Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

OK People - Let's Get Real!

It's all about numbers - or so some ezine publishers would have you believe.10,000 subscribers and counting!20,000 subscribers and counting!30,000 subscribers and counting!You get the picture...or do you?Now let me ask you - how many of those are actually READING your newsletter? Do you even know? Have you checked?You might really be surprised!I've got bad news - especially for those publishe. . .

Long Sales Letters vs. Short Sales Letters

Everywhere I turn, I'm being asked to weigh in on the issue of whether copy should be long or short in a sales letter. I receive countless newsletters on copywriting and marketing, and they are all still debating the issue. I doubt that the question will be answered definitively, but after hearing from other Internet copywriters and after considering the issue myself, I've learned that if you f. . .

Grow Sales Using Image Tactics

In my dreams, I envision being the marketing consultant equivalent of Oprah or Tiger Woods. Oprah, for her premise, “You’re a woman and only you are responsible for yourself.” Tiger Woods, for his ultimate dedication to the game. Respectively, this is what they’re known for or what their personal value can be identified as; put another way, this is what their brand identities are. Once you’re k. . .

Entrepreneurial Traits that Drive Sales

Frequently overlooked and hidden deep within our marketing tool box is the ultimate marketing vehicle for your business – you! Many small business owners are so busy figuring out how to increase sales and revenue they forget to grow themselves as business owners. If you aren’t evolving yourself, aren’t you being counterproductive to your business development? Marketing our businesses isn’t just. . .

Intro to the Traffic Exchanges

Even if you've been marketing on the internet for only a very short time you've no doubt come accross 'traffic exchanges'. The number of exchanges out there is staggering, so if you need to know what these things are all about read on.A traffic exchange is a system where in return for viewing the websites of others you will get credits for hits to your own sites. There are several different typ. . .

How To Create a Perpetual Traffic Generator

What runs through your mind when you hear that ezine articles will bring you masses of fr^e traffic, get you higher listings in the search engines, and raise your profile on the web? For many people, their reaction is this: "But I'm not an expert - how can I write an article?" Well, you don't have to be an expert and you don't even have to write the article - at least not much of it. Interviewi. . .

It's a Numbers Game!

Three years ago, Paul left his corporate job to launch his freelance writing career, and he’s done relatively well. He has a group of regular clients that keep him going, and they are happy with his work. When he first called me, he expressed concern over the sustainability of his business. “Even though I’ve got great relationships with my clients, and they send me enough assignments to keep my. . .

New Sources for Targeted Web Site Traffic

Qualified traffic is the lifeblood of any web site today, especially for ecommerce sites that are selling goods or services online. But, many media buyers and/or owners of web sites are paying too much for traffic by relying on top tier PPC ("pay per click") search engines like Overture or Google's Ad Words Select programs and others. There is a new breed of web site traffic brokers emerging i. . .

USP - Unique Selling Propositions

If you have competitors, then you should have at least one Unique Selling Proposition (USP). The more REAL ones you have, the better - for your Branding, your business recognition, and your sales! We all have competitors, and the more you have, the more important it is that you have a Unique Selling Proposition (at least one). Allow me to explain. Let's use a recent example of a company that se. . .

The Marketing Person You Think You Aren't

Have you thought about starting your own business? Have you started one and are having challenges with marketing, fear of failure, fear of success…I could go on and on. Has the question, Now what? ever entered your mind? If so, I would like to share my story with you. A journey, from corporate to business owner and everything in between. After working in the corporate field for 25 years, an opp. . .

$10 Per Click - Do They Know Something We Don't?

I have utilized pay-per-click (PPC) advertising since its inception about two years ago. With PPC, the advertiser is only charged when a person actually clicks on their link. The amount you actually pay for each click is referred to as the cost-per-click (CPC). I've got to admit, I was pretty leery at first. But since then I've watched the price of certain search engine keywords skyrocket in ex. . .

Internet Direct Mail Is Different: 14 Things To Remember

Internet Direct Mail (IDM) and Traditional Direct Mail (TDM) both have the same goals in mind. They are to generate leads or orders. However, marketers need to respect that online media and print media present different hurdles in achieving this goal. Some of these hurdles will require that copy be written differently for each media. And some not.Here is a list of 14 things you should remember . . .

Profound Knowledge

Profound Knowledge We all are on a quest for knowledge. Whether its information that will make our lives easier or just small packets of data that in a trivial way allows us to sort out "why things are the way they are on this planet." As intelligent beings we are constantly receiving and sorting information, in most instances, we are overwhelmed. Therefore, when relevant information arrives th. . .

