Amazon.com: A Lesson On Core Competency

For those of us who remember the humble beginnings of Amazon.com, we know that Amazon was all about books - and I'm not talking about the digital kind but the printed books you could touch and feel.  In fact, if you were going to order a book online, Amazon was your only option.  Soon thereafter, major retails like Barnes and Noble and Borders added their own online stores to try and stop their rapid decline in market share thanks to Amazon.

Today, Amazon sells everything from replacement grill parts to Halloween costumes.  It's crazy, isn't it?  As a marketer I asked myself how an online book seller could ever become the behemoth we know as Amazon.  Well, the answer is simple - core competency.

A core competency is something you or your business does extremely well, better than anyone else.  At first I thought that Amazon did book sales better than anyone else.  And for a while they did.  They built warehouses, advanced logistics, and marketing that was second to none.  But do you know what they did even better than that? The online customer buying experience.

Once you know your core competency, your options are unlimited.

When thinking about my buying experiences with Amazon over the years, I realized that from day one the buying experience was easy, informational, and thorough.  After buying just a few products from Amazon I was hooked.  Being a purist, I shuttered at the fact that they were selling anything other than books but I can see now they were actually selling a buying experience, not specific products.

It makes perfect sense to me that Amazon has grown into such an amazing online powerhouse.  If you've ever bought from them, you know that the buying experience is nothing short of amazing.  For me, I enjoy ordering via Amazon and getting a box delivered to my front door.

Expand you horizons

Because Amazon was selling a buying experience, it didn't matter what they sold.  From books to lawn chairs, Amazon created a consistent user experience that was, and still is, the best online. Amazon.com innovated new ways to improve the buying experience and has shown no signs of slowing down: ratings, reviews, one-click buying, suggested items, etc.  It's actually quite amazing.

There are many websites and ecommerce operations that have taken a few plays from the Amazon playbook. This is true with any market leader.  However, Amazon continues to innovate and because of their increasingly large market share will likely be the leader for years to come.  Or at least until a disruptive technology comes along that improves the buying experience even more.

Find your core competency

My challenge to you this week is to find your core competency.  What is it?  What is unique about you, your company, your products?  I believe my core competency is around taking complex processes or ideas and making them simple.  That's what led to my "..Made Simple" book series (yes, it's available on Amazon.com) where I take complex ideas about; search engine optimization, pay-per-click marketing, article marketing, and even weight loss, and offer simple, practical advice that drives results.

Your core competency can be around a specific tangible item or process.  It can even be about your company culture or user experience.  For example, your restaurant may serve the same food as another restaurant in town but you sell a particular type of experience.  Are you kid friendly?  Do you do desserts better than anyone else?  Do you focus on repeat customers and know each of your patrons personally?

Think about your core competency and then focus on it.  Think about how you can make it better.  By knowing and building on what you do best, you can continue to differentiate yourself and build your business faster, better, and larger, than your closest competitor.

 

Marketing Forums Provide The Answers You Need

I know it's happened to you. In fact, I'm sure it happens quite often. You're working on a website, blog, or some type of marketing-related issue and you're stumped. You have some friends you can call but before you pick up that phone, you open your browser and start typing.

This is the way most of us looking for information today.  Years ago the phone was the first option, but not anymore.  The web is the answer.  Yesterday a friend mentioned the old "chat room" to me and we spent some time reminiscing about online communities and just how far we've come.  The premise is the same but the technology and depth of conversation has drastically changed.

If you're in marketing, you should really get comfortable with the idea of using Internet marketing forums to get answers to your most pressing marketing questions.  Chances are that many of the search results you've depended on are in the form of a blog or forum post.  This is because blogging and forums are nothing more than questions and answers, issues and responses.  

My suggestion is that you sign up for a forum in your niche and start engaging in the conversation.  Here are some suggestions for getting started:

1.  Google "[niche name] Forum".  For example, if you're in the affiliate niche, search on "affiliate forum" and you'll receive a list of popular forums.  Take a look around and register for the forum that best meets your needs.

2.  Watch the conversation. Before you start posting get a feel for the type of individuals who use the forum, the topics they cover, and how they respond.  You obviously don't want to break any forum rules or seem out of place.

3.  Respond to someone else's post.  Once you've watched the conversation it's time to jump in.  But do so on a topic you know something about.  Responding with a one-liner or information that's not relevant to the conversation can be detrimental.

4.  Post a question.  After making 10 responses to different posts, its time to post your own question or issue.  I like using the rule of ten because someone who's already engaged ten different strings of conversation is usually in a good position to ask a meaningful question.

5.  Become a contributor.  The key with any forum is to use them.  If you post a single question and walk away it's possible that you won't get much from it.  Remember that forums are communities and you want to be seen as a valuable member.  As is true with most things in life you get out of it what you put into it.

Now that you've started engaging with like-minded individuals via forums you'll start to see significant benefit.  Whether you have specific issues that you need answers to or you want to help others, forums are alive with dialog, issues, and opportunities.

Forums have advanced over the years and offer many different types of features.  These features may include premium forums that provide access to a limited number of people or special offers provided my vendors in your niche.  Not all forums are the same.  My recommendation is to choose few that you like and stick with them, experimenting along the way.

I have developed some very meaningful relationships in forums and I hope you do too.  Get started today.  The sooner you do the faster you'll have a growing network of people who can help you grow.

QR Codes: Learning The Basics

Everywhere you look QR codes are making their way into mainstream marketing.  Most recently I was having dinner out at a local restaurant and noticed that the ketchup bottle had a QR code.  Out of curiosity, I took out my smart phone and grabbed it - redirecting me to a URL from Heinz.  The landing page offered additional information and the ability to sign up for special offers.  Can you say direct response?

QR codes made simple

QR codes have appeared in mass thanks to smart phones and digital technology.  Entering a long URL into a web browser on your phone has become easier but still requires typing of multiple characters.  Enter the QR code.  With a simple free app you can click and button and be redirected to a web page.  I guess it's a good thing that we're inherently lazy - its the motivator for a number of technological advances.

