Internet Marketing Questions Answered

Just a quick note to let you know a great new site that I found.

IManswers.com

If you have any questions about Internet marketing from beginner to advance, a new service is available online free. They cover an array of topics and experts seem to be very sincere in their answers. When you sign up, activation is required via email but you can browse first and see if you like it. Even the curious might want to check out Imanswers.com, you can earn ad credits to help drive traffic to your website while providing help by answering other Internet marketing questions.

Free Blog Profits Blueprint

I was so impressed with this free video, thought I'd share. This is not a sales, or an affiliate link from me, just thought you bloggers out there would appreciate this information as much as I did. Get the Free Blog Profits Blueprint . Thanks to Matt at Blog Tactics, a great blog site, his post encouraged me to grab a copy. It was delivered to me immediately, with the options of mp3, video, or pdf. I watched the videos and then read the blueprint and was extremely impressed. Yaro is one of top bloggers and shares tons of information. And as for Matt's blog, I can't say enough.

Happy blogging.

Michael Cheney Talks Traffic - Interview With A Traffic Expert

Michael Cheney, one of the most-respected names in Internet marketing, has been online since 1995 and is the man behind the 6-Figure launches of AdSense Videos and 11 Days To List Profits. He has unveiled a new videos product - "Michael's" Traffic Videos" which covers everything to do with traffic and comes with 100,000 instant ad credits and a tailored Fast-Track To Traffic Action Plan.

We managed to grab some time with him recently and quiz him on his favorite topic - traffic.

You'll get a lot out of this interview including a killer 40-page E-book on traffic that Michael has written to help you avoid the Top 20 Traffic Disasters!

So let's get started.

Q. Firstly Michael, thank you for joining us today in your busy schedule.

A. Hey no problem. Good to be here.

Q. We all know that traffic is important but could you just explain a bit about traffic for the beginners out there?

A. Sure. Traffic is the lifeblood of any business online. Without it you just die. We all know that. But what a lot of us don't realize is that just like everything else on the Internet traffic changes very quickly. That is, the methods of getting traffic are changing all the time and that's where people get caught out.

Q. What do you mean by "caught out"?

A. Well people fall into the trap of thinking that just because they know one or two traffic generation methods that they are some sort of traffic master. In reality just because you know how to start a pay per click campaign or a little bit about search engines doesn't make you anywhere near a traffic expert. I'm trying to spread the word that there is a massive array of traffic tactics that most people aren't even aware of, let alone using or mastering.

Q. Can you give us some examples?

A. Sure. Offline for example. You might immediately think that getting traffic is a purely online activity but the truth of the matter is that there are lots of things you can be doing offline to get people into your website. And it's usually these sorts of areas that are being under-utilized and therefore there is less competition for that traffic as well.

Q. So by offline you mean advertising offline?

A. Not necessarily. That is one method, yes, but I'm thinking of more creative ways to get people into your website. It all comes down to the fact that having asked people on my list it came as no surprise that most people want to know about free rather than paid traffic sources. I've had to become an expert in free ways of getting traffic in my time online.

Q. What do you mean - I thought you were running a successful online business with lots of cash flow?

A. I am. But it's not always been this way. When I first started out in 1995 I had nothing. No money to play with. Just my own initiative and imagination.

Q. So are you saying you're against paying for traffic online?

A. No. No I'm not saying that at all. What I'm saying is that, especially when you first start out, you always want to focus on the free methods. You get the traffic in for free, make some sales and then you can reinvest some of that money into paid methods of getting traffic. This speeds up the process.

Q. So what particular offline methods are you referring to - can you give us some examples?

A. There's one tactic I used that costs nothing to implement, is relatively quick and ended up getting me thousands and thousands of targeted visitors into my websites. When I've shared this tactic with other marketers at seminars they've started laughing and slapping their foreheads when they saw how easy it was. They were also embarrassed that they had failed to use this tactic. It was quite amusing.

