The move was as stressful as you can expect, although a big thanks goes to my friend D, for taking the kids off our hands for quite a while, and also to my sis in law who drove the massive truck down for us! She was the only one with a truck license and it was quite funny to see her tiny frame behind the massive wheel.

I have no internet access at the moment out at the farm where we are staying, so I have to come to mums house to hook me up. Hopefully I will fix that shortly after the new year so please bear with me if you’ve sent me an email and it’s taken a while to respond.

The kids are loving it here and  H can’t wait to start school on 30th Jan.

Keep an eye out in the new year for some new training courses and marketing products to help propel you all into a properous 2009!!

Have a very merry xmas and fantastic new year and wishing you all fun with your families and friends!

Em.

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – Chardonnay in one hand – chocolate in the other – body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO, What a Ride”

What about you? What are your thoughts on this??

I realise it’s not.

Well, it can be, if that’s what you believe in. But what I’m talking about it actually having faith in your beliefs. Having faith in whatever you believe in, and being honest with yourself about it.

I was always quite skeptical of ‘the secret’ when it came out. But I jumped on the bandwagon and got the movie, read the books, downloaded the audios etc, but nothing ever happened. And I realise now, that it’s because I didn’t really believe in what I was telling myself.

I have two stories I want to share with you all. One is about my father – who passed away in May this year. Well it’s a tale of the universe actually, but it concerns him…

For as long as I have been able to drive, or to even be able to look at cars in a admirable way, I’ve wanted a Suzuki Vitara. From the tiny little two door soft tops, right the way through, every time they bring out a new one, I renew my interest in the cars. And I’ve always said to myself, that I was going to have one. I never really thought about how that would happen, but I knew in my heart that I would have one (meaning that I was going to buy one. With what money I had no idea, but I was going to buy one). Anyway, my father recently got sick with an asbestos related illness and was sick for a year before he passed away. During that year, his solicitor put him into the class action suit against Hardies etc. He never saw any of his money, but both him and Mum decided to give me some to buy my new car -  A Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Now, this car will never replace my father, but it’s an example of the universe at work. So be very careful about what you dream about, and what you ask for,  because it can not always come to you in a good way.

The second story has to do with having faith. I believe Dad is around me all the time and truly looking out for me. Because I believe this, I have no problems in taking that step to get me out of my comfort zone and having faith in the decisions I make. An example of this is moving house.  After Dad passed away, we decided to pack up and go back home to the rest of our family, and give our kids the support and love of relatives and family. We had no idea how to get work(it’s a regional centre, so not a lot of work), no idea where we would live, schools for the kids etc. But, we made the decision to go, and low and behold, everything has turned out for the best.

Im amongst this, I decided to set a date for moving house. We still hadn’t sold our house, we didn’t have a place to go to, but I took that risk, believed in my faith, and made it on the 15th Dec 2008.  As of last week, we sold our house and have been able to move in with some family.

So, the motto here is to take that step – believe in yourself, your abilities, whatever it is. But trust yourself. Do it.

Don’t keep saying “when I” because nothing will ever happen. Make the decision first, and then everything will fall into place.

Do you have a similiar story to share?

Why?

Because it will only effect you if you let it! It’s not bothering me in the slightest. There are so many people out there trying to cash in on all the hype with books, magazines, new software and products designed for your business to ‘beat the recession’.

What nonsense.

New research has shown that people are willing to spend the same if not more on christmas this year. I was out at the shops yesterday and the people who were buying big was amazing. Everywhere you looked, people were buying so many luxury items and there was not a hint of a big bad global recession anywhere.

Just a load of bulldust…

Has it effected you at all?

It originally started with a joomla template, but that didn’t quite work out the way it was supposed to. With my web programmer on a well deserved month’s holiday, it was up to me and my resources to see how to fix it.

What surprised me the most was that no-one wanted to take my money and fix it! They just didn’t want to touch joomla. Some people tried to give me free advice, but the site was way too far gone for that.

I ended up getting a ‘joomla expert’ in the UK to fix one problem, which of course then caused other problems to arise!!

 I gave up a week trying to fix it, and then threw my hands in the air and put my site onto Wordpress. Take a look – http://www.divapromotions.com.au and let me know what you think.

Hats off to Ally from Web Graphics By Email who created the concept design for me. She worked with me tirelessly changing bits and pieces here and there and not complaining at all! http://www.webgraphicsbyemail.com.au Thanks Ally!!!

Please put some comments below about the site, and if there is any fuction that doesn’t quite seem to be working, or if you notice anything out of the ordinary- please tell me!!!

Listening to the loud people

Of course you should listen to your customers.

But which ones?

Should you listen to the loud ones, the ones who call the sports radio stations to complain about the pitching, the ones who post websites about your lousy service, the ones who organize nationwide boycotts? Should you listen to the angry ones, the ones with a limited vocabulary (heavy on profanity, short on spelling) who know how to use email and aren’t afraid to use it?

