Famous Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneur Guide

Famous Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneur Guide

Your Internet Marketing Made Easy

Marketing online has become the preferred method of promotion and advertising for both web and home businesses. Internet marketing gives business owners the opportunity to target their chosen audience, while often receiving instant results. To accomplish your goals in the internet marketing field, you must first familiarize yourself with general promotional and marketing facts. Just a few simple tips can help you build your business into all that you desire.

To produce a significant income from your business, you must first find a way to gain visitors to your web site. Generating traffic is very important in internet marketing. It is a good idea to visit other web sites with a similar audience as yours to aid in the development of your internet marketing plan. Affiliate programs are an ideal source of traffic generation, as well as, web site advertising. As the internet expands, so do the many ways to bring customers to your site.

The word "free" is one of the most powerful internet marketing tools ever. Offering a free trial or sample on your web site is the perfect way to get potential customers excited about your business. As in any marketing plan, creativity is a must. If you are not able to dish out any free goodies, why not create a special offer or discount? It is essential that this offer is only offered at your site; this shows that you are willing to try something different from other business owners. Innovation can be the key to success in the internet marketing game.

Developing an honest and solid reputation in the business community is a necessity. Customers need to feel secure purchasing from you, and not worry about disclosing their personal information through your servers. Most consumers look for a seal of approval such as the Better Business Bureau Online icon. Once customers trust you, your business and internet marketing aspirations can continue to prosper.

Your RSS Marketing Strategy: Deciding How To Deliver Your RSS Content

You're interested in RSS marketing, but there either seem to be so many options of how to do it or you've only ever come accross simple RSS feeds that just don't seem to be the approach you're looking for.

The problem with most RSS marketing plans is that the marketer doesn't really go beyond providing a simple RSS feed for all of his online news or his blog. But since you've been reading this column for a while now you know for a fact that RSS offers so much more.

To get started the right way you need to correctly plan your RSS Marketing strategy, starting by deciding how you are going to deliver your RSS content.

The right way to go, even if you're only starting out with a simple RSS strategy, is to provide individual RSS feeds for:

--> your individual target audiences,

--> your different types of content and

--> even your different content topics.

Think of this as a consequtive list of how to develop your RSS strategy.

--> TARGET AUDIENCES Start by listing the target audiences you want to deliver your content to via RSS. Each of your audiences has different content needs, resulting in different groups of RSS feeds that need to be created for these target audiences. One group for the media, the other for your employees, the other for the general public, the other for your existing customers and so on. You can even go further and divide your master groups in sub-groups, based on their prevailing interests.

--> CONTENT TYPES Now consider the different types of content you want to deliver to these audiences. For example your latest news, your blog posts, your how-to articles, your press releases, your podcasts, the latest posts from your forums, direct communications messages and so on. In most cases these types of content don't mix well together. If someone wants to receive your blog updates, which are full of your company representatives' personal opinions and commentary, they don't want to receive your corporate-speak press releases.

If someone is interested in what's happening in your forum and what the latest forum posts are, they don't want to receive your how-to articles in the same RSS feed, simply because these two types of content are so much different. And so on. Essentially, you will need to provide separate feeds for each of the different content types, and you will need to determine what content types you wish to deliver to each of your target audience groups and sub-groups.

--> CONTENT TOPICS Finally take a look at each individual content type for each individual target audience and further break that down by content topic, if needed. And if you're trying to cover many different topics for each content type, you will need to provide different RSS feeds for these different topics, because, again, people interested in topic A are not neccessarily also interested in topic B.

While this may sound complicated, it's really simple once you start doing it.

The point is, this is about giving your subscribers choice of what they subscribe to. Instead of forcing them to subscribe to everything, allow them to subscribe to only what they want and need.

Quite simple, right?

Just remember that you should only break this down as far as it makes sense, keeping in mind the actual content that your target audiences want from you.

Depending on your business, you just might only need to communicate with one target audience, deliver only one content type and deliver only one content topic for that target audience.

