Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

How To Write LOADS Of Killer Bullets In Your Sales Copy!

Today I want to plow through some more of the "5 Ways ToGive Your Prospects A Much-Needed Break!"Yesterday, we talked about using sub-headlines throughoutyour sales copy, and how to leverage them to boost yoursales -- taking advantage of both the "aesthetic" componentof them -- and the "psychological" component ofsub-headlines as well.Let's take a look at some more techniques you can use:2. Us. . .

Why Your Spelling Doesn't Matter

Do you find it strange that I'm a writer and yetoccasionally, you'll find simple words in my daily e-mailmessages, and the spelling of them is completely wrong?Know why this happens (besides the fact that I'm not a big"spelling" fan?The answer is simple: First, sometimes misspelling a wordevery now-and-again makes you look more "human", andanything you can do to make yourself more human, also . . .

Attention Deficit Sales Letter Disorder

For any marketer, attention is a precious commodity. With consumers bombarded with thousands of advertising messages each day the question of how to make your message stand out of the crowd becomes even more critical.Any successful sales letter must accomplish two things:1. It must sell the prospect on reading the sales message all the way through2. It must lead the prospect to the most desired. . .

Eleven Dos And Donts For Getting Free Radio Exposure

Sure fire ways to increase your chances of getting on the air. 1. Become familiar with the program. Listen (if you can) over a period of several days to get a feel for the tone of the show and determine how you would fit in as a guest. 2. Don't call the producer or show host at random to schedule an interview. They are busy and view unsolicited telephone calls as annoyances. 3. Email them. Use . . .

When "Less" Is More... When It Comes To Writing Your Sale...

Today we're going to wrap up our discussion about these 5critical copywriting techniques you must be using in "5 WaysTo Give Your Prospects A Much-Needed Break!"O.K.?Let's just go over the 3 items we've already discussed:1. Writing compelling sub-headlines, strategically placedthroughout your sales copy! You must use at LEAST one per written page.2. Using compelling bullets to firmly and conf. . .

How To Build A Booth Specifically Targeted for Each Trade...

With so many different trade show booth options out there, it can literally make your head spin. They all have their advantages-and disadvantages. How do you know which is best for you?Well, a portable trade show booth is perhaps the best of all worlds. Portable trade show booths are generally cost much less than permanent trade show booths or rentals. Not only are they less expensive than. . .

The Simplest Solution To Customer Satisfaction

“Thank you for calling XYZ Company. Your call is important to us but not important enough for us to answer it. Please hold for eternity or leave a message and a representative will contact you as soon as it is convenient for us.” If you’ve ever used the telephone to contact a business you can relate to the frustration that can result from voice mail or automated answering services. Undoubtedly,. . .

Why Santa's Marketing Works Better Than Yours

Santa Claus Inc. is well and profitable, right through recessions, depressions and just about any economic scenario. The reason why his marketing strategies work better than yours, is because he uses solid, dyed-in-the-wool psychology. He knows he doesn't have to use new fangled techniques, when his simple marketing has stood the test of time. If you don't believe in Santa, you'd better change . . .

Answer THIS Quick or You’ll Lose Money

Imagine my excitement.I had just signed up for an online advertising service that promised to drive a number of eager eyeballs to my new website.I dutifully paid the monthly subscription fee through PayPal and followed the instructions the vendor gave on his Thank You Page to have him activate my account. I sent the email to the specific address he gave and I waited for a response.And I waited.. . .

Pitching to Reporter vs. Editor

A pitch tells a story. What is essential is not how you send a pitch but to whom.Find out, the most effective print or broadcasting media for your story. Determine how the organization works, who farms out assignments. Every journalist has preferences for receiving news releases and pitches. Knowing the format and method could make a world of difference. Pitching is effective if you know, whom . . .

Alex Tew Dashes to The Million Dollar Homepage Finish Line

Have you ever seen a great idea and said to yourself: “I wished I’d thought of that?”Well, just when you thought there weren’t any more new ideas in online advertising and marketing, along comes Alex Tew, a 21-year old college student from the UK who came up with the brilliant idea of turning website pixels into prime online internet advertising space.Ok. Maybe you’re saying to yourself “So Wha. . .

23 Secrets That Cement Client Loyalty

Loyalty is built on the Value/Price Equation. It says: A client will stay loyal to you as long as he believes the value of the services he receives is greater than the fee he pays. Other things are important, too, but if you don't deliver value that is greater than your fee, you will never earn your client's loyalty.A client will stay loyal to you as long as he believes the value of the service. . .

