Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Scott Bywater
The internet has become all the rage these days.
Don't send a letter, pop it on an email.
Don't mail the customer anything, pop it in an email.
In fact, let's forget about letters altogether and do everything electronically.
I'm as guilty of this as the next person.
But recently I received a thank you card and it made me think a little differently.
You see, I receive (and appreciate) a bundle of emails every week thanking me for the emails I send out.
And nothing makes me feel better than knowing that as I write these emails from my lonely office, someone is reading them and hopefully applying them.
However a couple of weeks ago I received something in the mail which really stood out.
It was a thank you card from a guy called Greg Kumanovski from Global Pictures. All it said was...
"Thank you for your regular emails with all the helpful ideas. Have a great day"
But I've had that card sitting on my filing cabinet ever since he sent it to me.
And I think there's a lesson here for all of us.
Whether it's thank you cards or anything else, consider sending the hard copy version over the soft copy version.
In other words: when everyone else is zigging, why not zag and stand out from the crowd.
After all, mail order should be far more effective these days because nobody else is doing it.
For instance, yesterday I was chatting with a guy who sent out his proposals via email.
He was getting a lot of proposals requests coming in every week and would pretty much churn back a standard response with a quotation.
I suggested he set up a system where he could send them out via mail instead.
We worked out that all he would need to pay for the cost of the mail is a 1% increase in response.
My bet is that he would get it.
Especially when all of his competitors are probably doing everything via email as well.
So take a moment now to think of how you can do things differently... and use alternative strategies to stand out from your competition.
About the Author:
Scott Bywater is a direct response copywriter with extensive experience in B2B and B2C writing. Mr Bywater is the author of Cash-Flow Advertising and More Customers Made Easy. You can gain access to his copywriting and marketing tips via his entertaining and eye opening "Copywriting Selling Secrets" newsletter available at http://www.copywritingthatsells.com.au/
Visit Scott Bywater's Copywriting That SELLS website.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Track And Measure Your Advertising, Customer Acquisition Costs, And The Lifetime Value Of A Customer
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Hunter Waterhouse
As business owners and managers, we need to look at a variety of numbers to gain a better understanding of our businesses. In this article, we are going to consider two very important metrics in business marketing - Cost Of Customer Acquisition and Advertising ROI (Return On Investment).
One of the most important numbers we need to always be mindful of is the "Cost of a New Customer" or "Cost of Customer Acquisition".
Understanding Customer Acquisition Costs
If you are unfamiliar with this concept, let me give you a quick tutorial on this advertising metric.
===============================================================>
Suppose you run an advertisement in your local newspaper for your furniture store. Suppose for the sake of this example that you paid $1000 for your display ad in the newspaper.
Now, suppose your advertising brought 4 new customers into your store, who bought from you. Suppose also that the average spend for each customer was $1500.
With the example I am drawing, your $1000 display advertisement in the newspaper brought in 4 customers who spent a total of $6000 in your store.
I am going to keep this example simple, so that more people can keep up with the numbers.
On the basic premise of our example, you generated 4 customers after an outlay of $1000 in advertising. So your basic Cost Of Customer Acquisition was $250 per customer.
If your business received fewer customers, from your outlay of $1000 in advertising, then your Cost Of Customer Acquisition is more expensive.
But, if your business earned more customers who spent money, then your Cost Of Customer Acquisition would be much smaller.
===============================================================>
In its simplest form, the Cost Of Customer Acquisition is the money spent to get the customer to your store divided by the number of new customers acquired. We will look at this in more detail, later in this article.
The Best Way To Measure Sales And Marketing Performance
Entrepreneur Magazine in a 1999 article reflected on the Cost Of Customer Acquisition in the dot com world. The article suggested, "the cost of new customer acquisition is one of the best ways to measure sales and marketing performance."
In 1999, the Cost Of Customer Acquisition for the following companies were:
BarnesAndNoble.com - $42
Amazon.com - $27.60
Priceline - $32.30
Beyond.com - $29.30
On the surface, these numbers may seem small. But, Amazon's Average Sale is in the $17-range! This makes the challenge that Amazon and other major retailers face fairly transparent. If these retailers could only count on one purchase from the newly acquired customer, then these businesses would be losing money by the truckload.
Fortunately, Amazon continues to perform well in Repeat Business from a single customer. The following calculations reflect additional numbers that we business people should also factor into our Cost Of Acquisition metrics.
The Real Value Of A Customer
Amazon's first-sale may only be $17, but in 1999, Amazon's Average Sales Per Customer was $116, up $10 from the previous year. Unfortunately, Amazon isn't very forthcoming with these numbers, so after two hours research, I was unable to come up with more up-to-date numbers for you to consider.
The point of mentioning this is that it is important for business owners and managers to recognize that the Value Of A Customer is not how much sales revenue is derived from the initial purchase, but more importantly, from the Lifetime Value Of A Customer.
If we looked at Amazon's Cost Of Customer Acquisition only in terms of that first sale, then they will be losing money hand-over-fist. With a Cost Of Acquisition of $27.60 and the first sale of $17, Amazon could not stay in business long if they were continuously producing numbers at that level. However, once you factor in the Lifetime Value Of A Customer, then Amazon is spending $27.60 to acquire a customer that is worth $116 in sales for them. Therefore, by measuring the Lifetime Value of a Customer, Amazon is spending only 24% of their revenue in order to acquire one customer.
Few businesses invest 24% of their revenue in advertising, but Amazon hopes that the Lifetime Value of a Customer will eventually exceed the $116 value, known to have existed in FY2000.
As the Lifetime Value of a Customer increases, the overall Cost of Customer Acquisition will fall, as an overall percentage value of Cost Of Acquisition divided by the Lifetime Value of the customer.
The Compounding Lifetime Value Of A Customer
If you have a hair-cutting salon and your advertising budget for one month is $1000, and you get 30 new customers through the door, who will spend an average of $20 for a hair cut, then your basic Cost of Customer Acquisition is roughly $33.34 to gain $20 in new sales.
But if only half of your 30 new customers become regular clients, then you can anticipate 15 of those customers coming to your hair salon at least once a month for the remainder of the year. Therefore, the first 15 customers will be worth $20 each, and the next 15 customers will be worth $240 each over the course of one year ($20 x 12 months). All told, your first 15 customers will put $300 in your cash register, and the next 15 customers will put another $3600 in your cash register.
