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- Jun 30th, 2008
- 4 Comments
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Every now and then we have to do something painful. Like Work. So I wanted to take something of the supreme grotesque William Wallace level of pain, and show you, well, as he says : “FREEDOM”
TODAYS PAIN: Build a Single page - Landing page / Sales page. No staff, no frills.
In the interest of keeping this shorter, I will ‘assume’ you have certain skills. Please comment if there is an area that you would like more instruction.
1. Select a Domain Name
Lets head on over to GoDaddy.com and find one that is available. My site topic (and Lord help me, I hope she never finds this on this blog) is this: I have a fantastic friend and I want to help her find a guy! I debate between marrymiriam and marrymyfriendmiriam.com and go with the latter since its obvious SHE had no involvement. I am certain there are better names, but at $7 each, I will be happy to splurge when / if necessary.
When checking out at GoDaddy, I skip to checkout. I skip about 10 pages of offers and continue to checkout. Dont let all their offers distract you and confuse you. I use the paypal details I have on file, checkout, pay, and transaction complete. I even take 15 seconds in there to find a current coupon code so that the domain does cost me $7 as mentioned and not $10. The code OYH3 has been working for me consistenly for the last several months.
TIME = 5 minutes
2. Domain Hosting
I need to host my website. I already have an account with eboundhost - an unlimited domain account. I go into my whm account, which is basically the URL of my maindomain.com/whm (the main domain is the account you signed up with originally). I click on create a new account. As instructed, I submit the new domain name, select a username and password .. which will also be my FTP user/pass - click OK and wait a few seconds.. until SUCCESS! A new account has been created.
Time - 3 minutes
3. Point it in the right place
I am promptly emailed all the pertinent details for this new domain/website . Most important information is the Nameservers, user/pass, and the I.P of the doman. I go BACK to godaddy and then select manage domains. I click on my new domain - marrymyfriendmiriam.com and then click on nameservers. I select custom nameservers and basically exchange the information in the email from godaddys default nameservers to eboundhost (my web host). Click ok, and its done. It takes a few seconds, but I am already getting to step 4.
Time - 3 minutes
4. Allow Your Files to Connect to Your Domain!
I head over to my FTP client. I am a bit old fashioned here, as I am using WSFTP. I dont even think you can get it now, but there is no lack of free FTP programs, and they all work pretty similarly.
I select new account. I put in the name field however I wish to refer to it (Marry Miriam) and then in the host name field I put in the I.P address. It will look something like this 65.119.24.35 (-totally made up). After 24 hours or so I should be able to put in the domain name, but the I.P address allows it to work right away. Then I put in the username, password, (the ones my web host emailed to me), click save password and then ok..
I am IN!!
Time= 2 minutes
5. Now - To connect with your Visitors! The Web Page
My plan is to make this like a salespage, pitching my friend, and inviting single Men to leave us with their contact information. Thats the only action necessary. When you need to create a single page site, there are plenty examples that are very easy to mimic.. like almost exactly. They all look the same, and the only part that differs is the graphics. How do you do this?
In your inbox you have probably received no less than 10 pitches in the last few days to a wide variety of incredibly similar (is that an oxymoron?) landing pages -a. Select the one you like the best.
b. Go to View tab, click page source, and then copy the source - paste it into a notetab or an html editor and save it as an .htm or .html page.
c. Make sure to also right click on images and copy those as well. Not logos, but other graphics like borders or backgrounds (EDIT: DO NOT COPY GRAPHICS THAT ARE IMAGES. THIS WAS AN ERROR. Here is what I meant to say - IF YOU SEE A BACKGROUND WITH A COLOR YOU LIKE - JUST CREATE A BACKGROUND WITH THAT SAME COLOR - often times the background you are seeing is NOT an image, rather a color - you will find out if you can read the code or when you upload the page.. .. you can easily google HTML colors and find the whole spectrum of the rainbow to select from without COPYING someone else’s images.)
d. Go to your FTP - create an images folder and upload all the images there (binary) (REMEMBER - YOUR OWN LOGO!! YOUR OWN GRAPHICS
!!). Put the new html page in the root folder.
e. View the page online. Go back into the html page and remove all the unnecessary text or code or replace with your own text.Time: 12 minutes
Troubleshooting:
**Text get messed up? Did you remove a block of text, a table perhaps but neglect to remove it completely? Most of these pages are created using original HTML, which is what makes it so easy to rip off, but also not very friendly if you get something wrong. I suggest you use block out codes like (the stuff that looks like < --!) if you cant get it right. Just don't embarrass yourself and make sure to delete the copy of whatever was being originally promoted and just leave the code bare in between the blocked out signals.
**Another suggestion to avoid issues. Find the source of the tables and add border="2" inside the <> to them one at a time. Then you will be able to SEE the table you are working on, whats included. When you have finished the work, go back and remove the border. This has been extremely helpful to me the past few years. I am not a big ‘code’ person so I have been shocked to find where a table started and ended!
