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Issue: June 23, 2003

"The Value and Danger of Forums"

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"Starting Smart"
The Ezine for the Online Marketing Newbie

June 23, 2003
Karl Augustine - Publisher

Subscribe Link:
http://www.9mistakes-online.com/startingsmartnewsletter.htm
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*Greetings...a quick thought, I hope all is well with you...
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Hello,

Welcome to this edition of "Starting Smart"...I hope you had a great 2 weeks online! I've been reviewing some new software and eBooks which I'll share with you later. The reading and assessing never ends and I love it...keeps me in touch with what's out there, what's useful, and what's a waste of money.

As usual, I've been talking with seasoned Internet marketers over the past 2 weeks, and the subject of link exchanges came up. With all the hype about search engine positioning and getting good rankings, it seemed prudent to roll with the discussion. I really do enjoy boosting search engine rankings and getting more traffic, as long as it doesn't cost me anything!

Link exchanges with other sites certainly help to get higher rankings and increase meaningful traffic, but lots of people ignore this tactic because it is so time consuming and because it takes a strategic approach. You can have companies like Link Partners keep a look-out for suitable partners for you, but you'll be waiting a while for serious results. There are services that actually seek out and approach possible link partners for you, but it'll cost you. Scott Smith of Linkagexpress will be happy to help you for a fee. According to folks I've talked to, Scott is quite good but I can't say first hand.

I suggest getting educated about the way link exchanges really help your search engine ranking rather than guess about it. Then, use the approach you would for approaching any other JV with other site owners...you may as well talk with a site owner about a JV and settle for a link exchange, at the very least, if a full blown the JV isn't a good fit for you both. I learned about link exchanges and traffic from the authority on the subject in Planet Ocean's "Winning the Search Engine Wars!", a fantastic book! If you've read Planet Ocean's book already and just need a FREE informative refresher, download this free PDF file written by Ken McGaffin, an experienced Internet marketer at LinkingMatters.com...get your free 33 page PDF report, Linking Matters' "How to Create An Effective Linking Strategy To Promote Your Website" by clicking the link previous.

Seeking out link partners takes time, but it is a requirement it if you want decent rankings on the search engines and steady traffic. Save yourself some time by including a linking strategy in your discussions with any potential JV partners so you can essentially kill 2 birds with 1 stone!

All the best online, enjoy this issue!

Karl Augustine
"The Regular Guy"

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In this edition..
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*2 Great additions to your arsenal...
*Featured Article: The Value and Danger of Forums
*A tremendous time saving tool! You'll love this one..
*Ask me?
*Welcome New Subscribers! Help us grow!
*Copyright and Publisher Info
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New terrific additions to your online arsenal...
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**Grab your Free REPORT about building cash flow now!
I have a copy of Wayne Brooks' book, it is an absolute must read for anyone starting an online business. I read it straight through, 1 sitting...I wished I would have had this book 2 years ago! Click here for your copy and you'll be well on your way to increased cash flow, guaranteed!

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*Featured Article: "The Value and Danger of Forums"

Forums have been a hit on the Internet for a while now, they are a great place to collaborate and usually get substantial traffic. People post their messages and create a dialogue, whether it be worthwhile or not. The truth is, forums can be an amazingly useful tool but they can be dangerous to your online success.

I'm the first to admit, I am definitely not a forum type of guy. The thought of "getting in the mix" of other people's opinions isn't something I enjoy spending time on...I'm pretty literal about things. Can't ya tell ! But I have learned a few things about forums; if used properly they can save you loads of time and money. And, anyone that knows me, knows I love saving time and money...

Forums can be a terrific source of information if you use them correctly.

With forums, you can:
*Get feedback from other forum members about products they have tried that you are thinking of buying
*Get feedback about your own product or service from people who have more experience than you do
*Keep in touch with the latest promotions, new products, and joint venture possibilities
*Make acquaintances that can help you further your success
*And so on and so forth...

I've made many friends by using forums and I have saved lots of money by doing research and soliciting feedback regarding products on forums. Best of all, forums are a great way to find JV partners. About 65% of my JV partners have come from relationships that have started from online forums...and that translates into increased list size and increased profits.

2 of the most useful forums to follow if you are in the online marketing game are the Warrior Forum and Anthony Blake's forum.

The Warrior forum has helped many folks become successful online...it's been said that no other forum ever has produced more Internet millionaires than the Warrior Forum. I am sure Allen Says didn't think it would be nearly as successful as it is when he started the whole thing...he just wanted to create a community where netrepreneurs could get the answers they needed without spending a fortune asking the experts. The Warrior forum has a "Special Offers" section where members can get discounts on new products offered by other "Warriors". I've saved a ton of money by being a member! There is also a JV section that is very well utilized and well monitored that has paid handsome dividends for me. I urge you to save yourself time and money at the Warrior forum.

Anthony Blake's forum is equally useful and is extremely active. There is no fee to use the forum, and, like most forums, there are a set of rules to abide by and it is well monitored. Anthony Blake's Success forum seems to be the most highly utilized free forum on the Internet...people on Anthony's forum tend to be very upbeat and positive just like the Warrior forum. Both forums are a good place for a 'pick me up' if you are feeling a little de motivated! Anthony Blake's forum will automatically email you when someone responds to one of your postings, which saves you from having to keep checking back for responses. Check out Anthony Blake's forum here.

Inasmuch as forums can be amazingly useful, they can be a serious danger to your success. Why? Because forums can be seriously addicting and lots of people spend way too much time posting messages just for the sake of entertainment and collective bickering! If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing a 'battle thread" on a forum, you are missing out, it is quite entertaining. It is truly amazing how many people use forums for emotional release and mental therapy...I once saw a message thread that was over 50 messages long debating something that was next to meaningless...it was nothing more than a group of people "getting it out of their system". The thread read like a group of frat or sorority members arguing over who was going to win the annual burlap sack race, it was that ridiculous!

Do yourself a favor, don't waste one of your most precious commodities (time) using forums for the wrong reasons. Use the forums for what they were meant for, making yourself and others more successful.

Ask questions if you don't know the answers. Solicit feedback on products you are 'reviewing'. Tell someone "thank you". Find yourself a JV partner! Make lasting online friends and make your post worthwhile to read...use it to maximize the chances of your (and others) success.

Until the next useless thread (or wildly successful JV deal!), all the best online!

Karl Augustine
"The Regular Guy"

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

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*Just because it is an A+, don't forget to check it out!

I usually don't get this wound up over software but this is special because it is a huge huge time saver! I hate tedious and monotonous work, especially if it absolutely has got to be done! Yeah, I'm whining...

After sitting for hours manually looking for and submitting my articles and E-Zine to every directory and publisher I could find, and really having a deep deep respect for the old timers who did this without automation, I knew there had to be a better way!

Jason Potash's E-Zine Announcer is just that, better way. A+ through and through! It's not an A+ because it's easy to use and the interface is "all pretty" with solid documentation, it's an A+ because it saves me hours and hours of time submitting my articles and E-Zine! I rarely give an A+ to anything, let alone more software! Check it out now!

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*Ask Me?

If you have a question, ask me. I'll do my best to answer all the questions I receive. I can't guarantee exactly when, but I'll do my best!
mailto:karl@9mistakes-online.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 ezine in its entirety to any friends or colleagues who you think may find it useful.

Thanks for helping us grow!

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

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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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