This section will spotlight a reader’s question weekly. If you’d like to submit a question for the advice column, please contact me.
Coming soon
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Finding A Writer To Help You Build Articles
Finding the right freelance writer to produce your revenue generating articles can take a bit of time, however, if you find one that can easily take on another regular client and the two of you work well together, then that one difficult search will turn into a lot of profitable articles.
When you start your search, you may want to begin with a very small group of articles, just in case you happen too hook up with a writer that you are less than thrilled with. It is important to keep in mind that there are several different types of writing and each writer might be highly skilled in one area, yet lack in another. For example, there is creative/fiction writing, biographical writing, news writing, general informational article writing, critical writing, copy-writing, poem/verse writing, technical writing, medical writing, essay/report writing, and sports writing. Although a writer may be highly skilled in one area, many freelance writers spread themselves out into others areas as well. So, it is critical that the writer you choose can produce the type of content that you need.
To find a freelance writer, you can look at various freelancing websites that will allow you to post the specification of your project and your budget.
From there, writers will make bids on your project and provide you with writing samples so that you can get an idea of their skill level. Make sure that you choose a writer who gives you a sample of the type of article that you are looking for. For example, if you are looking for a copy-writer, do not hire someone who only sent you a sports writing sample. He or she may be an outstanding sports writer, but copy-writing is about selling (a product, service, or yourself) to your website visitors.
In conclusion, the more you are willing to pay per article, the more bids you will get from quality writers who know how to entertain and inform your website visitors so that they keep coming back for more. Writers know that you will eventually make a ton of money off of each article or content piece. So although $30 or more for a 500 word article may seem like a lot, when you think about the service they are providing you and the time and effort that they put into your piece, then you will realize that it really is not a lot for that one article. If you pay for quality, you will be amazed at how much you will eventually make off of your articles.
Who Closes Our Door to Opportunity?
As I begin to build this blog, I’ve often thought about what is my end goal? I write to speak and in order to do so I need to make sure I have something worthwhile to say.
The question that has been plaguing me for the past few weeks, or more like the past few months, is one I wanted to presented for open discussion.
Who closes our door to opportunity?
A few weeks ago I spoke with a friend who informed me that she would let go of her entrepreneurial endeavors to pursue a steady job since she has to now put her new family into consideration. Her rationale was that she was no longer acting for herself and has to make decisions based on what’s best for her boyfriend/fiance/husband (sorry I’m not sure what he is) and her future children, which she intends to have at some point. I’m trying not to be cynical. I was just wondering where this newfound sense of letting go one’s desires for a future that is not yet determined.
At first I thought, is it a “women” thing? Do women reach a self-imposed glass ceiling and then blame an establishment that they feel “‘holds them back’ or “judges them’ all because they choose to decide between a career or starting a family?
Or is it a burnt out entrepreneur disease that affects many ambitious people who just don’t have the desire or passion to pursue self employment?
I don’t know. I’ve spent the last few weeks wondering why I felt bad. I’m single and have no kids. So it is a luxury to pursue an entrepreneurial lifestyle because I have no “obligations” to others? I’ve seen many entrepreneurs stop short and return to the traditional jobs, not once looking back. They use rhetoric like “I wanted a real job” and the such, in an attempt to either deflect their shame for settling or to make other solopreneurs feel inadequate. It baffled me to no end. It’s a self-defeating attitude that breeds insecurities and selfishness. My dark angel wants to say “Just because you failed at it, doesn’t mean others will” but my good angel instead says “That sucks. Sorry to hear you gave up so soon.” (Yea even my good angel has a sarcastic side!)
All this reflection got me wondering. Who closes our door to opportunity? Do we close it prematurely or does “fate” do it when it’s time for us to move on? I read a number of different blogs in my iGoogle homepage. I know there’s people out there making it happen. And if the Secret teaches us to be positive and receptive to change, then can’t we reopen a closed door?
