After a long break I'm back with another Seth Godin video.
Monday
11 Tips to Get Your Blog Noticed
11 Tips from the current issue of Fast Company to get the word out about your blog and how to get others to spread the word.
Friday
7 PLR Articles for $5 Each
I'm having an ongoing sale of 7 PLR articles for $7 each. You can also purchase the entire pack at a reduced price of $25.
Save time and money with your article marketing by purchasing PLR articles that are ready to go. Use them for article marketing purposes or resell them. (Rights listed at the bottom of page) The articles are between 300-600 words.
Here are the titles of the articles for sale:
-How to Find Wholesale Items for Ebay
-Buying a Car Online
-Online Dating - 3 Tips to Online Dating Success
-Apartment Hunting- How to Find an Inexpensive Apartment
-Using Viral Videos to Market Products
-How to Recover a Lost Word Document
-How to Get Rid of Acne and Pimples
The articles come with a bonus of series of mp3 audios on what really works in internet marketing and a series of videos that can really help you grow your business this year.
Right and Terms of Use
The PLR Rights if purchased include:
[YES] Can be packaged with other products
[YES] Can be sold at any price you wish
[YES] Can be offered as a bonus with other products
[YES] Can be added to paid membership sites
[YES] Can be offered through auction sites
[YES] Can be edited completely and your name put on it
[YES] Can sell Resale Rights to Your Edited Copy
[YES] Can sell Master Resale Rights to Your Edited Copy
[YES] Can be sold via auction sites - Your Edited Copy
[YES] Can be added to an e-course or autoresponder as content
[YES] Can be used as web content
[NO] Can sell Private Label Rights (including PLR Membership Sites)
[NO] Can sell Resale Rights to the PLR Source
[NO] Can sell Master Resale Rights to the PLR Source
[NO] Can be offered through auction sites (PLR Source)
[NO] Can be given away
Articles will be delivered in RTF format (Wordpad) to your email.
Save time and money with your article marketing by purchasing PLR articles that are ready to go. Use them for article marketing purposes or resell them. (Rights listed at the bottom of page) The articles are between 300-600 words.
Here are the titles of the articles for sale:
-How to Find Wholesale Items for Ebay
-Buying a Car Online
-Online Dating - 3 Tips to Online Dating Success
-Apartment Hunting- How to Find an Inexpensive Apartment
-Using Viral Videos to Market Products
-How to Recover a Lost Word Document
-How to Get Rid of Acne and Pimples
The articles come with a bonus of series of mp3 audios on what really works in internet marketing and a series of videos that can really help you grow your business this year.
Right and Terms of Use
The PLR Rights if purchased include:
[YES] Can be packaged with other products
[YES] Can be sold at any price you wish
[YES] Can be offered as a bonus with other products
[YES] Can be added to paid membership sites
[YES] Can be offered through auction sites
[YES] Can be edited completely and your name put on it
[YES] Can sell Resale Rights to Your Edited Copy
[YES] Can sell Master Resale Rights to Your Edited Copy
[YES] Can be sold via auction sites - Your Edited Copy
[YES] Can be added to an e-course or autoresponder as content
[YES] Can be used as web content
[NO] Can sell Private Label Rights (including PLR Membership Sites)
[NO] Can sell Resale Rights to the PLR Source
[NO] Can sell Master Resale Rights to the PLR Source
[NO] Can be offered through auction sites (PLR Source)
[NO] Can be given away
Articles will be delivered in RTF format (Wordpad) to your email.
Monday
Online Video Marketing
Online video has exploded in popularity within the past couple of years. Internet users can use it to view just about any type of content imaginable. The combination of broadband internet and websites like YouTube make online video easily, accessible and popular for internet users.
Recent surveys indicate people in some countries are starting to watch more online video than T.V. Moviegoer attendance in US has gone though the rates of people watching online video have gone up and are increasing everyday.
This creates an opportunity for internet marketers in every niche because online video is an effective means of marketing. Why video is a very effective way of marketing is because it is more animated than static text on a page. Video comes to life with the push of a button, you can see the subject, you can hear and see the concepts they are talking about and is more engaging than reading text.
With this in mind using video and striving to create viral video should become a high priority for internet marketers. So, how can you make a successful viral video campaign? Here are three simple ways to increase the chances of having your video going viral.
1. Create good valuable content.
Content is still king whether it is streaming video or static text on a page. Good content that is valuable and improves the life of those within your target niche, even in the slightest way, will be appreciated and even shared. The better the quality the content in the video the more likely it will be viewed and shared.
2. Make your video short
You only have so much time to grab the viewers attention so make the most of it. Strive to make your videos no longer than 5 minutes long to increase the chances of it going viral. Make it short, memorable and connect with your target audience.
3. Keep it simple.
Some of the most clever viral videos have revolved around simple concepts. If you are in selling an ebook on dog training put up a videos of puppies. Or if your in the music niche put up a video of you giving a simple music lesson and embed your website URL in the video. (Don't forget to direct viewers to your site)
It's not that hard to make a video and upload it online and it doesn't have to be hard for a video to go viral within your niche. Don't try to create a viral video attempting to get everyone on the internet to view it and share it. Your can't appeal to everyone. Just create it for your niche or target audience. Create good content, make it short and keep it simple and you'll increase your chances of getting more people to view your video.
