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Marketing Tips Newsletter
May 12, 2006 -- Issue 123
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This issue includes...
1) "Why There's Never Been a Better Time to Start Your
Online Business... and the Top 5 Strategies and Cool
Tools You Need to Know About"
2) "Preston Reuther Retires"
3) "Free Content for Your Web Site or E-zine"
4) "Visit Our Newsletter Archives"
5) "Visit Derek's Blog!"
6) "Tell Us What You Think!"
For those of you who prefer the HTML version of our
newsletter, you can still read it in this format at:
http://www.marketingtips.com/newsletters
================ FEATURE EDITORIAL ===================
1) "Why There's Never Been a Better Time to Start Your
Online Business... and the Top 5 Strategies and Cool
Tools You Need to Know About"
========================================================
I was surprised to hear at a recent seminar how many people
think that the Internet is just too saturated for new online
business owners to be successful -- and that if you didn't
get in on the ground floor, you're out of luck.
Well, we did get in on the ground floor, and we've seen all
the changes, so I can tell you this:
*Nothing could be further from the truth!*
That's why I wanted to write this article to show you why
NOW is probably the best time in Internet history to start a
wildly profitable online business.
Sure, there's more competition on the 'Net these days. When
we first opened our doors in 1998, there were only 130
million web pages in existence... now there are well over
313 billion (eMarketer)!
But there are also a LOT more potential customers online, too --
1,022,863,307 of them in fact! (Neilson/Net ratings March 2006.)
And if online sales are any indication, the number of people
who are actively shopping online is also on the rise.
According to Forrester Research, online sales reached a
staggering $172 billion in 2005 -- a number they predict
will rise to $329 billion by 2010!
New technologies and crazy new tools have opened up worlds
of opportunity that make it easier -- and cheaper -- than
ever to start an online business and immediately start
profiting.
Through it all, the core principles of Internet marketing
have remained essentially unchanged -- but now they've been
tested, tweaked, and honed to peak effectiveness.
Let's start by looking at how the cornerstones of Internet
marketing have evolved since we opened our doors in 1998...
--------------------------------------------------------
#1: Depend on the tried and tested essentials of Internet
marketing
--------------------------------------------------------
These key strategies for marketing your business online have
always been effective, but are now much easier to apply.
Things like...
* DESIGNING A WEB SITE THAT SELLS:
As in the early days of the 'Net, your web site needs to
have clear navigation and a good sales process to be
effective; however, it's now much more important for your
site to look professional.
Today's web surfers have clear expectations of how a
commercial web site should look and perform.
Luckily, new tools and resources, such as the free
web-building software Nvu (http://www.nvu.com),
make it a
breeze for you to create a good-looking, fully functioning
business web site.
* DISCOVERING A PROFITABLE NICHE MARKET:
Providing a solution to a problem for a narrowly-defined
niche market is still extremely important -- maybe even
more so with the increased competition.
But now, advanced tools such as Yahoo! Search Marketing's
Keyword Tool (http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/rc/srch/)
and Wordtracker (http://www.wordtracker.com)
can help
you pinpoint exactly who your market is and what they're
hungry for.
* MULTIPLYING YOUR PROFITS WITH ADDITIONAL INCOME STREAMS:
If you want to pile profit on top of profit, combine
several revenue streams.
The host of e-commerce opportunities that are now available
mean that you have an almost limitless selection of these
profit-boosters including:
- moving merchandise on eBay (http://www.ebay.com)
- creating free web pages with Google pages
(http://pages.google.com)
that will be quickly indexed by
the search engines
- selling on-demand merchandise on sites such as Cafe Press
(http://www.cafepress.com).
* EXPANDING YOUR REACH -- AND PROFITS! -- WITH AN AFFILIATE
PROGRAM:
An affiliate program can still ramp up your income while
exposing your site to a wider audience.
But instead of recruiting an "army" of affiliates, these
days it's more important to attract "super affiliates" to
your program -- a few affiliates who will be responsible
for generating the bulk of your sales.
These superstars can be attracted by a generous commission
structure and payouts for sales generated long after an
affiliate's referral. And software like AssocTRAC
(http://www.marketingtips.com/assoctrac)
helps you automate
your program for almost hands-free affiliate management.
