Internet Marketing In A Room FULL Of Naked Men!
Copyright © 2004 by Willie Crawford
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NO, that's not one of my secret dreams :-) It's an observation
that you need to make. Years ago, I read Harvey MacKay's
fantastic best-seller, Beware The Naked Man Who Offers
You His Shirt. I really enjoyed the book and even sent Harvey
a note. He sent me an autographed copy of his book "Swim
With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive." It's one of my
most prized possessions - but back to the naked man...

When you surf the various websites offering advice and
information products teaching you how to earn an online
income, it becomes glaringly obvious that many people who
created these products haven't done what they teach!
They are in effect, "naked men offering you their shirts."

Anyone just starting out online can understand why this
happens. If you put up a website on making money online,
and you admit that you haven't made any yet, people will
realize that you have no useful advice to pass on. To avoid
this consequence, beginners often "fake it, until they make
it."

One of the reasons many online marketers never "make it"
in the first place is because they ARE following the advice
of "naked men." They are absorbing, believing, and then
re-teaching the conventional wisdom so prevalently shared
in the internet marketing arena. The consequence is that
not only does the creator of the info product fail, but so do
all of his mislead followers.

We have two problems within this situation. The first is, "How
does a beginner establish himself as an expert if he has
achieved no major online marketing success?" The answer is
that he creates a product in an area that he IS an expert in or
that he has very thoroughly researched.

The beginner can also very easily create a product by
interviewing or partnering with someone possessing the
knowledge or skills he lacks. I sort of touched upon this in
another article I wrote entitled, "Don't Pretend To Be An Expert,
Become One." That article is available on my website at:
http://williecrawford.com/articles.html

The second problem is in knowing who is genuine and who
hasn't really learned the ropes yet. My advice to many of my
clients is to fully check out anyone before following their
advice. Simply go to any major search engine and enter their
domain or their name. Visit many, MANY of the sites that are
listed as featuring something related to this so-called expert.
This will give you a very good feel for who you are really dealing
with.

If sites about them contain testimonials, contact some of the
people providing the testimonial... especially if something
doesn't quite "feel right." That's right... I'm advising you to trust
your instincts.

Another way to easily check out someone is by using a website
called "The Way Back Machine." This website visits sites
scattered across the internet and takes a snapshot of them.
So if someone tells you that they've been in business for 5
years and you see that their only website is barely a year old,
run away very fast - and don't look back!

The way back machine can be found at:
http://www.archive.org/web/web.php

If you enter my url, http://williecrawford.com in the search box, you
will see that it offers snapshots of how sad this website looked
beginning in 1998. Prior to that time, all of my websites were
self-replicated websites offered by various affiliates programs,
and websites built on free hosts such as FreeYellow, Angelfire,
Hypermart, Webspawner, and about 30 others :-)

To digress just a little, I purchased my own domain name when
someone responded to one of my posts in Links Exchange Digest
insisting that I would have a lot more credibility if I got my own
domain name AND ditched the Hotmail account. I kept websites
on free hosts for several more years, but finally started really
listening. People were telling me that using a free hosting
company... building and promoting their domain, was just bad
business. When I listened and took their advice, that's when
things REALLY took off for me.

I've just pointed out to you a way to avoid the naked man look.
If you are a beginner, get you own domain... one with a url
that is easy to remember and that suggests what your
business is all about. My domain name, WillieCrawford.com was a
poor choice in many ways, but over the years it has developed a
very strong brand. My second flag-ship domain, Chitterlings.com,
was a better choice since it centered around "soul food" and the
name was easy to remember to anyone familiar with that
category of cooking.

Another way for beginners to avoid pretending to be something
that you are not, and build online credibility, is simply to market
other people's products. If you want a higher than normal
commission either approach them about joint ventures, or
obtain reprint rights to in-demand products. Don't waste your
time and resources promoting products that there is no demand
for. Many reprint rights that are offered for free are priced that
way because the owner of the product couldn't sell them :-)

The benefit of obtaining products that are proven sellers through
reprint rights is that you often get a tested website that will
generate a steady income for you if you just drive traffic to it. It's
really easy, but again, you have to make sure that the product is
one that is worth the effort. The criteria that I use and suggest you
use is, ask yourself if you would purchase the product at the price
you plan on offering it for. Also read the template website being
offered and notice whether or not it gets you really pumped up. If
not, look elsewhere.

I do recommend that you eventually develop your own product or
service. However, that may take some time. In the interim you need
to establish a professional business that's built on quality and
integrity. Avoid coming across as a fake or "naked man." Also
beware of those who have to fake it until they make it. You know and
appreciate that we all had to start somewhere. Most of us could not
afford to buy a huge, thriving web business, so we had to start from
meager beginning. Just look at my websites in The Way Back
Machine for proof of that :-)

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Willie Crawford has been teaching others how to build an on-line
business since late 1996. Frequently featured in radio, magazine
and newspaper articles and interviews, Willie teaches the average
guy what the top marketers are doing but seldom talking about.
Willie provides detailed how to information in his newsletter,
through his personal coaching, and at his annual how to workshop.
Learn more at: http://InternetMarketingHowToWorkshop.com

There is a simple 'Underachiever' formula that anyone can follow to
build a rock solid Internet business (starting from scratch) -- Without
Sending Email, Without An Affiliate Program, And Without Creating
Your Own Products.

