Saturday, December 03, 2005
Are You Planning for a Future That Never Comes?
I went to a bookstore today. It's closing down at the end of December, so we went to check out their clearance sale.
While I was there, I happened to pass a woman who was pulling books off the home decorating shelf and frantically paging through them. As I passed, she wailed, "I wish I knew if I was ever going to be interested in decorating. These prices are great."
I had to chuckle to myself. Her comment struck home. How many times I've gathered information in preparation for sometime in the future when I would finally put all that knowledge together to accomplish something great in that field. I've done that with a lot of plans.
But the truth is, that endlessly gathering info does you no good unless you use it. Even if you don't know as much as you wish you did, you're better off acting on the knowledge that you have than you are waiting... and waiting... and waiting... until you think you know enough to begin.
Because there's no way around it—your most important learning comes from taking action, not from books. The theory that we learn from books does nothing more than give us a foundation on which we can build that true knowledge that comes from actually dealing with and overcoming the real problems that we face.
So if you're not doing so now, take action. Don't wait until you think you know everything you need to succeed. The real world situations you face will force you learn what you haven't from books—or will make clear to you what specific areas you need to study more.
But the most effective learning always involves doing.
Jeff
I went to a bookstore today. It's closing down at the end of December, so we went to check out their clearance sale.
While I was there, I happened to pass a woman who was pulling books off the home decorating shelf and frantically paging through them. As I passed, she wailed, "I wish I knew if I was ever going to be interested in decorating. These prices are great."
I had to chuckle to myself. Her comment struck home. How many times I've gathered information in preparation for sometime in the future when I would finally put all that knowledge together to accomplish something great in that field. I've done that with a lot of plans.
But the truth is, that endlessly gathering info does you no good unless you use it. Even if you don't know as much as you wish you did, you're better off acting on the knowledge that you have than you are waiting... and waiting... and waiting... until you think you know enough to begin.
Because there's no way around it—your most important learning comes from taking action, not from books. The theory that we learn from books does nothing more than give us a foundation on which we can build that true knowledge that comes from actually dealing with and overcoming the real problems that we face.
So if you're not doing so now, take action. Don't wait until you think you know everything you need to succeed. The real world situations you face will force you learn what you haven't from books—or will make clear to you what specific areas you need to study more.
But the most effective learning always involves doing.
Jeff
Friday, December 02, 2005
How Far-Reaching Is Your Vision?
Do you suffer from business nearsightedness? You know how a nearsighted person constantly has to pull what they're reading as close to their eyes as they can? There's an affliction of vision that affects most small business owners, too.
But this business myopia seems to affect the ability to distinguish between tasks and end results.
Tasks are the daily things you do to run your business. End results are the tangible, measurable results you're in business to achieve.
Yet most small business owners never get beyond focusing on those tasks that are pulled up so close to their noses.
But there's power in focusing on end results. Marketing guru Joe Vitale pointed out in a recent interview about generating traffic with publicity on the Trafficology Platinum membership site that the reason that so many people achieve nothing with their press releases is that they approach the press release as nothing more than a task. They look no farther than simply getting one done and off their to-do list.
He said that the business owners who write powerful, traffic-generating press releases never see completing the press release as an end in itself. They instead focus on the end results they want that press release to achieve. They set measurable milestones before they start and then focus on what they'll have to do to get that press release to accomplish those milestones.
Focus on the press release as an end in itself and you settle for any boring, unnewsworthy drival that you can quickly jot down on the page. Focus on measurable end results and your mind shifts from "What can I write to fill a page?" to "What and how do I need to write to interest the media enough that the press coverage brings in another 100 subscribers to my newsletter?"
See the difference? Focusing on the task settles for simply going through the motions; focusing on the end results forces you to find a way to accomplish the growth you want to achieve.
And this doesn't apply only to press releases. Focusing on end results can power just about any task you do. And demanding of yourself that any task must be tied to measurable end results can help you identify and eliminate tasks that really serve no purpose.
The key comes down to answering three questions:
Jeff
Do you suffer from business nearsightedness? You know how a nearsighted person constantly has to pull what they're reading as close to their eyes as they can? There's an affliction of vision that affects most small business owners, too.