In this post I wanted to give you the basics of QR codes to help you get started.  If you haven't run any promotions with QR codes, your goal should be to have one up and running in the next week or so. They are extremely easy to implement.  Here's how:

1.  Develop a QR code strategy.  I like to think of QR codes as the means to an end.  The functionality of a QR code is to get you to a web page.  As a marketer, I always think about the end goal which is to have your prospect complete a transaction of some kind.  This could be to provide you with an email address or make a purchase. 

What's the goal of your QR promotion?  What do you want people to do once they get to your landing page?  What's in it for them?  Why should they take a snapshot of the QR code in the the first place?  One of the best strategies is to offer incentives to people who use the QR code to arrive at your landing page.  Have them sign up for special offers or something of value.  This is one of the more popular strategies that builds your list and grows your business.

2.  Develop your landing page.  Just like any marketing initiative it's important to build and test multiple landing pages for your offers.  You should create a landing page that is consistent with your branding, easy to navigate, and has an offer above the fold.  When users visit your page through the QR code make sure they find what they're expecting.  Ensuring a consistent user experience will improve conversion rates.

3.  Create a QR code.  Creating a code is incredibly simple. There are tons of free sites that allow you to punch in the URL you want prospects to visit and spit out a ready-made QR code.  The one I like to use is available at http://qrcode.kaywa.com.  My recommendation is search "create QR code" on Google and you'll find plenty of resources.  Once the code is created make sure to include it on your promotional materials.

4.  Promote your QR code.  Once you've developed a strategy, created your landing page, and generated a QR code, the next step is to promote your QR code.  What's so great about your code is that it works in virtually any format.  You can use your QR code on a label, post card, package, in an ad, on your website, email, etc., virtually anywhere an image can appear.  

Think through all of your touch points.  Can you add the QR code in multiple locations to increase the likelihood that someone will use it?  In addition, always use some type of language that encourages your users to access the code.  For example, "Scan this QR code with your smartphone to get access to special offers."  By adding a reason why consumers should click through, you increase conversion rates significantly.

QR codes are here to stay

The technology of QR codes has actually been around, in experimental formats, for quite some time.  They are only now becoming pervasive in all types of marketing from advertisements to packaging.  If you haven't already started using QR codes in your marketing, now is the time to start using them.  As the number of smartphones begin to expand, as well as the comfort level of those who use them, the ability to connect in new ways continues to grow.

Start planning your next promotion using a QR code.  Even if you start small, say putting a QR code on your next post card, you'll not only engage your prospects but improve your campaign tracking and results.  The QR code allows you to drive people to an online environment where it's easier to track behavior and outcomes.  Let me know if you're using QR codes in your promotions and what type of results you're getting.  And as always, have fun marketing!
   

How Do You Publish A Book And Market The Heck Out of It

Ever since last week's post about my third book, Article Marketing Made Simple, and now with the release of Weight Loss Made Simple - the first non-marketing book to be added to my line, I've been getting a lot of questions about self-publishing.  Specifically, I've received over 30 emails asking, "How do you publish a book?"  And once it's published, what can you do to market and promote it?

I'm not a publishing expert, but I can tell you a few things about writing and promoting books.  Not only have I headed up marketing for publishing companies in the past, but I've also published my own informational books, guides and products.

As someone who loves to help others in search of a similar goal I thought I'd dedicate a post to provide helpful strategies based on my experience for packing information and selling as a printed guide or ebook (which includes Google books, Kindle, etc.).

How Do You Publish a Book?

You can start virtually anywhere but I like to start at the beginning.  The end result will be a published book that gets sold but each step must be well thought through in order to be successful.  Whether you are publishing fiction or non-fiction, the process of publishing is virtually the same.

1.  The best place to begin is with an idea.  If you're reading this post, then you probably have a good idea of what you're writing about. In fact, its likely you already have a manuscript in some form.  Maybe it's an idea you started and never finished or a well polished book that just needs a cover!  Before going to the next step, think about your readers and those who would be most interested in your content.

2.  Create a title that sells.   If you know anything about marketing, you understand the importance of a well written headline.  The best headlines are researched and tested.  The best tip I ever received on headline creation was to test multiple headlines using Google Adwords.  I know your space is limited but consider running a small campaign on Adwords for twenty bucks and varying titles and descriptions.  You'll certainly find a winner.

3.  Hook up with a good editor.  A mentor once told me, "there are never good writers, only good editors."  Although I don't agree entirely, I will confess that nothing beats a good editor.  If you are publishing a printed book, then you'll need a resource to print your book.  Many of these resources offer editorial services.  A good edit will likely cost you around $500, but it's money well spent.  You might be able to find cheaper resources through Odesk, eLance, or some type of editorial service.

4.  Use a distributor or go direct.  My first couple of titles are available in both print and digital formats.  For the print version I hooked up with CreateSpace.  This company is owned by Amazon (which is a huge advantage) and takes care of the printing and distribution.  It's amazing.  Someone orders my book off of Amazon and they do the rest.  Based on the relationship with Amazon, CreateSpace offers a great deal of flexibility when it comes to getting your book listed on Amazon.com.  Personally, I think this gives you preference in search results but what do I know?   

5.  Get an ISBN.  If your book is going to be available in printed format, you'll need an ISBN.  To buy an ISBN, you simple need to go to ISBN.org.  There you'll find everything you need to acquire an ISBN and bar code to add to your book.  Some publishing services will do this for you.  If you were able to request an ISBN through your distributor (from the previous step), then you're all set.  More and more distributors have been offering this service over the last few years.
6.  Design a cover.  Again, another easy thing to do if you're willing to spend $50.  Go to eLance.com and post a job that provides information about your title and the general look you're after. n fi You cand very talented designers at a low price.  Also, think through the size of your printed book.  Just because it was written on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper doesn't mean that should be your books size.
7.  Upload and distribute.  Once you've uploaded your title to your distributor or Amazon's direct publishing program (kdp.amazon.com), you'll have a small waiting period before it appears on Amazon.com.  Once it's up and running, you can start driving traffic to your newly published book.
8.  Drive sales.  This might be pretty straight-forward but when you're launching a new book, begin with people you know and who know you.  Ask your friends, relatives, colleagues, and acquaintances to purchase or download your book.  And the secret sauce... ask them to buy it over the weekend.  You see, Amazon ranks books based on sales relative to other titles.  As such, you want to sell your books when other books aren't selling.  As someone who's be selling books for quite some time, I know that book sales are slow from Friday night to Sunday.

