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10 Google AdSense Tips

2010-04-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

free tips

Do you have a content site with lots of pages? You could easily earn some extra income by putting up some Google Ads. The following 10 Google AdSense Tips are a surefire way of leading you in the direction of setting up ads on your pages in the right way.

Tip #1: Your Ads Should Be Kept Above the Fold

You shouldn't have to scroll down the page in order to see your ads. Many people do not have the time to bother to go below the fold.

Tip #2: Do Not Have More Than 4 Ads Per Page

By this, I am not referring to the ad blocks but the individual ads. The better Google ads are placed at the top so the fewer ads that are displayed the more money you will get per click.

Tip #3: Stick With the Medium Rectangles

The 250x250 rectangle that displays 3 ads is a good choice. You can split test with other ad blocks, but the medium rectangle looks and converts better. However, this may not always be the case.

Tip #4: Banners and Skyscrapers are Dead

Just ask the experts. Many people will simply ignore these types of ad formats. They are recognized by people as an advertisement and adverts are usually of little interest.

Tip #5: Blend, Blend, Blend

You may have heard this one many times before, but the truth is, many of us have become ad blind. If it looks like an ad, we usually ignore it. That is why your ad needs to blend in with the look and feel of your site. To accomplish this you will need to use the same text size and color as well as background color. Blend the border into the background, but....

Tip #6: Keep the Links Blue

It doesn't matter what color your text or background is, your AdSense links should remain the same blue as all your other links. Here's why, people see blue text, they think it is a link and will click on your ads if they are interested.

Tip # 7: Don't Put Ads on Empty Pages

Without content on your web pages, how is Google supposed to know what your page is about? They will simply guess and display ads that are completely irrelevant.

Otherwise, you can update your page with content but then you will be required to wait up to 2-3 weeks for the ads to be change, because that is how long it may take before they re-crawl your pages again.

Tip # 8: Are Your AdSense Ads Relevant to Your Content?

You will need to check on this from time to time. You may occasionally find an ad that is not relevant to the content of your site. It might be that your meta tags need to be changed, or it could simply be a word in your content that is messing things up.

Tip #9: Set Up Channels

If each page has more than one ad unit, it is wise to set up a channel for each of those units. Or if there is only one ad unit on each page, then you can set up a channel for each page. Channels help to keep track of what ads are or are not working.

Tip #10: Keep a Close Eye on Your CTR

CTR stands for Click Through Ratio. This is the total number of clicks divided by the total number of page views multiplied by 100. A page with low CTR may require more relevant content. If you follow these 10 Google AdSense tips, you can expect a 5-10% CTR. If not, you might want to start changing things around some.

There is no guarantee that you will make as much money as you want, but I do know for sure that if you ignore these 10 Google AdSense Tips, you are leaving a lot of money on the table.

Connie McKenzie is a proud work at home mom. Do you have something to share? Discover how you can build a successful website online and monetize it with google adsense ads. Learn more about how to get the most from AdSense.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_McKenzie

Credit Repair, Increase Credit Score

2010-04-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

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Credit Repair Tips

2010-04-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

free tips

A list of ten credit repair tips follows. This is by no means a complete list, maybe just enough to get you started.

Credit Repair Tip #1

Look for free information before you buy anything. Did you know that the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, are required to provide consumers with one free copy of their credit report every year? If not, you are not alone. Companies which sell credit reports and other credit repair tips are betting that most people do not.

Credit Repair Tip #2

Visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com. At this site consumers can view and print the information accumulated by the credit report agencies or credit bureaus. There is no charge for these reports, but the credit bureaus are allowed to promote the products that they sell, such as credit repair tips, on this site.

Credit Repair Tip #3

There may be a lot of information on your credit report or just a little, depending on the types of credit that you have and the length of time that you have been using credit. Print the reports out and begin the process of reviewing the information that the credit bureaus have been accumulating about you. Use a yellow highlighter to highlight information that you believe may be inaccurate, misleading or unverifiable. This is information that you will dispute.

Credit Repair Tip #4

One of the credit bureaus has an on-line dispute system, but it is not very user friendly. The window is tiny and in order to read a sentence, you have to scroll from left to right. The best way to notify the credit bureaus of your disputes is to send them a letter. Letter writing suggestions are included in many books with credit repair tips, but you can view a perfectly usable example of a dispute letter at the Federal Trade Commission's credit website.

Credit Repair Tip #5

Wait.

Credit Repair Tip #6

If you have not received a response from the credit bureau or bureaus within thirty days, send a follow-up letter: "Please remove these items from my credit report immediately. I have waited a reasonable amount of time."

Credit Repair Tip #7

Wait.

Credit Repair Tip #8

If you receive no response from the follow-up letter, you will need to contact a lawyer, preferably one that specializes in credit repair issues. The credit bureaus are allowed to disregard disputes that they consider frivolous. There are no guidelines for disputes which might be considered frivolous.

Credit Repair Tip #9

Sometimes options are recommended which are illegal, such as file segregation. Do not create more problems for yourself.

Credit Repair Tip #10

Visit myfico.com for more credit repair tips. This site also shows how different actions affect your credit score.