But this business myopia seems to affect the ability to distinguish between tasks and end results.
Tasks are the daily things you do to run your business. End results are the tangible, measurable results you're in business to achieve.
Yet most small business owners never get beyond focusing on those tasks that are pulled up so close to their noses.
But there's power in focusing on end results. Marketing guru Joe Vitale pointed out in a recent interview about generating traffic with publicity on the Trafficology Platinum membership site that the reason that so many people achieve nothing with their press releases is that they approach the press release as nothing more than a task. They look no farther than simply getting one done and off their to-do list.
He said that the business owners who write powerful, traffic-generating press releases never see completing the press release as an end in itself. They instead focus on the end results they want that press release to achieve. They set measurable milestones before they start and then focus on what they'll have to do to get that press release to accomplish those milestones.
Focus on the press release as an end in itself and you settle for any boring, unnewsworthy drival that you can quickly jot down on the page. Focus on measurable end results and your mind shifts from "What can I write to fill a page?" to "What and how do I need to write to interest the media enough that the press coverage brings in another 100 subscribers to my newsletter?"
See the difference? Focusing on the task settles for simply going through the motions; focusing on the end results forces you to find a way to accomplish the growth you want to achieve.
And this doesn't apply only to press releases. Focusing on end results can power just about any task you do. And demanding of yourself that any task must be tied to measurable end results can help you identify and eliminate tasks that really serve no purpose.
The key comes down to answering three questions:
- What end results do you want to see in the next thirty days?
- What tasks do you need to do to achieve those end results?
- How do I need to do those tasks to ensure that they achieve those results?
Jeff
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Experimenting with AdSense
If you've read this blog for any length of time, you may have noticed the appearance of little ads at the top of the blog. I've been experimenting with AdSense lately.
It's my first venture into AdSense, which I really should have started long ago, considering how much the site is content oriented. I was a little hesitant to add it. I guess I felt it somehow made my site look—gasp—commercial. (Ahem, Jeff, you do realize that your wife and kids expect the large amount of time you spend sharing your experience with others on this site will bring in money to let you to do things like pay the bills, don't you?)
I'll admit, I'm a neophyte with AdSense, but I'm learning a few things already. For example, I've been more pleased with the relevance of ads that appeared on some of the website pages I've tried them on. Undoubtably that's due to them being more intentionally focused on a single concept than is the blog, with it's constantly shifting focus.
As a matter of fact, I've found myself cringing a little at some of the ads that appeared on the blog, ads that promoted companies that sounded like ripoffs, like the search engine submission companies or the ads that appeared after my entry about stay-at-home moms. I really cringed when I saw that one that promised stay-at-home moms a selection of no-skills-required jobs that paid over $300 an hour—in return for a healthy chunk of cash.
Yeah, sure, and I have pink petunias growing out of my ears. (Ooh, I wonder if that phrase will trigger ads about gardening.)
I'll keep monitoring the ads and see how relevant they are. I'd like to keep them up to monetize the content pages, but there are other options if they continue to be low in relevance.
Jeff
If you've read this blog for any length of time, you may have noticed the appearance of little ads at the top of the blog. I've been experimenting with AdSense lately.
It's my first venture into AdSense, which I really should have started long ago, considering how much the site is content oriented. I was a little hesitant to add it. I guess I felt it somehow made my site look—gasp—commercial. (Ahem, Jeff, you do realize that your wife and kids expect the large amount of time you spend sharing your experience with others on this site will bring in money to let you to do things like pay the bills, don't you?)
I'll admit, I'm a neophyte with AdSense, but I'm learning a few things already. For example, I've been more pleased with the relevance of ads that appeared on some of the website pages I've tried them on. Undoubtably that's due to them being more intentionally focused on a single concept than is the blog, with it's constantly shifting focus.
As a matter of fact, I've found myself cringing a little at some of the ads that appeared on the blog, ads that promoted companies that sounded like ripoffs, like the search engine submission companies or the ads that appeared after my entry about stay-at-home moms. I really cringed when I saw that one that promised stay-at-home moms a selection of no-skills-required jobs that paid over $300 an hour—in return for a healthy chunk of cash.
