Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

An Inexpensive Way to Market Your Business

An on-going challenge your business probably faces is ensuring clients continue using your product or service. In other words, you want repeat business.There are few businesses without any competition, so there’s a constant struggle to keep existing clients while bringing new clients on-board.However, many businesses miss a perfect opportunity to sell to their most qualified buyers: current cli. . .

Free is never FREE !!!

How many times did you see an e-mail or a website offering something for free ?A hundred times ? A thousand times ?Perhaps, if you are like me you don't believe in the word "free" anymore, if somebody offers you something for free, he or she always wants something in return.On my site http://www.hartino.com I offer [ Free Entry to Win £1000 GBP ], when you click that link you can participate in. . .

Organic Search Engine Optimization

What it is and why it’s so important.Search engine optimization can be broken down into two separate yet intertwined categories. Non-organic or paid search optimization and organic, or unpaid search optimization. Paid search advertising relies on purchased search phrases to drive visitors to a website, while organic search optimization focuses on developing web sites that are naturally search e. . .

How to get an Internet Marketing Education Without Spendi...

Do you want to create a passive income? Are you bewildered by all the educational Marketing products out there? Are you on a low budget or trying to escape from a huge debt load?Well, I answered a big "Yes!" to all the above, especially, the last oneMy job sucks. I can barely make ends meet and I have some medical problems which make a "normal" working lifestyle very difficult.That's why I beco. . .

The 11 Deadly Sins of Search Engine Optimization

(Common mistakes and misconceptions about search optimization and marketing)There is so much misinformation floating through the internet regarding search engine marketing and optimization that it’s important to shed some light on a few common errors and misconceptions. The following list highlights some of the most critical issues involved in determining the success or failure of a web site’s . . .

Easy Marketing Communications Planning Steps

‘Tis the season to be planning. Most business people are familiar with strategic planning. But what about your marketing communications program? Do you have a plan for that?For those of you with marketing communications anxiety, here’s a step-by-step guide to follow to create a plan.1. Begin with the basics. Marketing communications involves what you say about your business (message) and wh. . .

Press Releases for Every Occasion

To many marketers, the press release is something of a "one size fits all" proposition. You want to get media coverage, you knock out a press release, send it to some journalists and sit back and wait. Of course, smart Publicity Insiders already know that’s a prescription for failure. You know that your press release has to have a "hook", be well-written and sent to appropriate journalists in. . .

How to Get Your Site a Top Ranking in Google

It's the new American dream. Your website appears in a top spot on Google for your chosen keyword. Next thing you know, orders start coming in faster than you can handle, and you are rolling in the money. If only it were so easy, right?Well,It can be done. I've done it many times in many different industries. There is no secret, but rather, it's just knowing what to do. I've made just about eve. . .

Write, Publish and Market a Book with No Out-of-Pocket Money

Do you dream of having a book published, but don’t know where to turn? Already have a book, but unsure of how to promote it? Looking for cost effective high-return strategies to market your book? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the following information is for you. Many writers and aspiring authors are under the mistaken belief if their book is published by a publishing hous. . .

Managing Your Identity

Managing your identity can seem hopeless at times. Here is a primer to assist you in creating great graphics that work.Flexible vs. Static If the company is new is it best to make sure that your brand is “flexible” meaning it can be modified to accommodate changes within the infrastructure of the company. Typically changes such as adding of new departments, removal of departments, or general ch. . .

Maximize Attention for Your Small Business

If you have a great product or service that people want you are well on your way to being successful. However, in order to lock in and grow your success you need to maximize the attention your products and services get. As a small business owner you probably don’t have millions of dollars to spend on advertising campaigns to drill your company’s name into your prospects minds. That’s okay. Many. . .

Online Classifieds with Angles

What many may consider the most important part of advertising is writing an effective ad. The information that provided in a classified ad may be the deciding factor if it is successful or a, "bomb". Create a variety of advertisements that utilize various approaches. Be prepared to revise your content on occasion. This ensures that you are demonstrating different aspects of your offering. In ad. . .

Make your 2005 Email Marketing Plan Successful - Six usef...

Email Marketing is growing more and more every year. Many small E-business owners have already made marketing plans for 2005. Email marketing is a very popular tool these days but often not utilized correctly to reach out to prospective customers. E-mail is very effective and inexpensive tool than regular mail to attract prospective customers, grow relationships with current customers, gain min. . .

