Do you remember when you first started your blog? Remember how excited you were, and how easy it was to write posts? Well, after a few dozen blog posts it seems like you have talked about everything sometimes, doesn't it?
A few weeks ago I picked up an idea from one of the Internet marketing "gurus" about how to quickly create content for your blog. I really like it because it helps leverage technology, which I'm always a big fan of. The technology is voice recognition software.
How This Works for You
Most people can talk more prolifically than they can write, and in fact I'm dictating this to my computer right now!
At first, I was a bit hesitant about trying out this technology. My previous experience with voice recognition software had not been real positive. But now, I have taken some time to learn how this works and have put it to great use.
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It has been awhile since I've talked about building up the "you" brand, but I think it's time to re-emphasize it. With a growing number of marketers going to social networks to practice their trade, I have seen a lot of bad examples of what you should not do in those networks.
Let's look at some of this, shall we?
Stop Selling!
The main thing that people really ought to pay attention to is how they are coming across to other people. The first thing is stop selling. Imagine you're going to a cocktail party, and you know that you're going to meet some really interesting people in there. And you could probably have really good conversations with them. What is also going through your head is that you're a marketer and these people would be a great audience for your product.
Get that thought out of your head right now!
You go to a cocktail party to meet some friends and make new friends. And not just friends for the sake of marketing to them later. It's true that some of them may do business with you in the future, but you can't know that right now. The people you talk to may actually be a great fit for what you offer, but if you come across too strong that's going to turn them off immediately.
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How much "work" did you do last weekend? How much will you do next weekend? How many hours are you working each day?
If you're like many Internet Marketers and business owners you're working incredibly full days and you're even squeezing in work time on the weekends. Is it working for you? Why did you get into Internet Marketing or owning your own business? The answer for many is to be able to make money while still having time to do the things we love, whether it is fishing, volunteering at your children's school, or just having time to spend time with and take care of your family. It's one of the reasons I started my own business.
What I found is I now work 60+ hours a week taking care of the business of doing business. Borrowing from Michael Gerber's great book, the E-Myth, as an Internet marketer you're an Entrepreneur, a Technician and a Manager. You're doing it all. You're probably throwing away money because you're too busy to focus on the key tasks that bring in more profits.
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The headline probably has you scratching your head and wondering where on earth I'm going to go with this. I'm training for a marathon, you can read about it at www.yourmarathontraining.com, and as I grunt out each mile, I am reminded of how similar the process is when you're struggling with a sales letter, and article, or a simple AutoResponder.
When you're writing you have one goal – to write a polished piece of copy.
When you're training for a marathon you have one goal – to be able to run 26 miles.
Both tasks are much easier to accomplish if you break them into manageable steps.
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Do you have a favorite company you like to buy from? Do you know why you like to buy from them?
Does it have something to do with how the company provides value to you?
There are a couple of companies that come to mind as my own favorites: Apple Computer & Subaru. Apple is legendary fro having a fanatical following. Why is that? Well you'll find a lot of places that will give you a detailed analysis, but it basically comes down to providing a great product and paying attention to the detail of aesthetics. And Steve Jobs is a marketing genius, but we can't all be Steve Jobs. 
Subaru is on my short list for similar reasons. I've driven one of their vehicles for over 10 years with hardly anything more than routine maintenance. Also, ten years ago, there was nothing on the road quite like the Outback, which again plays into aesthetics. That's a lesson that US car makers are only recently applying.
I'm using the term "aesthetic" pretty broadly, taking to mean not only style & appearance, but customer service, long term value and overall quality. Apple and Subaru have used these qualities to build their businesses by developing a dedicated following.
With this in mind, what can you think of that you're doing in your own business to build a following? What makes you stand out in your market?
What is your aesthetic?
When you communicate to your audience, whether that's through email, blog posts or article submissions, you are (or should be) communicating in a voice that conveys your own personality. Your personal experiences color and enhance what you have to share with people, even if it's only a variation on knowledge that is already "out there". The way you communicate it can really help someone understand a subject in a new light.