Or, should you listen to the customers that are the most profitable, the most loyal or the most likely to spread word of mouth among the people you want to become your customers?

Here are three common listening mistakes:

1. Believing that your customers are monolithic, that they all want the same thing.
2. Believing that loud customers speak for all customers.
3. Worrying that if you don’t satisfy short-term, loudly articulated needs, you will fail.

There’s an art here, it’s not a science. I’d focus on a few tactics:

• When someone is in pain, recognize it and address it if you can.
• You decide, not your customers, where you want to go. Lead, don’t follow.
• Amplify the voices of the people you care about, those with the most value to you in the long run. Give them a platform and make it easier for them to speak to you and the rest of the market.

And here’s one thing I’d do on a regular basis: Get a video camera or perhaps a copy machine and collect comments and feedback from the people who matter most to your business. Then show those comments to the boss and to your staff and to other customers. Do it regularly. The feedback you expose is the feedback you’ll take to heart.

Check out the first post – http://www.marketing-ideasblog.com/marketing-ideas/marketing-ideas

The basic concept is not about the money, but the process involved to set up a website or blog and to use it and social networking to get indexed with the search engines, and selling an information product.

It’s amazing how much I’ve learnt already about social networking and the instructions given are very clear. I suggest that if you have approx1/2 hour per day to spare, jump online and give it a go. Thirty Day Challenge

Very happy and pleased with myself!

The awards will be presented on Monday 18th August at Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

I’ll most definitely keep you all updated on how I go!!

Not only does it have very active forums, you can create your very own page that details who you are and how you can help. Everything is linked back to this page so people can check you out, visit your site and contact you.

The social networking buzz is taking off more now in Australia and Business Women Unite is just one way to get your business noticed.

Join today – it’s completely free!!

Emma Rhoades

Diva Promotions

They are currently running a competition where you can win $10,000 worth of business coaching! It’s for small business and soho business so go along and check it out. It’s free to enter and you just need to answer 3 quick questions.

It’s sponsored by Optus, so you will end up on their mailing list, but you never know – you just might win!!

So go along, nominate your business and then vote for your own business plus others. The popularity vote also plays a part in winning.

Good luck!!

Emma Rhoades,

Diva Promotions – www.divapromotions.com.au

P.S – whilst you are there, give Diva Promotions a vote!!

 Nowadays, Social networking sites popularity is increasing day by day like facebook, myspace, orkut, digg etc…., we can say social networking is one of the best and free ways for increase traffic on our site. Social networking is important in blogging and if you can’t do social networking then it’s a rare chance that you’ll be successful in blogging. Leaving comments and trackbacks is part of social networking. Apart from that is part of one of the popular Social news networks.

(1). Increase traffic through Friends
Friends are the heart of the social networking attitude, and when promoting content this can be a valuable tool in viral marketing. The more friends you have in your network, the more visibility you will have when promoting.
(2). Increase traffic through Blogs
Blogs are one more great way to spread the word, most blogs allow you to post nameless comments. I use these blogs to post a comment then I include a link to one of my sites. I achieve a free back link for simply commenting on a story.
(3). Increase traffic through Picture Perfect
You may not understand it, but by passing on uploading your picture, you are also passing on an opportunity to get more people clicking on your articles. Why? Well, for one, it is known that spammers never take the time to upload a picture. Second, it is called ’social’ networking and ’social’ bookmarking sites. If you are trying to be ’social’ then you should put a face to your name.

(4). Increase traffic through Profile Pages
If you are a keen online social network’s, you will have a pimped out profile page. Here are a few examples of how you can increase visibility to your content. On my profile pages at myspace.com, digg.com, linkedin.com, stumbledupon.com and yahoo.com I have links to all my social network profiles & personal projects. This does 2 things; increases my link back total to my projects and shifts visitors to my other profile pages so I get more friends! to promote your RSS feeds via your profile pages, the service displays recent RSS activity and the service is free. Another service you find interesting is myspacestats.net myspacestats.net, a service that tracks and stores your social networking traffic. The service simply puts an image on your profile and counts the total amount of visitors per day, month and year.

(5). Increase traffic through bulletin
Bulletins use your friends list, basically the more friends you have the more views your bulletins receive. Common sense! Some people use bulletins way to much and if I grasp these spammers they get deleted ASAP. So my advice is to use this angle a few times a month and keep them simple, this raw move toward keeps the bulletins friendly and not to over bearing.

(6). Increase traffic through Content
Nothing is more important than content. If you are a good writer and you write about interesting topics, you are going to do well on the social networking sites. People seem to like top 10 lists, top 20 lists, etc. I suggest that you look at digg.com to see what gets the most diggs. I have failed multiple times on getting a post digged or stumbled, even when I thought that it was the best article ever. You don’t always win.

