8 Things You MUST Know Before Hiring a Copywriter
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
The last two articles was about publishing your own eBook...
The Top Seven Mistakes eBook Authors Make and
Online Tools Improve Writing Skills.
Today I included extra information for you regarding copywriting...
Do you want to hire a copywriter? If you don't (or can't) want to write your own marketing materials, you definitely want to hire someone who knows how to write to SELL. The good news is there are thousands of these people out there, just waiting for projects from people like you, the trick is finding the right fit.
OR
Do you want to BE a copywriter? Copywriting is a very lucrative business and a flexible one too. You can make great money and usually work from anywhere. Today's article Alexandra shares her top 8 tips on how to choose and work with a copywriter...
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"8 Things You MUST Know Before Hiring a Copywriter"
by Alexandria K. Brown, "The EzineQueen"
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If you're considering hiring copywriting help for your next brochure, Web site, or marketing project. Congratulations! You should get great results if you hire a pro to do it right.
Many business owners and marketing professionals have valid concerns about letting an outsider develop their content. After all -- it's your business, you know it best, and your image is critical. However, you're wrapped up in your business every day. A good copywriter can see your business in a new light, draw out the key benefits of your products and services, and communicate that excitement to your clients and prospects.
Working with a writer isn't a complicated ordeal, however it will benefit you tremendously to become familiar with how the relationship typically works and ways to help the process move along smoothly. So, here are my top 8 tips on how to choose and work with a copywriter:
1. Understand what you're trying to accomplish.
A crucial factor in streamlining the writing process is determining the principal points you need to communicate -- *before* you bring in a writer. Who is your target audience? What is your message? What is unique about your business? In what tone do you want to speak to your reader? What response do you ideally want the reader to make? Having this information agreed upon before you get a writer involved will save you unnecessary copy revisions and keep your costs down.
2. Have a realistic schedule.
Yes, you've heard this all your life, but haste makes waste. Avoid hastily hiring a copywriter and dumping a rush job on her. Not only will you not have time to thoroughly check her experience and references, but, no matter how wonderfully talented she is, her first draft will not be 'fully cooked.' Most copywriters need time to let words and ideas simmer.
Most writers will request several WEEKS to develop your copy, so set a realistic schedule to give the creative process ample time. Count on going through one or two revisions as your writer refines the piece's angle and conveys the key benefits of what you're promoting.
3. Make sure the writer has written for the medium you want.
Let's say you need someone to re-energize the copy on your Web site. A freelancer who has only written magazine articles won't likely have the skills to create content for a dynamic Web site. She's probably not proficient at breaking-up copy into easily digestible bits, integrating hyperlinks that entice your users to take action, and keeping your end-user in mind to plan a friendly, easily-navigable site. She may be able to learn how, but you'll be paying for her slow ramp-up speed. Take time instead to find the right person -- it will save you many headaches down the road.
4. Experience within your industry isn't always necessary.
'So you've never written for a _______ company before?' I've heard many prospects say. Don't worry. A writer's ability to write well for the medium is more important than her having prior experience in your industry.
Many writers are true generalists and write just as well for an edgy new media start-up as they do for a giant hospital network. They're very proficient at diving into your business, learning it inside and out, and churning out great prose to entice your target market. Now of course, if you're producing a technically oriented business-to-business Web site or marketing piece, you may want to hire a writer with experience in both your project's medium and your industry. If you find a good one, hold on tightly. You've struck gold!
5. Ask for references, and contact them.
All writers can show you samples of well-written material, but how do you know if they'll work to understand your communication needs, meet deadlines, and act professionally in front of clients? Any great copywriter should have an ample list of references that she can share with you. Be sure to contact at least two of them, and ask them about the writer's weaknesses as well as her strengths.
6. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for.
It amazes me how businesspeople will drop thousands of dollars on Web or print design and hesitate to spend half as much on great copy. Pictures and design enhance your message, but jeez folks ...the writing IS your message!
Good copywriting does not come cheaply -- you'll find writers who charge anywhere from $50 - $150 per hour and up. You'll pay more for an experienced writer, one with a particular specialty, or one who's also a proficient editor. (Many writers are also great editors, but not all writers are editors, and vice versa.)
7. Work on more than a handshake.
True writing pros will give you an agreement they've drawn up for you. However, you'll occasionally find yourself having to draft an agreement for the project. This doesn't have to be complex -- a simple letter that you both sign should do fine. Be sure to include the project size, number of revisions included, timetable, and agreed fee (this can be a flat fee or hourly rate).
And don't forget to ask what's *not* included. For example, many writers charge extra for in-person meetings, research time, and weekend or rush work. You should also expect to pay an upfront retainer. Most writers charge one-third to one-half of the total project fee upfront, and many won't begin your project until they have the signed agreement and check in hand. And if you have sensitive or proprietary information, don't hesitate to have your writer sign a non-disclosure agreement.
8. Give your writer background info at the start.
It often happens that a writer is hired for a large project, and the first thing she's asked to do is come in and interview all the principals of the company. After several days of interviews, the writer is then handed the company's brochures, annual report, and marketing plan.
If this background info had been given up front, the client could have saved hours of time and money! At the beginning of your project, pass on any and all previous brochures or sales kits, direct mail, Web site URLs, annual reports, research results, or business or marketing plans.
Where to find a great copywriter?
Of course, the best place to start is always from a referral. I can tell you that I've personally hired and/or worked with Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero and Michel Fortin. Both are well known in the industry for producing proven copy that gets results.
A great place to find other copywriters is www.elance.com, where you list your project specifications, and freelancers actually try to underbid each other to win it!
© 2001-2005 Alexandria K. Brown
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is creator of the award-winning 'Boost Business With Your Own E-zine' system. To learn more about this step-by-step program, and to sign up for her FREE how-to marketing articles and FREE audio class, visit www.EzineQueen.com
Best to your success always
Sep 21, 2005
Sep 20, 2005
Writing Skills Online Tools
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
It rained all night last night till early this morning, it started at 6:30 pm and by 7:30 it was raining very hard with lightning that lit the whole sky with thunder that rumbled lightly, I'm so thankful as storms scares me so.
Yesterday's article was about "Top Seven Mistakes eBook Authors Make". Today's article is about where to find some of the best writers resources available for free and right online to improve your writing skills so your ebook will be a success...
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Online Tools Improve Writing Skills
- by Jim Edwards
(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
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Traditionally, every serious writer has kept several books on writing as well as at least one excellent dictionary close at hand.
As our world changes and the Internet and email become part of more people's lives, good writing skills rate extremely important for effective communication.
Thanks to the 'Net you don't have to worry about maintaining a personal resource library any more.
Now you can find some of the best writers' resources available free right online.
Words and phrases
http://www.rhymer.com - A rhyming dictionary for poetry or songwriting (enter a word, click a button to receive words that rhyme). This resource rates very simple to use and comes in handy when you need it most.
http://www.ucc.ie/info/net/acronyms/ - A database of thousands of acronyms and abbreviations. Also search by keywords to find the perfect or correct abbreviation for a word or phrase.
http://www.acronymfinder.com - Search through over 60,000 acronyms, their abbreviations and meanings. Did you know there are 11 meanings for "PDQ" and over 20 for "ASAP"?
http://www.westegg.com/cliche/ - Choose from over 3,300 cliché s to illustrate points and paint vivid images in your readers' minds. This site will keep you "busier than a one eyed cat watching two mouse holes!"
Great Quotes
http://www.bartleby.com/100/ - Nothing sets the tone for any written work quite like a stirring quote from a famous person. Finding such quotations often took hours of searching - until now!
Now you can quickly search the database of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations to find that perfect quote virtually in minutes. You can also find more quotes at http://www.quotationspage.com
Dictionaries and Thesauri
http://m-w.com/netdict.htm - Webster's hypertext dictionary.
http://www.thesaurus.com - Roget's Online Thesaurus along with a number of other useful reference tools.
http://www.voycabulary.com - Interesting tool that transforms any web page into easy convenient links to definition and word lookups in dictionaries or thesauruses. Terrific time saver if you see a web page with lots of words you don't understand.
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Why are some people getting rich selling their ebooks?
Jim Edwards & Joe Vitale have created the *ultimate* guide -
"How to Write and Publish your own Outrageously
Profitable eBook... in as little as 7 Days!"
FREE Details: ==> www.7dayebook.com
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Wishing you online success... have a great day!
It rained all night last night till early this morning, it started at 6:30 pm and by 7:30 it was raining very hard with lightning that lit the whole sky with thunder that rumbled lightly, I'm so thankful as storms scares me so.
Yesterday's article was about "Top Seven Mistakes eBook Authors Make". Today's article is about where to find some of the best writers resources available for free and right online to improve your writing skills so your ebook will be a success...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Online Tools Improve Writing Skills
- by Jim Edwards
(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Traditionally, every serious writer has kept several books on writing as well as at least one excellent dictionary close at hand.
