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Web Marketing Strategies For Home Business Promotion
Fri 18th Aug '00
In this issue:
1. INTRODUCTION
==>Searching habits, news.
2. PLACES TO VISIT
==>Web sites for you to visit.
3. TOOLS AT NOW SELL!
==>Useful tools to make your life easier.
4. VIEWPOINT
==>What's your opinion?
5. MARKETPLACE
==>Check out special offers and deals here.
6. FEATURE ARTICLE
==>"Top 5 of Budget Promotion Online"
by Azam Corry.
Scroll to the end for subscription details.
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Is Your Internet Advertising a deadly Howitzer or a Harmless
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Hello,
Another week has flown by. I don't know about you, but I can
already feel the pressure of making sure I'm prepared for the
winter shopping season. There's just so much to do!
Still, I've completed my latest article for you, but it's the Top
5 budget promotion techniques, not the Top 10 originally planned:
that would have been too long. And before I forget, Biz Bits is
now published Friday night/Saturday morning, depending on where
you live.
I'm including some snippets of news here this week. I miss the
TidBits section we used to have, but I'm not ready to include it
as a regular section again yet. I want to know if you want it.
There's a YES/NO vote at the end. Please take a moment to let me
know your opinion.
Oh, and if you missed the last issue, or you just haven't got
around to doing anything about it - do yourself a favor and find
out about Joe Robson's book on web copywriting, "Make Your Words
Sell!"
I really do think this is the most important book you can buy if
you're working online. Yes, OK ... I know Joe, and yes, I get a
commission if you buy it. But that's my honest opinion.
To promote anything online you have to use words. Joe, assisted
by co-author and publisher, Ken Evoy, teaches you how to get
results. In the most straightforward way imaginable.
Of course, simply reading the book won't transform you into a
skilled copywriter: you have to follow the advice and practice
the lessons. But if you do ... well, let's just say you'll be
very glad you did. Click to take a look now.
BB
Over the past few years, the way consumers have used search
engines has changed dramatically. It has seen a surge in the
number who use questions to satisfy their queries, a sharp
decrease in the number of people who enter multiple keywords, and
a gentle up-turn in the use of single keywords and predefined
options (thestandard.com). Here is the current standing:
METHOD PROPORTION
Multiple keywords 44.8%
One keyword 28.6%
Pre-defined options 17.9%
Question 8.7%
Source: Q1, 2000. NPD New Media Services. 33,000 respondents.
BB
Research from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Internet Advertising
Bureau shows that online ad spending is up 182 percent from the
first quarter of last year, reaching $1.95 billion.
Fifty-two percent of home computers share a room with a radio,
according to a survey by Statistical Research. The firm also
finds that 46 percent of Net users who visited a Web site last
month did so because they heard it mentioned on the airwaves.
Thirteen percent said they go to Web sites at least once a week
because of something heard on a radio commercial, and almost as
many visited a Web site because of something heard on a radio
program. Source: http://www.thestandard.com
FBI Prepping Carnivore Data The Electronic Privacy Information
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,38273,00.html Center
should be receiving details of the FBI's Internet wiretapping
system from the bureau in about a month and a half.
FCC Wiretap Order Overturned
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,38258,00.html
A federal appeals court on wiretapping promises to curb the
ability of law enforcement agencies to get access to Internet-
style communications, taking a bite out of Carnivore. By Oscar.S.
Cisneros.
British Indies License Music
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,38266,00.html
Tired of waiting for the recording industry, 400 independent
music labels in England have created a trial licensing program
for webcasters. Too bad it won't work stateside. By Brad King.
MS Server Attack Tool Unleashed
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,38259,00.html
A new Web-based tool can scan Microsoft's Internet Information
Server, discover vulnerabilities, then launch an attack that
could reveal user names and passwords. By Michelle Delio.
Linux Mounts MS Offense
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,38148,00.html
Visionaries at this week's LinuxWorld Expo plan a united front
designed to challenge Microsoft's Windows operating system. By
Leander Kahney.
E-Publishing Empire Strikes Back
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,38213,00.html
After a publisher said there are 'only eight people in the
country buying e-books, and they're all CEOs of e-book
companies,' e-publishers released figures to prove he's wrong. By
M.J. Rose.
Israeli Net Access: Not So Fast
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,38132,00.html
The chairman of the Knesset's Internet and IT Committee says the
Israeli government is dragging its feet in paving the way for
faster Internet access. At stake are millions of dollars in
business. By Tania Hershman.
Banks Form Currency Exchange
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,38202,00.html
Citibank, Chase, and Deutsche Bank join with Reuters to develop
an online service for international money trading. The new
cooperative is an alternative to FXall, which is backed by 13
banks.
'Super' Macs to Reach 1 GHz
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,38101,00.html
Swedish startup Xtrem plans to produce turbo-charged Macs by
doubling the processor speed. Experts want to see proof of the
made-to-order systems before they say it's cool. By Leander
Kahney.