There are several sources on the internet for credit repair tips. As with most information, there are hundreds of books full of credit repair tips, software programs with credit repair tips and credit repair specialists that charge for their credit repair tips, but there is a lot of free information as well. For morecredit repair tips, visit the Credit Repair Blog.

The writers and editors of the Credit Repair Blog are dedicated to providing accurate information about credit repair issues. Visit us athttp://creditfixnow.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patsy_Rose

9 Skin Care Tips That Work - How Many Do You Use?

2010-03-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

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Trying to uncover that perfect skin care tip? Judging by how many search results pop up so is everybody else. There are plenty of places where you can find good skin care tips, and here are a few of them for you.
TIP #1: The number one skin care tip that I can give you is to make sure to keep your face clean. Your skin picks up dirt and pollutants from our surroundings. Wash your face thoroughly both in the morning and at night, in order to prevent dirty surface film from building up.
TIP # 2: Some other good tips about cleansing you face are certainly in order. You should try to avoid products which use harsh abrasives in order to clean your face. These products will only irritate your face, and the scrubbing action will act to encourage the skin to increase the production of sebum, thereby leaving your skin excessively oily.
TIP #3: Skin care tips involving moisturizing the skin are also very important. Try to avoid moisturizing products that contain mineral oil, or petrolatum. These substances act to clog your pores, leading to the development of blackheads and acne.
TIP #4: A good skin care tip would be to advise you to seek out a moisturizer which contains pure, natural ingredients. Look for products containing grape seed oil, avocado oil, olive oil, or jojoba wax as ingredients. Some of the better products will contain all of these organic substances, and many more.
TIP #5: Let me give you a couple of good skin care tips involving the use of a deep hydrating mask. There is an excellent product on the market today which does not leave you stuck with a blue or green face for 30 minutes. This mask is visible as a natural tone, and the best part is that it disappears right into your face, so you don't have to worry about clean up.
TIP #6: The other skin care tip I was going to give to you involves the very same mask. The natural ingredients that make up this wonderful product make it far safer to use than most masks. The ingredients include avocado and macadamia oils, as well as New Zealand's much talked about manuka honey.
TIP #7: Aside from the other ingredients, it would be a sound skin care tip to purchase any product which contains active manuka honeyThis miracle is not only an excellent moisturizing ingredient, but it also supports skin cell renewal, assists in the formation of stronger collagen, and has high antioxidant properties. If that wasn't enough, the honey is recognized worldwide for its astonishing antibacterial and antifungal properties.
TIP #8: Now, I have a few skin care tips regarding protecting ourselves from the sun's harmful rays. Everyone knows that in order to afford your skin protection that it is valuable to use some sort of sunscreen. What a lot of people don't understand is that the constant use of these UV blockers also prevents the formation of vitamin D.
TIP #9: My last skin care tip would be to say that a better idea may be to find a cream that contained an emulsified blend of Coenzyme Q10 and Natural vitamin E. It"s called H-EQ10. This blend would offer the skin considerable protection from the sun's damaging rays, and as antioxidants, this unique blend would also act to repair the damage that the sun has already caused.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret Bell

What You Can Expect From Health Tips

2010-03-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

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You have a right to define your expectations on whatever aspect of life you are researching on. So, it is the case when you are trying to get the best way you can deal with the pressures of health in your general life. There are several resources that promise you better health and you will be able to have this kind of health.
The various tips that are available on health would help you in almost all aspects of health that you would think of. You can be sure that you would find them very real and up to date.
Health tips for beauty
If you are not sick and all you are interested in is to enhance your looks or beauty, you would have to find the best tips that would help you have the ideal beauty that you want. The tips are still available for free. They will help you in terms of shape and even facial and skin and hair beauty.
Health tips for weight loss
When you need to lose weight, the kind of tips that you would get would also be termed as health tips. When you have the ideal weight, you would be healthy and that is why, you need to consider the tips keenly. If possible, it is best that you make use of all of them.
Health tips for disease prevention
Diseases can really weigh you down and make you lose hope in life. Even when some of them have treatment that works, the pain is not worth it. the tips can help you forget about the pain and prevent diseases from getting into you completely.
Health tips for fitness
Some of the tips that you would come across are those of regular body exercise. Sometimes you would even see how you can burn the fat and build muscles. This would contribute to fitness which is best for you. So, it is true that the tips can help you get fit and on shape.
Health tips for nutrition
Nutrition is a very crucial aspect of our health. You can be sure that when you take the tips seriously, you would never miss out on the best nutrition that you actually should be keen on.
Health tips during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a very delicate period both for the mother and the unborn child. There are tips that would help this mother know what she needs to do so that they are both healthy and go through the period without any stress. She will be able to find this very important for her health and her baby's.
Health tips on drugs
Drugs are good because they cure disease and keep us well. They can be poisonous when they are taken for granted. There are tips that would help you know what you need to do especially when you are on drugs or on any kind of treatment.
So, the many health tips that you can see are important for various aspects of our lives. You can be sure that when you take the weight loss tips as part of your general health awareness routine, you would be happy in life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expertAngela Dolson

