Most websites created or maintained by people who are new to online business are missing one important piece of the marketing puzzle. Namely, follow-up!

Of course there are other reasons websites don’t maintain mailing lists, but usually it is a result of an entrepreneur without any marketing experience. Other reasons exist though (and I’m a perpetrator in this regard), even though I’ve been selling, promoting and marketing online for the last 10 years – you’ll still find many of my websites lack a subscription box.

My reasons won’t be yours I assure you! Generally the sites I don’t actively market to via email are sites I’ve created for testing purposes – testing website traffic techniques which I report on, on even more websites. This is truly a case of ‘do what I say, not what I do’.

In the rest of this post we’ll talk about how and why to maintain a mailing list, and the variety of ways you can use an autoresponder account.

Here are a few reasons off the top of my head:

• increases your website’s value should you choose to sell it,
• assists you to make money on demand as you can continue to draw people back to your site with every email you write,
• allows you to ‘automate’ your marketing.

Just mentioning automation of marketing gets me excited about online business.

Why?

Well, once you have a fully automated system of a website in place that turns visitors into income, there’s little for an online business owner to do other than to keep the new traffic flowing or starting all over again with a second website, a second income stream, a second business. (Sounds good right?)

Automation is the key to any successful online business – a business that doesn’t tie the entrepreneur to his/her computer.

Granted some internet marketers have given automation a nasty connotation. The marketers who teach you to scrape other people’s website content and post spam messages to other people’s blogs.

No, not this kind of automation. This type of automated marketing I’m talking about it discontinuing any repetitive action that can be handled by a service or script. And believe me when I tell you, any online business has areas that would benefit from a little automation. The key is to have the right software or service to manage the task.

When I first started my business online I tried a number of products and signed up for a number of services that assisted in automating my business. One shined above all others.

Then, in 2005, I repeated the tests and trials – in a wide variety of price ranges. I had expected different results – after all, so much had changed online in five years – yet I stuck with the same service I’d chosen back in 1999!

There are reasons – which very few people talk about – why one service/software soars above all others tested. Affordability, versatility, deliverability, flexibility – customer support, continuallly upgrading servers and features, continously working in the field to ensure best results for their customers – and on and on. Wait, another big reason – free customer support, fast response.

If you’re lost now and wondering why you’d want to automate your mailing list…

Consider also that you don’t have to stop at a mailing list. Let’s think of some creative uses for automated marketing through auto-responder services.

Your website visitor signs up. Your autoresponder files the email address in your account then:

a) displays a thank you page on your website that could show a special offer for new subscribers. (income)
b) sends out a message to your new subscriber with a special offer… (income)

Also used for:

c) an immediate customer support response. It may take you a day or two to reply personally to a customer, but they will instantly feel as though someone is working on their request for service.
d) frequently asked questions sent to the customer via email.
e) free reports with affiliate links inside.
f) product lists and descriptions, or price lists

Use your own creativity to uncover and implement similar uses and you’ll begin to see your sales increase.

Owning a mailing list is, without a doubt, the most vital and necessary tool for your business.

Dare to be different. Don’t just put a small text link or graphic on your site that reads “subscribe to my mailing list”. That will get you some subscribers, but not nearly as many as you could get with an autoresponder pop up script or exit script.

Be creative to find ways to get potential customers to sign up to your mailing list. Offer a free report, a discount on future offers – as long as it is something of definite value they will subscribe.

Here are some of the ‘enticers’ I’ve used on other websites:

• discount coupons,

• free email course,
• contest entry,
• “Members Only” access to a special area of my website.

Check out my recommended “tried, tested and true” automated marketing, autoresponder service free for 30 days. Get the script for your website and start making money with an email list right away.

Read more about effective mailing list management and email marketing techniques from Smartzville Marketing.

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I’ve heard it a hundred times or more…

Learn How to Start Marketing Your Website – Ask Laura (July 2007)

After spending all that money for a custom designed site, or forking over cash for a turnkey website in a hot market, you realize that just because you’ve built it (or had it built), doesn’t mean they’ll come (the customers).

So now you’re taking the next step which is to learn about marketing and advertising your website or online business…

But let’s just back up here for a minute – so you don’t make the same mistake again. A website or online business is not much different than a business you would start up in your home town. And before any business is launched a business plan should have been created, written, and all aspects (such as advertising and marketing) would have been written into such a plan.

