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Advertising on Craigslist is very similar to advertising in other forms of media . Despite the heavy traffic that flows to the website , successful marketing campaigns require extensive research. This research should provide the Internet …
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How Can Craigslist Improve Your Business With 2 Simple Steps …
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Affiliate marketing can be a great way to make money. Finding a niche market with products and services you trust and believe in is the first step to success. There are tremendous affiliate programs which offer you an abundance of tools and materials to promote and market their products. However, what you do with those tools and materials is entirely up to you. You can be just another affiliate or a super affiliate.
What is a Super Affiliate?
Technically speaking a super affiliate is someone who generates a significant amount of profits for the products or services they represent. A super affiliate can make a healthy living from their affiliate business alone while a standard every day affiliate may need to supplement their affiliate income with, gasp…a 9-5 job!
Benefits to Being a Super Affiliate
The most significant benefit to being a super affiliate is the income. Many super affiliates make six figures simply promoting the products and services of others.
Additionally, if you’re one of the main contributors to a company’s affiliate program they’re going to pay attention to you and your needs. You may receive a higher percentage of sales you may receive first shot with new marketing materials and programs and you’ll get the support you need when you need it.
Here are a Few Steps to Become a Super Affiliate:
Step One – Commit to publishing content every single day. Content has proven time and again to be the best sales tool available to affiliate marketers. Nothing, not even strategically placed ad copy works as well as providing quality content that pre-sells any product that you’re promoting on your website.
Possible content includes:
* Autoresponders.
* E-newsletters.
* Blogs posts
* Social networking via forums, social networking sites, and chat rooms
* Articles
* Press releases
Step Two – Track and test. Make sure you know where your prospects are coming from, what motivates them to click through and what information they read and respond to – then give them what they need. Tracking and testing is the only way to hone your affiliate program into a smooth running, money making machine.
Step Three – Use the provided marketing materials and be willing to take it a step further. Many affiliate programs do a great job of providing their affiliate with ready to marketing materials including:
1. Banner ads
2. Buttons
3. Email copy
4. Articles
5. Free promotional reports
Use the materials your affiliate manager has provided. It’s been tested and developed for results. That being said, be sure to create your own content too. Even as an affiliate you are your own company and your website needs to reflect your personality and brand. Building a community around your website and providing valuable content is a sure way to create a following that trusts you and your credibility – which will result in click throughs and affiliate sales.
Step Four – Pre-sell. The good news is that your job as an affiliate is to pre-sell products and services. Pre-selling means your content, whether it is a review, article, tutorial, course, or blog post, speaks honestly about the products and services you promote. Pre-selling is about providing value to your website visitors and prospects, making them comfortable with you and your authority to generate interest and a click through to the company website, where the selling happens.
Step Five – Follow up. Just like your affiliate manager follows up with you to see how you’re doing and what you need, follow up with your prospects. A great way to do this unobtrusively is to create a lead list by providing a newsletter visitors can subscribe, a free report, or any number of products in exchange for an email address and the permission to contact them with valuable information and special promotions.
Being a Super Affiliate is the only way to go if you want to build a successful affiliate marketing business. Find products and services you trust and believe in and then create a strategy to share information to your target audience. Test and track your efforts, focus on providing value to your prospects and leave the selling to the companies you represent. Helping others live better lives, without having to provide the products or services personally, is a great way to make a living.
If you’d like tips to help you increase your affiliate income, sign up for free here: http://www.quicksales.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=976645&u=www.affiliatemarketingsweetie.com/tips.html
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What is a Press Release?
A press release is a newsworthy story about your business that you submit to various media outlets ~ newspapers, magazines, website, radio, television. This is a wonderful way to get free promotion for your website. Any story that the media picks up will be far more valuable than a paid advertising spot. Having the media do a story about you is like a personal endorsement of your website and business.
What is the Appropriate Format for Your Press Release?
Your press release should have six basic components and they are:
1. Release Instructions
“For Immediate Release”;
“For Release Before [date]” or
“For Release After [date]”
Use one of the latter two if your press release is of a time sensitive nature. For example, if you are holding a public speaking event, you will want to use the “For Release Before [date]” and make sure you input the final date for registrations. If you are using the “For Release Before [date]” ensure you are sensitive to media deadlines. Send your release out well in advance.
2. Headline
Write an attention-grabbing headline. Make it benefits-oriented (why would it be of interest to people?) and descriptive. Avoid hype and promotional language ~ remember, this is a news story.
3. Contact Information
Include as much information as possible here. Make it easy for the media to contact you. Include your phone number, address, company name, fax number, email and URL. Include the hours you are available at the listed phone number and add an after hours phone number, if applicable.
4. Summary
Before you get into the body of the release, write a sentence or two to summarize your press release. Make it interesting, you want the recipient to keep reading.
5. Content
This is the meat of your press release. Again, write a benefits-oriented story. Think of the target audience as you are writing. Your target audience is partly the editor or reporter who will be reading the release. Ultimately, however, your target audience is that editor or reporter’s readers or audience. You need to write a story that will be of interest to them.
