Site Design...Site Disaster...What Do Your Visitors See ?
By Debbie Reyes
Site Design...Or Site Disaster...What Do Your Visitors See????
So you got your own website now. Exciting isn’t it? You're ready to start putting your website to work for you. What will you do first? So many ideas going through your head...you want to make it the best website on the internet. You want to make it unique and different from anyone else's.
So many ideas popping in and out of your head you want to do so much. After all besides things in our home, when do we really get to design anything? Before we know it we have added a little of this and a little of that and maybe some more of this. It's almost like waving a magic wand over everything giving it color and making it pretty. To us, our web site looks great we have color and we have animated graphics we also have a lot of content, after all that is what gets website recognition, isn‘t it?
But wait, take a closer look, is all that content really necessary? We know google likes content but maybe some of us are confused as to which kind of content google is looking for. I admit, I once thought content is content. But I was very wrong, not all content is created equal. If your website is a business related site then your content should be business related as well. Your content should be interesting and helpful. Something you know your visitors would enjoy. Color and graphics is not useful content.
Many websites have articles on their site. This is probably one of the best contents to have on your site. Most articles are interesting and provide useful information. What makes articles on your site even better? If they are your articles. Articles are not hard to write just pick a subject you are familiar with and write an article about it. Just remember to keep your article topics related to the type of site you have.
Let's talk color, is all that bright color really what our visitors want to see? Some colors are way too bright and can be sensitive to peoples' eyes. If you need to have color make them more down to earth colors not something that is going to make your visitors want to run from your site. Not having any color is also good . Color is optional, just choose it wisely.
Animated graphics, who is guilty of those? I know I am, and it's understandable as they are cute and neat to look at. Or are they? Too many things flashing on your site is not appealing. Also, too many graphics will draw the attention away from what is really important - and that is your text. Your text is your message to your visitors. If you insist on having them on your site then I suggest just having maybe one. Make sure your visitor focuses more on your text, not the graphics.
Another point to keep in mind is “keyword rich text”. You want to mention your keywords throughout your website. Every chance you get mention your keywords. Work them into your sentences. When writing articles make sure you add some of your keywords to your article title. This also helps your website get noticed by the SE (search engines).
I write this article because I want everyone to learn from my mistakes. I am guilty of all of the above. It took a new computer to realize how loud my color was (old computer color looked dull) . After realizing how bright it was I panicked. It was like a slap in the face because I thought what an awful color and if I thought that of my own site what were my visitors thinking? I asked the advice of a good friend and thank god this friend is open and honest in her opinions. She helped me to take a step back and really look at my site. My only thoughts were, “What have I been thinking?”
I don’t even remember when or how my site got the point it did. I felt like I had this whole other life I knew nothing about and that person was taking over the designing of my site. But thanks to the new computer and my good friend, I have taken the control back of my site and since I have done so the visitors to my site have actually doubled and the length of the visit has also increased. I am back on the road to success.
This article was written by Debbie Reyes webmaster of http://www.extra-income-work-at-home-mom.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Reyes
Friday, December 08, 2006
Reciprocal Link Scams
Reciprocal Link Scams.
By Kevin Kantola
Reciprocal link scams are on the rise. It is no secret that most search engines count the quantity and quality of incoming links to a website when deciding how to rank it. In fact some give weight to the ratio of incoming links versus outbound links. This has lead some webmasters to use some unscrupulous tactics in order to inflate their search engine rankings at the expense of their link partners.
FFA Links Pages
Free for all (FFA) links pages are worthless and potentially harmful for your incoming link to be on. If a potential partner has a page with no Page Rank and over 30 outbound links be careful about placing your link there. True FFA pages may have hundreds of outbound links on a page all going to a wide variety of irrelevant websites.
This will either be worthless in helping your website in the rankings race or it may harm your rankings as some search engines will penalize your website for having a link on an FFA page. If your link is on a partner site that has over 30 outbound links, this may not be a true FFA page, but most likely this page will be disregarded by the search engines. This will not be a good trade either. Your goal is to have quality links pointing to your website. Why give out a quality link from your website if you don't receive one in return.
Disconnected Links Pages
Disconnected links pages come in three types. The first type is a standalone page that does not link to any other page on the website. Sometimes a Webmaster will isolate the links page by not linking it to any page whatsoever. In the second type, the Webmaster can bury the page by linking it 4 or more levels down from the homepage (robots usually do not crawl this deep) and thus this link page will never be indexed and your link will not count as an inbound link.
The third type of disconnected page is a links page with a URL that is different from the domain name of the site you want to link to. This link page may be created by a service on the web or software, but if you link to a partner's URL with a particular domain name, make sure this same domain name is linking back to you. The Webmaster will use this tactic in order to receive lots of incoming links on his site and appear to the search engines not to have a bunch of outbound links from his site (your link is actually on another site, remember).
Dynamic Link Pages
While not necessarily a scam, this technique can leave you on the short end of the reciprocal linking stick. It is no secret that most search engine robots have difficulty in indexing dynamic pages (the ones with the "?" in the URL) and simply by-pass these pages. Some webmasters have taken to creating their reciprocal links pages dynamically instead of statically. The downside is that most of the time these links will never show up in the search engines. The webmasters get a reciprocal link from your website which most likely is static and has some Page Rank and in return, they put your link on their page which has no Page Rank and will never show up in the search engines. This doesn't sound like an even trade does it?
One way to check this out is while you are in the process of checking out some potential link partner sites (and if you have the Google toolbar) check out the Page Rank on your potential partners' link pages. If the page rank is zero this does not necessary mean they are dynamic but it warrants further investigation. If you go back and then forward in your browser you can usually see if the page is dynamic. Also, many times the page will have an .asp at the end or .php and probably a "?" in the URL as mentioned before.
If you like this potential link partner's website you can always ask to trade links on a static page and / or some page with a Page Rank of more than zero.
What can I do to insure a fair link trade?
You can insure a fair link trade by first checking out your potential partner's links page where your link will appear. Look to see that it is static and has some Page Rank. Verify that the URL of the links page comes from the same domain as the rest of the website. Also make sure there are not over 30 outbound links on this page. Also, start on the homepage and trace the route to the links page. If it is more than 2 levels down from the homepage, then don't trade (unless there is some Page Rank of course). Make sure you can trace the path to the links page to verify it is not a standalone page.
Copyright © 2004 SEO Resource
Professional SEO Solutions
Kevin Kantola is the CEO of SEO Resource, a California search engine optimization company, and has published many articles over the past 20 years.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Kantola
By Kevin Kantola
Reciprocal link scams are on the rise. It is no secret that most search engines count the quantity and quality of incoming links to a website when deciding how to rank it. In fact some give weight to the ratio of incoming links versus outbound links. This has lead some webmasters to use some unscrupulous tactics in order to inflate their search engine rankings at the expense of their link partners.
FFA Links Pages
Free for all (FFA) links pages are worthless and potentially harmful for your incoming link to be on. If a potential partner has a page with no Page Rank and over 30 outbound links be careful about placing your link there. True FFA pages may have hundreds of outbound links on a page all going to a wide variety of irrelevant websites.
This will either be worthless in helping your website in the rankings race or it may harm your rankings as some search engines will penalize your website for having a link on an FFA page. If your link is on a partner site that has over 30 outbound links, this may not be a true FFA page, but most likely this page will be disregarded by the search engines. This will not be a good trade either. Your goal is to have quality links pointing to your website. Why give out a quality link from your website if you don't receive one in return.
Disconnected Links Pages
Disconnected links pages come in three types. The first type is a standalone page that does not link to any other page on the website. Sometimes a Webmaster will isolate the links page by not linking it to any page whatsoever. In the second type, the Webmaster can bury the page by linking it 4 or more levels down from the homepage (robots usually do not crawl this deep) and thus this link page will never be indexed and your link will not count as an inbound link.
The third type of disconnected page is a links page with a URL that is different from the domain name of the site you want to link to. This link page may be created by a service on the web or software, but if you link to a partner's URL with a particular domain name, make sure this same domain name is linking back to you. The Webmaster will use this tactic in order to receive lots of incoming links on his site and appear to the search engines not to have a bunch of outbound links from his site (your link is actually on another site, remember).
Dynamic Link Pages
While not necessarily a scam, this technique can leave you on the short end of the reciprocal linking stick. It is no secret that most search engine robots have difficulty in indexing dynamic pages (the ones with the "?" in the URL) and simply by-pass these pages. Some webmasters have taken to creating their reciprocal links pages dynamically instead of statically. The downside is that most of the time these links will never show up in the search engines. The webmasters get a reciprocal link from your website which most likely is static and has some Page Rank and in return, they put your link on their page which has no Page Rank and will never show up in the search engines. This doesn't sound like an even trade does it?
One way to check this out is while you are in the process of checking out some potential link partner sites (and if you have the Google toolbar) check out the Page Rank on your potential partners' link pages. If the page rank is zero this does not necessary mean they are dynamic but it warrants further investigation. If you go back and then forward in your browser you can usually see if the page is dynamic. Also, many times the page will have an .asp at the end or .php and probably a "?" in the URL as mentioned before.
If you like this potential link partner's website you can always ask to trade links on a static page and / or some page with a Page Rank of more than zero.
What can I do to insure a fair link trade?
