Affiliate Link Cloaking -- Don't Lose Prospects with Failed Affiliate Links!
If you're in the business of affiliate marketing - here's a free tool from Donna Gunter.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Do you write your own web copy?
Check out some tips from Karon Thackston about writing your web copy with your keywords and keyword phrases inserted naturally.
SiteProNews: Stop the Slaughter of Innocent Copy!
SiteProNews: Stop the Slaughter of Innocent Copy!
Friday, March 02, 2007
What's your "Talking Domain Name?"
This article is from one of my favorite entrepreneurs online, Donna Gunter. I have been doing some research on domain names for a couple of clients, so this article was timely.
What's Your "Talking Domain Name"?
Many times when a business owner picks a domain for her website, the domain name that is chosen and used is the name of the business that's already been established, or perhaps the owner's name is used. However, a person's name or the name of a business isn't always memorable nor is it always easy to spell. That's why I encourage my clients to get a "talking domain name" that they use in publicity efforts, like for radio, TV, or newspaper interviews. So, instead of using the URL of their primary business website, they would instead give a shorter, more easily-remembered domain instead that would point to the owner's primary website.
How important is this "taking domain name"? I think it's vital. Which is easier for you to remember, JonesChiropracticCenter.com, or PainBeGone.com? The latter is easier to remember, is easy to spell, and clearly outlines a result that many patients receive at Jones Chiropractic Center. And, now that you can pick up a domain name for as little as $2/year with some registrars, it's a no-brainer to pick several domain names for your business that you choose to use in different situations for different purposes.
How do you pick a good "talking domain name'? Here are 5 strategies you can use to find the perfect "talking domain name" for your business: (note--the URLs used in the examples below are only examples -- I haven't checked on their availability nor determined if the domain is actually in use.)
1. Problem that your clients have. Do many of your clients share a common problem or difficulty? If you're an auto body shop, your "talking domain name" might be DentMaster.com, for example. Make a list of problems with which clients commonly approach you and see if a great name emerges from that list.
2. Solution that you offer your clients. What problem or pain do you take away from your clients and help them solve? If you're a web designer, EasyWebSite.com might work for you, or if you're a personal chef, QuickMeals.com would do the trick. Start listing the types of solutions that you offer for your clients and see if something catches your imagination.
3, Benefit of working with you. How do clients benefit by working with you -- do you help them get results, find more time, make more money? If you're a Virtual Assistant, you might use FindMoreTime.com. If you install home alarms, SafeHome.com is a great benefit of working with you. Brainstorm your list of benefits that you offer clients and choose an especially compelling one for your "talking domain name".
4. Description of what you do. If your business name or your primary website name isn't clear about the service you provide, then use your "talking domain name" to do that for you. For example, I recently spoke with an author whose website reflected the long name of her book -- a name that was almost impossible to remember. She was getting ready for some major publicity and I encouraged her to find a shorter, more unique domain name to use during that PR stint. I encouraged her to think about a shorter name that accurately described what she does, and we decided that a domain name that she had already purchased was absolutely perfect for her. So, a domain name like YourDogTrainer.com or AnimalDoctor.com or GraphicDesignExpert.com might do well as your "talking domain name" as well.
5. Outcome or result of working with you. What is the final result that you offer your clients? If you're a dog trainer, a name like GoodDog.com would be appropriate. If you're a real estate agent, you might use YourNewHome.com. A money coach might use MoreMoney.com. Write down 2-3 final outcomes that your clients gain by working with you and determine if any of them would make an appealing domain name.
Just because you might have a long business name or use your given name as your business name doesn't mean that you have to use either of those names when you tell others what you do. Pick a domain name that is shorter yet memorable that you can use with great success in your publicity efforts.
(c) 2007 Donna Gunter
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it:
Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Business Coach Donna Gunter helps self-employed service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To sign up for more FREE tips like these and claim your FREE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at http://www.GetMoreClientsOnline.com. Read about running an online biz at our blog, http://www.getmoreclientsonlineblog.com.
Online business coaching and internet marketing resources
What's Your "Talking Domain Name"?
Many times when a business owner picks a domain for her website, the domain name that is chosen and used is the name of the business that's already been established, or perhaps the owner's name is used. However, a person's name or the name of a business isn't always memorable nor is it always easy to spell. That's why I encourage my clients to get a "talking domain name" that they use in publicity efforts, like for radio, TV, or newspaper interviews. So, instead of using the URL of their primary business website, they would instead give a shorter, more easily-remembered domain instead that would point to the owner's primary website.
How important is this "taking domain name"? I think it's vital. Which is easier for you to remember, JonesChiropracticCenter.com, or PainBeGone.com? The latter is easier to remember, is easy to spell, and clearly outlines a result that many patients receive at Jones Chiropractic Center. And, now that you can pick up a domain name for as little as $2/year with some registrars, it's a no-brainer to pick several domain names for your business that you choose to use in different situations for different purposes.
