| ############################################################# From Chris Kilian, Stealth Promotions
Austin, Texas
email: mailto:chris@stealthpromotions.com
Welcome to the 7th Issue of Secrets for Success.
Our growing subscriber list is OUR list. Not for rent. Never sold.
Your privacy is jealously protected and always will be.
Thanks to those of you who are new to this list this week
for looking
in on our efforts here. Thanks too to you folks that have been with
us for a while. We are pleased that you have returned.
##############################################################
Contents:
1. Guest Article
2. Useful Sites
3. My $.02
4. Worthy Newsletters
5. Mixed Bag
6. Links For Your Consideration
7. Guest Article
1.############################################################
Guest Article:
Delete or Investigate?
Thursday morning...
This is the morning I bear down and write my newsletter
"Tip of the Week" segment. But I rolled out of bed late this morning and my
workload is a little heavier than normal. (Thanks in-part to my spring-induced golf habit
which is becoming quite addicting!)
So, after my second cup of coffee I decide to get down to
business. As usual though, I end up working on a few chapters of my new manuals first and
then start picking through my email messages.
This morning I download 221 messages. (That should keep me
busy 'til early this evening.) As usual, I decide to pick through the new messages a while
before I start writing my tip. While picking through, I find that they consist of the
usual...
40% unsolicited email (Don't delete! Amazing! Read This!)
15% new gazette subscribe requests :-)
15% order receipts from my secure server (new customers!)
15% inquiries from prospects (eventual customers)
10% software support questions
5% other - (newsletters, undeliverables, etc.)
As usual, I delete the unsolicited crap and move to the
messages worth reading. But how do I make a determination between the "trash it"
messages and something worth investigating, all in a split second?
("Wait a second!", I think to myself, "This
is a tip of the week in itself!...")
The answer to that question is something all internet
marketers should know! After all, many people receive a large number of email messages
every day. Maybe not 221, but 30, 50 or 100 a day is quite common. 40% trash is also all
too common. If you are marketing with email, your messages need to be "trash
proof".
To make your messages "trash proof" and get them
into the "open it" category, you need to know what makes the difference between
"trash it" and "open it". It's really quite simple:
1. Trash it.
Here are some of the messages I trasferred directly into
my trash bin this morning. Never even opened them...
WOW! THIS IS AMAZING!
RE: The Sure Way To Internet Profits
Attention all home business operators..
FREE! 4 POWERBAR HARVEST BARS!
FREE QUOTE! SAVE up to 60%
Do You Need More Money?
JUST RELEASED!!! 10 Million Email Addresses!
z993c3 (no Subject)
How did I determine that this stuff would not interest me?
The same way most busy internet marketers do - I look for something familiar in the
subject. All of the junk above contained stuff I was not interested in. Further, these
messages did not address "ME". In my opinion, that's the main reason spam fails
-- it blasts to a general audience.
That's not targeting. To experience REAL success online,
you must connect with people. You do this by building relationships - not by alienating
100,000 in hopes of getting a handful of sales in the process.
2. Open it.
So what messages made it into my "open it and
investigate" category this morning?
Basically, I only read the messages with either my name or
something directly related to my business in the subject. This included replies to my
outgoing messages, personal letters and newsletters I subscribe to.
Here's an example of a message that got opened. It
contained the following subject:
"What do you think of this Jim?"
The message body was brief and to the point
>I've read all the Bizweb gazette's and find them
all to
>be very informative. I am already in business with you
>as a VR web site promoter.
>I'm working from home in Orlando attempting to help
>people work from home part-time and have FUN !
>Just recently I answered an ad in the newspaper - and
>went to these web sites
>http//www.vacationbargains.com/alliance.htm and
>http//www.golfcard.com
>Thought maybe you would like to travel, cruise and
golf
>for FREE ---Promote your Web Site and make very
serious
>money too?
>Also, if in reviewing the sites on the www you know
how
>it would work best for me to advertise please do give
me
>a call or email.
>Thank You, Jim
Now, although I did not join this fellow's program he
stands a much better chance of success than his spamming counterparts. His email messages
are getting read and his web site is getting visitors. This is your first goal in any
marketing campaign!
Why did I read his message and visit his web site?
Two main reasons:
1. He addressed me personally.
2. He identified himself as a long-time subscriber and
customer.
This fellow is marketing effectively by utilizing the
relationships he has built online. Personal contact from one businessperson to another --
this is how you target effectively. His chances of building a solid money-making
cyber-business are much better than all the folks blasting their messages indiscriminately
to people's trash bin.
The moral of this story?...
Start building relationships online TODAY.
You do this by personally connecting with other marketers.
Whether it is through a free newsletter you offer or simply a personal message,
relationships are the key to success in any marketing campaign. People buy from businesses
they know and respect -- especially in this vast new marketing arena called cyberspace!