New Years Business Resolution
Back with a post to prepare you for the new year.
As we head into 2008 think about where you want not only yourself to be but also your business. What do you want your business to look like in the new year? At the end of the year? How much revenue do you want to generate? How are you going to make it happen?
You need to get organized to figure out the how. Sit down with a pen and paper and make a business plan if you haven't already, that's important resolution for those who don't have one.
They're not that hard to make and even though most people don't enjoy making them you'll find it helps to get your thoughts down on paper rather than trying to remember them in your head.
Physiologically, it also helps you remember things better if you write them down.
Your business plan doesn't have to be chiseled in stone. It can change over time and in fact should change and grow with your business.
Maybe you want to make the jump from affiliate marketer to selling your own products. You'll need a plan for that also to guide you.
Whatever you business resolutions are taking action should be at the top of the list.
Happy New Year. More next time.
As we head into 2008 think about where you want not only yourself to be but also your business. What do you want your business to look like in the new year? At the end of the year? How much revenue do you want to generate? How are you going to make it happen?
You need to get organized to figure out the how. Sit down with a pen and paper and make a business plan if you haven't already, that's important resolution for those who don't have one.
They're not that hard to make and even though most people don't enjoy making them you'll find it helps to get your thoughts down on paper rather than trying to remember them in your head.
Physiologically, it also helps you remember things better if you write them down.
Your business plan doesn't have to be chiseled in stone. It can change over time and in fact should change and grow with your business.
Maybe you want to make the jump from affiliate marketer to selling your own products. You'll need a plan for that also to guide you.
Whatever you business resolutions are taking action should be at the top of the list.
Happy New Year. More next time.
Friday
Marketing Tips from Eban Pagan
Today I have a really special treat for all my readers.
Eban Pagan is the authority of the dating niche. Some of you may have been to his site, doubleyourdating.com. Recently Eban put up some great videos on YouTube to promote the launch of his training program, The Altitude Training Program.
I'm posting 3 videos from his series on marketing here. The video is about 30 minutes long in total length. Be sure to watch with a pen and pad of paper ready because your going to want to take notes.
Make sure to watch his other videos at YouTube. They are definitely worth your time.
Eban Pagan is the authority of the dating niche. Some of you may have been to his site, doubleyourdating.com. Recently Eban put up some great videos on YouTube to promote the launch of his training program, The Altitude Training Program.
I'm posting 3 videos from his series on marketing here. The video is about 30 minutes long in total length. Be sure to watch with a pen and pad of paper ready because your going to want to take notes.
Make sure to watch his other videos at YouTube. They are definitely worth your time.
Wednesday
Sunday
Pay What You Want Business Model?
A quick update about an intriguing business model.
I came across an article about a pay what you want cafe which opened in Seattle earlier this year. Read article. A pay what you want model could have some interesting implications for online business and profits.
I came across an article about a pay what you want cafe which opened in Seattle earlier this year. Read article. A pay what you want model could have some interesting implications for online business and profits.
Saturday
17 Year Girl Builds Million Dollar Website
After a long break I'm back with an interesting story I ran across awhile ago. (The article is from September so it's old news but not those who haven't read it yet.)
The CEO Who's, Like 17 and Teen Millionaire from Yahoo News.
What started out as a hobby for Ashley Qualls turned into a profitable business through viral marketing and social networks. I won't analyze her success because it has been analyzed to death on forums, blogs and the news ever since the success story was made public. Just do what you love, and than market it.
For those who aren't making what they want don't spend too much time analyzing her success, just act.
More next time.
The CEO Who's, Like 17 and Teen Millionaire from Yahoo News.
What started out as a hobby for Ashley Qualls turned into a profitable business through viral marketing and social networks. I won't analyze her success because it has been analyzed to death on forums, blogs and the news ever since the success story was made public. Just do what you love, and than market it.
For those who aren't making what they want don't spend too much time analyzing her success, just act.
More next time.
Internet Marketer with 4 Kids Sends Out Distress Call
I'm making a special post today about a fellow internet marketer who is in need of help.
I just got done reading a post at the Warrior Fourm about Cyrell Price who is a copywriter, a web designer and internet marketer. She has four children one of whom is a small child.
I didn't hear much about her since I have only been a member of the forum for about a year and am not there frequently enough to know all the members well enough. I read a post that she fled from her abusive boyfriend who frequently beat her up, so badly that he broke her hand recently. You can read the thread here.
I’ll be perfectly honest here. Since I've never known this member on a personal level I thought the story was made up and was skeptical. After reading through a couple posts I immediately knew it was not any sort of complex scam. John Reese posted a story he’s never told anyone in public and it literally made tears well up in my eyes.
Why it made me tear up is because I can relate his story and Cyrell's stroy. Even though I have never been through traumatizing physical abuse I still know what it’s like to be bullied. I know what it’s like to feel like when you think you don’t have any control over your life anymore. I know what it’s like to have absolutely no money. I know what it’s like to stay awake at night wishing for a better life.
