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

Issue: October 18, 2003

"How To Structure Your Online Interview"

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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.

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"Starting Smart"
The Ezine for the Online Marketing Newbie

October 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, having fun as always. But, I didn't have any fun the last few days trying to figure out what happened to my CPU! It just wouldn't engage when I turned on the power. I couldn't figure it out...so I called my brother and he helped me get it running again.

He walked me through taking it apart and re-connecting everything and all is now well. I couldn't have done it without him. I suppose the time it has been sitting in the same spot without being routinely cleaned contributed to the problem.

We all need a little guidance now and then I suppose and I'll do my best to guide you if I can.

A subscriber (who wanted to remain anonymous) asked me this week about productivity and how hard it can be to keep on top of things when the Internet changes so quickly.

His questions were:
-In what industries should we work?
-How should we find productive people?
-How should we guide them with marketing tools?

I think I know what he is referring to...becoming productive when things change so fast and there's so much to learn and so many decisions to make.

I've learned that no matter how fast things change on the Internet, the basics remain the same. Stick to what you know and get a solid foundation and product, then go from there. The foundation can be something as simple as a list of people who have a common need or problem. The foundation can be finding a niche market who will pay for a service. The point is, choose what you do well, decide if you can solve someone's problem via that skill, test the market, then deliver a product. All the in between is just execution.

Key point: Do not develop a product without testing the market first. It is imperative to know whether the market will pay for what you offer before you develop your product.

So, to answer his 1st question, "what industries should you work?", let's be open minded and simple. Again, pick what you know and love and do research to see if there's a market that will pay for what you can produce that will come as an extension of your experiences or desires. An Internet marketer who read my book (and gave me a testimonial) makes a 6 figure income selling cookbooks and recipes online. He loves to cook and makes money from his passion. He has a serious niche!

2nd question:"How should we find productive people?" Hmmmm, tough one, you have to separate the "want to's" from the people who actually "do something". If you have a list, take a poll! If you don't have a list and are recruiting people, talk with them via the phone. Lots of people aren't productive but still have desire...those are the types you want to make friends with because you can teach them how to be productive but you can't teach desire...desire comes from within.

And lastly:"How should we guide them with marketing tools?" A big question, no doubt! My humble advice is don't sell out. Only recommend tools that you use and love, there's no other way. Don't personally recommend tools that you don't use just for a few bucks in affiliate commissions, it isn't worth it. I am not saying to disengage from all advertising, there's nothing wrong with running affiliate adverts or sending paid solo ads if you have a list as long as your readers know the ad is coming. I personally will never send a solo ad to you unless I have the product and love it.

Bottom line...don't worry about the fast changing Internet. Get a solid base and figure out what niche to go after based on your passion or skill and do research, the rest will come. First things first and keep it simple...no matter how fast the Internet changes, business basics never die.

Sorry to put the sunrise pic in again...it's for me really

SUNRISE!

Highlight of the last 2 weeks: When I found out that my 2nd book will sell...I found out through my marketing tests...I know I have another book that will be a seller, which is a nice feeling. Now to finish the rest of the strategy.

Low point of the last 3 weeks: Being behind schedule...anyone else feel like they can't catch up?

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: "How To Ensure Your Online Interview Adds Value"
*In the news...
*Get Interactive With the Publisher...
* Subscriber Spotlight- New Feature!
*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

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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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*Featured Article:
"How To Structure Your Online Interview"

Are all interviews conducted equally?

Not a chance.

There's interviews that work and add value and those that just flat out don't flow well and confuse the listener which add no value the the USP.

For someone who has never conducted an interview before in the online world, knowing what to include in the interview and deciphering what the interview should cover, can be a challenge. In order to add value to the product offering, the content of an interview should be fairly in-depth and detailed and should focus on one portion of the overall product offering.

Example: If you sell a book about successfully selling gift baskets online, an interview with a professional drop shipper about successfully negotiating "win-win" partnerships with drop shippers would be useful to the readers of your eBook.

So what is the most effective structure for an interview?

The answer to this question will depend on the product involved and the 2 people who are participating. There needs to be a certain flow to the interview and it needs to be conversational rather than "staged"...i.e., it cannot seem rehearsed. The interview should be conversational but informative and detailed, which can be quite a challenge since people just generally tend to get side tracked with anecdotes and non-related experiences to the topic. However, a certain portion of the interview should be lighthearted to keep it fun. Each participant should be able to be themselves and let their personality show through while delivering solid and informative content in the meantime.

A key part of defining an effective structure of an interview is understanding and establishing the chemistry between the 2 participants and planning accordingly before the interview takes place. If you are going to do an interview, call the interviewee and get to know them on a personal and business level just enough to have a comfortable feeling about doing the interview. Then, send the interviewee an outline of what you'd like to cover and call him/her again to make sure he/she is comfortable with the general outline for the conversation. This will make for a more free flowing conversation, and you will still be able to make the interview informative without sounding "preachy" or staged.

A general outline to use as a guide for the structure for an online interview:

1. General introductions - Most people who have credibility will want some sort of introduction in the beginning of the interview, this is only natural. In addition, you want your audience to know who you are talking to and why they should listen to what the interviewee has to say.

2. Why the interview is taking place - This can be informative in itself and can also promote the interviewee if they have a certain niche that you are exploring in the interview. The goal here is to make sure the listener understands the value of the information that will be covered.

3. The information of value - This is the meat of the conversation. It should include detailed questions and answers that illuminate the "why's" and "how to's" of the topic being presented.

4. Q and A - This is the section where the interviewer puts him/herself in place of the listener and asks the interviewee questions that a listener would most likely ask if he/she were in on the call with them. This can be a deeply effective portion of the interview because it gives the interviewee a chance to re-cap what might have been discussed and allows for further expansion on key points that were covered in the bulk of the interview itself.

5. Conclusion - This last section can include final words of wisdom, a plan of action for the listener, and/or one last promotional plug for the interviewee. If the interview flowed smoothly, this piece will be natural and "non-sales like". The listener will most likely be very interested in what the interviewee has to offer in the way of a USP and will be a potential customer of the interviewer and interviewee if they aren't already.

An online interview can be an extraordinarily useful tool for increasing credibility, adding exclusivity to a USP, and can generate profits for all parties involved.

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

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In the news...

AOL renews with Google...

Search Day-AOL and Google

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(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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Send an email with your topic choice to: mailto:write-about-this@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 2 e-zines 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!

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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.

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

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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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