Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 John Khu
Many newbie expired domain traders find it very hard to find an expired domain name of their choice. Due to their inexperience as well as lack of knowledge or skills in expired domain trading, they always end up in buying expired domains with relatively no commercial value. If you are interested in finding a good expired domain name, then you may wish to learn some basic secrets and tips related to the expired domain name trading business. Google is a well-known search engine that provides very good search results in matter of few seconds. Google is also a rich repository of web domains, both live and expired; if you know how to use this amazing utility, you can easily find a good and commercially available expired domain, capable of spinning more money than you wished for.
With the right type of knowledge, it should not be too difficult for you to find and detect very good expired domain names by using Google search engine. All you have to do is to use right type of keywords and search methods to create a list of expired domain names! Google houses more than 50 millions of web domains and most of these domains are alive, while a considerable numbers are dead and expired. If you know how Google spiders work in segregating the search results, you can easily cull out excellent expired domain names as well.
Most of the major search engines including Yahoo, Live, Google, Ask and host of others employ a method that seeks to weed out or eradicate those domains that are no longer alive, or those that are already expired and dead. However, hundreds of thousands of web domains expire everyday and these numbers seem to be too huge for any search engines to remove from the list. Thus, there is always a time lag of a week or so, before the expired domain names are removed from the directories.
However, there is still a gap of about five to sex days before the entire list of expired domains disappear from the directory listings. Smart expired domain traders make it a point to buy expired domains, before they are deleted or removed from the search engine list. Once you buy listed expired domains and register them as soon as possible, you can have the liberty of accumulating very precious traffic and links owned and possessed by the previous owner.
However, you can conduct a search on the Google search engine by using a simple search query given as follows:
1) Just open the Google search engine bar
2) Type- "Auction Date" 01-07-2008 intitle: aaaaaaaaa site: whois.domaintools.com (here, aaaaa is the preferred keyword, while the date could be any date that you wish but it should preferably be about 15 days before today's date)
3) Choose any keyword you want and consult a keyword tracker web domain for better keywords.
4) Once you give a command for search, you can easily get a comprehensive list of expiring or expired domain names in the entire search engine directory.
Once you create list, you can sensitize it by using good domain software for short listing the best possible domain names. The list thus generated should provide you a basic idea of how your expired domain names look and appear.
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.
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I will seek to answer those questions here, as well as to provide a Day Planner to enable the new online entrepreneur to navigate the maze of building a successful online business. When I find great advice by other writers, I will include that information as well. --- Clinton Douglas IV, Founder of Vasrue.com |
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
How Anyone Can Actually Build A Six-Figure Income
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Willie Crawford
At a recent job fair, I watched an endless procession of retiring military personnel, and contract civilian employees, parade past a dozen employers. Many of them filled out applications and handed them in to several of the bigger employers.
Many of them also talked to me, and I explained that when I retired from the military, I stepped right into a six-figure job that I had created, which has since grown into a seven-figure income.
The six-figure salary range was something a few of them "dared" dream of, but most saw it as impossible.
To an Internet marketer who understands the power of residual income, I know that earning six-figures per year only takes putting forth the effort to find fewer than 200 customers.
My secret is simply that I market items that offer a residual income. An example is the all-in-one video, audio, article, and press release submission service at http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.info
This service sells for $97 per month, and I earn 50% commission. To earn six-figures per year from that, I need a mere 172 customers (172 customers x $48.50 per month commission X 12 month = $100,104). If I gave myself a year to get those 172 customers that would equate to me just needing to find one customers every two days... with a few "fishing days" built in.
Given a quality product, any Internet marketer who couldn't find one customer every two day isn't really trying. Given a quality product, finding one customer every two days can be as simple as:
- Writing and submitting a few articles on the problems that the service solves.
- Creating and submitting videos on the problems that the service solves. Let those videos actually show you using the product to solve the problem. Nothing sells like proof that they can watch unfolding!
- Doing a press release on the problems that the service solves... pointing out a new and exciting solution.
- Visiting discussion forums where your ideal customers hang out, and just engaging in conversation, but posting links to the product that you're promoting in your signature files.
- Writing short reports (ebooks) on the problems that your service solves, spending a lot of time explaining why the readers really DO want to solve the problem, and then pointing out that your product is the perfect solution.
- Creating a blog on the topic of the problem that your product solves, and then frequently discussing the problem, your product, and people who have benefited from using your product.
- Writing articles and ebooks on related topics such as time management, website traffic generation, branding, marketing a product, etc., and in the articles and ebooks explain how your product is ideal for solving problems related to those topics.
As you can see, making one sale every two days is as simple as getting rid of all of your excuses, and then getting into action.
Yes, you do have to take actions that produce results, but most people running affiliate programs will even share with you what has proven to work best in promoting their products.
I actually market SEVERAL products that provide me with a six-figure annual income. These are all products that pay a residual income... products such as my shopping cart system, web hosting, and the video submission service mentioned earlier.
Getting back to those soldiers that I mentioned at the beginning of this article. ANY of them could easily take the product at http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.info and build a six-figure income.
I say that because I am a product of the same training that they've had. I know that they have the discipline, tenacity, perseverance, and resourcefulness to accomplish some very difficult jobs. Getting in front of one customer every two days, who is ready to buy, should be child's play to them :-)
Anyway, I've just shown you how anyone can actually build a six-figure income if they are willing to just drop the excuses and implement a simple plan already laid out for them. The only thing really stopping most people is that "very natural" 4-letter word... F-E-A-R.
We all have it. That's why many of us prefer working for others and letting the company assume the risk. Many of us also have courage though, which I define as nothing more than the ability to take action despite the fear!
Fear paralyzes many of us. Taking action lets us walk though that fear, and then look back and see that it has vaporized.
If you're ready to take action, and walk through your fears... instead of selling Internet marketing products that offer a one-time commission, consider the wisdom in offering the ones that pay a residual commission.
Remember that a $48.50 commission per month, times 172 customers, equals $100,104 per year. By the way if you'd like to market that specific product, sign up at: http://easypushbuttontraffic.com/epbtaffiliatepage.html
If you are just interested in using the product, then don't register as an affiliate since you CAN'T earn a commission on sales that you make to yourself. Allowing that wouldn't be fair to people who actually want to go out and build that six-figure business.
I HAVE just shown you how easy it really is. If you "hang out" with me at seminars and conferences, I could prove to you that I do this all of the time. However, this isn't about me, it's about whether you're ready enough to take the necessary action.
"It's decision time, soldier!"
About the Author:
Willie Crawford has been marketing over the Internet for 12 years. During that time, he has written over 1100 articles. Recently he has added multi-media and more press release to his marketing mix, with very notable results. Willie now loves, and highly recommends Easy Pushbutton Traffic at: http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.info
Copyright © 2008 Willie Crawford
At a recent job fair, I watched an endless procession of retiring military personnel, and contract civilian employees, parade past a dozen employers. Many of them filled out applications and handed them in to several of the bigger employers.
Many of them also talked to me, and I explained that when I retired from the military, I stepped right into a six-figure job that I had created, which has since grown into a seven-figure income.
The six-figure salary range was something a few of them "dared" dream of, but most saw it as impossible.
To an Internet marketer who understands the power of residual income, I know that earning six-figures per year only takes putting forth the effort to find fewer than 200 customers.
My secret is simply that I market items that offer a residual income. An example is the all-in-one video, audio, article, and press release submission service at http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.info
This service sells for $97 per month, and I earn 50% commission. To earn six-figures per year from that, I need a mere 172 customers (172 customers x $48.50 per month commission X 12 month = $100,104). If I gave myself a year to get those 172 customers that would equate to me just needing to find one customers every two days... with a few "fishing days" built in.
Given a quality product, any Internet marketer who couldn't find one customer every two day isn't really trying. Given a quality product, finding one customer every two days can be as simple as:
- Writing and submitting a few articles on the problems that the service solves.
- Creating and submitting videos on the problems that the service solves. Let those videos actually show you using the product to solve the problem. Nothing sells like proof that they can watch unfolding!
- Doing a press release on the problems that the service solves... pointing out a new and exciting solution.
- Visiting discussion forums where your ideal customers hang out, and just engaging in conversation, but posting links to the product that you're promoting in your signature files.
- Writing short reports (ebooks) on the problems that your service solves, spending a lot of time explaining why the readers really DO want to solve the problem, and then pointing out that your product is the perfect solution.
- Creating a blog on the topic of the problem that your product solves, and then frequently discussing the problem, your product, and people who have benefited from using your product.
- Writing articles and ebooks on related topics such as time management, website traffic generation, branding, marketing a product, etc., and in the articles and ebooks explain how your product is ideal for solving problems related to those topics.
As you can see, making one sale every two days is as simple as getting rid of all of your excuses, and then getting into action.
Yes, you do have to take actions that produce results, but most people running affiliate programs will even share with you what has proven to work best in promoting their products.
I actually market SEVERAL products that provide me with a six-figure annual income. These are all products that pay a residual income... products such as my shopping cart system, web hosting, and the video submission service mentioned earlier.
Getting back to those soldiers that I mentioned at the beginning of this article. ANY of them could easily take the product at http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.info and build a six-figure income.
I say that because I am a product of the same training that they've had. I know that they have the discipline, tenacity, perseverance, and resourcefulness to accomplish some very difficult jobs. Getting in front of one customer every two days, who is ready to buy, should be child's play to them :-)
Anyway, I've just shown you how anyone can actually build a six-figure income if they are willing to just drop the excuses and implement a simple plan already laid out for them. The only thing really stopping most people is that "very natural" 4-letter word... F-E-A-R.
We all have it. That's why many of us prefer working for others and letting the company assume the risk. Many of us also have courage though, which I define as nothing more than the ability to take action despite the fear!
Fear paralyzes many of us. Taking action lets us walk though that fear, and then look back and see that it has vaporized.
If you're ready to take action, and walk through your fears... instead of selling Internet marketing products that offer a one-time commission, consider the wisdom in offering the ones that pay a residual commission.
Remember that a $48.50 commission per month, times 172 customers, equals $100,104 per year. By the way if you'd like to market that specific product, sign up at: http://easypushbuttontraffic.com/epbtaffiliatepage.html
If you are just interested in using the product, then don't register as an affiliate since you CAN'T earn a commission on sales that you make to yourself. Allowing that wouldn't be fair to people who actually want to go out and build that six-figure business.
I HAVE just shown you how easy it really is. If you "hang out" with me at seminars and conferences, I could prove to you that I do this all of the time. However, this isn't about me, it's about whether you're ready enough to take the necessary action.
"It's decision time, soldier!"
About the Author:
Willie Crawford has been marketing over the Internet for 12 years. During that time, he has written over 1100 articles. Recently he has added multi-media and more press release to his marketing mix, with very notable results. Willie now loves, and highly recommends Easy Pushbutton Traffic at: http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.info
Grabbing Expired Domains in Style-Some Tips and Suggestions
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 John Khu
Grabbing good expired domains from a pool of open domains involves fierce competition and intense fighting among like-minded domain traders. The place where you buy your domains is akin to a market place where people jostle and push their way around to grab expired domains in the last minute. Buying expired domains is a precise game and a well-calibrated exercise that demands extraordinary effort and alertness from domain traders. Expired domains also pose a big and tough challenge to people and faint-hearted ones may find the game very tough and tedious.
To grab excellent domain expiring, you may have to develop the knack of playing the game in a hard way. The grabbing game gets fiercer and tougher as great domains start to expire; somehow, all most all domain traders seem to know about the impending expiry of a particular domain! Ultimately, you may need compete and fight your way to buy a good expired domain name. Here are some general tips and suggestions that, hopefully, will tell you how you can empower yourself to grab great looking domain names.
Before learning the hidden secrets and tricks of domain grabbing, you will need to understand one mandatory issue that is quite critical for your domain trading success. More requests you make to an expired domain registry, better and brighter your chances of grabbing a great domain.
Dealing with different registrars
All registrars have their own ways of operations. None of them is similar and dependent. Most of them are independent and have their policies and issues. The manner in which they announce the expiry of domain names could be different; some of them may be very regular in announcing expired names, while others may do only in a fortnight or so. Thus, there is a critical need to register your name on the database of almost all registrars that handle expired domains.
Using number computer nodal points
Seasoned and highly experienced domain traders make it a point to use a bank of computers. Using multiple computers will help you save both time and energy, and it will help you reach the registrars in double quick time.
Using different browser in the same computer
If you do not have an access to many computers, you can open several browsers like Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox and Mozilla within the same computer to save time and energy.
High-speed broadband internet connection
A blazing fast internet will help you reach the database within the blink of your eye lids. You can also process as many requests as possible with a quick internet connection. Slow speed will hurt your domain trading business, as you will not be able to reach the registrar's web site in time.
Efficient and useful feedback mechanism
Learning more about the intrinsic behavior of a particular registrar will help you understand the modes operandi of the registrars and how they act and behave in a particular way. Whois web portal is the best available tool to carry out a detailed research activity on registrars and expiring domains.
Requesting bulk registration facilities
Bulk registration is a useful utility that assist you buying several expired domains at the same time. Slow web page templates supplied by a registrar may hurt your business with its slow processing mode. On the other hand, bulk registration may help you process several requests at the same time.
Developing quality of self-initiative to act quickly
Grabbing great-expired domain names needs an immense research effort and dedicated effort. Knowing more about the past of a particular domain will not only help you know the insider information, it will also tell you whether the domain in question is useful or not.
Finding expired domains could be your game, only when you apply the above principles diligently and without fail. Start learning to know how you can grab expire domain names with considerable ease and enjoy snatching them in front of your competitor's own eyes!
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.
Copyright © 2008 John Khu
Grabbing good expired domains from a pool of open domains involves fierce competition and intense fighting among like-minded domain traders. The place where you buy your domains is akin to a market place where people jostle and push their way around to grab expired domains in the last minute. Buying expired domains is a precise game and a well-calibrated exercise that demands extraordinary effort and alertness from domain traders. Expired domains also pose a big and tough challenge to people and faint-hearted ones may find the game very tough and tedious.
To grab excellent domain expiring, you may have to develop the knack of playing the game in a hard way. The grabbing game gets fiercer and tougher as great domains start to expire; somehow, all most all domain traders seem to know about the impending expiry of a particular domain! Ultimately, you may need compete and fight your way to buy a good expired domain name. Here are some general tips and suggestions that, hopefully, will tell you how you can empower yourself to grab great looking domain names.
Before learning the hidden secrets and tricks of domain grabbing, you will need to understand one mandatory issue that is quite critical for your domain trading success. More requests you make to an expired domain registry, better and brighter your chances of grabbing a great domain.
Dealing with different registrars
Using number computer nodal points
Using different browser in the same computer
High-speed broadband internet connection
Efficient and useful feedback mechanism
Requesting bulk registration facilities
Developing quality of self-initiative to act quickly
Finding expired domains could be your game, only when you apply the above principles diligently and without fail. Start learning to know how you can grab expire domain names with considerable ease and enjoy snatching them in front of your competitor's own eyes!
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.
Promo Dashboard: List Building That Converts Like Crazy
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins
List building is one of the most important elements of online marketing. Often it will determine the success or failure of your site or online business. Now there's a handy product from well-known Internet Marketer Marlon Sanders that will help build your list: Promo Dashboard.
