There is a lot that goes into running your online business. SEO, shopping carts, web design, social media promotions, information products, building an email list, and on and on. It can be tempting to get wrapped up in all of these things, and there is no denying that they are all very important to your business. But oftentimes people get so focused on and distracted by these things that they lose sight of what is... Continue Reading

If you look around at successful online businesses, you will see many things that they all have in common. Maybe they have a good design, have a well-written blog, convincing sales pages, or some combination of these and other characteristics. But many successful sites an businesses share another characteristic: they know and take advantage of the power of a unique business idea. Because let's face it, you can have all the other pieces in place... Continue Reading

Whether you have already started your online business or are still just thinking about it, ignoring reality can be an effective strategy for getting to where you want to be. Successful businesspeople are visionaries - they see themselves and their businesses a certain (successful) way, long before they have actually achieved any kind of success. You've heard the saying "Fake it 'til you make it"? That's what we're talking about here. Here are some ways... Continue Reading

Carpe Diem, goes the phrase. Literally translated "Seize the Day" from Latin, I first became familiar with the term from the film Dead Poets Society. While the film had a depressing twist, I am coming to understand more and more the need to take hold of the moments in our lives. It seems like just yesterday that my son was born. I remember changing that first poopie diaper as though the smell still lingers in... Continue Reading

If your online business includes a blog (and it should), and especially if that blog is envisioned as one of the main ways you will make money and pull in readers / customers, then we need to talk about keeping things fresh. Coming up with content on a regular basis is probably going to be challenging if you've never done it before, and it's probably going to be tempting to just fill up the space... Continue Reading

Sitting down to have a conversation with someone who is an expert in your niche or field of interest makes for a great blog post or article for your site. Not only are you exposing your readers to this knowledgeable person they may not know about, but you are also giving yourself the opportunity to learn things you didn't know and possibly to even find a mentor for you and your business. But don't just... Continue Reading

When was the last time you called your congressman to weigh in on an issue? When was the last time you participated in one of those surveys conducted by the national chain restaurants? You know the ones where they ask you to call in and reward you with a free appetizer or dessert. And when was the last time you left a comment on a blog? The truth is most of us never take the... Continue Reading

WordPress and AdSense can be a little tricky, especially when you account for how much things can change with every new theme. We are going to show you a fool-proof way to get your AdSense code into your WordPress blog. (If you are looking for a really fool-proof way, check out the Socrates Theme, which comes with AdSense already built in.) Some of you will already know an easier way. The problem is, those easy... Continue Reading

There's a very disturbing trend taking place in the Internet marketing world. I am specifically referring to the Infoproduct "make money online" niche. I've had one foot in this market for the past few years, but I am increasingly dismayed by what I see happening. I say "one foot" because my products and services are very diverse and most are not in the IM niche. However, it's time someone came forward to draw a line... Continue Reading

To someone who's never built a website, never tried to run a blog, never done more than leave a comment at the bottom of an article, becoming an online entrepreneur can look a little scary. It continues to look scary right up until they try it. Continue Reading

What if we presented websites like movies? Every website would need a movie trailer telling people what was to come. It would have to be dramatic and voiced by some guy that you would be afraid to meet in a dark alley. In the first of my experiments with Fiverr.com, I found this listing... I will do a "movie trailer" style voiceover for your website/podcast/business, etc... for $5. I paid my $5 and the provider... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Alan Bechtold) To make compelling offers and to create sizzling copy that sells those offers effectively, you must enter the conversation already going on in your ideal prospects' minds. This is an edict that's been passed down through generations of successful direct marketing masters. It's never been proven wrong. Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Chris Harper) In a previous article, I explored the ideas behind teaser videos. This time I want to look at the next step - pre-launch videos. Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Sarah Beek) Meetup.com is the perfect confluence of online social networking and in-person social networking. Social networking websites are great, but they really can't compete with the power of meeting and connecting with someone in person. Actual social networking solidifies relationships and often seals real business deals. That is why we recommend conferences so highly. But if you don't have a couple of grand lying around to attend a conference right... Continue Reading