Web Moves Blog

The truth is, many Internet marketers sometimes have the tendency to be over-eager, earning the industry a less than stellar reputation. More than a few have tried to change this perception over the years with honest-to-goodness value propositions, and for that I applaud them. However, there are those who still insist on turning a profit on deceptive, irritating methods like spamming. Where traffic is, so spam goes, and right now the prime targets are social networks. (more…)

We all need web hosting whether our sites makes $100,000/day or $0/month, however, we don’t always have to pay full price for it. Now I know there are several hosting companies offering such low hosting plans that some people might feel that it doesn’t matter if they pay or not but I will assume you are not one of those people since you have continued to read past the title of this article :-).

A common misconception with hosting companies is that they will only offer deals and discounts on their small hosting plans, this is not true. Hosting companies are in business to make money just as most of us are and they weight the Pros and Cons of business arrangements just as we do. If something makes sense to them then there is a high chance that they will do it whether it be a budget hosting plan or a top notch dedicated server.

How does this work? Well, it is very simple really, all you need to do is contact your web hosting provider, try to speak with the person in charge of business development or billing and let them know that you are currently hosted with them and would like to know if they would be interested in a barter arrangement where you add “Your Site Name hosted by Your Host Name” with a link to their website on all pages of your website.

This can be a very attractive offer to a host since a referral from a website that is currently being hosted by the hosting company is far more convincing than many of the alternatives such as searching through web hosting directories or using search engines. If you have loyal followers of your site then the “hosted by” message becomes even more powerful as a means to provide additional business to your host.

Have a few bits of information on hand when calling your host:

• Prepare a brief summary of your website and its audience. Make this as short as possible and keep it in a regular conversational tone.
• Have your traffic stats ready as this is one of the main things your host will be interested in find out to help determine if the deal will make sense for them or not.
• Know your Google PageRank. Your host may be interested in knowing this to help determine the reputation of your site.

If your host seems a bit reluctant to go ahead with your offer you can suggest a trial period during which they can track the results and see if the deal will infact be beneficial to them.

As simple as this strategy seems the beautiful thing is, it works! So give it a shot and let it work for you. Good luck!

For a number of months, Twitter has been the darling of the technorati. It was simple, easy to use, and most of all, it was addicting. For marketers, it was another way of tapping into conversations, and knowing what was hot in the eyes of the twittering public. News had a way of breaking out fast in Twitter, and people talked in a very raw, informal manner that’s valuable if you need to see real trends as they unfold. (more…)

The economy might be slowing down, but technology and Internet-related businesses are still experiencing steady growth. If you’re looking for new income sources, the Web is not a bad idea. However, just like any other business, making money online is a multifaceted endeavor. If you’d like to try you’re hand at it, it’s best to study the risks and the how-to’s. I’ve gathered a few free ebooks and resources here written by some of the most highly regarded Internet marketers to help you understand how it all works. Hopefully, you’ll find them useful and answer some of your questions. (more…)

If you have realized the benefits of search engine optimization then by now you should also have come to the realization that SEO isn’t rocket science (oh don’t you just hate hearing people say that) but it’s also no walk in the park. It can be a very timely process that doesn’t come with any guarantees and is different for every website. Before you get all stressed out about it, fear not, help is on the way. (more…)

For most of us with content driven sites whose purpose online is to make money there are a few companies out there that help fascilitate this process. These companies are particularly beneficial in that they allow you to make money with only the initial setup involved. No sales team needed!

They can help give smaller sites a helping hand and larger sites a major boost in revenue.

So who are these companies and how can I get started with them? (more…)

What Rich Internet Marketers Know That You Don’t
Thirty years ago, I sold information via small classified ads in “ad-sheets” on how to make money teaching others how to make money. We sent out these packets of flyers called “Big Mails.” We sent them to people who answered out ads and sent us the postage or a self-addressed stamped envelope.

One of the most prevalent plans back then sold for $1. It offered to teach you how to make one hundred dollars a day stuffing envelopes. This plan cost you a dollar plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. When someone responded to your ad, you sent them a sheet of paper telling them to run the same ad and do the same things that you were doing. You also included flyers for other brilliant plans in the envelope 🙂

Fast forward 25 years, and I found myself in that same world transposed online.

They were the same because in both cases I found myself in a world where there were tens of thousands of people offering to sell others information on how to finally break free of the rat-race and create their own outrageously profitable businesses.

They were the same, because in both cases, most of the people marketing this information had never achieved any major success at what they were teaching.

However, things turned out drastically different for me the second time around. I was actually able to achieve my goals, and I’d like to share with you how and why that happened. I’d like to share with you, some of my major discoveries.