Yeah, sure, and I have pink petunias growing out of my ears. (Ooh, I wonder if that phrase will trigger ads about gardening.)
I'll keep monitoring the ads and see how relevant they are. I'd like to keep them up to monetize the content pages, but there are other options if they continue to be low in relevance.
Jeff
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Trendwatching to Stay Abreast of What Your Customers Desire
Ever wish you could be one step ahead of your competitors? Hey, wouldn't it be great if you simply knew the things your target audience was going to clamor for next?
I'm a big fan of Trendwatching.com for that very reason. Their team of observers scour the globe to uncover and categorize trends that could affect your business. And their analysis goes way beyond speculating what toy will be the Tickle Me Elmo of this Christmas season.
Their research deals with detecting the basic shifts in interest and desire that affect the way that people see and deal with their world.
I got their latest newsletter today and the article was so good and so valuable for small businesses that I simply had to get their permission to reprint it on my site.
It reveals a large number of websites they use to watch shifting tastes and trends. Not all of them apply to every business, but there's a good chance you'll find some resources in the article that apply to yours.
I highly urge you to check it out. I'll warn you, though, that their in-depth analysis is not everyone's cup of tea. Their analyses are thorough and are never a quick read. But, that being said, give it a look. You'll find some great tips on ways to watch trends and may find some valuable resources to get inside the minds of your customers.
Jeff
Ever wish you could be one step ahead of your competitors? Hey, wouldn't it be great if you simply knew the things your target audience was going to clamor for next?
I'm a big fan of Trendwatching.com for that very reason. Their team of observers scour the globe to uncover and categorize trends that could affect your business. And their analysis goes way beyond speculating what toy will be the Tickle Me Elmo of this Christmas season.
Their research deals with detecting the basic shifts in interest and desire that affect the way that people see and deal with their world.
I got their latest newsletter today and the article was so good and so valuable for small businesses that I simply had to get their permission to reprint it on my site.
It reveals a large number of websites they use to watch shifting tastes and trends. Not all of them apply to every business, but there's a good chance you'll find some resources in the article that apply to yours.
I highly urge you to check it out. I'll warn you, though, that their in-depth analysis is not everyone's cup of tea. Their analyses are thorough and are never a quick read. But, that being said, give it a look. You'll find some great tips on ways to watch trends and may find some valuable resources to get inside the minds of your customers.
Jeff
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Drawing Traffic to Your Site
I just learned of a good resource for anyone who is considering buying anything on eBay soon (and who isn't at this time of year!). Terry Gibbs, who specializes in teaching others how to sell collectibles on eBay, takes the time to track down eBay promotional codes and post them on his site for anyone who wants to use them.
He has several there right now.
And the effort he takes to keep this page updated is an excellent example of how to bring visitors in to your site. I discovered his site through a colleage who told me of the codes. I had heard of Terry, but finding out more about his site was WAY down my crowded to-do list.
But the fact that he offered this service that directly and immediately benefitted me got me there as soon as I heard about it. And looking around his site, I was impressed by more than just the promotional codes. I'll be visiting some more and likely get some articles from him as well as other resources to add to my newsletters and website.
But in the meantime, I passed the information about his promotional code resource on to you.
And you might well pass it on to your friends.
See how it goes? Give people a valuable service and pretty soon your website becomes a destination that visitors are encouraging others to visit. So, what valuable service can you offer to visitors to bring them to your business online?
Jeff
I just learned of a good resource for anyone who is considering buying anything on eBay soon (and who isn't at this time of year!). Terry Gibbs, who specializes in teaching others how to sell collectibles on eBay, takes the time to track down eBay promotional codes and post them on his site for anyone who wants to use them.
He has several there right now.
And the effort he takes to keep this page updated is an excellent example of how to bring visitors in to your site. I discovered his site through a colleage who told me of the codes. I had heard of Terry, but finding out more about his site was WAY down my crowded to-do list.
But the fact that he offered this service that directly and immediately benefitted me got me there as soon as I heard about it. And looking around his site, I was impressed by more than just the promotional codes. I'll be visiting some more and likely get some articles from him as well as other resources to add to my newsletters and website.