Breakthrough Technology Peddles 'Olde World' Product
Image First Multimedia Marketing Group launched an on-line,
interactive olde world product demonstration using breakthrough,
cross-platform video technologies for near real-time video
streaming. http://www.the-cauldron.com demonstrates a 400 pound
iron barbecue and fire pit system using online video designed to
allow the browser to virtually experience the environment and
emotional appeal of the product's uses.
BB
As I said earlier, I'd like your opinion. Would you like to have
news items similar those above in every issue?
YES! >>>> mailto:yes-nowsell.com
I would like news items in every issue.
NO! >>>> mailto:no-nowsell.com
I would not like news items in every issue.
ERR? >>>> mailto:err-nowsell.com
I'm not sure... whatever ...?
Send an email to the address corresponding to your answer. You
don't have to write anything - no subject or body, as the mail is
automatically filtered (of course I will read anything you do
write).
BB
Tell me what YOU think! Send your feedback, comments, what you
like, what you hate, etc., to me at: mailto:azam-nowsell.com
TTFN
Azam
PS - Have you got your 21 FREE Net Profits audio files & notes?
Declan Dunn combines the experience of high end consulting
with guerrilla marketing expertise for low cost, high
performance techniques you can use. Delcan tells you what
works and shows how to do it too. Get Your Free Course Now:
http://www.NowSell.com/r/profit
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"Submit URLs Fast and Safely from your PC!"
Unlike other auto-submitters, our revolutionary "smart" software
submits and monitors daily like a person, following search engine
rules to assure safe, accurate control. It even scans HTML pages
on your PC, saving you from typing in all those URLs!:
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http://www.LawyersForLess.com/
The Web's 1st Legal Services Auction plans to become the eBay.com
of the legal world. FREE!
http://www.Nawal.com/
Largest directory of Arab and Arab related Web sites. FREE!
http://www.ThinkFree.com/
Computing anytime, anywhere and from any browser with these
office productivity applications. Requires an 8MB download. FREE!
http://www.Intranets.com/
Create a password protected intranet (more like a private web
site) to share information with friends or colleagues. FREE!
http://www.eMarketingToHer.com/
Women's use of the internet and how to market to them online.
FREE!
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TAKE CREDIT CARDS ONLINE, HANDS FREE!
Confused on how to accept credit cards at your website? Click
here to learn about e-commerce and a company that can set up
EVERYTHING for you. Increase YOUR sales by as much as 317% or
more! http://www.marketingtips.com/creditcards/
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X TOOLS AT NOW SELL! X
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Promotion Tools: Click Here
* Keyword Research Tool
* Meta Tag Maker
* Free Automatic Search Engine Submit
* Rapid Manual Search Engine Submit Tool
* Position Analyzer to check site rank in the SEs
* Link Generators
* Multi Search Tool
HTML Tools: Click Here
* Multiple Pop-up window code generator
* Multiple MouseOver image generator
* Frames code generator
* Simple CSS template
* 216 Web color palette and codes
* HTML Special character codes
* Useful cut & paste Javascript, and more
Free Business Consulting: Click Here
Best paid to surf, read email, etc. programs: Click Here
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X VIEWPOINT X
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This week:
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What do you think is the most important ingredient of success
online?
Send your comments to: mailto:viewpoint-nowsell.com
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Do Your Bit!
If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue
to one or two of your friends or colleagues. Thanks so much!
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Last week:
~~~~~~~~~~
What do you think of the practice of giving away free ebooks?
Worthwhile for the publisher? Worthwhile for the reader?
Readers Comments:
Giving a free ebook is great for the reader and the publisher,
provided the text is not too long. I've had trouble before with
free ebooks that were unexpectedly lengthy. When an ebook is
offered, the supplier should tell us how large the file is.
Hilary Glazer of Demarcation Systems
Bombastics: Play the Game That Makes You Smarter
16655 Jersey St Granada Hills CA 91344-5130 USA
818-363-2486 or [toll-free] 888-832-2022 ex 6260
Azam--
I think giving away free e-books is a great marketing concept.
However, its effectiveness is being sabotaged by the hucksters
who seem to think that 25 pages of affiliate links connected by a
few lines of self-serving $$$$$HYPE!!!!! is some kind of valuable
resource. Ditto the cut-and-paste a few hackneyed marketing
articles. As always, QUALITY content will rule in the end.
Judy Wogoman, Publisher, NetNuggetz Newsletter
25 FREE Biz resources in every issue!
mailto:bizansrfindr@netscape.net?subject=subscribebb
I used to be a sucker for ebooks. Great sounding freebies, toe
curling content. These days I never bother. Good for the
publisher? Over-the-top claims and/or rubbish content and it's
the kiss-of-death. Who would trust whatever they are really
offering. David
dcd@daviddeeson.com
[Azam: Free ebooks can be worthwhile if you're marketing a
product. Cover a subject related to the products use, providing
genuinely useful information. Display a thorough understanding of
the topic, and you will be much closer to gaining the trust
required to make a sale. Both parties win.
