English edition

The first time was a little over a month ago when I went to my main site: www.MasteringOnlineMarketing.com and instead seeing my site and links to my businesses there was a white screen with absolutely nothing on it (gulp!) and I didn’t know why.

The second time was yesterday when I received a link on Facebook that referenced me being in a video.  To be honest I wasn’t paying much attention and I had been featured in people’s videos a number times so I clicked on it (big mistake).  The next thing I knew I was appearing on many of my friends walls with the same message (from me!) asking them to click on link that would spread the virus even further!

Long story short — both of these problems were resolved –but some lessons were  learned the hard way that might benefit you as well:

1.  Have a web hosting service that has excellent 24-hour support. When my site went down I called my provider and someone picked up the phone immediately. He looked at my files,  diagnosed the problem and let me know exactly what was necessary to fix it. Thanks Blue Host.

2.  Have a good web designer who can go into the code and fix the problem quickly. Thanks Jody.

3.  Be careful what you click.  Regarding Facebook… even links that may seem to come from a friend, may not. Hackers are crafty.

4.  Change your password regularly on your blog, Facebook and other important sites.  Pay attention to your security permissions settings and apps that may be causing problems. If you don’t understand how find someone who does. Thanks Tina.

5.   Realize that this can happen to you too.

Do you have any safety tips or precautions that you can reccommend?

I am sure there are more things you can do but hope these help.  That said … I still love the Internet!

Converting visitors to repeat customers takes a lot more than simply offering a good product at a great price or filling your page with celebrity testimonials.

Let’s first discuss the three most essential web site elements for improving any type of conversion. Here are some tips for making sure your web site looks and functions in ways that will make your conversion efforts more effective.  Your site must be:

1. Professional Looking, Eye-Catching and Well-Written

• Spend a few extra dollars on a quality web and/or graphic designer. Your conversion rates will increase dramatically if your site is well-designed. They’ll view you as “the real deal” – someone who is confident, competent, experienced, capable and authentic.

• Add “real company” elements, such as: – Telephone numbers – Physical Address – Photographs – Your Logo – The ability to view or pay bills online (if applicable) – Logos of “respected” consumer groups or companies like PayPal, ScanAlert, VeriSign, etc.

• Make sure your sales letter copy is compelling, well-written and error-free

2. Uncomplicated and Easy Usability

• Keep your navigation simple and make sure your visitors understand exactly what to do, using elements such as: 1) A strong call to action 2) Direct links to other pages or information  3) Easily located opt-In boxes - sales buttons
Use the minimum number of pages necessary to provide the information your visitors want to know… nothing more. Don’t add layers to your site just because you can.

3. Warm and Welcoming

• Remember, your website is like your home. Welcome your guests with open arms and offer to “lighten their load” by giving them something of value. • Make sure you understand that “how” you say things is as important as “what” you say.

Coming soon: Mastering Online Marketing Intensive

Inviting visitors to contribute and be a part of your website is a strong tactic in creating a profitable site and something that is easy to do. Conversation is a process for turning your website guests into interested prospects. It turns interested prospects into purchasers and turns purchasers into lifelong customers.

Invite your visitors to take action and do everything in your power to ensure that they take you up on your offer. Enticing customers with something that is free and part of your product is an easy opt-in conversation piece. For example:

-The attorney who asks prospective clients to call her office to schedule a free consultation.

-The weaver who wants his prospects to send for a free fabric sample.

-The dance instructor who invites her visitors to sign up for a free tango class.

All of these examples show an opportunity for conversation between you and your prospective buyer. Not only does this entice a customer to become more physically involved with your product or service, but it allows you to draw them in and see more benefits from your offer.

Another way to involve customers more closely (to increase the likelihood that they’ll return) is with interactive involvement devices like quizzes, surveys, blogs, and “ask” campaigns to engage your visitors.

Following up with customers, new subscribers, or anyone who shows interest keeps you and your product or service in the visitor’s mind.

Remember that there are many opportunities to engage your visitors through the internet. Take advantage of resources and connect with customers whenever you’re able to.

