Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Keep One Ear to the Ground: Essentials for the Internatio...

Doing business in the global marketplace requires exhibiting overseas. Participating in international shows helps establish your company’s presence as a global player, and is perhaps the single most valuable tool in forging new, valuable relationships with your foreign counterparts.But there is an element of risk in international exhibiting. While the United States enjoys a relatively high le. . .

Warning: Objects Within Your Browser Window Are Smaller T...

Is your internet window showing objects (companies) that seem larger than they appear? I think so. The Internet not only has allowed us to market to the world but it also has allowed many companies to hide their true nature and size.Some Consumers Want To Work With Large Companies:Many companies out there try to make themselves seem larger than they appear and sometimes they do this on purpose.. . .

Secrets to Getting More Customers

During some point in the business development cycle, every business owner asks themselves the following question: How do I attract more customers who will spend more money and bring me more profits? Most business owners are not in business to provide charity and they need some way of attracting more customers who will spend money. Customer acquisition is the name for getting customers, and it i. . .

Local Search Marketing Makes The Phone Ring!

Local Search Marketing provides you, the business owner, with the most targeted and cost effective customer acquisition opportunity.Your customers are more and more often searching for businesses like yours on the Internet. Studies show that these customers have a serious buying intent. As a local business you need to figure out how to cost effectively reach out to these customers and start t. . .

Search Engine Marketing and Toolbars

Website Marketing - Google ToolbarThe Google Toolbar is extremely helpful in finding information on pagerank and other important factors concerning Google, it's cache (last viewing) of your site, and directory information.The Google Toolbar is free and can be downloaded here: http://toolbar.google.comWebsite Research - Alexa ToolbarThe Alexa Toolbar seems to be a great tool for website related . . .

Benefits Of Corporate Gift Giving Can Never Be Understated

Why purchase corporate gifts? The benefits of corporate gift giving can never be understated! Highly successful businesses understand the importance of branding. To achieve that well sorted after branding, resources are poured into marketing, which will lead us to corporate gift giving!Corporate gifts can be broadly categorized into internal and external branding. Internal branding can be achie. . .

Your Website Is Beautiful - But Where Are The Profits?

Most new e-business owners realize they need a website that looks professional. But how elaborate do you need to be? How much energy, creativity and money should you invest so that visitors gasp, “Wow – what a beautiful website?”Experienced business owners know: Your goal is to create a website that sells, not a site that wins the electronic version of Miss Universe. Most of the time you’ll w. . .

AdSense Tips For Bloggers

If you have joined the blogging revolution that is sweeping the net, and you think you might want to make a little revenue – or a lot of revenue – from your blogging efforts, you need AdSense tips for bloggers. Blogging has opened up an entirely new way of how non-technical people interact with the Internet, and now, anyone can publish anything about any topic – without having a website – and a. . .

What's So Great About Popup Displays

PopUp Displays are currently the most common form of low priced trade show and event display. A Popup Display is not a trade show "booth" as much as it is a backdrop or background wall for your display area. A popup display normally has only two main components, with two or three other optional accessories. The most substantial part of a popup display is the folding frame which is normally made. . .

Email Marketing Manners 101: Clearing Your Inbox By Forwa...

This week I received an email message entitled to Stephen. Since my name isn’t Stephen, and I am not even a guy, it got my attention. Seems that a well-meaning customer service rep at a company I deal with decided that the way to answer my help request was to pawn me off on someone else.I understand that one person at a company can’t do everything but what are you really saying when:*You receiv. . .

Email Marketing Lesson: RSS Feed Marketing Is Coming To A...

Everywhere you look these days people are talking about RSS Feeds. Now the stakes are even higher because traditional ‘Email Marketing’ messages via RSS Feeds are coming to a customizable webpage or browser near you.I think the idea is pretty nifty however I am wondering how long it will take to be mainstream.Should marketers take notice? Yes, marketing messages through RSS Feeds should be some. . .

Email Marketing Lesson: The Easiest Way To Make Your Emai...

If you grasp today's lesson with clarity and apply the principles to your future Email Marketing campaigns I know you will not only be sporting a spring in your step but your wallet will need to be expanded as well. Oh, and I almost forgot, mastering these principles won't take a lot of your time and it isn't hard to learn. After today's lesson you will understand the easiest way to make your E. . .

