New FTC Rules

I haven’t read much about the new FTC rules that became law yesterday, but I thought I’d pass on a couple of good links to other blog posts talking about the subject. I’ll update this post with more links as I run across them and comment when I know more about how to deal with the rules.

http://blogs.forrester.com/marketing/2009/10/the-end-of-marketerblogger-relationships.html

http://masscontrolsite.com/blog/?p=59

Until later…

Reba

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Don’t Be Afraid To Promote To Your List

The Internet Marketing Sweetie line of fantastic products is expanding again. Just a little while back I talked about the Information Product Sweetie course and was going to get back to you with a review. Please forgive me that I never got back with the review, my daughter’s college volleyball season started and we’re so busy traveling to watch her play that I can’t see straight (she’s a senior, it’s our last year).

Since then, Melissa Ingold has taken the reigns and launched a  new product that I think is important to let you know about since it teaches something that I’m not very good at, email marketing. I thought maybe some of you might need training in that area as well and this new ‘Sweetie’ product fits the bill, it’s called Email Marketing Sweetie.

Yeah, I’m guilty. I have a list, many of you have subscribed, but other than the initial emails you get when you first signed-up, you’ve never heard from me. That’s because I prefer to post here, on my blog, it just seems easier for me. But establishing a quality, long-lasting relationship with my subscribers is important to me, so I’m going to be making some changes soon. I hope you will learn from my experience and start using email to better the relationship with your readers and customers as well as increase your revenue along the way.

For me, and maybe for many of you, establishing that relationship may seem like a daunting task, but I’m learning from Email Marketing Sweetie that it is absolutely critical in order to maintain a successful online business. Heck, I get emails from marketers all the time and they aren’t intrusive in the least, in fact, I enjoy getting most of the information that is sent out. Selling can be intimidating for many of us and selling to your list can be even harder. But if you want to have an online business, tapping into your customer-base is one of the most lucrative resources you have. Not utilizing that resource can be detrimental to your success.

Now, if you have not yet made an attempt to promote your business to your subscribers, you can’t act hastily by inundating them with an onslaught of email promotions. Start out slow and test the waters first. An initial email letting them know you will be sending them valuable offers will open the lines of communication and lessen the shock value of advertisements appearing in their in-boxes. This is an opportunity to sell yourself and your business while gaining their trust before the “sales” even begin.

I was informed of an upcoming membership launch that could prove to be very valuable to my readers. Before that launch (that I’m going to promote by email), I plan to send out an email letting my subscribers know that I’m going to start sending them emails more often. That will ease them into the fact that they will begin to hear from me on a more regular basis. That way any subscriber who truly is not interested in receiving my promotional offers will have the opportunity to unsubscribe.

Is it scary? Sure, but if I want my internet business to flourish, I will need to get over the fear. The information I plan to send is very useful and my readers will miss out if I don’t let them know about what’s happening in the internet marketing world that could help them further their businesses.

And that’s the good news, most of the people on my list, and yours too, will most likely appreciate the information. Now, this does not mean that I’ll be sending out multiple offers on a daily basis until my  address is exiled to the world of SPAM. Please, never do that to your list, I know how it feels and I usually unsubscribe, however, it does mean that I will have to stay on top of contacting my list and make a point of doing so frequently enough to stay current and fresh in their minds without filling their in-boxes with clutter.

It is also important to maintain a balance between content-driven emails and those containing promotions. That means that I’ll have to create more content so I have enough to post here on the blog as well as send out to my list. Selling to your list requires a delicate balance. I’ll need to mix it up without mixing messages. In other words, my emails will need to alternate between information and advertising without blending the two. I do not want to take the risk of my message getting lost. I want to continue to be a voice my subscribers can trust without becoming too sales-driven. I also want to make sure my promotions are clear without getting lost in content.

I’m thinking it will be good to send one promotion for every two or three information-driven emails. This way, I will not come across as overbearing but will still be taking advantage of possible revenue-building opportunities.

So join me in my new endeavor and don’t be afraid to promote to your list. It can and will prove to be a lucrative decision.

If you feel like you need help learning how to do email marketing to your list, check out the new Email Marketing Sweetie course. It’s only $27.97 until October 9th, after which it’s regular price will be $47.95. But even if you’re reading this post after October 9th, the course is well worth the regular price.

