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DIGEST
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Bogdan
Fiedur, Publisher
mailto:
Bogdan@softfornet.com
Vol.
1, #147, Dec 19, 1999
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Topics in this issue:
Sponsor Message
Word from Publisher
=====================
C o n t i n u i n g D i s c u s s i o n s (2)
=============================================
1.) Defending your business
~ Cliff Green
~ Bob Sharpe
~ Kevan Blair
2.)Affiliate links question
~ Robert Lee
~ Eva Almeida
N e w P o s t s (6)
==========================
1)Brian Strickland
~ HELP! Call In the Cyber-Marines!
2) Kenneth Smith
~ Webhosting
3) Michael Loo
~ Subject: Any Merchant System Provider for Non-U.S. Company
4.)Debra McCray
~ Merchant Accounts
5) Steve Trinward
~ Getting out the "word"
6.) Don Wetmore
~ Free Timely Tips
Site Review Responses (1)
==========================
1. Michael Kelly
Site Review Requests (0)
===========================
G u e s t A r t i c l e (1)
================================
The Value of Interaction
By Melody T Vargas
Joke of the Day
===============
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================== Word from publisher ====================
Greetings All
Welcome 168 new subscribers who joined list since last mailing.
----===(*)===-----
Since this is the last digest issue before Christmas,
I would like to take this opportunity and wish everybody
Marry Christmas and Happy Holiday.
I will try to send another issue before New Year but
in case should you be busy during this time, please
accept my best wishes for this Y2K.
Prosperous and Happy new Year to Everybody in case
I will be too busy to put together next digest issue before
New Year.
I decided that voting for "Success story of the year" will take place
in a new year.
This should be a better time for business.
----===(*)===-----
Now you can get your free private email account for life
from AdlandPro.
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The following article was taken from Declan Dunn's
training to his own affiliates.
<-------->
What should you consider when starting an Affiliate site?
The best advice I can give a beginner is to start simple. It is
so tempting to try to understand every aspect of Internet
marketing. You could spend years studying this and never gaining
any sort of income.
Research is essential, but focus is even more important.
As an affiliate starting today, make sure to keep your eyes on the
following goals:
1. Be sure to create and update your own Web Site. You need more
than just a self replicating page, you need a sales process.
2. Forget Internet Malls and flea markets; it may seem tempting
to sell everything under the sun, but when you sell to everybody,
you sell to nobody. Bank on it!
3. Give your visitors a reason to return to you. Many use
affiliate programs to simply send traffic to someone else’s site.
The key is to get them to leave their name and email so you can
follow up with them and remind them to buy from you.
4. Email; opt-in lists are crucial. This means that your main
goal should be to give a free report, or free bonus, to every
visitor in exchange for contact information. Be sure to email
this list and develop your name, and your site.
5. Begin like your customer. Search out the sites online where
they would go, and look at what works. Don’t just slap up 20
banner ads on a page and hope for the best. How would you guide
your ideal customer towards a sale? Even better, how would I
know one of your customers if I was to meet them? If you can’t
answer this, your competition will.
6. Limit yourself to 3-4 products to sell. It is so easy to
sign up for any affiliate program. Quality beats quantity online.
7. You have 30 seconds to make the sale. Limit the choices your
customer has to 7 at most. If you give them thousands of
affiliate programs to choose from, you confuse them.
8. Customers are lazy, selfish... and they’re right! They don’t
want to work hard to work with you. Make it easy and fun by
giving your customers focus.
9. Weave affiliate programs into the content of your site. [ This
technique will be fully investigated in a future email.]
10. Don’t waste your Web Page space; use the upper left hand
corner, the top and bottom of the screen, and the bottom right
hand corner to feature your best offers.
<--------------->
How To Triple Your Web Site Traffic and Triple Your Sales!
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==========C o n t i n u i n g D i s c u s s i o n (1.1)=============
From: "Cliff Green" <cgreen@internet.co.nz>
Subject: Defending your business
Hi,
I read about your problem with the person in the
Netherlands converting your ezine, I would suggest
you try contacting the University and suggest you
are considering legal action against them as the
attack on you came from their computers.
This could cause them to tighten up on the use of
their computers and help prevent similar problems.
In any event it can't make it any worse.
Regards,
Cliff Green
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(suggest you copy and paste to avoid typos, name and number).
Clifford Hilton Green ID# 000-02-0509-0001
http://myfreeoffice.com/cliff/gift.html
(info page)
http://myfreeoffice.com/cliff/application.html
(application form)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==========C o n t i n u i n g D i s c u s s i o n (1.2)=============
From: Bob Sharpe <supersharpe@cheerful.com>
Subject: Defending your business
Hi Bogdan
I'm new to your list, and I just read the article about the problem you are having.
