An affiliate marketer may have all the things needed for him to be able to succeed in a business such as affiliate marketing. He may have the necessary drive, diligence and perseverance to be able to understand how the system works. He may have all the tools necessary in maintaining the business, including a really unique and interesting website which could earn him a fortune if only the whole world could see it. However, all these would prove useless if he does not know how to drive traffic to his website. His business would sink into oblivion together with all the sales, fortune and dreams that he might have realized if he only knew how to do this particular task.Getting people who matter to see one’s website is a difficult undertaking if he tries to consider the fact that there are rivals everywhere waiting to pin him down. The immensity of the internet as well as the affiliate marketing world has given birth to the fierce competition between affiliate marketers, each of whom has his own great product to offer. With all the websites piling on top of each other, how would one be able to stand out? The seven best ways to drive laser-targeted traffic to one’s own website would help those who are bent on sticking it out with this business wherever it is bound to take them.The first step in driving traffic to one’s website is by relying on search engines and what they can do for the affiliate marketer concerned. Because they are popular for driving free targeted traffic, they should not be ignored by all means. Having top search engine rankings is vital in building popularity links, and the use of the right keywords is important in attaining this goal. Once a website is on top of the list, it is easily accessible to anyone who wants to see it for himself.The second way in driving traffic to one’s website is by contacting other webmasters for a possible link exchange partnership. Locating websites that are related to one’s own website is the primary task. Once there, he should be able to establish communication by personalizing everything as much as possible. It is then possible to make reciprocal link exchanges between webmasters whichever way the affiliate marketer prefers.The third way is through writing one’s own articles. This is an effective way in promoting a website, because good content that are appreciated by readers will lead them to visit the writer’s very own website out of sheer interest.The fourth way is through joint venture marketing. This is one of the most effective ways of promoting a product or a service. Having a partner through ad swap or link exchange is beneficial to both parties as it allows them to reach a wide customer base in a short amount of time.The fifth is through joining affiliate programs. Having affiliates to do the work means allowing them to bring tons of traffic to a website. Skyrocketing sales would be realized as a result, and both the affiliate and the website owner will benefit from the situation.The sixth is by having a list of subscribers that one can refer to every so often, because they are those which would prove to be valuable assets for the marketer concerned. The use of autoresponders and personalized newsletters is one way of keeping track of them all, and holding on to them by letting them know about new products and services is an essential task that should be done by the affiliate marketer concerned.The seventh is by knowing one’s market through and through. It is important for traffic to be targeted to those who might have a special interest in the theme or topic of one’s website. This way, a solid customer base is going to be created. Once a potential customer shows an interest in a particular website by paying it a visit, one must not waste time in trying to show him that his effort is worth it.Traffic generating strategies are important in trying to make one’s affiliate marketing career inch forward. It is always advantageous to plan one’s moves in any business that he might undertake. This is particularly so in affiliate marketing. If one knows how to get people to see what he has to offer, then he is on the right track.Lisa SimpkinsFreemanResearch Advertising PortalRead more…
There are no secrets on how to rank high with the major search engines because effective search engine optimizations are now immense. What is search engine optimization? Before we discuss that thing, you have to understand first how search engines work and a bit of know-how.Search engines are into providing their users with the most relevant and up-to-date information to match the search term that was used. They are sophisticated pieces of technology which allow users to quickly find relevant websites by searching for a word or a phrase. Search engine results are useless to users if the information doesn’t relate to the search term, or if the results are old. People expect the most up-to-date and fresh information that is useful to them.Updating your website everyday and adding some materials will help you get noticed by the search engines. So, if you are going to sell any type of product or service online, you have to optimize your website for the search engines, in order to boost traffic and sales. It is because over 90% of your business will likely come directly from search engine results. And for that reason, it is absolutely important to optimize your site for search engines for you to have the greatest deals in the entire world.Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process by which webmasters or online business owners utilize strategic copy to augment their website’s status. It is certain that the internet has grown so fast over the years and the competition for the best search engine position has created an enormous market. Therefore, better understanding the fundamental elements of Search Engine Optimization is vital for an online business’ success.Making use of effective search engine optimization techniques will improve the page rank of your website. There are many tricks that can be used to increase page rank; the most effective method is to provide high quality content consistently. This seems like a simple concept but there are many websites that fails to provide content that visitors find interesting. Sites which provide content that are interesting, well-written and regularly updated create highly engaged visitors who are more likely to return to the website in the coming days. So, if you can set your website apart from those boring, lifeless sites then do it. You’ll surely have a step closer to achieving high page rank through search engine optimization.The next significant factor for an effective search engine optimization is to include keywords and phrases within your content. To make sure that you are properly targeting your market, you have to make sure that the keywords and phrases you have on your site are the keywords and phrase that your site is actually optimized for. The more keywords you use in your content, the more likely it is that online visitors will find your site when they do some research with those words. If you are unfailing with these techniques, then your overall search engine optimization will increase, boosting your page rank.You should also have to develop a linking strategy as a part of your search engine optimization. Not only does this provide free advertising for your site, but it makes the impression that your site is imperative because of its affiliated links. For each link that you have pointing back to you, that is another chance for your potential customer to find you. The more inbound links that you have pointing to your site, the higher you will be ranked in the search engines.Another is to develop a content stratagem. People who get to search from the internet are looking for information. The more information you provide for them and the more helpful it is, the more likely you will make the sale. Writing articles is the most effective way to build up content for your site. When writing articles to post on your site, make sure that you develop a clear means of arranging their content. You can do this by simply adding a new page to your site. This will allow room for extra articles to be added as you write them, and will allow you to build up an archive of articles which will maintain to draw online visitors. Make sure also that you have included your archived articles in a directory that is next to the root web of your site so that the search engines will catalog your online articles.Always keep in mind that search engine optimization methods are important in developing your site’s status. With that thing in mind, make sure that you write high-quality, keyword rich content and link your site to and from a deliberate family of other sites. These things will help improve your site’s popularity and coerce increased business through your online business.Lisa SimpkinsLisaSimpkins~BBS GlobalRead more…
Every business begins with an idea and a goal. Sometimes the goal is to make money, to help others, or a desire to share one’s knowledge or creations. In any event, many people start businesses for different reasons. Statistics from the US business administration show that in 2006, 649,700 small businesses opened and 564,900 closed. From this statistic alone, it seems that many small businesses do not survive for the long haul.Unfortunately, I witnessed this statistic first hand with a black bookstore in my neighborhood. When the store first opened, of course, it was a novelty, and many folks from the neighborhood stopped by and made purchases. A black bookstore? Whoa! I was there almost every week because it was such an enjoyable experience. Where else could you go where you could browse through books that reflected you (or at least someone you knew, lol)? And it was not just fiction. It was here where I first discovered the science fiction writings of Octavia Butler and Dr. Alvin Poussaint. (But I do digress) The point is, within the next two years, the shelves became more bare and dusty and the people scarce. The owner even solicited his customers with money to keep the shop going and collected over $10,000 from us. Even after that effort and support from the community – the store still closed!What happened? Well, I know from my own observation, the wife of the owner would often come into the shop and take cash from the register and comment to her husband that she was going grocery shopping (I kid you not!). They drove the latest model of Mercedes Benz sedan (not a problem with that, but then don’t solicit your customers for $$$ to keep your store open) and often, the store was closed in the middle of the day. There were no sales, no specials, no saving programs, no new book introductions, no children’s story on Saturday – nothing. Certainly, he was personable enough and very willing to help customers, but did not seem to copy the business practices of the larger retailers. As a side note, I ordered a cookbook for my mother, and it took him a MONTH to get the order in.I write all this to say that it’s great to start a business, but for those just starting out, like me, and for those who have been in business for years, know that to do it correctly, to be in it for the long haul and to NOT become one of those statistics it takes hard work, dedication and a determination to achieve those goals and to make your work profitable. Over the course of my blog, I hope to both share my experiences of starting a business, running a business, and the business resources that assisted me along the way.Please, if you have specific questions, feel free to message me or post them in the comments.