Q. So are you going to tell us what this method is?

A. No! (laughs) It's in my course! I truly believe in rewarding those people that are most eager to learn so instead of giving away all my traffic tactics in interviews like this I've put some of them in an E-Book I've written. It is free though if people want to get it.

Q. So how can people get hold of it?

A. It's called "How To Avoid The Top 20 Traffic Disasters" and you can get it by going to Michael's" Traffic Videos - you'll see it mentioned on that page.

Q. What's in it?

A. Well I really wanted to raise the bar on a free E-Book so I spent a lot of time creating it. It's 40 pages long and stuffed with juicy content on what NOT to do when it comes to traffic. As far as I'm concerned too many people out there tell you what you should do but not what you shouldn't do. That's where this E-Book comes in.

Q. Okay. I think we're about done is there anything else you want to tell everyone?

A. Just that if they are serious about getting more traffic into their website they need to go to Michael's" Traffic Videos and get that free E-Book.

Q. Cool. Well thanks for your time Michael and speak to you soon.

A. My pleasure. Speak soon.

Michael Cheney Offers Limited Exclusive

I have discovered Michael's Cheney's latest Internet offer and couldn't be more excited. Michael is a high profile Internet marketer and now my teacher. Several weeks ago, Michael offered his expertise to only a select few and the cost was out of my reach. He received so many requests for something more affordable that he has come out with an answer but for a limited time only. Why limited and exclusive? The content and email access to him. He doesn't want to compromise the quality of his support.

How I came across his new endeavor is explained at Online Work Reviews. I am a couple weeks into the program and barely scratched the surface. This is an unbelievable opportunity, and his story is even more amazing, check it out.

Fair Warning, it is only for a few days.

Gabby

What's List Building Got To Do With It?

I'm evaluating a viral listbuilding software tool from the folks at ListHero.com. It's the fastest, simplest and easiest way to build your list that I've seen in a long while.

Here's all you do...

• Create a short ad that promotes your newsletter or ezine


• Add some code to the pages of your website


• ... sit back and watch your list
  grow.

ListHero helps you generate 1,000's of highly targeted subscribers for free and pays you generous affiliate commissions as your list grows.

I'll let you know what I think of it once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile go grab access to this free viral listbuilding software while it's still free.

Is Affiliate Marketing For Me

It has been a month since, I chose affiliate marketing to research and participate. As an affiliate, promoting other people's products or services, starts out as a process. It is really quite simple, and in a nutshell all you need is products and a place to promote them. You can have a website or not. .You literally create your own success with your input. It ends up a true business if you want. I have had no trouble finding information to promote, purchasing or reviewing what I promote is important to me. I like to know exactly what I am referring people to buy. Best bet, stay with the well established names, they all have affiliate programs with great products for us to succeed. There are some really good links on the site http://www.onlineworkreviews.com/ of affiliate programs to join.

My biggest problem with affiliate marketing is that there are so many different products, services, systems, and programs..it is hard to focus on just one or two. You end up all over the place. The secret to success for beginners is to focus on one or two things. I made that mistake and started all over, much better when you focus first. So, as I continue...so will this blog.

Can You Make Money Online?

Today, I launched a website for those looking for places and people to connect with that can help them start a business or just make some extra money online. Several months in the making researching, subscribing to newsletters, joining programs, finding coaching, and purchasing products, I found a passion. Some say obsession.

The main focus of Online Work Reviews will be reporting and sharing my views on income producing opportunities via the Internet. Some I have found and others found me. The choices are endless, sometimes confusing, and just far too complicated for beginners. Others aren't.

Along the way, I finally found the secret for success; FOCUS... find one or two great things that you can be passionate about and follow through. It all started here with blogging and I have a long way to go...In the meantime, if you ever have any comments or would like to tell me what you'd like to see here, just let me know.

