The Lesson Begins NOW!

The first thing I want to deal with today is my blog. Blogs are
becoming more and more instrumental in getting traffic to your website.

In addition, blogging allows you (as a commercial enterprise) to
express yourself to your audience in an cozy, unique way - and that's
very crucial. And... blogs allow you to generate additional income for
your business (Yeahhh!).
Of course, there are entire courses of instruction written on the subject of blogging, but in my judgement the best course I've found that's packed full of brilliant information and techniques is a course created by the "Internet Marketing Center" called "Blogging For Dollars"

http://www.linkbrander.com/go/26952

Here's the trouble I've found with the subject of Blogs. Too many folks get intimidated. Worse yet, too many "gurus" make the subject way to complicated! It's really not confusing or complicated at all. And that's what we're going to avoid! Confusion...

I'm going to give you the most unproblematic, easiest ways to create, publish, and advertise your blog with the least amount of elbow grease -- skipping all that "techno-geek" babble! This way you can concentrate on the most important aspects of your blog - content and monetization!

Sounds refreshing for a change... doesn't it? Who cares how it works... as long as it works!

Ready?... Here goes...

Setting Up Your FREE Blog: If you haven't yet done so, you should setup your own blog at

www.blogger.com

it's free. And don't fret because you don't even have
to have a niche' lined up yet. This is really cool...
You could simply setup your blog as your "FULL NAME".

For an example:

http://yourfullname.blogspot.com/
or
http://johnsmith.blogspot.com

This way, no matter what niche' you enter into down the road, your blog will always conform ;-). And who wouldn't be proud to send folks to that link - your name? Plus, there's no limit to the quantity of blogs you can setup on Blogger, so you can always create another blog at any time in the future (with a keyword or two in the URL).

Here's a few hints to consider when setting up your blog: Choose a skin (design template) that fits your personality. Google, who owns blogger.com, offers a mixed bag of pre-designed skins for you to choose from.

If you don't like their pre-designed skins, you can also check out:

http://blogger-templates.blogspot.com

or you can go to somewhere like:

www.freelance.com

and hire someone to create a "Unique" skin for you for a few bucks.

It'll be worth it to you in the long run. Or, do a search for "blog Skins" and I'm sure you'll find quite a few website who offer unique designs. Be creative in choosing a "title" for your blog. Don't simply call your blog

"Dave's Blog"
or "Tech World"
or "Home Cooking Themes"!

Who cares. Be unique and show some personality! For example:Twisted Times - The "Twisted" Logic Of An Internet Entrepreneur!

Designers Digest - "Simple Designs For A Simple Lifestyle!"
Vacationer's Cove - "Exotic Vacations For Traveling Enthusiasts!
The Coupon Queen - "Tips And Tricks For The Thrifty Shopper!"

Add a photo to your profile. A simple photograph goes a long way in
connecting with your audience.

Post content to your blog often. The search engines (and your readers) love it and the rewards for your efforts will pay off!

Be yourself, be controversial, be genuine... and first and foremost...
show your personality often. Encourage your readers to submit feedback with questions and opinion polls.

Clever Ways To Use Your Blog Effectively:
Tell Stories - Everybody loves a good story. Don't be afraid to get
personal and post some interesting, real-life stories on your blog.
Once you find your niche', stay on course and weave a few stories into
your blog each month that relate to your niche'.

For example, let's say I wanted to put up an interesting story on my
blog for Candle Lite Cooking. I do do something like this...

Hi folks,
You'll never guess what happened to me last night while I was getting
ready to eat dinner (my favorite Chicken Parmesan Recipe... of course).

Really, this is TOTALLY true (and you could look at the pic I uploaded
to my website at the end of this post if you don't believe me - for
proof!) I'm still laughin my noodles off!

Anyway... I was in the middle of helping my girlfriend put dinner on
the table when in walks my brother Jason... followed by two police
officers. Jason's got a gaping gash down his right arm and he looks
pissed off at the world! I couldn't imagine what the hell happened (and
why he was at my house instead of his own)...

Blah.. Blah... Blah...

