Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

A Proven Link Building Strategy To Boost Your Site's Popu...

Step One: Create a content rich niche web site, narrow in scope with less than ten high potential keywords and with around twenty to thirty relevant secondary keywords.Step Two: Locate and make contact with other site owners who's site has the same theme as your site, and ask them for a reciprocal link - having already placed a link to their site, of course! If you build a site that is tightly . . .

How To Build Link Popularity With Your Own Affiliate Scheme

If you have your own product then one of the most effective ways of generating sales is to encourage other people to promote your product for a share of the profit. For the right level of reward, lots of affiliates will work hard to promote your product to their subscribers and from their own web sites.As well as being a great way of making sales, one of the other key benefits that this strateg. . .

Know Your Customer

How can you increase the profitability of your business and grow the value of your customers?By really understanding your customer base - how many active customers you have, how many inactive, how many are lapsed, who are (or were) the most profitable, what is their average order value, what do they order and how many times a year do they order.You may be a retailer who needs to decide who shou. . .

How to Build a Forum That Doesn't Fall Apart Two Months L...

If you can get a big enough following from customer lists and newsletters you might want to start your own forum. But I always see people trying to start a forum and it falls flat on their face, mainly because they make it too big and they never promote it.The main reason is because nobody eats in an empty restaurant. Don't setup a "multiple topic" forum like phpBB where it allows you to part. . .

Local Business Advertising & Google Adwords

Local Business Advertising "I don't need the Internet to advertise - I'm a local business!" Okay... If you could spend £0.04 (or $0.05 in the US) and have a new customer - what would you do with your local business advertising budget? I hope you would spend that money again and again! Granted this is the ideal example and you are likely to pay much more then £0.04 per customer you acquire, B. . .

QVC Infomercial: Star in a Famous Person's Infomercial

Not many people are qualified to have their own infomercial. You have to be a great mediagenic salesperson, have a product with large profit margins that appeals to millions, and fits into a category that is already a known, successful seller.But you can star in an infomercial of someone already established. Being a part of a profitable infomercial can bring you opportunities you never even ima. . .

7 Steps to Selling Artwork

Selling arwork is easy when you follow a road map. In this article you learn the step by step guide to marketing art for profits. Now onto the plan!1. Decide that you want to sell your artwork! Now, I know this sounds ridiculous on the surface but look at it a little deeper. Many artists love just creating art, they have no desire to sell what they make. Selling their work becomes unfortunately. . .

You Can SAVE your Dime When YOU Listen To The Voices of ...

Discover the pitfalls of owning your own business BEFORE... [you make a BAD choice!] It's really BIG dollars rather than dimes... at least that's my experience over many years. Thousands can be GONE quickly if you fail to plan and work your plan toward success. That said, the first step - baby size - should be at the 'feet' of one who has been there... done it!! Invincible, right? If anyone can. . .

23 Ways To Use An Ad Tracker

The ad tracker was originally developed to provide a record of all hits to a site resulting from ad placements. This article shows a host of different ways to utilise an ad tracker. FOR AFFILIATES #1. The Long Url Problem Have you ever seen an ad where you are asked to click on an affiliate URL so long that it stretches over 2 lines, like this http://www/anysite.com/cgi-bin/dir1/dir2/.cgi?code=. . .

Wise Man Marketing

It’s a sunny morning and you’re sitting in your office. With a cup of hot coffee by your side and memories of your last holiday still fresh in your mind, even if you say so yourself, today at least, life is sweet.You take a sip of new blend coffee and then feel a rush of cool air and a movement catches the corner of your eye. As if from nowhere there is now an impeccably dressed stranger sittin. . .

Good Relationships = Sales!

Do you ever feel like you don’t have what it takes to be a great salesperson? We can all sell; it’s just a matter of finding your style. You don’t have to be a liar or a cheat; in fact you will receive more sales by being honest.As women, many of us are taught by our mothers and by society not to be passionate, and not to ask outright for what we want. We are taught to acquiesce to others’ n. . .

10 Words That Can Have A Huge Effect

1. Use the word "fast" in your ad. People want fastresults, fast delivery, fast ordering, etc. Nowadays,we usually value our time more than our money.2. Use the word "guaranteed" in your ad. Peoplewant to be assured they are not risking their hardearned money buying your product.3. Use the word "limited" in your ad. People wantto own or receive things that are exclusive or rarebecause they are . . .

