What Online Business Help Do You Need?
[Due to the huge response to this post, I have cut off comments at this time. I’ve approved or responded to everybody’s questions as best I could over the last two days. Thank you very much for your questions. I hope this was helpful.]
I get massive amounts of email, way too much to answer even one percent of it every day.
Most of the people who send me emails need help with their online business in one way or another. They’re confused, or stuck, or don’t even know where to start.
What’s probably surprising to a lot of people, maybe even you, is that I really DO understand where you’re coming from…because I came from there myself.
Most of you know that I’ve been running a successful Internet business for six years now, since 2002. But successful today doesn’t mean I started that way. Let me tell you a bit of my story so you’ll understand why it makes sense to listen to the advice I’m going to offer you.
I started from scratch, with no money, no JV partners, no list, no advantages at all, really. In that sense, I can relate to anybody out there who’s starting from scratch and feels kind of lost and overwhelmed. I’ve been there!
As I learned what worked and what didn’t, I made a ton of mistakes. I had to spend (and waste) a bunch of money on trial and error. I got frustrated. There were many times I want to dump it all. Sound familiar?
What’s a little different for me is that I refused to quit. By my second year in business, I was earning over $440,000 a year. And that was before I even broke into the “Internet marketing” niche as an affiliate marketer and product creator.
Now I have a business that gives me financial freedom I could only dream of six years ago. Here’s what I mean…
I’m the top affiliate for most product launches I JV for, and I have raked in big profits from product launches, firesales, giveaways, resale rights, you name it.
My email promos regularly bring in five figures, and I’m earning more in passive income in a month than many people make in a year slaving at a desk.
I have a list of over 250,000 active readers who buy like crazy when I promote something, which I only do when I’m really behind it. That kind of list performance is probably why I get dozens of JV proposals every week.
And my products get endorsements from respected online experts like Allan Gardyne, Paul Myers, Jimmy D. Brown, Jim Daniels and others.
Absolutely none of that is to boast about how good I am. I told you that story so you’ll know that the advice I give is based on a level of success I bet most of you want. I’m no genius, but I’m not just “lucky” either. I’ve learned how to do this, and I want to teach you. I get all sorts of invitations to speak at big IM events, but I choose to teach only through my products, newsletter and blog. Today is an example of that.
If I had more time, I could answer emails and blog comments all day, but I’m one guy with a business to run. That said, I’m going to take a little time to teach this week. So consider this post an open invitation to ask me anything you want to.
You can ask about getting your business going, success factors, how to build a list, or anything else you want. I’ll hang out for the next two days to answer questions (not with a response time of seconds, but pretty quick during the day).
I really do care about helping all of you, but I have to manage how I do it. Posts like this are one simple way I can balance helping people and running my own business.
Be sure to bookmark this post and come back regularly to comment and read my answers to other people’s questions.
Have you always wanted to ask questions about your business, but you didn’t want to pay thousands of dollars for a few hours of a business coach’s time? Here’s your chance.
Go ahead and ask away!
About the Author
Michael Rasmussen is a successful Internet Marketing Consultant and author of many top-selling eBooks. Michael has been marketing online since the early days and he knows what it takes to make money and succeed online. Stop by his Web site and subscribe to his Free monthly newsletter full strategies and techniques for successful web site promotions that can help YOU! Go to http://www.MichaelRasmussen.com
From Marina Currie
Hi, I need help with getting paid for taking surveys online.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Will
Hi Michael,
Ok, if you lost it all and needed to start again from scratch with just $100 in your pocket what would you do and why ?
Look forward to your reply.
Will
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Meshullam Williamson
My biggest problem is operating an autoresponer and finding html code on certain ones’s such as aweber………thanks
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Laura
What are the top 5 mistakes you made in the beginning, that you wished you could’ve avoided?
Thanks!
Laura
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Eugene
Hi, I have the following questions:
1)Is purchasing lists (email lists from list brokers ) a good way to get started?
2)If we were to purchase a list (of emails ) to get started, what is the best way to email them?
3)Any list brokers to recommend?
Best Regards,
Eugene
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Diane Corriette
Hi Michael
I have a question but not so much in need of help. Hope its ok to include it.
With so many people wanting to achieve online business success how many years would you say it honestly takes.
For you by your second year your income had obviously increased substantially. What do you think makes the difference between someone who makes alot of money after only 2 years and one that takes 5 years? Is there something you did in particular?
I’ve been online for 3 years and feel like I am only now finding my feet. The first 18 months I moved from one thing to another! It also took a while to get out of being “marketed to” and deciding to be the “marketer” - that’s when things changed for me.
