Search Engine Copywriting: Focus on One Topic – Site
Search Engine Copywriting: Focus on One Topic
Nick Usborne
Perhaps the simplest of all the lessons I have learned about writing for search engines is to keep my pages simple. That is to say, whether I am thinking about my readers or about Google, there is a huge advantage to keeping most of your pages confined to a single topic.
There are three approaches I take to the creation of a page, and each has a significant impact on how high the listing for that page appears on Google.
>>>> #1
Powerful Networking: Focus on Building Connections, Not Closing Sales – Marketing
Powerful Networking: Focus on Building Connections, Not Closing Sales
Julie Chance
You can find numerous references in the business literature about the importance of a companys mission. These sources emphasize that the mission is not to make a profit; that a profit is the outcome of and reward for fulfilling the mission. In the same sense, the mission of networking is not to gain business and close sales. The mission of your networking activities is to make connections, develop relationships, and help others. The outcome of these activities will ultimately be increased business. Its the reward, not the purpose. Matt Soltis, in his book Strategic Networking, says, "Although an early supporter of business networking, I became quickly disillusioned with it as a mainstay of my marketing plan. I found that something was missing from those long sessions of glad-handing and exchanging business cards. I had collected a pocketful of business cards but little else.
"While I was analyzing my needs and talents it was pointed out by my personal coach that I had a behavioral style that lent itself to chatting, while listening took a back seat. How could I learn if I would not listen
"At the next opportunity to network, I intentionally listened, never interrupted, and found myself very interested in the other persons business. When I spoke, I asked questions, just a few, but selective so that they elicited answers about the other persons needs. I had stumbled on to the answer I was looking for. I wasnt there to find clients. I was recruiting others to look for my clients and pledging to reciprocate as I learned more about their business. I was participating in something I later described as strategic referral networking."
So how can you approach networking from a prospective that ultimately leads to increased business First, it is important to understand that developing a network is a process, and it is about building relationships. A key objective of effective networking is to find out about others - their concerns, problems, needs, and wants. Become a problem-solver and a resource. Listen for problems you can help others solve, either directly or by referring them to someone else in your network.
Practice the fine art of questioning and listening. Asking open-ended questions, and really listening to the other persons responses, is one of the most important networking skills. Some key questions or statements you can use to elicit additional information include: What would be an example of that Please expand on that. Tell me more. How do you do that Be curious. Develop a true interest in others, what they do, and what they need.
Follow up and stay in touch. Developing a network is not about attending a bunch of meetings, having a meal, and going home. After all, the word "work" is part of "network." Remember, developing a network is a process. Ivan Misner, founder of BNI, describes networking as a process of developing visibility and credibility. Only then will your activities lead to profitability. It may take as many as five to 15 contacts with an individual over a period of weeks, months, or even years to develop the kind of visibility and credibility that leads to profitability.
Look for ways you can support your network members. Its not always about doing business with or even referring business to them. Some ways for you to support your network members include:
Posting their information on your website or in your newsletter
Inviting them to speak at an organization in which you are involved
Doing joint promotional projects with them
Distributing their information
Nominating them for recognition and awards
Inviting them to attend events with you
Arrive early, stay late, and get involved.
Take a leadership role in the organizations you are involved in. Its a great way of becoming more visible and developing greater credibility with a larger number of people in a shorter amount of time.
Focus on giving, not getting. If you look for ways to assist others, you will be rewarded for your efforts both directly and indirectly in unexpected ways.
Dont keep score. "Successful networking is never about simply getting what you want. Its about getting what you want and making sure that people who are important to you get what they want, too," said Keith Ferrazzi during a January 2003 interview for Inc. magazine. Or as Sandra Yancey, founder and CEO of eWomenNetwork quotes her mother as saying, "Give without remembering and take without forgetting." In addition to the ultimate reward of increased business, effectively developing your network will bring you:
Different prospectives
Information
A support team
Connections
Strategic alliances
Access to resources
Advice and Ideas
More potential solutions
In his book, Soltis points out another value of networking: the ability to bring your clients value-added relationships through referring them to the right individuals to help them solve all of their personal and business dilemmas - whether it is a tax question, temporary housing, or a place to board an exotic pet.
As you determine the role that networking plays in your business-building strategies, ask yourself these questions:
How can I assist the members of my network
What are their needs
What resources can I bring to them
What connections can I help them make
What can you expect if you put in the time and effort required to develop an effective network
To paraphrase Yancey, from her CD, Increase Your Net Worth by Developing Your Network: A strong network brings the power to make things happen and provides a safety net when things arent going so well.
About The Author
Julie Chance is president of Strategies-by-Design, a Dallas-based marketing consulting firm specializing in marketing programs including marketing coaching for professional service providers. If you are interested in additional information about how to develop more leads, turn those leads into loyal customers, and obtain a greater return from your marketing investment, Julie invites you to sign-up for their free marketing tips newsletter at www.strategies-by-design.com.
