August 14, 2007
Making Some Extra Money With Paid Surveys
There are many opportunities to make money online. It can be a hard decision on which method to try. Paid Surveys are one of the easiest ways to make money online and they are worth giving a try. Everyone has an opinion and what better way to earn than to share ones opinion through online surveys. One can visit innumerable websites and fill out surveys for some cool cash. All you need to do is Google the words "paid surveys"
Paid Survey is a form of market research and by giving your views you can assist in shaping and molding future products and services. To start with, paid surveys require no special knowledge or skills. You do not have to build a website or advertise anything. Paid surveys are completely free for the participant.
It is also very easy to find paid surveys. However, there are some companies who will not actually pay money, but instead pay through prizes or awards. These paid survey opportunities can still be good because you can earn a lot of good merchandise and perks through them.
Signing up with a paid survey opportunity is also quite simple. Usually they will ask for personal information like your name, address and email address. They will also usually have an introduction or screening survey.
The introduction survey is basically where they gather information about you that they will use to match you with available surveys. Sometimes they may be looking for people who meet certain specifications to take a survey and that use your introduction survey to see if you meet their criteria.
You are usually advised of surveys that are available for you through e-mail or sometimes by visiting the website. When a survey comes available, you simply go to the website and begin taking the survey.
You should not expect to get rich through paid surveys, but it is possible to make a few hundred extra dollars each month if you are participating regularly in paid surveys. If you are looking to make the most money then you should sign up for a few different paid surveys.
Paid surveys are quite easy and they don't generally take a lot of time. You can easily start doing paid surveys in your spare time and be able to make a little extra income working from home on the Internet each month.
Posted by billenross at 08:28 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!
The check point is also offering its exam with code 156-215 through which any one can become its certified. The 1z0-042 is the exam which is necessary to become oracle certified professional. In the certification range of Cisco 350-001 is very well known exam code along with many other certifications in which 640-801 is necessary to become CCNA. The 640-822 helps to become ICDN1 of Cisco. For Cisco Channel Partner Systems Engineers, the exam 642-372 is necessary. The other exam of Cisco which leads to become QOS is 642-642. While the other exam which is necessary to become SNPA certified is 642-523.
Posted by billenross at 09:00 AM | Comments (0)
May 06, 2007
Building Profits while Building Lists
List building is the most important aspect of any online business. No matter which business model you follow your top priority should be to build a list of prospects to send information to on a regular basis.
There is a saying going around Internet marketing circles that the money is in the list. This is most definitely a true statement.
By building a list you can keep in contact with your prospects and create a bond between you that will eventually lead to profit. If cultivated correctly the profits from a well-groomed list will expand over time and can become a long-term income center.
There have been many marketing studies done which show that the average consumer needs to be contacted at least seven times before he or she will make a commitment to buy. If you, as a business owner, are not giving your prospects an opportunity to leave their name and email address in your autoresponder then you are surely leaving untold profits on the table.
The beautiful thing about list building is that it can be done in any niche. Whether you are into Internet marketing, gardening, knitting, car stereos, vacations or whatever else, there is information out there that you can package and make available for your visitors as a freebie to entice them to leave their info and bring them back for more.
The biggest key to profiting from your lists is to do the old soft sell. Do not bombard your list with a torrent of sales pitches or a flood of advertising. This will lead to massive defections in the ranks in the form of unsubscribers and all the hard work you put into building your list in the first place will be for nothing.
Send a lot of useful information at a reasonable rate for the first two weeks. A good rate of delivery would be every two to three days. This information should be in the form of articles and reviews of pertinent products.
Only after delivering this useful information should you start to send sales pitches to your list. As a general rule of thumb you should only send a sales letter every third mailing. This way you build trust with your readers, as they are not expecting a sales pitch every time out.
Treat your list members well. Give them free reports once a month or every other week as an enticement to stay on your list. This will give them a good reason to open your emails when they see them in their inbox because they never know when you may send them another useful piece of information.
By giving them these free reports many will also feel obligated to make a purchase when you do recommend a product or service.
By building lists in every niche you are marketing to you will soon see profitable returns that go way beyond the effort needed to keep your lists active.
Posted by billenross at 08:58 AM | Comments (0)
