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Cool Tool of the Week

Kristen — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:00:38 +0000

A quick post update today but I wanted to post this before I forgot because it’s that important.Moms Business Coach, you know that I’m really a stat person- I love checking out what people are clicking, searching, following. I have a plugin that I love to use for tracking links and clicks from my WordPress dashboard.

Well, I just found the bookmark and thought I would post it here, after all it’s free, if you can install it and use it, I hope you will.

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/gocodes/

It’s called GoCodes. The theory is simple- it’s like Tinyurl or my favorite budurl.com (allows you track all your shortened urls at budurl.com) but gocodes resides right in your WordPress dashboard, you create your links with a few clicks and you can actually insert them easily while you are writing your blog post.

Here is the key benefit- we all know that once you write a blog post it lives in the virtual world, forever.. yes, this is how people earn residual income… those links are live and you never know where they will show up.

So think now about a couple scenarios:

1. You are sending good traffic to that link but the affiliate program isn’t converting
2. You find the same product or similar product that pays a higher commission
3. The product is no longer available and you want to replace it.

If you are like me, you posted those links everywhere, your blogs, websites, social networks, article directories, squidoo…you get the point.. you now need to go back and trace all those links if you can and replace them one by one.

Here is the BIG benefit- if you use the GoCodes plugin you create the shortened URL then you can replace it anytime with a new destination URL.

For example, just a few week ago, I was telling everyone to come join me at Perry’s new Video Intensive Course and I created the url to use to promote it

http://moms-business-coach.com/recommends/askmrvideo

Well, that class is now over, but I still highly recommend people look at all the other video resources Perry offers so I just went into my dashboard, removed the URL of his Video Intensive sales page and replaced it with his home page that offers both his membership option and a ton of free video articles.

Boom, one change and I’m done- I don’t need to go track and change 35 links around the web, it’s done automatically!

Remember, it also tracks the clicks! You can see where people are clicking what links and for what tools, resources or products get the most interest!

So there you have it, one quick and easy change you can add to your blog for free to get more for your efforts!

Post from: Online Business Marketing For Home Based Businesses

Cool Tool of the Week

Site Sell Review by SBI Drop Out

Kristen — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:52:35 +0000

I’m embarrassed to start this post like this, but I’m going to tell you my first “failure” online.. I bought Site Build It. I started all hot and heavy, printed out the all the information, read the action guides every night instead of my bookclub books, tinkered with all the tools then it just fizzled out and I went on to the next thing. I let it shrival into the virtual black hole before I ever let it start to glow.

Like I said above, I was new to the world of online marketing and business, I didn’t know fully what to expect or what it takes to make an online business. Then suddenly I went from excitement of the idea of making money while I sleep to cringing at the fact that I am….

A Site Build It Drop Out!

Fast forward, a year and half later and after intently studying everything I can get my hands on, I highly regret not realizing the power of this one stop solution when I had it! That is my honest statement- I regret being a Site Build It Drop Out!

When I am browsing the internet, wading through the search engine results or visiting forums, I can pick out a SBI owner with one glance, I don’t even need to click into their website for proof they are using SBI. It’s because they, unlike me, just followed the steps, instructions, training that is provided and didn’t get distracted or lose focus like I did. Ken Evoy, founder of SBI, gives you the perfect recipe of education, tools, forum support and so much more that anyone can use this all in one solution for their first website or their 40th. Just like baking the perfect pie, you must follow a recipe from start to finish, SBI gives you the recipe for a high ranking, profitable, online business if you just follow their recipe.

On a side note: I have to say that I have also been very impressed with how active and helpful Ken is with all his SBI owners. You can also check him out on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/KenEvoy and see for yourself he’s authentic to his business.

Site Build It Action Guide; Principles For Any Website Owner

If you don’t believe me when I say they have a recipe for you check out their Site Build It Action Guide- you don’t have to be a SBI owner to put this information to use on your own website.

Site Build It Tools

I’m being totally honest here, buying Site Build It today will cost you just under $300.00 so why would I suggest you invest that much money on one website? Yes, you can go with some of the cheap monthly web hosts, but then you will need to add on all your tools and programs. Site Build It contains everything you need from simple point and click web creation, to blogs, video, keyword tools, content tools and they are all in one place, supported by one company and paid for once. Just look at the long list of Site Build It Tools that you will have at your finger tips!

