best Friend

Article by Bill Platt

How many times have you subscribed to a new ezine (online newsletter), and then when the first issue of the ezine arrived, you were scratching your head as to how your email address ended up on the list? Our lives are often so tedious that little details often slip right from our memory.

The point is this. If it happens to you, you can rest assured that others have the same experience as well.

Sometimes when this happens to us, we just unsubscribe from the list after that first issue. We cannot remember what compelled us to subscribe in the first place, and the first issue of the ezine does little to rekindle our initial enthusiasm for the ezine.

As publishers, autoresponders can serve us well. When used correctly, autoresponders can strike while the iron is hot, cementing the subscription for the new subscriber.

If your ezine has been around for a while, or only for a few issues, seriously consider taking the time to compile a "Best Of" issue.

Be certain to list subscription instructions near the top of your "Best Of" issue, and also ask people to forward it to their friends.

Your "Best Of" issue should be placed into an autoresponder email address, and then given away at every opportunity. The moment the issue is ready, you can notify your subscribers of the existence of the issue. In the ezine information area of each issue, you can also remind subscribers that the "Best Of" is available at such-and-such email address. Ironically, some of your subscribers will download your "Best Of" several times.

The most important reason for building the "Best Of" issue is not for the benefit of your current subscribers, though most of them will appreciate your making it available to them. The best reason to implement the "Best Of" autoresponder is for your new subscribers!

When someone subscribes to your ezine, they will receive their "Welcome to My Ezine" notice. As they are reading the "Welcome" message, their enthusiasm is bubbling over. Waiting for that first issue will be tough unless there is an invitation to receive their first issue NOW.

In your "Welcome" message, you should let them know that if they would like to get started right away reading your ezine, then they should send a blank email to your autoresponder address for the "Best Of" issue.

New subscribers will gorge themselves on your "Best Of" issue, and they will remember your ezine when the first new issue arrives in their mailbox. If the "Best Of" issue was precisely what they were looking for, you can rest assured that they will eagerly open each subsequent issue of your ezine, with delight in their hearts.

If you do not have the ability to set up autoresponders on your own domain, one company that offers a free autoresponder service is: http://sendfree.com/

If you take the time now to implement the "Best Of" autoresponder, the rewards will most certainly be long-lasting. Remember, the best time to get a new subscriber to fall in love with your ezine is when their interest is the highest --- at the very moment they subscribe to your ezine.

About the Author:

Bill Platt has been engaged in article marketing since 1999 and has offered his services to others since 2001 as a article marketing service provider. He offers article ghost writing and article distribution services, to his clients, many of whom have been with him since early 2002: http://www.thephantomwriters.com has written an ebook to teach people how to be as successful with article marketing as he has been. Bill's Article Marketing ebook has received many excellent reviews.
http://thephantomwriters.com/ebooks/article-marketing-traffic.html

Viral Strategies for Internet Marketing

Article by Christian Fea

First of all, I realize that anything with "viral" in the name doesn't conjure up images of something you want close by, but there is a new type of Internet marketing known as "viral marketing" is worth investigating. Despite its unflattering appellation, it is an effective Internet collaboration marketing tool, and one that is important to understand if you want to expand your business.

What is Viral Marketing?

Viral marketing is a strategy that encourages your business to carry a marketing message via e-mail, and to partner with other businesses, which will attach your marketing message to their emails. This is ultimately another form of collaborative marketing for your company, but one that lends credibility because your message is passed on through other companies. The name viral marketing was chosen to indicate the way a virus can rapidly multiply within a cell, and ultimately taking over the cell, bending the cell to the whims of the virus. This aggressive expansion and growth is the target of a viral marketing platform.

The strategy ultimately uses a network of relationships that you have developed, as well as the relationships and resources of the companies with whom you are collaborating, which are attaching your message to their emails. This can work both for your own business, as well as a collaborative marketing partnership with other companies.

You can include a marketing message in the emails that your company sends to its clients and customers, and you can contract to have your marketing message sent by other companies, via their emails. By creating collaborative relationships with secondary companies to pass along your email advertisement, you will be able to reach out to a whole new client base that, perhaps otherwise, you would not have been able to target.

This may sound a little confusing at first: am I sending marketing messages along with my companies emails, or are other companies sending my advertisement along with their emails? The answer is either, or both—both are good ways to get a marketing message broadcasted. Using an outside company often involves a fee, but may be a worthwhile investment due to the sheer volume of people you'll be able to reach, as well as the range of customers you'll be able to target, because it differs from your typical client base.

A Few Examples

You have undoubtedly been exposed to viral marketing, yet have not realized it or registered the fact. One of the most classic examples of viral marketing is used by the free email website, Hotmail.com. If I have a hotmail account, automatically attached to each email message I send is an accompanying by a message from Hotmail.com, encouraging the recipient to sign up for an account. In this way, Hotmail is advertising its own business through the emails that each of its existing clients sends.

Another clear example is that of e-greeting cards. Each greeting card that is sent carries the company's marketing message, encouraging the recipient to send a card using this service. If I receive an electronic greeting card from a friend, I will automatically be prompted to send a card using the site from which I've just received mail.

Viral marketing is a newer Internet marketing strategy that was more recently developed and is quickly becoming popular. It is a strategic way to advertise your business and services, as well as to partner with other companies to help you form a broader collaborative marketing platform.

About the Author:

Christian Fea is CEO of Synertegic, Inc. A strategic Collaboration Marketing consulting firm. He empowers business owners to discover and implement Integration, Alliance, and Joint Venture marketing tactics to solve specific business challenges. He demonstrates how to create your own Collaboration Marketing Strategy to increase your sales, conversation rates, and repeat business. Contact: christian@... http://www.christianfea.com

Why Online Businesses Should Be Blogging

By Kalena Jordan

Last weekend my husband and I were having a conversation with some friends over a bottle of wine. The wine was a delectable New Zealand chardonnay and the friends were a husband and wife team who run a small but highly successful web/graphic design firm.

The conversation veered towards blogging and whether or not it was a viable marketing activity for online businesses. My friend Wendy was lamenting that most of her clients couldn’t see the value in blogging. An avid blog reader herself, she could see it had value but she wasn’t sure whether it would work for her clients or how to implement it in a way that would be worthwhile for her own online business.

I suggested that she start a blog about environmentally-sustainable business, as this is her company’s unique selling proposition and something she is particularly passionate about. I think a lot of small businesses would like to take steps to be more environmentally responsible but aren’t sure where to start. A blog about the subject could gain readership quickly and also gain attention for her own company.

This led to a discussion about what types of businesses would benefit from a blog and what THEY could blog about. The potential number of blog niches and opportunities we thought of was incredible. Here are just some of the ideas we came up with:

1) Web Design Firms could blog about:
Unique business practices
Customer success stories
Web site tips
Staff success stories
Web site usability issues

2) Travel Related Businesses could blog about:
Last minute travel deals
Customer travel stories
Staff travel stories
Travel tips
Flight details
Breaking news in the travel industry


3) Government agencies could blog about:
Changes to Government regulations
Communication between Government agencies and the public
Government issues and news
Legislation affecting various industries

4) Marketing agencies could blog about:
Marketing trends
Successful client case studies
How to reach different target audiences
Tips for marketing offline and online
How to create effective marketing campaigns

5) Retail businesses could blog about:
Products and services
Customer service issues
Special offers and discounts
Industry news
Product recalls

6) Sport-related sites could blog about:
Latest game results and scores
Team news and updates
Individual team member diaries
Nutrition and weight loss/gain

7) Public relations and advertising firms could blog about:
Advertising trends
Successful client case studies
Press release writing
Successful advertising campaigns
How to deal with the media
How to create effective advertisements

8) Telecommunications firms could blog about:
Industry trends
Products and services
Communication legislation
Tips for getting the most out of phones and related equipment


9) Law firms could blog about:
Understanding contracts
Case histories
Tips for court appearances
Understanding legal jargon
Court and case schedules

10) Insurance firms could blog about:
Changes/updates to premiums
News of insurable events (e.g. flood, fire)
Tips for protecting your house from burglary
Tips for getting the most from your premiums
Fire prevention tips

The entire discussion made me realize that blogging is not the answer for every business and in fact, some companies should steer clear of it. But for the majority of online businesses, particularly small businesses, there ARE terrific incentives to blog.

Blogging can provide unprecedented opportunities for new business, media exposure, networking, traffic, customer feedback and interaction. Plus business blogs don’t have to be boring. Just glance at the topic range of some of the most successful business blogs, based on Technorati rankings:

Kotaku – a blog for gamers and persons working in the video gaming industry.
The Unofficial Apple Weblog – news and views relating to Apple Macintosh business and products.
The Pharma Marketing Blog – a blog for persons in the pharmaceutical marketing industry.
TechCrunch – a blog that profiles and reviews new Internet products and companies.
Advertising for Peanuts – a consumer’s guide to advertising and media.
The Consumerist – consumer rights blog where people can lodge complaints about products and businesses.
TreeHugger – a blog trying to bring environmental sustainability to mainstream business and media.
Construction Marketing Ideas – Information and ideas for marketing and promoting construction-related businesses.

Business blogging does take time and commitment, but the rewards are well worth the investment.


About the Author:

Article by Kalena Jordan, one of the first search engine optimization experts in Australia, who is well known and respected in the industry, particularly in the U.S. As well as running a daily Search Engine Advice Column, Kalena manages Search Engine College - an online training institution offering instructor-led short courses and downloadable self-study courses in Search Engine Optimization and other Search Engine Marketing subjects.

Boost Your Business with Target Marketing

Article by Sandy Reed

Often the most profound bits of wisdom are revealed in mundane situations. This morning I finished up a bottle of body oil and noticed that it felt really good to know I had used it all up, wasting none of its contents. This led me to think about my life. When I get to the end of my life, I want to feel really good about having used it all up, and know that I wasted none of the gifts inside of me. What a terrible waste it is when any of us leave this world without taking the time to discover our gifts and use them in a way that can benefit our world.

That's what your business truly is. It's a love offering to the world. It's an expression of your soul in such a way that it brings value and happiness to your life and to all your clients, whose life it benefits. It is your privilege, and responsibility, to find ways to let people know what you have to offer them.

What you have to offer will be unique and will express your gifts and talents, that come from expressing what is in your soul.

My definition of a successful business is - a business that provides a vehicle for you to express in the world what makes you happy. It expresses your unique gifts and talents, and provides the means to create the lifestyle you long for in your heart and soul.

As I mentioned, in order for this lifestyle to come to fruition, the right people must know what you have to offer. So, the question becomes, who are the right people? Do you know who your ideal client is?

You may ask, "why should I care about who my ideal client is?"

Here are 3 reasons to take the time to discover the identity of your ideal, or preferred, client. Choosing an ideal client will help you:

1. Market your products and services. If you don't know who you're serving, how do you know the right advertising venues to utilize? For example, if your preferred client is 25 - 35 years old, you would choose a very different marketing approach than you would if your preferred client was 45 - 55.

If you decided to place an ad in a magazine or online publication with readers who are 25 - 35 years old, you might choose Cosmopolitan or Working Mother or New Lifestyle Magazine.

If you were targeting 45 - 55 year old readers, you might place an ad in AARP Magazine, Grandparents, or Slate Magazine.

2. Get a clear vision of where your company belongs in the market place. Take home buyers for example. New home buyers have very different needs than retirees looking to downsize. You would use a different marketing strategy in both cases.

3. Helps you write your ad copy when you can address it to one person who represents your ideal client. For example, the verbiage and images you use to reach a real estate agent is very different than the words you would use to communicate with corporate executives.

If you know who your ideal client is, it will help you decide how your gifts and talents can best benefit them. So, when it comes to the end of your days, you'll have a feeling of satisfaction and completion knowing that you've expressed your talents and gifts to the people who needed it the most - your ideal client.

About the Author:

Sandy Reed is a Professional Certified Coach and small business owner with 30+ years of corporate and business building experience. She publishes business building articles, and has been featured in True Wealth and Simply Home Magazines. Visit her website at
http://www.SoulpreneurSuccessStrategies.com to get more information about upcoming Soulpreneur's Get Clients Now Teleclass Workshops and to check out her free resources.

Radio is the Most Intimate Medium. Use It to Boost your Public Relations

Article by Robert Deigh

Comedian Bob Newhart -- in his TV sitcom ages ago -- did what I consider to be the best routine ever about a hapless guy being interviewed on TV for the first time.

Before the interview, the female host assures him that he'll get softball questions about how he helps people as a psychiatrist. They joke around and make small talk before the show. But once the cameras are on, the interviewer fires off one blistering question after another, leaving Newhart confused, defensive, blushing and, finally, speechless.

It's hilarious when Newhart does it. Not so funny if it happens to you. Executives who want exposure on television -- but who have not had much experience in front of the camera -- should first consider landing a radio interview or two as a way to hone their voices and practice answering questions effectively live on the air. Radio should be part of your public relations activities.

There are two reasons. First, of course, radio is great exposure. Nothing has diminished the impact of radio as a means of delivering message. Particularly in drive time (radiospeak for "traffic jams), you have a captive audience.

Give them a reason to listen and they'll stick with you. Also, radio is an intimate medium that allows you to speak directly to the listener -- and paint a picture in their imagination about your issue, product or service -- with little distraction from visual images.

Second, it is a great way to build your media chops doing live, on-air interviews without the distractions of the television studio. They include lights, makeup, the stare of the camera, your posture and clothing, floor-manager signals and the need to appear rested and physically engaged -- even if it is 8 p.m. after a 12-hour workday.

Appearance counts for a lot on television. The way your clothing "reads" on camera, the size of the bags under your eyes, razor stubble, body language and the distractions of jewelry are a few pitfalls. And if you're like me, with a great face for radio, you'll especially welcome the opportunity to do an interview in shirtsleeves, late in the afternoon, and not worry that you look like Richard Nixon at the first televised presidential debate.

You should consider a few basic things before and during the interview:

Listen to the interviewer's program a few times before it's your day in the studio. Know the host's style -- and whether it is confrontational or supportive.

Call the interviewer to find out generally what kinds of questions you'll get.

Nail down your messages. Be prepared with three "must-say" messages, the things you will convey during the interview under any circumstances. Practice "bridging" to those messages.

Arrive a few minutes early so you are not running into the studio huffing and puffing. Get comfortable in the green room, practice your messages.

Relax. It will show in your voice at the interview.

Keep these guidelines in mind during the interview:

-- Radio provides a number of natural advantages for the interviewee. One of the most important is the freedom to look at detailed notes while on the air, something that would be a no-no on TV. Nothing takes the place of preparation -- knowing exactly what you want to say and having your key messages nailed down. But having notes in front of you -- as long as you don't read them verbatim -- ensures that you will not forget any of your key points.

-- Be interesting. Explain why what you have to say is of consequence to the listener. Use figures sparingly. Save the jargon and the reams of data for your next staff meeting.

-- Remember that the silence belongs to the interviewer, who will do whatever it takes to avoid "dead air." Listen carefully to the question, answer it succinctly and then shut up. Don't get trapped embellishing your answer unnecessarily -- or worse, boring the listeners by being windy -- just because the interviewer is silent for a few beats. This is much harder to do on television. When the interviewer is not talking, the camera is on you and, unless you're good at this stuff, you end up shifting around. Very awkward. Watch what anchors do before they go to commercial -- they just look straight into the camera and wait! Do the same.

-- If your schedule is tight, suggest a telephone interview. You can do a phoner from just about any quiet spot -- your home, office or hotel room on the road. Forget using the cell phone. Most radio programs will not let you use them because of the invariable poor reception.

Good luck!

About the Author:

Robert Deigh is president of RDC Communication/PR and author of the upcoming PR book "How Come No One Knows About Us?"(WBusinessBooks, May '08). For a free full chapter, "16 Ways to Come Up With Story Ideas That Will Attract Press," contact rdeigh1@... http://www.rdccommunication.com

Automatic Online Income - Myth or Fact?

Article By Titus Hoskins

Nothing excites the mind more than receiving automatic online income, day-in, day-out for all 365 days of the year. A true marvel to behold and the perfect solution to all your money worries.

It is totally liberating.

It gives you the freedom to pursue your life's goals, no matter what they may be. It gives you the freedom of mobility; you can live anywhere in the world. Moreover, it gives you the time to do the THINGS you want to do, whether it's sailing solo around the world or staying home to raise your kids.

Simply put, it gives you choices, plenty of choices. You are no longer tied down by a 9 to 5 job. You are your own boss. You decide when you work or even how much work you do.

But is automatic income from the web a myth or fact?

Are there really people making money 24/7 while they're sleeping, enjoying a delicious restaurant meal or even while on vacation?

The answer is YES!

Computers and the Internet are relatively new inventions. Like anything new, many people don't fully understand how they work or what excellent opportunities they offer. Most people just can't comprehend how someone can earn automatic income from the web.

To understand how this income is possible, you must first understand how the Internet works. Basically, at its very core, the Internet is simply information. We use the web to find information. We use it to find what we're looking for - whether that "something" is in the virtual world or in the so-called real world. Whether it's a pizza with the works or the theory of relativity explained in full... you can find it all on the net.

We use the Internet to solve problems, find a friend, buy a condo, book a vacation, write a book report... and the list is endless. But how do you earn income from the web, automatic or otherwise?

Again, the answer is quite simple, you just have to give web users what they're looking for and in most cases that "something" is information. They want information, neatly packaged and accessible at all times. They want things explained and pointed out to them in a direct manner. They want easy solutions to solve their questions or problems.

Information Is The Key

If you want to earn income from the web, you must place your website or sites squarely into this "information mix." You must offer something of value to your site's visitors, whether it's how to make the perfect angel cake or tips on buying a new laptop. You must offer valuable content, special deals, bargains... you must give people a good reason to use your site. They must benefit from using your site.

Just look at Google; they have built a billion dollar company by simply telling people where they can find information on the web. Their homepage is one of the simplest pages on the web and hasn't changed much since they started in 1998. But they offer the visitor valuable content/information which is needed and appreciated.

Granted you're not Google, but even the smallest webmaster can offer valuable information to their visitors. Everyone is an "expert" on something - just take your favorite hobby or pastime and run with it. Build a site, offer tips, give advice, gather information... create an online presence for your chosen topic or hobby and you're in business.

Once you have built a reputation for useful content, the search engines and your visitors will spread the word about your site's content. Then it is simply a matter of monetizing that content with affiliate links or thru advertising, such as Google Adsense.

There are countless ways or models of making automatic income on the web. The above example is just one of the simplest ways of earning income from your website. If you have your own product and an army of affiliates, then the above scenario is multiplied a hundredfold.

Automation Is Your Friend

You must keep in mind: computers and the internet are tailor-made for automation. Once you create your sites and content, they run 24/7 without any help from you. Once you set up your follow-up autoresponders, they run 24/7 without any help from you. Once you set up your affiliate links and/or Adsense Code, they run 24/7 without any help from you. Once you have set up your viral marketing systems, such as free videos, free buying guides, free downloads, free articles and ebooks, they run themselves 24/7 automatically.

Of course, it is a good idea to monitor your site and your whole online operation. Plus, it would be wise to keep adding valuable content to your site or sites on a regular basis. But once you have set up your automatic income streams, they pretty much run themselves without much help from their creator.

Then you will see for yourself that regular automatic income from the web is indeed possible and not a myth. You will earn revenue, like clockwork, day-in, day-out; it is a true beauty to behold. Besides, there is no greater joy than coming back from a computer-free vacation only to find you have earned enough money to pay for your vacation and then some... all the while you were away enjoying the sun and the company of friends.

That's just one of the many joys having an automatic online income will give you. Many more await you...

About the Author:

The author is a full-time online marketer who has numerous websites, including two sites on Internet marketing. For the latest web marketing tools try: (http://www.bizwaremagic.com) If you want to create your own automatic income from the web, try these free courses from Ken Evoy's SiteSell: (http://www.bizwaremagic.com/Free_Marketing_Courses.htm) Internet Marketing Guides.

Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

"Houston, we have contact." Attracting Clients at Expos!

Article By Kim Schott

There are some self-employed professionals who spend a lot of time and money attending Expo's. They'll grab 5,000 business cards, get tri-color brochures printed, and network at every booth until their feet wear out. But, they still don't attract the exact target audience that will do anything and pay anything to work with them. You know this type of person, because they'll tell you that their doing all the "right marketing" and yet producing no real results at the Expo. (Hey, is this you I'm talking about?)

You might say to yourself, "Well, what am I doing wrong?" Since I actually get asked this a lot, here is what I've discovered. Expo's differ from networking events in that most of the adults at the event will want to do business with one another, but most of the time not. Most of the time they are your direct competition or your strategic alliance. But keep in mind...you will find a few clients in all this activity.

So, The Key to Client Communication at these events is to know something new about the industry that the average professional does not know. Most folks who attend Expo's make a CLIENT KILLER mistake by talking about themselves, before asking engaging questions. Yak...yak...yak. So your chance for a high-trust connection just went down the drain.

You've heard me say it before, that there is an outer strategy of marketing, and an inner strategy. If you got the brouchures, the business cards, the suit, the haircut, the bright white teeth, but you don't have a set of memorized engaging questions to ask...then you are going to blow your opportunity to connect with clients at an Expo.

This by far is my most effective strategy to work on with my clients. Why? Because when you begin a conversation at an Expo with: Have you heard about so-in-so? How has X or Y affected your business?.....you are asking someone for their advice or their wisdom. And, when you ask an adult for their professional experience, you ALWAYS have a greater chance of making a connection that attracts clients.

Remember, the key here is to cultivate relationships first, then shift to explaining what line of work you're in and the results your clients get.

So, here's an Expo strategy that will leave you feeling energized, instead of burnt out:

1. First, seek out the vendors who are your exact target audience to visit. Do not market yourself to everyone!

2. Then, connect with the speakers to hear their experience and how it has impacted your line of work.

3. You could ask the speaker who the organizer is, so that you can determine if you can speak the next time around.

4. Why not seek out the media, and take advantage of an interview?

5. Last but not least...trade your business cards and information with other Expo attendees who are not your ideal clients.

