Category: Online Business

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Entrepreneurs How-To Guides Online Business

Info Product Creation: How To Create Your FIRST Info Product in 7 Easy Steps

Once you’ve mastered your online marketing system and you’re growing your list on a daily basis, this is a good time to then set about creating additional offerings for your subscribers.  This is where you start to look at your Product & Marketing Funnel and see where the gaps are and where new products can fit.

If you’re like most solo service professionals you’ll have something at the top (i.e. the widest part) of your funnel, which is usually your free taste, and then you’ll have something at the bottom (i.e. the narrowest part) of your funnel, which is usually your most expensive one-on-one services, but you won’t have anything in-between.

This is where you need to create products at different price points so that your clients and customers can experience your services and expertise without having to invest in your top (most expensive) service, but they want more than you are offering at the ‘free’ level.

A great first info product to create is one that sits at the second level within your Product & Marketing Funnel; somewhere between $1 and $50.

So, here is the step-by-step guide on how to create that all-important first paid offering.

Step 1 Host a Free Teleclass

Not only is this a great way to build your list, but it also exposes your audience to your expertise.  You get to interact with your target market via the teleclass and they are able to ask you questions right there on the call.

Step 2 Record Your Teleclass

In addition to this being a great incentive to getting more sign-ups (if a registrant is not able to make it to the live teleclass they know that they’ll be able to get hold of the information afterwards via the recording), but this is where you’ll turn your free teleclass into your first paid info product.

Step 3 Create an Accompanying Guide or Special Report

Using the notes you prepared for your teleclass, turn these into a guide to accompany your teleclass.  Or turn your notes into a special report and sell the report as the paid product and offer the teleclass recording as a bonus.

Step 4 Create a Workbook

If you also provided instructions or how-to information as part of your free teleclass, take that information and create an additional workbook.  A workbook is a simple document that will allow your customer/client to make notes, write down their ideas, or plan out how they’re going to implement the how-to information that you shared with them on the teleclass.

Step 5 Bundle It All Together

Now that you have your teleclass recording, and you’ve created an accompanying guide/ebook and/or workbook, bundle all this information together to offer as a paid product at the second level within your funnel i.e. between the $1 and $50 price range.

Step 6 Create a Sales Page and Shopping Cart Link

You now need to create a sales page for your product, and associated shopping cart link.  It is also a great customer service feature to create an autoresponder so that you can follow-up with your customers to check that they are happy with their purchase and are implementing the information you shared with them.

Step 7 Promote to Your List

Once you have your product all set up (Step 5), and created the sales page (Step 6) it’s time to promote it to your list and make sales!  This is the exciting part!  Include some teaser information in your newsletter leading up to the launch of your product, and once you’re ready to take sales send a solo mailing announcing the launch of your product.  A solo mailing is much more effective than including the announcement as part of your regular newsletter.

After the initial launch continue to promote your product through your newsletter; promote it on your blog; and tell all your social networks about your product.

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Online Business

Traffic Building Strategies: 10 Ways to Get Other People to Send You Free Traffic

If you’re doing tasks such as search engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising so you can build a steady stream of traffic on your own, you’re in for a long, hard uphill climb.

Fortunately, there’s an easier way to get loads of traffic very quickly – and for free. All you have to do is leverage other people’s traffic and resources.

Here’s how…

1. Be a Guest Blogger — Some bloggers solicit guest articles, in which case you can create a blog post and submit it for consideration. For example, my articles can be found on blogs like Cathy Goodwin’s Copy-Cat- Copywriting Blog. A great resource that will help you find bloggers who want content is: BloggerLinkUp.com

2. Submit your articles to the top, targeted websites and ezines. For example, I get traffic every day from my articles that are being found on sites like About.com, Microsoft Community Dynamics, Fast Company, Bank of America Small Business, MarketingProfs, SiteProNews and thousands more. You can get a complete, customized database of websites and ezines that you should submit articles to at: ArticleSubmissionSiteDatabase.com

3. Trade Newsletter Articles — If you like the idea of trading content, then consider trading newsletter articles with other people in your niche. Here’s a great tip for you: Look for those who also post their newsletter issues on their blogs, as you’ll get the benefit of a backlink and ongoing traffic!

4. Invite people to become your affiliate. Then provide your affiliates with articles and videos that they can use on their websites, on their blogs and in their newsletters. If you’re in front of your affiliates face all the time with new content for their readers,they’ll be more willing to promote you – and send you ongoing traffic.

5. Compile your articles and create viral, re-brandable special reports. Using a tool like ViralPDF.com, you can create a report that allows others to change the affiliate links in a report to their affiliate links. This way anyone who distributes the report has the opportunity to make money on the backend. The more money they make, the more they’ll distribute the free report, which means more free traffic for you.

