Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2007-2009 Braxton Heitz
With Ronald Reagan came mass deregulation in many industries. One of the industries that benefited from deregulation was the financial industry. As a result, hundreds of new financial companies were introduced to the American consumer during the 1980's.
With the sudden explosion of new competitors in this industry, credit card companies began to struggle with how to retain existing customers and to recruit new customers.
So, financial companies took their cue from the airline industry. The airline industry had preceded the financial industry in deregulation, and they had met the new increase in competition with Airline Miles programs to encourage brand loyalty and repeat customers.
Noting the successes in the airline industry, credit card companies soon began to offer their own clients Airline Miles for repeat business. But, Airline Miles were not attractive to the whole of the consumer credit card market.
Credit Card Providers Upped The Ante
Once the credit companies realized that Airline Miles could only offer them limited success, they began to spread their wings and to offer additional credit card reward programs to their potential customer base.
Banks eventually changed the name of their rewards from credit card miles to credit card points to address the fact that consumers could earn far more from their company than just free travel. Consumers began to sit up and really take notice of these new kinds of credit card offers.
Through the 1990's and into the new millennium, consumers began to find that most of the primary players in the credit card market were offering various mixes of credit card rewards. The most common credit rewards offered are still airline, travel, gas, and cash-back rewards.
Other types of credit card rewards offered to consumers include low-interest or 0-interest credit card balance transfers. Another type of reward is 0-interest or low-interest borrowing for the first six-months or one-year.
Credit Tip #1: Credit card balance transfers and early-bird credit card offers such as the no interest for six months will remain in effect for the full amount of time stated, so long as all credit card payments are made on-time. A single late payment on one's credit card payment will likely be viewed as a breach of contract, leading to a higher interest rate from the date of the late payment or even from the credit card sign-up date. Whatever you do, make all of your credit card payments on time for the entire amount due according to your monthly statement.
Expanded Travel Rewards Brought Real Value to Consumers
Credit card travel points were a real blessing for ordinary consumers. Family vacations are generally taken within 200 miles of home, so most consumers would never use the free airline travel offered with credit card miles programs.
Credit card points or travel rewards offered more options to consumers as to how the consumer rewarded themselves for their loyalty to the credit card company. In many cases, travel rewards can be extended to include fuel, hotel rooms, attraction entrance fees, and food at restaurants. As a result, consumers can expect to utilize their travel rewards, even if they jump in the car and drive down to the next major city.
Cash-Back Rewards Added A New Dimension To The Financial Game
Credit cards can be your best financial friend if you know how to work the system.
Cash back rewards range from one- to ten-percent of the amount spent on the credit card. Clever consumers make those cash-back rewards really count by using them for all of their purchases.
One can start the month by putting their paycheck into the bank and then use their cash-back credit card to pay for everything that can be paid with a credit card through the month. This might include groceries, food, fuel, utilities, car payments, house payments, etc. As each credit card purchase is transacted, the consumer should write down the amount of the expenditure in their checkbook. Then at the end of the month, when their credit card bill arrives, the consumer can write a check for the entire balance of their card for that particular month.
This way, the consumer can maximize their cash-back rewards and never carry a balance on their credit card. If one pays $3000 per month in bills, and all of those bills can be paid with their credit card, the consumer could very well receive an extra $30-300 back from their credit card company.
Credit Tip #2: The added benefit of using this method of bill paying is that you are building your credit rating as you pay off the entire balance of the credit card each month.
Selecting the Right Credit Card Offer
Don't be afraid to shop around to find the best credit card offers. Before you begin your search, sit down and sketch out some goals that you would like to reach using your credit card.
Perhaps you would like to transfer your credit card balance from one high-percentage credit card to one with a lower interest rate. Maybe you are more interested in the percentage value of cash-back reward. You might want to get a credit card that offers extra points or a credit card offer that will let you earn credit card points towards the purchase of a Sony big screen television. Whatever your financial goals might be, make sure you know what they are before you begin your search.
On your first pass, eliminate the credit card offers that do not provide the kinds of rewards that you are looking to achieve. Your first selection round will generally narrow your field by two-thirds.
Once you have knocked down the list of offers, then get out a pencil and paper and develop a checklist that will allow you to compare each offer side-by-side. This phase will let you determine which credit card will best serve all of your desires. Of course, you may have to make compromises with yourself, but when you are done, you will have found the best credit card offer for your situation.
If you have the bank's brochure in front of you, it will likely have a credit card application inside of it that you can fill out and send in to the company. If you are relying upon credit card applications by mail, make sure you keep your list handy until you have gotten a card you are happy with using.
If you have an Internet connection, you will be able to shop a huge variety of credit card offers. By following the method shown above, you can make a good decision about the cards you want to try to acquire, and you can file an online credit card application with the expectation of getting an answer on that card within just a few minutes. If you are turned down on your top pick, then move on to your second top pick. By using the Internet, you can actually reduce your credit card shopping time by as much as weeks.
About the Author:
Braxton Heitz writes about family finances and the struggles of the job search. If you are looking for a job or looking to make a career move in the current troubled economy, then visit the Jobs And Paychecks website at: http://www.jobsandpaychecks.com/
Read more Articles written by Braxton Heitz.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
5 Reasons Why Most Internet Marketers Fail
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Titus Hoskins
When it comes to starting any endeavor, whether it be learning a new hobby or starting an online business, we all have to start at ground zero. We all have to start at the very beginning from the very same place. Granted, we each bring different skills and backgrounds into the mix, but for the most part we are all on equal footing at the starting line.
If this is the case, then we really have to ponder why is it only a choice few go on to succeed, while most people don't. Just what are the reasons why most online marketers fail? This is the core question that has to be answered if you want to fully understand Internet marketing and how it works.
What are these basic reasons?