PowerPositioning: WillYouAcceptThisRose.com

Positioning is a powerful concept in marketing. To illustrate, have you ever visited a fast food restaurant, and, in a rush to complete your order asked for a coke when you "perhaps" meant to order some other soft drink? The Coke brand and its owners have achieved a top of mind awareness. Their brand name has become synonymous with a commodity that has a strong demand. A lot the brand. . .

Profiting From Mistakes

For many years now, getting traffic from search engines when people misspell a word has been a popular technique. I've often read that you should include spelling errors in the meta keyword tag on your page. Unfortunately, there is a problem with this advice. None of the search engines actually index the meta keyword tag! So, this doesn't work. It did work a few years back but not any more. Bef. . .

Is Network Marketing Easy??

I personally believe we do a dis-service to the industry and ourselves if we openly state...or even allude...that NWM is easy. It's not. Nor is any business....WAH or brick & mortar. Anyone who does say different is not being wholly truthful. I find that to be a shame. NWM requires 3 main ingredients....time, effort, and yes - money. Time is just a matter of redirecting your habits. Not easy bu. . .

How To Make An Extra $100,000.00 Each Year

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRA $100,000.00 EACH YEAR BY ADDING A FEW LINES OF SCRIPT TO YOUR ONLINE ORDER PAGE McDonalds has added over 200 billion dollars to their sales with their one line “Would you like some drinks or fries with that?” Sales are made or lost by what is written in your online store. What you say and how you say it determines just how much merchandise is sold in your online business. . . .

"Do Not Call List"...Death Knell For Leads Programs?

I'd pay close attention to this for awhile. There are implications for leads programs especially.In about 6-10 months or so your company is going to have to subscribe to the FTC "Do Not Call" (DNC) list of people that do not want calls. Even if it is an innocent prospecting call your company (& you) can get in trouble. The wife may have answered your ad, the husband may have put them on the DNC. . .

Generating Publicity For Your Business: Knowing Your "Med...

When starting a successful business venture or launching a new product, most entrepreneurs or business owners conduct some type of marketing research to determine the extent of their prospective customer base. And when getting the word out to that customer base, many entrepreneurs may turn to the media to help generate a buzz for them. However, as detailed as their marketing research might have. . .

Internet Marketing, Fact Or Fiction?

I'm sure you've seen it before, your inbox overflowing with promises of making millions in the span of a few weeks. If your like me you have these "opportunities" safely tucked away in your recycle bin faster than you can say "Spam", but all the while in the back of your mind is that ever-present question, "What if?". What if hidden among the tidalwave of "Get Rich Quick" hype is the one chan. . .

How One Free Advertising Method Can Transform Your Income

A great way to get the word out about your business in a hurry is something so simple and effective yet few marketers online take advantage of it. What if you can advertise for free and get potentially thousands of people to see your message? What if this same concept is viral and starts spreading all over the internet? What if this same concept builds trust and credibility and brands you onlin. . .

Sales Coaching... Fact or Fiction?

The old adage in selling has always been, “Find out what they want, then, give it to them.” The fundamentals of selling are clearly that elemental. The application thereof, however, continues to be the litmus test that quickly separates the skilled from the rest.In the past, the selling profession relied upon its own bullpens crowded with accomplished journeymen to assume the role of mentor or . . .

Traffic Generation Tutorials. Article 1 of 10 Bi Weekly A...

This article will be continually updated with your feedback and updates will appear http://www.its-brilliant.com/0001.html. Please See Contact and Reprint details at end of ArticleAn "In Depth" Look At How To Create an email discussion list If you find this information valuable, please send it on to a friend This Article is #1 of 10 articles dealing with successful TRAF- FIC GENERATION CREATIO. . .

Personal Branding Techniques for Real Estate Agents and B...

A key principle of marketing is to find something unique about what you offer as the basis of your sales message. Even if what you offer is a commodity, there is always one thing unique in your business -- you. A big error made by many Real Estate Agents and Brokers is to try to develop an institutional image like most big companies. People do not like to do business with institutions; they lik. . .

5 Ways to Encourage Impulse Purchases

I just bought six square pieces of spongy fabric for $20 and walked away happy - "victim" of an impulse purchase.I was at one of those big show events and walked past a demonstration booth. I even knew it was coming. About 50% of the people walking out were carrying two bright yellow cylinder-things.As we walked toward the convention center, I told Tim (my other half), "There's one of those guy. . .