The how and why
The how is that a small voice in my head said, “What you’re currently doing is insane!” The incestuous marketing of “plans” that we’re all “pitching” to each other just has us all “running around in circles.” That small voice, that you hear too, said, “This is not the answer, so where is it.”

Unlike many, I listened to that voice, stepped back, and looked around for those who appeared to have discovered “the answer.” Then I made a point of studying and analyzing everything they did. I read all that they wrote. I attended live events to meet, listen to, and question them. Most importantly, I used my own power of observation to SEE who was “walking the walk,” and who just “talked a good story, but wasn’t there yet”.

I very quickly discovered that those who had uncovered some part of the real secret CHARGED you for teaching it to you. They had hundreds of people clamoring to be taught or given a helping hand. So they used their consulting fees to see who was serious AND as a means of allocating their most valuable asset – their time. So I became willing to pay for the guidance of those who could really teach me.

One of the first things I was taught was that I needed a radical shift in my belief system of what IS possible. Our belief of what we can accomplish is framed by what relatives and those around us have done. We need to frame it in terms of what those who have accomplished much more have done.

That re-framing occurred as I talked to online millionaires and saw how they actually viewed the world and interacted with it. My mentors and coaches had me feed my mind information and proof of what was possible. They had me totally saturate myself in the material, to the extent that even now I listen to it on my MP3 player while out jogging… it takes my mind off of the pain 🙂

Here’s the most significant discovery I made about what’s happening in the online world… The real money online is being made by those selling real world products that solve problems.

The real money online is being made by those who educate their markets and then make it easy for them to buy. That’s the most effective sales technique. Teach them and in the process bring them to the conclusion that your product is the only logical choice.

It’s a FACT that people use the Internet to research topics of interest and to comparison shop. Then they often buy the item that they’ve researched offline. If your website is the one that educates them, and helps make the research easy, they’ll flock to your website. It’s that simple. While there, they may purchase the item of interest from you 🙂

Another point that many online marketers are really missing is that people go online to buy ordinary tangible things! When one of my friend bought an motorhome (sight-unseen) over Ebay, that shocked me. When I heard that over 5 BILLION dollars worth of vehicles are sold over Ebay annually, that enlightened me.

People love to shop, and they get tremendous pleasure out of buying things for themselves and their loved ones. Offer them what they’re looking for and they’ll purchase it from your website. They purchase everything from cars and clothing, to computers and software, to books, to pet supplies, to vitamins and supplements, to flowers, and even houses over the Internet. If you’re offering these items, in the right way, you will do very well!

If you need proof of what I have just stated, read the book, Success Alert. It was written by my friend, John Evans, who interviewed over 60 people making up to eighteen million a year doing just what I described. Grab a copy today and devote an evening to absorbing the knowledge and business wisdom contained within these in-depth interviews.
Get a copy from: ==> http://WillieCrawford.com/finally.html

The very powerful examples in this book will make a believer out of many. They will show you how people are quietly making millions providing people with tangible products that they WANT.

This book won’t totally solve the problem for everyone. There will still be those who will say, “Yeah, they did it, but I can’t.” Some even go as far as to imply that God doesn’t want them to succeed in a big way. They believe that they are intended to suffer and never break out of the struggle.

Listen – we live in a world of unimagined riches! There is more than enough to go around. What keeps most of us from getting those things we want is that we aren’t open to receiving them. I don’t want to get mystical or anything, but every major religion, and way of thinking in the world, teaches that if you ask you will receive. There’s just a correct way of asking that we often don’t understand.

A good course for drastically shifting your thinking of what you CAN accomplish and what this world will give you is by Dr. Robert Anthony. This couse was life-changing enough that I devoted a full week exclusively to studying it when I first discovered it. rab a copy, and begin to understand many things in a totally different light by visiting:
==> http://eliteinnercircle.com/reports/c/6E

So… it takes offering the right products…things that people want. It also takes believing that you can do it enough to really go for it. For many of us, it also takes proof… we need to see examples of people doing it.

All of these are right before you. That’s why I needed to have this talk with you. I’m a little confused at to why so many refuse to see what is so obvious. I’m a little confused, but not totally confused. I acknowledge that some people “deep down inside” don’t want success. They’re afraid of it, or don’t believe that they deserve it.

If you want to know how to actually build a thriving online business, I’ve just revealed it to you. I speak with numerous shining examples of those doing it EVERY week. They share with me things that I can probably never share with you directly. I treasure their confidence and that’s a part of why they open up to me so. I’ve probably already shared too much… we’ll see if THEY stop talking to me 🙂

Author Bio:
Willie Crawford has been teaching others how to build an on-line business since late 1996. Frequently featured in radio, magazine and newspaper articles and interviews, Willie teaches the average guy what the top marketers are doing but seldom talking about. Willie provides detailed how to information in his newsletter, through his personal coaching, and at his annual how to workshop. Subscribe to Willie’s free course at: http://williecrawford.com/

Write Better Web Content
If you’re reading this article, chances are that you, like most professionals these days, understand the value of the Internet. It may be where you go to buy movie or concert tickets, browse restaurant menus, or plan your vacations.