Until next post,
Gabby

Laser Eye Surgery Worked For Me

Recently in the news was a story about failed laser eye surgeries. The results are as unique as the patient. As a recipient of laser eye surgery, also known as lasik, the procedure worked extremely well for me and still does years later. Do your homework first to help make it a worthwhile experience. Things to do if you are considering laser eye surgery:

• Research the procedures - know what is being done.
• Verify you are a candidate with an ophthalmologist - a good one will tell if you are not.
• Know the side effects - most everyone is different.
• Evaluate the risk versus reward - are you willing to forfeit nearsightedness to see far?
• Confidence with office staff and ophthalmologist - do they make you feel comfortable?
• Know what to do if you have complications - minor and major.

There are plenty or resources available about the procedures both on and offline for consumers. As in any medical procedure, the patient needs to be as responsible as the health care provider. If side effects of the lasik operation has complications, the patient needs to seek his doctors help immediately to correct those problems. Thorough follow-up examinations should identify problems and correction, if possible, be made. For a look at the procedure itself, check out this site I found.

Overall, it was the best thing I could have done for me. As with Tiger Woods, I wish I had done it sooner.

Autism Awareness

Kudos to my area media stations that have joined together to bring awareness to the public about Autism. Their coverage and featured families touched my heart.

Although, it has been years, I often wondered if my toddlers' behavior might have been victim to autism. Seemingly exceptionally bright, her uncontrollable tantrums out of nowhere, and obsession with counting, sometimes left me perplexed. I was fortunate enough to only have experienced the terrible twos early. But for many, the families of autistic children are often falsely informed about behavioral treatments and misdiagnosed. Early intervention seems to be critical.

There are new guidelines now that screening be done between 18-24 months old, although some autistic children are diagnosed between the ages of two and three years most are not diagnosed until age four. I always was fearful of the possibility during those early years.

Autistic children often have trouble with verbal and non-verbal communications, social interactions, and may not be affectionate with others. Mine did not have any of the signals, she was very verbal, in fact, I swear she could read when she was two years old. However, she had a real problem with social interaction with her peers and any environmental changes. Perhaps because she was an only child in an all adult environment. At age two she literally failed the day care social environment and I was advised to give her 6 months to try again.

The symptoms of the disorder affecting the brain vary widely, two children with the same diagnosis may act quite differently and have different skills.

I'm not sure if the fact that we acquired our first family puppy when she was age three could have been an intuitive intervention or not, but like most autistic children, she related very well to our dog. An estimated one out of 150 children has a disorder related to autism according to a 2007 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a growing number of parents are looking to service dogs to provide protection and companionship for their children.

More than 24,000 children will be diagnosed this year in the US alone. There are many success stories that involved early diagnoses, intervention, and constant communications. There is still so much unknown and more to be done to understand and combat this disorder. Ironically, just this week, a court ruled in a case of a possible vaccine connection between childhood vaccines and autism. A unique but rare situation associated with the disorder.

The Autism Society of America publishes a newsletter, sends monthly emails, and maintains a good website where parents can get information. Another good site which is being promoted by our local media is AutismSpeaks.

An Ugly Day

I am not used to experiencing ugly days very often where I reside, so today I can call it downright ugly. Can the weather really affect our feelings? I have had sad thoughts. Loved ones gone, kids grown up, and good times gone by. Can the weather really affect our emotions?

Although scientists and my doctors have nothing to prove it, I know for a fact that bad weather affects my knees. Is it common when the skies are rainy and gray, so are our thoughts and feelings? Well today I feel sad and can only blame the weather. Tomorrow should be better, the weather man says it will be...if you can believe the weather man.

You Tube, Hulu, and Me

Today, I have been on line most of the day, it all started with checking the Blogger Buzz and taking a look at the new videos put up on You Tube. One thing led to another and before you know it, I now have an account with You Tube. Great alternative tool for those of us who spend hours reading tutorials. I also checked out Hulu.com to see what the buzz was on the movie viewing scene. Nice, too. It's pretty cool and I recommend it to any movie or TV enthusiasts. I spent too much time there, but this is all contributing to my learning goals. As I spend countless hours of this new found hobby, when will it be time for me to give up the newbie title? From what I have read, it's a title I should ditch but there is so much to learn. Mind you, I didn't even know what a blog was in January. Every other day, I strive to learn something new and at that rate it will take my lifetime. More later on my web adventures.