DECIDE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO DELIVER THIS CONTENT

Once you have your RSS content mapped-out, you need to consider how you are going to make this content available to your target audiences. This is especially important since it's going to influence the tools you need to get started with RSS publishing

ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL RSS FEEDS

This is about as standard as it gets --- publishing one RSS feed to meet the needs of all of your target audiences at once or publishing multiple topical RSS feeds, which always remain the same. The easiest to do, can be done with any RSS publishing tool on the market …

CUSTOMIZABLE RSS FEEDS

The more and more complex you get with the different feeds you're offering, the more difficult it is for your visitors to select what exactly they want, simply because an individual subscriber might be interested in 10 of your 100 feeds, but he doesn't want to be subscribed to that many feeds by your company.

In this case the best way to go is to also offer your visitors the opportunity to customize your RSS feed à they decide exactly what content type and content topics they want to receive in one or a few RSS feeds they'll be subscribing from you.

The opportunities here are quite endless, as you can allow them to customize their feeds based on topics, content types, authors and more.

If this is the way you need to go because you are offering so much content via your RSS feeds that it makes it difficult for someone to subscribe to only one or a few feeds from you, you will need your RSS publishing solution to support feed customization.

SEARCH-BASED RSS FEEDS

Search-based RSS feeds are a subset of customizable RSS feeds, and they work just like a search engine. You type in a certain keyword or keyword combinations and the search engine gives you the most relevant or the latest results for that keyword combination.

You can do the same with RSS, allowing your visitors to enter specific keywords and then get the content from you only based on those keywords.

PERSONALIZED RSS FEEDS

Giving users the choice to customize the content they are receiving from you is one thing, but certain content may actually demand you to personalize the feed using your subscribers personal information.

The most basic variation, used to lift response, is addressing your subscribers by name or using other data about the customer from your database, such as his address, previous purchases etc.

In other cases a bank might want to deliver information directly relating to your bank account, directly via RSS, such as your latest credit card transactions, and so on.

RSS FEEDS WITH CONTENT TARGETING

Now imagine that you want to create individualized campaigns to individual subscribers, based on the information you already have in your database about their activities, demographics and so on, for example to send a promotion for product A only to those subscribers that might be most interested in product A.

In this case you will need an RSS solution that can pull this data from your database and then segment your subscribers based on the actual data.

AUTORESPONDER RSS FEEDS

Since their introduction, e-mail autoresponders have become a relatively mainstream internet direct marketing tool, although they haven't really made their way to the world of public relations.

The concept is simple à a certain action by your visitors on your website triggers a sequence of e-mail messages, delivered to that visitor, provided you have his e-mail address, over a period of several days.

Direct marketers use this to automatically communicate with the prospect after a certain action, trying to get him to do what they want.

The most common application is offering your visitors a free report, delivered to them via e-mail. After subscribing they start receiving consequtive parts of the report day after day or a every few days, receiving both new information as well as being exposed to the marketer's promotional message.

Other applications include autoresponder messages in relation to transactional e-mail:

--> Subscribe to a free e-mail newsletter. The first autoresponder message thanks you for the subscription and also gives you access to one of the newsletter issues. A couple of days later, while you're still "hot as a lead", you receive another e-mail, pertaining to the newsletter topic, giving you more advice or information on the topic and trying achieve a sales conversion. And so on.

--> Complete a webstore order. The first message thanks you for the purchase and recommends an additional product at a lower price. The second message tells you more about the product you purchased. The third messages makes a special additional purchase offer. The fourths message gives you some great additional tips, and so on.

--> Start an online order, but don't finish it. The first message reminds you that there are still products in your shopping cart. The second message reminds you again, giving you added inscentive to complete the order. And so on …

The opportunities are practically limitless, but you get the picture.

Now simply transform this concept into the realm of RSS.

Someone subscribes to your RSS feed. The first couple of content items, spread-out through the first week, serve as a series of welcome messages giving the new subscriber access to your top content and inviting him to actively participate. Your latest feed updates come through as well, but your new subscriber also gets the extra treatment (content) in the same feed.

And now apply this to anything you're doing with RSS, where it makes sense to follow-up with additional information to your new subscribers once they subscribe, of course depending on the feed topic and target audience.