I'm not sure where you are located, but if you are located in the US or in certain
parts of Canada, I might be able to save you a lot of money on access to a top
rated attorney, and through my service, I can get you an attorney with any specialty
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27 years. Please take a look:
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Of course we can't send someone over there to shoot them (which is probably
what you feel like doing!)
God bless and have a SUPER day!!
Bob Sharpe
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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==========C o n t i n u i n g D i s c u s s i o n (1.3)=============
From:Kevan Blair kevanblair@prepaidlegal.com
Subject: Defending your business
I have been a subscriber to Adland for quite some time and appreciate all
of the helpful suggestions that you all have from time to time. I have
never added my two cents worth before, but Bodgan had an interesting story
in his "Publishers Message" in issue #146 that hit a familiar cord with me.
He mentioned that the reason #146 showed up a little late was "is the fact
that I'm fighting now against some jerk who is trying to destroy my
business by forging messages coming from my server in a way that they have
entire content
as intended but company name and email address are referring to different
company." He then told us that "...the lawyer of the company in question
is contacting me and threatening with legal action due to infringement of
trademarks."
I understand the frustration that Bogdan feels. I felt the same way in a
similar legal situation and found a service for small and home business'
that has resulted in the best business decision I have made in a long time.
In fact, I was so impressed with the value that I became an associate.
(Note: I realize that this might seem like a blatant marketing message, but
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benefit from this service if you know about it) Having said that, let me
give you an example of what the service does:
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wanted to just call a lawyer to see what your rights were, but didn't
because you didnt's know one or didn't want to pay for one phone call?
had someone treat you unfairly?
signed a contract or document you wish you wouldn't have?
purchased a defective product and been ignored by the manufacturer?
paid a bill you knew was unfair?
had to collect a bad business debt?
had a legal income tax question or worried about being audited by the
IRS?
thought about revising or writing your will?
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If you would like to know more, you can email me at
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Thanks for letting me share,
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note from Editor.
Thank you all for your advice and suggestions.
I already have a lawyer but will keep in mind these pointers in
case I need somebody with good knowledge about internet
issues.
Unfortunately once you start your own business, you need
lawyer and my experience says that any lawyer is better
than no lawyer at all. People pay more attention if they
know that matter is being handled by lawyer.
Regarding that "jerk" I mentioned in the last letter, he is
reported to any agency I could think of and I also notified
University from which IP address was used to post an
ad.
If you have any problems of criminal nature go directly to
http://www.web-police.org
Web Police is the largest crime fighting agency in the world with
Officers located in many countries throughout the world. Investigations
range from minor disputes to child abuse, drug trafficking, stalking
and international terrorism.
You can file report and you will be contacted for more information
if needed.
B.F.
==========C o n t i n u i n g D i s c u s s i o n (2.1)=============
From: "Robert Lee" <robl@direct.ca>
Subject: Affiliate links question
Help html literate readers!
I need answers from people familiar with affiliate codes. I created an
affiliate
mall and I wonder if I made a very big mistake.
>>
Well Sheila,
It seems that you have stumbled onto one of the internets greatest
mysteries, does Linkshare accurately track sales and commissions.
Linkshare tracks the hits and impressions to your affiliate program through
the use of a 1x1 image that is buried in the code they give you. It will
show how many times that the code has been displayed, whether that code is a
banner or text link. Deleting the image will only stop them from tracking
impressions (how many times the page was shown where the link is) and not
tracking hits (how many times someone has clicked on the link).
But what happened to your sale? That is something you should contact the
merchant directly about because it is unlikely that you will receive a
response from Linkshare, they don't like to talk about missed sales
commissions!
So, write an email to the merchant in question, CC it to Linkshare, and hope
for resolution to your problem of missing sales.
If you don't receive a response within a reasonable amount of time, delete
the merchant and move on.
Do I have a lot of confidence in Linkshare? NO!
In December so far I have 6,300 impressions of banners and text links, with
43 clickthroughs and no sales. This is just banner space that isn't paying
its way.
My last recorded sale with any of the merchants was back in April 1999, I
was paid under $5.00 US
Although Linkshare merchants help me to round out a retail aspect of my
site, I will be replacing them in the New Year as soon as I find some
retailers that fit what I am looking for.
Best Wishes for all Adlands Subscribers and you too, Bogdan!
Great email service, I've already signed up!