What are the causes or stumbling blocks that hold many marketers and webmasters from reaching their full online potential? If we know these factors, we can learn how to avoid them and even overcome them in our own online marketing. These reasons can be a solid reference point or even a source of inspiration for any online marketer just starting out.
Speaking from the viewpoint of someone who has started from the very beginning with little to no knowledge of computers or even marketing for that matter, I can honestly relate to the beginning marketer. I even had to learn HTML from scratch in order to construct my own webpages. Probably my only advantage, I did have a background in art but designing webpages was completely different from anything I had done previously to starting in online marketing.
Nor did I have any formal training in business or marketing, just an art teaching background which really doesn't help with the day to day running of an online business. I had to learn as I went; struggling with hundreds of marketing decisions before my sites became profitable. Don't get the wrong impression, I have probably made hundreds of mistakes along the way and I am still making them!
But from my own experiences I have drawn some general conclusions about Internet marketing and why some people succeed while most people fail. So here in my honest opinion, are some of the main reasons why many online marketers fail:
1. Overwhelmed With Information
Perhaps, one of the biggest obstacles I faced when I first started my website - I was bombarded with so much information on how to proceed I didn't have a clue which direction to take or who to believe. Thousands of different info products telling you to do this, not to do that... so much marketing information to absorb that you end up scratching your head and looking like someone auditioning for a zombie movie.
Completely overwhelmed with so much information, many marketers or webmasters enter a state of paralysis where nothing gets done. You go from one course to another or from one method to another, without any real understanding of how to proceed or how to get a detailed blueprint to follow.
Been there, done that!
Information overflow can effectively crush all that novice enthusiasm and literally kill even the most eager of entrepreneurs. Anyone starting out must be aware of this obvious but insidious pitfall you have to avoid at all costs. One of the best remedies, simply try concentrating on just one or two marketing plans/marketers for all your information. Try to eliminate the clutter by just working on one marketing system. Just have a few key marketing resources you go to for information, not a hundred! And do your homework, only pick marketers who can back up their claims with observable results on the web. One obvious checkmark - just see if those marketers have top rankings for their sites for popular profitable keywords associated with their sites or products.
2. Lack Of Key Marketing Basics
There are some key marketing basics or fundamentals you must learn about marketing online. Internet marketing has some key elements you must get right or you will have a difficult task in succeeding on the web. Just simple factors you must get right or it's game over before you even get started.
Most marketers fail to realize the web is "information driven" and you must supply quality information or content in order to truly succeed. You must provide a valuable service or function to your visitors. You must help solve their problem. You must give them a solid reason to use your site or product. Quality content is and always will be King on the web.
You must also understand much of the web is "keyword driven" and you must construct your webpages to take full advantage of these keywords. You must have at least a rudimentary understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how you can use it to get top rankings for your keyword phrases.
3. Lack Of Time And Resources
Another major reason why many marketers fail is because they simply can't afford the time to learn and build their online business. Most people just can't stop everything and work full time online because they have bills to pay and families to support. It may take months, probably years, before you can build up a successful online business that gives you a comfortable living. The average person just doesn't have the time or the resources to spend months learning how all this works.
Keep in mind, getting a business or website going is probably the most inexpensive way to start your own business. Domains are cheap. Web hosting is cheap. Web design is cheap if you can do it yourself... compared to starting a business in the "real" world, creating an online business will only cost a faction of the normal expenses connected with starting a business. But the main problem is having the resources to pay your living expenses until your online business is profitable. Many beginning online marketers don't have these resources and the main complaint from these marketers: "I Simply can't afford the time to work at this online stuff."
One solution is to work at your online marketing in your spare time and gradually build up your business until you can afford to do it full time. It will obviously take longer but you can still get to the same end goal.
4. Lack Of Necessary Skills
Actually, you don't need many skills to succeed online. However, one of the major skills you must have or you must learn is communication. You must learn how to communicate. The web is all about communicating your points to your visitors or viewers so you must acquire good communication skills.
It really helps your marketing if you are a good writer because you can easily get your points across with written text or copy on your site. Writing skills can be learned but many beginning marketers don't fully understand how important their writing skills will be to their success. You must be able to communicate on your site, in your newsletters, with your customers... might sound a bit obvious but you would be surprised at how many marketers lack this simple, yet necessary skill.
But don't fret, because once upon a time, the written word was king online - but not any more. Videos are rapidly taking the place of the printed word so anyone with a camera can now be a success online. Of course, you still need good communication skills even using videos, but many marketers have found this is a much easier way to communicate information about their site or product.
5. Lack Of Persistence
For me, one the most significant reasons most online marketers/webmasters fail, is because of a lack of persistence. They simply give up too soon. They try something for a few weeks, even for a few months and then they conclude this is not working and they give up.
Building a solid online business or viable website takes time, a lot of time. Just because your business is online, doesn't mean everything will fall into place overnight, it takes time to establish a customer base. It takes time to build your business relationships and partnerships with others in your field.
Sometimes, it may take years before you see some solid returns. It was three years before I saw any significant revenue coming from my online ventures, and another year before I could summon enough courage to do this online marketing full time. If I had given up and not persisted at this web stuff, I would not be writing this article right now.
Building top rankings for your keywords in the search engines (especially Google) can take months, even years before you see any results. The real key is to be persistent and keep at it, day after day, until you get those top rankings. You simply must be persistent or you will fail.
In conclusion, having said all that, you must also realize there are plenty of exceptions to all of the above. There have been countless success stories on the web where someone has come up with a novel idea or product and become successful overnight. The web can offer immediate success for some but for most of us, it will take some time and hard effort on our part to build a successful online business. Just try to avoid many of the pitfalls or reasons listed above and you will have a better chance of placing yourself in the success column.
