Creativity + measurability = Internet marketing success

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

“If your website is on the Internet and no one ever visits it, does it really exist?”

I am not really sure of the answer to the tree question, but when it comes to websites, armchair philosophers all agree: A great website is useless if no one ever visits it.

To take it a step further, no matter how beautiful and functional your website is, it can be a complete waste of marketing dollars if the right visitors never find it.

Internet marketing has become a mandatory part of every general marketing effort. With essentially everyone using the Internet as their primary resource for finding and purchasing products and services, optimizing your Internet marketing strategy is critical to the success of most every business.

With myriad web-based marketing tools and options available, choosing the most effective ones is confusing at best.

Being in the website design and Internet marketing field myself, it has been interesting to witness first-hand which strategies work and which don’t in the quest to draw qualified leads to a website. I have seen email marketing, search engine optimization, paid advertising and affiliate marketing campaigns both succeed and fail in the quest to gain more website leads and sales. Predicting which marketing approaches will work for any given business can be difficult to say the least.

So what’s the secret formula for Internet marketing success?

In thinking about our own marketing efforts as well as those of our clients, the first step to determining the best Internet marketing campaign is to use tools that are easily measurable.

When you initially dream up a web-based marketing campaign, it’s tempting to make decisions based on opinions and hearsay. The color of your logo, the wording of a Google ad, the timing of a mass email — a group of intelligent, experienced and creative individuals often have completely differing subjective opinions.

Whether using email marketing, Facebook ads, Google ads, search engine optimization, or any online effort, the ability to turn the subjective into the objective is what separates a profitable campaign from a waste of money.

The key is to collect your “best-guess” ideas about what marketing strategies and efforts will draw more traffic and sales, and then real-world test them to objectively prove or disprove their effects on profits.

Fortunately, most Internet marketing can be setup in a way that allows businesses to do quick and cheap trial-and-error campaigns before committing to the right mix of long-term marketing activities. Most every aspect from mass email subject-lines, to Facebook ad wording, can be deployed, tested and tweaked both easily and cost-effectively.

Over the past several years, the toolsets available to facilitate this trial-and-error approach to online marketing have multiplied and matured. You can gather most of the data you need using the ever-popular and free Google Analytics. Open rates and click-through rates are reported in most every email marketing system. Web ad testing tools that compare effectiveness of one ad versus another are affordable for any size business. There is no longer any reason to simply guess when it comes to online marketing.

Combining the creative mind to brainstorm ideas with the scientific mind to measure their effectiveness can turn subjective opinions into objective marketing decisions and ultimately increased profits.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/tech/2015/05/15/creativity-measurability-internet-marketing-success/27336291/

How to Make Money Online - Top 5 Ways to Make Cash from your Computer at Home

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How to make Money from your Hobby ?

Whether you want to make a bit of money out of a hobby, or you hope to launch your own retail business, reaching would-be buyers on your own can be tricky. However, by joining an existing website you can find a ready-made audience of consumers. Alongside some of the biggest online names are specialist websites which might suit you better if you’re selling handcrafted goods. Here’s a look at how much some of the main players cost to use and what you get for your money.

Etsy

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If you can limit your set-up costs while you build your confidence and test the water, so much the better. Etsy is fantastic for this as listing an item costs just 20 US cents (roughly 13p) for four months or until it sells, plus commission of 3.5% (plus VAT) on each purchase. If you are selling a quantity of the same product, these fees apply to each item sold. The item price is converted into dollars by Etsy before the fees are applied.

Other websites offer much more by way of marketing, but that comes at a cost.

The US-based website’s greatest strength is its vast scale – it has 30 million registered shoppers – but this can also be a disadvantage as you are among many rivals. It is open to anyone to use, which helps if you do not have a track record of selling or if your products don’t fit in with the style of other, more selective websites, but it also means there is no quality control. Indeed, Etsy’s craft disasters – from Sex Burger, a less-than-erotic painting of a naked couple embracing in a sesame bun, to a clock made from a cheese grater – earned themselves such a reputation that was celebrated on the now sadly defunct website Regretsy.com.

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Etsy allows factory manufactured products for sellers who have outgrown the capacity to handmake all their products, but some feel this betrays the website’s crafty roots. It also allows the sale of vintage items, but stipulates they must be at least 20 years old.