How to Keep Your Business Healthy

Can you imagine you're ninety years old and still hiking up mountains with your grandchildren, bench pressing more than most twenty year olds, and making millions of dollars? Recently Jack LaLanne, America's first TV fitness guru, turned ninety. Not only is he still sound of mind, in great shape, he's made millions and is still earning more. How does he do it? You know it is important to eat yo. . .

Do I Need Raised Letter or Full Color Business Cards?

If you've been searching around for business cards that will best represent the image you want to portray for your business, then you've no doubt encountered many options. The Big Two, as I like to think of them, are "Raised Letter" and "Full Color."What are the differences in raised letter and full color business cards? What are the price differences? What looks best for how I want to represen. . .

Resource Allocation

So here you are…a business owner. Bravo!You’ve got a catchy name, you’re equipped with all the right tools, your website is up, and now you’re ready to do business. So you start to network online, join the right groups, check out search engine adwords, subscribe to applicable newsletters for insight, and buy some of the better known marketing gurus books. Hmmmm, not much is happening. Okay, so . . .

10 Profitable Ways To Elevate Your Subscriptions

1. Swap sponsor, feature, classified or solo ads. Use your unique selling proposition to create ad copy for these swaps and also in all your promotions for your ezine.2. Swap "thank you" page ads. Promote other ezines on the page your new subs are taken to after filling out your subscription box or form in exchange for those publishers doing the same for you.3. Provide a bonus for subscribing t. . .

Progressive Headlines Guide Customers To Buy

Headlines are, without a doubt, one of the most important elements in copywriting. As has been said countless times before, if you don't get your readers’ attention with the headline, the chance of them reading your copy is virtually none. But headlines (and sub-headlines) play a vital part in the copywriting process for other reasons, too.Whether we, as copywriters, like it or not, the fact . . .

A Simple Link Creates a Win/Win

As the number of websites increases by the minute, most people are seeking effective methods to gain as much visibility on the Internet as possible. A great way to do this is by offering a website link exchange, also referred to as reciprocal linkage. Reciprocal linkage is a great tool that can dramatically increase your web site ranking. The more links you have to your site the better. For any. . .

Finding The Cheap Clicks

As anyone who uses Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising in their marketing campaign knows, getting your ad copy on the front page of a search results listing is becoming more expensive by the day. It’s a new phenomenon known as ‘keyword fatigue’, and it's down to the overwhelming success of programs like Google's AdWords. As more and more advertisers realise the benefits of this form of traffic gene. . .

Do You Know When You Are Being Sold To?

Britney Spears has recently caused controversy with suggestions that the ad campaign for her new fragrance range uses subliminal or hidden messages in its efforts to convince potential buyers. Advertisers have long been aware of the power of appealing to our subsoncious minds, so what methods exactly do they employ, and how widespread is the practise?Broadly speaking, there are three methods in. . .

Low-Cost Marketing With Postcards

Here's a simple way you can generate lots of sales leads ...or traffic to your web site. Use postcards. They're highly effective and very low-cost. Plus, postcards provide the following 6 unique advantages over most other types of advertising. 1. Maximum Exposure for Your Sales Message Postcards are delivered "ready to read". Even people who usually ignore other advertising will find it hard to. . .

Pay-Per-Click Fraud Exposed

Has anyone else noticed a disturbing pattern in your pay-per-click advertising campaign, of the same IP addresses clicking on your ad, spending one or two seconds on your website and then leaving? That's called click fraud and it's a major problem among all of the pay-per-click search engines. Click fraud is a scheme that takes advantage of online advertising programs like those offered by Goog. . .

Six Marketing Tips for Trade Show Success

A trade show is an ideal way of showcasing your products and services to a large number of prospects all at the one location and at the same time. Thoroughly planned marketing is the key to success at your next industry related exhibition.The following are six of the most important marketing rules that exhibitors need to undertake to ensure their next trade show is a success.1. Market Prior to. . .

Media Kit: 25 Component Possibilities

Media kits, virtual or print, include a combination of information whether created for electronic delivery or print. The number of components depends on the kit’s focus and intention. For instance, an author’s kit would include a different combination of information than a service business, or a multifaceted company or speaker. Here is a list of component elements to pull from and tips to bring. . .