(7) Increase traffic through clipart and screensavers
If you have some skills in this direction then try creating clipart and screensavers. Offering these for free is also a good way to get more traffic.

Finally, make sure that you are part of a few of the more popular social networking websites. These memberships will be only destined to build your own network and not of overt marketing. As your social network grows you can invite your contacts to join you on the social networking website. This should start a sequence reaction that will get them inviting their own contacts and so on. Finally your network will grow to a point where it becomes truly helpful.

Written by Cindy Battye
http://www.trafficbunnies.com
http://www.nettrafficchat.com

http://www.trafficbunnies.com
http://www.nettrafficchat.com

Article Source: http://www.therepozitory.com.au

I’ve submitted my entry form which was a mammoth task!

I’ll ensure that I keep you updated of my progress!

Wish me luck!

placed an advert showcasing your website, with the intention of getting more subscribers, only to find that you received some visitors, but very little subscriptions to your database?

If you’re still reading, them I’m guessing quite a few times!

Getting people to sign up to your database sounds pretty easy, but it’s not. You need to give them some valuable incentives for them to give you their name and email address.

The following article will show you how to get maximum subscriptions for your visitors.

Did you know that only about 1% of people will purchase on their first visit to your site?

So this means that approx 99% of your visitors will look, and then click away.

You need to get their details on this first visit so that you can remind them later on what you can offer them.

It takes the average person approx 9 times of viewing your business before they will act and purchase. This is where building a database is critical to the success of your business.

Firstly, you are going to need a capture device on your website. This is an incentive that will ‘capture’ the details of your visitors.

Incentives usually come in the form of eBooks, or Mini E-Courses, or competitions.

Some people still use the words “sign up for my newsletter”

Ask yourself this – why would you sign up to someone’s newsletter? What incentive does it give?

However, look at this sentance in comparison – “ Find out how you can make an extra $200 per month with this FREE EBook!”

Which one are you going to give your email address to???

Using Competitions

Competitions are a fantastic way of increasing your database. Most people though believe that they have to actually give one of their products away, or provide the prize themselves.

Not so.

Why not form an alliance with another complimentary business owner, and give something of theirs away? They will gain some extra exposure from your site, and you get a free prize.

Make sure the value of the prize is relevant to the exposure they will receive.

Then promote your competition everywhere and watch your database flourish!

Making the most of EBooks

eBooks can be hard to put together, however if you can write a simple article, then you can put together an eBook.

Make the topic interesting and the information valuable. If the visitor can sense value, they will have no hesitation in passing over their name and email address.

Your headline and incentive must be clear and exciting for the visitor.

Something like “ See how you can work extra hard and earn $200 per month extra” is not going to cut it.

Try something like:” Would an extra $200 per month be useful to you? FREE info on how you can earn just that!” This entices your visitors to give their details.

Then ensure you actually tell them how they can earn that $200 per month. Tell them in detail, and give them value.

Mini E-Courses for database building

A Mini E-Course is like an eBook, however the information is delivered via email, in successive days.

You will need to set up an autoresponder system, such as aweber.com

Again, your headline needs to entice people to give their name and email address in return for a e-course on how to make an extra $200 per month.

These are ideal if you want to sell an information product – you can give tidbits of information from your product, and tell them they can skip ahead in the course by purchasing the full product.

Once you start to use capture devices all over your website, you will see a massive increase in your database.  How can people resist free information that is going to help them?

I have at least 3 capture devices on my home page of my website – and all 3 generate new people on my database.

I also recently created a mini E- Course and the growth to my database has doubled! It was so easy to create – I already had the information in my head, it was a matter of putting it down into some emails!

Start writing down some pointers today, ready to turn them into an eBook or simple mini E-Course.

Or better still, contact some other business owners whose products are complimentary to yours and see if they want to join you in a promotion. You can bet that most will!

Emma Rhoades is the author of the “ Start up Marketing Kit” – marketing basics presented to you in step by step format, allowing you get promoting your business straight away. Drop by www.divapromotions.com.au/marketingkit.asp for your FREE preview.

There’s nothing that comes close to its power in online marketing.

In fact, many of the most critical elements of eBusiness are tied to it: joint ventures, newsletter publishing, automated follow-up, article distribution, free reports, autoresponder messages and eCourses, networking… the list could go on and on.

Of course, I am referring to EMAIL MARKETING. It is impossible to be successful online without some form of marketing via email.

Nothing else can boost your business like a good list and an understanding of how to use it.

You can *literally* send a mailing in the morning and earn several thousand dollars by the end of the day with email marketing.

What I want to share with you in today’s lesson is how to increase your email marketing leads, sales and profits. So, let’s get at it…

–> Develop an attention-grabbing subject line.

