BEGINNER BLOG MARKETING

Blogs aren't new, but there are always new readers and writers of them out there on the internet. So a quick article about them might be helpful to you.

Blogs which are also known as web logs are the new thing on the internet. They are pretty much a platform that you can use that will allow you to post your thoughts on most any subject that you want to. They can be used for journaling, promoting, writing, and publishing, anything that your heart desires. However, if you are a beginner and new Blogging as well as marketing, there are some very important things that you will want to know.

Blog marketing is pretty easy if you have a marketing mind. You are going to find that many people use blogs as a diary, and many times these blogs that are used for this purpose are not intended to make them money, but simply a way to put there thoughts out there and find others that are going through the same thing. If you have never even had a blog before, the simplest thing that you can do is to start one, and just journal in it for a while. This will allow you to learn just what it takes and what it is all about to keep up a blog. When you are just journaling your thoughts and what is on your mind, you have nothing to lose and nothing to gain. You don’t even have to make your blog public if you don’t want others to read what you have to say. That is a personal preference. However, doing this will let you see how it works. Then you can move on to trying to market a product or a service.

Using a blog to market something is cheaper than using a website. This is because there are so many free ones out there that you can use to get the word out, and they are really just as good as having a website that you pay for. There are of course some advantages to having your own URL, but for a beginner, a free one will work until you get the hang of it and want to move it all over onto your own server. The free blogs are just not that customizable. If you are not familiar with HTML, you are going to find that your blog will look like everyone else’s. But, that is ok in the beginning. You can always make changes later on once you are becoming successful.

When you have your own blog, you are in charge of the content that is posted on it. You can decide what is said, and what is not. You are after all writing it all, right? So, the sky is the limit. Whether you want a blog that does website reviews and takes nominations, or you want to sell things that you make out of your home, the choice is yours. Using a blog to get the word out about whatever you want too is a great way to market and promote something.

Blog marketing can get complicated if you let it. It is really only as hard as you make it. While there are some bloggers out there that are making a six figure income with the use of blog marketing, we all know that it can be done. We just want to know how.

Well, for any beginner, start small, and be consistent. The six figure bloggers all did. They started with one, built it up, and then added another blog, built it up. Then, keeping up both blogs and not letting them fall behind, they continued to add more and more. Of course they had help, and they outsourced a lot of their work. If you are looking to make a massive income with blogging, you will need some help.

Blog marketing is a great thing to learn. If you can sell things from a blog, you can sell them anywhere. Making money by using a blog is one of the most satisfying things that you will ever learn how to do. Just do not expect to make money over night, know that you have to work at it consistently everyday, and remember to put into it what you want to get out of it.

WHAT THE HECK IS WEB 2.0 AND SOCIAL NETWORKS ANYWAYS?

What the heck is Web 2.0 and Social Networks anyways?

Well Web 2.0 actually is a phrase that was coined in 2004 referring to a second generation of Internet-based services that were being birthed at the time--such as the social networking site Myspace and Facebook --that emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users.

For sure many people have different definitions of exactly what Web 2.0 means to them. But for the sake of this discussion I'm defining Web 2.0 as -- the paradigm shift that takes place when an individual quits looking out for their own good and instead starts looking out for the good of the network (including their prospects) they belong too.

Let me give an example of what I mean:

Web 1.0 Example -- A marketer needing sales sends totally unsolicited e-mails to a group of prospects he has no prior relationship with. In the process he makes a few sales but ends up totally alienating himself with 99.5% of the list. As a result that marketer trades any chance of future growth away in exchange for a few quick sales.

Web 2.0 Example -- That same marketer needing sales sends an email to the members of his network stating he is available for brainstorming that evening in the social network he shares with them. In doing so 25 members of his network join him in the sharing of ideas on how they can assist the other members of the network with their services. In doing so the marketer learns 7 of the 25 members of the network have an immediate need for his service. As a result that marketer earns a few sales but builds a platform in which he can continue growing his business far into the future. Plus he sets up a new joint venture with another member of the network making him untold amounts of money in the future.

I can share a million different examples but what everything boils down to is this -- in order to achieve maximum success in life you will need a very large network of individuals watching your back. In order to build this network you will have to interact with others in a way that shows them the value of being involved in your network. Which means you will at first have to give out more than you take in.

But don't worry! Making money in a Web 2.0 environment is extremely easy!

Web 2.0 Rule #1 -- Build your network in the precise presence of your prospects

Sounds like simple advice but don't you dare discount it. You simply can't afford to if you're looking to make good money on the Internet. Too many people are building their businesses away from where their prospects are. Which always leads to failure.

The old Web 1.0 way to reach prospects included expensive websites, even more expensive search engine optimization or pay per clicks. I know this because I have sold those same services to clients for the last dozen years. So I know Web 1.0 unlike anybody else.

But those days are gone forever. Now I only recommend one tool. And that's a free social network account.

Sound awesome? It most certainly is.

The good news is most social networks are absolutely free to set up an account with them. And it's free to maintain as well. But best of all is that their network is full of like minded people looking for people just like you to network with.

After only a few short months in existence the network is already generating over a million page views a month. Do you know how many people it takes to generate that kind of traffic?

Building your network on social networks just makes sense!

Web 2.0 Rule #2 -- Build an opt-in list to be able to effortlessly communicate with your prospects.

Because an opt-in mailing list is always the nucleus of any successful marketing venture it is absolutely essential that you start building your own opt-in list as soon as you possibly can if you have any intention of becoming a full-time marketer.

