Starting Online - Start Your Own Successful Internet Business

Starting Your Own Effective Online Business

2020-02-15T09:37:00.001+01:00

REVISED AND UPDATED FOR 2010!
The "Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online,"
By The Internet Marketing Center...

Start Your Own Successful Internet Business From Square One, With a Proven

A-Z Program for Making Money Online

The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online (formerly Insider Secrets) is the #1-selling business start-up program that has helped THOUSANDS of regular people with no previous experience or technical skills launch successful ebusinesses.

If you'd like to start making money on the Internet, but don't have ANY business experience, technical skills, or ideas for what you should sell, I highly recommend you take a look at The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online, a comprehensive, step-by-step program for starting a successful Internet business from scratch.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online is a complete, step-by-step roadmap that teaches anyone how to quickly and easily start a successful Internet business from scratch.

Based on the process we used ourselves to generate $100 Million in online sales, Insider Secrets has already helped thousands of people start their own websites... earning six-figure incomes in many cases.

Using clear, easy-to-understand language, along with plenty of in-depth video tutorials, Insider Secrets carefully walks you through the six critical steps to building your business:

1.Find a lucrative niche market and decide what to sell...

2.Easily create your website, complete with winning sales copy

3.Attract your first eager visitors ...

4.Take your first credit card payment

5.Ramp up sales & traffic quickly

6.Automate your business to be "hands free"

Click here to try The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online for 30 days without risk, and lean how to use these HOT new techniques to make money online

Then, once your website is live, and you're getting your first visitors, you can take advantage of The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online hundreds of ADVANCED strategies to improve your business, and drive your sales even higher!

And best of all, you can be successful with The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online even if you have no business experience, no computer skills of any kind, and no ideas for a business or even a product.

And because The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online is 100% online, we're able to update it whenever there are new test results to add, or new techniques to try out, so it NEVER goes out of date!

Click here to try The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online for the next 30 days, and join the thousands of people who have already used this A-Z ebusiness start-up program to make money on the Internet.

When you become an The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online member, you get:

1.Over 1,250 pages of detailed, moneymaking strategies and techniques carefully laid out in easy-to-follow steps

2."Real time" updates with the latest and greatest online marketing strategies

3.Streaming videos to make your learning even easier

4.Content you can print out, or download to your iPod, so you can learn new techniques, even when you're on the go, and away from your computer

5.Our "private rolodex" of hundreds of Internet marketing tools and resources

6.A private 15-minute phone consultation with one of our marketing specialists

7.Our exclusive Ebusiness Road Map System

And of course, everyone also receives our ironclad 90-day moneyback guarantee.

Within minutes of receiving an order, we'll send out a personal username and password for access to the The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online private website.

Try out this entire business-building program for the next 30 days without risk, and start your own successful Internet business

I give The Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Online an enthusiastic 10 out of 10! It contains every last tip and technique you'll need to start your money-making website. Thousands of other people have already used it to earn money online -- six figures annually, in many cases -- so you can be confident it will work for you, too!

It also comes with a 90-day, 100% moneyback guarantee, so there's no risk in giving it a try!

If you want to make money online, I urge you to get access to this proven online business building program now.

To find out how, click here now...

Internet Traffic

2010-03-20T10:17:00.011+01:00

Easily Find Out How Much Traffic

Your Competitors Are Getting...And Locate The Biggest Affiliates and Linking Partners To Generate Tens Of Thousands Of Visitors To Your Site!

Wouldn't it be great if you could find out who your competitors are? Wouldn't it be helpful to know how many sites are linked to them? Or how much traffic their sites are getting?

Well, you CAN!

Thanks to an incredibly handy little program called Alexa, you can easily get this information...free of charge!

Alexa is a free web navigation service that works with your browser to provide you with essential information about each web site you visit... each company you consider making a purchase from... and all of your competitors!

We have been using this powerful program religiously for almost a year now but it was not until a recent survey that we were sadly disappointed... not half as many people as we thought were using this incredibly powerful marketing tool and if you are doing business on the Internet it is critical you implement Alexa right away!

This technology provides a new approach to a major problem that people have when surfing the Internet -- finding the information you want quickly and easily can often feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.
You see, Alexa is the first Internet software to actually learn from people!

Available to Netscape and Internet Explorer users, Alexa harnesses the collective wisdom and experience of the entire Internet community... learning and improving over time through the participation of its users. It allows you to surf smarter and more efficiently by adding human intelligence to Web navigation.

How does it work? Well, when you download Alexa, a small toolbar will appear on the side of your browser.

The Alexa toolbar contains a host of useful information about whatever site you happen to be visiting. Here are all of the killer features that really makes Alexa an incredibly powerful marketing tool...

Traffic: The traffic rating feature tells you how much traffic the site you are viewing receives, based on the number of page turns made on the site by Alexa users. This feature is useful for a couple of reasons. First, if you are interested in purchasing advertising on a particular site, you can use this feature to see how much traffic the site generates...and determine from that how much you are willing to pay to advertise there. Second, you can use this feature to determine which pages at a competitor's site are most popular. This allows you the opportunity to ensure that a similar page is incorporated into your own site (But do NOT copy!).

Not only does this determine the amount of traffic that your competitors are currently receiving but it also gives you a great idea of what websites you really want linking to yours! This gives you the ability to weed out the "Somebodies" from the "Nobodies" just by browsing to their website! When you know how much traffic your potential linking partners are getting to their website you can now prioritize who you put the real effort into negotiating with!

Alexa's uses a "5 Star" ranking system to show how much traffic each website receives. If a website has 2 or more stars this is generally a very good indication of a higher traffic website and someone you would want to establish as a linking partner. The Alexa system is not perfect but it gives you a very good idea of what kind of traffic websites are receiving AND gives you the ability to compare each website against the next... to say the least there is no other system comparable to that of Alexa when it comes to determining the popularity and traffic of a particular website!

Important Note: If you are little confused or not quite sure what a "linking partner" or an "affiliate" is, it is simply this... a website that contains a link on their bsite directing visitors to your website! The easiest way to find linking partners or potential affiliates? I suggest looking in the search engines for websites that could potentially drive targeted traffic to your website. Just simply ask yourself "What type of website have the visitors that I need?", pick out the keywords that apply to those websites and query the search engines. The begin visiting the websites that the search engines return with the Alexa program and voila... you have now established your potential linking partners!

Reviews: Written by surfers like yourself, the reviews allow you to see how other people have felt about the product or service you are interested in. This is a great way to learn what customers think about your competitor's products or services! You can then use this information to make improvements on your own product or service.

Contact Info: For each site you visit, Alexa provides you with the site owner's address and phone number, a map and directions, and a related City Guide. You will even learn the date that the site first went online. This means that you'll always know who is behind the sites you visit -- and you will know how to get in touch with them.This feature alone makes Alexa the perfect tool for locating potential joint ventures or linking partners!

Site Stats: This feature provides you with popularity and speed ratings, the number of links pointing to a particular site, and third party ratings and reviews. You are also given the option of voting on the site you are viewing. Again, this is the kind of critical information you need when choosing partners for a joint venture... or when checking up on your competition!

Related Links: As you surf, Alexa suggests links that are relevant to the page you are viewing. Alexa uses crawling, archiving, categorizing and data mining techniques to build the Related Links list for millions of URLs. The day-to-day use of Related Links helps to build and refine the data by analyzing the requested URLs to determine high-level trends. This information is then used to establish relationships between web sites. From this, the top ten Related Links for each URL are chosen.

Alexa re-crawls the Web on a regular basis and rebuilds the data, pulling in new sites and refining relationships between existing sites. New sites with strong relationships to a site will automatically appear in the Related Links list, displacing any sites with weaker relationships. At times, the Related Links are questionable... but this should not be a surprise when you consider some of the bizarre results you get with search engines.

Overall, the Related Links feature is great for doing quick searches without having to waste time clicking back and forth between the search engines. And if you are using a search engine, this feature can help you even more by suggesting links that will take you directly to the same query in other search engines. This means that you do not need to type in the address of the other search engines or repeat your query. Here are some other useful features that Alexa offers...not as important as the ones above but definitely helpful:

News: Provides you with related news, stock quotes, financial information, key competitors, and company overviews for publicly held companies. This feature makes spying on your competitors extremely easy!

Reference: Allows you to get answers you need instantly using Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, the Merriam Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus, and Britannica's Web Guide.

Search: Gives you fast access to the search engine of your choice. Enter a search using HotBot, Yahoo!, AskJeeves, Excite, Infoseek, Dogpile or Altavista, click "go", and Alexa will take you straight to the information you need. Yellow Page & White Page searches are also available.

Help: Provides a detailed help file, including fully searchable Alexa FAQs and technical support.

One page report: Alexa's data for any given URL is available for viewing as a one-page report. The one page report provides a compact, printable report of all the information available from the Alexa service about a particular URL.

About the data: Explains the data and how it is derived. You can use this page to view all of the information that Alexa has for a particular URL and obtain explanations of what the data means.

You also have the option of editing or removing your site information using the Alexa Site Information editor. This means that you can easily add or change customer service contact numbers...or personal contact information...to best suit your business needs.
Of course, at this point, many of you may have concerns about privacy issues. Relax!

Each Alexa user is assigned an anonymous ID number...and from that point forward, all of the Alexa users are known only by their anonymous ID numbers. Alexa has no way of correlating your user ID number with your e-mail address or other personal information that might identify you. Alexa simply does NOT create profiles of users.
Installing Alexa is very easy! Anyone using Netscape or Internet Explorer as their web browser can take advantage of this great free tool!

As Internet users move from one site to the next, they make valuable decisions about what they find worthwhile and what they don't . Alexa anonymously tracks these decisions so that everyone in the Internet community can benefit from them.

This makes Alexa an incredibly powerful marketing tool! It allows you to track the successes and failures of your competition... information that you can use to give your business an edge and boost your sales!

Alexa also provides information that makes finding joint ventures and linking partners exceptionally easy. Top related links are right at your fingertips along with details about traffic and how to contact the site owners.

Can you believe this service is FREE?! Take advantage of this cutting edge marketing tool today. This competitive intelligence could soon have you scooping up your competitors' share of the market!

And remember: The more people use Alexa, the more we ALL benefit!

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

How to Write a Title Tag the Search Engines -- and Your Visitors -- Will Gobble Up

2010-03-18T08:28:00.005+01:00

How to Write a Title Tag the Search Engines -- and Your Visitors -- Will Gobble Up

By Kate Morrison

How would you like to increase click-throughs to your website by an easy 30%?

By rewriting your title tag, you can.

Your title tag is simply the piece of HTML code that tells the search engines what your page is about… and it’s a piece of prime SEO real estate!

Not only do the search engines use it to assign relevance to your website, they also display it in the search results as your hyperlink…

… And it’s what visitors see at the top of their browser while they’re on your site.

So make sure you use this SEO heavyweight to your advantage, and write a title tag the search engines — and your visitors! — will love.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Make sure you include one!

Some people don’t even bother to include a title tag at all. This is a HUGE mistake!

If you leave your title tag blank, the search engines will show an unsightly “untitled document” in the search results and at the top of your pages. This makes you look careless and unprofessional. Besides, who searches for untitled documents? You’re squandering an opportunity for better SEO and you’re missing out on sales.

Don’t make this mistake!

Step 2: Avoid using your URL as your title

In the attempt to stay organized and keep track of many different web pages, some site owners have been known to use the URLs of individual pages as the titles.

A title tag like “Sally’s Beauty Shop/Cosmetics/product123.html” does contain the business name, the product category, and the product name itself, but it’s not very helpful to your rankings.

If you have a catalog site, you have to watch that your shopping cart software doesn’t automatically generate something like this for your title tag. If it does, find out how you can change the settings so you can title your pages yourself.

Step 3: Say goodbye friendly greeting, hello keywords

There’s nothing wrong with a friendly greeting… in person. But your title tag is the wrong place to say hello to your audience.

A friendly greeting like “Welcome to my web page!” doesn’t tell you what the page is about. And again, who searches for welcome messages?

Step 4: Arrange your top two keyword phrases so they make sense

The best title tags use a combination of words and phrases that all get searched regularly. Then arrange them in a way so they make sense.

On our Search Marketing Lab website for example, we use a combination of words and phrases that all get searched regularly — SEO, Search Engine Marketing, Marketing Tips, and Search Marketing.

But we’ve arranged them to make sense as well as pull traffic from several different keyword searches:

“SEO and Search Engine Marketing Tips & Advice: Search Marketing Lab”

If you were looking for advice on search marketing, you’d know you were in the right place after seeing that title.

That’s it!

Your title tag is easy to find and easy to change in your HTML code. On most web pages, your title tag (and meta tags) are right at the top, below your “head” tag:

>head>

>title>Internet Marketing Course - Proven Internet Business Strategies

When writing your title tag, keep it under 70 characters. Put your best keywords at or near the beginning of your title tag. With the limited number of characters you’re permitted, your keywords at the end of the tag could get cut off and visitors won’t see them.

Your title tag is prime real estate, and a few minutes (or less!) work here can make a HUGE difference to your overall search rankings, traffic, and business.

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

Plan For The Worst... While Hoping For The Best!

2010-03-18T08:16:00.002+01:00

Plan For The Worst... While Hoping For The Best!

By Derek Gehl

In the end, it could have been MUCH worse...

On Monday morning, hurricane Gustav blasted across Louisiana and surrounding states, leaving behind a trail of destruction estimated to be in the billions of dollars.

But despite the extensive damage, the one thing people feared MOST never happened...

New Orleans was spared.

Gustav made landfall 100 miles to the south, and the city avoided a repeat of the devastation that Katrina brought three years ago.

But it's not like the city wasn't ready for the worst!

In the days leading up to Gustav's arrival, over a million people were evacuated, and massive emergency shelters were set up in surrounding areas.

Drawing on everything they learned from Katrina, New Orleans planned for the worst... hoped for the best... and were rewarded with the best possible outcome.

Now, without minimizing in any way the human and financial costs of Gustav, it's a lesson we can ALL take away for our own businesses.

Plan for the worst. Hope for the best.

You're probably already planning for success, right? We all spend a LOT of time projecting our future sales and revenue, figuring out how to improve our business processes, and generally making sure we continue to profit.

And obviously, that's good! Hoping for the best is what makes us successful as entrepreneurs.

