October 30, 2005
A New Blog Software I'm Testing
A quick preview of Blog Auto Publisher left me amazed - and my head filling with some great ideas.
I first heard about Olga's proposed project from a presentation at Yanik's Underground Seminar - speaking of which, registration just started for the next session in March 2006 (if you're interested in attending, drop me a note, I'll tell you how you can be one of the first to sign up!)
Back to Blog Auto Publisher... I had a rush through the features, including the detailed video tutorials, and am excited about the possibilities. Here's a part of the short note I sent Olga after my first look...
Olga, I'm VERY impressed with what I've seen of your program so far. Just viewed the video tutorials.Very well done. You've thought of almost everything - and I've got a ton of ideas for my new project, which will be based entirely on a set of 100 blogs. I've been working on the template, content creation, finding helpers to work on the promotions - and was about to focus on setting up systems for blog-and-ping.
Now, it appears I can even do away with the tasks I had planned for a few of my helpers!
Will send you a nice testimonial once I've got some results to share - and I'll be telling a few close friends to check this out as well. Think I might do a special report for my blog list also - but only after I first try out all the amazing features you've thrown in.
Once again, thank you, and congratulations on putting together a really useful piece of software.
Now, the software is pricey. In my opinion, it's well worth the price. If you'd like to check it out, here's where you can read more about this...
October 29, 2005
John Reese's Newsletter - Sound Advice
John Reese just published a newsletter. In it, he shared some very personal news. I had been aware of this for a few months - but had no idea it hurt John so badly or so deeply.
I feel his pain. In a sense, I experience it almost daily in my professional work. The senseless loss of life, of innocents suffering, of redefining my purpose.
The ebook I wrote, encapsulating a lot of these intense feelings, emotions and reflections, has become a runaway best-seller. It got rave reviews from many readers from all walks of life. It's titled "The Emotion Prism - How to be Happy When You'd Rather be Sad" - http://www.EmotionPrism.com
More recently, as I wrote in my blog post on October 26th titled "Shocking News - And New Paradigms", I've experienced a new urgency to getting projects done. It's amazing how much of a kick on the backside it can be when you realize how transient our existence could be.
John's newsletter ends with these words:
I would like to challenge you to do some deep thinking of your own. Look inside yourself and try to identify your purpose in life. I would also encourage you to spend more time with your friends and family. And also let them know how much they mean to you. If you feel a certain way about someone in your life, tell them. Don't wait.You never know when they might be gone.
It's sound advice. Do it.
October 25, 2005
The Power of Persistence
I first read this story in a book by Zig Ziglar.
A stone-cutter sits in front of a huge rock, pounding away at it
with his tiny hammer. It looks pretty hopeless. The man is so
puny, his tool so small, the boulder so massive.
Yet, he persists. Bam. Bam. Bam.
With each stroke, he gets a little weaker. There is no change
in the rock. It all seems fruitless. Still, he persists.
Bam... bam... bam... again and again. 25 times. 100 times.
500 times. Nothing.
750. 999. ONE THOUSAND... when, all of a sudden,
C-R-A-C-K
The boulder splits apart and shatters into a million pieces!
To someone watching, it appears it was that one single blow,
the last one, that broke that huge chunk of stone into pieces.
But the stone-cutter knew - and so do you - that it was the
COMBINED effort of all the 999 strokes that went before.
In a nutshell, this summarizes success on the Internet, too.
And a GREAT example of this is my friend, Kim Standerline. A
nurse in the British NHS, Kim is an avid internet marketer,
and a VERY helpful person. We've known each other for around
4 years, and planned a joint project - a 'Doctor-Nurse' thing.
But unfortunately, I couldn't follow through. Had too many
other projects underway and simply didn't have time for more.
You'd imagine Kim would shelve it away for the future - but no.
She went ahead on her own, with help from a partner, and has
come up with an amazing niche marketing program I'm kicking
myself for not being a part of.
Yesterday, I spent some time looking around the membership
area, and LOVE it. If you have *any* interest in the broad
niche Kim has targeted, you owe it to yourself to take a look
at this offer.
www.Reach-n-Relate.com/kim-health.htm
I'm throwing in some exclusive bonuses for members on my list
who sign up this week - and they will help you get even more
from your membership. No clues about what the bonuses will be
- it's a SURPRISE :)
And if you are NOT interested in signing up, your time will not
be wasted.
Here's why.
* You will learn by example. See how simple and elegant Kim's
new project is. Can you do something like it in YOUR niche?
* You'll get inspired by her persistence. This is Kim's first
big success in several years of work online. I'd like to help
her make it a 5-figure launch - and she's very close to it.
