JR's Marketing Insights

All About Adswaps

JR — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:43:17 +0000

Before I get to what I want to talk about today, just a quick update. I have added a bunch of new giveaways to the Giveaway Events page, so check those out when you have a chance.

I have been rather quiet on my blog recently, and I apologize for that, but I’m working on a number of things both here and my “day job” that have kept me rather busy. I’m also flying up to NY tomorrow for my sister’s wedding (my daughter is also a flower girl!) so preparations for that have taken up a bit of my time as well. I’ll try to be more consistent with my posting schedule in the future.

Today I want to cover adswaps. For those of you who are not aware, an adswap is when you and another marketer agree to send an email to each of your lists advertising something for the other person. It’s a simple form of a Joint Venture partnership. In most cases, the ad is for something free or low cost, with the primary motivation being list building.

You are basically paying for another marketer to advertise for you with your own subscriber list, so it only works if you have a comparably sized list, or some other way to compensate for the difference in list size, such as money, multiple mailings, cross-promoting on Twitter, etc.

Where do you find people to swap with? The best way is to look to fellow marketers in your niche that you already have a relationship with. Another great resource is the website IMAdSwaps.com. It’s a forum where you can post your ad swap request or respond to others.

If you don’t have a list to start with, then you are not going to be able to convince anyone to swap with you. Sorry, but that’s just the way these things work. That’s not to say you need a huge list; this is a way to get to that point, after all. My suggestion would be to start with the Giveaway Events, which is why I mentioned them at the beginning of this post. That can be an efficient way to build from zero to several hundred subscribers fairly quickly. Once you reach about 200 subscribers, you can start looking for ad swap partners.

I hope this has been helpful to you. Let me know if you agree with me that ad swaps are the way to go, or if you have a better list building method when you are just starting out.

Progress update

JR — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:31:25 +0000

OK, it’s been over a month since I last wrote about my progress, and I think it’s a good time for an update.

I feel I’m continuing to make good progress, although perhaps a little slower than I was hoping for. There are a number of things I am happy about, but there are certainly things I can be doing better.

I have built my mailing list to 321 people

The majority of this growth has been from giveaway sites, which I have continued to participate in. I have also put all of my free products on a page in this blog, which has generated some sign-ups, and my Twitter messages have also sent a decent amount of traffic. I have participated in one Ad Swap so far, with my fellow Alex Jeffreys student David Walker. That appears to have been a great success, as I had at least double the number of sign-ups on the day of the ad swap over the usual daily numbers.

Incidentally, the email that I sent to my list for David was to promote his ebook, Stop Slogging Start Blogging. The unintended consequence of promoting his product to my list is that I read his ebook in order to write the email copy, and I learned a few things myself! This isn’t part of any ad swap, but I highly recommend everyone check out his ebook here: http://www.stopsloggingstartblogging.com/.

I have 5,943 Twitter Followers
This is in large part thanks to the Tweet Elite Pro software that I reviewed here. I have had a great time interacting with everyone on Twitter, and there is a noticeable surge of traffic every time I tweet about a page on my blog or one of my free products. I think I’m only just getting started on Twitter, and I hope to use it a great deal more in the coming months.

I have built this blog to an average of 20 visitors/day

Again, not a particularly impressive stat, but it’s double the number of visitors I had a month ago. If I can keep up that kind of growth, I think I can get to a respectable number of visitors fairly quickly.

I finished my first product

I’m particularly proud of this one. Productivity Power Plan has been released! I’m getting tons of great feedback about the book, and I have been encouraged to expand upon it into some additional great productivity materials. I’ll have more about this in a few weeks, but I hope I can continue to provide valuable productivity advice. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, there is a link on the right-hand side of the page at the top, or under the Free Products link.

~~I haven’t made any money yet~~
I have made $51.84 this month!

I have made two sales from the One Time Offer behind my free Twitter ebook, which is for a product I have Master Resale Rights to that I’m selling for $27. After PayPal fees that works out to $25.92 per sale. Again, I’m not quite ready to retire, but considering I’ve never made a cent from Internet Marketing prior to this, I think it’s a great start!

I’m getting more comments on my blog posts

I’m assuming this is due to increased traffic, but I’m seeing a few more comments on each of my blog posts. It’s still not quite where I’d like to be, but progress is a good thing.

