| TrackerMosIA |
Work Online vs. At HOME
When it comes to looking for a new business opportunity, many of those that investigate online opportunities confuse working-ONLINE with Work-AT-HOME. For those who may not, see the difference, the first thing that's important to understand that MANY opportunities ALLOW this confusion to work to their advantage. At least, they THINK it's to their advantage.
It really isn't, since they are only wasting their marketing on prospects who want to work ONLINE-- not in telemarketing, not in personal marketing, not in doing crafts or assembling kits, etc., but with working ON their COMPUTER ONLINE!!
And for anyone who IS looking at the various opportunities, beware. There are many, many types of Work-At-Home businesses, but only a few that actually mean working online.
For example, there's a company called Pre-Paid Legal that will actively work to confuse those looking into working online. The company ACTUALLY disapproves of their associates attempting to market online and wants them to use the old-fashioned "hands-on" approach, similar to traditional insurance sales. I didn't discover this until I criticized them for not giving their associates more online support and their response was that they, "didn't approve of such marketing tactics."
So, beware, folks.
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| In A Word |
On Semantics
When working online, sometimes success depends on being able to read "between the lines" as the saying goes.
In fact, online marketing has developed its rather poor reputation because of some slick advertising that deliberately allows the reader to become confused. A case in point is the classic: "Join Now and Start Earning Your Income Online." My, but that's misleading. Because, what it appears to say is that, by joining now, you'll begin to RECEIVE an income today. But what it really says is, "join now and start the long, slow process of building up an online business."
However, to be fair, which line do you think receives more responses? The first, of course. Okay. Now, which receives more real, viable, responses? If you said the second, you're wrong. The second receives zero responses, so logically the first one, though it receives MANY poor responses, also receives SOME warm responses.
The really evil part about this line is that, technically, it's accurate. If you do start now and work it and build it up, you WILL earn money online-- eventually. The marketer just left out all the less attractive parts in between. He jumped directly from point "A" to "Z".
Now, this isn't an ethics column but a semantics column that involves ethics-- and a dose of reality. Most marketers spend some time working their business before they achieve any real success. But the same can be said of any business.
My question is, when are marketers going to start realizing not only that they don't have to create these false promises, but that they are actually driving away as many prospects as including?
Here's a suggestion. Instead of saying either of the above lines, try something like, "Join now and start building your own online business today."
Click Here For More of In A Word (or Two)
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| The Frugal Marketer |
Networking: Offline Tactics Online
As the survey in the News2U2 story points out, much like its offline predecessor, many marketers get ahead simply by developing a wide network of colleagues through business and social contacts on the internet and, with each new opportunity, either broadcast it to the group at large or contact each person individually to promote it.
In fact, this is a very common way that many of the major marketers continue to find new ventures-- and why they always seem to be ahead of the crowd.
Developing a network of your own is one of the keys to succeeding in marketing and happens simply by being a social creature. Visit forums, creating genuine posts (no spamming, mind you-- the key to this type of marketing relies on making a positive impression) that display your knowledge and intelligence. Or, invite those that impress you to IM--
The most important aspect of this is that you make FRIENDS first, then market later. I get together with several marketers regularly and we inevitably end up with an i-marketing version of you-show-me-yours- and-I'll-show-you-mine" (a clean, version, really). I've learned about many of the best promotions and products this way. And, since I respect those who recommend them, I am twice as likely to seriously consider them.
Of course, one aspect of this is to respect the fellow marketers' decision, no matter what. Because, guess what? They may not be interested in this idea, but like the next one. And, after all, just considering it is a gesture of friendship.
Click Here For More From The Frugal Marketer
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| Site-Seeing |
Cool Sites Of The Day
If you're really into site-seeing, then Cool Site Of The Day is the place to go. It displays a "Cool Site" each day and invites visitors to vote on their pick. Oh! There is also a page where you can submit YOUR site (I know... always the marketer.)--mo
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| News2U-2: Social Marketing Skills Build Business |
According to the self-described "Blog Squad's" newly released survey, more than 50% of the nearly 250 independent professionals asked, say they plan to use "Social Marketing" (i.e., through such means as email, blogs and forums) to promote and build their businesses.
The survey, taken over the course of a one-month period, details various aspects of online marketing, with commentary by Dr. Patsi Krakoff and her partner Denise Wakeman. The report can be downloaded at their site, Build A Better Blog.
