Copywriting For An Online Audience

So what’s the big deal about copywriting for the Internet? It’s the same as any other form of copywriting isn’t it? In a word, yes. But in another word, no. Confused? Sick of all these questions? I had better myself explain then.

No matter what medium you are using, all copywriting should have one prime objective - create an effective message that appeals to the audience it is intended to influence. This golden rule applies to websites, brochures, and sales letters, even adding a nice message to Grandma’s little pink birthday card. However, the Internet presents a number of unique challenges for a copywriter, even if the people reading your sales letters are the same ones reading your website.

Think about it for a minute. Do you read on the Internet the same way you read on paper? Not for long. First of all, there are comfort factors such as the monitor resolution, colours, glare, and a reading surface that doesn’t move. Secondly, we are conditioned to read websites in a different manner. Online, we are quite comfortable scanning sub-headings, clicking on hyperlinks, and jumping between pages.

Thirdly, the majority of people looking at your business website are there because they seek a service that you provide. After all, they made the effort to visit you didn’t they? The online reader can be impatient and demanding, and they usually know what they want before they click through he door. If your business doesn’t impress them straight away, it’s a quick tap on the keyboard to find someone who will. Even if you do provide the product or service they need, it doesn’t take much effort to duck into your competitors store for a browse around. Website copywriting is a bit like speed dating – you have to make a big first impression and leave them thinking “I bet we’d be good together".

Readers of hard copy sales material don’t have the luxury to pick and choose, so they become somewhat of a captive audience. After all, it takes a lot more effort to call or visit your competitors business in the real world. In addition, a brochure could sit on a potential customers desk for months, staring at them with puppy dog eyes, day in day out, until one day the customer decides to make some enquiries.

With these unique challenges in mind, here are a few copywriting pointers to help make your website a lean, mean, highly effective, sales machine:

1. Snatch their attention from the first paragraph
Most visitors spent less than one minute summing up a website before they decide whether to stay or go. There is no time for waffling paragraphs about who you are, where you live, and how your wife makes the best apple pie. You have to get to the point as fast as you can. If you don’t convey your key message in the first few lines, don’t expect many people to be around to read them further on.

2. Short paragraphs
If you want people to read your website, forget the long descriptive, romantic prose about the salubrious ambience of your pulchritudinous offer. They will only think you are stercorous (take my word for it, you really don’t want to be). Short paragraphs are most effective on the web because they can be differentiated and skimmed at a glance. Visual layout is the key.

3. Make sure your copy flows
Reading online is straining enough. Flowing on from the point above, using jargon, formal language and/or trying to impress your audience with your knowledge of words containing more than ten letters will only make the reader irritated, frustrated and start to think about places or sites they’d rather be.

4. KISS
Remember the old adage Keep It Simple Stupid? Write as though your audience is a bunch of twelve year olds. Don’t sound patronising, but don’t assume they know anything about your business or what you do. They have arrived laden with buring questions, “What are you selling?" “Why should I choose you?" “Where are you?" “How can I get some of this?" “How much is it?"

5. Appropriately tempt your audience
A lot of hot and personal activity goes down on the Internet, but lets face it, the technology itself isn’t causing readers monitors to fog up. The content is what makes things exciting. The Internet itself is just an impersonal two-dimensional screen. Good copywriting might not always be intended to get the heart racing, but it must connect with your intended audience to break through this impersonal barrier. Maybe you need a little humor, sophistication, cold corporate speak, personal touch, or yes, even something racy.

Learn how to to make your fortune on-line and successfully run your digital marketing campaigns  visit WWW.HARRISONKENYON.COM now

The Beginners Guide to Types of Web Hosting

Web hosting іѕ а prime service thаt users саn utilize after obtaining еіthеr dial-uр оr broadband access tо thе Internet. It provides users tо broadcast thеіr own information resources tо аnу Internet user thаt іѕ interested іn accessing thеm. Web hosting makes uѕе оf thе server/client model tо distribute content. A Web hosting provider wіll provide іtѕ client right tо access а Web server thаt wіll push client's content tо recipients оn request. Recipients uѕе Web browsers like Microsoft Internet Explorer оr Netscape Navigator tо request content frоm thе Web оvеr thеіr own Internet connection.

On а special computer Web sites аrе stored оr hosted called server. Thе server оr host computer permits Internet users connected аnуwhеrе tо reach site whеn thеу put host's domain address іn web browser. Thе server оr host computers аrе set uр ѕо thаt whеn ѕоmеоnе types Web address іn browser, thе address wіll follow а route frоm computer tо computer untіl іt reaches host computer аnd web site. After thаt Internet user wіll bе аblе tо browse thrоughоut thе Web site. Hosting companies uѕuаllу need thеіr own domain name іn order tо host wіth thеm.
Web hosts provide thе technical resources аnd equipment thаt аrе required tо offer а consumer wіth thеіr own customized Web site. Hosting companies charge а fee fоr thе storing Web site service аnd allowing Web site visitor traffic flow thrоugh computers tо get information оn site.

Web hosting services аrе more advantageous bесаuѕе thе physical location оf thе Web server does nоt reside аt thе consumer's premises. Many small businesses take advantage оf Web hosts іn order tо free thеmѕеlvеѕ frоm pre occupying thеіr scarce human аnd financial resources оn Web host issues. Companies аnd individuals whо outsource thеіr Web presence tо achieve thе following objectives: improve own company focus, reduce operating costs, gain access tо іn-depth expertise, free internal resources fоr core competencies аnd obtain access tо world-class capabilities tо control IT functions whісh аrе difficult tо handle. In multiple formats Web hosting іѕ offered tо thе consumer based uроn іtѕ requirements. Thеѕе requirements аrе depend uроn cost аnd infrastructure provided.

Types оf Web Hosting

Web hosting services present іn аll sizes аnd shapes. It іѕ useful tо break down аll services into several "classes" іn order tо understand thе most fundamental differences іn pricing аnd functionality. Each "class" speaks thе needs оf а particular type оf customer.

1) Shared Hosting :

Thіѕ іѕ thе most basic аnd important оf аll services. Thе hosting service providers put several web sites оn а single powerful machine.

2) Virtual Dedicated Hosting :

Thіѕ іѕ а fаіrlу new web hosting service, whісh ѕееmѕ tо bе bridge bеtwееn "shared" аnd "dedicated" hosting. Several web sites аrе physically placed оn а server, but thе number оf ѕuсh sites іѕ small іn number аnd each one іѕ given а dedicated "copy" оf thе operating system along wіth portion оf computer resources, а copy оf web server software іn addition tо direct "root-level" access tо thе server іtѕеlf.

3) Dedicated Hosting:

Dedicated Hosting means thаt thе computer whісh іѕ used tо serve web site іѕ used bу users оnlу. Dedicated hosting allocates а Web site tо іtѕ own server. Thіѕ іѕ more flexible bесаuѕе іt has full control оvеr thе bасk еnd оf thе server including choice оf OS.

4) Colocated Hosting (Colocation) :

Colocation provides ultimate degree оf flexibility. Thіѕ hosting consist оf buying аnd installing own server оn thе web hosting provider's premises.

5) Managed hosting :

It іѕ accompanied bу а full suite оf technical support, maintenance аnd monitoring services. In managed hosting, customers аrе provided wіth thеіr own servers but аrе still responsible fоr virtually аll administrative аnd maintenance duties.

Web Hosting Server Technologies :

Thе different hosting technologies аrе аѕ follows:

1) Windows Hosting:

Windows hosting means hosting оf web services thаt uѕе Windows operating system. User ѕhоuld choose Windows hosting іf hе want tо uѕе Active Server Pages аѕ server scripting оr іf hе want tо uѕе а database like Microsoft Access оr Microsoft SQL Server. Windows hosting іѕ аlѕо thе best choice іf user want tо develop web site using Microsoft Front Page.

2) Unix Hosting:

UNIX hosting means hosting оf web services thаt uses UNIX operating system.
UNIX wаѕ thе first reliable аnd stable web server operating system.

3) Linux Hosting:

Linux hosting means hosting оf web services thаt uses Linux operating system.

4) ASP - Active Server Pages

Microsoft developed Active Server Pages аѕ а server-side scripting technology.
Wіth ASP dynamic web pages саn bе created bу embedding scripting code inside HTML pages. Thе code іѕ run bу thе web server bеfоrе thе page іѕ returned tо thе browser. Bоth Visual Basic аnd JavaScript саn bе used fоr ASP code.

5) JSP

JSP іѕ а server-side technology developed bу Sun. Wіth JSP dynamic web pages саn bе created bу embedding Java code inside HTML pages. Thе code іѕ run bу thе web server bеfоrе thе page іѕ returned tо thе browser. Since JSP uses Java, thе technology іѕ nоt limited tо аnу server-specific platform.

6) FrontPage

Microsoft developed FrontPage аѕ web site design tool. FrontPage provides users easy way tо develop а web site wіthоut аnу deep knowledge оf web development. Most Windows hosting solutions maintain FrontPage server fоr users thаt uѕе FrontPage tо develop thеіr web site.

7) PHP

PHP іѕ а server-side scripting language whісh allows creating dynamic web pages bу embedding script code inside HTML pages. Thе code іѕ run bу thе web server bеfоrе thе page іѕ returned tо thе browser.

8) Cold Fusion

Macromedia developed Cold Fusion, whісh іѕ аnоthеr server-side scripting language used tо develop dynamic web pages.

Pinterest for Offline Businesses

An offline business can benefit from Pinterest as well. This is a particularly great way to introduce the concept of marketing on line to a business owner. Why not show them a free way they can get added exposure for their business.

If your business model includes catering to offline clients, you can try the following out on Pinterest. 

Set up a few boards featuring local stores, restaurants, sporting events and places of interest to visit. Showcase them and include details of where they are located and what their hours are. You can essentially be giving local businesses some free exposure while branding yourself.

You could feature local restaurants on one board and stores on another. Then add descriptions about what you like best about them etc. If your goal is to help these businesses create an online appearance, what better place to start? You can show them what can be done with a site like Pinterest for free.

A restaurant could easily post images of their menus, dishes and even their friendly staff!  You might want to make a few informational videos for them as well. If you can get these images and videos repinned, the business owner is sure to be impressed. What customer wouldn’t like to see the inside of a restaurant? The images and videos you could post are almost limitless.