Did you just decide to focus on one thing in your second year and stick to it?
Most people take 3-5 years. Mike Filsaime and all the others. Dr Mani says it takes 7 years. The average seems to be 5 years but you broke the average so it would be great if you could share what you think it might have been.
best wishes
Diane
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Marina,
I’m sorry that I can’t recommend taking surveys online as a way to generate income. It sure sounds great, doesn’t it? That’s part of the problem.
I’ve actually looked into this, and I can say that almost every survey “opportunity” I’ve seen charges you a fee to get their database of survey companies (typically $30-40). That’s not necessarily bad, but the problem is with the survey companies they recommend.
Most survey companies tell you you’ll get paid with cash OR points for products at certain retailers. You might very well get some cash, but I suspect you’ll get points 99% of the time. Points are great for shopping, but unfortunately, they don’t pay the rent.
If you want to investigate this for yourself, you’re welcome to, but I can’t recommend it. There are better options out there that can put real cash in your pocket reliably.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From stanley
where to start to get real internet income.
1. creating minisites for adsense
2. affiliate sites
3. BANS
4. ecommerce sites.
or all the above. what percentage each business should one have.
others: membership sites, niche blog.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Femi
Any suggestion on writing great content for sites?
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Nazrul
Hi. I’m new in this internet marketing. Where can i find information about profitable niche?
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Pam-ella
How do you go about setting a plan and goals to start an online business. I have no ideas. I just don’t know where and how to start.
Pamella
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Bruce
What is the fastest, least expensive way/place that I can have a ebook produced for me. There is a ebook that I have been selling as an affiliate that seems to do very well. I would like to create my own version of it and get all the money instead of half the money. Problem is I don;t have time or patience to do the re-write myself.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Colin Klinkert
Heya Mike,
No qs. at this stage, just want to say you are an inspiration to many in our niche. Keep up the good work!
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Angie
Newb “What Next” Help Needed!
1. I have a product I believe in;
2. I have a squeeze page, with call to action button above the fold, bullets left, constantly optimizing, (and links to your info!);
3. I have an auto-response program but not sure I need to keep paying for it with a list of less than 50;
4. I had paid Google ads but at $400 a month I had to stop, so now I have zero new traffic coming in;
5. I have a blog, with articles I update several times a week;
6. Now I’m trying to write articles (with my contact box) so I can get backlinks to my blog, and hence traffic to the blog & squeeze page??
Write articles… about my product? Or about… what? My thoughts? I have no expertise yet so how can I write about anything useful. I know you guys are big on outsourching the writing, but I’d really like to write things myself - but I’m stuck on content. HELP! I’m getting no traffic!!
Thanks in advance,
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hi Will,
Good question.
If I had to start again from scratch with just $100, I would start by looking for desperate buyers in a given niche market. Who has a problem they REALLY want to fix?
There’s no real science to it–it’s more art. But you can Google “[niche] forum” and find active forums with people who are desperate for solutions.
Then I would do some online research and write a short, simple report about solving the problem. I’d write it myself, since I only have $100 in my pocket, right?
Once I have that, I’d spend just a little bit of money.
First, I’d buy a domain for my niche market. It would cost me $9 for a year at NameCheap.
I’d buy a month of hosting. There are lots of options out there, including HostGator, which comes highly recommended by lots of marketers. Their middle package will cost me $7.95 a month. In round figures, I’m up to $17 spent.
Then I’d sign up for an autoresponder to build a list, which is where you’ll make most of your money. I can actually save you some serious time and money there. Lots of people face a real challenge with the “tech stuff”, and they don’t have a lot of money to spend for writers. That’s why I set up this offer:
http://www.michaelrasmussen.com/video/killer-emails/
The offer lets you sign up for my own autoresponder service for a FREE for a month to try it. I throw in 30 free email promos that I wrote (people offer me $500 to write just one), and a free video tutorial on how to create a squeeze page to capture subscribers. My running total cost is still $17.
That’s the last “tech” thing I would do–set up a squeeze page at my domain. The tutorial should help make that easy. Since I’m doing it myself, my running total cost is still $17.
Then I would write articles to drive traffic to my site, and submit them to EzineArticles.com and GoArticles.com at least. They’re both free, so my cost is still $17.
Then I would create a Squidoo lens to help drive traffic to my site. It’s easy to set up a lens (they have a wizard to walk you through it–no tech skills required), and it’s free, so my cost is still $17.
Then I would set up a Blogger blog to drive even more traffic to my site. Yep, it’s free, so my cost is still $17.
That’s a solid start…and I spent $17 to do it. If I have to spend a little more to get things going, I have $83 in my budget.
