Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Are You A Dreaded Yo-yo Marketer?

Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Willie Crawford



When I was a kid, one of my favorite toys was a yo-yo - a spinning disc on a string that could be set in suspended motion with the flick of a wrist, and then reeled back in with a twitch of the hand.

Playing with a yo-yo was lots of fun, and my childish imagination never caused me to wonder what it might feel like to "be a yo-yo."

Today, as I watch Internet marketers offering their customers product after product, I understand what it must feel like being a yo-yo, and I personally would HATE the feeling.

I hope that you're not a yo-yo marketer.

A yo-yo marketer is very skilled at, with just a simple email, sending his subscribers off spinning in a desired direction. He does this by telling them how and why a "product of the day" will make their lives "perfect."

A seasoned yo-yo marketer has also mastered that art of copywriting (and subliminal suggestion), so his messages are very enticing, and if he tells his list about products that can really help them, then he IS doing them a service.

The problem come in the fact that a yo-yo marketer sends the same customers/subscribers spinning off in many different directions. Before they can complete one course of action, he reels them back in with the flick of a wrist. Then he skillfully sends them off spinning in an entirely different direction.

The yo-yo marketer is often the affiliate marketer referred to as "a super affiliate" because he flings that yo-yo so skillfully that he does sell a lot of products.

The problem, again, is that he sells lots of different products to the SAME customers, and he sells them product after product before they can really get much use out of any of them.

What causes a person to evolve into a yo-yo marketer in the first place? Surely it's not evil intent.

Many people morph into yo-yo marketers purely for survival purposes. They sell products that are one-time sales, and so they constantly have to find new products to sell.

The yo-yo marketer's dilemma is that if he sells you something that actually works, and then stops trying to sell you something else long enough to allow you to fully USE what he JUST sold you, he is forced to either find lots of NEW customers or starve.

If you are a dreaded yo-yo marketer, your conscience should cause you to examine what you're doing. It will also cause all but the worst of psychopaths to start actually putting their customers' best interests first.

How do you do that without putting yourself out of business?

You offer your customers consumable services that they actually need to grow their businesses.

You offer your customers consumable products and services that they already know that they absolutely must have in order to stay in business.

Here are two quick examples:

1) A hosted shoppingcart system. If your customers sell multiple-products from the same or even different websites, then they will eventually need a shoppingcart system, and they will need this system for as long as they're in business. That's why you'll see savvy marketers offer systems like http://ProfitAutomation.com

A customer builds his online store, his affiliate program, his ad tracking, his autoresponders, and his mailing list management around that system. Once he has decided on a shoppingcart solution, he will continue to use it for YEARS.

If you are the person who pointed him to that shoppingcart solution, you'll earn commissions on that sale for years. As you're earning commissions, you'll also be helping rather than hampering your customers, since you won't be "yo-yoing" them.

2) A video submission service, an article submission service, a press release submission service - or how about an all-in-one submission service that allows your customers to submit articles, press releases, videos, and podcasts... all from one automated intuitive software.

Your customers already know that they need to be using these media outlets to drive traffic, subscribers, and sales. They also know that it's impossible to manually submit to enough different places to achieve any noteworthy results.

By showing your customer an automated submission service like http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.info you honestly provide them with a needed service (rather than side-tracking them as most Internet marketing product launches do) and you earn a nice residual income.

With both of the services mentioned above, your customers will stay for a very long time because the products deliver RESULTS, and they can see how these products contribute directly to their businesses' growth.

Actually, if you are serving webmasters and online businesses, they will need BOTH of the above services. That means that you can easily set up the "famed" multiple-streams-of-income.

If you wanted to add a third income stream, you'd perhaps point them to the best coaching/mentoring available. For many of your clients, that would equate to a membership in The Internet Marketing Inner Circle. Since a TIMIC membership also offers a residual income, you would have set yourself up for a THIRD residual income stream while honestly looking out for your customers' best interests.

TIMIC is at: http://TIMIC.ORG

You do NOT have to be a yo-yo marketer unless you just choose to be. The beauty of not being a yo-yo marketer, and offering your customers product like the ones above, is that you "need" fewer subscribers and customers.

You are no longer forced to constantly try to get more and more subscribers since you are not killing off the ones that you have... as yo-yo marketers often do.

By now, you see the insanity of being a yo-yo marketer. If you have been doing yo-yo marketing, you also probably feel slight pangs of guilt. You don't need to feel guilty, because you didn't know better previously. Now you just need to stop being a yo-yo marketer.


About the Author:
Willie Crawford has been marketing goods and services over the internet for 12 years. During that time, he has written over 1100 articles. Recently he has added multi-media and more press release to his marketing mix, with very impressive results. Willie uses and highly recommends Easy Pushbutton Traffic at: http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.info


The 'R' Word

Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 Rick Johnson



In order to survive or even thrive facing today's economic conditions, which may even see gas prices hit five dollars a gallon, it will require sticking to the basic principles of running a well managed business. Some economists say we are definitely in a recession even though the actual numbers don't really validate their opinion. The question is... Does it really matter? Personally, I believe what really matters is what is actually happening in the market place. We are going through a mortgage crisis meltdown in the housing industry, gas prices are going out of sight and that fact alone is impacting the cost of nearly everything we purchase in this country from our vacations plans to the food we eat.

Facing Reality

Let's face it. During the past five years prior to flirting with the "R" word --- Recession, it wasn't extremely difficult to make a profit. The market forces have been very kind to the majority of us through 2005, 2006 and 2007. However, 2008 is a brand new year and the wave we have all been riding has shrunk in size at varying levels in our industry. The success we have enjoyed in the past will not be as easy to accomplish in 2008 and 2009. In fact, we may have to adjust our expectations as the rising energy costs will have an impact on every aspect of business in general. Past successes may have camouflaged internal problems and annoyances that could become a crisis in 2008 and 2009 under different circumstances.

To not just survive in 2008 and 2009 but to maintain acceptable levels of growth and profitability is a goal that I am sure is shared by virtually 100 % of the individuals and companies that read this article. So, let's review some principles that can help us maintain our focus, uncover some of those sins that may have become covered by profitability and create the kind of success that you can be proud of:

1. Go back to basics in managing your business
2. Understand your role in the market place
3. Develop or refine your strategic plan
4. Continue to develop and train employees (Don't scrimp here)
5. Upgrade your sales force and all support services
6. Don't let up on your drive to provide world class customer service
7. Insist upon sales territory plans that target accounts based on potential for growth
8. Create change based on changes in your markets and your industry

Basic Best Practices

Take the time to review best practices as they apply to your business. Look at your processes, your procedures and your policies. Do they reflect good management principles or do they become a little spongy due to past practices?

What is Your Role?

Has your role changed in the market place? Are your business segments still the best match for your core competencies? What has changed and more importantly, what changes do you need to initiate? Do an internal SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) with your management team and initiate a brainstorming or scenario planning session to reflect upon your changing role in 2008 and beyond.

Strategic Planning

If you don't have a strategic plan, make it a priority to create one in 2008. It is money well spent. If you do have one, go through an extensive review of all the initiatives. Do they still make sense? Has anything changed that will make a significant difference on your focus. Do you need to change your "End Game' or Vision for the Future?

Employee Development is Essential to Profitability

Don't cut training and development dollars. Continue to focus on people development. This will maintain employee respect, trust and will create a culture that will maximize employee efforts and willingness to do whatever it takes to create success.

Upgrade - Upgrade

While employee development is critical to success, so is making sure that you have the right employees performing the right functions. The opposite of the "Easy Profit" market forces that cover-up employee incompetence is the "Tough Profit" market that will highlight employee incompetence. Economic conditions like those we face today eliminate places for under performing employees to hide. Don't let too much compassion for long tenure employees cloud your judgment. Make sure expectations are clear; employees are trained and have the proper resources. However, if they can not perform you must act swiftly.

Sales Effectiveness

It's really fun being a sales person in an "Easy Profit" market. It is not difficult to do well and sometimes we can be lulled into a sense of eternal success that doesn't require a 100% effort. It can lead to a comfort zone that is not healthy for long term success. Make sure your sales force practices a sales effectiveness discipline that requires documented action planning for specific targeted accounts that support individual territory plans. Of course, these plans must be in alignment with strategic initiatives as well.

Maintain World Class Customer Service

Guard your customer service initiatives with a passion. This is the absolute last place that you can afford to lose focus. If customer service starts to slip... Customers will soon follow and that could lead to a death spiral.

Create Change

Creating, instigating and managing change takes passion and courage. It's not for the weak of heart. It is not for those who embrace simple traditional expectations. Effective leaders reach beyond these expectations. They become agents of change. Change is imperative in a "Tough Profit" market. Most companies will thrive on the concept of change, achievement, responsibility and accountability. Make it part of your culture in 2008 and you will not only be a survivor but you will perform in the upper quartile of your industry.




