For two weeks I have been talking about things that folks don’t see when it comes to a successful website. Today lets talk about what you can see. I’m not going to talk about adding photos. You can read what I have to say about that subject by visiting the following posts: 03/18/11 04/01/11 04/08/11 04/15/11 You should consider how to use and place your affiliate ads…check out my post on 05/27/11. The use of your ads is a...
Today you will learn about the Red Tuxedo! Talking about what a successful website looks like last week, I mentioned that the first step was to choose your market wisely. I also mentioned that this first step is something you could not see. An important piece of information to always remember…There are many parts to a successful website that at first glance you would not be able to notice, but they are there, behind the scenes. Lets talk about...
Resting in the garden the other day, soaking up some extra rays, I was struck by an idea. Now it’s not that unusual that I have an idea, but this one actually sounded pretty good. So setting down by cherry lime drink I walked into the office, fired up the computer and began to contemplate… What does a successful website look like? Now you might think it shouldn’t be that difficult to find a successful website. Sure I thought I can just...
Back in November of last year I wrote a post titled A Call For Engagement. Since then I have been asked to give a clear example of how one engages a reader. My instincts tell me that you already understand this but I will present a simple example. Let’s first set the stage. Say you owned www.midlifeandyou.com (a nice site…not one of mine). The owner has added this to the bottom of his home page.. “Feel free to give us some feedback or...
From time to time I get into discussions with others in my field. By the time we are through I’m usually the one standing alone (the others have walked away shaking their heads.) This week was no different. John (Not his real name. You know the old joke about changing the names to protect the guilty? In this case it’s true) was mentioning a number of tools that people don’t bother to use when promoting their Internet Business. There were...
For two weeks I have been talking about things that folks don’t see when it comes to a successful website. Today lets talk about what you can see. I’m not going to talk about adding photos. You can read what I have to say about that subject by visiting the following posts:
03/18/11 04/01/11 04/08/11 04/15/11
You should consider how to use and place your affiliate ads…check out my post on 05/27/11.
The use of your ads is a very important component to having a successful internet business. Not only should you follow the tips of that post but you should consider establishing a routine for analyzing your ads.
Remember to keep everything about running your internet business as simple as possible. Simple is always easy and easy is always best…there are no exceptions. So must your “routine for analyzing your ads”.
Once a month check out your ads…are the links still working? If the link works is the ad that appears look appealing to you? Are the ads relevant to your site and to the article content?
The text of the ad..does it move you to click on it? Ask a friend to read it….were they tempted to click on that ad because of the way it is written? Can you rewrite the ad? Should you rewrite the ad or should leave it as is?
Should you move the ad up or down the page? Should you make it bolder? Should you replace it all together?
Create a simple check list for your ads….check the list….it’s simple really and it allows you to keep the ads fresh and energetic.
We are not going to spend a great deal of time talking about content…the list of posts I have dedicated to that subject are numerous. However we will take a moment to touch on a few points.
The content for your articles must..Must…reach out and grab folks. The content of your website needs to engage your readers like I have stated in posts 11/11/11 and 03/30/12.
Be bold here! Let your information and your personality shine. How you approach your market…the words you choose… the life you breathe into it…is what helps make a website successful.
Your content must be revisited from time to time (don’t over do this) to keep it relevant. Read it out loud from time to time..how does it sound? Are there new facts that you should add? All I suggest is you review your work.
How is the layout of your site? Is it simple and easy or cluttered with stuff and folks have to use a machete to clear their way through the site? Just something to think about.
In conclusion…
Learn all that you can while building your website, experience the lessons of trial and error. Read, study and listen and you will understand that there is not ONE and Only ONE way to build a successful internet business (so stay away from those who claim there is).
What makes a successful website….you do.
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Today you will learn about the Red Tuxedo!
Talking about what a successful website looks like last week, I mentioned that the first step was to choose your market wisely. I also mentioned that this first step is something you could not see.
An important piece of information to always remember…There are many parts to a successful website that at first glance you would not be able to notice, but they are there, behind the scenes.