How To Jump Start ANY Business

Typically it is said that when you open up a new venture, it takes fro 2 to 5 years of steady growth before you can call it a success. All things considered, this is true and because it is true, it is all the more important to do everything correctly, right from the start! So here are 7 guidelines on engagement for every business entrepreneur.1) GET AN ON-LINE PRESENCE: It is a different worl. . .

Making Customer Satisfaction Surveys Work

Why bother?Good customer service is the life blood of any business. Although new customers are important good customer service will help generate customer loyalty and repeat business. With each satisfied customer your business is likely to win many more customers through recommendations and remember, if you are not taking care of your customers, your competition will.A Customer Satisfaction sur. . .

Public Relations

The wind of changes...The digital world has changed the form and scope of all communications. The positive aspects of this new world are as overwhelming to interactivity as a truckload of candy is to a three year old. The field of Public Relations is rapidly transforming as well. PR can bring a human touch to business and, if it is used correctly and effectively, can be that powerful tool bring. . .

Internet Marketing is Changing Right Before Your Eyes!

There's no doubt about it . . . Big changes are in the air! In the midst of all the usual scams and rip offs, there's a New Wave of Marketing techniques that are beginning to immerge that will forever alter what you do, or will take you out of the game. The choice is yours! You see, what most marketers have been spending their time on might be called "peer marketing", that is selling to their f. . .

Getting Lucky with Systematic marketing

In early-August, I got a call from Barbara at the Association of Management Consultants wanting to know whether I was interested in running a marketing workshop for their members. I asked how she had gotten my name; Barbara told me Jeff had referred me. When I mentioned that I had met Jeff over two years ago, Barbara said that I sure was lucky he still remembered me. Luck had nothing to do with. . .

Online Music Marketing: Math or Myth?

Making money from music online: NARIP and the Hype Council help the record industry face the facts and expose the fiction – a report by The G-Man.The numbers are supposed to be big in online marketing, but are they significant in the online marketing of music? Clearly, we need someone with 'Net experience to set a few things straight. Scott Meldrum is a businessperson and musician with a dry wi. . .

The Truth About Traffic Exchange Programs and Guaranteed ...

It's about time someone let the cat out of the bag, regarding traffic exchange programs and guaranteed traffic. I wasn't seeing the truth being written about the subject anywhere, so I decided to take it upon myself to reveal the truth about these programs. In a nutshell, they don't work. How do I know? Because I tested them. I tested them good and I tested them fairly. While I wasn't re. . .

How to Write Adverts that Forces People to Respond

Think for a moment some day and consider the kind of advertising you see in your post box, on the TV, on your computer, on the radio, etc. Then ask yourself this question, "Would I buy this or not?" If you say "No," then ask yourself why. If you say "Yes," then ask yourself why. Consider what is it that makes this advert attractive or what is it that this person’s offer is deemed to be unattrac. . .

The Truth About The Fallacy Of "7"

Ted Nicholas is a marketer with a proven track record. He has started, operated and sold 21 profitable businesses, and is responsible for the direct or indirect publishing of hundreds of books and publications. Ted Nicholas is a well- known and respected leader in the information marketing business. Ted Nicholas has mastered the art of selling. His million dollar best selling books and other su. . .

"Marketing as a Spiritual Practice II: Unearthing Your Po...

Marketing as we know it is over. Done. Finito. People the world over are bored and spammed to the brink of tears. But there is good news: There’s a better way to connect with precisely those you wish to reach … and it works far better than traditional, expensive, gimmick-driven marketing. We call this method “Marketing as a Spiritual Practice.” Why? Because marketing is actually a process, just. . .

How to Get PR

There is a process for successfully getting publicity about your business or organization. Publicity is no great mystery, just a thorough and strategic sales job. You are selling content to a publication or website who needs it to entice their readers. No publicist can guarantee a publication will print stories about your company because the publisher or editor ultimately controls the content o. . .

Marketing as a Spiritual Practice

“Marketing as a spiritual practice.” It sounds contradictory – how can sales and promotion possibly be considered spiritual? But the secret is, once you truly understand that marketing isn’t all about struggle, jargon, tricks or gimmicks, spiritual practice is the very root of success. Sound completely airy-fairy? We understand the response. But in reality, marketing consists of a set of specif. . .

If You Don't Know This, You Might Loose Your Commissions!