About the Author:
http://www.ceostrategist.com - Sign up to receive "The Howl" a free monthly newsletter that addresses real world industry issues. - Straight talk about today's issues. Rick Johnson, expert speaker, wholesale distribution's "Leadership Strategist", founder of CEO Strategist, LLC a firm that helps clients create and maintain competitive advantage. Need a speaker for your next event, E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com. E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com if you need help with your strategic planning.


Monday, September 29, 2008

Grabbing Expired Domains in Style-Some Tips and Suggestions

Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2008 John Khu



Grabbing good expired domains from a pool of open domains involves fierce competition and intense fighting among like-minded domain traders. The place where you buy your domains is akin to a market place where people jostle and push their way around to grab expired domains in the last minute. Buying expired domains is a precise game and a well-calibrated exercise that demands extraordinary effort and alertness from domain traders. Expired domains also pose a big and tough challenge to people and faint-hearted ones may find the game very tough and tedious.

To grab excellent domain expiring, you may have to develop the knack of playing the game in a hard way. The grabbing game gets fiercer and tougher as great domains start to expire; somehow, all most all domain traders seem to know about the impending expiry of a particular domain! Ultimately, you may need compete and fight your way to buy a good expired domain name. Here are some general tips and suggestions that, hopefully, will tell you how you can empower yourself to grab great looking domain names.

Before learning the hidden secrets and tricks of domain grabbing, you will need to understand one mandatory issue that is quite critical for your domain trading success. More requests you make to an expired domain registry, better and brighter your chances of grabbing a great domain.

Dealing with different registrars

  • All registrars have their own ways of operations. None of them is similar and dependent. Most of them are independent and have their policies and issues. The manner in which they announce the expiry of domain names could be different; some of them may be very regular in announcing expired names, while others may do only in a fortnight or so. Thus, there is a critical need to register your name on the database of almost all registrars that handle expired domains.

  • Using number computer nodal points

  • Seasoned and highly experienced domain traders make it a point to use a bank of computers. Using multiple computers will help you save both time and energy, and it will help you reach the registrars in double quick time.

  • Using different browser in the same computer

  • If you do not have an access to many computers, you can open several browsers like Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox and Mozilla within the same computer to save time and energy.

  • High-speed broadband internet connection

  • A blazing fast internet will help you reach the database within the blink of your eye lids. You can also process as many requests as possible with a quick internet connection. Slow speed will hurt your domain trading business, as you will not be able to reach the registrar's web site in time.

  • Efficient and useful feedback mechanism

  • Learning more about the intrinsic behavior of a particular registrar will help you understand the modes operandi of the registrars and how they act and behave in a particular way. Whois web portal is the best available tool to carry out a detailed research activity on registrars and expiring domains.

  • Requesting bulk registration facilities

  • Bulk registration is a useful utility that assist you buying several expired domains at the same time. Slow web page templates supplied by a registrar may hurt your business with its slow processing mode. On the other hand, bulk registration may help you process several requests at the same time.

  • Developing quality of self-initiative to act quickly

  • Grabbing great-expired domain names needs an immense research effort and dedicated effort. Knowing more about the past of a particular domain will not only help you know the insider information, it will also tell you whether the domain in question is useful or not.

  • Finding expired domains could be your game, only when you apply the above principles diligently and without fail. Start learning to know how you can grab expire domain names with considerable ease and enjoy snatching them in front of your competitor's own eyes!


    About the Author:
    John Khu is an author and also a seasoned professional with vast experience in expired domain name business. He is also the owner of the path breaking web sites called http://www.expireddomainsecret.com and http://www.expireddomaingains.com which provides complete and up-to-date information on expired domains and their eternal secrets.


    Top 5 Things You Can Do to Sell Your House

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Bob Johnston



    In the past couple years, the real estate market has been flagging and the economy overall has been floundering. With the economy where it is, it is becoming more and more difficult to sell your home at this time. If you want to sell your home for a great price, you are going to have to work hard to sell your home and to make it look desirable in today's market. While it may seem difficult to sell these days, there are things you can do to make your home an attractive buy for buyers today. Here are the top five things you need to do if you want to sell your home as soon as possible, even on a market that is on the downswing today.

    Add Curb Appeal

    First of all, if you want to make sure that your home is an attractive buy to buyers searching for the right home in a time when the economy is less than wonderful, the first thing you need to do is add curb appeal. It's important to remember that first impressions are very important and when people drive up and see your home for the first time, you want them to like what they see. There are many things that can be done to enhance the curb appeal of your home. A coat of paint on the front of the home can help, as can some nice landscaping. A new front door or a nicely paved driveway can help to enhance the curb appeal as well.

    Get Rid of Clutter

    Getting rid of clutter within your home is also very important if you want to be able to sell your home quickly on this market. The more clutter you have, the more equity you can expect to lose in your home. When you have too many things in one room, the room does not look as big, which means that people don't concentrate on the home. If people are not able to see the space in the home, then they'll be less likely to imagine what it would be like for them to live there. So, put the clutter away. After all, you were going to pack it all up anyway.

    Take Down Personal Items in Your Home

    When you are taking down things in your home, you'll want to take down personal items first. You'll want to get rid of items that are personal to you, such as family pictures, special collections, or even bold colors with decorating. You want the buyer to be able to visualize how their things are going to look in the home, which is hard to do when your things are in the way. If you pack up your personal items and stick with a neutral décor, they'll be able to imagine how their things would look in the home.

    Clean Everything

    Cleaning is so important if you want to be able to sell your home on a buyers market. It is so important that you make sure that your entire home is spotless. The last thing people want to see is anything in the home that is dirty. It is an instant turnoff to see a dirty tub, a stove that has caked on food, or floors that look horrible. Scrub everything, vacuum the floors, and make sure that the windows are sparkling as well. People love walking into a clean home.

    Make Sure it Smells Great

    While you may not think about it, the smell of your home is so important. No one is going to want to purchase a home that smells bad. If you have a home that smells like a pet, you may need new carpet. If you smoke in the home, you may need to paint the walls and add some new carpet as well. Cleaning will also help to make your home smell better. Also, on the days that people are visiting your home, make sure you either spray some wonderful smelling air freshener, or better yet, consider doing some baking. There is nothing as wonderful as walking into a home that smells like fresh baked goods. It makes people think of home and people are more likely to purchase homes that smell great.

    These are just a few important things that you can do to help sell your home faster. Sure, the real estate market is in a bit of a slump right now, but by using these tips, you can make sure that your home sells for top dollar, even in a market that is down.


    About the Author:
    Bob Johnston writes for HomeGuide411, a nationwide directory of home-related businesses such as plumbers, contractors, electricians, realtors, landscapers and much more. http://www.homeguide411.com


    Friday, September 26, 2008

    Whatever You Wanted to Know About Expired Domain Auctioning Strategies

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 John Khu



    Domain trading professionals, who are in possession of a series of domains names, make it a habit to dispose them off by using a number of techniques and strategies. Expired domain auctioning is probably the most lucrative, attractive, profitable and simple method of selling domain names. Auctioning is an interesting option for people who wish to double or even treble the asking price and earn a hefty amount of profit as a result. Expired domain auctioning is a process of offering good domain names to the highest bidder in a fiercely contested auctioning process.

    Expired domain auctioning is an internationally accepted form of selling good expired domains, where a domain trader will offer appealing expired domains to interested bidders. If you have good domains in your possession, you can try out this method to make some extra money. Several factors and parameters affect expired domain auctioning and you may consider auctioning under the following conditions:

    1) How good and appealing your expired domains are? Do you feel that they can help the person who buys them at an inflated price?

    2) Do you have an appraisal study carried out on the domains auctioned by you? Appraisal studies will help add a real value to your expired domains because a typical appraisal study provides sensitive information on the real worthiness of domain, its history, previous activities, and traffic, if any.

    3) Do you feel that you are offering a domain that can help the buyer to flip it into a viable web site?

    Expired domain auctioning is an intelligent game, where you will be promoting your domain to thousands of domain buyers, who always make it a point to buy only the best among the lot. Before putting your domains under auction, you may also wish to conduct a detailed research on the feasibility of selling the expired domain apart from studying the market place, how buyers act and behave, and understand different extraneous forces that influence the general mood of the market.

    Many web portals help both the seller and buyers of expired domain names to transact in a very safe and secure ambience. Some of the well-known expired domain web portals are:

    a) Pool.com

    b) Snapnames.com

    c) Enom.com

    d) Namewinner.com

    One of the best-known expired domain auctioning sites for your expired domain names is eBay Inc. This is a busy online auctioning place where thousands of people jostle for a breathing space and a firm foothold. E Bay is a great web portal that offers a special and innovative process that permits people to sell domains in a highly competitive and rigorously active auction process. The entire auctioning process is highly efficient and completely automated to provide a trouble free auctioning experience to both the buyer and seller. The highest bidder for the domain will have to honor the agreement by paying the bid money.