I just find it fascinating how we convince ourselves of our own realities, even though it’s a manifestation of our fears. I think of my friend who gave up on pursuing what was her passion, at some point in her life. If it’s that’s easy to let go, then it was something she never really wanted in the first place. But maybe I’m just being too judgemental.
Learning How to Make Money Blogging
There are two major types of business models that entrepreneurs use to make money blogging. The first
and most common way to turn a blog into a profit making machine is to sell advertising to different
companies and brands who want to reach that blog’s readers. The second kind of money making blog is one that helps a single brand improve its image by creating positive associations between the blog and the product in the mind of consumers. Both kinds of blogs can make a lot of money, especially if the creator has a keen mind for marketing.
If you are blogging with the goal of selling advertising, there are two basic ways that you can go about
recruiting sponsors who want to put ads on your site; you can let someone else do all of the legwork, or you can do the work yourself and keep all of the revenue. Within the first group, many people make money blogging by selling space through Google’s AdSense program. The advantages of this program are numerous, as it requires very little effort on the part of the blogger or webmaster to begin raking in profits. However, most people discover that they make less money through this method than they had hoped that their blog would earn.
Selling advertising directly to companies who want to put banner ads or sponsored links on your blog can take quite a bit of time, but it is often fairly lucrative. If you have a lot of contacts in industries that are related to the topic of your blog, you may want to try to go this route. People who have a strong background in sales and are experienced at pitching proposals can make quite a bit of money by renting blog space to interested companies. The most serious problem with this model is that you often have to build quite a sizable readership before you can attract advertisers, which can mean that you have to
do several months of work before you start to make money blogging.
As blogging becomes a more and more lucrative business, a lot of established companies are considering
how they can get into the action. One way that companies are capitalizing on the blog movement is by
having blogs that provide a kind of friendly face for their corporation. Often, a company will employ an
established blogger to create a weblog designed specifically to appeal to that company’s customers and
to create positive associations with the brand in consumers’ minds. More than one writer who never even dreamed that he or she could make money blogging has been approached by a company and offered quite a pretty penny for this kind of gig.
Mediabistro Circus - Tuesday, May 20
Click here to register: http://www.mediabistrocircus.com/register.php
9:00AM - 10:30AM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 9:00AM - 10:30AM
MB 1: Publishing: From Print to Digital
The first conversation of the Mediabistro Circus will be around publishing – moving from traditional print to an online presence, what has worked, and key ideas and technologies to wrap into a brand strategy. Guest speakers will discuss challenges and solutions, technology platforms that have worked, and what lies ahead.
SPEAKER: Paul Cloutier, CEO, 8020 Publishing
SPEAKER: James Daly, Editor-in-Chief, Edutopia
SPEAKER: Ben Edwards, Publisher, economist.com
11:100AM - 12:30PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 11:100AM - 12:30PM
MB 2: Blogging
The blogosphere has revolutionized communication and the world of media. How can major media networks leverage blogs to deliver targeted messages directly to engage their audience? How can individual bloggers enhance their blogs to capture a wider audience? In this session, guest speakers will talk about the importance and influence of blogs and what the future of blogging might look like.
SPEAKER: Elisa Camahort, Co-founder and COO, Blogher
SPEAKER: Anil Dash, Vice President (Chief Evangelist) , Six Apart
SPEAKER: Eric Hellweg, Editorial Managing Director, Harvardbusiness.org
SPEAKER: Noah Shachtman, Contributing Editor, Danger Room Blog, Wired Magazine
1:15PM - 2:15PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 1:15PM - 2:15PM
MB 3: Keynote with Chris Anderson
A special keynote with Chris Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Wired magazine and author of The Long Tail.
SPEAKER: Chris Anderson, Editor-In-Chief, Wired Magazine
2:15PM - 3:30PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 2:15PM - 3:30PM
MB 4: Video
Online video is one of the most powerful tools that can be used to tell a story, build a brand and engage an audience; but producing an effective video is more than a camera and an editing program. Guest speakers in this session will discuss where the future of internet video is headed, why including video into your strategy makes sense and the very different ways to make the most of this technology platform.
