2010 April | The Cory Alan Marketing Blog

Video marketing is where it’s at. With its preferred search engine ranking and ability to share a message and hold a prospects attention in today’s world of click and send communication, video marketing has become very popular. To capture a viewer’s attention today your message must entice with Voice, Visual, and Audio. This is the way to grab and hold their attention long enough to share your message. Video presentation mlm is the answer.

Making a video is not that much different than a presentation you create in an email, article or even present in front of a group. So when you are drafting your video scripts remember to use the same tools that you would for any great presentation.

Structure your video script like any presentation you would make – but now add the power of sound, text and imagery.

I read an interesting piece in a book by John David Mann, The Zen of MLM. The piece, “Secrets of a Great Presentation”, originally appeared in June 2001 as an epilogue to The Master Presentation Guild, by Jan Ruhe. In it Jan explains that in order to make a great presentation, you need to make sure it will sing and dance, laugh and cry, and tell a truth in a powerful way. These are all key elements in video presentation mlm training.

MAKE IT SING

Avoid being dull by using variation in pitch and volume from high to low and loud to soft. The ebb and flow of your story and message needs to pattern itself after a good movie; where the music intensifies just before the scene climaxes. Remember, too, “white space” in an article is powerful – so is a magnificent pause just before a punch line. The greatest storytellers make more impressions with what they don’t say – by using silence in their speech.

MAKE IT DANCE

Here I’m referring to images the audience makes in their minds, not the rhythm of your words. Images are best created when the audience is given contrary examples: I was once lost, now I am found; I was blinded by fear, but now I can see. The classic salesman’s tool of feel-felt-found approach is another way of speaking with rhythm. (I know how you feel Carol, I used to feel the same way until I discovered different, and here is what I found…) That approach always makes your presentation dance.

MAKE IT LAUGH AND CRY

Most presentations I hear today include this part — a good before and after experience. The beginning is where you hear how they were broke or even homeless; and now they are financially abundant and secure. Before and after stories are great, but try to pull more details in so that the audience can imagine more vividly. This is the way to draw the pain and joy that are the two most distinct emotions you share with the audience. They too desire to enjoy pleasure and avoid pain.

Back to the before and after story; if the before includes an explanation of how you felt not being able to send your son on a weekend camping trip that was attended by all his school mates – to then, years later, your son wins a prestigious award as the top pupil in a private school you are now able to afford. That would make your presentation “laugh and cry.”

MAKE IT TRUTH “FULL”

Be in the present. Don’t repeat a “canned presentation” that you have done a hundred times. To be in the present is when you share a topic that can be something you know inside and out or something you are just learning, but what’s key is to share what it means to you TODAY. Your only goal here is to convey the most valuable single point that would benefit the audience now. By being current, you can draw on recent experiences as well as long acquired knowledge all with an open mind. This is being truth “full” and makes a good presentation — great!

The single best way to become a better presenter in your videos – is to make more videos. Try out some of the video presentation mlm skills shown here next time you script a video. You may be surprised how much more effective you videos become. The system I use to promote all my videos is part of a platform that also includes ongoing mlm training to help master many more marketing strategies.

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Curiosity Killed the Discomfort

When you have an associate you’re trying to help with mlm training and you know they have good people skills and really love the product you’re representing, but s/he’s not experiencing much success; what’s the best thing to do? If you ask, “How are things going?” or “Having any luck with the phone marketing campaign we all started?” You may hear, “That hasn’t worked for me.” When someone says this, more times than not, they’re not making the calls.

The reason they’re not making the calls is because it feels awkward and uncomfortable. A lack of confidence may be rooted from rejection they’ve experienced in the past or a feeling that they don’t “know all the answers”. Bottom line is that fear is keeping them from picking up the phone. How does network marketing training address this?

There are many reasons why we feel uncomfortable making phone calls, but generally feeling uncomfortable comes when one is thinking about himself.

