Undo That, Please

July 18th, 2007 by Shirley Grant No comments »

Ever make a mistake when you’re typing, or when you’re working
in any program for that matter? Would you like to be able to go
back and redo it? If you would, all you have to do is hit Edit,
Undo.

Or, a quicker way click on Ctrl + Z on your keyboard. Clicking
Ctrl and Z at the same time will undo any changes you’ve made
(good or bad). Maybe you’ve done something and it’s not
necessarily a mistake, but you would like to redo it. Well, just
use Ctrl + Z and it will be taken away!

This undo shortcut works in pretty much any standard program
that you may use.

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Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby’s Free Ezine the “Tip of the Day” get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips – Monday. Wednesday. and Friday. Instructions on how to place an ad are in the Newsletter.

Subscribe at: http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm.

7 Formulas for Writing Articles That Get Read

July 18th, 2007 by Shirley Grant No comments »

By Alexandria K. Brown

Many of us have been asked to write an article at one time or another. Maybe it’s a contribution to the company newsletter. Or a promotional article to gain publicity for ourselves or our companies. Some of us write articles regularly for clients.

No matter why you’re writing an article, it’s your responsibility to make it be interesting – otherwise no one will read it. (Except you.)

So how can you make your article interesting and engage your reader? It’s all about the ANGLE. First pick your topic. For example, let’s say your topic is something boring … “car wax.” Now, here’s where many people start writing.

Stop! You need an angle! What aspect of car wax do you want to write about? Is there anything new or sexy in the world of car wax that people are interested in? Some ideas: how the new generation of car waxes helps protect your paint job for twice as long, OR, an overview of the best five brands of car wax on the market, OR what the best type of wax is for your particular car. Get it? These are all angles. (By the way, I’ve never even waxed my car, so please take these ideas with a grain of salt!)

Ready to brainstorm your angles? Here are seven article “formulas” to get you started and get your juices flowing! Some elements of each may overlap with each other, but each formula is truly a distinct animal.

1. The How-To

People love how-to articles! They lead the reader step-by-step through how to reach an objective. They also sometimes offer resources the reader can contact for more information.

What expertise do *you* have to share? Turn that subject into an interesting how-to for readers. Examples: “How to Make Your Employees Stick Around Forever,” “How to Find the Best Dress for Your Figure,” and “How to Promote Your Business for Free.”

2. The List

This is one of the most basic formulas and the easiest to write. Give a short one or two paragraph intro, then launch right into your list. Keep each item to a few sentences max. People love numbers, so number your list and give your total number in the title! Examples: “31 Ways to Organize Your Office,” “15 Tips for Pain-Free Feet,” “Five Reasons Management Won’t Be the Same in 2001″

3. The “Straw Man”

Here you set up a premise and knock it down, showing the benefits of your alternative view or approach. This is ideal to use when you’re discussing the drawbacks of a new practice or method that’s controversial right now. Here’s a great example we often see on the covers of health magazines: “Are High Protein Diets the Key to Fast Weight Loss?” You get all excited, thinking you’ve discovered an amazing dieting revelation. But the article reveals, point by point, that high protein diets are unsafe for the long term, and that of course the only reliable way to lose weight is through diet and exercise. Oh well! Back to the treadmill….

4. The Mini Case Study

Raise a provocative question and then answer it with three or four real-life examples. Example: For an article titled, “Should You Quit Your Job and Go Freelance?” you could begin with a few stats on how today’s workforce is leaving the corporate world in search of solo bliss. Then you could feature a few real cases, each with different outcomes to show all sides of the issue.

5. The Interview

Choose a credible expert to interview for your article. For example, if your topic is the latest trends in banking, you could interview a top banking industry analyst. Present it in either a traditional article format or do a Q&A format.

6. The Trend

Trends aren’t just for fashion! Whenever a trend sweeps a certain profession, you’ll suddenly see dozens of articles covering the topic. From the latest hairstyle to the latest tax shelter, people want to know all about these trends – their origins, benefits, and drawbacks.

7. The Study Finding

These articles report the results of a study or survey. If you do a bit of research, you can probably dig up a recent study on which you can base your article. Examples: “Blue Chip Companies Cutting Marketing Budgets Across the Board,” “Armadillos Now Deemed America’s Favorite Pet,” and “More 20-Somethings Finding Love Online.”