Are you aware that using certain tools to protect your affiliate commissions might in fact cause you to loose them? Let me explain you how than can be and what you can do to protect yourself from commission loss... The other day a good marketing friend of mine, let's call her Eva, send me an email, telling me about a service that she believed me to be interested in... and in fact, I was. She wr. . .

The Seven Secrets of a High-Sales Marketer

If you want to boost your website sales to the next level, you've got to think and act like a high-sales marketer. Here's how: 1. Think sales not just traffic. Pay-per-click advertising is a great way to pull targeted traffic. Could anything be better? In many cases, pay-per-SALE advertising is a better choice. With pay-per-clicks, you may or may not make sales. With a pay-per-sale arrangement,. . .

Networking Top Tips

1. Join several networking groups and attend as many of their events as possible. Regular attendance builds up good relationships very quickly.2. Try and make sure you talk to at least one new person at each event you go to - don’t just stick with the people you already know.3. Don’t expect that you will walk into a networking event and come out of it with a job or a new client. Networking take. . .

Why Authors Should Blog

While watching the presidential conventions I was struck by the fact that blogs had totally revolutionized the publishing industry. Sitting right alongside the major news agencies were the bloggers frantically typing on their laptops. Even seasoned veterans who had covered past conventions mentioned the power of this new media. Due to the dynamic nature of blogs, the bloggers with their laptops. . .

Networking - Relax!

Networking – relax! – Gill Fernley and Justin Baker, Six Degrees NetworkAnyone who has been to a networking event has met business card thruster guy. Won’t leave you alone, thrust their card in your face, every attempt at conversation gets quickly turned into a sales pitch. These people aren’t networking, they’re selling. Badly. Let me share with you some of my thoughts on what puts the ‘work’ . . .

Your USP is Useless.

One of the keys to writing good marketing copy is to differentiate your product or service from the competition with an effective selling point. And it is on precisely this element that many otherwise competent writers flounder and flop – and so does their copy.Because the key word here is “effective” not “different” or “unique”. “But wait!”, you say, “Isn’t my Unique Selling Proposition what m. . .

How To Get Web Site Traffic

Web site traffic is essential to having a thriving online business. You cannot have enough web site traffic (visitors) unless it is the wrong traffic or you do not want to continue to build your business. Your chances of selling a product or service is proportional to the level of targeted and qualified web site traffic to your site. It is not an easy task getting the right kind of web site tra. . .

How to Build A Steady Stream of Customers--Step One

The success of a small business depends upon a steady stream of good customers. To build that stream of customer a business owner must examine five critical points in their business operations. This is the first in a series of five articles that examines those critical points.Target Your Customers---The Key to Your SuccessThe heart of every small business is getting a steady stream of good cu. . .

The Top 7 Sales Blunders

We all make mistakes when selling our product or service. Here are the most common mistakes people make. I have to admit I have made many of mistakes listed in this article even though I have been teaching this stuff for almost a decade. I hope you can learn from them.1. Allowing a prospect to lead the sales process. The best way to control the sales interaction is to ask questions. This is als. . .

How to Have Your Own Online Party

Online parties can be a successful and fun way to build your home business. These parties are similar to home parties except that you do not have to pay a small fortune for refreshments and snacks! ;-) You can have your party in a free or low cost chat room or you can have your party via email. Be sure and create a relaxed and fun atmosphere for your guests. We would recommend a chat room. You . . .

7 Quick Marketing Tips To Uplift Your Profits

1. Publish an ezine.Your ezine will help you to stay in touch with your visitors, sell your products, and promote affiliate programs you've joined to your subscribers.Get more people to join your ezine by offering a bonus for subscribing to your ezine such as an ebook, email course, an ad or access to your membership site.2. Publish testimonials.Your testimonials will help you to get more of yo. . .

A LESSON IN ADVERTISING FROM THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

Back in the 1760s, the great Dr Samuel Johnson delivered himself of the dictum that ‘promise, large promise is the soul of advertising’. It’s a good thought, a great thought; and I contend that what was true then is equally true today. But it seems to me that modern advertisers are tying themselves into unnecessary knots in an attempt to reach audiences which they believe are becoming increasin. . .

10 Valuable Tips For Ezine Publishers

1. Write your own articles.Your articles will give you an effective way to build up your status as an expert by sharing your tips and advice with your readers. Your articles will also help you to effectively promote your business through your resource box at the end of your articles.Use your articles to get more subscribers by submitting them to article directories and announcement lists with a. . .