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A Frugal Mindset Is Money In the BankFor Indies, financial success is about stretching every penny to cover as much as possible, both on the home front and the business front. Frugal principles are not complicated, but because they intersect with our emotional connection to money, they can be difficult to implement.Growing up, my parents taught me very little about money. In my years as a corporate attorney, money flowed freely from my employer's account to mine, and then on to fabulous vacations, expensive dinners out, trendy clothes and extravagant gifts. Until I became a small business owner, I was never really concerned with the fact that, at some point, money actually runs out.Fast forward to 2000, when I started this business and officially enrolled in my first semester at the School of Financial Hard Knocks. Since then, I have taken small steps every year to keep more of the money I make. I do this by minimizing credit card use, couponing like nobody's business and keeping track of every penny.Every time I get a dollar, I do one of four specific things with it: spend it, save it, invest it or donate it. Whatever I do, I have to fit it into one of those categories and I am very intentional about doing so. I make it a point to improve my financial habits every day so I never return to my oblivious days of spending without thinking.Since I work with lots of people who are trying to make a success of small business, but who have not developed a frugal mindset, I turned to personal financial representative and fellow Indie Chris Buford to tell me 3 things Indie Business owners must do in order to turn from their spendthrift ways.1. Squeeze Out Every Tax Deduction. Chris says that the corporate tax rate is one of the highest tax rates there is, considering that income, property and capital gains are all heavily taxed. "The best way to offset these taxes is to squeeze out every possible business deduction you can find," say Chris.My accountant, Robin Herrick, CPA, PA, agrees. She makes sure every single business expense is properly identified and accounted for. In this way, not even a small deduction slips through the cracks.2. Ditch "Extra Money" Thinking. It's human nature to think that, when we come into some unexpected cash, it's "extra money," and we are free to run out and spend it on some short term fulfillment. This mindset is encouraged by the messages we get daily now, to take our tax rebate checks to the nearest department or home improvement store and spend spend spend.Chris says that's a decidedly bad idea. "Whether it's a stimulus check or a tax refund, any unexpected cash should be used to get a long term return, either by investing the money or using it to pay down debt." This is especially true if the money is a tax refund. "It's already your money, which the government kept all year long and interest free," he says. Debt directly inhibits the creation of wealth, says Chris, so it's especially important to eliminate it.3. Cut Costs. With fuel and food costs rising, people are spending less. "This means that small business owners must cut back without compromising the integrity of goods and services," says Chris.Of course saving wherever and whenever you can should be the goal all year every year, not just in a down economy. "Outsourcing things you don't have to do yourself, cutting down on overnight shipments, cutting down on hours of operation and anything to save resources must be implemented," says Chris.So there you have it, a sort of Indie Business Mantra. Every day, repeat after me.What are my tax deductions today?There's no such thing as "extra money."How can I accomplish this goal for less?What about you?Do you have some savvy small business financial advice to offer, or a money mantra that works for you? If so, please share it in the comments section below.About ChrisChris Buford is a personal financial representative with Allstate. He is a husband, father of 3 and seasoned real estate investor who helps families and small businesses expand their personal and business portfolios by implementing specific strategies to achieve their financial goals.For more small business money tips, subscribe to Indie Business Blog today.Related PostsThe Best Credit CardFive Ways to Recession-Proof Your BusinessAsk Not What the Economy Can Do For You
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Basic Principles For The 21st CenturyNow that the first quarter is over, don't miss the opportunity to makeyour lifestyle recession-proof.This event will provide you with simple steps to secure your financial future.Be the first to acquire innovative techniques to secure your financial stability.Where: Owen Brown Community Center6800 Cradlerock WayColumbia, MD 21045410-309-4052When: Saturday, April 19, 2008Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Cost: The registration fee has been waivedRegister by responding to this email or call 410-309-4052.Once we reach full capacity your name will be placed on a waiting list.SEATING IS LIMITED.This seminar will equip you with answers to long standing questions like:o Is my 401K okay?o What I don’t know, can cost me?o Is my cash flow clogged?o Are foreclosures, bankruptcies and layoffsa threat to my lifestyle?o Is there a hole in my cash bucket?o What’s really in my wallet?o Is my money system ordinary or extraordinary?What’s the difference?o Do I need a midlife money management makeover?We hear the conversations and the questions.That’s why we have extended this personal invitation for you tojoin us for this life changing experience.Register today to explore Basic Principles For The 21st Century.All who attend will have an opportunity to win a $100.00 GAS CARD,a Money Making Website training.PLUS!Ask about the 4-day vacation in sunny Myrtle Beach, S.C.Make room in your schedule right now to attend.Successfully,Carl and Val McKoyCertified Prosperity Partners(410)309-4051v.mckoy@yahoo.comcz_mckoy@yahoo.com
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Your vision is plain. You get excited and you are fired up - ready to go............... Then somewhere along the path of following your business goals, you become disheartened. You question your ability to be successful, you wonder why things are not falling into place, you begin to question yourself. The paperwork, the licenses, permits, finances, etc. - one thing after the other - and on and on................ You ask yourself is it worth it?I strongly believe that you must remain resilient. Challenges will come - they always do. Although the moments during the challenge can be overwhelming, it is how you were able to come through the challenge that prepares you for handling the business. I can't tell you how many times I have had to face one challenge after another - it was as though there was a challenge line - with each one waiting for the other to be over so that the next one can present itself. I can tell you that once you've worked through it, you will see that it was not so bad after all - it's worth it.Your business is always a work in progress. Why? Well, you should always be in the frame of mind where you think of ways to improve. Even if your business idea is just in the head, add your ideas to your plans - write it down. Plan to be great at what you do and know that the challenges are going to happen - work through them - seek guidance - push on - in the end you will realize - it's worth it.................
