Wow! I am going to be moving now! I just learned 10 Crucial Steps to Get Your Site Into the Top 1%. And The Secret Ingredient for Wealth. AND Five Easy Steps to Find 4,000 People Who Adore You! AND How to Pick a Coach or Mentor.
This is all fabulously useful info! What makes it even better? I didn't have to search all over the internet to find it. It is all available in one place. And it is all written by one of the savviest internet marketers I know - Ken McArthur.
I have related the story of how I first met Ken many times, so I am not going to go into it again. Let's just say you never know who you might meet via email marketing and leave it at that. But I will say that I have stayed in touch with him - sometimes from afar but never TOO far - over several years. He is one of the few people whose emails I make time to read and whose website I make sure to visit regularly.
The topics listed above show why. 10 steps to get your site into the top 1%. What internet entrepreneur wouldn't want that information? Five easy steps to fine 4,000 people who adore you. Wouldn't you like to know what they are? How to pick a coach or mentor. This information alone would have saved me tons of time and money when I was getting started.
One of my goals this year was to help promote friends and fellow entrepreneurs. While Ken is one of the most popular guys on the Internet and really doesn't need my help building a reputation, reading the wealth of information available on his site today reminded me of why I am such a fan. So just in case some of you have not yet stumbled across him, I decided to share. The man is a genius. Not only that, he is a genuinely NICE guy. (Really! He does NOT pay me to say this stuff about him!).
So do yourselves a favor. Click on over to Ken's website. Check out the articles listed above. Or any of the several others posted there. I promise it will not be a waste of time.
By the way - Ken hosts these wonderful events called jvAlert Live! I will be attending the one he is hosting in Denver July 26th - 28th. I invite you to join us. What better way to spend a weekend than with some of the brightest marketing minds on the planet? Sign up today at jvAlert Live.com so you don't miss out on the latest updates. See you there!
Showing posts with label Ken McArthur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ken McArthur. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Building Wealth Together
When I first decided to strike out on my own, that is exactly how I did everything - on my own. It took me a while but I finally learned that there is a better way - building your business in partnership with someone else.
We live in an age of great opportunities and equally great challenges. The internet has enabled many to choose to become an entrepreneur. And yet, we look at the current economic situation and it seems the American Dream of life-satisfaction and financial freedom remains out of reach for many.
These days, it sometimes takes teamwork to reach our financial goals. Partnerships and joint ventures are a great way to create more business for everyone involved. You aren't an expert in everything. We all have our talents and interests. Allying yourself with several other people, especially those with different areas of expertise, but similar values, is a means of combining your strengths for mutual benefit. Focus on your strengths and use the strengths of your allies to fill in your weak areas.
You can use joint ventures in a variety of ways. Do you know someone that has just created an fabulous product but doesn't know how to market it? If you have the marketing skills necessary for success, joint venture. Or suppose it's an existing product that hasn't been introduced into a particular marketing niche. If that's your niche, joint venture. Do you want to expand your business into other areas but don't know how, joint venture with someone who is already successful in that area. I engage in a very common form of joint venture regularly. As a "baby boomer' woman entrepreneur, I have access to a very specific market. Much of my list is comprised of baby boomer women - some entrepreneurs in their own right, most of them professional career women in some aspect. I am often asked to market someone's product or service or book to my list. If it's something I can endorse, I will do so in exchange for either a percentage of the sales or, if they target a market I am not reaching, having them promote me to their list. A very simple and yet at times highly profitable joint venture.
It can sometimes be difficult to find a partner to joint venture with, especially if you are new in the business. There a several resources available to help you learn this skill. I highly recommend you read everything available by Ken McArthur and attend one of his jvAlert events as soon as you can. I have made many valuable contacts at these events and Ken works hard to ensure that the atmosphere is conducive to just that - networking, making contacts, and creating joint ventures.
Another great way to build wealth together is through a MasterMind. Napolean Hill, in his classic Think and Grow Rich, wrote: “No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which can be likened to a third mind. No individual may have great power without availing himself of the ‘Master Mind.’”
What is a MasterMind? Very simply, it is a group of like-minded people who get together to provide each other with feedback, hold each other accountable, brainstorm ideas together, and help each other focus and stay on track. MasterMinds allow you to tap into the experience and skill of others to help you improve your business. I love working with my MasterMind groups and look forward to our meetings. I have received great feedback and support here.
Finding the right MasterMind is important. You want to be sure the members have similar interests and skills to your own. Most reputable business coaches support a MasterMind group of their own. I suggest you start there. Find a coach you trust and respect and see if they have a MasterMind group. If not, you can always ask if they would be interested in starting one.
Whether you find a joint venture partner or join a MasterMind - or both, I hope you have learned one thing today. You don't have to do this alone. There are plenty of opportunities for you to reach out to others and build wealth together.
We live in an age of great opportunities and equally great challenges. The internet has enabled many to choose to become an entrepreneur. And yet, we look at the current economic situation and it seems the American Dream of life-satisfaction and financial freedom remains out of reach for many.
These days, it sometimes takes teamwork to reach our financial goals. Partnerships and joint ventures are a great way to create more business for everyone involved. You aren't an expert in everything. We all have our talents and interests. Allying yourself with several other people, especially those with different areas of expertise, but similar values, is a means of combining your strengths for mutual benefit. Focus on your strengths and use the strengths of your allies to fill in your weak areas.
You can use joint ventures in a variety of ways. Do you know someone that has just created an fabulous product but doesn't know how to market it? If you have the marketing skills necessary for success, joint venture. Or suppose it's an existing product that hasn't been introduced into a particular marketing niche. If that's your niche, joint venture. Do you want to expand your business into other areas but don't know how, joint venture with someone who is already successful in that area. I engage in a very common form of joint venture regularly. As a "baby boomer' woman entrepreneur, I have access to a very specific market. Much of my list is comprised of baby boomer women - some entrepreneurs in their own right, most of them professional career women in some aspect. I am often asked to market someone's product or service or book to my list. If it's something I can endorse, I will do so in exchange for either a percentage of the sales or, if they target a market I am not reaching, having them promote me to their list. A very simple and yet at times highly profitable joint venture.
It can sometimes be difficult to find a partner to joint venture with, especially if you are new in the business. There a several resources available to help you learn this skill. I highly recommend you read everything available by Ken McArthur and attend one of his jvAlert events as soon as you can. I have made many valuable contacts at these events and Ken works hard to ensure that the atmosphere is conducive to just that - networking, making contacts, and creating joint ventures.
Another great way to build wealth together is through a MasterMind. Napolean Hill, in his classic Think and Grow Rich, wrote: “No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which can be likened to a third mind. No individual may have great power without availing himself of the ‘Master Mind.’”