But how much time do you spend preparing for unexpected surprises?

Do you have a plan in place for things that could go wrong? When the market you've been successfully selling to suddenly dries up? Or there's another major change in the search engines and your traffic DIES?

Here are FIVE things you can do to make sure YOUR business is prepared for the worst... and sails through nearly any crisis:

1. Pursue Multiple Markets Using Small Niche Websites

Say you own a website, and with it, you've pretty much cornered the market for your single product. Sales are excellent, and the money is rolling in day and night, without you barely needing to lift a finger.

You're in the perfect position, right?

Well, assuming that nothing EVER changes, then yes, you'll be fine...

... but what if there's a sudden shift in the market, and the product you're selling, which was HOT just a few months ago, is suddenly something you can barely GIVE away? (Think it can't happen? Just ask anyone who sells large SUVs for a living!)

So how do you prepare for the worst?

I always tell people that the BEST way to protect yourself against fickle markets is to have MULTIPLE small niche sites up and running.

Get one started, and once it's converting, use everything you learned from that process to start another. And another.

Before you know it, you'll have multiple sources of income, so if one of your products goes out of fashion, or falls out of favor, you won't take a BIG hit to your revenue.

But remember: slow and steady wins the race. Don't try to put together five different websites for five different niches all at the same time.

Work on one, get it converting, put it on "auto pilot," and then move on to site number two.

2. Target Multiple Markets Within Your Niche, Using Custom Landing Pages

Just as it's a good idea to have multiple niche websites in place, it's ALSO a good idea to make sure each individual website is targeting many different keyphrases using custom landing pages.

Don't just create a single landing page for your best keyphrase, then call it a day!

You may get good traffic initially, but some day, that particular keyword or phrase is no longer going to be popular, or competitors will move in and start targeting that same keyword... and your sales will be LOST.

But if you do your research, and understand ALL of the main keyphrases your visitors are using to find you, you can create custom landing pages for each of the main phrases.

That way, if one of the keyphrases stops being productive, you're still getting plenty of traffic to the other pages.

So to prepare for the worst, stay on top of your keywords -- they often change over time -- and make sure you're always targeting as many as possible.

3. Make Sure Your Traffic Is Coming To Your Site From Many Different Sources

Are you getting most of your traffic (and sales) thanks to one or two #1 rankings on the search engines?

There's NOTHING like free traffic from the search engines, right?

But have you considered what would happen if Google (or one of the other big search engines) suddenly decided to make significant changes to their algorithms (the formulas they use to rank websites), and, without warning, you found yourself on page 37 in the search results?

It would literally be the END of your traffic!

And if you think that will never happen, it already has! Not that long ago, Google made some significant changes to the way they rank sites, and there were a LOT of websites that literally fell off the radar!

So if you're depending solely on the search engines to drive an endless stream of traffic to your doorstep, right NOW is the time to diversify.

Of course, you can always turn to pay-per-click advertising if there's a sudden change in your free traffic, but that can be costly, and to be honest, you won't get as many visitors with a paid listing as you would from a top ranking in the natural search rankings.

So make sure you're always thinking about other ways to drive FREE traffic (both online AND offline).

Submit your site to as many relevant web directories as you can... participate in online forums (and make sure there's a link back to your site in your signature line)... give away LOTS of free content (again, with links back to your site)... issue press releases... and so on.

What's really cool about all of these strategies is that, not only will they help you get traffic from other sources, they'll actually help you in the natural search rankings, too, so now you have TWO good reasons to do it!

4. Actively Recruit Multiple Affiliates

Got a super-keen affiliate who is responsible for a BIG chunk of your sales?

That's great, but what happens if that affiliate decides to retire, or try her hand promoting someone else's product.

You could see your sales dry up literally overnight, and it can often take a LONG time to find another affiliate with the necessary skills (and customers) to replace the lost income.

Don't wait until you NEED another good affiliate to find one!

Instead, start recruiting a stable of affiliates, so you'll always have a few solid earners, no matter WHAT happens.

And while it can be tempting to open your affiliate program to anyone who's interested, you may find that you'll have more success hand-picking specific candidates.

That's because a wide-open affiliate program can often draw a LOT of people who don't really have experience selling online.

So to make sure you always have TOP affiliates working for you, start with a web search of sites that cater to your target market.

Focus on the sites that appear right at the top (or near the top) of the results. These are the savvy marketers, and chances are, they'll have what it takes to sell for YOU, too.

From there, it's just a matter of contacting them personally to discuss the possibility of promoting your product.

5. Find Multiple Suppliers For Your Product

What would you do if you discovered one day that the drop shipper or wholesaler who supplied you with your top-selling product could no longer get it? Or they'd gone out of business altogether?

If you haven't been planning for the worst, chances are you'll sit there in disbelief, as your revenue drops to zero within DAYS!

But if you had been preparing for the worst, you'd be fine...

... because you'd have backup suppliers for these same (or similar) products. so that the transition from your old to new supplier would be seamless.

Your customers will never know the difference, and your revenue will continue to flow uninterrupted.

Hoping for the best AND preparing for the worst is actually something POSITIVE you can do for yourself and your business. It's the BEST way to prevent surprises, stay calm when potential disasters hit, and react to income-threatening situations quickly!

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

Four Writing Myths That Stand Between You and Your Sales... How to Write RIGHT for the Web

2010-03-15T09:50:00.002+01:00

Does the thought of writing make you want to dive for cover?

If so, there’s a good chance you’re being held captive by memories of rigid grammar rules and a ruthless red pen.

Hey… it’s time to let go.

When you’re writing for the Web, there’s only one hard and fast rule you need to remember…

Write how you talk.

That’s right. Forget all the nit-picky rules your English teacher told you about. It’s okay to end your sentences in a preposition… or start them with "And" or "But."

Because on the Web, people read differently.

Hyper-correct formal writing actually STOPS people from reading… and if they’re not reading, they’re not buying.

Let’s take a look at four writing myths you can toss out the window when you sit down to write your next content article or salesletter…

Myth #1:
Sentence structure has to be sophisticated

Reality Check: Simple sentences rule in the online world.

On the Web, people want information — and they want it fast! And they DON’T want to have to work at deciphering it.

Keep your sentences short. They’re ALWAYS easier to read than longer ones.

Avoid complex sentence constructions. On the Web, "ing" words are the enemy!

Don’t say, "By following this program carefully, taking supplements religiously, and drinking lots of water every day, you will lose weight."…

… say "Follow this program carefully. Take supplements religiously. And drink lots of water every day. You WILL lose weight."

Remember, you’re not writing an academic thesis or applying for a government grant.

You want your readers to be able to grasp your main point quickly… whether it’s why they should sign up for your newsletter, trust your opinion over Joe Blow’s… or buy YOUR product.

Myth #2:
Writing has to be formal

Reality Check: Keep it real.

Readers respond best when they feel you’re talking to them personally. So write as if you’re talking to someone you really CARE about and…

Use a casual and friendly tone. Imagine that you’re talking to a friend or family member. To help your readers identify with your words on a personal level, use "you" as often as possible.

Mimic the irregular cadence of speech. Go ahead and write in sentence fragments. Feel free to start sentences with "and," "but," and "or." It’s simply how we speak, whether Miss Manners approves or not.

Use contractions whenever possible. "It’s" sounds way more natural and informal than "it is." And it’s an easy way to take an unnecessary word out of your sentences.

(And it is our opinion that you will sound stilted if you do not use them.

It’s okay to use slang. Just make sure the slang you use is appropriate for YOUR target market. If you run a surf shop, calling your readers "dude" is, like, totally appropriate.

Check your writing with the Flesch-Kincaid grade level assessment tool in Microsoft Word. (Set this up in the Spelling and Grammar tool in Word.)

Aim for a grade 6-8 level. (Shocked??? That’s what most newspapers aim for.)

Myth #3: Use proper punctuation

Reality Check: Use informal punctuation to mimic regular speech.

You know how your teachers always warned you against using dashes, ellipses, and bullet points, because they smacked of lazy writing?

… Here’s where you get to thumb your nose at them and say, "Phllllbt!"

When you write for the Web, you are writing for the LAZY READER.

(Well, not so much "lazy" as "bombarded by a relentless onslaught of information, and constantly pressed for time.")

So make their job as easy as possible by breaking up long sentences.

Dashes — like these — create white space between your phrases so each phrase stands out more.

Ellipses are a great for separating items in a list. Maybe you want to give the reader a set of options… Or create a sense of time passing within the sentence… Or build anticipation before getting to the "big reveal."

Use ALL CAPS to highlight the words you’d emphasize while speaking.

Put lists in bullet points so they’re easy to read. Bullets say "Hey look, here’s a list!"

Myth #4:People will read every word

Reality Check: People SCAN for the most important information.

Ever noticed how a single word can make your ears perk up when you’re half listening to a conversation?

Reading on the Web is just like that!

Certain words jump out at you to let you know when to pay closer attention. Format your text so your most important content leaps off your pages:

Use a "choppy" structure that mixes up paragraphs of different lengths.
Write your most dramatic ideas as stand-alone one-sentence paragraphs.
Use subheads to pique curiosity and drive eyes down the page.
Use bolding to highlight your most important ideas.
Try to place the MOST important idea at the beginning or end of the paragraph where they’ll be noticed most.

If you’re not used to this kind of writing, hear the words in your head as you write. This will keep you from reverting to stiff formal writing! Then, read your work out loud when you’re done. Any stumbling blocks will become immediately obvious.

If you write the way you talk, your readers will "listen."

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

How Online Video Can Heat Up Your Marketing

2010-03-15T09:37:00.003+01:00

How Online Video Can Heat Up Your Marketing

By Derek Gehl

Want to see me sweat?

Stick me in the IMC video studio under hot lights, with no air conditioning. It's like being under a broiler!

But it's worth it.

Video is just a fantastic way to communicate because it makes it so easy for people to visualize and understand information. So it can add a LOT of value to your business.

Take my recent BeBiz Challenge, for example.

If you caught this four-part video series, you'll remember how I started my own Internet business from scratch -- in just four days! Those videos were a huge hit!

OK, so they won't win any Emmy Awards... but they contained as much information about starting business as HUNDREDS of pages of text.

And they also got people really excited about BeBiz -- because they saw how easy this tool is to use. They could picture themselves using it!

There's no way we could have created the same amount of interest in BeBiz if I'd just written a few blog posts about my challenge.

Online video gives you the power to connect with your customers in ways words and pictures never can.

And although IMC has a studio, editing suite, and production guy to create our videos... YOU don't need any flashy equipment to start making video work for YOUR business.

So why should you bother?

1. It's cheap!

Like I said, I'm not aiming for an Emmy with my videos -- and neither should you!

People will watch your videos on YouTube, not the big screen... so you don't need a Hollywood-sized production budget. A simple digital camera is good enough and you can edit your videos using the free software on your computer (Windows Movie Maker for PCs or iMovie for Macs).

(If you do want some more professional edit software, Pinnacle Studio 12 Plus is a great option for $99.99.)

2. It's easy!

The good news about using a standard digital camera and YouTube is that you don't have to be a technical whiz!

Simply create your video, upload it to YouTube, and paste the HTML code for your video on the page of your website where you want it to appear.

You should consider publishing it to other video sites, too. For a detailed list of these, visit: www.lightreading.com/videoshare.

But before you worry about how much time this will take, here's a great tool that will do all the hard work for you: www.tubemogul.com

TubeMogul is a free service that will automatically distribute your videos to multiple video-sharing sites from just one upload -- so you don't have spend hours doing it manually!

3. You can get GREAT search engine rankings with video!

Google loves video content! (It does own YouTube, after all.)

So if you create an interesting, informative video based on one of your main long-tail keywords, you can easily get a top ranking in Google for your efforts.

Just make sure you:
Target only one keyword phrase per video
Create a Google video sitemap that tells the search engine how to index your videos
Make your video useful, unique, and short (less than five minutes)
Include a call to action that motivates people to buy from you... opt in to your email list... or at least visit your website!

Don't just create a video for its own sake, though -- make sure you have a specific purpose in mind. Here are some ideas:

You can demonstrate how to do something - especially if you put the spotlight on your product or service at the same time.
You can show your work, or the benefits of your product.
You can build your credibility by offering high-quality advice on your industry... or create excitement about a new product launch.
You can even make video information products to sell as DVDs or downloads.
And you should definitely consider using video testimonials.

Video can't do everything, but if it's on your site, people will watch it. So test it out and see if video can heat up YOUR business.

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

Every journey begins with a single step...

2010-03-13T07:54:00.002+01:00

Every journey begins with a single step...

By Derek Gehl

What are you doing on April 11-13th?
You may recall that back in the beginning of January I challenged you to make 2008 the year you finally got a business started online. Well, the first quarter of the year is now over, and I really would like to know:

... Are you making money on the Internet yet?

How much have you accomplished since January? Are you proud of what you've achieved -- or frustrated by how little you've done?

If not, do you feel like you're constantly burning rubber and going nowhere?

You need to ask yourself: Why?

There are 5 main reasons you may be suffering from "failure to launch"...

#1: You're Overwhelmed and Don't Know Where to Start

So many different experts say you have to do THIS first, or THAT. And you absolutely MUST buy THIS product, and THAT service -- and here's one that you can't live without! If you've been on a list of the mega-launches lately you'll know exactly what I mean.

It's enough to drive you BATTY.

My advice is do some research and find a proven, step-by-step method that walks you through every stage of building a business, so you know exactly WHAT you need to do and WHEN.

... Then stick with that system and follow it straight through from beginning to end -- without getting distracted by all the other possibilities out there.

Keep it simple and follow the basics... otherwise, you'll find yourself trying to run in a dozen different directions at once... and going nowhere fast!

#2: Fear of Technology
I see it when I talk to people at my seminars...

... I suggest they learn to do it themselves first -- so they can do as much of their own site management as possible -- and their eyes get that "deer caught in the headlights" look.

All I can tell you is, don't be afraid to learn something new! That old saying,"old dogs can't learn new tricks" doesn't apply here.

If you know how to use the computer to write letters... send emails... and surf the Internet, then you have ALL the skills you need to start an online business.

... You just need to know how to put them to good use!

Think of technology as a tool to take your ideas and bring them alive.