Triple Your Profits Easily With The Right "USP"

Convinced you have a fantastic idea for your online business and can't understand why you're not making a big profit yet? If you're seeking your very own Internet fortune and have developed an online business, you know there are a lot of steps involved. You've registered your winning domain name, hosted it, put together your business plan, etc. You've thought very carefully about your products . . .

Hit the target: Target your advertising to make it pay off

Note from author: This article was originally written for people advertising martial arts schools. The principles of targeting are the same no matter what you are advertising.How well you target your advertising will determine your advertising success. Targeting means you put your ad in front of the people most likely to respond to it. It also means that you tailor your ad to that audience, so . . .

Targeted Traffic - How Will You Achieve It?

Wouldn't it be great if your website was listed on the first page when your potential customers look for what you sell? What if you had the very top position when they typed "your product category" into MSN, Yahoo or Google? If you've had your website up for even one week, you've realized that getting to the top of the search engines is no easy task. The competition is fierce, isn't it? And you. . .

10 Ways To Get More Profit From Your E-zine

Publishing an e-zine will help you to strengthen your status as an expert in your field and convert more of your visitors into customers. The following tips will provide you with ways to successfully increase the revenue you get from publishing your own e-zine: 1. Write your own articles. Writing articles will help you to connect with your readers, share your knowledge, and promote your busines. . .

Are You Giving Your Customers Enough Reasons To Return To...

Good customer service just isn't enough anymore in the marketplace in which we live. Times are changing and business owners are learning that they need to create such an awesome customer loyalty program that they are always at the forefront of their customers' minds on a regular basis.To compete in today's global marketplace you need to stand out from the crowd - be better than your competitor. . .

The Truth About Joint Ventures

This is a "Shareware" Article (what's that? read on...)This article is shareware. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice.Copyright © 2003 InstantMarketingMiracle.com I'm sick and tired of getting hundreds (sometimes thousands) of Joint Venture proposals per week, all claimi. . .

NINE POWER WORDS TO "PUNCH" UP YOUR ADS

As every professional politician and public relations man knows words have the power to entice, persuade and motivate people into a specific course of action. There are certain words that I refer to as "Power Words" that I learned, back in the dawn of time, when the dinosaurs still roamed the earth. For example, if I say to my daughter "clean up your room please" I get a totally different react. . .

How To Attract Buyers Using The Right Sales Terminology

It is always important that you use the right terms when marketing your product to potential buyers. The right terminology may mean increased enquiries for your product and possibly more sales. Failure to use these terms may leave potential customers undecided or going to the competition to satisfy their needs. Your competitors may be making more sales by using these terms intelligently while y. . .

El Marketing, Das Marketing, Le Marketing

While reviewing site stats, I noticed 18 foreign countries as domain origins. This prompts my curiosity. Should I hone my marketing efforts to serve these visitors effectively in their native tongue? My college age daughter studies French, German, and Spanish simultaneously. The Word "marketing" is an "American" word she informs me; distinguished in Spanish, German, and French with slight nuanc. . .

Engage Your Customer – Write About Benefits

Think quick. In 10 seconds, can you list the 5 key benefits you offer your customers?I bet you said “Yes”. But are you sure you listed benefits? If you’ll bear with me for another 10 seconds, I’d like to test out a theory on you. Recap your answers – maybe even write them down. Now list the 5 main things your business does. In other words, what are your 5 core services? What are the 5 core feat. . .

Are You Ready To Research Your Market?

Picture this. You develop some product or service, spend countless hours making sure everything is just right, set up a beautiful web site, make sure the ecommerce end is secure, and then release what you know will be of utmost benefit to others. Do you really know this? How do you know it? Gut feeling? Someone else told you so? In the world of online ventures, researching the currently defined. . .

The Working Case Study

Next to white papers, case studies are the most popular tool in the technical marketer's toolkit The ubiquitous case study can range from a 3- paragraph online snippet to a full-blown magazine article. The most popular case study in the marketing/PR arsenal is the 500-700 word success story. They're not as challenging to write as white papers, but you should structure them for maximum impact. . . .

Writing a Book’s Marketing Plan for Maximum Profit

Much has been written about book proposals. But less has been written about book marketing plans. This is wrong!What happens after your book is published has a great deal to do with whether you become published and profitable… or just published.A book proposal is a direct-marketing document intended to persuade publishers to edit, print and distribute your book. It’s a sales piece intended to c. . .

