Autoresponder is a must!

Why is it important for you to set up an Autoresponder?

If you haven’t started using them for your business, you are missing out on a great tool to automate your business and even provide a professional result.

If you have a form on a page to gather some information, why not have it automatically provide that information back once or over a number of e-mails…
Send people download links…
Provide a newsletter…
An eCourse…
Or simply use it to follow up with your clients or customers.
The possiblities are great.

If you are still curious, just Google it up. I bet you'll be flooded with answers in just seconds.

I hope it helps!

Podcasting 101

I’ve been meaning for some time to post about Podcasting and I actually was going to make an article page devoted to it… still will, but do to lack of time it may be sometime yet.

At the same time I want to mention it because it is growing in popularity and it might be something for you to look into for you business…

Wikipedia’s Podcasting Explanation
Podcasting is a method of publishing files via the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files automatically. It became popular in late 2004, intended largely for downloading audio files onto a portable MP3 player. However, listening to podcasts does not require a portable player and it is not traditional “broadcasting” to a mass audience at a fixed time.

Many online marketers (and probably some offline) are looking at this is an opportunity… an opportunity to provide another service to their clients or create a whole new service to attract and audience.

You are simply recording a broadcast that you can give people an opportunity to subscribe to via RSS.

You can create Podcasts that can be listened to by anyone at their convenience. They can listen to it on their desktop or on their iPod… Powerful stuff.
I’ve been watching this to see if it would take off for about 6 months now. About a month ago I noticed Rush Limbaugh (the popular radio host) was setting one up on his site… I thought… that could be the spark the ignites. Then I saw CNN with one!

A lot of internet marketers are talking about it and it’s potential.

For more information:
Podcast Directory
Podcasting News
Apple iPod Info
Free PodCast Receiver
Wired News Article

Those should get you started in understanding what it’s all about… it looks like it might be here to stay.

Check it out!

The proper way to handle Jerks!

Whatever you end up doing online, there is no getting away from Jerks. Jerks are everywhere. Usually they think they are better than you are. Their ego drives them to confront people with malicious words and actions...

Most of the time I am pretty good at ignoring them, but once in a while one will get under my skin. Sometimes they say things that are a direct blow at YOU and it becomes personal.....

BUT WAIT! I am guilty of lashing back. I'm not saying I haven't. I need to keep myself in check...

Normally the best course of action is to walk away. Choose your battles wisely.

A jerk can really take you by surprise and make your blood boil. It can make you want to find his physical address and confront him or her...

I think the best thing to do is just take a walk. A break.

If it's in a thread, don't look at that thread again. Sometimes you have to defend your territory or something you believe in, but don't get personal back... Just lay out the facts.

AS LONG as you are in business, you will have to deal with Jerks...

I used to think that people were generally good to each other. I grew up in a small town, in a middle class neighborhood, where everyone helped each other and were mostly friendly. No one stepped on each others toes. No one took advantage of each other...

Then I went in to business years ago and had a rude awakening... There are people that will seek you out and rob you blind...

Guard what you have. Take every precaution you can to protect your territory.

That Jerk you run into; keep an eye on him or her... Make a mental note. That might be the person that steals from you... They might be just having a bad day, but take note.

The world is full of Jerks and a lot of them have discovered the internet...

SOMETHING JERKS DON'T UNDERSTAND...

Building that type of reputation is not healthy. It will turn people against you that could have helped you. It will keep you from reaching your potential...

Build relationships. Help others. And don't be a Jerk...