Health & Beauty Tips

2010-03-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

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Everyone loves to look beautiful. There are many advantages of looking beautiful. A gorgeous woman always receives attention. She marries the best catch. She gets to be the cheer leader. She dates all the attractive boys. She even manages to participate in the beauty pageants and win a crown for her country. Hence, women look out for simple beauty tips to enhance their beauty.
The skin care beauty tips are meant for all. Anyone can make a significant difference in their appearance with the help of the natural beauty tips. Unassuming girls use the y secrets tips to become more attractive, while the beautiful girls use them to preserve their appeal and look good for a longer period of time. In fact, even an ugly lady can look highly attractive by following the correct beauty tips for face.
Due to its high popularity, different women's magazines make these fashion beauty tips an integral part of their editions. These health and beauty tips appear with religious regularity in an effort to boost the sale of the magazines. The editors hire the experts from the beauty industry who share their secrets with the readers. Many a times, the readers are also encouraged to send in their queries which the experts answer by giving various health beauty tips. Now, one can even look for summer beauty tips on the Internet. There are several sites devoted on tips on beauty that boast of a high traffic rate. So, one can get the help of these tips and work towards improving her overall appeal.
These best beauty tips work towards enhancing each and every aspect of your personality. They offer advice on beauty that range from your crowning glory to your lovable feet. You are basically flooded with numerous tips that teach you to maintain your hair, eyes, face, hand, feet, etc. They also offer you tips on hair styling and the right selection of clothes for a particular body-type. Other than this, makeup beauty tips also include guidelines on current fashion and the correct method of applying make-up. Hence, if a girl is really keen on improving her looks then she could immensely upgrade it by following the correct beauty tips.
The current male generation has also become fashion conscious. They buy designer wear and go for beauty treatments. They color their hair and sport different styles. They wear various accessories like earrings, chains, bracelets, etc. Hence, observing this trend, men's magazines have also started providing fashion and beauty tips for men.
So, regardless of your sex, you can look attractive and appealing by following the correct beauty tips and secrets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abigail Martinez

Tipping And Tip Pooling

2010-03-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

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In recent weeks, the subject of employee tipping has received considerable attention in the media. There have been lawsuits in California, Massachusetts, and other states which should serve to remind employers about the importance of knowing and then following State and Federal laws on tipping.
In California, there are three critical rules which must be followed by employers:
1. No manager may take any portion of a tip left for an employee;
2. An employer may not offset any credit card processing fee against a tip left by a customer for an employee; and
3. Absolutely no portion of any tip received by any employee may be offset against the minimum wage of $8.00 per hour paid to an employee.
It is worth noting, however, that in California, a service charge by the business owner is not considered a tip for purposes of the California Labor Code provisions dealing with tipping.
There is still some controversy in California concerning the subject of tip pooling. Tip pooling is not automatically illegal in California. The controversy arises over what type of tip pooling arrangement is allowed.
The California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has traditionally took the strict view that in order for an employee to participate in the tip pool, he or she must render direct table service. Such a rule is both artificial and unworkable.
Take for example, the customer who orders a drink from his table. Should it make a difference in any tip pooling arrangement whether the bartender brings the drink to the table or whether the server delivers the drink?
Another example - in those restaurants where the cooking of the food is in plain view of the customers, should the cooks be prohibited from having even a small percentage of the tip?
Finally, if the dishes on which the food is served are not clean, then the customer will not enjoy the dining experience. Thus, should the dishwasher receive a tiny percentage from the tip pool?
In recent years, the Courts, especially the Federal Courts have rejected the artificial "direct table service" distinction. Rather these decisions leave it to the restaurateur to adopt a tip pooling plan. So long as that tip pooling plan is reasonable, it is likely to be upheld by the Courts. Obviously, the server should get the lion's share of any tip, with smaller percentages going to those who participate in the dining experience.
Given the attention that tipping and tip pooling has received in recent weeks, this is a good time for all employers to review their tipping and tip pooling practices to ensure that such practices are consistent with both State and Federal law.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com?/expert=Russell J. Thomas, Jr.