(c) 2002 – 2003 Alexandria K. Brown

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandria K. Brown, “The E-zine Queen,” is author of the award-winning manual, “Boost Business With Your Own E-zine.” To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/‘; return true;” onMouseout=”window.status=”; return true;”>http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexandria_K._Brown

Video marketing your ticket to traffic

July 15th, 2007 by Shirley Grant No comments »

by Theresa Cahill
Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved

Making a video is fun, but making a profitable video is
even better. Best of all, to make a profitable video, all
you need to do is create a video ‘how-to’ and provide links
to your website inside that video. As for subject matter?
That’s truly the very best part because it doesn’t matter
what your ‘how-to’ video covers.

Just be sure that as you create your new how to video that
your website url is:

* At best, displayed the whole time your video is running,
or

* At worse, displayed when the video first starts and right
before it ends.

Let’s face it, people love how-to’s… and they search for
them every day on a very large scale. As an example, a
friend of ours had this experience to share:

“Just a few days ago I was folding clothes, and on a whim I
went to google videos and typed in “how to fold a shirt”.
Sure enough there were a few videos there. I watched them
(and learned a very cool way to fold shirts), and it
impressed the kids too.”

She then told us, “So here’s the thing. I’m not a
professional shirt folder, I wasn’t checking out the
competition, I just did a search for something on a whim,
and then I watched a few videos.”

There’s the key phrase – “ON A WHIM”

Internet marketers often find themselves with tunnel
vision. They focus so intently on what they have to offer
that they miss the big wide world, and what that world is
doing while he or she is thinking exclusively about just
their own website.

Tunnel vision… if you have it (and we all get it, don’t
worry), you need to learn how to “Think Outside the Box!”

Let’s continue looking at the shirt folding scenario:

What if one of the shirt folding videos that was watched
had had a url displaying your website? Well, for openers,
you could have had a visitor (traffic) to your website.
And, ideally, you may have had a buyer and long-term
client. People are curious animals. If your video was
creative enough, it most definitely can, and most likely
will, generate a visit to your website.

The reality is that millions and millions of people are
watching tons of videos every day on every topic you could
ever possibly imagine.

That’s worth repeating, “…on every topic you could ever
possibly imagine.”

So if you’re thinking, “Shouldn’t I create a video related
to what I am selling?” the answer is…. sure, if you have
that ability, go for it. But the truth is it doesn’t matter
if you do it on topic to the product you are selling or
not…. the big thing is to make as many videos as you can
about as many things as you can and post them to all of the
top video feed sites.

The second most important thing to remember is that as you
post them, keyword them to terms related to your video.
Check sites like www.wordtracker.com and make sure the
keywords you are allowed to enter in connection with your
video are ones people are searching for! Keyword-driven,
video-related quality traffic and buyers… make that your
goal!

Also keep in mind that you aren’t creating feature length
films here. Your videos can be anywhere from 1 minute to
10-15 minutes or any length in between.

Quiet on the set… Cameras rolling… Action!

==================================================

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Theresa Cahill invites you to further explore the unique
qualities of how to video marketing and for even more ideas on effective
internet marketing see what Molten Marketing
can do for your website today!

Hits To Your Web Site Don’t Really Count

July 14th, 2007 by Shirley Grant No comments »

By Bob Osgoodby

Writing ads is a skill you must master if you wish your online business to prosper. There has been a lot written about writing effective ads. Sometimes what might be considered a bad ad by the pros is one that actually works. Why you might ask?
Different styles appeal to different people, and you have to realize, that while the web might provide a level playing field for entrepreneurs, the likes and dislikes of potential customers vary widely.

While “Glitz”, and exaggerated earnings claims might appeal to some, to others it is a turn off. Wild claims about earnings potential might gather some prospects, but will be an automatic “click away” for others who prefer a low key approach. You must experiment with different ad copy, and keep records of what is drawing.

There are many ways to do this, and some suggest that you have multiple web sites geared towards ads that are running. In your ads, you point your visitors to different sites and by keeping statistics, you can see which ads are working.

But here is the dilemma. Depending on any number of factors, visitors could be coming from places other than your ads, and the results might be misleading. If, for example, a search engine picks up one site and not the other, you will obviously
have more visitors to the site that has been indexed.

Bluntly, hits to your web site don’t really count – sales do.
Your first job however, is to get visitors to your site. This is done through a variety of methods, including advertising, the use of search engines and email. Once you get them there, you must then sell them on your product.

On our web sites, we have an “after sale” questionnaire and we simply ask them how they found us. Now these people have decided to do business with us, and their answers will most likely be truthful. We then log this information, which helps us determine what advertising is working.

Ads that don’t appear to be pulling, we modify until we start seeing positive results. One of the best places to test your ads is in ezine publications that are highly targeted toward your potential customers. I don’t recommend ads in publications that are not targeted to your prospects. Unless you have a very generalized product, the return you get in these will most likely be minimal. More importantly, you won’t get sufficient information to determine if the actual copy is working.