Find tools specifically designed so that ANYONE can learn how to use them -- even the raw beginner.
So don't let fear of the unknown stop you from taking action!

#3: Too Many Solutions to Choose From -- And You Don't Know Who to Trust

You sign up for a few online marketing newsletters, and download a few free eBooks -- then BAM! The product offers coming flying at you so fast and furious, it's like you're in a meteor storm!

And while you're busy sorting out which does what, you're ALSO being told that you've got to buy a domain name... and hosting services... and web design services (if you're not going to design the site yourself)... and possibly copywriting services (if you're not much of a writer)... not to mention a shopping cart and ordering system...

And then on to Web 2.0, blogging and marketing systems that you absolutely must have to make it big...

... It all leads to paralysis.

The best way to avoid this dilemma is start with the basics. Get your first website up and running -- it makes all the difference.

#4: Spending WAY Too Much Money, Way Too Quickly

This goes hand in hand with the last problem... With so many offers bombarding you daily, it's easy to fall into the trap of buying a bunch of different products all at once.

"It's a good investment in my business," you tell yourself.

But then you discover that some of those products only work for people who ALREADY have a money-making website... while others don't really fit your business model... while others are simply a huge waste of money!

... And the next thing you know, you don't have any time or money left to do the things you really DO need to build your business.

Resist the urge to whip out your wallet at every opportunity!

Like I said earlier, your best chance for success is to buy ONE step-by-step solution that walks you through every stage, and only buy other products when you absolutely KNOW you need them.

Everything you purchase needs to align with your goal.

#5: Holding Out for That "Million-Dollar Baby"

Many people dream of an Internet business that'll make them hundreds of thousands -- or even millions! -- of dollars a year. And they think that it's colossal waste of time to spend a single second on a business that'll make them anything less than that.

Wake up and smell the coffee, people!

Your first business probably WON'T generate a six-figure income right off the bat. (Yes, it CAN happen... but it's far more likely your first business will be in the $1,000 - $20,000/year range.)

And you know what? That's OK! In fact, it's better than OK.

Every single Internet millionaire I know got started by building just ONE small money-making website. And then another website that made MORE money, and another that made even MORE money -- and so on, and so on.

And that's the best possible way for YOU to grow your online business.

With each website you build, you'll know more and be able to do it better -- which means each new site will make you MORE money than the last.

*But first, you've got to get off the couch and get started!*

Remember, every journey begins with a single step -- and the path to online success is certainly no exception.

However, that doesn't mean it has to be an uphill slog!

This April, I'll be releasing a series of videos that'll walk you through the steps you need to take to build your own Internet business in record time.

... So keep an eye out for upcoming issues of my newsletter! I'll have more information next week.

In the meantime, I'd like to know what barriers have prevented YOU from leaving the starting gate. Have your business efforts been hampered by one of the 5 reasons above -- or has something else been holding you back?

Tell me about the challenges you currently face-- and I'll try to address them in upcoming issues of this newsletter.

Write comment -- and let me know what you think!

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

Discover How To Find The Customers That Are Five Times More Likely To Purchase Your Product And Get Them To Buy More!

2010-03-11T10:14:00.006+01:00

Discover How To Find The Customers That Are Five Times More Likely To Purchase Your Product And Get Them To Buy More!

Have you ever heard of the "Pareto Principle"? If you haven't, you are missing out on one of the MOST EFFECTIVE routes there is to bigger profits.

Also known as "The Vital Few and Trivial Many Rule," the Pareto Principle was named after the Italian economist who observed in 1906 that 20% of the Italian population owned 80% of Italy's wealth. He then noticed that 20% of the pea pods in his garden accounted for 80% of his pea crop each year. Coincidence? Well, it got him thinking...

Vilfredo Pareto applied this 80-20 rule to pretty much everything -- and whether or not you agree with it is your prerogative. But when it comes to your e-business, you're missing out on a lot of profit if you don't realize that...

20% of your customers are responsible for 80% of your sales!

With other applications of the Pareto Principle, it's often impossible to determine the accuracy of the ratio (i.e., 20% of the food you eat is responsible for 80% of your health). But in your e-business, you can easily track which customers are buying customers...

It's a little-recognized fact that at least 20% of people who have purchased from you once will buy from you again... IF you follow up with them. One-fifth of your customer base is just waiting for you to offer them something new.

So if you are not following up with your customers, you're actually ignoring 80% of your business' profit potential.

1. Follow up with your key customers

If you don't follow up with your customers, you are losing a lot of profit -- it's as simple as that.
The fact is, when a person trusts you and likes your product or service enough to buy from you once, they'll often buy from you again and again. Your existing customer base is four or five times more likely to buy from you than a "cold" market... and the "lifetime value" of these customers is one of the greatest assets of your business.

Repeat sales can be so profitable that some people even offer their product or service below cost on the first sale -- just to get their potential customers to buy (think of all the mail-order book clubs and CD clubs that let you purchase 11 books or CDs for a penny!). Because once people have bought for the first time, at least 20% of them will buy again...

And this backend market should be where you focus a good deal of your attention.
You have already cultivated a relationship with your customers -- you have put in the time and money to get their attention, establish credibility, and close that first sale. That's by far the most difficult part -- not to mention the most expensive. Think of all the planning, advertising, and promotional activity that goes into getting those initial sales...

But once you've acquired those customers, you can develop their "lifetime value." Show appreciation and offer special incentives to them. Send them "thank-you for your purchase" messages, renewal notices, and free information. Reward them for being loyal customers and they'll become even more loyal.
And offer them more products. If they liked what they bought, they'll buy from you again.

2. What to offer

The most brilliant thing about follow-up offers is that they don't cost you a single red cent. You've already dealt with the salespeople, the brochures, the mailouts, the ad placement, etc.

But now that you've made those initial sales, and in the process collected the e-mail addresses of your customers, you can simply e-mail all of your previous customers your special follow-up offer... so all of the sales you garner are 100% pure profit!

Of course, you have to ensure that what you're offering is something your customer base is actually interested in -- so the kinds of follow-up items you offer will depend on your business. But consider the following types of offers and think of how they could apply to your business...

Offer products that complement your initial product. For example, if you sold golf clubs, you could offer customers a golf club bag to carry them in. But it doesn't have to be quite that closely related -- for example, if you sold memberships to fitness programs, you could also offer fitness clothing, fitness books... you could even promote daycare programs to provide fitness moms with more options!

Even if you have to struggle to come up with an idea for a complementary product, it will be well worth the effort. You've already got the interest of your customers, so at this point you have to think of any way possible to keep them buying, because buy they will... unless you don't offer them anything!
Sell more of the same product at a discounted price. Show customer appreciation by offering them a "special discount" on the product they're already buying. If your product is refillable, you've got it made. Your "Vital Few" customers will purchase the product repeatedly over a lengthy period of time -- and this gives you a legitimate reason to get in touch at regular intervals.

But even if your product isn't refillable, you can offer upgrades, newer versions, improved models, or add-ons to the original product. And each time you contact your customer, you can offer a special discount on a new or related item also -- even offer something free to maintain their interest!
Use newsletter subscriptions as up-sell or backend products. Once people trust you enough to buy from you, they'll likely be interested in hearing more of what you have to say. Newsletters are also an excellent way to stay in constant communication with your customers, answer their questions, respond to their concerns, and provide them with the kind of knowledge they'll need if they're using your products.

In the process, you will establish yourself as an expert in your industry and a reliable source of information.
Try splitting up your current product and selling it as separate segments. For example, if you were selling a book on research methods on the Internet, you could offer a basic version for $9.95 to generate a large volume of sales at a low price. Then, 30 days later, you could offer them an advanced version for $29.95 or even $39.95, and increase your profits dramatically!

You could sell the smaller, individual parts of your product separately, but also offer a package deal with everything included for a bit of a discount. That way, you'll cover a couple of different price points and appeal to a wider range of customers.
Try selling your customers an upgrade to their product. If they've used and liked your basic model, they'll be open to suggestion, provided that you can show them why and how the upgrade is better.
Offer someone else's product! I know it sounds a bit odd, but as long as the product or service is not in direct competition with your own, you can make a good profit (and further develop your relationship with your customers) by offering a great backend item as an affiliate.

Joining affiliate programs can be a very lucrative way to increase your sales. With an affiliate program, you have the opportunity to give a highly credible personal recommendation to your customer base (which is one of the most effective sales techniques) and claim a percentage of each sale... without having to develop a new product of your own! This can be an enormous timesaver and, done right, can make up a significant part of your business.

In fact, many people earn considerable online incomes these days just by promoting affiliate products. You have to do your research accordingly, however, and only recommend products that you truly believe in before you can make a business of selling them. Also, keep in mind that selling too broad a variety of products as an affiliate will do nothing but confuse your market -- and lose you sales. Keep your focus narrowed and your niche well-defined.

If you are interested in checking out affiliate programs, the following are a few good places to look for the programs that are right for you:

And, of course, you can always join the IMC Affiliate Program. We offer excellent promotional tools and other resources... and some of the highest commission rates in the industry.

Click here

to see if this opportunity suits the needs of your business and your customers.

Offer incentives and information to keep your business in your customers' minds. You don't always have to be pushing products -- in fact, if you try the hard-sell approach each and every time you contact your opt-in list, they'll start to see you as a nuisance.

So offer a "tip of the day" or contest entry to entice your customers to your site. Stay in touch through newsletters and discussion groups. Observe holidays and special occasions... (you could tie in promotions to these events).

Because while you certainly want to sell more products or services to this lucrative group, you also want to balance sales with relationship building... developing more trust, credibility, and customer loyalty each step of the way.

3. Automate your follow-up

Okay, maybe I was wrong... maybe this is the most brilliant part about follow-up offers: Not only do you not have to spend any money to make follow-up offers -- you don't even have to spend any time!
You can automate the entire process using autoresponders that will...

Send a "thank-you for your purchase and order confirmation" type of message -- you could also offer a discount on a related item in this message
Send instructions for use that may also mention your newsletter or discussion group (you probably wouldn't want to include a "hard sell" here)
Follow up with a message a few days after the purchase that asks how things are going and then offers a discounted related item
Send another message a few days later to remind your customer of the discounted offer and urge them to buy before the offer ends or the product runs out
Send "time to refill" reminders or "time to upgrade" messages as appropriate

If you use autoresponders in this way, you can start confirming orders automatically... providing instructions automatically... and generating huge profits in follow-up sales -- automatically!

Important Note: Using software such as Mailloop, you'll have access to unlimited autoresponders. This means that you can easily use Mailloop to e-mail your past customers… with only a few clicks here and there. Even better, Mailloop will allow you to automatically personalize each of your messages, so that each customer is greeted by name and receives a personal e-mail tailored with their purchase date, product bought, etc… You can even send HTML e-mail that'll increase your response by as much as 40%!

And when you automate your mailings, you'll not only tap into the 20% of your customers who will be responsible for 80% of your profits -- you'll also save yourself an incredible amount of time in e-mail chores and customer service!

Final Thoughts:

Focusing on your "Vital Few" customers is the best way possible to increase your sales through your backend products. Once you've done the initial promotion work and made the first sale, promoting to this highly responsive group is FREE... and once you've automated the process, it won't even cost you any time to do it!

As you can see, putting an automated follow-up system in place is hardly the most difficult aspect of Internet marketing, though it is definitely one of the most profitable techniques out there -- and one of the most often overlooked.

But now that you know how profitable it is to follow up with your key customers, and now that you understand how the Pareto Principle applies to your business, you can start running your promotions more effectively and increasing your profits exponentially.

And who knows... maybe you can start getting more peas out of your garden, too!

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?
The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

Promoting affiliate products? You need to "Divide and Conquer!"

2010-03-10T08:23:00.008+01:00

Promoting affiliate products? You need to "Divide and Conquer!"

By Derek Gehl

Today I'd like to answer a question that Izak, one of our readers, recently sent me.

Izak's question reflects a common problem people have when they're first starting out.

Here's what he's currently wrestling with:

"I have designed a website for the sole purpose of advertising affiliate products. I have 6 affiliate products on different pages on the same website that are in the same category like wellness, health and beauty. However my problem is how to write the sales copy or introduction page with the correct wording to attract visitors/buyers."

First off, Izak, I'd just like to point out that "wellness, health, and beauty" are HUUUGE markets! I just plugged each of those terms into Google and here are the results I got:

Health: 1,760,000,000 results (Yes, that's almost two BILLION.)

Wellness: 173,000,000 results

Beauty: 1,060,000,000 results (Again, we're over a BILLION.)

Quite frankly, you will never achieve success if you're going to set up a general website promoting products that treat a variety of health, wellness, and/or beauty problems. You're going up against WAY too many competing sites.

And you'll never be able to write the kind of highly targeted salescopy you need to attract qualified visitors to your site.

(Because someone who's looking for, say, organic wrinkle cream is not in the same market as someone who's looking for a naturopathic treatment for Crohn's disease -- and there's no way you can ever build a website that effectively sells to both of those people.)

So. If you want to have any hope at all in competing in these incredibly large markets, you need to do three things:

FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS.

You need to FOCUS on your individual product pages -- NOT your main homepage.

You need to FOCUS on ONE specific problem each of those individual products solves
You need to FOCUS your pay-per-click and search marketing efforts so that every ad and article you write addresses that ONE specific problem and takes visitors straight to the landing page for the product that solves that specific problem.

In other words, Izak, you need to divide and conquer!

The best way to guarantee your online success is to make sure each of your affiliate product pages appeals to a highly targeted group of people.

Start off by looking at one product at a time. Look at the different health or beauty problems it claims to solve. Now use an online keyword research tool such as Wordtracker.com or Keyworddiscovery.com and do some research on each of these problems.

What problems are people searching for information about? And what are the specific keyword phrases they're using to describe them?

Keep your eyes open for keyword phrases that are getting a lot of searches, but don't have a lot of strong competition for them.

You should follow up your keyword research by visiting health and beauty-related blogs, forums, and groups to see if people are talking about these problems -- and what they're saying about them.

What problems are they having a hard time solving? What do they like about the solutions that are currently available -- and what do they *wish* they could find?

Once you have identified a problem that a lot of people are trying to find solutions for, but without any luck -- then you'll know the problem that should be the focus of your salescopy and marketing efforts for that particular product.