You can insure a fair link trade by first checking out your potential partner's links page where your link will appear. Look to see that it is static and has some Page Rank. Verify that the URL of the links page comes from the same domain as the rest of the website. Also make sure there are not over 30 outbound links on this page. Also, start on the homepage and trace the route to the links page. If it is more than 2 levels down from the homepage, then don't trade (unless there is some Page Rank of course). Make sure you can trace the path to the links page to verify it is not a standalone page.
Copyright © 2004 SEO Resource
Professional SEO Solutions
Kevin Kantola is the CEO of SEO Resource, a California search engine optimization company, and has published many articles over the past 20 years.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Kantola
Prophesying Profit in CyberSpace
Prophesying Profit in CyberSpace.
By Philippa Gamse
Many business owners rushed into creating Web sites, perhaps because "my competition has one", or because "it's the hot thing right now".
Often, these sites are little more than online brochures - and maybe that's all you really need.
But have you really considered whether you're making the most of the online opportunities that exist? As with any aspect of your business, some preliminary thinking will help to maximize the return on your investment in this key part of your marketing mix.
Here are seven key issues to consider from the outset:
1. Are your markets online?
In February 2003, Jupiter Research reported that 61% of business decision makers use the Internet to look for information on products and services. Does that include your buyers? Try a customer survey if you don't know the answer to this.
Alternatively, there may be new markets that you would like to tap, who are already online.
An excellent Web site for researching Internet demographic information is at:
http://www.nua.ie/surveys/
2. Where is your geographic focus?
Is your operation confined to a local area, or can it have national or even international appeal?
It is not currently possible to restrict display of Web pages within geographic boundaries (e.g. "only Illinois"). So if your business is only local, or you only serve the U.S., you should state that clearly on the site, otherwise you might
receive leads and orders that you can't fulfil.
On the other hand, perhaps there are ways that you can modify your "real world" offerings to reach online buyers everywhere - perhaps by packaging your knowledge into e-books or downloadable white papers.
3. What are the specific goals of your site?
What outcomes do you want from the visitors to your site? Will you be selling product online, or are you generating leads for a product or service? Do you want visitors to leave their contact details? If so, how will you encourage them to do
this? Do you have a newsletter that they can subscribe to, or a competition, or a free offer of some kind?
And don't forget your existing customers. Will your site also be providing ongoing support and education for these clients?
4. How will you engage your visitors?
Remember that your Web site may be the first contact that a prospect has with your business, and if they don't relate to your site, it may well be the last! Make their experience as close as possible to actually speaking with you, and engage them in all the ways that you might do offline.
Incorporate answers to the questions that are most frequently asked during the buying and support process. If you don't know these, have your staff keep a log of customer interactions for a few days - you'll soon see a pattern.
And, if you usually help the customer through product selection, ask them to make their choices in an online survey that can be e-mailed to you as a lead.
5. Do you want "hits", or qualified leads?
It's important to know whether you want as much traffic and as many responses as possible from your site, or whether you would prefer only to hear from serious buyers. A nonprofit organization might want as many people as possible to see its
message, but most businesses have a specific focus.
If you decide to qualify the responses that you get from the site, what criteria will you use to do this?
6. Do you have a promotion plan and budget?
Even the best-designed Web sites require effective online marketing and publicity to generate traffic. You'll need a strategy to position your site as well as possible in the Internet search engines and directories.
There are also many ways to promote your site "Beyond the Search Engines" - check out my free tipsheet with twenty-three proven ideas for doing this . . .
Remember that marketing your Web site is an ongoing activity, and allocate time and resources to this.
7. How will you measure your success?
If you've made decisions on all these issues, you'll need a way to evaluate the results of your site and your promotional efforts against the goals and outcomes that you set. Your Website traffic reports can provide really valuable information about your visitors - in fact, I'd suggest that without this data, you're shooting in the dark with your online investment.
The reports will tell you how many users come to your site, which search engines and keywords they're using to find you, which pages of your site are the most popular, and which are rarely accessed. You can use this information to tweak your site, and to make strategic development decisions which can often impact not just your Internet marketing, but your entire business.
So, think before you leap, and may your business prosper in Cyberspace!
(c) Copyright Philippa Gamse, 2003. All rights reserved.
Philippa Gamse, CyberSpeaker, is a Web strategy consultant and professional speaker. Check out her free tipsheet for 23 ideas to promote your Website: http://www.CyberSpeaker.com/tipsheet.html Philippa can be reached at (831) 465-0317.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philippa_Gamse
By Philippa Gamse
Many business owners rushed into creating Web sites, perhaps because "my competition has one", or because "it's the hot thing right now".
Often, these sites are little more than online brochures - and maybe that's all you really need.
But have you really considered whether you're making the most of the online opportunities that exist? As with any aspect of your business, some preliminary thinking will help to maximize the return on your investment in this key part of your marketing mix.
Here are seven key issues to consider from the outset:
1. Are your markets online?
In February 2003, Jupiter Research reported that 61% of business decision makers use the Internet to look for information on products and services. Does that include your buyers? Try a customer survey if you don't know the answer to this.
Alternatively, there may be new markets that you would like to tap, who are already online.
An excellent Web site for researching Internet demographic information is at:
http://www.nua.ie/surveys/
2. Where is your geographic focus?
Is your operation confined to a local area, or can it have national or even international appeal?
It is not currently possible to restrict display of Web pages within geographic boundaries (e.g. "only Illinois"). So if your business is only local, or you only serve the U.S., you should state that clearly on the site, otherwise you might
receive leads and orders that you can't fulfil.
On the other hand, perhaps there are ways that you can modify your "real world" offerings to reach online buyers everywhere - perhaps by packaging your knowledge into e-books or downloadable white papers.
3. What are the specific goals of your site?
What outcomes do you want from the visitors to your site? Will you be selling product online, or are you generating leads for a product or service? Do you want visitors to leave their contact details? If so, how will you encourage them to do
this? Do you have a newsletter that they can subscribe to, or a competition, or a free offer of some kind?
And don't forget your existing customers. Will your site also be providing ongoing support and education for these clients?
4. How will you engage your visitors?
Remember that your Web site may be the first contact that a prospect has with your business, and if they don't relate to your site, it may well be the last! Make their experience as close as possible to actually speaking with you, and engage them in all the ways that you might do offline.
Incorporate answers to the questions that are most frequently asked during the buying and support process. If you don't know these, have your staff keep a log of customer interactions for a few days - you'll soon see a pattern.
And, if you usually help the customer through product selection, ask them to make their choices in an online survey that can be e-mailed to you as a lead.
5. Do you want "hits", or qualified leads?
It's important to know whether you want as much traffic and as many responses as possible from your site, or whether you would prefer only to hear from serious buyers. A nonprofit organization might want as many people as possible to see its
message, but most businesses have a specific focus.
If you decide to qualify the responses that you get from the site, what criteria will you use to do this?
6. Do you have a promotion plan and budget?
Even the best-designed Web sites require effective online marketing and publicity to generate traffic. You'll need a strategy to position your site as well as possible in the Internet search engines and directories.
There are also many ways to promote your site "Beyond the Search Engines" - check out my free tipsheet with twenty-three proven ideas for doing this . . .
Remember that marketing your Web site is an ongoing activity, and allocate time and resources to this.
7. How will you measure your success?
If you've made decisions on all these issues, you'll need a way to evaluate the results of your site and your promotional efforts against the goals and outcomes that you set. Your Website traffic reports can provide really valuable information about your visitors - in fact, I'd suggest that without this data, you're shooting in the dark with your online investment.
The reports will tell you how many users come to your site, which search engines and keywords they're using to find you, which pages of your site are the most popular, and which are rarely accessed. You can use this information to tweak your site, and to make strategic development decisions which can often impact not just your Internet marketing, but your entire business.
So, think before you leap, and may your business prosper in Cyberspace!
(c) Copyright Philippa Gamse, 2003. All rights reserved.
Philippa Gamse, CyberSpeaker, is a Web strategy consultant and professional speaker. Check out her free tipsheet for 23 ideas to promote your Website: http://www.CyberSpeaker.com/tipsheet.html Philippa can be reached at (831) 465-0317.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philippa_Gamse
Ideas to Create Own Work At Home Online Business Product
Ideas to Create Own Work At Home Online Business Product.
By Arthur
The voice you heard by the majority of people in the Net is true, the real true money generating machine is to offer your own product or service where you can keep 100% of the profits.
Before you even start creating or introduce your own product or service, you should do some research to check the target market size, competitors and the available pricing methods available for the type of product or service that you intend to offer.
The most common product that people develop are ebook or what is commonly known as info product. It is based on the experience that you have accumulated over the years either through your jobs or hobbies and convert them into writings.
Everyone of us have a special skills and things that we do better than the rest. You can further expand your knowledge database via further education or self-education in order to create the business.
Many new business are created not by developing new products or services but by improving something that already exists. The initial innovators of products might received lots of recognition for their innovation might not know how to make the product appeal to the mass consumers and sell like hot cakes. Subsequent bright businessmen or women succeeded in relaunching the same product after some improvement as they are able to saw the mistakes that have been made and was able to capitalized on it.
The movies industry is the best example, many movies are just about repackaging to appeal to the movies consumers. Why develop new super heroes when you can make good money from old familiar heroes like Spiderman. Many movies goers grows up watching Spiderman cartoon and although they maybe adults now, they still enjoy it like when they was young. It is so familiar with them.