Simmi Duffin, 35, from the Forest of Dean, sells felt creations and sewing patterns under her brand Grace’s Favours. “It is incredibly straightforward to use and there are very helpful guides that show you how to set up a shop and what categories to list under,” she says. “You can get sales from all over the world but also choose where you want to make your items available, right down to individual products if they are difficult to send abroad.” Duffin says one of her biggest selling products is a Cuddly Campervan because it is unusual and comes up in searches both on Etsy itself and when enthusiasts are hunting for memorabilia on Google. “Jewellers, on the other hand, complain that it is very hard to be found because there are thousands of other sellers,” she says.

Folksy

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Folksy is the UK equivalent of Etsy, but much smaller. It insists on products being handcrafted, with no mass-manufactured or vintage products allowed. It turned over around £1m in sales in the year to September and has around 300,000 visitors a month. Sellers have two options: the basic account costs 15p per item you list and 6% commission (plus VAT) on every sale . Alternatively, you can list as a Folksy Plus seller with the same commission charge on every sale, but unlimited listings for £45 per year (including VAT). Users say it is very simple to set up.

Clare Freemantle, 34, from Newcastle runs Serious Stamp, creating custom-made ink stamps for use on wedding invitations and loyalty cards among other things. She uses several channels including Etsy, Folksy, Dawanda and Not On The High Street. “Folksy is my quietest platform. It is still a bit small, but they don’t charge a lot for what you get,” she says.

Given the low set-up costs, it makes sense to list with both Etsy and Folksy if you can to maximise your chances of reaching buyers. With both sites, the more you can do to drive traffic to your store, the better, so build up your social media profile.

Not On The High Street

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The barriers to entry are considerably higher, but many traders say it is worth the extra effort and cost. It has 2 million unique visitors per month, which doubles at Christmas. It costs £199 (£238.80 including VAT) to join and you pay 25% commission (plus VAT) on each sale. The website is highly selective about which products it features.You can apply via a form on the website and you should get a response within seven working days.

Freemantle has had a great experience selling her stamps on the website. “I’ve found Not on The High Street to be the best,” she says. “You have to adhere to its terms and conditions, such as the fact you are not allowed to tell customers from the website about any of your other online stores. It has quite high standards of entry for products and photography but what you get is their marketing might, which is quite substantial. There have been TV adverts, gift guides and press.”

Amazon Marketplace and eBay

You can use these websites to sell homemade creations, although it’s harder to get noticed. “I have used eBay to sell my sewing patterns, but the downside is that people tend to shop there when they are looking to get something cheaply,” says Duffin. “Amazon Marketplace is good if you can do a quick turnaround, such as with printed clothes or cards, as shoppers tend to use it for last minute buys, but it is not suitable for me.”

On Amazon Marketplace, sellers pay a “per-item” fee of 75p for every single item sold, plus a “referral fee” of between 7% and 25% (plus VAT), depending on the category of what is being sold.“Pro merchants” can pay a £25 monthly fee instead of the 75p-per-item fees.

On eBay, as a private seller you can list 20 items for free and after that you pay 35p for each. You can choose to list your items for auction or with a “buy it now” option. Various listing upgrades are available for an extra fee, including larger photographs, multiple categories and subtitles. You also pay a final value fee that is 10% of the total transaction including postage. An extra fee of 3.4% plus 20p is due if your buyer uses PayPal. Alternatively, you can set up a “basic shop” for £19.99 per month with 100 free listings and 8% final value fees. There are further subscription options for businesses selling higher volumes with fees of between £17.38 and £217.38 depending on scale.

Build your own website 

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Some traders love the freedom of having their own website, whether it is their main online store or an adjunct to shops on other platforms. Nat Rigby, 38, from Cornwall, makes jewellery from recycled skateboards under her brand Thrashion. She has an Etsy store, but now finds most of her sales come directly from her own website. She says: “Social media has been great. I upload a picture every day to Instagram and that drives people to my website, particularly as it’s a site that’s used a lot by the skate industry.” Rigby used Create.net to build her website and shop, which costs between £5 and £36 per month depending on the functionality you choose, but it is free of listing fees and commission on sales. She says: “It has been amazing. You get an account manager you can talk to when you have issues and it was just as easy as setting up on Etsy.”

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/feb/05/make-money-from-hobby

The Ultimate List of Blogs that Accept Guest Posts

This page contains links to lists of blogs in over 25 categories that accept guest posts. Each category has around 20 blogs listed, making it a total of over 500 blogs; the biggest list of personally-added-and-moderated blogs that accept guest posts online! This list is currently a work-in-progress as new categories will be added daily.

