How to Keep up with ezine content - This is driving me crazy!

Most of us know that regular communication - with clients and potentials - is a great idea. The experts, like Ali Brown, have proven that this can and does work. So, you have decided to jump in with both feet and create an ezine on a regular schedule...good for you! (Remember it doesn't have to be weekly...monthly works well for most folks too).

Now we ALL know the challenge comes in with keeping up. Some of the best ezine writers have given me a few secrets...they are:

1) If you aren't a skilled writer, 'borrow' content. There are multiple sites to choose these articles from. Among them are: isnare.com, articlepros.com, articlestreet.com, articlesnatch.com, and many others. Just do a Google search for 'Free ezine content' to see what comes up.

2) IF YOU LOVE to write, but never seem to find time do this...set aside a few hours - no distractions - on a weekend day and crank out several articles that you can simply choose from for any given issue.

3) And finally, if you have 'old' content...remember, it may seem old to you, but your ezine readers may never have seen it before. Don't be afraid to 'recycle' content...just bein' green, right.

If you take advantage of any of these tips for ezine content, it makes the process so much smoother. Remember, many of the sections of your ezine will not change drastically from issue to issue.

Also, keep the content short and easy to 'scan'...consider bold headings and lists to keep it looking visually appealing. If you have a lot to say, consider keeping the ezine version you send out short with a link to an online version of the longer article. It won't be so overwhelming to your readers that way.

Happy writing!

Michelle Hutter

Free Teleseminars - How do I set one up?

I know that many people have been using free teleseminars as a marketing tool for quite a while now - with much success. One of the most frequent questions I get asked is: "How do I set one up, so it is easy for people to sign up for my free teleseminar AND I can capture their contact info for future marketing?"

And I always say, "There is no ONE right way, but several options to choose from."

If you already have a shopping cart system in place, with a little guidance, or assistance from your friendly Virtual Professional, it is relatively easy to do. The first step is to create a list (or in some cases the cart calls this an autoresponder) where the names will be captured (and an automatic email will go out when they sign up, with all the details). The next step is to create a $0 product, in your cart - and associate the autoresponder with that product. Finally, you will need a way to 'distribute' the product to your target market. Most often, people will send both a marketing email to a current list, with a link to register and/or a link to their website where folks can register. In this case, you may want a custom opt-in form, but it is not necessary. This is boiling it down to the very basic steps, but you get the idea, right?

If you don't have a shopping cart system, but perhaps a email system like iContact.com [http://www.icontact.com], that has an autoresponder system, you can set up the list to capture the names. Next, create the automatic email that folks will get when they sign up. Then, create an opt-in form that can be used for folks to register for the free teleseminar. This opt-in form can often be used in emails to your target market and it can even be placed on a page on your website.

You can even go more 'low-tech' with having a separate email address for folks to RSVP to, but you will have to manually confirm that they are registered and make sure they get the details for participating in the class.

There are also some really 'slick' new technologies - one is called Event Brite [http://www.eventbrite.com/] that is free for free teleseminars - you pay a nominal charge for paid events, too. You can put some great custom HTML in their system to give a super polished and professional look to your event registration.

So, there are always many great options for most any budget. If the technology end scares you a bit, contact a Virtual Professional, like me, to help you pull it all together and have a great marketing tool up and running in no time.

The importance of good keywords

Never underestimate the power of good keywords for search engine ranking (SEO). Often, when we put together our websites, we forget to use key words that people who are looking for our sites will actually use. And many SEO gurus believe that using meta tags (in the code) is virtually unnecessary these days. The power of keywords is using them liberally throughout the content of the site itself.

Most of the SEO experts will tell you to use keywords on the site that are specific to those searching for what you have to offer. Having too broad keywords won't attract buyers and won't get you the higher search engine rankings that you are looking for. Say, for example, my site. I am a virtual professional that helps small business owners with the technology of ecommerce, ezines and e-newsletters and web pages.

But if my site doesn't have specific words, around these, then I won't attract the clients I am seeking.

Examples of 'bad copy' for my site:

• Virtual assistant
• Virtual professional
• Assistant

These are just too broad and the competition for these words is fierce!

Example of 'good copy' for my site:

• Ecommerce
• Ezines
• Shopping cart optimization
• Merchant account setup
• Creating great ezines

These are much more specific and can direct the clients who really want these specific services.

Again, you can choose to use the meta tags in the code on your pages - BUT, all the experts tell me that Google and other spider crawlers on the web are really looking for the key words throughout the text on your site. Basically, it was explained to me that too many web 'designers' abused the meta tags to gain higher ranking for unrelated searches, that the spiders now really want the key words to be within your text on your site.

So, when you are putting together the 'meat' of your website, make sure you have relevant and well thought out key words contained on your site.

Happy webbing!

Michelle

I need a shopping cart today! Help!

Here's your dilemma...you are an idea person, not a techie. You have come up with a great product and you think the time is right to offer it to those who need it. You spent time making it look and feel just right, now what?

Now, you need a simple and seamless way for people to order it from your website. OR, maybe you don't even have a website yet because you don't know where to begin. Well, fortunately for you, there are Virtual Professionals out there who do.

An e-commerce specialist, like myself and lots of others out here in cyberspace, can quickly get you a presence on the web - even if you start with a single page or small website. All you need to have is an idea for how you want it to look. The VP (or VA) can take it from there.

A VP can guide you to where to purchase your domain and hosting package. Once you have that, and your idea, you are ready to begin marketing. Here are the steps that most successful e-sellers are taking:

1. Get a web presence if you don't have one - A VP can help


2. Choose a shopping cart system - some even have low and no cost options


3. Choose the way you will accept payments - PayPal is a great place to start


4. Send an email blast to your current lists to let them know you product is available - Don't worry, a VP can choose the system that is right for you


5. Start a blog, focused on your niche, to help increase traffic to your site

I know it sounds like a monumental task, but there are folks that can help you do this. If you are tech-phobic - and I know you are out there - never fear. Help is close at hand.

Email Marketing is for YOU!

If you are considering sending ezines or e-newsletters, then don't be intimidated by the technology. It is really quite simple or, you can make it more complex if you want and hire someone to help you. There are SO many web-based email programs out there that you can use to compose and send your own - even if you are a beginner.

Among them are (just my 4 faves):

1) iContact.com
2) ConstantContact.com
3) ezinedirector.com
4) WebMail.us

The basic process is usually the same. You need to have a list of people who will receive your ezine. You can, in most cases, upload a list you have already gathered from you personal list, from folks who have opted-in from your website, or you can even purchase lists of people who have in interest in what you do.

Then, have a great message and encourage people to forward your newsletter to others. It is a great idea to have a sign-up box on your newsletter, for those who get it sent to them and they are not on your list. Or, have a link to your website, so they can easily get on the list too.

If you need help getting started, or you don't want to tackle this yourself, just contact a Virtual Professional who specializes in e-commerce and get started today!