Very few RSS tools today offer autoresponder capabilities, but some do.

TO RECAP…

Think of your RSS publishing strategy and try to establish which of the these publishing models your RSS publishing tool should support:

--> Topical or Target Audience Oriented RSS Feeds --> Customizable RSS Feeds --> Search-Based RSS Feeds --> Personalized RSS Feeds --> RSS Feeds With Content Targeting --> Autoresponder RSS Feeds

8 Steps to copy each time irresistible Email

= > Step # 1-WHO you THINK that you are TALKING to? Before you get to sit write your sales letter mail, that you have to exactly who your audience is. This is a master key to getting results of email marketing. Ask yourself these questions:-what your prospects/customers want? -What your prospects/customers most frustrating? -Who is selling something similar to you? -Why should your prospects/customers you believe? -Why do prospects/customers respond to you instead of someone else? -What kind of occupation will respond to your target market?

= > Step # 2-A big topic IS your item before an email might generate results, recipients need to open it. But what can you do to spark their interest and their importance "engine" revved up? Your SUBJECT LINE is the key. There are four types of email formulas that you can use as a guide in to edit your email address. Each has a different psychological appeal like magic works for the consumer. Here are some examples:-State a powerful advantage-"Empowerism Satisfies your need for leads"-Pique curiosity-"Empowerism Has Uncovered the secrets of success"-write your subject line with a news-corner-"Empowerism launches RSVP for those who want to double their money fast!" -Providing instant gratification-"with Empowerism RSVP, you can start Money reels before the sun goes down tonight" here is a major "homework assignment": at least 25 subject lines before you write about which decides to use. Take the best two and test them against each other in your marketing campaign. (The "losers" to use it for other purposes or later firs save.)

= > Step # 3-What's in it for them? Sit down and write every conceivable advantage your product. Don't know the difference between the features and benefits? Attributes describe the product; advantages of the results of the use of the product. Features to appeal to the logic ... logic justifies emotion ... emotion drives sales (see below). Here's a rule of thumb for advantages: you wonder "what can my product or service do for my customers?" Then begin to write your letter telling your reader what's in it for them. Tell them how much better life for them after they buy from you. Tell them how much better they will feel. Tell them how their peers will respect them more.

= > Step # 4-AN EMOTIONAL APPEAL when promoting something for everyone, you must not forget that buying decisions are based on emotion and later supported by logic. Before a single word, determine what emotional hot buttons you have to push to "jumpstart" your prospect. Sale of health supplements? Go for the "fear of illness" button with "A natural way to save your sight." The sale of political bumper stickers? Press the button "anger" with: "let the President know what you think of his policies." Other buttons include: curiosity, greed, ego, vanity, hope and fear of scarcity or safety.

= > Step # 5-A NAME YOU CAN TRUST to convince to buy your product or service, you must believe that your proposal is credible and that you (or your product) will deliver as promised. How do you do it? Here are three ways you can build credibility with the readers of your sales letter:-provide testimonials. -Approval letters of authority in your industry – create your listing and promises genuine and believable.

= > Step # 6-A guarantee today, trying to sell without warranty of any kind is a losing proposition. You've got to have one. And the stronger your warranty, the better your reaction will be. And, believe it or not, although most people don't ask for a refund, they will trust you to know that your offer you. You can offer a 24 hours a day, 30 days, 60-day, 90-day, or even a year. And here's an interesting fact: the longer the term, the fewer returns you! It's human nature to procrastinate, so the more time that someone thinks they have that to a refund, the more they will be postponed or forgotten all about the refund.

= > Step # 7-DON'T FORGET TO ASK it happens all the time. Someone makes a fantastic sales presentation, and then does not close the deal because he/she clearly not to the order of questions or the process confusing instead of simple made. -Research: statistics show that you ask for the order at least three times to close sales must be substantial. (Some studies put the number 7!) If you can, offer several ways for your prospects to--keep consumer choice. It tells them, "you are to talk directly with me and my unique needs." If you only have a way to order provide crystal clear how and how easy it is. To describe it in detail and ask for the order. Then ask again.

