Good for you! Your dream of becoming a webmaster is finally coming true.

Your site is up and running, easy on the eyes, and has a decent amount of content on it. The site is monetized and you’ve seen a steady increase in traffic since the [...]]]> All that work for nothing?

You’ve:

• picked a niche
• made a site
• written content
• drive traffic
• monetized

Good for you! Your dream of becoming a webmaster is finally coming true.

Your site is up and running, easy on the eyes, and has a decent amount of content on it. The site is monetized and you’ve seen a steady increase in traffic since the site was created, however long ago.

You’ve done everything right, but something is wrong; you’re not making any money!

To understand why, let’s take a closer look.

The components of internet marketing are all connected to one another. Think of the website creation process as a pyramid: At the bottom is picking a niche and at the top is making money from the site. Every piece of the pyramid needs to build on the base, until the whole thing becomes concentrated in a single point.

For us, that is when the customer willingly pulls out his wallet.

Build a solid foundation for your site

For those of you on a shoe-string budget, doing it all yourselves, you’re going to have to learn how to build your pyramid the hard way. If you’re site isn’t making any money, you’ve got a problem with something in the foundation of the pyramid.

• It could be your topic itself. Are people paying for products and services in your niche?
• It could be the layout of the site. Is your site aesthetically appealing enough for visitors to return VOLUNTARILY on a daily basis?
• Or, it could be the content. Are you coming across as an authority or just out to make a quick buck?
• Or it could be the traffic. Are your only visitors Googlebots, or are you also attracting targeted traffic?

When all of these values are set correctly, turning your site into a money making machine will be much easier than trying to wing it.

Its for this reason that monetizing your site should be the last step in the creation process. After you’ve got the right amount of traffic and content on your site, feel free to focus on making money.

Hopefully, you’ve chosen a niche you’re passionate about. When you’re trying to figure out the best monetization strategy for your site, do some research about the most common strategies for that niche. Once you’ve checked out the competition, implement some of their strategies.

A fool is a man who has never tried an experiment

However, keep in mind that making money from your site is NOT a “set it and forget it”. If you’re smart, you’ll do testing to see what works best for you.

For instance, if you went the lazy route and started with your basic Google Adsense ads and they’re not working for you, the try switching to another format. Try in-text ads, or promote some affiliate products.

Don’t be afraid to change things around on your site. However, make sure you’re also allowing the ads/product links to get enough exposure before you replace them.

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: sales is a numbers game. You’ll have good days and bad days.

Selling on the internet is no different. Give your strategy enough time to fail before you prematurely pull the plug.

Once your site starts generating some income, guess what its time to do?

Build another site! Yay!

Why You Still Aren’t Making Money From Your Niche Sites originally appeared on VIP Internet Marketing on November 11, 2009.

So the question is: How are [...]]]> Every business hates the word “refund.”

That one word alone can erase all of the hard work that went into the sales process. The money you spent on web design, copy writing, advertising (and much more) all went down the drain because the customer didn’t get what he was looking for.

So the question is: How are you supposed to handle a customer request for a refund?

Those of you who have read any of my articles know my mantra: GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT.

But does it apply here? Theoretically, if by giving a customer what they want you are in fact taking money out of YOUR OWN POCKET, then doesn’t that defeat the purpose of giving the customer what they want?

Short answer, no.

The slightly longer answer requires a small amount of explanation. First of all, when a customer requests a refund, YOUR IMMEDIATE ANSWER IS OKAY SIR, NO PROBLEM.

The prospect’s main fear is that you will keep his money and he’ll be stuck with an unsatisfactory product or service. If you relinquish his fear, he’ll be grateful to you.

After you’ve done that, find out what the problem is. Oftentimes, there is a solution which will make both you and the prospect happy. Try and find that solution.

One effective method for doing this is to offer to refund them partially while letting them keep what they purchased. This is a symbolic gesture on your part, designed to show the customer that you are willing to refund the money.

And that’s not all!

