| 3X The Traffic |
|
| In A Word |
Spit it out! Literally speaking.
With the internet being the "high-speed" tool that it is, this is a point that all web professionals must guard against. I found a sterling example of this the other day. It said, "The page you are currently on..." Hmmm. Would they mean, "This page?"
And I won't name the guilty party involved, not only because I don't know him, but mostly because I find the same type of awkward wording creeping into my own work. The other day, when I was trying to say, "this type of link" it somehow came out as, "the type of link you want to look at,"... There have been numerous examples.
The problem is, as the world speeds up, this kind of thing slows us down. And while it may provide some much needed comic relief now and again, if not caught, it also makes the entire effort look less than professional. After all, "the page you are currently on,"'s author revealed his overly literal side with that remark.
Okay, so I may be "splitting hairs". We are all entitled to an occasional faux pas. And if it's occasional, then it's forgiveable. But if an entire site or article is written like that. . . well. It would make the average visitor throw up their hands in frustration.
But this points out one of the most valuable reasons for editing and proofreading your work. Sometimes awkward "verbage" becomes much more obvious when it's read over from the beginning. And, if the author doesn't do that, then it's the reader who must suffer through his awkward copy.
And, of course, there is always the danger of going to the other extreme. That is, becoming too cryptic and chopping down the content until it starts to look like a secet language. This is a problem when working with the general public.
So, as always, it's a matter of balance and moderation-- not to mention proofing and editing.--mo
Click Here For More of In A Word (or Two)
|
|
Site-Seeing
|
REVIEW of: Traffic Cane
As part of OPFM's pre-launch, they have begun to unveil some of the products they will be offering once they open. The first of these is an excellent Traffic Exchange that borrows from some of today's top exchanges and improves upon them. Like the simple "choice" layout of Traffic Swarm, plus bonus credits for sign ups and Surprise credits to be found while clicking.
It also offers a simple page for setting up the various urls to be displayed and an easy way to designate which will receive credits as they accrue.
Serious marketers know traffic exchanges work. They know how to use them and they know what works. Traffic Cane Works (Still in Beta-testing.)
OVERALL RATING: 
See Past Reviews HERE
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
| MARKETING MLM Success: The Downline Prinicple |
For years MLM marketing has been the awkward step-child of sales, both online and off. Misunderstood, misjudged and mistreated, it has never been allowed to realize its full potential.
The basic premise for multi-level marketing is an efficient way to train a large marketing force by offering them one-on-one training and support directly from the marketer who brought them into the business, i.e., their direct "upline."
As an incentive for this, the upline marketer earns a portion of the commission on their sales. This should be motivation enough to prompt this upline to be generous with their time and efforts. This is how the system is supposed to work. In theory.
However, this theory is sorely tested and often fails altogether when put to the test. This happens for several reasons:
1. Uplines do not realize the value of their downlines
2. Uplines are not prepared to support downlines properly
3. Downlines do not realize the value of a supportive upline
Complicating this, some companies intercede, attempting to bridge the gap. But in doing so actually thwart the whole MLM process. Simply put, there's a lack of communication between the individuals, due to a lack of understanding of how to fully appreciate the MLM system.
That is, the upline marketer should realize that, when his downline succeeds, he succeeds. Because when his downline makes a sale or gains a sign-up, he receives a commission; when his downline brings in their OWN downline, his downline grows, too. Therefore an upline should be prepared to help that downline, to offer information and practical advice and support. And, most of all, they should be prepared to initiate this.
But one obstacle that begins the trouble is when uplines, themselves, are new to marketing and are not prepared for this responsibility. They also do not understand the value of this yet, nor do they have the confidence to take on the responsibility.
As a result, many marketers start out "orphanned" and,lacking the guiadance and support of a generous mentor, must struggle on alone. Should they endure (and not give up), they tend to develop a very competitive, secretive attitude. As a result, like children learning from poor parents, they, in turn, ignore their own downlines, fulfilling the cycle. Even more so, when they do happen to encounter a helpful, responsive upline, their attitude tends toward petulance and anger-- just like any other neglected child would be.
And, like any victim of an abusive childhood, they seal their fate of being forever forced to make their own sales rather than enjoy the bounty of a healthy, productive downline. Because, until an MLM marketer learns to work with their upline and downline, until they realize that THIS is the crucial element, they fail to grasp the most essential key to its success: of teaching, sharing and helping others.