Lets talk about another secret…don’t you just like the sound of that word? Guru’s do…I don’t. Remember what I always preach….”There are no secrets in the Internet Business World, just unlearned facts”……and here is one you should consider.
Big bone #2 a successful website has great meta descriptions.
Now don’t worry about the term “meta”. Before you sidetrack yourself (like a lot of folks) trying to get a clear definition of what meta means, worry instead about what it does.
So what is the meta description and what does it do? First make a note that the meta description is considered by Google to be extremely important to your website, more so then meta tags.
The meta description is 155 characters that defines what the site page is about. It (meta description) is about the site page..not the website.
It is important to note that you need to use your keyword phrase for that page in the meta description…only once! Just a suggestion here, do not waste your characters, duplicating the use of your page keyword phrase.
That is what it is, now picture this…
Your website comes up in the top ten spots of a Google search…yes that day may arrive! You are now in a fantastic situation. The competition opposing your internet business is now 9 against 1. Your site is now poised to attack, and you are ready! At least we hope you are.
How? Because your meta description shows up along with theirs and if you crafted it well, then your site gets chosen. Simple isn’t it? Just create a better meta description then the competition and you win!
Of course the obvious question will be what makes a great meta description.
So ask yourself by considering for a moment your own experiences. What do you do when you are faced with ten websites…you begin to read the meta description of each site. Chances are you don’t make it through all ten, because you found what you were looking for and clicked on that site.
But why did you click on that particular one? Because it was wearing a Red Tuxedo that’s why, and that is what makes a great meta description. Oh you didn’t notice the Red Tuxedo?
The Red Tuxedo defined…
Realize that everyone is following the pure definition of a meta description. The end result is everyone is coming to the wedding wearing black tuxedos. In other words all the metas read pretty much the same.
But hear is where you are different. Yes you follow the basic rules…155 characters, use the keyword once….but that’s it. You are not hear to be part of the crowd. You are not going to allow yourself to be another lamb in the flock.
No! It’s Red Tuxedo time! You are going to write your meta description, in a very different way. You are going to present a question to the reader with humor or straight faced that begs to be answered. You might state an unusual fact that demands the audible…really….from the reader…..you are going to grab that reader by the lapels and drag them into your website.
You are going to unleash your creative side and cause folks to become like curious George and click (on your Business link) to find the answer. Hey if you sit there and tell me you are not creative…..then my reply would be to ask someone who is.
Now that they have clicked…the timer starts…and you have ten seconds to impress. Next week we will talk more about what a successful website looks like.
Until then contact me with your questions and or ideas.
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Resting in the garden the other day, soaking up some extra rays, I was struck by an idea. Now it’s not that unusual that I have an idea, but this one actually sounded pretty good. So setting down by cherry lime drink I walked into the office, fired up the computer and began to contemplate…
What does a successful website look like?
Now you might think it shouldn’t be that difficult to find a successful website. Sure I thought I can just relate what I have done and that would answer the question. But as I considered that for a few minutes I realized that would not work. Why? Because not everyone has a website in the Yak Dog market. (yes I know I don’t either) The point however is just because I do something and make money at it doesn’t mean you would.
Oh I know that this kind of crazy thinking drives the snake oil salesmen nuts. They thrive on selling folks templates..”Just follow my easy 5 steps..do what I did and you too will be able to dump your ugly wife for a super model. Move out of that 3 bedroom house in suburbia and purchase a fine English type estate and don’t forget to turn in that Ford Pinto for the newest Ferrari. Yup and it will only cost you $299.00
You can not duplicate what someone else has done. You can copy it….(not the same thing as duplicate)..but that does not translate into success.
Instead of finding an example of a successful website to show you. I have decided to list the bones of a successful website.
Big bone #1 you must choose a market wisely. Wait you say! All you need is to be told what the hottest money making market is. That will be your choice.
Alright let me think about that. (You have to assume that I spent a great deal of soul searching, brain crunching and the consumption of two hot pockets before I came up with the following reply)
Silly me….what was I thinking? Of course you are correct. I will just tell you the hottest money making market out there. It’s earthworms.