One final thought. Depending on the ethnic or regional culture that is attending the Expo, don't be fooled if adults seem to be interested in your business. For example, there are Asian cultures who will politely listen to you, in order to save face, and then do their best to forget about you when you walk away. Just remember to seek out your target audience first, then watch their body language as you ask engaging questions. If they appear to enjoy speaking with you, then you have a connection.

About the Author:

Kim Schott, your Global Client Communication Expert, is the author of the Keys to Client Communication System, the step-by-step, paint by numbers client communication program to attract more clients in less time. To receive your weekly how-to articles on consistantly attracting more local and global clients in less time, visit http://www.SchottCulturalConsulting.com

The Secret to Raising Your Rates Without Turning Away Clients or Prospects!

By Kim Schott

QUOTE: "If you know what to do to reach your goal, it's not a big enough goal." Bob Proctor, Author and Speaker

Now, I know from experience that great Client Attraction Marketing has no regard for price. The good news is that you have so many different options to raise your rates for your local and global clients.

Let's first look at five reasons for wanting to raise your rates.

Number One - Perception is reality. If you're giving your item away, you better be doing it because you have a client attractive backend product or service. And, you better be able to do lots of volume.

Number Two - You have too many clients and not enough time.

Number Three - Catching up with the marketplace.

Number Four - Creating exclusivity in the marketplace.

Don't make your client justify your cost for herself/himself. If you think your global clientele is
going to gasp from "sticker shock" then you need to set them up with a client attractive headline, "Before I tell you how much this is, let me ask you a question..."

Number Five - You want to make more than you're making now within the hours that you have.

People are sensitive to price in an absolutely crazy way. They'll shop clear across town to save 30 cents on a six-pack of bottled tap water, and then drop an insane amount of cash for a new car that loses half its value the second it's driven off the lot.

Why do adults from every culture around the world do this? Clients who study my Keys to Client Communication System know. It's in our mental software, which shapes our cultural values. Finding a store with cheaper bottled water feels like a small victory. Buying a new Mercedes or Rolls Royce is more like joining a special club, or adopting a new identity.

People will pay what it costs to get what they want. And it's not the deal you get... it's the deal you think you get. All we need is a good reason, and we'll buy your stuff. With 100% clarity, you need to be confident about the results you bring your local and global clients. Then raising your rates is not a big deal.

This week, consider these three tidbits from the trenches:

The quickest and easiest way to raise or even set your rates is to model your prices after a successful colleague in your industry.

Try bumping up your prices incrementally. Let's say, just for a round number, if you're charging $400 (or, 300 EUR) a month or $400 a session, then maybe you just bump it up an extra $100 every few months.

Try offering three different programs or infoproducts with three different prices. If you are a Direct Marketing, Network Marketing, or independent consultant, consider using my system to create a infoproduct around what you sell. For example, if you sell financial products, then create an audio CD or downloadable document that contains 10 reasons why the average person needs to become financially savvy.

About the Author:

Kim Schott, your Global Client Communication Expert, is the author of the Keys to Client Communication System, the step-by-step, paint by numbers client attraction program to attract more clients in less time. To receive your weekly how-to articles on consistantly attracting more local and global clients in less time, visit http://www.SchottCulturalConsulting.com

How To Get Massive Free Website Traffic

Article by Willie Crawford

There is only one real secret to getting a lot of visitors to your website. That is merely figuring out where lots of your ideal visitors are, and standing in front of them.

When you think of it in those terms, it's really simple.

There are also only three real ways to get in front of the traffic flow. You can buy traffic, borrow traffic, or create traffic.

You buy traffic using pay-per-click search engines. It's very dependable, and can give you a steady flow of consistent traffic.

The big drawback with using pay-per-clicks to generate traffic is that it can be very risky. Those who use pay-per-clicks to generate 100% of their traffic, and are considered the best of the best, will tell you that as many as 7 out of 10 campaigns that they set up will lose money. The professionals very quickly shut off the losers, and their winners more than make up for the losses, but it's really not a game for someone not properly trained.

You can also buy traffic using an affiliate program. Since you only pay for the traffic when a sale is made, it's a very low-risk method. Since your affiliates are sending you their best customers, you can also think of it as borrowing traffic.

I love the affiliate program model, and have numerous products sold via affiliate programs. I also sell a lot of others' affiliate products. It's win-win.

You can also create traffic by putting things on the Internet that people are attracted to. You can create content by writing articles or blogging for example. I love content creation and have written over 1100 different articles. My articles teach people how to solve pressing problems, and at the same time point them to me (my sites) as a great resource.

When you create content your big challenge is to get it noticed and indexed by the search engines, so that people can follow links from there to your site. It's actually fairly easy - but time and labor intensive.

If your content is "viral" it will be something that others will happily share. Examples include in-depth articles, essays that touch people on a deep emotional level, or humorous videos that you post on YouTube.

Of the three methods of getting traffic (buying, borrowing, and creating it) my favorite has to be borrowing it... with creating it second. I generally only buy traffic when I need a really quick surge to test my website's conversion process.

The key to generating an absolute flood of free traffic is getting noticed, getting backlinks, etc., from high traffic websites such as Google, Craig's List, Yahoo, YouTube, and the various bookmarking and social networking sites.

This can be as simple is searching through Yahoo Answers for questions on your area of expertise, and then posting a great answer - along with an appropriate link to your website or product.

It can be as simple as searching through YouTube for videos on your area of expertise, and then leaving a comment along with a link sharing that they can find more information on the topic at your site.

It can be as simple as using the search engines to locate dozens or even hundreds of blogs and forums in your niche, and then interacting with these communities.

There's only one problem with most of the methods that I just mentioned. They can be time consuming and labor intensive. Just locating active communities in your niche can literally take hours.

I do have a secret. I use automated software to monitor and notify me of active blogs, forums, and communities in my niche. I use automated software to notify me when they are discussing my area of expertise or there is a new video posted pertaining to my area of expertise.

When I discover a new resource, I then analyze it, and if appropriate, I interact with that high traffic site, and leave a link back to my site, which is a perfectly acceptable practice.

So there you have my secret for generating literally hundreds of thousands of free hits to even my newest sites. Of course, your site has to be about something that people are interested it. I do strongly advocate using software to automate many of the mundane processes such as just finding these sites.

Many webmasters really struggle with website traffic generation, and there is absolutely no need to. You merely find the huge pools of traffic interested in your topic, and then you stand underneath the waterfall, and enjoy the cool, refreshing flow of new visitors.

About the Author

Willie Crawford has been marketing goods and services online since 1996. With very busy websites in dozens of niches, he teaches that the secret is automating the flow of traffic, since without traffic you don't really have a web business. His favorite traffic generation software is at Stealth Traffic Tools: http://IncredibleWebsiteTraffic.com

Environmentally Friendly Web Site Marketing: Recycle Your Content!

By Kalena Jordan

Do you ever hit a slump when you're trying to come up with new content for your web site? Do you get blogger’s block on a regular basis? It happens to the best of us.

Yet it seems like everyone around you is a marketing genius. Search engine marketers are churning out articles and blog posts day after day and what about those multi-level marketing gurus promoting seemingly endless products and e-books? Do you ever think “How do they find the time to come up with all these new ideas?".

The answer is simple: content recycling. Yes, the secret behind many of the Internet’s most successful marketers is the recycling of content in different ways to appeal to different audiences. Let me give you an example:

The original Search Engine Optimization 101 course that I created for Search Engine College was based on a brief training manual I wrote for web design staff of an ex-employer many years ago. When it came to writing a full course for the first time back in 2004, I took the original training manual content, checked it for accuracy, expanded on it to bring the content up to date and then divided it into logical lesson plans. Then I added case studies, examples, 3rd party references, diagrams and coding samples. Then I devised suitable assignments and quizzes for the lessons that would test a student's knowledge of the material. Voila! I had my finished course.

But my use of the material didn't stop there. I noticed that some of my lessons had sections that would make excellent stand-alone articles, so I pulled out the relevant sections and re-worked the content into suitable article context and added broader appeal for my target markets. These articles were then circulated using various article distribution channels and social media communities. The more popular ones became feature articles in our monthly newsletter and offline marketing magazines. Some became marketing tools for our Search Engine College affiliate network to help drive more sales.

When I receive comments and feedback on the articles, these in turn generate discussion and ideas for blog posts for my search engine advice column. But that's not all! Occasionally I am asked to give in-house training or presentations on search engine marketing. Depending on the subject matter, I often take my original SEO lesson notes and my articles and rework the content into MS PowerPoint slides and handouts.

The marketing and affiliate gurus are expert content recyclers and they make a LOT of money using this system. But guess what? You can apply the same principle to your own web site content. Here are some ideas:

Documentation such as training manuals and client case studies make great web page content.
Web page content such as product reviews and descriptions make great fodder for "how to" articles.

That silly staff Christmas video might make a terrific viral marketing tool.
A set of FAQs would make for an interesting webinar or video blog.
A group of case studies could be made into a free white paper or auto-responder email series.
A collection of articles or bookmarked tools could easily be converted to a downloadable e-book or give-away CD.

Get the picture?

The more ways you can re-package your information, the wider audience you will reach because not everyone responds to the same medium in the same way. Some people like to read articles, while others prefer a structured training program. Some people absorb material better if it's presented in-person and others like e-books and YouTube videos.

The more ways you make your content accessible, the better. The Internet's current love affair with social media offers even more opportunities to get your content and brand circulated. But there’s an even bigger incentive to recycling your material: Google’s Universal Search.

The Universal Search Model that Google rolled out in May this year incorporates web search results with related results from Google Images, Google News, Google Video, Google News and Blogger in the one search interface. The new search model boosts the importance of non-text content within web sites so that image and video content have become major marketing channels in their own right, rather than tools to attract visitors to text content.

It makes sense then that if you offer your site information in a range of formats such as video, audio, news releases, PDF and images as well as general text or HTML content, you provide more potential channels for it to appear in Google search results.

So re-package your knowledge into articles, e-books, webinars, training courses, podcasts, white papers, CDs, videos, blog posts and web pages and recycle that content!


About the Author:

Article by Kalena Jordan, one of the first search engine optimization experts in Australia, who is well known and respected in the industry, particularly in the U.S. As well as running a daily Search Engine Advice Column, Kalena manages Search Engine College - an online training institution offering instructor-led short courses and downloadable self-study courses in Search Engine Optimization and other Search Engine Marketing subjects.

How to Convert Customers While You Sleep

By Kalena Jordan

You might be surprised to hear this, but many of today’s Internet marketing millionaires actually make their money by doing nothing. That’s right, they make money by doing nothing at all. How? They have their Internet businesses set on automatic pilot. They’ve put systems in place to gather leads, generate content, follow up leads and convert them into customers automatically, while they sleep, travel abroad or laze around on a beach somewhere. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn’t.

A major component of the dot com guru’s toolkit that helps them achieve this is something called an autoresponder. An autoresponder is simply a computer program that automatically sends out email when triggered. The trigger could be the entry of an email address into a form, the download of a product or document, a certain date or a period of time. The beauty of autoresponders is their ability to create instant interaction with new leads while requiring only limited time to set-up. This establishes a “set and forget” system.

For example, we use an autoresponder at Search Engine College whenever somebody decides to download our free sample SEO101 lesson. As soon as anyone enters their email address into our online form, they are sent an email by the autoresponder asking them to verify their email address and confirm their interest in opting-in to receive our information. The recipient does this by clicking on a link embedded within the email.

Once that occurs, it triggers a series of emails to be sent to the recipient at different time intervals following the original request e.g. a day later, a week later or a month later. These emails can contain further information on the original item downloaded, links to other products, a special offer, a mini-tutorial or any other information you like. The primary aim of the autoresponder is to convert the lead into a customer over time. It’s a well-documented fact that it can take up to seven interactions with a lead before they convert to become a customer and your autoresponder can set this process in motion and manage it for you automatically.

Many people think that creating a series of autoresponder emails is difficult, but it is actually very easy! Your emails don’t have to be clever or witty or long. They just need to contain an immediate benefit to the customer or information that the reader will find useful. Ideally, you should create at least 10 initial emails and decide on a time-frame and order in which you want to send them. Then you can simply add 1 or 2 new emails to the list each week as you find time to write them. Any new leads added to your autoresponder will receive the entire series of emails, in the order you intended. Existing leads will be sent any new emails you add to the series, in the order and time-frame you specify.

Sound complex? Let me give you a concrete example. Imagine you are a jeweler that specializes in selling gold chains via an online store. Here is a sample autoresponder series (and trigger) that you could create:

Trigger: Visitor signs up to receive your monthly jewelry catalog via email.

Email 1: Welcome and thank you for signing up. Includes link to current catalog download page.
Time-frame: Immediately

Email 2: Follow up on catalog and request for feedback on jewelry selection.
Time-frame: 7 days after trigger

Email 3: Special offer to members – 20 percent discount on all gold chains for 7 days only. [Includes unique discount coupon that expires in 7 days.]
Time-frame: 21 days after trigger

Email 4: Reminder that discount coupon expires in 3 days. [Includes unique discount coupon that expires in 3 days.]
Time-frame: 25 days after trigger

Email 5: Latest jewelry catalog. Includes link to current catalog download page.
Time-frame: 33 days after trigger

Email 6: Helpful article about how to clean jewelry.
Time-frame: 47 days after trigger

Email 7: Information about unique or value added service e.g. free monogramming or free shipping.
Time-frame: 54 days after trigger

Email 8: Latest jewelry catalog. Includes link to current catalog download page.
Time-frame: 64 days after trigger

Email 9: Special offer to members – free pair of earrings with every gold chain purchased for 7 days only. [Includes unique earrings coupon that expires in 7 days.]
Time-frame: 78 days after trigger

Email 10: Interesting article about the difference between various qualities of gold e.g. 9 kt, 14 kt, 24 kt and why they are used for different pieces of jewelry.
Time-frame: 88 days after trigger

Email 11: Latest jewelry catalog. Includes link to current catalog download page.
Time-frame: 94 days after trigger


Get the idea? The more leads you acquire and the more often you contact those leads, the more likely you are to convert them into paying customers. If you can add to your autoresponder series on a regular basis, you’ll have established automatic communication with your leads for months or even years to come.

I should stress here that you should ALWAYS use a double opt-in email sign up process to ensure your readers really do want to receive your communications. The extra verification layer prevents unintended subscriptions by persons who’ve had their email address entered into your sign-up form by others. You should also make it clear to subscribers what they are opting into – if you plan to contact them beyond the trigger event, make it clear on the sign up form or in the verification email exactly what type of communications they will receive and how often.

You will also need to use autoresponder software, a host that supports autoresponders and/or an email marketing service such as A Weber that creates multiple autoresponders for you.

So what are you waiting for? Go switch your email marketing to auto pilot and convert customers while you sleep!


About the Author:

Article by Kalena Jordan, one of the first search engine optimization experts in Australia, who is well known and respected in the industry, particularly in the U.S. As well as running a daily Search Engine Advice Column, Kalena manages Search Engine College - an online training institution offering instructor-led short courses and downloadable self-study courses in Search Engine Optimization and other Search Engine Marketing subjects.

The Internet Business Revolution Is Picking Up Pace

By Naz Daud

The internet has transformed the way many people do business. Twenty years ago the internet did not even exist and now if your high speed broadband connection is down you feel unconnected to the world, as if something is not complete in your life.

All big businesses now need to have a web presence not only to market their products but also to create brand awareness. Distance no longer matters in many types of businesses. The
world is your oyster but this also leads to more competition as somebody overseas can provide the same service but at a potentially lower price.

Communication is so quick and easy on the web that great new products spread like wildfire as people blog and chat about them on online forums.

Buyers have more power now to compare prices before they shop in their high street shops. Many do their ordering online and avoid the retail outlets completely. I always check online prices before making a decision where to buy.

Lead times are getting shorter as big companies fight to deliver your order within a couple of day for today's just in time society.

All the major manufacturers and retailers conduct business on the web. Some huge companies like Dell only sell their computers through their website. They have abandoned the normal retail channels completely.

Recently, in the last thirty days I have purchased a new mobile phone (next day delivery), a new computer (delivery within 4 days built to my specification) and purchased some airplane tickets (delivery instantly via email).

Did you know that the largest online retailer in the UK is Tesco?

Social networking sites are all the rage now. People no longer need to leave their home to interact with family and friends. Not only are they keeping in touch with people close to their hearts they are also building relationships which are just as strong as people they meet in real life.

So whether it's employment, business or socializing - the internet is here to stay.

The real internet explosion is happening now - not ten years ago as most of the pundits had predicted. Many people assume that everything that could have been created has been made and that the opportunity to exploit and do business on the web is now over.

Far from it! Over the next twenty years we are going to see new giants emerging… companies that have not even been born yet. This is the fastest moving medium and also offers the most opportunity to young entrepreneurs.

About The Author:

Naz Daud is the Founder of the CityLocal Internet Business Franchise Opportunity.
http://www.citylocal.co.uk
http://www.citylocal.co.uk/frontend/franchiseinfo.php?cityid=79
http://www.citylocal.ie
http://www.ecademy.com/account.php?id=120141

6 Internet Marketing Myths

By Paul Penafiel

Every day thousands of people go online to make money but most of them fail miserably because they either truly believe one of the 6 Internet Marketing Myths or or all of them. You can read them below and discover the grain of salt in all of them.

Myth #1: Internet Marketing is EASY

This is probably the biggest myth of all, and let me tell you Internet marketing is hard, takes time, effort not mention money and anyone who suggests otherwise is trying to sell you a bunch of horse hockey. Granted that it's comparatively easier to brick and mortar in that there's no inventory to carry, no shipping of goods no sales staff and virtually no overhead, but a lot of work is still involved.

Myth #2: ANYONE Can Make Money Online

Folks, this is simply not true. Unless someone gets off their lazy boy recliner and download/read everything they can about internet marketing, and put an action plan in motion, they will never make a dime on the internet. DO NOTHING, MAKE NOTHING.

Myth #3: You Can "GET RICH QUICK" On the Net!

This is the trap that a lot of newbie internet marketers falls into including myself when I first started, why? because scammers make it sounds so easy and let me tell you, chasing "get rich quick scheme" is a WASTE OF TIME!, money and energy. It just won't happen overnight, instead do some research and find out what people really want and need then give it to them especially a sense of reality.

Myth #4: It's FREE to Do Business Online

This is one of my favorite myths because I believed it during my first year of internet marketing and it just wasn't true then, it isn't true today. Compared to opening your first coffee shop or gift shop in downtown Los Angeles, internet business start-up cost and maintenance cost is pretty low. Once you have your domain set up, you only pay for internet connection, advertising and ongoing educations, that's it. You can't expect to make money selling free stuff and ask others to do the same. Folks! it takes money to make money.

Myth #5: It's TOO LATE to Start an Internet Business

Most super affiliate marketers would love to hear people say "It's too late now, too many competitions, I should just pack my bags and go home, the internet is too complicated, etc...". You know why? the less people they have to compete with the better which in turn will make them more money.

The fact is, it's never ever too late to start anything and that includes internet business. I firmly believe that the internet is not going anywhere and you should too. Every year the stats will show you the number of people shopping online are increasing, their spending dollars are growing and the number of people going online is increasing also.

Myth #6: The BIG Money Talk is JUST HYPE

As I've told you before, "it takes money to make money?" Well it's true, although you will be hard pressed to find experienced internet marketers to tell how much they spend on promoting and advertising. Sometimes, you have to dig a little deeper to find the truth in every hype you read. It's a fact that the people that makes alot of money online also spends alot of money on advertising, tools, resources and know how to get the job done.

If you are willing to take the necessary action to make 'big money' happen for you - it will. It takes time. You can criticize, be skeptical and sure that 'big money' can't happen for you - and it won't. Sit down and write a financial and a sound business plan. Local Chamber of Commerce can give all the info you need to get started.

If you believe that you will succeed you're right, if you believe that it won't work, you're right also.

To summarize, you have heard people's story how they're making a fortune on the internet and how easy it is but the reality is some stories are NOT out of this world or unrealistic but it just doesn't happen overnight. You just have to apply a bit of common sense into it, find what you love to do, have a game plan, stay focus and you my friend might find the right opportunity to make all your dreams come true.

About the Author:

Paul Penafiel surfs the best traffic exchange programs to build a list of contacts and grow a residual income. For more info please visit http://www.paulpenafiel.com/lsn.htm

Top Seven Ways How Writing Articles Can Explode Your Business

By Nikki Mhlanga

The importance of attracting highly targeted traffic to your website cannot be overemphasized. Routing web traffic to your site can be your only means of survival, especially in the very competitive ecommerce world. Getting a high search engine ranking can be very difficult. Fortunately, there is plethora of website promotion strategies you can use to drive traffic to your website.

There is a wide variety of strategies you can adapt, from paid advertising to affiliate marketing. However, most of these techniques require payment. Nevertheless, there are ways to promote your website and increase your web traffic without spending anything.

Writing articles is one of the best web site promotion strategies you can use, and they can be very effective. How, you may ask, can writing articles help improve your web traffic? Here are the top seven ways in which it can help explode your business.

1. Reach more people When you write good articles, you must share them with other people, and attract traffic to your site in the process. You can post your articles in your website or you can submit them to other sites such as e-zines and online publishers. By submitting your articles to these sites, you give exposure not only to your ideas but also to your website. Simply include a link back to your site or include your information in the resource box. With this, you get exposure and free advertising as well.

2. Free Advertising Submitting your articles to other websites presents an opportunity to advertise your website without paying exorbitant fees. Although you should avoid marketing language in your articles and make it informative and useful to your readers, you can always include your site's link in the resource box. In addition, by making your article relevant and helpful to your readers, you are making a good impression for your website, which could ultimately lead to a visit and hopefully a purchase. Good quality content in an article is far better and more effective than a few lines of ad space.