* You will meet a very niche (oops, I mean NICE) person. Kim
Standerline is a nurse. Helping people is second nature to
her. Get to know her and observe her 'system'. It works.
Ok, now you've read this, go on to the site and take a look.
The membership slots are almost gone (less than 40% left) plus
Kim's thinking about raising the price to reflect the real
value in this package.
October 23, 2005
The Blog Challenge Update
The Blog Challenge is well and truly on.
We're at $3,573.64
And this is day #7. There's another 23 to go!
October 22, 2005
Is this 'Win' or 'Lose'?
There have been many thought-provoking experiences in my online marketing life, and I've learned valuable lessons from them. It might be an interesting experiment to discuss them on the forum - so we can all gain insight and knowledge from each.
Here's how it will work - I post an experience on this blog, and you can sound off about it on the 'Marketing Debates Forum. We'll all learn something from the shared opinions.
Sound good?
Ok, here's the first 'story' for our
I did a joint venture promotion for a limited edition product priced at $497.
The promotion sold 21 copies in 24 hours - making it a 5-figure day!
As agreed upon, I paid my JV partner 50% of the profits.
In a month, 10 of the buyers had requested a refund!
I didn't pass on the refunds to my JV partner, and absorbed the loss. In effect, I had created the product, handled customer support, and ended up breaking even without a profit.
Is this a 'win' or 'lose' situation for me?
Post your comments on the forum - click here. I'll chime in with my opinion after 3 or 4 days. It should be an interesting debate.
Making Money Online - How To Find Your Best Choices
"...there appears to be a sense of frustration and lost goals among newbies. People are worried about making millions. I am just worried about making anything that will give me satisfaction.There is just so much to learn, so many systems for making money, and so many gurus that I almost want to back away and hide. Some tell you one thing and then you are told completely the opposite by someone else.
The problem with learning to make money on the web is the equivalent of doing a major course where half the students are the professors and everyone has something to say. Its a case of selectively picking through the brambles to find the road.
I have joined a system that is all laid out for me and, hopefully, I am told that all I have to do is follow the one guru and it will succeed. Its all I can handle at the moment and even that, at times, seems like too much.
How many feel like I do?"
This post on one of my favorite forums made me think.
We had a power outage at home that lasted a couple of hours. It gave me time to re-evaluate my strategy for the coming year.
And I realized something startling... I'm in the same boat!
It wasn't easy to choose one or two from among the various 'models' of generating online profits. I've tried out many - and they work. But when it comes to integrating all my online activities, and implementing the best, tested and proven, highest yield strategies in ALL of them, I'm finding it a bit hard.
It's not surprising how much MORE difficult it must be to someone new - who doesn't even know if any of them will WORK in the first place!
After a couple of hours of brainstorming with my wife about the direction we should take in the future, we've kind of settled upon going the Adsense/Pay-per-Click / Affiliate / Direct Selling route... in different niches.
Does that mean others are wrong or won't work? Absolutely not. The choice we made was based upon our own unique resources, skills, and goals. And yours should be based upon yours.
Sadly, too many folks begin venturing into online marketing without a clue about what they want, where they are headed, how long it will take them, and how badly they want to get there... and most critical, WHY they want to do it at all.
It's close to the time we all make New Year's resolutions - but nothing prevents you from taking stock and setting course today. In fact, I should have taken my own advice sooner - thanks to the power cut, I got it done.
So, sometime soon, take the time out to ask yourself these questions. They appear simple - but when you think hard about it, they aren't so simple, or even easy. But answering them honestly and completely could change the way you go about your work online.
Why do you do what you do/want to do online?
What income targets do you need to reach? When?
What resources do you have, or have access to?
What are you willing to do or give up to get there?
How much knowledge do you plan to acquire? How?
Who are the people you will work with?
Once you've got these things clear in your head, you'll find yourself automatically being attracted towards certain systems, specific 'gurus', particular models to adapt and adopt to your online business.
Set your goals. If you don't know how, here's a short little guide to help you along - Your Goal Setting Guide.
Review your progress. It helps you keep on track, retain focus. It also helps energize you as you reach each milestone on target.
Make changes. Adapt to the course. Tweaks and twists help you navigate the rocky path surely and steadily.
Choose your mentors carefully. It's easy for anyone to claim success with a system. You must be convinced it is one you can translate and employ in your business.
Learn constantly. Things change. Effective strategies lose effectiveness. Don't waste time blaming or crying. Adapt, modify and forge ahead.
And to keep you motivated and inspired, here are 2 things you can do:
Download and read 'How Long Does Success Take' - it's FREE
Subscribe to your 'Daily Inspirational Quote' - it's FREE too
October 21, 2005
Breaking a Barrier
It's pretty cool to break a barrier - and I just broke through the $3,000 barrier with this promotion.