*Article by Jim Daniels of JDD Publishing. Jim's site has
helped 1000's of regular folks profit online. Check out their FREE "how-to"
cybermarketing assistance, free software, business opportunities, manuals, web services
and more! Real money is being made on the net -- get in on it at: http://bizweb2000.com - Subscribe to their FREE, weekly
BizWeb E-Gazette: mailto:subscribe4free@JDD-Publishing.com
2.############################################################
Useful Sites:
Need to jazz up an image of yours? Take the images you
need to play with
to: http://www.zippy.sonoma.edu/kendrick/webfx/
Many different effects
are available. Pretty cool really.
Here's a site that is not particularly useful, but which
someone sent to me
because they thought it was cute. It takes a while to load. Humor. http://www.webtrips.com/stations/laffy.swf
3.############################################################
My $.02:
This week, instead of my usual article, I wanted to share
one of my favorite
recent tips that I taught myself, which I know can save you some time, if you
want to use it.
I do a lot of submission work, for myself and clients)
with automated
submission software. Without exception, while I am doing so, I immediately
begin to be hit with loads of "confirmation" emails with the sales pitch
from various FFA pages and directories. This used to cause a problem
because it clogged up in the inbox on my Internet Explorer mailbox.
After goofing around with the filters on the program
(found under "Tools"
and "Inbox Assistant", I eliminated this problem.
I created a filter that directed every email sent to the
special email address
I use exclusively for my submission work to a special file. Internet Explorer,
and I believe Netscape too, will let you create files and filters for your
incoming email, to help you stay organized. When the FFA page sends
its auto-responder email to that address, it goes to the special file. It also
gets my auto-responder response with a friendly sales pitch. I created
a file to catch all these "thank yous."
Now, I can see the 80-150 messages I normally would have
to delete,
one by one, going into the special file.
All I will have to do now is delete all the messages, or
even that whole
file, from time to time. Create the file over, and I am ready to go on with
my auto-submission work. This is much easier. Do this once, and you
will save yourself from the frustration of this incoming barrage of email.
No more wasted effort on pitches I have seen many times
before.
If I am bored, I can always check the messages that are
sent to me, but
I do not have to, and that is nice.
4.############################################################
Worthy Newsletters:
A. MAXIMIZE THE PROFIT POWER OF THE INTERNET! PIP
News-free weekly newsletter. If you're an internet marketer -- here you'll find useful
information, resources and services to build your web traffic, generate leads, and expand
sales! To subscribe send a blank email to: mailto:PIP-News@ourlist.net
B.FREE Marketing Newsletter! Tips & Tricks on how to
make your Online
Business SUCCESSFUL! Lots of FREE resources! Join now & get our
Huge list of FREE Classifieds? Add your E-zine to the FREE Directory!
Free Sample: mailto:archives@SmartBot.net
Please let the publishers know you heard about them here.
5.############################################################
Mixed Bag::
I got a message from my "upline" in the Virtual
Merchant's Credit Card associate
program I mentioned last week. The claim is that there was a hacker who was
redirecting all traffic to the government. That is unfortunate if true, and I can
honestly say it is also possible. Unfortunately, I have yet to make any cash
from pending sales. So their banners are still not on my site. If you have had
a different result, with a check you can cash, let me know.
I guess I have been spoiled by the dependability of
programs like Cory Rudl's,
which is easy to track, pays when it is supposed to, and continues to be
worthwhile. If you don't know what I am talking about, go see his site and get
his course at http://www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/8940/
. Still a great program.
Thanks for the articles this week. I am looking them over.
In fact, one or more
are in this issue for you. Inspired me to send my articles out for possible
publication elsewhere. Got some nibbles, and nice comments, and several will
be running in the near future, which is always appreciated. Writing articles
will get you noticed. If you haven't done so, take a couple hours this week
and create something worth reading for others information. Then ....
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 imput.
6.#############################################################
This Week's Classifieds:
_____________________________________________________________
Get Insider Internet Marketing Tips and Watch Your Profits
Increase
One of the most successful marketers online reveals information you need
to duplicate his success. http://www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/8490/
_____________________________________________________________
Your Weekly Message...The Baum Group - a FREE weekly
e-zine to help you
stay focused, on purpose and more! To subscribe email
drrae@prodigy.net?subject=subscribe_ezine
____________________________________________________________
Adorable "ANGEL" Dog Figurines
http://members.aol.com/meyedawg/clickhere.html
You'll be glad you did!!!
____________________________________________________________
Marketing is not hard sell, but it does bring success.
Free, online, occasional
marketing ezine, "Marketing Edge: For People Who Hate to Sell." Written by the
author/editor of 7 marketing books. Write RPCrandall@aol.com
or see
my books on barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com
_____________________________________________________________
Is your website in the Internet Lost and Found Department?
Cre8pc.com
offers a variety of free promotional outlets, marketing resources, and has
been marketing online businesses since 1996. Free web announcements
at http://www.Cre8pc.com
_____________________________________________________________
Free 12mb websites & free software. Submit to 1500+
search engines - $8.95. We guarantee 1000+ successful too. 75% off Magazine
Subscriptions! Also free Netbiz Resource ezine, ezine ad special,
much more http://www.workinet.com
_____________________________________________________________
FREE Autobot! Register today! Limited quantities! Act
Fast!
