No, I didn’t just call you dumb.What I’m referring to is that constant conversation you’re having with yourself about why you ever thought you could start your own online business; “you’re not smart enough to that; look at all those ‘big time marketers’, they have all the answers, they know what to do; I could never do that; I just don’t have the skills to do that, I can’t compete……”

And on and on…

Feel free to add whatever phrases you’ve been using to convince yourself.

I hear this kind of stuff from students and newbie entrepreneurs all the time.
First they tell me what a great product or service they have, then in great detail describe the design, the function, and all the benefits. How it’s the best on the market; the best price, the best selection, etc., etc., etc.

Then finish the statement with, “but I’m just no good at marketing.”

That just makes no sense

Having a successful business is about creating relationships (knowing your customer) and solving problems (customer benefits); that’s stuff you can do.

Do you have any friends?

(No, people living in the same home, relatives, or any one you owe money don’t count)

If you have friends, then you know how to develop relationships. That’s all it is.
So pull out your business plan and let’s review.

“NO, NO, NO………not a business plan!”

Relax, this isn’t going to be a lesson in writing one of those long and complicated business plans that the SBA says you must have before you even think of starting a business.
Those dreadful things have a place in the business world but only if you have to beg for a loan from a bank.

Otherwise you just need a simple plan called: How I’m Going to Run My Business, i.e. a marketing plan.
That’s important because the plan you’re using now; doing whatever feels good and waiting to see what happens in hopes of making some money…probably won’t be too effective.

Here’s an outline, let’s get started:
STEP #1 Who is going to be my customer? (everyone is not an acceptable answer)
Give this imaginary customer a name. Really, you need to get personal here. This is a relationship remember? How old is ‘Rebecca’? (my choice in a name and gender, pick one that works for you and your product), What magazines does she read? Does she have children? Married, single, lives alone, professional, homemaker. What does Rebecca drive? Hobbies? Interests? Level of education?

Your description should read something like: My customer (Rebecca) is 35–45 yrs, married, professional, busy mother, has a dog, works outside the home, reads Glamour and Elle magazines which just makes her feel guilty about the 30 pounds she has yet to lose since her last child, likes outdoor activities, wants to get into shape but can’t find the time, husband is a couch potato, they enjoy family activities, etc….. Get the idea?
->What is the problem that you’re going to solve? (think Rebecca, and get personal)
Middle-aged, professional, homemaker, wife, mother, limited time, wants to improve health, family, etc.

->Where would you go to find the most Rebecca’s?
Think professionally, where does Rebecca work? eat lunch? Shop? take her kids?

->What are the products that you could sell to Rebecca that would solve at least one of her problems?
Your product or service should fit in here.

->What additional products could you sell Rebecca after she makes an initial purchase?
Recurring membership, accessories, Phase II, III, IV, etc.

->How many Rebecca’s are there in your marketing area?

->How much money will each Rebecca spend on your products each month? (reality check: deduct about 30% from that $ number)

->How much money will it cost you EACH month to advertise, ship, market, etc. to all the Rebecca’s? (cost of your product, shipping, PPC, marketing, advertising, website, etc.), (Reality check again: increase that $ number by 30%)

->Does your budget still show INCOME or LOSS each month?

->Income = Good job. Get to work!

->Loss = Time to rethink the product: Rebecca, product costs, marketing, etc. Wishful thinking at this point is dumb.

STEP #2 “This is such a great product I know everyone will buy it”
If this or any statement that vaguely sounds like this appears in your head or comes out of your mouth, STOP, because you’re really in trouble. This is NOT, I repeat, this is not a business plan (not for success anyway!).

TIP: Income is money earned from selling your product. Capital is money ‘loaned’ to the business from your checking account, investors, your parents, etc. Don’t count capital as income!

If Step #1 shows a profit each month then the next step is to set milestones. That’s like goal setting only with money! How many sales will you make, how much income you will receive, and the dates.

Step #3 What does Rebecca think?
Pop your big ol’successful entrepreneur balloon right now!

If Step #1 shows that you should be making income at the end of the month…congratulations. But before you do the happy dance and go out and buy a new computer, start designing add-ons to your products, and thinking of that Caribbean vacation; you need to get to know Rebecca.

Remember business is about relationships. Successful businesses are about long-term relationships with their customers. Stay in touch with your customers. How does your product or service make changes in Rebecca’s personal and professional life?

If you have ‘Support’, ‘About Us’ or ‘Comments’ pages on your web/blog site (and you should); encourage responses from your visitors. Go there often and check for those responses. Rebecca may give you some great (free) advice about how to improve your product.

