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From Chris Kilian, Stealth Promotions
Austin, Texas
email: chris@stealthpromotions.com
Welcome to the 13th Issue of Secrets for Success.
Thanks to Phil Tanny over at Oaknet Publishing, who is now serving as
the delivery system for this newsletter. If you are an ezine editor who
would like some help, you get more details about his fine service at
http://www.oaknetpublishing.com/services/welcome.cgi?181
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Contents:
1. Guest Article: The Sweet Spot
2. Useful Sites: Online Gold Mines.
3. Worthy Newsletters: Consider adding yourself as a subscriber
4. Mixed Bag: Editor Ramblings
5. Links For Your Consideration: Great offers for you.
6. Guest Article: Components of a Good Website
1.############################################################
Guest Article:
THE SWEET SPOT
This article started with several options for a title - Entrepreneurs Epiphany,
Netrepreneurs Nirvana, When It All 'Clicks', Reaching the Pinnacle, Voila,
Success! - but I settled on the quasi-cliché The Sweet Spot. I am prone to deep
reflection this time of year and the process actually began about two months ago.
Due to the wonderfully wide exposure I had received as a business author, I was
encouraged to start writing a column and decided to pen my random personal
views on the state of Internet marketing in a column called "Of Mouse &
Man".
My debut column set the tone for what will be the conclusion to this article. So
please bear with me as I ask you to read " Just Another Day in Cyberspace".
"I have often wondered why so many of us choose to plant our unexercised
bodies in front of a computer monitor for hours on end in what at times seems
like a futile attempt to tame the monster we call the World Wide Web.
Could it be that the radiation we soak up day in and night out is addictive? I
know I drink much more coffee and usually convince myself that I don't have
the time to take my daily walk. Too many emails to answer, too many projects
behind schedule. Internet marketing can definitely be harmful to one's health.
Is being at the forefront of global e-commerce the ultimate 21st Century escape
from the main street business world? A "now I don't have to press the flesh with
live human beings", safer, faceless place to do business? I wonder about this
sometimes.
Or, could the reason be that this pre-occupation represents the ultimate III
Millennium challenge to those of us who possess a pioneering spirit and are
willing to accept any and all consequences that come with being among the first
Internet Explorers? I have realized that I will not be able to rest until I have
staked my claim and found a niche on the Net that I can call home.
Call it the thrill of the chase, my inbred stubbornness or my astrological tendencies
but there's something that keeps me here doing what most of my family and friends
just cannot understand.
What I do I know for a fact is that the coffee will keep flowing and the radiation
will keep poisoning me and when I discover the reason I do this, I will let them
know.
I have a feeling it may come to me during my daily walk.
So there it is, on this, just another day in cyberspace."
OK, back to present-day cyber-land. It wasn't during my stroll that the answer
came to me. The epiphany came while in front of my monitor the day after New
Year's watching the email flow into my inbox. Sale after sale after sign-up after
sale was pouring in and it suddenly occurred to me that all the blood, sweat, tears
and aggravation I had extended during the past year was for this very reason. Not
just the money streaming in mind you (yes, it's a nice feeling), but all the people
who were seeing what I have built and now trust me enough to partner with me
and who will ultimately benefit from what I have offered them. People with whom
I now have a relationship. People I would never have known, and money I would
never have earned had it not been for this phenomena known as the Internet.
And it totally blew me away to think that I've "pressed the flesh" or spoke on
the
Tele with only a minority of these new partners. I simply sat in front of a computer
screen and applied what knowledge I had accumulated over the years from my
"Real World" business experience and in essence "typed and clicked" my
vision
into the homes and businesses of so many people.
To experience the feeling of having the planning, the work, the setbacks, the
adjustments, the frustrations, the time and expense manifest itself into this single
result was a very powerful experience for me. THIS is the reason I have been
doing this. I have built my own little corner in cyber-space and it's now a place
where many people come to improve and embellish their lives.