    However, you may have to follow and obey a number of clauses and regulations before auctioning the domain for sale. The expired domain that you wish to sell should be top class and must carry a high value with them. Three or four lettered domain names could fetch you very good bid value, because they are the current hot favorite items in the market. Interested parties may also ask you to provide an appraisal report on the domain on sale. Several enterprising expired domain auctioning web portals allow you to sell your domains through an elaborate auctioning process. Sites like www.Afternic.com or www.Sedo.com or www.GreatDomains.com provide a highly accomplished auctioning process using which you can dispose of your extra stock of domains in exchange for a small commission payable to the web portals. It is quite possible to sell your domain names to large business enterprises and corporations, who keep looking for very good domains. However, ensure that you are violating some other's copyrights and trademarks. Expired domain auctioning is a very lucrative process of getting rid of your excessive domain stock, and with luck you can reap a rich harvest provided you have the right set of domains.


    About the Author:
    John Khu is an author and also a seasoned professional with vast experience in expired domain name business. He is also the owner of the path breaking web sites called http://www.expireddomainsecret.com and http://www.expireddomaingains.com which provides complete and up-to-date information on expired domains and their eternal secrets.


    Internet Fax - Does Your Business Have It?

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins



    If you own or operate any type of company or business, there is one thing you know for certain: you have competition. You are constantly competing for sales, market share, customers... you also know it's a battle you have to win if you want your business to fully prosper in these demanding times.

    One of the best ways to stay competitive is to have the latest and most efficient business tools at your service. Businesses must stay abreast of the times or fall behind the pack - it's that simple.

    Internet Fax is a perfect example; it is a business communication tool you simply must have.

    Why?

    Because your competition will have it and if you're competing against them, you must have it just to stay in the game. Especially if your business relies upon receiving and sending faxes then Internet Fax must be considered for your business.

    Internet Fax has many names: online fax, email fax, e fax, electronic fax, mobile fax, even phone fax... regardless of what you call it, Internet Fax is using your email system and the web to send and receive your faxes. It's relatively cheap, it's paperless, it's inkless, it's more secure, and much much more convenient than the old traditional way of faxing.

    Moreover, you can access your faxes anywhere anytime, wherever you have Internet access and these days that's almost everywhere. It is completely compatible with cell phones, laptops, PDAs... a truly portable faxing service which your company can benefit from using.

    In order to get Internet Fax you have to sign-up for an online fax service where you receive a local or toll-free fax number. You will get an online site (interface) where you can check, send and receive your faxes. You can also store your faxes here.

    Generally, your faxes are sent as email attachments, usually in TIFF or PDF formats. Your online fax service acts as an intermediary on your behalf to process your faxes, whether they're coming from traditional fax machines or other Internet Fax users. You simply check into your site or use a desktop application to send or receive your faxes.

    Basically, Internet Fax simply ties in or brings all your faxing chores into the computer/internet age. It is the modern way to fax.

    Now since this is a "long-term" business service it pays for any company or business to shop around before picking any one service. Do your homework now and it can pay huge dividends over the long haul.

    Some of the major Internet Fax Service Providers are: MyFax, eFax, TrustFax, RingCentral, Send2Fax, RapidFax, MetroFax and Faxage. All of these online fax services have slightly different plans and monthly rates so check them all out before choosing a fax service that will meet your company's needs.

    Costs for an Internet Fax service usually range from around $10-$15 a month, but some go for as low as $4 a month or if your faxing needs are a bare minimum - around $20 bucks a year.

    Again, price shouldn't be your main concern as you will want a reliable fax service with good 24/7 support. This quality service and support should be your first criteria in choosing any fax service. You will also want one that is completely scalable to meet any demanding business fax needs should they arise.

    However, since most of the major fax services give you a 30 Day Trial Period, you can try before you buy. Finding an Internet fax service to match your needs shouldn't be that difficult.

    For the most part, Internet Fax has many advantages: it is paperless, inkless, very portable, very convenient, more secure and more economical than the traditional way of faxing. Besides, as mentioned before, even if you're not using it, you can be assured your competitors are using it. Can you stay competitive if your business depends upon quick fast communication on a daily basis. Can you really afford not to use Internet Fax?

    It's your call.


    About the Author:
    For more information on Internet Fax Services use this handy online Comparison Guide to get your own: Online Fax Service Or if you want more detailed information on Internet Faxing try here: Internet Fax. Titus Hoskins Copyright (c) 2008. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.


    Wednesday, September 24, 2008

    Finding Good Expired Domain Names By Using Google Search Engine

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 John Khu



    Many newbie expired domain traders find it very hard to find an expired domain name of their choice. Due to their inexperience as well as lack of knowledge or skills in expired domain trading, they always end up in buying expired domains with relatively no commercial value. If you are interested in finding a good expired domain name, then you may wish to learn some basic secrets and tips related to the expired domain name trading business. Google is a well-known search engine that provides very good search results in matter of few seconds. Google is also a rich repository of web domains, both live and expired; if you know how to use this amazing utility, you can easily find a good and commercially available expired domain, capable of spinning more money than you wished for.

    With the right type of knowledge, it should not be too difficult for you to find and detect very good expired domain names by using Google search engine. All you have to do is to use right type of keywords and search methods to create a list of expired domain names! Google houses more than 50 millions of web domains and most of these domains are alive, while a considerable numbers are dead and expired. If you know how Google spiders work in segregating the search results, you can easily cull out excellent expired domain names as well.

    Most of the major search engines including Yahoo, Live, Google, Ask and host of others employ a method that seeks to weed out or eradicate those domains that are no longer alive, or those that are already expired and dead. However, hundreds of thousands of web domains expire everyday and these numbers seem to be too huge for any search engines to remove from the list. Thus, there is always a time lag of a week or so, before the expired domain names are removed from the directories.

    However, there is still a gap of about five to sex days before the entire list of expired domains disappear from the directory listings. Smart expired domain traders make it a point to buy expired domains, before they are deleted or removed from the search engine list. Once you buy listed expired domains and register them as soon as possible, you can have the liberty of accumulating very precious traffic and links owned and possessed by the previous owner.

    However, you can conduct a search on the Google search engine by using a simple search query given as follows:

    1) Just open the Google search engine bar

    2) Type- "Auction Date" 01-07-2008 intitle: aaaaaaaaa site: whois.domaintools.com (here, aaaaa is the preferred keyword, while the date could be any date that you wish but it should preferably be about 15 days before today's date)

    3) Choose any keyword you want and consult a keyword tracker web domain for better keywords.

    4) Once you give a command for search, you can easily get a comprehensive list of expiring or expired domain names in the entire search engine directory.

    Once you create list, you can sensitize it by using good domain software for short listing the best possible domain names. The list thus generated should provide you a basic idea of how your expired domain names look and appear.


    About the Author:
    John Khu is an author and also a seasoned professional with vast experience in expired domain name business. He is also the owner of the path breaking web sites called http://www.expireddomainsecret.com and http://www.expireddomaingains.com which provides complete and up-to-date information on expired domains and their eternal secrets.


    Promo Dashboard: List Building That Converts Like Crazy

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins



    List building is one of the most important elements of online marketing. Often it will determine the success or failure of your site or online business. Now there's a handy product from well-known Internet Marketer Marlon Sanders that will help build your list: Promo Dashboard.

    Since list building is one of my favorite subjects, Marlon Sanders' Promo Dashboard held special interest for me. I am always eager to learn new ways to improve my list building methods and techniques. This product does not disappoint.

    Promo Dashboard is a very detailed "point and click" solution to all your list building tasks. Easy to use and simple to implement - Marlon has gone out of his way to make list building something even the most novice marketer or webmaster can accomplish. Unlike many list building products, courses, ebooks, etc., there is no fluff or filler - just straight practical steps that take you from A to Z.

    Promo Dashboard in a nutshell is all about building your list and converting your subscribers into buyers. It takes you step-by-step thru everything you need to do to build your opt-in list or lists and to get those prospects to check-out or buy your product.

    But this is not just about building your list; it is also about promoting your products and business. This is direct, no-nonsense marketing advice on how to find your targeted audience, how to get these interested customers onto your list and how to convert these people into buyers. You get an online interface or site where you click on the icons on the DashBoard to get all the information you need to accomplish each task.

    Marlon gives you an "audio overview" of the six major steps you need to do:

  • targeting your market

  • creating your offer

  • building your squeeze page

  • setting up your autoresponder

  • promoting your offer

  • turbo charging with Web 2.0

  • all these major steps are further divided into 6 sub-topics or things you need to do to "turbo charge" your promotions.