14 Ways Musicians Can Increase Their Tips

2010-03-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

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I was listening to NPR the other day when they did a report on tipping in the restaurant industry. One they had a list of tips on how wait staff can increase their tips.
That got me brainstorming and surfing the net for other ideas to boost tips. That combined with lots of performances at Renaissance Festivals helped me to develop my own list of ways musicians can improve their tips.
1. Introduce yourself by name
Too often musicians forget to introduce themselves on stage. Make sure you tell the audience your band name, but to really boost your tips, you should also introduce yourselves individually. Let people know who you are as an individual and you'll see greater tips.
2. Go out into the audience with a tip jar
You really can't be passive when it comes to getting tips. You have to walk out into the audience with some visual reference that says "Tip Me!", and they will tip you.
3. Meet your audience at their level
Take the time to talk to your audience members at their level. Holding a discussion from a stage puts a wall between you and them. So instead, go out into the audience and talk to them face to face. Kneel if they're at a table, so you're at eye level. And if you have ayour tip jar with you, you will you will not only gain a fan, but you will also improve your tips.
4. Make your appearance personal
We wear kilts to most of our gigs. A kilt adds a very personal touch It links us to a certain culture and makes people take notice. Course you don't have to go that route, instead find some piece of clothing that reflects your personality and you will boost your tips.
5. Recommend your favorite CD
If you have multiple CDs, your audience will always ask for your favorite. Tell them what it is. If you only have one, you can do the same by recommending other artists that you like. That adds a two-fold advantage of helping your audience find music they like and helping your fellow musicians.
6. Smile
A bright, confident smile will bring fans back again and again with lots o'big tips.
7. Involve your audience in the music with a joke or game
Next time you're up on stage, see what happens when you joke around with the audience. Your personality will glow all the more and so will your tips.
8. Chat with fans by name
Music fans love nothing more than to be recognized by the bands they love. So do your best to remember their names. They will feel that much more attached to your music and feel like your friend. And these friends will tip you better for the courtesy.
9. Touch your audience
When you're out socializing with your audience, touch them (in a non-sexual way). Whether you shake their hand, pat them on the shoulder or back, or just brush against them, wait staff find that that even that will boost their tips 50%. And it will yours too.
10. Use tip jars with the VISA/Mastercard Logo
According to studies done in restaurants, just seeing those logos is enough to encourage customers to tip more. I know it sounds crazy, but give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.
11. Give your audience something in return for their tip
People love feeling like they're getting their money's worth. And many people don't realize you should tip bands. So give something in return. It could be something as big as a sticker or magnet, or as simple as a business card that might include a $1 off your CDs. Or hey what about feeding their sweet tooth with a piece of candy. Whatever the case, that little gift will mean big tipping results.
12. Draw a picture
On a similar note, if you give them a business card, draw or make a comment on it. That piece will be more valuable to them and will result in bigger tips.
13. Make tipping a part of the show
Why wait until the end of the set to ask for tips. Sing a song about tipping, or get your audience involved in the tipping process by shouting something. Or offer a prize to the first tipper. But integrate it into your show and it won't seem like you're just begging for money, rather you're making it fun to tip.
14. Thank your audience
No gig would be complete without an audience. So thank them for taking the time to watch you perform. They will feel the personal touch and respond when you ask for money.
15. Bonus Tipping Suggestion:
If the change is five dollars, never return a five-dollar bill. Always give back five ones. This allows the customer to tip you with some of the dollar bills you returned. You will rarely get a $5 tip and returning a $5 bill will turn off tippers. In general, it's good to return all ones if the change is less than $8. You want the customer to have at least two ones so they can give it back as the tip.
Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc Gunn

All About Cue Tips

2010-03-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

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Do you think that your choice in tips is the right choice or simply politically correct? What I mean by politically correct is, is your choice in tips controlled by the opinion of your peers or some professional player that you know, or is it based on fact? By the end of this article you should be able to answer this question for youself.
## What are the differences in pool cue tips? ##
As you probably already know, you have everything from very soft singlepiece animal skin tips from various types of animals (elk, cow, water buffalo and cape buffalo) to very hard single piece animal skins. There is also the laminated tips ranging anywhere from three to fifteen layers. The laminated tips also range from soft to extremely hard using various animal skins and tannages. The end result is a myriad of confusing choices. I would like to unmuddy the water for you somewhat. All of these variables can impact power, accuracy, and your sight picture.
First let's assume that you already know that the shape or radius of the tip is of utmost importance and must be maintained at all times during gameplay. That very important shape that I just mentioned is the radius of a dime (roughly) or a "0.375" radius. In other words, hold a dime edgewise up to your tip and look over the top... If it does not match the shape or radius of a dime on the top of your tip, you've already got a problem.
When the ball is struck by the tip, the portion of the tip that takes the force is no more than an eighth of an inch offcenter in all directions. This is true regardless of whether you've struck the cue ball a sixteenth off center, or a full tip off center. What this radius does is generate the force, regardless of where it is struck, to the center of the tip and down through the center of your cue. Soft tips create more distortion than harder tips. In otherwords, a larger area of the tip makes contact and wraps around the cue ball in the case of a soft tip.
This may give you more tip confidence, particularily if you're a beginner, because you will miscue less, despite having a sloppy stroke; but, the price you will pay is less power and a whole lot more deflection of the cue ball, because you have moved all of the tip to one side of the cue ball with virtually no penetration. On the other hand, a hard tip will focus the energy in a much smaller area at impact and will give you a higher degree of penetration. When I speak of penetration, I mean the force being directed to the cue ball by virtue of the direction the cue is being swung or pointed and that force penetrates the cue ball in the direction that the shaft or cue is being driven. As an added bonus, a harder tip lasts longer.
## What about miscueing with hard cue tips? ##
The simple fact of the matter is, that the small, glasslike particles of chalk, which cause the friction, are held higher up on the surface on a hard tip so that they will penetrate deeper into the surface of the cueball at impact. A soft tip allows more particles to come into contact because of it's increased tip surface at impact; however, though there be more particles in contact with the cue ball, it does not penetrate the cue ball as deeply and therefore creates less friction per particle. Bottomline: You have the choice of either more particles penetrating less or fewer particles penetrating more... The net total friction is about a trade-off. Whether the tip you choose is one single piece of hide or laminated multipe pieces of hide, the key issue is the more penetration means more accuracy, more power, and tremendously less cue ball deflection and negative effects on your sight picture. As a side note: You've probably noticed, if you've played much, that a tip plays its best just before it has to be changed. This is because it has been pounded enough through constant play to make the tip more dense (harder in all areas).
## What does Meucci Originals do with this information? ##
After testing every tip on the market, and measuring it's resultant power and deflection variation, we have found that a hard tip with even harder outside edges around the circumference will perform the best. Harder outside edges so that the energy is directed into the cue will be focused more towards the center of the shaft, while at the same time keeping the outside walls of the tip from breaking down. There is only two ways to get this result: 1. A hard water buffalo tip. or 2. To compress the tip of your choice as hard as you can, then shape to a dime radius and then pound the outside edges to further harden the circumference and reshape that area to be once again a dime radius.
We take both the latter and former choice at Meucci Originals with the well-known Le Professional tips or hard water buffalo tips. I hope I haven't caused you even more confusion. I think the choice should now be simple: your choice should be made according to knowledge and experience instead of the fashion of the day.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob Meucci