Russell Crowe would have never won an Academy Award for Gladiator if no one had watched the movie. Britney Spears wouldn’t have gone quadruple platinum with her latest CD if no one listened to her music.

And you ain’t gonna earn a single penny in profits from your email marketing if folks don’t read the message you send.

It’s one thing to send an email out to 50,000 prospects, it’s another thing to get any of them to read it.

And whether or not you need to start writing your Oscar acceptance speech depends upon how well you craft the “subject” line of your email promotion message.

There are three keys to writing subject lines that are so compelling that the recipient is practically forced to click and open your email.

1. Personal. There is something both attention-grabbing and exciting about seeing your name in the subject line of an email.

For one thing, we just love to see our own names. Nothing grabs our attention quicker than something that is specifically about us or for us.

And, for another, personalization *typically* means it isn’t SPAM. While some spammers do have access to databases with our names, for the most part their lists are built by harvesting emails.

So, when we see our name in the subject line, we immediately are drawn to it…

“Jimmy, here is the information you requested”
“Jimmy, I’d like to give you a free copy”
“Jimmy, did you forget about this?”

Almost every good autoresponder or email distribution system will have a “personalization” feature that will allow you to automatically insert your prospect’s name into your email messages when sending your mailings. It works like this…

A. Person joins your list through a subscription form, which captures their name and email address.

B. You insert a predetermined code (like ) that your autoresponder or mailing system provides you, into the email message.

C. The system automatically converts that tag into the actual recipient’s name before delivering the email.

Voila – you’ve got personalized emails. You can generally use these personalization features in both your SUBJECT line of the email and the BODY of the actual email message itself.

An additional attention-grabbing feature to the ‘ol subject line is to TARGET your audience. Of course, you will *always* want to send your emails to a targeted audience. I.E. Don’t send your Wrestling email to a homemakers’ list. )

For example: I recently sent a mailing out to a smaller list I have of folks who are interested in reprint rights to products. I had made reprint rights available to my new product, and I wanted to let them know about the licenses. Here are some sample subject lines that I might have used…

“New reprint rights released today…”
“Reprint rights are available…”
“Sell this new product and keep every penny”

You may receive 500 emails a day, but if you are interested in reprint rights (and you would be, or you wouldn’t be on that list) then this particular subject line is going to stand out when you download your emails.

When you combine personalization AND targeted audience, then you have a very compelling subject line…

“Jimmy, new reprint rights released today…”
“Jimmy, reprint rights are available…”
“Jimmy, sell this new product and keep every penny”

That’s an email I’ll read every time. )

2. Powerful. Another key to writing an email subject line that entices the reader to take a look at your message is to use “power words.”

A “power word” is a word that appeals to the senses. It’s been shown over and over that we do not buy based on logic, but rather on emotion. Email marketing works on that same premise.

A few “power words” include: Free, New, Exclusive, Amazing, Fast, Results, Guaranteed, Unlimited, Step-by-Step, Overnight, etc.

Etc. means “and so on.” Don’t put “etc.” in your subject line. That’s not a power word. )

“Power words” are strong motivators for reading further. Why? Because they trigger our emotions. They create curiosity. They are compelling.

So, use them.

— Sidebar —

Since I’ve mentioned something you SHOULD include in your subject line, let me also mention something that you SHOULD NOT use.

Avoid two things like you avoid an angry rattlesnake… hype and in-your-face symbols.

Don’t make outlandish claims like “Earn $50,000 overnight.” If it isn’t believable, then folks will simply delete your email without ever reading it.

And for goodness sake, don’t use “in-your-face” symbols!!!!!!! No one reads *****URGENT******* or (((((Read Now))))) or
@@@Newsflash@@@

Kind of gets the same response as that obnoxious alarm clock at five in the morning.

In other words, it’s a turn off! )

— End of Sidebar —

Another “type” of power words is a DEADLINE: 24 hours only, next 3 days, only 5 will be accepted, the first 10, etc.

Power words, especially the word “FREE” are particularly effective in getting people to read your email. Combine a power word with a deadline and you’ve got a winner.

3. Promising. The third key is to present a desirable result. Your subject line must make a promise. It must inform the reader, in that split-second that they view it, that there is something that awaits them if they read your email.

And that something must be desirable. It must be something that the reader does not want to miss out on. It must appeal to the emotions and pull the reader to the edge of their seat like they were waiting for the climax of a really good movie.

Your subject line should create expectation.

Understand this: folks don’t buy products because they want your product… they buy products because they want the result of your product. We buy exercise equipment because we want to look good. We buy candy bars because we like the taste. And we visit the dentist because we ate too many candy bars. )

We revolve around results. We work because we want the paycheck. We drive our vehicles because we want to get somewhere. We play golf because we enjoy it. We are a results-driven society.