Thus, in the hair salon example, your $1000 in advertising could generate new customers that will generate $3900 in new sales. Once you start to consider the Lifetime Value of a Customer, within the Cost of Customer Acquisition, then you will realize that the Cost of Customer Acquisition - although it might be higher than the initial sale - holds out the possibility and promise reducing itself as the Lifetime Value of a Customer increases over time.
As the end of the year winds down, you will be able to see that a $1000 expenditure was turned into $3900 in new revenue. In essence, for every dollar you spent on advertising that month, your return value was $3.90 over the course of one year.
In the second year, if only half of the original 15 regular customers or roughly 8 people stay with you for the full course of the second year, then the $1920 in revenue (8 people X $20 each X 12 months) you can expect from those customers could almost be considered free money. Of course, you will still have service fulfillment costs, but that second year will give you nearly $2000 in revenue that you will not have to chase.
Even if half of the customers drop off during the following calendar years, then a 50% customer attrition rate will allow you to have customers that could stay with you up to five years. Calculated against a 50% decrease in customers over each calendar year, your $1000 investment in advertising may translate into $7500 in revenues over five years ($3900 + $1920 + $960 + $480 + $240 = $7500), from the initial investment of $1000 in advertising.
The interesting thing about this scenario is that it is based on an advertising budget of $1000 ONE TIME. But, most businesses will continue the advertising process every month in every year. Therefore, the above example could compound month-after-month. Every month should bring the same or similar results to your business for the month and year.
Advertising Is A Process, Not An Event
Many small business owners have a dire misunderstanding of the nature of advertising and the value to be received from the advertising.
When business owners or managers fail to track and measure the new business generated from the advertising, then the business owners and managers will fail to see that advertising is an expense that can return huge dividends to the business.
When businesses fail to track and measure advertising successes, people tend to only see the money leaving the business without every seeing the reward coming back into the business. As a result, many business managers will employ advertising for a short time, then cancel the advertising, under the false belief that the advertising was not returning value to the business.
When businesses fail to understand the Lifetime Value Of A Customer, it is hard to appreciate any advertising method that fails to pay for itself in its first cycle. If Amazon was to only look at the initial sale generated by a new customer, they would quickly cancel all of their advertising efforts. Fortunately for Amazon, its management understands that the initial $17 sale is not the measure to use to determine the value of Amazon's advertising efforts. Amazon's management understands that the true Cost of Customer Acquisition should not be measured by the initial sale, but by the Lifetime Value of a Customer. In doing so, Amazon has ensured that it will continue to be one of the largest and most successful retail outlets on the planet.
When business managers fail to understand the Lifetime Value of a Customer, it is hard for them to appreciate and understand the compounding nature of the revenue stream for a business. It is hard for them to understand that money invested into advertising today, can deliver huge rewards over the next several years.
A Wake Up Call For Small Business Owners
According to Scott Shane, author of "Illusions of Entrepreneurship: The Costly Myths that Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Policy Makers Live By", only 29-in-100 businesses will remain in business after ten years. That means that a full 71% of businesses started in any calendar year will be out of business in only ten years.
It is sad to say, but the reason most businesses fail is that business owners and managers fail to understand the nature of advertising, the importance of tracking and measuring advertising results, the Lifetime Value of a Customer, and the compounding nature of the revenue stream.
I don't want to see your business on the trash heap of yesteryear. So, it is my hope that you will take this article as a wake-up call, as to the importance of advertising and its potential to lift your business into profits.
About the Author:
Hunter Waterhouse has been helping business owners advertise their businesses online for nearly a decade. He is ready, willing, and able to put his experience to work for Main Street Businesses that seek to generate walk-in traffic to their stores, from the online exposure of their business. To learn more about how Hunter can help advertise your local business, visit: http://onlinemarketinglocal.com/
Read more of Hunter Waterhouse's articles.
Copyright © 2009 Hunter Waterhouse
As business owners and managers, we need to look at a variety of numbers to gain a better understanding of our businesses. In this article, we are going to consider two very important metrics in business marketing - Cost Of Customer Acquisition and Advertising ROI (Return On Investment).
One of the most important numbers we need to always be mindful of is the "Cost of a New Customer" or "Cost of Customer Acquisition".
Understanding Customer Acquisition Costs
If you are unfamiliar with this concept, let me give you a quick tutorial on this advertising metric.
===============================================================>
Suppose you run an advertisement in your local newspaper for your furniture store. Suppose for the sake of this example that you paid $1000 for your display ad in the newspaper.
Now, suppose your advertising brought 4 new customers into your store, who bought from you. Suppose also that the average spend for each customer was $1500.
With the example I am drawing, your $1000 display advertisement in the newspaper brought in 4 customers who spent a total of $6000 in your store.
I am going to keep this example simple, so that more people can keep up with the numbers.
On the basic premise of our example, you generated 4 customers after an outlay of $1000 in advertising. So your basic Cost Of Customer Acquisition was $250 per customer.
If your business received fewer customers, from your outlay of $1000 in advertising, then your Cost Of Customer Acquisition is more expensive.
But, if your business earned more customers who spent money, then your Cost Of Customer Acquisition would be much smaller.
===============================================================>
In its simplest form, the Cost Of Customer Acquisition is the money spent to get the customer to your store divided by the number of new customers acquired. We will look at this in more detail, later in this article.
The Best Way To Measure Sales And Marketing Performance
Entrepreneur Magazine in a 1999 article reflected on the Cost Of Customer Acquisition in the dot com world. The article suggested, "the cost of new customer acquisition is one of the best ways to measure sales and marketing performance."
In 1999, the Cost Of Customer Acquisition for the following companies were:
On the surface, these numbers may seem small. But, Amazon's Average Sale is in the $17-range! This makes the challenge that Amazon and other major retailers face fairly transparent. If these retailers could only count on one purchase from the newly acquired customer, then these businesses would be losing money by the truckload.
Fortunately, Amazon continues to perform well in Repeat Business from a single customer. The following calculations reflect additional numbers that we business people should also factor into our Cost Of Acquisition metrics.
The Real Value Of A Customer
Amazon's first-sale may only be $17, but in 1999, Amazon's Average Sales Per Customer was $116, up $10 from the previous year. Unfortunately, Amazon isn't very forthcoming with these numbers, so after two hours research, I was unable to come up with more up-to-date numbers for you to consider.