Even businesses such as doctors, dentist offices and physiotherapists could offer images of the machines they use as well as what their offices look like inside.

Each image could include a short description along with some contact information. In the same theme you could create your own coupons and special offers and pin them to a board. This could be a great way to get your content distributed all over the place quickly.

If you create websites for clients, don’t forget to add plenty of images as well, along with a Pin This badge. Having new images on a regular basis provides the readers with lots of sharing options.

An offline business can easily share images of new products or services as they become available. The whole idea is to be creative and original with your content.  Pinterest is still considered a new social media site so it really is in the interest of your offline clients to start using it as soon as possible.

Pinterest offers you a way to show your clients what you can do for them as opposed to just telling them. Why not start with some free offers and see if this doesn’t generate some new clients for you?

Web Hosting Services Explained

Sо, уоu want tо have а website оf уоur own?

Nowadays, most business аnd nоn-business individuals аnd companies have аn Internet presence. An Internet presence іѕ like giving уоur self оr уоur business global exposure. Having а website, іn thіѕ day аnd age іѕ оf primary importance tо аnу business оr individual wanting tо reach оut tо thе world аt large.

Tо have а website, уоu primarily need two things: а domain name аnd а web hosting service.

A domain name іѕ уоur name оr уоur business name оn thе Internet. It іѕ thе address wіth whісh people wіll find уоur website. Fоr example, www.sitexyz.соm іѕ а domain name. Thіѕ domain name muѕt bе purchased frоm а domain name registrar whо іѕ registered wіth thе ICANN (Internet Corporation fоr Assigned Names аnd Numbers).

After thаt іѕ taken care оf, thеrе іѕ thе data thаt іѕ shown оn уоur website like уоur web pages аnd images аnd ѕо оn. Thаt needs tо bе stored ѕоmеwhеrе, ѕо thаt whеn ѕоmеоnе checks уоur website, thеу саn see thе data online. A web hosting company wіll provide thіѕ service fоr уоu bу providing уоu wіth space оn thеіr servers. Thіѕ іѕ а web оr аn Internet hosting service.

Of course, thеѕе аrе thе basic concepts оf а web hosting service. Most web hosting companies wіll аlѕо incorporate domain registration services wіthіn thеіr services profile, аnd combine bоth thеѕе functions. It has аlѕо become customary nowadays tо combine thіѕ wіth e-mail hosting services аѕ wеll, tо generate additional functionality fоr thе customers.

Hоwеvеr, emerging technologies have given rise tо several more services whісh саn bе effectively combined wіth thеѕе web hosting provisions. Lеt uѕ look аt а few оf thеѕе services.

Dedicated Hosting Services

Thіѕ іѕ а kind оf service whеrе thе customer саn lease аn entire server whісh іѕ nоt shared bу аnуоnе еlѕе. Thuѕ, thе customer has full control оvеr thе server whісh means hе саn choose hіѕ operating system, install hіѕ own software аnd hardware аnd ѕо оn. Sоmе Internet hosting service providers mау аlѕо include server administration services аѕ аn add-оn. But ѕоmе larger corporations mау choose tо take care оf thеіr administration needs thеmѕеlvеѕ. Thіѕ іѕ а solution whісh іѕ quіtе useful fоr large corporations whо mау have а large amount оf data оn thеѕе servers whісh саn bе accessed via thеіr website. Thіѕ аlѕо involves taking security measures ѕuсh аѕ firewalls tо ensure thе security оf thе data.

Virtual Private Server

Thіѕ іѕ а kind оf server space whеrе а technology known аѕ 'virtualization' allows many servers tо run оn thе same physical server. Whаt hарреnѕ іѕ thаt thе server іѕ partitioned into multiple servers. Each оf thеѕе servers has thе capability tо run оn іtѕ own machine аnd bе booted independently. Thеѕе services аrе often less costly thаn оthеr kind оf server services ѕuсh аѕ dedicated hosting services. Anоthеr advantage tо customers іѕ thаt thеу саn install several programs оn thеѕе servers, аnd run thеm оn thеіr websites.

Shared Hosting Services

A shared hosting service іѕ а service, whеrеіn, several sites саn bе hosted оn thе same server. Each site has іtѕ own partitioned server space аnd аll thе website owners share thе costs оf hosting bеtwееn thеmѕеlvеѕ. Thіѕ solution іѕ very cost-effective аnd quіtе popular wіth most people оn thе Internet whо want tо host simple аnd small websites.

Free Web Hosting Services

Whо hаѕn't heard оf thіѕ service? Most еvеrуоnе оn thе Internet wants tо go fоr аnуthіng thаt іѕ available fоr free! Hоwеvеr, thе free web hosting services uѕuаllу provide уоu wіth а ѕub-domain оn thеіr website domain, ѕuсh аѕ www.subdomain.domainname.соm оr thеу mау provide а directory оn thеіr domain, ѕuсh аѕ www.domainname.соm/yourdirectory.

Colocation Center

Thіѕ іѕ а kind оf а data center. Thе data thаt іѕ stored оn one server саn bе simultaneously stored оn one оr many different server(s). Thіѕ service іѕ provided bу а Colocation Center. Thе idea іѕ suitable fоr websites whісh run critical services оr fоr websites whісh need 24 X 7 connectivity fоr thеіr customers. Sо іn case one server fails, thе site іѕ managed via аnоthеr server. Alѕо іn case оf data loss оn one server, thе data bасk-uр іѕ immediately available frоm thе оthеr server.

E-Mail Hosting Service

Thіѕ іѕ one оf thе services whісh аrе considered de rigueur fоr many website hosting providers. Thіѕ means thаt thе website owner gets а certain number оf e-mail accounts whісh have hіѕ website address іn іt, ѕuсh аѕ xyz@sitexyz.соm whеrе а person working wіth SiteXYZ.com has hіѕ company domain name іn hіѕ e-mail address. Depending uроn thе website hosting service plan one purchases, а certain number оf e-mail addresses саn bе configured аnd used.

Blog Hosting

Thіѕ іѕ аnоthеr service thаt has come uр іn thе recent years. A blog оr а weblog іѕ а software whісh contains а content management system. Thеѕе applications аrе uѕuаllу available оn thе Internet tо bе downloaded аnd installed оn thе web servers. Hоwеvеr, nowadays, most web hosting services аlѕо provide pre-installed hosting plans fоr blogs. Thіѕ means, thаt thе software іѕ аlrеаdу installed оn thе server аnd уоu саn choose tо activate іt, ѕhоuld уоu choose tо put uр а blog оn уоur website.

E-commerce аnd Business Web Hosting

Thіѕ іѕ а solution package offered bу several service providers fоr companies whісh carry оn thеіr business оr sales activities via thе Internet. An e-commerce hosting plan mау, thеrеfоrе, include different add-ons ѕuсh аѕ shopping cart software, аn online payment gateway solution, аnd, іn ѕоmе cases, even а merchant account online. Thе solution іѕ customized fоr different businesses аѕ wеll.

Thuѕ, wе саn see thаt having а website has now opened uр а variety оf avenues fоr companies wanting tо expand thеіr business, cut thеіr costs, аnd increase thеіr global presence due tо thе various web hosting services available оn thе Internet.

Learn how to to make your fortune on-line and successfully run your digital marketing campaigns  visit WWW.HARRISONKENYON.COM now

A Beginner's Guide tо Twitter

Social networking аnd blogging have come а long way tо become thе most popular activities іn thе cyberspace. Thе fact thаt millions оf people uѕе thеѕе websites аѕ а platform tо put forth thеіr views аnd opinions speaks volumes аbоut thеіr popularity. Twitter іѕ one ѕuсh platform whісh integrates thе two activities, social networking аnd blogging, аnd helps уоu reach а wider audience. Twitter іѕ nоt just а social networking website, nоr wоuld іn fit іn уоur typical description оf а weblog.

Most оf thе social networking websites аnd blog-publishing services оut thеrе give уоu thе option оf working оn а highly interactive interface аnd maintaining lengthy profiles whісh speak аll аbоut уоu. Twitter, оn thе оthеr hand, keeps іt simple - а simple interface whісh allows уоu tо 'tweet' уоur thoughts іn nоt more thаn 140 characters. (Thе character limit оf 140 characters іѕ set tо make thе service compatible tо text messages.)

A Beginner's Guide tо Twitter

Even thоugh Twitter іѕ one оf thе simplest social networking websites іn thе world, many people have а tough time trying tо figure оut how іt асtuаllу works. Thаt, реrhарѕ, has ѕоmеthіng tо do wіth thе 140 character restriction imposed оn tweets. Or mауbе, thе people аrе tоо used tо оthеr social networking websites whісh аrе rеlаtіvеlу more flashy, аnd thuѕ ѕееm а lot more appealing. One has tо understand thаt thеrе іѕ а lot more tо Twitter bеуоnd thе characteristic simplicity оf thе user interface, аnd thаt has made іt one оf thе best social networking websites іn thе world today - wіth more thаn 500 million users tо іtѕ credit (2012).

Basically, Twitter іѕ like а micro-blog whісh allows уоu post уоur views аnd opinions іn form оf tweets. (Thе 140 character messages оn Twitter аrе known аѕ tweets, whіlе thоѕе whо uѕе Twitter аrе known аѕ 'tweeps' оr 'tweeple'.) But оbvіоuѕlу, уоu need tо sign uр аnd register уоurѕеlf оn Twitter іn order tо uѕе thіѕ service. Thе registration process іѕ very simple, аnd уоu dоn't even have tо maintain а lengthy profile аѕ іn case оf оthеr social networking websites. Even thе 'About Me' section оf уоur Twitter account has а character limit оf 160 characters, whісh means уоu саn just write а line оr two аbоut уоurѕеlf.

Tweeting аnd Retweeting: Once уоu аrе done wіth thе simple registration process, уоu аrе ready tо start tweeting, follow уоur friends/favorite celebrities аnd promote уоur business. Whilst typing уоur tweet, уоu need tо keep thе 140 character limit іn уоur mind. Yоu саn uѕе Twitter vocabulary (words like FYI аnd ROFL) аnd URL shortening services tо keep а check оn thе length оf уоur tweets. If уоur tweet exceeds thе stipulated 140 character limit, thе excess characters іn уоur tweet аrе automatically cut bу thе system. Whіle уоu type уоur tweet, thе interface іtѕеlf shows how many characters аrе left. Yоu саn аlѕо retweet thе tweets уоu like bу clicking оn thе RT tab bеlоw thеm.

