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10 Things to keep you safe on the internet

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:21:42 -0500

Never click on a link in an email

One of the biggest scams on the internet is to send you an email that looks like it came from your online bankers or paypal etc, asking you to confirm your login or banking information. They offer a link to what looks like the official website. But it’s not; it’s what’s known as a Phishing website. Once you click on the link and fill in the details, your information is recorded by the scammers and they can then access your accounts and steal your money. If you receive an email, even if you know it to be genuine, don’t click on the link. Open up your browser and type in the web address or use the link in your favourite’s folder. Try and get into the habit of always going to your browser and typing the address in. If the last three letters of the address are .exe, then don’t even put it into your address bar.

Don’t click on the ‘Remove Me’ link

You may receive a spam email which says: “To be removed from our mailing list, click on the link below”. Don’t do it! Spammers buy lists of email addresses from other spammers and these lists get passed around the spamming community. They don’t know if your email address is live (still in use) or not. That is until you contact them and let them know that it is. Then it is added to a live list and your spam increases.

Don’t just forward other’s emails

Most people when they receive jokes or interesting information from friends, forward these jokes on to their friends, leaving all those email addresses available for all to see. Eventually yours and your friends email addresses end up on a spammers list. See our article with full instructions on how to, still be able to share your jokes, but not feed the spammers with email addresses. Here’s the address:

http://www.magiwebs.com/articles/computer/spam/how-to-hide-your-mass-email-addresses.html

Copy the address and paste it into your browser.

Don’t pass on virus warnings

This may sound a bit strange at first, but there are two very good reasons. Firstly 9 out of 10 virus warnings sent by email are hoaxes. Norton and Microsoft NEVER send out email virus warnings. All this does is waste your time and make you look a little silly when some bright spark tells your list that it is a hoax. There is a website that you can go to check whether the email you just received is a hoax: http://www.hoax-slayer.com. They have a pretty good list of all the hoaxes, so check them out first. If you then feel you want to pass the info on, then use the method in 3 above.

The other reason for not passing on virus warnings is that they may have come from the very person setting up the virus. You then click on a link or open up the attachment and bang there you go!

Don’t open up attachments

This is a pretty obvious one, but we all do it. When a friend sends us a crazy movie clip or power point promo we always click on that little paper clip to have a look. If you’re going to do this, scan it with your anti virus software first. Most anti-virus programs should scan it as it is downloaded, but it doesn’t hurt to be sure.

Use an anti-virus program

There is a theory that most viruses are made by anti-virus companies to keep themselves in business! If this is so then it’s another good reason to have an anti-virus program. There are many good ones on the market. We recommend Kaspersky, from Kaspersky labs (Google it). The price is very good and it monitors emails and everything else coming into your PC.

Use the Phishing Filter

Windows Explorer 7 has what is called a Phishing Filter. If you use that browser make sure the filter is enabled. If you go to a website that is not what it is supposed to be i.e. the legitimate website then the Phishing Filter will inform you of that fact and tell you to get the hell out of there! For example if you get an email from Ebay, Paypal or your bank with a link to go to their website, place your cursor over the link. In the address bar at the bottom of the page you will see the address the link is going to. You would expect to see www.paypal.com or www.ebay.com but instead you’ll probably see: http://62.365.125.39/user/FJFGEAFD4545XC44SX/login.php This is a link to a Phishing website.

Make sure your firewall is enabled.

Windows XP and upwards come with an automated firewall, make sure that it is enabled. To do this right click on your connection icon in the bottom right hand corner next to the date. This is the icon that let’s you know you are connected your ISP. Click on “Change Windows Firewall Settings” In the ‘General’ tab make sure the tick is next to the ‘ON (Recommended) tab. You can add websites and programs you want to access your PC in the “Exceptions” window.

Use a Spyware removal program.

When you visit some websites they embed bits of programming into your browser called cookies. Cookies are used for a whole host of reasons all of which are not malicious. Some cookies remember your passwords, so that you don’t have to type it every time you visit the site. Some cookies contain spyware. These are bits of programs that monitor which websites you visit in order to send you targeted advertisements and emails. Google were talking about doing just this every time you search for something on their website. Use a Spyware program regularly to get rid of this added intrusion. There are lots of free programs around to do this, Spybot SD, spyware killer etc.

Use an IP blocking software tool

Every computer connected to the internet has an IP Address. This is a unique identification number. Government bodies, Universities, Copyright companies and other interested parties can monitor your IP address and see which websites you visit and trace your whole browsing history. To many minds this is an invasion of privacy. You can block others seeing your IP address with blocking software. Peer Guardian is the most popular IP blocking software and is free to download.

There are lots of other ways in which you can make your internet experience a safe and secure one, but if you use any of the above it will be a good start to help keep you safe on the net.

If there are any words or phrases you do not understand, Google them for a full explanation. You will find many of the programs mentioned above available in our free downloads section.