Most likely, you also turn to the Web to research business strategies, vendors and other companies.

But what about those surfers who are researching your company? When they visit your Web site, will they find what they’re looking for? Does your site provide the information they need in an interesting format that will keep them there long enough to convince them to do business with you?

While an attractive, professional-looking site is an important start, content is king. (What else would you expect from a copywriter?) But seriously, your site will never be truly effective without well-written content that answers visitors’ questions and creates enough interest to keep them coming back.

So how do you create effective content for the Web? It may be easier than you think. With all the bad writing out there on the Internet, even minimal effort can help set yours apart. Here’s a start: Good Web content can always be described by these four adjectives.

1. Consistent
There’s nothing like inconsistency to make your Web site appear amateurish. Some businesses spell their own company names two or three different ways right on the home page. If your company name is written in all lower-case letters or with unique spacing, be sure you write it the same way every time. But don’t stop there; strive for consistency in all your content ‘ from the use of abbreviations, fonts and numerals to the tone, style and voice of your copy. Having one person write all the content helps keep it consistent, but when this isn’t possible, at least try to have one person serve as editor. If several people are contributing to your site, develop a style guide to inform them of your rules for consistent content.

2. Clear
As in all writing, the goal of Web content is to communicate with an audience, and clarity is essential. Try reading your copy aloud before posting; hearing it out loud can help you determine whether it all makes sense. If possible, have one or two others read copy before posting it to the Web and if your subject matter is technical or complicated, consider using an outside editor to help eliminate techno-speak.

3. Casual
The nature of the Web is more informal than many other marketing venues, so make sure your copy fits the medium. Your Web content should probably be more conversational than your traditional brochure or company presentation, and because many readers scan Web copy rather than reading it word for word, subheadings and bullets are helpful. In most cases, Web content should also be brief, making your points quickly without losing readers’ attention. However, many effective sites contain brief copy on the front pages with more detailed information available through additional links, which works to keep the attention of the general readership while offering more for those who want it.

4. Correct
Don’t confuse “casual” with “sloppy,” however. Correctness is still important, even on the Web, and errors in spelling, grammar, or facts will give most readers a negative impression of your company. Don’t just use spell check; read and re-read your copy before posting it, and if possible, get second opinions from those who know what they’re doing. There’s nothing wrong with being a bad speller, but there’s no excuse for refusing to double-check your work.

Author Bio:
Nancy Jackson, owner of The WriteShop, helps companies better market their products and services with powerful written communications including Web content, newsletters, brochures and publications. Subscribe to her free monthly newsletter at www.writeshoponline.com.

Marketing Your eZine
The internet marketing “Guru’s” have been saying for years that the “money is in the list”. In other words, having thousands of subscribers to your ezine or newsletter increases your chances of potential sales. It is pretty hard to dispute that quote but how do you go about getting those thousands of subscribers to sign up for your ezine?

I use three primary ways to get interested subscribers to sign up for my ezine. Purchased leads and subscription services, ezine directories and article writing.

Purchased Leads/Subscription Services

Purchased leads and subscription services work with you to get subscribers to sign up for your ezine. You agree to purchase x amount of subscribers per month from a subscription service for a fee and they will advertise your ezine for you until they have filled the amount of subscribers you have purchased. Most companies will always give you more than the amount you purchased due to bad email addresses, removals, and undelivered emails.

Subscription services are ideal for anyone that is first starting out as a way to get quite a few subscribers in a relatively short amount of time. You will also have a choice of single opt-in or double-in subscribers. Double opt-in subscribers actually have to reply to an email to validate that they are interested in your ezine, where single opt-in will get your ezine automatically. There are many subscription services to choose from and I advise trying different ones because every list is different.

EZine Directories
Ezine directories are websites that will allow you to submit your ezine to their website. There are free and paid directories. You submit your url for your ezine and a short ad about your ezine and that is it. Here are few examples of some ezine directories I use.

http://www.bestezines.com
http://www.ezineadvertising.com
http://www.ezine-dir.com
http://www.ezinelocater.com
http://www.ezine-marketing.com
http://www.ezinesearch.com
http://www.ezine-swap.com
http://www.ezine-universe.com
http://www.ezinepublisher.org

You may also do a search at http://www.google.com for more ezine directories.

