"Starting Smart!"an online e-zine for newbies and semi-seasoned Internet marketers alike.

Issue: August 28, 2003

"The Top 8 Secrets To Successfully Work At Home"

=========================================

"Starting Smart"
The Ezine for the Online Marketing Newbie

August 28, 2003
Karl Augustine - Publisher

Subscribe Link:
http://startingsmart.9mistakes-online.com

==========================================
*Greetings...a quick thought, I hope all is well with you...
==========================================

Hello,

Welcome new subscribers, thanks for being here!

Welcome to this edition of "Starting Smart". I trust you had a great 2 weeks online.

It's been a wild 2 weeks, especially with the SOBIG virus going around...lots of people's PC's have around the country have been infected unfortunately including mine. Ugh! But, a Norton refresh and quick run through of Norton's tool and my PC is back to being secure.

Here's some extra info for you about the virus:
Mail Propagation
The worm mails itself to email addresses harvested from the victim machine, using its own SMTP engine to construct outgoing messages. Target email addresses are harvested from files with the following extensions:

DBX
HLP
MHT
WAB
EML
TXT
HTM
HTML

Outgoing messages are constructed as follows:
Subject:

Your details
Thank you!
Re: Thank you!
Re: Details
Re: Re: My details
Re: Approved
Re: Your application
Re: Wicked screensaver
Re: That movie
Attachment:

your_document.pif
document_all.pif
thank_you.pif
your_details.pif
details.pif
document_9446.pif
application.pif
wicked_scr.scr
movie0045.pif
Body:

See the attached file for details
Please see the attached file for details
The "From:" address may be spoofed with an address extracted from the victim machine. Therefore the perceived sender is most likely not a pointer to the infected user.

If you need help with cleaning your machine, got to http://www.norton.com, download their tool and clean your machine. The tool to get rid of the virus is named "FixSbigF.exe" and can be found here at this link:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc

/data/w32.sobig.f@mm.removal.tool.html

Of course, you must have the virus definitions downloaded on your hard dive. So, if you don't have Norton or some other anti-virus software you may be a sitting duck!

Changing gears...

I also was asked a question this week about whether PDF files are more suitable for eBooks than exe files. Rather than answer in "Write About This", I figured I'd answer here since the timing of the question is perfect...why? I am updating my files to PDF so users have a choice of exe and PDF both.

So which is better, PDF or exe? Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Only Windows user can access exe files so the customers that have Macs are out of luck if you are selling an exe file unfortunately. There aren't nearly as many Mac users as there are Windows users but those folks are still important!

The exe file is much more dynamically from a visual standpoint and the linking options are much more "book-like". You can click from page to page easily and the graphics load much cleaner in exe format. With PDF, the file is one long file and is much more "report-like" even though there is usually a "contents links" section. Don't get me wrong, Adobe's PDF is powerful software, it's the cost that makes it a tough to get option.

Still, with PDF, anyone can access/read the file and the PDF file is easier to brand than most exe files, regardless of software. The PDF is the norm now, but in reality, both options should be offered. I am currently adding the PDF option to my book and have added the PDF option to the mini version of "9 Deadly Mistakes..." which you can download here...9 Mistakes mini version - pdf

Like mentioned before, a common stumbling black for eBook writers who consider PDF as an option is the cost...Adobe soaks users over $200 for their software. It is well worth it, but most marketers are more frugal than that. So what do you do if you don't want to shell out more than $200? One option is to create your files in Word and use Adobe's free trial of "Create PDF Online"...just find it via the main Adobe website. Or, you can go to Happy Freebies and check out their free offering.

http://www.happyfreebies.com/pdf/index.jsp

You will lose some of the features with the free options but these are 2 nice options. I'll let you know next month what PDF software I use, it is still in beta. In the meantime, here's a strong selling option for PDF with everything you'll need...

Instant PDF

So, when all is said and done, offer both exe and PDF options for your eBook if, in fact you are writing one. PDF is a great option for free reports, and other document publications used for viral marketing.

Highlight of the last 2 weeks: I can't go into too much detail but I'm getting set to include a couple exclusive solid bonuses to my eBook offering that will have strong value and will only be available on my site and 1 other site. I've found the perfect software to do what I need done and am ready to make it happen...I'll notify you when all is done.

Low point of the last 3 weeks: Virus got me, but I cleaned it up, all is well!

Vacation time! I am going to Canada this week to help my parents close up the cabin. It's really a beautiful setting, I love it. The rather large cabin is on an island on the French River in Ontario.

As boy, my brother and I spent our summers helping my father build the cabin where my parents still spend their summers. As I look back on it, I am so glad my dad worked us to death...ok, he didn't work us to death, but as a boy I was carrying lumber and hammering 2 by 4's while my friends were enjoying their baseball leagues and "freedom".