This is why being yourself in your business is so important: it will help you build a following that really wants to your perspective on a subject, even if they are hearing about it from other sources. So listen to your audience and help them understand. Your biggest fans will help you spread the word and bring even more business your way.
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I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. It may be a bit cliche to post on what I'm thankful for during this particular holiday, however I believe it offers a valuable point. As a copywriter and ghostwriter I have a number of wonderful clients. I've had my share of doozies too but everything has always worked out in the long run, and for that I'm grateful.
The other day I had the extreme pleasure of being interviewed by one of the country's top copywriters. I was being interviewed for my experience with a particular copywriting process and program. When I was asked to do the interview I felt extremely honored. How exciting to be interviewed by one of the best copywriters in the world! What a wonderful addition to my resume and how exciting if I am quoted in this particular piece of copy. Great promotion for me too.
The call arrived, right on time and I was ready. As most interviews go there was a bit of friendly chit chat before the questions and after the interview questions were over, a little bit more of friendly chit chat and then we said goodbye. The call went well. I'm a friendly person by nature and I enjoy talking with and meeting new people.
Then the email came…..
The whole idea of making money from a blog really rankles some in the "blogosphere". There is still a group of people that believes that the internet should be a pristine place where information is altruisticly shared and no one makes a dime.
And then there's the real internet.
You know, the one where you spend lunch hour shopping for new running shoes, or watching a YouTube video, or even starting to work on your Christmas shopping. Somebody, somewhere, makes a little bit of money every time you do that, whether you whip out your credit card or not. The Internet is commerce driven and I would argue that's a good thing.
But back to the point of making money with your blog…
The guys over at Blue Sky Brothers are coming out with a process to help make it a bit easier to make some income from your blogging efforts. Now, to be completely frank, I haven't seen the product, don't know what it does, or if it's even any good.
But I like the concept, and I like the fact that they point out "having a niche blog is not the same as having a niche web site". I couldn't agree more. The real basis for a good blog is to build a relationship with your audience. Write stuff that you wouldn't mind your friends reading.
If you do it right, new people reading your blog will become your friends too, at least as how "friends" are defined these days on the online social networks. Since you're an online professional, you're more likely to come across things that these friends will find interesting. You might even be able to make a comission if someone buys the product you recommend.
Does that cross a line?
Why would it?
If you've used a product or service and found it valuable, why would you avoid getting some of the money from the company that makes that product if a friend buys it? Your friend will pay the same amount regardless, but you just get a bit of a "thank you" from the company for spreading the word. That's how affiliate marketing works.
And that's really key to your online business. Whether you are company that provides products or you make a living recommending other people's stuff, it's about getting the word out.
…which is exactly what blogs are great at doing. Go spread the word!
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Ever find yourself just sitting at your desk staring at your computer not sure how to start your next article, report, or even email message?
It happens to everyone from beginning writers to folks who have been writing for decades. One cause of writer's block is procrastination. Quite possibly you've put off writing until the very last possible minute and now that it's do or die time, you just can't figure out what to say.
Another cause of writer's block is fear. Fear that you're not going to be able to express yourself clearly and get your point across.
Here's the solution!
I recently decided that I wanted to run a marathon. I’ve been running off and on for most of my life but I’ve never taken on anything quite like this so I purchased a book called The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer. It is a book written by two professors at the University of Northern Iowa who have successfully taught a course called Marathon Running 101 for more than ten years. The result has been more than 200 students successfully running a marathon at the end of the course.
Why am I telling you all of this?
Because after only a few pages into the book, I was absolutely astounded. This book is amazing! I’m not talking about the training structure or the running tools and advice that they give – I’m only a few weeks into the program and the proof of their advice will be in my marathon results.
The truly great part of this book are the testimonials contained inside. They demonstrate how powerful the voice of experience can be.
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