Since list building is one of my favorite subjects, Marlon Sanders' Promo Dashboard held special interest for me. I am always eager to learn new ways to improve my list building methods and techniques. This product does not disappoint.
Promo Dashboard is a very detailed "point and click" solution to all your list building tasks. Easy to use and simple to implement - Marlon has gone out of his way to make list building something even the most novice marketer or webmaster can accomplish. Unlike many list building products, courses, ebooks, etc., there is no fluff or filler - just straight practical steps that take you from A to Z.
Promo Dashboard in a nutshell is all about building your list and converting your subscribers into buyers. It takes you step-by-step thru everything you need to do to build your opt-in list or lists and to get those prospects to check-out or buy your product.
But this is not just about building your list; it is also about promoting your products and business. This is direct, no-nonsense marketing advice on how to find your targeted audience, how to get these interested customers onto your list and how to convert these people into buyers. You get an online interface or site where you click on the icons on the DashBoard to get all the information you need to accomplish each task.
Marlon gives you an "audio overview" of the six major steps you need to do:
targeting your market
creating your offer
building your squeeze page
setting up your autoresponder
promoting your offer
turbo charging with Web 2.0
all these major steps are further divided into 6 sub-topics or things you need to do to "turbo charge" your promotions.
If all this sounds complicated, it isn't.
Marlon always does a great job of breaking all these marketing steps and processes down into easy tasks even the beginning marketer can accomplish without too much sweat.
This is the main reason I like Promo Dashboard - it takes a rather complicated marketing process such as list building and breaks it down into simple steps anyone can do. That is also why I like all of Marlon Sanders' Dashboard products which include Marketing Dashboard, Info-product Dashboard and Design Dashboard
These Dashboards are practical "Point and Click" guides that break down rather complex marketing processes into simple, easy tasks anyone can do regardless of your own marketing background or experience. Besides, these products come from one of the legends of Internet Marketing... Marlon Sanders is a solid marketer who produces solid products that work.
Having done extensive work on list building myself, (I offer an online course and list building is one of my targeted keywords in Google - just check it!) I thought I knew everything about list building - however, PromoDashboard opened my eyes to many areas where I can fine-tune and improve my methods. It also offers excellent resources which I never thought of using before now... this is worth the price alone for me.
If you want a product that will give you ways to increase and improve your list or prospect building abilities I would strongly recommend you consider Promo Dashboard. It is a simple "point and click" solution to all your list building problems. Moreover, it is a simple way for anyone to promote their site, business or products. Promo Dashboard delivers the goods and then some.
About the Author:
Get a Step-by-Step Guide that will show you How to Start, Build and Manage your OWN HUGE Opt-In List. Click Here: List Building Or try other online marketing strategies here: Internet Marketing Tools The author is a full-time online marketer and has used list building to produce a very comfortable online income. Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins.This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins
List building is one of the most important elements of online marketing. Often it will determine the success or failure of your site or online business. Now there's a handy product from well-known Internet Marketer Marlon Sanders that will help build your list: Promo Dashboard.
Since list building is one of my favorite subjects, Marlon Sanders' Promo Dashboard held special interest for me. I am always eager to learn new ways to improve my list building methods and techniques. This product does not disappoint.
Promo Dashboard is a very detailed "point and click" solution to all your list building tasks. Easy to use and simple to implement - Marlon has gone out of his way to make list building something even the most novice marketer or webmaster can accomplish. Unlike many list building products, courses, ebooks, etc., there is no fluff or filler - just straight practical steps that take you from A to Z.
Promo Dashboard in a nutshell is all about building your list and converting your subscribers into buyers. It takes you step-by-step thru everything you need to do to build your opt-in list or lists and to get those prospects to check-out or buy your product.
But this is not just about building your list; it is also about promoting your products and business. This is direct, no-nonsense marketing advice on how to find your targeted audience, how to get these interested customers onto your list and how to convert these people into buyers. You get an online interface or site where you click on the icons on the DashBoard to get all the information you need to accomplish each task.
Marlon gives you an "audio overview" of the six major steps you need to do:
all these major steps are further divided into 6 sub-topics or things you need to do to "turbo charge" your promotions.
If all this sounds complicated, it isn't.
Marlon always does a great job of breaking all these marketing steps and processes down into easy tasks even the beginning marketer can accomplish without too much sweat.
This is the main reason I like Promo Dashboard - it takes a rather complicated marketing process such as list building and breaks it down into simple steps anyone can do. That is also why I like all of Marlon Sanders' Dashboard products which include Marketing Dashboard, Info-product Dashboard and Design Dashboard
These Dashboards are practical "Point and Click" guides that break down rather complex marketing processes into simple, easy tasks anyone can do regardless of your own marketing background or experience. Besides, these products come from one of the legends of Internet Marketing... Marlon Sanders is a solid marketer who produces solid products that work.
Having done extensive work on list building myself, (I offer an online course and list building is one of my targeted keywords in Google - just check it!) I thought I knew everything about list building - however, PromoDashboard opened my eyes to many areas where I can fine-tune and improve my methods. It also offers excellent resources which I never thought of using before now... this is worth the price alone for me.
If you want a product that will give you ways to increase and improve your list or prospect building abilities I would strongly recommend you consider Promo Dashboard. It is a simple "point and click" solution to all your list building problems. Moreover, it is a simple way for anyone to promote their site, business or products. Promo Dashboard delivers the goods and then some.
About the Author:
Get a Step-by-Step Guide that will show you How to Start, Build and Manage your OWN HUGE Opt-In List. Click Here: List Building Or try other online marketing strategies here: Internet Marketing Tools The author is a full-time online marketer and has used list building to produce a very comfortable online income. Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins.This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
How Information Products Can Convert More Visitors to Paying Customers
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Judy Murdoch
My friend, Dan owns a small software company that sells subscription services to realtors. For a very reasonable monthly fee Dan will create a website that allows the realtor to upload guided tours of their listed properties. Prospective buyers can browse the listed properties and contact the realtor for more information on properties they're interested in.
It's a pretty cool service and once realtors start using it, they are very enthusiastic about the results.
The problem was that although Dan was getting a lot of visitors to his website, very few visitors were taking the next step: a guided tour of how the service worked.
=====================================
Problem: Asking for Too Much Too Soon
=====================================
Taking a look at their website, I could see what was happening: to take the guided tour the visitor had to provide their name and e mail address. Once the tour was over, prospect was told to call a 1-800 number to schedule a free consultation to discuss how the service would help them show more properties.
Here's the problem. In this age in which every other message seems to be to buy something, people have become wary of tactics like free consultations.
The term "free consultation" is a red flag like "trust me." What the prospect really thinks is "they'll just try to talk me into buying something."
And let's face it, this is quite often the case.
=====================================
Solution: Use Information Products as "Stepping Stones"
=====================================
Picture a stream. A fairly wide, deep stream. You're on one side and your prospect is on the other. When the only offer you make is "Call me for a free consultation" with the intention to sell them something pricey, you are basically asking prospective customers to leap across the stream.
Will some prospects do that? Sure, every once in a while someone will be motivated and confident enough to make that big jump.
Most, however, won't.
You need to provide them with 2-3 good, sturdy stepping stones they can use to cross the stream.
The stepping stones are information products that provide increasing levels of support along with higher price points.
=====================================
Example: Using Stepping Stone Products
=====================================
I suggested to Dan that he add two intermediate offers that would allow prospects who weren't quite ready to buy the full service:
Product #1 A free, monthly ezine with articles on how customers were using their products and getting results. When prospects read about someone like themselves succeeding, they would begin to feel more confident that they, too, could get good results.
Product #2. A $79 Assessment. Through an online form, the prospect answers several questions and submits it for analysis.
They get a 5-page report back on exactly how the service would help them. If the service won't help them the fee is waived. If they decide to go ahead and subscribe the $79 is applied against the cost of their subscription.
=====================================
Keys to Creating Stepping Stones for Your Customers
=====================================
1.) Make sure you're offering one free product that allows prospects to experience what you do.
I prefer ezines or blog subscriptions because they provide multiple opportunities to be in touch over a period of time.
2.) Add one to two intermediate information products.
The products should:
Provide increasing levels of support Priced to reflect the increased level of support
3.) Test the products to make sure they appeal to your ideal customer.
I'm a big proponent of testing with ideal customers. Let a few of your customers try out your new product. If they are using it and getting good results, you have a winner. If they never touch it, you have some refinements to make.
=====================================
Bottom Line
=====================================
If you're getting a lot of interest in your product or service but very few are actually buying, you may need to use some information products as stepping stones.
I recommend offering 1-2 free products and at least 1 product you sell at a price lower than what you're selling as "top of the line." This allows prospective clients to keep in touch with you and to benefit from your products and services even if they're not ready to buy your top of the line offering.
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and five-star strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
Copyright © 2008 Judy Murdoch
My friend, Dan owns a small software company that sells subscription services to realtors. For a very reasonable monthly fee Dan will create a website that allows the realtor to upload guided tours of their listed properties. Prospective buyers can browse the listed properties and contact the realtor for more information on properties they're interested in.
It's a pretty cool service and once realtors start using it, they are very enthusiastic about the results.
The problem was that although Dan was getting a lot of visitors to his website, very few visitors were taking the next step: a guided tour of how the service worked.
=====================================
Problem: Asking for Too Much Too Soon
=====================================
Taking a look at their website, I could see what was happening: to take the guided tour the visitor had to provide their name and e mail address. Once the tour was over, prospect was told to call a 1-800 number to schedule a free consultation to discuss how the service would help them show more properties.
Here's the problem. In this age in which every other message seems to be to buy something, people have become wary of tactics like free consultations.
The term "free consultation" is a red flag like "trust me." What the prospect really thinks is "they'll just try to talk me into buying something."
And let's face it, this is quite often the case.
=====================================
Solution: Use Information Products as "Stepping Stones"
=====================================
Picture a stream. A fairly wide, deep stream. You're on one side and your prospect is on the other. When the only offer you make is "Call me for a free consultation" with the intention to sell them something pricey, you are basically asking prospective customers to leap across the stream.
Will some prospects do that? Sure, every once in a while someone will be motivated and confident enough to make that big jump.
Most, however, won't.
You need to provide them with 2-3 good, sturdy stepping stones they can use to cross the stream.
The stepping stones are information products that provide increasing levels of support along with higher price points.
=====================================
Example: Using Stepping Stone Products
=====================================
I suggested to Dan that he add two intermediate offers that would allow prospects who weren't quite ready to buy the full service:
Product #1 A free, monthly ezine with articles on how customers were using their products and getting results. When prospects read about someone like themselves succeeding, they would begin to feel more confident that they, too, could get good results.
Product #2. A $79 Assessment. Through an online form, the prospect answers several questions and submits it for analysis.
They get a 5-page report back on exactly how the service would help them. If the service won't help them the fee is waived. If they decide to go ahead and subscribe the $79 is applied against the cost of their subscription.
=====================================
Keys to Creating Stepping Stones for Your Customers
=====================================
1.) Make sure you're offering one free product that allows prospects to experience what you do.
I prefer ezines or blog subscriptions because they provide multiple opportunities to be in touch over a period of time.
2.) Add one to two intermediate information products.
The products should:
3.) Test the products to make sure they appeal to your ideal customer.
I'm a big proponent of testing with ideal customers. Let a few of your customers try out your new product. If they are using it and getting good results, you have a winner. If they never touch it, you have some refinements to make.
=====================================
Bottom Line
=====================================
If you're getting a lot of interest in your product or service but very few are actually buying, you may need to use some information products as stepping stones.
I recommend offering 1-2 free products and at least 1 product you sell at a price lower than what you're selling as "top of the line." This allows prospective clients to keep in touch with you and to benefit from your products and services even if they're not ready to buy your top of the line offering.
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and five-star strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
Internet Fax - Does Your Business Have It?
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins
If you own or operate any type of company or business, there is one thing you know for certain: you have competition. You are constantly competing for sales, market share, customers... you also know it's a battle you have to win if you want your business to fully prosper in these demanding times.
One of the best ways to stay competitive is to have the latest and most efficient business tools at your service. Businesses must stay abreast of the times or fall behind the pack - it's that simple.
Internet Fax is a perfect example; it is a business communication tool you simply must have.
Why?
Because your competition will have it and if you're competing against them, you must have it just to stay in the game. Especially if your business relies upon receiving and sending faxes then Internet Fax must be considered for your business.
Internet Fax has many names: online fax, email fax, e fax, electronic fax, mobile fax, even phone fax... regardless of what you call it, Internet Fax is using your email system and the web to send and receive your faxes. It's relatively cheap, it's paperless, it's inkless, it's more secure, and much much more convenient than the old traditional way of faxing.
Moreover, you can access your faxes anywhere anytime, wherever you have Internet access and these days that's almost everywhere. It is completely compatible with cell phones, laptops, PDAs... a truly portable faxing service which your company can benefit from using.
In order to get Internet Fax you have to sign-up for an online fax service where you receive a local or toll-free fax number. You will get an online site (interface) where you can check, send and receive your faxes. You can also store your faxes here.
Generally, your faxes are sent as email attachments, usually in TIFF or PDF formats. Your online fax service acts as an intermediary on your behalf to process your faxes, whether they're coming from traditional fax machines or other Internet Fax users. You simply check into your site or use a desktop application to send or receive your faxes.
Basically, Internet Fax simply ties in or brings all your faxing chores into the computer/internet age. It is the modern way to fax.
Now since this is a "long-term" business service it pays for any company or business to shop around before picking any one service. Do your homework now and it can pay huge dividends over the long haul.
Some of the major Internet Fax Service Providers are: MyFax, eFax, TrustFax, RingCentral, Send2Fax, RapidFax, MetroFax and Faxage. All of these online fax services have slightly different plans and monthly rates so check them all out before choosing a fax service that will meet your company's needs.
Costs for an Internet Fax service usually range from around $10-$15 a month, but some go for as low as $4 a month or if your faxing needs are a bare minimum - around $20 bucks a year.
Again, price shouldn't be your main concern as you will want a reliable fax service with good 24/7 support. This quality service and support should be your first criteria in choosing any fax service. You will also want one that is completely scalable to meet any demanding business fax needs should they arise.
However, since most of the major fax services give you a 30 Day Trial Period, you can try before you buy. Finding an Internet fax service to match your needs shouldn't be that difficult.
For the most part, Internet Fax has many advantages: it is paperless, inkless, very portable, very convenient, more secure and more economical than the traditional way of faxing. Besides, as mentioned before, even if you're not using it, you can be assured your competitors are using it. Can you stay competitive if your business depends upon quick fast communication on a daily basis. Can you really afford not to use Internet Fax?
It's your call.
About the Author:
For more information on Internet Fax Services use this handy online Comparison Guide to get your own: Online Fax Service Or if you want more detailed information on Internet Faxing try here: Internet Fax. Titus Hoskins Copyright (c) 2008. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins
If you own or operate any type of company or business, there is one thing you know for certain: you have competition. You are constantly competing for sales, market share, customers... you also know it's a battle you have to win if you want your business to fully prosper in these demanding times.
One of the best ways to stay competitive is to have the latest and most efficient business tools at your service. Businesses must stay abreast of the times or fall behind the pack - it's that simple.
Internet Fax is a perfect example; it is a business communication tool you simply must have.
Why?