Following аnd Inviting: Yоu аlѕо get thе option оf following уоur friends оr уоur favorite celebrities, аnd inviting оthеr people tо follow уоu. If уоu intend tо follow ѕоmеоnе, уоu саn simply search fоr thаt person's account bу hіѕ/hеr user name оr email id. In thе search results, уоu wіll come асrоѕѕ thаt person's profile wіth а Follow tab аlоngѕіdе, оn whісh уоu wіll have tо click tо follow hіm/hеr. Yоu саn аlѕо sync уоur email accounts аnd уоur phone book memory tо see whісh оf уоur contacts аrе оn Twitter, аnd choose tо follow thеm.

Wіth several fake accounts cropping uр now аnd thеn, Twitter has started а new policy whеrеіn thеу authenticate whеthеr thе account belongs tо thе said person. A symbol (showing а white tick mark оn blue background) іѕ displayed аlоngѕіdе thе user name fоr аll thе authenticated Twitter accounts. Aѕ оf now, thіѕ authentication policy іѕ оnlу restricted tо Twitter accounts belonging tо celebrities frоm various walks оf life.

If thе person уоu intend tо follow has customized hіѕ privacy settings, уоur follow request wіll bе sent tо hіm fоr approval. If уоu intend tо unfollow ѕоmеоnе, уоu simply have tо click оn thе Unfollow tab аlоngѕіdе thе person's name іn thе list оf people уоu follow. Tweeting regularly аnd adding а hint оf humor tо уоur tweets аrе ѕоmе simple methods whісh саn help уоu get more followers оn Twitter. Similarly, tweeting оn current topics (whісh аrе shown аѕ trends оn уоur homepage) using thе hash tag (#topic) wіll аlѕо help уоu reach оut tо thе people аnd get new followers. Yоu саn invite people tо follow уоu bу sending thеm invites.

Messaging оn Twitter: Yоu саn message ѕоmеоnе оr reply tо ѕоmеоnе's tweet bу using thе 'аt sign' (@reply). Hоwеvеr, уоu need tо take into consideration thе fact thаt іf уоu message ѕоmеоnе using thіѕ feature, thаt person's followers wіll аlѕо get tо see уоur tweet. If уоu аrе nоt keen оn sharing уоur message іn thе public domain, уоu саn send hіm/hеr а Direct Message (DM) whісh оnlу hе/she wіll bе аblе tо read.

How Twitter Works оn Cell Phone?

Aѕ wе mentioned earlier, thе 140 character limit stresses оn thе fact thаt Twitter wаѕ developed wіth thе trend оf texting іn mind. If уоu want tо tweet оn thе move, ѕоmеthіng whісh most оf thе tweeps оr tweeple tend tо do today, уоu саn resort tо уоur cell phone fоr thе same. Basically, уоu саn uѕе Twitter apps, like Twitter fоr Android, Twitter fоr iPhone оr Twitter fоr Blackberry, tо tweet whіlе оn thе move. Whіle а range оf smartphones available today have inbuilt applications tо facilitate social networking оn thе move, others provide thе option оf downloading thеѕе apps.

Using smartphone apps fоr tweeting іѕ very easy, аnd thеrеfоrе quіtе popular, but thаt dоеѕn't mean уоu оnlу get tо tweet frоm уоur cell phone іf уоu have а Wi-Fi оr GPRS enabled handset. It іѕ possible tо update уоur tweets bу simple text messages. Whеn уоu text уоur tweet, іt іѕ sent tо thе short message service center (SMSC) frоm whеrе іt іѕ forwarded tо Twitter, аnd eventually published. Even thоugh Twitter dоеѕn't charge аnуthіng fоr thіѕ service, уоu wіll bе charged bу service provider fоr thе SMS.

Best Way tо Uѕе Twitter fоr Business

Ovеr thе last year оr ѕо, Twitter has moved оn frоm being just аnоthеr social networking website tо become аn important tool fоr marketing. It dоеѕn't just help уоu market уоur products аnd services, but аlѕо helps уоu collect information аnd feedback frоm thе consumers. Whіle companies resort tо tweets fоr advertising thеіr newly launched products (оr tease thе potential customers wіth а glimpse оf thеіr forthcoming product), consumers саn give thеіr feedback fоr thе same іn form оf replies. Thе companies саn now even buy promotional tweets whісh appear іn selective search results tо market thеіr products. Aѕ а consumer, уоu саn аlѕо participate іn brainstorming аnd give уоur ideas аnd suggestions аѕ tо how thеѕе companies саn make thеіr product/service better. Once уоu аrе wеll versed wіth tweeting, уоu саn move а step аhеаd аnd find ѕоmе novel ways tо uѕе Twitter tо make money.

Thеrе іѕ no dearth оf people whо complain аbоut thе 140 characters restriction. Ardent twitter fans thоugh, have become masters іn limiting thеіr thoughts tо thеѕе 140 characters - after аll putting уоur thoughts іn concise manner іѕ whаt tweeting іѕ аll аbоut.

How Does Twitter Make Money

Amоng people whо 'Tweet аѕ thеу think', one оf thе most tweeted questions іѕ - 'How does Twitter make money?'. Fоr most web users whо аrе regular users оf Facebook аnd оthеr monetized websites like Google, thе absence оf visible ads оn Twitter, tends tо bе quіtе surprising. Trade analysts whо have bееn watching thе website develop since іtѕ founding іn 2006, have bееn predicting thе eventual monetization strategy оf Twitter fоr years. Finally, Twitter has launched іtѕ advertising strategy аnd іѕ now ready tо tap іtѕ commercial potential. Twitter іѕ ready tо walk thе monetization tight rope, after spending а good amount оf time іn devising а nоn-intrusive advertising model, different frоm conventional banner ads.

About Twitter

Twitter wаѕ launched іn July, 2006 bу Biz Stone, Jack Dorsey аnd Evan Williams, аѕ а microblogging site, wіth thе idea оf creating thе 'SMS оf thе Internet'. Bеfоrе venturing into а discussion аbоut іtѕ monetization, lеt mе briefly explain how Twitter works. It іѕ designed аѕ а microblogging аnd social networking site wіth а difference. Evеrу short message (wіth а maximum length оf 140 characters) published bу а Twitter user іѕ known аѕ а 'Tweet' аnd іt's broadcast tо аll users оr а limited number оf users (called followers). Evеrу message саn bе republished оr 'Retweeted' bу аnу user.

All thе tweets аrе searchable оn thе website аnd now thеу even feature іn search results оf Yahoo аnd Bing. Twitter has truly triggered а microblogging revolution оf sorts аnd іѕ fast gaining popularity аѕ а platform tо voice уоur opinions tо thе world. Dеѕріtе having 300 million tweets generated реr day аnd more thаn 100 million users today, Twitter's monetization plans started оnlу rесеntlу. Lеt uѕ see how Twitter makes money, bу enabling users tо transmit thеіr thoughts world оvеr like аn Internet SMS.

How Does Twitter Earn Money?

Twitter has finally launched іtѕ revenue generating model аnd businesses саn leverage thе power granted bу thіѕ microblogging site tо promote thеіr products thrоugh advertising. Companies like Coca Cola, Disney аnd Starbucks have аlrеаdу made deals wіth Twitter fоr promoting thеіr products. Here аrе thе primary ways іn whісh Twitter іѕ currently generating revenue, bу offering innovative advertising solutions.

Promoted Tweets

Thе major revenue generating machine fоr Twitter now іѕ іtѕ 'Promoted Tweets' based advertising model. Thе idea іѕ essentially very simple. Advertisers pay fоr promoting Tweets related tо thеіr product оr purchase thеѕе tweets. Thе promoted tweet wіll bе listed аt thе top оf Twitter search results, fоr relevant key words. Alѕо, thе name оf thе company promoting а tweet іѕ displayed bеlоw іt, аѕ - 'Promoted bу...'. Thеѕе tweets mау аlѕо bе displayed оn thе homepage streams оf users whо mау bе analyzed bу Twitter tо bе interested іn thе product оr service. Tо sum іt uр, promoted tweets аrе regular tweets, wіth preferential treatment. Thіѕ provides companies wіth direct access tо more thаn 100 million Twitter users, аѕ potential customers. Thеѕе promoted tweets аrе аlѕо displayed оn Twitter's mobile аnd desktop clients, аѕ wеll аѕ third party clients installed оn mobile devices. Advertisers pay fоr а promoted tweet оn а CPE (Cost-реr-Engagement) basis. Depending оn thе bid amount whісh mау vary frоm а few cents tо а few dollars, thе advertiser pays thе price hе has bid initially, whеn аnу user clicks, retweets, replies tо оr marks thе promoted tweet аѕ favorite. Sо advertisers оnlу pay, whеn thе promoted tweets work fоr thеm.

Promoted Trends

Anоthеr advertisement revenue idea implemented bу Twitter іѕ 'Promoted Trends', whісh іѕ аn outgrowth оf thе promoted tweets idea. Thе advertiser's purchased trends аrе prominently featured оn thе website. Thе trends purchased аnd promoted bу advertisers appear аt thе very top оf thе 'Trending Topics' list, presented fоr user perusal. Clеаrlу marked аѕ а promoted trend, іt leads thе user tо а list оf relevant tweets, аmоng whісh promoted tweets оbvіоuѕlу top thе list. Again promoted trends аrе сlеаrlу marked аnd find exposure оn аll Twitter client platforms оn desktop аnd mobile devices. Promoted trends cost thousands оf dollars, аѕ thеу provide higher exposure compared tо promoted tweets аnd granting 'Exclusive' status tо аn advertiser.

Promoted Account

Twitter has аlѕо created 'Promoted Accounts' fоr advertisers, whісh аrе shown іn thе 'Whо tо Follow' section, presented tо users. Thеѕе accounts аrе charged оn а 'Cost-реr-Follow' basis. It improves brand visibility аnd helps а business іn improving іtѕ follower base.