It's sad and pathetic that this violence happens against anyone in a species that's advanced as the human species. What's worse is this type of violence happens all the time unfortunately, all over the world. Think about if this person was your mother or sister or daughter. Please consider helping this woman out. She needs money to move out and to send her kids to school before the school year starts and is more concerned about her kids than herself.
You can either make a donation to her paypal or send a payment to cyprice@gmail.com You can also buy her product Ezine Income System, which is $47. Yes, that is my affiliate link. I'm donating half of the profits that I make to her paypal account. You can sign up as affiliate for her product also at:
http://www.ezineincomesystem.com/affiliate.html
She is a hard working mother and has taken steps to control her life. She created her own product and set up an affiliate program at Paydotcom and has taken action steps in the past to actually do something about her situation.
Most marketers don't want to do work to get where they want to go but she has and is. It's very humbling to see the internet marketing community band together for a worthy cause of helping people in need out. In many cases they are helping a person out they don't even know. If it weren't for the idiotic scammers I'm sure everyone who read her story would consider helping Cyrell out. Please consider helping her out.
Peace and prosperity. More to come next time.
I just got done reading a post at the Warrior Fourm about Cyrell Price who is a copywriter, a web designer and internet marketer. She has four children one of whom is a small child.
I didn't hear much about her since I have only been a member of the forum for about a year and am not there frequently enough to know all the members well enough. I read a post that she fled from her abusive boyfriend who frequently beat her up, so badly that he broke her hand recently. You can read the thread here.
I’ll be perfectly honest here. Since I've never known this member on a personal level I thought the story was made up and was skeptical. After reading through a couple posts I immediately knew it was not any sort of complex scam. John Reese posted a story he’s never told anyone in public and it literally made tears well up in my eyes.
Why it made me tear up is because I can relate his story and Cyrell's stroy. Even though I have never been through traumatizing physical abuse I still know what it’s like to be bullied. I know what it’s like to feel like when you think you don’t have any control over your life anymore. I know what it’s like to have absolutely no money. I know what it’s like to stay awake at night wishing for a better life.
It's sad and pathetic that this violence happens against anyone in a species that's advanced as the human species. What's worse is this type of violence happens all the time unfortunately, all over the world. Think about if this person was your mother or sister or daughter. Please consider helping this woman out. She needs money to move out and to send her kids to school before the school year starts and is more concerned about her kids than herself.
You can either make a donation to her paypal or send a payment to cyprice@gmail.com You can also buy her product Ezine Income System, which is $47. Yes, that is my affiliate link. I'm donating half of the profits that I make to her paypal account. You can sign up as affiliate for her product also at:
http://www.ezineincomesystem.com/affiliate.html
She is a hard working mother and has taken steps to control her life. She created her own product and set up an affiliate program at Paydotcom and has taken action steps in the past to actually do something about her situation.
Most marketers don't want to do work to get where they want to go but she has and is. It's very humbling to see the internet marketing community band together for a worthy cause of helping people in need out. In many cases they are helping a person out they don't even know. If it weren't for the idiotic scammers I'm sure everyone who read her story would consider helping Cyrell out. Please consider helping her out.
Peace and prosperity. More to come next time.
How Top Bloggers Earn Money
Just some quick news you can use for today. I just ran across this article on Business Week and thought it would be of interest to my readers who are blogger's.
How Top Bloggers Earn Money
How Top Bloggers Earn Money
Monday
Do What You Love and Love What You Do
When marketer’s start out looking to build a business on the internet many often gravitate toward the "make money online" niche or "internet marketing" niche. They ask around forums what the hottest product or the highest paying niches are and search around affiliate sites to see what the highest paying products are.
After that they go off and start marketing products as an affiliate or worse they make their own product.
If you’re just starting out as a new marketer and you haven’t even made a single cent online you are not only going to ruin your reputation and creditability but you don’t have any business telling people how to make money online if you haven’t even done so yourself.
Instead do what you love and the money will come. You do what you love not for the money, but you earn money so you can do what you love. When you start doing this you produce some of the best content on the internet, it is valuable to the people who also love what you do after they find your site after you marketed so hard to get noticed. Some of these people who found your site spread the word about how great your site is. You're more likely to get repeat visitors and have people sign up for your newsletter.
When you do what you love you write content for human beings instead of search engine bots. Search engines reward natural content that offers value to the readers. You write that content in a conversational tone instead of writing it as though you are some sort of android robot or hyping up something in a breathless tone. The site eventually becomes an authority in its niche and it sometimes it goes viral. You'll become more productive and gets things done instead of slugging through something you don't enjoy doing.
Your visitors provide you leverage and begin marketing your site for you through word of mouth, email, posting content on forums, linking back from their website etc..It seems to take on a life of its own once you give it a little marketing push.
Though, it you don’t do what you love and you do something only for the money it becomes burdensome, it becomes boring, the pressure to make money can even become too much and that doesn’t do anyone any good because when you're under pressure to do anything, especially make money, you become desperate trying to create the latest and greatest thing in that niche. Desperate marketing is aggressive, obnoxious and most of all transparent. Not appealing to customers.
