Advertising Online

A well-known cartoon shows two dogs in front of a computer. The caption reads, "On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog."

While the cartoon is amusing, the reality is not. The inherent anonymity of the Internet has fostered a number of questionable advertising and marketing practices, such as unsolicited email spam. Over the past decade, Federal and state governments have passed advertising laws that protect consumer privacy and ensure fair and truthful advertising practices online.

If you plan to advertise online -- whether you're buying ads on search engines or direct marketing through email -- you'll need to understand some basic rules. Go to these resources to learn more:

1. Advertising and Marketing on the Internet: Rules of the Road: Discusses the applicability of federal advertising laws to Internet advertising and marketing.

2. Dot Com Disclosures: Describes information businesses should consider as they develop online ads to ensure that they comply with the law.

3. CAN-SPAM Act: Requirements for Businesses

Details the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act), which establishes requirements for those who send commercial email. It also spells out penalties for spammers and companies whose products are advertised in spam if they violate the law, and gives consumers the right to ask emailers to stop spamming them. Commercial email messages must include: notice that the message is an advertisement or solicitation, an opt-out notice, and a valid postal address of the sender. CAN-SPAM also prohibits falsification of transmission information and deceptive subject headings. The Act creates criminal prohibitions against those who knowingly transmit spam through others' computers without authorization. The Federal Trade Commission may also pursue individuals who knowingly hire others to send deceptive spam.

4. "Remove Me" Responses and Responsibilities

Explains the truthful requirements for claims that you make in any advertisement for your products or services, including those sent by email. This means that you must honor any promises you make to remove consumers from email mailing lists.

Some marketers send email as a quick and cheap way to promote their goods and services. Be aware that the claims that you make in any advertisement for your products or services, including those sent by email, must be truthful.

If your email solicitations claim that consumers can opt-out of receiving future messages by following your removal instructions, such as "click here to unsubscribe" or "reply for removal," then the removal options must function as you claim. That means any hyperlinks in the email message must be active and the unsubscribe process must work. Keep in mind:

* You should review the removal claims made in your email solicitations to ensure that you are complying with any representations that you make.

* If you provide consumers a hyperlink for removal, then that hyperlink should be accessible by consumers.

* If you provide an email address for removal, then that address should be functioning and capable of receiving removal requests. It may be deceptive to claim that consumers can "unsubscribe" by responding to a "dead" email address.

* Any system in place to handle unsubscribe requests should process those requests in an effective manner.

The Federal Trade Commission Act prohibits unfair or deceptive advertising in any medium, including in email. That is, advertising must tell the truth and not mislead consumers. A claim can be misleading if it implies something that's not true or if it omits information necessary to keep the claims from bring misleading.

Other points to consider if you market through commercial email:

* Disclaimers and disclosures must be clear and conspicuous. That is, consumers must be able to notice, read or hear, and understand the information. Still, a disclaimer or disclosure alone usually is NOT enough to remedy a false or deceptive claim.

* If you promised refunds to dissatisfied customers, you must make them.

The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more.

The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Make sure that your marketing emails are designed to protect your business AND your customers. The last thing a business owner needs is to be hit with an FTC complaint while growing their business.

Happy Marketing!



~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Networking Groups - Part 5

Online networking/social web sites: Are they really networking and are they really working?

You can find them everywhere on the Internet. Based on contact management, they are direct in messaging, emailing, and even in the six degrees of separation. They go by many different names and have various methods of finding people. The problem with these sites is that they are not really networking. Do you disagree?

To be effective in networking requires building a relationship with another person. This is difficult to do through messages and email. If you have ever had a discussion with a person through email or instant messaging, have you ever been in a situation where you had to actually pick up the phone to find out what a person was really talking about? I have. All because the tone of the email seemed to be filled with discontent about one of my products. Yet, when I actually spoke to the customer, the issue was actually with his postal delivery service. My customer ("Mr. Smith") later told me that his postal carrier had an emergency that day, causing his delivery to be late. That entire situation was out of my control, and I'm glad that I took the initiative to call him and found out what was really going on. "Mr. Smith" has increased my sales 30 percent simply by repeating this story to his friends and family. I call that a win-win!

In relationships conversation is extremely important. The communication is key. The thing that we may not really pay attention to is the importance of tonal inflection in the voice and the added benefits of body language in expressing ourselves. These are the things that online networking is lacking.

Since the most important aspect of having a relationship with another person is based in trust, it is difficult to develop trust in someone that you have never seen nor heard. It is even more difficult to get a person to do business with you without some type of face to face contact.

With this in mind, will these web sites last or are they merely a passing craze? Are they popular simply because we are looking for success in any way that it might come to us? Time will tell.