© 2004 Strategies-by-DESIGN. May be reprinted with credits and contact information.
jchance@strategies-by-design.com
Focus and Fear of Success – The Biggest Monkey on Your Back – Merchant Account
Focus and Fear of Success - The Biggest Monkey on Your Back
Jack Humphrey
If you have been on the internet for awhile, you know that there are millions of people trying anything and everything to get your attention. They want in your wallet. Its a great big money grab out there folks, and the net has become the biggest marketing arena on the planet, driving whole industries and generating Billions of dollars in sales.
So whats the problem Well, none if you are one of the small businesses with focus. A whole lot of problems if you lack focus.
There are myriad small business opportunities on the net today. And if you do your research and find something you want to associate with, or you create a product for a well-researched target market, you are well on your way to financial success. Or are you
You see the more you become active on the net as either someone looking for the right opportunity, or as someone who has found the right opportunity already, the more you are bombarded with choices. Everyday you get emails saying that the next best thing since sliced bread has come along.
The new "thing" demands your attention and you get nervous that you might be missing out on another opportunity for financial success.
But dont you already have one At least, havent you been presented with several great opportunities in the last week So why on earth take a serious look at yet another Why fragment the time you need to spend on your current business with all the marketing it takes to get yet another off the ground and profitable
What I am talking about here is something I call "Sign-up-Itis."
Not to be confused with Sinusitis, which can be just as debilitating.
It goes like this: You find your focus, you are fired up. All is good and you are ready to start working on the hundreds of little things you need to do to get traffic and make sales. You need to get good search engine positioning, you need a links campaign, you have to research ezines in your niche and place ads, you need to set up joint ventures, you need to create and update content on your site, set up a merchant account, a delivery system, and the list goes on from there.
Then you get an email from a friend or associate telling you that you HAVE to check out the latest and greatest. You do. Its an awesome opportunity. You look at your plate and its already full with your current project, but the plate has a lot of things on it you really dont enjoy doing. Its a lot of work to make any business pay off, as you can see from the short list above.
"Its Much More Fun To Think About Success Than It Is To Do The Work It Takes To Achieve It"
But this NEW thing is exciting, fresh, new. It draws you in and its MUCH more fun to think about success than it is to do the work it takes to achieve it, so you buy in. You get a ton of tools to start this new venture. Its all overwhelming, especially since you have gone back to your first venture and realized you now have TWO great things that can both make you money, but they BOTH need your attention on a grand scale in order to see profit.
Now, here is the part where most people give up. They say to themselves "Internet marketing is nothing more than a series of steps that I cannot complete. I am always excited when I get started on something, but when it comes down to DOING what I start, it gets hard and doesnt happen as fast as I would like it to."
Let me make one thing clear right now: It is not the nets fault for not providing us with real opportunity.
Opportunity abounds and is right there for us to snatch up and achieve success. Never let yourself fall into the trap of reasoning your way out of success. "Its not for me." "I cant do this - its for people much better with computers and internet marketing than me."
The problem lies with your focus and your fear of success. You must CHOOSE the opportunity you are passionate about, or create a product you stand behind and love, and then hunker down for the long-haul! Make yourself do everything you are taught to do to build your business and build it - all the way or not at all.
It should be no surprise the next time you get an email with the next best thing inside. You should say to yourself "Thats great! Another opportunity for someone has just been born! But I am busy with MY business and cannot take on another venture at this time."
We Do It On Purpose
Lack of focus is sometimes a purposeful self-defeating tactic your subconscious uses to keep you from success. Success is NOT a destination. Its a journey.
And that journey scares the hell out of 99% of normal, everyday people. So be it. It IS scary to think of radical life changes, even if they are for what you consider to be far better than your current situation!
But dont let a lack of focus and your fear of success tear you away from your dreams. USE your fear and confront it, right now. Today.
Make hard decisions and stick to them, then begin the process of working on a focused, tight marketing campaign to make whatever venture you choose the venture that sets you free.
Wear electronic blinders. Keep lean and mean and only take on new responsibilities that will be good for your CURRENT business.
Throw the rest in the trash.
We all know there are tons of opportunities out there. That is a fact. Its time now to get the stars out of your eyes, choose your niche, your product, your affiliate program or your MLM, and get to work. Make a vow not to stop until you are where you want to be financially.
The question is not "Can you really make money online" This has been proven time and again over the years by thousands of people,many of whom you read about all the time.
The question is "Do you really want to be one of those people, or are you stuck in a cycle of constantly sabotaging your success with a lack of focus"
The cure for Sign-up-itis is focus and hard work. Success is something you decide to achieve one day. Its that decision that is often the biggest hurdle any future success story has to conquer
Copyright 2004 Jack Humphrey
About The Author
Jack Humphrey is the CEO of EquipMint.com and author of Power Linking 2: Evolution, a successful system for bringing your website all the high-quality, targeted, cash-in-hand traffic it can handle. For copy or ghost writing: http://jackhumphrey.com