The thing I feel I need to improve on is the frequency of my blog posts. For the first month, I was posting just about every day. Now I’ve dropped down to once or twice a week. I’m not looking to inundate you with a ridiculous amount of blog posts, and I’d rather have a few quality posts rather than a ton of junk. I do feel I can probably post closer to three times per week and still maintain the quality.

The other area I want to increase my efforts is in my videos. I have only created two so far, one a tutorial and the other a product review. I would like to do many more of each of these. I’m going to focus mostly on the tutorials because I have received more positive feedback on them, so I think they are what you want to see. Let me know in the comments if you feel differently.

Overall, I think things are going well. It’s slow going, which can be frustrating at times, but at least I’m moving in the right direction finally!

Tweet Elite Pro Video Review

JR — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:02:23 +0000

I created this video review of Tweet Elite Pro, because I think it’s an interesting tool that many people may find very useful. If you’d like to pick up a copy, please order it through my link: http://www.jrbiasi.com/recommends/TweetElitePro/

Again, you can order it here:

http://www.jrbiasi.com/recommends/TweetElitePro/

How is Internet Marketing like QVC (or Home Shopping Network)

JR — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:31:50 +0000

I’m not sure if these channels are available in other countries, but in the US, there are two big shopping channels, QVC and Home Shopping Network (or HSN). They are basically a series of advertisements or infomercials for the various companies they partner with to sell their products, fit into half hour time slots. While I am aware of them, I have never really watched them before. Until recently, that is.

My wife Jamie is, to put it mildly, very enthusiastic about the Christmas season. Truth be told, she is CRAZY about Christmas. So when she found out that QVC runs an annual “Christmas in July” weekend where they sell all kinds of products related to Christmas, of course the TV was tuned into QVC for 48 hours straight! On the plus side, where are almost done with our Christmas shopping for the year. On the down side, it was a rather costly television session!

While Jamie was watching QVC, I was doing my best to ignore it, thinking that there was nothing I would be interested in. While I was right about the products (although some of the ornaments were rather nice), I should have paid more attention for a different reason. I didn’t realize it until QVC did another Christmas special yesterday. Was it supposed to be “Christmas in August?” I’m not exactly sure. “Christmas in July” sounds more catchy to me. But I digress.

I should have paid closer attention, not because I wanted to buy something, but because I learned something from the way they sell their products. You might think there is not much to selling products on a channel that is explicitly devoted to selling stuff, but you’d be mistaken. While it’s true that most people who tune in are looking to buy something, there is no guarantee they will be convinced to buy what you are selling at that particular moment. So there has to be some method to the way they are talking about the products.

I found the following techniques that I believe can be useful in Internet Marketing:

Product Demonstrations
Every product was shown working, being set up, or being played with. Whether it was a set of Christmas lights, a remote control car, or a music box, everything was shown in use, rather than just sitting in a box. I think this is one of the advantages of TV, in that you can show something in motion rather than just a static image or text. I believe this is why video is becoming such a powerful tool in internet marketing.

Customer Testimonials
Interspersed throughout the program were calls from previous customers. These were not long conversations, but for about 30 seconds each, the sales person would ask callers which product they bought and why, what they liked about it, and who they were buying it for. Social proof goes a long way, so getting people who are so enthusiastic about the product that they are willing to help sell it sends a strong message. I also think some people will say anything to get their voices heard on TV, but that’s just me being cynical. Similarly, testimonials on squeeze pages and comments on blog posts provide a little bit of verification that there is value in whatever you are selling or saying.

Personalize the Message
Every sales person on the show had an example of a friend or relative that had found this product so useful, or had been so happy to receive it as a gift. Aside from the testimonials mentioned above, this was a way to get customers to see themselves using the product. I think this is one of the strongest strategies used by the sales people on QVC. If you can get the customer to identify with the scenario you are presenting, then they will of course want the same feeling of satisfaction you are telling them about.

Sense of Urgency
For every product, there were only “limited quantities” available. In some cases this was a few hundred items, in others it was a few thousand. Throughout the broadcast, these numbers were continually updated, to give the viewer the sense that if they didn’t order RIGHT NOW, there would be none left. Occasionally, the products would become sold out, and viewers would be told that they could still order to be placed on a wait list, and “hopefully” they would be able to purchase their item once more came in stock. I’m not sure that the quantities were truly as limited as they claimed, because fairly often a few more would become available an hour or two later. Either way, the fear of missing out on your only chance to get that great deal can be a powerful motivator.