What is a MasterMind? Very simply, it is a group of like-minded people who get together to provide each other with feedback, hold each other accountable, brainstorm ideas together, and help each other focus and stay on track. MasterMinds allow you to tap into the experience and skill of others to help you improve your business. I love working with my MasterMind groups and look forward to our meetings. I have received great feedback and support here.
Finding the right MasterMind is important. You want to be sure the members have similar interests and skills to your own. Most reputable business coaches support a MasterMind group of their own. I suggest you start there. Find a coach you trust and respect and see if they have a MasterMind group. If not, you can always ask if they would be interested in starting one.
Whether you find a joint venture partner or join a MasterMind - or both, I hope you have learned one thing today. You don't have to do this alone. There are plenty of opportunities for you to reach out to others and build wealth together.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Top 10 Internet Marketing "Gurus" and What I Learned from Them
You have heard me preach endlessly about the value of learning from the "masters" - the experts in your chosen business niche - and following their lead. But who should you be following? The internet marketing and business worlds are full of "gurus", each claiming to be the one with the answer to all of your problems. Here are the top 10 that I have learned valuable lessons from. In my opinion, they are the best of the best in their areas of expertise and come with my whole-hearted recommendation!
1. Ken McArthur - Ken is an author, marketing expert, legendary creator of Impact, and the resident expert in forming partnerships and collaborations. I met Ken when he became one of my clients in my capacity as an site selection specialist for HelmsBriscoe. Ken taught me the most valuable lesson of all - I don't have to do this alone. There are lots of experts available who are more than willing to share their knowledge, time, contacts, and advice with me.
2. Felicia Slattery - I met Felicia many years ago on Ryze and came to admire and respect her long before I had the opportunity to meet her in person. Felicia taught me the value of being able to communicate effectively in any format. And then she taught me how to do that.
3. Bob the Teacher - I have been on Bob the Teacher's mailing list forever so I was thrilled when I finally had the opportunity to meet in this past February at Ken McArthur's jvAlert event in Orlando. Other than being much younger than I expected from his level of expertise, he was everything that I had envisioned and more. Bob has taught me how to use a variety of marketing tools and not be afraid of them. Teleseminars, squeeze pages, mind mapping, Squidoo, Twitter - all tools I have embraced thanks to Bob's tutoring.
4. ProBlogger (Darren Rowse) - I discovered ProBlogger through a teleseminar that mentioned a man (ProBlogger) that was bringing in a six-figure income simply from blogging. I imediately went to his site and through his teaching, entered the world of blogging for myself. From a blog with 1 or 2 hits, I now have multiple blogs with hundreds of hits. I am currently participating in his latest project - 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. Who knows what will happen with my blogs after that!
5. Ken Evoy - creator of Site Build It! for web building and hosting. In addition to discovering an absolutely fabulous tool to help create and host websites, Ken taught me the importance of a content-rich site for business.
6. Marlon Sanders - lots of great products and Marlon's Marketing In a Minute newsletter.
7. Mike Litman - Mike is the author of the best-selling "Conversations With Millionaires." What is the most valuable lesson I learned from him? "You don't have to get it right, you just have to get it going." Thanks, Mike! I did just that!
8. The Barefoot Executive (Carrie Wilkerson) - I have only known of The Barefoot Exec for a few months. I met her at jvAlert in February. But she made a powerful impression on me with her reminder to focus and that nothing gets accomplished without massive action TO COMPLETION!
9. Wendy Y. Bailey - friend and fellow Baby Boomer Diva WendyY taught me to say 4 simple little words that have made a huge difference in my cash flow - "I Charge for That." She's a group coaching expert and will show you how to incorporate those skills into your business model.
10. Allan Gardyne - I have been a subscriber to the Associate Programs Newsletter since stepping out into internet marketing many years ago. It has never disappointed me. If you want to know how to make a living as an affiliate marketer, you need to know this man
There you have it - my top 10 list of internet business experts. Did I leave someone off that you think should be here? Post a comment with their name, website and why you recommend them and I will definitely check them out.
1. Ken McArthur - Ken is an author, marketing expert, legendary creator of Impact, and the resident expert in forming partnerships and collaborations. I met Ken when he became one of my clients in my capacity as an site selection specialist for HelmsBriscoe. Ken taught me the most valuable lesson of all - I don't have to do this alone. There are lots of experts available who are more than willing to share their knowledge, time, contacts, and advice with me.
2. Felicia Slattery - I met Felicia many years ago on Ryze and came to admire and respect her long before I had the opportunity to meet her in person. Felicia taught me the value of being able to communicate effectively in any format. And then she taught me how to do that.
3. Bob the Teacher - I have been on Bob the Teacher's mailing list forever so I was thrilled when I finally had the opportunity to meet in this past February at Ken McArthur's jvAlert event in Orlando. Other than being much younger than I expected from his level of expertise, he was everything that I had envisioned and more. Bob has taught me how to use a variety of marketing tools and not be afraid of them. Teleseminars, squeeze pages, mind mapping, Squidoo, Twitter - all tools I have embraced thanks to Bob's tutoring.
4. ProBlogger (Darren Rowse) - I discovered ProBlogger through a teleseminar that mentioned a man (ProBlogger) that was bringing in a six-figure income simply from blogging. I imediately went to his site and through his teaching, entered the world of blogging for myself. From a blog with 1 or 2 hits, I now have multiple blogs with hundreds of hits. I am currently participating in his latest project - 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. Who knows what will happen with my blogs after that!
5. Ken Evoy - creator of Site Build It! for web building and hosting. In addition to discovering an absolutely fabulous tool to help create and host websites, Ken taught me the importance of a content-rich site for business.
6. Marlon Sanders - lots of great products and Marlon's Marketing In a Minute newsletter.
7. Mike Litman - Mike is the author of the best-selling "Conversations With Millionaires." What is the most valuable lesson I learned from him? "You don't have to get it right, you just have to get it going." Thanks, Mike! I did just that!
8. The Barefoot Executive (Carrie Wilkerson) - I have only known of The Barefoot Exec for a few months. I met her at jvAlert in February. But she made a powerful impression on me with her reminder to focus and that nothing gets accomplished without massive action TO COMPLETION!
9. Wendy Y. Bailey - friend and fellow Baby Boomer Diva WendyY taught me to say 4 simple little words that have made a huge difference in my cash flow - "I Charge for That." She's a group coaching expert and will show you how to incorporate those skills into your business model.
10. Allan Gardyne - I have been a subscriber to the Associate Programs Newsletter since stepping out into internet marketing many years ago. It has never disappointed me. If you want to know how to make a living as an affiliate marketer, you need to know this man
There you have it - my top 10 list of internet business experts. Did I leave someone off that you think should be here? Post a comment with their name, website and why you recommend them and I will definitely check them out.
Friday, January 9, 2009
What Can I Sell?