The point of mentioning this is that it is important for business owners and managers to recognize that the Value Of A Customer is not how much sales revenue is derived from the initial purchase, but more importantly, from the Lifetime Value Of A Customer.
If we looked at Amazon's Cost Of Customer Acquisition only in terms of that first sale, then they will be losing money hand-over-fist. With a Cost Of Acquisition of $27.60 and the first sale of $17, Amazon could not stay in business long if they were continuously producing numbers at that level. However, once you factor in the Lifetime Value Of A Customer, then Amazon is spending $27.60 to acquire a customer that is worth $116 in sales for them. Therefore, by measuring the Lifetime Value of a Customer, Amazon is spending only 24% of their revenue in order to acquire one customer.
Few businesses invest 24% of their revenue in advertising, but Amazon hopes that the Lifetime Value of a Customer will eventually exceed the $116 value, known to have existed in FY2000.
As the Lifetime Value of a Customer increases, the overall Cost of Customer Acquisition will fall, as an overall percentage value of Cost Of Acquisition divided by the Lifetime Value of the customer.
The Compounding Lifetime Value Of A Customer
If you have a hair-cutting salon and your advertising budget for one month is $1000, and you get 30 new customers through the door, who will spend an average of $20 for a hair cut, then your basic Cost of Customer Acquisition is roughly $33.34 to gain $20 in new sales.
But if only half of your 30 new customers become regular clients, then you can anticipate 15 of those customers coming to your hair salon at least once a month for the remainder of the year. Therefore, the first 15 customers will be worth $20 each, and the next 15 customers will be worth $240 each over the course of one year ($20 x 12 months). All told, your first 15 customers will put $300 in your cash register, and the next 15 customers will put another $3600 in your cash register.
Thus, in the hair salon example, your $1000 in advertising could generate new customers that will generate $3900 in new sales. Once you start to consider the Lifetime Value of a Customer, within the Cost of Customer Acquisition, then you will realize that the Cost of Customer Acquisition - although it might be higher than the initial sale - holds out the possibility and promise reducing itself as the Lifetime Value of a Customer increases over time.
As the end of the year winds down, you will be able to see that a $1000 expenditure was turned into $3900 in new revenue. In essence, for every dollar you spent on advertising that month, your return value was $3.90 over the course of one year.
In the second year, if only half of the original 15 regular customers or roughly 8 people stay with you for the full course of the second year, then the $1920 in revenue (8 people X $20 each X 12 months) you can expect from those customers could almost be considered free money. Of course, you will still have service fulfillment costs, but that second year will give you nearly $2000 in revenue that you will not have to chase.
Even if half of the customers drop off during the following calendar years, then a 50% customer attrition rate will allow you to have customers that could stay with you up to five years. Calculated against a 50% decrease in customers over each calendar year, your $1000 investment in advertising may translate into $7500 in revenues over five years ($3900 + $1920 + $960 + $480 + $240 = $7500), from the initial investment of $1000 in advertising.
The interesting thing about this scenario is that it is based on an advertising budget of $1000 ONE TIME. But, most businesses will continue the advertising process every month in every year. Therefore, the above example could compound month-after-month. Every month should bring the same or similar results to your business for the month and year.
Advertising Is A Process, Not An Event
Many small business owners have a dire misunderstanding of the nature of advertising and the value to be received from the advertising.
When business owners or managers fail to track and measure the new business generated from the advertising, then the business owners and managers will fail to see that advertising is an expense that can return huge dividends to the business.
When businesses fail to track and measure advertising successes, people tend to only see the money leaving the business without every seeing the reward coming back into the business. As a result, many business managers will employ advertising for a short time, then cancel the advertising, under the false belief that the advertising was not returning value to the business.
When businesses fail to understand the Lifetime Value Of A Customer, it is hard to appreciate any advertising method that fails to pay for itself in its first cycle. If Amazon was to only look at the initial sale generated by a new customer, they would quickly cancel all of their advertising efforts. Fortunately for Amazon, its management understands that the initial $17 sale is not the measure to use to determine the value of Amazon's advertising efforts. Amazon's management understands that the true Cost of Customer Acquisition should not be measured by the initial sale, but by the Lifetime Value of a Customer. In doing so, Amazon has ensured that it will continue to be one of the largest and most successful retail outlets on the planet.
When business managers fail to understand the Lifetime Value of a Customer, it is hard for them to appreciate and understand the compounding nature of the revenue stream for a business. It is hard for them to understand that money invested into advertising today, can deliver huge rewards over the next several years.
A Wake Up Call For Small Business Owners
According to Scott Shane, author of "Illusions of Entrepreneurship: The Costly Myths that Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Policy Makers Live By", only 29-in-100 businesses will remain in business after ten years. That means that a full 71% of businesses started in any calendar year will be out of business in only ten years.
It is sad to say, but the reason most businesses fail is that business owners and managers fail to understand the nature of advertising, the importance of tracking and measuring advertising results, the Lifetime Value of a Customer, and the compounding nature of the revenue stream.
I don't want to see your business on the trash heap of yesteryear. So, it is my hope that you will take this article as a wake-up call, as to the importance of advertising and its potential to lift your business into profits.
About the Author:
Hunter Waterhouse has been helping business owners advertise their businesses online for nearly a decade. He is ready, willing, and able to put his experience to work for Main Street Businesses that seek to generate walk-in traffic to their stores, from the online exposure of their business. To learn more about how Hunter can help advertise your local business, visit: http://onlinemarketinglocal.com/
Read more of Hunter Waterhouse's articles.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Santa Claus is Dead -- But Internet Marketing Get Rich Scams Aren't
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Paul Marshall
Yes, Santa Claus IS really dead. Sorry for the news. And you might want to keep the kids from looking over your shoulder here for the next few minutes. :-)
As an Internet Marketing Coach, I hear all the time from new clients how they've wasted hundreds to thousands on Internet get-rich-quick schemes before coming to me.
Desperation and inexperience are the breading grounds that allow these scammers to prey.
Just this last week, one of my colleagues replied to a guy on a forum who wanted to start earning $5,000 each month -- oh, and within the next 30 days. And he had $80.00 to invest, a whole eighty dollars!