Religion and Online Marketing – The 21st Century Pulpit

While many industries are just getting up to speed in the world of internet marketing people like Rodney Sampson, founder of the World Christian Times, is running, not walking, down the path of real time internet promotions. Recently Mr. Sampson started working with a leading online marketing agency, In Touch Media Group (www.InTouchMediaGroup.com), to begin promoting the World Christian Times,. . .

Are You Guilty Of Interruption Marketing?

You muted the commercials on the TV last night because you were fed up with interruption marketing. Ditto if you went through your mail to find most of it is junk. Ditto again, if a stranger phoned you (usually at dinner time) asking you to answer a survey, or give to yet another worthy cause. Interruption marketing does just that. It interrupts you, and steals your time. And it is the darl. . .

Does Your Marketing Plan Need Changing?

Change is good, right? Not always. But when is it bad? Is it a question of good or bad? Sounds philosophical. Maybe it is.Philosophize on this…why would one take something that is going good – no.. great – and change it? Obvious answer is to make it better. Not!In business or in marketing, change is not always good. When you have certain promotional actions that are in place making things happe. . .

How To Attract More Leads

One northern Manitoba February, Bert, a new AA convert, was driving me from Flin Flon to The Pas to work with another agent. Bert's enthusiasm for AA bubbled throughout the trip, and I learned many things that helped me improve my life. One was that "You've got to give it away to keep it". To Bert, at the time, this meant spread the AA philosophy. To me, it meant the sharing of all ideas. It . . .

Increase Repeat Business And Referrals With Direct Mail

So you have been writing mortgages like crazy now for the last few years. You have a pretty big database of customers and hopefully you have been getting and keeping full contact information for them. An organized database is the first key to customer retention.The next step is to put together a direct mail campaign to keep these customers thinking about you when they think about mortgages. It . . .

7 Keys to Turning Cold Calls Into Warm Calls

Let’s face it when it comes to cold calling many of us fear being rejected. What if I was to tell you I have come up with 7 keys to turning your cold calls into warm calls? Would you believe me?Try these 7 cold calling ideas for yourself and see just how easy making a cold call can really be.1. Change Your Mental Objective Before You Make Your CallWhen making a cold call the traditional wa. . .

Not Tracking Your Clicks? You're Competition is...

In this article we will discuss the importance web site tracking and explain to you why it is so important to pay attention your current web traffic. Understanding what your visitors do on your site is crucial information, not to mention interesting. For example, I continuously track what happens once my prospects hit my Emerald Passport site http://www.joinemeraldpassport.com since it makes me. . .

Can your Powerpoint Presentation Rival TV Advertising?

Do you ever wonder why some PowerPoint Presentations are so much better than others? Why do some have amazing powers of persuasion, while others simply bore you to death? TV commercials use these marketing strategies to hold and fascinate their viewers. You can too, if you follow these tried and proven techniques.Step 1: Kaboom Them Into Waking Up!Ever noticed how most presentations start with,. . .

Outdoor Advertising – How It Could Work For You

Of the £16,777m spent on advertising last year in the UK, 5.05% was spent on outdoor advertising – almost £850m (Source : Advertising Association/WARC). That’s more than was spent on radio advertising (3.24%), consumer magazine advertising (4.88%), cinema advertising (0.95%), and internet advertising (3.56%). It’s therefore no secret that outdoor advertising works, but what relevance is that fo. . .

7 Top Marketing Tips To Put You Ahead Of The Game

1. Publish an ezine. You'll be able to capture more sales, increase your traffic, and cash in by selling ad space to your visitors and subscribers. Publishing an ezine can also open up more joint venture opportunities for you. For example, you could boost your sales by swapping ezine ads, thank you page ads, or recommendations with publishers whose ezines reach your target market. 2. Increase t. . .

What To Say When The Media Calls

Nothing makes sales take off like media saying good things about you. Thousands, even millions, of people hear a media source they know and trust explain why your business is good.You never know when media are going to call. The customer who just left delighted with your product may happen to live next door to a newspaper reporter looking for a story. When some people feel gratitude, they autom. . .

Body Language, Five Key Ingredients

When making your living in the sales industry, and working with people, it is important to not only get your point across verbally, but you want to allow for your body language to send a clear message as well.Your body language consists of many key ingredients, but here are the five that are considered to be the most important, along with a description and a few tips to improve your skills.1. E. . .

