Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Honest Review of Freelance Superstar

You probably know by now, that your writing skills can make you some cool cash if you know how to use it. Believe it or not, people are willing to pay you lots of money to write for them, especially online businesses and publications. In fact, the demand for writers has never been greater, with thousands of mom-and-pop business looking to outsource their writing tasks.

That's why I was intrigued when I first came across a guide called "Freelance Superstar" by Monika Mundell and Gobala Krishnan. According to the site, it's a "complete guide to get started with freelance writing", so it's probably most suited to newbies who want to get in the game with a bang:

See the site here:
visit the site here:


In case you don't know who the creators are, let me give you a "brief" history.

According to their website:

"In 2005 Gobala quit the rat race, fired his boss, and decided to be a full-time writer. Working just two hours a day from his home, Gobala soon discovered that he could expand his writing career into information products, and have since produced multiple best-selling ebooks, guides and systems. Monika, who started off as a part-time writer, soon landed enough high paying writing jobs to kiss her boss goodbye too. She has written for high-profile blogs and continues to expand her writing career like a maniac on steroids."

The product's main guide is a well-written PDF guide that reveals key components and tips on becoming a freelance writer:

1 - How to get started with freelance writing
2 - What to expect from freelance writing
3 - Online writing job sites exposed
4 - How to attract high-paying clients
5 - Regular writing vs. SEO writing
6 - Regular writing vs copywriting
7 - How to enhance your language and writing skills
8 - How to get regular clients and stable income
9 - How to get paid as a freelance writer

.. And much more.

Besides the main guide, Gobala and Monika also provide you with valuable supporting tools and documents. These are indeed quite useful and will help you save lots of time. You'll also get:

1 - Email templates you can use to solicit for clients
2 - Sample writing agreements you can copy and use
3 - Gorgeous "Portfolio" WordPress themes
4 - Step-by-step blogging video tutorials

In terms of quality and value for money, this is definitely one of the best products I've seen. Sure, there are lots of free blog tips and forum posts that you can refer to, but you probably realize by now that the more of those you read the further away you get from actually doing anything. Most forum posts are by dodgy characters who probably haven't landed a paying client in years. Some are just too sell-contradicting to be of any real value.

That's why I give "Freelance Superstar" the thumbs up for producing a well-written, clear and straightforward guide that anyone can understand.

To get more information, visit the site here:

Monday, October 26, 2009

Product Review: Traffic Buddha

Traffic Buddha is a new site that says it guarantees more CONVERTING web visitors and online advertising with very little effort or cost. So I decided to put it to the test...



My first impression was the site looks professional and clean, with an attractive look and feel. It is easy to read and understand. Joining the site was easy and painless--they do offer 2 upgrade options but they are not required to gain the benefits.



The Members Area is very well laid out and intuitive--I could figure out what to do after only a few minutes and was able to get up and running in less than 5 minutes. Inside the site, you create links and ads--the links you simply enter any URL links you use into the generator and it transforms them into "Traffic Buddha" links. You create ads for anything you want to promote using the Traffic Buddha Ad Generator, which is very easy to use. You can create as many links and as many ads as you like. And they are organized in a logical way--links are displayed in the order you create them but also your 5 most recent links appear on the main page for quick reference. Also, since the link generator is the tool you'll use most, it is also right at the top of the main page when you login. Very smart!



After you've created at least 1 link and 1 ad you can start to generate traffic. Just use and promote the new Traffic Buddha link instead of the original source link you had. Every time the Traffic Buddha link is clicked, the page loads followed by a cool slide-up ad window at the bottom. It displays an ad PLUS an image with your affiliate link that goes back to Traffic Buddha. So if anyone clicks the Traffic Buddha image they see the site, and if they signup they become your referral. It's a great viral feature because you can build referrals without even trying to just by using the site.



Now every time the ad window displays (your Traffic Buddha links get clicked) you earn credits that get YOUR ad displayed in the ad windows when other members' links get clicked. So the more clicks, the more times your ads get displayed.



And this works virally--meaning as you make referrals into Traffic Buddha (either by promoting it or just using it and visitors click the Traffic Buddha image on the ad window to join) you also earn ad credits on THEIR link clicks. And this works up to 5 levels deep. So you can create a massive amount of free ad views and web traffic by referring others to Traffic Buddha also.



I didn't get to test the full effect of a big downline yet (I just got the tool) but I can tell you the rest of the site works exactly as stated--my links got clicked, I earned credits, and my ads got displayed. Traffic Buddha even tracked my results so I know how many clicks and how many ad displays. That was an impressive unadvertised extra feature.



There is one more benefit and feature which might be the best of them all--downline emailing. You can email your downline with offers, promotions, or whatever you like, and here is where Traffic Buddha really shines. They took time to make the emailing often enough that it's valuable as a user, but no so often that it's a burden to your downline. But the best part about this feature (and actually the credit earning too) is that it tells you exactly how long until you can mail again. Now THAT's cool.



