While the response wasn’t exactly what I had hoped I am happy to announce the winner of the $99 Marketing Sherpa, Tweaking Your Site’s Copy to Get More Search Engine Traffic How-to Kit!

Congratulations to Rodney Jacobsen who was chosen at random from those of you that voted on the winning video.  Choice #1 was the winner and you can view it and the other videos here.

Technorati Tags: contest winner, Internet Marketing

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Step #6: Send test mailings before unveiling to your full list

Before you send any email to your mailing list, there are some essential steps you need to take to ensure that there are no “accidents” that make you look unprofessional and destroy the mailings conversion rate.

• At a minimum you should send test mailings, open, and view them in Microsoft Outlook, Google Mail, Yahoo! Mail, MSN Hotmail, and AOL.
• Ensure a text message is no longer than 65 characters and a message written in HTML has no viewable code.
• Verify there are no strange characters in the subject line or body of the message.
• Verify that all of the fields you have chosen to “Merge” in the mailing have done so properly.
• Check that all hot links are working.
• Make sure to spell check the entire e-mail including the subject field.
• Ensure your contact information and mailing list removal details are clearly visible.
• Test your e-mail for SPAM Triggers.   There are many tools out there for this purpose including stand-alone software as well as Word and Outlook Plug-ins.  But, to get you started I recommend using this simple online tool.

If you follow these simple steps every time, the only thing that could prevent your e-mail from being successful is the copy itself, and not an easily avoidable mistake that is made while formatting or sending it.

Step #7: Send follow-up mailings

Did you know that a large portion of your existing customers will account for the majority of your future sales and profits?  It’s true!

Your existing customers are also your very best prospective customers.  If you run your business in the proper manner these people should already know and trust you, because they’ve had a good sales experience with you before.  And while creating new customers and leads can be expensive and time consuming, sending follow-up emails to existing customers and leads doesn’t cost you a dime!

“This Is Where You Earn Your Money” is an article I wrote late last year that will assist you in understanding this subject better.

Automating the process of sending your follow-up mailings is the most important part of this step, and there are many software, script, and online autoresponder choices currently available for you to choose from.

One that I personally use and highly recommend for features and ease-of-use can be found here.

Step #8: Track the response to your e-mail promotions

Always track and monitor the results of your e-mail tests and promotions to determine what worked —and what did not (so you can dump the losing promotions and give your attention to the winners)!

Testing and tracking is a huge topic on itself so I won’t go into much detail here.  If you chose my recommended autoresponse system that I talked about earlier it includes some powerful tracking tools that you should make use of.  The creator of the software has included detailed tutorials to teach you how to use them properly as well.

Step #9: Continuously seek opportunities to automate

This process should be an ongoing part of your online business, not a simple “step” that you complete as part of an e-mail campaign.

You should always be looking for opportunities to automate repetitive tasks.  The more you focus on “growing” your business instead of “running” it, the faster your sales and profits will multiply — and the more free time you’ll have to enjoy it.

Throughout my Blog, you will find plenty of material detailing how you can automate various aspects of your business.  In fact, after you find the right people you will probably find yourself doing very little with your e-mail marketing beyond approving the sales copy before it is sent.

Here is a great place to get started automating your business.

Step #10:  Enjoy the success

Often I meet Internet marketers that are having some sort of success but, they never take the time to enjoy it!  What is the point?

Don’t forget to enjoy it!  Take a trip, work half days on Friday, etc.  Do anything you can think of to enjoy your success and not burn out.

It took a little longer than expected to get them all to you but, there you have my ten success tips for a successful e-mail marketing campaign.

As I said in the earlier post, I didn’t go into a ton of detail on this so don’t hesitate to post a comment with any questions or comments you may have.

Technorati Tags: E-Mail Marketing, Internet Marketing

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I can’t go into great detail in only one blog post but, I am open to questions so don’t hesitate to post any questions you may have if you are unclear about something via the comment form and I will respond as soon as I can.

Let’s get to it:

Step #1: Build an opt-in list of highly responsive subscribers

To begin with, you need to have an actual list of opt-in email addresses to send your promotions to.  This may seem like a “master of the obvious” type statement but, without a list, your campaign is going nowhere!

