Issue #2426
- WEALTHY: A major money-maker loses some of its luster (Rick Pendergraft)
- HEALTHY: How to kick your late-night ice cream habit (Yarixa Ferrao)
- WISE: Philip Kotler on the art of marketing
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
- The “flea market” site and why you shouldn’t have one (Derek Gehl)
- 4 ways to locate dining treasures (Charlie Byrne)
- It’s Fun to Know… about the original landfill
- Add “mephitic” to your vocabulary
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With the Rich Mind Life Strategy you can finally say goodbye forever to the “struggle-for-money” mindset… and discover how to create a continual flow of money and riches in your life without a constant and never ending struggle…
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Google: Internet Darling No More
As recently as last November, Google was priced at over $700 per share. But the one-time Internet darling seems to have lost some of its allure.
Google took Wall Street by storm in August ‘04 when the stock debuted at an even $100 a share. Over the next few years, the stock seemed to know only one direction: up. It seemed that no matter how high the earnings expectations were each quarter, GOOG always exceeded them.
But things have changed with the economic slowdown that started last summer. Over the last three quarters, GOOG has missed earnings expectations twice, including the second-quarter results that were released on July 17.
As Google continued to climb higher, the stock price became out of reach for most investors, with a round-lot 100-share purchase costing more than $50,000. This resulted in more institutional investors trading in Google… and institutional investors are far less forgiving than individual investors.
My advice to you is to steer clear of Google. The company seemed invincible, but has proven otherwise in recent quarters. And though the shares may look like a bargain after dropping over $260 from the high, the uptrend in the shares is clearly no longer in place.
[Ed. Note: Being a good investor is as much about knowing what NOT to buy as it is about buying right. Investment analyst Rick Pendergraft can show you what to buy, what to avoid, and how to make smart choices. All by learning one embarrassing secret.]
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“Authentic marketing is not the art of selling what you make but knowing what to make. It is the art of identifying and understanding customer needs and creating solutions that deliver satisfaction to the customers, profits to the producers and benefits for the stakeholders.”
Philip Kotler
4 Pillars of a Successful Affiliate Website
By Derek Gehl
Today, I’d like to “bust” an affiliate marketing myth that’s been making the rounds since… well, since affiliate marketing started.
It goes something like this…
To be successful as an affiliate, just join any affiliate program, slap their banner ads onto a basic Web page – and presto, you’ve got an instant Web business that will make you money hand over fist!
For the record, yes, you can make a lot of money by marketing other peoples’ products on the Internet… but no, affiliate marketing is not a shortcut to instant wealth.
As with any other online business, building a successful affiliate site still requires research, planning, and – here’s that four-letter word I keep insisting on using – work.
It’s like building a house. The more solid the foundation is, the more stable the entire structure will be. So if you’re thinking of starting your own Internet business promoting affiliate products, here are four strategies you must follow to guarantee you’ll earn the maximum amount of commissions…
Strategy #1: Start by finding a niche market.
I’ve probably said this a million times, and I’ll keep saying it until I’m blue in the face… Do not get started by choosing the affiliate program you want to join.
Most people who start affiliate sites make the mistake of first picking the products they want to promote, because:
- They look like they’ll be fun to sell.
- They think people will want them.
- They offer the highest commissions.
- They assume the products must be profitable, because so many other people are promoting them.
Trust me, you won’t be doing yourself any favors. You’ll end up working around the clock trying to drive qualified traffic to the site… and failing miserably. (And you’ll likely drop a hefty chunk of change on pay-per-click ads in the process.)
So do your niche market research first…
- What are your interests?
- Within your areas of interest, what kinds of problems are people going online to try to solve?
- Which of these problems seem to be neglected by most of the sites out there?
Identify a group of people who are desperately trying to find something online without success – and then offer them that something. They’ll snap it up.
Strategy #2: Make sure your products are relevant and related.
Nothing frustrates me more than seeing all of those affiliate sites out there with banner ads promoting everything from cheap holiday travel to pet health insurance to steak knives to Internet marketing tips… all from the same page!
I call them “flea market” sites, and they’re a complete waste of time.
Make sure that any products you promote are closely related to your niche, and closely related to each other. Otherwise, you’ll struggle to find qualified traffic for your site, and you’ll have a heck of a time writing copy that directly relates to your visitors’ needs.
Even worse, you’ll risk hurting your credibility. Because rather than looking like someone who has the interests of your visitors in mind, and really wants to help, you’ll look like someone who is out to sell anything to make a buck.
Strategy #3: Build a strong opt-in list, then establish lasting relationships with your subscribers.
When you’re an affiliate marketer, e-mail plays a big role in your ongoing promotion efforts. So make sure you start with a strong opt-in offer containing truly useful free information that’s relevant to your visitors. Then, over time, continue to send your opt-in list even more free information.