Step #4 There is no stability in business
If you are successfully marketing to a large number of Rebecca’s and showing income at the end of each month…be scared!

Business and business relationships are NEVER stable.

If your business relies on your Rebecca’s, what happens if the number of Rebecca’s diminishes? What happens if your relationship with your customers is challenged by a competitor? Your expenses increase? The market becomes smaller? Rebecca tires of your product? Your advertising costs increase?
Analyze your business all the time.

If there is one thing in your business plan that would seriously impact your business if it changed…be scared!

Do you have a backup if the cost of your PPC account doubled? Who does your shipping? Sales accounting? Graphics? Printing? Web hosting?

Something else to keep you from sleeping… do you have only one product or service as a source of income?

Step #5 Who loves you baby!
Don’t confuse marketing with lead generation.

In the internet marketing business we become obsessed with ‘capturing’ as many leads as possible. Great for building a business. Bad for maintaining a business.

Remember, customers are one time buyers. Clients return over and over again.

Make the time to have a relationship (there’s that word again) with your customers. Each of your Rebecca’s has proven by their purchase that they like your product; but do they like you (your company)?

Remember that a business is a relationship between you and your Rebecca’s. Offer a newsletter each month, quarterly, pics of happy customers, testimonials… Random thank you emails to your customers, offer discounts, or specials for frequent buyers, be creative.

Constantly analyze, test, test, and then analyze again the details of your business plan AND the current state of affairs.

Here’s some addl. help if you would like some ‘formal’ training in business plans:
Small Time Operator
The One Page Business Plan

Talk soon,

–>Jonathan Right

If you thought this article was helpful please leave a note

Just one magic key to success is all that it will take to make your online marketing business a success. That’s it. You’re sure of it. You’ve purchased each of those training vids, CDs, and DVDs that promised to make you a success without really trying. You attended a couple of seminars hosted by ‘really’ successful people in suits that said you could be just like them if you bought their books.

You even subscribe to a variety of blogs from some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the business…

But you just can’t seem to get your business over-the-hump and running  effortlessly.

Lets talk.

TIP: There is no business secret, no magic wand, no insiders tip, and no special sauce…promise!

But that sounds like another easy way out. Just another excuse to say it can’t be done by ‘normal’ people and give up. Yes, that’s what the majority of wanna-be entrepreneurs say.

They’re the ones sitting at Starbucks talking to anyone whom will listen about how they worked really hard building an internet business, were just a knat’s eyebrow from success but just couldn’t compete with those rich ‘big dog’ marketers.

Blah…blah…blah…

There is no magic ‘millionaire-key’ on your keyboard, but there really are three ‘secrets’ (I hate that word but it fit in so well I couldn’t help it) that work very well. They’re really the difference between those that talk about their failures at Starbucks and those that are too darn busy to relax and have a $4 cup of coffee!

Let me digress.

You see, the biggest secret (not to be confused with the three that I’m about to give you) is that those that almost made it? Well, they really gave up just before they did make it.

Millions of dollars are spent every year by those hopeful of making a fortune from the latest ‘make a million’ or ‘six figure incomes from home’ products.

Does that mean that you (and plenty of others) wasted your money on these products? Are all these products just ‘get rich quick’ schemes and not possible?

There are some really worthless products out there, but the truth is there are a surprising number that are very good; offered by legitimate business marketers that use the same products successfully in their own businesses every day.

Successful entrepreneurs had the same day-dreams as those lonely people in coffee shops. To get out of their work cubicle; get out of debt; beach cottages; warm breezes; financial independence; and making money in their underwear and slippers in front of our computers!

About 93% of those that purchase these products will spend $1,000’s of dollars hoping for quick and simple success only to give up and start shopping for another; all the while blubbering their opinions that it’s all just hype and spin.

Choice #1: (I like this word much better than ‘secret’) Do something with the advice and products you receive.

It’s hard to go from Advice to Action. I struggle with it every day. Don’t be misled by thoughts that just because you’ve spent a lot of money and time on how-to products but never really did anything that you can’t be successful. You can.

Get a notebook, iPad, etc. Whatever works for you to take and store notes, thoughts, content, ideas, etc. in an orderly fashion. Go back and read that again…I said “a place to keep notes in an orderly fashion.” That means somewhere you can refer back and find those flashes of genius.

To-do-list. I know you have notes everywhere. Not anymore. This notebook is your business notebook. Write down your plan of action. Your step by step process to get your business going. There are plenty of things you don’t know at this point that need to be on the list but don’t worry about it. You can add them later as you get smarter. Make your list now.