3. Gain High Search Engine Ranking Create a new web page for your article in your website. Optimize your article to make it search-engine friendly. Use top-ranked keywords and Meta tags that can give your website a high search engine ranking. As soon as you upload your new webpage to your server, search engines will spider through it and you can gain an increase in search engine ranking. Remember that search engine optimized content is a very effective strategy to gain a high ranking in search results.

4. Increases Link Popularity

Instead of looking for other sites who would want to establish reciprocal links with your site, you can simply submit an article to other sites. Just do not forget to include a link to your site in your resource box. When these websites pick up and publishes your article, you automatically get a link partner. Link popularity is one of the factors used by search engines in determining search engine rankings. Make your article especially useful and appealing, so that more websites will be encouraged to publish it.

5. Optimizes your site for improved search engine ranking

By making your site keyword rich, you can greatly improve the search engine ranking of your site. Remember that keyword density is one of the most important factors that search engines use when determining the search engine ranking of site. However, you should always provide relevant, useful and pertinent information. Avoid the temptation of overusing keywords just to gain a high ranking as this may turn off most web surfers. Relevance and quality is still the most important things to consider when writing articles and it will be doubly useful to your site if you make these articles search-engine optimized.

6. Establishes a Good Impression and Reputation

By writing excellent, original and relevant articles, you not only give your site exposure, you are also creating a good impression on your prospects. Encourage more people to visit your site and do business with you by establishing an impressive reputation through your articles. Be seen as an expert in the field and your will ultimately gain more customers eager to do business with you.

7. Enhances your credibility through references and testimonies

Certainly, your articles are going to receive feedbacks and testimonies when you publish them in e-zines and free article sites. Record these positive feedbacks and comments and use them as promotional material in your website or in any of your advertising efforts. Your credibility will be greatly enhanced by these feedbacks, as it will create a good impression on your prospects as well as your existing customers.

Original, relevant, useful and pertinent articles are important tools you should utilize to improve and explode your business.

About the Author:

For 3 Easy Steps To Make Money Online, Visit: http://www.smart-homebiz.com/pips.html

Write A Winning Business Plan-The Neatest Trick In The Book

By MaryAnn Shank

"Writing a business plan" sounds really tough, and it can be. But there are a number of things the smart entrepreneur can do to make it easier.

For instance, justwhatkindofstuffyouthinkgetsreadlikethis? Imagine pages full of that, with virtually no margins, no paragraph breaks, no breathing room. Lenders, investors and angel investors are confronted with piles of business plans like that every day.

Take a breath. Then lure your reader into the plan with snappy headlines and easy to read formatting.

Do you know why the Wall Street Journal and USA Today use headlines? Because it's the only way anyone will read a story. More to the point, it's the only way anyone will buy their paper. (Mmmm, sounds like you may have something in common with newspapers.)

Take a look at your favorite newspaper. Those headlines tell a story. Sometimes they ooze with conspiracy, and once in a while they stand majestic. Note:

Martha Jailed
The War is Over
The Watergate Starts to Smell

Your business plan needs to do no less. The headlines and section heads need to draw the reader in, not with an announcement, but with an invitation. Compare these:

The Executive Team
The Audio Industry
The Advisory Board

with these:

Strong Executive Team is Led by Industry Insider
Audio - the Industry that Reinvents Itself
7 Top Scientists Lead the Advisory Board

So which set are you going to read?

Lenders of all ilk get far too many business plans - certainly more than they can possibly fund. Simply getting your business plan read is a big step in the right direction.

Try this trick. Imagine that you are indeed writing a newspaper, one that competes with another strong paper in your town. What headline would you put on that paper to encourage readers to buy yours, and not the other?

Honesty, of course, is essential. But within that honesty there are a thousand ways to make the same statement. How many ways are there to say that it is spring time?

· It is spring
· It is April 22
· Lilacs are in bloom
· Snow is melting in the mountains
· Baseball camps are in full force

And how many ways are there to say that your business idea is a good one?

· This is a good idea
· An innovative approach
· A sure-fire winner
· A strong contender for funding
· A strong team in an equally strong market
· Lots of community support
· This fills a need in the marketplace
· The company draws on the experience of each of its members
· Two years of strong growth
· Impressive projections

Now jot down some headlines for your company. You may or may not be able to use them. Try first just to jot down every idea, a brain storming session.

Now use the best of those headlines to help structure your business plan. If "Nobel Prize Winner Heads Advisory Board" is your strongest headline, then lead with that story. If "A Prime Location in a Prime Shopping Center" is your strongest headline, then that is your lead.

Let the strength of the headlines pull your business plan up a notch or two. The power of your business may surprise even you!

Before you actually begin writing, take the time to really look at a good publication, something like the Wall Street Journal. Look at the styling and the use of headlines and sub-heads. Note how the ideas keep a steady flow, with an invitation to read.

Your business plan likely won't look like the venerable WSJ, or any other major publication, but odds are that it will look a whole lot better than most, and it will therefore be read much more readily. And that, after all, is what you are after.

About The Author:

MaryAnn Shank is an innovative pro in the world of business plans. The best of traditional and cutting edge techniques are at her website http://www.businessplanmaster.com .

How to Advertise To Your Opt-in Newsletter List, For Maximum Profit

By Cathy Qazalbash

Your opt-in or business list is the most valuable asset to your business. Your subscribers have made a positive decision to voluntary subscribe to your free newsletter. Subscribers to your newsletter are potential customers for you and deserve to be treated like the VIPs they are. Before advertising to them in the form of Solos and other ads in your newsletter, keep a few points in mind:

1. Create trust -credibility

2. Do not over advertise

3. Do opinion Polls/surveys to find what subscribers like

4. Target your advertising

Create trust -credibility: Good content in your newsletter will do this. Info articles and tips are the main source of content. If possible use either freshly written articles or write your own. Tips are always popular, small jokes and sayings are often used to lighten up the newsletter. All these things will help your readers enjoy their newsletter and when you publish a good quality newsletter it will boost your credibility and create trust with your subscribers.

Do not over advertise: This is a common mistake with publishers. A little advertising in the newsletter and not too many Solos will make your readers more responsive and less likely to unsubscribe. Too many ads in the newsletter and sending too many Solos will cut down your subscribers and less people will actually read your ads.

Opinion polls and surveys are useful for finding out what your subscribers are interested in. Make these short and simple and always respond to those who take the trouble to fill them out. Surveys are a very valuable way of keeping in touch with your readers and builds rapport. This means you can advertise what they need and get a better response, and sales.

Targeting your ads. Advertise according to your topic. For instance if you are a marketing home business newsletter try to keep your ads in this topic, do not advertise gardening things. Your readers will expect to be offered tools, products and services specifically designed to help them in their businesses.

Fine-Tune Your Advertising To Ensure Success

Advertising your business is more than putting out a few ads and hoping for the best. Your advertising campaign needs constant testing and monitoring, to ensure success. Here are some of the ways you can do this.

1. Monitoring (tracking)

2. Testing

3. Researching publications

4. Keeping Records

Monitoring: It is critical to your advertising campaign to monitor and track all your ads. In this way you can tell exactly which ones are working and those that that are failing. This will save you a lot of time and money. Here is a good ad tracker http://www.adminder.com/go.cgi?id=cathyayb

Testing: Testing ads will ensure you have the best ad for your market, Split test 2 classifieds 1st, then take the best performer and expand into a Solo. You will save money by testing cheaper ads before you send out expensive Solos.

Researching publications: When advertising in publications do your research before placing your ad. Subscribe to the ezine/newsletter and see what sort of readers they are targeting. You will be able to assess this by the type of ads they run on a regular basis, and the articles they publish. Check out the amount of ads and how many are in the publication (less ads equals better response)

Keeping Records: Note which ezines were successful and the ones that produced little or no results. Bigger lists are not always better. Record and note all your ad results. You can use Excell for this as it provides columns, which are easy to use. Note where you advertised, how much they cost size of list, and what success if any you had with the publication. Do not expect stunning results from a publication, that will rarely happen but even if you get a small response repeat the ad for at least 3-4 times, to properly assess the results.

When you fine tune your advertising you will get the maximum "bang for your buck." You will continue to improve your campaign and build your successful business. Not all advertising will work and you may have only small results at 1st but always continue to advertise products/services and you will build your business and expand your clientele.

Keep these points in mind and you will ensure your maximum response to your advertising and even some sales from your readers. Your newsletter is a business tool and your subscribers will
expect some advertising. However remember your subscribers are not just dollar bills and should never feel you are using them. The old cliché "look after your subscribers and they will look after you," holds true for your advertising as well as your newsletter.

About the Author:

Article written by Cathy Qazalbash © Cathy is an experienced freelance writer/copywriter and publisher of the A-Y-B free marketing newsletter
http://advertise-your-business.com
http://copywriting-for-websites.com
http://a1-newsletters.com

Business Blog Savvy: Avoiding the 8 Pitfalls of Do-It-Yourself Blogging

By Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D. and Denise Wakeman

The Blog Squad

You can pat yourself on the back if you're one of the thousands of small business professionals that have set up a blog to communicate with your potential clients. Or, maybe you haven't started your business blog yet, but intend to. Take note now so you can avoid some of the consequences of do-it-yourself blogging.

You've heard all the hype, listened to a few podcasts and teleseminars, and finally sorted out for yourself how blogging can really work for your targeted niche of readers and potential clients. You've set up your business blog.

Now, you may be asking yourself, "If I'm so smart at my business, why do I have a dumb do-nothing blog?"

Here are a few of the pitfalls of creating your blog without any guidance from blogging experts:

1. You don't know how to use your blogging software, yet you expect to look like an expert and build credibility. How could you know? Blogs haven't been around that long, and the blogging software is continually being upgraded. You need to learn how to use your blog features that increase your findability on the Internet and readership. For example, you need to regularly use trackback, pinging, and permalinks features.

2. You are writing in a vacuum, without knowing what questions your clients want answered. You haven't done any keyword research, or asked your current clients what they'd like to read. Even worse, you under the impression that a blog should be like an online diary. You are writing about your personal life and details, detracting from the on-target, focused purpose of your blog as a business building tool.

3. You haven't researched other blogs in your field, or spent any time on them, leaving comments. You need to get out there and raise your hand in the blogosphere, so people
will know you're there. You also need to know what's going on in your field.

4. You haven't put a subscription form on your blog, and you don't understand the whole RSS feed thingy. Your readers can't find you or know when you have updated your blog.

5. You haven't put any images on your blog and your blog doesn't look as neat and tidy as your business is. It doesn't reflect your business image or brand.

6. You haven't put any content-appropriate ads on your blog, that don't distract from your own products. Your blog has a non-professional, non-business look and feel to it.

7. You haven't used categories for your blog posts and your readers are confused about wide-ranging subjects you write about. What is your core message? What is the focus of your blog? And important question you must answer for your readers: What's in your blog for them?

8. You haven't written anything for a month. When you've got a blog that has lack-luster traffic, your enthusiasm for writing begins to wane. Why bother posting, if no one is reading your words of wisdom? Then your blog slips even further, and begins to look like a ghost town. Worse, it's still up on the Web, and people will find you and decide you maybe don't care, went out of business, or changed your mind.

Here's what is promised by having a blog:

- Search engines will find you better - website trafficgalore
- Instant credibility in your area of expertise
- A way to communicate with people interested in your field
- Dialogue through comments with potential clients
- Increased sales of your products, whether tangible goods, informational products, or services

How could you possibly know the most effective blogging strategies and tactics without learning and guidance by experts? Sure, blogs are for everyone and the software makes it easy and cheap for anyone to start a blog.

But a professional business blog that drives traffic and gets clients must be optimized correctly and treated as a valuable marketing strategy.

Here are some solutions:

1. Study the professional business blogs in the blogosphere and model their strategies.
2. Buy an ebook on how to set up and optimize a professional business blog
3. Take an advanced course in blogging (not one that just tells you how to get a free account and set it up, but one to explain how to optimize for business.)
4. Hire a team of professional blog experts to coach you in using your blog for your business.
5. Hire a business blog consultant team to help you tweak your blog, or do an extreme makeover
6. Delete your blog and start all over again

Blogs are an effective and powerful marketing tool for businesses of all sizes and types. Like any tool, though, you need to know how to use it correctly to maximize your results.

About the Author:

As the The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman have teamed up to work with professionals to maximize their marketing strategies by implementing blogs, ezines and ecommerce tactics. They have co-authored "Build a Better Blog: The Ultimate Guide for Boosting Your Business with a Professional Blog." Take The Blog Squad's free assessment to find out if you're ready for a business blog: http://snipurl.com/Blog_Assessment

Building Relationships Through Your Sales Copy

Building Relationships Through Your Sales Copy

By Cathy Qazalbash

Whenever you try to sell anything you need to build a relationship with your reader. Few people will buy without this vital connection between you and those reading your sales copy. It doesn't matter what sort of sales copy you are using. It can be a small classified ad or a full-blown Sales page. Unless you can build up this vital relationship with your reader you will make little or no sales.

How do you define a relationship built on merely reading your sales copy? It is the feeling a reader will have about you when reading your ad or sales letter. Your aim with any of your sales copy is to build a good rapport with your reader.

What sort of feelings do you want to create in your reader?

1. Empathy
2. Your product/service can help them resolve their problem
3. Trust
4. Need to buy

A feeling of empathy: Your reader wants to feel that you understand their needs and wants. When you sympathize with your readers' needs they will be able to form a bond, they will be able to say, "yes this person understands what I want and understands the problems I am facing."

Creating a feeling that you can and will help them resolve their problem. Do not just reel off facts and figures. Show your reader positive and strong reasons why your product will help them. In
this way they will feel that you are genuinely interested in solving their problems and really have a product /service that will do this.

Trust is the main ingredient in building a relationship with your potential customer. Sales can be made or lost on this all-important feeling. When people build trust in you and your product/service they will buy.

How do you achieve this?

1. Personalize
2. Empathize
3. Persuade
4. Prove your trustworthiness

Create the need to buy your product

1. State the problem your reader has and emphasize their need to resolve it. Declare your USPS (unique selling position) State what your product/service can do and how it will greatly help your reader solve a problem or satisfy a desire.

More techniques that will help you build a relationship.

1. Use of "trigger words"
2. Presenting your sales copy (this reflects on you as a professional)

"Trigger words" are words that touch your reader's emotions. They make them feel good and be more inclined to buy. for example: Do not just "build your business" "skyrocket your business." You can see one trigger word can make your reader feel elated and optimistic that this can happen. With this feeling in mind a sale is very much more likely, and you have achieved this with one word. When you use these trigger words you will build a good rapport with your prospective buyer, and increase your chances of a sale.

Presentation is critical to the overall impression your visitor will get about you. When your ads and sales pages look good your reader will be impressed and perceive you as a true professional.
First impressions are indeed lasting and if your visitor sees you as a professional they will build a good relationship with you as they read your copy.

So next time you send out an ad however small remember that everything your reader sees in your copy will build a relationship and can make or break your sale. Strive to impress your reader, build a relationship and then close the sale with your stunning ad copy.

About the Author.

Cathy Qazalbash is an experienced freelance writer/copywriter
and publisher of the A-Y-B free marketing newsletter
http://advertise-your-business.com
http://copywriting-for-websites.com
http://a1-newsletters.com

Internet Marketing: Start Right, Start Smart

By Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D.

Internet Marketing: Start Right, Start Smart

When a professional or small business owner decides to launch their business on the Internet, they often start with a website. They've heard that everybody has to have a website. Then they learn that they should have an email newsletter.

Many people start out piece-meal. Website with one company, newsletter delivery with another provider, online payments with another, and as each need arises they get an account with a new provider. In a previous article (http://snipurl.com/Internet_Marketing1), we recommended starting with a shopping cart marketing system. The next step is to establish your online presence.

Website First, Blog First?

As stated above, it wasn't long ago that you would get started with your online business by creating a website. However, after several months and several thousands of dollars you may learn your website isn't enough. You do need a web presence, and there is an alternative to hiring a web designer to do it for you - you can create a blog for your business.

Since the invention of easy-to-use blogging programs, we recommend to many small businesses and professionals to skip a website, and start off with a blog. A blog can do just about anything a website can, and has several big advantages. (A blog actually is a website, only its software provides for easily updated content and reader participation.)

1. A blog is user-friendly. You can learn how to manage it yourself, no need to hire a web designer, pay big fees or be at the mercy of their busy schedule.

2. A blog is inexpensive. An account at Typepad.com, the leading blog provider, runs from $5-$15/month.

3. Blogs are search engine friendly. Even if in the beginning you don't have a clue about how to optimize your site for the search engines, don't worry. Just know that when you are writing about your niche, to your targeted audience, you will be using the very same keywords that get entered into Google when people are searching for things. This will increase your chances of getting found on the 'Net' by the people who want and need you. Websites are a little more complicated and if they aren't updated frequently, they don't get indexed by the search engine spiders very often.

Huh? What's a Spider?

Don't worry about the technological jargon. You don't have to understand how a blog and search engines work right now. But you do have to know that these elements are "must-do's" for anyone who wants to use the Internet to build and grow a business online.

Take some teleseminars - there are plenty and they're often free - or, buy a couple of ebooks that show you how to manage these tasks.

Don't make the mistake of getting overwhelmed by all the possibilities and all the companies trying to sell you their services. Start out slowly, ask questions, gather information, inform yourself about the options and benefits before you even think about setting up your website or blog. While we can't really make recommendations for you without knowing about your business niche, in general, you can't go wrong by setting up a shopping cart and a blog so you can start your business online the smart way. The two go hand in hand. If you want to make money online, you can't have one without the other.

About The Author.

As the The Blog Squad, Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman have teamed up to work with professionals to maximize their marketing strategies by implementing blogs, ezines and
ecommerce tactics. They are co-authors of "Build a Better Blog: The Ultimate Guide for Boosting Your Business with a Professional Blog." Are you ready for a blog? Take The Blog Squad's free assessment at http://snipurl.com/Blog_Assessment

What Do Your Business Emails Reveal About You?

By Tim Knox

I am a huge fan of email. In fact, if you do business with me the bulk of our communication will not be through the telephone, but via email. Email is quick. Email is convenient. Email takes less time than long-winded telephone conversations. Most importantly, email gives me an electronic record of my communications with clients, employees, partners, and vendors; which makes it easy for me to refresh my quickly-aging memory by easily referring back to our electronic conversations.

As someone who receives and sends a couple hundred emails a day I have to tell you that I am constantly amazed at how poorly written and unprofessional most business emails are. I receive
emails every day from fellow entrepreneurs that don't even contain full sentences. They are often rife with spelling and grammatical errors or typed in all capital letters, and sometimes, are virtually illiterate.

One email I recently received from someone trying to sell me an expensive piece of equipment actually read, "tom-- what you think -- ready to buy?" First off, the name is "Tim" and secondly, what I think is: I will take my business elsewhere. Thank you, drive through.

Why should you worry about how your emails are reviewed by their recipients? Because in business, you are constantly being judged by your customers, your employees, your investors, your partners, and your peers. If your emails give the impression that you don't put much thought into the composing of the message or that you're too busy to be bothered or that you are a total idiot who can't even use a spell checker, what do you think that says to the person on the other end?

Email is quickly becoming the business correspondence medium of choice for the reasons I covered above, and if you don't take the time to learn how to effectively use email in a professional manner, it will come back to haunt you.

There are rules that should be followed when sending business emails. The website Email Replies gives 32 tips for email etiquette. Culling from that list and adding a few of my own, here are Tim's Top 10 Rules of Email Etiquette that every entrepreneur, executive, and employee should follow.

Make It Short And Sweet

An email isn't a letter from camp, so don't drone on any longer than necessary. Keep in mind that reading an email on a computer screen is harder than reading printed communications, so keep it brief and to the point.

Use Proper Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation

This is not only important because improper spelling, grammar and punctuation give a bad impression of you and your company, it is also important to make sure your message is not
misconstrued. Emails with improper punctuation (a comma and a period every now and then would be nice) are difficult to read and can sometimes even change the meaning of the message. And, if your email program has a spell checker do everyone a favor and use it.

Include a Signature Block In Every Email

A signature block in an email is the same as the signature block you would use to end a letter. You should include your name, title, company name and address, telephone number, email address and website address.

Reply Quickly

This is my number one pet peeve: people who take forever to answer email. Fast response is especially important if the email is from a customer or contains time-sensitive information. Customers send an email because they wish to receive a quick response. If they did not want a quick response they would send a letter or a fax or talk to your voicemail. Each email should be replied to within at least 24-hours, and preferably within the same working day. If the email can't be answered in full immediately you should at least send a reply saying that you have received their email and that you will get back to them ASAP.

Read Every Email Before You Send It

There's no better way to embarrass yourself than through a hastily sent email. A lot of people don't even bother to read an email before they send it out, as evidenced by the many
spelling and grammatical errors most emails contain. Apart from this, reading your email through the eyes of the recipient will help you send a more effective message and avoid misunderstandings and inappropriate comments.

Do Not Discuss Confidential Information

Sending an email is like sending a postcard. Once it leaves your computer, the end user can do whatever they want with it, so if you do not want a documented record of your comments or the information shared with others, don't send it. Moreover, never make any libelous, sexist or racially discriminating comments in emails, even if they are meant to be a joke. There have been court cases where email correspondence was used as evidence. That's a road you do not want to go down.

Don't Use ALL CAPS

In email terms, IF YOU WRITE IN CAPITAL LETTERS IT SEEMS AS IF YOU ARE SHOUTING, so please tone it down. ALL CAPS are hard to read and can trigger an angry reply if the recipient mistakes the intention of your email. Emails should be written in standard sentence style. Turn the Caps Lock off and back away from the keyboard.

Avoid Abbreviations and Emoticons

In business emails, try not to use abbreviations such as BTW (by the way) and LOL (laugh out loud). The recipient might not be aware of the meanings of the abbreviations and in business emails these are generally not appropriate. The same goes for emoticons, such as the smiley :-) and his depressed pal :-( . If you are not sure whether your recipient knows what an acronym means, it is better not to use it.

