Issue #2621
- WEALTHY: An overlooked precious metal making a comeback (Rick Pendergraft)
- HEALTHY: Are those “corn” nuts you’re eating? (Kelley Herring)
- WISE: Seneca on quality vs. quantity
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
- How a top spot on Google can limit your sales (Edwin Huertas)
- There is no try… only do (Yanik Silver)
- It’s Good to Know… why you should be keeping a career journal
- Add “flummery” to your vocabulary
Imagine if There Were Only 6 Numbers to Choose from When Buying a Lottery Ticket!
Wouldn’t that be great?! Of course, the fewer the choices, the more likely your chance of success, right?
How many choices are there when buying and selling shares? Errmm… a LOT! Hundreds… One of the reasons I enjoy such consistent success from trading is because I only have 6 options to choose from! Except this is even better in a way, because the lottery is pure luck…
…I only have 6 choices AND have a VERY good idea about which choice to make because of the insider signal. Click here to learn more…
The Best Play in the Metals Market
With the yellow metal recently hitting $1,000 an ounce, the gold bugs are celebrating. But I have to say I think there is a better play in the metals market.
No, it’s not silver or platinum.
I am talking about one of the most useful yet underappreciated metals on the planet: copper.
Copper has taken a hit over the last year, falling harder than any other metal. If there is a market that has gone too far to the downside, copper would be it.
Speculators are now short on more copper contracts than at any point over the last five years. The last time this crowd was close to being this bearish on copper was in early 2007, and that was right before copper jumped approximately 50 percent.
Unlike gold, copper is a long way from its all-time high. The price of copper peaked at just over $4.00 per pound in 2008, and has since dropped more than 60 percent. But it looks poised to rally sharply over the next 6-12 months.
If copper were to jump up over the next year or so to challenge that all-time high, it would represent an increase of 170 percent. For gold to jump 170 percent, it would have to move from the $1,000 an ounce level to the $2,700 an ounce level. Which do you think is more likely, gold jumping $1,700 an ounce or copper jumping $2.50 per pound?
[Ed. Note: 2008 was the worst year for the markets since the Great Depression. But it was a great year for investment analyst Rick Pendergraft. He increased the value of an audited account he manages by 99.15%... and he didn't do it by shorting stocks. He used the same strategy he will share at an unprecedented investment symposium. Find out how you can make 2009 the best year ever for your portfolio right here.]
“It is quality rather than quantity that matters.”
Seneca
Go for “Bronze” With Your PPC Campaign
One of the quickest ways to start getting quality search engine traffic to your website is to launch a pay-per-click (PPC) campaign. But that traffic is pretty worthless if it’s not adding more dollars to your bottom line.
If you are promoting your website via search engine PPC ads, you know how perplexing it can be to create a campaign that converts traffic into sales. But I’m guessing that no matter what you’re doing to try to improve your conversion rate, you are still trying to get your ad to appear in the #1 spot in the search engine results.
The #1 position is highly regarded as the “gold standard” in search engine marketing. That’s because having your ad at the #1 paid position will bring in the most traffic. And traffic, in the Internet world, is your ticket to more sales.
But the traffic-generating power of that top spot may keep you from making money.
Take a minute to ask yourself two questions:
Question #1: Will the top spot really send you the best-quality traffic?
Question #2: Will this traffic convert into sales better than having your ad in the third or fifth position?
I say NO!
Now what I’m about to tell you might be contrary to what you’ll hear from many so-called PPC “experts,” but I speak from personal experience. They claim the traffic from first position ads is always better. I completely disagree.
Here’s why…
As ETR’s Search Engine Marketing Specialist, I look at analytics (website traffic reports) every day. And something I always examine is where on the site surfers are clicking and what they are clicking on. This way, I can spot trends and determine which types of on-site advertisements are working and which are not.
One thing I’ve noticed is that people tend to click on links and photos that are positioned right in front of them.
You might be thinking, “Perfect! That’s exactly why I try so hard to get my PPC ad in the top spot!”
