• I chose a market instead of a niche
• I didn’t pay attention and use any keyword research in my posts
• I didn’t pay attention to what my traffic was telling me
• I stuck with the same affiliate program even though it wasn’t converting

Market vs. Niche

A lot of Internet marketers make the mistake of choosing a market to promote instead of a niche. What’s the difference you may ask? A lot!

The easiest way to explain this is too use Golf as an example. Golf is a market not a niche. Now, some of you may say Golf is a niche in the Sports market or the Outdoor Sports market, but sorry I think you are wrong. It is still too broad of a market to try to target with a niche blog. Unless you have a lot of patience and a lot of time on your hands.

Bare with me for a minute. Let’s break it down. Golf is a market, golf clubs or golf balls, golf carts or even golf courses are niches, while Spalding^® golf balls or TaylorMade^® golf clubs are micro-niches.

If some one is looking for Spalding^® golf balls chances are they are looking to buy golf balls and not looking or free information on golf balls. While someone searching for just golf could very well just be researching and not ready to buy.

In every Market there are sections that just don’t sell or only attract visitors and aren’t looking to buy, they just want information.

Keyword Research

Keyword choice can make or break you, quite literally. Choose the wrong keywords or not pay attention and just posting on any and everything in your market and your blog becomes an information center only and not a money generator.

I didn’t pay attention and just posted willy nilly about my “market” and before you know it, all my visitors were after was information and not interested in any adsense ads, banner ads or even text ads. I did manage to turn this around a little and started to show at least a little income flowing in, by paying closer attention to what keywords I chose.

Traffic Demographics and Search Terms

The keywords your visitors found you with can tell you a lot and having accurate statistics can be a marketers best friend. If you have no idea what keywords your visitors used to find, then you have no idea what they are looking for.

My search terms told me that everyone just wanted free information, yet I was stubborn and didn’t adjust for quite awhile, thinking well I can turn them on and get them excited about this or that, but nope, no dice. It was futile to even try and I was ready to give up.

I was ranked very good in Google and held a lot of number one, two and three spots for a lot of different phrases, but all “free” related. I had to adjust something, but what?

Adjust Your Affiliate Program To Match

I finally sat down and LOOKED with an open mind on what was happening. I was simple promoting the wrong things to the wrong people. Duh!!!

In almost every market there is a section of people are only looking for free stuff or free information. The good news is that there is a way to tap into that and profit from it.

I did a lot of research and discovered there were a few things my visitors were interested in, I simply adjusted my marketing and switched affiliate programs to cater to what they were actually interested in and not what I felt they should be interested in. CPA advertising is great for this and can really turn your dead income around, provided you can find the right match to your traffic.

I guess the biggest take away I can give you from this, is to listen and look at what your traffic is telling you and then find a way to adjust to their needs. By doing so, I was able to turn the blog around and make more money in one month than it did for the past two years combined.

My problem was that on another one of my blogs I have a download section of selected ebooks for my subscribers to download. I had to manually email the subscribers the password to access the downloads every time someone subscribed.

After going through the subscription process myself, it finally dawned on me that I could change the welcome message displayed after the subscriber verified their email address.

Here is how I did it

The existing displayed message is:
You have successfully subscribed!

Save a copy of the plugin on your computer so if you mess up, you can delete the mess and upload a good copy, at least copy the code into a notepad file and save it.

Deactivate the plugin then go to Plugins Editor.
Select Subscribe2 in the list.
In Firefox open Edit – Find
Type in: “subscribed!” (without quotes)
You will see a line like this:

$this->added = "<p>" . __('You have successfully subscribed!','subscribe2') . "</p>";

Right after the subscribed! but before the ‘ is where we will add our message.

 Add a double line break after the subscribed!<br /><br />
Thank you for subscribing to MyBlogName <br /><br />

You can access your downloads by clicking on the PageName<br/>
and entering the password: xxxxxx<br />
Please save it in a safe place.<br /><br />

Enjoy your download of ______! '

You can add whatever you like, but no paragraph tags. I did not try a link since the link to the page I am pointing them too is right above the message, nor did Otry an image. Do not use words like it’s, don’t or anything with an apostrophe in it. That will end the code at that point.

The problem with doing this, is that when the plugin is updated, you would have to make the change every time.

Let me know how it goes!

Subscribe2 plugin homepage

“WordPress” in sub-domains is fine, like wordpress.example.com, we’re just concerned about top-level domains.

So this will be my temporary home for awhile until I have time to explore for a different domain to use. Pre-tax season has me hopping at the moment.