As our world changes and the Internet and email become part of more people's lives, good writing skills rate extremely important for effective communication.
Thanks to the 'Net you don't have to worry about maintaining a personal resource library any more.
Now you can find some of the best writers' resources available free right online.
Words and phrases
http://www.rhymer.com - A rhyming dictionary for poetry or songwriting (enter a word, click a button to receive words that rhyme). This resource rates very simple to use and comes in handy when you need it most.
http://www.ucc.ie/info/net/acronyms/ - A database of thousands of acronyms and abbreviations. Also search by keywords to find the perfect or correct abbreviation for a word or phrase.
http://www.acronymfinder.com - Search through over 60,000 acronyms, their abbreviations and meanings. Did you know there are 11 meanings for "PDQ" and over 20 for "ASAP"?
http://www.westegg.com/cliche/ - Choose from over 3,300 cliché s to illustrate points and paint vivid images in your readers' minds. This site will keep you "busier than a one eyed cat watching two mouse holes!"
Great Quotes
http://www.bartleby.com/100/ - Nothing sets the tone for any written work quite like a stirring quote from a famous person. Finding such quotations often took hours of searching - until now!
Now you can quickly search the database of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations to find that perfect quote virtually in minutes. You can also find more quotes at http://www.quotationspage.com
Dictionaries and Thesauri
http://m-w.com/netdict.htm - Webster's hypertext dictionary.
http://www.thesaurus.com - Roget's Online Thesaurus along with a number of other useful reference tools.
http://www.voycabulary.com - Interesting tool that transforms any web page into easy convenient links to definition and word lookups in dictionaries or thesauruses. Terrific time saver if you see a web page with lots of words you don't understand.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Why are some people getting rich selling their ebooks?
Jim Edwards & Joe Vitale have created the *ultimate* guide -
"How to Write and Publish your own Outrageously
Profitable eBook... in as little as 7 Days!"
FREE Details: ==> www.7dayebook.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Wishing you online success... have a great day!
Sep 19, 2005
Authors Top Seven Mistakes
The Top Seven Mistakes eBook Authors Make
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
On the Web, to be successful you must write to a specific group of people who have specific interests. Your own *Best-Selling eBook* can bring you years of good fortune and more! Some people are making money *big-time* on the Internet selling their own ebooks - even if they didn't write the book themselves! Today's article will save you a ton of aggravation and wasted time by learning how to avoid the top seven mistakes...
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The Top Seven Mistakes eBook Authors Make
©By Jim Edwards and David Garfinkel
www.ebooksecretsexposed.com/
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eBooks are the hottest thing going on the Web right now!
Authors with the entrepreneurial instinct are making anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars per month - that's right, per month - by selling ebooks online.
Why are some authors doing so much better than others? We've discovered seven key mistakes that most ebook authors make (and in doing so, hold themselves back from major success):
1. They don't write to a specific, target audience.
The biggest mistake most ebook authors make is they don't clearly define, identify and visualize who they are selling their ebook to. On the Web, to be successful, you must write to a specific group of people who have specific interests. Make sure that you know exactly who is going to buy your ebook, and where you can find them online.
2. They don't automate as many of their business activities as possible.
Selling ebooks, though it is highly profitable, is not a business where you make hundreds of dollars per sale.
Automate everything you can - credit card processing, ebook delivery, as much technical support as possible. If you can't automate a function, delegate it to someone else.
3. They don't have a compelling title for their ebook.
Use words that convey the benefit of what's in the ebook, as well as words your audience is familiar with.
A bad title for an ebook: "Online Marketing for Newbies." A good title for the same ebook: "97 Ways to Promote Your Website - No Experience Required."
4. They try to cover too much ground.
Many ebook authors convey a lot of information but don't cover anything in-depth. As a result, they never fully explain anything in enough detail to provide any useful value to their readers. This is a very bad mistake to make, especially when it comes to how-to ebooks, which happen to be the best type to write.
5. They are not proactive in their marketing.
It would be nice if marketing for your ebook simply happened on its own - but it doesn't. You have to do it yourself. After you've promoted your ebook to the people on your own mailing list (if you have one), then you have to contact other Website owners and persuade them to be your affiliates. You should do this continually.
6. They don't differentiate their ebook from its competitors.
When you choose your topic, even if there are a hundred other ebooks out there on same general subject, choose an angle for yours that will make it easy for yours to be distinguished from the others.
For example, right now job-hunting ebooks are very popular. There are dozens that are big sellers. "Secrets of Breaking Into Pharmaceutical Sales" has a very specific title that sets it apart from the competition, and is aimed at a clearly identified target audience. Incidentally, it's selling very well itself.
7. They write ebooks that nobody will pay for.
Many ebook authors write about information that either people can get for free, or that people are not actually interested in enough to pay for the information.
Before you invest weeks or months into the writing of your ebook, invest a little time investigating whether other ebooks in the same subject area are selling on the Web.
So, there you have it - the seven big mistakes to avoid. Remember, the opportunities are plentiful - and huge - right now for anyone who wants to become a best-selling ebook author. Simply use common sense, follow our advice, and let your literary career flourish!
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Jim Edwards and David Garfinkel are co-authors of "eBook Secrets Exposed: How to Make Massive Amounts of Money in Record Time With Your Own eBook (whether you wrote it or not!)," the authoritative guide to publishing and marketing ebooks on the Web.
Guerrilla Marketing author Jay Conrad Levinson says, "If there ever was a 'must-read' for this century, it's this book." For more information Click here => www.ebooksecretsexposed.com/7day.shtml
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The best to your online success
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
On the Web, to be successful you must write to a specific group of people who have specific interests. Your own *Best-Selling eBook* can bring you years of good fortune and more! Some people are making money *big-time* on the Internet selling their own ebooks - even if they didn't write the book themselves! Today's article will save you a ton of aggravation and wasted time by learning how to avoid the top seven mistakes...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The Top Seven Mistakes eBook Authors Make
©By Jim Edwards and David Garfinkel
www.ebooksecretsexposed.com/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
eBooks are the hottest thing going on the Web right now!
Authors with the entrepreneurial instinct are making anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars per month - that's right, per month - by selling ebooks online.
Why are some authors doing so much better than others? We've discovered seven key mistakes that most ebook authors make (and in doing so, hold themselves back from major success):
1. They don't write to a specific, target audience.
The biggest mistake most ebook authors make is they don't clearly define, identify and visualize who they are selling their ebook to. On the Web, to be successful, you must write to a specific group of people who have specific interests. Make sure that you know exactly who is going to buy your ebook, and where you can find them online.
2. They don't automate as many of their business activities as possible.
Selling ebooks, though it is highly profitable, is not a business where you make hundreds of dollars per sale.
Automate everything you can - credit card processing, ebook delivery, as much technical support as possible. If you can't automate a function, delegate it to someone else.
3. They don't have a compelling title for their ebook.
Use words that convey the benefit of what's in the ebook, as well as words your audience is familiar with.
A bad title for an ebook: "Online Marketing for Newbies." A good title for the same ebook: "97 Ways to Promote Your Website - No Experience Required."
4. They try to cover too much ground.
Many ebook authors convey a lot of information but don't cover anything in-depth. As a result, they never fully explain anything in enough detail to provide any useful value to their readers. This is a very bad mistake to make, especially when it comes to how-to ebooks, which happen to be the best type to write.
5. They are not proactive in their marketing.
It would be nice if marketing for your ebook simply happened on its own - but it doesn't. You have to do it yourself. After you've promoted your ebook to the people on your own mailing list (if you have one), then you have to contact other Website owners and persuade them to be your affiliates. You should do this continually.
6. They don't differentiate their ebook from its competitors.
When you choose your topic, even if there are a hundred other ebooks out there on same general subject, choose an angle for yours that will make it easy for yours to be distinguished from the others.
For example, right now job-hunting ebooks are very popular. There are dozens that are big sellers. "Secrets of Breaking Into Pharmaceutical Sales" has a very specific title that sets it apart from the competition, and is aimed at a clearly identified target audience. Incidentally, it's selling very well itself.
7. They write ebooks that nobody will pay for.
Many ebook authors write about information that either people can get for free, or that people are not actually interested in enough to pay for the information.
Before you invest weeks or months into the writing of your ebook, invest a little time investigating whether other ebooks in the same subject area are selling on the Web.
So, there you have it - the seven big mistakes to avoid. Remember, the opportunities are plentiful - and huge - right now for anyone who wants to become a best-selling ebook author. Simply use common sense, follow our advice, and let your literary career flourish!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Jim Edwards and David Garfinkel are co-authors of "eBook Secrets Exposed: How to Make Massive Amounts of Money in Record Time With Your Own eBook (whether you wrote it or not!)," the authoritative guide to publishing and marketing ebooks on the Web.