I'm sure the guy is nice, but he also sounds desperate. How is anyone going to start earning literally thousands of dollars a month within 30 days on just an $80.00 investment?
Isn't this scenario as realistic as saying ALL the employees at your local fast food restaurant earn $100,000 per year?
Yes, Saint Nick is gone and did I mention that The Tooth Fairly is on life support?
Let's get real.
Are You Real about Internet Earnings and the Business Costs Required?
Back to my big spender above who has just $80.00 to invest...where did he get the idea he could be a successful Internet marketer on an $80.00 investment?
My guess is he probably got that idea from some forum.
And that may bring up a good point: are you likely to get good advice going to forums?
Me personally, I'm too busy to participate in forums. Although to be fair, I do have successful SEO (search engine optimization) colleagues who do. But while you could encounter a talented person to give you -- free advice -- on a forum, my best advice to you is you are more likely to encounter people with -- free time.
If they have so much free time to participate in forums, how busy are they with paid work?
And about free advice...how many people do you personally know who work for free? How would they pay their bills?
Do YOU work for free now?
Are you going to be working for free with your online enterprise? If you're not, then why should someone else?
If you want to earn $100,000 per year form your Internet business, do you want your advice coming from someone offering free advice OR only charging $20.00 per hour?
OK, You've Got Some Money to Invest in Your Internet Business, What's Your Next Step?
Well, protect it and spend it carefully! Watch out for "blue sky" promises of anything that sounds too good to be true.
Compared to conventional advertising and marketing, you don't need that much money to market online. But you do need some.
You need money for a Web site and you need some for marketing, likely PPC (pay-per-click) and SEO.
The more cash you have to invest, the less time you have to invest. You can hire an Internet Marketing Company to perform much of the work for you.
OR, the less money you have, the more of your time that will be required. This can be a very good time to considering hiring an Internet Marketing Coach, to save you money and speed up the timetable for you to earn income.
The problem is the people with no money to invest OR with unrealistic expectations are the ones who fall prey to the Internet marketing scammers. Often, these are the same people who don't have the skills to do any of the work themselves or the desire to develop the required skills (sigh).
An Example of what To Do...and what NOT To Do
Consider another one of my clients who paid $1,000 for a well-known Internet marketing program. My client was told all sorts of inconsistent things, including that the course was for people new to online marketing, which that wasn't the case.
And he was told to market something online that he didn't know anything about or have any particular interest in.
Huh??
How does THAT make any sense?
But at that moment, that was what he wanted to hear, because it was easy and didn't require much effort or time from him.
Here's the real deal: there are dozens, hundreds or thousands of people and companies marketing the same or similar product or service to yours. You have to do it BETTER.
That requires time and effort. It requires making an effort and using one's brain.
And this is where a qualified Marketing Coach or a Search Engine Optimization Firm can help you.
If you select well, the money you spend you will more than save in increased profits, much faster and avoiding the potholes and pitfalls that come with Internet marketing. Those pitfalls can be very expensive (and time consuming).
And there are actually Internet Marketing Coaches you can begin with for only a few hundred dollars, which could be money very well spent. :-)
About the Author:
Marketing online since 2004, Paul Marshall can help you market on a budget. He's a Marketing Coach expert offering marketing services (and d-i-y Coaching). You can learn more about Paul on his Marketing Coach LinkedIn profile and at Strategic Web Marketing.net.
Read more of Paul Marshall's articles.
Copyright © 2009 Paul Marshall
Yes, Santa Claus IS really dead. Sorry for the news. And you might want to keep the kids from looking over your shoulder here for the next few minutes. :-)
As an Internet Marketing Coach, I hear all the time from new clients how they've wasted hundreds to thousands on Internet get-rich-quick schemes before coming to me.
Desperation and inexperience are the breading grounds that allow these scammers to prey.
Just this last week, one of my colleagues replied to a guy on a forum who wanted to start earning $5,000 each month -- oh, and within the next 30 days. And he had $80.00 to invest, a whole eighty dollars!
I'm sure the guy is nice, but he also sounds desperate. How is anyone going to start earning literally thousands of dollars a month within 30 days on just an $80.00 investment?
Isn't this scenario as realistic as saying ALL the employees at your local fast food restaurant earn $100,000 per year?
Yes, Saint Nick is gone and did I mention that The Tooth Fairly is on life support?
Let's get real.
Are You Real about Internet Earnings and the Business Costs Required?
Back to my big spender above who has just $80.00 to invest...where did he get the idea he could be a successful Internet marketer on an $80.00 investment?
My guess is he probably got that idea from some forum.
And that may bring up a good point: are you likely to get good advice going to forums?
Me personally, I'm too busy to participate in forums. Although to be fair, I do have successful SEO (search engine optimization) colleagues who do. But while you could encounter a talented person to give you -- free advice -- on a forum, my best advice to you is you are more likely to encounter people with -- free time.
If they have so much free time to participate in forums, how busy are they with paid work?
And about free advice...how many people do you personally know who work for free? How would they pay their bills?
Do YOU work for free now?
Are you going to be working for free with your online enterprise? If you're not, then why should someone else?
If you want to earn $100,000 per year form your Internet business, do you want your advice coming from someone offering free advice OR only charging $20.00 per hour?
OK, You've Got Some Money to Invest in Your Internet Business, What's Your Next Step?
Well, protect it and spend it carefully! Watch out for "blue sky" promises of anything that sounds too good to be true.
Compared to conventional advertising and marketing, you don't need that much money to market online. But you do need some.
You need money for a Web site and you need some for marketing, likely PPC (pay-per-click) and SEO.
The more cash you have to invest, the less time you have to invest. You can hire an Internet Marketing Company to perform much of the work for you.
OR, the less money you have, the more of your time that will be required. This can be a very good time to considering hiring an Internet Marketing Coach, to save you money and speed up the timetable for you to earn income.
The problem is the people with no money to invest OR with unrealistic expectations are the ones who fall prey to the Internet marketing scammers. Often, these are the same people who don't have the skills to do any of the work themselves or the desire to develop the required skills (sigh).
An Example of what To Do...and what NOT To Do
Consider another one of my clients who paid $1,000 for a well-known Internet marketing program. My client was told all sorts of inconsistent things, including that the course was for people new to online marketing, which that wasn't the case.