For the page being discussed - I have enough of my own niche landing pages, that I can just rip off from myself - but they usually originated from some other pitch.
6. Let’s REEL Them IN.
Once you get a lead, it is your responsibility to convert that lead into a sale. Now we head over to Aweber. Click new account. Then go to create web form. I add a little text, then save it. I click get HTML - take the javascript code so I can track results, and then just plop the code into the page, usually between some center tags to keep it centered. I have not yet created a first autoresponse, but to do so: click follow up on the list settings tabs, and then go ahead and start writing…
Time: 5 minutes
The only part I cannot help you with here is the graphics. I am using images of my friend, so It’s not an issue here. Typically I can head over to Rent a Coder and pick up some decent graphic work .. or I may get a minisite graphics package around the $60 price range.
Tell me what works for you here, what’s still confusing? Thanks!
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- Jan 11th, 2008
- 7 Comments
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I know I promised this video 2 days ago, but 2 things happened:
1) I got tired. Sorry. It happens occassionally. I will try not to let it happen again.
2) I decided last minute to remove all references to a report I was promoting in the VIDEO. Not because I dont find it worthy of promoting, in fact I am.. right HERE and read below.. but I wanted the video to be more timeless and well.. have the potential to promote ME :). However, instead of re-recording, I just took the same footage and chopped it up even more!
As is typical.. just as I am getting ready to do something, someone else comes along with a big bang! Andrew Cavanagh wrote a thread on the Warrior Forum suggesting similar ideas to what I mention in my video. As I suspected would happen, people were like WOW.. meaning the idea never occured to them. I did not actually see the thread in the forum. I think it was removed so he could instead pitch the idea and sell it. I advise you to check out this $19.99 product since unlike many other products where you purchase and dont know what you are getting, he has his original forum post in his sales pitch and there are no secrets.
What you are getting in this report (< -- link) are tips to approach businesses, lingo with with to approach them, how to build up referrals (which it really is all about), services to offer, prices to charge, outsourcing suggestions, and some basic SEO practices.. Basically helps you fill in the holes. Not to hype it up, but his price will only remain for a while, since that is the rules of this forum! Be expected for a serious hike in the next few days.
By the way I am quite serious about what I wrote in the video. If you go out and get the clients, I will take half (well assuming you charge them enough!), and show you how to get it done. It wont take long for you to cut out the middle man, and do it for yourself! So go ahead and click contact!
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- Jan 9th, 2008
- 0 Comments
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Hi. Making this fast, since it’s 4 am. My sister has been in town almost 2 weeks and since Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!, she has forced me into so much recreation, (woe is me), which means that I am finally getting stuff done now that she has finally left to the airport.
I am working on a video and will hopefully have it ready for viewing tomorrow. It talks about the surest way NOT to fail in Internet Marketing. If that sounds like hype, then too bad.. I am too tired to un hype it. It’s trendy, but it also never goes out of style. You will watch and let me know your thoughts
Till then.. sweet dreams!
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- Dec 27th, 2007
- 7 Comments
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I blogged about how YOU keep focused, and promised those who commented that I will include the answers in an upcoming post. Due to focus problems, it’s taken me a lot longer than expected.
I was reminded since I had the delicious opportunity of spending the ENTIRE afternoon at the local Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.. Just me, some yummy drinks, and my laptop! How intimate. The whole purpose of getting the laptop was to be able to get out of the house to get work done.. just the timing was off, since I gave birth not too long after my laptop and well I dont do so well with dumping babies and going. Dont even ASK how much this afternoon of caffeine cost me. DONT.
However, the place was bustling, not one empty seat, noise all around.. someone said.. NO WAY you could focus there. You know what? Not ONE of those distractions had ANYTHING to do with me, not one wipe me, not one knock at my door.. It was inspiring to know I COULD focus. It’s just everyone and everything else in my life to blame .
Here are your answers:
Rich Gilchrest - I cant tell if he is mocking us - what do you think?
I sometimes have the opposite problem. I can get so wrapped up in what I’m doing, I lose track of time. For example, I was doing some research for a gaming website last night. All I wanted to do was create an account, play for ten minutes, and write 200 to 400 words about getting started in this game. Hour and a half later, I was still enjoying the game, but my eyes finally wandered back up to my system clock and I realized my twenty minute time allotment for that task was LONG gone.
Too much attention, not enough disorder
Cindy Powers - I’ve found a timer to be a big help. Even if I only set it for 15 minutes at a time, I can focus on one task knowing that I don’t need to do anything else during that 15 minutes. I can get a LOT done in 15 minutes of focus time. And if I’m on a roll, I’ll set it for another 15 minutes for the same task.
I also make sure that I get 15 (timed) minutes of down time each hour. Even if it is playing Internet Backgammon or some other ‘mindless’ activity, this keeps me from straying from my task at hand, knowing that I’ll get some ‘me time’ soon. My favorite use of this time is to sit out on the porch swing and bird watch – away from the hum of electronics and the squabbles of children.