And while building your list is unquestionably going to be your first priority, it will also remain a key focal point for as long as you are running your own business.  To start growing and managing your new or current opt-in list, I recommend you utilize some proven strategies and tools.  One such strategy and tool that will assist you in doing this is Co-Registration Leads.

Click here for more information about Co-Registration Leads and my recommended Co-Registration Leads Source.

Step #2: Build strong relationships with your opt-in list

The most successful Internet marketers focus on developing strong, personal relationships with their opt-in subscribers.

It doesn’t cost you dime, and if you can offer the kind of precious information that your subscribers are seeking, it won’t be long before word spreads and your opt-in list (and your reputation!) begins to grow.

And no matter how large your list gets, you can make sure each of your subscribers feels they’re getting the personal attention they believe they deserve.

Today’s best autoresponder tools personalize your messages and are able to send them to targeted segments of your mailing list, all the while saving your huge amounts of time.

My recommended autoresponder service not only is one of the best on the market right now but, includes several other powerful tools that you can either implement now or use to replace another related service and save you money!  I have been using the service for years and they have never failed to keep up with the continuous changes the various ISPs make to prevent your e-mails from being read.

Click here for more information about my recommended autoresponder service and while you are there go ahead and take it and the included tools for a 30-day test drive for free.

Or if you would like an example of how effective an autoresponder service it is click here and subscribe to my mailing list about “How autoresponders can make you money.”

Step #3: Write compelling, effective e-mail promotions

Clearly, a key component of any successful email campaign is the actual salescopy itself.  How do you write convincing copy that generates the largest possible response, and ensure that it’s formatted so that the greatest number of email programs will display it the way you anticipated?

After all, there’s really no point in creating an exceptional email marketing campaign if it winds up in the targeted readers “Trash” folder!  But there’s a fine line between attracting interest and looking like spam.

Successful e-mail salescopy differs greatly from the salescopy you would normally put on a website.  If you don’t think this is the case you are wasting time and money on e-mail campaigns that aren’t optimized.  Let’s take a look at a few of the key elements of great e-mail copy:

1. The offer is important to the readers needs.  Answer the question, “How will they benefit?”
2. Include a single offer or “call to action.” NEVER include multiple offers in a single e-mail.  If you want them to buy something then focus on that.  If you want them to subscribe to a different list then that should be your focus.
3. Create an urgency to the offer. Only good for the next 24 hours, free shipping, etc.

Writing great e-mail salescopy isn’t an art.  If you take your time and hit on all the key elements you will be successful.

One of the people I consider an authority on the subject of writing effective e-mail promotions is e-mail marketing expert Jimmy D. Brown.  He has many books on the topic but, my favorite one, and the one that has assisted me with creating my own e-mail marketing campaigns can be found by clicking here.

It not only includes in great detail how to write the best salescopy for your campaigns but, it also discusses just about every other aspect of great e-mail marketing.  It is a must read for any online marketer in my opinion.

Step #4: Prepare your opt-in list for a mailing

Once you’ve prepared your email promotion, it’s time to hit “Send,” or add it to your autoresponder series.  But don’t be too hasty!  Always take great care in preparing your opt-in list for a mailout (all the top Internet Marketers do and so should you).

Most of the top autoresponder services (including the one I recommend above), offer ways to manage your opt-in list for maximum efficiency and profits.  They assist you by removing duplicate addresses from your list, automatically manage your bounced-back messages which will increase your delivery rate, remove known “spam” addresses to keep you from being reported maliciously, and much more.

You should always do everything you can to prevent your e-mail campaign from being a total disaster!  Always, always, always check your e-mail for formatting, content, omitted hot links, and spelling.  All of these things are easily avoidable but, if not taken care of before you hit send, will significantly impact the success of your campaign, and lower your credibility with your readers.