SPEAKER: Dina Kaplan, Co-founder and COO, Blip.tv
SPEAKER: Jim Louderback, CEO, Revision 3
SPEAKER: Robert Scoble, Managing Director, Fast Company TV
4:15PM - 6:00PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 4:15PM - 6:00PM
Social Media
What does it take to build and maintain a successful social community site, and is it worth it? Consumers can pick and choose their content, and recommend what they like to others - communication that is a powerful marketing tool. The social networking phenomenon is affecting all areas of media, from television to editorial. This session will explore the diverse ways that social media is evolving, and what it means for your business and your brand.
SPEAKER: Kate Everett Thorp, CEO, Real Girls Media
SPEAKER: Shawn Gold, CEO, Social Approach
SPEAKER: Steven Johnson, Author, Ghost Map, Everything Bad is Good For You
SPEAKER: Steve Rubel, Senior Vice President, Edelman PR
6:00PM - 7:30PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Welcome Reception
8:30PM - 11:30PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 8:30PM - 11:30PM
Live! The All-For-Nots at 92Y Tribeca
Click here to register: http://www.mediabistrocircus.com/register.php
Mediabistro Circus - Wednesday, May 21
Click here to register: http://www.mediabistrocircus.com/register.php
9:00AM - 10:30AM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 9:00AM - 10:30AM
Day 2 Keynote
Details and speaker to be announced.
11:15AM - 12:30PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 11:15AM - 12:30PM
MB 7 : Mobile
In the world of mobile media, everyone is experimenting and trying to figure out what will stick. Is it the camera in the phone that’s got everyone so excited, or the ability to text and watch videos? Mobile media is the wild west of the technology world at the moment, and it’s anyone’s guess as to where it’s headed. In this session - our only panel discussion at the Circus - panelists will wax ecstatic about the fast-moving, ubiquitous technology with Jamie Lendino, contributing editor of mediabistro.com’s Mobile Content Today.
MODERATOR: Jamie Lendino, Contributing Editor, Mobile Content Today
PANELIST: Ken Barbieri, Director, Business Development, Washington Post.Newsweek Interactive
PANELIST: Chip Canter, VP Wireless Platform Development, NBC Universal Digital Distribution
PANELIST: Nicholas Covey, Director of Insights, Nielsen Mobile
PANELIST: Daniel Graf, Co-founder, President and CEO, Kyte
PANELIST: Richard Trumble, Executive Director, Digital Strategy and Operations, The Wall Street Journal Digital Network
1:30PM - 2:30PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 1:30PM - 2:30PM
Day 2 Afternoon Keynote
SPEAKER: Jim Roberts, Editor of Digital News, New York Times
2:30PM - 3:55PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 2:30PM - 3:55PM
MB 8 : User Experience Design
As technology converges across multiple platforms, a key component to success is the seamless merging of disciplines - engineering, graphical and industrial design, and interface design. This session will feature guest speakers who will discuss the importance of designing with the user in mind, and how it can make or break your brand.
SPEAKER: Regine Debatty, Writer, Curator, we-make-money-not-art.com
SPEAKER: Robert Fabricant, Executive Creative Director, Frog Design
SPEAKER: Shiv Singh, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Avenue A | Razorfish
SPEAKER: Jon Wiley, User Experience Design, Google
4:15PM - 5:30PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 4:15PM - 5:30PM
MB 9 : Closing Session
The Circus closing session, featuring a conversation with Nicholas Carr
SPEAKER: Nicholas Carr, Author, The Big Switch: Rewiring The World, from Edison to Google
5:30PM - 8:00PM
Track: MAIN STAGE | 5:30PM - 8:00PM
Click here to register: http://www.mediabistrocircus.com/register.php
Closing Night Party
Target Your Success With Opt-In List Building
Any entrepreneur’s goal should be SUCCESS!
If you aim for success, you must do everything within your means to achieve that. You just don’t go on sitting there in your house complaining about not getting as much profit as you expect. You have to keep moving. You have to pour in and invest enough time, money and effort to have profitable results.