Therefore, time spend trying to find brand new idea should instead be spend on improving existing idea. The most important criteria is to try and find a NEED which you can filled.
For improving your business success rate, try not to go into a hot industries that are already overcrowded with suppliers unless you can offer something cheaper and better than them and still make a profit. Finding a niche market is a better strategy as an unique product or service will increase your chances of success.
Starting a Work At Home Online Business means that you should look for product or service that can be sold online and delivered to people living around the world. It should be cheaper or more convenience to order online rather than offline.
The most famous successful niche finder is Amazon.com. The books they sold already exist offline and by bringing it online and pricing its books competitively, they slowly build up their niche market and have now become the world largest online books sellers.
Therefore, open your eyes wide and start looking at things around you and think of ways to improve them.
Copyright © Arthur "Opportunity are often shy, you just have to keep looking for them." Learning and putting what you learn into Action is the key to success in operating a successful Work At Home Online Business. Visit: http://www.sap-basis-abap.com/homebusiness/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arthur
By Arthur
The voice you heard by the majority of people in the Net is true, the real true money generating machine is to offer your own product or service where you can keep 100% of the profits.
Before you even start creating or introduce your own product or service, you should do some research to check the target market size, competitors and the available pricing methods available for the type of product or service that you intend to offer.
The most common product that people develop are ebook or what is commonly known as info product. It is based on the experience that you have accumulated over the years either through your jobs or hobbies and convert them into writings.
Everyone of us have a special skills and things that we do better than the rest. You can further expand your knowledge database via further education or self-education in order to create the business.
Many new business are created not by developing new products or services but by improving something that already exists. The initial innovators of products might received lots of recognition for their innovation might not know how to make the product appeal to the mass consumers and sell like hot cakes. Subsequent bright businessmen or women succeeded in relaunching the same product after some improvement as they are able to saw the mistakes that have been made and was able to capitalized on it.
The movies industry is the best example, many movies are just about repackaging to appeal to the movies consumers. Why develop new super heroes when you can make good money from old familiar heroes like Spiderman. Many movies goers grows up watching Spiderman cartoon and although they maybe adults now, they still enjoy it like when they was young. It is so familiar with them.
Therefore, time spend trying to find brand new idea should instead be spend on improving existing idea. The most important criteria is to try and find a NEED which you can filled.
For improving your business success rate, try not to go into a hot industries that are already overcrowded with suppliers unless you can offer something cheaper and better than them and still make a profit. Finding a niche market is a better strategy as an unique product or service will increase your chances of success.
Starting a Work At Home Online Business means that you should look for product or service that can be sold online and delivered to people living around the world. It should be cheaper or more convenience to order online rather than offline.
The most famous successful niche finder is Amazon.com. The books they sold already exist offline and by bringing it online and pricing its books competitively, they slowly build up their niche market and have now become the world largest online books sellers.
Therefore, open your eyes wide and start looking at things around you and think of ways to improve them.
Copyright © Arthur "Opportunity are often shy, you just have to keep looking for them." Learning and putting what you learn into Action is the key to success in operating a successful Work At Home Online Business. Visit: http://www.sap-basis-abap.com/homebusiness/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arthur
How to Write a Great Article
How to Write a Great Article.
By Jane McLain
Writing your own articles is a great way to generate targeted content, build your professional reputation, and create original content for your website that will attract new visitors. Best of all, it will cost you nothing but your time. If you'd like to write your own articles but don't know how to get started, don't worry. Even if you've never written an article before, you can learn to write great articles if you take it one step at a time, prepare in advance, and stay focused on your readers.
Pick a topic. The first step (and sometimes the hardest) is to select a topic for your article. Consider the wants and needs of your target audience. Inspiration for an article could come from just about anywhere - ezines, conversations with your colleagues, online forums and discussion lists, chat rooms and bulletin boards, emails from customers, newscasts, and last, but not least, your own experiences. If you choose a topic that's popular with other authors, don't write more on the subject unless you can go into more depth, take a fresh approach, or hold a different viewpoint.
Plan before you write. Facing a blank page can be pretty intimidating, but starting with an outline will help. Put down the general idea(s) you wish to get across and list specific points you want to make. Put them in a logical order; go from the general to the specific. Don't try to make too many points in one article. It's better to cover one topic thoroughly and convincingly than to jump around and fail to make your point at all.
Start writing. Once you've got the right idea and organized your notes, it's time to start writing. Don't worry too much about precise wording when you write your first draft; just get your thoughts down and make your point. Then develop your ideas in a convincing way that makes sense to your readers, flows well, and holds their interest. Tackle one main idea per paragraph. Begin your article with a strong "lead in" - a sentence or two that tells readers what your article is about and how they will benefit from reading.
Always write for your readers. Make sure you're sharing useful information with your readers. What are they worried about? What challenges do they face? What decisions do they need help with? What they like to know how to do, or how to do better? Adding real value for your readers is the key to writing the kind of article that people will want to read and webmasters will want to pass on to their readers. Always write from your readers' perspective.
Be yourself. It can take awhile to find your own personal writing style, but it's important to be yourself. In general, writing for the Internet allows you to be more conversational and less formal than you would be when writing for other media. Express yourself in your own words and let your personality shine through. Sharing your own experiences and anecdotes from your own life is a great way to "connect" with your reader and add a personal touch.
Be brief. The attention span of Web surfers is notoriously short, so be as brief as you can be and still get your meaning across. Write as much as you need to in order to develop your ideas fully and get your point across, but no more. If the article still ends up being too long, either publish it in installments (Part 1, Part 2, etc.) or split it into two or more separate articles. When you edit for the sake of brevity, hold onto the extra material - you may be able to use it for another article in the future.
Stay Focused. As always, writing for the Web requires that you stay focused on your topic. Refer to your outline for the major points you want to make. Write enough to develop your ideas, but no more. Don't say the same thing twice. Lead logically to your conclusion. Lose the "filler". If you find you can't cover the topic in enough depth given the size limits for your article, narrow your topic or write two separate articles rather than one.
Be specific. Too many Web and ezine articles speak in vague generalities. If you want your article to be truly helpful, be specific. Provide information, suggestions, and tips that readers can translate into action. Offer links to helpful resources. Recommend tools and techniques that have worked for you. The more specific you are, the more useful your article will be.
Make it shine. When your first draft is done, put it aside for a few days and then read it again. Is it convincing and concise? Is it easy to read and understand? Does it flow well? Proofread carefully - double check your spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. Check for run-on or incomplete sentences. If possible, show it to several friends, colleagues or family members and ask for their feedback. Many times another set of eyes will be able to spot mistakes you missed.
Wrap it up. Don't forget the finishing touches. Give your article a descriptive and catchy title. Add your resource box at the bottom of your article. At a minimum you should include your name, your website's URL, and a brief description of your business. If you want other webmasters to pick up your article for publication, offer reprint permission and state any conditions (a link back to your site, notification when the article is published, etc.).
Jane McLain is a Web developer and SEO specialist and the webmaster of EClaunchsite.com, an online resource center for netrepreneurs with tools and information to help you plan, build, launch and grow your e-business.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_McLain
By Jane McLain
Writing your own articles is a great way to generate targeted content, build your professional reputation, and create original content for your website that will attract new visitors. Best of all, it will cost you nothing but your time. If you'd like to write your own articles but don't know how to get started, don't worry. Even if you've never written an article before, you can learn to write great articles if you take it one step at a time, prepare in advance, and stay focused on your readers.
Pick a topic. The first step (and sometimes the hardest) is to select a topic for your article. Consider the wants and needs of your target audience. Inspiration for an article could come from just about anywhere - ezines, conversations with your colleagues, online forums and discussion lists, chat rooms and bulletin boards, emails from customers, newscasts, and last, but not least, your own experiences. If you choose a topic that's popular with other authors, don't write more on the subject unless you can go into more depth, take a fresh approach, or hold a different viewpoint.
Plan before you write. Facing a blank page can be pretty intimidating, but starting with an outline will help. Put down the general idea(s) you wish to get across and list specific points you want to make. Put them in a logical order; go from the general to the specific. Don't try to make too many points in one article. It's better to cover one topic thoroughly and convincingly than to jump around and fail to make your point at all.
Start writing. Once you've got the right idea and organized your notes, it's time to start writing. Don't worry too much about precise wording when you write your first draft; just get your thoughts down and make your point. Then develop your ideas in a convincing way that makes sense to your readers, flows well, and holds their interest. Tackle one main idea per paragraph. Begin your article with a strong "lead in" - a sentence or two that tells readers what your article is about and how they will benefit from reading.
Always write for your readers. Make sure you're sharing useful information with your readers. What are they worried about? What challenges do they face? What decisions do they need help with? What they like to know how to do, or how to do better? Adding real value for your readers is the key to writing the kind of article that people will want to read and webmasters will want to pass on to their readers. Always write from your readers' perspective.
Be yourself. It can take awhile to find your own personal writing style, but it's important to be yourself. In general, writing for the Internet allows you to be more conversational and less formal than you would be when writing for other media. Express yourself in your own words and let your personality shine through. Sharing your own experiences and anecdotes from your own life is a great way to "connect" with your reader and add a personal touch.
