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Blitz
Ezine # 205 March 10, 2003
Promoting your web site using Video
Note:
This is an archived issue. Some links and/or content
may be outdated
100
ways to promote your site.
The Blitz-Promotions News Letter.
Issue no. 205, March 10, 2003
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In This Issue **************
Comments
Food for thought
Articles
The Classifieds
Next Issues
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Blitz Comments
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We
just finished a free course on building your links.
More details can be found at the link below.
http://www.ineedlinks.com/freelinks.htm
Coming
Next Issue
Regional
directories, learning from your taxes and more.
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Food for thought
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An
open mind is all very well in its way, but it ought
not to be so open that there is no keeping anything
in or out of it. It should be capable of shutting its
doors sometimes, or it may be found a little draughty.
Author: Samuel Butler
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100
ways to promote your site continues #93
Promoting with video.
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Digital
video is another great way to promote, market, your
business. It can also be an added revenue stream for
your business. There are tons of ways you can do this.
The links below should help you to get started.
Streaming
video - how to begin. Although this link is mostly a
reference for folks attending Indiana University, it
contains some excellent resource links.
http://www.indiana.edu/~video/streaming.html
Video
can also be used in presentations. Apple tells how you
can do this.
http://www.apple.com/smallbusiness/pyb/
Creating
Digital video - a guide - tons of links from Smart Computing.
http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/list.asp?pcatid=12&catid=165
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100
ways to promote your site continues #94
Advertise your specials on site.
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This
may seem obvious, but many times it isn't. It is perfectly
acceptable to advertise your business - especially special
offers, etc., on your site, in your newsletter, and
in your email signature.
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100
ways to promote your site continues #95
Add a search engine to your site.
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This
is not so much about promoting your site, but keeping
folks there after they find you. It's not really useful
if you have only a few pages, but if you have 20+ it
can help folks find the things they need.... note to
self - add search to the site when you get a chance.
Some
options -
A
great article from Web Monkey tells you some great details,
as well as giving you some tools to use.
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/00/09/index2a.html
Another
informative article from CNet.
http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/pages/Servers/AddSearch/
Google
offers a free search tool for your site -
http://www.google.com/services/free.html
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What
A Tree Trimmer Can Teach You About Your Web Business
Copyright © 2003 Joshua Rose
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The
other day I got a knock on my door. A young man introduced
himself as Tim and said he had trimmed the trees for
the previous owner 2 years ago ... even mentioned them
by name.
He
then pointed down the street and said, "My crew is just
finishing up over at Ron's house. We've been doing all
his work for 4 years now. And I noticed you have branches
that have started to damage your roof and are also growing
into your neighbor's trees. And since my whole crew
is already here, if you want to take care of it this
afternoon, I can give you a really good price."
I
looked down the street and waved to Ron. "Well, I know
I need it", I said. "But how much are we talking about
here?".
Well,
we walked around the yard and talked and bandied about
price for a few minutes. Then I agreed.
A
couple hours later, the work was done and he did a wonderful
job. The place looked great and he cleaned it all up
as neat as a pin. He even fixed two of my sprinkler
heads at no charge. I was a happy customer and there
is absolutely no doubt he'll be getting more work from
me in the future.
Well,
you're asking, "What in the world does this have to
do with making a living on the Internet?" The answer
is, "quite a bit". Let's take a look:
*
First, he identified the problem I had and knew he had
the solution.
*
Second, he was aggressive in his marketing. He didn't
leave a business card in my mailbox, as so many others
do. He became proactive to establish a personal relationship.
*
Third, during the initial contact, Tim established "instant
credibility" by referring to the previous owners of
the house as well as to Ron, a friend of mine and someone
I respect.
*
Fourth, as we walked around the yard, it was clear that
he knew exactly what he was doing. He had expertise
and he wasn't going to kill or harm my trees. I also
realized that any thought I had of doing it myself wasn't
at all wise.
* Fifth, he offered something of true value to me at
a very attractive price. And he explained why he could
offer such a bargain price. I've learned that sometimes,
"you get what you pay for" and a bargain price can turn
into a total loss. But in this case, his explanation
made total sense.
*
Sixth, we chatted and joked as well. He had an engaging
personality and wasn't afraid to show it.
*
Seventh, he did the job extremely well. The pride he
had in his work and reputation was obvious.
*
Eighth, he over delivered. He fixed one sprinkler head
and replaced a second one at no charge. And when cleaning
up, they raked the entire yard. The place hadn't looked
so good since the day we bought it.
There's
a few other lessons here as well ... but I think you
get the point. Succeeding on the Internet doesn't have
to be an elusive or mysterious puzzle. The "real world"
abounds with sound business practices that will serve
you well on the web as well.
Joshua
Rose cuts through the glut of Internet "hype" and "false
promises" to identify the "genuine" marketing techniques
that get results. For his fr^e "One, Two, Three Easy
Steps To Internet Profits", or to subscribe to his newsletter,
visit:
http://www.internetprofitwizards.com
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From
the Archives - Blitz 92
Dec 2000
Refunds and Returns
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This
is the last lesson on customer service - we hope you've
enjoyed the series. This lesson was first posted during
the Christmas season.
C=
Cultivate your Relationship
U= Understand your customers.
S= Support is not a four letter word.
T= Treat them with respect.
O= Own up to your mistakes.
M= Meet and beat their expectations.
E= Email (Communication do’s and don’ts)
R=Refunds/Returns Ten Simple Email Tips to improve your
communication.
Talk
about a timely topic, returns and refunds are the last
subjects in our Customer service guide. Here are some
tips to make this process a bit less painful.
1.
State your refund policy prominently on your site, also
include a link > to your policy with the thank-you note
after the customer buys.
So
how on earth do you write a return policy? Let’s look
at one on the web so we can dissect it a bit. http://www.llbean.com/customerService/shoppingFAQs/returnsAndRepairs/
This policy contains everything that a good policy has:
-How long is the guarantee.
-How to return an item.
-How exchanges can be made.
-Includes several back end order opportunities.. can
you spot them?
Once
you have a written policy stick to it.
Use
this opportunity to show your customer why they should
shop with >you again. Using a refund testimonial may
actually improve sales at your site.
Here
is another policy to review.
http://www.aeoutfitters.com/help/#FAQ1
Notice
the similarity.. Hassle-free Returns. Till next time
we hope that you enjoy your holiday gifts and that your
New Years preparations go smoothly.
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