By doing this successfully and sharing all their knowledge with their downline, a marketer empowers that downline, guaranteeing their success. And, most of all, by one marketer showing their downline how to empower the next generation, they are passing on that success-- and ensuring the foundation of their downlines' continued growth.
In a perfect world, a marketer should only have to sign up three or four other marketers, train them thoroughly and, in doing so, watch as those three or four find their own three or four, who each find their own three or four, etc., etc. That's the ideal.
But, in reality, uplines and downlines have trouble communicating. . . they don't speak, for all kinds of reasons. Uplines are afraid to share their secrets because they feel they are giving away their best secrets to the competition. Except a downline is NOT a competitor, but a business partner. Downlines don't always agree with their uplines or don't want to do the work they have been instructed to do. They don't say this to the upline. They just ignore them instead. Uplines abuse their own downlines, spamming them with upteen offers a day, but never responding when a downline has a question or a problem. They don't work with their downlines to find affordable solutions, they encourage their downlines to "spend, spend, spend" thinking this is the way to make money. But all they do is scare their downlines away.
MLM marketing really can be equated to a parent-child relationship, including new marketers having sign-ups too quickly, which is like teenagers having children. As with this, and especially because it's encouraged in marketing, it's important for an upline to expect to help their downlines' DOWNLINE, for several "generations."
Of course, all this can be change at any time by any marketer, anywhere. The key is to make a serious commitment to supporting your downlines, of working with them and insisting that they work with you. But an upline must also respect their downline, both for what they are and what they are not.
Here are some tips for practical support in action. These are things an upline can and should do in order to support their downline and guide them to success. When someone becomes a marketer's downline, they are honoring that marketer by showing them that they trust that marketer. In return, that marketer should honor that trust.
CONTACT THEM
As soon as they join, send them a "welcome" email. This can be done efficiently by having a standard, pre-written email ready to send to them and should include practical advice to help them get started right away, including the suggestion that they save that welcome email for their OWN downline. But it should also be followed up with a personal email, one that establishes a rapport with them. This is a new business partner, one who looks to you for guidance. Honor that.
SUPPORT PAGE
If you have a website, create a support page that can act as a concise explanation of the program's benefits and offers practical support in the way of free advertising information.
NEWSLETTER
Put together a REAL newsletter, meant only for your downline, and include tips you would never otherwise divulge. If this seems like "giving away secrets to the enemy," then it is important to realize that your downline is not the "enemy" but are more like your children. Would you make your own children learn everything by themselves?
ACTIVELY COMMUNICATE
Encourage communication and establish a personal rapport. This makes you approachable when they are having trouble and allows you to help them through it. Do not limit this to email, especially in today's questionable email environment. If possible telephone or use any one of the free Intant Messaging programs offered. This is an ideal way to keep in touch with each other. When downlines do contact their upline, uplines should make time to respond in a positive, helpful manner. Never ignore a downline.
If an upline has scheduling restraints, let your downline know what those are.
TEACH THEM
Teach them everything you know, don't hold back. When uplines help their downlines -- even their downlines' downlines, it all goes to helping themselves. Like a parent helping their children in the real world, an upline should do all they can to make sure their downline succeeds.
Of course, some people sign up then abandon their business, never returning emails, never making sales, etc. It happens, for a variety of reasons. But it is GREATLY reduced when an upline utilizes the methods mentioned above. There is no point in dwelling on these situations. Simply focus on those that do respond and move on. Some people just don't understand the concept. Save your energy for those who do.
Over time, the result will be a healthy, active downline that continues to grow. Endlessly.--mo
Click Here For More Articles
|
|
 |
| TRACKERMOSIA |
AdWords Obsession-- Another Dance?
Adwords is one of those marketing tactics that can be fabulously successful. But, with all the advice currently in the ebook sections of eBay, it's clear this success is an elusive animal.
One reason for that elusiveness is that, rather like Hai-Ku, optimizing the 25-35 character allotments per line can drive a marketer through the roof. It does become a work of art, if art is judged by the amount of time spent obsessing over it.
And, yes, after my earlier declaration that I had abandoned adwords, I confess I have taken up the standard again. At least for the time being. Why?
Well, as most people know that follow this column, I am very active in OPFM. Last week, just on a whim, I did a search for OPFM, just that. And found, among other things, that there was only 1 other marketer who had thought to put that key word in their adwords campaign. I wasn't looking for this, mind you. It was just an observation I made. But that was enough to initiate a re-activation of my adwords account.