Guerrilla Marketing author Jay Conrad Levinson says, "If there ever was a 'must-read' for this century, it's this book." For more information Click here => www.ebooksecretsexposed.com/7day.shtml
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The best to your online success
Sep 18, 2005
Whoops - There Goes My List!
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
When I first started designing my website four pages had been completed, I never thought of backing up my files. One day I turned on my computer and in disbelief, I lost everything and needed to re-program my computer and start over. Since then I have a calendar and on Friday's it will notify me to back up my files.
Today's article is about backing up your subscriber list or customer list to protect your assets ... you must plan on performing a regular back up for safekeeping!
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WHOOPS -- There Goes My List!
(Are You Backing Up Your BIGGEST Asset?)
By Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen"
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Have you ever accidentally lost an important file on your computer? Perhaps your computer crashed (again) or your cat sauntered over a dooming sequence of keys. Remember that little pang in your stomach you felt when you realized that file was gone for good?
OK, now imagine losing your entire e-zine subscriber list or customer list. Did that pang just get a bit more intense? (Ouch!)
When several Internet marketing gurus were asked the question, "If your office was burning down and you could save one thing, what would it be?
"The unanimous answer among all of them was, "my list"!
Your list is your goldmine. It's your pool of warm prospects and clients with whom you've taken months to build a level of credibility and trust. They're your ticket to a steady stream of income.
It can take years to build a large collection of opt-in subscribers and customers. But they can disappear in a flash if they're not protected.
So, are YOU backing up your list on a regular basis? (Be honest!) If not, let's get you started today.
If Your List Resides on Your Computer...
If you send out your e-zine or e-mail promotions from your own computer, you MUST make backing-up your list a daily habit. And by "backing-up," I mean saving your list to a disk or location other than your hard drive. For example, you can save your list to:
1) a CD (you'll need a CD burner)
2) an external hard drive
(these are less expensive now than they used to be)
3) a secure, Web-based file storage service.
I currently use option 3 for my computer files. The service I use is called I-Backup, and there are many others out there, starting at as little as $3 per month. I prefer this option because I have so many large files on my computer that I'd have to backup my files to several separate disks or CDs. And because this method is so EASY, I'm more likely to follow through and back-up my files on a regular basis!
I also like I-Backup for traveling, as I can upload files that I'll need to access on the road. This way I don't have to bring a disk with me.
If You Use an Online List Service...
Even if you host your list online with a listserve (such as Constant Contact) or an autoresponder service (such as QueenCart.com), you should still make your own backup copy on a regular basis! Just download or "export" a copy of your list each week for safekeeping. It should be pretty easy to do. This procedure varies depending on what program you use, so see its help files or contact their support center for assistance.Constant Contact
Consider Purchasing a Battery Backup System
Southern California is known for its frequent power outages, and they were wreaking havoc on my computer. So I purchased a battery backup unit. (I chose APC's 650 model.) It's about the size of a breadbox and keeps my computer going for another hour or so in the event of a power outage. This gives me ample time to back up any files I'm working on and shut down my computer properly. It also functions as a surge-protector to keep my computer safe from electric surges. You can buy units like these at any large office supply store, and they range in price from $100 to $500.
Don't Put It Off Any Longer!
I know that backing-up your files seems like another irritating addition to your busy schedule. But remember that you've worked hard to build your list ... and your business. So take just a few minutes each week to protect that investment.
I now keep three separate copies of my list backups among me and my two assistants as well, so they are spread across the country and on different computers! (This may seem anal, but when you consider the hundreds of thousands of dollars a year they are worth to me, it makes sense.)
TIP: Pick a certain day each week to back up your list. For example, my electronic calendar automatically reminds me to do this every Friday.
© 2003-2005 Alexandria K.
Brown WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is creator of the award-winning 'Boost Business With Your Own E-zine' system. To learn more about this step-by-step program, and to sign up for her FREE how-to marketing articles and FREE audio class, visit http://www.EzineQueen.com/
WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.
Wishing you online success
When I first started designing my website four pages had been completed, I never thought of backing up my files. One day I turned on my computer and in disbelief, I lost everything and needed to re-program my computer and start over. Since then I have a calendar and on Friday's it will notify me to back up my files.
Today's article is about backing up your subscriber list or customer list to protect your assets ... you must plan on performing a regular back up for safekeeping!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
WHOOPS -- There Goes My List!
(Are You Backing Up Your BIGGEST Asset?)
By Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen"
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Have you ever accidentally lost an important file on your computer? Perhaps your computer crashed (again) or your cat sauntered over a dooming sequence of keys. Remember that little pang in your stomach you felt when you realized that file was gone for good?
OK, now imagine losing your entire e-zine subscriber list or customer list. Did that pang just get a bit more intense? (Ouch!)
When several Internet marketing gurus were asked the question, "If your office was burning down and you could save one thing, what would it be?
"The unanimous answer among all of them was, "my list"!
Your list is your goldmine. It's your pool of warm prospects and clients with whom you've taken months to build a level of credibility and trust. They're your ticket to a steady stream of income.
It can take years to build a large collection of opt-in subscribers and customers. But they can disappear in a flash if they're not protected.
So, are YOU backing up your list on a regular basis? (Be honest!) If not, let's get you started today.
If Your List Resides on Your Computer...
If you send out your e-zine or e-mail promotions from your own computer, you MUST make backing-up your list a daily habit. And by "backing-up," I mean saving your list to a disk or location other than your hard drive. For example, you can save your list to:
1) a CD (you'll need a CD burner)
2) an external hard drive
(these are less expensive now than they used to be)
3) a secure, Web-based file storage service.
I currently use option 3 for my computer files. The service I use is called I-Backup, and there are many others out there, starting at as little as $3 per month. I prefer this option because I have so many large files on my computer that I'd have to backup my files to several separate disks or CDs. And because this method is so EASY, I'm more likely to follow through and back-up my files on a regular basis!
I also like I-Backup for traveling, as I can upload files that I'll need to access on the road. This way I don't have to bring a disk with me.
If You Use an Online List Service...
Even if you host your list online with a listserve (such as Constant Contact) or an autoresponder service (such as QueenCart.com), you should still make your own backup copy on a regular basis! Just download or "export" a copy of your list each week for safekeeping. It should be pretty easy to do. This procedure varies depending on what program you use, so see its help files or contact their support center for assistance.Constant Contact
Consider Purchasing a Battery Backup System
Southern California is known for its frequent power outages, and they were wreaking havoc on my computer. So I purchased a battery backup unit. (I chose APC's 650 model.) It's about the size of a breadbox and keeps my computer going for another hour or so in the event of a power outage. This gives me ample time to back up any files I'm working on and shut down my computer properly. It also functions as a surge-protector to keep my computer safe from electric surges. You can buy units like these at any large office supply store, and they range in price from $100 to $500.
Don't Put It Off Any Longer!
I know that backing-up your files seems like another irritating addition to your busy schedule. But remember that you've worked hard to build your list ... and your business. So take just a few minutes each week to protect that investment.
I now keep three separate copies of my list backups among me and my two assistants as well, so they are spread across the country and on different computers! (This may seem anal, but when you consider the hundreds of thousands of dollars a year they are worth to me, it makes sense.)
TIP: Pick a certain day each week to back up your list. For example, my electronic calendar automatically reminds me to do this every Friday.
© 2003-2005 Alexandria K.
Brown WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is creator of the award-winning 'Boost Business With Your Own E-zine' system. To learn more about this step-by-step program, and to sign up for her FREE how-to marketing articles and FREE audio class, visit http://www.EzineQueen.com/
WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.
Wishing you online success
Sep 17, 2005
6 Article Marketing Smarts
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
Today's article by Priya Shah is awesome for online marketers that promote a website/s and product/s. This valuable information is a powerful way of building quality links from a large target audience and to ensure better rankings ... it's a simple technique!!!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
6 Article Marketing Smarts:
How To Get More Reprints And Exposure
Copyright © 2005 Priya Shah
http://www.priyashah.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Article marketing is the latest buzzword for marketers looking to promote their sites and products online. But how do you measure the success of your article marketing campaign?
It probably depends on what you expect your article to achieve for you - better branding, more sales, or more publicity.
One way to measure article performance is to check how many times your article has been picked up and reproduced on various sites.
To do that, just copy and paste the article title in quotes into a search engine like Google, and you'll see how many sites it's been reprinted on.
My article "How To Get To The Top Of The Marketing Food Chain" shows 1061 links in Google.
ebizwhiz-publishing.com/articles/priyashah16.htm
That means Google has indexed 1061 sites on which this article appears. http://tinyurl.com/b3q7d
This gives me about 1061 quality links to each of the sites I included in my resource box.
