Where is Your Phone Number?

by Jeff Mulligan (C) 2003

There is probably a major problem lurking on your sales
page right now. And it could be hurting your profits.

Experts agree that one of the most important factors in a
successful website is credibility. This frequently
translates into the credibility of the site owner. People
are more likely to buy from somebody they believe in.

Is your website as credible as it could be?

People judge credibility by many subtle factors. Does the
design of the site look professional? Is the site well
written? Are there typos and grammar errors strewn
throughout the site? Is the author believable? Does the
author have experience in this market or with this product?
These are all important factors.

We also know that a strong guarantee is a key part of a
successful sales page. Taken one step further, the reader
needs to believe he will actually get a refund if
requested. And herein often lies a major inconsistency.

Look at your sales page and ask yourself: Who is standing
behind the product? What do you provide for contact
information?

If there is only an e-mail address, or worse yet, no
contact information at all, then you do not have a
believable guarantee.

If you want someone to believe that you stand behind your
product you need to be reachable. Put your complete
contact information on your web site. I'm not just talking
about an e-mail address. Consider adding your snail mail
address and even, dare I say, your phone number.

At first, I worried about using this approach. I feared
getting calls at all hours of the night. I worried about
getting overwhelmed. But, I reasoned, I could always
remove the phone number if it became a problem.

Turns out, having my phone number on the site is a
blessing. I have made dozens of sales because I have been
available to answer one or two simple questions from a
prospect. I now look at each telephone call as an
opportunity to help someone solve their problem and,
frequently, earn their business.

I have received numerous comments from customers saying
that one of the reasons they purchased is because they can
tell there is a real person standing behind this
business. The fact it is, I only get about one or two phone
calls a day. And my sites have thousands of visitors every
day.

In summary, take a look at your own sales page or contact
page with a critical eye. Do you look like just another
anonymous web site? Or is there a person there; ready,
willing and able to help. The answer to these questions may
have a lot to do with your conversion rates.

At the very least, test putting your phone number on your
web site. Even if your web business is part time, with a
good voice mail system you will sound professional and you
can return phone calls when you are able. Try this
credibility improvement. And see if it doesn't improve
your sales.

About the Author:
Jeff Mulligan has an MBA and 20+ years of marketing
experience as an ad agency Senior VP and VP Marketing for
two software companies, one of which was publicly traded.
Jeff owns CBmall, a site that provides 15 different ways
for ClickBank affiliates to earn income on thousands of
popular InfoProducts.

15 Different Income Streams

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3 Ways To Save Money On Ezine Advertising

by Deanna Mascle

Ezine Advertising is still one of the top ways to advertise online because it is cheap, easy, and targeted.

If you are one of the many internet marketers who understand just how effective ezine marketing can be then you will be happy to learn that I have three tips that will save you money on Ezine Advertising.

Join The Directory of Ezines

Yes, it may seem a bit pricey up front but I have been a member for years and never regretted the money I paid -- because I made it back in savings! Not only do you get a lot of great bonuses and freebies but you will also be able to find a list of free advertising available from the ezine owners listed in the directory. Plus on top of that many of the ezine owners listed in the directory offer a discount to directory members. So if you think about the amount of money you might save over time -- the Directory of Ezines is actually a very big bargain!

Visit The Ezine Ad Auction

You will need to register to use this auction site but there is no cost involved.

At any given time there are hundreds of auctions available -- some starting at just $10. You can shop by category to more easily find your target audience and will find a range of ezines and ad formats available.

Ezine publishers put up regular offers and discounts on unsold space -- and either way you save money off their posted rates.

I regularly use Ezine Ad Auction to buy and sell ads. It is a great resource and I have developed some great, long-lasting relationships as a result.

Ask The Ezine Publisher For A Deal

Many Ezine Publishers are willing to offer special deals for either or both new advertisers or long-term advertisers. I used to have a "Test Drive Offer" for my ezines and currently offer some great discounts and free ads through my Renaissance Woman Online Ad Club.