Robert Lee
----------------------------------------------------
mailto:webmaster@alovelinksplus.com
http://www.aLoveLinksPlus.com
Thank You For Choosing Us As Your
Dating Service Directory
---------------------------------------------------
==========C o n t i n u i n g D i s c u s s i o n (2.2)=============
From: "Eva Almeida" <admin@healthandmoneytips.com>
Subject: Affiliate links question
Hi Sheila,
This is in response to your post to Adland Digest
an excerpt is below:
"Did I delete some sort of a tracker when I delete these
pictures?
What gets deleted in the code is the ending source description. For
example:
<IMG border=0 width=1 height=1
src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=ansC3gLx8Co&bids=XXXX&type=3&s
ubid=0">
Isn't this just a picture link?
Would that be enough to track the sale?"
I think that the problem is that you haven't put in
your id number. Where it says in the code XXXX you
should be putting the id that they supplied you
when you signed up for the affiliate program. Otherwise
they have no way of tracking your sales. If you don't
remember your id, just email the company that you
signed up with and I am sure that they can help you.
As far as images go, I know that some companies require
you to use their special tracking images in order to
effectively track the sale. I would personally leave
the code alone (except for substituting your
id code for the XXXX). When you would like to use
the url for ezine advertising, you could just use:
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ansC3gLx8Co&offerid=XXXX&type=3&
subid=0 (use your id# instead of XXXX)
If you have your own site and want hints on ways to shorten
this url for ezine advertising, email me and I will give you
some tips.
Eva
-----------------------------------------------------------
Eva Almeida, mailto:admin@ebooksnbytes.com
Affiliate Options Directory
http://www.affiliateoptions.com/index.cfm?u=2063
eBooks N' Bytes Directory
http://www.ebooksnbytes.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
======================N e w P o s t i n g (1)========================
From: "Brian Strickland"<bristar@apexmail.com>
Subject: HELP! Call In the Cyber-Marines!
Ok, so it appears that we are a bit over our heads
here. I'll be the first to admit it. Not long ago
I knew absolutely nothing about internet marketing.
A few years ago I started out with my first webpage
on one of those free websites, you know, the ones
with the mile long URL addresses! Boy I really
thought I was a hot internet marketer then. I
spent hours trying to see how many graphics and
colors I could get on my webpage. Sure it took
a half a day to load but boy it looked good! This
has got to sell my product I thought! My product?
Where is my product? Ah..there it is near the
bottom of the page next to the running monkey
and the big flashing CLICK HERE banner!
Well let me tell you that while I might have been
nominated for the most colorful website of the year
award, there was no way I was going to sell my
product with this web page. You know...the one near
the running monkey and flashing CLICK HERE banner.
I finally did what I should have done in the first
place. I read and researched as to what types of
web pages worked best for selling my product. I
came to realize that simple and neat was very
important when it came to building your web page.
It makes no sense to put so much on your website
that your visitor has to take a bathroom break
between links! You want them to see your product
immediately! Hit them hard. Tell them the benefits.
It's best to offer only ONE product on your page,
certainly no more than a few. Keep it simple with
lots of white and go easy on the colors. You'll
see a big difference compared to your Star Trek
background web page with the twinkling stars and
Klingons chasing that darn monkey!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Visit Brian's Ultimate Internet Marketing Site
http://www.americanprofit.com
-----------------------------------------------------------
======================N e w P o s t i n g (2)========================
From: "Kenneth Smith" <kenneth_smith55@hotmail.com>
Subject: webhosting
Hello all. I have a questions I hope someone can help me with. I was
wondering if there are any websites that offer free page hosting that
includes the ability to have CGI scripts?
thanks for your help
Kenneth Smith
======================N e w P o s t i n g (3)========================
From: "Michael Loo" <mikcflo@pc.jaring.my>
Subject: Any Merchant System Provider for Non-U.S. Company
I am in the process of creating my own website selling
Allergy-related product, looking for a credit card merchant
system provider who would accept non-U.S. company.
I am also interested to setup affiliate program & ezine
related to Allergy, where could I get the right management
software/system for of the above.
Thanks.
Michael@smcfreemaker.com
======================N e w P o s t i n g (4)========================
From: Debra McCray <dlmccray@planet-debra.com>
Subject: Merchant Accounts
It has been quite a while since I've read or posted to the Adland.
I gave up on the MLM idea. I'm now beginning a business of my own,
and want to be able to accept credit card payments via my sight. Have you
already addressed this in one of your issues? If not, are there any
recommendations as to which service to use and/or how to go about this?