    If all this sounds complicated, it isn't.

    Marlon always does a great job of breaking all these marketing steps and processes down into easy tasks even the beginning marketer can accomplish without too much sweat.

    This is the main reason I like Promo Dashboard - it takes a rather complicated marketing process such as list building and breaks it down into simple steps anyone can do. That is also why I like all of Marlon Sanders' Dashboard products which include Marketing Dashboard, Info-product Dashboard and Design Dashboard

    These Dashboards are practical "Point and Click" guides that break down rather complex marketing processes into simple, easy tasks anyone can do regardless of your own marketing background or experience. Besides, these products come from one of the legends of Internet Marketing... Marlon Sanders is a solid marketer who produces solid products that work.

    Having done extensive work on list building myself, (I offer an online course and list building is one of my targeted keywords in Google - just check it!) I thought I knew everything about list building - however, PromoDashboard opened my eyes to many areas where I can fine-tune and improve my methods. It also offers excellent resources which I never thought of using before now... this is worth the price alone for me.

    If you want a product that will give you ways to increase and improve your list or prospect building abilities I would strongly recommend you consider Promo Dashboard. It is a simple "point and click" solution to all your list building problems. Moreover, it is a simple way for anyone to promote their site, business or products. Promo Dashboard delivers the goods and then some.


    About the Author:
    Get a Step-by-Step Guide that will show you How to Start, Build and Manage your OWN HUGE Opt-In List. Click Here: List Building Or try other online marketing strategies here: Internet Marketing Tools The author is a full-time online marketer and has used list building to produce a very comfortable online income. Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins.This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.


    Monday, September 22, 2008

    RSS Revisited - Why You Still Need RSS On Your Site

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Titus Hoskins



    One of the very first articles I ever wrote on Internet Marketing had to do with RSS and it was entitled "10 Reasons To Put RSS On Your Site." That was in 2004 and RSS was somewhat new and many webmasters were just beginning to place blogs and RSS feeds on their sites. If you do a search in Google, you can still find that article on around 2,000 sites.

    Most people now refer to RSS as "Really Simple Syndication" - although it originally stood for "Rich Site Summary" and was a very simple way of summarizing and syndicating your content in real-time to all interested parties.

    RSS had its early beginnings with Netscape in 1991 which introduced the first version of RSS (RDF Site Summary). Later versions would be introduced and made popular by Dave Winer of ScriptingNews and Userland fame who is considered by many to be one of the major founding fathers of RSS.

    Most people today associate RSS with blogs and blogging. You can read RSS content by using an RSS feed reader or "aggregator" which can be desktop or web-based. Some common feed readers include FeedDemon, My Yahoo!, iGoogle and Firefox (Live Bookmarks). You subscribe to your favorite RSS feed by clicking the small icon on your favorite blog or site and then when fresh content is published via RSS your reader can immediately retrieve and display it for you.

    RSS is a very simple way of keeping up to date and in contact with your favorite site or topic. It makes staying informed easy to do and it provides site/blog owners a simple way of distributing their content.

    One can't but wonder has RSS lived up to all that early hype?

    Perhaps that question can only be answered by looking at the popularity of blogging and the role it now plays on the web. No one can deny blogs and their accompanying RSS feeds carry tremendous weight, no matter which way you measure it. Can anyone now imagine the World Wide Web without blogs?

    But the importance of RSS goes beyond just blogging, we tend to forget how important it is for all the new social media sites like Digg, Technorati, Reddit... and not to forget fast growing applications like Twitter.

    People also forget RSS feeds play a major role in online retail and affiliate programs. For example, you can get an RSS feed of all the latest Amazon products to place on your site. Many major online companies now have these product feeds to help promote and sell their wares.

    XML and RSS have blended so seamlessly into many browsers and operating systems most users are blissfully unaware they're even using RSS. Maybe that's how things should be; with RSS, the ever-present workhorse, quietly doing its job behind the scenes.

    RSS is just as important now as it was five years ago - actually its influence and presence has only grown stronger over the years. If you have not fully embraced RSS and placed it on your site and in your online marketing you're missing out on one of the best opportunities to spread your message on the web.

    RSS is here to stay and even has its own advisory board to help with the technical and programming side of RSS. They also list a very handy "RSS Best Practices Profile" for any webmaster wishing to create their own XML-based RSS documents. http://www.rssboard.org/

    Why should you use RSS?

    Well, the list of reasons is quite long but RSS can help you: syndicate your content in real-time, sell your products, build your list, gather fresh content, promote your company and boost that one vital element everyone needs more of on the web - traffic. For those who have taken full advantage of RSS it has delivered in more ways than one for it has truly turned into that Golden Goose with the Midas complex. RSS has simply proven beneficial to those users who have fully embraced it.

    Now, you still don't really need 10 reasons to put RSS on your site, do you?


    About the Author:
    To add RSS to your Site within minutes - download this simple: RSS Report and Guide. Or try this more technical RSS Tutorial Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.


    Want To Succeed In Business, Social, Personal Life? Take Good Care Of Your Personal Image.

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2004-2008 Paul Barton



    Your personal image: It's the most important YOU asset you own.

    Your personal image, the perception that people have about you, affects your success in every aspect of life - your life on the job, your social life, even your love life!

    That is true because, no matter who you are or what you do, your success depends on what other people THINK about you - the image they have of you.

    Your personal image has a number of elements. The way you dress, the colors you choose, the way you talk and the way you relate to others are some of the more important ones.

    Some examples:

    Personal Image And How You Dress

    One very dramatic real-life example of how the way you dress can affect your success was recounted in the New York Times. The Times reported on what happened when two young men attempted to get an online service executive to give them $500,000 for their surfing website.

    The young men bought new suits for the meeting and their presentation was equally buttoned up.

    After just five minutes, the executive ended the meeting, saying, 'These are *#@%+! surfers?'

    A couple of months later they came back for another presentation. How were they dressed this time? Like surfers - with Hawaiian shirts, shorts and sandals. For good measure, they acted the part in everything they said and did. But they didn't change their presentation at all.

    This time, they walked out with the $500,000 order. Clearly, the way they were dressed made a huge difference. They now 'looked the part' and this gave them the credibility they lacked before.

    'Looking the part, by dressing correctly has been proven critical to success in getting people to do what you want them to do.

    In a famous experiment, two men approached 50 secretaries each in the same building to see which could best get past the secretaries to see the decision-maker.

    Both used the same approach - but one man succeeded 24% of the time, while the second succeeded an astounding 60% of the time!

    Even more astounding, they weren't two different men at all.

    They were the same man.

    The first time the man approached 50 secretaries he was wearing a black raincoat.

    The secretaries perceived him as a messenger or delivery person -- someone who should not be allowed to get in to see their bosses.

    When he approached the second 50 secretaries, he wore a tan raincoat. This time the secretaries perceived him as an executive, a peer of their bosses. So they granted his request to see them.

    The clothes he wore and the colors he chose in each situation profoundly shaped the secretaries' image of him and made the difference between success and failure.

    Personal Image And Your Conversation

    Your talk (conversation ability) can be even more important to your success in business than your grades in school or college, according to a study by the Stanford University School of Business.

    The study tracked the success of MBA's 10 years after they graduated. The result? Grade point averages of graduates had no bearing on their success -- but their ability to make conversation did.

    The most successful graduates were those who could make conversation with anyone -- anyone from strangers to secretaries to bosses to customers.

    Your image as being good in conversation helps you achieve success in social and personal relationships in two ways:

    (1) Good conversation promotes 'liking.' We like to be around people who can carry on an interesting conversation.

    (2) Good conversation creates an attractive image of wittiness, intelligence and self-confidence.

    If you are able to carry on a good conversation, this makes people think of you as having more intelligence, wit and self confidence than those who cannot do so.

    And, a university study showed just how important the perception of intelligence and self confidence can be.

    In a study to determine the characteristics of the ideal male or ideal female -- intelligence and self confidence were rated as most important by 60% or more of respondents.

    The message in all this for people who want to put themselves in position to succeed in their business, social and personal lives:

    Take good care of your most important YOU asset - your personal image.

    Copyright © W. Paul Barton




    About the Author:
    Paul Barton is a communication and marketing consultant. His book, How To Be GREAT!!! In Conversation, has been used by thousands of people all over the world to help them build relationships and sell themselves through conversation skills, and his personal/phone consultations have benefitted people in all walks of life. http://www.howtomakeconversation.com - selfi3k@twcny.rr.com


    Sunday, September 21, 2008

    Conversation: 5 Small Talk Steps To Sell YOU, Build Relationships

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Paul Barton



    How to make conversation?

    Knowing how to make conversation is critical if you want to build a relationship - a romantic relationship, a personal relationship, a social relationship or a business relationship - or if you want to help sell yourself for a job ... get ahead ... make a sale.