And he was told to market something online that he didn't know anything about or have any particular interest in.
Huh??
How does THAT make any sense?
But at that moment, that was what he wanted to hear, because it was easy and didn't require much effort or time from him.
Here's the real deal: there are dozens, hundreds or thousands of people and companies marketing the same or similar product or service to yours. You have to do it BETTER.
That requires time and effort. It requires making an effort and using one's brain.
And this is where a qualified Marketing Coach or a Search Engine Optimization Firm can help you.
If you select well, the money you spend you will more than save in increased profits, much faster and avoiding the potholes and pitfalls that come with Internet marketing. Those pitfalls can be very expensive (and time consuming).
And there are actually Internet Marketing Coaches you can begin with for only a few hundred dollars, which could be money very well spent. :-)
About the Author:
Marketing online since 2004, Paul Marshall can help you market on a budget. He's a Marketing Coach expert offering marketing services (and d-i-y Coaching). You can learn more about Paul on his Marketing Coach LinkedIn profile and at Strategic Web Marketing.net.
Read more of Paul Marshall's articles.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
3 Key Points in Online Marketing to Avoid Tanking Your Results
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Paul Marshall
With all the changes in Google AdWords and the increased competition these days, organic SEO looks more and more attractive to most of us.
The key is for your website optimization to out-perform your competition, without over spending with an online marketing consultant (or without taking up too much of your time if you're going the do-it-yourself route).
Remember, affordable Search Engine Optimization is about increasing quality traffic, thenconverting that traffic to a sale or a sales lead.
If you miss these points I describe below, your SEO goals of increased conversions will tank, even if you have a Number 1 Google Ranking.
I often notice these missed areas when I'm Coaching a business owner about their Web site and their need to increase sales and sales leads.
So, here are 3 points for you to review that I hope will help your SEO goals of increased conversions.
What's Above the Fold Counts Most, so Consider Monitor Resolutions
Living in the world of TV remote controls and browser back buttons, we have to capture our website visitors' attention ASAP. Our visitors aren't going to give us much time before making a decision to stay or to leave our website.
As much as this subject is discussed these days, it's amazing the number of sites I review that have critical information missing from "above the fold", in that area visible before your visitors scroll down.
This is the area to briefly summarize what people can do on your site and make your best case for your guests staying on your website and not clicking away. This may also be the area to place your contact information.
Keep in mind that what's above the fold on your monitor will likely be different from what's above the fold on the monitor for someone visiting your website. Browser resolution is set differently for various computers.
For instance, on my website, I know the top resolution of my visitors is 1280 by 1024 (53%) and the second most popular resolution is 1024 by 768 (37%). I get this information from my site's analytics script, although not all analytics programs provide this critical information.
Since I make sure my site looks great for these 90% of my visitors and make sure I communicate reasons to stay on my site above the fold (my value proposition), I draw more people into my site, encouraging them to scroll down.
Remember to cross test your site with recent versions of the most popular Web browsers: Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and maybe even Google's new Chrome.
These steps raise my conversion rate and they will raise yours, too. And increasing traffic and conversions is the whole point of affordable search engine optimization, whether using an online marketing consultant or d-i-y, right?
So, don't miss this important step.
Carefully Select Your Type Size and Font and Remember that White Space is Your Friend
I'm astounded by the improper text choices made by so many website owners today. Is there really any good reason to make people squint at your website, struggling to get the information they need?
Consider reviewing The Easy to Read Standard at Information Architects (you can Google it). I would encourage you to review the size of your text, the white space between your letters and words and between your paragraphs and headings.
Designers often believe whitespace is your enemy; if you want people to understand your message and stay on your website, whitespace is in fact your friend. :-)
Also consider that fonts with serifs are easier to read than fonts without serifs.
If you want to successfully convey your message to as many of your site visitors as possible, then make it as easy for them as you can. When we're talking about increasing conversions, it's all about the numbers and appealing to the largest number of people possible.
Use Opt-in Email or Blog Postings to Maximize Your Sales
All website owners would like for people to buy from their website the first time they visit. But is that realistic?
Consider these statics from the National Sales Executive Association:
2% of sales are made on the 1st contact; 3% of sales are made on the 2nd contact; 5% of sales are made on the 3rd contact; 10% of sales are made on the 4th contact (and) 80% of sales are made on the 5th - 12th contact.
For most businesses, if you don't offer an opt-in contact, like a regular email newsletter or blog postings, you're missing out on most of your potential sales!
When setting up an opt-in Internet marketing campaign, you should offer incentives to subscribe. To entice people to opt-in, you can offer:
special pricing for email list members a first look at new products ability for customer to select subjects and emails they receive (controlling the frequency of contact by choosing which of your lists to be on) promise not to share email or other personal info with other companies
Using opt-in contact allows you to significantly increase conversions by introducing yourself over time to your potential customers, in a soft-sell manner.
Website optimization is important; the goal is increased Internet traffic, sales and sales leads. But whether you've hired an online marketing consultant or you're doing the process yourself, Affordable search engine optimization by itself doesn't accomplish those last points of increased sales and sales leads.
You've got to remember to design your website to alleviate visitors natural apprehensions and make buying from you as easy as possible.
Properly mapping out the above the fold area of your Web pages, using appropriate size text, using adequate whitespace and offering an opt-in process to nurture your buyers will all help you accomplish the real goals you have with SEO and website optimization: increased sales and more sales leads.
About the Author:
Marketing online since 2004, Paul Marshall can help you market on a budget. He's an Online Marketing Consultant and an Affordable Search Engine Optimization specialist offering marketing services (and d-i-y Coaching). You can learn more about Paul on his LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarshallwebmarketing and at Strategic Web Marketing.net.
Read more of Paul Marshall's articles.
Copyright © 2009 Paul Marshall
With all the changes in Google AdWords and the increased competition these days, organic SEO looks more and more attractive to most of us.
The key is for your website optimization to out-perform your competition, without over spending with an online marketing consultant (or without taking up too much of your time if you're going the do-it-yourself route).
Remember, affordable Search Engine Optimization is about increasing quality traffic, then
If you miss these points I describe below, your SEO goals of increased conversions will tank, even if you have a Number 1 Google Ranking.
I often notice these missed areas when I'm Coaching a business owner about their Web site and their need to increase sales and sales leads.