As you can see, this makes article marketing a very powerful way of building quality links.
So how do you ensure that your article gets picked up and reprinted by as many publishers as possible?
1. Pick A Topic That's Hot Or Always Fresh
For instance, my article on Neuromarketing got picked up pretty quickly because it was a hot topic.
http://tinyurl.com/bww3e
The problem with hot topics is that they also tend to cool off quickly. So while they may get a lot of reprints over a short time, they may get very few reprints once the craze is over.
There are some articles that are slow starters but eternally fresh, like the one I wrote here.
To Be A Champion, Become A Child
http://www.growmymind.com/positive-attitudes/be-a-champion.htm
(591 links in Google)
These are the ones that will give you reprints over a longer period of time. I think in the long run, these are more valuable.
2. Target A Large Audience
Another way to get a lot of coverage is write an article for a large target audience or one that is very active online - like bloggers.
This article gave me 164 links back, mostly from other blogs, even some for which I had to use a translation service :-)
http://www.blog-maniac.com/blog-burnout.htm
This shows 248 links back
http://www.blog-maniac.com/questions-business-blog.htm
316 links for this one
http://www.blog-maniac.com/spam-blogging.htm
But again, it’s the quality of links back that matters - not the quantity.
Another large target audience is the health market. I get a lot of links back from my health articles.
3. Craft A Catchy, Relevant Title
A catchy title ensures that your article gets the attention of publishers - the first step to getting your article published.
Follow the basic rules of copywriting to make your article interesting and readable.
Publishers are more likely to pick up an article if its title includes the keywords that they (and you) want to target in your title.
Use your main keywords in your title, preferable in the first half (like I did in the title of this article), to ensure better rankings for those who reprint it.
4. Offer Publishers A Monetary Incentive
Give people an incentive to publish your article. I have an affiliate program and I allow publishers to use their affiliate link for my ezine in the resource box.
Allow publishers to earn by publishing your article and they will gladly reprint it.
5. Write An Article Series
Break up a long article or report into a series of articles like I did with my "Marketing With Blogs" series here.
Marketing With Blogs - Part 1, 2, 3 and 4
http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs1.htm
http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs2.htm
http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs3.htm
http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs4.htm
These gave me 5270 links back in all. As you can see, a series of articles can be a very powerful link-building technique.
6. Distribute Your Article Widely
Ensure that your article is distributed to the best and most appropriate article directories and announcement lists online.
Feel free to browse through my own collection of article directories and announcement lists
ebizwhiz-publishing.com/write-articles/submit-articles.htm
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Priya Shah is the CEO of eBrand360 http://www.ebrand360.com/
She writes the Marketing Slave blog marketingslave.com and publishes an internet marketing newsletter http://www.ebizwhiz.biz/.
Subscribe to her Marketing With Blogs eCoursehttp://www.marketingwithblogscourse.com/
This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Best to your success as always
Today's article by Priya Shah is awesome for online marketers that promote a website/s and product/s. This valuable information is a powerful way of building quality links from a large target audience and to ensure better rankings ... it's a simple technique!!!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
6 Article Marketing Smarts:
How To Get More Reprints And Exposure
Copyright © 2005 Priya Shah
http://www.priyashah.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Article marketing is the latest buzzword for marketers looking to promote their sites and products online. But how do you measure the success of your article marketing campaign?
It probably depends on what you expect your article to achieve for you - better branding, more sales, or more publicity.
One way to measure article performance is to check how many times your article has been picked up and reproduced on various sites.
To do that, just copy and paste the article title in quotes into a search engine like Google, and you'll see how many sites it's been reprinted on.
My article "How To Get To The Top Of The Marketing Food Chain" shows 1061 links in Google.
ebizwhiz-publishing.com/articles/priyashah16.htm
That means Google has indexed 1061 sites on which this article appears. http://tinyurl.com/b3q7d
This gives me about 1061 quality links to each of the sites I included in my resource box.
As you can see, this makes article marketing a very powerful way of building quality links.
So how do you ensure that your article gets picked up and reprinted by as many publishers as possible?
1. Pick A Topic That's Hot Or Always Fresh
For instance, my article on Neuromarketing got picked up pretty quickly because it was a hot topic.
http://tinyurl.com/bww3e
The problem with hot topics is that they also tend to cool off quickly. So while they may get a lot of reprints over a short time, they may get very few reprints once the craze is over.
There are some articles that are slow starters but eternally fresh, like the one I wrote here.
To Be A Champion, Become A Child
http://www.growmymind.com/positive-attitudes/be-a-champion.htm
(591 links in Google)
These are the ones that will give you reprints over a longer period of time. I think in the long run, these are more valuable.
2. Target A Large Audience
Another way to get a lot of coverage is write an article for a large target audience or one that is very active online - like bloggers.
This article gave me 164 links back, mostly from other blogs, even some for which I had to use a translation service :-)
http://www.blog-maniac.com/blog-burnout.htm
This shows 248 links back
http://www.blog-maniac.com/questions-business-blog.htm
316 links for this one
http://www.blog-maniac.com/spam-blogging.htm
But again, it’s the quality of links back that matters - not the quantity.
Another large target audience is the health market. I get a lot of links back from my health articles.
3. Craft A Catchy, Relevant Title
A catchy title ensures that your article gets the attention of publishers - the first step to getting your article published.
Follow the basic rules of copywriting to make your article interesting and readable.
Publishers are more likely to pick up an article if its title includes the keywords that they (and you) want to target in your title.
Use your main keywords in your title, preferable in the first half (like I did in the title of this article), to ensure better rankings for those who reprint it.
4. Offer Publishers A Monetary Incentive
Give people an incentive to publish your article. I have an affiliate program and I allow publishers to use their affiliate link for my ezine in the resource box.
Allow publishers to earn by publishing your article and they will gladly reprint it.
5. Write An Article Series
Break up a long article or report into a series of articles like I did with my "Marketing With Blogs" series here.
Marketing With Blogs - Part 1, 2, 3 and 4
http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs1.htm
http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs2.htm
http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs3.htm
http://www.blog-maniac.com/marketing-with-blogs4.htm
These gave me 5270 links back in all. As you can see, a series of articles can be a very powerful link-building technique.
6. Distribute Your Article Widely
Ensure that your article is distributed to the best and most appropriate article directories and announcement lists online.
Feel free to browse through my own collection of article directories and announcement lists
ebizwhiz-publishing.com/write-articles/submit-articles.htm
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Priya Shah is the CEO of eBrand360 http://www.ebrand360.com/
She writes the Marketing Slave blog marketingslave.com and publishes an internet marketing newsletter http://www.ebizwhiz.biz/.
Subscribe to her Marketing With Blogs eCoursehttp://www.marketingwithblogscourse.com/
This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Best to your success as always
Sep 15, 2005
Creating Websites
Creating Websites that actually make money!
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
Are you ready to discover exactly how to Design your very own successful and profitable website? In today's article Jim represents the formula... with few exceptions, and the elements that you need to identify an extraordinarily website to succeed with your Online Business
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Creating Websites that actually make money!
- by Jim Edwards
(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Not a week goes by that half a dozen people don't ask me what separates a great, money-making website from a bad one.
In response, I surveyed of a number of different websites, large and small, to find what they share in common to make them so successful.
With few exceptions, every extraordinarily great website contained the following elements.
~ Testimonials
Every great website has testimonials from satisfied customers. These testimonials help set the potential customer's mind at ease that the products or services sold online will perform as promised.
Truly great testimonials not only endorse the product, but clearly state how the product increased sales, saved money, or benefited previous buyers in very specific and tangible
ways.
Testimonials should present real benefits others can readily identify with, understand and, more importantly, want those same results for themselves!
~ Headlines
Headlines capture visitors' attention and get them involved in the website.
How do you read the newspaper?
If you read like most people the headlines first catch your attention and determine whether you'll actually read a story.
Similarly headlines on a website determine whether visitors get involved in the information or surf away never to return.
My own experience has shown that the proper headlines can easily and quickly double, triple, or even quadruple a website's sales almost overnight.
~ Bullets
Bullets communicate various and subtle bits of information about a product or service without making readers plow through paragraphs of information to get to the meat of a website's offering.
Bullets arouse interest, build excitement and convey a lot of information very quickly to time-starved web surfers.
~ Bonuses
Every great website offers bonuses to people who buy, apply or fill out a form.
Nothing induces someone to do business with you online like offering them something extra for taking the action you want.
Offering a bonus report, tape, extended membership, extra quantities of product at a deep discount, coupons, or just about anything makes people more willing to go ahead with the purchase decision.
~ Guarantees
Everyone takes a risk whenever they buy anything from anyone.