    Conversation skill can make or break you in personal relationships and in the business world. Sadly, most people don't realize how important conversation is, nor do they try to do better.

    That's a shame, because anyone can easily develop great conversation skills. There are five easy steps you can take right now ... this instant ... to help you make good conversation.

    1. Anticipate

    2. Arm

    3. Question

    4. Understand

    5. Adapt

    I will explain each step for you, but first, let me emphasize just how important conversation is to you.

    A Stanford University School of Business study showed its impact on business success. It tracked MBA's 10 years after graduation, and found grade point averages had no bearing on their success -- but conversation did. Most successful were those who could make conversation with anyone -- from strangers, to secretaries, to bosses to customers.

    Conversation impacts your success in "personal" relationships because it can shape how others see you in terms of intelligence and confidence. People tend to see good conversationalists as more intelligent and confident.

    Other research -- to find the characteristics of the ideal person -- has shown confidence and intelligence are the most important factors for about 60% of respondents.

    Despite the importance of conversation, most people don't do it well. Shyness is one reason. Others range from not knowing how to start a conversation to not having anything to say.

    But all it really takes to be good at conversation is to follow this simple 5-step strategy:

    Anticipate, Arm, Question, Understand and Adapt.

    ANTICIPATE

    You will never have a conversation in a vacuum. It will always have its own context and environment. Think ahead about conversations you are likely to have -- even those casual encounters that may happen because of where you will be on a given day.

    ARM

    Arm yourself with "something to say." Do a little research. Read the newspapers. Find interesting things to talk about --serious or humorous -- on the subjects that come up in everyday conversation - careers, sports, the weather, money, kids, politics, etc.

    QUESTION

    This is critical. The other four elements - Anticipate, Arm, Understand and Adapt - help YOU. But a conversation takes two, and the "Question" element helps BOTH you and the other party. Ask someone a question, and you get them "engaged."

    UNDERSTAND

    The "Understand" element of the strategy requires you to, not only listen to how others answer questions, but to "understand" - and adapt.

    ADAPT

    Let's assume you are a salesperson and, when you enter the new prospect's office, you alertly notice a picture of him standing in front of a sign saying "Michigan State University."

    You say, "Oh, I see you went to Michigan State." The prospect replies, "Yeah, I went there on a football scholarship."

    And you reply, "Oh, I went to Boston University, myself. What was your major?"

    Wrong follow-up question! The prospect "volunteered" information important to him (football scholarship). You should have "adapted"... following up with something like, "Oh, what position did you play?" This could lead to a whole series of questions, increasingly "engaging" the prospect.

    When you successfully apply this simple conversation strategy, you can create "rapport" - a feeling of trust and liking. This can cause others to think of you in positive ways:

    "Personal" friends or personal friends-to-be:

    "This is an interesting, entertaining and witty person -- the kind of person I like to have around me."

    Employers or potential employers:

    "This is a person who would fit in here -- a person who can relate well and get along well with others."

    Customers:

    "I'm comfortable with this person. This is the kind of person I'd like to do business with."

    Clearly, conversation is crucial to you. You owe it to YOU to learn how to do it well.

    Copyright (c) 2008 Paul Barton,
    http://www.howtomakeconversation.com
    Sellfire Value Marketing, LLC


    About the Author:
    Paul Barton is a communication and marketing consultant. His book, How To Be GREAT!!! In Conversation, has been used by thousands of people all over the world to help them build relationships and sell themselves through conversation skills, and his personal/phone consultations have benefitted people in all walks of life. http://www.howtomakeconversation.com - selfi3k@twcny.rr.com


    Saturday, September 20, 2008

    How to Write a Lead-Generating White Paper for a Medical Device

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Alec Alpert



    Unlike other products, a medical device presents special challenges to a white paper writer. For example, writing methods that effectively sell DVD players are ineffective for selling MRI machines to hospitals. Why? Because a medical device directly interacts with human bodies, and therefore gives rise to risks of injury. Actually, the main concern of medical device manufacturers is to mitigate the risks to patients or users while delivering the maximum benefits. All medical device manufacturers are required to comply with the medical device regulations that ensure safety and efficacy of devices. Hence, when writing for the medical technology industry, a writer enters a highly regulated world where even marketing collateral tends to be written in an academic style.

    This means that to write a successful medical device white paper, a writer needs not only good writing and marketing skills, but also a thorough knowledge of engineering and the regulatory environment. A writer should be able to grasp the complex science and technology behind the device, and translate them into persuasive writing without any hype. The paper must appeal to the logical mind of scientific readers, not so much to their emotions, which is the opposite of methods used to sell consumer goods.

    A lead generation white paper for a medical device is a hybrid between an educational essay and a sales brochure. It educates and gracefully sells at the same time. The writing process starts with determining the topic, the released device, or the scientific principles and technology used (or to be used) in the device.

    The next step is to identify the ideal target reader. This is crucial. The writer must clearly see who the paper's audience will be. A medical device paper is usually written for a diverse audience of professors, doctors, medical physicists, scientists, technologists, hospital administrators and regulatory agencies. Knowing the audience sets the paper's level of sophistication, scope, tone, structure and vocabulary.

    In the case of a medical device, a white paper usually talks to two predominant groups. One includes readers with a scientific mind who are mainly interested in the device's features and an in-depth analysis of its technology, often at the atomic level. The other group comprises administrators looking to grasp a device's business benefits and see how it can save labor, cut costs and improve regulatory compliance. Hence, a writer is challenged to strike a balance between discussing a device's benefits and features. In fact, it is not unusual for a writer to be pulled in opposite directions by a device's manufacturer; engineers and scientists want a technical paper, but marketing managers want a sales document. It's vital to get the balance right.

    So how is a writer to successfully resolve this dilemma? A good starting point is to prepare an outline of the paper and discuss and approve it with the manufacturer. The writer, however, should advise these people that a lead-generating paper needs to focus on a device's benefits, rather than just its features, or how great the company is. The outline will establish the paper's direction, focus and final destination before the writing even begins.

    Once the outline is approved, the next step is to interview subject matter experts who have an intimate knowledge of the topic. They are the design engineers, scientists and other professionals working for the medical device manufacturer. Nobody knows the device better than the people who designed and made it. For this reason, a writer must take these interviews seriously and allocate sufficient time for them. He has to polish his interviewing skills and prepare for the interviews well in advance.

    Besides interviewing, a writer should also access the relevant product documentation. The law requires all medical device manufacturers to maintain a Design History File, which contains product development documents, such as product specifications, drawings, validations, operator manuals, and so on. Many questions also can be answered by simply searching the Internet. And, of course, a library or bookstore also provides valuable information.

    What is a white paper's structure? It naturally begins with the title which is a crucial part of the paper. This can make or break the paper, and must be relevant, compelling, and engaging, enticing the readers to read further. It should be simple and focus on the benefits that the device delivers.

    Then comes the first page, which sets the stage. The remainder of the paper evolves from the first paragraphs. The paper can be only as good as its first page. Readers will continue reading only if the first page convinces them to do so.

    The rest of the paper is divided into manageable sections. As with any writing, the process is repetitive: writing drafts, refining, editing, and re-editing many times until the paper is nearly perfect. The writer must stay focused on appealing to the target audience, and strike the right balance between the benefits and features.

    Sentences and paragraphs have to be concise, with wide margins around the page. Bullets and headlines should be used generously, instead of long passages of uninterrupted text. The paper needs to be laid out so that a reader can quickly grasp the gist of it just by scanning the sub-headlines.

    The end of a white paper is a call to action, which asks readers to contact the manufacturer for a meeting, demonstration, evaluation, analysis, discussion or some sort of next step(s).

    A lead generation white paper is typically 5 to 12 pages long, and mostly comprises text with minimal graphics.


    About the Author:
    Alec Alpert is a business-to-business copywriter specializing in lead-generating white papers, case studies and articles for medical technology. Find out how his copy can bring you more customers at http://www.alecalpert.com


    The Vending Machine Industry Is Gearing For The Next Big Hop In Growth

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Lou Gubitosa



    According to Automatic Merchandiser Magazine, the vending industry generated $23 billion in sales in 2007. There are many factors influencing future growth in this industry: new products, new payment systems, and growing economic markets.

    Vending Product Lines

    The vending industry got its start in 1926 with the cigarette vending machine. In the 1970's, parents could still send their kids into the grocery store to buy a pack of cigarettes and cigarette vending machines were available everywhere. With the laws passed in the 1980's limiting the sale of cigarettes to minors, cigarette vending machines began to disappear, except in bars and casinos.

    These days, nearly any product you can imagine is being sold in a vending machine somewhere: soft drinks, hot drinks, milk, water, energy drinks, candy bars, gum balls, snacks, sandwiches, energy foods, newspapers, stamps, pre-paid calling cards and more.