And you know what's just as "sweet"? I have only just begun! I can't wait to
unleash what I have planned for 1999.
I want to begin my conclusion by stating that I couldn't have done this alone.
All the "I's" in this article should have been "We've's" (but that
makes for a pretty
lame article). You see, I have a partner who I shared all this with. Her name is
Kathie Verrette and she worked beside me (digitally, that is) every step of the
way. We dreamt and we planned together. We executed together and wrongly
so, so many times. We rose and we fell and got back up as one. Her successes
and failures were mine and mine hers. We discussed, debated, even argued at
times, but always with a common goal at the forefront. To conquer the Wild Wild
Web.
Specifically, we began 1998 by building a motivational website called The
Hallway ( http://www.thehallway.com ). We went on
to start one of the first
2-Tier Affiliate Programs, The I.D.IT! Plates Partner Program
( http://www.iditplates.com )and have over 2,600
resellers in just over 3 months.
We were instrumental in the design of the Affiliate Software we use for our
program because nothing available measured up to our specifications. At the
beginning of this year we decided to market what is now called REPLICATOR
2000 ( http://www.netprofit2020.com/rep2000/id/CK1057
) to people who
wanted to build their own affiliate programs, so we started our own software
business. In December we revamped our main company website to reflect this
new focus ( http://www.netprofit2020.com/rep2000/id/CK1057
) and our new
NetSuccess Software Store is just weeks away from opening.
Best of all though, we learned so much during this past year that we decided to
share that knowledge and write our own book in 1999. We truly believe that this
will be one of the best Internet business tutorials available. If you are interested in
the release date and price information, please send your email address to
book@thehallway.com and we'll send you updated information.
If you get nothing else from this article than the feeling that "I can do it!",
then I've
done my job as a writer. Because you CAN achieve financial independence from
your Internet business. There are everyday people out there earning a great living
off the Web by applying common sense blended with old-fashioned ingenuity.
It's all a matter of deciding you can do it and sticking to that very belief until you
find The Sweet Spot.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Rick is a partner in NetProfit 2020 Inc. Specialists in Internet
Promotion, you can find the Web's Best Promotional Tools and
Dealer Programs at http://www.netprofit2020.com
including the World debut of REPLICATOR 2000 - AFFILIATE POWER SOFTWARE. ENTER
& WIN 2 FREE I.D. IT! Plates and The Millennium Clock at http://www.netprofit2020.com/contests/index.htm
EZINE OWNERS: check out Rick's popular column at http://www.netprofit2020.com/TrademarkeT/rickbfreelance.htm
Contact Rick at rickbeneteau@netprofit2020.com
2.############################################################
Useful Sites:
NetStudio.com, http://216.15.30.8/ , offers an online
demo of its graphic software
that will allow you to create banners, buttons, heading and photo composites. Give
the demonstration a try if you need any of these.
Online commerce is almost a mantra these days. What to do if you have no access
to a SSL service to hold your widget order form? If you sell up to 10 items, see
the offer by ICat, http://www.icat.com/getastore/stpromo
Yes, that is an affiliate
link. Prospective store owners can build an online store that holds ten items
-FREE. If sales or inventory goes past that number of products, you can graduate
to an adjustable pay system. Affiliates get a % of the sales for up to two years
following the initial period. If there is another Mr. Dell out there in my
subscriber
list, please follow that link so we, er, you can make some money.
Ezine editors, there is another new search engine up for you, drop by Internet
Marketing Challenge, http://www.marketingchallenge.com/ezines
A listing there is
free.
3.############################################################
Worthy Newsletters:
A. Your Weekly Message...The Baum Group - a FREE weekly e-newsletter
to help you stay focused, on purpose and more! To subscribe, click on
mailto:drrae@prodigy.net?subject=subscribe_ezineCKSP
4-4
B. ~AIKEN DRUM'S~ * a laugh a day * is a free daily e-mail joke service for
the whole family! It is always clean, free, fun and sometimes thought
provoking. Send an E-mail to:
mailto:doughels@erols.com?Subject=Subscribe-C
Or visit : http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lights/1691/jokes.html
3-4
C. INVEST IN YOURSELF! Do You have the means to become independent.
WE DO! Visit us at http://www.prosperitybuilder.com.