In doing internet business, you must aim just the same. You should maximize all of your internet marketing strategies, given the wide market that your business will be exposed to. Imagine the whole online community as potential clients!
Now, one of the best marketing tools that you can use in your online business is building a list. An opt-in list is the best, most effective and smartest option that you can make to make it big. It is one thing to stay in business and it is another thing to have a profitable business. So if you will be allowed to choose, make use of the building list to ensure that profits will keep coming in.
What is an opt-in list?
The opt-in list basically is just a list or a database of names and email ads of people who have visited your website or made a purchase through your website. The listing will allow the owner to send updates, emails or promotions to those who are subscribed.
It is like an ordinary membership or mailing list in an ordinary shop or club, only in this instance, the opt-in list is done online.
Why should I choose to put an opt-in list?
Any visitor that will come to your web site is a potential client. That potential client means there is a potential sale and that potential sale is a potential profit. Now, let’s say that you’ve made a good internet marketing strategy as a result all these potential things have been translated to actual client, sale and profit.
The next prudent thing to do is to not let all these productive efforts be wasted. The next best thing to do is to get the email addresses and other contact details of your clients because your present buyers can still be your clients in the future.
Building a list will definitely work for your benefit. This will ensure that you can maintain close contact and a good relationship with your clients, especially the frequent visitors. This way you will have a regular
This will also save you money, time and effort because once you come up with a new product or new information, you know exactly who you will send updates to because you have a definite market. This is one aspect that you will have to maintain to have a steady source of income at the least. Then the rest of your efforts will be to make the number of your regular clients grow.
Some pointers in building your opt-in list:
- You should put a ‘subscribe link’ or ‘subscribe box’ in your web site. It is advisable to put it on all the pages. Then make sure that it is strategically positioned, meaning it has to be easily located by the visitors. The upper right hand corner of the page would be a good position.
- Promote your website and promote it even more to make give it more exposure and to get more subscribers.
- Come up with contests or give away freebies and goodies that will require visitors to give out their email ads to be able to join.
- Give out information, articles and updates to your clients with your links in it. Make sure that the information will be relevant to the client.
- Offer free courses to your visitors. This will also help maintain a good relationship with your subscribers.
- Use your signature also to make your opt-in list expand. Every time you send out messages the link information should be included.
- Do some networking too. Join some forums or discussions and build relationships with the people there. This way will also be a good way for you to get more contacts and clients.
At the same time you should also know what you should avoid in building an opt-in list. There is one thing that you should keep in mind as the don’t’s of building a list.
Don’t ever spam your subscribers. It is best that you get permission from your subscribers, or else you might end up with a bad reputation.
Avoid pop-ups too. They can sometimes annoy the visitors. There are also pop-up blockers now. Your effort here might end up futile.
You should also refrain from flooding your subscribers with information. You might end up as an annoyance that you might not get a favorable result. There may be times that you’ll give relevant information, but your clients may just dismiss it.
The benefits of having many regular subscribers are undeniable. They will definitely keep your business going and you will definitely enjoy the profits that will come in. Just remember that things don’t end there.
Once you’ve build up on a substantial opt-in list, make sure that you maintain it well. Keep in contact with your subscribers. Send them updates. Give out special offers and helpful tips. Freebies will be helpful too.
Just follow this and you’ll see, things can only get better.
The Top 10 Contact Management Resources to Keep Your Business Organized
Finding a solid contact management system can make or break your business efforts. We use systems to organize and track our work, which is especially important when running a business. The right contact management system can eliminate hours of unnecessary paperwork and reduce stress.
I’ve taken the time to list what I consider to be the top contact management resources to help you stay organized and keep your business model efficient so you can focus your energies on building relationships and increasing your revenue.
- VTIGER (www.vtiger.com) - I personally use this one and love it because it’s an open source software that you can install on your server for free. It’s great for maintaining all sorts of contacts for leads, marketing, sales, etc. You can also email your contacts directly within it and track all contacts, attach files, etc. If you run a small business with employees or if you need to give others access, you can do so and limit the information they are able to view.