So before you launch your first website, or your next website, consider your marketing strategy, your advertising costs, your plan of attack, for gettting your offer in front of your potential customers.

Let’s talk about how to plan and write that strategy then.

It’s dull work if you’ve never thought of marketing before, but once you’ve created a strategy and you see it starting to work and the sales rolling in, you’ll fall in love with marketing strategies.

Begin by writing a list of daily, weekly, monthly and long range promotional action steps. Post it directly above your desk and act on it daily. Many business owners will tell you that you’re not in the “service” or “product” business – you’re in the marketing business when you own your own company. Every day must see some activity to promoting your brand, your website URL, or your offers.

If your marketing, advertising or promotion strategy is netting any results or sales after a few months it’s perfectly acceptable to rework the plan and seek out different avenues for advertising or promotion.

Below you’ll find some of the techniques other webmasters have success with. Each technique should be investigated fully by reading the advice of top internet marketing trainers before proceeding. As an example of why you want to delve deeper into understanding any strategic move is because many ‘gurus’ will tell you to trade links with other webmasters to gain traffic. This is good advice, old advice, but if you don’t do it right it won’t be one-tenth as effective as it could be.

So…let’s get to some of the promotion techniques for website owners:

• Trade links only other webmasters. (Again, you need to learn how to do this correctly.)
• Offer something of value, for free, on your site. (Read more on viral marketing.)
• Employ an affiliate opportunity. (Amazing how this delivers sales and traffic, but again, learn how to do it inexpensively and correctly first.)
• Add useful content, not just product sales on your site.
• Add interaction to your site. (Learn about forums, comments, help desks – relevant to your offering and target market.)
• Give them a reason and a venue to return – or refer their friends. (Learn about bookmarking, email a friend, subscribers.)
• Run limited-time sales on your offers. (Learn about one time offers and back end selling.)

That’s all for today and enough to get you started in your online marketing and advertising campaign.

Laura Childs

The ‘Ask Laura’ series is published solely to assist you with questions and resolutions to making your online business profitable. Names are never disclosed on this website unless approved or requested.

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Learn to Market and Promote in 40 Pages or Less – Ask Laura (July 20/06)

“Ha!,” I say!

Internet marketing, website promotion, online business building is indeed very easy – to those that know the game or have already established a presence. But to the un-initiated, the un-taught, and sadly the opportunists who believe it can happen overnight – well, that’s a different story.

Just yesterday I received an email from a very smart and university educated friend of mine. He’s been relying, for the past two months, on someone else to create, maintain, and manage his new dream business for him and it’s not going as quickly as planned.

(Odd about that.)

But my friend has integrity and strengths and he’s wondering how he can learn what he needs to know so that he can step in and help out. The only trouble is, he thinks that one product, ebook, or training series is going to give him the online marketing education required…

Here we go. Laura, again, bursting bubbles of belief.

*******************

Dear Laura:

Do you or anyone you can recommend sell any reports or ebooks on the A to Z of internet marketing – particularly with a product and service (editor note: hardcover book and professional consultation service) such as what I have?

The reason I’m asking is that *edited* has been quite busy lately and, frankly, we thought it would be helpful for him if we had a better over all understanding of what he needs to do and how we should be assisting him from our end. The *url deleted* website project we will be developing is large and we’d like to help him as much as possible. We have a general idea but would like to get more specifics on what needs to be done from day to day…

********

My recommendation is, and likely always would be, if you’re going to run a business online then run it.

Know what it takes, make the decisions, learn how to manage it, promote it, repair it, brand it, sell it. You can’t have a business – without any knowledge of the business – and just farm out all the tasks.

Let’s be clear: You can own a business and not work it personally, hiring others to do all the grunt work. But you must know first what is involved so that you can choose and hire the best, as well as provide direction to, staff or associates performing that grunt work.

Plus, learning the business isn’t going to happen in any A to Z – I know, I’ve read a pile of them. Internet business management, promotion and techniques are in nuggets and on bread crumb trails scattered all around the web. And, what works for one business may not work for another. Each online business needs a leader at the helm that has a marketing strategy in mind.

At any rate, here’s my reply…

**********

A little pressed for time but wanted to send you a quick note…

Any A-Z won’t help you, only confuse and slow you down in your efforts.

