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Issue: May 23, 2003

"Traffic For the Newbies, Keep it Simple" - formula for increasing traffic

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

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

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

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"Starting Smart"
The Ezine for the Online Marketing Newbie

May 22, 2003
Karl Augustine - Publisher

Subscribe Link:
http://www.9mistakes-online.com/startingsmartnewsletter.htm
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*Greetings...a quick thought
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Hello,

I hope you have had a fruitful 2 weeks in your online
endeavors. I've been working on new JV's and have
arranged some solid relationships. Meeting new online
people who have had success is what makes it all
worthwhile.

You may have seen this in the news this week, quite
a story. The real information isn't in just yet from
my point of view but this is a real concern, not just
fluff.

The FTC is cracking down of websites that make unrealistic
claims that mislead consumers. My view is that if you
promote in a false way, it's unethical and illegal,
just like it has always been.

But, with the online world, the view has been a little
laxed, until recently...

Read the full release at the FTC site:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/05/swnetforce.htm

I'll include in the next issue what I think online
entrepreneurs should do when trying to best protect
themselves...I'm going to do a little reading and
give you my view in the next issue.

Thanks for reading.

Enjoy and all the best online,

Karl Augustine
http://www.9mistakes-online.com
http://www.online-newbie.com

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In this edition...
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*Article: Joint Ventures
*Partner's Corner
*Featured Article: Traffic for newbies, keep it simple!
*Ask me?
*Welcome New Subscribers! Help us grow:)
*Copyright and Publisher Info
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9 Mistakes Online - Joint Ventures

(c) 2003 Karl Augustine

Joint Ventures are one of the key ways to make a
solid start online. When developing a product or
selling other people's products, keep Joint Ventures
in mind at all times. If you sincerely plan to develop
relationships that lead to Joint Ventures, you should
always be searching for the right types of contacts to
make while you're in pre-launch and even post launch.

Once launched, you can easily re-approach or approach the
people that you've identified as possible JV suitors.

Keep a spreadsheet (or any other document) of potential
contacts that you find by surfing the web. Go to Google,
type in keywords related to your subject or product,
and review the sites that may be potentials.

On the spreadsheet you may want to have name, website/URL,
contact info including phone and email, product or 'what
the site does, date you called or planned on calling, etc...

When you are ready to start approaching potential JV
partners, make sure you understand what you plan on
saying to the person if you get them on the phone.

This may be a daunting task at first but it's
nothing more than talking to people. If you do get
their voice mail, leave a message anyway...
remember, you are trying to connect
with them by personal touch, not just email.

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SAMPLE MESSAGE:
" Hi Jim, this is John from (your site),
I'm calling because I reviewed your website and respect
what your doing online and think my product would be a
good match.

I know you don't know me and the sole purpose of my call
is to get to know you a little better and to let you know
I have x product that does x. If you get a moment,
please give me a call so we can briefly chat. I'm going
to send you an email with "Hi Jim, follow up to voice
mail" in the subject line giving you my contact information.

Thanks, have a good day."

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After leaving the message, send the person an email
and get directly to the point of why you contacted
them in the first place. I don't immediately ask about
doing a JV together, I try to get to know the person
first if at all possible.

If you've defined your niche already, targeting JV's is
simple, it's just a matter of making it a point to get
to know as many people as possible.

Don't underestimate the power of the personal touch!

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The Partner's Corner
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I wanted to tell you about a new partner I met this
week who helps newbies also. Marie Quaglia of
EcommResources has consulted with Fortune 500
companies and helped them become successful online.
Marie also has 20 years experience in marketing and sales
and is a expert copywriter.

I urge you to take a look at what Marie has to offer,
I'm certain she can increase your sales! Marie offers
great value, over delivers, and truly wants to help
newbies succeed.

To boost sales, click the link below...

http://www.ecommresources.com/page/page/466322.htm

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*Featured Article: Traffic for newbies, keep it simple!

When you are just starting out, its tough not to get too
"revved" up about the barrage of traffic you think you'll
be able to muster. If you're smart, you'll take it slow
and think through anything you do that you think will
give you traffic.

Until you are an expert and have hundreds of
thousands of daily hits, keep it simple.

Use this formula:
URL, Title of page, keywords, copy...that's it.

If your plan is solid and you know what you are going
to do, the above formula works well and comes naturally.
If you force it, you'll get behind and will have to re-do
things.

Here's an example of the formula working...
If you type the keyword phrase "mistakes online" into
Google (http://www.google.com), you'll see my pages
ranked in the top 5 results.

The simple formula worked. (The keyword phrase I used for
the example isn't too popular, but I get traffic from it.)

My URL has the keywords that were searched on in it...
*"online" and "mistakes"

*the title of the page is "Online Business - Mistakes Online"

*the keywords in the meta tags of the page are:
Starting an online business, start an online business,
online business mistakes, online business, mistakes online,
online mistakes

*The sales copy repeats the keywords just by mentioning
the title of the book.

The key here is to drive traffic yourself by using the
above formula. Yes, to have serious traffic you need
links pointing into your site. But, when you start out
all you need is one website owner to agree to link into
your site to get listed on Google..make sure the site
is relevant and complimentary to yours.

After you get listed on Google and have decent rankings
for your keywords and keyword phrases, then concentrate
on getting other website owners to link to your site.

Keep it simple...

Use this formula:
URL, Title of page, keywords, copy.

All the best online...

(c) Karl Augustine
http://www.9mistakes-online.com
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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 may
find it useful.

Thanks for helping us grow!

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

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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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