By creating an email subject line that promises results you create expectation. Look at the difference between these two subject lines…

“Free 7-day eCourse released today…”
“Free 7-day eCourse you can obtain in 5 minutes…”

Both have a power word. Both are fairly interesting. But…

…which one creates expectation? The second one makes a promise… I can have it in 5 minutes!

This is one of the biggest keys in email marketing, and yet is often overlooked. It amazes me how many ezine publishers, for example, have this subject line…

“Bob’s Newsletter, Issue 212″

Whew, hold me back. I can’t wait to read that. )

Sure, some folks will read it anyway — especially if you have a loyal readership who knows your stuff is first rate.

But, I don’t care WHO you are, you will ALWAYS have better results with a subject line that creates expectation.

You can apply these three keys, “Personal, Powerful and Promising” to any form of email marketing you use… autoresponders, newsletters, free reports, solo mailings, joint venture offers, virtually anything to do with email marketing.

Get this right and it will be time to start working on the ‘ol Academy Awards acceptance speech for your Best Email Oscar. )

Are you ready to learn more from Jimmy D. Brown how to get your subscribers to open, read and act upon the messages you send them? Then grab your copy of Subject Line Secrets today at http://www.SubjectLineSecrets.com Not only will you find out which words trigger your readers to click on your emails, you will also get 20 proven templates you can start using right away.

Are you a “traffic juggler”?

That is, do you attempt to get traffic to your site by doing all kinds of activities ranging from SEO to PPC
listings to buying solo mailings?

In other words, do you “juggle” your traffic generation activities like multi-colored balls – never holding on to one for very long and always moving on to the next one?

As a recovering “traffic juggler” myself, I can tell you this with great certainty … you and I aren’t alone.

Sadly, most internet marketers wear the same hat. They complicate things by trying every new traffic strategy, buying ever new traffic tool and joining every new traffic program.

It doesn’t need to be that way.

In fact, what I want to suggest to you in this article will make your life a whole lot easier, and, as a direct result, will actually get more traffic to your site than ever before.

Brace yourself for a life-changing statement –

** If you have your own product to sell online, you only need to focus on ONE traffic strategy! **

Yep, you read that correctly.

Instead of trying to do a gazillion things, there is a very simple, very effective approach: focus on the ONE thing that really matters, the ONE thing that produces the greatest results, the ONE thing that will get you all the traffic you’ll ever need.

And that ONE thing is to…

** Start, Strengthen and Spread Your Own Affiliate Program*

Let’s look at that statement in 3 steps for simplicity purposes…

Step 1: *START* Your Affiliate Program.

There is one major reason why you need to start your own affiliate program that stands head and shoulders above the rest: every traffic generation concept (past, present and future) can be done FOR YOU, BY OTHERS if you have your own affiliate program in place.

Let that sink in. Chew on that for a while. It’s such a paradigm shift that most people don’t even realize the tidal-wave-like power behind the concept.

Instead of you working with PPC ads and you working on the SEO stuff and you buying the solo mailings, you can get others to do this FOR YOU as a member of your affiliate program.

So, to begin with, you need to start your own affiliate program. A great place to do this is Clickbank.com.

Step 2: *STRENGTHEN* Your Affiliate Program.

After establishing your affiliate program, it’s important to “strengthen” it. That is, you will need to train your affiliates to do all of the marketing for you. You’ll also need to provide them with marketing materials such as brandable PDF reports, articles, advertisements, banners, etc.

But, let’s take this another step.

Instead of loading some marketing and training materials to your affiliate center and leaving it up to your affiliates to figure out how to use them, why not point out how to use them?

Example: List 10 great newsletters where they can purchase solo mailings to promote your offer. Put something in there for every budget. (What a nice treat it will be when one of your aggressive affiliates purchases a $500 solo mailing to promote your offer!)

You’ll be SHOCKED to see what this one additional step can mean to your bottom line.

But, you could take it even another step further.

How about offering to personally train 10 affiliates in how best to promote your offer? You could teach one how to use ezine advertising; another how to buy PPC ads in numerous engines; still another how to distribute ezine articles.

(Here’s an idea: how about you purchase a copy of the latest traffic tool or manual for one of your affiliates and get them involved in using it to promote you?!)

Can you imagine the impact?

Step 3: *SPREAD* Your Affiliate Program.

Finally, you want to continue growing your program by recruiting more and more affiliates. As your numbers grow, so will your results.

The bottom line is simple: instead of “juggling” a bunch of different traffic ideas, a much more effective use of your time is to focus on ONE source of traffic: your own affiliate program.

Juggling is great for clowns, but lousy for internet marketers.

Don’t be a clown when it comes to your business.

Jimmy D. Brown is the author of Sales Army Secrets, the most comprehensive, creative product available on the subject of profiting from your own affiliate program.