Be brief. The attention span of Web surfers is notoriously short, so be as brief as you can be and still get your meaning across. Write as much as you need to in order to develop your ideas fully and get your point across, but no more. If the article still ends up being too long, either publish it in installments (Part 1, Part 2, etc.) or split it into two or more separate articles. When you edit for the sake of brevity, hold onto the extra material - you may be able to use it for another article in the future.
Stay Focused. As always, writing for the Web requires that you stay focused on your topic. Refer to your outline for the major points you want to make. Write enough to develop your ideas, but no more. Don't say the same thing twice. Lead logically to your conclusion. Lose the "filler". If you find you can't cover the topic in enough depth given the size limits for your article, narrow your topic or write two separate articles rather than one.
Be specific. Too many Web and ezine articles speak in vague generalities. If you want your article to be truly helpful, be specific. Provide information, suggestions, and tips that readers can translate into action. Offer links to helpful resources. Recommend tools and techniques that have worked for you. The more specific you are, the more useful your article will be.
Make it shine. When your first draft is done, put it aside for a few days and then read it again. Is it convincing and concise? Is it easy to read and understand? Does it flow well? Proofread carefully - double check your spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. Check for run-on or incomplete sentences. If possible, show it to several friends, colleagues or family members and ask for their feedback. Many times another set of eyes will be able to spot mistakes you missed.
Wrap it up. Don't forget the finishing touches. Give your article a descriptive and catchy title. Add your resource box at the bottom of your article. At a minimum you should include your name, your website's URL, and a brief description of your business. If you want other webmasters to pick up your article for publication, offer reprint permission and state any conditions (a link back to your site, notification when the article is published, etc.).
Jane McLain is a Web developer and SEO specialist and the webmaster of EClaunchsite.com, an online resource center for netrepreneurs with tools and information to help you plan, build, launch and grow your e-business.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_McLain
How To Fail... Faster Then a Speeding Bullet !
How To Fail... Faster Then a Speeding Bullet !
By Troy Pentico
Hello, I am getting married. Want to pay me $798 dollars to
come? Yes, this is the theme in the latest marketing campaign
from the infamous Corey Rudl. Now before I give you the wrong
idea here it really doesn't cost $798 dollars to attend. In
reality it will cost you only $97 dollars and Corey has
promised to give everyone that attends a $97 dollar credit
towards any of his products. So really Corey is only going to
make $97 dollars per person that attends his wedding. Pretty
Good Deal, huh?
The $798 dollars is for the one day finally. What someone
could actually learn in a seminar environment in one day that
is worth $798 dollars is beyond me. But, I am sure even some
of you have bought into it. If you are thinking about it but,
have not committed to it, I would consider spending the money
on some one-on-one time with a consultant if you feel you must
pay someone to learn about your business.
This really is not what this article is about though. It
surely made me think about writing this but, would make for a
pretty bland article unless I was promoting Corey's Wedding
wouldn't it? No, you see Corey is in the Internet Marketing
Information business which in my opinion is getting way out of
hand lately. And that is the basis of this article.
So I give you "How To Fail... Faster Then a Speeding Bullet!"
As all of you know one of my favorite past times and really the
whole "Niche" of my online business is testing new marketing
tools, and resources and then sharing those reviews with my
subscribers and customers.
Through all of the years of doing this I have gained some
serious in site on what makes the online entrepreneur tick.
Most of the "initial successes" these marketer have, as well
as most of the failures are attributed to many different
things.
This list of reasons people fail is enormous but here are the
five most common and how to avoid them:
#5 Bad Guidance
Through out life people are used to being taught how to do
things. Their parents teach them how to tie their shoes, and
talk. In school they learn how to read, write, and perform
arithmetic. In college or trade school they learn how to
perform the tasks they are going to use at their job for the
rest of their lives.
Then one day they decide to start a business on the Internet.
Most of the time that is exactly what happens. They decide to
start "A BUSINESS". Not just any business mind you. But,
"A BUSINESS". These would be entrepreneurs want to make money
that all the SPAM mail promises can be had on the Internet.
But, there are now a few road blocks. They don't have a
product sell. They don't have a web site to promote.
They don't have any friends that are successful making money
on the Internet to help them. So in pure haste they go to the
nearest search engine and type in "How to Make Money" or
something a long them lines.
A lot of them won't be to picky when it comes to choosing.
They jump onboard every free to join program out there. Some
are "smarter". They know that if every body is selling this
or that product it must be the one people want and therefore
they need to sell it to. Luckily for them they will inevitably
end up on the mailing list of a very successful online marketer
who will provide them with all the guidance they need.
Generally this will consist of them telling their prospect that
to succeed they need to buy and follow the strategies in a
particular book they wrote. Once they spend their money and
read the hype in the book they find out to make money with these
strategies they will need to utilize a particular software
program, or service that luckily for them is provided by the
same person that sold them the book! And then thankfully that
same marketer is throwing a seminar that you can pay an arm and
a leg to attend so that you can actually figure out these
strategies that so far you haven't had any luck with. All the
while nobody is working on your business because you are to
busy reading, learning new software programs, and attending
seminars to build your own business.
Avoidance Strategy:
When looking for guidance find a professional with a telephone
that they answer when you call. If at all possible find
someone near your location that you can work with face to
face. Demand a free consultation to see if this person truly
knows what they are talking about. Demand a money back
guarantee. If this Guru is flashing sales copy that you can
make Millions selling this or that surely they can guarantee
that you will be profitable with your business following their
strategies in X amount of time.
Do not buy any products at all dealing with Internet Marketing
until you know what your business is going to be. Don't spend
hundreds of dollars trying to figure this out. You will find
your own Niche without the help of a $137 dollar digital book.
#4 Playing the FREE Game
Why should I pay to advertise on Google when I can join that
FREE Safelist and mail my ads to millions? Why should I for
advertising on ClickBank when I can join CBClicks for FREE?
Why should I pay for ads on Google when I can use this free
click exchange program to generate traffic?
There are an endless amount of free programs on the Internet
that promise to make you successful. This game started years
ago with a service called a Free For All Links Page. Here is
how they all work and why you can get them for FREE. When you
signup for a FREE service you will need to provide some
information to the provider. This can range from just your
Name and Email to a more extensive survey that includes
questions about your monthly income level, your physical
mailing address, your phone number, etc. A small price to pay
for using these services for FREE right?
WRONG!
If you didn't catch on yet these services can guarantee you
what ever they want. But, the truth is they rarely work
because they were not designed to! These services are for the
provider to obtain your contact information and your
permission to contact you with advertising anytime they want.
Many times your contact information is sold via a leads service.
In the end you find out that you wasted your time joining the
program and all you gained out of the FREE deal was in inbox
full of junk!
Avoidance Strategy:
Do not utilize FREE Traffic or Lead Generation Strategies with
very few exceptions (like submitting your URL to Google for
FREE for example). Find a service that is pay to play by a
known provider of successful strategies. Like Google Adwords
for example. Use the service that you can afford to and when
you can afford to utilize another move into it. Don't make
any exceptions to this no matter what anybody tells you!
#3 No Focus
This one is closely related to all of the other causes for
failure. The normal scenario goes something like this. You
are selling a book you wrote about cross stitching. You have
made a few sales and things are going nicely for you as your
business is starting to grow. Someone that you respect sends
you an email. It says, "Hey my Google PR just shot through
the roof because I am using X product". You quickly move
into action and purchase the product. You follow the
directions and spend hours, sometimes days applying the
strategy.
When you are finished you decide to stop by one of your
favorite marketing forums and find everyone talking about this
out standing new book by X marketer where he reveals all his
top secret marketing strategies. You move into action and
purchase the book. You spend days reading it and then weeks
applying the strategies.
This is a never ending chain for some people. They never spend
one day completely devoted to working on their business
because, they are to busy being distracted by the next big
thing.
Well I got news for your folks. There is always going to be a
next big thing. Some things do not change and will provide you
with much more success.
Avoidance Strategy:
FOCUS your time on YOUR Business. The Top of you To-do list
should always be Provide Outstanding Customer Service, Market
Your Product Continuously, Build Strong Relationships with your
customers, Improve the Content of Your Web site, etc.
Don't start another business if the current one is not
successful! Why put yourself through the mental challenges of
failing at two businesses? When you have made one business
successful you will have the know how and the resources to
successfully expand it to include another.
If you do this you will laugh as you watch your competitors
chase their Internet Marketing Dreams in Circles.
#2 No Creativity
You decide for your business that you are going to market X
product as part of their affiliate program. This one has to be
the easiest business to start in the world! They provide a web
site template, pre-written ads, banners, articles, and graphics!
All I have to do is use these items and I will make Millions!
WRONG!
Having no creativity is a killer. Especially, in the affiliate
sales world. Think about it if everyone of the affiliates in X
program are using the exact same sales materials for every aspect
of their marketing program who do you think a prospect is going
to buy from?
If you answered "I have no idea", you are correct. And a lot of
the times the prospective customer has no idea either. If you
don't successfully close the deal on the first visit from this
customer you are probably not going to. Your prospect wakes up
the next morning and decides to buy the product. They forgot to
book mark your site so they type the name of the product into a
search engine and come to a page that looks exactly like yours
and they buy.
The scenarios for not having creativity are endless. They go
from something simple like using canned sales materials from an
affiliate program to creating a software product that is exactly
the same as 12 others on the market.