I occasionally have advertisers contact me about a discount and if I have open space I am often willing to make a deal or at least a counter offer.

If you are a hesitant about boldly asking for a discount then simply contact the publisher to see if there are any deals available. Believe me, if they ad inventory available they will make you a deal--and it might be better deal than you would have dreamed of asking!

About the Author
Deanna Mascle will be glad to explain how Ezine Advertising Works or How To Advertise With Ezines (where the full text of this article is available). You can also learn more about saving money on your ezine advertising with the
Renaissance Woman Online Ad Club.

Why Articles Fail To Deliver Traffic To Your Website

by Tony Williams

It's no secret that submitting articles to article directories can generate traffic to a website. In fact, it seems that everybody and their dogs are up to it. But as is the way of the web, many seem to miss the point and don't submit effective articles, or submit articles that have absolutely no relevance to their website.

For example; it is pointless writing an article on the uses of sand in the Sahara desert if your website is about deep sea fishing. Seems obvious eh? Well surprisingly not to some it would appear, because I have seen very similar mistakes in some of the top article directories.

Look at it this way: If somebody is interested enough to read an article about credit cards, why on earth would they then click a link in a resource box that leads to a site about notable ice cream parlours of the northern hemisphere?

With this in mind here are some tips toward writing the 'perfect' article.

Think of a good title
- Make it intriguing enough for people scanning the titles to read the whole article.

Make it relevant
- If the site you want to promote is about collecting 1950's baseball cards then write about this and not sports cars.

Use your keywords
- You should know by now what the popular keywords are for your chosen subject, so include them in your article title and body.

Check spelling
- It's a simple exercise, but one that many article writers neglect. You want to be taken seriously don't you?

Make it interesting
- Don't just waffle! Providing valuable information for your readers will encourage them to click through to your site.

Be resourceful
- Use your resource box wisely and make sure the link to your site works.

Submitting articles to article directories can be a great way to build up that all-important traffic to your website, but not just any old rubbish will do the trick. A little thought and planning when preparing your articles will not only provide interesting reading, but also drive targeted and eager visitors to your site.

About the Author
Tony Williams is a musician, writer, and self-confessed eBay fanatic. Follow his ongoing quest for ways of making and saving money online at www.myrichpickings.co.uk

Truck surfing - what a MORON.

Next time you do something REALLY stupid and start
feeling down on yourself, just remember - it could
be MUCH worse!

Check out this video for a healthy dose of laughter !

Hope you enjoy -

Your Own Domain - What Every Marketer Needs

Did you ever want to have a web page?

Not one of those “free” domains, but one you could REALLY create, design, and have full control of. No third party ads, no drawn-out l – o – n – g URL name, but something YOU want.

Did you ever question how it would be to have your own domain name?
Do you realize what that means, and what you might achieve with it? The future of the Internet seems to be heading in this direction; everyone will need his or her own domain at some point, it appears.

Are you eager to build a website, but everything you've found so far is too limited (or too expensive!), or the name you wanted was gone, or, somehow, the site simply didn't fit to your wishes?

Now imagine this - your name (or your initials) as your own personal domain name, with your own personal website, AND your own set of personal e-mail addresses.

Or, what about your child’s (or grandchild’s) name as his or her own domain to own for life? He could create a web space of his own, and she would have her own e-mail addresses (ten!).

Perhaps you own a brick-and-mortar business, and are ready to launch it into cyberspace!

Not sure just how to accomplish any of this? Keep reading…

All of this will be yours for life – nothing will change about your website unless YOU choose to change it.

How does that sound? Would that be something to interest you?

Well, how about in addition to all that, you’re supplied all the tools (my mom could understand them – no offense, mom!) you need to build that website, and THEN –

Provide a way to have it pay for itself?

Now you have such a way - Get your own domain name (whatever you want it to be) and the tools to build your own webpage as a professional.

Go here and find out more.

It’s really very simple.

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