Internet Millionaires

Optimize to Get the Most from Search Engines

2008-09-22T04:03:00.001-07:00

One of the most cost-effective ways to drive traffic to your Web site is to optimize it for search engines. Many of them use automated programs called "crawlers" or "spiders" to create an index of the Web, which they use to determine what sites are most relevant to users' queries. These programs essentially visit Web sites, read the pages' content, and follow any links to other pages, repeating the process on the sites where they end up. By also retrieving information on link destinations and frequency, among other things, the search engines are able to better "understand" Web sites than if they only took site text into account. Therefore, the key to better placement in search results is making sure it is easy for crawlers to gather useful information about your site. Search engines particularly take into account the location and frequency of keywords on your pages in determining your site's relevance. Here are some specific things you can do to optimize your Web site:

Get yourself a good domain name. Not surprisingly, URLs containing clear keywords generally perform better than those that appear random or are excessively long. And in addition to getting you higher placement in search results, having its own domain name gives your site added credibility. You'll want to make sure the name you choose logically pertains to the subject matter of your site, isn't too long to remember, and isn't easily misspelled. Use keywords that a crawler will understand, and try to avoid numerals or abbreviations.

Choose keyword-rich titles for your pages. The [TITLE]; element that appears in your page headers is often used by search engines as the text for their link to your Web site. (As an example, the title of http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/?node=11091801 is "Amazon.com: Musical Instruments.") When you just use "Home Page," your company name, or something similarly uninformative, you are missing an opportunity to drive traffic to your site, since search engines weight [TITLE] elements heavily when determining the relevance of a page to a user's search. Therefore, try to make your titles easy to understand and rich in the keywords that your customers will be searching for.

Add META elements to your site. Make use of description and keyword properties in your headers' META elements. META name="description" content="[a brief description of your site]" is often used by search engines to determine what your site is about. META name="keywords" content="[a list of relevant keywords]" is used less frequently by search engines, but can also help boost your site's relevance in their eyes. In writing a description and choosing keywords, think about how customers will be looking for information on your site, and choose specific terms that will attract traffic. You may want to use research tools like Wordtracker to help you in this. Avoid using the same set of keywords on every page of your site, however--they should be tailored to each page's specific content.

Content matters. You will also benefit from providing rich content on your site. It is important that you include at least a few paragraphs of copy that is visible to crawlers and full of keywords, which will enable search engines to better classify your pages. Use the keywords you included in your 'meta' elements, and don't be afraid to use them many times within your copy. But, of course, what you write should make sense and be easy to digest, as readability is vital. You should also display text on your site as text, not as images, which crawlers cannot read. Use tags for pictures you do use, so that crawlers can get some information out of them, and incorporate HTML navigation wherever it is possible, even if this means adding redundant navigation at the bottom of your pages.

Leverage links. Web sites that are linked to from lots of other sites are often deemed more popular and get a higher ranking in search results. However, more important than the number of links is the quality of those links. Contact owners of other Web sites that score highly for key phrases related to your content, and ask them if they will provide a link back to your site. Make sure, too, that the content on your own site is properly linked together. Crawlers will often start with your home page and then follow links from there to other areas of your site. Therefore, if you fail to provide working links to all your pages, some of your content may end up unindexed.

Register your site. Once you've built and optimized your Web site, it's best to manually register your site with major search engines, like Yahoo!, Google, the Open Directory Project at DMOZ.org, LookSmart, and Ask Jeeves, or have a partner like Submitnet to do it for you. Registration doesn't take long, but do be careful to follow the instructions provided by each engine, as they are all a little different. Careless mistakes could keep your site from being indexed properly, or at all.

Avoid pitfalls. Your goal is to increase your search-engine rankings, not to decrease them, but there are some things you can do that will accomplish just that. For example, some search engines don't index dynamic content on framed pages. If this applies to your site, therefore, think about ways to modify it so that it can be more easily indexed, or create alternate, crawler-friendly versions of your pages. Also, keep in mind that many search engines are familiar with common spamming techniques, like hidden text and irrelevant metadata, and will take appropriate action when pages using them are detected in their indexes.

Be patient. Above all, remember to be patient! There's no magic bullet for getting the top spot in search engine indexes. If you've spent a lot of time optimizing your Web site and you still aren't seeing results, it may not make sense spending more time tweaking it so it will surface higher. There are other ways for you to drive traffic to your site on which your time would be better spent.