Will it work? There are no guarantees, but it’s certainly worked for plenty of other people, and the odds are good. What it boils down to is picking a good niche, and that’s up to you and your brain.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Paul Guzman
What are the most important factors in starting an online business.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Tim Mershon
Michael,
First all, thanks for this opportunity to pick your brain.
My question is “all of the above”.
However, marketing to get real results without breaking the bank is my biggest challenge.
Whats the best way to get your marketing efforts to generate leads, sales etc?
Thanks again,
Tim Mershon
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hello Meshullam,
You said:
“My biggest problem is operating an autoresponer and finding html code on certain ones’s such as aweber………thanks”
I’m not quite sure what you mean. My autoresponder system (http://www.AutomateYourList.com) lets you generate HTML code for your sign-up form. It’s a snap, and AWeber is the same (try the List Settings-Web Form menu).
Hope that helps.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From owen
I know all about how internet marketing works-the right mindset, the right keywords(get these 2 wrong and forget making money on the net)build a seo friendly site or blog, have relevant lsi fresh content,have relevant affiliate offers, correctly implement list building tactics, and so on. But all I have is the theoretical knowledge. My frustration is the practical knowledge. I don’t know how to do all this stuff. I can outsource, but I want don’t want to all of it. I want to know how to do all or at least some of the basics. THAT IS MY FRUSTRATION.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Doug
If you had a new site, what is the first thing you would do to start generating traffic. Write some articles (how many?)? Create Squidoo lenses? Link exchange?????
Thanks for doing this.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Barry
Hi Michael
I have heared that lists today in Im are far less responsive than they once were.
For newbies starting out, it might be better to use social media marketing to geerate loyal customers.
What is your opinion-do you see that things have changed and that marketers need to change according to the new realties online.
You are one of the most qualified people to answer this and hope you an be candid with your thoughts.
Thanks,
Barry
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Trevor Sadowski
Hi
I would like to ask a question about home pages for affiliate marketing sites etc.
Essentially I build content sites targeting different keywords with plr articles but always wonder what I should do with the home page.
Do I just put another article on it like the other pages or do you have a special technique for crafting the home page?
At the end of the day I just want to get people to the affiliate’s page, after trying to capture their name and email.
So I am wondering if you have developed an effective layout for the home page?
Thanks
Trevor Sadowski
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Osman
Hi Michael,
Like to ask a few questions here.
(1) How can i build a big list fast? What offer should I give to get people interested in opting-in to my list?
(2) Which traffic generation should i use to get lots of people to my site? Do you recommend me using Adwords?
(3) I noticed most salesletter offer bonuses from other marketers’ products. How to request other marketer to give away a product that we can use as a bonus?
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Pam
Hi,
I need help with finding places to advertise.
I seem to have a hard time getting signups,or even getting people to my site.
Thank you!
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hi Eugene,
Let me take your questions one at a time…
1)Is purchasing lists (email lists from list brokers ) a good way to get started?
I wouldn’t. Take a look at my answer to Will’s question. You can build a list for free, and it doesn’t take all that long. Pick a good niche, drive traffic for free, build a list.
2)If we were to purchase a list (of emails ) to get started, what is the best way to email them?
Like I said, I wouldn’t, and this is one reason why. You bought the list. Now, what do you say to them? They don’t know you, they don’t really know why they’re on “your” list, and when you email them they’ll probably unsubscribe.
3)Any list brokers to recommend?
Nope…but I bet you saw that coming
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Dennis Grubbs
I have a question. I know you are big on email promos. What would be the best way to approach marketing to email recipients like that of the “listdotcom” service?
Dennis Grubbs
JJP Marketing
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Alex Zhuravlev
Hi, Michael,
I`m started to make blogs with instructions how to do it, but I`m stuck at few things-I don`t no how to fully work with Wordpress blogs(create pages,archives), and in the BTTB 2.0 are nothing about that. Perhaps, you could tell me where i can find tutoirals or so.
P.S.-Sorry for my english.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Rich Lauro
Hi Michael, I have been sitting on the fence about starting a internet business for one reason only. I look at all the other site or competition and wonder can I compete with them.
So my question is does it matter that there is so much competition in the market I want to enter. My market is fat loss and muscle building I have 18 years experience as a trainer.
Thanks For Your Time
Rich
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Dave Weber
The biggest problem for me is to cut through the Sea of Gurus that are working the Net these days in order to choose one that is not only affordable but can deliver real results based training.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hi Laura,
Great question, but I don’t think I’ll make it to five mistakes. There are two HUGE ones everybody needs to avoid, and I had to learn this the hard way:
1) Not focusing on a market with a known, urgent need. It’s MARKETING, so focus on your market first, not your product/idea. If you pick a hungry market, they’ll buy the food you offer them.