About the Author:
The author is a full-time online marketer who has numerous websites. For the latest web marketing tools try: Marketing Tools If you liked the article above, why not try this Free 7 Day Marketing Course here: Internet Marketing Tools
Copyright (c) 2009 Titus Hoskins. http://www.bizwaremagic.com This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Read more Articles written by Titus Hoskins.
Copyright © 2009 Titus Hoskins
When it comes to starting any endeavor, whether it be learning a new hobby or starting an online business, we all have to start at ground zero. We all have to start at the very beginning from the very same place. Granted, we each bring different skills and backgrounds into the mix, but for the most part we are all on equal footing at the starting line.
If this is the case, then we really have to ponder why is it only a choice few go on to succeed, while most people don't. Just what are the reasons why most online marketers fail? This is the core question that has to be answered if you want to fully understand Internet marketing and how it works.
What are these basic reasons?
What are the causes or stumbling blocks that hold many marketers and webmasters from reaching their full online potential? If we know these factors, we can learn how to avoid them and even overcome them in our own online marketing. These reasons can be a solid reference point or even a source of inspiration for any online marketer just starting out.
Speaking from the viewpoint of someone who has started from the very beginning with little to no knowledge of computers or even marketing for that matter, I can honestly relate to the beginning marketer. I even had to learn HTML from scratch in order to construct my own webpages. Probably my only advantage, I did have a background in art but designing webpages was completely different from anything I had done previously to starting in online marketing.
Nor did I have any formal training in business or marketing, just an art teaching background which really doesn't help with the day to day running of an online business. I had to learn as I went; struggling with hundreds of marketing decisions before my sites became profitable. Don't get the wrong impression, I have probably made hundreds of mistakes along the way and I am still making them!
But from my own experiences I have drawn some general conclusions about Internet marketing and why some people succeed while most people fail. So here in my honest opinion, are some of the main reasons why many online marketers fail:
1. Overwhelmed With Information
Perhaps, one of the biggest obstacles I faced when I first started my website - I was bombarded with so much information on how to proceed I didn't have a clue which direction to take or who to believe. Thousands of different info products telling you to do this, not to do that... so much marketing information to absorb that you end up scratching your head and looking like someone auditioning for a zombie movie.
Completely overwhelmed with so much information, many marketers or webmasters enter a state of paralysis where nothing gets done. You go from one course to another or from one method to another, without any real understanding of how to proceed or how to get a detailed blueprint to follow.
Been there, done that!
Information overflow can effectively crush all that novice enthusiasm and literally kill even the most eager of entrepreneurs. Anyone starting out must be aware of this obvious but insidious pitfall you have to avoid at all costs. One of the best remedies, simply try concentrating on just one or two marketing plans/marketers for all your information. Try to eliminate the clutter by just working on one marketing system. Just have a few key marketing resources you go to for information, not a hundred! And do your homework, only pick marketers who can back up their claims with observable results on the web. One obvious checkmark - just see if those marketers have top rankings for their sites for popular profitable keywords associated with their sites or products.
2. Lack Of Key Marketing Basics
There are some key marketing basics or fundamentals you must learn about marketing online. Internet marketing has some key elements you must get right or you will have a difficult task in succeeding on the web. Just simple factors you must get right or it's game over before you even get started.
Most marketers fail to realize the web is "information driven" and you must supply quality information or content in order to truly succeed. You must provide a valuable service or function to your visitors. You must help solve their problem. You must give them a solid reason to use your site or product. Quality content is and always will be King on the web.
You must also understand much of the web is "keyword driven" and you must construct your webpages to take full advantage of these keywords. You must have at least a rudimentary understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how you can use it to get top rankings for your keyword phrases.
3. Lack Of Time And Resources
Another major reason why many marketers fail is because they simply can't afford the time to learn and build their online business. Most people just can't stop everything and work full time online because they have bills to pay and families to support. It may take months, probably years, before you can build up a successful online business that gives you a comfortable living. The average person just doesn't have the time or the resources to spend months learning how all this works.
Keep in mind, getting a business or website going is probably the most inexpensive way to start your own business. Domains are cheap. Web hosting is cheap. Web design is cheap if you can do it yourself... compared to starting a business in the "real" world, creating an online business will only cost a faction of the normal expenses connected with starting a business. But the main problem is having the resources to pay your living expenses until your online business is profitable. Many beginning online marketers don't have these resources and the main complaint from these marketers: "I Simply can't afford the time to work at this online stuff."
One solution is to work at your online marketing in your spare time and gradually build up your business until you can afford to do it full time. It will obviously take longer but you can still get to the same end goal.
4. Lack Of Necessary Skills
Actually, you don't need many skills to succeed online. However, one of the major skills you must have or you must learn is communication. You must learn how to communicate. The web is all about communicating your points to your visitors or viewers so you must acquire good communication skills.
It really helps your marketing if you are a good writer because you can easily get your points across with written text or copy on your site. Writing skills can be learned but many beginning marketers don't fully understand how important their writing skills will be to their success. You must be able to communicate on your site, in your newsletters, with your customers... might sound a bit obvious but you would be surprised at how many marketers lack this simple, yet necessary skill.
But don't fret, because once upon a time, the written word was king online - but not any more. Videos are rapidly taking the place of the printed word so anyone with a camera can now be a success online. Of course, you still need good communication skills even using videos, but many marketers have found this is a much easier way to communicate information about their site or product.
5. Lack Of Persistence
For me, one the most significant reasons most online marketers/webmasters fail, is because of a lack of persistence. They simply give up too soon. They try something for a few weeks, even for a few months and then they conclude this is not working and they give up.
Building a solid online business or viable website takes time, a lot of time. Just because your business is online, doesn't mean everything will fall into place overnight, it takes time to establish a customer base. It takes time to build your business relationships and partnerships with others in your field.