Email Marketing Lesson: Privacy Policies and Email Marketing

For those of you who know me you’ve gotten the message that I am passionate about customer privacy. What kind of an Email Marketer would I be if I wasn’t?First off, if you don't have a privacy policy on your website stop reading this Email Marketing article and get one. I mean it, it is important.If you do have a privacy policy, here are some things you will want to make sure your privacy polic. . .

Email Marketing 101: I Think Your Form Just Ate My Email ...

I signed up for an e-newsletter today - at least I hope that is what happened. I am actually not entirely sure. I was going about my day and thought I would go to the website of one of the major political parties in Canada and signup for their e-newsletter.Unlike our cousins to the south Canadians head to the polls quite frequently because no one really knows who they want to lead the country a. . .

How To Write Better Sales Copy: The One (And Only) Proven...

There's an old joke that goes something like this: A man is walking down 7th Avenue in Manhattan and he asks a stranger "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" The stranger tips his hat and politely says, "Practice... Practice... Practice." Now there are a couple of things I know about: First of all, I do, in fact, know exactly what it takes to get to Carnegie Hall, because I played there in 1976, a. . .

When To "Dump" A Prospect -- Immediately!

There are some people who will absolutely never ever succeed. Let me tell you a little story about one of them: I was going through some feedback forms from one of my client's recent seminars. My client's a successful info-marketer in the real estate area... a VERY sharp guy when it comes to knowing how to completely avoid paing income taxes... and he also owns a bank. No doubt, when this guy o. . .

How To Tap Into Your Prospects Mind!

There are some things you really just "can't" imagine. If you're a man, you just "can't" imagine what it's like to be pregnant. If you've never had to do this before, you really just "can't" imagine what it's like to put your old pet dog down to sleep for good. Trust me, it's one of the saddest things you'll ever have to do. And if you're heterosexual, you just "can't" imagine what it's like be. . .

Market Failures And Business Cycles (Part 2)

Continued from Part 1 ....Something reverse can happen which would be even more damaging than the just discussed case. Instead of Consumption growing at a faster rate than Savings, it might so happen that Savings and Investment grow at a much faster rate than Consumption. For example, prior to Great Depression, the importance of aggregate demand as explained by Keynes was not understood. As a r. . .

Email Marketing 101: Did Your Email Message Grab My Atten...

I have an interesting morning work routine. It’s sort of like a game really.I call it - “which Email Marketing messages will I read today and which Email Marketing messages will I delete without reading?”orDid Your Email Message Grab My Attention?I have to play this game because if I read every Email Marketing message I received I would never be able write in this blog, attend to personal hygie. . .

Multilevel Marketing - Benefits & Drawbacks

If you’ve ever dreamed of running your own business from home, whether on a full or part-time basis...and are good with people but have very little business knowledge, then Multilevel Marketing (MLM) may be for you. This is especially true if you have a minimal amount of start-up cash. MLM companies provide a product or service to the consumer via a network of “independent” distributors, who us. . .

5 Steps To Profiting From News Feeds

Looking at News Feeds, you might think they’re some of the most complex things to set up. Nothing could be further from the truth. They’re actually super-easy to create once you have the system set up properly.You can break down the news feed system into a fast, low-cost system that you can do once, or several times over. First I’ll answer a few of your questions about news feeds. Then I’ll rev. . .

5 Things You Must Have to Succeed in Affiliate Marketing

The idea of being mere passengers on a ship meant to sail to the farthest points does not appeal to people who like to put their destiny into their own hands. They have the desire of maneuvering the ships themselves, of being able to be the ones to take it anywhere they want to. Being aboard a ship on its way to a particularly great destination is something each and every one of them dreams o. . .

Email Marketing Lesson: One of the Seven Deadly Sins That...

As I was looking around the Internet this week I was reminded of something that I have seen so many email marketers miss. It's so simple I can't believe anybody does it, but everyday I open my inbox, I see it dozens of times.What is it?-Well it's something that takes about one minute to set up-It's critical to your success as an Email Marketer-If you miss it, your open rate will surely suffer-I. . .

What is YOUR Big Barbie Camper Dream?

Think back to when you were a little kid. Did you have something you really wanted – like I mean – REALLY WANTED for Christmas?For me – it was the Big Barbie Camper.For those of you who have no idea of what I am talking about – this was the Cadillac of all Barbie products – the huge RV camper that had everything in it – stickers for the outside – unbelievable.I drooled over the catalogue pages. . .

Top 10 Marketing Tools

Whether you are an early technology adopter or not, there is no denying that the careful application of certain technology tools can help you more effectively automate your marketing processes.Automation allows you to contact more clients and prospects more frequently with less work - all good things.The following is a list and brief description of my Top 10 Marketing Automation tools. (What go. . .