EVERYDAY. Note the first word. ‘Every’, means every day, no exceptions! Seven days a week; best time is in the morning for about an hour you work on your business plan. In about a week you will be absolutely amazed at the great ideas and creativity that come to you like magic. This is the marvel of your subconscious mind working for you. Pulling up all those thoughts, ideas and visions you have tucked away deep inside. Take notes.

Choice #2: Work the Plan

The saying, “Plan your work, work you plan” as being a key to success? Believe it.

If you just take action without a plan you end up with a lot of random tasks with no real results…just busy.

You’ll find that many items on your plan call for expertise you don’t have. Find it, hire it, buy it. Soooo many times a business plan fails because of a roadblock. You won’t have all the expertise to manage and operate your business. No one does! That’s when you pay for someone to do it for you.

There are many excellent sources for professional help; guru.com, eLance.com,  fiverr.com,  oDesk.com,  JR.com

Those online products?

Many are great tools used by successful marketers and available for a small fee. Will you hire a Writer or Videographer and end up with a flop? Sure will! But keep trying and you’ll find some tremendously talented people that you can return to time and time again. That’s when you see the savings.

Keep your ‘plan’ easy to read and focused on the task. Small steps completed are much more productive than large steps only partially completed. You should know when you’ve completed the task.

If your plan is financial independence and a beach cottage, let’s begin with 2 sales per week, then monthly sales that cover monthly expenses. Sounds waaay too simple, but it works! Do it.

Choice #3: Add the Special Sauce

The secret sauce? YOU.

You’re the entrepreneur that is a specialist in your niche. Yes, really.

Don’t feel like a specialist in any field?

Choice’s #1 and #2 require the determination and character to develop a plan and stay focused working on the plan until you reach success.

Choice #3 is that ‘something’ special that you and you alone can add to your business.

If you are just going to repeat (in different words) the same old stuff everyone else in your niche is talking about then just drive down to Starbucks now and order your coffee.

Success requires ‘different’. If everyone in your niche is saying the same thing about the same product(s) then the customer will select the one that has the lowest price. They’re all the same!

If there are few others in your niche and you only have hopes of minimal and insecure income from your work then continue as you are.

But, if you have higher financial expectations, feel that your product is really a better buy, and want to separate yourself from the rest in your niche…do something different.

If your product or service is different in ANY way than others in your niche. Prove it. Show it.

Offer a newsletter, put videos or pics on your web/blog showing why your product is different, become an authority on your niche, research and offer case studies of your niche, pics, testimonials, be a guest speaker, offer your expertise as a professional in your niche (whom also has a product for sale), offer a money-back guarantee.

Answer the question every potential customer will be asking themselves: “what makes this product any different than the others?” “how will this product solve my problem?”.

That’s All.

Almost everyone reading this will respond with a resounding, “I’m going to do it this time.” They’ll feel a warm sensation of motivation inside for about an hour… then go get a cup of coffee.

A very small number of you will go get a small notebook and start writing down a business plan. You’re excited, you’re enthusiastic and determined to ‘eat this elephant one bite at a time’ (my way of saying step by step!).

Remember everyday means every day.

Good luck.

Talk soon,
-Jonathan Right

Hey, if you enjoyed this article drop me a note.

You agreed to do it if someone else would just do the other.

It made you feel uncomfortable.

You got dry-mouth, and sweaty palms.

Some say they would rather go on a blind date than do it.

How many people would see it or even read it anyway? Why bother…right?

What is it?

The About Us page.

That link waaay down on the bottom of your web/blog site is a location you probably haven’t visited for a long time.

Some sites don’t even have one.

Did you know that the About Us page is the third most viewed page on an internet site?

Yes, really.

So maybe it’s worth spending some time talking about the mistakes made by many site managers.
If 30% of the visitors to your site scroll down and visit your About Us page it probably is worth spending a little time talking about the common mistakes made by web site managers.

About Us pages are simple, straightforward, and personal. The intent is to communicate just a couple of things. Unfortunately though, something so simple can really get screwed up.

Flashback: How many of your visitors are reading the About Us page? 30%!

Here are some of the most common mistakes and how you can easily fix them.

You Don’t Have an About Us Page: Your web/blog site may have the sweetest-looking, most contemporary, eye-catching WordPress layout, but what you neglected ( and are losing 30% of your visitors) was an About Us page. Either you thought it wasn’t a necessary part of your ‘sales’ process or you just got a little weirded out talking about yourself and moved on.

Or maybe in an attempt to avoid appearing too self-serving by calling it an About Us page, you named it a Get to Know Us, or Experience Our Team, The Inside Bunch, Here’s More Info, ……. and the list of ‘creative avoidance’ can and does go on forever. I have always subscribed to the philosophy from the book Don’t Make Me Think; the heading About Us leaves no room for doubt on the part of the reader. It is the most commonly used name for the page and readers recognize it…period.