Using Business and Greeting Cards Effectively

Business cards and greeting cards almost go hand in hand when being used for marketing and business purposes. With a few exceptions. One is bigger than the other, and needs a postage stamp in order to get to it’s desired location, as opposed to the business card which is handed directly to a person or dropped into a fish bowl in the hopes of winning an office party.Here are a few tips on how to. . .

Making Money On eBay Can Be So Simple, Just Let Somebody ...

OK, so you've been bitten by the eBay bug!You've ransacked the attic, the basement and every other room in your home to find things to sell on eBay.When friends and neighbors ask you where everything has gone, you tell them that you're going for the "Minimalist Look".You've attended every Yard Sale in the area and some a lot further away.Now your garage is so full of junk your thinking of havin. . .

Aikido and The Art of Selling

Imagine being in a crowded concert or bar. All of a sudden, a fight breaks out between two men who've had too much to drink.You happen to be a few steps away, and the next thing you know, one of the men turns to you and looks as if he's going to take a swing at you.What's your first instinct? Most of us will do one of two things. We'll either try to step away, or we'll raise our arms to deflect. . .

How To Produce The PERFECT Viral Ebook

Viral marketing is probably the number one method for generating traffic and sales - IF it is set up properly. Take the case of a viral ebook - which means a book that can be passed from one person to another bringing benefits (profits) for each party in turn. How is this achieved ? The basic concept is that the book contains links to affiliate products. When a reader of the book makes a purcha. . .

People Pleasing Postcards

Why are more retail jewelers turning to full-color postcards as a key form of promotion? The biggest reason is the simplest: You don’t have to open a postcard. It won’t get lumped in with all the direct mail envelopes that people toss without opening.If the postcard shows a very glossy, well-photographed picture of attractive jewelry, the recipient will very likely look at the picture and turn . . .

10 Elements Every Direct Mail Piece Should Have

Don’t want your direct mail to end up in the trash with the rest of the unread mail? Studies show an effective direct mail campaign should draw a .5 to 1 percent response. These 10 tips will help you get the results you want:1. A clear, bold headline. On the envelope or front of the mailer there should be one central message. The best way to achieve that is with a bold, clear headline that’s no. . .

Tips For Evocative, Distinctive Company Names

As the sponsor of a Name-This-Company Contest, I’ve been watching suggestions come in by the dozens every day. Unfortunately, the great majority of names submitted so far do not pass “go.” A good company name is not only catchy and evocative, but also pronounceable, spellable and not likely to backfire because of unsavory associations.Since the contest offers a prize of $100 for the best busine. . .

Quiz: What Kind of “Sales Shoe” Are You?

Have you ever wondered what type of saleswoman you are? It doesn’t matter if you run your own company or sell for someone else – it is extremely important to know what your style is. What does The Sales Diva mean here? Well – let me throw my high heel on my desk here and I will explain.Are You a “Shoe-In” With Your Customers?The most important aspect of selling is to understand and relate to y. . .

Best Selling Book Secrets

You finally did it. You got that book written and published. But if you want to make sure your new baby is launched happily into the world, your work has just begun. Now, it's your job to get it in the hands of the people you wrote it for! If you have a publisher to help, that's great, but if you want to be the author of a best seller, here are a few tips.Befriend BooksellersIf you have a publi. . .

Top Ten Getting Started Tips to Market your Book and Busi...

Want to sell a lot more books? Want clients calling every day to find out more about your service? Most emerging businesses forget the #1 way to promote anything--the Internet. Specifically, writing and submitting articles. These ten Tips will help you write a winning article that top ezines and Web sites will want to publish.1. Include your non-fiction book's chapter how to's or your fiction’s. . .

Top Seven Ways to Write An Order-Pulling Sales Letter

Ready to put your Web pages up? Ready to sell a lot more products and services? If you're not getting the sales, you want you may want to think "makeover." Whether you're just starting or doing a web makeover, you need to Power Write your sales letters.Before you call your Web master to design your web site, you want to be sure you have great sales copy for each product or service you want to . . .

The Magic Three Ingredients for Web Marketing

Who doesn't want more web traffic (targeted traffic) to come to your site to eventually buy your product or service?Maybe you are a newbie or non-techie like me, and while this sounds good, you have some resistance. You aren't sure who to trust, who to believe.Will I have to spend a lot of money?Will the program really work?Will I have to spend a lot of time?Will I have to learn something new?W. . .

The Never Ending Sale

Once you have added a new customer to your book of business, plan on keeping that customer until you have all of their business, and the business of their family and friends.This way you can ensure having their business forever.When working as a branch manager a few years back, I was never satisfied with a customer portfolio until I had the complete wallet share of their business.By wallet shar. . .