It is my advice that if you are looking for new contacts, step away from the desk and out into the community. Online networking is less effective for getting business than it is putting your resume online to get a job. All of the people are faceless and voiceless and no one really wants to do business with an email. Or do they? With the thousands of people out there who are selling what you need, including those in your own community, how do you decide what to buy? My guess is that you're like me and end up buying most premium products and services from someone that you have met in person, whether that person is the Company's owner, or a salesperson. I am, of course, excluding buying products through an online store.

So then... what is the future of online networking? You are in control of it. Please take a moment and leave a comment on your opinion of online networking. Is it really working for you? Please be sure to tell me if you have ever gotten any business from it exclusively.



~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Networking Groups - Part 4

What is a leads group? Leads groups seem to be the most popular form of networking judging that comment by the fact that there are more leads groups in existence that have been around for a long time than most other types of groups.

Leads groups are often referred to as closed groups. This means that there can only be one type of a business represented in a group. For instance, I'm a member of a closed group where I am the only writer in the group. Other freelance writers would be allowed to visit, but if they wanted to join the organization they would have to find a group that did not already have a writer. If there was no opening in an existing group for a writer, the person would have to go on a waiting list until an opening became available, or a new group was formed. This system eliminates competition, as there is one specialist in each group. Which works out super good for me because my graphic design skills leave a lot to be desired, but I've recently partnered with a Graphic Designer in the group. Are you beginning to see the benefit? He hands out my business cards to his 200 plus member network, and I hand out his business card to my network. Branding and free advertising? Check!

Most leads groups meet once a week. There are some that only meet once a month. Leads groups offer something that a lot of people need. Structure and discipline. What do I mean by this?

Structure - In a leads group you do not have to be a master net worker. As a matter of fact, you can be a shy person and still have success in a leads group. Most leads groups allow a given amount of time to tell other members about your business. This usually ranges from one to five minutes. In this allotted amount of time you can go into great detail about your business including describing what type of leads you are looking for. The format is usually accomplished by sitting around a large table, and a leader moderates the time and asks questions. The meetings are generally held early in the morning or at lunchtime.

Discipline - In a leads group you are expected to show up for the meetings. Theoretically, if a leads group had only 15 members and several people did not show up, it would be difficult to have a reasonable meeting. To insure against this happening most groups require that you assign a substitute when you can not attend. This substitute should be a person in the same industry as you so that the balance of the group is not affected. In this situation, if you have a tendency to miss a lot of meetings, it would not be good to join a leads group. If you miss a lot of meetings without a sub, you will be ejected from the group.

The upside? In a leads group you will get to know people very well over time and get an idea of their abilities to fulfill the needs of a referral. This is good if you do not have time during the week to meet with people one-on-one in order to get to know them. A dedicated group will provide you with a steady stream of leads that you can utilize to expand your business.

The downside? Well, sometimes the leads become a paramount obligation and people feel pressured to pass them. If they are passing leads that are just names and numbers without a true expressed need, the leads generally lead you nowhere. Another issue is a member of the group whose quality of product or service does not meet the standards that you would want to refer to someone. It is difficult to pass a solid qualified lead to someone who will not provide the kind of service that you would expect them to.

There are also a few groups in existence that are in essence leads groups. They allow freedom to go to any meeting you wish as long as you are a member. The format is the same, seated at a table, and there is usually a time limit. The problem with these groups is that people wander in and out and without a lot of time to talk individually, you still have to set appointments outside of the group to really get to know someone. Without the discipline, the free-form leads group usually does not last for a long period of time. Often these groups open and close with great regularity leaving the members to search for another meeting to attend.

In closing, I would like to add that there is no wrong or right group to belong to. Visit groups and you will find the ones that are right for you. It is often beneficial to belong to three types of groups to get the most out of your networking efforts.




~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Networking Groups - Part 3

I talk a lot about Focused Networking, but I've never written about the subject, so it seems like a good idea to include it in this series on "Networking Groups".

In each business, we have a target market or the perfect prospect. If you have been in a particular business for any length of time, you should know what type of person or business owner falls into this category for you. If not, it is time to figure out who this might be.

In networking for business it is important to have a well rounded networking schedule. You should attend many different types of groups in order to reach a broad spectrum of people. If you only attend a business after hours, you may run into several people who provide the same product or service as you. In this environment, it is important to know what makes you different from them. In most cases this is not a company thing, but a personal thing. When you have reached the point that you can relate what makes you different, you will do very well in a competitive environment.

One of the groups that you are likely to attend is a trade association. In my first exposure to networking many years ago, I attended meetings for a group that specialized in the creation of multimedia. I went to the meetings each month in the hope of building a relationship with others who might be able to help me find some work in the field. The opposite happened. I found myself in the ultimate competition. I should have been there to learn about trends in the industry and to get background information of my competitors, but....there was literally no work to be had in an environment with all of my competition!