Many people have been advertising in the same ezines for years.
Remember that there is some “thrashing” that occurs, and some people drop off the subscription list for the publication, but others are added. This gives you a constant new group of people who will read your ad every time it is published.

Experienced online entrepreneurs will even keep the same copy year after year if it is pulling. It usually takes 5 to 7 exposures anyway until they receive “brand identification”. When someone is willing to “bite”, if they have the proper ad, they
will remember them.
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Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby’s Free Ezine “Tip of the Day” get a Free Ad for their Business on his Web Page?
Subscribe at:
http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm
Great Business and Computer Tips Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Instructions to place your ad are in the Newsletter.

Instant Wordpress Themes

July 10th, 2007 by Shirley Grant 1 comment »

Instant Wordpress ThemesI just came across something interesting today! I found out that Gobala Krishnan just launched Volume 1 of his “Instant Wordpress Themes”, and you can get 7 beautifully designed Wordpress themes for just $1 each.

According to Gobala, these themes are “plug-in-profit” themes, which means all you need to do is insert your Adsense ID and Clickbank ID, and you’re in the money making zone.

I just got my copy, and it looks great! Click here to check it out.

How To Build A List Of Eager Subscribers

July 9th, 2007 by Shirley Grant No comments »

By Mary Jo Adams

Every online business provides great service to generate satisfaction among their customers. As each and every customer receives satisfaction over their products or the services they get, there is a great chance that they will become a return customer and buy again. Better yet, they will recommend you to other people that could generate more business for you and your site. As more traffic is driven to your site, you can entice many of them to subscribe to your mailing list or opt-in list.

This is a list where in website visitors agree to be sent promotional materials such as newsletters, catalogs and such that could keep them updated about your site or the niche of your site. These promotional materials are sent via e-mail to the members of the list in different time intervals.

When using e-mail as the media of your marketing and advertisements, you eliminate the need for high costs. Email is free and if you can manage to make your own promotional advertisements you can also save a bundle there. With an opt-in subscribers list, you are pretty sure that what you are sending out is received, viewed and read by the subscribers and not simply being deleted. They have signed up for service and have consented in receiving it.

This means that there are constant reminders to your subscribers about all your products, new products and services as well as any promotions and special deals you are having. There is also the chance that they can be forwarded to other potential customers as they tell their friends and families about you and your site.

Of course you should be also aware that a subscriber may unsubscribe when they feel that they are not getting what they want or expected. Make sure that they are satisfied with your opt-in marketing strategies and keep them excited in receiving your newsletters and catalogs. Here are some tips that can help you build a list of eager subscribers.

Make your promotional materials interesting and fun. Try to use a little creativity but not too over artsy. Build around what your product or service is about. For example; if you are selling car parts, put some pictures of what is new in the auto parts world, a new wing door possibly that can fit any car and make it look like a Lamborghini.

Try to research what people are looking for, these way, you stay one step ahead of them all the time and you will be their bearer of new tidings. They will be eager to receive what you are sending them because they new you always have fresh and new things to share with them.

Write good articles that can be very informational but light at the same time. If your subscribers enjoy your articles, they will go to your site by clicking the links that you will be putting on your newsletter to read some more. You can provide articles that can connect to many people. Be diverse in your articles. Put something humorous, then put something informational, then put something that has both.

Are you wary about this because you don’t like writing? No problem, there are many professional and experienced article writers that can do the job for you for minimal fees. They know what they are doing and can provide the need that you have for your newsletters, the money that you pay for your articles are going to be met by the many sign-ups and the potential profit from the sales that you will get.

Create and send an E-book to your customers about anything that is related to your business or site. Use your knowledge and expertise in the field you have chosen to help other people who are similarly interested. Offer this e-book for free. You can write about anything informational and helpful to your subscribers. For example; you can do manuals and guides in so many things. This e-book could be used as a reference for many people.

Share this e-book with everyone, even other sites; just make sure that they don’t change the links in the e-book that will lead people to your site. If you want, you can always get some people to write it for you just like your articles. Your investment once again will be covered by the great marketing this will generate.

Add e-coupons in your newsletters that will help them avail to special discounts. Put a control number in your e-coupon so that they can only be used once. When people get discounts that can be found in your newsletters, they will be eager to receive your newsletter in anticipation of what you are promoting next.

If your subscribers can get benefits from your newsletters, they will be very eager to receive them. Just don’t flood your mailing list with mails so that you don’t annoy your subscribers.