Step #5: Make sure your e-mail promotional messages don’t look like spam

If you are accused of sending spam, nearly all of your future messages may be blocked by ISPs and anti-spam organizations!  This can be the biggest headache in online marketing to fix and until it is, your subscribers will never even see your offer!  It is vital, I repeat, it is vital that you keep your mailing list off the “blacklists.”

I’m not going to go into all the ways your e-mail activities can get your blacklisted as I am assuming that you aren’t into using deceptive or phony marketing practices.  But, even the most respected marketer can end up with his or her mailing list blacklisted if they don’t do the following:

1. Include a clear and easy way for readers to unsubscribe for your list, in every single e-mail piece that is sent out.
2. Include a valid postal address, in every single e-mail piece that is sent out.

If you don’t follow these simple steps you will quickly find yourself with a completely useless mailing list because, no one on it will receive your offer.

I know I promised “ten steps” but, this post is getting on the long side and you probably already have actions to take based on what I have shared already.

I promise I will post the remaining five steps shortly.  If you have any questions just leave a comment below or click on the “contact” link at the top of the page and drop me an e-mail message.  I want you to succeed with your business and if you have a question that goes unanswered you are really doing yourself and your business a disservice.

Come back tomorrow for the other five steps…

Technorati Tags: E-Mail Marketing, Internet Marketing

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It would seem on the surface to be that straightforward, but I see a lot of people have a real hard time.  The trend of bad first timers to my favorite forums goes in waves.  This being the holiday season, people have more time off and start hitting the forums.  So I thought now is the time to remind people of the best way to get started on a forum.

Over time forums create a very tight neighborhood.   Everyone learns the rules and looks out for each other.

That’s the first thing a new member of a forum should do, “Read the Rules“.  Different forums approach how you display links differently or even what you can discuss.

The other thing is don’t come in gang busters!  Don’t try to substantiate yourself and get to eager about showing everyone your vast level of knowledge with regards to the forum topics, etc.

Get to know the community first.  Hang out for a while and introduce yourself respectfully.  Normally there is a separate topic area set aside just for intros.   And then start browsing the various threads.

Get to know the other forum members and remember a lot of these people have known each other for some time.  They may even be doing business behind the scenes.

Once you have a feel for it, start assisting others in any manner that you can.  If someone is asking a question that you know a lot about then provide it.

Learn… Read… Learn… Read some more… Ask questions…  Then let it rock if you want to.

The bottom line is very few people can go crazy right off the bat.  There is an exception here or there, but usually the community wants to see you contribute for a while before you get bold.  They need to get to know you first.

Definitely, don’t present a sales pitch in your first post to any forum.  Doing this will be seen as SPAM by the majority of regular visitors to the forum.  You will getting flaming posts, anger the community, and alienate yourself with-in the community for the foreseeable future.

Participating as a member on any online forum is just like building a new relationship.  Take it easy at first until you get to know each other.

Forums are powerful tools for online business success.  Don’t abuse that power and ruin your reputation in your businesses marketplace.

Technorati Tags: discussion, forum, Internet Marketing

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We will tally up the votes shortly after the New Year and then randomly select one of the people that voted for the winning video to receive an Internet Marketing related gift package worth $97.00!

View each of the videos below and then leave a comment, (using the email address you would like me to contact you at if you are the winner), about which video you like the best and why.  I will contact the winner by email and announce the winning video and winner in a future blog post.

Choice #1

Choice #2

Choice #3

Don’t forget to leave a vote with a comment below!  I hope you enjoyed the videos and GOOD LUCK!

P.S.  By popular demand you will find a “HINT” picture of the winners Internet Marketing Package below.

Technorati Tags: funny, Internet Marketing, video

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I took the time to learn html and all the other things that go into it, but to me it’s like learning algebra.  It’s flat out boring and time consuming and when I can avoid doing things that resemble those two traits, I most definitely will.

Most online business owners don’t even think about outsourcing site creation.  Why not?  It seems like such a basic skill that Internet Marketer’s possess, but it doesn’t matter.  It doesn’t matter because if it saves you time and is cheap, it can really help you out, if you outsource this undertaking.

That’s just one example of mine and something that I should have been outsourcing more rapidly than I did back in the day.