Because your competition will have it and if you're competing against them, you must have it just to stay in the game. Especially if your business relies upon receiving and sending faxes then Internet Fax must be considered for your business.
Internet Fax has many names: online fax, email fax, e fax, electronic fax, mobile fax, even phone fax... regardless of what you call it, Internet Fax is using your email system and the web to send and receive your faxes. It's relatively cheap, it's paperless, it's inkless, it's more secure, and much much more convenient than the old traditional way of faxing.
Moreover, you can access your faxes anywhere anytime, wherever you have Internet access and these days that's almost everywhere. It is completely compatible with cell phones, laptops, PDAs... a truly portable faxing service which your company can benefit from using.
In order to get Internet Fax you have to sign-up for an online fax service where you receive a local or toll-free fax number. You will get an online site (interface) where you can check, send and receive your faxes. You can also store your faxes here.
Generally, your faxes are sent as email attachments, usually in TIFF or PDF formats. Your online fax service acts as an intermediary on your behalf to process your faxes, whether they're coming from traditional fax machines or other Internet Fax users. You simply check into your site or use a desktop application to send or receive your faxes.
Basically, Internet Fax simply ties in or brings all your faxing chores into the computer/internet age. It is the modern way to fax.
Now since this is a "long-term" business service it pays for any company or business to shop around before picking any one service. Do your homework now and it can pay huge dividends over the long haul.
Some of the major Internet Fax Service Providers are: MyFax, eFax, TrustFax, RingCentral, Send2Fax, RapidFax, MetroFax and Faxage. All of these online fax services have slightly different plans and monthly rates so check them all out before choosing a fax service that will meet your company's needs.
Costs for an Internet Fax service usually range from around $10-$15 a month, but some go for as low as $4 a month or if your faxing needs are a bare minimum - around $20 bucks a year.
Again, price shouldn't be your main concern as you will want a reliable fax service with good 24/7 support. This quality service and support should be your first criteria in choosing any fax service. You will also want one that is completely scalable to meet any demanding business fax needs should they arise.
However, since most of the major fax services give you a 30 Day Trial Period, you can try before you buy. Finding an Internet fax service to match your needs shouldn't be that difficult.
For the most part, Internet Fax has many advantages: it is paperless, inkless, very portable, very convenient, more secure and more economical than the traditional way of faxing. Besides, as mentioned before, even if you're not using it, you can be assured your competitors are using it. Can you stay competitive if your business depends upon quick fast communication on a daily basis. Can you really afford not to use Internet Fax?
It's your call.
About the Author:
For more information on Internet Fax Services use this handy online Comparison Guide to get your own: Online Fax Service Or if you want more detailed information on Internet Faxing try here: Internet Fax. Titus Hoskins Copyright (c) 2008. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Monday, September 22, 2008
How to Make Your Website Sticky
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Jason OConnor
Getting people to visit the first time is less than half the battle. You'll need them to remain on the site long enough to take an action that benefits your business for the site to be effective. A site that gets people to stay there once they've arrived is called "sticky."
There are myriad ways a website can fail at stickiness. If the site fails to establish trust, people will probably leave. If the site seems shoddy, messy or unorganized, people will also leave. If the site asks too much of the user, like asking them to fill out a long form without offering any free teaser content before they can view valuable content, people are going to leave. If a site is confusing, people will leave. If a site has many broken links or "Page Not Found" errors, people are going to leave. This list goes on and on.
On the other hand, if a website offers quality content that is original, you greatly increase your chances that a visitor will stay. If your copywriting is compelling, succinct and easy to consume, people will want to continue reading. You want people to stay so you can capitalize on their presence. For example, if your call to action is to get visitors to sign up for your newsletter, they'll need to be there long enough to accomplish the following:
1. Learn that there is a newsletter to sign up for in the first place
2. Begin to trust you as an authority in your industry
3. Get their interest piqued enough to want to learn more from you
4. Be compelled enough to actually sign up for your newsletter
5. Learn to trust you enough to feel comfortable with giving you their e-mail address
This works for selling online as well. As a matter of fact, it is even more important to establish interest, trust and authority to make a sale online because you are lacking the power of one-on- one in-person communication.
Another factor that makes a site sticky is its ease of use. People like to get maximum benefit for minimum effort. Have you ever considered the design of Google's website? It is one of the simplest and cleanest home pages in existence. We can all learn from this. You and your Web vendor ought to be chanting this mantra through the entire planning and building phase of a new website: Clean Simple Easy, Clean Simple Easy, Clean Simple Easy. Say it over and over again.
People hate complicated websites that make them think too much. They hate feeling confused. They hate feeling stupid. They hate wasting their time. Many competing websites are a literal click away. And people have itchy back button fingers.
So to make your website as sticky as possible, create original and compelling content on a regular basis, establish trust and above all else, be sure to design it in a way that appears clean, and is simple and easy to use and to find information.
About the Author:
Jason O'Connor is the owner of Oak Web Works, LLC (http://www.oakwebworks.com), an Internet strategy firm that specializes in helping businesses make money with their business websites. From Web design and development to strategic e-marketing and providing free Web resources for Web professionals, Oak Web Works, LLC specializes in all-things-Web.
Copyright © 2008 Jason OConnor
Getting people to visit the first time is less than half the battle. You'll need them to remain on the site long enough to take an action that benefits your business for the site to be effective. A site that gets people to stay there once they've arrived is called "sticky."
There are myriad ways a website can fail at stickiness. If the site fails to establish trust, people will probably leave. If the site seems shoddy, messy or unorganized, people will also leave. If the site asks too much of the user, like asking them to fill out a long form without offering any free teaser content before they can view valuable content, people are going to leave. If a site is confusing, people will leave. If a site has many broken links or "Page Not Found" errors, people are going to leave. This list goes on and on.
On the other hand, if a website offers quality content that is original, you greatly increase your chances that a visitor will stay. If your copywriting is compelling, succinct and easy to consume, people will want to continue reading. You want people to stay so you can capitalize on their presence. For example, if your call to action is to get visitors to sign up for your newsletter, they'll need to be there long enough to accomplish the following:
1. Learn that there is a newsletter to sign up for in the first place
2. Begin to trust you as an authority in your industry
3. Get their interest piqued enough to want to learn more from you
4. Be compelled enough to actually sign up for your newsletter
5. Learn to trust you enough to feel comfortable with giving you their e-mail address
This works for selling online as well. As a matter of fact, it is even more important to establish interest, trust and authority to make a sale online because you are lacking the power of one-on- one in-person communication.
Another factor that makes a site sticky is its ease of use. People like to get maximum benefit for minimum effort. Have you ever considered the design of Google's website? It is one of the simplest and cleanest home pages in existence. We can all learn from this. You and your Web vendor ought to be chanting this mantra through the entire planning and building phase of a new website: Clean Simple Easy, Clean Simple Easy, Clean Simple Easy. Say it over and over again.
People hate complicated websites that make them think too much. They hate feeling confused. They hate feeling stupid. They hate wasting their time. Many competing websites are a literal click away. And people have itchy back button fingers.
So to make your website as sticky as possible, create original and compelling content on a regular basis, establish trust and above all else, be sure to design it in a way that appears clean, and is simple and easy to use and to find information.
About the Author:
Jason O'Connor is the owner of Oak Web Works, LLC (http://www.oakwebworks.com), an Internet strategy firm that specializes in helping businesses make money with their business websites. From Web design and development to strategic e-marketing and providing free Web resources for Web professionals, Oak Web Works, LLC specializes in all-things-Web.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Empowerment - Are You a Micro Manager?
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Rick Johnson
I deal with a lot of leaders that confuse delegation with empowerment. I am often told, "I don't micro manage, I empower my employees." However, when we start digging into specific situations, we often uncover the difference between delegation and empowerment. It is really not that difficult to ascertain the difference. Delegation is simply getting someone else to perform a specific task for you.
"Tom, can you move these for pallets for me to make some room for a new shipment coming in tomorrow?"
Empowerment sets a little higher expectation that encourages the employee to use their own creativity and innovation.
"Tom, our warehouse is getting pretty full and we have a new shipment coming in. Can you figure a way to solve this problem for me?"
In other words, just telling an employee what to do is not empowerment because it doesn't allow him to use his own creativity. In fact, many times delegation can be construed as micro managing simply because the employee feels offended that he is given directions that are too specific. So.... If you even have the slightest thought that your employees may consider you a micro manager, try these tips and see if your empowerment skills improve.
Analyze your leadership model. Do you hold things close to the vest? Are you reluctant to share information? Are you afraid of giving up control? If you answered yes to any of these questions you have a challenge on your hands. Your answers may be very telling with regard to your skills as a leader. Remember, a leader is only as good as the people they surround themselves with.
Create a skills assessment inventory for every key employee. Supplement that exercise by creating a training and development matrix to improve the overall competency of the organization. Include yourself in the assessment. Communicate the purpose in a positive fashion to the employees.
Consider doing a 360 review that includes you as a leader or create an anonymous survey for employees to rate the entire management team, including you, and the company culture itself.
Utilize your skills assessment to make sure you have the right people in the right seats and identify future potential leadership.
Stop answering questions and start asking them. When an employee asks you what they should do, ask them what they think they should do.
Search for projects, issues or challenges that you would normally tackle and create a project team or empower an individual to solve the problem. Do this even if you think you have the answer.
Let your employees fail. The hardest thing to do is watch an employee make a mistake. But, unless the mistake is life threatening or is going to cost the company thousands of dollars, it is a better learning process if the employee learns from his own mistake.
Provide more than just skill training and product training. Create an employee development program for those employees that show potential for future stardom. This development program must be based on empowering these employees to make tough decisions. Intern programs are also effective as a platform for development.
Results happen in various ways. Remember, you may have a specific way of doing things but it may not be the only way. As long as the employee is getting the results expected, give them praise. Your way may not be the best or only way.
Micro managing may make you feel in control but in reality you are only hurting yourself and the company. It only limits an employee's ability to be innovative and creative. This can cost the company thousands of dollars because it is the creativity and innovation of your employees that maximize the profitability of your company.
Leadership is about trust
The easiest way to suppress discretionary energy, the energy given willingly - no matter what it takes, is a style of micro management that scrutinizes every decision an employee makes. It can kill their spirit. If any of your employees even joke about you being a micro manager... Back off. Where there is smoke there is usually fire.
Micro Management is a Symptom
Micro management is often just a symptom of ineffective planning, too much compassion and the inability to judge performance and develop bench strength. Developing a strategic plan for your company is a very effective way to address any or all of these challenges. I often tell my clients that the most valuable part of a strategic plan is the development process itself. Running a company with a shoot from the hip mentality often encourages micro management and does not allow employees to develop their skills and maximize their potential. One of the many warning signs is a high turnover rate. The reason is simple; good employees just won't tolerate micro management and they will leave to find employment that will challenge them and help them grow.
It's About Leadership
Simply put, effective leaders don't micro manage. In fact, they cringe at the thought of it. Why? Because they recognize that one of their primary responsibilities is the development of future leaders for the organization. You just can't develop future leaders by micro managing.
Micro managing can be an indication of the following:
Lack of trust in your employees. This is not good because it often leads to a lack of trust in you as a leader
Fear of lost control. This is often demonstrated by a parochial attitude about turf or position in the organization. This may also indicate a lack of self confidence and low self esteem.
Panic response to emergency and crisis. The micro manager often feels alone on an island and when a crisis hits they may panic and respond reactively without much thought, planning or discussion.
Employee development, succession planning and bench strength are just three of the key principles for success. These become obvious once you start developing a strategic plan. Sales growth, profit growth, operational and service excellence are factors we all recognize easily because they can be easily measured. However, I submit to you that you can have the best sales plan, an excellent service and operational plan and if you ignore employee development through effective leadership your success will be limited. So, focus on the leadership skills of every manager in your company. Do an employee survey. Don't be afraid of the word "micromanagement". Discuss it with your managers, your employees and do an honest management self assessment. And.... if you don't have a strategic plan, start right now. Call or e-mail me if you want help in putting your plan together. I can help make your strategic plan really work and the value you get from it will be easily recognized by bottom line growth.
About the Author:
http://www.ceostrategist.com - Sign up to receive "The Howl" a free monthly newsletter that addresses real world industry issues. - Straight talk about today's issues. Rick Johnson, expert speaker, wholesale distribution's "Leadership Strategist", founder of CEO Strategist, LLC a firm that helps clients create and maintain competitive advantage. Need a speaker for your next event, E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com. Dr. Eric "Rick" Johnson (rick@ceostrategist.com) is the founder of CEO Strategist. CEO Strategist LLC. works in an advisory capacity with company executives on strategic planning, board representation, executive coaching and education and training to make the changes necessary to create or maintain competitive advantage. Check out CEO Strategists Learning to Lead So Others Will Follow Planning Workbook and CD set. http://www.ceostrategist.com/resources-store/real-world-leadership.html
Copyright © 2008 Rick Johnson
I deal with a lot of leaders that confuse delegation with empowerment. I am often told, "I don't micro manage, I empower my employees." However, when we start digging into specific situations, we often uncover the difference between delegation and empowerment. It is really not that difficult to ascertain the difference. Delegation is simply getting someone else to perform a specific task for you.
"Tom, can you move these for pallets for me to make some room for a new shipment coming in tomorrow?"
Empowerment sets a little higher expectation that encourages the employee to use their own creativity and innovation.
"Tom, our warehouse is getting pretty full and we have a new shipment coming in. Can you figure a way to solve this problem for me?"
In other words, just telling an employee what to do is not empowerment because it doesn't allow him to use his own creativity. In fact, many times delegation can be construed as micro managing simply because the employee feels offended that he is given directions that are too specific. So.... If you even have the slightest thought that your employees may consider you a micro manager, try these tips and see if your empowerment skills improve.
Micro managing may make you feel in control but in reality you are only hurting yourself and the company. It only limits an employee's ability to be innovative and creative. This can cost the company thousands of dollars because it is the creativity and innovation of your employees that maximize the profitability of your company.
Leadership is about trust
The easiest way to suppress discretionary energy, the energy given willingly - no matter what it takes, is a style of micro management that scrutinizes every decision an employee makes. It can kill their spirit. If any of your employees even joke about you being a micro manager... Back off. Where there is smoke there is usually fire.
Micro Management is a Symptom
Micro management is often just a symptom of ineffective planning, too much compassion and the inability to judge performance and develop bench strength. Developing a strategic plan for your company is a very effective way to address any or all of these challenges. I often tell my clients that the most valuable part of a strategic plan is the development process itself. Running a company with a shoot from the hip mentality often encourages micro management and does not allow employees to develop their skills and maximize their potential. One of the many warning signs is a high turnover rate. The reason is simple; good employees just won't tolerate micro management and they will leave to find employment that will challenge them and help them grow.
It's About Leadership
Simply put, effective leaders don't micro manage. In fact, they cringe at the thought of it. Why? Because they recognize that one of their primary responsibilities is the development of future leaders for the organization. You just can't develop future leaders by micro managing.