Your fear is centered on not having the answers and getting cold responses like, “Gosh, that sounds expensive,” or “I’ve tried something like that before and it didn’t work.” You feel like no amount of enthusiasm you spew, data or facts you list, or even testimonials you present will convince them.

One main reason is all these approaches are coming from the “me” point of view via telling the prospect what you feel or think, what you have experienced, or what you have observed. The way to turn this around, and take all the discomfort out of the conversation – is curiosity. Everyone is innately curious. It’s part of our DNA and we all have it. That’s why a crazy headline on the grocery store tabloid sells more copies. We are curious.

So the key is to let go of all your fearful, self-doubting thoughts prior to dialing and renew your own curiosity. Think of questions to ask. Who is this person? What is their situation? What problems are they possibly concerned with? What ideas to they have to solve their problems? All of this sets you up to be in the “Curious Mode” which allows for a much more pleasing and productive conversation.

I have a great mlm training standby tip that I always share with my associates — don’t hang up the call until you know at least one more personal fact about the individual – even if you’ve talked to them before. I know that it’s important to build relationships and not to let my enthusiasm and agenda overpower the conversation. By having this rule, not only do I find that I am a better listener, but I also have something to jot down in their profile. Then, next time I call, I make an appropriate nod to that tidbit of information (So how was your son’s birthday party?) and they know I remember them and immediately were BOTH right at ease. This is a fundamental truth I share in network marketing training.

When you ask questions the other person feels valued and knows you’re genuinely interested in them. Keep your knowledge and information in the background and let your curiosity lead the conversation. You will find this simple mlm training approach will kill the discomfort of making calls. I use a system to manage all my marketing efforts and it also includes ongoing education for my network marketing training.

Filed under: Marketing Blog — Tags: Cory Alan, mlm training, network marketing training, top lead generation system — Cory Alan on April 21, 2010 @ 2:19 PM

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Allure of Network Marketing – Anyone Can Do It!

One of the most attractive traits of the Network Marketing Industry is our allure. The great Allure of Network Marketing and owning a Home Based Business is often the fact that any ordinary person can do it. That it offers an even playing field no matter where you come from, what skills you have or lack, that if your “dream” is strong enough – yes YOU an ordinary person — can reap wealth and success.

Many of the leaders you see in the Industry, even on stage, appear to be just like you and I. Are they truly just ordinary people, or is there something they aren’t telling us? The effectiveness of the “rags-to-riches” story they tell is magnified best if they are seen by their potential followers as just an ordinary guy that after finding this great opportunity, his life transforms to one of opulence, power, prestige and a lot of money.

Critics will justify their stories by saying, “They were in the right place at the right time,” or they “just got lucky.” This is not true.

What I believe to be true is that luck was not part of the equation. Timing may have made the road traveled slightly easier at the time, but this is all very hard to detect by the time you see them up on stage as a Leader sharing their journey to wealth.

The myth that ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things in this industry may not to be the complete story either. I believe that ordinary people find this industry and something inspiring happens.

The Allure of Network Marketing can be fueled by the desire to change one’s life, to escape a world of debt, or to finally realize the admiration of others and silence the long-instilled voices of self-doubt — something happens — then they partner with a person they admire, get invaluable mlm training, and join an organization that makes them feel like they belong. See, after one believes success is possible, then all that is required is the determination to stick it out, allowing the miracle to happen before you leave the room.

So do ordinary people accomplish extraordinary success in Network Marketing?

Think not.

What is more accurate, is that ordinary people discover Network Marketing and stop holding themselves back and allow the exceptional person within to come out. And that exceptional person, in all of us – accomplishes extraordinary feats in the industry.

Allow yourself the opportunity to put your prior beliefs behind and use the Allure of Network Marketing to transform yourself into the exceptional person you truly are. This journey is best served by placing yourself in an environment of meeting people on the same path and a system to support your mlm training to acquire and nurture your Leadership potential.