100 Tips to Market Your Music - Part 2

2010-03-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

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Even if an artist has an outstanding talent, record deals do not fall out of the sky and land in your lap without music marketing. In this Internet age, A&R at most record labels is not what it once was, so those reps are looking for artists that already have CD sales, a great fan base, and already have the look and feel of being made even more marketable.
We started a list of marketing tips in 100 Tips To Market Your Music and continue more great ideas here, so tweak any of them as you will!
Promo Tip #55 Tag your MP3s with your name or band name, not just the song name. They need to know WHO did this material when they happen across it months later.
Promo Tip #56 Know who you are! Get into an appropriate category so that you can be found. People have to be able to identify your sound into a category that they can identify with. You may want to portray a new edgy sound, which is fine, but there are still general categories that people search on in record stores or online and you have to be found in one of them.
Promo Tip #57 Throw a listen-in. Contact record stores, coffee shops, book stores, malls, recreational areas, galleries, cool clothing stores or nightclubs that are willing to support local music. The free listen-in could have talk session and discounted CDs with coupons.
Promo Tip #58 Keep it simple silly, web sites that take a long time to load, are not easy to navigate, and are not interesting will not keep the viewer's attention long enough for them to get to know you. So don't make your personal website or any site that can be customized, so frilly that it turns a potential opportunity away.
Promo Tip #59 Join local communities and organizations and go to meetings periodically and pay attention. Listen for opportunities in what they are saying and perhaps volunteer. Help them and they will help you. Nonprofit organizations are likely to have access to media outlets that may give your some exposure.
Promo Tip #60 Check your public and local radio stations that play your type of music and try to get some air time.
Promo Tip #61 You will hear a lot of no's and negativity. That is to be expected as everyone's taste is different. Hopefully someone will give you some constructive criticism. Learn from it what you can but keep moving forward.
Promo Tip #62 Develop yourself as a complete package. Record labels do not spend the money on A&R as in the day. Educate yourself as a well-rounded music artist and present yourself as such.
Promo Tip #63 Elevator Pitch - If you only have one shot to make an impression in 30 seconds or less, can you do it? You will need to, so practice it!
Promo Tip #64 Post your gigs on your website(s), class ads, Craigslist, Backpage and other sites for your location.
Promo Tip #65 Submit your music to songwriting competitions, musician competitions, singing contests - try out for American Idol, for gosh sakes!
Promo Tip #66 Do a free conference call to chat with fans using your website. Record the call and follow up by posting the MP3 on your site. Promote it for all its worth.
Promo Tip #67 Never release an inferior product, send out professional, and only your very best demos and new releases.
Promo Tip #68 Get testimonials and reviews from people that matter and start locally if you have to. Add them to your press kit.
Promo Tip #69 Make sure you make it easy for potentials sales to happen whether on your site or at a show. Make the payment process, safe, secure and EASY.
Promo Tip #70 Have a house concert. Invite the neighborhood to your backyard.
Promo Tip #71 Give your fans insider, behind the scenes, back stage with the band info and videos. This is great info to include in newsletters - people that signed up to learn more about you on purpose.
Promo Tip #72 Take the good with the bad, and take it all graciously. You must keep your image clean or at least maintain the aforementioned image.
Promo Tip #73 Don't waste time, prioritize and go with the best bets. Put your energy into the correct market for YOUR music.
Promo Tip #74 If you can write well about a music subject, write and distribute articles. Always source the article back to your website. Let it be redistributed with the bottom author source info to spread your message and link.
Promo Tip #75 Gig swap with other bands from another area to widen your fan base.
Promo Tip #76 A music profile or bio, press kit and press releases should all be well written, free of misspellings, kept current, and to the point. Schedule updates of your various online activities.
Promo Tip #77 Find a business in your area that you can partner with for mutual benefit. If something about a song, style, or image would boost a local business, develop a cross promotional relationship.
Promo Tip #78 Respond to all your correspondence in a timely, businesslike, and correct manner - appropriate to the sender. Be considerate of your audience.
Promo Tip #79 Give people what they want. It's all about the fans. If they come to your website, give them information that makes THEM feel good. If they come to your show, entertain them, thank them and thank the venue for the experience.
Promo Tip #80 Don't disappear. Once you have started building your momentum, it is a continuous onslaught.
Promo Tip #81 Attend music conferences, indie showcases, music festivals. Gain exposure and network.
Promo Tip #82 Be easy to work with and be flexible. A good reputation carries a lot of weight. Flexibility can also mean possibly adjusting areas of your work or image so as to get your foot in the door if need be.
Promo Tip #83 Have a cause. Create an event to promote that cause. Team up with other like-minded bands and make a news worthy event out of that cause.