Get a free mini-course at http://www.SalesArmySecrets.com

By Yanik Silver
www.SurefireMarketing.com

===================================

Advertising is expensive. And it costs you the same amount of money to run an ad (or mail a letter) that brings in 2 customers as one that drives in 20 customers. So that difference is in your ad (or letter).

Let’s say you’ve come up with what you think is a good ad (powerful headline, good offer, sizzling copy, etc.), now you’re ready to test.

Testing will help you:

1. Save yourself a bunch of money.

2. Improve any results you’re currently getting.

3. Stop guessing about what works.

I’d say those are some pretty good reasons to learn all about testing and how to apply it to your business. So before spending loads of money on your new ad you can (and should) do a few low-cost/no-cost tests:

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Sleep On It Test
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

First, you should let your ad sit for at least a day. Then the next day you can come back to it with new eyes and a fresher perspective. You can find errors that weren’t apparent before. Also, your chances of writing a good ad are significantly improved with rewriting. (I will rewrite an ad or letter 3, 4 or 5 times before I’m done.)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Reading Aloud Test
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I don’t know what it is about reading something aloud versus reading to yourself, but you’ll pick up lots and lots of insight into how good (or bad) your ad really is by reading it aloud. All the bumps and rough spots jump out at you.

Or a variation on this is to have someone else read it you. This is even better. As they’re reading it, you should take out a copy of the ad and make notes on it. One big advantage of this is your reader is completely impartial. They won’t stress certain phrases or words to make the meaning clearer. And if the reader is having trouble you know that’s an area to edit.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Sneaky Opinion Test
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

This test is really great. Take your ad off your printer and make a photocopy of it. Then go around to a few people who should be in your target market and say something like, “Take a look at this, I just found this in a magazine.” Key point: Do not tell people you wrote the ad because they’ll say how nice it is.

You’re gauging their response. If they say something like “Did you write this?” or “This is really good.” What that really means is your ad stinks.

But if you start hearing “Do you know how I can get this done?” or “Do you do this?” then you know you’re on to something good and ready to spend money on your test.

Opinions are great, but the only votes that really count are the ones that are paid for. The first thing you *don’t* want to do is call every newspaper, magazine, throw-away, etc. You need to start by testing small. And that means spending as little as possible to get accurate results.

=-=-=-=-=-=-
Test Small
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Joe Sugarman (He sold millions of Blu-blocker sunglasses) tells how he would test all his ads in the Southwestern edition of the Wall Street Journal. Because this was the cheapest and smallest edition of the Journal to test.

That way he was able to read results quickly and then decide whether or not to ‘roll-out’ to other editions. So how can you apply this information to your business?

Easy.

Let’s say you’ve been running ads in your local paper. Well, usually newspapers have zoned editions based on postal codes. So instead of paying for your ad to appear in the entire circulation, you simply put it in one of the cheapest and most representative zones available.

And by tracking the response (using a specific phone#, person, extension#, etc.) you can safely predict what results you’ll get once you go out to the entire circulation.

One more point: It’s better to run your test ad in a daily paper instead of a monthly magazine. Simply because you can ascertain information more quickly.

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Don’t Fall For Your Ad Rep’s Traps
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You cannot multiply zero. That means if there is no life in your ad — kill it before it drains more money and time from you.

Don’t listen to your media rep’s b.s. about repetition and getting discounts for multiple insertions. Remember, these guys have no clue about how to create advertising that works. If they did, they’d be running ads in their own magazines and making tons of money.

Infomercial marketers realize this point. Imagine spending $100,000.00 to produce one single 30 minute spot and then buying $400 – $1,000 in media to test it out. That’s whatbinfomercial companies do.

They know if the phones aren’t ringing after a couple of TV spots — they’re definitely not going to ring if they throw tens of thousands of dollars in media at it, either.

Follow these tips and you’ll be able to save a lot of money plus increase response. Just test until you come up with a winner and then keep running it!

(c) Surefire Marketing, Inc.

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Yanik Silver is recognized as the leading expert on
creating automatic, moneymaking websites…and he still
doesn’t know how to put up a website.

He is the author, co-author or creator of several best-
selling online marketing books and tools, which can be
found at http://www.SurefireMarketing.com/?52513
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Firstly – what is a database? A database is where you store all of your clients names, emails and details and also your potential clients. This is where you put your leads’ information so that you can contact them later.

You use your database to collect details of your website visitors. Generally people need to see your business or your products 5-7 times before they will act upon buying. Most of the time, people will not buy off your site on the first visit. So your main purpose of your website should actually be to capture these visitors’ details so that you can email them later with specials, great offers etc.

How do you do that? You use capture devices. A capture device is normally in the form of an ebook, or competition and people still to this day use “sign up for my newsletter” (why would I want to do that???) make your capture device exciting – let potential visitors know that you have something free to give them if they just enter their first name and email address in this little box…

Hey presto – you have a database!