Micro managing can be an indication of the following:
Employee development, succession planning and bench strength are just three of the key principles for success. These become obvious once you start developing a strategic plan. Sales growth, profit growth, operational and service excellence are factors we all recognize easily because they can be easily measured. However, I submit to you that you can have the best sales plan, an excellent service and operational plan and if you ignore employee development through effective leadership your success will be limited. So, focus on the leadership skills of every manager in your company. Do an employee survey. Don't be afraid of the word "micromanagement". Discuss it with your managers, your employees and do an honest management self assessment. And.... if you don't have a strategic plan, start right now. Call or e-mail me if you want help in putting your plan together. I can help make your strategic plan really work and the value you get from it will be easily recognized by bottom line growth.
About the Author:
http://www.ceostrategist.com - Sign up to receive "The Howl" a free monthly newsletter that addresses real world industry issues. - Straight talk about today's issues. Rick Johnson, expert speaker, wholesale distribution's "Leadership Strategist", founder of CEO Strategist, LLC a firm that helps clients create and maintain competitive advantage. Need a speaker for your next event, E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com. Dr. Eric "Rick" Johnson (rick@ceostrategist.com) is the founder of CEO Strategist. CEO Strategist LLC. works in an advisory capacity with company executives on strategic planning, board representation, executive coaching and education and training to make the changes necessary to create or maintain competitive advantage. Check out CEO Strategists Learning to Lead So Others Will Follow Planning Workbook and CD set. http://www.ceostrategist.com/resources-store/real-world-leadership.html
RSS Revisited - Why You Still Need RSS On Your Site
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins
One of the very first articles I ever wrote on Internet Marketing had to do with RSS and it was entitled "10 Reasons To Put RSS On Your Site." That was in 2004 and RSS was somewhat new and many webmasters were just beginning to place blogs and RSS feeds on their sites. If you do a search in Google, you can still find that article on around 2,000 sites.
Most people now refer to RSS as "Really Simple Syndication" - although it originally stood for "Rich Site Summary" and was a very simple way of summarizing and syndicating your content in real-time to all interested parties.
RSS had its early beginnings with Netscape in 1991 which introduced the first version of RSS (RDF Site Summary). Later versions would be introduced and made popular by Dave Winer of ScriptingNews and Userland fame who is considered by many to be one of the major founding fathers of RSS.
Most people today associate RSS with blogs and blogging. You can read RSS content by using an RSS feed reader or "aggregator" which can be desktop or web-based. Some common feed readers include FeedDemon, My Yahoo!, iGoogle and Firefox (Live Bookmarks). You subscribe to your favorite RSS feed by clicking the small icon on your favorite blog or site and then when fresh content is published via RSS your reader can immediately retrieve and display it for you.
RSS is a very simple way of keeping up to date and in contact with your favorite site or topic. It makes staying informed easy to do and it provides site/blog owners a simple way of distributing their content.
One can't but wonder has RSS lived up to all that early hype?
Perhaps that question can only be answered by looking at the popularity of blogging and the role it now plays on the web. No one can deny blogs and their accompanying RSS feeds carry tremendous weight, no matter which way you measure it. Can anyone now imagine the World Wide Web without blogs?
But the importance of RSS goes beyond just blogging, we tend to forget how important it is for all the new social media sites like Digg, Technorati, Reddit... and not to forget fast growing applications like Twitter.
People also forget RSS feeds play a major role in online retail and affiliate programs. For example, you can get an RSS feed of all the latest Amazon products to place on your site. Many major online companies now have these product feeds to help promote and sell their wares.
XML and RSS have blended so seamlessly into many browsers and operating systems most users are blissfully unaware they're even using RSS. Maybe that's how things should be; with RSS, the ever-present workhorse, quietly doing its job behind the scenes.
RSS is just as important now as it was five years ago - actually its influence and presence has only grown stronger over the years. If you have not fully embraced RSS and placed it on your site and in your online marketing you're missing out on one of the best opportunities to spread your message on the web.
RSS is here to stay and even has its own advisory board to help with the technical and programming side of RSS. They also list a very handy "RSS Best Practices Profile" for any webmaster wishing to create their own XML-based RSS documents. http://www.rssboard.org/
Why should you use RSS?
Well, the list of reasons is quite long but RSS can help you: syndicate your content in real-time, sell your products, build your list, gather fresh content, promote your company and boost that one vital element everyone needs more of on the web - traffic. For those who have taken full advantage of RSS it has delivered in more ways than one for it has truly turned into that Golden Goose with the Midas complex. RSS has simply proven beneficial to those users who have fully embraced it.
Now, you still don't really need 10 reasons to put RSS on your site, do you?
About the Author:
To add RSS to your Site within minutes - download this simple: RSS Report and Guide. Or try this more technical RSS Tutorial Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins
One of the very first articles I ever wrote on Internet Marketing had to do with RSS and it was entitled "10 Reasons To Put RSS On Your Site." That was in 2004 and RSS was somewhat new and many webmasters were just beginning to place blogs and RSS feeds on their sites. If you do a search in Google, you can still find that article on around 2,000 sites.
Most people now refer to RSS as "Really Simple Syndication" - although it originally stood for "Rich Site Summary" and was a very simple way of summarizing and syndicating your content in real-time to all interested parties.
RSS had its early beginnings with Netscape in 1991 which introduced the first version of RSS (RDF Site Summary). Later versions would be introduced and made popular by Dave Winer of ScriptingNews and Userland fame who is considered by many to be one of the major founding fathers of RSS.
Most people today associate RSS with blogs and blogging. You can read RSS content by using an RSS feed reader or "aggregator" which can be desktop or web-based. Some common feed readers include FeedDemon, My Yahoo!, iGoogle and Firefox (Live Bookmarks). You subscribe to your favorite RSS feed by clicking the small icon on your favorite blog or site and then when fresh content is published via RSS your reader can immediately retrieve and display it for you.
RSS is a very simple way of keeping up to date and in contact with your favorite site or topic. It makes staying informed easy to do and it provides site/blog owners a simple way of distributing their content.
One can't but wonder has RSS lived up to all that early hype?
Perhaps that question can only be answered by looking at the popularity of blogging and the role it now plays on the web. No one can deny blogs and their accompanying RSS feeds carry tremendous weight, no matter which way you measure it. Can anyone now imagine the World Wide Web without blogs?
But the importance of RSS goes beyond just blogging, we tend to forget how important it is for all the new social media sites like Digg, Technorati, Reddit... and not to forget fast growing applications like Twitter.
People also forget RSS feeds play a major role in online retail and affiliate programs. For example, you can get an RSS feed of all the latest Amazon products to place on your site. Many major online companies now have these product feeds to help promote and sell their wares.
XML and RSS have blended so seamlessly into many browsers and operating systems most users are blissfully unaware they're even using RSS. Maybe that's how things should be; with RSS, the ever-present workhorse, quietly doing its job behind the scenes.
RSS is just as important now as it was five years ago - actually its influence and presence has only grown stronger over the years. If you have not fully embraced RSS and placed it on your site and in your online marketing you're missing out on one of the best opportunities to spread your message on the web.
RSS is here to stay and even has its own advisory board to help with the technical and programming side of RSS. They also list a very handy "RSS Best Practices Profile" for any webmaster wishing to create their own XML-based RSS documents. http://www.rssboard.org/
Why should you use RSS?
Well, the list of reasons is quite long but RSS can help you: syndicate your content in real-time, sell your products, build your list, gather fresh content, promote your company and boost that one vital element everyone needs more of on the web - traffic. For those who have taken full advantage of RSS it has delivered in more ways than one for it has truly turned into that Golden Goose with the Midas complex. RSS has simply proven beneficial to those users who have fully embraced it.
Now, you still don't really need 10 reasons to put RSS on your site, do you?
About the Author:
To add RSS to your Site within minutes - download this simple: RSS Report and Guide. Or try this more technical RSS Tutorial Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Are You Locked In Everlasting Ignorance?
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Willie Crawford
Working with aspiring internet marketers for a dozen years has been both exhilarating and exasperating.
It's exhilarating to see someone, who just the previous month was struggling to make the rent payment, finally "get it" and start regularly selling something that the market loves.
It's exasperating to watch someone who "intellectually" understands how to build a successful online business, but for some reason won't do what they know that they should do. For some reason, they look at the obvious answers, say to themselves, "there must something else," and then keep on looking for other solutions.
When you ask these people why they're not building a list, offering that list what they tell them that they want, and building real relationships with members of that list, they respond with a look of bewilderment and contempt.
The real problem seems to be that they know what you know, but won't do what you are doing and tell them to do to... seemingly largely out of contempt, and a disbelief that it really can be that simple.
They are described perfectly by Herbert Spencer, when he said:
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
Contempt may actually seem like a rather strong word, but how else would you describe someone observing what you are doing, and obviously dismissing it as too simplistic.
They understand that it works for those who use it, but for someone as enlightened as they are, there must be something more advanced... something more complex.
So they keep look for the secret to online success, and smirk when they look at the "simpletons" who so willingly dismiss their right to contempt, and do what is proven to work.
This is of course not about anyone that you know personally. However, if you are around internet marketing long enough, you will encounter someone that this seems to describe perfectly.
At that point, please be kind. There is actually nothing that you can do for a man who chooses to stay locked in everlasting ignorance.
About the Author:
Willie Crawford is founder of The Internet Marketing Inner Circle and host of "Willie Crawford Teaches Real Internet Marketing," an internet-based radio show you'll find at http://BlogTalkRadio.com/WillieCrawford/ Visit Willie's show to learn how you can easily grow your email list by 1000 new subscribers within the next 30 days.
Copyright © 2008 Willie Crawford
Working with aspiring internet marketers for a dozen years has been both exhilarating and exasperating.
It's exhilarating to see someone, who just the previous month was struggling to make the rent payment, finally "get it" and start regularly selling something that the market loves.
It's exasperating to watch someone who "intellectually" understands how to build a successful online business, but for some reason won't do what they know that they should do. For some reason, they look at the obvious answers, say to themselves, "there must something else," and then keep on looking for other solutions.
When you ask these people why they're not building a list, offering that list what they tell them that they want, and building real relationships with members of that list, they respond with a look of bewilderment and contempt.
The real problem seems to be that they know what you know, but won't do what you are doing and tell them to do to... seemingly largely out of contempt, and a disbelief that it really can be that simple.
They are described perfectly by Herbert Spencer, when he said:
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
Contempt may actually seem like a rather strong word, but how else would you describe someone observing what you are doing, and obviously dismissing it as too simplistic.
They understand that it works for those who use it, but for someone as enlightened as they are, there must be something more advanced... something more complex.
So they keep look for the secret to online success, and smirk when they look at the "simpletons" who so willingly dismiss their right to contempt, and do what is proven to work.
This is of course not about anyone that you know personally. However, if you are around internet marketing long enough, you will encounter someone that this seems to describe perfectly.
At that point, please be kind. There is actually nothing that you can do for a man who chooses to stay locked in everlasting ignorance.
About the Author:
Willie Crawford is founder of The Internet Marketing Inner Circle and host of "Willie Crawford Teaches Real Internet Marketing," an internet-based radio show you'll find at http://BlogTalkRadio.com/WillieCrawford/ Visit Willie's show to learn how you can easily grow your email list by 1000 new subscribers within the next 30 days.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Turning Tire-Kickers Into Mouse Clickers
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2007-2008 Casey Moher
You have many options open to you for raising the number of visitors to your site. These methods come with a wide variety of results and difficulty. I have tried and tested many of them using a variety of approaches. This is an approach that works very well.
Before you try to sell something, FIRST...give a free gift.
Information that can truly be a help to your visitors is a great place to start. You may easily get (or already possess) information that others vitally need.
The first thing for you to overcome is a huge level of cautious mis-trust on the part of your visitor. Job one is getting a level of trust established with your visitor.
Your focus should be to find and share valuable information. A great wealth of information is out there on the internet. Many tools exist to get you access to information that people are seeking. These subjects are what people want to know and are the ones you want to include in what you give away to your visitors.
There is a lot of perceived value for you when you provide the information you are offering as a brief course over 3-5 days' time. Taking the time and effort to make a top-quality free gift will help you very much to you many times over in the form of a valuable list of quality subscribers. Very little cash takes you a long way in this project.
You give the information if your visitor will simply provide their name and e-mail address. The best way to perform this information capture function is to use a 'squeeze page'. Your squeeze page can quickly be established starting with a basic website.
You can get top-notch work done these days without much cost. It is possible to have a high-quality squeeze page up and running in minutes that offers your free information to the world.
If you would like to learn how you can get your own squeeze page quickly and cheaply, please contact me. You can move things to auto-pilot function starting with these strategits.
You can turn a subscriber list into a long-term cash-machine with proper care and attention. You can quickly move to a position where the value of your efforts grows and becomes ever more rewarding to you and to your list members.
Seeking to help your customer base and striving to be of value to them will pay off in any business, on-line or off-line. Great rewards can be yours as you continue to develop your business. There's another way to give something free that lets you start long before somebody ever gets to your squeeze page. Information in various forms has a high perceived-value on the part of anyone who is seeking it. When you focus on quality of information delivered in a professional manner you will be taking giant steps on the road you wish to travel.
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. Informative articles can be widely published and distributed. They are a great way of building credibility and trust on the part of your reader. A quick search of some key-word tools will reveal to you the topics of interest and need of large groups of people.
The article should inform, educate and even enthuse the reader, but should NOT sell something. Keep your articles focused on what you have learned the reader wants to know. Save the sales process for later. It's much better for you to give them great information first and foremost. You then include a relatively brief sentence or two at the end, near your signature. This where you indicate you are the owner of a website where they can learn more about your topic.
Article production these days can be made much easier with new software available that creates articles quickly and in quantity. This tool merges blocks of words, uses a 30,000 word thesaurus and manges data bases, as well. Everything has gotten much simpler lately with all this. Articles can be written, produced and distributed to thousands of people at very reasonable rates.
Production, publishing and distribution of articles can now be done by new computer programs and specialized business services. Now you can include articles as part of your long-range strategies. If you want more information on these useful tools (or anything else in this article), just contact me.
About the Author:
Casey Moher - Caseymoher@comcast.net (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
Copyright © 2007-2008 Casey Moher
You have many options open to you for raising the number of visitors to your site. These methods come with a wide variety of results and difficulty. I have tried and tested many of them using a variety of approaches. This is an approach that works very well.
Before you try to sell something, FIRST...give a free gift.
Information that can truly be a help to your visitors is a great place to start. You may easily get (or already possess) information that others vitally need.
The first thing for you to overcome is a huge level of cautious mis-trust on the part of your visitor. Job one is getting a level of trust established with your visitor.
Your focus should be to find and share valuable information. A great wealth of information is out there on the internet. Many tools exist to get you access to information that people are seeking. These subjects are what people want to know and are the ones you want to include in what you give away to your visitors.
There is a lot of perceived value for you when you provide the information you are offering as a brief course over 3-5 days' time. Taking the time and effort to make a top-quality free gift will help you very much to you many times over in the form of a valuable list of quality subscribers. Very little cash takes you a long way in this project.
You give the information if your visitor will simply provide their name and e-mail address. The best way to perform this information capture function is to use a 'squeeze page'. Your squeeze page can quickly be established starting with a basic website.
You can get top-notch work done these days without much cost. It is possible to have a high-quality squeeze page up and running in minutes that offers your free information to the world.
If you would like to learn how you can get your own squeeze page quickly and cheaply, please contact me. You can move things to auto-pilot function starting with these strategits.
You can turn a subscriber list into a long-term cash-machine with proper care and attention. You can quickly move to a position where the value of your efforts grows and becomes ever more rewarding to you and to your list members.