Many thanks!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note from Editor.
Try this site.
It will not only provide you with merchant solutions but
also will give you excellent affiliate support options.
http://www.verotel.com
======================N e w P o s t i n g (5)========================
From: Steve Trinward <steve@trinwords.com>
Subject: Getting out the "word"
Dear Mr. Fiedur,
I'm new to this list, but a fairly long term Web user. For the last year
or so, I have been marketing my skills as a wordsmith and 'webkeeper',
offering to help Internet businesspeople (whose top skill oftentimes is
NOT written communication?) to handle the little details of grammar,
syntax, usage and style in which I was lucky enough to be well-schooled.
My service is economical, and the benefits to web-based promotion seem
obvious ... but I am not finding clients as often as I'd like to. (Note:
This service SHOULD be of great interest to non-American entrepreneurs,
although it's pretty evident from the present state of the Web that even
those whose "first" language is English could use some help!)
Can you offer some guidance as to how to spread my skills to help more
people present their products in the best possible light?
--
Steve Trinward,
----------------------------------------------
Soul Proprietor, trinWORDS
If your to bussy buliding you're buisness too wory abbout "spelling"...
http://www.trinwords.com
------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note from Editor.
The skills you are having, are very important for each site owner.
On the other hand, each business will have its own specific
information, which is only known to particular business owner.
Concluding this, you always need to work closely with those
who know the business but not necessarily know how to
present it in such a way so it looks professional.
My suggestion is that you go after companies developing
web pages and offer them your service in form of
subcontracting.
A few years ago I decided to start web design company.
I knew the technology but being immigrant to Canada, I didn't
feel strongly about my writing abilities. This was one of the
reasons why I haven't succeeded in that area.
But hey, I still need from time to time help in writing
certain documents and will keep you in mind when
time comes.
B.F.
======================N e w P o s t i n g (6)========================
From: "Don Wetmore" <ctsem@email.msn.com>
Subject: Free Timely Tips
To subscribe to our Time Management List and receive free Timely
Time Management Tips to increase your personal productivity and
give you more time and balance for your personal life, click the
following link: http://www.topica.com/lists/timemanagement
Once you arrive, click "subscribe".
Or you may signup at our website: http://www.balancetime.com
Go to the green "Topica" box and just add your email address.
Welcome to the list!
Don Wetmore-Professional Speaker
--------------------------------------------------------
Productivity Institute Time Management Seminars
60 Huntington St. P.O. Box 2126
Shelton, CT 06484
(203) 929-9902
mailto:ctsem@msn.com
http://www.balancetime.com
---------------------------------------------------
=====================Site Review (1)=======================
From: "Michael Kelly" <mikelly@exchangenet.net>
1.) http://www.tonyrichardson.com
This site has a lot of room to play because it is primarily a personal
home page.
First impression, very well done with easy navigation, small page
sizes relative font sizes and fast load time even with the extensive
graphic use.
The bad points;
A) An inconsistency in backgrounds (index2.htm.),
B) Horizontal tiling of the background high resolution,
C) The index page was not used to introduce the sites features.
Over all I score it an 8 of 10.
2.) http://www.skiestheweb.com
A commercial site promoting Webdesign and hosting services.
The first impression of this site was good. Nice design features,
good use of color while being extremely readable and professional
looking. The index page was used well for guiding a visitors
purchasing decision.
The bad points;
A) Menuing, while the links on the main page were tolerable when going
into depth there was no consistency,
B) Return to the index page proved difficult using the browsers back
button at places because of redirects,
C) No consistency in page design,
D) Tested in 640x480, 800x600, Web TV 1024x768 and 1280x1024
resolutions the design of the index page only held up well at 800x600.
Over all score 7 of 10.
3.) http://Free-N-Ezy.com
I am not sure what this site is, except that it is a complete waste of time!
This is a site that is composed totally of advertisements haphazardly thrown
together and will only attract visitors by deception.
First impression is that Las Vegas Exploded. The only good points I can
come up with for this one is that the HTML didn't bleed through (why I don't
know) and there were no frames or pop-up windows.
The bad points (partial list);
A) This site design did not work at any resolution,
B) Site lacks content totally,
C) No one that visits this site will return (or let the page load completely)
D) The site was redirected before arrival,
E) No design was attempted
Over all score 2 of 10
Please feel free to review my site at http://www.exchangenet.net/midnight/
Michael Kelly,
-----------------------------------------------------
Page me - ICQ # 38517483
Webmaster - Midnight Community
Subscribe to Midnight Army newsletter and
learn or sharpen your soldier skills.
