Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Website Copywriting for Time Management (and Happy Clients)

When entrepreneurs begin to enjoy business growth, they often
encountertime management challenges.They feel overwhelmed as they juggle
moreprojects, bigger jobs and more queries.For instance, I once hired a
wonderful web designer I'll call "Wendy."Wendy was just starting out so
she was willing to do a lot and accept alow fee.But I am not the only
one who finds hidden treasure.Soon Wendy wasjuggling more clients than
she could handle comfortably.And she wanted alife, too.As a client, I
became frustrated.Suddenly I couldn't phone Wendy forlast-minute
requests.My projects disappeared in a black hole.What could Wendy do?If
she were my copywriting client, she would let herwebsite do the
driving.She would create a page for client policies andclearly state
what she needs from clients to provide great service.Here are 3 policies
Wendy (and any busy entrepreneur) needs to clarifyon the website.(1) How
much notice do you need from your clients?You need notice of anew
project coming in and notice of cancellations.I asked Wendy to redesign
my business card for what seemed like themillionth time."Sure," she
said, "I can do this."But when?I wasn't her only client that week.Wendy
needs to manage her clientexpectations.For example, she could write: "3
days notice to start abusiness card and 7 business days to schedule a
blog theme."For phone or live consultations, 24 to 48 hours has become
the standardcancellation notice for everything from massage therapists
to medicalservices.Design and writing professionals need a kill fee --
an amount that willbe surrendered if your client cancels mid-project.(2)
What is your turnaround time?How many business days do you need togive
clients the quality work they deserve?For my own copywriting service, I
have learned to ask for 10 businessdays for a project where I used to
quote 5 business days or less.But nowI'm busier.I can't work on just one
project this week.So I need tostretch out my delivery time and charge
extra for rush jobs.I have no idea how long it takes to design a website
or a businesscard.But if the designer needs one, three or five business
days, I needto know.(3) What do you need to get started on a project for
a new client?Yourwebsite should help you do away with no-fee get
acquainted calls.As you get busy, even a get-acquainted call represents
an investment oftime -- an opportunity cost, as accountants say.I
recommend offering apaid small sample of your work.For copywriting, it's
a diagnosticproject.For consulting, it's a one-hour call.My system
allows clients to deduct the cost of the initial call if theymove on to
a bigger project.We both win if we achieve the client's goalswith just
the Diagnostic.And I work with clients from the first momentinstead of
trying to sell and close.I've also found that I can let my website do
the driving so I get fewerrequests for phone calls.I recorded a couple
of teleseminars soprospective clients can hear my voice.They listen as I
answer questionsand do one-minute makeovers on callers' websites.And
after an hour orso, they feel they know me.About the AuthorAnd now I'd
like to invite you to find out more by downloading 7 secretsof websites
that really attract clients.Get instant access at
www.HookYourClients.comFrom Cathy GoodwinCopy-Cat-CopywritingRelaited
Links:- How To Create a Traffic Explosion Using Yahoo- Law Firm
Marketing 101- Moving Visitors Of Dental Web Sites Onto The Best
Customer List

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

SEO Techniques For Business Owners Who Want Higher Search Engine Rankings

Practically every business is dependent upon constant exposure to their target audience for survival.Businesses flourish when they can grab the attention of people with a desire and a need for what they sell, along with the income to be able to buy.Business owners who cannot accomplish enough exposure risk hard times or going out of business altogether.

Search engine optimization is the most effective strategy for getting the exposure a business needs.While some businesses attempt search engine optimization SEO on their own, others prefer to have an SEO agency handle this complicated task.

If you are a business owner with the time to learn how to accomplish good SEO techniques on your own, the following paragraphs detail the basics of SEO.

Finding The Best Keywords

The right keywords are vital to any successful SEO campaign.

Every SEO agency spends plenty of time carefully choosing the best keywords for their clients campaigns.When attempting SEO for your own business, dont neglect doing the research necessary to determine the keywords that will bring you the targeted traffic you desire.