Filed under: Marketing Blog — Tags: Allure of Network Marketing, Cory Alan, mlm training, Network Marketing Allure, network marketing training, top lead generation system — Cory Alan on April 19, 2010 @ 5:20 PM

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How to Write MLM Ad – Copywriting Tips

Your written word is essential to attracting Prospects. Not only will it determine the success of your marketing efforts, it will also affect the quality or “readiness” of your potential prospects. Learning how to write mlm ad copy and basic copywriting tips will dramatically increase your results. Think about it – your first impression with most prospects is some written word, ad, email, solo ad, Ezine, Website, Capture page, Podcast… you get the idea!

There are vast amounts of excellent information about copywriting and ways to use the written word to promote your business, thoughts or opinions, or yourself, all with the intention of having the prospect or reader take some type of action. This is not surprising considering effective writing is one of the most significant elements of on-line marketing. I suggest that you absorb tips on how to write mlm ad copy as much as you can. And as you collect different pointers, try to use them in everything you do to market yourself.

Before I share copywriting tips and common mistakes people make, here’s a trick I use to write an MLM ad. I have learned to “review my list”. My list of copywriting tips that is. Then after I draft an email or write an MLM ad, I refer to the list of pointers to confirm that I have met the key points. It’s a great way to make sure I stay consistent.

Remember, you want your copy to sell. Your written word should convince and persuade the reader to act. It’s all selling and the best way to get better at it, is to do it, a lot. Regardless of a book of rules or your innate talent, to master the art of copywriting you have to practice.

Here are some tips to follow:

1. WRITE COPY that’s effective, which means considering what your customer or prospect is thinking. To draw them in will require you to identify with them or their thoughts.

Headline is the most imperative, then sub-headline. The headline should answer the reader’s question, why do I care, what’s in it for me, why are you bothering me…?

In the body make sure you cover “Credibility” and why YOU or your products are the choice they should make.

Guarantees are very important especially if you are marketing on the Internet. If you cannot offer a guarantee for your product, service or advice then maybe you need to be finding “something” new to sell! Long term success and low refund rates are based on under promoting and over providing to your customer!

2. PROMOTION is another great way to grab attention and persuade using results.

Case studies relevant to what you are promoting are great. If you don’t have any yet, borrow from your industry, upline, etc.

Offers should be clearly stated, be direct about what you want the reader, prospect to do. It’s always best to include a deadline when the offer will no longer be available, beneficial or cost effective – if they don’t act now.

Storytelling is always a good selling strategy. Stories are easier to read, more memorable, and convincing. Separate points, leave some white space on the page, and keep the text more interesting to the reader’s eye.
FOUR of the top ten points to ensure strong ad copy:

- Tell the whole story. Make sure that you share enough information for readers to make a decision or at least to take the next indicated step you are asking of them.

- Leave open space. Be sure to use the most valuable technique–leave white space on the page keeping the presentation easy to read and more appealing.

- Give direction. Clearly state how the readers can easily take action.

- Make it meaningful. Remember that emotion sells more than any other factor. Therefore, make sure your written text is enjoyable and worthy of the reader’s time.

This is a good start and there are more effective tips I will share on How to Write MLM Ad Copy. There are also very good systems that can help you to publish your written word all over the Internet. The best systems include complete training on numerous strategies including more copywriting tips to make you a more effective on-line marketer.

Filed under: Marketing Blog — Tags: copywriting tips, Cory Alan, how to write mlm ad, mlm training — Cory Alan on April 16, 2010 @ 8:46 PM

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Metcalfe’s Law – Network Marketing Training

There are few business opportunities today that allow the average individual the power of Metcalfe’s Law except Network Marketing. The theory of computer network growth, Metcalfe’s Law states that the economic value of a network grows as the square of the number of its users increase. Metcalfe’s Law is often cited as an explanation for the rapid growth of the Internet today and can be used to explain the rising wave of information technology that we are riding in the 21st Century. However, even with this knowledge, it can be difficult to convince others of Network Marketing’s power due to its virtual cyber status.

The average person’s view of “Network Marketing” or MLM could still be that of a pyramid–far from what Network Marketing truly is and an important subject to address in your Network Marketing Training.