2) Not building a list from the get-go. Start your list building activities right away. That’s what will build your income stream. Front-end sales are great, but back-end sales are generally more profitable over time.
If people would avoid those two mistakes, they’d be much better off. And here’s one more to avoid:
3) Focusing on the technical details. It doesn’t matter if your site is all that pretty, or if it’s the fanciest technical wonder around. Just get it up and selling!
So there’s three mistakes for you. I’d call those the “big three”, but I bet somebody else can come up with others that are equally important. It’s hard to rank mistakes sometimes
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Jim
I am in the Process of starting a Membership Site!What Membership Site Script would you recommend?
Also can you provide any “tips” on building a Membership Site for Digital Products?
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Mark Gray
Hi Michael,
I would like to know where i can get good free squeeze page templates, there doesnt seem to be a lot of them online and they are the final thing i need to get everythign into place.
thanks
Mark
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Herbey
I am currently getting leads from a splash page, but with no auto responder tied in for follow-up. What do you believe to be the most user-friendly auto responder I could use to import my leads. And how do you import leads into an auto responder?
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Julie
Hi Michael,
I’ve been interested in internet marketing for several years now and have put together a website on my favourite topic, organic gardening. It’s a niche I’m comfortable with and I’m creating a few hundred dollars a month in sales of my own products.
My question is about Google. Even though I add content to my blog every three or four days and I add content to my site every month, I think I’ve been de-indexed. Is there somewhere you can check if your site’s been de-indexed? And if it has, what can I do to get back in the good books with Google? I have a PR of 3 and Alexa ranking of around 350,000.
Even when I was in Google, I was on the 5th or 6th page of Google for my prime search term “organic gardening”. Any clues how to get higher in the Google index? I write articles and submit them to major article directories and occassionally post on forums and other related blogs.
Love to hear your opinion.
Kind regards,
Julie
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Maharudrayya
sir ,
i have been tried so many times to join a team of you and each time i set back due to only my card and bank who are not linking to access so i have a intiative problem imust overcome to i need your push up with a alternate for this please being idian poor will you lift and help me once who is in very critical position due to his huge joint family.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Brynton
Hi Michael
For years now have i looked into Internet Marketing Business and Honestly, I get more confused.
If you have your own IM Business…what exactly do you offer to people.
I’ve paid to get into the business, online-survey’s aswell, Data Entry and it all just did not work for me. I actually lost more money than making any. Infact didn’t even make one cent.
How can I set up my own IM Business and grow from there.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From stuart gold
need help in advertising oversea in Asia, Africa, Australasia & scandinavian countries. Everyone we seem to approach have their hands out for payment in advance but very little aftersales service, if any at all
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Sandy
Hi, I actually have two questions that I have not seen too much on. I have two websites both using dropshippers. I don’t have an autoresponder on either and have no idea how to do this. My one website is waldropenterprises.com there the dropshipper handles everything for me. I have had over 11,000 people come to my teddy bear site but I have only sold three bears. My questions are how do you get a lists going using dropshipers sites and how to I drive prospects to my sites? Being brand new at this I could use some help. Thanks
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Mathias
Hi Michael!
My name is Mathias and i wonder what CMS or websystem you are using today. Wich one do you prefer?
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Chris
Hey Michael,
Based on your experience of online marketing,what would you recommend to a newbie,as the best method(s)of generating website traffic?
Thanks,
Chris
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Pete
I joined a company that said I could process rebates.
then when I loged in I found out I needed to join clickbank an create hop links ect.after all that I still havent made any money .Do you have a affilite program and if so can I get help to get it up and working? Thanks Pete
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Bruce Colbert
Hi Michael-
I have a website that I’ve worked two years on (www.bible-guide-online.com) getting about 250 visitors a day, that’s just not monetizing hardly anything for me. I have an idea for a website that would monetize better. Would recommend leaving the one alone to start the other? Any other recommendations?
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hi Diane,
You’ve asked one of the questions almost everybody wants an answer to:
“With so many people wanting to achieve online business success how many years would you say it honestly takes.”
Now I’ll give you the honest answer I’m sure you expected…
It depends.
I think the biggest factors are picking a good market and giving people in that market exactly what they want. That’s why building a list is so important. You have to get to know your market, and a list gives you a way to keep in contact with them.
Think about it…you guys are my market. You’re on my list, or you probably wouldn’t be reading this. How do I get to know you? I ask questions!
Your follow-up question gets to the heart of the matter:
“What do you think makes the difference between someone who makes alot of money after only 2 years and one that takes 5 years? Is there something you did in particular?”
