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June 29, 2007
Digital Mind Mapping
One time or another everybody will have to deal with the situation in which information needs to be gathered and cataloged.
The number of information sources is very abundant. There are magazines, books, web sites, abstracts, multimedia sources and probably one or more I forgot to mention. The diversity in media has increased too. We used to have paper on which books and magazines were printed. Now we also have cd's, dvd's, video tapes, internet and computer files.
Therefore it has become increasingly difficult to organize all this information in a manner that makes sense and makes it nearly impossible to retrieve them easily. Mind mapping could be a way to handle this information overload and preferably digital mind mapping.
A mind map is a technique developed by Tony Buzan. He introduced this very powerful technique to unlock the brains fullest potential. Originally having a piece of paper and some colored pencils was enough to create handy mind maps. Although this early technique still works some companies have introduced digital forms of these mind maps.
The digital form makes it easy to create mind maps fast. You are now allowed to edit, draw, share and manage your ideas on your personal computer. There are many of these stand-alone software programs available and even online mind map programs are popping up on the Internet.
One drawback with digital mind mapping is that you'll find that many of your projects may quickly become too large to handle on screen. If so, then you'll need to get this very cool 3D Mindmapping tool.
Many organizations are introducing the mind map technique as an excellent brainstorming tool. It makes creative juices flow easily. Participants of these digital brainstorm sessions are usually very enthusiastic about the new possibilities. Even the Time Management community seems to have discovered digital mind mapping.
It makes it very easy to brainstorm, to organize your thoughts or even write a book.
If you write a book it is a great way to keep an overview of the topics you want to discuss. You start with the main topic in the middle and add branches for each chapter or topic. Then you can add branches or sub topics to each main branch. You will get a tree shaped picture will all the chapters or topics in one easy to grasp overview.
Rather then jotting down your ideas in a traditional linear list you can collect your ideas in a visual map. Thus making it easier to keep a bird’s eye view of you ideas and easier to add new ideas or sub topics.
So next time you are stuck thinking up new ideas or organizing old ones think of the endless possibilities digital mind mapping may provide you with.
Posted by billenross at 06:45 AM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2007
Lead Generation
Let's start with a short definition of what lead generation really is.
Lead generation is a marketing term that refers to the creation or generation of prospecting consumer interest or inquiry into a business' products or services.
So this means that every conceivable business would participate in some form of lead generation. After all, businesses must make sales to stay in business so they are always looking for leads/customers.
Since lead generation is such a broad subject, we will concentrate on the various forms of web marketing lead generation that are:
1. Email marketing, e-zines, newsletters
2. Search engine optimization (SEO)
3. Pay-per-click (PPC), pay-per-lead (PPL), pay-per- action (PPA), pay-per-impression (PPI) and pay-per-sale (PPS)
4. Free classifieds and Free For All (FFA's)
5. Hire a lead generation company.
6. Buy leads from a Co-Registration lead broker
Let's discuss each of the above forms of lead generation.
Advertising in e-zines or newsletters are good avenues for acquiring targeted leads. You should subscribe to various e-zines to verify that the readers would be interested in your offer. Then select those e-zines you feel are targeted to your niche and place a solo ad, as sponsor ad or a classified ad.
Usually the solo ad is more expensive as this type of ad gets a full page or a separate mailing, whereas the sponsor's ad is about a quarter page and the classified ad is only a few lines. Your best bet is with the solo ad.
Costs vary greatly among e-zines. Obviously the total circulation of the e-zine guides the price of these e-zine ads, the larger the e-zine circulation, the higher the price per ad.
Search engine optimization (SEO), is the practice of designing your website to score well with the search engines and thereby get listed in the top ten of a designated search by viewers, is a daunting task. Competition is fierce for those spots unless you have a very narrow niche with a long tail keyword phrase.
In a PPC agreement, the advertiser only pays for qualifying clicks to the destination website based on a pre-arranged per-click rate. Popular PPC advertising options include per-click advertising networks, Google's AdWords or Yahoo's Search Marketing, and affiliate programs.
PPC is the process of writing a short, three or four-line ad to be displayed by the search engine, that contains the keywords on which you have bid money. Each time that ad is "clicked on" by a viewer; you must pay your bid amount to the search engine.
If you manage to convert enough of your visitors into sales, your PPC campaign will be profitable.
Pay-per-action is the action defined in a cost-per-action agreement that relates directly to some type of conversion, a sale being made or a registration of some sort is the most common.
In a pay-per-lead agreement, the advertiser only pays for leads generated at their destination website. No payment is made for visitors who do not sign up.
Pay-per-impression is a typical referral link/banner ad arrangement where the website wanting to purchase advertising space pays the host's website for each time it displays the ad.
Typically, prices are set per 1000 exposures and software is added to the hosting web server to track the number of impressions displayed.
Free Classified and Free For All advertising is not really recommended. These ads are not targeted ads and you are very lucky to receive one lead out of a 1000. Search engines have started to ignore links from Free Classified and especially the ones from FFA pages. You have better ways to spend your time than fooling with these unproductive methods.
Buying leads can be very costly. You have probably seen the ads claiming to "blast your ads to a zillion leads for only $29.95." You might just as well give that $29.95 to your favorite charity because you will not be getting anything back from the so-called blaster.
However, there is one type of lead purchase that has recently seen some success and that would be Co-Registration leads.
What is a Co-Registration lead?
Co-Registration occurs when someone registers for one thing (for instance, a membership or a magazine subscription) and then is offered more information on a related topic (such as making money from home). In another case, they might be visiting a website targeted to entrepreneurs and a pop-up asks if they would like related free information by email. Those who sign on are very good targeted leads as they have opted in to receive more information.
Once you have your leads opt-in to your own list, now you can pamper them, shower them with gifts and take extra good care of them because they are now your future.
You must gain their trust and once you have that, you have to live up to that trust by being honest and above board with them at all time. They will then buy from you again and again.
This is what it's all about.
Posted by billenross at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2007
Print Advertising
Over the years, the Internet has become the primary means of trying to sell products, services, or information for many marketers and businesses. However, as popular as the Internet is, it still may not be the most profitable way to advertise or sell.
In our modern day of high-speed technology, many seem to forget that the tried and true method of direct sales marketing through print advertising can still prove to be the most profitable way to go.
Why is this you say? It's because basic human nature has not changed, nor have human buying triggers. Having something tangible in hand that can be touched is still trusted more than words or images thrown up on a computer screen. In spite of the Internet's capability of reaching out to multi-millions of email addresses or viewers in a matter of minutes... a printed circular or flyer in hand still holds more credibility.
Think about it. When you get a printed circular or flyer that you can hold in your hand... you tend to look at it as something real that is produced by a real person whom you can identify with. You don't generally look at it as some unknown face or entity hiding behind a computer screen trying to scam you.
