Talk Fusion has been on my radar screen for awhile.

Yes, it seemed like a cool idea, and there’s been a bunch of buzz from alot of my online friends – but I just didn’t want to put my focus on One More Thing. I’m sure you understand….

Until last night. Talk Fusion has beefed up their benefits and scaled down their price of entry. Gutta love that, right? What really caught my attention is the Live Broadcast and Video Conferencing that is being launched today.

What this means to every affiliate marketer, network marketer, traditional business owner, etc. etc. etc. is that for a very very low monthly price you can enjoy not only the fun and pizzaz of the services that Talk Fusion has been offering (video emails with cool templates), but now you’ll also benefit from the added bonus of real world, valuable tools that will help you to build your business.

Not just for kids anymore. This has taken it all to a whole new level, especially for anybody that’s already paying another service for video conferencing and webinar services – or has plans to do so in the near future. Let’s face it, Skype is awesome but it really has its limitations as a free conferencing tool.

Facebook advertising, is it the answer to your dreams or just another smoke and mirror show? You may or may not be aware of it, but the concept of Facebook marketing has become somewhat controversial.

I must admit, when I first heard the buzz about Facebook ads, I was really excited. Those of us who were not fortunate enough to cash in on the golden years of Google can probably relate. I mean here we are, in the infancy stages of this social media giant, positioned to catch the wave and profit immeasurably. The little cash register in my mind was ca-chinging and overflowing with online profits.

It was all coming together in perfect synchronicity, a chance to take all of the Internet marketing knowledge I have, roll it up into an effective sales funnel, and capitalize on it Big Time through Facebook advertising, all at a fraction of the cost of Google advertising……sweet!!!

Until the proverbial slap in the face came along and wiped away that look of utter glee . No, not a Google slap, but the one that comes out of nowhere and presents a very convincing role as devil’s advocate. If you’re not aware of the argument that has been made against Facebook marketing, you’ll probably want to consider these thoughts before you quit your day job. If you have been reading the emails and watching the videos please do leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Will Facebook Advertising Run The Risk Of Being “Facebook Slapped”?

Have you read the Facebook advertising guidelines? If not, keep in mind that ignorance is not always bliss. Taken straight from the horse’s mouth:

“Facebook does not allow ads for “work from home”, get rich quick and other money making opportunities that offer compensation for little or no investment.

This includes pyramid schemes, easy money making ebooks, or other money making schemes positioned as alternatives to part-time or full-time employment.”

You and I know that the majority of network marketing businesses, affiliate marketing opportunities and Internet marketing techniques are not “get rich quick schemes” but apparently Facebook disagrees. Keeping this in mind, is there any doubt that the “Google slap” will ultimately and quickly be replaced by the “Facebook slap”?

Will Facebook Marketing Concepts Create Market Saturation?

For those who choose to go ahead and venture into Facebook advertising, you can be sure that you will not be alone. Chances are that you may be able to find techniques that will help you avoid the problems associated with noncompliance of the Facebook advertising guidelines…..at least for awhile.

You and about a million other online marketers!

How long do you think it will take before it all falls apart?

How long will it take before people begin to delete the mass Facebook messages they receive, much like we all do with the junk emails we get?

How long before Facebook gets wise and develops a fool proof barricade system?

How long before the rise is followed by a devastating fall, leaving marketers once again out in the cold?

Bottom line, is Facebook marketing a sustainable model for those of us who wish to promote affiliate products, information products, and network marketing businesses?

Yes, it may work for awhile. It may help you to bring in some serious cash. Many either have or will be taking out their wallets and handing over their hard earned cash, excited at the opportunity to finally catch a wave and ride it to financial freedom.

Whatever choice you make is yours alone and is neither right or wrong. Personally, I have chosen to stick with a more solid plan of action. Please share your thoughts with us in the comments box below; let’s see what the general consensus is here. As always, thanks for visiting!

Some of the team building ideas that are bonding my team:

• Skype group, where we get to know each other on a more personal level, discuss ideas, and hold meetings
• Private ning community which contains trainings, important information and links, and an opportunity to share photos, etc.
• Team trips, bringing us together from all over the country, in 1 place

And we have something exciting and huge in the works, as we speak. Stay tuned for a major announcement coming in the next week!

YouTube marketing is without question the hottest, most effective method you can use to drive free traffic to your website, create profitable backlinks, brand yourself as a true professional, and build a loyal following.

Did you know that YouTube is the number 2 search engine, outnumbered only by Google? Web surfers love videos, search engines love videos, and if you’re not already there, you will learn to love YouTube internet marketing when you see the juicy results!

But – you have to do it right…..

Are you up for a few great Youtube marketing tips? I learned from the best of the best, my friend Glenn Arcaro.Glenn is a professional video editor, and has an impressive Hollywood resume to prove it.

Ready for some meat? Let’s roll!

• Use proper lighting – outside is always best
• Know what you want to say, but don’t use a script
• If at all possible do not wear sunglasses
• Look directly into the camera – do not let your eyes wander
• Speak as if you were talking to a friend
• Action shots before or after the video (or both…) are great
• Shoot your videos in scenic places
• If you are in an or home environment, make sure there is no clutter behind you
• Smile and relax
• Be your authentic self

Whether you look great on camera or hate the way you look, have the voice of an angel or one that resembles fingernails scratching against a chalkboard, speak eloquently or find it impossible to utter a single sentence without saying “uh”, “you know”, or “like” at least 5 times, just get out and do it!

Always remember, you are your own worst critic! As you continue to create one YouTube marketing campaign after another you’ll find your voice in the world, and will be greatly rewarded.

So I’m wondering….do you think my video makes me look fat – LOL????

Do you have a 90 Day Plan to Freedom?

It’s the Fourth of July, a very special day here in the U.S. – a day where we celebrate our independence and freedom. As I took time today to reflect on and be grateful for the incredible freedom I have in my life, I realized I had to share this day of celebration with you.

We may not have met, but you and I are very much the same. We value our independence and freedom to such a high degree that we are willing to step out of our comfort zones tto create true freedom. Total time freedom, freedom from financial worry, the freedom to REALLY do what we want, when we want. I commend you for your efforts, and encourage you to continue to do what others are not willing to do, to live a life of true freedom and independence that only a few achieve.

I want to share a 90 day plan that I am beginning 2 days from today. This will bring tremendous growth and create a snowball of momentum in my business. I encourage you to give some thought to doing the same for your business.

It’s called the 90 Day Blitz, and consists of a 3 month (give or take a few days) commitment to income producing activity. In my case this means speaking to prospects. How’s it work? This is my plan of action:

• I have set a start date of July 6, and counted out 90 days from here (to October 3)
• During this period, I will devote at least one and a half hours, 6 days each week, to engaging in one income producing activity.
  
• I have chosen to spend this committed amount of time speaking with business prospects
• The weekly schedule I have set for myself is to work my 90 day plan Monday through Saturday each week, and to take each Sunday and any holidays that occur during my 90 day blitz off
• I will track the number of people I speak with, the ratio of people who are open to looking at my business, and the ratio of people who join my team – and report these numbers daily in an accountability group my team has set up
• At the end of the 90 days, I will take a full week off, then begin my second of 3 90 day blitzes

I’ve learned some tremendous strategies from network marketing trainer Tracy Biller, and will be incorporating all he has taught me into this 90 day plan (which I also learned from him….). After discovering Tracy’s material I was so impressed that I’ve added a special bonus to my opt in offer on the right of this blog post. This is a free, downloadable mp3 audio produced by him entitled “10 Factors for Network Marketing Success”.

It’s really remarkable, and I invite you to claim your free copy and share it with your team. Just add your name and email address to the boxes below my offer graphic and you’ll be directed to a page containing a download link. Enjoy!!!!!

Do you know how to write goals that will “stick”? Did you know that when you have clearly defined, planned goals success is almost inevitable? Disclaimer here – Action IS Required

I must admit, I used the same strategy discussed in the video above several years back, and did NOT have the much anticipated results I was searching for. Hindsight is always 20/20, and of course today I realize it was my own fault. At the time I really didn’t know what to do to make my dreams a reality, so I missed the second most important part of the equation – taking effective ACTION!

Here I am once again, with many of the same goals but a much better mindset, a definitive plan of action, and more knowledge than I had ever even imagined being able to fit between my ears.

If you don’t really know how to write goals, success will probably be nothing more than an elusive dream. No, there’s nothing at all wrong with dreams, but personally I prefer the ones that we transform into reality!

When taking on this important task there are some fundamentals that will help you to claim a better, brighter future. Let me share a few of them with you:

How To Write Personal Goals

Imagine your ideal life. How is your health? Your fitness level? How do your relationships look with family and friends? What’s your family life look like? Where do you live, and what does your home look like? How do you spend your free time…..and just how much of your time is “free time” (hint, if time freedom is one of your goals, this should be plentiful)? What kind of car do you drive? Have you used the financial and time freedom you’ve created to help others? How have you chosen to do this?

Obviously this list could go on and on. The bigger the better. Think of every aspect of your life and write away. As you create the story of your life, be sure to reflect on and record the feelings that come along with your success. Revel in your greatness and put all of those feelings onto paper.

How To Write Professional Goals

Again, when you learn how to write goals effectively, your plan will be incredibly detailed. What business are you in? Do you have business partners, and if so, who and how many? Do you work from home or go to an office? How much money do you make each month (be sure to shoot for the stars here….)? What does your typical work day look like – an hour, 8 hours, do you outsource work, have employees, or manage your business totally independently? What (besides the large amount of money you make) do you love about your work?

Again, this can be very long, and should be as detailed as possible.

How to Write Measurable Goals

Many of us have not been taught how to write measurable goals….yet this is key! Consider this question: which goal is more likely to come true?

• I will make a lot of money….or
• Six months from now I will be making $10,000 or more each month

If you were to set out on a road trip to visit your great aunt Lucy in Las Vegas, you’d probably never get there unless you knew her exact address, right? I mean Vegas is BIG – and there can be many shiny obstacles that will take you off track….you really need to know exactly where you’re going!

Some of the specific details you want to consider include:

• Beginning and end date
• How much, how many
  
• How will you measure your success
• Exact plan of action
• Small, manageable steps

Let’s take for example a goal to “lose weight”. Which goal is more likely to come to fruition?

• I want to lose weight……or
• I want to lose 20 pounds between today and (2 months from today). This will require me to lose two and a half pounds each week. In order to do so, I will walk 3 miles, six days a week and consume between 1500 and 1700 calories each day. By (end date) I will weigh (goal weight) and fit into a size (desired size) jeans.

Sounds like a ridiculous question, right? Maybe….but really, many of us have never learned how to write goals that are specific and detailed – and many of us have suffered from this seemingly simple omission.

How to Write Goals – Don’t Miss This One Crucial Step!!!

It’s all about the story. As I’ve shared in the video, you will reap amazing benefits when you take the crucial step of weaving all of your goals into a story….Your story.

Take as much time as you need to create a beautiful, picture perfect image of your life just as you want it, and commit it to paper. Write it in the present tense. Record the details, your thoughts and feelings, and make it incredible. I went out and found a beautiful journal just for this purpose.

OK….you’re almost done. It’s on paper, but will soon become a part of you when you take this final step. READ IT, on a daily basis! Even if you take just a few minutes every day to read a few pages, this is powerful. As you read it, envision yourself living this glorious life, feel the feelings you’ve associated with your new success, and believe it is possible.

Once you have your goals set be sure to take the advice given by Jeff Olson in The Slight Edge, to make solidify your desires through daily action.

Now go out and make it happen!

Please share this post with others who will benefit from knowing how to write goals that Will become reality. Thanks….and if you have any goal setting tips you’d like to share, we’d love to hear them.

Online marketing experts do not become experts by chance. They take focused action, act consistently, and follow a winning formula. The first two are entirely up to you, but I can help you with the formula.

When you follow this 5 step marketing process over and over (yes you could even say consistently…), you will become the master of your own destiny.

Step 1: Create Great Content

Kind of a no brainer, right? If you don’t know what to write about, consider any of these great ideas:

• Book reviews
• Product reviews
• Tutorials and How To’s
• Interviews with others in your niche
• “Top” lists (top 10 things to blog about…)
• Technical info
• The latest and greatest (fill in the blank…)
• Personal stories, reflections, views, etc.

Step 2: Ping It

When you ping your material, it sends a message out to the search engines that you have new content. This helps your site to get ranked quicker, which will bring you more traffic. There are several sites that will ping your material to multiple search engines, including:

• http://www.pingomatic.com
• http://pingler.com
• http://pingmyblog.com

Step 3: Social Bookmark It

Online marketing experts know the power of social bookmarking. It not only brings you greater visibility but also provides backlinks to your blog. And we all know that backlinks bring better search engine rankings.

You want your visitors to bookmark as much of your material as possible, so please do make it simple for them to do so.  You can do this by adding plugins such as:

• Sociable
• Simple Facebook Share Button
• Digg This Button

And my favorite, OnlyWire for WordPress. This is such a useful plugin that I have devoted an entire post to it.

Step 4: Submit To Multiple Directories

For each blog post that you produce, you should create an article and submit it to multiple directories. Make sure your article is not self promoting. You’ll want to provide nothing but value (or entertainment) in the content, and use the authors box to link back to your blog post. Many article directories allow you to include 2 links.

Some of the more popular article marketing directories include:

• http://www.ezine.com
• http://www.ArticlesBase.com
• http://www.buzzle.com
• http://www.searchwarp.com
• http://www.articlealley.com
• http://www.goarticles.com
• http://www.web-source.net
• http://www.articleset.com
• http://www.webpronews.com
• http://www.amazines.com

For more information on article marketing, check out my post.

Step 5: Build Links On An Ongoing Basis

Again, the more backlinks you have to your site the better. This includes internal links (often referred to as anchor tags) as well as external links. Along with backlinks posted in the authors box in your articles and those provided through social bookmarking sites, you can build backlinks through:

• Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook
• Press Releases
• Reciprocal links with other bloggers in the same niche
• Videos posted on sites such as YouTube

Follow these steps closely and consistently, and you will find your place among the online marketing experts.

If this has been of value to you, please let me know by posting a comment in the box below, and share with others by retweeting or social bookmarking. Thanks

When I first learned about blogging, I was taught to encourage my readers to add their information to my RSS feed aggregator. You know, that funny looking orange symbol, which is sometimes accompanied by text which reads “Subscribe to News”, or something like that…

Apparently, it was a good thing for people to join my RSS news feed and to sign up for my free newsletter – except I had no idea that I had a newsletter. I certainly was not going through the task of creating a weekly, or even a monthly, new publication for my readers! Led by blind faith, (which is how I performed many of my online activities…) I invited my readers to use their rss feeder to become my loyal fans, with absolutely no clue as to what I was talking about!

You may be much more tech savy than I was when I first came on the scene….but If you can relate, I have a simple explanation for you that will help to demystify yet another seemingly complicated issue.

An RSS feed aggregator is nothing but a software program which allows your blog visitors to keep track of your new blog posts. How does it work? When they join your rss news feed, they are notified via their rss feeder each and every time you post new content to your blog. This notification is your “newsletter” – and it goes out on autopilot, as a result of code that is inherent in your blog. Is that a beautiful thing, or what?

RSS – short for really simple syndication, is an efficient method for searching, organization, categorizing online content. Those who have favorite news sites or blogs they like to frequent can easily keep up to date with new content posted on those sites, all through the use of one simple rss feed aggregator. All they have to do is join the rss news feed for each site they are interested in, and to tap into the power of an rss feeder.

Some of the popular RSS feed aggregator programs include:

• Google Reader
• FeedDemon
• Bloglines
• Blog Navigator
• SharpReader

Beautiful for the end user, and perhaps even more beautiful for bloggers.

I’m really interested in hearing if this was helpful to you, or if it was too “low level”.  We all join this game at different levels of expertise, and I’m making an effort to provide as much value as I can to as many of you as possible. Your feedback is very much appreciated….happy blogging!

Google Adwords Campaign Management Webinar Blows Us Away!

OMG, Jonathan Budd has totally over delivered in a major way tonight. In his usual giving fashion, JB just held a webinar for all past and present students who have sought his advice on Google Adwords campaign management through his PPC class.

Here, before our very eyes, Jonathan introduced us to Brittany Lynch, a former Google employee who shared some Adwords advice that even our internet marketing rock star friend had not heard. So, if it’s good enough for JB to drool over (and yes, I do believe he was drooling…), I am excited!

And you should be too, because I’m about to pay it forward and share some of the Google Adwords secrets that Ms. Lynch has so graciously imparted to us. Be ready to take your Google Adwords campaign management to an entirely new level! Enough with the small talk, and on with the show….

Google Adwords Advice – 10 Google Adwords Secrets

1. Create separate, highly targeted ad groups by focusing each ad group on only 1 keyword, and include that keyword in the headline, title tag, H1 tags, meta tags, and description line (search network)
2. Within each ad group, create 2 ads that use the same keyword (search network)
3. Use your keyword in your ad once and if possible, twice
4. It’s no great secret that Google loves to give readers what they are looking for, so it only makes sense that one of the best pieces of Adwords advice is to make sure your ad, landing page, and keyword are all relevant and will provide your visitors with the content they are looking for
5. Once your ad is written, use the Adwords keyword tool (just do a search for adwords keyword tool) to check to see if Google will view your landing page as relevant; simply place the url in the box provided and click to view the keywords that Google associates with your page
6. Ads should include a benefit to the visitor and a strong call to action
7. Create a keyword specific landing page for each ad, with SEO optimized meta tags on the landing page
8. Build backlinks to your landing page (we know that Google loves backlinks, so it only makes sense that this will help with Google Adwords campaign management…)
9. Include a privacy page, about us., contact us, sitemap, terms and conditions, and blog links at the bottom of your landing pages
10. Your goal in Google Adwords campaign management should be to achieve a 10 out of 10 quality score; this will result in a 30% discount on your Adwords campaign

Many thanks to Mr. Jonathan Budd for this tremendous share, and to Ms. Brittany Lynch for exposing these phenomenal Google Adwords secrets. I think we’ll be hearing much more from Britanny in the coming months. Be sure to check out her blog at http://brittanylynch.com, and to inquire about her new Gmail marketing ebook!

So, let’s get out there and rock our businesses with a new, fresh perspective on Google Adwords campaign management, and make JB proud!!!

This is priceless information, and your tweeps will love you for sharing! Be sure to click the green Retweet button, and share on your Facebook wall by clicking the blue Facebook share button…thanks!

Let’s face it, as marketers our most valuable asset is our list, so we need to take every possible opportunity to capture opt in leads. No doubt you have an opt in advertising campaign on your blog, but many haven’t yet begun to incorporate this strategy into their Facebook profiles.

The video above (youtube is in maintenance mode…check back on Tuesday) provides a visual demonstration of the steps I took to add this useful yet subtle “pitch” to my facebook page. In order to help you follow along I’ve added the steps below, along with the code that I’m using on my Facebook page to produce opt in leads.

Your code may look very different from mine, but the basic principles should be the same.

1. Resize your opt in box graphic to a maximum of 180 pixels & upload it to your blog
   
2. Copy the opt in leads capture code from your blog into the HTML Profile Box in Facebook
3. If the code contains a video, delete it (start at the tr tag and delete through the /tr tag)
4. If your code is set within a table, change the table width to 180
5. Edit the code that places the image in your opt in, to a width of 180
6. Change width in form code section to 180 (2 edits should be made here)
7. Replace image url with the url of the newly uploaded (resized) image
   
8. To decrease the size of the boxes in your form, change name widths to 150 & input widths to 110
9. Edit padding values – change last number to 0 (I also changed value preceding this to 20
10. Change form margin to 0

Viola…..you should now be able to capture opt in leads straight from your Facebook page!  Please let me know if this has been helpful to you and thank you for retweeting (just click on the green Tweet button)