Now, there’s the issue of outsourcing the niches that you don’t love and handing over the work to someone who actually does but if you don’t have the money to pay copywriters, freelance writers, ebook cover designers and a host of other people (and make sure they each do the job you paid them to do) than stick with a niche you have a natural strength in, a high level of interest in because you'll be able to provide a great level of value to your customers.
Some readers will think why not just chase after the niches that make the most money? Because starting a business in a niche you have a strength in, a passion for, some level of expertise in could become a major money maker for you. You might make more than if you went after one of the "hot" niches. You still have to research the niche to see if you'll make a profit but that comes with the territory of marketing.
Here's a couple of examples of people doing what they love and making money while doing it:
1. askthebuilder.com
Tim Carter is a carpenter and master plumber and created his website in 1995. He is a leading authority in the home improvement niche. An Adsense case study revealed his site was making around $30,000 per moth.
2. dailycandy.com
Dany Levy started the site in 1999 to inform people what's hot from fashion to food, to travel. Levy started mailing a list of 700 subscribers with daily in-demand information. The personal, friendly site has become a mega money maker for Levy and is was sold for $100 million last year.
3. fark.com
Drew Curtis's site launched in 1999 as a way to share interesting news stories with his friends. It took on a viral effect over the years and attracted visitors. Now it is an authority in bookmarking interesting news and pictures. The site receives around 1.5 million viewers each day and estimates of the revenue are in the range of six to seven figures per year.
There's thousands of examples of these sites in almost every niche you can imagine. If you need more examples check out the list of top 100 squidoo lenses. Think about your favorite blogs.
Start a real business in a niche you have a natural strength in, don't get distracted by make money opportunities. Do what you love and love what you do.
After that they go off and start marketing products as an affiliate or worse they make their own product.
If you’re just starting out as a new marketer and you haven’t even made a single cent online you are not only going to ruin your reputation and creditability but you don’t have any business telling people how to make money online if you haven’t even done so yourself.
Instead do what you love and the money will come. You do what you love not for the money, but you earn money so you can do what you love. When you start doing this you produce some of the best content on the internet, it is valuable to the people who also love what you do after they find your site after you marketed so hard to get noticed. Some of these people who found your site spread the word about how great your site is. You're more likely to get repeat visitors and have people sign up for your newsletter.
When you do what you love you write content for human beings instead of search engine bots. Search engines reward natural content that offers value to the readers. You write that content in a conversational tone instead of writing it as though you are some sort of android robot or hyping up something in a breathless tone. The site eventually becomes an authority in its niche and it sometimes it goes viral. You'll become more productive and gets things done instead of slugging through something you don't enjoy doing.
Your visitors provide you leverage and begin marketing your site for you through word of mouth, email, posting content on forums, linking back from their website etc..It seems to take on a life of its own once you give it a little marketing push.
Though, it you don’t do what you love and you do something only for the money it becomes burdensome, it becomes boring, the pressure to make money can even become too much and that doesn’t do anyone any good because when you're under pressure to do anything, especially make money, you become desperate trying to create the latest and greatest thing in that niche. Desperate marketing is aggressive, obnoxious and most of all transparent. Not appealing to customers.
Now, there’s the issue of outsourcing the niches that you don’t love and handing over the work to someone who actually does but if you don’t have the money to pay copywriters, freelance writers, ebook cover designers and a host of other people (and make sure they each do the job you paid them to do) than stick with a niche you have a natural strength in, a high level of interest in because you'll be able to provide a great level of value to your customers.
Some readers will think why not just chase after the niches that make the most money? Because starting a business in a niche you have a strength in, a passion for, some level of expertise in could become a major money maker for you. You might make more than if you went after one of the "hot" niches. You still have to research the niche to see if you'll make a profit but that comes with the territory of marketing.
Here's a couple of examples of people doing what they love and making money while doing it:
1. askthebuilder.com
Tim Carter is a carpenter and master plumber and created his website in 1995. He is a leading authority in the home improvement niche. An Adsense case study revealed his site was making around $30,000 per moth.
2. dailycandy.com
Dany Levy started the site in 1999 to inform people what's hot from fashion to food, to travel. Levy started mailing a list of 700 subscribers with daily in-demand information. The personal, friendly site has become a mega money maker for Levy and is was sold for $100 million last year.
3. fark.com
Drew Curtis's site launched in 1999 as a way to share interesting news stories with his friends. It took on a viral effect over the years and attracted visitors. Now it is an authority in bookmarking interesting news and pictures. The site receives around 1.5 million viewers each day and estimates of the revenue are in the range of six to seven figures per year.
There's thousands of examples of these sites in almost every niche you can imagine. If you need more examples check out the list of top 100 squidoo lenses. Think about your favorite blogs.
Start a real business in a niche you have a natural strength in, don't get distracted by make money opportunities. Do what you love and love what you do.
IM PSA: Is Internet Marketing Hurting Your Health?