Please pass this information on to as many people as possible. If we all did even 25% of the things above, we could make the spammers and spies lives a lot harder and who knows, we might even eradicate them altogether!

Optimizing your web pages for Search Engines: Part Two

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:59:18 -0600

You also need to check whether your site is listed in the Yahoo! Directory. You have to pay to get a commercial site into the Yahoo! Directory, so you may already know if you’re listed there. If someone else has registered the site with Yahoo!, you may not know whether it’s there. Here’s how to find out:

1. Point your browser to dir.yahoo.com.

This takes you directly to the Yahoo! Directory search page.

2. Type your site’s domain name into the Search text box.

All you need is yourdomain.com, not http://www. or anything else.

3. Make sure that the Directory option button is selected and then click

Search.

If your site is in the Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! displays that site’s information

on the results page.

The others

To find out if your site is listed with the other search systems, simply go to

the search site, type the domain name, and click the Search button. In the case of all the major systems, the results page will contain an entry for the specified domain if it’s in the index. Other results may be placed on the page, too, but the first entry is the specified website if the information is available.

What if you’re not listed?

First, if your site is not in Yahoo! or the Open Directory Project, you have to

go to those systems and register your site.

What if you search for your site in the search engines and can’t find it?

If the site is not in Google, you have a huge problem. If it’s not in the smaller search engines, that’s less of a problem, of course, and quite

common.

Here are two possible reasons why your site is not being indexed in the

search engines:

The search engines haven’t found your site yet. The solution is relatively

easy, though you won’t get it done in an hour.

The search engines, whether or not they have found your site, can’t

index it. This is a much bigger problem! We will go into this in more detail a little later.

How to tell if your site is invisible.

Some websites are virtually invisible. A search engine might be able to find

the site, by following a link, for instance. But when it gets to the site, it can’t read it or, perhaps, can read only parts of it. We know of a client who built a website that had only three visible pages; all the other pages, including all the pages with product information, were invisible.

How does a Web site become invisible?

We talk about this subject in more detail later in this article, but here’s a brief explanation. In most cases, the problem is that the site is dynamic, that is, a page is created on the fly when a browser requests it. The data is pulled out of a database, pasted into a web page template, and

sent to the user’s browser. Search engines often won’t read such pages, for a variety of reasons explained in detail later.

How can you tell if this is a problem?

Take a look at the URL in the browser’s location bar. Suppose that you see something like this: http://www.yourdomain.edu/rodent-racing-scores/march/index.php. This address is okay. It’s a simple URL path made up of a domain name, two directory names, and a filename. Now look at this one: http://www.yourdomain.edu/rodent-racing/scores.php?prg=1

The filename ends with ?prg=1. This parameter is being sent to the server to

let it know what information is needed for the web page. If you have URLs

like this, with just a single parameter, they’re probably okay, especially for

Google; however, a few search engines may not like them.

Here’s another example:

http://yourdomain.com/products/index.html?&DID=18&CATID=

13&ObjectGroup_ID=79

This one’s a real problem, even for Google, which does a good job of indexing dynamic pages. This URL has too much weird stuff after the filename: ?&DID=18&CATID=13&ObjectGroup_ID=79. That’s three parameters — DID=18, CATID=13, and ObjectGroup_ID=79 — which is too many. Google cannot or will not index this page.

Another problem is caused by session IDs — URLs that are different every

time the page is displayed.

Look at this example:

http://yourdomain.com/buyAHome.do;jsessionid=

07D3CCD4D9A6A9F3CF9CAD4F9A728F44

Each time someone visits this site, the server assigns a special ID number to

the visitor. That means the URL is never the same, so Google won’t index it.

Google probably can get to databased pages, but chooses not to. If Google sees links to a page that appears to be dynamic, it doesn’t know whether the URL will change between sessions or whether many different URLs point to the same page. Google doesn’t want to overload the site’s server and also doesn’t want garbage in its index.

If you have a clean URL with no parameters, the search engines should be

able to get to it. If you have a single parameter in the URL, it may or may not be okay. Two parameters also may or may not be a problem, although they’re more likely to be a problem than a single parameter. Three parameters are almost certainly a problem. If you think you have a problem, then we will show you how to resolve this in Part Three.

13 Steps to a "Slippery Slope" Online Sales Letter

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:37:07 -0600

But here's the problem: I see many of them trying to sell their e-book, tutorial, etc. on a regular Web page. They list a paragraph about the info-product and give the price, and they expect a slew of sales.

Wrong.

You need a special sales page that has a "slippery slope" sales letter.

Remember that game Chutes & Ladders? If you landed on a space that had a chute on it, you just went down, Baby. No turning back. That's how your sales letter should be - a "slippery slope" that pulls in the reader because it's so compelling and interesting.