Don’t believe me? Just check out the numbers…high demand low competition.
When I suggest to you that you must choose a market wisely it is because YOU must Choose!
Let us add the common sense factor to every decision you make. If you have no interest in a market you will have at best a very short run internet business. You will fail, there is no doubt in my mind.
The question you should be asking is not what is the hottest but what market (I have an interest in) can I get into that will bring me success if I work at it. That is the correct question.
Before you ask that question consider this one….How will you judge success?
Too many folks place too many walls before them to create an atmosphere of confusion around themselves. They put themselves in the position of having their noses against a wall and become blind to the answer. What everyone needs to do is take three steps back away from the wall….you will then be able to look to your right or to your left and see the doorway.
Fear of failure wins everyday. If you are afraid to fail you will. (Even if your not afraid you still might fail..it just won’t hurt as much)
A successful website begins with you deciding which market you will attack. Therefore you will arm yourself with the correct keyword phrase to act as your doorway into that market. Spend some time…OK a lot of time doing keyword research to find the phrases that will allow you to attack the market at its weakest points.
What does a successful website look like? Sorry to say it begins with the foundation and that my friends you never see.
Next week I will continue this discussion describing more parts of a successful website.
As always I like to hear from you.
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Back in November of last year I wrote a post titled A Call For Engagement. Since then I have been asked to give a clear example of how one engages a reader. My instincts tell me that you already understand this but I will present a simple example.
Let’s first set the stage. Say you owned www.midlifeandyou.com (a nice site…not one of mine). The owner has added this to the bottom of his home page.. “Feel free to give us some feedback or share an experience that you feel may be of benefit to others in their midlife.” Now we are ready to proceed.
A reader comes along and emails the site an experience that helped change their life.
Here is what should/could happen.
The owner of the site emails the reader back…a very personal email thanking them for sending in the experience. Lets the reader know that it is appreciated and that it will be posted to the website in “x” amount of days.
This gives the reader a connection to the website. The website has responded, not with some computer generated auto response…..but with a real, almost like getting a letter in the mail(remember what those are) reply and that is a very cool thing.
The next thing that happens is the reader checks the website as directed to find their experience posted for the world to read. That becomes a very powerful moment for them, a sense of pride, because that is part of them and it is attached to this website.
The reader then goes out and every chance they get tells everyone of their friends and folks they meet (if the topic arises) and mentions how those folks should go and visit the website and see for themselves.
You see the reader has now taken ownership of the website. They have added to it. They have received thanks for their contribution and in a sense they have a small claim to fame.
The website like www.midlifeandyou.com has also benefited. They have received content for their site. They have a connection to a reader. They have gotten some extra traffic because of that reader.
Life is now good….but it can become even better. Yes it can. How you might/should ask? The owner of the site at some point should write another email to the reader, thanking them again for their contribution and add that they have gotten feed back from other readers who enjoyed the article.
A word here…. we are talking about a business….ways to improve and build the business….so this next comment might (just might) offend the faint of heart, so be forewarned.
When you mention to the reader that others have commented how they enjoyed the article…it need not be true. That’s right folks it might be that you have not heard a whisper from anyone about that readers submission. But you will still say that you have. Why, Why, Why would I even suggest something as base as a lie?
The same reason you tell your loved one that the green and yellow dress they are wearing looks fantastic, instead of the truth. The same reason you tell someone who is obviously overweight that they look like they have been losing weight. So why do you say those things?
The reason you tell the reader that others liked the article is to make them feel GREAT! Also you are asking if they have any other tips etc they would care to share. Enclosed in this email you would also ask if they would be interested in getting a monthly email from you. I shouldn’t have to detail the rest… you get the idea.
If you haven’t however, those monthly emails could/should have an offer or a link to one of your affiliates that never show up on your website….because they are special only to your monthly emails.
OK my friends that is my example on engaging the reader, remember…Engagement is a necessity for you business. Engage yourself and your readers.
As always I would like to hear from you.
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From time to time I get into discussions with others in my field. By the time we are through I’m usually the one standing alone (the others have walked away shaking their heads.) This week was no different.