If you get people to purchase during these days, you'll improve your Amazon ranking.
In future posts, I'll share some additional ideas on how to promote and sell your titles.  Whether you put together a promotion (ex: donate proceeds to charity) or offer a free excerpt, there are a number of creative ways to promote your title.  Don't be afraid to share you accomplishments via social media and reach out to others who can help you promote your title.
Best of luck if you're entering the publishing world for fun or profit.  It's a great way to share your expertise and help others achieve their goals.

Making Money Online: It's Possible

This morning I was listening to the news and it was depressing: unemployment, protests, war – it’s no wonder why I avoid the news.  But for Internet marketers, this is one of the best times in history to make money online.  Thanks to Internet enabled devices and a hunger for online products, information, and expertise, the market has never been better for making a living online.    

I can tell you that most of us who are marketing today didn’t have a lot to start with.  In fact, many of today’s “super affiliates” are young guys in their 20’s and 30’s who started from scratch.

Personally speaking, I’ve had to deal with many of the same obstacles when I first started promoting products and services online as newbies face today.  But with some experience and a good deal of trial and error, you can make small distinctions that can dramatically improve results. I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t be an expert at everything.  As such, I’ve worked hard to build my network or mentors and resources to learn what works and what doesn’t.  Whether you’re connecting with people via an Internet marketing forum, global success club, or mentor network, it’s easier than ever to find people who can help you overcome many of the obstacles associated with being an Internet marketer.  

Generating Profitable Campaigns

If you’re doing any online advertising, it’s incredibly important that you focus on Return On Investment (ROI).  I’ve learned that maximizing ROI is as much about managing expenses as it is generating revenue.  Working with a mentor or someone who’s already running profitable online campaigns can help you improve your results.  This is especially important when you’re just getting started. If you’re barely managing to break even on your campaigns, the best way to turn it around is to model those who are marketing profitably.  The best, and fastest way to do this, is to find a mentor or network of like-minded people who are already getting results.

One of the techniques that I’ve used to generate profitable campaigns is to focus on small niche markets.  A popular mistake that Internet marketers make is trying to be all things to all people.  If you think you’re going to strike it rich with an info product your first time out, you’re mistaken.  I’m not saying it’s possible, but the odds are certainly against you.  There’s a much better chance of earning a profit if you build a house list around a specific topic (ex: piano repair) and have a specific unique offer.  Your mind should naturally be focused on cornering small markets if you want to succeed.  

Another example would be if you’re looking to promote an information product about dating on a small budget.  First you need to make yourself familiar with the niche markets where it would be possible to generate some profit with highly targeted and low volume, campaign.  Those niche markets might be “Single Parent Dating”, “Dating 40+”, etc. …these are all great distinctions that you should be making before you jump the gun and invest countless hours without any positive return.

Learn From Others

Networking with or leveraging the lessons of heavyweight affiliates is the primary key to success for those who are just starting out in online marketing.  If you can’t compete with their large budgets, compete on a smaller scale.  Don’t try to attract the entire market, focus on a small market niche. Focus on the details!  Many of the top-earning marketers don’t have time to focus on these small markets, meaning there is still money to be made.  This is your opportunity to own a small territory that others aren’t able to cover.

It’s important to make every penny count while you’re still dealing with a small budget.  Look for ways to partner with influencers in your niche through products, interviews, and other content that might add value to their websites or blogs.  In my opinion, it’s really no longer possible to fill your boots with overnight riches by going straight for the kill in huge mainstream markets. You need to operate on the borders, obtain profit where the markets aren’t so flooded, and dig deeper to grow your business.  

Not only is it important to grow your business but growing yourself as a person and Internet marketer will ultimately reap huge benefits for your business.  From my personal experience learning from others has helped a great deal.   I encourage you to work with others to improve your knowledge and mindset.  Learn more about entrepreneurial networks at Global Success.

7 Strategies For Effective No Cost Marketing

I've been having a lot of discussions lately about no cost marketing. With so many small businesses and people trying to make it on their own, the idea of no-cost marketing is pretty appealing to me and I'm sure it is to you as well. 

In this post, I'm going to provide you with 7 of my most effective strategies for promoting your business, website, or blog with little or no money. Here we go. 

1. Guest Blog Post. If you have some expertise in a given field, I recommend reaching out to a number of different blogs in your niche and offering to write a guest post. Online marketers are busy and are always looking for good content. Do the research, find a blog that you can write for, and offer up a 100% original guest post. This will save the blog owner time, provide something of value to his audience, and give you exposure. 

2. Focus on Organic Search Rankings. Get a good book on SEO (ex: SEO Made Simple) and learn how to optimize your website or blog. If your site comes up organically for a variety of different keyword searches, you'll start to receive quality traffic that can fill your funnel. Organic traffic costs little or nothing to generate - just sweat equity. 

3. Leverage social media. Integrate social media icons on your website. I know this is simple but there are tons of direct to consumer and b-to-b sites who haven't taken the time to add TweeMeMe buttons, Google +1, or Facebook Likes. Each time someone redistributes your message, you access their network as well as your own. 

4. Build a list. One of the most effective marketing practices is building a house list. There are many ways you can do this but one of the best is offering something of value in exchange for a valid email. Use an email form to capture email from website visitors in exchange for a free download. House lists are the most responsive and you can engage your audience on a regular basis. 

5. Press releases. Distributing a press release is a fabulous way to spread the word about your company, product, service, or website. Writing a press release is easy to do and it can be about virtually anything new regarding your business. Once you have your release, search for free press release distribution sites instead of paying hundreds of dollars for PRweb or other established services. 

6. Blog commenting. Where do you get your news? What blogs are influential in your niche? Start reading and commenting on blogs. Over time, as you build an online reputation through commenting, you can start to integrate information about resources you offer. This takes some time but can help divert traffic from well known sources. 

7. Forums. Start visiting and contributing on forums. Whether you ask forum members for advice or feedback, building a reputation on forums can lead to valuable inbound links to your website as well traffic. Whether you have a large marketing budget or none at all, there are a number of options to promote your business that wont cost you a dime. 