It seems illogical that so many marketers and businesses are unaware of, or have forgotten this old proven method of advertising and selling. Printed forms of advertising and direct sale pieces have stood the test of time, and have proven itself over and over again against everything that has come and gone.
With direct sales, you don't have to worry about getting traffic to a web site, search engine optimization, black hat, white hat, or any of the other online techniques you see touted. People coming online to your web site after reading your printed direct sales piece are generally looking to buy the product or service offered.
The World Wide Web, or Internet should wisely be used in combination with direct sales as an extension of your advertising and sales efforts... not as your primary medium. More people who are ready to buy will find you through direct sales than they would just surfing the internet to see what's available amid the billions of web pages.
A printed advertising or direct sales piece is really much easier to produce than a web site... wouldn't you agree? All it has to do is make people aware of what is available, the cost, and where to get it. If the offer is located in a physical building, then give the address and times of operation. If it is located online, the give the web site addresses. It's just that simple.
Most internet exclusive advertisers will likely see their sales efforts pay off in a much greater way by combining print advertising and direct sales with their online methods. Once a printed direct sales piece establishes credibility, a web site would only need to highlight benefits and give access to the offer.
Now that you realize the benefits and advantages... do yourself and your business a favor, and make print advertising direct sales an important part of your financial well being.
Posted by billenross at 09:08 AM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2007
Get On The Internet
The Internet is proving to be a substantial venue for promoting products. If you have a retail outlet having a web site can be an extension of your store. With our busy lifestyles and dual income families, it can be easier for many people to simply go on line and make their purchases. This saves time and gas. If you have a store it would be prudent of you to have a web presence.
When customers come into your store capture their email address. You could have a form they fill out with a check box that they check off permitting you to send them a newsletter or sale notification. A large database of clients can be built by doing just this one thing. By having a web site and regularly sending out newsletters you keep your name in front of the client at all times. When they need a product you sell, they will most likely think of your store, as you are always reminding them of your presence.
Offer your database a special discount now and then for email subscribers only. Write an article of interest you think your clientele would be interested in, ie; if you sell golf clubs research and write an article on how to improve their golf swing, or if you have a dress shop write an article on what the next seasons colors will be. This will keep your site sticky (people will want to come back often as they get good information when visiting your site).
You can easily find software today that makes it easy for you to create a web site. Just visit your local software retailer and you will find many ideas for web site creation software. It is quite inexpensive as well. HTML knowledge is not a prerequisite for creating a web site. You can find software now that lets you simply follow a template in a WYSIWYG editor. This stands for "what you see is what you get". If this is intimidating you can hire a web site designer. They are relatively inexpensive, depending on what type and how extensive your site is.
Make sure when you choose a domain name you give this a lot of thought. It is better to have the keyword that describes your product in your domain name, rather than something totally unrelated. The search engines will find you easier.
Once you have your site, it needs to be indexed by the search engines or directories. This process can be helped along by submitting your website to a 'paid' directory like Yahoo!.
It is better to get a web site hosted by a company that you pay a monthly fee for rather than use a free one, as they can have a lot of advertising on your site, which doesn't look professional. Just Google hosting companies and you will find a large number available.
There are a many excellent books in book stores that teach you all about marketing on the web. It is worth the read as it is very competitive out there. Knowledge is a definite plus! Good Luck!
Posted by billenross at 08:44 AM | Comments (0)
June 25, 2007
Web Hosting
Web hosting has changed a lot in the last few years. Gone are the days of paying through the nose to have a website on the World Wide Web. Nor must you be a technological genius to set up a website. There are literally hundreds of choices when it comes to web hosts these days.
So, how do you choose the right one for you? In some respects, it may depend on what type of website you are looking to host. Do you just need to host a simple brochure type site? Do you plan to write a blog? Or, will you need tons of bandwidth for photo galleries or audio-visual media? Knowing the answers to questions such as those is your first task. (Update - here's a great resource for web hosting information).
However, there are a few essential features that every good web host should have. This article will outline these features, in no particular order.
1. A reasonable price. Unless you have very special needs, you should never have to pay more than $10 to $15 a month for dependable, full-featured web hosting. You can often save money by paying for a full year in advance, but at any rate, there are many cost-effective web-hosting solutions available today.
2. A cPanel interface. All of the best web hosts offer "cPanel", which is a web-based control panel that allows you to manage your domain through a web interface. It's an industry standard that enables site configuration and management, including setting up email, database administration, file management, FTP, and installation of scripts. Cpanel also generally comes with Fantastico, which is an easy-as-pie installer for the WordPress blog platform, bulletin board software, and more.
4. Easily accessible customer support. Look for both web-based and telephone support. One or the other should be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Web solutions may include both email (or an email-based support ticket system) and live chat. You'll also want the support to be intelligent, reliable, and friendly. In addition, it will be helpful if they offer help files you can download or access online.
5. Multiple domain hosting. If you never plan to create more than one website, this feature may not be important to you. But for most Web entrepreneurs, this is an important consideration when choosing a web host. Most web hosts today offer cost-effective options for hosting more than one domain on an account. Some even offer unlimited domains for one low monthly (or quarterly) rate.
6. Large amounts of storage space and bandwidth allowed. You want to plan for future growth of your site, both in terms of the size of the site itself, and in the amount of traffic it attracts. Ideally, you'll sign up with a web host that won't penalize you for your growth, at least not for a long time. 25MB is a good minimum, and if necessary you should be able to easily upgrade your space without having to switch hosts.
7. Number of POP3 email accounts allowed. Unlimited email accounts is best. That gives you the flexibility to add unique email addresses for different functions on your website, such as sales@yourdomain.com, webmaster@yourdomain.com, support@yourdomain.com, etc. If you can't get unlimited email, then at least look for multiple email account capability.
8. Access to logs and statistics. You'll want to evaluate your site's performance over time, once it gets going. So having access to free statistics software and web logs will help with that analysis.
9. Ability to use FTP or online file management. File Transfer Protocol (FTP for short) is a tool where you can upload large numbers of files quickly. You'll want to be able to use FTP, at least some of the time. But online file management (especially through cPanel--see #2 above) is great when you only want to upload a file or two, or when you want to be able to administer your site when you're not at your own computer.
10. Backups. There should be some sort of plan for backups with your web host. Ideally, they'll include it in your price, but you may have to pay extra. All companies, though, should be doing some sort of backing up as a routine security measure. Find out, too, what is backed up, e.g., files, databases, server settings, etc.
So, there you have it--a rundown of the top features to expect from the best web hosting companies. By the way, free web hosting IS still available, but the old adage, "You get what you pay for" was never more true than in relation to web hosting, especially if you want to host a business web site. Be willing to pay for quality, reliability, and a full set of features.
Posted by billenross at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)
June 24, 2007
Are You Just A Product of Your Environment?