= > Step # 8-the eyes have IT it is a known fact: large blocks of copy are intimidating and will often send people running for the hills or at least the Remove button. The solution? Members in two to four sentences break. Use different subheadings in the e-mail letter. And use of asterisks, hyphens, and dots (...) to your copy more rhythm. Bullet points are excellent eye-catchers-use them where necessary.

Consumer Mailings

One of the best ways to remind yourself of your customer about you and what you do for them is to keep them on a consumer mailing list. This is one of the best ways to return customers. Always ask a customer right before they check out if they want to be added to the consumer mailing list.

On the Internet-websites is the best to see a window that the customer can check if they choose to be on the list. The less information that they have to fill out the better, too many blanks out will cause them to decide not to continue with the consumer mailing list. Not inundate consumers with mailings, once they are on that list. It is annoying for the customer and expensive for you, the business owner.

Keeping mailings to monthly events keeps you fresh in their minds and the most likely source that they will turn to when they need to get more of a product you have to buy. Also consider the fact that they stuck to your newsletter or ad can keep for future reference. This is a great opportunity for you to offer incentives to consumers in these consumer mailings focuses. When sending mailing lists to ensure that it is efficient for you.

Programs that are designed to send consumer mailing lists as efficiently as possible. If you choose not to use a program to have the names of consumers organized so that ever in your company is responsible for the mailing is the sending of correspondence that is not them a lot of time. Consumer mailing lists have to be practical and efficient for both you and your customer. Them to an appropriate to hold and to ensure that they are relevant to issues relating to your business will keep your customers focused on what you want them to know.

If you want your newsletter will be too long for them to keep reading it as they do other things that they need to tend to dull. Steps to increase the efficiency of your mailing list of the consumer will support your business growth potential and bring more business your way through you to keep at the forefront of the mind of your customer. Consumer mailings are one of the most primary tools that your company can use its business ventures. Or the consumer mailings via regular mail or via email your business will surely much benefit from it.

10 Quick and easy steps to build a highly targeted and responsive opt in list

We've all heard it that in order to stay in business online you need to build a Targeted 'Opt-In' list. Well... I truly have to agree with that simply because this is where you'll always have a consistent source of FREE Targeted traffic(also referred to as 'Sticky Traffic') to promote your offers or related information to for years to come.

It just makes sense, wouldn't you say? And, we all know that 'Email' is where the $MONEY$ is truly made when it comes to marketing your business online because it gives You the ability to Follow-Up your potential customers until they decide to buy from You. But, the problem that usually takes place is that people don't know where to start when it comes to building there own targeted Opt-In list.

Now, for those of you that are new Internet marketing and don't know what a 'Opt-In' list is, here's a quick definition: An 'Opt-In' list is simply a database of peoples Names and Email Addresses that have subscribed to an email list via a web form giving that list owner permission to send them periodic emails on the topic they are interested in. Notice how I said, "giving that list owner permission to send them email".

When they subscribe to your Opt-In list they are giving You permission to send them offers or related information on the topic they are interested in, this is known as 'Permission Email Marketing'. This is the ABSOLUTE safest form of email marketing where You won't get accused of 'SPAM'. This is very important that You understand this from the beginning.

So, now that you have a clear idea in your mind of what an Opt-In list is and how it will benefit You and your business, I guess it's time to share with you the simple 'Ten Step Process' that I have put together for you on How-To build your own targeted Opt-In list that you can email your offers to at any given time for $Profit$.

Step #1. Pick your Target market or Niche. This is a very important step because this is where you need to figure out who your target market is going to be for the Product or Service your going to offer. So, for example, if I was interested in selling a book related to Internet Marketing, well then, my target market would be Internet Marketing related.

Step #2. Can your Target market or Niche be reach online? This step is where you need to do a little research on whether or not your particular target market can be reached online. In order to do this you need to do some keyword research using keywords related to your target market. You can do this by using the Overture keyword research tool located at the URL I've provided below. http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/ Simply type in the keywords related to your target market in the form provided. This will give you a detailed history of how many searches have been made in the last 30 days on the keywords related to your target market. As a general rule, if your targeted keywords aren't pulling in 15,000 or more searches per month, then this is a market I wouldn't pursue simply because there isn't much demand for it.