Well, you might get lots of clicks in the top spot – which results in more traffic. But it doesn’t necessarily result in more sales. In fact, I’ve noticed that my conversion rates have always been lower when I advertise at the first position as opposed to the third or fourth position.
Let’s say you have the top spot on Google for your home brewery kit. When Web users click on your ad, it takes them to a landing page you’ve set up to sell the kit. Many users are going to look briefly at that landing page… then click their back button to look at the other choices on the search engine results page.
They’ll keep returning to the results page and narrowing their search until they find exactly what they’re looking for.
I have been running PPC campaigns for 10+ years now – and I have found that many people click on the ad in the first position simply because it is the first one available. But once they rule it out, they return to the search results page to click on other, potentially more relevant, ads.
A few points to consider:
1. Bidding for the first position means you will be paying a much higher click rate than your competitors. But bidding for positions three through seven (on the first page) can significantly reduce your overall PPC cost, while still delivering good quality traffic. You won’t get as much traffic, but you will be paying a lot less for your click-thrus – which will result in a lower CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) rate.
2. When people click on the ad in the top spot, they usually do so simply because it’s their first option. But when they click on an ad in the lower positions, it’s after carefully reading the message and determining that it’s relevant to their search.
I would rather be in the fifth position converting at 25 percent than in the first position converting at 10 percent. Yes, even if it means less traffic to my Web page. The difference in most cases will not be enough to change my bid to the #1 position.
3. As I said, people almost automatically click on the ad in the #1 spot first – but they’re not likely to accept the first choice offered to them. They will go back to the search results page to check out other ads – after they’ve already spent your click-thru money!
Do your own research and calculations. Look at your conversions and decide for yourself what the right position should be for your ads. But remember that aiming for #1 isn’t necessarily the way to go. You will burn through your PPC budget much faster, and you’ll find that the quality of the traffic isn’t so much better that it offsets the cost of the higher position.
Aiming for the third, fourth, or fifth position is much less expensive, and chances are good that you’ll end up with better, more targeted traffic – and far more sales.
[Ed. Note: Pay-per-click advertising is one of the easiest, most cost-effective methods of attracting traffic to your site and amping up your sales. For a step-by-step playbook to making money on the Web, pick up a copy of ETR's Internet Money Club Independent Learner's Edition right here.]
Ready to Recoup Your Recession Losses By 9/30/09?
I don’t know about you, but I’d barely trust Wall Street and the Big Banks with the 63 dollars in my wallet right now, never mind my IRA, 401(k), and life savings!
That’s why thousands of smart Americans are now taking matters into their own hands and quietly moving their savings and portfolio “off” Wall Street… to a far safer and more profitable place I call “Liberty Street”.
One “Liberty Street” investment of as little as $1,000 has the realistic ability to quickly swell into a full year’s salary in just a few weeks’ time – and then repeat over and over again.
Another “Liberty Street” opportunity is currently offering the chance to gain year-in and year-out returns of 65% with 99.77% certainty – even in today’s economy.
Read on to discover how this “Off-Wall Street Cash Recovery Plan” could recoup 100% of your recession losses by September 30, 2009.
Why the Words You Use Might Be Sabotaging Your Success
By Yanik Silver
Words are words, right? If you make a mistake and tell yourself “I’m an idiot,” you’re joking, of course. So it doesn’t really matter. Or does it?
In fact, the more you say the same things over and over to yourself the more you internalize them.
Play back your built-in recorder and listen to the words you use when talking about money and success. Are you guilty of saying negative things like “filthy rich,” “I can’t afford that,” or “look at those rich people – they’re so lucky”?
Pay attention when you’re talking to yourself and to others and you’ll be shocked at the self-defeating language that creeps in.
One word I’ve worked hard to get rid of in my own life is “try.” I bet you can catch yourself saying it to a friend. (“I’ll try to make it tonight.”) Or to a customer. (“I’ll try to get that over to you today.”) Umm… B.S.! Either you will or you will not.
Reframe negative talk and turn it around.
