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

Issue: October 4, 2003

"How To Ensure Your Online Interview Adds Value"

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"Starting Smart"
The Ezine for the Online Marketing Newbie

October 4, 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. I'm adding special and truly exclusive bonuses to the sale of my book next week, so I'm feverishly busy. But...taking time to enjoy other aspects of life. Never thought you'd hear that from me huh!

Here in the Seattle area it is so beautiful it almost isn't fair. This time of year the leaves have turned and are beginning to fall. There's a light chill in the air but it isn't cold and it is clear as a bell. What that means is you can see for miles and every mountain range is visible in every direction. Couple that with all the surrounding lakes and rolling green hills and, well, let's just say this is an awesome place to live!

As the seasons change, so do people's attitudes, it all comes with the passing of time. Time keeps rolling, nothing you can do about it. I had a birthday last week, and I got to thinking about how fast time goes as I've gotten older. All those things I wanted to do, all those things I planned on having, all those goals I wanted to accomplish, etc...boy, time flies! Some things I've done, some goals, I've achieved, some things I have attained, some not.

2 things that have significantly increased my quality of life is this newsletter and all of you who share it with me. It is fun, interactive and enriching on many levels.

I've never been the type to wait around and not 'go for it', but I must say, I wished I'd have started this Internet business earlier. Time is still ticking along, but I know I have and will have something that will benefit me and others for years to come. When I look to the future I know I'll be glad I actually did it...don't wait for time to keep rolling, do something now on the Internet. Whatever it is, research it, plan for it, execute it!

The sun keeps coming up, time keeps rollin', you aren't getting any younger!

(Speaking --or 'writing'--about the sun coming up, here's the 'sunrise' URL again!)

SUNRISE!

Highlight of the last 2 weeks: My wife made me a nice 'stay-at-home' Birthday dinner.

Low point of the last 3 weeks: You may find this corny, but...hearing about the havoc and seeing the pictures of the damage the hurricane Isabel did was a little bit of a downer. Humans have been dealing with natural tragedy since time began so I suppose it is nothing new. This type of thing makes me realize my so called 'troubles' are tiny and insignificant...it is all about attitude.

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And last but not least...

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 issue!

Karl Augustine

"The Regular Guy"

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In this edition...
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*Products every Internet marketer should have
*Featured Article: "How To Ensure Your Online Interview Adds Value"
*In the news
*Get Interactive With the Publisher...
*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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*Products every Internet marketer should have...
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*Featured Article:
"How To Ensure Your Online Interview Adds Value"

Are all interviews valuable products? Not necessarily...not if the interview message isn't communicated effectively.

More and more Internet marketers are using interviews to further promote their products, build their lists, and increase their USP's and offerings. This can be an effective way to add 'exclusivity' to any online product and add value due to the "one on one" and unique feel of a conversational interview. Adding a voice to information can make the experience of learning much more effective and human.

However, quite often the interviews that are offered are vague and non-specific and leave the listener wondering what was truly covered in the interview, if anything was covered at all. If the listener does not realize any added value from the interview, than the effort was wasted and the listener's time was wasted as well. If the interview was merely designed and used to sell a big ticket back end product but was touted as "content rich", the listener can feel cheated because their expectations weren't met and they didn't learn anything that could be put to use in their own business. In addition, the listener most likely didn't choose to listen to the interview so they could be sold to, they listened to the interview to learn something valuable.

So what's an affective structure for an interview that will add value to a Unique Selling Proposition?

Certainly the answer to this is going to vary depending on the target market, product feature set, and mode of delivery, but there are certain basics that can be used to make any interview add value and benefit the listener. These basics apply to most interviews when utilized to add to a USP. The basics include simple logical steps that are any or all of the following:

Define exactly what the interview is going to be used for. Will it be used to add value to a USP as a bonus? Will it be used as a lead generator? Will it be used as a stand alone product? Deciding what the interview will be used for will set a clear path for the next logical productive steps.

Define who will be listening to your interview and what their motivation is for listening. Who is your target market and what do they want to know? What need are they filling by listening to the interview?

Define what message you'd like to get across in the interview and be specific. An interview about 'web publishing' wouldn't be effective because the subject is far too broad. An interview about 'the 4 most important steps to reaching a top 10 ranking on a specific search engine' is much clearer and narrowly niched and would be much more useful to the listener.

Carefully choose your interviewee. Make certain that the person you interview has the information you want to deliver to your target market based on their experiences. Create a relationship with them so the interview is 'conversational' but is also a learning experience for the listener.

If you are adding the interview as a bonus to your USP, make certain that the interview complements your USP and is truly an add-on. Make the information in the interview targeted to make your USP enhanced rather than having it contain random information. The interview should further define or elaborate on key points outlined in your product offering.

Clearly define the sales copy of information about the interview to the prospect. Don't perform 'bait and switch' tactics to your would-be listener, this only wastes time for everyone involved and holds no value to either party in the long run.

Clearly define the mode/method of delivery to your user. Will the interview be an audio e-Book? Will the interview be available only via streaming or will the interview be available for download? If a download, what format will be used? MP3? Another media file? What type of software or hardware will be needed to listen to the interview?

Interviews can be extremely effective tools to convey messages, teach, add value to a product or products, etc. Use a planned approach when using interviews as products or as a method of adding to your USP and the interview will be much more effective for everyone.

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...

Clickbank changes their hoplinks! Read about it here...

http://www.clickbank.com/kount.html

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"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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*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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*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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