Think about forum posting in your market.  This is a task that can be outsourced.  If you aren’t a complete expert in a market and can find someone that enjoys that market and talking about it, you have struck GOLD!

Go ahead and pay them to post about it.  It’s that simple.  They like talking about it and they will definitely like getting paid to talk about it.  All you have to do is make sure that they include your offer in the Signature area.

Most of us know about hiring Virtual Assistants or secretaries, hiring ghostwriters, hiring people to write articles, hiring professional copywriters etc.  Let’s think about some other things that you could be outsourcing.

Think about outsourcing traffic.  I talked about one way of outsourcing traffic, by paying people to post on online forums for you, but there are many other ways.

You can outsource link exchanges and Blog commenting.  Simply hire a person to go around the Internet and place your links on relevant websites and place constructive comments on related Blogs.  When they contact website owners, they can say that they are working for you and can contact you at your e-mail, if need be.

Again, these tasks are very important to my traffic strategies but are as boring as it gets and I don’t like doing them, as I feel like my time can be better spent doing other things, so I outsource them.

Every person is different and different people like or dislike different things, and are better or worse at doing different tasks.

The New Year is right around the corner and now is the time to start to organize your time better and take a step back to analyze your current business operations.  Find out what things you should be outsourcing to maximize your efforts and output and find ways to outsource them.

To assist you I recently created an “Outsourcing Quick-Start” guide.  Grab your free copy today and kick-off 2009 right with a more productive business structure.  Click here to grab your free copy right now.

Technorati Tags: Internet Marketing, outsource, outsourcing

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People are starting to get a little more picky about where they are spending their disposable income and are now paying more attention to user testimonials, solid money back guarantees, and PROOF that the product or service being offered will perform as advertised.

So it is not only difficult for established but, lesser known businesses to close a sale but, it is getting nearly impossible for new players in any niche to experience rapid success in the marketplace.

Even if this does not fully apply to your business I am here to tell you that it is still a great idea to throw your market a change-up and bring down the hammer on them with some proven marketing strategies that will not only work to improve your sales and profits in our current economy but, even during an economic boom when you are looking for additional revenue streams.

So here is the list of five proven marketing strategies to use during a recession.

1.     Setup a cross promotional deal with a related web business.  That’s right offer your competition the chance to sell your product or service as a back end product to their existing customer base.  Not only will this increase the value of their own products and service but, will introduce their customers to your business.  The pain of having less profits per sale will steadily decrease as you add additional buying customers to your mailing list.

2.    Approach related web businesses about combining your products and services into a Package Deal.  This strategy is amazingly profitable as you are combining the promotional efforts of all of the businesses involved and splitting the profits.

If you need an idea of how to setup this strategy or how it works simply search “Fire Sale” or “Internet Marketing Giveaway” in Google.  Yes, even massive giveaways with your marketing partner’s products as one time offers on the backend have great conversion rates.

Of course, if you are selling physical products such as Golf Clubs for example, you could find someone that sells golf balls and create a package deal that way as well.

3.    Rent or offer subscriptions to your products and services for a set period of time.

Offer web hosting by the year only?  Offer a month-to-month rate.  Sell an all inclusive Internet marketing course?  Break it up into smaller courses and sell individually, (traffic generation, niche research, keyword research, etc.)  Or you could even break up the course and sell it as a monthly subscription magazine.  Make some changes to your software product to make it subscription based vice a large upfront payment.  Charge set fees for consulting?  Offer a monthly rate for “X” hours of service.

A large number of top marketers are already giving access to some of their best information for free, (including bonuses), for the first month and then charging a month subscription from then on.  It works for them and it can work for you.

4.    Lease your products with the option to buy at the end of the term.  Do you create profit generating websites for clients for a set fee?  Lease the service to them for “X” number of months and then once they see how effective the service is you can offer them the chance to buy the site.  Sell computers?  Start leasing them with a minimum term and option to buy.

5.    Use Down sells and customer discounts.  The conversion rates on offering down sells of products are currently through the roof.   Again you will be lowering your profits per sale but, the chance of adding a paying customer to your mailing list is worth it in the long run.  And don’t ever forget to take care of and target your current paying customer base by offering discounts on your current product line.