The risk centers on whether or not the product or service will perform as promised. In a retail store most people feel pretty confident the store will still exist if they need to make a return or exchange in a few days.
On the web, however, that risk in making a purchase seems much higher than in the 'offline' world.
Every great website makes a point of specifically telling customers about their return policy and truly exceptional sites offer 100%, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantees.
People rarely take advantage of such guarantees and I have personally seen a website's sales increase by 45% just by extending the guarantee period an additional 30 days.
~ Phone numbers
Every great website has a phone number with a real live human being on the other end who can answer questions and provide product support.
So there you have it!
With few exceptions this represents the formula for creating or identifying a truly great website.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Jim Edwards, author of numerous best-selling ebooks, earns thousands in affiliate commissions every month! Jim has developed "Affiliate Link Cloaker," the easy, FAST, safe way to STOP affiliate link "hijackers"... Dead in their tracks! Click Here => AffiliateLinkCloaker.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Enjoy creating!!!
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
Are you ready to discover exactly how to Design your very own successful and profitable website? In today's article Jim represents the formula... with few exceptions, and the elements that you need to identify an extraordinarily website to succeed with your Online Business
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Creating Websites that actually make money!
- by Jim Edwards
(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Not a week goes by that half a dozen people don't ask me what separates a great, money-making website from a bad one.
In response, I surveyed of a number of different websites, large and small, to find what they share in common to make them so successful.
With few exceptions, every extraordinarily great website contained the following elements.
~ Testimonials
Every great website has testimonials from satisfied customers. These testimonials help set the potential customer's mind at ease that the products or services sold online will perform as promised.
Truly great testimonials not only endorse the product, but clearly state how the product increased sales, saved money, or benefited previous buyers in very specific and tangible
ways.
Testimonials should present real benefits others can readily identify with, understand and, more importantly, want those same results for themselves!
~ Headlines
Headlines capture visitors' attention and get them involved in the website.
How do you read the newspaper?
If you read like most people the headlines first catch your attention and determine whether you'll actually read a story.
Similarly headlines on a website determine whether visitors get involved in the information or surf away never to return.
My own experience has shown that the proper headlines can easily and quickly double, triple, or even quadruple a website's sales almost overnight.
~ Bullets
Bullets communicate various and subtle bits of information about a product or service without making readers plow through paragraphs of information to get to the meat of a website's offering.
Bullets arouse interest, build excitement and convey a lot of information very quickly to time-starved web surfers.
~ Bonuses
Every great website offers bonuses to people who buy, apply or fill out a form.
Nothing induces someone to do business with you online like offering them something extra for taking the action you want.
Offering a bonus report, tape, extended membership, extra quantities of product at a deep discount, coupons, or just about anything makes people more willing to go ahead with the purchase decision.
~ Guarantees
Everyone takes a risk whenever they buy anything from anyone.
The risk centers on whether or not the product or service will perform as promised. In a retail store most people feel pretty confident the store will still exist if they need to make a return or exchange in a few days.
On the web, however, that risk in making a purchase seems much higher than in the 'offline' world.
Every great website makes a point of specifically telling customers about their return policy and truly exceptional sites offer 100%, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantees.
People rarely take advantage of such guarantees and I have personally seen a website's sales increase by 45% just by extending the guarantee period an additional 30 days.
~ Phone numbers
Every great website has a phone number with a real live human being on the other end who can answer questions and provide product support.
So there you have it!
With few exceptions this represents the formula for creating or identifying a truly great website.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Jim Edwards, author of numerous best-selling ebooks, earns thousands in affiliate commissions every month! Jim has developed "Affiliate Link Cloaker," the easy, FAST, safe way to STOP affiliate link "hijackers"... Dead in their tracks! Click Here => AffiliateLinkCloaker.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Enjoy creating!!!
Sep 14, 2005
How To Move To A New PC
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
Last night at 12:30 pm the wind was blowing and lightning was light. When I got up this morning I looked outside the sky is covered with clouds, looks so gray and deemed... feels like rain!
Today's article is about moving all your files to a new PC, Jim shares information and tips that will help you make that move from one PC to another with the least amount of hassle and of time. If you never done this transaction before Jim's article explains how...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
How To Move To A New PC
- by Jim Edward's
© Jim Edward's - All Rights reserved
TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Nothing strikes fear into the heart of someone who uses a computer to make a full time living more than the thought of trying to move all your files to a new PC.
In fact, many people use phrases such as "my life is on that thing" to describe the amount of critical and irreplaceable data their old PC contains.
Some people even put off acquiring a new PC for years, rather than go through the pain and perceived "risk" of moving to a new PC.
However, the following information and tips should help you make a move from one PC to another with the least amount of
hassle and in the least amount of time.
First, you must understand the difference between "program" files and "data" files.
Program files are the software you install on your PC to do word processing, play games, edit pictures, etc.
Program files include software packages such as Microsoft Office, PhotoShop, and Space Invaders. Data files, on the other hand, are the files you create using those softwareprograms.
This includes files such as Word documents, digital photos, and MP3 audio.
A number of programs exist to help you move all your data and program files to your new PC by connecting a USB or "firewire" cable from the old PC to the new PC.
They promise to make it "easy" by not forcing you to reinstall everything.
My experience with these types of programs (I've tried 4 different brands) has been mediocre at best and truly disastrous on two separate occasions.
Bottom line: these types of programs not only transfer the old software, they also bring along any problems from the old PC and often corrupt the registry of the new PC.
To save a huge potential headache when moving to a new PC, the easiest thing to do is simply to move all the data files and then reinstall the software.
Burn all your data files to CD-ROM or copy them to a portable hard drive (a faster option) and simply copy them over to the new computer.
Then sit down with your favorite beverage (careful to keep liquid away from the PC) and your stack of program installation CD's and start installing your software on thenew PC.
It might take a little longer, but you'll prevent plenty of problems doing it this way.
More tips for moving to a new PC:
- If you use a portable hard drive to move files between computers, burn the data to CD when you finish and put the CD into a safe deposit box for emergency restoration.
- Keep all your data files in the "My Documents" folder to make future moves easier (just copy the "My Documents" folder and you're done).
- Keep all downloadable software you buy online in a folder called "Installation Files" so you can just copy that to the new PC and install all your software.
- Keep all passwords and software keys in one folder in your email program so you can easily unlock any software you install on the new PC.
- To move messages, folders, and preferences in Outlook Express from one computer to another, I found "Outlook Express Backup Genie" from www.amicutilities.com anexcellent solution.
--
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by- step and click-by-click how to finally create your own money-making mini-sites...
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up Your OWN Moneymaking 'Mini' Websites... Without Being a Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!"
Click Here => Money Making Mini Sites!
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Great SUCCESS with your Online Business
Last night at 12:30 pm the wind was blowing and lightning was light. When I got up this morning I looked outside the sky is covered with clouds, looks so gray and deemed... feels like rain!
Today's article is about moving all your files to a new PC, Jim shares information and tips that will help you make that move from one PC to another with the least amount of hassle and of time. If you never done this transaction before Jim's article explains how...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
How To Move To A New PC
- by Jim Edward's
© Jim Edward's - All Rights reserved
TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Nothing strikes fear into the heart of someone who uses a computer to make a full time living more than the thought of trying to move all your files to a new PC.
In fact, many people use phrases such as "my life is on that thing" to describe the amount of critical and irreplaceable data their old PC contains.
Some people even put off acquiring a new PC for years, rather than go through the pain and perceived "risk" of moving to a new PC.
However, the following information and tips should help you make a move from one PC to another with the least amount of
hassle and in the least amount of time.
First, you must understand the difference between "program" files and "data" files.
Program files are the software you install on your PC to do word processing, play games, edit pictures, etc.
Program files include software packages such as Microsoft Office, PhotoShop, and Space Invaders. Data files, on the other hand, are the files you create using those softwareprograms.
This includes files such as Word documents, digital photos, and MP3 audio.
A number of programs exist to help you move all your data and program files to your new PC by connecting a USB or "firewire" cable from the old PC to the new PC.
They promise to make it "easy" by not forcing you to reinstall everything.
My experience with these types of programs (I've tried 4 different brands) has been mediocre at best and truly disastrous on two separate occasions.
Bottom line: these types of programs not only transfer the old software, they also bring along any problems from the old PC and often corrupt the registry of the new PC.
To save a huge potential headache when moving to a new PC, the easiest thing to do is simply to move all the data files and then reinstall the software.
Burn all your data files to CD-ROM or copy them to a portable hard drive (a faster option) and simply copy them over to the new computer.
Then sit down with your favorite beverage (careful to keep liquid away from the PC) and your stack of program installation CD's and start installing your software on thenew PC.
It might take a little longer, but you'll prevent plenty of problems doing it this way.
