Tag Archives: twitter

List Building In The Age Of Twitter



BWMagic’s Internet Marketing News


List Building In The Age Of Twitter

If you have a web site or you’re into online marketing – you will
probably already know how important list building is to your success.
You simply must have some way of building your list in place.

Years ago, when I first started with this online stuff, one of the first things
I learned was how to build lists in order to increase my site’s traffic
and sales. At first, I was mainly concerned with using my lists to bring repeat
visitors to my site and to build up some kind of relationship.

I soon discovered one of the most effective ways of doing this was simply
offering quality information in the form of a free ebook, video or newsletter
in return for the contact email.

Your site’s visitors would opt-in to your email list in order to get quality
information from you, which gave you the chance of offering follow-up information
in order to fully engage your subscribers with your site.

This doesn’t have to be complicated or a lot of work.

I believe one of my most effective list building systems is where visitors can
opt-in to get discount coupons on high-end products. When merchants give discounts,
special sales… I simply send out an email to these subscribers with the offers.

Ridiculously simple but it works.

Another version of this list building system is where I give 6 or 7 follow-up
information emails on a product or service. Within those emails are links
to a discount page where I place all my discounts and sales for that particular
product or service.

Again simple yet very effective.

But things have changed in the field of list building. I am still doing those
techniques above and will continue to use them because they work.

But…

There are now new programs on the web which make it much easier to build
your list of contacts.

When I think of all the time it took me to just get 10,000 subscribers, I am kinda
freaked out that some kid can put a few music videos on YouTube and in less than
a month has over 160,000 subscribers.

The same thing with Twitter, where building a list of 100,000 followers is fairly
common. The potential for building a large quality list is at anyone’s fingertips.
And all these programs can be used in addition to your onsite autoresponder which
you’re using to build your contact list.

Anyway, below is a recent article on building your list with Twitter and the
whole key is to integrate all your social networks programs into your web site.
Make it extremely easy for anyone to sign-up to your Twitter, YouTube, MySpace…
accounts from your site. Connect everything together and promote your
social contact sites just like you would your own site.

In this article I also give you some tips on how to increase your Twitter
followers – you can find it here:

http://www.sitepronews.com/2010/05/31/list-building-in-the-age-of-twitter



…


Top 10 Linkedin Strategies To Increase Your Contacts/Income


Another online resource which is extremely helpful but you don’t hear too much
about it is Linkedin, which you can also use to build your list of contacts.

I am not an expert on Linkedin, so of course, I do the next best thing – seek
out someone who is!

One of the best experts on how to use Linkedin is Lewis Howes.

He has become somewhat of a LinkedIn “guru”, someone who has developed
and used strategies to make this program work for him and for you, if you
follow his advice.

I personally find Linkedin has the most professional or highly connected contacts
on it, more so than on YouTube or even Twitter – high-level experts and business
people who can really help your business grow.

To get a free video of the Top 10 Linkedin Tips you can use to fully take advantage
of this networking site. He also has an ebook entitled “Linkedin Master Strategies”
at a reasonable price, you can consider but make sure you view the free video.

You will have to give an email address because of course Lewis is also building
his list. (Tip: I often use a secondary email address when signing up to things
like this – if the follow-up information is extremely good and the person is
some one of high quality. I will then often re-subscribe to them using my primary
email address!)

To discover these common sense tips on how to use Linkedin to your advantage
click here:


Linkedin Master Strategies




Helping You Succeed Online Since 2002!

Kind Regards,
Titus

List Building

Did you find the above information helpful? If so, why not
help spread the word – recommend this content by using
the social bookmark sites below. The SEO Gods will Thank You!

List Building – Is It Still Relevant On Today’s Web?

BWMagic’s Internet Marketing News

List Building – Is It Still Relevant On Today’s Web?

Years ago, when I first started in online marketing, all the rage was
something called “list building”. I immediately jumped on this subject
and started gathering every list building technique one could possibly
imagine. It very quickly became one of my most favorite areas of Internet
marketing to explore; so much so, that when I reached my first goal of
getting 1000 subscribers, I was so pleased with myself, I even wrote an
ebook on list building.

But that was then, this is now.

Since that time, online marketing and even the web itself, has changed
tremendously. And we are not talking about small changes or minor
adjustments here – the web has fundamentally changed from the core up.
People simply use the web in a different way than they used it 10 years ago.
It has become so much more of a user-friendly place, so much so, that
marketing on this friendlier web has become a whole new ballgame.