What happens if you attend the trade association meeting of your target prospect?

It is likely that you may be the only person in the room selling your product or service. If you do your homework before you go and discover the mission of the group, it is easier to prepare for that kind of opportunity. And that's the kind of opportunity where you can really build a solid foundation for your business.

In this environment, you may be sitting through a presentation by a speaker that you know nothing about, so to maximize your networking opportunity, arrive early and leave late. Talk to as many people as you can in the time that you have to network before the presentation begins. If you see someone in the group that you know, approach them and ask them to introduce you around in the room. This will help you to shortcut the process of meeting people. It also gives a friend an opportunity to refer you personally in a group of their peers.

It is important to be creative when looking for meetings to attend. Attend many, and you will have more opportunities to work with. Set a goal to visit all the types of groups at least once a month for maximum exposure and optimum contacts.




~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Networking Groups - Part 2

In "Networking Groups - Part One", I wrote about the four types of networking groups. Now, let's take a look at a category of networking groups.

One category that most people are familiar with is the Chamber Of Commerce. Chambers serve a long standing role in the business community. It is a role of development and support. A Chamber Of Commerce can offer business both small and large with networking opportunities, training programs, legislative assistance and a host of other benefits. A Chamber Of Commerce can be a local, statewide, national, or international organization with separate memberships for each. If you belong to an area Chamber of Commerce, you do not belong to a state or national Chamber. Each plays their own role in the business community.

Some Chambers of Commerce take more of a role in the community to influence policy while others might focus more on business development. Most of them however have a wealth of information for the member that goes unused by most.

For example, let's say you have a business and you have a question about a city ordinance that relates to your business. Most often a Chamber of Commerce can provide you with the answer to your question. Each of them has a database of members that can often be accessed through some point. Usually computers are made available to members with databases that can be searched for information on other members.

When looking for networking opportunities within a Chamber Of Commerce, most people think only of leads groups or the common after hours. The reality is that any function hosted by a chamber of commerce holds opportunities for networking with other business owners and business leaders.

Chambers of Commerce generally have a yearly membership of several hundred dollars for an individual or company. There are various levels of membership that can be had. Most Chambers offer an executive level membership that includes exclusive meetings between a more elite level of business people. When looking for this type of prospect, you can often gain access to them by joining at this level. The problem you might have is actually paying for this level or attending the functions as they are provided.

I recommend that you become a member of several groups to expand your networking strength. This should always include a Chamber of Commerce. Keep in mind that if you are involved in your community in other business networking organizations like the Rotary Club, a local Merchant's association, or smaller networking group, you might want to consider joining a Chamber of Commerce in another part of town. This will make you a part of that community as well and open the doors to increased prospects and opportunities.

In any event, you should always attend a Chamber of Commerce function in any area several times and find out what types of assistance they can offer for the growth of your type of business. Do not join any group just for the sake of joining a group. Find out what types of members attend the functions that are offered to determine the amount of exposure you will have to your target prospect.

When you attend a Chamber of Commerce meeting for the first time, look for the most popular person in the room, the one who everyone seems to want to talk to and get to know them first. This way you will make faster connections to the rest of the group. Often the leaders of the group can help you to get in the mix quicker.

Look for people who do what you do and analyze their strengths and weaknesses for opportunities to build alliances with them. If they have been a member for a long time, it is likely that they have most of the business in their industry at this point in time. It is hard to compete in such circumstances, so try an alliance before you bang your head against the wall trying to compete or just giving up.

Chambers of Commerce have been around for many years and there are all types, including minority and international. Be sure to visit many before deciding which to join and your membership dollars will serve you better.




~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Networking Groups, Part I

Today is the start of a new series on "Networking Groups". I have been trying to think about how I can talk about this subject and address it in a way that would be fair and balanced without injecting too much personal opinion and have decided to first talk about the types of groups and then later on be more specific in Parts 2 through 5. It is important to remember that you will have preferences that may not align with mine, but that each of us share a common goal in our networking. More business and possibly, more friends.

So lets begin by analyzing the various types of groups. There are many different types of groups, but it is easier to categorize them by the meeting format rather than using individual categories like chambers of commerce or women's groups.

Most groups fall under one of 4 main categories. These are Social Networking, Business Networking, Leads Groups and Networking with a Program.

Social Networking

Social networking is a part of our daily lives whether we realize it or not. Each time we attend any function that involves a group of people we are networking on a social level. Whether we are attending a charity event, going to a party at a friends house, going to a religious service, or attending an organized social networking event, we are in a networking environment.