Sign up for our
FREE newsletter and get free 40 word ad for 3 issues.
1-4
D. You Can Make Money Online with our Tools and Opportunities!
FREE Marketing Ezine! Subscribe Now and get a FREE URL Submission to
over 4,000 Links! Plus, Download FREE E-Books full of Marketing Secrets!
FREE Classifieds! Explode Your Online Profits! Check us out today!
Visit us at: http://www.BizGold.com
2-4
Please let the publishers know you heard about them here.
4.############################################################
Mixed Bag::
Lots of time altering links for this newsletter. Makes me glad we are not listed
in more places. I am starting to look around for shorter ways to communicate
the steps to subscribe/unsubscribe, and I would welcome any suggestions.
I was asked to mention a a new search engine that is following a growing trend.
This search engine sells you top ranking in its search engine results. Another
search
engine that has followed this model, which lets the almighty dollar replace research
by search engine gurus, meta tags, keywords and the like, is GoTo.com. They
seem to thriving. There is merit in the idea that cheesy web sites won't pay for the
click-thrus that quality sites will. On the other hand, webmasters coming to the
party late with little cash seem to find the deck stacked against them if this trend
takes over the thinking of the major 8-10 engines that reward (usually) hard work
and determined efforts by webmasters. If you want to see the pitch or buy a top
spot for yourself, drop by http://www.thenetone.com/go.pl?3164
for details. The
least you should do is drop by and get your URL listed while the free ones have a
chance to get traffic. This site like GoTo.com, http://www.goto.com/
, deserves
a visit to submit your site. You can also do some research on what your favorite
keywords are going for on the open market. If there is enough margin in your
products/service, you might consider buying your term. No cost if not click, as far
as I can tell, but read the details before you pull out your Visa card.
Our beloved Congress, after the excitement of who did what to whom and said
whatever about it stuff is done, is going to decide whether or not you and I should
pay a charge on our phone bill (like a long distance call) EVERY time we access
the Internet. I guess our bazillion dollar surplus, if you believe that one, is not
enough
to work with. I suppose some of that charge might eventually pay to fill pot holes
in your neighborhoods, if they levy a tax on that new phone company income. If
you would like to voice displeasure with this idea, drop by
http://www.house.gov/writerep/ and let your
Congressman know what you
think. Do it soon, as the decision will be made within weeks, and it may cost you
a bit more to tell them anything after that time if you don't do it now.
Bill Burdin, the master-mind behind the Leading Edge Classified Advertising
system, is about to launch another monster traffic generator. As a very satisfied
member of his banner program, I am staying mum, at least this week, while his
new addition is in pre-launch. I am very excited about this, but I will have to
have you stay tuned to learn more. Consider this a tease for now. Details of
how
to get your free classified ad site, which does bring traffic, and allows you to
expose your banner to visitors for free, is below. Hop on this train. It is
gathering
steam, and Bill's vision and diligence continues to enhance this program.
Note: To the unsigned complaint this week, let me explain again. The classified site
with all the cool tools = free. The ability to control ALL the banners shown to
visitors = not free, but a bargain. 'Nuff said.
If you have articles that you would like us to consider for publication, send
them to us at articles@stealthpromotions.com
. No promise to use every
submission, but we are looking for your input.
5.#############################################################
This Week's Classifieds:
_____________________________________________________________
This DUMB LITTLE AD really can really earn $2-300 per day.