Most people don't particularly like the idea that they are merely products of their environment. But whether the suggestion in the title appeals to you or not, it describes the situation for most people pretty accurately. Most of our thoughts, emotions, actions, behaviors and habits are dictated directly or indirectly by our environment.
We would all like to think of ourselves as such a person and we all have the ability to be just that. But hanging around people who are just about the opposite, in other words: most people, won't do much good. It's not that much a question of whether or not you are a product of your environment.
The question is : Do you like what your environment has made of you?" Or even better, and certainly more accurate: "Do you like what you have allowed your environment to make of you?" If you do. Great! If not. You basically have two options; change how and when you allow your environment to influence you or change your environment. The former might seem easier, since it allows you to stay within your comfort zone, but it is in fact a lot harder than you might think. After all, if it were that easy you would already have done it.
Changing your environment can be easy enough, but it does take a conscious decision on your part. Your 'environment' or your 'peer group' usually consists of about five people. These are the people that you spend the majority of your time with and these are also the people that influence you the most. Like it or not. So if you're not satisfied with your results and you would like to change where you are in life, a change in your environment may be the smartest first step to take.
You could make achieving your goals and reaching success in life so much easier if you would just be a bit more choosy when it comes to the people in your environment. Take an active role in determining who is and who is not allowed into your peer group. Instead of just letting other people claim you for theirs. To some this may seem like a chore; consciously selecting who they spend their time with or posing as somebody else and pretending to be something they're not in order to fit in.
A lot of people also consider it to be unethical or opportunistic to apply this kind of selectiveness to determine who they spend their time with. Many people also mistake being selective in who you spend your time with for being insincere. As if you were taking advantage of someone else by spending time with them. Of course if you actually try to take advantage of someone, he or she will notice this sooner or later and when that happens, that person will no longer be a part of your peer group. However, if you sincerely want to get ahead in life there is nothing wrong with looking for people that can increase you chances of success.
The good thing about being around like-minded individuals is that you enjoy each others company because you think alike on at least a number of subjects that you both consider to be important. These people won't feel exploited by you at all. They'll probably enjoy your company as much as you do theirs. And you will have a lot less trouble filtering all sorts of negative influences from these people. Simply because they won't give you a lot of it.
They may give you a lot of constructive criticism or hold you to higher standards than you are used to, but they aren't likely to crush your hopes and dreams and try to de-motivate you. If you have a carefully selected peer group it's as if you have a whole team of security guards protecting the door to your mind instead of just one.
Of course this doesn't mean that you can't still spend time with the people you currently hang around. These people may still be very important to you. They may be close friends and family and by no means should you completely erase them from your life. Although in some cases that might not be a bad suggestions. It is important to realize that continuing to devote most of your time, attention and energy to them can seriously hurt you and your future.
As the expression goes: "Love your family, Choose your peers". If you really want to get ahead in life you better take that phrase to heart. After all, time is a very precious commodity of which all of us are only given a certain amount. We might as well spend it in an environment that is supportive to our goals and dreams.
Posted by billenross at 10:59 AM | Comments (0)
June 23, 2007
GSI - Google's Supplemental Index
If you're not familiar with GSI, let's start with Google's own definition of their new supplemental index.
"A supplemental result is just like a regular web result, except that it's pulled from our supplemental index. We're able to place fewer restraints on sites we crawl for this supplemental index than we do on sites that are crawled for our main index. For example, the number of parameters in a URL might exclude a site from being crawled for inclusion in our main index; however, it could still be crawled and added to our supplemental index.
If you're a webmaster, please note that the index in which a site is included is completely automated; there's no way to select or change the index in which a site appears. Please also be assured that the index in which a site is included doesn't affect its Page Rank."
Although there is no direct way you can influence which pages of your site will be in the regular or supplemental index, you can take steps not to let your site get put into Google's Supplemental Index (GSI) in the first place. Google is telling webmasters, if your site is difficult to crawl or deemed to be of low quality without much to differentiate it with unique content from other sites in your niche, your site will be placed in a second rate low quality index.
So why do so many pages end up in Google's Supplemental Index?
Well, here are a few things that spring to mind...
1. Using Duplicate Content (on the same site or eternally).
2. The page in question contains the same Title and META tags as other pages on your site.
3. Your site creates crawling problems due to redirects, java script navigation, or simply too many parameters used in the URL or session IDs.
4. Having loads of unrelated external links on one page (just don't do it!), or not enough internal or external inbound links to add "weight" to the page.
5. Your web page no longer exists, or is orphaned with no internal links pointing to it or buried too deep to be crawled properly.
... and a few steps to avoiding it!
• Remove duplicate content from your website and keep your remaining content as fresh and unique as possible.
• If you're using PLR content - rewrite at least 30-50% of it.
• Make sure your domain name appears consistent (i.e. with "www" or without "www".)
• Do not overcomplicate the site structure or navigation system.
• Shorten any long URL's to something simple.
• Increase relevant inbound links and use contextual linking where possible.
• Use deep-linking (linking to other pages than just your index page), but try to keep within 2-3 levels.
• Create and submit a Sitemap which will allow Google easy access to all your web pages and ensure that all your pages are indexed regularly and correctly.
The above is by no means an exhaustive list of avoiding Google's Supplemental Index, but it is certainly enough to get started on.
Posted by billenross at 07:37 AM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2007
Podcasts for Online Marketing
Podcasts are short radio-style audio programs that users of online audio, mobile audio and iPods (or other portable digital audio players) can download and listen to whenever and wherever they like. The Podcast medium is still in its infancy as a marketing medium.
The most effective use in these early days of marketing with Podcasts involves subjects that appeal to tech-savvy listeners. Obviously, that includes topics in computing, multimedia, and high technology.
Another smart approach is to match Podcast marketing with the lifestyle of the target audience. For example: skiers. The target market for a typical ski resort includes young professionals in the 20s and 30s, with an adventure-loving attitude to recreation, and plenty of disposable income so that they can afford the sport. That's right on target for the core market that buys iPods and other high-tech gadgets.
Marketing Sherpa reports that New England ski area Killington Ski Resorts recently tapped into this useful convergence of market niches to create a Podcast-driven marketing campaign.
Killington Resorts communications manager Tom Horrocks recognized that one unifying factor of this demographic is their almost cultish love of iPods and portable digital audio. He decided that Podcasts would be an ideal way to connect with them on their own terms.
Here's how he put the campaign together:
1) Bought software and digital microphones that his team could use right in the office to create Podcasts.
2) Hired a "snow reporter / media writer" to act as a personable and enthusiastic character, to become identified as the Podcast voice of the resort.
3) Developed and produced 3 separate Podcasts: a 3-minute "Snowcast" of daily weather and snow condition reports; a 12-minute weekly "Driftcast" that delivered interviews, tips and stories from the mountain; and a 3-hour weekly music production, more like and FM radio segment, with music appealing to the target demographic.