In most cases a large part of participation in these groups is not related to business. However, there are always opportunities to meet people who could be, or know, prospective clients. When you attend these types of functions, it is advised to have some business cards in your pocket in case you meet someone else who is networking for their business, but remember that business networking is not the primary purpose of the function, so be very casual in the way you approach others about your business.

Social Networking Tip: Never assume that any individual at these functions is not a good prospect for your business. You will find many opportunities there. It is just good to remember that people are there for many reasons and may not want to talk about business.

Business Networking

Believe it or not there are very few groups or organizations that are simply "business networking groups". This category, for the purpose of our discussion is reserved for groups that do not have speakers or programs. An example of business networking would be similar to a chamber of commerce after hours. In business networking, you simply gather together with other business associates to talk about your businesses.

I find it much better to have a lot of time to talk to people about my business rather than have a brief period to talk and then have to sit down and listen to a program. This format enables you to really get to know people in the allotted amount of time. In some cases you can even do business with someone who you have met for the first time.

This format allows you to get to know people very well and sometimes helps to jump-start the relationship without having to meet for lunch or coffee at a later time. The only thing that makes this format difficult is if you are shy. For the shy individual it is sometimes not easy to just walk into a room and start talking to people they do not know.

Business Networking Tip: Build a core contact group of people that you see at several different meetings. This will give you a broad base of contacts through these people as they are building their networks. Always get to know the "most popular people" in the room. They will often know most of the others and can help to expand your network quickly

Leads Groups Leads groups are very structured. This is the largest segment of business networking. There are several formats to leads groups that vary in slightly different ways. In most cases the leads group involves sitting around a large table. Usually a leads group is limited to one person per industry. So if you wanted to be a part of a leads group that already has one of your type of industry, you could not join that group until there is an opening for you created by that person leaving.

Usually leads groups are about 5 to 20 persons in size. In most leads groups you are given a set amount of time to stand up and talk about your business ranging from 2 to five minutes depending on the size of the group. This is a dedicated time, no one else speaks and you take turns.

Leads groups are good for people who are shy or for those who have difficulty in a meeting with no structure. If you are a member of a good leads group, members are actively seeking referrals for other members. This can lead to a great deal of business if you consider the fact that everyone has a personal network of about 200 hundred people. This does not mean that it is the best format of meeting or not a good format, but rather it is good for you if you prefer structure.

Leads groups generally meet early in the morning or for lunch.

Leads Groups Tip: Be sure to enable the members of your leads group to help you. Give them tools (your business cards) that they can carry to represent you when they encounter someone who needs your product or service. Be sure that everyone understands what you do and who your best prospects are.

Networking with a Program

A lot of trade associations and chambers of commerce follow this format. The meeting usually starts with open networking for a period of 15 minutes to an hour. It is then followed by a presentation by a guest speaker or a current member.

In this environment, you will not have much time to really get to know people unless you always attend the meetings. In most cases these meetings are best for initial contact followed up by meeting prospects for coffee or lunch. It is advised that you use a system of taking notes and qualifying prospects for later follow-up.

Generally these meetings end after the presentation and people linger for 15 to 30 minutes before clearing the room.

Networking with a Program Tip: Get to know the leaders of the organization. In most cases they will know a great deal about the members as they work their way up the ranks into a leadership role. These individuals can be of the most help when seeking prospects or referrals.

As I said at the beginning of this article, your feelings on these definitions may vary from mine. It is important when seeking meetings to attend or groups to join that you have defined goals on what you are trying to accomplish. Be specific when setting these goals.

Remember business does not always come in the first contact or meeting. Be consistent for best results. Try to balance your networking with a combination of the types of groups and meetings that you attend. Each has it's own unique benefits and can help you with a well rounded presence in the business community.





~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Strategies for Successful Business Networking

There are a variety of organizations that run networking groups across the country. The largest group is probably BNI, which offers members the chance to attend weekly meetings and develop new professional relationships to help them grow their business. Some Chambers of Commerce are now organizing "leads groups" for their members as well. These groups are intended to offer members a way to connect with each other and potentially refer each other business.

In most "leads groups", each group allows no more then one representative from any industry, so if the group has a mortgage broker, then other mortgage brokers have to join another group or wait for the seat to open up. The idea is that by restricting membership, you eliminate competition within the group.

The agenda at most structured networking meetings is pretty straightforward. Each member is given an opportunity to introduce themselves, then there is a short presentation by one or two members (each member gets the chance eventually). The meeting ends with members discussing potential referrals for each other. This means that most of the members get about one minute to present who they are and teach the other members of the group how to refer potential customers to them.

Most people do a great job of presenting themselves. However, most people do not think to ask for referrals. At most networking events, you are not expected to ask for a referral or explain what a good referral for you is. However, at a leads group it is not only acceptable, it is expected!