Overall I have to say I am impressed with Traffic Buddha. It is simple yet powerful, and delivers on its promises. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to increase traffic and advertising.



See it and join here:
Traffic Bhudda

A GUIDE ON RSS TOOL

RSS is an abbreviation that has evolved into the following, depending on their versions:

· RDF Site Summary (also known as RSS 0.9; the first version of RSS)

· Rich Site Summary (also known as RSS 0.91; a prototype)

· Really Simple Syndication (also known as RSS 2.0)

Today, RSS stands for 'Really Simple Syndication', and it has the following 7 existing formats or versions:

· 0.90
· 0.91
· 0.92
· 0.93
· 0.94
· 1.0
· 2.0

RSS tools refer to a group of file formats that are designed to share headlines and other web content (this may be a summary or simply 1 to 2 lines of the article), links to the full versions of the content (the full article or post), and even file attachments such as multimedia files. All of these data is delivered in the form of an XML file (XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language), which has the following common names:

· RSS feed
· Webfeed
· RSS stream
· RSS channel


They are typically shown on web pages as an orange rectangle that usually has the letters XML or RSS in it.

RSS feeds can be used to deliver any kind of information. Some of these 'feeds' include:

· Blogs feed - each blog entry is summarized as a feed item. This makes blog posts easier to scan, enabling 'visitors' to zoom in on their items of interest.

· Article feed - this alerts readers whenever there are new articles and web contents available.

· Forum feed - this allows users to receive forum posts and latest discussion topics.

· Schedule feed - this allows users (such as schools, clubs, and other organizations) to broadcast events and announce schedule changes or meeting agendas.

· Discounts or Special feed - this is used to enable users (such as retail and online stores) to 'deliver' latest specials and discounted offers.

· Ego or News Monitoring - this enables users to receive 'filtered' headlines or news that are based on a specific phrase or keyword.

· Industry-specific feed - used by technical professionals in order to market, promote, or communicate with current (and prospective) customers and clients within their specific industries.

RSS feeds enable people to track numerous blogs and news sources at the same time. To produce an RSS feed, all you need is the content or the article that you want to publicize and a validated RSS text file. Once your text file is registered at various aggregators (or 'news readers'), any external site can then capture and display your RSS feed, automatically updating them whenever you update your RSS file.

RSS tools are useful for sites that add or modify their contents on a regular basis. They are especially used for 'web syndication' or activities that involve regular updates and/or publications, such as the following:

· News websites - as used by major news organizations such as Reuters, CNN, and the BBC.
· Marketing
· Bug reports
· Personal weblogs

There are many benefits to using RSS feeds. Aside from being a great supplemental communication method that streamlines the communication needs of various sectors, RSS tools and feeds can also have tremendous benefits in your business, particularly in the field of internet marketing.

RSS tools and feeds provide Internet users with a free (or cheap) and easy advertising or online marketing opportunity for their businesses. Below are some of the RSS features that can help make your internet marketing strategies more effective.

1. Ease in content distribution services. With RSS, your business can be captured and displayed by virtually any external site, giving you an easy way to 'spread out' and advertise them.

2. Ease in regular content updates. With RSS, web contents concerning your business can now be automatically updated on a daily (and even hourly) basis. Internet users will be able to experience 'real time' updates as information in your own file (such as new products and other business-related releases) is changed and modified simultaneously with that of the RSS feeds that people are subscribed to.

3. Custom-made content services. With RSS, visitors can have personalized content services, allowing them total control of the flow and type of information that they receive. Depending on their interests and needs, visitors can subscribe to only those contents that they are looking for (such as real estate or job listings).

4. Increase in (and targeted) traffic. With RSS, traffic will be directed to your site as readers of your content summary (or 1 to 2 lines of your article) who find them interesting are 'forced' to click on a link back to your site.

These are just several of the many things that you can do with RSS. The possibilities are endless, and they are all aimed at providing you with an effective internet marketing strategy for your business.

Building Your Business with an Opt-in List

Before revealing the secrets of the trades, here are myths and fallacies that need to be cleared before one indulges into building an opt-in list. These marketing misconceptions could pose so much of an obstacle towards your profitting well from your business.

Not a lot of people use email

Email marketing is one of the most effective marketing methods nowadays simply because virtually almost all people use email. Check on those email fields or blanks required to be filled up on various forms needed in processing different transactions. A person without an email address is tantamount to a person without an online home, which is one big shameful truth for this generation.

Email marketing campaigns can offend a lot of people

The not-so secret way to surmount this dilemma is through permission-based advertising. There's no harm in trying after asking for permission.

It's stupid to send email to all the people

The key to this predicament is to have a very discerning eye on who to email and who to not email. Better look for some metrics on how to know which group of people would give you high ROI or return on investment.