The question remains: is list building still relevant on today’s web?

The answer is still a solid “YES”, but the “WAY” lists are built have
almost changed completely. Not too long ago, traditional list building
meant you slapped some sign-ups forms (provided by your webhost or an
autoresponder service) onto your web pages and you were in business.
Subscribers who signed up to your list or newsletter, would receive
follow-up emails from you or your site.

Anyone could do it since it was so straightforward and so simple,
almost to the point of being idiot-proof. However, the underlying
key to building a successful list was gaining loyalty and forming a
lasting relationship with your subscriber. Successful online marketers
and list builders will tell you, this was really the hardest part.
Communicating effectively with your subscribers over a long period of
time is extremely difficult to do and does require gaining some skills,
especially in the copy writing area.

So what has changed the list building process?

In a couple of words, three to be precise: social networking sites.
These social networking programs and sites have completely changed how
lists are built on the web. Actually, these social network sites such
as FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube… have made list building as
easy as taking your next breath. List building is integrated into these
programs so seamlessly, many users are unaware they are actually building
a list.

Simply by using these social networking sites any webmaster or marketer
can build a list of contacts or subscribers. Call them friends, fans or
followers – they are your subscribers and you can easily reach them with
your next posting, tweet or video. There are countless teenagers on many
of these social networks who have subscribers that number in the 100’s of
thousands, even in the millions. And the rate at which they build their
list of subscribers would put many a seasoned marketer to shame.

There are several reasons why this new way of list building is much more
effective than traditional list building methods. First, building your
list of contacts is fully integrated into these network programs, often
it is the main goal or purpose of the program. Seeing how many followers
you can get on Twitter has become a world-wide sport – just go ask Ashton Kutcher!

However, from a marketing perspective, using these programs eliminates
one of the major drawbacks of marketing on the web – spam. Actually,
contacting your list by email is becoming troublesome, even with double
opt-in, many of your emails never get through to your legit subscribers
because they are blocked by spam-filters and Internet service providers.
Using these social programs is a way of contacting your subscribers without
the whole issue of spam being considered at all.

Perhaps, an even more important reason to use these social media sites to
build your list has to do with the tricky problem of establishing relationships
with your subscribers. These sites make it much easier to build that
long-lasting relationship with your contacts. In the case of YouTube, it can
simply mean making a video and talking directly to your subscribers.
Communication is direct and immediate. In most cases, there’s no need to
acquire additional skills or techniques. Besides, in most of these social
network sites, communication is often more effective because it’s just
not one-way, your subscribers can easily communicate back with you.

The same goes for Twitter, which has become the list building tool of choice
for many webmasters and online marketers. Twitter is an excellent medium
for building your list. It can be used effectively to get your message out
to thousands of like-minded followers and have that message spread rapidly
around the web. Marketers are now taking advantage of such a system to market
online, but be aware abusing this program will get you banned especially if
you just use it to send spam. Like any type of marketing on the web, you
shouldn’t have any problems if you keep all your communications/interactions
real and human.

Another element of these programs which can’t be denied, they are all free.
Anyone can use these social network sites to quickly build their list or lists
without having to worry about paying for it. Actually, in the case of YouTube,
you can become a partner and earn revenue from Google Adsense while building
your list.

There’s also no denying these social network sites have changed not only list
building, but how we use the web. These programs have a “pooling” effect on
all web activity, gathering like-minded individuals into or around certain
“pools” on the Internet. These concentrated pools of people can be formed
around a certain topic or even around a certain person. These are excellent
areas in which to carry out your list-building activities and your online
marketing efforts since they provide very targeted prospects. Ones you can
easily contact and communicate with by using these social networking sites.

While the old traditional email list should not be forgotten, list building,
as we know it, has been changed forever by the introduction of these social
networking programs. And as these network sites become more and more popular,
they will play an even greater role in all your list building efforts. A role
that can’t be ignored or dismissed, especially if you want your list building
to be truly effective.

….

Here are four essential social networking programs you should be using to help
build your list:

FaceBook

Facebook


Twitter

Twitter Bizwaremagic


YouTube

YouTube LaptopGuide


Google Buzz

Google Buzz

If you need more help with building your list – try this link:

List Building


Helping You Succeed Online Since 2002!

Kind Regards,
Titus

http://www.bizwaremagic.com

My Internet Marketing Strategies For 2010

BWMagic’s Internet Marketing News!

…….
Contents:

o My Internet Marketing Strategies For 2010

…….