I am involved in a number of networking groups and have used the simple outline below to create what is commonly known as "the elevator pitch" (really just a quick introduction). When I deliver my elevator pitch to a leads group, my goal is to educate everyone in the room about my company and what I do, as well as to teach them the best way to refer others to me. In addition, I want to make sure I actually ask for a specific referral. I will go through each piece of the outline in detail, but here are the basics.

* Introduction
o Your Name
o Position + company name
o Location of the company
o Overview of services
* Tell a story
* Call to action

The introduction piece of your presentation should stay the same every time you give it. You might say something like, "My name is Ed House. I am mortgage broker at ABC mortgages in Anytown, USA. We offer a full line of residential and commercial mortgage products." You can add some additional detail, but you should really focus on keeping this short and on point.

At each meeting, you will have the chance to differentiate yourself from the competition by telling a short story during your presentation. The story can be related to a specific challenge you helped a client overcome, a unique feature of your product or service, or you can simply talk about a new development at your company. Consider writing out your stories in advance so you know what you are going to say at each meeting. In addition, you can schedule the content so that the other members of your group learn more and more about you at each meeting. Always focus on educating your group a little more each week.

The "call to action" is very important and the piece that most people overlook. You need to tell the other members of your group exactly what type of referral you are looking for. For example, our mortgage broker, Ed House, might say, "Today a good referral for me would be a Realtor at XYZ real estate company." Ed may also say, "Today a good referral for me would be anyone who purchased their home more then 10 years ago."

I alway recommend that your "call to action" is as specific as possible. If Ed stands up and says that a good referral would be anyone who needs a mortgage, the rest of the group will have a harder time thinking of people to refer. But if Ed asks for an introduction to a specific person at a specific company, someone in the group may know that person or know someone at that company who can facilitate Ed's introduction. The more specific the request, the more likely it is to trigger someone else in the group's memory.

A last minute hint:

Keep focused on the networks of the people in the group, not on the people themselves. In other words, when you are participating in a networking or leads group, you should not focus on gaining the business of the people at the table. Instead, you should focus on gaining their trust so that they will refer you people in their network.






~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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The Manifest List: Best Business Tools

No matter what business niche you choose, there are basic tools that you need in each and every business, whether it's online or a traditional storefront operation. Those tools include website domain names, website hosting, autoresponders, and advertising at a minimum. Free business tools are great to get started, and will always hold a special place in my business "heart", but true Entreprenuers understand that when time is of the essence, paid versions of great business tools are the best choice.

Here's our list of the best business tools for 2011:

Website Domains - Fast and easy selection and set up for your domain name.

Website Hosting - Got a fantastic domain, and need a fantastic host for it? Why not start with the best and not have to worry about moving your website from year to year? You can even start your own Reseller Hosting Business for less than you think! Get your piece of online "real estate" from the best in the business.

Autoresponders (Paid) - No doubt, this is the best email marketing software for any business.

Autoresponders (FREE)- Not quite ready for a paid autoresponder? Use this one for free up to 500 email customers.

Add Content To Your Website (FREE): Use articles found here to edit and rewrite for your own niche.

Monetize Your Content (FREE)-: Let your content make money for you!

Advertising (FREE) - Building back-links can be a time-consuming, boring process. You can outsource the process to an agency and pay a lot of money. Or you can do it yourself with this Application. 25 unique back-links per submission. All links are on unique C-Class IP addresses and domains. This system saves time, and it's a great FREE tool.

Advertising (FREE) - Unlike Facebook, as soon as you join this site, YOUR business is seen by EVERY member!

Video Training (FREE) - "How to Make Money Online" video series

Write Your Own Paycheck (FREE) - A community of honest, like-minded entrepreneurs teaching others how to leverage this innovative system for generating more income...fast!

Your Business Brand - Branding your business can take up to a year if you do it alone; this team can do it within days.

Legal Protections - Learn what to do to protect your personal and business assets.

Toll-Free Phone Numbers - Do you really want your customers calling your private home phone? For less than $3.00 a month, you can get a toll-free number for your business (or your personal use!).

Create A Full Text Feed for Your Website Visitors(FREE) So easy!

Keep Up With Us for more up-to-date information on building a solid foundation for any business niche!



~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.

Regards,Admin

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How To Generate A Full RSS Feed

f you’re looking for a way to generate a full feed, here’s the best way to get it done quickly. If you’ve been using the RSS Bomber script to generate feeds, most of the time it will only give you a standard wordpress feed, which only displays an excerpt of your post. I recommend that Bloggers ALWAYS have the full content of their posts displayed in the feed. Why? Because no matter what you’ve heard from the “gurus”, content is still KING. There’s no point in putting a lot of hard work into your post, making it well optimized only to have the RSS feed display just a small amount of your masterfully-crafted blog post.