Sometimes, it may take years before you see some solid returns. It was three years before I saw any significant revenue coming from my online ventures, and another year before I could summon enough courage to do this online marketing full time. If I had given up and not persisted at this web stuff, I would not be writing this article right now.
Building top rankings for your keywords in the search engines (especially Google) can take months, even years before you see any results. The real key is to be persistent and keep at it, day after day, until you get those top rankings. You simply must be persistent or you will fail.
In conclusion, having said all that, you must also realize there are plenty of exceptions to all of the above. There have been countless success stories on the web where someone has come up with a novel idea or product and become successful overnight. The web can offer immediate success for some but for most of us, it will take some time and hard effort on our part to build a successful online business. Just try to avoid many of the pitfalls or reasons listed above and you will have a better chance of placing yourself in the success column.
About the Author:
The author is a full-time online marketer who has numerous websites. For the latest web marketing tools try: Marketing Tools If you liked the article above, why not try this Free 7 Day Marketing Course here: Internet Marketing Tools
Copyright (c) 2009 Titus Hoskins. http://www.bizwaremagic.com This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Read more Articles written by Titus Hoskins.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Health Tourism is a Growing Trend in Healthcare
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Kevin Kielty
Many people in the United States are finding themselves out of a job and also without valuable health insurance. When costly medical procedures are needed, they cannot afford to have them done in the US. Therefore, many people are traveling to foreign countries to have the procedures done. This is called "health tourism".
In the past, people usually traveled outside the US for non life-threatening procedures such as cosmetic surgery or dental surgery. However, the growing trend is for people to seek foreign treatment for more life-threatening conditions such as heart bypass surgery, heart valve replacements and spinal surgeries. In some cases the cost can be as much as 90% less than it would be in the United States. Popular destinations are Thailand, Costa Rica and India.
As many as 85,000 Americans travel to foreign countries for medical procedures every year. Companies are springing up to meet the needs of this new foreign traveler. In South Carolina, Blue Cross and Blue Shield has started the "Companion Global Healthcare" department to assist clients seeking foreign healthcare. They help with travel arrangements, transportation between airport in hospital and coordination of care.
A Worldwide Trend
People from many parts of the world, not just America are traveling to other countries to receive healthcare for various reasons. People from Europe travel due to long waiting lists at home, some come from the middle east because they believe the medical personnel are more highly trained and some people travel from Africa because they do not have access to these services in their own country.
What To Consider
While traveling abroad for healthcare procedures can be beneficial, there are a few things to consider first. For example, traveling a great distance to and from the other country can be hazardous, depending upon your condition. Anyone considering a foreign medical care should consult with their physician first. Some conditions such as cancer are best treated by a doctor in your own country with whom you have an ongoing relationship.
Investigate Ahead Of Time
Thoroughly investigate the hospital or facility you are considering travel to. Check to make sure that they are accredited with the Joint Commission International, to ensure that they meet US standards. Also talk with the physician to find out how many procedures they have done and where they received their training.
Meet with your physician before you go and make sure they will provide your medical records to the overseas doctors and to make sure both sides have the other's contact information. Also arrange aftercare before you leave. Make sure you have everything in place for your care when you get home.
If you require a costly surgery and do not have adequate health insurance, traveling to a foreign country for your treatment may be an option. Contact a reputable company to assist you and meet with your own physician to discuss the possibility of a foreign procedure. Thoroughly investigate the foreign facility and doctors your self. Make sure that they are an accredited facility and meet basic guidelines before you go.
About the Author:
Kevin Kielty lives in North Carolina and writes articles on health insurance. If you are looking for rate quotes on health insurance in North Carolina, visit BCBSNC, also known as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina at: http://www.ncinsuranceplan.com/
Read more of Kevin Kielty's articles.
Copyright © 2009 Kevin Kielty
Many people in the United States are finding themselves out of a job and also without valuable health insurance. When costly medical procedures are needed, they cannot afford to have them done in the US. Therefore, many people are traveling to foreign countries to have the procedures done. This is called "health tourism".
In the past, people usually traveled outside the US for non life-threatening procedures such as cosmetic surgery or dental surgery. However, the growing trend is for people to seek foreign treatment for more life-threatening conditions such as heart bypass surgery, heart valve replacements and spinal surgeries. In some cases the cost can be as much as 90% less than it would be in the United States. Popular destinations are Thailand, Costa Rica and India.
As many as 85,000 Americans travel to foreign countries for medical procedures every year. Companies are springing up to meet the needs of this new foreign traveler. In South Carolina, Blue Cross and Blue Shield has started the "Companion Global Healthcare" department to assist clients seeking foreign healthcare. They help with travel arrangements, transportation between airport in hospital and coordination of care.
A Worldwide Trend
People from many parts of the world, not just America are traveling to other countries to receive healthcare for various reasons. People from Europe travel due to long waiting lists at home, some come from the middle east because they believe the medical personnel are more highly trained and some people travel from Africa because they do not have access to these services in their own country.
What To Consider
While traveling abroad for healthcare procedures can be beneficial, there are a few things to consider first. For example, traveling a great distance to and from the other country can be hazardous, depending upon your condition. Anyone considering a foreign medical care should consult with their physician first. Some conditions such as cancer are best treated by a doctor in your own country with whom you have an ongoing relationship.
Investigate Ahead Of Time
Thoroughly investigate the hospital or facility you are considering travel to. Check to make sure that they are accredited with the Joint Commission International, to ensure that they meet US standards. Also talk with the physician to find out how many procedures they have done and where they received their training.
Meet with your physician before you go and make sure they will provide your medical records to the overseas doctors and to make sure both sides have the other's contact information. Also arrange aftercare before you leave. Make sure you have everything in place for your care when you get home.