Here's a basic outline of the 13 elements you want to include. To see an example of them all in action, visit MY own sales page at www.BoostBizEzine.com.

1. Limit your navigation.

The visitor should not be distracted by links that take her to your bio, other products, etc. The idea is to keep her on this page, reading your copy and leading her to order. So on this page, only have navigation that relates to the product (e.g. FAQs, Order now).

2. Give a powerful headline.

Your headline can make or break your sales. If it's not compelling, your visitor will click away. Here's an easy headline formula: "How to _________ So You Can ____________." Make sure the 2nd part gives a big benefit, for example, "double your business" or "gain peace of mind."

3. Discuss the problem the prospect has, or incorporate your own story.

Marketers call this "pushing the 'ouch' button." First discuss the problem or pain that the reader has, and then lead in to how your product will solve it. Or share your own failure-to-success story that the reader can empathize with.

4. Tell us who you are.

If I'm going to buy your stuff, I'd like to know why you're qualified to write about this topic. Give me the feeling that you've learned a lot about this topic and want to share it with me.

Even add a picture of yourself and an audio greeting, like I did. These help the reader instantly feel like she knows you better, increasing the "trust factor." And people buy from those they feel they know, like, and trust!

5. Use bullets like mini headlines.

Lay out everything I'll get from your product. Don't just list your table of contents verbatim! Turn each point into an exciting secret. For example, suppose your e-book features 5 tips on how to save money on groceries. That bullet could read, "Revealed: 5 ways you can save hundreds of dollars on your monthly grocery bill."

6. List plenty of testimonials.

Show your prospects they won't be the first to buy. It's more effective to weave-in testimonials throughout your sales letter than to have a separate section for them. Give each person's full name and Web address, and for extra power, post their photo and an audio testimonial as well.

7. Tell us why your product is such a great value.

How does the price of your product compare if I hired you one-on-one? For example, your manual is a great value at $49 if an hour consultation with you would run me $250.

8. Throw in a few great bonuses.

Offer special bonuses (preferably created by you) that are so good you could sell them alone if you wanted to. It could be a list of resources, a collection of articles, extra tips on a certain subject, or a free consu1tation.

9. Give an unconditional guarantee.

This puts your prospect at ease, giving her no reason to NOT buy. A few turkeys will take advantage of your generosity, but the amount of sales you GAIN from this strategy dramatically outweighs the risk.

10. Request immediate action by having a limited time offer just click online newsletter service.

Some sales pages use trick scripts to make it seem like the offer always ends on that day at midnight, but I find these insulting. If you really will be raising your price soon (and you always should be), list the exact date and stick to it. Otherwise just say it's an introductory, limited-time offer.

11. Make it ABSURDLY CLEAR what to do next.

Nothing bothers me more than when I'm at a Web site, I have my credit card ready, and I can't find the $%#@& order link! Make your order process idiot-proof. Example: "Cl1ck below to 0rder n0w on our secure server." Also sprinkle in order links throughout your page -- some people will be ready to buy before they get to the bottom.

12. Make one last plea.

In your P.S., right after your signature, emphasize that I should act now. For example, "Don't miss out on this great 0pportunity. Remember, you can buy n0w and change your mind at anytime."

13. Don't forget your contact information!

Readers WILL have questions, so provide an e-mail address on your site that you or someone else will check at least daily. Also, don't you feel better buying from a Web site that lists a real address and phone number?

Want More Detailed Step-by-Step Help, With Examples You Can Model?

See my quick-start audio program, "The Secret, Simple Formula to Writing Web Copy That SELLS".

11 Quick (and Good) Content Ideas for Your Ezine or Website

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:36:19 -0600

Publishing articles, especially via an e-zine, is the ideal opportunity to showcase your business. By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you build credibility as an expert, while spreading the word about your services and products.

While I'm sure that sometimes you have dozens of content ideas, I bet other times you find yourself staring at a blank computer screen, grumbling that it's publishing time again. Well, have no fear! Here are 11 quick (and good) content ideas for when you're in a pinch.

1. Give real-life success stories.
Describe a problem you've solved for a client/customer, and use that as a springboard to offer more general advice. Show your readers how you've helped customers address challenges -- "case studies" if you will. This positions you as the expert in your readers' minds more than your coming out and saying so.

2. Think of three areas in which you'd like your clients to think of you as a resource.
Now develop content in those areas. For example, in my past life as a professional copywriter, I really enjoyed writing for Web sites. To help encourage my clients and prospects to hire me for these projects, I published several articles on how to write Web copy that sells.

3. Read industry publications for ideas.
Are there any hot issues in your field right now? The more controversial, the better. Don't be afraid to offer your own opinion -- your readers want to know it. After all, YOU are the expert in their eyes.