4) Delivered the Podcasts regularly, on schedule, through popular distribution services including Apple's iTunes online music service, Podcast Alley, and Yahoo!, as well as through the Resorts' own Web site.
The results were impressive. Over a period of 2 months at the beginning of 2006, the Podcasts were downloaded nearly 30,000 times. The downside of Podcast marketing is that it is hard to track results. Once the audio is downloaded, there's no built-in way to measure how the listener responds or takes action.
However, Tom Horrocks is sure the Podcasts delivered a good return on investment. He credits the campaign's success to the flair of the resort's Podcast personality, known as Anna of the Mountain. "She epitomizes Killington: young, passionate, crazy about skiing."
Posted by billenross at 08:13 AM | Comments (0)
June 21, 2007
Make a Lens on Squidoo
Squidoo has been part of the new Web 2.0 category of Internet marketing tools since 2005. Squidoo allows an author to create a lens, a one page website, which focuses on any subject for free. A particular lens can draw information from numerous sources and place it all on one page for easy viewing and reading.
A lens maker can create numerous lenses on a subject, focusing attention on a different aspect of the subject with each lens. On the other had, a lens maker can make numerous lenses that cover many different topics, reflecting the lens makers' different interests and expertise.
Internet Marketing
One of the many good uses for Squidoo lenses is to use the lens as part of an overall Internet marketing strategy. One or more good lenses can help to bring attention, traffic, and credibility to a product or business by providing valuable information and resources. Additionally, the lens can help to establish the author as an expert in their field and a person whose advice should be taken seriously.
Therefore, the use of Squidoo lenses has become a valuable Internet resource for building and marketing a business.
Basic Modules
There are numerous tools available on Squidoo to build a lens. Most of these tools are called modules. The modules create separate sections on the overall web page. Other tools available on Squidoo include the author's biographical area, a keyword list called tags, the lens title or headline, a lensroll, and RSS subscription for readers.
One of the basic modules allows the author to write short articles about various aspects of the lens's subject. Another basic module makes it easy to list and describe appropriate links to offsite information that complements the subject of the lens. For Internet marketing purposes the author can use these basic modules to link to their own websites, thereby driving traffic to their own business.
Other basic modules provide links to commercial Internet resources such as eBay, Amazon, Starbucks, CompUSA, and many other businesses where the reader can be directed to the author's own merchandise offerings or to merchandise and information that supports the author's own business. These modules can also provide some income, as the lens maker earns a small percentage of the sales of merchandise on these commercial websites.
Interactive Modules
Many modules are interactive in nature, which is why Squidoo is considered to be part of the new Web 2.0 category of interactive websites. Readers can respond to many of the modules, adding their own favorites to certain categories. For example, readers can add their favorite YouTube videos to the list of videos on the lens or add their favorite pictures to the lens's list. Additionally, readers can add their favorite links to a list of links that the author has provided on the lens, or they can add their comments or responses to questions asked by the lens's author. One of the favorite interactive modules is the voting module where readers can vote on a question by the lens's author or vote on a listing of favorite resources.
All of the interactive modules have the effect of creating new content for the lens. The benefit to the lens maker is that the new lens content makes their lens more searchable by the many internet search engines. This is an obvious boost to the lens maker's overall internet marketing strategy.
Syndicated Content Modules
Another category of modules is that of syndicated content that is drawn from other websites. For example, if the lens maker has a blog on the same subject as his lens, he can have the blog posts automatically directed to the lens each time he creates a new blog post. Other types of syndicated content include articles from magazines and newspapers. The lens maker can automatically draw content related to the subject of the lens each time a new article appears in the specified periodicals. Similar to reader interactivity, this constantly changing syndicated content refreshes the lens on a regular basis, making it more attractive to the internet search engines and giving a boost to the lens maker's internet marketing efforts.
Creating a Squidoo lens can be fun as well as wise. It is fun because the tools produce a lens with a wide range of variety and creativity. And it is wise because the lens will help the lens maker market their business more successfully.
Posted by billenross at 08:40 AM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2007
10 Ways to Grab a Skimmer's Attention
People don't have much time to read your sales letters and would rather skim them. They will scan your letter and read only those that catch their eye.
Is the solution to have a short one? No, it's not. Generally, long sales letters convert better. You will have more time to present the features and benefits of your product and convince your readers to buy.
If a short sales letter is not the solution, how, then, do you grab the attention of a skimmer so he can read all the important aspects of your sales letter? The following are ways that can help you make them read further:
1. Create a good first impression. Your ad copy should look professional. It should make the reader feel that your letter is worth reading. A misspelled word in your heading can turn off a potential customer. Why would one buy from you if you don't take care of details? What should your customer expect from your products, or even your support to the product later on?
2. Use a lot of headlines and sub-headlines to easily catch your visitors' attention. Expand on the benefits and features of your product. Have a sub-headline on each benefit. Your readers may want to read further if they find your headlines and sub-headlines interesting.
3. Use pictures or graphics that show your product and bonuses. They will make your product more concrete to your visitors. Pictures and graphics also easily attract eyeballs.
5. Use short sentences or sentence fragments. It is easier to read and understand short sentences than long ones. By just looking at the length of your sentences, the visitor will know the degree of difficulty in reading your sales letter.
6. Use color, bold, italics, underlining to highlight important words and phrases. However, use them sparingly. Too much of them may look like you are hysterical and will turn away potential buyers.
Use highlighting near the area where you want to have your visitors read more. You may want them to read the features or benefits of your product.
7. Pick the three most powerful and appealing benefits of your product and repeat them in various parts of your sales letter. This will help your visitors easily remember these benefits. Just be sure to rewrite them, so it won't appear that you just copied and pasted them in your ad copy.
8. Use bullets to list the features and benefits of your product. Bullets make reading easier making your visitor read more.
9. Use a postscript (P.S.) at the end. This is some of the most read sections of a sales letter. You may repeat the strong point of your product, remind the bonuses included, or emphasize the urgency for the prospect to take action.
10. With a long sales letter, place buy buttons at different places of the letter. Your prospect may have been convinced to buy, so provide them with the opportunity to do so.
People are in a hurry to quickly get over reading a sales letter. Unless something catches their eyes, they would just skim over the letter and go on to the next site. They might miss the important points, and you lose them as customers. However, with the optimal use of eye-catching techniques, you may be able to have them read more, and convince them to click on that buy button.
Posted by billenross at 07:27 PM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2007
Article Marketing
Whether you run a business totally online, or you operate a brick-and-mortar business and have a supplemental website, you need to implement article marketing. If you aren't marketing your business with articles, you're missing a huge chunk of the marketing pie. Let me give you a few reasons why.