If you require a costly surgery and do not have adequate health insurance, traveling to a foreign country for your treatment may be an option. Contact a reputable company to assist you and meet with your own physician to discuss the possibility of a foreign procedure. Thoroughly investigate the foreign facility and doctors your self. Make sure that they are an accredited facility and meet basic guidelines before you go.
About the Author:
Kevin Kielty lives in North Carolina and writes articles on health insurance. If you are looking for rate quotes on health insurance in North Carolina, visit BCBSNC, also known as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina at: http://www.ncinsuranceplan.com/
Read more of Kevin Kielty's articles.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
How To Reverse Engineer My #1 Google Rankings
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Willie Crawford
To many online marketers, getting a #1 listing on Google for your target keyword phrases is "heaven." It does lead to many times more traffic than being even #2 or #3. If you're not on the first page of Google, you may as well forget getting any significant traffic in many niches. At least you should plan on generating your traffic via other channels since few searchers look past the first page of search engine results.
Google the terms "joint venture expert" or "land for $100" and you'll see that I rank #1 for both terms and have for a VERY long time.
Yes, people do search on those terms, regardless of what you might think, and they both generate substantial incomes for me, but they are not my most profitable keywords. They are just keywords that I will use to prove to you that I have a clue about how to get top Google listings. You really shouldn't listen to "experts" who can't back up with they teach with proof.
Next, I invite you to try to reverse engineer what I did. Actually, I'll share much of my secret process with you. Not all of what I do is very obvious.
Here are the things that I do:
1) I target specific, long-tail, buying keywords. It's easier to rank for 3-5 word phrases, and people entering those phrases into the search engines are looking for something very specific. This is the traffic that you want to attract.
2) I use article marketing extensively to generate massive backlinks. All things being equal, the one with the most backlinks from relevant quality sites WINS.
3) I use video marketing, submitting to top video sharing sites using titles and descriptions optimized for my keywords.
4) I use pod casting, submitting my audios to numerous podcast directories, as well as offering them from numerous websites. People who hear your audio message, and click through to your site, arrive pre-sold on your and ready to follow your recommendations.
My pod cast submissions are also keyword optimized!
5) I use my keywords in anchor text on my blogs, and in article directories where allowed.
6) I generate a LOT of content, and repurpose that content regularly. I publicize that content on social networking sites, on other resource sites that allow me to publicize my content, and even in press releases.
For example, I post announcements of my updated content often to http://www.IMNewsWatch.com, http://www.TeleseminarNation.com and leading industry forums.
7) I use automation. If I had to hand submit all of my content I would only be able to distribute 1/10th as much. All things being equal, he who submits the most quality content wins.
8) I adhere to the rules and terms of service at the article, video, podcasts, and press release sharing sites. It does no good to get great rankings, only to be banned a few weeks or months later (having all of your content removed, and your work go to waste). I use 100% whitehat tactics.
9) I generate quality content. I does no good to throw garbage at the search engines. You'll only attract non-responsive traffic (wasting bandwidth and giving you useless website traffic conversion statistics), and you'll also eventually experience backlash. Write primarily for humans, but keeping good SEO in mind. The simplest way to do that is to use your primary keywords in your titles and descriptions, when creating and uploading content. Also be sure to use your primary keywords throughout your content.
10) I create external links to some of my content posted on sites OTHER THAN my primary sites. Linking to content that then links to your primary sites increases the relevance of external links from that content pointing to your primary sites. That helps the content on your primary sites rank higher longer. SEO experts call that "adding link juice!" If you don't do this, you'll often rank high for given keywords only for a few days, and then quickly drop in ranking. Adding "link juice" helps the ranking "stick."
There you have it - how I get and maintain #1 Google rankings for tons of keywords that my buying customers search on regularly at Google. Model what I do, and you'll get similar results.
About the Author:
Willie Crawford has been teaching people to build a legitimate online business since 1996. He is one of the world's leading website traffic generation experts. His favorite tool is an automated article, video, podcast and press release submission service that you can use too at: http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.com/ Visit them now.
Read more Articles written by Willie Crawford.
Copyright © 2009 Willie Crawford
To many online marketers, getting a #1 listing on Google for your target keyword phrases is "heaven." It does lead to many times more traffic than being even #2 or #3. If you're not on the first page of Google, you may as well forget getting any significant traffic in many niches. At least you should plan on generating your traffic via other channels since few searchers look past the first page of search engine results.
Google the terms "joint venture expert" or "land for $100" and you'll see that I rank #1 for both terms and have for a VERY long time.
Yes, people do search on those terms, regardless of what you might think, and they both generate substantial incomes for me, but they are not my most profitable keywords. They are just keywords that I will use to prove to you that I have a clue about how to get top Google listings. You really shouldn't listen to "experts" who can't back up with they teach with proof.
Next, I invite you to try to reverse engineer what I did. Actually, I'll share much of my secret process with you. Not all of what I do is very obvious.
Here are the things that I do:
1) I target specific, long-tail, buying keywords. It's easier to rank for 3-5 word phrases, and people entering those phrases into the search engines are looking for something very specific. This is the traffic that you want to attract.
2) I use article marketing extensively to generate massive backlinks. All things being equal, the one with the most backlinks from relevant quality sites WINS.
3) I use video marketing, submitting to top video sharing sites using titles and descriptions optimized for my keywords.
4) I use pod casting, submitting my audios to numerous podcast directories, as well as offering them from numerous websites. People who hear your audio message, and click through to your site, arrive pre-sold on your and ready to follow your recommendations.
My pod cast submissions are also keyword optimized!
5) I use my keywords in anchor text on my blogs, and in article directories where allowed.
6) I generate a LOT of content, and repurpose that content regularly. I publicize that content on social networking sites, on other resource sites that allow me to publicize my content, and even in press releases.
For example, I post announcements of my updated content often to http://www.IMNewsWatch.com, http://www.TeleseminarNation.com and leading industry forums.