Think through the opportunities you have to leverage your current web assets and information you have to attract new users to your business or website. The key is to always try new lead generation methods and build on your successes. If you have additional no-cost or low-cost marketing tips, be sure to comment!

Aweber Auto Responder and Other Ways To Build A List

Building a list is one of the most important things you can do to effectively market your products and services online. But how many people are proactively building a list using their current website or blog? After spending a number of years developing lists of different kinds, I have to say the fastest and easiest way to build your list is with an "auto-responder".
If you're not familiar with auto-responders, the concept is simple.  Add a short form to your website.  When a user enters their information in exchange for something of value - a newsletter sign up, special discounts, or download, they receive a confirmation page and series of pre-programed emails.  What's the big deal you ask?  Well, until now, adding a form to your website and programming a bunch of follow up messages to be sent automatically has been difficult.  That is, unless you're a programmer.

Aweber Auto-responder Tool
There are a number of low-cost tools out there that can make the implementation of a form on your site incredibly simple.  I've used a variety of tools in the past for both the form itself as well as email marketing.  Combined, these two aspects of online marketing provide a powerful punch.  the tool that I use to manage all of my forms and follow up messages is Aweber.  This service removes the challenge associated with programming your own forms and manually distributing follow up emails.

The key to an effective auto-responder is not only the functionality of the form and follow up messages provided by the service, but the ability to manage your sign-ups and opt-ins automatically.  When someone completes your form, the service you're using to manage your email campaign verifies the name (by sending a confirmation email that requires acceptance/activation) and adds the individual to your database.  When follow up messages are sent out, the tool also tracks individuals who opt-outs.  Users simply need to click the unsubscribe option included in your email and the tool removes the name from the database, making your messages CAN-SPAM compliant.  See how Aweber supports these helpful functions...

 

What I like about auto-responders is the ease of set up.  Many, like the tool above, have pre-defined templates that allow you to complete some simple information and copy a snippet of code.  You drop the code into your website or blog and you're off to the races.  The number, variety, and flexibility of forms over the last year have really expanded giving you the flexibility you need to create a seamless form that fits perfectly with your site.

Aweber Follow Up Messages
Automation tools have really made the development and management of follow up messages very easy to implement.  When I create a new form, I always make sure to enter at least a few follow up messages.  A great example would be a form that gives users access to a special report you've developed.  Once an individual enters their contact information and presses the "submit" button, they receive the first of your messages.
The first message is a confirmation messages that says something like, "Thank you for submitting your information.  You will receive a confirmation shortly.  Please click on the link provided to verify that you wish to receive our download."  This is called a double opt-in and ensures that users really want to receive your information making them highly qualified.

After passing through the first hurdle, the next step is distribution of your follow up messages.  These messages are entered when you set up your campaign. At the same time, you can prescribe when you'd like the follow up messages to be sent (ex: one day later, two days, three days, etc.).  This gives you the power to pace your follow up emails based on when an individual user has signed up.  That's really helpful as you'll be adding individuals to your list on a daily basis and they'll each be on different communication cycles.

Getting Started with Aweber
As I noted earlier, the tool that I use (because it's cheap and powerful) is  Aweber.  They run a variety of promotions including a $1 trial of the service.  If you've never used auto responders in the past or are ready for a switch, I suggest to check out their service.

Getting started takes about 5 minutes and you'll be amazed at what having your own list can do for you.  I've offered promotions on the marketing blog in the past using this very same tool and have grown my list into the thousands.  Not only can you offer special promotions to your list but you can also engage with your list for feedback, product review, and much more. Start building your list today!

Adult Onset Diabetes and My Family

Several members of my family have been affected by adult onset diabetes, and I determined at a very young age that I would not follow the same path. After watching the way it has impacted my family, I am making it my personal goal to educate people about the difficulties of the condition.

My aunt developed adult onset diabetes in her late 20s. She had struggled with obesity her entire life, and it was not that big of a shock when she learned she had developed the condition. She had to start taking insulin and had a very difficult time regulating her blood sugar. I remember on more than one occasion, she felt like she was about to pass out, and had to be revived by drinking orange juice. She said her lifestyle had completely changed, and said he always wished she had made better choices when it came to her diet.

One of my cousins had never really had a problem with his weight, but his mother had adult onset diabetes, and apparently, it was hereditary for him. The sad thing about it is that he did not treat it at all, and he had some serious problems because of it. As much as his family tried to convince him of the problems he would have from leaving his diabetes untreated, he would not listen. Eventually, he had to have one of his legs amputated. It was one of the saddest things that I have ever seen, and one of the things that made it so upsetting was the fact that it was preventable.

My uncle developed adult onset diabetes when he was in his 30s, and he actually started treatment and was able to adjust to it fairly quickly. He has kept it under control, but the fact of the matter is that, for him, it is a terrible inconvenience. He said it is expensive to pay for his medication and that it is a real hassle to have to remember to take it every day. He said that it has been the worst thing that ever happened to him, because it is something that annoys him every single day, and it is also something that will likely never go away.

I decided that I would do all that I could to avoid adult onset diabetes, and I have made it a point to keep my weight within a healthy range and exercise on a regular basis. I eat as healthful as possible and I watch my sugar intake. I go and get checked regularly, and so far, everything is all right. I am always aware that it could happen, but I will do whatever I can to prevent it from happening.

Article Marketing Made Simple

A lot has changed in Internet marketing.  And each time a change happens, the pendulum seems to swing entirely in the other direction.  As an experienced marketer, I have seen this happen time and again.  So when my inner circle asked me why I was publishing another book, this time focused on article marketing, I couldn't help but shout emphatically, "Article marketing is NOT dead."  In fact, those who seize the moment will find themselves ahead of the pack when it comes to this powerful form of Internet marketing.

Article Marketing Made Simple

After publishing my first book, SEO Made Simple (now in it's second edition), I received tons of inquiries about the powerful search engine optimization methods I reveal in the guide.  As such, I felt compelled to start a series of publications that take a deep dive - showing exactly how I use my preferred SEO techniques for achieving number one Google Rankings.  My first book in the series is Article Marketing Made Simple.  Instead of going old-school, this series will be available in digital format only.