And then -- once your targeted marketing efforts are generating a steady stream of qualified traffic to that particular product page -- it's time to move on to your next affiliate product page, and focus IT on one specific problem.

I know it's tempting to want to describe your health products as the ultimate cure-all for everything from skin problems to obesity, but people who are searching for skin care products aren't searching for obesity products -- and you simply can't create an effective page that appeals to both.

Once again, online success is all about FOCUS. I cannot emphasize this enough! You'll make FAR more money trying to sell to a small but highly targeted group of people than you can ever possibly hope to make selling to everyone and his dog.

So, Izak, I know I probably didn't give you the answer you were expecting -- but it's the answer you needed to hear.

Good luck with your marketing efforts, and please stay in touch and let me know how you're doing!

P.S. I know this article glosses over the topic of "keyword research"... If you are interested in learning more about this topic -- and about finding a niche in general -- then be sure to check out my blog!

I'm in the process of writing a whole series of articles that deal specifically with keyword research and the other steps you need to take to guarantee your niche is successful.

You can check our blog by clicking here.

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

No sales? Here's your 10-step rescue plan

2010-03-09T11:20:00.008+01:00

No sales? Here's your 10-step rescue plan

By Dwain Jeworski

Imagine: After weeks of hard work, your website is finally live. You've officially been open for business an entire week. And yet you haven't made any sales.
Not. One. Single. Sale.

Arggh!

Don't despair -- we've all been there before. In fact, it's one of the most common problems people ask us to solve for them.

Here's something that'll help ease the pain of turning a "dud" site into one that rakes in the profits...

IMC's surefire "My Website Ain't Making Money!" troubleshooting checklist!

If you recently launched a new web site and aren't getting the results you expected, you need to ask yourself every single question on the list below, starting at number one. Once you're able to answer "yes" to all ten questions, I guarantee the sales will come rolling in.

Print out the following checklist and start your troubleshooting right now:

#1. Is there actually a market for your product?

By that I mean, are you positive you're selling a product or solution people areactively looking for online -- and not finding? That is the formula for a successful business.

The best way to answer this question is to do keyword research with a tool like Keyword Discovery or Wordtracker to confirm whether people are using search engines like Google and Yahoo to hunt for something just like your product -- but not finding it.

It all comes back to supply and demand... You want to make sure people actually want to buy your product before you try to sell it!

#2. Are you getting enough traffic?

Before you can really judge your website's effectiveness, you need at least1000 unique visitors (not pageviews). If you've only had 100 visitors and haven't made a sale, be patient! You just need more traffic.

Once you've had 1000 visitors, then you can begin to assess how effective your site really is.

#3. Are you getting the right kind of traffic?

If you've had 1000+ visitors to your website and you still haven't made a sale, find out where your traffic is coming from. That'll help you know if it's targeted or not.

(By "targeted," I mean, visitors who are actively seeking out your product and are therefore extremely likely to buy it.)

The best way to get the RIGHT traffic to your site is by bidding on extremely targeted keywords in the pay-per-click search engines.

If you drive 1000 visitors to your site -- using extremely targeted keywords in your PPC ads -- and you still don't make a sale, then we know the problem isn't the quality of traffic you're getting. It's your website.

So let's take a look at that next...

#4. Is your headline effective?

If your site doesn't have a compelling headline that clearly communicates a powerful benefit, your potential customers aren't going to stick around to see what you have to offer.

Writing a better headline is typically the easiest way to fix a floundering website. If you get more people to stay on your site and read your offer, more people will buy your product.

#5. Are you distracting your visitors from your main sales message?

You need to get rid of everything that encourages your visitors think of something other than the product you're selling and the problem it solves.

This includes: links to other websites, Google Adsense ads, banner ads for other products, free articles that don't support the sale... the list goes on.

Keep your visitors focused only on buying your product -- and your sales will go up.

#6. Are you using testimonials effectively?

Like I said in last week's editorial, testimonials are one of your most powerful selling tools. Nothing says, "Buy it now!" like an unbiased third-party recommendation.

If your site is brand new and you don't have any testimonials yet, give your product to a few friends and ask them to provide you with testimonials on how well it worked for them.

#7. Does your guarantee take away the risk of buying?

A good guarantee is an essential selling tool -- especially on the Internet. Unless you're a major brand (like Sony, Wal-Mart, Pepsi) that your customers inherently trust, you need to let them know you'll stand behind your product.

Reassure them that if they're not 100% satisfied they can return it to you and get all their money back. And remember, a longer guarantee usually results in more sales -- and fewer refunds!

#8. Is your price too high? Or too low?

Most people know that if you price your product too high, you'll hurt your sales. But this can also be true if your price is too low.

People get suspicious when the price is far below their expectations. They think it's probably "too good to be true" -- and as a result, they don't feel confident making a purchase.

#9. Is your ordering system easy to use?

Just because you can figure out how to navigate through your ordering process, it doesn't mean your average customer can.

If you want to make sure your ordering system is "user-friendly," find a few friends who aren't very Internet savvy and get them to order your product.

Watch over their shoulders and take notes. Where did they get stuck?

Make sure you fix whatever problems they encountered -- because your potential customers are encountering them, too -- and most likely leaving your site in frustration without buying!

#10. Do you have good salescopy?

If you aren't using well-written salescopy to sell your product, then you'll never achieve online success. It's that simple.

Your copy needs to use all of the selling tools I mentioned above to present a strong, linear sales message. It doesn't matter whether your particular site needs short copy or long copy, the fact will always remain: Your product isn't going to sell itself! You need words to do the job.

So there they are... the 10 questions we ask whenever we look at a website that's not turning visitors into sales. I have never answered "yes" to all 10 questions without seeing a substantial improvement to the site's conversion rate.

Now, if you're scratching your head, wondering what a good salesletter looks like... how to test pricing... how to write a headline... or how to use the pay-per-click search engines -- then I have to be honest and tell you, you need more help than we can provide in a single newsletter!

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?
The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

Editorial: "But they said I would be rich! What happened?"

2010-03-08T11:46:00.005+01:00

Editorial: "But they said I would be rich! What happened?"
By Derek Gehl

You've heard the saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

Well, if you follow this principle when deciding how you'll make money on the Internet, you could save yourself a significant amount of grief in the future.

It seems like every day there's a new "get rich quick" scam popping up on the Internet promising, " If you have a pulse you will be rich before you know it!!!"

Unfortunately, the only ones who ever make a penny are the scammers! And they'll be gone long before you ever figure that out.

At every seminar we hold, we meet smart people who were duped by scammers like this -- and in many cases, taken for a small fortune. These are great people who have a genuine desire to succeed. They simply made one bad decision. Now they'll be paying for it, for months or even years.

So what's the best way to fight these scammers? The answer is simple: EDUCATION.

Today I'm going to educate you on how to filter the REAL money-making opportunities from all the B.S. out there, with my "Scam Detector Check List"!

Whenever you come across a possible business opportunity, simply consult this handy checklist. It'll help you discover if it really is a genuine opportunity -- or a genuine waste of money.

1. If they can't prove a successful track record -- it might be a scam

If you've never heard of them before -- and they can't offer solid proof they've got a successful track record -- then how can you trust them to help YOU make money?

Be skeptical. Ask questions. Search for the URL in Google... are they listed?

If you can't find any positive consumer reviews about them -- or if the only reviews you find are negative -- you should definitely think twice about doing business with them.

2. If they can't show you legitimate testimonials -- it might be a scam

If you are making a significant investment in a business opportunity, the company you are purchasing from should be willing to put you in contact with other successful students. We get this request all of the time, and have numerous successful students who are happy to give us a personal reference at a moment's notice.

To take a look at how we use those testimonials on our salesletters, please visit: www.marketingtips.com/tipsltr.

As you'll see, we provide names, photographs, and URLs for every testimonial we use, so you can easily see that they're all coming from real people.

In fact, we even use video testimonials on our sites. What better way to confirm testimonials are real than to get them straight from the source -- and watch people actually say them in their own words?

3. If they give you a product to sell, as well as the web site to sell it -- it might be a scam

If someone's offering to give you a product to sell, AND the website to sell it on, beware! Chances are hundreds -- if not thousands -- of other people are selling the exact same product with the exact same website. With so much competition, only a small percentage of sellers will ever make any money.

That's why at IMC, we're so adamant about teaching our students how to find their own niche market and develop or find their own products to sell. It's the philosophy our entire course is founded on.

I truly believe niche marketing is the only GUARANTEED way to start a successful business on the Internet. Not using the same website to sell the exact same product that thousands of other people are selling!

4. If the company is charging you money to sell their products -- it might be a scam

If a company says you can sell their product and they will pay you a commission from each sale -- but you need to pay them for the opportunity to do so -- chances are it's a scam.

The truth is, companies like this KNOW their "affiliates" aren't going to generate any sales. That's why they need to get your money up front!

Take it from someone who's running a highly successful affiliate program. If someone wants to become an IMC affiliate and sell my products for me, I'd never make them pay! Why should they? They're doing me a favor!

5. If you cannot talk to them in person -- it might be a scam

Before you make a significant investment in a business opportunity, give the vendors a call. Talk to them in person. Ask them hard questions. If you cannot talk to them in person then don't do business with them!

And finally, use common sense. If you apply the points above and ask lots of questions, chances are you will make the right decisions and pursue the right opportunities.

Just remember: When it comes to online success, there is no magic pill. If you want to start a real business on the Internet you need to be prepared to put in the time and effort to get there.

I can give you all of the strategies you need to make that happen. And I can break them down into easy-to-follow instructions. But the rest is up to you !

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

Internet Marketing Specialist Certification Program

2010-03-07T10:12:00.000+01:00

Internet Marketing Specialist Certification Program

The Internet Marketing Certification Program is the only ebusiness training program available that offers a comprehensive three-tiered approach to building a business:

Self-paced online learning based on a proven methodology
Proprietary ebusiness software for implementing what you learn
A personal online support system with real-world experts

Based on the simple, step-by-step methodology we developed in the process of earning over $100 million in online sales, the Certification Program is the ideal choice for anyone who is either new to online business, or has been struggling to start making money, with no results.

With the Certification Program, everything is virtual, so you learn at your own pace, on your own schedule. But that doesn't mean you're on your own. You'll complete homework, tests, and get feedback from online instructors.

The program is hands-on, so you'll actually apply what you learn, as you learn it, to create your own profitable website. And you'll use our proprietary elearning software to do the "heavy lifting" for you.

Then when you graduate (in as quickly as one month), you'll have a complete website already getting traffic, plus receive our Certified Internet Marketing Specialist designation, which qualifies you to earn an additional stream of income charging consulting fees to help others get started.

And we guarantee your results! If you don't have a completed website already getting traffic by the time you graduate, we'll refund your money.

Enroll in the Internet Marketing Specialist Certification Program now, and qualify for our $150 introductory discount... then start a successful ebusiness with multiple streams of income.

5 Ways to "Infect" the 'Net with Viral Marketing

2010-03-04T15:55:00.001+01:00

5 Ways to "Infect" the 'Net with Viral Marketing

By Kate Morrison

When we say "viral marketing," don't worry -- it's not a reason for you to grab your cold medication and dive under the covers!

All we're really talking about are marketing strategies that increase awareness of your company by persuading people to pass your material on to friends and family.

Why is viral marketing such a hot topic?

... Because it allows you to exponentially increase your visibility online by turning your existing network of clients and subscribers into a giant word-of-mouth referral machine!

Here are 5 proven strategies you can use to quickly and easily add viral aspects to your marketing campaign, so you can dramatically increase your web exposure -- AND your sales!

Viral Tip #1: Give away free articles with valuable information

This one's a winner on so many levels... it's so easy to do, and yet few people actually use it.

All you have to do is write a special, information-packed article that your customers would love to read, and include a "pass-it-on" link at the bottom that says something like this:

"Do you know someone who would be interested in reading this article? Click hereto email it to them!"

When people click on that link, an email automatically opens up with a pre-written message and the article included as an attachment.

All the reader has to do is put in the email address of the person they want to send it to, along with their own name in the body of the message, and presto! More people are reading your articles than ever before.

... This strategy works particularly well if you have your own e-zine or newsletter. It's a great way to encourage more people to subscribe to your mailing list!

Viral Tip #2: Write a viral eBook
This one's another big winner... giving away viral eBooks is a terrific way to drive targeted traffic to your website.

Just create a short 10-30 page report that solves a problem or shares valuable information about a topic that's hot with your customers. Then add a "viral button" that allows readers to easily share your eBook with your friends.

And of course, include links to your site in the body of the book.

... And in no time at all you will have 1,000s of people opening and reading your valuable information -- and being redirected back to your site!

Viral Tip #3: Give away free demo versions of your product

Is there any way you could offer a free trial version of your product -- such as a software demo or a sample chapter of your information product?

If so, do it! By giving away free "samples" and again including a "pass-it-on" link, you can spread the word about your product very quickly!

... Just be sure to include a link that says something like, "Click here now to get the full version of this product" within the software demo or sample chapter.

After all, once people have tried your product, you want to make it super easy for them to BUY it!

Viral Tip #4: Hold a contest

Everybody loves the chance to win something -- which is why contests are so popular, and such a great way to capture people's contact information.

When people enter your contest, make it easy for them to recommend the contest to their friends, as well.

The more people they persuade to enter your contest, the more chances THEY will have to win! This is a real motivator for people... Even if each entrant recommends your contest to only two other people, it won't take long for your list to grow exponentially!

Viral Tip #5: Create a viral video

Another way to get the word out about your product is to create a video and post it on a social media site like YouTube. YouTube is a video-sharing site that allows you to watch and post videos for free.

... It's also one of the most popular social networking sites on the Web!

To get your product in front of millions of potential customers, make a short, informative video (up to five minutes long max) that solves a problem your customers have, or offers a quick demo of how your product works, or even features testimonials from happy customers.

Then make SURE you place a link back to your website, either on the same page as the video OR within the video itself. That'll encourage YouTube users to recommend your video to other members within the YouTube community -- which means MORE traffic to your site!

So there they are -- five easy ways to create "viral messages" that will spread the word about your business to the far corners of the 'Net.

These are incredibly effective traffic generation strategies -- and if you start using at least one or two of them, I guarantee you will see a surge of qualified visitors coming to your site!

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

Believe It Or Not, This Is A Great Time To Start Your Internet Business!