So, here are 3 points for you to review that I hope will help your SEO goals of increased conversions.
What's Above the Fold Counts Most, so Consider Monitor Resolutions
Living in the world of TV remote controls and browser back buttons, we have to capture our website visitors' attention ASAP. Our visitors aren't going to give us much time before making a decision to stay or to leave our website.
As much as this subject is discussed these days, it's amazing the number of sites I review that have critical information missing from "above the fold", in that area visible before your visitors scroll down.
This is the area to briefly summarize what people can do on your site and make your best case for your guests staying on your website and not clicking away. This may also be the area to place your contact information.
Keep in mind that what's above the fold on your monitor will likely be different from what's above the fold on the monitor for someone visiting your website. Browser resolution is set differently for various computers.
For instance, on my website, I know the top resolution of my visitors is 1280 by 1024 (53%) and the second most popular resolution is 1024 by 768 (37%). I get this information from my site's analytics script, although not all analytics programs provide this critical information.
Since I make sure my site looks great for these 90% of my visitors and make sure I communicate reasons to stay on my site above the fold (my value proposition), I draw more people into my site, encouraging them to scroll down.
Remember to cross test your site with recent versions of the most popular Web browsers: Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and maybe even Google's new Chrome.
These steps raise my conversion rate and they will raise yours, too. And increasing traffic and conversions is the whole point of affordable search engine optimization, whether using an online marketing consultant or d-i-y, right?
So, don't miss this important step.
Carefully Select Your Type Size and Font and Remember that White Space is Your Friend
I'm astounded by the improper text choices made by so many website owners today. Is there really any good reason to make people squint at your website, struggling to get the information they need?
Consider reviewing The Easy to Read Standard at Information Architects (you can Google it). I would encourage you to review the size of your text, the white space between your letters and words and between your paragraphs and headings.
Designers often believe whitespace is your enemy; if you want people to understand your message and stay on your website, whitespace is in fact your friend. :-)
Also consider that fonts with serifs are easier to read than fonts without serifs.
If you want to successfully convey your message to as many of your site visitors as possible, then make it as easy for them as you can. When we're talking about increasing conversions, it's all about the numbers and appealing to the largest number of people possible.
Use Opt-in Email or Blog Postings to Maximize Your Sales
All website owners would like for people to buy from their website the first time they visit. But is that realistic?
Consider these statics from the National Sales Executive Association:
For most businesses, if you don't offer an opt-in contact, like a regular email newsletter or blog postings, you're missing out on most of your potential sales!
When setting up an opt-in Internet marketing campaign, you should offer incentives to subscribe. To entice people to opt-in, you can offer:
Using opt-in contact allows you to significantly increase conversions by introducing yourself over time to your potential customers, in a soft-sell manner.
Website optimization is important; the goal is increased Internet traffic, sales and sales leads. But whether you've hired an online marketing consultant or you're doing the process yourself, Affordable search engine optimization by itself doesn't accomplish those last points of increased sales and sales leads.
You've got to remember to design your website to alleviate visitors natural apprehensions and make buying from you as easy as possible.
Properly mapping out the above the fold area of your Web pages, using appropriate size text, using adequate whitespace and offering an opt-in process to nurture your buyers will all help you accomplish the real goals you have with SEO and website optimization: increased sales and more sales leads.
About the Author:
Marketing online since 2004, Paul Marshall can help you market on a budget. He's an Online Marketing Consultant and an Affordable Search Engine Optimization specialist offering marketing services (and d-i-y Coaching). You can learn more about Paul on his LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarshallwebmarketing and at Strategic Web Marketing.net.
Read more of Paul Marshall's articles.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Conserve the Forests with FSC Certified Wood Components
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Melody Buller
A huge source of apprehension for those concerned with forestry issues: the illegal exploitation of natural forests. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) has gone to great lengths to address this problem. They ensure that wood bearing the mark "FSC Certified" was harvested under all applicable laws and treaties. Those flying the FSC banner are assured to be honest and environmentally friendly.
As a customer concerned with environment, social, and forestry issues, purchasing island legs made with FSC Certified wood simply makes sense. It showcases that concern and demonstrates a willingness to get involved. FSC wood is a statement of concerned citizens -- those who wish to maintain high standards and healthy forests.
When purchasing island legs, corbels and other wood kitchen components made from FSC wood, it is essential to know you are getting wood from a FSC certified wood supplier. These individuals have gone to great lengths to make sure that the wood their customers receive is of the utmost quality while meeting high environmental regulations.
FSC certified wood guarantees that products made from wood are built with great consideration for the environment. So, when a customer orders products in an FSC Certified wood type from Osborne Wood Products, the customer can know that they are ordering wood that - from the moment it stood in the forest to the moment it is shipped from our facility - has been harvested, milled, and assembled in ways that promote reforestation and responsible forest stewardship, and are generally eco-friendly.
Kitchen island legs, table legs, corbels, wood brackets and other FSC certified products can be easily incorporated into your kitchen or furniture. Cabinetmakers, custom builders, and furniture makers can all appreciate the wholesomeness of FSC. It means producing islands, tables, and other items with FSC wood means customers receive a more environmentally friendly product.
One small purchase may seem insignificant. But every great journey begins with a single step. By purchasing a product made of FSC components, you and other conservation-minded individuals are helping forest workers and communities maintain workers' rights, as well as social and economic well being. By purchasing FSC Certified wood, you, the customer, provide job security, and hope for communities whose main source of income is maintenance of natural forests around the world.
When FSC wood products are purchased, the customer is not simply receiving a higher quality of wood, they are receiving a product that reaches beyond their purchase. FSC wood customers are reaching needs far beyond their jurisdiction: they are literally helping those all over the world. FSC customers are helping preserve forests, guarantee jobs, and maintain a healthier environment.
About the Author:
Melody Buller is a Product Development Specialist at Osborne Wood Products Inc., a major supplier of custom wood products. Read more about FSC Certified products, and place your order online at http://www.osbornewood.com/fsc-certified-wood-products.cfm
Copyright © 2009 Melody Buller
A huge source of apprehension for those concerned with forestry issues: the illegal exploitation of natural forests. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) has gone to great lengths to address this problem. They ensure that wood bearing the mark "FSC Certified" was harvested under all applicable laws and treaties. Those flying the FSC banner are assured to be honest and environmentally friendly.
