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Digg it UP - DISABILITY and WORKING: Making the Systems Work For You
List Building – How Can I Make My List Building Efforts Viral?
I am going to go against the grain here and say that I think it is very difficult to make your list building efforts viral, if you are just building a list for yourself.There are two things that traditionally are considered to be viral list building efforts, and I will begin with the second of the two, and then go to the first one.The second method of viral list building is to use a viral listbuilder – software that allows others to also build on the same list – they can email the people they bring into the viral list builder and you can email all of them. I do not like them because response rates tend to get very low (have you ever subscribed to one of them and gotten 10 or 15 emails in a week from them), and I do not like them because the only person who really owns the leads is the person who owns the viral list builder.The first method, which is actually quite effective, takes a little bit more work. Some people make it sound really easy to do – and the upfront work is really easy, but the backend is harder. This involves writing an ebook, embedding it with a link to your squeeze page, and then letting people give it away free. The problem with that is that it has to be a very good book to get much traffic out of it. There are probably hundreds of thousands of good ebooks out there to give away free – why should someone give away yours?And many times, once someone builds a decent sized list, then they write their own ebook and leave yours out of the loop.<
odation NetworkI am going to go against the grain here and say that I think it is very difficult to make your list building efforts viral, if you are just building a list for yourself.There are two things that traditionally are considered to be viral list building efforts, and I will begin with the second of the two, and then go to the first one.The second method of viral list building is to use a viral listbuilder – software that allows others to also build on the same list – they can email the people they bring into the viral list builder and you can email all of them. I do not like them because response rates tend to get very low (have you ever subscribed to one of them and gotten 10 or 15 emails in a week from them), and I do not like them because the only person who really owns the leads is the person who owns the viral list builder.The first method, which is actually quite effective, takes a little bit more work. Some people make it sound really easy to do – and the upfront work is really easy, but the backend is harder. This involves writing an ebook, embedding it with a link to your squeeze page, and then letting people give it away free. The problem with that is that it has to be a very good book to get much traffic out of it. There are probably hundreds of thousands of good ebooks out there to give away free – why should someone give away yours?And many times, once someone builds a decent sized list, then they write their own ebook and leave yours out of the loop.<
Website Design -- Graphics Discussion and Considerations
In this article I investigate some of the nitty gritty about using graphics, some lessons I have learned the hard way and other topics and opinions (and, I will warn you, I have strong opinions).Choose your graphics carefully. Always keep in mind your site’s purpose and the reaction of visitors. Avoid animated GIFs and flashy banners. In my opinion, one animation is one too many. There was a time when we were testing the waters and everyone loved animation -- it was everywhere. One of my web gurus likened it to staying in a motel with a blinking neon sign right outside your window. It doesn’t take long before it becomes annoying. And, now, it smacks of amateur design.Don’t use overused graphics. Some images -- common, free clip art and globes -- have been used so many times that we get sick of seeing them. I do use clip art on my information pages (not on serious business pages, though), because I have fun with it and picking it out, but I don’t use the free stuff. I have a yearly subscription to www.clipart.com, which not only provides a huge index of clipart, but also photographs and fonts.Should you include your photograph? Some developers say “no.” My feeling is that if you are a service business where clients will be working with you personally, include your photo. I know that I trust someone more if I can see him or her. But, by all means, have it taken by a professional. And don’t include a photo taken
In a previous article, we discussed the JAN – the Job Accommodation Network,In this article I investigate some of the nitty gritty about using graphics, some lessons I have learned the hard way and other topics and opinions (and, I will warn you, I have strong opinions).Choose your graphics carefully. Always keep in mind your site’s purpose and the reaction of visitors. Avoid animated GIFs and flashy banners. In my opinion, one animation is one too many. There was a time when we were testing the waters and everyone loved animation -- it was everywhere. One of my web gurus likened it to staying in a motel with a blinking neon sign right outside your window. It doesn’t take long before it becomes annoying. And, now, it smacks of amateur design.Don’t use overused graphics. Some images -- common, free clip art and globes -- have been used so many times that we get sick of seeing them. I do use clip art on my information pages (not on serious business pages, though), because I have fun with it and picking it out, but I don’t use the free stuff. I have a yearly subscription to www.clipart.com, which not only provides a huge index of clipart, but also photographs and fonts.Should you include your photograph? Some developers say “no.” My feeling is that if you are a service business where clients will be working with you personally, include your photo. I know that I trust someone more if I can see him or her. But, by all means, have it taken by a professional. And don’t include a photo taken