Yep, I got to know my market. I won’t share my niches (hey, self-defense), but for the IM market in particular, it’s vital to know what people want, what the real needs are. Then create products, services and offers that meet those needs. That’s how people get successful in two years instead of five. But sometimes, it just takes five (or more).
You said:
“I’ve been online for 3 years and feel like I am only now finding my feet. The first 18 months I moved from one thing to another! It also took a while to get out of being “marketed to” and deciding to be the “marketer” - that’s when things changed for me.”
Good observation. Lack of focus is a killer. Focus on one market until you make your efforts profitable, or determine there’s no profit to be had. Only then should you move on.
That’s what I had to do. Focus, focus, focus. That’s true regardless of your market. Then add one more thing–multiple streams of income from the same market. That means your own products (even just simple reports), affiliate products, etc.
There’s no magical timeframe for success, and taking five or more years isn’t “wrong”. Everybody learns the necessary lessons at different speeds. Almost everybody wants success in 1-2 years, and there’s no reason you can’t do that…unless it takes you longer.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From adetunji mosadioluwa
thanks somuch for your guidelines.please,howcan I go about having one of the internet biz.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Ernie
Hey Michael!
I’m ultra green and not tech savvy either, but want to learn. Although I’ve been looking into this for at least a year now, I’ve experienced info-overload and it just put a damper on my taking action. What would be your best recommendation to get me to take action? If I were a relative who needed quick financial help what pond would you chose to teach me how to fish? I absorb and learn best from video tutorials. Feel free to contact me personally(though I know you’re busy)I really need help!
Thanks,
Ernie
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Stanley,
I don’t recognize the term “BANS” off the top of my head, but all of the others can work. Where you start is up to you.
I suggest you start with a simple mini-site selling one product and building a related list in a niche market with a known need you can satisfy. Get that profitable. Then move on to the next thing, whether that’s a product in your existing market, another mini-site in another market, a membership site addition to your mini-site, etc.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Joe Leighton
Hi Michael,
What is the most effective free process for identifying relevant high traffic keywords with attainable SE ranking for my marketing videos?
Thanks & regards, Joe
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Chris Thomas
Hi Michael,
I am launching a new site/blog myself soon and have a couple of questions.
1. To get postings distributed and ranked in the search engines, I have been told to use socialmarker.com and stumbleupon.com to distribute the postings through the various social networing organisations. Would you recomend this or is there another alternative solution.
2. What marketing steps/actions should I sequentially follow in making sure the blog gets high rankings quickly. Eg - inbound links to the site?
Cheers Michael.
All the best,
Chris
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From keith roberts
hi Micheal
I have 3 product review sites up and running all with cloaked links, autoresponders and popup lead capture boxes etc. the problem I have now is traffic. I need lots of it and fast. I have run out of money now doing all this and I need some fast sales. how do I go about getting free traffic, a lot of it fast, (if there is such a thing). Thanks for your help - if you can
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Femi,
Great content isn’t really what you need. Solid, helpful content will do the trick.
The key is focusing on your market and talking to them like you know them. Cold, impersonal articles aren’t going to help you much. Write like you talk and you should be able to draw a crowd.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Jaz Lai
Hi Michael,
Have been your affiliate, subscribers and customers for the past 2 years.
I have a question:
What is your top 3 traffic methods to building a huge list?
Hear from ya.
Jaz
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Mike
I liked the tips and ive benefited coz ive been making similar mistakes
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Hamilton Grainger
Hi Michael,
I, like, I think, many people out there know the technical details of how to set up a website, autoresponder, generate a list, operate as an affiliate, etc. The thing which is missing is the scale of things (how much of different promotional things) that scale up an online business.
My question is, therefore, what do you regard as the biggest factor (or factors) that have been responsible for the majority of your online income generation. Is it through your list? or through PPC promotion? I am very interested in understanding what is the best route to accelerating my own income.
Thanks very much in anticipation of your response!
Hamilton
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From JAG
Hi Michael,
I have bought most books on Adwords and have really tried “all suggestions” just to sell at least a few products through clickbank. (Even bought some stuff through you)
I have aslo used all “resommended” techniques but really can’t get any sales.
My questions are:
1) Is there some other hidden “thing/technique” that all TOP marketers are not telling us to get the sale?
2) What would you recommend I do next?
I am using clickbank with Adwords just to get of the mark (money wise) so I can spend more time/money on my own website.
