For businesses that market wholly or partially online, it may seem that three words are the only way to get more customers: search engine optimization (SEO). Typically, the search engines being referred to are: Google, Yahoo, and MSN. These three engines have almost become interchangeable with the phrase "do a search", so much so that the word "Google" has entered the English lexicon as "find information".
The promise of instant wealth and riches has always been a successful marketing ploy by marketers. Unfortunately, more times than not, they are the only ones raking in the big bucks. Don't be fooled by any quick fixes, building a passive online income takes time and a whole lot of planning to get the job done properly.
Still, many people are tempted by the offer of a quick fix and the promise of overnight success. Don't be.
For many small business owners, email is an important marketing tool. Email helps you keep in touch with customers and prospects, it allows you to demonstrate how you help customers thereby building credibility, and email leads to more sales.
When done well, email is an awesome guerrilla marketing tool.
Isn't online marketing by definition, expensive? Not
necessarily. Online businesses are coming to the realization that
in an organic environment like the Internet, organic marketing is
required; paying for traditional or static marketing only gets
you so far before it becomes ineffective. The consumer now
controls your marketing.
What is wrong with the old methods?
Old marketing methods are failing because users are beginning to
wise up (Rise Up) against the old brute force advertising that
tries to win users over through sheer volume, using abrasive
'Hi Bernadette, I work with clients to help them use Information
Technology to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and
eliminate waste. I manage their IT projects for implementation
of information systems, software development, and business
process improvement.
The problem has been that while I'm working with a client I'm
not able to market my services, and while I'm marketing my
services, I'm not working with a client.
I am great in developing a rapport with a client but do not have
In its infancy, the Internet was a playground for wide-eyed investors and entrepreneurs. Like the California gold rush, thousands migrated to this new, uncharted territory with hopes of wealth, fame and fortune. Millions were earned, and billions were lost in this gamble. Yet some businesses stuck in our lives and still thrive today - past the inevitable dot com crash earlier this decade.
Back in December 2002, I attended my very first Internet marketing seminar. That seminar was sponsored by Dr. Bob Silber, and I attended because Dr. Silber invited me to be a speaker. Rumors had spread of how well I was doing in "Internet marketing" with a lead product of "a soul food cookbook" - of all things.
My presentation was on niche marketing, and was very well-received. That seminar also opened my eyes to how willing other marketers are to share their experience and knowledge with you... if you let them.
I'm always amazed when I come across a sales letter, usually online, and there are NO testimonials. They're powerful response and conversion boosters and are so easy to implement. You're only hurting your own marketing efforts, and leaving cash on the table, if you're not using them. When writing a sales letter you should always include testimonials.
And if you have them...make sure you're using them the right way to maximize response.
Several months ago, I wrote a short special report that I entitled, "How To Make $1000 - $2000 In 24 Hours Or Less!"
I wrote that report BECAUSE I had so many people emailing me with financial emergencies. So, I sat down and basically brainstormed for a hour, then spent another hour polishing my notes into an ebook (special report). Then I spent roughly another hour gathering (and incorporating) feedback on my draft and writing a very crude sales letter.