Online business is a series of steps.

Create the site, get the traffic, brand your business/self, monetize the traffic, grow a subscriber list so that you can lather/rinse/repeat the process.

You are in site creation stage. *Name edited* is a traffic master (among other things).

If you want to learn the things that will help him in his efforts to help you, then you need to learn about getting your own content (so that the site is created), and the ways to get traffic to your site (#1 way is to have content for the search engines).

Now, since *name edited* is at the helm, your questions are better posed to him and his recommendations followed. His methods and strategy for your site may differ from the methods and strategy I use. You don’t want to follow my recommendations in case it clashes with the current marketing method and strategy he has planned for your site.

At this stage, it’s all about focus, taking one step at a time, and a targeted approach. Too many cooks…

So drop *edited* a note. Ask him what you could and should be doing.

If it was my ‘place’ to offer a suggestion I’d tell you to save your money on marketing products and ebooks right now. Invest in a satellite hookup or high speed connection (ed. n.b.: my friend is currently surfing at 28.8) and make the effort to learn site creation as *edited* teaches it. You could easily spend $1,000 in marketing products or ebooks (the extensive ones anyway) or $1,000 on a satellite system which would serve you well to gain the knowledge required; as well as moving quicker online after the learning process.

Laura Childs

The ‘Ask Laura’ series is published solely to assist you with questions and resolutions to making your online business profitable. Names are never disclosed on this website unless approved or requested. Proof of all email communication between Laura Childs and her contacts can be provided upon request.

Find similar: Ask Laura

Search by: online marketing, internet marketing, website

Sometimes the creators or developers send me pre-launch products to assess as well. (If you’re a developer or programmer you can contact me for this service via the contact form.)

This post in no way is meant to say these tools aren’t useful or helpful to your online business. Except when you are buying tools left and right, solutions and products in the hundreds of dollars monthly, and you haven’t made your first cent online yet.

Stop the Madness! – Ask Laura (July 18/06)

One of my mentoring clients – who is yet to get his business represented online and making any money, but who has spent plenty of money on marketing tools and resources sent me an email about a new, hot marketing software product that automates website content creation, gets top search engine ranks, helps you make money with adsense, and so much more!

Yeah, right.

My reply is below. I hope it helps you make your own sound, educated decisions about where to spend money for your online business success.

************

After assessing the software in the email link I can only say this:

“When you are making money online and have the time and resources to play with tools like this, then and only then, is the time to buy stuff like this.

“Right now you are in learning mode. Learning how to provide useful content, learning how to create a business online, learning how to brand yourself as the expert in your field. Anything and everything you spend money on right now should only be on learning what you need to know at this present time.

“Blowing money on tools and software, automated this and that, is a trap almost everyone falls into. The tools sound so exciting, the offer so enticing, but the fundamentals must be in place first.

“Please pardon my gruffness in this matter but I see so many people spending thousands of dollars on tools/software/techniques – the same people who can’t even get a page of text online and then they start yelling “internet marketing doesn’t work!”

“Yes, you have to spend money to make money, but only for a presence (domain, hosting, learning). Next comes sweat equity. Then comes financial freedom and playing with tools.”

Laura Childs

***********

Names are never disclosed on this website unless approved or requested. Proof of all email communication between Laura Childs and her contacts can be provided upon request. The ‘Ask Laura’ series is published solely to assist you with similar questions and resolutions to making your online business profitable.

Find similar: Ask Laura

Search by: make money, online business, making money online, brand, internet marketing

Nasty Emails in Your Inbox – Ask Laura ( October 11/04)

Now there are a lot of people who have ‘issues’ with internet marketers. They think the all the gurus are scam artists and money grubbers. I’m not about to tell you that those types of gurus don’t exist (there are a number of them I keep at arm’s length), but I will promise you that Joe Vitale does not fit into that category.

In the last 4 years I have listened to, taken the advice of, worked on promotions, and co-written two books with Joe. I can completely vouch for his products, tools, methods of teaching, and writing. My current income and following is a testament to what I’ve learned from Joe and a handful of other marketers with integrity.

But, back to the web rage issue.

Repeatedly over the years I have received angry, frustrated, nasty, mean emails from complete strangers who aren’t even my customers! Usually I try to respond to them on a personal level – help them sort out where their frustration with their online business stems from and how to remedy the situation – as in the case below.