Sharpening Your Sales Skills

Making a living in sales can be very rewarding, however, it can also be tough at times. That is why it is very important to stay on top of your game at all times.Making a sale doesn’t happen by accident or by luck, the sale is made because the person doing the selling has done a good job of explaining and representing their products.Here are a few activities that will help you and your co-worke. . .

The 9 WORST Internet Marketing Mistakes

Have you ever wondered how can you possibly figure out how to market your Internet business when you’re bombarded with so much conflicting information? Lots of how to advice applies to many online businesses.But avoiding common marketing mistakes will work for EVERY business. If you make even ONE of these mistakes, you’re leaving money on the table.Have you ever wondered how can you possibly fi. . .

The Most Profitable Internet Marketing Strategy Ever

So what's the most profitable internet marketing strategy you can apply to your business right now and start profiting from it for years to come?It's having your own responsive mailing list.Here's how it works:You CAN start today by collecting the names and email addresses of people who's interested in what you're selling. And start selling it to them.There is no doubt about it, owning a respon. . .

How To Use Direct Response Card Decks To Fine Tune Your M...

Market research specialists have discovered a new tool which enables them to quickly identify target market cells, measure buyer acceptance, test new product or service concepts quickly and inexpensively and survey market characteristics...the Direct Response Card Deck.For two to four cents per contact, the researcher can now gather market intelligence from both specialized vertical markets (la. . .

Turning Your Services into a Product

One of the biggest challenges in selling professional services is that what you are offering is intangible. Your product can't be seen, touched, or tasted. Until your prospective clients experience what you do, they have no way of knowing if it will turn out, whether they will like it, and how well it will work in their situation. To make a buying decision, the client must first trust that your. . .

Needs Based Selling

I am sure you are familiar with the phrase, “I could sell ice cubes to an Eskimo.” First, allow me to personally congratulate anyone out there who has sold ice cubes to an Eskimo, for I believe this to be quite a difficult task to accomplish.You would have to be one heck of a sales person to accomplish this, but why would anyone waste their time selling somebody something they didn’t need?First. . .

Three Ways to Increase Mortgage Applications

If you are in the mortgage business, the very first thing you need before you can get anywhere, is an application.I spent years working in the mortgage industry, and my goal was to close one loan per week.Monday through Friday I would find myself a spot in the back of the office where I could pound out my phone calls from 5:30pm until 8pm every night. My daily goal was to take at least three ap. . .

Top 7 Tips for New Businesses

The marketing decisions you make for your new business are the most important part of making your business a success. Marketing is about building a strong presence, name recognition and credibility through various methods. Here are 7 things you can do to get a new business off the ground.All of the time and money you invest in getting your business off the ground is wasted if you don’t make the. . .

Expert Qualities in Sales

If you went to see your doctor, and he mentioned a particular over the counter drug to you, or a particular type of food that was healthy, chances are, you would listen to this advice, than go out and buy the product.Why is it that when a doctor recommends a product, people buy it without any hesitation, without talking it over with their spouse, and without asking any questions.The main reason. . .

Breaking The Chains!

Ways for Independent Businesses To Compete With Corporate AmericaEveryday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos, print and electronic ads from huge corporations. With annual ad budgets that are more than our businesses' SALES in an entire year, our small independent businesses are getting squeezed out of consumers minds (and wallets) more and more each year. But th. . .

Capturing the Craft Show Market

Finding the right product to sell at a craft show is extremely important in finding success on the craft show circuit. You may already have an excellent craft product or line of products you are creating or even selling, or you may be looking for a craft to produce in order to enter the business. In either case, market research is going to help you find a craft show product that you can produce. . .

People Are Not Interested In You Or Your Company

Does your Web site talk about your company? Yes, I know, it's your company Web site! But the last thing it should talk about is your company. Yes, I'm sure you're all cool, interesting people, with fantastic skills, but trust me, that's not what you need to lead with on your Web site - or mailing or brochure.*The bigger the corporate, the less likely they're even going to blink an eyelid*There'. . .

Marketing Hasn’t Changed In Over 100 Years!

You might think I am crazy – but it is true. Marketing hasn’t changed one, single bit in the last 100 years. Selling is still selling. And advertising is still advertising.About the only difference is the past 100 years is the means of delivery. We now have the Internet to advertise whereas before we only had magazines, books and flyers. Instantaneous gratification can be achieved by adver. . .