As you know, I've been building websites since 1995. I've always been a big fan of creating content-rich sites that bring value to others. That's why I have always spoken against creating spammy sites designed to game the search engines. It's not a good model for building a long-term business. I've sold a number of my sites over the years. In 1998, Yahoo! purchased my multiplayer game site, ClassicGames.com. Today you know it as Yahoo... Continue Reading

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

Email lists are arguably an online marketer's best friend. They provide direct lines of communication to people who have already given you a vote of confidence, either by opting in to receive your updates, purchasing a product from you, or both. So how do you get a great email list if you are just starting out? And if you have been in the online business for awhile, how do you build yours and grow it... Continue Reading

You are probably catching on to the fact that I am not promoting many products these days. That's because most products and services coming out are not worth promoting. When you see the proliferation of traffic products, social media products, list building products and all the other rehashed same-old, same-old coming out, I'm sure you'll agree that there aren't many original ideas out there right now. So when I DO have something to share with... Continue Reading

Every few years we're told that the music industry is finished as some new technology moves faster than the record labels. And every few years we're told that marketing through email is over as viruses and spam fill inboxes. Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Tim Golen) Twitter grows more popular each and every day and more and more users are discovering it and putting it to use. Since the beginning, Twitter has struggled to meet this demand and it has been a big challenge for them to not only meet the current demand that their users have, but also to provide additional value to those users. One of the reasons that I have been reluctant... Continue Reading

The Internet has made life so much easier in so many ways. Think of all the time you save now that you don't have to stand in line at the bank or the post office, or shop in real stores. So what do you do with all of that time that the Internet saves you? Chances are you spend it...on the Internet. Great as the Internet is, it can be quite a time sink. Here... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Tim Golen) WordPress is by far the most popular content management system on the Web right now. Every day new plugins are being developed, improved, or added. Plugins are a way for you to add additional functionality to your blog according to your needs. I will be discussing some of the most beneficial plugins that you should install on your WordPress site. Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Jared Newgent) 'Bots and Spiders?? Oh my... Continue Reading

There has been a lot of discussion and controversy related to tactics marketers use to get people to take action. Much of the controversy is related to a method called "forced continuity." This is where buyers will sign up for a trial or shipping-only price offer, and end up in a monthly billing program that they may or may not be aware of. Over the years I have seen it all. There's nothing wrong with... Continue Reading

It's great to see how Twitter has grown in the time I've been using it. But what's really impressive is the way that people are using it. Sure, there are spammers leaping on hashtags and trying to attract attention but they're a minority. And they're easily blocked. For the most part, people are using Twitter the way it should be used: as a way of building a community, broadcasting a brand and making valuable connections. Continue Reading

How did Facebook ever get to be so big? Honestly, the site is chock full 'o so much garbage that it has become the new MySpace. But beyond all the stupid vampire and zombie games, there is a solid social media site that can be useful for businesses. For over a year, I have peaked at my 5000 friend limit. However, people close their accounts or unfriend me from time to time. So I've always... Continue Reading

The Internet has made life so much easier in so many ways. Think of all the time you save now that you don't have to stand in line at the bank or the post office, or shop in real stores. So what do you do with all of that time that the Internet saves you? Chances are you spend it...on the Internet. Great as the Internet is, it can be quite a time sink... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Jon Carroll) Social bookmarking is one of the hottest trends in social networking. It is a great way to make more contacts with people, and content that makes the front page of social bookmarking sites can be a windfall of traffic for your site. Continue Reading