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

Issue: December 18, 2003

"How the Part-time Netrepreneur Prioritizes Tasks For Maximum Profits"

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If you're reading "Starting Smart" because a friend sent this issue to you, get your own copy three times a month by clicking either of these addresses.

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

Here's the link to subscribe:
http://startingsmart.9mistakes-online.com

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"Starting Smart"
The Ezine for the Online Marketing Newbie

December 18, 2003
Karl Augustine - Publisher

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

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*Greetings...I hope all is well with you...
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Hello,

Welcome new subscribers, thanks for being here! Without you, none of this would be worth a hoot.

Lots of things going on in my Internet world as usual, having fun as always.

I've been working with a graphics person to do my graphics for my second book. You will be able to see the graphics on http://www.deciding-on-divorce.com.

Choosing graphics is a thorough process if you do it right. You have to decide on what you want the wording to say to your visitor, you don't have much space or time to work with once your web visitor gets to your site so the words you choose have to deliver a message.

The color scheme also is important because certain colors invoke certain emotional responses in people. I chose blue for my second book because it is a softer color that supposedly make people feel thoughtful and peaceful. Some keywords associated with blue are: trust, wisdom, love, tranquility, coolness, truth, harmony.

These keywords work well with the message I am trying to get across in my second eBook, "A Practical Guide To Deciding Whether Or Not To Get A Divorce". You can download the book I read to learn about colors in the Starting Smart Community Chest". The book is called Jill Black's "Color Psychology For Ebook Design" - a pdf file.

The designer and I emailed back and forth about 7 times to get it right but it was worth it, he did a nice job. This is the type of relationship I found most useful with a graphics designer, 1 to 1. This way the images are exactly what you want, right down to the shading!

Remember: the password to the Members page is in the email sent to you announcing the online version of this newsletter.

Highlight of the last 2 weeks: The capture of Mr. Hussein was actually a highlight for me, I feel for the people in Iraq.

Low point of the last 2 weeks: Getting the flu, whew, it was rough!

My lovely wife and I are going to Florida for a week's vacation starting Thursday, going to see family and freinds...and maybe get a little sun!

For those of you who have celebrations during this time of year, Happy Holidays!

And last and most importantly...

Thanks for being a subscriber to "Starting Smart!"... if you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, JV opportunities you'd like to discuss, etc., email me directly.

MAILTO:karl@9mistakes-online.com

Thanks for being here and enjoy the rest of the issue!

Karl Augustine

"The Regular Guy"

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In this edition...
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*Viral Marketing
*Products every Internet marketer should have
*Featured Article #1: "How the Part-time Netrepreneur Prioritizes Tasks For Maximum Profits", by Karl Augustine
*In the news...
* Subscriber Spotlight- New Feature!
*Featured Article #2: "3 Hot Ways To Ignite Your Sales?", by Larry Dotson
*Welcome New Subscribers! Help us grow...
*F*reebie(s) of this issue in the "Starting Smart Community Chest!"
*Copyright and Publisher Info
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*Viral marketing

LOOK: All Publishers and List Owners

Since this Viral eBooks are the subject of this issue, seems fitting to piggyback eh?!

Remember to increase traffic to your site and promote your affiliate links by using 1 of the 2 versions of the min brand-able version of "9 Deadly Mistakes...". One version is for people who have been members of certain affiliate programs for a while and are in programs that have been so successful, that they aren't allowing new applications.

The other version is a trimmed down version that anyone can profit from.

The pdf branding software is fantastic and extremely easy to use, branding the book only takes 1-2 minutes. Send an email now to MAILTO:brand9@9mistakes-online.com to get the 2 brand-able versions and begin increasing traffic to your site and promoting links. In my reply email, you'll receive full instructions and the link to use to brand either book.

Give the pdf branded Mini version of "9 Deadly Mistakes..." away to your list.

MAILTO:brand9@9mistakes-online.com

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*Products every Internet marketer should have...
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*Featured Article:
"How the Part-time Netrepreneur Prioritizes Tasks For Maximum Profits", by Karl Augustine

Because their time is limited, part-time netrepreneurs have the difficult challenge of prioritizing the many tasks that need to be accomplished in order to maximize profits in an online business. Truthfully, making a living online can be a full-time job if you are serious about being a success.

Since their time is limited, how does the part-time netrepreneur make sure that his/her time is spent in such a way that profits will be maximized?

Through categorization and prioritization of tasks.

Once the netrepreneur categorizes tasks based on the USP, the prioritization of those tasks and the execution of them becomes more streamlined. And, since the part-time netrepreneur has limited time to work on their online business, this system limits opportunity their costs and allows them to hopefully maximize profitability.

The following categories and details aren't static and don't necessarily apply to anyone with an online business, and the examples in these categories could potentially overlap. But, all online businesses encompass most, if not all, of these examples and more. The tasks outlined below are "ongoing" for a netrepreneur who wants to have sustained growth.