Email Marketing Lesson: Starbucks, A Sexy Lady, And My Se...

The other day I heard someone at a 6:00 am network meeting proclaim - "I have an ezine!"Still half asleep, and hopped up on my third cup of coffee, my mind raced to try to figure out what he was talking about. I remained silent and sent my best early morning grin the way of the self-declared ezine-ite and knew I had a task for later."What the heck was an ezine?" I thought. It sounded sort of li. . .

The worst networker I have ever met

You might think the worst networker is one who doesn’t bother showing up at networking events. Nope. The worst networker is one who does show up, but leaves such a bad impression, he or she kills any chance of doing business with others in the group. At least the person who stays home has a chance of getting business through other means.True story … My local chamber had an evening mixer at a. . .

Email Marketing Lesson: How To Stop Being A Bore With You...

Let's make sure we understand what constitutes a boring Email message.1.Boring Email Marketing messages don't keep your customer's attention.2.Often, boring Email Marketing messages don't get read.3.More often, boring Email Marketing messages get put right into the delete box.Ouch!But there is something that is worse than all of this.***It makes me sad just to think about it.--Boring Email Mark. . .

Email Marketing Manners 101: The Case Of The Duplicate Fr...

The other day a friend of mine received a rather strange Email Marketing message. What made it even more odd was that this was the second time he had received the identical type of message in just a few weeks.When he told what the Email message said the hair on the back of my neck started to crawl. I got a little freaked out. Was something from the metaphysical trying to send a message to my fr. . .

Free Internet Marketing Methods That Will Save Your Inter...

Best things in life are free, as many would say. This especially holds true with efforts in advertising one's products or services. With free Internet marketing services, one can save a lot. Instead of shelling out for the marketing aspect of your product or services, that chunk of money could be put to other important elements of your business since many information websites now offer knowledg. . .

What Is Wrong With Email Marketing?

Copyright 2005 Peter DoblerIf you are active on the web promoting your products, affiliate programs or services, you probably sense where I’m going with the title of my article. We all put a lot of effort into our internet business. We all have the same hopes and dreams about where our internet business will go. Unfortunately we are all depended on too many variables that have to be just right . . .

How to Cold Call with Integrity

You probably never tell potential clients your real goal in calling them, but you don’t need to. They’re already aware, because we’re all sensitive when the phone rings and it turns out to be someone we don’t know. In the old traditional training, we learned the latest techniques for making a sale. We talk to “prospects” rather than with people. And we “guide” conversations along rather than l. . .

How To Make Use Of Cheap Internet Banner Advertising

For years now, internet banner advertising has captured the World Wide Web for it has become a large help in saving an amount of money while reaching beyond territories. Banner advertising played a major part in market trafficking all over the internet and many individuals and companies have bought themselves these cheap internet banner advertising. Some made use of it financially; others have . . .

How To Profit From Private Label Articles

Free content is great. I love how easy is to enrich a website in minutes republishing free articles written by real expert authors. Furthermore they give me the invaluable ability to profit from niches I really don’t know nothing about. Lately I have been thinking about how to develop my strategy, and I ended thinking about outsource my writing content creation. The only drawback is the difficu. . .

The JV Cassanova

Joint ventures are the key to financial happiness on the internet, and I do believe that they are related to dating - they follow the same structure. Now most people date a few people and then settle down with one person, or into bachelorhood where they "have to do everything all by themselves"; most people find the dating process extremely difficult and nerve racking. Which is why they'd rathe. . .

Three Traffic Tactics That Won't Cost You A Cent

Are you constantly banging your head in frustration on not receiving all the internet traffic you would like to get to your web site? Are you tormented from information overload listening to all the latest free website traffic tactics and not being able to understand any of it? Are you dejected of people trying day and night to harassing you to max out your credit card and get loans for Google . . .

How to Avoid Failure in Your Small Business Advertising

Small business advertising shouldn’t be done like most of the advertising you see on T.V. … or hear on the radio. There ARE exceptions, of course. But for the most part, small businesses shouldn’t do much of the following:1) Institutional advertising (a.k.a. “Madison Avenue” type advertising).2) Public relations or simply publicity seeking.3) Any type of response advertising that's non-measurab. . .