Don't Use Backgrounds or Silly Graphics

I actually received an email from a fellow entrepreneur that had an animated smiley face waving a gloved hand in his signature block. If the email had come from Walt Disney I wouldn't have been shocked. Coming from a small technology company, I had to wince. Not much to smile about there. Remember That Email Is A Formal Business Communication

You wouldn't send a formal letter to a customer that lacked a salutation, a well-thought out body of text, and a signature. You should use email in the same manner. A proper business email should be structured like a short letter. It should have a salutation, the body of the message, a sign off, and a signature.

Next time we'll discuss email issues that should be a concern to larger companies. If your company doesn't have a formal email policy, you should. Tune in next week to find out why.

Here's to your success,

About The Author:

Tim Knox Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker
http://www.prosperityandprofit.com
http://www.dropshipwholesale.net http://www.smallbusinessqa.com
http://www.timknox.com

Achieve Indepencence Through Web Lead Generation

By Trevor Marshall

Before setting up anything, it is important that you understand the high relevance of lead generation to your business' success. It is highly important for you to be able to find ways for lead generation because without lead generation, your business will really suffer. Leads potentially lead to shoppers, and shoppers potentially lead to sales and profits. Thus, with no leads, you can have no shoppers, and so forth.

1. Business Breeds Business

A poor quality of lead generation will end up costing you a lot of wasted time and money. The initial impression people have about your business is very important. And if people hear that many of their friends are shopping somewhere, they are likely to try shopping there also. Take command of your company's lead generation - never leave the sales of your business as well as its growth, efficiency, and image, to fate.

2. Growth Is More Important Than Profits

You always need to supervise your company's lead generation so that you won't be left in the dark when it comes to your company's growth (or lack of it). If you are now interested in taking command of your company's lead generation, here are some simple tricks of the trade.

3. Use The Internet

Since hundreds of millions of people are logged on to the internet every single day, whether they are looking for something specific or just browsing around, it is highly important that you are able to bypass all the lead brokers as well as the other competition on the internet and just directly connect to your desired customers straight to a company's web site. You MUST have a website. In this day and age, your customers not only expect it, they demand it.

4. Lead Generation

Choose a lead generation that you can efficiently control and which is highly dependable. Make sure that your lead generation system is cost effective and specifically targeted to internet lead generation. Start getting off the lead generation habit of merely doing internet sales leads. It is advisable for your company to be able to develop a type of lead generation program where you will be able to cut out the middleman. You will not only be able to increase your company's lead generation but it can also improve the quality of your company's internet lead generation wherein you will be able to cut your costs per lead.

It is important to note that being able to create an effective internet sales lead generation system or program comprises of being highly sensitive of what you prospective clients want such as the right keywords or phrases that prospective clients usually use in the internet search engines. It is to the client's advantage that he or she will be able to choose the right keyword or key phrase (the ones that are most likely to be used by their prospective clients) because the whole point of lead generation is to basically be able to gain as much exposure over the net as possible as well as being able to provide all relevant information to their prospective clients.

About The Author:

For more great lead generation related articles and resources check out
http://leads.salesnmarketinghq.com

Setting Up An Art Affiliate Site - Part 3

By Jeremy Zongker

The phrase "If you build it they will come" definitely does not pertain to websites. Getting visitors to your site is easy; doing it in a way that is profitable is very difficult and takes a lot of work. This is the most difficult and most critical phase to operating a profitable art affiliate site or any website for that matter. There's no magic formula to follow, but in the sections below you'll find some key pieces of advice that will greatly increase your odds of succeeding.

Step 8 - Monitoring Your Traffic

This is very important. Random odds dictates in part the number of sales you make, so if you do not monitor your traffic you will have no idea how well your efforts in getting traffic to your site are working. Your stats can provide a lot of valuable information such as how many visitors come to your site each day, how many pages they view, how long they spend on each page, where they came from, what path they followed from your site, etc. You can use this information to make changes to your site to help improve your traffic.

The good news is your host most likely provides a free utility for monitoring your stats, but you may have to turn on the stats monitoring or request that your host do this for you. If your host does not provide a tool for doing this or the tool they provide doesn't provide much information then you can visit StatCounter for a free one.

Step 9 - Build Links

To be successful it's important to have a fair percentage of your traffic to be "free traffic". The primary source of this free traffic is going to be from search engines and other sites. We already discussed how to optimize your pages to increase your search engine ranking, but that's only half the equation the other half is links to your site.

To get links to your site the easiest way to start is by submitting to directories. There are hundreds if not thousands of these directories that will accept your website for free. It's important when you submit to these directories or do any link building that you use your keywords as the link text such as Tropical Art. This helps your rankings by having other sites
affirm that your site is about the keywords you selected.

This is work is something anyone can do but is also time consuming. If you don't have the time, once again you can use a site such as RentACoder to hire someone to do this for you. Let me just point out two things you do not need to do and shouldn't do. The first is submit to search engines. Once you have some other sites linking to yours they will find it, and you're better off if they find it on their own instead of you having to tell them about your site. The second is submitting to link farms or free for all (FFA) sites. This will gain you nothing and is a waste of time and money.

Step 10 - Pay for Traffic

Some directories such as Yahoo Directory and other websites require you to pay for inclusion. Some are worth it, others are not. It's going to be up to you to decide. One benefit of paying for this type of traffic versus pay per click is it will also help your sites ranking by providing you with extra back links.

Another option is to use Pay Per Click (PPC) programs such as Google Adwords. With these programs you pay for each visitor that comes to your site. This can be a great way to gain traffic but you also have to be careful with it in order to be profitable. What you need to know is how much you earn per average user. For example if last month you had 500 visitors and made $75 in commission, then on average each visitor made you $0.15. Knowing that you can bid below $0.15 per click and will most likely make a profit on the visitors referred to you from the PPC program.

Step 11 - Wait, Analyze and Revise

It takes time to get your site to rank with search engines. Usually you'll be able to find first on MSN within weeks, then Yahoo within a few months and finally Google possibly up to a year or more later. At the time of writing this MSN gets about 5% of search traffic, Yahoo gets about 15% and Google gets a whopping 75%. Your traffic will come in phases and it will take a long time to see the large payoffs.

Each month you need to analyze your stats again and determine what adjustments need to be made. You may need to increase or decrease how much you are paying per click on PPC sites, adjust your site layout to get more visitors to purchase or perform more link building to improve your sites rank. Just keep with it, continue to read and learn more and not give up and eventually your efforts will pay off. Good luck with your site!

About The Author:

This article has been provided courtesy of Art Affiliate, http://www.artaffiliate.com .

Control The Success Of Your Internet Business With One Simple Step

By Larry Potter

Motivational speaker Anthony Robbins once said, "If you want to be successful, find someone who achieved the results you want and copy what they do, and you'll achieve the same results."

It's an idea I became familiar with many years ago.

When I was first getting started online, I made a lot of mistakes. Not because I wasn't trying to model successful businesses, but because there simply weren't businesses online to model. (In 1996, I was among the first handful of people to actually start selling products over the Internet.)

So I gathered as much information as I could from successful offline marketing experts like Jay Abraham; however, the challenge was adjusting their techniques to work in the online world. I'm sure it will come as no surprise to you that many of the techniques used to market and sell in the "real world" either.

a) Didn't work at all on the Internet.
Or
b) Needed to be seriously adjusted, tested, tweaked, and adjusted some more to really get results online.

The point that I'm trying to make here is that it literally took me years of testing and hundreds of thousands of dollars to discover the same techniques that you'll now see commonly used online today. Fortunately, there is no reason for things to be nearly this difficult for you. Today, modeling the Internet "successes" is relatively easy. (Though, be careful that you separate the phonies and fakes from the "true experts" -- look for those who honestly practice what they preach and who can prove it!)

The biggest investment that you'll need to make is your time.

If you're interested in long-term, life-changing success, then a few extra days of reading and researching shouldn't matter. It's the success of your business that we're talking about here, so don't make the fatal mistake of thinking that you're "wasting time." Remember that what you learn today could be the technique or strategy that saves you not only wasted time and effort, but thousands of dollars in "could have been" profits.

It's an extremely simple concept.

Guarantee Your Success By Modeling The Successful

1) What Should My Web Site Look Like?

Why spend thousands of dollars having a flashy site designed that's loaded with theme music and spinning graphics? Some of the most successful web sites online today have extremely sleek, simple designs.

Of course, before I tell you to model proven successful web sites, I want you to be aware of "the catch".

When researching web sites to model, the ones you should be paying closest attention to are your competitors' and sites that have a profit model similar to your own (i.e. look for sites that make money in a similar way).

For example, if you sell cotton balls on your web site, you shouldn't be modeling your site design after Amazon.com. First off, they sell books (among other things). You sell cotton balls. They offer a wide variety of titles and choices. You offer one product -- cotton balls. Finally, let's face it -- their advertising budget is out of this world! If you're a small or home-based business, you likely don't have the same kind of luxury to experiment and make expensive mistakes.

So think practical -- be realistic -- and start looking for other sites that are successfully selling their cotton balls online (or one, similar product), and model your site after theirs. Your site doesn't need to be the next Yahoo! or eBay for you to be earning a significant 6 figure income.

2) How Do I Write Sales Copy That Really Sells?

Writing sales copy that really sells takes practice -- and education! I have yet to meet someone who just has a "natural gift" for writing award-winning copy without any education whatsoever.

Sure, some people might get "lucky" and stumble onto bits and pieces of the proven approach -- but I can guarantee you that anyone who hasn't studied the "art & science of sales copy" is missing key elements that could increase their sales by 400% - 1,200%. I'm not kidding here.

So rather than playing a "hit or miss" guessing game with your copy, I highly recommend looking for sales copy that makes YOU want to buy and studying it. After you've read enough quality copy, you'll start to notice a distinct pattern that you can apply to your own writing.

3) How Do I Rank At The Top Of The Search Engines?

If you plan on ranking at the top of the search engines, then I can't stress enough the importance of educating yourself. The search engines are a highly competitive arena where only those who have taken the time to "learn the rules" claim a top 10 spot.

Very rarely these days will you hear of someone "getting lucky" and just magically sliding into a top ranking.

So if you want a top 10 listing under your best keywords and phrases (i.e. you want your site to appear in the top 10 listings when someone searches the key phrase "cotton balls" in MSN, Yahoo!, Google, etc.), then you need to do two things.

a) Examine the web sites that already rank in the top 10 under your best keywords and phrases -- and look for patterns.

b) Use the proven know-how of the search engine experts to learn the ropes. If you want a top ranking, then you'll want the experience and advice of someone who makes it their mission to keep up with the constantly changing rules of each search engine and directory.

In fact, before you spend a lot of time examining the sites of your competition for clues as to why they are listed among the top 10, I recommend seeking out these search engine gurus. With their advice, you'll be better prepared to critically examine your competitors' web sites for clues that explain why they're at the top of the ranks.

4) How Do I Drive Targeted Traffic To My Web Site?

If you want to increase the number of targeted potential customers who are arriving at your web site each day, then a listing in the search engines is a good start, but it's also exactly that -- a start.

Again, take some time to research your competition. How are they attracting their visitors? Do they have a lot of links on other sites? Do they have their own Affiliate Program? Do they participate heavily in newsgroups? Do they have an established viral marketing campaign?

Use the experience of your competition to your advantage by learning their secrets -- and then tweaking and improving on their approach to do them one better!

Work Smarter -- Not Harder -- And See Bigger Rewards And Profits

Even now, I still scour the Web to see how others are creating their own success. I analyze my competition. I read everything that I can get my hands on. and I remain open to new ideas and new approaches.

Today, it's relatively cheap and easy to get a solid education in what Internet marketing techniques work, which to avoid, and how to build guaranteed success the first time around! So why would you waste your valuable (and limited) time and money by stubbornly insisting on making mistakes that you could easily avoid with a little education?

Model the success of others and you'll not only guarantee your success, you'll achieve your goals in less time with less expense than you could on your own.

About The Author:

For More Great Tips, Vist: http://homebusiness.kim-lar.com And if you would like to compare your site with the top 10 in your area of interest and see what their keywords are, then download this free program at: http://www.Axandra.com/go.to/wallmann/4

The Skinny On Article Directories

By Bonnie Jo Davis

Article directories (also known as article archives) are searchable on-line databases of articles contributed by multiple authors. The goal of an article directory is to collect articles on certain topics and offer them to publishers to place on their website, in their e-zine or in print. Each article directory has unique guidelines for both authors and publishers. The benefits of submitting your articles to directories are numerous and include:

1. Most directories give you a separate page for each article and some publish your photograph along with your articles. This allows an author to promote their articles without needing a website of their own.

2. Directories are a magnet for publishers. Most publishers are looking for specific articles on a specific topic and they are more likely to find such articles in a directory rather than in an individual e-zine that offers reprintable articles.

3. Many directories allow you to edit your articles and change your by-line as many times as you want.

4. Some directories offer a news feed that automatically adds your new articles to dozens of websites.

5. Article directories may have a good search engine page rank that that makes them ideal for providing a one-way link to your website.

There are hundreds of article directories on the internet. I am constantly searching the internet for new directories to add to my list but I have found that I receive the most benefits from older directories. Over time I have discovered a few directories that I absolutely love that I visit for submission and for research. A few of these are:

Alumbo! Magazine - This on-line magazine doubles as an articles directory and offers a free membership that allows you to submit articles in some very interesting categories such as ecology & environment, love relationships, paranormal & divination in addition to the normal business and career topics. Alumbo permits you to choose more than one topic for your article and often suggests additional topic pages where your article would be a good fit.

Article Alley - Allows you to register as an author for free and submits your articles across a network of sites. Allows for update of author profile, editorial access to your articles and a unique web page listing all your articles.

BPubs.com - Although this is a business site only it does accept articles in a wide variety of business subcategories. Google(tm) visits often because it knows that BPubs.com adds fresh content from many authors every day.

Constant Content - This is a unique article directory that allows you to sell or give away your content. You must register prior to submitting your articles in many different formats - all of which are editable at any time.

EzineArticles - Owned and operated by one of my favorite article submission experts, Christopher Knight. This directory offers more submission topics than other directories and much of the enhancements done to the site are based on author and publisher feedback. When I submit an article to this directory I receive more attention and traffic than I do from any other submission site on my list.

IdeaMarketers - You absolutely must register for a free author's account at Idea Marketers. Topics covered include business, holiday, lifestyles/self-help, technology, Christian, home/family/parenting and marketing. You are provided with a professional looking author's profile that includes your by-line and your picture after completion of a lengthy form.

Establish yourself as an expert in your topic area and take advantage of the many benefits of adding your content to every established and credible article directory. You are guaranteed to be delighted with the response you will receive from publishers who find your articles in the directories they frequent.

About The Author,

Bonnie Jo Davis has over a decade of experience in article submission both on-line and off. She offers an article submission service and membership site for serious article marketers. Visit http://www.articlesubmissionsites.com%22>article/ for articles, e-books and submission sites.

Can The Average Person Really Make A Living Online?

By Douglas Rogers

Can you really make money online? The answer is a resounding "Yes!"

First, though, you need to understand how this game really works.

The right mindset is crucial to your success.

You've probably come across numerous business opportunities already. I know you're actively searching for information. I hope you haven't become jaded already by the con artists out there who make false promises.

The fact is you can profit significantly and, yes, even quickly once you learn the right way to do business online. So, approach this article with an open mind.

What E-Commerce is really all about

There's nothing magic about the Internet. It's really just another medium of communication. The difference between doing business online versus doing business in a brick and mortar
establishment is this:

1. Your potential customer base spans across the globe if you so desire. You aren't limited by your location.

2. Your business operates 24/7. You can still make sales even when the workday ends.

3. Your overhead is significantly lower than it would be in a traditional business, and the barriers to entry are lower as well.

4. You can create non-traditional businesses which will have no parallel in the offline world.

As an online entrepreneur, you also enjoy a wider range of options in number of products you sell, their method of delivery and your profit margin after expenses.

Sounds great, right? It truly is an ideal situation for the small, home based business owner; but don't quit your job just yet.

An online business requires just as much focus and dedication to get off the ground as any other business, so forget about working at home in your underwear right off the bat.

The first thing you need to do is investigate your options. What type of business can you start online? Which businesses are the easiest to set up?

If you already possess some business knowledge and common sense, you're off to a great start. The real challenge comes when you start translating this knowledge to match the rules of online commerce. The game is played a bit differently on the internet than it is on the streets.

Newcomers often have difficulty sorting out the differences between business models versus business strategies.

Here are some of the most common online business models:

1. Selling tangible goods (ie, Ebay)

2. Selling information products (intangible/downloaded)

3. Affiliate marketing

It takes a certain personality to thrive in any one of these. Let's take a look at the traits associated with each.

The Seller of Tangible Goods

This type of entrepreneur usually possesses previous experience in the retail industry, though it is not totally necessary to have previous experience in order to succeed. However, an inexperienced online retailer faces the biggest learning curve.

In order to sell tangible goods, you'll need to learn the ins and outs of wholesale for product sourcing. You'll need to learn how to set the optimal price point for your products to remain profitable and competitive. You must deal with shipping and returns.

If you run a one-person operation, it will be near impossible to ship products in the necessary volume. In this case, you'll need to find companies which can "drop ship" your product. Drop
shipping is a fulfillment service.

This sounds ideal - but be forewarned. Most real wholesalers have minimum order requirements and will not ship single items.

Drop ship wholesalers who do ship single items often mark up their prices and you end up paying at least 10%-15% above the true wholesale cost. This isn't a small price to pay when your
objective is competitive pricing. Even a small mark up can kill your profit margin.

If you choose this route, be prepared for a lot of hard work! Online retail requires persistence, patience, strategic planning and a high degree of risk.

The Seller of Intangible/Information Products

Information products present an good opportunity for small, home-based business owners. Your costs of development and overhead are low, while your potential profit margin is high.

You will need a new skill set if you choose this path. Primarily, you will need to learn good copywriting skills and how to sell people on what they desire, not on what they think they need. It's relatively simple to entice a visitor to purchase, say, an MP3 player when they're already looking for one. This doesn't require convincing sales copy.

An information product, though, does require good copy. You're asking your potential customer to invest in a product they aren't familiar with - something they can't see or touch or play with like a tangible product.

Information marketing is very much "all in the mind". It rests on your ability to stir up people's passions and secret wishes. If you pride yourself on seeing "the big picture" and have the heart of a teacher or communicator, information marketing could be the right choice for you.

The Affiliate Marketer

Being an affiliate marketer can be the Ideal business for most people. They make a living selling products they do not own. Profits come from commissions paid on sales that they refer to other merchants.

A good affiliate can reap an enormous full-time income marketing a whole suite of products that he does not own. He doesn't pay for product creation, doesn't have to ship anything and doesn't deal with customer service issues or returns.

One major skill an affiliate marketer needs to develop as is the ability to generate highly targeted traffic. You also need to learn how to capture that traffic and do a bit of extra selling before they hit the merchant's site.

If you don't capture the visitor's e-mail address, they're gone for good - and you'll get stuck trying to generate volumes of traffic over and over again just to capture enough "luck of the draw" sales to get by. It's like throwing your ad budget down a hole.

If you want to make money online, there are two ways to go about it. The first is trial and error, spending hundreds of hours in front of your computer, buying e-books and struggling perhaps a year or two before you make a dime. The second and best way is to learn from someone who has already achieved success online and can coach and guide you every step of the way.

But beware, there are many out there who will sell you garbage e-books and courses full of ideas on how to make money on the internet, but most fall short of giving you an easy to follow and workable plan. Especially if your a newbie to internet marketing.

I know first hand about this because I spent a full year struggling to make money on the internet. I bought almost every so called Guru system out there only to be let down and was still left struggling to make money. But my determination to make a living on the internet paid off and now I produce a fantastic full time income for my family solely from my online affiliate business.

Whether your a newbie or have been struggling for some time, you can achieve online success too if you don't give up and learn the right skills from a proven Internet Wealth Building Coach. Just stay focused, proactive and stay positive - and soon you'll be well on your way to making outstanding money online!

About The Author:

Doug Rogers is an Internet marketing coach who has helped the lives of many acheive success with there own Internet business. To learn how you can be a part of an Inner
Circle Success Group and try a Proven, Fail-Proof System for online success. visit: http://www.superbsystem.com

Successful Website - Secrets

By Jerry Goldfarb

Does your business have a presence on the Internet? Is it doing well? Did you know that the most important factor effecting your business on the internet is your web site? No matter how good your product is, no matter how low your product is priced at, success on the internet depends wholly on your website. If the website is not professional looking, the chances of your
success are slim.

This article assumes that you are conversant with HTML and includes a few tips on designing a professional looking website.

* The home page should load in the browser in less than 8 seconds at 56.6 Kbps connection. The customer never waits, costing you precious business.

* Search Engines are the agents that bring traffic to your site; about 80% of web traffic comes through search engines today. To make your website friendly to search engines, make sure that proper META tags are included in each of the pages. Before you edit the site or make one, make sure that you understand how to optimize the website.

* Choose your backgrounds and colors carefully. Dark colors and interesting backgrounds take the focus away from the content. Maintain the color and background theme throughout the site.
Colors have an effect on the mood of the visitor. Choose carefully as per your requirements.

* Choose not to use animation on you site. Animation causes slow loading speed and also looks unprofessional.

* The home page should contain relevant information on what you are offering. If the visitor cannot find the product or service at the home page, you will lose him forever.

* Avoid using banners. If you need to use them, keep them limited to 1 per page.

* Always display contact information on every page of your website. Also keep the response times minimal, within 48 hours to promote better relationships.

* Make sure all links and images are working properly on the website. Check for grammar in the content. A professional website should not have mistakes in it and should contain a logo on each page. Make sure that a visitor can get from the start to the end of his destination within 4 clicks.

* The navigation should be simple and easy. Keep all navigation links together.

* Java and frames should be used sparingly, to speed up loading times and to ensure search engine friendliness.

* Finally before uploading, check the site loading different browsers. All browsers are not made equal.

* Keep your site up-to-date and change content every fortnight. The regular visitors should have a reason to come back.

For more information and tips, visit http://www.cobbwebdesign.com/.