For a downloadable version of this list–>20TrafficTips

1. Blog regularly and set up Ping.fm to distribute content to Facebook, Twitter and other sites
2. Create downloadable PDF’s with valuable content and active links back to your site (like the one above)
3. Use signature files on all emails with call to action
4. Approach online partners and retweet each other when appropriate
5. Post in discussion and newsgroups in your industry
6. Write articles and submit (google “article submission”)
7. Set up your own Twitter account and share valuable information
8. Give testimonials to others with your web address
9. Create offline ads with your web address

10. Optimize your site with SEO to get better search rankings
11. Set Up Your Facebook and LinkedIn pages and make connections
12. Host a teleclass and send students to your site for information
13. Create A Trackable Marketing and Traffic Calendar
14. Create a viral offering such a joke or flash movie with your website on You Tube
15. Put your domain on all marketing materials
16. Write a book and put your domain on the cover and inside
17. Be a guest on a radio show and send people to your site
18. Write an article for a magazine or blog with your web address in the resource box
19. Speak in public and give a useful handout link to site
20. Mention your web address every time you are talking business

Although specific estimates vary, online researchers agree that email recipients make quick decisions on whether or not they will open and read promotional emails. Obviously, if they like, want, need, and/or are actively seeking the products being offered, they’re far more likely to open them. But emails come with their own special challenge, the subject line – that short, information burst that can make you or break you.

Like direct mail envelope “teasers,” emails’ subject lines must grab the recipients’ interests and increase the chances that they’ll open the messages. That’s why you’ll want to work on getting yours just right.

Start getting ideas scanning your own inbox. Jot down any that catch your interest and then see how you can tweak them to suit your needs. You can also look at headlines in your local newspaper, magazines, websites, and the like and see it you can covert any of those into intriguing subject lines.

Then use these tips to fine-tune your choices.

1. Keep them short and to the point. Less is definitely more in this instance, especially since overly long subject lines will get cut off from view anyhow.

2. Don’t divulge too much information. Add intrigue. Build curiosity. Make them want to open your email to find out more. For example:

- Zach, have you heard this yet?

- The Psychology behind the $40 Pet Rock Craze

- When $100 per hour is just okay

3. Use your recipients’ first names, unless it’s awkward or sounds forced. For example:

- John, will you help me?

- Mary, you’ll want to print this email.

4. Ask questions, such as:

- Is procrastination killing your business?

- Do you believe in this deadly marketing myth?

5. Include your product or service’s number one benefit and make sure it’s relevant to your target audience, like”

- One tip for losing ten pounds in one week

- 5 Free Ways to Sell More Houses

6. Avoid sending off “hooey” and spam alarms with exaggerations, or hints of high pressure sales tactics, such as:

- Triple your…

- My dear so-and-so

- Your e-commerce business

- Earn thousands at home

- Making Money the easy way

- Immediate action required

Adapted from Guerrilla Marketing On The Internet by Mitch Meyerson, Jay Levinson and Mary Scarborough

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Well as Bob Dylan said about 40 years ago, “the times they are a changing”. In my opinion the more accurate reality of this notion is the 90/10 principle. Why?

Simply this… Technology has seduced us all into many new activities that didn’t exist a few years ago (creating websites, watching videos on I pods, viewing webinars on our computers). It’s endless and very very addictive.

While cool and exciting, it has also turned us into culture of multi-taskers. I think we are developing what I call “technological ADD”. You know it — you live it. You listen to teleconferences while you are checking your email and IM’s, scan through hundreds of channels on your TV while eating and talking, talk on the phone while cleaning, text while driving (I hope not) …this list goes on and on. You may even get restless just doing two things at once because we are so addicted to these new forms of stimulation.

How Does This Affect Your Business?

Big time. Your audience is distracted too and they are hardy even listening when you talk (remember they are multi-tasking). And with Twitter and other social media platforms thousands of people are all talking at the same time!

So if you want to get results you must be more specific and strategic than ever about what you focus your time on. I propose we change the 80/20 principle to the 90/10 principle.

What does this mean for you? Become much more intentional with how you spend your work time. Ask yourself: What 10% of my activities account for 90% of my results? Then focus on these everyday and learn to say no to distractions!

It isn’t easy, but as they say in the recovery world “one step at a time”. If you do you will be surprised at the results.

Place a comment and let me know if you agree or not.

by Mitch Meyerson, Founder of Guerrilla Marketing Coaching

www.MitchMeyerson.com

One of our clients was overjoyed to share with us that she’s now a Grandma…or should we say Glamma? Baby Boomers are joining the ranks of Grandma and redefining their new role as Glamma. Think Goldie Hawn vs. Edith Bunker.