However, free ebooks about internet marketing or promotion have
been done to death already. There are so many sub-standard works
that readers are becoming tired of them. I haven't got the time
to read a hundred books in order to find a single pearl of
wisdom. Time is money. It makes more sense to spend a little on
quality information from reliable sources. Of course freebie
seekers will always download free ebooks - but they'll never buy
anything from you.]
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Marketplace Available In Email Version Only.
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"Top 5 of Budget Promotion Online"
-----------------------------------
by Azam Corry
1. Search Engines
A controversial first choice perhaps. Nevertheless, more than 60%
of surfers use search engines as their primary means of locating
web sites. With approximately 180 million people online, that's
an awful lot of free traffic.
Of course, that might not be of much use to you if your site is
in an overcrowded category. With so much competition, you'll need
to spend a substantial amount of money - or time - to be ranked
in a position that will bring you any visitors at all.
However, if you have a highly targeted niche or theme site,
traffic from search engines can be substantial. Enough for you to
earn a comfortable income. Learn the basic search engine likes
and dislikes, and you will get visitors.
2. Submitting Articles to eZines and Newsletters
Costs nothing and brings results. Consider this as your number 1
choice if your business is in a competitive field. There are
hundreds of thousands of ezines and newsletters published every
month. They all need content, so most editors are interested in
good articles.
Write informative pieces, and avoid self-promotion. Most email
publications prefer articles in the 500 - 700 word range, which
really isn't a lot once you get going (but avoid rambling). Don't
use overly ornate or technical language, and be sure to double
check for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
Gradually build up a list of publications that reach your target
market, and submit frequently for best results. You can even
offer to write special 'exclusive' or 'first run' pieces for
publications that have a large circulation.
Add your details and contact information to the end of the
article. Make it a low-key advertisement, and mention any special
offers or 'freebies' you may have. Keep it brief, usually around
five or six lines.
If you need more help on the effective use of articles as a
promotional tool, "The Ezine Marketing Machine" by Rick Beneteau,
is devoted to the subject: http://www.NowSell.com/emm.html
3. Pay-Per-Click Search Engines
The concept is simple: write your own title and description, bid
against others to be ranked according the amount you are willing
pay each time it's clicked on (sending a visitor to your site).
Good value for money unless you are concentrating on very popular
keywords.
Although you might not get much traffic at 1 or 2 cents per click
these days, cost compare favorably with ezine advertising. For
example, $10 CPM (Cost Per Thousand) is a reasonable price to pay
for an ezine sponsor ad (some cost less, most ask more). With a
good response rate of 5% you are paying 20 cents per click.
However, that response is not guaranteed. With the wrong ad or
location it could be almost nothing. Using a PPC search engine,
there is no risk. You only pay for visitors, not eyeballs.
Many of these search engines have various partner sites,
increasing your exposure. Dependent on their arrangement with the
PPC SE, clicks from some of these don't cost you anything. And
then there's the added bonus of traffic from various meta search
services, which return results from PPC engines along with those
of other search engines, thus sending you more free traffic.
4. Advertisements in eZines and Newsletters
Identify publications that target the market you wish to reach.
Whenever possible, test the suitability of a publication by
running an ad with proven results in other locations (you MUST
habitually track the effectiveness of any ad you create).
Go for classified ads (or even ad swaps) first. If you are
getting a good response, consider moving your ad to a more
prominent sponsor (stand-alone) position. The top slot pulls
best, but that also means you might be able to get a bargain on
middle to bottom positioning.
If you are buying more than a single insertion (remember: most
people need to see ad an several times before responding), don't
be afraid to negotiate the price. The vast majority of ezines
would like more paying advertisers, and have what is termed
"unsold inventory."
It's very difficult to directly sell something from a few lines
of text. Aim to generate enquiries for further information - to a
web site or autoresponder address - and do your selling from
there.
5. Link Exchanges
Not to be confused with banner exchanges. Average banner click
through rate is about 0.05% (1 click for every 2000 viewings!).
Your home-made job will probably do even worse. Use text links.
In context whenever possible. As strong headlines if not.
Target non-competitive sites with related themes. Choose the most
popular, high traffic sites you can. Investigate sites that come
near the top in relevant searches. Not only will these send you
more traffic; they'll boost your link popularity ratings at the
search engines, increasing visitors indirectly.
When requesting a link, send the complete html code for the site
owner to copy and paste. Use keywords in your description: Google
considers these for relevancy and supplies the Yahoo web search
results. Supply coded tracking links to monitor how much traffic
linked sites are sending.
© 1999-2000 Azam Corry "Do it Better, Do it Faster, Do it Right!"
Note: This article is free to re-publish as long as the author
information below is included (you may delete this note).
Azam Corry owns Now Sell! A mine of helpful information, tools
and resources for budding Netrepreneurs. Rated 3-star by Go.com.
Recommended by About.com. Visit: http://www.NowSell.com/?T5BPO
==> If you are doing business online, you'll enjoy his Biz Bits
ezine. Subscribe today at: mailto:BizBits@NowSell.com
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YOU CAN WRITE A PROFITABLE EBOOK!
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Comprehensive hands-on guide to Writing, Publishing & Marketing
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