Why I Failed With Site Build It

I thought about why I didn’t have any success with Site Build It because anyone that knows me, knows that I will not promote any product that I don’t think is worth it- and this is a serious investment of both time and money, it’s not a $5.00 report that you read once and put it away.

So, when I go back in and look at it now with more experienced eyes I realize I had all the tools I needed for success at my fingertips the problem was me. I have to take full responsibility for my lack of action. However with that said, here are a few more mistakes I made:

1. I bought SBI before I had a clear goal and understanding of what my topic would be. You must have your market/niche clearly defined or else you will get lost in the journey and do what I did and wade from one topic to another.

2. I continued to try to look at other methods of making money online and I should have only focused on the information and plan that was right in front of me- it’s all there.

3. I didn’t leverage the forums and knowledge of those that have successful SBI sites. Only recently have I come to realize how “Modeling” is imperative for online businesses.

What Learned From Site Build It

I learned one of the most important online marketing lessons that I still always refer to:

Content + Traffic + Presell + Monetize

I highly suggest you check out that link with the full explanation because it is the best foundation I have found for understanding how to make money online.

So, there you have my review and honest feedback on why I like Site Build It and if you are looking for a new online business, adding to your online business or just looking for a way to earn a little part time cash on autopilot- save your time and money and start HERE.

If you are still unsure about this all in one system check out the Site Build It Demo.

Keys to Site Build It Success

Here is my last thoughts on your success with Site Build It…

Have an “idea” of what markets/niches you enjoy and use the forum to help refine your ideas if needed
Enjoy the topic- it’s much easier to write on the topics that come easily
Print out the Action Guides and follow them. Period
Set a schedule- hold yourself accountable for new content and don’t slack
Don’t think this a get rich quick process- this takes your time/dedication
Don’t think your not technical enough because that’s just a cop out

Now, again, check out all the FREEBIES HERE and realize if you have step by step PROVEN recipes here for free, think what’s on the other side…your SUCCESS!

Post from: Online Business Marketing For Home Based Businesses

Site Sell Review by SBI Drop Out

Aweber Autoresponder Review

Kristen — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:12:18 +0000

Do you love AWeber, too?

Don’t let that image fool you, this is my honest review of the Aweber autoresponder service.

Let’s start with the basics for anyone that is new to online marketing.

What is an Autoresponder?

An autoresponder is an email service provider that helps you manage your mail list, creates/distributes your newsletters, ezines, promotions, sale offerings and general updates to your customers. The word “auto” is the key here, with small and home based businesses, we need all the help we can get with automatic systems that run themselves and let us concentrate on other tasks.

Take a few hours and you can set up an entire series of email updates to go to your customers automatically! The part I love? When someone joins your list, they are automatically started at message number one so they don’t miss a thing and for those customers that joined 2 months ago you can have them well tiered into your sales and affiliate promotions.

What Can Aweber Do For You?

The features are many but here is a list of my favorite ones:

They have html templates pre-made
Push button easy, no techy experience needed
Easy list segmentation- meaning you can have different lists for your buyers/non-buyers/different niches
Flexible optin box creation- you can have lightboxes, flyins, inline
Integrates with Feedburner
Integrates with Twitter- NEW! Another way of getting your newsletter in front of hundreds/thousands of people that are not on your list!
Send different messages to different lists or send one message to all lists by checking a box
Free Training Videos!
Amazing Customer Service- do to my own learning curve, I’ve used CS a couple times and have always been impressed with how helpful & responsive they are
Unlimited campaigns
The ability to pre-schedule messages and create e-courses
many more features… but those are a few of my favorites!

Why Can’t I Send Emails From My Own Email Account?

One word.. SPAM… email services are getting so keen to spam that you run the risk of your emails not even making it past your customers spam filters. What good is a promotion when they don’t even read it? Aweber has earned a priceless reputation with all the email clients because they don’t tolerate spam and follow double optin practices so email clients have a relationship with them and they have a 99% deliverable rate.

I don’t know if I want the monthly fee

Yes, there is a monthly fee but if you can put your affiliate promotions and keep in touch with your customers automatically it will more then pay for itself and this shouldn’t be a concern. Just think, if you build your mail list and once a month you send out one affiliate promotion for a $20.00 product all you have to make is a couple sales (and if you’ve done a good job at building your relationship and providing quality referrals that fit your customer this shouldn’t be hard) and it pays for itself plus profit!