Another Internet marketing public service announcement today this time about a topic I don’t hear much discussion of in the IM community. How healthy is Internet marketing for you?
I’m not asking if it’s healthy to make money online, that’s very healthy for you and your bank account. I’m talking about if it’s healthy to sit in front of the computer for a good chunk of the day everyday? Many internet marketers spend hours working in front of their computer working daily.
There are many health related issues with working in front of the computer for long periods of time everyday: muscle pain, eyestrain, and fatigue among others. I’m not a doctor (as a general cavet) but I know it isn’t good to sit in one place for extended periods of time everyday.
Sitting for long periods of time can cause back pain and all sorts of muscle strain in your neck, legs and arms. In fact long periods of sedentary activity could put you at risk of a blood clot if you don’t take any breaks to get up and move around.
Using a mouse can wear out your wrist and banging away on the keyboard writing your articles or ebook can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Looking at a computer screen for long periods of time can strain your eyes and even increase your risk of sight problems (specifically macular degeneration) down the road when you’re a senior citizen.
Than there’s the issue of radiation from your computer screen. Studies show computer screens (especially CRT screens) emit a low level of radiation. Constant, daily exposure to computer screens increases the amount of radiation you are exposed to. (As a general rule of thumb sit at least 2 feet away from the screen)
Stress is another unhealthy side effect of IM. Product launches, expanding products, project management, time management can all cause stress, big time.
Here’s what to do to improve your IM health: outsource your tasks so you don’t have to be a slave to the computer all day everyday. You got into internet marketing because you wanted to be free from a job; even if you supplemented your income you may have made your business into an online job for yourself. That’s not only hurting your income that’s hurting your health too.
Divide your tasks up to freelancers on Craigslist or elance. Get someone to help you even if you don’t have the money and you have to get your spouse to help get the tasks done. You can even read the 4 Hour Work Week with the free time you have.
When your body starts to ache and your eyes get strained than its time to get away from the computer for an hour or two and take a break. No, not browsing websites or plopped in front of the TV. Get out and enjoy the day. Spend time with family and friends. It’s Summer time. Get outside and away from your computer and enjoy life. Than tomorrow make outsourcing a top priority so you can get more done and you don't have to be a slave to the computer.
You’ll thank yourself later.
I’m not asking if it’s healthy to make money online, that’s very healthy for you and your bank account. I’m talking about if it’s healthy to sit in front of the computer for a good chunk of the day everyday? Many internet marketers spend hours working in front of their computer working daily.
There are many health related issues with working in front of the computer for long periods of time everyday: muscle pain, eyestrain, and fatigue among others. I’m not a doctor (as a general cavet) but I know it isn’t good to sit in one place for extended periods of time everyday.
Sitting for long periods of time can cause back pain and all sorts of muscle strain in your neck, legs and arms. In fact long periods of sedentary activity could put you at risk of a blood clot if you don’t take any breaks to get up and move around.
Using a mouse can wear out your wrist and banging away on the keyboard writing your articles or ebook can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Looking at a computer screen for long periods of time can strain your eyes and even increase your risk of sight problems (specifically macular degeneration) down the road when you’re a senior citizen.
Than there’s the issue of radiation from your computer screen. Studies show computer screens (especially CRT screens) emit a low level of radiation. Constant, daily exposure to computer screens increases the amount of radiation you are exposed to. (As a general rule of thumb sit at least 2 feet away from the screen)
Stress is another unhealthy side effect of IM. Product launches, expanding products, project management, time management can all cause stress, big time.
Here’s what to do to improve your IM health: outsource your tasks so you don’t have to be a slave to the computer all day everyday. You got into internet marketing because you wanted to be free from a job; even if you supplemented your income you may have made your business into an online job for yourself. That’s not only hurting your income that’s hurting your health too.
Divide your tasks up to freelancers on Craigslist or elance. Get someone to help you even if you don’t have the money and you have to get your spouse to help get the tasks done. You can even read the 4 Hour Work Week with the free time you have.
When your body starts to ache and your eyes get strained than its time to get away from the computer for an hour or two and take a break. No, not browsing websites or plopped in front of the TV. Get out and enjoy the day. Spend time with family and friends. It’s Summer time. Get outside and away from your computer and enjoy life. Than tomorrow make outsourcing a top priority so you can get more done and you don't have to be a slave to the computer.
You’ll thank yourself later.
Saturday
Learn From the Best and Grow Your Online Income
The fastest ways to reach to your goals are by learning from the ones who have achieved your desired goal and have the expeirence to guide you.
In the online business world there are a couple of names recently that have really shined, have a plethora of expeirence under their belt and have the income to show for years worth of hard work.
Markus Frind, of plentyoffish.com, runs the biggest free internet dating site- all by himself. He makes around $300,000 per month from this site.
I remember the day Markus posted his success story on a popular marketing forum, many members were skeptical and couldn't believe anyone could make anywhere near that running a website that big and successful all by themselves. These naysayers were quickly silenced when Markus posted a picture of one of his monthly checks.