Reason #1: Article marketing is free. Every business owner knows that advertising isn't cheap. Every newspaper or magazine ad you run costs you dearly. By spending just a little extra time writing and submitting several articles each month, you'll save quite a bit of money. Best yet, article marketing doesn't cost you a dime--just a few hours every week.
Reason #2: Article marketing brands your business. Have you ever wondered how some businesses seem to become so well known in such a short amount of time? They're getting their name out there. They're giving away something of value for free to their potential customers. Your articles will brand your business and make it a well-known name.
Reason #4: Article marketing teaches you how to relate to people. You can't write a bunch of articles without learning how to communicate effectively. The more you write, the more you'll learn how to get your message across in a friendly, personal tone.
Reason #5: Article marketing creates back links to your website. Without getting into the technical details of this, back links to your website are good and you'll want lots of them. Back links help boost your rankings in the search engines, thus gaining more exposure for your website.
The web owners always try to get that domain names which are very familiar to the web surfers. But, web owners prefer to get cheapest domain name for their web sites. After getting domain, web site design is considered as next step and any wrong selection of design leads towards heavy losses. After designing, the selection of hosting company is very critical step but dedicated hosting is most preferable all over the world. The next step is to promote websites by pay per click method because it is considered as cheapest way of advertising. But, affiliate sharing is the way by which web owners can generate revenue. The internet marketing guide provides the complete information to web owners for successfully launching websites.
Remember that article marketing isn't the cure-all answer to advertising your business; it's one piece of the pie. You also can't submit a handful of articles one time and expect to see results.
Article marketing requires persistence and patience. You should plan to spend a certain number of hours each week writing and submitting articles to promote your business. Pencil in this time faithfully and stick to it. Within a few months (maybe even a few short weeks!), you'll begin to see the results of your hard work pay off.
Posted by billenross at 09:44 AM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2007
7 Viral Ways for Exapanded Online Reach
What would happen if one of your friends tells about your newest blog to her five friends and they, in turn, tell their friends and it goes on like this? Pretty soon you will have all the traffic you need for a comfortable income from your new-found writing careers. Is it possible to to achieve this kind of success using the virality of the social web, or does it sound like a pyramid scheme?
The emergence of social web provides opportunities for viral marketing that never existed before. Face to face talk or talk over the phone has its limitations in reaching your audience. The Web 1.0 offered forums for a limited viral marketing opportunity. The social web has opened up avenues manyfolds expanded online reach. This article describes seven techniques for using the social web to achieve virality.
1. Before jumping to social websites to launch your viral adventure, make your site social web friendly. Provide a link on your site for users to invite their friends. When someone joins your site through an invitation, reward points to the inviter. Announce a contest on your site and reward the top inviter with e-books or a t-shirt with your site logo.
2. Spend sometime at Digg. This is a community based news popularity web site. If your blog article hits the front page of Digg, you will get thousands of visitors and some of them will eventually become your regulars. Study the types of articles that end up on the front page of Digg. Write your blog articles targeted to Digg users.
4. Take a look at Delicious. Google Delicious to get the url because it is not a dot-com domain. It is a social bookmarking site to store your bookmarks online. You should build a network of friends at this site and study their bookmarkings to assess the type of articles they prefer to bookmark. Tailor your blog articles to mimic the article style your network appreciates.
5. Visit a site called Squidoo. At Squidoo you create "lenses" (a Web page) about any topic. You can create as many lenses as you want and you can embed external links in your lenses. Squidoo lenses also have a good search engine credibility. So, your sites will get some good external in-bound links for free.
6. LinkedIn is an online community of experienced professionals. Create your account at LinkedIn and network with professionals in your fields. Offer some free services for other professionals in your network and solicit their recommendations. All recommendations appear in your profile. LinkedIn provides great opportunity for someone to find your business or services.
7. YourElevatorPitch provides a free online spot to announce your business and services. User rates your ad pitches. This site also allows you to link back to your site.
The domain name registration is considered as first step for launching any website. There are many companies which are providing services of website development. These online companies are providing web design to their customers at very nominal rates. But, any one can design the websites by knowing web design basics. After these steps, web owners go for cheap web hosting for minimizing their costs. These web owners need very high dsl connections. So, many companies are striving for providing better and reliable speed up dsl connections.
Other sites worth exploring for viral opportunities are Flickr and YouTube. Both the sides accept multimedia (photos for Flickr and videos for YouTube) contents. These sites are good for establishing your brand by regular posting of theme oriented humorous contents.
Posted by billenross at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2007
The Personal Touch of Automating Your Home Business
Running your own home business can be both a blessing and a curse. Truth be told, almost everyone has advice for how you should run things; react to situations, and how to spend your time and money. One common theme is to automate absolutely everything possible, using the reasoning that you will need to "get on with things" and grow your business. While this holds some truth... it is not entirely factual.
Any home business will have a front end, and a back end. Now, when you start your venture, you will begin to realize that everything takes time to do... and some things take even more time to get done right. Always have a vision of what your front end will look like: what will the customer see, what will draw them in, what is the initial offer, are the graphics matching the copy writing, is the offer attractive in appearance, and so on. Once done, this will likely stay pretty static - especially if it's working to make sales! So, after it's set - you are free to hand any small modifications off to be done by someone else... investing your newly found "free" time toward growing your business.
Automation can make your communication with the customer easier, and it can make the payment processing easier... this can be seen almost every time. However, the personal matching of customer desires with the perfect product... along with a superior offer cannot be automated - it require human feeling and emotion. So, yes - do automate what you can. But, after the automation is done, be sure to inject emotion and feeling into your business - as this will grow your business more than anything else possibly could.
Posted by billenross at 11:38 AM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2007
Taming Your To-Do List
The worst thing about to-do lists is they seem to breed every time you look away. Just as you think you're getting somewhere, another task needs to be added. It's downright depressing. You might be forgiven for wondering if there is anyone on earth who actually manages to tick off all the items on a to-do list before the end of the day.
Take heart. It is possible to tame your to-do list - and not by taking a pair of scissors to it to cut it in half. What you need to do is look beyond the list, at the way you handle your time.
Don't worry. This is not just another 'time management' lecture that you've heard a thousand times before. It's a simple, workable approach to taking back a measure of control. By following 4 easy steps, you can introduce more flexibility into your working week - and finally tame that list!
Step 1. Think in Terms of Tasks, Not Hours
In an effort to control the way we use time, most of us allocate a certain number of hours to our 'working week'. If you work outside the home, this may be imposed upon you. If you work from home, you decide your own hours.
Then what happens? In comes the out-of-control 'to do' list. You make a list of all the things you have to do. Then you add more. You try ranking them in order of importance, and the lesser things never get done. Worse, some of the semi-important things keep getting bumped down the list. You work all the hours you have set yourself, and more - but the list just keeps growing.
What to do?