How do you pick a good "talking domain name'? Here are 5 strategies you can use to find the perfect "talking domain name" for your business: (note--the URLs used in the examples below are only examples -- I haven't checked on their availability nor determined if the domain is actually in use.)
1. Problem that your clients have. Do many of your clients share a common problem or difficulty? If you're an auto body shop, your "talking domain name" might be DentMaster.com, for example. Make a list of problems with which clients commonly approach you and see if a great name emerges from that list.
2. Solution that you offer your clients. What problem or pain do you take away from your clients and help them solve? If you're a web designer, EasyWebSite.com might work for you, or if you're a personal chef, QuickMeals.com would do the trick. Start listing the types of solutions that you offer for your clients and see if something catches your imagination.
3, Benefit of working with you. How do clients benefit by working with you -- do you help them get results, find more time, make more money? If you're a Virtual Assistant, you might use FindMoreTime.com. If you install home alarms, SafeHome.com is a great benefit of working with you. Brainstorm your list of benefits that you offer clients and choose an especially compelling one for your "talking domain name".
4. Description of what you do. If your business name or your primary website name isn't clear about the service you provide, then use your "talking domain name" to do that for you. For example, I recently spoke with an author whose website reflected the long name of her book -- a name that was almost impossible to remember. She was getting ready for some major publicity and I encouraged her to find a shorter, more unique domain name to use during that PR stint. I encouraged her to think about a shorter name that accurately described what she does, and we decided that a domain name that she had already purchased was absolutely perfect for her. So, a domain name like YourDogTrainer.com or AnimalDoctor.com or GraphicDesignExpert.com might do well as your "talking domain name" as well.
5. Outcome or result of working with you. What is the final result that you offer your clients? If you're a dog trainer, a name like GoodDog.com would be appropriate. If you're a real estate agent, you might use YourNewHome.com. A money coach might use MoreMoney.com. Write down 2-3 final outcomes that your clients gain by working with you and determine if any of them would make an appealing domain name.
Just because you might have a long business name or use your given name as your business name doesn't mean that you have to use either of those names when you tell others what you do. Pick a domain name that is shorter yet memorable that you can use with great success in your publicity efforts.
(c) 2007 Donna Gunter
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it:
Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Business Coach Donna Gunter helps self-employed service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To sign up for more FREE tips like these and claim your FREE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at http://www.GetMoreClientsOnline.com. Read about running an online biz at our blog, http://www.getmoreclientsonlineblog.com.
Online business coaching and internet marketing resources
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Successful Postcard Marketing
Here are 5 Postcard Marketing Tips from Bob Leduc. He's spent 20 years helping businesses find new customers and increase sales.
Postcards are a great, inexpensive complement to your marketing mix.
Postcard Marketing Success Tips
Postcards are a great, inexpensive complement to your marketing mix.
Postcard Marketing Success Tips
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Action-Oriented Copywriting
You can increase conversions on a web page by writing copy that is focused on one goal or action.
Before you write, ask yourself "What do I want my visitors to do?" Do you want them to click through to another page on your site, purchase right away, sign-up for something by giving you their contact information--there are many possible actions. Give thought as to what you want them to do the most once they arrive on this page.
Then write your copy with that one goal in mind and include clear verbal steps along the way to help your visitors prepare to take action when the time comes. If you are offering a free sample, sprinkle 'free trial', free sample', etc. throughout the text. Motivate them by telling them why they need it, why it's important to them, - solve their problem! When they are reading you are preparing them to take action and get the 'free whatever' and they are thinking--Where do I get it? What do I do next?
Now tell them how to take action. Buy here, get your 'free whatever' here, give us your name and email and we'll send you.....get the idea? Your copy should guide, nudge, and lead your visitors in the right direction. Then call for action.
Once you give your copy focus, define a goal for the copy, and an action for visitors--you'll have copy and a web page that converts :)
Before you write, ask yourself "What do I want my visitors to do?" Do you want them to click through to another page on your site, purchase right away, sign-up for something by giving you their contact information--there are many possible actions. Give thought as to what you want them to do the most once they arrive on this page.
Then write your copy with that one goal in mind and include clear verbal steps along the way to help your visitors prepare to take action when the time comes. If you are offering a free sample, sprinkle 'free trial', free sample', etc. throughout the text. Motivate them by telling them why they need it, why it's important to them, - solve their problem! When they are reading you are preparing them to take action and get the 'free whatever' and they are thinking--Where do I get it? What do I do next?
Now tell them how to take action. Buy here, get your 'free whatever' here, give us your name and email and we'll send you.....get the idea? Your copy should guide, nudge, and lead your visitors in the right direction. Then call for action.
Once you give your copy focus, define a goal for the copy, and an action for visitors--you'll have copy and a web page that converts :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