With recent changes to the google algorithm, article marketing websites and directories have become less valuable in the Internet marketing space, or have they?  The reality is that Google still loves original content.  You just need to be more discerning in terms of where the content is placed and how it gets distributed.

What You'll Learn
In this 'tell all' guide, I show you step-by-step, how to use original content to improve your website rankings and earn an affiliate income.  Through the proper mix of keyword rich content and effective article marketing techniques, you can have top rankings for your website and blogs while earning commissions for selling online products and services.

The key to effective article marketing really has to do with unique content.  You should always strive to have your content be at least 40% unique and claim it before distributing to other sites.  I reveal some very effective techniques for getting your content on other blogs and websites, driving quality inbound links to a web property of your choosing.

One of the best aspects of article marketing is the level of authority you can create for your personal brand and digital assets. Whether you are trying to improve the rankings of your videos, squeeze pages, or search results associated with your name, article marketing can get you there.

Don't Believe the Hype
There's no doubt in my mind that you are going to hear people saying, "Article marketing is dead" or "article marketing doesn't work."  Well, just because it didn't work for them is really poor justification for dismissing the subject of article marketing.  In fact, I know plenty of Internet marketers who are using original content daily to deliver a large stream of affiliate revenue to their bank accounts and deliver top rankings.  I happen to be one of them!  Top 10 lists, product reviews, and blog posts are all elements of an effective article marketing strategy and I'll show you how to leverage these techniques for meaningful results.

Download a copy of Article Marketing Made Simple today and start building authority to your website or blog.  You'll also discover my top affiliate marketing strategies using articles and other informational techniques.  

The Adult Acne Cure finally comes of Age

Of course, turning adult is exciting for the freedom, the right to make your own mind up and all that sort of thing. Well, to many, it's a great thing for the way you no longer have to worry about braces or acne. Well, not anymore. Acne, the dreaded blistery bane of puberty, somehow seems to have learned how to follow people well into adulthood. How common can it be, you ask? Well, one out of two women at 30 still has acne. Adult acne cure is somewhat different though because unlike what happens with an adolescent, the problem in adults tends to hit around the chin and the neck. And it's all nodules and cysts that are completely capable of scarring.

To be effective, adult acne cure needs to be far more powerful than adolescent acne cure. Adults have less pliable skin and the problem tends to come with far more ability to scar.

BB is one is the latest products to hit the market for adult acne cure products. No one seems to know what BB stands for; but it's a product that's come to these shores from Korea. BB as an adult acne cure product is particularly popular for the way it takes care of far more than just acne.

It can help moisturize the skin very well, it hides fine lines and helps smooth the skin, and it's a great sunscreen. Perhaps best of all, BB does all that it does without turning your skin oily. Of course, you can't go to the stores looking for the BB brand BB is a variety of cream, not a brand. You'll find examples of BB in lots of major brands like the Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30 or the Korean original, Sephora Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm.

There are other effective products you could try as well. Burt's Bees and Neutrogena's On-the Spot can be quite effective in some people.

For those who don't find that simple cosmetic cures are effective, there are much heavier guns you can pull out against the problem. Gene therapy for instance, is the latest favorite. Of course, gene therapy products happen to be cosmetic too. But they are designed counter your genetic predilection for oily skin.

The product is Olay Professional Pro-X Clear, and it's designed to counter your genetic leaning towards oily skin. The active ingredients, niacinamide and certain antimicrobial agents, work together to make your acne go down by 50% in two months.

All said, adult acne cure appears to be entering a new kind of stage. Far more effective cures may be in the offing.

Administrative Assistant Jobs

If you are looking for a new career, but you are not sure what you want to do, you may want to take some classes and then look for administrative assistant jobs. These jobs are everywhere and they can be in almost any industry you can imagine. This means that you can get a foot in the door in something you are interested in without having to get a full degree that you may not have time to earn. Though pay for administrative jobs is not as high as other positions, it is a good way to get your foot in the door. With experience, you can then move up and earn more in the years to come.

Some start as a receptionist and then earn administrative assistant jobs. As a receptionist you can learn all about a company, what the company does, and what the admins at that company are expected to do. You learn about the major clients and you learn the basic terms of how the office is run and what would be expected of you. If you start out as a receptionist, you can take some business or computer classes at night and then apply for an admin position once one opens up. The advantage is that you already work there and you will know about these openings before anyone else.

Administrative assistant jobs usually consist of assisting anyone in the company. This position use to be more of a secretarial job, but there is more to it than just typing up and sending out documents. You may sit in on important meetings and become a personal assistant to whomever you work for. Some of these jobs are great and some are not so great. If you find you have chosen a bad one, stick it out for a year to gain experience and then quietly look around elsewhere for something more fitting to your personality. Not all bosses are good ones and moving on from a bad position is not a bad thing as long as you do it right.

When interviewing for administrative assistant jobs, you should keep a few things in mind. Never bad mouth a former employer. Though you may have good reason to do so, it always makes you look bad. Instead, be diplomatic about why you want to leave your current job and why you are searching for something new. Also, be careful to never discuss anything that may be considered confidential information about your old company. The person interviewing you will take this as a bad sign. They will wonder if they can trust you with their company secrets.

Looking for administrative assistant jobs should not be that hard, but there are some places you should look first. If you know others in larger companies in your area, ask them to keep an eye out for you for any unadvertised positions that may be coming up. Also, use online job sites, as these can be a great source for new positions that are opening up that may not be listed anywhere else. Do not be afraid to use a temp agency. This shows you choose to work and can also get you in the door for a good job. You can try out a job and pass if it is not a good fit this way.

Have you ever Tried Acupuncture for Insomnia

Have you ever experienced insomnia at any time or seen someone who did? If you ever doubted how important good natural sleep was, you'd know, if you saw someone who had trouble sleeping. Lack of sleep can practically turned a person from a state of vitality and robustness to a hollow shell. Our bodies cannot function without sleep. Our brains cannot function without it either. There are all kinds of possible ways that medical science places before the insomnia sufferer there are drugs, there is psychiatry, there are herbal treatments. Most of these don't work in a satisfactory way. Insomnia though, isn't the recent health problem. It's been around for as long as humanity itself. And often, trusting in ancient cures can help. Let's talk about acupuncture for insomnia, for instance.