View the Midnight Army Archive!
-------------------------------------------------------
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===================G u e s t A r t i c l e (1)=====================
The Value of Interaction
By Melody T Vargas
Friendship is the most effective branding a store can
ever use. It isn't loyalty programs that set retailers
apart from their competition, it is friendships. How can
retailers build friendships with their customers?
Friendships are forged from human interaction. Getting
rid of the cold and impersonal, and adding the personal
touch is the way to recognize every shopper as an unique
individual. By valuing their customers' feelings, tastes,
needs and desires, retailers create friendships and build
customer loyalty.
What are retailers doing to interact with their customers?
Gwen Moran, president of Moran Marketing Associates,
explored several ideas for Entrepreneur Magazine
[ http://www.entrepreneurmag.com/page.hts?N=8502&Ad=S ],
including one from a florist friend, who "keeps a card file
on each of her most frequent customers, recording the
colors of their home décors, seasonal flower preferences
and so on, so she always delivers the perfect arrangement."
Just because a retailer is based online doesn't mean
they can't create one on one contact too. Sherri Breetzke,
owner of The Creativity Zone [ http://www.creativityzone.com/ ]
sends handwritten thank you notes to her customers. "I have
developed relationships much beyond that which automated
replies can do," she said.
Gift basket and florist retailer, BZ Riger-Hill, of Charlotte's
Garden [ http://www.charlottesgardens.com/ ], also adds a
personal touch to online shopping. Stressing unique gifts
that are organically grown, created, and packaged right on
their Martha's Vineyard farm, custom orders are no problem
for this e-tailer. Their newsletter offers articles, tips, recipes
and "mailbox specials" (offers that appeal to their customers)
to keep their friends coming back.
Another great way to get customers back into a store is to
offer classes and workshops. Fantastic for both interaction
and showcasing products, these hands-on activities are big
hits with customers. Michaels [ http://www.michaels.com/ ],
an arts & crafts retailer, offers classes on everything from
floral designing to tole painting. In addition, they offer project
worksheets, demonstrations, and make-and-take projects to
get their customers, and their customers' kids, excited.
Home improvement giant, Home Depot
[ http://www.homedepot.com/ ], offers project information
on their website. They also give their customers a chance
to come in and participate in projects like building a deck,
at the store before tackling it at home.
Many retailers, large and small, brick & mortar and pure-play,
have found ways to build friendships. From letting a customer
try a product in the store before they buy it, to soliciting
feedback on products and giving customers a way to share
their experiences with other customers, retailers are treating
customers like friends, not just guests.
Retailers find that as friendships develop, great things start to
happen. The increased loyalty brings referrals and new friends
into the store. Customers start stopping by more often just to
see what's going on and what's new. Both retailers and
customers benefit from the interaction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1999 by Melody T. Vargas, retailindustry.guide@about.com,
is a work at home mom, Retail Consultant and Retail Industry
Guide for About.com. This article is part of a series on
Loyalty Retailing. The rest of the series can be found at:
http://retailindustry.about.com/library/blloyalty.htm
This article is reprinted with permission and contains quotes
from other AdlandPro members.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
======================Joke of the Day=====================
From: Wendy Slafka <wendy21@usa.com>
One day, a man and his wife were out in the yard doing some gardening and of
course the wife was bending over quite a bit. After observing her for a
while the man said, "That is quite a big butt you are getting, gee I never
noticed how REALLY BIG it is. (Noticing the Barbeque grill) he said, "I
think it is as big as our barbeque grill over there".
Later on in the evening, the man gets into bed thinking having a little
lovemaking. His wife looks at him and replies, "You didn't think I was
going to fire up this big butt grill for one little weenie, did you?"
Taken from Joke a Day
-------------------------------
The young clerk's responsibilities included bringing the judge
a hot cup of coffee at the start of every day.
Each morning the judge was enraged that the coffee cup
arrived two-thirds full. The clerk explained that he had to rush
to get the coffee delivered while it was still hot, which caused
him to spill much of it along the way.
None of the judge's yelling and insults produced a full cup of
coffee, until he finally threatened to cut the clerk's pay by
one-third if he continued to produce one-third less than the
judge wanted.
The next morning he was greeted with a cup of coffee that
was full to the brim, and the next morning and the morning
after that.
The judge couldn't resist gloating over his success and
smugly complimented the clerk on his new technique.
"Oh, there's not much to it," admitted the clerk happily, "I
take some coffee in my mouth right outside the coffee room,
and spit it back in when I get outside your office."
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