More categories will be added over time and the list will be routinely checked. If you’re in need of a professional guest blogger to help you handle guest blogging, blogging or content marketing as a whole, then you can hire me!

If you have feedback about any of the blogs in any of these categories, please contact me!

Category #1: Art Blogs that Accept Guest Posts

There are around 20 blogs in total listed in the above category; at the time of compiling this list it has been verified that each blog listed accepts guest posts.

The list contains details about the authority of each blog listed as well as how you can submit guest posts to these blogs.

Click here for blogs in the art category!

Category #2: Business/Small Business Blogs that Accept Guest Posts

This business/small business category lists 20 blogs which you can apply to write for. Each blog is exceptional in its own way and will give you the valuable, high traffic links you need for your site.

At a glance you can see the details of each blog and know exactly where and how to apply to write for them – with all the links you’ll need provided.

Click here for blogs in the business/small business category

Category #3 Photography Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

If you run a photography business or blog/website and need vital links to potential clients and new readers/subscribers for your blog, you should write for some or all of these photography blogs. There are 20 high-ranking and high-traffic photography blogs on the page, with all the details you need to apply to them.

Click here for blogs in the photography category

Category #4 Finance Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

You can find the Google Page Rank, Mozrank and Alexa Page rank of 20 of the best finance blogs on the Internet. Use your knowledge of finance and business to pick which one of these blogs is suitable for you. We also give you a brief description of what the blogs accept and what kind of articles they look for.

Click here for blogs in the finance category

Category #5 Freelancing Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

This definitive list of freelancing blogs tells you what works and what doesn’t with the blogs listed – as it relates to writing for them. You can find some of the best freelancing blogs on the Internet which you can apply to write for in order to extend your brand.

Click here for blogs in the freelancing category

Category #6 Blogging Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

If you have ever wanted to write for blogs within the blogging theme, this is the list you need! Guest blogging couldn’t be easier with these descriptions, ratings and links to blogs which will actually take your work. You can see exactly what you need to do for your guest post to be accepted.

Click here for blogs in the blogging category

Category #7 Travel Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

If you’re a travel writer looking to expand your business or brand through guest posting, this list is for you. There are 20 travel blogs on this list, all of which accept guest posts. The list shows you the right links you need, and what you have to do in order for your post to be accepted. You’ll also find the ratings of each blog listed.

Click here for blogs in the travel category

Category #8 Gaming Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

Gaming writers will be excited by this list of blogs. This list contains details of the authority of each of the blogs. You’ll also find short descriptions and what to do in order to apply to write for them, what other opportunities are open to you, and how to make contact.

Click here for blogs in the gaming category

Category #9 Health Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

Health writers, this is the list you were waiting for. This post will show you who the blogs on the list are aimed at, how to apply to write for them, the rankings of the sites, and even how to contact the blog with your submission. You can also see what benefits you can attract by writing for the blogs on the list.

Click here for blogs in the health category

Category #10 Science Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

There are 20 fantastic science blogs in this list. You’re shown how to submit your guest post, what the blog owners are looking for and what science topics the blogs are most likely to publish. Each blog is superb in it’s own way. At a glance you can see their Alexa, Google and Mozrank ratings to help you make your decision.

Click here for blogs in the science category

Category #11 Celebrity Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

The definitive list of the 20 celebrity blogs on the Internet which will accept guest posts from you. The post will provide you with all the details you need to get your post accepted. It’ll tell you what the blogs are most likely to publish, conditions of publication, and how to contact them.

Click here for blogs in the celebrity category

Category #12 Green Energy Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

If you run a green energy business or blog/website and need links to potential clients and new readers/subscribers for your blog, you should write for some or all of these green energy blogs. There are 20 high-quality green energy blogs on the page, with all the details you need to apply to them.

Click here for blogs in the green energy category

Category #13 Book Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

Sending pitches couldn’t be easier if you write for or run a book blog. There are 20 high-traffic blogs on this page, all with details you need to write and submit the perfect guest post to them. At a glance you can see their rating, their requirements, and how to contact them to write for them.

Click here for blogs in the book category

Category #14 Family Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

If you write about, or have knowledge of family topics you should choose one of these blogs to guest post on. We also give you a brief description of what the blogs accept and what kind of articles they require.You can find the Google Page Rank, Mozrank and Alexa Page rank of 20 of the best family blogs on the web.