If you do not put some creativity into your business. You will
fail.
Avoidance Strategy:
Only join and market an affiliate program if you have purchased
the product and used it yourself? Why? Because, if you don't
you will have no choice but, to used the canned sales materials.
You cannot extend any creativity into it and write your own sales
copy, give a testimonial to your prospects or anything of that
sort because, you will have no idea on what you are talking about.
Always, write your own sales copy, advertisements, web pages, etc.
Even if you only change a few graphics, and include a few of your
own paragraphs into a canned version you are way above the heap.
When modifying web pages include testimonials (if you don't have
any when you sell some ask the customer for one). Always include
your contact information including a phone number that you answer.
Always change the headline. If the headline is just to good to
change then change the sub headline. Do what ever you can to make
your sales materials unique.
When creating your own product research the hell out of it. Don't
create something that can be had elsewhere. And definitely don't
create something that people can pick up at the local Wal-Mart.
If you can't come up with your won idea hold a survey with your
ezine or mailing list subscribers asking them what they wish they
had to improve any aspect of their life or business.
Apply creativity throughout your business from product creation,
to sales, to good customer service at all time.
#1 No Determination
What am I doing wrong? I have created a unique product. I have
an awesome sales page. I am getting tons of hits from my Overture
PPC Campaign. But, nobody is buying! The heck with this.
I have a ton of ads inserted for my Google Campaign but nobody is
clicking on them. The heck with this.
I just can't get people to buy my product. I guess I will just
give it away.
I see this all of the time. People try everything that they
can to make their business work but, nothing seems too. They
give up and never really tried. Folks, the Internet is not a get
rich quick environment no matter what you may think. Yes, it is
easier to target your customer base and actually make contact
with them. But, it is no different then selling off line. If
you don't provide a compelling reason to buy then no one will.
And just because you think it is compelling and all your
marketing friends said the same thing does not mean it is going
to work.
The failure rate of online business due to No Determination is
astronomical. People actually believe that whatever they do is
going to work and when it doesn't they give up without a fight.
Avoidance Strategy:
Expect failure and LEARN from it. Write the underlying cause
for each failure down and refer to it when ever you can so you
don't make the same mistake twice. Research and analyze your
marketing methods. Write at least two versions of a sales page
for a particular product and run a split-test on it. Always ask
your current customers why they bought a particular product.
Make them be specific. Apply copy cat strategies with your
products. If it worked once it might work again. Just don't
go word for word. Ask for help from an Internet Marketer that
you respect by offering them a cut on sales. If you can't make
it sell maybe they can provide you with a way it can. Above
all DON'T GIVE UP, DON'T GIVE UP, and DON'T GIVE UP.
If you are the average everyday Internet Marketer you probably
found at least one failure strategy that you are following right
now. This does not mean your business will fail. If just means
you got a head start in start in that direction.
Keep in mind that I could not possibly list all the scenarios,
or avoidance strategies for each of these as it would have
created a volume of information and this article is already
long as it is.
You must learn to identify failure strategies and cut them off
before they have an adverse effect on your business. I have
provided you with a good start it is up to you from here on out.
So I challenge you from here on out to remain determined, be
creative, stay focused, avoid free things with big promises,
and seek out and find good guidance if you need it.
Copyright © 2004, Troy Pentico
Troy Pentico is the Editor of the FFAMall Gazette e-Zine and has
been a successful Internet Marketer since late 1997. Are you
tired of reading Internet Marketing Tips e-Zines packed with
advertising and marketing fluff? Subscribe Today and learn the
Truth! http://gazette.ffamall.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Troy_Pentico
By Troy Pentico
Hello, I am getting married. Want to pay me $798 dollars to
come? Yes, this is the theme in the latest marketing campaign
from the infamous Corey Rudl. Now before I give you the wrong
idea here it really doesn't cost $798 dollars to attend. In
reality it will cost you only $97 dollars and Corey has
promised to give everyone that attends a $97 dollar credit
towards any of his products. So really Corey is only going to
make $97 dollars per person that attends his wedding. Pretty
Good Deal, huh?
The $798 dollars is for the one day finally. What someone
could actually learn in a seminar environment in one day that
is worth $798 dollars is beyond me. But, I am sure even some
of you have bought into it. If you are thinking about it but,
have not committed to it, I would consider spending the money
on some one-on-one time with a consultant if you feel you must
pay someone to learn about your business.
This really is not what this article is about though. It
surely made me think about writing this but, would make for a
pretty bland article unless I was promoting Corey's Wedding
wouldn't it? No, you see Corey is in the Internet Marketing
Information business which in my opinion is getting way out of
hand lately. And that is the basis of this article.
So I give you "How To Fail... Faster Then a Speeding Bullet!"
As all of you know one of my favorite past times and really the
whole "Niche" of my online business is testing new marketing
tools, and resources and then sharing those reviews with my
subscribers and customers.
Through all of the years of doing this I have gained some
serious in site on what makes the online entrepreneur tick.
Most of the "initial successes" these marketer have, as well
as most of the failures are attributed to many different
things.
This list of reasons people fail is enormous but here are the
five most common and how to avoid them:
#5 Bad Guidance
Through out life people are used to being taught how to do
things. Their parents teach them how to tie their shoes, and
talk. In school they learn how to read, write, and perform
arithmetic. In college or trade school they learn how to
perform the tasks they are going to use at their job for the
rest of their lives.
Then one day they decide to start a business on the Internet.
Most of the time that is exactly what happens. They decide to
start "A BUSINESS". Not just any business mind you. But,
"A BUSINESS". These would be entrepreneurs want to make money
that all the SPAM mail promises can be had on the Internet.
But, there are now a few road blocks. They don't have a
product sell. They don't have a web site to promote.
They don't have any friends that are successful making money
on the Internet to help them. So in pure haste they go to the
nearest search engine and type in "How to Make Money" or
something a long them lines.
A lot of them won't be to picky when it comes to choosing.
They jump onboard every free to join program out there. Some
are "smarter". They know that if every body is selling this
or that product it must be the one people want and therefore
they need to sell it to. Luckily for them they will inevitably
end up on the mailing list of a very successful online marketer
who will provide them with all the guidance they need.
Generally this will consist of them telling their prospect that
to succeed they need to buy and follow the strategies in a
particular book they wrote. Once they spend their money and
read the hype in the book they find out to make money with these
strategies they will need to utilize a particular software
program, or service that luckily for them is provided by the
same person that sold them the book! And then thankfully that
same marketer is throwing a seminar that you can pay an arm and
a leg to attend so that you can actually figure out these
strategies that so far you haven't had any luck with. All the
while nobody is working on your business because you are to
busy reading, learning new software programs, and attending
seminars to build your own business.
Avoidance Strategy:
When looking for guidance find a professional with a telephone
that they answer when you call. If at all possible find
someone near your location that you can work with face to
face. Demand a free consultation to see if this person truly
knows what they are talking about. Demand a money back
guarantee. If this Guru is flashing sales copy that you can
make Millions selling this or that surely they can guarantee
that you will be profitable with your business following their
strategies in X amount of time.
Do not buy any products at all dealing with Internet Marketing
until you know what your business is going to be. Don't spend
hundreds of dollars trying to figure this out. You will find
your own Niche without the help of a $137 dollar digital book.
#4 Playing the FREE Game
Why should I pay to advertise on Google when I can join that
FREE Safelist and mail my ads to millions? Why should I for
advertising on ClickBank when I can join CBClicks for FREE?
Why should I pay for ads on Google when I can use this free
click exchange program to generate traffic?
There are an endless amount of free programs on the Internet
that promise to make you successful. This game started years
ago with a service called a Free For All Links Page. Here is
how they all work and why you can get them for FREE. When you
signup for a FREE service you will need to provide some
information to the provider. This can range from just your
Name and Email to a more extensive survey that includes
questions about your monthly income level, your physical
mailing address, your phone number, etc. A small price to pay
for using these services for FREE right?
WRONG!
If you didn't catch on yet these services can guarantee you
what ever they want. But, the truth is they rarely work
because they were not designed to! These services are for the
provider to obtain your contact information and your
permission to contact you with advertising anytime they want.
Many times your contact information is sold via a leads service.
In the end you find out that you wasted your time joining the
program and all you gained out of the FREE deal was in inbox
full of junk!
Avoidance Strategy:
Do not utilize FREE Traffic or Lead Generation Strategies with
very few exceptions (like submitting your URL to Google for
FREE for example). Find a service that is pay to play by a
known provider of successful strategies. Like Google Adwords
for example. Use the service that you can afford to and when
you can afford to utilize another move into it. Don't make
any exceptions to this no matter what anybody tells you!
#3 No Focus
This one is closely related to all of the other causes for
failure. The normal scenario goes something like this. You
are selling a book you wrote about cross stitching. You have
made a few sales and things are going nicely for you as your
business is starting to grow. Someone that you respect sends
you an email. It says, "Hey my Google PR just shot through
the roof because I am using X product". You quickly move
into action and purchase the product. You follow the
directions and spend hours, sometimes days applying the
strategy.
When you are finished you decide to stop by one of your
favorite marketing forums and find everyone talking about this
out standing new book by X marketer where he reveals all his
top secret marketing strategies. You move into action and
purchase the book. You spend days reading it and then weeks
applying the strategies.