As a customer concerned with environment, social, and forestry issues, purchasing island legs made with FSC Certified wood simply makes sense. It showcases that concern and demonstrates a willingness to get involved. FSC wood is a statement of concerned citizens -- those who wish to maintain high standards and healthy forests.
When purchasing island legs, corbels and other wood kitchen components made from FSC wood, it is essential to know you are getting wood from a FSC certified wood supplier. These individuals have gone to great lengths to make sure that the wood their customers receive is of the utmost quality while meeting high environmental regulations.
FSC certified wood guarantees that products made from wood are built with great consideration for the environment. So, when a customer orders products in an FSC Certified wood type from Osborne Wood Products, the customer can know that they are ordering wood that - from the moment it stood in the forest to the moment it is shipped from our facility - has been harvested, milled, and assembled in ways that promote reforestation and responsible forest stewardship, and are generally eco-friendly.
Kitchen island legs, table legs, corbels, wood brackets and other FSC certified products can be easily incorporated into your kitchen or furniture. Cabinetmakers, custom builders, and furniture makers can all appreciate the wholesomeness of FSC. It means producing islands, tables, and other items with FSC wood means customers receive a more environmentally friendly product.
One small purchase may seem insignificant. But every great journey begins with a single step. By purchasing a product made of FSC components, you and other conservation-minded individuals are helping forest workers and communities maintain workers' rights, as well as social and economic well being. By purchasing FSC Certified wood, you, the customer, provide job security, and hope for communities whose main source of income is maintenance of natural forests around the world.
When FSC wood products are purchased, the customer is not simply receiving a higher quality of wood, they are receiving a product that reaches beyond their purchase. FSC wood customers are reaching needs far beyond their jurisdiction: they are literally helping those all over the world. FSC customers are helping preserve forests, guarantee jobs, and maintain a healthier environment.
About the Author:
Melody Buller is a Product Development Specialist at Osborne Wood Products Inc., a major supplier of custom wood products. Read more about FSC Certified products, and place your order online at http://www.osbornewood.com/fsc-certified-wood-products.cfm
Sunday, November 15, 2009
How To Choose A URL By Conducting A Domain Name Ownership Search
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 John Khu
A successful web site or blog is always made meaningful by its domain name. The web address that you choose must suit the theme and tenor of the web site or blog. Make sure that your domain name matches the subject of the web site or blog. Almost all well-known web portals have a domain name that is short, easy to remember and type into the address window of the browser. You should understand the system by which a domain works and performs. An effective domain name is always catchy with a definite theme and subject. Your visitors will feel that the domain name of your web site is quite powerful as it can evoke very strong connections with something that is special to the web user.
As far as possible, use main keywords that connect to the theme and topic of your web portal. You may wish to avoid hyphens and underscores as they can confuse and mislead your site visitors. Complicated web domains are those that are very difficult to type and remember. Extra symbols and strange characters can put off web users.
For example, iknowhowthisstuffworks.com and lose-your-weight-in10days.com are strange and misleading domain names that no one in this world will like to remember.
Choosing a very meaningful and practical domain name is actually very simple and straightforward. You need to sit down and think over all possible combinations of good keywords and their phrases. If you want to choose a good domain name, you can start with a comprehensive list of prospective domain names and shortlist the best ones among them. When you create a list of good domain names, the next step is to check whether they are available for registration. To conduct this important search, you will need to use an online tool that tells you about the availability of domain names.
Domain ownership identification tool is a very simple utility where you will find out who is the owner of the domain is and whether the domain name of your choice is available or not. This tool provides you the complete details of domain ownership including the date of expiry. Choosing a domain name is a trial and error exercise most of the good domains are already in use and you may need to work hard to create a good domain name. Domain name tools provide you a number of alternatives when the domain name of your choice is not available. You can pick the one from the list that best represents your theme and business idea.
If there is a domain name available for purchase, you can pounce on it and buy before someone does it. Domain name industry is a highly competitive industry and you never know when someone is going to buy your domain name ideas. While searching for a domain name think of all possible keyword phrases and wordings because most web users have their way of choosing products or services. Keywords play an important role while searching for domains by using domain name ownership online tool. If you do not find the domain name of your choice, you can always sift through the alternative list to choose the best one. Most of the online tools are efficient in providing a listing of most probable choices that eventually allow you to find a domain name that best represents your business theme, topic, style and tenor. Another emerging trend is to buy expired domain names from registrars. You will need to be very careful while buying an expired domain because the name that you wish to buy may have a shady past. However, expired domain market is a very good place to find those domain names that are not available in the fresh domain name market.
The general rule of thumb is to buy a domain name immediately when it is available in a domain ownership tool. It is always better to buy the domain name of your choice even if you are not creating your web site right now. Never ever, allow someone to buy your domain name. You may regret your decision of not buying your domain name when it was available.
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 of John Khu's articles.
Copyright © 2009 John Khu
A successful web site or blog is always made meaningful by its domain name. The web address that you choose must suit the theme and tenor of the web site or blog. Make sure that your domain name matches the subject of the web site or blog. Almost all well-known web portals have a domain name that is short, easy to remember and type into the address window of the browser. You should understand the system by which a domain works and performs. An effective domain name is always catchy with a definite theme and subject. Your visitors will feel that the domain name of your web site is quite powerful as it can evoke very strong connections with something that is special to the web user.
As far as possible, use main keywords that connect to the theme and topic of your web portal. You may wish to avoid hyphens and underscores as they can confuse and mislead your site visitors. Complicated web domains are those that are very difficult to type and remember. Extra symbols and strange characters can put off web users.
For example, iknowhowthisstuffworks.com and lose-your-weight-in10days.com are strange and misleading domain names that no one in this world will like to remember.
Choosing a very meaningful and practical domain name is actually very simple and straightforward. You need to sit down and think over all possible combinations of good keywords and their phrases. If you want to choose a good domain name, you can start with a comprehensive list of prospective domain names and shortlist the best ones among them. When you create a list of good domain names, the next step is to check whether they are available for registration. To conduct this important search, you will need to use an online tool that tells you about the availability of domain names.