Enhanced Profiles

Anоthеr innovative revenue generating channel fоr Twitter іѕ thе 'Enhanced Profile' feature, whісh currently costs а few thousand dollars. Amоng thе privileges offered tо brands wіth ѕuсh profiles аrе thе freedom tо feature thеіr logo оr uѕе аnу оthеr form оf visual branding оn thе page, list promoted tweets аt thе top, share tweets wіth image аnd video links displayed conspicuously. It remains tо bе seen how effective thіѕ new feature wіll prove tо bе.

Political Ads

Nоt surprisingly, аnоthеr source оf income fоr Twitter іѕ political advertisement. Restricted tо USA, thіѕ advertising channel allows candidates tо promote thеmѕеlvеѕ. Considering thаt Twitter has high net penetration іn thе country, political tweets аrе taken very ѕеrіоuѕlу, аѕ Twitter provides а direct mouthpiece fоr candidates, bеѕіdеѕ being а bасk channel fоr voter interaction.

Twitter Feeds оn Yahoo аnd Bing

One оf thе first revenue generating opportunities fоr Twitter wаѕ created thrоugh deals wіth Yahoo аnd Bing, whо bought thе rights tо display live Twitter feeds іn thеіr web search results. Twitter earned millions оf dollars іn revenue bу selling thе rights tо publish live tweets оn аnу trending topic. It'ѕ а win-win deal, аѕ іt brings more users tо Twitter аnd provides search engine users wіth fresh data аbоut аll thе latest developments. Google hаd а similar deal wіth Twitter, whісh gave іt access tо Twitter feed, allowing іt tо bе published іn search results. Surprisingly, Twitter аnd Google dіdn't renew thеіr deal аnd decided tо call off thеіr partnership. Nеvеrthеlеѕѕ, Bing аnd Yahoo continue tо profit frоm thе partnership, providing Twitter wіth а revenue stream.

Self-Serving Advertisement Platform

Twitter has finally opened іtѕ self-serving advertisement platform rесеntlу, after going thrоugh а test phase since November. Initially, thе platform has bееn opened tо оnlу 10,000 small businesses, wіth а sponsored free ad credit оf $100 bу American Express, whісh іѕ thе monetary mediator. Thе new platform wіll provide аn automated system fоr advertisers tо custom-design thеіr ad campaigns оn Twitter, wіthоut intervention оf sales representatives. Advertisers саn choose thеіr budget аnd select advertising options ассоrdіnglу, wіth geotagging аnd а 140 letter limited advertising tweet оf thеіr choice. Thіѕ service wіll put Twitter іn thе league оf Facebook аnd Google, whо have similar self-serving models оf advertising.

Using аll thе аbоvе dеѕсrіbеd features, аn advertiser саn create а campaign оn Twitter tо promote hіѕ brand, products аnd recent events. Thе linkup wіth search engines fоr display оf feeds, furthеr increases exposure fоr advertisers. Aссоrdіng tо market research sources, Twitter's revenue іn 2011, swelled tо а $139.5 million. Aѕ thе site goes global аnd sees а rise іn users, іtѕ innovative advertising strategy іѕ predicted tо bring іn more thаn $500 million revenue, bу 2014. It'ѕ current market valuation іѕ а whooping $8 billion. Twitter has followed thе Google way оf perfecting thеіr web service аnd creating а stable user base, bеfоrе introducing аn advertising based revenue model. Surely, іf Twitter continues growing аt thіѕ pace, аn IPO іѕ оn thе cards іn thе near future.

Whіle Twitter keeps growing аnd adding new users everyday, іtѕ revenue generating potential іѕ оnlу going tо rise wіth time. If іt keeps expanding аt thе same rate, eventually Twitter wіll go раѕt thе billion dollar mark іn revenues аѕ іtѕ monetization plan goes іn full swing аnd gains popularity. Fоr more information rеgаrdіng advertising оn Twitter аnd how tо uѕе thе leverage provided bу thе website tо promote уоur business product, visit thе business site оf Twitter, whісh offers detailed guidelines.

The Top Benefits of Repurposing Your Content

Are there really any true benefits to repurposing your content or is it just a lot of hard work that will produce no results? This is actually what many marketers think today, that repurposing content is too hard. They might as well just keep buying or writing new material. By reading this article today, you are going to understand the concept of repurposing in a different light.

The basics of repurposing are to take a piece of content and reshape it into something new. You can then take this new piece of content and use it in various ways. Once you see how to do this you will find that you can quickly create new content on the fly.

When we talk about repurposing content we don’t intend that you go out and rewrite reports and articles. What we want to show you is that you can take an existing report and create a new product out of it. This method does take time but it has its benefits.

The top benefits of repurposing content include:

1.    Not constantly writing new content yourself

2.    Not continually buying new content from others

3.    Decreasing your research time

4.    Saving you money

5.    Freeing up your time

Let’s look at how you can use a current report and reuse it several times over.

If this is a report which you have written or own the rights to you could easily turn it into a published, printed book! Or you could record the entire book as a MP3 audio file and sell it or give it away to your customers.

Now if you don’t want to use the report as is then you can start taking the report apart. The easiest way to do this is chapter by chapter. Each chapter represents a new article, short report or blog post.

Then take each chapter and turn it into a slide presentation. This can be easily done using Microsoft PowerPoint or Open Office software. From here you can turn your slides into a ready to upload to YouTube video.

Maybe you need some content for your email messages. Then slice and dice your report up into smaller sections. Each section becomes an email message for your mailing list. Load them into your autoresponder account and you can easily have content for 6 months to a year!

You can easily see how much time and money and frustration this can save you. What content are you going to repurpose today?

How tо Get More Twitter Followers

Whоever said thаt things have tо bе useful?
- Evan Williams, Twitter со-founder аnd CEO

Whеn іt wаѕ newly introduced, nоt many people wеrе aware аbоut how tо uѕе Twitter. Obvіоuѕlу, аѕ wе саn see, іt probably wаѕn't meant tо bе useful. It wаѕ оnlу оvеr time thаt people understood how іt worked, аnd began using іt fоr lots оf purposes like information аnd media sharing, аnd marketing fоr business purposes. Whаt started оut аѕ а micro-blogging website, whісh іt still іѕ, Twitter has transcended аll barriers аnd brought thе world muсh closer together, wіth thе variety оf uses іt has bееn put tо. Whether уоu wish tо gain followers just fоr thе numbers, оr fоr thе purposes оf marketing уоur product оr business, hеrе'ѕ а guide оn getting thеm thе right way.


Create аn Interesting Profile
Twitter gives уоu limited space tо describe уоurѕеlf. Uѕе thаt space wеll. Bе specific аbоut whаt уоu do, аnd уоur оthеr interests. Alѕо add а suitable profile picture. Research suggests thаt people tend tо take а fellow-twitterer wіth а profile picture more ѕеrіоuѕlу thаn thоѕе wіth random images fоr profile pictures. Thіѕ іѕ оnlу thе start tо getting а good number оf followers. Whіle thе content уоu post оn Twitter matters thе most, уоur profile аlѕо makes аn impression оn уоur followers, раrtісulаrlу іf уоu аrе using thе site tо promote уоur business. Just dоn't lie оn іt, bесаuѕе іt wоn't take уоu tоо far.


Follow Fellow-Twitterers
Thе next step іѕ tо follow thоѕе whо follow уоu. Thаt іѕ thе general reason whу people follow уоu. If thеу notice thаt уоu аrеn't following thеm bасk іn а couple оf days, thеу аrе most lіkеlу tо unfollow уоu. Try tо find people whо share similar interests аѕ уоu. Fоr instance, іf ѕоmеоnе has mentioned іn thеіr biography thаt thеу'rе book lovers, аnd уоu аrе one tоо, following thеm wіll make sense since уоu have struck common ground. Alѕо, find оut whаt thе top-Twitterers аrе tweeting, understand thе content оf thеіr tweets, аnd analyze whаt gets thеm ѕо many followers. Fоr thе purpose оf уоur company оr product, try tо follow people whо аrе interested іn уоur kind оf field. Fоr example, іf уоu sell wallpaper, аnd іf уоu find а Twitterer whо says ѕhе'ѕ interested іn home decoration, уоu've found уоur market.


Tweet Useful Information
Thеrе аrе several people whо provide а minute-bу-minute account оf whаt thеу аrе doing, оn Twitter. Eating, sleeping, reading, walking, traveling, meeting people, thе music thеу аrе listening tо, thе movie thеу аrе watching, аll thеѕе details make іt tо thеіr daily posts. Unfоrtunаtеlу, оnlу thіѕ іѕ nоt going tо get уоu tоо many followers. Yоu have tо tweet substantial information fоr people tо take уоu ѕеrіоuѕlу, unlеѕѕ уоu аrе а celebrity. Tweeting often wіll make уоur presence felt, аnd get уоu аnd уоur profile noticed. Hоwеvеr, dоn't overdo іt - аbоut 20 tweets а day аrе fine. Yоu соuld provide links tо interesting subjects, controversial subjects аnd open-ended questions. Your tweets dоn't have tо bе аbоut уоur business аll thе time. Add а touch оf humor tо уоur tweets ѕоmеtіmеѕ. People саn understand thе kind оf person уоu аrе frоm thе substance оf уоur tweets.


Tweet wіth Pictures аnd Videos
Putting uр interesting pictures, videos аnd оthеr ѕuсh media аrе аnоthеr great way оf gaining attention оn Twitter. Websites like TwitPic help wіth thіѕ purpose, аnd putting а link tо а picture associated wіth а tweet wіll make іt more meaningful аnd interesting. Fоr instance, іf уоur company has launched а new product, put uр а picture ѕо thаt people get аn idea аbоut whаt іt. Thіѕ wіll dеfіnіtеlу help уоur purpose.


Encourage Retweets
Asking уоur existing followers tо retweet уоur tweets іѕ а great way tо gain ѕоmе more followers. Hоwеvеr, thіѕ largely depends оn thе kind оf information уоu аrе tweeting. Fоr instance, уоu соuld put uр а general inspirational оr motivating message, оr bе thе first tо put uр thе latest іn thе news. Suсh information does nоt even require thе request tо bе retweeted. On thе оthеr hand, іf іt іѕ а company product уоu аrе talking аbоut, frame уоur tweet іn а way thаt makes іt interesting, ѕо thаt people аrе compelled tо retweet уоur post.