On other days I just can’t do it. I just can’t play the punching bag game and take the abuse. On those days I just delete the offending email, unsubscribe the person if they’re on my list – and yes, I’ve been known to send a nasty quip or two back – of course never quite as personal and cutting as the one I received.

Through the years in this business I’ve discovered one thing. Those nasty emails only come from the entrepreneur crowd. The ones struggling to make a living online and not having much success. People who buy my country living ebooks and products never send me nasty emails – as a matter of fact one customer sent me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers! Others have sent thank you cards, paypal donations, and even a few amazon gift certificates.

So what’s going on with the entrepreneur sect?

It’s frustration. It’s jealousy. It’s mis-directed anger.

Mad at themselves for their own inadequacies, poor buying decisions, time wasted chasing foolish dreams or creating businesses on sand. If you ever get into the internet marketing business publicly you’re going to get messages like the one below, some a lot meaner…

Nasty Email #1

Nothing I have tried has worked. I’m tired of being ripped-off. These so-called Internet Gurus are the only one getting rich, and on my hard earned money. I don’t trust the internet or the people who market in this bad neighborhood!

Greg

************

Greg:

Usually I don’t respond to this type of negativity, but something in your email (perhaps your frustration) cries out for help.

I am not an Internet Marketing guru so I feel I can respond to your message without you mistrusting me.

Just FYI, I have followed many of the gurus advice and most of it has worked. I find it odd that it hasn’t worked for you. I wonder what element of marketing you are missing and if there is something I can do to help.

True, there are a lot of scams out there (read email and make money!, etc.) but hard work and perseverance and an ethical business will earn you a sizeable income. If you’re looking for the easy way out, an unethical or immoral way to make money – you’re sunk.

Listen if I can make enough money to pay my bills selling an ebook on raising chickens, then anyone can make money online.

You’re just giving up too quickly. Don’t blame others, or bash marketers for it, that’s no way to success.

Life is a state of mind. Operate in a state of distrust, frustration, anxiety, anger and blame and that’s what you’ll get back. It’s not up to ‘them’ – it’s up to you.

Laura Childs

p.s. If you have a website and you want me to look at it and help you, I’ll do what I can to help you, but I ask that you first place yourself in a kinder mindset.

**********

Greg actually wrote back, which was very much appreciated:

Laura,

Thank you for writing back. I apologize to you for my rude comments. I won’t detail or justify my frustration and anger. I am very sorry.

Greg

************

This email sequence is a mild version of some of the emails I’ve seen from complete strangers over the years. Please just remember that each one of us, whether we’re in the public eye or not, you or I, we all have feelings. And no one, absolutely no one deserves to be attacked by another. Besides, sugar goes much further than salt.

Find similar: Ask Laura

Search by: customers, online business, entrepreneur

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On March 7, 2007

Henry said: “You are and will always be an inspiration to me. Being a single mom and able to overcome all those obstacles in life and become what you are today is something that I would like to emulate. I’ll work harder and double all my Internet marketing efforts. I’ll never stop until I succeed in this business.”

On March 8, 2007

Paul said: “I have read your book and I am now more determined than ever to break into the world of niche marketing…” and “Once again thanks for your book, advice and answering all of my trivial questions.”

On March 19, 2007

Ron said: “Thanks for the feedback Laura.” and “I have been trying to find out more details and thanks to you, I have
another question answered…”

On March 27, 2007

Peter said: “I have just stumbled over your website, don’t ask me how, as I was in one on my click and surf modes. What I really wanted to say (no doubt said numerous times before) is:- WHAT A TRULY EXCELLENT ALL ROUND WEBSITE YOU HAVE! Its clear, concise, precise and it really is very informative. and without wanting to appear in any way patronising, I just wanted to to let you know that it is one of the best that i have come across.” and “with your guidance and savvy, unlike my present position, where I have wasted time, money and MONEY I know that failing in the future is just not an option…”

On March 27, 2007

Kim said: “Thank you so much for your information.”

On April 3, 2007

Dave said: “Thank you for responding to my email. I have done alot of thinking about how to apply myself to an internet business…Yes you are very correct when you say the internet has changed…unless, you’re really talented enough to do the research, on why the cash flow is slowing down or not coming at all.”