Fee or free permanent links lead to increased traffic forever.
http://www.linkopp.com/member/ck/2041.htm
_____________________________________________________________
Looking for help marketing and promoting your Web Site?
Then you need
Merle's Mission. This monthly ezine features the best resources on the Net
and more. To subcribe visit http://www.merlesworld.com/newsletter.htm
or send email to msmerle@stratos.net with the
word SUBSCRIBE in the subject.
_____________________________________________________________
Why pay $10-100 each time to have your URL submitted to
search engines
when you can do it yourself unlimited times for $65.00? Don't surf the
web, hunt it. Get a free, full-working demonstration version of this software
http://www.trellian.com/cgi-bin/msw/entry?id=4193&file=swolf/index.html
_____________________________________________________________
chinabiz -- a new free list for those international
business people who are
interested in business with China. Further, it is very helpful for those who
need legal help in China. For those who want to subscribe, please go to:
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/chinabiz
_____________________________________________________________
As a free gift this week, I have another electronic book
for you. You can get
it by going to http://www.stealthpromotions.com/software/selling.exe
Good
collection of articles for you. Worth the short wait to get download it.
7.#############################################################
What Ezines Should I Advertise In?
by Ruth Townsend (c) 1998
LifeStyles Publishing, Cortland, NY
mailto:rutht@clarityconnect.com
I am asked quite frequently, "what ezines should I
advertise
in? I'm far from an expert, but here are some tips that may
give you some guidance in choosing which ezines you may
want to place your ads.
First of all, place your ad in ezines that are related to
your
product, service or biz opp. If you are selling fishing lures,
you probably wouldn't do too well in a food magazine. You
may get some responses or even an order, but if you want
your money's worth, don't waste your time or money.
Find the ezines that you think are related to your
product,
service or biz opp. Granted, you will probably be coming
up with the same ezines that your competition advertises
in, but that's the best place to advertise...right where your
competition is!
If you have a product or service that is universal in
appeal,
try some of the ezines that may not be exactly your targeted
market. This contradicts my first paragraph above, but also
remember, subscribers do have a personal life and may just
find your ad of interest. Be careful here...notice I used the
word "universal" appeal here. Also, make sure you use an
ad that you know pulls the responses for your related
product or service.
For instance, if you are marketing a cat or dog food, just
remember that the subscribers of many of the ezines have
a Fluffy or Fido and would be interested in your product.
These people are already subscribed to a number of ezines
pertaining to their business needs and don't want to bother
subscribing to pet ezines...they are getting too many ezines \
now! Your ad in an "off beat" ezine would catch their eye
and Fluffy or Fido may get some new healthy, natural food!
Advertisers should look at the content of the ezines that they
have chosen to advertise in. Subscribers may be turned off
seeing the same article in multiple ezines and won't bother
reading the rest of the ezine...the part with the classified
ads...your ad.
Also consider the number of ads that are in the
newsletter. If
there are a considerable number of ads, it's possible your ad
may be lost in that sea of classified ads...your advertising
dollars may just have been wasted.
Next, you need to consider the circulation of the ezines
you
have chosen. Don't expect the same results from an ezine
with thousands of subscribers to an ezine that has a circulation
of a few hundred.
Its hard to know what kind of response you will get from
your
ezine advertising as there are other factors to consider such
as a poorly written ad or ineffective headlines.
As far as circulation numbers, you just have to trust that
the
publishers are stating their true numbers. As of yet, there is
no "policing" of ezines.
Next, consider the cost of the ad. With each ezine having
their
own ad rates and really no set standard, you have to do a little
math yourself to compare the various ad rates in the ezines
you are considering to advertise in.
An ezine with a circulation of 500 with an ad rate of $5,
works
out to 100 subscribers for each dollar spent or $.01 each.
However, an ezine with 5,000 subscribers charging $25.00
works out to 200 subscribers for each dollar spent or $.005 each.
These are just some things you need to keep in mind when
you
are deciding which ezines to place your ads in.
***********************************************
Ruth Townsend is the Publisher of the original
Directory of E-Zines, a guide to ezine advertising
and the author of several advertising and marketing
reports to assist the online advertiser. NEW database
makes advertising a breeze!
http://www.lifestylespub.com
mailto:rutht@clarityconnect.com
Until next time-
Plan your work. Work your plan. Succeed.
Chris Kilian, Stealth Promotions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Can Your Web Page Win One or More of 600+ Awards?
http://www.stealthpromotions.com/awardlist.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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?
Wouldl 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?
Go to: http://www.websitings.com/classads/sites/stpromo.htm
Easy set up when you click "apply for classifieds"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Expect more tips, hints, websites, tools and advice to increase your web traffic
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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
damages.
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
 |