As a Networker who desires success and all the benefits of the industry, your first job is to duplicate yourself. The almost magical results of a good compensation plan begin with you cloning yourself and your efforts with another person. This is when you will start to see the power of duplication and grow exponentially experiencing firsthand Metcalfe’s Law.

Robert Metcalfe co-invented the Ethernet in 1973 and is credited for defining Metcalfe’s Law in 1980. Metcalfe’s Law definition is a Network’s Economic Value = Number of Users, squared. For example, Facebook with only one registered user was essentially useless. When 100 users signed up, however, it became more attractive and beneficial for each individual user. Then, when a 1,000 people opted in, it became even better. Facebook is literally a story of the “more the merrier” as the site becomes more useful, enjoyable, and valuable.

Using the Power of Metcalfe’s Law not only as a tool to define the industry’s business model, but to also show how one’s efforts can be exponentially multiplied, is a smart strategy that your prospects can relate to and understand in your Network Marketing Training. This will also better explain how that first commission of $2.34 that you earned in your first month with Amway grew into a residual check of $1,000s of dollars – each and every month.

Using good business logic is a great tool to get a prospect to become an affiliate. Just remember your best mlm training will teach you that the magic doesn’t start until you are able to clone yourself and your efforts. A system to attract prospects while it educates you on different skill-sets that you can share with your group is part of your own ongoing network marketing training.

Filed under: Marketing Blog — Tags: Cory Alan, Metcalfe’s law, Metcalfe’s law definition, mlm training, network marketing training — Cory Alan on April 14, 2010 @ 3:21 PM

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Some of the Best MLM Business Training Available – for Free!

Some of the Best Training in the world is available through the Network Marketing Industry – and it’s Free! The whole concept of Network Marketing is to find, motivate, inspire, train and support others during their journey to become financially independent. The amount of MLM Business Training and leadership development courses that are available is astonishing.

An active group or significant company will always focus on the education of its affiliates. Industry leaders know this is one of the components to a successful business or organization. When you join a company or well-organized group you will be encouraged to attend meetings, events, webinars, and teleseminars. You will be provided lists of books to read and CDs to listen to. Many will offer weekly or daily inspirational calls that you can join to stay current on company news, pep talks to “tough-it-out” during ebb-n-flow of normal business, as well as instilling key MLM business skills along the way.

The subjects that you will see offered in company sponsored training range from sales closing techniques to time management, communication skills and personal goal setting, to tax prep and ways to hang on to more of your profit. And the amazing part of all this is that most of this is provided at no cost. There might be a small investment to cover hotel room fees, or to purchase books and tapes, but smart groups even share these materials not only to save costs, but also to stimulate teamwork and accountability.

The best part of all this is that you don’t have to do it alone. The experience has far more impact when done with others. Plus, this forum of knowledge is one where you can apply what you are learning almost immediately. Don’t spend months in a classroom learning a theory that you may never really apply. You can attend a webinar or live training teleseminar and immediately apply your Business Training the next day to your own business.

Another unlimited source of current and useful training is the Internet. Now if you have control of your “just buy now button” you will be safe to search the web. There is vast amounts of MLM business training for free including tips, and tools offered on the Internet – many of which you can take advantage of without buying the “platinum-gold upgraded version”. Many good Internet marketers know the best way to attract quality leads is to offer MLM business training of “real value” for free. Of course this will be followed with a sales pitch; but if you can control your buy now impulse you can learn a lot. And after time if a source has brought you consistent useful information – why not patronize that site when you do choose to purchase something?

What’s the catch? Possibly the largest drawback is also the greatest benefit — the fact that the education is available for free. All it takes is the desire to get involved, participate, and attend. So many times we see people not take advantage of all the network marketing training that is available, but those same people might spend tens of thousands of dollars to get an MBA at a prestigious college – or on-line extension course. When in fact, some of the most practical, effective and life-changing education is at their fingertips for free.