Start thinking in terms of tasks to be done, rather than total hours to be worked. You'll find that some tasks can be grouped under a general 'project' heading. You might end up with two or three projects to be completed. (Leave yourself some time for repetitive everyday tasks - email, customer service etc.)
Step 2. Establish A Pool Of Hours
Now allocate a "pool of hours" to each project. Don't use up all the hours in your working week when you create this pool of hours (or several pools). The whole idea is to build in some flexibility, so you don't feel overwhelmed.
Step 3. Start With A Sprint
When you begin each project, start by 'sprinting' through a rough outline. This will get you off to a fast start, and the psychological benefits of having an outline completed quickly can last throughout the entire project. Set a time limit to brainstorm the outline - thirty minutes, an hour, whatever works for you.
Then divide your project outline into chunks and start working on one 'chunk' at a time. Be flexible about how you divide your hours. If you're in the mood and everything's going well, you can use more of your pool of hours for this project in one day. If you're hitting a roadblock and you need to let it 'simmer' for a while, put it away and turn to a different project and start dipping into a different 'pool'.
Step 4. Wrap It Up and Reward Yourself
If you've estimated your time correctly, then you'll usually finish your project on time or with hours left over. This may well be a whole new experience for you! Instead of feeling panicked that you are ticking off an endless list of tasks without ever getting to the bottom of it, you have the satisfaction of completing a project when you planned to. If you have a few leftover hours in your pool, you have a choice - transfer them to another project, or use them as 'bonus time'.
It's a nice feeling to actually have a few hours that you can use to reward yourself instead of diving headfirst into yet another job. You'll find that this is a great motivator to avoid distractions - we all work better with the prospect of a couple of hours free to do something we enjoy.
Bottom line: Become task-oriented rather than time-oriented; work from a pool of hours; start with a sprint, then reward yourself by taking some time out using any leftover hours. You'll enjoy work more - and tame that to-do list in no time!
Posted by billenross at 08:40 AM | Comments (0)
June 13, 2007
How to Stay in Your Customer's Mind
Imagine the following scenario: six months ago you paid someone to come and do your gardening. You'd like to use them again but you can't remember their name and have lost their business card. You end up going to another gardener, which means that the first gardener has probably lost a customer for life.
How easy would it have been for that gardener to stay in touch with you by sending you a newsletter with gardening tips and product recommendations? If you're running your own business, you can't afford not to have a newsletter. Sure, it seems that every business sends out one nowadays but that is no reason to avoid using this invaluable marketing tool. It's an excellent way to build ongoing customer relationships, establish trust and build credibility.
The most cost effective way to send out a newsletter is by email. That way you avoid printing and mailing costs, and it's so much more immediate.
Here are 5 tips to using email newsletters as a way of staying in touch with your customer base:
1. Use the 80% 20% Rule
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is talking only about themselves in their newsletters. Think about the newsletters that you delete and the ones that you make the effort to read. Usually the most interesting ones contain solid information and tips that benefit you in some way. Think about what would really interest and help your readers and write articles on those topics accordingly. 80% of your newsletter content should directly benefit your reader. Only allow 20% of your content to promote your business.
2. Choose a schedule and stick to it
Consistency is the key when sending out newsletters. Whether you decide on a monthly or fortnightly newsletter, make a commitment to yourself to keep to this schedule. If your newsletter is good, your customers will start to look forward to hearing from you and you don't want to disappoint them, do you?
3. Pick a quality newsletter provider
A service like Aweber will provide you with the best in service at a very reasonable price. As part of signing up, you get free templates to use. Customize these with your logo and photo to add that personal touch. Aweber also manages people wanting to unsubscribe from your list automatically, which is a great time saver.
4. Plan your content
Instead of inwardly groaning when suddenly it's time to send out your newsletter again, why not brainstorm and work on some article ideas in advance? Think of your newsletter as an ongoing, fun project and it will be.
5. Put your sign-up box on your website
Make it easy for people to sign up for your newsletter by putting a sign-up box prominently on your website. Also invite people to sign up by putting a sentence at the end of your email signature, saying something like 'Sign up for my newsletter with the latest articles, news, tips and stories at '
The time and effort that you put into your newsletter will pay off dividends by increasing repeat business, and bringing in new business.
Posted by billenross at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2007
Special Renegade Network Marketer Bonus
It's finally available!
Just moments ago the long awaited Renegade Network Marketer System was released to the public.
If you've been following the tremendous buzz this system has been creating in the industry over the last week or two, you already know that this is destined to transform your business and give you the information and skills you need to finally achieve the success in network marketing you've always dreamed of.
Because you already know the power the Renegade Network Marketer system holds, I probably don't need to do anything except give you the link and tell you to grab your copy immediately.
However... I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't do everything in my power to make sure you get plugged into this life changing information.
So...
Just in case you are still on the fence about taking action, I want to sweeten the pot for you.
When you order The Renegade Network Marketer System through the link below, I'll throw in a valuable special bonus.
Simply forward me your "receipt" email after you order and you'll get an invitation to attend an exclusive, one time teleseminar I'm doing to walk you through this powerful system and help you get started using the Renegade System in YOUR business.
This 90 minute teleseminar is ONLY for those who claim their copy of the Renegade Network Marketer through the link below.
But there IS a catch...
I only have 100 lines available on this call, so only the first 100 to order will get this valuable bonus. (And, I know Ann has a tremendous limited quantity bonus she is offering too.)
So, don't wait. Head straight over to Ann's site to learn the full details about the Renegade Network Marketer system, and finally put yourself on the path to REAL network marketing success.
Here is that link one more time.
Forward your receipt to this email address
Posted by billenross at 12:03 PM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2007
Home Business Scams
Everybody wants to work from home.We are all aware of the benefits of working from home. Work at your leisure, do what you enjoy and earn money in the bargain. Who would not like this luxury. But with the mad rush for people to work from home, scamsters seem to be making a quick buck and many people have fallen prey to them. The following are a few scams one needs to be careful about before engaging in work at home opportunities.
"Envelope Stuffing Scams"
This is possibly the most infamous. You are required to stuff envelopes which the company sends you after you have paid a fee with a promise that you will be paid for every envelope you stuff. The problem is you never get paid and you lose the money you have invested in buying the envelopes.
"Data Entry Scams"
You see many advertisements promising you instant wealth just typing from home. But what do most of them turn out to be? Well, typing Google adwords as prescribed by the company, pay for the keywords that are suggested by them and simply advertise for " Data Entry " jobs which leads the customer to their site. In other words all you are doing typing Google Adwords using your money for advertising their site and getting a small commission in the bargain. More often than not you end up burning a hole in your pocket with Google Adwords as we all know it does not come cheap. You could do this on your own with a Clickbank and Google Adwords account and don't need to pay money to do it.
"Call 1-900 Scam"
You would have to call a 1-900 number to get more details on a home business opportunity or a work from home job. These numbers are not toll free. So you pay for the call and end up getting information which is of no use to you.
