Make This Video Go Viral – Seriously, Do As You’re Told

January 27, 2010 by

Over my time running The New Business Blog, I’ve given a lot of advice on how to make more money online. (While I’m no Yaro Starak or John Chow, I’d like to think I have been successful enough to be taken as a reputable source.)

Without a doubt, the single most important piece of advice I’ve given is to straight up TELL your visitors what you want from them. Don’t ask. Tell!

So, on that note, I’ve decided to do a little experiment. I want to see if I can make a simple, yet stupid video go viral, simply by me TELLING everyone that’s what I want them to help me do.

The video is nothing more than me TELLING everyone who views it that I want their help in making the video go viral. Now that you’ve viewed it, help me out by embedding the video in your blog, posting it on Twitter and Facebook, voting for it on Digg and Reddit, Stumbling it, and emailing it out to your friends and family.

Think if it as taking part in a 21st century social experiment. Look at you, you little groundbreaker!

Back to the moral of the story – the reason you tell as opposed to ask is simple – you can never assume that you have been clear enough with your potential customers. If you ask, you leave room for interpretation. If you tell, room for interpretation is gone.

Look at the following two examples:

Of the two, which one do you think is more likely to get you a sale? The first one, where I’m asking if you’d like to learn more while not giving you clear direction on what to do next, or the one where I tell you exactly what to do and what’s going to happen after you do it?

Sure, the second one might come off as a little bit pushy, but since most buyers have to be coaxed and told what to do, you’re probably doing them (and your bank account) a favor by narrowing down their options.

Ok, so, again, go back up to that video, and share it with every person under the sun in every way you know how. I want to get the video up to 50,000 hits, so make sure you do your part!

(How awesome is it going to be if I don’t fall completely flat on my face and this actually works?!?)

What are your thoughts on this post? Do you agree? Think I’m a nut? Leave your comment below!

Filed Under: Affiliate Programs, Blogging, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Social Traffic, Traffic Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Blogging to the Bank 2010 Review – Is Rob Benwell’s Latest Ebook Worth It?

January 26, 2010 by

Blogging to the Bank Review

Blogging to the Bank 2010 is the latest in a series of “how to blog” ebooks written by successful and world famous blogger, Rob Benwell.

Blogging to the Bank 2010, Bloggint to the Bank review, Blogging to the Bank 2010 review, Rob Benwell BloggingOver the years, many people have followed Rob’s Blogging to the Bank ebooks to set up extremely successful, lucrative, and cash generating online empires. I can attest to the fact that many of the ways I’ve learned to make money online have come from Rob’s Blogging to the Bank series.

However, because this is the fourth version, this begs the question: Is it worth buying Blogging to the Bank 2010?

I think the answer is a resounding yes, but obviously, ultimately, whether you purchase the ebook is for you to decide, especially if you’ve already purchased one of the prior versions of Blogging to the Bank.

However, if you’re looking to start making money online or are currently trying but struggling, here are some of the many benefits you will receive when you purchase Blogging to the Bank 2010:

  • You will learn the secrets that created Rob’s online empire and helped him to earn over $1 million
  • You will be taught how to create legitimate blogs with just a few clicks of the mouse, allowing you the free time to enjoy the fruits of your labor
  • You will learn how to drive targeted, credit card in hand traffic to your blogs and websites, which will help you to earn more money
  • You will get access to the simplest yet most effective step-by-step blue print for long-term success

Additionally, Rob is willing to give you $2,000 worth of bonus material for FREE if you’re willing to act now and buy.? Watch the Blogging to the Bank review that I’ve posted below.

That being said there is a downside to Blogging to the Bank 2010, especially for seasoned bloggers.? Some of the information will be stuff you likely already know and have had beaten into your heads.? However, if you can get past that, even seasoned bloggers will be pleased with this purchase.

And, considering all of these benefits, I think it’s worth the $37 investment.

However, if you’re still a little iffy on whether or not you should take the plunge, please realize that Rob is allowing you to try out Blogging to the Bank 2010 risk free for a full 8 weeks. If at any point during those 8 weeks you realize Blogging to the Bank 2010 just isn’t for you, Rob will give you a FULL REFUND of your money, no questions asked.

So be sure to click here to head over to Rob’s website to purchase or find out more about Blogging to the Bank 2010 and why it’s a great resource for you.

Blogging to the Bank Review

Per the FTC, please note that the above links are affiliate links, and should you purchase Blogging to the Bank 2010 after clicking the above links, I will receive a commission.

I have purchased Rob’s Blogging to the Bank books before, and believe they are outstanding resources for anyone interested in blogging.