All it takes is a start. Maybe just read from the “recommended list” 20-30 minutes each day. You will be amazed with how your new mlm business training regimen will inspire you to do more. Remember you truly are not selling anything but yourself, therefore the more valuable skills you acquire the more valuable or sought after you will become. Get a system to attract prospects while teaching you those skill-sets as part of your own ongoing network marketing training.

Filed under: Marketing Blog — Tags: Cory Alan, lead generation system, MLM Business Training, mlm training, network marketing training — Cory Alan on April 12, 2010 @ 6:09 PM

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He’s Just in it for The Money, MLM Training

We hear people say, “ He’s just in it for The Money,” and then days later the same person they’re speaking of stands up on the company stage and promises, “It’s not about the Money.” Now their first statement could have been motivated by jealousy or more commonly, envy. The person making that judgment has their own view of what “money” means to them. And if they don’t have much, they may speak poorly of others out of frustration. Should this person they are speaking of be labeled a hypocrite or not? In MLM Training you will find that it is important to know what “money” means to your associates so that you can help them achieve their monetary goal.

Money means different things to different people. Sometimes people will resist desiring it (or the thing in their life it defines) because of old programming like “Money is the root of all evil,” “Money is bad,” or “Money doesn’t buy happiness.” We need to open our minds and realize that people have different attitudes and definitions about money. For some, “Money” may really represent financial freedom or the ability to send a child to private school others may define it as not having the stress of worrying about rent or increased mortgage payments. Money can even represent old feelings we have about ourselves and can help us break an old recording playing in our head leftover from our parents, “you’ll never amount to much of anything.” Truth is, we don’t know what “for the Money” means until we better understand the person and learn more as we guide them through their network marketing training.

Get your daily dose of Business / Self-Help: No hype – just two decades of experience and insight:

Read “The Zen of MLM, Legacy, Leadership and the Network Marketing Experience” by John David Mann

So understanding what “Money” means to someone is key for your MLM training and for you to help him or her reach a level of success or fulfillment that they might not even believed possible. If you were to forget what “The Money” means to you and why it is important – sooner than later your own business will come to a grinding halt. This is also true for the people within your organization. Your job as a sponsor is to help guide people to reach their dreams, therefore knowing what The Money means to each person you are working with is essential. If only to help remind them at times why they are doing what they are doing. That’s a great sponsor!

No matter what “The Money” means to the people you support, your best mlm training will teach you how to identify what that is and help support them on their path. A good Sponsor is not only a strong shoulder but also a provider of knowledge. Acquire valuable skills to share with a system to attract prospects and teach you those skill-sets as part of your own ongoing network marketing training.

Filed under: Marketing Blog — Tags: Cory Alan, mlm training, mlm training tips, network marketing training — Cory Alan on April 9, 2010 @ 3:10 AM

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Build Lasting Commitment – MLM Training

What factors determine if a particular network marketing venture will last? It goes beyond just the first glance of the Product, Company, and Compensation Plan. The commitment that the people within your group show will be based greatly on the personal relationship they have with you. No matter how good the product, which is only the foundation, the success rests on your shoulders to create.

In turn the Product, Company and Compensation Plan can have a great impact on that level of commitment. This is because they are mimicking what they see in you. If you are not fully committed to what you are involved in, it will show through in your daily behavior and speech. Your followers will pick up on your tone and act based on that “feeling”. So how do you get that golden level of commitment? It starts with the process by which you choose your company or opportunity.

This is a complete subject on its own, worth the time invested and key to your mlm training. Your level of commitment is a reflection of your level of belief. Therefore the stronger your belief in your opportunity the more likely you will attract and nurture a lasting commitment from your organization. One way to acquire that rock solid belief is to learn the proper way to select the right company. I use the principles that are spelled out in “How to Select a Network Marketing Company,” by Daren Falter.

We generally think of trust, integrity, friendly welcoming personality, and a commitment to fun, support, education and training to be what cultivates a Culture of Commitment in an organization.