What’s Your Name: What if a reader really connects with something you wrote on your blog and wants to link to you, tweet, or respond favorably on your site; how do they get to know you? Pictures of you using the product, pics of the Team, pics and email addresses of each member of the staff, some personal info such as hobbies, interests, specialties, etc. You can even post pics and testimonials of happy clients. Take some time to ‘get personal’ here.

TIP: Mark Twain, George Orwell, both pretty famous names…were fake pen names created for security and privacy. You can do the same but stay away from; The Internet King, Blog Beater, Fly Fishing Fanatic, etc., kinda defeats the point of getting personal!

It’s BORING: Some of the best sales copy and content writers have About Us pages that really suck. For some reason they turn into completely different people when they start talking about themselves.

Here’ a simple guide to use:
•Use your own personal writing voice and style
•NO corporate-speak, jargon, and no niche acronyms
•If you’re a Geek, be a Geek. If not, don’t try to fool me
•If you have a sense of humor write that way. Remember this is personal.

Flashback: 30% of your visitors will visit this page to get a ‘personal’ view of your product. They just want to know who you are; they aren’t looking for a new friend.

Videos: Videos, YouTube, etc. are very popular on web sites and a great way to get a message across to visitors. But remember, not everyone wants to watch a video, especially a 12 part series introducing your entire staff! Think about that visitor secretly browsing your site from their work cubicle? They don’t want your company song blasting from their speakers. Keep it short, keep it to the point; insure to include an equal amount of text.

Biggest Mistake: Visitors to your site scroll down to your About Us page because they have an interest in your product and want to check out the character, legitimacy, and impact of the seller…you.
Yes, they’re interested, but they don’t want a personal resume. Keep your ‘get to know the seller’ page focused, short, and how you and your product or service will benefit them.

Always Left Out: I know I’ve been telling you how the About Us page should be ‘about you’ and your product.
But…what most site managers miss about an About Us page is that it is about SELLING!
Talk about the problems (benefits) your product can solve
How you can help (pics and vids are good here so visitors can see your honest face)
Talk to them about how you’re interested in the same things
If you have a special blog site away from your main site to discuss niche issues…invite them to stop by and chat!
Then…tell them to go back up and read all about your product and the great prices on your sales page

Some food for thought: In this world of mass-communication overload there are many people that still would like to get to know the people with whom they do business. They want to connect intellectually, professionally, maybe even personally via the WWW.

An About Us page is the perfect resource for you to provide an opportunity for these visitors (30%) to your site to have a more personal relationship with you and your product or service.

Talk soon,

Jonathan Right

If you enjoyed this article please leave a comment.

I was amused by the gift but didn’t touch it for several days. Then, finally I couldn’t stand those three colored balls staring at me, a ‘non-juggler’ any longer.

So in the privacy of my home I quietly began tossing those balls into the air.

In about a week I was juggling.

Granted, I wasn’t ready for the circus but I could juggle!

So what is my point in this story?

Get in front of your computer and start typing. You can do It. Really.

When we’re not good at something we don’t like to do it. Which, we all know is just an easy way out of making ourselves look foolish or feeling incompetent. Likewise, we all know that the more we practice something the better we’ll become.

You’ll be amazed at what you can put on paper.

Think about it…you’ve been reading other people’s sales copy every day since you became interested in building your own internet business. You read sales copy every time you Google something, read a newspaper, pass a street sign, or browse a magazine. Most of which has been written by very expensive professional copy writers.

All that style and format has been subconsciously (and at no cost) filed away in your brain.

Let’s spend our time today ‘awakening’ some of that information that’s just waiting to get on paper.

Here is the simple 4-Part Formula that every successful business uses to write sales copy.
1. What I’ve got for you
2. What it’s going to do for you
3. Who am I
4. What you need to do next

Yes, even (especially) those really successful, long-time professional marketers use this formula.

Why?

Because it’s really simple…and it works.

Tip: Most successful people in the internet marketing business would rather be doing something other than working!

What I’ve got for you: Your product has to be the bridge between what your customers want and what you have for sale. Your product should be something they WANT, not something you think they NEED. (NEED is being out of fuel alongside the highway. WANT is a new car.) This part of the copy should be short and to the point: This is my product and it will solve this problem…

What it’s going to do for you: Benefits not features. Put this on a note and stick to your monitor! Nobody wants to quit eating rich, smooth and creamy chocolate ice cream, but everyone in their right mind wants to avoid gaining weight, bad complexion, dental problems, high blood sugar, etc. Most buying decisions are emotional decisions.