2010-03-04T15:48:00.002+01:00

Believe It Or Not, This Is A Great Time To Start Your Internet Business!

By Derek Gehl

In the last issue of The IMC Insider, I gave you a surefire strategy for improving customer loyalty -- and keeping your profits STRONG -- during the current economic chaos.

Since I published that issue, I've been getting LOTS of emails and calls from subscribers who don't actually have sites up and running yet, all asking the same thing:

"Sure, your strategy is good for people who are ALREADY making money online...

... but what about those of us who are still THINKING about starting an Internet business? Isn't this the WORST time to launch a new website?!"

Believe me, I understand your fears...

With all the current talk of failing banks, collapsing real estate markets, and imploding stocks, I wouldn't blame you if, right about now, you feel like taking every spare penny you have, stuffing it in your mattress, and waiting for this entire mess to blow over!

But the truth is, starting an Internet business is something you should consider, no matter WHAT the economy looks like.

Here's why...

First, online sales have never been STRONGER!

In fact, a recent report published by Forrester Research indicates that, despite the ailing economy, online retail sales are expected to INCREASE by 17% in 2008, bringing the annual amount spent online to $204 BILLION (click here to read the report).

Second, remember that, unlike local brick-and-mortar businesses, which are typically at the mercy of the local economy, you have access to an entire GLOBAL market. So even if U.S. shoppers are feeling pinched, you'll still have plenty of other customers to turn to.

Next, consider the start-up costs of an Internet business. Unlike traditional businesses, you can get your website running for less than the cost of a couple of nights out on the town, so you don't need to tie up your "emergency" cash -- or go into debt -- to get started.

And speaking of debt, with such low initial cost, you'll have no concerns about trying to qualify for a start-up loan, something that's likely going to get much tougher during the current credit crunch.

And finally, remember that you can start your business even while you're working your "day" job, so you can continue to enjoy a regular source of income while you work to make your site successful. Try that with a regular brick-and-mortar business.

At the end of the day, starting your own Internet business during a recession -- or whatever they're calling the current economic situation -- is an excellent form of job security!

BUT before you jump in and start your website...

... remember that there's one big (and I do mean BIG) newbie mistake you MUST avoid if you hope to build a successful online business during this turbulent economy -- and in fact, lots of established site owners are getting this wrong, too.

To start a TRULY successful online business right now, you must FIRST identify a "niche market."

And yes, I know I sound like a broken record! You've likely heard me preaching and ranting about niche markets at least a dozen times already, but the truth is, no matter HOW often I talk about it, I still see so many well-intentioned people getting this WRONG.

When I chat with people at industry events, when I read the questions from members of my "Internet Entrepreneur Club," when I look at comments on my blog, I hear and see the same things all the time:

"My niche market is young business professionals."

"My niche market is women over 40 who are interested in their health."

"My niche market is people who like to garden."

These are NOT niche markets!!

These are HUGE and UNDEFINED groups of people who all have different goals, interests, and experiences, and trying to sell effectively to a big, diverse group like this is going to be an exercise in failure!

In fact, you'll likely find yourself competing directly with the likes of WalMart, eBay, or Amazon (or all three)...

... and something tells me their marketing budgets are a just tiny bit bigger than yours, right?

But that's the beauty of marketing to a true niche. It's a MUCH smaller, more defined target, so you can figure out exactly what everyone who visits your site wants... know where they hang out online... understand PRECISELY how to speak to them... and offer the specific products that will make a difference in their lives.

At the same time, you can really concentrate on becoming a recognized expert in your chosen market, so you'll be able to build really strong relationships of trust with your visitors, which is the key to success.

And best of all, these smaller markets can often be virtually ignored by the big guys, so you'll end up with MUCH less competition! So even though you're selling to far fewer people, you'll actually end up making MORE sales.

Make sense so far?

So, if groups like "parents over 35" or "balding men" aren't niche markets, what is? Well, let's look at some examples. These are actual niches that real people are getting wealthy in right now:

Spanish-speaking architects looking for software, training, and resources
People who want to make crafts with dried poppies
Heavy metal bands looking for sponsorship and branded clothing and accessories

See the difference?

A niche market is super specific, and caters to a group of people who are all looking for the solution to a common problem.

And if you're worried that narrowing your market like this will limit your sales, consider this:

In a typical town, a business selling nothing but organic parrot food would likely struggle. There's probably not enough demand, and even the local pet store couldn't sell enough of it to make it worthwhile.

But online, with over 1.3 billion people worldwide on the Internet, even if only one or two people in every town want that specific, hard-to-find product, that'smore than enough to make up a market for a profitable business!

So by all means, start that website now, even though it may seem like the timing is bad... but make sure you do your homework FIRST.

By identifying a solid, tightly-defined niche market, and then building your site and products around the problem that your market is trying to solve, you'll be taking the first GIANT step toward profits...

... and AVOIDING the kinds of disasters that typical small business startups can experience during uncertain economic times.

And that's what I call job security!

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

3 Things It Takes to Get Your Emails Opened

2010-03-03T08:34:00.002+01:00

3 Things It Takes to Get Your Emails Opened

By Kate Morrison

So you've followed all the rules to make sure your email promotions don't get caught up in the online spam filters, and now your messages are reaching their destination.

Well, don't congratulate yourself just yet...

NOW you have to deal with the toughest spam filter of all -- your customer!

With floods of email arriving every HOUR, most people are ruthless about deleting anything they even suspect won't interest them. Not only that, they're almost as likely to report unwanted emails as spam as they are to delete them.

Here are the top three reasons someone will open an email you sent, according to a DoubleClick survey:

They have an established relationship with the sender. If email recipients know who their emails are from, they're more likely to open them, with 65% of recipients saying the "From" line is the most compelling reason for them to open their opt-in emails.

And 74% of recipients said that if the email was from "a brand I know and trust" they were more likely to respond to it.

The offer is relevant to their needs. You need to know your target audience and tailor the content of your emails to meet their needs. DoubleClick found that the most important factor in generating a response was offering a product that they wanted at the time (83%).

To make sure your offers are timely, create separate campaigns for each segment of your audience (e.g., newsletter subscribers and people who have purchased from you before).

The email offers a good price on something they want. Price is important in most online transactions, and when it comes to emails, the DoubleClick survey showed that offers of free shipping and discounted prices in the subject lines of emails were more likely to compel recipients to open them.Email is one of your most potent sales generators -- but only if your emails are getting opened. It's worth your time to build your credibility by offering lots of value in your regular emails, and study your market to understand their wants and needs.

Then, when you send out that promotional email, you know it's something they'll open with no hesitation.

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

Improving Your Email Deliverability Rate Can Help Keep Your Business Healthy During The Downturn!

2010-03-03T08:21:00.005+01:00

Improving Your Email Deliverability Rate Can Help Keep Your Business Healthy During The Downturn!

By Derek Gehl

As the economy continues along its unsteady path, many small business owners have been asking me what they can do to keep their businesses financially healthy over the coming months.

Lots of people are wondering if they should be investing in fancy new site designs, or boosting their pay-per-click budgets, or hiring high-priced SEO experts to help them get better rankings.

Now, while I'm obviously not against spending more money on these sorts of things...

... I recommend you start by leveraging the tools you already have, and make sure you're using them as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Take your email marketing, for instance.

Ensuring you have a smooth-running and reliable email marketing program is one of the surest ways to keep your business humming, without having to invest a lot of money!

I mean, think about it: what's the BEST way to keep your sales and profits upduring a slow economy?

Build solid relationships with your existing customers, so they keep coming back for more.

And what's the ideal way to build those relationships?

Yep, you guessed it...

When you stay in touch with your regular customers -- and email them valuable information -- they'll quickly view you as a credible resource, an expert in your field, and most important, someone who's watching out for their best interests.

And they'll reward you with their loyalty (and continued purchases)!

Unfortunately, many business owners take their email marketing for granted, and pay little attention to it beyond what their next promotion will be...

... and meanwhile, the number of emails that actually make it to their customers' inboxes gets lower each week!

That's because legitimate permission-based email can often be mistakenly identified as "spam," and sent straight to customers' spam, folders... if it gets delivered at all.

It kind of defeats the purpose of using email for customer retention if none of your customers are getting the emails, right?

Fortunately, it's EASY to enjoy a high rate of deliverability with your email, if you understand a few basic spam rules.

So to make sure as much of your email is getting to your customers as possible, here are the TOP TEN things you MUST do to avoid having your email mistakenly labeled as spam...
Rule #1: Keep ACCURATE records of EACH person who subscribes

Having detailed records is just good business practice, but in the case of your opt-ins, it's critical.

So make sure you keep track of the date, time, referring IP address, and referring web page for EACH person who signs up, along with their first name, last name, and email address.
You can quickly and easily prove that you're definitely NOT a spammer if you have details to back yourself up.
Rule #2: Track requests to opt out, and remove these people PRONTO!

Once again, good record-keeping is the way to go. The CAN-SPAM act requires that you remove people who ask to opt out within 10 days of their request.

But why not play it safe? It's a good idea to implement your remove requests every couple of days, as well as before you do a new mailing.
Rule #3: Post your privacy policy on your website

Make sure you let people know that you will NEVER sell or trade their names and email addresses when they opt-in, and make sure you STICK to that!

There's a second benefit to posting your privacy policy clearly: you'll actually get MORE opt ins, because people will feel more comfortable sharing their information with you.

A clearly spelled-out privacy policy somewhere in your site, along with a direct link to it from your opt-in form, will go a long way in building credibility with your customers.

If you're unsure of how to write a privacy policy, I recommend you visit this site, where you can have one generated for you, automatically.
Rule #4: Make sure you're using reputable service providers

If you're thinking of hiring a third party to manage your email for you, or rent email lists from, make sure you investigate them thoroughly before you sign on the dotted line.

When it comes to the Internet, your reputation is only as good as the people who manage your email promotions for you, and you DON'T want to be hurt by someone else's bad behavior.
Rule #5: Use rental lists with care

Thinking of renting an email list for a promotion? Make sure you take the time to review the form that was used to collect those names and email addresses.

Not only will you be able to tell if the people on the list have given their permission to the list broker to sell or rent their information, you should also be able to tell if the people on the list will be interested in your offer.
Rule #6: Use a REAL return email address with room to store bounce-backs and opt-outs

While every email you send should have an "unsubscribe" link it in (more about that in a minute), you also need to honor any unsubscribe requests that people send to your regular email address.

So make sure it's possible for people on your list to reach you through regular email, and also make sure you've got room in your inbox to receive the messages. There's nothing worse than an unsubscribe request that can't be delivered!

And while it may be tempting to respond to the occasional angry unsubscribe email you may get from a disgruntled subscriber, your best course of action is simply to delete them promptly.
Rule #7: Provide easy instructions for how to unsubscribe

EVERY email you send out MUST contain clear, simple instructions that tell people how to unsubscribe if they no longer wish to receive email from you... as well as a link they can click to unsubscribe automatically.

This is NOT negotiable. Any email sent out without unsubscribe information is officially spam!
Rule #8: Provide your valid physical address

Each email you send out must contain your physical address.

Consider creating an email template with your contact information in the footer, and then use this template for each email you write. You'll eliminate the possibility of accidentally sending out mail without this important detail.
Rule #9: Use a consistent "from" address

The "from" line in your email must be valid and accurate -- the name of your business, for instance, or your own name (provided your name is well enough linked to your business that your customers will recognize it).

Your email address should also be clear enough for your customers to recognize. Some web-based email doesn't show the "from" line, so there needs to be another way for your customers to recognize you.
Rule #10: Use an authentic, non-misleading subject line

Nobody likes to be fooled or tricked, and deception is the WRONG way to earn your customers' trust and respect, so make sure your subject line is related to your actual messages.

So if your subject line says Janet, three ways to save money, you need to make sure you actually are talking about that in your email, and preferably within the first few paragraphs.

Otherwise, your visitors will feel cheated, and that will hurt your credibility.
Email marketing is inexpensive, easily trackable, and extremely effective. And the reason it's so effective is that you send it to a highly targeted, selected group of people; your customers and subscribers who have a relationship with you and WANT to hear from you.

But even your legitimate mail can be snagged in the web of anti-spam measures...

If you follow these 10 simple rules, you'll have the best chance of getting your email delivered.

Keep your opt-in list clean, and your email promotions should be recognized for what they are... responsible opt-in email promotions, not spam.

And that's the BEST way to continue to earn profits during the current economic downturn, without having to invest one additional penny!

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?
The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

How To Improve Customer Loyalty During A Turbulent Economy

2010-03-02T10:57:00.002+01:00

How To Improve Customer Loyalty During A Turbulent Economy

By Derek Gehl

I'm not gonna sugar coat it... it's looking pretty darn ugly out there!

I'll spare you a rehash of all the gory details -- I'm sure you're WELL aware of them already -- but suffice to say that the stock market and economy took a pretty sound thrashing this week.

And MANY people are worried.

I'm seeing it in the emails I've been getting from nervous customers... and in the urgent phone calls I'm receiving... and in the comments on my blog...

There are a whole lot of people out there who are concerned about what the present economic climate will mean to their Internet businesses.

Well, I'm no economist, so I'm not about to make a prediction about the markets or the stability of the economy...

... but I am an Internet marketer, and what I can say -- with confidence -- is that a downturn in the current economy does NOT have to be a major roadblock for YOUR Internet business!

One key to surviving (even thriving) during this period of uncertainty is to know your customers!

It's more critical than EVER for you to understand EXACTLY who they are... where they're coming from... their interests, goals, and desires. This will allow you to create laser-focused marketing copy that speaks DIRECTLY to them and solves their specific problems, as well as offer products that you know for sure will make a difference in their lives.

You'll be rewarded with continued customer loyalty and ongoing sales!

So if you don't already know all you can about your customers and visitors, NOW is definitely the time to find out...

... and the easiest and fastest way to do that is with a survey.

Here are the SIX STEPS you need to follow to create an effective and informative survey that will help you connect with your customers -- and continue to profit -- during the current financial turmoil:

Step #1: Plan Your Survey

As with everything else you do with your business, you'll have the greatest success with your survey if you do some advance planning.

Without a solid idea of what exactly it is you hope to learn from your results, you can easily end up creating a survey consisting of fairly random questions that ultimately don't lead you anywhere.