Of course, some areas of Internet marketing have changed
more than others since our first course made its debut in
1998. Let's take a look at some of them... and the
tremendous opportunities they offer.
--------------------------------------------------------
#2: Make sure your e-mail gets delivered... the critical
changes you need to be aware of
--------------------------------------------------------
E-mail marketing is still highly profitable. In fact, we
made $2.4 million last year from e-mail marketing alone!
Not only is it a great -- and inexpensive -- way to
establish relationships with your customers, but your
promotions and follow-up offers can be completely automated.
However, while you used to be able to send e-mail to
absolutely everyone, these days you have to be very careful.
Spam -- a growing problem on the 'Net -- cost US businesses
an estimated $17 billion in 2005 (Ferris Research) and now
accounts for 57% of all e-mail (Ipswitch 2006)!
The consequences of spamming have grown far beyond a slap on
the wrist from your Internet Service Provider or a few nasty
e-mails from angry recipients. For example...
* Internet Service Providers now filter all incoming e-mail
for spam by blocking messages that contain particular
combinations of words or phrases and shutting out ALL
e-mail from the domains and IP addresses of known spammers.
50% of your e-mail may be "filtered" and never reach your
subscribers. And it can take weeks or months to resolve
the issue!
* The CAN-SPAM Act (January 2004) introduced laws that allow
spammers to be prosecuted if specific guidelines aren't
being met. Under this Act you can be fined or even jailed,
if your e-mails don't meet certain requirements, such as an
"unsubscribe" link in the body of each e-mail you send out.
The bottom line is that if you want to take advantage of the
profit-boosting power of e-mail marketing, you MUST make
sure that your e-mails comply with the CAN-SPAM act. You can
read the full text of the CAN-SPAM regulations at:
http://www.spamlaws.com/federal/can-spam.shtml.
Once you've made sure your e-mails will be delivered, you
need to think about their content. In the face of
overflowing inboxes, your e-mails and newsletters need to be
particularly appealing and valuable if you want them to be
opened.
--------------------------------------------------------
#3: Keep up with the search engines and take advantage of
FREE sources of traffic
--------------------------------------------------------
The search engine landscape has changed dramatically since
we published the first edition of our course. We used to
recommend getting listed on eight major search engines:
Altavista, Excite, HotBot, InfoSeek, Lycos, Northern Light,
WebCrawler, and Yahoo.
Today, clear leaders have emerged, narrowing our
recommendations to the top three contenders:
* GOOGLE (http://www.google.com):
The most important of
the three, Google has a 49% share of the search market.
* YAHOO! (http://www.yahoo.com):
A distant second, Yahoo
has a 22% market share.
* MSN (http://www.msn.com):
With 11% of the market, MSN
is still worth focusing on.
With fewer search engines, keeping on top of their
ever-shifting algorithms has become critical. If you can get
a top listing on Google, for example, you can double your
potential customers!
A new way to drive free traffic to your site is to write
short articles related to your industry and post them on
e-zine article directories such as EzineArticles.com
(http://www.ezinearticles.com).
Include your tagline at the bottom of each article you write
and watch your traffic increase exponentially -- as well as
your inbound links (which the search engines consider when
ranking your site!).
Take advantage of as many FREE sources of traffic as you can
to drive tons of targeted traffic to your site!
--------------------------------------------------------
#4: Instantly boost your traffic with pay-per-click
advertising
--------------------------------------------------------
Paid search has exploded, becoming a widely accepted way to
drive qualified traffic to your site -- fast. And with each
passing year, it becomes more sophisticated, allowing you to
zero in on your target market with greater precision.
Today, the major players are...
* YAHOO! SEARCH MARKETING (http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com):
Yahoo's sponsored search lets you advertise your site in
the search results of the following search engines:
MSN, Yahoo, AltaVista, InfoSpace, AlltheWeb, and NetZero.
* GOOGLE ADWORDS (https://adwords.google.com/):
With Google AdWords, you can have your ads show up in
sponsored search listings for certain keywords -- and you
can also advertise on other sites that match your audience.
* MSN ADCENTER (https://adcenter.msn.com/):
MSN has recently entered the arena of paid search with
AdCenter. So far, it's the only PPC engine to offer
keyword-based demographic targeting.