Avoid Direct Mail Suicide with Postcard Magnet Mailers

Keep your direct mail from going directly to the trash can by sending a postcard magnet mailer. Stand out from the competition, get long term quality exposure and increase sales with one powerful, affordable product.On their 10 year anniversary American Printing & Promotions, Inc. launched www.postcardmagnet.com to make business owners aware of postcard magnet mailers: a powerful direct mail al. . .

What SEO Copywriting Is… and Isn't

I've been frustrated lately. It seems people just don't get it. There's lots of talk about SEO copywriting these days, but hardly any of it is on target. The majority of the conversations, posts and articles I've seen deal with topics like keyword density, allowable limits, over optimization and such. These people are making search engine copywriting all about the search engines. They are . . .

What is the Rich Jerk eBook and Why Should You Care?

How many schemes have you seen before that promise you millions made without a dime of investment or an hour of work?Every time I see another internet scam or " look alike" I'm reminded of countless times fiends would invite me over to their house after work for some sort of gathering or "product party" These programs and the myriad of other "GET RICH QUICK" or "BE YOUR OWN BOSS" tactics just d. . .

Growing Your Small Business

Growing Your Small Business by Daryl Des MaraisWhere do you find more customers? How do you compete with bigger businesses? Answer. Build loyalty and rewards. You may not have the money to spend on advertising like your competitors do but you don't need it. What you need is added exposure, added exposure that costs little or none.One of the best ways is referrals. Getting referrals from your cu. . .

Marketing Basics

Rifle ApproachThe least expensive marketing approach is the rifle. Businesses that choose this approach are able to select their target market (niche group). Developing a compelling message to address the audience is the next step. In some circles, this is 'Direct Marketing'.Identify the target market's lifestyle and demographic related markets for your business. The target market could con. . .

How to Create Marketing Copy Your Visitor's Can't Stop Re...

Like most solo professionals, you can't afford to sell yourself with hype. You want to create a friendly conversation with website visitors so you'll attract clients.But a website that doesn't attract and hold attention tends to grow cobwebs. It looks sleepy!And research shows, over and over, that long copy sells better than short copy.So how you do create long messages that don't set your visi. . .

Send Donation Thank-You Letters, Cards and Notes Quickly.

The most important thing about your donation thank-you letters is not what you say or how you say it but how quickly you say it.According to Stephen Hitchcock in Open Immediately!, for many donors, a brief thank-you note pre-printed with just the amount and date of the gift can be more effective than long-winded thank-you letters that arrive long after the donor mailed you a gift.Your gift ackn. . .

What is Pixel Promotion All About?

There exists a new type of advertising that is going great. Watch out, it could be the next most prominent event since Google Adsense. At present, site owners expend immense amounts of money in order to get visitors to their web page. They try pay per click ads, banner ads, popup ads, and a hundred other, often nefarious, methods of acquiring traffic. The newest way of attracting visitors has b. . .

Marketing: What You Really Need Vs. What You Think You Want

Clients approach me all the time saying, “Tell me what I need to do to market my services.” I ask, “What do you mean?” They say, “Tell me how to blog/podcast/what to say on my website,” (fill in your own specific here). That’s when I know they lack the one thing without which they’ll never really make it.It’s easy to hung up on details. Marketing advice often makes it even more enticing, promis. . .

Team Spirit Built From the Top

Team Spirit Built From the TopTeam spirit is the catalyst every organization needs to achieve outstanding performance. Strategic plans, marketing, technology and capital investment are clearly important, but emotional commitment of the people using the tools and executing the plans is what determines whether companies sink or soar. Too often, clients and customers have their expectations raised. . .

Marketing Research Evolves – Paid Surveys Come Of Age

Up until the 20th century, buying and selling was simple. Businesses were largely local which allowed for a close relationship between suppliers and consumers. Competition was non-existent and the opinion of consumers was felt to be irrelevant. The rapid advancements during the Industrial Revolution quickly changed business operations from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market. Early marketing. . .

Be The "Authority" And They WILL Buy From You!

Here's a fact about human behavior that can be very useful to you in life, especially in business and marketing.Most people are "followers." They are not leaders. They would rather be "led" than followed.It's true. People do secretly want to be led. And they will easily follow someone who they believe can be a good leader, someone who knows what they're doing, someone who is the "authority" on . . .

How A Beginner Could Choose A Suitable Affiliate Program ...

