http://www.articlealley.com en-us editorial@articlealley.com Affiliate programs are meant to be a win for everyone involved: * a win for the client who is given exposure to something she may not have known about otherwise * a win for the affiliate who gets to share a great product or program with her reader... http://www.articlealley.com/article_1238373_15.html 18th November 2009 Let me ask you. . .What *exactly* do you do? When you strip away all the terms and all the nice-to-haves, what is it you do at the most basic level? I heard a story of a home security system installer who, when faced with a decrease in new customers... http://www.articlealley.com/article_1203636_15.html 27th October 2009 In chatting with a new client recently, she described the great teleclass series she hosted last month and how much revenue she earned from it and the one she has coming next month. When going over her monthly revenue for the year-to- date, she quickly... http://www.articlealley.com/article_1061775_15.html 02nd September 2009 An online friend of mine - someone met at a workshop years ago and we've casually kept in touch - direct messaged me on Twitter the other day to ask which of two upcoming workshops she should attend as she "needs a boost this year". The people putting ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_1061608_24.html 02nd September 2009 Goodness knows systems may not sound like the sexiest thing in your business - after all, your marketing techniques usually win that title. Systems however, are what allow you to take time off without worrying what's going on in the business and they e... http://www.articlealley.com/article_1038709_15.html 18th August 2009 We hear all the time that we need to "increase our conversions" or "get our numbers up". But what exactly does that mean and what else do we need to know? "Conversion" is all about turning leads into paying clients and, when done well, more leads turn ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_1023738_15.html 08th August 2009 Imagine your excitement: You just gave up your credit card info and plunked down money on a product from someone you've been following for a while, maybe even someone you've bought from before and really admire. You're enjoying that instant post-purcha... http://www.articlealley.com/article_1000416_15.html 27th July 2009 Many business owners, especially online, preach about "marketing with integrity" and "marketing authentically" and then immediately do things which, in my opinion, are exactly the opposite of what they preach. Here's just a few marketing mistakes I've ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_986501_15.html 17th July 2009 If you've been around the "online world" a while, you know that "content is king" -- after all, it's generally expected that you should: * publish a weekly/biweekly email newsletter * "touch" your clients in offline ways * post 2-3 times a week t... http://www.articlealley.com/article_975222_15.html 10th July 2009 Just yesterday I was talking with a new client who's invested thousands of dollars on programs, plans and info products and came to me asking "What should I do?" as she was so overwhelmed with all the options and wanted to get the *right* things done in o... http://www.articlealley.com/article_955222_15.html 28th June 2009 In marketing your business, there's a line *out there* between what's effective for your ideal clients and what's just plain annoying. That line is different for every one of your ideal clients and for every business owner (even in the same industry). ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_944928_15.html 19th June 2009 Have you ever seen the movie "Bridget Jones Diary"? There's a scene in it where Bridget notes that one of her friends had one hit song in the 1980s and realized that was more than enough to carry him through the 1990s and so didn't bother doing anythin... http://www.articlealley.com/article_937751_15.html 15th June 2009 A former client recently contacted me about working together again and, in asking a few questions about what she's been up to, etc., I realized that for all the work she's been doing (and she works a lot), she hasn't been "done-ing" anything. Now while... http://www.articlealley.com/article_927093_15.html 11th June 2009 There are very few television shows I watch with any regularity and NCIS is one of them -- whether it's the investigative plots themselves or Mark Harmon, I can't say for sure. :-) One episode discussed the concept of "target fixation" -- a concept whe... http://www.articlealley.com/article_923317_15.html 09th June 2009 We all know why we should put out an ezine, after all, marketing gurus have forever told us "the money's in the list" and the list needs an ezine, but my question is "Why should anyone choose to get your ezine?" Let's take a look at things as they are ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_912882_15.html 03rd June 2009 You see, I've been set off once too often by business owners imposing "forced continuity" on unsuspecting clients. While this may work for months 1 and even 2, the long-term damage such business owners are inflicting on their client relationships is in... http://www.articlealley.com/article_900406_15.html 18th May 2009 When used properly, affiliate, or referral, programs are fabulous: -> for you (the host if you will), -> for your affiliates -- after all, they get to share a great resource AND get paid