More tips for moving to a new PC:
- If you use a portable hard drive to move files between computers, burn the data to CD when you finish and put the CD into a safe deposit box for emergency restoration.
- Keep all your data files in the "My Documents" folder to make future moves easier (just copy the "My Documents" folder and you're done).
- Keep all downloadable software you buy online in a folder called "Installation Files" so you can just copy that to the new PC and install all your software.
- Keep all passwords and software keys in one folder in your email program so you can easily unlock any software you install on the new PC.
- To move messages, folders, and preferences in Outlook Express from one computer to another, I found "Outlook Express Backup Genie" from www.amicutilities.com anexcellent solution.
--
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by- step and click-by-click how to finally create your own money-making mini-sites...
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up Your OWN Moneymaking 'Mini' Websites... Without Being a Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!"
Click Here => Money Making Mini Sites!
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Great SUCCESS with your Online Business
Sep 12, 2005
How to succeed as an Affiliate
How to succeed as an Affiliate on the Net
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
Affiliate opportunities are ideal for both experienced and for newcomers to the Internet. Harvey's article will answer many of your questions... he reveals one of the first and most important skills you will need to use for any Online Business to succeed as an affiliate on the net, read more...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
How to succeed as an Affiliate on the Net
Author: Harvey Segal
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
What is an Affiliate ?
When a company has a product or a service that they wish to sell they will often enlist 'affiliates' to do the job of finding customers for them.
You may know an affiliate by another name, for example: agent, reseller, associate, communicator.
Once the affiliate has managed to get the customer to make an order his job ends. The whole process of handling the order, the collection of payment, the shipping of goods, is done by the company (or distributor).
Who benefits ?
This is a tremendous arrangement for both sides.
The distributor simply waits for orders to arrive and has no involvement in the marketing phase. The affiliate simply gets a customer, for example, to visit a web site and takes no further part.
Commission is paid to the affiliate on the value of orders made.
It is the power of the Internet with the possibility of cheap or free advertising for a vast audience which makes reselling such an outstanding business opportunity.
And if you have your own website, where you have the luxury of posting your own ads for free, then you have an effortless income-producing system.
Two things which make reselling even more exciting
*If the product can earn you residual income, for example a monthly commission all the while that the customer continues to renew it.
*If you can recruit your own affiliates and collect commission either for each affiliate or for the products that they sell
What should you look out for ?
Here are some rules for checking out affiliate opportunities:
#1 The company
First, there would be no point in generating massive commission on 'paper' only to find that the company are unreliable, don't pay up on time, or eventually fold.
Test out the company first.
Make an inquiry as if you were a potential customer. Study the quality of their reply and of their literature or website.
How quickly do they respond ? If their customer service is poor this does not give much hope for the way they will handle their affiliates.
Are they an ethical company, what guarantees do they provide for refunds ?
#2 The product
Is the product an item which is in good demand ?
What is the rate of commission ?
These two factors will determine your potential earnings.
As a guide commission should range from 25 to 50%.
#3 Assistance with promotion
Does the company provide advertising material for their affiliates ?
In particular do they provide a personalised web site ?
#4 The cost
What is the cost of becoming an affiliate ?
This can vary from
* completely free
* paying an initial one off payment
* paying a monthly subscription
You don't have to be deterred by affiliate opportunities where payment is involved. These may offer greater benefits such as advanced promotion techniques and commission which will quickly outweigh the payments.
For example $30 per month may seem a high figure but if you regard it as one dollar a day to have the company's products displayed 24 hours a day to the whole world on your own personalised web site it could be viewed as the bargain of the century.
Can anyone become an affiliate ?
Affiliate opportunities are ideal for both experienced online marketeers and for newcomers to the Internet. Here's why:
#1 Experienced online marketeers
If you have an established web site the minimum that you need to do is post an ad on your own site.
And there's no need to stop at one product.
Providing that you don't overload your web site with ads you could have many - and you can monitor how they perform so that you can judge which ones to give prominence to.
#2 Newcomers
One of the first and most important skills you will need to use for any online business is how to place adverts.
Here are some of the things that you start to learn when you submit ads:
*The various locations where you can place an ad such as newsgroups, forums, ezines, web sites: and the different rules and methods used for each one such as frequency of posting and size of ads.
*How to post information to a mailing list or newsgroup for free but using a signature file to promote your products.
*How to code your adverts so that you can identify where the response originates.
*How to organise your mail files to handle responses.
*How to simplify your own systems so that you have standard replies to common questions.
*How to set up autoresponders if necessary to take away the chore of responding manually.
*How to deal with the unexpected (for example, even though you may clearly spell out in your ad that a reply should be made to an autoresponder many people will still reply directly to you).
By taking on an affiliate operation you have an ideal opportunity to practise these methods. This will provide the experience for whatever online venture you plan as well as an excellent source of additional income.
Don't miss Harvey's FREE book
Guru Magic: the Internet marketing book with a UNIQUE twist
And there's more great articles, ideas and tips at the SuperTips website SuperTips.com
Great success
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
Affiliate opportunities are ideal for both experienced and for newcomers to the Internet. Harvey's article will answer many of your questions... he reveals one of the first and most important skills you will need to use for any Online Business to succeed as an affiliate on the net, read more...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
How to succeed as an Affiliate on the Net
Author: Harvey Segal
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
What is an Affiliate ?
When a company has a product or a service that they wish to sell they will often enlist 'affiliates' to do the job of finding customers for them.
You may know an affiliate by another name, for example: agent, reseller, associate, communicator.
Once the affiliate has managed to get the customer to make an order his job ends. The whole process of handling the order, the collection of payment, the shipping of goods, is done by the company (or distributor).
Who benefits ?
This is a tremendous arrangement for both sides.
The distributor simply waits for orders to arrive and has no involvement in the marketing phase. The affiliate simply gets a customer, for example, to visit a web site and takes no further part.
Commission is paid to the affiliate on the value of orders made.
It is the power of the Internet with the possibility of cheap or free advertising for a vast audience which makes reselling such an outstanding business opportunity.
And if you have your own website, where you have the luxury of posting your own ads for free, then you have an effortless income-producing system.
Two things which make reselling even more exciting
*If the product can earn you residual income, for example a monthly commission all the while that the customer continues to renew it.
*If you can recruit your own affiliates and collect commission either for each affiliate or for the products that they sell
What should you look out for ?
Here are some rules for checking out affiliate opportunities:
#1 The company
First, there would be no point in generating massive commission on 'paper' only to find that the company are unreliable, don't pay up on time, or eventually fold.
Test out the company first.
Make an inquiry as if you were a potential customer. Study the quality of their reply and of their literature or website.
How quickly do they respond ? If their customer service is poor this does not give much hope for the way they will handle their affiliates.
Are they an ethical company, what guarantees do they provide for refunds ?
#2 The product
Is the product an item which is in good demand ?
What is the rate of commission ?
These two factors will determine your potential earnings.
As a guide commission should range from 25 to 50%.
#3 Assistance with promotion
Does the company provide advertising material for their affiliates ?
In particular do they provide a personalised web site ?
#4 The cost
What is the cost of becoming an affiliate ?
This can vary from
* completely free
* paying an initial one off payment
* paying a monthly subscription
You don't have to be deterred by affiliate opportunities where payment is involved. These may offer greater benefits such as advanced promotion techniques and commission which will quickly outweigh the payments.
For example $30 per month may seem a high figure but if you regard it as one dollar a day to have the company's products displayed 24 hours a day to the whole world on your own personalised web site it could be viewed as the bargain of the century.
Can anyone become an affiliate ?
Affiliate opportunities are ideal for both experienced online marketeers and for newcomers to the Internet. Here's why:
#1 Experienced online marketeers
If you have an established web site the minimum that you need to do is post an ad on your own site.
And there's no need to stop at one product.
Providing that you don't overload your web site with ads you could have many - and you can monitor how they perform so that you can judge which ones to give prominence to.
#2 Newcomers
One of the first and most important skills you will need to use for any online business is how to place adverts.
Here are some of the things that you start to learn when you submit ads:
*The various locations where you can place an ad such as newsgroups, forums, ezines, web sites: and the different rules and methods used for each one such as frequency of posting and size of ads.
*How to post information to a mailing list or newsgroup for free but using a signature file to promote your products.
*How to code your adverts so that you can identify where the response originates.
*How to organise your mail files to handle responses.
*How to simplify your own systems so that you have standard replies to common questions.
*How to set up autoresponders if necessary to take away the chore of responding manually.
*How to deal with the unexpected (for example, even though you may clearly spell out in your ad that a reply should be made to an autoresponder many people will still reply directly to you).
By taking on an affiliate operation you have an ideal opportunity to practise these methods. This will provide the experience for whatever online venture you plan as well as an excellent source of additional income.