4. Jot down 8 questions your clients have asked you in the past.
You know, the ones they ask you over and over. Answer each in a short article. If you publish weekly, that's two months' worth of content, right off the bat! And if you can't think of any questions, send all your current clients/customers a quick e-mail, asking them what topics they're most interested in learning more about.

5. Learn anything neat lately from an industry conference, workshop, seminar, or insightful article?
No one says you have to reinvent the wheel of information! Pass on any gems of advice you've learned elsewhere -- just give them full attribution. Or give your opinion of the event or article itself. Your readers will appreciate your frankness.

6. Offer a list of your top 5 or 10 tips on a certain subject.
It's much easier to bang out a list of tips than to put together a real article. Of course, the tips can evolve into an article if you wish! Be sure to list your best tip first, or at least close to the top. (If you "fire your biggest gun" last, you risk losing your audience before they get to the good stuff.)

7. Interview associates whose expertise would interest your readers
(while not competing with yours). E-mail interviews are incredibly easy to do. Just send your interviewee 3 to 5 questions via e-mail, edit their answers, and have them approve the final version. Be sure to give them a short plug in your e-zine as a thank you. (A one- or two-sentence description of their business and their Web address should be fine.)

8. Recommend books and resources that you use, and offer full reviews on them.In one issue of my old
ezine newsletters, "AKB MarCom Tips," I featured reviews of my favorite four copywriting resource books. I'm glad I also gave my Amazon.com associate links, because I ended up making some nice commission, to boot!

9. Invite clients or readers to write you with their own questions, and answer one in each issue.
Right after their question, publish the person's name, business, and Web address, with their permission. They'll enjoy the attention and free publicity!

10. Invite readers to send in profiles.
Ask them to tell you about themselves -- their names, businesses, locations, and how they use the information gained in your e-zine. Feature one profile in each issue or one every few issues.

11. When all else fails, borrow an article!
There are dozens of Web sites offering hundreds of articles that you can use in your e-zine. The articles are free and available for you to use immediately. The only catch is you're required to leave the entire article intact, including the author's promotional information. One of my favorite places to search for articles is www.ezinearticles.com.

One last note: Keep in mind that if your e-zine's main objective is to get you more clients and customers, you should NOT feature other writers' articles more than once in a blue moon. Remember our main goal is to continually showcase YOU.

Your Fortune is in the Follow Up!

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:45:15 -0600

Would you blow your entire annual marketing budget on just one ad to run once during the Superbowl?

Of course you wouldn't. You know that people seeing your message just once wouldn't be enough.

Then why do we tend to spend our time and dollars on single-shot marketing, rather than repeated messages?

The answer is... most folks just don't know any better. Or, perhaps it seems boring to repeat your message over and over and over and over.

But the truth is, your fortune is in the follow up!

This past weekend I went to hear direct marketing master Bill Glazer (my marketing mentor who runs Glazer-Kennedy Inner Circle (along with Dan Kennedy) speak at a conference here in Los Angeles. During his talk, he shared with the audience how he spent the last few decades of his life running Baltimore's #1 retail men's clothing store, Gage Menswear, along with his late father.

Bill talked about one of his first direct mail campaigns, and how during the planning stages he announced to his dad that they were going to mail a special promotional offer to the same list not once, not twice, but three times. His father was appalled and yelled at Bill that he was crazy and was wasting their money!

Bill persisted and mailed all three pieces of the campaign. Well, their results revealed that mailing the exact same offer three times not only increased their response, it DOUBLED their response! Pop was floored, and he sure was delighted with the flurry of sales that came in. From that point on he also trusted Bill with their marketing dollars.

Why does repeating your message work? online newsletters writing
It's simple... people are inundated with messages every day. Last statistic I heard was each of us sees over 3,700 distinct messages a day! That means you need to repeat yourself over and over if you're going to break through the clutter, actually get their attention, get them to read or listen AND get them to respond.

Your assignment is to now look at all areas of your marketing and advertising in your business, and see where you need to add some follow up.

Some quick places to look at:

Your Ezines - Are you publishing your ezine enough? Once a month just doesn't cut it anymore. You should be reaching out and "touching" your prospects and customers at least once a week, if not more. (If you're running out of ideas or you're not sure how to do this without bugging folks, my ezine system takes care of that for you!)

Teleseminars and Live Events - When promoting events, you're going to need many more than one or two announcements or mailings. As a general rule, when I'm really trying to fill up a teleseminar (phone seminar) I sent out at least three emails dedicated to the promotion. For live events, you need dozens of messages, and well ahead of time. Most of the trainers I know start marketing no less than six months ahead of any live event they're hosting!

One-on-One Marketing - If you cold call or mail out letters to prospects, how many times are you following up? Don't be afraid to call or mail again. I myself have finally responded to an offer after I've been contacted several times, and was glad the vendor took the initiative to follow up.

