The Entrepreneur’s Handbook – 59 Resources For First Time Entrepreneurs
As a first time entrepreneur you probably have tons of questions. And every time you do a Google search for an answer you are bombarded with too much information and in some cases that information contradicts other things you have heard. Due to this, I have created a list of 54 resources that should help you out.
Nazdrav: mp3 player for WordPress
Posted by cherished in Multimedia, Wordpress on May 10th, 2009
Simply upload the plugin, put your mp3 files into your audio directory, cut and paste the code into my page:
[mp3]audio/song.mp3[/mp3]
Redirect to a New Page
If you need to redirect your visitors to a new page, this HTML redirect code may be just what you’re looking for.
When designing a web site, many times you must change the location of a web page. However, if the page is popular, your visitors may have already linked to it. In addition, the Search Engines have most-likely already indexed the page.
For this reason, it is best to replace your page with a new page that will redirect your visitors to the new page. This provides a great way to provide your visitors with the information they were looking for and prevent you from losing your traffic.
However, when using this HTML redirect code, please ensure that you don’t use it to trick the Search Engines, as this could get your web site banned. It is always best to work hard and learn quality ways in which to drive traffic to your web site.
Place the following HTML redirect code between the and tags of your HTML code.
<meta HTTP-EQUIV=”REFRESH” content=”0; url=http://www.yourdomain.com/index.html”>
The above HTML redirect code will redirect your visitors to another web page instantly. The content=”0; may be changed to the number of seconds you want the browser to wait before redirecting.
source: web-source.net
Flowplayer
Posted by cherished in Multimedia on April 22nd, 2009
Flowplayer is an Open Source (GPL 3) video player for the Web. Use it to embed video streams into your web pages.
Built for site owners, developers, hobbyists, businesses and serious programmers.
Flash technology insures that 98% of all Internet users can see your videos. Highly skinnable. No other software makes it easier.
NextGEN Gallery « WordPress Plugins
Posted by cherished in Design Blogs, Scripts, Software/Tools, Web Design, Wordpress on April 14th, 2009
NextGEN Gallery is a popular full integrated Image Gallery plugin for WordPress with a Flash slideshow option.
.htaccess forwarding
After buying a SSL certificate for my site I wanted to forward all of my traffic to my new secure space. I did this by editing the .htaccess file in my sites directory.
Warning! You must make a back up of your original .htaccess file just in case . . .
I added this at the front of all the existing code:
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RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI}
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20 Free Picasa Flash and HTML templates to showcase your photos
Posted by cherished in Multimedia, Scripts, Web Design on March 27th, 2009
Here are some Picasa web templates to create web Flash and HTML photo galleries and slideshows using Google’s Picasa without any knowledge of Flash, HTML, CSS and Javascript. Use these free templates to showcase your photos and images.
13 Steps to a “Slippery Slope” Online Sales Letter
by Alexandria K. Brown, “The E-zine Queen”
Many of the solo professionals whom I coach are people who offer services. They’re coaches, consultants, creatives. And many of them are also beginning to sell information products on their Web sites. They’re smart to offer a lower-priced alternative to hiring them, and to sell a product that can gain them passive income.
But here’s the problem: I see many of them trying to sell their e-book, tutorial, etc. on a regular Web page. They list a paragraph about the info-product and give the price, and they expect a slew of sales.
Wrong.
You need a special sales page that has a “slippery slope” sales letter.
Remember that game Chutes & Ladders? If you landed on a space that had a chute on it, you just went down, Baby. No turning back. That’s how your sales letter should be - a “slippery slope” that pulls in the reader because it’s so compelling and interesting.
Here’s a basic outline of the 13 elements you want to include. To see an example of them all in action, visit MY own sales page at www.BoostBizEzine.com.
1. Limit your navigation.
The visitor should not be distracted by links that take her to your bio, other products, etc. The idea is to keep her on this page, reading your copy and leading her to order. So on this page, only have navigation that relates to the product (e.g. FAQs, Order now).
2. Give a powerful headline.
Your headline can make or break your sales. If it’s not compelling, your visitor will click away. Here’s an easy headline formula: “How to _________ So You Can ____________.” Make sure the 2nd part gives a big benefit, for example, “double your business” or “gain peace of mind.”
3. Discuss the problem the prospect has, or incorporate your own story.
Marketers call this “pushing the ‘ouch’ button.” First discuss the problem or pain that the reader has, and then lead in to how your product will solve it. Or share your own failure-to-success story that the reader can empathize with.
4. Tell us who you are.
If I’m going to buy your stuff, I’d like to know why you’re qualified to write about this topic. Give me the feeling that you’ve learned a lot about this topic and want to share it with me.
Even add a picture of yourself and an audio greeting, like I did. These help the reader instantly feel like she knows you better, increasing the “trust factor.” And people buy from those they feel they know, like, and trust!
5. Use bullets like mini headlines.
Lay out everything I’ll get from your product. Don’t just list your table of contents verbatim! Turn each point into an exciting secret. For example, suppose your e-book features 5 tips on how to save money on groceries. That bullet could read, “Revealed: 5 ways you can save hundreds of dollars on your monthly grocery bill.”
