In this special webinar you will learn…

• One of the best way to profit from JV’s. This one technique has put thousands into our pockets…
• How and why a JV can make you more productive and why you will get 3 times as much done…
• Why a JV will increase your income almost instantly…
• How to know if a JV is right for you…
• Who to look for when forming a JV…
• And a whole lot more…

Also at the end of this special webinar we are going to share with you important information about a special JV event that happened in September and now the next one will be happening soon this coming January.

January 28-29 to be exact.

The last JV Deal Maker event was a big hit and this next one is expected to be even better.

So check it out…

Click here to learn more about the JV Deal Maker Experience…

Click here to learn more about the JV Deal Maker Experience…

Recently someone asked about reputation management for businesses. Here is my take and what I feel you should do.

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One of the greatest tools online is Skype.

It allows you to conduct interviews with people, hold a group mastermind call, do video conferencing, send files, messages and more.

What’s really good is the fact that Skype is Free.

But… How many times have you done a call with a group or an individual and you wish you had recorded it.

Well… Now you can and the best part of it is that it is free…

How… You may wonder. Simple…

Use the program…. MP3 Skype Recorder

Head there now, download yourself a copy and put it to use.

When posting information to our blogs the information we share is often evergreen. What this means is that it never goes out of date and is always relevant.

This is a great because it means that you can share information that is always useful. The problem is though many times on blogs the blog owners have their date function turned on. So what happens is you get a visitor to your blog. They see a post that is a few months old and they head their merry way, not even reading the post.

Even though the information is useful and relevant.

The solution is simple. Turn your date function off.

Now Your visitors will take the time to read your posts because to them it is fresh information. There is no date to say hay… I posted this months ago.

My best to you in all you do.

Joe

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A common question that Internet marketers have is, “What’s the fastest way to get my site indexed into Google?”  Well, now I have a tool that answers that question for you… and it’s free.

The tool is called the JMM Instant Indexer and here is what it does:

Once you download and install the JMM Instant Indexer, all you have to do is paste the URL of the site that you want to be indexed instantly along with a keyword that describes the content of your site.  Click the start button and the software will instantly and automatically create dozens of backlinks to your site and you will be indexed into Google usually within minutes.

No more waiting days or weeks for Google to come crawling.  Get it done instantly and do it for free with my new JMM Instant Indexer tool. 

Click here to download and start using the free backlink tool right now. Simply download the zip file, extract the zip file, and click on the Website Indexer icon to install and activate the tool.

There are many reasons why a business needs to keep an eye on the competition. From pricing your products competitively, to gauging how similar businesses are reacting to market forces, to understanding where you stand in the highly competitive space of online search rankings.

But how do you effectively sneak a peek at the competition, or even snuggle up to it? Here are five tips for researching and getting to know your competition.

1. Use the Web to Your Advantage

The easiest way to check out the competition, as well as what customer’s think of them, is to go online.

A surefire way of doing this is to conduct a search on popular local online business listings such as Yahoo Local, Google Maps, and Yelp. Enter keywords about your business together with the zip code of the area you serve, e.g. “landscape services, 22182” and you’ll find a list of businesses that also self-identify themselves by these keywords.

Focus on the top 10 businesses from each search engine result and start your competitive research by checking out their Web sites for information on products, pricing, service areas, etc. Assess how your offerings stack up – what do you offer that is unique, and how can you work that into your marketing plan to set you apart from the competition? 

2.  Gauge Customer Opinion

Going back to your search engine results, take a look at the customer reviews posted against your competitor’s business listing. This information can provide valuable insight into why a customer chooses one business over another (even yours).

In addition to standard Web search tools, industry-specific sites such as *ServiceMagic, *Angie’s List, *Dine.com, and *OpenTable, among others, can help you narrow down your opinion-based research.

3.  Get to Know Your Competition

It’s very rare that any two businesses are exactly the same, which makes it a good idea to get to know, and even network with, your competition – in person.

The rewards can include referrals (if you offer something that they don’t, or they are simply unable to take on additional customers for whatever reason – very common in the freelance/consulting world), as well as potential joint business opportunities. Sometimes going after the same clients can prove more fruitful if you tag team with or outsource to a sub-contractor or partner who can round out your offering.