To complement the partial refund, offer an upgrade in the product or service offered. Throw in some extras or bonuses.

In the event that the prospect rejects the deal and MUST have a refund, then give it to them WITHOUT arguing or defending yourself!

You know the saying, “Win the argument, lose the sale.” Or in this case, customer. By giving them their refund, you may lose money on the sale.

However, if you handle it with the ATTITUDE that you are trying to help the customer get what they want, you will ENDEAR yourself to them.

While they may not have gotten what they wanted this time around, if you end the transaction in a respectful, helpful and civilized manner, who do you think they’ll turn to when they want to order again?

What To Say To A Customer Who Wants To Rip Your Head Off originally appeared on VIP Internet Marketing on November 11, 2009.

There are two keys to creating interesting stuff:

On the surface, this may seem obvious. In fact, most great nuggets of wisdom appear “obvious” or as common sense when you think about them. These suggestions are no exception.

So, now you want to [...]]]>  

Get the most bang for your buck

There are two keys to creating interesting stuff:

1. Write for your audience
2. Write with enthusiasm

On the surface, this may seem obvious. In fact, most great nuggets of wisdom appear “obvious” or as common sense when you think about them. These suggestions are no exception.

So, now you want to know how to write for your audience? First, you need to discover who your audience is.

If you’re selling a product or service on the internet, for example, your audience would be prospects who have an interest IN THE BENEFITS which your product or service can provide.

Get to the heart of the matter

To demonstrate, let’s say for example that your niche is do-it-yourself internet marketing. In this situation, your audience would be people who are interested IN THE BENEFITS of DIY internet marketing, such as financial mobility and a supplemental income.

Keep this information in mind when writing your content and your readers will feel more engaged, causing them to return to your site on a regular basis.

The second key is to write with enthusiasm. If you’re doing videos or podcasts, then record with enthusiasm.

Those who are in sales know that 80% of making a sale is a transfer of enthusiasm. That’s why you see such intensely designed sales letters these days; the writers are trying to convey an almost FRANTIC feeling of enthusiasm about the product.

Anyone who’s been in sales knows that in order to sell something, you need to be sold on it yourself first. You need to truly believe that your message is worth listening to.

Once you cross that threshold, selling, writing, or ANYTHING for that matter turns from a bothersome chore to an enjoyable hobby.

It’ll help you get chicks too

Another benefit of writing with enthusiasm is that it’ll fast track you to becoming an authority!

People will look at you and say, “Wow, he sure is excited about X. He must know a lot about it.”

Enthusiasm is attractive to everyone, not only buyers, and you can never have enough of it.

Fatten Up Your Content With These Juicy Writing Tips originally appeared on VIP Internet Marketing on November 10, 2009.

Podcasts are treated like the red-headed step children in the internet marketing family. Because they only offer a one dimensional experience, they are less popular than videos or the written [...]]]> I like redheads

When it comes to marketing your product or service on the web, people often overlook podcasts as an excellent source of traffic and promotion.

Podcasts are treated like the red-headed step children in the internet marketing family. Because they only offer a one dimensional experience, they are less popular than videos or the written word.

However, there are millions of people all over the world who listen to podcasts and you’d be an idiot not to cash in on this advertising medium. Just think about all the additional traffic you’ll receive after exposing these listeners to your message!

They’re so easy…

Another great thing about using podcasts is that they’re incredibly simple to make. All you have to do is hit the record button and start talking.

If you’re stuck for ideas, you’ll find a wealth of things to talk about in any other media you’ve prepared, i.e. articles. Use some content you’ve already created as a basic outline.

Short articles act as a great jump off point for a podcast. Print out or bring up a copy of your article on the computer and use it as an outline.

Now, don’t be afraid to stray from your article in terms of what you say. You are free to improvise and add content as you please, and in fact its recommended that you use a conversational tone when you record.

This will help you get more enthusiastic about your topic as well as engage your listeners more.

Use your whole body when you do it

I’m going to give you another great tip on recording a great podcast: STAND UP!