Click here for blogs in the family category

Category #15 Gadget Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

If you have a gadget blog that needs backlinks from top-quality gadget sites, this is the list you need. We provide you with all the information you need to get your guest post accepted, how to make contact, and how to qualify. There are 20 high-traffic gadget blogs on this list.

Click here for blogs in the gadget category

Category #16 Computer Blogs that Accept Guest Posts

The details on this list of computer blogs shows you what posts work best for the blogs on the list, how you can increase your chances of being published and where and how to apply. Having all this information will make it very easy for you to plan your guest posting strategy – to write for some of the best computer blogs on the web.

Click here for blogs in the computer category

Category #17 Entrepreneurship Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

This list of entrepreneurship blogs will give you some of the best sites on the Internet which you can apply to write for in order to expand your brand/blog rating. This definitive list tells you what works and what doesn’t with the blogs listed – as it relates to guest blogging for them.

Click here for blogs in the entrepreneurship category

Category #18 Food Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

This definitive compilation will show you exactly what you need to do for your guest post to be accepted on the 20 food blogs featured. If you’ve ever wanted to guest post for blogs within the food niche, this is the list for you to bookmark. Expanding your website and brand couldn’t be easier with these descriptions, ratings and links to blogs which will actually take your work.

Click here for blogs in the food category

Category #19 Sport Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

Are you a sport writer or a blogger with a sport site? Are you looking to extend your business or brand through guest posting? This list is for you. There are 20 sports blogs on this list, all of which will accept your guest posts. You’ll also find the ratings of each blog listed.

Click here for blogs in the sport category

Category #20 Writing Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

This list of 20 top quality writing blogs will appeal to you if you write for, or run a writing blog. This list contains details of the authority of each of the blogs. You’ll also find short descriptions and what to do in order to apply to write for them, what to look out for, and how to make contact.

Click here for blogs in the writing category

Category #21 Internet Marketing/Make Money Online Blogs that Accept Guest posts

There are 20 of the best Internet Marketing/Make Money Online blogs included on the list – each with all the details you need to apply to write for them. If you manage a blog or website within these 2 niches and need links to potential clients and new readers/subscribers, you should write for some or all of these blogs.

Click here for blogs in the internet marketing/make money online category

Category #22 Politics Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

At a glance you can see these blogs’ rating, their requirements, and how to contact them to write guest posts for them. This list makes sending a pitch easy  if you write for, or run a politics blog. There are 20 high-traffic blogs on this page – all with details you need to write and submit the perfect guest article to them.

Click here for blogs in the politics category

Category #23 Fashion Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

There are 20 top-quality, high-traffic fashion blogs in this list. You’re told how to submit your guest post, what the blog owners are looking for and what fashion topics the blogs are most likely to publish. At a glance you can see their Alexa, Google and Mozrank ratings to help you make your decision to guest post for them.

Click here for blogs in the fashion category

Category #24 Religion Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

You can find the Google Page Rank, Mozrank and Alexa Page rank of 20 of the best religion blogs on the web. If you write about, or have knowledge of religion topics you should choose one of these blogs to guest post on. We also give you a brief description of each blog and what their target audience is like.

Click here for blogs in the religion category

Category #25 Pet Blogs That Accept Guest Posts

There are 20 high-traffic and top quality pet blogs on this list. If you have a pet blog that needs backlinks and an expansion of brand, this is the list you need. We provide you with all the information you need to get your guest post accepted, how to make contact, and how to qualify.

http://www.guestbloggingtactics.com/blogs-that-accept-guest-posts/

Online Marketing Resolutions You Should Make In 2015

2015 is here, and you know what that means – New Year’s resolutions! But, let’s resolve to do more than just lose our guts, get back into the gym, and avoid the candy aisle. Let’s make some resolutions and commitments for our business’ marketing initiatives as well.

After all, we all know that we need to set serious goals for more than just our bodies. We need them for business and online marketing efforts too. Because without them, you and I both know that nothing will get done.

And what’s on the line? A lot.

How well you market your business online could literally change the course of your company’s destiny. Instead of struggling for new business and leads, if you do your online marketing correctly, you could be basking in all the leads your business needs to thrive.

So let’s do this! More traffic, more leads, more sales. In other words: business growth as a direct result of your online marketing efforts. That’s what this all is.

The following are the most important online marketing new years resolutions your business needs to make happen in 2015:

Resolution #1: Commit To Content

A very wealthy man once declared:

“Content is king.”

You couldn’t be more right, Bill Gates.