Then you can use your marketing efforts to contact these people again to convert them from leads to sales!

More information on capture devices in the brand new Start Up Marketing Kit – Get yours today!.

Emma Rhoades
Diva Promotions
t:1300 76 36 76
e: admin@divapromotions.com.au
w: www.divapromotions.com.au

Just Launched…. “Start up Marketing Kit“…. All of your marketing resources and tools in the one kit!

You will see the elements in this contain my name, my Business name, my phone, web and email contact details. This is so the reader has quick access to contact me if they need to clarify something in the email itself. Ensure you put clear contact details in your signature.

You will also see a small ‘tag line’ at the end of the signature. This helps to inform potential clients about new services they might not yet know about. It also provides a link back to my website therefore increasing visitors.

Using an email signature helps to build brand awarness and promotes brand recognition and reinforcement. It also helps to convey a professional image for your business.

Whether or not to use html or plain text is a common question and is best answered by you thinking about the receiver of your emails. Are they tech savvy? Do they microsoft outlook, or web based email? Often going plain text is the safest, however the most boring option! Try both and send a few emails and get some feedback as to how it’s being received.

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

Well, no longer with the New Diva Promotions Start Up Marketing Kit!

Find out how to:

• Gain new ideas for free/low cost marketing which will help to grow your business whilst keeping your overheads tiny – which will get you in front of your competition!
• Understand the benefits of building strategic alliances, and how using this strategy can keep you in the loop in the business community, so you are always first to know of new opportunities!
• Realise how to track and monitor your advertising and marketing strategies, so you can chuck out what’s not working and keep those initiatives that are, allowing you to keep those extra profits!
• No longer be frustrated at how complicated marketing is! You can follow a step by step system that will allow you to build your foundation as you move through the marketing concepts

Available at an introductory price of only $27!!!

Click on the image to go and order now!

Happy Marketing!!

How can you protect your identity and that of your business when moving into this marketing medium?

1) Always be suspicious! Before giving away some personal details, ask yourself why they need it. Do some more digging.

2) Always remember your password! Don’t write it down online anywhere, or keep it near any other related documents. Make your password something you can remember and always destroy emails containing passwords – or change them asap.

3) Don’t put personal information on the web. Simple really. What is the first question a business will ask you if you have lost your password? You can bet it’s one of: Mothers maiden name, birthday, street address, dogs name. If you have this info anywhere online, all a fraudster needs to do is click on one of those “Forgotten your password?” links.

4) Don’t put anything up that you wouldn’t want your grandmother seeing. I remember a story about a teacher who put a photo up of her drinking. This action got her fired from her job. Why? Because her employer saw it, and she was only a student teacher at the time, and underage. A prospective business owner will more than likely check out to see if you have a facebook or myspace profile before working with you, so keep it professional.

5) Remember this golden rule – if someone walked up to you in the street and asked you for your street address, would you give it? If someone asked you to walk behind a building because they have some fantastic wares selling cheaply, would you go? Use this same commensense when it comes to online networks.

6) Don’t put it up, thinking you can always take it down. Search engines cache a page, and someone might have already seen it, and pasted it around the net for others. Best bet – just don’t put it up.

Have fun venturing into the world of Social Media, and just remember to use your commonsense!!

Joan Stewart is the Publicity Hound, and is now the resident PR expert on Entrepreneur.com. She also a former newspaper editor and a small business owner, so she knows her stuff!

How to create a Media Plan is an 8 part course that will teach you all about a 12 month media plan, blogging, podcasting, how to manipulate story ideas, using social media to spread your message, targeting TV & Radio, how to follow up plus the most amazing tips on what to do and what not to do!

If you are really serious about doing your own PR and publicity – then this course is just what you have been waiting for – plus, you can do it from your own home!! Check out the rave reviews!

Plus, there are so many other ebooks on the Publicity Hound – take the time to read through the tips and sign up for the weekly publicity tips.

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

If you’ve not heard of a Mums Night Out yet, let me introduce you to it. Run by Amanda (aka Mad Cow) from Real Mums, the night is soley for mums to go out and have a good time – kid free!

This latest event is in support of the Womens Domestic Violence Crisis Service and you can find the information on it here.

Want to know more about Real Mums? Visit ther site today to mix with other mums who are more than real -they’re amazing!

You can take a look at it at www.divapromotions.com.au/essentialbusinessguide.pdf

A big thankyou goes to the contributers and the distributers of the guide. You can find a copy at:

www.freebusinesstips.com.au

www.mumsinbusiness.net

www.jacaranda-business-support.com

www.beautybanquet.com.au

www.themessydesk.com.au

For those who aren’t aware of the guide and what it is: It’s a business start up guide, full of articles and advice from those who have walked the start up path and survived. They are sharing their knowledge and secrets with you and best of all – it’s FREE! So grab a copy today!