"Sending E-mail Scam"
You are promised income by just sending e-mails. For this you have to pay the company for the necessary instructions. In return you get a list of e-mail id's to which you have to send e-mails. Here is the catch. You will probably end up spamming people and get penalized in the bargain.
Almost every IT company is offering its certification tracks with several exams. The Citrix is offering to its certified 1Y0-259. In the CompTIA tracks of certifications, the basic exam is 220-601 is necessary to become its certified. In the Cisco certifications the exam code 350-001 is very common along with other exam code for CCNA certification in which 350-030 is very familiar. The very well-known exam code for becoming CCDA certified is 640-863. Another exam which is intended for Cisco Channel Partner Systems Engineers is 642-372 CXFS. The other exam code which is considered as gateway gatekeeper of Cisco certification is 642-453.
These are just a few scams. There are probably many more on the net. One needs to be careful before spending one's hard earned money. A simple search on Google for Home business scams can give you more information about the scams doing rounds on the net.
Posted by billenross at 05:37 PM | Comments (0)
June 08, 2007
Did You Download Your FREE Report?
Have you had a chance to download and read "The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing" yet?
If not, you need to head straight over to the URL below and grab your complimentary copy while you still can!
The feedback and response I'm getting about this eye-opening report has been nothing short of phenomenal.
One of the most common questions I've been asked is...
"Who is Ann Sieg?"
Well, I've known about Ann for a while now. She is an ultra-successful network marketer who has taken the industry by storm over the past couple years (particularly online), building enormous multiple streams of income in a very short period of time.
But, more important to me... She has helped many of her students and associates do the same.
That's what impresses me the most about Ann. It's one thing to build a big group on your own. But to have the ability to distill what you do down to a teachable, duplicatable system is the mark of a true leader.
And Ann has done just that!
Just a couple weeks ago I had the good fortune to get a sneak peak at a program Ann has put together called "The Renegade Network Marketer" system. All I can say is WOW!
If you think her "7 Great Lies" report is going to change the industry... Just wait until she's done putting the finishing touches on the "Renegade System".
The days of building your names list, cold calling and "attacking" strangers at the mall are long gone. Ann's new system is hands down the best Network Marketing education I've ever seen.
It's not available yet. But trust me... as soon as it's ready you'll be the first to know.
Until then, make sure you take the time download and read "The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing". There is no cost and I can promise you that it will dramatically change the way you look at this business FOREVER!
P.S. - Even if you've already downloaded the free report, make sure you actually go back and read it in depth. You may discover you've been telling many of the "7 Great Lies" without even knowing it.
Posted by billenross at 06:11 PM | Comments (0)
June 07, 2007
What to look for in a Network Marketing Business
Network Marketing is also called Multi-Level Marketing or MLM for short. If you happen to be thinking about getting into Network Marketing then this may be helpful for you. There are things to look for in a Network Marketing business that will keep you from just spinning your wheels and getting nowhere. It is true that most Network Marketing businesses fail. That is what happens to most any business in their first five years. But if you know how to do it right, then Network Marketing is the best career in the world!
You should be able to start with little cost. Avoid big sign-up fees and expensive frontloading where you have to spend thousands of dollars to get started, buying your way to the top of a pay plan, having to purchase large volumes to qualify for your check, and having to stock inventory yourself. Run away from anybody requiring you to do those things.
Do not fall for outrageous claims such as making money with no selling. In Network Marketing you can get people placed under you without having to do anything if the people above you are doing a lot of work and your compensation plan is a forced matrix or power leg binary. That kind of thing is called spillover, but you cannot count on getting rich from that. People joining with that expectation will be disappointed. Even worse, do not get involved with a company that is offering a business opportunity but has no product or service to sell other than the opportunity. Always, before you join any company, go to the Internet search engines and check for complaints and scam warnings.
Sales and distribution are the backbone of all business. Direct sales are the type we are more familiar with. The products of a company are peddled by a salesperson that receives a commission, which is a percentage of the money gained by the sale. That is the traditional sales approach. The salesperson can also be paid on an hourly or salaried basis, even per lead contacted as long as they meet a sales quota, but the source of income for business is always sales driven.
Network Marketing is proving to be a better way, both for the companies and their product distributors or salespeople. You are still selling a product or service for the company, but you also are looking for people who want to do what you are doing, selling the company's product and making money doing it. You are building a team. What that does is take sales to another level, because once you get someone else selling for the company, the company has a new distributor and you get paid not only on your sales, but also on the new distributor's sales as well.
That is why it is called Multi-Level Marketing. When that distributor on your first level gets a new seller for the company, you also get paid from the work of that new seller. If that new seller on your second level recruits, then you have a third level. You can have a team building under you, doing sales for you, making money for you, and it can be happening without extra effort on your part! The payment plans in MLM mostly include binary, breakaway, matrix, stair-step, and the best is unilevel.
With the unilevel plan there is no limit to the number of people you can have under you at the first level. The purchases from your first level are where you get the highest commission. Commissions for purchases from your second level on down are not as high percentage-wise, but can add up to a big amount through the shear number of sales. Those earnings are often called leveraged earnings because you have utilized the work and the time of other people. That is the way to get wealthy!
Network Marketing is about the referral and soft sell. You do not have to give people the hard sell to be successful. You simply use the company's product or service and recommend it to others. It helps a great deal if you are passionate about it. The company provides promotional materials such as sales letters, brochures, recruiting calls, recorded messages, websites, flash movie presentations, DVDs, and even magazines. They should be persuasive materials that put forth the benefits of the product or service to the prospect and should include plenty of testimonials.
The company should have a valuable and desired product or service that people would really want to have. Preferably, the product should be unique and manufactured by the company itself. You want the service to be a continuing monthly service or the product to be a consumable one, so that you get recurring purchases every month and an ongoing income from each customer.
With Network Marketing you will not just be making one-time sales as in direct marketing. You will be building a residual income that keeps coming in whether you work or not. It is the perfect way to build a retirement income, so the company you choose should be debt free and have been in business for at least 5 years so that you know it is solid.
Having found those things, you then present the business opportunity and the product to as many people as possible. Your warm market is people you know, such as friends, family, and co-workers. Beyond that, you can advertise, or buy lead lists of people interested in starting a business or interested in your type of product or service.
For Network Marketing the most targeted list you can get are MLM Genealogy Lists. Those are people who have showed an interest in Network Marketing by already having been involved in it. Do an Internet search for MLM Genealogy Lists if you want to buy one. Those lists are not expensive and many of the people on it already have experience building a business. Those are the people you want on your team!