Domain ownership identification tool is a very simple utility where you will find out who is the owner of the domain is and whether the domain name of your choice is available or not. This tool provides you the complete details of domain ownership including the date of expiry. Choosing a domain name is a trial and error exercise most of the good domains are already in use and you may need to work hard to create a good domain name. Domain name tools provide you a number of alternatives when the domain name of your choice is not available. You can pick the one from the list that best represents your theme and business idea.
If there is a domain name available for purchase, you can pounce on it and buy before someone does it. Domain name industry is a highly competitive industry and you never know when someone is going to buy your domain name ideas. While searching for a domain name think of all possible keyword phrases and wordings because most web users have their way of choosing products or services. Keywords play an important role while searching for domains by using domain name ownership online tool. If you do not find the domain name of your choice, you can always sift through the alternative list to choose the best one. Most of the online tools are efficient in providing a listing of most probable choices that eventually allow you to find a domain name that best represents your business theme, topic, style and tenor. Another emerging trend is to buy expired domain names from registrars. You will need to be very careful while buying an expired domain because the name that you wish to buy may have a shady past. However, expired domain market is a very good place to find those domain names that are not available in the fresh domain name market.
The general rule of thumb is to buy a domain name immediately when it is available in a domain ownership tool. It is always better to buy the domain name of your choice even if you are not creating your web site right now. Never ever, allow someone to buy your domain name. You may regret your decision of not buying your domain name when it was available.
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 of John Khu's articles.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Church and the Boy Scouts - How Leaders Can Encourage Leadership
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Matthew Osborne
Was Jesus a Boy Scout? Did he choose to develop character and maturity in a similar way to this model?
The Boy Scout Plan - Spurring Responsibility
A young man signs up, purchases a handbook, and is encouraged to read it. After some basic instruction, his new level of knowledge is affirmed by the group.
After a year or two, he is encouraged to begin to lead. He starts small: with cooking a few meals for the group. He may eventually grow to plan an event for a small group, and even for the whole troop. He is encouraged to mentor those with less experience than himself.
He may run for a position of responsibility and gain regular duties. The system provides enough such positions that most boys may hold one. Elections are generally held twice a year -- keeping the youth leadership from becoming "stale." Everyone a chance to see all operations up close, as they perform their role.
The young man who previously held the post will often be "on call" for any questions the new fellow might have.
The Youth Lead Troop - Responsibility Creates Personal Growth
The adult leadership stays in the background. Keeping order at times. Perhaps coaching the boys every now and again. Generally, though, they let them handle matters themselves.
The ultimate goal of the Boy Scouts is for the young men to develop ethics and character. Like any skill, character grows most readily with practice. For example: one becomes responsible by being entrusted with responsibility.
Another point: imagine what forty semi-experienced boys can accomplish if given the chance. Compared with five adults who do it all:
The Adult Lead Troop - Responsibility Gets Things Done
Sometimes responsibility falls to those most qualified. The experienced adults often know how things should be run. Sometimes they feel that as "leaders" they should be front and center, planning and making most of the decisions.
Things generally run more smoothly. On the downside, the boys often become dependent on the adults to the point that their growth is stunted.
Church Leadership
There are some interesting parallels here. It is well known that the mature in the faith are to do ministry. To get things done.
And perhaps another, more subtle role is to equip the rest of the Body to do ministry as catalyst for personal growth and maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13). The classic example is Jesus Himself. He did much of the work himself as he recruited volunteers to watch Him. After a time he passed along responsibility a little at a time. He gave them projects, sent them out, and helping them process what they experienced.
There is strength in being strong and competent -- an example. There is also strength in taking a lesser role, allowing others to take their turn.
About the Author:
Matthew Osborne is encouraging collaboration between Atlanta churches and denominations. He is also an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. An individual who believes each person can make a difference, he has experience in church administration, teaching, leading small groups, one-on-one mentoring, and other forms of ministry. Let your voice be heard at: http://www.atlantachristianfellowship.com/
Read more of Matthew Osborne's articles.
Copyright © 2009 Matthew Osborne
Was Jesus a Boy Scout? Did he choose to develop character and maturity in a similar way to this model?
The Boy Scout Plan - Spurring Responsibility
A young man signs up, purchases a handbook, and is encouraged to read it. After some basic instruction, his new level of knowledge is affirmed by the group.
After a year or two, he is encouraged to begin to lead. He starts small: with cooking a few meals for the group. He may eventually grow to plan an event for a small group, and even for the whole troop. He is encouraged to mentor those with less experience than himself.
He may run for a position of responsibility and gain regular duties. The system provides enough such positions that most boys may hold one. Elections are generally held twice a year -- keeping the youth leadership from becoming "stale." Everyone a chance to see all operations up close, as they perform their role.
The young man who previously held the post will often be "on call" for any questions the new fellow might have.
The Youth Lead Troop - Responsibility Creates Personal Growth
The adult leadership stays in the background. Keeping order at times. Perhaps coaching the boys every now and again. Generally, though, they let them handle matters themselves.
The ultimate goal of the Boy Scouts is for the young men to develop ethics and character. Like any skill, character grows most readily with practice. For example: one becomes responsible by being entrusted with responsibility.
Another point: imagine what forty semi-experienced boys can accomplish if given the chance. Compared with five adults who do it all:
The Adult Lead Troop - Responsibility Gets Things Done
Sometimes responsibility falls to those most qualified. The experienced adults often know how things should be run. Sometimes they feel that as "leaders" they should be front and center, planning and making most of the decisions.
Things generally run more smoothly. On the downside, the boys often become dependent on the adults to the point that their growth is stunted.
Church Leadership
There are some interesting parallels here. It is well known that the mature in the faith are to do ministry. To get things done.
And perhaps another, more subtle role is to equip the rest of the Body to do ministry as catalyst for personal growth and maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13). The classic example is Jesus Himself. He did much of the work himself as he recruited volunteers to watch Him. After a time he passed along responsibility a little at a time. He gave them projects, sent them out, and helping them process what they experienced.
There is strength in being strong and competent -- an example. There is also strength in taking a lesser role, allowing others to take their turn.
About the Author:
Matthew Osborne is encouraging collaboration between Atlanta churches and denominations. He is also an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. An individual who believes each person can make a difference, he has experience in church administration, teaching, leading small groups, one-on-one mentoring, and other forms of ministry. Let your voice be heard at: http://www.atlantachristianfellowship.com/
Read more of Matthew Osborne's articles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)