About The Author:

Jerry Goldfarb

For more information and tips, visit http://www.cobbwebdesign.com/.

Convert Leads Into Customers, And Customers Into Super-customers!

By Kirsten Hawkins

A simple definition of marketing is "the getting and keeping of customers." To sell your product or service, you must have customers. To increase your revenues, you must have customers, and you must turn those customers into repeat super-customers.

The easiest way to do this, both on- and off-line, is through a content newsletter. There is no doubt that content sells. Useful content builds trust and credibility, and over time turns your
customer from a stranger to a friend.

An online newsletter is easy to begin--all you need is an autoresponder. I use Aweber for my newsletter (http://aweber.com/?203081). You can advertise your newsletter on your website, on forums, on your business card, in articles you write, on traffic exchanges, and in your email signature. If you faithfully do these marketing tasks, your email list will grow over time.

You must provide useful and informative content in your newsletter. If you want subscribers to read it and (eventually) buy from you, do not offer them junk. I define "junk" as opt-in spam. Don't fall into the habit of sending out advertisements veiled as "articles." Don't send only solo ads. Instead, research topics for your newsletter and write quality articles. Subscribers who are impressed with your newsletter will buy from you. But it will take time to build trust. Trust is not built through junk.

There are three phases to this process: 1) Get a lead; 2) Convert that lead into a customer; and 3) Convert that customer into a super-customer. Your newsletter will help you accomplish all three tasks.

If you sell or market a product or service, and you are driving traffic to your website, you typically have only one shot at capturing the interest of a prospect. If I go to your site and click away, I may never come back. You need some sort of follow-up system. A newsletter is the perfect vehicle for follow-up.

If you are sending targeted traffic to your site (any other type of traffic is a waste), visitors will be interested in the content of what you are offering. To keep their interest, and to keep your name in front of them, offer a f-re-e newsletter. Even a simple, once-a-month newsletter will do.

If they sign up, you then have a chance to build a relationship. This is done through your content. Many people don't buy something the first time they see it, but as they come to know you and your product through your newsletter, they become more willing to purchase. Over time, just by offering a newsletter, you can convert more leads into customers.

You turn those customers into super-customers also through your newsletter. If the product or service they bought from you was quality, you have built even more credibility with them. Perhaps now they will make repeat purchases, or join a membership site you offer, or even become an affiliate for your product or service.

But the key is to offer useful, informative content. If the premier issue of your newsletter is nothing but an ad similar to your site, you will lose that lead. Build relationships through high-quality content, and you will convert leads into paying customers into paying super-customers.

Remember - no list, no money.

About The Author:

Kirsten Hawkins is an online marketing specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.pageranksite.com/ for more great online marketing tips and webmaster resources.

Improving Conversion Rates

By David Andrew Smith

You have optimised your website and attracted a large number of inbound links by one means or another. The results of this are that your site now appears on the first page of the top three
search engines, Google, MSN and Yahoo, for your chosen keywords or phrases. You have cracked it! Now you are getting hundreds of visitors a day to your website. Unfortunately very few are staying to browse your site and even fewer are purchasing your products or enquiring after the services you offer.

You must look closely at your site to find the reason behind this if you wish to improve your conversion rates. There are two immediate actions you can take. Have you optimised your site for the search engines or your visitors? You should always optimise your site for your visitors as they will provide you with your income not the search engines. The search engines are simply a means to an ends.

It is better to have twenty visitors to your site 15 of whom purchase a product or service than it is to have 500 of whom only 5 make a purchase. When developing your site keep in mind your potential customers and put text into the site that they will appreciate, like and find informative. Never write your copy with the search engines in mind and those omnipotent algorithms. Algorithms do not make enquiries or purchases people do.

If your copy is attractive and readable and encourages real people to contact you or buy a product then it is highly likely to be equally attractive to the search engines. When writing your copy you should not be trying to 'sell' your product or service with blatant over the top advertising. Be more subtle. You are fulfilling a wish or a need or solving a problem so be
informative. People have carried out a specific search so the need is already there you have to now give them the information they need to convince them to purchase of you. So as always the
content is the key to making sales as well as attracting the attention of the search engines.

You must work hard at getting this content right. The second line of investigation is to analyse your sites visitor statistics carefully Look at each visitor and how they arrived at your site. That is what search terms did they use? What page did they land on? What pages did they navigate through? What page did they exit on? What area of the World or country did they come from? If they made no enquiry or purchase, look at their search phrase, and where on your site they went, and attempt to calculate why they left without making that enquiry or purchase. Was it because their search was not appropriate for ypour actual product or service? Do you not perhaps provide your service to their particular area? Did they miss or could not find exactly what they wanted on your site because of badly designed navigation paths? Or is it perhaps because the text is simply not up to standard?

If you think it is a structural problem then you can alter this so that people find it easier to navigate to places on the site that they actually want. It may also be a matter of your content so you can change this.

By constantly monitoring your site's statistics you can dramatically increase your conversion rates, that is, convert more of your visitors into paying customers. Finally do keep note of what you do so that you can accurately monitor the changes you make to find out if and by how much they are making a difference.

About The Author:

David Andrew Smith runs a successful contract cleaning company http://www.wesparkle.co.uk for both commercial and domestic customers in the UK. He has devoloped and maintains the company's website.

4 Ways To Generate A Stampede Of Traffic To Your Website

By Jeff Smith

Whether building or growing your online business, you need 3 basic elements to succeed: something to sell, copy that sells it and traffic generation to drive visitors that will buy.

Weakness in any one of these areas can very severely impact your results frustrating you beyond belief.

These 3 building blocks may not be new for you, but I bet that you have tended to think about them as islands, each of which you must master in order to achieve online business success?

ONLINE BUSINESS SUCCESS ECOSYSTEM

Suppose you have spent thousands having a bang-on sales letter written for your business, and you are able to draw some significant traffic to your site.

You'll sell products won't you?

Of course, however, what happens if your product (or the product you are selling) is not of high quality or is not significantly percieved as offering value?

First, you will get many returns resulting in lower profits, additional service fees, additional support costs and possibly losing your ability to take payment online.

Second, a bad sale, even if not returned, will not gain you additional word-of-mouth sales. In a niche market, this means you will certainly miss out on capturing your market. In a mass market, this means you have significantly hurt your chances for successful press, reviews, interviews and low or no cost advertising opportunities.

Third, you hurt your reputation for all other business you want to capture within your market. High equity business build customer value over time by continuing to market additional products and services - typically higher-end over time. By releasing a less than stellar product, you stop your progress dead in its tracks.

So, as you can see, marketing strong, in-demand and differentiated products IS critical to your overall marketing campaign.

To truly move into advanced traffic generation territory, we have to think about techniques that will consistently build momentum and traffic month after month, rather than one-time traffic spikes that cannot be sustained.

This is important background to these 4 leading traffic generation techniques.

GENERATING A STAMPEDE OF TRAFFIC TO YOUR WEBSITE

1. Writing Content

There is no better way to virally spread your thoughts, brand, products and services to a wide audience than developing content. Writing articles, audios, podcasts, blogs, ezines, special reports, rebrandable products, content-rich web pages, are just some of the opportunities that will both bring in new traffic as well as build relationships with your market resulting in more sales and higher value in long-run.

2. Affiliate Program

When I launched my online business back in 2000 little did I realize that within 1-year, over 75% of my traffic and more than 50% of my sales would be generated through affiliates and joint venture partners. Now with over 1,000 affiliates generating consistent, targeted traffic,
my business largely operates in a completely automated fashion. I could literally disappear off the face of the earth for the next 6-months and still see very little impact on sales. Obviously, to build an affiliate army, you must own the rights to your own products.

3. Develop Your Own Quality Unique Products

What does product creation have to do with generating traffic? Actually, quite allot. Even if you plan a business model around selling someone else's products, wholesale selling, or advertising revenue, creating your own product is a MAJOR traffic building technique. Creating high-demand products will build your brand, gain you lots of no cost publicity, attract partners and joint venture your way, build word-of-mouth marketing, open up many new channels to generate traffic (Try Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and eBay to start) and can act as a leveraged stream of income for your business

4. Take Your Message To The Street.

Generating a stampede of traffic often rests on your ability to convince the market that you are someone that needs to be checked out and followed. So, focus on building your visibility through Press releases, joint ventures, keynote speaking opportunities, local presentations, teleseminars, seminars, courses, workshops, bootcamps, book reviews, trade shows, podcasts, radio shows and more...

While these are certainly ADVANCED techniques for generating a traffic stampede to your web business, they are not difficult, require no special skills and well within the reach of anyone looking to break out with their web business this year.

About the Author:

Discover how to create your own best-selling eBooks, Special reports or books to sell online ...AND keep 100% of the profits. Limited time complimentary access to 7-Part Minicourse will get you started quickly and easily. Visit: http://www.highertrustmarketing.com/

Combing The Power Of Google Adsense And Email Marketing

By Scott Patterson

In the past year, Google Adsense has become the "It" way to make money on the Internet.

But even if you already use Google Adsense on your site, you are probably leaving money on the table. Let me explain why.

Most people create a site, slap some content and then wait for people to click on their ads.

But once people click on an ad, they are gone..probably forever!

One method that smart Internet marketers use to maximize their Google Adsense is to harness the power of their email list. By getting people to subscribe to their list, website owners can continue to make money from their readers.

By utilizing the power of their email list, website owners can dramatically increase their Adsense income.

Here is how you can do the same. In the following article, there is a step-by-step list of how you can harness the power of your list to create a steady stream of Adsense revenue.

The first step is to create a topic that is in high demand. A good topic would be something that people have an interest in, or information that can help your readers personally or financially.

Your next action would be to create content for your site. The idea is to write or use information that would provide value to the reader. All your articles should help improve their life in some manner. You can create content for your site in a large numbers of ways. This can include:

· Your own web articles
· Guides, product evaluations, and "How To's"
· Blogs and RSS Feeds
· Public domain works
· Private label rights
· Hiring a freelancer to write your content

Obviously creating content for your site is an ongoing process, so once you've created at least 10 pages of quality information for your readers, you should create your web pages and optimize them for Google Adsense.

As you are designing your pages for Adsense, you should keep one thing in mind- Your primary goal is to get people to click on your Adsense ads.

So don't give your readers too many options. As a result, it is important to keep your web page simple. To do this, you should include do the following:

. Place the article on the web page
· Ad all three Adsense blocks in prominent places
· Make sure that the ad blocks look like standard text, with the no borders and blue links
· If you have to have other links on this page, include them at the bottom where there is a less chance of being clicked on

After designing your web pages, you need to create an autoresponder sequence for your email list. The primary focus for each email is to get people to click on your Google Adsense pages. So it is important to create and intriguing title. Then in the email, write a little bit about the importance of the article and tell your subscribers how they can learn more by clicking over to the site.

Once you've created your sequence of bringing readers to your Adsense pages, you should start promoting your lists. You can do this by articles, PPC, ebooks, viral marketing and SEO. The more people usually means more money, so you have to continuously work at marketing your website.

Once you have finished creating your Adsense and email system, you should go back and continue to add more content and market your site. By having a large selection of information and more readers, you'll discover that your Google Adsense income will grow exponentially.

About The Author:

Scott J. Patterson is a self proclaimed Dunce, yet in a recent month he earned $12,124 from an online businesses. To find out how YOU can do the same, grab his free ebook- A Secret Guide to Online Businesses http://www.dunce-money.com/adsense-email

Online Directories: The Real Direction Of The Internet

By Adrian Lawrence

Back in the early days of the Internet, there were only human-edited directories. These were found primarily in specialized browsers like the Archie or Veronica systems. Later, Yahoo! used the same basic idea to create a descriptive listing of websites. This was the birth of the first major online directory for the public World Wide Web.

Online directories have been around since the first days of the Internet, and without them and search engines we'd have no simple way of navigating through the sites. Today, there are thousands of directories online, which can make it very confusing to determine which are giving you the best quality information.

In fact, many online directories are no better than junk. Unfortunately, with Google's AdSense program, it has become very profitable in some cases to put together a directory just so you can run ads on it. These sites are automated and certainly no better than you might think.

The best directories are the ones edited by dedicated humans, not dedicated servers. That's because a human being knows what you really need to know, while a computer doesn't care. Examples of these are Yahoo!, which has a search engine component, but still maintains its directory content; and Dmoz, an open directory run by volunteers that also has pretty good
quality content. These directories, and the many quality paid directories that exist, will be around for a very long time.

Search Engines or Directories: What's The Difference?

To understand why directories may be the future of online searching, you should understand the difference between a search engine and a directory.

Search engines catalogue the full text of a web site. This text is stored in a database and made fully searchable. The nformation appearing next to a link is dependent upon the metatag information in the web page, or upon the section of the text where the search term first appears. There is no human intervention, and no guarantee of quality.

A directory is quite different. Human editors place each site in the directory. They've gone out and examined the sites in question, put data together to clarify what the site's really
about, and ranked it more fairly than a search engine could. And the new generation of directories includes wiki technologies and content that helps define a topic as well as show you where to go for further information.

What About Wikis?

Wikis are community-edited informational sites, and they're showing up all over the place. The first was Wikipedia, recently known for an act of vandalism that made up one person's background. This incident was heavily covered in the media, and may have coloured the opinions of many people. However, this incident was atypical of wikis. Nature magazine
and other science editors recently did a quick review of Wikipedia's science content, and determined that it was at least as accurate and up to date as the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Wikis are proving themselves to be both valuable and accurate. They are also a great place to go for directory-style and in-text links to sites to deepen your information. Pretty soon, a wiki is going to be a natural place to go to search for information on just about anything.

Paid Versus Unpaid Directories

There are both paid and unpaid directories as well. Some of these directories are basically clones of Dmoz and other popular directory sites; this means the owner licensed with the directory to duplicate it, and then sold advertising on it. The site owner gets directory content with little or no work on his part, as well as the advertising revenue.

Not all unpaid directories are like that, of course, but you do get what you pay for. A paid directory is both original and human edited. It can also afford to pay for extras like advertising and marketing, ensuring the directory is known by the public. Paid directories can also employ SEO experts who can work toward raising the search engine rating of the site, and traffic experts who can monitor and increase the traffic to the website.

In the long run, listing with all the unpaid directories is okay, but listing with paid directories gives you an edge. And in today's marketplace, you need every edge you can get.

About The Author:

Adrian Lawrence is the webmaster of Indexplex a leading web directory http://www.indexplex.com . Please feel free to republish this article provided this resource box remains together with a working hyperlink.

Learn How To Accept Payment Online From Your Customers

By Paolo Basauri

Whether you own thousands of dollars or just a few hundred-at least two hundred, and you are providing a service, it may be a good idea for you to check into accept payment online from your
customers. This is a type of merchant status and the first place for you to look to achieve that status is the bank you do business with. Just because you may have been doing business with them for a long time doesn't mean they will automatically give you merchant status though, and if they turn you down, don't worry, you have other options. You can try a couple of other banks or you can try other companies that specialize in issuing accounts to online merchants. Do a Google search and type in credit card processing, you will find many outfits looking for businesses seeking merchant accounts. This will not be a cheap endeavor either; start-up fees to accept payments online can amount to around $200 and monthly processing fees of around $20 dollars.

While searching for your merchant account so you can accept payments online, you should also realize that you are going to have to make your customers feel safe while doing business with you online. Wherever you buy your credit card processing should also supply you with a secure transaction environment, if they don't find one some where else before you start accepting
payments online. Despite what you may have heard about accepting payments online, credit card payments are still one of the safest payment methods available online. There are many
fraud-prevention tools out there so check them out and get one that will suit your needs. You can also protect yourself by using the card validation code 2 {CVC2} and the card verification value {CVV2} verification systems of MasterCard and Visa, respectively. These verification services use the three-digit codes printed on all MasterCard and Visa cards to help you determine whether your customers are using legitimate cards. Also, you may want to ask prospective processors about the costs of storefront solutions that you should have to make
your website a success, things like shopping carts, Web hosting, online payment gateways, virtual checks, customer tracking, databases for your orders, and a way to calculate tax and shipping charges. These are all the things you need for a successful Web site business.

Shop around for a credit card processor that best suits your needs. Talk to several different processors and don't be afraid to ask questions. Find out about:

The discount rate: The percentage of each transaction paid to the merchant account provider. If your monthly charges are less than a certain volume, the processor may charge a higher percentage. Just make sure you read all the fine print before you start doing business with the services you need to run your own business. You want your customers to feel secure in all aspects of doing business with you, so they will keep buying your products and you can accept payments online.

About The Author:

Leeanna is an expert author writing for accept payment online http://www.onlinepaymentsystem.org

Getting The Right Domain Name

By Adrian Lawrence

Once you are comfortable with working online, you should buy a domain name for your site or sites. Domain name registration, if you do it right, is one of the key components of having your site rate high in the search engines. The right domain name is memorable, and can get your site to rank higher than other names. The wrong domain name won't do you any good at all.

The Basics of Domain Name Registration

The first thing you have to do is come up with a good domain name for registration. Don't even think about a one-word domain name; they're all gone at this point. Instead, come up with dual-word combos. If you're putting together a professional site, try your name before anything else.

Don't get fancy with spelling when selecting your domain name registration, or use 2s and 8s to represent their sounds. You can try the number 1; that sometimes works. You can also try the names of products you offer, or a description of your site content offerings: Romanceforgirls, popcornpalace, fluffykittens. Memorable is always better; short and memorable is best, but very difficult to accomplish.

Come up with a couple of dozen names that will do for your site, and test them on a registry. Don't buy a domain name for which the .com extension is gone, but you have access to the .net or .info. These domain names are not by any means as valuable as the .com. If you pick up the .com, though, and you expect the site to be lucrative or have a lot of competition, it's not a bad idea to pick up the other extensions as well. Domain name registration is NOT expensive, and if you register in bulk you can get an even better price.

The .UK Extension

This doesn't mean you should avoid anything but .com. If you have a business in the United Kingdom, you have access to the uk domain name set, which UK customers are likely to look at before anything else for UK-specific businesses.

If you anticipate most of your business will come from British customers who are aware your business is in Britain, the .uk extension may be a better choice than the .com; and if your customers are unhappy with Internic's control of Internet domain registration or they are very pro-Britain, the .uk extension is certainly a better choice.

If you're fortunate enough to find both extensions for your domain open, and if you run a British company, it doesn't cost much to buy them both, and you definitely should.

It also gives your online presence an immediate "identity" geographically which can be crucial in building online relationships- where trust is a key component. By being a .UK domain, you are very likely to gain UK clients.

The .UK domains market is one of the fastest growing and lucrative registration areas on the internet.

Tips for Domain Name Registration

Have a website ready to plunk into your domain as soon as you buy it, and submit it immediately to the search engines. The search engines take time to index new sites and your domain name registration is only as valuable as the search engines make it.

You can also have more than one domain name pointing at a single site. If you've bought multiple extensions for your domain name (as in the previously-suggested .com/.uk combination), you can set up your site under one domain name and then direct traffic from the others to the main site. This is called web traffic forwarding and has been around for years. It may be as simple as parking your domain name on a server and putting a line of code on the page, or as complex as going through another website to use their online web forwarding services.

When you do register a domain and start building traffic to it, go out and renew for multiple years before your renewal is due. It is surprisingly easy to forget to register your domain name on time, and if someone else sneaks in and registers it, you've just lost a ton of work on that domain.

By making your domain name memorable, you will help other webmasters remember your site easily when building anchor texts in their links- a crucial component of SEO.

Final tip: don't just think about price when looking for a domain registration company- also think about quality of service. While you shouldn't be paying over the odds, it really is better to be safe than sorry and go with the more established registrars. Then you can have peace of mind that should any problems arise, you will be well looked after.

About The Author:

Adrian Lawrence is the webmaster for http://www.discountdomainsuk.com a leading Domain Registration service Please feel free to republish this article together with working hyperlinks.

10 Rules For Article Marketing

By Deepak Dutta

How do you position your website to rank high in search engines? Become a knowledge purveyor by writing and publishing articles. Though article marketing is a raze for improved search engine positions, quality articles are few and far between. Search engines value quality contents to remain competitive in today's information hungry society. Knowing the following 10
rules will enable you to publish quality articles that feeds information hungry search engines.

1. Use the three Bs rule. Your article should accomplish at least one of the three Bs - espouse bright ideas, explain benefits of former ideas, or details how to bring about functioning ideas. If you are able to accomplish all the three Bs succinctly in one article, than you have truly created a high quality masterpiece.

2. Find your niche - things you are good at and subjects you like to explore. The only goal of writing articles should be to give knowledge to others. Forget about keyword optimizations,
keyword research, traffic generation, monetization or what ever you have learnt before. Research your topics and explain it in the simplest way you can. You are successful in achieving your goals if a person with little knowledge in the subject is able to understand and adopt your ideas.

3. To remain on the top of your game, you must continuously generate new ideas to write about your chosen topics. Use an RSS reader to subscribe to half a dozen feeds about subjects you are
interested in. Spend an hour in the evening to go through those feed titles and read a few articles and some interesting comments in details. Reading a few articles will keep you up-to-date and enhance your knowledge. Reviewing comments will make you aware of pros and cons of ideas discussed in those articles.

4. There are lots of techniques to generate new ideas. If you perform a Google search, you will come across a dozen or so. Select a few that best suits your personality and environment.
Sign up for Google Docs and Spreadsheet and keep your ideas online. Delicious is a online bookmarking site. Post URLs of new ideas you want to explore further in Delicious and tag them
using appropriate keywords. The benefit of online storage is that you will have access to your resources from any computer connected to the Internet.

5. Don't use commercial in your articles and don't put any links to promote your products. Write for your readers who are human. Don't write for search engines. Give information for free that benefits your readers.

6. Spell check and review every article after 24 hours of its completion. If you want to be regarded as an expert in your fields by others, don't publish anything with errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. Have someone proof read your article if you are unsure about your grammar skills. Read blog posts at copyblogger and dailywritingtips to improve your writing style and grammar skills.

7. Use a resource box attached to the end of the article. Don't turn it into a commercial shoutbox. It should be used to reinforce your credibility as an expert author on your chosen topic.