Seeking to help your customer base and striving to be of value to them will pay off in any business, on-line or off-line. Great rewards can be yours as you continue to develop your business. There's another way to give something free that lets you start long before somebody ever gets to your squeeze page. Information in various forms has a high perceived-value on the part of anyone who is seeking it. When you focus on quality of information delivered in a professional manner you will be taking giant steps on the road you wish to travel.
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. Informative articles can be widely published and distributed. They are a great way of building credibility and trust on the part of your reader. A quick search of some key-word tools will reveal to you the topics of interest and need of large groups of people.
The article should inform, educate and even enthuse the reader, but should NOT sell something. Keep your articles focused on what you have learned the reader wants to know. Save the sales process for later. It's much better for you to give them great information first and foremost. You then include a relatively brief sentence or two at the end, near your signature. This where you indicate you are the owner of a website where they can learn more about your topic.
Article production these days can be made much easier with new software available that creates articles quickly and in quantity. This tool merges blocks of words, uses a 30,000 word thesaurus and manges data bases, as well. Everything has gotten much simpler lately with all this. Articles can be written, produced and distributed to thousands of people at very reasonable rates.
Production, publishing and distribution of articles can now be done by new computer programs and specialized business services. Now you can include articles as part of your long-range strategies. If you want more information on these useful tools (or anything else in this article), just contact me.
About the Author:
Casey Moher - Caseymoher@comcast.net (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
Negative Versus Positive Marketing Messages: Which Works Best?
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Judy Murdoch
Nancy is a small business owner who helps nonprofit groups create fund raising events that can double- even triple- their average donation.
Until recently, Nancy has gotten her business primarily through in-person meetings: attending networking events, taking people out for coffee, and giving presentations.
In-person is great for getting local business but Nancy wants to serve a national customer base. So she hired someone to design a website and using emails and postcards to market her services.
She's been using emails and postcards for the last ten months and the results have been dismal.
"I haven't gotten a single new client," she told me.
So I took a look at the emails she was sending out and I immediately saw the problem.
>> Enthusiasm Can Turn People Off
Nancy loves her work and really wants her clients to succeed. It's hard to spend time with her and not get excited about what she's doing.
Her enthusiasm works to her advantage when she meets people in person.
It seems logical then that enthusiasm would work in all her other marketing. Wrong.
>> Establishing Trust is the First Step
There's a saying, "People want to know you care, before they care about what you know."
As human beings, we have a natural desire to belong and feel valued. It's the reason why people hate to be sold to...we don't feel understood or valued for who we are.
When you meet someone in person, it's a lot easier to build trust because you can communicate that you care in many ways: in your tone of voice, in the way you look at others, in your gestures.
For people like Nancy, building trust occurs almost immediately during in person meetings because she communicates that she cares both in what she says and what she doesn't say.
But when communicating in less personal ways—using email, postcards, and other types of written media, you have only words to work with.
Which means you must take an extra step and deliberately demonstrate empathy before you enthusiastically share why your products and services are so wonderful.
>> Establishing Trust Means Starting with the Negative
So how do you show you care when you use email, web pages, and other mediums that limit your ability to express yourself?
You start with the problem or pain your customer is likely experiencing.
When you do this you are saying, in effect to your audience:
"I understand you have this problem that you're struggling to solve."
"I, too, have struggled with it"
"Through my experience, education, research, etc., I have came up with a solution to solve the problem."
"My solution work for you too."
Once you say these things, you are free to bubble away about your wonderful solution.
>> Example: Establishing Trust First
So let's go back to Nancy.
Instead of immediately starting her emails off with how she helps her clients double their fund raising results she begins with demonstrating empathy and understanding.
Before:
"Non-profits, let me show you how to double- , even triple your donations."
After:
"Non-profits, are you struggling to compete for funding in today's difficult economy?"
Can you feel the difference?
Nancy's email then went on to describe her own struggles with fund raising and how she developed her solution.
When Nancy began using this approach, her prospect inquiries immediately increased and she's now in the process of turning some of the prospects into clients.
But she first needed to demonstrate she understood and cared before they were willing to make the call.
>> Bottom Line
The less personal the communication, the more important it becomes to first establish trust with your prospects.
For emails, blog posts, web pages, etc.:
1. Start with the Negative: demonstrate you understand their problem and struggle to solve it.
2. End with the Positive: share why your solution is better and will work.
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and selected strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
Copyright © 2008 Judy Murdoch
Nancy is a small business owner who helps nonprofit groups create fund raising events that can double- even triple- their average donation.
Until recently, Nancy has gotten her business primarily through in-person meetings: attending networking events, taking people out for coffee, and giving presentations.
In-person is great for getting local business but Nancy wants to serve a national customer base. So she hired someone to design a website and using emails and postcards to market her services.
She's been using emails and postcards for the last ten months and the results have been dismal.
"I haven't gotten a single new client," she told me.
So I took a look at the emails she was sending out and I immediately saw the problem.
>> Enthusiasm Can Turn People Off
Nancy loves her work and really wants her clients to succeed. It's hard to spend time with her and not get excited about what she's doing.
Her enthusiasm works to her advantage when she meets people in person.
It seems logical then that enthusiasm would work in all her other marketing. Wrong.
>> Establishing Trust is the First Step
There's a saying, "People want to know you care, before they care about what you know."
As human beings, we have a natural desire to belong and feel valued. It's the reason why people hate to be sold to...we don't feel understood or valued for who we are.
When you meet someone in person, it's a lot easier to build trust because you can communicate that you care in many ways: in your tone of voice, in the way you look at others, in your gestures.
For people like Nancy, building trust occurs almost immediately during in person meetings because she communicates that she cares both in what she says and what she doesn't say.
But when communicating in less personal ways—using email, postcards, and other types of written media, you have only words to work with.
Which means you must take an extra step and deliberately demonstrate empathy before you enthusiastically share why your products and services are so wonderful.
>> Establishing Trust Means Starting with the Negative
So how do you show you care when you use email, web pages, and other mediums that limit your ability to express yourself?
You start with the problem or pain your customer is likely experiencing.
When you do this you are saying, in effect to your audience:
"I understand you have this problem that you're struggling to solve."
"I, too, have struggled with it"
"Through my experience, education, research, etc., I have came up with a solution to solve the problem."
"My solution work for you too."
Once you say these things, you are free to bubble away about your wonderful solution.
>> Example: Establishing Trust First
So let's go back to Nancy.
Instead of immediately starting her emails off with how she helps her clients double their fund raising results she begins with demonstrating empathy and understanding.
Before:
"Non-profits, let me show you how to double- , even triple your donations."
After:
"Non-profits, are you struggling to compete for funding in today's difficult economy?"
Can you feel the difference?
Nancy's email then went on to describe her own struggles with fund raising and how she developed her solution.
When Nancy began using this approach, her prospect inquiries immediately increased and she's now in the process of turning some of the prospects into clients.
But she first needed to demonstrate she understood and cared before they were willing to make the call.
>> Bottom Line
The less personal the communication, the more important it becomes to first establish trust with your prospects.
For emails, blog posts, web pages, etc.:
1. Start with the Negative: demonstrate you understand their problem and struggle to solve it.
2. End with the Positive: share why your solution is better and will work.
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and selected strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
Monday, September 15, 2008
Exploring the Search Engine Path Less Traveled
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Trey Pennewell
The vast majority of internet users will use a search engine occasionally, if not frequently. Search engines are routinely included in browsers, no matter if you use Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, or Netscape, with the intent of saving the user time.
It may seem odd to talk about saving time on the internet. Thinking back to 15 years ago, the internet was just starting to burst into mainstream America. The speed and reach of the internet was mind-boggling at that time. Now we've come so far with the technology that we actually find ourselves wanting better and faster results.
As is true with nearly all technology, the internet has evolved to be something much different than it was 5, 10, and certainly 15 years ago. But have internet users evolved in the way they use the internet?
We know that humans are creatures of habit. Most of us like to do what we're familiar with, see who we already know we get along with, and go places we already know we like. I think it's fair to say that the same can be applied to our internet habits.
New programs, applications, and websites are constantly being created and marketed to users. The ones that get a lot of media attention have a good chance of getting users to at least test them out, even if it's just on a trial basis.
However, there are other sites on the internet that have been around but aren't getting the attention they deserve. Let's go back to search engines. Most people are familiar with the "Big Three" of engines - Yahoo, MSN, and Google. If you've paid attention to web trends over the years, you know that each has had their heyday, with Google probably receiving the most attention in recent years.
This is a good illustration of the fact that what is popular one year on the web may be at the bottom of the list the next year. Does anyone remember when http://www.webcrawler.com or http://www.excite.com were touted as the destination search engine? It's all a part of the natural evolution and progression of search engines.
Another evolution of the search engine is the creation of the meta search engine. Meta search engines are similar, in that you type in a term or phrase to be searched. The meta search engine then gathers results from several different search engines, compiles them, and presents them in its own search results page.
The results from a meta search engine will vary, depending on which other engines the meta engine is pulling from. http://www.Dogpile.com, for instance, pulls results from Google, Yahoo!, MSN, http://www.Ask.com, http://www.About.com, http://www.MIVA.com, http://www.LookSmart.com, and others. This quickly accomplishes what would take a user much more time to open all those browser windows and type in the same search term over and over again.
However, Dogpile does receive criticism for its compiled search results page. The sponsored results are mixed in with the "real" results, which can be confusing if you're not paying attention. It's also hard to believe that the search results are in any particular order of relevance when broken up with those sponsored results.
Another search engine, http://www.Widow.com, uses a tried and tested algorithm to compile its results and then order them in relevance, without sponsored results. When doing a side-by-side comparison of the five top search engines (Yahoo, MSN, Google, AOL, and Fastsearch), you'll see that Widow.com comes up with not only the most highly ranked results, but some very useful links that the other engines didn't pull.
To illustrate my point, I looked at how the different search engines handle a specific search word. If we take a term that has been in the news a lot lately, "foreclosure", and type that in to different search engines, we'll see different results.
Not surprisingly, Fastsearch had no results on "foreclosure." Though it is one of the top search engines, its focus is on business and information technology. So it's really not going to be relevant for anything beyond those topics.
All of the other search engines (five of them!) had one or more sponsored results at the top of the page. Dogpile.com, as I previously warned you, had the most sponsored ads - an astounding 10 sponsored ads on the first results page. Plus, they're all mixed in with the other results, with just a note at the bottom to let you know it's an ad or otherwise paid for result.
The only search engine that returned no sponsored results or ads was Widow.com. It sorted through the results, performed its algorithm magic, and produced variety and depth in its results page. Better yet, Widow has a nifty search term bar on the left hand side that allows you to pull up search results for related terms. Talk about saving time and energy!
Of course, the main reason search engines were developed was because the internet is so expansive. No human can search the entire web on their own, hoping to stumble upon the answers and information they're seeking. Search engines are tools to help users find pertinent information in a timely manner.
Taking a traditional approach to search engines is fine if you have the time, the motivation, and the desire. Sometimes the best drives are the ones where you only have a vague destination, right? So I suppose the same can be true of using one of the top five engines we've mentioned.
But sometimes, thinking outside of the box, can not only inspire new ways of thinking, but can help push you or your research in a different, better direction. The most efficient way to do that is to utilize a meta search engine. Try stepping outside of your usual search strategies and see for yourself why it "is" sometimes greener on the other side of the fence. There's a whole wide world (web) to discover and explore!
About the Author:
Trey Pennewell is a ghost writer, who regularly writes articles for clients of: http://www.thephantomwriters.com Trey understands that the secret to successful article marketing campaigns is to write articles that publishers want to publish and readers want to read. We hope you enjoyed this article today.
Copyright © 2008 Trey Pennewell
The vast majority of internet users will use a search engine occasionally, if not frequently. Search engines are routinely included in browsers, no matter if you use Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, or Netscape, with the intent of saving the user time.
It may seem odd to talk about saving time on the internet. Thinking back to 15 years ago, the internet was just starting to burst into mainstream America. The speed and reach of the internet was mind-boggling at that time. Now we've come so far with the technology that we actually find ourselves wanting better and faster results.
As is true with nearly all technology, the internet has evolved to be something much different than it was 5, 10, and certainly 15 years ago. But have internet users evolved in the way they use the internet?
We know that humans are creatures of habit. Most of us like to do what we're familiar with, see who we already know we get along with, and go places we already know we like. I think it's fair to say that the same can be applied to our internet habits.
New programs, applications, and websites are constantly being created and marketed to users. The ones that get a lot of media attention have a good chance of getting users to at least test them out, even if it's just on a trial basis.
However, there are other sites on the internet that have been around but aren't getting the attention they deserve. Let's go back to search engines. Most people are familiar with the "Big Three" of engines - Yahoo, MSN, and Google. If you've paid attention to web trends over the years, you know that each has had their heyday, with Google probably receiving the most attention in recent years.
This is a good illustration of the fact that what is popular one year on the web may be at the bottom of the list the next year. Does anyone remember when http://www.webcrawler.com or http://www.excite.com were touted as the destination search engine? It's all a part of the natural evolution and progression of search engines.
Another evolution of the search engine is the creation of the meta search engine. Meta search engines are similar, in that you type in a term or phrase to be searched. The meta search engine then gathers results from several different search engines, compiles them, and presents them in its own search results page.
The results from a meta search engine will vary, depending on which other engines the meta engine is pulling from. http://www.Dogpile.com, for instance, pulls results from Google, Yahoo!, MSN, http://www.Ask.com, http://www.About.com, http://www.MIVA.com, http://www.LookSmart.com, and others. This quickly accomplishes what would take a user much more time to open all those browser windows and type in the same search term over and over again.
However, Dogpile does receive criticism for its compiled search results page. The sponsored results are mixed in with the "real" results, which can be confusing if you're not paying attention. It's also hard to believe that the search results are in any particular order of relevance when broken up with those sponsored results.
Another search engine, http://www.Widow.com, uses a tried and tested algorithm to compile its results and then order them in relevance, without sponsored results. When doing a side-by-side comparison of the five top search engines (Yahoo, MSN, Google, AOL, and Fastsearch), you'll see that Widow.com comes up with not only the most highly ranked results, but some very useful links that the other engines didn't pull.
To illustrate my point, I looked at how the different search engines handle a specific search word. If we take a term that has been in the news a lot lately, "foreclosure", and type that in to different search engines, we'll see different results.
Not surprisingly, Fastsearch had no results on "foreclosure." Though it is one of the top search engines, its focus is on business and information technology. So it's really not going to be relevant for anything beyond those topics.
All of the other search engines (five of them!) had one or more sponsored results at the top of the page. Dogpile.com, as I previously warned you, had the most sponsored ads - an astounding 10 sponsored ads on the first results page. Plus, they're all mixed in with the other results, with just a note at the bottom to let you know it's an ad or otherwise paid for result.
The only search engine that returned no sponsored results or ads was Widow.com. It sorted through the results, performed its algorithm magic, and produced variety and depth in its results page. Better yet, Widow has a nifty search term bar on the left hand side that allows you to pull up search results for related terms. Talk about saving time and energy!
Of course, the main reason search engines were developed was because the internet is so expansive. No human can search the entire web on their own, hoping to stumble upon the answers and information they're seeking. Search engines are tools to help users find pertinent information in a timely manner.