But now, reflecting on those working summers, I wouldn't have had it any other way! My dad's work ethic rubbed off on me and his diligence in getting things done is engrained in me forever...this has come in handy in my own life and in my business endeavors on the Internet.

Anyway, I won't have any email or phone for a week but will be back in action after September 6th.

All the best online, enjoy this issue...

Karl Augustine

"The Regular Guy"

=======================================
In this edition...
=======================================

*Products I can't live without
*Featured Article: "The Top 8 Secrets To Successfully Work At Home"
*In the news
*Get Interactive With the Publisher, me.
*Welcome New Subscribers! Help us grow...
*F*reebie(s) of this issue in the "Starting Smart Community Chest!"
*Copyright and Publisher Info

========================================
*Products I can't live without...
========================================

*One of the books that is truly a must have! Paul Myers' "Amazing List Machine", there's nothing else like it...

Get List Machine here!

*Push Button Leads: One of the best list building services around. Get paid to build your list.

Push Button Leads

*Attention eBook writers: This book about developing and selling eBooks is the best I have ever read on the subject. Jimmy Brown and Ryan Deiss present...

Click here to get ---> "Create Best Sellers"

========================================

*Featured Article:
"The Top 8 Secrets To Successfully Work At Home"

by Carlos Garcia, Publisher of the "Wealthy Secrets" Newsletter

What I'm about to reveal to you are 8 proven secret strategies, that will help you accomplish positive results with the time you spend on your home business.

Ready?

1. Imagine yourself as the CEO of a major corporation.

This technique will put you in the proper frame of mind, to envision yourself as your own boss, and that you are in complete control of your business.

As the CEO of your corporation, it is very crucial that you project where your business will spiral towards in the next 5 years. Remember a DREAM written down with a date becomes a GOAL. A goal broken down becomes a PLAN... A plan backed by ACTION makes your dream come true... From The Millionaire Mentor by Greg S. Reid

Therefore, you need to:

2. Set specific Goals - "Goals are like train tracks." They keep you moving forward in the direction you want to go.

When setting proper goals you need to exercise 2 simple strategies:

First and foremost, *Set Your Long Term Goals* (a.k.a. Dreams)

The bottom line is this, if you want to head in the right direction, then you must know where you want to be in 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, even 5 years from now.

This technique is amazingly effective when you type your goals down, and print them out. (Be sure you do it, I'll tell you why later.)

Secondly, you must always set and accomplish daily goals, so that you will achieve your long term dreams (goals). When you know where you want to be and where you are headed, then you will know exactly what you need to do to get there.

This will definitely get the ball rolling for you to set your daily goals.

3. Set up a *daily* To-Do Lists - Now that you have distinguished your daily goals, the easiest way to accomplish them is by working on a priority basis
always working on the most important task first.

Design your daily to-do list at the end of your work day, so you know exactly what you need to do when you wake up in the morning.

Make your daily tasks realistic, and be sure that they are accomplished. Think of each task you accomplish as a stepping stone towards your dreams.

The key here is for you to go to bed at night without having any regrets, and knowing that you have achieved everything you could that day.

Here's a neat trick: Use Microsoft Outlook's task manager to prioritize your daily To-Do List. Outlook will let you manage your tasks on a per hour basis. It is very crucial to avoid procrastination if you plan on getting where you want to be in 5 years.

Here's the best part: Outlook will keep reminding you if your tasks have not been accomplished. This gives you absolutely no excuses not to work, which brings me to my next point...

4. Devote a *specific amount* of hours each and every day to work on your business. To avoid getting side tracked, DO NOT surf the net, close your instant messenger conversations during this period of time.

The more side tracked you become, the further away you will be from your dreams.

5. Develop a positive routine - Research proves that eating breakfast every morning, will help you to think better, and even work more efficiently on your business.

Always take 15 - 30 minute breaks during the day to avoid straining your eyes. Have a good night's sleep, (6 to 8 hours is recommended.) Most importantly, try exercising daily because this will help fuel energy through out your body.

6. Stay organized, and focused - Tape your goals list on the wall by your work area, so that you will be reminded of what you are striving towards, each and every day.

This important step alone will help guide you towards your ultimate goal, and keep you focused on what you should be doing.

If you ever feel that you don't have the energy to work on your business, simply take a look at your long term goals list, and let it remind you of your dreams.

Use this power to help you move forward in the direction you want to go.

7. Check your email ONCE every hour - Some of us love the idea of receiving email daily, and in most cases would likely check it every few minutes. This can be a very
devastating routine that you will become accustomed to, be sure you eliminate it before it becomes routine.