Paid search is one of the fastest ways to drive qualified
traffic to your site... and if done properly, won't break
the bank. To learn how to profit from pay-per-click
advertising in three simple steps, check out my April 17, 2006
blog post at:
http://blog.marketingtips.com/derek/2006/04/
--------------------------------------------------------
#5: Promote your business with the technologies
that have changed the face of Internet marketing
--------------------------------------------------------
Technology has been furiously advancing since the first
edition of our Insider Secrets course -- paving the way for
new and highly effective ways to promote your Internet
business.
Let's look at some that have had the biggest impact:
* AUDIO AND VIDEO:
The Internet has come a long way since its text-only
roots! Programming languages such as JavaScript and
programs like Macromedia's Flash have allowed for web
video and audio, slide presentations, and other
interactive elements.
Our testing has proven that using audio and video as part
of your sales process can now have a dramatic impact on
your bottom line -- if done right. Use short audio and
video clips of you and your customers to personalize your
site and reassure visitors that you are a credible business.
* BLOGGING:
Blogs are informal web forums that invite feedback
and discussion. They're free to set up and use, and so
simple that they can be created in minutes using sites
such as Blogger (http://www.blogger.com).
As a result blogging has exploded in popularity over the
last few years.
With a business blog you can reach a wider audience,
generate better search engine rankings, boost your revenue,
and develop rapport with your customers -- to name just a
few benefits.
And because blogs are updated frequently, search engines
LOVE them. For an in-depth, step-by-step guide to using
blogs to explode your income, check out "Blogging for
Dollars" (http://www.marketingtips.com/trafficsecrets/)
--
a 125-page book plus DVD devoted to this subject.
* PODCASTING:
Podcasting, the delivery of audio files -- typically MP3
files -- via the Internet, is one of the hottest new
technologies to hit the market.
It allows you to publish audio content that interested
listeners can subscribe to via RSS "feeds" -- so they can
automatically receive your audio broadcasts without having
to go to your web site.
Check out my March 14, 2006 blog post to learn how you can
create your own podcast in three simple steps:
http://blog.marketingtips.com/derek/2006/03/
* DIRECT-TO-DESKTOP TECHNOLOGY:
Direct-to-desktop technology is a way to deliver information
straight to your subscribers' desktops -- without having to
wrestle with e-mail filters, bouncebacks, or your
competition!
Here's how it works: The sender uses an application such as
Desktop Marketer (http://www.marketingtips.com/desktop/)
that formats and sends the information straight to a
"reader" that's been installed on the recipient's desktop.
Once your customers sign up, they don't have to check
their e-mail or visit your web site to get your latest news
or updates. A flashing desktop icon alerts them as soon as
they receive your message -- and all they have to do is
click to read it.
--------------------------------------------------------
Ordinary people achieving extraordinary success...
the making of Internet millionaires
--------------------------------------------------------
The unique benefits of having an online business -- low
overhead, inexpensive advertising, and a global reach -- can
produce HUGE profit margins... and for tens of thousands of
Internet entrepreneurs, a level of personal and financial
freedom they could only dream about before.
Since we opened our doors in 1998, we have seen a staggering
number of real, everyday people earn life-changing incomes
with their Internet businesses. And the numbers keep on
growing...
The Internet is now churning out more millionaires than
ever before!
Take one of our customers, Melanie Boudar of VisitVolcano.com
(http://www.visitvolcano.com).
At age 50, when the company she
worked for was bought out, Melanie knew she had to go into
business for herself.
So she opened a bed-and-breakfast in Hawaii and created her
web site to attract her clientele. After just six months
online, Melanie was making $12,000 per month -- and a hefty
$8,000 of it is pure profit!
Paul Jerard, another of our customers, had limited computer
and Internet knowledge when he started his first yoga web
site (http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org).
Still, in less
than 90 days, he was already making a profit -- with over $500
a month in sales!
Today, it takes Paul less than four hours per day to run his
business... and he made over $113,000 last year -- with over
$71,190 in profits! That's a 63% profit margin!
We've seen success stories like these time and time again...
people from all walks of life who have achieved enormous
success with their online businesses! You can read their
amazing stories in the 56 pages of our site that we devote
to showcasing their inspirational achievements:
http://www.marketingtips.com/testimonials.html.