This is a never ending chain for some people. They never spend
one day completely devoted to working on their business
because, they are to busy being distracted by the next big
thing.
Well I got news for your folks. There is always going to be a
next big thing. Some things do not change and will provide you
with much more success.
Avoidance Strategy:
FOCUS your time on YOUR Business. The Top of you To-do list
should always be Provide Outstanding Customer Service, Market
Your Product Continuously, Build Strong Relationships with your
customers, Improve the Content of Your Web site, etc.
Don't start another business if the current one is not
successful! Why put yourself through the mental challenges of
failing at two businesses? When you have made one business
successful you will have the know how and the resources to
successfully expand it to include another.
If you do this you will laugh as you watch your competitors
chase their Internet Marketing Dreams in Circles.
#2 No Creativity
You decide for your business that you are going to market X
product as part of their affiliate program. This one has to be
the easiest business to start in the world! They provide a web
site template, pre-written ads, banners, articles, and graphics!
All I have to do is use these items and I will make Millions!
WRONG!
Having no creativity is a killer. Especially, in the affiliate
sales world. Think about it if everyone of the affiliates in X
program are using the exact same sales materials for every aspect
of their marketing program who do you think a prospect is going
to buy from?
If you answered "I have no idea", you are correct. And a lot of
the times the prospective customer has no idea either. If you
don't successfully close the deal on the first visit from this
customer you are probably not going to. Your prospect wakes up
the next morning and decides to buy the product. They forgot to
book mark your site so they type the name of the product into a
search engine and come to a page that looks exactly like yours
and they buy.
The scenarios for not having creativity are endless. They go
from something simple like using canned sales materials from an
affiliate program to creating a software product that is exactly
the same as 12 others on the market.
If you do not put some creativity into your business. You will
fail.
Avoidance Strategy:
Only join and market an affiliate program if you have purchased
the product and used it yourself? Why? Because, if you don't
you will have no choice but, to used the canned sales materials.
You cannot extend any creativity into it and write your own sales
copy, give a testimonial to your prospects or anything of that
sort because, you will have no idea on what you are talking about.
Always, write your own sales copy, advertisements, web pages, etc.
Even if you only change a few graphics, and include a few of your
own paragraphs into a canned version you are way above the heap.
When modifying web pages include testimonials (if you don't have
any when you sell some ask the customer for one). Always include
your contact information including a phone number that you answer.
Always change the headline. If the headline is just to good to
change then change the sub headline. Do what ever you can to make
your sales materials unique.
When creating your own product research the hell out of it. Don't
create something that can be had elsewhere. And definitely don't
create something that people can pick up at the local Wal-Mart.
If you can't come up with your won idea hold a survey with your
ezine or mailing list subscribers asking them what they wish they
had to improve any aspect of their life or business.
Apply creativity throughout your business from product creation,
to sales, to good customer service at all time.
#1 No Determination
What am I doing wrong? I have created a unique product. I have
an awesome sales page. I am getting tons of hits from my Overture
PPC Campaign. But, nobody is buying! The heck with this.
I have a ton of ads inserted for my Google Campaign but nobody is
clicking on them. The heck with this.
I just can't get people to buy my product. I guess I will just
give it away.
I see this all of the time. People try everything that they
can to make their business work but, nothing seems too. They
give up and never really tried. Folks, the Internet is not a get
rich quick environment no matter what you may think. Yes, it is
easier to target your customer base and actually make contact
with them. But, it is no different then selling off line. If
you don't provide a compelling reason to buy then no one will.
And just because you think it is compelling and all your
marketing friends said the same thing does not mean it is going
to work.
The failure rate of online business due to No Determination is
astronomical. People actually believe that whatever they do is
going to work and when it doesn't they give up without a fight.
Avoidance Strategy:
Expect failure and LEARN from it. Write the underlying cause
for each failure down and refer to it when ever you can so you
don't make the same mistake twice. Research and analyze your
marketing methods. Write at least two versions of a sales page
for a particular product and run a split-test on it. Always ask
your current customers why they bought a particular product.
Make them be specific. Apply copy cat strategies with your
products. If it worked once it might work again. Just don't
go word for word. Ask for help from an Internet Marketer that
you respect by offering them a cut on sales. If you can't make
it sell maybe they can provide you with a way it can. Above
all DON'T GIVE UP, DON'T GIVE UP, and DON'T GIVE UP.
If you are the average everyday Internet Marketer you probably
found at least one failure strategy that you are following right
now. This does not mean your business will fail. If just means
you got a head start in start in that direction.
Keep in mind that I could not possibly list all the scenarios,
or avoidance strategies for each of these as it would have
created a volume of information and this article is already
long as it is.
You must learn to identify failure strategies and cut them off
before they have an adverse effect on your business. I have
provided you with a good start it is up to you from here on out.
So I challenge you from here on out to remain determined, be
creative, stay focused, avoid free things with big promises,
and seek out and find good guidance if you need it.
Copyright © 2004, Troy Pentico
Troy Pentico is the Editor of the FFAMall Gazette e-Zine and has
been a successful Internet Marketer since late 1997. Are you
tired of reading Internet Marketing Tips e-Zines packed with
advertising and marketing fluff? Subscribe Today and learn the
Truth! http://gazette.ffamall.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Troy_Pentico
How to Communicate Most Effectively Via E-mail
How to Communicate Most Effectively Via E-mail.
By Andrea J. Lee
When you observe a veteran craftsperson, what you see is beauty. Whether they are a glass blower, a chef, or a gymnast, there is an economy of movement, a rhythm, and a flair to their actions that signals to you this person has done what they're doing many times before. Because of that, they've discovered what I call the musicality in their actions.
It might seem pretentious to apply this analogy to online business owners and their email, but drawing the comparison does make a point. There is an art to email that goes beyond bits and bytes that I am very fond of. As an online business owner I consider email my instrument, and I've discovered a few tips and shifts about how to use it that can help you become more effective. Here are a few tips.
1. If you're having trouble getting someone to respond to your email, piggyback your question onto something they wrote.
This works especially well if it's someone with a high-profile.
Have you ever tried emailing someone new with a question, and not heard back? I suggest you try again, but write your email as a reply to something they wrote. It's human nature for people to look at a reply to something they emailed out before they reply to an email that looks like it's asking for something out of the blue.
Doing this is equivalent to joining a conversation that's already in progress, as opposed to starting a brand new one.
How do you reply to something a person wrote? Subscribe to their ezine.
This is an especially good practice if you are building joint ventures online. If you think you've discovered someone who you'd like to partner or collaborate with, it makes sense to look at their website. While there, subscribe to their ezine so you can get to know them better. And then when you have a note to drop them, do so in response to one of their issues.
2. Be courteous. Don't automatically use your "Urgent" flag to mark your emails.
Is your email really urgent? Really. If not, please don't succumb to the urge to mark it that way. People will notice if you abuse the privilege of asking for fast attention by misusing your "urgent" flag. Sad to say, I for one routinely ignore the "urgent" flag of a couple key people. I know they're marking themselves urgent because they think they're important, and that annoys me.
So don't let that be you. Instead, consider judiciously using your "not urgent" flag. That's the blue arrow that points downwards, if you're working in Microsoft Outlook. When I receive an email marked with a "not urgent" flag - now this is giving things away - I've become predisposed to be extra gracious towards the person because they've been considerate of my time, and let me know I needn't rush to read their email.
3. Put your best foot forward.
Do you have a good "friendly name" in place? If you don't know what this is, address an email to yourself and when it arrives, look to see what it says in the "from" column.
In Microsoft Outlook, click on "Tools" then select "Accounts" and click on the "Properties" button for an existing email address. You'll then see the spot where you can edit your current "friendly name."
It may well be the world's tiniest marketing space, but your friendly name is like your handshake. In the virtual world, it's the first thing that makes an impression on the reader and you know what they say about first impressions.
I've even seen some enterprising marketers use that space to advertise a new product, "One More Day to Save $50" or "I Must Be Crazy." This is fine, but feels a little junk mail-ey, so use caution. Then again, you can also say "Your Name | It's My Birthday!" and have some fun with it.
Once you start paying attention, you'll begin getting in the groove. That's what online business owners do when they start treating their email as though it was their musical instrument, not just a tool. That's because it is.
Andrea J. Lee coaches entrepreneurs and online business owners. As Thomas J. Leonard's General Manager, she helped build and manage the largest network and trainer of personal and business coaches in the world. Now the CEO of Andrea J. Lee Group of Companies, she writes, speaks and consults on Marketing, Internet and Business systems. For more helpful tips, visit http://www.multiplestreamsofcoachingincome.com/join.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_J._Lee
By Andrea J. Lee
When you observe a veteran craftsperson, what you see is beauty. Whether they are a glass blower, a chef, or a gymnast, there is an economy of movement, a rhythm, and a flair to their actions that signals to you this person has done what they're doing many times before. Because of that, they've discovered what I call the musicality in their actions.
It might seem pretentious to apply this analogy to online business owners and their email, but drawing the comparison does make a point. There is an art to email that goes beyond bits and bytes that I am very fond of. As an online business owner I consider email my instrument, and I've discovered a few tips and shifts about how to use it that can help you become more effective. Here are a few tips.