Q. I'm just starting to think about an online business. I don't have any products. I've read that infoproducts are a cheap way to make some money but I don't even really know what I would write about. I just know that I'm tired of making someone else's dream come true at the cost of my own. What can I sell so I can get started?
This question was asked recently at a marketing seminar I attended. It's a great question. What can I sell when I don't have any products of my own? The answer - someone else's products! How is this possible? There are a couple of different methods.
My particular favorite is called "affiliate marketing." In affiliate marketing, you sell a product for someone else and receive a commission for everything you sell. Most of these programs are free to join and many even provide you with a website to help you market. I happen to be an affiliate marketer myself for several programs. They each bring me a nice little sum of money every month. Take a look at my sites, and you'll see what I mean. I'm an affiliate for Site Build It! (http://buildit.sitesell.com/wealthtogether.html). I'm also an affiliate for Magnetic Sponsoring http://mwhiteley.magneticsponsoringonline.com/. And in addition to being one of his biggest fans, I'm also an affiliate for all of Derek Gehl's products http://www.internetmarketing.com/2009-goals/1155.
If you're interested in exploring affiliate marketing further, there are several resources available to match you up with tons of affiliate programs. I use (and I'm an affiliate for) Affiliate Showcase run by my friend Ken McArthur http://www.AffiliateShowcase.com/?46035. Ken has put together a site where you can access hundreds of programs that will pay you commissions of 50% or more.
Another great source of products is Clickbank (http://www.clickbank.com/). Some other sites you may want to look at as well are:
http://www.cj.com/
http://www.linkshare.com/
Another source of products that is different from affiliate marketing is called drop shipping. In drop shipping, the products you sell are maintained by the source company. When you make a sale, you provide the customer's order information to the drop shipper and they ship the product directly for you. Your profit is the difference between the cost of the product from the wholesaler and your selling price. As with anything, there are pros and cons and scams involved with drop shipping. I personally have never tried it. But there is a great article that explains it in detail at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop_shipping. And one of the best known and most highly recommended drop shippers is Doba (www.Doba.com). Their website has some great information on how drop shipping works as well.
If you have any type of graphic work available to you, there is another source of products for you. CafePress is a virtual storefront that actually provides part of the product for you. They have a wide variety of apparel, housewares, gift items and other merchandise. All you do is add your own graphic design and you have an instant product. I use CafePress for the "Travels with Bob" products. Check it out at www.cafepress.com/travelwithbob.
Whichever route you decide to take to finding your products, make sure you research the company thoroughly to be sure their products will meet your customers' standards. You want to do business with a company that is reliable and guarantees their products. Of course the best thing to sell is your own product. Use these other options to help you build an online presence and some marketing skill while you develop a product that uniquely yours.
This question was asked recently at a marketing seminar I attended. It's a great question. What can I sell when I don't have any products of my own? The answer - someone else's products! How is this possible? There are a couple of different methods.
My particular favorite is called "affiliate marketing." In affiliate marketing, you sell a product for someone else and receive a commission for everything you sell. Most of these programs are free to join and many even provide you with a website to help you market. I happen to be an affiliate marketer myself for several programs. They each bring me a nice little sum of money every month. Take a look at my sites, and you'll see what I mean. I'm an affiliate for Site Build It! (http://buildit.sitesell.com/wealthtogether.html). I'm also an affiliate for Magnetic Sponsoring http://mwhiteley.magneticsponsoringonline.com/. And in addition to being one of his biggest fans, I'm also an affiliate for all of Derek Gehl's products http://www.internetmarketing.com/2009-goals/1155.
If you're interested in exploring affiliate marketing further, there are several resources available to match you up with tons of affiliate programs. I use (and I'm an affiliate for) Affiliate Showcase run by my friend Ken McArthur http://www.AffiliateShowcase.com/?46035. Ken has put together a site where you can access hundreds of programs that will pay you commissions of 50% or more.
Another great source of products is Clickbank (http://www.clickbank.com/). Some other sites you may want to look at as well are:
http://www.cj.com/
http://www.linkshare.com/
Another source of products that is different from affiliate marketing is called drop shipping. In drop shipping, the products you sell are maintained by the source company. When you make a sale, you provide the customer's order information to the drop shipper and they ship the product directly for you. Your profit is the difference between the cost of the product from the wholesaler and your selling price. As with anything, there are pros and cons and scams involved with drop shipping. I personally have never tried it. But there is a great article that explains it in detail at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop_shipping. And one of the best known and most highly recommended drop shippers is Doba (www.Doba.com). Their website has some great information on how drop shipping works as well.
If you have any type of graphic work available to you, there is another source of products for you. CafePress is a virtual storefront that actually provides part of the product for you. They have a wide variety of apparel, housewares, gift items and other merchandise. All you do is add your own graphic design and you have an instant product. I use CafePress for the "Travels with Bob" products. Check it out at www.cafepress.com/travelwithbob.
Whichever route you decide to take to finding your products, make sure you research the company thoroughly to be sure their products will meet your customers' standards. You want to do business with a company that is reliable and guarantees their products. Of course the best thing to sell is your own product. Use these other options to help you build an online presence and some marketing skill while you develop a product that uniquely yours.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Question for My Readers
I have finished with the interview series. I may still post an interview occasionally if I meet someone who has information to share that will benefit YOU. But the regular weekly posts are finished. And while I work on my next series of posts, I'm also thinking about which direction to take my business in the coming year. It IS November after all and a new year will soon be upon us. Time to review what I've done and where I'm going.
Two projects keep coming back to me as I look ahead. I have prayed about them and talked to my husband about them and now I'm going to ask for your input. Both will take a lot of work but I don't mind that. I just wish to be sure that anything I do will ultimately prove to be of value to all of my readers.
First project - everyone seemed to enjoy the interviews. But they were rather limited in scope since I don't like my blog posts to be too long. I have been considering taking the concept and expanding it into a book where I could really sit down with these woman - and hopefully a few others who I know would make excellent subjects - and get to the heart of what they have done to become successful. I want to put all of their knowledge and experience into one place where other woman who are trying to build a business can access it whenever they wish. I have read the book "Conversations with Millionaires" by Mike Litman. It is based on the same sort of concept and it is an excellent book. I highly recommend it. But I wonder how many woman don't bother to read it because they feel they have nothing in common with these mega-success stories. I'm wondering if the stories of women who might live down the street or around the corner from you and are building successful businesses on their own might have a bigger impact.
Second project - every day I get emails from the latest internet marketing guru or business building expert wanting to sell me his plan to make money online or at home. I actually bought some of these until I realized that all they want to do is sell me their system and then teach me to sell their system to others.
I am a trainer. A certified master trainer in fact. I worked and studied hard for that certification and I really don't use it much right now. But I am being drawn more and more toward the idea of designing a course on building a business from home. Not my business. Not some "get rich quick" system by the latest internet hotshot. ANY business. Because just like anything else, building a business requires certain steps and skills and these can be learned. But once again I am wondering - would it have much impact on the lives of fellow woman would-be entrepreneurs?