So make sure you take the time to sit down and do some brainstorming and list-making.

Decide what your goals with the survey are. Are you trying to learn more about specific products you offer? Looking for ways you could give everyone a more positive customer care experience? Trying to gather demographic information so you can segment your list better and send out tailored offers?

Be clear about what you're hoping to accomplish with the survey, and you'll be in great shape when it comes time to write the actual survey questions.

Step #2: Choose Your Weapon

One thing I like about surveys is that they're super simple for pretty much ANY business owner to administer, no matter how small your budget, or limited your technical knowledge.

That's because there are lots of web-based services out there that will host your survey for you... for FREE!

You just design the survey using their simple point-and-click interface, enter the text for your questions, and then email a link to the survey to your customers and subscribers.

When your customers show up, the automated survey is online and ready to take!

And best of all, many of these free services offer a reasonable number of reporting features, too, making it easy to interpret your results.

Of course, most of these services offer paid upgrades as well, which allow you to create more complex surveys and get more sophisticated reports, but for a typical small survey, the freebies work just fine.

Here are a couple that I've used and like:

SurveyMonkey
Survey Pro

Step #3: Design And Write Your Survey

Designing your survey takes a bit of skill, but with a small amount of planning (there's that word again!), you'll have no problem putting an effective one together. Just be sure that you're putting the questions in a logical order, and not exhausting your customers by asking for too much detail.

Here are a few tips to help you design a better survey:

Start with the good stuff -- To ease your customers into the survey, start off with some simple questions they can answer without a lot of thought.

This can be something as simple as basic demographic information (age, location, etc.), which also happens to be useful information.

But don't load up the front end with all of the easy questions. Save a few for the end of the survey. That way, it won't get increasingly difficult throughout, which can cause some people to bail before they complete it.

Avoid asking too many questions -- 5-10 minutes is about the maximum length you can reasonably expect somebody to spend answering a survey, so be sure to limit your questions.

At the same time, be sure to let your respondents know up front how much time will be required to complete it... and be honest! People will begin to drop out if it starts to take longer than you say.

Give your survey an introduction and ending -- It's a good idea to include an introduction to the survey, to clearly explain what people are required to do.

At the same time, it's a nice touch to end the survey with a "thank-you" page, just to let people know you appreciate the time they spent taking the survey.

Respect people's privacy -- You may want to collect personal information like age, income, and occupation. If you do so, make sure to reassure your customers beforehand that you have a strict privacy policy, and remind them that their answers are all confidential.

When it comes time to write the actual questions, make sure you write in a relaxed, conversational voice, and avoid things like abbreviations, acronyms, and double negatives. You want to be sure that EVERY person who takes your survey clearly understands all of the questions.

Here are a few tips to help you write compelling and effective survey questions:

Avoid asking leading questions -- Be sure that your questions don't sway your customers toward answering them in a particular way, or giving an answer that's not actually true.

For example, don't say: "How quickly did we resolve your problem? " This assumes that the problem was indeed resolved.

The question you should ask is, "Was your problem resolved?"

Avoid questions that rate more than one thing -- Avoid asking questions that require people to rate more than one thing at a time.

For instance, don't say: "How fast and accurate did you find our customer service representative?"

While the service may have been fast, it may not have been accurate (or vice versa) so this question is impossible to answer accurately.

Focus on asking "close-ended" questions -- In a survey, a close-ended question is one that can be answered with a simple yes/no or other specific piece of information, or a selection from multiple choices.

This makes the survey faster and easier for your customers, and the results more simple for you to manage.

So instead of a question like "What did you think of your customer service experience?" try something like "Did you enjoy your customer service experience?"

Be consistent with your questions -- If you ask your customers to rate certain things on a numbered scale, make sure to use the same scale each time.

So if they need to rate something on a scale of 1 to 5 in one question, avoid using a scale of 1 to 10 elsewhere.

Watch out for long questions -- If your questions are too long, your customers will soon get tired of answering them, and abandon the survey. Look for questions that can be broken into two or more parts.
Don't test your customers' memories -- Try not to ask your customers to recall a lot of information that happened far in the past. They'll soon get bogged down trying to recall specific details, and if they're in a hurry to complete the survey, will often abandon it.

Step #4: Test Your Survey

You all know by now that I'm a HUGE advocate of testing EVERYTHING before you email it, make it live on your site, or expose it to your customers in any way.

So take the time to carefully review the survey to make sure it has a logical flow, and that it all makes sense.

If you can, it's a good idea to ask a few people (customers, if possible, or co-workers, friends, or family) to take the survey ahead of time, and actually WATCH them while they do it.

Do they hesitate while answering a question? Backtrack? Skip over a question? It could be a sign that your questions aren't clear enough, and you'll need to work on making them more simple.

Once you're done, ask about the experience. Was there anything you didn't understand? Were you confused at any point?

You want to make sure the survey is easy to understand and follow BEFORE you make it available. Once it's actually live -- and your customers have started answering it -- you DON'T want to have to start tinkering with the questions. That will skew your results.

Step #5: Administer The Survey

Okay, the moment of truth is upon you: It's time to invite your customers to take the survey.

The easiest way to do this is to email them, and ask them for a few minutes of their time. And make sure you tell them what's in it for them if they take the survey.

If your goal is to improve a certain product, for instance, tell them that by taking the survey, they'll actually be helping you to help them, because you'll use their comments to fine-tune the assistance you can offer them.

And don't be shy about offering your customers a "bribe" for taking the survey. You're asking them to do a big favor for you, so it's not unreasonable to reward them for their time.

Consider sending everyone who responds a gift (like a free eBook that they'll find valuable, a coupon for discounted products, or enter them in a draw to win some a prize.)

Finally, make sure you build some urgency into the email. If you don't ask people to take the time right away to answer the survey, they'll often put it aside to answer when they have more time... but then never return to complete it.

Step #6: Interpret Your Results

As you review the results of your survey, remember that, more than anything, you're looking for trends. Did the majority of respondents answer specific questions the same way? Are they often expressing the same frustrations, etc?

At the same time, look for any surprising answers. Your survey is likely going to tell you things about your audience that you had no idea were true.

By finding out EXACTLY who your audience is, what they like (and dislike), and what their goals and experiences are, you'll be able to tailor your salescopy, your email marketing efforts, your website, and even your products, to perfectly suit them.

The results should be improved customer loyalty, and ongoing success with your business, even during these turbulent economic times!

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

Trying To Write Compelling Salescopy? Play To Your Readers' Emotions...

2010-03-01T09:04:00.004+01:00

Trying To Write Compelling Salescopy? Play To Your Readers' Emotions...

The Internet Marketing Center Team

If you've been a subscriber to Marketing Tips Report for any length of time, you've probably heard us talk a LOT about the importance of benefits in salescopy.

Benefits show -- in detail -- how your product will solve your customers' problems, improve their lives, save them money, and so on.

In a nutshell, benefits answer the BIGGEST question on readers' minds: "What's in it for me?"

But how do you know which benefits to focus on? What are people searching for when they type words into a search engine and end up on your sales page? More importantly, why are they searching?

(Hint: it's not because they like to spend money on random sites on the Internet!)

The answer to "why" is the secret ingredient that lies at the heart of EVERY successful salesletter: emotional appeal.

People don't buy things for rational reasons. They buy for emotional ones. They want to feel good... hopeful... satisfied... proud... relaxed... acknowledged... secure...

... you get the picture.

If you can identify the underlying emotional needs your product or service satisfies, you can write copy that identifies with your reader in a very intimate way. In a way that says YOU understand them. That you've been there yourself. And that you've found a solution to the very problem their emotions are driving them to solve.

That's powerful stuff.

So how can you write emotionally-charged salescopy that connects to your reader? Start by looking at the problem your product solves. What's the underlying emotion it addresses?

Let's say you sell an eBook on 5-minute makeup tips. What problem does your eBook solve? The need to look professional in a hurry and without too much effort? What emotions are being catered to? Pride? Vanity? Laziness? All three?

Out of all human emotions, some are more powerful "sales" drivers than others. So the first step to writing emotionally-charged copy is to identify which "power" emotions are at the core of your product.

Here are seven power emotions that you can tap into, to write salescopy that converts the MAXIMUM number of visitors into paying customers...

Power Emotion #1: Fear of Loss

One of the most powerful human drivers of change is fear. Fear of losing those things that are most important to us. It could be our sense of security that's at stake. Our money. Our health. Or even our happiness.

When you identify fear, you can write salescopy that speaks to that emotion, and indicates how your product will overcome that fear.

Here are some examples of copy that recognizes fear and offers a solution to it:

"Lose $3,000 tomorrow without this advice…"
"Protect your computer from viruses that can wipe out your entire hard drive."
"Selling your home? Avoid the top 10 mistakes that can cost you thousands of dollars!"

Notice how these examples use words like "protect" and "avoid"?

Just as there are power emotions, there are power words that correspond to those emotions!

What are some other power words besides "protect" that correspond to fear? Well, you can try words like:

Save
Secure
Safety
Clinch
Red flag
Defend

Keep in mind that when you identify negative emotions like fear, your ultimate goal is to show how your product or service takes away these fears.

Your job is to identify the fear that is there, relate to your reader based on that emotion, then provide relief from that unpleasant emotion. That's why the power words related to fear are positive.

Power Emotion #2: Greed

Greed is another powerful emotion that drives us to take action on our goals. Whether it's our thirst for money, security, fame, recognition, power, or just about anything else that we desire.

So how do you acknowledge these desires in your salescopy? And more importantly, how will your product provide them?

Take a look at some examples of copy that does just that:

"We'd like to introduce the easiest, simplest, and most efficient proven method for you to make money... This revolutionary method is 100% real and effective, and it will make you increase your income about 90%, so you can make between $100 and $500 a day."
"Club Sportiva gives you the keys to our private multi-million dollar car collection... letting you experience everything from the classics like a Jaguar E-type and Bentley to the newest exotic Ferraris and Lamborghinis."
"Tired of scraping by, only buying products if they're on 'sale', living paycheck to paycheck? Discover how to break the cycle once and for all, and start living a life of luxury."

And here are some power words you can use to connect with your readers' inner longing for easy acquisition:

All
Amass
Money
Millionaire
Monopolize
Results
Proven

Power Emotion #3: Lust

Lust is perhaps the most pleasurable of the power emotions. And who couldn't use a little more pleasure in their lives?

Some examples of salescopy that hand you lust on a platter:

"In this section, you will learn a step by step process for how to win the game of love, so that you can immediately begin attracting the love of your life."
"Learn the seduction secrets that will make women melt in your hands..."
"Are you ready for a night on the town? Your best girl friends -- check! Money for cover charges and one drink -- check! Oh wait -- what to wear? No worries, FlirtCatalog has one of the largest selections of sexy dresses to put your mind at ease!"

Home in on this pleasurable emotion using some of these lustful words

Compel
Attract
Love
Delicious
Tempting
Enticing
Charming
Discovery
Health
Tempt

Of course, people can lust after things as well as people (like a Lamborghini!). So keep in mind that your product doesn't have to be focused on "getting the girl" or other types of people-related lust.

Power Emotion #4: Vanity

If your product caters to people's vanity -- pride in their appearance, abilities, and achievements reflected back by others -- you're in luck. It's another top-selling emotion.

"If you want to be one of those women who always looks great no matter what you're wearing, no matter what your age...and even if you're not at your "ideal weight," then this will be the most important letter you've ever read."
"In the last 10 years, we've helped thousands of men and women of all ages and fitness levels to look and feel their very best -- people just like YOU!"

In fact, whole industries are built around this need to look and feel our best. Let's face it. We can all use a boost sometime. And those products that appeal to our vanity can provide them.

Some other vanity power words include:

Attractive
Confident
Magnetic
Younger
Stronger
Beautiful
You

Think about how your product or service caters to this power emotion... image consulting, exercise equipment, cosmetics, laser eye surgery, baldness cures... the list goes on.

Power Emotion #5: Pride

Do you feel pleasure when you know you've done something well? Feeling good about your accomplishments is what pride's all about.

To connect with pride, your ultimate goal is to show how your product will provide a sense of worth or accomplishment.

Let's take a look at a couple of examples:

"Would You Want Your Name Written In The 'Largemouth BASS' Hall Of FAME? What if I could show you insider up-to-date secret techniques that will put your name in the history records like the old-school stars -- Kevin VanDam, Denny Brauer and Gary Klein?"
"Now You Can Transform Ordinary Fabric Into a Handmade Quilt That Your Family and Friends Will Love, Admire and Cherish – Even If You Have Never Made a Quilt Before!"
"Transform the book idea in your head into a completed and ready-to-publish manuscript in your hands."

The opportunities for identifying with pride are endless! Your pride power-words:

Accomplish
Master
Transform
Best
Biggest
Greatest
Money
Proven
Results
Envy

Power Emotion #6: Envy

You've worked hard all your life, but you're not even close to making that 6-figure salary you thought you'd be making by now. But it seems every time you turn around, there's someone else who is.

Ah, envy. Whether you've got it for someone else or you want others to envy YOU, it's a powerful emotion. And it's one of the top instigators of change.

Envy is the state of seeing others who have what YOU want. So if you're going to identify with envy, you need to be prepared to tell them how your product will give them what they're lacking. In a word, your copy needs to promise fulfillment.

Testimonials, examples, and personal stories inspire envy -- and give inspiration to take further action:

"Your buddies will be AMAZED at your LUCK or so it would seem... If they only knew what you're about to discover..."
"I was working a corporate job for almost 9 years. Finally I had it when my salary was cut by 30%... Today my life is drastically different. I work out of my home office in NYC. I gave up the suit for jeans, sweats and shorts. And I spend most of my day doing what I love: working out, shopping, volunteering and walking my dog Cheila. And I have already tripled my income this year working this business 20-25 hours a week."
"Desperate Scrawny "Nerd" From Texas Humiliates The "Big Boys" At The Gym After Accidentally Discovering The Body's Hidden Natural "Trigger" For Blasting Through Rotten Genetics And Packing On Up To 3 - 6 - Even 9 INCHES Of Shredded Muscle...NOT In Years...But Just WEEKS!"

Here are some envy power words you can use:

Desire
Covet
Begrudge
Secret
Ordinary
Extraordinary
People just like you

Just remember, envy is only a negative emotion if it doesn't prompt someone to take concrete steps to change whatever it is about their lives that isn't working for them.