But in the meantime, I passed the information about his promotional code resource on to you.
And you might well pass it on to your friends.
See how it goes? Give people a valuable service and pretty soon your website becomes a destination that visitors are encouraging others to visit. So, what valuable service can you offer to visitors to bring them to your business online?
Jeff
Monday, November 28, 2005
Focusing on Stay-at-Home Moms
If you've read many of my posts, you've probably realized that I'm a big proponent of SiteBuildIt! as an all-in-one site-building, site-hosting, site-marketing tool. I'll spare you listening to me singing its praises once again, but I just wanted to let you know about a new page they've added.
One of the work-at-home moms who has built a successful business with SiteBuildIt! started a thread on one of their forums detailing all the ways that SiteBuildIt!'s setup has been the answer to her needs as a work-at-home mom. Well, I'll tell you, the floodgates opened up and poured out posting after posting sharing similar experiences.
SiteSell founder Ken Evoy was overwhelmed with the passion flowing in this thread, and asked one of these moms to organize the thread into a webpage that other moms who didn't have access to that private forum could learn from.
The new page is a real eye-opener for guys like me (as was the original thread). I had never realized many of the doubts, the longings, and the second-guessing that is part of a mom's choice to stay at home to be there for her children. It's a great page for educating guys and a great page for touching the raw nerve of wanting to use their talents in ways that reach beyond the family that many stay-at-home moms experience.
If you know a stay-at-home mom, pass along this work-at-home-mom page (http://www.onestopwebsupport.com/sitesell-wahm) to her. I think she'll enjoy it, and she might just find an outlet for her longings.
Jeff
If you've read many of my posts, you've probably realized that I'm a big proponent of SiteBuildIt! as an all-in-one site-building, site-hosting, site-marketing tool. I'll spare you listening to me singing its praises once again, but I just wanted to let you know about a new page they've added.
One of the work-at-home moms who has built a successful business with SiteBuildIt! started a thread on one of their forums detailing all the ways that SiteBuildIt!'s setup has been the answer to her needs as a work-at-home mom. Well, I'll tell you, the floodgates opened up and poured out posting after posting sharing similar experiences.
SiteSell founder Ken Evoy was overwhelmed with the passion flowing in this thread, and asked one of these moms to organize the thread into a webpage that other moms who didn't have access to that private forum could learn from.
The new page is a real eye-opener for guys like me (as was the original thread). I had never realized many of the doubts, the longings, and the second-guessing that is part of a mom's choice to stay at home to be there for her children. It's a great page for educating guys and a great page for touching the raw nerve of wanting to use their talents in ways that reach beyond the family that many stay-at-home moms experience.
If you know a stay-at-home mom, pass along this work-at-home-mom page (http://www.onestopwebsupport.com/sitesell-wahm) to her. I think she'll enjoy it, and she might just find an outlet for her longings.
Jeff
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Finding Ways to Monetize Your Website With the SearchIt! Free Research Tool
The SearchIt! free search tool consists of a window with two dropdown boxes and two text boxes. In the two dropdown boxes, you select the type of search you want to do. In the two text boxes, you select the search criteria (such as keywords or URLs) you want to use.
Rather than repeat the introductory info about SearchIt! that I shared previously, I suggest that you see the October 2nd blog for this information. Or simply realize that it is important to click all the links and read all the instructions that SearchIt! tells you to do.
You'll find SearchIt! A LOT easier and more valuable to use if you do that.
Using SearchIt!
Last week we looked at using SearchIt! for some interesting ways to test the effectiveness of your website. This week we'll look at how SearchIt! can help you find ways to make money with your website.
In the Step 1 dropdown box, scroll down under C-T-P-M and select Monetization.
Click the dropdown box for Step 2: Select Search Type. You'll see the following options.
Google AdWords Preview
This option shows you the types of Google AdSense ads that would appear on a page that targets a specific keyword. Take the primary keyword for a page that you're considering running Google AdSense ads on. Type it in the Step 3 box. Click the SearchIt! button.
I especially encourage you to read the intro page for this search. It has some excellent links on it to help you understand and make money with Google AdSense.