Advertising - Instead of blowing your budget on a few large ads per year, try running a smaller ad much more often! Also most publications, both online and offline, will usually give you big discounts for purchasing more than one ad at a time. (I do this with ads in my own ezine, Straight Shooter Marketing.)

Remember, many marketing experts who test all these strategies say that repetition is the key. So don't even feel you have to be creative with your marketing - just saying or mailing the same thing over and over is better than not saying it or mailing it again.

Does Your Parking Lot Look Busy? Your Prospects are Watching

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:44:13 -0600

Twice a week I go to a great little massage place in the neighborhood, and right next door is a tiny Indian restaurant. The food always smells delicious when I walk by, and the owner excitedly waves at passersby. But there's a reason why I've never gone in and given it a chance...

The restaurant is always empty!

When I walk by, I always think, "Hmm, maybe I'll try that place for takeout one night." But in five years I never have. I always end up going two doors down to the bustling Chinese place or the sushi place with the line out the door - even though I have to usually wait 20 minutes for my food to be ready.

What's even funnier is that the food at those places isn't even great, but I keep thinking I must be missing something since so many other people like it!
The saying is true... no one wants to eat at a restaurant where there are no cards parked outside.

We all go by the feeling of "safety in numbers" and look for what some people call "social proof" that something is good or works before we try it.
This is why it's extremely important to use testimonials on your website, brochures, and marketing materials, and even in your talks and teleseminars.
And it's even MORE important for people like us whose businesses don't have parking lots. It's up to US to show prospects they won't be the first person ever to hire us or buy our products!

Simple idea, yes, but many people forget to use it in their marketing. (Even I forget sometimes, too.) But it's extremely important. Whether conscious or subconscious, seeing testimonials for a product or service makes us feel "safe" when deciding to buy.

But please remember the big difference between a good testimonial and a lame one. Let's look at two examples:

Example 1: "I've really enjoyed being a part of Alexandria Brown's Gold Mastermind program and have found it great value for the money." - E.B.
This one's all right, says nice things, and gives the person's initials. Problem is, there are no actual *results* shared here, and using initials-only leaves doubt about the authenticity of the testimonial.

Example 2: (and a real one, too!): "Since joining Alexandria Brown's Gold & Platinum Mastermind programs last year, I've doubled my revenues and can directly attribute at least $100,000.00 to her ideas and advice. Believe me, you WANT to be a part of this exceptional group of entrepreneurs!" -- Christine Kloser, Founder of "The Conscious Business Circle", Red Lion, Pa., www.ConsciousBusinessCircle.com

Now, let's look at the second one. Much more effective because it's results oriented. That is, it shares actual results the client/customer has gotten. Do whatever you can to include numbers, dollar amounts, and/or percentages -- these will grab your prospect's attention, let them know this is the real deal, and dramatically increase your response.

Also, the more information you provide about your clients and customers, the more believable and effective their testimonials will be. Include full name, occupation or company name, city and state they're from, web address (if applicable), and a PHOTO. (Even a poor photo, if that's all they have. It's important to make them REAL to your reader.)

If you're in a sensitive industry and clients don't want their names revealed, then share as much as you can about them otherwise. For example, "-- female Fox News executive, 38, Studio City, Calif." While it's not as good as giving their names, it's better than nothing.

And remember, one of the best things about using testimonials is it's much more effective for your clients and customers to rave about YOU than for you to rave about yourself. So let them "rave" and have fun with it!

BONUS TIP: Use Testimonials to Address Common Objections

If you really want testimonials to dramatically improve your response, make a list of the common objections your prospects usually have to buying your products or services. And then have at least one testimonial that addresses each. For example, when I first started selling my Boost Business with Your Own online newsletter system, I learned that some folks weren't buying it because they thought they needed a website to get started. So I found a success story from one of my customers who had used the system and never even had a real website. And we created a testimonial that made sure to share that fact.

7 Marketing Lessons We Can Learn From TV Infomercials

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:43:24 -0600

I hate to share this, but I love watching infomercials. And I've ordered more than once from them! Everything from cosmetics to a cell phone accessory.

When pressed, my friends admit the same. If you sniff around most people's homes, you'll find SOMETHING ordered from an infomercial, whether it's the Ronco Rotisserie or Victoria Principal's skincare.

You may think of these often annoying programs as "trash TV", but think again. Did you realize that they use many of the exact same strategies that we should?

Now, I don't mean you need to scream at your customers or flash "$19.95" in blinking digits on your website! Those are gimmicks. But what most people don't realize is that many of the STRATEGIES that sell the kitchen doohickey gadget are the same ones that can also sell your products and programs.)

Here are 7 of my favorites:

1. They grab your attention.

Infomercials air on the most challenging medium there is out there: television. You're just a second away from your prospect clicking their remote to the next channel. So they do their best to get your attention right away and KEEP it for as long as possible.