And if your product can provide those steps, your customers need to know about it!

But first you have to capture their attention... by using genuine testimonials or personal anecdotes you can inspire a little envy, then go on to describe how your reader can achieve the same enviable state!

Power Emotion #7: Laziness

These days, there are a lot of things competing for our time and attention. Family, work, hobbies, giving back to the community... the list goes on and on. So products that can provide quick results with minimal effort are extremely appealing.

That's where laziness comes into play.

Laziness is the need for maximum results with minimum effort. And its allure is powerful.

Here are some examples of "lazy" copy:

"Avoid the common fitness mistakes that waste your time."
"How would you like to write your book in 3 days? Attend my Author's Boot Camp and get that book that you know is inside you out of your head and onto the paper in one weekend."

Your lazy power words:

Instant access
Save time
In less than
Break-neck speed
Lightning
Easy
Guaranteed
Roadmap
Blueprint
Avoid mistakes

Those are the top 7 power-emotions in a nutshell. Did you notice that salescopy from the same website came up in a couple of examples? For instance, the examples about writing a book covered laziness AND pride. Most copy will cater to more than just one type of emotion.

And there are natural combinations of these emotions, too: pride, laziness, and greed; fear, pride, and vanity; or envy, vanity, and laziness, for example.

So by all means, choose two or three to highlight throughout your copy and sales process. In general, any more than that, and your copy won't be as focused or effective as it should.

But remember, emotion is the element that will turbo-charge your salescopy, so think -- and FEEL -- like your potential customers.

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

Finally — Overcome Every Barrier Between You and a Profitable Website

2010-02-27T09:48:00.002+01:00

Are you one of those people who have been trying forever to start
an Internet business, but you never seem to make any progress?

Maybe you've got too many demands on your time, maybe you're
suffering from "information overload," or maybe you just lack the
motivation or confidence to do it.

Whatever the challenges are that are stopping you from making
progress with your business, I'd like to show you how you can
quickly and easily overcome them, and start making money TWO
different ways...

Enroll in the Internet Marketing Specialist Certification Program and take advantage of our time-limited $150 introductory discount... then start a successful ebusiness with multiple streams of income.

Click here to get started!

I just finished reviewing a new training program called the
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virtual training course that gives you all of the skills, support,
motivation, and confidence you need to succeed online.

From what I've seen, this Certification Program is the ONLY
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three-level approach to building a business:

Self-paced online learning based on a proven process

Exclusive ebusiness learning software for implementing your lessons

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Get our complete A-Z process for building a successful website, backed by guidance and support from our experts.
Enroll right away, and qualify for our Internet-only rate of just $147 for your first month.

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Developed by the experts at the Internet Marketing Center,
everything in the Program is virtual, so you learn at your own
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own. You’ll complete homework, tests, and get feedback from
online instructors.

The program is hands-on, so you'll actually apply what you learn,
as you learn it, to create your own profitable website. And
you'll use IMC's exclusive ebusiness learning software to do the
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Become one of our success stories. Start a profitable ebusiness, then earn lucrative feels for teaching others.

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Then when you graduate (I'm told that some students complete the
program in as little as one month), you'll have a complete
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You'll also receive IMC's "Certified Internet Marketing
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Get all of the tools and training you need to create your own business with multiple streams of income.
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And IMC even guarantees your results! If you don't have a
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In my opinion, this Certification Program is the perfect cure to
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never making any progress. I recommend you check it out right
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Boris

P.S. For a short time only, IMC is offering a special $150
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Few helpful tips for improving your opt-ins and sales

2010-02-26T10:15:00.005+01:00

Tales From The IMC Testing Labs: Our Experts Share Their Latest Findings

The Internet Marketing Center Team

Want to know exactly what's working online this minute?

Here at the Internet Marketing Center, we employ an entire team of "real world" experts.

By day, this dedicated group of Internet marketers works in the trenches, giving our customers one-on-one help to build their Internet businesses, often starting from square one and completing their sites just five days later.

But by night, our intrepid entrepreneurs run their own successful websites.

These websites serve as their personal testing labs, where they're able constantly to try out new techniques and approaches for getting more qualified traffic, improving their search engine rankings, converting more visitors into long-term customers, and for adding additional streams of income to their businesses.

Through meticulous testing, they uncover EXACTLY what's working right now, and decide which techniques aren't worth wasting time trying.

On occasion, we like to pass some of these results along to you, our subscriber, to help you make the most of your own website.

So without further ado, here are a few helpful tips for improving your opt-ins and sales, courtesy of Senior Internet Marketing Expert/Instructor Cijaye DePradine, who has recently reported some exceptional results with her own testing program:

Tip #1: Increase Your Opt-In Rates by Up To 75% with Survey Landing Pages

Want to find out who your market is, or find out what they want (and how much they're willing to pay for it)? There's no better way than a survey landing page.

People LOVE to give their opinions on just about anything, particularly if there's a benefit to them for doing it.

But Cijaye recently discovered there's a hidden benefit to doing a survey: she used survey landing pages along with pay-per-click advertising, and was rewarded with an increase in her opt-in rates of a whopping 75%!

The trick is to offer your visitors some kind of "bribe" or reward for filling out the survey, and make sure it's something you can email to them.

Then, at the end of the survey, thank them for participating, and ask for their names and email addresses to send the reward. And presto! An entire NEW source of opt-ins for your list.

Of course, the actual results of your survey are just as important as getting the opt-ins, as they'll help you improve your overall businesses, so make sure you don't just throw up any old thing to get email addresses.

Cijaye finds that her surveys are the most successful when she:

Makes the pay-per-click ad enticing -- If possible, dangle the free "bribe" in front of your visitors right IN the ad

Keeps the survey short -- A maximum of 10 questions is usually best

Keeps the survey tightly focused -- When writing your questions, concentrate on just one goal. What is the one thing you MOST want to learn from your survey?

Tip #2: Increase Follow-Through on Key Actions with Email Reminders

Is there something in particular you want your subscribers to do? Follow you on Twitter? Join your online forum? Revisit your site to check out new products?

Many people will put a "follow me on Twitter" logo on their website, or place a forum link on their homepage, then just sit back and hope that everyone stumbles across it, and decides to follow through.

If that's your strategy, you're not going to get very far!

In fact, as Cijaye recently discovered through extensive email testing, by far the BEST way to get a subscriber to take action is through email reminders.

And we're not talking the odd email sent once a year. Cijaye says it takes as many as 7 contacts before one of her subscriber takes action!

Okay, we know what you're thinking: If I ask my subscribers to "friend" me on Facebook 7 times in 7 different emails, they're all going to unsubscribe!

But according to Cijaye, your subscribers actually won't mind getting this many email reminders, as long as you follow one very important rule:

ALWAYS answer the "what's in it for me" question!!

So, for instance, if you're trying to get a subscriber to become a friend on Facebook, you'll want to explain in your emails about all of the benefits of being a friend: they'll have free access to a community of like-minded people they can share ideas with, they'll be able to find out about special offers on your site before the general public, and so on.

What subscriber is going to resent you for offering them this kind of help, even if you do it multiple times?

But just to play it safe, you'll also want to pay attention to the timing of your email reminders. Send them too close together, and chances are you'll see an upswing in unsubscribes.

Tip #3: Increase Purchases and Other Activity on Your Site by Up to 50% by Sending Out Detailed Instructions

Want to get twice as many of your subscribers to take critical action on your site -- like buy something?

Cijaye found that simply sending an email with instructions on HOW to act can have a BIG impact!

She sent out detailed instructions for performing a number of different actions on her site, and saw excellent results across the board. Here are some things to try:

Leave comments on your blog or site -- True, getting comments from subscribers won't have a direct impact on your sales, but more comments equals more content, which translates to better search rankings, more traffic, and then more sales.

Plus, getting comments allows you to create more of a community, so that people are more encouraged to come back to your site time and again.

So Cijaye sent an email to her subscribers, explaining how to leave comments, and voila, she had an IMMEDIATE increase in the number of subscribers leaving comments.

Join your forum or special gallery -- Again, getting people actively involved in your website creates a community, which leads to repeat visits, and potentially more sales.

So in an effort to increase the number of people who signed up for her special gallery, Cijaye sent out an email telling people exactly how to do it, and was rewarded with a 50% increase in members!

Purchase more products -- Believe it or not, you really can get people to make more purchases from your website simply by telling them how to do it!

In this test, Cijaye sent instructions explaining how to purchase products using PayPal, and saw an immediate impact on her bottom line.
Why do these three tips we've just shown you work so well? Well, according to Cijaye: "People are simply too busy to figure things out their own, or to remember to take specific actions. It's YOUR job as a business owner to help them along the way... and NOT doing so leaves money on the table!"

Would you like the opportunity to work one-on-one with Cijaye -- or one of our other highly qualified Internet marketing experts -- to get hands-on help starting your own Internet business?

We routinely host intensive 5-day startup clinics, where we work side by side with our clients to create lucrative websites from scratch over a period of just 5 days.

We've already had hundreds of graduates, and 100% of them left the clinic on Day 5 with a complete website already getting traffic, and many of them were already making sales.

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

Sourcing High-Quality, Worry-Free Images For Your Website

2010-02-23T09:36:00.001+01:00

Sourcing High-Quality, Worry-Free Images For Your Website

By Kate Morrison

Let's say you sell quirky, hard-to-find pet supplies on your website, and you think that a picture of a dog wearing goggles actually is a relevant and important image for your website.

So you go to Google, do a quick image search, and nab the cutest goggle-wearing dog photo you can find.

You stick it up on your site, and you're good to go...

Well, guess what? Without even knowing it, you've just broken the law!

And if you happened to grab that photo from a stock photo site -- a website that sells photographs for publication purposes -- you may well be hearing from their lawyers.

(If you think nobody will notice, note that the big stock photo companies have sophisticated technology that constantly roams the web, sniffing out even a few pixels of an image they own the rights to).

So remember this: just because something is available online for you to view, doesn't mean it's available for you to use.

But don't worry, there are still plenty of alternatives for finding the perfect images for your site:

Option #1: Create Your Own Images

No, you don't have to be a professional photographer -- or have any advanced skills -- to make creative and arresting images for your website.

All it takes is a basic digital camera and your imagination.

Let's say you need a picture of the Eiffel Tower for your website, but you've never been to France, and aren't planning to go anytime soon.

Consider heading down to your favorite discount store and grabbing an Eiffel Tower snow globe or paperweight. Plop it on your lawn, take a quick snapshot, and voila!

You may even get a few visitors to stick around longer because of your quirky sense of humor.

Option #2: Paid Content Libraries

There are plenty of places where you can find legal images for your website, as long as you're willing to pay for them.

And how much you'll pay is determined by a number of factors: will it be widely distributed? used for commercial purposes? modified in any way?

If it's any consolation, paying for images through a content library like Getty Images will give you complete peace of mind. They usually assume responsibility for any of the images they sell, so you're protected from third party claims if the image ends up being contested.

There are two types of paid licenses for you to consider:

Royalty-free (RF): With a royalty-free license, you can use the image multiple times. So you can put your goggle-wearing dog image on your homepage, your contact page, your "about me" page, and anywhere else you want it.

Rights-managed (RM): You can only use rights-managed images in very specific ways, with restrictions like how long you can use the image, where you can use it, and so on.

For your purposes, you'll likely want to search for royalty-free images for you site, as they are cheaper and have far fewer restrictions.

Option #3: Cheap and FREE Picture Libraries

Fortunately, there are plenty of places online where you can get high-quality, high-resolution professional images for free!

The trick is to look for images that exist under what's called a "Creative Commons (CC) License."

Although each CC license is a bit different, they essentially allow the content owner to set their own terms and conditions of use. Quite often this just involves asking for a credit, so CC licenses can be an excellent resource for free images!

(There are actually six different types of CC licenses, and some are more restrictive than others. To learn about all of them, and find out which makes most sense for you, visit our blog, where we give you a complete rundown.)

And what's the best resource for CC licensed images? Flickr!

Flickr is a fantastic resource for free photos. The site evolved out of a need for people to be able to access free or cheap images that didn't contravene copyright laws. As a result, many Flickr users share their work under Creative Commons licenses, deciding for themselves how others will be able to use their work.

Just be sure to check the license code at the bottom of the image you're interested in, to make sure it's available for you to use.

As you can see, sourcing images for your website isn't quite as simple as snatching your favorite shots from the Internet, but there are still plenty of options for getting free or low-cost pictures that are safe to use.

But by paying attention to licensing requirements, you'll never have to worry about getting yourself into hot water over unauthorized images on your website.

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

Increase Your Sales Conversions With Arresting (And Relevant) Images

2010-02-23T09:30:00.001+01:00

Increase Your Sales Conversions With Arresting (And Relevant) Images

The Internet Marketing Center Team

The Internet is a visual medium, so it makes sense to load your website with lots of colorful and entertaining images, right?

Think again!

Posting a raft of pictures and other graphics on your site can actually HURT your sales, because they distract your visitors from the single most important thing you want them to do: buy something!

In fact, an image-heavy website is pretty much a GUARANTEE that your visitors will spend a lot more time looking at the pretty pictures, and a lot less time reading the salescopy.

And let's face it... it's the words, not the pictures, that close the sale.

As well, without a single strong focal point on your site, a user's eyes will roam 'round and 'round the page, looking for something -- anything -- to latch onto. And not finding anything in particular to draw their attention among all of those competing images, they'll often feel disoriented, and subsequently leave your site.

Now that's not to say that you shouldn't use images on your website at all. You'll definitely want to include some quality pictures, but make sure each one serves a particular purpose.

And what would that purpose be? Well, each image or graphic should contribute to your sales process, by highlighting important passages in the copy, illustrating the main benefits of your product, or leading your visitors through your site.

At the same time, adding interesting images will actually reduce your bounce rate (visitors who leave your site without looking at ANY other page than the one they landed on).

So before you jump in and upload your favorite pictures of your dog dressed in goggles (don't laugh -- we've seen it!) here's what you need to know about effectively using images on your website or landing page to increase your conversions.

Use Images to Put Your Product in Your Visitors' Hands

In a "bricks-and-mortar" store, customers can get up close and personal with the product, and as a result, can picture themselves actually using it.