I’m going through the information now and will report back in a few days with a review.

Click Here to Learn More About
Alice Seba’s “Email Marketing Sweetie” Course

Only $27.95 through October 9th!

Until next time.

Reba

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Develop An ‘Elevator Pitch’ And Tell The World About Your Business

Over the years I’ve heard many business authorities talk about the benefit of preparing an ‘elevator pitch’ for your business. I never much cared to write one, much less deliver a ‘pitch’ in an elevator of all places, so I didn’t participate. For heaven’s sake, an elevator is not a place where you want to talk to other people, right? Aren’t we all supposed to fixate on the numbers as they change when moving from floor to floor?

All kidding aside, what I didn’t realize is that developing an ‘elevator pitch’ is not so much about where it’s delivered as much as it is about knowing what your business does and being able to tell others. It’s about taking your company’s main focus out of the obscure recesses of your head and putting it into words for the world to hear. Come to find out, doing this isn’t always an easy task.

When the ‘time’ presents itself, and it will present itself, having a memorized ‘elevator pitch’ for your business will help you communicate what your business does and you won’t have to worry about going off on a long-winded, disjointed, tangent. In fact, a well constructed ‘elevator pitch’ helps others quickly decide whether or not they want to know more about your business. And the fact that you know exactly what to say when that ‘time’ presents itself, gives you a distinctly higher possibility of having your audience want to know more.

One thing I learned while writing the ‘elevator pitch’ for this website is that summing up what your business does is not all you will gain. The process of writing the pitch actually helps you realize what the one most important thing is that you want your customer to know about your business.

What is an ‘elevator pitch’?

An ‘elevator pitch’ is a succinct summation of what your business does. It should be easy to understand and should take no longer to deliver than it takes to ride an elevator to the top of a short building. It should be delivered in such a way that it excites the listener and entices them to want to know more.

How do you write an ‘elevator pitch’?

• Do not use a cookie cutter template that is easy to find on the internet. Make your pitch unique and give it personality.
• An ‘elevator pitch’ is not a sales pitch. Do not allow it to sound cheezy.
• Your pitch must be easy to understand by anyone, even your grandmother. Do not use acronyms or industry jargon.
• The core of your ‘elevator pitch’ should convey benefits to your customer. This is where you should explain why your business is unique and better than your competitors.
• Ensure it is no longer than 30 seconds. This will drive you to focus on what’s most important about your business in the eyes of your customer.
• Lastly, memorize it, rehearse it, inject passion, confidence, and personality.

Delivering your ‘elevator pitch’.

• Practice it, and then practice it again, and then again and again. Out loud in a mirror. Determine how it will be different when delivering it to different audiences and practice it some more. Get to the point where it rolls off your tongue naturally.
• Get over any apprehension you may have about ‘tooting your own horn’. Delivering an ‘elevator pitch’ about YOUR company is all about telling how YOU will deliver.
• Speak at a pace that shows calm confidence. People can be put-off when you speed through a rehearsed speech. Make sure it sounds natural.
• Remember the first rule of sales – ABC – always be closing. Give your speech to everyone, don’t save it for only those you think are customers, you never know when a potential customer is sitting at your table or…standing in the elevator with you.

An effective ‘elevator pitch’ is designed to give its audience enough information that they will know what you’re talking about and then have enough interest to want to know more. It should not overwhelm, intimidate, or make the other person feel dumb. And it should not be so detailed or long that they tune out.

Here’s version 2 of my elevator pitch for Internet Marketing Boomer and I still think it needs work, actually, a lot of work:

“I help internet business owners find success online by explaining and teaching online marketing concepts through the articles I post on Internet Marketing Boomer. I do that by examining, reviewing, reporting and recommending internet marketing knowledge products as well as writing about how to set-up an internet business and website, how to drive traffic to that website, and examining the different options people have to make money online. Basically, with what I write, I help internet business owners find the information they need to succeed online.”

The tag line I’ve developed for my ‘elevator pitch’ is:

“Helping internet business owners find the information they need to succeed online.”

Keep it concise, to the point, and easy to understand. Deliver it with passion, confidence and personality while keeping it shorter than an elevator ride up a short building. Do all that and you will have an ‘elevator pitch’ that not only helped you pinpoint what your business does but will allow you get a lot of people interested as well.