Leslie - - MY FAVORITE!! - put a dish of chocolate 10 feet away and go get a handful after you finish your assignment. You won’t look better but you’ll be happier.
Alexandra - I have a few things I need to focus. The first is a cup of chai - nothing happens without it. I have a big dry erase board where I list different categories (calls, promo materials, shopping list, etc). then i make a category called “To Do TODAY”. I put what i think i could/should accomplish that day. It helps keep me focused. There are lots of times when something unexpected happens - like baby falls asleep in my lap. Then I can shift gears easily.
Cynthia Powell - I set a timer for 5-10-15 minutes.
Work on something non-stop til timer goes off then set it again and go work on something else.
Example: Set timer for 15 minutes and work on my mounts of emails.
Timer goes off. Reset it for 15 minutes and go fold cloths. Timer goes off. Reset and go work on emails again. Keeps me going and focused and not so board.
April D - The only thing that works for me is to have a schedule or routine. If I follow it and focus on my mommy and house jobs first thing in the morning I find I can focus better on my business after those things are accomplished. If I get on the computer first thing in the morning I set myself up for stress and not much gets accomplished.
and the theme continues …
Traci K (how the heck did you have time to read this blog I want to know!) - With four kids, a full time daycare, and my handcrafted store, I definitely rely on list making as a way to accomplish tasks/goals. One thing I have discovered though is be reasonable with your goals. Make your tasks something that can actually be completed in a reasonable amount of time. Baby steps. Don’t set yourself up to battle a mountain of tasks…make it more like a hill. lol
We started with a man.. and we will wrap it up with a man, certainly no stranger to responsibility:
George - Don’t let distractions determine your day (which I so often do). My best piece of advice for staying on focus is to write a list of takss you want to accomplish each day. Then set a strict completion time for each task and stick with it. This practice has REALLY helped me the last few months.
Thanks everyone for your answers! I wouldnt have such a hard time staying focused if I could manage to not fall asleep. Any suggestions to a non coffee drinker on how to stay awake?
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- Nov 26th, 2007
- 2 Comments
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About 6 months ago or so, MANY online marketers (newbies and seasoned) signed up for a $1 trial to StomperNet. The StomperNet program claims to ’stomp the search engines’ and build your business to be a SERIOUS business, and at an $800 monthly membership fee, this trial seemed like a no brainer!
Only once we entered, did we find out that they were offering their trial members a special system called Stomper Simple. The plan of simple was to help EVERYONE get an online affiliate business up and running. Everyone was to take a product of their choice at Clickbank and pre-sell it. Part of their system including creating ‘Kitchen Table Copy’. The idea is that you print out 4 different salesletters of competing products, and place them all on your kitchen table. Take a red marker and highlight all the best parts of each salespage and then create one ‘knock em dead’ salesletter.
But what’s the catch? After creating this awesome salespage you have to send them to ANOTHER full blown Clickbank salespage! Many of the better products - better meaning that according to Stomper Simple ‘mathematics’ it’s an easier sale - include poor salespages, opt-ins, and just a LOT more reading to get to the order form.
When you pitch a product, you have to make it READILY available - dont ask them to jump through ANOTHER hoop!
Here was a question I posed to my Stomper Team - Is there a way to SKIP the clickbank salespage? Go straight to their order form?? There are MANY benefits to this beyond the Stomper Simple method..
After surfing the web a bit yesterday, I accidentely fell on the solution! Here is what Lynn Terry from ClickNewz says: (ok this is copy and paste to make sure you get the technical details right - hope thats ‘kosher’ in the blogosphere)
Typically, when you are promoting a ClickBank product as an affiliate you will use what they call a “hoplink” to the merchant’s sales copy. That hoplink tracks the click-through’s and you get credit for every sale in the form of commission.
In the rare case that you want to bypass the merchant’s sales copy, you can set up a direct link to the checkout page that will still track your referrals. Here’s how you do that…
clickbank.net/sell.cgi?YOURID_MERCHANTID/ProductNumber/ProductName
You will need to put the “http://” in front of that, and also make sure the link comes out all on one line - it breaks into two lines here on this page, but you want to make sure to create the link with no spaces or breaks.
There are 4 things you need to edit in that link:
YOURID which is your ClickBank ID
MERCHANTID the merchant’s ClickBank ID
ProductNumber
ProductName
The product name and product number can be found in the merchant’s original checkout link. What I usually do is view the merchant’s sales copy page, then click View > Source in my browser. This brings up the source code for the page, and you can locate the order button and analyze their order link.
Lynn also suggests asking the merchant for permission.. and testing it out! When you click to purchase at the bottom of the purchase page you should see your affiliate name in brackets at the bottom.
Thanks Lynn!
The next trick is to figure out how to not have others steal your clickbank commissions.
Speaking of Stomper Simple - all the participants say that the best part were the relationships created. I added like 30 names to my skype and chat regularly with 3 of them and of course everyone knows my new friend George! Certainly worth the $1!!