John (Not his real name. You know the old joke about changing the names to protect the guilty? In this case it’s true) was mentioning a number of tools that people don’t bother to use when promoting their Internet Business.
There were a few other folks around and most were nodding their heads in agreement. A few others were trying to discuss various tools…the merits of one versus the others. All was going well until I asked this question.
“Ever see a dog chase its tail?”
John, just smiled (you know that polite smile you reserve for strangers who appear to be a little off) and replied with something like, “What do dogs have to do with marketing?”
Once I knew I had their attention, I mentally adjusted my Guru toga, only kidding I don’t have one, (my legs aren’t as great looking as they used to be) cleared my throat and said;
“They (Dogs) don’t get anywhere chasing their tails. Neither do folks who are always trying new and so called brilliant ideas for promoting their websites.
There are over 350 Social networks, easily over 500 million blogs, there are hundreds of Internet Gurus on Twitter alone and I can not even begin to count all the online programs that promise traffic wealth and good looks.
Point being most folks end up wasting time and Money trying to do all things marketing because of what they read and hear on the internet. Like I said a dog chasing its tail.”
John replied (he is a nice guy but stubborn..probably why we get along) Norm you are not seeing the big picture. You are missing the point. Not everyones Internet marketing needs are the same. That is why there are so many options. What methods work for one person might not work for another.
“Do you know how many basic literary plots there are?” I countered..”Seven…now there are many versions of those seven..but seven is the number. Why do I bring this up, because most folks would have offered a guess in the thousands because that is their perception. Do you know how many choices you have in business…. there are only two!
Either you are a success or you fail. There are many versions of these two…some folks make $100,000 a year and they see themselves as failures. Others make enough extra money for a great time out once a month and they feel successful.
My point is you either make money or you don’t. success or failure is only a perception. Now John what you are saying has merit…however there are only a few “basic” ways to market and run a business that allows you to make money. Understand the basics, master the basics and then use them, that is how you make money. Forget all the other hype about this and that, save the red ribbon that is tied around “secrets” and such nonsense.”
At this point I found myself alone in that field.
I get so many questions from folks asking about this or that found on the Internet. Will this work etc etc….when what they should be doing is focusing on the basics.
As always I say what I feel is right…and you…need to do what you feel is right…just don’t get lost.
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All we are going to do today is talk about a few more mistakes that folks sometimes make when they are engaging in the social marketing of their internet business. Last week we went through a few ideas and we will use that same format today. I was told that I came across a little rough in that last post.
If I did come across a little rough..then fix the mistakes, make some sales.. and take yourself out to dinner….because…
Marketing is essential to your business. It is the life blood of your business. Without effective marketing you have absolutely no chance of making any real money with your website. No one wakes up in the morning looks into the mirror to discover that they just became a marketing expert. This is an area that you learn through failure. Don’t panic because you will experience some success as well. But remember you never really learn how to ride a bike until after you fall.
Last week we went through five mistakes, here are a few more for you to consider and change if necessary.
1) Have you heard the one about the door to door salesman who visited hundreds of homes just to say Hello? No you haven’t and you never will. So why then would you spend a ton of time and effort to do marketing but never ask anything of anyone. Why wouldn’t you at least say “Come and see what we have?” Why would you not suggest that “We have what your looking for!” Get the hint? I hope so….Ask.
2) How many of you want to get an email from me talking about my Uncle Stan’s cat Fredrick? How about a phone call where we talk about how I feel depressed today because my big toe was run over by an old lady on a moped? (No disrespect to old lady’s who ride mopeds). Truth is I wouldn’t want to hear that stuff. Just like I wouldn’t want to see your marketing efforts sliding down that slippery slope of being too personal. Keep the focus on business, because that is what it is.
3) That leads us into the squishy place called profiles. I am not a big profile guy (for good or bad) I don’t like talking about myself. I don’t mind talking about others (kidding) but it is an effort for me to sell me. So if you suffer the same problem then here is a hint. Don’t talk about you..except in the third person. Write your profile as if you know nothing about yourself except that which the public would have an absolute need to know…..professional only, but make it count.