Step #3. Are they making money in this Niche? This is where you need to do some research on your competition to see if people are spending any money in this Niche. You can do this by going to Google at http://www.google.com and type in your targeted keywords related to your Niche in the form provided. This will give you a list of search results. Those results are your competition, but even more important, to the right you'll notice little ads. These are paid ads offered through Google Adwords. This means that somebody is willing to pay to advertise and is paying attention to this particular Niche and must be making money if they're willing to pay for advertising. That's good news for you.

Step #4. Use Forums to find your Target markets problems. Forums are a great place to find out exactly what your potential customers TOP problems are by simply scanning there posts and looking for the most common threads. By doing this you'll be able to know right away what your target markets TOP problems are and how you can help solve there problem. To find Forums related to your Niche simply visit Google http://www.google.com and type in your targeted keywords with '+ forums' after your keyword.(ex. internet marketing + forums)

Step #5. What's keeping them from getting what they want? This is where you have to figure out whats keeping them from getting what they want in order to fix the problems they are dealing with, meaning, this is where you need to work with them to find a solution to there problems. Whether its a Product they need or a Service of some sort.

Step #6. What can you offer them to solve there problems? This is where the money is being spent. Now, the only thing you need in order to receive your share of the revenue is a Product or Service that will solve your potential customers problem. If you don't have a Product or Service of your own don't get discouraged. I'm going to give you two resources where you can find products or services that You can become an affiliate for that are related to any Niche that will pay you a commission for every sale you make by simply referring your traffic to there website. The two websites to visit are http://www.clickbank.com and http://www.associateprograms.com

Step #7. Set-Up a simple direct response mini-site. Here is where you Set-Up your lead generating website with a Follow-Up System that your potential customers will come to and Opt-In to your list to start receiving offers or related information on the topic or problem they are having. This is a very simple process to do and you can view my website as an example of how one would look. http://www.internetwondersezine.com If you don't know how to build your own website you can always hire someone to do it for you by going to... http://www.elance.com

Step #8. Get an Auto-Responder account. This is where you'll be laying the foundation down for your list. You MUST have an Auto-Responder account Set-Up before you make your mini-site go live because this is where your potential customers are going to come and submit there Name and Email Address so that you can start building a list to send your offers or related information to. So, do not miss this important step.

Step #9. You need to figure out what 'Bait' to use. What I mean by 'Bait' is... what are you going to offer them for FREE to get them to subscribe to your Opt-In list. Here are some examples of what you can use as 'Bait': ebooks, special reports, mini-courses, coupons, etc. These are the most common. It really depends on who you are targeting, so be creative.

Step #10. Reach out to your target market. This is the part where you send traffic to your website in order to get subscribers. I'm going to mention only two methods. These methods are the most POWERFUL and for good reason, they work. The first method is Writing Articles. By Writing Articles your showing your target market that You are someone who knows how to help solve there problem and may have a possible solution for them. This is the quickest way to build INSTANT credibility in your Niche. The second method is to send targeted traffic to your mini-site through Pay-Per-Click search engines. Pay-Per-Click search engines are where you bid on the keywords terms related to your target market and are listed according to the highest bid for that keyword term. By using PPC search engines, it will get you infront of your target market Instantly. Writing articles gives you INSTANT credibility and will put you infront of thousands of readers, and Pay-Per-Click search engines send you HIGHLY targeted traffic to your website within minutes depending on which PPC search engine you are using. The More traffic you send to your website, the More subscribers you'll receive. It's simply a numbers game. Well... there you have it, "10 Quick and Easy Steps To Building A HIGHLY Targeted And Responsive Opt-In List".

Now... it's up to you to take the neccessary Action in order to get started with your own targeted Opt-In list. If you already have an existing web business online simply implement the steps outlined above to your existing website. These are the 10 basic steps required in order to get your Opt-In listing building started in the Right direction. Simply follow them and you'll be on your way to receiving your first subscriber in No Time.