Ya see, you don't always have to be stale and boring on your blog (like
most)... JUST BE YOU! Tell me a story once in a while for God's sake!.
Tell a joke or call somebody a "fart-knocker" once in a while... It
keeps folks interested...

Naturally, if your expertise is politics or child abuse or the
homeless, you have a certain rapport you need to convey to your
audience, but I hope you're catchin' my drift here. Show some
personality! Serious, intellectual subjects can still be very
interesting and appeal to an even larger audience just by the way the
content is delivered!

Don't BORE your readers! Product Reviews - Your blog is a great way to not only interact with your readers, but you can also use it to review your own products and also affiliate products as well. This could generate a nice additional income. The significant thing to remember when providing product reviews is to be HONEST.

If a product you tried out sucks... give your readers your true opinion. Yes... you might not make any money on referrals for that product, but when you do strongly endorse a product in the future, your readers will be much more responsive and trust you

(TRUST -- What A Concept ...eh?).

FAQ's -
Here's a clever way to keep all your customers updated about your
products and services in an intimate way. Use your blog to address
"frequently asked questions" and use those questions as a "selling
tool" to further illustrate the benefits of your products and services.

Customer Service -
Many companies (both small and large) are now using their blog to handle customer service issues. What a terrific idea! Let your customers know that they can visit your blog at any time to have their concerns addressed -- and they'll love you for it. Special Offers - It very common practice now for blog owners to promote "special offers" to blog readers "ONLY"! This is a great way to help insure your customers are visiting your blog on a regular basis and it's also a great way for you generate additional sales. Just be sure to keep those "specials" for blog readers only as promised! Contests - Use your inventiveness and come up with some clever contests for your readers. You can offer valuable prizes that don't cost you anything to produce and deliver.

For instance -
a FREE download of your latest ebook, a special report, a free membership into your discount club, etc. Again, be creative and you'll see the rewards pay off quick! Surveys and Polls - This is a great chance for you to get some much needed feedback from your customers. Do it right and you'll have an army of readers telling you exactly what they want to buy from you. Then, it's just your job to "Give It To Them"!

Monetizing Your Blog:
In reality, there are dozens and dozens of ways to start profiting from your blog. Below I've listed some of the most lucrative. Remember, this is just a tiny list so start brainstorming about other ways you can take advantage (be creative):

Get targeted ads on your site with Google AdSenseSetup your very own AdSense account and start generating revenues from every click-through you receive. Best of all... The links Google will display on your website will be targeted to your blogs keywords! Plus, you can strategically place the ads wherever you chose to match the layout of your blog. Your ads will be shown "tastefully" to a highly targeted audience which, in turn, transforms into more revenue for you! Get targeted ads on your site with Google AdSense

Amazon.com-
Amazon is one of the largest drop shippers on the net. Surprised to hear me say that! Don't be. Amazon will pay you a commission for each sale you refer to their website. These commission fees can add up to a lucrative additional revenue stream when used effectively. They stock tens of thousands of items and they have the largest book store on the net. Simply add a few display ads to your blog post and leave the rest to Amazon.

Scenario 1 - Let's say I submit a post on my blog about how to make your own cappuccino. Let's also assume that in the post I mention that it's very important to use a quality "coffee bean grinder" for the recipe. I can then simply place an add from amazon.com at the end of the post for a "Deluxe Coffee Bean Grinder" that's onsale. If someone found the article interesting, they just might jump on over to Amazon.com (from my link)and make a purchase.

Scenario 2 - I just published a post discussing the benefits of eating fish once a week to keep your body healthy. We can have a small banner at the end of my post.

Scenario 3 - I just published a post explaining the perfect table setting for a romantic dinner. Low and behold... An ad from Amazon at the end of the article.

So... ya see, you can use Amazon.com for thousands of products and generate a nice secondary income stream... and that's just one additional way to monetize your blog!

ClickBank:
This is personally my favorite site for generating affiliate
commissions.

Here's why:
*Thousands of information products to choose from Huge commissions on every sale (as much as 70%)

*Commission are monitored and paid out by Clickbank themselves so you never have to worry about not getting paid!