That's why infomercials give bold statements and emphasize how this doohickey will change your life. You should do this too -- stop beating around the bush and make it clear to your prospects how your products and services will change *their* lives!

2. They give tons of real-life testimonials.

You'll see that TV infomercials have evolved greatly since years ago. It used to be one or two people talking to a camera for the entire time. These days most typical 30 minute spots are over 80% customer testimonials! And that's for good reason... they are the hands-down BEST way to gain instant credibility.

A great example is for one of those home exercise machines. I noticed years ago they just showed the super-ripped guy using it on the infomercial. Now they show that guy, PLUS dozens of before and after testimonials from real-life guys with beer bellies and real jobs who used the product with success. That was a great move on their part, because c'mon, I just can't believe that super-ripped guy got that hot looking using it just 30 minutes, 3 times a week!

3. They use personalities.

The most successful infomercials now use celebrity guest hosts. They know this gets people's attention more than practically anything out there. Pro Activ uses Jessica Simpson. Youthful Essence (a skincare product I love) uses Susan Lucci. Even NutriSystem is now using Dan Marino in their commercials to target men.

You can do the same in your marketing. You can either hire a star, or even better, make YOURSELF the celebrity... by sharing stories, being personal, and having fun with your market.

4. They give an irresistible offer.

It's rare these days to see an infomercial asking for you to pay for something in full. You'll mostly see things like "3 payments of $19.95" or "4 payments of $39.95". Why? Cash-crunched Americans are always more concerned about cash flow than the total price. They'll even happily pay much MORE in the end in order to gain a lower monthly payment!

You can do the same. Offer a payment plan for your products, courses, workshops, and coaching. You'll be AMAZED at the increased response, and it's easy to do with marketing-savvy shopping cart systems.

5. They give a strong call-to-action NOW.

These folks know that as soon as you change the channel, you're going to forget about their product. So they make it very urgent that you pick up the phone and call them now or visit their website and order. They usually say something like "If you call in the next 10 minutes you also get..." and they list a few great bonuses.

This isn't just specific to TV. Everyone would rather put off ANY decision these days, we're all so busy and overwhelmed! So you need to give people a good REASON to act now, whether it's a discount that expires, a payment plan that expires, a limited number of products or seats, a special bonus... you get the idea.

6. They sell on continuity.

What's "continuity"? online newsletter it's when you make ONE sale that results in multiple charges over and over. For example, because my friends have been raving about I.D. Bare Minerals natural makeup, I recently ordered a kit from their infomercial. Now, every 2 months, I receive a fresh supply in the mail, and my card is charged again. I love it because I don't have to remember to reorder. They love it because they only had to make ONE sale, and how they've got me as a customer forever until I cancel!

Hear me now... continuity will change your life! Consider how you can use this principle in your business. Could you convert some of your current offerings into a monthly membership? Or instead of doing one-shot teleseminars, create an ongoing monthly program? (I did this with my Marketing & Motivation Mastermind.)

7. They repeat themselves. And repeat themselves.

And repeat themselves again! Smart marketers know it takes an average of 9 TIMES for someone to see/hear your message BEFORE they will even consider purchasing! That goes for you too. So many of my clients complain that advertising doesn't work when they only ran one ad ONCE. Or published ONE newsletter and it didn't get them results.

Remember it's the ongoing exposure and repetition that breeds familiarity and trust with your prospects! And that leads to more sales than you've ever imagined.

How Starting Your Own 'Country Club' Can Skyrocket Your Revenues!

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:40:57 -0600

My mom was visiting recently and during our mother-daughter shopping time I noticed something interesting. Almost all of the stores I made a purchase at asked me if I'd like to get on their mailing list. That's very smart.

However, the WAY in which they did this made a big difference in my answer. I said NO to almost all of them because they simply did not make it enticing for me. I mean, who WANTS more junk mail? So if you simply ask me if I'd like to be on your mailing list, the answer will usually be NO.

But one store in particular got me. First of all, it was a designer clothing store I loved. Second of all, they didn't ask me if I wanted to be on their mailing list. They invited me to become a "VIP Client".

Say the words "VIP" to me and my ears perk up. It of course stands for "very important person". And in general it indicates a level of advantage and prestige. Suddenly I WANTED to be on that mailing list, especially when the salesman explained to me it came with certain benefits, such as early notice on new arrivals, a personal shopping service, and private trunk shows.

And you know what? I would have even paid to be part of that - to be regarded as a VIP.

You see, people WANT to be part of something special like ezine advertising. The example above was free. But don't underestimate how much your clients or customers will PAY to do that, either.

Example: A friend of mine recently shared he pays $15,000.00 a year to belong to the President's Club of a local playhouse, even though he and his wife could attend each show there for just $150.00. Why would even a loyal attendee want to pay 100 times more? Special treatment like preferred seating, valet parking, invites to VIP functions, private restaurant for members only, networking with a higher level of people, etc.