Mastering Learning on the Internet

2008-09-22T04:02:00.004-07:00

STEP 1: Learn To Use Google
If you don't learn to use Google, you are missing out on many opportunities! Google is like a big treasure chest that contains a lot of different things. However, to be able to turn them into viable opportunities requires more than just surfing on Google.

This is particularly so for those of you who have only looked at Google for finding things on the Internet rather than doing business on the Internet. You really have to seek out and produce and opportunity. We'll talk about this in market research when you are creating our product in my future post.

STEP2: Learn All the 'Whats' First
The biggest mistake is many new marketers is they get so fascinated by how other people achieve their results, they forgot that being entranced by other people's results, it may not fit their own style or needs.

I urge you to lean all the 'whats' first. You must familiarize yourself with a glossary of terms for Internet marketing and other related terms so that you can develop a better sense of competence in it. If you don't even know the 'whats', its going to be difficult to understand the 'how'

STEP 3: Learn All the 'Whys' Next
Once you have learnt the 'whats', its now time for you to understand the rationale for their existence. For instance, why is there a Google? If you don't know what Google is in the first place, the reason for Google's existence will be difficult to understand!

STEP 4: Learn All The 'Hows' Last
The how's are simply other people's footprints in the sand. I mean, if the objective is clear, you can literally use any other 'how' to accomplish your objective. I'm almost sure that it isn't difficult to build your approach. You might even find that a fresh mind might provide you with new (possibly better) ideas.

STEP 5: Learn How To Integrate Different 'Hows'
If you thought that was the end, you're wrong! Different marketers have different strategies. Some of them have conflicting strategies that end up creating a big headache for people who are new. If you know how to integrate the strategies online, you'll be a master at Internet marketing!

What Are The Biggest Mistake In Starting An Internet Based Business

2008-09-22T04:02:00.003-07:00

Issues With Beginning Internet Marketers
In my opinion, beginning Internet marketers end up getting stuck with ideas about how to make money. They either don't know how to start, or they are starting out copying some other person's model for revenue generation. Sure, you can do that - but only for a time.

In my opinion, every Internet marketer needs to find industry leadership through the ideas they have. Unfortunately, nobody ever has all the ideas right the first time round. If you were to follow the crowd, apply some common sense first before you proceed.

Why do i say this?

If you are using old approaches, you are copying strategies. What i suggest for you to do is not just to copy strategies, but innovate new ones on your own. After you start off in Internet marketing, you will find that some of the tried and tested methods in the past may not work anymore, as i have found. The most important thing to do is to find new ways to adapt to the current local situation. If you are just starting, I'm not saying you have to use something totally unique. I'm saying that you need to test, observe and then build your own strategy, through creativity and innovation.

#1 - Not Investing Enough Time To Think
There are basic principles of business building. If you don't know how to run a business effectively, you won't be able to make money or guarantee your own results. Being lazy is a silly attitude that has always driven people to failure. I've never seen someone who is lazy and still succeeds in business.

#2 - Thinking That Internet Marketing Is Another Get Rich Fad
Please. Internet marketing is not a magic wand. Every business venture has a different set of strategies - that's why it seems to be so complicated. If you are just rushing into Internet marketing just because it is the next biggest thing, then you might as well leave this blog now.

#3 - Not Learning From Multiple Sources
There are several reasons why i recommend learning from many sources. Now - I obviously know that is would be a stupid to suggest that you buy everything on the Internet and then do research from scratch. That's just plain silly. There are so many newsletter and e-zines that give free advice.

#4 - Being Lazy Too Early
You can't afford to be lazy. It will cost you. I know some people who only work 16 hours a week as Internet marketers and still make a decent living. The fact is that you can't do that immediately. It takes an investment of several hours of hard work.

#5 - Copying Instead of Innovating
I don't recommend copying what other people have done on the Internet. I mean, there are http://www.milliondollarhomepage.com/ wannabes who do nothing but copy what was done. It's silly knowing that it won't work anymore. There's no compelling reason to!