Building a Winning Workplace
Small business owners, for purposes of this article, dental healthcare providers, are unique to your typical office structure. It tends to boil down to the front office and the back office. This is where the business and clinical staff works. This delineation shows up in the bottom line. I am a proponent of winning teams and not internal separation of the work force. When everyone is on the same team, mentally and physically, profits increase.A Winning Workplace requires more than aesthetically pleasing architecture, lovely interior design and beautiful landscaping. All of these are definite pluses, however. Image is everything, almost. A Winning Workplace requires an attitude of excellence from leaders for physical, emotional and fiscal responsibility to its people and outstanding care for its patients (services or products).Happy employees make happier spouses, parents, neighbours, friends and citizens. The impact one's workplace has on an individual is like that of a pebble thrown into a pond. It's referred to as harmonic resonance in music. The ripples make harmonic rhythms that can be felt throughout the universe. An unhappy team brewing over an improperly delivered change in job description can make for a hostile work environment in a very small business. Most health care providers, whether dentistry or medicine, will readily admit they know very little if anything about the business of running a practice. They hire competent employees, consultants and others to take on the
rticle, we discussed the JAN – the Job Accommodation NetworkSmall business owners, for purposes of this article, dental healthcare providers, are unique to your typical office structure. It tends to boil down to the front office and the back office. This is where the business and clinical staff works. This delineation shows up in the bottom line. I am a proponent of winning teams and not internal separation of the work force. When everyone is on the same team, mentally and physically, profits increase.A Winning Workplace requires more than aesthetically pleasing architecture, lovely interior design and beautiful landscaping. All of these are definite pluses, however. Image is everything, almost. A Winning Workplace requires an attitude of excellence from leaders for physical, emotional and fiscal responsibility to its people and outstanding care for its patients (services or products).Happy employees make happier spouses, parents, neighbours, friends and citizens. The impact one's workplace has on an individual is like that of a pebble thrown into a pond. It's referred to as harmonic resonance in music. The ripples make harmonic rhythms that can be felt throughout the universe. An unhappy team brewing over an improperly delivered change in job description can make for a hostile work environment in a very small business. Most health care providers, whether dentistry or medicine, will readily admit they know very little if anything about the business of running a practice. They hire competent employees, consultants and others to take on the
Market Timing: The Three Critical Factors
I'll be honest with you, I absolutely love the work of Brian Tracy. In my opinion he's one of the finer authors on the subject of peak performance and personal development. At the point of writing this, I own seven of his books and countless audio programs. It wasn't too long ago that I was indulging in my nightly personal development reading when an excerpt from one of his books provided me with a vivid epiphany. This defining moment was stimulated by his best-selling book "Create Your Own Future", page 2:"If you do what other successful people do, nothing can stop you from eventually getting the same results they do."I glanced up from the book. An alarm went off in my head. Something about that axiom rubbed me the wrong way. I knew there was a lot more to emulation than what was being said here. There should have been an asterisk after that statement followed with some fine print at the bottom of the page.I would propose to you that there are circumstances beyond emulation that determine your success in any endeavor. As an example, if you tried opening an auto manufacturing plant in hopes of emulating Henry Ford, you'd fail miserably. I don't care if you have Henry Ford holding your hand the entire way... you'd have insurmountable odds to overcome. You mistimed the market. Simple as that. If you'd launched your venture in 1915, maybe you'd have a chance. But the idea of pioneering an assembly line auto manufacturing business in today's era is absolutely absurd. It comes
ussed the JAN – the Job Accommodation NetworkI'll be honest with you, I absolutely love the work of Brian Tracy. In my opinion he's one of the finer authors on the subject of peak performance and personal development. At the point of writing this, I own seven of his books and countless audio programs. It wasn't too long ago that I was indulging in my nightly personal development reading when an excerpt from one of his books provided me with a vivid epiphany. This defining moment was stimulated by his best-selling book "Create Your Own Future", page 2:"If you do what other successful people do, nothing can stop you from eventually getting the same results they do."I glanced up from the book. An alarm went off in my head. Something about that axiom rubbed me the wrong way. I knew there was a lot more to emulation than what was being said here. There should have been an asterisk after that statement followed with some fine print at the bottom of the page.I would propose to you that there are circumstances beyond emulation that determine your success in any endeavor. As an example, if you tried opening an auto manufacturing plant in hopes of emulating Henry Ford, you'd fail miserably. I don't care if you have Henry Ford holding your hand the entire way... you'd have insurmountable odds to overcome. You mistimed the market. Simple as that. If you'd launched your venture in 1915, maybe you'd have a chance. But the idea of pioneering an assembly line auto manufacturing business in today's era is absolutely absurd. It comes