And so, I ask for your input. You are my audience and it's for you that I do what I do. Would you find either of these of value? Do you have an idea to add to the concept? Or would you be interested in a new concept I've been learning about from my friend and mentor, Ken McArthur - a joint venture? Let me know your thoughts. You may be deciding my future for the next year!
Two projects keep coming back to me as I look ahead. I have prayed about them and talked to my husband about them and now I'm going to ask for your input. Both will take a lot of work but I don't mind that. I just wish to be sure that anything I do will ultimately prove to be of value to all of my readers.
First project - everyone seemed to enjoy the interviews. But they were rather limited in scope since I don't like my blog posts to be too long. I have been considering taking the concept and expanding it into a book where I could really sit down with these woman - and hopefully a few others who I know would make excellent subjects - and get to the heart of what they have done to become successful. I want to put all of their knowledge and experience into one place where other woman who are trying to build a business can access it whenever they wish. I have read the book "Conversations with Millionaires" by Mike Litman. It is based on the same sort of concept and it is an excellent book. I highly recommend it. But I wonder how many woman don't bother to read it because they feel they have nothing in common with these mega-success stories. I'm wondering if the stories of women who might live down the street or around the corner from you and are building successful businesses on their own might have a bigger impact.
Second project - every day I get emails from the latest internet marketing guru or business building expert wanting to sell me his plan to make money online or at home. I actually bought some of these until I realized that all they want to do is sell me their system and then teach me to sell their system to others.
I am a trainer. A certified master trainer in fact. I worked and studied hard for that certification and I really don't use it much right now. But I am being drawn more and more toward the idea of designing a course on building a business from home. Not my business. Not some "get rich quick" system by the latest internet hotshot. ANY business. Because just like anything else, building a business requires certain steps and skills and these can be learned. But once again I am wondering - would it have much impact on the lives of fellow woman would-be entrepreneurs?
And so, I ask for your input. You are my audience and it's for you that I do what I do. Would you find either of these of value? Do you have an idea to add to the concept? Or would you be interested in a new concept I've been learning about from my friend and mentor, Ken McArthur - a joint venture? Let me know your thoughts. You may be deciding my future for the next year!
Monday, March 24, 2008
What Can I Sell?
My daughter has FINALLY seen the benefits of having her own internet business. So she has decided to start a couple of her own. She went through the steps listed in my last post and came up with two areas she is absolutely passionate about - crafts and photography. She decided to use blogs as her way of creating a space on the internet since she can't afford a web designer and she doesn't think she knows how to do it herself. Then she emails me: "Mom, until I decide what type of product or service I am going to create of my own, where can I find some of those affiliate products you are always talking about?"
Good question! Where DO you find affiliate programs that are in your market niche? I have some recommendations. First, check out Affiliate Showcase, run by my friend Ken McArthur http://www.AffiliateShowcase.com/?46035. Ken has put together a site where you can access hundreds of programs that will pay you commissions of 50% or more. You can even be an affiliate for Affiliate Showcase (I am!). I did some research for my daughter and found 10 good products here that she can promote.
Another great source of products is Clickbank (http://www.clickbank.com/). Checking here, I found another 29 products she could promote.
Some other sites you may want to look at as well are:
http://www.cj.com/
http://www.linkshare.com/
Each of these had additional products in her areas of interest. So I'm going to email her back and tell her to check out each of these sights for ideas. I'm sure she'll get right back to me with another question - how does she know which affiliate programs are best. On Affiliate Showcase, Ken has actually ranked and recommended programs. But with Clickbank and the others it's not quite so easy. But there is a way - and that's a post for another day!
One last thing - one that is very important to me. I just found out about this event where millions of people around the world are joining together to make a statement about climate change by turning their lights off for an hour. It's called Earth Hour and I just signed-up to participate-I thought it might be something you'd want to sign up for too. Earth Hour is on March 29 from 8 - 9 p.m. local time, and it looks like it's going to be really big. So far 25 cities around the world are taking part, including Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco in the U.S.Sign up for Earth Hour by visiting www.earthhour.org/sign-up and join the movement with me. And remember - Lights Out on March 29!
Good question! Where DO you find affiliate programs that are in your market niche? I have some recommendations. First, check out Affiliate Showcase, run by my friend Ken McArthur http://www.AffiliateShowcase.com/?46035. Ken has put together a site where you can access hundreds of programs that will pay you commissions of 50% or more. You can even be an affiliate for Affiliate Showcase (I am!). I did some research for my daughter and found 10 good products here that she can promote.
Another great source of products is Clickbank (http://www.clickbank.com/). Checking here, I found another 29 products she could promote.
Some other sites you may want to look at as well are:
http://www.cj.com/
http://www.linkshare.com/
Each of these had additional products in her areas of interest. So I'm going to email her back and tell her to check out each of these sights for ideas. I'm sure she'll get right back to me with another question - how does she know which affiliate programs are best. On Affiliate Showcase, Ken has actually ranked and recommended programs. But with Clickbank and the others it's not quite so easy. But there is a way - and that's a post for another day!
One last thing - one that is very important to me. I just found out about this event where millions of people around the world are joining together to make a statement about climate change by turning their lights off for an hour. It's called Earth Hour and I just signed-up to participate-I thought it might be something you'd want to sign up for too. Earth Hour is on March 29 from 8 - 9 p.m. local time, and it looks like it's going to be really big. So far 25 cities around the world are taking part, including Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco in the U.S.Sign up for Earth Hour by visiting www.earthhour.org/sign-up and join the movement with me. And remember - Lights Out on March 29!
Friday, March 7, 2008
How to make money with affiliate marketing
Just got another email from a friend of mine. I'll let you read the main point:
"You told me it was easy to make money on the internet. You said you do it all the time. So I got online and I'm sitting here not making any money. What gives? Is this a scam? I thought we were friends!"
I get phone calls and emails like this all the time. Someone hears I have an online business. They call or email me to see if it's true. They ask how much money I'm making. (Never, EVER, answer that question unless you want to get this phone call: "You told me I could make MILLIONS!"). I tell them I make enough to live on. So they get all excited and the next thing I get is an email or a phone call stating that they too have started an internet business.
Let's get two things straight right now. Starting an internet business involves a bit more than signing up for some affiliate programs and then sitting in front of the computer waiting for the money to start coming in. However, if you have some discipline and can learn from those who really do make millions online, then you can make a decent living on the internet.
So what does it take to get started in affiliate marketing? It's fairly simple. Decide on your market. Try to choose something you are passionate about so you'll stick with it long enough to see some results. Could it be health and fitness, cooking, gardening, travel, crafts, juggling? These are all businesses that have been started by friends of mine and each of them are making a good living.