for it -- and -> for your new client who may not have been ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_866667_15.html 22nd April 2009 Times are tough. There's no doubt about it. That said, I had my best month ever in March and quarter 1 was my best quarter ever. In fact, I'm on target to surpass my 2008 revenue by June 30th. I don't tell you that to brag, I tell you so that you ca... http://www.articlealley.com/article_858215_15.html 15th April 2009 While sitting outside writing the other day, I noticed a couple of finches near my birdfeeders. Those of you who have birdfeeders know that finches enjoy their own food, different from what I feed everyone else so competition wasn't the problem. The... http://www.articlealley.com/article_826853_15.html 16th March 2009 It's interesting how many of us are shy or uncomfortable about acknowledging where we are in our business (or life) because we think we *should* be further along than we are or that we don't measure up. I've been noticing a trend with some of my "Get A... http://www.articlealley.com/article_822066_24.html 12th March 2009 How many times have you thought "If only I had more clients, all my problems would be solved"? Most businesses - regardless of whether micro, small or corporate giants - have found themselves believing that all their business problems would be solved i... http://www.articlealley.com/article_800196_15.html 28th February 2009 I've noticed a trend with my clients: they're either struggling to make low 6 figures (say up to $200,000) or they're at the million dollar mark and beyond. Why the marked difference in revenue? In focusing on the struggling 6-figure entrepreneur, t... http://www.articlealley.com/article_795797_15.html 23rd February 2009 Included with the current social networking and Web 2.0 (think Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, MySpace, Plaxo, etc.) craze is a resurgence of the concept of "social currency". I first heard the concept of social currency described as the "whuffie" factor... http://www.articlealley.com/article_788240_15.html 18th February 2009 I remember, as I'm sure you do, my parents telling me how much easier we had it than they did (after all, they probably had to walk 5 miles up hill in the snow, BOTH ways, just to get to school). :-) Given that my Dad grew up in a small town in Italy w... http://www.articlealley.com/article_783805_15.html 13th February 2009 Everywhere you look, people are talking about Web 2.0, social networking, Twitter, Facebook, Tweetdeck or Twhirl, to name a few. There's even a whole new Twitcabulary: tweets, tweeples, retweets, twitpics, etc. which can make things seem a lot more com... http://www.articlealley.com/article_769623_35.html 28th January 2009 Teleseminars -- presentations via telephone -- are the fastest way to build your ezine list as you share knowledge with those in your target audience. Before we jump into the "how", let's discuss the different types of teleseminars and why each is a va... http://www.articlealley.com/article_769194_15.html 28th January 2009 Every year millions of us diligently work on our New Year's Goals or Resolutions, determined that this year will be *THE* year, somehow different from all the rest which preceded it. We labor over writing the goals, create Vision Boards, and start the ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_754621_24.html 16th January 2009 It wasn't long ago when a friend asked me what I was tolerating in my life. Tolerating? Me? I have a husband I adore and who adores me, 5 fabulous pets, a house we're comfortable in, supportive friends and family and a business which fulfills me while ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_730752_15.html 29th December 2008 When was the last time a client called your cell phone after hours or sent you an email at 8pm and expected an answer by 9pm or didn't pay you per your agreement? Or a vendor or coach took a week to answer an email? If this is happening, it's time to e... http://www.articlealley.com/article_725975_15.html 17th December 2008 The latest rage among internet or online-focused businesses is the high level (over $10,000/year) coaching or mentoring program frequently referred to as "Gold", "Platinum" or "Diamond" programs - it seems that almost everyone has their version of one. ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_713120_15.html 05th December 2008 In preparing to design and write my new website, I visited hundreds of other sites to get a feel for what I did/did not want. For example, "squeeze pages" are all the rage these days. You know, those pages which require you to enter your name and email... http://www.articlealley.com/article_702186_3.html 01st December 2008 "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." -- Napoleon Hill People generally fail at achieving their goals and completing their projects for one of three reasons: poor systems, not clearly defining their goal/project or self sabotage... http://www.articlealley.com/article_702171_15.html 01st December 2008 I was recently on a forum where several "time for money" service professionals and business owners were discussing their "rates". I immediately noticed that these smart, savvy business owners were falling into some pricing myth traps. Here are the thre... http://www.articlealley.com/article_702167_15.html 01st December 2008 When most of us get into business, we look around at what everyone else in our