Visit The Wizard website today and give your feed the speed it needs!

Simply enter your RSS feed and it will convert it to a full display feed. Then you'll be able to submit that new feed.

Super cool, and it’s FREE.


~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.Regards,Admin

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Become A Better Email Marketer: Subscriber Expectations

Consistency is one of the most important expectations in your email marketing campaigns. When subscribers sign up for a "free ebook", or a "free gift"----that's what they expect: to receive one email that contains the link to receive the ebook/gift that they signed on for. They do not expect to begin receiving daily, weekly or monthly emails from you. If they do start receiving unwanted emails from you, then it's realistic to expect that they will report you for spamming.

Consistency matters – but before you can consistently meet the expectations of your Readers, you have to set them! If your subscribers don’t know what’s coming, it doesn’t matter how consistent the formatting and frequency are – those emails will still feel inconsistent with whatever preconceived notions subscribers had about them.

So how do you create expectations that you then meet?

As I see it, you get 3 critical opportunities to do so.

Today, let’s discuss the first one:

Create Subscriber Expectations Before The Opt-In

The minute potential subscribers become aware that you’re even offering something by email, they begin to make assumptions about that offering, like:

* What they’ll get from you if they sign up
* How often they’ll get it
* The value/benefit to them if they sign up (or the lack of it)
* The cost to them if they sign up (their time and privacy, plus: are you going to share their email address with someone else?)

If you don’t replace these assumptions with expectations that match what will actually happen, then these potential subscribers either won’t sign up, or they’ll be confused/dissatisfied/angry when what actually happens doesn’t match those assumptions. Which means that the next thing you must do is......

Clearly Explain, In or Near Your Opt-in Form:

* What kind of content you’ll be sending (you may even want to link to a sample email)
* How they’ll benefit as a subscriber (this is your email’s value proposition: why should someone subscribe?)
* When/how often the subscriber will hear from you (estimate if need be)
* What you do and won’t do with subscribers’ information (this may not be necessary in all cases – especially if you already have the visitor’s trust – but in general it’s a good idea)

Hope you enjoy this posting; Critical Opportunities #2 and #3 will be posted shortly. How are your efforts going with email marketing?


~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.Regards,Admin

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Blending Your Ideas and Email Marketing

Whether we like it or not, the words used in Email Marketing are very important. Whether you are writing a short or long email, your words must communicate your ideas.

But you don’t write words to communicate alone. You write them to request an action. Sometimes it’s subscribing, responding, purchasing – whatever you want YOUR Readers to do.

The words that carry most of the weight of the request are the few at the end, where you normally provide a link to proceed: your call to action. This is the decision point for your Readers. The words you use here could sway readers either way. And that, my friends, is WHY the words of your email are so very important!

Different words trigger different associations, and those can make or break the response. But your Readers’ responses will partly depend on your subject and the relationship you already have. A phrase, or wording that crashed and burned for me, may be the very same words that make your opt-in rate soar!

When choosing the words you want to write in your email marketing campaigns, keep in mind that you need to set correct expectations. Give your potential customers the information they need to make an informed choice. A well-informed subscriber is a happy subscriber.

Find out more by reading our article on Subscriber Expectations.





~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.Regards,Admin

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Automate Your Business With The Income Infuser System

Income Infuser is a done for you business that puts money in your pocket fast, easy and virtually all automatically.

You've probably even been told that you should have an affiliate program so someone else can sell your product for you. And you've always thought that you'd get around doing all that work, "someday", right? Well, guess what? You don't have to wait anymore, because you can have your OWN business today!

With THIS system, as soon as you install the software, EVERYTHING will be done for you... in just a matter of seconds, you'll have a squeeze page to build a profitable email list, you'll have products to sell with KILLER sales letters, you'll have your very own funnel of up-sells, down-sells, and even cross-sells.

And that's why it's so important for you to take action on this. Don't look back a year from now and realize you missed out on an amazing opportunity. Actually, opportunities are never "missed"...they're taken by others while you're still "thinking about it".

Take advantage of this one. Basic Membership is free so check it out and kick the tires! Check out this quick overview of the Income Infuser System.



~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.Regards,Admin

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The Fine Print of Any Online Business

If someone gave you a new BMW, you wouldn't complain if you had to put gas in it, would you? Well, the same thing's at work here. We're giving you the business; you just have to run it.

I need to be very clear about something: When you join our free membership, we are handing you the keys to a real, honest to goodness legitimate internet business.

This is the real McCoy. If I gave you a car you'd be happy. But a car won't actually make you money on autopilot like this can.