6. List plenty of testimonials.
Show your prospects they won’t be the first to buy. It’s more effective to weave-in testimonials throughout your sales letter than to have a separate section for them. Give each person’s full name and Web address, and for extra power, post their photo and an audio testimonial as well.
7. Tell us why your product is such a great value.
How does the price of your product compare if I hired you one-on-one? For example, your manual is a great value at $49 if an hour consultation with you would run me $250.
8. Throw in a few great bonuses.
Offer special bonuses (preferably created by you) that are so good you could sell them alone if you wanted to. It could be a list of resources, a collection of articles, extra tips on a certain subject, or a free consu1tation.
9. Give an unconditional guarantee.
This puts your prospect at ease, giving her no reason to NOT buy. A few turkeys will take advantage of your generosity, but the amount of sales you GAIN from this strategy dramatically outweighs the risk.
10. Request immediate action by having a limited time offer.
Some sales pages use trick scripts to make it seem like the offer always ends on that day at midnight, but I find these insulting. If you really will be raising your price soon (and you always should be), list the exact date and stick to it. Otherwise just say it’s an introductory, limited-time offer.
11. Make it ABSURDLY CLEAR what to do next.
Nothing bothers me more than when I’m at a Web site, I have my credit card ready, and I can’t find the $%#@& order link! Make your order process idiot-proof. Example: “Cl1ck below to 0rder n0w on our secure server.” Also sprinkle in order links throughout your page — some people will be ready to buy before they get to the bottom.
12. Make one last plea.
In your P.S., right after your signature, emphasize that I should act now. For example, “Don’t miss out on this great 0pportunity. Remember, you can buy n0w and change your mind at anytime.”
13. Don’t forget your contact information!
Readers WILL have questions, so provide an e-mail address on your site that you or someone else will check at least daily. Also, don’t you feel better buying from a Web site that lists a real address and phone number?
Want More Detailed Step-by-Step Help, With Examples You Can Model?
See my quick-start audio program, “The Secret, Simple Formula to Writing Web Copy That SELLS”.
© 2003-2006 Alexandria K. Brown
Online entrepreneur Ali Brown publishes the award-winning ‘Highlights on Marketing & Success’ weekly ezine with 36,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AliBrown.com
Your Fortune is in the Follow Up!
(Or, repeat, repeat, repeat your message!)
by Ali Brown
Would you blow your entire annual marketing budget on just one ad to run once during the Superbowl?
Of course you wouldn’t. You know that people seeing your message just once wouldn’t be enough.
Then why do we tend to spend our time and dollars on single-shot marketing, rather than repeated messages?
The answer is… most folks just don’t know any better. Or, perhaps it seems boring to repeat your message over and over and over and over.
But the truth is, your fortune is in the follow up!
Before Bill Glazer (one of my longtime marketing coaches) took over Glazer-Kennedy Inner Circle, he spent the last few decades of his life running Baltimore’s #1 retail men’s clothing store, Gage Menswear, along with his late father.
Bill talked about one of his first direct mail campaigns, and how during the planning stages he announced to his dad that they were going to mail a special promotional offer to the same list not once, not twice, but three times. His father was appalled and yelled at Bill that he was crazy and was wasting their money!
Bill persisted and mailed all three pieces of the campaign. Well, their results revealed that mailing the exact same offer three times not only increased their response, it DOUBLED their response! Pop was floored, and he sure was delighted with the flurry of sales that came in. From that point on he also trusted Bill with their marketing dollars.
Why does repeating your message work?
It’s simple… people are inundated with messages every day. Last statistic I heard was each of us sees over 3,700 distinct messages a day! That means you need to repeat yourself over and over if you’re going to break through the clutter, actually get their attention, get them to read or listen AND get them to respond.
Your assignment is to now look at all areas of your marketing and advertising in your business, and see where you need to add some follow up.
Some quick places to look at:
Your Ezines - Are you publishing your ezine enough? Once a month just doesn’t cut it anymore. You should be reaching out and “touching” your prospects and customers at least once a week, if not more. (If you’re running out of ideas or you’re not sure how to do this without bugging folks, my ezine system takes care of that for you!)
Teleseminars and Live Events - When promoting events, you’re going to need many more than one or two announcements or mailings. As a general rule, when I’m really trying to fill up a teleseminar (phone seminar) I sent out at least three emails dedicated to the promotion. For live events, you need dozens of messages, and well ahead of time. Most of the trainers I know start marketing no less than six months ahead of any live event they’re hosting!
One-on-One Marketing - If you cold call or mail out letters to prospects, how many times are you following up? Don’t be afraid to call or mail again. I myself have finally responded to an offer after I’ve been contacted several times, and was glad the vendor took the initiative to follow up.
Advertising - Instead of blowing your budget on a few large ads per year, try running a smaller ad much more often! Also most publications, both online and offline, will usually give you big discounts for purchasing more than one ad at a time. (I do this with ads in my own ezine, Highlights.)
Remember, many marketing experts who test all these strategies say that repetition is the key. So don’t even feel you have to be creative with your marketing - just saying or mailing the same thing over and over is better than not saying it or mailing it again.
© 2006-2009 Alexandria Brown International Inc.
Online entrepreneur Ali Brown publishes the award-winning ‘Highlights on Marketing & Success’ weekly ezine with 36,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AliBrown.com
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Good Stuff
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