8. Publish in article directories. Search in Google for article directory and pick half a dozen directories to publish your articles regularly.

9. Start a blog and publish your articles in your own blogs without the resource box.

10. Combine related articles to make an e-book with an attention-grabbing title and give it away for free. Contact others and encourage them to give your ebook as bonus items with their paid products

About The Author:

Dr. Deepak Dutta, creator of the oldest online classified site: http://www.classifiedsforfree.com, has launched Million$Dig, http://www.milliondollardig.com, to help website owners build links, increase traffic, and have fun using social networks.

Niche Marketing Is Your Key To Avoiding A Common Business Blunder

By Cliff Posey Jr

Niche marketing occurs when you intentionally focus your marketing efforts on a targeted portion of the Internet or another similar market. These targeted portions, known as niche markets, provide a product or service for a defined group of customers who have very specific needs. Niche marketers address the need and market accordingly.

For example, many people sell clocks. But, how many of them sell clocks that are shaped like animals? Selling animal-shaped clocks is niche marketing. Of course, clocks are only one example. Once, you get thinking about the kind of products and services you want to offer, you will realize that the possibilities for niche markets and niche marketers are virtually endless. As long as there is a need for a product, there is demand and potential in the demand.

One of the biggest mistakes that new Internet entrepreneurs make is ignoring the concept of niche marketing completely and focusing on big markets that appear to be big moneymakers.
Though this may seem like a good idea at first, it is usually not the best option. The problem with this tendency is the level of competition that is often encountered. Those who are already established in the market are experts at what they do, which makes it almost impossible to compete with them when you are still learning the ropes of running an online business.

With niche markets, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Because there is less competition, people will actually be able to find your website, and in turn, buy your product. Instead of being at the bottom of a search engine index, your site can be right at the top. This will increase your chances of getting new customers, and more importantly, new sales.

Niche marketing can also help you get traffic to your site in other ways. For example, when using pay per click campaigns, niche marketers can choose to use keywords that have less
competition and in turn, provide consumers with more opportunities to click on the niche marketer's site. By targeting a specific group of people, you can actually increase your odds of getting a sale.

Niche marketing can also lessen an online business' advertising expenses. Instead of promoting your products and skills to a wide customer base, you are focusing on a specific group of people. This means that you can advertise and market your goods in places that these targeted consumers frequent. So, instead of wasting money on ads that none or only a few of your potential customers will see, you can pay money for an ad that will be as effective as an ad can be.

If you want to avoid one of the most common business blunders made by new marketers, consider niche marketing. Niche markets are everywhere, providing you with the ability to monetize your website in ways you never imagined. All you have to do is find your niche and act on it.

About The Author:

Cliff Posey, owner of CRP Marketing, owns and operates http://webbusinesstoolsonline.com. Cliff Posey has also operated several other successful web businesses including Love Song Cards and Radio Career Consultants. The content in this article was developed from his experience in these businesses.

Internet Marketing - How Newbies Can Lay Foundations Of Success

By Kum Kum Varma

As a newbie in Internet Marketing each of us has faced an uphill task; the task of seeing money come to us quickly. The thirst to see money in one's account before one can start full throttle in the business. Each of us indulging in the business of income through internet desire: a checklist method of working, predictable hours of input, a foretold time when income would start and the timetable of amount of income to expect. I have some Dos and Don'ts for you.

Remember that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, hence follow one course at one time - do not get attracted to too many pop-ups or other advertisements that will
chase you on your way. Lucrative advertisements will call you - promising the moon BUT be careful. You have to apply yourself and experiment intelligently. Do not throw away your money. Studying available literature is the key to sound foundation before starting any business. This is the first & foremost investment that you have to make. Without it your other
investments in form of time or money may go waste. Navigation is started after mastering the basics otherwise accidents are bound to follow. Today programmes with multiple income streams are in vogue as compared to single income streams. Slow & long term residual income is desirable rather than a one shot fast buck.

I can suggest to you few ways to read and build your basics.

Subscribe to a reliable free newsletter. Several free newsletters are available to you on the net. They get delivered regularly in your email and guide you in several ways to strengthen your knowledge about web business.

You can also read ebooks, several are downloadable free. These ebooks can turnout to be your philosopher and guide. They can virtually catch you by your hand and take you to your goal. Several are in step by step guideline format. They may prove to be a goldmine for beginners who want to start but have no directions. They also protect you from making mistakes that prove to be costly and may be inevitable when you are new in this field.

You can subscribe to blogs or attend web forums. Both are full of rich knowledge for beginners. They help you identify scams and expose you to common problems faced by most. The good thing is that solutions can also be found right there in these resources.

Reading all the above like a course in your graduation and examining yourself for retained knowledge and skills can prove to be your biggest asset. Applying them in business to ensue
will differentiate you like a professional from a layman. You will need less help, you will waste less time, you will be confident of your decisions and you will be sure of your success.

I wish you all the very best in your endeavors and am sure that success will come your way if you keep your cool; read and take guidance; start after a foundation has been laid and do not be in an undue hurry to either spend or to earn.

Good luck.

About The Author:

Kumkum Varma is owner of http://netprofitsforme.com - for FREE Internet home business
tips newsletter that gets hundreds of money making tips and tricks delivered to your inbox visit: http://www.netprofitsforme.com/ Dotcomology This book, like an encyclopedia of internet marketing, includes EVERYTHING from philosophy to hands-on, practical strategies and techniques. This book can be downloaded free at:
http://www.pluginprofitsite.com/main-18775/dotcomology.html

4 Things All Internet Marketing Must Have To Succeed!

By Alvin Chung

Here are four tips to help you succeed in your Internet marketing and to make money online.

Your Market

The easiest way to find your market is the one you are familiar with. You can either search the Internet to find out the one that is most profitable or you can survey the online stores and marketplaces to check out what products/services are in great demand. Your market should be targeted to a particular group of people. And one of the hottest markets out there is the group of people who want to make quick money online.

Some say this niche market is already saturated. Yes, it is but it is also a very lucrative one. It generates billions of dollars in revenue every year. As more and more people accept the digital environment, there will be millions of Internet users who will become new prospective customers. This niche market is big enough for everyone -the mighty corporate players as well as the small ones like you and I.

Your Product/Service

You sell the product/service that your market wants. If you have developed or created your own product/service then sell it to the target group. If you do not have one, the fastest and easiest way is to find that same product/service that is already in the market. This is affiliate marketing.

Forget about the hottest item in the market. Everybody wants it and everybody wants to sell it. You will have to compete with other promoters. Choose one that is slightly less popular and you will have a better chance of success.

Your Marketing Strategy

A marketing strategy is simply putting your product/service right in front of your customers in a virtual store. Your point of sale can be your own website, a blog or some other landing page where your visitors are given the sales pitch and hopefully convinced into parting with their money. You want to convert as many prospective customers as you can into buyers. The more they buy the more money you make.

Internet marketing is just like any other businesses in the real world. They both use the same marketing principles. In the virtual world, you use the Internet as part of your business strategy. You have turned it into a source of profit.

You

You are the boss. The success or failure of your Internet business depends on you. Your actions and very often your inactions are critical to whether you can make money online or not. Like in the real world, Internet marketing also needs a lot of your time, effort and money especially in the initial stages of building your business. Once the business is up and running you will have to monitor, review and tweak it regularly to meet the demands of a dynamic market environment. It is a challenge to your commitment and determination. Are you in total control and in sharp focus to make money from your Internet business?

To be successful in Internet marketing you must constantly seek out the knowledge and learn the necessary skills of using the Internet as your business tool to achieve your financial dream.

About The Author:

Alvin Chung is very enthusiastic about affiliate marketing. He wants to share his experiences and to help others succeed in Internet marketing and to earn an income online. For more information about Alvin Chung please visit his site at http://www.PluckProfit.com

How to Effectively Use Testimonials Online & Offline

By Dan Lok

I'm always amazed when I come across a sales letter, usually online, and there are NO testimonials. They're powerful response and conversion boosters and are so easy to implement. You're only hurting your own marketing efforts, and leaving cash on the table, if you're not using them.

And if you have them...make sure you're using them the right way to maximize response.

You have lots more flexibility and available power with online copy. Simply because of more available formats.

The most powerful testimonials are video testimonials. And it's easy to see why. They engage more senses and stimulation. People can see and hear it. And videos add much more credibility especially if no editing has been done. It's coming straight from the horses mouth.

The second most powerful testimonials are audio followed by standard text.

And today you'll learn how to use text-format testimonials to give your conversions a big boost.

Try to get as much specific, relevant, and detailed testimonials as possible. This is much more compelling and stronger than general statements. Highly detailed comments are perceived as more believable.

You're giving readers something they can wrap their heads around when you use numbers, data, and specifics.

Some marketers may choose to extract 'only the juice' from testimonials and this is a huge mistake. A little bit of customer rambling, spelling mistakes, or poor grammar only adds to the credibility factor.

Use longer testimonials rather than shorter ones. This is related to the previous point about heavy editing. Don't do something like this...

"...great product..."

"...loved it!"

"...provocative...a real winner."

I think you get the idea here.

When you cut and chop a testimonial it creates the impression that you're leaving something out for a reason. And that creates suspicion which is something you don't want to do.

This next one is a bit of a no-brainer. But I'll say it anyway...

Always use real testimonials instead of fake ones. I'm telling you, there's something about comments made from other people that's very difficult to emulate. People will sense it and see right though you. And you'll be cutting your own business throat.

And more importantly...

Fake testimonials are lies. It'll find its way back to you, eventually. And it won't be good. So don't do it.

The visual use of your testimonials will have an effect on your readers. But there is some flexibility here. You can group them all together as a block of testimonials. Or you can scatter them throughout your copy. Then again, you can combine the two.

All three approaches can be effective. But the second and third call for more skill on the copywriter to blend them in for greatest impact.

One thing...

Leading with testimonials can be dangerous to your conversions.

When someone is fresh on your page, starts to read and the first thing seen is a testimonial...you're risking losing that reader. Here's why...

People are skeptical, especially on the web. Lots of people are skeptical about testimonials and if their real, or not. One thing you want to avoid is building on that pre-existing skepticism.

The best thing to do is offer one or more testimonials after you've established some kind of relationship with the reader. If you've done a good job of that, then they're more relaxed and open to your testimonial.

Testimonial identity and location. Always...always get first and last names, and specific geographical location.

John Smith, Los Angeles CA...or California.

Please...please avoid being minimal here. Don't do...

J.S. California

And not having ANY name or location is so worthless you might as well not have a testimonial to begin with. I'm serious! You'll only be inviting people to leave your site. They'll think, "Uh huh...sure."

To spice things up a little you can blend names and locations with a comment.

John Smith, from Los Angeles California sent us his unsolicited praise for ...blah.

These are all very basic and easy things you can do for powerful testimonials. Even though that's true, I still see online businesses violate these common sense guidelines every day.

Don't be one of them!

About the Author:

A former college dropout, Dan "The Man" Lok transformed himself from a grocery bagger in a local supermarket to an internet multi-millionaire. Discover how you can maximize your website profits in minimum time. For a limited time, you can test- drive Dan's Insiders Club for 30-days Risk-Free and get $1,165 dollars worth of bonus gifts. Rush cover to:
http://www.websiteconversionexpert.com/testdrive.html

Making Business Easier With Autoresponders

By Review Host

In the online world of business, an autoresponder can do a lot for your company. Also referred to as mailbots, email and on demand, and automatic email, these tools can help you put your business on autopilot and spend more time doing other things. Autoresponders are great to have, as they are designed to automatically respond to any email they receive with an instant response http://www.BestDocSite.org

Over the years, autoresponders have increased quite a bit in popularity. They are best known for their automatic email responses, which will save you a lot of time. By using one of these programs, you won't have to spend countless hours answering emails again. You can feel free to do other things and always know that your customers have access to the information they need anytime they want it.

To set your business on autopilot, all you need to do is get your copy ready and load it into your autoresponder. Once a potential buyer or current customer sends your autoresponder
address a message, the information he or she is seeking will automatically be delivered to them. Autoresponders are very quick - delivering information via email in a matter of seconds.

Autoresponders can also help you send out free courses, articles and information, reports, information regarding your products and services, price lists, welcome and thank you letters, confirm orders, and tell others about your advertising rates. You can preset information such as this into your autoresponder, so it will automatically send the information out whenever someone requests it.

Unlike mass email messages, autoresponders can be set up to your specifications. You can send personalized messages with them as well, which will make your client feel as if the email was made specifically for him. Autoresponders will also follow up with emails as well, to ensure that you get a sale. The better autoresponders out there will notify you each and every time someone has requested your information, so you know when you have potential customers.

You can also update your autoresponder messages anytime you wish. From time to time as you get new products or information to send to your clients, you can update your log. When running a business, it's very important that you keep your customers up to date. This way, your customers will know that you have new products available and ready for purchase. If you have a good relationship with them, they will be anticipating your new offers.

If you run a business over the Internet, an autoresponder can make life a lot easier. You can let your autoresponder handle a majority of the tasks, including technical support and sending out information about your company and your products. These days, autoresponders are the best tools for online business - as they give you plenty of free time for other things.

About The Author: http://www.SuperBestHotels.org

Going International With Your Home Business

By Trevor Marshall

For those home business owners lucky enough to survive the first two years, at some point, you might be contacted by someone internationally who's heard about your business. Let's face it, once youve conquered your local area and done business by post or email with other areas of the country, dipping a toe into international markets seems like the next logical step.

1. Costs Increase

If you are considering exporting a physical product, you have to understand that your costs can significantly increase. Thus, your products should be made as light as possible for the purposes of international shipping. Check that youd be able to get the things youre selling to the place where you plan to sell them without it becoming prohibitively expensive. Next, check if there are any customs requirements. Sometimes even the most well planned international businesses flop because they fail to take into account local laws or customs.

2. Non Physibal Products

The best kind of product you can sell is a digital one, because the only cost of distribution is your bandwidth. Of course, you still need to worry about currency fluctuations. You therefore might want to price your products in the currency of your country. Non physical products are often called bits on a wire products.

3. Maintain A Niche For Your Business

Regardless of your product, be sure that it caters to a niche customer base. In other words, make sure there is a market for your product in the country before doing anything. Disney, for example, made the mistake of opening amusement parks in countries that held strong anti american sentiments. The parks performed extremely poorly. Fast food giant KFC fails horribly
in China, where the general population never eats such huge meals and avoids eating anything with their hands and finds it offensive to be served food in buckets. If youre not sure, you could talk to a few local businesspeople about how they think your product would be perceived, and they may be able to suggest a suitable target market for you.

4. Produce Internationally As Well

If the cost of distributing overseas appears to be too expensive, you will want to investigate the possibility of producing your product on international soil to eliminate that cost. At the same time, if you do this, you may be able to take advantage of hiring international workers that will work for less, and purchase international materials that will also be cheaper.

About The Author:

For more great home business related articles and resources check out http://findbizopps.info

Internet Marketing - How Newbie Can Lay Foundations Of Success

By Kum Kum Varma

As a newbie in Internet Marketing each of us has faced an uphill task; the task of seeing money come to us quickly. The thirst to see money in one's account before one can start full throttle in the business. Each of us indulging in the business of income through internet desire: a checklist method of working, predictable hours of input, a foretold time when income would start and the timetable of amount of income to expect. I have some Dos and Don'ts for you.

Remember that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, hence follow one course at one time - do not get attracted to too many pop-ups or other advertisements that will chase you on your way. Lucrative advertisements will call you - promising the moon BUT be careful. You have to apply yourself and experiment intelligently. Do not throw away your money. Studying available literature is the key to sound foundation before starting any business. This is the first & foremost investment that you have to make. Without it your other
investments in form of time or money may go waste. Navigation is started after mastering the basics otherwise accidents are bound to follow. Today programmes with multiple income streams are in vogue as compared to single income streams. Slow & long term residual income is desirable rather than a one shot fast buck.

I can suggest to you few ways to read and build your basics.

Subscribe to a reliable free newsletter. Several free newsletters are available to you on the net. They get delivered regularly in your email and guide you in several ways to strengthen your knowledge about web business.

You can also read ebooks, several are downloadable free. These ebooks can turnout to be your philosopher and guide. They can virtually catch you by your hand and take you to your goal.
Several are in step by step guideline format. They may prove to be a goldmine for beginners who want to start but have no directions. They also protect you from making mistakes that prove to be costly and may be inevitable when you are new in this field.

You can subscribe to blogs or attend web forums. Both are full of rich knowledge for beginners. They help you identify scams and expose you to common problems faced by most. The good thing is that solutions can also be found right there in these resources.

Reading all the above like a course in your graduation and examining yourself for retained knowledge and skills can prove to be your biggest asset. Applying them in business to ensue will differentiate you like a professional from a layman. You will need less help, you will waste less time, you will be confident of your decisions and you will be sure of your success.

I wish you all the very best in your endeavors and am sure that success will come your way if you keep your cool; read and take guidance; start after a foundation has been laid and do not be in an undue hurry to either spend or to earn.

Good luck.

About The Author:

Kumkum Varma is owner of http://netprofitsforme.com - for FREE Internet home business
tips newsletter that gets hundreds of money making tips and tricks delivered to your inbox visit: http://www.netprofitsforme.com/ Dotcomology This book, like an encyclopedia of internet marketing, includes EVERYTHING from philosophy to hands-on, practical strategies and techniques. This book can be downloaded free at: http://www.pluginprofitsite.com/main-18775/dotcomology.html

Getting The Best Links From Authority Sites

By Bruce Swedal

We all know back links are a big factor in ranking higher in search engines. It used to be simple to get links by submitting to every directory and your rankings would climb. It is quickly becoming more difficult to move up in search rankings. Directories are still important, but it is becoming more important to be discriminating when evaluating which ones to submit to. You need to be selective and in some cases willing to pay review fees.

The first source for an authority link is DMOZ. It is a free directory, but most that submit there do not get accepted. DMOZ is very strict on evaluating websites for submissions. They look for established sites with unique content and completely unique offerings when there are millions of competing websites is difficult to accomplish. Submit here and forget about it. It will be months before your site is evaluated and they will not inform you when it is.

The next best source for authority links would be a few web directories with authority. There are a few in this category that I would recommend. Those being JoeAnt.com, AuthorityDirectory.com, Abilogic.com and dir.yahoo.com. Quality paid directories such as these are wonderful resources, because they are kept updated, well categorized and promoted. The fees incurred are for the time involved in reviewing your site for admission. They can keep the spam out because with quality directories there is no guarantee of admission. So follow the guidelines when submitting.

I have always thought that one of the best place to look for links are by searching for the sites that link to your competition. If these hub sites are willing to link to your competitor, they are more than likely willing to link to you. It is a good idea to try getting links from these resources that have shown the willingness to link to sites like yours in the past.

The next place to look for authority links may be from authority blog sites. These can be a great source of excellent links. It can also backfire on you so be careful. Authority blog sites get a great deal of traffic so if you make comments that are considered off topic or spam just to get a link, many visitors will see it. This could get you a bad reputation and hurt your credibility, especially if the blog covers a related topic. Do not spam authority blogs and keep comments on topic.

Perhaps the last quality place to look for authority links would be school or government sites. Getting a link from these sources is not an easy task and generally requires that you know a friend or relative working there. Other ways to get these links are by offering a freebie to them in return, by volunteering as a speaker or making a donation.

If you try some of the tips outlined here you are assured of getting at least one authority link to your website which will help your website rank higher in the search engine results. Some of the tips are definitely more difficult than others so reflect on this. Are you a webmaster that gives up easily or one that will work to get your website ranked higher?

About The Author:

The Authority Directory (http://www.authoritydirectory.com/ ) is a valuable resource in every online-marketing campaign. Most comprehensive link building campaigns begin with the Authority Directory Submit (http://www.authoritydirectory.com/submit.php?c=20 )

Top 3 Affiliate Internet Marketing Tips For Your Online Business

By Darryl Harris

Affiliate marketing is one of the quickest and best ways to start an online business and start to make profits.

Don't forget these powerful affiliate internet marketing tips if you want to get started making fast commissions.

1. Do some research to find the top product to promote. You of course, are looking to promote the product that will get you a great profit in a very short time.

Find products that fit your target market, pay high commissions, and you want to find out if they have a good reputation of paying their affiliates on time.

To help set yourself apart from the crowd that may be promoting the same product, write free reports or short ebooks.

Add some valuable, free information on your niche in your reports. Plus, give recommendations on your chosen product. You will gain credibility in the eyes of the reader and they are far more likely to try out what you offer.

2. Continuing with your affiliate internet marketing tips, collect and save all of the email addresses of those who downloaded your free report or book. Studies have shown that the majority of people do not purchase on the first offer. But, now you can contact them many times as you feel unless they ask you to stop.

You now have the opportunity to give them more recommendations on your chosen product or any product you wish as long as it fits the niche you are targeting.

You risk loosing the sale from a customer forever if you send them directly to your vendor's sales website. Be sure to get a prospect's email information before you send them to a site so you can send follow-up messages periodically. Keep in mind you only get paid if you make a sale.

You can have a customer for life this way, sending them other offers for products instead of having a one-time sale.

Also, publish an online newsletter or ezine. When a product is recommended from someone subscribers have grown to know and trust always wins hands down over that of a stranger.

You must give your readers good information in your newsletter, not just pound them over the head with sales pitches all the time. You have to find that delicate balance between providing useful information and sales pitches.

You could start out with a 7 part report or a 7 part course. Anything that you can send out to a prospect at least 7 times.

Statistics show it usually takes about 7 contacts to earn someones trust and get them to buy from you. Once your initial 7 emails are sent you can then start gently easing in some sales pitches.

3. Once you are successful with a particular promotion, ask for higher than normal commission percentage from your merchant. Simply send them an email explaining your success in selling their product.

They will more than likely grant your request rather than lose a valuable asset in you, if they are smart.

Try using these affiliate internet marketing tips and check out the difference you can get in your commission checks in a short time.

