I recently wrote a few articles that created quite a bit of response from my readers. Where is the Integrity in Internet Marketing? challenged many of the all-too-common tactics used by unscrupulous marketers. I invited my readers to share their thoughts and experiences related to these issues, and the comments that followed were both insightful and instructional. Let's face it. When it comes to selling a product or service, marketing approaches are all over the... Continue Reading

"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1 Nothing lasts forever. Change is inevitable. Over the past fifteen or so years I have created dozens of websites, products, services and applications that run the gamut of new media. Content sites, information products, member sites, web-based software, iPhone applications, mobile marketing platforms, entertainment sites and more. During that time I have had some tremendous successes and some... Continue Reading

Providing your audience, customers, and potential customers with free, valuable information is a cornerstone of running an online business. If you give enough stuff away for free, and make sure that that stuff is high-quality and indicative of your high standards, then enough people are going to want to pay you to get to the rest of what you know that you will be able to make a nice living from your online income. One... Continue Reading

I'm trying to blog regularly for a number of reasons. First, it keeps me sharp. Blogging on a regular basis makes me think about things that are important to me. Second, it allows me to share with others. Whether or not you agree with what I say, think, feel or believe, my articles are an extension of my self. Third, it keeps my blog healthy with the search engines. Google and the other engines like... Continue Reading

Earlier this year I received a Facebook message from a person representing a well-known author and speaker who has done quite well in the infomercial space. I was told their group was interested in meeting with me to explore the possibility of creating an infomercial that would feature me and teach people about the opportunity for making money on the Internet. Now I have received calls similar to this many times before. Usually it turns... Continue Reading

I received an email solicitation today to take part in an alleged competition that is due to take place starting in October. It's called (brace yourself...) "The Internet Marketing World Cup" (goooooooooalllll!) It is likely you will be hearing more about this in the future so I thought it would be interesting to dissect it and share some thoughts. Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Joel Ownby) The acronym CPA stands for cost per acquisition, which is when an advertiser puts together an offer and makes that offer available on an affiliate network that in turn brokers it to its publishers. In this relationship, the advertiser pays the CPA network for every lead or sale delivered, the network takes a small cut and then pays the publisher that made the acquisition. Publisher - The individual or... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Alan Bechtold) This is a continuation of last week's article on getting inside the minds of your customers and prospects. 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

When Chitika brought out its Premium units in 2008, it did something unique. And a bit selfish. The company raised its conversion rate by filtering out those users who were least likely to buy. Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Carrie Wilkerson) I know just enough to be dangerous. Seriously. Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Andrew Krzysiak) If you're like me and the vast majority of users, you have established your web presence through a combination of sites like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Coroflot. I love these sites because they allow me to interact with my family, friends, coworkers, and other professionals in a way that simply isn't possible on my own website. This realization leaves me wondering, "Why do I need a personal website, and... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Joel Ownby) If you are serious about starting an online business, then you should realize that just like a traditional brick-and-mortar company, an investment of time and money is almost always required. We aren't talking about going to the bank and taking out loans here, but we are talking about a lot of sweat and small monetary investments over time. The strategy discussed in this article is one avenue that you... Continue Reading

If you are a small to medium-sized business that can deliver a physical product at a reduced (or matched) cost locally, then you must consider implementing a serious local search campaign. I would urge you to take a serious look at any funds in your marketing plan allocated to radio, television, or any other form of non-direct response marketing and consider using at least some of those funds for a well-planned local search effort. Continue Reading