Do plenty of keyword research and analyze the data you compile from Google, MSN, and Yahoo Review the logs and statistics of your website so you can accurately determine how the people coming to your website have been able to find you.Take the long and short-term goals of your company into consideration when calculating keyword cost versus potential profit.

If this sounds complicated and time consuming, it is.However, there is an alternative.You can have an SEO agency review the data you collect on your own or hire a professional SEO company to handle all of this research for you.

Researching Your Competitors

Achieving high rankings in Google, MSN, and Yahoo depend upon the SEO efforts of your competitors.

To have your website rank higher than your competition in the search engines regular listings, you need to research exactly what they are doing in their SEO efforts.

After identifying the strategies of your competitors, you should focus on doing the same things, only better.When working with a professional SEO company, they will take care of researching and analyzing the SEO efforts of your competitors.

Building Inbound Links

It is simple to build inbound links to your website.

However, all inbound links are not the same.It is difficult to construct a campaign focusing on dependable, proven strategies that work long-term, instead of wasting your time on links that do nothing to help your SEO efforts.

Many websites have hundreds or even thousands of links that point to their website, but they never appear in the search engines regular listings.This is because either people attempting to build links on their own dont know what theyre doing or they use unethical methods to build inbound links.

A professional SEO company will diligently work to design an inbound link campaign structure that fits the high standards of each of the major search engines algorithms.

An SEO Agency Adds Value To Your Business

Good search engine optimization techniques should require a comprehensive and ongoing approach.

Targeted content creation, inbound link-building, conversions, log analytics, and many other factors of search engine optimization take a huge amount of time.Business owners lacking the extra time can contact a professional SEO company that can handle your campaign and add value to your business.An SEO agency staffs experienced strategists whose expertise is in search engine optimization and increasing the online exposure of your business.

If you prefer to master the strategies of search engine optimization on your own, it is best to spend your time at first on competitive analysis and tireless keyword research.Learn how to track and analyze the traffic and logs of your website.Measure conversions and calculate your return on investment.Generate and analyze ranking reports.Make sure you build constant inbound links to your website with ethical and productive long-term strategies.

If you dont have the huge amount of time necessary to complete these crucial tasks, you should consider hiring an experienced SEO agency.This allows you to spend your time on building your business, instead of trying to learn the ever-changing techniques of search engine optimization.
About the Author

Aaron Wittersheim is an author for Whoast, a leading

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The Biggest Danger in Online Marketing

I know the headline sounds ominous. And Im not talking about a technique that can get you slapped by Google or labeled a spammer by AOL.

No, Im talking about the risk of complete lack of action due to information overload. Between the constant flood of email messages with valuable information, as well as those offering to sell you the latest marketing technique you absolutely must know about, its enough to keep you surfing the web seeking to learn more and more for the rest of your days.

Of course, the huge problem with this is that youll have lots of useful information that you never have time to use because youre off looking for the next nuggets of knowledge. So, you spend time - and probably money - attaining all this know-how and what I want to know is, "When are you planning on using it to make some money of your own"

Now before I get too preachy about this, please know that I am as bad an offender in this area as anyone reading this. I dont even want to count how many programs are in my office, many of them unread or listened to or watched.

If youve been learning about internet marketing for any time at all, Ill bet you have a long list of ebooks on your computer right now that youve paid for and never read. Nevermind the expensive multi-media programs on your shelf. Be honest now

Rich Schefren calls this getting information "just in case". He believes that many of us in online marketing already have plenty of information to make our businesses more successful and shouldnt be so worried about missing something. Hed rather we got our information "just in time" rather than "just in case".

I have to agree with him. The marketers out there selling this information make it sound like well be losing out on a one-time opportunity if we dont buy their current product. Thats the power of a persuasive email campaign, joint venture partners, and good web copy.

But think about it... Have you ever seen online marketing information offered that wasnt available, often in a new, "better", revised version sometime later After all, these guys arent going to let "important" content be sold once only to languish forever unsold in the future.