 It’s best to meet and get to know your competition on neutral turf. Associations, chambers of commerce, and other local business networking groups are a great place to do this.

 4.  Don’t Get Hung Up on Price

While you do want to make sure that your pricing is in line with the market, don’t run the risk of selling your offerings short by focusing on price as your main differentiator – you’ll never win and you’ll end up destroying all your margins in an effort to stay ahead. Instead focus on value – and selling that value effectively. This often comes down to customer service and winning business through great customer service.

 5.  Keep it Up

Staying on top of the competitive landscape is an ongoing effort; however, there are many online tools that can help you automate the process. Sign up for your competitor’s newsletters and use Google Alerts to track what’s said about your competition on the Web. 

It’s a good idea to monitor social media sites too. Follow your closest competitors on Twitter and Facebook, or if you wish to be more discreet, monitor them using tools such as *Hootsuite.

Making use of free online listings, such as Yelp.com, Google Places and Yahoo Local, is a great way to promote and manage your business profile online.  Not only does it make your business “searchable” and rise to the top of search engine listings, it also allows you to communicate information about your business directly with your target audience based on location-based data and keywords.

But by far one of the biggest benefits of listing your business with a free online directory is that your customers now become part of your marketing efforts too. Referrals and reviews are often a small business owner’s most valuable marketing asset, and online listings make it easier than ever for your customers to tell the world what they think of your business.

Everyone loves a good review, but what happens when the reviews are unfavorable, negative or even make claims that are downright false?

Here are some tips for managing your online reputation and understanding your options and tactics for handling a “bad” online customer review.

Regularly Monitor Reviews

Be sure to monitor reviews across your online business listings on a regular basis. While you can’t delete reviews, try to respond to negative reviews whenever possible – you usually have to respond publicly (although certain sites such as Yelp.com permit private responses).

Respond to Reviews – Both Good and Bad

A bad review can be a learning moment for the small business owner, and if appropriate should be acknowledged as such. Take time to formulate your response and control any anger or frustration you feel about the review. Responding publically to a complaint may seem hard, but it demonstrates to the wider community of reviewers that you care and have acted on the feedback.

When you are ready to respond, at a minimum thank the reviewer for their patronage and feedback and don’t be defensive – it just adds fuel to the fire and can make it appear that you are inferring that the customer is wrong.

If you need more information or clarification of the complaint, ask the reviewer to contact you offline – this avoids keeping a potentially heated conversation going on online in full view of other patrons.

Above all, show that you care about your customer’s experiences and that you take their feedback into consideration. If you’ve implemented changes based on this feedback, let the reviewer know. Responding appropriately and with a “human face” can help turn around a negative perception of your business and even win you the right to a second chance with this particular customer, as well as others.

And don’t forget to respond to good reviews too – you may want to do this via private message, so that you don’t overwhelm your review page with your own comments! Thank the reviewer for their feedback and make an effort to re-state what it was that they specifically liked about you (it shows you read the review). Adopt a friendly and courteous tone, and leave it at that!

Dealing with False Reviews

What is a false review? It might be a customer who has twisted their version of events to get your attention, or they are so dissatisfied with their experience that they will exaggerate or make false claims to back up their statements.

Whatever the nature of the false review, if you want to respond, try to do so using private messaging. If you really feel strongly about the review and want to respond with a public comment, be respectful, make your point as best you can and don’t attack the reviewer or accuse them of lying.

When to Flag a Comment for Removal by the Host Site

All online business listings give you and others the option of reporting inappropriate comments and/or reviewers – whether it’s spam, advocates violence/hate or promotes illegal content. If the host site agrees that it is a violation of their policies, they are obliged to remove it. As the business owner, be sure you are using this tool only when absolutely necessary.

More Information

Each online listing site offers its own guidance on how to handle reviews and respond to feedback, together with examples of how to script your replies. Perfecting how you interact with your patrons can go a long way to enhancing your overall site listing and online brand.

If you have any questions about marketing your business online feel free to contact us. You can leave your questions below or contact us directly through our contact page.

Not long ago we used to ask the question “why put your business online”? Today, the question is nothing short of a no-brainer – the web expands your business reach.  It makes doing business with you easy and, thanks to blogging and online communities; the web quite literally puts a social and engaging face to your business.