On April 6, 2007

Gene said: “Your ‘tell it like it is’ style is what I wanted…I am hungry for more.”

On February 21, 2007

Henry said: “First off I’d like to say thank you so much for tirelessly and patiently replying to my emails. Rest assured that your kind words of advice and encouragement won’t ever go to waste…”

On December 22, 2006

Vaibhav said: “I recently landed upon your site and subscribed to your email list. I must say I was really impressed with your experience! I am contacting you about one of my new highly confidential Joint Venture plan because of all the website owners I know about, only you have the perfect aim and intentions to help others and that is what I want to do as well but at the same time I want to ofer them a great product. I feel I can trust you with this…”

On March 7, 2007

Rajesh said: “Hi Laura! Thank you so much for the information you’ve given in here. Helped me a lot, I must say. We’re just into a social marketing research program at office and I happen to be in this ‘task force’ as such to understand all about social marketing. Thank you.” re: stampedesecret.com

On January 11, 2007

Micki said: “And really thank you so much for your help!” and three days later “You’re awesome! Thank you!”

On March 18, 2006

Paul said: “Thanks Laura, I had a feeling you can help me get my show on the road.”

On August 4, 2005

Rick said: “…Thank you for your response and being honest with me it doesn’t happen all that often anymore. Rick”

On September 29, 2004

Daniel said: “Laura, I can feel the love radiating through my computer screen!”

On January 4, 2005

Mike said: “Laura! You’re incredible. You’re dealing with …url removed… as if it’s your site! Thank you for your efforts. Now, I have that big project on my and but I want someone who knows what you know…” Mike M.

On December 30, 2004

Nancy said: “Laura Thanks once again for your outrageous customer support, help and overall wonderful energy.”

On December 29, 2004

Nancy also said: “OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m dead. I can’t believe it. I went to yahoo.com and typed in: (edited: my keywords) and . . . . . . . .My little ‘ol website I whipped up is #9 next to NY Times, above over 3 million websites!!!!!!!!!! I almost just fainted. Just like your report said when I first got it, ‘I’m getting CHILLS DOWN MY SPINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’ Btw, if you need ANY testimonial from me EVER, WHATEVER you want to help you in your business please let me know.”

On December 31, 2004

Laura said: “Hi Laura: I want to say “thank you”…I am happy to have a fellow female netpreneur (that shares the same name) in my archive Laura, thank you once again for a great resource. With it, those of us who are not “techies” can certainly fake it ’til we make it…Have a happy healthy new year. Laugh and Be Well, Laura”

On April 24, 2006

Paul said: “…I am actually writing to tell you how well you did this lead in to the link to Joe. You are really terrific, Laura. I’m not going there but it’s taking all my self discipline not to. All the best, Paul. P.S. Your tone and way of putting things engender trust, admiration and curiousity. But you knew that already.”

On October 13, 2004

Pat said: “…Thx for your help and inspiration. Pat”

On June 3, 2006

Dan said: “You’re the best. ”

On December 11, 2005

Sherman said: “Hi Laura, Fantastic resource! Thank you so much for creating it I couldn’t help but read it from top to bottom!”

On May 27, 2006

Okes said: “Great job! Thanks for your work!”

On June 27, 2005

Sam said: “You are simply awesome. Despite you being a rural-based chicken/horse farmer, there is never a dull moment with you! If there’s one thing I can count on from you, it’s getting the real deal spoken straight and true, and I value that tremendously.”

On October 18, 2004

Laura said: “Laura: Thanks for writing back so quickly. I’m afraid I need further help. I am very new to all of this so thanks for your patience.”

On May 17, 2005

Mary said: “Your sensitivity is one main reason for your readers’ respect and trust. We’re grateful you’re writing real reviews of RSS software instead of the usual puff pieces.”

On January 30, 2006

Jackie said: “Thanks for honestly telling us your results.”

On March 8th, 2006

Sally said: “Yet again an astonishing amount of great information, dont know how you keep delivering but thank you, Sally”

On March 24, 2006

Sally also said: “Hi Laura, just from using the techniques you so kindly supply, i really am noticing a difference in my website, after months of trying different methods yours are the ones that I highly recommend, thanks again and take care sally ”

On March 13, 2006

Dawn said: “Laura, thank you for such a simple step-by-step action plan. I’m familiar with these items, but just haven’t put it in order and gotten it together enough to take action. Finally, I can ’see’ my action plan.”