About The Author:

Darryl Harris shows you exactly step by step how he grabbed the #1 search position on Google without spending a dime on pay per click or any other paid advertising in his new ebook. Download your free copy of #1 on Google in 2 Days right now at http://seotrafficreviews.com/1google.html

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Internet Marketing - How Important Is Web 2.0 To Your Business?

By Tellman H. Knudson

Have you ever heard the word "folksonomie"? It's a combination of the words folks and taxonomy, and it's another word for tagging or social bookmarking. Sites like Digg, StumbleUpon, and Propeller are only three of the many dozens of sites popping up all over the Internet. There are sites for tagging almost any type of content, too, such as video, audio, graphic, or written. And unlike traditional search, where you get comprehensive results back for terms, social bookmarking sites give you results based on what people have tagged and made popular with their votes.

The bookmarking and social interaction sites are labeled "Web 2.0," and they also include video sites, podcasting sites, wikis, and every blog on the planet. What makes the sites in Web 2.0 different from the rest of the Web is that the content in them is all user generated. Think of My Space, Facebook, and Flickr. When You Tube was sold to Google last year for more than $1.6 million, people started paying closer attention.

You can tag blog posts, web pages, and other written content at places like del.icio.us, BlinkList, or Scuttle. Share photos at sites like Flickr, and videos at Google Video or You Tube. There are Web 2.0 sites for every type of medium. Here's how it works: You see a great blog entry here, for example. You can go down to the bottom of the post, and click one of the bookmarking buttons for Netscape (now Propeller), Furl, or Ma.gnolia. When you're taken to those sites, assuming you're a member, you'll fill in a description of the post and you'll tag it using appropriate keywords. So, for this post, you might choose the tags, Internet marketing, Web 2.0, and social bookmarking. What makes this so cool is that your tags are open to the public, unless you specify that you don't want them to be, so that other taggers can see them.

Think of tagging as being related to search. It's just a natural complement. You get some pretty great results from Google, but they won't necessarily be the sites that people are enjoying the most, though they may be the most relevant. Social bookmarking allows you to see popular pages.

Web 2.0 is a great viral marketing technique for your Internet marketing business, too, if you go about tagging your own posts and the posts of others. Just be sure that you're transparent about what you're doing, and avoid spamming. If a site forbids tagging your own material, then don't do it. You could be banned for life from the site, and you don't know how important to your Internet marketing business it might become in the future. I doubt that anyone suspected that Google would be tops in search way back in 1998 when it was just starting.

You won't always find what you're looking for when you search the tagging sites, but you should be in there getting familiar with the territory for the sake of your Internet marketing business. Subscribe to several sites and notice how people are tagging your products and services. What makes this great is that you can use the taggers as a control group and it won't cost you a single dime. Internet marketing businesses who aren't using Web 2.0 to some degree are really missing the boat. Be sure yours isn't one of them.

About The Author:

Tellman Knudson is CEO of http://OvercomeEverything.com and a master of list building. Get Your Free List Building CD, a month Free in Tellman's List Building Club, and a Free consultation with one of our List Building experts... Now at http://listbuildingpower.net

Do You Do Online Marketing?

By Ben Norman

When you are looking for a way to get more information about yourself and your services out to an audience, one method of communication that you simply cannot overlook is the internet.
Today, every company that wants to make an impact on its client base has an internet marketing strategy and if you don't, you can easily find yourself left behind! While the ideal marketing plan combines the two, there are many advantages that internet marketing can offer you over conventional marketing.

Without a doubt, the most prevalent and popular forms of internet marketing involve search engines. Though experts estimate that there are over 30,000 search engines online, the top ten search engines account for about 90 percent of all traffic! When you take into account the fact that the majority of online purchases are preceded by search engine use, it is very easy to see why many companies put a lot of time and effort into getting to the top of the search engine results page. When you learn about things like keyword optimisation and natural search results, you'll be putting yourself in an excellent position to draw in business.

One of the best reasons to develop an internet marketing strategy is to take advantage of the low costs. Programs like pay per click advertising only demand that you pay whenever someone actually uses your link to go to your site and you'll find that the setup fee that allows you to take advantages of programs like Google AdWords is very reasonable. Compare this to the cost of putting an advertisement in the newspaper. You'll also find that internet marketing has a high degree of saturation; you can put your ads in many places that will be seen and noticed by a wide variety of people.

You'll also find that geography is no longer a problem when you are thinking about where you want to advertise. You don't have to be concerned that any particular ad is geographically relevant; instead, you can be assured that your advertising will reach any place that you are able to ship to! With the advent of internet marketing, you'll find that there are plenty of people who are interested in your service, and that with internet marketing on your side, you'll be able to reach them!

If you are a business, large or small, that is looking to compete in today's world, and online presence is of the utmost importance, as is a dedicated internet marketing campaign!

About The Author:

Ben Norman is the MD of UK search marketing company Impact Media Ltd (http://www.impactmedialtd.co.uk), specialists in managed online marketing. Impact Media work with a wide range of businesses helping them to make more money from utilising the search engines natural and paid search results.

Search Wars Continue - Is Social Search The Holy Grail?

By Jon Rognerud

Abstract:

The latest frontier in search engine technology is social search. Born out of the social networking boom, social search will attempt to humanize search results thereby providing users with consumer driven answers to their queries. Considering that 50% of queries go unanswered, social search could be the biggest breakthrough since page ranking.

Overview:

As search giants, Google, Yahoo and MSN continue their fierce battle to become king of the search engines, internet marketers are faced with increasing challenges to dominate in the rankings. As algorithms and methodologies change, savvy entrepreneurs and Madison Avenue continue their heated battle for a coveted Top 10 spot in search engine rankings.

Social search is not officially here but the debut is not far off. Yahoo, MSN and Google are all purportedly working on methodologies to converge search and user generated content all
while walking the tightrope known as "privacy." Yahoo has been beta-testing Yahoo Answers since December 2005 and has hired powerhouse, Raghu Ramakrishnan, the co-author of Database Management Systems and co-founder of QUIQ. Mircosoft is in talks with Eurekster.com, a company specializing in social search and Google is experimenting with Google Base Beta.

Why are these internet behemoths investing so much in social search? Social networks such as MySpace and Friendster are threatening the domination of established search giants.

Social networks are pulling in a significant and increasing share of web traffic.

Social network sites are actively working to improve their internal search capabilities and provide an even richer experience for their members. Search giants such as Google, Yahoo and MSN must accelerate their social search efforts or they may be left out of the search game that they now dominate. Search giants must step it up or they will get left behind.

Why now, what drives this apparent sudden change?

It is hard to believe that in the early days of the net, there was an underlying assumption that technology would replace or hinder human interaction. There were those that believed users
would prefer getting their information from a computer rather than a person. Social networking is really something old made new by bringing it online. It turns out we humans still rely on other humans and technology simply allows us to expand the boundaries of our social networks. Studies have proven what we already knew intuitively, we pay attention to recommendations from real people.

Social search, viral marketing and social networking are not at all new concepts. Social search is really the technology derivative of asking friends and colleagues for recommendations. In the long ago, dark ages before we "googled", if you needed a mechanic you asked your neighbor, your colleagues and your friends for a recommendation. We now google for mechanics and visit websites to gain information that will help us in our decision.

Social search will enable users to combine the two for a robust result that combines user driven content or the human element with the power of technology. Pretty heady stuff, when you contemplate the impact of this new era of search.

What does all of this mean to the internet marketer?

The internet marketer's goals remain the same - drive traffic and convert that traffic to profitable sales.

Social search will not change the foundation of marketing but it will change the way in which you present your information to generate leads. In other words, you will still need to apply good old fashioned Public Relations and Marketing tactics to the new fangled Social Search Medium, fondly dubbed SMM by some.

Drive traffic to your site from social search and search engine optimization.

To take advantage of social search, the first step is to develop a plan, and finding your niche. Contrary to popular belief, the world is not your customer. Often the focus is on pure traffic results, but none of that matters if you're not hitting your sales goals. Answer these:

- Who is your ideal customer, what does he look like?
- Do you merely want 200,000 hits per day or do you want 200,000 hits from people that have a problem your product or service can solve?
- What complementary products or services do they buy?
- How often do they make purchases, when?

Take the time to identify your target market before you launch a marketing plan. Make sure to also include complimentary offerings through popular email courses, as in:
http://www.microsaw.com/myform.htm to educate your audience first. Then, sample them via a survey, to find out more about them. And, because you gave them something for free, they'll be more willing to fill out the survey.

Now that you have identified your niche, you'll have a much easier time capturing them using SMM. Marketing whether online or off is all about relevancy, visibility, and credibility. As an internet marketer you want to dominate your niche market by establishing yourself as the expert in your area, delivering content to your potential customer that is relevant to their needs and preferences and have greater visibility than your competitors.

Steps that you can take to achieve expertness with SMM:

1. Become an expert source of information. Use the bookmarks and article submission features of sites such as Digg to establish yourself as a credible and recognizable source of information.
2. Hitchhike on a blog. Post relevant and informative content on high profile blogs in your industry. Contributing to a blog on relevant subject matter will increase your visibility and credibility with your target market.
3. Share, share, share. Create a Squidoo lens, write and publish articles to online article banks (i.e. ezinearticles.com), contribute to wikipedia. Issue quarterly press releases through PR Web. Providing content will establish familiarity with your name (the "haven't I heard of you?" effect) and enable you to cement your expertise with your audience. You will then drive pre-qualified users to your site, who has already established interest in what you have to sell.
4. Create your own friendly network. Link sharing with complementary products and services is still a great way to expand your social network, and hence your visibility.
5. Build on your existing foundation. The technical aspect of search will not be eliminated with the dawn of social search. Rather social search will augment technical search. Thus, it is important to continue utilizing the tools and resources that drive technical search including optimization techniques and paid inclusion.
6. Apply innovation directly to your site. Here's an example: http://microsaw-swicki.eurekster.com/ that we are using, and it's a free service.

Summary:

Social search will not entirely replace the traditional technical driven search but does open up yet another avenue for internet marketers. One of the more exciting aspects is that smaller businesses are better positioned to make the most gains from the social frontier. We have seen the power of the "regular Joe" community in driving site popularity and outpacing Madison Avenue marketing efforts.

YouTube, MySpace and Facebook owe their growth to the power of viral marketing. Big Business has not yet mastered the art of getting up close and personal with its users providing savvy entrepreneurs with the opportunity of a lifetime. By using the simple techniques outlined in this article you will be well poised to take advantage of that opportunity.

Social Marketing Resources:

Digg, Wikipedia, Wikihow, Flickr, StumbleUpon, Newsvine, LinkedIn, Del.icio.us, MySpace, Ma.gnolia, Yahoo Answers, Reddit, Technorati, Squidoo, Shoutwire, 43 Things, YourElevatorPitch, Ning, Yahoo 360, BlinkList, Shadows, Wetpaint, Jotspot

Article Banks:

Ezinearticles, GoArticles, SubmitYourArticles (fee required), Buzzle, Articlealley, iSnare

About The Author:

Jon Rognerud is a recognized authority on the subject of search marketing, and has spent over 10 years developing websites and marketing solutions at companies like Overture and Yahoo. His website, http://www.microsaw.com, provides a wealth of informative articles, tips and tools.

Podcasting - Defining A Destination

By Scott Lindsay

Fred owns a small comedy label. He knows many comedians are looking for a place to have their work heard, but he can't take everyone on as a client.

Two years ago he made the decision to develop a comedy podcast that pays very special attention to a specific type of clean, family oriented comedy.

If you spend much time at Fred's site you begin to catch a glimpse of his love for this brand of comedy. Everything about his site celebrates clean comedy.

His background in broadcasting was key to his interest in developing the weekly podcast. The response from listeners is what encourages him to continue his web based weekly podcast.

However, Fred also has a few business ventures that gain benefit from the growing fans of his podcast.

His online shop features products he has produced for comedians, but it also features the work of other comedians. Customers like the variety of clean comedy in one location and Fred is happy with the growing number of online sales that result in direct and residual income.

Fred is also a video producer so you can find links to his other businesses on the popular podcasting site. This is one site owner who has maximized the possibilities of online business by using a podcast.

This site provides a creative outlet for a guy who has many interests, yet wants to derive income from his creative endeavors.

What does this mean for other online business owners?

Do everything you can to make your online presence a destination, not a mistake. What I mean by that can best be explained by a story we all know too well.

How many times have husbands and wives played a game of mealtime teeter totter by saying, "I don't know what I want to eat, What do you want" The other responds, "I don't know, what do you want to eat." This battle can go on and on until they simply settle for the restaurant of least resistance.

What this simple story illustrates is that far too often consumers aren't excited enough about any choice to make a firm decision. As an online business owner you have an opportunity to make your site a `destination, not a mistake.'

Make your site something consumers are motivated to visit, make it fun, comprehensive and better than it has to be. Perhaps, like Fred, this could include the use of a podcast that may be tied to affiliate revenue programs, product use or audio from an expert in the field.

Podcasts do not have to be the result of vast broadcasting experience. In fact, the only limit to the possibilities in podcasting is your own sense of creativity.

About The Author:

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites at: http://www.highpowersites.com. Start your own ebook business with BooksWealth at: http://www.bookswealth.com

Finding The Best Course For Internet Marketing

By Salihu Ibrahim

The concept of internet marketing is very complex and there are many different strategies that you may want to implement. You have to worry about getting the information to your target marketing, offering quality materials on your website, the check out process, customer service, and getting a good ranking on the various search engines so that internet users will be directed to the materials.

It doesn't matter what type of goods or services you are offering online, it is vital that you have effective marketing strategies in place if you want to be successful. The more research you do first about effective marketing the better chance you have of making the most profits from your marketing ploys. It can be risky to invest in an online business but if you have done your homework you can significantly minimize that risk.

Some of the most successful online businesses started out with just an idea and a small business being operated out of a home or garage. Yet the fact that they were able to effectively advertise what they had to offer to the right consumers made them thousands and even millions of dollars. These individuals had more than luck on their side - they knew about effective marketing strategies and how to implement them.

There are plenty of different courses offered online to teach you the ins and outs of internet marketing. These can be very useful as the written material is information that you can refer
back to time and time again. It is important to look for an up to date course on internet marketing. Things change in this area rapidly so if you are reading material from five years ago many parts of it will be obsolete.

Take your time to look at what different courses on internet marketing have to offer you. Look for those that offer you the basic fundamentals of internet marketing in easy to understand terms. You also want to look at the price because this type of information shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg.

Make sure it offers you step by step instructions on how to get your website up and running. You also want information on how to offer a layout that will be appealing to those reading the
information on your web pages. Many of the different internet marketing courses offer you examples, templates, and information on registering your domain name.

Since each online business is different, look for a course on internet marketing that offers you a complete description of various strategies you can implement. You will need to find out what your competition is engaging in as well as the average cost of different internet marketing strategies. This includes classified ads, newsletters, e-mail marketing, and other types of contact with those in your target market.

The investment you make in any course for internet marketing needs to be one you are able to get a return on. Read reviews from other consumers to find out how effective a particular course is. It is also a good idea to consider those that offer a preview of the material or a money back guarantee.

About The Author:

Salihu Ibrahim is a online marketer with several websites providing free directory submission service to webmasters at http://www.gwona.com

Understanding RSS And Its Effect On Viral Marketing

By Seomul Davis

RSS and Viral Marketing:

Viral marketing is one of the most creative ways of promoting a business. It can work wonders for any business although there are certain principles that play a lead role in making viral marketing for business websites so effective. Different businesses use different techniques while applying viral marketing to enhance their visibility and here are some of the best and time-proven techniques that can help your business too.

One way is to create content and share it with other publishers. RSS makes the transfer of content a lot more simple and hassle free. With this ease in sharing content make sure you have a signature in your content so that your link spreads online virally as well to boost your link popularity.

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and it is one of the most valuable technologies available for webmasters, administrators and users. In spite of RSS being such a valuable technology only 12% of users know what RSS is while only 4% have used RSS. So let us try and understand what RSS really is and how it can help you or your business.

RSS is a type of feed that internet users can subscribe to. The RSS feeds updated on a regular basis and mostly distributed in XML format. This helps in creating custom tags. There are quite a few websites, which will have the RSS logo in orange and if you click on the icon, you will get connected to the website's feed.

As far as the content contained in a RSS feed is concerned, it depends largely on the feed that you might be viewing. Most of the RSS feeds consist of a title and a brief portion from the article. RSS is becoming overtly popular with bloggers because in this the headline format comes in automatically.

There are many reasons why bloggers and even regular users are choosing RSS. One of the primary reasons being that using RSS can save time especially on an everyday basis. Let us take an example to understand how it saves time. If you are a technical expert and you visit at least 6 websites on a daily basis to collect information then you probably open each website on a separate browser to look for news items. So in a way, you are visiting them one by one as you can't see all of them together.

On the other hand, if you have RSS, then all you need to do is visit a RSS feed reader or a RSS aggregator and this will help you to instantly identify the websites that have added new articles and these websites will be separated from the ones that don't. Another salient point is that you can see all the past entries using RSS.

If you are visiting only one website but on a regular basis then there are times when you will miss a new article added on the website on one of those days when you didn't visit the website. This is where the RSS fits perfectly. Let us for once imagine that there are 20 websites for which you want to keep tabs then RSS will prove to be truly indispensable.

In order to use the RSS, you will first have to find a feed, the one that you can use. If you are using Mozilla's Firefox then you will be able to find out with ease if a particular website has accessible feed or not. You don't even have to go through the entire webpage looking for an RSS icon. When you open a website on the Firefox, you will see an orange icon on the right side of the navigation/URL bar. If you see the icon then it means that the website has RSS feed.

Click on the orange RSS icon in your Firefox browser and it will ask you where you would like to save the feed. Firefox treats RSS feeds as live bookmarks. Once you have saved the feed, go to the particular folder. The folder will have an expand arrow and you can click on the arrow so that it can show all the new entries that has been added on the website in an ascending order with the latest entry on the top.

There are times when your browser may not find a particular website's feed as not all of them have RSS feeds. This is where you will have to search through the web pages to find any items related to feed. There are some websites that have FeedBurner feed, which normally displays the current feed subscribers for that website. If you find a FeedBurner feed icon then click on it and copy the location of the link.

This is the basic information regarding RSS feeds for all those who want to use it to their benefit personally or for viral marketing purposes.

About The Author:

Seomul Davis is a SEO Services expert with SEO 1 Services a Dallas based search engine optimization company (http://www.seo-1-marketing-services.com) and a frequent contributor on http://www.seo-services-expert.com.

How To Set A Price For Your Online Product

By N. Robbins

Internet marketing, by its very name is about promoting your products online. But to believe that internet marketing is all about, well, marketing, would be quite restrictive.

Assuming that you have already acquainted yourself with the intricacies of product creation as well as the myriad forms of advertising tactics that can be implemented online, we will now discuss a matter that could make or break your success in internet marketing.

Now, what we will be discussing is a subject that many online businessmen have taken for granted. It is that very thing that would connect your business to the affirmative action of your visitors. It is that very thing that would convert your visitors into paying customers.

We're talking about the price for your product.

How exactly should you price your product? Naturally, you would want to reach a range that would recover the investments you have made for its creation and promotion. This is called the
break even point. Anything above the break even point would be considered as your profit. Naturally, again, you would want to attain as much profit as possible.

So these are the two things that determine price:

1. How much you have invested; and
2. How much you want to earn per item

There are two approaches that are generally used when it comes to pricing. Let's take a look at them.

1. Price your product a little over the break even point, and rely on the volume of items you will be able to sell.

2. Price your product substantially higher than the break even point, so that every sale would reap some substantial rewards.

If you foresee your product to be a hot seller, then the first approach would be the best one for your needs. You could just rake in your earnings through the several sales you will be able to achieve.

If you foresee slow sales for your product, then the second approach would be more appropriate. Each sale would give you what you need, and you won't be pressured to sell a lot of items to realize your earnings.

But both approaches have their own shares of problems. Pricing your product too low might just give your prospective customers the impression that your product is of inferior quality. Pricing your product too high would alienate a large segment of the market.

Personally, I say that you should price your product for what it's worth. Let the market forces take care of themselves. If you bestow a fair price for your product, you won't have to worry about the backlash of consequences. Each product is a different case, and it merits special attention when it comes to pricing. Keep this in mind when deciding on the right price for the same.

But here's a very secret tip: you could use the price of your product to tremendously boost your sales. Yes, you read that right. YOU CAN USE THE PRICE OF YOUR PRODUCT TO TREMENDOUSLY BOOST YOUR SALES. This is through a process called dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing can create an urgency that would compel people to purchase your product as soon as possible.

There are some tools that would allow you to implement dynamic pricing for your offers. The way it works is that you'd offer a product for an amazingly low price, with a warning that after a specified period of time, the price would increase. This increase would continue until the offer is priced beyond your market's budget.

For example, an eBook can be offered for a mere $5 today. After 25 hours, its price would increase by $5. And after another 24 hours, the price would again increase by $5. and so on and so forth. The result would be mass hysteria, as the members of your target market would line up in a hurry to purchase your offer while it is cheap.

Dynamic pricing is one of those novel marketing strategies that has proved successful for many online businessmen. It's worth the try if you want to experience an immediate rush of incoming orders.

NOTE: You have full permission to reprint this article within your website or newsletter as long as you leave the article fully intact and include the "About The Author" resource box. Thanks! :-

About The Author:

Nial Robbins owns the work at home directory website located at: http://www.NDR-HomeBiz.com Come by and visit us today! Also, be sure to check out our "top pick" work at home opportunity at: http://www.NDR-HomeBiz.com/pips.html

Target Market Online With Your Own Home Based Business

By George Collins

When you have your own home based business and you learn how to target market online properly, you have the right sales process to close them into a sales of the product that you are selling, you can virtually write whatever amount of money you want. You want more money that month, you are already making ten thousand, you want to make more money, increase your traffic, get your sales process down pat you can increase your traffic. And like I said before, if you know in your sales process that one out of every twenty op-ins converts to a sale, you want to make more money and you are already making ten thousand a month, you just increase the amount of op-ins. Increase the marketing, increase the amount of op-ins and you have more sales.