Cisco is offering wide range of certifications for the IT professionals who are interested in Cisco tracks. In these tracks, 642-372 CXFS is intended for Cisco Channel Partner Systems Engineers. The 642-432 exam is associated with CCVP and Cisco IP certifications. The other exam of Cisco which leads to become QOS is 642-642. To become CCNP, the Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Network (ISCW 642-825) is considered as a qualifying exam. The Microsoft certifications are also very well known in al over the world in which 70-282 is the necessary exam to become MCSE along with other exam 70-294. The exam code for guiding for implementing, managing, and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure is 70-291.
To really succeed, you need to read this free report.
Posted by billenross at 09:06 AM | Comments (0)
June 06, 2007
Myths and Misconceptions About Starting an Online Business
Are you trying to start an online business? Are you overwhelmed with the many online business programs available or concerned that you'll lose money by investing in them? While many offers sound too good to be true, there are some very good ones available - but how can you be sure? Learning to read 'between the lines' will better prepare you for what's really involved.
Here are some common phrases used to promote online businesses and what they really mean:
#1 - Simple & Easy
Simple and easy depends on who's speaking. A doctor may tell you it's only a 'simple procedure' but that doesn't mean that you should attempt it yourself.
Many online businesses ARE simple to operate. If you understand how it works you will be amazed at the simplicity - but getting to that point will require time and experience. You may just need to try a few to get a 'feel' for the business before deciding which one is easiest for you.
Those who have learned from experience can look back and see how simple it COULD have been if they'd known what to do all along. Finding a trustworthy guide can be a great assistance to your business efforts.
#2 - Anyone Can Do This
Sorry - starting a business of any kind is stressful and requires a learning curve. If you are attempting an online business out of desperation or the belief you will make easy money you will face enormous obstacles. On the other hand, if you are truly seeking a business you can learn, work at and make a living from, you will find something online that fits your needs.
Studies of successful business people concur that those who make it have common qualities of persistence, patience and desire. These qualities are essential when trying to start an online business - do you have them?
#3 - Turnkey
The term 'turnkey' use to mean that a business was set up and ready to go. You will find the term in business classifieds where the new owner can just step in and start running the business. Unfortunately some marketers use the term to suggest a business is fully automated - that there is no work involved.
There is always work involved. If the business really is turnkey than you will begin work right away because it has already been set to go. If you want an automated business you will have to do the work to make it automated. Either way, nobody is going to give you an automated, turnkey business that makes money - they had to do the work, so why would they share it?
#4 - It Won't Cost Anything
You absolutely CAN set up an online business with no money, but be prepared that a combination of no money and lack of experience will stifle your efforts immensely.
Most individuals who start or run a business with no money have learned how to make use of the best free techniques through experience. They have paid their dues by trying businesses that cost money. They have spent time in and around their industry or market and they've been able to see where they can cut costs.
If you are prepared to spend a LOT of time researching before starting your business you may be one of the few who does it right the first time. For most people though, expect to pay something towards your online business education before seeing results - you just can't buy experience.
Online business obviously has its share of work involved, but finding the right one has enormous payoffs many people are willing to sacrifice time and money to achieve. Running your own business is satisfying and can give you more time to do what you really want to do in life.
Creating a successful online business is within the grasp of nearly everyone who is prepared to stick to it. Face the task of starting your business with realistic expectations while continuing to dream big and you may just surprise yourself!
Posted by billenross at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)
June 04, 2007
Are YOU telling these 7 network marketing
When you've been involved in network marketing for as long as I have you think you've "seen it all".
But lately I've become more and more concerned with some of the misinformation, misleading claims and downright LIES that are being told in our industry. (Often by people who should know better...)
Prospects and distributors are being promised everything under the sun to get them to join and build the business. They are told that success will be easy and anyone can do it.
The problem is...
Once these people join and discover that it DOES take a bit of work and skill to build a successful business, most of them feel like they have been lied to and realize that they are not going to just get "something for nothing".
This leaves a bad taste in their mouth about the entire industry and makes the job more difficult for all of us.
This is why I was so excited when I read a brand new report from my friend and well-known mlmer Ann Sieg titled, "The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing".
After reading this hard hitting 35 page report, I can guarantee you one thing...
This thing is going to shake up the entire industry! It's even going to make some people angry. Very angry!
Some (those TELLING these lies) will be angry because she is exposing them for what they really are.
Other (those who have been lied to) will be angry when they discover the REAL truth that their uplines have been hiding from them all along.
This is the most honest and insightful report on our industry I've ever read.
And the best part is Ann is giving this report away at no cost. Personally, I think she should be charging for this information... It's just too powerful.
But, because I feel that I owe it to you as my valued reader to protect you from the lies being told every day in this business, I want you to go right now to the website below and grab your
copy of "The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing".
After you read it I think you'll agree that the entire world of
network marketing is about to change...
P.S. - You may want to download and read this no-cost report
simply to find out if YOU have been telling some of these lies
without even knowing it. The answer may shock you!
Go grab your copy right now... (While it's still available.)
I'm not sure how long she is going to be able to "get away with"
sharing this controversial information.
Posted by billenross at 02:35 PM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2007
Four Tips to Get New MLM Distributors Set Up Right
As a leader in your MLM organization, you know that your work is only beginning when a prospect joins and becomes a new distributor on your team. One of your tasks is to assist him or her in getting set up right.
Now, since we all know it is impossible to sell anything from a cart that is empty, we want to make sure our new team member do not start off handicapped! Here are four tips to help your new MLM distributors launch and build their teams, based on the four different areas of the business.
1. Personal Use: The quickest way to learn the business as well as be sold on it is for new distributors to actually use the company's products. If the person doesn't make an effort to use any products and does not believe in them, should you have even sponsored him or her in the first place? So, make sure your new folks are not only sold on at least 2-3 products, but also actually use them.
2. Retail Sales: It will be hard for a new distributor to make any sales if he or she has zero products to retail. Don't you think it will look bad when your new recruit approaches a customer to make a sale, and doesn't even have any product on hand? Therefore, it is important to remind your new MLM distributors to be supplied with some products when he or she starts their new home business.
3. Samples: Most companies have products that can be given as samples to potential customers. As a true leader, it is important that you lead your new team members by example. So, show them how to give away the free product samples to customers.
4. New Distributor Start-Up: This is similar to number three. When you start a new distributor in your MLM business, if he or she is a local person, the individual will need products as soon as he or she joins. If you plan on starting more than one person at a time, you need to have enough supply on hand to give to each of them. This is necessary because your new team members needs something to carry them until their first product shipment comes in. This approach also helps motivate your new distributor to keep their new home business in the forefront, to focus on getting the word out, and to start building their own teams. This step is crucial to getting your new team members started off right.
In summary, as a team leader, you want to do all you can to assist new distributors in starting their MLM home business right. They need to earn money by moving products, and, in return, to become even more motivated to be successful when sales are made. So, follow these tips and your new team members will be so thankful to you and your help!
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