Kevin Rose of digg.com
I only need to write digg.com and almost all of my readers know why Kevin makes over six figures a month. Digg has become wildly successful since it was started in Dec 2004 as a news sharing site. It has over 200 million pageviews a month.
Jason Calacanis of Weblogs Inc. Some of the blogs which make up the network of Weblogs are heavy hitters in the blogosphere: Engadget, BoingBoing, and autoblog. Weblogs was so successful Google did an adsense case study on the blog network.
Tim Carter of askthebuilder.com. Tim's is one of the authority sites on home repair and improvement and Tim makes a comfortable living online earning five figures per month.
Many lessons can be learned from these successful business owners when you study them a bit more closely. But most importantly follow an expert who has expeirence, insight and the income to show for it all.
In the online business world there are a couple of names recently that have really shined, have a plethora of expeirence under their belt and have the income to show for years worth of hard work.
Markus Frind, of plentyoffish.com, runs the biggest free internet dating site- all by himself. He makes around $300,000 per month from this site.
I remember the day Markus posted his success story on a popular marketing forum, many members were skeptical and couldn't believe anyone could make anywhere near that running a website that big and successful all by themselves. These naysayers were quickly silenced when Markus posted a picture of one of his monthly checks.
Kevin Rose of digg.com
I only need to write digg.com and almost all of my readers know why Kevin makes over six figures a month. Digg has become wildly successful since it was started in Dec 2004 as a news sharing site. It has over 200 million pageviews a month.
Jason Calacanis of Weblogs Inc. Some of the blogs which make up the network of Weblogs are heavy hitters in the blogosphere: Engadget, BoingBoing, and autoblog. Weblogs was so successful Google did an adsense case study on the blog network.
Tim Carter of askthebuilder.com. Tim's is one of the authority sites on home repair and improvement and Tim makes a comfortable living online earning five figures per month.
Many lessons can be learned from these successful business owners when you study them a bit more closely. But most importantly follow an expert who has expeirence, insight and the income to show for it all.
Sunday
The Importance of Making Freinds
Whether you do business online or offline it's always important to continually network and gain friends.
I'm not talking about emailing total strangers for JV proposals, I'm talking about getting to know a like minded person online gradually, speaking on the phone, not just about business but about many other topics and eventually even meeting in person at an event.
Going at it alone in business is tough and the loneliness of doing business alone can be even more lonely when you're an online business. It's good to have contact with like minded people in the offline world who can relate to your specific experiences.
You may have heard of the term "old boys network" or more recently "the circle of friends" in IM. Despite some of the ways these terms are used individuals in the circle or even with one or two other people can get more done than someone can all by themselves. This is the power of leveraging your friends.
A group of friends has their network and those people within that network have a network of their own and on it goes. When you need some extra promotional help if you're launching a product your friend can promote an offer to their list which can bring in twice the business.
If you were to try to do a JV with another list owner online it's very likely they will turn you down, but friends trust each other more than strangers trust each other. Business is about trust and leverage.
Now I'm not saying take advantage of your friends with big lists, and lots of resources in high up places. Never do that. That's a surefire way to loose all your friends very quickly. Build a genuine relationship with people online over time (not just for business reasons) and if you ever need you're friends will always be there for you because that's what friends are for.
I'm not talking about emailing total strangers for JV proposals, I'm talking about getting to know a like minded person online gradually, speaking on the phone, not just about business but about many other topics and eventually even meeting in person at an event.
Going at it alone in business is tough and the loneliness of doing business alone can be even more lonely when you're an online business. It's good to have contact with like minded people in the offline world who can relate to your specific experiences.
You may have heard of the term "old boys network" or more recently "the circle of friends" in IM. Despite some of the ways these terms are used individuals in the circle or even with one or two other people can get more done than someone can all by themselves. This is the power of leveraging your friends.
A group of friends has their network and those people within that network have a network of their own and on it goes. When you need some extra promotional help if you're launching a product your friend can promote an offer to their list which can bring in twice the business.
If you were to try to do a JV with another list owner online it's very likely they will turn you down, but friends trust each other more than strangers trust each other. Business is about trust and leverage.
Now I'm not saying take advantage of your friends with big lists, and lots of resources in high up places. Never do that. That's a surefire way to loose all your friends very quickly. Build a genuine relationship with people online over time (not just for business reasons) and if you ever need you're friends will always be there for you because that's what friends are for.
Monday
Web 2.0 Marketing: Marketing on Social Networking Sites
Web 2.0 is not only changing how we use the internet but it is also changing the way we market on the internet. While email marketing still works web 2.0 marketing is gearing up to be as successful, if not more successful than other forms of marketing.
Sites like Myspace, Facebook, YouTube, Digg and Squidoo have all revolutionized the web within a couple of years. Google purchased YouTube. Fortune 500 CEO's are jockeying for a piece of the action (such as Rupert Murdoch who owns MySpace)and more big deals are being struck between entrepreneurs and corporate buyers.
As with anything online many people are taking notice at the targeted traffic within theses sites and most are quietly adapting while profiting from it. But some are sharing their secrets.