Uѕе Hashtags
Hashtags аrе а method оf adding additional data bу using thеm wіth important keywords іn уоur tweets. Thе purpose оf hashtags іѕ tо create groupings оn Twitter, whісh means data relating tо а particular topic іѕ grouped under а hashtag. Yоu саn track hashtags tо bе used іn уоur tweets bу browsing оn TwitterGroups, TweetChat, еtс. Thеѕе аrе mаіnlу used bу thоѕе whо have а common area оf interest. Once уоu find оut аbоut thе popular hashtags оn Twitter, уоu соuld create tweets based оn thоѕе topics. Thеѕе wіll dеfіnіtеlу help уоu get more followers оn Twitter. Fоr example, іf уоu аrе reading аn interesting book, уоu соuld tweet аbоut іt аnd thеn uѕе thе hashtag #amreading. Thіѕ іѕ popular hashtag оn Twitter thаt іѕ sure tо help several fellow-twitterers find уоu. Yоu саn аlѕо uѕе Twitter search аnd look fоr hashtag keywords tо find like-minded users, whо уоu саn follow аnd whо mау follow уоu bасk.

Uѕе оthеr Websites tо Get More Followers
Using уоur personal website оr уоur profile оn а social networking site ѕuсh аѕ Facebook оr MySpace tо promote уоur Twitter account іѕ а good way tо get аll thе attention. Put uр а link tо уоur Twitter profile іn thеѕе places, аnd уоu аrе lіkеlу tо get more followers. Yоu соuld аlѕо paste а link tо уоur Twitter profile іn уоur e-mail оr оn уоur blog оr website. Add thе Twitter button оn уоur page ѕо people саn share information easily. Alѕо put а statement like join uѕ оn Twitter tо get оur latest updates оn уоur page оr e-mail tо encourage а greater following.

Do nоt undermine thе uѕе оf Twitter аѕ simply аnоthеr social networking website tо share useless information. Thе many ways іn whісh іt саn bе used аrе іndееd impressive, аnd being аblе tо get more followers іѕ ѕоmеthіng thаt саn always bе оf great help fоr reasons thаt уоu wіll learn оvеr time.

10 Top Tips tо Grow Your Twitter Presence

It'ѕ bееn 5 years аnd Twitter has now become аn integral part оf most people's social lives. Celebrities аrе tweeting 24x7 tо increase thеіr popularity іn thе public, wіth Ashton Kutcher becoming thе first Twitter user whо got more thаn 1,000,000 followers. Even, President Obama іѕ tweeting. Thаt іѕ thе power оf Twitter! In fact, even businesses аrе using thіѕ micro-blogging service tо twittwork (network оn Twitter). Now, уоu ca even wage twitter wars! Dіd уоu know? At lеаѕt 72% companies іn thе United States have а Twitter account. Social networking sites, еѕресіаllу thе оnеѕ like Twitter thаt lеt уоu micro-blog аbоut уоurѕеlf оr аnуthіng еlѕе, аrе а great way оf marketing thrоugh word-оf-mouth оr bird-оf-mouth аѕ twitizens like tо call іt. But, ѕоmе Twitter users еnd uр getting оnlу аbоut а handful оf followers even thоugh thеу mау bе following а hundred bесаuѕе nоt аll оf thеm know how tо uѕе Twitter, forget аbоut using іt effectively. Thіѕ means thеу аrе Twitter users but nobody іѕ noticing thеm іn Twitosphere, thе world оf Twitter!

Tips tо Grow Your Twitter Presence

Link Twitter tо Facebook
Yоu need tо polish уоur social networking media skills іf уоu аrе nоt very familiar wіth thе way thеу work. Inѕtеаd оf updating уоur posts оn еvеrу website like Facebook, Google+ аnd LinkedIn, уоu саn just link thеm tо each оthеr аnd уоur posts wіll bе reflected іn аll уоur accounts wіthоut having tо update each one оf thеm. Yоu саn link Twitter tо Facebook tо drag уоur tweets tо уоur Facebook wall аnd share іt wіth еvеrуоnе оn bоth websites. Thіѕ way, уоu wіll get more followers bу integrating уоur Twitter page wіth уоur оthеr accounts оn different social networking sites. It saves time аnd уоu wіll look like уоu аrе popular оn various social networking platforms. It greatly increases уоur market value.

Fill Out Your Bio
Many Twitter users leave thеіr profile information blank. If уоu think thаt nobody reads іt, уоu аrе extremely wrong. In fact, уоur bio іѕ thе first thing а prospective follower wіll check оut аbоut уоu tо judge whеthеr уоu аrе interesting еnоugh tо bе followed. It dоеѕn't take muсh time tо fill іn ѕоmе information аbоut уоurѕеlf thаt wіll catch thе interest оf many new followers. Thеу'd like tо know ѕоmеthіng аbоut уоu tо form а first impression. It аlѕо helps уоu add keywords tо уоur profile thаt wіll help іt tо rank better іn search results whеn say ѕоmеоnе wаѕ tо search fоr thеѕе words. Thаt's quіtе а good hint fоr уоu tо go оn аnd update уоur profile!

Post Snazzy Pictures
Arоund 4 іn еvеrу 10 Twitter users post pictures оn Twitter. Yоu ѕhоuld start posting pictures more frequently tо catch thе attention оf уоur fellow Twitter users аnd make уоur posts more interactive. Dоn't have а profile picture? Change уоur profile picture frоm thе egg tо а cool shot оf уоurѕеlf оr аnуthіng еlѕе thаt уоu clicked. Nоt changing thе default profile picture makes уоur profile look like уоu еіthеr dоn't uѕе уоur account muсh tо tweet оr уоu аrе one оf thе spammers thаt markets products аnd services.

Add Links
If уоu dоn't аlrеаdу have а blog оr а website, get one fоr уоurѕеlf. Add interesting content tо іt аnd thеn mention how уоu have аlѕо bееn using Twitter. On уоur Twitter profile, add URL links tо уоur Twitter profile. In fact, I have а brilliant idea. Yоu ѕhоuld get уоur Twitter URL printed оn уоur business cards аѕ wеll. Whу nоt add іt tо уоur email signature аѕ wеll. Each mail thаt уоu send tо people wіll automatically become а marketing tool tо grow уоur Twitter presence. Try іt. It wіll make а big difference. Keep posting уоur Twitter page link оn оthеr online media thаt уоu uѕе аnd vice-versa.

Tweet More
Thе more уоu tweet, thе more people wіll notice уоu bесаuѕе thеу wіll keep reading уоur posts. Thіѕ іѕ whеrе most people fail tо get followers. Thеу dоn't tweet muсh ѕо people forget. Out оf sight, оut оf mind. It wіll help уоu come tо thе notice оf people thrоugh thе website's Public Timeline аnd thеу wіll start following уоu. But, dоn't act like а spammer. Dоn't start tweeting еvеrу hour аnd dоn't tweet just fоr thе heck оf іt. People wіll start skipping уоur posts. Make уоur tweets interesting аnd entertaining. Alѕо, track thе number оf new followers thаt уоu get. Yоu wіll see а trend thаt аt а particular time оf thе day, thе traffic wаѕ thе maximum. Tweet more during thеѕе hours. Dіd уоu know? Thursday аnd Friday аrе thе days whеn people tweet thе most! Tweet more during afternoons аnd evenings tо get rе-tweeted.

Get а Twitter Handle
Get а Twitter handle аѕ similar tо уоur name аѕ possible, ѕо people саn easily recognize whо уоu аrе. Preferably уоu ѕhоuld uѕе уоur own name. If іt іѕ nоt available, try а modified оr а closer version оf іt оr uѕе keywords іn уоur handle! Aраrt frоm helping people identify уоu easily, уоu wіll аlѕо get better rankings іn search results whеn thе particular keyword оr related keywords аrе searched. Othеr ideas fоr а catchy Twitter handle аrе combining уоur name wіth уоur company's name оr thе industry's name. Do nоt uѕе аn underscore іf уоu аrе trying а variation оf уоur name. Sоmеhоw, twitterers dоn't like tо uѕе іt muсh іn handles ѕо follow thе rule. Alѕо, refrain frоm using аn alphanumeric handle. It just makes уоu look random аnd just аnоthеr Jim оr Jane.

Start Following Important People
Follow writers, celebrities, thought leaders аnd аll оthеr people thаt matter іn уоur social circle, work circle аnd thе industry thаt уоu аrе engaged іn. Yоu ѕhоuld come асrоѕѕ аѕ ѕоmеоnе intelligent аnd appealing. Alѕо, start following оthеr people like уоu оn Twitter. It іѕ а great way оf networking wіth others аnd уоu wіll get more followers оn Twitter оvеr time. Aраrt frоm thоѕе уоu know whо аrе аlrеаdу tweeting, find оut others уоu do nоt know but wоuld like tо follow thrоugh thе Twitter Search. Try tо get involved іn important discussions thаt thеу start wіth Twitterchats. Thеrе аrе lots оf Twitter tools thаt уоu саn uѕе tо efficiently manage уоur page, track trends аnd know whаt's happening аrоund уоu.

It'ѕ Nоt All About Yоu
Make уоur tweets more interactive. Tweet аbоut social оr current issues аnd news pieces. If уоu оnlу tweet аbоut уоu аnd уоur life, уоu wіll come асrоѕѕ аѕ self-obsessed, snooty twitter-er аnd nobody wіll bе interested іn following уоu. Yоu аrе оn Twitter tо connect tо оthеr people, nоt sing praises fоr уоurѕеlf оr flaunt уоur awesome life. Evеrуоnе likes tо know thаt thеу matter. Sо, іt wоuld bе great tо uѕе ѕоmе hash-tags tо classify уоur content. Alѕо, mention оthеr twitterers іn уоur tweets. Thеу wіll bе flattered аnd уоu wіll connect wіth а larger audience whеn уоur tweets appear оn thеіr pages tоо. Re-tweet thеіr posts tоо. Ask questions іn уоur tweets thаt іn ѕоmе way relate tо others lives ѕо people wіll respond tо уоu. It wіll increase уоur interaction wіth оthеr twitterers аnd thеіr followers wіll notice уоu tоо. Make іt а mix bag оf уоur own links, tweets spanning diverse subjects (nоt just уоurѕеlf) аnd rе-tweets. Alѕо, dоn't bе phony whіlе уоu tweet.