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| ON MARKETING |
Work At Home: Organization That Works
One of the biggest obstacles confronting those who want to work online is time management. 90% either still work a full-time job, have small children to care for, or have health issues that slow them down-- or a combination of these factors. Yet, even in an ideal situation (with none of these issues to consider), time management can be difficult.
The reason is that modern society is designed around a structured schedule. From the time most children enter pre-school until they grow old and reach retirement, there is always a schedule to keep. Conversely, we become dependent on that schedule. Without it, most people are lost. But whether the problem is an already difficult schedule to work around or a sudden rift that creates too little structure, there are several practical ways to combat this.
To begin with, self-discipline IS the key. And, while many people grapple with self-discipline, this is only because they don't recognise it for what it is: taking oneself seriously. Discipline is not denying oneself, but focusing your energy to achieve a long-term goal and taking that goal seriously. Yes, boys and girls, self-discipline is your friend. If you don't believe me, ask anyone who has lost more than 50 pounds.
Below is a list of five practical, every-day time management disciplines. These are the building blocks needed to achieve success online. Each section is relevant for both those with a full schedule and those with a free schedule.
1. CREATE A SET SCHEDULE AND KEEP IT
It doesn't matter if it's one hour a day or 15, the main thing is to set a specific time to work and, except for extreme circumstances, stick to it. In the case of those with a full schedule, it is vital to maintain those one or two hours to show any achievement. Those hours are more valuable to your goal BECAUSE they are so limited.
Conversely, for those with unlimited time, the goal is to NOT overwork yourself. In the long run, it will only lead to burn out and that tends to happen when there are no limitations. Also, distractions tend to creep in (such as household chores, appointments, socializing, etc.). So set a regular (and reasonable) start and stop time. Allot time for breaks, just as someone in any other job would expect. And stick to it.
Having a regular time schedule creates a framework to build on.
2. BE REALISTIC
Work WITHIN those time constraints. For those on a limited schedule, spend a little extra time looking for marketing tools that fit. Avoid such things as article marketing, for instance, and focus on safelists instead. One caution: don't be fooled into believing you can BUY success, i.e., that you can pay for something and it will make up for your lack of time. That is the scammers breeding ground. There are plenty of options for those on a tight budget and a limited time frame such as safelists, traffic exchanges and link exchanges. Even opt-in Cam-Spam compliant email marketing is an option.
The main obstacle for those with abundant time is to remain frugal about it. In fact, marketers in this situation are more like the proverbial "kid in a candy store" and waste a great deal of their time because they fail to plan. Time is so much like money-- no matter how much one has, there is always a limit.
So invest some time in creating a marketing strategy that works.
3. FOCUS: NO TV, NO TELEPHONE, NO EMAIL
In order to keep a realistic schedule, the first thing to go is many of the unnecessary distractions that, in a workplace environment, may be tolerated but on the home front, must be avoided at all costs. While it seems impossible to some, these are not condusive to accomplishing anything. And while email can be a part of business, it should be set aside during regular work hours since it all too often "feels" like work, when it isn't at all.
When it's time to work, turn these off and keep them off and your rate of success will soar.
4. CONSISTENCY: A REGULAR WORK ROUTINE
Having set a schedule and established a strategy, the next step is to create a regular routine. For those on a limited schedule the routine might be doing one type of marketing per day. That is, safelists Monday and Thursday; email marketing Tuesday and Fridays; forum visits Wednesday and Saturday. For the full time marketer, the same idea applies, only more so. I.e., three types of marketing per day, instead of one, depending on the marketing strategy.
(Continued on next column)
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| ON WRITING |
A Method To The Madness
Writers have long been considered eccentric on one level or another. Even in today's more isolated society, the concept of someone choosing to spend time alone is suspect. But to a writer is to be alone. As for the eccentricities, those are more a matter of the create mind finding creative solutions. Since writing is thier biggest challenge, it follows that a writer's solutions may be the most eccentric. Even mad.
But there is a method to the madness; a reason behind the bizarre behavior and it's almost exclusively the same one: to write successfully.
For instance, Shari North, a young mother and aspiring writer, began waking up two hours early so she had the time to write before her children needed her attention. Many considered her "a little off" to do this. "By the time my children started school," she pointed out, "I had written three novels." Was it mad? Not at all. Simply a logical solution to her problem.
She also found that, because her mind was clearer in the morning before other issues cluttered up her thinking, she was much more productive and continued waking early to work long after her children started school.
Todd Young, an freelance article writer, often writes his initial draft in pencil on legal pads. Madness, perhaps. But, when asked he explained, "to quote Stephen King, it was to avoid 'diarrhea of the word processor.'" He said, "I found I choose my words much more carefully when I'm writing by hand. It's inevitable." Plus, a way to get laziness to work for you.