Tiffany Dow has written a great ebook on how to effectively use Squidoo to get more traffic for your websites and leads for your business. It has been getting high praise from top marketer's Such as John Reese. I highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about marketing on social network sites.
Learn more about Squidoo Marketing.
Sites like Myspace, Facebook, YouTube, Digg and Squidoo have all revolutionized the web within a couple of years. Google purchased YouTube. Fortune 500 CEO's are jockeying for a piece of the action (such as Rupert Murdoch who owns MySpace)and more big deals are being struck between entrepreneurs and corporate buyers.
As with anything online many people are taking notice at the targeted traffic within theses sites and most are quietly adapting while profiting from it. But some are sharing their secrets.
Tiffany Dow has written a great ebook on how to effectively use Squidoo to get more traffic for your websites and leads for your business. It has been getting high praise from top marketer's Such as John Reese. I highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about marketing on social network sites.
Learn more about Squidoo Marketing.
Sunday
Responsiblity and Diligence in Marketing
This week a video of a couple became very popular in the internet marketing commumnity because they were (allegedly) making 2-5 million dollars per month. Those are astronomical figures, but when you look deeper into exactly how that money was made you see they were making it selling diet patches. Yes diet patches.
Pretty soon after hearing that images were conjured up in my brain of scammy sales people on late night infomercials making slick promises such as "slap it on and the fat is gone!"
I'm not sure why people think diet patches work. Maybe it's the promise for people who are desperate that they can put it on and the pounds will melt away. Maybe it's the copywriting or the fake testimonials. Who knows.
Further investigating revealed reports at the rip off report and plenty of unhappy customers. Now, there will always be someone who will raise the flag on any product- whether or not it is really a scam- but there were so many complaints it was hard to ignore. Immediately red flags and alarm bells were going off.
Further digging also revealed this product had no customer support whatsoever and the FTC was investigating the company and its affiliates. The couple were selling their secrets for a big ticket price at a seminar two years ago. Now it became clear how these individuals made their money.
While looking through my inbox later that day and I saw some very big names in the internet marketing industry promoting this product(possibly as affiliates). I was shocked. Some were individuals I trust and take their recommendations very seriously.
It may or may not be their fault they are promoting that certain product. Maybe an assistant sent those emails for them. Maybe they sent it themselves without checking the facts first. Whatever the case due diligence should have been taken before recommending something.
I am not immune to this. Earlier today I came across an email from a well known video site informing me of an upcoming teleseminar promoting a big ticket course on how to leverage your business with press releases and the media. The commissions earned on this product are a couple hundred dollars per item sold. That sounded good enough to me. I had never heard of the individual promoting it but he looked and sounded professional enough.
I put up the offer on this blog and went about my activities. An hour later I decided to do some research on the guest of this teleseminar. I came across a couple of websites that didn't exactly have glowing opinions about this individual. Then I came across some videos at YouTube.
After watching the behavior of this individual in a couple of videos and how he treated guests on national television I immediately scrambled to delete the post promoting the teleseminar. I am not going to promote that teleseminar or any products it offers- no matter what the commissions. If this individual was treating guests on his show like that I can only imagine what he would treat affiliates and customers like.
This reminded me there is a marketing responsibility of making sure your customers actually get value out of the products you recommend them. It also reminded me whatever your do online reflects on you. Make sure the products do what they say they do. If you wouldn't recommend something to your own family then why would recommend something to your customers? You are putting yourself at risk for trouble, not only in the form of a ruined reputation but also lawsuits. You are also putting your customers at risk. It doesn't benefit anyone.
The internet allows us to see individuals in 3D. No one is one dimensional on the internet. People can do a Google search on you, go to internet forums and get opinions about you and your products, etc...
The internet also allows marketers to do this same kind of research on products they are about to promote. Just basic scanning of the website can give you clues. If it doesn't have customer support or an email that customers can reach someone if they need help, don't promote it. Save yourself a tarnished reputation and more importantly save your customers from headaches.
I'm not always the best marketer and today I slipped up a bit but I do have a conscious and know a fundamental rule of business- always do the right thing.
Pretty soon after hearing that images were conjured up in my brain of scammy sales people on late night infomercials making slick promises such as "slap it on and the fat is gone!"
I'm not sure why people think diet patches work. Maybe it's the promise for people who are desperate that they can put it on and the pounds will melt away. Maybe it's the copywriting or the fake testimonials. Who knows.
Further investigating revealed reports at the rip off report and plenty of unhappy customers. Now, there will always be someone who will raise the flag on any product- whether or not it is really a scam- but there were so many complaints it was hard to ignore. Immediately red flags and alarm bells were going off.
Further digging also revealed this product had no customer support whatsoever and the FTC was investigating the company and its affiliates. The couple were selling their secrets for a big ticket price at a seminar two years ago. Now it became clear how these individuals made their money.
While looking through my inbox later that day and I saw some very big names in the internet marketing industry promoting this product(possibly as affiliates). I was shocked. Some were individuals I trust and take their recommendations very seriously.
It may or may not be their fault they are promoting that certain product. Maybe an assistant sent those emails for them. Maybe they sent it themselves without checking the facts first. Whatever the case due diligence should have been taken before recommending something.