If you are new to online business, like I used to be, the fastest way to start your Internet online business is by becoming an affiliate to sell some one else's products because it allows you to make money from your website visitors without having to worry about shipping and payment processing. The products from the affiliate owners are usually information products such as electronic books (eBo. . .

Business Names Do Matter, Norm Brodsky

In the November 2005 issue of Inc. magazine, Norm Brodsky wrote: "Your company's name plays little, if any, role in determining your success." I agree completely that a company with a bad or mediocre name can reach success. However, here are 10 reasons why coming up with a snappy, interesting and memorable name is worth the business owner's or organization's time and energy. 1. When you call or. . .

Put Your Logo On The Map With Promotional Coffee Mugs

Crazy for Promotional Coffee MugsIf you’re looking for a way to get your logo seen and your business in the public eye, consider investing in promotional coffee mugs. Presented as gifts to clients, or as part of a marketing blitz, promotional coffee mugs can help you in spreading the word about your enterprise. More noticeable than pens, and more universal than golf balls, coffee mugs can be us. . .

Catalog Design Essentials

Catalogs have been continuously advancing and designs are getting outrageous. Good catalogs should look enticing and pleasing in order to sell out. In order to come up with the greatest designs for your catalog should follow some simple rules. Following certain rules will help make your catalog look outrageous and perfect.First is by placing a strong design that will be prominent and noticeable. . .

Choosing the Best Catalog Printing Methods

Catalogs are characteristically presented or processed in many special ways. Catalog printing depends upon the ease of use of the materials and equipments for use. It can also be based upon the reassurance and easiness of the printer and the customer as well.The first is the Web Press which is the kind of offset press that utilizes rolls of paper slightly than making use of sheets of paper. Thi. . .

A Website Without Online Marketing: A Fruitless Tree

Have you quit your day job and invested time and money into your own online business? Are you wondering where those promised visitors and the profit from them have gotten stuck? Then read on before your precious investment is fully wasted. Nowadays, many people save money to quit their day jobs in hopes of achieving their own customized version of the American Dream by starting what is commonly. . .

Business and the Successful Entrepreneur — Personality Tr...

Every year over 400,000 people start a business with the hope of being a successful entrepreneur in the UK alone. Clearly the number started globally must run into millions. Unfortunately only 20% of those companies will survive long enough to celebrate their 5th anniversary and only 20% of those will survive long enough to celebrate their 10th anniversary.To save you doing the math, only 4% of. . .

Advertising Online Websites Using Traditional Print Ads

Ever think about advertising online websites using print ads? No? Don’t fret. Most people haven’t thought about it. Most people don’t do this. But if you have a website that’s well written (contains great sales copy, that is) then maybe you should.Before we discuss the specifics of advertising online websites using print ads, let’s talk about why you’d want to do it. All websites like to . . .

Affiliate Marketing? Are You Serious?

Today thousands of new home-business entrepreneurs -- people from all walks of life -- are coming online in droves and finding out that Online Affiliate Marketing is a great way to start a home business.Online Affiliate Marketing is a fabulous way to make money! No Matter Who You Are or What Level of Experience You Have in ANY Other Profession! It Works and it works Great!Have you ever spoken o. . .

Advertising Agencies Need for Search Engine Skills

Traditional advertising agencies are beginning to embrace the need for search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). The search engine marketing industry has developed into a billion dollar industry and clients expect their agencies to get them involved. Ad agencies are now chasing the increased revenue generated by search engines.In the past advertising agencies tended . . .

Hit the Nail on the Head—Effective PR

Public relations entail media relations, creation of press releases, copywriting and making of brochures/catalogues, advertising, and sponsorship. Whether you have a home based business, a freelance service provider, or run a small firm/ business, you will need to ensure that the world knows you exist and what you have to offer. When you don’t have a large budget to hire professionals, you can,. . .

Catalog Printing Process – A Masterpiece

If you want to design a catalog, you should have some exceptional and significant points to consider. Of course designing is the first requirement in catalog printing but earlier, what you should consider are the products that you will include in your catalog. Some products may not be helpful at all. There are products that will need to be grouped or categorized. Keeping your list sorted makes . . .

7 No Cost Tips to Market Your Business

Marketing a business can be fun, exciting and creative. It can also be very frustrating and expensive if one doesn’t know what outcome they are looking for or how to evaluate cost effective methods of marketing. Over the years people have come to know me for my unique ability to develop low cost and no cost strategies to market and promote a business, product or service. Strategies that have re. . .