The first paragraph should answer all the important questions – Who, What, Where, When, Why & How?
Add some quotations to add credibility and to break up the story. Quotations can be from you about the topic. Testimonials or commentary from your customers are very effective as well.6.
6. Signify the End of Your Release
The end of your press release is shown by a few simple characters. Place ### at the end of your release.
Other General Formatting Tips
- Always remember that your press release is not an ad. It is a newsworthy story.
- Address your release directly to the appropriate reporter or editor. The media receives many press releases each day. A release addressed to a specific person is more likely to get attention than a general submission.
- Keep your release to about 1 page (or 2 pages maximum).
- Number your pages 1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc.
- Use active verbs.
- Do not use excessive adjectives ~ they sound like hype.
- Tweak your release when sending to different media outlets. If you are sending to the local paper your content may be slightly different than if you are sending it to a trade magazine.
- If you are sending your release by mail, use 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper.
- If you are sending your release by email, never send an attachment. Copy and paste your release into the body of the email.
Where to Send your Press Release
You need to build a media list and this will likely take some time. Start local and small. Local and/or small media are most likely to be interested in your story and it’s the perfect way to hone your release writing skills. Besides, a lot of the larger media outlets scan the little guys to find stories to pick up.
Try newspapers, trade journals, topic specific magazines, websites, radio shows, television show ~ whomever would be interested in your topic.
Again, always remember to get specific contact information for your press release. A release address to a particular person will get a lot more attention than a general release sent to the media outlet.
Find out how you can get the media to sing your praises at
http://www.quicksales.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=976645&u=www.pressreleaseprofits.com
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If you’ve ever been a victim of identity theft, you know first hand the stress and problems it can cause. With the current economic crisis, there are online and offline predators who are taking advantage of this situation by coming up with new ways to steal your identity.
To avoid becoming a statistic, here are some suggestions:
1. Remove the address and telephone number from your checks. Instead of first name, middle initial, and last name on the checks, change it to initials plus last name only. This will prevent anyone from trying to forge your checks.
2. Never send out a check with your social security on it.
3. If your bank provides the checks, be sure to order them from the bank only and not online.
4. When paying bills with a check, especially credit cards, write in the last four digits of your account – never the entire account number.
5. Do not carry your savings account passbook with you. Keep it at home and only use it when making deposits or withdrawals.
6. Make photocopies of your license and credit cards. Keep your social security card at home. Also photocopy any other important information you regularly carry with you.
7. If you use an ATM, memorize the number. Do not take out a slip of paper with the PIN number written on it. With cell phone cameras, anyone can easily snap a picture of the number.
8. Any mail received that you wish to discard, do not just throw it in the trash. Buy an inexpensive shredder, and destroy all mail with your name and address on it. This is especially important for credit card offers you receive in the mail.
9. Never leave posted mail for the mail carrier to pick up. Anyone can take mail out of your mailbox and use the enclosed information. If you have a bill to mail, drop it in the appropriate mailbox or take it to the Post Office.
10. If you receive an email from anyone you do not know, delete it. If you receive an email claiming to be from a bank, PayPal, eBay or any other institution with whom you do business stating that your account has been frozen, cancelled, or needs to be updated, do not click on the links in the email. Instead, delete the email and check out the information by typing in the URL to your online account.
11. Check your credit reports annually with each of the three agencies: Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. Make sure no new accounts have been opened and that all the information provided is accurate. If not, call or write to each agency and report the problems.
12. If your wallet is ever stolen, immediately contact the credit card companies, the bank, and the credit report agencies. If your social security card was stolen as well, you can ask the agencies to place a “fraud alert” on the number as well as your name. Also contact the FTC and file a complaint at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
13. If you shop online, ensure that the website is well known and encrypted for your protection. Look for the lock at the lower right hand corner of the website.
14. Never give out any personal information or your social security number to anyone either online or off line.
If someone wants to hack into your information, they will find a way. But, if you utilize all of the safeguards mentioned above and buy the best anti-virus and firewall software available, the chances of anyone obtaining your personal information is considerably weakened.
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If you own a computer and utilize the internet daily, you have undoubtedly heard of the term “phishing”. This word relates to bogus emails that are meant to tap into your personal information. More recently (and since the economic crisis), emails are being sent “by banks” requesting that you “update your information” or saying that “there is a problem with your account” or “there has been suspicious activity in your account”.
Does this sound familiar? If so, there is a new round of emails making their way across the globe. One claims to be from JP Morgan Chase, who just purchased Washington Mutual. The other claims to be from Wachovia who was acquired by Wells Fargo. These emails are FAKE. Do not, under any circumstances, open these emails.
If you receive an email supposedly from either bank, delete it. And depending on whether you have an account with either one – check your account by typing in the URL to said bank.
According to AARP’s November 1, 2008 Bulletin, look out for this email: “…the subject line reads, “Account review — Chase Team identified some unusual activity in your account.” In the other, it reads, “You have 1 new ALERT message.” Both tell their targets to click on a link that takes them to a phony website, where they are asked to update their bank accounts by revealing personal information, including bank account number, PIN and Social Security number”.