Next, find affiliate programs that pertain to your market. The best place to do this Affiliate Showcase (http://www.affiliateshowcase.com/?46035). This site gives you access to literally hundreds of the best affiliate programs available. Plus you can also market Affiliate Showcase itself!
The next step is to figure out a way to reach your potential customers. You will need some sort of web presence. While most affiliate programs provide you with a website, these are all cookie cutter sites with nothing to set them apart from every other affiliate. You need something of your own. If you can't afford to hire a web designer and don't know how to build your own website, there are a couple of options. You can try a great product called SiteBuildIt! (http://buildit.sitesell.com/wealthtogether.html) to create your site. Or you can create a blog which works almost as well as a website to get you started.
Once you have identified your business niche, your products, created your website or blog, then it's time to market your products to your prospective customers. There are all kinds of ways to do this and what works for one may not work for you. The best way to learn about internet marketing is to study what the experts have to say. Learn all you can from people like Ken McArthur, Derek Gehl, Mike Filsame, Sterling Valentine, Michael Angier, Yanik Silver, or Mike Litman. If you can buy some of their products, great. If not, at least sign up for their mailing lists and newsletters. They are the "gurus" in this business and can teach you all you need to know. How do I know? Who do you think taught me? (I have even had the honor of personally meeting Ken McArthur and Michael Angier and they are two great guys!).
This is just a brief outline of how to start an online business using affiliate programs. There simply isn't room to go in depth here. But if you will follow these basic steps and listen to the experts, you can make money online.
"You told me it was easy to make money on the internet. You said you do it all the time. So I got online and I'm sitting here not making any money. What gives? Is this a scam? I thought we were friends!"
I get phone calls and emails like this all the time. Someone hears I have an online business. They call or email me to see if it's true. They ask how much money I'm making. (Never, EVER, answer that question unless you want to get this phone call: "You told me I could make MILLIONS!"). I tell them I make enough to live on. So they get all excited and the next thing I get is an email or a phone call stating that they too have started an internet business.
Let's get two things straight right now. Starting an internet business involves a bit more than signing up for some affiliate programs and then sitting in front of the computer waiting for the money to start coming in. However, if you have some discipline and can learn from those who really do make millions online, then you can make a decent living on the internet.
So what does it take to get started in affiliate marketing? It's fairly simple. Decide on your market. Try to choose something you are passionate about so you'll stick with it long enough to see some results. Could it be health and fitness, cooking, gardening, travel, crafts, juggling? These are all businesses that have been started by friends of mine and each of them are making a good living.
Next, find affiliate programs that pertain to your market. The best place to do this Affiliate Showcase (http://www.affiliateshowcase.com/?46035). This site gives you access to literally hundreds of the best affiliate programs available. Plus you can also market Affiliate Showcase itself!
The next step is to figure out a way to reach your potential customers. You will need some sort of web presence. While most affiliate programs provide you with a website, these are all cookie cutter sites with nothing to set them apart from every other affiliate. You need something of your own. If you can't afford to hire a web designer and don't know how to build your own website, there are a couple of options. You can try a great product called SiteBuildIt! (http://buildit.sitesell.com/wealthtogether.html) to create your site. Or you can create a blog which works almost as well as a website to get you started.
Once you have identified your business niche, your products, created your website or blog, then it's time to market your products to your prospective customers. There are all kinds of ways to do this and what works for one may not work for you. The best way to learn about internet marketing is to study what the experts have to say. Learn all you can from people like Ken McArthur, Derek Gehl, Mike Filsame, Sterling Valentine, Michael Angier, Yanik Silver, or Mike Litman. If you can buy some of their products, great. If not, at least sign up for their mailing lists and newsletters. They are the "gurus" in this business and can teach you all you need to know. How do I know? Who do you think taught me? (I have even had the honor of personally meeting Ken McArthur and Michael Angier and they are two great guys!).
This is just a brief outline of how to start an online business using affiliate programs. There simply isn't room to go in depth here. But if you will follow these basic steps and listen to the experts, you can make money online.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Build A Team of Experts
My husband and I are getting ready to file our taxes and as usual, the discussion comes up - do we need to make some changes for next year? As business owners, we are faced with the fact that we make all the decisions concerning our business. The choices are endless! Is it time to incorporate? If so, should I become an LLC or is an S Corporation better?
Should I let Dearl talk me into using the Blackberry he bought me for Christmas (which is still in the box) or stick with my trusty system of Day Planner and Post-It notes?
Where should I focus my marketing this year? With all of the dire warnings about the economy, will some methods work better than others?
We desperately need a new computer. I want another PC. Dearl wants a Mac. Who is right?
Is it time to hire an assistant? If so, should we use a virtual service or actually hire someone to come to our office?
Decisions, decisions, decisions. AAAGGGHHH!!! It's enough to make you crazy! Especially when the wrong choice can have drastic consequences for your business.
If you are lying awake at night struggling with the answers to these or other business questions, it's time to build yourself a team. My team consists of personal friends and professional acquaintences whose advice I trust. I simply need to pick up the phone or dash off a quick email or text message for all of the support and answers I need.
To build your team, simply make a list of all the questions you have. List all of the professional services you need or may need in the future. Then start thinking of all the people you know that can fill one or more of these needs or answer one or more of your questions. My team consists of my accountant (I hate numbers!), a lawyer (always good to have someone whose up to speed on legalities), my daughter the computer geek, my friend Ken the marketing guru, and my friend Karin who is also an entrepreneur and is a good one to turn to when I have questions about communication. (She's the one who keeps me from blasting off emails I may regret later!). I also have friends who keep me up to date with the latest Alzheimer's research and the current services available for my dad (they work for the area Agency on Aging), a nurse and a holisitc health practioner that provide me with the latest health news (Dearl's heart), and two grandchildren who remind me when I'm not taking enough time for the important things in life ("Nee-Nee, why haven't you been by to see us lately? We miss you!")
How do you find the people for your team? You probably already know many of them so just ask. Tell them you are forming a team of advisors for your business and would like them to be part of it. Lay out the ground rules for their participation such as how to contact them, when to contact them, will they be compensated for their services, etc. Once you have them in place, ask them for referrals to people who may fill other needs for you. If they can't make any recommendations, then get out and network. I met my lawyer through the Girl Scouts and the nurse at a women's networking luncheon. And I have a whole network of internet marketers I can turn to for advice just from attending the jvAlert events. And of course, there is the wonderful group of ladies that make up the Baby Boomer Divas. They are a never ending source of support and advice!
"Solopreneur" - it's just a word. It doesn't mean you have to go through the business experience alone. Build your team. Use your team. And one day when someone who is just starting out on their own asks you to be on their team, remember where you came from and say yes!