Best regards,
Jaun-Andre
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Beau
Hello Michael,
Thank you for this opportunity. I would have to say focus is what I need the most. After that, a good game plan. I am a professional sculptor, and I have a site for that, beautifulfrog.com. It has helped me a lot. But for making money online, I have a pet project -hasn’t made any money yet - called Tutorialjoe.com. I offer a complete set of video tutorials I created to teach Frontpage. This is free for the opt-in. I have about 100 subscribers. Not much, but then I didn’t do much to get that, some articles, some youtube. I don’t want to bombard people with emails, but I do want to help them. I’ve got some affiliate links for stuff that I really believe will help. I suggest Bluehost, the host I use… I think I can do something with this site. I teach through video tutorials the nuts and bolts of building a site. I can move on from there, expand with tutorials about blogging - all that. I have yet to monetize the site. I am reluctant to start selling because I don’t want to turn people off, quite frankly, and because when I sell something, it needs to be something that works for me. I could go on about this project, as I imagine others could do about theirs. I’ll wrap this up here. What I want to offer are tools to help someone get started on his or her own - not with someone else’s project, but with one’s own project. A good place to start, the way I started, was with a site that promotes something I already make money on, my sculpture. I offer and want to offer do-it-yourself tools. I need to monetize and get more traffic - without spending a lot of money.
That was not necessarily specific. Let me ask you something specific. Currently I submit articles to Ezinearticles.com and vids to Youtube. I’m putting pictures on Flickr. I’ve got blogs. I produce relevant tags for the search engines. How do I optimize this process? When I make a vid, should I put it on other sites as well as Youtube? And how much of this placing my content all around should I do? Another example: Facebook allows me to take a feed of my blog and put that up, which I have done. How much of this should I do? Given that I am only one person, how should I optimize my syndicating my own material, that is, spreading it around and trying to get it seen? I guess that’s my main question.
Thanks, Beau
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Cheryl
Hello.
I have been looking at options to make income on line and subscibed to receiving information from you. I am from South Africa and I have been told yes I can join most internet programs that are on sale to generate an income which I need to make. Also that the programs are used not only in the USA but all over the world. The question I have is how do South Africans get paid as I have been told that some of the places such as paypal for e.g. do not do wire transfers of money to South Africa. Have you worked with anyone from South Africa before and, if so perhaps you can help me with the question I am asking. Thanks so much for your time and your offer to allow us to submit questions to which we know we will get a response.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Nazrul,
Finding a profitable niche (like lots of marketing stuff) is more art than science. Here’s what you might try:
1) Use a site like EzineArticles.com or 43Things.com to get some ideas. Gotta start somewhere.
2) Make a list of possible keywords and use Google’s free keyword tool to get even more suggestions…and to see how much traffic they get
3) Google some keywords with 3+ words in them to see if there are affiliates advertising products in positions 3-5 or so (in the list of AdWords ads to the right of your search results), especially if there are three or more affiliates on the first page of AdWords ads
4) Download a browser plugin called SEOQuake and see if the pages in the organic search results (the ones in the middle of the page) have Google PR of 5 or less
If you find a niche with manageable competition and a big affiliate presence like that, odds are good it’s profitable.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Victoria Ipri
Hi Michael,
It’s so great that you are offering this help and advice. And to my surprise, you’re offering real advice with real steps to success, so unlike many other marketers who say they’re going to help, but the help is just another sales pitch. I’ll tell you honestly, your credibility in my eyes has just shot up 1000%. I’ve already learned a lot of things I always wanted to know(but was afraid to ask). As an SEO analyst and copywriter, I give advice for free everyday. People tell me I’m crazy, but I have learned that sharing knowledge is another great way to make lifelong friends with your clients. I offer a free SEO analysis for anyone’s website, and it’s very comprehensive too. I’ve helped many people this way and it almost always results in additional business from that individual, so it’s a win/win for everyone. So I don’t really have a question for you, but just wanted to thank you for taking the time to help us all be better, more effective marketers. I’ve already got a million new ideas!
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Steve
Hi Michael,
Thanks for taking couple of days out to answer questions, this type of payback is highly valued - thanks!
My question is to do with click throughs vs. clickbank sales conversions.
I have a sales page that is a product review page. I have reviewed 5 products (short reviews), ranked them and included multiple links to each relevant merchant page (5 in total).
In just under 3 weeks I have had 200+ clicks from the links on my sales/review page to the merchants sales page. This I’m quite please with this but here’s the catch - NO SALES in ClickBank.
So i am wondering what is a good benchmark sales conversion for this? If I had just 1% that would be 2 sales - definitely not retirement time but a good incentive nonetheless!!
Hope you can help with this - thanks in advance!
Steve
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Julie
Hi Michael,
Thank you so much for this opportunity. I am currently interviewing website companies to redesign/revise my site. There are so many choses out there…. What should a good website company be able to offer me? What is standard in this industry?