Don't miss Harvey's FREE book
Guru Magic: the Internet marketing book with a UNIQUE twist
And there's more great articles, ideas and tips at the SuperTips website SuperTips.com
Great success
SE Optimization For Blogs
Search Engine Optimization For Blogs
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
The humidity is very high with the sun shinning through, it's a warm feeling that is pleasantly good!
Do you have a blog? Is your blog Search Engine friendly? Do you think it will get indexed by the search engines? In Priya Shah article it explains some simple rules for Search Engine Optimization, that can help your blog rank higher than static website pages in the Search Engine results pages. Read Priya article and learn what to do so you may get the traffic you deserve...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Search Engine Optimization For Blogs
Copyright © 2004 Priya Shah
www.PriyaShah.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Blogging software is really a simple Content Management System (CMS) that easily adds new pages and integrates them into your site's navigational structure and linkage.
Blogs and blog posts are naturally search engine friendly because they are text-rich, link-rich, frequently-updated webpages that use stylesheets or CSS, and have very little extraneous HTML.
Optimizing a blog is very similar to optimizing a website, and optimizing a blog post similar to optimizing a webpage. But depending on the blogging service or software you use, the results may look somewhat different.
If you follow some simple rules for search engine optimization, your blog can rank much higher than static website pages in the search engine results pages.
Here are the most important rules to follow to get your posts listed for keywords of your choice.
1. Use your primary keyword in your blog domain
Whether you purchase a separate domain (recommended) for your blog, or host it on a blogging service or a subdomain of your own site, try to ensure that your URL contains the primary keyword you want to optimize for.
For example, if you want your blog to get found for the keyword "rss" get a domain with the keyword "rss", or use the keyword in a subdomain as in EbizWhiz-Publishing.com/rssnews/
Getting a domain name with your own name might make for good branding, especially if yours is a personal blog.
But if you're doing it for business and want the targeted traffic to flow your way, keywords in the domain or subdomain are a move in the right direction.
2. Use your primary key phrase in your blog header tags and the title of your posts
If your primary key phrase is "business blogging" make sure that the word business, or blogging, or both, appear in your blog headers (the H1 or H2 tags) as well as the title of each of your posts.
Most blogging software will take the keywords in your post title and put them into the file name of the permalink posts it creates.
For example, if you have a blog on Blogger and title your post "Search Engine Optimization For Blogs", Blogger will automatically create a page with your post and name the file "search-engine-optimization-for-blogs.html" or something similar.
With other server-side software like Wordpress and Movable Type, you may require the mod_rewrite command to save the title of your entries as a permalink.
3. Use your secondary keywords in the body of your post
If you want to get listed for secondary keywords use them in frequently in the body of your post and pepper your blogtitles or links with them appropriately.
Don't overdo this or your posts will end up sounding unnatural and spammy to readers.
4. Use your keywords in the anchor text of links
Keyword in links have more importance than simple text.
Use your primary and secondary keywords in the anchor text of links when linking to other blog posts or to other pages on your main site.
Link keywords where they naturally appear in the body text, but again, don't overdo it, or you'll end up with spammy looking pages.
5. Make sure search engines can spider your blog easily
Set up your blog so that the side navigation bar is present on all pages.
Make sure your archives and previous posts are accessible from all pages of your blog so they get spidered easily.
6. Get backlinks from other blogs or websites
Links pointing to your blog or posts are essential to build pagerank and make your blog rank higher in the search engine listings.
I've seen many people recommend Blogrolling as one methodof building links to your blog.
BlogRolling is a one-stop linklist manager for your blog or journal. http://www.blogrolling.com
But all this service actually does is give you a bit of javascript code that "calls" the links.
As far as search engine rankings go, this method of linking is of little use, because spiders can't read external javascript code.
Instead I recommend that you focus your linking efforts on the methods here.
* Submitting to Blog Search Engines and Directories:
Submitting your blog and RSS feed to blog search engines and directories is essential for getting high-quality links back to your blog. Here is the best list I've found of places to submit your feed or blog.
Best Blog Directory And RSS Submission Sites http://www.masternewmedia.org/rss/top55/
* Link Exchanges:
Many similarly-themed blogs are often willing to exchange links with other blogs and form richly interlinked networks or communities.
Link exchanges with other blogs are easy to implement with most blogging software.
* Trackbacks:
You can also get links back to your blog using trackbacks. One of the disadvantages of using Blogger is that it does not automatically create trackback urls that others can use to link back to your posts.
Haloscan is a free service that will automatically add comments and trackbacks to your Blogger blog. http://www.haloscan.com
But if trackbacks are an important component of your linking strategy, I would advise using another software or system that adds this feature automatically.
* Comments:
You can also get back links to your blog by posting legitimate comments in response to posts on other blogs.
7. Update frequently
There's no better food for search engine spiders than fresh content.
Post and update your blog frequently using all the rules outlined above and there's no reason why your blog will not get you top rankings in a short period of time.
8. Stay put
Once you create your blog, try to stick to the same domain and blog host or system for as long as you continue to publish.
You could end up losing a lot of your traffic, your readers and all your search engine listings if you decide to move.
For more ways of building traffic to your blog, read the article "How To Build Traffic To Your Blog Blog-Maniac.com/build-blog-traffic.htm
______________________________________________
Priya Shah publishes an internet marketing ezine at
EbizWhiz-Publishing.com/ by day and doubles as a BlogManiac by night Blog-Maniac.com Blog Brandz BlogBrandz.com is the legitimate off spring of her affair with the blogosphere.
______________________________________________
Great success to your Online Business
Welcome to Flo's Business Blog
The humidity is very high with the sun shinning through, it's a warm feeling that is pleasantly good!
Do you have a blog? Is your blog Search Engine friendly? Do you think it will get indexed by the search engines? In Priya Shah article it explains some simple rules for Search Engine Optimization, that can help your blog rank higher than static website pages in the Search Engine results pages. Read Priya article and learn what to do so you may get the traffic you deserve...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Search Engine Optimization For Blogs
Copyright © 2004 Priya Shah
www.PriyaShah.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Blogging software is really a simple Content Management System (CMS) that easily adds new pages and integrates them into your site's navigational structure and linkage.
Blogs and blog posts are naturally search engine friendly because they are text-rich, link-rich, frequently-updated webpages that use stylesheets or CSS, and have very little extraneous HTML.
Optimizing a blog is very similar to optimizing a website, and optimizing a blog post similar to optimizing a webpage. But depending on the blogging service or software you use, the results may look somewhat different.
If you follow some simple rules for search engine optimization, your blog can rank much higher than static website pages in the search engine results pages.
Here are the most important rules to follow to get your posts listed for keywords of your choice.
1. Use your primary keyword in your blog domain
Whether you purchase a separate domain (recommended) for your blog, or host it on a blogging service or a subdomain of your own site, try to ensure that your URL contains the primary keyword you want to optimize for.
For example, if you want your blog to get found for the keyword "rss" get a domain with the keyword "rss", or use the keyword in a subdomain as in EbizWhiz-Publishing.com/rssnews/
Getting a domain name with your own name might make for good branding, especially if yours is a personal blog.
But if you're doing it for business and want the targeted traffic to flow your way, keywords in the domain or subdomain are a move in the right direction.
2. Use your primary key phrase in your blog header tags and the title of your posts
If your primary key phrase is "business blogging" make sure that the word business, or blogging, or both, appear in your blog headers (the H1 or H2 tags) as well as the title of each of your posts.
Most blogging software will take the keywords in your post title and put them into the file name of the permalink posts it creates.
For example, if you have a blog on Blogger and title your post "Search Engine Optimization For Blogs", Blogger will automatically create a page with your post and name the file "search-engine-optimization-for-blogs.html" or something similar.
With other server-side software like Wordpress and Movable Type, you may require the mod_rewrite command to save the title of your entries as a permalink.
3. Use your secondary keywords in the body of your post
If you want to get listed for secondary keywords use them in frequently in the body of your post and pepper your blogtitles or links with them appropriately.
Don't overdo this or your posts will end up sounding unnatural and spammy to readers.
4. Use your keywords in the anchor text of links
Keyword in links have more importance than simple text.
Use your primary and secondary keywords in the anchor text of links when linking to other blog posts or to other pages on your main site.
Link keywords where they naturally appear in the body text, but again, don't overdo it, or you'll end up with spammy looking pages.
5. Make sure search engines can spider your blog easily
Set up your blog so that the side navigation bar is present on all pages.
Make sure your archives and previous posts are accessible from all pages of your blog so they get spidered easily.
6. Get backlinks from other blogs or websites
Links pointing to your blog or posts are essential to build pagerank and make your blog rank higher in the search engine listings.
I've seen many people recommend Blogrolling as one methodof building links to your blog.