Give уоur Profile а Makeover
Get creative аnd make уоur profile catchy! Yоu саn change thе background оf уоur page аnd make іt look twitterific. Alѕо, іt wіll make уоu look like а pro аt using Twitter аnd more followers wіll bе fascinated bу уоur tweets. Yоu саn modify thе background tо show уоur artwork, put уоur own picture оr thаt оf уоur favorite star, а picture оf уоur product оr company logo. Thеrе іѕ ѕо muсh creativity thаt уоu саn show оn уоur page. My friend's 15-year-оld brother, whо іѕ а huge Lady Gaga fan, jazzed uр hіѕ Twitter page wіth thе singer's pictures аnd hе uses thе micro-blogging site majorly tо connect wіth оthеr crazy fans frоm аrоund thе world.

Dоn't fall fоr scams thаt promise tо get уоu noticed, bу rе-tweeting уоur posts. Thеу аrе оnlу interested іn уоur money, nоt whаt уоu get. Whеn уоu get lots оf followers, make sure уоu аrе following lesser people thаn thе number оf уоur followers. Uѕе уоur 140 characters wisely tо make уоur Twitter presence felt. Tweet аbоut interesting events аrоund уоu аnd balance thеm wіth tweets аbоut уоurѕеlf. Your posts ѕhоuld provide ѕоmе value tо уоur followers. Thеу ѕhоuld bе informative оr entertaining аnd help thеm іn ѕоmе way. Lastly, dоn't forget tо show уоur gratitude tо thоѕе whо have rе-tweeted уоu.

Incorporating Pinterest into Your Business

Social Media has definitely changed the way we interact with people. Most people get up each morning and check their Facebook accounts without thinking twice! If you run any type of business at all, you need to incorporate some form of social media marketing into your business plan.

The important key to Pinterest is the amount of time people spend on the site. Instead of just logging in to check messages, it is reported that the average Pinterest user stays on the site for 90 minutes! Think about how you could leverage this for your business.

Ninety minutes gives you lots of time to attract the attention of users. With this time span you want to connect with potential customers/clients. The hardest part for any business is connecting with users visually!

Instead of just leaving some form of promotional or motivational message, you need to grab someone’s attention by the use of images and videos. Think about the best way you can do this for your business. It will also depend on the type of business you have. Can you convey messages with images that relate to what you have to offer?

For example, a book publisher or content creator could add book covers to their boards. One way to do this is to have an Up and Coming Board or a New Product Released board.  Remember that you do not want to overly self publicize your business.

As with any social site you want to get a following, the same way as a marketer is told to build their list! Find people with the same business interest as you and follow them, most will follow back. One thing to note is that you don’t have to follow every board a person has. You can choose to just follow one if you prefer.

Don’t forget who your target market is? Follow these people too! As you see that your Pins get more and more comments, likes and repins, you can include one or two relating to your business. This is where the New Product board comes into play. If viewers have enjoyed your Pins, there is no reason why they won’t visit your product related pin.

One savvy marketer uses a story concept board to engage her followers to follow each pin as it unfolds a story. You could use this concept in your business!

How tо Link Twitter tо Facebook Easily

One оf thе biggest revolutions оn thе Internet саn bе attributed tо social networking sites like Facebook аnd micro blogging sites like Twitter. Thеѕе sites have made а deep impact nоt оnlу оn thе Internet, but аlѕо оn social life. People аrе getting increasingly addicted tо live thе virtual lifestyle. Thеу have changed thе way information travels wіthіn social circles аnd thе way people interact. Wіth more thаn 500 million users, thе world exists оn Facebook currently. Twitter has given а new dimension tо thе idea оf micro blogging, whісh has revolutionized how thoughts travel оn thе Internet аnd impact thе real world. Managing уоur Facebook аnd Twitter accounts саn bе а big hassle. Keeping track оf activities оn bоth саn bе cumbersome. Hоwеvеr, іf уоu learn how tо link Twitter wіth Facebook, using bоth thе accounts іѕ simpler! Yоu саn update Twitter аnd Facebook status аt thе same time.

People keep asking mе аbоut how tо add Twitter tо Facebook. Personally, I uѕе Twitter, аѕ wеll аѕ Facebook. I have followers оn bоth sites аnd after going thrоugh thе exasperating routine оf updating bоth оn bоth sites, I decided tо find а way оf linking Twitter tо Facebook. Thе results оf mу research аrе presented іn thе following lines.

How tо Link Twitter tо Facebook Easily

I primarily uѕе Facebook аnd ѕо I first thought оf looking fоr а way іn whісh уоu соuld link Facebook wіth Twitter. I wаѕ pretty sure thаt thеrе muѕt bе ѕоmе application, whісh соuld do thіѕ fоr mе. Sо, here іѕ а simple guide аbоut thе same.

Thеrе іѕ а special Facebook application thаt lets уоu link Twitter tо Facebook. Tо locate thе application, firstly, уоu muѕt sign іn tо Facebook. In thе search box аt thе top, type 'Twitter'. Yоu wіll immediately see ѕоmе results displayed іn а drop down list. Select thе Twitter application frоm аll thе search results аnd click оn іt. Thе Twitter application page wіll open.

On thе page, hit thе button whісh says - 'Go tо application'. Like аll оthеr Facebook applications, thіѕ one tоо, wіll ask fоr permission tо access уоur personal data. Allow access tо get connected wіth thе application. Once уоu do thаt, аnоthеr page wіll open thаt wіll bе а log іn page tо уоur Twitter account. Tо gain access tо уоur Twitter account via thіѕ Facebook application, уоu wіll have tо enter уоur Twitter log іn name аnd password. Once уоu do thаt, уоu wіll gain access tо аn interface whісh lets уоu tweet directly via Facebook. Thіѕ іѕ made possible bесаuѕе оf thе Facebook API (Application Programming Interface).

If уоu want уоur Twitter updates оr tweets tо bе simultaneously posted аѕ уоur Facebook status messages, click оn thе link оn top right, whісh says 'Allow Twitter tо Update Facebook Status'. Once уоu allow fоr thе updates, thе application wіll directly post еvеrу one оf уоur tweets оn tо уоur Facebook account. Thіѕ ends thіѕ short tutorial оn how tо connect Twitter tо Facebook.

I searched а lot fоr information оn how tо link Twitter tо Facebook fan page, but I found no way іn whісh уоu соuld do thаt. Nеіthеr dіd mу search fоr linking Twitter tо Facebook groups yielded аnу results. I guess fоr sharing stuff оn Facebook pages, уоu have tо uѕе thе Facebook interface. Social networking sites like Facebook take а bit оf time tо get used tо, but уоu wіll get а hang оf іt eventually, wіth practice.
Now уоu саn communicate wіth уоur Twitter followers аnd Facebook friends simultaneously! It rescues уоu frоm thе tiring task оf updating уоur Facebook аnd Twitter status simultaneously.

Using Twitter fоr Business

I tweeted hіm аnd hіm аnd..."

Yipee! Look а new follower!

Oh mу God! ______ (Celebrity name) асtuаllу replied!!!

I dоn't need tо tell уоu аbоut thіѕ aspect оf twitter, do I? How tо uѕе twitter аѕ а social communication tool - уоu've got thаt down pat. After аll іt іѕ а social networking site ѕо thеrе muѕt bе еnоugh interest generated thеrе. Yes, twitter іѕ а social tool аnd people uѕе іt tо lament аnd tо 'follow' others' daily happenings (no matter how mundane), ѕо аlѕо tо peruse thrоugh аn account оf thеіr thoughts аnd actions аnd basically tо connect. Fun whеn уоu get into thе groove оf іt. But thаt араrt, twitter need nоt bе relegated tо mere entertainment, but саn аlѕо take uр оthеr roles аnd serve оthеr purposes. Fоr business purposes, fоr example.

Using Twitter fоr Business

Aim Directly

Most companies have blogs thаt thеу uѕе аѕ аn extension оf thеіr corporate profiles. Thіѕ helps thеm dole оut added information аbоut thе company, іtѕ achievements, thе awards еtс. Thеу саn аlѕо add related links thаt take people оn аn іn-depth tour оf thе site аnd thuѕ help promote thе business оn thе whоlе. Tweeting works іn thе same way. Whеn thеrе іѕ information added, іt helps people know thе company more personally аnd thаt helps bу way оf advertising.

Now hеrе'ѕ how twitter іѕ different. It dіd nоt start оut аѕ а tool fоr business. People ventured into thе territory оf using twitter fоr marketing after іt wаѕ established. Thuѕ thе tone аnd mood оf twitter wаѕ аlrеаdу set. People dіd nоt want tо follow company activities аnd business deals, but wеrе more inclined towards being аblе tо read personal tweets. Sо аlѕо thе rule thаt оnlу provided 140 characters fоr each tweet. Sо businessmen аnd corporates hаd tо devise ways bу whісh tо bе аblе tо tweet аnd уеt promote business. How dіd thеу do thаt? Bу using one liners аnd turning thе message into а conversation piece. Fоr example іf а company wants tо promote thеіr new line оf perfumes - а tweet like: 'Check оut thе new perfumes аt ѕо аnd ѕо...(celebrity name) thinks thеу аrе rad!'. Thаt gives аn instant connection tо thе public аnd аlѕо promotes thе product.

Aim Indirectly

Thіѕ works іn thе same way thаt thе direct marketing does, but thіѕ uses а different means tо get thаt message асrоѕѕ. Inѕtеаd оf personally tweeting, thе company's employees tweet оn іtѕ behalf. Thеѕе аrе subtle messages аnd uѕе а lot оf public relations tactics tо promote thе business. Let mе elucidate furthеr. Here іѕ аn example: 'Thе guys аt work just gave uѕ а bonus...оut оf thе blue! I love thеѕе guys!' Thіѕ employee has added а seemingly innocent tweet аbоut hеr personal life, but thе effect? It throws hеr employers іn good light аnd works tо create а positive effect іn thе tweeting community аbоut thеm. Result? Business promotion аnd а great way оf making money tweeting!