The real secret to running a successful home based business, is to spend your time wisely and efficiently, by developing a positive daily routine.

8. Have fun - This may be the most important step of all.

Make sure that you enjoy every minute you spend working on your business. If you can't stand the idea of getting up in the morning to work, then you might as well look forward to going back to that J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) you dread.

You must enjoy what you do, in order to fully succeed and accomplish your long term goals.

I have given you these 8 powerful strategies, the only way that they will work for you is if you apply them right now.

I wish you the best of luck with your home business, and I hope that you have a prosperous year.

Copyright (c) 2003 "Wealthy Secrets" Newsletter.
All Rights Reserved

====================

Carlos quit his job and now makes a great living from his home...I've talked with him, nice guy! I have a membership to his newsletter, very valuable information, free tools, and more. Check out his newsletter below...

Wealthy Secrets Newsletter

=====================

Be humble, work smart, keep it simple.

Karl Augustine
"The Regular Guy"

(c) Karl Augustine
http://www.9mistakes-online.com
http://startingsmart.9mistakes-online.com

===================================

In the news...

Frauds, Scams, and Misinformation On The Web - good article!
http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/2227161

In the August 2nd edition of Starting Smart, I wrote about an experience I had regarding keyword ownership...here is another great article about it.

http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2003/aug/20.html

==================================================

Note to other online publishers, webmasters:

Feel free to use my previous articles on your website or in your publications. You are required to place the 'resource box' below after the article.

Simply review previous e-zine issues and see the email in this section in that edition:

e-zine archive

(c) Karl Augustine
http://www.9mistakes-online.com
http://startingsmart.9mistakes-online.com
"9 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid When Starting An Online Business". How much time and money have you wasted? For more time saving and money making tips, get your full copy here => http://www.9mistakes-online.com

========================================

*Write About This!

NEW SECTION: If you have something you would like me to write about, send me an email and I'll choose the most common theme of the requests and write an article that will be published in upcoming editions of "Starting Smart"!

I will use your name and question in the addition unless you tell me otherwise. If you'd like to remain anonymous, I can do that too!

Send an email with your topic choice to: mailto:write-about-this@9mistakes-online.com

This issue's q & a from "Write About This!"...

I was posed this scenario this week:

"You are out of work and have no other source of income. All of your bills are past due including the mortgage on your house which is in danger of going into foreclosure. You need to come up with at least $5,000 (without borrowing) in the next 6 weeks or you will be homeless.

You currently have no customer base, no JV partners, and no reputation on the Net. All you have is a product, a website, a $500 marketing budget and your dream of making it big on the Internet.

Based on your current knowledge and experience, what would you do over the next six weeks to survive and how would you spend your last $500?"

Click here to download/read my answer in pdf format. Feel free to give this 6 page report away to your list as a freebie.

==========

New subscribers, in case you missed the Q and A from last issue:

From a subscriber in the UK: "Newbies don't understand HTML and FTP, can you help?"

Karl: Sure! It's easy once you know what it all means. You don't really need to know a whole lot about HTML but you do need to know how to manipulate or change it if you need to. HTML is the language of the web...all web pages are displayed via HTML which stands for "Hyper Text Markup Language".

When you look at a webpage, the URL in the browser bar starts with "http" which stands for "Hyper Text Transfer Protocol". The programming language that supports the way the info is transferred (the protocol) is Hyper Text Markup Language, the same name (hyper text) they use for the delivery mechanism (HTTP) of that language. HTTP delivers HTML among other languages enough.

Even if you don't understand the technical workings of the Net, knowing how to manipulate HTML can be useful. But here's the fun part...you don't really need to know HTML to create a web page, an HTML editing software program will do it for you.

If you go to Google and type in "HTML Editor" you'll most likely get lots of results. Choose one, buy it or download it (the HTML Editor-the software that can make HTML files) and play with it. It's easy to use like Word or Notepad but it is more powerful because you can add images and make the Internet browsers activate by using links.

One great thing about HTML editors is that you can type text and the HTML code will be automatically generated behind the text by the HTML editor itself. So, if you type something like "Hello" and you make it bold like this "Hello", the HTML code that actually will make that word bold when delivered over the Internet will look like this:

<strong>&quot;Hello&quot;</strong>

Basic HTML is easy...I suggest going to HTML GOODIES and taking a look around.

Once you build an HTML webpage in your HTML editor, you'll want to upload it to your site. In order to do this, you'll need software that will allow you to "log in" to your website over another protocol, or, transference mechanism. You want to transfer your HTML file that is saved on your hard drive that made in your HTML editor to your site over a certain transfer mechanism, that mechanism is FTP.