We're currently at $3,107.99, which means...
One Child's Operation Will Happen!
That's so, so cool. Thank you for making it possible.
October 20, 2005
An Early Review
See one early review from Keith who ordered the latest version of
SMART Niche Minisites:
*** "You Have Brought Things On A Long Way!"- Keith Longmire, on email
Hi, I purchased the latest mini site to see how you have progressed
since the first set. I still have a couple of those that I have
not set-up.First impressions are that you have brought things on a long way.
I think these mini sites are a big improvement on the originals.
My only complaint is the lack of in-built list building provision.
I will have to work on a name-squeeze page.
Bye for now.Keith Longmire
You can see many more reviews of our turnkey niche marketing
solution at 'The Niche Proof' blog - click here
In The News - Dr.Mani's 'Blog Challenge'
A short progress report - we're up to
$2,134.75 in profits from the new launch.
And you can download a copy of Dr.Mani's 'Blog Challenge'
in PDF form - click here for the 'Blog Challenge'
October 19, 2005
We're Making Steady Progress
Just a quick update on how the 'Blog Challenge' is coming along.
In 48 hours since I've started promoting the new product, exclusively to a small group (owners of my current niche marketing package), we've had a profit of 1680.57
And the marketing efforts are just getting into full swing.
This is going to be one exciting ride :)
October 18, 2005
Next newsletter is ready
This week's PDF has some exciting updates - don't miss out
Download it from here:
October 17, 2005
We're Off With a BANG!
'The Challenge' is off to a GREAT start.
$1064.51 in the first day - and ONLY my current
niche package clients have even heard about it!
And hey, it's just Monday!
A Blog Challenge!
A reader challenged me
After I posted the note yesterday on my blog, one reader wrote with some useful comments - and challenged me to do something.
Carry Out A 5-Figure Launch - Without JVs or Partners
His point was that, like it or not, you NEED JVs to make significant profits online. While in a general way, I do agree that JVs are far easier to profit from, I don't think it is impossible to do it on your own.
How can I say that?
Well, in a sense, I've been doing this for a while now. Most of my projects start out with plans involving dozens (if not hundreds) of partners, but my efforts always seem to fizzle out - leaving me to handle promotions all on my own.
I've been fortunate to learn from close observation some successful launches like John Reese's 'Traffic Secrets', Yanik Silver's 'Underground Seminar' (both involved many affiliates and JV partners) and Allen Says' 'Warrior Alliance' (which was run single-handed, and sold out the limited 500 slots within 24 hours - at $67 a month!)
Plus, recently I had the chance to read the transcripts of Jeff Walker's POWER interview with Frank Kern, Jim Edwards, Yanik Silver, Jason Potash and John Reese - about co-ordinating product launches (it's a lead-in to Jeff's soon-to-release 'Product Launch Formula' package, which promises to be AWESOME!)
Still I thought this would be a good experiment - done in a formal and planned way.
And to make this 'challenge' more meaningful, I'm going to tie it in with my passion and purpose!
So for my launch of Smart Niche Minisites v2.0 I have decided upon 2 things.
1. No launch partners, JVs or affiliates. I'm going it alone
2. All - and I mean 100% - of all profits will go to the Dr.Mani Children's Heart Foundation, and be used to sponsor heart surgery for poor kids (click here for details)
The target will be to fund 4 operations - that's $10,000 in net profit. The deadline for this challenge will be November 30th, 2005.
Let's GO
October 16, 2005
Bird Flu - The Facts
I put the finishing touches on the Bird Flu Facts HOTSHEET -
and it's now ready for download, all 6 pages of it!
Make sure you register to receive future bird flu updates.
Here's the link:
THE BIRD FLU FACTS HOTSHEET
- http://www.TheBirdFluFacts.com
Looking forward to your feedback and comments.
October 15, 2005
Bird Flu - Special Report
I've just completed a draft of a short special report on 'Bird Flu'
If you're interested in getting a copy of it (no cost), please post a note on the forum - click here
I expect the report to be done tomorrow. Just a few things to check before publishing it.
October 14, 2005
A Rant on Joint Ventures
This is a rant. That's why it's on my blog, not in an ezine issue! It's even controversial, and you may not agree with everything. I just need to get it off my chest. It's been annoying me for so long.
Not about the technique, approach or strategy behind it - or even the effectiveness and profitability.
I've been working on my various websites for over 9 years now. As an avid student of Internet marketing tactics, I have studied most of the top experts - even before they were widely regarded 'gurus'.