6. Turn your articles into videos and promote them on sites like YouTube. You can use services like Traffic Geyser to get your videos broadcasted on hundreds of sites that your audience goes to. Now, not only do you have articles bringing you free traffic, but you also have videos working for you as well.

7. Host a teleseminar. Ask an expert in your industry to come onto your very own teleseminar. You can host as many teleseminars as you’d like for little money with services like Instant Teleseminars. Ask the experts to promote the call to their list and have everyone sign up on your own squeeze page. This way, you capture everyone’s name and email. Make sure you gettranscripts, and then turn them into articles that you can submit and get more website traffic.

8. Become a teleseminar guest. On the teleseminars, promote a squeeze page where you offer a free special report or special incentive. For example, I often promote: http://www.TryMyFreeArticleTemplates.com/ where you can get 3 free article templates. From there, I have an autoresponder series, which further educates prospects on article writing and articlemarketing. And, of course, I promote the complete article template product that you can get at: StartWritingArticlesFaster.com

9. Provide thought leadership content and share information that no one else is providing. This way, others will want to Tweet and retweet about your content. They’ll share it on their Facebook pages. And, email their list.

10. Promote other people’s products in your own articles and special reports. One of my new article marketing coaching clients has a walking shoe reviews site. The first thing that came to mind was to create a special report “The 2010 Top 10 Best Walking Shoes For Your Health!” Inside this report, he’ll reveal the best walking shoe brands and why. He’ll show you how to buy the shoes online (through his partnership link so he can get money!)And, more importantly, he’ll write articles that promote the special report as well as a press release so he drives traffic to his site. He’ll also write a press release for the shoe companies to submit as well for even more exposure and website traffic.

Now, if you like implement these ideas, you will begin to get more website traffic now without spending lots of time and energy.

If you like the information I just provided then check out my new article marketing coaching program where I will personally guide you toward writing your way to profits.

About the Author:

Article marketing expert Eric Gruber creates online marketplace opportunities for small business owners who want more website traffic, prospects and profits. Now you can learn how to write your way to profits wit Eric’s new article writing and article marketing coaching program. Try it risk-free at: http://www.getarticlemarketingcoaching.com/

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Online Business

Article Marketing Strategies That Will Get You More Customers Fast

Recently, I was in a karate tournament competing in the 18 to 34 year old advanced black belt division. I was fighting for 3rd place, when all of a sudden I was caught by a punch in my eye. The punch was so hard and fast that I did not see it coming. When I woke up, I didn’t even know what I was hit with.

Now, that black belt was disqualified for malicious contact.

But as an Internet marketer and article marketer, you want to legitimately hit your competitors so hard and fast that they don’t see you coming. And, when they wake up, you already have their traffic and sales.
How to Get New Customers and Sell Like Never Before with Article Marketing

By writing and submitting articles online to the top websites, ezines and article directories, you will get more links, more traffic and more sales without any problem.

But, if you really want to compete with the BIG guys and girls in your market, then you need to follow my secret strategies to getting new customers:

1. Write articles that give away your best information for free!

Most people are afraid to give away great information so they resort to giving the same old information as everyone else. But this doesn’t differentiate you. This doesn’t show that you truly are the expert. It doesn’t give me a reason to go to your website instead of your competitors. You want to wow me with truly great, free content that makes my mouth watery for more. You want me to be like: “Oh my god, I can’t believe the information he’s giving out for free. I can’t wait to see the information that I have to buy for.” If you do this you will be a step ahead of your competition.

2.Write articles that educate the prospect on how to buy products and services within your niche.

Inform them on the types of questions they should be asking and what they should be looking for. Every question that you include should be something you do, that your competition doesn’t.  An example, would be my article: “How to Choose an Article Submission Service.”

Why does this template work?

Because it pre-sells your products and services.

Now you won’t have to work as hard to close the sale.

When you go to: http://www.StartWritingArticlesFaster.com/BeatYourCompetitionVideo

you’ll get even more information on how to hit your competition so hard and fast that they don’t know what hit them. Plus, I’m offering you 3 FREE Instant Article Writing Templates, including the template that helped me make more than $10,000.00 in less than 2 months.

About the Author:

Article Marketing Expert Eric Gruber uses the power of articles to create online opportunities for Internet marketers, small business owners, authors, entrepreneurs and speakers who want more publicity, prospects and profits. Now, you can Eric’s FREE Article Marketing Video and 3 of his favorite his instant article writing templates that will help you write your articles fast. Get it all now at: http://www.TryMyFreeArticleTemplates.com

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Online Business

Tips for Researching a Merchant Account


Many of you are starting up your own business, whether it is an online store or a brick and mortar, you will need a lot of new hardware and software. It is an important thing not to overlook is how your business will accept payments from customers, even in the early stages of the business development. It is crucial that you tailor your credit card processing service according to the specific needs of your business. A merchant account acts as a clearing account for credit and debit card transactions for orders made via the internet and/or a physical location. Now the question is: what do you need to know? Finding a merchant account provider can be tough, although, when you do a little research, you can find one right for your business.

