The first thing I’d like you to note about the video below is that it is not my video, but it does belong to someone I admire and respect. Like me, Lisa has been online doing business for over 10 years. Also, like me, she tells it like it is – not like you’d like it to be – I’ve even “featured” her in another writeup on this blog:  Strategies for Life.

The second item I’d like to call to your attention is the DATE of this video. February 2009. And yet, to this very second, it still applies. In fact, it applies even more now then it did over a year ago when Lisa made it.
continue reading "Success Is More Than Wishful Thinking"

I know that a majority of individuals join affiliate programs. I did it, and still do (I’m very picky), and like everyone else, you do the best you can and hope for the best.

However, that doesn’t mean you cannot step (perhaps) outside your comfort zone and try new things, new methods.

One of the easiest ways to make money online, as I’ve stated before and over on the Online Internet Marketing Strategies blog are the “get paid to” resources.

Today I present a new one I just signed up for myself. It has more flexibility than eHow (eHow is good) and since eHow joined forces with Demand Studio, and there are still restrictions on writing strictly “how to” articles/steps, this new resource may be a better choice for more people.
continue reading "Other Get Paid Ways to Make Money Online"

Earlier today I replied back to an email about the performance of, in this instance, a solo ad. The implication was there was something amiss about the process.

Quickly double and triple checking that all went just as planned – the service completed as ordered – (I never take things at face value especially from my own business perspective, my continued reputation as the good guy is important to me and has been for over 10 years) – I verified that yes, indeed, everything went off like clockwork.

However, since it is also vital that this person receive a reply – never, ever not answer your emails (!) – after re-reading it, I realized that without giving away the person’s identity, the reply itself would make a great, informative post.

So here is information that affiliate marketers – every online participant in terms of making money – can use. In this case, I am talking about the much-pushed “solo ad” and reference you also to the frequently asked ezine advertising questions web page on the primary site, My Wizard Ads.

Here goes:
continue reading "Affiliate Marketing and Marketer Tips and Tricks for Success"

I don’t often do this, but today a good friend (and long time client) of mine sent me something that just makes perfect sense. I personally don’t even own a cell phone, have never sent a text message (other than online), and I am a stickler when it comes to driving.

I play my role as driver very seriously. In fact, frankly, I’m a control freak and almost always insist on being the one to drive (it’s a long story going back to my childhood and into my youthful 20s).

As the driver of the automobile, whether it’s just me inside or with passengers, it is the driver’s personal responsibility to ensure that, to the best of one’s ability, all remain safe and arrive or return where they belong – in one piece.

I understand, and deeply empathize with anyone who has lost a loved one due to an automobile accident. That’s why when Paul Uhl sent me information on how to text hands free, I figured it would be next to criminal not to share this with you.

Nope, I’m not an affiliate, but I do care about your life if you’re one of the crazy people who insist on texting (or for that matter using a cell phone at all) when you should be paying attention to the road.

So check out this safe way to text hands free with voice activated technology… please!

Heck, the thing will even post to your Facebook for you. You stay safe, and others are not subjected to your dangerous driving habits.

After 10 years online, and watching similar reactions each year, I’d like to give everyone who is serious about this “money making online” thing some words of advice:

1. Now is not the time to relax

Too often with the advent of spring and summer, business builders let down their guard, getting distracted by the wonderful return to better (for the most part) weather conditions. This doesn’t mean you need to spend hours in front of your computer, quite the contrary. What is does mean is that you need to make sure you have advertisements and marketing constantly featured online doing its work for you.

2. Reflection time

Ask yourself if you’re trying to accomplish too much. Have you taken on too many opportunities and not enabling yourself – or your budget – to do justice to anything? If so, along with house spring cleaning, consider “spring cleaning” your ideas on what is promote-able and what is not worth your time, effort, and money.

Taking on more than one or two projects is beyond the realm for most marketers. Honing your skills and choosing one (two tops) opportunity and giving that your all brings greater returns over the course of time.

3. Consider becoming “an expert”

Yes, blogging is fun and easy. However, ezine publishers have it head and shoulders above the average blogger. Why? Because most bloggers never bother to build that all important list of contacts. Relying solely upon RSS subscriptions to “anonymous” readers, with no additional ways to make contact when you really need to narrow in specifically to that list, results in losses in a big way. If you cannot specifically contact those who have shown interest, any time of the day or night (without over doing it) means you’re missing out on the best, single factor to building a successful business online.

Adding a newsletter (ezine) to your repertoire really makes a difference. In addition, you can easily apply to co-ops (like My Wizard Ads) and receive new readers, in return for running a classified ads section in said ezine.

Everyone knows lots about something. While you may not be an internet marketing guru, you do have talents and interests. Talents and interests that millions of others also share. So consider carefully about investing your time into building an ezine, and a readership, to add that all important list-building to your marketing.

In Summary:

I, too, am guilty of taking on multiple tasks. I, too, find myself working all hours of the day and night. However, over the course of a decade plus online, I’ve found “my niche” and stick with it.

Don’t try turning yourself into something you cannot possibly be – play to your strengths. And, in the meantime, don’t forget to investigate how you can get 60 Days of Continuous Advertising all set up for you. Take advantage of this way to enjoy the change in seasons, and still accomplish your goals online

It amazes me when 10 days go by, in a flash mind you, and I realize I haven’t posted to this blog. The fact is there has been a ton of activity online and off, with the arrival of my newest service Impact Advertising, along with increased activity over at Whole-Hog-Blogs.

That doesn’t take into account the numerous phone calls and emails I get throughout the day. I, unlike those “millionaire gurus,” work, work, work online – and regardless of what they claim you do not have to do, it’s all b.s. You must work to get things done.
continue reading "Things Heating Up Online and Off"

Commenting on blogs has got to be one of the best ways to generate back links to your own website and/or blog. The simple act of reading a post, looking for the Comment link or button, filling in the fields with your name, an email address that is never used, and the all-important link to your web site makes sense not only link-building wise, but it also enhances your own reputation online.

Another tool to add while you comment is an Avatar that represents either yourself or your website or just a symbol to associate you with the image.

From the Wordpress web site:

According to the Gravatar.com website, Gravatars are Globally Recognized Avatars, or an “avatar image that follows you from weblog to weblog appearing beside your name when you comment on gravatar enabled sites.” You register with the Gravatar server, and upload an image which you will use as your avatar. The gravatar image is keyed to your email address, so that it is unique to you.

From the Gravatar.com site itself:

Your Gravatar is an image that follows you from site to site appearing beside your name when you do things like comment or post on a blog. Avatars help identify your posts on blogs and web forums, so why not on any site?

If you click on the title of this (or any) post, you’ll easily get to the commenting section. This post also shows either the number of people who have posted a comment or – in the case of a brand new, not yet responded to post – a No Comment. You click on that link and you are taken to the area where you can add your two cents.

Adding an image further enhances your online presence. And Gravatars are a simple way to do that. So not only is commenting FREE, but an excellent linking building and personal or product name branding recognition marketing method.

Just be sure that you comment on what you read. Comments that are nothing but ads are considered spam and are deleted.

It’s your time involved – but a free marketing strategy to use. Make good use of your time and make yourself stand out from the crowd by signing up for, and using, your Gravatar.

(Note: Blogs and forums that allow gravatars will automatically detect and pull in yours. You don’t have to do anything other than signup, for free, for your own gravatar.)

(P.S. The new services ARE coming. Just final testing and tweaking going on.)