The new generation of Glammas are 47+ years old, healthier, wealthier, and focused on living and expressing their passion. You’ll see them at the fitness center lifting weights, doing Pilates, strutting on the treadmill. You’ll see them taking up long-deferred hobbies or interests like piano, painting, travel, continuing education. You’ll see them sharing their passions with overscheduled grandkids in an attempt to show them simple, fun outlets.

Sandwiched between parents and their own children, Glammas are redefining their roles and how they’ll interact with their grandchildren. It’s an exciting stage and potential niche for coaches, consultants, retailers, travel agents, educational programming…you get the picture.

Many business owners shy away from declaring a niche, worried that they’ll lose customers or clients. Yet trying to be everything to everybody is a set up for frustration, inefficiencies and poor marketing results.

On the other hand, niche marketing allows a business owner to target a very specific audience, such as the Glamma niche, and provide exactly what that core target market wants and needs. When you define your niche, you’ll know where to focus your public relations and advertising efforts. You’ll know the type of promotions that will grab the attention of your core target market. You’ll know the marketing messages that will inspire them to take action.

Imagine two overlapping circles. The circle on the left represents you, your business and your area of expertise. The circle on the right represents your core target audience, including their wants, fears and aspirations. The overlapping portion of the circles represents the moment in time when your paths cross and you can offer solutions tailored to a particular niche.

Now imagine an arched “bridge” connecting the two circles near the top. Your goal is to create that connection and “emotional bridge” with your core target audience. When you are in alignment, energy flows, sales abound.

Take some time from the busy-ness of your business to create a crystal clear vision.

1. Define your area of expertise.
2. Define the benefits you offer.
3. Define your core target market.
4. Define marketing strategies that bridge your area of expertise with your target market’s needs.

Now pull it all together. The secret to your big business success is determined by your ability to powerfully communicate your business with laser precision, your ability to align with the right prospects and customers, and your ability to deliver a clearly-defined and consistent experience.

So how are you doing? Think about where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. It’s easier to achieve success when you can answer “yes” to the following questions:

1. Have you defined your memorable and unmistakable brand identity that ensures your business will be around for a long time?

2. Do you know how to foster a deep connection with your prospects and customers?

3. Can you articulate your distinct point of difference — the one trait that sets your business ahead of the pack?

4. Have you mastered strategies that pull your customers in like a magnet?

5. Do you know how create loyalists, or customers who never stray?

These are tough questions to answer on your own. That’s why we’re created the Fast Track to Marketing Mastery™ program. Find out more at www.boostyourbottomline.com. Declare a niche, and we guarantee you’ll streamline your marketing and boost your success.

Certified Marketing Spitfire Leslie Hamp is creator of the ‘Fast Track to Marketing Mastery’ and http://www.boostyourbottomline.com. To learn more about the step-by-step program, and to sign up for your free Marketing Mastery Success Kit, visit http://www.boostyourbottomline.com

-> Get your copy online right here

“This is an extraordinary book! It took me seven years to build a million-dollar internet business. If I had had this book, I could have done it in two.” Brian Tracy – Author – The Way to Wealth

“Much like The E-Myth, Mastering Online Marketing, is not just a collection of tools and tactics. Mitch has created a solid step-by step system for you to build and sustain a thriving e-commerce business…Read it. Digest it. Follow it letter by letter. Then get out there and do it – because that’s how you’ ll experience the true rewards.” — Michael Gerber, Author of The E-myth books

“Mitch Meyerson has done it again –offering no nonsense strategies and tactics for getting targeted traffic to your website, turning visitors into buyers, putting your online business on auto pilot and setting up multiple streams of active and passive income. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to build a thriving business on the Internet” — Jay Conrad Levinson, The Father Of Guerrilla Marketing

“Mastering Online Marketing delivers a solid step by step program for succeeding online. Based on years of proven research. Mitch Meyerson really delivers the goods!” — Yanik Silver, author of Moonlighting On The Internet

“These days it is not enough to be “good” at online marketing; you must master it. Mitch is not only a master of online marketing, but he is someone who can effectively teach others the strategies used by the top online marketers today. Success and wealth are for everyone, and I do believe that by following the advice and strategies in Mastering Online Marketing, one can achieve great online success.” –Bo Bennett, author of Year To Success

“Mastery is the key to success and this outstanding book shows you exactly how to master online marketing. Meyerson’s clear, direct and rich content shows you how to avoid the most common pitfalls and use innovative strategies to cut through the clutter and stand out in the Internet. Highly recommended! — Michael Port, author of Book Yourself Solid

Get your book bonuses here: www.MasteringOnlineMarketing.com