P.S. The general consensus from my team of experts has been to ditch the Day Planner, burn the Post-It notes, and USE THE BLACKBERRY. I'm not sure I'm ready for this, but I trust their advice so here goes. Wish me luck!
Should I let Dearl talk me into using the Blackberry he bought me for Christmas (which is still in the box) or stick with my trusty system of Day Planner and Post-It notes?
Where should I focus my marketing this year? With all of the dire warnings about the economy, will some methods work better than others?
We desperately need a new computer. I want another PC. Dearl wants a Mac. Who is right?
Is it time to hire an assistant? If so, should we use a virtual service or actually hire someone to come to our office?
Decisions, decisions, decisions. AAAGGGHHH!!! It's enough to make you crazy! Especially when the wrong choice can have drastic consequences for your business.
If you are lying awake at night struggling with the answers to these or other business questions, it's time to build yourself a team. My team consists of personal friends and professional acquaintences whose advice I trust. I simply need to pick up the phone or dash off a quick email or text message for all of the support and answers I need.
To build your team, simply make a list of all the questions you have. List all of the professional services you need or may need in the future. Then start thinking of all the people you know that can fill one or more of these needs or answer one or more of your questions. My team consists of my accountant (I hate numbers!), a lawyer (always good to have someone whose up to speed on legalities), my daughter the computer geek, my friend Ken the marketing guru, and my friend Karin who is also an entrepreneur and is a good one to turn to when I have questions about communication. (She's the one who keeps me from blasting off emails I may regret later!). I also have friends who keep me up to date with the latest Alzheimer's research and the current services available for my dad (they work for the area Agency on Aging), a nurse and a holisitc health practioner that provide me with the latest health news (Dearl's heart), and two grandchildren who remind me when I'm not taking enough time for the important things in life ("Nee-Nee, why haven't you been by to see us lately? We miss you!")
How do you find the people for your team? You probably already know many of them so just ask. Tell them you are forming a team of advisors for your business and would like them to be part of it. Lay out the ground rules for their participation such as how to contact them, when to contact them, will they be compensated for their services, etc. Once you have them in place, ask them for referrals to people who may fill other needs for you. If they can't make any recommendations, then get out and network. I met my lawyer through the Girl Scouts and the nurse at a women's networking luncheon. And I have a whole network of internet marketers I can turn to for advice just from attending the jvAlert events. And of course, there is the wonderful group of ladies that make up the Baby Boomer Divas. They are a never ending source of support and advice!
"Solopreneur" - it's just a word. It doesn't mean you have to go through the business experience alone. Build your team. Use your team. And one day when someone who is just starting out on their own asks you to be on their team, remember where you came from and say yes!
P.S. The general consensus from my team of experts has been to ditch the Day Planner, burn the Post-It notes, and USE THE BLACKBERRY. I'm not sure I'm ready for this, but I trust their advice so here goes. Wish me luck!
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Basics of Affiliate Marketing
I've been looking at affiliate programs again. I have been making money with most of the affiliate programs I belong to and decided I'd like to add a couple more this year. How to choose which ones though? I want to be sure I work with products that complement what I am already doing. If anyone is currently working with a program that has been successful, I'd love to hear about it.
What exactly is an "affiliate program"? Affiliate marketing is a web-based marketing practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates (that's you) for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate's marketing efforts. The details of each affiliate program vary from program to program. Generally, you are provided a referral link to a website which you use to promote the affiliate progam. If you work hard and SMART, you can make a lot of money through affiliate programs.
As in any business there are good and bad affiliate programs. I have had much success with SBI! ( http://buildit.sitesell.com/wealthtogether.html). Not only do they have a terrific website for you to use, but they actually provide you with tools and training on how to make the most of their affiliate program. Another favorite is Iris Silks (http://www.irissilks.com//index.asp?REFCODE=SUPERCHA81640). I love silk lingerie - and the affiliate program is great too! But my favorite have got to be Affiliate Showcase (http://www.affiliateshowcase.com/?46035). Not only can you join just about every decent affiliate program through this site, you can also be an affiliate for Affiliate Showcase itself. My friend, Ken McArthur, who designed Affiliate Showcase, also provides lots of promotional tools, training, forums, and support. This is probably where I'll wind up looking for some additional affiliates for my own business.
Have a great New Year!
What exactly is an "affiliate program"? Affiliate marketing is a web-based marketing practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates (that's you) for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate's marketing efforts. The details of each affiliate program vary from program to program. Generally, you are provided a referral link to a website which you use to promote the affiliate progam. If you work hard and SMART, you can make a lot of money through affiliate programs.
As in any business there are good and bad affiliate programs. I have had much success with SBI! ( http://buildit.sitesell.com/wealthtogether.html). Not only do they have a terrific website for you to use, but they actually provide you with tools and training on how to make the most of their affiliate program. Another favorite is Iris Silks (http://www.irissilks.com//index.asp?REFCODE=SUPERCHA81640). I love silk lingerie - and the affiliate program is great too! But my favorite have got to be Affiliate Showcase (http://www.affiliateshowcase.com/?46035). Not only can you join just about every decent affiliate program through this site, you can also be an affiliate for Affiliate Showcase itself. My friend, Ken McArthur, who designed Affiliate Showcase, also provides lots of promotional tools, training, forums, and support. This is probably where I'll wind up looking for some additional affiliates for my own business.
Have a great New Year!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Let's Make Next Year Your Year to Shine!
I know it's been a while. A loooonnngg while! Too long! I apologize. I can only say I've been very busy. Running business. Rethinking strategies. Planning for next year. How about you? Are you ready for next year? If not, now is a great time to start thinking about 2008. If you have a business, start looking at ways to grow. New products. New delivery options. New promotional strategies. Perhaps even a whole new business venture.
If you don't have a business yet, there has never been a better time to start one. Thanks to the internet it is now cheaper and easier to get up and running than ever before. And thanks to all of those who have gone before you, there is more help than ever before. People like Ken McArthur, Derek Gehl, Yanik Silver, Mike Filsame, Mark Joyner, and Joe Vitale. Some of them will even let you be affiliates of their products and resell them a commission. We discussed making money with affiliate programs in an earlier post if you aren't familiar with the concept.
So what's holding you back? I'm issuing a challenge to all of you right now. Let's make 2008 your year. Each one of us has a choice to make. 2008 is right around the corner and it's calling to you to change your life. Are you coming or not? Will you make the choice to join us?
I know many of you will be afraid of leaving what if familiar and venturing into something that is totally unknown. Others of you will be excited and challenged at the thought. All of you will be asked to do things you never thought you could do - contact people, write a business plan, promote yourself and your business.
What if you decide to make the choice? What happens next? Contrary to many of the "gurus", there is no foolproof formula. What works for me may not work for you. I can't do what my friend Ken McArthur does. I use many of his ideas but I adapt them to my situation. But there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of being successful.