Free Details: Any email to: mailto:stpromo1@SmartBot.net
Add 1000s of hits to your site. Your report + this free service =
TRAFFIC. http://www.special-report-network.net/specialreports.cgi/CK8044
2-4
_____________________________________________________________
FREE Classified Ads - Postcards - Reminder Service, Business
Opportunities & FREE Profit-Producing Reports! Ask me about
FREE Computer Sweepstakes! FREE Vacation Sweeps Daily Winners!
http://www.global-abundance.com
1-1
____________________________________________________________
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http://www.virtualis.com/vr/tvanlien
Get a web presence with Virtualis systems.
1-1
____________________________________________________________
COLLECTIBLES & gifts ! - Buy Sell Trade ! - most popular types ! - sci-fi,
t.v. / movies, comics / cartoons, music / pop / rock, autographs, video games
& more! visit us for all this& many surprises!
(http://members.aol.com/missyxox/collectinvestments)</A>
1-1
_____________________________________________________________
This little cookie cutter spits out $20 checks...
A 3-part automated system combined with a quality product delivered for you.
You can set up today...and actually be getting checks mailed to you tomorrow.
For complete details, send a blank email to: bluestar1@smartbot.net
1-1
_____________________________________________________________
Your 30 word ad submitted to over 4,600 sites now for only $5!
Limited time offer: http://online-marketer.com/submit.html
How to Explode your Business Every Week. Achieve Success Now Free
Weekly Ezine. Breaks through the lies, brings you what works every week.
http://www.hotyellow98.com/successnow/ezine.html
2-2
_____________________________________________________________
$300 FREE Internet advertising for new subscribers! Take advantage of
our nearly 20,000 hits per month! In the MILITARY? Visit CDR Mark
http://www.profitstation.com and get the
"inside scoop" on making
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_____________________________________________________________
GREAT IDEAS FOR MARKETING ON THE INTERNET
FREE Newsletter at RicherTomorrow! $500 FREE Advertising!
Visit http://www.richertomorrow.com
1-6
_____________________________________________________________
Enter to win a FREE $2,297 Internet Marketing package!
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No forms to fill out either! Just hit the send key
and your registered! Go to http://www.peakprofit.com/freecontest.htm
1-3
_____________________________________________________________
BUG ALERT... y2k ...BUG ALERT Get the SIMPLE facts on a COMPLEX
problem. Let the y2kEasyFix Experts give you the facts, tests and fixes. E-Book
has complete y2k preparation guide for individuals and business. Free info.
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1-1
6.#############################################################
Guest Article:
By Merle Stinnett of Merle's World
COMPONENTS OF A GREAT WEB SITE
So you've finally decided it's time to create your
own Web Site. After all, your friends and business
associates have one and you don't want to be left
behind on the Information Super
Highway.
Great Web Sites all have a few common elements
about them,and that's what I'll be discussing
here. It's usually a good idea to plan the site
out on paper before even touching your PC.
It can be difficult to come up with content
staring at a blank computer screen, so get out an
old fashioned pen and paper and let those creative
juices flow. You want to be sure to include all
there is to know about your products and/or
services.
Once you decide on the main topics you'll be using
it's time to plan out the navigation. You need to
make it simple and easy for visitors to find their
way around your site, otherwise they'll get
frustrated and leave. Keep the navigation
consistent on all pages so your guests don't have
to re-learn the menus from page to page. Graphic
links are usually more effective than plain text,
but make sure you use something readable and easy
on the eyes.
Make sure the color of the hyperlinks coordinate
with the rest of your site. You should include
your contact information at the bottom of every
page, at the very least an email. address.
Businesses should include phone,fax, and company
name as well. Not everyone enters a site through
the front door and if you fail to include this
information, they won't know where they are or how
to get in touch with you with comments and/or
suggestions. If you surf the Net for any length of
time, you'll be amazed at just how many sites fail
to include this vital information.
Including a FeedBack form is a good way to add
some interactivity and makes it easy for people to
ask questions without having to pick up the phone.