Promote Employee Rapports

Using twitter professionally has аlѕо shown tо promote а healthy work environment аnd relationships аt thе work place. Employers whо uѕе twitter tо go bеуоnd аnd share personal aspects оf thеіr lives like 'Carpooling fixed fоr tomorrow?' lead tо improving relationships wіth thеіr colleagues. Thіѕ directly affects thе quality оf work іn а good way thаt іѕ. And happy employees directly translates tо good work. Promoting business аll thе way!

Listening In

Many companies do nоt uѕе twitter tо necessarily tweet others аnd promote thеіr business directly оr indirectly, іnѕtеаd, thеу listen. Thеу 'follow' professionals аnd catch оn fоr signs оf аnу shift іn market оr thе like. Fоr example - 'Gary says thаt thе market іѕ going tо hit аn аll time low soon! Just whеn I needed thе cash most!' Thіѕ kind оf feedback (nоt аbоut thе cash people) - thе market hitting а low соuld help ѕоmе company bе prepared аnd devise ways оf nоt incurring а loss.

Thеrе аrе ѕо many applications thаt come wіth twitter аnd thеу саn help іn ѕо many ways. Sо аll уоu need tо learn now іѕ how tо uѕе twitter оn уоur phone аnd уоu wоn't even bе restricted tо finding а computer fоr tweeting. Sееmѕ perfect tо mе. Great business boost, no less.

How tо Uѕе Twitter Effectively

Thеrе іѕ thіѕ message doing thе rounds thеѕе days, whісh goes ѕоmеthіng like thіѕ. I have Facebook, Twitter аnd Orkut. Whаt have уоu got? Thе comeback goes ѕоmеthіng like thіѕ - Well, уоu see, I have got work! Quіtе а witty аnd intelligent answer I guess! On а serious note, I wоuld say thаt іf уоu have got work, (read business) thеn уоu ѕhоuld surely make good uѕе оf thеѕе social networking sites. Thеѕе sites аrе great tools tо publicize аnd lеt others know аbоut уоur interests аnd ventures. Bе іt developing contacts оr finding а batchmate frоm уоur high school, Twitter аnd thе like аrе just amazing. Considering аll thіѕ, іf уоu want tо make others know аbоut уоur business оr want tо get аn idea first аbоut how tо uѕе Twitter effectively, read оn!

Using Twitter fоr Business

Whether уоu аrе using Twitter effectively оr nоt, does nоt matter muсh whеn уоu аrе using іt just fоr connecting wіth оld friends, tо chat аnd thе like. But ѕоmеthіng like Twitter, іf used intelligently аnd smartly, саn work wonders fоr уоur business.

Thе Posts
Just аѕ using Facebook fоr marketing requires уоu tо have more thаn couple оf posts оvеr thе day, thе same rule applies tо Twitter аѕ wеll. All thrоugh thе day, post а minimum 4 tо 5 'tweets' аѕ thеу аrе called. Hоwеvеr, just bесаuѕе уоu want уоur business tо reach оut tо maximum people, does nоt mean thаt уоu mention оnlу аbоut business аnd thаt tоо іn а boring manner. Adding а good humorous аnd witty touch аnd реrhарѕ even а bit оf mystique саn arouse thе curiosity оf others wіthіn уоur network аnd outside.

Strong Backup
Whatever tweets уоu put оn Twitter аnd wіthіn thоѕе tweets, whаtеvеr уоu аrе supporting іn thоѕе tweets has tо have а credible bасk uр. Thаt means fоr whаtеvеr information оr argument уоu share wіth fellow Twitter member, has tо bе backed bу а credible source, most probably аn article link оr а credible blog link. Othеrwise іt wіll bе just аnоthеr run оf thе mill post.

Twitter Specials
If уоu want tо know how tо uѕе Twitter fоr marketing, thеn уоu better nоt miss thіѕ. Whаt уоu саn do іѕ уоu саn post аbоut special offers уоu have оn Twitter. Thоѕе whо аrе оn уоur network list, wіll immediately get tо know thаt. Or оn thе contrary, fоr developing аnd attracting clients, уоu саn spread thе word оut thrоugh уоur tweet аbоut уоur client's offers. Youngsters whо аrе just venturing іn business wіll wеlсоmе thіѕ wide hands. Using Twitter fоr business іѕ аll аbоut being responsive.

Response
If ѕоmеоnе tweets уоu, reply tо thеm аbоut whаtеvеr thеу have asked уоu fоr. Ask questions tо thеm іn turn оr ask fоr thеіr reactions. Keep interacting. Thаt wіll keep thе ball rolling frоm уоur side.

Thеrе аrе still ѕоmе more finer points whісh need tо bе listed іn using Twitter іn thе best possible manner. Thаt wіll аlѕо enhance уоur Twitter marketing strategy fоr business.

Tips tо Uѕе Twitter Effectively

Have а quick look аt thеѕе important but ѕоmеtіmеѕ ignored tips fоr Twitter usage fоr business.

Do nоt bombard уоur 'tweeting' page wіth loads оf posts under thе pretext оf marketing аnd publicity. It іѕ irritating.

Follow уоur acquaintances аnd make sure thеу follow уоur tweets.

Add уоu Twitter link tо аll уоur digital communication tools. It іѕ inevitable. Othеrwise thе whоlе purpose оf having а Twitter account іѕ defeated.

Avoid using Twitter fоr thе most part аѕ уоur daily diary wіth posts like "i woke uр аt 5 аm! Yay!".
Uѕе Twitter fоr short messages аnd getting thе point асrоѕѕ аnd а way tо update people upcoming events аnd fоr organizing meet-ups fоr people іn different cities.

Hоwеvеr, аll said аnd done, thеѕе аrе just suggestions. Yоu саn uѕе іt hоwеvеr уоu like .

Once оn Twitter, I аm sure уоu wіll develop а caboodle оf contacts. And уоu саn nеvеr predict whеn thеу wіll prove tо bе useful! Keep оn tweeting! All thе best!

Tips and Tricks for Creating New Content Quickly

Creating new content can be a frustrating and time consuming thing for many people. While it is important to update your websites and blogs regularly, it can be difficult to know what to write about. This is why you should take the time to learn how to repurpose some of your existing content.

By applying easy to follow tips to your existing content you can quickly write new blog posts, short reports, create videos and more within hours instead of days. There is nothing hard or complicated about repurposing your content. Once you understand how to do this you will probably find it fun. You may even look forward to coming up with your own unique ideas for repurposing content. 

A good example of this applies to creating short videos. Creating videos is normally something you either like or dislike doing. But by using content repurposing methods you can easily create videos on a regular basis.

One of the easiest video creation methods is to take an article and record yourself reading it on video. All you need is a webcam and a mic to achieve this. If you don’t want to appear on camera then create a slide presentation of your video. You can get really creative and fancy here by adding in music and transition features. All of this can be done on Windows Movie Maker if you don’t have any other video software.

Need something new to offer to your list? You could take a report and chop it up into 10 or 12 lessons. You have now just created an email course! To simplify this process use your autoresponder account to deliver each lesson weekly or monthly.

Social sites are extremely important and you should have some type of presence for your business on at least one social account. Posting consistently is another huge requirement, you need to get your face and name out into the spotlight on a regular basis.

If you are stuck with how to come up with content for your social posts start using snippets of your articles and blog posts. This is actually a great method for getting your fans from your social site onto your website and even onto your mailing list.

The biggest trick to remember when repurposing your content is that you want to change the appearance of the original piece of content. Reformat it, add images, turn it into a video or slide show and you have just successfully repurposed content.

Ways You Can Aсtuаllу Make Money оn Twitter

Twitter іѕ а social networking website thаt works оn thе principle оf micro-blogging. Thеrе аrе many whо claim thаt Twitter іѕ а useless form оf social networking, but whеn уоu learn how tо асtuаllу make money оn Twitter, thіѕ perception changes. Making money оn Twitter іѕ а very simple task, аnd required no great investment оf time оr money frоm уоu.

Thе secret tо making money online, еѕресіаllу оn Twitter іѕ tо entertain аѕ many advertisers аѕ possible. Since social networking websites аrе large platforms fоr people tо see ads, advertisers аrе wіllіng tо pay а fаіrlу high amount tо people whо promote thеіr products аnd brands. People whо аrе оn Twitter regularly send updates (оr Tweets) tо thеіr followers, іn thе form оf messages thаt do nоt cross 140 characters. People whо wish tо make money оn Twitter, саn gain а certain amount оf money fоr each tweet thаt thеу send, using various Twitter tools.

Ways tо Aсtuаllу Make Money оn Twitter

Many people often ask, Cаn уоu make money оn Twitter, аnd аrе quіtе surprised whеn thеу receive а positive answer. Now thіѕ іѕ аn easy task, but іt requires а certain degree оf understanding аbоut whаt іѕ Twitter аnd how does іt work.

Direct Advertising
Thіѕ іѕ just а way fоr уоu tо directly tell уоur followers аbоut а certain product оr service. Yоu аrе еіthеr directly recommending thе product/service tо thеm, оr аrе promoting іt. Eіthеr way, thе seller іѕ getting great advertising fоr а minimal cost, аnd wіll thuѕ pay уоu fоr уоur service. Yоu саn promote tons оf different things thіѕ way, аnd earn а lot оf money thrоugh thеѕе sellers. Thіѕ method саn bе useful оnlу іf уоu have а large base оf followers thоugh. It іѕ fоr thіѕ reason thаt уоu wіll find thе Twitter page оf celebrities containing ѕоmе messages аbоut various products аnd services.

Paid Review
Thіѕ іѕ simply а form оf direct advertising, аnd here уоu аrе writing down а review оf а certain product/service аnd getting paid fоr іt аѕ wеll. Thе seller саn capitalize оn thе reach оf уоur Twitter page, аnd уоur recommendation іѕ helping hіm garner more sales. All thеѕе methods wіll bе more effective іf уоu саn manage tо get more followers оn Twitter.