This is an old trick I learned from my telemarketing days. The best way to maintain the proper level of enthusiasm while speaking is to stand.

You can try this for yourself, but just take my word for it and record while standing.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start recording!

Quality Content In 30-60 Minutes With This Method originally appeared on VIP Internet Marketing on November 9, 2009.

With SO MANY people trying their hand at making money online, you have to release more content of a higher quality than your competitors to stay in the game. But how do you do this?

Now, before you go and [...]]]> Google says, “Touch your nose.”

Everyone likes to say, “Content is king.” Google agrees, so I won’t argue.

With SO MANY people trying their hand at making money online, you have to release more content of a higher quality than your competitors to stay in the game. But how do you do this?

Now, before you go and do something cheesy like using one of those automatic article spinners, think for a second: How can you convert the content you’ve already released into something new? All you have to do is convert it into a different format.

For instance, if you’ve written 100 articles (or designed an info product) about making money online, one great way to reproduce that content is to record a YouTube video where you read your content out loud.

But I’m camera shy…

Unless you know the nuances of lighting and filming, you might consider designing a PowerPoint presentation or putting a photo in the background.

The great thing about this is the speed at which you can come up with new material.

Now, personally, I don’t have any problem sitting in front of the computer and coming up with content.

But if you’re finding yourself having difficulty, then this is a great trick to boost the amount of original material you have circulating in cyberspace.

Be yourself, as long as you’re enthusiastic

Now, if we were to use this specific example of converting written articles to videos, implement the following suggestion as well: When you record the video, DO NOT READ THE ARTICLE WORD FOR WORD!

Instead, paraphrase. You want to use a conversational tone while maintaining a professional demeanor. Don’t be afraid to ad lib a sentence here and there to add clarification or give an example.

Videos are notoriously easy to produce, and with your written article serving as the basic outline for your video, you should be able to come up with an even BETTER delivery of whatever message you tried to convey in your article.

So get out there and start filming, Spielberg!

Double Your Content With One Technique originally appeared on VIP Internet Marketing on November 7, 2009.

That question is the center of a raging debate in the internet marketing community right now. Common [...]]]> Get paid to eat lunch

The internet is a big place with a lot of free information. So why should anybody give you any of their hard earned money for some crappy ebook that you slapped together in 20 minutes?

That question is the center of a raging debate in the internet marketing community right now. Common sense suggests that people won’t pay for what they can get for free.

After all, would you pay for a special search tool when you can use Google for free? Probably not, and Google is the best there is.

However, one thing to keep in mind when designing a strategy for your online business is that the MAJORITY of promotional techniques can be done by YOU, the entrepreneur, for zero cost.

It doesn’t cost you anything to write an article or upload a video.

No free lunch

Well, I take that back. It will cost you time, but if you’re like me and have much more time than money, that’s obviously not a problem.

So if all this information is out there for free, then how did $82 billion worth of stuff get sold on the internet in 2009?

Now, before you answer this question, keep in mind that MOST people don’t have the wealth of knowledge about the mechanics of the web as you have.

As an internet marketer, by trade you’re more knowledgeable about the inner workings of the web than your average consumer, who may not know how to properly use a search engine.

Try brunch

Anyway, in order to have a balanced strategy, you should release info products both for free and for sale. Give away the free ones in exchange for subscribing to updates about your site.

This simple trick nets you qualified prospects which you can market to at a later date. Also remember to stuff your info product with links to any affiliate products which you promote AS WELL AS a link to your own website on each page.

If you’re offering good info, where do you think your readers are going to go when they finish reading? Right back to you. And you never know, maybe this time they’ll buy something.

Can You Make More Money By Giving Your Info Product Away Than By Selling It? originally appeared on VIP Internet Marketing on November 7, 2009.

You know what I said? “Do it!”

I still cannot understand why today’s newbies still don’t understand this. People seem to have the impression that this is an exact science. Well, I have some news for you. IT ISN’T! [...]]]> HOW does the chicken cross the road?