1. If you're having trouble getting someone to respond to your email, piggyback your question onto something they wrote.
This works especially well if it's someone with a high-profile.
Have you ever tried emailing someone new with a question, and not heard back? I suggest you try again, but write your email as a reply to something they wrote. It's human nature for people to look at a reply to something they emailed out before they reply to an email that looks like it's asking for something out of the blue.
Doing this is equivalent to joining a conversation that's already in progress, as opposed to starting a brand new one.
How do you reply to something a person wrote? Subscribe to their ezine.
This is an especially good practice if you are building joint ventures online. If you think you've discovered someone who you'd like to partner or collaborate with, it makes sense to look at their website. While there, subscribe to their ezine so you can get to know them better. And then when you have a note to drop them, do so in response to one of their issues.
2. Be courteous. Don't automatically use your "Urgent" flag to mark your emails.
Is your email really urgent? Really. If not, please don't succumb to the urge to mark it that way. People will notice if you abuse the privilege of asking for fast attention by misusing your "urgent" flag. Sad to say, I for one routinely ignore the "urgent" flag of a couple key people. I know they're marking themselves urgent because they think they're important, and that annoys me.
So don't let that be you. Instead, consider judiciously using your "not urgent" flag. That's the blue arrow that points downwards, if you're working in Microsoft Outlook. When I receive an email marked with a "not urgent" flag - now this is giving things away - I've become predisposed to be extra gracious towards the person because they've been considerate of my time, and let me know I needn't rush to read their email.
3. Put your best foot forward.
Do you have a good "friendly name" in place? If you don't know what this is, address an email to yourself and when it arrives, look to see what it says in the "from" column.
In Microsoft Outlook, click on "Tools" then select "Accounts" and click on the "Properties" button for an existing email address. You'll then see the spot where you can edit your current "friendly name."
It may well be the world's tiniest marketing space, but your friendly name is like your handshake. In the virtual world, it's the first thing that makes an impression on the reader and you know what they say about first impressions.
I've even seen some enterprising marketers use that space to advertise a new product, "One More Day to Save $50" or "I Must Be Crazy." This is fine, but feels a little junk mail-ey, so use caution. Then again, you can also say "Your Name | It's My Birthday!" and have some fun with it.
Once you start paying attention, you'll begin getting in the groove. That's what online business owners do when they start treating their email as though it was their musical instrument, not just a tool. That's because it is.
Andrea J. Lee coaches entrepreneurs and online business owners. As Thomas J. Leonard's General Manager, she helped build and manage the largest network and trainer of personal and business coaches in the world. Now the CEO of Andrea J. Lee Group of Companies, she writes, speaks and consults on Marketing, Internet and Business systems. For more helpful tips, visit http://www.multiplestreamsofcoachingincome.com/join.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_J._Lee
Hiring for Online Businesses
Hiring for Online Businesses.
By Andrea J. Lee
Hiring online brings with it some unique challenges, not least of which is the fact that you cannot see or even talk to some of your potential candidates... but the benefits of hiring online are so many, I'm usually hard pressed to think of a reason NOT to hire online (unless it's for a hairdresser or something!) So how can a body successfully hire online assistance, and do so quickly, covering your bases in just a couple hours? Start here.
It's Best to Look Online for Online help.
Since you're hiring an online contractor, it makes sense to search for them online, right? I mean, just as it makes little sense to look for a vegetarian cook at the butcher shop, or a penguin in the Sahara, there's little reason to look anywhere but online for your virtual team. That said, where online should you look? Read on...
Step 1: Start with a look at your very own inbox.
This is the single most effective way of finding the best help for small online business owners. And...it's very simple. Who is showing up in your inbox that has impressed you or given you a smile? Perhaps it's the way they write an email or a phrase they used that stuck out for some reason. It doesn't matter if they are a customer, in fact that could be a big plus. Got a little list of folks? Good.
Step 2: Now email them with your question.
Sample: "Hey Shellie, hope you're doing well! Just wanted to let you know I'm looking for some help for my online company. The person needs to have a computer at home, be familiar with email and be available 5-10 hours a week, doesn't matter what time of the day. Are you interested, or maybe you know someone who is? I'd want to start small but it could grow into something pretty cool as we go along. What do you think? Oh, and yes, start date is ASAP. Email me back if you're interested ok? Thanks!"
Step 3: Observe how they respond.
It's not who responds, so much as how those people respond, that counts most when hiring online. Because many of the traditional cues are absent in an online interaction (body language, voice tone, etc.) actions really do speak louder than words. I give the most 'points' to the person who responds quickest, who answers my questions without having to repeat myself and asks "when do I start?" with enthusiasm. As far as I'm concerned, this person embodies three of the critical characteristics of an online helper and I want them on my team:
1. They eliminate delay at every opportunity (fast response)
2. They over respond to the request (answers my questions)
3. They find the opportunity compelling (cannot wait to start)
In the online world, these three things are key to productivity. All the rest...can be taught, but not these. You've either got it, or you don't.
Note: In Human Resource terms, the above process is called pre-screening. The people you find to hire out of your very own inbox have been prescreened on a multitude of levels just by the fact that they are there in your inbox. And yes, it's even better if they happen to be a happy customer! Bringing a raving fan onto your team can give you unique insight into how your company can continue to pursue the leading edge.
Remember that because working online is still relatively new, often people don't know their own strengths. Part of your job as an online business owner is to observe what makes the person you've hired remarkable - starting with your screening process. Then put those strengths to work for your company.
Lastly, don't buy into the perception that hiring online is complex. It's absolutely not. It's refreshingly simple and fast. Put the above steps into action and don't spend more than 2 or 3 hours doing it. Set a start date with your chosen candidate and get back to business.
Andrea J. Lee coaches entrepreneurs and online business owners. As Thomas J. Leonard's General Manager, she helped build and manage the largest network and trainer of personal and business coaches in the world. Now the CEO of Andrea J. Lee Group of Companies, she writes, speaks and consults on Marketing, Internet and Business systems. For more helpful tips, visit http://www.multiplestreamsofcoachingincome.com/join.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_J._Lee
By Andrea J. Lee
Hiring online brings with it some unique challenges, not least of which is the fact that you cannot see or even talk to some of your potential candidates... but the benefits of hiring online are so many, I'm usually hard pressed to think of a reason NOT to hire online (unless it's for a hairdresser or something!) So how can a body successfully hire online assistance, and do so quickly, covering your bases in just a couple hours? Start here.
It's Best to Look Online for Online help.
Since you're hiring an online contractor, it makes sense to search for them online, right? I mean, just as it makes little sense to look for a vegetarian cook at the butcher shop, or a penguin in the Sahara, there's little reason to look anywhere but online for your virtual team. That said, where online should you look? Read on...
Step 1: Start with a look at your very own inbox.
This is the single most effective way of finding the best help for small online business owners. And...it's very simple. Who is showing up in your inbox that has impressed you or given you a smile? Perhaps it's the way they write an email or a phrase they used that stuck out for some reason. It doesn't matter if they are a customer, in fact that could be a big plus. Got a little list of folks? Good.
Step 2: Now email them with your question.
Sample: "Hey Shellie, hope you're doing well! Just wanted to let you know I'm looking for some help for my online company. The person needs to have a computer at home, be familiar with email and be available 5-10 hours a week, doesn't matter what time of the day. Are you interested, or maybe you know someone who is? I'd want to start small but it could grow into something pretty cool as we go along. What do you think? Oh, and yes, start date is ASAP. Email me back if you're interested ok? Thanks!"
Step 3: Observe how they respond.
It's not who responds, so much as how those people respond, that counts most when hiring online. Because many of the traditional cues are absent in an online interaction (body language, voice tone, etc.) actions really do speak louder than words. I give the most 'points' to the person who responds quickest, who answers my questions without having to repeat myself and asks "when do I start?" with enthusiasm. As far as I'm concerned, this person embodies three of the critical characteristics of an online helper and I want them on my team:
1. They eliminate delay at every opportunity (fast response)
2. They over respond to the request (answers my questions)
3. They find the opportunity compelling (cannot wait to start)
In the online world, these three things are key to productivity. All the rest...can be taught, but not these. You've either got it, or you don't.
Note: In Human Resource terms, the above process is called pre-screening. The people you find to hire out of your very own inbox have been prescreened on a multitude of levels just by the fact that they are there in your inbox. And yes, it's even better if they happen to be a happy customer! Bringing a raving fan onto your team can give you unique insight into how your company can continue to pursue the leading edge.
Remember that because working online is still relatively new, often people don't know their own strengths. Part of your job as an online business owner is to observe what makes the person you've hired remarkable - starting with your screening process. Then put those strengths to work for your company.
Lastly, don't buy into the perception that hiring online is complex. It's absolutely not. It's refreshingly simple and fast. Put the above steps into action and don't spend more than 2 or 3 hours doing it. Set a start date with your chosen candidate and get back to business.
Andrea J. Lee coaches entrepreneurs and online business owners. As Thomas J. Leonard's General Manager, she helped build and manage the largest network and trainer of personal and business coaches in the world. Now the CEO of Andrea J. Lee Group of Companies, she writes, speaks and consults on Marketing, Internet and Business systems. For more helpful tips, visit http://www.multiplestreamsofcoachingincome.com/join.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_J._Lee
Hiring for Online Businesses
Hiring for Online Businesses.