Promo Tip #84 Business Cards - When talking to anyone, hand one out. You must include the link to your website. Consider your link as your online business card.
Promo Tip #85 Rolodex your contact list (some sites have contact managers in their member consoles). Make a list and keep it current of all the places online and offline that you need to post to when you need to send out reoccurring press releases of news and events. Be aware that many sites have limits in number and/or time frames, be careful to not exceed them.
Promo Tip #86 Invoke your personality into your writings to make your invitations, announcements and introductions fun and effective.
Promo Tip #87 Clearly define what you are about - quickly, online or offline. People have short attention spans and are short on time - not just the music industry, but most people in general. This is very important! Don't waste words. Make anything you have to say about yourself or band enough to give the important necessary information and cut out the nonsense.
Promo Tip #88 Create a band calendar with some humorous photos of the various band members at various events.
Promo Tip #89 You heard it through the grapevine. Share "some" inside knowledge with other bands and songwriters in your area. Start your own information highway.
Promo Tip #90 Create an automated template for emails. Take the time to add the person's name with a personal tidbit, but save time with a ready made email guide. Respond to unsolicited emails with your own personalized marketing message and a link to your website.
Promo Tip #91 Play for free if you have to, any where, any time. Create an event, an event with a cause and donate the proceeds to a charity. This can open up some interesting contacts and opportunities. Sponsor an event.
Promo Tip #92 Reach out and touch your fans. Whether someone else is maintaining your online presence or not, occasionally touch base with fans personally.
Promo Tip #93 Include every ounce of contact info needed upon every available surface.
Promo Tip #94 Borrow an idea from other sources, even outside the music industry. If it works for that company, perhaps you can adapt the idea to market your music as well. Find a way to put a new twist or slant on a successful bands tactics.
Promo Tip #95 Send birthday cards to your fans...of course you need to get their birthday info when they sign up for mailing lists.
Promo Tip #96 Get involved in the music forums and message boards that target your music segment and ALWAYS include your signature URL (aka web link)!!
Promo Tip #97 Start a Music or Band Blog, well written and kept current. Submit it to music Blog directories.
Promo Tip #98 Create a novelty song that topics a holiday, a hot news item, your city or town, sports team, political event or other idea and gain exposure on promoting this song.
Promo Tip #99 Listen to your fans and learn what brought them to your show. This is very effective to giving you feedback on which promotional tool worked.
Promo Tip #100 Success does not happen to those that wait. A record label , music deal, stardom, just creating a website "and they will come" does not just land in your lap with you doing nothing. You have to make success come to you. Be persistent, be confident, roll up your sleeves, it is going to take some serious work.
But wait, there's more! We could not stop at 100! Here are a few more great tips:
Promo Tip #101 Use the Internet to research and keep current on new ways and new sites to market your music.
Promo Tip #102 Strength in numbers. Build joint ventures, collaborations and/or online partners on a project and both of you market that project.
Promo Tip #103 Have a professional email address.
Promo Tip #104 Don't burn your bridges. Even with the increasing number of music "wanna-be's" the music industry is a relatively small and close knit community. A wrong done to you by someone early in your career, may be that "someone" in a position of music power one day that you just might need to do business with.
Promo Tip #105 Join the party, even if not in the mood. Don't respond to the inevitable "what do you do" question with your day job, but tell your potentially new fan you are a musician and hand them your business card.
Promo Tip #106 Keep a journal of your marketing efforts with what worked and what did not work. This can be used in many ways down the road besides tracking your efforts. A book or e-book maybe?
Promo Tip #107 If out partying, have a designated friend or band mate for image control. If you get into something that could potentially land you in trouble, that controller gets you out of the situation before it can hurt your image. Video can be on the Internet before you even get home, so protect your image at all costs if you happen to get out of control.
Promo Tip #108 Business is business. There is a time and place for slang/explicit language, behavior, and the like. Project yourself in a professional manner. Know when you are onstage and when you are not.
Promo Tip #109 Get your own competition going about your band or a new release. Give something away, have fans register at local record stores, find a way to get buzz going by asking a great question.
Promo Tip #110 Self promote everyday, in every way, one way or the other.
Some of these pointers may not be for you. That's fine. Do what you need to do, just make sure we ALL hear about you. Very true that many artists do not have the funds to do some of these tips, well, with the Internet and some ingenuity it possible to get around this to an extent.
The difference between you and another band that made it may not be that their music was better. It might be that they found a way to get noticed better. The music industry needs music talent and is constantly on the look out for something that stands out. If you have the guts and perseverance, it can be you.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna Liguria