Yes, I know there are huge packages that have been offered for great prices recently by John Reese, Mike Filsaime, Frank Kern, Andy Jenkins, Jeff Walker, Rich Schefren, and seemingly every other big name internet marketer out there. And Ive bought some of them. But these guys arent going anywhere. And the information theyre offering will continue to be offered - if not by them, then by others whove often learned it from them.

So what I suggest is that you stop reading every marketing email you receive. Unsubscribe from most of them. I promise theyll be more than happy to welcome you back later.

Also, dont buy every great marketing package that comes along. If you really want to learn more, pick one marketer whose business model and style of teaching resonates with you and focus just on his material for awhile. Try to pick material you can implement right now in your business. When you feel like youve gleaned - AND PUT INTO PRACTICE - his material, then and only then might you want to find your next guru.

I love learning and never want to miss out on anything, so Im a terrific prospect for the talented internet marketers. However, we all need to find the right balance between learning more and accomplishing more.

One of the reasons Im writing this is in the hope that if Im persuasive enough to convince you, I might follow my own advice.

With that in mind, I resolve to focus on one program at a time and schedule an hour a day to work through it. Thatll allow me to digest the information and implement it in my business as I go. And please Lord, dont let me run across sales letters for any more "must have" marketing products for awhile Neither my schedule nor my bank account can afford any more "help".

Whats your plan to balance learning with action
About the Author

Peggy Champlins web design business has been providing a full suite of services and products to help small companies build their businesses online since 2002. Visit

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Monday, November 17, 2008

Copywriting When Your Offer Sounds Too Good To Be True

Copywriters face a special challenge when you offer a "knock you socks off" benefit. Readers will notice the promise and tell themselves, "I dont believe it." They click away to another website.

Recently I saw a notice promising "free web hosting without ads." And I dismissed the promise as yet another "too good to be true." I was reminded of all those diet plans that promise you can eat all the chocolate and french fries you want and still lose weight.

But suppose you really can deliver a product or service thats truly unique. In the free web hosting example, maybe customers automatically receive an ezine filled with hard-hitting ads. The hosting company could sell space in their ezine or they could run their own adsense or affiliate ads. Now the business model makes sense and customers will believe the promise - if you tell them.

So if you have a "too good to be true" offer:

1 Promise only what you really deliver. That means no surprises and no hidden fees, charges or conditions.

Suppose that web hosting company doesnt charge hosting fees or show ads on your website. But instead you have to join a club with monthly dues of 40. Or you buy their design services, whether you need them or not. Or they charge a set-up fee.

In any of these cases, their offer would not be genuine. As a copywriter, I would have to make sure customers really knew what they were buying.

Sounds far-fetched Ive seen dozens of "free stuff" offers from big name marketers. When I say yes, Im directed to an order form to pay shipping charges. Usually theyre modest -- just a few bucks because the marketer wants to capture your name and physical address.

But once I saw a terrific offer to get a product for 20... if Id pay a 40 shipping fee to get 6 CDs and a notebook. The actual shipping costs less than 10 and packaging maybe another 2. This offer comes dangerously close to being deceptive.

2 Design a website that absolutely screams credibility. Use colors, words and layout to communicate sincerity and commitment.

You dont have to spend big bucks on design. Most of the top marketers spend very little. In fact, a simple design with easy navigation and magnetic copy will encourage visitors to trust and buy from you.

3 Include testimonials with full names and URLs of satisfied customers and clients. If your clients dont have websites, use their cities and ideally tell readers their occupations.

You have to convince readers that these testimonials came from real people. These days, "Mary S from Chicago" will actually cost more credibility than no testimonial at all.

4 Defuse the hype. Include a line like, "Heres how we are able to make this offer." You may have a system, ingredient or business model that allows you to offer special value.

Ideally, you will translate your unique quality into a benefit. For example, a client says, "Most consultants require 4 visits to analyze your system. We need just 1 on-site visit. The copy will read:

"With 20 years of experience in this specialty, we have developed a 3-step system that allow us to analyze your system with just one on-site visit. You benefit because you can continue your business without interruptions. Your increase in productivity will more than justify your entire investment in our services." systems that create savings in time and money. Therefore, we can offer solution that deliver higher return for your investment."