To the layperson who hasn't been formally introduced to acupuncture, the far Eastern therapy technique is something that involves using needles to stimulate certain nervous hubs in the body to cure diseases. Yes, it does sound strange that you have to go in and get yourself stuck with needles and that this might somehow cure you.

But acupuncture is hardly some far out exotic technique. Not only has it been used for millennia in other parts of the world, it is quite proven and quite accepted all around the world. If the success stories and testimonials you read don't convince you about how acupuncture for insomnia and other kinds of diseases have really achieved results you could just look at how ancient the therapy technique is. Nothing's going to last for centuries unless it was actually effective, right?

So how exactly does acupuncture for insomnia work? Let's first look at how people come to be affected by insomnia, and then work our way around to how acupuncture contributes to relieving the problem.

Consider how stress and anxiety can keep you from sleeping. It doesn't even have to be anything overt. If you have low-grade anxiety disorder (which is a kind of psychiatric problem where your mind deep inside, always tends to overreact). While there are anxiety-reducing drugs available, the drugs that mainstream allopathy likes to recommend are usually quite addictive in nature. Switch to acupuncture the other hand, and you get a treatment method that was almost designed to help the body and mind destress. This is acupuncture's strong suite.

Stress isn't the only kind of cause, either. An addiction of any kind or pain can also affect how easily you sleep. An addiction to coffee for instance, can be a big problem. Luckily, acupuncture can be quite effective in these areas. In short, acupuncture for insomnia is actually can puncture for some of the leading causes of the problem. You certainly couldn't go far wrong with it.

Meaningful Activities for Alzheimers Patients

If you have someone in the family that you're caring for who has Alzheimer's, the kind of activities you plan for them have to be well-thought-out. On the one hand, you have to have a plan with plenty of activities ready for Alzheimer's patients. They need the stimulation. On the other hand, you don't want to overstimulate them makes them frustrated with themselves for not being able to keep up are depressed.

If you're a caregiver, you need to really understand how activities for Alzheimer's patients work, so that you can pick the most beneficial kinds. And anyway, not every Alzheimer's patient is the same. Those who are farther gone in the disease need more understanding and less activity. Basically, before you determine what kinds of activities are right, you to talk with the doctor to find out about the level of Alzheimer's they are suffering from.

With some activities for Alzheimer's patients, there is no particular goal to the activity. The activity itself is the goal. For instance, asking an Alzheimer's patient to repeat what is said to them isn't an activity that's going to get them anywhere. The activity just makes them feel good about themselves that they have enough grasp over their memory that they can get through the whole exercise.

They just feel good that they remember the rules of the game and can still perform somewhat. This is what you need to look for in activities for Alzheimer's patients something that gives them a sense of still being in touch with the world.

A certain degree of mild physical activity is always great for Alzheimer's patients. It helps get the blood pumping, increases oxygen supply to the brain and helps with their cognition. A reasonable amount of physical exertion is always a good way of helping an Alzheimer's patient arrest the progress of the disease somewhat. Exercise is also a feel-good activity.

As it does in everyone, exercise helps an Alzheimer's patient feel good about himself. And it works the other way too. A patient who isn't given an opportunity to get a bit of physical exercise in can just deteriorate more quickly and descend into a depression. In fact, physical activity for an Alzheimer's patient doesn't actually have to be anything to do with taking a walk or anything like that.

They are the most comfortable with repetitive tasks. Give them to clothes to fold or a floor to sweep or shoes to polish, and they'll be particularly happy. Theyll feel useful, theyll feel successful, and these are tasks that they can be exceedingly good at.

Action Figures Were the Bulk of My Toys Growing Up

Action Figures Were the Bulk of My Toys Growing Up

I had my fair share of toys growing up, and the bulk of them, as well as the ones I enjoyed the most, were always action figures. I had a variety of such toys, including He-Man, G.I. Joe and Star Wars action figures, and I noticed that my collection of those toys only grew as the years went by.

Of all of my action figures growing up, He-Man was my absolute favorite. I like the way the action figures were shaped. I loved all of their features and colors. I just thought that they were really cool, and it helped matters that most of my friends loved the He-Man action figures as well. We would always try to get ones the others did not have, so we could all play with as many as possible.

The action figures that always stand out to me as the most memorable from my childhood are G.I. Joe. The reason for this is that my brother and I both collected those types of action figures, and we did not really have anything else we collected in common. I was always more of the baseball card and hot rod collector, while he tended towards board games and Transformers.

With G.I. Joe action figures, however, we had something in common, and again, we would both try to collect as many as we possibly could between us. This is not to say that it was without sibling rivalry. I loved it when I came across a G.I. Joe or Cobra action figure that I knew my brother would think was really cool, and I am sure that he felt the same way when he came across one.

I think my largest collection of action figures as a child was that of Star Wars. I grew up during the time those movies first came out, and I wanted to get every character I possibly could. I am not sure about this, but I want to say that they were cheaper than the other action figures as well. I made it a point each time that I got my allowance to go the local toy store and buy an action figure I did not already have, and pretty soon, I had so many that I couldn't fit them all in the same box!

Action figures are toys that most of us boys grow up with and that make our childhoods so rich. We make up games and use our imaginations and have adventures that we probably would not have without them. What has been great for me has been to see my son's interest in them and be able to go out with him and let him buy his favorite action figures. It is fun for both of us!

Acne Scar Removal Really Helped My Niece

My niece and I have always been very close, and she has an absolute heart of gold. When I noticed a few years back that she was starting to develop and acne problem and knew that she would likely have a bad complexion, my heart sank. I knew she would be made fun of, and she was. She came home one day from school crying and said she had been teased by another girl practically all day. When her complexion started to clear, it left such horrible scars that I decided to do whatever I could to help her, and that was when I discovered acne scar removal.

Acne scar removal was a way for her to get rid of the blemishes that had for so long been such a great source of pain and humiliation for her, while at the same time giving her more confidence in her appearance. I even informed my sister that I would help chip in for the price of the removal if they were willing to go for it. They were just as concerned if not more so than I was, and within a few weeks, we had an appointment set up with a dermatologist.