Just like a car, there are other expenses besides the initial purchase. If I gave you a brand new BMW you'd have to get car insurance, tags, and every week you'd pay to fill it with gasoline.

An internet business is the same way. You have the "car" now, but you need a few other things to keep that car running. First, you need a domain name. This is non-negotiable. A domain name is what makes this whole thing work.

You also need hosting for your domain name. This is like paying rent on an apartment or putting gas (hosting) in your car (domain name).

You host your website so it stays online and people can find it. If you want a more detailed instruction on hosting, just ask.

Another thing you'll need is an Autoresponder service; we like and use Aweber. A really great autoresponder service allows you to build that ultra profitable email list that will continue making you money for years to come.

And finally, you need to be able to advertise. You should have an advertising budget depending on how fast you want to grow, its up to you. Some people have more time and would rather do free methods; others want to ramp up quick and use paid methods; and some folks use a combination of the two. It's your business, so it's your choice.

We want to make sure you're a success. Free advertising is great; as a matter of fact, the one I use is free and SAFE - but it takes time. When its gotta be fast, you've got to pay. To get more for your money, this paid advertiser/ brand builder is the only way to go.

Those are the basics. And this is your time to shine and experience for yourself the awesome power of your own internet business.




~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.Regards,Admin

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Video Blogging

Many open sources content management systems enable users to post videos content allowing bloggers to access and administer their own video blogging sites. Moreover, convergence of mobile phones with digital cameras allow the publication of videos contents on the Web almost as it is recorded.

Adding video to your business website is a lot easier today than it was years ago, and it's amazing what a live actor can do to spruce up your promotional videos. Well, what's even more exciting is when you see these two little words in your comments section: "Great Video!". Next thing you know---your video has gone viral! See how it works at this great video site.

iMotion is a membership-type video site that offers each member:

**One Complimentary (Freebie) Custom Video Production Each Month!
**Professional Voice & On-Screen Actors
**Full Motion Animation
**Appropriate Background Music
**Studio Quality Productions
**HEAVY discounts on additional video production requests (first one
each month is free. Additional productions, only $100 each)

If you have been on the fence about becoming a member, consider joining today. You won't be able to join after they get 40 more members and slots will go quickly.




~~~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.Regards,Admin

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Free Blog Factory Explained

What is the FREE BLOG FACTORY all about?

Free Blog Factory offers you a fully functional blog/website that includes absolutely everything you need.

If you don't have the time to set up hosting accounts, mess with code, or hire programmers and designers, then Free Blog Factory is for you!

Here's what you get from Free Blog Factory:

Done-For-You Blog Setup: Instantly create WordPress sites on your domain with unlimited email accounts.

Mobile Browsing: Your website is compatible for your visitors to view on mobile phones and tablets.

Google Analytics Tracking: Access essential information about your visitors to give them exactly what they want.

Highest Rated CMS: WordPress is dynamic, easy to use and rated the #1 Content Management System on the planet.

Content Management System:Easily edit and publish articles, pictures and videos that your readers can share using social media.

Secure Web Hosting: Backed by the award winning HostGator; you can expect excellent service, security and support.

Thousands of Gorgeous Themes: Your site includes 70+ themes and the ability to download from thousands more.

Robust Business Tools: Your blog is a marketing machine with tools for advertising, email and social media marketing.

Sign up for FREE BLOG FACTORY, and see how you business life gets a lot easier.


~~~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.Regards,Admin

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Email Marketing - Autoresponders

When writing your business plan, it makes sense to add a section titled "Email Marketing". If you plan to use an autoresponder script for email marketing, here’s a word of caution: get the correct autoresponder web hosting plan.

Don’t make the same mistake I did as a new entrepreneur. I installed my script in, and used my cheap autoresponder (with "unlimited" bandwidth) to send out a thousand emails one day. That didn't work out real good for me at all----the next day that my account was suspended. All because I "assumed" that there was no limit to the amount of emails that I could send in one day. I learned very quickly that ALL autoresponder providers limit the number of emails you can send in one day based on the level of service you sign up for.

Autoresponder Web Hosting Explained

All of the major autoresponders (iContact, Aweber, Constant Contact) offer these same autoresponder hosting options. Let's take a closer look at the 4 basic types of autoresponder web hosting options out there:

1. Shared Autoresponder Web Hosting – You share the same physical server/machine with thousands of other users. Although the hosting company may advertise “unlimited” bandwidth and space, there are tons of limitations in the fine print which makes that virtually impossible. Most importantly, with a shared hosting account you usually cannot send out more than 200 to 500 emails per day. This is an excellent choice for new business owners just starting their email marketing effort.