100 Tips to Market Your Music - Part 1

2010-03-26T11:06:00.001-07:00

free tips

Marketing is all the activities and processes of planning, communicating and executing a product, with a price, the promotion and the placement of an item to an end user. Your music is your product which you are then supplying to the end user - the music fan. Between you and the fan is a big space on how to bridge this gap. You may think that if you just get a record deal with some label, your prayers are answered and this instant bridge is built across that space. This is for the most part, not how things work today.
As an aspiring indie or unsigned singer, songwriter, or a musician in a band you can not do just a few things to promote yourself and expect success in your music career. Offline and online music promotion and marketing exposure is an ongoing process in this DIY age. Music companies are looking for artists that already have fan bases, sold CDs, and are proven ready to move up to a higher level. Presented here are more than 100 tips and ideas for you to think about and tweak as you will, to get noticed, gain fans, and get heard. You have to find a way to stand above the crowd, for talent alone is not enough.
Promo Tip #1 A music artist must start somewhere, that's usually locally, but it's better to not just dive in without a plan. But begin you must. Create a plan with some ideas and set goals as to what you need to accomplish weekly, monthly, and yearly. Start small and make it progressive. Reach bench marks and keep at it.
Promo Tip #2 Image is everything. Image is the complete package - artist/band name, look, performance, merchandise, and style, to how that brand is marketed. A stage name can be a descriptive statement of the image you or your band project. Be unique and interesting to look at in some way....build your own unique stage persona.
Promo Tip #3 Word of mouth has always been the best promotion - tell people what you do. Get people talking. Create your buzz by just giving enough info to get people interested, but hold some secrets close.
Promo Tip #4 Those that promote the most win.
Promo Tip #5 You may be a truly great talent, but without getting out there and consistently marketing yourself, networking, meeting the right people, maintaining your image, and being humble, your talent will only get you so far.
Promo Tip #6 Be innovative in your promotional efforts! The Internet has made it possible to hear a LOT more music, from a LOT more artists. You are now a very small fish in a very large pond - you will need to find a way to stand out, above and glow in the dark. Think beyond the box on every promo tip.
Promo Tip #7 Learn web basics to use the Net to your advantage. The Internet thrives on links, quality content, keywords and consistency. Properly use the tools of the Internet to build your online brand.
Promo Tip #8 Create a web site. Buy your own artist name or band name URL for your web site, keep it simple, easy to remember, make sure it loads quickly and is easy to navigate.
Promo Tip #9 Submit your web link to online music directories, search engines, good music resource sites, in the best possible descriptive category. Use niche sites like tour date sites, lifestyle, regional, music magazine, music ezines, music Blogs and similarly themed sites.
Promo Tip #10 Use Myspace, Tagworld, Frappr, Facebook and any of the good social networks and extend your fan base. Update on a regular schedule.
Promo Tip #11 Go beyond the social networks and sign up to the best indie and unsigned music artist sites. Add a full profile, good photos, your best music, update the info regularly and DO NOT REDIRECT them with only a little info to find out more at another site. These indie communities are built to attract music biz personnel as well, to browse for the talent needed for various projects. While you have the viewers attention and time, have the important info right there, don't waste their time with a redirect link! Include a link to your main site, if they want to learn more they will go to it.
Promo Tip #12 Hand out your CDs (or demos). Have your web link printed on the CD. Include your band name and contact info as well. Remember, your name on the work is more important than the name of the work. Hand the CD to club owners that feature your type of music.
Promo Tip #13 Send press releases and reviews of your shows to local print newspapers, magazines and event papers. When writing press releases, read up on "press release tips" and the like to tweak your presentation.
Promo Tip #14 Professional photos mean you take yourself seriously. All photos in your press kit should be quality photos, not just your main bio picture. The money spent on a photographer that can capture your music "image" is money well spent.
Promo Tip #15 Collect addresses and email addresses (email is free!) to keep your fans current on what you are up to. When building your lists, try to list their location - city, state and zip with a bit of personal input about that fan. This is a great way to create a more personal and targeted mailing list without bombarding people that are too far away to attend a show.
Promo Tip #16 Practice and practice and practice. Longevity in the music business means learning new things, constantly creating, and always improving.
Promo Tip #17 Zero in on your target. Know where they hang out, where they shop, what they do for fun, and hit them where they live - online and off. Your audience is a specific crowd of people so don't waste time being where they are not.
Promo Tip #18 Play, play and play some more. Get gigs in one part of town on Friday and another part of town on Saturday. Do mini tours outside of your town.
Promo Tip #19 Create your own support group of family, friends, and school mates - communicate well with them on your plans and goals to help spread the word on you, where you plan to go and how you plan on getting there. Delegate tasks to the appropriate people.
Promo Tip #20 Online send out press releases and reviews of shows via all appropriate sites.
Promo Tip #21 Get online air play. There are a lot of indie radio webcasts, join sites and do what you have to do to get on the playlists.
Promo Tip #22 Create an interesting banner to drop in your forum signatures or other online locations. Many message boards will let you leave a link and/or banner in your signature, but don't like blatant advertising.
Promo Tip #23 Brand your name across the world and be ever mindful of the image you wish to portray whenever out in public or online. When it's in print, it's permanent.