But this time, the terms have changed, at least from my perspective. Google is still slapping seemingly arbitrary minimums onto certain key words. I mean, there is actually a minimum charge of $1.00 per key word for my own moniker, Tracker Mo. (Can you believe that?) Geez. I knew I was valuable, but seriously!
Fortunately, the keyword "OPFM" is still relatively cheap at $.10 a bid. As long as it is, I will utilize it.
But, here I am again, obsessing over adwords. I find myself visiting the site several times a day, re-thinking the verbage in the ad, trying different keywords (like Thomas Thompson, mlm, miracle matrix, etc.) most of which are WAY out of my price range.
I'm sure this is just another brief encounter, one that will end abruptly when I find they have raised the minimum bid to $1.00 or more. Adwords makes a terrible dance partner. . . or any other kind of partner for that matter.--mo
Click Here For More TrackerMosIA
|
|
|
| Frugal Marketer |
Site Stats As Ad Tracking? Could Be
In the last year one of the Buzz-words going around the internet has been "Ad Tracking". And, to some degree, this IS an effective marketing tool. The only major disadvantages to them seems to be that ad trackers are so limited and they add yet another chore onto a marketer's list-- plus, they cost money.
That is, ad trackers are great-- once you revise all the ads you've ever placed anywhere, anytime, forever and ever, Amen. I, for one, don't have that much organizational ability-- and I don't know many who do!
But I have found that, if I study the site statistics in the back office of my website, there's little need to HAVE an ad tracker because all the information is RIGHT THERE! Now, every host server is different. But most, in some way or another, offer statistics for each site.
And site statistics not only show kilobytes and where visitors are going on your site, they also show referrers and, when they can click on a link, where those referrals are coming FROM! By studying THESE pages (which show where your ads are) you know which are working and which aren't. In the case of Host 4 Profit, they break it down nicely.
Now, understandably, if you don't have a website, this won't work.
So for an affiliate who only has affiliate pages, the only course of action is to use an ad tracker. Luckily, more and more companies are ADDING their own ad tracking for their affiliate programs as a feature. And, if you ask me, if your affiliate systems don't have one, you should suggest that they get them. Because, when a marketer knows what's working (and what's not) they have more control over their ad campaigns.
And that means, more success.--mo
Click Here For More Frugal Marketer Tips
|
|
|
|
| Featured Product |
|
| Featured Product |
Join The International Association Of Home Business Entrepreneurs
|
| Your Ad HERE |
Weekly Rates:
-- $5 Side-bar Square
-- $10 Banner Ad
-- Seen by Over 25K
-- Email Me Today
|
| ARCHIVES |
|
|
| Every Day HTML |
Horizontal Rule, Rules
For those of us who are HTML-deprived (i.e., the bulk of the marketing community), one little extra in code that can add some sanity to the mix is the Horizontal Rule (HR).
HR was one of the first things I learned in HTML. When I did, it didn't impress me. But it does now. A horizontal Rule is simply a line that can break up/divide text or other areas on an HTML page. The command is simple: <HR> and, like the paragraph tag (<p>) it does not require a closing tag.
It also includes the parameters: Align, Noshade, Width and Size, the coding of which would look like this when added to the command:
<hr width="75%" size="5" align="left" noshade="on">
This coding would produce a line like this:
This simple tag saves the average marketer from HAVING to create one of those obnoxious tables just because they need a dividing space in their content. Nice.
One note: automatic line breaks surround it, so there's no need for paragraphs (<P>) or line breaks (<BR>).--mo
|
Recommended
Traffic Generator |
|
| OR Your Ad HERE |
Weekly Rates:
-- $5 Side-bar Square
-- $10 Banner Ad
-- Seen by Over 25K
-- Email Me Today
|
| From Tracker Mo's Desk |
Greetings!
I just want to thank all those who stop by or have opted in to read this newsletter. As has been implied elsewhere in this report, I watch my site stats all the time-- it's an obsession, like Google's adwords.
And, while my traffic has steadily grown every month since I first started my site in July of 2005, this is the first month it has ever topped 50,000 hits. 57,598, as of this writing. That is up from 35K in May. And, since these things are reported daily, I can see the spikes that hit each and every Thursday/Friday.
So, thanks again. I don't know how many people may be looking at this just for a good laugh, but I appreciate it.
Marige
(Tracker Mo)
|
| Tell TrackerMo |
Got A Question?
Want To Make A Comment?
Email Me!
|
|