How to Earn Your First Dollar

2008-09-22T04:02:00.001-07:00

Monetization means that you have to ask this question: How do i earn my first dollar? If you have the ability to earn your first dollar, you will be able to repeat it and therefore be able to repeat the same system. But selling something at $1 is different from selling something at $20 - which is also different from selling something at $397. Each contain different considerations, and mostly are commonsense. Your $1 system is usually easier to implement. $397 is usually less simple to implement. Each monetization method is different, and commands different premiums, as indicated above.
#01 METHODThe first way is through affiliate programs (or reseller or associate programs). When a third party makes a payment to you because of a service that you are providing, you are an affiliate or associate. Under this model, there is no need to own any product. Typically, this model is for complete beginners, although advanced Internet marketers also do affiliate marketing as they are able to create much bigger affiliate commission.
#02 METHODSecond is through sales of products. This could include resale rights products or even products that you create on your own. When you create a product of your own, you can sell it and receive payment on your own. These products include books, audio CDs, MP3s, video programs and the like. They could also include scripts and computer programs.
#03 METHODThe third method of making money is through some kind of service that is required that can be delivered over the Internet. So, this could include online consultations, counseling and coaching programs.
#04 METHODThe fourth method is to create a membership program. Here, when people subscribe to a paid service that you provide, such as a membership site, a newsletter that contain regular, high quality information for subscribers. It could even be a networking site. It could be a directory service. The limits to the effectiveness of your membership program are only in your imagination and creativity.
#05 METHODThe fifth method is to create and run events. These events could include seminars, teleseminars, conventions, forums, gatherings, retreats, contests, community events, and any other conceivable event from Tupperware parties to competitions.

Making Money Online - Affiliate Marketing

2008-09-22T04:01:00.001-07:00

#1 - Register For An Affiliate Network, And Select Your Area Of Interest

There are several affiliate networks you can register to join. Some of them I've tested. Most of them are very credible sites that have millions of visitors every single day. I'd suggest that you browse them and join the networks anyway. All of them should be free to join

These sites offer products that you can sell over the Internet
- www.IMSupportHub/clickbank
- www.IMSupportHub/paydotcom

This website below is a directory of many major brands including Sony and Citibank. However, some of the programs there are available only to U.S. Residents. You can register for this free, and promote physical products as well!

Select two or three products to promote, learn about them then learn the best way to market them.

http://www.cj.com/

#2 - Set Up A Website Or A Blog To Talk About Your Area Of Interest And Add Value To People

There are several resources you could look into so that you can build a better website. If you want to shortcut this process and hate learning HTML (hypertext markup language, the language of the web), you will have to set up a site and cede some configurability to the system at http://www.blogger.com/

#3 - Set Up Your Affiliate Links On Your Website

Since you will be generating visitors to your website, you can place affiliate links on your site. With affiliate links, the affiliate networks can track your referral through a 'cookie' (an Internet browser component that logs visitor information). When a visitor turns into a customer, you are credited with commissions! All this done simply through a process of highlighting some text and then adding some hypertext to it. If you need some tutorials on doing this, you might want to go to http://www.google.com/ and search for "HTML Tutorial".

#4 - Repeat Steps 2 to 4

And that's basically all you do. There's not much other than traffic creation, but you can built a list as well. If you want a higher income, all you need to do is to drive more targeted traffic, and establish a better level of credibility.

See also:

'4 Things Must Do' For The First Time Affiliate Marketer

2008-09-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

#1 - Plan Your Budget

Don't keep 'betting' because that's not what this is about. You have to keep track of your expenses so that you know exactly how much you earned.

#2 - Keep Learning

If you have the spirit of learning, you will find that you will outstrip all the other Internet marketers who are sometimes just darned lazy. Remember that there are lots of forum who are open to all who want to learn more. The only stupid question to ask is why you should be there. It's a free resource, and you will definitely get people who are enthusiastic and willing to help you to develop as an Internet marketer as well.

#3 - Treat This As A Business

If you know how to run a business, don't let up! Get mentored by those who are ahead of you! This is just like a business, and you have to treat it like one. Making it profitable means you have to have tight controls and effective ideas that can turn into profit making. Even if you are running it part-time, all it takes is for you to have proper management in order to create a great part-time business!

#4 - Your Ideas Are Your Best Friends!

If you aren't creative, you will need to stop and ask yourself if that's just an excuse. In fact, knowing about psychology, the fact that you think that way might actually cause the lack of creativity. Loosen up - surf the web. Read people's ideas and look out for new information on how to maximize your productivity online.

See also:

Traffic Exchange To Increase Traffic ?

2008-09-22T03:58:00.000-07:00

Recently I've realise a new trend in the internet market; TRAFFIC EXCHANGE...

A few organization i've come accross has been providing this service, been curious me i've also signed up this service to give it a try. Hey i know earning by doing traffic exchange using your blog is not allowed under Google directives so don't mind me, i know what i'm doing...