Edited 1/11/09: I decided to just merge my WordPress 123 blog into this one. Less blogs to worry about and along the same topics. I hope you will enjoy it.

I figured this was coming back when I bought it a few years ago ~ oh well.

Happy Holidays and a Joyful New Year to you and yours!

You have a great idea for an online business and you start making things happen.

Then, all of a sudden, your momentum comes to a crashing halt…

You’re stuck.

…AND…

You have no idea what to do next.

It could be something “silly” or something more technical but whatever it is…

…it’s holding you back!

Have you ever experienced something like this?

If you’re nodding your head yes, don’t worry.

You’re not alone.

But I have good news…

There is one marketer (who is famous worldwide) that is making himself available to answer your questions.

The best part is, he answers your questions in video so you can see exactly what to do to solve your challenge.

Sounds good right?

The program is called “Marketing Tutorials” and you can see the details here:

http://www.marketingtutorials.com/

It’s the perfect solution if you want someone telling you exactly what to do to grow your online business – especially if your instructor has has sold over $50 million dollars online.

Enjoy!

Ron

P.S When you click on the link below, you’ll hear a brief explanation of the type of content that will be created for this membership.
http://www.marketingtutorials.com/

I received some more information from Andrew on how to go about offline marketing and I have some more free gifts for you.

The first is a full 68 minute free audio revealing how you can make an exceptional income selling your online marketing skills to your local businesses.

This Audio reveals:

• Why small business owners are desperate for someone to help them with their internet marketing and they’re willing to pay…
• The secret phrase to use with business owners that builds rapport instantly and will have them eager to talk to you sometimes for hours…
• How to get a business owner to write you a check for your services often the very first time you talk to him.
• And many more secrets to implementing the powerful Offline Gold strategy.

Go listen to this full audio right now
http://www.pegasusteam.com/ogfreeaudio.php

The second gift is a free video that reveals how you can make an exceptional income selling your online marketing skills to businesses in your local area.

This free video reveals reveals how businesses in your local area are a potential gold mine for you.

How you can charge $500, $1000, 1500 dollars or more for helping business owners with their online marketing.

Go watch this free video now…
http://www.pegasusteam.com/ogfreevideo.php

Real people are making real incomes following the Offline Marketing strategy outlined in this free audio and this free video.

Many people have made 500 dollars, 1,000 dollars, 1,500 dollars or more their first day talking to local business owners.

P.S. Here is the free report if you missed it:
http://www.pegasusteam.com/offlinegold.php

Or you try to remember a persons name for a long time then suddenly in the middle of the night the names pops into your head.

Actively working on the problem for hours on end will not help you solve it. Your brain is too active and too easily distracted.

Image by: bandita

Sometimes the best solution for solving a problem or just being more productive is to just walk away and quiet your mind.

Take some time every day and just do nothing. Here are a few ways to let your mind wander while you relax and a few things to avoid.

• Take a walk outside – preferably in a park or in a nature setting.
• Try meditation – meditation comes in many forms, but the point here is too just empty your mind.
• Try Tai Chi – this ancient Chinese mind-body practice is perfect for relaxing. Also referred to as “meditation in motion”.
• Yoga – an ancient Hindu mind-body practice, helps to reduce stress and helps you become calm and centered.
• Do deep breathing exercises – Breathing deeply helps you calm down and feel more relaxed.
• Get a massage – There is nothing like a great massage to relax. If money is tight, some massage schools let students work on clients at a discount.
• Listen to a nature sounds CD while closing your eyes and relaxing, doing yoga or meditating.

The mind cannot relax and come up with solutions if you are busying it doing something else.

• Avoid reading
• Avoid the television
• Avoid the radio or music

Do whatever it takes to help you to relax your mind and you will increase your productivity.

How do you relax your mind?

The news lately has been reporting that parents are not raising their kids anymore. The TV, the computer and video games are pretty much raising our kids. That is a pretty scary thought thinking that our kids are being raised by others on Myspace, Youtube and the like.

Being raised in southeast Idaho I was exposed to a particular religion. While I don’t agree with all their principles they had a great idea they called Family Home Evening. One night a week they spent the evening with their kids doing various things as a family.

Below is a few ideas of ways you can spend some time with your kids to get that “family” feeling back into your and their lives. I wish I would have done more with my kids at home when I had the chance.