Build Credibility, Value and Trust on a Shoestring

Setting priorities in your business? Your first job is to sell. Selling is - writing the orders; receiving the cash; feeding the beast. If you don't sell; the beast, (your business), dies. The impact of selling is immediate. You may love it, but it is a beast. You need to feed it and control it. Your second priority is marketing. Marketing is taming and grooming the beast. Marketing is everythi. . .

Demystifying The Radically Different Keyword Results Prov...

...because your online success depends on getting accurate keyword counts! The root of all success in search engine marketing begins with keywords. Period. Get them wrong and virtually everything about your online endeavor will fail. Only by targeting the right keywords can one expect to ride that exhilarating magic carpet to online prosperity. Stating the obvious you say? ...well, if so, then. . .

Demystifying The Radically Different Keyword Results Prov...

...because your online success depends on getting accurate keyword counts! (Continued from Part 1. Contact Robin@SearchEngineWorkshops.com for the complete article.) Reason #2 - Duplicate Searches As you most certainly must know, Overture's strength as a viable advertising medium for online businesses lies in the fact they are provide results to "tens of thousands of Web sites" which include A. . .

Visibility Equates to Higher Profits

One of the greatest challenges businesses face is how to market cost effectively while gaining a good return on investment (ROI). Regardless of what industry you are in, the size of your organization and how long you have been in business, you must continually look for ways to gain and maintain your visibility to your market. Gaining visibility is one of the most important, and yet often most o. . .

How to write a press release

A well structured press release in an excellent way of receiving free publicity for very little effort and cost. It is simply the process of writing a newsworthy story about your company, products or services in a reasonably standard format, and then distributing it in the correct way to relevant media contacts.This document contains only a brief overview of the basic structure of a release. Fo. . .

Improving Your Inter-Company Communications At No Cost

It's all very well having a flashy (and expensive) advertising campaign, backed up by a wealth of positive PR, but if your staff are not all pulling in the same direction this could be the biggest leak in your plan.Want a more in-depth guide to internal and customer communications, plus a CD-ROM with software with advice, additional content and links to helpful sites?Buy 'Marketing your Busines. . .

Testimonials Convert Prospects Into Buyers

Big businesses get instant credibility with their well-known company name or brand name. But small companies have to create their own credibility. One of most powerful tools you can use for this is customer testimonials. Here are 5 tips to help you get persuasive testimonials ...and use them to convert prospects into buyers. 1. Continuously Collect Testimonials Start by setting up a file to sto. . .

Creating Marketing Fireworks

If you live in a small town like mine on the Connecticut coast, you will spend the 4th of July watching fireworks, along with everyone else in town. Why is it that people love fireworks? Fireworks grab attention with a dazzling display of color and lots of noise. Unlike the sparkers you can hold in your hand, the sound and size of fireworks can't be ignored. Imagine if your marketing was as eff. . .

Book Yourself Solid

THE 7 KEYS TO GETTING MORE CLIENTS THAN YOU CAN HANDLE EVEN IF YOU HATE MARKETING AND SELLINGClients often ask me how I built a six figure income working as an independent professional in less than 10 months. I narrowed it down to 7 simple steps. Seven simple internal and intuitive attitude shifts… and the exact action items that will kick your business up a notch. These effective and powerful . . .

An Affable Article

It doesn’t really matter who you are; you definitely know something or know something differently. It is our particular sense of logic and humour that make us interesting.Interesting and informative articles are in big demand. Article directories meet this demand by amassing them in one location.Who can do this or what qualifications are needed to submit articles?Providing that the content is “. . .

How To Get New Business

Market, Market and then market some more. So many small and home-business owners do what we call spot marketing. They market hard for their business, get a response then stop marketing. Marketing must be an ongoing process. Let's repeat that...Marketing Must Be An On Going Process. In addition, you should have multiple marketing strategies. For example, we market on the internet through newsgro. . .

4 Questions to Answer Before Contacting a Book Agent

Obtaining agency representation is your first step toward getting profitably published. Most publishers won’t even look at unsolicited manuscripts.But, before approaching an agent to represent you, you should finalize the presentation of your book.Agents don’t have time to waste dealing with publishing ‘wannabees’ who don’t have, and may never have, a concrete project to represent. To busy agen. . .