Do this:
• Make a list of every feature of your product.
• Ask the question, ‘how’ does this affect my customers desires
• Now describe the benefits of your product from an emotional level.

Close this section of your sales copy by repeating and/or elaborating more about your product (refer to #1).

Who am I: This is relationship building. Do you have a picture of yourself on your site? If your product is dog training you should be amongst your students. Include videos or links introducing yourself and your product. Testimonials from happy customers are priceless. Offer customers discounts, accessories, etc. for sending you product testimonials.

What you need to do next: Don’t ask…Tell them what to do. “Your baby will be potty trained in three days if you Click Here Now.” This is very important, and many times a neglected step. This is the Call-to-Action of selling your product. Be specific, be concise, and make it easy.

NOTE: Keep in mind that this simple formula is just that…simple. As you become more and more comfortable with your writing skills you will begin to add all those ‘special’ copywriting tricks you’ve learned that put a little extra punch in your copy. This formula is the skeleton of your copy writing and is the starting point for all successful copywriters.

I did what you said and wrote some great sales copy but my conversion rates are still low…?

Again, another very simple formula:
• They don’t want what you’re selling
• They’re confused
• They can’t see the vision
• You didn’t ask them to buy
• They don’t believe you

Because:
• You may have the best dill pickle ice cream in the world but….yuck!
• You haven’t convinced your visitors of the value of your product. Try including testimonials, pics, vids, etc.
• They don’t see how your product will solve their problem or change their life. Get personal.
• Did you ask them to buy? Did you make the Buy Box easy to find and the process simple?
• Maybe your product claims of faster, cheaper, better, etc., are no different than all the others. Be unique.

Successful sales copy is about information and persuasion.
Not long ago you could just say ‘Free’ and visitors would flood your site. Today Google considers that the “F” word and will downgrade your site.

You are competing for your customer’s ‘time’. Remember that. Tell them how fast it works, how long it will last?

You need to get their attention and on-board emotionally, and then persuade them to try your product.

Talk soon,

Jonathan Right

P.S. If you liked this article please take a moment and leave a comment.

At last count the World is populated by approximately 7 billion people. Over 80% (5.6 billion) of these inhabitants have a cell phone.

Very simply, that means that over half the people in the entire World have a hand held mobile device. The citizens of the world are buying more cell phones than the growth rate of the world population.

The U.S. has twice as many mobile device subscribers as citizens!

China and India having the largest populations top the list at over One Billion users in each country.

The number of European Smartphone users accessing news sites increased by 74% over 2011.

On March 19, 2012 APPLE announced that it had sold 3 million of its new iPad…which was released on March 16th!

A forecast waaay back in 2008 predicted that there would be 1.7 billion mobile web users by the year 2013.

More than 100 million U.S. mobile subscribers now use Smartphones.

My point?

With this raging growth rate of mobile web devices your web/blog site had better be compatible.

Communication technology will continue to improve and amaze us at an alarming speed. Your business success depends upon a constant flow of visitors to your web site. And a good share of your visitors, i.e. potential customers, will be attempting to browse your site with a hand held mobile device.

Think about those regular readers of your blog site.

One day they will upgrade their mobile device to an iPhone, Droid, iPad, etc. Sitting at their favorite coffee house enjoying a relaxing cup of their special blend of Columbian (coffee!) they click the link to your site they have saved in their Favorites, only to find that the page can’t be read.

Or maybe a loyal customer/shopper to your website.

They attempt to log-on and find that the normal banner that they’re accustomed to seeing isn’t there. The pictures of your products don’t match the descriptions. And worst of all…your Buy Box won’t work!

Our world is a confusion of over-lapping Wi-Fi networks. Some very good…most with just ‘average’ speeds…and some really poor.

The success of our businesses is dependent upon our customers receiving a great viewing experience with our web sites. We are at the mercy of their Wi-Fi connection, AND now the fact that no longer are they using those 15 to 17 inch laptop screens. No…now they’re viewing our blogs and product offers on a screen that’s just two inches square!

You see the problem?

We’ve all spent a lot of time designing our sites for the popular browsers, but now more and more of our potential customers are using mobile devices.

So what do I do now?

Let me help you with some simple tips at entrepreneur friendly prices!

First take a look at your site formatting:
• Always…always…always include a plain text version of every HTML article or promotion you send to your list. Open your email marketing service (Aweber, iContact, Fusion). Each will give you an option to send both text and HTML versions. Click the button.

• Keep your promotions simple and to the point. Isolate your link with open space on all sides so that it doesn’t get lost in the copy. Remember, you’re typing it on a large screen. They will read it on a very small screen. You don’t want a potential buyer to have to search for your link.