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Jim Carey as Horton

After a long day at work, finally something to smile about. Watching American Idol tonight, what a hoot it was to see Jim Carey in a Horton costume promoting the movie opening of Horton Hears a Who. Ding, the bell went off in my head for costume design. Can't wait to see the movie for more ideas.

Many animated movies produce the years hottest costumes. Horton and the Whos will obviously be favorites this year. Here is a list of more movie releases projected for 2008 with great costume potential.

• KungFu Panda promises some unique jungle critters.
• Incredible Hulk
• Wall-E - animated robots with personality
• Space Chimps
• Madagascar
• Harry Potter

Only time will tell which one will be most popular this year.

2008 Year of the Blogger

I found an interesting article during my browsing from The Wall Street Journal about blogging that I thought was extremely interesting and wanted to share.


I am conquering my internet fears one step at time and having a blast doing it. The past two weeks, have been productive for me, creating blogs, affiliate accounts, and my own web store. I love this new venture. All are work in progress and I've made mistakes along the way. I can't find enough time to take advantage of all the opportunity the internet offers. How do I begin to decide when too much information is enough. With all the gurus out there, it's a bit intimidating and looks like I have lots to learn.

With help, I've learned how to include search bars, ads, pictures, and video to my blog, I am so proud. This community is willing to offer help, you are fantastic. With baby steps, I am beginning to understand WYSIWYG and take advantage of all the resources available that are free. The tutorials on Google are great too.
My social network professional forum has been extremely helpful including the 697 emails in two days. There seems to be no end as to what is available, free or for a price.

I hope to find my niche soon and make 2008 my year of the blog. Thanks again to all for your continued support. You know who you are. Until next time.

Golden Retriever Puppies on Video

Today cruising the net, I found adorable videos of golden retriever puppies that tugged at my heartstrings. It seems like they all have such big litters. After the heartache of loosing our big dogs years ago, we thought we were destined to be cat owners for life. Our floors were renovated to wood leading us to believe it would be impossible to keep a big dog indoors. Not only bad for the floors but uncomfortable for a large breed dog. These little guys and gals seem to be doing just fine on the wood floors.

The picture of my earlier post is my cousins' golden that I fell in love with when visited him recently. He did like to chew everything in sight though. I keep weighing the sleepless nights, early morning nature calls, and the expense to keep them healthy versus companionship, unconditional love, and sense of security a dog could provide.

I have always been a German Shepherd owner, but this breed is calling me..loudly calling me.
Oh no.

Puppies Rule

Did you say it's a cats' life?
Look at my face!
Dogs rule.

Buddy

It's a Cat's Life

If only I could sleep this well!

Getting fit

Hello world. My network crashed a couple days ago and I'm back. New router is suppose to be quicker but the jury is still out. Not being able to connet was depressing and pure panic at first. I got over it. Got some rest, my eyes are able to focus again. My new interest is on health thanks to workplace newletter. I am going to journal information to get me going, especially healthy food. My weight is on target but not where I want it, looks like excercise is where I need to concentrate to increase metabolism. It seems like there is no shortage of experts willing to help once you talk about it. Dr. Oz and Oprah, here I come.

And the winner is..

Today, it will be all about the television. We are Tiger Woods fans and will be watching him go for another victory. If he wins he will lead in Fed-ex cup points. Next we have Nascar, we haven't picked our winner yet, way too early.

And tonight, the winner is...Oh my, I guess it's HDTV.

Movies, Cautions, and Getaway Dreaming

This work week ends with having watched three great flicks. If you can handle the language and violence they were all good in my opinion, Gone Baby Gone, American Gangster, and We Own the Night. Check em out.

Gonna go check work at home sites again, been burned a few times. Nothing is done in minutes. They don't call it work for nothing.