The acne scar removal was not that expensive and when she was finished with it, her skin looked absolutely phenomenal. She was getting ready to enter her senior year of high school, and I could tell that she felt so good about the coming school year. It was great to see her prancing around the house with a little smile on her face, periodically checking herself out in the mirror and smiling even more. It had been such a long time since I had seen her so happy about her appearance.

When she returned from school the first day she said things went great. She said she received all kinds of looks and could tell that some of the boys were really interested in her as well. She said that it felt great to go to school and not have to worry about getting made fun of or trying to put on all kinds of concealer to cover up her blemishes. She said she could not have been happier with the acne scar removal and only wished she had done it much earlier.

It is so tough with kids because we want their peers to see their inner beauty, and so often that is just not the case. It broke my heart when I heard about people making fun of her at school and I desperately wanted to do anything I could to make that go away. If it took acne scar removal to get that accomplished, I am all for it, and I am so glad it worked out for her.

All about Accredited Interior Design Schools

The field of interior design is becoming very lucrative and the fact that many people are becoming more aware of their houses appearance has contributed largely to this. While there are many people who can attribute their success to sheer talent, there are quite a number of people who thank their talent as well as some considerable time spent studying in accredited interior design schools. Clients always look for credibility in whoever is selling them a service or a product and in the field of interior design the situation is not any different. So what better way to be credible than to attend an accredited interior design school? Another reason why it will be advisable for an aspiring interior designer or a practicing designer to attend an interior design school is because they provide the student all the information they need to navigate in the world of interior design.

In accredited interior design schools one will also learn about the various charges to clients, styles, fabrics, patterns, color and furniture placement. Customer relations is also another topic that is normally covered in the interior design curriculum and can come in handy when it comes to dealing with the various clients.

Apart from all the above subjects, another thing that one may learn in an interior design school is working with interior design applications as they are very important especially when one is drawing various figures as the present their ideas to clients. While traditional accredited interior design schools could be the best option yet for several reasons, there are various options that can really work for a person who might be unable to attend the conventional schools. Stay at home moms, people with other jobs and people who do not have the time to attend conventional schools these options quite helpful. These helpful options include studying via mail or online.

It will be an exercise in futility to go to a school only to find out later that it does not meet the required standards of other accredited interior design schools. This can be quite disappointing because they will not have learnt anything. Therefore when looking for an accredited school it is important that one looks for a reputable one to avoid disappointments. The schedules of the subjects being offered is another thing to consider as they should be convenient for the student as well.

Then there is the cost of undertaking the entire course and this should be factored in as well because different schools have different charges for their courses. The particular place in which the school has been accredited is important as well because while some are accredited nationally, some are accredited internationally or in particular states in countries such as the USA. With the right information one could be well on their way to formal qualifications in interior design.

To Accept Credit Cards Merchant Account Searches are your First

To Accept Credit Cards Merchant Account Searches are your First Step

If you want to accept credit cards, merchant account registrations happen to be a hoop that you will have to jump through. And yet, apparently, having to register for one is such a bore that there are millions of small merchants out there who will accept nothing other than cash. Why is this?

It isn't uncommon even today, a time that Americans use their credit cards for almost anything and choose to buy trillions of dollars worth of merchandise through these, to find a retailer every now who says, "Sorry, only cash".

Of course they do have a reason why they do this. It costs businesses money to accept credit cards; merchant account memberships cost money to. And the money doesn't come from your pocket. It comes from the retailer's profit margin.

Still, retailers do need to realize that the easier they make it for people to pay them, the easier it is going to be for them to get paid, one way or another. Giving customers a choice of a number or ways to pay you is always a great way to expand business.

There always comes a point with each retailer that she realizes that holding out this way doesn't really pay at all. Once at this point, she needs to learn how to accept credit cards. Merchant account searches are usually the first step they take. It's a logical step.

Not every merchant account is the same. Some of them charge very little of the retailer to keep the account going. Others charge something substantial. You need to do a real earnest search to find the best deals there are for retailers.

The first thing you want to look for in merchant account is the freedom to make up your mind as to what kind of credit card transactions you want to be able to process. You can either do this with a standard wired terminal, a wireless terminal or, if you are an online retailer, through a virtual terminal. If you don't need to actually physically swipe cards, a virtual terminal is the easiest and cheapest way to go.

Basically, you want a service that allows you the freedom to look for the cheapest options possible. A merchant account that will require you to buy a payment gateway service from them is always a bad idea. You can't be tied to the service and then be trapped with them when they decide to raise prices. Go to a company that'll allow you to tie up with any payment gateway service you should choose.

Once you get a full list of all the discount rates and fees that your merchant account charges, all you need to do is to go with the cheapest and most reliable option.

Never go without an Above Ground Swimming Pool Deck for

Never go without an Above Ground Swimming Pool Deck for your Pool

To many people, owning an above-ground swimming pool is just about the pool itself. Spending even more money on a pool deck that surrounds the pool is just a waste of money. The thing is, building an above-ground swimming pool deck doesn't cost these days what it used to. They make them in all kinds of sizes for every budget. And anyway, you have to realize that a deck-less swimming pool is just an invitation to everyone who swims in it to bring dirt in on their feet.

Consider an above ground swimming pool deck that's pre-fabricated out of aluminum. These days, these would cost you just about the same as a standard wooden deck, and aluminum is maintenance free. With wood that's exposed to the sun all the time, you always have to be on the lookout for splintering, cracking or just a washed-out look. Aluminum on the other hand just lasts forever. You just don't need to do anything about it. The great thing is, aluminum deck manufacturers do their best to mimic the construction design of a standard wood deck. So it should look familiar, more or less.

If an above ground swimming pool deck just doesn't feel the same if it isn't wood, that be a good idea, too. With a standard wooden deck, about half the cost of the project comes from the structure that holds it up the underpinning. There's a lot of work that goes into it, and that a lot of material too.

A prefabricated kit for an above ground swimming pool deck could actually be a very good idea, if you want a wooden deck. This is where the manufacturer puts into a kit every single piece of equipment you could ever need to put a deck up. You just buy the one package you have everything you need.