Promo Tip #24 There is such a thing as overkill, in that it is better to describe your band/music as "we sound similar to the Beatles" rather than "we are the biggest thing since Led Zeppelin!" (or better than). So word your description accordingly.
Promo Tip #25 The music business is in the business to make money. If your career is in music, know when to be businesslike.
Promo Tip #26 Learn every area of the business you are in. Knowledge is power.
Promo Tip #27 You must network. Meet people, get out there, shake hands, listen to them as well and let them know about your music. Build those relationships.
Promo Tip #28 Be on friendly terms with other bands and artists in your area.
Promo Tip #29 Create a "street team", online and/or offline...they are core people that wish to help you further your marketing efforts. Give away free tickets, CDs or merchandise to your street team as incentive.
Promo Tip #30 Announce every song, every CD, decent chart position, contest win, top sales on releases, announce anything and everything to stay in the public's eye. If you can't write a decent article up for the press release, get someone that can. Write a review of every gig and get feedback from local VIPs, fans, whomever matters and include the best quotes. Is it news worthy? Write and promote it. Get the most mileage you can from your promotional tactics.
Promo Tip #31 Never mail your CD without a purpose or a contact person's name on it and expect miracles. Far better that the contact person knows to expect your CD, his or her name is spelled correctly, and you are mailing it to a company that actually works with your style of music.
Promo Tip #32 Wear your band! Get a jacket, t-shirts (etc) and add your band name or logo on it. Wear it everywhere and be a walking advertisement. If you have a niche fan base, think of a merchandise item that they need that of course has your name on it!
Promo Tip #33 Create an interesting band logo. It can be a conversation starter or a potential contest question.
Promo Tip #34 Join a Songwriting Circle. This is a local idea (though it is possible through the Internet), to meet with other songwriters in your own area and share your songs. You can get feedback on your work, share ideas and tips, possibly collaborate on work, learn about what's happening locally, help each other in many ways. If you wanted to start your own circle or look for one, you could use Craigslist for your Wanted or Needed post. Most ask that you be open minded and dedicated, with a willingness to listen and give feedback.
Promo Tip #35 Burn your best song as a single. On the CD and cover include ALL contact info, website, names, etc and distribute that CD wherever you go, for free.
Promo Tip #36 Have a custom vinyl car wrap created about your music/band and put it on your car. OR a use a magnetic door sign for your vehicle will work as well.
Promo Tip #37 Cross promote online on your web sites with local bands as well. You give them a boost on your site and they give the same back to you. Ask other people to LINK TO YOUR music site from their website!
Promo Tip #38 Introducing your band whether in person or online has a lot of similarity in speech writing techniques, in that you have to grab the reader or listener or viewer in the first 30 seconds. Your opening line needs to have punch, snag the audience and reel them right in. Remember the rock group KISS and "Are you ready to Rock?!!" Find your attention getting line and use it. Don't fall victim to the less inspiring, "um, hi guys, um, we are the 'Example' band..."
Promo Tip #39 Use Internet class ads as well as local newspapers to promote upcoming events and possible collaborations with others. Print papers and magazines need advance notice so plan accordingly.
Promo Tip #40 Create an online newsletter, with content of value to the receiver. This is an invaluable way to keep fans informed on gigs, news, gossip, new releases and other great info. Send out your newsletter about once a month.
Promo Tip #41 Be outrageous or controversial. Shock value can work, but it can backfire too. Can you maintain the image? It has worked for many, but was a disaster for many more. Think this tip out.
Promo Tip #42 Create a fan club online and get them to spread your banners, links and provide content for them to spread.
Promo Tip #43 Who are the VIPs in your community - who are the popular people in your area? Get to know them, give them a free CD and invite them to your show. When they speak, others will listen.
Promo Tip #44 Create a video and get on YouTube. Place your video on all relevant video sites. Video Scrapbook (or Diary) your music band's progress, accomplishments, and jam sessions. This could make for good clips in other projects.
Promo Tip #45 Have a CD, digital download and other merchandise for sale. Generate some sales so you have something to invest in other areas of your marketing effort.
Promo Tip #46 Have star quality, but don't be a big-head. Let people know you are professional and have the ability to be a long lasting star in this business.
Promo Tip #47 Never Spam email.
Promo Tip #48 Have a press kit ready to send out or email. Have it neatly organized with a brief bio, a short description (about 30 words or less) on what you sound like, full length bio, quality photos, music samples, current press releases and quality newsworthy items, song lyrics, radio airplay and chart position information, and detailed contact information.
Promo Tip #49 Join online music groups and newsgroups.
Promo Tip #50 Be a bit mysterious, hold back and leave them wanting more. Timing is everything for some info, releases, etc.
Promo Tip #51 Create a music slogan of up to 8 words (less is better) that quickly, accurately and in a catchy manner describes your music in a real way.
Promo Tip #52 Give a review to get a review, honestly is the best policy, but never brutality. Many times someone will return the favor and it shows your knowledge, your twist, on the music created.
Promo Tip #53 Print up posters and/or flyers about your upcoming show and post them wherever your type of fans would hang out and include your web link, show date, name of CD, where CD can be purchased.
Promo Tip #54 Get into podcasting and videocasting yourself or making your music available for podcasting.
Part 2 of 100 Tips to Marketing Your Music continues the remaining promo tips plus some bonus ideas!

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna Liguria