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Copyright © Mary Jo Adams
Publisher of:
www.OnSwitchSolution.com Specializing in
Work at Home and Internet Publishing

How To Triple Your List Building Rate With Squeeze Pages

July 7th, 2007 by Shirley Grant 2 comments »

By Willie Crawford

Most people in the Internet marketing arena know what a squeeze page is. However, most marketers that I’ve seen try to implement one do a terrible job. Therefore they get less than desirable results.

For the uninitiated, here’s a quick definition. A squeeze page is a webpage that, when the visitor “lands” on it, he is asked to opt-in to some type of list in order to proceed further. On some squeeze pages, your only options are to opt-in or leave. On others, you are given a method to continue exploring the site without opting in. Purist would argue that the second type isn’t a real squeeze page.

The rationale behind using a squeeze page is that most Internet marketers realize that the vast majority of visitor will not buy from a site on the first visit. So, these marketers make list building their top priority. If they can just collect the email address, along with permission to follow-up, then they’ll get other opportunities to make the sale later.

A squeeze page, generally, has some enticing bullets on it, and does a thorough job of describing what you’ll be able to access after you enter your data. The enticing offer on the squeeze page, that has the visitor salivating to get at what’s behind that “door,” is essential.

The most effective squeeze pages that I’ve seen, used enticing emails to drive traffic to the sites. These emails were either emailed by joint venture partners, or by the product owner who was introducing a new product.

That email that drove traffic to the squeeze page, sent them there already READY to sign up. That email, if it did its job, thoroughly described what was waiting on the site, and so the squeeze page was only a slight inconvenience. It was not enough of an inconvenience to be noticeably objectionable to those who were already thoroughly sold on the product concept.

The enticing email that does the pre-sell is a step many less- savvy marketers skip. Because their visitors aren’t pre-sold, their conversion rates are much lower than they would otherwise be.

Squeeze pages often experience “leakage” because many visitors knows how to view the page’s html source code, and locate the url of the follow-on webpage. So they can just enter that url to access what’s behind the door.

A good way to prevent this type of leakage (if you want to) is to encrypt the url for that follow-on webpage. Another way to do this is to EMAIL what was promised on the squeeze page. So, if the visitor doesn’t provide an email address (or provides a bogus email address) they don’t get to enjoy what was promised on the squeeze page.

If you’d like to see an example of one of the most effective squeeze pages that I’ve seen lately, check out http://ButterflyMarketing.net

On the page above, notice that if you try to circumvent the squeeze page, you CANNOT just access the information. Instead, you are simply given another chance to opt-in. This is a brilliant implementation of a squeeze page.

By the way, you should go ahead and opt-in at http://ButterflyMarketing.net That way you can study the rest of the process being used. You need to see the full picture in order to set up your COMPLETE process correctly!

One other nice implementation of a squeeze page that I’ve seen is one that passes information from the squeeze page on to the next page. So, the next page that you get to after filling in the form may have your name, or some other personal data, right in the copy on the page.

An example of the above might be a site selling pet toys. The form might ask what type of pet you have and your pet’s name. On the next page, as you read through the copy you might see your pet’s name scattered throughout the page, or you might see mention of the specific type of pet that you have.

The type of squeeze page described above can be very powerful if done correctly. If it’s not too blatant, your visitor may not even consciously notice that the page is personalized and specifically targeting him. For example, if that page only mentions the type of pet that you have, or some other seemingly innocuous fact, the personalization will still make the copy talk to YOU more. However it won’t be as “in your face” as when the copy uses your name.

There is actually a piece of software that will generate this type of squeeze page for you. That way, you don’t have to understand how to set up coding that tells the page how to pass variables from one page to the next. This software is called Squeeze Page Generator. You find it at: http://WillieCrawford.com/squeezepage.html

When you visit the page above, enter your name and email address, and the demo will show YOU what your visitors will see when you use this software on your site.

I’ve tested Squeeze Page Generator on some of my sites, and it DOES increase conversions. I prefer using it where it’s less “in your face” as I’ve described above ;-)

When you use Squeeze Page Generator that way, your visitors feel more connected to you and your copy, but they don’t really know why. I think that makes it more effective.

Many online marketers do use squeeze pages, because, while they may irritate a small percentage of your visitors, they have been proven to increase your signup percentages. If they don’t opt-in to your list, then there’s no way for you to follow-up with those who don’t buy on that first visit. Consider adding squeeze pages to your marketing arsenal today.


Willie Crawford has been marketing on the Internet for over 9 years. Many consider him, and his millionaire mentors, the top online marketers. Learn more of the proven “butterfly marketing methods” Willie and many of his mentors use at:
http://ButterflyMarketing.net