How to Make Money Selling on eBay - Supply and Demand
eBay is a vast marketplace that is growing larger with every passing day. Yet sellers need to recognize that even with all of the members who are buying items every day, eBay remains no different that any other marketplace. eBay sales are driven by the basics of supply and demand. If you want to know how to make money selling on eBay, then learn the basics of supply and demand and then put that learning into action with your eBay business.If you want to know how to make money selling on eBay, learn the demand side of the equation. In the perfect marketplace there are buyers who are ready, willing and able to make purchases of products and services. Those buyers are willing to pay their perceived value of a product. As the price goes down more and more buyers will be willing to enter the marketplace and buy the product or service. As the price goes up there will be less and less buyers who are willing to purchase the product or service.On the other hand, there are sellers with the perfect product or service on hand. They are ready, willing and able to sell that perfect product. They have a certain target price at which they will sell. More sellers will enter the marketplace as the price goes up, and less will remain when the price goes down. If you understand the supply side of the formula you are one step closer to understanding how to make money selling on eBay.Knowing how to make money selling on eBay involves putting the supply and demand formula to work. It involves re
the Job Accommodation NetworkeBay is a vast marketplace that is growing larger with every passing day. Yet sellers need to recognize that even with all of the members who are buying items every day, eBay remains no different that any other marketplace. eBay sales are driven by the basics of supply and demand. If you want to know how to make money selling on eBay, then learn the basics of supply and demand and then put that learning into action with your eBay business.If you want to know how to make money selling on eBay, learn the demand side of the equation. In the perfect marketplace there are buyers who are ready, willing and able to make purchases of products and services. Those buyers are willing to pay their perceived value of a product. As the price goes down more and more buyers will be willing to enter the marketplace and buy the product or service. As the price goes up there will be less and less buyers who are willing to purchase the product or service.On the other hand, there are sellers with the perfect product or service on hand. They are ready, willing and able to sell that perfect product. They have a certain target price at which they will sell. More sellers will enter the marketplace as the price goes up, and less will remain when the price goes down. If you understand the supply side of the formula you are one step closer to understanding how to make money selling on eBay.Knowing how to make money selling on eBay involves putting the supply and demand formula to work. It involves re
Getting Your Services Used
Every day I talk with professional service providers who do great work, have a valuable service that really helps people…and struggle to get their services used as much as they’d like.They get a lukewarm response after an initial conversation while networking, the referrals come in but don’t convert to real business as often as they’d like, and they can’t seem to get prospects to see them as that much better than other professionals offering similar services.Or they may get some attention from prospects as a result of an ad, published article, or speech…but then the early attention kind of fizzles into phone tag and no real client, in the end.So what’s the problem? In most cases, they’re not getting far enough with the prospect to reveal the quality of their work…so it’s not about their professional work. And some professionals DO have decent positioning and credibility-building things in place like client testimonials and case studies on their websites (although the latter -- done effectively – is rare, unfortunately).There are a lot of things that can go wrong in the marketing and sales process. But in most cases, the key thing I see missing is a decent approach to packaging your professional services. Part of successfully packaging your services means putting what you offer into a variety of formats and "packages" that your clients need, at prices they’ll pay.Networking and asking for referrals are a waste of time (or are a lot harder), if you don’t have
odation Network, and just how valuable a resource that link is to those of u
Every day I talk with professional service providers who do great work, have a valuable service that really helps people…and struggle to get their services used as much as they’d like.They get a lukewarm response after an initial conversation while networking, the referrals come in but don’t convert to real business as often as they’d like, and they can’t seem to get prospects to see them as that much better than other professionals offering similar services.Or they may get some attention from prospects as a result of an ad, published article, or speech…but then the early attention kind of fizzles into phone tag and no real client, in the end.So what’s the problem? In most cases, they’re not getting far enough with the prospect to reveal the quality of their work…so it’s not about their professional work. And some professionals DO have decent positioning and credibility-building things in place like client testimonials and case studies on their websites (although the latter -- done effectively – is rare, unfortunately).There are a lot of things that can go wrong in the marketing and sales process. But in most cases, the key thing I see missing is a decent approach to packaging your professional services. Part of successfully packaging your services means putting what you offer into a variety of formats and "packages" that your clients need, at prices they’ll pay.Networking and asking for referrals are a waste of time (or are a lot harder), if you don’t have
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