The more you can prove to your subscribers that you’re a reliable source of useful information… the more you can train them to look forward to hearing from you… the more successful you’ll be.
Not only will you build a rapport with your subscribers, you’ll establish yourself as an expert in your field, making it easy for you to recommend your products. Which brings us to my final affiliate strategy…
Strategy #4: Personally recommend your products for maximum conversions.
If you were in the market for a new television, would you be more inclined to purchase a particular model because you saw an ad for it on TV… or because a friend that you trust recommended it?
You’d likely go with the recommendation, right?
That’s what most people would do… which is why plunking down a bunch of affiliate banners or links in a website, and then hoping that someone – anyone – will decide to click on them, is not going to make sales.
Remember, you’ve been building relationships with your customers through e-mail marketing. They trust you. They view you as an expert. So now they’re open to your opinion.
Take advantage of that to tell them about the products they should consider purchasing… and why they should own them. They’ll actually appreciate the recommendations – and, as a result, your conversion rates will soar!
While affiliate marketing isn’t the “magic bullet” that will let you enjoy instant success online, it is possible to earn substantial profits promoting other peoples’ products… if you do this:
Start by clearly defining your market. Then build an information-rich website that your audience will want to visit. Be sure to include only products that are relevant, and take advantage of your site to build your credibility and establish yourself as an expert.
At the same time, build a large list of qualified subscribers, and take advantage of e-mail marketing to both build lasting relationships and promote your products.
With the right planning and research – and a reasonable amount of effort – you’ll be well on your way to a successful website recommending affiliate products.
[Ed. Note: If you're looking for freedom and income, you can't do much better than starting your own business. Internet marketing expert Derek Gehl has helped thousands of people grow online businesses that generate $100,000 a year - and often much more! Learn how you can start a "hands-free" Internet business right here.
You CAN start an Internet business - or accomplish any goal you set for yourself. And with expert advice and goal-setting strategies, achieving your dreams can take as little as 15 minutes a day.]
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Are You Embarrassed of What You Do for a Living – or Just Tired of Doing It?
One woman was both, and while her “acquaintances” at a dinner party snickered and poked fun, she had the last laugh. In as little as two weeks she started a new business for less than $99, soon had to hire additional employees to handle the work, and now lives a life without money worries of any kind.
Here’s how you can do the same, even easier and faster than she did.
Living Rich: How to Find Great “Dive” Restaurants
There are all kinds of benefits in finding great little “dive” restaurants in your neck of the woods…
You can “take a trip around the food world” without going far from home. You’ll meet diverse people and sample new and unusual tastes. And, of course, you can save a fortune on your dining out bill!
Last week, I wrote about some marketing lessons you can learn from the way restaurants like these operate. But you might be even more interested in the food!
So how can you find cheap but fabulous restaurants where you live? How do you discover these little treasures?
- Check out your local “alternative paper.” Look under “Cheap Eats” or “Meals Under $XX.”
- Visit online sites – ChowHound, for example – and look for topics like “best cheap food” or even “roadside dives.” Gourmets love discussing their latest local off-the-radar discoveries.
- Check out restaurants near colleges and universities. These places are almost always cheap. The trick is to find the ones that are cheap and good.
- And, of course, ask local ethnics for recommendations, and look for restaurants packed with local ethnics.
Now keep in mind, I’m talking about being a little bit adventurous here. Almost by definition, most “dives” are in low-rent areas. That can mean venturing into higher-crime neighborhoods where you may feel more comfortable during the day. But, hey… these places serve lunch too! And the culinary rewards can be well worth stepping out of your comfort zone.
And I’m not saying you should never go to a “regular” restaurant again. They pay rent, pay taxes, keep downtown areas alive, and provide safe and steady places to dine out.
But if you want some fantastic meals for a song, start “Thinking Global and Dining Local” – at your local “dive” restaurants, that is.
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How I KILLED Michael’s Nightly Cravings – for GOOD!
Michael Masterson was 19 pounds over his ideal weight at the beginning of the year. One reason was because he’d developed a dangerous habit. He was snacking on high-sugar, high-carb foods late at night.
How on earth did I get Michael to stop eating Ben and Jerry’s? It was easier than you might think. I simply gave him the solutions to three common mistakes he was making. If you have cravings for bad-for-you foods, these solutions can work for you, too.
Mistake #1: Not eating enough during the day. Michael tends to get caught up in what he loves: working. And sometimes, that makes him forget to eat.
Solution #1: Eat every 3 hours. I gave Michael a tub of whey protein powder. Using it to make a protein shake is easy, quick, and keeps your body burning fat by not allowing your metabolism to slow down. At the same time, it provides the body with muscle-building nutrients. Michael started drinking one protein shake between breakfast and lunch, and another one immediately after his afternoon workout. Eating more frequently kept his appetite down, so he was able to cut the size of his food portions. Plus, he stopped being hungry and wanting to stuff his face late at night!