Taking a traditional approach to search engines is fine if you have the time, the motivation, and the desire. Sometimes the best drives are the ones where you only have a vague destination, right? So I suppose the same can be true of using one of the top five engines we've mentioned.
But sometimes, thinking outside of the box, can not only inspire new ways of thinking, but can help push you or your research in a different, better direction. The most efficient way to do that is to utilize a meta search engine. Try stepping outside of your usual search strategies and see for yourself why it "is" sometimes greener on the other side of the fence. There's a whole wide world (web) to discover and explore!
About the Author:
Trey Pennewell is a ghost writer, who regularly writes articles for clients of: http://www.thephantomwriters.com Trey understands that the secret to successful article marketing campaigns is to write articles that publishers want to publish and readers want to read. We hope you enjoyed this article today.
Whatever You Wanted to Know About Expired Domain Auctioning Strategies
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 John Khu
Domain trading professionals, who are in possession of a series of domains names, make it a habit to dispose them off by using a number of techniques and strategies. Expired domain auctioning is probably the most lucrative, attractive, profitable and simple method of selling domain names. Auctioning is an interesting option for people who wish to double or even treble the asking price and earn a hefty amount of profit as a result. Expired domain auctioning is a process of offering good domain names to the highest bidder in a fiercely contested auctioning process.
Expired domain auctioning is an internationally accepted form of selling good expired domains, where a domain trader will offer appealing expired domains to interested bidders. If you have good domains in your possession, you can try out this method to make some extra money. Several factors and parameters affect expired domain auctioning and you may consider auctioning under the following conditions:
1) How good and appealing your expired domains are? Do you feel that they can help the person who buys them at an inflated price?
2) Do you have an appraisal study carried out on the domains auctioned by you? Appraisal studies will help add a real value to your expired domains because a typical appraisal study provides sensitive information on the real worthiness of domain, its history, previous activities, and traffic, if any.
3) Do you feel that you are offering a domain that can help the buyer to flip it into a viable web site?
Expired domain auctioning is an intelligent game, where you will be promoting your domain to thousands of domain buyers, who always make it a point to buy only the best among the lot. Before putting your domains under auction, you may also wish to conduct a detailed research on the feasibility of selling the expired domain apart from studying the market place, how buyers act and behave, and understand different extraneous forces that influence the general mood of the market.
Many web portals help both the seller and buyers of expired domain names to transact in a very safe and secure ambience. Some of the well-known expired domain web portals are:
a) Pool.com
b) Snapnames.com
c) Enom.com
d) Namewinner.com
One of the best-known expired domain auctioning sites for your expired domain names is eBay Inc. This is a busy online auctioning place where thousands of people jostle for a breathing space and a firm foothold. E Bay is a great web portal that offers a special and innovative process that permits people to sell domains in a highly competitive and rigorously active auction process. The entire auctioning process is highly efficient and completely automated to provide a trouble free auctioning experience to both the buyer and seller. The highest bidder for the domain will have to honor the agreement by paying the bid money.
However, you may have to follow and obey a number of clauses and regulations before auctioning the domain for sale. The expired domain that you wish to sell should be top class and must carry a high value with them. Three or four lettered domain names could fetch you very good bid value, because they are the current hot favorite items in the market. Interested parties may also ask you to provide an appraisal report on the domain on sale. Several enterprising expired domain auctioning web portals allow you to sell your domains through an elaborate auctioning process. Sites like www.Afternic.com or www.Sedo.com or www.GreatDomains.com provide a highly accomplished auctioning process using which you can dispose of your extra stock of domains in exchange for a small commission payable to the web portals. It is quite possible to sell your domain names to large business enterprises and corporations, who keep looking for very good domains. However, ensure that you are violating some other's copyrights and trademarks. Expired domain auctioning is a very lucrative process of getting rid of your excessive domain stock, and with luck you can reap a rich harvest provided you have the right set of domains.
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.
Copyright © 2008 John Khu
Domain trading professionals, who are in possession of a series of domains names, make it a habit to dispose them off by using a number of techniques and strategies. Expired domain auctioning is probably the most lucrative, attractive, profitable and simple method of selling domain names. Auctioning is an interesting option for people who wish to double or even treble the asking price and earn a hefty amount of profit as a result. Expired domain auctioning is a process of offering good domain names to the highest bidder in a fiercely contested auctioning process.
Expired domain auctioning is an internationally accepted form of selling good expired domains, where a domain trader will offer appealing expired domains to interested bidders. If you have good domains in your possession, you can try out this method to make some extra money. Several factors and parameters affect expired domain auctioning and you may consider auctioning under the following conditions:
1) How good and appealing your expired domains are? Do you feel that they can help the person who buys them at an inflated price?
2) Do you have an appraisal study carried out on the domains auctioned by you? Appraisal studies will help add a real value to your expired domains because a typical appraisal study provides sensitive information on the real worthiness of domain, its history, previous activities, and traffic, if any.
3) Do you feel that you are offering a domain that can help the buyer to flip it into a viable web site?
Expired domain auctioning is an intelligent game, where you will be promoting your domain to thousands of domain buyers, who always make it a point to buy only the best among the lot. Before putting your domains under auction, you may also wish to conduct a detailed research on the feasibility of selling the expired domain apart from studying the market place, how buyers act and behave, and understand different extraneous forces that influence the general mood of the market.
Many web portals help both the seller and buyers of expired domain names to transact in a very safe and secure ambience. Some of the well-known expired domain web portals are:
a) Pool.com
b) Snapnames.com
c) Enom.com
d) Namewinner.com
One of the best-known expired domain auctioning sites for your expired domain names is eBay Inc. This is a busy online auctioning place where thousands of people jostle for a breathing space and a firm foothold. E Bay is a great web portal that offers a special and innovative process that permits people to sell domains in a highly competitive and rigorously active auction process. The entire auctioning process is highly efficient and completely automated to provide a trouble free auctioning experience to both the buyer and seller. The highest bidder for the domain will have to honor the agreement by paying the bid money.
However, you may have to follow and obey a number of clauses and regulations before auctioning the domain for sale. The expired domain that you wish to sell should be top class and must carry a high value with them. Three or four lettered domain names could fetch you very good bid value, because they are the current hot favorite items in the market. Interested parties may also ask you to provide an appraisal report on the domain on sale. Several enterprising expired domain auctioning web portals allow you to sell your domains through an elaborate auctioning process. Sites like www.Afternic.com or www.Sedo.com or www.GreatDomains.com provide a highly accomplished auctioning process using which you can dispose of your extra stock of domains in exchange for a small commission payable to the web portals. It is quite possible to sell your domain names to large business enterprises and corporations, who keep looking for very good domains. However, ensure that you are violating some other's copyrights and trademarks. Expired domain auctioning is a very lucrative process of getting rid of your excessive domain stock, and with luck you can reap a rich harvest provided you have the right set of domains.
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.
Buying Expired Domain to Create Online Wealth
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 John Khu
Hundreds of online entrepreneurs try hard to set up a viable online business that has the ability to provide a constant source of income. However, most of them also struggle to make their presence felt in the big world of internet entrepreneurship.
Conservative estimates suggest us that more than 70% of the starts up businesses fail within the first year, while almost the 50% of the remaining close their shops in the second year. With this uncertainty in the air, is it possible for you to host a business that is extremely profitable and viable by providing a residual source of income? Buying expired domains or domain expiring forms an excellent alternative and a very good option for anyone wishing to create a solid platform to earn some decent income.
All said and done, what are the approaches and methods that will help you create an online wealth by using the power of an expired domain? If you are a newbie who is trying to get a foothold in the big bad world of internet business, this article will provide you a number of productive and useful tips. Buying expired domain is a thing of art and a game of skill; the more you are knowledgeable and skilled in identifying the right expire domain, more will be your capability to create online wealth.
Buying expired domain with a purpose to make money online will be an easy task provided you know how to buy the right one. Once you learn the tricks and methods of buying a potentially good domain, you are on your way to create a roadmap that tells you how to traverse the difficult path. Buying expired domain will also provide you an opportunity to get involved with a number of techniques and methodologies that ensure you online riches.
Tip: Whatever you do, just ensure that you are adding traffic to your expired domain name. More traffic means better opportunities for making money and a higher plane on which your expired domain can stand and show. It is possible to pool traffic by participating in a number of advertising methods. Once you ascertain a constant stream of traffic, you can rest assured that buying expired domain name was the right act and a correct decision.
One of the most popular methods of creating an opportunity to earn money by buying expired domain is Pay-per-Click program. Though this program is quite costly, it can work very well for you, when you develop good web site soon after buying expired domain. Curious web surfers may just click on your link to see what is happening and this will add to your web site traffic. You can choose the most trustworthy service that can fulfill your overall objectives.
Do you feel that you have a money-spinning expired domain? If you feel so, dispose it off immediately by auctioning on a good web portal or find a buyer and make an effort to sell it for a premium price. Expired domain name auctioning is novel procedure that can help your expired domain to rake hefty profits. However, you must have a clear focus and dedicated effort that assists you in setting up conditions eventually leading to increased profits. You may wish to buy expired domain to:
1) A series of multiple expired domains those are easy to sell and dispose off. It is always profitable to package an excellent domain along with other lesser important domains so that you can enhance the total value of the package.
2) Domain flipping is an art of transforming your expired domain into an entity that can act as a viable income earner. Though a slow starter, domain flipping has the ability add a huge value to your web domain. When you buy expire domain, make sure that the domain is fit enough to be transformed into a viable flipping exercise.
Buying expired domain is a very good option for those entrepreneurs who are looking to earn some decent profits over their initial investment. If you are careful enough to buy an excellent expired domain, you could be on your way to establish a path of internet success and glory.
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.
Copyright © 2008 John Khu
Hundreds of online entrepreneurs try hard to set up a viable online business that has the ability to provide a constant source of income. However, most of them also struggle to make their presence felt in the big world of internet entrepreneurship.
Conservative estimates suggest us that more than 70% of the starts up businesses fail within the first year, while almost the 50% of the remaining close their shops in the second year. With this uncertainty in the air, is it possible for you to host a business that is extremely profitable and viable by providing a residual source of income? Buying expired domains or domain expiring forms an excellent alternative and a very good option for anyone wishing to create a solid platform to earn some decent income.
All said and done, what are the approaches and methods that will help you create an online wealth by using the power of an expired domain? If you are a newbie who is trying to get a foothold in the big bad world of internet business, this article will provide you a number of productive and useful tips. Buying expired domain is a thing of art and a game of skill; the more you are knowledgeable and skilled in identifying the right expire domain, more will be your capability to create online wealth.
Buying expired domain with a purpose to make money online will be an easy task provided you know how to buy the right one. Once you learn the tricks and methods of buying a potentially good domain, you are on your way to create a roadmap that tells you how to traverse the difficult path. Buying expired domain will also provide you an opportunity to get involved with a number of techniques and methodologies that ensure you online riches.
Tip: Whatever you do, just ensure that you are adding traffic to your expired domain name. More traffic means better opportunities for making money and a higher plane on which your expired domain can stand and show. It is possible to pool traffic by participating in a number of advertising methods. Once you ascertain a constant stream of traffic, you can rest assured that buying expired domain name was the right act and a correct decision.
One of the most popular methods of creating an opportunity to earn money by buying expired domain is Pay-per-Click program. Though this program is quite costly, it can work very well for you, when you develop good web site soon after buying expired domain. Curious web surfers may just click on your link to see what is happening and this will add to your web site traffic. You can choose the most trustworthy service that can fulfill your overall objectives.
Do you feel that you have a money-spinning expired domain? If you feel so, dispose it off immediately by auctioning on a good web portal or find a buyer and make an effort to sell it for a premium price. Expired domain name auctioning is novel procedure that can help your expired domain to rake hefty profits. However, you must have a clear focus and dedicated effort that assists you in setting up conditions eventually leading to increased profits. You may wish to buy expired domain to:
1) A series of multiple expired domains those are easy to sell and dispose off. It is always profitable to package an excellent domain along with other lesser important domains so that you can enhance the total value of the package.
2) Domain flipping is an art of transforming your expired domain into an entity that can act as a viable income earner. Though a slow starter, domain flipping has the ability add a huge value to your web domain. When you buy expire domain, make sure that the domain is fit enough to be transformed into a viable flipping exercise.
Buying expired domain is a very good option for those entrepreneurs who are looking to earn some decent profits over their initial investment. If you are careful enough to buy an excellent expired domain, you could be on your way to establish a path of internet success and glory.
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.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Top 5 Ways To Use Web 20 for Web Marketing
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Jason OConnor
Web 2.0 and Web marketing is a match made in heaven. There are many ways to create traffic to your website using the power of Web 2.0. Below I am going to examine what I consider to be the top five.
Jack Humphrey, a well-known Web 2.0 expert, defines it this way in his Authority Black Book:
Generally speaking, if people can submit links to content, submit content, make comments and vote good/bad content up/down thus affecting the amount of traffic that content can generate, it's Web 2.0.
Blogs, wikis, file sharing sites, content rating systems, book-marking sites, and social networking sites are all examples of Web 2.0. Some of the more well-known Web 2.0 sites are YouTube (file sharing), Facebook and MySpace (social networking), Wikipedia (wiki), del.icio.us (book-marking) and Digg (content rating system). The list is almost endless, and the traffic that these websites generate is absolutely staggering.
So how can you harness some of this traffic?
1) Create original, quality and compelling content and submit them to Web 2.0 websites.
For example, if you write an original and compelling article, you can submit it to content sharing and content rating system websites such as Digg, Propeller, Newsvine MarkTD or Reddit. Sometimes there content sharing and content rating system websites that specializes in a particular industry. MarkTD specializes in marketing, for example.
When you submit your article to these sites, people will give it a vote, and each vote moves the article up where it can be seen by more and more people. This has the potential of creating a lot of traffic for your website since each reader will need to click on the link to go to your site to read the full article. And you're building a permanent link pointing to your website that can be followed for months and years to come. (And don't forget, a link from a quality site to your website helps in your search engine rankings too.)
Or you can create an original video and submit it to YouTube. Here it will get rated and possibly seen by many people. If the video contains your website or a plug for your business, then all the better. YouTube is not the only video sharing website however. There are many, and one video can be submitted to them all. This same concept applies to your original images, photographs, digital art and audio files.
2) Web 2.0-ize other people's sites that contain a link back to your website
I'll assume you already know how your bookmarks (or Favorites) work in your browser. There are websites that exist that act in the same way, but the bookmarks you set are public. Del.icio.us was one of the first and a very popular example of this. People's public bookmarks are browsed by others and lead to clicks to the sites you've bookmarked. So be sure to bookmark your business website and inner pages that are important. Also, these bookmarks can appear in search results in engines like Google and Yahoo. And some even think that search engines use book-marking sites in their algorithms, although this has not been conclusively proven. Simpy and BlinkList are two more examples of these kinds of Web 2.0 book-marking sites.
Let's say you write an original, quality article and post it to your business website. Then let's say you submit the article to a handful of content rating websites like some of the ones explained above. To further market this article, you can then use social book-marking sites to bookmark the page on the content rating websites that list your new article and that contain a link back to your article. This can be very powerful.