Once you've read the resources, click the link at the bottom of that page to show the ads that would appear on your page.
What Are Your Keywords Worth?
This option shows you the actual bids for ads on your targeted keywords in Yahoo! Search Marketing (formerly Overture). Type the keyword you want to check in the Step 3 box. Click the SearchIt! button.
Click the link at the bottom of the info page to see your results. Before you see your results, a verification page will appear that asks you to type a series of four numbers and/or letters into a box. This is Yahoo! Search Marketing's way of preventing automated search tools from hammering their databases. The letters and numbers are written so that only the human eye can discern them, thus ensuring that only live people access their database.
Type the letters and numbers into the box and click the button to see your results.
You will see the ads and the amounts bid for them in Yahoo! Search Marketing. While bids for that keyword will not be identical in Google AdSense, you can get a good idea of the relative value of the keywords you are targeting.
Find Affiliate Programs
This option lets you search for affiliate programs on AssociatePrograms.com, the top database of affiliate programs on the Web. Type a topic or product in the Step 3 box. From experience, I'd say to start with a broad topic. For example, if you want to check out coffee tables, start by searching for furniture. I've found that using more specific products often result in getting no results.
Click the SearchIt! button.
Again, I suggest that you check out the resource links on the intro page. They have some good information that can help you make money with affiliate products.
After you've read the resources in the links, click the link at the bottom of the page to see your results.
Let eBay Help You
This option lets you check eBay to see what kinds of products related to yours are selling there. The value of this search option is largely for either brainstorming or checking eBay as a potential outlet for your products.
Type the product in the Step 3 box and click the SearchIt! button. Click the link at the bottom of the page to see your results.
You can click any applicable links in the Matching Categories links at the left of the screen. And if you want to research how well items are selling, I suggest that you select the Completed Items box under the Search Options heading at the left of the screen and click the Show Items button.
You will then see only completed auctions for those items, giving you a chance to see how many of them really sold and how much they sold for. This is one of the key elements of eBay research. You need, though, to be logged in to your eBay account to access this kind of data. If you don't already have an eBay account, you can sign up for free, so there's no problem doing this kind of research.
Next week
This Sunday, I've covered some ways to uncover effective ways of monetizing (making money off of) your site. Next week I'll start covering some site research tools, starting with various ways to determine your site's popularity.
All in all, SearchIt! can find you lots of valuable information. The main thing to remember is to READ THE DIRECTIONS. With as many tools packed into this one interface, you're not going to take one look at it and intuitively understand how to use every one of them. But the directions they give are easy, and they do more than just tell you how to use each tool; they also throw in tips on how to use the results you receive to make your site more successful.
SearchIt! is one of these free tools that really produces value for you. I recommend that you check it out and make it a part of your web marketing arsenal.
Jeff
The SearchIt! free search tool consists of a window with two dropdown boxes and two text boxes. In the two dropdown boxes, you select the type of search you want to do. In the two text boxes, you select the search criteria (such as keywords or URLs) you want to use.
Rather than repeat the introductory info about SearchIt! that I shared previously, I suggest that you see the October 2nd blog for this information. Or simply realize that it is important to click all the links and read all the instructions that SearchIt! tells you to do.
You'll find SearchIt! A LOT easier and more valuable to use if you do that.
Using SearchIt!
Last week we looked at using SearchIt! for some interesting ways to test the effectiveness of your website. This week we'll look at how SearchIt! can help you find ways to make money with your website.
In the Step 1 dropdown box, scroll down under C-T-P-M and select Monetization.
Click the dropdown box for Step 2: Select Search Type. You'll see the following options.
- Preview Google AdWords
- What Are Your Keywords Worth?
- Find Affiliate Programs
- Let eBay Help You
Google AdWords Preview
This option shows you the types of Google AdSense ads that would appear on a page that targets a specific keyword. Take the primary keyword for a page that you're considering running Google AdSense ads on. Type it in the Step 3 box. Click the SearchIt! button.
I especially encourage you to read the intro page for this search. It has some excellent links on it to help you understand and make money with Google AdSense.
Once you've read the resources, click the link at the bottom of that page to show the ads that would appear on your page.