All the best,
Julie
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Vitaly
Well, Michael! A problem that I do not have even these $17! To me they need to be earned in the beginning from zero. You can advise, where it is possible to earn a seed capital (At least the same $100) on the Internet? Creation of the list for me too the big problem. I participate in several projects, but in the absence of the list yet have not earned cent.
Vitaly.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Paul Gallion
Hey Michael,
I am curious how big your list was your first year in business and exactly what did you do to build it?
I know you mentioned article writing, setting up a Squidoo lens and Blogging but there has to be more ways to build a list faster for FREE?
Thanks,
Paul Gallion
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Danny Scahill
Hi Michael,
I can totally relate to what you said about being overwhelmed etc… I have been trying the IM game since Nov 07 and have bought loads of products that promise you the world and deliver Sweet FA! I’ve thought about giving up many times in the past 7-8 mths but I really wanna make a go of this coz if there are so many ppl makin loadsa $$$’s at this game then I dont see why I cant! I just havent found the combination yet! I’m a Chiropractor so the 1st niche I was in was Health as I am passionate about that but got nowhere with that then started in the IM niche and haven’t got anywhere yet but will keep trying until I make that 1st sale! I am gonna concentrate on Affiliate Marketing for the next few months now. Any particular products you would recommend me to market? Are there any of your products I can promote?
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Pamella,
Everybody’s different, but here’s what I suggest for folks just starting out (and answers to other questions can help you fill in more detail):
1) Have a goal of getting ONE mini-site up within a month.
2) Pick a market for your site.
3) Choose what you’ll sell. It could be an affiliate product or your own simple/short “report”.
4) Focus on getting a SIMPLE site up and running, and getting free traffic to it.
5) Your financial goal is up to you, but pick a number like $250-1,000 profit in month one. If you don’t make that, you have your goal for month two.
I’m sure you’ve heard people scream, “Take action!” This is what they mean. It may take you a little time to find a market with a known need you think you can meet, but the process begins there.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Mike
Michael,
Appreciate you taking time to offer your insight on success. For most people success is always the intent but very few get there.
Time is either spent do training, research & learning with out taking action which leads to nothing. Or, taking lots of action and little training/educating which leads to frustration or completely overwhelmed.
You’ve laid out some good basic steps from Will’s post. Identifying the niche will be key, I’ll try your google suggestion.
Driving traffic to your squeeze page.
Should your squeeze page capture list information by offering more information or are you offering a solution to solve their problem?
What makes a good squeeze page?
How many articles, squidoo lenses, blog post should one be doing on a consistent basis to drive traffic?
Just trying to get a little more at the how.
thanks,
Mike
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hi Bruce,
I would try posting a job at Elance.com or maybe seeing if somebody at the Warrior Forum can help. There’s no guarantee you’ll find an inexpensive writer there (good writing does cost money), but you might find somebody willing to fit within your budget.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Peter
Hi Michael,
I wanted to know if you know how come sometimes, when I create an adwords campaign, or ad group, and everything is COMPLETELY RELEVANT, adwords says the my ad is not showing, but my quality score is GREAT, and I raise the bid, wait, and try everything, and certain keywords will just not show, even though my ad, and the destination url is more relevant than Any other adwords ad showing on google (if there are any ads showing)? This happens on a lot of keywords for somereason, do you know why, or how to get around it?
Thanks.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Sara
Hi Michael
Thank you for your time and I really appreciate you wanting to share your experience and expertise with others.
Its all about giving back and paying it forward i believe.
So my question is, when can I speak with you about a JV please? Im keen to speak with you about making some serious cash together, actually some more serious cash together
Lets talk soon please.
Take care and kind regards
Sara
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Mike
Hi Michael,
I looking at beginning to make products using Camtasia. I saw Mike Filsiame’s recent ‘Review Crusher’ video series and would like to duplicate his ‘horizontal’ type presentation format. What software is he using to do that? Is it just Powerpoint and Camtasia or is there some other tool?
Thanks for any help!