Or let's say you notice that an authority in your industry has a link on its website that points back to your website. Go ahead and bookmark the page on the authority site, thus marketing it, which in turn markets your site as well. One particular Web 2.0 website that is very popular and can generate tons of traffic is StumbleUpon. This site allows people to give any page you deem worthy a "thumbs-up". And if you get enough "thumbs-up", people browsing StumbleUpon will see it and click over to that page. So I always make it a point to "Stumble" my business websites' homepages and sites that contain links to my business websites as well.
If you become an active member in a handful of Web 2.0 websites and utilize these first two suggestions alone, you will be amazed at the kind of traffic you can generate.
3) Engage in the conversations and activities
When I suggest above to become an active member I mean that you need to visit a few of your favorite Web 2.0 sites on a regular basis and actually contribute to the site with your opinions, votes, comments and submissions. For instance, if you like Digg or Newsvine, visit them often and submit quality articles, content and sites to them. And they don't all have to be your sites. In fact, the more impartial you are, the more people will trust you when you submit one of your articles. And you ought to vote for other people's Digg submissions as well. You may enjoy Facebook, Linkedin ro MySpace. First, create a profile on the site, then go out and make connections within the community. The more you do this, the more you can harness the power of the people you meet to help market your website or yourself.
Visit and comment on blogs in your industry. This is another tried and true way to engage in the online conversation. Blogs are Web 2.0 and have been around for a while now. Unfortunately, leaving blog comments has been abused by so many people that you absolutely must only leave blog comments that contribute to the overall blog post.
Only add your website's link if you're asked to. These links won't help your search engine rankings but can drive traffic to your site.
4) Encourage visitors to bookmark and tag your content
If you have a blog, add a feature that shows up at the end of every post that allows users to bookmark or submit your post to other Web 2.0 websites. 'Share This' is just such a blog add-on (or plug-in) that can do this for you. If you have a Wordpress blog you'll be able to find a plug-in that allows you to integrate this type of feature (including Share This) into your blog very easily and without the need for any technical knowledge. If you write a memorable or compelling post, people can use this to make bookmarks to the post, Stumble it, Digg it and so forth. All of this can lead to more traffic.
5) Add a Web 2.0 feature to your website
First of all, your business website needs a blog. If you don't have one, then stop reading this and go to it. A blog enables you and your employees an easy way to post new information that is relevant to your business and helpful to your customers. And it allows your customers to easily communicate with you by leaving comments.
But beyond a blog, what other Web 2.0 features can you add to your website? If you're selling products, consider adding in a feature that allows customers to rate each product. It can be something as simple as one to five stars or more elaborate where they leave reviews. Amazon does this and it one of the major driving forces in their sales. When potential customers see that your products are rated by existing customers, they'll be more likely to trust you and buy.
You could add a wiki to your website. A wiki is software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content. By encouraging your website visitors to create content for you, you're allowing your site to grow, become more informative and thus creating more chances to be found in search engines. These features can be found as third-party software packages and integrated into your existing website surprisingly easily.
The power of Web 2.0 is substantial. It's time you begin to harness its potential and by following these five suggestions, you'll be well on your way. See http://www.jackhumphrey.com/fridaytrafficreport/social-networking/top-142-social-marketing-blogs-on-the-web/ for a great list to start with.
About the Author:
Jason O'Connor is the owner of The Net Gazette (http://www.thenetgazette.net/), a free newsletter that teaches Web professionals all about Web design, development and Web marketing.
Copyright © 2008 Jason OConnor
Web 2.0 and Web marketing is a match made in heaven. There are many ways to create traffic to your website using the power of Web 2.0. Below I am going to examine what I consider to be the top five.
Jack Humphrey, a well-known Web 2.0 expert, defines it this way in his Authority Black Book:
Generally speaking, if people can submit links to content, submit content, make comments and vote good/bad content up/down thus affecting the amount of traffic that content can generate, it's Web 2.0.
Blogs, wikis, file sharing sites, content rating systems, book-marking sites, and social networking sites are all examples of Web 2.0. Some of the more well-known Web 2.0 sites are YouTube (file sharing), Facebook and MySpace (social networking), Wikipedia (wiki), del.icio.us (book-marking) and Digg (content rating system). The list is almost endless, and the traffic that these websites generate is absolutely staggering.
So how can you harness some of this traffic?
1) Create original, quality and compelling content and submit them to Web 2.0 websites.
For example, if you write an original and compelling article, you can submit it to content sharing and content rating system websites such as Digg, Propeller, Newsvine MarkTD or Reddit. Sometimes there content sharing and content rating system websites that specializes in a particular industry. MarkTD specializes in marketing, for example.
When you submit your article to these sites, people will give it a vote, and each vote moves the article up where it can be seen by more and more people. This has the potential of creating a lot of traffic for your website since each reader will need to click on the link to go to your site to read the full article. And you're building a permanent link pointing to your website that can be followed for months and years to come. (And don't forget, a link from a quality site to your website helps in your search engine rankings too.)
Or you can create an original video and submit it to YouTube. Here it will get rated and possibly seen by many people. If the video contains your website or a plug for your business, then all the better. YouTube is not the only video sharing website however. There are many, and one video can be submitted to them all. This same concept applies to your original images, photographs, digital art and audio files.
2) Web 2.0-ize other people's sites that contain a link back to your website
I'll assume you already know how your bookmarks (or Favorites) work in your browser. There are websites that exist that act in the same way, but the bookmarks you set are public. Del.icio.us was one of the first and a very popular example of this. People's public bookmarks are browsed by others and lead to clicks to the sites you've bookmarked. So be sure to bookmark your business website and inner pages that are important. Also, these bookmarks can appear in search results in engines like Google and Yahoo. And some even think that search engines use book-marking sites in their algorithms, although this has not been conclusively proven. Simpy and BlinkList are two more examples of these kinds of Web 2.0 book-marking sites.
Let's say you write an original, quality article and post it to your business website. Then let's say you submit the article to a handful of content rating websites like some of the ones explained above. To further market this article, you can then use social book-marking sites to bookmark the page on the content rating websites that list your new article and that contain a link back to your article. This can be very powerful.
Or let's say you notice that an authority in your industry has a link on its website that points back to your website. Go ahead and bookmark the page on the authority site, thus marketing it, which in turn markets your site as well. One particular Web 2.0 website that is very popular and can generate tons of traffic is StumbleUpon. This site allows people to give any page you deem worthy a "thumbs-up". And if you get enough "thumbs-up", people browsing StumbleUpon will see it and click over to that page. So I always make it a point to "Stumble" my business websites' homepages and sites that contain links to my business websites as well.
If you become an active member in a handful of Web 2.0 websites and utilize these first two suggestions alone, you will be amazed at the kind of traffic you can generate.
3) Engage in the conversations and activities
When I suggest above to become an active member I mean that you need to visit a few of your favorite Web 2.0 sites on a regular basis and actually contribute to the site with your opinions, votes, comments and submissions. For instance, if you like Digg or Newsvine, visit them often and submit quality articles, content and sites to them. And they don't all have to be your sites. In fact, the more impartial you are, the more people will trust you when you submit one of your articles. And you ought to vote for other people's Digg submissions as well. You may enjoy Facebook, Linkedin ro MySpace. First, create a profile on the site, then go out and make connections within the community. The more you do this, the more you can harness the power of the people you meet to help market your website or yourself.
Visit and comment on blogs in your industry. This is another tried and true way to engage in the online conversation. Blogs are Web 2.0 and have been around for a while now. Unfortunately, leaving blog comments has been abused by so many people that you absolutely must only leave blog comments that contribute to the overall blog post.
Only add your website's link if you're asked to. These links won't help your search engine rankings but can drive traffic to your site.
4) Encourage visitors to bookmark and tag your content
If you have a blog, add a feature that shows up at the end of every post that allows users to bookmark or submit your post to other Web 2.0 websites. 'Share This' is just such a blog add-on (or plug-in) that can do this for you. If you have a Wordpress blog you'll be able to find a plug-in that allows you to integrate this type of feature (including Share This) into your blog very easily and without the need for any technical knowledge. If you write a memorable or compelling post, people can use this to make bookmarks to the post, Stumble it, Digg it and so forth. All of this can lead to more traffic.
5) Add a Web 2.0 feature to your website
First of all, your business website needs a blog. If you don't have one, then stop reading this and go to it. A blog enables you and your employees an easy way to post new information that is relevant to your business and helpful to your customers. And it allows your customers to easily communicate with you by leaving comments.
But beyond a blog, what other Web 2.0 features can you add to your website? If you're selling products, consider adding in a feature that allows customers to rate each product. It can be something as simple as one to five stars or more elaborate where they leave reviews. Amazon does this and it one of the major driving forces in their sales. When potential customers see that your products are rated by existing customers, they'll be more likely to trust you and buy.
You could add a wiki to your website. A wiki is software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content. By encouraging your website visitors to create content for you, you're allowing your site to grow, become more informative and thus creating more chances to be found in search engines. These features can be found as third-party software packages and integrated into your existing website surprisingly easily.
The power of Web 2.0 is substantial. It's time you begin to harness its potential and by following these five suggestions, you'll be well on your way. See http://www.jackhumphrey.com/fridaytrafficreport/social-networking/top-142-social-marketing-blogs-on-the-web/ for a great list to start with.
About the Author:
Jason O'Connor is the owner of The Net Gazette (http://www.thenetgazette.net/), a free newsletter that teaches Web professionals all about Web design, development and Web marketing.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Top Six Internal Linking Tactics To Get Top Google Rankings
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Jason OConnor
If you own or run a website and are not following these six tactics for properly linking your website together then you're losing Google traffic as you read this. First some definitions. Internal linking is the links on your website that point to other pages within your same website. External linking is when you link to another website. Tactics are specific things to do to achieve desired results, or any mode of procedure for gaining advantage or success.
There are things you can do when developing or refining your internal linking structure. If you carry out the following tactics, you're going to achieve two things. One, you'll make your website better from a user's perspective. Two, you'll rank better in Google. And it's no coincidence that Google rewards you for doing things that make the website user's experience easier and better. In fact, the most important thing I can recommend is that you create, design and link your website together is a way that benefits the visitor first. Your visitors are most important, not Google rankings.
One last thing before I get to the tactics. Have you heard that links from other websites that point back to your website is essential in getting top search engine rankings, especially with Google? It's true. These links vary in their effectiveness and value depending on the website from which they're coming. But did you also know that internal links often can have similar effectiveness and value as external links? So bear this in mind as you read on.
1) Add links in your navigation or footer as text links to all your important pages and main sections.
This is a very easy and an extremely effective tactic that not all sites do, and even less do for maximum results. This is the first thing I look for when reviewing a website for a client. Unfortunately, sometimes artsy Web designers add cool buttons, which are images, to all the main sections of the site, but neglect to include text links as well. Or a programmer decides to make the website's navigation a dynamic drop down menu in DHTML or JavaScript but forget to include text links to the same pages represented in the menus. Search engines cannot follow image links or links created in JavaScript, they can only follow simple text links, so be sure you add them to your site as well.
So if you want search engines to visit and index (or record) ALL your website's pages, be sure there are text links pointing to all the main sections of your site and to all your important pages.
2) Make use of the rel="nofollow" HTML tag.
This is fairly simple. Google created this tag which tells them NOT to count the link in their search engine ranking algorithm when used on a link. There's debate that maybe Google does count them a little, or will some day in the future. But for now, this tag does greatly decrease a link's value in Google's eyes. Therefore, consider using this tag on some of your links within your site. For example, let's say you have a homepage and then create two inner pages, and that's the extent of the site. Let's further say that you add a link to both pages on your homepage. If your homepage has some external links pointing to it, then it has some value in regards to Google's ranking system. When you link to each of your two new pages within your site from your homepage, each page gets only 50% of the value the homepage has. (This is all measured in Page Rank). Let's then say that your first inner page is the one you want to rank well in the Google, but you don't care if your second inner page even gets found by Google or ranked. You could add the nofollow tag to the second link on your homepage, thereby giving the first inner page 100% of the homepage's value.
Think of the implications. Imagine if you had a website with hundreds or thousands of pages and used the nofollow tag throughout. To understand how to implement this tag is, see the two links in HTML below, one without it and one with it correctly included.
Your Website
Your Website
Finally, if you have pages such as a privacy page, terms page, checkout pages or contact pages that you don't care if they rank well in Google, be sure to use the nofollow tag when creating internal links to these pages.
3) Use descriptive and different phrases to point to the same inner page
The words that are in the text of a link (also known as the anchor text) affect your search engine rankings. For example, the anchor text in the two links above is "Your Website". If enough of these links that were on quality and valuable sites, including your own website's inner pages, pointed to the same page, it would eventually rank well in Google when someone searches for the phrase "your website".
Therefore, be sure to make the anchor text in all your internal links the phrases you want the pages to be found for in Google. If you have a page that sells "blue widgets", make the anchor text in links on other pages within your website that point to this page "blue widgets". Do it like this:
Blue Widgets
Going back to the number 1 tactic above, you would be far better off making the anchor text in all your footer links as descriptive as possible. If you want to rank well in Google for "affordable blue widgets" then use this in your links that point to this page:
Afforadable Blue Widgets
Finally, vary your anchor text when pointing to the same page within your website. For instance, on some of your pages you could link to your Blue Widgets page with the anchor text of "blue widgets", then on other pages link to it using "affordable blue widgets" and then maybe use "widgets that are blue". This allows you to get the page ranked for multiple terms and helps the user since you're being descriptive and making your anchor text better match the content of the page it's on.
4) Make links in your content
If you have text on your site, make some of the words within the text links that point to other pages within your website. For instance, if you have an article about blue widgets, or a page that describes how great your blue widgets are, make the first or second occurrence of the phrase "blue widgets" in the text a link that points to your Blue Widgets page.
5) The Home link solution
If your website is typical, you'll probably have a link on every page that points back to your homepage. And you should because this helps users. By doing this, you're supplying a lot of link value to the homepage since it is getting all these internal links pointing back to it. Since in the number three tactic I recommended that you make your anchor text the same as what you want to rank for, the word "home" does you no good. I'll assume that you're not trying to get your homepage ranked for the word "home", so make the anchor text what you do want it to get ranked for.
The other option is to add the nofollow tag to all your 'Home' links, thereby canceling out the word "home" altogether.
6) Make important pages at most 2 folders deep with your site and at most two clicks away from your homepage.
The farther away a page is, the worse it ranks. So if you put a page in a folder that is five folders deep within your website folder structure, Google will likely consider that page not as important as a page only one folder deep. Also, make the pages in your website that are most important to get ranked two or less clicks away from the homepage. This is good for users and allows Google to index these pages more quickly.
By following these top six internal linking tactics, you'll be far ahead of the competition, you'll rank better in Google and you'll be making your website visitors' lives easier.
About the Author:
Jason O'Connor is the owner of Oak Web Works, LLC (http://www.oakwebworks.com), an Internet strategy firm that specializes in helping businesses make money with their business websites. From Web design and programming to strategic Web marketing and providing free resources for Web professionals, Oak Web Works is a center for online strategy.
Copyright © 2008 Jason OConnor
If you own or run a website and are not following these six tactics for properly linking your website together then you're losing Google traffic as you read this. First some definitions. Internal linking is the links on your website that point to other pages within your same website. External linking is when you link to another website. Tactics are specific things to do to achieve desired results, or any mode of procedure for gaining advantage or success.