In his Rich Dad series, Robert Kiyosaki frequently uses the example of the Poor Dad saying “I can’t afford this” and the Rich Dad asking himself, instead, “How can I afford this?”
That’s a completely different and empowering statement.
“I can’t…” or “I won’t…” closes you down to solutions. “How can I…?” or “How will I…?” causes your brain to search for the answer to the problem.
[Ed. Note: Master Internet marketer Yanik Silver (www.MaverickBusinessInsider.com) knows that attitude and positive thinking can make or break your business or your career.
For countless more tips on defeating the "self-sabotaging" behaviors to which you are prone, check out Early to Rise's Unscrew Your Life newsletter.]
Nuts: From Natural Treasure to Man-Made Trash
Nuts are undoubtedly one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Research shows that nut noshers have the slimmest waistlines and a significantly lower risk of heart disease.
But the benefits don’t end there. Nuts are packed with life-essential minerals, including magnesium and selenium. And they are a concentrated source of brain-nourishing and blood-sugar-balancing fats.
Still, manufacturers have found a way to meddle with the nut and muck up Mother Nature. In fact, the “Diamond” brand has been turning treasure into trash by adding genetically modified corn oil and BHT to its walnuts, hazelnuts, and other naturally pure tree nuts.
Protected by their shells, nuts are a relatively “clean” plant food – unadulterated by pesticide toxins – even when grown conventionally. But add corn oil – which is high in inflammatory omega-6 fats as well as being genetically modified almost 90 percent of the time – and you’ve completely changed their lipid profile and biochemical nature.
Corn oil itself is a preservative, but Diamond adds BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) to ensure shelf stability. BHT prevents oxidation. It is used to preserve food odor, color, and flavor. It is banned in Australia, Japan, Romania, and Sweden due to its carcinogenic activity. In the United States, BHT is prohibited only in infant formula.
Avoid inflammatory corn oil and carcinogenic BHT by reading the labels before you buy. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that many inexpensive brands of nuts are free of these unnecessary additives. They contain only one simple ingredient: “nuts.”
Just take a few moments to pick the treasure… and leave the trash.
[Ed. Note: One of the best ways to stay healthy and live longer is to eat good foods. Nutrition expert Kelley Herring has collected dozens of her healthiest and most delicious recipes in her e-book Guilt Free Desserts. Pick up your copy today.]
For more advice on which foods you should – and shouldn’t – be eating to stay in top health, sign up for ETR’s free natural health newsletter.]
It’s Good to Know: Keeping a Career Journal
How many marketing campaigns did you oversee last year? Which performed best, and why? By how much did profits increase when you took over as sales manager? Answer questions like these correctly during a job interview, and that high-paying position could be yours.
Don’t depend on your memory. Start preparing for that interview now by keeping a detailed career journal. Keep track of all the projects you work on, how they progress, and the results. Note anything you do that leads directly to profits. Note any other accomplishments as well. Then take that journal to your next interview.
(Source: wikiHow and Consumerist)
== Highly Recommended ==
How to Become Your Own ATM Machine
Here you are… struggling like every other American through the greatest economic crisis of the 21st century… bills are piling up… your house needs repairs (or maybe you are about to lose it).
To add insult to injury your new business is NOT taking off. You are at your breaking point – and then it happens:
The co-founder of the first Home Shopping Network and personal mentor to no less than 4 billionaires contacts you.
This rich man wants to give you the “missing ingredient” you need to attract wealth – the one that will turn you into a lean, mean, money making ATM machine!
And the best part? He is guaranteeing your success in just 30 days!
RING! Pick up the phone… it’s the billionaire mentor and he wants to make you an offer you can’t refuse!
Word to the Wise: Flummery
“Flummery” (FLUM-uh-ree) – from a Welsh word for a kind of soft oatmeal – is an empty compliment; nonsense.
Example (as used by Gregg Easterbrook in the New Republic): “One reason there is so much flummery in the global warming debate is that the weather in the Northeast United States, where the opinion-makers live, has a disproportionate effect on whether greenhouse concerns are taken seriously.”
[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, 2009
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