• Go on the computer with your kids and have them show you their favorite Youtube videos that are funny. Laughing together will help form or reinforce that family bonding.
• Rent some movies and have a movie night. Pop some popcorn or get your favorite snacks, some soda or juice and just watch some movies. Comedies would be good, get the laughter going!
• Board games – remember those? Monopoly®, Life® or hundreds of other games can be a fun way to spend the evening with your children.
• Go outside and shoot some hoops or play catch, kick a ball around, lawn darts, ride bicycles, go for a walk, go to a park or playground… whatever you enjoy doing. Don’t be too competitive and have fun.
• Help them with their homework, you might even learn something. I am terrible with Algebra, but if I look at the examples I can usually figure out the problem, if not.. hey there is always Google to look for more help!

While you are doing any of the above spend some time talking with your kids. Find out what is going on with them, how is school, their friends and their girl/boy friends if applicable. What is bothering them… spend some quality time and get to know your kids again, or find out what is on their minds!

What ways do you use to connect with your children?

The Shift proposes that we are seeing the birth of the largest political movement in human history and that this movement is part of a necessary evolution of humankind and that this movement is part of a necessary evolution of humankind and our future.

“A massive worldwide phenomenon is in progress, offering seeds of great hope for the future. Millions of individuals, organizations and corporations around the world are waking up and embracing a new outlook with an emphasis on their responsibility to contribute positively to our collective future. We are in the middle of the biggest social transformation in human history, The SHIFT. At this critical point, it is imperative we make the masses aware of this global movement quickly. This evolutionary phenomenon is broader and deeper than the most visible SHIFT, the environmental movement. It involves our very understanding of who we are as human beings, and our responsibility to the world and to life itself. THE SHIFT movie raises awareness to the story of our roles in an evolutionary shift in our collective consciousness. As it chronicles the faces, the stories and leaders assisting in this social transformation, the film reveals its emergence & meaning.”

The Producers of the film need your support to get this film finished. There is several ways you can help including helping to spread the word, donating and by helping out on the film itself. More information can be found on The Shift Movie website.

photo credit: Djenan

Leo over at Zenhabits posted a nice article on combating procrastination and getting things done.

I never used a timer myself before, but I actually stick to this schedule pretty good unless I am heavy into redesigning a website or doing some coding. I tried the timer the last few days and it works out much better.

Here is my Productivity system to help you remain focused.

• Every day I have certain tasks that need to be done. To remain focused and productive I concentrate on these tasks for 40 minutes at a time. During this time I ignore my email beeps and just work on the task at hand. I then take a break for 20 minutes. I smoke, so that takes about 5-7 minutes then I use the restroom, fill my water glass, get another Dew or whatever… just anything to get up and move around.
• The remaining 10 – 15 minutes is used to check my emails, check my site stats, etc. Then it is back to work for another 40 minutes.

After sticking with this for just a few days I noticed that I have been much more productive and I actually feel better after getting up and moving around and stretching a little once an hour.

While you are up walking around do some shoulder and neck rolls to loosen up those tightened muscles from hunching over your keyboard. This will help with your circulation as well.

Leo pointed me to Cool Timer which works great.

Edited April 1st
I am using Sedo to sell the domain. Make me an offer.

TheSecretTestimonials.com is currently number one and two on google for the search “the secret testimonials”. A great domain for selling law of attraction products.

The free LIVE webcast classes will be taught by both Oprah and Eckhart Tolle together every Monday night for 10 weeks beginning Monday, March 3 at 9:00 pm eastern time. Don’t delay – register for the webcastcourse now before it fills up and then order the book.

This is an incredible opportunity to learn from both Oprah and Eckhart Tolle! You can get all the details and register for the classes at Oprah.com.

I just got my copy of the book A New Earth and it was only $8.40! What a bargain – PLUS the classes with Eckhart Tolle and Oprah are free!
I am looking forward to this teleclass ~ hope to see you there!

The Man Nobody Knows (1925) is the second book by the American author and advertising executive Bruce Fairchild Barton. Barton presents Jesus as “the founder of modern business,” in an effort to make the Christian story accessible to businessmen of the time.

When published in 1925, The Man Nobody Knows topped the nonfiction bestseller list, and is one of the best selling non-fiction books of the 20th century.

The Boston Herald wrote,“The life of Jesus, as we ordinarily read it, is what the life of Lincoln would be if we were given nothing of his boyhood and young manhood, very little of his work in the White House and every detail of his assassination… Jesus liked to dine out. He was the most popular dinner guest of Jerusalem… The reader is not shocked by this method of Mr. Barton’s . . . Jesus seems even more the being for the ages.”

Purchase and Download The Man Nobody Knows

Can you build a nice website, know basic SEO, know how to get back-links and understand the power of follow up and direct response marketing?

Even if you do not have all these skills you can outsource some of these skills and still make this work.

If you do have any or all of these skills, then you need to pay attention to this!