1. BREATHE! Change brings stress. Even positive change can be stressful. So make sure you take time each day to relax and just breathe. Do yoga, meditate, go for a walk - whatever it takes. Just don't let yourself tighten up and be afraid.
2. Take control of the change. Each day remind yourself of your vision, your plans, your goals. Stand in front of a mirror and state to yourself your intentions to build a better life. Or even go a step further as recommended by my life coach and sing it. She claims music brings the message deeper.
3. Never stop learning. Read everything you can about your chosen business. Find out who the experts really are and study them. I've listed many of them in this blog but there are so many others. Buy their books or get them from the library. Join their forums, subscribe to their newsletters, read their blogs. Go to seminars when you can afford them. If you have questions about which ones to attend or which products to purchase, ask me. If I am not familiar with it, I'll find someone who is.
4. Don't lose touch with yourself. I've seen online entrepreneurs who thought they had to pretend to be something or somebody different from what they were to be successful. They only thing they were was phoney. And people can spot phoney right away. If you aren't credible, you won't go anywhere in this business.
5. Make sure you keep your priorities in order. Success is great, but not at the cost of your family, your spirituality, your faith, your health, or your fun. Set aside time for the things that make your success meaningful.
6. Make Nature your best friend. NATURE HAS A LOT OF WISDOM FOR US. It’s as simple as that. Don’t ignore this truth, live it.
7. Don't be stingy! Give back to the community that gave to you. Help others get where you are. You get back what you give. I have a friend who sells cars very successfully. Every day he makes it a point to do something for one of his customers. He calls it "feeding the lot." You know what? His customers love him and are very loyal. And if they have a friend or family member who needs a car, guess who gets the referral? That's how I met him. He sold me my car based on a referral from someone else. Besides, there is nothing like "free" to gain long-term, loyal customers. You can even use this concept to market. It's called "viral marketing" and we'll talk about it another day.
So - are you in? Make the choice.
By the way, speaking of free stuff - I wanted to let you know about this fabulous promotion I'm taking part in that ANYONE can join to market your business for FREE!!! It's called 30 days of Christmas and this is the third year running. When you visit the site you can become a member for free and then have access to hundreds of ebooks, ecourses, and special reports all designed to help you in your business efforts. What's cool about this site is many people give away valuable stuff so they can get their name out there and be seen by the thousands of visitors to the site each day. I'm giving away a free offer-- go now and see what it's all about: http://www.30daysofchristmas.com/index.php?id=M2183. You can also become a contributor yourself-- it's just a few simple clicks and then your giveaway can be seen by thousands, too!I hope you'll get in on the action! This is cool stuff!
If you don't have a business yet, there has never been a better time to start one. Thanks to the internet it is now cheaper and easier to get up and running than ever before. And thanks to all of those who have gone before you, there is more help than ever before. People like Ken McArthur, Derek Gehl, Yanik Silver, Mike Filsame, Mark Joyner, and Joe Vitale. Some of them will even let you be affiliates of their products and resell them a commission. We discussed making money with affiliate programs in an earlier post if you aren't familiar with the concept.
So what's holding you back? I'm issuing a challenge to all of you right now. Let's make 2008 your year. Each one of us has a choice to make. 2008 is right around the corner and it's calling to you to change your life. Are you coming or not? Will you make the choice to join us?
I know many of you will be afraid of leaving what if familiar and venturing into something that is totally unknown. Others of you will be excited and challenged at the thought. All of you will be asked to do things you never thought you could do - contact people, write a business plan, promote yourself and your business.
What if you decide to make the choice? What happens next? Contrary to many of the "gurus", there is no foolproof formula. What works for me may not work for you. I can't do what my friend Ken McArthur does. I use many of his ideas but I adapt them to my situation. But there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of being successful.
1. BREATHE! Change brings stress. Even positive change can be stressful. So make sure you take time each day to relax and just breathe. Do yoga, meditate, go for a walk - whatever it takes. Just don't let yourself tighten up and be afraid.
2. Take control of the change. Each day remind yourself of your vision, your plans, your goals. Stand in front of a mirror and state to yourself your intentions to build a better life. Or even go a step further as recommended by my life coach and sing it. She claims music brings the message deeper.
3. Never stop learning. Read everything you can about your chosen business. Find out who the experts really are and study them. I've listed many of them in this blog but there are so many others. Buy their books or get them from the library. Join their forums, subscribe to their newsletters, read their blogs. Go to seminars when you can afford them. If you have questions about which ones to attend or which products to purchase, ask me. If I am not familiar with it, I'll find someone who is.
4. Don't lose touch with yourself. I've seen online entrepreneurs who thought they had to pretend to be something or somebody different from what they were to be successful. They only thing they were was phoney. And people can spot phoney right away. If you aren't credible, you won't go anywhere in this business.
5. Make sure you keep your priorities in order. Success is great, but not at the cost of your family, your spirituality, your faith, your health, or your fun. Set aside time for the things that make your success meaningful.
6. Make Nature your best friend. NATURE HAS A LOT OF WISDOM FOR US. It’s as simple as that. Don’t ignore this truth, live it.
7. Don't be stingy! Give back to the community that gave to you. Help others get where you are. You get back what you give. I have a friend who sells cars very successfully. Every day he makes it a point to do something for one of his customers. He calls it "feeding the lot." You know what? His customers love him and are very loyal. And if they have a friend or family member who needs a car, guess who gets the referral? That's how I met him. He sold me my car based on a referral from someone else. Besides, there is nothing like "free" to gain long-term, loyal customers. You can even use this concept to market. It's called "viral marketing" and we'll talk about it another day.
So - are you in? Make the choice.
By the way, speaking of free stuff - I wanted to let you know about this fabulous promotion I'm taking part in that ANYONE can join to market your business for FREE!!! It's called 30 days of Christmas and this is the third year running. When you visit the site you can become a member for free and then have access to hundreds of ebooks, ecourses, and special reports all designed to help you in your business efforts. What's cool about this site is many people give away valuable stuff so they can get their name out there and be seen by the thousands of visitors to the site each day. I'm giving away a free offer-- go now and see what it's all about: http://www.30daysofchristmas.com/index.php?id=M2183. You can also become a contributor yourself-- it's just a few simple clicks and then your giveaway can be seen by thousands, too!I hope you'll get in on the action! This is cool stuff!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Something old, something new, something borrowed...
I know I've been so busy lately, I slipped behind a little on the blog. Don't worry! There are LOTS of brand new things coming up very soon for WealthTogether. In fact I hope to get to my good friend Ken McArthur's jvAlert event in Orlando or Atlanta. He hasn't decided on a location yet, but I am planning to be there either way to discuss some new ideas. I'll keep you updated and hopefully some of you will join us there. I'd love to meet you and introduce you to Ken.