So that is real control of you life. When you can market online you know you can go out anytime you want not matter what happens, no matter if a company goes down, because you always hear of network marketing companies going down, nothing is forever. If the company goes down you are self sufficient, you can be back next week once you find another product to market, an affiliate product, another network marketing company, another cash program, you can go in there and make money from day one. If you are wondering why you see all the top earners, the heavy hitters, if a company goes down they go to another program and they are making money instantly, a decent income the first month, the first week. That is because they have the process
down pat.

I am a student of marketing. I never will know everything, I know a lot, I can do very well, but I am always learning. A person that thinks that they know everything will never progress beyond where they are at right now. They think they know everything, that is it. But when you have control of your life and you know how to market, it feels good. You know what you are doing. Now, here is something to think about. In the world people say you should go to college, and I am not against education, I believe in it, everybody should have an education.

The people in the world routinely say you should go and get a college education, graduate and get a good secure job, and I already described or explained about what I think about a job. This is just my opinion. But people routinely come into this industry and expect to make a lot of money and never learn a single thing. And some of it is their fault and some of it is not. Some of it is in the marketing of companies or people or distributors that say come in, it is easy, you will make a thousand dollars a day from day one, right now. Today you will make a thousand dollars. I will show you how you will make three thousand in the next fifteen days.

That right there, brands people to say that it is easy, we have a movie that will do all the selling for you, and the system will do all the selling for you, you do not have to do a single thing, you do not have to talk to a single person, all you have to do is get the system and do nothing, you pay for it and you are going to make money. That is the message that some people give out. And then they have your money and then you do not make any money. And then you sit there saying this is a scam. Things do not work without people. You still have to get people in the system in order for the system to convert them.

But my system will teach you on the left side of the equation how to get targeted traffic to you site. They might have solved the problem with a targeted sales page and a targeted landing page, but they never showed you how to get targeted traffic. Or they told you to do one thing or another and that does not work and is based on theory, because they only do it themselves and know how to do it, or is general, or they are not sharing the truth in what they actually do. So it is sad, but that happens, people come into this industry expecting to make money and not learn anything.

About The Author:

Are You Prepared To Instantly Plug-in To A Power House Marketing System: Contact George Collins http://mymarketingfirm.com Email George Collins http://georgecollins.com

Internet Marketing - Always Be Testing

By Tellman H. Knudson

No Internet marketing veteran worth his or her salt is oblivious to the value of testing and tracking. But if you're new to the Internet marketing world, start off on the right foot. There are lots of great free services online that will help you.

But let's define some of the terms involved in tracking and testing before we go any further. Traffic should be your first concern, and there's a difference in the kinds of traffic you're going to receive. The term "visitors" applies to anyone who comes to your site, whether or not they've been there before. "Unique visitors" are not how many hits your page gets, but how many different sets of eyeballs are seeing it for the first time. The metric that determines whether people come and go or come and stay is the "bounce rate." This measures how many people see only the first page in comparison to the total number of visitors to your site, including those people who view more than one page. Your rate of "conversion" is the ratio of how many people took action by opting in to your list or buying your product or service in comparison with all the people who came to your site. Knowing what these terms mean will help you to decide the kind of testing you want to do and what results you'd like to achieve.

The first kind of test that you can run is the A/B split test. That means you're going to test one page against another, but only one element of the pages is going to be different. So, for example, you can have a red headline on one page and a blue headline on another. Or, you can offer a different free gifts for opting in on each page. The idea is to only change one element at a time.

Multivariate testing measures more than one element at a time, but it requires sophisticated software to do it properly. You can use Google's Website Optimizer, a free service inside any
AdWords account. What makes this kind of testing so great is that you can test things much more quickly, and in the Internet marketing business, it's all about speed.

When you use Optimizer, you choose a web page that you want to use as an "experiment." Then, you choose the elements of the page that you want to test. You can test headlines, chunks of copy, bullet points, opt-in box calls to action... whatever. And yes, it requires some work because all of the copy has to be rewritten at least once, but if you want a really strong test, it should be done more than once. Nothing in Internet marketing works overnight, no matter what you've been told.

Once you have that much set up at Google, you'll need to place some code on your web page, so be sure you can do that and have access to the page. Don't use an affiliate page, for example.
Optimizer will then rotate and test each element that people see when they come to your site, and it will test these elements in combinations, so that you can see which combination of elements works best together. It's a great way to track your progress, but everything you do in Internet marketing needs to be tested.

Whether you're placing a text link ad or sending an email, you should be using a tracking link of some kind to see your results. How will you know if your advertising buck has been well spent, if you don't track the effectiveness of your ad? Another free tool from Google can help with this--the URL Builder-- and it comes with any Google Analytics account. Use Analytics, too, which gives you detailed information on who's coming to your site, where they come from, and what they're looking at and clicking on, along with some other really cool and interesting stuff.

The whole thing is that if your Internet marketing business isn't working out so well, or if it's working but not at the level you want it to be working, testing and tracking can mean the difference between success and failure. Take advantage of the free tools that are available, and crank your business up to the next level.

About The Author:

Tellman Knudson is CEO of http://OvercomeEverything.com and a master of list building.
Get Your Free List Building CD, a month Free in Tellman's List Building Club, and a Free consultation with one of our List Building experts... Now at http://listbuildingpower.net

It's Easy To Earn Money On The Internet

By Alan Lim

You must have heard about how great the Internet is for making money. However do you know that Internet money making opportunities are easy to come by? Here we show you some useful tips to earn money on the Internet.

Start writing!

If you have always loved writing as a hobby, you can now make it an Internet money making opportunity for yourself. Sitting at home you can start blogging or writing articles to directories.
You earn money on the Internet for every article you write and the pay is generally very good. By using keywords in your articles you can make them search engine friendly as well. There are numerous opportunities for writers - right from writing e-books, to SEO based articles, to blogging, to writing website content to even product reviews. The scope is unlimited. So it's time you started exploring this Internet money making opportunity.

Become an affiliate marketer

Affiliate marketing is a great way to earn money on the Internet. There are scores of companies who are eager to promote their products and services. You can start advertising their products and services on your own website. For every sale that gets made on your referral you earn a good commission. Like that you can be affiliated to several companies - thus increasing your chances at Internet money making opportunities. You'll be surprised at how quickly you'll start earning online.

PPC

If you have an existing website of your own, you can have several Pay Per Click campaigns on other search engines. PPC campaigns work on the principle of attracting customers to your site through clicks on ads placed in search engines. Especially if your ad is interesting and the search engine is popular, you stand more chances to earn money on the Internet. For every click by a customer you earn a certain percentage. Thus imagine the amount you could earn every month!

Franchising

Franchising is another great way to maximize your Internet money making potential. The way it works is that you promote another brand's products or services. You could set up your own online store to upload information on the brand's products. The reason it is risk-free compared to other businesses is that you hardly need much investment, you have complete access to an established network of suppliers and best of all are associated with an already popular brand - which means you don't need to run around spending on advertising campaigns. The brand does it all for you. This is a great way to earn money on the Internet.

Online store

There is another Internet money making opportunity which is perfectly legitimate. All you need to do is set up your own online store. You can then rent out this store to anyone who wishes to sell their products. It works pretty much like any of the online shopping sites that are free for all. Every time any one listed on your store makes a sale, you get a commission. This way you're not only earning commissions from hundreds of sellers on your site, you get to earn money on the Internet without having any product of your own!

About The Author:

Your options to earn money on the Internet are limitless. Whether it's writing, franchising or just being an affiliate marketer- you can still earn money the easy way. Check out http://www.goodinternetmoney.com today and get ready for success!

The Best Way To Start Your Internet Home Business

By John Fortner

You have made your decision. You want to start a work from home venture. The idea of making money online is something you desire. An internet business could bring financial freedom to you and your family. You say to yourself "I'm ready but what do I do?"

The next step towards success is discovering the product that you want to sell for your new online income opportunity. Not only must you decide what to sell, you need to know if there are
enough customers to make your home based business profitable. This is where you lay the foundation for your work at home adventure. You will have to do homework which means you will need to do research.

Here is a checklist for your research:

1) Make a list of prospective products.
2) Search the internet for your potential items.
3) Invest in a keyword search tool.
4) Narrow your list to three possibilities.

A) Make A List Of Prospective Products

You are starting on the road that leads to the success of your internet home business but you do not see any direction signs. Sit down and make a list of the possible items that you would like to sell. These will guide you down the correct path. Let your imagination flow through your ideas. When you are gathering this information consider the things that you enjoy or that you buy. Think small items. Think big products. Think information.

Maybe you have an idea that has been simmering inside of you for creating your own product. Don't limit your thinking to tangible goods. Information is one of the biggest sellers on the internet. A how-to-guide or an E-book could be waiting to spring from your genius. Think outside the box!

B) Search The Internet For Your Potential Items

This is called supply and you need to know who your potential competitors might be. Competition is a good thing but an over saturated market will not bring you the success for making money at home. Make a list of these websites. Remember, you may be looking for internet stores that are selling tangible products as well as intangible items (depending on your list).

While you are doing this research, analyze these websites to gather information for future reference. How much are they selling the product for? Do they offer any incentives to buy? How is their website designed? What do you like about their internet store? What don't you like about their online business? Would you buy from this internet business? The thing to remember is that you may be looking at your competitors and you need to be familiar with them.

C) Invest In A Keyword Search Tool

This is called demand and you need to know how often people are searching for your potential product. Some good keyword search tools are:

a) Word tracker (Free Trial)
b) Good Keywords (Free)
c) Overture (Free)

When you are using these tools make sure that you search for "keywords" or "keyword terms" that you would use if you were looking for the same item. This is very important. You need to put yourself in the place of your potential online store customer. What "keywords" or "keyword terms" would you use to find your internet product?

It would be a good idea to take notes on the related search terms that these tools will offer you. They can be used for future reference in your marketing plan (how you will be advertising your products).

The results that you receive from these keyword search tools indicate how many people have looked for that word or term during a particular time period (usually a month). You want to find products that have a large number of people searching for them on a regular basis.

D) Narrow Your List To Three Possibilities

Armed with all of this information, you need to narrow your choices to three or less. Your selections will be based on items that have a low supply but a large demand. Use this concept as your focal point. This idea is NOT carved in stone but it will be a helpful guideline during your research.

If you are having a difficult time finding your internet home business products, you will need to create another potential list and retrace each step.

When you have made your choices, you are ready to venture to the next level of creating success for making money online. On this level, your research will answer these questions:

1) Where can you sell your internet products?
2) How will you sell your online items?
2) What is your marketing plan for your home based business?

Remember, you are laying the foundation for a work from home adventure with your initial steps. The journey has just begun but your success will develop with the degree of your effort.

"One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows slowly endures."

About The Author:

John Fortner is the owner of G Children Adventures. His web sites focus on helping you start a home business, children's computer accessories and children's room decor. To learn more about this topic please visit: http://www.best-incomeopportunities.com/ To visit his stores
please go to: http://www.toddler-computergames.com/
http://childrensdecorativegrowthcharts.com/

Podcasting- Basics Of Podcasting For Beginners

By Sean Milea

Podcasting: 3 Tips To Help You Get Started

Once considered a novelty, Podcasting is now a commonplace method used to broadcast audio and video files across the internet. Every day, the podcast audience grows. To successfully join the quickly growing group of Podcasters there are three elements you must understand.

The primary concern when creating podcasts is speed versus quality. Yes podcasting can be a race; you want to be the first to get your message out. While speed of production is important, the quality of the podcast is equally important. Therefore, it is essential that you do not sacrifice the quality your message for speed. The podcast audience is very discerning; they demand that messages be informative as well as interesting. If your podcast fails to meet their criteria, then your message has failed.

The next thing to consider is whether or not to obtain the services of a professional. While this can initially be a costly venture, in the end it is worth every dime. A professional consultation can provide you with the assistance you need to create the best possible podcast. This can be the deciding factor in the success of your podcasting endeavors.

Finally, for long term success in podcasting you must constantly be on the alert to changes and trends both on the internet and in the real world. This vigilance will allow you to continue to create podcasts that are current, informative and entertaining. This combination of entertainment relevant information and timeliness will keep your readers coming back and inviting others to become members of your podcast audience.

Apply these essential elements to your podcasting endeavors and you are on your way to success, popularity as well as increased profits. Information and entertainment draws your customers in while timeliness and quality of product will keep them coming back

About The Author:

You can get a free copy of our latest ebook "The 7 Keys To Business Success" by clicking here: http://www.bizraves.com/is . Sean Milea is writer for BizRave Inc. http://www.bizrave.com

Domain Name Promotion And Web Site Design/SEO

By Jay Johnson

If you do not have one million dollars in your pocket, you might find reading what I have to say worth a moment of your time.

I've bought my Domain Name. Now What?

First a transfer of Domain into your free account takes place on sellers end at no cost, money, time or frustration to you.

After a successful transfer (usually 12 to 24 hours) it will be up to the new owner of Domain to set the DNS (Domain Name Servers). This process usually takes less than five minutes and if purchased from 11J.com I'll be happy to help buyer with DNS or anything else for a smooth installing of a new Domain Name.

The obviously next step after purchasing a Domain Name is to build a web site for your new Domain. Easier said than done? Maybe so, but I'm about to give to you a little of my experience
to iron out any bumps on this road ahead of you to web design/development. In fact, if you will take the time to carefully review the steps below you will find earnings far greater than a miserly one million dollars and this I personally Guarantee!

The Art of Web Design

There are two rules that you absolutely must strictly adhere to for success with your new web site:

1. You must have an idea for your new web site from the ground up. This means from the beginning while sitting directly in front of a blank Notepad screen, to the successful completion.

2. You must enjoy the topic of your new web site to the point of money having absolutely no bearing on the intensity of your passion for that topic.

So you don't have the foggiest idea for your new web site? Not a problem in the least, please allow me to share a piece of my experience to guide you to conquering rule #1.

Being brand new to the Internet I did not have a clue what the difference was between HTML and a web site was. Source Code? Are you kidding me?? And yet, from scratch I built not one, but three huge multi-page web sites that I am positive could have sold from anywhere between $500 and $3000! Total cost: $100 per site. Of course, not having the foggiest idea what SEO meant all three web sites flopped. Domains expired and those web sites floated off into cyberspace.

I'll get to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in just a moment, but first for those that don't have an idea to pursue for web site design please allow me to share the two simple steps to a potential $3000 web site for your chosen topic/passion. And at a cost of no more than $100 for your new web site.

1. Go to http://www.scriptlance.com/.

2. Scroll through all projects listed. (I have no affiliation with scriptlance, merely sharing my experience to help others succeed).

To steal another's idea is not only ridiculous but also will put one on a path to collapse. But what can be done for those with no idea for a profitable web site is to closely glance through all projects requesting assistance to find a web site to mold around whatever ideas might come to mind. After the merging of your idea into a potential web site possibly found on scriptlance or anywhere else, a Free account must be opened to place your idea in the hands of a designer/developer.

Are you still with me? If so, it is important to realize that most designers on Scriptlance are from overseas living in third world countries. The importance of keeping this in mind is due to the fact that the US dollar has a completely different value in other countries. How much does the common laborer in China make? $0.70 per day? I've worked with the Russians, the Romainians and Indians and call tell you those I've worked with speak better English than me! Communication is not an issue and the value of money takes on a whole new meaning.

(Should I condense this into a cheap free e-book? Maybe so. But hold on, the best part is yet to come!)

If you are interested in success with your new web site, please believe me when I say utilizing Scriptlance will be a mind blowing, mind boggling, and an absolutely wonderful pleasant and enlightening experience!

Before I go any further, there is one web site/school that is an absolute must for web site design/ownership. Memorizing tons and tons of code is just plain stupid! In fact IMOH I really don't believe all those HTML codes even can be memorized! But in order to explain to web designers (those that fix your site when down) problems you may be having, a basic understanding of HTML code truly is necessary. For this education in HTML, please head
over to http://www.w3cschools.org/. A Free internet school to help you understand the basics of HTML code which will prove to be invaluable if you are to own/run a new web site.

Okay, so now I have my Domain Name, and my web site. Can you promise me at least one hundred thousand visitors to my web site daily? I'm glad you asked. Because the answer to that question is a big fat NO. Why? Because I'm about to give to you directions to bringing far more than merely a hundred thousand daily. For those that have taken the time to read though my words of wisdom I'm about to give absolutely free of charge 100+ steps to an unlimited amount of visitors (REPEAT VISITORS) with the potential for an unlimited amount of earned income!

I would find it difficult to believe that anyone can start at step one and move beyond step ten. But the good thing about this list is the ability to pick and choose those steps your feel up to implementing.

I talk too much don't I? Suppose so, so here ya go:

1. Submit articles to article directories.
2. Conduct link exchange activity with other blogs and websites.
3. Run a teleseminar.
4. Be a contributor on Yahoo/MSN Answers
5. Create a blog and join MyBlogLog.com
6. Create a MySpace.com account and make friends with your target market.
7. Create a viral report with links coming back to your website.
8. Generate a software product that you distribute free but advertise your website in it.
9. Build an article directory for a hot niche market
10. Produce a useful web-based software for public use
11. Ask thought-provoking questions
12. Build viral videos and upload them to Youtube.com
13. Buy links from Text-link-ads.com
14. Submit classified ads to USFreeAds.com
15. Publish content based on the latest news or unique items to tap on long tail traffic
16. Optimize your webpages for meta tags, title tags and H1 tags
17. Run online contests with kick-ass prizes
18. Run article exchange campaigns with HTML links in them
19. Generate your own social networking site
20. Produce an unbelievable product and sell it on Clickbank.com
21. Auction off cheap digital items on eBay
22. Write articles for major sites like About.com
23. Create a regular PDF newsletter
24. Talk to 5 people every day about one piece of content on your site
25. Visit online guest books and leave a comment
26. Visit other blogs and contribute actively on a regular basis
27. Use banner advertising on banner exchange programs like BannersgoMLM.com
28. Seek out joint venture partners to promote your site/event
29. Purchase leads from a co-registration service
30. Write an offline book
31. Distribute flyers
32. Sponsor an event with prizes that have your website on it
33. Run a charity event
34. Submit a press release to PRWeb.com
35. Use resell rights promotions
36. Produce a web or blog template using Open Source license
37. Create a community with a community badge/chicklet for identity
38. Look for newsworthy information and syndicate to Digg.com
39. Use your MSN nickname/message
40. Provide a free download on your site with a message on the back of your business card
41. Leave an email signature
42. Have a tell-a-friend form
43. Newspaper advertismenets
44. Direct response mail
45. Regular podcasts
46. Run a "live" seminar
47. Create an affiliate program
48. Get invited to events
49. Run a 24-hour answering service
50. Give people the right to syndicate your content
51. Keep your content fresh
52. Create multiple offers
53. Use ping sites for your blog
54. Use article submission services like ArticleAnnouncer.com to create backlinks
55. Give a DVD out for free that requires opt-insk
56. Car decals with your website on it
57. Generate a member-get-member promotion
58. Offer a 50% sale for products on your site
59. Create an online community of friends
60. Invite 10 people to visit your site on a regular basis
61. Print t-shirts with your URL
62. Advertise in trade magazines
63. Advertise in the main newspapers
64. Radio interviews
65. TV interviews
66. TV advertisements
67. Use Google Adwords
68. Use MSN Adcenter
69. Use Yahoo Search Marketing
70. Use Adbrite
71. Getresponse Co-registration service
72. Optimize your website for a specific, targeted key phrase
73. Use PayPerPost.com to get bloggers to write about your site

74. Run a Web 2.0 community
75. Advertise in the Yellow Pages
76. Directory submissions
77. Affiliate directory submissions
78. Direct email campaigns with list owners
79. Use direct response postcards
80. Build a free software directory
81. Build a free image directory
82. Offer a bonus product during a product launch to JV partners
83. Use well-optimized websites and content
84. Bait providers to visit your website through eLance.com and Scriptlance.com
85. Purchase outdoor advertising space at targeted locations
86. Create an Opt-in mailing list
87. Visit and participate in forums related to your niche.
88. Build more backlinks for popular keywords
89. Narrow your market to a specific niche
90. Build more websites within related niches
91. Attend more seminars to gain connections
92. Use a Feed Reader to subscribe to RSS feeds - comment on targeted posts
93. Have multiple distribution locations for a physical product

94. Create your own products and let affiliates sell them
95. Blog controversially
96. Deliberately start an online war (flaming - not recommended)
97. Look for related websites in #1 position and buy advertising space from them
98. Set up account with Squidoo.com
99. Set up account with Hi5.com
100. Set up account with Multiply.com
101. Set up account with iConnectE.com
102. Set up account with Huminity.com
103. Do a giveaway rights promotion
104. Build a presence on 43 things
105. Create an affiliate promotion with Clickbank
106. Run a Cost-Per-Lead program
107. Find a Cause to support and promote the cause
108. Get people involved in your community
109. Use a tell-a-friend script and place this automatically with people have opted-in
110. Run a blog carnival
111. Use games to "tag" people
112. Encourage article exchanges
113. Request people to submit articles that you will display on your blog for free
114. Build a free online widget that people will use
115. Join discussion groups on Google, Yahoo or MySpace groups
116. Advertise on Alexa.com
117. Use Global SMS service
118. Leverage Craigslist.org

Was this list enough to make you dizzy? If this information is not worth a million dollars then I don't know what is!

Have a Great and Wonderful and Spectacular Day! And remember if any help is needed with DNS or Site Design or anything else please check out my `Links' page or feel free to email me.

About The Author:

Jay Johnson is a full time Internet marketer and has a wide variety of domain names for sale at affordable prices. http://www.11j.com

Internet Marketing Services That Deliver Site Traffic

By Moe Tamani

Internet marketing in itself is a wide domain supported by multiple theories and tactics but not all of them are effective enough to drive sales. The core idea behind any Internet marketing strategy is to create a web presence by using various Internet marketing services to drive revenue and achieve maximum ROI. The question is wh