What Are Your Keywords Worth?
This option shows you the actual bids for ads on your targeted keywords in Yahoo! Search Marketing (formerly Overture). Type the keyword you want to check in the Step 3 box. Click the SearchIt! button.
Click the link at the bottom of the info page to see your results. Before you see your results, a verification page will appear that asks you to type a series of four numbers and/or letters into a box. This is Yahoo! Search Marketing's way of preventing automated search tools from hammering their databases. The letters and numbers are written so that only the human eye can discern them, thus ensuring that only live people access their database.
Type the letters and numbers into the box and click the button to see your results.
You will see the ads and the amounts bid for them in Yahoo! Search Marketing. While bids for that keyword will not be identical in Google AdSense, you can get a good idea of the relative value of the keywords you are targeting.
Find Affiliate Programs
This option lets you search for affiliate programs on AssociatePrograms.com, the top database of affiliate programs on the Web. Type a topic or product in the Step 3 box. From experience, I'd say to start with a broad topic. For example, if you want to check out coffee tables, start by searching for furniture. I've found that using more specific products often result in getting no results.
Click the SearchIt! button.
Again, I suggest that you check out the resource links on the intro page. They have some good information that can help you make money with affiliate products.
After you've read the resources in the links, click the link at the bottom of the page to see your results.
Let eBay Help You
This option lets you check eBay to see what kinds of products related to yours are selling there. The value of this search option is largely for either brainstorming or checking eBay as a potential outlet for your products.
Type the product in the Step 3 box and click the SearchIt! button. Click the link at the bottom of the page to see your results.
You can click any applicable links in the Matching Categories links at the left of the screen. And if you want to research how well items are selling, I suggest that you select the Completed Items box under the Search Options heading at the left of the screen and click the Show Items button.
You will then see only completed auctions for those items, giving you a chance to see how many of them really sold and how much they sold for. This is one of the key elements of eBay research. You need, though, to be logged in to your eBay account to access this kind of data. If you don't already have an eBay account, you can sign up for free, so there's no problem doing this kind of research.
Next week
This Sunday, I've covered some ways to uncover effective ways of monetizing (making money off of) your site. Next week I'll start covering some site research tools, starting with various ways to determine your site's popularity.
All in all, SearchIt! can find you lots of valuable information. The main thing to remember is to READ THE DIRECTIONS. With as many tools packed into this one interface, you're not going to take one look at it and intuitively understand how to use every one of them. But the directions they give are easy, and they do more than just tell you how to use each tool; they also throw in tips on how to use the results you receive to make your site more successful.
SearchIt! is one of these free tools that really produces value for you. I recommend that you check it out and make it a part of your web marketing arsenal.
Jeff
One Stop Web Support Newsletter #17 Preview
The latest newsletter is due out on Sunday, November 27 and will contain the following:
Part 2 of The Three Attitudes That Short-Circuit Businesses Online
A review of the Trafficology Internet Marketing Resource site
A review of the new auction selling course Insider Secrets of an eBay Millionaire
A special guest article by eBay expert Janiece Smith on A Scientific Method to Ensure Your Products Will Sell On eBay
A success quote
As always, you can subscribe to the newsletter at the following address:
http://www.onestopwebsupport.com/newsletter-signup.htm
And if you do, you'll receive over $250 worth of free gifts. Why so much? The newsletter signup page explains why and how overdelivering what people expect is a key to doing business online.
Jeff
The latest newsletter is due out on Sunday, November 27 and will contain the following:
Part 2 of The Three Attitudes That Short-Circuit Businesses Online
A review of the Trafficology Internet Marketing Resource site
A review of the new auction selling course Insider Secrets of an eBay Millionaire
A special guest article by eBay expert Janiece Smith on A Scientific Method to Ensure Your Products Will Sell On eBay
A success quote
As always, you can subscribe to the newsletter at the following address:
http://www.onestopwebsupport.com/newsletter-signup.htm
And if you do, you'll receive over $250 worth of free gifts. Why so much? The newsletter signup page explains why and how overdelivering what people expect is a key to doing business online.
Jeff
© 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Jeff Baas, One Stop Web Support