Writing Articles
Writing articles is a great way of promoting your ezine, website, or products. Simply write a short article of 500-1000 words on the subject of your choice, preferably about your home business and submit them to article directories. At the end of each article you get to use a author resource box to tell the reader about yourself. This is where you promote your ezine, website or product. Use four to six lines to give your name and details. Then submit your article to article directories that are always looking for quality content. Here are some of the article directories I use.

http://www.authorconnection.com
http://www.addme.com/nlsubmit.htm
http://www.allnetarticles.com
http://www.articlecentral.com
http://www.articlecity.com
http://www.articles911.com
http://www.bestparentingresources.com/Article.html
http://www.boconline.com/sub-art.htm
http://www.business-dynamics.com/resource_library/index.html
http://www.businesstoolchest.com/articles/submit.shtml
http://www.bytesworth.com/articles
http://cerebuswebmaster.com/onsite/articles.html
http://www.certificate.net/wwio/ideas.shtml
http://www.clickforcontent.com
http://www.connectionteam.com
http://www.digital-women.com/submitarticle.htm

Tools
There are some tools you will need in order to deliver your ezine to your subscribers. A good autoresponder is a must if you hope to have thousands of subscribers to your ezine.

Autoresponders house your ezine and subscribers on one system and automatically send your ezine to your subscribers. The autoresponder takes care of when to send the subscriber the next addition of your ezine based on the intervals you set.

Another good tool to use is a pop-up or pop-over ad on your website for those that are visiting your website. The pop-up/over ad will capture the prospects name and email address and send it directly to your autoreponder. Once you have them in your autoresponder you start to develop a trust relationship with your subscribers, this is important because once your subscriber feels like they can trust you they are more likely to buy what you are selling.

Good luck with your ezine marketing!

Author Bio:
Dirk Wagner is CEO and owner of http://team4success.biz and the free, easy to install #1 home business toolbar with automated updates.A website dedicated to helping the home-based business entrepreneur start and succeed with there very own home-based business.

Choosing an autoresponder
Let’s give a definition to autoresponder first. So, what is an autoresponder? Think of it as a ‘fax on demand’ service. When a customer sends an e-mail to the autoresponder address, this smart ‘robot’ sends back an e-mail response, usually informative letter.

You can set up hundreds of autoresponders. You can use them literally for anything you can think of, including customer support, new product offers, ezine broadcasts and a whole lot more…

Autoresponders can save you a lot of your hard earned dollars. They can be your best marketing tool, therefore, it is important to have a reliable service under hand. There are quite a few autoresponder services around that you might consider using.

But before you do so, I want you to read the following tips that will help you to choose the right service for you. The following features are the basic ones that would be worth your attention.

Options to choose from
Personalized messages

Sending personalized messages is a powerful way to improve your customer loyalty, which will then result in better response rate, and better response rate leads to more sales. So, make sure you can do that.

Unlimited followup messages

Even if you don’t have a big subscriber list at the moment, your list will grow along with your business. So, you should look for autoresponder service that has unlimited followup messages feature included in the account.

In other words, you should be able to broadcast unlimited autoresponder messages to your subscribers who will become your customers, your most powerful buying force. It will save you a lot of time and hassle in the end.

Unlimited length of your messages

You might have a lot of news or a long article that you would like to squeeze into one e-mail. What if your messages are restricted in length? Of course, you can split it into two parts, and send the second part in the following month, if you run a monthly newsletter. It’s up to you to decide, but is it really worth your time? You should be able to write as long messages as your imagination allows.

24/7 technical support

It’s important to send your messages in a timely fashion, if there is any unexpected problem with your autoresponder, quick round the clock technical support is invaluable. So, having access to 24/7 technical support might be vital for your business. While checking out any service, be advised of this feature.

24/7 access to your account

Edit, add or make any other changes to your account at any time. In Internet things happen fast. Sometimes, while surfing the net, you might get a new idea popped up in your mind. And you say ‘hey, it’s a good idea, I think it might interest my subscribers’. And you want to jot it down when the idea is still fresh and insert it into your autoresponder to be sent in the next broadcast. Having unlimited access to your account will help you effectively manage your e-mail campaign.

Toll-free phone support

Today business is not business without customer service. If you get live support over the phone, it takes a lot less time to solve a problem than it would using other means of communication like e-mail. It’s a quickest and most reliable method in dealing with any issue. Be sure you have access to it.

Free trial

Trying a product for free is the best way to get the feel of it. It gives you a full picture if the product is the product it claims to be and if it meets your expectations. After the trial, you will have a pretty good idea if the product is worth your investment.

With all the above features present, there is no reason in the world that would stop you from giving it a try. So, give it a shot. I am sure you will find an autoresponder right for you in the end. Because a good autoresponder service will reward you in spades, making you more money every time.

Enjoy!

Author Bio:
Bob Kosimov offers helpful articles, free webmaster downloads and link pages you will enjoy. Visit his site at http://www.activeresponder.com/?ya