    The only limit to what vending machine operator's can supply is the ability of a vendor to obtain products. So long as the vendor can get the product on a regular basis, a vendor will be making that product available somewhere.

    Payment Systems

    The coin-operated vending machines have been a staple of the industry since its inception.

    In the last couple decades, manufacturers have perfected the bill-changing technology. Early bill-readers were touchy and very picky about the bills they would accept. Over the last decade, the technology has improved to the point where any denomination bill can be read, even if the bills are put into the machine backwards.

    As more consumers are making the move to credit and debit cards, some vendors are beginning to offer cashless technologies on their machines. While the vending industry is starting to upgrade their machines to work with the cashless technology, it is a slower area of development, as only 2% of vendors added this technology in 2007.

    Growing Economic Markets

    In states like California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Texas and New York, the economies are growing at staggering rates. This growth, while dampened by recent economic problems, is enabling vendors to locate new vending machines in newly developed neighborhoods and suburbs.

    In areas of rapid growth, new apartment complexes and shopping centers have created an opportunity for new vending machine equipment to be placed. But, in other areas of the country, growth in the vending market is driven more by new products that can be added to locations that are already served by other vendors.

    Think about the lunchrooms at local manufacturing facilities. If the facility currently only has snack machines and soft drink machines, then the facility is ripe for the placement of hot drink machines, sandwich machines, and vending machines for some of the hot new products in the energy foods segment.

    Starting From Scratch

    Sandwiches were the single largest segment of the vending industry in 2007, accounting for just over 30% of industry revenues. Cold drinks accounted for the second largest segment of revenue in the vending industry, and it only generated about 29% of industry revenues. But all of the biggest players in this industry are pretty well entrenched in the market with their soft drink and sandwich vending machines. It will be difficult to get new sandwich and soft drink machines placed anywhere.

    For the new small business owner, who is getting into the vending industry, the business owner may not be situated to offer a full-line of products in existing locations. If another company has beaten you into a location, then the best angle for entrance into that market is to offer alternative products in those locations.

    As with any new business, the challenge is to get up and running, and to get the cash flow moving into the business in order to facilitate long-term growth.

    If one was to get into the soft drink and sandwich vending, the size of the machines will absolutely require the business owner to have a larger truck in order to be able to move equipment around when necessary.

    But with some of the new products and vending machines available, a vending operator can run their business out of a van or SUV. Some machines are small enough that the vendor might be able to move their equipment with a small car.

    For example, with the Buzz Bites(r) Chocolate Energy Chews, the vending machines are designed to sit on a counter top and look very similar to the old-fashioned bubble gum machine.

    Startup Costs

    Most companies require new vendors to buy their machines in advance. Few companies in this market offer direct financing for equipment, but fortunately, the startup cost is within reach of most small business owners.

    Compared to the cost of buying a franchise business that will require additional financial considerations for staff, the cost of starting a vending business is minimal.

    Whereas a franchise might cost $100,000 to get the front door opened, the same amount of money could very well get the small business owner on the road to nice profits in very short order.

    As with any other business, growth will be measured by the number of customers one is able to reach with products that consumers want to buy. So, the more vending machines a vendor possesses, the more income a vendor could expect to generate.

    Soft drink machines range in price from $1200 to $5500 each, depending on the design. But with a niche vending machine like the machines used to dispense the Buzz Bites(r) Chocolate Energy Chews, one could buy three machines for the cost of a cheap soft drink machine, when purchased in minimum volumes.




    About the Author:
    Lou Gubitosa is the owner of Vending Systems. If you seek to Work At Home and Make Money with a lucrative home business opportunity, then you owe it to yourself to look into a Vending Machines business. Buzz Bites(r) Vending routes are available all over the United States, for those interested in getting involved with this proven business model. For a FREE INFORMATION KIT on this HOT NEW business opportunity, visit Lou's website at http://www.VendingSystems.com or call us at: 1-800-779-0025


    Friday, September 19, 2008

    How to Make Your Website Sticky

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Jason OConnor



    Getting people to visit the first time is less than half the battle. You'll need them to remain on the site long enough to take an action that benefits your business for the site to be effective. A site that gets people to stay there once they've arrived is called "sticky."

    There are myriad ways a website can fail at stickiness. If the site fails to establish trust, people will probably leave. If the site seems shoddy, messy or unorganized, people will also leave. If the site asks too much of the user, like asking them to fill out a long form without offering any free teaser content before they can view valuable content, people are going to leave. If a site is confusing, people will leave. If a site has many broken links or "Page Not Found" errors, people are going to leave. This list goes on and on.

    On the other hand, if a website offers quality content that is original, you greatly increase your chances that a visitor will stay. If your copywriting is compelling, succinct and easy to consume, people will want to continue reading. You want people to stay so you can capitalize on their presence. For example, if your call to action is to get visitors to sign up for your newsletter, they'll need to be there long enough to accomplish the following:

    1. Learn that there is a newsletter to sign up for in the first place
    2. Begin to trust you as an authority in your industry
    3. Get their interest piqued enough to want to learn more from you
    4. Be compelled enough to actually sign up for your newsletter
    5. Learn to trust you enough to feel comfortable with giving you their e-mail address

    This works for selling online as well. As a matter of fact, it is even more important to establish interest, trust and authority to make a sale online because you are lacking the power of one-on- one in-person communication.

    Another factor that makes a site sticky is its ease of use. People like to get maximum benefit for minimum effort. Have you ever considered the design of Google's website? It is one of the simplest and cleanest home pages in existence. We can all learn from this. You and your Web vendor ought to be chanting this mantra through the entire planning and building phase of a new website: Clean Simple Easy, Clean Simple Easy, Clean Simple Easy. Say it over and over again.

    People hate complicated websites that make them think too much. They hate feeling confused. They hate feeling stupid. They hate wasting their time. Many competing websites are a literal click away. And people have itchy back button fingers.

    So to make your website as sticky as possible, create original and compelling content on a regular basis, establish trust and above all else, be sure to design it in a way that appears clean, and is simple and easy to use and to find information.


    About the Author:
    Jason O'Connor is the owner of Oak Web Works, LLC (http://www.oakwebworks.com), an Internet strategy firm that specializes in helping businesses make money with their business websites. From Web design and development to strategic e-marketing and providing free Web resources for Web professionals, Oak Web Works, LLC specializes in all-things-Web.


    Buying Expired Domain to Create Online Wealth

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 John Khu



    Hundreds of online entrepreneurs try hard to set up a viable online business that has the ability to provide a constant source of income. However, most of them also struggle to make their presence felt in the big world of internet entrepreneurship.

    Conservative estimates suggest us that more than 70% of the starts up businesses fail within the first year, while almost the 50% of the remaining close their shops in the second year. With this uncertainty in the air, is it possible for you to host a business that is extremely profitable and viable by providing a residual source of income? Buying expired domains or domain expiring forms an excellent alternative and a very good option for anyone wishing to create a solid platform to earn some decent income.

    All said and done, what are the approaches and methods that will help you create an online wealth by using the power of an expired domain? If you are a newbie who is trying to get a foothold in the big bad world of internet business, this article will provide you a number of productive and useful tips. Buying expired domain is a thing of art and a game of skill; the more you are knowledgeable and skilled in identifying the right expire domain, more will be your capability to create online wealth.

    Buying expired domain with a purpose to make money online will be an easy task provided you know how to buy the right one. Once you learn the tricks and methods of buying a potentially good domain, you are on your way to create a roadmap that tells you how to traverse the difficult path. Buying expired domain will also provide you an opportunity to get involved with a number of techniques and methodologies that ensure you online riches.

    Tip: Whatever you do, just ensure that you are adding traffic to your expired domain name. More traffic means better opportunities for making money and a higher plane on which your expired domain can stand and show. It is possible to pool traffic by participating in a number of advertising methods. Once you ascertain a constant stream of traffic, you can rest assured that buying expired domain name was the right act and a correct decision.

    One of the most popular methods of creating an opportunity to earn money by buying expired domain is Pay-per-Click program. Though this program is quite costly, it can work very well for you, when you develop good web site soon after buying expired domain. Curious web surfers may just click on your link to see what is happening and this will add to your web site traffic. You can choose the most trustworthy service that can fulfill your overall objectives.

    Do you feel that you have a money-spinning expired domain? If you feel so, dispose it off immediately by auctioning on a good web portal or find a buyer and make an effort to sell it for a premium price. Expired domain name auctioning is novel procedure that can help your expired domain to rake hefty profits. However, you must have a clear focus and dedicated effort that assists you in setting up conditions eventually leading to increased profits. You may wish to buy expired domain to:

    1) A series of multiple expired domains those are easy to sell and dispose off. It is always profitable to package an excellent domain along with other lesser important domains so that you can enhance the total value of the package.