You can start with just a little basic online marketing skills and start collecting checks today for your skills from local business owners in any town, anywhere.

“If you are willing to walk into a business and just have a casual conversation about how they can improve their sales with online marketing a really good percentage of these business owners will pay you.”

Andrew Cavanagh, world renowned copywriter made a post on a famous Internet Marketing forum that exploded with questions and with a few people posting their results. The forum thread, that many thought was lost, has been made into the free report available below. Andrew salvaged the best posts and got permission from their authors, refined and edited it all into a fantastic pdf report you can download at the end of this post.

Here is a portion of that post:

New Year’s Gift…Make $1,500 Today No Money Down
Author: Andrew Cavanagh

Last night I spent my New Year’s Eve at a local restaurant PACKED to capacity with diners at a very high price per head.

Best of all the market is so HUMUNGOUS that EVERY warrior on this forum could be actively working with 10-20 businesses in his local area and it wouldn’t even be a blip on the Google landscape.

Success On Day One!

You will read about Matt who went out and talked to one business owner and walked out of that business with $1500 in his pocket and that was only half the fee charged… just the down payment for his services.

You will also read about James who was already doing this and he finished a project in just two days and made $6700.

Don’t make the mistake of dismissing this idea without reading this report, you will see questions of all kinds asked in the report and find many answers.

Give it a chance!

Small businesses across the world are hungry for this. They have been ripped off by many a salesman and they want and need exposure to their local market online.

If you think you posess the basic online marketing skills, then you need to start marketing your skills locally and become a Local Marketing Consultant.

I won’t be collecting your name and email. In fact you can get the report without leaving this page.

You can download the free report right now from:

http://www.pegasusteam.com/OfflineGoldForumThread.pdf

Just Right Click the link above then click on ‘Save Target As’ to save the report to your computer.

Adobe Reader needed to read this pdf report!

All you need is some basic online marketing skills…
http://www.pegasusteam.com/offlinegold.php

Andrew kept repeating one simple truth on this forum thread as it
quickly became one of the most highly read posts in Warrior Forum
history…

If you’re willing to walk into a business and just have a casual
conversation about how they can improve their sales with online
marketing a really good percentage of these business owners will
pay you.

Matt Jutras didn’t waste any time thinking about this.

He walked into a local store selling boutique dogs (would you
believe) and walked out with a check for 1,500 dollars.

Better still that’s a half payment.

He gets another 1,500 dollars when he finishes the job on the web
site AND he gets 250 dollars a month for some simple ongoing
maintenance.

Here is the best part.

If you are a copywriter and you can put a site online you can do this.

If you can’t put a site online but you know a little about online
marketing you can outsource the work.

If you’re an SEO expert this is perfect for you too.

In fact the only thing you really need is enough online marketing
knowledge to get a business owner’s attention.

The demand was so high for information on exactly how to go from
being a total stranger to getting an offline business owner to write
you a check I’ve put together a special report.

And if you’re quick you can be downloading this revealing report
just minutes from now and getting your first check today.

Go get your copy now…
http://www.pegasusteam.com/offlinegold.php

Yours sincerely,
Ron

P.S. I’m giving this report away at a bargain price under twenty
dollars because I know you can go out minutes after reading it and
get some nice fat checks from business owners in your town.

And after you do that you’ll be back ready to pay for more high
quality information for me…probably joining my exclusive email
coaching club.

But the price of this report won’t last. I’ll soon be selling it
for three times as much.

Go download your copy now…
http://www.pegasusteam.com/offlinegold.php

P.P.S. I’ve arranged for two special bonus reports for you only if you order through the link below.

Bonus Report # 1: Reveals an amazing system for turning lukewarm contacts into powerful allies who will buy from you and recommend you to their friends…

Bonus Report # 2: Your Business Profits On Auto Pilot. 15 groundbreaking strategies any business owner can use to break free from his business shackles and multiply his business profits exponentially.

These 2 reports hold key information that will help you gain insights into how to help your offline clients improve their marketing and increase their profits.

And remember you get them both without paying a cent but only when you order through the link below.

http://www.pegasusteam.com/offlinegold.php

Each Christmas James Brausch gives a Christmas gift away to his blog readers, usualy one (or more) of his products. I was blown away again this year when I opened my email yesterday and saw what he gave away this year.

I guess some people are upset, because they didn’t open their email yesterday as instructed and missed out on the gift. If you missed the gift, get on his notification list and try again next year. In the mean time, here is an article I think is worth reading. It is written by Harry Browne, he wants to give his 9-year-old daughter a gift that will be a blessing to her all her life.

Happy New Year James
Ron