I am not immune to this. Earlier today I came across an email from a well known video site informing me of an upcoming teleseminar promoting a big ticket course on how to leverage your business with press releases and the media. The commissions earned on this product are a couple hundred dollars per item sold. That sounded good enough to me. I had never heard of the individual promoting it but he looked and sounded professional enough.
I put up the offer on this blog and went about my activities. An hour later I decided to do some research on the guest of this teleseminar. I came across a couple of websites that didn't exactly have glowing opinions about this individual. Then I came across some videos at YouTube.
After watching the behavior of this individual in a couple of videos and how he treated guests on national television I immediately scrambled to delete the post promoting the teleseminar. I am not going to promote that teleseminar or any products it offers- no matter what the commissions. If this individual was treating guests on his show like that I can only imagine what he would treat affiliates and customers like.
This reminded me there is a marketing responsibility of making sure your customers actually get value out of the products you recommend them. It also reminded me whatever your do online reflects on you. Make sure the products do what they say they do. If you wouldn't recommend something to your own family then why would recommend something to your customers? You are putting yourself at risk for trouble, not only in the form of a ruined reputation but also lawsuits. You are also putting your customers at risk. It doesn't benefit anyone.
The internet allows us to see individuals in 3D. No one is one dimensional on the internet. People can do a Google search on you, go to internet forums and get opinions about you and your products, etc...
The internet also allows marketers to do this same kind of research on products they are about to promote. Just basic scanning of the website can give you clues. If it doesn't have customer support or an email that customers can reach someone if they need help, don't promote it. Save yourself a tarnished reputation and more importantly save your customers from headaches.
I'm not always the best marketer and today I slipped up a bit but I do have a conscious and know a fundamental rule of business- always do the right thing.
Wednesday
3 Easy Ways to Create an Ebook
Most times when people sit down to write their ebook, or any other written material, they may run into writers block and are often stumped on what to write about. Other times someone’s mental editorial process takes over and critiques what’s been written getting in the way of a writing flow. While it’s fun and exciting producing your own ebook it can also be frustrating, tedious and even challenging at times. Here’s 3 easy ways to create an ebook even if you hate writing.
1. Incorporate public domain content
The public domain contains content, which is not under copyright any longer. Many works in the public domain are old works from the early 20th century but this does not mean they don’t contain valuable information or are irrelevant to modern times. A wealth of information on a surprising variety of topics can be found in the public domain at various websites. This is one of the great secrets of some established ebook authors. You can find tons of public domain content at Project Gutenberg.
2. Interview an Expert.
Everyone is an expert on some topic. Including a transcript of an interview in an ebook or part of the dialogue gives your creation a unique edge over other content in your niche because interviews are often useful for readers and provide a unique break from the rest of the content. To provide more value for readers you can even record the interview, burn it to a disc and give away or sell it along with your ebook. An expert may be easier to find than you think, it may even be someone in your own family.
3. Get other people to help
Four little words make all the difference when you want get something done, “can you help please?” Friends and family are naturally inquisitive about your online projects and sometimes even what to get involved. You can get a group of like-minded friends or family members together who have the same interests as you and each person can write a chapter of the ebook. The book will not only have an interesting tones and points of views for the readers, but also your group will have fun writing together.
Ebook creation can be a daunting task for one writer by himself or herself and the writing process can be frustrating sometimes. Instead of forcing yourself to bang out an ebook include public domain content, interview an expert, collaborate with friends and family or do all three. Creating an ebook shouldn’t take months and be a task for the writer, it should be fun and naturally easy. By following these three simple steps you’ll make sure it will be.
1. Incorporate public domain content
The public domain contains content, which is not under copyright any longer. Many works in the public domain are old works from the early 20th century but this does not mean they don’t contain valuable information or are irrelevant to modern times. A wealth of information on a surprising variety of topics can be found in the public domain at various websites. This is one of the great secrets of some established ebook authors. You can find tons of public domain content at Project Gutenberg.
2. Interview an Expert.
Everyone is an expert on some topic. Including a transcript of an interview in an ebook or part of the dialogue gives your creation a unique edge over other content in your niche because interviews are often useful for readers and provide a unique break from the rest of the content. To provide more value for readers you can even record the interview, burn it to a disc and give away or sell it along with your ebook. An expert may be easier to find than you think, it may even be someone in your own family.
3. Get other people to help
Four little words make all the difference when you want get something done, “can you help please?” Friends and family are naturally inquisitive about your online projects and sometimes even what to get involved. You can get a group of like-minded friends or family members together who have the same interests as you and each person can write a chapter of the ebook. The book will not only have an interesting tones and points of views for the readers, but also your group will have fun writing together.
Ebook creation can be a daunting task for one writer by himself or herself and the writing process can be frustrating sometimes. Instead of forcing yourself to bang out an ebook include public domain content, interview an expert, collaborate with friends and family or do all three. Creating an ebook shouldn’t take months and be a task for the writer, it should be fun and naturally easy. By following these three simple steps you’ll make sure it will be.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)