NOTE: We're going to talk much more about Clickbank in our next lesson, so if you don't yet have an account setup with them - Get One Now!

Commission Junction-
I love C.J. I've made a lot of money advertising many of the companies on their website. And, once again, CJ manages all the accounting aspects for their accounts so you know you're gettin paid for your referrals.

Here's how I look at things when I'm creating a website and want to add some affiliate links, etc.

-- Amazon.com for "Hard Goods" like books and toys and blenders, etc.
-- Clickbank for Info-Products - very lucrative!
-- Commission Junction For Business Services

Simple as that! C.J. has thousands of companies in their directory who offer fantastic services at very low-cost prices. Don't be afraid to (subtly) let your readers know about some of them. For instance, if you searched C.J. looking for inexpensive web hosting affiliates, you'll find dozens (even hundreds) of top notch companies who will pay you a very generous commission for your referrals. You simply let your readers know about some great deals and savings on those service (subtly) in your blog post... they buy... and you make moolah!

Opt In Forms -
Never setup your blog without a link (preferably a form) on your blog
that offers some type of opt-in offer! The entire purpose of having a
blog in the first place is to get folks to opt-in to your list! Make it
obvious, blatant, FLASHING if needed, but get folks to give you their
email addy!

One way that's been very effective for many has been a "notify me of
any new posts" link that you can easily setup. This way, you can send
one email to your entire list letting them know you've made a new post.

Then, when you publish an offer or promotion to your blog simply send an email to your list letting them know you've published a new post. No need to email those offers any longer! (we'll cover much more on email marketing in upcoming lessons).

The critical point to this is that you keep your posts "Valuable". If you hold a reader's interest, energize their brain, and provide exceptional insight and wisdom, your blog will become a treasure chest. But bottom line - get the email address!

Links -
Blogger will allow you to place navigation links on your blog
(where you place the links will depend on the template you choose) so
take advantage and use them creatively. Again, opt-ins are what you
really want so keep that in mind at all times, even when creating the
links on your blog. Write your links to entice your readers to click
them.

For example:
* Don't write - Subscribe to my newsletter - Golfing Tips
* Instead say - Take Seven Strokes Off Your Game This Weekend

* Don't write - Visit My Article Archive
* Instead say - If this one-armed golfer can shoot under par... so can
you!

* Don't write - Sign Up For My Free E-Course here
* Instead say - My Guarantee - Chop Three Strokes Off Your Game -

Or

I'll Buy Your Next Round Of Golf!
* Don't write - Download My Newest Ebook - Shoot Par Every Time!
* Instead say - Shoot Par Every Time - Unlock Your Three Complimentary

Chapters **Free** Direct Sales And Promotions - As I mentioned earlier, you can do special sales and affiliate promotions directly in your published posts. Let's say you wanted to offer $5.00 off your newest ebook that you just wrote. Publish a post outlining all the benefits your book has to offer and make the offer - right in the post. Just be sure you put a link directly to your "Buy Now" page in the post as well. You'll see a much better conversion rate on your offer when you do this. Be creative... Use your BRAIN! :-)

Content, Content, Content -
Last but certainly not least, the primary focus of your blog should be
to provide quality, entertaining content for your readers. Sales will
follow once you start building and strengthening your relationships
with your readers. Plus, the search engines love content so your
chances of moving on up in the ranks will tip in your favor the more
you add new content to your blog.

Remember:
- keep it fresh- keep it entertaining- keep it real- keep it informative- and keep it coming!

Promoting Your Blog:
This is - by far - The Most Crucial. After all, what's the sense of
having a blog in the first place if no one knows it exists. All the
clever jargon, entertaining posts, brilliant affiliate endorsements and
superb content won't mean a darn thing to your traffic or sales if no
one even knows your blog exists. You have to get your blog out there.So, let's take a quick look at some of the most effective ways you can promote your blog quickly and easily:

Provide "RSS" Feeds For Your BlogRSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication". RSS allows your readers to access the content of your blog anytime through what is called a "Feed Reader".

I'm sure you've seen these small images before... just like those on
the right. These images allow your readers to subscribe to your blog
feed with their preferred RSS reader.

But how do you create RSS feeds? Good question.. and I'm going to show you the easiest, quickest way to get it done. __Just login to your Blogger account and select the "Settings" tabOn the "Settings" screen, you'll see your "Site Feed URL" (RSS URL).

This is all you need to get started. In this instance, the site feed
URL for our blog for The Opt-In Email Marketing System is

http://opt-in-magic.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Note: You'll also see a abbreviated line of text at the bottom of the
setting page that reads:

Enter your AdSense for Feeds code snippet to enable item-level ads in your site feed. You must also enable Post pages (in Archiving settings) and set Descriptions to Full (in Site Feed settings).

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle! You can even put your Adsense code directly into your site feeds! Do ya think that could generate some revenue? Duh...

Okay... moving along... Now we need to learn how to create those cutesy little images for our blog that will allow our readers to subscribe to our site feed.. right?

Again, there are loads of ways to do this... but I'm going to show you the absolute EASIEST, QUICKEST way to get this done in three minutes tops! Just go to:

http://www.toprankresults.com/tools/button-maker.php

Top Rank will ask you a few simple questions. You'll need to furnish
the answers into a form and they'll automatically generate all the code
for you. Then, all you have to do is paste that code into your blog
template and you're ready to rock! That's it! That's all you need to do
to get those images for your website and allow your readers to
subscribe.

Once your readers are subscribed to your site feed, it's actually better than having them opt-in to your list. You no longer have to worry about getting your emails delivered or folks changing their email addresses, etc. You simply post to your blog and your subscribers will automatically be able to access your content immediately through their feed reader. Brilliant... eh?

Submit Your Blog Feed To Feed Directories
- There are too many RSS directories online to list here, but here are a few of the most popular:

http://www.syndic8.com/
http://www.feedster.com/
http://www.2rss.com/
http://www.newsisfree.com/
http://www.rss-network.com/
http://www.blogdigger.com/
http://www.blogarama.com/
http://www.bloguniverse.com/
http://www.bloglines.com/

You can also do a search on Google for "RSS Directories" and you'll find many more. Submit your blog to popular blog directories - Again, there are literally hundreds of blog directories however here is a list of the most popular:

www.blogwise.com
www.technorati.com
www.search.blogger.com
www.blogsearch.google.com
www.blogsearchengine.com
www.blogdex.com

Submit your blog to these directories for added exposure and traffic!

Getting your blog in the top of the search engines.

Let the search engines know about your blog - Again, there are entire books written about this subject but I want you to be able to do this easily and quickly. So, simply go to

http://pingomatic.com

and submit your blog for free. They'll take care of the rest! Really... it's that easy!

Each time you post to your blog, go to

http://www.pingomatic.com

and enter your Blog's URL in the form and press submit. That's it! You're all done. Ping-o-matic will let the search engines know that there's new content posted on your blog. The search engines will spider your blog, archive your new content, and add it to their search results. Provide quality, informative, "Keyword Rich" content. For example, if your blog deals with the subject of cooking, try to use as many keywords for "cooking" and related terms as possible in your posts.

This way, when someone does a search for your keywords, you'll have a lot of informative, "Keyword Rich" content to offer and the search engines will certainly reward you for that with a better ranking. Also, be sure to include your best keywords in your titles as well! A great place to find thousands of keywords for your website and you blog is

www.wordtracker.com

This is a FREE service (paid services also available) that you can use to find the best, most searched keywords for your niche'.

And that's the whole "Blog Thing" in a nutshell. Naturally, you should do some research on your own and learn as much as you can about blogging, but for now, take my advice and setup your own blog and follow the steps I've outlined above and the benefits for your business will certainly pay off.

OK...That's it for now, but I will be giving you updates on strategy, so bookmark this site.

Take Care!

John V
John C. Vincent/CEO/The Opt.In Magic System
http://Opt-in-Magic.blogspot.com
http://AdSenseAdvantage.blogspot.com
http://blog-4dollars.blogspot.com