The Ultimate SEO Marketing Guide

SEO is a modern age Internet Marketing Science, which is the success story behind several online portals relating to wide range of online businesses. But the real question is “What is the ultimate SEO marketing Solution?”. This is the question which pops up in the mind of every single business owner across the globe.Before embarking on SEO Marketing, I will take you through different types of m. . .

Jump Start to Distributing Your Viral Report or eBook

Most people recognize two steps in the viral distribution process. Create the product, let others pass the offer along for me. This is the theory behind viral product offers, but the key ingredient is the middle step. Getting the word out so that people can find it, to distribute it for you. This step is often overlooked when planning a viral product distribution system.Assuming you have alread. . .

When To Stop Mailing To Your Prospects

David Dutton, a subscriber of mine from Nashville, Tennessee, wrote in and asked me to "touch on prospecting with direct mail" As you probably know, I love direct mail for loads of reasons, but mostly I love it because you can use it to say anything you want or tell any kind of story you want. There's no limit to the number of pages or words you have to use, and frankly, it's also a very intima. . .

How To Price For Optimum Profit - 5 Steps

One of the greatest problems that businesses face is getting the pricing strategy right. This article explores the three key factors; all companies need to consider when getting this vital element on target. Missing only one of the three can have disastrous consequences. It is important also to realize that the best solution may also not be the cheapest.As with everything, it does not take rock. . .

3 Reasons Why You MUST Use Sub-headlines In Your Sales Copy!

Yesterday, we took a look at how television has influenced American behavior, and the importance of giving your viewers, or in this case, your prospects... a "break" every once in a while when they're reading your sales letters. So, without any further ado, here is part one of "5 Ways To Give Your Prospects A Much-Needed Break!" 1. Make sure you're using sub-headlines throughout your sales pitc. . .

Fishing For Leads - The 5 Steps

If you have a new experience everyday, you will lead a fulfilling life. I had one during my summer holidays, when I went out fishing for mackerel. After the trip, I had an epiphany – I felt I was now able to explain easily, in 5 steps, how small companies can effectively increase their business. We start with an anecdote, which captures the essence of the 5 steps, and hopefully will help you la. . .

How To "Predict" Your Goods And Services Will Sell...Befo...

How would you feel if you got your ass kicked by a frog? Because that's what happened to the new Coldplay CD that just came out over in the UK this week -- it was immediately handed its first setback -- by a frog. Seems that neither 2 years of pent-up demand from fans nor several million dollars worth of promotion by Parlophone records (in the UK) or Capitol EMI (here in the U.S.) could save X . . .

Free Web Site Promotion By Writing Articles

As anyone with a web site knows, site promotion and search engine visibility are very important. The way you go about achieving search engine visibility is up to you, but there is a way of getting quick results that most people overlook. Most people will concentrate their efforts on search engine optimization and once the site is ready for business, some paid advertising. Paid advertising has o. . .

Best Internet Marketing Solutions Without Overspending

The Internet has made this world an open enterprise. It has become important for companies to further expand their market and their consumer targets. Engaging to Internet Marketing maybe a risk for people who wish to be involved with this type of business.Ensure that most of your target consumers will surely acquire your product. Consider the best products which will definitely capture their in. . .

3 Tips to Profit from Writing Articles

Imagine yourself jetting home from a popular conference, with colleagues and potential clients all around you. Now, feel yourself swell with pride as you see them open the Wall Street Journal or the In Flight magazine and read a business article you have bylined. Articles are an excellent way to reach and impress your target market with your knowledge and expertise. Each published article acts . . .

7 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Become A Super Affili...

John is a typical working guy in his early 40's. He works a middle-management job but his prospects for career advancement are slim. Meanwhile, even with his wife working, it is getting harder to make financial ends meet each month. There's always so much month left at the end of the money. John needs to do something...but What? He cannot afford to quit his job but with two teenagers, a. . .

Testimonials--Your Secret Sales Force

Adding the Secret Ingredient to Grow Your Profits!Successful small businesses have more customers, who buy more often and have more loyalty. Yet, when you look closer, these same businesses do not have superior products or services. What secret do they use?Successful small business owners use this secret—plenty of good testimonials. These testimonials become like a powerful sales force for t. . .

Email Marketing Lesson: How To Cure Email Marketing Irreg...

This diary entry is based on real life events.Dear Email Marketing diary,About six months ago, I went for my yearly visit to Dr. E. Newsletter. He poked and prodded and checked to make sure everything was working as it should, then he sat down on his little stool, looked me straight in the eyes and asked:"How is the plumbing?"I blushed, made note of the nearest exit, squirmed on my seat and sai. . .