That said, getting started is easier said than done. Choosing a web host, writing and maintaining actionable and relevant content, and running an online store is quite an undertaking for any small business.

Here are 5 steps to help you set up your company web site.

1) Choose a Domain Name

Ideally, you chose, or at least considered choosing, a domain name (your web site address) early on in the process of naming your business. This would afford a greater likelihood of you being able to secure the domain name you want when it comes time to set up a web site.

Once you’ve chosen it you’ll need to register it, I use NameCheap.com  for all my domain names. Most domain name registration services let you “park” or reserve your name until you are ready to use it, so securing it as early as possible is a safe bet.

2) Select  a Web Hosting Provider

There are literally hundreds of low-cost web hosting options each offering easy-to-build web site templates, the ability to host custom-designed pages, and merchant accounts. So where do you start? I use HostGator.com

The have been around for many years and have hosted hundreds of thousands of web sites. The pricing is good and customer service is top notch.

You may hear others suggesting free platforms such as WordPress.com (WordPress.com the self hosted platform and not to be comfused with the WordPress platform that you can host on you own hosting system). I would not suggest using them or any free service. The reason being that you do not have the flexability and customizing options you have when you host your site through a hosting provider. This is your business, do you want to be governed by someon elses rules and regulations? Most do not.

When in doubt talk to other business owners about their experiences – and be sure to have a clear picture of your needs, now and in the future (i.e. does your web host offer an integrated blog, merchant account, etc.). Use online communities and social networks – there are lots of people out there willing to help, even Tweeting and posting on Facebook for recommendations can return great advice.

3) Determine what you Want your Site to Look Like  

To help build a picture of what your web site will look like – start at the drawing board. Consider these points:

- On the Web, Content is King – Develop a plan to provide and maintain interesting and actionable content. Consider hiring a copy writer if you don’t have the expertise in-house (the investment might just pay off).

- Outline Your Site Structure – In the business of web design this process is called building a “strawman”. Many web host templates make it very easy for you to add and change the structure of your web site before it goes live – but it’s a useful exercise to map how your content will flow and what your linking strategy is in advance.

- Web Design and Navigation – Whether your use a web host-provided template, hire a designer, or do it yourself, focus on simplicity, readability, professionalism and consistency. Use images, icons, and graphics that “gel” with your brand and business-type and don’t take your links and pages so deep that readers have to click back through several pages to find where they started. Test out several design and navigation options and get feedback from friends or acquaintances who are less familiar with your business than you are.

4) Build an E-Commerce Web Site

If you want to sell your products and services online you will need a merchant account (which allows you to process credit card transactions from your site through a bank).  Some web hosting companies provide these as add-on options to your regular hosting package. Pricing levels for online merchant services vary according to the number of products you sell online, and (on top of your regular monthly hosting fee) you should plan on spending a minimum of $27 per month, plus around 3% of your sales revenues.

PayPal.com is an option you can choose also. They offer services for those just starting and not needing a full-service account to full-service merchant accounts. They are a good place to start.

If you are engaging in any form of e-commerce in your online business venture, you should also be aware of federally-mandated e-commerce rules and regulations.

5) Generating Traffic to your Web Site

To succeed in your online business venture, it’s critical that you generate traffic – and this is one of the biggest challenges of starting an online business.

The best place to start is in your own front yard. Start with your existing customers and traditional offline channels and direct them to your web site. Then move to online methods such as social media, video marketing, articles, press releases, pay-per-click advertising, blogs and more.

If you have any questions about marketing your business online feel free to contact me. You can leave your questions below or contact me directly through our contact page.

Also if you find this information helpful please share it with your Facebook or Twitter friends using the buttons below.

In this short video she shares with you pearls of wisdom that she discovered through her successes.  She has some great information, especially when she talks about relationships. It is easy as an online marketer to lose track of people and want to hide behind the screen.

Listen to what she has to say and leave your comments below. If you like what she has to say and believe others could benefit from it please share it through Facebook and Twitter using the buttons below.

It appears that you can be added to a group and you will receive all updates and emails regardless of if  you joined the group or not unless you make a few chances to things. 

Peter Drew created a quick video on how to correct this and allowed me to post it to YouTube and share it with you.

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