(Example of an HTML file: a file named "index.htm" or "index.html"...this page you are looking at right now is named "August15-Newsletter.htm" and it is saved on my hard drive...I made it in an HTML editor. I use Dreamweaver as my HTML editor but there are lots of less expensive options.)

How do you upload or transfer the html file? Use FTP software. FTP is "File Transfer Protocol". The FTP allows you to "upload" files to your site using FTP software.

Each FTP software will allow you to "log-in" to your site over the Internet by using your website's IP address which is the number that is associated with your site's "place" on the Internet. You'll get all this info., passwords, IP address, password to log-in, etc from your web host.

Go to Google and type in "FTP software" and you'll get lots of options. One software program that is cheap and works well is "CuteFTP". The FTP software I use is "FLashFXP" equally as good.

Once you set your "settings" in the FTP software, you can log in to your site in about 5 seconds if you are hooked to the Internet. All you do is highlight the file you want to upload, highlight the directory you want the file saved to, click the "upload" button, and the new file is 'published' to your website. (It would take lots of screen shots to explain this in a 'step-by-step' fashion here, but I assure you, if you can download an exe. eBook, you can save 'htm' files and use an FTP program to upload those files to your website!

From a new subscriber: "I am a new subscriber and just want to say I really enjoy your newsletter. Maybe you have written about this topic before, but I'd like to read something about when the phrase "just plug in this or plug in that" is used
in a sales letter...."

Karl: I know what you mean, it is a "buzz word" thing. What most people mean by "plug in" is they are giving you a template that requires you to put in some sort of information pertinent to your situation.

"Plug in" means that the framework around the given product (usually a website) is supposed to be effective enough that the person selling the "plug in" thinks you'll be able to make money by utilizing their template in your business. But, be careful, this is usually never the case...or, if the product itself happens to be true quality, it most likely will require some work on your part, especially with "ready made" websites. That "work" is driving traffic to the site and building a list.

More often than not, "plug-ins" are for people who have no product or want to get rolling fast. If you sign up for something that is a "plug into this already made website and start earning cash now" type of thing, it means you might have someone who will give you website templates, graphics, hosting, etc...something "ready made", you'd just need to put it on your domain and drive the traffic yourself. All in all, be careful when utilizing such a service if it is a "plug in" site.

Why? Because when all is said and done, you are the one responsible for driving traffic to that site and you'll only be selling someone else's products.

However, if you are referring to a "plug in" template that will give you a good sales letter or article, that may be another story all together. Some templates are great and help the newbie successfully perform certain tasks, fast. Plug ins can be great short cuts! For instance, Yanik Silver has a great classic product that is really a template for writing great sales letters. It's called "Instant Sales Letters". The framework of a good sales letter is there, the user (you) just has to put in the right words to make it meaningful to your product. So far, Yanik's Instant Sales Letters is the only "plug-in" product I have found that works very well on the Net. I could be wrong, I am sure there's others, I just haven't seen any.

I have "templated" emails that I use for JV's, I just fill in what is relevant to the person I am approaching and I'm done. Quick and easy...that's an example of a "plug-in". (I give you my voice mail template in my book)

Bottom line: Be careful what you fall for in the "plug-in" product world. Chances are you'll be making someone else money unless it's a product that you can utilize for your business. Still, if you are a true newbie, plug-ins can be a start but will not get you where you want to be.

========================================

*Welcome New Subscribers!

For those of you just joining, welcome!

Your time is valuable and I'll do my level best to make this "read" time well spent. I am just a regular guy, just like many of you out there...I stuck with it, and now am having a blast doing what I love to do. Keep a positive attitude and you can do just about anything....seems like old news, but it works and we all can use a little reminding now and then.

Please forward this e-zine in its entirety to any friends or colleagues who you think may find it useful. Or, refer someone by using the button at the bottom of the page.

Thanks for helping us grow!

Here's the link to subscribe:
"Starting Smart" newsletter

=======================================

*Freebie(s) of this issue

This issue's freebie(s) can be found in the "Starting Smart Community Chest"

Click the link below and use this info to gain access:

*Username is "communitychest" without the quotation marks (" ")
*The password to the Community Chest is in the email I sent to you announcing the online version of the newsletter and in the text version itself.

*The link to access the "Starting Smart Community Chest":

http://www.9mistakes-online.com/members

===============================

*Copyright and Publisher Info
=======================================

"Starting Smart" is copyright 2003 by Karl Augustine.
No part of this publication may be reproduced
without consent from the publisher.

========================================

If you liked what you've read, subscribe to "Starting Smart" below...