Filed Under: Affiliate Programs, Blogging Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Where to Donate to Help Haiti Earthquake Victims

January 14, 2010 by

It goes without saying, what’s going on in Haiti right now is an absolute tragedy. Initial reports indicate that nearly 50,000 people have died due to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that leveled buildings – including the island’s major hospital – in one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

I know things are tight here because of the economy, but considering most Haitians sustain themselves on less than $1 per day, they probably need our “spare change” a lot more than we do.

Below is a list of very well known and reputable relief and charity organizations who will put any donation that you are willing to give them to good use for the people of Haiti.

Each of the below links goes directly to a webpage where you can donate money specifically for the Haitian earthquake victims.

Obviously, these aren’t listed in any order of importance, and it’s certainly not an all inclusive list.

Thank you for your help.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , ,

The Mass of Men Lead Lives of Quiet Desperation

January 12, 2010 by

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation, and go to the grave with the song still in them.”

The above quote comes from the classic book “Walden” written by Henry David Thoreau and speaks to anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit.

I’m not trying to get all spiritual or new age on you, but I think the above quote is one of the most powerful and telling things I have ever read.

the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation, walden henry david thoreau

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation...

What this says to me is most of us go through our lives wanting more but accepting less. We accept a life that is lacking passion.

We know we want to do more or make more of ourselves, and it tears us up inside, but we resign ourselves to accepting the status quo and not taking any action to make our life and the lives of those around us better.

“… and go to the grave with the song still in them.”

I think this is the saddest part of the quote, because, to me, it says that not only do we know we want more and to make more of ourselves, but we have the ability to make the changes we want, but are simply too tired, drained, and discouraged to do so.

Pretty depressing, right?

This Quote and You

So, how does this relate to you?

First, if you feel this quote applies to you, work like heck to get out of your rut and start making some changes in your life, even if it’s something simple like driving a different route to work.  Sticking with your current routine shouldn’t be an option!

(Although, be smart about it.  Quitting your job or not paying the bills might feel good, but will probably leave you in an even worse bind!)

Second, find something you’re 100% passionate about and spend time doing it. For me, it’s writing about entrepreneurship, personal finance, and the environment. Whatever your passion is, find it and embrace it!

Third, if you’re so inclined and want to take on the challenge, try and find ways that you can turn your passions into a business. Even if it’s something that you do on the side in your spare time, I think you’ll find even more fulfillment in your passions by transferring them to your “work.”

What are your thoughts? Are you one of the quietly desperate with a song in you? Have you broken free and made extraordinary changes in your life? Leave your comments below!

Resources:
Turning Your Passions into Your Business

Per FTC regulations, please note that the above link to Walden is an affiliate link, and should you purchase the book I will receive a commission.

Filed Under: Entrepreneurship, Starting a Business Tagged With: , , , ,

Start a Blog – Picking Your Domain Name and Hosting Account

December 31, 2009 by

Now that you’ve picked your blog’s topic and chosen it’s CMS (hopefully WordPress), it’s time to talk about selecting a domain name and hosting account.

First, you need to decide which company you would like to use for your domain registration and/or hosting account.

You don’t have to go with the same company for your domain registration and hosting needs, however, I’ve found it to be much easier to just go ahead use the same company for both.

GoDaddyWhile there are plenty of great companies out there, personally, I use GoDaddy.com. It’s cheap, easy to use, and whenever I’ve had a question, I’ve received very prompt customer support.

In fact, I frequently get calls from GoDaddy with offers that have ultimately helped me save hundreds of dollars on hosting.

Enough with my sales pitch; let’s get into how to select a domain name and the best hosting service for your needs.

Domain Name

You’ll want to pick a domain name that’s relevant to your blog’s topic and key words. Doing this will help to establish the legitimacy of your site, as well as help you when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO).

Unfortunately, because there are so many websites already up and running – not to mention domain squatters – finding an obvious domain name will be pretty tough, if not impossible, to do!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: , , , ,

Start a Blog – How to Pick a Topic for Your Blog

December 29, 2009 by

This is the first post in what I hope will be a very helpful series for anyone who is interested in starting their own blog, or, for that matter, improve an already existing blog.

I’ve been blogging for over four years now, and over that time I’ve learned a lot of things, had a lot of fun, and made some pretty good supplemental income. Hopefully my experience and advice can help get your blog off the ground faster, keep you from getting frustrated, and help you build up your rainy day fund.

On that note, here’s the first post: How to Select A Topic For Your Blog

Whether you just want a platform to express yourself or a way to make some extra money (or both), blogging is, without a doubt, the best place to start. It’s easy, cheap, and if you play your cards right, can be extremely profitable.

However, many people stop before they get started because the first decision you have to make for your blog is often the most difficult: what do you blog about?