Another friend of mine pays for membership at a private nightclub here in Los Angeles up on Sunset Blvd. for many of the same reasons (but more so, I believe, because it impresses his dates ; )).

My marketing mentor Dan Kennedy taught me there is a segment of virtually EVERY customer or client group or market who will happily pay FAR above standard prices for convenience, status, and special treatment.

I call it "country clubbing" your business. Why be the driving range with an hourly charge when you can be the classy six-figure membership club down the street? You can offer both of course, but look at what will skyrocket your business FASTER, with less transactions and higher quality clients.

One example of this is my private Platinum Mastermind program, which I launched in 2006 due to overwhelming demand for my personal coaching. This group of 15 serious small business owners each pay $15,000.00 a year to have greater access to me than anyone else, and in a small group setting where we meet 3 times a year at luxurious 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts.

My Platinums are, essentially, VIPs in my world! And because I maintain a bit of mystique about the group, people seem to want "in" even more. (One of my members got cornered in the ladies room at my last Online Success Blueprint Workshop by several attendees who demanded to know how they could get into Platinum!)

I share this not to impress you, but to impress upon you that in YOUR market (yes, *yours*) there IS a percentage of folks who will gladly pay MORE - much more - for a higher level of service or treatment. Remember, you're not trying to please EVERYBODY, just the select few who can afford that level of service.

So now, take a minute or two and consider how YOU can start your own "country club" for your clients and customers. Whether it's a VIP level of service or a private client group that meets a few times a year.

To get your wheels turning, imagine this... if you can get 10 people to commit to some type of program that is just $10,000.00 a year, that's an extra $100,000.00 this year for YOU!

Recycle Your Articles to Gain Tons of Traffic and New Subscribers

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:40:11 -0600

While there are many effective ways to get more traffic and build your email newsletter list, the one I’ve had the MOST success with is to submit articles for use on other people’s websites and in their ezines.

“But wait a minute,” you say. “Aren’t I supposed to be creating great articles for MY OWN e-zine?”

Yes, you are! And after your article appears in your OWN e-zine, you should then submit it to others. Over the past few years, I’ve found this to be the best way to get traffic, build my list, and increase my sales, for five reasons:

1) You can quickly gain FREE exposure to TENS OF THOUSANDS (or even HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS) of untapped prospects at a time. There are many high-traffic sites and ezines with high readerships that are looking for content from people like YOU.

2) Articles let you educate and share good information with your prospects. They also position you as an expert in their eyes, so they’ll think of YOU as the most respected resource in your field. (Traditional ads don’t do that for you.)

3) You have the right to promote yourself, your business, and whatever else you want at the end of every article. And anyone using your article must keep this information intact. (More on that in a minute.)

4) This is a tried-and-true method that will NEVER stop working, unlike the latest and greatest gimmicks to spoof the search engines. (Try one of those and see how quickly your traffic halts once the bottom drops out.) Search engines love real content and will always love real content.

5) It’s EASY, and anyone can do it!

HERE’S HOW TO GET STARTED…

1. PICK A WINNER
Browse through your archives and pick an insightful article that really showcases your expertise. Or, if this is new to you, write a basic article on your subject of expertise. (Not a good writer, or need help? Hire a writer from Elance.com.)

2. POLISH IT ‘TIL IT SHINES
Publishers will not be interested in your article if it contains typos, misspelled words, grammatical errors, or inactive Web links — these goofs would compromise the integrity of their publications. So make sure it’s Kosher!

3. ADD A COPYRIGHT NOTICE
At the end of the article, insert a copyright notice, dated when you first published the article. Example: © 2005 Alexandria K. Brown

4. WRITE A JAZZY “RESOURCE BOX”
In exchange for your letting other publishers reprint your article, it’s customary to require they include the contact information you provide. This is usually called the “resource box” and it should come RIGHT after your copyright notice. Here’s where you can ham it up.

Don’t waste time promoting your actual business in the resource box. Why? Remember your #1 goal is always to get prospects on your LIST. You’ll gain MORE clients and customers by FIRST getting them to subscribe to your FREE ezine or special report. THEN you’ve got them! You’ll be in front of them regularly, and that’s when they’ll understand why they should hire you or buy your products.

5. SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLE TO ONLINE CONTENT DIRECTORIES
There are hundreds of ‘free content’ Web sites and announcement lists where you can submit your articles for other publishers to use. Some even let you include a picture and other information about your website. One of my favorites is EzineArticles.com.

6. SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLE DIRECTLY TO APPROPRIATE PUBLISHERS
For best results, take the bull by the horns and contact publishers directly. But not just any publishers — ones with e-zines that accept articles AND whose readers are your ideal clients and customers. A great place to start your search and build your own list is Charlie Page’s Directory of E-zines.

