My 2¢ Worth

've got a pet peeve. Well, actually I have many. My latest though, is the term "joint venture" which is thrown around the Web these days as if it really matters.

ou know the type. I easily receive at least a half a dozen E-mails each day from some one with their latest joint venture offer. These joint ventures, or jv s, are where somebody offers you a specific sum (usually a percentage) of money to promote and sell their product(s).

hat's not a joint venture! That is affiliate marketing.

ow I've nothing against affiliate marketing, per se. Many folks have made and continue to make good money with affiliate marketing. While I much prefer to sell my own products or services — that's just a personal thing. There is nothing inherently wrong with marketing a good product at a fair price, even if it is somebody else's product.

y problem is with the terminology. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck — then call it a duck!

o don't sent E-mail offing to jv with me when all you really want me to do is sell your product. I'll ignore such requests. However if you come right out and tell me that you wish me to be an affiliate, then I'll gladly consider your offer.

Feature Article

MOVING BEYOND MARKETING RITUALS TO INCREASE PROFITS

by: Charlie Cook charliecook.net

You're at a networking meeting and someone asks for your business card. You hand them a fairly typical card with your company's name, your name and title, and contact information on it. What happens next? Do they get in touch with you? Do they become a client?

Nine times out of ten, the conversation ends when you hand someone you've just met your business card, and you never hear from them again. Wouldn't you like to use these opportunities to generate interest, get a conversation going and have prospects contact you?

All of your marketing materials should be written and designed to prompt prospects to take action. When you meet potential clients or customers, whether in person or through your brochure or web site, you want to lead them to ask you how you can help them and to call or email you later for more information. A typical business card does neither of these things.

You don't have much real estate on a business card to work with, so use it well. Start by looking at the basic elements of your card.

Most business cards include titles. Your card may say, "Broker", "Consultant", or "Vice President". What does this tell prospects about what you can do for them? Titles only give people a vague idea of what you do and rarely explain how you help people. If you include a title on your card, make it descriptive of your role in the company or your work with clients.

Instead of or in addition to your title, put your marketing message on the card. This is a one-sentence description of how you actually help clients. When prospects read your card, they'll quickly learn the problems you solve, and they'll want to know how you can help them or someone they know. Your card then becomes a catalyst to conversation and gives you an opportunity to learn more about this prospect's needs.

Another way to use your business card to pique prospects' interest is to include an offer on the back. You might offer a free report or guide of interest to your target market. For example, if you are a real estate agent you could offer an article on "10 Simple Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home", available on your company's web site through the link provided. When prospects visit the site, ask them to provide their name, email address and phone number, and then deliver a well-written and informative article.

The first step is to get a prospect's attention and their contact information. Then you can stay in touch with them on a regular basis, offering more helpful ideas and information about your services. Building relationships in this way is well worth the additional cost of printing on both sides of your cards.

Before you rush to redo your business card, you'll want it designed so it is easy to read and moves your prospects to contact you. If you want it to look professional, hire a graphic designer to help put your marketing objectives into print.

Stop exchanging business cards as a ritual and start using your card to attract new clients. Reconsider your title and include your brilliant marketing message. Add a free offer your prospects can't refuse. Your business card will help you start conversations, generate more leads and grow your business.

**************

The author, Marketing Coach, Charlie Cook, helps independent professionals and small business owners attract more clients and increase their earnings with the 5 Principles of Highly Effective Marketing. Sign up to receive the Free Marketing Guide and the 'More Business' newsletter, full of practical tips you can use at www.charliecook.net

Glowing Text Links
(IE only)

This special effect will make your links appear to be glowing. Place the following code in your HTML document where you would like your link to appear.

<span style="position:relative; width:200; height:25; filter:glow(color=#f0701a,strength=4)"><a href="http://www.yourdomain.com">Glowing Text Link Example</a></span>

Change the text indicated in red for customization. All I can say is to play around with these values until you achieve the desired effect. The more you change these values, the better you'll understand what each value does.

This effect works in Internet Explorer only. Netscape will display the link in the blue default color. I suggest that you make limited use of this effect, as it tends to irritate visitors.

Glowing Text Link Example

* Get these syndicated tip feeds for yourweb site, free. *

Second Article

Be Prepared, In the Event Computer Disaster Strikes

by: S. Housley SMS Messaging Software from NotePage

Computers
Businesses and individuals alike have all grown to rely on computers. The reliance is never more apparent than when something happens to the horrid little box that makes our lives easier. We expect computers to react a certain way, in certain situations. It nearly always comes as a surprise when the beloved little box, know as a computer, refuses to boot up. Probably even more shocking, is the dawning that we've neglected to backup or prepare for the unforeseen disaster that has just been thrust upon us.

Regardless of the number of times you have experienced the dread of being unable to access the information trapped in the god-awful computerized contraption, we are always invariably unprepared.

The reality of it is that computers, not only contain moving parts, but they like other machines, they are prone to failure at some point in their lives. Not only can hardware failures occur, but viruses can also corrupt data making it impossible to retrieve. Regardless of the litany of words used to bully the box into behaving, the truth is that the only offence is a good defense.

So how do you prepare for a computer tragedy?

Prepare for the Worst
In structuring an offense it's important to realize the power of reinforcements: backups are invaluable and will save countless hours of shameless degradation. Be sure that you backup data and files on a regular basis, there are a number of tools that will automate the process.

It is critical that you check the backup log to ensure that a backup was completed properly. I cannot begin to describe the devastation felt when it is realized that though there was a backup process in place, the backup never actually occurred. Realizing this during a restore is likely to push any computer lover over the edge. It is a good idea to store a weekly back up off site. This is especially helpful, if an unforeseen fire or a natural disaster strikes.

Protection is critical!

Build A Wall
If the computer has Internet access, either a hardware or software firewall (or combination there of) must be used. The firewall creates a barrier between a computer and the world. Without a firewall, Internet worms are capable of exploiting security holes and are able to create what are referred to as 'back doors'. These back doors can then be used to gain access to personal information stored on the computer, including password files, and financial information.

Trust No One
If you are an avid Internet surfer or downloader be sure to scan any downloads prior to opening or installing. Up to date anti-virus software should be used to ensure, that computers do not become infected with malicious viruses that will ruin your life. Scan any email attachments prior to opening regardless of whom they are from. Files that end with .scr, .pif and .exe can contain viruses that will wreak havoc with your data and emotional well being.

Preparedness goes a long way, and a little foresight will ensure that, while a computer might be an inconvenience, you will not be defeated.

Preparation Resources

Anti-virus Software
- www.military-software.com/anti-virus-software.htm

Firewalls
- www.monitoring-software.net/intrusion-detection-software.htm

**************

Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites and additional articles can be found at www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and www.small-business-software.net

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