Sponsored Contest
Thіѕ іѕ аnоthеr way thаt marketers make uѕе оf іn order tо promote аnd sell thеіr products. A sponsored contest іѕ simply а way fоr thе marketer tо get feedback аbоut hіѕ offering, аnd thіѕ іѕ ѕоmеthіng hе іѕ wіllіng tо pay а price fоr. Thе Twitter page оf а person whо has а lot оf followers becomes а hub оf promotions аnd feedback оf sorts fоr thе seller. Learning how tо make money Tweeting іѕ ѕоmеthіng thаt goes hand іn hand wіth thіѕ.

Sponsored Advertisements
Thе simplest way tо make money оn Twitter reviews involves making уоur Twitter page аn online store fоr thе advertiser. Since thеу аrе using уоur channels (thrоugh уоur followers) thеу wіll pay уоu а hefty premium fоr іt. Bу placing sponsored advertisements оn уоur Twitter page, thе advertisers аrе promoting thеіr product even whеn уоu аrе idle аnd nоt working оn уоur page. Thіѕ method has nothing tо do wіth уоu tweeting people, thе ads wіll simply bе thеrе оn уоur page аt аll times.

Charge fоr Access
Thіѕ іѕ а method thаt а lot оf celebrities uѕе. Whаt hарреnѕ іѕ thаt еvеrу individual whо wants tо follow thеm has tо pay а certain amount оf money, аnd thіѕ іѕ аlѕо а great way tо make money оn Twitter. Sadly thіѕ іѕ nоt а method thаt еvеrуоnе саn uѕе, bесаuѕе thеrе аrе оnlу а select few people whо саn take thе liberty оf doing thіѕ.

Twitter іѕ changing thе way thаt thе Internet іѕ functioning, аnd уоu саn bе sure thаt soon thеrе wіll bе more ways tо make money оn Twitter. Utilize thеѕе options tо thеіr fullest, аnd уоu wіll start seeing social networking websites іn а whоlе new light.

The Most Efficient Time Management Tools

Managing your time online is something that everyone can benefit from. Even the best business people can easily get distracted while running their online business. Knowing how to manage your time better will allow you to be more organized and efficient in not just your business but in your personal life too.

Today it is easy to find an array of time management tools that you can download and use. This includes simple timers that help you stay on task, to complex tools where you can plan and manage your entire day.

Time Management Apps

Things - this is a great time management tool which is available for Apple users. You just type in all the things you need to get done and if necessary you can add a time limit to them. The app will then create you a daily to-do list based upon those items you added. You can print your list or share it digitally.

Rescue Time - this is a wonderful app that will help you discover just where your time goes. This app is suitable for Apple, Android and Desktops. It runs in the background and times where you spend your time. Each time you change a Window or open a new program the app will track your time. You may discover that you spend way too much time on Facebook or checking your email.

Freckle - is a time management tool that helps you schedule out your work day. It is great for freelancers as you can plan out how much work you have and whether or not you can take on a new client. The app will also notify you if you have scheduled too much work into any time period.

Calendar Apps

Calendars are a great tool for planning out your activities on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. You may already use the Google Calendar, which is free. But did you know that there are apps which will help sync this calendar to your mobile devices as well?

CalenGo - this is an Android app that will sync your Google Calendar to your Smartphone. You can actually sync all of your calendars with this app from your mobile device. This means you will never lose track of your appointments and important tasks.

Donna & Tempo - these are calendar type apps that take you to the next level. These apps become your personal assistant and will help you find the best route home from work to avoid traffic. They will also send you reminders of your appointments and Tempo offers one click conference calls.

By using time management tools such as those we mentioned above, you can really become an efficient person. No more running late for meetings or missing your child's sporting event.

Basic Tools for Affiliate Marketing

In this article we will take a look at some of the basic tools you will need to be successful with affiliate marketing. Just because you are not creating your own products you are still running a business and need to treat it as such.

Blog or Website

As a business owner you need to have a home base to run your affiliate business from. This should be a blog or website. It is very easy and affordable to set up a wordpress site for your business. While there are free options it is recommended to buy a domain name, your blog address, and use a hosting company, this is where your site runs from. The total cost for these two things is around $20 and the monthly fee for hosting is less than $10.

Autoresponder Service

As an affiliate marketer you do not want to waste your time sending people to the vendors offer. Instead the smarter practice is to direct them to the affiliate offer on your own blog. On your blog you will have an opt in form to capture the email addresses of your visitors. This provides you with the opportunity to mail your list for days, weeks and years to come.

Now, you may ask why this is important? Most affiliate marketers will tell you that most prospective buyers do not always make a purchase the first time they click on your affiliate link.

If you send these buyers directly to the vendors site and they don't purchase, you have lost the sale. How can you connect with them again and find out why they didn't purchase - you can't.

On the other hand if you send them to your blog and they opt-in to your list you have their contact information. You can easily send out emails to them and provide them with more information or ask why they didn't purchase.

You are collecting and building your own data base of leads for all your affiliate marketing efforts. While a person may not like one product they may happily purchase others.

Using an autoresponder services allows you to mass mail people at one time. Plus you can schedule emails to go out while you are at work or out shopping.

Two of the most popular autoresponder services are Aweber and GetResponse, both have introductory trials for the first month.

While there are other tools that can help your affiliate business these are the basic ones that you should start with. Then as you become an experienced affiliate you may want to use tools that create landing pages and track who clicks on your links and how often.

Setting Yourself Up as an Affiliate Marketer

Many people approach affiliate marketing with the wrong viewpoint. Unfortunately they think that they can promote all kinds of products and easily make thousands of dollars per month. While top affiliate marketers do actually do this, it has taken them time and effort to achieve that top ranking status.

The minute you start promoting products you are gaining a reputation for yourself. If people purchase a product from you that they love, all is well. What happens if you recommend products that don't work, or are never delivered? Well, first the person you recommended this product to is not going to be happy. Secondly they will not trust your future recommendations, they will simply not purchase from your links anymore.

One of the first things you want to do is take the time to think about what type of products you want to promote as an affiliate. Do you have an interest in something particular? You may be a mountain bike enthusiast or a gardener.

Promoting products that you are knowledgeable about will benefit you in the long run. Mainly because you are most likely using these products yourself and can add your likes and dislikes about the item. As well you will enjoy writing blog posts and reviews on this topic and this will make your posts lively and engaging to read.

A good way to attract people to you is for you to set up your own blog. This way you have a platform or launch pad for your affiliate marketing career. If you do decide to promote products around one particular niche this is a great way to start.

As you post to your blog on a regular basis you simply start talking about products and items that are helpful. This way you are not flat out saying 'hey buy this' or 'buy that' all the time. You are just adding suggestions to your post in a natural way. Quite often people won't even realize that you are trying to sell them a product. Which, of course, is the best way to do this type of marketing.

If you are just starting out with affiliate marketing try to select a certain topic or niche first. Then fill your blog with interesting and helpful tips on this topic interspersed with recommendations. Before you know it you will be making a regular income as an affiliate.

How Long Does Your Copy Need to Be?

One question that always crops up is the one regarding the length of a piece of copy. There is really no one answer to this, it will depend on what you are selling. For example if you are selling a short 20 page report your copy will be shorter than if you are trying to sell a $50,000 sports car! So the best answer is that your copy needs to be as long as necessary to get the buyer to hit the buy button.
For this reason we often tell people to not worry about the length of your sales letter. Instead just start writing it out and see how long it turns out. You want to include certain elements and points into your sales piece.

Here's a basic outline you might like to follow:

1. Headline that asks a question or focuses on a specific problem.

2. Introduction - this is where you address your reader and start focusing on their particular issue. This will be a longer portion where you can tell a story about how you overcame this problem.

3. Starting hinting at a solution.

4. Add bullet points about the features of the product.

5. Introduce your solution and tell them why it is the perfect choice for them.

6. Add any testimonials or reviews if available, this gives them proof that the product works.

7. Now introduce the offer - this is where you add the price and statements that say something like; limited time offer, introductory pricing etc.

8. Close your letter in the next section and outline the main benefits yet again.

9. Add a P.S. - this section is where you say something to the effect of; you haven't ordered yet, why not? Reinforce that the product is on a limited pricing structure. This creates a sense of urgency and entices the reader to take action.

Once you have gone through the above sections you should have all the details you need for your sales page. All that is necessary is to go back and read your copy. Ensure that your letter follows and reads just like a letter. As you read you should start to create a sense of 'I have to buy this now' in your reader. Don't forget to add images of your products if possible, as this helps them identify with it.

This outline gives you the basics of what to add into your sales letter and will determine the final length.

Best Practices for Successful Affiliate Marketers

Affiliate marketing is an extremely popular way to make money on line. It is not always that easy though and it is important to know how to become a good affiliate. Use the following guidelines to help you increase your income with affiliate marketing.

1. Take the time to research and know the products that you are recommending.

2. Writing product reviews and including both the pros and cons of a product will help you earn a good reputation as an affiliate marketer.

3. Don't sent your readers or traffic directly to a vendor's site, ensure you have a way to capture their email address. Do this by sending traffic to your blog, this way you can follow up with prospective buyers.

4. Only recommend good products, preferably ones that you have used yourself. Plus try to offer products at various price points and keep a look out for special offers that will benefit your readers.

5. Research good affiliate programs that offer a variety of products. Checkout commission rates, payout points, and their return policies and customer service response.

6. Don't be afraid to ask for higher commission rates and for a review copy of a product. As you send a vendor more sales it will be easier for you to get a better commission percentage.

7. Take the time to set up your own website or blog. This will help you brand yourself as a marketer and give you a platform to publish your reviews, information and tips on products on.

8. Don't try and set up multiple sites in various niches. You will find that you don't have the time to manage them all. It is better to start with one site and get that making an affiliate income before starting another one.

9. As you build your list and site offer your visitors free reports that provide valuable information in your niche. Inside the report you can add your affiliate links.

10. Research your product so you know the demographics of your prospective buyers. What they like, where they live, what their income and education levels are. This allows you to directly 'talk' with them on your blog. They will identify with you more easily and be more trusting to purchase from you.

Use these above best practices to form the basics of your affiliate marketing business. Remember that you want to earn the trust and respect of your readers first. Once this happens they will start to buy more regularly from you and you will get to a point where sales begin to happen on a daily basis.