Today's Feature Article

Why people don't buy from you
Dan Brown

There are 10 reasons people don't buy from you.

Here's ten simple yet POWERFUL ideas for you to reflect on. This will help you adjust your marketing strategies... which will have a GREAT effect on everything you sell.

1. You don't make people feel safe when they order.

Remind people that they are ordering through a secure server. Tell them you won't sell their e-mail address and all their information will be kept confidential.

2. You don't make your ad copy attractive.

Your ad lists features instead of benefits. The headline does not attract at your target audience. You don't list any testimonials or guarantees included in your ad.

3. You don't remind people to come back and visit.

People usually don't purchase the first time they visit. The more times they visit your site, the greater the chance they will buy. The most effective way is to give them a free subscription to your e-zine.

4. You don't let people know anything about your business.

They will feel more comfortable if they know who they are buying from. Publish a section called "About Us" on your web site. Include your business history, profile of employees, contact information etc.

5. You don't give people as many ordering options as possible.

Accept credit cards, checks, money orders, and other forms of electronic payments. Take orders by phone, e-mail, web site, fax, mail, etc.

6. You don't make your web site look professional.

You want to have your own domain name. Your web site should be easy to navigate through. The graphics should be related to the theme of your web site.

7. You don't let people read your ad before they get your freebie.

When you use free stuff to lure people to your web site include it below your ad copy or on another web page. If you list the freebie above your ad they may never look to see what you're selling.

8. You don't attract the target audience that would buy your product or service.

A simple way to do this is to survey your existing customers to see what attracted them to buy. This information will help you improve your target marketing and advertising.

9. You don't test and improve your ad copy.

There are many people who write an ad copy and never change it. You have to continually test and improve your ad copy to get the highest possible response rate.

10. You don't give people any urgency to buy now.

Many people are interested in your product but they put off buying it till later and eventually forget about it. Entice them to buy now with a freebie or discount and include a deadline date when the offer ends.

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Author Dan Brown has been active in internet marketing for the past 4 years. Dan currently is working with The Paid Surveys Report, introducing a very successful paid surveys database. http://www.paidsurveysreport.com/

Today's Motivational Reading

Outsourcing
Bob Osgoodby

It's no secret that the US economy has slowed down, and many jobs have been outsourced overseas. Thousands of companies are still and are being forced to cut costs, decrease benefits, and even lay off employees. Many of those who lost their jobs, wil l try their hand at doing business on the Internet.

It seems however, that lately I've been hearing a great deal about the difficulty of doing business online. Put aside the talk about the hype and the scams. They existed from the first day the Internet was commercialized. They are becoming more sophisticated with their promises of earning millions, but as people become more experienced, they quickly see through them. Fake email addresses, spam and broken dreams will continue to abound until either legislation forces them to do business ethically, or the well of suckers dries up.

Sounds pretty negative doesn't it. Under other circumstances, it would be enough to put someone off trying to do business on the net. But let's look at the positive side. I don't know about you, but I've met some pretty fine people on the web. They are honest, hard working and a pleasure to do business with. While there are a few "bad apples" (and aren't there offline as well), it's amazing how many friendly, helpful people there are out there.

In the early nineties, before the entrepreneurial invasion of the Internet, the only game in town was the proprietary bulletin boards such as run by Prodigy. Anyone who "dared" become commercial was summarily banned from the boards, and "blacklists of offenders" were actually shared between the board moderators. But, as commercialism crept in, and the old bulletin boards joined the ranks of the dinosaurs, a whole new strategy started to evolve.

People have learned that you don't have to create something new or re-invent the wheel to make money online. You can join an affiliate program to get started with a minimum of capital outlay, and a decent income can be made. But the old saying "there's no such thing as a free lunch" is even truer today.

Sure, you can advertise online for free, but except for isolated instances, there is a catch. Forget the FFA (Free For All) sites where you can post a free ad for your business. They get thousands of submissions hourly, and most only keep the latest hundred or so current, so your ad has a life measured in seconds.

How about the free ads you find in newsletters? If the newsletter has content and a decent subscriber base, they are a great deal. However, many times the only subscribers who receive it are those placing the free ads, and once they check to see if their ad is there, they "click away" and don't even see anything else.

While you might not immediately learn how to advertise your business, you quickly learn how not to. Email spamvertising is simply a waste of time and money. If it is annoying to you, and the ads are summarily deleted without being read, why waste your money on a similar campaign.

Those who want to do business on the web, and are succeeding, are evolving into a whole new breed of entrepreneurs. They learned from the mistakes that are being made, and have developed a business plan that is working.

So, what is the secret. It really isn't a secret, and it is as obvious as the nose on your face. People are not stupid, inexperienced maybe.- but not stupid. Treat them with the same courtesy and respect you would like to receive, and you will be amazed at the results.

Unfortunately, many would be entrepreneurs don't take their business seriously, and will fail. This is not something you can do when bored, and there is nothing good on TV that night. If your bottom line is to succeed, you must take your online business seriously, and the returns you receive will be in proportion to the effort you exert.

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Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine the "Tip of the Day" get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips – Monday. Wednesday. and Friday. Instructions on how to place an ad are in the Newsletter. Subscribe at:
http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm

Today's Subscriber Article

Turbulence Or A Smooth Ride? You Decide.
Pat Graham-Block

Why is it that 2 people can use the same airport, the same airline and even be on the exact same flight, and have 2 totally different stories about their trip?

Is it all about attitude? To some degree.

It's about our beliefs, based on history and is influenced by visualization. We have a vision of what we will be experiencing, whether we are aware of it or not.

Trainers and Coaches talk about a process of visualizing the end result, as you would desire it to happen. They suggest you use this process when preparing for meetings, sales presentations and other activities, whereby one outcome is preferred over another.

That vision absolutely does affect the outcome. Ask any athlete and they will tell you.

Athletes have used imaging techniques for years. That is what you will see them doing when you see them standing and focusing on their target, in an almost trance-like state, at the starting line or on the field, just before they hit or throw the ball. These professionals are all imagining, in advance, what they want the outcome to be.

Can this process of imaging, work for you also in your every day personal and professional life? Let's say you are traveling and would like to experience incredible food, clean rooms ready for your arrival, flights and baggage arriving on time, friendly and efficient service.

Can that be your reality? The answer is...of course. Wayne Dyer, best-selling author of "The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your Way" says that it is absolutely possible to affect the outcome of the events in our lives. Try these suggested steps when planning your next trip, for example.

1.~Imagine how you want to feel before, during and after your trip. (Since the energy you put out reflects on the outcome, this is your first step in the process).

Do you want to feel relaxed? Rested? Unhurried? Full of energy? Joyful? Even visualize a sense of accomplishment that the meeting went well and the deal was approved and signed by all parties.

Really imagine the way you want to feel, as if it has already happened.

2.~Now, as you go about making the reservations, packing your luggage and all the other activities leading up to the first day of your departure, continue to keep the vision of all the fun and successful interactions with others you are going to experience.

You can even imagine being a magnet to some of the most amazing people on your trip and see who you attract.

Investing the time to learn and use visualization, is key to having the best life experiences.

Will it really work for you? Only you can be the judge. All I can say is... Try it. You might like it.

Caution: This may be a new muscle for you and if at first, you don't succeed...Try it again. Practice. Better yet, just like the athletes do, you might even consider getting a Coach!

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Pat Graham-Block travels extensively for business and pleasure. She has created http://www.alaskarules.com as a resource for the lovers of that great state. Get the Power of Intentions by Wayne Dyer by clicking here!

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