Go Ahead, take Aweber for a free test drive below and see what you think!

AWeber Demo

Capture Hidden Profits with Unlimited Autoresponders

AWeber’s automated unlimited autoresponder follow up increases sales, lowers costs,
builds lasting customer relationships, and increases your
profits!

Find out how with Unlimited Autoresponders.

Aweber has a great blog that they update with well researched and useful information, here are are few of their latest posts:

Post from: Online Business Marketing For Home Based Businesses

Aweber Autoresponder Review

Have You Been Hit By A Ripple Yet?

Kristen — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:21:38 +0000

Post from: Online Business Marketing For Home Based Businesses

Have You Been Hit By A Ripple Yet?

10 Action Steps To Your Online Success Today

Kristen — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:16:19 +0000

If you operate as a small business, especially, a one person show, you know how overwhelming your list of “To Do’s” can be. Prioritizing the needs of filling customer orders, online business marketing, offline business marketing, and just the daily operations can often leave you feeling like you are running from one task to another and before you know it, the week is over, and you aren’t sure what exactly you “accomplished”.

Here is a list of 10 Action Steps you can use for your own online business marketing today, post this list near your desk, and check off the items when you do them and at the end of the week, take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments.

1. Blog, plain and simple, it has been shown case study after case study, the more you blog, the more the search engines & visitors love your fresh content. You don’t need to be 100% perfect on all the right plugins, and strategies, just take action and make a point to schedule at least 3 posts per week.

2. Join Twitter, start tweeting and building those relationships. Even if you only have it open for an hour a day while you’re checking email. Visit Summize, also known as Twitter Search, and search for your keyword or niche and start following others with the same interest.

3. Join Facebook and spend a few hours a week networking, joining groups, posting interesting information. Add the Twitter App to pull your feeds into your Facebook profile and add your blog RSS feed into your notes section so all your new friends know what you are up too. I personally have “Share This” installed in my browser to make it fast and easy to share direct to Twitter and Facebook.

4. Add value. Forums, blog posts, free reports, social networking give information to those around you.

5. Participate in Forums. Visit Google and in the search box enter your niche + forum and find the active forums, create an account and make a point to visit an hour or two every week.

6. Be creative and smart but don’t be detrimental. Meaning, we all want to be savvy and smart business owners, but there are very few “new” ideas and for those that are already mult-tasking and it can waste your time and money trying to be creative. Find a model that works, find a mentor that’s been there, and copy the system – I’m not saying rip off someones work, I’m saying copy what is already proven to work just modify to be “you”.

7. Find your target market and get in front of them. They are where the money is, spending hours at your desk trying to understand your html code to change a word for SEO will not bring in sales. Find where your target market hangs out, what they are already buying, where are they shopping, what else are they interested in? Your odds are better to go to the herd then try to slowly drag the herd to you one at a time.

8. Track and Test. Never stop tracking and testing. Each advertisement should be coded so you can track results, drop the low performing ones – create more of the high performers. Link your banner ads to different pages so you can tell from a glace what ones are giving you targeted visitors.

9. Prioritize and outsource what you can. A good Virtual Assistant can improve not only your productivity but also make you money by allowing you to focus on strategy and business builders instead of time eating busy work.

10. Content, Content, Content. Never stop creating your content for your site or blog. If you struggle with content, outsource it or learn how to use PLR – Private Label Rights-you can’t go wrong with good content.

Post from: Online Business Marketing For Home Based Businesses

10 Action Steps To Your Online Success Today

Thesis Theme Review

Kristen — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:11:07 +0000

One of my favorite features of blogging is the ability for even the non-techie small business owner to get a professional and functional website without the hassel of learning html/css/php or waiting around for a web designer to bump your project to the top of the To Do list. That’s why I love when I find super functional themes that anyone can use like the Thesis Theme.

I’ll thank my favorite social site Twitter with this find. Someone sent a tweet about about a new blog post and when I went to read the post, I knew this theme was a keeper from first glance.

I am in the process of installing the Thesis WordPress Blog Theme to the new blog of a client. I’ll keep you posted how I like it.

Post from: Online Business Marketing For Home Based Businesses

Thesis Theme Review