But there is one trait that weighs in more, and has more direct impact on your group’s level of lasting stability and “sticking-in-there” — your commitment. Your unshakable living, breathing, rock-solid clarity that YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. I find it easy to express my commitment even when others approach me with the “latest-and-greatest” opportunity because I have made a promise to my group and personally vowed to support them as they build their own “home-based business.” I can’t switch to some other opportunity, because I am not willing to go back on my word. This is the core of my business philosophy at Cory Alan.

Not only is this an easy way to get a solicitor to back down, but if it is the truth – it will be the foundation of your mlm training to attract, cultivate, and maintain a strong organization and Build Lasting Commitment in others.

No matter how energetic or confident people are with the start of a new opportunity, your best mlm training will teach you their ability to last and commit will at best be a reflection of your’s. Many say that your success is fully contingent upon the success of those you sponsor, so always be acquiring valuable skills to share. Get the system that teaches you how to attract prospects and provides you with skill-sets for your own ongoing network marketing training.

Filed under: Marketing Blog — Tags: Cory Alan, lead generation system, mlm training, network marketing training — Cory Alan on April 7, 2010 @ 6:42 PM

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How to Submit Articles for Blog Traffic

Article marketing is an effective way to build blog traffic, but learning How to Submit Articles for Blog Traffic correctly can make an even bigger impact in your ultimate goal to increase blog traffic. You have probably read that Article Marketing is an easy way to get thousands of new subscribers and improve blog traffic to your site. This may be true, but the formula includes hard work and most important — consistency. Notice I didn’t say it required being an “award-winning author”. Consistency is the KEY ingredient.

Many will say that blogging and using article marketing to increase blog traffic doesn’t work. But if you Google those naysayers blogs, you will likely discover that their quantity of posts doesn’t extend much beyond a dozen, if not less. So it’s important to have a strong mindset and understand that it is work, not necessarily difficult, but it won’t happen magically overnight. Remember that you are building one of the most consistent long-lasting cost effective ways of driving traffic.

Here are some basic steps that I take to simplify the process while increasing my results. After sharing some of the key concepts that insure success and increase blog traffic, I will cover some specific steps I take and will show you how to submit articles for blog traffic.

Now that you have “consistency” in your toolbox, the next step is to keep it simple. Setting up a basic strategy with only a few steps will go a long way to maintaining consistency over time. Many successful bloggers write 300 word articles and post them on just one site; the largest article directory available, EzineArticles.com. Keeping it simple motivates them to be consistent which helps them get more articles posted on a weekly basis. My personal approach is to bump 300 words up to 500 and get more mileage out of my articles by submitting some of them to multiple sites using an article submitter program, the payoff is more “back links.” I may not produce as many articles as the “300 word blogger”, but it gives me a competitive edge to spin and distribute to multiple sites. Even better, I use videos to promote my articles as a “secret sauce” to increase ranking.

As you progress, you’ll learn to track keywords and test to see which keywords increase blog traffic the most. You will practice editing your Headlines to make sure they grab the reader’s attention, as well as providing an enticing “give-a-way item” and crafting a sign-up incentive offer to increase your capture rate. Later, you will need to review all of your past postings to check that they’re relevant to your subject and ultimate goal. Remember, creating blog traffic and attracting subscribers is only useful if the group has interest in what you have to offer. This, along with better research, tracking results, and outsourcing will be future steps to take as you mature and fine-tune your overall strategy.

Let’s pause and be honest for a moment . . . remember none of this counts until you have a blog up and running and you’re consistently posting to it each week. The great thing is that most answers you need to improve blog traffic will come as a result of your initial efforts. Like anything of value, you need a great foundation and then the “building blocks” will present themselves as you mature and grow in the process. Keep it simple – be consistent.

Here is my quick outline (aka battle plan) that you can borrow for now until you create your own personal and unique strategy. See more examples by going to my website, CoryAlan.com or Google search my name, Cory Alan.

Write a 500-550-word article that is based on two keyword phrases and post it to your own blog. Use one of the phrases as your title. The second phrase should be your second tag in your signature box and link to your marketing site. The first tag, your article title, will link back to your article on your blog or website when you submit it to EzineArticles.