When it comes to marketing your business online, content is king. After all, it’s content that people notice and share. It’s content that search engines discover and rank. It’s content that is what you share with your social followers. It’s content that you use to email your prospect lists. And these days, it’s content that develops your brand and ultimately builds your business.

It’s time to commit to creating killer content in 2015. It really is the most important thing you can do for you online marketing efforts.

Resolution #2: Get Serious About SEO

SEO is a big deal.

Imagine if your company website was showing up in front of the hundreds, thousands and even millions of potential prospects searching directly for what you offer?

Would this be valuable to your business? Of course it would! It could literally change the course of your business’ destiny.

In 2015 it’s time to get serious about SEO and making things happen. No, this doesn’t mean you go out and hire the first SEO agency you talk to that says the right things. It means you get serious about educating yourself on SEO and what it takes to gain the favor of Google, and then take action. For your business this could mean that you do SEO yourself, you hire someone, or you outsource your efforts to a reputable and trustworthy agency.

SEO needs to be taken seriously if you are to ever get real results. The time is now!

Resolution #3: Build A Better Website

If your company’s website sucks, your 2015 online marketing efforts will fall flat on their face; your website is the foundation and center piece to all of your efforts.

So how do you know if you need to build a better website? Here’s a list of questions that will help you start to objectively evaluate whether it’s time for a face life, or complete overhaul:

1. Is your site conversion focused? Are visitors inspired to take action? (Be honest!)
2. Does your site articulate your company’s story?
3. Has your website been coded for search engines?
4. Is your website mobile responsive? Does it resize for mobile visitors?
5. Does your website have clear messaging that influences prospects? (Again, be honest!)
6. Is your website built for blogging? Is your blog seamlessly integrated?
7. Does your site use the latest in coding technology? (CSS3, HTML5, JavaScript components)

If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, it’s probably time to build a better website.

Resolution #4: Automate Your Marketing

Marketing automation is the newest trend in online marketing, and for good reason. Marketing automation has been around for along time in a more primitive state, but it’s gotten much more sophisticated in recent years.

Companies like Hubspot, Infusionsoft, and Marketo have developed quite amazing tools that make it easy. With lead scoring, automating emails and work flow, if set up correctly it can transform a business’ ability to capture and convert leads.

The idea is simple: you need to get in front of prospects a number of times before they are ready or willing to buy your product/service. With the right marketing automation software, you’ll be able to pull this off completely hands off.

Resolution #5: Demand Better Data

If you want to win in 2015 you need the best and most accurate data you can get. I know what you’re thinking “but we already have Google analytics installed.” That’s just the surface of what I’m talking about here.

Yes you need analytics, and you need to be able to interpret your analytics into actionable insights. But even more importantly, you need to get serious about data on your competitors.

Take a break from obsessing over your business and obsess over your competitors. Doing so will often answer hard questions and provide answers to questions that you are not asking in the first place, but should be.

In 2015 make it a goal to use a type of competitive analysis tool set or platform. Some notable options are:

• Bright Edge – Bright Edge has the most comprehensive web-based tools on the market. It’s a full fledged enterprise SEO marketing platform every business could use.

• Moz – Moz is an industry favorite and will allow you to analyze exactly what your competition is doing, why they’re beating you and what you need to do to close the gap.

• Little Bird – this social tool will allow you to track what your competitors are doing social media wise and see what content is the most successful for them. Valuable information!

• SEM Rush – To put it plainly, you can track everything your competitors are doing in paid search and get very accurate insights into their successes in organic search too.

Resolution #6: Commit To Constant And Never-Ending Improvement

Finally, this may be the most important resolution of them all: when it comes to your online marketing efforts you must commit to constant and never-ending improvement.

Nothing is going to get fixed over night. And in 6 months the internet might be forever changed in some way that no one ever foresaw. However, if you adopt this attitude and way of being into your business, you’ll be fine.

Everyday ask yourself “What needs to be done? What can we improve upon? What are our competitors doing better than we are? What can I do right now to make our efforts more effective?”

These are the types of questions that will lead you toward constant and never ending improvement.

In Conclusion

2015 is about to happen and it’s time to make all your wildest online marketing dreams come true. Let’s get serious about these 6 resolutions: commit to content, get serious about SEO, build a better website, automate your marketing, demand better data, and commit to constant and never ending improvement.

Do these things and win in 2015.

http://www.business2community.com/online-marketing/online-marketing-resolutions-make-2015-01111083