For those that are just ready to open up shop, one way to go is with an independent sales organization. An ISO is a middle-man between your business and a financial institution. Many ISOs charge rates and/or fees for their services, although, it might be worth taking them on to reduce risk for the bank. Some of you have already started your business and want to research different merchant accounts and other possibilities. If you have a good sales history, you should be able to get an account with your own bank or one that concentrates on online sales.

Costing for merchant accounts vary. Most accounts have a fixed rate per month along with transactions (authorization) fees per sale. If you are a store front, there will most likely have extra fees for special transactions, terminal equipment and maintenance. Some merchant accounts have contracts where you are binded with that company for a specific term. The merchant account sector is competitive so just be careful of getting involved in an agreement that may not be best suited for your business structure. Rates are all based off of various assessments of your business, basically what is the risk of taking you on as a client. Some considerations include the products or services you are selling, average charge per sale, your projected monthly sales, what cards you will accept (visa, mastercard, etc) and your credit score.

When researching a credit card processing service, make sure you look for any hidden fees and then summarize the overall cost of the merchant accounts services to make sure it is within your projected budget. You should also inquire some of your own background checks to make sure the merchant service has not been reported by the government or consumer groups (ie. Better Business Bureau). A merchant account is an essential tool for all online businesses and it’s crucial to explore all your options to find the right fit for your new endeavor.

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Online Business

7 Print Newsletter Design Tips to Get Your Client Newsletter Opened & Read Every Time

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Article Contributed By David Gruttadaurio
You spend a considerable amount of time and money producing your monthly client print newsletter. Having it tossed in the trash along with the ‘B’ pile (junk) mail is the last thing you want.
Yet this happens every day to small business owners just like you. In fact, it’s probably happening to you right now.
Why? Because most monthly client print newsletters are not put together in a way that screams out “READ ME!”
Having Great Content is Just the Beginning
Ignoring your newsletter’s ‘packaging’ or formatting is like giving your clients a lovely gift… and then wrapping it with duct tape and plain brown paper. The fascinating articles and interesting content in your newsletter must be presented in an appealing way to capture the eye’s attention.
By following seven basic newsletter design rules you will ensure that your client print newsletter does not wind up in the trash.
7 Tips to Get Your Newsletter Opened and Read
1. Color attracts the eye. The only people who tell you color isn’t important are the ones who refuse to use it. USA Today is one of the most popular newspapers in the world is – primarily because of its extensive use of color. Why? Because color animates everything! It livens up and attracts attention.
2. Use interesting formatting. Put your copy in a tinted text box. Use reverse text (white text on a black background) somewhere in your newsletter. Also use a multi-column format. With the proper use of shading, reverse text borders and bold fonts, you can design a professional newsletter template that grabs attention.
3. Don’t go crazy with fonts. Stick to a maximum of three font types throughout your newsletter.
4. Headlines get noticed. Decades of newspaper reading have taught us to look for headlines. We look for them to get an idea of what to read. We scan the subheads to pick up on the key points. Powerful, punchy headlines get noticed and read.
5. Make your lead article interesting. This is critical. If the main article is boring (or sounds boring)… you can forget it. You’ve lost their attention and you won’t get it back. Your customer or patient will simply stop reading your newsletter.
6. Position draws the eye. Without anything else to draw it, the eye comes to rest about two thirds of the way up the page and slightly to the left. That’s a good place to put something interesting. Think picture or graphic.
7. Use pictures and graphics liberally. Everyone loves pictures. And they really are worth a thousand words because they capture our attention. That’s why the captions on photographs are the most-read parts of ANY publication.
Hint: Use the “dollar bill” test. You shouldn’t be able to lay a dollar bill down on your page without it touching a graphical element.
The Bottom Line
A successful client or patient newsletter is controlled by more than just good content. Your newsletter template design must be pleasing and attractive to the eye.
You can learn more about effective print newsletter design by going to our website at www.newslettersmadeforyou.com to see how the Exceptional Living newsletter uses each of these formatting steps in its template design.
Remember: A client newsletter is a powerful relationship marketing tool. When you follow a successful template, your newsletters will be well received. It will provide your customer with an interesting and fun experience. And, it will ensure that your monthly client print newsletters get opened and read every time.
About the Author:
When Print Newsletter Marketing Expert David Gruttadaurio discovered the power of publishing and distributing a monthly print newsletter to attract and retain clients, he instantly tripled the sales of his service business. Now, he is revealing his bullet-proof plan to survive the new, emerging economy at his Profit Exploding Newsletter Secrets Website: http://www.NewslettersMadeForYou.com