The email supposedly from Wachovia is just as bad. AARP states that “recipients are told to download software for its “Wachovia Security Plus” protection. But doing so releases a virus that could infect your computer and track passwords and other personal information.”
If you are involved in any online banking and/or pay bills online, it should be noted that no bank or credit card company would ever ask for personal information – ever.
Another scam you may or may not have been aware of is the AOL Scam. AOL was purchased by Time Warner several years ago. Therefore, if your cable service is being supplied by Time Warner, the monthly bill will reflect the AOL monthly charge. If you receive an email claiming to be from the AOL billing department stating that there is a problem with your account and it needs to be updated – delete it!
In addition, anytime you receive an email from AOL, you will know it is real because it is distinctive. AOL will NEVER ask for your account number or any other personal information.
If you are an AOL user and receive email from eBay or PayPal stating any of the above, forward the email to spoof@ebay.com or spoof@paypal.com. You will immediately receive a response indicating that you were the victim of “phishing.”
Remember, delete any email from anyone you do not know. And if something sounds fishy, it probably is!
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Technology has come a long way in the communication arena. However, along with its positive aspects there are negative ones as well. When cable modems and DSL lines were introduced, not many computer users realized that they would be part of a network of online users.
This led to concerns about internet safety and today it is recommended that computers are shut down when not in use and the cable from the PC to the modem is disconnected to avoid hacking.
Subsequently, wireless technology came along and individuals began buying wireless computers in droves. Moreover, there are thousands of places where you can connect to the internet via wireless technology no matter where you happen to be. But there is one small problem.
Just as hacking into a network is a viable source for predatory behavior, using wireless technology allows for wireless fidelity or Wi-Fi hot spots. These hot spots enable hackers who are within range of your computer to hack into it. Due to the fact that the hot spots may be unsecured, the hacker can position himself as close to the signal as possible and by boosting the signal power, can take over the network.
According to AARP “the hacker can rename the network and get hot spot visitors to log on to it. Once you enter his network, the hacker can get your user ID, passwords and, if you’re doing online shopping or banking, your credit card or bank account information.
Another thing to remember, according to the Cyber Division of the FBI, is that “the connection between your laptop and the attacker’s laptop runs both ways. This means while he’s taking info from you, you may be unknowingly downloading viruses, worms and other malware from him.”
In order to protect your personal information, here are some recommendations:
* Manually select the network you are connecting to and check that when you sign on, the network is definitely yours.
* Do not conduct any online banking or shopping while at a hot spot.
* Upload the best anti-virus, firewall, and encryption software available.
* Shut down the laptop when not in use.
Wireless technology may be a convenient way to communicate and conduct business, but unless you are fully aware of the problems associated with it, the convenience may not be worth the cost.
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Have you ever wondered whatever happened to your high school sweetheart? How about your best friend who you lost contact with overtime? If you have there is a good chance that you have tried to contact them. Unfortunately, many individuals get married or move away. This may make it difficult to contact those that you used to know. That is unless you join one of the most popular online social networking websites. That website is known as Classmates.
Although Classmates is considered a social networking website, it is, in a way, unique from most of the others. This is because Classmates focuses on connections that were made in school, whether it be elementary school, high school, or college. Although it is encouraged that you contact those that you know from school, you are able to contact just about anyone on the website. That is one of the many features of Classmates that makes the social networking site worth joining.
The only problem that many internet users have with Classmates is the fact that it is often requires a paid membership. There is a free membership plan that is available, but you are limited with what you can do on the site. Despite the fact that you have to become a paid member to enjoy what Classmates has to offer, it is well worth it. In addition to being well worth it, the membership fee is easy to afford. Currently, there are three different levels of membership that you can sign up for, the highest being only five dollars a month.
If you are interested in seeing what Classmates has to offer, you can easily do so by visiting their online website at www.classmates.com. Once at their main page, you will have to go through the process of selecting your school. Once that has been done, you will then need to create a user profile. This profile is part of what will be displayed on the website; however, once you officially become a member you can add more information to your profile.
With a free membership, you can post your own profile and view profiles from other members. Viewing the profiles of other members, especially those that you went to school with, is easy. Classmates has separated everyone into categories. These categories not only include the schools that everyone went to, but the years that they attended. This means that whether you graduated in 1970 or 2000, you should easily be able to obtain information on your classmates.
Although you can view other member profiles with a free membership, you cannot contact them. To make contact with those that you have lost touch with, you will need to become a paying member. As previously mentioned, this membership is relatively easy to afford. Once you have become a paid member, you cannot not only contact your classmates individually, but you can also send out broadcast messages or announcements to everyone that you went to school with. A paid membership also gives you the ability to use the message boards.
By joining Classmates, you will not only be able to make contact with your old classmates and friends, but you may also even be able to renew old friendships or make new ones. Reconnecting with your old friends and making new ones, what could be better than that?
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