By Andrea J. Lee
Hiring online brings with it some unique challenges, not least of which is the fact that you cannot see or even talk to some of your potential candidates... but the benefits of hiring online are so many, I'm usually hard pressed to think of a reason NOT to hire online (unless it's for a hairdresser or something!) So how can a body successfully hire online assistance, and do so quickly, covering your bases in just a couple hours? Start here.
It's Best to Look Online for Online help.
Since you're hiring an online contractor, it makes sense to search for them online, right? I mean, just as it makes little sense to look for a vegetarian cook at the butcher shop, or a penguin in the Sahara, there's little reason to look anywhere but online for your virtual team. That said, where online should you look? Read on...
Step 1: Start with a look at your very own inbox.
This is the single most effective way of finding the best help for small online business owners. And...it's very simple. Who is showing up in your inbox that has impressed you or given you a smile? Perhaps it's the way they write an email or a phrase they used that stuck out for some reason. It doesn't matter if they are a customer, in fact that could be a big plus. Got a little list of folks? Good.
Step 2: Now email them with your question.
Sample: "Hey Shellie, hope you're doing well! Just wanted to let you know I'm looking for some help for my online company. The person needs to have a computer at home, be familiar with email and be available 5-10 hours a week, doesn't matter what time of the day. Are you interested, or maybe you know someone who is? I'd want to start small but it could grow into something pretty cool as we go along. What do you think? Oh, and yes, start date is ASAP. Email me back if you're interested ok? Thanks!"
Step 3: Observe how they respond.
It's not who responds, so much as how those people respond, that counts most when hiring online. Because many of the traditional cues are absent in an online interaction (body language, voice tone, etc.) actions really do speak louder than words. I give the most 'points' to the person who responds quickest, who answers my questions without having to repeat myself and asks "when do I start?" with enthusiasm. As far as I'm concerned, this person embodies three of the critical characteristics of an online helper and I want them on my team:
1. They eliminate delay at every opportunity (fast response)
2. They over respond to the request (answers my questions)
3. They find the opportunity compelling (cannot wait to start)
In the online world, these three things are key to productivity. All the rest...can be taught, but not these. You've either got it, or you don't.
Note: In Human Resource terms, the above process is called pre-screening. The people you find to hire out of your very own inbox have been prescreened on a multitude of levels just by the fact that they are there in your inbox. And yes, it's even better if they happen to be a happy customer! Bringing a raving fan onto your team can give you unique insight into how your company can continue to pursue the leading edge.
Remember that because working online is still relatively new, often people don't know their own strengths. Part of your job as an online business owner is to observe what makes the person you've hired remarkable - starting with your screening process. Then put those strengths to work for your company.
Lastly, don't buy into the perception that hiring online is complex. It's absolutely not. It's refreshingly simple and fast. Put the above steps into action and don't spend more than 2 or 3 hours doing it. Set a start date with your chosen candidate and get back to business.
Andrea J. Lee coaches entrepreneurs and online business owners. As Thomas J. Leonard's General Manager, she helped build and manage the largest network and trainer of personal and business coaches in the world. Now the CEO of Andrea J. Lee Group of Companies, she writes, speaks and consults on Marketing, Internet and Business systems. For more helpful tips, visit http://www.multiplestreamsofcoachingincome.com/join.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_J._Lee
By Andrea J. Lee
Hiring online brings with it some unique challenges, not least of which is the fact that you cannot see or even talk to some of your potential candidates... but the benefits of hiring online are so many, I'm usually hard pressed to think of a reason NOT to hire online (unless it's for a hairdresser or something!) So how can a body successfully hire online assistance, and do so quickly, covering your bases in just a couple hours? Start here.
It's Best to Look Online for Online help.
Since you're hiring an online contractor, it makes sense to search for them online, right? I mean, just as it makes little sense to look for a vegetarian cook at the butcher shop, or a penguin in the Sahara, there's little reason to look anywhere but online for your virtual team. That said, where online should you look? Read on...
Step 1: Start with a look at your very own inbox.
This is the single most effective way of finding the best help for small online business owners. And...it's very simple. Who is showing up in your inbox that has impressed you or given you a smile? Perhaps it's the way they write an email or a phrase they used that stuck out for some reason. It doesn't matter if they are a customer, in fact that could be a big plus. Got a little list of folks? Good.
Step 2: Now email them with your question.
Sample: "Hey Shellie, hope you're doing well! Just wanted to let you know I'm looking for some help for my online company. The person needs to have a computer at home, be familiar with email and be available 5-10 hours a week, doesn't matter what time of the day. Are you interested, or maybe you know someone who is? I'd want to start small but it could grow into something pretty cool as we go along. What do you think? Oh, and yes, start date is ASAP. Email me back if you're interested ok? Thanks!"
Step 3: Observe how they respond.
It's not who responds, so much as how those people respond, that counts most when hiring online. Because many of the traditional cues are absent in an online interaction (body language, voice tone, etc.) actions really do speak louder than words. I give the most 'points' to the person who responds quickest, who answers my questions without having to repeat myself and asks "when do I start?" with enthusiasm. As far as I'm concerned, this person embodies three of the critical characteristics of an online helper and I want them on my team:
1. They eliminate delay at every opportunity (fast response)
2. They over respond to the request (answers my questions)
3. They find the opportunity compelling (cannot wait to start)
In the online world, these three things are key to productivity. All the rest...can be taught, but not these. You've either got it, or you don't.
Note: In Human Resource terms, the above process is called pre-screening. The people you find to hire out of your very own inbox have been prescreened on a multitude of levels just by the fact that they are there in your inbox. And yes, it's even better if they happen to be a happy customer! Bringing a raving fan onto your team can give you unique insight into how your company can continue to pursue the leading edge.
Remember that because working online is still relatively new, often people don't know their own strengths. Part of your job as an online business owner is to observe what makes the person you've hired remarkable - starting with your screening process. Then put those strengths to work for your company.
Lastly, don't buy into the perception that hiring online is complex. It's absolutely not. It's refreshingly simple and fast. Put the above steps into action and don't spend more than 2 or 3 hours doing it. Set a start date with your chosen candidate and get back to business.
Andrea J. Lee coaches entrepreneurs and online business owners. As Thomas J. Leonard's General Manager, she helped build and manage the largest network and trainer of personal and business coaches in the world. Now the CEO of Andrea J. Lee Group of Companies, she writes, speaks and consults on Marketing, Internet and Business systems. For more helpful tips, visit http://www.multiplestreamsofcoachingincome.com/join.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_J._Lee
Have You Registerd Your Name As Your Domain ?
Have You Registerd Your Name As Your Domain ?
By Bill Parks
Procrastination and inaction keep most of us from doing things we want to do... Like register our name as our domain... By my inaction and procrastination it's too late for me!
How about you?
Have you registerd your name as your domain?
Is it too late? Is your name still available?
You can find out in 30 seconds. Just type in YourName .com and if you go to a website its too late.! Your name has been taken.
That's what happened to me. I put off registering my name and now someone else has registerd my name as their domain.
Have YOU Registered Your Name As A Domain?
Do you want to?
Is it too late?... Has someone else registered your name?
Over 30,000 domain names are registered every day.
I've been planning to register my name as a domain. BillParks.com... And just kept putting it off... Procrastination! Inaction!
And... Now it's too late!
Some other Bill Parks out there already has it... I found out when I entered www.BillParks.com and immediately went to a website. That other Bill already has part of his site built.
It only takes 30 seconds to see if your name's available for you. Enter your name and see if you go to a web site. If you do... It's too late.
If you don't go to a website, do a search at http://www.whois.com If they don't show your name taken, you're in luck. Your name domain's still available for you.
Hope 'YourName' domain's still available... I wish mine was!
Bill Parks... Computer Consultant, specializing in Filemaker Pro database design. Publisher of "Information Age Products Ezine" and "Bill's Business Boosters Ezine." http://www.Build-UR-Business.com and http://www.InfoAgePro.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Parks
By Bill Parks
Procrastination and inaction keep most of us from doing things we want to do... Like register our name as our domain... By my inaction and procrastination it's too late for me!
How about you?
Have you registerd your name as your domain?
Is it too late? Is your name still available?
You can find out in 30 seconds. Just type in YourName .com and if you go to a website its too late.! Your name has been taken.
That's what happened to me. I put off registering my name and now someone else has registerd my name as their domain.
Have YOU Registered Your Name As A Domain?
Do you want to?
Is it too late?... Has someone else registered your name?
Over 30,000 domain names are registered every day.
I've been planning to register my name as a domain. BillParks.com... And just kept putting it off... Procrastination! Inaction!
And... Now it's too late!
Some other Bill Parks out there already has it... I found out when I entered www.BillParks.com and immediately went to a website. That other Bill already has part of his site built.
It only takes 30 seconds to see if your name's available for you. Enter your name and see if you go to a web site. If you do... It's too late.
If you don't go to a website, do a search at http://www.whois.com If they don't show your name taken, you're in luck. Your name domain's still available for you.
Hope 'YourName' domain's still available... I wish mine was!
Bill Parks... Computer Consultant, specializing in Filemaker Pro database design. Publisher of "Information Age Products Ezine" and "Bill's Business Boosters Ezine." http://www.Build-UR-Business.com and http://www.InfoAgePro.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Parks
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