Someone asked me the other day, “What’s the secret to internet marketing?”

You know what I said? “Do it!”

I still cannot understand why today’s newbies still don’t understand this. People seem to have the impression that this is an exact science. Well, I have some news for you. IT ISN’T!

There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into making money online. This is NOT a get rich quick scheme, so get that out of your head.

A much better description of marketing your business on the web would be to call it a time-consuming hobby that might make you some money in the future.

Why do I say it MIGHT make you some money?

The reason for that is simple. Most people don’t stick with it long enough to see any returns.

They get excited about the potential, but when they realize the amount of work that goes into making money online, they give up.

For your sake, I hope you don’t fall into this trap. Sometimes, when starting a new venture, you simply have to trust that everything is going to be okay and act accordingly.

Have faith, and ye shall be rewarded

Using myself as an example, I firmly believe 100% that some time in the future, I will be earning a full time income from various websites. This is because I am committed to furthering my education. Internet marketing is on my mind 24/7. If you want to be successful, that’s how you need to be also.

Now, this isn’t something that you can force. You can’t just MAKE yourself care that much, you have to feel it naturally.

But how do you get to the point where you have a (healthy) obsession about making money online?

Well, if you’ve found this article, chances are you’re already there if not close. You probably even have so much information stored up in that head of yours that it takes something special for you to actually LEARN anything.

So the next step is to TAKE ACTION. I promise you, once you discover how gratifying taking action is when compared to research, you’ll see your earnings skyrocket.

And once you see the results in your bank account, that’ll be enough motivation to last you indefinitely.

A great way to get started is to pick a promotional method and stick to it for a specific amount of time.

Set a goal and go for it

Tell yourself you’re going to:

• write 100 articles,
• shoot 20 videos,
• record 50 podcasts
• design a 20 page info product.

Don’t you think that’s better than gorging yourself on the same old boring articles?

The Secret To Having An Online Business: A Two Word Definition originally appeared on VIP Internet Marketing on November 7, 2009.

Eat the chocolate

Here you are, an internet marketing newbie, trying to make money online. But you’re stuck!

With so many decisions to make about your new business, you’re too overwhelmed to make a decision.

Well, I wish I could say you’re in good company here, but the truth is you’re not. You’re still at [...]]]>  

Eat the chocolate

Here you are, an internet marketing newbie, trying to make money online. But you’re stuck!

With so many decisions to make about your new business, you’re too overwhelmed to make a decision.

Well, I wish I could say you’re in good company here, but the truth is you’re not. You’re still at square one with all the other newbs who cry because they can’t decide how to work on their site.

Let me make it easy for you: PICK SOMETHING AND DO IT! That’s all there is to it, really.

In case you’re still having trouble, here are some basic steps to get you started:

1. Pick a niche
2. Design a site
3. Monetize with ads or products
4. Get traffic

That’s it.

Slowly slowly

It can seem complicated, but that’s just because you’re still in the beginning stages of your internet marketing education.

Once you “break the seal” of taking action, you’ll find that its easier for you to work on your venture than for you to NOT work on it!

The point is this: Nobody ever made any money in ANYTHING by reading articles, watching YouTube videos and playing on Facebook.

However, if you make this minor change in your mindset, you can use the above mentioned media to make some money.

Instead of consuming so much, why don’t you create something? It doesn’t need to be perfect. Heck, it doesn’t even need to be good! Just put something to buy on the page and get people in front of it.

Do that and you’ll get leads, make sales and get referrals.

Do that and you’ve won 99% of the battle.

You can format everything later

Your main focus should be flooding the web with YOUR VOICE. Use Twitter.

Imagine that you are a dying star exploding into a supernova. You’re constantly expanding, spreading little crumbs of matter across the universe that can all be traced BACK TO YOU!

Why are you still reading this?

Get out there and do something!

Go From Online Marketing Newbie To EARNER By Using This Strategy ALONE originally appeared on VIP Internet Marketing on November 7, 2009.