And in many cases, I have exchanged emails, messages, ideas, sought feedback, offered suggestions or opinions - in other words, established as 'personal' a relationship as is possible over the Web, operating from different continents!
In the past 2 years, I've done some great JV deals - and they have brought in 5-figure sales in a few days.
But...
And it hasn't been for lack of trying. Too many of the 'big guns' must be sick and tired of hearing me ask them to help promote one product after another - but have been consistent in their response.
Now, that is enough cause for a rant. But that's NOT the issue I'm angry about. That's just a business decision. What irks me is the manner in which I get turned down or dealt with!
Based on my exchanges with people I've approached with JV offers, I've identified 3 categories.
1. The 'not so famous' - who, in general, are very nice folks with a polite, can-do, positive attitude to working together (maybe because there is a significant benefit to both sides from the JV)
2. The 'Old School Gentlemen' - really big name gurus many thousands learn from and admire, class acts who know how to say 'No' without causing offence or being condescending. Secure and confident people with results to back them... but more importantly, caring individuals who don't consider themselves 'over and above' the crowd
3. The 'Upstarts' - this is the group I've learned to dislike - and will avoid in the future. One success, one big launch, one endorsement by a big name, one appearance at a seminar - and BOOM... they consider themselves the next best thing since sliced bread.
What's worse, having secured an entry into the 'elite insider club', they then proceed to talk down to others.
I've had one person critique my email subject lines (unsolicited, of course) - not even knowing what kind of numbers I'm doing!
Another reacted strangely defensively to feedback on a marketing technique!
A third analyzed my sales letter and promotion technique when offered a chance to do an endorsed mailing to his list - and the funny thing is, he never was interested in doing the promotion!
I've tried to understand what makes these people think they are such hot shots based on one solitary success (or a handful of them) - and then realized they weren't OVER-confident...
No wonder the response I've had from these folks was bordering on RUDE. The folks responding were not confident enough to relax in their success. They KNOW it was a one-shot thing - and perhaps when they repeat it over and over again, they'll become more confident and then get off their high-horses ;)
And there's a point to this whole tirade - it's this...
Yes, I understand you might be spending many hours of your life doing this Internet marketing thing. You may be feeling isolated and lonely working all alone in front of a computer screen in a dim lit room, shooting off emails and writing sales copy and running promotions - and closely tracking results.
It's easy to believe that EVERYTHING is about your website, your ebook, your latest sales numbers, your response rates, your list size, blah blah blah
But it is not.
There's more to life - and a lot of it is more important.
Stuff like the kind of person you are.
The kind of person your success makes you.
The things you do with your success and money - giving yourself and your family a better lifestyle, taking more time off and holidaying, relaxing and reducing stress, doing more critical, important and enjoyable things you like.
And there are many amazing people who lead very successful lives - who are getting started in Internet marketing, learning the ropes, and not as successful at THIS - yet.
If one of them approaches YOU, are you going to let your LIMITED success make you talk down to them, insult or humiliate them, be nasty and rude to them?
Or are you going to share your success, learn from THEM (in maybe unrelated ways) about a broader kind of success?
Zig Ziglar says this: "Life is like a grindstone. Whether it wears you down or polishes you up depends upon what YOU are made of"
And there's another couple of lessons in this rant too.
You might assume that because many folks know me or have heard about me, getting top experts to JV with is as easy as falling off a log. I've had emails from my subscribers asking why I don't 'pull strings and use connections' to get so-and-so to run an endorsement to their lists.
While I'd love to be able to say that my relationship is based on a higher level and I don't misuse that to ask them to do a promotion, the truth of the matter is that I try - and fail far more often than I succeed.
That's life. Get over it :)
The other lesson is one my little patients teach me every day.
I'll name some names at this point, because I know these folks won't mind.
I've written Yanik Silver AT LEAST 15 times about different product promotions over the last 7 years. A few weeks back, he sent out a note about one of my reports on ebusiness optimization to his list of several thousand avid subscribers.
(Yes, a lot of it)
I've invited Joshua 'Mr.NPOD' Shafran to tell his list about my products for more than 3 years. 3 months ago, he said he had a slot available - for the next day! Quickly, I crafted a promotion. We ran it out to his subscribers - and it was good.
- and luck!
I've pursued Stephen Pierce for months, getting a kind of 'semi-agreement' on a couple of occasions - but not being able to consummate the deal. It's a case of 'so near, yet so far'. It can be frustrating - but you've got to live with it.
- often, really!
Finally, I've just mailed a letter asking for a joint venture opportunity with a master marketer. If it happens, it will be BIG. What's the chance it'll happen? Well, without me sending out that letter, ZERO. At least, with this first contact, there's a chance!