The REAL Reason Why Old School Selling, Still Works... Ev...

Many people foolishly believe because they're using the "internet", you no longer have to "sell" -- that the intenet "does it all for you".Nothing could be further from the truth.See, the internet is just another selling media, like directmail... display ads... postcards... whatever.This story shows you what selling is really all about. Ihope you enjoy it and find a way to use it sometime in . . .

The Right Way... And The Wrong Way... To Start Your Sales...

Most people really struggle with figuring out how to start their sales letters. Today I'm going to show you the right way... and the wrong way to start your sales letters so you don't mix things up and wind up losing any sales, O.K.?We're going to start ripping apart that direct-responead I found right here in little old Lutz, in my localnewspaper.(And by-the-way, that's pronounced "Loots", . . .

Search Engine Marketing & Keyword Consulting

Search engines seem to be all the rage these days. Internet users want easy accessibility to various sites for shopping, entertainment, business, etc. And the best way to do this is with the help of search engines like Google, Yahoo, or Overture. So, how do advertisers get their listings on these ever-popular sites? Google and Overture, the two major players in search engine marketing, offer tw. . .

The Right Marketing Tool For You

If you have a business to promote, you may want a marketing tool. But what is the best marketing tool for you? What marketing tool is widely used? Some of you may be asking what a marketing tool is. There are answers to these questions.A marketing tool is something that a business uses to promote its product or service. This can be done through various means. But the main one is advertisi. . .

The Advantages of SEO Training

It is estimated that at least 340 million people use search engines to find products and services every day. That's a lot of people. The top search engines use link popularity to decide which sights come up first when you do a search. Wouldn't it be nice if your website came up at the top of the list? It is a possibility with search engine optimization, or SEO. With the right SEO training,. . .

Making Yourself Memorable: Create a Stunning PowerPoint P...

Did you know that using a PowerPoint presentation can be one of the most effective ways to address a large group of people? With such a variety of learning styles, using a visual presentation allows you to reach a large group of people – particularly those who need to see it to believe it. What better way than to create a stunning PowerPoint presentation?Have the data, but lacking that polish. . .

To Make More Sales, Try Making More Friends

"Learn to love, respect and enjoy other people." -- Dale CarnegieIn 1936, Dale Carnegie published "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Since then, his book has sold more than 15 million copies and is widely credited as being the first book in the modern self-help genre.The core of Carnegie's simple philosophy is that one of the greatest human needs is to feel important. If you want to win. . .

Comparing Publicity: Submitting Articles Online, PressRel...

Your audience online awaits information from you. That's why they visit Web sites related to their interest area. With that in mind, know that writing and submitting articles is the number one Online publicity and promotion game around. You already know that a great Web site with a lot of content keeps pulling your visitors back for more information. Maybe you don't know that to get your target. . .

24 Tips On How To Produce The Best Advertisement Layout

1. Put your attention getting message in the second quarter down the page. This is consistently the place where people look first. 2. If you are going to use a picture, place it in the top quarter of the page, above the headline. 3. Every advertisement should use the AIDCA structure; Attention getting message | Interest | Desire | Conviction | Action 4. For a one page brochure stick to the AI. . .

Top Nine Essential "Hot-Selling Points" To Pre-Market you...

Every part of your book can be a sales tool. When you include the below tips, you will have a roadmap to follow to keep your writing organized and compelling, and you'll sell more books than you ever dreamed of!1. Write for your one preferred audience. Not everyone wants your book. Find out what audience wants/needs your book? What problems does your book solve for them? Create an audience prof. . .

Banner Design: Do It Like A Pro

Imagine this - you were talking to your friend about a new product launched by an already established company in the market. You learned about this new product when you were surfing the net but the problem is you cannot remember the name of the product. You tried every possible way you can think of to remember that name but your brain won’t cooperate. And then you remember seeing this leaf-like. . .

Benifits of Mini Web Sites

If you are looking to earn money working from home, Mini Web Sites are a great way to run your own business. Usually these are simple one or two page sites that are designed for selling a single product. A mini web site is basically a sales letter that is designed to convert viewers into buyers, it is there to provide some information about the product, but most importantly to explain how you c. . .

How To Create An Effective Email Marketing Campaign

Email marketing is a cheap, efficient way to spread the word about a product or service. While a large number of companies have started to embrace email marketing as a key weapon in their promotional efforts, very few do it the right way. Here are some tips to ensure your campaign is successful.1. No image only emails - Many people create an exciting graphic and then don’t include any text in t. . .