Discounts and Bundles
Almost every product had a retail price with a discounted price below it. Also, in many cases products were combined into a bundle with complimentary products or accessories. The idea of receiving more value for your money makes it easier to rationalize the purchase. I think this is why so many squeeze pages have a suggested value for a product, even if it is being given away for free. Also, the use of bonuses to help sell affiliate products is a common practice that seems to work well.

Believe me, I was as surprised as you probably are to get so much out of a shopping channel. I think I can find a few more tidbits by watching a bit more closely, but for now, I think these concepts will be a benefit to anyone trying their hand at Internet Marketing.

Additions to My Blog

JR — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:56:06 +0000

Hi there, I just wanted to put up a quick update about some of the changes I have made to my blog recently. I can’t seem to leave well enough alone, so I am constantly tweaking and adjusting the various pages and features to see if I can create something that is more valuable and interesting to my readers.

First up, I have added icons with links to my RSS feed and my accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. You can find these links on the right-hand sidebar at the top. I know my YouTube channel only has one video so far, but I’m working on adding a few more this week.

Second, I have added a page for any giveaway events that I am aware of, so you can sign up as a contributor, or just as a regular member if you want to grab some cool free stuff! You can find this page under “Giveaway Events” in the menu bar near the top of the page, or by clicking here.

Lastly, I have added a page for the free products I am giving away, both to my blog readers and to the giveaway events. Since I have my own product now as well as a few resale rights products, I figured it would be good to have a page to keep track of them all. You can find this page under “Free Products” in the menu bar near the top of the page, or by clicking here.

Announcing the Release of Productivity Power Plan!

JR — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:21:30 +0000

Well, I’ve finally gone and done it! I’m releasing my very first ebook, Productivity Power Plan! After countless hours and many revisions, I think it’s ready. I could keep agonizing over it for a few more weeks, but at some point you have to stop delaying and get it out there.

I’d like to thank everyone for their encouraging comments and constructive advice while I’ve been working on this ebook. I seriously don’t think I could have kept up the momentum without the feedback I was receiving to keep going.

For those who are interested, Productivity Power Plan is my solution to the problem of too much to do, and no time to do it in! If you follow my four-step process, you will see massive gains in your productivity, whether you are using it for your business or your personal life. Best of all, I’m releasing it for free!

If you want a free copy of the ebook go here:

http://www.productivitypowerplan.com/

Please let me know what you think of the ebook. Also, I’m considering expanding it into a full-fledged productivity course. Would anyone be interested in that?

Finished My First Ebook!

JR — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:37:33 +0000

I finally did it! My ebook, Productivity Power Plan, has reached the final draft stage! While it was an interesting and rewarding experience, I’m glad it’s over for now. I will be releasing the ebook in the next few days as a free product, both here and on http://productivitypowerplan.com.

Before I release it to the public, I would like to send a few review copies out, so I can get some feedback. If you are interested in a copy, please reply in the comments, or contact me on Twitter.

7rep6xhqwa

My First Video! Blog Theme Customization

JR — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:31:01 +0000

OK folks, I’m new at this, so please take it easy on me. Here is my first attempt at creating a video:

Let me know how I did. I think I need to work on the pauses and the “umms,” but other than that, I think it’s a good start! As a side note, I used the 30-day trial of Camtasia Studio, and I was impressed with how easy it was to use! More on that later.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-08-08