Next, post the article to your marketing system, if it accepts articles (MLSP), and link back again to the original on your site. Then, produce a quick 30-90 second video (screen saver of a power-point presentation is just fine) and post that to YouTube. On YouTube in your “description” area link back to the original article and in the “Tags” box put both of your keyword phrases and your own name.

This is a good start and there are more effective tips I will share on how to submit articles for blog traffic. There are also very good systems to help manage all the necessary tasks as well as provide valuable training for building a Blog to successfully increase blog traffic to your personal website.

Filed under: Marketing Blog — Tags: Cory Alan, how to submit articles for blog traffic, improve blog traffic, increase blog traffic, internet marketing system, lead generation system — Cory Alan on April 5, 2010 @ 10:26 PM

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Define Paid Marketing | Ezines Solo Ads

It is commonly said that Paid Marketing is the FASTEST way to get website traffic. PERIOD.

I define Paid Marketing as the marketing technique like the name, where you pay for exposure or traffic. It is the quickest way to be on page one of any keyword phrase you want in a matter of minutes with Google Adwords. However, the minute you stop buying these clicks from Google your advertising stops.

There are many ways to get started in “Paid Marketing” with a small budget. These can be useful in getting things rolling while you’re planting seeds in your chosen areas of promotion. I have discovered as Marketers mature, Paid Marketing is always part of their mix.

For the purpose of this article, I will touch on the first three “paid marketing strategies” now utilized on the Internet to drive traffic to a website, capture page with the sole purpose of making a sale or building a list to sell to later.

The first is AdWords, or Google Search Engine Marketing. Their names have become so common that we sometimes use them to refer to paid marketing, just like Kleenex is a soft facial tissue yet we use the brand name when referring to any brand of tissue. AdWords and Google are brand names, but since they are the major players we refer to the whole strategy by their names. Actually, more accurately we should call it Pay-Per-Click Advertizing (Google, Yahoo, MSN & Others). Also known as Pay Per Ranking, Pay Per Placement, Pay Per Position or Cost Per Click, this strategy enables you to position an advertisement for your site at the top of search engine results by using keywords that best describe your product or service. It’s a competitive and dynamic marketplace – the higher you bid, the higher your advertisement will be displayed on the list.

Different than conventional print advertising, you pay only when a searcher clicks on your listing and connects to your site. You don’t pay to have your ad listed; you only pay for clicks or “click through”. So you are actually paying for the traffic to your site. And here’s a plus, there are no other hidden costs.

Pay-Per-Click is an ADVANCED marketing strategy that has a significant learning curve. One should have a budget of at least $2,000 a month to spend and it is highly recommended to complete your “learning process” with other strategies so that your learning curve may not be so expensive. To advertise successfully with Pay- per-click (PPC) you must be prepared to invest in your education if you expect this strategy to yield results. However, with that being said, if you are WILLING to learn this strategy it can be extremely effective!

Though many credit Jeffrey Brewer of Goto.com, and Goto.com founder, Bill Gross, for starting PPC (Pay-Per-Click) it was not until October of 2000 that AdWords’ system with Google was introduced, allowing advertisers to create text ads for placement on the Google search engine. Then in 2002, you actually paid for each “click” as prior advertisements were charged at cost-per-thousand impressions.

Now, PPC is an Internet advertising model used on websites in which advertisers pay their host only when their ad is clicked. With search engines, advertisers typically bid on keyword phrases relevant to their target market. Content sites commonly charge a fixed price per click rather than use a bidding system.

Although many PPC providers exist, Google AdWords, Yahoo! Search Marketing, and Microsoft adCenter are the three largest network operators, and all three operate under a bid-based model. Cost per click (CPC) varies depending on the search engine and the level of competition for a particular keyword.

[Keyword] A word or phrase entered into a search engine in an effort to get the search engine to return matching and relevant results. Keywords are used to search for articles in a database as well as “tagged” to a website so that when people use that specific word to search, they are led to that particular site.