Cant say enough about good virus protection either. I'm sure all my surfing has caused my recent identity theft. What a nightmare. Why are people so cruel. Be careful of the phishing and pharming out here, I was a victim of a very good one using AOL copy. Also email phishing using Bank of America, caught that one right away, not my bank.

I thought the articles and pictures of the Caribbean Islands this week were fantastic (AOL)..beautiful pics...oh to get away! I love the Caribbean.

Gabby

Meatball Recipe Men Love

These meatballs go to every pot-luck, party gathering I attend by request. Birthdays, holidays, super-bowl, final four, office parties, you name it!

I'm always asked to write this recipe down so others could duplicate. Never did, I always said, a little sweet offset with a little sour. If you make meatloaf, this is easy. Just make make your meatloaf recipe and roll into 2" balls and bake 350 degrees until brown. It's the sauce that makes these so good. Measurements are approximate, I don't measure. Be creative!

Meatballs: Combine all ingredients until firm:
2lbs ground chuck
1bl. ground pork,
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk
sage to taste (I use a lot)
salt, pepper,
breadcrumbs
garlic and onion optional.
Make 2" balls (I have a meatball scoop), bake 350 degrees or until brown. (approx. 25 min.)

Prepare sauce while meatballs are baking.

In large pot (dutch oven), medium heat,
2T. cornstarch, 1c. vinegar stirring until thickens, reduce heat to simmer, stir in
1c. white sugar, 1c. ketchup, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 2T. water, 1t. cinnamon, 1/4t. ginger, 1t. soy sauce. Stir often as not to burn.

Cut 1 bell pepper into 1-inch squares (approx 1c.)and drain small can of pineapple chuncks, set aside.

Gently combine cooked meatballs into simmering sauce, add drained pineapple and bell pepper.

Simmer in crock pot for hours, make the day before and refrigerate, or enjoy immediately!

Had a great day at work, no hassles, no fires to put out. Everyone I think is on "holiday" hangover, as I call it. No one too eager to complain. So today, I will.

Came home for lunch to find out in an e-mail that my airline tickets were cancelled for a trip hubby and I are planning to Sturgis, South Dakota for a motorcycle rally in August. Now why did we get tickets so early, who knows. Have nice hotel all planned, excited about taking a side trip to visit long-time friends in Denver, and now I need to figure out how to get there and when all over again. What was the 'free' insurance about? Anyway, my on-line agent is telling me to wait it out a few days. They didn't wait to charge my account. Which leads me to customer service.

Are the days gone when the customer was considered your 'bread and butter?' Today's automation age with auto responders, voice mail, and press one for this and two for that, etc. can sometimes seem daunting. When you need help while visiting a merchant, don't you just love when they say, "that's not my department." Then you have to ask whose department is it, can you get someone, etc.--and how many times have you felt invisible at the counter.

I guess it is just the times--or maybe I'm just getting to be a grumpy old lady. Tomorrow will be fine.

Lurking

It is a three day weekend from work and I have been lurking,a new word for me, most of the time. Wanting to join my hubby in retirement, I've been looking to replace the nine to five syndrome with work at home. The television caught my attention in the wee hours during Christmas vacation how easy it was to go about getting websites and letting them work for you, so I went for it. No, not that night, not that infomercial, just plain e-bay bidding and web searching. The only thing I knew about the web was email and shopping. It hasn't happened overnight, but I have met some great folks along the way in this community.

I have a couple sites now on things that interest me, health, travel, retirement advice, etc. and I really enjoy checking their progress. Even the occasional dollar is exciting too.

I am now checking into what affiliate programs are all about, in between working, laundry, cooking, and cleaning, etc. There is definetly no shortage of information on the net.

My promise is to improve my blog skills with quality content, of coarse help is always appreciated. My daughter's myspace puts me to shame but I will get there,so much to learn, so litte time.

Til next time,
Gabby

Welcome to my blog. Here, my hope is to open a forum to share past and present life experiences from health, home life, the work world, past and future travels, and current events.

If you're reading, thank you. Constructive ideas are welcome. Until next time, have the best day of your life.