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How much do I count on marketing materials to market for me? Do you go to networking events and push your business card into everyone's hand?" Oh, did you feel that whoosh of negative energy with that sentence? I sure did. Next time, keep those business cards in your pocket until asked for one and then still hesitate to give it out without some boundaries or criteria.Why, because a business card has all your contact information on it. U-know, name, phone number, and maybe a logo that took you a year or two to develop that your market could care less about.Your business card doesn't say how kind, understanding, caring or what you know or the value you bring to your clients. Its just flat energy.For the rest of the story, visit http://my.great-promo.comForever promoting,Karmawww.Great-Promo.comCreating brain tattoos that last generations!www.my.great-promo.comExpanding your business by growing your network.
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KEEPING THE BALL ROLLING: How To Extend Relationships with Consumers Post-EventExecutive summary :The event is over — the displays dismantled, the premiums packed away, and the trucks have hit the road. How do you ensure that your brand has truly made an impression on consumers? Now more than ever it’s become imperative for you to continue that conversation with consumers and extend that ever-important return on investment.For the rest of the story, visit http://my.great-promo.comForever promoting,Karmawww.Great-Promo.comCreating brain tattoos that last generations!www.my.great-promo.comExpanding your business by growing your network.
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Women Business Owners, www.womenbizowners.org invites all women to join us on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on blogtalkradio.com/wbo-radio. The dial-in phone number is (347) 205-9229. It will prove to be a very entertaining show. Our radio guest will be discussing how she found her "niche" and successes in turning it into a thriving business. Here is some additional information on our guest speaker --Deborrah Cooper (a.k.a "Ms. Heartbeat") is founder and resident advice columnist on AskHeartBeat.com, which is her award winning relationship website. She focuses on black male/female relationships. On her website, she has informative articles on dating and relationships for both adults and teens.As an advice columnist and relationship expert she has also written a book "Sucka Free Love - How to Avoid Dating the The Dumb, The Deceitful, The Dysfunction & The Deranged! It provides common sense, street-smart insight into the toughest issues facing singles today.She has been profiled in Black Enterprise and Honey magazines as well as interviewed by Essence magazine.Ms. Cooper has also appeared on Yahoo Internet Life, The Oakland Tribune, The Dallas Morning News, and many other print and online media worldwide. This interview should prove to be quite interesting! Do you need some advice on a relationship??Come listen to Deborrah explain how she turned her passion into a thriving business!
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Networking - There IS a Method to the MadnessTuesday, April 8, 2008 7:00 pm CT - 8:00 pm CTThe first time this seminar was offered was a phenomenal success! We are offering this seminar again. Please join us. Once your seat is reserved, you will receive conference materials as well as the telephone number to the conference.What is networking? Simply put networking is the exchange of information. Networking is also relationship building. In this seminar, participants will learn the purpose of networking and how to successfully network. Whether you are looking for a new job or seeking to grow your business, this seminar gives you to the tools to succeed.Get answers to many questions including:What are the benefits of networking?How does networking help my business/career?Do I already have a network?How do I network?With whom do I network?How much time should I dedicate to networking?Order your ticket now at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/108425303.
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Online Networking What's All the Fuss?Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:00 pm CT - 8:00 pm CTOnline networking is taking over!Are you joining the millions of individuals utilizing online social networks like MYSPACE, YAHOO GROUPS, GOOGLE GROUPS, FACE BOOK, and Ning?This seminar shows participants how to build a huge online network in a relatively short period of time.Want to start a business?Want to grow your business?Have a new book, product or service you want to share with others?Bring pen and paper and join us for this teleseminar!Space is limited so reserve your seat today.Upon confirmation of payment, you will receive conference log in information.To order tickets, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/108435333.
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They’re not going anywhere!So, I’m doing my thing and trying to figure out some very economical promotions for a young man who is going into business for himself. After a typical interview, I thought about his love of roller coaster and amusement parks. In the interview, he told me that he and his buddies visit atleast 8 amusement parks a year and this is the time when he feels most creative.So what did I do? Visit the blog entitled: RollerCoasters for the rest of this story.Forever promoting,Karma Middletonwww.Great-Promo.Com...Creating brain tattoos that last generations!