The second is Ezines Solo Ads, which can be a better choice for the person first starting out mainly due to the limited cost commitment required. Ezines Solo Ads Ezine Marketing is one of the favorite methods of many top producers. The reason for this is that Ezine marketing allows you to “piggy back” off the credibility of someone else and in essence “rent” someone else’s list!

Ezines is an online inventory of newsletters that people subscribe to and where Website owners keep in touch and build relationships with their visitors. Ezines are used to share news, updates, and website promotions. When an Ezine sends out an email with your ad in it the reader takes it more seriously because they have a “relationship” established with the Ezine.

Just about every Ezine accepts advertising from third parties. By mixing a few paid ads in with their content, website owners can defray the cost of operating an Ezine and open up an additional stream of revenue. You can place an ad for your website, product, or service in various Ezines. It is important to find an Ezine that narrowly targets the market you’re looking to reach. This will insure that your offer is relevant to a higher percentage of the Ezines’ followers.

The most expensive (but by far the best) type of Ezine ad is called a solo ad. Solo Ads, as the name implies, means “one ad.” When you take out a solo ad, your ad is the only one the reader of the Ezine will see.

The third is ListBuilders, which is one of the strategies I started with as I was developing my Article Marketing skills. ListBuilders are online services that you can send 1000’s of SOLO ADS to their members in the form of emails. “ListBuilders” are highly effective when used consistently. You can usually join them for free, but the real value is in the upgrade. The Members with “free” access are given credits to send ads or emails based on the number of other ads they read or sites they visit.

To upgrade, you pay a one time or annual fee, and then you’re able to immediately distribute ads to their database. You are usually limited to a certain number of emails within a certain number of days. You will also start receiving emails (ads) from other members. This can fill up your “Spam Box”. Then if you further upgrade you are allowed to send even larger numbers of emails and sometimes not required to continue receiving emails from other members. These services usually offer other similar products like banner ads and bar ads (which are short ads for your product or service) that will appear on cooperating websites to further drive more traffic to your site.

When starting out, ListBuilders can be a great source not only to jump start traffic coming to you, but they also provide a window for you to observe what others are doing, which will in turn sharpen your skills.

Other forms of Paid Advertising are, Banner Advertising, advertising that appears on a website, usually as a banner across the top of a page, and Facebook Advertising which is offered for people with budgets under $30,000 a month. —LOL— These and others I will go into more detail later, and on my website.

So how does this all tie in with a person that may want to start marketing a product or business, or even themselves on the Internet? Paid Advertizing is a terrific resource and widely used by people that fully understand our industry. Not a place to start, but a place to use “free” strategies while you are learning the ropes and are practicing new found tricks. With any Internet Marketing Strategy, most important is that you discover the strategy that you like most and are comfortable performing. If you enjoy the process you will be certain to be better at it. And the better you are at it, the more likely you’ll become consistent with its implementation. You will find that the strategy you choose is much less important than your ability to do it consistently in order to achieve success.

It’s best to only choose 1 or 2 initial strategies to focus on at one time. The best strategy for one person may not be the best strategy for you. I agree it can seem overwhelming at times, but actually the process can be quite simple if one focuses on just one strategy at a time. There are unlimited training courses, Internet tools, websites and programs to help you be more effective and efficient in each separate category or strategy you choose. Having someone to help guide you through the process, pointing out which tools and programs offer the most help, not only will save your sanity, but also can save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in the process.

After you choose which strategy you want to implement, you will need a system or platform to manage all of these tasks relevant to those strategies. The system should also include support training so that you don’t spend endless time trying to just get started.

Now that you better understand “What is Paid Marketing | Ezines Solo Ads” start looking into systems, not only to educate you on the best ways to implement strategies; but a system to manage all the leads you will generate as you become one of the highly successful Internet ListBuilders.

Filed under: Marketing Blog — Tags: Cory Alan, Define Paid Marketing, Ezine Solo Ads, internet marketing system, lead generation system, ListBuilders — Cory Alan on April 2, 2010 @ 3:48 PM

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