2. Reseller Autoresponder Web Hosting – A few resellers share the same server/ machine, and each reseller can create new accounts either for personal use or to be sold. Although you may have additional flexibility with a reseller account, the very fast that you’re still sharing the same resources with other users means that there will probably be some type of limitations on using autoresponder scripts as well. This is a great choice for business owners who want to add another stream of income to their primary business.

3. VPS (Virtual Private Server) Autoresponder Web Hosting – Similar to reseller hosting, a VPS provider has tons of servers and instead of giving you a big part of one server they give you small parts of many servers. That way it created some kind of “private network” for your web hosting accounts. With a VPS you have almost all the freedom you can get with web hosting, and you can host your autoresponder scripts with no problem. A VPS is the best choice for entrepreneurs who already have established their business and are interested in expanding it.

4. Dedicated Autoresponder Web Hosting Server – If you have many websites, then you may want to get a dedicated web server. With a dedicated server the entire machine is yours, and that means what you do does not effect anyone else. You’re free to host your auto-responder script, and the only reason we have ranked a dedicated server lower (at #4) than a VPS is because of the cost. This is strictly for business owners who have many (over 100) websites, and can afford the necessary costs that come with owning their own server.

Autoresponder Web Hosting – Recommendations

So, it’s clear that you should stay away from using a shared hosting account is you plan to install and use your own autoresponder script. A VPS is the best best, and HostGator VPS is a great choice. A VPS can handle multiple accounts as well, and it much cheaper than a pure dedicate server. You get the flexibility you need, without breaking the bank.

Think about what stage (new, intermediate or expanding) your business is in, and choose the best autoresponder web hosting account right from the start to avoid any unwanted problems!

This is the autoresponder I've used for years with absolutely no problems!



~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.

Regards,
Admin

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New Boss...or SoS?

You show up for work one day and find out that there's a new boss.

Your first thought is: "Oh well.....Same Old Song; just a different singer!"

As you start your work day, you wonder what happened because nobody told you. And to top it all off...there's a note on your desk that says, "Come see me in my office; we need to discuss your performance." (Are you starting to sweat a little?)

You arrive at the boss' office, walk in, and finally see the new boss---who happens to be YOU! You became "The Boss" when you decided to be an entrepreneur.

Here's the Super Cool Boss List: Set your own hours, do what you want when you want, and don't have to answer to anyone but yourself.

Here's the Not So Cool Boss List: Be honest when you answer to yourself, be strategic about what you do and when you do it, and set hours to actually work.

When you become an entrepreneur, you have to switch from being an employee to being the boss. The switch can be difficult, especially if you've spent years being an employee.

As an employee, you are accountable to someone else, who sets all the perimeters: they tell you what to do and what results they want. They provide the resources you need, and they rate your performance. Your linear pay is your compensation.

As an entrepreneur, there is no one to be held accountable except yourself. You create your own goals and set your own perimeters. You're responsible for figuring out what to do at work, what resources you need and how to get them. You alone are responsible for determining the results you want. And you may not see the results of your work right away.

Despite what you may have been led to believe, most people are not entrepreneurs the moment they decide to be one. Just like any other profession, becoming an entrepreneur is an evolution; it's a process that takes time. You have to change the way you think about how you work and your motivation has to come from you.

The decision to become an entrepreneur is a major step on a new journey. Think about where you want to be, keep track of your progress, and make course corrections as you learn. Stay consistent and persist. allow yourself the time and effort to evolve, and at the end of your destination, you WILL be an entrepreneur. But the most important thing through it all is to work on your personal development while growing your business .

Are you ready to be "The Boss"?


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Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.

Regards,
~Dolle

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Business Development Centers

Starting a business can begin very simply, but can become more difficult as you dive into the many resources of information available. As a tip, the focus in your research needs to turn to the accountability of the source, using different resources to compare information.

The research you do on your own can be a determinant as to how easy the business beginning process will be, and how successful you will be with your business. Keep in mind that you get out what you put in.

Most States in the US have compiled resources offered for business owners who are residents. These state-run websites also offer expert counseling and training in the new business beginning process. Visit your State government website to access these valuable resources.

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Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.

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It's Possible

It's entirely possible to serve your clients fully without running yourself ragged, or skimping on quality, with a little help from Manifest Business Solutions (MBS). MBS publishes the latest research results, guidelines, tips and even our own hands-on experiences to help businesses start, operate and expand.

Our team has the experience and resources to address many of the challenges you face and objectives you aspire to reach. Our purpose is your success - whether you need financing assistance, legal advice, ways to score new business opportunities, recruiting assistance, or help with permits and licenses.

Start exploring what Manifest Business Solutions has to offer by browsing our services via our links and banners.

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Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source.

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