There are things you can do when developing or refining your internal linking structure. If you carry out the following tactics, you're going to achieve two things. One, you'll make your website better from a user's perspective. Two, you'll rank better in Google. And it's no coincidence that Google rewards you for doing things that make the website user's experience easier and better. In fact, the most important thing I can recommend is that you create, design and link your website together is a way that benefits the visitor first. Your visitors are most important, not Google rankings.
One last thing before I get to the tactics. Have you heard that links from other websites that point back to your website is essential in getting top search engine rankings, especially with Google? It's true. These links vary in their effectiveness and value depending on the website from which they're coming. But did you also know that internal links often can have similar effectiveness and value as external links? So bear this in mind as you read on.
1) Add links in your navigation or footer as text links to all your important pages and main sections.
This is a very easy and an extremely effective tactic that not all sites do, and even less do for maximum results. This is the first thing I look for when reviewing a website for a client. Unfortunately, sometimes artsy Web designers add cool buttons, which are images, to all the main sections of the site, but neglect to include text links as well. Or a programmer decides to make the website's navigation a dynamic drop down menu in DHTML or JavaScript but forget to include text links to the same pages represented in the menus. Search engines cannot follow image links or links created in JavaScript, they can only follow simple text links, so be sure you add them to your site as well.
So if you want search engines to visit and index (or record) ALL your website's pages, be sure there are text links pointing to all the main sections of your site and to all your important pages.
2) Make use of the rel="nofollow" HTML tag.
This is fairly simple. Google created this tag which tells them NOT to count the link in their search engine ranking algorithm when used on a link. There's debate that maybe Google does count them a little, or will some day in the future. But for now, this tag does greatly decrease a link's value in Google's eyes. Therefore, consider using this tag on some of your links within your site. For example, let's say you have a homepage and then create two inner pages, and that's the extent of the site. Let's further say that you add a link to both pages on your homepage. If your homepage has some external links pointing to it, then it has some value in regards to Google's ranking system. When you link to each of your two new pages within your site from your homepage, each page gets only 50% of the value the homepage has. (This is all measured in Page Rank). Let's then say that your first inner page is the one you want to rank well in the Google, but you don't care if your second inner page even gets found by Google or ranked. You could add the nofollow tag to the second link on your homepage, thereby giving the first inner page 100% of the homepage's value.
Think of the implications. Imagine if you had a website with hundreds or thousands of pages and used the nofollow tag throughout. To understand how to implement this tag is, see the two links in HTML below, one without it and one with it correctly included.
Your Website
Your Website
Finally, if you have pages such as a privacy page, terms page, checkout pages or contact pages that you don't care if they rank well in Google, be sure to use the nofollow tag when creating internal links to these pages.
3) Use descriptive and different phrases to point to the same inner page
The words that are in the text of a link (also known as the anchor text) affect your search engine rankings. For example, the anchor text in the two links above is "Your Website". If enough of these links that were on quality and valuable sites, including your own website's inner pages, pointed to the same page, it would eventually rank well in Google when someone searches for the phrase "your website".
Therefore, be sure to make the anchor text in all your internal links the phrases you want the pages to be found for in Google. If you have a page that sells "blue widgets", make the anchor text in links on other pages within your website that point to this page "blue widgets". Do it like this:
Blue Widgets
Going back to the number 1 tactic above, you would be far better off making the anchor text in all your footer links as descriptive as possible. If you want to rank well in Google for "affordable blue widgets" then use this in your links that point to this page:
Afforadable Blue Widgets
Finally, vary your anchor text when pointing to the same page within your website. For instance, on some of your pages you could link to your Blue Widgets page with the anchor text of "blue widgets", then on other pages link to it using "affordable blue widgets" and then maybe use "widgets that are blue". This allows you to get the page ranked for multiple terms and helps the user since you're being descriptive and making your anchor text better match the content of the page it's on.
4) Make links in your content
If you have text on your site, make some of the words within the text links that point to other pages within your website. For instance, if you have an article about blue widgets, or a page that describes how great your blue widgets are, make the first or second occurrence of the phrase "blue widgets" in the text a link that points to your Blue Widgets page.
5) The Home link solution
If your website is typical, you'll probably have a link on every page that points back to your homepage. And you should because this helps users. By doing this, you're supplying a lot of link value to the homepage since it is getting all these internal links pointing back to it. Since in the number three tactic I recommended that you make your anchor text the same as what you want to rank for, the word "home" does you no good. I'll assume that you're not trying to get your homepage ranked for the word "home", so make the anchor text what you do want it to get ranked for.
The other option is to add the nofollow tag to all your 'Home' links, thereby canceling out the word "home" altogether.
6) Make important pages at most 2 folders deep with your site and at most two clicks away from your homepage.
The farther away a page is, the worse it ranks. So if you put a page in a folder that is five folders deep within your website folder structure, Google will likely consider that page not as important as a page only one folder deep. Also, make the pages in your website that are most important to get ranked two or less clicks away from the homepage. This is good for users and allows Google to index these pages more quickly.
By following these top six internal linking tactics, you'll be far ahead of the competition, you'll rank better in Google and you'll be making your website visitors' lives easier.
About the Author:
Jason O'Connor is the owner of Oak Web Works, LLC (http://www.oakwebworks.com), an Internet strategy firm that specializes in helping businesses make money with their business websites. From Web design and programming to strategic Web marketing and providing free resources for Web professionals, Oak Web Works is a center for online strategy.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
PPC Campaigns-Useful Tools for Promoting Expired Domains
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 John Khu
Domain name registrations, both new and expired domains, are rising slowly in the past few years and total registrations are likely to reach a peak during the end of last quarter of 2009. Domain registrations have reached an all time high of about 75 millions during 2006 with an average of 1.5 millions new registrations. This indicates that there has been an increase of about 35% over the same quarter in the previous year. A recent research suggests that dot com extensions still leads the pack and the future trend for this domain still looks very rosy and promising.
Of late, pay per click industry (PPC) is showing an astronomical growth because of a number of advantages and benefits. This industry is poised to grow at a rate of 13% and to a volume of almost $6 billion by the end of calendar year 2009. Furthermore, contextual advertising is also cajoling a lot of people from not only domain name traders but also corporations and big firms.
Several companies and web masters understand the importance of targeted traffic to their web sites to create better sales conversions. PPC is a proven way of helping expired domain traders on realizing very good commercial returns over their investments. PPC advertising market is driving expired domain name industry as the new owners register expired domain names that contain sensitive keywords related to their business or even buying an expired domain that was once a thriving web site for a range of products and services. PPC is also a very good method to make visitors flocking to your domain.
Most of the leading companies that deal with PPC pay on average 30 cents per click while premium firms can pay as high as $100 per click! No matter whether you are an expired domain newbie or an expert domain trader, you can easily find extra traffic and incoming links to your expired domains, when you use a lucrative PPC program. PPC industry is expected to help all expired domain traders with the promise of incoming traffic as well as immense monetary gains. Now it is the right time to buy as many expired-domains as possible to use the ultimate power of PPC campaigns to create a solid residual, online income base.
Expert domain name traders buy very good expired domains and convert it into a well designed web site. PPC is an excellent system that can help such web sites to create a considerable amount of traffic as well as incoming links. The ultimate advantage of using PPC campaign is the enhanced income creating opportunity along with inflated traffic and links.
There are a number of web resources that will help you conduct a PPC campaign. Some of the well known PPC service providers are domain sponsor, fabulous, sedo, afternic, trafficz, domainhop, and dnbidder. Apart from these sites, you can also sign up for a PPC service made available by a number of minor web sites.
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.
Copyright © 2008 John Khu
Domain name registrations, both new and expired domains, are rising slowly in the past few years and total registrations are likely to reach a peak during the end of last quarter of 2009. Domain registrations have reached an all time high of about 75 millions during 2006 with an average of 1.5 millions new registrations. This indicates that there has been an increase of about 35% over the same quarter in the previous year. A recent research suggests that dot com extensions still leads the pack and the future trend for this domain still looks very rosy and promising.
Of late, pay per click industry (PPC) is showing an astronomical growth because of a number of advantages and benefits. This industry is poised to grow at a rate of 13% and to a volume of almost $6 billion by the end of calendar year 2009. Furthermore, contextual advertising is also cajoling a lot of people from not only domain name traders but also corporations and big firms.
Several companies and web masters understand the importance of targeted traffic to their web sites to create better sales conversions. PPC is a proven way of helping expired domain traders on realizing very good commercial returns over their investments. PPC advertising market is driving expired domain name industry as the new owners register expired domain names that contain sensitive keywords related to their business or even buying an expired domain that was once a thriving web site for a range of products and services. PPC is also a very good method to make visitors flocking to your domain.
Most of the leading companies that deal with PPC pay on average 30 cents per click while premium firms can pay as high as $100 per click! No matter whether you are an expired domain newbie or an expert domain trader, you can easily find extra traffic and incoming links to your expired domains, when you use a lucrative PPC program. PPC industry is expected to help all expired domain traders with the promise of incoming traffic as well as immense monetary gains. Now it is the right time to buy as many expired-domains as possible to use the ultimate power of PPC campaigns to create a solid residual, online income base.
Expert domain name traders buy very good expired domains and convert it into a well designed web site. PPC is an excellent system that can help such web sites to create a considerable amount of traffic as well as incoming links. The ultimate advantage of using PPC campaign is the enhanced income creating opportunity along with inflated traffic and links.
There are a number of web resources that will help you conduct a PPC campaign. Some of the well known PPC service providers are domain sponsor, fabulous, sedo, afternic, trafficz, domainhop, and dnbidder. Apart from these sites, you can also sign up for a PPC service made available by a number of minor web sites.
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.
Negative Versus Positive Marketing Messages: Which Works Best?
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Judy Murdoch
Nancy is a small business owner who helps nonprofit groups create fund raising events that can double- even triple- their average donation.
Until recently, Nancy has gotten her business primarily through in-person meetings: attending networking events, taking people out for coffee, and giving presentations. In-person is great for getting local business but Nancy wants to serve a national customer base. So she hired someone to design a website and using emails and postcards to market her services.
She's been using emails and postcards for the last ten months and the results have been dismal.
"I haven't gotten a single new client," she told me. So I took a look at the emails she was sending out and I immediately saw the problem.
Enthusiasm Can Turn People Off
Nancy loves her work and really wants her clients to succeed. It's hard to spend time with her and not get excited about what she's doing.
Her enthusiasm works to her advantage when she meets people in person.
It seems logical then that enthusiasm would work in all her other marketing. Wrong.
Establishing Trust is the First Step
There's a saying, "People want to know you care, before they care about what you know."
As human beings, we have a natural desire to belong and feel valued. It's the reason why people hate to be sold to...we don't feel understood or valued for who we are.
When you meet someone in person, it's a lot easier to build trust because you can communicate that you care in many ways: in your tone of voice, in the way you look at others, in your gestures.
For people like Nancy, building trust occurs almost immediately during in person meetings because she communicates that she cares both in what she says and what she doesn't say. But when communicating in less personal ways--using email, postcards, and other types of written media, you have only words to work with.
Which means you must take an extra step and deliberately demonstrate empathy before you enthusiastically share why your products and services are so wonderful.
Establishing Trust Means Starting with the Negative
So how do you show you care when you use email, web pages, and other mediums that limit your ability to express yourself?
You start with the problem or pain your customer is likely experiencing.
When you do this you are saying, in effect to your audience:
"I understand you have this problem that you're struggling to solve."
"I, too, have struggled with it"
"Through my experience, education, research, etc., I have came up with a solution to solve the problem."
"My solution work for you too."
Once you say these things, you are free to bubble away about your wonderful solution.
Example: Establishing Trust First
So let's go back to Nancy. Instead of immediately starting her emails off with how she helps her clients double their fund raising results she begins with demonstrating empathy and understanding.
Before:
"Non-profits, let me show you how to double- , even triple your donations."
After:
"Non-profits, are you struggling to compete for funding in today's difficult economy?"
Can you feel the difference?
Nancy's email then went on to describe her own struggles with fund raising and how she developed her solution. When Nancy began using this approach, her prospect inquiries immediately increased and she's now in the process of turning some of the prospects into clients.
But she first needed to demonstrate she understood and cared before they were willing to make the call.
Bottom Line
The less personal the communication, the more important it becomes to first establish trust with your prospects.
For emails, blog posts, web pages, etc.:
1. Start with the Negative: demonstrate you understand their problem and struggle to solve it.
2. End with the Positive: share why your solution is better and will work
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and five-star strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
Copyright © 2008 Judy Murdoch
Nancy is a small business owner who helps nonprofit groups create fund raising events that can double- even triple- their average donation.
Until recently, Nancy has gotten her business primarily through in-person meetings: attending networking events, taking people out for coffee, and giving presentations. In-person is great for getting local business but Nancy wants to serve a national customer base. So she hired someone to design a website and using emails and postcards to market her services.
She's been using emails and postcards for the last ten months and the results have been dismal.
"I haven't gotten a single new client," she told me. So I took a look at the emails she was sending out and I immediately saw the problem.
Enthusiasm Can Turn People Off
Nancy loves her work and really wants her clients to succeed. It's hard to spend time with her and not get excited about what she's doing.
Her enthusiasm works to her advantage when she meets people in person.
It seems logical then that enthusiasm would work in all her other marketing. Wrong.
Establishing Trust is the First Step
There's a saying, "People want to know you care, before they care about what you know."
As human beings, we have a natural desire to belong and feel valued. It's the reason why people hate to be sold to...we don't feel understood or valued for who we are.
When you meet someone in person, it's a lot easier to build trust because you can communicate that you care in many ways: in your tone of voice, in the way you look at others, in your gestures.
For people like Nancy, building trust occurs almost immediately during in person meetings because she communicates that she cares both in what she says and what she doesn't say. But when communicating in less personal ways--using email, postcards, and other types of written media, you have only words to work with.
Which means you must take an extra step and deliberately demonstrate empathy before you enthusiastically share why your products and services are so wonderful.
Establishing Trust Means Starting with the Negative
So how do you show you care when you use email, web pages, and other mediums that limit your ability to express yourself?
You start with the problem or pain your customer is likely experiencing.
When you do this you are saying, in effect to your audience:
"I understand you have this problem that you're struggling to solve."
"I, too, have struggled with it"
"Through my experience, education, research, etc., I have came up with a solution to solve the problem."
"My solution work for you too."
Once you say these things, you are free to bubble away about your wonderful solution.
Example: Establishing Trust First
So let's go back to Nancy. Instead of immediately starting her emails off with how she helps her clients double their fund raising results she begins with demonstrating empathy and understanding.
Before:
"Non-profits, let me show you how to double- , even triple your donations."
After:
"Non-profits, are you struggling to compete for funding in today's difficult economy?"
Can you feel the difference?
Nancy's email then went on to describe her own struggles with fund raising and how she developed her solution. When Nancy began using this approach, her prospect inquiries immediately increased and she's now in the process of turning some of the prospects into clients.
But she first needed to demonstrate she understood and cared before they were willing to make the call.
Bottom Line
The less personal the communication, the more important it becomes to first establish trust with your prospects.
For emails, blog posts, web pages, etc.:
1. Start with the Negative: demonstrate you understand their problem and struggle to solve it.
2. End with the Positive: share why your solution is better and will work
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and five-star strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
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