Says who? Says Frank Kern who not only claims it's possible... but
also says he'll reveal the complete system live on the call.

Do you want to know more about it? I could go on and on telling
you this and that - but I might as well just give you a link and you
can figure on your own if you're interested in learning this formula:

Click here to know more about the 'Underachiever' formula.

Listen in live over the Internet (you don't even have to make a
long-distance call) and just so that it's very clear and you make
no mistakes: the things you'll learn on this free webcast will help
you build a rock solid Internet business Without Sending Email,
Without An Affiliate Program, And Without Creating Your Own
Products. Aren't you curious? The webcast is free, so you don't
have anything to lose. At least check it out :)

Click here now to know more about this unique free webcast.

Copyright © 2004 By Willie Crawford
---------------------------------------------------

After being in business online for over 7 years, I often need
a whack upside the head to remind me that not everyone
understands this online stuff the way that we do. In fact, there
are tens of thousands of people who venture online regularly,
exploring ways to make a little extra money. Some are looking
for ways to eventually quit their jobs and work full-time from
home.

Since I have been living that dream-life for so long, it sometimes
takes me a second to answer questions from complete beginners.
I'm talking about people who not only haven't built their first
website, but aren't even sure what type of product or service they
want to sell. They just know that they want to make some extra
money and have heard that the internet is an easy way to do it.

How would you respond to a complete online beginner who comes
to you seeking advice?

Here's what I tell them and why...

First of all, there are a lot of scams, hyped-up promises, and just
plain "ways to lose your money." So you do need to look before
you leap. You can't be too careful!

Secondly, building a business online is just like building a business
offline. You need to decide "what you are going to sell in your store"
before you open the doors. So you need both a plan and a product.
Most people will advise you to build a website around a personal
interest. That way, while the business is slowly "building up steam,"
it will be easier to keep motivated, and it may even be more fun!

The easiest way to get into business online is through what are
called affiliate programs. These are programs where you sign up
and then you earn a referral commission from selling other's products.
Online, these products are very typically books, software, etc...
things that have a low production and delivery cost. Software and
electronic books can be delivered as a file that's downloaded
directly to your customers' computers. So it has very little real
delivery cost. Therefore, the person selling it can afford to pay you
a hefty commission for helping them sell their product.

I generally recommend that beginners join a few affiliate programs
and then begin telling others about them... referring others to the
site. This is also where beginners hit the first snag. Who do they
tell and how?

People like me have a mailing list of well over 100,000, and over
200 active websites. I can tell people about products and services
through my mailing lists. I can tell people about products and
services on my websites, which are found through the search
engines, articles I write, and affiliate referrals. However, the beginner
doesn't have immediate access to these resources.

So how does the beginner attract people to his products or
services? First, you need a website. It is possible to market online
without one, but a website gives you a "home-base." It's a place
that you can center your operation around, refer people to, and
use to branch out.

You DON'T necessarily need to have a website designed for you
since many affiliate programs do offer them for free. You DO need an
affiliate website that you can modify to make it different from all of the
other sites promoting the same product(s) or services as yours. If it's
identical to thousands of others, the major search engines won't
list it.

You also need to build a mailing list. This is a list of people who
have contacted you and given you permission to stay in contact
with them. For many online businesses, people join your list
by subscribing to your online newsletters. You send these
people your regular newsletter, and over time, develop a relationship
with many of them

It's very important that you understand that people buy from
people that they KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST. A newsletter
allows you to share information and resources with your
subscribers, and eventually causes them to feel this way
about you. You have to earn their friendship, trust and admiration.
You do this be doing things to help them succeed. It's that simple.

The easiest way to build a list is to have a signup form on
most pages of your site, and ask people to join your list.
However, they won't join unless you give them a good reason.
Even though your newsletter may be free, you still have to
sell them on the value of joining your list. Your potential
subscribers have so many choices of free ezines, that they
won't sign up JUST because you ask them to. Tell them
the benefits of being on your list.

So... you need a list, a website, products to sell, and some
guidance from people who are actually doing what you want
to do.

I currently have 4 resources I recommend to beginners who
contact me. I honestly believe that these 4 resources give
them the best start... the best probability of building a
successful online business. Those resources are:

1) I recommend that they subscribe to my free 20-lesson
Internet Business Success Course. This is a course that
I put together which contains some of my favorite articles
and resources. It explains a lot of things they will need to
master to succeed in an online business. That course is
available at: WillieCrawford.com

2) Next I recommend that they join Affiliate Showcase. At
Affiliate Showcase they can get a free website that, in words
right from the site:

"An AffiliateShowcase site is a website of your own -- an
affiliate program search engine that you own, you customize,
and you fill with your own affiliate links. And then you watch
it grow all your affiliate checks."