Thanks again for the help given to me by Alison Basson-Mums in business, Donna-Marie Coggins – Jacaranda Business Support and Beverley Neil- D’Scriptive Words. I will forever be grateful for your time and your help!

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

 Facebook is a social networking tool that can be used to help build your business. There are many different paid advertising avenues with facebook, however none more important than building an expert status, plus some great google love!! And, this is free!

Simply come along, join the group, post a link back to your URL!

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

 Congratulations to Vicki from Bubble Bubs!! Vicki has won 120 personalied choc bite bars, valued at $75. Courtesy of Lisa at Moments in Chocolate.

Celebrate your special moments with Personalised Chocolate Bars.Our lives are full of moments. Moments bring us joy. Moments can forever remain memories. Celebrate all of them.

Wedding coming up? Birthday party perhaps?
Maybe you want to promote your Business?
Or send out a chocolate Birth Annoucement?
Whatever the occasion, Moments in Chocolate have something available for you.

Congratulations Vicki and enjoy!!!

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

And many of us have our own way of managing, coping, whatever you want to call it! We all have different aged kids and some are at school, whilst others are still babies.

So how do we do it? I must admit, not very elegantly!!! I know sometimes my washing sits on the futon waiting to be folded for a day or two (sometimes 3- eek!!) and the kids just come out take some clothes and go.  But I justify this with ” I’m busy making money!!”

Then it’s the TV- yes unfortunately, I use this contraption way too much.  But how I love Playschool….

At the moment, my kids go to kindy for 2 days a week and it is in this time that I get the bulk of my work done. It’s my quiet time to research and plan my business. The other days I just work in my business, answering emails, writing invoices, organising advertising etc.

It can be challenging at times, when you have a business to run, kids to feed, clothes to wash, floors to clean, hubby that needs attention and don’t forget the dog!!

I have one word that I am growing very fond of…

…outsourcing…

So, how do you do it??

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

 Apparently the figure has grown, but is still only 30%! 

And the statistic incorporates those who have a ‘web presence’- either their own website, or listed on someone elses.

That shows that there are still so many businesses out there who are not on the web as yet. Considering the growth of the internet, and the many capalibities for communication, this spells disaster for business growth!!

I wonder when they will start to realise the potential of the internet and what it can do for their business. For those of us who have an online business, now is the time to shine and charge forward, leaping in bounds ahead of these other businesses who somehow refuse to embrace todays technology!

All the best,

Emma.

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

The office will be closed from Friday 21st through to Monday 7th January, however emails will still be checked at times.

It’s been fantastic working you all this year and I look forward to doing so again in the New Year!

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

This is not the first feedback like this that we’ve had in regards to our birth.com.au campaign. There have been at least two other businesses that have experienced positive results from this campaign.

Congratulations Kelly and I hope the New Year brings lots more business and growth to you!!

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

Christmas is just around the corner, and we can’t wait!! Business has died down a little and it seems that people have been on holidays whilst at work for well over a week now!! I seem to get the lazy email response, and the no-one in the office when I call response….

It appears that we wait all year just so we can slack off at work and have an excuse!! Well, not entirely at Diva Promotions……

We’ve unfortunately had to say no to a couple of clients this year and one more recently who offered us a very outstanding opportunity to really propel Diva Promotions into the New Year. Why did we say no??

A few reasons- the first is due to the new services that we will be offering in the new year. We are just finalising the research now and will have some exciting news after the holiday break.

The second was due to time. What we were asked to do was terribly time consuming and it meant then that we wouldn’t have the time necessary to see through the growth stages of the above services we will be rolling out.

The third was a combintion of the above- we are just not ready, growth wise yet to take on such projects. So, how do we get ready???

By taking on an employeee(or contractor). Wow!! Big things! But we recognise an area that needs to be fulfilled and it’s incredibly frustrating that we are just not quite there yet.

All I can say is bring on 2008!! Diva Promotions is dusting off the wings (or maybe getting ready to attach some!) and about to fly sky high and I can’t wait!!!

 Have a fantastic holiday to all!!!

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.

As for Diva Promotions, well I’ve been madly working in the evenings to get my new services up and running for the new year as well. I won’t elaborate too much here except to say they concern: joint ventures, Ebooks and Newsletters.

I can’t wait to have this xmas break and visit the family again. Dad is doing ok- they’ve stopped his chemo as he was getting too sick and is just giving him a more specialised form- directly targeted at asbestos victims. The inlaws have recently bought a hobby farm and have sheep, ducks and are about to get some cattle on it. Liana will be in her element when we visit!!

Bring on the holidays!!

Diva Promotions- not just advertising.