• Great subject lines are a MUST. Mobile device users are even less patient than PC and laptop browsers. You will have to grab their attention quickly. No ‘spammie’ subjects and titles to get their attention. Quality only.

• Pictures are worth a thousand words, but now they’re a real pain. Many Wi-Fi networks are so slow that a pic on your site will take forever to load and your visitor is off to the next site. If you have to have a pic use an alternate tag, called an ‘alt tag’. This way your site will load much quicker without the pic showing, but the visitor will see the ‘tag’, think title, and open it only if they desire more info.

• Call to Action. This is where practice and testing pays off. Your visitors are spending less than 2 seconds…right…2seconds browsing your site. Make sure your copy is succinct, easy to read and understand, then tell them WHAT to do to make a purchase.

OK, now for some fun stuff.

Here’s a free site where you can very easily select any of the popular hand held devices, insert your web site and BAM… you get to see what your site looks like on that particular mobile device. Pretty easy. Try it, its fun.

If you’re using WordPress (and you should be) then go right here. This WP plugin is available for the entrepreneur friendly price…Phree!

It will allow you to easily customize the current appearance of your site to make it user friendly and fast uploading to your visitors.

Now, the only thing you have left to do it get started.

Talk soon,

-Jonathan Right

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please leave a comment.

Blah…blah…blah…

And, blah…blah…blah…

Then a picture with some more blah…blah…blah

 How many web/blog pages does this sound like?

 Do you suppose they’re saying that about yours?

Have your Opens and CTRs gone down for no particular reason?

Web/blog sites are your number one source of advertisement.

 If they’re boring then you’re boring, and your site is boring!

Boring doesn’t sell!

Are you saying to make more changes to my site…again?

What I’m saying is that WordPress made you do it!

It makes all of us do it, because WP makes it so darn easy to add ‘stuff’ to our sites. You’ve heard that saying ’that if it was easy then everyone would do it!

Well that’s just what’s happened. We’re all guilty.

Problem: If your site isn’t fresh, interesting, and different from all the others in your niche (all are using WP too!) then your chances of getting someone to click your site is just wishful thinking.

Let’s take a look. Open your site and let’s do this together, step by step:

The Sidebar

This is WP’s favorite space on your site. They make it so easy that your sidebars begin to look like a teenagers bedroom floor! Crap everywhere!

Social media icons, ads, links to special Tweets, mobile device links, icons to similar niche sites, ‘additional information’, photos from your Fan page, pics, comments, recommended reading, etc…etc…etc.

Sidebars become so congested and confusing to the browsing visitor that they never see the promotional ad you want them to click. Keep it clean, keep it focused; add just a little color.

TIP: If your side bar ad/widget doesn’t sell your product or add people to your list, i.e. make you money…delete it.

The Library

Didn’t know you had one?

Sure, every time you write an article, blog, pic with a label, etc. for your site it’s electronically ‘filed’ by date written in what’s called your Media Library.

So What?         Think SEO here for a minute.

If you or anyone else was browsing your site for a specific topic (hopefully about your product) they would have to know the date that the article was written to find it. Bad idea.

Better idea would be to have all your articles in one place (neatly filed in your Media Library) so that by simply typing a keyword…BAM, there’s all the related articles.

TIP: At Settings& Media uncheck the Organize My Uploads into Month-and-Year-Based Folders.      Simple!

Permalinks

WP is just like having a mother picking up after you…

When you Publish an article WP automatically creates a permalink URL based upon the title and the article, then registers it with Google, Bing, etc. automatically!

Bad idea.

Here’s what you get from WP (mom) if it’s done automatically:

http//:mysite.com/best-magic-tricks-for-kids-over-the-age-of-12-years

Waaaayyy  too long.

Google and gang will register this article in each of these categories; best, magic, tricks, kids, 12, years, etc..

Your permalink should be as specific as possible to your niche. Clean it up. Type whatever you want!

TIP: Before you Publish.  At the top of the WP editing page reduce the permalink words to pinpoint your topic:

• http//:www.mysite.com/best-magic-tricks
• http//:www.mysite.com/magic-tricks for-kids
• http//:www.mysite.com/magic-tricks

Titles/Subjects

Social media is becoming the new internet. Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc. all capture, recognize, and file your articles by their title and subject lines. This is really important to keep in mind before slapping on just any old title or description. This is what the person browsing is going to see, and what is going to attract them to click on your site. Think sales copy.

TIP: If you’re totally at a loss here, Scribe is a useful piece of software from some of the best in the business.