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Networking opportunity April 6, 2008DetailsPJ’s Coffee & Wine Bar232 19th St NWAtlanta, GA30363(404) 745-42156-7pmWe have all experienced those networking events where everyone walked around and handed out business cards and told you what you could buy from them.At WEW, our definition of networking is different? We’re not about providing two minutes to deliver a sales pitch.We’re asking each person that attends to help others by answering one of the following questions:What are you going to do today to help promote one of the networkers you meet this Sunday?When was the last time you updated your site or blog?How many business cards do you need to pass out to get one client?How do you keep someone from day dreaming when you’re a speaker at a function?...and other important questions entrepreneurial minded people need to have the answers to.Come out and Network with us. Share your experience and gain from the experiences of others.Karmawww.Great-Promo.ComP.S. If you miss the event, there will be excerpts of it posted in 48 hours or less at: http://my.great-promo.com
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Posted by Vera Johnson on March 28, 2008 at 2:30am
Sistas Inc is a professional lifestyle community for Women of color, who epitomize & strive for professional and personal success. We are an organization for women of color with diverse talents, a place for women to share their time,financial,and moral support for the betterment of our communities worldwide, while providing inspiration and opportunities for personal growth and leadership. As you know Communication isn't always easy, so we here at Sistas Inc, want you to kick off your shoes, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and feel free to share your opinions,inspirational and motivational advice as well as your professional knowledge with Women of Color all around the world.Visit:www.sistasinc.comRead more…
According to Target Market News, in 2005 Blacks/ African Americans spent $719 billion dollars on goods and services. It is projected that the buying power of Blacks/ African Americans will be $1 trillion dollars by the calendar year 2010. When I recently Googled 'black buying power' I was surprised by the number of professional articles I found that talked about how to market to Black/ African American people. Of the few articles I perused, not one of them talked about their corporate/ organizational responsibility to the communities they want to fleece. Not one of them mentioned the needs that exist in many of our communities. I was only five or six articles in when I got a clear image of a world (with few exceptions) that wants to take everything they can from us and give NOTHING back in return.An adage that I was taught many moons ago simply states: He who has the gold rules. It seems to me that since we as a race have the gold we should be ruling. I am so very happy to see the numbers of our people who are beginning to network with and patronize one another in greater numbers than ever before. I'm so happy that our value and worth are now being recognized and our historical accomplishments are no longer being hidden from our youth. But I am very curious and concerned about one thing. What is going to happen when our hard earned dollars are circulating in our own communities several times? What will happen as more and more sisters revert back to natural hair styles and patronizing black only nail techs in order to break the back of the Asian Connection that is not only taking over the hair care industry but is making inferior copies of black produced products while systematically nudging us out of the market? What is going to happen when there are lines outside of black owned grocery stores, liquor stores and gas stations while those that are owned and managed by other ethnicities become virtually empty? What is going to happen when our children are able to find summer jobs and internships within our own communities? What will happen as a result of us using our wealth for our own sustenance, empowerment, and glory?Personally, I don't think the rest of the world will stand idly by and let that happen. I suspect that at the very least we will all have a bunch of new found friends whose main concern will be to win our business away from our own family (I love that term as opposed to the n-word and it is soooooo fitting - my brothers and sisters). As that time approaches and as we deliberate regarding how to handle the opposition that is sure to come, let us remember that people of many nationalities would not hire one of us for any reason; and many of those who did required us to work for minimum wage money under the table, doing work that is beneath them so we would not be entitled to any working benefits or unemployment. Let us remember that many of them treated us like second or third class citizens while we were patronizing their establishments. Many of them intentionally cheat us and our children then get an attitude when we bring their -ah hem- error to their attention. I'm so glad that growing numbers of us are finally working in concert toward leveling the playing field. But remember, just because we deserve to benefit from the power of our own buying power doesn't mean they will sit by idly and let us.BTW: They in this blog specifically refers to people who are either not ethnically recognized as being Black or African American or supporters of the equal rights and entitlements of Blacks/African Americans.
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Networking - There IS a Method to the MadnessTuesday, March 18, 2008 8:00 pm CT - 9:00 pm CTWhat is networking? Simply put networking is the exchange of information. Networking is also relationship building. In this seminar, participants will learn the purpose of networking and how to successfully network. Whether you are looking for a new job or seeking to grow your business, this seminar gives you to the tools to succeed. Get answers to many questions including: What are the benefits of networking? Do I already have a network? How do I network? With whom do I network? How much time should I dedicate to networking?What will you do differently today?Alive Incorporatedwww.aliveincorporated.comseed. plant. grow.To register visit:http://aliveincorporated-emailinvite.eventbrite.com/
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