5 Use a news type headline instead of a claim or "struggle" headline. So instead of "Get a free web host without advertising," you could say, "New 3-in-one program delivers free web hosting without ads." The sub-headings will assure readers, "No hidden charges or cancellation fees."
About the Author

And now I invite you to learn more techniques to attract clients and generate website revenue by claiming your free download of 7 Copywriting Secrets to Increase Sales. Get instant access by visiting
7 Free Copywriting Tips
From Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., Your Website Makeover Pro.

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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Its All About Sales And Strategic Internet Marketing Skills To Create Cashflow

Just like in every other media, advertising is a vital part of the internets presence. Companies that delve into media advertising have not missed the overwhelming value of internet advertising. The average consumer now spends more time online than they do watching television. When using the advertising dollar, it only makes sense to go where the consumer is.

So how do you compete with all these advertisements Your company might be smaller, but you are also able to research a little more when it comes to matching your demographic with you advertisement. We have gathered some interesting and educational tips to help get the most bang for your advertising dollar.

Always focus on your current demographic and where they spend most of their time. There are research tools that can help you do this, but you can do your own research in order to be sure that your advertising money is being well spent. Focusing on the primary websites that are often visited by your demographic will help you target your audience and hone your advertising skills.

Dont bother with websites that dont place on the search engines. If they are popular enough to hold a good standing on several different Google searches, then they are obviously holding their ground. If they are simply third page material, the traffic isnt impressive enough to advertise with them. There is only one exception to this rule. If you have recently stumbled upon a website that is improving their page rank on a daily basis, you might be able to lock in a better advertising rate by advertising with them early on. However, use caution and proceed slowly when considering riding a website up the page rank.

Link exchanges help gather a little more visibility without costing you anything more than a little web page space. Link exchanges are just that, you place a link on someone elses website and in return they get to do the same thing. This can help increase visibility as well as develop a contact in the business.

Links on your site do positively affect where you rank on search engine pages. You might want to consider trading links with several similar types of businesses that are not direct competitors. For instance, if you sell horseback riding supplies, doing link exchanges with companies that promote horseback riding lessons, horse trivia, and horse trail guides would be particularly useful for everyone involved.

Pay per click can get expensive, but you can manage your costs by setting a daily limit on your purchased clicks. Since you only pay when someone actually visits your website, you can track how well each pay per click keyword is performing.

When using keyword content on your site, only use content that is useful and valuable. When you visitors show up and check out your site, they arent going to be interested in articles or advice that is nothing more than one repeated keyword to get higher web page rankings. If you dont know how to write content, then hire a writer who can do it for you. Using a wide variety of keywords with fabulous content will draw readers in much faster than using one keyword with mediocre content. Use keywords that make sense, and remember that Google and other search engines do not count words such as "and" and "or" in their searches, so you dont have to worry about squishing keywords right next to each other. If it doesnt sound natural, it isnt. Use the keyword phrases that allow for a wide range of people to use a wide range of search phrases.

Keep track of what it is working and what is not. If you are simply pouring money into someone elses pocket and arent seeing results, then why would you continue to use that service or maintain that advertisement. Keeping track allows you to adjust and make more profitable decisions over time. Anyone who wants you to sign a long term contract isnt doing so well and should be avoided.

When you present your site, your product or service, and your professionalism to the world, do so in a manner that is convincing that the public will absolutely benefit by your presence. If you can hold a great ranking that is awesome. But profits are even more important than a great ranking. Sell the potential client on how much easier or better you and your website stand to make their life.

You might never get to the number one ranked web page no matter how long you have a go at it. But you dont have to be in the number one slot in order to be extremely profitable. Step out from behind the crowd and enjoy the benefits of being uniquely your own boss, your own provider, and your own super star.
About the Author

OR if you would like to succeed immediately to create financial freedom working only 4 hours a week, check out

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