--------------------------------------------------------
Final thoughts
--------------------------------------------------------
Sure, there's more competition on the 'Net these days... but
the opportunities are also growing!
So if you you've been putting off starting your FIRST online
business because you thought you missed the boat... or if you
want to ramp up an existing one, there's never been a better
time to take ACTION -- and start generating life-altering
wealth of your own.
With the explosion of technological advances and resources,
running an online business is now so accessible that
literally ANYONE can get online very quickly -- and
immediately start profiting from their own Internet business!
And to get a proven game plan that REAL PEOPLE have
repeatedly used to earn $100,000... $500,000... $1 MILLION
(or more!) per year on the Internet, check out the brand-new,
just released 2006 edition of our "Insider Secrets" course at:
http://www.marketingtips.com/tipsltr.html
With over 1,000 pages of our hottest new test results, case
studies, and resources, it's the surest way to start and
grow a successful Internet business in 2006.
It's such an exciting time to be an Internet entrepreneur!
Make sure you take advantage of the unique opportunities
that have been created since the early days of the Internet.
Read the stories of people just like you who have created
online businesses they love... and mind-boggling wealth.
They are living proof that it's possible. I hope to see your
success story featured on our web site one day soon.
Best of luck with your exciting new venture!
======================================================
2) "Preston Reuther Retires"
======================================================
If you've spent any time with IMC, you're probably familiar
with Preston Reuther. He's one of our original success
stories -- someone we've had a relationship with for many
years.
Over the years, we've helped Preston with his business,
given him advice, and watched in awe as he went from complete
technophobe to highly successful Internet entrepreneur.
When he started, Preston didn't even know how to turn on a
computer! But despite inexperience and poor health, he
learned everything we had to offer and turned his hobby of
making wire jewelry into a very profitable online business.
Preston recently contacted us to let us know that he has
decided to retire and is currently looking for someone to
take over his business,
http://www.wire-sculpture.com.
Of course, we normally wouldn't announce something like this
in our newsletters. But because it's Preston, we've made an
exception.
All interested parties should contact Preston at
preston@wire-sculpture.com for more information.
On behalf of the IMC Team, we wish Preston all the best in
his retirement.
======================================================
3) "Free Content for Your Web Site or E-zine"
======================================================
Need some fresh, free content for your web site or e-zine?
You are welcome to reprint this article on your web site
or in your e-zine. We simply ask that you let us know
where the article will be appearing, and include our byline.
To let us know where this article will appear, visit:
http://www.marketingtips.com/freecontent
======================================================
4) "Visit Our Newsletter Archives"
======================================================
Did you miss an issue? Want to review an issue you
really enjoyed?
Be sure to check out our back issues at:
http://www.marketingtips.com/newsletters
Articles are now organized by TOPIC and DATE, making
it really easy to find the article you're looking for!
======================================================
5) "Visit Derek's blog!"
======================================================
Check out "The Candid Internet Marketer" blog with Derek
Gehl at:
http://blog.marketingtips.com/derek
Here Derek shares his thoughts, ideas, insights, and
strategies with you, our customers and subscribers, from
wherever he is in the world -- whether he's on the road or
in the office.
Every week, at least a couple of times a week, Derek shares...
1. Updates from the Internet Marketing Center: What is
happening at IMC? What are we testing? What were the
results? What is NOT working?
2. Cutting-edge industry updates: Every month Derek meets
extremely successful e-business owners who are using the
hottest new moneymaking strategies and industry insights...
and now he'll be sharing them with you.
3. Announcements! Be the first to know about new tools and
resources, sometimes even BEFORE they have been created,
so you can beat your competition to the punch!
4. Derek's personal opinion, thoughts, and insights on many
different e-business topics.
If you want to get to know Derek and what is going on in the
day-to-day workings of a leading Internet marketing
organization, then this is the place to be!
Go to:
http://blog.marketingtips.com/derek
======================================================
6) "Tell Us What You Think!"
======================================================
We'd love to hear what you think of this issue!
Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for
upcoming issues to us at:
newslettersuggestions@marketingtips.com
Your feedback matters to us!
======================================================
Copyright 1996-2006 by The Internet Marketing Center.
All rights reserved.
======================================================
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