There tend to be two schools of thought when it comes to this:

  • Pick a topic based on what has the potential to be the most profitable
  • Pick a topic based on your interests

Obviously, the best answer for you depends on what you’re trying to get out of your blog.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Write Less to Get More Out of Your Readers

December 22, 2009 by

In order to illustrate a point, this post is going to be incredibly short. It’ll also be one of the most important posts you’ll read with regard to copywriting and getting more out of your readers.

As a writer, you need to remember that your readers have a limited attention span, and will not read every word on your page.

In fact, I’ll bet that right now, you’re just skimming through this article, looking for something to grab your attention.

If you do it, you must assume that your readers are doing it, too.

As you are writing, remember that any long paragraph will be skimmed through, and in many cases, glanced over completely. Be sure to break your writing up into smaller chunks.

One way you can help to cut down on your writing is to frequently use lists. Your readers love them and they force you to cut down on the amount of words you use.

Another trick you can use to make your writing stand out is bold your important points, since your readers’ eyes are naturally drawn to print that stands out.

Last but not least, make your point quickly. Don’t wait until the fifth paragraph to start making your move.

What are your copywriting tricks? Leave a comment below.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous, Traffic Tagged With: , , , ,

What’s Holding You Back: Fear of Failure or Fear of Success?

December 12, 2009 by

Ask yourself the following question right now: which of these two fears – fear of failure or fear of success – is holding me back the most?

Most people will say it’s the fear of failure that holds them back, and I think that’s a bunch of baloney. I’d be willing to bet that more than anything, it’s your fear of success that’s holding you back.

Let me explain.

If you’re like most everyone else, there is an element of fear that holds you back from doing anything and everything you want. Whether you want to start a business, train for a marathon, or take an improv class and you have yet to do it, it’s because you’re afraid of something.

I think that something you are afraid of is that you’re actually going to be successful.

According to LiveStrong.com, fear of success consists of the following things:

  • Fear that you will accomplish everything you’ve set out to do, but you still won’t be happy, content or satisfied
  • The belief that you are undeserving of all the recognition and praise that will come your way as a result of your accomplishment(s)
  • The belief that when you do achieve success the first time, you will not have the ability to sustain it, so you’re simply setting yourself up for a massive letdown

Any of these things sound familiar? I know each and everyone one of the above points could have my name written next to them!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entrepreneurship, Starting a Business Tagged With: , , ,

Your Audience is Out There

December 5, 2009 by

“Somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer.” – Louise Hay

I saw this quote the other day, and immediately thought about how relevant it is to those of us who run an online business, in particular blogs and information based websites.

According to the World Bank, as of 2008 the world’s total population was nearly 6.7 billion people.  Of those 6.7 billion people, roughly 21.3% of them — or  1.4 billion people — have access to the internet and use it with some regularity.

It probably goes without saying, but 1.4 billion is a gigantic number!  When you multiply that number by the fact that each of these internet users have a wide range of interests, it’s impossible to fathom a situation where you could create a site or blog that wouldn’t be of interest to at least several thousand people.

For argument’s sake, let’s say you decide you want to blog about a niche that only .01% of the world would be interested in.  Obviously, that’s a pretty small percentage, but when you take .01% of 1.4 billion people, you’ll find that there are 140,000 people who would be interested in your site.

Now that percentage doesn’t seem so small, does it?

So, if you’ve been on the fence about starting a blog or a website because you weren’t sure you’d have an audience, get over it! There are so many different types of people online that you’re bound to have not just an audience, but a captive audience.

For those of you who have already started an online business, keep it up, even if you have yet to see a significant influx of traffic or revenue. Although it may take a while for your audience or customers to find you, they do exist and will eventually make their way to you because you have exactly what they’re looking for!

What do you think?  Please leave your comments below!

Filed Under: Starting a Business Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Help Others Succeed And You’ll Become a Success

November 29, 2009 by

One of the most basic reasons many of us start to develop and run websites and blogs is to try to make ourselves a small fortune.  We’ve all heard about or read stories of people who were able to come up with some product or website and very quickly turn it into a cash generating machine.

While I don’t want to burst your bubble, the chance of that happening to you or me is pretty slim to none.  I’m sorry, but it’s a fact.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t become a successful internet entrepreneur.  In fact, there’s a simple thing you can start doing right now that will essentially guarantee that you will get far with your website or blog:

FOCUS ON EVERYONE BUT YOURSELF

I know this point seems rather obvious, but in the quest for riches and notoriety, we tend to over look this rather meaningful item.  No matter what niche your website serves – whether you talk about politics, money, dieting, marketing, etc. – or how crowded that niche is, if you focus on your readers, you will end up succeeding.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entrepreneurship, Social Traffic, Starting a Business, Traffic Tagged With: , , , , , ,