    2) Domain flipping is an art of transforming your expired domain into an entity that can act as a viable income earner. Though a slow starter, domain flipping has the ability add a huge value to your web domain. When you buy expire domain, make sure that the domain is fit enough to be transformed into a viable flipping exercise.

    Buying expired domain is a very good option for those entrepreneurs who are looking to earn some decent profits over their initial investment. If you are careful enough to buy an excellent expired domain, you could be on your way to establish a path of internet success and glory.


    About the Author:
    John Khu is an author and also a seasoned professional with vast experience in expired domain name business. He is also the owner of the path breaking web sites called http://www.expireddomainsecret.com and http://www.expireddomaingains.com which provides complete and up-to-date information on expired domains and their eternal secrets.


    Thursday, September 18, 2008

    Empowerment - Are You a Micro Manager?

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Rick Johnson



    I deal with a lot of leaders that confuse delegation with empowerment. I am often told, "I don't micro manage, I empower my employees." However, when we start digging into specific situations, we often uncover the difference between delegation and empowerment. It is really not that difficult to ascertain the difference. Delegation is simply getting someone else to perform a specific task for you.

    "Tom, can you move these for pallets for me to make some room for a new shipment coming in tomorrow?"

    Empowerment sets a little higher expectation that encourages the employee to use their own creativity and innovation.

    "Tom, our warehouse is getting pretty full and we have a new shipment coming in. Can you figure a way to solve this problem for me?"

    In other words, just telling an employee what to do is not empowerment because it doesn't allow him to use his own creativity. In fact, many times delegation can be construed as micro managing simply because the employee feels offended that he is given directions that are too specific. So.... If you even have the slightest thought that your employees may consider you a micro manager, try these tips and see if your empowerment skills improve.

  • Analyze your leadership model. Do you hold things close to the vest? Are you reluctant to share information? Are you afraid of giving up control? If you answered yes to any of these questions you have a challenge on your hands. Your answers may be very telling with regard to your skills as a leader. Remember, a leader is only as good as the people they surround themselves with.

  • Create a skills assessment inventory for every key employee. Supplement that exercise by creating a training and development matrix to improve the overall competency of the organization. Include yourself in the assessment. Communicate the purpose in a positive fashion to the employees.

  • Consider doing a 360 review that includes you as a leader or create an anonymous survey for employees to rate the entire management team, including you, and the company culture itself.

  • Utilize your skills assessment to make sure you have the right people in the right seats and identify future potential leadership.

  • Stop answering questions and start asking them. When an employee asks you what they should do, ask them what they think they should do.

  • Search for projects, issues or challenges that you would normally tackle and create a project team or empower an individual to solve the problem. Do this even if you think you have the answer.

  • Let your employees fail. The hardest thing to do is watch an employee make a mistake. But, unless the mistake is life threatening or is going to cost the company thousands of dollars, it is a better learning process if the employee learns from his own mistake.

  • Provide more than just skill training and product training. Create an employee development program for those employees that show potential for future stardom. This development program must be based on empowering these employees to make tough decisions. Intern programs are also effective as a platform for development.

  • Results happen in various ways. Remember, you may have a specific way of doing things but it may not be the only way. As long as the employee is getting the results expected, give them praise. Your way may not be the best or only way.

  • Micro managing may make you feel in control but in reality you are only hurting yourself and the company. It only limits an employee's ability to be innovative and creative. This can cost the company thousands of dollars because it is the creativity and innovation of your employees that maximize the profitability of your company.

    Leadership is about trust

    The easiest way to suppress discretionary energy, the energy given willingly - no matter what it takes, is a style of micro management that scrutinizes every decision an employee makes. It can kill their spirit. If any of your employees even joke about you being a micro manager... Back off. Where there is smoke there is usually fire.

    Micro Management is a Symptom

    Micro management is often just a symptom of ineffective planning, too much compassion and the inability to judge performance and develop bench strength. Developing a strategic plan for your company is a very effective way to address any or all of these challenges. I often tell my clients that the most valuable part of a strategic plan is the development process itself. Running a company with a shoot from the hip mentality often encourages micro management and does not allow employees to develop their skills and maximize their potential. One of the many warning signs is a high turnover rate. The reason is simple; good employees just won't tolerate micro management and they will leave to find employment that will challenge them and help them grow.

    It's About Leadership

    Simply put, effective leaders don't micro manage. In fact, they cringe at the thought of it. Why? Because they recognize that one of their primary responsibilities is the development of future leaders for the organization. You just can't develop future leaders by micro managing.

    Micro managing can be an indication of the following:

  • Lack of trust in your employees. This is not good because it often leads to a lack of trust in you as a leader

  • Fear of lost control. This is often demonstrated by a parochial attitude about turf or position in the organization. This may also indicate a lack of self confidence and low self esteem.

  • Panic response to emergency and crisis. The micro manager often feels alone on an island and when a crisis hits they may panic and respond reactively without much thought, planning or discussion.

  • Employee development, succession planning and bench strength are just three of the key principles for success. These become obvious once you start developing a strategic plan. Sales growth, profit growth, operational and service excellence are factors we all recognize easily because they can be easily measured. However, I submit to you that you can have the best sales plan, an excellent service and operational plan and if you ignore employee development through effective leadership your success will be limited. So, focus on the leadership skills of every manager in your company. Do an employee survey. Don't be afraid of the word "micromanagement". Discuss it with your managers, your employees and do an honest management self assessment. And.... if you don't have a strategic plan, start right now. Call or e-mail me if you want help in putting your plan together. I can help make your strategic plan really work and the value you get from it will be easily recognized by bottom line growth.




    About the Author:
    http://www.ceostrategist.com - Sign up to receive "The Howl" a free monthly newsletter that addresses real world industry issues. - Straight talk about today's issues. Rick Johnson, expert speaker, wholesale distribution's "Leadership Strategist", founder of CEO Strategist, LLC a firm that helps clients create and maintain competitive advantage. Need a speaker for your next event, E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com. Dr. Eric "Rick" Johnson (rick@ceostrategist.com) is the founder of CEO Strategist. CEO Strategist LLC. works in an advisory capacity with company executives on strategic planning, board representation, executive coaching and education and training to make the changes necessary to create or maintain competitive advantage. Check out CEO Strategists Learning to Lead So Others Will Follow Planning Workbook and CD set. http://www.ceostrategist.com/resources-store/real-world-leadership.html


    California Offers Great Opportunities To Small Business Owners

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Lou Gubitosa



    California is huge market waiting for new companies to satisfy the needs of its residents. With a population of 36 million in the State of California, and more than 11 million people in its 15 largest cities, California certainly offers real hope to those who desire to sell products and services in California.

    Growing Markets Offer Huge Potential To The Vending Industry

    As they say in real estate and business, the three most important factors leading to success are Location, Location and Location.

    In the vending industry, one of the most important factors leading to financial success is the location where vending machines are placed. In many locations, the current service provider will maintain their position as the location provider for the long-term.

    This is why growth-economies are the ideal environment for people engaged in the vending industry. As new apartment complexes go up, an opportunity exists to get the contract with those apartment complexes to provide vending services. As new shopping centers and laundry mats are built, a huge opportunity exists to provide products in those markets as well.

    There Are Few Barriers Into The Marketplace

    Often vendors tend to provide their own barriers to growth. They look to the locations where it would be ideal to place their vending machines, and see that their competitors have the markets sewn up.

    But, there are actually two ways for the startup vendor to enter into the vending market.

    First, if a vendor puts themselves in on the ground floor as new locations become available, then the vendor will be able to introduce equipment serving products in a number of product lines.

    Second, if a vendor finds themselves competing against well-entrenched vendors, then the new vending machine entrepreneur can squeeze into the market by providing products in existing locations that the other vendors are not offering. For example, if a current location offers soft drinks and snacks, it may be possible to also offer sandwiches, coffee and energy foods in those locations as well. If the other guy isn't offering those types of products, then you will find a means to leverage your machines into that location.

    About Vending Routes

    According to polling by Vending Times, the average vending business serves 4.9 product lines and has an average of 3.9 routes.

    When you stop to realize that the average vending route can be completed in only a few hours, the average 3.9 routes seems to indicate that the average vendor builds his or her business to the point where he or she will work no more than 40 hours per week.

    Depending on the vending machines and locations, refilling the machines could be a weekly affair or a daily affair. It really varies from location-to-location and machine-to-machine.

    Some vending companies restrict themselves to a geographical location; while others limit themselves to company break rooms or apartment complexes.

    Depending on the location, a vendor may be able to pull the truck directly to the machines, or perhaps a dolly will be required to move the products through security to the inner-sanctum of a business.