7) I use automation. If I had to hand submit all of my content I would only be able to distribute 1/10th as much. All things being equal, he who submits the most quality content wins.
8) I adhere to the rules and terms of service at the article, video, podcasts, and press release sharing sites. It does no good to get great rankings, only to be banned a few weeks or months later (having all of your content removed, and your work go to waste). I use 100% whitehat tactics.
9) I generate quality content. I does no good to throw garbage at the search engines. You'll only attract non-responsive traffic (wasting bandwidth and giving you useless website traffic conversion statistics), and you'll also eventually experience backlash. Write primarily for humans, but keeping good SEO in mind. The simplest way to do that is to use your primary keywords in your titles and descriptions, when creating and uploading content. Also be sure to use your primary keywords throughout your content.
10) I create external links to some of my content posted on sites OTHER THAN my primary sites. Linking to content that then links to your primary sites increases the relevance of external links from that content pointing to your primary sites. That helps the content on your primary sites rank higher longer. SEO experts call that "adding link juice!" If you don't do this, you'll often rank high for given keywords only for a few days, and then quickly drop in ranking. Adding "link juice" helps the ranking "stick."
There you have it - how I get and maintain #1 Google rankings for tons of keywords that my buying customers search on regularly at Google. Model what I do, and you'll get similar results.
About the Author:
Willie Crawford has been teaching people to build a legitimate online business since 1996. He is one of the world's leading website traffic generation experts. His favorite tool is an automated article, video, podcast and press release submission service that you can use too at: http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.com/ Visit them now.
Read more Articles written by Willie Crawford.
Why Most Affiliate Marketers Fail
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Willie Crawford
Many people coming online and deciding to sell affiliate products never sell a single product. The reason is glaringly obvious, and it's not the unfortunate affiliate marketer's fault.
Think about any job that you've ever held in the offline world. What happened? You were hired and told when to report for work.
When you showed up for work you were entered into training. Depending upon the job, you spent weeks, sometimes even months, with a trainer guiding you and looking over your shoulder.
Compare that with your typical affiliate program that the complete newbie can join.
You fill out an affiliate registration form and are handed an affiliate link. With some affiliate programs you are also directed to an affiliate resource center.
With a few of the better affiliate programs, you are also directed to some affiliate training videos. The affiliate training videos are the exception rather than the rule.
Affiliate marketers are basically left to figure out what works all on their own.
It's really not much better for new people coming online who decide to launch their own product.
They come online and read over and over again that you really need you own product. So they decide to create one, perhaps putting it on Clickbank, or a somewhat better option - decide to use the Rapid Action Profits script.
These new product owners understand that they need affiliates, so they put a link to an affiliate signup page somewhere on their site. They often stick this affiliate program signup link in the worse possible place - right on their salespage where it distracts buying customers.
As a side-note, a better place to put your affiliate signup invitation is on your download page, or you can tell your new customers about your affiliate program in a follow-up email. What better person to recruit as an affiliate than a satisfied customer who actually knows your product?
These new product owners sign up affiliates, give them their affiliate links (and a few tools) and then wait for the orders to come flooding in.
When the orders don't come surging in, the new product own wonders what he did wrong, and concludes that affiliate programs really don't work.
The problem in both of the above cases is simply a lack of adequate training for affiliates in what works in promoting affiliate products.
The sad part is that there is lots of information available on what has proven to work for top producing affiliates. I, as a super affiliate, have written over 1300 article on the topic of ecommerce. Many of those articles outline techniques that work flawlessly for me.
For the product owner or affiliate program operator, there are entire affiliate training programs in a box. One that I looked at recently included 52 weekly autoresponder training sessions. It even included video lessons to SHOW the struggling affiliate how to do many things.
Each of the weekly lessons in that "affiliate training program in a box" taught a skill that the aspiring affiliate marketer needs to understand.
If you are an affiliate program owner and wants to check out that "affiliate training program in a box" it's at: http://WillieCrawford.com/TrainYourAffiliates/
Seasoned marketers and copywriters understand that marketing is not guessing. It's testing until you discover what works, and then USING those things proven to work.
Seasoned marketers and copywriters understand that they are often WRONG as far as what they think will work. Only the market decides what will work. That's why they don't experiment, but instead stick with the "tried and true."
If you are a new (or unsuccessful) affiliate marketer, your solution is simple - learn and stick with what's already proven to work.
If you are a product owner with an affiliate program that's NOT producing, your solution is simple - train your affiliates.
When you train your affiliate, they will experience success selling your products, and having finally figured it out, will double their efforts in promoting your products.
Like any other paying job in the world, affiliate marketing does require training. Make sure that you're not overlooking this critical element of the online marketing puzzle!
About the Author:
Willie Crawford is a leading Internet marketing and traffic generation expert. His favorite method for generating free website traffic is distributing videos, audios, articles and press releases using the automated distribution service at http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.com/
Read more Articles written by Willie Crawford.
Copyright © 2009 Willie Crawford
Many people coming online and deciding to sell affiliate products never sell a single product. The reason is glaringly obvious, and it's not the unfortunate affiliate marketer's fault.
Think about any job that you've ever held in the offline world. What happened? You were hired and told when to report for work.
When you showed up for work you were entered into training. Depending upon the job, you spent weeks, sometimes even months, with a trainer guiding you and looking over your shoulder.
Compare that with your typical affiliate program that the complete newbie can join.
You fill out an affiliate registration form and are handed an affiliate link. With some affiliate programs you are also directed to an affiliate resource center.
With a few of the better affiliate programs, you are also directed to some affiliate training videos. The affiliate training videos are the exception rather than the rule.
Affiliate marketers are basically left to figure out what works all on their own.
It's really not much better for new people coming online who decide to launch their own product.
They come online and read over and over again that you really need you own product. So they decide to create one, perhaps putting it on Clickbank, or a somewhat better option - decide to use the Rapid Action Profits script.