The Real Deal with Building Opt-in List

After clearing the fog regarding email marketing myths, here's how one can benefit from employing the power of email marketing campaigns - building an opt-in list.

However, building an opt-in list is not a piece of cake particularly for the uninitiated. Here is a roundown of tips on how to succeed in this kind of marketing endeavor.

1. Strategic Collection of Data

Know which information from your audiences will help you in lowering expenses and/or make sales flourish. Devise a tactic to make people voluntarily provide you with the information necessary to create higher conversion.

Overload of data is not good. Ask only for opt-in, with their full name and email addresses. Make sure that the profiles that you gather are updated to aid in improving the relevance, timeliness and satisfaction from each deal you make.

2. Good Implementation

Old adage says it all - 'action speaks louder than words'. This easily translates to the difficulty one has to undergo during the execution of his or her email marketing efforts. It's a good thing that various methods, often low-cost, abound to hasten and facilitate the building up of one's opt-in database.

Tracking your email marketing results can pose great hardship, too. Technology and relevant sources should be employed in making this aspect of your marketing a lot manageable. Your high traffic groups of opt-ins with the greatest result should be taken noted of.

The following are the most widely used methods to leverage channels without overspending:

1. Make use of websites.

It is an excellent tool for data collation and providing you with relevant info regarding your email offers. Use forms that solicit your visitor's email address and consent.

2. Make use of print ads, brochures, TV, radio and direct mail.

These are the more popular ways of marketing aiming to lead traffic to one's site. You may want to ask for signups for email services. Make your website more visible through these media. Offering free electronic newsletters and or rewards program can do well in making it easy to win the nod of your audiences, too.

3. Maximize your sales force.

Customer service associates can help a lot in making you benefit more from your email correspondence. Sales people with proper education on how to aid you in this endeavor can very well contribute to higher ROI. Techniques like offering account updates and special programs through email can easily land you those lists of valuable visitors.

4. Don't make your point of sale pointless.

Forms for signup located at cash registers and other high-traffic and highly visible spots can be very excellent venues for your business to collect email addresses. Notification of upcoming sales through their email addresses and names can coax them to supply you with the information you need.

5. Conferences or trade shows can work, too.

Giveaway offers or entries on sweepstakes are great for opt-in to volunteer their contact details.

These tactics should be applied with adequate caution and should focus on earning the trust of your opt-in list instead of simply collating data for your sole own benefit. Always make sure that the forms that you will use and other methods that you will employ will not necessitate too much fuss to subscribe. This is for people to not be annoyed during the process of data supplication.

With that bunch of information, who can ever go wrong with the feat of building an opt-in list?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

One quality you cannot do without in MLM personal finance success

Consider this. Having the right skills will get you far in this business. But with the wrong attitude, how long do you think your personal finance in MLM will stay that way? As with all aspects in life, there are things needed in life beside know-how’s.

So it is not really surprising that in the world of MLM, attitude is the strongest determinant of your personal finance success.

Business structure, compensation plan, product and training systems are all important. But without the right attitude, they are just tools lying unused in a tool box – they don’t end up building any real-time personal finance in MLM.

It makes sense for those who are just new to building personal finance in MLM to focus on this all-important aspect. That is, if they want to be successful.

The only question left is what kind of attitude you should focus on.

Be coachable.

There’s no quicker way to fail in the world of MLM personal finance than to walk into a business assuming you already know what is going to work and what would not.

It is true that different people have different strengths. And different methods work better for some than for others. But it is important to remember that if great profits have been made in MLM personal finance, it can be done again.

Get alongside as many of your successful upline as you can. Ask them how you can make your business work, listen to what they say, and then follow through on their suggestions.

If something does not seem to be working, get alongside them again. Ask them what you could be doing differently, rather than assuming the concept itself is flawed.

Understand your purpose.

While there may well be people who get into MLM because they genuinely enjoy the challenges of the sales process, most sign up in this business because it had potential to help then achieve something big in their personal finance and in their lives.

Whether these people saw the potential to provide for their families, to create a financially secure future for themselves, or just to finally be debt-free, there is something in the original opportunity that inspired them to get involved.
Their own purpose.

A big part of motivating people to do the work that needs to be done in MLM is keeping that purpose at the forefront of their minds. If a person wants to get there, he or she got to do what it takes.

Stay positive.

Achieving MLM personal finance success is related to developing the ability to stay positive.

Like anything else, there will be ups and downs along the process. Staying positive through the downs would not just make you more successful in the long run; it will make life far more enjoyable while you are getting there.

There you have it. The three keys to developing an attitude that will lead you to your MLM personal success.

The great thing about attitude determining your success? It is the one thing you have complete control over. You may not be able to do anything to change your company’s business structure, compensation plan, product or training systems, but you can always change your attitude.

Make a commitment to yourself. Learn what you need to learn to change what you need to change. Your MLM personal finance success will depend on it.