On April 14, 2006

Dana said: “Great info, Laura!…Your video gave me the motivation to get off of my duff. I also commend you on your writing style. Let me know if you’re ever interested in ghostwriting…”

On January 22, 2006

Ed said: “Hi Laura, Thank you for the complete response. That just about covers everything I need to make a decision. …I will…ask you to take a look at it and give me your opinion, which I value. Sincerely, Ed”

On January 19, 2006

Ed also said: “As always, your news is right on and to the point.”

On January 18, 2006

Vikas said: “Thanks buddy, Excellent tip. Love u for this!”

On January 28, 2006

Peter said: “…I do read your thoughts each time they come ..smart girl!”

On February 11, 2006

John said: “Hi Laura: You came highly recommended and having read this article alone I can see why.”

On April 17, 2006

Maureen said: “I really like your website and professional way of laying out specific information…”

On August 31, 2005

John said: “Hey Laura, how are you doing. You’re one smart and intelligent lady, I appreciate you. You’ve a lot of feminine style, thanks for sharing. All the best to you with your continued success.”

On August 31, 2005

Mark said: “Laura, You seem to know your stuff. Glad to see you’ve got tactics to pull it off.”

On January 15, 2006

Yacoub said: “Thanks for useful information.”

On March 1, 2006

John said: “Hey Laura, A really big thank you for all your help. You really do go above and beyond with your help. Most of the so called gurus don’t and won’t (yes there are exceptions) go to the extent to help us novices the way you do. Thanks again for all the great information you provide. John”

On April 7, 2006

Niki said: “Thank you for this wonderful insight. I always appreciate seeing other experts confirm that I am on the right path.”

On June 24, 2005

Jae said: “Thanks. You just saved me $97!”

On June 2, 2005

Noel wrote: “Hi Laura. Keep up the good work.”

On March 22, 2006

Hamlin said: “I am so impressed with this site. I can’t believe how much information is here.”

On January 15, 2006

Chris said: “Very helpful information. Your work has saved me a lot of time and sent me in some interesting directions!”

On July 12, 2005

Jamez said: “How refreshing! UFO sighted on my internet screen! Wait a minute, put down your six shooters, its only the truth! Don’t know where you came from, but please stay.”

On April 27, 2005

John said: “Laura, you are right on the button. Between Joel’s book and Stampede Secrets, both my traffic and my income from this site have multiplied more than a dozen times. In fact, my RSS feeds supply more traffic than anything else I’ve done in the last few months.”

On June 7, 2006

Paul said: “My hat is off to you Laura. I came to you dazed, confused and greatly despairing over an impending online marketing campaign that I felt woefully inadequate to pursue successfully.

You quickly took me by the hand, assured me all would be okay and skillfully led me, step-by-step, out of my confusion. I have honestly never before seen anyone in any marketing capacity, online or offline, so quickly and accurately assess a situation and subsequently conceive a winning marketing strategy.

You were patient, thorough, available when I needed you and always on top of what we needed to do at every turn. What impressed me the most was the way you so unselfishly gave of your time to ensure I completely understood every phase of the marketing strategy as it was unfolding before my eyes.

I have spent thousands of dollars in the past two years in search of the kind of sincere and concern-driven service that you provide. I was delighted to find that not only did you over deliver on what you promised, but also the special offer you extended to me made the cost-to-value ratio of your service quite reasonable and palatable. In hindsight, it was a fantastic bargain!

If anyone reading what I am saying is looking to get the biggest bang for his or her online marketing buck, I can assure you that you need look no further. Laura will give you the kind of top-notch, expert advice and hands-on guidance you need to have a winning and satisfying online marketing effort.

When it comes to developing, launching and coordinating every minute aspect of a focused, online marketing campaign, Laura is the best in the business. She has worked on marketing campaigns for such legendary online marketing gurus as Joe Vitale and Mark Joyner and her experience and depth of knowledge shows in every aspect of her work.