These new product owners understand that they need affiliates, so they put a link to an affiliate signup page somewhere on their site. They often stick this affiliate program signup link in the worse possible place - right on their salespage where it distracts buying customers.
As a side-note, a better place to put your affiliate signup invitation is on your download page, or you can tell your new customers about your affiliate program in a follow-up email. What better person to recruit as an affiliate than a satisfied customer who actually knows your product?
These new product owners sign up affiliates, give them their affiliate links (and a few tools) and then wait for the orders to come flooding in.
When the orders don't come surging in, the new product own wonders what he did wrong, and concludes that affiliate programs really don't work.
The problem in both of the above cases is simply a lack of adequate training for affiliates in what works in promoting affiliate products.
The sad part is that there is lots of information available on what has proven to work for top producing affiliates. I, as a super affiliate, have written over 1300 article on the topic of ecommerce. Many of those articles outline techniques that work flawlessly for me.
For the product owner or affiliate program operator, there are entire affiliate training programs in a box. One that I looked at recently included 52 weekly autoresponder training sessions. It even included video lessons to SHOW the struggling affiliate how to do many things.
Each of the weekly lessons in that "affiliate training program in a box" taught a skill that the aspiring affiliate marketer needs to understand.
If you are an affiliate program owner and wants to check out that "affiliate training program in a box" it's at: http://WillieCrawford.com/TrainYourAffiliates/
Seasoned marketers and copywriters understand that marketing is not guessing. It's testing until you discover what works, and then USING those things proven to work.
Seasoned marketers and copywriters understand that they are often WRONG as far as what they think will work. Only the market decides what will work. That's why they don't experiment, but instead stick with the "tried and true."
If you are a new (or unsuccessful) affiliate marketer, your solution is simple - learn and stick with what's already proven to work.
If you are a product owner with an affiliate program that's NOT producing, your solution is simple - train your affiliates.
When you train your affiliate, they will experience success selling your products, and having finally figured it out, will double their efforts in promoting your products.
Like any other paying job in the world, affiliate marketing does require training. Make sure that you're not overlooking this critical element of the online marketing puzzle!
About the Author:
Willie Crawford is a leading Internet marketing and traffic generation expert. His favorite method for generating free website traffic is distributing videos, audios, articles and press releases using the automated distribution service at http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.com/
Read more Articles written by Willie Crawford.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Buying Expired Domains Tips - The Issue of PageRank
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 John Khu
Every webmaster tries hard to promote web site on to the top most pages of Google search engine. All of us understand that Google has a system called Google PageRanking that allows it to index web sites on search engine pages. With this system, Google also decides how popular your web page is among search engine users. Higher PageRank means that your web site is more popular than many other web sites and it commands some authority among web users. PageRanking is an important index for expired domain buyers because the web page that has good PageRank is always beneficial to them.
Finding an expired domain with good PageRank is obviously very advantageous, because the inherent commercial value of an expired domain with PageRank, will go up among interested buyers. Finding such domains was very difficult sometimes back, but it is quite easy now. Earlier, a long and boring process took hours of precious time. You had to collect the names of thousands of expired domains, choose interesting ones and check them manually for PageRanking by using a manual tool. It was acutely difficult to separate out good ones from the bad ones. In the end, one could extract just few of them!
Recently, things are changing very rapidly, as several web sites help you find expired-domains with Google PageRank in double quick time. These web sites allow you to search through an extensive database and create a big list. You can even choose efficient filters to filter unwanted expired domains. Another significant aspect of these web sites is that you find out the sources where you can buy those expired domains. Google PR is an excellent indicator of segregating good web sites from bad ones. PR is a sum of quality and quantity of incoming links coming into a web page. An expired domain that owns lot of incoming links is the domain that you can buy and own.
Although buying an expired domain with lot of incoming links is a good idea, you cannot be too sure of the quality of those links. Sometimes, the quality of those links may not be real. There are occasions when you can even buy expired domains at higher prices than their real worth. Given the nature of the internet, it is almost impossible to find out whether the seller of the expired domain is trustworthy or not. To avoid such situations, you can use a number of PageRank-checking software to know about the scope and authenticity of expired domains that you want to buy. The quality of backlinks and inbound traffic is also very important when you buy an expired domain. Top quality and premium backlinks are always beneficial to a domain expiring, while you can even pay bigger amounts to buy such domains. In the end, you may wish to conduct a simple online check to find out, if an expired domain has a valid PR. Just type the following into your browser window - info:[the name of the expired domain] plus the extension without the www prefix. If you are to find valid PR, then you can consider buying that domain.
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.
Read more Articles written by John Khu.
Copyright © 2009 John Khu
Every webmaster tries hard to promote web site on to the top most pages of Google search engine. All of us understand that Google has a system called Google PageRanking that allows it to index web sites on search engine pages. With this system, Google also decides how popular your web page is among search engine users. Higher PageRank means that your web site is more popular than many other web sites and it commands some authority among web users. PageRanking is an important index for expired domain buyers because the web page that has good PageRank is always beneficial to them.
Finding an expired domain with good PageRank is obviously very advantageous, because the inherent commercial value of an expired domain with PageRank, will go up among interested buyers. Finding such domains was very difficult sometimes back, but it is quite easy now. Earlier, a long and boring process took hours of precious time. You had to collect the names of thousands of expired domains, choose interesting ones and check them manually for PageRanking by using a manual tool. It was acutely difficult to separate out good ones from the bad ones. In the end, one could extract just few of them!
Recently, things are changing very rapidly, as several web sites help you find expired-domains with Google PageRank in double quick time. These web sites allow you to search through an extensive database and create a big list. You can even choose efficient filters to filter unwanted expired domains. Another significant aspect of these web sites is that you find out the sources where you can buy those expired domains. Google PR is an excellent indicator of segregating good web sites from bad ones. PR is a sum of quality and quantity of incoming links coming into a web page. An expired domain that owns lot of incoming links is the domain that you can buy and own.