Alice Whinnacker added, "When I started my first novel, I found even the task of outlining it overwhelming. Yet I floundered without it. Then, one day, I wrote the outline in the form of a screenplay." She went on to explain, "by sticking to the simple, 'action-dialogue-action-dialogue' format, I was finished with the first draft in less than six weeks."
Each of these examples may appear unusual, but for the authors the important point is these methods work for them. And, just as important, a writer who is still looking for an answer to their own challenges, can learn from this.
To begin, look at whatever it is that impedes the process. Is it distractions?, Time limitations?, Inhibitions? Confidence? Each one can be remedied with enough motivation. Like so many situations, half the problem can be DEFINING the problem.
For example, a runner friend once complained that, despite loving to run in the morning, she rarely got out regularly because it was such a chore. A few months later, she was beaming and explained that she'd discovered if she wore clean exercise clothes to bed, in the morning all she had to do was throw on her running shoes. Because of it, she almost never missed a day. She'd found her solution, though it had never occurred to her before because it was only indirectly related to the problem.
So think outside the obvious, look for creative solutions and have the courage to follow through on them. Finding a method that works -- no matter how seemingly mad it may appear to others -- is what counts.--mo
Click Here For More Writing Articles
(Cont'd.)
The important factor is to repeat the same duties on a regular basis. Participating in a traffic exchange once in a while will do nothing. But participating 2-3 times a week will show a return.
5. WEEKLY SCHEDULE
In addition to having a set of daily chores, create a weekly schedule for larger projects (updating a website, writing articles, exploring new marketing tools, etc.) and plan to focus on each project once or twice a week. While this is more viable for those with an open schedule, but it can be adapted to the limited schedule, too, by spending extra (weekend?) time on a larger project and limiting it to one project per week.
All of these steps will help to create a liveable, manageable schedule no matter what the particular situation. In creating a schedule remember the most important issues are Realism, Consistency and Focus.--mo
Click Here For More Marketing Articles
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OVERALL RATING: 
See Past Reviews HERE
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| eMail To The Editor |
From Fay R., in Sydney, Au.:
Help, Me, Tracker Mo! I want to earn money online, but I don't know what to do on a limited budget. I've tried a few programs, but nothing has made any money. What do you suggest?
Fay,
Unfortunately, your predicament is not uncommon. First off, there is no reason to let limited funds prevent you from making money online since there are a multitude of ways to bypass what are considered customary costs. If you want a website but don't have the money, a blog can substitute nicely. Blogger.com even has a way to insert adsense ads into the blogs easily. All you need to do is create posts that talk about the advantages of your products and include the links. The advantage to this is you control that site and can add as many of your own products as you like. Then you can focus all your marketing on promoting that one link.
As to promoting, there are MANY ways to promote for free. Many Traffic exchanges are free and actually work better on the free level than the pro level, safe lists are a great way to advertise. Just be sure to create a secondary email address and keep it cleaned out. Forum Marketing is also a great way to develop business contacts and develop a good reputation. These are just a few ways to market online.
Good Luck!
Tracker Mo
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| ARCHIVES |
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| Every Day HTML |
Back It Up!
Experts often change code and update sites directly in their FTP manager which is the online equivalent of jumping out of a plane without a parachute. Hey, they're dare-devils.
For the rest of us chickens, the first thing to learn is to NEVER work with the one and only original copy. In fact, never have only 1 copy of a page. One way to ensure this is to start off right by creating a special folder OFFLINE and keep a copy of all pages there.
But copies are only as good as their last edit. So, the next step is to ALWAYS (even when adding a comma to a line of text), work on the copy first. Then, rather than simply uploading the copy to your server (which is like flying blind-- and who would do THAT!), check the copy in your browser. HOW? Save the file (changes won't appear until you save-- fortunately, as long as you don't close a notepad or other text editor, those saved changes can be "undone" if the change completely destroyed the file.
In most browsers there is a way to open any .html, .htm, .js or .php file offline. For Internet Explorer (IE), click on FILE-OPEN-BROWSE (these instructions may vary slightly with a different browser, but they are essentially the same). This will give you access to all the files on your computer. Find the file and click OPEN.
Once you are satisfied with the change(s), upload a copy to the server. BTW, another stop-gap habit (that prevents thoughts of suicide for those of us who remain chicken-hearts) is to use that SAVE function frequently.
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