- you've got to step up to the plate and swing!
Don't let rejection (or the fear of it) stop you. The really big guys won't hurt you when they turn you down. The rest aren't really so big themselves. And either way it doesn't matter - coz you gotta do what you gotta do!
Finally, constantly work on becoming one of the 'Old School Gentlemen' - even if you first have to get to being an 'Upstart' :)
That's it - end of my rant!
I want your comments or feedback. What do you think about what I just wrote. Have your say - on this special section of our niche marketing forum - click here
If you're interested in getting more in-depth information about the nuts-and-bolts of doing joint venture deals, here are some of the wonderful resources I've read and studied:
* JV Mastery - from the best JV expert I've studied, Jay Abraham. If you want only ONE manual to teach you everything you need to know about doing JVs, this is the one. It even teaches you the right mindset - and getting it is the ONLY way you will stay the course, despite disappointment and frustration.
* Ultimate JV - by Gabriel Howes, a good primer on the nuance of joint venture deal making, starting from the very basics and going up to advanced strategies. A comprehensive guide.
October 13, 2005
October 12, 2005
THE RICH JERK - I'm KICKING Myself!
... for being cynical and NOT getting 'The Rich Jerk' sooner!
Spent 45 minutes reading it last night. Learned many new things
I'll be putting them to work RIGHT away!
Here's just one example of what I've done... written a review of
web hosting services (It's something I had on
my 'to do' list for a long time, and is based entirely on my own
personal experience with a terrible web hosting company before I
found my current 2 top choices).
Take a look at it - click here. Then tell me if you think this
will work better than a simple 'sales pitch' - or not!
It's one of the many things I learned from 'The Rich Jerk'
So, is the ebook really worth the money?
At $97, yes.
At the current 'low price' discount of $47 - ABSOLUTELY yes.
I don't know how long this 'special' will last. So if you're at
all curious, grab your copy today.
(There, I just used ANOTHER thing I learned in 'The Rich Jerk'!)
And if you're the kind that needs a gentle 'nudge' to help make your
decision, here's a special bonus offer (valid only for the next 48 hours).
Get 'The Rich Jerk' using THIS link - and email your receipt from Clickbank
to me.
I'll give you a $20 'gift certificate' which you can redeem against ANY of
my products or services. Yes, if it costs less than $20, you can get it
free. If it costs more, you can deduct $20 from the price!
(And THAT is yet ONE MORE lesson I learned in 'The Rich Jerk'!!!)
As 'he' says, "I just bought two cars and a yacht... DID YOU?"
Well, maybe you can too - with this book! :)
October 11, 2005
The Rich Jerk - @ $49
It's A Remarkable Study in Pricing!
You've probably heard enough about it already - I'm talking about the ebook titled "The Rich Jerk"
It's a remarkable experience in branding and the use of 'personality' in a sales letter - and by the way, the letter itself is a 'must add' to your swipe file, if you're a serious copywriter. Take a look at it - click here
What's even more remarkable is how the price has been fluctuating wildly, like the share price of a heavily speculated stock on NASDAQ. It started off being $99, then went all the way up to $199 - and today, 'crashed' to just $49.
At that price point, it caught my attention... and I just got my own copy today :)
Haven't yet read it - have a couple of other great buys I made this week waiting for attention first, including Joel Christopher's "Mining Online Gold With An Offline Shovel".
Still, I thought it worth bringing this 'low price' special to your attention, in case you were curious about 'The Rich Jerk'!
Rank Your Blog?
I came across 2 blog ranking sites and registered my blogs.
Blog Rankers:
Blog Top Sites:
Drop by, vote for my blog, and get yours registered too. I just heard that these links bring in some traffic to your blogs - will report when these have been up for a while.
October 04, 2005
What Dr.Mani says... er, SAID
Archives of previous mailings to Dr.Mani's list.
Place your mouse cursor over the link, click your RIGHT mouse button, and select "Save Target As" from the popup menu.
July 2005 archive:
September 2005 archive:
October 03, 2005
An Interesting Question - And Amazing Response
Yesterday, I asked my subscriber list what appeared an innocent question.
"Do I Email You Too Often?"
Take a look at some of the responses - there were over NINETY replies to the post on my forum within 6 hours!
Now, apart from the content of the posts themselves, what I learned from the surveying process is:
* subscribers have opinions - and love to share them
* readers appreciate the fact I cared enough to ask them for theirs
* pleasant surprise - many readers felt my high frequency mailing was good!
I learned a LOT from the survey - and strongly recommend it as a 'loyalty builder' for your list marketing efforts too.