Last month, two of my team members had an opportunity to go to Monrovia, Liberia to work on a project intended to save lives of those in the malnourished and HIV-stricken country. Chris Harper, my Video Producer, and Sarah Jane Griesemer, VP of Project Management, accepted the call to go to Liberia and meet the needs of people through a project called The Peanut Butter House. What they experienced during their week-long trip was undoubtedly... Continue Reading

If you've been following my blog for the past few months, you'll know that I am being extremely selective when it comes to endorsing products that are not my own. I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon and promote a product just because everyone else is. So you can be sure that when I DO endorse a third-party product or service, it is of great value. Continue Reading

While viewing my Twitter stream, I encountered a tweet from an associate that included an expletive. We're talking the F-bomb. I've heard this person speak before and I was reminded of how often he cursed in a keynote before thousands of people. While I have great respect for this indivdual and what he has accomplished, I couldn't help but wonder if he knew how much of his audience he was alienating. I put out a... Continue Reading

Do you have your cell phone handy? Stop what you are doing and go get it because I want to show you something very cool. I am going to give you a look into the future... the very NEAR future. In fact once you begin to understand the possibilities of what I am going to demonstrate, you are going to be excited! And it is going to keep you awake tonight. But it's going to... Continue Reading

People are so predictable. A new trend surfaces and there are those that immediately begin to capitalize on it. Being on the lookout for "the next big thing" is fine. But what do you do when you discover it? For some people, they engross themselves in the new thing and learn the ins and outs so they can speak from experience. For others, it's all a matter of discovering how they can position themselves as... Continue Reading

I'm going to try something new. Typically, I write articles designed to inspire or educate. Occasionally I'll discuss a product or service I think you'll find valuable. And from time to time I share a little bit of my own life with you. I have an idea for a weekly "roundup" of sorts that I'll use to discuss things that are happening with me, my business, in the industry or whatever else crosses my mind... 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

The world is changing. But you don't need me to tell you that. The Internet of today is a far cry from the one I launched my first site on fifteen years ago. Technology has made major advances, meeting needs of many, and exposing other needs yet to be met. Just in the past few years, the way we market products and services online has changed. Continue Reading

We are living in challenging times. If you are not feeling the economic pinch, you at least know others who are. Some blame the politicians, both Republicans and Democrats. Others blame the legal system. And many wag their finger at corporations who have failed to serve the customer in lieu of their own desire to become wealthy. Regardless, the end result is that unemployment is up and more people are having a difficult time making... Continue Reading

As a blogger, I frequently share my opinion on a number of topics. That sometimes includes current events or newsworthy items. However, I never put myself forth as a journalist. While I prefer to have my facts straight, I must confess that I don't always get it right. But I believe those who report news have a much bigger obligation to accurately report stories. Don't you agree? I can't tell you how many times I... Continue Reading

If you are an expert in your niche, there are those who will seek out your wisdom. Your blog is a great place to share your knowledge. Provide value for your readers and you are more likely to be bookmarked and earn repeat visits. Keep providing value and you'll find yourself with raving fans. The same thing goes for social media sites. Twitter, Facebook and others provide many opportunities to share your expertise. But your... Continue Reading

Though some people have labeled me as a visionary, I am incapable of predicting the future. And while I happen to latch on to hot trends before the curve, it doesn't mean I have a working crystal ball. Let's face it. I have no idea what is going to happen next. So how exactly do you know what your customer wants? There is a way. And it's actually not complex. It's not rocket science. Continue Reading

A lot of people were surprised when I brought out iFart. Until then, I was best known as an AdSense expert. I'd written a book that explained how to make money out of content by putting Google's ads next to them. It was serious stuff with serious results, but it took serious effort to make it work. So I follow that up with... an electronic whoopee cushion? Continue Reading

It's been said that the only difference between men and boys are the price of their toys. I don't know if that's still true, but I do know that I've always been into gadgets. Raised on video games (I remember when Space Invaders and PacMan showed up next to pinball machines), I've always had a thing for electronics. I owned the first cartridge-based video game system that didn't require overlays on your television screen. This... Continue Reading