You get this site... that you send people to. When they buy
the products or even get their own Affiliate Showcase site,
you earn a commission. At the same time, for a small upgrade
fee, you can FULLY-customize the site. You can put your logo,
your picture, links to your favorite sites or programs, etc.
It puts you in business real quick - real cheap. You can see
my Affiliate Showcase site and get your own - in just minutes
at: AffiliateShowcase.com

Affiliate Showcase has a complete affiliate training program.
You can join in on conference calls several times a week
where you are trained by experienced marketers in how to
set up and promote your Affiliate Showcase business. You
are not left to figure it all out by yourself as many affiliate
programs do.

3) I also recommend that they join the Internet Marketing
Warriors. The Warriors is an online community with the most
active members-only discussion forum that I am aware of. At
this site, you can actually brainstorm your ideas with other
members and they will give you their honest feedback. The
Warriors range from complete beginners to those earning
millions a year.

I recommend that they get the Warrior Pro Membership.
This membership will cost them $25 per month, but
gives them a number of great benefits including a place
to build their next website. In fact, they get a number
of pre-designed, template websites that they make just
a few edits to and they are all setup to sell some products,
and keep all of the money. For this they do need a way
to process credit card orders, but Paypal is the perfect
solution for that.

Paypal is a service that allows anyone in many countries
to send and receive money via email. You can find out
more about Paypal at:
https://www.paypal.com/us/mrb/pal=GTQ2ANFJTKDNG

Join the member-only, Warrior community at: WarriorPro


4) The other thing I recommend for beginners is a Clickbank
Mall. Clickbank is a "third-party credit card processor" that
allows many merchants to set up an affiliate program without
having a merchant account. It also recruits and manages
affiliates for them. Affiliates sign up as Clickbank affiliates and
can then search the Clickbank database for products to sell.

The Clickbank Mall allows anyone to literally link to the entire
Clickbank database. When a visitor to your site searches
for a product using your search box, and they make a
purchase, you earn a commission. It only takes a minute
to set up and you can use it on as many of your websites
as you want to. You can get more details on Clickbank Mall
at: CBmall.com

The 4 resources mentioned above provide a very good
education and get the new online business person off to a
great start. They don't spend a fortune getting setup and
they start earning money fairly quickly. From this very
solid foundation the newbie is then ready to teach other
beginners how to safely get started.

This short note provides the complete beginner with a plan
... a very good starting point. Then it's just a matter of
doing it!

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Willie Crawford has been teaching others how to build an on-line
business since late 1996. Frequently featured in radio, magazine
and newspaper articles and interviews, Willie teaches the average
guy what the top marketers are doing but seldom talking about.
Willie provides detailed how to information in his newsletter,
through his personal coaching, and at his annual how to workshop.
Learn more at: http://InternetMarketingHowToWorkshop.com

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.IGottaTellYou.com
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Web logs, commonly referred to as "blogs," represent all
the rage right now in online publishing.

Not really a newsletter or traditional html page
publishing, blogs resemble more of a web-based diary where
the creator records their thoughts, posts links, or
responds to questions.

With so much confusion online and an absence of "personal
touch," blogs stand to actually bring back some humanity to
the web by allowing people of like minds to come together.

** Why Blog? **

As the sea of information on the World Wide Web gets larger
and deeper, people starve for knowledge.

It's a fact that most human beings learn better when
someone else shows or tells them how to do something, or
explains what something means and its impact on their
lives.

People sitting around a fire and passing information one to
another is as old as human history, and with blogs you can
do the online equivalent.

Blogs allow you to do everything from staying in touch with
family members to building a world-wide following of loyal
readers based around a hobby or your profession.


** Monologue or Dialogue? **

You basically have two choices when it comes to your blog.

You can set it up so only you can post to the blog and
viewers just read your posts, or you can allow your
audience to comment on your posts and create a dialogue
with them.

Which model you choose comes down to your purpose for the
blog.

If you want to get feedback from customers, family members,
friends, or subscribers, then allowing them to post will
add a tremendous dimension to your communication.

If you want to keep it simple, then start out with a blog
where you post and others only read.


** How Do You Set Up a Blog? **

Log on to Blogger.com to set up a free account (monologue
type).

With absolutely zero experience and without reading the
help files, I set up my blog - www.ebookblog.com - in about
5 minutes.

At first I just posted a few old articles to fill in
content and see how the process worked.

Lately I've gotten the "blogger bug" and plan to start
posting several times a week.

Though my blog gets posted on my own website, Blogger.com
also allows you to post to their server so you don't even
need a hosting account to set up your own blog.

You can get a more full-featured blog (dialogue type) from
MovableType.org.

There you have the option of getting their software
installed on your server or obtaining a very reasonably
priced account hosted on their servers.

Either way you choose, posting rates as simple as typing
into a web form, clicking a button, and your articles and
comments automatically get posted to your blog (no html or
ftp skills required).

If you want to find one of the thousands of blogs online
about everything from cooking to puppy potty training, log
on to:
www.daypop.com
www.blogsearchengine.com
www.feedster.com

You can easily and quickly search through rapidly expanding
databases of blogs open to the public.

-- Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the
co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how
to use fr-e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted
visitors to your website or affiliate links...

-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links?
"Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving
Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate
links... without spending a dime on advertising!
Click Here> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com
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