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Information Products Have Major Online Demand

Draw from your experience and knowledge to make money online.

Having information that other people want and can use gives you a virtual treasure that can flow from your experience and knowledge to your keyboard and on to your bank account. We’ve all seen the non-fiction books and information products that fill the shelves at bookstores but online they are especially popular and are filling the needs of millions around the world who are hungry for the advice and insight a little experience and knowledge can provide.

If you are a baby boomer, chances are you have and infinite amount of experience in a plethora of different subjects and areas. The fact that there are scores of people searching the internet to find information at  any given moment, provides you an opportunity to share your knowledge and make a profit as well.  By selling non-fiction information products and sharing your knowledge on a certain subject, you can build an entire line of products that target a single niche of consumers.  Or, you can branch out and offer solutions in a multitude of niches to reach millions of people worldwide who need guidance.

As an online information product provider, you will enjoy keeping almost 100% of the profits for yourself. In the print publishing industry, the author only receives a small portion of the proceeds after agent and publishing house fees. Online is totally different, there’s no agent, you are the publisher, and there are very few expenses involved in setting up a website.

Typically, a non-fiction book at Barnes and Noble would cost the consumer an average of $9.95 to $39.95.  When you sell information products ready for instant download on the internet, quite often depending on the subject matter and your audience, you can demand a higher price.  I personally have purchase information products about internet marketing that cost as much as $1000. In smaller niches outside of the ‘make money’ niche, it will depend on your knowledge and the value of that knowledge. Some eBooks may only bring $4.95 while others may be worth as much a $500 or $1000.

Online digital products do not take up physical space or need to be purchased and shipped which aids in keeping overhead costs low.  Even if you outsource the creation of your information product, you’re still able to recoup the investment after a short period of sales.

Why are consumers so hungry for online information products?  In this age of rapid high-tech development your readers want information now, not the next business day. Your customer may be sitting in an airport, accessing your eBook from their laptop so they can read it on their flight.  If their child is up sick crying from colic at 3:30 in the morning, a mom can’t drive to a bookstore to get a self-help book – but she can go online and download your eBook and put your advice into action within minutes.

Another reason information products are such an attractive purchase online is because they most often come with an ironclad money-back guarantee. This gives the consumer added assurance they are purchasing something they can use, and if not, they don’t have to worry about wasting their money.

If you are seeking a way to make money online, consider developing an information product that will fill a need in an area where you have knowledge and experience. There are many people seeking your knowledge and it could be a very profitable venture for you.

In my next post I will review an information product that will teach you to create information products. The item I will be reviewing is call Information Product Sweetie and was written by Alice Seba. Alice is a well known and respected author and trainer in the ‘work at home mom’ (WAHM) community. Her products are geared at teaching ‘work at home moms’ to run their own online business so they can stay home and care for their children. However, it’s my experience that her products cross-over to most anyone who wants to learn the topic.

Until next time…

Reba

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Create Your Own Products and Sell Them Online

I just ran across a post on Mashable that I thought might interest my readers. It’s called ‘15 Places to Make Money Creating Your Own Products‘. In the article Josh Catone lists 15 print/make-on-demand companies that will make ‘just one’ of just about anything (within reason), and most will drop-ship the item to your customer. Some even give you a place on their site to sell your product.

Below I’ve reprinted the 15 places but be sure to read through the comments on the article at Mashable. The readers have added at least 10 more great sites. With info like this, there’s nothing stopping you from starting your own online business.

Go to Mashable’s article for descriptions of each site.

CafePress -print-on-demand tees, card, mugs, etc.

Zazzle – same as CafePress

Spreadshirt – mostly print-on-demand tees and sweatshirts

PikiStore – same as CafePress and Zazzle

Lulu – print-on-demand books, CDs, DVDs, etc.

CreateSpace – same as Lulu, owned by Amazon

Blurb – print-on-demand books only

TasteBook – print-on-demand personal cookbooks

CDBaby – CDs – lots of Indie Artists use this site

The Game Crafter – make your own board game or card game

SpoonFlower – print fabric with your own custom design

Ponoko – will turn a 3-D drawing into a product-toys, housewares, furniture, jewelry, etc.

Shapeways – same as Ponoko

ImageKind – print-on-demand art and photography

deviantART – same as ImageKind

Enjoy the list and let your imagination run wild!

Until next time…

Reba

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