To my surprise they really work! In fact, lots and lots of bloggers are using this traffic exchange to earn money from CPM. Below are 3 organization i have tried:

TRAFFIC GENERATION NETWORK

What they offer:

SuperSurf Service. (Traffic Exchange)
SuperStart Service. (Start Page Exchange)
Exchanger Service. (Powerful Banner Exchange)
My Promotions Service.
Directory and Search Engine.
1:1 Exchange Rate

CLICK THRU TRAFFIC EXCHANGE

What they offer:

Surf the web by remote control. Surf sites in your favorite categories! Earn at least $0.01 for every site you visit. Plus, win up to $1,000 instantly for clicking a HotSpot!
Many advertisers are offering to pay you ClickThru Cash for clicking a link, answering a question, joining a program, and other simlar tasks.
Join the ClickThru program and you get free ClickThru Cash, merchandise, and other benefits from all areas of our site.
Tell others about ClickThru and get up to 10% commission on the ClickThru cash they earn and win. Also earn commissions on extended referrals.
If you ever win or earn merchandise that you don't want, sell it to someone else for ClickThru Cash. Or buy and resell anything on the directory for profit.
Clickthru regularly gives away free ClickThru Cash and merchandise. The more you use, the better your chance of winning.

BLOG EXPLOSION

What they offer:

100% FREE TO JOIN!
Add multiple blogs
Add banners to promote your blog with clickthrough reporting!
Refer new members and earn 10% of the traffic they earn
Get your blog reviewed by other members
Get full blog statistics!
Blogmark your favorite blogs to view anytime!
Screen blogs with profanity, audio and mature content!
Get listed in the BlogExplosion Blog Directory

Feel free to comments if anyone used any of the above mentioned.

Pre-Requisite For Making Massive Dollars From Online Marketing - CREDIBILITY !!!

2008-09-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

HOW TO CREATE CREDIBILITY?

#1 - Social Power

Social power refers basically to your ability to interact effectively with people and to bring the best out of them. If you are able to interact, socialize, negotiate and communicate, you are pretty much basing your credibility on social power. When overdone, it may appear like sucking up to someone. So watch the balance.

#2 - Expert Power

Expert power is the kind of power that you will see in professors who have a combination of legitimate and information power. They are experts in the field for an extensive area of knowledge. So you tend to respect them. Most people on the Internet establish themselves as expert by providing lots of information to their subscribers. This is the way to go, and if you are the kind that likes to read voraciously, then Internet marketing is definitely your cup of tea! Watch out you don't appear to be arrogant when you share your knowledge.

#3 - Information Power

Information power is the kind of thing that lets an individual be a gatekeeper of some piece of information that is scarce. It doesn't make you an expert, but it merely makes you valuable by virtue of the fact that no one else knows that 'secret'. People who hoard information, then distribute it end up becoming for more likable than they hoard it. At the same time, information holders may be passed off if the only thing they have is information! I highly recommend that if you are an information power holder, keep upgrading your information sources and your power will grow into Expert power.

#4 - Charisma Power

Didn't think you could be charismatic? Charisma seems to be left for the guys who wield power. But wait a minute - power comes from charisma. If you knew the strategies to influence and generate that charisma through that influence, you would be able to be more powerful. Charisma, however, is sometimes going to be interpreted as arrogance if you don't play it well.

#5 - Referent Power

When you refer to something, it associates with you. By hanging around a bunch of police officers after work for a drink, you are associated with them, and the reactions associated with that. If you hang around a group of beautiful models, you are associated with them too. So, the same thing happens when you talk about something. For instance, you talk about the fact that you went out with Bill Gates for lunch, that puts you in close proximity, and your reference create power. Watch out when you refer to people who may be credible but are unknown.

#6 - Legitimate Power

When you are put in a formal position of authority, you have legitimate power. As a chairman of a board of directors, you have legitimate power. As a coach of a national soccer team, you are in legitimate power. Legitimate power is good sometimes because credibility is automatic, but ONLY to that group of people who recognize that authority. So don't assume that just because you are a boss of 15,000 people, that others will automatically listen.

#7 - Coercive Power

Ooh... this one is about the whip. Can you wield coercive power and have credibility? Most people think not! Put it in perspective. One day, my staff were scolded over the phone by a very rich, but unreasonable customer. My business partner heard about it and called the other guy to reason with him, but ended up being insulted instead. So in return, my partner shouted at him to stop victimizing other people just to get a rise for them. If your coercive power is directed to protect those under your care, your credibility SOARS.

#8 - Reward Power

If I gave you $1000, would you like me more? Most probably! But not if I gave everyone else $10,000. Reward power has an issue in that you need to be FAIR. So as Internet marketers, we give out a ton of FREE bonuses, win clients over, then help to build a long term relationship with them. Do beware - such power is only externally motivating and doesn't always help in a long term relationship. It's just a start!

See also: