Online Marketing Success Blog - Internet Riches - e-Riches 2.0 by Scott Fox

8 Ways to Invest Your Time for Maximum Return this Holiday Week

It's going to be a quiet week.  Maybe you even have the week off from work.

So what are you going to do?

You won't be surprised if my suggestion is to invest some of that holiday free time in your online business, will you?

The quiet time of the holidays is a great time to move your business forward.  You can take advantage of other people slowing down to accelerate your plans!  (Thanks to Chris Brogan for posting about this a couple of years ago to clue me in.)

8 Ways to Invest Your Time for Maximum Return this Week

So, here are  small projects that you can do online while everyone is sleeping off their holidays.  Every one will generate a positive ROI for you in 2012.

1. Update your website's "About Us" page.  Make it friendlier, funnier, more personal, add a new picture to let visitors know who you are and why they should buy from you instead of your competition.

2. Pick up the phone.  Call your 10 best customers to say "thank you".  Enough said.

3. Get a New Logo.  Redesigning your whole site takes a lot of work and money.  But a new logo can help spice up your visuals and impress your audience with a lot less work.  My favorite logo designers create good logos for only $27! {affiliate link}

4. Give an Award.  Your top blog commenters, Facebook friends, Twitter re-tweeters, or Google+ sharers deserve recognition and thanks.  Post and thank your Top 10 online friends publicly.

5. Check your site's keywords.  If you haven't updated your SEO strategy lately, is your site using the best and most current keywords to help you attract more free search engine traffic?  Check your website's title, page headers, intro copy, image tags, and internal linking structure.  (If you don't know what all that means, watch the second half of this video I posted last week on my YouTube channel and see #8 below for help.)

6. Use your email list.  If you haven't sent an email newsletter to your list lately, send a friendly holiday or New Year's greeting.  It will help keep your email list fresh and maybe inspire a few sales, too. (Bonus tip: Include a coupon to inspire action!)

7. Start an email list.  There's life outside of social media!  If you don't have an email list, get one started.  Sign up for Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or Aweber and start building that asset now. 

8. Get a $99 Website Tune-Up.  You're probably too close to your website to see it clearly anymore.  Book a professional and personalized website review video with me for only $99 (but only through year-end!)  My ExpertWebsiteReviews.com service can help you improve sales conversion, SEO, product strategy, and more.  (Check out the testimonials at the bottom of the page!)

I hope these quick suggestions help get your e-business positioned well for 2012!

What did I miss?

What are your suggestions for using the holiday down time best?

Happy Holidays!

 

Blogworld Video Report, Part Two: Recommended New Blogger Interviews

Recommended Blogs - Here's Part Two of my "exclusive" video report from Blogworld Expo.

Watch this new video to meet some of the niche bloggers I met.  Plus, get recommendations on the best new blogs that THEY read, too.  (You'll see some fresh new faces and some already famous ones, too!)

Thanks to everyone who participated!

 

Recommended Blogs

See below for links to the many good niche blogs mentioned in this video.

* Srinivas Rao - http://www.BlogcastFM.com

http://www.JoelRunyon.com

http://www.ItStartsWith.com

http://www.TheMiddleFingerProject.org 

* Darren Rowse - http://www.ProBlogger.net

http://www.Digital-Photography-School.com

http://www.BikeExif.com

* Phil Hollows - http://www.feedblitz.com

http://www.DeniseWakeman.com

* Dave Cynkin - http://www.BlogWorldExpo.com

* Deborah Sakach - http://www.iLoveInns.com

http://www.OneThousandGifts.com

* Bobby Hagstrom - http://www.ArtofWoodshopDesign.com

http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com

 * Scott Fox - http://www.ScottFox.com/blog_index.html

 

See Part One of this video with more niche blogger and podcaster interviews here.

 

Are You a Blogger? Add Your Links Below.

Feel free to add links to your blog in the Comments, too.  Just please be sure to share both your links and a recommendation for someone else's blog, too.  (Paying it forward, just like in the video.)

Thanks for watching and reading today.

Meet New Bloggers Video (Exclusive Blogworld Report, Part One)

One of my favorite things about blogging is that there are always fresh voices arriving in the blogosphere. 

This past weekend took me to BlogWorld in Los Angeles to meet some of those bloggers, and podcasters, too.

Here's Part One of a my "exclusive" video report from Blogworld.  Watch to see what I found and some of the cool bloggers I met.  (You'll see some fresh new faces and some already famous ones, too!)

 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the interviews!

New Blog Recommendations (and add yours, too!)

See below for links to the many good niche blogs mentioned in this video.

* Debbie Gerber - http://www.ScatterTravel.tv

http://www.BuzzBooster.com

* Lou Mongello - http://www.WDWradio.com

http://www.PodcastAnswerMan.com

* Chris Brogan - http://www.ChrisBrogan.com

http://www.CopyBlogger.com

* Cliff Ravenscraft - http://www.PodcastAnswerMan.com

http://www.GSPN.tv/shows

http://www.SmartPassiveIncome.com

* Connie Mettler - http://www.ArtFairCalendar.com

http://www.ArtFairInsiders.com

http://www.ClickMillionaires.com

* Pat Flynn - http://www.SmartPassiveIncome.com

http://www.ThinkTraffic.net

* Jewels - http://www.aCheatingHusband.com

http://www.SmartPassiveIncome.com

* Scott Fox - http://www.ScottFox.com/blog_index.html
http://www.SethGodin.com

The next BlogWorld will be in New York City in June 2012.  I hope to be there speaking again.  Join me if you'd like to get together!

Video Part Two Coming Tomorrow (It's now posted HERE.)

To meet more bloggers stay tuned for Part Two of this video (now here).

(I'll post it just as soon as I can edit it together.  This was my first attempt at video editing so I apologize that the video isn't fancier.  Your editing tips are welcome!)

Want to Add Your Blog to these Recommendations?

Feel free to add your blog's links in the Comments, too. 

Just please be sure to share both yours AND a recommendation for someone else's blog, too.  (Paying it forward, just like in the video.)

Thanks for watching and reading.

 

New Podcast: Click Millionaires Radio!

Last week's live Click Millionaires Radio show offers you some fun and helpful business-building answers.

Click on the player to listen for helpful discussions about:

• your About Us page
• online video
• social network software
• blogging
• and more! 

(And if you don't see the player, click here to listen online at ScottFox.com or download an MP3 here.)

Click Millionaires Radio Podcast MP3 Archive (FREE)
Listen to previous episodes of Click Millionaires Radio anytime here or subscribe for free future episodes on BlogTalkRadio or iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

What do you think? 

Any follow-up questions?

Do you like this kind of shorter, live show better than my longer interview shows?

Video Marketing for Your Business in 5 Easy Steps

Video blogging can help you attract more customers.

As I'm sure you've noticed, online video is exploding. Last year the average US viewer was watching more than 187 videos online per month, and that number is only increasing.

While it may sound too techie, "video blogging" just means posting short videos on your website instead of (or in addition to) the short text articles most bloggers post. 

You might be intimidated by the technical details of producing online video (or are just shy about appearing on camera), but video posts to your blog are easier than you think.

Watch this short video to learn how (click here if you can't see the video).

You'll learn my 5 quick steps to successful video blogging, plus see live demonstrations of the cameras I recommend.

Five Easy Steps for Easy Video Marketing Online

To get started in online video there are a lot of complicated strategies and equipment that you can use.

But instead here’s the plain and simple way I recommend that can get you started in online video quickly and inexpensively:

1. Camera: Almost any video camera today can plug into your PC to upload video to the web. Use your point and shoot digital camera, a hand held camcorder like the Flip or my personal preference, a web cam.  (Watch the video above for demonstrations of how easy these are to use.)

2. Setup: Prep some notes about what you want to say, and find a pleasant, quiet and well lit spot to use as a background for your video shoot.

3. Shoot: Turn on the camera and start talking. Be sure to save your new video when finished.

4. Upload your video to YouTube: This is the part where non-technical people get intimidated but it's really quite easy. An account at YouTube is fr

NEW: My Social Media Marketing Intro Course

Would you like to learn the basics of Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Youtube, and Blogging? Are you feeling late to the social media "party" and want to catch up?

Now available for the first time online is my introductory Social Media Marketing for Business course!

It’s an easy and fun video course you can start today online.

This is the same private seminar that cost $1500 last time I gave it - the same one I have given to business schools and even to the USDA and NIH.

But this new course is now available to you online for only $32.95.

The Social Media Marketing for Business Introduction class is 16 daily videos where I personally explain to you the concepts and tactics you can use to succeed in social media marketing.

These short videos offer my personal recommendations on how to get the best “bang for your buck” when using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs or podcasting, too.

I explain commenting, linking, “liking”, online communities, “friending”, and lots more.  Plus, I’ll guide you through setting up your own social media presence for yourself or your company!

My Social Media Marketing for Business video course is full of my plain English strategies and practical recommendations for how to save money and get the best ROI from your social media marketing efforts online.

Like my best-selling books, Internet Riches and e-Riches 2.0, the new Social Media Marketing for Business class is a fun, friendly explanation of both the “why” and the “how” for today’s business person interested in social media marketing.

Learn more here now.

You can get started right away!

 

What's the Best Web Site Builder?

What's the best web site building service today?

The "best" website builder means to me the one that offers an easy combination of tools for non-technical users to build a robust new website inexpensively. 

But I'm looking for a service that is not just cheap or free or easy...

The best website building service to me includes hosting (meaning you don't have to have your own servers).

It offers professional-looking (and free) design templates, and includes WYSIWYG access to the underlying HTML and SEO customization, too.

Which web site builder do you like best?

I'm looking for services other than Wordpress.  I'd like something simpler, even if it is not a free website builder.

My #1 recommended website builder is Site Build It.  Their service includes such good SEO training, a helpful support forum, and a money-back guarantee that I'm an affiliate for them, too.  Learn more about Site Build It here.

These are the web site builders I hear the most about.  Do you have comments on any of these? Or others to suggest?

Typepad Site Build It Jimdo Squarespace Wix

Weebly Intuit/Homestead GoDaddy Moonfruit Citymax

While I'm dreaming...

I'd also like the service to offer fast and reliable hosting, an easy upgrade path to features like an e-commerce store or blogs, and, of course, great customer service.

I know, CRAZY, right??

But, every year website building services like these do get more powerful, so I'm still hoping to find the best one!

What features are on your wishlist for the best website builder today?

And which website building services do you nominate as "best" and why?

(Nominations for "worst" are also helpful!)

Thanks for sharing. 

Your comments below are appreciated by me and readers worldwide!

 If you find it helpful, please tell your friends about this post
using Facebook, Twitter or Google+ buttons below?

Why Liking Things on Facebook is more important than you think...

Facebook Like buttons may seem trivial but how they work is more important to your business than you may realize! 

In fact, those little thumbs-up Facebook "like" buttons are an important viral marketing tool that can help you spread word of mouth about your business on social networks and beyond.

Facebook likes can help you display and quantify important social proof (see below) that attracts new customers via Facebook, blogs, Twitter, and Youtube, too. 

Watch this new video for some of the reasons why Facebook LIKE buttons are important to your marketing.  They include:

1. Clicking a Facebook like button doesn't just register a like for you privately. It's like a bookmark that registers your preferences for the Facebook system. 

This tells Facebook to display the content you like in the “Info" section of your personal profile, and you can then receive updates from that new connection in your Facebook News Feed. (It also means that Facebook can more accurately target you for advertising, of course...)

2. Your Like clicks also ripple across Facebook and across the web like a mini-broadcast of your preferences.  Your new like appears on your Facebook page, it appears on your friends' Facebook pages, and others can then see and comment on your likes, too. 

This can lead to new discussions, introductions, new friends, and the resulting relationships and new business that such new connections can yield.

3. But wait there's more! Clicking to like something on Facebook helps promote good content.

In today's overwhelming information economy, it's important to "vote" for the content you think has value.  Your clicks to "like" things help publicly demonstrate support for that kind of content. 

Enough clicks and marketers will notice, hopefully leading to more traffic, more ad dollars, and more of the "good content" we all like best.

Unlike in the days of Nielsen TV diaries, today your "like" votes count immediately and publicly to support the niche content you like best.

So, if you are reading a favorite blog, a "like" click there registers an additional vote for that blogger that others can see.  The same result happens if like this Facebook like video on Youtube.  Your "likes" can be connected to Twitter to automatically Tweet to your Twitter followers, too. 

All this "liking" feedback is linked together across sites to provide public evidence of what's most popular (aka "social proof").  Your likes also help to promote discussions around a topic, reinforcing interest, and attracting more interest, too.

Pretty powerful stuff, huh?

As my friend Ching Ya says, now it's your turn...  Please leave me a Comment (and click the LIKE button!) below?

 Was this helpful to you?  Did you click "Like" yet??

How often do you click Facebook "like" buttons?
When and why do you click "like"?

What did I miss?

Please click to LIKE this post below right now if it was helpful to you!

 

Disclosure reminder

Hello - It's time to remind you again that Scott Fox, The Liminal Institute, Click Millionaires, and associated persons or businesses may have content, promotional, advertising, customer, consulting, or equity relationships with the entities discussed or recommended on this web site. Many of the links on our web sites and in associated materials contain affiliate advertising codes, for example.

While efforts have been made to identify the best suppliers/vendors in each of these areas, we assume no liability for your use of them. You should use your own independent judgment to evaluate their services and fit for your needs.

Please see the Legal & Disclosures section for more details.

Marks, graphics, and names are property of their respective owners, as appropriate.

Thanks for reading!

New Free Podcast: Social Media Branding, Small Business Marketing, Starting a Blog, and more!

The Click Millionaires Radio Show is back!

Tune in for free online marketing, e-commerce strategy, and lifestyle business-building advice in this latest podcast of my Click Millionaires Show, including: 

• My easiest social media marketing branding strategy ever,
• how to attract more clients for small business professional services firms,
• "Is it too late?" to start a blog or Internet business, and,
• SEO for mobile devices, too!

All this info and more can be yours free if you'd like to listen to the latest Click Millionaires Show podcast! 

It's a fun radio hour of me answering your questions, plus news updates from around the Web, and plenty of laughs, too. 

Listening to the Click Millionaires Show can help you make more money online!

Just click on the player above to listen online, or click on the logo at left to download an MP3 of this episode for later.

Your feedback is always welcome - just email me at "radio @ scottfox.com" with your comments, suggestions, and questions for the Show.

Past episodes are available for free here, too.

Thanks for listening!

p.s. Thanks to everyone who has been emailing, Tweeting, and Facebooking to ask for more podcasts. I appreciate your interest and hope you enjoy this new show!

The 4 Most Important Social Media Tools (aka Where Should I Start??)

What are the best social media marketing tools today?  Wondering where to start your social media marketing efforts?

Getting started in social media marketing can be overwhelming.  So if you're new to social media this short video can help you identify the most important social media tools for business. 

Shot in beautiful Redondo Beach, California, watch to hear about what I call "The Big 4" of blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

 

Learn how to start social media marketing and why I think these 4 best social media tools are the top priority for any new online marketing efforts.

What's your opinion?

Do you agree that these are the 4 best social media marketing tools today?

Which social media tools work the best for you?

  Please "like" this video or comment below!

 

My Cure for Writers Block: How You Can Write More, Faster, Better

To cure writer's block this new video offers you the same techniques I use myself when writing my books and blog. 

One of my ClickMillionaires.com coaching community members recently asked how to overcome her "analysis paralysis" procrastination to write faster and better. 

I thought about it and put together this video that discusses my own proven strategies on how to cure writer's block.  Watch it to learn how I write more website content faster and easier using focused question development, "imaginary friends", dictation software, online video marketing, and outsourced editors, too.

If you suffer from "writer's block", I'm sure these quick video tips can help you write better, too.  

 

 

Please let me know what you think of these writing strategy tips in the Comments below.

Is "writer's block" an obstacle in marketing your business? 
What do you do to break through it?