7. AUTOMATE THE ENTIRE PROCESS

I know you’re probably thinking right now, “OK Ali, this sounds great, but isn’t this going to be time consuming?”

The answer is most definitely YES. In the past, you’d have to spend several hours a week just to get one article out there. It’s a lot of administrative work, requiring time that you probably don’t have.

But my friend Jason Potash has just released his brand new “ARTICLE ANNOUNCER” software that does all this work FOR you. It blasts out your articles to hundreds of directories, publishers, and other sources to help generate a slew of web visitors to your site, month after month.

My staff and I have tested Jason’s “Article Announcer” product and wholeheartedly recommend it. I urge you to see Jason’s information page NOW, and grab your own copy before the price goes UP in just a few days.

Remember also that if you don’t want to do any of your own article marketing yourself, it’s a perfect task to pass on to an assistant, intern, or freelancer. The key is getting it down to a SYSTEM, which is what this software helps you do.

6 Steps to Catch More Opt-ins Than Ever Before

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:39:11 -0600

Remember that when you have new visitors at your website, your #1 goal is to get them on your ezine list! That way you have permission to contact them again and again, educating them about your helpful services and products that they came to learn more about.

But you can’t just put up a link that says “free newsletter”. No one cares! You need to carefully craft an opt-in box that works like a big net, catching the exact type of “fish” you want as your ideal clients and customers.

Also remember, don’t hide your box at the bottom of your web pages. Right now, most testing shows that the best place for your opt-in box is the upper right corner… loud and proud!

Here are six simple things you should have in your opt-in box that will help you get more signups than ever before.

1) An Attention-Getting HEADLINE

Remember that online readers SKIM copy - they don’t read it word for word. So the headline in your opt-in box may be the ONLY thing they read, which determines whether they sign up or not. So don’t waste this space saying something like “Free Newsletter” or even worse… “Sign up for our mailing list.” Ugh! Instead, tell me the MOST exciting thing your ezine will give me!

Examples:
“Are You Ready to Blast Off Your SALES This Year?”
“FINALLY: Learn How to Keep That Weight Off For Good”
“Insider Secrets to Writing Novels for Big Bucks”

2) A Raving Description of Your Ezine

Work hard at putting together a description of your ezine that gets prospects excited to sign up! Remember they’re tuned into station WIIFM (”What’s In It For ME?”). Tell them what your information is going to DO for them as well as everything they GET. Examples: How-to articles, quick and easy tips, free resources, insider secrets. Aim for your description to be between 15 and 30 words.

3) A Field to Enter Their FIRST NAME.

Getting people’s names along with their e-mails allows you to personalize your ezine for them. For example, if I was on your list, your e-mail would come to me saying, “Dear Ali…” The subject line could even say, “Ali, here’s your free tip”. Why do you want to do this? Studies prove that having the recipient’s name in the subject line of your e-mails can increase your open rates by 60%!

The problem is, many people value their privacy and are hesitant to give you their full name. For this reason, just ask for their FIRST name. It’s been proven that you’ll get MORE names from people if you only ask for the first name. (And their first name is generally all you’ll need anyway.)

4) A Field to Enter Their Primary EMAIL ADDRESS.

Many people have a backup or personal e-mail address that they use just for receiving online newsletters and promotions. The problem is they are often from free e-mail services like Yahoo or Hotmail. These services filter e-mail like crazy, and their mailboxes fill up quickly, so there’s a good chance your e-mails won’t even reach these recipients.

The solution is, simply ask for their primary e-mail. It’s amazing, but simply ASKING them to enter their primary e-mail will get you more quality e-mails on your list! (You’ll also get less bounce-backs from undeliverable e-mails. If you get too many of those, it raises a red flag to some spam filter programs.)

5) A BUTTON That Says “Subscribe” or “Sign Me Up Now”

Make it very clear what they should click on to activate their subscription once they type in their name and email. Don’t use something confusing like a link that says “submit form”.

6) Your PRIVACY POLICY, right then and there.

Everyone’s scared to receive more spam these days, so put your prospects at ease. Don’t make them wonder what you’re going to do with their e-mail addresses. State right next to or below your opt-in form what your policy is. Mine is, “We will never sell, rent, trade, or share your e-mail with any other organization.” (Feel free to use that yourself.) DON’T make people click on a link to read your privacy policy - it looks like you have something to hide. In fact, in some U.S. states, it’s now required that you state your privacy policy right at the point of opt-in, so it’s a good idea no matter where you do business.

Want to See a Sample of This in Action?

If you’d like to see many of these components in action, see my pop-under box at www.ezinequeen.com/popup.htm.

And if you’d like MORE step-by-step instructions on how to get more signups at your website (and beyond) and build your list bigger than ever before, see my SPECIAL REPORT: “101 Simple, FREE and Low-Cost Ways to Quickly Build a Massive EMAIL LIST”, which you can learn more about here.