Mike
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From david tapp
we started with adword google it was costing $1000@year, we look did adv with yahoo before the court case but it did work for me, google is the only one that i can what my money go on, we cut spending on google back to $20 @ month sales went up, this is the only advesting we can do world wide,as for google aword 1 in 100 clicks but @product. we do magazine add in Austrailia we spend$3500 last summer, we tried sell wholesale oversea, beause we a Australia manufacter and cost of labour is high, all they want was product at Chinese price. With U.S.A market this summer as is up 20% which thought would be down.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Mike
Hello Michael,
I have only one question. being completely new to all of this, I have no idea what to do where to start or anything like that. I was offered a 6 day training camp that would give me all the tools and information that I needed to start a sucessful business online but at the small cost of $9000.00 plus. You have to be kidding. Anyway how do i get started? I dont have a lot of money but I have a mind full of great ideas. any suggestions? Thank You Mike L
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Kris
Hi Michael,
I have seen many tutorials with various training subjects, i.g. Keyword Elite. The problem is that they are only showing how to use the software and find proper keywords, but never comment the results, why and when certain numbers are acceptable, and others are not. I would need some comments what is good and what is not.
Best REgards
Kris
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Mark
Hello Michael,
I am really amazed at your insight, success and willingness to help others. I purchased AutomateYourlist recently and , if you checkout my site, I’ve implemented a webform, tried different forms and the one I’m using seems to get the best results so far. I’ve been in business for 2 years. A complete flop so far… little or no sales. Anyway, how do I get things rolling FAST! Writing newsletter is a real struggle for me and do you have any other products/info/ebooks I could market like you do that I can get up and running FAST that won’t cost a fortune? Please give me your opinion of my site too.
Thanks,
Mark
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hi Angie,
You’ve got a product, a squeeze page, an autoresponder, and a blog. You’re posting to your blog and writing your articles. You stopped paying $400 a month for AdWords I assume because it wasn’t getting you sales (good move).
Now what?
I recommend focus on three things:
1) Targeting keywords well in your articles. Use Google’s keyword tool to find keywords that get decent traffic but have manageable competition. Put one those keywords in each of your article titles, use it reasonably (no stuffing) in your article body, and put it in your resource box link back to your site.
2) Don’t include all the info in your published articles. For example, write an article about 10 tips, and only include five. Make a reader visit your site for the rest. And include the keyword in your title tag for the page you link to from your article.
3) Research your subject to find content. Find 3+ sources for each article, then write your own article (no plagiarizing) to summarize the key points.
That should get you started.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Dave
Michael,
What criteria do you use in judging whether a product/program is worth investing your money in? I’ve found that testimonials are NOT a good indication of how good the product is. Marketers whose names everyone would recognize routinely endorse each other’s programs, and 9 times out of 10 the results fall far short of the hype.
(BTW, thanks for this blog post. Terrific idea, and lots of good information here.)
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Paul,
You asked:
“What are the most important factors in starting an online business.”
I’m now going to beat a dead horse…market, market, market. In that order.
You can have a fantastic product, a beautiful website, wonderful ideas…and zero sales. It all depends on finding a market with a need you can satisfy at a profit. When you find one, all you need is some determination and perseverance. Of course, if you find your chosen market is a dry hole, you have to use your brain and move on, but don’t give up until you’re pretty sure it’s dead.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hello Tim,
You asked:
“However, marketing to get real results without breaking the bank is my biggest challenge. Whats the best way to get your marketing efforts to generate leads, sales etc?”
Two quick things:
1) Don’t spend money where you don’t have to. AdWords is a great tool, but you can also get targeted traffic for free. Give that a try first.
2) Your copy. Really, that’s a huge factor. If your squeeze page doesn’t convert, all the great traffic in the world won’t help. And if your sales page doesn’t sell, traffic won’t matter. If you’re getting lots of traffic but no sign-ups or sales, you have a copy problem. It could be that you’re not offering what your hungry crowd wants, or that your sales pitch isn’t cutting it. Try changing it and see what happens.
Neither of those two things costs money necessarily. The time to ramp up spending is when you KNOW you have a profitable product. Sometimes you can find that out through free efforts first.
• Author's Site • July 31st, 2008
From Jack P.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for your time….hard to believe, a businessman giving back to the customer….a rare commodity these days….Brick and Mortar or Internet Marketing and Research.
OK, enough blowing sunshine up your dress……
1.Do you offer coaching? If you don’t, who would you recommend? I ask because I learn REAL fast if I’m shown versus reading, videos (a little better), or a site (Forum?) visited occasionally by the author.
2.There are literally thousands of marketers out there that will give an overview of starting a niche business model or any of tons of other approaches to marketing….affiliate, Ebay, public domain, etc.
But not one of them EVER tells you how to structure the business form as in “Sole Proprietorship”, “C” Corporation, LLC, etc. I’m not asking you to give legal advice, just a sequence of structure. IE; start out as a sole proprietorship then gravitate to a more formal Corp or LCC upon advice of attorney and accountant? A generic description would be great. Given your fast rise in the business you must have faced similar circumstances.
3. Last one. Call me a dullard….but I’m having a real hard time understand how “Hosting Multiple Domains”