    Seeing Productivity Improvements Through Technology

    In a report produced in Vending Times, 2007 was a year for expanding vending machine technologies. 60% of all vendors upgraded their currency handling equipment and 5% of vendors added remote monitoring to their machines.

    Imagine the potential that remote monitoring could add to your vending business. You will know when you don't need to restock as well as knowing precisely when you do need to restock to keep the money flowing into your business.

    Other benefits will surely be realized by remote monitoring systems, as the vending route manager will have more real-time data available to them to better manage the growth of their business.

    Only 2% of vendors added the new cashless systems to their machines, but that is probably due more to the added security costs connected with this kind of equipment. Cashless vending machines certainly offer great potential for tomorrow, although acceptance of this equipment industry-wide is still small.

    The greatest benefit of cashless vending machines is the ability to put machines into high crime areas, without concern of providing a cash drawer for thieves to break into.

    Regions Of Fast Growth

    The economy of California produced 1.812 Trillion dollars in 2007. By itself, California is responsible for 13% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States.

    If you did not realize it, California's economy is bigger than the economies of most countries. In fact, in 2006 only eight countries had a larger GDP than California.

    For the future, California's economy continues to look bright. Its exports a considerable portion of its local production: $134 Billion in 2007; $127 billion in 2006; and $117 billion in 2005. With exports growing at such a pace, it is sure that California will continue to provide enormous wealth and opportunity for growth to its residents and local businesses.

    Since the spring of 2005, the CA economy has maintained a 4.3% growth in its economy from year-to-year.

    Vending Is A Smart Move

    According to the Small Business Administration, 65% of new business startups will fail. But amazingly, only 5% of vending businesses fail. This is the best reason to get started in a vending business of your own.

    Traditionally, most vendors start their vending business as a part-time business to supplement their job income. Most of these new startup vending business people will make the transition from job to full self-employment within just two years.

    Whether someone gets started in this industry with 30, 60 or 100 machines, it is an industry that is really inviting to new small business owners.




    About the Author:
    Lou Gubitosa is the owner of Vending Systems. If you seek to Work At Home and Make Money with a lucrative home business opportunity, then you owe it to yourself to look into a Vending Machines business. Buzz Bites(r) California vending routes and vending routes all over the United States are available, for those interested in getting involved with this proven business model. For a FREE INFORMATION KIT on this HOT NEW business opportunity, visit Lou's website at http://www.VendingSystems.com or call us at: 1-800-779-0025


    Wednesday, September 17, 2008

    Standards for Life Coach Certification

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2006-2008 Kelly Burris



    What determines human behavior? There is not a Life Coach or for that matter a psychologist, psychiatrist or physician who can definitively answer this question yet this is the most fundamental question if you wish to initiate permanent behavior change. If you cannot answer this question, how can you possibly expect to help someone make a change in their behavior let alone a permanent change? How can you move forward if you do not know what is moving you forward.

    Another question your need to ask yourself is "Can I fix anything if I do not know how it works?" Occasionally you can guess and by accident you can fix something but if you are guessing, especially in terms of human behavior it is unlikely you will ever be able to repeat the results. THE Burris Life Coach Training and Life Coach Certification begin by answering the question... "What determines human behavior?" In the resolution of any problem it is always about the question. Never has this been more relevant. Imagine if for the last 60 years psychologists asked, "How can I fix it?" instead of "Why is it broken?!"

    Example: If you get a flat tire on your car, do you want to walk back down the road to find out why you got the flat or do you want to know how to fix it so that you can keep moving forward? At some point it may be useful to know what caused the flat but the first objective and first question always needs to be...How can I fix it? It is certainly not necessary to spend the last 40 years of your life analyzing the first 40 years of your life.

    The new standard THE Burris Life Coach established for Life Coach Training and Life Coach Certification is a clinically proven process for behavior change. Back in the late 1980's when I completed the first version of this program process I presented it to my partner who was an MD PhD and a fanatical statistician.

    After explaining the process and how well it could work, his response was "Prove It!" After he said that I realized that no one in the business of behavior change or helping people get control of their lives could prove what they were selling and this is still true today. Your mind and in particular your subconscious mind controls everything in your life yet no one can tell you how it works, until now.

    In 1990 I introduced what is now THE Burris Life Coach into psychiatric care with dramatic results and an endorsement from the psychologist who was head of the program. In 1992 I set up my first clinical studies and have maintained and refined the infrastructure for study of the program ever since. Even though the clinical studies specifically focused on Depression, Eating Disorders, Weight Loss, Motivation and Relationships the program has seen success in virtually every behavior.

    The reason for this is the program is designed to guide you through the process of how a behavior works. You then learn how to recognize, access and change any behavior that simply does not work. This makes the Certified Burris Life Coach the very best because if they are asked to "Prove It" they have the training and infrastructure to do so.

    Burris Life Coaching is based on the reality that all behavior is emotionally driven or in other words your emotional state = your behavior. How you feel about things will always determine whether you move toward them or not. You will always move toward perceived pleasure and away from pain. The key component of any behavioral change program must include how to get control of your emotional state.

    The health of your body is dependent on your mental health and taking control of the subconscious is the key to lasting permanent change of any behavior. I will speak more on taking control of the subconscious in an upcoming article.


    About the Author:
    Written by: Kelly Burris. Become a Life Coach with the only proven process for depression. Get started now on your Life Coach Training and Life Coach Certification. Every Personal Life Coach must be able to answer this question... "What determines human behavior?" http://www.KellyBurris.com


    Municipal Localities Using 311 Systems to Provide Better Service to Citizens

    Article Presented by:
    Copyright © 2008 Anne Sych



    Ever need to locate a municipal service and not sure who to call? Placing a call to City Hall can be a very confusing endeavor. Many citizens, not knowing who to contact, inevitably call the wrong number and are faced with the frustration of being transferred around from department to department. This type of inefficiency causes problems for both the citizen and the city employee. The person with the question or problem ends up being forced to retell their story, while overtaxed workers are drawn into issues that are not at all related to their departments. Worse yet, some frustrated citizens resort to calling the emergency 911 system when all else fails...

    All across the country, cities and counties are implementing "311 Systems" for non emergency citizen requests. Like 911 systems, 311 call centers assist citizens inside their jurisdictions and resolve issues through approved 'answers' contained in the center's 'knowledge base' repository. If the call involves a service that must be scheduled to a city/county department, the 311 call center staff creates a 'ticket' and assigns workflow tasks to the appropriate employees to provide an action. The trend is toward integrated 311 call centers that consolidate non-emergency service requests across all municipal agencies in a city or county government. These systems go far beyond the original vision of service request management to providing streamlined call reporting. As a result some 311 systems handle calls for all municipal services, such as scheduling inspections, obtaining building permits, locating assessments, etc. In addition, 311 employees are trained to deal with 911 emergency calls and can assist in case of large scale emergencies.

    For many localities, the original goal was modest: reduce the volume of non emergency calls to 911 operators by establishing a new 311 phone number. In the process, though, many localities discovered the value of a single point of contact for the private sector. Baltimore was the first city to install 311 in 1996. Within two months, 42% of 911 calls went instead to 311, greatly improving emergency-response times.

    "311 has been a miracle. It has been a godsend for us," says Ed Harris, emergency communications director for the Austin Police Department, which launched its program a week after September 11. "311 saved us not only from having our 911 system swamped but saved our citizens who had true emergencies, such as heart attacks and crimes in progress, from getting a busy signal."

    Local Governments are reporting huge benefits. "A 311 system changes the way a city [county] runs itself," says Jeffrey Ford, professor at Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, who worked with one of his graduate classes to develop a 311 plan for the City of Columbus, Ohio. "Cities become much more performance-oriented and delivery-oriented. There is more accountability, and it becomes very clear which departments or divisions are not working well." The 311 system increases worker productivity, reduce operating costs and helps the city leverage its existing resources in dealing with quality of life issues.

    A 311 system also speaks to the growing trend of "transparency in government." Citizens like to be able to "reach out and touch" their government. People simply want an answer to their question, or to feel like someone cares enough to hear them out and take action to resolve their problem. For citizens who are willing to go the extra mile, some localities are even allowing them the option to search for and find their own answers in an on-line knowledge center tied to the city's website. In an age where citizens are demanding access to information and local governments are trying to reduce or re-route call volumes, implementing a 311 system is a wise investment for any locality. With "311" - - Everybody Wins!


    About the Author:
    Written by: Anne Sych, Marketing Manager for Novo Solutions, Inc.
    Novo Solutions, Inc. is an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) in Virginia Beach, Virginia specializing in Customer Support Software. Free trial versions of the Novo Help Desk Software, Knowledge Base Software and suite of web-based Customer Support Solutions are available. Contact: sales@novosolutions.com for more information. http://www.novosolutions.com/