Each year around this time, as I close out another year of working
online, I try to sum up what has worked for me over the past year
and what new things I will try in the upcoming year. The only reason
you should care about any of this, some of my marketing strategies and
tactics could be something that would also work for you.

Stranger things have happened!

Coming from a teaching background, I know sometimes it’s the smallest
suggestions that provide the spark to bigger things. It’s the simple
exchange of ideas that can really change how we do something or how
we approach a problem. More importantly, if you see the mistakes of
other marketers, you can avoid them in your own marketing and save
yourself a lot of disappointment and/or headaches.

For me last year was not an easy time to be marketing online, I believe
the recession in the States has finally taken a big toll, not in the number
of sales or revenue generated online because those have never been higher.
However, we are seeing the fallout of all those laid-off workers,
many of them are turning to the web for a source of income – therefore
you have increased competition like never before.

In my marketing niches especially, I have seen a ten-fold increase in
the number of competitors competing for the same sales. And it’s not
just the small-time webmaster or marketer – major corporations are now
targeting the online market in a much more savvy SEO way. It’s one thing
if your competitor is some joe-blow down the street, it’s a totally different
ballgame if your competitor is Dell, Apple or Sony.

These multi-national companies have the resources and very deep pockets
to pull everything out when it comes to SEO. If they want a number one
ranking in organic search, they can usually get it through white hat link
building and keyword positioning. Once these guys start moving into
your keyword phrases, you’re going to have to settle for second place,
if not lower.

Now you can still rank in the top spot and you can still make the sales
but your competition is much stiffer and more powerful – the end result,
you have to work harder to make the sales and get that top spot.
For me it has meant building more sites and doing much more aggressive
promotion in 2009, more articles, more press releases, more videos…
keeping my sites and promoted affiliate products front and center has
been a little harder.

I find myself concentrating on several important niches, rather than a broader
range of products which I would like to be doing… and which I have more
successfully done in years past. Now, because of the stiff competition,
I have to focus more of my time on just a few lucrative niches and keep
those keywords at the top. The end result – my online marketing has become
a lot tougher and harder to do, which is not necessarily all bad, since
I believe I am becoming a better marketer because of this fact. Just
complicates things a bit and all those easy sales of the past is a distant
memory.

Besides this increased competition, two other major events or factors
have overshadowed last year and I would like to talk about them in
some detail here because, I believe, going forward these two factors will
play major roles in online marketing. It might help you to be aware
of them and proceed accordingly.

New FTC Guidelines

First, the new FTC (Federal Trade Commission) Guidelines which came
into effect on December 1st of this month has everyone in online
marketing rattled up and running more than a little paranoid. How these
new rules will be enforced regarding “Testimonials and Endorsements”
could bring significant changes to how marketers can market online.

Major Internet Marketers are closing sites and giving away their products
for free in an attempt to bring their marketing into line with the
new rules. For affiliate marketers like myself, full disclosure and
transparency must now be a part of ALL your online affiliate links.

This could have some serious consequences for those marketing online
and I myself have added seals to my sites stating these are affiliate
marketing sites… how all this plays out in 2010 will be very interesting
to watch. Especially as we see test-cases taken to court and discover
what these new guidelines and rules will mean for hard-working online
marketers, who are only trying to make an honest buck.

Over the last two or three years, I have focused my own online marketing
towards “real products” mainly in electronics and away from “info-products”
which many people look down upon for many reasons. This move towards
selling real goods had more to do with earning income, rather than any
real dislike for info-products on my part…. selling real products and
services has become much more lucrative for me and I am only following
the money. Like you would!

Since I am doing affiliate marketing, how the new FTC guidelines and
rules play out, has my full attention and I am keeping my eyes peeled
to this issue in 2010. All of my own info-products/guides from all my
sites have and will always be free… I believe all information should be
free and not sold. Old teachers never die, they just end up broke!

The second major issue of the moment is Google.

Ever since Bing has come on the scene, Google has gone into overdrive.
At first I thought it was just me being a little sensitive to Google
since most of my traffic and income comes directly or indirectly from
Google.

But according to a recent CNN piece Google has released over 68 new
products within the last month or so. Major among them is the introduction
of “Real-Time Results” into their search index and if that wasn’t enough
Google is introducing Google Caffeine which is a major overhaul of its
search engine. I have told you about Caffeine in the last few emails that
I have sent.