In the middle of all the new and exciting things, it's easy to forget about all of the wonderful resources that we ALREADY have. I've been thinking about how many times we forget the basics when it comes to our on-line businesses, so I've included some old stuff and some new stuff and some stuff I borrowed from Ken.
First the old stuff. I don't understand why, but many of you sent me copies of your first ezines right after I posted that information. Most of them were pretty good and I asked to become a subscriber to several of them. And of that bunch - only two have followed up. Where are the rest of you? The number one reason people don't make money with affiliate marketing or an internet business is LACK OF ACTION! An ezine is a free and simple way to promote yourself and your products. So let's get back to work. I'll be waiting for my next issues from those of you who still owe me. You know who you are!
Now the new stuff. Recently a friend of mine who is starting her own business asked me about PayPerClick advertising. She understands how it works. But she wanted to know if I had any favorite PPC search engines. There are a multitude of them and the ad campaign that works on one may not work on the other. You'll also notice that certain keywords may be more affordable on one PPC over another. So do I have some favorites? Yes, I do. And here they are: http://www.7search.com/, http://www.enhance.com/, http://www.looksmart.com/, http://www.miva.com/, http://www.search123.com/, http://www.searchfeed.com/, and of course my absolute favorite, Google AdWords. There are several others, but these are the ones that have worked best for me. In a future post, I'll tell you how to get the most bang for your 50 cents (that's the most I've ever had to spend for a keyword) using PPC advertising.
Next new thing: There are two great events coming up that I hope you will all attend. Oh, and sorry guys but these events are just for the ladies in the crowd. First -
BAM Enterprises presents: The first-ever "Ain't No Stoppin Us Now!" Baby Boomer Girlfriends' Retreat on April 18-20, 2008 in beautiful, sunny Daytona Beach, Florida. This fabulous weekend will feature Beverly Mahone's "I'm Still Hot…It just comes in Flashes now!" Girlfriends Pajama Party weekend and a Town Hall Meeting which will be taped by a local television station. We're gonna party like it's 1979!!! For more details, click here (and turn down your speakers if you don't want to hear the music):
Girlfriends Retreat
The second is actually another first - The first-ever WBO "Free to be ME" Convention" on October 10-12, 2008 in Houston, Texas. Women Business Owners from around the world will be coming together to meet at this annual event to share their stories, adventures, pictures, and dreams. We will be building bonds that will launch businesses and maintain those that are growing. To register or to find more information go to http://www.womenbizowners.org/ and click on WBO convention.
I am really excited about both of these events and I hope to see some of you there.
And now for the something borrowed. Ken McArthur, marketing wizard and founder of jvAlert, always keeps me updated on the latest "must have" resources for online and affiliate marketing. He recommended a book to me and I am so glad that he did. It's an absolute classic that I now always recommend to people involved in affiliate marketing -- That's YOU. It's called "Affiliate Mistakes" by Chuck McCollough. Chuck is a regular guy who lives in San Antonio with his wife Carol and his daughters Crystal, Ashley, Amber and son, Cody. Chuck claims that they are "the smartest and most beautiful youngsters you will ever meet" but he could be prejudiced. Chuck runs some of the most visited sites on the web today, but it wasn't always so. In fact for three years Chuck "busted his butt and still wasn't making money." Chuck didn't go from zero to thousands over night, but from the time he started working smart, avoiding the mistakes everyone else was making, the checks gradually increased. You can check out his book at: http://www.affiliateproblems.com/
More soon!
In the middle of all the new and exciting things, it's easy to forget about all of the wonderful resources that we ALREADY have. I've been thinking about how many times we forget the basics when it comes to our on-line businesses, so I've included some old stuff and some new stuff and some stuff I borrowed from Ken.
First the old stuff. I don't understand why, but many of you sent me copies of your first ezines right after I posted that information. Most of them were pretty good and I asked to become a subscriber to several of them. And of that bunch - only two have followed up. Where are the rest of you? The number one reason people don't make money with affiliate marketing or an internet business is LACK OF ACTION! An ezine is a free and simple way to promote yourself and your products. So let's get back to work. I'll be waiting for my next issues from those of you who still owe me. You know who you are!
Now the new stuff. Recently a friend of mine who is starting her own business asked me about PayPerClick advertising. She understands how it works. But she wanted to know if I had any favorite PPC search engines. There are a multitude of them and the ad campaign that works on one may not work on the other. You'll also notice that certain keywords may be more affordable on one PPC over another. So do I have some favorites? Yes, I do. And here they are: http://www.7search.com/, http://www.enhance.com/, http://www.looksmart.com/, http://www.miva.com/, http://www.search123.com/, http://www.searchfeed.com/, and of course my absolute favorite, Google AdWords. There are several others, but these are the ones that have worked best for me. In a future post, I'll tell you how to get the most bang for your 50 cents (that's the most I've ever had to spend for a keyword) using PPC advertising.
Next new thing: There are two great events coming up that I hope you will all attend. Oh, and sorry guys but these events are just for the ladies in the crowd. First -
BAM Enterprises presents: The first-ever "Ain't No Stoppin Us Now!" Baby Boomer Girlfriends' Retreat on April 18-20, 2008 in beautiful, sunny Daytona Beach, Florida. This fabulous weekend will feature Beverly Mahone's "I'm Still Hot…It just comes in Flashes now!" Girlfriends Pajama Party weekend and a Town Hall Meeting which will be taped by a local television station. We're gonna party like it's 1979!!! For more details, click here (and turn down your speakers if you don't want to hear the music):
Girlfriends Retreat
The second is actually another first - The first-ever WBO "Free to be ME" Convention" on October 10-12, 2008 in Houston, Texas. Women Business Owners from around the world will be coming together to meet at this annual event to share their stories, adventures, pictures, and dreams. We will be building bonds that will launch businesses and maintain those that are growing. To register or to find more information go to http://www.womenbizowners.org/ and click on WBO convention.
I am really excited about both of these events and I hope to see some of you there.
And now for the something borrowed. Ken McArthur, marketing wizard and founder of jvAlert, always keeps me updated on the latest "must have" resources for online and affiliate marketing. He recommended a book to me and I am so glad that he did. It's an absolute classic that I now always recommend to people involved in affiliate marketing -- That's YOU. It's called "Affiliate Mistakes" by Chuck McCollough. Chuck is a regular guy who lives in San Antonio with his wife Carol and his daughters Crystal, Ashley, Amber and son, Cody. Chuck claims that they are "the smartest and most beautiful youngsters you will ever meet" but he could be prejudiced. Chuck runs some of the most visited sites on the web today, but it wasn't always so. In fact for three years Chuck "busted his butt and still wasn't making money." Chuck didn't go from zero to thousands over night, but from the time he started working smart, avoiding the mistakes everyone else was making, the checks gradually increased. You can check out his book at: http://www.affiliateproblems.com/
More soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)