To begin with, they give you the substructure the scaffolding underneath the deck that is intended to hold the deck in place. They give you the whole thing completely knocked down pieces of rust-proof steel and all the screws and nuts and bolts that you need. You only need to grab a spanner and build the whole thing like a Lego set or something.

Once you have the underpinning in place, you just need to take out all the precut wooden decking, all perfectly finished and perfectly ready to install, and slap it all into place. You don't have to touch a hammer or nail.

Really, what could be simpler than this?

Trying your Hand at above Ground Pool Landscaping

A pool in the backyard used to be something that only the rare well-to-do family had. Pools, though, have become quite affordable. Still, to those who can't afford a regular inground pool, a ready-made above-ground one is always a possibility. An above ground pool though can be expensive both to buy and to maintain. To the typical family that buys one of these, it often is tempting, the thought that they could just dispense with any aboveground pool landscaping completely, to save on costs.

What difference could it make, they ask themselves, and whos going to know the difference? Well, you have to know that a pool isn't just a functional thing. People don't just buy pools to swim in them. They buy them for the lifestyle that they get to enjoy.

Imagine isn't it a chance to look at the full pool design with aboveground pool landscaping that really inspires people to think that they need to go and get one of their own?

If looking at a friend's landscaped pool area is what inspires a person to get a pool of his own, you really must admit that it isn't just the pool that inspired him; it's the whole setup. Here are a few ideas on how to get the whole setup for very little money.

Now a lot of people wonder why you would ever need a deck for an aboveground pool, anyway. Isn't it enough to just climb out on solid ground with the ladder that's provided? Well, a deck is so much more than just a landing surface. It's a way to sit around and dangle your feet in the water while you talk with friends. It's a way to bask in the sun while you keep an eye on your children while they play in the water.

You can do a lot of impressive above-ground pool landscaping putting a garden down around the pool, too. There are few things that can make an above ground pool look classy as a visually satisfying garden can.

When you actually choose plants for the framing garden you lay down around your pool, be sure that you do your homework picking chlorine resistant plants. Without doubt, children splashing about, people getting out of the pool and running about there is good be quite a bit of chlorine water splashed on the plants every now and then.

You dont want a situation where you have wilted plants all around because the chlorine got into them. Choose tropical plants; they happen to be the most resistant.

Our Above Ground Pool Deck Has Its Pros and Cons

Our Above Ground Pool Deck Has Its Pros and Cons

I recently decided to build an above ground pool deck for our back yard. It seemed like a good idea at the time, because we have two children and I wanted to be able to watch them when they were in the pool to make sure they were OK. What I soon discovered, however, was that while there are advantages to having an above ground pool deck, there are also many disadvantages as well.

The biggest advantage is the one to which I have already alluded. Having an above ground pool deck allows my wife and I to keep a better eye on our kids whenever they get into the pool. We don't have to worry so much about what is going on behind the barrier that we can just see over. We do not have to worry about one of them slipping off of the top rung of the ladder on their way out and falling to the ground. The top of the ladder comes up to the deck, and they can walk across the deck and down some stairs to get inside.

In addition, the above ground pool deck provides them a place to get out of the pool and dry off, and a place to leave their towels and toys and not have them out in the yard or on the ground. I know that my daughter and wife, in particular, were glad about that. It just seemed to make it easier to get in and out of the pool and lower the level of danger. One of the things that I liked about it was the fact that if something happened in the pool and they got hurt, I could jump right in to help them rather than having to climb up and down a ladder.

The drawback is that the above ground pool deck is so high, we can see into our neighbor's backyard and they can see us on top of the deck. This is fine when they are not home or when they are not out in their backyard. I do remember one occasion, however, when our kids had begged us to play in the pool, we went out there and climbed up onto the deck, and our neighbors were having a cook-out. It was rather awkward for a while, until I had the brilliant idea for my wife and I to get into the pool, as well.

There is also the fact that when our kids are out there, my wife or I should really be sitting out on the deck to make sure they are all right, which can be very time-consuming, especially during the summer.

An above ground pool deck can be a wonderful thing, but it does have its drawbacks, too. I guess the best thing to do is to weigh the pros and cons and determine if building one is really worth it.

Knowing your Above Ground Pool Covers

When you first think of getting a cover for your above-ground pool, you kind of think of the market in above-ground pool covers as a simple thing kind of like a plastic sheet to drape over the pool and nothing more. Little do you know that they've managed to come up with a number of options in above-ground pool covers. And the kind of thing you can achieve with each differs from model to model. Let's take a look at what they have on the shelves, shall we?

Solid above-ground pool covers are covers that they make out of several layers of vinyl all bonded together. These are great if you want to keep leaves and other garbage out of your pool. And since installing such a cover blocks sunlight altogether, you can keep water from evaporating and you can make it inhospitable for algae. Pool chemicals stay active for longer when they aren't exposed to sunlight as well. Solid above-ground pool covers are great idea because they do all this and they tend to be quite durable.

The only problem with them is that it can be difficult keeping them on the pool. You can easily have a high wind just pick them up and take them away. You need to keep them on with weights.

Above-ground solar covers are the most useful when you need a pool heater without spending anything on it. Of course, a small solar cover the size of your above ground pool isn't going to do enough to actually heat your water when it gets really cold. It'll be fine though when the water isn't that cold. They build a solar cover out of two layers of thin plastic with air pockets in between. It's not an actual solar panel or anything. It's just an insulator that keeps any heat that the sun puts into your pool, in where it belongs. It keeps it from escaping.

But this isn't the best idea if you really want a cover that seals your pool off, keeps evaporation away, keeps children away and so on. If that's the kind of protection you're looking for, you're better off looking elsewhere.


Actually, if you're looking for safety and comfort to keep your children safe, you should probably get a safety cover. They make these either out of mesh or solid plastic. This is a solidly built type of cover that really attaches around your pool deck and completely seals the whole thing off. If your pool has a 2-foot wide pool deck, there could be enough room there to anchor a safety cover on.

While these may be expensive, you'll see pretty soon that these are so well-made that they'll last a lifetime.