- SUGAR CRM (www.sugarcrm.com) - Another great open source software that’s free, unless you want the pro version, which I don’t think is necessary for small businesses and freelancers. The free version works just fine. I love that this program allows you to delete duplicates, which is important if you’re new to contact management and have a huge list to sort through. It’s also extremely easy to use.
- ZOHO (www.zoho.com) - I recommend this for the web newbies who are not tech-savvy or brave enough to take on an open source application and install it on your web server. This is hosted on zoho.com and offers the same features as most contact management systems. You can give up to 3 users access before you have to start paying monthly fees.
- PLAXO (www.plaxo.com) - Think LinkedIn meets Facebook. Plaxo has improved its features by integrating a social networking aspect to its’ site. Sync your other email accounts to it and it will update your calendar, address book and to-do list.
- HIGHRISE HQ (www.highrisehq.com) - Another excellent contact management system that links with other services such as web chats, project management, etc. The solo plan is only $29 a month and is great for the solopreneurs who need to stay organized and on top of their game.
Other systems include:
Getting started with Videoblogging
Videoblogging is a great way of posting ideas and products over the Internet. Everybody knows about textblogging. Now they use videos for a better way of expression. This form of communication may entail a lot of resources, but it is all worth it. If pictures say a thousand words, videoblogging exceeds that by far.
A videoblog requires larger disk spaces on websites, a faster server, and a whole new set of programs to support it. Videoblogs can be fed through RSS. This is technology of syndicating your website to other RSS aggregators.
Videoblogging works with people on the internet expressing their selves. Now if you put this on a business prospective, you are up to a lot of benefits. Think of it as a powerful tool in making showing your prospective customers your line of products or your services. It’s just like showing a commercial all for free. And if you videoblog through RSS, then most probably you are getting your target market.
People like to see what they are going to buy. Some would like to see proof and be sure that they are getting their money’s worth before shelving their dimes on it. All of us know the influence of a thirty second commercial. The effect of videoblogging is similar to that. You show your product, people watch it. If they like it, they buy it. If you present it good enough, they’ll buy the product even if they don’t need it.
Now on the web, things are pretty much static, unlike in television in which all are moving. If you post something that is mobile, it would most likely catch attention. Now imaging your product parading in all it’s royalty through videoblog. You’ll get phone call orders in no time.
If your business is just starting up, you can create a videoblog right at your own home. All you need is your web camera, microphone, video software, and lights. For as long as you know how to use your camera, then you can create a videoblog.
Invest in a good web camera. The higher its resolution is the better the output. And you like to present your goods in the optimum way so get the best one possible. Make a short story, or just capture your goods in one go. Just make sure you are getting the best profile for each. Get those creativity juices flowing.
Lights are important in a production. Make sure you illuminate entirely the area you are going to use to create videoblog. The brighter the area, the crispier the images will be. You can also use lighting effects for added appeal to the presentation.
Should you require sounds for your videoblog, you need a microphone. Record you voice as a voice over for promoting the product and its benefit to consumers. Sounds are as important as videos on a videoblog. It is advisable to make your sound effects as enticing as the video.
Your video editing software can be any program. You need this to finalize your work. You can add sounds, delete some bad angles, or insert some still pictures in there too. Some programs are user-friendly and can be used even with zero knowledge on video editing. Even simple video editing programs should do the trick. Select your background carefully too. The light affects the presentation so make sure that the background and the light complements each other.
Videoblogging is a great tool but it also has it downside. It may slow down the computer so other may steer clear of it. Download time may also be time consuming especially if customer is still on a dial- up connection.
But don’t let those stop you. Let videoblogging be an alternative for you, though it is best to still keep the text and pictures present in your presentation to accommodate all possible viewers of your site.
Nowadays, the more creative you are in presenting your product to the market, they more you are likely to succeed. Videoblogging offers an interactive way of selling. You involve the customers. You instill in them the advantage of your goods. And at times, those are enough to make a sale.