Although buying an expired domain with lot of incoming links is a good idea, you cannot be too sure of the quality of those links. Sometimes, the quality of those links may not be real. There are occasions when you can even buy expired domains at higher prices than their real worth. Given the nature of the internet, it is almost impossible to find out whether the seller of the expired domain is trustworthy or not. To avoid such situations, you can use a number of PageRank-checking software to know about the scope and authenticity of expired domains that you want to buy. The quality of backlinks and inbound traffic is also very important when you buy an expired domain. Top quality and premium backlinks are always beneficial to a domain expiring, while you can even pay bigger amounts to buy such domains. In the end, you may wish to conduct a simple online check to find out, if an expired domain has a valid PR. Just type the following into your browser window - info:[the name of the expired domain] plus the extension without the www prefix. If you are to find valid PR, then you can consider buying that domain.
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.
Read more Articles written by John Khu.
The Hidden Costs of Freeware
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Anne Sych
You are tasked with looking for software and in your research you stumble upon 'free' software. Can this be? It sounds too good to be true! How can they do that? It is very tempting - most of us at least take a peak. After all, why would we buy something we can get for free?
Or perhaps you start out looking for a good solid solution that will meet all of your needs, but your budget is tight and you begin looking at trimmed down or free solutions that may be available. You think that it may be good enough to get you by for now, and you can just purchase something better at a later date when things improve.
While this is tempting, one must consider the hidden costs of 'free' software. In the end, you could be spending more for a 'free' version, than a reputable, well built affordable solution.
Here are a few considerations when considering free software:
1. Many 'free' software solutions are not actually free. Essential components needed to use the software are additional - sometimes the components are minutely priced, but when you plug in your volume needs the prices really add up.
2. Does it really fit your needs? - With 'freeware' there is no product specialist to guide you with your selection, so you are forced to figure out on your own if it will meet your needs. Often once implemented you may learn that it does not meet needs after all or that certain parts do not work the way you need them to. Time lost in business is money lost.
3. You are on your own - typically freeware does not include any implementation assistance, training or support. At best you may get a 'guide', but no one to answer questions or help you with your system environment.
4. No training is provided - how will your employees learn how to use the new software? There are no best practices to follow, and you are left to learn on your own. In addition to time lost, often mistakes are made along the way that are hard to correct because you have done so much already "the wrong way". Again, time lost.
5. Is it cross user friendly? - Some companies may have an employee smart enough to 'rig' a freeware to meet their needs. Once this employee leaves or moves on new folks can't figure out how to make it work the same way.
6. Will it grow with you? - What will you do when you outgrow your application or your needs change. Will you force your business tasks around the app, or be forced to start over? Many hours, weeks, months are spent implementing a "free" system, processes are built around it, training is conducted - much man hours and internal costs. Starting over can be very costly. All of the time spent and resources used are now wasted as you look for a solution to replace this "free one".
So be on guard not to get caught up in the "free" hype, which in the end can cost much more. Take the time to do the due diligence now and select what you need for both now and for the future. Choose a provider that has a quality reputation, offers assistance, provides support, and a solutions that is scalable and can grow to meet your needs long term.
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. Contact: sales@novosolutions.com for more information. http://www.novosolutions.com/
Read more Articles written by Anne Sych.
Copyright © 2009 Anne Sych
You are tasked with looking for software and in your research you stumble upon 'free' software. Can this be? It sounds too good to be true! How can they do that? It is very tempting - most of us at least take a peak. After all, why would we buy something we can get for free?
Or perhaps you start out looking for a good solid solution that will meet all of your needs, but your budget is tight and you begin looking at trimmed down or free solutions that may be available. You think that it may be good enough to get you by for now, and you can just purchase something better at a later date when things improve.
While this is tempting, one must consider the hidden costs of 'free' software. In the end, you could be spending more for a 'free' version, than a reputable, well built affordable solution.
Here are a few considerations when considering free software:
1. Many 'free' software solutions are not actually free. Essential components needed to use the software are additional - sometimes the components are minutely priced, but when you plug in your volume needs the prices really add up.
2. Does it really fit your needs? - With 'freeware' there is no product specialist to guide you with your selection, so you are forced to figure out on your own if it will meet your needs. Often once implemented you may learn that it does not meet needs after all or that certain parts do not work the way you need them to. Time lost in business is money lost.
3. You are on your own - typically freeware does not include any implementation assistance, training or support. At best you may get a 'guide', but no one to answer questions or help you with your system environment.
4. No training is provided - how will your employees learn how to use the new software? There are no best practices to follow, and you are left to learn on your own. In addition to time lost, often mistakes are made along the way that are hard to correct because you have done so much already "the wrong way". Again, time lost.
5. Is it cross user friendly? - Some companies may have an employee smart enough to 'rig' a freeware to meet their needs. Once this employee leaves or moves on new folks can't figure out how to make it work the same way.
6. Will it grow with you? - What will you do when you outgrow your application or your needs change. Will you force your business tasks around the app, or be forced to start over? Many hours, weeks, months are spent implementing a "free" system, processes are built around it, training is conducted - much man hours and internal costs. Starting over can be very costly. All of the time spent and resources used are now wasted as you look for a solution to replace this "free one".
So be on guard not to get caught up in the "free" hype, which in the end can cost much more. Take the time to do the due diligence now and select what you need for both now and for the future. Choose a provider that has a quality reputation, offers assistance, provides support, and a solutions that is scalable and can grow to meet your needs long term.
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. Contact: sales@novosolutions.com for more information. http://www.novosolutions.com/
Read more Articles written by Anne Sych.
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