4) If running an internet business can be compared to being in a war (that is how I approach it) then your marketing ideas are a series of battle plans. So how good are your plans? If the business is war and marketing are plans then your various websites/blogs are your troops. Are you communicating and engaging your troops in a united and concentrated effort? If not, why? You are making a critical mistake if you are not combining all your assets.
5) Would Custer and the 7th Cavalry have benefited if they had retreated? (Never mind that they should have never attacked). Yes they would if they could have. They would have realized that they had just stepped in it and it was time to regroup. Should you ever retreat? Yes if…you are staying on top of your marketing and realize that you are going in the wrong direction. But here is the tough nut to consider….are you really so engaged that you can truthfully say…time to rethink my marketing.
There are more areas to consider but the bottom line that leads to failure for anyone is a lack of consistency. In the last two weeks we have gone through ten areas that need to be done correctly in order for there to be success in marketing. Like I said however there are other areas of marketing that we have not touched upon…yet.
Last week I began the post by saying that marketing, marketing and more marketing was all you needed to be successful in an internet business. However the one true piece that is absolutely necessary for success is the consistent belief and consistent action on your part that you will succeed.
Till next week.
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Marketing, marketing and more marketing. That is the answer. That is all you ever need to know to become successful with your Internet Business. Just stop what your doing (after you read this post that is) and grab your marketing hat and get to work. OK I’m not being totally honest here.
The reality of running an Internet Business is much more then reaching out and saying hey visit my site. There is more then just placing social media icons on your site or just saying “like me.”
Yes there is much more but today no one wants to hear that. What they want is to sit back in their hammock and listen to the rustling of those greenbacks fluttering around the yard. The hammock part is great but I’m too much into money to just let it flutter away. Admit it… you are too.
Marketing is all everyone wants to talk about. You would think that with all the chatter out there folks would be able to get it right. But no….mistakes, mistakes and more mistakes. How can we (I will include myself to make it fair) make so many mistakes especially in Social Marketing?
Here are a few thoughts that you might want to consider…see if you can relate to these mistakes. If you do…change what you are doing.
1) Haphazard and half way attempts to get your message out. You know what I mean. One week you are on top of your marketing game with guns a blazing. The next week you have more important things to do and you make about as much splash in the social media pool as a gnat. Something to think about when “life” gets in the way of your business.
2) How many folks do you know that have absolutely no personality….yup your right… none. Everyone and I mean everyone has a personality and yes you are correct some hide it very well. So tell me is your personality hidden in your marketing? If it is you lose…game over..take down the tent and just go home.
3) More more and more……more what? Well more of everything. Folks just like more. Now you younger folks won’t appreciate this but back in the day….really back….more wasn’t necessary because stuff was quality stuff back then. Food was quality…movies were quality…products were quality….there is a theme developing here. Today we are used to more being less in every aspect of our lives. Don’t make that mistake in your marketing! It isn’t about more no matter what you are told. Ask yourself…How is the quality of your content?
4) Social…what does that mean? Used to mean knowing your neighbors, talking over the fence. Used to mean being polite and courteous. Used to be being interactive with folks. Well it still means those things. When it comes to social marketing, folks just seem to have forgotten what being social means. Do you approach social marketing like an irritating neighbor that is always trying to sale you Avon? (No disrespect intended to the Avon folks). Are you genuine in your marketing? If you are not being social your just another bothersome bug on someones windshield.
5) Ever notice how people judge you by the way you dress. It’s true we all know that. When we were teenagers we didn’t care about that right…wrong we did…we wanted to fit in with the rest of the group. Marketing is the same. You will be judged on what you say..how you say it and if it is put together correctly. Now if you have read this blog for any length of time you know that I have no clue about spelling, punctuation or grammar. But hey I’m not selling anything. You are…don’t be perceived as an uneducated amateur.
Today we covered 5 areas that you should be focused on when your marketing your website. There are more mistakes that you might be making so lets cover those next week. As always I would like to hear your comments..good or bad…I like them all.
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