JR — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:59:00 +0000

Go grab this FREE list building blueprint: http://cli.gs/8dRq5b
Be sure to thank me later! #
"Try not to become a man of success but a man of value."
-Albert Einstein #
"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp,
or what's a heaven for?"
-Robert Browning #
"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds."
Francis Bacon #
Go grab this FREE list building blueprint: http://cli.gs/8dRq5b
Be sure to thank me later! #
“Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.”
–Charles Schulz #
RT @PerryBelcher How to Become a Better Entrepreneur in the Next 30 Minutes http://tinyurl.com/qhum23 via http://www.stufftotweet.com #
"Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the
mind through repetition of thought.”
-Napoleon Hill #
Go grab this FREE list building blueprint: http://cli.gs/8dRq5b
Be sure to thank me later! #
"Try not to become a man of success but a man of value."
-Albert Einstein #
RT @delta40 What a cry baby RT Google Voice app rejected by iPhone store. Google CEO Eric Schmidt quits Apple board. http://bit.ly/16J46H #
RT @internetmoneyy Google adds AdWords Bid Simulator feature: …gives you the insight to make more informed bidding d.. http://bit.ly/bRcrG #
There's a new massive List-Building event just announced and it's called Internet Marketing Downloads…
Sign-up Here:
http://is.gd/ … #
"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp,
or what's a heaven for?"
-Robert Browning #
"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds."
Francis Bacon #
Go grab this FREE list building blueprint: http://cli.gs/8dRq5b
Be sure to thank me later! #
“Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.”
–Charles Schulz #
"Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the
mind through repetition of thought.”
-Napoleon Hill #
Finalizing my productivity ebook, just added graphics! Help me finish by telling me your productivity tips here: http://bit.ly/wgMX0 #
RT @DavidWalkerTV New Blog Post – 10 Steps to Creating an Authority Blog http://bit.ly/NMM9B Dominate any niche! #
"Try not to become a man of success but a man of value."
-Albert Einstein #
Go grab this FREE list building blueprint: http://cli.gs/8dRq5b
Be sure to thank me later! #
RT @IainBuchanan: Don't stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed. -George Burns #quotes #
"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp,
or what's a heaven for?"
-Robert Browning #
"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds."
Francis Bacon #
“Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.”
–Charles Schulz #
Go grab this FREE list building blueprint: http://cli.gs/8dRq5b
Be sure to thank me later! #
"Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the
mind through repetition of thought.”
-Napoleon Hill #
"Try not to become a man of success but a man of value."
-Albert Einstein #
Go grab this FREE list building blueprint: http://cli.gs/8dRq5b
Be sure to thank me later! #
"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp,
or what's a heaven for?"
-Robert Browning #

How to write an ebook

JR — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:54:57 +0000

I may be getting ahead of myself by writing this now, as I haven’t released my ebook yet, but I wanted to share with you my method of writing. The hardest part of writing anything is getting started, so hopefully my methods will get things moving for you.

When I set out to write my productivity ebook, I had a thousand ideas running around my head, but no idea how to put them on paper. I could see the general thoughts I wanted to convey, but I couldn’t organize them properly, which effectively had me paralyzed. I realized that the key to good writing is organization.

I had teachers all through high school and college tell me that I must create an outline before I begin writing. I always ignored them, because I typically don’t know exactly what I’m going to write until I actually start writing it. My approach in school (shh, don’t tell any of my old teachers!) was to write the assignment out, and work out the outline after the fact.

But for this ebook, I knew I wanted to take a different approach. Since this is for public consumption, and I am really trying to provide useful information that can actually help people, I wanted to make sure I stayed on track, touched on all the ideas I wanted to convey, and hopefully present the information in a clear and concise manner.

Since I have had so little success with outlines in the past, I knew creating an outline was not an option. So I turned to mind mapping. Alex Jeffreys has discussed mind-mapping in his coaching program, and while I am familiar with the term, I have never actually seen it in action until he taught about it. I found this great mind-mapping software called FreeMind, which is even better because it is completely free. I then proceeded to create a mind map on everything I could think of related to productivity. This included things like avoiding distractions, staying motivated, and productivity tools. I’ll share the mind map in the actual ebook, because I don’t want to ruin the experience of reading through it.

Once I had a brain dump of absolutely everything in my head related to productivity, I set about organizing the information into categories and subcategories. This way I could see what topics were related and should be written about in the same chapter of the ebook. Once that was complete, I went to Google to start filling in the blanks. For example, I had a section of the mind map on productivity tools, but I only had one or two tools written down. I went out and researched what other tools would be useful, and added the good ones to the mind map. Once my research was complete, I had what I considered to be a complete mind map.

From there, writing the ebook was surprisingly easy. I would simply pick a section of the mind map, and create a chapter based on the topics included in that section. Once I had a road map, the writing just came easier, and I didn’t have to worry about getting off track.

My other worry was about my writing style. I have a tendency to get overly formal when I write. I think I have been successful on this blog at keeping my tone more informal and more “real,” meaning the way I speak in real life. Since I have had some positive feedback on my writing style here, I tried to stay with the same style in my ebook. A few times I drifted into a more formal “research report” style, which I then had to correct. I believe I caught them all, but I’ll be releasing a few review copies of the ebook shortly, so hopefully I’ll get some constructive feedback.

Let me know your tips for writing. I found mind mapping to be exceptionally powerful, especially with my aversion to standard outlines. If you know of a better way, I’d be eager to hear it.