BlogRolling is a one-stop linklist manager for your blog or journal. http://www.blogrolling.com
But all this service actually does is give you a bit of javascript code that "calls" the links.
As far as search engine rankings go, this method of linking is of little use, because spiders can't read external javascript code.
Instead I recommend that you focus your linking efforts on the methods here.
* Submitting to Blog Search Engines and Directories:
Submitting your blog and RSS feed to blog search engines and directories is essential for getting high-quality links back to your blog. Here is the best list I've found of places to submit your feed or blog.
Best Blog Directory And RSS Submission Sites http://www.masternewmedia.org/rss/top55/
* Link Exchanges:
Many similarly-themed blogs are often willing to exchange links with other blogs and form richly interlinked networks or communities.
Link exchanges with other blogs are easy to implement with most blogging software.
* Trackbacks:
You can also get links back to your blog using trackbacks. One of the disadvantages of using Blogger is that it does not automatically create trackback urls that others can use to link back to your posts.
Haloscan is a free service that will automatically add comments and trackbacks to your Blogger blog. http://www.haloscan.com
But if trackbacks are an important component of your linking strategy, I would advise using another software or system that adds this feature automatically.
* Comments:
You can also get back links to your blog by posting legitimate comments in response to posts on other blogs.
7. Update frequently
There's no better food for search engine spiders than fresh content.
Post and update your blog frequently using all the rules outlined above and there's no reason why your blog will not get you top rankings in a short period of time.
8. Stay put
Once you create your blog, try to stick to the same domain and blog host or system for as long as you continue to publish.
You could end up losing a lot of your traffic, your readers and all your search engine listings if you decide to move.
For more ways of building traffic to your blog, read the article "How To Build Traffic To Your Blog Blog-Maniac.com/build-blog-traffic.htm
______________________________________________
Priya Shah publishes an internet marketing ezine at
EbizWhiz-Publishing.com/ by day and doubles as a BlogManiac by night Blog-Maniac.com Blog Brandz BlogBrandz.com is the legitimate off spring of her affair with the blogosphere.
______________________________________________
Great success to your Online Business
Sep 11, 2005
Direct Response Marketers
Welcome
Here's an article regarding the BENEFITS to your reader and from the READER'S point of view, so you may succeed to get more sales and profits. Ask yourself this question... Are you spending enough time to get your reader involved emotionally before you go for your sale?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"How To Use The Secrets Of The Best Direct Response Marketers
Of The Last 100 Years To Get More Sales and Profits For Yourself"
- by Mark Hendricks
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The marketing technologies may have changed, but human emotions and buying decisions are still driven by the same psychological principles that have been ingrained in us since time began.
What I mean by that is people still want all the same things out of life that they always have. You know, safety, security, shelter, love, friends, belongings, sex, money, power, recognition, fun, good times, laughs, excitement, you name it.
All of these are basic parts of being human.
And you may have heard that all humans make decisions emotionally, and then, rationally justify those decisions with logic.
Therein lies our problem to solve.
Most people are rushed for time these days.
They tend to want to just get to the bottom line...like NOW.
The problem with that is you never, I mean NEVER, can sell anything to anybody by dropping to the "bottom line" immediately without first describing the benefits to the buyer and building value and DESIRE for your product or service.
By dropping to the bottom line too soon, you risk that the buyer won't really appreciate the true value and benefits that you're really offering them, or will completely miss your point that you're trying to make altogether.
You've got to lead them through this process...Step By Step By Step.
Also, you're trying to get your reader to invest in your relationship by spending his/her time with you. This raises that odds of making an EMOTIONAL tie with your reader.
Now some of you may think that people just won't take the time to read a whole bunch of information.
Well, I'm here to tell you that they will, IF it's interesting, beneficial to them, and not BORING!
Think about the things you're interested in. When you send away for information, you want to know as much as possible before you make a buying decision, don't you?
And you want to feel like you at least have some sort of good feelings about the person who is making the sales offer...a HUMAN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION of a sort.
Now if that's the way YOU go about making buying decisions, don't you think other "humans" do the same? Sure they do.
Now the best way I've found to do this is to write a LOT of information based on the BENEFITS to your reader and from the READER'S point of view.
So how do you go about doing this?
Start making a list of the problems that people have in relation to the topic of your product/service.
These are all of the "pains-in-the-neck" human emotional hot-buttons that you can use to present the problems that your reader is having and show your empathy and understanding of their feelings and present position.
Then make a list of all the benefits that your product/service offers to your reader.
These are the SOLUTIONS to their problems and all the good things that they'll have when they follow your advice or buy your solution to their problems.
Now you have two lists.
Begin with the first list of problems and weave a "human interest" type of story about real people who are having these problems that your reader can relate to and hopefully become emotionally stirred by saying to themselves, "Boy, that's just like me."
Then proceed to weave in how things could be so much better by applying the secrets that you have to reveal to them and go into the benefits that your solutions offer to them.
And then move on to your "sales pitch". But only after they have been "primed" a little with the background of the problems and how things could be so much better by following your lead.
Here's what to work on -- go back through your ads and sales letters to see if you're spending enough time to get your reader involved emotionally before you go for your sale.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mark Hendricks is the author of "How To Make Your Ads, Sales Letters, And Websites Sell Like Crazy". This ebook package reveals the jealously-guarded secrets of world-class marketers of the last one hundred years, and how you can use these time-tested secrets right now to increase your marketing results exponentially. For more information see... Sell Like Crazy
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Have a great day!
Here's an article regarding the BENEFITS to your reader and from the READER'S point of view, so you may succeed to get more sales and profits. Ask yourself this question... Are you spending enough time to get your reader involved emotionally before you go for your sale?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"How To Use The Secrets Of The Best Direct Response Marketers
Of The Last 100 Years To Get More Sales and Profits For Yourself"
- by Mark Hendricks
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The marketing technologies may have changed, but human emotions and buying decisions are still driven by the same psychological principles that have been ingrained in us since time began.
What I mean by that is people still want all the same things out of life that they always have. You know, safety, security, shelter, love, friends, belongings, sex, money, power, recognition, fun, good times, laughs, excitement, you name it.
All of these are basic parts of being human.
And you may have heard that all humans make decisions emotionally, and then, rationally justify those decisions with logic.
Therein lies our problem to solve.
Most people are rushed for time these days.
They tend to want to just get to the bottom line...like NOW.
The problem with that is you never, I mean NEVER, can sell anything to anybody by dropping to the "bottom line" immediately without first describing the benefits to the buyer and building value and DESIRE for your product or service.
By dropping to the bottom line too soon, you risk that the buyer won't really appreciate the true value and benefits that you're really offering them, or will completely miss your point that you're trying to make altogether.
You've got to lead them through this process...Step By Step By Step.
Also, you're trying to get your reader to invest in your relationship by spending his/her time with you. This raises that odds of making an EMOTIONAL tie with your reader.
Now some of you may think that people just won't take the time to read a whole bunch of information.
Well, I'm here to tell you that they will, IF it's interesting, beneficial to them, and not BORING!
Think about the things you're interested in. When you send away for information, you want to know as much as possible before you make a buying decision, don't you?
And you want to feel like you at least have some sort of good feelings about the person who is making the sales offer...a HUMAN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION of a sort.
Now if that's the way YOU go about making buying decisions, don't you think other "humans" do the same? Sure they do.
Now the best way I've found to do this is to write a LOT of information based on the BENEFITS to your reader and from the READER'S point of view.
So how do you go about doing this?
Start making a list of the problems that people have in relation to the topic of your product/service.
These are all of the "pains-in-the-neck" human emotional hot-buttons that you can use to present the problems that your reader is having and show your empathy and understanding of their feelings and present position.
Then make a list of all the benefits that your product/service offers to your reader.
These are the SOLUTIONS to their problems and all the good things that they'll have when they follow your advice or buy your solution to their problems.
Now you have two lists.
Begin with the first list of problems and weave a "human interest" type of story about real people who are having these problems that your reader can relate to and hopefully become emotionally stirred by saying to themselves, "Boy, that's just like me."
Then proceed to weave in how things could be so much better by applying the secrets that you have to reveal to them and go into the benefits that your solutions offer to them.
And then move on to your "sales pitch". But only after they have been "primed" a little with the background of the problems and how things could be so much better by following your lead.
Here's what to work on -- go back through your ads and sales letters to see if you're spending enough time to get your reader involved emotionally before you go for your sale.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mark Hendricks is the author of "How To Make Your Ads, Sales Letters, And Websites Sell Like Crazy". This ebook package reveals the jealously-guarded secrets of world-class marketers of the last one hundred years, and how you can use these time-tested secrets right now to increase your marketing results exponentially. For more information see... Sell Like Crazy
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Have a great day!
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