Want a really kick ass way to offer your new product? Try offering your current paying customers the first chance at getting their hands on your new “HOT” product, (at the normal price), and see what happens.  You will be amazed at how great this promotional strategy works.

So there they are five powerful sales and profit generating marketing methods that you can implement this month.  Use one or use them all and really get your business kicking again.  But, don’t forget to stop back here and let me know how things are going or to say “Thanks” with a comment below.  Have a question about how to get started using one of these strategies?  Leave it in a comment to this Blog post and I will help anyway I can.

Technorati Tags: Internet Marketing, online business, recession, strategies

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You are invited to participate if you are an experienced online marketer that has a high quality information product or service that you can contribute for free and will help a new marketer break the learning curve and accelerate their business to success in 2009.

This is not only a chance for you to assist new marketers but, all contributors will have some fun and benefit by building their own mailing list, having a chance win a cash prize in the recruiting contest, and make some money when personally sponsored leads upgrade their memberships.  More details are in the contributing member area after you log-in.

Get involved now while there is plenty of time to recruit contributors. The member launch is January 7, 2009 but you can get a head start now by becoming a contributor and recruiting other contributors.

Click Here to learn more and sign-up to participate in the Training Giveaway.

Technorati Tags: email marketing, giveaway, Internet Marketing, training

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So drop what you are doing, put all your marketing events and webinars on hold and grab your tickets to the must attend event of the year!  Check out the video below for all the details.

Try and contain your excitement until the the event.  See you there!

Technorati Tags: parity, Troy Pentico, video

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Personally, I have avoided promoting these products like the plague simply because I am not interested in a one-time big payout.  Not only that but, many of these programs have had big-time difficulties with order fulfillment and even worse, terrible to non-existent customer service!  It has become almost routine for a fly-by-night attitude to emerge where people will create a promising product with a large price tag.  Offer monster commissions to entice the top super affiliates to market it for them.  Use the best marketing tactics to create a large BUZZ about it in their target market.  Explode on the scene with a large product launch.  Enjoy sales in the six-figure range or even higher.  And then disappear off the face of the earth!

Sure, you may pocket a six-figure affiliate commission check but, were do you go from there with a large number of pissed off customers wondering why it took weeks or months to receive the product and there is no one around to answer their questions?  It not only ruins your credibility but, also stains your ability to maintain one of the proven sales triggers, “TRUST!”

My preferred Joint Venture or Affiliate Program involves what I call my, “Stealing a Continuity Program” strategy!

A continuity program is also known as a residual income affiliate program.  They will normally pay only a small percentage of sales commission for every sale directed to the merchant’s website.  These commissions normally fall into the 10-20% range.  Because, of this a large majority of marketers IGNORE residual affiliate programs and would rather go after those high flying one-time large payments programs.

I say they are Making a Huge Mistake!

If you do your homework you will find high quality continuity programs to promote all over the Internet in just about every niche you can think of.  Here are just a few of the advantages of these programs can offer:

1. A high quality product or service.
2. Outstanding customer service.
3. Ongoing commissions for as long as your customer continues in the program.
4. Competitive first sale commissions through the use of “Up sells”, “Down sells”, and “One-Time Offers” during the signup process.
5. A happy and loyal customer base. (Why would they give them their money month after month for any other reason?)

When you promote these programs you will receive regular and ongoing commissions for a single affiliate initiated sale!  That means, for the same effort you put into promoting a one-time commission “BIG TICKET” item, you can receive commissions for conceivably a life-time!  Often times, the effort you will need to put into generating a sale in a residual program is much-less as well, because the upfront price tag is significantly less.

So, are the benefits of promoting continuity programs starting to click with you yet?  It’s not too hard to see the benefits is it?  Would you rather receive $150 for selling to a customer one time, or receive $120 a year for the same customer?  The benefits of a continuity program provides are really unwise to ignore.

Technorati Tags: Affiliate Marketing, Internet Marketing, joint venture, residual income

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