If you want to sleep nights while your marketing effort is in high gear, Laura is the one person I strongly advise that you turn to for superior online marketing know how and outstanding results.” –Paul Harris, Author, Superior Health Doctor Bernard Jensen’s Way, Director, Harris Superior Health System, LLC

- hang on, even more coming soon -

Find similar: Announcements

Dear Laura,

Well, to put it shortly, I’ve been busy. In the past few weeks I’ve managed to pick up 25 or so ebooks for $19.95 from ebay, and about 1000 templates for websites for $10. But, let’s not say that it may be wasted money, because the education that came with pouring over all the new information was well worth the cost.

I’ve managed to aquire a few master resell rights and get myself onto about five different marketer newsletters….This all reminds me of years ago when you would see ads for resale rights in income making magazines. It’s the same game, but with modern spins and new faces.

I’m guessing that with the resell rights I now have, I could get some money coming in. The trick is to write my own letters and make some projects that fit the formula that everyone else seems to follow. I don’t want to go with “marketing” as a niche though. It seems so filled up with more and more names that wouldn’t really mean much to the average person. So I need to find my own path, and make use of the research I’ve gained so far.

But, first things first. Like I said, I picked up some master resale rights to a few products. How do I change the “changeable” parts of the sales letters to brand them as mine? Second, I have at least two PDF files that I want to sell on ebay for now, but do I need to have them on a website of their own for people to gain access to them after the purchase? Which leads to the last question. Do I need a separate page for each downloadable item, or can they be grouped onto one page?

Oh, the ebooks I picked up range from…..to an HTML editor to a FTP freeware package. I originally started with a purchase of an ebook on how to resell webhosting. That led to another page where I found 25 more ebooks, and I just went on from there. And the more I read, the more I find, and the more time gets spent roaming the internet marketplace. So far I’ve seen sites from the very useful, to sites where it’s just one long sales pitch of blatent “buy my junk” sputtered out over and over on one long page. And does everyone call themselves great just because they managed to get a site up and running and a few sales?

Anyhow, thanks for reading.

Bill

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Hi Bill!

You’ve been having fun! Just don’t get too deep into all of it that you never actually accomplish anything. One thing, done poorly, is far better than one thing not done at all.

I’ve got server issues to deal with the next few days but I felt that I should at least send you a quick note.

Use your html editor that you bought to make changes to those sales letters.

Unless you’re selling everything as one big package you need separate download pages for each product.

I’m not much of an ebay seller so I can’t comment on what works there and why…alot of the stuff on ebay has already saturated the market, especially the marketing and website management stuff (you’re right).

I agree. It’s the same game – direct marketing, only online. There’s a number of ways it’s done – draw the customer in with a high priced item and then sell them low priced stuff later vs. draw them in with a low priced item then upsell them with the big tickets.

If you’re just struggling over the download issue and you’re only going to be selling on ebay – you can email your buyers the files at a later date – just say so in your auction (product will be delivered within 24 hours of auction close by email, if you haven’t received your product within 24 hours please contact me at you@youremail.com).

The biggest headache of being in the marketing niche isn’t so much making a name for yourself as it is living up to that name. You’re a public figure and people expect greatness from you. They want you to answer all their questions, they are often abusive (you wouldn’t believe the nasty stuff people have sent me!), and they’ll even send you emails saying things like “what are you working on now? I want to know what direction to go into so that I can be one step ahead of you.” What the heck is that? And, they watch your sites (once they know what they are) like a hawk and often duplicate your market. I’ve learned to start making my new sites private. Anyway, apart from being a name among many there are a pile of reasons why I wouldn’t wish this gig on most people.

On the other hand, “And does everyone call themselves great just because they managed to get a site up and running and a few sales?” They have to call themselves great – it’s part of the story that the consumer buys into. Just a few sales? You’d be surprised how much money is made online from crappy sites. It even boggles my mind.

Anyway, I’m knee-deep in code and config errors on 6 different sites (one of the reasons you don’t want to host your sites with a fly-by-night hosting company – because they don’t know the first thing about customer service, or for that matter how to fix server issues), so I’d better run.

Laura Childs
www.makemoneywithyourideas.com

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Some parts of this letter have been edited out to protect the integrity of ideas from the email author. And although I will not post first and last names (unless given express permission) of my email writers, I can prove the validity of each letter written including email addresses, dates, and headers to the authorites if need be. I suggest that everything you publish online, sell online, or reference online, have a similar back up system in place.

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