Unless of course you aren't interested in effortlessly networking with future buyers of your product or service.

You might also not be interested in reaching your own magic e-number.

What you don't know what your magic e-number is?

Your magic e-number is determined by how many prospects you have to get opted-in to your list before you start grossing $1 Million in sales a year.

For some it was 10,000 prospects. Others it was 50,000.

Of course it depends on how much you make per commission. And how much energy you have in doing what it would take to gross a million a year. But the point is there is an actual number that once you hit it you will be financially set the rest of your life.

Sound incredible?

It isn't. Ask anyone worth their salt in Internet Marketing if they have an opt-in email list. Then ask them how instrumental that opt-in list was to their success.

So until you have an opt-in list of your own you are taking yourself out of the game without ever having had the chance to get in to the game.

Don't slight yourself. Life is too darn short as it is.

Web 2.0 Rule #3-- Implement An Automated And Relentless Follow Up System

Let's start by roughly defining what an AUTOMATED FOLLOW UP SYSTEM is and how it benefits you as a marketer.

Basically it's an online software program that will enable you to automate your follow up process with the prospects that visit your site. It is certainly a vital component of any automated marketing system. If not the most vital.

You can get pretty innovative on the follow-up messages and place them in a series of email messages that build one on top of another. That way you build your credibility up pretty rapidly with all the prospects who opt-in to your list.

So when a prospect opts-in to your mailing list the auto responder will start following up and conversing with your prospect so to speak on your behalf.

Which in turn will help you build rapport with your prospects. Which is always a very good thing for a marketer to do.

Experts have shown that it often takes 7 or more ad exposures before prospective customers actually make a purchase!

If you are to stand any chance at succeeding you are going to need to stay in constant e-mail contact with every single one of your prospects!

With an auto responder, your opt-in prospects will automatically receive your message the essential seven or more times over a period of days, weeks, and months when they request information from you.

I can't stress enough just how important it is to have an auto responder for your business. It may be possible to succeed without one, but why try?

I’d consider such a task on par with trying to learn to play the piano with your thumbs cut off!

Web 2.0 Rule #4—Confine Your Marketing Efforts To Your Opt-in List

One of the biggest mistakes I see amateur marketers make in social network environments is the fact they try to jam their web link down the throats of anybody and everybody they come into contact with.

They do this because they are usually desperate for sales and know no other way in which to market their business.

But if you confine your marketing efforts to those people who have opted in to your list you will go along ways towards building a strong foundation for your network.

Web 2.0 Rule #5—Maintain Daily Activity On Your Social Network

Remember the early bird always gets the worm. I see a lot of people attempting to grow networks without putting any elbow grease in to make it happen. So quit being lazy and log in to your social network accounts daily and meet and greet the new people who are signing up daily.

WHAT NOT TO PUT IN YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK PROFILE

Online social networks have rapidly increased in popularity, especially over the past couple of years. Social networking websites are popular because they easily allow you to find, connect with, and develop friendships with other internet users, often ones that share the same interests as you. To find those individuals, you must join a social networking website and create a profile. It is often advertised that your social networking profile is the key to making and finding friends online.

As previously mentioned, your social networking profile is important when it comes to meeting other internet users. This is because, in most cases, internet users are looking to chat with someone who has the same goals, views, beliefs, and interests as they do. Without a personal profile, it would be difficult or impossible to tell what your interests are. That is why social networking profiles are not only important, but they are needed.

When it comes to social networking profiles, a lot of focus has been placed on what you should include in your profile or display on your profile page. It has been said that pictures produce the best responses, as well as detailed personal information. Although a picture and detailed personal information may help to increase your page views, you may be getting views that you do not necessarily want. Despite what you may believe, most social networking websites do not have restrictions on who can view your personal profile. In fact, internet users, even those that do not belong to your online community, can easily see profile.

Since anyone, literally anyone, can see your social networking profile, on most social networking websites, you are advised to be cautious. Essentially, this means that instead of focusing on what you should put in your online profile, you should be focusing on what not to put. This is one the best ways to protect your safety, both on and offline.

As previously mentioned, pictures are often recommended with social networking websites. If you are interested in posting a personal picture of yourself in your online profile you can do so, but you are advised to carefully choose that picture. While you will want to look your best, you are advised against posting a picture that is too revealing or seductive in nature. Most internet users can look at these types of pictures without feeling a thing, but for others these types of pictures spell danger.

If you make the decision to post a picture of yourself in your social networking website profile, you need to be careful about the rest of the information that you post. Although you may not necessarily think about it, a picture is just a picture, but combined with your name and address, it could be a deadly combination. You are advised to only post your first name in your profile. This will make it more difficult for anyone to try and contact you off of the internet.

It is also advised that you carefully choose your location. A large number of online social networking sites require that you select a city, as well as a state. If it is allowed, you may only wish to list your state and not the city. If you are required to list the city and the state that you live in, you may want to think about using a nearby city or town, especially if you live in a small town. If an internet predator wanted to contact you and you lived in a small town, it could be fairly easy for them to find you. That is why it is advised that you carefully select the answer to the location question.

In addition to the above precautionary measures, it is advised that you do not post detailed information on your children, the location of your home, your income, or when you will be leaving for vacation. By keeping these and the above mentioned points in mind, you should be able to enjoy online social networking without having to always look behind your back.