Google is really changing and 2010 will be a watershed year for everyone
connected with Google. How Caffeine rolls out and how it affects your
site’s search results will have a full impact on how well you do in the
coming months… I have been holding my breath since last summer, waiting for
this monster to drop. Could be a smooth transition or a total roller-coaster
ride for my sites. Regardless, Google is going to make 2010 very interesting
for every online marketer.

They have even started suing certain companies for using the Google
name and trademark to scam people. Google has become such a force
that its no wonder, scammers have used it to rip people off and those
scammers should be held accountable. But for legitimate marketers who use
the Google name or talk about Google on their web pages or in their
marketing… it can get somewhat scary. You have to be extra careful
of what you say.

Google also has many new free products or services which are turning
a few heads, I especially marvel at the new “Google Goggles” for
mobile phones. Just take a picture and you get the Google results
instantly – no typing, just point and click.

I just envision, countless clueless teenagers suddenly being empowered
with knowledge and wisdom. Could do more for education since the
invention of the printed word. Talk about scary!

Anyway, Google is indeed, the one to watch in 2010.


……………………….

Here’s My Quick “To-Do” Marketing List For 2010


1. Google Caffeine – Totally examine and monitor how Caffeine affects all
my sites and major keyword phrases for which I currently rank on the first
page for in Google. Work out and/or create marketing strategies to counter any
negative effects Caffeine has on my marketing.

2. Bing/Yahoo – This search engine will produce more traffic in 2010 for
everyone involved so it can’t be ignored, no matter how important Google
becomes, B/Y will still deliver the goods. Check and try to improve my rankings
in this non-google search engine.

3. Videos Are It! – Videos have become a very powerful marketing tactic on
the web. I am planning to take full advantage of this powerful marketing medium
by making more site and product-related videos to be placed on YouTube and
around the web.

4. Press Releases – These have become extremely important in the new
“Real-Time Search” web. Getting your links and information onto the web
and into the search engines has never been easier. I am planning on doing
many more Press Releases in 2010.

5. Article Marketing – Writing simple “How-To” articles and placing them
all over the web, is still a very effective marketing technique, especially
when it comes to SEO and getting related one-way links back to your site.
High-quality articles perform the best, so I will be concentrating on producing
less, but hopefully more powerful high-quality articles.

6. Twitter – This has become a major marketing medium on the web.
One that I plan to fully examine and to take more seriously in 2010. Great
list building program which I would like to exploit in the coming year. I am
also expanding my use/link building efforts with all the social bookmarking
sites such as Del.icio.us, Digg, Stumbleupon, Facebook… I believe these
bookmark/links will play a greater role in SEO in the new revamped search engines.

7. Unique Content Links – Writing unique content and placing it on other
related sites around the web is probably the best “off-page” SEO which you can do.
I plan on exploring this marketing technique in 2010 and reaching more sites by
offering unique quality content out to any takers. A win-win situation that you will
see more and more of in the coming years.

8. Revenue Streams – Fully boost my existing revenue streams and start new ones,
especially placing most of my marketing efforts on those streams which give me
residual or recurring income. Expand my targeted “keyword list” to fully take
advantage of those revenue streams. Continue my major keyword battles full force.

9. Cross-promotion With Other Marketers – Doing joint marketing promotions
with related sites and marketers is a great way of building traffic and credibility
on the web. I plan to do more of these in 2010, especially interviews with
major online marketers or with the affiliate products/services I promote.

10. Keyworded Domains – Having your major keyword in your domain name
or URL will become even more important as the web evolves… which is only
common sense. You can rank higher in the search engines for that keyword
phrase if it’s in the domain. I have already bought a few new keyworded
domains which I will build new sites for in 2010. Full steam ahead.

One other consideration for 2010, which I am seriously thinking about has
to do with this newsletter. I am thinking about giving it up entirely!

Basically, over the years I have given valuable marketing information away,
and I have always applied this knowledge to my own online sites and marketing.
Unfortunately, I am also giving away valuable information to my competitors
who are competing against me! Not a very smart idea and an even dumber one
now that my competition has increased tremendously.

If this newsletter suddenly stops and you no longer get it, it will mean
I have discontinued it and gone into stealth mode. But you can still follow
me on Twitter…

Follow Me On Twitter

DISCLAIMER: The above information is for educational purposes only. Use
at your own risk. Consult your own SEO experts, business experts, professionals…
before proceeding with any business decisions or plans. For further information
read this site’s Disclaimer.

Titus
www.bizwaremagic.com