Mistake #2: Eating a light lunch and a heavy dinner.
Solution #2: Eat your main meal in the middle of the day. Michael was making a classic mistake – eating a light salad for lunch and a heavy high-carbohydrate dinner. I simply told him to swap the two. Because your metabolism slows down at night, eating a starchy dinner can make you store more fat.
Mistake #3: Eating processed, high-glycemic carbohydrates. Michael’s main meals almost always included pasta, white rice, or mashed potatoes.
Solution #3: Improve the quality of your carbohydrate choices. I had him replace those carbs with low-glycemic carbs like sprouted bread, sweet potatoes, or brown rice. Low-glycemic carbs have a slower absorption rate, making you feel satisfied for longer periods of time. Plus, they don’t spike up insulin levels – so your body stays in fat-burning mode.
Mistake #4: Eating Ben and Jerry’s late at night.
Solution #4: Find a healthy replacement dessert. I turned Michael on to an awesomely rich chocolate mint protein shake to satisfy his sweet tooth. It tastes so good, it almost makes him feel like he’s being bad.
With these few dietary changes, we knocked off about 30 grams of fat and about 800 calories from his daily meals. As a result, he started burning off fat all over his body.
And these changes didn’t make Michael feel deprived one bit. In fact, he tells me he’s more energetic (without the need for caffeine!), more productive, and feels more than satisfied. More important, his belly is vanishing right before his eyes!
You can implement these changes, too – and burn fat and feel better at the same time.
[Ed. Note: If you're looking to see results like Michael's, Coach Yari can help. She's offering a special online training program for people who can't make it to her gym. Learn how to burn up to 37 pounds of fat in 6 weeks right here.
Of course, working out isn't the only key to getting fit. Get healthy recipe ideas, the latest news on natural supplements, and plenty of motivation right here.]
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It’s Fun to Know: The Original Landfill
Garbage collection and disposal has been a concern for mankind since prehistoric times. Archaeologists have found trash heaps containing bones, charcoal, and pottery shards in South Africa dating back 140,000 years. But the first known municipal dump was organized by Athens. In 500 B.C., the city began requiring trash to be taken at least a mile outside its borders.
(Source: Discover Magazine)
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How the Global Economy + the Internet = a Richer YOU
When “they” said the global economy changed things, they weren’t kidding. It’s easier than ever to make money – potentially A LOT of money – in this new online business that harnesses the full power of the Internet.
Right now, for a small investment (as little as $50), you can purchase in-demand products for pennies on the dollar. Next step? Sell to eager consumers for as much as 1,000% – 4,000% higher, which is exactly what the consumers are already accustomed to paying!
And surprisingly, it couldn’t be any easier to get started making money in this niche. Even better, you can be up and running – and earning cash! – less than 24 hours after receiving this new program.
Word to the Wise: Mephitic
Something that’s “mephitic” (muh-FIT-ik) – from the Latin for “stench” – is noxious, offensive to the nose.
Example (as used by Richard Holmes in Coleridge: Darker Reflections, 1804-1834): “The mephitic stench from the bilge became overpowering.”
[Ed. Note: Become a more persuasive writer and speaker ... build your self-confidence and intellect ... increase your attractiveness to others ... just by spending 10 VERY enjoyable minutes a day with ETR's new Words to the Wise CD Library.]
Copyright ETR, LLC, 2008
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I really like the first “mistake” on today’s health brief. It’s true. Most people don’t eat enough, and they get fat as a result. It’s counter intuitive, but proven and explained with science. We have to eat to ensure lypolysis, thermogenesis and “hormonal intelligence.”
Eating every 3 hours is a huge misnomer, however. This eating frequency will spike insulin, while at the same time lower testosterone and HGH. It works great though for steroid-ridden body builders who are highly “insulin sensitive” – which offsets insulin’s negative side effects. This where the “feed your face constantly” myth came from…But I don’t think Michael is taking steroids. In which case, eating only every 5 hours is the magic fat loss bullet – especially for men over 40. Lean sexy muscle comes out from nowhere, so it seems.
Mistake number 3 was great. Most people have no idea that they are being ruled by a carb addiction, and therefore stuffing themselves silly with this fat builder.
I question the “awesomely rich chocolate mint protein shake.” Maybe Michael is “being bad” here…Is it loaded with sugar, cocoa or artificial flavors? If this tastes sweet – and not flavored with Stevia – I’d spit it out and choose Wellness Bakeries instead. And I can share it with my kids and even diabetic, Aunt Helga.
I’ve already found that two of these ideas work. I’ll try the others now. Thanks!