Graphics make a site visually appealing but, if
you use the wrong ones it can leave a bad
impression. Make sure to use an unbusy background
so the text can be read easily. Surfers are an
impatient bunch so make sure the graphics are
compressed as much as possible so they download
quickly. There are many online utilities that will
perform this service for Free. One is located at
http://www.webutilities.com/services/index.htm
This Free compression service offers support for
Gif, JPG,and PNG. You should save simple graphics
in a 16 color format rather than 256.
If your site is large you might want to include a
search mechanism to help visitors find what they
are looking for.The more information you include
the harder it gets for visitors to find exactly
what they want. A search form makes this simple.
HTML editors like MS Front Page makes it easy to
insert search tools into your site and
automatically update itself when new pages are
added.
Having a Web Site means making constant updates.
People want to that the information they are
reading is fresh and new. That being said you
should include the last date the
page was updated on all of the pages in your site.
This lets the public know when changes were last
made or you can include a "what's new" page that is
specifically used for this purpose.
Adding a page of related links is another great
idea. You can contact other site owners and ask to
exchange links or just add other sites that you
like that compliment yours. By asking to exchange
links you help generate traffic for each other's
sites. The best sites on the Net usually offer
links to related Web Sites where more information
can be found on the same topic. If you can write
up a brief description next to each link all the
better. If you do include a link page check it
from time to time to get rid of any dead links.
It's very annoying to click on a link and get an
error.
If you take all of these tips and implement them
on your Web Site, you'll have an interesting,
well-designed site that people will want to return
to again and again. Anyone can get on the
Information Super Highway, it's up to you what
kind of car you want to be seen in.
Visit Merle's World
Freebies for Webmasters
http://www.merlesworld.com
Sign up for Merle's Mission Newsletter
http://www.merlesworld.com/newsletter.htm
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Until next time-
Plan your work. Work your plan. Succeed.
Chris Kilian, Stealth Promotions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Can Your Web Page Win One or More of 700+ Awards?
http://www.stealthpromotions.com/awardlist.htm
Congratulations to this week's winners:
http://www.ufuweb.com/ Webmaster reveals
web-weaving tricks and secrets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Submit Your Site to Major Search Engines Free
http://www.stealthpromotions.com/submit.htm
Want to do it yourself? Follow the same link
to get two free software programs that will
do this for you. Both allow free downloads
Leave us your links: http://www.sespower.com/links/4679.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What would you give for a free classified ad that would:
Make your ad ALWAYS have the #1 position?
What if it would do this for EVERY category?
Would you like it to send an email for every ad placed?
Want the ability to change your email message 24/7?
Would it be OK to send your ad to 700 sites?
Would you like free guestbooks or autoresponders?
Can you find a banner you control to paste in the middle
of the ad entry page?
Want to know by email message each time an ad is placed?
Would you like let this run on automatic, except when
you want to make changes?
Want all this with basically no rules beyond NO SPAM?
Add a Leading Edge Classified site to your web page now.
Go to: http://www.websitings.com/classads/sites/stpromo.htm
Easy set up when you click "apply for classifieds"
Thanks to those of you who are in the 134 sites involved with us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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We are VERY interested in your feedback. Make suggestions, give us
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Expect more tips, hints, websites, tools and advice to increase
your web traffic and internet success next issue.
Please forward this whole message to friends or
associates. They will thank you for it.
All contents Copyright (c) 1998 Stealth Promotions, except
where indicated otherwise. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reprint only with express permission from copyright
holder(s). All trademarks are property of their respective
owners. All contents provided as is. No express or implied
income claims made herein -- your business success is always
dependent on many factors, including your own abilities.
Advertisers are solely responsible for ad contents
and publisher accepts no liability for direct or consequential
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http://www.stealthpromotions.com/free_reports.htm
Contact Information:
Stealth Promotions' Secrets for Success
701 Capital of Texas South, Suite C-1173
Austin, Texas 78746
Phone: 1-512-330-0404
Fax: 1-512-328-8323
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