They'll feel good about making the purchase, because they'll be confident that the product will perform as promised.

Online, you don't have the luxury of placing your product in your visitors' hands, but you can do the next best thing, by including a detailed, quality image of each product you sell.

This is particularly important if you're selling something that's delivered electronically, like an eBook, as it makes the product seem more tangible.

And a recent report by Marketing Sherpa concluded that a product shot got as much attention as any other element on the page... and in many cases, it got MORE!

But don't go overboard with your product images! One strong product image is typically more successful than multiple images that feature the product from every conceivable angle.

Your visitors will stay more focused on the purchase if they're not bombarded by a series of different images at once -- even if those images are related.

And make sure that the surrounding text is still as easy to read as possible, by placing your images to the left of any corresponding copy.

The typical online reader will struggle to read text that's displayed to the left of the image.

Include Pictures of "Real People" With Your Testimonials

Everyone knows by now the value of including testimonials from satisfied customers on websites, but far fewer people actually include images of happy customers on their sites.

So make sure that, whenever possible, you include a picture of your happy buyers.

And while we stress using good quality images on your site, here's where you have a bit of leeway. That's because studies have shown that a basic "snapshot" of a person can be more persuasive and powerful than a fancy, studio-produced head shot.

People tend to view these more casual images as more "real," and therefore more credible.

If You Sell a Service, Include an Image of Your Main Product: YOU!

If you're using your website to collect leads for your service-based business, don't be shy about including an image of yourself (and your team, if applicable).

As above, the rule of "real people" applies...

Don't sweat it if you don't have an 8 x 10 glamour shot you can include with your copy. A more casual -- even "amateur" -- photo will actually add to your credibility (and you'll save some money on a fancy photographer, too!).

Ready To Add Some Images? Follow These Simple Guidelines To Maximize Their Impact

If you're ready to add some images to your website -- or you'd like to make your existing images pull their weight -- there are some simple tricks you can use that will take just a few seconds, and will help you make the most of every picture.

And they're so easy, even a non-technical person can follow them...

Make your images "clickable"

It's a natural impulse for people to try clicking on images when they browse a web page, so don't miss out on this opportunity to capture your visitors' attention.

Is it a product image? Link to the page where your customer can actually buy the product. A thumbnail image of your staff? Link to a larger version of the image, so people can see more detail.

One warning: avoid actually sending your visitors off the page completely when they click on an image. A pop-up is usually best.

Include a caption with each image

MarketingSherpa, in their recent "Landing Page Handbook," discusses how, in a print ad, the photo caption is the second-most read element on the page, beaten only by the headline.

So it makes sense to use captions on your website images, too.

A photo caption is the perfect opportunity not just to identify what's in the image, but to actually squeeze in one of the main benefits of your product, site, or service, too... to say nothing of a good keyword!

Consider designing a special "thumbnail" version of your eBook cover

One challenge with using a product image of a book, report, or other information product is that the cover can be difficult to decipher in a reduced image.

So when you create your image, consider making a special "thumbnail" version with enlarged text that's clearly readable, even at a greatly reduced size.

Here's an example of an eBook cover we produced recently that features this " thumbnail-friendly" design.

Bigger is never better when it comes to site images

If your web pages don't load quickly, your visitors will lose patience and click away, so it's important that you don't overload your website with large, slow-loading graphics.

You don't want to lose potential sales just because your site took forever to load.

Most images can be greatly reduced in size, and it's amazing to see how much faster your website loads once you've compressed your graphics!

WebGraphics Optimizer (www.webopt.com) is a great tool for optimizing and compressing images for online and Internet use. You can download a free trial version at their website.

Bonus Tip! Use images to improve your site's search engine rankings

Did you know you can easily include your best keywords with your images, which will help you rank higher in the search engines?

To do it, you just need to add a bit of "alt text" to your image tags:

Here's what an image tag looks like without the alt text:

And here's how it would look with the alt text:

See? We told you it was easy! ;-)

This strategy won't necessarily boost you to the top of the search engine rankings overnight, but it does increase the number of keywords the spiders will find on your page.

Plus, the search engines will see that you're working hard to optimize your page rather than resorting to frowned-upon tactics like keyword stuffing.
Creating a website that is both attractive AND functional requires a balancing act between your copy and your images.

Too many images, and you risk distracting your customers (who will then fail to make a purchase). But too few images, and you risk losing the opportunity fully to build your credibility and highlight your site's main benefits.

Just remember to use restraint when choosing your images, and make sure each picture contributes to your overall sales process, and you'll be rewarded with increased conversions, and more money in your pocket.

If you'd like even MORE tips for creating and adding powerful and effective images to your website -- along with hundreds of other techniques for improving your website to achieve maximum sales -- check out our best-selling Insider Secrets program.

This comprehensive, step-by-step program teaches you everything you need to know to build a successful Internet business, even if you're starting from scratch and have no experience.

We're currently offering unrestricted access to the ENTIRE program for 30 days for just $2.95, so there's virtually NO RISK in trying it out.

To spend the next month reviewing Insider Secrets, and using as many of the techniques to start or grow your website as you want, simply click here for instant access.

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

Learn How You Can Actively Control, Direct, And Guarantee The Success Of Your Internet Business With This One Simple Strategy

2010-02-23T09:08:00.005+01:00

Internet Business

Learn How You Can Actively Control, Direct, And Guarantee The Success Of Your Internet Business With This One Simple Strategy

Motivational speaker Anthony Robbins once said, “If you want to be successful, find someone who achieved the results you want and copy what they do, and you’ll achieve the same results.”

It’s an idea I became familiar with many years ago…

When I was first getting started online, I made a lot of mistakes. Not because I wasn’t trying to model successful businesses, but because there simply weren’t businesses online to model. (In 1996, I was among the first handful of people to actually start selling products over the Internet.)

So I gathered as much information as I could from successful offline marketing experts like Jay Abraham; however, the challenge was adjusting their techniques to work in the online world. I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you that many of the techniques used to market and sell in the “real world” either…

a)Didn’t work at all on the Internet.

Or

b)Needed to be seriously adjusted, tested, tweaked, and adjusted some more to really get results online.

The point that I’m trying to make here is that it literally took me years of testing and hundreds of thousands of dollars to discover the same techniques that you’ll now see commonly used online today.

Fortunately, there is no reason for things to be nearly this difficult for you. Today, modeling the Internet “successes” is relatively easy. (Though, be careful that you separate the phonies and fakes from the “true experts” -- look for those who honestly practice what they preach and who can prove it!)
The biggest investment that you’ll need to make is your time…

If you’re interested in long-term, life-changing success, then a few extra days of reading and researching shouldn’t matter. It’s the success of your business that we’re talking about here, so don’t make the fatal mistake of thinking that you’re “wasting time.” Remember that what you learn today could be the technique or strategy that saves you not only wasted time and effort, but thousands of dollars in “could have been” profits.

It’s an extremely simple concept, but it’s really one of the key ideas I teach…

Guarantee Your Success By Modeling The Successful

1) What Should My Web Site Look Like?

Why spend thousands of dollars having a flashy site designed that’s loaded with theme music and spinning graphics? Some of the most successful web sites online today have extremely sleek, simple designs.

Of course, before I tell you to model proven successful web sites, I want you to be aware of “the catch”…
When researching web sites to model, the ones you should be paying closest attention to are your competitors’ and sites that have a profit model similar to your own (i.e. look for sites that make money in a similar way).

For example, if you sell cotton balls on your web site, you shouldn’t be modeling your site design after Amazon.com. First off, they sell books (among other things). You sell cotton balls. They offer a wide variety of titles and choices. You offer one product -- cotton balls. Finally, let’s face it -- their advertising budget is out of this world! If you’re a small or home-based business, you likely don’t have the same kind of luxury to experiment and make expensive mistakes.

So think practical -- be realistic -- and start looking for other sites that are successfully selling their cotton balls online (or one, similar product), and model your site after theirs. Your site doesn’t need to be the next Yahoo! or eBay for you to be earning a significant 6 figure income.

2) How Do I Write Sales Copy That Really Sells?

Writing sales copy that really sells takes practice -- and education! I have yet to meet someone who just has a “natural gift” for writing award-winning copy without any education whatsoever.

Sure, some people might get “lucky” and stumble onto bits and pieces of the proven approach -- but I can guarantee you that anyone who hasn’t studied the “art & science of sales copy” is missing key elements that could increase their sales by 400% - 1,200%. I’m not kidding here…

So rather than playing a “hit or miss” guessing game with your copy, I highly recommend looking for sales copy that makes YOU want to buy and studying it. After you’ve read enough quality copy, you’ll start to notice a distinct pattern that you can apply to your own writing.

3) How Do I Rank At The Top Of The Search Engines?

If you plan on ranking at the top of the search engines, then I can’t stress enough the importance of educating yourself. The search engines are a highly competitive arena where only those who have taken the time to “learn the rules” claim a top 10 spot.

Very rarely these days will you hear of someone “getting lucky” and just magically sliding into a top ranking.
So if you want a top 10 listing under your best keywords and phrases (i.e. you want your site to appear in the top 10 listings when someone searches the key phrase “cotton balls” in Alta Vista, Yahoo!, Google, Excite, HotBot, etc…), then you need to do two things…

a)Examine the web sites that already rank in the top 10 under your best keywords and phrases -- and look for patterns.

b)Use the proven know-how of the search engine experts to learn the ropes. If you want a top ranking, then you’ll want the experience and advice of someone who makes it their mission to keep up with the constantly changing rules of each search engine and directory.

In fact, before you spend a lot of time examining the sites of your competition for clues as to why they are listed among the top 10, I recommend seeking out these search engine gurus. With their advice, you’ll be better prepared to critically examine your competitors’ web sites for clues that explain why they’re at the top of the ranks.

4) How Do I Drive Targeted Traffic To My Web Site?

If you want to increase the number of targeted potential customers who are arriving at your web site each day, then a listing in the search engines is a good start, but it’s also exactly that -- a start.

Again, take some time to research your competition. How are they attracting their visitors? Do they have a lot of links on other sites? Do they have their own Affiliate Program? Do they participate heavily in newsgroups? Do they have an established viral marketing campaign?

Use the experience of your competition to your advantage by learning their secrets -- and then tweaking and improving on their approach to do them one better!

Work Smarter -- Not Harder -- And See Bigger Rewards And Profits

Even now, I still scour the Web to see how others are creating their own success. I analyze my competition… I read everything that I can get my hands on… and I remain open to new ideas and new approaches.
Today, it’s relatively cheap and easy to get a solid education in what Internet marketing techniques work, which to avoid, and how to build guaranteed success the first time around! So why would you waste your valuable (and limited) time and money by stubbornly insisting on making mistakes that you could easily avoid with a little education?

Model the success of others and you'll not only guarantee your success, you'll achieve your goals in less time with less expense than you could on your own.

Think about it... is there an easier way to make money online?

The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center is a team of experts who help people make money online by starting an online business. -- and growing it. Since 1996 thousands of successful small and home based businesses have found success using IMC's comprehensive courses, software tools, and personal training packages. Visit the Internet Marketing Center for more free resources.

Internet Entrepreneur Club

2010-02-17T11:11:00.007+01:00

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How To Start eBay

2010-02-17T10:18:00.004+01:00

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Ebooks Management Software

2010-02-16T14:49:00.004+01:00

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Marketing Newsletter Opt-in Email Program

2010-02-16T11:40:00.007+01:00

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Small Business Software

2010-02-16T10:28:00.032+01:00

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Test Business With Business Wizard BeBiz

2010-02-16T09:40:00.005+01:00

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Business Information Products and Services

2010-02-16T09:14:00.032+01:00

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Credit affiliate

2010-02-16T08:41:00.002+01:00

Hi,

I want to show you an exciting opportunity that is currently earning thousands of other netrepreneurs huge incomes every single month without the headaches of actually selling your own product!

The fact is, I don't typically endorse other people's products, never mind business ventures. However, after generating some serious profits doing nothing more than making a few simple recommendations, I just knew THIS WASN'T A SECRET I COULD KEEP TO MYSELF.

The "Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet" course is the #1 best-selling Internet Marketing course online -- and now you have the UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY to recommend this quality product to your visitors, customers, and subscribers, and...

EARN A $65 COMMISSION ON EVERY COPY SOLD!

This means that you can easily:

A) CAPITALIZE ON THE LIFETIME VALUE OF CUSTOMERS you may have from an existing e-business by sending them "backend" offers for the course. (Statistics have repeatedly shown that, of the people who have bought from you before, 36% WILL BUY AGAIN!)

B) EARN 250% MORE SALES than you would promoting your own product by making a "friendly recommendation" as opposed to pushing your own product or service.

... All without the usual hassles and expense of product development and fulfillment!

It's extremely easy to do because you just post a link, a banner, or a short letter of recommendation on your web site -- or perhaps recommend the course in your newsletter or e-zine -- and then COLLECT A PERCENTAGE OF THE PROFITS (called a "referral fee") when a sale is made!

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... or anything else for that matter! You just do the promotion and collect your referral fee from the resulting sales!

Typically, affiliates who have web sites with low traffic earn between $400 - $900 per month, affiliates with medium traffic sites earn anywhere from $1,200 - $2,700 per month, and heavy traffic sites can expect $4,000+ per month. Their top affiliates are earning $8,000+ every month!

So if you'd like to learn how you can join the Internet Marketing Center's Affiliate Program today -- at absolutely no cost, with absolutely no risk -- and start profiting from products that are earning current affiliates thousands of dollars every month, then I highly recommend visiting...

Internet Marketing Center

But don't hesitate. I've published this post because we're kicking ourselves for not joining sooner, and as a valued reader, I don't want you to lose out by making this same mistake.

All the best,

Boris

Contact

2010-02-15T10:02:00.008+01:00

Spletna drogerija Dedra, Boris Velikanje s.p.
Rupa 31c
4000 Kranj
Slovenija

VAT SI16581636

e-mail: naroci@gmail.com

Material connection disclosure

2010-02-15T09:58:00.002+01:00

Boris Velikanje, solo enterpreneur, the owner of this site, has affiliate sales relationships with the majority of sites, publishers, and products featured on this page.

I believe these products and publications to be of a high quality, but i recommend that you review all guarantees, disclaimers and terms & conditions on the web sites of the companies from which you buy these products.