Pictures

“a picture’s worth a thousand words”

Well, not a thousand, but usually around 50 characters or so.

The Title Tag, name or subject of a picture placed on your site generates the same SEO as keywords in your title, subject or description. When someone drags their mouse over your pic (or the location of your pic if it doesn’t automatically load) they see the title, subject or description you inserted. Use them.

TIP: Label each of your pictures, icons, etc. on your site with informative, descriptive, and concise words.

Don’t Quit at the Footer

This is probably the most unused part of a web/blog site.

Most offer just a line of text with the copyright, legal notices, etc.

You’d be surprised at the number of people that read Footers. Treat it just like a P.S. in a letter.

Internet shoppers today are concerned about quality products, warranties, and safe, secure purchases from websites. Include icons from VeriSign Secure, McAfee Secure, Verified Merchant, PayPal, etc. if you use their services, to show your guests that you share their concern. Logos of memberships with other organizations; awards and recognition are all valuable additions to a footer that will garner respect from your visitors.

Don’t be bashful about adding ‘Contact Us’ or Bios. This is a great opportunity for your visitor to get to know you better. (Be sure to periodically check for emails at the address you post)

Try to get over that urge to cram all that important ‘stuff’ into the WP sidebar by putting some of it in the Footer. Save the sidebar for your money-maker ads.

For those of you that like lots of stuff on your site…here are 22 ‘things’ you can put into your Footer (I’m sure there’s more but my brain started to hurt so I stopped).

1. Copyright©2012 My Best Blog Site.com All rights reserved    (Copyright icon: PC = Ctrl+Alt+C,  Mac = Option+g)
2. Links to your ‘Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy pages
3. Links to About Us, Contact, and additional advertisement pages
4. Link to your Home page
5. RSS feed link
6. Newsletter subscription form
7. Social media links/icons
8. Popular posts
9. Favorite posts
10. Recent posts
11. Recent comments
12. Top commenters (there’s also a widget for this)
13. Archives link
14. Site map (WP sitemap plugin) XXXXXXXXXXXXXX WE HAD ONE IN A BLOG INFO EARLY ON
15. Link to the Top of Page (if you have long blog pages this is handy)
16. Advertisements (affiliate product ads)
17. Links to other blogs (make sure they’re do the same for you)
18. Links to your blogs
19. ‘Site by’ link (if your site was created by someone else and you wish to advertise for them)
20. WordPress link (if you wish to advertise for WP, or brag that you use their software)
21. Most tweeted link
22. Write for Us link (if you allow guest blogs)

Keep in mind that site browsers spend only about 3 seconds on a site! Really. So if your site is just chock full of pics, copy, different fonts, underlines, bolds, caps, etc…busy, busy, busy…

They won’t see the important offer. No sale. No money.

Keep it clean. Keep it fresh.

Talk soon,

-Jonathan Right

If you liked this article please leave a comment.

SALES FUNNEL WORKSHOP  Lesson #7

For the past six weeks we’ve been discussing a Sales Funnel. What it is, what it does, the parts, and how each is necessary in the process of selling your product, and the success of your business.

We last discussed Broadcast Emails.

Remember, Broadcast Emails are emailed to your list on a regular schedule, and there are two types; Content and Promotional.

Content is pretty self-explanatory (see last week’s discussion); always quality information.

Now we’re going to discuss the “back-bone” of your Sales Funnel: the Promotional Email.

What should I promote, you ask?

There are many online sites that offer promotional products. Some good… some not so much.

I use two sources almost exclusively: ClickBank and Warrior+ Plus

Let’s talk about both;

ClickBank

ClickBank has the largest inventory of promotional products available to affiliate marketers.

Log in and at the top of the homepage and click Marketplace on the menu.

From here you have access to just about every promotional product known to the internet world.

On the left side of the page is a list of popular niches. Find yours and click. If you don’t find your niche, or would like to investigate a complimentary one, just type it into the Search box.

Below is a typical promotion. Let me give you a few tips for making a selection:

• Grav: 379.74 = The definition of Gravity is more confusing than the algorithms used by Google so I’ll just tell you that there are a lot of very successful marketers that will only use those promotions with a Gravity greater than 30. Promotion Gravity changes all the time so don’t be concerned that 30 is a loong way south of 379.74. I’ve had some very successful sales promotions from Gravities that were below 50.
• Read = Open the link and read the promotion. Is the offer really what the title says? Is the offer something your list would be interested? Are the graphics, layout, etc. attractive and easy to read and understand? NOTE: What YOU see is exactly what your list is going to see when you email the promo to them. How’s it look?
• Price = What is the cost of the product? Within the limits of your list’s interests?
• Spam =   Do you like the product? Would you buy it? Does it sound or look a little ‘spammie’?  What you promote to your list is a direct reflection upon you. Don’t be in a hurry, there’s plenty to choose. Trust your gut!
• JV (Joint Venture) = At the bottom of the explanation paragraph, just above the Stats line, is a URL with JV at the end. Copy/paste the URL to a new browser to see the promoters ‘tools’. You’ll be asked to sign in. Do it. You’re not buying anything. This gives you free access to all the banners, pics, vids, swipe copy, etc. Browse the entire page. The owner has tested these sales tools and knows that they work best in promoting their product.  Use them.