The part-time netrepreneur who already has a product to sell and has set up a business and marketing plan, could categorize tasks as follows:

1. Website Maintenance and General Operations- This can include making simple updates, adding links, setting up locked pages, changing passwords, uploading new web pages, installing scripts for marketing or affiliate tracking, negotiating contracts, assessing products and services, organizing the Inbox of the mail client, and more.

These "website maintenance" and "general operations" tasks are necessary to the success of the netrepreneurs business but should only represent a fraction of the overall time allotted to all tasks of operating the business.

2. Enhancing the USP - This can include adding bonuses, writing articles, changing or tweaking sales copy, developing graphics, updating an existing product, adding a complimentary product or service, and more.

These tasks that "enhance the USP" are vital to the long-term success of the business because they will come as extensions of testing and marketing.

Example: If it is determined through testing that the Value Per Visitor (VPV) for a given site is 40 cents and the desired VPV is 60 cents, then something will need to be added most likely to enhance the USP to substantiate a price increase given the same line of traffic to that site. The only way this information can be obtained is through testing, a subset or "task" of marketing.

3. Marketing Execution - This can include generating targeted traffic, setting up JV's, establishing pricing, testing, networking, running ads, nurturing the list through mailings, surveying, list building, and more.

Tasks that fall under this category are by far the most important of any category because they are essentially "the money makers". Of course, the preliminary work needs to be done in order for these marketing tasks to show profit. No amount of marketing in the world will give any online business owner wealth if the product or service isn't quality and isn't delivered properly to a market willing to pay for that product or service.

The way these tasks are prioritized will differ to some degree based on the timelines established in the business plan as it was laid out by the netrepreneur. Common sense and general prudence will lead the part-time netrepreneur down the right path of prioritization for the execution of these tasks.

As a good general rule of thumb, the part-time netrepreneur should spend as much time as possible on all marketing tasks. If there are other tasks that aren't categorized as "marketing" tasks, the part-timer should do what's necessary to finish those tasks so the main focus can be "marketing".

Be humble, keep it simple.

Karl Augustine

"The Regular Guy"

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In the news...

Search locally, by geography!

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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.**

**NOTE: If you are an affiliate of mine, you may use your affiliate link as well in the dialogue box instead of the http://www.9mistakes-online.com. To become an affiliate visit my affiliate page.

Simply review previous e-zine issues and send email to article1@9mistakes-online.com thru article9@9mistakes-online.com.

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

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*Subscriber Spotlight- New feature...

If your an e-zine owner and a subscriber to "Starting Smart" and want me to feature your e-zine here, please send me an email (mailto:karl@9mistakes-online.com) with "I'd like to be in the spotlight" in the SUBJECT line and include a link to an issue of your e-zine. I cannot get to everyone, I do apologize.

I'll feature 1 e-zine per issue that will be non-competitive in nature to each other.

I also require that you include in your email to me, one of your online blunders and how much it cost you in time and/or money!

Thanks!

"Starting With A Marketing Plan - Welcome to the SWAMP"

by James Mann

From James Mann of 'Welcome To The SWAMP' Newsletter:

After 16 years as a computer instructor I retired and came on-line. I went through the struggles that most newbie marketers go through, but I finally learned. Now I help others 'Start With A Marketing Plan' through my 'Build A Better Web Site' eBook and my monthly 'Welcome To The SWAMP' Newsletter.

There are so many ways to go wrong, but there are also many ways to success, as long as you have the core strategies that make Internet Marketing work. And, that is what I present in my newsletter each month.

I get and keep subscribers because I give them more than they expect. Each month I have articles, tips and even a syndicated Search Engine Optimization column by Sharon & Roy Montero, two of the best optimizers I have met.

You are welcome to see what my newsletter has to offer and you always have the option to unsubscribe, as I prefer to have happy and satisfied readers.

Visit my subscription page at:

http://www.inetstrategiesinc.com/subscribe-to-newsletter.html

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*Featured Article #2 (mini):

"3 Hot Ways To Ignite Your Sales!"

by Larry Dotson

1) You could offer your potential customers a monthly payment plan. Tell them they can pay for your product or service with easy monthly payments.
For example, you could say, "You Can Own Our Product With 3 Easy Payments Of ($)!" Another idea would be to eliminate one of those payments later on in your ad copy.

2) Give your prospects extra confidence so they will order. Use endorsements, testimonials, a strong guarantee or warranty, etc. For example, you could say, "I'm going to allow you to try out our product for a full 60 days without billing your
card!"

3) End your sales letter or ad copy with a strong closing. It could be a free bonus, a discount price, a benefit reminder, an ordering deadline, etc. For example, you could say, "P.S. Remember, you'll get 5 bonuses valued at $245!" Another example
would be, "P.S. Like mentioned earlier, if you order today you'll get 45% off!"
----
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Like CRAZY! http://www.ldpublishing.com

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*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:
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*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

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

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