industry is doing. If we're a bookkeeper, we look around at other bookkeepers. If we're a life coach, we look around at other life coaches. If we're a financial planner, we loo... http://www.articlealley.com/article_702164_15.html 01st December 2008 You often see people (including me) writing about customer service, successful vendor practices and the like, very rarely, however, do you see someone ask you to review your own actions and determine if you are a good client for someone else. And that's w... http://www.articlealley.com/article_700824_3.html 01st December 2008 It's Monday and you get an email indicating that writing an ezine is THE way to get new clients. You drop everything and start working on an email newsletter. It's Tuesday and your friend calls and says that he heard the best way to get publicity is pa... http://www.articlealley.com/article_686696_3.html 12th November 2008 You know the type of week. * Your book is back from the printer, you have some newspaper interviews lined up, your attending a meeting with your target audience. . .you are entering one of the biggest publicity weeks of your business and your website c... http://www.articlealley.com/article_680869_24.html 03rd November 2008 In building and growing an online business, or one with a strong online component, there are several must-have tools which will allow you to not only have passive revenue, but to enjoy multiple streams of it. Here's a quick rundown of the most basic to... http://www.articlealley.com/article_680854_3.html 03rd November 2008 You open your email to find a notice about an upcoming seminar or workshop on a topic you desperately want to learn more about. Later that day, you get the mail and there's a postcard inviting you to the same workshop. "Should I go?" you think. "... http://www.articlealley.com/article_668495_15.html 17th October 2008 We all know the importance of keeping in touch with our ideal clients and prospects via frequent AND informative content. But that doesn't mean your articles, a.k.a. "informative content", should be relegated to your hard drive forevermore. Article ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_661359_3.html 13th October 2008 It was not so long ago when I was watching my nephews eagerly upload their MySpace pictures and create their profiles. All the rave with teenagers and music bands, MySpace has become so much more! It is now the mecca of small business owners and networ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_656859_3.html 06th October 2008 Email. We use it for everything from chatting with our friends and family to corresponding with clients and sending business inquiries to helping others in online discussion forums. It's arguably become *the* mode of modern-day communication - more so ... http://www.articlealley.com/article_656857_15.html 06th October 2008 Repurposing - the art of doing something once and using it in other ways - is one of the most effective and efficient systems you can create within your business. Before your eyes glaze over with the thought that this is yet another article telling you... http://www.articlealley.com/article_655557_3.html 06th October 2008 There are hundreds, if not thousands, of books on time and productivity management and most of them appear to have been written by dedicated individuals who work in a vacuum -- they certainly aren't entrepreneurs building businesses from home offices with... http://www.articlealley.com/article_655538_15.html 06th October 2008 In this day of technology and the dreaded recordings, insuring that you maintain a professional image is crucial to business success. How you come across on the phone, through your website, on a plane or at a networking event directly impacts how other... http://www.articlealley.com/article_644524_15.html 22nd September 2008 Do you need to get more clients? Are you trying to get your first client? Is your marketing budget equivalent to the cost of a Happy Meal? The following tips and techniques are not hidden secrets by any means, but they are some of the most overlooked w... http://www.articlealley.com/article_643775_15.html 22nd September 2008 Several years ago, I purchased a "system" geared towards getting new clients -- it was very comprehensive and well-written. Until I got to the last chapter on setting up processes and systems for marketing. There was a chapter title page, followed by blan... http://www.articlealley.com/article_642727_15.html 19th September 2008 You ordered a glass of wine and two bottles of water. The bill came to US $40 Are you shocked? Horrified? I recently came across a receipt from my trip to Italy last year and, rather than cringe in pain when seeing that receipt again, I smiled at the i... http://www.articlealley.com/article_639665_15.html 16th September 2008 I recently needed to contact a vendor regarding a delivery question. Without naming names, I can tell you that the vendor is a small business and I do a not-insignificant amount of business with them. The person who answered the phone (not the owner) s... http://www.articlealley.com/article_639408_15.html 16th September 2008 Many business owners are confused about what exactly an autoresponder is. . .and what it isn't. An autoresponder is a piece of software -- either standalone or as part of something larger like a shopping cart -- which AUTOMATICALLY sends an email, or a... http://www.articlealley.com/article_636444_15.html 12th September 2008