Many promoters will also have a sign-up box to receive updates on their products. This is good.

‘Product introduction’ videos are a short video produced by the promoter fully explaining their product. Watch it.

NOTE: The promoter wants you to be successful. When your list buys, you both make money. They want to make your job of selling their product as easy as possible.

Warrior + Plus

Warrior+, not to be confused with Warrior Forum (a blog for computer geeks like us), is an online shopping center for affiliate promotions. The promoters are professional computer programmers and software developers. This site is an outlet for them (warriors) to offer their work as promotions to affiliate marketers (you and I).

Go to the site; sign up as an affiliate. ($3.99 a month)

Because new promotions are added daily to Warrior+ it has a constantly changing inventory of promotions. The advantage is you see the newest, the hottest, digital plug-ins, apps, and software in the industry. The disadvantage is you need to spend a lot of time viewing and reviewing the latest offers…daily.

• WSO = Warrior Special Offer. This is what the individual promotion offers are called.

Browse the list of offers. The promoter has proudly posted their picture and name on the left side of the page, open the promotion and view the product(s), scroll past the bottom of the promotion and you’ll find ‘testimonials’ from real users.

Testimonials on an internet promotion are like ‘gold to a goldfish’, and here you will have real buyers that have purchased and used the product. Many times it’s just that extra push that a potential buyer needs to make purchase.

NOTE: BE SURE TO READ all the testimonials. If the product offered does not perform as advertised, there will also be negative testimonials!

Which one to choose?

Like a ClickBank promotion, the link will take those in your list directly to what you are viewing. Make sure the sales copy, graphics, layout, Buy box, etc. are attractive and sales oriented.

After joining, open the WSO page, select a promotion, and note the red menu bar at the top of the page:

• Date = The date of the promotion should be less than 30 days. Remember, your list members are also on other lists. You don’t want to send a stale offer they’ve already seen from another marketer.
• Sales = the offer should have had at least 25 sales.
• Refund Rate = Less than 5%
• EPC = Earnings Per Click. Should be greater than .50,      Greater than $1.00 is ideal

FORMULA – Visitor Value (X) Commission Rate = EPC

Once you’ve selected a promotion, you must ‘mother-may I’… a request to the promoter asking permission to offer their product to your list…really.

Very simply, just a one line email asking permission.

Generally, you will receive an approval within about 48hrs, though I’ve waited as long as a week, and as short as 5 minutes. This is important to know as you plan your weekly schedule of Broadcast Emails.

NOTE: Also on the WSO list, JUST UNDERNEATH many WSO offers is a corresponding OTO (one time offer). If you select the WSO, sign up for this promotion as well (it’s not automatic).It’s an additional one-time-offer presented usually as a ‘before you go’ offer.

I know, selecting a promotion seems a bit overwhelming…because at first, it is.

But don’t be bashful. Jump right in and try it. Slowly…step by step. After the first week you’ll be snagging promotions as easy as can be.

This last session has been long and for good reason…it’s important.

I’ve explained all the parts of a Sales Funnel and how each is built.

But there’s still one part missing…you still have to write the promotional email to broadcast to your list.

Not to worry! Check out the video below to see how easy writing one can be:

This is the last of the 7 session workshop, ‘how to build your own Sales Funnel’. My hope is that together we can make your business the success of your dreams.  Each of the sessions is listed below if you missed any or would like to refresh your memory.

Remember, a business without a Sales Funnel is just an expensive hobby!

Talk soon,

-Jonathan Right

P.S. - If you found this blog to be helpful please leave a comment.

This is Lesson #7 of 7 free workshops that I have developed to help you understand and build your own successful Sales Funnel. Each will be easy to understand, step by step instructions. Don’t miss any. Here’re the links:

Lesson #1: What Is A Sales Funnel…?

Lesson #2: The Dynamics of A Squeeze Page…

Lesson #3: Do You Have an OTO…?

Lesson #4: Why The First Email is So Crucial…

Lesson #5: Where Online Marketing Truly Starts…

Lesson #6: What is a Broadcast Email?